(DES MOINES) -- Today, Speaker Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford) is announcing a staffing change in the office of the Speaker of the House. Cord Overton will be replacing Laura Steven as Chief of Staff to the Speaker. His start date is set for August 9th. 

Overton is currently Chief of Staff at the Iowa Department of Corrections.  He has worked in state government since 2013 where he started as a Policy Advisor to the Branstad Reynolds administration.
 
Overton holds Bachelors from Iowa State in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Policy from UNI. He is originally from Waterloo, and now lives in Van Meter with his wife and daughter. 

"I want to thank Laura Steven for the tremendous work she has done as chief of staff in my first two years as Speaker," said Speaker Grassley. "I truly could not have done it without her. While it is tough to see her go, I'm thrilled for her to take on a new opportunity outside of politics that will allow her to return home and spend more time with family. Cord Overton will be a great addition to our team and I look forward to all that we will accomplish for the people of Iowa."