Wendy S.LewisWendy is the Chief Financial Officer for Jim R. Smith & Company/SmithCo Development, LLC in Houston, Texas, where she has been employed for almost sixteen years.  Jim Smith is the largest individual owner of shopping centers in the Houston metropolitan area, and it is also a Family Office entity.  The company owns and manages approximately 2,000,000 square feet of lease space.  Wendy’s duties encompass human resource and payroll functions, as well as all areas of finance including day-to-day operations, treasury management, financial reporting and lender relations, tenant contact, and preparation of all tax returns for the business entities, trusts and family members.  Because of the Smith’s vast investments, business, and philanthropic interests, Wendy also spends a large amount of time researching a variety of topics and working on unique projects. 

Her work history consists of five years in public accounting, three years in governmental accounting for a state university, and over twenty-five years experience in real estate accounting.  Her required continuing education is focused on real estate, asset, like-kind exchange, tax, leadership, management, HR and technology, and trusts accounting. 

Wendy received a BBA in accounting from the University of Texas San Antonio.  She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) - Houston Chapter, and the American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants (AWSCPA) - Houston Affiliate, and the Institute for Management Accountants (IMA).  Wendy is a Past National President of the AWSCPA (2010 – 2011), and is the current V.P. of Sponsorships.  She serves on the Houston Chapter TSCPA’s Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee as Committee Chair for the 2015 – 2016 year, and she served three years on the AICPA’s Women’s Initiative Executive Committee (WIEC).  Effective June 1, 2016, Wendy will serve on the state TSCPA Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee. 

For the 2014/2015, 2015/2016, and 2016/2017 fiscal years, Wendy is serving on the AICPA’s Business Environment Concepts (BEC) Subcommittee (under the Uniform CPA Exam). She received the Federation of Houston Professional Women’s Woman of Excellence Award in 2008, as well as the National AWSCPA President’s Award in June of 2013 for her service to that organization.  In 2015 she joined The Houston Economics Club, and in 2016, Wendy began serving on Houston Baptist University’s Engineering Advisory Board.  The purpose of this board is to work towards developing a College of Engineering at the University. In 2016, Wendy will join the Jesse H. Jones School of Business, Business Advisory Council at Texas Southern University.  In May 2016, Wendy received the Houston Chapter TSCPA’s award for Distinguished Service to the Profession. 

Wendy has taught continuing education classes to the American Woman’s Society of CPA’s as well as the Louisiana Society of CPA’s.  She enjoys the opportunity to mentor students and other accountants.

Charitable and civic activities have always been important to Wendy.  She served on her homeowner’s association board as their treasurer for twelve years.  She is an active member of St. Thomas Presbyterian Church.  She was the adult choir president for numerous years, and served as a Ruling Elder for a three year term.  Wendy has participated on several church committees, and been active with various mission projects in Houston, as well as at previous churches in Huntsville and San Antonio (where she also served as a Ruling Elder). She has served on the board of the Houston Affiliate of AWSCPA in different capacities since 1991, and as affiliate president for the 1996/1997 year.  She is again serving as affiliate president for 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017.

Wendy has been married for thirty-three years.  She and her husband have four “children” named Cotton, Freddie, Barney and Kitter.  They have been involved with cat rescue for a number of years.