Marion native gets presidential nod for U.S. Attorney for Iowa's Northern District

Sen. Tom Harkin announced Thursday that President Barack Obama formally nominated Kevin W. Techau for U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa.

Harkin, D-Iowa, recommended Techau, a Marion native, for the position last March after former U.S. Attorney Stephanie Rose left the office when she was confirmed as a U.S. District Judge in the Southern District last year. Techau's nomination will now be sent to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Kevin Techau is a dedicated public servant who has spent his career defending the law, our state, and our country,” Harkin said Thursday.  “He would bring a wealth of experience to this highly regarded position if confirmed.  I congratulate him on this nomination and I am hopeful that it moves through the Senate as quickly as possible.”

Guy Cook, attorney with Grefe and Sidney in Des Moines, and Iowa State Bar Association president, said Techau will be an "excellent federal prosecutor with a keen eye on seeing justice is done. Kevin has a unique combination of law enforcement experience with a genuine understanding of the bill of rights."

Cook hired Techau as an attorney at Grefe and Sidney when he was with the U.S. Air Force JAG (Judge Advocate General).

Since 2007, Techau has served as Associate General Counsel at the American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company in Des Moines. From 2002-2007, he served under Governor Vilsack as Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Techau was also the director of the Department of Inspections and Appeals from 1999-2002, and from 1996-1999, he served as an assistant Federal Public Defender. Prior to defender's office, Techau was an attorney with Grefe and Sidney.

Techau also has a strong military record, having spent seven years on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. He also served with the Iowa National Guard after leaving active service.

He graduated from Marion High School and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa College of Business, and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law.