The Iowa Senate has overwhelmingly confirmed nine people to key posts within Governor Terry Branstad’s administration. Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm of Cresco urged senators to vote to confirm Brad Buck as director of the Iowa Department of Education.
?From our conversation it was apparent that he has a passion for education,” Wilhelm said. “I think it comes from him being an Iowa educator himself.”
Buck, who is 44 years old, had been superintendent of Saydel Schools when Branstad appointed him to the state job last fall. Buck had worked in Waukee, Hudson, North Mahaska and Ankeny schools as well. The Senate voted 45-to-zero to confirm Buck as the state’s education director.
Former Congressman Leonard Boswell, a Democrat, who Branstad has tapped to serve on the state Transportation Commission, was confirmed without debate on a 43-2 vote. Former state Senator Larry McKibben of Marshalltown was confirmed to continue serving on the board that oversees the three state universities. Former state Senator Larry Noble of Ankeny was confirmed as Iowa’s Public Safety Commissioner, a job he held previously and returned to last fall. Former State Representative Jodi Tymeson — a retired Iowa National Guard Brigadier General — was confirmed to be the commandant of the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown. She’s been doing the job since last May and Senator Daryl Beall of Fort Dodge praised Tymeson’s work.
“She has a proven track record of serving our country and our veterans,” Beall said.
Retired Iowa National Guard spokesman Robert King was confirmed by the senate to serve as director of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs. The senate also confirmed Waterloo construction company owner Milt Dakovich to the Board of Regents. He’s been serving on the board since last year. New members were also confirmed for state boards that oversee the state’s utilities and the state’s podiatrists.