Charles Lee Reese (November 4, 1862 – April 12, 1940) was an American chemist and chemical director of DuPont serving from 1911 to 1924.

Promoted to chemical director of DuPont in 1911, he oversaw the development of new processes for creating raw materials needed for military explosives in World War I.

Eastern Laboratory (Reese's original posting within DuPont) would focus on short term projects which could rapidly respond (and profit) to the demands of the market.

[4] This belief lead to his decision regarding "complete and detailed" information on smokeless powder and refusal to break apart the research labs, despite pressure from Congress and the company.

Within months of Reese's report, World War I began, and this decision proved to be an enormous boon to the Du Pont Company.