Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Dave Elwell of Des Moines is a lifelong Iowan and veteran of the War on Terror.  After graduating from high school in Huxley, Elwell attended Drake University, where he graduated and received his commission as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve through Drake's ROTC program in 1985.

Lieutenant Colonel Elwell served Iraq from January 2003 to April 2004 and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat. He works as Second Vice President - Investments for Smith Barney in Des Moines, where lives with his son, Edgar and daughters Ivy, Ruby and Olive.