FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 11, 2026 
MEDIA CONTACT: Mason Mauro, (515) 745-2840, [email protected] 
 

DES MOINES— Governor Reynolds announced today that Taryn Frideres, who served two years in the Office of the Governor as chief operating officer before being named chief of staff in December 2022, is departing for an opportunity in the private sector.  

The governor has promoted Molly Severn to chief of staff effective Monday, September 14, 2026. Severn has served as deputy chief of staff and legislative liaison since May 2023. She joined the Office of the Governor in April 2020, after working several years in Washington D.C., primarily for Senator Chuck Grassley and the U.S. Trade Representative. 

“As chief of staff, Taryn had the experience and expertise to support the type of bold legislation and reforms that defined my second term, from historic tax cuts and education reform to aligning state government,” said Governor Reynolds. “I will always be grateful for her leadership and her service to Iowans. I wish her much success in her career and much happiness with her family.” 

“Molly has been an invaluable member of my team, and I’m grateful for her dedication to serving the people of Iowa. I look forward to having her by my side as chief of staff in the final months of my administration as we continue working to deliver results for Iowans.” 

“Serving Iowans alongside Governor Reynolds and our entire team over the last six years has been the honor of my career,” said Taryn Frideres. “I'm incredibly proud of the transformational work we accomplished that has made a meaningful difference in the lives of people across our great state. I’ll forever be grateful to Governor Reynolds for her bold leadership and this experience.” 

“It’s been a privilege working alongside Taryn as deputy chief, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve Governor Reynolds and lead the team as chief of staff through the end of her term,” said Molly Severn. “The governor is focused on finishing strong, and I’m fully committed to helping her deliver results for Iowans every day through the end of the Reynolds Administration.” 

The following is a current list of Office of the Governor staff: 

       

Molly Severn – Chief of Staff      

Patrick Tomka – Chief Operating Officer and Senior Tax and Economic Policy Advisor    

Stan Thompson – Senior Legal Counsel and Administrative Rules Coordinator  

Pepa Alvarez – Paralegal and Records Custodian 

Heather Nahas – Communications Director       

Kris Walker – Deputy Communications Director 

Mason Mauro – Press Secretary 

Collin Slowey – Chief Speechwriter and Communications Advisor 

Jane Dufoe – Education and Workforce Policy Advisor      

Dax Oberreuter – Health Care and Veteran’s Affairs Policy Advisor     

Gary Wynne – Agriculture and Energy Policy Advisor   

Michelle Haupts – Director of Scheduling   

Madi Willis - Director of the Office for State-Federal Relations     

Nick Tansey – Boards and Commissions Director and Special Assistant to the Lt. Governor 

Annie Hayes – Executive Assistant to the Governor      

Riley Konrad – Constituent Services Director    

 

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