Your Member Liaison | P : 515-450-3414 | E : kmeyn@acimech.com
Your Board has been hard at work, wrapping up last year and setting our course for 2020. Our chapter’s budget will focus on government affairs/outreach, safety services, and enhancement of membership programs.
Working with the three councils, we’re developing 2020-2022 strategic goals focused on:

  • Increasing engagement of ABC of Iowa safety and health programming, compliance expertise, and care for people to improve construction safety
  • Increasing member engagement in the political process to promote and protect the interests of merit shop contractors
  • Increasing member retention and growth by providing valued business and training resources
We also adopted new financial policies establishing an “operating reserves” policy and an “opportunity reserves” policy.
Members of the ABC of Iowa Board of Directors, led by Chairman Kent Meyn (third from left) visit with Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver (center) and Senate President Charles Schneider (third from right)
We took to the State Capitol in February, meeting with legislative leaders and hosting our annual Legislative Reception. Our Board has provided support on two pieces of legislation this year: Gov. Reynolds’ professional licensure initiative, provided industry-recognized exams are a component and “construction manager at risk,” provided protections of all contractors and taxpayers are included.

ABC Members Kent Meyn and Mike McCoy visit with Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver (Polk County) and Sen. Mike Breitbach (Clayton County)
Our annual Legislative Reception was just down the hill from the state capitol. A large number of legislators and members attended and were able to discuss issues of importance to merit shop contractors and Iowa’s construction industry.
ON THE ROAD VISITING MEMBERS
Board Chairman Kent Meyn and Chapter President Greg Spenner have been hitting the road for member visits, recently visiting with members in: Hardin, Hamilton, Wright, Franklin, Floyd, Cerro Gordo and Worth Counties. This month they'll be in Story, Boone, Greene, Webster, Humboldt, Pocahontas and Calhoun Counties. 
APPRENTICESHIP & EDUCATION UPDATE
Ginny Shindelar, VP of Education and Training Services
P : 515-985-1175 | E : ginny.shindelar@abciowa.org
We’ll be cheering on our Iowa Craft Champions later this month as they go up against 200 competitors in Nashville at the National Craft Championships. All competitors take a written exam and are tested on their skills during a six-hour project. Best of luck to those representing our chapter and state:
Darren Spicer
Electrical:Residential/Commercial
Benchmark Electric, Inc.
Marion, IA
Austin Bixby
Electrical:Commercial/Industrial
Advanced Electrical Services, Inc.
Iowa City, IA
Sean Murphy
HVAC
Dickerson Mechanical, Inc.
Colfax, IA
Tyler Long
Plumbing
Professional Plumbing Service, Inc. Fairfax, IA
Dillon dePerrot
Sheet Metal
Brockway Mechanical & Roofing Co., Inc.
Burlington, IA
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Jared Harridge, Membership Director
P : 515-681-5620 | E : jared.harridge@abciowa.org
OUR CHAPTER'S GROWTH STARTS WITH YOU
ABC of Iowa membership ensures merit shop contractors have a seat at the table when it comes to all levels of government. Our partnerships allow for special discounts on services. Renowned safety programs and education/training opportunities serve as a vital asset to our members.

Do you know a contractor who would be a great addition to our organization? Jared is happy to reach out and provide them more information on the benefits of ABC membership. 
SAFETY UPDATE
Rich Formanek, Safety Consultant
P : 515-681-1542 | E : rich.formanek@abciowa.org
CORONAVIRUS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Recent news reports have been dominated by the coronavirus (COVID-19), however the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has emphasized there is not currently a coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.

In Iowa, officials were briefed this week by the State Epidemiologist who outlined there are “currently no cases of COVID-19 in Iowa and the risk here is low.”

As a reminder, the most effective way to stay healthy and minimize the spread of infectious disease is to follow basic health best practices like:
  • Enforcing great hygiene, like washing hands thoroughly and covering up coughs/sneezes
  • Asking all staff who are feeling ill to notify their supervisor of their condition and STAY HOME until they recover.
 
You can check  CDC page on coronavirus here.  Additionally, ABC National has compiled coronavirus resources for employers , which includes an on-demand webinar and fact sheet for how employers can manage the outbreak. The national team is receiving email updates directly from CDC and will monitor and pass along updates and actions as appropriate.

OSHA PROGRAMS
Keep In Touch with @ABCofIowa
Monthly Member News - March 2020 | Questions? - Call 515-985-1160