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After graduating with a double major in theater and communications from the University of Iowa, Michael Hornaday moved to Los Angeles for about eight years to pursue acting work. Then in 2001, he returned to find a career in marketing and customer service. Now the Indianola native is bringing this experience to Red 5 Interactive to help expand the Web site development company and move it into video gaming and entertainment.

How long have you been in this role?

I’ve been in this role for four or five months. I’ve known Bob (Dooley, the owner) for a long time, but the reason why he hired me was I come from a film and television background. What’s happening in the Web world is everything you see on TV and everything that’s going on commercial-wise or film-wise is all moving to the Web. People want video on their site now. They want to have tutorial videos, introductory commercials, and more interaction with their customers. I’ve always loved that side of the business, but I’ve always been the kind of a person who’s been fascinated with computers and design. So it goes hand in hand. I also know the people in that industry, how to hire them and I know all the freelancers.

What brought you back to Des Moines?

I started getting roles on TV shows, small roles. Other people that are from here locally all said the same thing, and luckily I heard their stories before I did it. They all said, “I can get those two or three lines on this TV show, but it’s breaking into that next level.” Once you’ve established yourself as this soap opera-commercial-sitcom guy, how do you break into that next level, because most people want to be film actors. I asked myself, “Am I devoted enough to spend another 10 years to try to break into that next level?” And my dad got cancer, so I moved back. That was the best decision I ever made.

Were you making a living at acting?

I was doing all kinds of stuff, from selling ball bearings to doing contracting to waiting tables, bartending. The acting was a very small part.

Did you go directly to working with dhg Communications when you returned?

I was with dhg last year. Before that, I was with West End Architectural Salvage. Don (Short) started that company back in 2005 and I helped him start it. I didn’t put up any collateral, but I put up his Web site. I was basically his marketing guy.

What are you focusing on in this new role?

I play a lot of golf and take people out and work on connections. There are two things Red 5 wants to do. We want to get more into the video-gaming industry and the entertainment industry. Our bread and butter is banking, insurance and malls. So we know about the Midwest American stuff. We’ve also have done a lot of Flash games for sites, like we did ConAgra (Foods Inc.)’s promotion for the movie “Madagascar.” We’re trying to get involved with more agencies that need our services to do Flash games. We’d like to ultimately be a Web design company but also design video games for the Web.

What’s one achievement that stands out in your career?

I’ve not had extreme success in anything. But I’ve always felt like I had a knack for marketing and understanding what the customer wants. I guess when it comes down to it, my dad was a plumber for 50 years; he was in customer service. I’ve always ended up in some sort of customer service role. So I guess I understand how to serve people.

What do you like to do for fun?

I play a lot of tennis. I garden and like working in the yard. I like going to new restaurants, too.

What do you like most about being back in Des Moines?

I like that there’s no big hurry and people are pleasant and it’s quiet. But there’s stuff going on. It’s not boring.

What’s one thing you can’t leave home without?

My iPhone.