WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (May 26, 2026) — Strategic America (SA), an integrated marketing and communications firm headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, announces the appointment of Matt Strawn as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective June 8. Strawn succeeds John Schreurs, who announced his retirement following a 43-year career at SA, the final ten as President and CEO.
Strawn has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Iowa Lottery since 2019 and is Chairman of the Powerball Product Group. As Iowa Lottery CEO, Strawn modernized the organization’s technology platforms, business practices, and marketing solutions to produce record lottery revenues and sales across more than 2,500 retail outlets. Strawn’s leadership of Powerball generated nearly $8 billion in annual sales, scaled its national marketing and product partnerships, and delivered the brand’s first-ever international expansion.
“Matt is a strategic and visionary leader who will drive SA’s growth and continued success for SA clients,” said Joe Garcia, member of SA’s Board of Directors and Regional Vice President, Aflac.
“During a time of growing industry complexity, Matt’s unique strategic skills and entrepreneurial spirit are ideally suited to lead the talented SA team through these challenges, deliver innovative solutions for our clients, and position the firm for further growth.”
Strawn brings to SA a varied executive-leadership background advising global brands, corporations, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and public officials. This includes roles as co-founder and managing director of a Chicago-based professional-services firm; president of a public policy-advisory and strategic-communications group; co-owner and operator of a minor league sports franchise; and senior-level public-service positions within the State of Iowa and the United States Congress.
“Matt is the right leader at exactly the right moment for SA’s next chapter,” said SA’s outgoing President and CEO John Scheuers.
“He brings to SA a wealth of knowledge across industry sectors, a record of operational excellence, innovative marketing savvy, and proven strategic leadership. Matt will champion a positive, high-performance culture that maintains our deep commitment to client success and the community. I am proud he is my successor and excited for the future.”
“It is a privilege to lead the talented SA team and an exceptional Iowa-based business,” said Strawn. “It’s a time of turbulent change for brands, businesses, and organizations of all sizes, but one constant remains Strategic America’s culture of service. Service to each other. Service to our communities. And a service mindset that is critical to driving strategic growth, innovative solutions, and delivering value for SA’s clients.”
Strawn and his wife Erin, President + CEO of the Iowa Center for Economic Success, are Des Moines residents and active community leaders. The couple served as 2025 chairs of the John Stoddard Cancer Center Rally Against Cancer Gala. Strawn’s history of extensive community involvement includes leadership roles with non-profit organizations devoted to cancer patients and preventative health screenings, food insecurity, economic development, international diplomacy, and youth sports.
Strawn is an Iowa native and alumnus of the University of Iowa (BA) and earned his JD from The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law in Washington DC. He is also a past Pritzker Fellow at the University of Chicago. He and Erin have three children.
To ensure a smooth transition, Schreurs will remain with Strategic America through much of 2026 to support the onboarding of his successor and will continue serving on SA’s Board of Directors.
About Strategic America
Strategic America (SA) is an employee-owned, integrated marketing firm specializing in multi-location marketing, brand-building, and customer engagement. Based in West Des Moines, Iowa, and representing a diverse set of clients that span multiple industries and geographies, Strategic America builds brands by using strategy and insights to power engagement and results. SA is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and Association of National Advertisers (ANA). Learn more at strategicamerica.com.
