With a few different turns throughout the years, Kevin Laraia, the new chief operating officer of ING Advisors Network, could have just as easily been on television standing in front of a huge map giving the five-day forecast. But he wasn’t passionate about meteorology, the trade the U.S. Air Force trained him to do. His passion was working with people, and even more important, providing a stable life for his family. Ask him today if he thinks he made the right choice, and he won’t hesitate to talk about how wonderful his 15 years in the Des Moines area have been, and how he would never dream of living anywhere else.

How did you come into your new position?

I’ve been with ING for eight years. I’ve been the chief operating officer for ING Financial Partners, which is one of ING [Groep NV’s] four broker dealers. I was just recently promoted to chief operating officer of the ING Advisors Network, which is the holding company over our four broker dealers.

Are you from the Des Moines area?

I grew up in New York and we moved here 15 years ago.

What brought you to Iowa?

A job. I worked at Principal Financial Group (Inc.) when I moved here. I graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and spent six years on active duty. When I decided to get a different job, my wife and I had friends in the Des Moines area, and I was lucky enough to get a job working as a broker at Principal. I did that for five years. I left Principal in 1997 to be a consultant with Capgemini for a couple of years. While with that company working on a project with ING, an opportunity came up to join the ING team.

What do you see as the company’s future in Des Moines?

ING has grown significantly. ING acquired Equitable of Iowa Cos. in 1997, and since then we’ve seen tremendous growth. ING is really committed to Des Moines. The staff is upwards of 1,200 employees now, and there is just a continued focus on the importance of Des Moines in the ING business. On a personal level, my family has had opportunities to relocate, but this is our home. We decided to stay here. We love the community, we love the Midwestern work ethic, the schools are great and we’ve made the commitment that this is where we are staying.

What is the best part of your job?

Maybe for me, the best part I’ve gotten to do is help create opportunities for our team. Creating new opportunities for them to grow and for their families to be able to grow as well. That’s really rewarding.

What is the biggest challenge in your new position?

ING is a big company. Broadening my horizons on all that ING has to offer in all the different products and growing myself to then put a vision and strategy together, that is probably the biggest challenge.

What was your first job?

I was a lieutenant in the Air Force and a weather officer. So when I graduated from the academy, they sent me to Texas A&M for a year to go to grad school and become a meteorologist.

What happened to your promising career as a meteorologist?

It was fun, but I really enjoyed the people part of meteorology much more than the meteorology part of meteorology. That’s why I enjoy what I do now, because this is all about people. On top of that, when my family was trying to settle down and I was looking for a job, that wouldn’t have been the most stable career field.

Where would we find you on the weekend?

You would definitely find me with my family. You might find me on the golf course. But mostly doing anything with the family.

Is golf your hobby?

Well, it’s my two teenage boys’ hobby, and I just kind of go along. I’d call it a hobby, because it’s definitely not a profession. Plus, it’s a great chance for the three of us to be together outdoors. So I guess I’d call that a hobby.

What is the best advice that you’ve been given?

Life is short. Enjoy what you’re doing, and if you’re not, do something else that you do enjoy. That’s why I’ve been so fortunate here, because I just really enjoy what I’m doing.