Council Welcomes Kerri Johannsen

Kerri Johannsen

The Council is pleased to welcome Manager of Government Affairs Kerri Johannsen. Kerri joined the Council in August 2016. She will be managing the state legislative program for the Council, advocating for energy and water priorities at the Capitol. Kerri will also work with the energy program director and staff to advance clean energy and climate policies at the local, state and federal levels.

"Energy policies, standards and operations have undergone major and rapid change over the past decade. There are a lot of opportunities right now to shape that evolution to support continued clean energy growth and carbon pollution reductions," said Kerri. "There is also clearly a growing emphasis by Iowa’s citizens on the importance of clean water in the state. It is a very exciting time to be working on these issues, and I look forward to contributing to the mission of the Iowa Environmental Council."

Kerri is a native of Northeast Iowa and grew up on a century farm near Protivin with her parents and four siblings. Although she was interested in environmental issues from an early age, it was a growing awareness about the intersection of agriculture, energy and the environment that inspired her decision to study and work on these policy issues. 

Kerri earned her B.A. in Political Science from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. in 2002, and a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Minnesota’s Hubert Humphrey Institute in 2005 with a concentration in science, technology and environmental policy.

Kerri returned to Iowa after graduation, working for the Iowa Legislative Services Agency before joining the energy policy staff on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee in Washington, D.C. during the development of the 2008 Farm Bill. At the close of the Farm Bill process, Kerri returned to Iowa and focused on energy, climate and water programs and policies with the Environmental Law and Policy Center and the Iowa Office of Energy Independence. Most recently, Kerri worked as a policy specialist with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB), performing analyses of utility environmental plans and federal EPA rules, and leading efforts related to energy emergency management. Kerri also served as the IUB’s legislative liaison for five years.

"Kerri is a perfect fit for the Council given her experience at the state and federal levels, working on energy, water and farm policies," said Executive Director Ralph Rosenberg. "She is regarded for her commitment, credibility and professionalism, and we are fortunate to have her at the Council."

1. clean energy
2. solar power
3. water quality
4. wind power