The Board of Directors of Associated Industries of Missouri (AIM) held a meeting at the State Capitol this week and invited many legislators to visit with them regarding business issues. Eight legislators, including leadership from the Missouri Senate and the Missouri House, participated in the discussions on Tuesday, with topics ranging from transportation infrastructure, tort reform and tax issues to EPA regulations affecting utility bills.
Legislators attending the meeting included Speaker John Diehl, Jr., Senate Majority Floor Leader Ron Richard, House Majority Floor Leader Todd Richardson, Senator Bob Onder, Senator Doug Libla, Rep. T.J. Berry, Rep. Kevin Austin, and Rep. Kevin Corlew.
Business leaders present at the meeting included the following:
Ray Wagner, Enterprise Holdings, Chairman of the AIM Board; Jerry Jost, Jost Chemical Company, First Vice-Chairman of the Board; John Valenti, Sanofi US, Second Vice-Chairman of the AIM Board; Christine Cudney, Secretary/Treasurer of the AIM Board, Ameren; Steven Burger, Burgers’ Smokehouse; Rob Carney, Caterpillar, Inc.; Patrick Daly, Sierra Bullets, LLC; Marc Ellinger, Blitz, Bardgett & Deutsch LC; Doug Ervin and Melissa Freeman, Cerner Corporation; John Frederick, The Boeing Company; Gail Hinshaw, The Mountain Complex, LLC; Steve Hoven, SSM Health; Bob Krug, ICF Industries, Inc.; R.J. Lindstrom, Zephyr Manufacturing Co., Inc.; Tony Mayfield, UMB Bank; Stephen Murray; Christine Page, Missouri American Water Co.; Rod Reid, Shepherd Hills Factory Outlets; Tony Reinhart, Ford Motor Company; Chris Roepe, Noranda Aluminum Co.; Madeline Romious, AT&T Missouri; Steve Smith, Kansas City Power & Light Company; Alan Wallach, Wallach Iron & Metal Inc.; and Scott Whisman, Jack Henry & Associates.
The business leaders also watched the House and Senate in action and held meetings or conversations with their legislators. “The day was a great success, bringing together leaders of industry and leaders of the legislative process to talk about key legislative issues,” said Ray McCarty, AIM’s president. “Everyone enjoyed the interaction and having the input with top legislators as they debate issues of importance to business and industry across the state.”
Comments