Frank Cownie

Frank Cownie was elected to an at-large Des Moines City Council seat in 2002, elected as the mayor of Des Moines in 2004, and re-elected in 2008, 2012 and 2016. Prior to these elected positions he was a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and served as chair from 1996-2002.

Mayor Cownie has spent time in leadership roles, nationally and internationally, representing issues that he is passionate about: local control, green initiatives, jobs, and the economy. He also serves on local boards including the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority Executive Committee, Des Moines Performing Arts, Greater Des Moines Partnership Executive Committee, Metropolitan Advisory Council, and the Wastewater Reclamation Authority Management Agency. His focus is on “sustainable resilient growth that will have long-term benefits for all, while advocating for improvements in the quality of development in both residential and commercial sectors.”