August 2021 Volume 3

INDUSTRY NEWS

FIA Annual Meeting of Members Recap

The FIA Annual Meeting of Members took place at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, Lake Geneva, WI on June 28-30, 2021. Over 150 executives and spouses assembled to network with their peers, share experiences, and gain valuable insight into current and future industry trends. On June 28, FIA Member executives and spouses gathered together for a welcome reception at the GrandGeneva Resort &Spa’s outdoor pavilion. Attendees enjoyed and evening filled with reconnecting with friends and partners, delicious food and refreshing cocktails. To kick of the program on Tuesday, June 29, General Robert Spalding laid the foundation of how China approaches the West in a ‘stealth war’ manner targeting core industries necessary to our defense such as steel and forgings. Each attending member received a copy of the General’s executive summary titled "Stealth War: HowChina Took Over While America’s Elite Slept." Member audience questions focused on what the U.S. response should be to cyber-attacks and any further aggression shown toward Taiwan. The General signed copies of his book for any interested members.

Attendees had the option to participate in a variety of activities including an archery class, a trolley tour of downtown Lake Geneva, a walking tour of the beautiful Blackpoint Estate, or a scramble golf tournament. Winners of the golf tournament were announced at the Sunset Reception that evening. • Closest to the Pin: Nate Jones • Longest Drive: Brian Anderson • Winning Foursome: Brad Ahbe, Vic Almgren, Mike Pellicane, and Gregory Heim.

Sponsored by Ellwood Quality Steels and Ellwood National Steel with introduction byMike Morgus, President of EQS and ENS, Dr. Ken Ender talked of the importance of each person in attendance having a relationship with the president of their local community college. Dr. Ender stressed the importance of the relationship between district high schools and the community college, and detailed the successful Promise Program at Harper College (Palatine, IL) where an endowment fund covered community college tuition for ‘promising’ students who kept grades and attendance up during high school. He further stressed the future is allowing high school students to take courses at the community college level during high school as a solid plan for filling shortages in the manufacturing industry.

The Sunset Reception and Banquet sponsored by Finkl Steel took place in the Grand Geneva Resort’s Chalet, at the top of the mountain.

FIA MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2021 59