Jay R. Byers

Jay Byers serves as the President of Simpson College since July 2023, following a distinguished tenure as President & CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership from February 2005 to June 2023. Prior experience includes roles as Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy at the same organization and District Director for Congressman Leonard Boswell from October 1997 to February 2005. Additionally, Jay Byers has contributed to academia as an adjunct professor of Political Science at Simpson College and William Penn University. Legal experience includes working as an attorney specializing in labor and employment law at ICE MILLER from August 1996 to October 1997. Jay Byers holds a Juris Doctor degree, with distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law and a BA in Political Science, with a minor in Criminal Justice, earned magna cum laude from Simpson College.