Rick Tollakson has led Hubbell Realty Company and its subsidiaries since 1984, becoming President and CEO in 2004. He oversees a broad portfolio spanning homebuilding, property management, land and multifamily development, construction services, title operations, investor services, and a golf enterprise.
Under his leadership, Hubbell has completed multiple high-impact “Extreme Build” projects, including the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build (2006), “9 Homes for 9 Families in 9 Days” (2009), Camp Sunnyside Cabins (2013), the Ronald McDonald House rebuild (2017), an Easterseals child development center (2021), and two On With Life family homes (2024).
Rick holds a B.S. in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Iowa. He is a graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and Leadership Iowa and previously held his Professional Engineer license.
He is active in organizations such as the Central Iowa Water Trails Advisory Committee, PlanDSM, Big Brothers Big Sisters (Honorary Board), ULI, NAIOP, the National Association of Homebuilders Builder 20 group, and the Greater Des Moines Committee.
Rick’s leadership has earned numerous honors, including Commercial Real Estate Professional of the Year (2016), Executive of the Year by Executive Women International, APA Planning Advocate Award (2017), APA National Planning Excellence Award (2018), Iowa Environmental Council Business Award (2018), and the NARC John Bosley Leadership Award. He was inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in 2023 and Iowa State University’s Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering Hall of Fame in 2024.
He is recognized for combining engineering insight, strategic leadership, and community impact—growing Hubbell into one of the Midwest’s leading real estate and construction organizations while championing transformative civic projects across Iowa.