Executive Committee

Michelle Crawford

President

Ph: (563) 320-5715
Email: michelle@iowafrw.org

Michelle Crawford grew up watching her parents involved in politics, but it wasn’t until watching her own boys grow up that she realized the importance of engaged volunteering.

After attending her first Republican Women meeting in Scott County she was hooked. Being in a room with like-minded, America-loving women inspired her. She served Scott County RW as Vice President and President. She served as vice-chair for Scott County Republicans. She’s currently serving on the Republican State Central Committee.

Her passion is to show women you can be a strong leader, wife, and mother and still stand firm in traditional values. Michelle encourages women to get active and make their voices heard. She believes you’ll never find a more inclusive, encouraging group than inspired, conservative, women on a mission together.

Michelle graduated from the University of Northern Iowa and is a Regional Vice President/Independent Consultant with the wellness company, Arbonne. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Clint, for 25 years. They have three boys 22, 20, and 12.

Being a mom is her greatest joy. She believes it’s critical for parents to engage children in important conversations from an early age instead of relying on the media, social media, and other outside influences. That’s how you impact the future!

Amy Meskimen

First Vice President

Ph: (563) 370-1566
Email: alm024689@gmail.com

Amy Meskimen is the First Vice President of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women, formerly serving as state Secretary 2021-2023. Amy became involved in politics a few years ago after being invited to a Scott County Republican Women’s luncheon. She then became a SCRW member prior to the 2020 election. Amy has spent a lot of time learning about the importance of good leadership at all levels of government, right down to our local school boards. She sees the importance of bringing truth and history back to the forefront of conversations. Educating our youth on the history of our country is vital.

Amy resides in Eldridge, Iowa with her husband and four children. From Junior High to College, they keep her and her husband busy with their activities and schedules.

Amy graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Elementary Education. She then attended Western Illinois University where she obtained her Educational Leadership degree. She taught many years in both the private and public schools. She loves spending time at home with her children and is now a Manager with a health and wellness company, Arbonne. She also offers a couple days a week as a substitute teacher.

Denise Bubeck

Second Vice President

Ph: (515) 371-9368
Email: dmbubeck@gmail.com

Denise Bubeck is a grandma, mom, and wife and has a passion for America. When she was a little girl, her father encouraged patriotism and love of country as his father gave his life courageously in the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Denise wrote her first letter to the President of the United States in third grade. From that first letter until now that she believes using our voices to speak on the issues that matter can make a significant difference!

Denise graduated from Crown College in Minnesota with a degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Early Childhood Education. She taught for several years in public schools. Denise was very involved in her children’s schools from teacher interview teams. In response to concerns expressed by high school parents, Denise developed a monthly parent-principal coffee.

Denise also serves on the Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry Executive Board, Iowans Supporting Israel Executive Board, Christians for Armenia Board, and American Israel Public Affairs Committee National Council. For her day job, Denise is the Deputy Director of the Church Ambassador Network of the Family Leader.

Denise has been a member loyal of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women for several years. She is also president of the Capitol Region Republican Women club in the Des Moines, Iowa area.

Julie Ulrich

Secretary

Ph: (319) 821-1384
Email: ulrichfarms@gmail.com

Julie Ulrich Bio

Jen Dumas

Treasurer

Ph: (563) 650-7199
Email: jmdumas_6@msn.com

Jen Dumas, bio

Barbara Hames-Bryant

Immediate Past President

Ph: (319) 573-3515
Email: barbara@iowafrw.org

Barbara Hames-Bryant is President of a three-generation family housing business based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Hames – The Homes People ®, founded in 1969, provides beautiful, affordable factory-built homes for Eastern Iowans, as well as manufactured housing communities, financing, insurance and site-built homes.

Barbara is immediate past President of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women 2020-2023, 2018-2019 President of Five Seasons Republican Women in Linn County, and Treasurer 2014-2017. As president of the FSRW she and the Board developed a new web site, created a membership directory, planned well-attended monthly events, encouraged active volunteerism, and grew 34% in membership. Barbara is also a current board member of Linn Eagles Republican PAC.

Barbara and her family actively support local, county, state and national GOP candidates through fundraising and events. As her late father, Curt Hames, would say, “Politics is not a spectator sport. If you don’t get involved, you deserve the government that you get.”

Barbara has her BA in Economics and Spanish with a minor in Management from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She holds a Master of International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management. After working in banking and software in the Phoenix area, she moved with her husband, Dan Bryant, and children Kelly and Sean back to Iowa in 2000.

Gwen Ecklund

State Past President/Parliamentarian

Phone: 712.269.2250

Gwen Ecklund has extensive experience in service to the public, both in politics and non-profits. She was past state president of Iowa Federal of Republican Women twice, and served in various offices. Since 1990 she’s also stayed active at the National FRW level participating on several committees, as well as the Board of Directors and Member at Large.

Gwen has served as director of the Big Sioux Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts and the Iowa Republican Legislative Majority Fund. She was Organization Director for Tom Latham for Congress.

Gwen has recently been appointed as Iowa chair of Maggie’s List, a political action committee which is focused on electing conservative women to federal public office.

Lori Leonard Reyman

PR Chair/Presidential Advisor

Email: Lori@IowaFRW.org

Lori Leonard Reyman, IowaFRW Presidential Advisor and Public Relations Chair, is owner of Section 23 Media. She is an award-winning journalist and publicist from Holstein, Iowa, with extensive experience in communications, media relations, and lobbying, and a lifelong involvement in Republican politics. Leonard Reyman is a member of Northwest Iowa Republican Women and is serving her fourth term on the IowaFRW Executive Council and her sixth term as state Public Relations Chair.

Leonard Reyman was twice named to Governor Kim Reynolds Honorary Inaugural Committee, in 2019 and 2023, and chaired the Iowa Suffrage Centennial Gala in June 2019, celebrating 100 years since Iowa ratified the 19^th Amendment.

She and her husband, Dennis, split their time between two family farms near Cushing and Holstein where they raise crops and Red Angus and Limousin breeding cattle. Their family includes a son and daughter-in-law and two grandsons.

Leonard Reyman graduated from Iowa State University with degrees in Journalism and Animal Science. She serves as an officer on the Ida County GOP Central Committee, and volunteers for church and community organizations including St. John Lutheran Church of Cushing and the Holstein Centennial Committee. She is a God, family, country, critters – in that order – kind of gal.