Plug In. Ramp Up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader

Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

BUSINESS RECORD NEWCOMER’S GUIDE

Untitled-3 1 9/20/16 12:24 PM Investing in our communities

Building a stronger community brings out the best in everyone. Together, we can share more, create more change, and do more good for the places we call home. • In 2015 over $5.6 million in Iowa team member giving • 2015 Iowa Foundational Charitable giving – $3,035,027 • In Iowa, $1.4 million donated in 2015 as part of the company educational matching gift program • 146,323 Iowa team member volunteer hours for 2015

Visit wellsfargo.com/stories to see how we’re helping communities thrive.

Untitled-3 1 9/20/16 12:25 PM BECOME A DES MOINES BUSINESS LEADER EDITORIAL EDITOR Chris Conetzkey BUSINESS RECORD NEWCOMER’S GUIDE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anne Carothers-Kay Dave Elbert Joe Gardyasz Kent Darr Perry Beeman COPY EDITOR Kurt Helland 49 ART & PRODUCTION SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brianna Schechinger 59 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Danielle Miller 5 STEP-BY-STEP Guide Lauren Hayes What we’ve put together for you PHOTOGRAPHER is a step-by-step guide that will Duane Tinkey lead you through the articles and resources that our staff and ADVERTISING community have assembled. Instead of reading cover to cover, DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING think of this as your roadmap, Ashley Holter which will identify the best order DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS to read, provide tips from the Carole Chambers community, action steps, and SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES point you to additional external Lori Bratrud resources. At the end, you’ll have Katherine Harrington a foundation from which you can Maria Davis work to consistently stay plugged 5 in, remain relevant, and position MARKETING COORDINATOR yourself as a thought leader in Catherine Skepnek the community. We’re here to help, ADMINISTRATION so if you need anything, don’t 13 hesitate to reach out our way. DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Jason Swanson 13 CHAPTER 1 History BUSINESS MANAGER 13 Key historical events Eileen Jackson 19 Byers: Our secret sauce 20 Ongoing storylines & initiatives ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST 22 Essential Des Moines knowledge Becky Hotchkiss OFFICE MANAGER 25 CHAPTER 2 People Laura Stegemann 25 Leaders you need to know INSIDE SALES REPRESENTATIVE 32 Siepker: Who are Iowans? Alison Damon 34 Icons & sages 36 Radia: Our open door policy RECEPTIONIST 38 More leaders to know Amanda Kurovski 39 Chapman: Why our people give

LEADERSHIP 49 CHAPTER 3 Community CHAIRMAN 49 Umbrella organizations to know Connie Wimer 53 Key community events PUBLISHER 54 Where to plug in Janette Larkin 56 The corporate landscape

59 CHAPTER 4 Advice The Newcomers Guide is published at Business Publications Corporation Inc, an Iowa corporation. 59 Wisdom, challenges & mistakes Contents ©2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction or 63 Mannheimer: Outsider advice other use, in part or in whole, of the contents of the 64 Elbert: Wisdom from 40 years magazine without written permission of the publisher Wimer: Leave a legacy is prohibited. Business Publications Corporation, Inc. 66 cannot guarantee the accuracy of all information or be responsible for any errors or omissions. Additional ONLINE TOOL KIT copies may be obtained by calling (515) 288-3336. We’ll be referencing a number of online resources throughout Business Publications Corporation 25 the publication. Every link in the publication has been organized into The Depot at Fourth, 100 4th St. Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 288-3336 one, easy-to-navigate online list: www.businessrecord.com/Toolkit www.businessrecord.com/newcomers

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 3

TOC.indd 3 8/26/16 11:35 AM A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Disrupt our expectations

You’re in Des Moines ... Hell Yes! Wait, I see that questioning face. Perhaps right now you’re feeling entwined the resources of the business community with the cultural a bit more like Hell No! Wondering where we’re hiding the oceans and and philanthropic fabric of the region. In Des Moines, being a mountains? Worried about winter? Maybe you’re questioning why you’re business leader is synonymous with being a community leader. seeing this “Des Moines: Hell Yes!” slogan printed on everything from Because our default is to help raise each other up, genuinely T-shirts to mugs and even the socks on the cover of this publication. root for individual successes and collaborate closely for collective Chances are your initial expectations for Des Moines and Iowa achievement, Des Moines, despite its relative size, exerts a are a bit low. That’s OK — we’re aware and working on that. In gravitational pull much greater than the sum of its mass. fact, a popular tongue-in-cheek Raygun T-shirt (more on Raygun And if you lean in and take a close look at the tightly wound core in a second) reads: “Des Moines: Let us exceed your already low at the center of our gravity, I think what you’ll actually find is openness expectations” and pokes with jest at the feeling of pleasant surprise and space for ideas to be heard, which leads to a force that attracts transplants and visitors regularly come to discover. those seeking an opportunity to make a difference in their community. But I have a slight twist on that shirt, courtesy of a phrase For me, I was attracted by the opportunity to lead at a young age, embedded in our culture by our founder and owner, Connie Wimer. and the chance to use the Business Record to make a difference by I don’t want to just exceed your expectations, I want to disrupt helping the business community do business better. That’s what is at your expectations. Then I want you to take what you learn from this the Business Record’s core, and it’s the reason we published this guide. publication and disrupt our expectations. A few years ago I was meeting with Shannon Cofield, the former You see, the phrase “Des Moines: Hell Yes.” was coined by Iowa CEO of the United Way of Central Iowa and, at the time, chief of staff native Mike Draper, the 30-something, Ivy League-educated owner at Drake University. She was in the process of preparing to help Drake’s of Raygun, a snarky Des Moines T-shirt shop that’s been disrupting new president, Marty Martin, transition into the community from the expectations of residents and visitors alike since opening in 2005. Gonzaga University. She offhand mentioned she had gathered a number The humor-laced slogan has become a sort of rallying symbol for locals of our resources and others into a package to help Martin more quickly and a business community that has been trying to shed Des Moines’ plug into the community. That resonated with me. reputation as a humble, sleepy, risk-averse, farm-centric insurance Because we are so tightly stitched together, and because we have town. It resonates not only because of the implied humor — as Draper unique operating values, a rich shared history and a common vision, said in a 2013 interview with desmoinesisnotboring.com, “no one if unguided it can take some time, despite our welcoming nature, to should be THAT excited about Des Moines” — but also because of an discover the operating formula. honest swelling of civic pride for what has been built here. That’s why we decided to help accelerate that process by bundling Yes, Des Moines might lack the allure of New York City, the sexiness up the lessons I’ve learned over the past five years, the insight from of Los Angeles, and the sunny beaches of Florida. But rest assured, our company and staff, and the collective wisdom and knowledge of Greater Des Moines has a different kind of collective gravity that many our business community into an onboarding operating manual for wary outsiders have found tugging at their soul — an invisible force that business leaders. might not be as easy to define as good weather and natural wonders, Our goal is to help get you as close to understanding our formula but one that nonetheless grips and captures even the biggest skeptics. as possible, as quickly as possible, so you can begin successfully Trust me. I know. I’m no homer. I’m a transplant — by choice. I leading, disrupting our expectations and contributing your mass to never intended to call this home. I even tried to leave once before the gravity of Des Moines. being pulled back in. We need your fresh ideas. And after you take the very important I grew up in the Chicago suburbs. Went to Iowa State University. first step of learning and listening, my advice is to use your unique Worked at the Business Record for a year. Then, moved to Florida to outsider’s perspective to bring new ideas to the table. And when you work for ESPN with zero intention of returning. A year later, my now put in the work and go out to gather support, you can be sure this wife — a lifelong Floridian — and I were choosing Des Moines over community will meet you with a giant Hell Yes! ESPN and New York City. — Chris Conetzkey, editor of the Business Record My story isn’t unique. You’ll find similar stories littered all [email protected] | 515-661-6081 over this city. So what was it that pulled me back five years ago? Sure, our low cost of living, high quality of life and lack of traffic congestion are appealing. But here lies the problem. It just isn’t easy to capture the gravity of Des Moines in a simple sound bite. This guide will explore and shed light on some of the core variables in the formula, but 30,000 words later I can only promise you’ll be closer to understanding, but you won’t have full clarity. Des Moines has to be experienced to be understood. And, much like gravity, the closer you get, the stronger the pull. What’s been built here is largely due to the vision, time, energy and resources of generations of business leaders who tightly

4 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 5

Intro&StepbyStep.indd 4 8/26/16 11:43 AM Disrupt our expectations

Step-by-Step Guide BY CHRIS CONETZKEY - EDITOR OF THE BUSINESS RECORD

Learn from other residents Not here yet? TIP: Remember the whole family, To learn more about the region and to not just the executive contribute information about your experiences Just arrive? Learn In preparing to write the Newcomer’s Guide, for future newcomers, check out the I sat down with Debra Salowitz, a former about your community Partnership’s CarpeDM Seize Des Moines web newcomer herself and president of Strategic If you’re looking for information on portal, which contains information shared by Relocation Solutions. Debra works to help schools, neighborhoods or where to buy Greater Des Moines residents that helps fellow integrate prospective incoming executives a house, well, you came to the ... wrong and new residents learn more about their and their families with the community by place. Sorry, it’s just not our expertise community. www.SeizeDesMoines.com helping them meet people, make connections or the focus of our Newcomer’s Guide. and learn about the community. Much of We’re going to be focusing primarily on Get an executive tour this piece will focus on how to integrate what to do professionally once you’re The Partnership works with its investors and professionally, but when I asked Debra what here, but we can steer you in the right member companies to provide tours of the commonalities she’s seen from transplants direction for a few resources — and some community to help new executives and their who struggled with the transition, her good advice — that is sure to help with families learn about the Greater Des Moines response was clear: unhappiness in the some of those pre-arrival decisions. community, including schools, residential family. So often when a company is working communities, how to connect to cultural to integrate somebody professionally, there Request relocation packets groups, how to get involved and more. The isn’t enough time spent making sure the The Greater Des Moines Partnership offers Partnership also offers custom assistance trailing spouse and children are integrating free relocation packets that contain tons for spouses of executives who move to the successfully. In fact, because there is a of information on everything from area community. Have your employer contact Mary perception of Midwest hospitality, there can neighborhoods, schools and churches to Bontrager at [email protected] be a misconception that “Iowa nice” (you’ll shopping, parks and local attractions. Request if you are interested in requesting a tour. learn more about this later) will carry the day one: tinyurl.com/RelocationPartnership. In and allow integration to happen naturally. addition, you can request a relocation packet Take a first step: Attend a Welcome We’re nice, but we’re also tightknit. This from the Greater Des Moines Convention and to Greater Des Moines Reception means you do have to work and put in effort Visitors Bureau, which includes a Catch Des Each quarter, the Partnership holds a Welcome to ensure the whole family is integrating Moines guide, map, fun pass, Catch Active to Greater Des Moines Reception for new socially. The lesson? Don’t forget your family. & Catch Flavor card, and other resources for residents. The event allows new residents to In other sections of the guide, you’ll find a making the transition. Request one: www. meet each other and learn more about the variety of resources to help find some catchdesmoines.com/about/relocate. And if region and how to get involved. Learn more: good plug-in points. you’re looking for fun things for you and your www.DesMoinesMetro.com/Events family to do, check out the Catch Des Moines magazine: tinyurl.com/catchdesmoines

4 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 5

Intro&StepbyStep.indd 5 8/26/16 11:43 AM Build a foundation; Discover our secret sauce PAGE 19 Learn the key ongoing storylines PAGE 20 It won’t be long before you start hearing that Perhaps as important as knowing the past is get up to speed Greater Des Moines’ success stems from some understanding the recent initiatives, challenges Des Moines is booming. We’re sort of secret sauce. The ingredients in that and storylines that you’ll be sure to hear percolating having unprecedented growth, but so sauce have been simmering for a hundred years in conversations with business leaders. You’re much of our recent success is built but are no longer secret, thanks to Jay Byers, going to read a lot about the successes of Des upon the foundation of years of wise CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Moines, but don’t be fooled; we do have our planning, the hard work of community who has made it his mission to ruin the secret, challenges. In fact, that can sometimes be one of leaders, public-private collaboration thankfully, for anyone and everyone who wants our challenges: The collective good can sometimes and communitywide initiatives. That to know what’s in the sauce: Leadership, vision, mask or hide pockets of issues. But rest assured, has positioned Greater Des Moines for regionalism and public/private partnerships. the community doesn’t turn a blind eye and is its continued metamorphosis from a hard at work on improving the region in a number sleepy Midwest insurance town into the Get to know these nine glue of ways — more than we can cover in one article. culturally rich, vibrant city it is today. So organizations PAGE 49 To get you up to speed, and to help you see what before you go out and start working to Greater Des Moines has a number of key areas could use your help, our staff put together make Des Moines a better place, you’ll umbrella organizations and institutions quick updates on several key ongoing initiatives. want to understand where we came that are intertwined into the community’s from and the lessons that have been business, cultural and philanthropic fabric. ingrained in our community so you can They consistently collaborate, in most cases ACTION STEP: Set up your news flow were born out of a collaborative effort to operate on the same base of knowledge Our primary job is keeping the community up to consolidate resources to better solve problems, as your fellow community leaders. date on business news. We wouldn’t be doing our and have representation and participation of job if we didn’t recommend becoming a member Understand Des Moines history PAGE 13 top business leaders. These glue organizations so you receive the weekly print product and access There’s nobody better than Business Record are frequently at the center of solving key to online insider stories that will provide analysis columnist Dave Elbert, a history buff who has challenges in the community, and often you can’t get elsewhere. In addition, twice a day spent 40-plus years covering the community, advocate for the community at a political level. we send out a free e-newsletter that provides an to help take you on a tour through time that You’ll undoubtedly be interacting with and executive summary of all the latest business news, explores some of the key moments in history making use of these resources, so learning about including new businesses, leadership changes, that shaped Des Moines. After reading, you’ll what they do and what makes each unique, will company news, new initiatives and links to our understand the values and principles rooted in allow you to better navigate the community online insider stories. It’s a must-read to stay our past and the unique way the business and and become an effective contributor. plugged in. For your politics, state and community civic communities have interacted to set the news, you’ll want to plug in to other media such stage for Des Moines’ future. Get a snapshot of the corporate as The Des Moines Register and local TV stations landscape PAGE 56 KCCI-8, WHO-13 and WOI-5, among others. Absorb Elbert’s wisdom from forty Which company is the largest? What’s our Become a Business Record member: years of covering business PAGE 64 biggest industry? What companies lead in our www.businessrecord.com/membership Elbert, he admits, is not one to give advice. most prominent sectors? We use our annual But during his 40-year career he’s gleaned Book of Lists to take a by-the-numbers look at Sign up for our free e-newsletters: a few lessons from witnessing and covering the corporate landscape of Greater Des Moines. www.businessrecord.com/signup the changes and growth in the region. Among See all local media: them: Be patient, collaborate, brainstorm, tinyurl.com/MediaGDM prioritize quality of life, and RAISE YOUR HAND.

6 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 7

Intro&StepbyStep.indd 6 8/26/16 11:43 AM STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Start the process of Learn and perpetuate Iowa nice PAGE 32 addition, you can be part of the conversation Iowans are nice. That seems simple, but on social media using #SeizeDesMoines.You becoming an Iowan nobody has quite captured the true essence of can also become a Social Ambassador through the Partnership. You will receive alerts and I still remember the day the nice how that niceness manifests itself like Iowa be prompted to share the news with the world woman at the DMV held my Illinois native Scott Siepker. Scott rose to fame in using #SeizeDesMoines. driver’s license up, swiftly cut it in early 2012 during the Iowa caucuses after his half, and cheerfully said with a genuine snarky, in-your-face YouTube video titled “Iowa smile, “Guess you won’t be needing that Nice” attempted to, let’s say, boldly correct TIP: Be aware of the flip side of Iowa nice anymore.” Perhaps it was a bit abrupt, some perhaps unflattering, commonly-held Yes, we’re nice. That also means we might but on the day I officially became an stereotypes about Iowa. The video was an not be as direct or critical as we need to be Iowa resident, I had already spent instant hit (it now has more than 1.7 million when criticism is warranted. Critique isn’t five years in the state absorbing the views), was featured nationally on countless inherently a bad thing and can often benefit culture. We thought we’d help ease you media outlets, and became a sort of unifying a community. I’ve heard that sentiment in and accelerate the learning curve of way for traditionally humble Iowans to share articulated both by Iowa Dental CEO Jeff understanding what Iowa and Des Moines their pride in their home state. I asked Scott to Russell, who’s been involved in the Iowa are all about. After all, I got a smile at the answer the question “Who are Iowans?” so you Insurance Accelerator, and by Pete DeKock, DMV — that should tell you something. can gain a deeper understanding of the traits the new head of the Social Club, who just and values of the people you’ll be living and arrived from Chicago. That doesn’t mean Learn your Des Moines knowledge PAGE 22 working with. people aren’t critiquing quietly, just that How do you say Des Moines? What’s a as opposed to other cities where many feel Branstache? Where do I see this so-called TIP: See what we are bragging about and the right to publicly comment, the reality is butter cow? And why do we eat fried butter? share your pride: #SeizeDesMoines sometimes it can take a while to pull the Business Record Senior Staff Writer and 30- Bragging? Yes, I realize we just got done telling honesty out of people, which can in turn make plus year veteran journalist Perry Beeman gives you about how humble we are, but in the it hard to get feedback. I’ve found simply a tongue-in-cheek rundown of all the things past few years the city and region have been asking gives people a license to open up. you need to know to be a true Des Moiniac. showered with national praise in the form of Trust us, you’ll be dousing your bacon-wrapped various rankings. Check out the Brag Book to tots in delicious ranch while riding the D-line to get up to speed on the sources of our swelling buy a snarky t-shirt at Raygun in no time. pride: www.businessrecord.com/bragbook. In

Winter is coming ... Let a couple of former newcomers provide reassurance Chances are — and actually, research has shown — that newcomers likely don’t have much of a perception about Des Moines at all. But a few potential negatives — depending on your point of view — probably have seeped in. For a 2015 Business Record article, we surveyed Des Moines transplants on their perceptions of the city before moving here. In summary, they had perceived that “Des Moines was small, rural and country. There was no shopping or culture — or anything to do, really. Iowa was an agriculture state, and Des Moines was an insurance town. Cold and isolated. No diversity.” However, respondents were quick to counter their initial perceptions with what they now know — something we did not ask them to do. Here are some calming words from a few former newcomers who can’t, and don’t want to, escape their new home. See more: tinyurl.com/TransplantsGDM

Via London, England – Rosemary Link Associate vice president of academic affairs | Simpson College “Iowa has been a surprise with far more happening and more of a welcome than anticipated. Some colleagues from our former, larger city said, “Why move there?” Now we say, because of the quality of life, the invitation and warmth of colleagues, the opportunity to hear fabulous music, take long hikes on the High Trestle trail, drink good wine and meet fine people. Also, the weather in June and September is absolutely spellbinding, the restaurants are getting more and more diverse and delicious, the bike paths, the farmers market, the symphony and opera are excellent and ... the parking is easy.”

Via Portland, Ore. – Don Pearson Lead regional president | Wells Fargo & Co. “I have worked and lived in several communities, but have not experienced any community that is so friendly and willing to embrace new members. Great events, shows and concerts consistent with a larger city, but with minimal traffic and quick commutes! Enjoy the farmers market — it’s one of the best in the USA!”

Via Houston, Texas – Dan Houston Chairman, President & CEO | Principal Financial Group “For 26 years, my wife, Joanie, and I have lived in Des Moines. It’s been an extraordinary place for us to raise our family. It’s a community full of bright, caring, hardworking people who strive to do the right thing in everything they do. My work travel reminds me of this fact. We’re proud to call Des Moines home.”

6 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 7

Intro&StepbyStep.indd 7 8/26/16 2:59 PM Meet the people Get familiar with 25 influential business leaders (and their advice) PAGE 25 Nothing will be more important than ACTION STEPS: Each year we poll the business community building strong relationships with the Set up and maximize your meetings to build a list of the top 25 most influential people invested in our community. To get business leaders for our Book of Lists. Our Make your list and make some calls things done in Des Moines, you need to staff provides some personal insight into not Pick out a few key leaders you want to connect know the players and have people in the only the business leaders’ accomplishments with. But, many are exceptionally busy, so don’t be community advocating on your behalf and and involvement, but also into what makes discouraged if you don’t hear back immediately. helping open doors. As in many cities, each tick. It might take them some time, and when they do, people do business with those they know the meeting date might not be for a bit. Since you and trust. But the Des Moines business But don’t stop at the top 25 PAGE 38 can’t afford to wait three months for your first community values this to an even higher Trust us, the 25 influential leaders are meeting, be sure to pick out a few other industry degree. Trust takes longer to build here, just the tip of the iceberg. The city’s No. peers or leaders from a nonprofit of interest or a so one of the keys will be how quickly 1 resource is its people, and the depth on community initiative you want to help with. Then you can integrate and become a known the bench of highly capable leaders means jump on it and put some lines in the sea. and trusted commodity. The beauty is, your work getting to know the community the doors of many of our community’s doesn’t stop at 25. Here we profile a Prep to maximize your meetings most influential leaders are wide open. few more key leaders and provide a list Know your passions: People want to help, but All you have to do is call. As Banker’s of resources where you can learn about they need to know how they can help. They will Trust Co. CEO Suku Radia says: “The first emerging leaders, women of influence, be evaluating how your skills and talents could meeting is free, and I am available. The mayors and 63 additional leaders to know. benefit the community. But above all, says Suku second is one you’ll have to earn.” We’re Radia, “be a good listener and a sponge. The initial going to help you identify and build a PAGE 34 impressions you convey are important and lasting.” list of some of the people you’ll want to Know our sages and icons meet, but before you do, Radia shares Understanding the lasting contributions Get more leads: At the conclusion of your meeting, why the open-door policy is one of the of the sages and icons who built Greater ask the person to refer you to at least one more community’s most cherished aspects and Des Moines is fundamental knowledge for leader. As Debra Salowitz, president of Strategic why you’ll be expected to perpetuate it operating in the city. Columnist Dave Elbert Relocation Solutions, says, “‘So-and-so said I no matter your level of experience. writes about the icons and dsm Magazine’s should call’ is the open sesame of Des Moines.” Sages Over 70, whose influences are still Follow up: Salowitz also cautions, “Don’t abuse Read why Suku Radia and other being felt today. Though some have left us, introductions by not following up.” If you want to others are still actively engaged and could leaders are so accessible PAGE 36 make a lasting connection, reach out afterward prove to be valuable resources for you to to let the person know how things are going, connect with, ask their sage advice and gain how they helped, or perhaps with an article or insight into how they built Des Moines. information they might be interested in. Don’t let the connection wither. “Friendly to friendship requires effort and follow-up,” Salowitz says.

8 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 9

Intro&StepbyStep.indd 8 8/26/16 11:43 AM STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Absorb the Find ways to plug in Fill your calendar community’s advice We give to our United way at the From the Bravo Gala, to the highest per capita rate in the nation, Partnership’s annual dinner, you’ll Every business community is have a cultural heartbeat that grows soon notice there’s no shortage of fun unique. And the best way to learn louder each day, and have countless and informative events that provide the community’s values and how committees working on community great opportunities to network, and it operates is straight from the challenges. Our business community lend your support to their sustained people living it every day. We is fully integrated in all aspects of success. We might not have mountains surveyed the business community our community, and in Des Moines, or oceans, but you’ll find the business and asked for advice, challenges to if you want to have influence, you and nonprofit communities often be aware of, and mistakes to avoid. simply must plug in professionally, intersect through a conscious effort to We, of course, picked out some culturally and philanthropically. invest in and attend a number of rich serious advice, but we also had a So how and where can you plug in cultural events that liven up the city. few lighthearted nuggets to share. most effectively? We’ve put together a We highlighted a sampling of events Emily Abbas wanted to make sure list of some of the best places for you that the business community both you’re prepared for trick-or-treaters to make regular connections and make attends and supports. In addition, you on Beggars’ Night, typically Oct. 30, a lasting difference. But before you go can view our curated calendar of other instead of on Halloween. Terry Rich and do that, you have to understand must-attend events here: suggested you hunt down Michael why this isn’t an option, rather an www.businessrecord.com/calendar Gartner at the Cub Club at Principal expectation. As the now retired Steve Park. And my favorite: Suku Radia Chapman writes, a key ingredient in Learn about the key community advises you to be kind to those who our community has been leaders who business and cultural events PAGE 53 buy ink by the barrel. All worthy pieces give their time, talent and treasure. of advice, but the reality is that this is a tightknit community with long- Read Chapman’s piece on the established relationships and ways of expectation to give PAGE 39 ACTION STEPS: doing business. This section will go a Two ways to fill your calendar long way toward helping you prepare Find a business organization PAGE 54 for some barriers, while ensuring you Join a committee to improvethe region 1. Get on the speaker circuit avoid the pitfalls and faux pas that PAGE 54 Some great advice here from CVB CEO Greg could derail your efforts to plug in. Edwards. Now that you know all the places Support the nonprofit communityPAGE 54 people gather, go speak to them. Rotary Read the community’s wisdom PAGE 59 Find a niche community PAGE 55 Clubs, chambers and breakfast clubs are Know the challenges you’ll face PAGE 61 always looking for good, engaging speakers, and people new to the community certainly Avoid these common mistakes PAGE 62 pique an audience’s interest. Get your STOP! Before you head out, presentation ready to go, then go share your two words of caution TIP: What if you make a mistake? story and your goals with the community. Remember these words of wisdom from 1. You know your own team, right? 2. Schedule a business trip Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich: “Iowans It probably goes without saying, but be sure Each spring, nearly 200 business, civic forgive if you make a mistake and to get to know your own team. As Convention and community leaders participate in the apologize. They won’t forget if you don’t.” and Visitors Bureau CEO Greg Edwards says, Partnership’s trip to Washington, D.C., one “your team will be the force behind you to of the nation’s largest chamber of commerce Don’t see something? Start something! make you look good.” And he’s right. Many fly-ins. The trip is a great way to connect and PAGE 63 leaders can look great in public but might develop relationships with fellow community You know the landscape and are about to have problems behind the scenes with their leaders. You’ll also gain insider’s access learn some places to plug in, but as Randy own house. It’s too small a town for those to Iowa’s congressional delegation, the Reichardt, owner of RWR Development, says, challenges to go unnoticed or unheard. administration and their staffs. In addition, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry “If there isn’t anything in Des Moines you 2. Don’t overcommit annual conference rotates each summer can find that you want be a part of, you can There will be a million opportunities to get to different cities across the state and is always build it.” That’s exactly what New York involved, and as Principal CEO Dan Houston Iowa’s premier business conference. It brings city transplant Zach Mannheimer did when he warns, “In Texas, there’s an expression: together industry leaders to learn from top- arrived back in 2007 as a 30-year-old unknown ‘That person is all hat and no cattle.’ Don’t notch speakers, network and share ideas on commodity carrying nothing but an idea. His be the person caught with no cattle. Find how to strengthen Iowa’s business climate. hard work and savvy integration with the a cause in the community that’s important It’s a great way to plug in to the statewide community allowed his idea to blossom into to you and give your time. Don’t take on a business community. what is now the Des Moines Social Club. We nonprofit volunteer opportunity for the sake asked him to share for you some of the lessons of joining.” It will be hard to say no once you DMDC: www.DesMoinesMetro.com/DCTrip he learned trying to break in with a big idea. get going, so make sure you are passionate ABI: www.iowaabi.org/events/annual-conference about the causes you get involved with.

8 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 9

Intro&StepbyStep.indd 9 8/26/16 11:43 AM STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Stay plugged in Position yourself as a thought-leader The people At some point you or your company will have The Business Record will be your news to share with the business community. You tool to consistently use for staying might think it’s as simple as sending a press who get it, plugged in long after you’ve been release to every media company in the area. And operating in the community. Of course, while that might be the right course of action becoming a member and getting our on occasion, learning how to interact with our get it. products will keep you up to date with newsroom can go a long way toward maximizing all the news, initiatives and topics you how frequently and prominently you and your need to do business better, but here are Read dsm Magazine, to stay plugged business are featured. I wrote a three-part series into the arts and culture community a few ways you can use our resources to that explores in detail how to get a story in our No resource will help you plug in to our rich arts make a deeper connection with us, be in products, but in short, you want to position and culture scene like our sister publication our products and continually build your yourself as a resource for the newsroom. When dsm Magazine. Every other month dsm delivers credibility in the business community. you do that, by extension you’ll see your voice stunning visuals and engaging stories that included in more articles, which can help build will likely disrupt your expectations of Des your credibility and position you as a thought Moines. We celebrate each publication at a free leader in the community. Read the series: unveiling party, which is attended by a who’s www.businessrecord.com/intherecord who list of people from the cultural community. Meet me and your beat reporter In addition, dsm sends out a free weekly e-newsletter. Sign up and learn more: www. Reach out and ask to meet with us: dsmmagazine.com. We’d also encourage you to [email protected]. I want to reach out to dsm’s staff, including Magazine help and get to know you. But I might also Manager Kris Maggard - krismaggard@ direct you to work with one of our senior bpcdm.com - and Editor Christine Riccelli - staff writers, who each are responsible for [email protected]. Introduce yourself to the community covering specific industries. Read bios on in the Business Record all of our writers and learn the areas they The Business Record newsroom often writes cover: www.businessrecord.com/contact short stories about people when a business Leave a legacy announces a new hire for a key leadership Attend Business Record events There is one final lesson to impart position. So it’s quite possible we already did Our events are tailored specifically for the from having had the privilege of that for you. Regardless of whether we have business community and are prime opportunities working with and learning from the or haven’t, one of our key roles is helping to learn and network with the area’s top Business Record’s owner and founder, introduce new players in the community to decision-makers. Here are a few to check out: Connie Wimer. I’ve always marveled at other business leaders at a level deeper than Book of Lists unveiling: In early January, the way she has quietly left a legacy, a press release can go. We do this primarily join us for the new year’s first major networking always putting aside personal, selfish through a feature we call “Closer Look,” which opportunity and get your own copy of the desires for the community’s benefit. is a question-and-answer interview. If you must-have Book of Lists. A lesson from her I’ll carry with me think you’re a good fit for this feature, which always: The best things built in Des is typically reserved for top leaders at an Economic forecast: This late-January luncheon Moines thrive beyond the initial organization, email me at chrisconetzkey@ panel discussion highlights economic trends individual who was the driving force. Sent twice daily, the Business Record Daily provides bpcdm.com. And don’t be shy or wait until for the coming year. She has lived that, and has dedicated you have everything figured out. These often Power Breakfast series: Join us three times her life to filling needs in the Des the content that helps businesses do business don’t run for a few weeks after the interview, a year for power networking and a panel Moines community and making sure but it’s a great way to soften the ground and discussion on key business issues moderated the next group of leaders is ready to better. Thisquick-hit email is a must read by the encourage people to reach out your way. by the Business Record newsroom. carry the torch. Her unique thumbprint Awards ceremonies: In March, mingle with has been imprinted on generations of leaders through the countless hours top professionals in the Greater Des Moines area. TIP: Submit an “On the Move” the top 40 up-and-comers under the age of she’s devoted to mentoring newcomers Even if your position isn’t at the top of 40 when we honor our Forty Under 40 class. and emerging leaders. Des Moines has Sign up today at businessrecord.com/signup. an organization, for free you can submit In August, we honor key female leaders at our made a conscious effort to build the a photo and information about your new Women of Influence event. And dsm Magazine next generation, and it will be expected position to be considered for publication honors established community leaders at that you do the same. For your final each week in our “On the Move” feature. Sages Over 70 in November. assignment, read Connie’s piece that The section is often used by readers to examines why investing in the next reach out and congratulate people on TIP: Interact with us generation is a rewarding task that their new jobs. Submit here: We are constantly taking nominations for our never ends. www.businessrecord.com/onthemove awards programs, surveying our audience for opinions and hosting events. Participating is Read Connie Wimer’s advice on a great way to connect with the community. investing in the next generation PAGE 66

10 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

Intro&StepbyStep.indd 10 8/26/16 2:57 PM The people who get it, get it.

Sent twice daily, the Business Record Daily provides the content that helps businesses do business better. Thisquick-hit email is a must read by the top professionals in the Greater Des Moines area. Sign up today at businessrecord.com/signup.

10 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

Intro&StepbyStep.indd 11 8/26/16 8:03 AM A DES MOINES ORIGINAL WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVES

As a leader in the community, the firm has a long history of community involvement in Des Moines and across the state. As a new executive to central Iowa, it can be hard to establish new networks and business relationships. Davis Brown works with clients to make those connections.

From the beginning, founding partner, Joseph Brody, instilled these values in the firm. As a longtime member and president of the Des Moines School Board and a founder of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union, Brody focused on connecting people and giving back to his community.

A. Arthur Davis Named partner, A. Arthur Davis, continued the tradition by serving as president of the Des Moines School Board, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and mayor of Des Moines. He was a founding member of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and a dedicated volunteer and advocate to numerous causes.

Their volunteer efforts have been an example to all those who followed. If you’re thinking of moving or recently moved to Des Moines, Davis Brown attorneys and staff are proud to share their 87 years of community experience with you.

Recognized as “Best Law Firm in Des Moines” for the 11th consecutive year by the Business Record, Davis Brown is honored to partner with Des Moines and surrounding communities and continue the legacy of making pro bono work, community service and charitable giving a priority.

Des Moines • West Des Moines • Ames • Emmetsburg Davis Brown Koehn Shors and Roberts P.C. | www.davisbrownlaw.com | 515.288.2500 Davis Brown Tower, 215 10th St., Ste. 1300, Des Moines, IA 50309

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 13

Key Historical Events.indd 12 8/26/16 7:48 AM CHAPTER ONE DES MOINES HISTORY

A DES MOINES ORIGINAL WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVES

Joseph I. Brody Since 1929, the Davis Brown Law Firm has provided practical and strategic legal counsel to small businesses, entrepreneurs, individuals, and Fortune 500 companies on a local, state, national and international basis. who assemble here every January for As a leader in the community, the firm has a long history of community legislative sessions. involvement in Des Moines and across the state. As a new executive After the Civil War a growing insurance industry took root in Des to central Iowa, it can be hard to establish new networks and business Moines, and it has helped drive the relationships. Davis Brown works with clients to make those connections. Key Moments local economy ever since. Business leaders who began shaping the As the new century opened, From the beginning, founding partner, Joseph Brody, instilled these values in Greater city’s future in the 1880s placed Des Moines leaders again took the in the firm. As a longtime member and president of the Des Moines School themselves at the forefront of many lead in embracing an economic development philosophy for the Board and a founder of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union, Brody focused on national trends, including the use of Des Moines electricity, education, city planning region that focused on quality of life connecting people and giving back to his community. and arts and recreation. Des Moines’ improvements as a way to position the A. Arthur Davis Waveland Golf Course, for example, city, businesses and its workforce for Named partner, A. Arthur Davis, continued the tradition by serving as History ... is often cited as the first municipal long-term growth. president of the Des Moines School Board, the Greater Des Moines golf course west of the Mississippi It seems to be working, as Partnership and mayor of Des Moines. He was a founding member of the and their lasting impacts River. Over time, a saying developed evidenced by a number of relatively new that, while Des Moines’ population developments that range from the Gray’s Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and a dedicated volunteer and BY DAVE ELBERT made it a third-tier or C-level city, the Lake project to the downtown Pappajohn advocate to numerous causes. COLUMNIST | BUSINESS RECORD community often acted like it was a Sculpture Garden, a new downtown top-tier or A-level enterprise. library, the Iowa Events Center, the Their volunteer efforts have been an example to all those who followed. Des Moines’ modern history can Science Center of Iowa, the Principal If you’re thinking of moving or recently moved to Des Moines, Davis be roughly divided into half-century Riverwalk, the World Food Prize Hall Read history buff Dave periods. The first 50 years from the of Laureates, the Greater Des Moines Brown attorneys and staff are proud to share their 87 years of community Elbert’s advice from 40 years city’s incorporation in 1851 until 1900 Botanical Garden and on across the East of reporting on page 64. experience with you. were marked by growth and prosperity, Village to the steps of the Iowa Capitol. especially after the Iowa Capitol New projects and development are Recognized as “Best Law Firm in Des Moines” for the 11th consecutive Iowa’s capital city sits atop building was completed in 1885. underway, and the momentum from year by the Business Record, Davis Brown is honored to partner with Des the southern tip of the Des Moines The next half century witnessed the past seems to be building. You Moines and surrounding communities and continue the legacy of making Lobe, a glacier that slid down from Des Moines’ first golden age as business can read about some of the planning Minnesota 12,000 years ago and leaders developed a thriving downtown efforts and initiatives that are currently pro bono work, community service and charitable giving a priority. covered all or parts of 25 Iowa core that extended from the Des Moines underway in another article on page counties. The lobe contains some of River west to 10th Street, where the 20, but before you do, let’s take a look the most fertile farmland in the world, Hotel Fort Des Moines was built in 1919. back at some of the key moments in which helps explain much of Iowa’s history that shaped Des Moines, as Des Moines • West Des Moines • Ames • Emmetsburg After World War II, people began agricultural heritage. moving to the suburbs and the a way to understand the values and Davis Brown Koehn Shors and Roberts P.C. | www.davisbrownlaw.com | 515.288.2500 The city of Des Moines, however, downtown backslid until the 1970s, principles rooted in our past and the Davis Brown Tower, 215 10th St., Ste. 1300, Des Moines, IA 50309 has always been a bit different from when a new generation of community unique way the business and civic the rest of Iowa and even, at times, at leaders launched revitalization efforts community have interacted to set the odds with the many rural lawmakers that lasted into the 21st century. stage for Des Moines’ future.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 13

Key Historical Events.indd 13 8/26/16 11:28 AM KEY MOMENTS IN GREATER DES MOINES HISTORY

1888 - Hartford of the 1920s - City planning by a “pedestrian island” West gets a chamber becomes a focus and connected by elevated sidewalks. A ring of parking 1983-2008 | Des Moines Business Record | Covering Iowa’s Central business news for 25 years By the late 1880s, the By the 1920s, the garages would keep cars city’s population had Des Moines Chamber of out of the core. The plan grown to nearly 50,000 Commerce had helped was considered too grand and Des Moines was being create Camp Dodge to and was largely ignored. called “the Hartford of train World War I soldiers the West” because of all and a Convention Bureau the insurance companies to attract visitors and Looping Des Moines

A supplement to the Business Record founded here after the Civil new businesses. The Des Moines’ modern More Des Moines History: War. In 1888, business city led the nation in transportation network is leaders decided they could homeownership, but its often traced to the 1950s, For the Business Record’s spur even more growth growth was uncontrolled when President Dwight 25th anniversary publication by forming a Commercial and was starting to cause Eisenhower created the in 2008, we chronicled Exchange, which was problems. “There are nearly interstate highway system. 25 iconic changes and rebranded in 1913 as the 1,500 unnecessary jogs But one key link in our developments in Greater Des Moines Chamber of and terminations in the modern system — what we Des Moines. After reading Commerce. One of the first street system,” a 1925 now call the Martin Luther Elbert’s key historic things the new group did report said. Des Moines King Jr. loop bypass — moments, gain an even was to lobby successfully needed a plan and hired was initially proposed by deeper understanding for unique legislation that Harland Bartholomew, the Bartholomew in 1925, 80 of our history: merged eight suburbs into nation’s premier urban years before it was actually businessrecord.com/25years the city, overnight enlarging planner. His St. Louis firm built. The Eisenhower plan the city from eight square created several plans for created a northern loop miles to 54 square miles. Des Moines between 1925 (Interstates 35-80 and 235) 1851 - Des Moines and 1940, designing a to connect downtown is founded 1900s - Cleaning up coordinated street system, Des Moines with the a municipal parks network, northern and southern Des Moines was the riverfront a zoning framework and a suburbs during the 1960s. established as a military Des Moines took another plan for growing schools. A rebuilding and widening outpost (Fort Des Moines) huge leap forward at the of Interstate 235 section in 1843 and became a dawn of the 20th century, was completed in 2007 city in 1851. The city’s when business and civic 1960s - Downtown’s bumpy flight to the suburbs at a cost of about $430 incorporation came five leaders agreed on a plan for million. In 2002, a new years after Iowa gained cleaning up the downtown During the decade after southern loop was created statehood on Dec. 28, riverfront, which had World War II, the city’s by widening Iowa Highway 1846, and three years become an open sewer population made one 5 and U.S. Highway 65 before the Iowa General cutting through the heart final push, adding nearly at a cost of about $190 Assembly, meeting of the city. Local leaders 50,000 to top 208,000 million. And in 2005 and in Iowa City, decided took their cue from the City in the 1960 census. But 2011 two legs of the MLK to move the seat of Beautiful movement that then a migration to the Jr. downtown loop were government to a more swept the nation following suburbs began. The once completed at a cost of about central location “within Chicago’s 1893 World’s thriving downtown began $180 million. There are two miles of the Raccoon Fair. They created a “civic to crumble as retailers efforts in the works to get forks of the Des Moines center district” along relocated to be closer Highway 5/65 redesignated River.” Beginning in the riverfront that would to suburban consumers. as an interstate, and 1857, state government eventually consist of seven Bartholomew was hired one MLK Jr. Parkway has operated from temporary public buildings, including final time in 1960 to create been extended across the quarters in Des Moines. City Hall, the Public Library a postwar plan for the city. Des Moines river, out to Work on a permanent and the U.S. Courthouse, It was a doozy and called Southeast 30th Street, Capitol began in 1871 built over a span of 30 for a Rockefeller Center- with plans to continue and was completed years beginning with the like complex in the heart the route all the way to in 1885. library in 1899. of downtown surrounded Highway 5/65.

14 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

Key Historical Events.indd 14 8/26/16 7:49 AM Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: Phase II of an $11.6 million renovation was completed in early 2015.

14 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

Key Historical Events.indd 15 8/26/16 7:49 AM KEY MOMENTS IN GREATER DES MOINES HISTORY

1970s - Renewed projects sprouted around resulting in the creation of 2. Sculpture garden: The plan investment downtown the Civic Center and the the Principal Riverwalk, the called for a park on the Marriott Hotel, eventually East Village, the John and western edge of downtown, By the early 1970s, it was filling much of the five Mary Pappajohn Sculpture and in the late 1990s the clear that downtown Des blocks between them with Park, the rejuvenated city and business leaders Moines, like virtually every Capital Square, the Plaza Gray’s Lake, the Martin began buying property to urban core in the country, Condominiums, the Hub Luther King loop bypass create it. By the time the was in trouble. But the city’s Tower and Kaleidoscope at and a revival of downtown park opened, another plan business leaders were not the Hub, the Polk County housing. The Vision Plan had emerged and Des ready to throw in the towel. Convention Complex, the set a goal of making Des Moines venture capitalist After organizing an effort to Keck City Center parking Moines a prototype for a John Pappajohn was build a new downtown store garage and the Ruan Two 21st-century American persuaded to move his for J.C. Penney, a handful office building. The city’s city. Many of its original private collection of outdoor of visionaries began erecting largest insurer changed its participants remain involved sculptures from his home new office buildings. Robb name from Bankers Life to today and are still pushing to the new park in 2009. Kelley put up a nine- Principal Financial Group toward that goal. Pappajohn has continued to story headquarters for his and launched a long- add pieces, and today 28 Employers Mutual Casualty overdue building spree, sculptures in the John and Co. Banker John Fitzgibbon Three major results of the putting up three major Mary Pappajohn Sculpture followed, recruiting outside Des Moines Vision Plan: buildings, including the Park form one of the investors to build the 1. East Village: The area we 44-story 801 Grand — still premier outdoor collections 25-story Financial Center. know as the East Village the tallest building in the in the country. Then came transportation is one of the city’s oldest state — between 1986 entrepreneur John Ruan with commercial districts. In 3. New headquarters: and 1996. There was also his 35-story Ruan Center. the late 1800s, a series To create the western renewed activity east of the of brick-making plants gateway and create space river where Embassy Suites, occupied much of the for a new library and a A new backbone the Iowa Historical Building space between the Des higher education building, Once modern skyscrapers and East Grand Office Park Moines River and the Iowa officials cleared out began sprouting, attention gave new life to one of the Capitol, and until recently six blocks of low-value shifted to more communal city’s oldest neighborhoods. the area had always commercial buildings. The projects, including That area is now known as lagged behind the more belief was that the green the need for a modern the thriving East Village. space would attract high- performing arts center, a prosperous financial district west of the river. The 1990 value development — and new downtown hotel and 1990s - A new vision it worked. Before the park a skywalk system that Vision Plan recognized By 1990, it was time for a was completed, Allied/ would eventually stretch the area’s potential, but new plan. This one would be Nationwide Insurance for four miles throughout it wasn’t until the early driven by New York architect announced plans for a downtown. The Des 2000s that a series of Mario Gandelsonas, who corporate headquarters that Moines Civic Center and first-time entrepreneurs, was attracted to the city in would eventually consume Nollen Plaza (now Cowles many of them women, were 1988 by the intersection of six blocks and Wells Fargo Commons) were completed attracted by low rents. downtown’s off-center grid Financial more than tripled in 1979. The opening of They began opening small with the more traditional its downtown space. In the Downtown Marriott stores and coined the name north-south grid of the rest 2010, Wellmark Blue Cross Hotel in 1981 helped East Village. By 2005 Jack of the city. At the urging of and Blue Shield opened launch the skywalk system, Hatch and other developers city leaders, Gandelsonas a $250 million, three- which has become the had begun tearing down helped lead a series of block campus north of the backbone of the downtown old buildings and putting public brainstorming sculpture garden. Just west financial district. up new ones designed to sessions about downtown house small-scale retail. of Wellmark, Kyle Krause is development. The result now building a new $150 1980s - More muscle That success attracted was the Des Moines Vision even bigger developers, million Krause Gateway During the 1980s, city Plan, which became a road including Bettendorf’s Mike Center headquarters for leaders put more muscle on map for the next 20 years Whalen and Des Moines’ his family’s Kum & Go the downtown frame. New of development, eventually Jim Cownie. convenience store chain.

16 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

Key Historical Events.indd 16 8/26/16 11:28 AM The Des Moines Union Railway Bridge: This pedestrian bridge is beautifully lighted at night and anchors the south end of the Principal Riverwalk.

16 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

Key Historical Events.indd 17 8/26/16 11:28 AM KEY MOMENTS IN GREATER DES MOINES HISTORY

1998 - New task force sociologist Richard Florida. 2000 - Maximizing Vision include expensive flood says no to casinos and Over a three-year period, Iowa funds mitigation work and a the Chamber of Commerce, signature pedestrian bridge. rainforests In 2000, Gov. Tom Vilsack under the leadership of It also spurred other efforts, and the Iowa Legislature Before the Vision Plan got 1999 Chairman Steve including the Brenton established Vision Iowa, rolling, two other proposals Chapman, Steve Zumbach Skating Plaza, new gardens a $180 million effort to demanded attention. One and Suku Radia, remade at City Hall and a $30 rebuild Iowa’s cultural and involved placing a riverboat itself as the Greater Des million makeover of Des recreational attractions. Des casino near downtown Moines Partnership. The Moines’ original library Moines’ share was expected on Gray’s Lake. Meredith organization put a new into the World Food to be about $75 million, Corp., which publishes emphasis on a collaborative Prize headquarters. which officials planned to magazines including Better work model that did not use to fill a hole in funding Homes and Gardens, killed require as much individual for the Iowa Events Center, 2012 - Rebooting that idea by threatening to time from top leaders who at which was the lead project In 2012, a group of business move its headquarters from the time were participating on the Major Task Force list. owners led by Jim Cownie Des Moines if a downtown in multiple economic But Vision Iowa Chairman and Bill Knapp created Des casino was built. The other development groups that Michael Gartner said Des Moines Redevelopment big idea was to build an often had similar agendas. Moines could only have the Co. to spur new projects indoor rainforest on the At the same time, those $75 million if it used the including efforts to build a edge of the downtown core. leaders created Operation money to leverage additional new downtown YMCA and For a time, the rainforest Bravo as a mechanism to resources for other projects. an Events Center hotel. The diverted attention from pump more money into Eventually the money was new effort is modeled after more realistic proposals cultural and recreational spread across the $217 Des Moines Development until business leaders, led efforts. You can read million Events Center, the Corp., the private group by Meredith Chief Executive a bit more about both $62 million Science Center that jump-started downtown Jack Rehm, created a organizations on pages 50 of Iowa, a $32 million building in the 1970s by Major Projects Task Force. and 52, but the formation new Downtown Public buying and holding key sites In 1998, the task force of the Partnership served Library and an $8.5 million until development could unveiled a short list of top ultimately to bring economic Pappajohn Higher Education occur. The original members priorities. The rainforest development operations Center. “The things you of Des Moines Development was not among them, and under one umbrella. In the thought might be doable in owned their own businesses, interest in it disappeared. time since its formation, 30 years happened in 30 which gave them greater the geographic region months,” Gartner said. flexibility and freedom. 1999 - The Greater it serves has expanded But as time passed, many Des Moines Partnership and it now consists of 22 2002 - Principal Riverwalk local companies were sold is born affiliate chambers and to large businesses outside 5,800 business members On March 19, 2002, By the late 1990s, Des the state and they installed in Central Iowa. The Principal Financial Group Moines had reached another managers not bonded to the geographic growth means announced plans to tipping point with two new local community. Following the Partnership has had a construct a downtown factors at work. One was creation of the Greater key role in helping foster riverwalk in celebration of absentee ownership of Des Moines Partnership, the growth and collaboration the insurance company’s local businesses. The Des Des Moines Development of the region as a whole. 125th anniversary in 2004. Moines Register, Equitable ceased to be a power and And as you’ll read in other The company initially of Iowa, Pioneer Hi-Bred, disbanded. But now Cownie, sections, leveraging the pledged up to $10 million Younkers, Allied Insurance, Knapp and others are region has become a primary for what was expected to be MidAmerican Energy, Iowa cultivating a new generation priority for the organization. a $20 million project. By Realty and four local banks of local owners focused For its full history, check out the time the riverwalk was had been sold to national once again on acquiring “Standing on the Shoulders completed in 2013, it had or international owners. developable property and of Giants,” a book written by cost more than $72 million The other factor was Des fulfilling the Vision Plan Dave Elbert and published and Principal’s contribution Moines’ early adoption of dream of making Des for the Partnership’s had grown to $20 million. the quality-of-life arguments Moines a 21st-century 125th anniversary: As often happens, the advocated by urban model of urban excellence. tinyurl.com/125Giants project grew over time to

18 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

Key Historical Events.indd 18 8/26/16 7:49 AM The “Secret Sauce” of Greater Des Moines? Leadership. Vision. Regionalism. Public/Private Partnerships.

BY JAY BYERS - CEO | GREATER DES MOINES PARTNERSHIP

About Jay Since taking over as CEO in 2012, Jay Byers has been telling anyone and everyone who will listen about the ingredients he PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: Our business leaders and believes makes our secret sauce. We asked him to spoil the secret. elected officials have long worked together to push projects forward. A great example of this is the Iowa Events Center Convention Hotel project that broke ground in 2016. The hotel was made possible Greater Des Moines continues to experience a wave of momentum, through the active engagement of business leaders, the Polk County and you can play a major role in building our community and continuing Board of Supervisors, the city of Des Moines, the state of Iowa and to drive it forward. the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, among The momentum is evident in many of the metrics we use to many other organizations. It was a collaborative, game-changing measure healthy economic growth. For well over a decade, the Greater project for our region and is one of the latest examples of the public Des Moines region has outperformed the Chicago, Kansas City, and private sectors collaborating to implement a big idea. Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Omaha and St. Louis markets in the percentage of population, gross domestic product and job growth. COMMUNITY VISIONING: Our region has a rich history of developing We like to joke that if you look around Des Moines, you may and implementing bold community vision plans. The latest iteration of notice the official bird of Greater Des Moines: the crane. this is the Capital Crossroads Regional Vision Plan. Capital Crossroads As of summer 2016, there were more than 40 projects in empowered our residents and business, civic and community leaders to progress in downtown Des Moines alone, and construction cranes identify future opportunities and get the right people at the table to act are now a mainstay of our region. on those opportunities. Capital Crossroads set the stage for hundreds of Our region’s momentum continues to gain national attention. In successes in Central Iowa in the past five years, and an updated plan, the past few years, Central Iowa has garnered a number of prestigious Capital Crossroads 2.0, will charter our collective future for the next national rankings. Greater Des Moines has twice been named the No. five years. In fact, it has been so successful that Greater Des Moines 1 Best City for Young Professionals by Forbes. Greater Des Moines has has been recognized as a national leader for regional visioning. been named the No. 2 Best City for Jobs, also by Forbes. The region REGIONALISM: You may live or work in Des Moines, West Des Moines, has been named the No. 1 City With an Up-And-Coming Downtown by Urbandale, Ankeny, Altoona or any other city in Central Iowa, but you Fortune. And a personal favorite of mine: The region has been named are part of a regional network. We think and act as a region. With the No. 1 Metro With the Most Community Pride by Gallup. Central Iowa communities working closely together with a common This momentum is tangible, intentional and largely the result voice and mission, Greater Des Moines is able to act bigger than it is of what I like to refer to as our “secret sauce,” consisting of the to effectively fight above its weight on the national and international following “ingredients:” stage. A great example of this is the Partnership’s Affiliate Chamber LEADERSHIP: Our business, civic and other community leaders network, which encompasses 22 Central Iowa chambers representing are instrumental in propelling innovative momentum in Greater Des 5,800 business members. Our unique dual membership model Moines. We have highly engaged elected officials and cutting-edge enables us to represent the region with one voice. For example, we nonprofits, and our CEOs and other business leaders give their lead a delegation of 200 business, civic and community leaders to time and money to make big projects happen. And one does not Washington, D.C., each year to advocate with a regional agenda — have to be a CEO or elected official to give back. There are plenty representing one of the nation’s largest annual chamber of commerce of opportunities for people to lead in their communities through fly-ins and delivering a powerful statement to our elected leaders. volunteering, serving on a nonprofit board or leading a project that I encourage you to become involved in our community in a big way. they are passionate about. If someone has a good idea and works We need your ideas, your time and your talents. We need you to help hard, they can gather support and make it become a reality here. us build the future of Central Iowa. We look forward to meeting you.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 19

JayByersSecretSauce.indd 19 8/26/16 7:51 AM 10 There’s a TON going on in Greater Des Moines — more than we can catch you up on in one article. But in an effort to help accelerate the process of getting you up to speed on some of Key storylines the key initiatives, challenges and storylines in the community, our staff put together quick updates from each of their beats on some of the key things you’ll be sure to hear percolating in conversations with business leaders and be reading about in our coverage. This isn’t a for you to be comprehensive list, nor is full justice given to each item. Rather, this is a starting point that should give you a nice foundation from which you can continue exploring on your own. If you’d like to learn more, we’ve provided links — found in the online toolkit — to additional aware of resources. And of course, I wouldn’t be doing my job right if I didn’t say the best way to stay (and get involved in) in the loop: Keep reading the Business Record. — Chris Conetzkey, editor

seeking to retain and recruit talent is the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Education Drives Our Greater Economy the area. With Greater Des Moines’ (EDGE) initiative, which aims for 75 population headed to 750,000 by percent of Central Iowa adults having 2050, there’s a lot to discuss. The Water quality debate heats up postsecondary education that aligns plan has led to a number of community When the Des Moines Water Works with workforce needs by 2025. Another conversations focused on how to make filed a high-profile lawsuit against three program, Home Base Iowa, provides the community more friendly to walkers northwest Iowa counties over nitrate incentives for veterans to live and work and bicyclists, how affordable housing pollution, it added heat to a broader in Iowa. And the Iowa STEM (science, can be improved and aligned with mass water quality debate in Greater Des technology, engineering and math) transit, how greenways can link natural Moines and the rest of Iowa. Fertilizer program seeks to increase the number attractions, and how the buses of the runoff increases water treatment costs, of Iowa students taking STEM subjects Des Moines Area Regional Transit and sewage sometimes fouls rivers used to pursue high-tech careers in Iowa. Authority (we call it DART) can be by a growing number of kayakers. A best utilized. One major initiative that grew out of the plan is a water trails central issue: Should farms be regulated Capital Crossroads 2.0 visioning plan like other businesses? The issue has plan. Specifically, leaders are exploring pitted rural areas against cities, and This is a 2016 update of the turning a portion of the Des Moines a resolution to the lawsuit likely won’t area’s five-year vision plan. Capital River in downtown into a recreation be coming soon. More importantly, the Crossroads, which is led by the spot for kayakers. Read the report: debate highlights the growing number Greater Des Moines Partnership, lays www.thetomorrowplan.com of ways water issues — drinkability, out plans for improvements to Des recreation, access — are going to Moines and other communities within Healthiest State Initiative a 50-mile radius. The plan is broken continue percolating in our community. The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative up into different “capitals” such as Read a primer on the lawsuit: seeks to make Iowa the healthiest wellness, public health, development, bit.ly/1UEwb0F state in the nation, as measured by the the environment, culture and local Gallup Healthways Well-Being Survey. government, for example. The steering A focus on talent The program dovetails with an initiative committee involves a diverse group Iowa’s low unemployment rate, coupled called Blue Zones, which recognizes of dozens of leaders from many walks with a shortage of skilled labor and communities, schools and businesses of life and is led by Jay Byers, Angela the expected retirement of tens of for their efforts in improving healthy Connolly and Kristi Knous. Each capital thousands of aging baby boomers, choices. Besides physical health, has its own co-chairs and committees is driving an ongoing demand for Healthiest State Iowa also considers that are always looking for passionate talented workers in Iowa. That’s not factors such as financial wellness volunteers. Catch up on the progress: to say we don’t have a talented and and social connections as important www.capitalcrossroadsvision.com/cxr2/ educated workforce, because we components of overall wellness. Since do, but in a variety of areas we just 2010, Iowa has outpaced the nation in don’t have enough. However, many The Tomorrow Plan overall well-being, improving at twice attraction, retention and education The Tomorrow Plan, led by the the national average rate, according to efforts are underway to solve what’s Des Moines Area Metropolitan Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index truly a multifaceted challenge. One Planning Organization, has had a results, and ranks 14th-healthiest thing you’ll likely be hearing about is a hand in discussions over everything in the nation. Learn more: middle-skills gap. Among the programs from transportation to housing in www.iowahealthieststate.com

20 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 21

Ongoing Storylines.indd 20 8/26/16 11:29 AM United Way 2020 Goals In 2009 United Way of Central Iowa assembled teams of local experts and organizations to address Central Iowa’s most pressing issues in the areas of Female leadership growth education, income and health, and set A 2012 national study ranking Iowa community goals to achieve by the year dead last in female-owned businesses 2020. Those goals are to increase the was a tipping point for renewed efforts percentage of Central Iowa students who Development boom to increase female leadership in the graduate from high school to 95 percent Downtown Des Moines is undergoing a state. Today, efforts include the EPIC by 2020; increase the percentage of development renaissance that could play Corporate Challenge, which enlists Central Iowans who are financially out for several more years. In its early corporations to commit to increasing self-sufficient to 75 percent by 2020; stages, much of the new construction their numbers of female executives and increase the Central Iowa Gallup and renovation has focused on providing and to agree to be monitored; multiple Healthways Well-Being Index score to options in downtown living. Dreams have efforts to train and recruit women to 64.5 by the year 2020. The percentages turned from historic renovations of five- run for political office; “boot camps” for graduation rates and well-being story warehouses to reaching to the sky for aspiring female entrepreneurs; have increased, but financial self- with 32-story residential and commercial and a plethora of female networking sufficiency has continued a downward high-rises. In 2016 and 2017 alone, groups. The momentum is here; now slide. Learn more about each area: 3,000 residential units were coming on the focus is on results. Iowa Women www.unitedwaydm.org/what-we-do line. The population increase helped Lead Change is now shifting its focus attract Hy-Vee to build a downtown from inspiring and empowering women Prairie Meadows troubles grocery store, something residents have to lead, to teaching local companies Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino clamored for for years. As a result of that how to recruit, keep and promote opened in 1989 as a unique nonprofit momentum, these days, developers are talented women. With such a renewed operation, and since that time it planning new office buildings, and if focus and so many efforts underway, we has returned about $1.9 billion in you look uphill from the Des Moines and decided in 2014 to launch Lift IOWA, contributions to Central Iowa charitable Raccoon rivers in the late winter of 2018, a free weekly e-newsletter focused on organizations. But the casino — one of you’ll see a $100 million convention elevating the conversation about female only two nonprofit casinos in the country center hotel that might stand, more leadership in the state. Sign up: — ran into trouble in May 2016, as the than any other notable achievement, as www.businessrecord.com/liftiowa Internal Revenue Service decided to pull a symbol of the commitment that civic the operation’s nonprofit status. That and business leaders have in making Cultivation Corridor decision has been appealed, and it could their dreams come true. But with the The Cultivation Corridor is Central take two years or more for the appeals growth downtown has come continued Iowa’s economic development effort process to play out. During that time, growth in the suburbs. The construction to capitalize on the biotech and funding for a range of organizations is and expansion of Microsoft Corp. and agricultural strength of the region along in doubt. Speculation is that Prairie Facebook Inc. data centers continue to the Interstate 35 corridor from Ames Meadows, which is owned by Polk be major story lines in West Des Moines and Iowa State University through County, could be sold to a private owner. and Altoona. Both cities are experiencing Greater Des Moines. With the tagline If that were the case, the county would record growth in building permit “The science that feeds the world,” the lose millions of dollars every year that valuations. Microsoft plans to spend up Cultivation Corridor’s goal is to further it uses to finance a range of projects, to $2 billion on a new data center west of develop and market the region’s world- including the Iowa Events Center, and Interstate 35, which opens an estimated renowned bioeconomy and accelerate the amount of charitable contributions 5,000 acres for development. Waukee business development by attracting would be trimmed to 3 percent of will land a major office development companies, talent and capital from gaming revenues, as required of the on 8 acres of land in its Kettlestone across the globe. The effort came out state’s other privately owned casinos. development area and there is a of the Capital Crossroads visioning This tax-status challenge is the latest continued push for development along plan, officially launched in 2014, and in a line of issues stemming back to its its Hickman Road corridor. Johnston is being led by the Greater Des Moines unique origins. In fact, the horserace has big plans for its Merle Hay Road Partnership, major ag-bio corporations track was a failure from the day it gateway. Ankeny is booming, and is and Iowa State University. Though still opened in 1989 and was forced into poised to be the new home of Greater Des in the early stages, the effort is a long- bankruptcy court in 1991. Not until Moines stalwart Baker Group mechanical term play at developing something akin 1995, when the Legislature allowed contractors. Norwalk is in the conceptual to North Carolina’s Research Triangle or slot machines (and later table games) at stages of a 600-acre development. Check California’s Silicon Valley. Learn more: the racetrack, did it succeed and begin out our downtown development map: www.cultivationcorridor.org pouring money back into the community. www.businessrecord.com/map

20 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 21

Ongoing Storylines.indd 21 8/26/16 11:29 AM Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market

Essential Des Moines knowledge 16 questions you didn’t know to ask

BY PERRY BEEMAN SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Every city has its quirks and local knowledge. We’ll answer a few critical — and maybe not so critical — questions to help you get up to speed and acclimated with the lighter side of Iowa culutre. Want even more? See the answers to more questions: www.businessrecord.com/DMknowledge

What does the name Des Moines actually mean? That is up for some debate. The Raygun T-shirt folks joke that it’s “French for The Moines.” Originally incorporated on Sept. 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines, the city changed its name to Des Moines to appease residents concerned about the cost of quill ink in 1857 (just joking). Some scholars say the name might be a play on French Rivière des Moines, meaning “River of the Monks.” Business Record columnist and history buff Dave Elbert, however, said he’s only seen what some think is the real meaning of Des Moines in print twice. In a story by Des Moines Register writer Mary Challender, a linguist agreed with others that the name referred to an Indian tribe along the river, but rather than describing the tribe’s true identity, it translates as a sort of crude joke to “the excrement-faces.” We prefer the Raygun definition.

And how is that pronounced again? Many struggle with the pronunciation of Des Moines. Don’t anger us by uttering the uneducated “dez moyn-ES.” We say “duh moin,” rhymes with coin.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 23

EssentialDMKnowledge.indd 22 8/26/16 7:56 AM So this is the Hawkeye State. What’s What’s a “full Grassley?” Speaking of butter ... what the a Hawkeye? Heck, what’s a Cyclone? U.S. Sen. Charles “call me Chuck” Hell Yes is a “butter cow?” Great question. The answer isn’t concrete. Grassley, who was elected right after Iowa Des Moines is home to the Iowa State The nickname for the state reportedly was granted statehood in 1846 (well, OK, Fair’s butter sculptures, which have comes from the scout Hawkeye in the actually he joined the Senate in 1980), ranged from Elvis and Garth Brooks book “The Last of the Mohicans.” Two knows that Iowans demand access to their to Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper.” promoters from Burlington pushed the elected leaders and anyone who wants There always is a cow, and at least one nickname in the 1830s, and it was to get elected. He, like many politicians, other sculpture, carved out of one of approved in 1838. One changed the holds at least one meeting in all 99 the Midwest’s finest products. Check it name of his newspaper to The Hawk-Eye counties each year. This has become out in the Agriculture Building at the and Iowa Patriot in tribute to his friend known as finishing a “full Grassley.” Fairgrounds during the fair. Fun fact: Chief Black Hawk. The University of Iowa Much of the butter is reused from year Hawkeyes sports teams have a hawk-like What’s a Branstache, and how to year — and not for the deep-fried bird head for a logo — fans call it the long has it been around? butter on a stick ... we don’t think. Tiger Hawk logo. The Iowa State Cyclones Terry Branstad, a lawyer from a farm mascot is a cardinal-like bird. Confused? community in northwest Iowa, was first OK, if butter isn’t for me, where can Well, you’ll see both logos everywhere, elected in the Paleozoic Era. He last I grab a unique bite and a drink? and what you really need to know is that shaved off his trademark mustache when Among the many things to love about with no unifying professional teams, this the Chicago Cubs were in the World the downtown retro High Life Lounge rivalry runs deep, divides homes and will Series (though maybe 2016 is the year). (think 1970s bowling alley decor) are its be a source of constant ribbing in the Well, OK, we jest. Branstad was first bacon-wrapped tots (Iowans love bacon office. Pick a side at your own peril. elected in 1982, as Iowa’s youngest and we even have a festival for it). Not governor. He left office 16 years later, as far away, and just east of the Business Where can I find the greatest Iowa’s longest-serving governor, to be a Record’s front door, is Hessen Haus, store in the city? lawyer and to run Des Moines University, which is known for German dishes and You mean universe? Raygun, a funky and the local osteopathic medicine school. for “the boot,” a giant glass boot-shaped feisty T-shirt shop in the East Village, is He was reelected governor in 2010, and beer mug that comes with all kinds of known for its irreverent messages and at this writing in 2016, he is the longest- rules and a hefty deposit. And for a hip take on Iowa pop culture. You can’t serving governor in the nation’s history late-night bite, you have to grab a slice miss the place — it has huge letters on with more than 20 years in the books. of crab-rangoon topped pizza at Fong’s. the side of the building that proclaim At this writing, he had never lost an Sound funky? It is ... but delicious, we Raygun “The Greatest Store in the election. Some call him “Branstache” as swear. Want more food options? Check Universe.” Owner Mike Draper’s snarky a nod to his ever-present mustache. out dsm Magazine’s Eat + Drink guide: T-shirts say a lot in a few words and he’s eatanddrink.dsmmagazine.com made a business out of challenging the I see all that corn in the fields; humble Iowa stereotype. can I pick an ear to eat? Wait, back up. Seriously, you “Des Moines: Hell yes.” Many newcomers don’t realize that have a festival for bacon? “Des Moines: Kicking ass. Taking most of the corn you’ll see through your Sure do. Iowa is the nation’s largest names. And selling insurance.” windshield is what we call “field corn.” pork producer, after all. The annual “Des Moines: Let us exceed your That’s the stuff that is fed to cattle, Bacon Fest has grown exponentially, already low expectations.” made into sweeteners for your Coke, and becoming a top draw each year. turned into ethanol. It probably would Why am I already seeing political taste a bit like a boiled cardboard box if So, let’s say I’m bacon and ads for 2020? you ate it. The sweet corn — you want buttered out. What can I do? to eat that, believe us — is grown in We kid, kind of. Perhaps no one gets Check out the Des Moines Downtown smaller patches that seem to be nearly Farmers’ Market. It’s one of the more access to presidential candidates off the radar until the ears show up just than we do. Iowa’s first-in-the-nation nation’s biggest and best. It has grown in time for the Fourth of July. It can be considerably as more and more people caucuses make Des Moines a must stop found in the back of pickup trucks in for the politically ambitious. And that visit. And the number of music acts town, at roadside stands in the rural seems to grow, too. The coffee shops means you’re going to see your fair share areas (some of which are unattended, of political ads. Des Moines residents and bars help keep people happy while and you just leave your money in the they shop for fresh produce, breakfast are an independent lot, although Polk jar), and in grocery stores. County politics have been ruled by a burritos, honey, bakery items, Indian fare Democratic majority for decades. You’ll and other goodies. This is a must-see. I hear you like to fry things. Is there find more GOP friends in the western suburbs, but there’s a mix there, too. If anything you haven’t tried frying? Rapid fire: What’s a ... you are a political junkie, you are in for No. In Iowa, we fry stuff. At the Iowa D-line: A free downtown shuttle. a treat. Even if you’re not, the caucuses State Fair, you haven’t lived until you Confluence: The meeting of two rivers, are a boon for the state from both an have had a corn dog. The fried Snickers an architecture firm and a local brewery. economic and exposure standpoint, and bar at the State Fair is reportedly a are something the business community thing of culinary beauty. And yes, they Principal: It’s a large, influential insurance is active in preserving. really did put a stick of butter on a company with its name on many things. stick, batter it and deep-fry it.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 23

EssentialDMKnowledge.indd 23 8/26/16 7:56 AM Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 25

LeadersYouNeedtoKnow.indd 24 8/26/16 8:00 AM CHAPTER TWO THE PEOPLE

25 influential leaders you need to know ... and their advice for newcomers

People. Suku Radia CEO, Bankers Trust Co. No word was used more frequently in our survey of community leaders for this product. To find success in Des Moines, you simply have to know the people. Radia leads Iowa’s largest privately held bank. Bankers The beauty, as you’ll see in this section, is that their doors are open. All Trust will celebrate its 100th you have to do is call. One of the unique and most important aspects of our anniversary in 2017, the same community is the accessibility of even the busiest executives. This is widely year he plans to retire. He’s been known and will be expected of you, and you’ll soon find the community keeps voted by his peers to the top of alive the notion that our leaders are more accessible for two reasons: It our Most Influential list every makes us stronger, and it’s true. year since its inception in 2012 and uses that influence on the And thankfully it is. To get things done in Des Moines, you need to know the laundry list of boards he serves players. As in many cities, people do business with those they know and trust. on and has chaired through the But for a variety of factors, the Des Moines business community values this to years. He is a busy guy — so an even higher degree. much so that he created a chief of staff position two years ago to Each year we ask Business Record readers to vote for the people they think are ease some of the demands on the most influential in Greater Des Moines, then we publish that list in the Book his time. But remember, he is of Lists. What better place to start building your network than with the people never too busy to take your call, the business community itself has already identified as key influencers? and he has mentored countless professionals — young and old For this section we had our staff write up mini-bios with insight into each of the — through the years. top 25. And to jump-start the process of learning from the leaders, we wrapped in some key advice that they provided for newcomers like yourself. ADVICE: “When it comes to paying your civic rent, we don’t care how — Chris Conetzkey, editor much you know. We want to know how much you care. Find two or three organizations whose mission resonates DON’T STOP AT 25 with you. Then, make it be known you are interested and don’t be bashful. We provide even more resources for you to build your network, including Establish your reputation as a person key up-and-comers, sages and icons, women of influence and some of integrity who enthusiastically says additional influencers you should know. See pages 34-35 and 38. yes.” Read why he says yes on page 36.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 25

LeadersYouNeedtoKnow.indd 25 8/26/16 11:30 AM 25 INFLUENTIAL LEADERS

Jim Cownie Owner, JSC Properties Kyle Krause Cownie was an upstart Jay Byers President & CEO, Kum & Go LC 26-year-old when he co- founded Heritage Cablevision CEO, Greater Des Moines Partnership The next-generation leader Inc. in 1971. After struggling Byers was senior vice president of family enterprise Kum & through the early part of of government relations and Go convenience stores has Steve Zumbach its history, it became the public policy at the Partnership come into his own sphere of Shareholder, Belin McCormick P.C. ninth-largest cable television for seven years before being influence in Des Moines. He Zumbach, an Iowa State company in the country. tabbed in 2012 to lead the and wife, Sharon, are a middle- University alum, is a prominent Heritage was sold in 1987 chamber of commerce-style aged power couple, mostly Des Moines attorney and to Tele-Communications organization that is involved in because of their influence former member of the Iowa Inc. Cownie led TCI’s local most big projects in town, from in philanthropic causes and Board of Regents who has operation for a few years, then visioning about transportation, arts and culture. Krause not been involved in and helped sought new challenges. He water quality, immigration and only is moving his company lead a range of the region’s formed JSC Properties Inc., startups to assisting potential headquarters from the suburbs most important economic a real estate development companies and developers to downtown Des Moines, he development efforts. Recently firm, brought Dunkin’ Donuts in assessing the Des Moines hired a world-renowned Italian he helped lead the creation of to Iowa along with his son, market. He is involved in most architect, Renzo Piano, to the Cultivation Corridor, and Drew, and has become a go- big debates, believes strongly design the building. Krause along with his good friends and to guy for difficult projects. in fostering the growth of the has been gobbling up property fellow influential leaders Steve He is a philanthropist region as a whole, and has in the Western Gateway Chapman and Suku Radia he and lead fundraiser for a lent his influence to solving surrounding the sculpture park helped remake the chamber of range of signature projects. the region’s challenges. In his with the intent of contributing commerce into what is now the He currently is active in spare time, he plays guitar to the revitalization of the area. Greater Des Moines Partnership. development projects in and plays in a band and has And speaking of Italy, Krause’s He’s a former wrestler who Des Moines’ East Village. been known to throw intimate mother’s family was Italian and isn’t afraid to grapple with concerts at his home. Oh, and he’s always had a passion for tough issues, and has used his “Des Moines is a friendly make sure to follow him on the culture. Recently he bought ADVICE: influence and steady hand to place, but newcomers still have to Twitter — @jaybyers — the two vineyards in northern Italy. help guide the city and region in take the initiative — both spouses. man is a tweeting machine who His first passion was soccer. In countless ways. His vast reserve Don’t expect people to come to you. tweets out relevant stories at all 1998 he purchased a majority of institutional knowledge It’s up to you.” hours of the day and night. Just interest in the Des Moines is a precious resource the ask his staff — 2 a.m. emails Menace soccer team, before he community continues to tap are a regular occurrence. replaced his father, William, year after year. as leader of Kum & Go. ADVICE: “We think and act as ADVICE: “Don’t limit yourself to your a region. With Central Iowa ADVICE: “A lot of people ask us to do immediate business relationships communities working closely together things. And that’s a privilege to be and neighborhood. Learn about all with a common voice and mission, asked. But after you are asked, then aspects of the community, including Greater Des Moines is able to act you have to decide. What is the time local government, education, health bigger than it is to effectively fight commitment? What is the mission, and care, culture and recreation. Des above its weight on the national and what’s it mean to be part of that? Is Moines is a place where collective international stage.” Read what Jay that how we want to spend our time? actions get things done. The business thinks is the secret sauce of Greater What are my other involvements?” community is engaged in all aspects Des Moines on page 19. of the larger metro community.”

26 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 27

LeadersYouNeedtoKnow.indd 26 8/26/16 8:01 AM 25 INFLUENTIAL LEADERS

Gerry Neugent President & CEO, Knapp Properties Legendary real estate developer Steve Lacy Bill Knapp frequently says Chairman & CEO, Meredith Corp. that one of the most important decisions he ever made was An accountant by training, to hire real estate attorney Bill Knapp Lacy has helped turn this Gerry Neugent. These days, Founder, Knapp Properties publishing company with Larry Zimpleman Neugent is president and CEO its flagship Better Homes Retired Chairman, President & CEO, Knapp has a piece of advice of Knapp Properties Inc. and and Gardens brand into a Principal Financial Group Inc. for you, newcomer: “Call me.” he was the Business Record’s If he hasn’t called you first, media conglomerate serving Larry Zimpleman led Principal 2014 Commercial Real Estate that is. Martin Luther King predominantly U.S. women. Financial Group Inc. through Professional of the year. He Jr. Parkway would have been The Meredith campus anchors the Great Recession as is chairman of the nonprofit a bridge over downtown Des the west side of downtown chairman, president and CEO board that is overseeing the Moines if Knapp hadn’t walked Des Moines. Lacy joined the of the Des Moines-based construction of a $100 million into a meeting where the company in 1998 and as insurance and financial convention center hotel in project was being discussed CEO led it through the Great services company before downtown Des Moines. He is and let other business leaders Recession, a perilous time for retiring in early 2016. The active in a range of charitable know their plan would drain the publishing companies. Instead Drake University alum and organizations, and his company life out of the city. MLK runs of losing readers, Meredith former chair of the university’s is leading the development at ground level as a result. But expanded to various platforms board of trustees was of 420 Court Ave., which will a strip of pavement might be and advertising products and instrumental in Principal going bring apartments and a long the least of his contributions. acquired many popular media public in 2001, and as CEO sought-after Hy-Vee downtown He started what became the brands, including Allrecipes. he oversaw the completion grocery store. state’s largest residential com, Martha Stewart Living, of the multimillion-dollar Rachael Ray Every Day, real estate company, and left Principal Riverwalk project ADVICE: “Business leaders help Shape magazine, and several it because his heart was in that was completed in 2013. one another and meet with one television stations. Lacy is the deals and the deals are Zimpleman enjoys long- another on community issues as involved in various community in commercial real estate. distance running, a hobby he well as business issues. Des Moines efforts, and he and his wife, From shopping centers to took up in his mid-30s. He ran is successful in so many areas Cathy, are members of an elite warehouses to downtown the Boston Marathon for the because we are still small enough to group of philanthropic givers Des Moines’ first legitimate first time at age 45. have easy access to one another.” to United Way of Central Iowa residential high-rise, Knapp has been at the forefront. He called the Tocqueville Society. ADVICE: “Des Moines and Central is a relentless fundraiser for Iowa have always had a very open causes and projects that catch ADVICE: “Whether you are a seasoned culture. That means that business his attention. But first and executive or a young professional, leaders are always open to meeting foremost, he’s the king if you work hard, give your time and with people and helping them of deals. money, and are passionate about your to get established. Since this is causes, you will very quickly become pretty unique, I think newcomers ADVICE: “I never had too much known, valued and respected within are sometimes reluctant to take controversy with too many people. the community.” advantage of this openness. Put If you have too much controversy, aside any thoughts you might have you won’t make it.” Read Knapp’s about meeting established people advice on deal making on page 62. and go for it!”

26 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 27

LeadersYouNeedtoKnow.indd 27 8/26/16 11:30 AM 25 INFLUENTIAL LEADERS

Dan Houston Chairman, President & CEO, Principal Financial Group Inc. Dan Houston leads a global John Pappajohn financial services company Owner & CEO, that’s one of Des Moines’ Pappajohn Capital Resources largest and most prominent The famed venture employers. He’s been in capitalist, entrepreneur and Principal’s top position since philanthropist is a huge 2015, and has served as supporter of higher education chairman since 2016, but and entrepreneurship in Iowa. has been with the company Terry Branstad He and his wife have donated since 1984. Despite working Governor, State of Iowa more than $100 million to at a global company, Houston Branstad’s national claim John Ruan III philanthropic causes. The is often generous with his to fame is that in December Executive chairman, pair also donated a large time in the local community. 2015 he became the nation’s Ruan Transportation Management art collection to create the The soft spot in his heart, he longest-serving governor. Systems Inc. $40 million John and Mary says, is around health and Branstad, 69, achieved the Pappajohn Sculpture Park John Ruan III led the human services. He’s an Iowa feat of six four-year terms in Des Moines’ Western family-owned Ruan State University graduate and by doing two separate stints Gateway Park. Pappajohn Transportation Management was instrumental in helping in the job. In the 1970s he has served as a trustee at the Systems for five years as bring the NCAA tournament was the lieutenant governor Des Moines Art Center and CEO prior to his retirement to Des Moines in 2015. An for Republican Robert Ray, as a member of the National in 2014. Ruan is also Iowa native, Houston grew another one of the state’s Committee of the Performing chairman and CEO of BTC up in Houston, Texas, where long-serving governors. When Arts for the Kennedy Center. Financial Corp., the holding he undoubtedly often had to Ray stepped down, Branstad He pumped $30 million into company of Bankers Trust, tell people his last name is ran and was elected four entrepreneurial centers at five and serves on the bank’s pronounced “house-ton” and times, serving from 1983 to Iowa colleges and universities, board. He recently served not like the city. 1999. His first term began which in turn have launched as chairman of the U.S. when he was 36 — at that 1,000 new companies. He Chamber of Commerce. ADVICE: “Des Moines is incredibly time, the youngest governor continues to work toward his Ruan also chairs the World welcoming, but make no mistake, in the country. From 2003 stated goal of making Iowa one Food Prize Foundation. His nice and results-oriented are not to 2009, he was president of the most entrepreneurial vision and leadership paved mutually exclusive. We’re within 500 of Des Moines University states in the country. the way for the renovation miles of six of the largest MSAs. This before staging his political of Des Moines’ historic means we’re competing for business comeback in 2010, defeating library into the world-class and talent with some of the largest one-term Democratic governor Norman E. Borlaug World cities in the country. We’re winning Chet Culver. His style can be Food Prize Hall of Laureates because we realize that the business characterized by consistency building downtown. Among community is only as strong as the — whether in his reputation his hobbies are hunting, local communities in which we for balanced budgets or in his golfing and racquetball. live and work.” ever-present mustache, which he’s sported since the 1970s.

28 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 29

LeadersYouNeedtoKnow.indd 28 8/26/16 8:01 AM 25 INFLUENTIAL LEADERS

Connie Wimer Chairman & Founder, Business Publications Corp. Two adjectives are integral to describing our owner — first and generous. Wimer didn’t start her own business until Gene Meyer midcareer, but founded President, Business Publications Corp. in Greater Des Moines Partnership and 1983 with the Business Record Downtown Community Alliance as her flagship publication. Meyer is president of Twenty years later she launched the Greater Des Moines a high-end city magazine, dsm Partnership, a chamber of Magazine. She was the first commerce-style organization, woman to chair the Des Moines Christine Hensley and is heavily involved in Chamber Federation, as well Member, Des Moines City Council downtown and regional as the first woman to chair Hensley is a longtime member development. He also leads the Dennis Albaugh the national Alliance of Area of the Des Moines City Council Downtown Community Alliance, Chairman, Albaugh LLC Business Publications. She was and one of the city’s largest which focuses on downtown the first woman elected to the champions of downtown Albaugh is considered one of services and issues. Previously Greater Des Moines Committee’s development. She has served the wealthiest men in Iowa. He he served as mayor of West Business Hall of Fame in 2002. on the council since 1994 and wasn’t always so successful. Des Moines and as director of Wimer also has been a mentor made a run for mayor in 2003, Starting out in 1979, he the Iowa Division of Criminal and a role model to many losing to Frank Cownie, who mortgaged his house and Investigation. Part of what has and regularly makes herself still serves as mayor. Currently used $2,000 in savings to made Meyer so valuable for the available to help welcome Hensley is championing the buy a used truck and 1,500 community is the relationships newcomers. Mostly self-taught redevelopment efforts on gallons of weed killer. Not he built with city mayors in business, she has always Southwest Ninth Street and realizing there was a leak in and city officials during his been willing to share her hard- serves on the board of the the truck, all he had left after time as mayor. A registered earned knowledge and has been Neighborhood Finance Corp., driving from Des Moines to independant, he describes especially active in encouraging which facilitates targeted Aberdeen, S.D., was an empty himself as a social Democrat women and supporting art and neighborhood revitalization truck and an angry customer. and a fiscal Republican. He is culture. She is also known for in Polk County. She is also Things have turned around a top booster for the Iowa State starting Winefest. Her grace, the vice president of Midwest quite a bit since then. Albaugh Cyclones sports teams, often eye for style, giving nature Housing Equity Group. Hensley made his fortune from his travels to watch the teams play and propensity for disrupting is known for being up before company’s sales of the weed- and was named Cy’s favorite expectations have all been keys dawn, being physically fit killing agricultural chemical alum in 2015. (Cy is Iowa to her success. and having her cellphone glyphosate. He’s prominent State University’s mascot). permanently attached to in the Ankeny real estate Meyer has a healthy sense of ADVICE: “Des Moines is most her ear — perhaps a slight development market and humor and often is the butt of definitely a relationship city. People exaggeration. gives his time and treasure to his own jokes. Des Moines Area Community do business with and give charitable gifts to people they know. So how do ADVICE: “Gain an understanding of College. He is also well known ADVICE: “People are open, friendly you get to know those people? It’s the players, work to get to know them, for his 10,000-square-foot and start their relationship with easy. Make your list, call and ask for make commitments both financially Tuscany-style estate and an assumed level of trust that only an appointment to get some advice. and timewise to projects and headquarters in Ankeny, where you can erode. Everything you need Then go see them with interesting participate in events and projects. he maintains a large classic to succeed is available to you, and questions, and voila! You have a Des Moines and the metro area have Chevy collection of about the community wants you to be new acquaintance and the start of a been successful because of the long- 150 convertibles. successful. Knock on any door, and relationship. It really is that simple.” standing commitment from the you will find it open. How you walk Read why she is building the next private sector, and that is unique.” through it is up to you.” generation on page 66.

28 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 29

LeadersYouNeedtoKnow.indd 29 8/26/16 8:01 AM 25 INFLUENTIAL LEADERS

Mary Sellers President, United Way of Central Iowa Mary Sellers knows how to Bruce Rastetter raise money, but that isn’t CEO, Summit Agricultural Group really what motivates her. Rastetter is a prominent Instead, Sellers says doing agribusinessman and meaningful work is what is Michael Gartner Republican benefactor who important to her. Much of at this writing in 2016 was Chairman & principal owner, her career has been working serving as chairman of the Iowa Cubs in museums, and in fact Angela Connolly Iowa Board of Regents, the Meet the ultimate insider. she led the Science Center Member, panel that oversees Iowa’s Gartner is a journalist and of Iowa when it raised $62 Polk County Board of Supervisors three state universities. businessman who started million in less than a year Connolly is a longtime member Rastetter is a big supporter of his career in newspapers to build its new building of the Polk County Board of the University of Iowa and a on the sports desk of The downtown in 2005. She Supervisors who was a key big Hawkeye sports fan. While Des Moines Register and left the Science Center to backer of the construction he sold off ethanol holdings later became its editor and care for her aging parents in of the Iowa Events Center — in Iowa, he is building a president. He has worked Florida, but returned to Iowa which includes Wells Fargo couple of plants in Brazil. In for The Wall Street Journal to lead United Way. Insight: Arena and Hy-Vee Hall — and addition to his U.S. grain and and served as president of Sellers is the youngest of six of efforts to improve public meat operations, Rastetter is NBC News. He led Vision children and attributes most transportation and to fight looking at trying his hand at Iowa after its founding and of her success to her mother, hunger in Polk County. She fish farming. mustered investments of who was always very much joined the board in 1998, and several million dollars in a involved in her community. has been a leader at the Des range of civic projects across Moines Area Regional Transit the state. He has served ADVICE: “Des Moines is truly a Authority, known as DART. She as president of the Iowa collaborative community, and even is one of only three female Board of Regents, and these those who might be competitors in supervisors in Polk County days he authors a column, business come together to forward in more than 150 years and frequently anonymously, the community.” represents the 2nd District. called “Civic Skinny” that Connolly will be a tri-chair for is a must-read for business the Capital Crossroads 2.0 and political leaders. He visioning plan, and represents owns the Iowa Cubs and he Polk County on a number of is a Pulitzer Prize winner. boards in the community. By the way, don’t pass up an opportunity to hear him ADVICE: “We take pride in involving speak. Believe us, you’ll our business community in addressing learn something. the social issues that exist in every city. There is a tremendous amount of philanthropy that takes place in Polk County, and it is essential to be involved in the many nonprofits that help shape our community.”

30 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 31

LeadersYouNeedtoKnow.indd 30 8/26/16 8:01 AM 25 INFLUENTIAL LEADERS

Zachary Mannheimer Vice president of creative placemaking, Iowa Business Growth Greg Edwards If you want to know what young President & CEO, Greater Des Moines people or the creative class Convention and Visitors Bureau are thinking, you might ask Mannheimer. The Philadelphia In his past 16 years at the native, after a nationwide helm of the Greater Des Rick Tollakson search, chose Des Moines to Moines Convention and President & CEO, Hubbell Realty Co. found the Des Moines Social Visitors Bureau, Edwards has Steve Chapman Toss a rock in downtown Club, a downtown hub of brought more than $1 billion Retired executive chairman, Des Moines, and chances creative and cultural energy. in visitor revenue to Greater Ruan Transportation Management are you’ll break a window His vision caught the attention Des Moines. Edwards put Systems Inc. in a building that traces its of prominent area leaders, Des Moines in the national For 15 years Chapman was lineage to Hubbell Realty. For many who have served on the spotlight earlier this year the CEO and then chairman the last 22 years, most of the board and aided Mannheimer as a host city for the NCAA of ITA Group Inc., a West buildings, new and old, were in bringing something so men’s college basketball Des Moines performance the result of Tollakson’s dogged un-Des Moines to the city. tournament and was heavily marketing company whose determination, a determination Mannheimer always seems to involved in the efforts to client list includes some of that he says is mirrored by a be on the cutting edge, and secure the long sought-after the largest U.S. companies. staff of “implementers.” He was a driving force behind 330-room convention center After “retiring” briefly, he likes to get things done, and bringing food trucks to hotel in downtown. His joined Ruan Transportation he likes people who can get downtown. A big thinker with efforts have helped position Management Systems as COO things done without constant fresh ideas, he transitioned the city for future growth in in 2009, and served as CEO oversight. Tollakson also is leadership of the Social Club the convention and events from 2011 through 2014 an influential board member to new leader Pete DeKock at space, and he’s also been before he retired for good. of the YMCA of Greater Des the beginning of 2016. Now, instrumental in beginning to Despite being retired, he’s still Moines, and he is active in a he’s taking that fresh approach shift the national perception involved on a number of boards range of Greater Des Moines to a statewide challenge — of Des Moines during high- in the community. Chapman charitable organizations. And helping struggling rural Iowa profile events such as the Iowa is well known as a fundraising though Hubbell was very communities find ways to spark caucuses. Always one for a leader, having successfully much focused on downtown activity, culture and recreation. good laugh, Edwards is known Des Moines for much of its led efforts for numerous for his uncanny ability to use organizations in his career. His 160 years, its projects now ADVICE: “Leaders are readily his witty, if not sometimes friend and fellow Influential blanket the area. accessible, but I found an equal if brazen, humor to lighten the Leader Steve Zumbach has not greater benefit of going to bars/ mood of every room. said that Chapman’s role in ADVICE: “Connect with as many restaurants/cultural events and helping to create the Greater leaders in the community as striking up conversations with whoever ADVICE: “There are a lot of past Des Moines Partnership in possible. Schedule meetings to had just experienced what I did. Scott traditions, and you need to respect 1999 was his “greatest gift discuss the Greater Des Moines Siepker’s Iowa Nice is true all around the past work of many community to his community.” community and get their take on the state — total strangers will have leaders. However, don’t be afraid what has been successful. Ask deep, meaningful conversations with to talk about change.” ADVICE: “There’s no magic dust in each leader to refer you to another you about whatever is on your mind, this community. It’s people. It’s leader for you to connect with.” particularly if you just witnessed/ people who don’t just take, or don’t heard/read/drank/ate the same thing as take at all. They give.” Read his they did.” Read how he gathered support piece on giving on page 39. to get his big idea done on page 63.

30 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 31

LeadersYouNeedtoKnow.indd 31 8/26/16 11:31 AM Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 33

ScottSiepker.indd 32 8/26/16 8:02 AM So why are Iowans hardworking and honest? I hypothesize that it is because of the agrarian history of Iowa. Long before technology made farming hundreds of acres possible, farms were farmed by helping neighbors when needed. On Monday, everyone would head over to Otis’ to help with harvest. Tuesday, everyone would help out at Who are James’. Wednesday, all would travel to Josephine’s. And so on and so forth. All had to work hard together in an Iowans? honest way or they might not survive. THAT is at the core of Iowans. Yes, we’re nice ... I am an actor who lives in Iowa. (I’ll pause here for you to finish laughing.) we’re also progressive Besides the internet now making elections, Iowa has voted for the entertainment delivery easier from liberal Democratic candidate. BY SCOTT SIEPKER - ACTOR, noncoastal locations, the biggest reason Iowa has a strong progressive WRITER, PRODUCER, FILMMAKER I can be an actor making a good living history. Iowa was the first place in WWW.SCOTTSIEPKER.COM in this state is because of one thing. America where women became lawyers, Iowans want to help you. judges, elected to statewide offices and Now, Iowans are full of quirkiness. appointed to statewide offices. About Scott One of the most noticeable quirks is Iowa is home to America’s first Scott is perhaps best known as the that Iowans are great at offering help, Muslim mosque. Iowa legalized Iowa Nice Guy, a brash personality he but terrible at asking for it. interracial marriage in 1851, a hundred embodied for his snarky, in-your-face For example, I was filming a Western years before the rest of the county. YouTube video titled “Iowa Nice” that up in Moingona and we needed to film Iowa outlawed segregated schools 90 garnered national attention and became a horse. I do not have a horse, as I years before the rest of America. And in a sort of unifying way for traditionally live in an apartment in Des Moines — 2007, Iowa became the second state in humble Iowans to share their Iowa though I would if my landlord allowed the Union to offer full marriage rights pride. But don’t let his character fool it. But right next to the location we to gays and lesbians. you. This witty Iowa State University were filming, there were three horses THAT is Iowa. grad is a versatile actor, writer, producer on private property. Oh, yeah, and the bread slicer was and filmmaker, and we could think of Now, before I could go knock on invented in 1928 by an Iowa native. So nobody better to capture for you the true a stranger’s’ door, I, being an Iowan, there. Thanks, Otto Rowedder. And on essence of what embodies Iowans. had to summon up all my power to an only a slightly less important note, overcome my sense of inconveniencing we also invented the digital computer. the horse owners — and by that I mean You’re welcome. Let me get my bias out in the open: I let my friend and Louisiana native Aristotle once said, “The success I love Iowa. Brendan do it. or failure of all business is based on Though I want you to know that I The owners, of course, were elated the quality of people inside and outside am not displaced from reality. I am fully to help. After finishing filming with their that business.” aware that Iowa is not perfection, or horse, the couple didn’t ask, “What’s in OK, I actually just made that up, but heaven (as one over-quoted movie line it for us?” They instead asked, “What that doesn’t make it any less true! would have you believe). Here in Iowa else can we do to help?” In Iowa you can hire hardworking, we have our shortcomings. THAT is what being an Iowan is all honest, kind, generous people and sell But there is not a place I’d rather about. to that same type of person. That gives live. Why? If you are new to this state, you may Iowa businesses as good chance as Because of Iowans. be shocked by the fact that Iowa is not any to survive and thrive. Again, I’ll remind you that I realize a completely “red” state. Iowa lacks Or maybe even a little better chance. we have some morons, some jerks, and, ethnic diversity (94 percent white; 87 Then again, I’m biased. oh yeah, controversial politician Steve percent in Greater Des Moines), but has King, living within our borders. But if I plenty of politically ideological diversity. stir up a lot of generalization with a tiny For two decades this state was bit of idealism, I can confidently say represented in the Senate by liberal Watch the Iowa Nice video that Iowans are the most kind and giving Tom Harkin and conservative Chuck Want to see the Iowa Nice video? Some people you will find in the world — and Grassley, for example. But the more might be offended by the strong language, I’m sure even Steve King is nice when shocking part to many outsiders is so you can watch the safe (or at least he’s not on camera. that six out of the seven presidential safer) version here: tinyurl.com/IowaNice

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 33

ScottSiepker.indd 33 8/26/16 8:02 AM MIKE BLOUIN Melva Bucksbaum Bucksbaum initiated and helped finance Des Moines’ signature 1990 Icons & Vision Plan by encouraging New York MARK OMAN architect Mario Gandelsonas to explore his new urbanism theories here. The Sages wife of General Growth founder Martin Bucksbaum grew up in the museum culture of Washington, D.C., and was The leaders who built recognized worldwide for her patronage MELVA BUCKSBAUM Greater Des Moines of the arts when she died in 2015. Her art world connections brought Gandelsonas to Des Moines at a JACK REHM Greater Des Moines wouldn’t be crucial point in downtown history. what it is today if not for the leadership and the guiding example set by these icons and sages. Mario Gandelsonas In addition to the insight provided by Gandelsonas has had more design columnist Dave Elbert on some of the influence over the way the downtown icons, you’ll also see a list of Sages Over has developed in modern times than MARIO GANDELSONAS 70. Since 2011 the Business Record’s anyone. The New York architect came sister publication dsm Magazine has been here in 1990 to oversee 15 months of honoring Des Moines leaders over the age brainstorming that produced the Des JOHN RUAN of 70 for their continued demonstration Moines Vision Plan. He continues to of leadership and work toward the make regular visits to advise on projects betterment of the community, even if including renovation of the State behind the scenes, and for being a role Historical Building and the new Krause model to others. Gateway Center. His architect wife, These icons and sages might not be Diana Agrest, designed the landscaping for the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden. BARRY GRISWELL on our current top 25 list of influential business leaders — some are — but rest assured all of their influence is still being Barry Griswell JOHN FITZGIBBON felt today. And understanding their lasting Griswell could have played professional contributions is fundamental knowledge basketball. Instead, the 6-foot 8-inch for operating in the city. Though some college center went into business and have left us, others are still actively wound up as CEO and chairman of engaged and could prove to be valuable Iowa’s largest insurer. He took Principal resources for you to connect with, ask Financial Group public weeks after for their sage advice, and gain insight the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks BOB HOUSER into how they built Des Moines. and expanded its reach into retirement — Chris Conetzkey, editor planning. He also extended its local and global reaches through the Principal DAVID KRUIDENIER Riverwalk and Principal Charity Mike Blouin Classic golf tournament and with new Blouin was the perfect fit as the operations in Asia and Latin America. first CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership after it was hammered Bob Houser together from an assortment Houser rose from the mailroom of Bankers MADDIE LEVITT of chambers of commerce and Life Co. (now Principal Financial Group) development agencies in 1999. to become CEO and chairman, changing Blouin had held a similar position in corporate culture from an inward, FRED WEITZ Cedar Rapids and went on to oversee industry focus to an outward, community statewide economic development, but orientation and laying the groundwork for it was during his three years in Des Principal’s modern downtown campus. Moines that he oversaw planning that After retiring in 1984, Houser was catapulted the region into the top president of Des Moines Development tier of national “best of” lists. Co. for 16 years, helping spur downtown development. He died in 2007. BOB MICKLE

34 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 35

Icons&Sages.indd 34 8/26/16 11:32 AM Maddie Levitt John Ruan Levitt was the fairy godmother of local Ruan, who died in 2010, was an fundraising. Her father and grandfather irascible entrepreneur who did more to created Dial Finance, the consumer improve Des Moines than any others finance company that became the of his generation, in part because backbone of Wells Fargo Mortgage, and he lived so long (96 years), but also instilled in her a strong sense of “giving because he never quit. He started Ruan back.” Levitt created the Planned Transportation with a single dump truck Parenthood Book Sale and raised money in 1932, acquired Bankers Trust in for many causes, from United Way to the the mid-1960s and helped launch the Des Moines Art Center. She chaired two 1970s rebirth of downtown. But his Sages you should know campaigns that raised $320 million for most prized achievement was funding Learn more about each of dsm Drake University before she died in 2007. and perpetuating Nobel Laureate Magazine’s Sages Over 70 by reading Norman Borlaug’s World Food Prize. articles and watching videos here: Bob Mickle tinyurl.com/Sages70 Mickle was a Des Moines retired John Fitzgibbon 2011 - Robert Burnett, Michael Gartner, city planner when he was paired in Fitzgibbon was a well-known banker, Willie Glanton, William Knapp, 1990 with New York architect Mario retiring as president, chairman and Gov. Robert Ray, Fred Weitz Gandelsonas to oversee the city’s vision CEO after 20 years at Iowa-Des Moines 2012 - Richard “Red” Brannan, Johnny planning process. Thoughtful and ever National Bank, which eventually became Danos, Nolden Gentry, David Hurd, questioning, his advice was sought by Wells Fargo Bank Iowa. He served as a Mary Kramer, R.W. and Mary Nelson, all. Until his death in 2009, Mickle successful consultant until his death Tom Urban continued to push various pieces of in 2008, and was a driving force in the the Vision Plan, while providing local growth and development of Des Moines. 2013 - James A. Autry, Mary Campos, officials with global insights that came Much of downtown’s vibrancy, including Joy Corning, E.J. Giovannetti, from his work as a planning consultant the skywalk system, Civic Center and Robert Larsen, Neal Smith in China and the Ukraine. Nollen Plaza, can be traced to Fitzgibbon. 2014 - Chuck Betts, J.C. “Buz” Brenton, Don Brush, Judy Conlin, Patty Cownie, Mark Oman David Kruidenier Stan Reynolds Oman led Wells Fargo Mortgage to Kruidenier was publisher of the 2015 - Margo Blumenthal, Philip become one of the largest and most Des Moines Register and Tribune from Dorweiler, Vernon Johnson, Gary Kirke, successful home loan lenders in the 1971 to 1983 and president and Elvin McDonald, Polly Moore, country, and he persuaded the San CEO from 1971 to 1985. By the time Kenneth Quinn, Jack Wahlig Francisco-based bank to build more he died in 2006, he had presided 2016 - Joseph S. Brick, Roxanne Barton than 1 million square feet of office over Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters, Conlin, Elaine Estes, Barbara Graham, space in West Des Moines and another tweaked some powerful Iowa noses Edgar F. Hansell, H. Lynn Horak, million square feet in the downtown and spent a lifetime advocating for Loretta Sieman, Alan Zuckert core. The Cedar Falls native joined many of the projects that raised the Dial Finance, a family-owned consumer cultural profile of the city. finance business, in 1979 and shepherded it through two mergers Fred Weitz 100 Additional Icons and into home mortgage lending. Weitz joined the family business in Greater Des Moines was built with 1955, becoming CEO of the Weitz many hands, not just the leaders listed Jack Rehm Co. in 1974, and then proceeded to here. In 2008, the Business Record Rehm wasn’t born in Des Moines and dramatically expand the construction highlighted more than 100 leaders does not live here now, but the former company’s reach across the country. who had shaped the city for our 25th Meredith Corp. CEO played key roles The Weitz Co. is now the largest anniversary. You’ll find short bios on in the late 1990s that kept downtown construction company in Des Moines, each here: tinyurl.com/IconsGDM on track. Like his predecessor, Robert though he turned over ownership to Burnett, and successor, Steve Lacy, employees in the 1990s and it is Iowa Business Hall of Fame Rehm cared about downtown, and now owned by Egypt-based Orascom The Iowa Business Hall of Fame has when developers wanted to put a Construction Industries. Weitz now been inducting business leaders since casino on Gray’s Lake, he threatened serves as president of Essex Meadows it was formed in 1975, and now has to move Meredith out of Des Moines. Inc., a former Weitz Co. subsidiary. Rehm later sidetracked plans for a nearly 100 members. Learn more: downtown rainforest by leaving it off www.iowabusinesshalloffame.com a major projects list.

34 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 35

Icons&Sages.indd 35 8/26/16 11:31 AM Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 37

SukuRadia.indd 36 8/26/16 8:08 AM We are a community with a vision and shared values. No dusty document, our vision is a dynamic, evolving image of what we want to become, supported by incremental plans that keep us moving in our chosen direction. We organize for action, invest in the arts and make it a priority to enrich the quality of life for everyone who lives here. Progress toward our vision has called for leadership at every turn, and at every turn that leadership has been available. During our conversation I offered to And therein lies my visitor’s real question. help him make connections with the How is it that our community is continually Greater Des Moines Committee, a group blessed with the leaders it needs? comprising 75 CEOs who meet monthly In my corporate leadership roles and over lunch. I also invited him to become my service as a board member on some involved with the board of the United 37 nonprofits during the last decade, I’ve Way of Central Iowa. Why I (and seen up close how Greater Des Moines’ Terrance earned a second meeting and leaders bring a shared vision to life. more. Within 30 days he had met many They invite, they listen, they learn, they members of the Committee, had become other leaders) clarify, they collaborate, and they hold involved with the United Way board, and themselves and others accountable for was, as he put it, able to “hit the ground their promises. running” in terms of getting connected. say ‘YES’! They build new leaders through The warm acceptance we extended BY SUKU RADIA example, mentoring, inclusion, and high and Terrance’s willingness to earn his CEO | BANKERS TRUST CO. expectations. Because our leaders are place as one of us exemplifies Des Moines’ good builders, the community always not-so-secret strategy for continuous has new leaders to take their place. improvement: leaders building leaders. The leaders I work with believe Like many of my colleagues, I About Suku their community service is ultimately always make an effort to extend the first It’s widely known by the community how self-serving — a vibrant, growing invitation to involvement. But I also field generous Suku Radia is with his time. community increases their organizations’ many requests to meet from both new Despite being on countless boards, competitive advantage and enhances and emerging leaders in our community. running Bankers Trust Co. and packing employee satisfaction. No one believes Here is my motto: The first meeting is his daily schedule to the brim with it is possible for one leader, no matter free, and I am available. The second is community events, he still finds a way to how strong, to meet community goals one you’ll have to earn. carve out time to mentor and meet with single-handedly. These leaders are So why do I make myself available for leaders. We simply asked him, why? focused on what they can accomplish the first appointment? That is how I got together. It is part of our leadership started with the leaders of this community culture to welcome new voices and new — they cared, they let me earn my second A recent visitor to our fair city talents — because we know their value. appointment. I have never forgotten their departed with an observation and a Leaders’ roles in their own kindness, and what they saw in me wasn’t question: “Des Moines is an amazing organizations and in the larger community anything special. It only makes sense that city, and it keeps getting better! How often are intertwined. Let me share one I “pay it forward.” does that happen?” My answer was example from my own experience. Shortly It is amazing how much I have simple. “It doesn’t happen because of after Terrance Williams moved from learned from those leaders, and I have the place; it happens because of the Ohio to become president of Nationwide been intent on emulating them. But as I people who live here.” Agribusiness, Mary and I invited him and near the end of my service and embark I have been part of the Greater Des his wife, Carla, to join us at a local club for upon passing the gavel, I want to urge Moines community since I graduated dinner. Luckily, I was able to introduce him you, the next generation of leaders in from Iowa State in 1974, and that to three other couples also dining there, our community, to embrace our open- means I have seen remarkable advances confirming my assurances that it was easy door policy so that we can sustain such in the place I am proud to call home. to meet people in this community. a unique element of our community.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 37

SukuRadia.indd 37 8/26/16 8:10 AM More leaders to KIM REYNOLDS JEFF CHELESVIG KRISTI KNOUS JOHN FORSYTH know Trust us, the 25 influential leaders written about are just the tip of the iceberg. The city’s No. 1 resource is its people, and the depth on the bench of highly capable leaders means your work getting to know the community doesn’t stop at 25. We highlighted a few more influencers you DEBI DURHAM LORETTA SIEMAN KENNETH QUINN should know and provided five resources for you to use when building your list of additional community leaders to meet. Kim Reynolds Debi Durham Lieutenant governor, State of Iowa Director, Iowa Economic Development Authority — Chris Conetzkey, editor Reynolds, a former state senator and In 2010 Gov. Terry Branstad tasked county treasurer, was elected in 2010 Durham with turning the state’s old Sages & Icons as Iowa’s 45th lieutenant governor. economic development department She’s active in a wide variety of economic into a public-private partnership. Under Columnist and history buff Dave development initiatives, is a 2015 Woman the leadership of this 2016 Woman of Elbert highlights the icons who built of Influence honoree and co-chairs the Influence winner, IEDA has become an Des Moines, and our sister publication Governor’s STEM Advisory Council in Iowa. essential tool for attracting large, new dsm Magazine provides a list of sage business investments for the state. community leaders over 70, based on awards the publication has given Jeff Chelesvig annually since 2011. See page 34. President & CEO, Des Moines Performing Arts Loretta Sieman Chelesvig launched Des Moines Philanthropist Mayors Performing Arts into the big leagues 20 If you want to find opportunities to Frank Cownie has served as Des Moines years ago when he brought Broadway’s contribute to the nonprofit community, mayor since 2004, but the Book of Lists “Phantom of the Opera” here for a five- simply give Sieman a call. The former contains a list of all the mayors in the week run. The Civic Center has been on West Des Moines City Council member region, which can help you on your the A-list for national tours ever since. and Business Publications Corp. way to understanding local government. employee has a welcoming personality tinyurl.com/MayorsGDM Kristi Knous that has a gravity that brings leaders of President, Community Foundation all backgrounds to the table for good Emerging leaders of Greater Des Moines causes. There likely isn’t a charitable organization in town that Sieman Knous was promoted to her current role Since 2000 the Business Record has hasn’t touched. annually honored 40 leaders under the age in 2011, but this 2003 Forty Under 40 of 40. The list is now more than 600 deep honoree, 2010 Woman of Influence and and contains some of the top emerging 2015 Forty Under 40 alumna of the year Kenneth Quinn leaders in the community. Though some has spent her entire career giving back President, World Food Prize Foundation from our earlier classes might be a tad to the community. At the helm of the Quinn is a Dubuque native and former over the age of 40, many of the honorees Community Foundation, she oversees the ambassador to Cambodia who took over are now in key positions in the area. Plus, administration of more than $375 million leadership of the World Food Prize on a new class is honored each spring and is in assets and 1,400 charitable funds. Jan. 1, 2000, and transformed the ripe for expanding your network. See the She also is a tri-chair for the Capital dreams of founder Norman Borlaug full class list: tinyurl.com/40fullclass Crossroads 2.0 regional planning effort. and financial sponsor John Ruan into a vision of Iowa excellence. Women of Influence John Forsyth You might have noticed our top-25 list Chairman & CEO, Wellmark Blue Cross doesn’t exactly have gender equity. It’s and Blue Shield 63 more leaders to know a reader poll, but rest assured there is a Forsyth has pushed to improve Iowans’ Each year we put together a list of 63 wealth of strong female leadership in the health since 1996. His community leaders you should know, based on community. Since 2000, the Business contributions include brokering the Business Record reader voting for Record has annually honored key distribution of Vision Iowa money in 1998 the Book of Lists. See the 63 leaders: women of influence in the community. that resulted in simultaneous construction tinyurl.com/63leaders See the list of more than 150 Women of the Iowa Events Center, the Science of Influence: tinyurl.com/WOIfullList Center and the Downtown Library.

38 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

MoreLeaderstoKnow.indd 38 8/26/16 11:33 AM Des Moines’ Magic Dust: Leaders who GIVE ... their time, talent and treasure

BY STEVE CHAPMAN

About Steve Steve Chapman led both ITA Group Inc. and Ruan Transportation Management Systems Inc., and though retired, he’s still involved on a number of boards in the community. Chapman is well known as model set by the early leaders of the business community, in which in the a fundraising leader, having successfully led efforts for numerous face of the word “no,” leaders come together to personally affect change organizations in his career. in the community, is one that has played out countless times since. I began volunteering my time within our community when I was Over the past several years, Greater Des Moines has been in my late 20s. Steve Zumbach, Suku Radia and I requested the consistently recognized by a variety of rankings as one of the best opportunity to become more involved in the economic development cities in the United States. efforts that were beginning to define Greater Des Moines. But today, many don’t realize that in the late 1960s and ’70s, cities During these years, we really got to know some of our city’s across the country were struggling — populations decreased, employers outstanding business leaders. They welcomed young people like us. migrated to office parks, entertainment venues faded and infrastructures They coached us and shared their knowledge and wisdom. crumbled as the suburbs grew at the expense of the city centers. But those same leaders also made it very clear that we were Des Moines felt those same pains. So what, then, was the game- going to give more than our time. They taught us to never ask changer that reversed the decline of our city center and ultimately anyone else to contribute funds without first writing our own check. our region, and allowed Des Moines to become the city it is today? They told us that our checks, while not as large as theirs at the Our magic dust — quality leaders, who give their time, talent time, were just as important. This was a key lesson — they knew our and treasure. ability to give back would grow along with our careers. We had a group of business leaders who knew then what has Our mentors were people who loved this city and were committed only recently become more widely known by community planners: To to doing everything necessary to make it one of the best in the country. have a successful community, cities need a vibrant downtown. I believe everything our past leaders envisioned has become Most attribute the start of Des Moines’ rebirth to an early 1970s reality. Fortunately, we’ve not stopped in our pursuit to become even plan for a new Civic Center — a vibrant entertainment and social better. We’ve worked hard to build a community that’s a great place venue that would attract people back downtown for activities other to live, work and raise a family. than their employment. We’ve focused on making sure we have cultural and entertainment The belief was this renewed activity would generate other venues and opportunities that are attractive to young professionals. growth, supporting necessary economic development. Sadly, the plan’s From having one of the most successful United Way organizations public referendum wasn’t approved. While most other communities in the nation, to funding the arts, to effective economic development would have accepted the vote and ended the discussion, a handful of initiatives — it’s all been made possible by the generosity of people Greater Des Moines business leaders didn’t stop the discussion. who give their time and their financial support. John Fitzgibbon, John Ruan, Joe Rosenfield, David Kruidenier, Bill The tremendous success and accolades we now enjoy will only Knapp and others refused to close the door on the city’s future. Instead, continue if the leaders of today and tomorrow teach the importance they met and made the decision to both personally donate and privately of giving back. As was taught to me, I encourage both young and raise the money to build the Civic Center, without the use of public new leaders of our community to get involved. funds. Just as the original plans projected, the Civic Center became Participation means working to make Greater Des Moines even the spark of resurgence for our downtown, and the economic impact better for its citizens and providing the time and resources required quickly led to a number of the amenities we now hold dearly today. to achieve the dreams of the future. These leaders were willing to give more than their time — they also Only through the continual development of our community gave their financial resources. So today, even if we live or work in one of leaders will the magic dust of Greater Des Moines — people who the suburbs, we all take great pride in calling Des Moines our home. The give — continue to make us a world-class community.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 39

SteveChapman.indd 39 8/26/16 2:21 PM special advertising section MIKE ESPESET ROBERT HUNTER DAVID FISHER BRENT MARDIS JOHN WARD BOB MADDOX DAVID BROWN ALAN ZUCKERT BRUCE KELLEY KIM AUGSPURGER JOHN EDWARDS TERRY LINT BRAD HOTCHKISS TROY MOORE SUSAN PRUNTY PATRICK MILLER DEBRA LUKEHART ROGER CHRISTENSEN FRANK CARROLL KATHLEEN MURRIN SUSAN MORITZ NORMAN HULSCHER STACEY JOHNSON GREGORY THEOBALD VERNETTE RILEY WILLIAM BAILEY BARBARA HEIN JOHN PITTMAN MICHAEL B O’MEARA JOHN FORSYTH MARY MALONEY BETH BALZER SCOTT CROSE CHUCK WARD ROGER SOENER DON SEIBEL CHERIE SHRECK BRAD LINT SANDRA JOHNSON RAY BENING JOHN PAPPAJOHN KENT MAUCK JERRY WITT MICK NORDGREN DIANE DOOLEY RICHARD DANILSON EDWARD ARP TIM BREITBACH KATHIE LYMAN S JAMES SMITH RON GIDDINGS DEBBIE FISHER SHERRY FAILOR MARY SIMON JOHN RUSSELL ROB REINARD TRAVIS ETCHISON JON DOLL KEVIN CHORNIAK CHUCK LEIBOLD SUKU RADIA BOB GAGNE TINA SMITH FRITZ JENNIFER BRYANT EMILY ABBAS KIP ALBERTSON PAUL ERICKSON SCOTT ELTJES GREG MEANS TRACY ABBAS DONALD COFFIN TIM GEHM TIM KINTNER GARY BUELT SAUNDRA MILLER BETTY RIDOUT SURASEE RODARI STACY VAN LOON JEFF JUNGMAN LU ANNE GAFFORD TODD HYDE TERESA KREJCI JEFFREY LESTER JOHN SCHUMACHER ANN WILSON EARL SANDE GEORGE SPRINGER STEVE CRAIG CHRIS BOLEY DARWIN LARGE RICHARD ATTERBURY DENNY SHARP J.A. SELZER JOHN BADGER TIM WHITE TIM JAMESON BRAD LEONARD TODD CHRISTENSEN JAMES & MARY ELLEN KIMBALL ELIZABETH WEINSTEIN DALE MCCLEISH JULIE MCGUIREGet GLENN connected. L. SMITH JOHN PAULE Stay MARY informed.ANNE KENNEDY KEVIN CROWLEY JOHN & COLLEEN HURLEY NICK HANSENJULIE WEEKS ROY EHRLE DENNIS GURNSEY SID RAMSEY GENE CALEB JAMIE BUELT ANN JENNINGS KEITH WELLING WILLIAM VERNON PAUL HALVORSON DAVID VELLINGA SCOTT OLSON KIRK IRWIN MEG FITZ MARYBusiness BONTRAGER Record DAVID is the MAAHS premier TIFFANY source TAUSCHECK of local STEPHEN KING MIKE COLWELL SOPHIA AHMAD GENE MEYER JOSEPH JONES JAY BYERS GLENN LYONS BARB HOBSON LINDA COOK F W PITCHER PAUL KOESTER RICHARDbusiness WILLIS DAVE news SCHWARTZ for Central KATIE Iowa’s WENGERT most influential GEORGE MILLIGAN CINDY WILSON TED OBERLANDER HARLAN HOCKENBERGexecutives. DALE Start WHITING your membership LOUIE LAURENT today DAN at VENTER BOB RILEY SHEILA WEIRICH DAVID DONNELLY MOREY KNUTSEN TOM & NANCY MINOR WAYNE MCKINNEY MIKE COLBY CLANCY SULLIVAN BRAD DUFFY DON & MARGObusinessrecord.com/membership. BLUMENTHAL JACK COPIC JIM SHAFFER JR NANCY SHAFER MARTHA G. JAMES JIM WALLACE LAURE GUISINGER DREW MCLELLAN MATT COLE BOB CARPENTER JOHN RIGLER LLOYD LINN JAMES GEARHART KARLA STESSMAN MONICA FRIEDMAN JOHN HURLEY DIANA J DEIBLER SHAWN MULLEN KITTE NOBLE DUANE BURKHARDT DAN ROBESON MIKE RALSTON DIANA WILSON MIKE & SUSIE MCBROOM BONNIE RUGGLESS KEVIN CUNNINGHAM JACK SCHREIBER TOM POHLMAN DAVE CARLSON RICHARD SCHLOERB ROBERT THOMSON JIM GARDNER BILL GAHAN PAUL WOODARD RANDY RIPPERGER MARK PHILLIPS BRIAN WALLER CARMELA BROWN JEFF CHELESVIG J. LOCKE MACOMBER STEVEN ZUMBACH DAN KELLER THOMAS E. PRESS STEPHEN D. LUNDSTROM ROBERT LANDESS TONY CLARK SUZANNE WILCOX LARRY DEVRIES EMILY CAROPRESO STEVE ROGERS MICHAEL BLASER DAVID STROH KIM BEST J HALE JEFF JENSEN RAY CRABTREE PAUL EASTER JOHN MCCARTAN GARY ALBAUGH GORDON SMITH LIBBY JACOBS MOLLY PHILLIPS THOMAS KOEHN TOM GUMM SHANE ZIMMERMAN C MCCONNELL KIM BEISSER DENIS FRISCHMEYER THOMAS CAHILL CHRIS VERNON KIRK TYLER CHUCK CRNIC NATHAN HOYT TELFORD LODDEN BOB SKOW ALAN FEIRER MARK REESE TRACEY BALL CHRISTY BILLS MARK RICHARDS WALDO GEIGER OWEN J NEWLIN LORRAINE J MAY THOMAS HEIKEN CASEY SMITH RICHARD EMERY AJ JOHNSON FLORENCE ROTH EDWARD SPUZELLO DANA RAMUNDT JUDY WINKELPLECK STACI CARDAMON BECKY SMITH JEFFREY LESTER JOHN SCHUMACHER ANN WILSON EARL SANDE DARWIN LARGE RICHARD ATTERBURY DENNY SHARP J.A. SELZER JULIE MCGUIRE GLENN L. SMITH JOHN PAULE MARY ANNE KENNEDY NICK HANSEN JULIE WEEKS ROY EHRLE DENNIS GURNSEY SID RAMSEY KEITH WELLING WILLIAM VERNON PAUL HALVORSON DAVID VELLINGA MARY BONTRAGER DAVID MAAHS TIFFANY TAUSCHECK STEPHEN KING GENE MEYER JOSEPH JONES JAY BYERS GLENN LYONS BARB HOBSON RICHARD WILLIS DAVE SCHWARTZ KATIE WENGERT HARLAN HOCKENBERG DALE WHITING LOUIE LAURENT DAN VENTER BOB RILEY MOREY KNUTSEN TOM & NANCY MINOR WAYNE MCKINNEY DON & MARGO BLUMENTHAL JACK COPIC JIM SHAFFER JR NANCY SHAFER DREW MCLELLAN MATT COLE JBOB CARPENTER JOHN RIGLER MONICA FRIEDMAN JOHN HURLEY DIANA J DEIBLER DAN ROBESON MIKE RALSTON DIANA WILSON KYLE GAMBLE RICK TOLLAKSON CASEY PORT JEFF JOHNSON JAEL BROSE EARL MARTIN THOMAS KIRKE DICK TRIPLETT STEVE SCHRADERBACHAR RUSS JOHNSON LINDA PHILLIPS DEAN O’CONNOR DOUGLAS REDENIUS LINDA GOELDNER DOUGLAS BRUCE MELISSA BUTLER MONICA DOLEZAL SARAH BUCKLEY MELODEE POMERANTZ JOHN MCROBERTS GRANT FRIESTH DOUG ECKLUND JOHN K SORENSEN LORI RISTAU MERITT KRAUSE DANIEL VESSELY DAVID BEERY DARIN FERGUSON GREG KNUDSON MARK ALLEN WILL IRWIN R MARK WATKINS TED GROB CINDY ADAMS JOHN VIARS SARAH ENNIS LUKE ESSING KENNETH QUINN DAVID SELDEN MICHAEL J VERSACKAS ROGER HUDSON JOHN BURGESON KIRK ABRAHAMSON JEFF COURTER CHRISTINE L HENSLEY MARK PEIFFER SHARON VICKERY DAN KEOUGH PAUL JUFFER TERRY HERNANDEZ TONY KASKA

CEO Profile Section.indd 40 8/26/16 8:18 AM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CEO PERSPECTIVES

CEO Profile Section.indd 41 8/26/16 3:09 PM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Don Pearson REGIONAL PRESIDENT

WELLS FARGO

What advice would you give to a Jay Byers newcomer looking to be successful in the metro Des Moines business community? CEO Des Moines is a pro-business community and exceptionally friendly. Get plugged in to the numerous events and networking opportunities that are available. Serve on GREATER DES MOINES local boards of nonprofits you are passionate PARTNERSHIP about. Make connections. It’s a comfortable, welcoming and inviting community. Welcome to the Greater Des Moines community! A large element of our success is What have you found the most surprising the willingness of our business leaders to get or unique about Des Moines? involved. Wondering how you can get involved? I moved here in 2013 and was We are happy to answer that and more: immediately struck by this community’s willingness to embrace newcomers. Des Are there events or resources just for newcomers? Moines has all the benefits of a larger city, Yes! Attend our Welcome to Greater but the comfortableness and convenience of Des Moines Receptions or request a relocation a small town. The culture is friendly, outgoing guide from The Partnership at DesMoinesMetro. and there is significant engagement around com/Talent. The Partnership is also happy to Gene Meyer Mary Bontrager Tiffany Tauscheck building a great place to live and work. We assist with community tours, conversations and President Executive Vice President Chief Communications have great concerts at Wells Fargo Arena and connectivity. Contact our Talent Development of Regional Workforce Officer other wonderful events at various venues. team at (515) 286-4950 for details. Development/Education And – speaking from experience as someone How can I connect to opportunities in who dealt with gridlock on the freeways in the community? How can I get my spouse/partner involved? several major markets – you can’t beat the There are many ways to tap into Many spouses connect through the commute in metro Des Moines. meaningful activities. Learn more about the region’s robust nonprofit community. If you have young children, check out parent/child What was your biggest concern about region at SeizeDesMoines.com. Another great group activities at your local library, parks and integrating into the community? resource is the United Way of Central Iowa’s recreation or YMCA. For women new to the I have a special needs stepdaughter. I Volunteer Match at VolunteerMatch.org. This city, try the Newcomers’ Compass Club, with was concerned about whether Des Moines tool helps you engage with causes you care more than 400 members. would offer the resources necessary to about. For civic engagement openings, try the support her needs. We found a community Community Foundation’s LeadershipLink at Bottom line: within a community. The resources are DesMoinesFoundation.org/LeadershipLink. Connect to volunteer and community fantastic and others who are familiar with a Connect with one of the region’s thriving engagement opportunities that match your specific situation such as hers openly provide nonprofits as you meet other influential leaders. passions. #SeizeDesMoines assistance. Getting started was a little difficult, What other tips will help me tap into but as you meet others, it quickly becomes the community? 700 Locust St., Ste. 100, Des Moines easy to get plugged in. My special needs Greater Des Moines is home to more than 515-286-4950 | DesMoinesMetro.com stepdaughter doesn’t ever want to leave 100 breakfast and service club organizations. Des Moines. Neither do my wife and I! Consider reaching out to a coworker to host you at a meeting. Also, check out networking wellsfargo.com events at The Partnership’s calendar, DesMoinesMetro.com/Events.

CEO Profile Section.indd 42 8/26/16 1:31 PM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Jay Byers CEO

GREATER DES MOINES PARTNERSHIP

Welcome to the Greater Des Moines community! A large element of our success is the willingness of our business leaders to get involved. Wondering how you can get involved? We are happy to answer that and more:

Are there events or resources just for newcomers? Yes! Attend our Welcome to Greater Des Moines Receptions or request a relocation guide from The Partnership at DesMoinesMetro. com/Talent. The Partnership is also happy to Gene Meyer Mary Bontrager Tiffany Tauscheck assist with community tours, conversations and President Executive Vice President Chief Communications connectivity. Contact our Talent Development of Regional Workforce Officer team at (515) 286-4950 for details. Development/Education

How can I connect to opportunities in the community? How can I get my spouse/partner involved? There are many ways to tap into Many spouses connect through the meaningful activities. Learn more about the region’s robust nonprofit community. If you region at SeizeDesMoines.com. Another great have young children, check out parent/child resource is the United Way of Central Iowa’s group activities at your local library, parks and Volunteer Match at VolunteerMatch.org. This recreation or YMCA. For women new to the tool helps you engage with causes you care city, try the Newcomers’ Compass Club, with about. For civic engagement openings, try the more than 400 members. Community Foundation’s LeadershipLink at Bottom line: DesMoinesFoundation.org/LeadershipLink. Connect to volunteer and community Connect with one of the region’s thriving engagement opportunities that match your nonprofits as you meet other influential leaders. passions. #SeizeDesMoines What other tips will help me tap into the community? 700 Locust St., Ste. 100, Des Moines Greater Des Moines is home to more than 515-286-4950 | DesMoinesMetro.com 100 breakfast and service club organizations. Consider reaching out to a coworker to host you at a meeting. Also, check out networking events at The Partnership’s calendar, DesMoinesMetro.com/Events.

CEO Profile Section.indd 43 8/26/16 1:31 PM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION C. Edward Brown Foster Group CEO

THE IOWA CLINIC

Why is Des Moines a great place to be a CEO? Des Moines is a place of business where a handshake still means something and people stand behind their words. As an executive, you also have the opportunity to Tailored Approach get as involved as you’d like in the community Foster Group takes a personalized, and make a meaningful difference. strategic approach to meeting your financial goals by developing a trusted relationship When trying to recruit a doctor to move to and providing: our community, how do you sell them? • Straightforward, evidence-based We are a small city with big city financial solutions sophistication. We have received national • Dedicated relationships with lead recognition as one of the BEST communities advisors and a service team in the country and are proud of that • because we believe it is true. Our schools, Established expertise in working with medical and business professionals cost effective living, ease of transportation, cultural benefits and sense of community all • Coordination with your tax, legal, insurance and other professional advisors contribute to our appeal and success. CONFIDENCE IN YOUR Connect What is one of the best kept secrets As our welcome gift to you, Foster about Des Moines? FINANCIAL FUTURE. Group would like to offer a complimentary I can say without hesitation, Des Moines Welcome financial assessment. Talk with us today Performing Arts is one of our best kept Welcome to Des Moines! We know that and you’ll see why Foster Group is the only secrets. The Civic Center is home to world you’ll quickly find Central Iowa is a wonderful Registered Investment Advisors in Iowa to class entertainment. We host a Broadway place to both live and work. be rated in CNBC’s 2015 Top 100 Fee-Only series that rivals most major cities, and the Moving to a new city can be overwhelming Wealth Managers. Des Moines Symphony is recognized as one but planning your financial future shouldn’t of the country’s leading regional orchestras. be. Foster Group is here to help with your investment goals. 6601 Westown Parkway, Suite 100, West Des Moines 877-561-1047 | fostergrp.com/welcome 5950 University Ave., West Des Moines Client Focused 515-875-9100 | www.iowaclinic.com We’re independently owned, looking out for you, not for sales commissions. At Foster Group we work closely with individuals, trust funds, retirement plans, for-profit and nonprofit organizations in a fiduciary capacity to reduce the complexity of investment management and cultivate ongoing financial success.

Foster Group and its employees are independent of and are not employees or agents of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Schwab does not prepare, verify or endorse information distributed by Foster Group. The Best-in- Business IMPACT Award™ 2012, part of Schwab’s IMPACT Awards® program, is not an endorsement, testimonial endorsement, recommendation or referral to Foster Group with respect to its investment advisory and other services.

PLEASE NOTE LIMITATIONS: Please see Important Advertising Disclosure Information and the limitations of any ranking/recognitions, at www.fostergrp.com/disclosures. A copy of our current written disclosure statement as set forth on Part 2A of Form ADV is available at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

CEO Profile Section.indd 44 8/26/16 1:32 PM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Foster Group

Tailored Approach Foster Group takes a personalized, strategic approach to meeting your financial goals by developing a trusted relationship and providing: • Straightforward, evidence-based financial solutions • Dedicated relationships with lead advisors and a service team • Established expertise in working with medical and business professionals • Coordination with your tax, legal, insurance and other professional advisors

CONFIDENCE IN YOUR Connect FINANCIAL FUTURE. As our welcome gift to you, Foster Group would like to offer a complimentary Welcome financial assessment. Talk with us today Welcome to Des Moines! We know that and you’ll see why Foster Group is the only you’ll quickly find Central Iowa is a wonderful Registered Investment Advisors in Iowa to place to both live and work. be rated in CNBC’s 2015 Top 100 Fee-Only Moving to a new city can be overwhelming Wealth Managers. but planning your financial future shouldn’t be. Foster Group is here to help with your investment goals. 6601 Westown Parkway, Suite 100, West Des Moines Client Focused 877-561-1047 | fostergrp.com/welcome We’re independently owned, looking out for you, not for sales commissions. At Foster Group we work closely with individuals, trust funds, retirement plans, for-profit and nonprofit organizations in a fiduciary capacity to reduce the complexity of investment management and cultivate ongoing financial success.

CEO Profile Section.indd 45 8/26/16 1:32 PM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Chris Nelson How do your roles as corporate CEO, community CEO James P. Brannen advocate and volunteer intersect? For me, they all come down to one thing: KEMIN CEO protecting livelihoods and futures. At Farm Bureau Financial Services, that means we make Why is innovation and learning key to the a promise to our client/members to be there for culture at Kemin? them, ready to help get life – and the future – Our vision is to touch half the people of back on track when the unexpected happens. the world, about three billion, every day with In the community, it means helping make life our products and services, and we have a goal better and the future brighter for our friends and of meetings this vision by 2018. We can’t do it John Greaves Daryl Schraad Libby Nelson neighbors who need an extra hand along the way. without investing in our teams and innovation. VP Speciality Crop President, Animal Vice President and FARM BUREAU How do you encourage your employees to This is not just meant for the lab. Innovation Improvement Nutrition and Health General Counsel FINANCIAL SERVICES get involved? also goes throughout the company, with the North America We don’t think of community involvement intention of serving the customer better. It may Over his more than 25 years with be a new way of logistics or purchasing, or as a series of one-time events. Instead, we’ve question, does the candidate live these? Key Farm Bureau Financial Services and holding market insights to deliver data to customers. fostered a culture of giving where our companies among those for us are integrity, hard work, company, FBL Financial Group, Inc. (FFG: Furthermore, at Kemin, we know to and employees support many area charities in and the ability to handle change. NYSE), Jim Brannen has been committed to many different ways. And through our volunteer achieve our mission of serving customers, we protecting and improving the lives of others. time off program, they’re able to give extra time must create science at the molecular level Why is change a key value at kemin? He has also served the community in many to the organizations closest to their own hearts. and foster continuous improvements in our The environment that we live in is changing different capacities; most recently as 2016 people, processes and products-- and that constantly and has to be reflected in the means constant learning. In this day and age, Chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, “This community is blessed with an incredible products we sell. Our customer’s worlds are the ability to learn every day, not just when where he plays an important role in the growth network of leaders and innovators. I’m honored changing, and that means we have to change. you were in school, but every day, is vital for and promotion of Des Moines and Central Iowa. and humbled to work alongside these visionaries We must change our products, our processes, us at Kemin. We foster this through many and sometimes what we do at the company. What excites you most about living and working as we continue to make great things happen educational opportunities. Whether it’s the in Greater Des Moines? in Central Iowa!” ability to acquire outside educational resources, These are some of the most exciting times or simply with an atmosphere that promotes 2100 Maury St. Des Moines | 515-559-5100 | kemin.com I’ve seen for our city. We’ve been recognized by 5400 University Ave., West Des Moines asking the question, “Why?” every day. dozens of organizations and publications as a 515-225-5400 | www.FBFS.com great place to live and work, and it’s not without What makes a candidate a good fit for Kemin? reason. This is a vibrant, thriving community What we look for, first and foremost, is a with a very clear vision for its future. It’s a place strong cultural fit. That means a lot of things people want to be; a place where they can live here. We turn to our nine values and ask the and dream and make those dreams a reality.

CEO Profile Section.indd 46 8/26/16 1:32 PM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CEO Profile Section.indd 47 8/26/16 1:32 PM Let our family care for yours.

Welcome to the neighborhood. Now that you’ve settled in we recommend taking some time to consider your family’s health and happiness. At UnityPoint Clinic,® we believe expert care should be all about you and your family’s unique needs. From your doctor’s office to your hospital to your home, we invite and welcome you to experience our family of care.

The point of unity is you.®

Find a doctor at unitypoint.org Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 49

Organizations.indd 48 8/26/16 8:36 AM CHAPTER THREE COMMUNITY

Three of the key ingredients in our community’s secret sauce for success? Vision, private/public partnerships and regionalism. Jay Byers, CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, wrote about this on page 19, and 9 you’ll see all three ingredients at play with these umbrella organizations More Glue Organizations Key and institutions that are intertwined The nine we profiled here are far into the community’s business, from the only organizations working cultural and philanthropic fabric. to better Des Moines. There are Des Moines They consistently collaborate, in most a number of industry and cause cases were born out of a collaborative specific organizations serving both as Let our family care for yours. effort to consolidate resources to key catalysts in their niches and organizations better solve problems, and have as spokes to the wider community. representation and participation of See professional associations: These unique top business leaders. These glue tinyurl.com/ProfessionalGDM Welcome to the neighborhood. Now that you’ve settled in we recommend taking some time to organizations are frequently at the See nonprofit organizations: consider your family’s health and happiness. At UnityPoint Clinic,® we believe expert care should be umbrella institutions center of solving key challenges in tinyurl.com/NonprofitsGDM the community, and often advocate all about you and your family’s unique needs. From your doctor’s office to your hospital to your home, are intertwined into for the community at a political level. we invite and welcome you to experience our family of care. the community’s You’ll undoubtedly be interacting with and making use of these resources, business, cultural and so learning about what they do and what makes each of them unique philanthropic fabric will allow you to better navigate the community and become an effective ® The point of unity is you. contributor yourself.

Find a doctor at unitypoint.org Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 49

Organizations.indd 49 8/26/16 2:22 PM BUSINESS

Greater Des Moines Partnership Des Moines Area Metropolitan Iowa Association of Business www.desmoinesmetro.com Planning Organization and Industry Jay Byers, CEO dmampo.org www.iowaabi.org Todd Ashby, Executive director Mike Ralston, President What it does: The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and What it does: The MPO is a regional What it does: As Iowa’s largest statewide community development organization transportation planning entity made up business association, the Iowa serving Central Iowa, focusing on a wide of local communities and transportation Association of Business and Industry’s range of development and societal issues agencies. It is active in developing long- mission is to nurture a favorable with 22 affiliate chambers of commerce and short-range regional plans, and it business, economic, governmental and 5,800 business members. selects and approves projects for federal and social climate within the state funding based upon regional priorities. so that its residents can enjoy the Origins: The Partnership formed in highest possible quality of life. 1999 to encourage one voice and Origins: The MPO — which was joint lobbying from business groups designated as the official MPO for Origins: In August 1903, a group of throughout Central Iowa, expanding on the Des Moines urbanized area in Iowa manufacturers assembled in the role of the predecessor chamber 1983 — is part of a federal system Des Moines to develop an exhibit of commerce model. The new model that requires coordinated planning representing Iowa industry for the St. allowed business leaders, who at the in metro areas so that grant money Louis World’s Fair. That meeting formed time were participating in multiple can be used more efficiently. The the framework for what was first called economic development groups that organization now comprises 16 cities; the Iowa Manufacturers Association. often had similar agendas, to focus the Des Moines Area Regional Transit their time on one collaborative effort. Authority; three associate, nonvoting Why it matters: The strength of this cities; unincorporated portions of three nonprofit organization is in its size Why it matters: It’s involved in almost counties; and one associate, nonvoting and broad representation of Iowa’s every major issue that could affect county. Its planning area encompasses business communities. Its members your business, is a great place to start over 500 square miles. live and work in all 99 counties and when you are researching an issue, represent every industry sector. The actively lobbies for legislation and has Why it matters: You’ll notice right away that organization advocates on behalf of extensive online and in-office resources. today’s MPO goes way beyond the tedious businesses on legislative issues and Its board is annually voted as the Most but important task of setting priorities promotes a collaborative environment Influential Board by our readers and for road projects. In recent years, the that encourages Iowa businesses to has the financial backing of the area’s MPO has compiled, with the help of its work together. Each year ABI hosts largest corporations. The Partnership partners, major plans for river recreation hundreds of business leaders at the is leading the Capital Crossroads 2.0 in the area and a look at affordable Taking Care of Business Conference, visioning plan for the area, it runs the housing and how it aligns with mass which brings together industry leaders Downtown Community Alliance, and transit and employment centers. The to learn, network and share ideas on it houses Square One DSM, which MPO also has sponsored a high-profile how to strengthen the state’s business provides help to entrepreneurs. It also speaker series examining everything climate. ABI also works to keep its launched the Young Professionals from the density of development to how members apprised of issues important Connection and the Cultivation Corridor. to make communities better for walkers to the business community and plays In addition, it has taken on a bigger and bicyclists. The MPO also tracks an integral part in the professional role in marketing and showcasing the the safety of bridges and the condition development of Iowa’s business and region nationally. If you’re looking for of pavement in the area. It is a good civic leaders through its professional ways to get involved and plug in, it has place to start if you need data on local development and issues awareness a number of committees with volunteer transportation offerings or needs. It is programs, which include Business opportunities, offers welcome receptions also leading the Tomorrow Plan, which Horizons, Leadership Iowa University for newcomers, provides executive tours, aims to foster sustainable development and Leadership Iowa. and annually takes about 200 business of the Greater Des Moines region over leaders to Washington, D.C. the next 40 years.

50 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 51

Organizations.indd 50 8/26/16 8:36 AM PHILANTHROPY

of Central Iowa

Iowa Economic Development Authority Iowa Business Council United Way of Central Iowa www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com www.iowabusinesscouncil.com www.unitedwaydm.org Debi Durham, Director Elliott Smith, Executive director Mary Sellers, President

What it does: The IEDA administers What it does: The Iowa Business What it does: The United Way of Central a range of economic development Council is an invitation-only group Iowa not only raises funds and programs, including loans, tax credits comprising the top executives of the distributes them to area nonprofits, and other financial incentives for largest businesses in the state, the but it also helps work with community businesses wanting to locate or expand three Regent university presidents, leaders to implement solutions to some in Iowa. It administers programs and the president and CEO of Iowa’s of the area’s largest challenges. that help Iowa cities launch a range largest banking association. It works of improvements, including water to enhance the state’s economic Origins: The organization celebrated its treatment, stormwater management vitality by providing a forum for 100th anniversary in 2016, and traces and the appearance of their central members to generate ideas, identify its origins to 1916 when community business districts. key challenges and recommend leaders formed what was then called sustainable public policy. the “Community Chest” in an effort to Origins: IEDA is a public-private save businesspeople and others time partnership created in 2011 to Origins: The Iowa Business Council was in evaluating charities and in writing replace the Iowa Department of founded on Dec. 12, 1985, when 15 checks, and to lower the overhead costs Economic Development as part of a business leaders from across the state associated with charities. complete overhaul of Iowa’s economic met in Des Moines to develop strategies development delivery programs. for lifting Iowa out of the economic Why it matters: No region gives more than doldrums it was experiencing at the time. the Central Iowa community — and we Why it matters: The Iowa Economic have the stats to back it up. In fact, the Development Authority promotes all Why it matters: If you want to know United Way of Central Iowa annually things Iowa, from tourist attractions the issues of utmost concern to the has the highest per capita giving in to the state’s emerging role as the leaders of Iowa’s largest companies, the nation. The 2015 campaign set a go-to state for data centers. On the then check in with the Iowa Business record by raising $28.6 million. One of economic development front, the IEDA Council. It’s a who’s-who of corporate the secrets to that success is the way administers programs that provide Iowa. IBC members employ about the organization has aligned itself with development incentives in the form 250,000 people, or 1 in 6 Iowans. the business community. A prominent of loans, including forgivable loans, The council is focused on five broad business leader is selected each year and tax credits for startups, existing areas that its members believe are to chair the annual charitable giving companies with big expansion projects, crucial to the state’s economic campaign. And businesses all over the the renovation of historic building and vitality: economic growth, education metro area participate in workplace the development of brownfield and and workforce, governance and fiscal campaigns that help find creative ways to grayfield sites. In some cases, projects matters, health and well-being, and involve all employees in giving. Employers receiving state incentives must also workforce demographics and diversity. often lend key personnel to the United receive a contribution from the city The categories make up the IBC Way as “loaned executives” to serve as in which the project is located. Its Competitive Index. The council places full-time fundraisers during the annual programs support job creation and such a high value on contributions campaign, which helps the organization housing. The IEDA also administers the from its members that membership keep the associated costs of the federal Community Development Block resides with the individual, and not campaign suppressed. The organization Grant program. According to its fiscal the company he or she represents. has also taken on a big role in solving 2015 report, the IEDA issued more Likewise, members cannot send challenges in the community. In 2009 than $476 million in tax credits and surrogates to meetings. If you’re it assembled teams of local experts and refunds and nearly $57 million invited, you know your opinion matters. organizations to address Central Iowa’s in direct financial assistance. most pressing issues in the areas of education, income and health, and set community goals to achieve by 2020.

50 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 51

Organizations.indd 51 8/26/16 8:36 AM PHILANTHROPY CULTURE

Community Foundation of Bravo Greater Des Moines Greater Des Moines Convention Greater Des Moines www.bravogreaterdesmoines.org and Visitors Bureau www.desmoinesfoundation.org Sally Dix, Executive director www.catchdesmoines.com Kristi Knous, President Greg Edwards, President & CEO What it does: Bravo’s key mission is to What it does: The Community Foundation distribute part of the hotel and motel What it does: The Convention and of Greater Des Moines promotes taxes collected in the area to local arts, Visitors Bureau, like others around the charitable giving by connecting donors culture and heritage organizations. As country, serves as a clearinghouse for with causes they care about and an umbrella organization, Bravo also information for visitors and tourists and providing leadership on important provides leadership in arts and cultural works to attract as many conventions community issues. planning efforts. and events to the city as it can.

Origins: In Greater Des Moines, each Origins: The organization was founded as Origins: The convention bureau, originally local government receives the tourism the Des Moines Community Foundation a committee within Des Moines tax generated when visitors stay at in 1969 by a small group of residents, Commercial Club, was reorganized as hotels in their areas. The governments with a goal of creating “an enduring the Convention Bureau in 1913, the dedicate two-sevenths of that tax to method for preserving our area’s quality same year the Des Moines Coliseum support arts and cultural institutions of life and extending its benefits to the opened along the downtown riverfront as that may draw those visitors, such as entire community.” the city’s second convention center. zoos and museums. In 2004, Bravo — Why it matters: Many of Greater now a three-employee organization Why it matters: The bureau brings Des Moines’ most influential business — was formed to allocate that money millions of dollars in business to and community leaders, both past and more effectively and efficiently. Des Moines by attracting not only present, have provided enduring gifts to visitors and conventions, but recently Why it matters: Seventeen local the community by establishing endowed large events such as the NCAA governments contribute to the grant funds through the foundation. It now basketball tournament. Recently it fund, and Bravo allocates about $2 administers more than 1,500 charitable led a push to land a large downtown million a year in two grant cycles funds, with assets in excess of $398 convention center hotel, which city — one in the spring, one in the fall. million under management. Through its leaders believe will help position Anyone involved with an art, cultural grant-making programs and donor funds, Des Moines to land larger and more or heritage organization should the Community Foundation granted prestigious events. The CVB also is understand Bravo’s guidelines and more than $26 million to Central Iowa part of key regional planning efforts function in the area. The organization charitable causes in 2015. It’s likely to attract more people to move here worked with community partners to that a cause that interests you also also by improving the area’s quality of develop a three-year strategic plan for interests the foundation, which supports life. You’ll hear and see their slogan, the arts community that it released charities ranging from arts and culture “Catch Des Moines,” all around town, in 2015. The organization is also and community betterment to education, and the organization is an excellent responsible for championing the health and workforce development, resource for finding fun activities to economic impact of the arts, which its among others. As a business leader, participate in. 2015 study showed was $121 million you’ll find the Community Foundation while drawing more than 3.7 million deeply involved as a catalyst in issues people to the region and employing important to Greater Des Moines. For more than 2,000 people. And if instance, it serves as a partner in the you’re looking for some fun, its annual Capital Crossroads vision plan for the February fundraiser, the Bravo Gala, community, an ongoing long-term is a prime event for couples who want strategic community and economic to be among the who’s who in town. development process led by some of Greater Des Moines’ most prominent movers and shakers.

52 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

Organizations.indd 52 8/26/16 8:36 AM Key community events Make sure you have these events marked on your calendar

BY ANNE CAROTHERS-KAY - MANAGING EDITOR

Partnership Annual Dinner Principal Charity Classic When: January presented by Wells Fargo Full Community Calendar Why: This event is held in an elegant setting When: June Use our specially tailored calendar to complete with drinks, dinner, awards and a Why: This PGA Tour Champions tournament is plan your week and stay up to date on nationally known speaker. You’ll be sure to sponsored by two of the metro area’s largest all the upcoming business events. meet any key business leader in the city there. employers, has involvement from countless others, www.businessrecord.com/calendar and is an economic and charitable engine of the Bravo Awards Gala community. It has an economic impact of $23 More Fun & Festivals million and has contributed nearly $10 million When: First Saturday in February Drake Relays Week: In April, Drake to children’s charities since 2007. Why: Think prom for grown-ups. This fundraiser University alumni flood back to campus is run by Bravo, the umbrella group for for a 100-year-old track meet that is local arts and culture, and the event raises Iowa State Fair regarded as one of the premier track and field events in the country. funds that are then redistributed to cultural When: 11 days in August organizations. You’ll be sure to meet important Why: You can’t get any better view of Iowa values Winefest: In June, eight days of business people AND their spouses. and the state’s rural culture than the basis for celebration of fine food and wine that the novel that became a musical by Rodgers and helps raise money for local charities United Way Live United Luncheon Hammerstein. And the best way to experience it is and cultural organizations. to ask an Iowa native to give you an insider’s tour. Yankee Doodle Pops: Over the Fourth When: April of July, an enormously popular outdoor Why: The annual Live United luncheon recognizes concert is staged by the Des Moines top companies and individuals in the immediately World Food Prize symposium Symphony on the lawn of the state Capitol. completed fundraising campaign. October When: It’s complete with the “1812 Overture,” Why: The brainchild of Iowa native and Nobel cannon blasts and, of course, fireworks. Prize-winning agronomist Norman Borlaug, Community Foundation of Greater 80-35 Music Festival: In July, hear endowed by the late Des Moines businessman Des Moines’ Celebration Luncheon what the young folks are listening to in John Ruan, the World Food Prize Foundation this two-day mini-Lollapalooza concert When: May hosts international dignitaries and the top in the downtown Western Gateway. Why: This annual luncheon promotes minds in international agriculture, food and charitable giving, celebrates the Community nutrition. Recipients of the World Food Prize RAGBRAI: If your workforce goes Foundation’s successes, and honors those are honored as well. missing in July, it could be because building social capital in our community they’re participating in the Register’s with the Better Together Awards. Business Record events Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), an annual seven-day Des Moines Arts Festival When: 10 events year-round bike ride across the state. Why: Our events are tailored specifically to the When: June International fests: You’ll see a host of business community, provide an opportunity to Why: Buy original art, interact with live cultural festivals, including CelebrAsian, learn about key issues, and network with the performance art and see an eclectic mix of people World Food & Music Festival, Italian region’s top decision makers. Learn more about at this downtown festival, which is annually ranked American Heritage Festival and Greek our events: www.businessrecord.com/events as one of the best in the country, attracts thousands Festival, among many others. of visitors and has major corporate support.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 53

KeyCommunityEvents.indd 53 8/26/16 2:23 PM Plug into the community Professionally – Culturally – Philanthropically

BY CHRIS CONETZKEY - EDITOR

Des Moines is a big community, so finding ways to make connections with JOIN BUSINESS SUPPORT THE NONPROFIT like-minded professionals can be very beneficial, and of course the business ORGANIZATIONS COMMUNITY community is tightly woven into the Find your chamber of commerce Find philanthropic opportunities nonprofit and cultural communities. It’s one of the biggest reasons for Each of Des Moines’ growing suburbs, downtown The United Way of Central Iowa has a nifty, our rich quality of life. Des Moines and other regions of Des Moines searchable website where nonprofits post There are a wide range of groups and have their own chambers. Membership in a local volunteer opportunities and you can learn resources for people of all backgrounds. chamber also opens up member benefits of the about some of United Way’s specific efforts. Each community has its own individual Partnership, which now has 22 affiliate chambers. unitedwaydm.galaxydigital.com operating values and lessons to learn, but See a full list: tinyurl.com/ChambersGDM each also intersects, of course, with the Find a nonprofit board wider business community. Pick out a Rotary club Using the same website, the Community While this won’t be a comprehensive Rotary has deep roots here and offers an Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the list for each, it will provide you a few opportunity not only to build business relationships Regional Leadership Council and United Way plug in points and in the case of the but also to give back to the community. The provide a great way to find leadership roles niche communities, a contact or two Thursday Noon Rotary Club of Des Moines is the on nonprofit boards, committees, task forces, who can get you started. oldest and largest with 300 members, but there’s councils and steering committees. also a Friday morning Rotary Club of Des Moines volunteer.unitedwaydm.org/leadershiplink A.M., and options in the suburbs as well. See a full list: tinyurl.com/RotaryGDM JOIN A COMMITTEE Learn about 60-plus nonprofits Find a Partnership committee Find a professional organization If you don’t see an opportunity in the database, take matters into your own hands There are a number of ways to volunteer with the In advertising? Human resources? Real estate? and check out this list of more than 60 Partnership through councils, committees and No matter your industry, the region is home to a nonprofit organizations in the Book of Lists. events for a wide range of initiatives. Volunteers huge array of active and valuable professional You’ll be able to find contact information and can help shape the Partnership’s work in building associations. Here’s a list of more than 50 leadership information for almost any cause. the region. See a full list of volunteer opportunities: associations: tinyurl.com/ProfessionalGDM See the list: tinyurl.com/60nonprofits www.DesMoinesMetro.com/GetInvolved The Greater Des Moines Committee TIP: Who’s on the Top 25 Influential Boards? Participate in community initiatives This invitation-only group is under the Partnership In the Book of Lists we annually ask Business There are a number of large community efforts umbrella and has approximately 100 members Record readers to rank the most influential underway, such as Capital Crossroads 2.0, the who must be the CEO or top leader at a Central boards of directors. The list contains the Tomorrow Plan and the United Way of Central Iowa company. This powerful group meets monthly names of all the board members, making it Iowa’s 2020 goals. Each has volunteer committees to listen to speakers over lunch at the Des Moines a nice resource for identifying contacts if you and is always looking for input. Read about more Embassy Club and works to encourage, promote, have an interest in a specific organization. community initiatives: Page 20 develop and protect business interests of Greater See the list: tinyurl.com/Top25Boards Des Moines and the state. It also founded the Iowa Business Hall of Fame.

54 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 55

PlugintoaNiche.indd 54 8/26/16 2:26 PM also has an Inclusion Council made up of Young professionals FIND A NICHE COMMUNITY business leaders — learn more here: tinyurl.com/ Greater Des Moines has twice been named the No. InclusionCouncilGDM. Another good starting point 1 City for Young Professionals by Forbes, and two Arts and culture scene is INclusion Magazine, a special guide showcasing big reasons for that are the endless ways a young the diverse culture of Central Iowa. In that product, The arts and culture scene has a heartbeat that professional can plug in and the large investment there’s a resource guide that highlights a number grows louder each day. Bravo Greater Des Moines is that community leaders have made in developing of specific efforts supporting a range of ethnic, the umbrella organization that helps with funding future leaders through strong leadership programs. faith-based, LGBT, refugee and military groups. See and advocacy, but many other organizations The Partnership’s Young Professionals Connection the list here: tinyurl.com/InclusionGDM. Another provide great plug-in opportunities for arts and is the largest YP group in the area, but many of place to plug in is the Immigrant Entrepreneurs entertainment. The relatively new Des Moines Social the suburbs have groups as well. There’s also an Summit (IES), which is chaired by Ying Sa, a Club is a hub of creativity and edgy new ideas, the effort led by the Emerging Leaders Collaborative Business Record Woman of Influence and a key Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is active in (ELC) to leverage Central Iowa YP groups under a player in helping immigrant-owned businesses. promoting a wide array of programs to support the regional umbrella. Many of the community’s most arts, and the Metro Arts Alliance works to educate Contacts: Nathan Ritz (Inclusion Council), respected leaders have graduated from the Greater adults and children through providing access and Ying Sa (IES) Des Moines Leadership Institute (GDMLI), which engagement with the arts. In addition, the nonprofit helps build emerging leaders through a variety of Des Moines Performing Arts, originally the dream Startup & tech community programs. See a full list of regional leadership groups: tinyurl.com/LeadershipGroups of a small group of Des Moines business leaders, The startup community is percolating in Des Moines, has managed the Civic Center and a host of other and its welcoming nature makes it easy to plug in. Contacts: Amy Jennings (GDMLI), Joe Benesh (ELC) venues since 1979 and serves as the largest catalyst Square One DSM, an outgrowth of the Partnership, for bringing world-class theater, music and dance provides advice and mentoring to startups and Women in business downtown. Far from the only cultural organizations, entrepreneurs from idea to raising capital and Iowa has traditionally had poor rankings when check out a list of additional attractions, like the beyond. Gravitate is a workplace community for it comes to women in business, but there are a Des Moines Art Center and the Greater Des Moines entrepreneurs in downtown and also hosts a variety number of renewed, passionate efforts to change Botanical Garden: tinyurl.com/AttractionsGDM of events that connect the community. that. Iowa Women Lead Change (IWLC), the Contacts: Sally Dix (Bravo); Pete DeKock (Social 1 Million Cups is a free networking event held every National Association of Women Business Owners Club), Mary Cownie (Cultural Affairs), Kim Poam Wednesday that allows local entrepreneurs to meet Iowa (NAWBO) and invite-only groups Nexus — for Logan (Metro Arts), Jeff Chelsvig (DMPA) and present to their peers. The Plains Angels are established businesswomen — and Lead Like a group of Iowa-based angel investors who assist a Lady — for emerging businesswomen — are Diverse backgrounds and invest in early-stage growth companies. The just a few of the key organizations to plug into Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) is a statewide It’s no secret Des Moines demographics are for support. See a full list of organizations: professional organization for the state’s technology primarily white, but one of the reasons for the leadlikealady.org/centraliowa-women. In addition, industry. A great resource is a new website designed area’s recent growth is an influx of people with you’ll want to sign up for Lift IOWA, our free weekly specifically to help those in the tech scene plug in: diverse backgrounds. African-American, Hispanic e-newsletter specifically for women in business: startupdesmoines.com/#welcome and Asian population growth has rapidly outpaced www.businessrecord.com/Liftiowa the national average, and the Greater Des Moines Contacts: Mike Colwell (Square One), Geoff Contacts: Leisha Barcus (Nexus), Kate Banasiak Partnership hosts multicultural receptions and a Wood (Gravitate), Ben McDougal (1 Million Cups), (Lead like a Lady), Dianne Ramsey (IWLC), and yearly executive forum on diversity and inclusion Tej Dhawan (Plains Angels), Brian Waller (TAI) Lori Day and Lynn Schreder (NAWBO) to foster the diverse growth. The Partnership

54 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 55

PlugintoaNiche.indd 55 8/26/16 2:25 PM BY THE NUMBERS: The corporate landscape BY CHRIS CONETZKEY - EDITOR

Des Moines Area RICK BRATRUD Real Estate Search for your new home at RicksMyAgent.com

My wife Lori & I live in Johnston, development loans for builders, a suburb just to the north of developers, and customers who Each year we survey businesses in THE LARGEST... Des Moines. We have two sons, just wanted to build their new the Greater Des Moines metro in order THE THREE LARGEST... the first in Colorado working in home. Starting back with Iowa to put together the Book of Lists, which Employers contains listings and information on Construction company new home construction & going Realty in 2008 was the best RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES businesses in more than 70 industry $155.1 million in volume to college and the second in decision I have made! I thoroughly sectors. In order to give you a quick 14,000 Wells Fargo & Co. The Weitz Co. college at the University of Iowa. enjoy helping my clients with snapshot of the corporate landscape, Two yellow labs “Charlie” & their Real Estate needs! we pulled some data on the region’s key 7,055 Mercy Medical Center industries and highlighted some of the Agribusiness “Annie” round out the family. top corporate players in a variety of key 6,435 UnityPoint Health Our home is a contemporary My passion for the last 25 years 2,800 employees sectors as ranked in the Book of Lists. walk-out ranch I had custom built has been Real Estate! I have vast Banks DuPont Pioneer in Green Meadows North. experience in the Des Moines RANKED BY TOTAL LOCAL DEPOSITS Manufacturer construction industry and am very $3.1 billion Wells Fargo Bank I have been a licensed Realtor involved with the resale market. 1,900 employees in Des Moines since 1985 and Selling your home & building a $2.2 billion Bankers Trust Co. John Deere Des Moines Works a licensed Broker since 1990. new home does not have to be a $1.2 billion West Bank I’m also a Certified Residential scary experience. You just need Health insurance provider Specialist. I helped customers buy a Realtor who can guide you Developers 1.1 million enrollments and sell their homes until 1992. smoothly through the process. To RANKED BY SQUARE FEET OF PROPERTY OWNED Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield As my real estate business grew find the best builder, home-site, $6.3 million R&R Realty Group I found I was missing out on my plan and financing, I am just a See the full Book of Lists: Prop. & casualty insurance co. son growing up, so I took 18 call or click away! www.businessrecord.com/BookofLists $6.1 million Hubbell Realty Co. $195 billion in assets years off from actively selling but $3.0 million Denny Elwell Co. Nationwide always stayed with real estate. Remember “it’s not just a house, THE REGION’S FIVE The time was spent in the banking it’s home!” GDM-based public companies business providing construction & LARGEST INDUSTRIES RANKED BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES Know the demographics RANKED BY PERCENT OF TOTAL METRO GDP The region’s demographics have been 6,066 Principal Financial Group changing, and much of our population Finance, insurance 1,200 Casey’s General Stores growth can actually be attributed to 47% & real estate increasing diverse populations. Check 1,000 Meredith Corp. Trade, transportation out this useful Partnership tool: the 14% & warehousing Des Moines Regional Research, Stats & Data Hub. The hub contains a wealth of Professional & See all 23 Iowa-based public economic, demographic and workforce 10% business services companies data and is a great resource to help new Education, health care Check out our Iowa-index, an unweighted residents understand the analytics that tell 8% & social assistance average of all 23 Iowa-based companies. the story of the region. Access the hub: Licensed to sell real estate in the state of Iowa www.DesMoinesMetroData.com Manufacturing www.businessrecord.com/stocks 6% Valley West office | 1516 35th street | West Des Moines, ia 50266

56 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. office: 515.453.5775 | cell: 515.250.5626 | [email protected]

CorporateLandscapeSnapshot.indd 56 8/26/16 2:26 PM Des Moines Area RICK BRATRUD Real Estate Search for your new home at RicksMyAgent.com

My wife Lori & I live in Johnston, development loans for builders, a suburb just to the north of developers, and customers who Des Moines. We have two sons, just wanted to build their new the first in Colorado working in home. Starting back with Iowa new home construction & going Realty in 2008 was the best to college and the second in decision I have made! I thoroughly college at the University of Iowa. enjoy helping my clients with Two yellow labs “Charlie” & their Real Estate needs! “Annie” round out the family. Our home is a contemporary My passion for the last 25 years walk-out ranch I had custom built has been Real Estate! I have vast in Green Meadows North. experience in the Des Moines construction industry and am very I have been a licensed Realtor involved with the resale market. in Des Moines since 1985 and Selling your home & building a a licensed Broker since 1990. new home does not have to be a I’m also a Certified Residential scary experience. You just need Specialist. I helped customers buy a Realtor who can guide you and sell their homes until 1992. smoothly through the process. To As my real estate business grew find the best builder, home-site, I found I was missing out on my plan and financing, I am just a son growing up, so I took 18 call or click away! years off from actively selling but always stayed with real estate. Remember “it’s not just a house, The time was spent in the banking it’s home!” business providing construction &

Licensed to sell real estate in the state of Iowa

Valley West office | 1516 35th street | West Des Moines, ia 50266

56 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. office: 515.453.5775 | cell: 515.250.5626 | [email protected]

CorporateLandscapeSnapshot.indd 57 8/26/16 8:47 AM experience reach

A National CPA & Advisory Firm

50 STATES How will you get where you want to go? You need a network of trusted advisors who can answer your questions in a manner that’s reliable, responsive and personal. BKD can help. Our expertise spans multiple industries, and we help clients in every state manage change, stay compliant and make wise decisions. Experience how our insights can help you choose the right path to reach your goals.

Marv Debner, CPA // Partner 515.418.9888 // [email protected] bkd.com

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 59

Advice.indd 58 8/26/16 8:54 AM CHAPTER FOUR ADVICE experience reach

Advice & Bob Riley Chairman, Riley Resource Group If you are a good thinker, the Wisdom “old guard” will pay attention. Word gets out. You will be from your business community designated a “rising star.” Stand up and commit. Be a change agent. Also, provide unexpected service to your BY CHRIS CONETZKEY - EDITOR friends, customers, neighbors, those with whom you come As part of a survey of the business community for the Newcomer’s into contact. Surprise Guide, we asked leaders to give their advice, share challenges everyone with “Iowa nice” newcomers might face, and help you avoid making a critical mistake. all the time. And then, bring What follows is a collection of advice and insight that will help you something extra to the table. learn the values of the community. PAGES 59-60 Brianne Sanchez A National CPA & Advisory Firm Community relations manager, Des Moines University CHALLENGES YOU MIGHT FACE PAGE 61 Emerging professionals There are a ton of positives about the way the Des Moines business in Des Moines especially community operates. But strengths can often have a flip side. One of our value the access with biggest strengths is the close, tight knit way the community operates on leaders, so connecting with long-standing relationships. As such, a common theme you’ll hear is the young professional groups challenges that dynamic can present. But don’t worry — these barriers and offering to speak or can all be overcome, and simply being aware of them means you won’t STATES participate on panels is be caught off guard. 50 a wonderful way to gain exposure with up-and-comers. How will you get where you want to go? You need a network of trusted advisors who can answer your questions in a manner that’s reliable, responsive and personal. BKD can help. Our expertise spans MISTAKES AND FAUX PAS TO AVOID PAGE 62 Chris Sackett Managing partner, multiple industries, and we help clients in every state manage change, stay compliant and make Nobody wants to step on a landmine. But let’s face it, you’re going to be navigating an uncharted territory that has its own values and rules. But BrownWinick Law Firm wise decisions. Experience how our insights can help you choose the right path to reach your goals. luckily for you, much can be learned from others’ mistakes. Here are In this community, vision, some mistakes and faux pas that the business community has seen both integrity and dependability newcomers and existing business leaders make over the years. If you matter more than anything. If do make a mistake, remember these words of wisdom from Iowa Lottery you have those qualities and CEO Terry Rich: “Iowans forgive if you make a mistake and apologize. something you truly believe They won’t forget if you don’t.” in, it may be easier to build Marv Debner, CPA // Partner momentum and support in 515.418.9888 // [email protected] Des Moines than in almost bkd.com any other metropolitan area in the country.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 59

Advice.indd 59 8/26/16 2:29 PM ADVICE & WISDOM

Amy Jennings Kate Garner Rosemary Link Executive director, Greater News director, Des Moines Associate VP, Simpson College Des Moines Leadership Institute Radio Group Realize that Iowa, the Community involvement is Never dive into gossip. breadbasket of the world, is expected. People here can You can let someone bend not only about agriculture. sense who is truly invested your ear endlessly about Des Moines and its in our collective success. someone, but just nod and surrounding cities, such smile. If someone tells you as Ankeny and Waukee, Emily Abbas something intimate or juicy, are growing at a faster CMO, Bankers Trust Co. file it away for your purposes pace than almost any other only. I guarantee, if you share connected urban area. Look local first. Whether you Tony Dickinson something like that in Des need a new bank, printer or Moines, it WILL get back to VP, marketing manager, dry cleaner, there are plenty Steve Lacy the subject of the rumor. Wells Fargo Bank of local businesses and Chairman & CEO, Meredith Corp. “Get to know business owners here to help. Use your personal strengths Lloyd Vanderkwaak people on a for the benefit of the President & CEO, ChildServe community, whether that is personal level, Gene Meyer President, Des Moines is a big city, yet fund-raising, organizing or and in particular, Greater Des Moines Partnership a small town. I arrived when I strategizing. Give your time was 35 years old. It surprised and money. Most leaders show an interest The community values me how many influencers in in Des Moines know each in their kids. regionalism. We are Des Moines had attended other and are friends. It’s a strongest together and Des Moines has high school or college small town that way, and it’s know that when one city or a reputation as together. The Community why we do such a good job one business experiences Leadership Program through pulling together across the a great place to success, we all grow. the Greater Des Moines private, public and nonprofit raise a family. Leadership Institute became sectors for causes that are Executives work Jack Lashier my “graduating class,” and important to the community. hard to provide Director, Iowa Hall of Pride many of my peers from that Get “plugged in” to for their families, program are now in leadership Susan R. Hatten something or someone. If you and governance positions and most Senior consultant, aren’t proactive and make within their organizations. Holmes Murphy & Associates activities outside it a goal every day to meet I have followed the someone new in Des Moines, of work revolve Michelle DeClerck professional and you can live here forever and President, Conference Event personal motto of “Never around kids.” never become connected. Management underestimate the value of You have to WANT to be planting a seed” — and it has connected and make a Operating with integrity is ON THE COVER: served me very well. In my concentrated effort to make the only way to succeed opinion, Des Moines is the Does Tony’s suit look it happen on a daily basis. here, as this is a referral- familiar? We asked based community where the heartiest community to plant seeds that bear great reward. Tony, an Iowa native Joseph Benesh impact of your actions will but Des Moines spread, which can lead to Senior architect, Shive-Hattery, transplant, to pose many successes in a short Megan Milligan President & CEO, The Ingenuity Co. for the cover shot. period of time. President & CEO, Iowa Center If you’re looking for Make sure you get involved for Economic Success for the right reasons — to tips on how to plug Mike Gremmer What about you makes you make our community better. in, reach out to this Regional VP, Robert Half shiny and different? Fall past Forty under 40 Those wishing to only build You must support the in love with those qualities honoree who learned their resumes are often University of Iowa, Iowa in yourself and give the the landscape quickly, spotted early and given State or Northern Iowa. community an opportunity to is making a difference that reputation. Joking, of course, but being do the same. We are in the and can certainly help part of any workplace, Midwest, where we all shop you do the same. Tej Dhawan you will find that Iowa at the same mall and live Partner, Mango Seed Investments has deep roots in its local within 15 minutes of each The community is highly schools, and oftentimes, other - it is very, very easy connected and can appear by networking within these and tempting to be the same. as impenetrable. However, in colleges, you are able to But if you stand out and offer real life, it isn’t impenetrable meet a lot of key decision- something different, someone and is quite open to new makers in the city. will take you up on that offer. ideas, thoughts and people.

60 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 61

Advice.indd 60 8/26/16 3:12 PM CHALLENGES YOU MIGHT FACE

Greg Edwards Creighton Cox Shannon Bielski President & CEO, Greater Business development leader, Senior legal counsel, DLL Des Moines Convention and Olsson Associates As a native Kansan, I initially Visitors Bureau Don’t expect the sale or found it hard to break into the Like many other communities, the contract immediately. “Iowa circle.” Many people it is somewhat difficult to Relationships take time, stay in Iowa or return to Iowa “break in” to the Des Moines and the strongest business (understandably) to raise a business community. relationships can grow family. They automatically from personal ones. have high school friends, Andrea Love college friends and an instant President, Love Scott & Drew McLellan network. Non-natives just Sally Dix Associates Marketing CEO, McLellan Marketing Group have to work a little harder. Executive director, Iowans are very loyal. A Many businesspeople in Bravo Greater Des Moines business can’t come in and Des Moines have lived Laura Douglas “Many business expect to be immediately here all their lives. They Provost, DMACC Urban Campus leaders have been embraced if there are have deep and long-lasting We came from the East others who have been here connections. Sometimes Coast, and my husband here for a while, so for a long time and have they forget how tough it is was so excited because he there is a sense of a good reputation. It’s to be the new kid on the heard that Midwesterners shared history that not impossible, but they block. So you will have to were so friendly. He thought can sometimes have to prove they provide be aggressively friendly, as we would get a lot of pies. something different or Disney calls it. You need to No pies came. No one feel exclusive. improved and then have extend yourself and infuse stopped by to say hello. So It isn’t (always) the customer service to yourself at first. But once we hosted an open house. intentional — it’s back it up. Word spreads people realize you’re new Everyone came out of fast, so a good first and that you’re trying to curiosity and it started great just the reality. impression is important! connect, they’re usually very relationships for us. Now Newcomers warm and welcoming. our neighbors are some of need to come Steve Zumbach our best friends. Don’t be in prepared to Attorney and shareholder, Chris Coleman afraid to take the first step in making relationships. respectfully ask Belin McCormick P.C. Member, Des Moines City Council questions about The biggest challenge for a Once you make the first newcomer is time allocation. move, it is hard to say no. Bob Riley references to It is easy for a newcomer to There are so many worthy Chairman, Riley Resource Group people, places, narrowly focus on their new causes, projects, events and Iowans love progress and events job. They may allocate all groups that many of our and hate change. Small of their time to interacting best “business” leaders are cliques of people like to that come up, with peers in their new quickly only “community” stay small, and it is hard so they can workplace and tackling the leaders. This is great for to get in. Whether it is a have important immediate issues that they our quality of life, but it is golf foursome, a running or background to were brought in to address. important to find a niche biking group, a poker club Leaders should invest the and hit it out of the park. or a work group, it is hard to inform the future.” time to develop a broad be added. Bring something viewpoint by understanding Emily Shields unique to the group, and it people and issues outside Executive director, will be appreciated. of their business. Iowa Campus Compact Iowa people are often less Jeanne Taylor Stephen Fry direct than cultures in other VP, EquiTrust Life Insurance CEO & Owner, Spindustry Group parts of the country — Iowa Many people come with Iowans tend to take a nice. This doesn’t always somewhat of a negative thoughtful approach to mean people are actually mindset — “I do not intend decision-making, which nice, but it does mean they to stay” — “This is just means decisions can take are nice to your face. Reading a stopover in my life” — longer than you’d anticipate. between the lines can be “Iowa just is not exciting Second, relationships run difficult, and knowing when enough” — “What, no deep in this town, so trying to speak directly and how to beach?” I would say having to get businesses to change couch things is important. an open mind to what they their vendors or partners can make of their time here can be difficult. is the greatest challenge.

60 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader. Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 61

Advice.indd 61 8/26/16 2:29 PM MISTAKES AND FAUX PAS TO AVOID

Greg Edwards Gerard D. Neugent Pat Martin President & CEO, CEO, Knapp Properties Inc. Counsel, Ahlers Cooney Law Firm HOW TO MAKE A DEAL Greater Des Moines Convention I have seen newcomers I think Des Moines has BY KENT DARR and Visitors Bureau from larger metropolitan an expectation of honest SENIOR STAFF WRITER Keep an open mind. Your areas underestimate the and ethical dealing, for Bill Knapp has been called ideas may be the best (in level of sophistication and the most part. This is a the king of the Greater Des your mind), but listen to business acumen found great advantage, but if Moines deal-makers, and others and remember, they in Des Moines. you haven’t had the great the key to his success is as have been invested in this fortune of coming from simple as making that first community for many years. Chris Sackett that background, you may telephone call. To Knapp’s Managing partner, mistake courteousness for mind, Greater Des Moines Christine Hensley BrownWinick Law Firm weakness, and that would is an accumulation of the be a mistake that may be Member, Des Moines City Council The Des Moines business most generous people on hard to overcome. Not understanding community, at least in my the planet, people who will the politics of issues experience, is competitive get behind a cause, giving and how best to move but civil; aggressive but Sally Dix it their moral and financial projects forward, and respectful; challenging Executive director, support — if it is good for not being respectful of but professional. The faux Bravo Greater Des Moines the entire community. But local corporations who pas that I have seen from We know people often come act fast. The more time have been players in the newcomers and longtime here with lower expectations that passes, the more community and made residents alike is an overly than we would like, but try that enthusiasm wanes, significant impact. aggressive business or not to demonstrate that your he said. Knapp said he negotiating style that borders expectations are so low that generally knows within 30 Brianne Fitzgerald on hostility. That sort of even little things impress you. days whether a fundraising campaign will be successful. Communications and approach works in other Whether it’s a development engagement officer, places but is not rewarded Steve Chapman deal or a fundraising effort, Volunteer Iowa in Des Moines. Also, Retired executive chairman, remember, while you are don’t take the leap unless I’ve seen people in Ruan Transportation building your relationships, you’re sold on the project. community leadership Never ask anyone else to be respectful of those that positions come into town contribute funds without already exist. You don’t and focus their energies first writing your own check. need to tear someone down only on their day-to-day to build yourself up in business, and not reach out this community. Suku Radia to others in the community CEO, Bankers Trust Co. to integrate themselves Do not let your ego get sooner. Don’t wait a year — Drew McLellan ahead of you. Don’t expect act sooner. CEO, McLellan Marketing Group to start at the top. You I’ve seen businesspeople will have to “earn” your come into Des Moines Tony Dickinson way there. In other words, from larger metros with an VP, marketing manager, be patient. Above all, arrogance that suggests they Wells Fargo Bank remember this is a small are smarter or better than the I never believe it is a good community. Learn to play The Real Deal: professionals here in Central idea to come from the well in the same sandbox! The Life of Bill Knapp Iowa. That attitude can outside and immediately tell Also, don’t hide behind the In 2013, Simpson College cost you a great deal. Don’t insiders all the things they corporate checkbook. You professor William Friedricks assume that this is the minor are doing wrong. Bold ideas should bear some personal wrote a book that chronicles leagues, because you’re going are great, and it is valuable financial responsibility. the personal history of Bill to be schooled very quickly. to share what has worked Knapp. The book provides in other markets. Initially, a window into the mind of Mary Kramer Bruce Hoium pick and choose your Vice president, Universal Printing the greatest deal-maker opportunities to share those President, Kramer & Associates Des Moines has ever seen. In a metro area of roughly a insights. Early on, you can I love to help people get You can read an excerpt half-million people, you are benefit from sharing your engaged, but not when their from the book, which much more apt to bump into perspectives when asked by expectation is I will get analyzes Knapp’s love of people you know than in a others, versus believing you them a job or otherwise help much larger city. Don’t get making big deals, have all the answers from make connections when I caught with your guard down and/or buy the book: the start. don’t know them — yet. in slippers and sweatpants. tinyurl.com/BillKnapp

62 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

Advice.indd 62 8/26/16 2:29 PM Are we missing something? Build it yourself New York transplant Zack Mannheimer shares how to plug in and get a bold idea done

Zack Mannheimer arrived in Des Moines in 2007. The 30-year-old Philadelphia native knew no one. After working seven years as the artistic director at a Brooklyn theater, he explored multiple cities around the country before eventually settling on Des Moines, where he hoped to use art as a catalyst to bring people with a wide range of ideas together. His I was excited by the open-door policy so many people had, but idea was to form what is now called the Des Moines Social Club. His idea surprised when it took longer for the community to embrace turned some heads — some the wrong way, possibly. Said Mannheimer innovation and change at the level I was used to. in a 2015 interview: “I was an unknown factor. Des Moines likes to take care of its own, and for the first two years, I was an unknown entity selling Q: As an outsider coming into the community, what was the hardest part an untested product in an unknown market in the worst economic times. about integrating? Everything was against this idea. It took two years of convincing everyone The hardest part about integrating was adopting the Midwest as who I was and that I was not the Music Man.” But he succeeded. He my new home. It’s been nearly nine years and it seems silly to think established the club in 2009, and by 2014 Mannheimer had put together about it now, but back then I was not open to change as much as I a powerhouse board, gotten investment and buy-in from the business and thought I was. Just as much as I wanted Des Moines to embrace me civic community, and was able to raise more than $8 million to renovate and my ideas, I needed to embrace theirs. It’s a cliched lesson, but and move the club into a historic downtown firehouse. The Social Club it was certainly true. And ultimately it made me a stronger person. now provides a point of gravity and a steady edgy drumbeat of arts and Q: What are some of Des Moines’ potential negatives, challenges or culture for the city. His success story provides lessons for any newcomer barriers that perhaps people coming from outside should be aware of? looking to make an impact. We asked Mannheimer — who is now helping I was told very specifically by several people to “get rid of the struggling rural Iowa communities find ways to spark activity, culture and New York” in my personality and the way I went about things. recreation after transitioning out of the top role at the Social Club at the I believe that they meant this positively, as they were trying to beginning of 2016 — to share his experience with fellow newcomers. help me navigate the community and believed they were offering — Chris Conetzkey, editor good advice, but it was a hard pill to swallow, being told that and understanding the connotations it contained. Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to new executives looking to be successful in the Greater Des Moines business community? Q: Any final thoughts you’d like to convey? Be aggressive, but slow your pace. The pace of relationship-building Des Moines is an amazing place to share your ideas with the in Des Moines takes longer than what I was used to on the East Coast. I world. The sooner the rest of the world picks up on this fact, the found this to be refreshing and beneficial once I learned to slow down. better. Des Moines is still considered exotic to larger cities in our Q: What actionable things could a new executive in town do to help country, mostly in the sense of “Des Moines? What goes on there?” jump-start the process of plugging in? We have done an excellent job at bringing back and retaining those Des Moines is very much a plug-and-play community. Nearly who grew up here, as well as growing our base. But there is another any person will meet you for coffee if you make a polite request; the metric we should be measured by. Twenty-somethings want to go off question is will they meet you a second time, and a third? Shared and see the world, regardless of where they grow up. That should introductions work here, but never underestimate that you may find be encouraged. The larger problem is: Why is Iowa not the world? the most value out of a cold call to the unlikeliest of sources. Where is the 20-something who grew up in Boston who, upon graduation, says, “I’m moving to Des Moines!” And not for a job Q: In comparison with other cities, what have you found the most or a relationship, but because Des Moines is exciting, engaging, surprising about the way the Des Moines business community operates? accepting and the epicenter of cultural and entrepreneurial activity. As much as Des Moines is open to new ideas and friendly, it Surely that is what we, and any other city, are aiming for. Let’s go takes time for the city to warm up to you if you are not Iowa-bred. achieve that.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 63

MannheimerQ&A.indd 63 8/26/16 2:30 PM Wisdom ... from 40 years of covering business BY DAVE ELBERT COLUMNIST | BUSINESS RECORD

About Dave Dave Elbert writes a weekly column for the Business Record. He worked for The Des Moines Register for 38 years, writing and editing local business news for 26 years before retiring in 2012. He has a passion for history and since leaving the Register has written histories of the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and the Bright Foundation and a biography of Des Moines businessman Gary Kirke. He is currently working on histories of Bankers Trust Co. and the Des Moines Vision Plan.

One of the things I was asked to do for newcomers is write a column of advice. I’ve never been much of an advice giver, in part because — and perhaps here’s my first piece of advice — I’ve learned to rarely be sure about anything. But history, a passion of mine, can so often provide guidance. So, here are a few lessons I’ve gleaned based on the changes and growth I’ve witnessed in Greater Des Moines during my 40-year career covering business and government for The Des Moines Register and the Business Record.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 65

DaveElbertAdvice.indd 64 8/26/16 2:33 PM Another project that took more than a decade to complete was the Principal Riverwalk, which faced a variety of obstacles that were overcome one at a time by virtue of steady leadership from the city and executives at Principal Financial Group. During the idea-collecting phase there were no dumb ideas. Suggestions Be Patient. Collaborate. to create a lake community by flooding The best advice I ever heard was Nothing of substance has been the area south of Meredith Corp., to “be patient.” A lot of people say that, accomplished in the downtown core design a single bridge to span both the but when Des Moines lawyer Steve during the past half-century without Des Moines and the Raccoon near Fleur Zumbach said it sometime in the mid- public-private partnerships. In Drive, and to cut back the Des Moines 1980s it caught my attention, probably fact, without a sharing of ideas and River banks to create a peninsula for City because of the situation. responsibilities, nothing gets done Hall were all taken under advisement. At the time, Zumbach was 37 or anywhere today. Only when all ideas are on the table 38 years old and participating in a Our modern downtown was launched is it time to begin a winnowing process. roundtable of 25 up-and-coming Iowans. in the late 1960s when a group of Up until then, there are no stupid ideas The discussion was about how baby businessmen led by John Fitzgibbon or questions. boomers had become accustomed to of the Iowa Des Moines National Bank instant gratification and didn’t like (now Wells Fargo) and Des Moines Prioritize Quality of Life. to wait for change. At the time, there Register publisher David Kruidenier One of the smartest things Des was a lull in downtown building, and decided to persuade J.C. Penney to Moines leaders ever did was to shift Zumbach made the point that our keep a downtown store. their development efforts from creating generation needed more patience. Their successful effort was the jobs to improving the quality of life. He was right, because activity result of a partnership between the It began in October 2000 when picked up a few years later and has business community and the city. Richard Florida, a so-called “new pretty much continued ever since. Business leaders created Des Moines economy” expert from Carnegie Mellon I thought about Zumbach’s comment Development Corp. to raise money to University, gave a speech to business often in the years that followed. Two buy land and build a new store that leaders at the Hotel Fort Des Moines. times in particular are worth mentioning. they leased to Penney, while the city “Companies don’t care about tax One was when local leaders were acquired an adjacent site, cleared the incentives anymore,” Florida said. assembling property for what is now land and built downtown’s first modern “They will go where the highly skilled the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Those parking garage and the first skywalk people are.” essential downtown blocks were home connecting it to the new Penney store. “Where people want to be will dictate to a shabby collection of radiator Such partnerships haven’t always who wins and who loses,” he said. shops, porn stores and other low-value worked. John Ruan tried for years to Local leaders embraced Florida’s businesses when city leaders agreed get state and federal governments to teachings and began focusing more in the mid-1990s to acquire them to join his grand plan to build a skyscraper intently than ever on bike trails and create a Western Gateway Park. World Trade Center here that focused on other forms of outdoor recreation. The The process of assembling the land agriculture. At one point Ruan even had performing and visual arts also got a shot took several years, and The Des Moines President George H.W. Bush considering in the arm, and plans were launched for Register became impatient. At one moving the Department of Agriculture a new library and science center. point, the newspaper ran a story about from Washington, D.C., to Des Moines. The best clue that a place “gets it,” how city and business leaders had But even when the Trade Center Florida said, is when companies offer driven out a bunch of small businesses fell through, lessons were learned. benefits to same-sex partners, which and had nothing to show for it but Ruan retooled the original plan and many of Des Moines’ largest companies weed-infested vacant lots. (Actually, successfully relaunched it when he do now but few did then. native prairie grasses were planted as and his son John Ruan III led the If you ever wonder why Des Moines a temporary ground cover, but that was effort to build a headquarters for the makes it to the top of so many “best of” not mentioned in the story.) World Food Prize. The result was a lists, it’s because of all of the above As we know, the park was finally stunning $30 million makeover of and one other thing. created, thanks to John and Mary the city’s 1899 library into the World Pappajohn agreeing to contribute $40 Food Prize Hall of Laureates museum Raise your hand. million worth of world-class sculptures. celebrating agriculture. Des Moines has a reputation as a The process took more than 15 years. community that’s open to new ideas For the most part, the same group of Brainstorm. from newcomers. The fact is you don’t leaders continued to hammer away at When brainstorming, keep an open have to have been born here or live here it until the park was completed. And mind. One reason the Des Moines Vision for decades before people will listen to in the years since, the area has been Plan was so successful in 1990-91 was your ideas. transformed by new corporate campuses, that it allowed anyone to throw ideas on All you have to do is show up, raise restaurants and businesses. the table. your hand and speak your mind.

Business Record Newcomer’s Guide 65

DaveElbertAdvice.indd 65 8/26/16 2:34 PM Invest in the next generation ... it’s expected

BY CONNIE WIMER - OWNER | BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS CORPORATION

About Connie Connie Wimer is the chairman and founder of Business Publications Corporation, the company responsible for publishing the Business Record and dsm Magazine. She has dedicated her life to filling needs in the Des Moines community, network of peer support. Senior leaders spend a great deal of their and her unique thumbprint has been imprinted on generations time speaking and participating in these programs. of leaders through the countless hours she’s devoted to The senior executives in Des Moines are well known for being mentoring newcomers and emerging leaders. accessible to almost anyone who wants to make an appointment. I bought into that open-door mindset a number of years ago and Many years ago I heard two senior business leaders expressing probably meet with three to five people a week, many of whom I concern about future leadership and philanthropy in Des Moines, have never met before. bemoaning the fact there weren’t any young people in the pipeline The rewards are immense, both for me personally and for the to take their place carrying the torch. community. My number one reward is the satisfaction of helping Des Moines is now known as home to an unusually large another person be more successful or more connected so they can number of ambitious, bright, giving young people. In my opinion better impact our community. And then, of course, you too are more it always has been, and I’ve always had faith in the strength of the connected at the end of the meeting. I’ve always mentored without next generation, but that hasn’t always been the belief an expectation of an immediate return of favor, but I’m always of the community. amazed when the investment of my time early in somebody’s career I realized many folks didn’t know about the plethora of talented is realized years later. young people who were eager to lead. And that is why almost two If you are a new executive in town, you will shortly be expected decades ago we created Forty Under 40 — our annual effort to to join that group and share your expertise with younger generations. highlight 40 emerging leaders under the age of 40 in order to make The pipeline of young leaders is full, but our work as a sure everyone is aware of the up-and-coming treasures we have in community investing in the next generation is a rewarding task that our community. never ends. Before we started the program, my early worry was that we might run out of nominees after a few years. But, in fact, the opposite has happened — each year we have more nominees than the prior 19 leadership development efforts year. Almost 200 young people were nominated in 2016, and the As Connie mentioned, the community has invested a great deal in judges said it was their most challenging year ever because of the developing future generations of leaders. Efforts such as the Greater increasing quality of the nominees. Des Moines Leadership Institute, Community Connect and Leadership The extra bump in recognition for these newly found leaders Iowa make up a list of 19 targeted leadership initiatives in the region gives them an even greater capacity to positively influence our that you can participate in or help by providing mentorship. Check community. And influence it they have. You’ll be sure to see past out the full list in the Book of Lists: tinyurl.com/LeadershipGroups honorees woven into every corner of Des Moines. The Des Moines community has also made an intentional effort to develop a number of really good leadership programs aimed at growing the next generations of leadership. In these programs, young leaders learn to lead and in the process build a wonderful

66 Plug in. Ramp up. Become a Des Moines Business Leader.

ConnieWimer.indd 66 8/26/16 9:01 AM PRIMARY CARE for every stage of life.

When it comes to your health, nothing is more important than ﬁ nding a primary care provider who understands you. A doctor who gets where you’re going, and helps you get more out of every stage of life. A doctor who does everything possible so you can live up to your highest potential.

At Mercy, we follow the highest standards in health care and are committed to helping you live life to the fullest. Our comprehensive primary care includes pediatrics, family medicine and internal medicine, with access to the largest multi-specialty clinic system in Iowa. Because at Mercy, better care is just around the corner.

GET MORE OUT OF YOUR HEALTH CARE WITH MERCY. FIND A DOCTOR NEAR YOU AT MERCYDESMOINES.ORG.

Untitled-3 1 9/20/16 12:25 PM Untitled-3 1 9/20/16 12:24 PM