Description

Stepping into leadership in a family business isn’t just about earning a title—it’s about earning trust. In this session, siblings Megan Weiler Green and Joel Weiler of Weiler, a second-generation manufacturing business based in Knoxville, Iowa, share their experiences navigating growth, responsibility, and identity as next-gen leaders.

From building credibility to balancing family expectations, Megan and Joel offer real-world insights on what it takes to lead with purpose and prove yourself in a legacy-driven environment.

MEGAN WEILER GREEN

Megan Weiler Green serves as Counsel and Engineering Manager at Weiler in Knoxville, IA. Green is also Counsel for Weiler Forestry, Inc. in LaGrange, GA. Green is a graduate of Iowa State University (B.S., Finance) and the University of Iowa College of Law (Juris Doctorate). Green worked for 9 years as in-house counsel for State Farm Insurance Companies in Bloomington, IL, counseling clients in multiple states on legislative, regulatory, public policy, banking, litigation and public policy issues.

In 2017, Green and her family moved back to her home state of Iowa.  Her family’s manufacturing business was growing rapidly and needed dedicated counsel.  Green’s work experience and passion for the family business made the move a natural fit.  Green joined as Counsel and Procurement Manager. She transitioned from Procurement to Engineering in 2019 and now manages the engineering, service, product safety and technical publications groups.  Green led Weiler through a major acquisition as they closed on the purchase of Caterpillar’s purpose-built forestry business in the fall of 2019.  Green is a member of the company’s senior leadership team and is President of the Weiler Foundation for charitable giving.

JOEL WEILER

Joel Weiler is Engineering Manager at Weiler, a Knoxville, Iowa-based manufacturer, where he also serves on the senior management team and multiple company boards. Since joining the business full-time in 2019, Joel has held key leadership roles in safety, HR, operations, and production—driving major initiatives such as COVID-19 response, facility integration, and in-sourcing of wire harness and steel cutting operations.

In his current role, Joel oversees engineering, service, technical publications, HR, and wire harness assembly, contributing to strategic planning and innovation across the organization. A second-generation family member, Joel returned to Central Iowa after practicing dentistry for five years and holds degrees from Iowa State University and the University of Iowa.

ABOUT WEILER

Founded in 2000, Weiler designs and manufactures purpose-built products for the heavy highway, commercial paving and quarry markets. Weiler equipment is based on proven designs with innovative features and an exceptional dealer network to provide success for our customers.