Ralston retiring as Iowa ABI president after two decades

After nearly two decades of leading the charge at the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, ABI President Mike Ralston is preparing for retirement at the end of 2024. 

After nearly two decades of leading the charge at the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, ABI President Mike Ralston is preparing for retirement at the end of 2024. 

Mr. Ralston, who was first elected to the position in November 2005, announced his plans to retire in a Thursday, July 18, news release. 

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to join an organization that is dedicated to giving a unified voice to the businesses of Iowa. It has been the honor and pleasure of my career to work with the board of directors and the very talented team at ABI, who make everything we do happen seamlessly,” he said.

Under Mr. Ralston’s leadership, ABI has seen significant growth in membership and revenue, expanded its programs and publications, and enhanced services for members. In addition, attendance at ABI’s annual signature event, the Taking Care of Business Conference – held recently in Davenport – has more than quadrupled during his tenure. 

“It has been an absolute privilege to lead ABI for the final decades of my career and help advance the organization’s mission to advocate for a productive business climate, encourage our state’s businesses to work together, and to provide education and training to Iowa businesses,” he said in the release. “I am proud to leave ABI in a position where it can continue to build on our previous successes and help businesses in our great state flourish.”

ABI has launched a search for a new president, and will be evaluating both internal and external candidates, the release said.

Founded in 1903, ABI has been the voice of Iowa business on issues affecting Iowa employers. Its member companies represent all industries and sizes in Iowa’s 99 counties – employing more than 330,000 Iowans.

Prior to becoming the ABI president, Mr. Ralston was appointed by then Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as director of revenue for the State of Iowa, where he served for almost three years leading a staff of nearly 400. Before that, he was the policy and law director for Iowa for Qwest Communications, where he was responsible for representing Qwest with Iowa’s governor and lieutenant governor, the Iowa General Assembly, and the Iowa Congressional Delegation. Prior to joining Qwest in 1999, he was president of the Iowa Taxpayers Association, a statewide corporate tax policy organization. 

His other career experiences included leading a local government tax research organization, serving as a vice president for a health services company, and serving as chief Iowa assistant to former Congressman Cooper Evans. At just age 18, Mr. Ralston was elected as mayor of Grundy Center, Iowa, in 1977, and re-elected three times. 

Mr. Ralston earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and was honored as an Outstanding Alumnus in 1992.

Mr. Ralston, who also serves on numerous state and national business and economic boards, has been instrumental in fostering relationships that have contributed to ABI’s success, the organization said. He is a past member of the board of directors of the Iowa’s Jobs for America’s Graduates program, the Board of Trustees of the U.S. Governmental Research Association. He served on the Deputies Committee of the Iowa Business Council, the Board of Directors of the Iowa Taxpayers Association. He also is a graduate and past chairman of the Board of Governors of the Leadership Iowa program.  

In the release, new ABI Chair Chad Reece thanked Mr. Ralston “for his unwavering commitment and dedicated service to ABI and its members for the last 20 years.” 

Mr. Reeceis a vice president at Winnebago Industries in Forest City. He added: “Under his leadership, ABI went through a period of unprecedented transformation, innovation and growth, creating powerful resources and the platform for businesses to collaborate and grow together. Mike’s dedication to developing the first-class ABI staff that we have today is also an important part of his legacy.”

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