Kinzel Hopes to Attract Young Families as Council Member

Anne Kinzel, a 17-year resident of Ames and Operations Director of the CenUSA Bioenergy at Iowa State University’s Bioeconomy Institute, announced Tuesday that she will run for the at-large seat on the Ames City Council in the Nov. 5 election.

“For 17 years Ames has been home, the place where we choose to live,” Kinzel said in a prepared statement. “Ames is providing us with a wonderful life, the opportunity to earn a good living and, most importantly, to experience community with fantastic people and friends. Running for city council is the opportunity of a lifetime to contribute to my community and help move Ames toward new levels of prosperity and quality of life.”

Kinzel's campaign announcement noted that Ames is well positioned financially and demographically, but could do more to attract young families by encouraging affordable housing, great schools and increased recreational opportunities.

“The City of Ames faces many challenges, such as the need to broaden and strengthen our economic and tax base through positive business growth that supports the quality of life and economic activity that has been recognized nationally,” said Kinzel. “We can address these issues and others with sustained and sustainable solutions so that Ames continues to be a great place to grow up, live well, and age successfully in place.”

Kinzel has a wealth of policy experience to draw from, according to the announcement. She has more than 20 years experience developing health care law and policy and served as a trauma center general counsel and as coordinator of the Iowa Legislative Health Care Reform Commission.

See the complete announcement below:

Anne Kinzel announced today that she is running for the at-large seat on the Ames City Council in the Nov. 5 election.

“For 17 years Ames has been home, the place where we choose to live,” Kinzel said. “Ames is providing us with a wonderful life, the opportunity to earn a good living and, most importantly, to experience community with fantastic people and friends. Running for city council is the opportunity of a lifetime to contribute to my community and help move Ames toward new levels of prosperity and quality of life.”

Kinzel currently is chief operating officer for CenUSA Bioenergy at Iowa State University’s Bioeconomy Institute, serving as administrative director for a $25 million USDA-funded bioenergy project involving seven major educational and research institutions in the central U.S. The project is aimed at creating a Midwestern regional system for producing advanced transportation fuels derived from perennial grasses grown on land either unsuitable or marginal for row crop production.

Kinzel brings to city government more than 20 years’ experience in developing health care law and policy, including serving as a trauma center general counsel and as coordinator of the Iowa Legislative Health Care Reform Commission. Throughout her career, Anne has worked towards a healthier America through creating strategic community alliances, and advising political, business, educational and civic leaders. 

She is running for the at-large seat to help ensure Ames is proactive and broad-minded in dealing with future challenges. Ames is currently well positioned fiscally and demographically, but needs to continue to attract young families to Ames by supporting affordable housing, great schools, and a wide variety of recreational opportunities. 

“The City of Ames faces many challenges, such as the need to broaden and strengthen our economic and tax base through positive business growth that supports the quality of life and economic activity that has been recognized nationally,” said Kinzel. “We can address these issues and others with sustained and sustainable solutions so that Ames continues to be a great place to grow up, live well, and age successfully in place.”

Kinzel’s current civic involvement includes serving on the boards of the Iowa Caregivers Association, the Iowa Equal Justice Project, and the Lavender Umbrella Project. Past affiliations include the Ames Historic Old Town Neighborhood Association, Ames Human Relations Commission, the Iowa Homelessness Council, Iowa ALS Association, and ACCESS. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, a juris doctorate from San Joaquin College of Law, Fresno, Calif., and a master of arts degree from Iowa State University. Kinzel and her partner, Lou Cathcart, are longtime residents of the Ames Historic Old Town Neighborhood. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.