Civic Connect Presents- Hear from Tom Vilsack - Former Governor of Iowa & Two-Time U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and World Food Prize CEO

Join us June 27th from 1:30-3:00pm for the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce's Civic Connect Event featuring Tom Vilsack, whose unique experience spans local leadership, state innovation, and federal impact—including historic tenures as Iowa’s governor and U.S. Agriculture Secretary. Don't miss the opportunity to hear his vision on building resilient, equitable communities.

This is a FREE EVENT and space is LIMITED. Reserve your space today. 

About Governor Vilsack: Thomas J. Vilsack is a national leader known for his deep commitment to rural America, innovative agricultural policy, and bipartisan public service. Born in Pittsburgh in 1950 and adopted as an infant, he holds a B.A. from Hamilton College (‘72) and a J.D. from Albany Law School (‘75).

After beginning his career as mayor of Mount Pleasant, Iowa (1987–1992), and serving in the Iowa State Senate (1993–1998), Vilsack became Iowa’s first Democratic governor in over three decades. During his two terms (1999–2007), he championed rural development, education reform, mental health care, and voting rights, earning praise for securing nearly 115,000 felons the right to vote and creating the Iowa Food Policy Council.

At the federal level, Vilsack served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under Presidents Obama (2009–2017) and Biden (2021–2025). He holds the distinction of being the second‑longest‑serving Agriculture Secretary in U.S. history. His leadership has advanced initiatives in food security, school nutrition, rural broadband, climate-smart agriculture, and economic support for underserved farming communities .

Between cabinet tenures, Vilsack led the U.S. Dairy Export Council (2017–2021) and was most recently named CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation in March 2025.

A devoted public servant, husband, and father of two, Vilsack’s career reflects his roots—from small-town Iowa to national Cabinet service. His work across agriculture, civil rights, rural development, and food policy embodies lasting impact and collaborative leadership.