BOONE, Iowa—Another candidate has made a formal announcement about plans to enter the upcoming race for Boone County Supervisor.  Erich Kretzinger has been investigating the opportunity and today makes his formal announcement.  Kretzinger released this announcement today:

Backed by 30 years of experience building local businesses and Habitat for Humanity in Boone County, Erich Kretzinger has declared his candidacy for Boone County Supervisor.

A Jefferson native and graduate of The University of Iowa College of Business, Kretzinger’s professional career began as Executive Director of the Eagle Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and Community Development Corporation. He also served as an investment advisor in Clear Lake prior to arriving in 1987 to become Marketing Officer at Citizens National Bank of Boone.

In 1989, Kretzinger purchased Phillips Office Supply, launching a nine-year period of steady expansion for the office supply, printing and business furniture company in downtown Boone. Eventually renamed The Home Office, it was the first local business to retail cell phone technology in Boone County.

Divesting from The Home Office in 1997, he established Select Office Systems, a start-up office electronics company. A fast-growing customer base increased staffing and forced two successive moves to larger facilities in Boone County. Three competing businesses were acquired and computer system sales and support were added.

After eleven years of continued growth, an offer for Select Office Systems was accepted in 2008 just before the Great Recession would hit, proving that sometimes knowing when to get out of business is just as critical as knowing when to get in.

In 2009, Kretzinger was named Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity of Boone and Greene Counties, a non-profit Christian housing ministry now named Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity, reflecting expansion into serving Guthrie County.

An all-volunteer effort prior to his arrival, Kretzinger organized functions, expanded the volunteer base and secured funding to propel a near 700% increase in the number of families served over the ten years of his leadership, as compared to the same period prior.

Kretzinger is credited with creating an innovative owner-occupied home repair program that helped move Habitat for Humanity International’s mission beyond only new home construction.

Today the Helping Hands home repair program is offered by many Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the nation.

Retiring from Habitat for Humanity in July of 2019, Erich Kretzinger has the experience, energy, and vision to build a stronger Boone County through service on the Board of Supervisors.

Believing it difficult to provide meaningful leadership without insight into the opportunities and challenges at hand, Kretzinger has met with fifteen Boone County department heads and will use this base of knowledge to engage with the voting public.

“I’ve had great conversations with some truly exceptional leaders, giving me a good sense of what they do and what’s important to them”, Kretzinger said. “In my view, listening to others and giving fair consideration to all sides is the most effective approach to good decision-making.”

Asked what he would focus his efforts on as Supervisor, Kretzinger stated, “Increased communication and transparency is a definite goal, and enforcing the rule of law to protect people and property is always a priority. Otherwise, I would like to see expanded cooperation with our cities, continued progress on the consolidated maintenance shed and consistent effort to bring more of our state and federal tax dollars back home.”

Kretzinger currently serves on the statewide Habitat for Humanity of Iowa Board of Directors, and is Boone County’s appointed Commissioner to the Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority, serving on the Executive Committee. He is a member of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and a participant in the 2020 Boone Leadership Program.

He has served multiple terms on the Augustana Lutheran Church Congregation Council, including several years as Congregation President. Additional volunteer service has included Chair of the Boone County Human Services Council, Chair of the Boone Area Merchants Association, Boone Booster Club Board of Directors, Mamie Eisenhower Birthplace Board of Directors, the Boone County Community Chorus and coach in the Boone Little League.

Erich’s wife, Kari, has served the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone for the past 22 years as Business Manager. They are proud parents to two grown children who are now raising young families of their own.

An avid bicyclist, Erich has completed seven 500-mile fundraising rides benefitting Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity. He has been an indoor cycling/spinning instructor for eight years and his hobbies include restoring vintage bicycles.

Erich and Kari enjoy living in rural Boone County and are members of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

Vying to represent the Republican ticket in the 2020 Boone County Supervisor election, Erich Kretzinger appreciates the opportunity to represent all of Boone County, relying upon proven leadership and a clear vision for success in 2020 and beyond.

Additional candidate information can be found on Facebook at Erich Kretzinger for Boone County Supervisor 2020, or email to erichkretzinger@outlook.com.

Erich Kretzinger seeks one of two Republican nominations for Boone County Supervisors race