The AEM Board of Directors met for the historic first time in Canada late last month to discuss a full agenda of topics important to the association and the industry.
AEM Chair Linda Hasenfratz with Linamar Corporation called the meeting in Toronto to order and provided her Chair’s report, highlighting the progress and engagement being made on our Strategic Plan focused on Voice, Value and Vision, our enhanced advocacy efforts in Canada, as well as the ongoing work with the U.S. Administration.
AEM President & CEO Megan Tanel shared highlights of her President’s Report to the Board, emphasizing the HR initiatives and success underway in support of the Strategic Plan and the new information systems data strategy to align our use of data with our business goals and to help us make better decisions.
2025 Goals & Strategic Plan Progress
The Board heard from several AEM staff leaders on the progress of the 2025 priorities, with a more in-depth conversation on the following topics:
Advocacy: GPAC Chair Brian Bieller with BOMAG Americas and AEM Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Kip Eideberg shared the Advocacy Update, highlighting the ongoing work this year to expand advocacy efforts in Canada and the ongoing engagement with state and federal lawmakers on regulatory priorities. In addition, they provided an overview of efforts to tell the industry’s story through public affairs initiatives in partnership with member companies, as well as the upcoming AEM Manufacturing Express visit to 22 AEM member companies in Texas.
International Partnering Associations: AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades provided an update on AEM’s efforts to create new opportunities for our member companies to engage and network through organization/association relationships. He shared efforts underway with the Global Alliance for Construction Equipment, Agrievolution Alliance (global association of ag equipment associations), and CEMA (European ag equipment association).
Sustainability: AEM Vice President of Construction & Utility Sector John Somers provided an overview of the work progressing with the AEM Sustainability Council, including an update on the three workstreams of building industry alignment, powering positive perception, and driving supply chain success.
Trade Shows: AEM Senior Vice President of Exhibitions & Marketing Nicole Hallada presented a report on the successful metrics from AEM’s partnership with POLITICO Focus that launched during the Celebration of Construction on the Mall in May and continues to progress through a video and content strategy leading up to CONEXPO-CON/AGG in March 2026. She also shared the progress being made on the new show strategic programs designed to attract and engage new show attendees. In addition, she highlighted the metrics for the upcoming edition of TheThe Utility Expo, shared the work being done to enhance industry partnerships at the show, including the new partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Business Intelligence: Curt Blades provided an overview of AEM’s efforts to establish a new framework to support data collection to meet member needs. As part of this report, he highlighted the progress being made on new and revised product offerings, including the Ag Equipment Global Trade Report and the Construction Equipment Global Trade Report to be launched to members in August, with more reports in development.
Treasurer’s Report
AEM Treasurer Melvin Porter with Link-Belt Cranes and AEM Chief Financial Officer Kathy Barke provided the Board with an overview of the investment reserve policy, cashflow projections, and an update on pension fund allocation strategy.
Nominating Committee
Nominating Committee Chair Todd Stucke, Kubota Tractor Corporation, presented the recommendations for the AEM slate of 2026 Officers, which was approved by the Board. The slate will be announced at the AEM Annual Conference in November.
The next meetings of the AEM Board of Directors and Ag and CE Sector Boards are scheduled for November 20-21, 2025, in conjunction with Annual Conference in Aventura, Florida. For more information about the Board meetings, please contact Megan Tanel at mtanel@aem.org.
