Chairman of the Story County Republican Party Jim Kurtenbach was recently recognized for his volunteer service and leadership in the county.

Kurtenbach, associate professor of accounting, was selected by the Republican State Central Committee to receive the honor on Oct. 20, said David Jamison, Story County treasurer.

The award is given annually to a volunteer in the Republican Party who has made a difference and given extra effort, he said.

Although the award caught Kurtenbach off guard, Jamison said he was an “obvious” choice for the award.

“Jim has brought a lot of new people to the party during his leadership and has worked to keep them active,” Jamison said.

Peter Rogers, Republican State Central Committee member, said the bottom line is results. The financial standing and activism in the Story County Republicans have turned around under Kurtenbach’s leadership, he said.

“Someone once told me that a leader is a person who gets you to go where you wouldn’t otherwise go,” Rogers said. “That’s Jim.”

Kurtenbach said the award recognizes the hard work of the entire county volunteering and pulling together to support the Republican Party.

“The reason the Republican Party of Story County has more registered voters and more elected officials is the support received from all the volunteers in the county,” he said.

Kurtenbach has been chairman of the Story County Republicans for the last three years and said he sees his position as a form of public service.

“I wanted to create a better county and state government,” he said. “Party politics is how we create good government.”

Kurtenbach works closely with the ISU College Republicans, teaching them to respect the diversity of the Republican Party.

“The college and county party should provide a place for everyone’s voice to be heard and the issues to be discussed,” he said.

Kurtenbach believes in being involved in the local community. Aside from local politics, he also serves as chairman of the College of Business’ United Way Drive and treasurer of the Story County Habitat for Humanity.

He also enjoys spending free time with his family. He and his wife, Annemarrie, just celebrated the 20th anniversary of their first date. They have two sons, Daniel, 17, and Joseph, 13, who are both students in Nevada.

Kurtenbach’s goal for the Story County Republicans is rooted in education.

“I want us to reach out and inform as many people as possible about the political process to get them active in local government,” he said.