# Matthew Strawn

> Matthew "Matt" Strawn is the president and CEO of Strategic America, a West Des Moines integrated marketing and communications firm. An Iowa farm native with degrees in journalism, political science and law, he has moved between congressional service, arena-football ownership, state-party leadership, public-affairs consulting and public enterprise. From 2019 to 2026, he led the Iowa Lottery through a sharp pandemic-era sales drop to record results, chaired the Powerball Product Group and helped guide the brand toward its first international expansion. His recurring theme is service: to teams, communities, public causes and clients.

- **Role:** President and CEO at Strategic America
- **Organizations:** Strategic America, Iowa Lottery, Powerball Product Group, Multi-State Lottery Association, Next Generation Public Affairs, Iowa Barnstormers, Republican Party of Iowa, University of Chicago Institute of Politics
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.A. in political science and journalism and mass communication, University of Iowa, J.D., The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
- **Known for:** Led modernization of the Iowa Lottery's technology platforms, business practices and marketing solutions., Oversaw the Iowa Lottery when fiscal 2024 sales reached a record $489.9 million and proceeds returned to the state reached $105.3 million., Chaired the Powerball Product Group as the brand generated nearly $8 billion in annual sales.

## Career timeline

- **1997-2007** — Served in senior congressional staff roles, including work for Saxby Chambliss and Mike Rogers.
- **2008** — Joined the ownership group that brought the Iowa Barnstormers arena-football franchise back to Des Moines.
- **2009-2012** — Chaired the Republican Party of Iowa through two election cycles and the closely contested 2012 Iowa caucuses.
- **2013-2018** — Co-founded and served as managing director of Chicago-based Next Generation Public Affairs.
- **2018** — Served as a Pritzker Fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, co-leading seminars on the Iowa presidential caucuses.
- **2019-2026** — Served as CEO of the Iowa Lottery, modernizing operations and marketing while the organization produced record sales and proceeds.
- **2025-2026** — Chaired the Powerball Product Group and served as vice president of the Multi-State Lottery Association.
- **2026** — Helped lead Powerball's announced first international expansion into the United Kingdom.
- **2026-present** — Became president and CEO of Strategic America, effective June 8.

## Achievements

- Led modernization of the Iowa Lottery's technology platforms, business practices and marketing solutions.
- Oversaw the Iowa Lottery when fiscal 2024 sales reached a record $489.9 million and proceeds returned to the state reached $105.3 million.
- Chaired the Powerball Product Group as the brand generated nearly $8 billion in annual sales.
- Helped deliver Powerball's first announced international expansion, into the United Kingdom.
- Helped bring the Iowa Barnstormers arena-football franchise back to Des Moines as a co-owner and operator.
- Selected as a Pritzker Fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Began serving as president and CEO of Strategic America on June 8.
- **2026-05** — Strategic America announced his appointment and a transition period with retiring CEO John Schreurs.
- **2026-04** — As Powerball Product Group chair, discussed the brand's planned first international expansion into the United Kingdom.
- **2026-02** — Presented Millionaire for Life, Iowa's first new national draw game in more than a decade, during his final months at the Iowa Lottery.

## Links

- Website: https://www.strategicamerica.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewstrawn

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/matthew-strawn
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22