Age 37  |  Partner, Campbell/Patterson Consulting LLC; Grimes City Council member

Craig and Lynh Patterson moved to Iowa from Washington, D.C., after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

They decided that a large urban area wasn’t a good place to start a family, and both had ties to Iowa after working in congressional offices in Washington. Craig worked for former Rep. Jim Nussle and Lynh had worked for Rep. Leonard Boswell and former Rep. Lane Evans, who represented the Illinois side of the Quad Cities.

Now he is an advocate on issues such as economic development, public safety, libraries, aging, disabilities and travel with Campbell/Patterson Consulting LLC.

In January 2008, Patterson was elected to the Grimes City Council, where he serves as the liaison to the city’s park and recreation board, community center task force, transportation committee and the Grimes Chamber & Economic Development organization.

He is a graduate of the Iowa League of Cities’ Municipal Leadership Academy.

“I have known Craig professionally for more than six years, and I continue to be impressed with not only his work, integrity and entrepreneurial spirit, but also his commitment to making a difference within his community and the state of Iowa,” wrote Keith Snow, president and owner of B2E Direct Marketing Inc.

Patterson, who grew up in Arizona, said he became interested in public policy while observing the political process of being nominated to the Air Force Academy. Circumstances prevented him from attending the academy, but he wanted to stay involved in helping craft public policy.

He turned his attention to Washington.

“I got a taste for public policy while working for Jim Nussle,” Patterson said.

Working at the state rather than national level provides the opportunity to “effect change a lot faster,” he said.

“I’ve learned something from everyone I’ve worked with,” Patterson said. “But so far as my work ethic and how to treat other people, my mother taught me what have been my most valuable lessons.”