United Way of Central Iowa has selected Suku Radia, CEO of Bankers Trust Co., to lead its 2009 fund-raising campaign.

Radia has announced a campaign goal of $25.1 million, a $100,000 increase from the record $25 million raised last year.

Radia, who has volunteered for United Way for the past 30 years and is one of the organization’s leading contributors, said he’s confident in Greater Des Moines’ ability to meet this year’s challenge.

“Leading up to this campaign, I have had the opportunity to meet with leaders from across the community,” he said in a press release. “They are keenly interested in United Way’s ability to provide solutions to the challenges of the past year. … With many families in our community in crisis, United Way of Central Iowa believes 2009 is the right time to plan big, propose innovative solutions and inspire everyone to act,” Radia said.

Central Iowa has one of the fastest-growing United Way campaigns in the country, with contributions increasing 68 percent over the past eight years, and the community ranks in the top three nationally for per-capita giving.

The campaign officially kicks off in mid-September, preceded by a pre-campaign led by 14 selected Pacesetter organizations.