The Story County Republicans elected an Iowa State professor to be the organization’s new chairman.

Jim Kurtenbach, associate professor of accounting, took the reigns about two weeks ago with Elizabeth Cross, general manager at Innova, 546 Main St., who was elected to be the group’s co-chairwoman.

“I am supposed to work with the committee to provide a vision that citizens of Story County can embrace and participate in,” Kurtenbach said.

In November, Story County Republicans voted to create a nomination committee to fill all the positions required by law, including the chair, co-chair, treasurer and secretary.

“After about a month of debate between myself and my family, I decided to accept the nomination,” he said.

The actual elections were held two weeks ago, he said.

Kurtenbach has been active with the Story County Republicans for “a very short time,” he said — about 18 months.

“I’m a political neophyte,” he said. “I didn’t become active until less than two years ago.”

Because of this, Kurtenbach did not expect to ascend so high in the ranks in such a short period of time.

“I was extremely surprised and honored to even be nominated,” he said. “I’m new to the process, new to the people.”

With his new position, Kurtenbach would like to change people who are as naive about politics as he was into informed and educated citizens.

“What I would like to see the Story County Republicans succeed in doing is providing a lot of information to all the residents, whether they be Republicans, Democrats or independents,” he said. “I see the local party structure as an information source for all residents.”

One of Kurtenbach’s duties will be to find people to fill other positions in the county organization, such as finance director and information coordinator.

He said he is delighted Cross was elected to be co-chairwoman.

“It’s so important to have a co-chair who can work with you and compliment your talents,” he said.

Kurtenbach said he does not think his new position will interfere with his teaching.

“I’ve always been able to keep my personal life out of the classroom and out of my research,” he said.

As chairman of the Story County Republicans, Kurtenbach said he plans to work closely with college Republicans and ISU students in general.

“We’re trying to reach out to the ISU campus,” he said. “We are forming a very close relationship with the college Republicans.”

Campus Republicans President Steve Erickson said he is excited about working with Kurtenbach.

“I think he will do a fine job,” Erickson said. “If he can get rid of some of the problems in the county party, I think he will be a major step in the right direction. I look forward to working with him in the future.”

Kurtenbach said the Story County Republicans’ next meeting is sponsored by the Campus Republicans and will be held March 23 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union.

“Something we want to do is provide information to the citizens, and the students certainly are a major part of our constituency,” he said.