Robert Brownell

Current

• Polk County Supervisor at Polk County

Past

• Mayor at City of Clive
• City Councilmember at City of Clive

Education

• Drake University
• University of Northern Iowa

Recommended

1 person has recommended Robert

Connections

172 connections

Industry

Political Organization

Websites

• My Website

Robert Brownell’s Summary

I was once mortified by the thought of public humiliation, but I've consistently volunteered to have my name on a ballot every four years to seek elected office. I believe in the Republican principles of small government and personal liberties, but understand that we, as a society, can’t turn our backs on the less fortunate and the oppressed. To do that, we must work with many people, some distasteful, some great.

I’m proud of my bi-partisan successes and glad to have known so many good people in politics, both Republicans and Democrats. I'm simultaneously amazed, however, at how some of the worst, shallowest people imaginable can be elected and re-elected to important leadership positions. That doesn't happen a lot in Iowa, but it does happen.

Overall, I’m an optimist. I also try and see the humor in situations. Sometimes that takes some time.

Robert Brownell’s Specialties:

My areas of interest within the office I hold are homelessness, affordable housing, economic development, lead paint poisoning and bureaucracies.

Robert Brownell’s Experience

• Polk County Supervisor

  Polk County

  (Political Organization industry)

  January 2001 — Present (8 years 11 months)

  In many places, this position is called "County Commissioner." In Iowa, it's called County Supervisor. In Polk County, Iowa's largest county, there are 5 of us, each elected by district. I represent West Des Moines, Clive and the SW part of Des Moines. Our responsibility, by code, is the budget of our county. We set the tax rate. But, we also work with many other municipalities and counties in the areas of economic development, public health, social services and law enforcement, to name a few. In Polk County, the position of County Supervisor is full time. With almost 500,000 people in Polk County, there's plenty to do for all five of us.

• Mayor

  City of Clive

  (Government Administration industry)

  March 1993 — December 2000 (7 years 10 months)

• City Councilmember

  City of Clive

  (Government Administration industry)

  March 1985 — March 1993 (8 years 1 month)

Robert Brownell’s Education

• Drake University

  Business; Labor Relations 1983 — 1986

  I took several graduate level business courses at Drake and enjoyed them very much. I started getting elected to municipal positions in 1985; so I had to postpone any further graduate work at Drake. My goal was to obtain an MBA from Drake, but I haven't been back in class (as a student) since about 1986.

• University of Northern Iowa

  English and Education , English; Literature , 1969 — 1973

  Activities and Societies:

  Delta Upsilon Fraternity; Student Senate

Additional Information

Robert Brownell’s Websites:

• My Website

Robert Brownell’s Interests:

I am trying to learn spanish. I love to write. I have a strong interest in local politics and national politics

Robert Brownell’s Groups:

Des Moines Rotary AM, Polk County Republican Central Committee, Des Moines Transportation Club, member of the Lutheran Church of Hope; WDM

•    Missouri Military Academy Alumni
•    Des Moines Downtown Chamber
•    Schneider for City Council

Robert Brownell’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• new ventures
• job inquiries
• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch