Iowa Lottery

Iowa Lottery CEO & Lottery Commission

Learn more about the Iowa Lottery CEO Matt Strawn and our Lottery Commission.

Iowa Lottery CEO Matt Strawn

Matt Strawn has served as CEO of the Iowa Lottery since January 2019. He is an Iowa native and business entrepreneur who takes great pride in leading an Iowa organization that is making a difference in his home state.

Matt's career in public service and private enterprise includes serving as a senior congressional advisor, helping bring to Des Moines and leading a minor league professional sports franchise, and co-founding a successful regional public affairs firm. He was raised on his family's farm in Benton County before graduating from the University of Iowa in 1996 and earning his law degree in 2003 from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.

The Iowa Lottery Commission

The Iowa Lottery Commission is made up of five Iowa citizens appointed by the governor and subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate. The commission oversees the lottery and its operations, with each department at the lottery reporting to the commission at meetings throughout the year. Iowa Code section 99G.8 requires that the Lottery Commission have as a member an accountant; a member who is or has been a law enforcement officer; a member who is an attorney admitted to practice law in Iowa; and a member with expertise in marketing. No more than three commission members can be of the same political party.

For information about commission meetings and related meeting materials click here.

Current Lottery Commission Members

	Josh Cook of Ankeny joined the Lottery Commission in 2019. He is the president and CEO of the Johnston-based Community Choice Credit Union.		Matthew "Mick" Connealy of Sioux City joined the Lottery Commission in 2024. He is a managing partner at Crary Huff Law Firm in Sioux City.
	Katie New joined the Lottery Commission in 2022. She is the controller at Ellipsis in Des Moines and lives in Indianola.		Mary Rathje joined the Lottery Commission in 2015. She is the office manager and controller at Rathje Construction Co. in Marion, where she also resides.
	Dana Wingert joined the Lottery Commission in 2022. He serves as a member of the Iowa Board of Parole after retiring as chief of police in Des Moines. He lives in Waukee.