SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Investment management company Principal Financial Group Inc announced on Monday it has tapped Robert van Dijk as its chief executive officer in Brazil as it looks to strengthen its footprint in Latin America’s largest economy. U.S.-based Principal has operated since 1999 in Brazil, where it owns asset manager Claritas Investimentos and a stake in pension plan provider Brasilprev, a joint venture with state-run lender Banco do Brasil SA. Earlier this year, it hired former Brasilprev executive Nelson Katz as its chief operating officer in the country. Principal’s chief exec…