Iowa Public Television

Rick Swalwell is a native son of Iowa, born and raised in Des Moines. He earned his undergraduate degree in Speech-Telecommunicative Arts from Iowa State University, and his Master’s degree in Communications from Drake University. Rick has more than 30 years’ experience in the communications field.

Rick’s broadcasting career began at WOI-TV in Ames while completing his degree. After graduation, he worked as a director/producer and on-air talent at KGLO-AM/TV in Mason City. Eventually, he moved to Des Moines where he spent many years as an award-winning news reporter and anchor at KCCI-TV and WHO-TV.

Rick has spent the past 17 years in various executive management positions, providing his expertise to well-known Iowa companies. He also is founder and president of Renaissance Communications, Inc., a private marketing and communications consulting firm. In addition, Rick has served as an Adjunct Professor at Drake University, where he taught public relations to undergrad and graduate students.

Rick has also enjoyed contributing his free-lance talent to Iowa Public Television for the past 10 years, serving as an on-air host for IPTV’s Festival; co-hosting Iowa This Weekend; and filling in as a guest host on Market to Market and Living In Iowa.