6-28-99

Contacts:
Warren Madden, Business and Finance, (515) 294-6162
Steve Sullivan, News Service, (515) 294-3720

ISU ANNOUNCES GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS CANDIDATES

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University has announced three candidates for the position of director of governmental relations.

The candidates are Deborah Murdock, assistant to the president for government relations at Portland State University, Oregon; Gary Steinke, associate director of government relations at Iowa State University; Terry Thames, associate with The Renkes Group, Ltd., a Washington, D.C., consulting firm.

The director of governmental relations oversees university relations with national and state elected officials and their staffs, and with government agencies. The director also coordinates all university activities that involve congressional or federal relations and state legislative or agency relations. The director works under supervision of the university president.

Terry Thames has been an associate with The Renkes Group since 1998. Previously, she served in several staff positions with U.S. Sen. Trent Lott from 1988-1998; as education program specialist for former Mississippi Gov. Bill Allain in 1987; and as an education and state government reporter for "The Natchez Democrat Newspaper" in 1986. She received a B.A. in English/communications from Alcorn State University, Lorman, Miss., and an M.A. in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University. Thames will interview on campus July 1-2.

Gary Steinke has been associate director of governmental relations at Iowa State University since 1995. Previously, he served as legislative liaison for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad from 1991-1995; director of the Iowa House Republican caucus staff from 1986-1990, and as a research analyst for the Iowa House Republican caucus staff from 1985-86. He earned a B.A. in political science from Loras College, Dubuque, and an M.A. from Drake University. Steinke will interview on campus July 5-6.

Deborah Murdock has been assistant to the president for government relations at Portland State University since 1993. Previously, Murdock worked as a legislative assistant to U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin of Oregon from 1991-1993; assistant director of public policy for the YMCA of the USA from 1990-1991, and as a staff associate for the Oregon Community College Association from 1982-1988. She earned an A.B. in political science from San Diego State University, California, and an M.A. in political science from the University of Oregon. Murdock will interview on campus July 6-7.

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Revised 6/28/99