(via social media)
As I travel the district meeting with voters, people always ask me why I want to represent North Iowans in the Iowa Senate. I can honestly say that I’m running to make a difference for area residents. I want to advocate for you in the Iowa Statehouse. By working together, I know we can grow North Iowa.
It would be such an honor to serve this area as your state senator. By growing up in Greene where my parents operated a small business and a small farm, I developed a strong work ethic. My parents encouraged me to dream big. My involvement in Girl Scouts, 4-H and FFA taught me life skills. I was encouraged to set goals and put a plan into place to achieve those goals.
Through my self-determined 4-H Communications project, along with guidance from my FFA advisor, I chose to attend Iowa State University and double-major in Agricultural Journalism and Public Service & Administration in Agriculture. I worked part-time during college and secured internships that helped confirm that I had made the right career choice. With a desire to become a marketing director for an agribusiness, I earned an MBA from the University of Iowa.
Job opportunities took me to Kansas City and Des Moines. After a decade of city life, my husband and I had the opportunity to “move home” to North Iowa. Like both of our parents, we launched our own business. Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids was founded in 2004. We sold seed out of our garage. Our kitchen table was the “board room.” We boot-strapped that business for four years. Through hard work and determination – plus input and guidance from the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and the business incubator at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) – in 2009 we brought together Latham Hi-Tech Hybrids and Latham Seed Co. and started doing business as Latham Hi-Tech Seeds.
An entrepreneurial mindset has allowed us to pursue our passions, while providing jobs for nearly 50 North Iowans. We take that responsibility seriously. We believe it’s important to give back, and one of the ways we pay it forward is by mentoring young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs. I understand first hand the importance of a pro-growth business and tax climate and the need to develop a quality workforce. As a mother of two high school students, I also have a vested interested in increasing career opportunities in North Iowa. We need to find more ways to encourage our young people to pursue their dreams right here.
That’s why my campaign will focus on promoting career-ready technical education, increasing economic development opportunities and revitalizing North Iowa. We have a great way of life, but we can make it even better. Together we can play to our strengths, encourage business expansion and create more opportunities for North Iowans. Together we can grow North Iowa!
Shannon Latham is the Republican candidate in Iowa Senate District 27.
Shannon Latham
Sheffield, Iowa
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