Principal Financial names new president

An Iowa native who grew up in Houston, Texas, has been named president and chief operating officer of the Principal Financial Group.

Daniel Houston joined the Des Moines-based financial services provider in 1984 as a sales representative in the company's Dallas, Texas, office. Houston was named executive vice president in 2006, president of retirement and investor services in 2008, and president of retirement, insurance and financial services in 2009.

Houston, a 1984 graduate of Iowa State University, will oversee all global businesses including Principal Global Investors, Principal International, Retirement and Investor Services, and U.S. Insurance Solutions.

Larry Zimpleman continues as chairman and chief executive officer of Principal Financial. Zimpleman will continue to oversee the company's growth strategy, capital management and deployment, and corporate functions.

'The Principal has seen strong growth since the financial crisis due to our global investment management strategy, solid execution and great people. Dan has played an integral role in shaping and executing that strategy,” Zimpleman said.

'In Dan's 30-year career at the Principal, he has been on the ground in the field, managed numerous businesses, and helped lead the transformation of the Principal to a global investment management leader, all which will give him a clear view of where we've been and where this organization will go in the future.”

Houston, who has been elected to Principal's board of directors, is active on a number of boards including the Partnership for a Healthier America, Employee Benefits Research Institute, America's Health Insurance Plans, United Way of Central Iowa, Mercy Medical Center and the Iowa State University Business School Dean's Advisory Council.

l Comments: (319) 398-8366; george.ford@thegazette.com