Team

Mr. Smith is the Chief Financial Officer for the Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. In this role, he provides strategic financial leadership and oversees programs that drive economic growth and community development across Iowa. Mr. Smith holds master’s degrees in finance and business administration and serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Advisory Council on Small Business, Community and Economic Development, Agriculture and Labor, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Financial Advisory Board.

Mark Fairley joined the Iowa Finance Authority in July of 1997. Mark is involved in the financing of the Single-Family, Multifamily and State Revolving Fund programs. He helps financially manage the Authority’s mortgage pipeline, debt and derivative portfolio, and investment portfolio.

Prior to joining the Iowa Finance Authority, Mark worked at an accounting firm performing audits of governmental entities across the State of Iowa. He received a B.A. in Accounting from Central College and a Master of Financial Management from Drake University. He has earned a Certified Public Manager designation from Drake University, as well as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designations.

Mr. Benson is the Financial Analyst at the Authority and join the Authority in December 2019. Prior to joining the Authority, he worked as an Investment Director at Principal Real Estate Investors for 35 years, and was involved with the origination of commercial mortgages for a variety of lending programs including permanent loans, construction loans, bridge loans and CMBS. Mr. Benson received his B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Iowa and his M.B.A. from Drake University.