After 10 years of leading the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, Johnny Danos will retire from the position of president effective July 1. Today, the Community Foundation board of directors elected Principal Financial Group Inc. Chairman and CEO J. Barry Griswell to succeed Danos.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to combine my passion for charitable giving and philanthropy with my passion for this community,” said Griswell, in a release. “Des Moines adopted my family and me more than 20 years ago when we were newcomers. Now it is home and I am excited to continue to be involved in making Des Moines an even better place to live, work and play through the Community Foundation’s outstanding work.”

Griswell will join the Community Foundation as president-elect on July 1, where he will serve as acting president on a volunteer basis until coming on full time starting Jan. 1, 2009. Danos will continue to be involved with the foundation until the end of the year, serving as past president and consultant.

When Danos joined the Community Foundation on Jan. 1, 1999, the donor-driven public charity had $19 million in assets under management. It now manages assets in excess of $180 million, administers more than 520 charitable funds and granted a record-breaking $26 million in 2007.

“Johnny took us from the minor league to the majors,” said G. David Hurd, board chair of the Community Foundation, in a release. “His leadership, credibility, passion for philanthropy and advocacy work positioned the Community Foundation for success.”

“We are thrilled that Barry Griswell said ‘yes’ to this opportunity to serve,” he added. “Barry is a proven community and business leader with tremendous experience and expertise in financial services combined with a personal focus on improving the quality of life for others.”