Principal Chief Information and Digital Officer to Retire

Gary Scholten to leave Principal after 39 years of service

Gary Scholten to leave Principal after 39 years of service (Photo: Business Wire).

DES MOINES, Iowa--()--The Principal Financial Group® today announced Gary Scholten, executive vice president, chief information officer and chief digital officer has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31, 2019. He reports to Dan Houston, chairman, president and CEO of Principal®.

“We greatly appreciate Gary’s dedication and commitment to Principal over his career,” said Houston. “He has been an invaluable member on our executive management team. Gary has successfully led our technology strategy, innovation and information security across the company—helping us create a better and more secure experience for our customers.”

Scholten joined Principal in 1980 and has overseen the company’s use of information technology since 2002. He was named executive vice president in 2014 and became the chief digital officer in 2017. Scholten also oversees global sourcing and leads our offshore resourcing, Principal Global Services in Pune, India, which has become a critical source of talent and innovation for all Principal businesses.

Throughout his career, Scholten has been a champion for inclusion—not only leading a diverse workforce, but by being a part of our African America/Black Employee Resource Group for 10 years and chairing our Diversity Council for the past seven years.

“He has a passion for people and understands it’s through a wide variety of experiences, perspectives and backgrounds that we fully maximize our potential as a company and best serve the diverse needs of our customers around the world,” Houston added.

Scholten has also served as the chairman of the board for the Technology Association of Iowa. In 2011, he was appointed to serve on the Iowa Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council, and joined the group’s executive committee in 2013.

An internal and external global search for Scholten’s replacement is currently underway.

About Principal®
Principal helps people and companies around the world build, protect and advance their financial well-being through retirement, insurance and asset management solutions that fit their lives. Our employees are passionate about helping clients of all income and portfolio sizes achieve their goals – offering innovative ideas, investment expertise and real-life solutions to make financial progress possible. To find out more, visit us at principal.com.

Principal, Principal and symbol design and Principal Financial Group are trademarks and service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.

Contacts

Media Contact: Erica Jensen, 515-362-0482, jensen.erica@principal.com

Investor Contact: John Egan, 515-235-9500, egan.john@principal.com

Release Summary

Gary Scholten, EVP, chief information officer and chief digital officer at Principal, has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31, 2019.

Contacts

Media Contact: Erica Jensen, 515-362-0482, jensen.erica@principal.com

Investor Contact: John Egan, 515-235-9500, egan.john@principal.com