For the past 20 years, the Business Record has celebrated Forty Under 40. The honor has long recognized up-and-coming business leaders and the powerful impact young professionals make in Greater Des Moines.

Kyle Mertz, Class of 2010
Principal, benefits adviser, TrueNorth Cos.

What’s one of your accomplishments you are most proud of, and why?

One of the things I’m most proud of is the part I play helping build our TrueNorth team and culture, and executing our growth strategies in Central Iowa. Since 2012, we have quadrupled the size of our firm in Central Iowa by delivering a consistent client experience, seeking out right-fit clients and attracting high-performing talent to join our team.

What’s one experience that helped you become a better professional?

Many people at TrueNorth utilize Strategic Coach for professional development. One topic we leverage is creating your “ideal week,” by leveraging free days, focus days and buffer days. Free days are 24-hour periods where you don’t engage in any business-related thinking, focus days are for activities that create results for your business, and buffer days are for the details that would otherwise distract your attention on a focus day. This structure has allowed me to be more efficient and focused.

What’s one of your everyday habits that helps you be successful?

I have learned to be consistent with my morning and evening rituals. For me, that includes a morning workout routine, breakfast and a short period of time reading. This helps provide energy and focus for the day. I’ve also started journaling before I finish the workday, which allows me to focus on my family after work.

Class of 2010

• Tucker Anderson
• Kimberly Baeth
• Rebecca Batcheller
• Edye Beckerman
• Lauren Burt
• Jared Clauss
• Holly Clifton
• Creighton Cox
• Tyler Dingel
• Drew Engebrecht
• Ryan Fick
• Jay Fogarty
• Jennifer Glover Konfrst
• Jill Goedken
• Karen Goldsworth
• Jami Haberl
• Emily Hajek
• Karen Hallagin
• Cory Hart
• Sara Herman
• Heather Holst McDermott
• Matt Homan
• Heather Hughes
• Alexander Johnson
• Michelle Lange
• Kyle Mertz
• Andy Moffitt
• Mollie Pawlosky
• Donni Popejoy
• Braxton Pulley
• Timothy Quick
• Heather Riley
• Tim Rittgers
• Anthony Rodari
• Lori SchraderBachar
• Stu Sorrel
• Christopher Stafford
• Russ Trimble
• Stacy Van Loon
• Mary Zambreno