2025 Iowa Business Hall of Fame
Registration for the 2025 Iowa Business Hall of Fame is now open. Please reach out to Anna Regole, aregole@downtownDSMUSA.com, with any questions.
MICHAEL J. GERDIN
Michael J. Gerdin is chairman and CEO of Heartland Express, one of the nation’s largest trucking companies. From Solon, Iowa, Gerdin began his career with Heartland Express as a teenager in 1983, washing trucks and working in the shop. Over the decades, he advanced through roles in operations, sales, safety and recruiting, building a deep understanding of every facet of the business.
Gerdin was elected to the Heartland Express board of directors in 1996 and was named president of the company in 2006 before becoming CEO and chairman in 2011. Under his leadership, Heartland Express has expanded its national footprint through multiple strategic acquisitions, including Gordon Trucking, Interstate Distributor, Millis Transfer, Smith Transport and CFI. The company has been publicly traded since 1986 and recently marked 40 years as a public company. Heartland Express has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s “Most Trusted Companies” in 2022 and 2024.
Gerdin earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Luther College. He serves on the board of directors and executive steering committee of the Iowa Motor Truck Association and on the College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council at Iowa State University. In 2025, the Gerdin Family Foundation was named National Philanthropist of the Year by Make-A-Wish America.
MICHAEL R. MCCOYMichael R. McCoy is chief executive officer of National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Company (NCMIC), where he has led the organization since 2017. Under McCoy’s leadership, NCMIC has achieved a dominant 60% market share in its core markets, grown assets to more than $1 billion and maintained an “A” (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best. He also guided the expansion of NCMIC’s finance subsidiary into a major revenue driver, positioning the company among the top payment processors in its peer group.
Beyond financial performance, McCoy has emphasized culture, inclusion and community impact. Since becoming CEO, he has launched a rotational leadership program, significantly expanded workforce diversity and grown NCMIC’s annual philanthropic giving to $1 million, supporting more than 150 organizations each year. NCMIC has been recognized as a Top Workplace in Iowa for seven consecutive years and has received numerous local and industry honors, including the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Inclusion Award.
Prior to joining NCMIC, McCoy spent more than a decade in executive leadership roles at Wells Fargo, most recently serving as president of Consumer Credit Cards. In that role, he oversaw $20 billion in assets, six million customers and more than 4,000 employees, leading the organization through the 2008 financial downturn and achieving record financial performance.
McCoy is deeply engaged in civic leadership and has served as chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, United Way of Central Iowa, Bravo Greater Des Moines and ChildServe, among other organizations. In December 2025, he received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Parker University.
KIRT A. WALKER
Kirt A. Walker is chief executive officer of Nationwide, a mutual insurance and financial services company serving individuals and businesses across the United States. He was elected CEO in 2019 and also serves on Nationwide’s board of directors and as chair of the Nationwide Foundation. Under Walker’s leadership, Nationwide has grown into the nation’s seventh-largest insurance company and ranks No. 72 on the Fortune 500.
Walker joined Nationwide in 1986 and spent more than three decades in leadership roles across the organization, including president and chief operating officer of Nationwide Financial and president of Nationwide Insurance. His leadership philosophy — centered on people, planning, performance and partnerships — has shaped Nationwide’s culture and long-term strategy.
A graduate of Iowa State University, Walker holds a bachelor’s degree in management and a master’s degree in leadership from The American College of Financial Services. He remains deeply connected to Iowa through service to Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business and past leadership roles with organizations including the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Grand View University.
Walker is also active in national and regional civic leadership, serving on boards focused on workforce development, healthcare and economic growth, including Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Institutes and the Columbus Partnership. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including Iowa State University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award and CEO of the Year recognitions in both Iowa and Ohio.
