Kim Reynolds creates task force to plan America’s 250th birthday celebration. Who’s on it?

Gov. Kim Reynolds has named a task force to prepare Iowa to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence next year.

Reynolds signed an executive order on Nov. 6 creating the task force, named the Governor’s Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday, which will be led by Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

In a statement, Reynolds said she was honored to launch the task force.

“Ever since President Donald Trump visited the Iowa State Fairgrounds to kick off the 250th celebration, my administration has been working to coordinate our own year-long celebration,” she said. “I look forward to showcasing the incredible contributions Iowans have made throughout our nation’s history.”

Trump visited the Iowa State Fairgrounds on July 3 for an event kicking off America250, the national yearlong celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial, leading to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

“Iowa has a prominent place in American history more than deserving of displaying for our country’s 250th birthday,” Cournoyer said in a statement. “I want to thank Gov. Reynolds for appointing me to lead this task force with the goal of acknowledging Iowa’s impact on American excellence over the years.”

Naig said he was grateful to help lead the task force.

“America 250 is an incredible opportunity to celebrate the people who have and continue to make our nation exceptional, as well as the values that built this country — faith, family and freedom,” he said. “I look forward to working with partners across the state to highlight Iowa’s important contributions to our nation’s history over the last 250 years.”

Twenty-one Iowans will serve on the task force, including four ex officio members made up of a Republican and Democratic lawmaker from the Iowa House and Senate, who will be appointed by their legislative leaders.

The remaining members of the task force are:

• Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer 
• Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig 
• Secretary of State Paul Pate 
• Department of Administrative Services Director Mark Campbell 
• Department of Management Director Kraig Paulsen 
• Department of Economic Development and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham 
• Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow 
• Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon 
• Iowa National Guard Major General Stephen Osborn 
• Department of Veterans Affairs Director Todd Jacobus 
• Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons 
• Member selected by the Iowa Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution 
• Member selected by the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution 
• The FAMiLY Leader President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats 
• RMA Armament Founder and CEO Blake Waldrop 
• Stellar Industries President and CEO Dave Zrostlik 
• Cambrex (Charles City) President Joe Nettleton 

Reynolds’ executive order directs the task force to issue a report within 120 days detailing plans for the country’s anniversary celebrations in Iowa.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.