Final Leadership meeting of 2022 This Week - Monday Memo 12/5/22
December 5, 2022
ABI Executive Committee to Hold Final 2022 Zoom Conference Wednesday; First 2023 Board Meeting Next Month
The ABI Executive Committee, chaired by Kim Augspurger (Pigott, Des Moines), will hold its final meeting of the calendar year Wednesday (December 7). After that, the next ABI leadership meeting will be held next month. The first ABI Board of Directors meeting of 2023 will be held on Wednesday, January 11.
At the meeting, the latest updates regarding critical association business will be a focus, as will issues related to (what will then be) the just-convened 2023 session of the Iowa General Assembly. Your participation in this meeting is important. Please finalize your plans to do so and thank you in advance for making the ABI meeting on January 11 a priority.
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Officials, Legislators Want to See You at 2023 ABI Legislative Event; Register Now
ABI knows that Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, other state officials, and legislators of both parties attend the ABI Legislative Reception so they can see YOU. As you know, this event is one of the most popular events ABI hosts all year long. Also as you know, it is likely that over 500 people will attend the event, including more legislators of both parties than at any other similar event. I pointed out last week that the attendance of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, coupled with that of so many legislators and other state officials, is one more confirmation of your importance to Iowa policy makers. They attend because YOU attend.
The ABI staff is busy finalizing details related to the 2023 ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception, which will be held Wednesday, January 11 at the Iowa Events Center (Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center) in downtown Des Moines. The briefing is your opportunity to hear the latest about legislative news and about ABI's agenda. You can then head right into the reception and share comments with your local legislators. Your participation and interaction with legislators is what makes this event a must-attend for Iowa policy-makers.
Go to the ABI Events webpage and click Summary - Legislative Briefing and Reception (cvent.com). You’ll find all the information you need and can follow the easy instructions to register now. See you January 11.
Stellar Featured in Latest Elevate “Not a Dirty Job” Video
ABI members are familiar with the fabulous series of videos completed for ABI’s Elevate program. These videos, shot and produced in your plant, are terrific ways to connect with students or others who may be looking for employment. The latest video, featuring ABI member Stellar Industries, is another great testament to Iowa manufacturing. You can view the video here: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=not+a+dirty+job+stellar&view=detail&mid=D6DC477431FBD2057CF9D6DC477431FBD2057CF9&FORM=VIRE.
Company President and Former ABI Chair Dave Zrostlik (Stellar Industries, Garner) is one of the stars of the video and several of Dave’s employees are featured as well. Tatum Reynolds, daughter of ABI Board Member Todd McDonald (ATW Training Solutions, Urbandale), serves again as the host of the video. Special thanks to Dave, Tatum, Todd, and to ABI Board Member Michele Farrell (Measured Intentions, Urbandale) for producing the video.
Quarterly ABI Iowa Business Survey to Close Today
All board members and former Chairs of the Board should have received an email message from me a week ago related to the ABI Quarterly Iowa Business Survey. This survey applies to the first quarter of 2023. The survey is now underway and it will close at the end of the day today.
If you haven’t already completed the survey, which takes just a couple of minutes, please do so now. Survey results will be tabulated and shared with you, the public, and the media. Thank you for your participation in this new initiative.
Ames LI Session Big Success; ABI Statewide Leaders Event Draws Crowd, Board Members Attend
As usual, this time of year is a busy one for the ABI Foundation. For example, the 2022-2023 Leadership Iowa Class held its third session last week in Ames. The class heard from an incredible array of terrific speakers. You will have an opportunity to meet the class at next month's ABI legislative reception.
By the way, a part of the LI session included the latest in ABI’s “Connecting Statewide Leaders” series of events. A terrific panel of manufacturing/ leaders was the highlight of that event. Special thanks to ABI board members who made the trip to Ames to attend, including Kelly Barrick (CIBC, West Des Moines), Mike Espeset (Story Construction, Ames), Michele Farrell (Measured Intentions, Urbandale), Kirk McCollough (Seneca Foundry, Webster City), and Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City).
Editor’s Note: I mentioned that the class heard from an incredible array of speakers. But then, each month, the LI class hears from terrific speakers. Responsibility for building these exceptional LI programs each month belongs to ABI Foundation Programs Director Jessi McQuerrey. Jessi is terrific at her job and her work for LI is evidence of that fact. I know Jessi will point out that many folks help by volunteering regarding programs and that is also true. Thank you to Jessi and to all involved, especially fellow Foundation staff members Becky Coady, Jane Galloway, and Kendall Antle.
Advisory Council Members Add Value
Members of the ABI Advisory Council do much to advance the work of the association. Their leadership and support is never taken for granted. They have played a very large part in the increase in quality and quantity of ABI programs across Iowa.
Thank you to the members of the council for their work in 2022. Thank you to Anthologic, AssuredPartners, BCC Advisers, BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC, Focus OneSource/G&PArtners, Fredrikson & Byron, HDH Advisors, Principal, The Iowa Clinic, and Wells Fargo.
Members Use ABI Online Directory
A couple of years ago, ABI’s new online member directory became operational. This is just a reminder that the new directory allows you to check member company information, search industry partners, connect with ABI colleagues, and much more. Find the online directory log-in page here: https://www.iowaabi.org/member-directory/login/.
NAM Reports Mixed Data
Today’s Monday Economic Report from the National Association of Manufacturers provides mixed data. In fact, the headline for the week notes contractions in purchasing by manufacturers.
However, hiring is up and other positive and negative data points are highlighted. Read about this and more in the report. If you wish to see the report for yourself, simply reply to this message and I’ll get it to you at once.
More Max Weaton News
It is always fun to note the accomplishments of ABI members (and their families) and thus it was fun to note last week that Max Weaton and his parents, ABI Board Member Nate Weaton (Weaton Companies, Fairfield) and Former ABI Chair/ABI Foundation Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield) celebrated Max being named to the First Team All-State Football Team. Max reached another milestone last week, scoring his 1,000th point in a high school basketball game! Nate reports that making it even better, Sam Weaton, younger brother to Max, got his first varsity start that night. Icing on the cake, as Nate reported, was that older brother Jack Weaton was there to witness it all. Congratulations once more to the whole family!
Myron Linn Named Official of the Year
Former ABI Chair Myron Linn (Pella Corporation, Pella, Ret.) is well-known as a high school and college athletic official. Myron has called a ton of football, baseball, and other games over the years.
Well, last week, Myron was named Football Official of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Myron was cited for outstanding service and unselfish devotion to interscholastic activities. Well-deserved and congratulations to Myron! And a hat-tip to ABI member John Gilliland (Gilliland Group – RBC Wealth Management, Des Moines) who shared this news with me.
Joel Longtin Checks In
ABI members well recall former ABI Board Member Joel Longtin (Consul Office+Document, Algona). Joel sold his company some years ago and it was nice hearing from him recently. Joel commented on the piece I included a couple of weeks ago about ABI’s financial position and cash flow. Joel was a part of the Executive Committee that provided leadership to help fix that situation. Those were the days! Great hearing from you, Joel, and thanks for checking in.
The Business of ABI: Reserves Untouched for 16th Consecutive Year
Please allow me one operational note, one that I often share this time of year. For the 16th consecutive year, ABI has not tapped its budgetary reserves. As you know, that is a reversal of an untenable situation that saw the association tap reserves for several years in a row in the early 2000’s. In fact, thanks to your leadership, ABI is growing. Why is that important? Because it allows the association to aggressively advance the agenda developed by the board and to serve members. Thank you -- and thanks to every ABI member -- for making that the case.