Davenport attorney tabbed for state revenue post

Governor-elect Terry Branstad has tabbed a Davenport attorney to guide the state's tax policy and enforcement agency.

Branstad, who is building a new administration for when he begins his fifth term as Iowa governor on Jan. 14, announced that Courtney Kay-Decker is his choice to be the next director of the Iowa Department of Revenue.

“Courtney's leadership and skill set will be extremely valuable as she is tasked with overseeing Iowa's tax revenues and managing this important department,” Branstad said in a state. Her appointment is subject to confirmation by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Iowa Senate once it convenes its 2011 session.

The state Department of Revenue is charged with managing the state's tax collection and being a tax information resource for the taxpayers of Iowa. The current agency head is Mark Schuling.

“I am excited to enter into this new role with the Branstad/Reynolds administration,” said Kay-Decker, who was a member of the Iowa State Tax Review Board from 2000-2007 – including four years as the panel's chairwoman. “Gov. Branstad is committed to efficient government and I think that the Department of Revenue can provide essential services while keeping the costs low.”

Kay-Decker is a graduate of Northwestern University and The University of Iowa's College of Law. She is a partner at Lane and Waterman Law Firm in Davenport and is the president of the Rivermont Collegiate Board of Trustees. She is also on the board for the Quad Cities Golf Classic Charitable Foundation, which operates the annual John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities.

Kay-Decker and her husband Ed reside in Davenport with their two children.