Keith Luchtel, a longtime advocate for government transparency, was appointed to the Iowa Public Information Board today by Gov. Terry Branstad.
Branstad also named Luchtel the governor’s special advisor for government transparency in the Branstad administration. The position is a volunteer role and is not a paid position.
Luchtel replaces Bill Monroe, who retired this month as a member of the Iowa Public Information Board and as Branstad’s transparency advisor. Monroe had held the advisor’s role since February 2011. Monroe is the former executive director of the Iowa Newspaper Association.
Luchtel, an attorney, was the first executive director of the Iowa Public Information Board. He served from the board’s creation in July 2013 to November 2014, when he retired.
Before being named as executive director, Luchtel was a practicing attorney in Des Moines with the Nyemaster Goode law firm. His specialty was government relations, and the Iowa Newspaper Association was a client of his for many years.
In announcing Luchtel’s appointment today, Branstad said: “Keith’s longtime commitment to government transparency and accountability will serve the people of Iowa well. His numerous awards and recognitions make him well-suited for the role as transparency advisor and also as a board member of the Iowa Public Information Board.”
Branstad said Luchtel will advise his staff on transparency issues and will assist the administration in crafting and implementing what the governor called “a transparent agenda.”
Among the awards Luchtel has received during his career is the Iowa Freedom of Information Council’s Friend of the First Amendment award, which is awarded annually.