(West Des Moines, Iowa) – A long-time County Employee in Pottawattamie County was honored recently. Officials with ISAC (Iowa State Association of Counties) report Melvyn Houser, Pottawattamie County Auditor, was presented with the prestigious “Golden Eagle” award on Wednesday, during ISAC’s 2022 Annual Conference in Des Moines. The Golden Eagle is given to commend extraordinary public service to ISAC and county government. The honor was created to recognize elected or appointed county officials, business or civic leaders, persons rendering assistance to counties as trainers, consultants or advisors, and former members of ISAC staff also are eligible.

The ISAC Board of Directors selected Houser as the Golden Eagle, an honor that has been given annually since 2010 on the basis of service rendered to county government generally, including leadership in ISAC, ISAC-affiliated boards, service on state or national boards or commissions, service to the National Association of Counties (NACo), service to counties in training, education and development of local leadership, advocating for counties and good local government, and providing exceptional professional assistance and support to counties.

Melvyn Houser was honored as the 2022 ISAC Golden Eagle during a ceremony in Des Moines. (L to R: ISAC President Richard Crouch: Pottawattamie County Auditor Melvyn Houser; Black Hawk County Auditor Grant Veeder; ISAC Executive Director Bill Peterson)

Melvyn Houser served as Pottawattamie County Supervisor from 2001-2017. Since that time, he has served as Pottawattamie County Auditor. He has been actively engaged in ISAC and NACo and has gone above and beyond for both organization for many years. He has been a mainstay on the Boards of both organizations. He has served on the ISAC Board since 2009, on the NACo Board since 2013, and served as ISAC President in 2015. He has served on countless statewide boards and committees related directly to ISAC, including, but not limited to:

• ICTS Advisory Committee
• Iowa State Association of County Auditors
• Iowa State Association of County Supervisors
• Case Management and Mental Health and Disability Services

At the federal level, Melvyn Houser has been a member of the Rural Action Caucus (RAC), the Membership Committee, the Arts & Culture Commission, the Finance Pensions and Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee, and much more. He has been an enthusiastic proponent and successful recruiter for NACo membership, participation, and event attendance. He currently lives in Carson with his wife LaRue. They have three grown sons.