LIU Coming Fast - Monday Memo 7/25/16
July 25, 2016
Leadership Iowa University to Begin in Two Weeks; ABI Leaders Can Interact with Class
Two weeks from yesterday, on August 7, talented Iowa college students will assemble for the eighth annual session of the ABI Foundation’s newest program, Leadership Iowa University. 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. The first seven LIU class programs received rave remarks from students, college officials, ABI leaders, and others.
There are two separate networking receptions that provide great opportunities for you, ABI board members and former Chairs, to interact with LIU students. The first reception will be held two weeks from today, Monday, August 8. The next afternoon, Tuesday, August 19, another reception will be held. There may also be other opportunities to interact with the LIU class, so please stay tuned.
Great supporters and donors and terrific volunteers make LIU possible. ABI Foundation Vice President, Programs Kay Neumann-Thomas, Development Director Amanda Nuzum, Foundation Marketing and Programs Coordinator Jessi Steward, and Foundation Administrative Assistant Jane Galloway provide excellent staff leadership. Look for a full report at September's board meeting.
Policy Development Meetings One Week Away
Along with other changes made to ABI's award-winning public policy advocacy work, our association has advanced the annual policy development process. This extra time allows ABI members and staff to further engage legislators and other state officials in issues important to Iowa employers.
In keeping with that change, the annual policy development meetings begin next week. The ABI Workplace and Product Safety Committee will kick things off a week from tomorrow.
Regarding each of the committees, well over 100 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 David Zrostlik (Stellar Industries, Garner), and to ABI Senior Vice President Public Policy Nicole Crain, Director Public Policy Jessica Harder, and Executive Administrative Assistant Michelle Vollstedt for leading this process. The ABI Board of Directors will act on the recommendations of these committees at the September board meeting.
Galloway Joins ABI Permanently
Many of you met Jane Galloway at the annual Taking Care of Business Conference in Sioux City. Jane was a contractual employee, but that is no longer the case.
That's because Jane has joined ABI permanently and will provide assistance to both ABI and the ABI Foundation. Jane and her husband, Paul Galloway, and their children reside in west Des Moines, where they are also Welcome Jane! Jane has a long and successful career in association work and we are excited to bring her on board at ABI. Welcome, Jane!
New Board Member Orientations Continue
Ask any ABI staff member about one of the best perks of their job and they will cite the opportunity to tour so many Iowa manufacturing and business operations. That is typically one of the best things about the annual orientation sessions with newly-elected board members and it is so again this year.
This week's orientation involves newly-elected ABI Board member David Nicholl (Grip Tite Mfg Co., Winterset). David is a great leader and other great leaders were also elected to the board.
You will have the opportunity to meet the other new board members in September. They include Christine Carlson (Hillphoenix Specialty Products, Keosauqua), Michele Farrell (Measured Intentions, Clive), Alan Johnson (Norplex Micarta, Postville), Drew Larson (RAM Pattern, Le Claire), Kellan Longenecker (General Mills, Carlisle), Vince Newendorp (Vermeer Corporation, Pella), and Kim Pang (Diamond Jo Worth, Northwood), and the honorary Leadership Iowa board member, Kelly Barrick (The Private Bank, West Des Moines). Thank you to them and to all of you for your leadership!
ABI CFO Roundtable to Hold Monthly Session Thursday
This is the second year of programs for members of the ABI CFO Roundtable. The roundtable will meet again this Wednesday in Des Moines. Should you or your finance staff desire information about this program, please contact me and I will get it to you at once.
Registration Now Open for ABI Executive Open; Foursomes Adding Up Quickly
Registrations are pouring in for the Eighth Annual ABI Executive Open, one of ABI's most popular annual events. Dozens of foursomes have already signed-up for the August 29 event.
Go to http://www.cvent.com/events/abi-executive-open-2016/event-summary-78ef26d7ecd4489696463f1d84494bd2.aspx and click on the Executive Open link to register or for more information. The event will be again held at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines .
Thank you to Vice President Member Development and Programs Kathy Anderson, ABI Member Programs Director Holly Mueggenberg, and Membership Coordinator Dorothy Knowles for their management related to this event. Remember, if you haven't yet done so, go now to the link above and complete your registration for this always-fun ABI event.
Business Horizons 2016 Completed; Annual Session a Huge Success
As you read about in last week's edition of this memorandum, the 2016 session of the ABI Foundation's Business Horizons high school experience was held last week. Nearly 100 students from all over Iowa converged on the campus of Central College in Pella to participate in this terrific program.
The week provided a fabulous experience for all involved. Making it so was another great group of students, terrific ABI members, and leaders. BH 2016 was a huge success, with students and parents sharing praise for the curriculum and the connections made during the week. This program is simply a terrific event each year and it is possible only through the support of you, your company, and your employees.
Thirteenth Annual YPIowa Conference in September
The thirteenth annual YPIowa Annual Conference will be held in September in Ankeny. The conference will be held on September 22.
The conference is always a terrific event and is a great way to connect with leading young professionals. I have heard that some companies actually do some staff recruiting at the conference. I can tell you that it will be a great time to network with YPs from throughout Iowa. Register today at www.ypiowa.org.
This Week: U.S. Department of Justice Free Workforce Events
You will recall that in last week's edition of this memorandum, I shared that U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa Kevin Techau has invited ABI members to attend, at no charge, one of a series of workshops coming up later this month. The workshops, called "Iowa's Untapped Workforce," will provide information about hiring ex-offenders.
The workshops will be held this week in Cedar Rapids, Fort Dodge, and Sioux City. If you would like more information, please click on this link and scroll down the page: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia.
Annual Iowa M&A Conference Next Week in Des Moines; Free to Attend for ABI Members
The 2016 Iowa Mergers and Acquisitions Conference, sponsored by ABI member Faegre Baker Daniels, will be held August 4 in Des Moines. Click www.FaegreBD.com/16IowaMA for more information. In the meantime, as an ABI member, you are invited to this high value event at no charge. If you wish to attend the conference and use the ABI code, simply contact me and I will get the appropriate information to you.
Nominations Due This Week for Legends in Manufacturing Awards
As you have been reading in recent editions of this memo, plans are being finalized for the second annual Legends in Manufacturing Awards Dinner. Last year's inaugural event was a huge success and it will be wonderful to continue this new tradition later this year.Nominations related to the awards are due this week and you can click on this link for more information and to make a nomination (there is no charge to do so): http://www.elevateiowa.com/about/elevate-legends-nominations. Thank you in advance for your help in this important endeavor.
NAM Economic Report Cites Encouraging News
As are many of you, I am an avid reader of the National Association of Manufacturers' Monday Economic Report. Last week's report carried a lead story that highlighted encouraging developments in the global economy.
The economy is showing signs of progress, especially as it relates to manufacturing production. If you wish to read it for yourself, simply reply to this message and I will forward the report to you.
Two ABI Leaders named Kirk and One Named Tom Celebrate Birthdays
You will see that headline every year about this time. Former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Waukee) celebrated his birthday on the 23rd and ABI Board member Kirk McCollough (Seneca Foundry, Webster City) celebrated his birthday the next day, yesterday, on the 24th. And, ABI Board Member Tom Determann (CRDC, Clinton) also recently celebrated his birthday. Happy birthday, to both Kirks and to Tom!
Walker McDonald Defeats Council Bluffs
Okay, that heading is not entirely accurate. It was the Waukee High School baseball team that beat two Council Bluffs teams (Thomas Jefferson High School and Lewis Central High School) to make it to the Iowa State High School Baseball Tournament.
However, Walker McDonald, son of ABI Board Member Todd McDonald (ATW Training Solutions, Urbandale) pitched both games and threw A LOT of strikes. Congratulations to Walker and his dad! Good luck at State!
Senator Ernst Tours Hillphoenix
One of the best things ABI members can do to help state and federal officials understand the ramifications of their policy actions is to host them in their facilities. Thankfully, many ABI members do just that.
Last Thursday, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst toured longtime-ABI member Hillphoenix Specialty Products. Senator Ernst saw first-hand how the company has expanded, re-fitted its manufacturing operations, and heard about further plans for growth. Thank you and congratulations to everyone at Hillphoenix, including newly-elected ABI Board Member Christine Carlson (Hillphoenix Specialty Products, Keosauqua)!