Josh Byrnes (politician)

Josh Byrnes (born April 18, 1974) is a Republican party member and was in of the Iowa House of Representatives from 2010 until 2016. In November 2020, Iowa governor Kim Reynolds appointed him to the Iowa Utilities Board until April 30, 2025.

Early life and education
Byrnes was born in Oelwein, Iowa. He grew up in Riceville, Iowa, where he graduated from Riceville Community High School in 1992. He went on to graduate from Luther College, earned a master's degree from Winona State University.

Career
Byrnes was a high school teacher for eight and a half years and also served as an administrator at the community college level. Byrnes taught or coached in the districts of Denison, Osage, Riceville, Mason City, St. Ansgar, and Clear Lake.

In 2010, Byrnes, member of the Republican party was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives. As of January 2013, Byrnes served on several committees in the Iowa House – the Education, Natural Resources, and Ways and Means committees, as well as the Education Appropriations budget subcommittee. He served as the Chair of the Transportation committee. He was defeated in 2016.

In November 2020, Iowa governor Kim Reynolds appointed him to the Iowa Utilities Board until April 30, 2025.

Personal life
Byrnes resides on an acreage in Mitchell County with his wife, Colleen, daughters, Alexandra and Scarlett, and son, Nolan. Colleen is a family nurse practitioner at the Mitchell County Regional Hospital and has received numerous prestigious awards for her work. The family enjoys their acreage where they have a small cow calf herd, raise gourds and play ball on their diamond.

Service
According to the IUB website he was General Manager of Osage Municipal Utilities, a former CUSB Bank director and served on the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Board of Directors, American Public Power Associations DEED Board, and T&D World Executive Advisory Board.

Electoral history
* incumbent