Monday, January 08, 2007
Governor-elect Culver and Lt. Governor-elect Judge Announce Appointments
(Des Moines) Today, Governor-elect Chet Culver and Lt. Governor-elect Patty Judge announced another round of appointments to their administration.
“I consider myself very lucky to have found such qualified people to appoint to these important positions in such a short amount of time,” said Governor-elect Culver. “These are hardworking individuals with a tremendous amount of experience. Iowans will no doubt be served well by these appointees, and I am honored they have agreed to become a part of our administration.”
Today’s announcements include:
Major General Ron Dardis, Director of the Iowa Department of Public Defense: Major General Ron Dardis graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City in 1965 before beginning his military career by enlisting in the Iowa Air National Guard in 1966. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1967 and is a command pilot with approximately 4,000 flying hours in the F-100, A-7, and F-16. Major General Dardis has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Meritorious Service Medal among other major awards and decorations and has studied at the Squadron Officer School, the Air Command and Staff College, and the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. He became Adjutant General for the Iowa National Guard in 1999 and provides command and control for 104 Army and Air National Guard Units and over 9,600 Army and Air National Guard members in the state of Iowa.
James Forney, Superintendent of Credit Unions: James Forney has been serving as the Superintendent of Credit Unions in the Iowa Department of Commerce Credit Union Division since his appointment in 1988. He was appointed by Governor Terry Branstad and was reappointed in 2000 and 2004 by Governor Tom Vilsack. Forney is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors, serving as the Chairman in 2000 and 2001. He was honored as the State of Iowa Golden Dome Leader of the Year by Governor Vilsack in 2001 and was presented with the National Pierre Jay Award in 2002 by the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors. Forney served a total of 34 years in the military, most recently as the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Iowa National Guard at Camp Dodge.
Gary Maynard, Director of the Department of Corrections: Gary Maynard has served as Director of the Iowa Department of Corrections since March 2003. Prior to coming to Iowa, Maynard served as the Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections from 2001 – 2003. From August 1997 to May 2001, he was the Director of Corrections and Public Safety Programs at the University of Oklahoma College of Continuing Education, where he was responsible for training and consultation programs for law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, military and other public safety professionals. Maynard graduated from East Central University in 1966 and served in the Oklahoma National Guard from 1963 – 1995, retiring with the rank of Brigadier General.
Bret Mills, Director of the Iowa Finance Authority: Bret Mills currently serves as the Executive Director for the Iowa Finance Authority. Prior to his appointment, Mills served as IFA’s Chief Financial Officer. Before joining IFA, Mills served as the Deputy State Treasurer for nine years where he developed and managed the “College Savings Iowa” and “Linked Investments for Tomorrow” programs. Mills is also very active in his community as membership chair of his church, trustee for the Webster Township and a member of various accounting organizations including the Government Finance Officers Association.
Patrick Palmersheim, Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs: Patrick Palmersheim was appointed the Executive Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs in January 2002. A lifelong Iowan, Palmersheim has served as the Executive Director of the Howard County Veteran Affairs and the Americans with Disabilities Act and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Administrator for Howard County. He served in the US Air Force from 1967 – 1975, serving two tours in Vietnam.
ADMINISTRATION STAFF:
Elisabeth Buck, Deputy Chief of Staff: Elisabeth Buck has served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Tom Vilsack since his inauguration in 1999. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Transition for the Vilsack-Pederson administration and the Director of Administration in the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. Buck graduated from Iowa State University in 1980, where she served as President of the Student Body. She is currently working as the Deputy Director for the Culver-Judge transition.
Courtney Maxwell Greene, Press Secretary: Courtney Maxwell Greene was born, raised and educated in Iowa. She graduated from East High School in 1987 and served as President of the East High Alumni Association in 1999. In 1991, she graduated with a degree in Communication Studies and Journalism from the University of Iowa. Greene worked at WHO TV 13 as a reporter, anchor and producer, most recently anchoring Today in Iowa Saturday. She worked for more than a year as a television reporter and anchor at WDAF TV Fox 4 News in Kansas City. In addition, she also freelances at the Meredith Corporation in their books division. Greene is currently the President of the Des Moines Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, a women's organization dedicated to serving the community and she is also the secretary of the Des Moines Chapter of Jack and Jill.
Robert Mulqueen, Policy Director: Robert Mulqueen, an Iowa native, has been working in Governor-elect Culver’s Transition Office assisting with the property tax task force and the energy policy advisory forum. He has worked for the last two and one-half years for the Iowa Environmental Council and has been an advocate for energy and environmental protection and for affordable housing issues. He worked for sixteen years for the Iowa State Association of Counties. He holds a B.A. from Creighton University and an M.P.A. from Iowa State University.
Richard Oshlo, Jr., Budget Director: Richard Oshlo has served as the Senior Research Analyst for the Iowa Democratic Senate Caucus since 2003. He has worked in Governor Tom Vilsack’s office as Policy Coordinator and in the Department of Natural Resources as their legislative liaison. Oshlo has worked around the country for companies such as Dreamfield Partners, INACOM Corp, GWR Investments and J.P. Morgan. In Washington DC, he worked as a legislative assistant for Sen. John Culver and served as his Chief of Staff from 1978 – 1981.