DES MOINES - Members of a statewide disaster recovery commission were announced Thursday.

Three northeast Iowans are among 14 appointees on the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission, including Democrat Jim Davis of Charles City, independent Karris Golden of Waterloo, and Republican Amy Truax of Parkersburg.

Eight Democrats, four Republicans and three independents make up the commission, appointed by Gov. Chet Culver. Board chairman is Gen. Ron Dardis, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard.

"Our reconstruction efforts will require the experience and talents of Iowans of all backgrounds," Culver said in a prepared statement. "These individuals will provide a guiding hand as we begin down the road to recovery."

Culver created the bipartisan commission to assess recent storms' impact on people, schools and businesses; recommend recovery assistance; develop long-term rebuilding strategies; and advise federal, state and local recovery efforts.

"I'm from Waterloo, but obviously for me that means I'll represent people from Waterloo, people from Cedar Falls, people from Waverly, everyone from our region," Golden said.

"And I think in doing so, I'll fulfill my obligation to represent the interest of young Iowans, but my opinion has always been that the interests of young Iowans are directly related and really inextricably linked to the interests of all Iowans," added Golden, also a member of the Generation Iowa Commission.

Golden, assistant director of communication and marketing for Wartburg College in Waverly, hopes to spend time not only rebuilding homes, but also working to repair economic infrastructure that's been damaged or lost.

"I think that'll mean assisting businesses that want to rebuild, and then replacing those businesses that don't want to rebuild with other viable business interests," she said.

Golden is encouraged that elected officials have made the rebuilding process a top priority.

"This is not something they're paying lip service to," she said. "They're really digging in and they're understanding that this is something that'll be going on for a long time in Iowa."

Davis, nominated by the Democratic and Republican leadership in the state House and Senate, owns Iowa Title in Charles City and serves on the state Small Business Advisory Council. Truax co-owns a family operated insurance agency.

"The real story of the 2008 disaster is not just flooding or the tornadoes. It is the people," said Lt. Gov. Patty Judge. "It is the story of Iowa. People working hard and supporting each other with a sense of pride and optimism."

Contact Tina Hinz at (319) 291-1484 or tina.hinz@wcfcourier.com.