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Daniel Houston

Executive Chairman, Principal Financial Group

Search every verified Daniel Houston interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Dan Houston, retired chairman, president, and CEO of Principal Financial Group, was honored as a recipient of the 2026 Iowa State University Distinguished Alumni Award. During the ceremony, Houston reflected on his 40-year career at Principal Financial, which he joined after graduating from Iowa State with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He credited his wife, Joni, for her support and noted that his leadership helped provide stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Houston also discussed his ongoing involvement with the university, including serving on hiring committees for campus leaders and chairing the Ivy College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council. He highlighted the establishment of a professional sales suite at the business school, which he said was created to improve sales skills among students. Houston also shared a personal anecdote about receiving in-state tuition from a university administrator who asked him to “do something good for Iowa someday.” He stated that he chose to work at Principal Financial Group in Iowa over job offers in Georgia and Ohio. Houston has been recognized with numerous business leadership awards and is a member of the Iowa Business Hall of Fame and the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame.

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