Rita Rawson was appointed to a Board of Supervisors vacancy and sworn in on Friday, January 27, 2023.

Rita is originally from Kansas City and moved to Iowa in 1986 to attend Grinnell College where she received a Bachelor of Arts with a focus in Sociology.  Rita received a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Iowa and was a Graduate Opportunity Fellow for academic performance and practice experience. She began building her financial advising practice in 1998, held licenses in 6 states in addition to holding a Series 24, and received several recognition awards. She retired from the business in 2022, after 25 years, to pursue other interests. Rita was elected to Davenport City Council in 2015 and served two terms and was the initial creative force behind the Davenport DREAM Project. She also served as a Professor for the University of Phoenix teaching an undergraduate Cultural Diversity course for 6 years.

Rita served 6 years as a Volunteer-in-Police Service (VIPS) in the Davenport police department crime prevention unit. Rita also has a Diploma from the Professional Animal Care Specialist Program and has earned a Certificate in Medical Plants from Cornell University.  Rita maintains a Native Roots yard and is a Scott County Master Gardener and is enrolled in the Master Conservationist program. She also co-manages the East Bluff Community Garden, serves as the Treasurer for the East Bluff Neighborhood Association, is an Advanced Water Aerobics Instructor at Bittner, and enjoys ballroom dancing. She is a member of North Scott Rotary and the Kiwanis Club of Davenport.

She serves on several Boards: Davenport Sister Cities, River Action, Rejuvenate Housing, Nahant Marsh, and East Bluff Neighborhood Association.  She has the following County appointments: City/School/County Committee, Scott County REAP, Urban County Coalition, and alternate for the Mississippi Valley Workforce Development Board Elected Official Board.