Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/91455
President's Message AED Strategies and Accomplishments: BY TOBY MACK As I write this just before the 2012 elections, I thought it would be an opportune moment to step back and take stock of how far your association has come in the past few years, and where our challenges and opportunities lie going forward. Through the worst downturn in modern industry history, AED has continued to advance our mission and strategy without interruption or cutback. It was timely that in 2008, just before the industry fell off the cliff, AED conducted research about our members' expectations of AED, with hundreds of personal interviews and survey responses. Based on the feedback, the Board undertook stra- tegic planning focused on tightening the alignment of AED's value with members' wants and needs. Strategies were established to achieve gains in three areas: (1.) signifi- cant growth in our advocacy work in Washington, (2.) increasing the quantity and skill levels of new entrants into our workforce while providing education and training for current employees, and (3.) more outreach and interaction with AED members at the local level. This would be accomplished while continu- ing to improve existing programs for industry networking, information and analysis, and business services. Here's what we've done over the past three years to accomplish those strategies. Public Policy Advocacy We doubled AED's investment in advo- cacy in 2009, faced with an expiring highway program with shrinking dollars, a threatening outlook in labor policy (remember "card check"?), a developing war on coal, a crashing homebuilding and general construction outlook, major new costs and uncertainties coming from ObamaCare, and a rush to regulate everything within reach. We increased our "boots on the ground" in Washington, adding to our lobbying staff as well as planting the AED flag even deeper by setting up a second AED headquarters operation near the Capitol and allocating about half of my own time and energies to leading from the front. We have strengthened AED as a first-class advocacy organization, tackling the full range of issues affecting members. Here are some results. n A new highway bill, against all odds in a toxic political environment n Working with National Mining Association to pass a bill in the House to remove unreasonable restrictions on surface coal mining n Working with the National Associa- tion of Homebuilders to pass the Home Purchase Tax Credit n We fended off numerous efforts at LIFO repeal n We formed and led the industry coalition that got 100 percent bonus depreciation n Working with AGC we got the 3 percent government contractor with- holding tax repealed n We increased our AED Political Action Committee to a record in the 2011-'12 election cycle, and by Election Day 2012 will have supported 51 candidates for Congress. This, plus extensive personal relationship-building, has helped to greatly expand our presence and will help elect supportive members of Congress. Progress is made when organizations with the same interests get together in force – multiplying coalitions to coordi- nate efforts. AED is a leading member of coalitions pursuing AED interests, and these connections help get things done: n Management Committee of the 18 | www.cedmag.com | Construction Equipment Distribution | November 2012 Americans for Transportation Mobility, U.S. Chamber of Commerce n Transportation Construction Coalition n Board of Directors of TRIP – The Road Information Program n Alliance with the American Petro- leum Institute n Transportation Committee of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce n Board of Directors of the Canadian- American Business Council n National Stone Sand and Gravel Association Allied Group fighting the asbestos ban n Steering Committee, LIFO Coalition – preventing LIFO repeal (tax) n Steering Committee, Citizens for a Democratic Workforce (CDW); stopped "Card Check" n Management Committee, Sustain- able Water Infrastructure Investment Coalition (SWIIC) n Tax Relief Coalition n Death Tax Repeal Coalition AED Foundation Workforce Development The Foundation is responsible for AED's workforce agenda, and has done a great job in this area. n AEDF's webinars, seminars and conferences are at all-time highs: 58 events covering 44 management skill areas with more than 600 attendees so far in 2012. n Continued growth in AED Accredited equipment technology educational institutions. Now 38 post-secondary programs are accredited to AED stan- dards with two more coming soon. n Technical education standards have been updated and are now in their 10th edition. n The AED Foundation's new online technician pre- and post-assessment testing system is being rolled out and 2009-2012 A well-constructed strategy is paying off, and we're poised for challenges that lie ahead.