Carroll University – 1980
A 1980 graduate of Carroll University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and history, Dennis Slater has been president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) since 1998.
Headquartered in Milwaukee, AEM represents off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers, with more than 1,000 member companies in the agriculture and construction-related industries worldwide.
Slater has grown AEM by 700% to $60 million annually and the membership by 50% to 1,000+ member companies. Slater joined AEM’s predecessor CIMA (the Construction Industry Manufacturers Association) in 1982, becoming president of CIMA in 1998, and overseeing the merger of CIMA and the Equipment Manufacturers Institute (EMI) into AEM in 2002.
He now oversees AEM trade shows, including CONEXPO-CON/AGG (North America’s largest construction trade event), The Utility Expo and World of Asphalt. As president, Slater sets the strategic direction and the operation of all AEM programs to support the membership and the industry.
Slater also serves as a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Association Committee of 100, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Council of Manufacturing Associations, among other groups.
