Lee Lynch

Lee Lynch "retired in April [2006] as chief executive officer of the Carmichael-Lynch Advertising Agency, which he founded in 1962, but remains a partner in the Historic Theater Group, a for-profit manager of the refurbished State, Orpheum and Pantages theaters in downtown Minneapolis.

"He’s married to Terry Saario, former president of the Northwest Area Foundation, and they share a simple philosophy of philanthropy...

"The couple’s personal philanthropy was reflected in Lynch’s corporate life. For many years, Carmichael-Lynch belonged to the 5 percent club, composed of companies that pledge 5 percent of federally taxable income to support community nonprofit organizations. The 300-employee ad agency, with interesting clients—such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Gibson Guitars and Porsche cars—today donates in the 2 percent range, as part of the Interpublic Group of Companies, which acquired the firm in 1998.

"Lynch devotes time as well as resources to community-related programs. He’s a board member of the Pantages Theater, Minneapolis College of Art and Design and the Benton Foundation of Washington, D.C., a communications-policy foundation tackling issues such as advertising to children."