The White House announced yesterday that President Barack Obama has nominated Kevin W. Techau for U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Iowa, based in Cedar Rapids. He would replace Stephanie Rose, whom the U.S. Senate confirmed last year as a federal judge in the Southern District of Iowa. Senator Tom Harkin had recommended Techau for the position and welcomed the nomination in a statement I’ve posted after the jump, along with the White House press release. Both contain short bios of the nominee.
Techau should have no trouble being confirmed by the Senate. He has worked as a litigator in private practice, as a federal public defender, and most recently as an in-house attorney for an insurance company. He also has extensive management experience as director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and later Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety during Tom Vilsack’s administration. Techau has lived in central Iowa for many years but grew up in Marion, a suburb of Cedar Rapids.
White House press release, November 7:
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, President Obama nominated Kevin W. Techau to serve as U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Iowa.
” Kevin W. Techau has distinguished himself as a fair, tenacious and respected attorney throughout his careers in both public and private service,” President Obama said. “He will serve his country with distinction as U.S. Attorney and it is my honor to nominate him for this esteemed position.”
Kevin W. Techau: Nominee for United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
Kevin W. Techau is Associate General Counsel at American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company, where he has worked since 2007. Prior to that, Techau served as a Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety from 2002 to 2007 and as Director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals from 1999 to 2002. He was an Assistant Federal Public Defender with the Iowa Federal Defender’s Office from 1996 to 1999 and worked in private practice at the law firm of Grefe & Sidney from 1992 to 1996. From 1985 to 1992, he served as a Judge Advocate with the United States Air Force. After leaving active duty, Techau served with the Iowa Air National Guard from 1993 to 2011. In 2011, he retired from the Iowa Air National Guard as a Colonel with 27 years of military service. Techau received his J.D in 1984 from the University of Iowa College of Law and his B.B.A. degree in 1981 from the University of Iowa.
Statement from Senator Tom Harkin, November 7:
Harkin Welcomes White House Nomination of Kevin Techau for Northern District U.S. Attorney
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement upon learning that the White House had formally nominated Kevin W. Techau for U.S. Attorney for Iowa’s Northern District. In March, Harkin recommended Techau to fill the vacancy made by Stephanie Rose, who was confirmed to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa late last year. Techau’s nomination will now be sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee.“Kevin Techau is a dedicated public servant who has spent his career defending the law, our state, and our country,” said Harkin. “He would bring a wealth of experience to this highly regarded position if confirmed. I congratulate him on this nomination and I am hopeful that it moves through the Senate as quickly as possible.”
Since 2007, Mr. Techau has served as Associate General Counsel at the American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company in Des Moines. From 2002-2007, he served under Governor Vilsack as Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Prior to that, from 1999-2002, he was Director of the Department of Inspections and Appeal. From 1996-1999, Mr. Techau served as Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Federal Public Defender’s Office. Prior to that, he was a trial attorney at Grefe & Sidney, P.L.C. in Des Moines. Mr. Techau also has a strong military record, having spent seven years on active duty with the Air Force. He served with the Iowa National Guard after leaving active service.
He is a graduate of Marion High School, the University of Iowa College of Business, and the University of Iowa College of Law. Mr. Techau is also very active in the community, serving as President of the Des Moines Library Board, Chair of the Keep Iowa Beautiful Board, and as a member of the Civic Music Association Board. He resides in Des Moines with his family.