Executive Committee Will Meet Next Week - Monday Memo 8/3/20
August 3, 2020
Executive Committee Teleconference a Week from Thursday; Board Will Meet by Zoom in September
ABI Chair Steven Bradford (HNI Corporation, Muscatine) and members of the association’s Executive Committee will hold their August Zoom meeting a week from Thursday, on August 13. Agenda items include discussions related to public policy, membership and events, and Foundation programs.
Speaking of leadership meetings, the board will next meet on September 10. Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the board will meet using the Zoom virtual platform.
The September meeting is an important one for several reasons. First, it marks the first meeting of the fiscal year and the first meeting for newly-elected board members. Second, it will involve board consideration and approval of the policies developed through the annual policy development process (by September 10, literally hundreds of ABI members will have participated in meetings to propose a slate of policies for 2021). This part of the meeting will be led by ABI Vice Chair Jack Hasken (Jackson Manufacturing, Maquoketa). Please mark your calendars and make plans now to participate in this important meeting.
LIU Opens Session Next Week
The annual class of Leadership Iowa University will kick off its 2020 session next Monday using a virtual format. The program seeks to educate, inspire, and develop college students as a foundation for Iowa’s economic growth and to encourage their on-going involvement in community and state initiatives.
Go to http://www.leadershipiowauniversity.com/ to learn more. As I mentioned last week, class members come from public, private, and community colleges all across Iowa. These students will be tomorrow’s workforce and business owners; we look forward to their participation in LIU.
Foundation Auction Tops Goal
Speaking of the programs of the ABI Foundation, some exciting news came last week. Thanks to additional contributions and support, the annual auction benefitting ABI Foundation programs actually topped its $30,000 goal. All told, $30,201 was raised through the online auction.
That is simply fantastic! THANK YOU to all of you who donated; your support will help Iowans across our state. And thank you again to longtime ABI leaders Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield) and Nate Weaton (Weaton Capital, Fairfield) and to ABI Foundation Chair Kim Butler Hegedus (Community State Bank, Ankeny) for their leadership!
Leadership Iowa Work on Inclusion Highlighted
Over the last several weeks, our nation has had a national discussion about race and inclusion. Work in that regard by the ABI Foundation’s Leadership Iowa program is the focus of a Business Record story in this week’s edition. The work is important and congratulations to the ABI Foundation staff for the recognition, especially to Programs Director Jessi McQuerry and Engagement Coordinator McKenzie Kielman, who were quoted in the story.
ABI Workplace and Product Safety, Employment and Workforce Committees to Meet
Members of the ABI Employment and Workforce and Workplace and Product Safety Committees will hold their annual policy meetings this week in Des Moines. These committees will meet at ABI on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Thank you to Committee Chairs Amy Larsen (United Equipment Accessories, Waverly) and Rex Butler (CIPCO, Cedar Rapids).
These meetings will be followed next week by a meeting of the ABI Environment Committee. The ABI Economic Growth Committee and ABI Tax Committee meet later in the month. You can register for any of these meetings by clicking on them in the ABI Events Calendar at https://www.iowaabi.org/events/.
New Board Member Orientations Continue
Meetings with new members of the ABI Board of Directors continue. Last week, orientations were held with new board members Robert Feeney (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) and Adam Steen (Syverson Strege, West Des Moines).
This week, another new board member orientation session is on tap, as I’ll be meeting with the honorary Leadership Iowa board representative, Jenny Steffensmeier (Steffensmeier Welding & Manufacturing, Pilot Grove). I will also soon meet with new board member Tim Coonan (Davis Brown Law Firm, Des Moines). You will have a chance to meet Tim, Rob, and Jenny during the September meeting of the board.
Biennial ABI Pre-Employment Testing Process Seminar in Two Weeks
As you know, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ABI’s biennial Pre-Employment Testing Process Seminar had to be rescheduled. That event will now be held at ABI in about two and a half weeks, on Wednesday, August 19.
A good crowd has already registered for this popular seminar and your HR and risk-management teams will find value in the information shared through this event. Expert speakers and the latest information about best practices and current trends will be shared. Register now at: http://www.cvent.com/events/pre-employment-testing-process-seminar/event-summary-4585231707b146178b17c93a1247762f.aspx.
Annual ABI Executive Open on the 31st
Many of you have commented to me that you are looking forward to the annual ABI Executive Open best ball golf outing. The open will be held on Monday, August 31. As this memo goes to press, nearly 90 ABI members have already registered. The event will be held at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club, a fabulous private golf course in West Des Moines. Register now to play golf.
By participating, you’ll have fun and have an opportunity to network with great ABI members. To find more information or to register, please go to the ABI webpage at www.iowaabi.org and click on the events tab.
Crain Part of U.S. Chamber Event
ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain is a national leader on issues involving workforce. One issue is the lack of affordable quality childcare for parents seeking to work outside the home. This is a critical issue for ABI members and Nicole has been raising the profile of the issue, as well as highlighting potential solutions.
Last Tuesday, Nicole was a part of a panel focused on the issue presented by a great ABI partner, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. During the event, Nicole addressed virtual attendees from all across the nation. Watch for more information about additional ABI efforts on this issue soon. In the meantime, thanks to Nicole for her work in this area.
Episode 31 of Iowa Business Report Radio Program Broadcast over the Weekend
The Iowa Business Report’s 31st episode was broadcast over the weekend. If you missed it, you can click here to listen for yourself: http://iowabusinessreport.buzzsprout.com/. Links can also be found on the ABI website at https://www.iowaabi.org/news/iowa-business-report/. The show is the result of a great a partnership between well-known Iowa broadcaster Jeff Stein and ABI.
Espeset Essay Excellent
You’ve read before that here at the ABI office, we appreciate receiving your company newsletters and magazines. We learn a lot about how to build a successful company and about leadership, so thanks for sending them our way.
STORYLINE, published by longtime ABI member Story Construction, is one of the best. Interesting insights about the construction industry and business in general are a part of each edition. The current edition carries an absolutely fabulous column by company President and ABI Board Member Mike Espeset (Story Construction, Ames).
In it, Mike discusses the difference between confidence and certainty, especially as it relates to today’s world. It is terrific and you can read it for yourself here: https://storycon.com/shop-talk/presidents-perspective-confidence-vs-certainty/. Thanks, Mike, for sharing your perspective.
Jim Tyler Turns 96
Each year about now, because it coincides with his birthday, I note that former ABI Chair Jim Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic) is a terrific Iowa leader and a great guy. Jim turns 96 this year! And I know Jim celebrated with family and friends over the weekend. Congratulations and happy birthday, Jim! (Editor’s Note: I knew about Jim’s birthday, but thank you to former ABI Chair Bill Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) for making sure!)