Final 2016 Exec Comm Meeting Wednedsay - Monday Memo 12/5/16

ABI Executive Committee to Hold Final 2016 Teleconference Wednesday; First 2017 Board Meeting Next Month

The ABI Executive Committee, chaired by Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield), will hold its final meeting of the calendar year Wednesday.  After that, the next ABI leadership meeting will be held next month.  The first  ABI Board of Directors meeting of 2017 will be held  on Wednesday, January 11 (look for a message later today with registration information).  The latest updates regarding critical association business will be a focus, as will issues related to (what will then be) the just-convened 2017 session of the Iowa General Assembly.  

Your attendance at this meeting and at the ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception that follows is essential.  Please finalize your plans to attend and register now for the event.  Please go to http://www.cvent.com/events/2017-abi-legislative-briefing-reception/event-summary-b39dec26c4164c4fa717b6dd6ed9b475.aspx for registration and event information.  Thank you in advance for making the ABI events of January 11 a priority. 

Pella Connecting Statewide Leaders Event Thursday Sold-Out

As you have read in previous editions of this memorandum, ABI is hosting another in a series of events around Iowa to bring together business leaders, young professionals, and others.  The Connecting Statewide Leaders events have been a big success.  The connections being made are terrific and they have led to new members (and new business for members).  

The next event in the series will be held Thursday at Vermeer Corporation in Pella and registration is fully sold-out.  Keynote speakers include Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield) and Mary Andringa (Vermeer Corporation, Pella).  See you in Pella on Thursday.  

Leadership Iowa Class Headed to Pella

As you read in last week's Memo, the third session of the 2016-2017 Leadership Iowa Class will be held in Pella later this week.  Class members will meet Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  The session will focus on education in Iowa and a terrific slate of speakers is on tap. 

BIPAC Meetings This Week

The Business-Industry Political Action Committee, based in Washington, D.C., is a key partner for IIPAC, ABI's political arm.  The organization is holding its 2016 meetings this week in San Antonio and ABI will be well-represented.  

ABI Communications Director Emily Schettler is attending on behalf of our organization.  Look for news of any developments in future editions of this memorandum. 

NAM Report Finally Has Strong Economic News to Share

Last week's edition of the National Association of Manufacturers' Monday Economic Report included a lead story about the pace of growth in the U.S. economy.  For the first time in a long time, the news was decidedly positive. 

Some of the good news comes in the fact that there are positive trends around the world, not just in American manufacturing. The article cites that and other factors that are contributing to optimism regarding the coming year. 

Please contact me if you wish to read the report and I'll forward it at once. 

Shine Bros. Corp. Annual Holiday Party Friday

If you want to experience some great holiday spirit and see some ABI friends from all over the state, you don’t want to miss the annual Shine Bros. Corp. Holiday Party.  This year’s event will be held this Friday, December 9, at the Shine Bros. headquarters in Spencer.  You’ll see former ABI Chair Toby Shine (Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer) and former ABI Board Member Eva Shine (Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer).  You’ll see other ABI board members and past chairs.  And you’ll see state officials and Iowa leaders.  

All ABI board members and past chairs are invited.  All you need do is RSVP to Vicki at Shine Bros. at (712) 262-5579, extension 110.  Don’t miss this festive annual event! 

Jeanine Penticoff Leads Alliant Announcement of Big Cedar Industrial Center

A week ago today at the headquarters of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, longtime ABI member Alliant Energy announced the opening of the Big Cedar Industrial Site, Iowa's first "mega park" for industrial development.  Alliant will supply customized energy options to  companies located in the park.  Special air, highway, and rail connections are other features of the park. 

The announcement was led by ABI Board Member Jeanine Penticoff (Alliant Energy, Cedar Rapids), Alliant's Vice President of Customer Engagement and Solutions.  You can read more about the Big Cedar site in an article from the Cedar Rapids Gazette: http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/business/mega-industrial-park-planned-for-cedar-rapids-20161128.  Congratulations Alliant, Jeanine, and all involved! 

Rob Feeney Featured in Iowa Grocer

The latest edition of the Iowa Grocer, the magazine of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association is a good one.  Of special interest is a great feature about Rob Feeney (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Waukee).  Rob joined the company last year as President and COO. 

The feature discusses Rob 's career, his family, and the huge Atlantic Bottling expansion that was effective earlier this fall. It is a wonderful feature about Rob.  If you wish to read it for yourself, reply to this message and I'll get it to you at once.  In the meantime, congratulations to Rob and to everyone at the company, including two former ABI Chairs: company Executive Chairman Jim Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic) and company Chairman and CEO Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Waukee)! 

IADG Hosts Annual Venture Awards Luncheon

ABI member Iowa Area Development Group held its annual Venture Awards ceremony last week in West Des Moines.  Several Iowa companies were recognized for economic accomplishment.  As I note every year, the Venture Awards event is a great celebration of the American free enterprise system and the spirit that drives business in our state.  Congratulations to IADG CEO and ABI Board Member Rand Fisher (IADG, West Des Moines) and IADG Board Chairman and former ABI Chair Dennis Murdock (CIPCO, Des Moines) for another great Venture Awards luncheon event.  

Governor Appoints Tom Yeoman to Judicial Nominating Commission

Last Wednesday, Governor Terry E. Branstad appointed ABI Board Member Tom Yeoman (Yeoman & Company, Monticello) to the Judicial Nominating Commission.  Tom will serve on the District 6 Commission, which nominates judicial candidates in Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Tama Counties.  Congratulations, Tom! 

More Good Press for Kim Pang

In last week's memorandum, I told you of news that Wes Ehrecke (Iowa Gaming Association, West Des Moines) had shared with me about ABI Board Member Kim Pang (Diamond Jo Worth, Northwood).  Wes shares that Kim was in the news again. 

Kim is a leader in the Mason City Chamber of Commerce and helped create a local leadership development program.  The program - and Kim - were featured in a story in the Mason City Globe Gazette.  It's a great read and you can check it out for yourself here: http://globegazette.com/business/mason-city-chamber-class-helps-develop-leaders/article_905a246f-a2d9-5a8a-b930-b89c6fac325f.html.  Congratulations, Kim!  

David Fisher to Celebrate

Well-known Iowa business leader and former ABI Chair David Fisher (Onthank Company, Des Moines) has a birthday this week.  David will celebrate on Wednesday ( December 7).  Happy birthday, David!