Mr. Joseph Jones
Executive Director, The Harkin Institute
Joseph currently serves as Executive Director for The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement, working to create and facilitate nonpartisan programming, experiences, research, and connectivity focused on the areas that defined the career of Senator Tom Harkin (Retired): people with disabilities, retirement security, wellness and nutrition, and labor and employment.
Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Joseph has also served as a Military Legislative Assistant to Senator Tom Harkin in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for the Senator’s defense Appropriations work as well as the full range of military and veteran’s issues. Additionally, he focused on the Senator’s other Appropriations work, housing issues, and advised the Senator on small business and trade. Prior to that, Joseph served as Director of Governmental Affairs for the Iowa Finance Authority; and was the Senior Communications Specialist for Governor Vilsack’s administration. Before that, he was the Chief of Staff and Education Director for Creative Visions Human Development Institute, a non-profit organization targeting at-risk youth in Central Iowa.