Midlands Business Journal December 20, 2019 Vol. 45 No. 51 issue

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Nebraska Orthodontics builds on increased awareness for dental health care.

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VOL. 45 NO. 51

R&R Realty Group focuses on office park developments

by Richard D. Brown

0 r4 de n U 40 Kraemer honors family legacy by boosting alumni engagement at UNO. – Page 3

gy olo n ch Te Smart hardware offers opportunities as security remains paramount.

– Page 4

e lac kp d s r o W Tren

Businesses are focusing on workplace environment, culture for improved morale.

– Page 22

Whether its a sprawling halfmillion-square-foot warehouse development in Sarpy County or a business park community in the Elkhorn area, R&R Realty Group’s Omaha office is finding there’s no shortage of interest in higher-end construction in the area.

“The common theme in our many activities is that we want to build parks and developments that attract tenants that want to grow with us,” said Nebraska Division President Mike Homa.

The veteran banker who brought 30 years of professional experience to R&R Realty Group said the past two years have involved opening the Des Moinesbased firm’s Omaha office at 13616 California St. and hiring its first five staffers. He said while the Omaha office is small, but growing, the depth of experience by many of the firm’s 130 headquarters staffers is proving to be a vital resource.

The family-owned business, Continued on page 9.

Nebraska Division President Mike Homa … Emphasizing office and industrial park space growth such as its own R&R Commerce Park.

(Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

OSHA safety certification helps Omaha’s Izsam expand franchise brand nationally

by Michelle Leach

The specialized construction cleanup franchise that now spans 13 locations in Florida, North Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, and California, got its start as a janitorial service provider in Omaha more than 20 years ago.

“We got a call from a contractor from K.C. who asked us to bid construction final clean on

a Super Target store at 180th and Center streets,” said co-founder Dan Bennett Sr. “We bid it and were awarded the contract. We made so much money on that contract that we decided to go into this with full vigor.”

Bennett and his son, Dan Jr., started the business, which is headquartered at 2111 S. 67th St. and provides ongoing site cleanContinued on page 8.

Lead Instructor Jon Zuerlein … Providing apprentice training for carpenters and millwrights with classroom instruction, handson training and on-the-job experiences.

Carpenters Training Institute paving pathway for careers in construction

by Becky McCarville

From left, founders Dan Bennett Jr. and Dan Bennett Sr. … From its Omaha headquarters, specialized construction cleanup firm has grown to 13 locations across the country, including major metros like Los Angeles and Houston. (Photo courtesy of Iszam)

The Carpenters Training Institute, the training arm of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, has around 250 apprentices at the Omaha location and is growing rapidly, adding three or four more every week, said Lead Instructor Jon Zuerlein.

There are roughly 800 members among the three local unions (which includes Lincoln and western Nebraska) — Local 427 (carpenters),

Local 1306 (interior systems) and Local 1463 (millwright).

The CTI, a 36,993-square-foot facility built four years ago in Papillion, previously located near 50th and G streets, focuses more on commercial work. Based on the rapid pace of growth, the organization is looking to add more space within the next couple of years.

With the commercial construcContinued on page 8.

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• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Lincoln-based City Bank and Trust adds branch, builds on services

by Dwain Hebda

New branding, new products and services and even a new look have all been on the agenda for City Bank and Trust this year. The bank, founded in 1910 in Crete, changed ownership hands last summer and executive leadership said all the new activity is to strengthen the institution’s identity in the local marketplace.

“We’re really focusing on our community, which ties into that consumer base and how we

City Bank & Trust Phone: 402-420-2002 Address: 2929 Pine Lake Road, 4225 Lucile Drive, 940 P Street, in Lincoln; Loan Production Office: 7101 South 82nd Street, Lincoln Service: Banking Employees: 32 Website: www.citybankandtrust.com

get our name out there or see how we already have our name out there,” said Jason Peters, senior vice president.

“The big focus right now is going to be getting our name out, getting our customer service people and our lenders out in Lincoln,” said Mike Ulrich, chief financial officer.

The effort got a boost in November with the grand opening of its newest Lincoln branch, located at 4225 Lucile Drive. That dovetailed with other community events to help promote the bank, its products and services.

“We’ve been having the tailgate of all tailgates this year,” Peters said. “We do that at our downtown branch before every game and

From left, Chief Financial Officer Mike Ulrich, Senior Vice President Jason Peters, Board Member Breck Collingsworth and Senior Vice President Aaron Bell … Following change in ownership, the bank has increased its range of services and opened a new branch in east Lincoln. then during the game and about an hour after before the end of the year is we’re going to do each game. a Christmas giving program to our community.

“That’s really gained a lot of traction for us; We’re going to really put that out there so the I think for our top tailgate 450 to 500 people community knows we’re involved and we’re came through. It’s really getting our name out giving back to our community.” there and introducing us to a bunch of new City Bank & Trust first expanded into clients. One of the things we’re looking to do Lincoln in 1993 with a loan production office

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and opened up the first full-service branch in 1997 at 2929 Pine Lake Road. In 2002, the headquarters moved from Crete to Lincoln and four years later a downtown branch opened at 940 P Street. Last year, Lincoln businessman and longtime City Bank customer Breck Collingsworth purchased the company for an undisclosed sum.

Since that time, steps have been taken to position the bank for growth, from physical improvements such as Lincoln branches being refreshed as part of the rebranding efforts to expanding the board of directors to introducing new products and services.

“We are launching a complete redo on the website here, about springtime that’ll be done, and a mobile app,” said Aaron Bell, senior vice president. “We’ve got mobile banking and mobile deposit for business and the consumer side of things. We’ve also got a number of business products and better interest rates for a broader array of customers.”

For all of that, some things have remained the same throughout the transition. No employees were let go as a result of the change in ownership, something the executives point to with pride.

“One thing that was very import to Breck when this transition took place was the name stayed the same,” Bell said. “There were no bank closings. There were no employees let go. It was a very smooth transition.

“We’ve got an excellent team of people that were already in place before the growth started to happen. We’ve got a lot of people to lean on that are excited to help new customers come on board; great people to hold customers’ hands.

That relationship is the most important thing.”

Improvements to the downtown branch will be done by year’s end while the Pine Lake location will be finished in the first quarter of next year. The company’s retooled website will also go live in the first quarter of 2020.

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Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 •

Director of Alumni Programming Elizabeth Kraemer … Engaging alumni to the university in unique ways like its Young Alumni Academy.

Kraemer continues family legacy by boosting alumni engagement at UNO

by Dwain Hebda

Elizabeth Kraemer’s roots run deep at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her parents met while students there and they, like her, both graduated from the school — in her case with a master’s degree. Throughout her childhood, the family would visit campus and stay connected with the school and its activities.

So it doesn’t take much to get her going on the merits of UNO, a trait that places her perfectly in her role as director of alumni programming with the University of Nebraska Foundation, the culmination of an already-substantial tenure with the school.

“My sophomore year at UNO I started a student worker position and I’ve basically never left,” she said. “I never thought necessarily that I was going to be in higher ed or supporting higher ed in some way, shape or form throughout what’s turned into my career. But I couldn’t be happier that that’s the route I ended up taking.”

In her role, Kraemer celebrates the university that has been such a big part of her life, something she has done with gusto during her tenure with the school. In her role, she’s responsible for keeping alumni engaged with their alma mater.

“To be completely honest, alumni engagement is pretty tricky,” she said. “What alumni engagement used to look like 10 or 20 years ago isn’t necessarily what it looks like currently.

“From an events perspective, which is my wheelhouse, we have really seen the days of reunions be something that maybe an older alum would expect to see. But really, the campus has evolved to the point where the come-one, come-all type event doesn’t necessarily work anymore.”

In place of the traditional mass reunion model, Kraemer began developing a much more focused strategy, in order to leverage alumni nostalgia into engagement.

“We’re in the third year of our affinity group program, which is a way for us to use specific groups that alumni, when they were students at UNO, might have been engaged with,” she said. “Maybe it was the multicultural affairs office or a particular scholars program like the Scott Scholars Program, or they might have lived on campus.

“If they identified more with those particular groups while they were finishing their education at UNO, they might be more likely to reconnect on that level. We’re really working to try to enhance those personal connections again.”

Kraemer’s leadership has also been instrumental in developing UNO’s Young Alumni Academy, a networking tool for recent graduates. That program has been so successful it has attracted the attention of university alumni and foundation offices from schools across the country.

“This is our tenth year for the academy and it is something I’m very proud of because as a program, we have received tons of awards for it,” she said. “And, I’m proud to say, other institutions are starting to copy it. Ohio State copied and pasted it and now has a young alumni academy. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln did the same thing. Creighton has a small version that they’ve started.”

The latest in these engagement efforts has been the creation of an app to keep alums connected and informed. It’s a useful step forward, but it doesn’t completely solve the riddle of how to be all things to all alums.

“We’re using the app in different ways,” she said. “We’re trying to change with the times and expectations, but with 112,000 living alumni and 60,000 of those in the Omaha metro area, you could imagine what all of those individuals want from an alumni association is about as varied as the alumni themselves.”

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• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Technology A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal • December 20, 2019

Smart hardware offers opportunities as security remains paramount

by Michelle Leach

From hardware such as wearables poised to inform patient health care, to sensors that can help one make smarter business decisions, technology is the very definition of dynamics but which also calls for new security considerations.

“Fitbit wearables, Apple Health, Peloton, and any remote patient monitoring devices (heartrate monitors, scales) have become mainstream,” said Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Craig Christenson, when asked about prominent trends in H4 Technology’s space. “Turn on your television for 10 minutes tonight and you will see an ad for one of these devices during the holiday season.”

Information generated out of these devices is “patient-generated health care data.”

“These devices are great for tracking individual activity, calories, heartrate and sleep data points,” Christenson said. “Has your doctor asked you for this data at your last physical?”

He referred to the potential impact of such data on patient outcomes.

“Consumerism of health care is pushing health care systems to integrate this outside data into their care,” he said.

“Because what patients do daily affect their health and, by providers proactively monitoring this data, it can help prevent unnecessary procedures or trips to the emergency room.”

As H4 Technology is in the business of health care data integration and analytics, Christenson indicated wearables are a direct tie-in.

“As whole person and value-based care is becoming more prevalent, providers need to incorporate mental, behavioral and physical care into their prevention and treatment plans,” he said.

Craig Christenson, chief sales and marketing officer at H4 Technology.

Retail Aware CEO Keith Fix referred ployed third-party field teams (Uber-like to a shift from early 2000s — “software workforces for retail) to the stores to see eating hardware” to now “hardware eating what’s up.” software.”

Come to find out, those shelves were “Things that were ‘dumb’ are now mis-merchandised or empty. ‘smart,’” he said; for instance, everything With the majority of its clients in from refrigerators to can openers can now the consumer packaged goods space, be connected to the Internet and automated Fix further noted the power of blockas a “smart appliance.” chain as it relates to traceability and “How it applies to businesses is Star- transparency across the supply chain, bucks can make espresso machines that especially as consumers demand acare IoT [internet of things]-enabled to countability related to sustainable or predict when the machines are going to ethical practices. break down,” Fix said, as an example.

“It’s like a little file that lives in a pub“They can send someone to do the main- lic chain and can’t be modified,” he said. tenance on those things … you’re mea- “Someone can’t go in and delete that file. suring things that you weren’t measuring It lives on forever.” before.”

Fix is starting to see applications in In Retail Aware’s case, shelves are the likes of the real estate space, having a digitized using sensors that perceive hand property record that can’t be modified and movements and motion to measure con- supports seamless transactions. sumer behaviors and, ultimately, drive “Blockchain is a frontier technology decision-making that results in higher that needs time to mature,” said Kyle profits for business clients; for instance, Tut, co-founder and CEO of Pinata, Fix recalled a global spirits brand who which builds networks for blockchain deployed sensors in product displays so and IoT applications. “The space is they could see product engagement in rapidly developing. Finance and supply “real-time.” chain are pioneering applications of “They had one or two shelves with the technology.” zero engagement,” he said. “So, we deFrom opportunities to special consid-

erations as technology evolves, SecureSky offers cloud security and compliance solutions. COO Corey Meyer referred to a “perfect storm” of rapid cloud adoption, growing cybersecurity skills shortage, dissolution of traditional network boundaries, expanding attack targets and growing regulatory demands.

Furthermore, Meyer noted, “… and the realization that you can’t secure today’s dynamic cloud environments using legacy or on-premise technology and techniques that have been used in the past to secure tradition network environments.”

SecureSky’s prediction for 2020 include the cloud’s rapid evolution further expanding attack vectors for malicious hackers; for instance, Meyer said, the recent Capital One, DoorDash, Facebook and Adobe breaches, while traditional attacks, will cause havoc for business.

“Organized crime and state-sponsored attacks will continue to increase, doubling loses in the next several years,” he said.

“While financial accounts will continue to be a primary target, as online criminal enterprises continue to grow in their sophistication, users will also grow in their understanding that their credentials guard their entire online persona — their contacts, search and web/social media patterns and purchase histories.”

Meyer added large businesses will look to the federal government for unifying legislation to set statewide standards, and providers will develop new solutions to meet demand within an innovation lifestyle that allows for access, speed and functionality to be introduced far quicker than restrictive security measures.

Business Development Executive Jennifer Osborne also said businesses will gain a greater understanding of their shared responsibilities with public cloud and software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers, and “take a much greater role in protecting against risk and responding to threats in these environments, as well as spurring providers to improve security features.”

Societal behaviors (more data, accessibility), she said, will drive faster and less restrictive internet presence, mobile demand and business adoption of the cloud, while users “have become numb to reports of data breaches.” But, Osborne said, generally haven’t responded by changing behaviors — which will persist until they are “properly trained or become a victim.”

Technology •

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 •

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Moving technology from the lab to the marketplace requires a detailed plan

by David Kubicek

Moving technology from the lab to the marketplace requires a detailed plan that establishes the rights of the licensor and the licensee.

“A patent license should make clear that the patent rights are being licensed, and that the licensee won’t necessarily have freedom to operate as a result of that license,” said Stuart Martens, director of intellectual resource management at Creighton University.

Licensors usually want to protect themselves from product liability and may want to put in milestones to prevent a licensee from shelving a technology. It’s often a good idea to Dixon require the licensee to comply with applicable federal laws and regulations, including export control laws.

Licensors should make sure they hold the entire right in the technology and that there are no prohibitions against a license to the licensor. For instance, if federal funding helped fund development of the technology, the federal government may have certain rights in the invention and would have to be on board with the license.

Also, there are restrictions on licensing to

certain foreign countries, companies, or individuals that may be on an export controls “debarred” list.

It’s usually a good idea to build in milestones or other mechanisms in the contract to allow the licensor to take back the technology if the licensee isn’t commercializing it in the manner the licensor contemplates at the time of licensing.

“The license should be for a set period of time,” Martens said. “The licensor should limit their liability in the contract for products sold by the licensee, and the licensor should contractually require the licensee to follow all applicable laws.”

“One thing that’s really important to us Horst is that the licensee has a timeline and a path for turning that idea or concept into something they can take to the marketplace,” said Michael Dixon, president and CEO of UNeMed. The licensee must determine how much it will cost and what kind of resources and talent they will need.

UNeMed provides the licensee with a term sheet, which spells out what kind of license is being granted and what fields they want — whether it’s an exclusive or non-

Stuart Martens, director of intellectual resource management at Creighton University. exclusive license — and what the licensee you think it will cost to develop it into a will do to develop the product. product, take that times two because it’s “In intellectual property there is often usually more expensive and takes longer,” some overlap with patents and copyrights,” Dixon said.

Dixon said. “Even though you have a liFollowing the initial research findings cense to sell, that doesn’t mean you won’t and invention creation, it may take many infringe on someone else’s license. Make years and millions of dollars to get the sure you have the freedom to work in the discovery to market, according to NUtech space you want to work in.”

Associate Director Cheryl Horst.

Don’t underestimate the cost of mar“We assess whether the technology keting technology. is patentable, copyrightable or can be “A rule of thumb is that whatever Continued on next page.

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• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

• Technology

Mobile technology takes center stage as businesses hone in on devices

Raj Deeduvanu, solutions architect at QAT Global.

by Gabby Christensen said mobile technology continues to drive As more people lean on mobile devices the user experience across all industries. to do everyday business, tech gurus say “Convenience has always been a signiftechnology capabilities for mobile use are icant factor to technology, and often, people continuously evolving. are willing to compromise on security for In fact, Matt Dillon, co-founder/vice the sake of convenience,” Brandt said. president of business development at Nu- “Now, mobile providers are doing a much vem Consulting, said mobile technology better job of blending security with conhas grown rapidly over the past few years. venience via biometrics such as face ID or “A lot of users today are thinking in retina scans — and as software providers, terms of how to build applications that are we must meet those expectations.” mobile ready and mobile enabled,” he said.

He said security is especially important “Desktop or web-based technology used to in the financial services industry. In the be the focus just a decade ago. Today, many past, customers were willing to accept some people use mobile devices more than their friction for the sake of security. computers or laptops.”

“Institutions looking to efDillon said a lot of his clients fectively merge convenience are honing in on what people and security are increasingly want to be able to do on their partnering with fintech providers mobile device to offer a better that can help them streamline and experience. reengineer processes to break “Technology has supported down barriers, remove friction this idea and the capabilities are and develop/adopt innovative endless,” he said. technology quickly,” Brandt said.

Additionally, Dillon said if Jeff Dugger, co-founder of a business is looking to create Buildertrend, said nearly eva mobile app, it’s important to eryone has a smartphone today, Dugger know all development options. which makes mobile consum“More companies are going for the erism a driving force that is changing the approach that makes sense for each project way companies across the economy go to or business goal,” he said. market.

Raj Deeduvanu, solutions architect at Dugger said mobile technology is transQAT Global, said QAT has been encour- forming both the way businesses acquire aging partners to consider progressive web and engage customers. apps (PWAs).

“Businesses have to adapt with the times “We have found progressive web apps or face added competition,” he said. “But it to be a very practical alternative to native also represents an opportunity to cater to the mobile applications,” Deeduvanu said. needs of consumers by increasing the flexi“They feel and work like native web appli- bility and convenience of communication.” cations and are compatible with all modern From banking to retail to construction, browsers. PWAs have proven to provide fast Dugger said consumers now expect the response times, are very reliable and less latest mobile conveniences to help them susceptible to update interruptions, given manage their busy lives. they are hosted on a web server.”

“That means businesses have to offer According to Deeduvanu, PWAs also mobile technology that meets consumers support offline access via service workers where they are — on their phones,” he said. and caching mechanisms that give the user “In general, consumers also appreciate flexthe ability to do some limited work within ibility in how they receive communications, the application when an internet connection whether that’s through apps, text, email or is unavailable. push notifications, and these channels offer As for other positive impacts, Deedu- an opportunity for businesses to increase vanu said generally speaking cost to build their revenue.” should be less using a PWA. With respect to construction, Dugger “This is primarily the result of a PWA said mobile technology is dramatically being developed in a single code base with changing the way builders communicate responsive layouts allowing the mobile app with their customers. to successfully run on multiple platforms “In the past, what may have required a and devices,” he said. meeting or phone call can now be accomFrom the user’s perspective, Deeduvanu plished with a portal where customers can said standard web developers can work on track project updates in real-time, view the applications and they do not require any photos and send messages,” he said. “This knowledge of native mobile technologies is helping builders work more efficiently such as Java, Objective C and Swift. while boosting customer satisfaction — a Eric Brandt, market analyst for NCR, win-win for everyone.”

Moving technology from lab to marketplace 30 reasons to do business with us. nainpdodge.com

Continued from preceding page. protected by non-disclosed know-how,” Horst said. “This typically dictates whether an industry partner will invest in the technology.”

NUtech also looks into the competitive landscape, the size of the market, and who the market players are in the space. Often, the technology market is international, so the organization looks into whether it can be protected in foreign jurisdictions, as well

as any export control regulations.

“When licensing a technology it’s important to understand the motives of the inventors,” Horst said. “The inventors have the technical expertise that will be critical in bringing the technology to market. The people in the equation are the most important, so ensuring a great fit between the inventors and the commercial partner will provide for the best chance for commercial success.”

Technology •

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 •

From hearing aids to hyper-automation, AI is everywhere

by Dwain Hebda recent application of AI. Artificial intelligence, once strictly the “For each robot, we find the optimum stuff of science fiction, continues to make level of performance and that becomes our its presence felt in an ever widening list of baseline,” he said. “Once it starts dropping applications. below that baseline it flags somebody who is In manufacturing, AI has graduated from evaluating the data to say there is a potential performing simple repetitive tasks to incred- issue on this specific area of the robot. ibly complex programs that dramatically “Is it analyzing itself? Sort of; it still rechange the pace and accuracy of workflow lies on human intervention, both on the front through a concept called hyperautomation. end and the back end. But the robot is able “Hyperautomation is the next to monitor its activity so we can logical step for automating work,” basically prevent any downtime said Ryan Schuetzler, assistant issues.” professor of information systems Zero downtime technology and quantitative analysis with has only recently been released University of Nebraska at Omafor manufacturing applications ha. “As computers gain more outside the automotive industry, abilities through natural language Sumner said, and the potential processing, computer vision and for the technology is substantial. artificial intelligence, businesses “For every hour of downtime are looking for ways to leverage an automotive company like that to improve decision-making.

General Motors faces, we’re Schuetzler “Current processes do not rely talking millions of dollars in lost on computers to make decisions; revenue,” he said. “Therefore, a lot of the hyperautomation is taking the next steps programming of these preventative maintoward that.” tenance-type of applications is what is new.

Schuetzler said as hyperautomation ad- The hardware is there, the robots are there, vances, human jobs will evolve accordingly. but where the growth is really ramping up is “Employees will be used as the process on the software side of the business.” experts to identify opportunities for automaEven something as seemingly mundane tion,” he said. “They will also be needed to as hearing aids are benefiting from artificial train and monitor the automations. Others will intelligence, resulting in a device that does become experts in how this technology can far more than amplify sound. be used to improve processes and will work “Where there has been a leap forward to automate processes across the business.” with the AI technology is taking the concept Mark Sumner, vice president of sales of a general hearing aid where it’s going to do and marketing with Acieta, points to zero more than just help you hear and understand downtime technology in robotics as another better,” said Gauthier Scherlizin, hearing

instrument specialist with Nebraska Hearing Instruments.

“Some of the ways that the AI does that is by counting brain activity scores. As you wear the hearing aid it almost acts like your Fitbit or your smart watch. It has its own health tracker that’s going to identify how many conversations you’ve been in today, how many areas of noise were you in and rate those things. It guides and helps you figure if you were active enough today.”

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The advancements don’t stop there — the latest models provide data to family members, alerts help if a senior falls and even offer advantages for the world traveler.

“One gentleman bought it because he actively goes to Europe,” Scherlizin said. “If I’m talking to my patient and we happen to be in France and I’m speaking French, I can speak into his cell phone and his cell phone will translate that and will speak in English via his hearing aids. With more and more seniors who are traveling, that’s a unique benefit.”

Crowd-sourced app now alerts users of unplowed streets, ice on the road

by Omar Abdel-Baqui

Crowd-sourced navigation app Waze added a feature this week that could be useful to drivers and government agencies during the winter.

The new feature allows Waze users to report and be notified Technology of unplowed streets and roadways coated with ice.

The concept was proposed by the Virginia Department of Transportation, a Waze partner. Robert Cary, deputy commissioner of the Virginia Department of Transportation, said the agency will monitor Waze, which is owned by Google, during snowstorms in order to ensure effective snow removal.

A Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson said the agency has shared news of the new feature with road maintenance crews.

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Cary said the feature is “an exciting and innovative approach” that leverages already-available technology.

Although it will have some limitations, he added, the feature benefits drivers by letting them know which roads to avoid, as well as maintenance crews by alerting them of which roads need attention.

“It’s pretty exciting to know we, a state government department, had a simple idea to make things better and it got implemented by an extraordinarily well-known, global platform with no cost to taxpayers,” Cary said.

The new feature is now available in over 185 countries where Waze is accessible, and can be found under “Hazards -> Weather -> Unplowed Road.” ©2019 Detroit Free Press Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Carpenters Training Institute paving pathway for careers in construction Continued from page 1.

Students in the program work for contractors tion industry booming in Nebraska, work is that are union signatories like Kiewit, Weitz, JE guaranteed for the next three to four years, and Dunn, McCarthy Building Cos., Falewitch, Grathat’s a conservative estimate, he said, noting ham Group and others. These companies employ the University of Nebraska Medical Center and carpenters who are union members.

Nebraska Medicine’s plans for a new research “All of the apprentices are union members and patient care facility that could reach $2 bil- … but we’re not just driven by the union,” lion as well as the current construction project at Zuerlein said.

Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.

The Joint Apprenticeship Training Com“There is a big push in our area for workers,” mittee (JATC), a committee made up of equal he said. “The construction demand is huge.” representation of contractors and union repIndeed, the Omaresentatives, decides ha-Council Bluffs area Carpenters Training Institute how the curriculum is added 5,900 construc- Phone: 402-345-8658 shaped and the rules for tion jobs during the Address: 10761 Virginia Plaza, Papillion the program. past year — a 20% in- 68128 The JATC follows crease and the largest Services: local training center for CarDepartment of Labor percentage gain out of penters Local Union 427, Interior Sysstandards and the CTI 358 metro areas be- tems Local Union 1306 and Millwright is a DOL-certified aptween Oct. 2018 and Local Union 1463 prenticeship program, Oct. 2019, according to Industry outlook: Focusing on diversity “and so there are rules the Associated General and inclusion for women and minorities and regulations that Contractors of America. in an industry historically dominated we have to follow to The CTI takes an by the traditional white male; over half make sure that we are inclusive stance to at- of the apprentices at Omaha’s CTI are protecting all of our Students get hands-on training using a robotic laser layout system. tract people of all back- minorities or women. on the job sites and start running work, you can which includes Canada. members,” he said. grounds and is working Website: www.carpenterstraininginstitute.org Zuerlein said that when he first started in the One of the students continue to increase your pay.” to change the culture of As apprentices work through the program, construction industry after a few years in college, taking a class taught by the construction industry and “advance it into Zuerlein said that he was recruited at his old job they receive a 5% raise about every six months he was a cash worker until his wife was expecting the future,” Zuerlein said. Right now, 58% of that was non-union. Now he has benefits and a based on hours worked and classes they attend. a child and they needed insurance. He joined all of CTI’s apprentices are minorities or female. guaranteed wage. Another student said that his Zuerlein said that the union holds up non- the union when he was 22 and went through the An inclusive culture isn’t just to attract new ambitions are to be an instructor, own a contract- union wages as well. apprentice program, completing it in three years. members — it places focus on equality and ing company and own a house.

“If you don’t have a union there to try to hold After working for various contractors over the “adding the human element.”

“So long as he meets those requirements that wage, to hold those benefits, to hold those years, he found out that the CTI was looking for “We actually have a larger pool of minori- and continues to do his training, he is making standards, you’re going to lose it and you’re an instructor and applied for the position. ties than we do of the traditional white male … the same as every person on that job,” Zuerlein going to constantly have people take it away,” he He said he loves his job and working with in four years we’ve never seen that,” he said. said. “One of our other classes this week had two said. “With the union you’ve got a brotherhood students.

“We’re opening it up to so many different people female students and it doesn’t matter — they’re and sisterhood behind you actually fighting for “I get to talk with young people, I get to and that’s one of the things that we preach, is, it paid the same as every other member inside that your rights and standing up for that.” shape them, I get to help create a better carpendoes not matter where you come from. You join classroom. So, there is no pay difference. Once Member dues include training, health insur- ter,” he said. “In a way I have a hand in every this organization and become a carpenter, you you become a journeyman, you are guaranteed ance, pension and advocacy/lobbying. Some of single union build job across Omaha because I become part of the family. It doesn’t matter what that journeyman rate … [but] they can always the dues are split up among the local unions, the work with all those carpenters and I get to shape you look like, your sexual orientation or anything pay you more. If you become that superstar out regional council and the international council, what’s happening out there.” else. You’re a part of the brotherhood.”

Brittini Kircher, director of the CTI, was recently promoted from coordinator to the director position and oversees South Dakota, Iowa and Continued from page 1. contracts for construction cleaning. They were least 500,000.

Nebraska.

“So, it’s not advantageous to open in small, up, rough cleaning, final cleaning, puff cleaning, so impressed with our employees and the work “We always say apprenticeships are like the pressure washing, interior and exterior window they did, they asked us to go to other cities to do rural areas,” he said. “When we are considering best hidden secrets … we think, ‘why?’” she a franchisee, we look for the following qualificleaning, and concrete polishing. Its commercial cleaning for them.” said, emphasizing the importance of community janitorial services clients include offices, day Instead of sending crews to other cities, the cations: [Franchisees] must have a hunger for outreach to schools. “They’re great careers and growing the business (also, not changing our cares and schools, recreational facilities and Bennetts decided to franchise the Izsam model. high demand, high paying jobs and that’s a big gyms, health care practices, credit unions and “We have found that many older profession- successful model); they need computer skills; push right now.” banks, and warehouses and industrial parks. als and executives are tired of the corporate world [be] able to manage an office; and they must like Kircher has been with the CTI for eight years “For 16 years, we were known as Super and are looking to start their own business,” he to work with people, and be willing to work with and was promoted to the coordinator position Clean Job Site,” said Bennett, when asked about said. “We show them how easy it is to follow our Izsam’s corporate office and follow our tested four years ago. the “Izsam” name. “We Izsam model, and they procedures.”

“About four years ago when she was hired on Bennett attributes its success to its specialtried to trademark this Izsam come for a discovery [as coordinator], she brought in some new instrucname to franchise but, Phone: 402-707-2148 day in Omaha and we ization in construction cleaning. tors … and we have kind of shaped the program “And our competitors basically are janitor since ‘super clean’ and Address: 2111 S. 67th St., Omaha 68106 show them all facets of into what it is now,” Zuerlein said. “It’s been a ‘job site’ are common Services: franchise construction cleanup, our franchise. We also services that offer all kinds of cleaning; they lot of fun watching the entire program grow.” words, we couldn’t janitorial solutions show them how we mostly do janitor services on a nightly basis,” he Students in the four-year apprentice protrademark it.” train them in sales, and said. “What sets us apart from our competitors Founded: 1998 by the Bennett family (Dan gram, paid for by member dues, get classFor two months, Sr., Dan Jr.) how to do the actual is that all of our employees are OSHA 10 Safety room instruction and hands on learning in the they tried several dif- Goals: Open an average of five franchise cleaning procedures and Certified. This is huge in the construction indus10,000-square-foot training space at CTI as try. Janitorial services are not certified.” ferent names — all of locations annually on an ongoing basis. they are impressed.” well as on-the-job training. Once the program is As a franchisor, he said Izsam does adjust its which were either taken Website: izsam.com At the time of this complete, graduates can finish their core classes or rejected. writing, Izsam boasted bidding to account for differing environments in at Metropolitan Community College to obtain an “So, Dan Jr. said, ‘Let’s go with my daugh- a physical presence in both Lincoln and Omaha, different areas of the country such as higher labor associate degree in construction. ters’ names,” he said. “‘Iz’ for his daughter, and franchise locations in many major metro costs, unions, economically-depressed regions.

Zuerlein said that MCC is working with the “This has been challenging, but it’s also ‘Izabela,’ and ‘Sam’ for his daughter, ‘Samantha’ areas – including St. Louis, Nashville, Houston, University of Nebraska to apply the associate important that we are alert to these changes and … They accepted and trademarked Izsam.”

Denver, Phoenix and Los Angeles. degree towards a bachelor’s degree.

The senior founder recalled how Izsam took “We are hoping to open five each year for make them as quickly as possible,” Bennett said.

“It’s a pathway, and if you can save yourself on salespeople and found an online program many years to come,” Bennett said. “We have 35 “We also are asking our franchisees who are two-and-a-half years of tuition, that’s a lot of to provide leads, which got results; bids were to 40 employees in Omaha, and it’s hard to put a former attorneys, CEOs and executives to give money,” he said. produced and the business was able to grow. number on national employees, because they are us suggestions on how to make Izsam better.

Apprentices can continue on the path, And they have given us many ideas on how to “So that, in 2015, we had over 100 em- all growing in their own protected franchises.” reaching levels of journeyperson, foreman and ployees,” he said. “We had national contractors To be successful, the Bennetts have found grow our business and how to make us more superintendent. come into Omaha and we were able to get the it best to have a market with a population of at professional.”

OSHA safety certification helps Omaha’s Izsam expand franchise brand nationally

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 •

9

R&R Realty Group focuses on office park developments Continued from page 1. completed later this month, bring the total which is owned by Dan Rupprecht and square footage of the project up to 1.1 family — five of which are involved in million square feet. the firm’s daily operations — own about He said two additional buildings are eight million square feet of real estate in on the table and could be constructed Nebraska and Iowa. according to “market-driven” demand — “Omaha has not typically been a spec probably two or three years down the road. market for office space and we found Shireman said the buildings are readthat in doing our reily accessible from search,” Homa said. R&R Realty Group I-80 by a mile or less “We found a need Phone: 402-885-4002 and feature 32-foot for Class A space Address: 13616 California St., Suite 110, height clearances to attract and retain Omaha 68154 and offer fiber rebusinesses.” dundancy — a charServices: full-service real estate company Therefore, R&R with subsidiary services that include conacteristic sought by Realty is leverag- struction management, brokerage, develop- many regional and ing its growth in the ment, acquisitions, property management national distribution Omaha area on the and technology services companies. niche for new ware- Founded: 1985 by Dan Rupprecht “ We h a v e t w o house and office fa- Employees: 5 in Omaha; 130 companytenants that provide cilities with a strong wide services for nearby focus on amenities. data centers and need One-year goal: Grow tenant space occuHoma, a Fremont pied in R&R Commerce Park. automated picking native, said more Industry outlook: Strong opportunities systems,” Homa national business- exist for developments in class A office and said. es seeking to attract warehousing.

The former fedtalent — especially Website: www.rrrealty.com eral bank examiner with high-end techand executive for nical skills — are seeing a competitive two Omaha financial institutions said advantage by offering facilities that national and regional firms with clients in will effectively compete with those in this area may initially use Class A warenearby markets such as Denver and house space to localize and better facilitate Kansas City. their distribution. In future years they may Homa and Marketing Director Spencer assign additional employees to Omaha and Shireman said amenities cannot be over- expand their footprint here. played in planning and promoting R&R Another large endeavor of R&R RealRealty’s projects. ty is the development of Fountain Ridge The Omaha office’s revenues are gen- Office Park, near 192nd Street & West erated by leasing — 65% to 70% — and Dodge Road. property management fees.

President Mark Rupprecht told MidThe 103,000-square-foot Nebraska lands Business Journal in 2013 “the proxProfessional Center and the Catholic imity of this site to our other properties Mutual Group building are two examples. make it a natural fit for our company to R&R Realty’s flagship warehouse undertake. Of the companies that lease project is R&R Commerce Park, a total space in our Iowa properties, about a quarof a half million square feet of space at ter of them already have a presence in the Highways 50 and 370 in Sarpy County. Omaha area.”

The first of two buildings is 35% leased, He said the Fountain Ridge project and Homa said the second building, to be hasn’t strayed from far from the philos-

ophy that successful enterprises should be built on their areas of knowledge and expertise and remain closely aligned to meeting the needs of their current clients in making expansion decisions.

“Our target is companies that have from five employees and needs as small as 1,000 square feet of space to tenants that can fill a 300,000 square foot single tenant building,” he said. “We anticipate a mix of national, regional and local tenants.”

Shireman said highlights of the two 80,000-square-foot four story office wings will include a 20,000-square-foot four-story collaboration center, a rooftop terrace, outdoor patios, food truck court, underground and surface parking, 24/7hour access, wellness center, and showers and locker facilities.

“Millennials are looking for phenomenal amenities,” he said.

Such buildings he said will need to offer multiple food service options on-site,

a virtual Starbucks, 150-person or more multi-purpose rooms, 20-person board rooms and an emphasis on “collaborative spaces.”

He cited the success of the Jordan Creek Park Westfield Campus, opened about a year ago in Des Moines, as an example.

Homa said Spark Design, a building and design subsidiary of R&R Realty, as being an important contributor to the overall growth story. Spark Design’s work on R&R Realty’s new headquarters building was recently profiled in Office Snapshots, an international magazine and design platform for the office design community.

One area distinguishing the work of Spark Design’s four employees is the concept of a “collision area” in a building that is specifically designed for high traffic, but with a strong emphasis on facilitating conversation among users.

10

• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Cybersecurity

Year in

Review 2019 challenges and successes

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Cybersecurity overview • Cybersecurity insurance • Phishing scams Create a response plan • Training employees on cybersecurity prevention

Banking/Finance • Technology • Education/Employment • Health Care • Real Estate Insurance/Employee Benefits/Law • Architecture/Engineering/Construction • Economic Development

Issue Date: December 27 • Ad Deadline: December 19

Issue Date: December 27 • Ad Deadline: December 19

Health & Business Wellness Preview A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Topics may include:

Health & Wellness overview • Sports medicine trends Fast growing careers in health care • Employers taking an active role Changing role of tech in the health care industry • Wellness trends

Banking/Finance • Technology • Education/Employment • Health Care Real Estate • Insurance/Employee Benefits/Law • Economic Development Architecture/Engineering/Construction

Issue Date: January 3 • Ad Deadline: December 26

Issue Date: January 3 • Ad Deadline: December 26

To advertise your company’s products or services in one of our upcoming sections, contact one of our MBJ advertising representatives at (402) 330-1760 or at the email addresses below.

Julie Whitehead - julie@mbj.com • Karla Steele - karla@mbj.com • Joe Misiunas - joe@mbj.com

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 •

11

Local businesses give glimpse into why shopping local is important

by Gabby Christensen

Shopping local not only benefits area business owners, but it also plays a significant role in the overall economic success of a community, according to Omaha entrepreneurs.

Pat Lawlor, owner of Lawlor’s Custom Sportswear, said the vast majority of products sold at the shop are designed, screen printed and embroidered at its location, including Creighton Bluejay apparel, Nebraska Husker apparel, Omaha Athletics apparel and Lancer Hockey apparel.

“When you purchase licensed items we SUPER CROSSWORD

create for Nebraska, Creighton or UNO a royalty on your total purchase price is generated,” he said. “And when one of our teams win a national championship we are going to be printing T-shirts the very minute the championship is won — our staff will be onsite, designs ready to print and shirt dryer warmed up.”

According to Lawlor, local businesses provide close to 100% of the sponsorship and local sports events and festivals.

Lawlor’s also employs 30 local staff members.

“Local businesses owners are going to MIX OF FISH

pay taxes locally, donate to local causes we're able to ensure the best quality for and hopefully pay good wages to all of our customers.” their local employees,” he said.

She noted the overall result of shopCharlie Yin, owner of LOCAL Beer & ping local is higher employment, reduced Patio, said every tap at every LOCAL Beer carbon footprints and a wealthier and & Patio kitchen is sourced either from a healthier local economy.

Nebraska craft brewery or nearby brewery Alicia Reisinger, founder/owner of in Iowa.

Wax Buffalo, said the store’s “The majority of our beef is primary product is pure soy also grown in Nebraska,” Yin candles, which are hand poured said. We are making efforts to at its local Haymarket shop. ensure that 100% of the beef “If you come visit our shop, is from Nebraska moving foryou'll find all sorts of other ward.” goodies from local makers, According to Yin, keeping from jewelry to artwork to home money local is crucial to the goods,” Reisinger said. “The success of any community. makers in Nebraska have so “It puts money into the hands much heart and soul and pour it of employers who are creating into their craft. When you buy McClenahan jobs and spending that same locally made goods, not only are money back in our community,” he said. you boosting a small business and keeping “It's almost like voting for our state every dollars in the local economy, you're bringtime you spend a dollar on local craft beer ing a piece of that love and heart and soul as opposed to other ‘big beer’ options.” with you into your home.”

Jillian McClenahan, founder of The She said locally made products also Anastasia Co., which offers stationery and have important stories behind them that home decor, sells greeting cards, journals can cultivate a real pride of place. and prints in over 100 boutiques, coffee “it's incredible to see how Nebraskans shops and small businesses across the rally around local makers when they feel United States — including 20 shops in equally connected to the maker's story,” Nebraska.

Reisinger said. “Additionally, when these Next year, the store will expand its products and stories capture the attention product offerings by adding apparel, drink- of those from beyond our local community, ware and other home goods. they have the power to generate respect for “All of our products are made right the hard work, craftsmanship and artistry here in Omaha, and we partner with local that can be found here in Nebraska. When vendors as often as possible,” McClenah- you shop local, you're supporting and crean said. “We believe in living boldly and ating new jobs right in your community. being intentional. Creating items locally is You're helping a small business create a way to personally contribute to Omaha's unique special products that make you success. By creating everything in Omaha, excited to call this place home.”

Despite all the buzz around fake meat, real stuff still paying off

by Lydia Mulvany and Deena Shanker

Answers on page 12.

Imitation meat may be all the rage at the moment, but producers of the real stuff are doing just fine.

Sure, vegan burger maker Beyond Meat Inc. stole the headlines this AgriculTure year with a wildly successful market debut and a dizzying 200% gain. But conventional beef companies Minerva SA and JBS SA aren’t too far behind. Even U.S. meat suppliers like Tyson Foods Inc., hamstrung by the China trade war, have posted their biggest stock gains in years.

Fueling the traditional meat rally is a protein shortage in Asia, which has seen demand for imported pork, chicken and beef surge. African swine fever is decimating hog herds from China to Vietnam, and the resulting shortfalls are poised to alter meat trade for years.

While the U.S. is seeing record meat supplies, demand has started to show signs of picking up. Ham prices are near seasonal records amid a frenzy in overseas purchasing, lifting pork values. Companies like Springdale, Ark.based Tyson are reporting “extreme” interest in chicken from Chinese buyers after a multiyear ban ended.

Domestic demand is also robust, with meat consumption increasing along with consumer incomes, according to Mike Sands, owner of

Memphis-based consulting firm MBS Research.

The rally has legs, according to Heather Jones, an equity analyst who owns Heather Jones Research. About 8% of global protein has been wiped out by swine fever, and supplies are expected to trough in the first half of next year.

“As investors have begun to work out the implications for earnings power, it has become clear that there is very strong upside from the current run-rate and that has propelled the shares higher,” Jones said.

The surge in animal-protein shares is coming just as faux meat enters a nascent boom. In November, alternative-meat sales surged 40% as more products hit shelves, according to data from researcher IRI. While plant-based substitutes make up just 1% of the $86 billion U.S. meat market, sales could reach as high as $15 billion in the next five to seven years, according to Hormel Foods Corp., which has introduced its own imitation product.

For now, traditional meat companies don’t appear too concerned about losing customers.

Even beyond the swine-fever-fueled rally, a swelling global population means food production will have to increase 70% by 2050, according to Food and Agriculture Organization estimates. Rising income levels typically mean higher protein consumption.

U.S. beef processors also benefited after a Continued on next page.

12

• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Why so many gas pumps still have less-secure credit card readers

by Samantha Masunaga

If you use a credit or debit card to pay at the gas pump, keep an eye out for fraudulent charges: The card readers there tend to lack chip technology, and hackers are targeting them, card issuer Visa Inc. SecuriTy recently warned.

Most U.S. retailers switched to chip-card readers long ago to meet an October 2015 deadline. But gas stations got extra time to upgrade, due in part to the infrastructure at the pumps. Their deadline isn’t until October 2020.

Those old-style card readers are vulnerable, Visa said, citing a round of cyber attacks this year.

In one case, a gas station was compromised by malware from a phishing email that was opened by an employee. Using a type of software called a RAM scraper,

the hackers harvested card data from the station’s payment terminals, according to a recent warning from Visa.

Another incident that also involved a RAM scraper seemed to specifically target data from transactions at a gas station’s fuel pumps, where customers swiped their cards’ magnetic stripe, Visa said. Data from payments made inside the station, using a machine with a chip reader, were not targeted.

Customers can avoid using their credit cards at the magnetic-stripe readers by paying cash or using a gas station payment app, consumer advocates said.

Visa suggested that gas stations stiffen up their network security and train employees on how to avoid phishing scams. It also said converting fuel-pump card readers to chip technology would help thwart these attacks.

With chip cards, no payment card data

are actually transferred during a sale. Rather, a unique code is transmitted that, if stolen, is no more useful than an expired password.

Upgrading isn’t cheap. Adding a chip reader to a relatively new gas pump could cost $1,200, said Brian Riley, director of credit advisory services at Mercator Advisory Group, a payments industry analysis and consultancy firm.

But gas stations do have reasons to make the change. Starting in October, if a fraudulent charge is made at a gas station card reader that still lacks chip technology, the gas station — not the credit card company — will have the responsibility of covering the charge.

Cardholders should get their money back if they report fraud to the card issuer, but the gas station would then owe that money to the card issuer, said Ted Rossman, industry

mentors, Catrice M. Jackson.

To choose, spend some time reflecting on a word that exemplifies what you’d like from 2020. This year I started at Thanksgiving time so I had several weeks for next year’s word to emerge.

In terms of content, I have the best results when I choose a word that helps me overcome a challenge or advance to a higher level and that has some selflessness built in. After all, who doesn’t want to make the world a better place?

For example, if you give up easily, a word like Determination or Persistence may inspire you.

Then create more context with a shortlist of supplemental words that express related values. With a word like Determination, additional words like Compassion or Growth can mitigate any steamroller effect.

Complete this activity by posting them in places where you’ll see them every day so they are top of mind.

Another activity I’m planning for New Year’s Day is to create a vision poster for the year. To get ready for this, I’ll round up some old magazines so that I have a wide variety of images to pick from, plus poster board and glue sticks.

This is a fun group activity, so involve your whole family or invite friends to join you.

Without overthinking, go through the magazines and pull out pictures and phrases that appeal to you. It’s especially interesting to use publications you wouldn’t normally look at — try used bookstores or thrift stores to get a wide range.

After you’ve got a nice pile, group them in ways that make sense to you. Let the structure emerge from the items you’ve selected.

Then arrange them in a way that feels right to you. There’s no wrong way — some people like neat alignment, others create sprawling patterns.

It’s finally time to consider the message from your poster. What do you see about your hopes, dreams, expectations or fears about 2020? How can that guide you as you make decisions?

By the way, if you were struggling to find a word for the year, a vision poster might be just the thing to get you started.

I’m also working on my learning list,

seeking out blogs and podcasts that broaden my perspectives.

One major focus is to learn from African-American women, and I’m turning to Medium and Patreon for options. What do you care about? Find topics and sources that expand your mind!

Now, maybe you’re wondering what my Word of the Year is. Drumroll please — my word is Service. I look forward to sharing where this takes me in 2020.

And feel free to share yours — I’d love to hear! ©2019 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Some ideas to help you get ready for the new year

by Liz Reyer

After writing a recent column about preparing for business success in 2020, I started thinking about the personal side of being ready for a new year. Let me take you inside the steps WorkplAce I’m taking this year.

One of my favorite steps is to select a “Word of the Year” to guide my choices over the course of the year, a technique I learned from one of my

Buzz around fake meat Continued from preceding page. fire took out one of Tyson’s plants in August. The reduced capacity created a glut of live animals that drove down cattle prices.

At the same time, beef buyers panicked at the prospect of shortfalls and started paying higher prices. Margins for beef processors touched record levels.

In the U.S., beef processing is dominated by four large companies. Some producers, strained by the lower cattle prices, cried foul, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched an investigation to look for evidence of any unfair competitive practices.

“Ultimately packer margins improved to where it made economic sense to run aggressively not just on weekdays but on Saturdays as well,” said Sands of MBS. “While beef margins have been very good, they were necessary to keep the industry from ending up with over-finished, out-of-condition fed cattle.”

Pork processors are also benefiting from record-high margins. Ham exports surged with holiday seasons being celebrated around the world amid the swine-fever-induced shortages. At the same time, the U.S. is seeing huge production, driving down live-animal prices.

Chicken is expected to be the main substitute for pork, and China recently lifted a 2015 ban on U.S. exports. “Renewed access to China will present significant opportunities for growth and value creation for our team members, our growers and our business,” Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. said in a statement to Bloomberg.

(With assistance from Reg Gale.) ©2019 Bloomberg News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

analyst at CreditCards.com, a review and analysis site.

If a gas station does not repay the charge, or if it generates a large number of chargebacks — repayments to a payer — then its contract with a card issuer could be revoked and it may no longer be able to accept that card, Riley said.

Gas stations that don’t upgrade in time might choose to have all customers pay at the cash register at a single chip-card reader, he said.

Chevron said Monday that it plans to have chip technology software available to its retailers by early 2020 and that it has already put software into production for half its sites. Phillips 66 said it already encrypts the data that come through its system and its stored data. ©2019 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 •

13

Fed puts hold on interest rates in quiet end to busy year

by Don Lee

After three successive interest rate cuts meant to head off a global economic slowdown and trade worries, the Federal Reserve hit the pause button at its last meeting of the year and signaled it was likely to remain on the economy sidelines all next year.

The decision to keep the Fed’s benchmark rate at between 1.5% and 1.75% was approved unanimously by all 10 voting members, whereas two or three had dissented in recent prior meetings.

In their new rate projections, 13 of 17 policymakers expect the Fed’s key interest rate to remain unchanged through all of next year. None sees further cuts, while four predicted a single quarter-point rate increase in 2020.

While the recent decision was widely expected and marked a quiet end to a busy year, the central bank is looking at a potential minefield during the 2020 presidential election year.

Although the U.S. economy remains defiantly buoyant today, particularly the solid job market, there are signs that next year could be different. Among them: the sagging European economy with Britain’s uncertain exit from the EU, President Donald Trump’s festering trade war with China and others, and a concerning surge in borrowing by major U.S. companies.

Also, the current good times, which began with recovery from the Great Recession in 2009, are long in the tooth, in the view of some economists. For most, the only questions about a slowdown are when it will come and how severe it will be.

And the Fed could be in a difficult position to deal with problems next year. For one thing, it has set the bar very high for raising the present, historically low level of interest rates.

“I would want to see inflation that is persistent, and that is significant,” Fed Chairman Jerome H. Powell said at a news conference following the two-day monetary policy meeting. Inflation has

been muted, although it is projected to rise to 1.9% next year, close to the Fed’s 2% target.

Any action next year also will occur in a supercharged political atmosphere.

Trump has already attacked the Fed again and again for not pumping up the economy, the health of which is critical to his reelection prospects.

Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan famously observed that the job of the central bank during good times is to take away the punch bowl just as the party really gets going.

That’s never an easy or popular decision — all the more so in a year when both political parties will be quick to jump on any decision that seems to help one side or the other.

“They would prefer watching paint dry, to be out of the equation,” Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton and a longtime Fed watcher, said of central bankers.

Trump has been haranguing Powell all

Regulators warn about fraudsters creating synthetic borrowers

by Don Lee and Alice Su

The United States and China have reached a preliminary trade agreement that includes the cancellation and rollback of some tariffs on Chinese products and a commitment by Beijing to step up purchases of American farm goods.

An agreement on the so-called phase one deal, confirmed by President Donald Trump and senior Chinese officials moments apart Friday, could defuse tensions in a nearly two-year-long trade war that has strained relations economy and hampered the global economy.

“This is the first bilateral trade deal in 20 years — it was hard fought, hard won and long overdue,” said Henry M. Paulson Jr., the former treasury secretary who is chairman of the Paulson Institute, a think tank focused on U.S.-China relations.

“While the issues between the U.S. and China extend far beyond trade, this is a first step toward completing a comprehensive trade agreement.”

Neither side, however, provided specifics of the deal, and Chinese officials noted that the agreement still has to go through “legal review, translation and proofreading.”

Over the last year, previous tentative deals to resolve the standoff have fallen

apart before completion, sending both sides back to the negotiating table. And even if the latest agreement is finalized, it is a far cry from the comprehensive deal Trump once promised to force China to dramatically reshape its practices.

Trump, in a tweet Friday, described the deal as “very large,” with “many structural changes and massive purchases” of U.S. agricultural, energy and manufactured products.

In exchange, Trump confirmed he was withdrawing the 15% tariffs on about $160 billion of Chinese imports that were set to take effect on Sunday. In addition, he said he was halving similar taxes on $110 billion of goods from China, but would keep 25% tariffs on another $250 billion of imports that Trump had imposed earlier.

When Trump first announced the phase one deal in early October, he said the Chinese had agreed to buy $40 billion to $50 billion of U.S. farm goods — about double the average annual amount in recent years prior to the trade war. And on Friday, he told reporters again: “The farmers are going to have to go out and buy much larger tractors.”

Chinese officials, however, were more circumspect in their characterization of the deal. Pressed at an 11 p.m. news conference in Beijing, they declined to provide specifics on the amount, type or timing of purchases of U.S. agricultural products by China, saying only that the increase would be by a “notable margin.”

Many analysts say China will be hardpressed to make a specific commitment on purchases because of its trading relations with other countries and the potential for changing needs and preferences from Chinese buyers.

The Chinese also gave no specifics on the amount of tariff reductions. Wang Shouwen, vice minister of commerce and deputy international trade representative, reading from a script announcing the agreement, said that the U.S. would fulfill its commitments to remove tariffs on Chinese products “phase by phase.”

Chinese officials said the phase one deal contained nine chapters, including intellectual property rights, technology transfer, food and agriculture, financial services and exchange rates and transparency.

It was unclear, however, to what extent the agreement addressed Chinese policies pressuring foreign firms to hand over technology and trade secrets in order to have access to China’s markets. The deal also made no mention of China’s heavy subsidization of state-owned enterprises, another longstanding concern on the part of the U.S. and other countries.

After many months of a trade war marked by tit-for-tat tariffs and heated rhetoric, China experts welcomed news of a partial trade agreement, although they remained skeptical about its substance or how far it would go in helping bilateral relations that have grown increasingly tense on a broad range of issues, including trade, security and technology.

David Loevinger, a former senior Treasury official on China affairs, said after watching the Chinese news conference late Friday that the announcement was “pretty much in line with prior expectations for a mini-skinny deal.”

He noted there was no “heavy policy lifting” from either side: no firm commitment from the Chinese on farm purchases; nothing on easing of U.S. restrictions on technology, trade or investment; and no assurances there will be more tariff rollbacks.

“This along with continued tensions on technology and foreign policy issues will continue to weigh on business investment,” said Loevinger, an analyst for TCW Emerging Markets Group in Los Angeles.

“Given how long it took to agree on a mini-skinny deal,” he added, “the chance of further phases being agreed before the election are between slim and none.”

(Su reported from the Times Beijing bureau.) ©2019 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

year long, pressuring him to lower interest rates and keep the good times rolling for next year’s election.

The political heat will only increase as U.S. economic growth is expected to slow — and could even plunge — if Trump escalates his trade war with China.

Trump is threatening to slap new 15% tariffs on about $160 billion worth of cellphones, laptops, toys and other imported goods from China, although many analysts expect the duties will be suspended as the two sides continue to negotiate on a partial trade deal.

Powell said the agreement between House Democrats and the White House to advance the revised North American Free Trade Agreement was positive, but noted that the bigger threat is the trade conflict with China.

Prior to its latest meeting, the Fed made three straight quarter-point rate cuts to cushion the economy against slumping manufacturing and trade. Powell said that he believed those actions have now provided enough insurance against those risks, and in recent weeks recession worries have receded.

“I think both the economy and monetary policy right now are in a good place,” he said.

In their updated outlook released recently, Fed officials on average projected economic growth to slow to 2% from 2.2% this year. The economy expanded by almost 3% in 2018, fueled by the Republican tax cuts.

Growth this year, however, has been uneven. Business investments and trade have slumped, even as job growth has exceeded expectations and continues to prop up consumer spending, the main driver of the economy. The jobless rate is now down to a half-century low of 3.5%, and the Fed doesn’t see it moving up much from there for the foreseeable future.

Powell opened the news conference by paying tribute to the legendary Fed Chairman Paul A. Volcker, who died recently. Powell noted Volcker’s “courage, integrity and tenacity” in pursuing policies beneficial to Americans, most notably the grit and indifference to political pressure that he showed in jacking up interest rates to choke off the spending spree that had fueled double-digit inflation some 40 years ago.

Powell, whose credibility has taken a hit for making a sharp pivot from increasing rates last year to cutting them amid Trump’s attacks, has insisted that the Fed would operate independently and free from political influence.

In the coming months, he may well need to show the kind of iron will and courage displayed by Volcker — whether it’s taking away the punch bowl should inflation rear its head or further stimulate the economy if it weakens, no matter the political price.

Said Ryan Sweet, an economist at Moody’s Analytics: “Not bending to political pressure and staying the course — that’s the lesson that Powell can draw from Volcker.” ©2019 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

14

• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES MBJ legal notice instructions The following are some guidelines to consider when posting legal notices with the Midlands Business Journal: 1. Submit a written notice in either Microsoft Word or as a PDF document to Beth Grube at legals@mbj.com, fax to 402-758-9315 or mail: 1324 S. 119th St. Omaha, NE 68144.

For trade names, submit a copy of approved (bar code in upper right hand corner) Application For Registration of Trade Name from the Secretary of State to the same email address. Please include your billing address and the desired duration you’d like your notice to run (trade names run for only one week).

2. You will receive a confirmation and price quote. Legal notices, except for trade names, are charged per line. The flat fee for a trade name is $50.

Payment options are cash or check.

3. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday for a notice to start publishing that Friday.

4. All costs include fees to file the notice with the Secretary of State and/or any appropriate courts.

5. You will receive a paid invoice copy and a courtesy proof of the notice the first week it runs and a copy of the affidavit filed with the courts the last week.

JOSEPH J. SKUDLAREK, Attorney 1055 North 115th Street, Suite 301 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LLC The Nebraska limited liability company’s name is Willa J Collection, LLC. Its designated office is 15606 William Plaza #106, Omaha, NE 68130.

Its purpose is any lawful business. It commenced on October 29, 2019. Its affairs shall be managed by a Member/Manager. Jennifer J Seay, Organizer First publication November 29, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF G & T DRYWALL, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of G & T Drywall, Inc. have been amended and restated in their entirety as follow: Article 1 states the name of the Corporation as G & T Drywall, Inc. Article 2 states the purpose.

Article 3 states the number of shares the Corporation is authorized to issue as 25,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $1.00 per share.

Article 4 states the Registered Office of the Corporation as 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent as Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. Article 5 states the Corporation shall have perpetual existence.

Article 6 states the provisions relating to amending the Articles and Bylaws.

Article 7 states the provisions relating to director liability.

The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 26, 2019.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 HALEY REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC 10703 J Street, Suite 101 Omaha, NE 68127 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FOR LEAGUE COMMISH, LLC A Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State for League Commish, LLC (the “Company”) on December 4, 2019.

The address of the Company’s designated office is 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127. The name and address for the Company’s registered agent is Carl J. Troia, Jr., 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 HALEY REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC 10703 J Street, Suite 101 Omaha, NE 68127 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FOR KEY COMMUNITIES 5, LLC A Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State for Key Communities 5, LLC (the “Company”) on December 4, 2019.

The address of the Company’s designated office is 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127. The name and address for the Company’s registered agent is Carl J. Troia, Jr., 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is FINNCO MACHINE, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 4089 S. 84th St., Suite 191, Omaha, Nebraska, 68127. The registered agent is Thomas J. Finn and the Register Agent's address is 14618 Borman Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68138.

3. The general nature of the Company is precision machining.

4. The Company commenced on December 4, 2019, and shall have perpetual existence.

5. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72Nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TACOS Y TACOS, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Tacos Y Tacos, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 5936 Q Street, Omaha, NE 68117. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72Nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SUPERIOR LIQUORS, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Superior Liquors, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 5936 Q Street, Omaha, NE 68117. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72Nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SJK RETAIL, LLC The name of the limited liability company is SJK Retail, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 2219 North 90th Street, Omaha, NE 68134. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 DANIEL R. CARNAHAN, Attorney DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STADE HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Stade Holdings, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on November 19, 2019. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 12118 S. 213th Avenue, Gretna, Nebraska 68028. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 DANIEL R. CARNAHAN, Attorney DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STADE REAL ESTATE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Stade Real Estate, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on November 19, 2019. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 12118 S. 213th Avenue, Gretna, Nebraska 68028. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PWC PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PWC Properties, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 451 South 46th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on November 27, 2019.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF AZ CAR RENTS, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that AZ CAR RENTS, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent is ANTHONY L. GROSS. The general nature of the business is to operate a general car rental business, to own, operate and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law, which are necessary, suitable, proper, convenient or expedient to the operation of a general car rental business. The authorized capital stock is $10,000.00, consisting of 10,000 shares of stock having a par value of $1.00 each, which stock shall be paid for wholly or partly by cash, by labor, by personal property and by real property. The corporation became a corporate body on October 28, 2019, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors, the number of directors to be provided in the By-Laws, and the officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as shall be designated in the By-Laws.

ANTHONY L. GROSS, Incorporator CATHERINE L. WHITE, Incorporator 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, NE 68124 First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019

THOMAS H. PENKE, Attorney 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE The following described property will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the Roskens Room, on the Farnam Street level of the Douglas County City County Building, 1819 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska on the 7th day of January, 2020, at 9:00 o'clock a.m.: The South 34 11/16 Feet of the West 170 Feet of Lot 14 and the North 13 15/16 Feet of the West 170 Feet of Lot 14½, Millard and Caldwell’s Addition to the City of Omaha, as surveyed, platted and recorded in Douglas County, Nebraska.

The highest bidder will deposit with the Trustee on the date of sale the sum of $5,000.00 with the remainder to be received by 5:00 o'clock p.m. on the sale date, at the office of the trustee, 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska, except that this requirement waived for the beneficiary.

Thomas H. Penke, Trustee 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 402.330.6860 First publication November 29, 2019, final December 27, 2019 STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TINYWORKS, LLC The name of the limited liability company is TinyWorks, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 9850 Nicholas Street #300, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), TIMOTHY J SKEEN You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 09/16/2019 on Case Number CI19-21044, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $1,800.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 01/27/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly.

CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 16400 COLLEGE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 16400 College, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 222 South 15th Street, Suite 1404S, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, and its mailing address is P.O. Box 428, Boys Town, Nebraska 68010. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney MOYLAN LAW, LLC 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ZINC, LLC Notice is hereby given that ZINC, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated agent Sean D. Moylan and designated office at 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The purpose for which ZINC, LLC has been established is real estate management, and any and all lawful businesses for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Perpetual existence commenced on December 9, 2019. Management of the company shall be vested in its Members.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VIRAL PROPERTIES, LLC The name of the Company is Viral Properties, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 3604 North 165th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: James Kuna, 3604 North 165th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. This limited liability company commenced business on December 10, 2019.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PSG PROPERTIES, LLC The name of the Company is PSG Properties, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 2402 North 179th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124.

This limited liability company commenced business on December 12, 2019.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 • LEGAL NOTICES SCOTT D. JOCHIM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SGS PROPERTIES, LLC The name of the limited liability company is SGS Properties, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Scott D. Jochim, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SILVER BULL HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Silver Bull Holdings, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 3814 Farnam Street, Suite 201, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Thomas H. McLeay, 3814 Farnam Street, Suite 201, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. The limited liability company commenced business on December 2, 2019.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is Hula Lacrosse.

2. The Corporation is a public benefit corporation.

3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. 4. The name and address of the Incorporator is as follows: Alexander J. Wolf, 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124.

5. The Corporation shall have no members.

6. The corporate existence began on November 25, 2019, when Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 TIEDEMAN, LYNCH, KAMPFE, McVAY & RESPELIERS, Attorneys 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68106-1045 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Robertson Enterprises, LLC, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated office at 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The general nature of the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized. The limited liability company was formed on September 10, 2019, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MWC HEART, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of MWC Heart, LLC 1. The name of the limited liability company is MWC Heart, LLC 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 14110 Franklin Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Matthew T. Payne, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), BARBARA SIMS You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 08/21/2019 on Case Number CI19-19169, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $5293.20, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 01/20/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly.

CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Bang, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 9201 N. 156th Street, Bennington, Nebraska 68007. The registered agent of the Company is Blake Banghart, 9201 N. 156th Street, Bennington, Nebraska 68007. The Company was formed on November 27, 2019.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF SONLIT, INC. SONLIT, INC. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. The corporation is a Public Benefit Corporation. The street address of the corporation’s initial registered office is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118, and the name of the initial registered agent of the corporation at that office is Mary E. Vandenack. The corporation is organized for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes. The corporation commenced on November 22, 2019. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation is Mary E. Vandenack, 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. The corporation will not have members.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HIGHWAY SIGNING EQUIPMENT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Highway Signing Equipment, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 4343 South 67th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Matt Fatka, 4343 South 67th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117.

The Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 27, 2019.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MARY BYRD COUNSELING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mary Byrd Counseling, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The limited liability company shall provide mental health services. The designated office of the limited liability company is 16023 Lindenwood Circle, Bennington, Nebraska 68007. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on November 20, 2019.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF NU DRYWALL, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of NU Drywall, Inc. have been amended and restated in their entirety as follow: Article 1 states the name of the Corporation as NU Drywall, Inc. Article 2 states the purpose.

Article 3 states the number of shares the Corporation is authorized to issue as 1,000 shares of voting common stock and 99,000 shares of nonvoting common stock, all having a par value of $.10 per share.

Article 4 states the Registered Office of the Corporation as 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent as Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. Article 5 states the Corporation shall have perpetual existence.

Article 6 states the provisions relating to amending the Articles and Bylaws.

Article 7 states the provisions relating to director liability.

The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 25, 2019.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is Cemer Foundation.

2. The Corporation is a public benefit corporation.

3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. 4. The name and address of the Incorporator is as follows: Alexander J. Wolf, 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124.

5. The Corporation shall have no members.

6. The corporate existence began on November 25, 2019, when Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 2020 MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 2020 Mortgage Holdings, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on December 4, 2019.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

15

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STIRLING ENTERPRISES, LLC Notice is hereby given that a limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is STIRLING ENTERPRISES, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128.

The designated office is located at 3809 N. 207th Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022.

Ruffin Stirling, Member First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HARP ENTERPRISES, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is HARP ENTERPRISES, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128.

The designated office is located at 15311 Nebraska Ave, Omaha, NE 68116.

Barb Bettin, Member First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF S & B JEWELRY, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is S & B JEWELRY, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128.

The designated office is located at 10531 S. 15th Street, #101, Bellevue, Nebraska 68123.

Brad Martin, Member First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LISA HARRIS REALTY, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is LISA HARRIS REALTY, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 2712 N. 175th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116.

Lisa J. Harris, Member First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VP BAR, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that VP Bar, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 8222 F Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68127.

The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF MEET THE NEED SIOUXLAND, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Meet The Need Siouxland, Inc. (the “Corporation”) has been incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Corporation is a public benefit corporation and shall have no members. Its initial registered agent and office is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

The incorporator is M. Thomas Langan, II, 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The corporate existence began on November 21, 2019 when the Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 N O T I C E O F A M E N D M E N T T O T H E A RT I C L E S O F INCORPORATION OF WOODLAND HOMES, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of Woodland Homes, Inc. (the “Corporation”) have been amended: (i) in respect to Article IV, to increase the authorized shares to One Hundred Thousand (100,000) shares, consisting of Ten Thousand (10,000) shares of “Class A Voting Common Stock,” with a par value of $0.01 per share, and Ninety Thousand (90,000) shares of “Class B Nonvoting Common Stock,” with a par value of $0.01 per share; and (ii) in respect to Article V, to delete the same. The Articles of Amendment were dated effective September 6, 2019, and filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 30, 2019. In all other respects, the Articles of Incorporation remain unchanged.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

16

• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Limited Liability Company is WANNABEE’S VINTAGE, LLC 2. The address of the designated office of the company is 5036 Lake Street, Omaha, NE 68104.

3. The purpose for which the company is organized is to engage in any and all business which is lawful under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Nebraska.

4. The company commenced its existence on October 21, 2019, and the period of duration of the Company shall be perpetual.

5. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members in accordance with the company’s operating agreement.

Colin Kastrick Andrew C. Sigerson, P.C., L.L.O. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney MOYLAN LAW, LLC 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF MALLARD REMODELING, INC. Notice is hereby given that MALLARD REMODELING, INC., a Nebraska Corporation, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated agent Sean D. Moylan and designated office at 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The purpose for which MALLARD REMODELING, INC. has been established is to engage in the remodeling business, and any and all lawful businesses for which a corporation may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Perpetual existence commenced on December 4, 2019.

Management of the company shall be vested in its Board of Directors.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Texas, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Texas, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WOODSONIA-INDIAN CREEK, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Woodsonia-Indian Creek, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The designated office of the Company is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The registered agent of the Company is Drew Snyder, 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68118.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF QUADTECH PARTNERS GP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that QuadTech Partners GP, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The designated office address of the Company is 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, NE 68122. The name and address of the registered agent of the Company is Zachary A. Wiegert, 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION The name of the Corporation is LJS MANAGEMENT, INC. The address of the registered office of the Corporation is 9859 South 168th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68136 and the registered agent of the said Corporation is Andrew C. Sigerson. The Corporation has Ten Thousand (10,000) shares of common stock authorized, each having the par value of $1.00. The Incorporator is Ross M. Berg, 9859 South 168th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68136.

Ross M. Berg, Incorporator First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Traverse Project Solutions, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 6505 S. 149th Ave, Omaha, NE 68137. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Paul Buss, 6505 S. 149th Ave. Omaha, NE 68137.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of Sun Mesa, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 30, 2019, Sun Mesa, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 16216 Hartman Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Joseph Grimaldi, whose address is 16216 Hartman Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF CUTTING EDGE SURGICAL, INC., NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVE, Cutting Edge Surgical, Inc., filed Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State on November 15, 2019. The corporation is authorized to issue 10 shares of common stock. The Initial Registered Agent and Office is Catherine Grimaldi, 16216 Hartman Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116. The Incorporator is Catherine Grimaldi, 16216 Hartman Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LC NOVA, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LC NOVA, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office address of the Company is 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, NE 68122. The name and address of the registered agent of the Company is Zachary A. Wiegert, 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 W. ERIC WOOD, Attorney Downing, Alexander & Wood 2800 South 110 Court Omaha NE 68144 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF Boat, Motor, Trailer Sales, Inc. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Boat, Motor, Trailer Sales, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska on December 3, 2019. The Corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock. The registered office is located at 10702 South 144th Street, Omaha NE 68138 and the registered agent is Scott D. Stevens. The general nature of its business is to engage in and do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business, other than banking or insurance, for which a corporation may be organized under the laws of Nebraska.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF CBAHA, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is CBAHA, LLC. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business to be investing in Miller Veterinary Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on November 26, 2019 and shall remain effective until Miller Veterinary Holdings dissolves and liquidates at which time CBAHA, LLC shall dissolve unless unanimous consent by the Members is given to remain in existence in perpetuity. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 GNUSE & GREEN LAW OFFICES, P.C., Attorneys 11311 Chicago Circle Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BEYOND GOLDEN PRODUCTS, L.L.C. A Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that Beyond Golden Products, L.L.C., a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 9691 Meadow Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of its business is to engage in and do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Certificate of Organization was filed in the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 27, 2019. The Company commenced business thereon and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Members.

Rodney G. Gnuse, Organizer First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Petrovich Team Home Loan, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Andrew P. Deaver and Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019

ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser North Carolina, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser North Carolina, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Ohio, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Ohio, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Illinois, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Illinois, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Connecticut, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Connecticut, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MIDWEST RADIANT HEATERS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Midwest Radiant Heaters, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 663 N. 132nd St, #104, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom P.C. a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION The name of the Corporation is LOBO’S MANAGEMENT, INC. The address of the registered office of the Corporation is 9859 South 168th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68136 and the registered agent of the said Corporation is Andrew C. Sigerson. The Corporation has Ten Thousand (10,000) shares of common stock authorized, each having the par value of $1.00. The Incorporator is Ross M. Berg, 9859 South 168th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68136.

Ross M. Berg, Incorporator First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: TONY MOCKOBEE You are hereby notified that on 07/12/19, the Plaintiff Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska, against you shown as Case Number CI19 15336. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of 352.50, plus court costs, pre-judgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable.

The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are hereby notified that you must answer the Complaint on or before 01/26/20 at the COUNTY court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA Nebraska.

Edwina Heise #25377 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, NE 68802 (308)398-3801 Attorney for Plaintiff First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 • LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF RIGHT TO RECLAIM ABANDONED PROPERTY TO: The Estate of David S. Larsen, the Beneficiaries of the Estate of David S. Larsen, John Doe, Jane Doe and Real Names Unknown Address: Camelot Village Apartments, 2506 N. 93rd Court, Apartment #7, Omaha, NE 68134 You are hereby notified, pursuant to the Nebraska Disposition of Personal Property Landlord Tenant Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2301 et. seq., that the personal property that is identified below remained on the premises at the address stated above, after the death of David S. Larsen: 28 comic figurines 44 boxes of comic books 1 -tote of photography equipment 1 Star Wars X-Wing game 2 dominos set 2 poker set 8 boxes of trading cards 4 bookcases of books 1 box of action figures 2 suitcases and travel bag 1 Star Trek attack game 1 coat 3 hoodies 1 oxygen machine 1 computer monitor 1 entertainment center 1 desk 75-100 miscellaneous movies 1 thirteen-inch television 1 paper shredder 2 fans 1 DVD and VCR 1 computer scanner Speakers Headphones 1 laptop 3 swords 1 piggy bank 1 lamp 1 bed 4 boxes of c-pap supplies 30 shirts 1 tool box 1 step stool 1 dresser with miscellaneous clothing The said property may be claimed at the address listed below. The reasonable cost of the storage of the property must be paid before any of the property may be removed or reclaimed.

Because the property is believed to be worth less than two thousand dollars, it may be kept, sold, or destroyed without further notice if you fail to reclaim it on or before January 3, 2019, pursuant to the Nebraska Disposition of Personal Property Landlord Tenant Act. Property may be reclaimed by contacting the landlord/landlord’s property manager at the address or phone number listed below.

Michelle Roberts, Portfolio Manager Elevate Living, 2344 N. 92nd Avenue, Omaha, NE 68134 (402) 393-5214 First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MIDWEST HEMP TESTING, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CX PILOT LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CX Pilot LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 2711 South 99th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124.

The limited liability company commenced business on December 12, 2019.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is WAKIN BACON, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 804 North 9th Street, Plattsmouth, NE, 68048. The registered agent is Julia K. Palzer and the Registered Agent's address is 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6, Omaha, NE 68154.

3. The general nature of the Company is a food wagon.

4. The Company commenced on December 12, 2019 and shall have perpetual existence.

5. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VETERANS VILLA OPERATING LLC Notice is hereby given that VETERANS VILLA OPERATING LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 17332 Edna Street, Omaha, NE 68136. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118-3121.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF J. VINCENT PIETRO, DDS, P.C. Notice is hereby given that a professional corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is J. Vincent Pietro, DDS, P.C. The corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the incorporator is Dr. J. Vincent Pietro, DDS, 625 N 144th Ave Ste. 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154.

Dr. J. Vincent Pietro, DDS, Incorporator First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ISLAND WINGS BVI, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Island Wings BVI, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 3322 N. 131st Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68164 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom P.C. a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 GROSS & WELCH, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 2120 South 72 Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOUTHPAW INTERPRETING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Southpaw Interpreting, LLC, a Nebraska corporation, was organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on November 20, 2019. Its designated office is located at 4434 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68105. Its initial registered agent for service of process is Gerard T. Forgét, III, JD, MBA, LLM (Taxation) with an address at 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1500, Omaha, Nebraska 68124.

Gerard T. Forgét, III, JD, MBA, LLM (Taxation), Organizer First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF HHB ENTERPRISES, INC. 1. The name of the Corporation is HHB Enterprises, Inc. 2. The Corporation is authorized to issue 100,000 Shares having a par value of $.10 each with 1,000 shares designated as voting common stock and 99,000 shares designated as nonvoting common stock.

3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 1125 S 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. 4. The corporate existence began on December 6, 2019, when Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State.

5. The name and address of the Incorporator is: Michael J. Keblesh, 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska 68124.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser New York, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser New York, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 HALEY REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC 10703 J Street, Suite 101 Omaha, NE 68127 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FOR MAISON HC5, LLC A Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State for Maison HC5, LLC (the “Company”) on December 4, 2019. The address of the Company’s designated office is 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127. The name and address for the Company’s registered agent is Carl J. Troia, Jr., 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127.

First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

17

SUMM AVIVA Y. GORDON, ESQ. Gordon Law, LLC Nevada Bar No. 5333 2850 W. Horizon Ridge, Suite 200 Henderson, NV 89052 (702)527-5557 agordon@gordonlawlv.com Attorneys for ROAM Nevada Trust and Home Loan Services, LLC DISTRICT COURT CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA ROAM NEVADA TRUST, a Nevada Trust Company and HOME LOAN SERVICES, LLC, a Nevada Limited Liability Company vs LK OMAHA I, LLC, a Wyoming limited liabilityCompany, EDWIN W. LESLIE, and DOES 1 – 10 Defendants Business Court Requested Plaintiffs, Case No. A-19-799512-B Dept.

No. 13 Exempt from Arbitration - Declaratory Relief Requested SUMMONS NOTICE! YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. THE COURT MAY DECIDE AGAINST YOU WITHOUT YOUR BEING HEARD UNLESS YOU RESPOND WITHIN 20 DAYS. READ THE INFORMATION BELOW. TO THE DEFENDANT(S): A civil Complaint has been filed by the Plaintiff(s) against you for relief set forth in the Complaint.

1. If you intend to defend this lawsuit, within 20 days after this Summons is served on you, exclusive of the day of service, you must do the following: (a) File with the Clerk of this court, whose address is shown below, a formal written response to the Complaint in accordance with the rules of the Court, with the appropriate filing fee. (b) Serve a copy of your response upon the attorney whose name and address is shown above.

2. Unless you respond, your default will be entered upon application of the Plaintiff(s) and failure to so respond will result in a judgment of default against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint, which could result in the taking of money or property or other relief requested in the Complaint.

3. If you intend to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so that your response may be filed on time.

4. The State of Nevada, its political subdivisions, agencies, officers, employees, board members, commission members and legislators each have 45 days after service of this Summons within which to file an Answer or other responsive pleading to the Complaint.

STEVEN D. GRIERSON CLERK OF THE COURT Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89155 Aviva Y. Gordon, Esq., 2850 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy., Suite 200, Henderson, NV 89052 Attorney for Plaintiff A civil Complaint has been filed by ROAM NEVADA TRUST, a Nevada trust Company and HOME LOAN SERVICES, LLC, a Nevada Limited Liability Company (the “Plaintiff”) against Edwin W. Leslie for Declaratory Relief, Breach of Guaranty, Breach of the Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing and for Alter Ego. The Plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $15,000. Unless Mr. Leslie responds to the Plaintiff’s Complaint, Mr. Leslie’s default will be entered upon application of the Plaintiff, and a judgment of default may be entered against Mr. Leslie for relief requested in the Complaint.

First publication December 13, 2019, final January 3, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MJMM, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MJMM, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The limited liability company shall provide consulting services. The designated office of the limited liability company is 4838 S 236th Circle, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124.

The limited liability company commenced business on December 13, 2019.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 ANDREW J. HUBER, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF SEEDS DANCE PROJECT, INC. Notice is hereby given that a nonprofit corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is Seeds Dance Project, Inc. The corporation is a public benefit corporation and will not have members. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and address of the incorporator is LDM Business Services, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114.

LDM Business Services, Incorporator First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 SCOTT D. JOCHIM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MEADOWLARK LEASING, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Meadowlark Leasing, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 436 South 161st Street, Omaha, NE 68118. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Scott D. Jochim, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020

18

• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RANCH VIEW INVESTMENTS, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Ranch View Investments, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 13838 R Plaza, Omaha, NE 68137. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE ORGANIZATION Please take notice that the Certificate of Organization for Tacos Y Tacos, LLC has been amended to change the name of the limited liability company to Hacienda De Garcia, LLC. First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE ORGANIZATION Please take notice that the Certificate of Organization for Maquina 501, LLC has been amended to change the name of the limited liability company to 4006 S 60th Street, LLC, and the designated office address and registered agent address have been changed to 5936 Q Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE ORGANIZATION Please take notice that the Certificate of Organization for Legado Garcia, LLC has been amended to change the name of the limited liability company to 1510 Galvin Road S, LLC, and the designated office address and registered agent address have been changed to 5936 Q Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF CASTINADO ENTERPRISES, INC. Notice is hereby given that a corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is CASTINADO ENTERPRISES, INC. The corporation is authorizied to issue 10,000 shares of common stock. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128, and its incorporator is Brett Castinado, 5151 N. 150th Street, Lincoln, NE 68037.

Brett Castinado, Incorporator First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 GNUSE & GREEN LAW OFFICES, P.C., Attorneys 11311 Chicago Circle Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF TLC AT HOME, INC. Registered Office: 11311 Chicago Circle, Omaha, Nebraska, 68154 The Corporation shall engage in any lawful business for which a corporation may be formed under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. Authorized capital stock is $10,000 to be fully paid and non-assessable on issue. Perpetual existence commenced December 11, 2019, when articles were filed with the Secretary of State. Affairs are to be conducted by the Board of Directors and Officers authorized by the Bylaws and the Board.

Rodney G. Gnuse, Incorporator First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 KATHRYN J. DERR, Attorney BERKSHIRE & BURMEISTER 1301 South 75th Street, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ROYAL TERRACE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ROYAL TERRACE, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 1301 s 75th Street, Ste. 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered office of the Company is 1301 S 75th St. Ste. 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the agent at such office is Kathryn J. Derr.

The general nature of the business to be transacted by the company is any lawful business which may be carried on by a limited liability company organized under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The company commenced operations on November 19, 2019, and shall have a perpetual duration.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020

STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE ORGANIZATION Please take notice that the Certificate of Organization for Guadalupe Acosta, LLC has been amended to change the name of the limited liability company to 5223 Gertrude Street, LLC, and the designated office address and registered agent address have been changed to 5936 Q Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE ORGANIZATION Please take notice that the Certificate of Organization for La Joya, LLC has been amended to change the name of the limited liability company to 4018 S 60th Street, LLC, and the designated office address and registered agent address have been changed to 5936 Q Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Peyton’s Carpet Creations, LLC Notice is hereby given that a limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is Peyton’s Carpet Creations, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 21021 Brittany Circle, Elkhorn, NE 68022.

Paul Peyton, Member First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OFAMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION On September 1, 2019, an Amendment to the Certificate of Organization for Heather Hruby MS LMHP LADC, LLC was filed to change the name of the company to Embodied Mind Counseling, LLC. First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 BROWN & WOLFF, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1925 North 120th Street, One Bennington Place Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF QUANTUM GRETNA, LLC NOTICE is hereby given that Quantum Gretna, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of its registered office is 1925 North 120th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The purpose of the Company shall be to have such purposes and to engage in such activities with the exception of banking and insurance as may be mutually agreed upon by the Members from time to time, and which are not prohibited by the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The Company commenced on the 12th day of December, 2019, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by its Members and/or Managers as set forth in the terms of the company’s Operating Agreement from time to time.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 RUSSELL J. KREIKEMEIER, Attorney KREIKEMEIER LAW OFFICES 126 East Grove Street West Point, Nebraska 68788 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF CORPORATION Notice is hereby given of the Dissolution of Stavas Medical Imaging, Inc., a Nebraska Business Corporation, with its principal place of business in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. Pursuant to the provisions of the statutes of the State of Nebraska, Stavas Medical Imaging, Inc. has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Secretary of State. The Articles of Dissolution contain the express will of the sole Shareholder to dissolve the Corporation and to wind up the Corporate business. It is hereby agreed to by the sole Shareholder and in accordance with the Articles of Dissolution that the proceeds of any assets of the Corporation shall first be paid in discharge of all Corporate liabilities. Creditors of this Corporation should file their claims with Joseph M. Stavas, c/o Russell J. Kreikemeier; 126 East Grove Street; West Point, Nebraska 68788.

EFFECTIVE the 5th day of November, 2019 Russell J. Kreikemeier First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF EAB PRODUCTIONS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that EAB Productions, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 6810 Underwood Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68132. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020

JOSEPH J. SKUDLAREK, Attorney 1055 North 115th Street, Suite 301 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: The Tennis Club Name of Applicant: The Tennis Club, Inc. Address: 8301 N 123 Circle Omaha NE 68142 Applicant is a Coprporation If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: April 20, 1973 General nature of business: as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation of The Tennis Club, Inc. including any lawful business.

JOSEPH J. SKUDLAREK Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 20, 2019 DANIEL C. PAULEY, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Euphoria Health Name of Applicant: Euphoria Life, LLC Address: 7914 W Dodge Road, Unit 301, Omaha, NE 68114 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: December 6, 2019 General nature of business: Healthcare DANIEL C. PAULEY Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 20, 2019 DANIEL C. PAULEY, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Euphoria Medical Name of Applicant: Euphoria Life, LLC Address: 7914 W Dodge Road, Unit 301, Omaha, NE 68114 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: December 6, 2019 General nature of business: Healthcare DANIEL C. PAULEY Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 20, 2019 MYRON J. KAPLAN, Attorney McGILL, GOTSDINER, WORKMAN & LEPP, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 11404 West Dodge Road, Suite 500, First National Plaza Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2584 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Omaha Kings Futbol Club Name of Applicant: Viel Enterprises, LLC Address: 17007 Hawthorne Court, #309 Omaha NE 68118 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: October 1, 2019 General nature of business: semi-pro indoor soccer team NATALIE VIEL Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 20, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: LoveOurRoof Name of Applicant: CGG Ventures, Inc. Address: 4526 South 143rd Street Omaha NE 68137 Applicant is a Corporation If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 12/10/19 General nature of business: Roofing JIM HARDING Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 20, 2019 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: bestnbusiness Name of Applicant: Jeff Johnson Address: 16820 Frances Street, Suite 205 Omaha, NE 68130 Applicant is a Individual If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Date of first use of name in Nebraska: December 4, 2019 General nature of business: Marketing platform for commercial real estate services JEFF JOHNSON Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 20, 2019

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 • LEGAL NOTICES ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Corporate Name: Satyaysalud, Inc. Registered Agent: Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C., L.L.O. Registered Office: Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C., 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, NE68114 Authorized Number of Shares: 10,000 shares Incorporator: Charles V. Sederstrom, Jr. Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C., 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114 First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MASTERCRAFT APARTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mastercraft Apartments, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1536 Cuming Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SCM LINCOLN 1601 GP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SCM Lincoln 1601 GP, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1303 South 72 Street, Suite 209, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SCM LINCOLN 1601, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SCM Lincoln 1601, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1303 South 72 Street, Suite 209, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 72ND STREET INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 72nd Street Investments, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 222 South 15th Street, Suite 1404S, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, and its mailing address is P.O. Box 428, Boys Town, Nebraska 68010. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 MARKS CLARE & RICHARDS, L.L.C., Attorneys 11605 Miracle Hills Drive, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 N O T I C E O F A M E N D M E N T S TO T H E A RT I C L E S O F INCORPORATION OF PERINATAL ASSOCIATES, P.C. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of Perinatal Associates, P.C., a Nebraska corporation, have been amended to provide the following: 1) That the aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is Eighty Thousand (80,000) shares of common stock at the par value of One Dollar ($1.00) per share, and 2) That the affairs of the corporation shall be conducted by a Board of Directors consisting of not less than three, but not more than eight directors, all of whom shall be shareholders of the corporation.

Andrew W. Robertson, M.D., President First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Cano Complete Cleaning, Inc. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. The street address of the corporation's initial registered office is 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name of the initial registered agent of the corporation at that office is M. Tyler Johnson. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of Common Stock. The name and street address of the sole incorporator of the corporation are M. Tyler Johnson, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF TAW INTERIORS, INC. TAW INTERIORS, INC., a Nebraska corporation (the "Corporation"), has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State with a dissolution date effective December 11, 2019. The terms of the dissolution provide for the payment of liabilities of the Corporation and the distribution of any remaining assets to the Shareholder of the Corporation. Terry A. Whitney, President, will manage the Corporation's affairs and distribute its assets. As of the close of business on December 11, 2019, the Corporation had no liabilities and no assets.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 RUSSELL S. DAUB, Attorney 2800 South 110th Court, Suite 1 Omaha, Nebraska 68144-4818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FOR KOKAMO, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The name of the Company is KOKAMO, LLC. The address of the registered office is 1515 S. 182nd Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the name of the company’s initial registered agent is PAUL DANIEL KOLKMAN. The Company shall engage in any lawful business for which a Company may be formed under the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act. The Company commenced business on December 13, 2019, and its duration shall be perpetual. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by its Members.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020

ROBERT J. LIKES, Attorney LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JAL AG, LLC Notice is hereby given that JAL AG, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office and registered office of the Company is 1682 County Road G, Wahoo, Nebraska 68066, and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is John Walker Luedtke.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: ELIZABETH NEAL You are hereby notified that on 07/08/19, the Plaintiff Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska, against you shown as Case Number CI19 15000. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of 352.50, plus court costs, pre-judgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable.

The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are hereby notified that you must answer the Complaint on or before 02/02/20 at the COUNTY court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA Nebraska.

Steven J. Morrison #24708 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, NE 68802 (308)398-3801 Attorney for Plaintiff First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: JORDAN DOUGLESS You are hereby notified that on 07/16/19, the Plaintiff Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska, against you shown as Case Number CI19 15622. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of 500.00, plus court costs, pre-judgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable.

The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are hereby notified that you must answer the Complaint on or before 02/02/20 at the COUNTY court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA Nebraska.

Edwina Heise #25377 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, NE 68802 (308)398-3801 Attorney for Plaintiff First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF POHLMEIER CONCRETE, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Five Solas, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 16511 Ehlers Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Adam Childs, 16511 Ehlers Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68135.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020

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WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that ConnectedPlanet, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 3334 S. 104th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent of the Company is Paul W. Ludwick, 3334 S. 104th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Company was formed on December 17, 2019.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ANNA OURADA HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Anna Ourada Holdings, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 15310 Amy Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ADAMS BURKS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Adams Burks, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 5734 North 79th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68134 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom P.C. a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), GARRETT LOMELI You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 07/11/2019 on Case Number CI19-15846, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $336.26, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs.

You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 02/03/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly.

CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), CRYSTAL J GUERRERO You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 09/10/2019 on Case Number CI19-20735, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $201.40, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs.

You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 02/03/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly.

CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), NICHOLE L TROVATO You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 09/17/2019 on Case Number CI19-21045, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $128.62, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs.

You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 02/03/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly.

CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication December 20, 2019, final January 3, 2020

CATHERINE E. FRENCH, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Base Kamp Name of Applicant: HKGK, LLC Address: 4220 Rock Bluff Road, Plattsmouth, NE 68048 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: December , 2019 General nature of business: Beer, wine and coffee sales BRAD KRAUTH Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 20, 2019

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• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

UPCOMING

SECTIONS

IN THE MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

DECEMBER 27

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CYBERSECURITY

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YEAR IN REVIEW

JANUARY 3

HEALTH & WELLNESS

BUSINESS PREVIEW To advertise your company’s products or services in one of our upcoming sections, contact one of our MBJ advertising representatives at (402) 330-1760 or at the email addresses below.

Julie Whitehead - Julie@mbj.com • Karla Steele - karla@mbj.com Space and materials deadline is the Friday prior to the publication date.

You may email us your insertion orders directly, or fax them to us at (402) 758-9315. We will acknowledge receiving your instructions.

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES

Briefs…

Nebraska Bar-Press Guidelines, written almost 50 years ago, will be reviewed by a committee of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation to see if they need to be revised or if they remain relevant in today’s news environment. Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Funke will begin in 2020 on a thorough review and update, if necessary, of the Nebraska Bar-Press Guidelines. The Bar Foundation’s Bench Media Committee will focus on this action item.

Intrado, a global leader in technology-enabled services, has been recognized with the Select Communications 2019 Partner Excellence Award for innovation and leadership. Select Communications, a longtime Intrado Enterprise Collaboration resale partner, created the Partner Excellence Awards to recognize and celebrate technology supplier partners that provide superior performance throughout the year, enabling optimal business outcomes for Select and its customers.

The Durham Museum appointed four community leaders to its board of directors, including: Stephanie Daubert, chief financial officer, Nebraska Medicine; Mary Ann O’Brien, CEO and founder, OBI Creative; Lisa A. Olson, vice president of public affairs, OPPD; and Mary C. Reckmeyer, Ph.D., executive director of child development, Gallup.

These four members will start their official term in January 2020. In addition, Ken Bird, president and CEO, Avenue Scholars Foundation and Chris Kircher, Vice President Omaha Office, AVI-SPL, will complete their terms at the end of the year.

The Omaha Public Power District board of directors voted to add between 400 and 600 megawatts of utility-scale solar capacity to OPPD’s energy portfolio. It will be the largest solar presence in the state of Nebraska and one of the largest in the region.

The project, proposed by senior management at last month’s board meeting, also includes natural gas backup for the solar generation, to support accreditation and resiliency requirements, as well as the modernization of some of OPPD’s other natural gas assets.

Rob-See-Co, an independent seed company located in Elkhorn, launched its new podcast Field Ready. The podcast is hosted

by Jim Robinson, genetics and biotechnology expert, and Rob-See-Co corn & soybean product manager. The 15-minute podcast will include interviews with agronomy specialists, growers, and other guests across the seed industry about their experience in the current agricultural environment as well as up-todate regional reports on interesting ag trends, field performance, and product challenges.

Fareway Stores, Inc. partnered with the makers of Skippy to donate more than 5,500 pounds of peanut butter to those in need this holiday season. The hunger program, created in 2018 by Hormel Foods, is part of a philanthropic effort that focuses on hunger and education.

Werner Enterprises was recognized as the Enterprise Business of the Year at the 2019 AIM Tech Celebration. Werner associate Marina Brown was also named the Tech Champion of the Year. Werner Logistics was named Enterprise Business of the Year for its application of technology.

Other criteria included innovative product/ project deployment, groundbreaking ideas or implementations or an outstanding return

on technology investment.

ConnectWise recognized Access Systems as its Partner of the Year from the MSP501 list at their annual IT Nation event.

Each year ConnectWise selects a partner who has excelled in product usage, community involvement and an overall positive representation of the IT Nation. The MSP501 list is conducted every year and are ranked based on product offering, growth and revenue. Access Systems has placed on the list three years in a row. It was ranked No. 39 this year.

Preferred Popcorn of Chapman and Valmont Industries of Valley have been named Nebraska Manufacturers of the Year.

Preferred Popcorn received the award for small-sized manufacturers, while Valmont received the award for large manufacturers.

The companies were honored at the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Annual Manufacturing Summit, sponsored by RSM US LLP. The award recognizes Nebraska manufacturers that implement innovative ways to conduct business through the use of products, processes, technologies and strategies.

Scooter’s Coffee, a locally owned specialty coffee business with more than 230 locations in 15 states and over 200 franchise commitments, announced that the Crane Coffee store at 60th and Center Streets in Omaha will remain as a Crane Coffee location. Scooter’s Coffee announced its intention in October to acquire the Omaha-based Crane Coffee locations and rebrand them as Scooter’s Coffee.

The NEBRASKAland Foundation board of directors selected the individuals to be honored at the 2020 Statehood Day Banquet to be held on February 29, 2020.

David G. Brown, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, will be honored at the event. Since joining the organization in 2003, he has helped Omaha business and community agencies achieve notable successes. The Chamber was recognized as the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Chamber of the Year in 2015. In 2019 David Brown was elected Chairman of the board of the ACCE, in addition to his Omaha duties.

Health care notes…

Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center unveiled early plans for the construction of a new facility, scheduled to take shape over the next decade.

This public/private partnership will improve the quality of life for all Nebraskans and create a new future of health care, research and education. The project could consist of several new buildings, which could include one or more new towers for research and inpatient care, which would consolidate care in one location and replace older facilities. Strategic investments would allow this facility to be a hub for expanding clinical trials and enrollment and new educational technologies.

Education notes…

Nebraska Methodist College has announced a Bachelor of Science degree in diagnostic medical sonography that now has a cardiovascular sonography concentration.

Classes began August 2019, with the first students graduating in spring 2022 with their bachelor’s degree. Previously, NMC only offered an associate of science degree for Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 •

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REGIONAL LANDSCAPES Continued from preceding page. cardiovascular sonography, as an associate’s degree is required to practice as a sonographer. This program has a 100% pass rate for 2019 and a 100% job placement rate for graduates. As the role of the sonographer has evolved, NMC decided to offer a bachelor degree option to keep up with the education demand.

The Board of Regents voted to confirm Walter “Ted” Carter, VADM (Ret.), as the eighth president of the University of Nebraska system. Carter, the immediate past superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy whose tenure included records in graduation rates and student diversity and a top national ranking by Forbes Magazine, began transition work as NU’s president-elect on Dec. 16. He will assume overall leadership on Jan. 1, succeeding Interim President Susan Fritz, Ph.D. Metropolitan Community College and Blanchard Leadership have partnered.

With the partnership, MCC is now the only institution in Nebraska authorized to deliver Blanchard Leadership training to area businesses, professionals and community members. The courses are intended for current managers, senior- or mid-level, new managers or supervisors or young leaders in any industry. The classes will increase levels of engagement, productivity and performance.

In class, students will engage in workshop activities that will develop key concepts in goal setting, communication, delegation and more. Scheduled trainings for companies are currently available, with open enrollment beginning in April 2020.

Activities of nonprofits…

Omaha firefighter/paramedic Nick Lemek was moved by a news story about an Ohio firefighter/paramedic from the Clearcreek Township Fire Department who suggested that his department add sensory kits to assist residents with autism. Lemek reached out on social media and Autism Action Partnership stepped up to supply sensory kits to 16 Omaha Fire Department Medic Units. Autism Action Partnership also offered to provide autism training to those firefighters/paramedics. Sensory kits MEETINGS AND SEMINARS Monday, Dec. 30 The Nebraska State Bar Association is hosting a Comedic De-Briefing of the Law: 2019 at Embassy Suites La Vista from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Starting with ethics, it will review the crazy predicaments some ethically challenged attorneys have found themselves in. It will explore the Model Rules through the eyes of Hollywood. It will review recent landmark Supreme Court case. Finally, it will take a countdown of the Top 10 Wacky cases. Registration is online and the course is available for MCLE accreditation.

Tuesday, Dec. 31 The Nebraska State Bar Association is hosting 2019 E.P.I.C. End-of-Year CLE at Hruska Law Center in Lincoln. The event, running from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., will cover: effective and ethical equal justice; procrastination, perfectionism and paralysis; issues and interactions with pro se individuals; and common conundrums for the casual collections counsel. Registration is available online and the course is available for MCLE accreditation.

contain items that can help calm individuals with autism and help firefighters/paramedics communicate with those who have difficulty.

Veridian Credit Union awarded $34,000 to 12 nonprofit organizations across Iowa and eastern Nebraska to conclude its Spark the Spirit giving campaign on Giving Tuesday.

Veridian employees nominated their favorite local nonprofit organizations to be eligible for the donations, and public voting from Nov. 21 to Dec. 1 determined which organizations received funding. Omaha/Council Bluffs recipients include: Nebraska Humane Society ($5,000), MICAH House ($2,500), and Nebraska Children’s Home Society ($1,000).

The Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition recognized seven individuals and organizations during its Champions for Tobacco-Free Living Annual Luncheon whose tobacco prevention and control efforts further improve health outcomes in Douglas County. Awards were presented to: Partner of the Year: Live Well Omaha; Volunteer of the Year: Tanner Clark; and Lifetime Achievement: Antonia Correa. Other awards presented included: Tobacco-Free Worksites: YMCA of Greater Omaha; Healthy Housing of the Year: One World Livestock Exchange Building; Advocate of the Year: Senator Sue Crawford; and Community Impact of the Year: UNMC Center for Reducing Health Disparities.

The Completely KIDS Guild transitioned leadership and presented Completely KIDS staff with a check during its annual meeting. Current Guild President Desri Gocken announced that the guild raised $265,000 for Completely KIDS from its two fundraising events. Gocken presented Cathy Bonnesen with the 2019 Leiferman Leadership Award. Bonnesen began volunteering with Completely KIDS as one of the founders and original board members of the Completely KIDS Guild. Gocken passed the gavel to 2020 Guild President Jennifer Slattery, who announced new guild board members Kristin Bieber, Adriana Castillo, Alicia Dittenber, Sabrina Lakin Kelly, Lori Lindberg, Katie McDonnell, Nicole Robinson, Melissa Rush and Kera White.

Arts and events…

The Great Plains Black History Museum is celebrating Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community and culture from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Kwanzaa is an African American and pan-African holiday, which celebrates family, community and culture. During the holiday, families and communities organize activities around the Nguzo Saba (The seven principles): Umojoa

(Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Exonomics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). Participants also celebrate with feasts (karamu), music, dance, poetry, narratives and end the holiday with a day dedicated to reflection and recommitment to The Seven Principles and other central cultural values.

The Durham Museum will have its Noon Years Eve Celebration Dec. 31 with live music by Dino O’Dell and the T-Rex All-Stars, special crafts and activities. Ring in the noon year in handmade party hats while enjoying the celebratory bubble wrap stomp and a balloon drop in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall. Entry to the Noon Year’s Eve Celebration is free for museum members or included with the cost of regular museum admission for non-members.

For the last signature event of the Holiday Lights Festival: Fireworks Spectacular will have a new shoot off and viewing location on Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. The fireworks will be shot off in Lot D of the CHI Health Center. Arrive early and park for free to view the up-close show in the recommended viewing areas (Lot A, Lot B, Lot C, the Gallup Parking Lot and the Lewis and Clark Landing Parking Lot). Produced by J&M Displays, each shell is choreographed to open on cue to a musical score on STAR 104.5.

Party with the animals and celebrate New Year’s Eve at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium on Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entertainment includes Joe Cole’s Magic Show, music, and an early countdown to 2020 complete with a mini beach ball drop at noon. Admission is $15.95 for adults and $10.95 for kids and free for members.

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• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

WORKPLACE TRENDS

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

December 20, 2019

Businesses are focusing on workplace environment, culture for improved morale

by Gabby Christensen

In today’s workplace, professionals say employers are making great efforts to keep employees happy and healthy.

Veronica Sapp, marketing and brand ambassador at RTG Medical, said incorporating everyday life activities into the workplace has been a very popular trend.

“For example, the new norm for company perks includes onsite gyms that offer group fitness classes, healthy lunch options in the employee cafeteria, and regularly planned company outings to invest in the employee’s social health,” Sapp said.

More than ever, Spearman she said companies are experiencing new challenges with employee recruitment and retention.

“Employees no longer want to sacrifice things they do outside of the office, but now want to include that as part of their work day,” Sapp said. “Social hours, gym sessions and company-sponsored meals are trending more toward what is expected out of employers.”

To accommodate such a shift in the workplace, RTG Medical is building an over 52,000-square-foot headquarters that will focus on the physical, financial, spiritual

Veronica Sapp, marketing and brand ambassador at RTG Medical. and mental health of employees. Sapp said but something that simply becomes a new there will be an onsite workout facility, norm.” access to lakefront amenities and a fulMelissa Spearman, workplace leader/ ly-stocked lunchroom with healthy options. principal at DLR, said today’s unprecedent“Employers are beginning to invest ed talent shortage is compelling businesses more into employees than ever before,” and other organizations to get serious about she said. “Hopefully this isn’t just a trend, employee attraction and retention.

“For many employees, the physical work environment ranks among one of the top factors that influence their decisions to join a specific company,” Spearman said.

“Companies are turning to design to help differentiate their work environment, focusing on an increased understanding of the demographics and values of its people to hone in on the amenities they value most. These amenities can range from on-site food and entertainment options, to pet day care, to free parking; yet, amid all of these amenities is one key factor that remains at the forefront of much of today’s workplace design: a need for human connection.”

Archer She said it’s also important to design a “magnet workplace,” which means giving employees the ability to choose where they want to work each day based on the mode of work required.

“For example, in the morning, workers can gather in a bistro area for coffee and informal interaction; in the afternoon, they can move to a gathering place designed for teamwork or to a privacy ‘hive’ for focused work,” she said.

Nuria Archer, branch manager at Robert Half in Omaha said the latest workplace trends in Omaha revolve around organizational culture, generational differences and commuting preferences.

“Some local organizations in Omaha are updating their corporate cultures and environments, offering trendy perks like allowing professionals to bring their dogs to work, more telecommuting options, beer in the break room, casual dress codes, unlimited vacation time, flexible hours, free catered lunches and free wellness resources onsite,” Archer said.

While some Omaha professionals value these trendier perks and fringe benefits, she said others prioritize a competitive compensation and benefits package.

With such low unemployment in Omaha, Archer said workers have the upper hand in today’s job market and are being more selective about where they are willing to commute to when considering job offers.

“It’s easy for employers to view corporate culture as this vague concept that is less important to an employee’s job satisfaction than salary, benefits and perks,” she said.

“But there is a strong correlation between a company’s corporate environment and its ability to attract and retain talent.”

Workplace Trends •

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 •

23

Heightened engagement may be the fastest route to higher profits, fewer workplace injuries

by Michelle Leach

More than a buzzword, “engagement” is vitally important to organizational, industrywide, and societal health.

“Researchers are forecasting a real need to recruit and retain qualified employees in health care, because this industry is about to go through a shift — we have an aging population that are the leaders in health care, and they’re also the ones that are retiring and transitioning into the population that needs the most care,” said Cynthia King, Ph.D., director of client Wigert organizational development with Professional Resource Consultants (PRC), which specializes in the medical space.

“So, what do we do with that? What we find is engaged employees are the ones going out and recommending you as a place to work.”

Citing a national nursing study, King noted 51% of unengaged nurses have “no plans on leaving.” So, it becomes more about helping them out the door and “relocating them back into the community,” otherwise, one is doing a disservice to the organization, and the “burned-out” nurse and his or her family.

“Employee engagement should be a business strategy for improving organizational performance and customer service,” said Gallup Director of Research and Strategy, Workplace Management Ben Wigert, Ph.D. “It is about more than office parties, Ping-Pong tables and having fun at work.”

Gallup has identified 12 core elements of employee engagement that reflect employees’ most important needs, like having clear expectations

Tonya Vyhlidal, workplace culture & wellbeing director at WELLCOM. “When we get, or stay, curious about how and using one’s strengths.

“When these needs are met, employees employees are engaging with their work and the thrive,” he said. “When they are not met, employ- factors that influence worker engagement, we ees are less productive, more likely to leave and can start to understand the intricacies of how the worker and the workplace interact,” she said. deliver sub-par customer service.

High turnover, work absenteeism, and low “When employee engagement is effectively measured and improved, real behavior change job performance all demonstrate that something takes place and moves the needle on business unusual or concerning is happening, Vyhlidal said, when asked about “red flags.” outcomes.”

The three items, she indicated, merit more Highly engaged teams reportedly achieve: 21% higher productivity, 22% higher profitabil- investigation and an evaluation of the environment ity, 48% fewer safety incidents and 37% lower or culture to “prevent continued bleeding.”

“It may be beneficial to do 360 interviews or absenteeism than disengaged teams.

WELLCOM Workplace Culture and Wellbe- surveys for managers and leaders where there are ing Director Tonya Vyhlidal said even respectable, concerns,” Vyhlidal said. “Many big issues in orhigh-performing and credible organizations have ganizations can be resolved by early intervention.”

President Nicole Bendalay of management conblind spots.

sulting firm K&Co. cited a 2019 Hayes, Chumney, Wright and Buckingham survey that found 84% of employees are “merely coming to work — not contributing fully to their organizations.”

“This is a staggering statistic that should make every leader from the C-suite to the front-line sit up and take notice. Why? Because companies with engaged employees grow profits as much as threetimes faster than their competitors, and because an engaged workforce is a more productive, happier, more innovative, and more loyal workforce with more loyal customers,” she said.

Bendalay noted the trick is to arm leaders with the knowledge of what to look for (related to low engagement) and the tools to address signs early, quickly or, better yet, to prevent them.

Engagement rises when leaders are armed with the right tools to be effective and build trust.

“A relatively simple place to start is by providing leaders with the ability to assess their own team’s effectiveness,” she said.

Teams can focus on the areas that matter most to their effectiveness, and take action to tap into the very best of themselves.

“When it comes to building trust, it can be as simple as changing how leaders hold status updates with their team members,” she said.

A shift may be in store to a more meaningful conversation, rather than an update on tasks.

“Trust is built,” Bendalay said, “because team members know that their leader cares about them and their ability to do their best work possible.”

Essential questions include: “What matters most to you?” “What are your priorities?” “Where are you stuck?”

PRC’s King reminds readers that no one wants to be told to “be more engaged.”

“You want to hire somebody who is a good fit,” she said; for instance, she recalled a friend Continued on next page.

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• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal • Workplace Trends

Fewer workplace injuries Solving hiring and retention issues remains a stiff challenge for most companies Continued from prededing page. who thrived in an inner-city ER environment.

“The very reasons she loves it — that every day she comes to work and it’s something new and it’s so fast-paced — can be the very reason someone gets burned-out.”

Also, she added, give feedback to help employees be successful, and be aware of the impact resources can have on engagement; for instance, seemingly simple moves such as proactively monitoring and replacing equipment avoid the frustration that can trickle down from employees to patients.

Gallup’s Wigert noted it’s worse to conduct a survey and not do anything about the result than to not survey at all.

“If your engagement program is just an annual event focused on measurement, you’re missing the most important part about an engagement program — having every day discussions about needs, expectations and progress,” he said. “Great engagement programs change the dialogue about how teams collaborate and individual employees develop.”

Since 70% of the variance in engagement is attributed to team managers, development of these professionals is a must.

WELLCOM’s Vyhlidal referred to the “lowest-hanging fruit” strategies as the selection and promotion of the right leaders.

“Just because somebody is a stellar performer or great individual contributor does not mean that they will be a great leader of people,” she said.

“Selecting the right people for your organization externally and moving people to the right positions internally is front-line to getting great employee engagement, as the individuals leading people are key to keeping and strengthening the culture and climate.”

by Dwain Hebda

The tight labor market continues to present stiff hurdles and curtail growth for local firms across all industries. Many firms now use headhunters, psychologists and higher education to help solve the problem, employing expertise in new and efficient ways.

“We go beyond recruiting, we are headhunters,” said Gabe Romero, founder of Cordova. “Recruiting is the process of seeking active candidates by the use of job boards, career fairs, emails, networking events, etc. Headhunting is the active pursuit to find a person with a specific background or skill that may or may not be looking for a new opportunity.”

Romero said working with a headhunting firm is similar to other staffing-related companies in that the firm and the client company must be completely in sync as to what skills and abilities the company needs out of a candidate. It also means a great deal of hands-on work with prospective clients to determine a good match.

Where headhunters are radically different is in their focus on certain outcomes, such specializing in landing candidates with proven skillsets that exceed the norm.

At Cordova, that means sales.

“Three key factors for any company to grow are based around talent acquisition, talent development, and sales,” he said. “There are plenty of resources in the market for the first two, but few, if any, resources exist that intentionally address sales. A great sales process can make a sales team great, but a great salesperson

has to be found. You can’t make a salesperson, they are born.”

Solve is another company that contributes to hiring and retention from a unique angle. The firm assesses the “fit” of prospective employees utilizing a methodology that has shown 85% accuracy in recommending one candidate over another.

“Specifically, our behavioral-based interviews are structured so the candidate can learn about what characteristics are important in the role, which helps them calibrate their likelihood of Romero success and happiness in the role,” said Virginia Collins, CEO. “We also use predictive assessments, which tend not to be the ones most readily available or most often used, to add to our understanding of the candidate’s fit.”

Collins said money is not always the primary consideration in an employees’ decision to join, leave, or stay with a company. Solve’s recommendations factor that in accordingly to help firms understand the full picture of employee job satisfaction.

“Our recommendations to attract and keep employees center around managers’ ability to understand, connect with and support their employees,” she said.

“Secondly, employees want purpose in

their work — to contribute to something bigger than them. Hence, leaders have to be versed at communicating their vision and helping each employee connect their role with that larger impact.”

New HR professionals have long been taught the science of staffing, but have only recently begun to learn about broader elements to the hiring experience, said Kelsey Medeiros, assistant professor of management at University of Nebraska at Omaha.

“There’s more interest now in the candidate experience, taking a step Medeiros back from the science side and teaching students to consider what applicants think about the hiring process,” she said. “That matters as well; if they are miserable in the experience, they’re probably going to drop out.”

Today’s HR graduate is also better versed in leveraging technology than in previous generations.

“We used to do job tryouts where people would come and do different assessments in the physical location; now you can do job tryouts online,” Medeiros said. “You have people introducing virtual reality technology into the hiring process or more complex artificial intelligence like algorithms coming into play around hiring and selecting. We’re talking to students about all of that.”

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 •

25

Connecticut’s manufacturing boom spreads as workers flock to submarine, aerospace industries

by Stephen Singer

The aviation boom has been good for Columbia Manufacturing Inc. as the aerospace manufacturer in the eastern Connecticut town of Columbia has added more workers and plans to cAreerS expand its payroll in the next several years.

Money and jobs are spreading east into rural areas of the state, paying fresh dividends beyond central Connecticut’s factory towns that date to the Industrial Revolution.

Rob Friedland, Columbia’s president and chief executive officer, expects employment to grow by 10% to 15% in the next few years. The manufacturer began 2019 with 85 workers and it now stands at 100, with another 15 or so expected to be hired next year. Revenue of more than $20 million is rising, he said.

“We’re in the throes of getting a lot of bookings,” Friedland said. “We’re growing at a fairly decent clip.”

Rising demand for commercial airliners and an increased commitment to Pentagon spending by President Trump and Congress are generating billions of dollars in manufacturing orders. Most of Columbia Manufacturing’s work is for GE Aviation, a subsidiary of General Electric Co. It’s

also a supplier for jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney and the Department of Defense.

Like other aerospace manufacturers, the privately held Columbia Manufacturing, which has expanded its 90,000-square-foot plant twice since it was founded in 1981, is benefiting from rising airline passenger demand and increasing military orders for bombers and fighter jets.

Eastern Connecticut has another manufacturing giant in its backyard: submarine maker Electric Boat, which is expanding its network of suppliers to handle a surge in submarine construction.

“Most, if not all, of the machine shops and manufacturing facilities are going full speed, thanks to the massive contracts that Connecticut gets from the military-industrial complex,” said Tony Sheridan, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut.

Colin Cooper, Connecticut’s chief manufacturing officer, said the backlog of aerospace orders is “just astounding” and is driving much of the activity in the supply chain.

He also credited preparation by General Dynamics Electric Boat for the manufacture of the Columbia class submarine that will replace the Ohio-class subs. “There’s

a fair amount of construction work to ready the facilities at Electric Boat,” Cooper said.

In Windham County, the center of Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner,” manufacturing employment increased 2.1% in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s a small upswing, but was third fastest among Connecticut’s counties. Its proximity to the Groton shipyard of Electric Boat, which last week signed a $22 billion Pentagon contract for materials and construction of up to 10 Virginia class submarines, is helping drive manufacturing employment growth.

Because Windham County is small, growth in aerospace and submarine manufacturing “moves the needle” for eastern Connecticut, Cooper said. He’s a former executive of an Eastford aerospace manufacturer that has hired nearly 100 workers in the last three years, bringing its workforce to 400, he said.

Windham County’s manufacturing workforce of about 6,200 was the smallest among the state’s counties, but it grew more quickly than in Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven and New London counties. The number of manufacturing workers declined from 2017 to 2018 in Fairfield and New

Transparent onboarding process boosts employee retention

by David Kubicek

It’s less of a headache and less costly for a firm to retain the employees it has rather than replace the ones it loses, especially in this time of low unemployment.

Makayla Hoover, director of talent acquisition and recruiting for Buildertrend, said firms should have a transparent process for hiring.

“We make sure we don’t hide anything from [the job candidates],” she said. “If something is hidden, and they find out about it six months later, they might quit because of that. In their first interview we make our expectations clear.”

Employees, especially the younger workforce, want to grow with the company. They want their voices heard. Whenever a position opens up at Buildertrend, the firm tries to hire from within.

“We hear from them that they’re looking for ways to grow, so we try to grow them internally,” Hoover said.

The firm offers lots of team-building and collaboration opportunities — not only for big achievements but also for smaller ones. For instance, when the firm hit the 500-employee mark last month, everyone stopped for a quick morning celebration.

“Listen to your people, whether it’s a face-to-face dialogue, an engagement survey, or a suggestion box,” Hoover said. “Although you can’t solve everyone’s problems, maybe you can do what’s most important to the majority of people.

Don’t be afraid to change or make small improvements to your company in order to stay competitive.”

“People are a company’s greatest asset and need to be treated as such,” said Hannah Coleman, marketing manager for Concentric Corp. “Employees want to stay at a company where they feel valued, cared about, listened to, and understood. Having a culture that creates open communication between everyone creates a space of opportunity, insight, and responsibility.”

Employees are looking for companies that they can get behind, believe in, and serve the common good. If the firm serves that cause or good, employees tend to stay longer and have a happier tenure.

“Understand that Hoover each employee is motivated in different ways, remembering that your employees are your greatest advocate for your company and will always put in that extra effort into building your community,” Coleman said.

An effective retention model is integrated into all aspects of the employee life cycle, starting day one of employment up through, and extending past, retirement, according to Chastin Bailey, director of talent and culture at Koley Jessen.

“Successful employers implement effective onboarding programs, inclusive workplace environments, recognition platforms, professional development, employee wellness, and compensation and benefits programs, to name a few,” she said. “At Koley Jessen, we invest in each other. We teach, support, and challenge one another to go the distance.”

Employees stay with a company when they feel connected — when they have a sense of belonging, where they are understood and can thrive. Employees stay where they are treated with respect, where their creativity is encouraged, and where they are a part of something bigger than themselves.

“At Koley Jessen, we are inspired to perform and encouraged to lead fully knowing that our successes will be celebrated and our contributions rewarded,” Bailey said.

In recent years, in addition to using an-

alytics to help identify the root cause of retention issues, companies have taken it a step further by creating open communication channels with employees to truly understand employees’ need.

With this information, companies Coleman are better equipped to identify strategies and solutions and to develop and formalize internal retention plans.

“Focus on your No. 1 asset — your people,” Bailey said. “Provide your employees with opportunities to give feedback and truly listen to what they say. This feedback is a gift and will allow you to look inward as a company to identify what changes you can make as an organization to support your employees.”

Haven counties.

Manufacturing employment in 2018 grew faster in Litchfield and Middlesex counties than in Windham. Data were not available for Tolland County.

Hartford County was No. 1 in the state in manufacturing employment in 2018, accounting for 53,878 jobs, up 2% from 2017. In total, manufacturers employed 160,500 workers in Connecticut, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, up 1% from the previous year.

Eastern Connecticut has several advantages for manufacturing, Friedland said.

“We have a lot of room to grow. In central Connecticut, aerospace manufacturers are bursting at the seams,” he said.

In addition, Columbia Manufacturing avoids a “bidding war” for workers he said plays out elsewhere in the state by drawing job applicants from an area extending 15 miles to 18 miles. “We don’t have a ton of competition,” Friedland said.

In addition to being plentiful, manufacturing jobs pay well, ranging from about $58,000 a year in Litchfield and Windham counties to approximately $95,000 in Fairfield and New London counties, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

As manufacturing employment rises in much of the state, it’s decreased in southwestern Connecticut. Joseph McGee, vice president of public policy and programs at the Business Council of Fairfield County, said that from 2008 to 2018 manufacturers in the region shed about 10,000 jobs, to fewer than 31,000.

Manufacturing was once strong in Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford, but the economy has changed, shifting to finance, health care and professional services, he said.

Connecticut dodged potential disaster in 1993 and 2005 when the Navy threatened to close the submarine base in Groton. Officials in Washington retreated as a bipartisan coalition of elected officials, businesses and labor fought back.

“By saving that whole enterprise, it’s now booming,” said McGee, who was state economic development director under Gov. Weicker. “It’s a real testament that Connecticut can get something right.” ©2019 The Hartford Courant (Hartford, Conn.)

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

In the Spotlight Paid Content LEGAL ASSOCIATION

CONSTRUCTION

Assumes Role

Joined

President Steven Mattoon. Jill represents individuals and businesses in complex business litigation in federal and state President Elect courts and arbitration proceedings, Nebraska State corporate disputes, negligence actions, Bar Association copyright, trademark, unfair competition, and computers and technology. She is a Congratulations to frequent speaker on the protection of the Baird Holm LLP attorney-client privilege, cyber security, Partner Jill Robb electronic discovery, and the protection Ackerman who has of trademarks and trade secrets. “We are assumed the post of proud of Jill and all of her efforts,” said President Elect of the Nebraska State Managing Partner, Richard E. Putnam.

Bar Association, and will serve as President from October 2020 to October “She will be an excellent leader of the 2021 when she succeeds current NSBA NSBA.”

Jill Robb Ackerman

Josh Sullivan Project Manager Lueder Construction

Josh Sullivan has joined Lueder Construction as a project manager.

Sullivan has 11+ years of experience with a strong background in commercial construction. His experience ranges from estimating to project management. Sullivan’s background and expertise make him a great addition to the Lueder Construction Team.

Submit your company’s employee announcements to Spotlight@mbj.com

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 20, 2019 •

27

In the Spotlight Paid Content FINANCIAL SERVICES

ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTURE

ACCOUNTING

Appointed

Promoted

Promoted

Promoted

Casey Dreiling

Colee Maass

Nate Hitt

SVP, Commercial Relationship Manager IV

Nicole Hamlin

Associate

Associate

Holland Basham Architects

Holland Basham Architects

Team Lead II, Government Consulting

BOK Financial

Bland & Associates

BOK Financial is pleased to announce the appointment of Casey Dreiling as SVP, Commercial Relationship Manager IV in the corporate banking division. Casey will develop commercial banking relationships in the region and identify the business needs of customers utilizing comprehensive capabilities of the bank.

Colee Maass, Associate AIA, is recognized for her attention to detail, ability to build relationships, and communicate with style. Her passion for architecture and client relations are the characteristics that make Colee successful. It is with Associates like Colee that HBA can make impactful contributions to Omaha’s design community.

Congratulations to Colee on her promotion to Associate.

Congratulations to Nate Hitt, Associate AIA, on his promotion to Associate.

Nate’s commitment to his clients is unparalleled, making Nate an exceptional project partner. He is also highly regarded in the office as he continually strives to improve processes and increase efficiency. The outstanding work he does with his team is key to our success.

Nicole Hamlin joined Bland in 2014 and was promoted to Team Lead II in the Government Consulting department in June 2019.

She has a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University in Chicago and a master’s in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

ACCOUNTING

ACCOUNTING

ACCOUNTING

ACCOUNTING

Promoted

Promoted

Promoted

Promoted

Rachel Deaton

DeVon Billups

Justin Iske

Manager, Tax

Senior, Tax

Senior Consultant II, Government Consulting

Bland & Associates

Bland & Associates

Bland & Associates

Katie Bull Senior, Audit & Attestation Bland & Associates

Rachel Deaton joined Bland in 2015 and was promoted to Manager in the Tax department in June 2019. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Doane College in 2009 and became a registered Certified Public Accountant (CPA) while at Bland. Deaton is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Nebraska Society of CPAs.

DeVon Billups was promoted to Senior in the Tax department at Bland in June 2019. He joined Bland in 2010 and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2016.

Justin Iske was recently promoted to Senior Consultant II in the Government Consulting department at Bland. He spent 22 years coaching college football across the Midwest and Southern Plains before joining Bland in 2017. The Omaha native earned a bachelor’s of science in general studies in 1999 and an master’s of science in public administration in 2001, both from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Katie Bull was promoted to Senior in the Audit & Attestation department at Bland in June 2019. Bull joined Bland in 2014, earned her bachelor’s of science in accounting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2015, and earned a master’s degree in accounting from DeVry University in 2016.

ACCOUNTING

ACCOUNTING

ACCOUNTING

ACCOUNTING

Promoted

Promoted

Promoted

Promoted

Sheng Luo

Jason Kneifl

Jennifer Lerdahl

Melinda Rutledge

Consultant II, Government Consulting

Consultant II, Government Consulting

Senior Consultant II, Government Consulting

Senior, Client Accounting Services

Bland & Associates

Bland & Associates

Bland & Associates

Bland & Associates

Sheng Luo was promoted to Consultant II in the Government Consulting department at Bland in May 2019. Born and raised in China, Luo joined Bland after earning a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) in 2017. She earned her undergraduate degree from UNO in 2015.

Jason Kneifl was promoted to Consultant II in the Government Consulting department at Bland in May 2019. Kneifl earned a bachelor’s of science degree with a concentration in public accounting from Wayne State College in 2017. He joined Bland in 2018.

Jennifer Lerdahl was recently promoted to Senior Consultant II at Bland & Associates in the Government Consulting department. Before joining Bland in 2016, Lerdahl spent 8 years at Pioneer Investments and a year as a budget analyst at Northern Natural Gas. She has a bachelor’s of science degree in education and human services from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a bachelor’s of science degree in business from Bellevue University.

Submit your company’s employee announcements to Spotlight@mbj.com

Melinda Rutledge was promoted to Senior in the Client Accounting Services department at Bland & Associates in June 2019. Prior to joining Bland in 2018, she was the Operations Manager at Sevening’s Lawn & Landscape.

Melinda also spent 8 years as the Director of accounting at Lockwood Development. She has an associate’s degree in accounting from Metropolitan Community College.

28

• DECEMBER 20, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

The Lincoln

DECEMBER 2019

Vol. 22 No. 12 $2.00

Journal

BUSINESS Engineering.................. Page 3-4 Commercial/ Retail Space ................. Page 6-7 Entrepreneurial Success.........................Page 9-11

Carstens score trifecta with opening of Delta Restoration Services Page 2

Nebraska Orthodontics builds on increased awareness for dental health care.

Page 5

2

• DECEMBER 2019 • The Lincoln Business Journal

Carstens score trifecta with opening of Delta Restoration Services

by Dwain Hebda

Longtime local entrepreneur Jeff Carstens didn’t set out to make history when he opened his third business, Delta Restoration Services,

Delta Restoration Services Phone: 402-318-3737 Address: 2004 S.W. 5th St., Suite C., Lincoln 68522 Service: Fire and water restoration, environmental testing, mold treatment Employees: 6 Goal: Anticipating growth in the new venture to eventually create as many as 10 additional jobs.

Website: www.deltalincolnsenebraska.com

in October. But that’s exactly what happened.

Carstens, a Lincoln native, has operated Chem-Dry Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning and N-Hance Wood Refinishing franchises since 1987 and 2009, respectively. Those businesses, along with Delta Restoration Services, share the same parent company, HRI Holdings Inc. “We’re the first franchise in the country to

From left, franchise owners Jeff, Connor and Sandy Carstens … Recent weather events and general growth in Lincoln led the Carstens to open the new business, which dovetails with the family’s other franchises.

have all three brands operational,” Carstens said.

The company had already handled its share of restoration work through its other businesses, but recent spring flooding and an assessment of the competition led Carstens to go all-in with the Delta Restoration franchise. Officially Delta Restoration Services of Lincoln and Southeast Nebraska, the company’s restoration services address flood and water damage; smoke and fire damage; or mold damage and environmental testing.

“Delta offers a different type of way to help people,” Carstens said. “We’ve always done water extraction, but we thought it was a great time to expand and help people in times of need. This allows us an opportunity to do fires and flood, mold, mildew, as well as the reconstruction.

“We thought that the Lincoln market was underserved and that it was a great opportunity to open a new business and be able to help more people.”

The company employs six workers across all three franchises and Carstens expects the new addition to the company portfolio to eventually create 10 additional jobs. The new Delta franchise opened at 2004 S.W. 5th Street, Suite C. The business, which also includes Carstens’ wife Sandy and his son Connor, covers a southeastern Nebraska territory from west of York to the Iowa state line and from the Platte River to Kansas. Asked why add the franchise at this time, Carstens said it was a simple case of supply and demand. He also pointed to Delta’s rebuilding services as an important point of differentiation from the competition.

“With the changing climate, with storms and the flooding, there will never be fewer disasters and we felt that it was really important to have another business that people have to go to to help them through these disasters,” he said. “The motivation was just the time was right. I have the crew that can help run the other businesses without me being there all the time. My wife Continued on page 8.

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The Lincoln Business Journal • DECEMBER 2019 •

3

Engineering A section prepared by the staff of the Lincoln Business Journal

December 2019

Investment in training positions Lincoln well to meet persistent talent shortages

by Michelle Leach

Unprecedented investments in training tomorrow’s engineers and today’s projects — from private and public sector renovations and expansions to hazard mitigation — are positioning Lincoln and its Midlands environs for sustainable growth and enviable economic vitality far into the future.

“The state of Nebraska needs both more and better engineers in order for its economy to continue to prosper,” said Lance C. Pérez, dean of the College of Engineering and Omar H. Heins Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Kiewit Hall is an essential part of our plan to grow our undergraduate enrollment from approximately 3,200 students to 5,000 students, and to better educate them for modern engineering careers.

Without Kiewit Hall, we will not have the current instructional spaces. In addition, it quantity or quality of space necessary to will allow us to provide many more hands-on learning experiences through an enhanced achieve this goal.” capstone design experience and Kiewit is contributing $20 miladditional extra- and co-curricular lion to the estimated $85 million opportunities.” engineering facility, which was Pérez also confirmed its strateannounced in September and is gic plan, which also includes renslated for completion in 2023 — ovation of the Scott Engineering what Pérez characterized as the Center, is closely aligned to broad“largest investment ever made er statewide goals as outlined in in the College of Engineering.”

Blueprint Nebraska.

Reportedly, UNL offered its first “[Investments] will allow us civil engineering classes in 1877. to attract and retain the best stu“Kiewit Hall will enable dent, staff and faculty talent; inour faculty to use modern eviKulhanek crease the number of engineering, dence-based instructional strategies that are known to increase student computing and construction professionals learning,” he said. “These instructional entering the workforce; and enable a richer strategies are very difficult to use in our research enterprise that drives innovation and

technology transfer,” he said.

Jeff Kulhanek, who manages Schemmer’s Mechanical Engineering Group, noted the “Lincoln market continues to expand and appears to be doing better on average than the rest of the country,” with a notable constraint: “Finding licensed mechanical and electrical engineers in Lincoln continues to be difficult.”

As to what’s keeping the team busy, Kulhanek said renovations and expansions account for the majority of projects as compared to greenfield construction, or new buildings and structures on land that has never been developed.

“Governmental work, whether it be at the state or federal level, constitutes most of the renovation market,” he said. “Industrial work Continued on page 14.

4

• DECEMBER 2019 • The Lincoln Business Journal

• Engineering

Engineers say more security/technology is being incorporated in designs

by Gabby Christensen

Security and technology improvements in facilities are definitely impacting the engineering industry, local experts say.

Shane Hoss, architectural engineer-electrical/principal at ETI, said access control and video surveillance systems are being incorporated into projects at a much higher frequency than before.

“These systems used to be left out of projects and handled by the owner directly after the fact, which typically led to coordination issues like insufficient cabling pathways, missing electronic door hardware,” he said.

“Incorporating these systems into our designs allows for multiple solutions to be examined and for proper coordination among all trades.”

Additionally, Hoss said there’s been more retrofit applications utilizing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth locking mechanisms.

“Most facilities today have some type of wireless network,” he said. “Using this network for access control allows doors to be easily added to the system, without issues like

routing cabling/getting into door frames, some of which can be difficult to improvise with, which results in poor aesthetic final results, especially if on a main entry door.”

Adam Jones, security sales specialist at Engineered Controls, said one of the Hoss latest developments in security being implemented for customers is definitely the use of wireless technology for access control.

“We are able to provide a card controlled door that communicates constantly with the software and receives real time information on who is using the door,” he said. “The cost of the wireless system is significantly less than a traditional one using wires due to labor on installation as well as lower material costs. Customers are able to control more

doors overall within their established budgets.”

Yumei Wang, senior electrical project engineer at Leo A Daly, said new technologies are always evolving and updating every second.

“There are a lot of improvements in Jones security and technology systems for schools, hospitals and government facilities,” she said. “The advance in artificial intelligence, computing, the cloud and wireless networks have made technology

Today, sustainable construction is becoming a rule, not the exception

by David Kubicek

Not long ago, it was a struggle to justify using LED light fixtures, but today they are commonplace, and solar panels are becoming more economical each year.

“We make progress in sustainable living as a society by encouraging innovation and being willing to make investments that will benefit the future,” Koelzer BranchPattern Associate Principal Scott Koelzer said.

Koelzer defines sustainable living as coexisting with our environment to sustain human life without imposing an unnecessary burden on all other areas of our ecosystem.

“Humans are the only organisms that provides burden to all other forms of life on Earth in one way or another,” he said. “We need to work to find symbiotic ways of living with our environment, not on our environment.”

When designing a project, the firm con-

DLR Group

Architecture Engineering Planning Interiors

faster and more reliable. The main improvements for security technologies are data-loss prevention, user-behavior analytics, facial recognition and analysis, mobile access and network integration.”

Wang said new technologies such as cloud and network integration also bring cybersecurity issues.

According to Wang, data security has become a top priority for most facilities, especially patient data in health care facilities.

“Buildings are becoming smart and intelligent with the security and technology improvements,” she said. “We are designing building infrastructure to accommodate these ever evolving building technologies so they are equipped for future advances.”

offices worldwide

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siders impacts on people, profit and planet.

“Helping owners and architects consider life cycle impacts of various decisions

Schuler Grimes is the single most impactful thing we can do as consultants,” Koelzer said. “This not only contributes to sustainable living, it leads to better designed buildings. Well-designed buildings should outlast their non-sustainable counterparts, be healthier places for occupants, be better for the environment, and cost less to operate. They should be more marketable to a growing populous that value and understand the importance of sustainability.

As an electrical engineer, Farris Engineering’s Beth A. Schuler focuses on reducing energy consumption, designing whenever possible with LED lighting, which is much more energy efficient than other common light sources.

Lighting control systems — such as occupancy and vacancy sensors and timers that allow for lights to be turned off and on at a predetermined time — also help reduce energy consumption, as do dimming lights, which have become much easier because dimming is inherent to LED sources.

Some manufacturers offer LED fixtures that start at a lower output — such as 80% — at the beginning of their life, then slowly ramp up output over time as the fixture degrades.

Nebraska has adopted the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which will take effect on July 1, 2020.

“There will be some significant changes, and I think owners will be surprised by them,” Shuler said. “Gone are the days of the toggle switch; lighting controls are going to be more complex. I predict the initial reception will be some frustration, but it’s important to remember the positive Continued on page 8.

The Lincoln Business Journal • DECEMBER 2019 •

5

Nebraska Orthodontics builds on increased awareness for dental health care

by Gabby Christensen

Nebraska Orthodontics has changed names and hands since its 1950 debut, but its aim for orthodontic excellence and af-

Nebraska Orthodontics Phone: 402-475-6666 Address: 3100 O St, #1, Lincoln 68510 Founded: 1950 Service: Lincoln-based orthodontic practice serving children, adolescents and adults Employees: 6 full-time Goal: to promote its free growth and development program Website: www.nebraskaorthodontics.com

fordability has remained the same, according to current owner Dr. Bronsen Schliep, who took over the business in 2018.

The Lincoln-based practice, which serves children, teens and adults, offers all orthodontic services, including the straightening of teeth and the correcting of bad bites. New esthetic options, such as Invisalign and clear braces, as well as traditional braces, are also available.

Additionally, he said a free growth and development program for children between the ages of 7-10 is also offered at the office.

Schliep said children ages 7 to 10 are monitored on a yearly basis to make sure all adult teeth have sufficient space to erupt.

In the event that a baby tooth is causing an issue for an adult tooth, he coordinates with a general dentist to prevent impactions and corrects crossbites at the appropriate time.

Owner Dr. Bronsen Schliep … Emphasizing growth and development initiative for children ages 7 to 10.

Schliep said he realizes that parents team with their smile, as our small team have different orthodontic preferences, allows us to get to know you personally,” he said. “We have a reputation for high-qualwhich he is happy to accommodate.

Additionally, he said he understands the ity results, relationship-driven care and need for affordable orthodontic care, which conservative, research-oriented treatment is why the practice offers free exams and recommendations.”

All in all, Schliep said the administralow-payment options with 0% financing.

Currently, there are six full-time team tive work that must be done in the evenings members on staff with plans for future and weekends is the most challenging aspect, but witnessing the increased self-conexpansion as growth allows.

“Thousands of patients have trusted our fidence in people who see their smile for the

first time after having braces or Invisalign makes any day-to-day task worth it.

“It’s incredibly joyful to see children have good orthodontic experiences, which translates into a lifetime of good dental health and decreased dental anxiety,” he said. “I love working with my patients, and I’m truly passionate about everyone’s orthodontic health.”

With a recent increased awareness for dental health, Schliep said more people are seeing both dentists and orthodontists than ever before.

“Several tooth-straightening companies are marketing directly to the consumer, which has increased everyone’s awareness of their smile,” Schliep said.

“However, these companies don’t always have the patient’s best interest at heart.

Fortunately, people are wise and typically seek out our professional opinion to make sure they are getting good value for their investment.”

During 2019, the business completed several renovation projects that included both facility upgrades and a move to an electronic health record. Moving forward, Schliep said the mission is two-fold: provide excellent orthodontic treatment and top-notch customer service.

“Our goal is to continue our reputation for affordable, family-friendly care,” he said. “Our 2020 initiative is to educate our Lincoln families and dentists on the importance of our free growth and development program.”

6

• DECEMBER 2019 • The Lincoln Business Journal

Commercial/ Retail Space A section prepared by the staff of the Lincoln Business Journal

December 2019

Mixed-use projects take center stage amid broad shifts in consumer, workplace behavior

by Michelle Leach

Rumblings of a recession get louder the longer a robust economy persists. But architecture, engineering and construction professionals indicate the Lincoln market shows no signs of slowing down; with growth well-suited to sustain varied commercial and mixed-use developments.

Formerly, John P. Badami noted DLR Group’s corporate clients were updating their workplaces.

“So, many are reaching out to us to help rethink their workplace,” he said. “Engaged, motivated and satisfied employees who proactively work toward a company’s mission and bottom-line are critical to innovation and success in today’s competitive environment.

Unfortunately, over 65% of employees are disengaged.”

Place matters.

“When a workplace empowers employees to perform, connect and be comfortable, while aligning with company culture and brand, engagement rises,” Badami said.

With tech changes, workplaces are swinging toward the individual — and employees wanting spaces customized to independent working styles; for instance, more technology-rich conferencing areas to interface with out-of-town clients and break rooms with large kitchen islands that double as meeting spaces.

“At the same time, advancements in AR/ VR, artificial intelligence and autonomous transportation require specialized lab environments for continued development,” he said. “All of this leads toward a future technology-driven workplace that is both specific and flexible, with a focus on user experience.”

When asked about the latest with mixed-

use projects, Badami indicated the firm is more active than six months ago, let alone a year ago.

“Mixed-use commercial and residential development is a response to the lifestyle preferences of the most economically-active generations, that being the millennials, the ‘one-stop shop’ instantly gratifying lifestyle, as well as baby boomers who gravitate towards convenience and walkability,” he said. “The commercial consolidation of large retailers such as Sears, Dillard’s and ShopKo, which used to be the big draw for smaller multi-tenant retail, now need to creatively rethink these assets. The location of these malls is usually prime, so creatively thinking ‘outside the Badami box’ is what’s next.”

Repurposing with a mix of uses to help support the smaller retail, Badami noted, is what developers seek; for instance, sports and entertainment venues, hospitality with multi-family and some office, designed to keep assets vibrant all hours of the day.

“It’s all about flexibility and helps create a sense of place,” Badami said.

Developments where multi-family housing is the driver must account for amenities, such as shared test kitchen space for wine tastings or cooking classes; fitness spaces; and a small amount of retail in the mix.

“Where adaptive reuse of big box retail is the driver, such as shopping malls, where big box tenants are leaving and e-commerce is taking its toll on brick and mortar locations, these

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University of Nebraska-Lincoln CY Thompson Library

sites have been prime locations for mixed-use projects,” Badami said. “Developers are looking at creative ways to promote the live work, play, gather atmosphere that millennials and boomers are looking for.”

Badami also noted The Flats at Leighton District (formerly, University Place, 2301 N. 48th St.) is poised for renters after Jan. 1.

“Phase one of the project consists of 234 living units with a mix of studio, one- and two- bedroom units with amenities,” he said. “Retail is planned on the ground floor.”

Jeff Johnson, senior project engineer at Alvine Engineering’s Lincoln office, also referred to a number of mixed-use Johnson urban living and retail developments under construction near the mid-downtown area.

“Projects in other areas are being contemplated by local developers,” he said. “The Telegraph District has several projects underway that have altered the landscape and really provided new life to this area. On the east edge of town, there are numerous land parcels being developed and infrastructure placed to facilitate future residential construction.”

Some areas are seeing significant housing starts.

“With this added residential growth, the need for other community amenities will undoubtedly follow soon,” Johnson said.

“The planned Lincoln Public Schools bond issue slated for Feb. 11 is another example of

design and construction on the horizon. There has long been discussion of a new downtown library as well.”

As it was in 2018 (and prior), the project pipeline is strong with mixed-use, hospitality, and new and renovated commercial spaces (particularly, financial institutions). Johnson highlighted its 10-year HVAC upgrade of the Nebraska State Capitol and the Phase 1 Scott Engineering Center renovation and construction of a new connecting link in advanced of Phase 2 for the College of Engineering.

“We also have projects underway in multiple municipalities across the state for new or renovated libraries, fire stations, and community-use facilities,” he said. “With the expanding role of community colleges, we have been working extensively with Western Nebraska Community College to enhance their facilities.”

NEBCO Real Estate Sales and Development Manager Derek Busch noted that this year the real estate market has held very strong — with 2019 about as robust as he’s seen in his eight years in the industry, though, it was noted, the spring weather may have delayed market activity.

“I can see it by the ‘sold’ signs in the yards, the rising construction costs and just the amount of homes being built everywhere,” Busch said of the rooftops that support additional commercial and services opportunities.

Busch also referenced Fallbrook, one of NEBCO’s featured projects, described by the company as among the “largest and most ambitious projects of its kind … a 700-acre residential and commercial community coupling modern convenience with traditional neighborhood appeal.”

Commercial/Retail Space •

The Lincoln Business Journal • DECEMBER 2019 •

7

8

• DECEMBER 2019 • The Lincoln Business Journal

Competitive business, talent acquisition climate drives new HR approaches

by Michelle Leach

How in-house and external recruiters are identifying talent, and just who they’re retaining as talent, is evolving in the face of unprecedented low rates of joblessness and in the face of an increasingly competitive business environment.

“The thing I hear from HR professionals is the difficulty from hiring and low unemployment rates are low, so the hiring pool is less and that creates some stressors,” said Gail Sutter, executive director with Continuum, which provides employee assistance programming. “There are times when organizations have to address and deal with behavioral and performance issues. They’re more willing to work with an employee than in the past.”

For instance, she referred to going through more corrective channels.

Pivoting a bit, Sutter noted mental health issues are increasingly impacting workplaces.

“There are more questions about how do we accommodate that? Workplaces are more concerned about their personal safety and, as suicide rates go up, and depression is the leading cause of disability around the

Lincoln Human Resource Management world, how do they caringly manage this?

Companies are just so much more aware Association President-Elect Robert “Robbie” Sebert said, for many years, there has about having to plan for that,” she said. been a break from only offering Since everybody is trying to full-time work assignments to do more with less, Sutter said the a variation of offering more team is also doing a lot of perforgenerous leave and flexible mance improvement coaching. scheduling.

“We may identify there are “Many industries are seeing other issues where they may their workforce demand more need counseling,” she said. work-life balance and have “Counseling is confidential and shifted to offering more work free of charge. We try to reduce from home programs, job sharthe stigma of that, and have posing and predominantly part-time itive problem-solving and earlier schedules,” he said. “With unintervention.”

Sutter employment at historically low Overall well-being is paramount; financial counseling, wellness levels in Nebraska, many companies and coaching, and work-life resources embody organizations are starting to understand that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach is not this.

Going forward, they’re exploring how effective in managing a multi-generational to deliver such services in a real-time, effi- and diverse workforce which is very difcient and convenient way, and in a way that ferent than the workforce that was present acknowledges generational differences in even 10 years ago.”

In fact, Sebert noted managers and how workers prefer to communicate.

With marijuana legalization and CBD supervisors are doing a “disservice” to oils an increasing topic of national dis- employees if they’re communicating and course, Sutter sees how to manage these leading the same way for a baby boomer employee and a millennial employee: and related issues as a big future “trend.”

“Because they are motivated and receive communication in very different ways.”

“Additionally, many organizations are moving away from traditional career ladders and instead focusing on individual professional development and skills [and] easy ways to help, especially around the competencies,” he said. “Many organiholidays. zations are eliminating annual reviews Reframe your perspective, seeing the (if they are done at all) and are initiating world as peacefully entering into dormancy regular communication in order to proin preparation for future growth. How does vide constant feedback so that employit feel to see November in that light? ees can grow and become better aligned And try getting a SAD lamp to bring with the organization’s mission and healing light into your life. core values.”

Now consider your behavior toward Successful companies understand that colleagues, friends and family. constructive feedback and dialogue should In some cases, we keep it together enough to get through the workdays, and then our families bear the brunt. If you’re doing this you’ll need to find ways to Continued from page 2. and son and I created the time to get the decompress before unleashing on them.

In particular, look at transitioning steps training and do the research and prepare you can take, finding some quiet time, to open Delta so we can handle any type getting some exercise, etc. as you move of loss.”

Carstens has a track record of knowing into that phase of your day.

Take a careful look at your workplace a good opportunity when he sees one. He interactions. What, specifically, do you bought the Chem-Dry franchise when he want to change? Just saying, “I want to be was just 18 and has built it into a Presidents Club-level operation, denoting being nicer” is too vague.

Maybe you’re normally friendly and ranked in the top 10% of outlets nationyou become withdrawn. Without expla- wide. He got there through attention to detail, quality of work and understanding nation, people may take that personally.

Instead, find a light way to own that which segment of the market he’s best behavior, perhaps joking about your suited to serve.

“The N-Hance business is 95% resisocial “hibernation period” this time dential. The carpet cleaning is about 50% of year.

If you get snippy, apologize to limit residential, 50% commercial,” he said. the damage. Then figure out your preven- “Most of the work that we’ll do through tive steps. Can you feel a nasty comment Delta will be residential, over 80%.

“We can now support them in any way, coming on? Take a couple of deep breaths, excuse yourself to use the restroom — whether it’s mold or fire or water, a tree whatever it takes to keep your mouth shut. falling in the house. We just felt that it was Practice finding constructive language to a great opportunity to be able to be able to help others.” express what you need to say.

Denver-based Delta Restoration SerIn all of this, be kind to yourself.

When you fall short, apologize to others vices operates in more than 40 markets, and forgive yourself. And try transparency with franchises in California, Utah, — you’ll find you’re not the only person Colorado, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Nebraska, with the blues!

Missouri and Indiana. Delta Restoration ©2019 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Services was acquired by HRI Holdings, Distributed by Inc. in late March 2018.

Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

How to prevent the winter blues from darkening your work, home mood

by Liz Reyer

Q: The short days and gloomy weather always get to me. In past years I’ve tended to see the worst in others and even behaved poorly to people as a result. How can I manage this better?

-Lili, 50, sales representative A: For those of us susceptible to the seasonal blues it can Workplace be really tough.

In fact, though I am neither doctor nor therapist, I encourage you to consider the possibility of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and have a chat with a professional, if needed.

Apart from that, look at ways that you can manage your emotions and also control your behavior.

Emotions first. It is easy to fall into a slump when outside circumstances such as weather are pulling your energy down.

Naps and chocolate look better and better, while fresh air and exercise lose their appeal.

The solution here is to find appealing things to do that will make you feel engaged.

Find reasons to laugh. Be creative.

Learn something new. It’s all about bringing new spark to your mind.

Help other people. That’s a sure route to an emotional boost. Again, this can be in big or small ways. Look for volunteer opportunities. There are lots of

Carstens score trifecta

be continuous, and Sebert said, helps to promote engagement and a positive sense of value.

Zelle Consultant Jake McMullin said artificial intelligence is playing a more important role in recruiting, and different systems allow recruiters to source for specific experiences, skills, and personalities. Since the AI-based sourcing includes skills or behavioral assessment to identify and verify top talent, he said, recruiters can identify them at a much faster pace.

“For many of our positions, we are seeking out top performers that are not actively searching for a job change,” he said. “This intensifies the ‘battle’ for talent and puts pressure on recruiters to present the right culture fit, skill set and overall drive to fill a position.”

Thorough hiring processes and hiring the right candidates creates a great company culture.

“Once created, a great culture is what is going to retain talent,” he said. “We like to learn what they enjoy inside and outside of work and get to know the whole person as best we can … Every culture is different and just because someone is very talented doesn’t mean they will be a cultural fit anywhere.”

Sustainable construction Continued from page 4. effects that will come from the changes.”

As a civil engineer and an Envision Sustainable Professional (Env SP), Anna Grimes, engineering department manager for E&A Consulting Group, takes a holistic approach to sustainable living.

“I consider our physical surroundings, the built environment, our community and how we approach planning, design and construction,” she said.

The Envision system has a points-based scoring criterion that encourages five distinct areas of sustainability: -Quality of Life — community safety, mobility and access, social justice, and enhancing and preserving historical and cultural resources, views and community character -Leadership — collaboration and teamwork, with the input of interested stakeholders, planning for sustainable future, stimulate the local economy -Resource allocation — using recycled materials, reducing waste, and reducing energy and water usage -Natural world — preserves the natural environment, manages stormwater, protects and enhances wetlands and floodplains -Climate and resilience — reduces emissions, assesses climate change and establishes goals and strategies to limit risks This system helps engineers define areas where they can achieve improvements to “business as usual” in planning, design, construction and long-term maintenance of a project.

“Climate change is a hot political topic, but sustainability doesn’t have to be put into the middle of it,” Grimes said. “We can actively work towards protecting our environment, helping our community, finding ways to collaborate within the community — basically trying to find ways to reduce our footprint on the world while still maintaining a high standard of living.”

The Lincoln Business Journal • DECEMBER 2019 •

9

Entrepreneurial Success A section prepared by the staff of the Lincoln Business Journal

December 2019

SBA leaders and financial institutions talk the latest in small business lending, seed funding

by Gabby Christensen

Funding is one of the major aspects in any entrepreneurship journey, which is why local financial experts say it’s important for new business owners to be aware of available programs.

Taylor Price, assistant vice president of commercial lending at West Gate Bank, said small business lending is ever-changing.

“West Gate Bank tries to take advantage of as many resources as possible to help business owners with their financing needs,” he said.

The bank is a Small Business Administration approved lender and offers the SBA 504 program for real estate financing, as well as the 7a program for various small business transactions.

Recently, Price said the bank also added a small business product through its relationship with BancAllianc called Fundation.

“West Gate Bank has been proactive in small business lending from the beginning and we take pride in being able to help community businesses of all sizes,” he said.

“With our recent expansion into the Omaha market we look forward to helping even more small companies with their lending needs.”

Nisha Avey, business innovation consultant at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, said the Business Innovation Act, which was passed in 2011, provides a suite of funding for the varying stages of innovative startups in the state, including matching SBIR/STTR grants, Academic Research and Development grants, Prototype grants and seed investments.

“With our Business Innovation Act pro-

grams we support research, development of of funding and must be matched 100% by technology, creation of good jobs and growth other investors.”

Avey said there has been much interest of Nebraska’s economy,” she said. in entrepreneurship since the pasAccording to Avey, the Desage of the Business Innovation partment of Economic DevelopAct; with several pitch compement also administers the Microtitions, business accelerators, enterprise Assistance Program, incubators and service providers which supports microenterprise springing up in the space. lending and technical assistance Dan Hoffman, CEO of Invest offered by service providers Nebraska, said the statewide throughout the state including venture development organizaRural Enterprise Assistance Projtion provides financing for highect, Community Development growth or early stage businesses.

Resources, Catholic Charities, According to Hoffman, these Nebraska Enterprise Fund, MidHoffman businesses have a technology lands Latino Community Development Corp. and Northeast Economic focus, often times with intellectual property, so they are less than ideal candidates for Development.

“The Nebraska Seed Investment Pro- traditional bank financing.

“Invest Nebraska expects to close on gram, through our private partner Invest Nebraska, can invest up to $500,000 in a almost $3 million of capital investments to Nebraska business for commercialization Nebraska early-stage businesses in 2019,” of a product or process,” she said. “Our he said. “We continue to work closely with investment acts much like an angel invest- the Nebraska Angels and Nelnet at the seed ment for companies going out for a round financing stage and communicate regularly

with Dundee Venture Capital in Omaha regarding the investment pipeline. More out-of-state seed, series A, and growth funds are looking at Nebraska than ever before and the last few years have seen active seed investments in Nebraska companies from M25 (Chicago) and several other funds and angel groups.”

In the last two years, Hoffman has noted a push from investors to discover and invest in companies and founders “away from the coasts,” as many have realized there is significant value and high-growth potential also found in non-coastal startups.

“Nebraska continues to improve its entrepreneurial ecosystem with great founders and an exceptional pipeline of innovative, early-stage businesses,” he said. “As an example, we now have several portfolio companies discussing plans to raise venture capital investment rounds over $10 million in 2020. Three years ago this was unheard of but is now coming to fruition.

We expect great things for Nebraska in 2020 and beyond.”

This startup is designing cashier-less stores — and just raised $30M

by Brittany Meiling

A technology startup in San Diego has just raised $30 million from investors to continue building out its software for cashier-less, “grab-and-go” stores. The model, popularized by Amazon Go, allows shoppers to simply walk into a store, grab items from the shelves, and walk out — with the receipt sent directly to their mobile device.

The startup, Accel Robotics, is developing computer vision software — along with cameras, sensors and StartupS store equipment — to make this concept work.

In fact, the startup can build out an entire modular store for its customers, pre-loaded with the computer brains to enable a “checkout-free” experience.

The new money came in a round led

by Japanese funding giant SoftBank, with further participation from New Ground Ventures, Toyo Kanetsu Corporate Venture Investment Partnership and RevTech Ventures.

Co-founder and CEO Brandon Maseda said Accel Robotics already has its technology deployed in North America and Japan, including at restaurants and drug store chains. However, Maseda was slim on specifics, saying he couldn’t reveal who

his customers were just yet. Broadly, the company plans to create stores from scratch — and partner with existing retailers — to help bring small-format stores to locations that couldn’t accommodate larger buildings. Think university campuses, corporate offices and office parks, military bases, airports and other travel hubs.

“The idea is to deliver small, modular stores closer to where people live and work,” Maseda said.

Accel Robotics was founded in 2015 and was incubated early on by San Diego’s tech accelerator EvoNexus, along with a Texas-based incubator RevTech Ventures.

This new capital is in addition to $7 million previously raised, bringing its total capital to $37 million.

The startup was founded by Maseda, along with Marius Buibas, Brain Corp.’s former director of engineering; and Martin Cseh, a Harvard University graduate. Just a couple of years ago, the three founders were working out of a tiny glass office in EvoNexus with only two employees.

Today, they have an office in San Diego’s Kearny Mesa neighborhood, where they employ 40 people. The startup also has offices in Argentina and Tokyo, employing a total of 60 people.

Maseda said he imagines he might hire

an additional 30 people over the next 12 months, spanning a variety of positions, including software engineers, hardware engineers, project managers and data scientists.

Although Maseda wouldn’t disclose specific figures, he did note they were bringing in revenue from paying clients running pilots.

Accel has a lot of competition in the world of grab-and-go retail tech. Technology titan Amazon recently announced big ambitions for the cashier-less store model, with plans to expand to larger formats and license the technology out to other retailers. Plus, Amazon is joined by a slew of technology startups looking to create cashier-less checkout systems, including Trigo, Grabango and Standard Cognition.

How will Accel compete with the stiff competition? Maseda said they’ve kept their heads down, focusing on building a product instead of getting caught up in the media hype around cashier-less stores.

“To be frank, we’ve been focusing on building the world’s most convenient cashier-less store. If we get that right, then the rest will take care of itself,” Maseda said. ©2019 The San Diego Union-Tribune Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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• DECEMBER 2019 • The Lincoln Business Journal

• Entrepreneurial Success

Plentiful resources can guide startups toward success and growth

by Jasmine Heimgartner

When the perfect idea for a new product, software, service or other business comes to light, it can be hard to not just want to jump in and become an entrepreneur. The reality behind those seemingly overnight successes is often a long and stress-filled journey.

“There is a myth that you can go from an idea to success in a year, 18 months or even two years,” said Bill Udell, chief operating officer at Don’t Panic Labs. “If you really look at successful businesses, it took them years to get where they are. If you aren’t planning ahead to exist for that kind of duration, you will have a rude awakening. You can get lucky, but those are only a handful of stories.”

No matter how great the idea may seem, many underestimate everything that goes in to turning that idea into a viable business.

Seeking out educational opportunities and working with mentors are key ways to gain a better foundation before making the big leap.

“The reason it is important to seek counsel and educational opportunities is that there

are many skills needed to run a business,” element of a concept.

“Think of every way you can to kill your said Steve Bors, director-SCC Entrepreneurship Center at Southeast Community idea and then start trying those things,” Udell College. “For example, you may be a trained said. “It might sound backward, but if you are willing to take that hard look at plumber who is excellent at your your own idea and test it to make craft, but during your training they it fail, it can create a pivot point likely didn’t teach you about runto help you turn it into the thing ning a business, from accounting that won’t fail. It’s better for you to hiring people. For the first few to do that then invest money into years, you also have to be the No. and have your customer base tell 1 salesperson for your business. If you it’s not viable.” someone isn’t comfortable selling As a business moves onto the their idea or business, they will next steps, local colleges, universtruggle.” sities and even some established The first step for new startups businesses offer an array of reshould be validating the idea.

Bors sources to help young businesses This requires going outside one’s comfort zone to determine if the idea is really get on their feet. From general workshops to something people will want and need within one-on-one consultations and specific coursthe marketplace. That could mean physically es on topics including social media, taxes, acgoing out to talk to strangers who would be counting and sales, becoming well-rounded a potential audience, doing pre-orders on a business owner is vital to success.

Other resources include collaborative website to determine interest, creating paper or 3D models to garner attention and more. workspaces and suites, which can provide The process also involves dissecting every a range of benefits. SCC is one such place

that has 20 suites along with coaching and workshops.

“Everyone progresses at a different pace, so we have a flexible lease because we want to see people try their idea,” Bors said. “If it doesn’t work, we don’t want them to be tied down. We try to take some of the risk out of the process of starting a business. We meet with our tenants quarterly and help them set goals for the next 90 days. We also provide coaching to point them in the right direction if they need financing and help them with the all-important validation stage that many people skip.”

Finding a professional mentor or coach is another vital way to not only grow a successful business but also to provide assistance on the arduous journey.

“I don’t know anyone with a successful business who doesn’t have a great group behind them giving advice,” Udell said.

“People often surround themselves with others who want to pump them up, but you need to find someone who will be honest and challenge you.”

Entrepreneurial Success •

The Lincoln Business Journal • DECEMBER 2019 •

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• DECEMBER 2019 • The Lincoln Business Journal

The Lincoln Business Journal • DECEMBER 2019 •

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Technology continues to transform the financial planning industry

by Dwain Hebda

Technology continues to redefine the financial planning industry, from customer communication to strategic planning.

“There’s way more communication now because there’s more communication avenues than 20 years ago. In fact, people get stuff off of Facebook and Twitter and emails that maybe they didn’t even 10 years ago,” said Bob Bennie, founder of Bob Bennie Wealth Management. “We send out monthly letters to clients and prospects, but we also send out emails a couple times a month. We post different things on Twitter and Facebook, put things on the website.”

Bennie said technology also plays a major role in the efficient management of firm operations, saving times, resources and money.

“New account paperwork might be 150 pages, the client might have to sign that 8 or 10 times and I might have to sign it four times,” he said. “In the past we had to actually print it out, find all the places to sign, hopefully we find them all, sign them, and then put it in the mail and mail it to the home office.

“Now, you don’t have to print any paper; the client can sign using DocuSign in a couple of minutes and all that paperwork is electronically transmitted in an instant to the brokerage firm’s headquarters.

That’s one example of something that saves a gob of time and money, and the

clients love it.”

Technology has also put more financial information at people’s fingertips, which some financial professionals say results in clients who are better-informed, if not necessarily better-equipped, to grow assets.

“Clients are more informed today about financial planning than they were in years past, but that Bennie doesn’t necessarily mean they are making better decisions,” said Tim Kulhanek, partner with Stonebridge Insurance & Wealth Management and a registered representative of World Equity Group, Inc. “There is almost too much information.

With the 24-hour financial news cycle, dozens of financial talk radio shows and thousands of financial information websites, clients need a trusted adviser now as much as they ever have.”

In fact, if there’s one area of the planning process, which demands face-to-face interaction for success, it’s walking the client through the big picture of their investment strategy.

“The most basic axiom of investing is still ‘buy low and sell high,’” Kulhanek said. “Unfortunately, research suggests

most investors violate this principle on a consistent basis. For the clients we work with, providing education on the fundamentals of investing, along with the importance of removing emotion from the investment decision making process, has been important.”

Another byproduct of technology has been in shaping the competitive Sipherd landscape, particularly for smaller, boutique firms.

“You no longer need a massive infrastructure to support investment management, which is the backbone and main income generator of most financial planning firms,” said CPA Aaron Sipherd of Sipherd & Associates. “This has introduced more competition into the industry and forced firms to offer more service for the same or lower fee. I see that as a huge win for the financial planning consumer.”

Sipherd said among these new players gaining a foothold in the industry, CPA firms are marching at the head of the column.

“A CPA who specializes in financial planning has the ability to offer comprehensive advice on retirement planning, estate planning, income tax planning and

risk management and insurance issues,” he said. “CPAs who have a strong background in tax typically weave tax reduction strategies into their comprehensive advice to maximize their client’s aftertax results.

“CPAs are going to be the most technically qualified financial adviser to effectively coordinate so many different areas of a client’s finances.”

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• DECEMBER 2019 • The Lincoln Business Journal

Indoor lettuce growers find a wedge to market amid another E. coli outbreak

by Kristen Leigh Painter

Another outbreak of E. coli in romaine lettuce has sickened more than 100 people nationwide and left others wondering if raw salad is safe.

As food-safety investigators clear the vegetable aisle of contaminated trendS lettuce, authorities provided more guidance on how to shop for safer product.

Consumers should only eat romaine if it is from a harvest region other than Salinas, Calif., or if it was grown indoors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. If it’s not labeled with a harvest region or growing method, don’t eat it.

By singling out indoor-grown lettuce as a potentially safer alternative to field-grown lettuce, food-safety regulators are boosting demand for product grown by Medford-based Revol Greens and its greenhouse-growing peers around the country.

“That (government advice) is definitely helping us out this time,” said Brendon Krieg, a partner and sales manager at Revol Greens. “We are seeing an uptick in demand from retailers and restaurants because it has such a major impact on their business when they suddenly can’t serve salads.”

E. coli contamination in produce nearly

always comes from irrigation water used on fields, said Kirk Smith, director of the Minnesota Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence, one of six centers around the U.S. designated by the CDC to strengthen the safety of the nation’s food system.

A lettuce field could be contaminated by dust, pests or wild animals carrying E. coli from elsewhere, but it is usually through the irrigation water source “in some way, shape or form,” he said.

A major risk with outdoor-grown lettuce is sharing a water source with a nearby animal farm. It’s especially risky near cattle, which are widely considered the largest reservoir of E. coli, Smith said.

Some food-safety experts theorize that during California’s dry season — which lasts into the fall — the water table drops and the surface water from a cattle operation gets sucked down into the groundwater that is then used to irrigate lettuce crops.

That’s why the CDC and FDA are telling consumers to consider buying leafy greens from greenhouse-grown facilities that use alternative water sources.

Revol Greens captures rainwater and snow melt from its greenhouse roof that it then stores in a covered, on-site holding pond. The company tests its water daily and runs it through a chemical-free UV sterilization process to make sure

there’s no festering bacteria before spraying its indoor lettuce. “Most, if not all, indoor growers of a certain size will have some sort of sterilization for their water,” Krieg said.

Symptoms of E. coli usually surface within a few days to a week after ingesting the bacteria and include stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting.

Cases in the current outbreak span 23 states, with 31 in Wisconsin — the most of any state. For now, it appears the rate of illness is slowing, with symptoms of the last reported cases beginning Nov. 18. Still, the CDC and FDA recommend consumers avoid purchasing Salinas-grown lettuce for the remainder of this growing season.

A year ago, an E. coli outbreak sickened 88 people in the U.S. and Canada and led regulators to issue a blanket don’t-eat-romaine-lettuce warning. Retailers and restaurants pulled all romaine lettuce from shelves and menus before investigators zeroed in on north and central California as the likely source of contamination.

But, by then, all romaine growers suffered the consequences.

In response, Revol and five other greenhouse lettuce growers formed a coalition to increase consumer and regulator education, and to encourage the controlled-environment agriculture community to adopt stricter standards than already established.

Clinics are breathing new life into big, empty department stores

by Maria Halkias

Turning abandoned mall space such as the closed Sears store in the RedBird development in Dallas into medical offices and clinics is a new use for tired shopping centers that has already found success in other cities.

RedBird owner Peter Brodsky announced Thursday that University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Hospital are taking over vacant retail space at the former Red Bird Mall. UT Southwestern will open offices in a 150,000-square-foot Sears store that closed earlier this year. real eState About 43,000 square feet of a Dillard’s store that closed in 2008 is already being retrofitted for Parkland.

Dallas developer Frank Mihalopoulos, who has been working with Brodsky since 2015 on the RedBird project, has already successfully adding university-affiliated medical offices to aging malls in Nashville; York, Pa.; and Atlanta.

Selling the RedBird development to local health care companies became a priority as community needs and wishes matched up with trends in the mall redevelopment business, Brodsky said.

Health care companies want to reach underserved populations and are trying to find ways to serve more people with the least amount of cost, Mihalopoulos said.

Repurposing mall space can keep costs down, he said.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, for example, has opened occupational therapy clinics and back offices in 22,000 square feet of the West Manchester Mall in York, Pa. “It’s lowered their overall cost of occupancy, and then the university medical center is able to rent its space that can fetch higher rents to others,” he said.

In Atlanta, Emory Healthcare agreed in October to lease 224,000 square feet of a former Sears store at Northlake Mall to house offices for 1,600 administrative staff. That also adds

daytime traffic to the mall, which is anchored

by J.C. Penney and Macy’s.

Northlake and the mall in Pennsylvania are owned by ATR Corinth, a partnership of Mihalopoulos and Dallas real estate investor Tony Ruggeri formed 15 years ago to redevelop ailing malls.

Mall locations have a lot of what medical clinics and offices need, Mihalopoulos said.

“There’s parking, good real estate with good exposure to freeway locations.”

Old department stores have high ceilings that office tenants are looking for these days, he said, “and those new office workers can shop and eat without leaving the property.”

ATR Corinth’s first big success was in Nashville, where Vanderbilt University Medical Center put administrative offices and medical clinics in One Hundred Oaks Mall. That project began in 2008, and within five years of the redevelopment, the stores in the center had experienced sales increases of as much as 100%, Mihalopoulos said.

While they were considering the RedBird development, UT Southwestern officials visited that project. They also visited the Jackson Medical Mall in Mississippi, which was converted from a shopping mall in 1996 after it lost customers and stores to a newer mall in Jackson.

At that point, Red Bird Mall was also well into its decline.

The former mall at the intersection of Highway 67 and Interstate 20 in Dallas was one of the early shopping center casualties.

Several Dallas mayors and out-of-town owners tried to fix the center as the mall continued to lose traffic.

There are 800 vacant anchor spots at the 1,300 malls and outlet centers in the U.S., according to an updated mall report from Green Street. In addition to health care uses, malls have been turned into call centers and even Amazon warehouses.

When Brodsky first purchased the mall,

Sears and Macy’s were still open, but, he said, “it became apparent that anchor stores would have to be filled with other sorts of activities to draw people to the property.”

The shopping center still has about 60 tenants, from Burlington Coat Factory to small mom-and-pop businesses that are doing well, Brodsky said. A Foot Locker is under construction in a new green space being built on the Camp Wisdom side where Starbucks opened last year.

“I’m new to the real estate industry and I give Frank a lot of credit,” Brodsky said, “for his track record of converting malls into highly productive office space.” ©2019 The Dallas Morning News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

“The coalition was established to develop credible, strong, and appropriate food safety standards, educate consumers and regulators on controlled environment growing, and communicate the value of controlled environment agriculture,” said Marni Karlin, executive director of the group, called the CEA Food Safety Coalition.

This year, authorities took a more tailored approach to their warnings, identifying Salinas as the likely growing region in the first public health notice last month. Karlin said the companies she represents were pleased that the CDC and FDA’s most recent update called out the relative safety of indoor-grown lettuce.

While most E. coli bacteria are harmless, these investigations track the dangerous types, such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, that can be life threatening. Such pathogenic outbreaks have been identified since the mid-1990s with at least one leafy-green outbreak occurring every year since, Smith said.

But what’s disconcerting, he said, is how little progress has been made in preventing these outbreaks since the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the FDA gave the industry more serious directives in addressing the problem in the early to mid-2000s.

“This has been a known problem for a long time now, but there are a couple of remarkable things that have happened recently,” Smith said.

First, spring 2018 was marked by the largest leafy green outbreak of E. coli ever, specifically in romaine, with 219 reported illnesses. The other noteworthy trend, Smith said, is that “we now have recurring outbreaks of the same strain and region.”

The reason it keeps happening, he said, is that investigators are rarely able to trace the contamination all the way back to the exact farm.

Lettuce farmers often send their produce to a central processing facility where it is washed and packed. “You could get a bag of lettuce that includes stuff from many different sources,” Smith said.

Indoor agriculture is generally much smaller in scale and therefore more easily protected from weather, pests and animals, he said. ©2019 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Investment in training positions Lincoln well Continued from page 3. is dominating the new construction work.”

Kulhanek put a light on its large expansion project for Creekstone Farms Beef, which includes renovations and additions to the existing industrial facility.

“Engineering work includes adding a new 1500 BHP [Boiler Horsepower] boiler and improvements to their hot water system,” he said.

JEO Consulting Director of Business Development Jeff Henson’s expertise also plans senior planning in the areas of hazard mitigation and community resilience — and his and the firm’s skillset have been called upon significantly given the flooding that has wreaked havoc upon much of the Midwest.

“There are opportunities for communities to think differently about infrastructure and how we’re developing infrastructure,” he said.

Henson recently noted that struggles on this front are often a byproduct of funding, and communities are naturally challenged to think far ahead — 10, 20, 30 years, in some cases.

“It’s made doubly difficult when you either mitigate or build something in a resilient fashion, because it doesn’t get the headlines that you have if there is a large disaster,” he said. “It’s unglamorous to have that absence of impact.”

In the fallout of persistent regional flooding since March (the Missouri River just fell to below flood stage earlier this month), Henson indicated the team has been busy with a number of projects to support communities impacted by flooding; for instance, the development of systemwide infrastructure and flood mitigation plans, and land use strategies.

He noted these projects might include smaller, localized flood walls — and the economic implications can’t be overstated.

“Local and state government have worked really hard during this process, and put in a ton of effort in getting farm to market roads back open,” Henson said. “[These] economic disturbances have ripple effects into urban areas.”

The Lincoln Business Journal • DECEMBER 2019 •

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REGIONAL LANDSCAPES

Briefs…

Swanson Russell received 34 awards in competitions at the national and local levels.

The agency accepted one gold award and five silver and two bronze at the 40th Annual Telly Awards. At the national Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association Communications Awards Contest, Swanson Russell garnered 11 winners. Swanson Russell received 15 awards at the annual American Marketing Association Prism Awards ceremony.

Advertising agency KidGlov received top recognitions at the American Marketing Association Lincoln Prism Awards and its Vice President of Operations Katherine Warren was honored as Marketer of the Year. KidGlov received 17 Prism Awards and eight Merit Awards in the categories of advertising, collateral, corporate identity, direct marketing, integrated public relations, marketing maverick, marketing research, social media, special event and video.

Steve Ruff, managing director, and Josh Larsen, vice president of NorthMarq’s Omaha-based regional office, collaborated to secure the $1.59 million refinance of Lincolnshire Square, a 30,792 sq. ft. office property located at 1610, 1620, 1640 & 1650 South 70th St.

in Lincoln.

Christine Vanderford Law, PC LLO, opened a new law office at 6030 Village Drive, Suite 101, in Lincoln. Vanderford opened her private practice in 2003, and specializes in estate planning, elder care and planning for old age, business development and family law. Prior to opening her private practice, Vanderford worked for nine years with then Attorney General Don Stenberg, serving as press secretary and assistant attorney general for the State of Nebraska.

The Lincoln Independent Business Association has named Robert “Bud” Synhorst as its new president and CEO of LIBA. Synhorst comes to LIBA after serving most recently as the executive director the Alpaca Owners Association, a national membership organization representing more than 7,000 alpaca owners, breeders, and vendors charged with promoting all aspects of the Alpaca Industry. He has previous experience in fundraising development, including at the University of Nebraska’s Athletic Department.

Education notes…

Performance Aircraft launched a new website that highlights its rapidly expanding

Pilot Academy. The new website informs people of the current demand for pilots and guides them to the information they need in order to take the next step in their career training. Visitors to the site are able to experience “My Personal Flight Plan,” a service that helps educate and walk customers through everything they need to consider as they put together a plan for becoming a career pilot.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln ecologist Dirac Twidwell said it’s time to transplant a model of proactivity to agricultural resilience, or the ability of ecosystems to withstand rapid and sudden transitions to an undesired state.

With a four-year, nearly $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research program, Twidwell’s team is collaborating with University of Montana researchers to develop and implement first-of-their-kind screening tools that enable earlier, more precise detection of subtle changes that foreshadow destabilizing ecological transitions.

Duncan Aviation rolled out its newly registered Duncan Aviation Airframe Technician Apprenticeship Program. Currently, Duncan Aviation has 24 apprentices who are working

full-time while learning and preparing for their Airframe Technician certification test.

Health care notes…

Stem cell therapy is now available at Premier Orthopaedics. New stem cell procedures treat chronic and acute joint pain. These procedures are done in a minimally invasive way and are able to treat any area in the body to regenerate tissue.

Tabitha Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning Joyce Ebmeier was honored with LeadingAge Nebraska’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award. In her 37 years at Tabitha, Ebmeier has held a variety of leadership positions including 14 years as administrator of Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln.

Activities of nonprofits…

Boys & Girls Club of Lincoln surpassed the $75,000 goal for Annual Trivia Night event to support high-impact afterschool programs. The event raised more than $75,000, which ensures students attending Park Middle School and North Star High school will continue receiving quality, after-school support through the Boys & Girls Club.

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• DECEMBER 2019 • The Lincoln Business Journal