Reaanddit Reap!
OCTOBER 25, 2019
THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS
THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:
$2.00
VOL. 45 NO. 43
Farmers National leverages service diversity amid challenges by Richard D. Brown
Storage Concepts sees steady growth, plans for family succession. – Page 2
in ing est raska v In eb N
Taking on too much risk? Why now may be the time to speak with your financial adviser. – Page 4
me ar e Ho th C l a He
Demand heightens for home health care services. – Page 23
Farmers National, an employee-owned company that has grown over 90 years to serve landowners with farm management services in 29 states and a total of $9.2 billion of assets under management, can credit its longevity to a decision years ago to diversify its services. The Omaha-based firm with 275 employees at 11516 Nicholas St., plus 118 sales associates who operate as independent contractors in 30 states, has expanded its services list beyond farm and ranch management, which is still 45% of its gross income. Services include real estate sales, appraisals, insurance, consulting, oil and gas management, forest resource management, lake management, national hunting leases, and ag stock. The elevator speech description, executives say, is that the firm, that manages more than 5,000 farms and ranches in 29 states, has in its portfolio more than two million acres. “It’s grown to include everything below and above the ground,” said President/CEO Jim C. Farrell. Farrell, an Iowa native who Continued on page 7.
From left, President and CEO Jim Farrell and President-Elect David Englund … Providing services (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville) beyond land management has boosted the 90-year-old company.
Orion Advisor Solutions streamlines with simplified suite of client solutions by Michelle Leach
“Rebrand” brings to mind the likes of new visuals and updated websites; these features have played a role in Orion Advisor Solutions’ experience since the start of the year. Yet, rebranding signifies a streamlined and simplified suite of solutions for the clients the Omaha-based company serves — from boutique Registered Investment Advisors
to enterprise-level firms — and a means of distinguishing itself competitively in a historically monochrome space. “We surveyed the marketplace at the time of the [FTJ FundChoice] acquisition,” said Chief Marketing Officer Kelly Waltrich. “We saw there was a good opportunity for differentiation among competitors. There are quite a few competitors Continued on page 7. Founder, President and CEO Beth Ostdiek Smith … Running a nonprofit like a business is essential to the overall growth and sustainability of the organization.
Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue bridges gap in local food distribution by Savannah Behrends
Chief Operating Officer Ryan Beach … On heels of acquisitions, Omaha-grown financial adviser solutions firm undergoes rebrand, tech updates to secure industry-differentiating client experience.
Do you ever wonder what happens to unsold perishable foods from the grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants you regular? Chances are that prior to 2013 it ended up in landfills, but since Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue opened it has captured and redistributed over 3 million pounds of food to pantries, shelters and nonprofits. “We’re like a mentor match, but
for food,” said Beth Ostdiek Smith who founded the organization in 2013 and now presides as CEO and president. In six years she’s worked alongside Field and Logistics Director Judy Rydberg to grow operations from three food donors serving three pantries to 58 donors serving 43 nonprofit locations. “We’re just getting going,” Continued on page 9.