Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced the replacement for an Iowa Court of Appeals judge who is retiring on Christmas.

Judge Amanda Potterfield of Tiffin, Iowa, will step down Dec. 25 and be replaced by Paul Ahlers of Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Ahlers is a district associate judge in Judicial Election District 2B. He previously practiced at Iowa law firms in Spencer, Fort Dodge,  Webster City and with Travelers Insurance Companies in St. Paul, Minnesota. He holds a J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law.

At his interview before the Judicial Nominating Commission on March 29, Ahlers said he believes attorneys with the aptitude and interest to become judges have a duty to seek an appointment, and he said he felt similarly about judges and appellate roles.

The two other finalists for the appointment were Mary Chicchelly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Tim Gartin of Ames, Iowa.