Announcing New Executive Director of Human Resources

The Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) is pleased to announce the appointment of Colby “Lee” Kenyon as the district’s new Executive Director of Human Resources, effective August 12, 2026.

Kenyon brings more than 15 years of human resources leadership experience across large organizations, including Lowe’s, ADT, and Hy-Vee. Most recently, he served as the Director of Human Resources for Hy-Vee’s distribution campus in Chariton, Iowa, where he oversaw HR operations and supported over 1,000 employees across four facilities. His broad expertise spans recruitment and retention, union relations, safety, workforce planning, budgeting, and continuous process improvement.

"We are thrilled to welcome Lee Kenyon to the Cedar Rapids Community School District leadership team," said Superintendent Dr. Tawana Lannin. "Lee brings extensive HR expertise, strong organizational leadership, and a commitment to serving others. His focus on creating efficient, supportive systems will ensure our staff feels empowered to focus on what matters most—supporting our students and preparing every learner to be future-ready."

Kenyon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management with a minor in Spanish from Truman State University and is proficient in Spanish.

Throughout his career, Lee has maintained a strong dedication to community involvement. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) of Kansas City, where he was named Volunteer of the Year. He also served on the board of the Missouri Rehabilitation and Employment (MORE) Group, advocating for vocational and employment services for individuals with disabilities.

"I’m honored to join the Cedar Rapids Community School District and contribute to its commitment to making every learner future-ready," shared Kenyon. "Human resources means attracting excellent people, supporting and developing them, and building systems that allow them to focus their talents where they matter most: the students. I’m excited to bring my experience to that work and to support the remarkable people who make the district’s mission possible each day."