J Barry Griswell

Prominent Des Moines philanthropist and businessman Barry Griswell died Friday June 5 2020, his family announced. He was 71. Griswell was the chairman and CEO of Principal Financial Group from 2000 to 2008, then led the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines in 2008 until he retired in 2013. Barry Griswell is survived by his wife, Michele Griswell, sons John and Michael Griswell, three brothers and two granddaughters. Griswell grew up without a father and had gotten into trouble before the Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta helped him to turn his life around. He eventually received a scholarship to play basketball at Berry College in Rome, Ga. He met the love of his life, Michele, there and discovered that he had a knack for business, which pushed him to get an MBA from Stetson University in Florida. He was honored in 2003 with the Horatio Alger Award for overcoming adversity to attain success. J. Barry Griswell had been a Director of the Company since 2001 and of Principal Life since 1998, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Principal Life since June of 2006. He was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Principal Life from 2002 until June of 2006.