Vilsack nominates third person to head Cultural Affairs Department

Governor Vilsack hopes the third time is the charm when it comes to nominating someone to lead the Department of Cultural Affairs. Vilsack Wednesday announced the appointment of Anita Walker of Des Moines to lead the Department of Cultural Affairs. She’ll be the third person to fill the post since Vilsack was elected. Doug Larche resigned in March rather than face a Senate vote which would’ve denied him the job. Senate Republican Leader Stewart Iverson said at the time that concerns were raised about some of Larche’s ideas for the agency. Larche had been on the job six months and had replaced Vilsack’s original Department Director Dan Hunter. Hunter resigned to take a job as one of two “playwrights in residence” at Boston University. Walker is currently the Director of Development for the Des Moines Playhouse. She has previously worked for the Iowa Department of Economic Development.