The Annual Meeting is where the boiler industry comes together!
ABMA members gathered January 16-19, 2026 at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain in Tucson, AZ, for an impactful Annual Meeting. This year’s assembly combined high-level economic forecasting and technical leadership with a celebration of the community that drives our industry forward.
On Friday, January 16 the meeting opened with a focus on both the future of the workforce and the leadership of the association itself. Manufacturers Representative Council Meeting: 13 member companies met to discuss opportunities within the boiler industry.
Opening General Session: Sponsored by Atlas Copco Rental and Victory Energy, the session featured Jake Hall, "The Manufacturing Millennial". His presentation, "The Future of Manufacturing: Technology and Workforce," provided a roadmap for modernizing industry culture to attract new talent.
Board of Directors Updates: During the Friday session, ABMA elected four industry leaders to the Board of Directors for three-year terms expiring in January 2029:
Michael Pfeiler, Wabash Power
Scott Schindlbeck, DUNGS Combustion Controls
Jamie Tighe, E-Tech
Jeremy Zellmer, Industrial Steam
Honoring Dedicated Service: The Association also recognized and extended sincere gratitude to departing board members Tom Garbarino (BFS Industries) and Tricia Staible (Robinson Fans) for their leadership and contributions to the boiler industry.
“Under the Starry Sonoran Sky” Welcome Reception: Sponsored by NBBI, attendees kicked off the meeting with desert ambiance and an expert-led constellation viewing.
On Saturday, January 17 was dedicated to deep technical dives and an inspiring program for spouses and guests.
Boiler Related Group Presentations: The morning featured critical industry updates, including:
- "Federal Energy & Environmental Policy Outlook” by Scott Segal (Bracewell).
- "Future-Proofing Your Workforce" by Kristen Goodell (Catalyst Connection).
- A discussion on CIBO Regulatory Focus between Alex Stoddard (CIBO) and Scott Lynch (ABMA).
- “Burner Commissioning & Service in Increasingly Complex Applications” Robert Reid, (Weishaupt)
- “Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing: Advanced Manufacturing at Speed” Mark Douglass, (Lincoln Electric)
Spouse/Guest Program: Sponsored by Industrial Steam and Nationwide Boiler, guests participated in the Ben’s Bells "Studio To-Go" workshop. This interactive session focused on the "Power of Kindness," allowing participants to paint kindness coins to take home as keepsakes.
“Glow Down Throw Down” Networking Reception: Sponsored by Northern Blower, the evening featured glowing games and a high-energy atmosphere to connect while watching the NFL Playoff Game.
On Sunday, January 18 sessions highlighted emerging technologies and leadership within the WIBI community.
Technical Deep Dives: Presentation highlights included:
- "Condensing Turbines with Back-Pressure Steam” by Bill Hunter (Process Barron).
- "Tax Update: The Big Beautiful Bill” by Tyler Noesser (alliantgroup).
- "Product Certifications Map Between Controls & End Products” by Kent Nelson (UL Solutions).
- WIBI Group Presentation: Sponsored by DUNGS Combustion Controls, LaJuan Counts (City of Detroit) presented "Stepping Out of the Shadows…Into Leadership," followed by a dedicated Meet & Greet session.
Sunset Hike: Many attendees enjoyed an optional guided hike through the scenic Wild Burro Canyon.
The final full day, Monday, January 19 combined essential business intelligence with the traditional Annual Meeting Golf Tournament and Putting Contest.
General Session: Sponsored by RENTECH Boiler and Applied Heat Recovery, the morning sessions featured:
- "The Future of Manufacturing is Now" by Joy Taylor (alliantgroup).
- "Economic Outlook for 2026 & Beyond” by Taylor St. Germain (ITR Economics), providing members with data-driven signals for the coming market cycle.
Golf Tournament & Putting Contest: Sponsored by Miura America and R.F. MacDonald, the tournament was held at the Golf Club at Dove Mountain. The all-new Putting Contest saw participants compete for a special prize. Hunter Tighe with E-Tech won the putting contest.
“Wild West Roundup” Closing Reception & Dinner: Sponsored by Frederick Cowan Products by ICI and Vitotherm USA, the meeting concluded with a Western-themed celebration featuring live music and a festive send-off.
The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain rests high in the Sonoran Desert at 3,000 feet in a serene canyon setting in Marana, just outside Tucson. Adventure and restoration are both within easy reach: unwind in the resort’s award-winning spa, rotate between three swimming pools, make a splash on the 235-foot water slide, or tee off on Jack Nicklaus Signature golf.
Confirmed Keynote Speakers
Jake Hall
Founder & Content Creator , The Manufacturing Millennial
The Future of Manufacturing: Technology and Workforce
Jake Hall, widely known as the Manufacturing Millennial, is one of the most influential voices in modern manufacturing. Recognized by LinkedIn as a Top Voice in Robotics, Automation, and Manufacturing, Jake helps organizations future-proof operations with smart technology while attracting the next generation of skilled talent. With 100,000+ followers and 150M+ views on his content, he sparks practical conversations that turn buzzwords into action, energizing both today’s workforce and tomorrow’s recruits.
In his keynote, “The Future of Manufacturing: Technology and Workforce,” Jake lays out a pragmatic roadmap: where automation is heading, how to build human-centric tech adoption, and how to tell your story on social platforms to recruit, upskill, and retain talent. Leaders and practitioners alike will leave with concrete steps to modernize processes and mindsets.
Taylor St. Germain
Economist & Senior Consulting Speaker, ITR Economics
Economic Outlook for 2026 and Beyond
Taylor St. Germain, Economist at ITR Economics, will deliver “Economic Outlook for 2026 and Beyond.” A specialist in market- and company-level forecasting and a contributor to ITR’s 94.7% forecast accuracy, Taylor translates macro trends into clear timing signals leaders can use now. With experience across tech, manufacturing, distribution, and oil & gas, he provides concise guidance for budgeting, staffing, inventory, and capex decisions, so you can plan the next 18–24 months with confidence.
Confirmed Education Sessions
Joy Taylor is a business transformation leader with 25+ years of experience guiding global organizations through strategic execution and operational change. Her session explores how manufacturers can optimize workflows by aligning talent, systems, and structures, featuring real-world examples of companies that increased capacity, reduced friction, and built more agile teams.
Kent Nelson, a Functional Safety Senior Staff Engineer at UL Solutions, brings 18 years of experience in HVAC/R product safety and combustion control standards. His session covers upcoming updates to UL 60730-1 and demystifies the increasingly complex certification landscape, explaining how boiler and burner controls can be evaluated efficiently amid evolving environmental, supply chain, and technological pressures.
Tyler Noesser, a Technical Director at alliant, helps engineering and manufacturing firms maximize government-sponsored incentives. His 2025 tax update breaks down legislative changes affecting R&D expensing, credit documentation requirements, and compliance, giving executives clear guidance on how to capitalize on new incentives while navigating updated tax rules.
Kristen Goodell is a Senior Consultant specializing in learning and leadership development for industrial organizations. Her session examines the root causes of workforce turnover, including burnout, shifting expectations, and cultural misalignment, and provides actionable strategies for pipeline development, upskilling, and retention to build a sustainable, people-focused workforce.
Bill Hunter, a turbine specialist with 32 years of experience, will explore the benefits of backpressure turbines, including heat rate improvements, CO₂ reduction, and real-world installations that demonstrate measurable energy savings. His session provides practical guidance for facilities looking to optimize performance using proven turbine and steam-system strategies.
LaJuan Counts, Group Executive of Construction & Building Operations for the City of Detroit, is a nationally recognized leader with 30+ years of experience overseeing large-scale public works, infrastructure, and community development initiatives. As a WIBI session speaker, she will share her perspective on leadership, resilience, and advancing women in construction and technical fields.
Robert Reid, Manager of Technical Services and Training for Weishaupt Corporation, brings 30 years of burner industry experience across North America and Europe. His session, “Burner Commissioning and Service in Increasingly Complex Applications,” explores how rising emissions standards and performance expectations are reshaping the technician’s role, offering practical insights into modern commissioning and service strategies.
Stay tuned for more details on confirmed speakers and educational sessions!
The 2026 Annual Meeting will be packed with fantastic speakers, excellent networking opportunities, and enjoyable social activities.
