Executive Committee Meets, BH Now Underway - Monday Memo 7/18/22
July 18, 2022
Executive Committee Meets; New Fiscal Year Begins
Last Wednesday, ABI Chair Kim Augspurger (Pigott, Des Moines) and members of the association’s Executive Committee held their first meeting of the 2023 fiscal year. As is typical for July, the meeting was brief and provided a review of ABI’s programs and strong financial condition to mark the start of the year. Preliminary numbers for the 2022 ABI Conference were also discussed and it is clear that last month’s annual conference was a smashing success.
The committee will next meet on August 10, with the ABI Board of Directors to hold its first meeting of the fiscal year on September 14. Watch for more news as it develops.
Annual ABIF Business Horizons Program NOW UNDERWAY at Central College
Business Horizons, the ABI Foundation’s annual entrepreneurism experience for high school students, kicked off yesterday at Central College in Pella. Members of the class will graduate in a special ceremony to be held this Thursday, July 21.
If you have never seen this program, find time to stop by Central this week. The students are wonderful and have high energy, creativity, and incredible enthusiasm. At the end of the week, students have learned that they have terrific opportunities for a great career right here in Iowa.
Thank you to those of you who have provided help for this popular annual program. Your employees, whether they serve as industry advisors or in other roles, are critical to the longtime success of this important program. Look for a full report on this year’s BH session at the September meeting of the ABI Board of Directors.
ABI Okoboji CEO Forum July 28, 29
There is still time for you to register for the 2022 ABI Okoboji CEO Forum (you don’t have to be a CEO to attend). Click here for more information and to register: Summary - Okoboji CEO Forum (Members Only) (cvent.com). The forum will be held the 28th and 29th of July in Okoboji. Thursday afternoon’s events take place at the Waterfront Events Center in Arnolds Park. On Friday morning, we’ll be at a longtime ABI member, Spencer Municipal Utilities, in Spencer. The forum starts with lunch on Thursday and ends with the tour Friday morning.
Following lunch on Thursday, ABI member Kavi Chawla (Baton Global, Des Moines) will share comments about the latest in geopolitical issues and their impact on Iowa businesses. And, a representative of ABI member Dentons Davis Brown will discuss mergers and acquisitions. Next, a terrific panel of ABI leaders will share comments about their businesses. This great panel includes Sherri Behrendt (formerly of Vantec, Webster City), Katy Susong (Cardinal Construction, Waterloo), and Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield). Keynote Speaker Miriam Erickson Brown (Anderson Erickson Dairy Company, Des Moines) will speak next. Friday morning, attendees will be addressed by CEO Steve Pick (Spencer Municipal Utilities, Spencer) and then tour SMU’s brand new, state of the art water plant..
As you can see, this is an exceptional program. Join ABI Chair Kim Augspurger (Pigott, Des Moines) and 60 other ABI leaders at the lakes later this month!
Leadership Iowa University to Begin in Three Weeks
Another popular ABI Foundation program takes place in a little less than three weeks. Starting on August 7, talented Iowa college students will assemble for the annual session of the 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. LIU class programs have received rave remarks from students, college officials, ABI leaders, and others.
There is still plenty of time for students to apply for the program and potential participants should apply now at www.LeadershipIowaUniversity.com. Applications will be accepted until the program is filled. With any questions, contact Jessi McQuerry at jsteward@iowaabi.org.
Just as is the case with Business Horizons, great supporters and donors and terrific volunteers make LIU possible. Thank you to all involved.
Final Regional Meetings this Week, Policy Committee Meetings Start Next Month
With the holding of the final ABI Regional Policy Meetings this week in Atlantic (Wednesday) and Fairfield (Thursday), the association’s policy development process moves to the next stage, the holding of the five policy committee meetings in August. The ABI Employment and Workforce Committee will kick things off on August 9 and it will be keynoted by the Director of Iowa Workforce Development, Beth Townsend.
Regarding each of the committees, dozens of 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 Rich Phelan (LyondellBasell, Clinton), for leading this process. The ABI Board of Directors will act on the policy recommendations at the September board meeting.
Registration Now Open for ABI Executive Open; Foursomes Adding Up Quickly
As I noted last week, registrations are pouring in for the ABI Executive Open, one of ABI's most popular annual events. Dozens of foursomes have already signed-up for the events, which will be held August 29 at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines. Register now at Summary - Executive Open (cvent.com). If you like golf – or if you just like to have fun and network with your fellow ABI members, attend this event!
ABI's Elevate Program to Host Annual Legends in Manufacturing Awards Dinner
As you know, ABI's Elevate Advanced Manufacturing will be accepting nominations for the annual "Legends in Manufacturing Awards." Past Legends Dinners have been a huge success and a terrific celebration of Iowa manufacturing. Your help is needed to ensure that Iowa manufacturers are honored for their hard work and dedication. The nomination link on the Legends website will soon be available and look for a link in an upcoming Monday Memo. Then, please make your nominations (there is no charge to do so). In the meantime, a sincere thank you to ABI Board Member Michele Farrell (Measured Intentions, Urbandale), who leads the Elevate/Legends program!
Three ABI Leaders Celebrate
Every year at this time, we note that several ABI leaders are celebrating birthdays. Former ABI Chair Jack Hasken (Jackson Mfg., Maquoketa), ABI Board member Kirk McCollough (Seneca Foundry, Webster City), and Former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Waukee) are all celebrating their birthdays this week. Happy birthday to Jack and to Kirk and Kirk!
Chad Reese Named Vice President, Government and Industry Relations at Winnebago
ABI Board Member Chad Reese (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) has been promoted. Chad is now Vice President, Government and Industry Relations at longtime ABI member Winnebago Industries. Chad is the current Board Treasurer for ABI and was a key player in the most recent ABI trip to Washington, DC. His leadership at his company and at ABI is terrific and the promotion well-deserved. Congratulations, Chad!
Jim Tyler, Rob Feeney Celebrated on July 11
A week ago today is a big day for two ABI leaders associated with longtime member Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company. The company’s longest serving employee, Executive Chairman Jim Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic), marked 73 years of service on that day. And, company President Rob Feeney (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) celebrated his birthday. Two great guys marking two great milestones. ABI salutes Jim and Rob!
Fishers Mark 35 Years Together
Today is the 35th anniversary of the wedding of former longtime ABI Board Member Rand Fisher and his wife, Cyndi Fisher. The couple is celebrating by taking a trip to California and we send best wishes for safe travels.
I do have to add that when I think of Rand and Cyndi, I always think of the time they attended an ABI convention many, many years ago. I am a fairly early-riser and I left the hotel to get a morning newspaper. On the way, I passed Rand, who was out for a run. A half-mile or so AHEAD of him was another runner… Cyndi. Best anniversary wishes to Rand and Cyndi!