Strategic America, a marketing and communications firm headquartered in West Des Moines, announced the appointment of Matt Strawn as president and CEO, effective June 8. Strawn succeeds John Schreurs, who announced his retirement following a 43-year career at Strategic America.

Schreurs will continue serving on Strategic America’s board of directors and will support the transition throughout 2026.

Strawn has served as CEO of the Iowa Lottery since 2019 and is chairman of the Powerball Product Group. Throughout his leadership, Strawn modernized the organization’s technology platforms, business practices and marketing solutions to produce record lottery revenues and sales across more than 2,500 retail outlets, according to a press release.

Strawn’s leadership of Powerball generated nearly $8 billion in annual sales, scaled its national marketing and product partnerships and delivered the brand’s first international expansion. 

“During a time of growing industry complexity, Matt’s unique strategic skills and entrepreneurial spirit are ideally suited to lead the talented SA team through these challenges, deliver innovative solutions for our clients and position the firm for further growth,” Joe Garcia, member of Strategic America’s board of directors and regional vice president at Aflac, said in a prepared statement. 

An Iowa native, Strawn has experience advising global brands, corporations, businesses, nonprofit organizations and public officials. Previous roles include serving as co-founder and managing director of a Chicago-based professional services firm; president of a public policy advisory and strategic communications group; and co-owner and operator of a minor league sports franchise.

He has also held senior-level public service positions within the State of Iowa and the United States Congress, including serving as chair of the Iowa Republican Party for more than three years.

“It is a privilege to lead the talented SA team and an exceptional Iowa-based business,” Strawn said in a prepared statement. “It’s a time of turbulent change for brands, businesses and organizations of all sizes, but one constant remains Strategic America’s culture of service: Service to each other. Service to our communities. And a service mindset that is critical to driving strategic growth, innovative solutions, and delivering value for SA’s clients.”

Strawn and his wife, Erin, who is president and CEO of the Iowa Center for Economic Success, are Des Moines residents and active community leaders. The couple served as 2025 chairs of the John Stoddard Cancer Center Rally Against Cancer Gala. Matt Strawn’s community involvement includes leadership roles with nonprofits devoted to cancer patients and preventative health screenings, food insecurity, economic development, international diplomacy and youth sports.

Strawn received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and earned his juris doctor degree from The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. He is also a past Pritzker Fellow at the University of Chicago.