John Lynn’s singing results in his family laughing, yet he went to the All-State Chorus for two years and has two All-State Chorus pins to prove it. There was a scheduling conflict at John’s high school in Beckley, West Virginia and he ended up in chorus. The boy who was supposed to go to the All-State Chorus got sick and since John had “sung along” during class, he got tapped to go.
John went to Tennessee Tech for college. His older brother, an accountant, suggested he study accounting rather than a general business course. After graduating from college with a degree in accounting, he worked first for Price Waterhouse in Nashville and did a stint in New York City before heading back to Nashville. When Price Waterhouse acquired a firm in Norfolk, John transferred here as a partner.
He left Price Waterhouse after 19 years rather than move to another location. In his job search, he asked attorneys at Kaufman & Canoles if they knew any firms that could use his skills. Instead of referring John to another firm, they suggested he come to work for them. He did as their first director of administration. John retired from Kaufman & Canoles in 2013. Today, John uses his accounting and management skills to help his daughter-in-law, Emily, with her business.
John met his wife, Roma, when he lived in Nashville. One of the people in his apartment complex was an intern at a local hospital. One night he suggested a group of guys tour the hospital. The intern introduced John to Roma, a nurse who had just worked a double shift. And as they say, the rest is history. Roma passed away unexpectedly last year. The couple would have been married 50 years this summer
John and Roma have two sons. Jason and his wife, Emily, live in New York City where Jason manages large databases for internet advertising companies. Emily is a former Broadway dancer/actress who decided to teach meditation with clients in New York City and Los Angeles as well as an internet presence. John and Roma’s second son, Justin, is studying interior design after having pursued a retail career.
John joined our Rotary Club in 1981. When he joined, one club fundraiser was selling citrus. Early in his Rotary career, John volunteered to be on the citrus committee. Next thing he knew, he was chair of the committee. John loves being involved in various Rotary projects so you will often see him volunteering at community service days. He believes that one of the best ways to get to know your fellow Rotarians is by working on the community service projects. John was president of our club in 1992-93.
Over the years, John has been very involved as an advocate for The Rotary Foundation. One of his Rotary sponsors, Ken Palmer, was very active on the District Foundation Committee and recruited John to work with him. John is a Paul Harris Fellow +4 and for the past several years has led our club's Rotary giving efforts.
John is on the Board of Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay and is president of its Foundation. He enjoys taking courses at the Institute of Learning in Retirement. He also enjoys working in his yard. He has a particular affinity for day lilies and has a wide variety of them growing in his yard.