ABI Members Recovering - Monday Memo 7/23/18
July 23, 2018
ABI Members Recovering from Devastating Damage
Last Thursday, several ABI member companies in Marshalltown, Pella, and other locations suffered damage (in some cases severe and devastating damage) from tornadoes that hit Central Iowa. In response, those members were hard at work the very evening the storms hit and in succeeding days to begin to assess and repair their facilities. Incredible stories abound about the terrific efforts of so many people to help.
Many of you have offered assistance in the form of people, manufacturing capacity, and other things to help. So far, members are coping, but as was noted last week, this is the type of situation that can bring unforeseen challenges and recovery can take longer than expected. For now, we join the impacted members in being grateful that no one was killed. Each of these companies and their employees and their families are in our thoughts and prayers.
Business Horizons 2018 Huge Success; Students, Families Safe Following Tornado
As you read about in last week's edition of this memorandum, the 2018 session of the ABI Foundation's Business Horizons high school experience was held last week. Around 65 students from all over Iowa converged on the campus of Central College in Pella to participate in this terrific program.
The week provided a fabulous experience for all involved. Making it so was another great group of students, terrific ABI members, and leaders. BH 2018 was a huge success, with students and parents sharing praise for the curriculum and the connections made during the week. This program is simply a terrific event each year and it is possible only through the support of you, your company, and your employees.
This year’s BH session will be remembered for another occurrence, however. The tornado that hit Pella impacted the students and the families who were gathering for the BH Graduation Ceremony. Thankfully, though the ceremony was delayed about 30 minutes, everyone was safe and students graduated and returned home safely. Thank you to all who helped ensure the safety of those in attendance.
Next Week: “Bringing ‘Boji Back” Leaders Event
In response to popular demand, ABI will return to the Iowa Great Lakes for a member event in the popular series of Connecting Statewide Leaders events. Register NOW for August 1st and 2nd for great programming, great networking, and great venues.
Things start with a terrific tour. Former ABI Chair Toby Shine (Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer) will host attendees at his company in Spencer. That will be followed by a reception and dinner at The Barn in Okoboji. The next day, events (which will all take place at the Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center in Okoboji) begin with breakfast, followed by a terrific panel focused on Succession Strategies to Build Value. It features Immediate past ABI Chair David Zrostlik (Stellar Industries, Garner) and ABI members John Mickelson (Midwest Growth Partners, West Des Moines), Paul Juffer (LWBJ, West Des Moines), and Sheldon Ohringer (Caleris, West Des Moines). The next panel, focused on Generational Succession, with former ABI Chair Frederick V. Buie (Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Company, Des Moines) and honorary board member and Leadership Iowa representative Molly Varangkounh (Hy-Capacity, Humboldt), will be led by ABI Board Member Steve Jacobs (BCC Advisers, Des Moines).
As I have been noting, the final speaker is someone that is generating a lot of interest: Paul Shirley. Mr. Shirley is a former Iowa State University basketball player who has played professionally, written two books, and now speaks all over the world. His remarks will focus on adaptability in business and in the marketplace. His entertaining style has received rave reviews. Find more information and register now at: http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders-bringing-boji-back/event-summary-fdc283cb22ec41a2abb45c3527f13328.aspx. See you at the Lakes next week!
Leadership Iowa University to Begin in Two Weeks; ABI Leaders Can Interact with Class
Two weeks from yesterday, on August 5, talented Iowa college students will assemble for the tenth annual session of the ABI Foundation’s Leadership Iowa University program. Students come from Iowa’s public universities, private colleges, and from community colleges and all will learn about our state and ways they can impact its future. The first nine LIU class programs received rave remarks from students, college officials, ABI leaders, and others.
A part of the LIU program is the Building Your Future Workforce event. This program will be held immediately prior to a networking reception with the Leadership Iowa University group. Find more information and register here: http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders-building-your-future-workforce/event-summary-f6b3458007c447568c22c4ac6bb579e2.aspx. The event will be held on August 8 at ABI member company Shive-Hattery in West Des Moines.
Great supporters and donors and terrific volunteers make LIU possible. ABI Foundation Vice President Programs Kay Neumann-Thomas, Foundation Marketing and Programs Coordinator Jessi Steward, Development Director Becky Coady, Foundation Administrative Assistant Jane Galloway, and intern Madison Galloway provide excellent staff leadership. Thanks, too, to ABI bookkeeper Chrissy Viers, who handles the finances for both ABI and the ABI Foundation. Look for a full report at September's board meeting.
Policy Development Meetings Start Next Month
Along with other changes made to ABI's award-winning public policy advocacy work, our association has advanced the annual policy development process. This extra time allows ABI members and staff to further engage legislators and other state officials in issues important to Iowa employers. In keeping with that change, the annual policy development meetings be held next month. The ABI Employment and Workforce Committee will kick things off on August 7.
Regarding each of the committees, well over 100 members have already registered for these important meetings. If you haven't already done so, there is still plenty of time for you and your employees to register. Simply go to https://www.iowaabi.org/events/ to register for the committee meetings of interest to you.
Thank you to ABI Vice Chair John Krogman (Connect-A-Dock, Atlantic), and to ABI Senior Vice President Public Policy Nicole Crain, Director Public Policy Jessica Hyland, Coordinator Public Policy Brad Hartkopf, and Executive Administrative Assistant Michelle Vollstedt for leading this process. The ABI Board of Directors will act on the recommendations of these committees at the September board meeting.
July Edition of Business Record Iowa Out
The latest edition of ABI’s monthly newsmagazine, Business Record Iowa, was published last week. Published and distributed through a partnership with ABI member Business Publications Corporation, BRIowa can be found inside the Des Moines Business Record.
Look for a photo of former ABI Chair Paul Gregoire (Emerson-Fisher, Marshalltown) and Conference Committee Member Debi Bull (BrownWinick, Des Moines) on the cover. Thank you to ABI Communications Coordinator David Hildahl for his great work in coordinating the journal each month.
New Board Member Orientations Continue
Ask any ABI staff member about one of the best perks of their job and they will cite the opportunity to tour so many Iowa manufacturing and business operations. That is typically one of the best things about the annual orientation sessions with newly-elected board members and it is so again this year.
The process continues this week with a session involving new board member Brett Bosworth (R&R Equity Partners, West Des Moines). Thank you to Brett and our other newly-elected board members, whom you will have an opportunity to meet at the September meeting.
Registration Now Open for ABI Executive Open; Foursomes Adding Up Quickly
Registrations are pouring in for the Tenth Annual ABI Executive Open, one of ABI's most popular annual events. Dozens of foursomes have already signed-up for the August 27 event.
Go to http://www.cvent.com/events/abi-executive-open-2018/event-summary-5649dbb1599a4a19b881d3714e7303ca.aspx and click on the Executive Open link to register. The event will be again held at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines.
Thank you to Vice President Member Development and Programs Kathy Anderson, ABI Member Programs Director Holly Mueggenberg, and Membership Coordinator Dorothy Knowles for their management related to this event. Remember, if you haven't yet done so, go now to the link above and complete your registration for this always-fun ABI event.
Fifteenth Annual YPIowa Conference in September
The fifteenth annual YPIowa Conference will be held in September in Spencer. The conference will be held on September 21.
The conference is always a terrific event and is a great way to connect with leading young professionals. I have heard that some companies actually do some staff recruiting at the conference. I can tell you that it will be a great time to network with YPs from throughout Iowa. Register today at www.ypiowa.org.
Saxton Marks 40 years of Success
Longtime ABI member Saxton, Inc. is marking four decades of growth and success in 2018. With offices in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Saxton is serving companies all cross Iowa. Congratulations to everyone at Saxton, Including company president and ABI Board Member Kim Augspurger (Saxton, Des Moines)!
Wersens Travel Europe
Former ABI Chair Bob Wersen (Interpower Corporation, Oskaloosa) and his wife, Sharman Wersen, are also wine-makers. Bob and Sharman own Tassel Ridge Winery in Leighton. They are currently on a long-planned trip on the Marne-Rhine Canal in France. Bob indicates that sampling some terrific French wine may be a part of the trip.
Bob also shared that that Tassel Ridge suffered some minor damage as a result of last week’s storms. Thankfully, no one was hurt. That is the good news and here’s hoping for a great trip for Bob and Sharman!
Four ABI Leaders to Celebrate Birthdays
Two ABI leaders are celebrating today. Former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Waukee) and ABI Board Member Jack Hasken (Jackson Manufacturing, Maquoketa) celebrate their birthdays. ABI Board member Kirk McCollough (Seneca Foundry, Webster City) celebrates his birthday tomorrow. And, ABI Board Member Tom Determann (CRDC, Clinton) also recently celebrated his birthday. Happy birthday, to Jack, both Kirks and to Tom!