DES MOINES, IOWA (September 11, 2026) — Governor Kim Reynolds announced that Taryn Frideres, who served two years in the Office of the Governor as chief operating officer before being named chief of staff in December 2022, is departing for an opportunity in the private sector.
The governor has promoted Molly Severn to chief of staff effective Monday, September 14. Severn has served as deputy chief of staff and legislative liaison since May 2023. She joined the Office of the Governor in April 2020, after working several years in Washington DC, primarily for Senator Charles “Chuck: Grassley and the US Trade Representative.
“As chief of staff, Taryn had the experience and expertise to support the type of bold legislation and reforms that defined my second term, from historic tax cuts and education reform to aligning state government,” said Gov Reynolds.
“I will always be grateful for her leadership and her service to Iowans. I wish her much success in her career and much happiness with her family.
“Molly has been an invaluable member of my team, and I’m grateful for her dedication to serving the people of Iowa. I look forward to having her by my side as chief of staff in the final months of my administration as we continue working to deliver results for Iowans.”
“Serving Iowans alongside Governor Reynolds and our entire team over the last six years has been the honor of my career,” said Taryn Frideres.
“I'm incredibly proud of the transformational work we accomplished that has made a meaningful difference in the lives of people across our great state. I’ll forever be grateful to Gov Reynolds for her bold leadership and this experience.”
“It’s been a privilege working alongside Taryn as deputy chief, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve Gov Reynolds and lead the team as chief of staff through the end of her term,” said Molly Severn.
“The governor is focused on finishing strong, and I’m fully committed to helping her deliver results for Iowans every day through the end of the Reynolds Administration.”
The following is a current list of Office of the Governor staff:
Molly Severn — Chief of Staff
Patrick Tomka — Chief Operating Officer and Senior Tax and Economic Policy Advisor
Stan Thompson — Senior Legal Counsel and Administrative Rules Coordinator
Pepa Alvarez — Paralegal and Records Custodian
Heather Nahas — Communications Director
Kris Walker — Deputy Communications Director
Mason Mauro — Press Secretary
Collin Slowey — Chief Speechwriter and Communications Advisor
Jane Dufoe — Education and Workforce Policy Advisor
Dax Oberreuter — Health Care and Veteran’s Affairs Policy Advisor
Gary Wynne — Agriculture and Energy Policy Advisor
Michelle Haupts — Director of Scheduling
Madi Willis — Director of the Office for State-Federal Relations
Nick Tansey — Boards and Commissions Director and Special Assistant to the Lieutenant Governor
Annie Hayes — Executive Assistant to the Governor
Riley Konrad — Constituent Services Director
