Smith family names CEO for new company

CEDAR RAPIDS - A former tax senior manager at the accounting firm of Deloitte Tax LLP has been named president and CEO of K & S LLC, a new company formed by the John and Dyan Smith family of Cedar Rapids.

Amy Lynch will determine the strategic goals and priorities for the family office. She also will oversee its relationship management, finance, tax and philanthropic functions, and be responsible for the implementation of services being provided.

The Smith family - John, Dyan and their three children - have been benefactors of area businesses, nonprofits and education, as well as major contributors to the Block by Block program that helped rebuild flood-damaged homes in Cedar Rapids.

John Smith also is chairman of CRST International in Cedar Rapids, one of the country's largest trucking companies, which is owned by the Smith family.

In a news release, John Smith said his family had been a client of Lynch's since 2009.

'With her depth of technical experience and family knowledge, it is a natural transition for Amy to become our family office's new CEO,” he said. 'My family and I look forward to collaborating with Amy to make sure we are able to continue our strong commitment to supporting the Cedar Rapids community.”

Lynch, a certified public accountant, graduated from Marquette University with a bachelor's degree in accounting. She serves on the board of directors for the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.

In November 2012, the John and Dyan Smith made the largest single gift to Mount Mercy University in its history - $2.1 million on behalf of CRST for a new graduate center. When the city was finalizing private fundraising for the new $8.2 million McGrath Amphitheatre, the Smiths donated $100,000 to the project.

In 2013, the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance recognized the Smiths' community involvement with its annual Howard Hall Excellence in Business award.