Gordon R. Canfield came to Grinnell in 1952 and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1957. In 1960 he began his career at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company and in 1997 retired from that organization as Senior Vice President.

The Grinnell City Council appointed Canfield mayor in September, 1999, filling the remainder of the term left by the death of mayor Robert Anderson. He then stood for election unopposed in November of that year. Prior to being mayor, Canfield chaired the Grinnell Hotel-Motel Tax Committee and the Grinnell Sister City Association, Inc."
E-mail: mayor@grinnelliowa.gov

Born and raised in Iowa, Oliva Wright moved to Grinnell in 1976, living at the same Main Street address since then. Oliva operated a Home Day Care for 30 years.
She is an active member of the UCC Church and has served in many capacities at the church, most recently as the Christian Education Coordinator. She also belongs to the American Legion Auxiliary, PEO, Garden Club, and the Poweshiek County Democrats.
She enjoys doing anything with crafts, flower gardening, and interior decorating. Oliva is currently working at Dorrie’s clothing store two days a week while enjoying her retirement from daycare.
E-mail: wright@grinnelliowa.gov

Jim White has been on the council since Jan . of 1986 and before that he served on the planning and zoning board. He and his wife Marcia have three children. He has been President of the Chamber, a member of the Rotary Club, and a board member of Grinnell 2000. With his church St. Mary's Catholic, he is a trustee and has been a member of 3rd degree KC's and also 4th degree KC's, as well as the Elks Club and the Eagles here in Grinnell. He owns and operates Bates Flowers on Broad Street.
E-mail: batesflw@pcpartner.net

Jo grew up on a farm south of Grinnell. She is a graduate of Grinnell High School and is a life long resident of Poweshiek County. In 1979 she began her career as Poweshiek County Auditor retiring in December 2006. The Grinnell City Council appointed Wray in September 2010 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Steve Witt. Jo had served on the Grinnell Public Safety Task Force Committee. Jo is a life long member of the Grinnell United Methodist Church. She also belongs to the Drummond Club, the Tuesday Club, the Grinnell Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and the Grinnell Tiger Athletic Boosters.

Jo and her husband, Larry, reside in Grinnell. Their son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren also reside in Grinnell.
E-mail: wraysls@iowatelecom.net

Byron has been a Grinnellian for over thirty years.  He is a graduate of Grinnell High School and the University of Iowa and attended Grinnell College for two years.  He served in the United States Army for nine years with tours of duty in Europe and the Middle East.  Byron is the owner of Worley's Woodworking where he makes hand crafted custom furniture and reproduction millwork.  Byron also works for Maytag in Newton.  He has been a council member since January of 2000.
E-mail: byronhw@mchsi.com