The AEM Board of Directors met on Aug. 6 in Milwaukee for its second meeting of the year to discuss the industry’s most pressing opportunities and challenges, as well as progress on the association’s strategic priorities.
Prior to the official meeting, Board members participated in a strategic planning session facilitated by Jim Meffert of Tecker International Consulting. The session focused on identifying the forces shaping the future of the non-road manufacturing industry and exploring how those changes may impact members in the years ahead. The discussion is part of AEM’s long-term strategic planning effort to develop the roadmap that will guide the association beginning in 2028.
Following the strategic planning session, AEM Chair Phil Kelliher, senior vice president at Caterpillar, officially called the meeting to order and welcomed directors to Milwaukee. He highlighted several reports included in the consent agenda, including updates on AEM’s Sector activities, Membership, Safety & Product Leadership, and Sustainability initiatives, as well as reports from both the Agriculture and Construction & Utility Sector Chairs.
AEM President and CEO Megan Tanel delivered her President’s Report, emphasizing the organization’s continued progress in aligning strategy, goals, and performance across the association. She also highlighted advancements in AEM’s enterprise data strategy through enhanced dashboards and system integration efforts, along with ongoing initiatives to strengthen leadership effectiveness, improve organizational communications, and support employee development.
Strategic Planning Progress
Chair Kelliher provided an overview of the steady progress being made on the association’s nine priorities for the year, organized around the three pillars of the strategic plan—Voice, Value, and Vision—which will guide the association through 2027. He reinforced how meaningful progress is being made across all areas.
Advocacy
Kip Eideberg, AEM Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations, provided an update on the association’s advocacy initiatives and ongoing government relations efforts. He highlighted progress in expanding AEM’s advocacy capabilities in Canada at both the provincial and federal levels, as well as public affairs initiatives designed to drive media coverage and raise the profile of the industry across United States as well as Canada. His report also included an update on the forthcoming “Tell Our Story” campaign, regulatory affairs efforts in California, and ongoing engagement with federal agencies on the association’s key regulatory priorities.
Brian Bieller, president of BOMAG Americas and 2026 Chair of the AEM Government and Public Affairs Committee, presented the Board with the 2026 slate of candidates for the Champion of the Industry Award, which will be announced at a later date. He also provided a report on the performance of AEMPAC, highlighting fundraising goals, expected funds raised by end-of-year, shortcomings in current fundraising drives, as well as new initiatives designed to broaden the donor base and secure greater participation from member companies.
