Biography

Rick Tollakson has led Hubbell Realty Company—and its many subsidiaries—since joining the firm in 1984 and being elevated to President and CEO in 2004. As CEO, he oversees the strategic direction of Hubbell’s diverse portfolio, which includes homebuilding (Hubbell Homes, Origin Homes, Embarq Signature Homes, The Home Company), property and commercial management (Indigo Living, Highmark Senior Living, Association Management), land and multifamily development, construction services, land and title operations, investor services, and an affiliated golf operation.

Under Rick’s leadership, Hubbell has completed a series of ambitious community-focused “Extreme Build” projects. These have included a new home built on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in 2006, the “9 Homes for 9 Families in 9 Days” initiative for Anawim Housing in 2009, the construction of Camp Sunnyside Cabins in 2013, the rapid rebuild of the Ronald McDonald House of Central Iowa in 2017, a child development center at Easterseals Iowa in 2021, and most recently, two family homes at the On With Life rehabilitation facility in Ankeny in 2024.

Rick earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University in 1976 and an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1982. He received his Professional Engineer license in 1980 (currently inactive). He is an alumnus of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute (Class of 1992) and a graduate of Leadership Iowa.

He is active in numerous civic and professional organizations, including the Central Iowa Water Trails Advisory Committee, Des Moines’ PlanDSM Committee, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa (Honorary Board). Rick is a member of the Urban Land Institute, NAIOP Entrepreneurial Investment & Development Forum, the National Association of Homebuilders Builder 20 group, and the Greater Des Moines Committee, among others.

His leadership and impact have earned him numerous accolades. He was named the 2016 Commercial Real Estate Professional of the Year by the Des Moines Business Record and Executive of the Year by Executive Women International, Des Moines. He received the 2017 APA Planning Advocate Award, the 2018 National Planning Excellence Award from the APA, the 2018 Business Award from the Iowa Environmental Council, the 2017 John Bosley Leadership Award from the National Association of Regional Councils, and the 2018 A. Arthur Davis Distinguished Community Leadership Award from the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute. Rick was also honored as Iowa State University’s Outstanding Young Alumnus. Most recently, he was inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in 2023 and the Iowa State University Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering Hall of Fame in 2024.

Rick Tollakson brings a rare combination of engineering precision, strategic vision, and community-focused leadership—having grown Hubbell from regional development roots into one of the Midwest’s most prominent real estate and construction enterprises, all while championing transformative civic projects that enhance quality of life across Iowa.