IIPAC Board Meets Today - Monday Memo 8/13/18
August 13, 2018
IIPAC Board to Meet Today
ABI’s award-winning public policy work encompasses many elements. One of those elements is the Iowa Industry Political Action Committee. IIPAC is ABI’s political arm and it exists to support pro-business candidates, regardless of party. As I often say, IIPAC will support a Democrat, a Republican, a Whig, or a Tory… as long as they support business.
The IIPAC Board of Directors will meet later today at ABI. Chaired by former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines), the board consists of ABI members and IIPAC contributors who are focused on pro-business policies. The board will work through a full agenda of action items. Watch for further IIPAC-related news as developments occur.
And by the way, if you aren’t an IIPAC contributor already, you should be (I am). Click here now to make your donation: https://www.iowaabi.org/public-policy/iipac/. Thank you and thank you to ALL IIPAC supporters!
Executive Committee Meets Wednesday; First ABI Board Meeting of Fiscal Year September 12
In just a couple of days, ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) and members of the association’s Executive Committee will hold their August teleconference. The committee will work through a full agenda and will meet again immediately prior to the September board meeting.
The ABI Board of Directors will meet September 12 at Reiman Gardens in Ames. Lunch will be served for all board members and former chairs in attendance. You will receive much more information, including a detailed meeting packet and map, a week prior to the meeting.
The September board meeting is typically well-attended and is important for several reasons. It marks the first board meeting of the ABI fiscal year and the first meeting for newly-elected board members. Because it also marks the first meeting of the board in three months, the agenda is typically full and involves action on a number of issues, including ABI's public policy agenda for the next year. On behalf of David and our other officers, I look forward to seeing you in Ames.
Annual Policy Development Policy Committee Meetings on Tap
Some of the most important work done by ABI each year relates to public policy advocacy. And the most important part of that process is the active involvement and leadership of ABI members themselves. In order to ensure that ABI members have every opportunity to lead and guide this critical task, ABI hosted several meetings around the state earlier this summer. Last week, ABI began a series of meetings in Des Moines to develop public policy positions for 2019.
It is the ABI Vice Chair who leads this process each year and thus John Krogman (Connect-A-Dock, Atlantic) is chairing the 2018 process. Last week’s meetings involved record attendance and it is likely more records will be set this week. However, there is still time for you and your employees to participate in the policy committee meetings.
The ABI Economic Growth Committee, chaired by Dave Moench (3E, Windsor Heights), meets tomorrow. The ABI Environment Committee, chaired by Mick Durham (Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine), meets Wednesday. And the ABI Tax Committee, chaired by Larry Countryman (Wilson Trailer Company, Sioux City), meets Thursday. Please go to www.iowaabi.org to register for these free meetings. As you know, this process will conclude next month when you (the ABI Board of Directors and Past Chairs) meet to adopt final policies. Thank you in advance for your involvement in this critical work.
Latest BRIowa Now Out
As you know, in conjunction with member company Business Publications Corp., ABI publishes Business Record Iowa. This monthly newsprint magazine is distributed to you and to business leaders all across Iowa as a part of the Des Moines Business Record.
The August edition of BR Iowa was published last week and should be in your mailbox by now. It features a great ABI leader on the front cover, ABI Board Member Tim Bianco (Iowa Spring, Adel). If you have not received your copy of BR Iowa, please contact me and one will be sent to you at once.
2019 Convention Planning Well Underway
ABI members are still talking about the terrific 2018 ABI Convention held in June in Coralville/Iowa City. The hospitality, speakers, and exciting venues made a lasting impression on all who attended.
As you know, the 116th Annual ABI Convention (Iowa's Taking Care of Business Conference 2019) will be held in Ames. Community leaders there are pulling out all the stops to welcome ABI and you will see some absolutely beautiful new venues. Planning for the convention is well underway and is being ably led by a great committee. Chairing the committee is ABI member executive Lisa Patterson (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City). Believe me when I say the 2019 conference is shaping up to be another spectacular meeting.
New Board Member Orientations Continue This Week
Meetings with new members of the ABI Board of Directors continue. This week, a meeting with newly-elected ABI Board Member Phil Jones (Rada Mfg., Waverly) is on tap. Phil and other new board members look forward to meeting all of you next month at the September meeting of the board.
ABI Executive Open August 27
The tenth annual ABI Executive Open best ball golf outing will be held Monday, August 27 at Des Moines Golf and Country Club in West Des Moines, one of Iowa's most exclusive and beautiful private clubs. Register now to play golf and enjoy a reception with your ABI colleagues (or just join us for the reception following golf). To find more information or to register, please go to the ABI webpage at www.iowaabi.org and click on the Events Calendar tab. Nearly a hundred ABI members have already registered!
Russell Hosts Summer Celebration; You’re Invited
Longtime ABI member Russell Construction is hosting a summer celebration at its’ headquarters in Davenport on August 29th. ABI is pleased to support the event and all of you – all members of the ABI Board of Directors and former Chairs of the Board – are invited to attend and there is no charge for doing so.
To attend, simply reply to this message and then show up at 4600 East 53rd Street in Davenport on the 29th. Great food, great beverages, and great company are all on the agenda. See you there!
Manufacturing Road Show Next Month
ABI, in conjunction with longtime member/partner CIRAS (the Center for Industrial Research and Service at Iowa Strate University) has developed a manufacturing best practices road show. The event is scheduled for two days – September 18th and 19th – and involves a trip by chartered coach to the Quad Cities and suburban Chicago. To find more information and to register, please click on https://www.iowaabi.org/events/detail/121-manufacturing-best-practices-road-show-chicago/.
Various stops will be made to pick up passengers and the group will tour two businesses in the Quad Cities and two near Chicago. The latest manufacturing technology will be on display and the tour will include live presentations by manufacturers who will share the latest in digital technology, process improvement, and best practices. Register now using the link above.
LIU Completes Session
Last Thursday, the annual class of Leadership Iowa University was completed. 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. To get a feel for LIU, go to https://www.iowaabi.org/leadership-iowa-university/ and click on the links to see what class members have to say and to watch videos that offer an insight in to this great program. You can also use that link to see who is in the class and to access blogs students have written.
The students are an intelligent and enthusiastic group and made the most of their time last week. It is clear they are focused on business and advancing their careers in a way that brings value to them, their future employers, and to Iowa. As I mentioned last week, class members come from public, private, and community colleges all across Iowa. Thank you to ABI Board Member Jason Gross (EMC, Des Moines), who hosted the class last Wednesday, for helping make the session a great success!
Deadline Extended for Legends in Manufacturing Awards Nominations
As you read last week, the nomination deadline for the Legends in Manufacturing Awards has been extended to August 17 (this Friday). Go now to https://www.elevateiowa.com/about/elevate-legends-nominations to make your nominations of worthy companies. Then, plan on attending the annual Legends dinner on October 2nd.
Capacity Crowd at Statewide Leaders Event
The latest in ABI’s Connecting Statewide Leaders events drew a capacity crowd. Held last Wednesday at member company Shive Hattery in West Des Moines, the event focused on workforce resources available to members. A great panel discussion, followed by terrific networking (including the LIU class – your future employees), marked the event.
Among the crowd were ABI Board Members Kim Augspurger (Saxton, Des Moines), Kelly Barrick (CIBC Bank, West Des Moines), and Krista Tanner (ITC Midwest, Des Moines). Former Board Member Drew Larson (BrownWinick, Des Moines) was also a part of the large crowd at the event. Thank you to everyone for helping make the afternoon such a success.
YPIowa Conference Next Month in Spencer
As you know, the ABI Foundation provides administrative support to Young Professionals of Iowa, our state's leading organization for young professionals. YPIowa's biggest annual event is the YPIowa Conference. The 2018 edition of that event will be held next month (September 21) in Spencer.
A terrific program is in store and the YPs on your staff will want to attend. You are also invited and you can register at http://ypiowa.com/events/the-2018-young-professionals-of-iowa-conference/. Click on the link for more information.
NAM Reports Slowing Growth
Last week’s Monday Economic Report published by the National Association of Manufacturers, confirmed a slower growth rate for the national economy. The Report cited manufacturing jobs growth, but at rates lower than expected. Still, the economy is solid and further growth is expected, the Report said. If you would like to see the publication for yourself, please reply to this message and I will send it to you at once.
Agri-Industrial Partners with Ideal Energy, Extends Offer to ABI Members
It was great to hear from former ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics, Fairfield) last week. Lori was sharing news regarding Agri’s new partnership with another ABI member in Fairfield, Ideal Energy.
Agri will begin construction of a 517 kilowatt solar array and a 424 kilowatt/hour Tesla battery system. When completed, the array and battery system will allow Agri to peak shave day or night. As do most manufacturers, the company uses a lot of energy and this project will result in large-scale savings. In addition, Lori notes that Ideal Energy is offering a discounted rate to all ABI members who wish to initiate a similar project at their facilities.
If you want to learn more, please reply to this memorandum and I’ll send you more information at once. In the meantime, congratulations to Lori and everyone at Agri and this exciting new project!
Jim Tyler, Steve Jacobs Celebrate
Former ABI Chair Jim Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic) turned 94 years old last week! Congratulations and happy birthday to this great ABI leader, war hero, and terrific guy.
And, as seems to happen every year, another great guy and great leader also celebrates this week. Longtime ABI Board member Steve Jacobs (BCC Advisers, Des Moines) celebrates his birthday this Friday (August 17). Happy birthday, Steve!
Buies, Roberts Celebrate Anniversaries
Some other great news always seems relevant at this time of year. Two great ABI leaders and their wives are celebrating wedding anniversaries this month. Former ABI Chair Frederick V. Buie (Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Company, Des Moines) and his wife, Valeska Buie, are marking 31 years of marriage. Longtime ABI Board Member Steve Roberts (Davis Brown Law Firm, Des Moines) celebrated 53 years of marriage with his wife, Dawn Roberts. ABI salutes and congratulates Fred and Valeska and Steve and Dawn! Best wishes for many more happy years together!
Correction: Baby Viers Born LAST Week, not the Week Before; Welcome Lyddi Christine
In last week’s Memo, I noted how excited we are at the ABI office. Longtime staff members are celebrating new babies. Vice President Foundation Programs Kay Neumann-Thomas welcomed a new granddaughter the week before last. We are so happy for Kay and her family. While I was on the road that week, I thought ABI Bookkeeper Chrissy Viers also had HER baby and noted that last week. Well… I was off by a week.
Early Friday morning at 2:01, Chrissy gave birth to a beautiful baby. Little Lyddi Christine and Mom are both well and dad Luke Viers and big brother Lucas welcomed Mom and Lyddi home over the weekend. Congratulations and very best wishes to the Viers Family!