ABI Conducting Strategic Planning
October 24, 2016
Strategic Planning Underway
Over the past eleven years, ABI has periodically conducted some type of strategic planning. That activity is vital as we always seek to prove the value provided to members.
You will recall from the September meeting of the ABI Board of Directors that the association is again involved in strategic planning. This process is being led by ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield) with special assistance from ABI Board Member Todd McDonald (ATW Training and Consulting, Urbandale).
Todd and his staff are in the process of gathering information and will be contacting ABI board members and other members in the coming months. Look for a full report at next month's board meeting.
IIPAC Survey Deadline Extended, Please Participate
Over the course of the past few weeks, you have been reading about a projected initiated by ABI's PAC, the Iowa Industry Political Action Committee. Through this project, IIPAC will grow and develop its funding and donor base (both in terms of donors and giving amounts).
We are working to make IIPAC better and your input is extremely important in that regard. Many of you have received a survey to help ABI gauge awareness of the IIPAC program and its needs. If you have received the survey, please take a few moments (it should take literally five minutes to complete) participate. Though close to two hundred survey responses have been received already, we are interested in as much feedback as possible. In fact, the deadline for participation in the survey has been extended one week, to this Friday, October 28.
On behalf of the IIPAC Board of Directors, chaired by former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Waukee), thank you in advance for your help and participation in the survey. Your help will lead to an even more effective IIPAC and continued and improved strong advocacy for Iowa business.
Two and a Half Weeks Until November ABI Board Meeting
The November meeting of the ABI Board of Directors will be an important one. On the agenda will be the usual operations and finance reports, a discussion of the upcoming legislative session, and receipt of the annual audit (if available), among other business.
ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield) and board members will meet Wednesday, November 9 at the ABI office in Des Moines' East Village. Many of you have already registered for this free meeting of the board, but if not, please go to this link and do so now: https://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/38-board-meeting/. You will receive your board packet by email late next week. In the meantime, thank you in advance for participating in this final board meeting of 2016.
Connecting Statewide Leaders Event December 8 in Pella
The first 2016-2017 Connecting Statewide Leaders event will be held December 8 in Pella. This forum is the next opportunity to participate in the popular series of events ABI has hosted around Iowa over the course of the past few years.
A luncheon follows the meeting and you will have a great opportunity to visit with fellow ABI members, meet the new Leadership Iowa class, and develop new customers. You can register for the event and find more information at http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders/event-summary-7817a4487a5644d1880274b2a27d280f.aspx. I look forward to seeing you in Pella.
Remember #GivingTuesday
Three weeks ago, the October 3rd edition of the In the Monday Memo, I told you of the hashtag #GivingTuesday. It signifies a global day of giving fueled by social media and collaboration. Last year, over 700,000 people collectively gave more than $116 million in more than 70 countries. The event is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely-represented shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Please remember that the ABI Foundation hopes you will participate in #GivingTuesday this November 29 by supporting their incredible programs. Please support the ABI Foundation through #GivingTuesday and don't hesitate to contact Foundation Development Director Amanda Nuzum for more information at anuzum@iowaabi.org or at (515) 235-0569.
Rockwell Collins Acquires B/E Aerospace
Yesterday, ABI Board Member Cindy Dietz (Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids) sent information about a big announcement by Rockwell Collins. The company is acquiring B/E Aerospace. That company is the world's leading manufacturer of aircraft interior products. As Rockwell Collins is the world leader in avionics, the acquisition strengthens the company's leadership position in the aviation industry.
Today's Wall Street Journal carries two separate article commenting on the acquisition. Congratulations to Cindy and to everyone at Rockwell Collins on this big news!
Vermeer, DMACC Create training Partnership
Longtime ABI member Vermeer Corporation will later today sign an agreement with another key ABI partner, Des Moines Area Community College. The agreement will create a training program for certification of HDD operators.
The first-of-its-kind program will allow Veterans to use GI Bill benefits to cover the cost of HDD training. If you wish to see more information, please contact ABI. In the meantime, congratulations to Vermeer and to DMACC, with special congratulations to former ABI Chair and company Chair Mary Andringa (Vermeer Corporation, Pella) and to ABI Board Member Vince Newendorp (Vermeer Compaction, Pella)!
Vogel Paint Company Honored by KIB; Meika Vogel Named VP, General Counsel
As you may be aware from previous editions of this memorandum, longtime ABI member Vogel Paint Company has for many years been the lead supporter of the Keep Iowa Beautiful Paint Iowa Beautiful program. This important program helps Iowa communities in their efforts to beautify their towns and enhance opportunity there. It would not be possible without Vogel Paint Company, which has donated literally thousands and thousands of gallons of its high quality paint to KIB over the years.
A week ago today, in the Governor's Office at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Vogel Paint Company President and ABI Board Member Drew Vogel (Vogel Paint Company, Orange City) and company executives Mark Vogel (Vogel Paint Company, Orange City) and Doug Vogel (Vogel Paint Company, Orange City) were honored by Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad and KIB President Gerry Schnepf (Keep Iowa Beautiful, Des Moines). Congratulations to Drew and everyone at Vogel Paint on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for all you do for Iowa!
In other company news, many of you know of Drew's daughter, Meika Vogel (Vogel Paint Company, Orange City). Meika joined the company in 2009, after graduating from Harvard Law School. Meika was recently named Vice President, General Counsel for Vogel Paint. Congratulations to Meika!
Haskens Celebrate 36 Years
Two great ABI leaders are former Chair Sarah McDonald Hasken and current ABI Board Member Jack Hasken (Jackson Manufacturing, Maquoketa). Sarah and Jack are key members of a team helping to produce a spectacular 2017 ABI Taking Care of Business Conference in Dubuque next June.
Sarah and Jack are in the news for another reason: they recently celebrated the 36th wedding anniversary! Congratulations and best wishes to Sarah and Jack Hasken! And thank you for the reminder of this special occasion to ABI member John Gilliland (Gilliland Group at Morgan Stanley, Des Moines).
Plastics Professionals Named Employer of the Year
An ABI-member company received a prestigious national ward recently. Plastics Professionals was honored as the Employer of the Year (Large Employer) by the National Rehabilitation Association. The award follows a similar honor to the company earlier this year with the receipt of the Iowa Job Honor Award. Congratulations to everyone at Plastics Professionals and thanks to ABI Board Member John Krogman (Connect-A-Dock, Atlantic) for sharing this good news about Connect-A-Dock's sister company!
Bill Brown, Rick Tollakson Celebrate Birthdays
Two ABI leaders are celebrating birthdays. ABI Board Member Rick Tollakson (Hubbell Realty Company, West Des Moines) is celebrating his birthday this Thursday, the 27th. Former ABI Chair Bill Brown (BrownWinick, Des Moines) will celebrate his birthday a week from Wednesday on November 2nd. Happy birthday to Rick and Bill!