4:00 Doors open

5:00 Speeches from George Pickup and Mike Zimmer

5:30  The Real Soultru 

6:15 Rock Bottom Road Show

7:10  The Fast Clydes 

GEORGE PICKUP FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 70
Having lived in Iowa since the age of six, George Pickup grew up in a family of four siblings, all of whom earned bachelor’s degrees—a reflection of the strong value his parents placed on education, despite neither having completed post-secondary studies. Two of his three sisters recently retired from careers in public education, continuing a family legacy of commitment to learning and service.

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George earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Iowa State University, majoring in Economics and minoring in Political Science, along with an “All” Social Science endorsement. He later completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University.

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Over the span of a 38-year career in public education, George served as a high school social studies teacher for 21 years before transitioning into administration. For the final 17 years of his career, he held leadership roles, retiring in 2024 as the high school principal at Central DeWitt. In addition to his roles in the classroom and the front office, he also coached multiple sports, shaping students’ growth both academically and athletically.

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Education is a central pillar of his family’s life. George's wife, Cathy, dedicated 28 years to Early Childhood Education. Their daughter, Carolyn, is entering her third year as a fourth-grade teacher, while their son, Gus, is preparing to begin his own career in the education field.

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George Pickup is a long-time advocate for the importance of collective bargaining in both the public and private sectors, firmly believing in its role in ensuring fairness and equity for workers. He has been a long-time member of the ISEA and NEA, and served as chief negotiator for two of the districts that he taught in.

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His community involvement reflects a lifelong dedication to service. George is a member of the Delmar Lions and is also a member of First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Central DeWitt Education Foundation and spent eight years representing educators on the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Representative Council.

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Through education, leadership, and community engagement, George Pickup has consistently demonstrated a commitment to building stronger schools and communities across eastern Iowa.

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During his personal time, George loves to fish, golf, and cheer on the Iowa State Cyclones, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks!  Fun fact about George: His wife and he traveled to all 30 Major League Baseball parks in 1999 and watched an entire game at each. 


SENATOR MIKE ZIMMER FOR IOWA SENATE DISTRICT 35

Senator Mike Zimmer was elected to his first term in the Iowa Senate in a 2025 special election. He represents Senate District 35 in eastern Iowa, which includes Clinton, DeWitt, Maquoketa, and portions of Clinton, Jackson, and Scott counties.

Mike is a graduate of North Scott High School, holds a BA in Industrial Technology Teaching from the University of Northern Iowa, and earned an MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Iowa.

His career in education spans decades: Nearly 20 years as an Industrial Technology teacher at East Central and Central DeWitt High Schools, and followed by 17 years of experience in administration, serving as assistant principal and principal at North Scott and Pleasant Valley high schools. Following this, he spent four years as the Director of Secondary Education for the Pleasant Valley Community School District. Currently, Mike works as a Career & Technology Education Consultant for the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency and own a construction business, Mike Zimmer Construction.

Throughout his career in education, Mike has made significant contributions. He expanded dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, and apprenticeship opportunities for high school students. He also developed innovative programs, including outdoor classrooms, student-built airplane clubs, and specialized support for students with disabilities.

His dedication to education has earned him several awards and recognitions, including:

• Iowa State University Industrial Technology Teacher of the Year
• Regional Track Coach of the Year (in 2000 and 2002)
• the Milwaukee School of Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award
• the PNB Aviation Club Award for leadership and vision

Mike has been married to his wife, Tammy for 42 years. They are the proud parents of five children — Erin, Katharine, Jessica, Adrienne, and David — and have ten grandchildren. Mike is an active member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Long Grove and a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus. He also dedicates his time to community service, acting as the volunteer driver coordinator for Humble Dwellings and previously serving as the Central DeWitt School Board President.

THE FAST CLYDES
Traditional rockabilly courtesy of
The Guitar Player, The Bass Player, and The Drum Player.
Jay, Dan and Curtis
The Fast Clydes

ROCK BOTTOM ROAD SHOW
 A Quad City Super Group consisting of Tobin Kirk, Liv Carrow,  Jason Harris,  Jeff Jackson and Bryson Foster !
( photo courtesy of Matthew Terry)


THE REAL SOULTRU

For more than 15 years, singer-songwriter Terrance Banks has performed music under the name Soultru. For many of those years, he worked as a solo act, singing soulful tunes or delivering a more melodic rap flow. However, he was unaware of the history and roots that shaped him into the artist he is today.


Soultru grew up in Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois, within a large family with members who opened for The Temptations (original lineup), Ready For The World, The Deele (Babyface and L.A. Reid's band), George Clinton, and many others in Davenport, Iowa. Unfortunately many of them eventually walked away from music before he ever found out. 

He has had the pleasure of open up for acts such as Amythyst Kiah, Christopher Paul Stelling, Codefendents, Adeem The Artist and many more.  
The Real Soultru