BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF

David M. Stanley - Chairman, Chief Executive Officer

Robert H. Solt - Vice-Chairman & Treasurer

Dr. Donald P. Racheter - President

Charles C. Espy, Jr.

I. Maurene Failor

Richard Oberman

Stanley M. Howe - Director Emeritus

Andrea S. Failor - Secretary

Institute Staff

Dr. Don Racheter - Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Richard Wagner - Senior Fellow

Amy K. Frantz - Research Vice-President

John R. Hendrickson - Research Analyst

Deborah D. Thornton - Research Analyst

Doug Stout - Research Analyst

Jennifer L. Crull - IT Specialist

Madeline Swailes - Administrative Assistant

More About Our Staff

Dr. Don Racheter - Chief Operating Officer

• Graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in Political Science and from the University of Iowa with an MA and PhD in Political Science.
• Taught Political Science for four years at the University of Iowa, and for twenty nine years at Central College.  Directed Pre-Law Program and Coached Mock Trial for twenty one years at Central.
• Married to Ellen, they have four grown children:  Kelley Kimm, Annalese Racheter, Alena Racheter Furlong, and D.P.B. "Chip" Racheter.
• Enjoys politics, reading, and travel.

Amy K. Frantz - Research Vice-President

• Graduated from Central College with a BA in Political Science.
• Research interests include taxation, education policy, and the regulatory burden of government.
• Enjoys traveling, reading, volunteering for Midwest Central Railroad, and serving as the Foundation Chair in a local chapter of Rotary International.

John R. Hendrickson - Research Analyst

• Graduated with a BA and MA in History from the University of North Dakota.
• Research interests include the American conservative movement and American Political and Constitutional History.
• Enjoys hunting, fishing, collecting political campaign pins, reading, baseball, and spending time with family and friends.

Deborah D. Thornton - Research Analyst

• Graduated from Indiana University, earning a BA degree with a double major in Journalism and Political Science, and from the University of Maryland with a Masters of Business Administration.
• Research Interests include education policy, rural development, small business management, and agriculture regulation. Held senior positions as a political appointee at OSHA in the U.S. Labor Department, as a technology transfer specialist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and as an aide to New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson and the New Mexico State Senate. Was a retail small business owner for almost six years.
• Other interests include political campaign strategy and election fraud, elder volunteerism, and youth development; especially in the area of music education.

Doug Stout - Research Analyst

• Has an M.A. in Political Science, a J.D. from the University of Iowa Law School, and an M.B.A. from Iowa State University’s College of Business.
• Taught business classes as an Adjunct Professor at William Penn College for Working Adults, and previously served on the staff of Iowa Senator Charles Grassley and former Representative Greg Ganske. Also worked for the Congressional Research Service, a division of the Library of Congress.

Jennifer L. Crull - IT Specialist

• Graduated with a BA in Mathematics and a MA in Business from the University of Iowa.

• Research interests include transparency in government spending, education policy, and internet regulations.
• Married to husband Matt, they have two small children, Emma and Elizabeth.
• Enjoys traveling, reading, boating, and volunteering for Midwest Central Railroad.

Madeline Swailes - Administrative Assistant

• Graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and Continuing Education courses though Southeastern Community College.
• Married to husband Jim, they have three grown children and five grandchildren.
• Enjoys counted cross stitch, needle work, reading, grandchildren, and traveling.