2024 Forty Under 40: Daniel Brown

Each year, the Corridor Business Journal shines a spotlight on young professionals who have made a meaningful impact on the region early in their careers. We are proud to introduce you to the 20th class of Forty Under 40 honorees, chosen by a committee of past honorees.

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Daniel Brown Chief Financial Officer | Acterra Group Age: 35

Family: Wife, Samantha; son, Henry and daughter, Olivia

Residence: North Liberty, Iowa

Hometown: Ames, Iowa

Education: University of Iowa — Bachelor of Business Administration  and Master of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting.

Who do you consider your local mentors? Robert Brown – Dad Aaron Westrick – former CFO, Ruffalo Noel Levitz

Best advice you ever received? The best advice I ever received was simple but powerful: good things happen to good people, and maintaining a positive attitude is key to making that a reality. It’s easy to get caught up in the challenges and setbacks of life, but this advice reminded me that how you carry yourself and treat others plays a huge role in your success and happiness. By living with integrity, staying optimistic, and focusing on the positive — even when things get tough — you create opportunities for good things to come your way.

What do you consider your "big break" in your career, so far? My biggest career break came when the CFO of Ruffalo Noel Levitz hired me as the company's controller. At the time, I was an audit manager with no direct experience as a controller or in corporate finance, especially compared to other candidates with years of relevant experience. Despite this, the CFO saw something in me beyond just qualifications—she recognized my positive energy, internal drive, and willingness to learn quickly. In her words, she decided to take a gamble on me. I like to think her gamble paid off. When she later had to step away from her CFO role and the company went through a series of leadership changes, I found myself in a position to step up and help guide the company through some complex and challenging situations. This experience ultimately gave me the skillset and confidence to accept a CFO role just three years later. I owe much of my career growth to her ability to look beyond a resume and focus on character and potential for growth. What would most people be surprised to learn about you? People might be surprised to learn that I can ride a unicycle! My brother taught me back in grade school, and, much like riding a bike, it’s a skill that sticks with you for life. Even though I don’t use it every day, I can still hop on and ride whenever the chance arises. What I love most about it is how unique the skill is—it’s a fun way to stand out, and I fully embrace the bit of "weirdo" that comes with the territory. What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor, and why? One of the biggest issues facing our corridor is how we manage the tremendous growth we're experiencing. Growth is a double-edged sword—while it brings opportunities for economic expansion and cultural enrichment, it also presents challenges that need to be carefully addressed. I've witnessed these dynamics both professionally and personally, and I believe that as our communities continue to expand in population and geography, it's critical that we do so with intentionality and foresight. To ensure that growth benefits everyone, we must focus on building the necessary infrastructure to support it. This includes expanding public transportation options, improving roadways, and investing in alternative transportation like bike trails and pedestrian paths. These projects are not just about getting people from place to place; they are about ensuring that our communities remain accessible and sustainable as they grow. Equally important is supporting small businesses and organizations that add to the character and vibrancy of our towns. These local enterprises are the lifeblood of our community, making it a desirable place to live and work. By encouraging investment in these businesses, we can ensure that growth brings not just economic opportunity but also preserves the unique culture that has made our region attractive in the first place. Lastly, it’s essential that we stay true to our roots. Growth should not come at the expense of the values and qualities that drew people here to begin with—our strong sense of community, our connection to nature, and our focus on quality of life. As we grow, we must continue to prioritize inclusivity, environmental stewardship, and thoughtful urban planning. By doing so, we can build a future where growth enhances rather than disrupts the things we hold dear. If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? If I had $1 million to give, I would focus on three causes that are deeply meaningful to me: promoting cycling, advancing financial literacy, and fostering global connections. First, I would invest in initiatives that promote cycling as a sustainable and accessible mode of transportation. Cycling not only improves personal health and well-being but also helps combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions and easing traffic congestion. I would direct funds toward developing bike-friendly infrastructure, such as trails, lanes, and community programs, to make cities more accessible, environmentally conscious, and healthier places to live. Second, I am passionate about improving financial literacy. Despite our country's strong educational system and the increasing number of people earning college degrees, there remains a concerning gap in financial knowledge. Many individuals lack the basic understanding of budgeting, saving, and investing, which are crucial for long-term financial stability. I would fund comprehensive financial literacy programs, starting from a young age, to empower people with the skills needed to take control of their financial futures. A well-rounded financial education is essential not only for individual success but also for building stronger, more resilient communities. Finally, I would support organizations that foster global connections and cultural exchanges, such as those within the Global Ties program. In today's interconnected world, building relationships across cultures is more important than ever for promoting understanding, diplomacy, and collaboration. Yet, in a time when social media often amplifies division, it’s vital to create real opportunities for people to come together and connect. I would allocate part of the funds to support grassroots programs that encourage cultural exchange, promote diplomacy, and bring individuals from different backgrounds together to learn from one another. Through these three areas—cycling, financial literacy, and global connections—I believe we can build healthier, more empowered, and more united communities, both locally and globally. What are your passions outside of the workplace? Outside of work, I love staying active with my wife and our two kids, who are 4 and 6 years old. We enjoy spending time together with outdoor activities and participating in community events. I’m also passionate about endurance sports. Although I race less frequently since becoming a parent, I still take part in a few events each year, such as the Pigman Triathlon in Cedar Rapids and the Core4 Gravel Bike Race in Iowa City. On my more creative side, I dabble in beer brewing and baking sourdough bread. However, I'm usually better at consuming these goods rather than making them myself. Within the community you'll usually find me indulging in places such as Field Day Brewing or Breadworthy Bakery, two of my favorite places to consume good beer and pastries, respectively. Both activities allow me to experiment and relax, whether I'm creating or consuming. What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? I’d say one thing people should know about my generation in the workplace is that we’re adaptable and value balance. Many of us grew up witnessing rapid technological changes and shifts in how work gets done, so we’re comfortable navigating new tools and processes. We’re also highly driven but understand the importance of balancing career success with personal fulfillment. My generation values purpose-driven work and flexibility, and we recognize that success doesn’t just come from working long hours, but from being innovative, collaborative, and mindful of our well-being. This balance ultimately leads to more sustainable productivity and stronger team dynamics.

What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? For a long time, I believed that the key to success was working as hard as I could as early as possible, with the goal of retiring young and enjoying life later. But one of my mentors offered me a valuable piece of advice: embrace the present and don’t wait for retirement to live your life fully. That perspective shifted my thinking.

Rather than postponing everything for the future, I’ve realized the importance of taking time now to pursue meaningful experiences. Maybe that means tackling a bucket list item while I’m 45 instead of waiting until I’m 65. Or perhaps it’s taking a career break to pursue a passion project or spending more time coaching my kids' sports teams.

By the time I’m 50, I hope I can look back and say that I made the most of every stage of life. That I didn’t put all my dreams and personal ambitions on hold, but found a balance between working hard, being successful, and making time for the things that matter along the way. Even though an early retirement might sound appealing, I want to feel fulfilled by the journey, not just the destination.