The Polk-Des Moines Taxpayers Association has hired Gretchen Tegeler as its new executive director, President Marc Ward announced last week.

Tegeler, a Des Moines native, directed the Iowa Department of Management for eight years under Gov. Terry Branstad and served as Branstad’s chief of staff. She was honored last month by the Iowa Taxpayers Association for her tax transparency efforts.

Tegeler also has served on the West Des Moines Community School District board of directors and currently is on the board of directors of Des Moines-based Employers Mutual Casualty Company Group Inc., where she chairs the audit committee.

The Polk-Des Moines group is now inviting membership from Dallas and Warren counties. For more information about the group, go to www.polkdesmoinestaxpayers.org.