Nicole Crain Named ABI President - Monday Memo 9/7/24

October 7, 2024

Nicole Crain Named Next President of ABI

By now, you should have all received the exciting news that longtime ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain has been named the next president of ABI.  If not, you can read the press release here: Nicole Crain Named New Iowa Association of Business and Industry President | Iowa Association of Business and Industry (iowaabi.org).  Nicole will officially begin her duties on January 1, 2025. 

Ladies and gentleman, Nicole is an exceptional talent and will provide exceptional leadership to the association.  She is also simply one of the very best people I have ever met.  Her appointment is terrific news for ABI and I know with your direction and working with ABI’s incredible staff, Nicole will bring some very big things to the association in the years ahead.  Hearty congratulations to her and to all of you.  Best wishes, Nicole! 

ABI Board Will Meet in November; Executive Committee Meets Wednesday

The ABI Board of Directors will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, November 20.  The meeting will begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and will be held at the ABI office in Des Moines’ East Village. 

ABI Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City), board members, and former chairs will work through a full agenda of important items.  This will be the final meeting of the calendar year for the board and a number of important discussion topics will be highlights of the November session.  Look for registration information to come your way soon. 

Chad will also lead this month’s meeting of the ABI Executive Committee.  That meeting will take place by Zoom this Wednesday morning (October 9) at 10. 

Attend Employee Ownership Conference October 16th

ABI is a partner in development of the Iowa Employee Ownership Conference.  This is the second annual conference, which is led by the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership at the University of Northern Iowa.  The conference will be held October 16th at the FFA Enrichment Center at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny and you can register and find more information here: Summary - IA-CEO 2nd Annual Employee Ownership Conference (cvent.com).  If you are considering transitioning your company to an ESOP or even if you are already an ESOP, you’ll find great information at this conference.  

Last Week’s Events Celebrated Iowa Manufacturing; Terrific Manufacturers Highlighted

Last week, ABI held the annual Iowa Manufacturing Conference.  A record crowd was on hand to hear terrific speakers, attend high-value workshops, participate in manufacturing tours, and share best practice ideas with each other.  

Iowa manufacturers were celebrated at the annual ABI/Elevate Legends in Iowa Manufacturing Awards event, this year again held at a special luncheon during the manufacturing conference.  Congratulations to longtime ABI Member John Lisle (Lisle Corporation, Clarinda), who was so deservedly recognized as a Manufacturing Legend, and to the late Jim Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Atlantic), who was also deservedly recognized (posthumously).  And congratulations to other honorees as well. 

Plan Now to Attend 2025 ABI Legislative Reception

Every year, more people attend and participate in the annual ABI Legislative Reception than in any other similar event in Iowa.  The 2025 Legislative Reception will be held January 15th at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines.  Make plans now to attend and watch for registration information to be available soon. 

Reece Family Celebrates Youngest Daughter’s Wedding

It was a big time in Stuart, Iowa, last weekend, as ABI Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) and his wife, Chris Reece, and their family celebrated a family wedding.  Chris and Chad’s youngest daughter, Ellie Reece, married Michael Eddy in a wonderful ceremony at the church in Stuart.  Ellie, who teaches in Menlo, and Michael will live in the Stuart-Menlo area.  ABI sends congratulations all around on this wonderful occasion! 

Dave Zrostlik, Stellar Industries Honored

At a wonderful event in Mason City Thursday evening, former ABI Chair Dave Zrostlik (Stellar Industries, Garner) and the company he leads were honored by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at North Iowa Area Community Center.  On behalf of Stellar, Dave accepted the Legacy Award, recognizing not only Stellar’s incredible growth, but also its commitment to the multiple communities in which it has facilities and to the area and state in general.  It was an exciting night!  ABI congratulates Dave Zrostlik and Stellar! 

The Business of ABI: The Very Best Business Public Policy Advocacy Programs

(Editor’s Note: A few of years ago at this time, several of us on the ABI staff were receiving inquiries from members who were being requested to provide financial support for non-ABI lobbying activities.  I included the following in the Monday Memo each of the past six years and it still applies today.) 

You have heard me say often that I like things that can be measured, because they let us know whether or not we are having success in achieving the goals that the board sets for us each year.  Some goals are easy to measure, such as the condition of our balance sheet (it is strong).  Other things are more difficult to measure, but are measurable nonetheless.  One example of that is ABI’s public policy work.  Is the association getting passed into law the bills that will help members grow and create jobs?  And, is the association stopping advancement of bills that hinder that growth?  The answer to both questions, for decades through today, is a resounding yes. 

You don’t have to take my word for it.  National recognition, awards, mentions by media about how strong and effective is ABI’s policy work, all these things attest to ABI’s success.

In fact, as it pertains to public policy, no business organization has had more success than ABI… none.  For over a hundred years, ABI has been at the Statehouse; year in, year out, achieving success in public policy advocacy and doing the hard and tough work of representing business interests. 

You already receive that award-winning public policy work as a benefit of your membership in ABI.  You don’t have to pay extra for it.  Between ABI and our programs such as the Iowans for Jobs Initiative, ABI annually puts together the strategy that will bring victory; and then achieves it.  

Success.  It is what you are pay for when you make your annual investment in ABI.  You already receive Iowa’s best pro-growth, pro-business public policy work as a result of your membership in ABI.  And, thanks to your continued investment in ABI, continued success is assured. 

Editor’s Note

The week before last, ABI Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) and Nicole Crain pulled me aside.  I thought perhaps I was being eased out early!  Instead, they shared the news that I was to receive the Manufacturing Champion Award at last week’s ABI/Elevate Legends in Iowa Manufacturing Awards luncheon.  I was surprised and deeply grateful.  

To all of you, let me say thank you.  I am indeed a true believer in Iowa manufacturing.  YOU provide the jobs and economic activity that make Iowa communities and Iowa families grow and thrive.  I would not want to live in an Iowa without all of you.  I respect so much what you and your employees do day in and day out.  You make things, and in so doing you make things better for your customers and for all of us.  This award is really about you.  

The thing I have enjoyed most these past years is hearing your stories.  I love learning about your companies and your families and how you worked hard for success.  Your story is the Iowa story and I will tell your story until I pass.  THANK YOU so much.