Cathy Smith, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has announced she will retire effective May 31, 2021, after an 18-year career in railroading. Over the years she held various management positions within IAIS including Controller, VP of Finance and Accounting, and most recently, V.P. and Chief Financial Officer. Cathy also served as the Secretary for Iowa Interstate’s Board of Directors since 2012. Her contributions to Iowa Interstate’s success during her career were many and she is to be commended for her years of hard work and dedication.
Cathy began her accounting career in 1986 working for a start-up company which would eventually become McLeod*USA. She held various management positions in Accounting, Production and Sales Operations where her primary responsibilities included performing the due diligence process to analyze the viability of over 60 company acquisitions during her 15 year tenure. She held the position of VP of Sales Operations when she left the company.
Cathy graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA degree in Accounting and achieved her goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant in 2003.
Cathy is looking forward to spending time with her daughters and their families, fishing with her husband, Bert and some much-needed quiet time in her “She Room”.
Allen Polfer has served as our Controller since he was hired in March of 2017 and he has accepted the promotion of Chief Financial Officer as of June 1, 2021.
All of us at IAIS wish Cathy the best in retirement!