About Randy
Randy was born and raised in Iowa, growing up on his family’s farm where he learned the value of hard work early on. He went on to join the United States Air Force, earning a pilot scholarship to attend Iowa State University. A combat veteran, Randy served multiple deployments beginning with Desert Storm and later held senior leadership roles, including serving as Chief of Combat Operations for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, before retiring from active duty and returning home to Iowa.
After his military service, Randy spent 14 years at Collins Aerospace, applying his aviation and leadership experience in the private sector. Following what he believed would be his final retirement, he returned to service once again—now working part-time for the University of Iowa as a Test Director for the Operator Performance Laboratory and as an Aide-de-Camp for the Iowa Technical Institute. In this role, he continues to fly research sorties and direct advanced test activities.
Family is at the center of Randy’s life. His five children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren all live within seven miles of his home. That closeness reinforces his commitment to serving the families of his district. Randy is motivated to return as a citizen legislator to put families first—focusing on affordability, education, and public safety. He appreciates your support and the opportunity to serve.
Lt Col (Ret) Randy “Tarzan” Marzen is a test director and program manager at the University of Iowa Institute of Technology, where he supports research that improves safety, performance, and decision-making in complex environments.
Randy brings more than two decades of leadership experience from the U.S. Air Force, where he served in combat, training, and command roles around the world. A command pilot with over 3,500 flight hours, he led teams in demanding missions and later served as Chief of Combat Operations during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
After retiring from military service, Randy spent 14 years at Collins Aerospace, helping guide advanced aviation and defense programs from concept to execution. Today, he continues to serve through applied research, combining operational experience with a practical, mission-first mindset.
Randy is a proud Iowa State University graduate and holds a master’s degree in international relations. Above all, he values teamwork, service, and making a positive impact—principles that guide his work every day.
