Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) - The Voice of Iowa Business since 1903

Since 1903, ABI has provided critical leadership in shaping Iowa's business climate. Working with the legislature and executive branch, ABI is the leading organization behind some of Iowa's landmark pro-business legislation. With two full-time lobbyists actively defending and fighting for Iowa's business climate, ABI members have a voice at the State Capitol in everything that happens. ABI members also gain exclusive access to the legislative process and the key decision makers on the hill.

For additional information contact:

John R. Gilliland - Senior Vice President, Government Relations

515-235-0566

jgilliland@iowaabi.org

John leads the public policy efforts for the association’s 1,400 member companies. 2010 will mark John’s 15^th legislative session.

John is immediate Past President of the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee and serves on the state’s Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board. He also is a member of the Iowa Department of Revenue Business Advisory Group, the Iowa State Bar Association, the Council on State Taxation and the American Tort Reform Association.

Among ABI’s successes during John’s tenure include adoption of regulatory reform measures resulting in more than $20 million annual savings to Iowa businesses as well as successfully leading a broad coalitions to defend Iowa’s Right to Work law and challenges to employer directed medical care in workers’ compensation.

He previously served as Iowa Deputy Secretary of State from 1995-1999 and at age 31, won his party’s nomination for Iowa Secretary of State. He also practiced law with the Des Moines firm of Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, P.C.

John earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell College and a juris doctorate degree from Creighton University. He is a former intern to U.S. Senator Charles Grassley and former law clerk to the United States Attorney Charles W. Larson. He also worked from 1993-1995 as a judicial clerk in Iowa’s First Judicial District.

John is a native of Knoxville, Iowa. He is past president of the Prevent Child Abuse Iowa Board of Directors and past member of the Cornell College Alumni Board. In 2004, John was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s “40 under 40” and he is a 2008-09 Leadership Iowa graduate.

IPTV Iowa Press - Changing the Rules

ABI's John Gilliland squares off with Iowa Federation of Labor President Ken Sagar on IPTV's Iowa Press.

Nicole Molt - Director, Government Relations

515-235-0567

nmolt@iowaabi.org

Nicole enters her third legislative session with ABI and has been called one of “the rising stars of the lobby” by her peers, lawmakers and ABI members. Her experience on both the federal and state level gives her a unique perspective in navigating the bureaucracies that ABI members face daily.

Since joining ABI, not only has Nicole been engaged in working on members’ behalf on tough employment and economic growth issues, she leads the work of ABI’s Environment Committee. With ABI members being affected by many regulatory issues surrounding the environment, Nicole’s leadership has produced positive outcomes on difficult issues involving air and water quality as well as recycling and resource management.

Prior to joining ABI in 2007, Nicole was Director of Government Affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Iowa, where she worked closely with her national association to activate Iowans in the fight to defend Iowa’s Right to Work law.

A magna cum laude graduate of Simpson College, Nicole spent her first two years in public policy with the Washington, D.C. lobbying firm of Lesher & Russell, where she worked on behalf of a number of global agri-business companies on federal issues. She also is a former intern for U.S. Senator Charles Grassley.

Nicole is a native Iowan from Blockton and remains active in the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority by serving as advisory board chair and chapter advisor. Nicole also continues to be involved with her alma mater as a member of the 1860 Club, as a panelist for young student leaders, and past co-host of alumni weekend.

Public Policy