Lem, a native of Florence, SC, graduated from the University of South Carolina as a Business Economics Major in 1972. Lem volunteered and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1967-1969 as a NCO. During his service, he was part of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, stationed in the Mediterranean Sea and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corp, he was employed with South Carolina National Bank (Wachovia) from 1972 through 1983 as a commercial/consumer lender and, for a period, primary Business Development Officer for all offices in Columbia, Lexington and Batesburg-Leesville. Following three years of preparation through the College of Financial