CEDAR RAPIDS – United States Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley were on hand Friday at an investiture ceremony honoring Kevin W. Techau as the new U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. The ceremony took place shortly after noon at the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids.
Senator Harkin recommended Techau for the position to President Barack Obama on March 25, 2013. Techau was nominated by President Obama on November 7, 2013, and was confirmed by the full Senate on February 12, 2014. Techau succeeds Stephanie M. Rose as the District’s presidentially appointed United States Attorney and Sean R. Berry as the District’s court appointed United States Attorney. As U.S. Attorney, Techau serves as the nation’s top lawyer for matters arising in Northern Iowa. Techau is the forty‑fourth person to hold the position.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. I am committed to vigorous enforcement of our laws and maintaining the safety of the citizens of our District. Our goal every day is to do justice in each and every case we handle,” Techau said.
“Throughout his career, Kevin Techau has proven to be a principled and dedicated public servant. It is for that reason that I have supported him at every step of the way — from recommending him to the White House, to supporting his confirmation in the U.S. Senate,” said Harkin. “I know that as the U.S. Attorney for Iowa’s Northern District, he will continue to be committed to upholding the law and serving our state and country.”
Senator Grassley added, “Kevin’s reputation as a dedicated public servant is well-deserved. I have every confidence that he will continue to serve Iowans faithfully and diligently.”
Techau most recently served as Associate General Counsel at American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company, where he 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, Techau served as a Judge Advocate with the United States Air Force. After leaving active duty, he 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. He was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal.
Mr. Techau was born in Iowa City and graduated from Marion High School. He received his law degree in 1984 from the University of Iowa College of Law and his undergraduate degree in 1981 from the University of Iowa.
