.bodytext {float: left; } .floatimg-left-hort { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right: 10px; width:300px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 10px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} John Aschenbrenner, president of insurance and financial services at Principal Financial Group Inc., has seen a lot of changes in his 35 years in Des Moines. But one of the things he’s most excited about is the change he has seen at United Way of Central Iowa, and as the recently elected chairman of the United Way board of directors, he’s happy he can be in the middle of it all.

Why did you first get involved with United Way?

I’ve always tried to be involved in some way in the community. I also try not to get myself spread too thin. It just felt like United Way is a huge positive in Des Moines and I thought it would be a good way to give back a little bit.

What goals do you have for the organization?

I’m excited about the transition United Way is going through. They’ve had tremendous success in raising dollars, and this community is really great about stepping up when there are needs. But they are going through a transition. Many people are used to looking at United Way as an organization that only raises money and gives to other organizations. One of the areas of transition is what we call community impact. So, as opposed to just giving [money] to other agencies, United Way is becoming much more involved in analyzing the needs of a community and what we can do to meet those needs, such as getting people involved.

Another area we’re getting much more involved in is advocacy. For the first time that I can remember, United Way got involved in lobbying the federal government to get more dollars into the [State Children’s Health Insurance Program] to help Iowa and other states provide medical insurance for children. I think United Way is extremely successful in Central Iowa, but it is definitely a different organization today than it was 10 years ago. I’m just excited about being part of that.

Are you from Central Iowa?

I’m originally from Iowa City, but I’ve been in the Des Moines area for about 35 years. After I graduated, I came to what was then Bankers Life [Co.]. I’ve been here ever since. I experienced my 35th anniversary at Principal last month. I was an actuarial student working in individual life when I first started.

What kept you with Principal all these years?

I think it was the people and the culture. I enjoyed what I was doing and there were always opportunities. It kind of sneaks up on you. On a day-to-day, month-to-month basis, you don’t notice it. But then you look back five years or 10 years and it’s just incredible. I’m probably most proud of the success Principal has had in doing things the right way and how much it has contributed to the community over the years.

All the pictures on your wall are of horses. Is showing horses a hobby?

Yes. It started as a family activity. I guess a lot of my time outside work is family related. My daughters got us started in horses, and it has just ballooned to now the entire family is involved. It’s a hobby and a way to keep doing things as a family. We compete, the kids much more than my wife and I do.

How many horses do you own?

I don’t know for sure. I think it’s 10, but I know there is one due to be born. Four of them are our personal horses that we ride on a regular basis and compete with. The others are for breeding.

Where would we find you on the weekend?

You might find me at a horse show. Or you might find me fishing. That’s my other major hobby.

Do you have a big fish story?

Probably my biggest story would have been my son’s story. I don’t know that I ever thought I’d get more excited about a fish somebody else caught than one I caught. He was 8 and a half when he caught a 10-pound walleye about 30 inches long.

What was your first job?

Probably the first buck I ever earned was [when I was] really young and they were replacing sidewalks in our neighborhood and so I would go to the grocery store, buy bottles of pop, put them in my little red wagon and sell them to all the construction workers.

What is the best part about what you do?

All the different experiences. The next day is never the same as the last.

What is the worst part?

Not enough time to do everything.