(February 28, 2009) Brad Schoenfelder, vice president of development for Ryan Companies US, Inc's Des Moines office, was recognized as one of the Des Moines Business Record's 2009 40 Under Forty. The award is given to individuals "based on their achievements, leadership and community involvement."

Schoenfelder is new to Central Iowa. He recently relocated after ten years in the Ryan's Cedar Rapids location where he worked as a construction project manager and then a division manager. Schoenfelder has immediately made an impact in Des Moines with his work on some of the area's larger projects including the newest building on the downtown campus of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., The Iowa Clinic expansion in West Des Moines and the John Deere Credit and Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. offices, both in Johnston.

As noted in the article, published in the Business Record 's February 21 edition, Schoenfelder said,  ""I've never designed a thing in my life,' he said, but he knew he wanted to pursue a career in engineering. That field of study "gave me great fundamentals in terms of problem solving and dealing with technical situations," he said. 'Solving problems is 85 percent of what I do.'"

Schoenfelder is active in the Rotary Club of Des Moines, United Way of Central Iowa and Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity.

Previously, Schoenfelder worked for General Mills Inc. and Cargill Inc. He is a South Dakota native and a graduate of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where he received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.