The AEM Board of Directors met on Thursday, Aug.1 in Chicago to review a full agenda of topics important to the association. AEM Board Chair Todd Stucke, Kubota Corporation, presided over the meeting and provided his Chair’s report on current activities and strategic initiatives from the organization. He highlighted the AEM staff’s continued work to increase value to AEM member companies and the elevated engagement numbers and strong membership renewal results.
AEM President Megan Tanel provided her President’s Report, and she informed the Board about recent positive results of the internal staff survey that showed increases in staff engagement and good feedback compared to previous years. She also highlighted the Human Resources team’s work to support employee retention by improving AEM employee experience and culture through a variety of training and other initiatives.
In addition, the AEM Board agenda covered the following:
Treasurer’s Report
AEM CFO Kathy Barke and AEM Treasurer Melvin Porter, Link-Belt Cranes, provided an update on the year-to-date financial results and year-end forecast, reinforcing that financials are on track per expectations. They also discussed preliminary projections for the 2025 budget outlook.
Advocacy
Government and Public Affairs (GPAC) Chair Pat Weiler, Weiler, and AEM Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Kip Eideberg reported on the third refinery meeting of AEM’s Government and Public Affairs Committee, which was held on July 10. They updated the Board about the AEM Manufacturing Express, providing an overview of the results to date, including engagements with elected officials, earned media coverage, AEM staff involvement, and positive feedback from member companies about their participation. Several AEM board members shared their stories from the tour and stressed how valuable their participation has been in making their employees feel appreciated for the work they do.
Additionally, Eideberg shared an overview of AEM’s activities at the Republican National Convention, which was held in Milwaukee. This included a summary of the many engagements the Advocacy Team had with republican elected officials, AEM’s Equipped to Vote event, as well as the policy panel on the future of manufacturing, which was held at Komatsu’s Milwaukee South Harbor Campus.
Sector Updates
Ag Sector Chair Bill Hurley, AGCO Corporation, and AEM Senior Vice President, Industry Sectors, Curt Blades provided a summary of the Ag Sector Board meeting from the previous day. They highlighted the Ag Sector Board’s work to achieve 2025 sector priorities, as well as a review of the success of the Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall, which was held in May. They also highlighted a variety of topics and initiatives important to the sector and the work AEM is doing to put ag equipment manufacturers on display to key stakeholders.
CE Sector Chair Eric Sauvage, LBX Company, and AEM Vice President, Construction and Utility Sectors, John Somers offered a review of the CE Sector Board meeting, including the work being done to advocate for the construction industry and engage with policy makers and regulators. They also shared the efforts underway to identify opportunities to support the adoption, implementation, and standardization of construction equipment technologies, and how AEM and the membership continue to engage with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) TS 15143-4 worksite data exchange standard.
Strategic Planning
AEM consultants McKinley Advisors presented to the Board and provided an overview of the strategic planning process that has been underway for 18 months. The Board had a good discussion regarding the strategic plan initiatives and approved the plan, which will be shared with the AEM membership at the AEM Annual Conference in November.
Nominating Committee
Nominating Committee Chair Rod Schrader, Komatsu America, presented the recommendations for the AEM slate of 2025 officers, which was approved by the Board. The slate of 2025 officers will be announced at the AEM Annual Conference in November.
The next meeting of the AEM Board will be held on November 15 at AEM’s Annual Conference in Indian Wells, California. For more information, contact AEM’s Megan Tanel at mtanel@aem.org.
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