Biography

Director Since: 2014

Committees: Executive (Chair)

Career Highlights: Mr. Houston is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Principal Life Insurance Company. He served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Principal Life Insurance Company, from 2015 to August 2024.  He served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 2014 to 2015.

Mr. Houston joined the Company in 1984 and has served in various executive leadership roles, including serving as President, Retirement, Insurance and Financial Services of the Company and Principal Life Insurance Company.

Mr. Houston is past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Council of Life Insurers and also serves on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Business Council, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Employee Benefits Research Institute, Iowa State University Business School Dean’s Advisory Council, Partnership for a Healthier America, and Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines.

Key Skills and Qualifications: Mr. Houston brings to the Board extensive executive leadership and operational expertise, global awareness, and deep talent leadership skills through his experience of leading a large global financial services public company, including leading the Company’s transformation to a global investment management leader.

Education: Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University.

Other Public Company Boards: ADT Inc.; Arch Capital Group Ltd.