ABI in Osky - Monday Memo 12/3/18

December 3, 2018

Big Day of ABI Events in Oskaloosa Thursday; Sign-up Now for Afternoon Panel

As you have been reading about in recent editions of this memorandum, ABI is hosting a series of events in Oskaloosa on December 6.  Two interesting panels, lunch, and the December session of Leadership Iowa are all on tap Thursday. 

That morning, ABI will host the next in a series of Connecting Statewide Leaders events.  This event features a panel including Emily Schmitt (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield), Mark Nolte (Iowa City Area Development Group, Iowa City), and Bill Menner (Iowa Rural Development Council, Grinnell).  The speakers will address workforce challenges and highlight potential solutions.  It is sold out. 

Following lunch with the Leadership Iowa class, a second panel will be convened.  This terrific panel will provide a high value look at strengthening your company’s value – and harvesting it.  On the program are Kevin Lentz (Performance Marketing, West Des Moines), Jim Nalley (BCC Advisers, Des Moines), Mark Wyzgowski (CliftonLarsenAllen, West Des Moines), Brian Crotty (HDH Advisers, West Des Moines), and Chawn Honkomp (Focus OneSource, West Des Moines).  

There are still spots available for the afternoon panel.  You can register and find more information here: http://www.cvent.com/events/building-business-value/event-summary-5de45122d61642808d353da33881fffa.aspx.  We hope to see you and your leadership team in Oskaloosa. 

McKenzie Kielman Will Join ABI Foundation

After a successful search that saw many strong candidates, the ABI Foundation has announced that McKenzie Kielman of Waverly, Iowa will join the staff next month.  McKenzie will serve as the Foundation’s Marketing and Engagement Coordinator.  Her first day will be January 2nd.  McKenzie joins Becky Coady, Jessi Steward, Jane Galloway, and Kay Neumann-Thomas as a member of the ABIF team.  

McKenzie will graduate from Wartburg College later this month with a degree in Communications.  Even though she will graduate early, McKenzie has an impressive student resume, with substantial marketing, event, and production work already a part of her career.  Her extensive experience with photography, videography, various design software, and strong communication platforms made McKenzie stand out in what was a talented field of candidates.  

We look forward to having McKenzie join the ABI Foundation team.  Welcome, McKenzie! 

ABI Executive Committee to Hold Final 2018 Teleconference Next Wednesday; First 2019 Board Meeting Next Month

The ABI Executive Committee, chaired by David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City), will hold its final meeting of the calendar year a week from Wednesday.  After that, the next ABI leadership meeting will be held next month.  The first ABI Board of Directors meeting of 2019 will be held on Wednesday, January 16.  

Please register for the January board meeting here: http://www.cvent.com/d/tbqf1m.  At the meeting, the latest updates regarding critical association business will be a focus, as will issues related to (what will then be) the just-convened 2019 session of the Iowa General Assembly.  

Your attendance at this meeting and at the ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception that follows is essential.  Please finalize your plans to attend and register now for these events.  Please go to http://www.cvent.com/events/2019-abi-legislative-briefing-reception/event-summary-b4df5045c6f5442eb13203762724b123.aspx for registration and event information related to the legislative briefing and reception.  Thank you in advance for making the ABI events of January 16 a priority. 

Final 2018 Quarterly ABI Iowa Business Survey to be Conducted Wednesday

Later this week, you will receive the final ABI Board of Directors Quarterly Economic Survey of 2018.  The survey message will arrive in your in-box Wednesday afternoon and I hope you will act on it quickly. 

When you click on the survey link that will be a part of the message, you will find a very simple and easy to complete survey.  Please complete the survey as soon as possible and look for the results to be shared with you in the very near future. 

Leadership Iowa Class Headed to Oskaloosa

As you read elsewhere in this Memo, the third session of the 2018-2019 Leadership Iowa Class will be held in Oskaloosa later this week.  Class members will meet Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  

The session will focus on business and industry and workforce and a terrific slate of speakers is on tap.  Among those speakers are former ABI Chair Bob Wersen (Interopower Corporation, Oskaloosa), former ABI Board Member Vince Newendorp (Vermeer Corporation, Pella) and ABI member Joe Crookham (Musco Lighting, Oskaloosa)

Crain is Member of Business Record Panel

Longtime ABI member Business Publications Corp. publishes the Des Moines Business Record.  The Business Record staff has created a new series of panel events called THE NEWSROOM.  Issues in the news are covered in these events, which always feature a panel of experts addressing the issues under focus.  

This month’s event will feature, among other panelists, ABI Senior Vice President, Public Policy Nicole Crain.  As you might imagine, the topic is a look at the upcoming session of the Iowa General Assembly.  The event will be held at 4:00 p.m. this Thursday in Des Moines.  Congratulations to Nicole for being featured in this event! 

Weekly NAM Report Offers Mixed Economic News

Last week's edition of the National Association of Manufacturers' Monday Economic Report included a lead story with decidedly mixed economic news.  While housing starts are up slightly, which of course is good, challenges around workforce and other issues are causing trouble for builders.  In addition, orders of durable goods slipped last month.  Please contact me if you wish to read the report and I'll forward it at once. 

Rockwell Collins Now Collins Aerospace

With last week’s finalization of United Technologies’ acquisition of Rockwell Collins, that company now becomes Collins Aerospace.  The new company is already an industry leader and poised for even more market growth.  

Go here for more information: https://www.radioiowa.com/2018/11/27/utc-completes-acquisition-of-rockwell-collins/.  In the meantime, congratulations to all involved, including longtime ABI Board Member Cindy Dietz (Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids)

Shine Bros. Corp. Annual Holiday Party Next Week

If you want to experience some great holiday spirit and see some ABI friends from all over the state, you don’t want to miss the annual Shine Bros. Corp. Holiday Party.  This year’s event will be held next Friday, December 14, at the Shine Bros. headquarters in Spencer.  You’ll see former ABI Chair Toby Shine (Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer) and former ABI Board Member Eva Shine (Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer).  You’ll see other ABI board members and past chairs.  And you’ll see state officials and Iowa leaders.  

All ABI board members and past chairs are invited.  All you need do is RSVP to Vicki at Shine Bros. at (712) 262-5579, extension 113, or vicki@shinebros.com.  Don’t miss this festive annual event! 

Stacey Johnson Named Weindruch Award Winner

Former ABI Board Member Stacey Johnson (Deere & Company, Johnston) was honored last week by being named the winner of the Iowa Taxpayers Association’s Linda Weindruch Award.  The award honors excellence in tax policy.  Congratulations to Stacey! 

David Fisher to Celebrate

Well-known Iowa business leader and former ABI Chair David Fisher (Onthank Company, Des Moines) has a birthday this week.  David will celebrate on Friday (December 7).  Happy birthday, David! 

Don Hauser Marks Birthday

Longtime ABI staff member Don Hauser is also celebrating a birthday.  In fact, Don turns 88 today; happy birthday to Don.