Looks like he was trying to build affordable housing in DesMoines
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/whitakers-unusual-path-to-justice-department-included-owning-day-care-center-trailer-maker-and-concrete-supplier/2018/11/14/e71cbba0-e6b5-11e8-bd89-eecf3b178206_story.html