Faith and a love for people drive Joe Stopulos to work hard and give back to the community. 

The Davenport native joined Holmes Murphy & Associates Inc. in 2008 as an account executive and has distinguished himself as much in growing his book of sales business as he has in engaging as a leader in Greater Des Moines. 

“I’m a devout Catholic; that really drives my work ethic and giving back to the community,” he said. “I’ve been blessed with a good community and a good job, so I want to use my time and talents to give back to others.” 

Many of his volunteer activities center around church activities, both at the diocese level as well as with his parish. 

He serves on the boards of Man-Up Des Moines, a group that brings together Catholic men to grow in their faith through monthly events, as well as the board of Iowa Catholic Men’s Conference.   

He enjoys playing the piano, both at his church and in bands as well as occasionally at some youth concerts or for his Rotary club. “I just love it – I’ve been playing since about first grade. I play a lot whenever I can get around a nice piano; it’s really become a part of me.” 

Stopulos’ penchant for leadership became apparent immediately upon his move to Des Moines. After discovering there wasn’t an alumni group for his alma mater, Marquette University, he organized the Des Moines Marquette Alumni Club. 

“It is initiative like this that showed me was going to be a positive force in the community,” wrote Doug Reichardt, chairman emeritus of Holmes Murphy, who Stopulos counts as a mentor, along with another Holmes Murphy executive, Steve Flood. 

Stopulos credits his mentors with modeling a good work-life-volunteer balance that he’s been able to emulate. And of course,” I couldn’t do what I do without a great spouse helping me along the way,” he said. He and his wife, Kristin, have two children – Rachel, 2, and James, 4 months. 

Reasons he’s a forty:

• For the past two years, he qualified for the President’s Sales Meeting, Holmes Murphy’s highest sales honor, and was the youngest qualifier in 2013. 
• He’s an alumnus of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2012.
• He served as president of the Bull Moose Club from 2010 to 2013 and currently serves as a board member. 
• He has volunteered for several years with Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa and the United Way Read to Learn campaign.