As a Des Moines, IA native, Eddie J. Mauro was born and raised in Central Iowa.
Eddie learned the value of hard work from his parents. His mother cleaned houses, cut hair, and worked in the school cafeteria and bookstore, and his father, a U.S. Navy veteran who became a teacher and a coach, worked hard to make ends meet.
Growing up, Eddie spent a great deal of time at his grand parents on the South Side where he learned the value of hard work and community.
In his formative years, Eddie worked in restaurants, construction, manufacturing and transportation. Inspired by his father, Eddie also became a teacher and a coach, teaching in rural Iowa and Des Moines. As a teacher, Eddie led students into community service and organizing efforts – feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, tending to those in need.
Like many Iowans, Eddie and his wife, Sharilyn, found it difficult to make ends meet, so he left the classroom and built his own business. Eddie’s business grew and he found that he was able to give back to the community that supported him in new ways.
Eddie advocates for and volunteers to assist domestic violence survivors, to help those suffering from mental illness, to push local governments to improve our schools and infrastructure, and to fight for workers’ rights.
Eddie and Sharilyn have shared over 30 years together and have two children, Dominic and Mia.
Eddie’s valuable experience in education, business, coaching, and volunteering has helped him understand the challenges facing families, business owners, and outreach organizations. He continues to work on many initiatives including the Purify Project, Creative Vision and New Frontier Action.