Doug Cupples has considered running for Jasper County Board of Supervisors for several years. He’s finally decided that now is the time to do it.
“I said I would do it when I got older, and someone reminded me that I am 40,” Cupples said. “Truth is, I want to serve.”
Cupples was born in Grinnell in 1971 and moved to Newton when he was 8 years old. He is a Newton Senior High School graduate. He attended Crown College in Minnesota, and is currently employed at lauterbach Buick GMC as a sales consultant. He has been married to Missy for the past 19 years, and the couple have three children, Lexie, 17, Bailey, 14, and Cade, 9. Cupples said Jesus Christ is the most important thing in his life.
“First is Jesus Christ, without a doubt,” he said. “Next is my wife and kids, the U.S.A. and its people. I love my country.”
Cupples and his wife have owned a small business, DC Sports, making T-shirts since 1995. And he’s been a youth pastor since 2006, volunteering in youth ministry since 1996, so he’s had the opportunity to minister to hundreds of youth in the community. He has also served as an interim youth pastor for a youth group that grew from about 60 kids to an average of 125 weekly, within three years. The position required him to manage a tight budget, and he managed to meet the budget and found ways to save money, even coming in under budget.
He also started an outreach program at Aces Teen Center for kids who did not have a positive faith influence in their lives. Before a year was over, more than 40 kids were attending the program.
Cupples believes that a new set of eyes is needed to open up a world of possibilities.
“I get outside the box, look for different angles. Don’t just bring me the problem. Bring solutions and ‘hoped for’ outcomes,” he said. “I will set a personal initiative to work closely with other county officials and businesses to promote our county for more private business and job opportunities.”
Some of the concerns Cupples said he is hearing about the county is taxes, roads, bridges, jobs, marijuana use among the youth and people’s lack of hope.
“My biggest concern is how Americans have been separated and it feels like there are two opposing groups and the hostility that comes with that. We need to work together for the betterment of our people, their families, our towns and county. We need to make sure those who are without work have opportunity for work. Nobody cares what you know until they know how much you care.”
John Jennings can be contacted at (641) 792-3121, extension 425, or by email at jjennings@newtondailynews.com.