Board to Meet in May - Monday Memo 4/24/23
April 24, 2023
ABI Board of Directors Meets Wednesday, May 10
Many of you caught my typo in last week’s Memorandum, in which I incorrectly stated the day of the week of the May meeting of the ABI Board of Directors. The board will meet Wednesday, May 10, at ABI member Express Logistics in Urbandale (I had indicated the day of the week as Thursday in last week’s memo; again, it is Wednesday, the 10th).
As you have read previously, the meeting begins with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and several special features will make the meeting one you won’t want to miss. For example, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird will address the board during the meeting. If you haven’t already done so, please register your attendance now by replying to this message. Look for your usual packet of meeting materials to arrive in your email in-basket about a week before the meeting. On behalf of ABI Chair Kim Augspurger (Pigott, Des Moines) and our officers, I look forward to seeing you.
Will the General Assembly Adjourn this Week? No.
At this time of the year, ABI members ask about the work of the Iowa General Assembly and when it will adjourn. Though it is scheduled to adjourn this week, we (our ABI policy team and I) do not believe it will do so. In fact, the legislature might not adjourn for quite some time, though we certainly hope that is not the case.
As you read in the most recent edition of the ABI newsletter, some policy priorities of the Governor and legislative leaders remain outstanding. The good news is that ABI’s public policy team of JD Davis and Brad Hartkopf has been doing its usual terrific work. We’ll continue to work on ABI priorities until the end of session and expect to celebrate many ABI successes when all is said and done. Thank you to JD and Brad, and to all of you, for your support during the session and for your work with legislators throughout the year.
Next ABI Legislative Update Next Week, Regional Public Policy Meetings Being Set
As you know, during the Iowa legislative session, ABI hosts bi-weekly legislative updates via Zoom. We expect the next update to be held May 5 (unless adjournment happens sooner than we believe). Please stay tuned for more information.
In the meantime, ABI is in the process of establishing dates for the annual regional public policy meetings. The meetings will take place in May (assuming the legislature adjourns by then) all around Iowa (more meetings will soon be scheduled). Click here and scroll down for more information and to register: https://www.iowaabi.org/events/.
Nominating Committee Meets Thursday
As Immediate Past Chair of ABI, Jack Hasken (Jackson Mfg., Maquoketa) also serves as Chair of the 2023 ABI Nominating Committee. The committee will meet by Zoom this Thursday, on April 27.
The committee includes representatives of ABI’s Iowa districts. Thank you to Jack and to these other ABI leaders for serving on the association's 2022 Nominating Committee: Liz Hobart (GROWMARK, Bloomington), Tim Conlon (Conlon Construction, Dubuque), Heather Bruce Osmundson Mfg., Perry), and Bill McKim (Midland Power, Boone). If you wish to nominate someone for board service (and self-nominations are welcomed), please contact one of the committee members or me. ABI members will vote on the slate of nominees at the annual conference in June.
Take Annual ABI CEO Survey Now
It is time for ABI’s Annual CEO Survey. ABI surveys member CEOs regarding issues important to them and their businesses. The survey is available now (it closes today) and your participation is encouraged and desired. It will take no more than 5 to 10 minutes and your input is appreciated. If you haven’t yet completed the survey and need the link to do so, please reply to this memorandum and I’ll get it to you at once. Read the June ABI Business Monthly for results.
Don’t Miss ABI’s 2023 Taking Care of Business Conference; Final Site Visit Held Last week
Finalize your plans now to attend the annual conference, which will be held June 13-15 in Cedar Rapids. You don’t want to wait to register for this terrific event! On behalf of ABI Chair Kim Augspurger (Pigott, Des Moines) and conference Committee Chair Tami Anderson (Pigott, Des Moines), thank you in advance for your attendance.
Use this link to register, find hotel information, review the jam-packed agenda, and more: Summary - Taking Care of Business Conference (cvent.com). Speaking of the annual conference, Kim and Tami led a delegation in a final site visit to Cedar Rapids a week ago today. The group confirmed that all necessary final preparations are underway to ensure a fabulous conference. See you in Cedar Rapids in June!
Mark Your Calendars for ABI Executive Open
One of ABI's most popular events each year is the annual Executive Open. This year's open will again be held at the beautiful Glen Oaks Country Club (Glen Oaks Country Club (glenoakscc.com) in West Des Moines. If you are not a member, it can be difficult to get the opportunity to play it. Well, here's your chance. Registration will soon be open for this event, which will be held on August 28th. For now, please save the date on your calendar. This event sells out every year, so make your plans now and look for registration information in an upcoming edition of this memorandum.
Foundation Program Nominations, Elevate Scholarship Nominations All Due
As you have read in previous editions of this memorandum, now is an important time for programs of the ABI Foundation. Foundation programs such as Leadership Iowa, Leadership Iowa University, and Business Horizons are all accepting nominations for participants in the next session of each program. And, ABI’s Elevate Advanced Manufacturing initiative is accepting nominations for its annual community college scholarships. To nominate worthy individuals for the programs, please go here: https://www.iowaabi.org/abi-foundation/about/. To nominate students for a scholarship, please go here: https://www.elevateiowa.com/about/elevate-scholarship-program. Thank you for your nominations!
NAM Report: Mixed News for Manufacturing
The National Association of Manufacturers’ monthly Global Manufacturing Economic Update documents mixed data in its latest edition. Data points for Chinese manufacturing and manufacturing in some other parts of the globe are positive, though pricing continues to be a major challenge. As always, reply to this memorandum if you wish to read the report for yourself and I’ll get it to you at once.
Another Bywater Runs Track at City High, Continues Family Big XII Tradition
Former ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/TruArt, Iowa City) and his wife, Angie Bywater, have three talented children. The eldest, Emily, was a star runner at City High in Iowa City. Middle child Megan is a talented musician. The youngest, son Adam, is now also running track at City High in Iowa City. (Editor’s Note: When I first met Adam some years ago, he was in uniform for an upcoming baseball game; he is a multi-sport athlete.)
Adam is also continuing another Bywater Family tradition, he has committed to a Big XII school for his college education. Father David is a Kansas University graduate, while grandfather and former ABI Chair Bill Bywater (Bankers Advertising/TruArt, Iowa City) is an Iowa State University graduate. Adam committed to Iowa State himself just a couple for weeks ago. Congratulations to all the Bywaters and good luck to Adam!
ABI Staff in the News: Hartkopf, Mueggenberg, and Lefebure
Several ABI staff members were in the news last week. You’ll recall from last week’s memorandum that Member Services Coordinator Levi Lefebure ran last week’s Boston Marathon, coming in among the top third of his class. Way to go, Levi!
And, Director Public Policy Brad Hartkopf also was in the news. Some weeks ago, Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Brad to the Iowa Judicial Nominating Commission. Last week, in a bipartisan vote, Brad’s nomination was confirmed by the Iowa Senate. Congratulations, Mr. Commissioner!
And finally, last Thursday, Member Programs Director Holly Mueggenberg had outpatient surgery. Everything went well and Holly is recovering at home for a few days (but in typical Holly fashion, she is working remotely, too). Holly, a beloved wife and mother, reports that her family is taking very good care of her. We are not surprised and we wish you a full, complete, and speedy recovery, Holly! Best wishes to you!