Policy Meetings Start Tuesday - Monday Memo 8/1/16

Policy Development Meetings Begin Tomorrow

For the fourth year in a row, the schedule for ABI's annual policy committees has been advanced.  The annual process will begin with a meeting of the ABI Workplace and Product Safety Committee tomorrow.  Thank you to ABI member Rex Butler (CIPCO, Des Moines), who chairs the committee. 

Hundreds of ABI members have already registered to attend one or more of the five committee 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.  The ABI Board of Directors will act on the recommendations of these committees at the September board meeting. 

August ABI Executive Committee Teleconference Two Weeks from Today

Members of the ABI Executive Committee will convene for their monthly teleconference on August 15.  ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics, Fairfield) and committee members will work through a full agenda in advance of next month’s meeting of the ABI Board of Directors. 

As you know, the first ABI Board Meeting of the 2016 fiscal year will be held on September 14.  Please mark your calendars now and finalize your plans to participate in this important meeting. 

Leadership Iowa University to Begin Eighth Annual Class Sunday

Next Sunday (August 7), the eighth annual session of the ABI Foundation’s Leadership Iowa University program will convene at ABI.  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 Monday, August 8, in Ames, from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Beverages and light appetizers will be served.  You won't want to miss this event, because it is being held at Iowa State University's fabulous brand new Economic Development Core Facility.  The next afternoon, Tuesday, August 9, a second reception will be held at the Tassel Ridge Winery near Leighton.  The event will be held from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m.  Thank you to former ABI Chair Bob Wersen (Interpower Corporation, Oskaloosa and Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton) for hosting the class!  Both events are FREE and all you need do to attend is to contact ABI Foundation Vice President Programs Kay Neumann-Thomas at kthomas@iowaabi.org.  

You can also help LIU by participating in a business leader roundtable discussion on Wednesday, August 10 at Nationwide Insurance in downtown Des Moines. The roundtable comes with a free lunch and will take place from half-past noon to 1:30.  Thank you to ABI Board Member Jason Gross (Nationwide, Des Moines) for hosting.  Again, please contact Kay for more information. 

Give to ABI Foundation; Receive Credit on Your Taxes

Speaking of the ABI Foundation, Foundation Development Director Amanda Nuzum reminds us of something that positively impacts donors to the Foundation. The ABI Foundation, as do many charitable organizations across Iowa, has an account with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines.  Through that account, donors to the ABI Foundation qualify for an Endow Iowa credit of 25 percent on their Iowa income tax obligation (make a $1,000 donation, receive $250 additional credit on your state income tax).  The State of Iowa has a limited pool or revenue related to the credit, so it is first-come, first-served, so to speak.  Go here to find more information: http://www.desmoinesfoundation.org/endow-iowa-tax-credits-2.aspx.  

Amanda has learned that the latest Endow Iowa Tax Credit Report indicates that $1.6 million remains in the Endow Iowa Tax Credit fund for 2016. The bottom line is that you should make your ABI Foundation donation now to ensure your receipt of the 25 percent tax credit.  Please contact Amanda at anuzum@iowaabi.org with questions and thank you for your support! 

ABI Advisory Council Meets August 18

Members of the ABI Advisory Council provide significant support for the association.  Certainly their financial investment is important and appreciated, but even more valuable is the programming and resource support they provide for ABI members.  The council will hold its August meeting two weeks from Thursday in Des Moines.  Thank you to ABI Advisory Council members 21st Century Rehab, ATW Training Solutions, BCC Advisers, Brick Gentry P.C., BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC, Focus OneSource, Global Reach, LMC Insurance and Risk Management, Manpower, Measured Intentions, Principal Financial Group, Spindustry Digital, Transition Point Business Advisors, and Wellmark. 

New Board Member Orientations Almost Completed

Board orientation sessions with newly-elected board members will be completed later this month.  It is always exciting to see the operations of the new board members and  learn about the innovative things being done by these businesses.   

To join an already exceptional board, ABI members elected exceptional people to the association's board of directors last June. They include: Christine Carlson (Hillphoenix Specialty Products, Keosauqua), Michele Farrell (Measured Intentions, Clive), Alan Johnson (Norplex Micarta, Postville), Drew Larson (RAM Pattern, LeClaire), Kellan Longenecker (General Mills, Carlisle), Vince Newendorp (Vermeer Corporation, Pella), David Nicholl (Grip-Tite Mfg Co., Winterset), and Kim Pang (Diamond Jo Worth, Northwood), and the honorary Leadership Iowa board member, Kelli Barrick (The Private Bank, West Des Moines).  As always, thank you to them and to all of you for your leadership. 

Eight Annual ABI Executive Open on August 29

Register now for the eighth annual ABI Executive Open Best Ball, which will be held on August 29 at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines.  Golf, networking, and a reception will highlight the day.  Registration has been open for a couple of weeks and golf is nearly sold-out! To register right now for the remaining spots, go to http://www.cvent.com/events/abi-executive-open-2016/event-summary-78ef26d7ecd4489696463f1d84494bd2.aspx.  We look forward to seeing you at the end of the month.  

YPIowa Conference September 22

The ABI Foundation provides administrative support for Young Professionals of Iowa, our state's largest group for young professionals. YPIowa is now getting ready for its annual conference, which will be held September 22nd in Ankeny.  You can find more information at YPIowa Annual Conference.   

Deadline Extended for Legends Nominations

The second annual Legends in Manufacturing Dinner will be held in Greater Des Moines on October 3. Your nominations for the awards are desired and the deadline for submitting nominations has been extended. The new deadline is the end of this week, August 6.

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.

Thombert Expands Brooklyn Operations

For decades, ABI member Thombert, Inc. has manufactured polyurethane wheels and tires for lift trucks.  With manufacturing operations in Newton and Brooklyn, Thombert has grown to be one of the world's largest players in its industry. 

Now underway is an expansion of the Brooklyn plant, tripling its size from 20,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet. Congratulations to everyone at Thombert, including company President and ABI Board Member Dick Davidson (Thombert, Newton)! 

Pella Corporation Makes Acquisition

Company officials last week announced that longtime ABI member Pella Corporation was acquiring Reilly Windows & Doors.  Reilly, based in New York, is a manufacturer of custom windows and doors.  By adding Reilly's 180 employees, Pella Corporation total employment will reach nearly 7,700 persons nationwide.  Congratulations to everyone at Pella, including ABI Board Member Brent Kjellberg (Pella Corporation, Carroll)! 

Alliant Energy $1 billion Wind Energy Play Announced

Longtime valued ABI member Alliant Energy was in the news last week.  The company announced plans to add 500 megawatts of wind energy to its portfolio in Iowa.  Alliant officials said that the $1 billion addition to the Whispering Willow wind development in Franklin County will mean the addition of 1,500 construction jobs in Iowa. Congratulations to everyone at Alliant, including ABI Board Member Jeanine Penticoff (Alliant Energy, Cedar Rapids)! 

Waukee High School and Walker McDonald Have Great State Tournament 

You read last week that Waukee High School made it to the Iowa High School State Baseball Tournament at principal park. That was due in large part to the pitching of Warriors ace Walker McDonald, son of ABI Board Member Todd McDonald (ATW Training Solutions, Urbandale). 

Well, Waukee had a great tournament and Walker's pitching was again a large part of the team's success. Congratulations to Walker, to his parents, and to the entire Warriors team!   

Business Record Program to Feature Fred Buie, Other ABI Members

The Des Moines Business Record produces programs of value for business people.  A program coming up next month is one of those. 

Former ABI chair Frederick V. Buie (Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Company, Des Moines).  Fred will be a part of a program in which nine Central Iowa business leaders share ten ideas each got improve your business.  Other member company executives who will be participating include: Ro Crosbie (Tero International, West Des Moines), Laura Jackson (Wellmark, Des Moines), Dan Keough (Holmes, Murphy, and Associates, West Des Moines), and Jeff Russell (Delta Dental of Iowa, Johnston).  For more information, go to: http://www.businessrecord.com/Content/Events/Archive/Article/Upcoming-Business-Record-Events/153/751/48029.  Congratulations to Fred and the other leaders for their recognition and for their participation in the program!