Busy Summer at ABI - Monday Memo 7/9/19
July 9, 2018
Wednesday is the Date for First FY19 Executive Committee Teleconference
The first meeting of the ABI Executive Committee for the new fiscal year will be held Wednesday. ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) and members of the committee will consider a full agenda of reports and action items. News regarding any developments will be a part of the September meeting of the ABI Board of Directors.
Today is Final Day to Nominate Students for Business Horizons; BH Starts Sunday
Business Horizons, produced by the ABI Foundation, is the week-long entrepreneurial experience for Iowa high school students. The 2018 session of the program is fast-approaching and in fact, it kicks-off a week from yesterday on Sunday, July 15.
Reply to this memorandum with your nominations of students and if you have questions or wish to be involved, please don’t hesitate to contact ABI Foundation Vice President for Programs Kay Neumann-Thomas or Foundation Marketing Coordinator Jessi Steward. In the meantime, thanks to the many of you who have already nominated Iowa high school students for selection to BH. And by the way, regarding the “deadline” for registering for BH, if you have students to nominate at any time up to next Sunday, just let us know and we’ll make sure they get in.
Auction Deadline Friday
Speaking of the ABI Foundation, the auction benefitting the Foundation absolutely closes this Friday, July 13. Don’t wait to bid on the fabulous furniture donated by Allsteel. These terrific items will look great in your plant or office and will help make your employees and customers productive and comfortable.
Use this link to place your bids: https://www.32auctions.com/ABIFoundation2018. You can also use that link to view the furniture and to find more information about the auction. Thank you in advance for your support for the ABI Foundation and thanks once more to ABI Board Member Steven Bradford (HNI Corporation, Muscatine) and Allsteel for the fantastic donation!
Register Now for “Bringing ‘Boji Back” Leaders Event; Terrific Program in Store
As you have read in recent editions of this memorandum, in response to YOUR requests, ABI has created another in the Connecting Statewide Leaders events and this one will be held in the Iowa Great Lakes Region. Mark your calendars now for August 1st and 2nd for this high-value event.
Great programming, great networking, and great venues will be hallmarks for this event. Things will begin with an industry tour on the afternoon of August 1 (details still being finalized). The day will conclude with a reception and dinner.
On Thursday August 2, the day’s 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, will be led by ABI Board Member Steve Jacobs (BCC Advisers, Des Moines).
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 from previous audiences.
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 in August!
IIPAC Needs Your Support
The Iowa Industry Political Action Committee is ABI's political arm. The organization is chaired by former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Waukee). Now is the time of the year that IIPAC is heavily engaged in raising money to support pro-business candidates for state offices.
If you have already contributed to IIPAC this year, thank you. If you haven't, now is the time. Go to https://www.iowaabi.org/public-policy/iipac/ to make your donation today. Again, many of you (and many of us on staff) have already made contributions. As the rest of you get ready to make yours, thank you in advance for your support.
ABI Operational Excellence Roundtable to Meet Wednesday
The ABI Operational Excellence Roundtable has been a great addition to ABI’s programming. The panel will next meet this Wednesday, July 11, at longtime member company Thombert in Brooklyn (the company is headquartered in Newton, but also has extensive operations in Brooklyn). If your company isn’t yet participating in the roundtable, I can tell you that your operations people, plant managers, etc. will all find great value in it. For more information, please reply to this message or contact ABI Vice President Member Development and Programs Kathy Anderson at kanderson@iowaabi.org.
In the meantime, thank you to everyone at Thombert, including company president and ABI Board Member Dick Davidson (Thombert, Newton)! Look for more information about this meeting and others in the roundtable series in future editions of this memorandum.
New Board Member Orientations Continue
Orientations continue with ABI's newly-elected board members. As I have mentioned in recent memos, you will have the opportunity to meet the new board members in September.
This week, an orientation will be held with new board members Nick Gerhart (FBL Financial, West Des Moines) and with Connor Deering (CemenTech, Indianola). Upcoming orientation sessions will involve other new board members; thank you for your leadership and service.
Building Your Workforce Event August 8
Register now for 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.
Annual Policy Development Meetings Set
ABI's annual policy committee meetings have already been scheduled. Please go to https://www.iowaabi.org/events/ to register for the committee meetings of interest to you and your employees. The ABI Board of Directors will act on the recommendations of these committees at the September board meeting.
Legends in Manufacturing Dinner Coming Up in October
The annual Legends in Manufacturing Awards Banquet is a fun event and an important part of recognizing Iowa’s national leadership in manufacturing. The 2017 dinner will be held October 2nd. NOW is the time to submit your nominations for one of these coveted awards. You can do so by clicking on the Elevate Iowa webpage. Thank you for helping us recognize Iowa’s great manufacturers!
Annual ABI Executive Open in August
Remember that registration is now open for the tenth annual ABI Executive Open. This popular annual event will be held Monday, August 27. As you know, the past five opens have sold-out and we expect that will be the case again this year. Join us for golf, fun, and networking.
The ABI Executive Open will again be held at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines, one of Iowa's most exclusive private clubs. This is a fabulous course and registration is now open for this always-great event. Please click on http://www.cvent.com/events/abi-executive-open-2018/event-summary-5649dbb1599a4a19b881d3714e7303ca.aspx to register now. See you at Des Moines Golf in August!
NAM Report: Manufacturing Data Strong
Last week’s Monday Economic Report, published by the National Association of Manufacturers, shared information that confirms strong results for American manufacturing. Aside from concerns about workface and federal trade policy, manufacturers across the U.S. are seeing strong results.
By the way, ABI members share the same message; business is good, but tariffs and related matters are of concern. Please contact me if you wish to read the report for yourself.
Bywater’s complete 53-Mile Trek
The week before last, Boy Scout Adam Bywater, 13, and his father, ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City), completed a week of camping and hiking at Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. Before it was all said and done, Adam and David and their colleagues had hiked a total of 53 miles! It was nice to see Adam and his mother, David’s wife Angie Bywater, in Iowa City Friday, where Adam confirmed that his father hiked every mile.
By the way, David, who is an Eagle Scout, once took a similar trip with HIS father, former ABI Chair Bill Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City). That scout trip took place at the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area in northern Minnesota. What a neat family tradition and congratulations to Adam and David!
In other Bywater Family news, daughter Megan Bywater made a special presentation to U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley when he toured Bankers Advertising/Tru Art on Friday. It seems when the Bywater’s toured the U.S. Capitol a while back, Senator Grassley shared some candy with Megan from what is known as the “Senate Candy Desk.” Megan presented Senator Grassley with two large bags of candy in turn. Also available at the event were ice cream bars. Candy and ice cream are well-known to be two of Senator Grassley’s favorites and Megan was a big hit. Thank you to all the Bywater’s for a very fun afternoon.
Steve Dust Leads Ottumwa Foundation
Late last month, longtime ABI Director Steve Dust (Waterfront Corporate Services, Waterloo) began a new role as President and CEO of the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation. The Legacy Foundation was created in 2010 and it works to improve the education and vitality of the Ottumwa area. In the past eight years, it has been responsible for over $21 million in investments in the area.
Read more about this news here: http://www.ottumwacourier.com/news/legacy-foundation-announces-new-ceo/article_9eb6481a-758e-11e8-be4e-1f80b9760870.html. Congratulations and best wishes to Steve has he begins this new role!
McMahon’s Survive Colorado Wild Fire
Former longtime ABI Board Member Tom McMahon and his wife, Clarisa McMahon, have long had homes in Fairfield and Colorado, where they also have a business. Last week, a wild fire surged near their Colorado home, but they made it to safety. They were then evacuated a second time, as the wild fire surged again.
As of last Friday, Tom reported the fires were still burning, but it appeared the big danger for their home was nearly over. Tom and Clarisa are okay and were not harmed. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the others impacted by this tragedy.
Don Hauser Featured in Register Story
Most ABI members well remember DonHauser. Don held various positions, including leading the association on an interim basis a time or two, during his incredible 30-plus year career at ABI. He actually started at ABI when it was still known as the Iowa Manufacturers Association. He is a great guy.
For all those reasons, it was fun to pick up the Des Moines Register on Independence Day morning and read a terrific article about Don and a shipmate surviving a naval disaster in 1954… and then meeting each other for the first time 60 years later. You can read the story for yourself here: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/videos/news/2018/06/29/two-iowans-survived-1954-naval-disaster-aboard-u-s-s-bennington/746829002/. Congratulations on the great coverage, Don! Thank you for your service and for your terrific work at ABI!