Terry Branstad

TERRY E. BRANSTAD was born in Leland, Iowa. He received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Iowa in 1969 and a law degree from Drake University Law School in 1974. He was in the U.S. Army for two years, receiving the Army Commendation Medal. He served three terms in the Iowa House of Representatives and won election as lieutenant governor in 1978. He went on to win election to four gubernatorial terms, serving as Governor of Iowa for 16 years. Branstad chaired the National Governors Association in 1989-90. While governor, he also chaired the Education Commission of the States, the Republican Governors Association, and the Governors' Ethanol Coalition. Economic development and education were Branstad's top priorities as governor. During his administration, Iowa became the first state to link all of its school districts in a broadband network. In addition, Branstad oversaw reorganization of his state's government, and in 1995, Iowa was recognized in Financial World as one of the best managed states. After leaving office, he founded Branstad and Associates, L.L.C. He also became a partner in the firm of Kaufman, Patee, Branstad & Miller, served as a financial advisor for Robert W. Baird and Co., Inc., and taught at the University of Iowa as a visiting professor. Branstad was appointed by President George W. Bush to chair the President's Commission for Excellence in Special Education, and he accepted the presidency of Des Moines University in 2003.