Vice President - Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans

Rowen began his labor union career in 1955 as a member of the Lithographer's Union in Lincoln, Nebraska, serving as the Local's Financial Secretary. In October 1961, he became President of Iowa Local, Amalgamated Lithographers of America - later to have to merge with several printing unions, and currently belonging to the Graphic Communications Conference, International Brotherhood of Teamsters. In November of 1970 he became the full-time President of South Central Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO serving until being elected in 1978 to Executive Vice President of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. He retired in February 1990.

He was an Eagle Scout with 20 years of service to the Boy Scouts and Veteran of the Korean War with service in the U.S. Army in Japan and Okinawa.

Rowen represented the labor movement serving on many boards throughout his career dating back to Greater Opportunities, Inc. Local OEO (Office Economic Opportunities). He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Des Moines Area Community College 1974-1986, appointed Polk County Supervisor June-November of 1996. Presently, in addition to the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Executive Council and President of the Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans, he is a member of the Board of Directors of MICAH (Corrections and Prison Reform), Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and Iowa Citizens Action Network. He is also Chairman of the Friends of Iowa Legal Services Committee, and President of the Polk County Health Services. Don and Virginia have 4 grown children in the des Moines area.