Nicole Crain is Vice President, Government Relations for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. She is recognized as one of Iowa's most effective lobbyists by her peers, lawmakers, and ABI members. Her experience on both the federal and state level gives her a unique perspective in navigating the bureaucracies that ABI members face daily.
Nicole had previously been employed with ABI as Director, Government Relations. During that time and now, she is engaged in working on members' behalf on tough employment, environmental, and economic growth issues. She leads ABI's policy work in a number of areas, including administering ABI's Iowa Industry Political Action Committee.
Before returning to ABI in 2012, Nicole was President of the Iowa Taxpayers Association, a statewide business tax policy organization. Before originally joining ABI in 2007, she was Director of Government Affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Iowa, where she worked closely with the national association to activate Iowans in the fight to defend Iowa's Right to Work law.
Nicole is a magna cum laude graduate of Simpson College, which recognized her as an outstanding alumnus in 2010. Following college, Nicole spent two years in Washington, DC with the firm of Lesher & Russell, where she worked on behalf of global agri-business companies on federal issues. She is also a former intern for U.S. Senator Charles E. Grassley.
Nicole is a native of Blockton, Iowa. She continues to be involved with her alma mater as a member of the 1860 Club, as a past panelist for young student leaders, and past co-host of alumni weekend. She is active in Windsor Heights, Iowa, her community of residence, as a volunteer and civic leader.
