Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed Mark Campbell to serve as Iowa Department of Administrative Services director after the agency’s former leader resigned to run for governor.
Campbell, a Democrat and small business owner from Fort Dodge and a former Webster County supervisor, will assume the role Oct. 6, Reynolds announced Wednesday, Oct. 1.
The position has been vacant since former director Adam Steen, a Republican, stepped down in August to run in the open-seat race for Iowa governor in the 2026 midterm elections.
“Mark’s career reflects his dedication to leadership, business innovation, and community progress,” Reynolds said in a statement. “He is keenly focused on doing his part to help build a stronger future for Iowa, and I know he will bring that mindset and dedication to DAS as its new leader.”
According to his letter of employment, which the governor’s office shared with the Des Moines Register, Campbell will earn a salary of $200,000. His appointment is subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate.
DAS manages the major resources of state government across four business areas: Human Resources, General Services, Central Procurement and Fleet Services and State Accounting. It also oversees the State Library of Iowa and State Historical Society of Iowa.
Campbell also chaired the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, the five-member regulatory panel for Iowa’s state-licensed casinos.
Mason Mauro, Reynolds’ deputy communications director, said in an email Campbell will resign from the gaming panel before assuming the role at DAS and Reynolds “will review membership on the commission following Campbell’s departure.” His commission term ends April 30, 2027.
Campbell served as a county supervisor from 2013 to 2024 and was a local government representative on Reynolds’ Iowa DOGE task force.
The panel had a deadline of Monday to submit a report to Reynolds outlining recommendations to make state and local government more efficient, but the final report hasn’t been shared publicly. Among its more controversial recommendations floated were ideas to tweak Iowa’s public pension benefits for future state employees and introduce merit pay for teachers. Any action would need legislative approval.
Campbell previously served as vice chair of the Iowa State Association of Counties Board of Directors, where he helped shape statewide policy and collaboration among counties.
He said in a statement he was “honored” to be appointed.
“I look forward to working with the committed staff to ensure DAS continues to provide efficient and transparent services that support state government,” Campbell said. “DAS requires accountability and collaboration to strengthen the foundation for every agency to best serve Iowans.”
Reynolds also thanked Department of Management Kraig Paulsen “for serving as DAS interim director over the last several weeks and assisting with the leadership transition.”
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @marissajpayne.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds appoints Mark Campbell to lead Iowa Department of Administrative Services
Reporting by Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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