A thirst for success drives many businessmen, but Suku Radia’s motivation comes from wanting to be a good husband, father and contributor to his community.

Radia, a 1974 graduate of Iowa State University, currently serves as the CEO of Bankers Trust. A native of Uganda, Radia moved to the United States to go to college. He graduated after only two and a half years and has become a prominent figure in Des Moines and Iowa.

In 2010, he was named to the Iowa Business Hall of Fame, which honors the achievements of Iowans who have made outstanding contributions to the development and enhancement of Iowa’s business climate, according to its website.

While Radia was attending school, his family was evicted from Uganda and had to seek political asylum in the United Kingdom. He rushed to finish school because he could not afford to stay for the traditional four years.

“I graduated with $4.87 to my name, so I was very grateful that I wasn’t driving anywhere past Des Moines or I would have run out of gas money,” Radia said.

While he might joke about not having the money to leave Iowa, it was the helpful and kind people who led him to plant his roots here in Iowa.

“Iowans tend to be very decent and kind people, and I found that after my family’s eviction,” Radia said. “The faculty and everybody really were very generous with their time and they were sympathetic and understanding, and all of that helped me tremendously and that is something that you don’t forget.”

The kindness that Radia felt in his first years in Iowa instilled a sense of community and indebtedness to the people of Iowa. These feelings have led to Radia staying in Des Moines.

“I transplanted myself into Iowa and this is home,” Radia said. “Now I have been very involved in the community and I try very hard to make a difference, and you hope that along the way you have made a difference. I have a tremendous sense of obligation to pay my civic rent, and so that is what I do.”

Radia contributes to his community in more ways than just banking. He serves on multiple boards in Iowa, including the executive committee for United Way of Central Iowa. He is also a member of board leadership for the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, according to their respective websites.

Radia has plans to retire from his CEO position at the end of the year but will continue serving the community as well as possibly becoming a teacher.

“My goal will be to continue to invest in myself, and therefore I am seriously considering some opportunities to teach in MBA programs about governance, leadership, ethics,” Radia said.

Whatever path he goes on, Radia doesn’t worry about his career, because he wants to be remembered by his other contributions.

“I want to be remembered as a good husband, I want to be remembered as a good father and I want to be remembered as a person who genuinely cared about his community,” Radia said. “… And my view is that if you take care of the first three, then the career will take care of itself.”