APEX Board & Investor-Member Meeting Highlights

APEX hosted its bi-monthly Board and Investor-Member meeting on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Downtown Duluth and online via Zoom. Chair Lisa Bodine introduced new member-representatives from Altec and ALLETE, a few folks back with APEX and a couple of guests. Lisa then introduced Rachel Johnson, APEX’s incoming President and CEO, who said a few words relaying her excitement about getting started in her new role. Bodine then welcomed Doug Loon, President and CEO of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, who provided the meeting’s keynote address titled Minnesota’s Economic Position and Outlook for Progress.

Doug highlighted the Chamber’s 100+ year history and detailed how they work with over 2,300 companies and local chambers to promote business growth throughout Minnesota by providing a unified voice at the Capitol.

The recent legislative session covered Minnesota’s $2.8B budget surplus and saw several positive outcomes, including the effective blocking of mandates and regulatory burdens, extending health insurance reinsurance and replenishing the unemployment insurance trust fund without raising taxes.

Doug closed his talk by sharing the Chamber’s bold agenda for 2023, which includes structural tax changes to grow both workforce and businesses, looking at our regulatory system to consider an efficient and reliable permitting process, and finding solutions for workforce and housing shortages.

Nominating Committee Report

University of Minnesota Duluth’s (UMD) Interim Chancellor and past APEX Board Chair, David McMillian, was named to the APEX Executive Committee to fill the vacancy of retired Chancellor Lendley Black. APEX is very excited to have David’s insight and experience back on this committee.

Lisa Bodine, President, Giant Voices & APEX Board Chair; Rachel Johnson, incoming President and CEO, APEX; Doug Loon, President and CEO, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce