Midlands Business Journal December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS Business Journal CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

1975

2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY ACROSS NEBRASKA & BEYOND

MBJ.COM

VOLUME 51 No.52

DECEMBER 26, 2025

2025

MBJJ

$2.00

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 Entrepreneur of the Year NIC BIANCHI, BIANCHI CANDLE BRANDS PRESENTING SPONSOR:

PLATINUM SPONSOR:

“We want to help customers achieve success, then pass that down to the next generation.”

Mark White Commercial Real Estate

We’re Built for This

It’s our business to help your business succeed.

SecurityNational.Bank 844-SNB-1964

Congratulations to James “Jim” Huerter III on being included among Midlands Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 honorees.

Strong communities start with strong leaders and we’re proud to have one of our own recognized. You’re built for this, Jim. – Your teammates at Security National Bank

these are the ones to watch.

Leaders never stop learning. It’s how the best professionals continue to discover, create, disrupt and transform their workplaces and industries.

Congratulations, Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40 honorees. We can’t wait to see what you learn – and make happen – next. If you’ve ever dreamed of earning your advanced degree, we’d love to help you.

We’re particularly proud of our own 40 Under 40 honoree, Ashlea Rodriguez, Bellevue University Military Veterans Services Center Manager and Alumna.

Learn more at bellevue.edu

Page 1 • December 26, 2025

50 Years Strong:

Celebrating local and small business news in Nebraska and SW Iowa!

get print + digital for $50/year.

1975

YOUR BUSINESS

CELEBRATI NG 50 YEAR S M OSS I DNEBLRAS MBJ.COM AKAN& BEY D OND S BU S I N E S SVOLUME 2 J 51ONo.5 U R N A L$2.00

AUTHORITY ACR

MBJ

2025

Go to MBJ.com to

MIDLANDS Busin ess Journal MIDLANDS ACHI EVERS &

MIDLANDS

INNOVATORS UN DER 40

2025

MBJ

BUSINESS

MIDLANDS ACHI EVERS &

Use code CELEBRATE50

Years!

Celebrating

1975- 2025

Page 2 • December 26, 2025

JOURNAL

INNOVATORS UN DER 40

2025 Entrepren eur of the Year NIC BIANCHI, BIA NCHI CANDLE BRA NDS

PRESENTING SPO NSOR:

PLATINUM SPONSO R:

2025

DECEMBER 26, 2025

IN THIS ISSUE Business Journal Established in 1975 Publisher / CEO Andrea “Andee” Hoig Executive Editor Daisy Hutzell-Rodman Managing Editor Dwain Hebda Editorial Coordinator Darlene Hebda Sales and Business Development Jane Shinn Advertising Assistant Julie Whitehead 402-330-1760 mbj.com

CONTRIBUTORS

05

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER: CELEBRATING EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG PROFESSIONALS THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

08

SPONSOR BIOS: NORTHWEST BANK / BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY: PRESENTING SPONSOR & PLATINUM SPONSOR 40 UNDER 40: GUEST SPEAKER WILLY THEISEN & EMCEE VAN DEEB

10

UP CLOSE: ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR NIC BIANCHI’S PASSION GARAGE STARTUP TO $50 MILLION — WITH ZERO TURNOVER

12

Advertise with MBJ!

50 Years Stro

46

SPONSORED CONTENT: HEARTLAND PROPERTIES COMPANY ENTERS ERA OF GROWTH AND AGENT DEVELOPMENT

PHOTOGRAPHY: Debra Kaplan Kayleigh Anne Photography Roger Humphries Photography

48

2026 OMAHA YP GUIDE: STRATEGIC NETWORKING FOR THE METRO’S EMERGING LEADERS

49

PRESS RELEASE: YP SUMMIT CELEBRATING 21 YEARS WITH “BOLD MOVES, BIG IMPACT” CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Robert G. “Bob” Hoig (1932-2019) Founder Zane D. Randall (1925-2006) Co-founder LeAnne M. Iwan (1932-1986) First News Editor The Midlands Business Journal (ISSN 0194-4525) is published weekly by MBJ Inc. and is available for $2.00 per individual copy, $84 per year (print subscription) or $60 (digital only). Editorial offices are 1308 S. 119th St., Omaha, NE 68144. Periodical postage paid at Omaha NE POSTMASTER; Send address changes to Midlands Business Journal, 1308 S. 119th St., Omaha, NE 68144. All submissions to the Midlands Business Journal become the property of the Midlands Business Journal and will not be returned.

EDITORIAL ADVERTISING (402) 330-1760

Written permission must be obtained from Midlands Business Journal and MBJ, Inc., to post any of our stories or other published materials on a website. Under no circumstances, because of spamming potential and other issues, will permission be granted to transmit our stories by email.

-The Publisher

LEGAL NOTICES

CelebratingMBJ.COM local an small business news Nebraska and SW Iow

Contact MBJ at SALES@MBJ.COM or CALL 402-330-1760

Business Journal

Celebrating Years! Get P Celebrating

Years!

1 9 7 5 - 2 0 2 5

1975-2025

SAVE the DATE: March 26, 2026

MBJ Three Month Complimentary Subscription

Get yours MIDLANDS Business Journal MBJ today!

1975

YOUR BUSINESS AUTHO

CE LEB RA TIN G 50 YE AR S M I D L ASKAN& BEYON MBJ.COM D SD B U S I N E S SVOLUMJE 51ONo.52 U R N A L$2.00

RITY ACROSS NEBRA

2025

Dedicated to

52

MBJ Golden Gala Leaders, Legends & Legacy Makers The Durham Museum

Get event details and sponsor info at mbj.com

2025

DECEMBER 26, 2025

MIDLANDS ACHIEVE RS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS

MBJ

2025

PRINTER: White Wolf Web

50

Coming in February

50 years of weekly business excellence Your Business NEWS AUTHORITY!

2025 40 UNDER 40 HONOREES

UPCOMING EVENTS • CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Finance & Tax Planning 2026 CRE Outlook Wealth Management

Economic Outlook 2026 Business Succession & Transition Engineering Week

CREATIVE: Jalapeño Designs • Mike Cottrell Waking Words, LLC. • Rob Killmer

WRITERS: Dwain Hebda Wendy Miller Jordan Michelle Leach Jen Litton Kara Schweiss Brooke Strickland Todd Traub Tim Trudell

Advertise with MBJ! Coming in January

06

09

VOLUME 51 | NUMBER 52 DECEMBER 26, 2025

BUSINESS J OURNAL

MIDLANDS ACHIEVE RS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 Entrepren eur

of the Yea

r NIC BIANCHI, BIANC HI CANDLE BRANDS

PRESENTING SPONS OR:

Scan to view this edition as an E-edition on your digital device.

PLATINUM SPONSOR:

mbj.com Page 3 • December 26, 2025

Use cod

BUY or SELL

Van C. Deeb CEO, Broker

your house with Prime Home Realty!

PrimeHomeRealtyNE.com

NEBRASKA’S FAVORITE REALTORS!

13057 W. Center Road Suite 1 | Omaha, NE 68144

402-680-8448 Page 4 • December 26, 2025

Celebrating Exceptional Young Professionals Dear readers, It is with great excitement and honor that we present Midlands Business Journal’s 2025 40 Under 40 issue. This marks our 24th year of celebrating exceptional young professionals, an initiative that has flourished through the steadfast support of our presenting sponsor, Northwest Bank, for all 24 years. We are truly grateful to Northwest Bank and all of our sponsors for making this recognition possible.

When my father, Bob Hoig, founded Midlands Business Journal in 1975, he envisioned a weekly publication that would capture the spirit of local business and entrepreneurship. His vision expanded in 2002 with the creation of this awards program, which has since recognized more than 900 outstanding individuals who have shaped our business community.

The impact of our honorees extends far beyond their professional achievements. The Omaha metro area’s unique character stems from the creative energy and determined spirit of young professionals like these. Their commitment to community service and innovation makes me deeply proud to call this region home.

To this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees: your selection represents more than professional accomplishment, it recognizes your vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to making our community stronger. You are joining an alumni network of more than 900 changemakers who continue to shape greater Omaha’s future. The connections you forge, the innovations you champion, and the barriers you dismantle will echo far beyond your industries.

As you explore the stories of this year’s honorees, you’ll find inspiring examples of what happens when talent meets purpose.

These trailblazers aren’t just envisioning the future — they’re actively creating it, one breakthrough at a time.

Looking ahead, I see boundless promise for our region. The innovative spirit, unwavering dedication and collaborative nature of our business community continue to inspire and drive success. By asking ourselves “What else is possible?” we open doors to achievements we haven’t yet imagined.

It is my pleasure to present this year’s 40 Under 40 issue of Midlands Business Journal. Join us in celebrating these remarkable individuals who represent the bright future of our business community.

Sincerely, Andrea “Andee” Hoig Publisher/CEO Midlands Business Journal

Business Journal

Celebrating 1975-2025

SAVE the DATE

Years! MBJ Golden Gala March 26, 2026

GET EVENT DETAILS AND SPONSOR INFO AT MBJ.COM Page 5 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

PRESENTING SPONSOR

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

VIP TABLE SPONSORS

Page 6 • December 26, 2025

2025

40 UNDER 40 SPONSORS

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSOR

TABLE SPONSORS

Page 7 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

Northwest Bank

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Northwest Bank’s mission is “Building Relationships and Exceeding Expectations.” As a community bank, we believe it is essential to offer premium banking products and services provided by highly trained and experienced bankers. Our bankers are experts in their fields and take a genuine interest in our customers’ goals and success.

Northwest Bank is a nearly $3 billion community bank that offers a full range of services, including business, agricultural, mortgage and consumer deposit and lending services, as well as wealth management and insurance services. Additionally, we provide live teller ATMs with convenient banking hours.

We have locations in Omaha and La Vista, Nebraska, and in Iowa, our branches are located in Afton, Algona, Ames, Arnolds Park, Ankeny, Creston, Estherville, Fort Dodge, Humboldt, Le Mars, Milford, Shenandoah, Sioux Center, Sioux City, Spencer, Spirit Lake and West Des Moines.

At Northwest Bank, we’re focused on financial stability and community involvement, and strive to meet the diverse needs of our customers while contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of the communities we serve.

CLAY BAKER, PRESIDENT, NORTHWEST BANK

Bellevue University

PLATINUM SPONSOR

In the Bellevue University College of Business (COB), our goal is to develop high-performing lifelong learners ready to lead in a competitive international business environment. Through this, our students can master critical concepts and skills needed to excel. College faculty deliver high-quality programs that engage students and build their value as professionals, and the student experience involves active, applied learning and reinforcement of business principles and practices. The college’s 25-plus undergraduate and graduate degree programs cultivate innovation and strengthen leadership skills. Many of the college’s students are working learners who are encouraged to bring their experiences into the classroom.

Bellevue University’s College of Business’ flagship MBA program pioneered online learning in 1995 and today supports students across the country and the globe. The college has received specialized accreditation for several programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), and Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Page 8 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

Willy Theisen, a pioneering American entrepreneur, transformed a chance breakdown of his Ford Falcon in Omaha into a remarkable business legacy. Born in Chicago and raised in Clinton, Iowa, Theisen’s entrepreneurial journey began when his westward journey to California was unexpectedly detoured in Nebraska, where he would ultimately build one of America’s most successful pizza chains.

In 1973, while managing an apartment complex in his 20s, Theisen opened Wild Willy’s, a bar in southwest Omaha. The establishment’s proximity to a local pizzeria led to a partnership with the owner, culminating in the creation of Godfather’s Pizza. Named after the iconic 1972 film, the restaurant combined Theisen’s innovative vision for casual dining with entertainment, featuring video games, pool tables, and a revolutionary mobile all-you-can-eat salad bar.

Under Theisen’s leadership, Godfather’s Pizza experienced phenomenal growth. After beginning franchising in 1974, it became America’s fastestgrowing food chain, expanding at an unprecedented rate of one location every 60 hours. By the time Theisen sold the business in 1983, Godfather’s had grown to nearly 1,000 locations nationwide, ranking as the country’s third-largest pizza chain.

Following the sale of Godfather’s, Theisen continued to make significant contributions to business and community development. His service includes board positions with the Omaha Airport Authority, Creighton University and the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA). His impact on Nebraska’s business landscape has earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the Nebraska Business & Commerce Hall of Fame and an honorary doctorate from the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Now over 80, Theisen remains actively engaged in community service,

MBJJ

2025

Guest Speaker Willy Theisen

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

WILLY THEISEN

including The Salvation Army’s North Corps project and mentoring through RISE, a program supporting incarcerated individuals. His entrepreneurial success story, built on handshake deals and napkin-written business plans, continues to inspire new generations of business leaders. Theisen’s legacy exemplifies how vision, hard work and dedication to community can transform a simple idea into lasting success.

Emcee Van Deeb `

VAN DEEB

Page 9 • December 26, 2025

Up Close: Entrepreneur of the Year Nic Bianchi’s Passion GARAGE STARTUP TO $50 MILLION — WITH ZERO TURNOVER

At 23, Nic Bianchi is leading one of the fastest-scaling candle companies in the Midwest. What started as a teen passion project has evolved into a multi-million-dollar national enterprise manufacturing 53 million candles annually. Since dismantling his entire team at age 18 and rebuilding from zero, Bianchi has grown revenue from $800,000 in 2023 to a projected $50 million in 2025, with Walmart Mexico contracts potentially adding another $132 million in 2026. His 147 employees have experienced zero turnover over three and a half years.

MBJ: You’ve been an entrepreneur since elementary school: selling toys at recess, then candles at 12. What do you think makes someone truly entrepreneurial versus just someone who wants to run a business?

N.B.: Personally, I feel like people are born entrepreneurs. There’s just this fire inside you. It’s not a drive for money or freedom from working for someone else. It’s really pushing for a purpose with just being relentless.

When I show up for work, it’s to feel like I have full purpose, making sure the company we’re building changes lives: our employees, our teammates, the clients that use our candles.

MBJ: Every entrepreneur faces pivotal decision points. What’s one fork-in-the-road moment where you had to choose between playing it safe and taking a risk?

N.B.: Beginning of 2019, the candle market got flooded; you saw people start candle companies on Etsy, on Shopify, and we’re getting saturated. We had to decide whether we just want to be the Omaha candle company or whether we want to show what we can do nationally. We took the leap to become a nationally known brand. We found where the holes were. Ninety percent of the candles in the mass market have petroleum in them. When you walk into a store and think you got a soy candle, you really didn’t because it says soy blend. What we’ve been able to do is bring a 100 percent soy candle that is 100 percent American-based that goes side by side with mass retailer prices. We started building out from there, which was very rapid growth, very risky growth.

MBJ: You started at age 12, and now you’re manufacturing approximately 53 million candles. What’s been the hardest part of scaling from making candles in your garage to managing about 150 employees?

N.B.: Literally everything. The hardest part, but also the most rewarding part is I have not worked for anybody else. When I’m navigating this stuff, I have to learn, execute and then reassess, all very quickly. I can’t look back and say, at my last job, I did this. This is my only job. That has challenged me to always push to be better as a leader. It’s very hard growing a team and managing our culture. Going from a company that makes 24 candles in your mom’s basement to making millions of candles a month — I’ve been told that’s impossible, and yet we’re still accomplishing stuff that our competitors say is not possible. With every difficulty, we just see it as a challenge we were able to conquer.

Page 10 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

Sometimes the business is in my head 24/7. It is something that I live and breathe and everything that I want.

- NIC BIANCHI

MBJ: You’ve built multiple candle brands: luxury Bianchi Candle Co., accessible Market Street, inspirational Yes You Candle. What have you learned about serving different market segments, and how do you prevent the brands from competing with each other?

N.B.: Sometimes we actually do encourage competition within our own brands. It’s the Pepsi and Coke style. When you have two vending machines, you have more sales, even if they’re competition.

But each one is drastically different. Our Bianchi candle brand is the higher-end luxury for people who want to get clocked in the face with fragrance. Then we have Yes You Candle, which is more gift giving; you don’t want fragrances that could be offensive. Modena and Market Street are floating in the middle. It gives us a holistic approach to the candle industry from all spectrums.

MBJ: Beyond your own brands, you also do private label manufacturing. Which do you prefer, and why?

N.B.: I really like both, but I enjoy the private label side because it allows a lot of creativity. Our retail partners allow us to challenge them creatively. They come to us with an idea; one recent one, someone wanted us to take a paint can and have the lid pop off and have it be a paint-can candle. It challenges our creative team and allows us to challenge our partners and think really big. That trains our brains to think creatively for our name brand as well. When it comes to designing our name brand candles, we have that creative flow already cooking.

MBJ: Supply chain transparency seems to be very important to you. Why invest the time in that kind of consumer education?

N.B.: I think every company should push for that more. There’s a lot of miscommunication from manufacturers. Knowing where something came from to me is not a proprietary issue. But making sure consumers are comfortable knowing where everything came from, just like a food label. We have to show where stuff came from, the percentages of what’s in there. We’re a very unregulated industry. Companies should push further so customers know how things are made and can feel just as confident in the product as the manufacturers are.

MBJ: You’ve been in business for over a decade. What’s one piece of conventional business advice that hasn’t worked for you?

N.B.: Most conventional approaches did not work for me. I was always told just cash flow yourself, reinvest, double it over many years. I felt that set me up to be a generational brand, and I don’t want that. I wanted to get our different approach on a very old-school industry out to the market as fast as possible. We took more of a tech approach, and in the consumer packaged goods world that’s not very common. When looking at funding, pretty much every bank said that’s impossible. Then we found really good partners. In manufacturing, doubling your capacity every year is astronomical growth. We were 10Xing, 11Xing our production capacity every year. But we said, our people are always first. We looked at the car industry, the alcohol industry; one of our key processes is mimicked from a beer manufacturing line. We kept saying, let’s take the best of the best and see if we can make this happen.

MBJ: Looking at Omaha’s entrepreneurial ecosystem now versus when you started, what’s changed for young founders?

N.B.: There’s a better, more vocal community than when I started. There’s more organized communication now. People are talking, founders are sharing more stories. Omaha has leaned on other cities a lot more recently. They’ve brought in partners from KC, Chicago, Denver. Not looking at it as “This is Omaha, we stay within Omaha,” but expanding and making it, “Hey, this is what the Midwest can do.”

QUICK 5 LAST BOOK, PODCAST OR MEDIA THAT INFLUENCED YOUR THINKING? I DON’T LIKE LISTENING TO FULL PODCASTS, BUT THE SNIPPETS OF PODCASTS WHEN PEOPLE CUT THEM DOWN, THOSE ARE ALWAYS FUN TO SEE. BEST BUSINESS DECISION IN THE PAST YEAR? I WAS INVITED UP TO ONE OF OUR RETAILERS, WE WEREN’T WORKING WITH THEM AT THE TIME. I WAS NOT PLANNING ON GOING. WE’RE GOING AGAINST SOME OF THE BIGGEST COMPANIES AND WE JUST WEREN’T THERE YET TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THAT. BUT WHEN I WENT THERE, WE ACTUALLY MET NOT JUST THAT RETAILER — WE DO NOW WORK WITH THEM — BUT WE ALSO MET A FEW OTHER RETAILERS THAT HAVE COMPLETELY CATAPULTED OUR COMPANY. WHAT DO YOU DO TO RECHARGE? I HAVE A DOG. HE IS A GERMAN SHEPHERD-HUSKY MIX, AND I PLAY WITH HIM. I’M AN AVID LEGO BUILDER, SO I JUST LOVE BUILDING LEGOS. BUT … SOMETIMES THE BUSINESS IS IN MY HEAD 24/7.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT I LIVE AND BREATHE AND EVERYTHING THAT I WANT. IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANY BUSINESS LEADER? I’D PROBABLY LOVE TO HAVE A SIT-DOWN DINNER WITH MARK CUBAN. ONE THING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT THE CANDLE INDUSTRY? THE MAJORITY OF THE LARGER CANDLE COMPANIES IN THE UNITED STATES, THEIR BIGGEST SUCCESS ACTUALLY COMES FROM PRIVATE LABELING, NOT THEIR OWN BRAND.

Daisy Hutzell-Rodman is the executive editor of Midlands Business Journal E: daisy@mbj.com P: 402-330-1760 ext. 106

Page 11 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

AshLea Allberry, 38

What other profession would you like to try?

I love to teach and could see myself doing it in the future.

Other than that, I love to plan events, especially for the people in my life. Bringing people together is one of my favorite things to do. Event production could be fun someday, but also sounds exhausting; I may just stick to planning for my people.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER MAPTICIAN INC. What are three words that describe you?

Passionate, collaborative and loyal.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I began a technology career after graduating from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, starting at Xpanxion where I led multi-site operations and founded a subsidiary. Transitioning to software product companies provided experience in scaling solutions and driving growth. Today, as chief operating officer at Maptician, I oversee revenue, operations and strategy for our SaaS platform that enables workplace collaboration and space management. Throughout my time at Maptician, we have expanded nearly 20-fold, shaping the future of the workplace.

How do you give back to the community?

My passion for Lincoln, and Nebraska as a whole, is to pour into people and place. I enjoy serving on boards, giving back to organizations impacting women, children, business, education and young people new in their careers. I also love our church and all they do for our family.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I have been fortunate to have mentors who believed in me, not only as business leaders but as friends.

Eric Trettel, Paul Eurek, Nick Eurek, Leslie Abrahamson, Lisa Smith, Alaa Pasha, Chuck Norris and Sue Wilkinson each have played a pivotal role in shaping my journey. Their guidance, encouragement and willingness to challenge me made all the difference. My destination was not handed to me; it was made possible by those who pushed and molded me.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I am left-handed but do most things right-handed.

What is your ideal vacation?

My ideal vacation would be spent with my family, blending equal parts exploration and relaxation. We enjoy a wide range of experiences from skiing to road trips and beyond.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Depends on location, but locally, I love the Country Club of Lincoln and any diner that serves breakfast.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

George Strait will always win for my favorite artist. I also love Broadway musicals and Christian music. I probably have more Christian music on my running playlist than anything.

What was your first job?

McDonald’s

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER CARING FOR PEOPLE SERVICES What are three words that describe you?

Courageous, visionary, transformative.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

It has been a series of bold pivots and hard-earned growth opportunities. I built my leadership by surviving, learning on the ground and turning adversity into strategy. From small-town beginnings to executive roles, I’ve shaped cultures through honesty, vulnerability and accountability. Every position — from direct caregiver to COO — has refined my vision, sharpened my voice and fueled my mission to develop, help and care for others.

How do you give back to the community?

I mentor people in addiction recovery, serve with Leadership Omaha Class 48, open my home to individuals with disabilities and volunteer my time to support local causes. I believe that every small act of kindness has the power to change a life.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I have over 13 years of sobriety.

What advice would you give your past self?

I would tell her that every ounce of effort will ultimately prove worthwhile, yet remind her to savor the meaningful moments along the way. Balancing ambition with presence is profoundly challenging, but essential.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.” — Stephen R. Covey

Nic Batterton, 39

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

Rachel, a therapist I met while working on myself.

What was your first job?

Immediately after graduating college, I began my career at Xpanxion, a software services company, where I was entrusted with managing both operations and marketing. This opportunity proved to be a pivotal moment in my professional journey, and I remain deeply grateful for the experience.

What advice would you give your past self?

Stop trying to earn my right to exist. You are already worthy, even when you’re lost. The pain you’re carrying will one day become your power, the thing that helps you build homes, careers and spaces where people feel safe to be human.

Trust that every detour, every heartbreak, every moment you thought you were alone is shaping you into someone who creates belonging for others. Keep going. You are safe and you are loved.

What is your ideal vacation?

Sun, beaches and excitement. Riding a jet ski on an open blue ocean.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Memoir in Omaha.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Lady Gaga What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” — Carl Jung

What other profession would you like to try?

Attorney or politician.

Page 12 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Marcus Bell, 39

What other profession would you like to try?

I’d love to try my hand at being a chef because I genuinely love cooking for my family and friends. As a kid, I used to sit on the counter and watch my mom cook, and that’s really where my love for it started. Now I enjoy making the meals I grew up on while also challenging myself to try new recipes and push my skills in the kitchen just for fun.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OMAHA BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY What are three words that describe you?

Purpose-driven, joyful, relational.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career began in banking and finance as a teller, growing into branch management and later into life insurance, before I felt called into nonprofit leadership. I served as executive director of 100 Black Men of Omaha and now as CEO of Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty. Every season has shaped my understanding of people, purpose, perseverance and the power of belief, allowing me to live out my passion for helping families build stability and change.

How do you give back to the community?

From a young age, my father modeled the importance and responsibility of mentoring youth. Watching him pour into young people taught me that giving back to the community is essential. I’ve served as a youth mentor for the past 13 years with 100 Black Men of Omaha, P4K and TeamMates. I also volunteer through board service with SHARE Omaha, Nebraska Alliance of Child Advocacy Centers, Omaha Police Foundation and Salvation Army Advisory Board.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

My dad has been more than a father to me. He has been my greatest mentor, showing me through his actions that we all carry a responsibility to give back to our community. I learned countless lessons simply by watching how he moved through life. These words stuck with me: “Don’t say you would never do something, because you never know what life will put before you.” It reminds me to always stay open.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I was a DJ for eight years, inspired by my two older cousins in St. Louis known as DJ Blaze and DJ Flame.

That led me to carry on the fire theme as DJ Sparx while spinning for weddings, clubs and corporate events across the region. Although I officially retired, I recently made a special comeback to DJ Omaha Bridges’ Annual Family Reunion at Baxter Arena this past summer for our community.

What was your first job?

My first job was at Prairie Life Fitness as a towel folder. My wife appreciates that I still fold towels like a pro!

What advice would you give your past self?

Trust your gut. Your initial instinct is right most of the time. Spend time learning from those who have achieved what you are trying to achieve: this is the fastest way to grow.

What is your ideal vacation?

Chilling on the beach or by the pool at an all-inclusive resort, relaxing, reading a book or listening to music with my wife.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Fizzy’s in Little Bohemia. The burger and fries never miss! Each booth has a phone and the only way you can place an order is by phone, by placing a call to the bar.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I’m a loyal Nebraska Husker football fan and St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan... and yes, both teams disappoint me every year.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Congratulations!

Jamie Matheson Senior Vice President of Operations

Cobalt Credit Union celebrates Jamie’s leadership and dedication to building exceptional member experiences by guiding our operations and sales teams forward. Congratulations, and thank you for the impact you make every day!

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MBJJ

2025

402.292.8000 • cobaltcu.com

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

Page 13 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Danielle Berke, 36

What other profession would you like to try?

I always had a dream of being an epidemiologist after reading the book “Hot Zone” in high school.

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING PARK AVENUE CAPITAL

What was your first job?

My first jobs included mowing lawns and cleaning bathrooms.

What are three words that describe you?

Driven, resilient, mastery.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career path is a reflection of drive and intentional growth. I excelled as a marketer in the tech space by blending strategy with execution, high energy and drive. My interest in business and finance, and passion for helping others and enhancing communities, led me into commercial real estate and then into leading marketing for the largest Northwestern Mutual firm. My leadership has earned me the role of board president of the UCP of Nebraska.

How do you give back to the community?

As the board president of UCP of Nebraska, I don’t just support a cause, I help lead it. I help drive fundraising, awareness and strategic direction to help the people in our community with disabilities live a life without limits.

What advice would you give your past self?

Nothing has more control over your destiny than your own thoughts. Have them work for you, not against you.

What is your ideal vacation?

Hiking in the mountains.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Salted Edge What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Jesse Itzler (entrepreneur, author, speaker and coach).

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Your life is as good as your mindset.” — Unknown

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

Todd Zimbleman. His mentorship and executive coaching has had a major impact on my leadership.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I grew up in a town of less than 100 people.

Amanda Brookhouser-Sisney, 36

The experience undoubtedly changed my life and the way I view the world.

SENIOR TECHNICAL DIRECTOR MIDWEST LABORATORIES

What other profession would you like to try?

Outside of science, I have always been interested in history.

If I wasn’t a microbiologist, I think I would have enjoyed being a museum curator.

What are three words that describe you?

Driven, authentic, innovative.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

Throughout my career, I have been willing to work tirelessly in pursuit of my goals. After working full-time as an undergrad, I began my science career as a third-shift temporary employee. Over time, I continued to grow as a microbiologist, gaining knowledge and skills that strengthened my competency.

I completed my master’s while working full-time and was preparing to start my Ph.D. when Midwest Laboratories reached out — and the rest is history.

How do you give back to the community?

I’m passionate about food safety and volunteer with several organizations dedicated to protecting consumers. I serve as vice chair for the Applied Laboratory Methods group at the International Association for Food Protection and as a U.S. delegate for the International Organization for Standardization in food microbiology. I also contribute to AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Collaboration) microbiological guidelines and recently joined the MicroVal Technical Committee. Beyond food safety, my family and I volunteer at our local church.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

Brent Pohlman, CEO at Midwest Laboratories. I admire his authenticity and servant leadership, and work to emulate that when leading my own teams. He took a chance to bring me on board at Midwest Labs, and his belief in me continues to inspire me to do my best every day.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

During college, I circumnavigated the globe on a ship through Semester at Sea’s study abroad program.

What was your first job?

My first job was as a dance instructor when I was 15.

I worked in some capacity as a dancer, instructor and choreographer for nearly 20 years.

What advice would you give your past self?

Keep going. Things don’t necessarily get easier, but it will all be worth it.

What is your ideal vacation?

I enjoy a vacation that has an element of adventure or the outdoors. We’ve had some very fun family vacations: Iceland, national parks, ski trips, an Alaskan cruise and a Tanzanian safari. I’m looking forward to more trips like this as my kids get older.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Via Farina: it has the best pasta in Omaha.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I loved the Harry Potter book series when I was a kid, and I still find comfort revisiting those stories.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” — Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Page 14 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Claire Brown, 34 CHILD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING PROGRAMS MANAGER THE WELLBEING PARTNERS What are three words that describe you?

Caring, faithful, mission-oriented.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career began at Omaha Public Schools teaching preschool. I loved my time there, but wanted to be home more after having a baby. I began teaching college education courses as an adjunct professor and later started with The Wellbeing Partners, at that time Live Well Omaha, as a contractor. I loved the work and the people. Eventually, I joined TWP full time, moving through a few different roles in the past sixplus years.

How do you give back to the community?

I enjoy coaching a group of elementary robotics teams and serving at my church.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

My mom: She taught me how to prioritize my role as a mother while still creating a career to be proud of and doing work I love.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I like to eat very spicy foods and love to try new salsas and hot sauces. I also like making my own. One day I aspire to be on (the video series) “Hot Ones.”

What other profession would you like to try?

I think it would be fun to be a children’s book editor, or the person deciding which books are purchased by

a store or library. Anything that lets me read tons of children’s books.

What was your first job?

I was a library aide at the Sump Memorial Library in Papillion.

The best first job ever. I learned how to work with a variety of people, practiced customer service skills and I got to spend lots of time with lots of books.

What advice would you give your past self?

Be flexible. My career didn’t take the path that I expected, but I’m so grateful for where I am and the experiences I’ve had along the way.

What is your ideal vacation?

Somewhere warm, but not hot, with good food and lots of family fun.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Omaha has an exceptional restaurant scene. Some favorites are Kathmandu Momo Station, Dante, The Jaipur and Timber Woodfire Bistro.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I’m not a big fangirl, but my family cheers for the Huskers and Louisiana State University. Geaux Tigers!

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Being kind means responding to the needs of others — and people can be kind, no matter how old or young we are.” — Fred Rogers

The City of Papillion congratulates

Amber Powers on her selection to 40 Under 40!

Thank you for all you have done to make Papillion a place that feels like home! www.Papillion.gov Page 15 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Merrick Brtek, 29

What other profession would you like to try?

Interior design. I love creating spaces that feel warm, intentional and full of personality.

DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GREATER OMAHA CHAMBER

What was your first job?

Aside from working on my family’s farm, my first job was at a gas station, where I learned responsibility, customer service and the value of hard work.

What are three words that describe you?

Radiant, motivated, genuine.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I’ve built a diverse career across tech/sales, finance, marketing, operations and hospitality: leading teams, driving operations and growing businesses. My work connected me deeply with local chambers, sparking a passion for community impact. That led me to the Greater Omaha Chamber, where over the past three years I’ve held three roles and now serve as director of workforce development.

How do you give back to the community?

I serve across Omaha through multiple boards and committees, including the Omaha Film Festival board, two UNO advisory boards, Salvation Army Echelon executive board, Heartland Workforce Solutions committees, OPS Advisory, and leading the YP Team for Go Red for Women. Giving back is truly my joy.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

Anne Branigan has been an extraordinary mentor, guiding me with wisdom, encouragement and honesty. She’s helped shape my leadership and inspired me to grow boldly while staying grounded in authenticity.

What advice would you give your past self?

All the hard work and stress will be worth it; just breathe.

Enjoy what’s happening around you. Stay present.

What is your ideal vacation?

A trip filled with adventure, culture, great food and drinks and rich history, somewhere I can explore, learn and be inspired.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Isla Del Mar in South Omaha is always incredible.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I’m a big fan of Taylor Swift and Chris Young, two artists who bring storytelling, emotion and fun to everything they do.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Always believe something wonderful is going to happen.” — Unknown

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I’ve walked the runway in New York Fashion Week twice. It was an unforgettable mix of confidence, creativity and pure adrenaline. Genuinely, a dream come true.

Bridget Bumgardner, 37 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER TURNER CONSTRUCTION

What other profession would you like to try?

The construction industry offers endless paths to keep learning and building in new ways.

What are three words that describe you?

Connector, genuine, charismatic.

What was your first job?

My first job was detassling. There’s nothing like trudging through cornfields in peak summer heat to teach you work ethic.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career began in interior design, where I learned the value of collaboration and truly understanding client needs. That foundation led me into business development across the construction industry, where I found my stride connecting people, projects and opportunities. Each step strengthened those skills and brought me to the work I love today, shaping meaningful partnerships and supporting the teams that build our communities.

How do you give back to the community?

I give back by mentoring women, serving on local boards and supporting nonprofits that strengthen our community. From youth programs to neighborhood development, I’m committed to using my skills and relationships to create meaningful impact.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I’ve been fortunate to have multiple mentors throughout my career, from Kathy Seaman at my first “real” job to many through CREW Omaha. Each has influenced me in different ways by pushing me to grow, encouraging me to lead with confidence or opening doors I didn’t yet know how to walk through. Their guidance has shaped my path and continues to inspire how I show up for others.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I do not buy my niece and (eight) nephews birthday presents, they choose what they want to do for the day to explore. Some of their favorites have been: Joslyn Art Museum, Fontenelle Forest, hiking and Mulhall’s to pick out a houseplant and learn to care for it.

What advice would you give your past self?

To trust my voice earlier, owning my perspective sooner would have helped me grow faster and more boldly.

What is your ideal vacation?

My ideal vacation would be exploring a different country, enjoying local art, great food, appreciating architecture and new cultures, while still carving out a little time to unwind. The perfect trip leaves me inspired, refreshed and connected to a place I’ve never been before, often heading home with my carry-on packed with art and locally crafted fashion pieces.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Au Courant is my favorite Omaha restaurant.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Husker volleyball and Formula 1 racing (Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton).

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Like art, revolutions come from combining what exists into what has never existed before.”

— Gloria Steinem

Page 16 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Stephen Condon, 39

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I have ghostwritten a book on corporate leadership.

ENTERPRISE PLATFORM STRATEGY LEADER BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NEBRASKA

What other profession would you like to try?

I would like to move into the startup space with an eye toward direct-to-consumer health care models.

What are three words that describe you?

Husband, innovator, soldier.

What was your first job?

Omaha World-Herald paper route at age 10.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

Since my first job at 10 years old, I’ve been working to better myself, improve my skills, broaden my domains and push the limits of what’s possible regardless of the industry. I’m curious by nature and that has helped me see challenges through the eyes of innovation. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and that’s why I’m where I’m at today.

How do you give back to the community?

I am active in my local community church, Relevant, where I mentor high school boys, lead a couple’s T-Life group and support community outreach initiatives. I also continue to serve, as an Army signal officer, in the Nebraska Army National Guard and have since 2003.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I owe much of my success to my wife, Caitlin, who puts up with long days at work and multiple military deployments, and who serves as a sounding board. I also owe my success to my mentors, including Mike Vilcinskas, Barb Gaines and Joni Wheeled who gave me a shot, took a chance and saw my potential even when my credentials may not have told the full story.

What advice would you give your past self?

I would have told my 10-year-old self to start investing with that first paycheck.

What is your ideal vacation?

I’ve always wanted to stay in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Jukes Ale Works in Elkhorn.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Husker football and volleyball.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17

Bianchi Candle Brands President and CEO Nic Bianchi is blazing trails as the 2025 40 Under 40 “Entrepreneur of the Year.”

Bianchi has built a candle-making enterprise from the ground up, and his impact on the industry continues to grow. For Bianchi Candle Brands, a candle is more than a fragrance, it’s an experience.

Across four candle lines, there is one mission...

Lighting the Way to a Cleaner World.

Page 17 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Jen Cross, 39 PRINCIPAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, PLA, ASLA, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATE HDR INC. What are three words that describe you?

Ambitious, creative, visionary.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I have always loved the outdoors and have been creative. Landscape architecture is a mixture of creativity and science to elevate spaces for people to enjoy while being outdoors and connecting with nature. I knew I wanted to design for others since I was in middle school. Once I was at Iowa State University, I knew that elevating design in the Midwest was needed, and I wanted to be part of that story.

How do you give back to the community?

Serving the community through work in the public sector has been a core of my life’s work. I create spaces for universal access, equity and impacting people’s lives through landscape architecture to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. I mentor young professionals, facilitate student landscape architecture studio reviews, serve on the American Society of Landscape Architects executive committee, Women-in-Architecture mentorship program, Aksarben Floor Committee, Madonna Ability Alliance and I am passionate about advocating for equity.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

At Iowa State, Professor Heidi Hohmann and campus leader Liz Kurt were mentors that helped me find my confidence, creative voice and passion for serving the public. They pushed me to never settle for mediocre.

In my professional career, leaders who have acted with kindness and understanding such as Pat Dunn, Matt Whaley and Kaia Nesbitt have shaped me into the person who leads by example and walks alongside the team to the finish line.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I’m an open book, but I am usually very outwardly confident in decisions and directions for our team; however I often internally question if it is the right move or the most effective path forward.

What other profession would you like to try?

If I didn’t get into landscape architecture, my backup career was to be a prosecuting attorney or a fashion merchandising buyer.

What was your first job?

I was a waitress and bartender for a small local restaurant in Palmer, Iowa: The Palmer House. It was the place to be on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night and I learned so much about customer service and time management there.

What advice would you give your past self?

We are all just trying to figure out what the best path forward or next step will be. Most people come with positive intentions and are doing the best they can. It’s OK to have high expectations but perfection does not exist, and failure just means you are trying and have the opportunity to learn and try again.

What is your ideal vacation?

Give me a beach, warm sunny day and a cocktail and I’m set.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Yoshitomo: by far the best sushi in the country.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Iowa State Cyclones. I have been a fan through it all — the wins, the long run of losses and the Hail Mary games — but all in all they are loyal, forever true. I wear my cardinal and gold proudly and will forever be a Cyclone.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“You were born an original, don’t die a copy.” — John Mason

Find Your Freedom.

Get trusted financial advice from people who put you first.

Locally owned.

Nationally recognized.

14600 Branch St. | Omaha, NE 68154 | 888.321.0808 | carsonwealth.com Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Page 18 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Diane Cruz, 36

What other profession would you like to try?

Commercial real estate investor.

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, RETAIL FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTRIS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

What was your first job?

Cleaning houses. Once I turned 16, I was able to work at Walgreens as a cashier.

What are three words that describe you?

Optimistic, spontaneous, generous-hearted.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I began my career at a bank during my senior year of high school, expecting it to be temporary while pursuing a criminal justice degree. After serving in the military, I joined a credit union and fell in love with its mission to strengthen communities. That passion led me to change my major and commit to growing within the organization. Here I am today, 13 years and six promotions later.

How do you give back to the community?

I serve on the Credit Union for Kids cabinet, raising funds for our local children’s hospital. I also dedicate time to organizations like Nebraska Diaper Bank, Together and Food Bank for the Heartland. Additionally, I’ve volunteered as a trainer for the Set Me Free Project, which provides education to stop human trafficking before it starts.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

Ann Helm. Her optimism creates a positive environment and she challenges my thought process in ways that help me grow. She empowers me to make decisions and supports me even when the choice might not be perfect. Ann also excels at celebrating and recognizing individuals, making everyone feel valued.

What advice would you give your past self?

Keep believing in your worth, even when life feels impossible.

Every challenge, including homelessness, hunger and poverty, will shape your resilience and drive. Don’t give up as you’re building a future beyond your dreams.

What is your ideal vacation?

My ideal vacation is a tropical escape with white sand beaches, clear water and warm weather. I’d relax by the pool, enjoy time with my family and explore local culture through food and excursions in other countries.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Umami Asian Cuisine What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Denver Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” — Robin Williams

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I enjoy listening to piano music. It is so soothing and calming.

Page 19 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Robert DuVall, 37

financial feasibility, market research and sales strategy aspects of a project.

SHAREHOLDER | TEAM LEADER, PRIVATE SECTOR CIVIL ENGINEERING THE SCHEMMER ASSOCIATES

What was your first job?

Since I was very active in athletics in high school, I worked as a host at Village Inn on the weekends. I greeted guests, managed waitlists and coordinated seating during the busy morning shifts.

What are three words that describe you?

Focused, driven, competitive.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

After graduation in 2010, I was hoping to get a job in transportation engineering. I was lucky enough to find a position at a local engineering firm as a site/civil engineer. After working for a couple of engineering firms, I realized that Schemmer was a great fit for me. When given the choice to be a shareholder, I grasped the opportunity.

How do you give back to the community?

I’m committed to strengthening our community through mentorship and service. As a TeamMates mentor, I support local students and help them build confidence for their future. I also serve on the board of the Nebraska Foundation for Cancer Research, which raises money to improve treatment and support for families impacted by cancer. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to assist nonprofit organizations through pro bono projects as a part of the Schemmer Gives Back program.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

My current manager has been a great mentor to me over the last 11 years. He has the ability to approach complex challenges with calm, thoughtful analysis without ever seeming stressed. This problem-solving technique, positive attitude and approachable personality fosters a supportive and productive team environment.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I used to be a model for Kohl’s Department Store to help save money for my college tuition. Luckily, my agent (my mom) insisted that they pay me in U.S. dollars instead of Kohl’s Cash so it wouldn’t expire the following Tuesday.

What other profession would you like to try?

I would like to try being a real estate developer. I think it would be interesting to learn more about the

Carly Gates Edison, 38

What advice would you give your past self?

I would tell myself to stop trying to please everyone.

What is your ideal vacation?

I enjoy sightseeing vacations because they keep me active and engaged. Whether it’s visiting landmarks, trying local food or learning about a region’s history, I appreciate trips that offer variety and movement. Sightseeing gives me the chance to make the most of my time, discover something new around every corner and come home feeling energized by everything I’ve experienced.

What is your favorite restaurant?

The Drover Steakhouse is my favorite restaurant because it delivers the perfect mix of great food, atmosphere and tradition. Their whiskey-marinated steaks are always cooked perfectly and the flavor is unmatched anywhere else. I love the classic, rustic vibe and the way the place feels both welcoming and timeless.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I’m a huge Green Bay Packers fan and being an official shareholder makes the team even more special to me.

I was lucky enough to visit Lambeau Field for a Thursday night game between the Packers and (Minnesota) Vikings in 2014 and I’ll never forget that experience.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” — Muhammad Ali

What other profession would you like to try?

There are so many things I would love to try: consulting, writing a book, owning a coffee shop or book store and being the person who gets to name nail polish colors, just to list a few.

DIRECTOR OF TEACHING AND LEARNING SUPPORTS COUNCIL BLUFFS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT What are three words that describe you?

Ambitious, magnetic, loyal.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career path was shaped early by teachers who made a lasting impact on me and by countless hours spent playing “teacher” to my very patient younger sisters. From nannying to volunteering in classrooms and churches, I always found myself drawn to education. This led me to the Council Bluffs Community School District, where I have served for 15 years in roles such as teacher, mentor, instructional coach, coordinator and district administrator.

How do you give back to the community?

I am fortunate to give back to the community by supporting students, teachers and by building strong partnerships that enrich learning. I work closely with organizations such as the Henry Doorly Zoo, Lauritzen Gardens, the public library and others to create opportunities for students to explore and connect with the community. These partnerships help students learn about the world around them and inspire them to contribute as well.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I’ve been fortunate to have many strong mentors throughout my life, but one who stands out is my brother Josh. He has always modeled what hard work looks like and taught me to stay determined in pursuing my goals while remaining humble when I achieve them.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I tried out for American Idol when they came to Omaha in 2007. I obviously didn’t meet Simon, but I’ll still karaoke from time to time.

What was your first job?

My first job was working as a receptionist at a local car dealership. I learned so much in that role, from the importance of strong customer service to the value of clear organizational systems. After fielding countless calls for the service department, I also learned one very practical tip: check your gas cap if your check engine light comes on.

What advice would you give your past self?

I would tell my past self that every experience, challenge and opportunity will help lead you exactly where you are meant to be. Trust the process, trust yourself, and believe that your hard work will pay off.

What is your ideal vacation?

My ideal vacation is a secluded cabin retreat, outside by a campfire, surrounded by trees and looking out at a beautiful body of water.

What is your favorite restaurant?

A couple of my favorites are La Buvette and Gather, both in the Old Market.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Oprah, and I’m a Swiftie.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“You are standing for the greatness that is to come.” — Oprah Winfrey

Page 20 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Chris Estwick, 39

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

My father was born and raised in Nigeria and came to the U.S. for college.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS ATTORNEY KOLEY JESSEN

What other profession would you like to try?

Formula 1 driver.

What are three words that describe you?

Deliberative, dependable, determined.

What was your first job?

I worked as a cashier at McDonald’s when I was 14 years old.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I’ve wanted to be an attorney since I was in elementary school but the type of attorney I wanted to be has evolved over the years. A lot of people shy away from change, especially when it comes to their career, but I’ve always embraced it, which has afforded me the opportunity to gain experience in different practices in the legal field over the years until I found the right fit for me. I currently practice in mergers and acquisitions where I help businesses buy and sell other businesses. It’s fast-paced, highstakes work that offers enough variety to keep me interested.

What advice would you give your past self?

I would tell my past self to try to live in the moment and not spend so much time focusing on the future because everything will work out in the end. Life is about the journey, not the destination.

How do you give back to the community?

After graduating law school, it was important that I found a way to give back to the community while figuring out the elusive “work-life balance.” I was familiar with the mission and legacy of the Urban League of Nebraska so I decided to join its board of directors. Over the years, I held a number of positions with the Urban League of Nebraska, culminating in serving as chair of the board of directors for three years. I currently serve on Koley Jessen’s diversity and inclusion committee and help organize an annual Juneteenth celebration in partnership with different nonprofits in Omaha. I also mentor students in high school, college and law school to help uplift the next generation of aspiring attorneys.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Depends on the occasion, but Blue Sushi is my go-to.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I went to Creighton University for undergrad and had the opportunity to study under Dr. Ashton Welch, a professor in the African Studies program. Dr. Welch was brilliant but also one of the most humble, down-to-earth people I’ve ever met. Dr. Welch constantly encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming an attorney and I will be forever grateful for that.

What is your ideal vacation?

Any time and place I can completely unplug from work and be intentional about spending time with friends and family. I enjoy the heat so it would need to be somewhere warm.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Rapper, singer and actor Drake.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“The biggest room in the house is the room for self-improvement.” — Scott Cate

Maptician is proud to sponsor

Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40 Celebration!

Maptician congratulates this year's 40 under 40 class including our own COO, AshLea Allberry!

Headquartered in Nebraska, Maptician is the fastest growing workplace management platform in professional services, serving some of the world's largest law firms, financial services organizations and more.

Come check us out!

Page 21 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

Beth Gard, 39

What other profession would you like to try?

A teacher. I started college with the plan to become a theology teacher. After great advice from my favorite Jesuit, I switched into nursing.

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF NURSING OFFICER ORTHO NEBRASKA

What was your first job?

I was a paper carrier for the Omaha World-Herald.

What are three words that describe you?

Positivity, gratitude, family.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

After becoming a nurse, I quickly fell in love with orthopedics and knew this was the patient population I wanted to devote my career to. Helping people move better is an incredible privilege. Through mentorship from peers, surgeons and leaders I grew into leadership roles, ultimately guiding me to where I am today — supporting and caring for the exceptional team who serves the patients I’ve always been passionate about.

How do you give back to the community?

My husband and I try to find organizations that inspire us through their work that could benefit from our time, talent or treasure. Whether I’m sitting on the board, serving on a guild, chairing an auction, volunteering at an event or donating to a cause, I enjoy connecting and engaging with others in our community through this work.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

At each stage of my life, I have been blessed with amazing mentorship and encouragement from my husband, family, teachers, peers and leaders. In my career, the surgeons have been the mentors who have left the deepest mark. From inspiring my love for orthopedics to supporting and encouraging my growth in the field. Their wisdom, humility and care for those around them continues to motivate me.

Learning from them has been a privilege.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

Every Sunday night you can find me and our entire family at my parents’ house. They host Sunday night dinner every week for my siblings and our families. It is such a special way to kick off the week.

What advice would you give your past self?

“Be kind, rewind.” Pause long enough to extend kindness, give grace and notice the small details that matter. Take the extra moment to invest in the betterment of others; it is always the right choice.

What is your ideal vacation?

I really enjoy traveling to new places and experiencing local culture: the people, the food and the history.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Mangia Italiana and Omaha Bagel Co. are my favorites. The food, the people and the service. Both of these companies inspire me.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

UNO hockey and Creighton basketball.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Find a way!” — Ron Worthington (my dad: the ultimate sideline and life cheerleader). My dad is always heard on the sidelines yelling “Find a way, ladies,” when a game got tough. This quote or cheer is something I go back to when things seem tough. How can I look at a situation another way? How do I get creative and work with my team to find a way that may work better? I find that it leads with positive intent and creates motivation.

Hablamos español

Serving Nebraska & Iowa for over 20 years!

Home Care

Home HealthCare

Housekeeping Meal Prep Errands Appointments Personal Care Respite Care

Home Infusion Therapy Nursing Services Home Health Aide Physical Therapy Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy

www.CaringforPeopleServices.com | 402.334.6900 Page 22 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Hamza Haqqi, 35

spaces — such as parks, transit and housing — can profoundly shape our community and promote positive community growth.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS THE BUSINESS ETHICS ALLIANCE What are three words that describe you?

Curious, bridge-builder, kind.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career path is nonlinear, driven by dedication. As a first-generation student, I progressed from a bachelor’s to a doctorate, studying interdisciplinary fields. I have navigated tech, workforce development and community advocacy, consistently seeking roles where communication, technology and human impact intersect. My journey is about connecting these dots through education in the nonprofit space as a grant writer and curriculum strategist.

How do you give back to the community?

I volunteer time mentoring young professionals and students from underrepresented backgrounds, focusing on career navigation and digital literacy. I believe in sharing access and knowledge to open doors. I volunteer through The Nebraska Tech Collaborative powered by The Aksarben Foundation, as well as the Women in Tech Summit, Opera Omaha, Tri-Faith, the Midlands African Chamber and The Flatiron Luthier Cooperative.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

A key mentor is Dr. AnnMarie Marlier, who taught me that rigorous analysis and deep empathy are essential partners for meaningful work. I’m also deeply grateful for the support and lessons from many others, including Van Deeb, Willy Theisen, Shonna Dorsey, Sandra Reding, Megan Bell, Abdul Mackie, Stephanie Kidd, Sandy Spady, Sarah and Thomas Kluge and Karine Sokpoh.

What was your first job?

My first job was as a stocker at my parents’ convenience store in central North Omaha, which I started at the age of 13. Shelving inventory taught me organization and showed me how a small store can serve as the vital heart of a community. I maintained this work parttime while attending school and pursuing my graduate studies.

What advice would you give your past self?

My advice would be to be kinder to yourself. Remember that everyone falls, and what matters is getting back up. You are never alone in that: your family always has your back.

What is your ideal vacation?

My ideal vacation would be an all-inclusive beach resort with adults-only amenities, food pairing and magical sunsets.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse. I love Mahogany; you can catch me at birthdays and celebrations.

Honorable mentions: Boiler Room, Pivot Prime, Charleston’s, Blue Sushi, Koji, Timber, etc. I love eating at local Nebraska restaurants.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I collect postcards and stamps, and make scrapbooks. It’s a private creative outlet that helps me process ideas without words.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

My appreciation for local art is deeply rooted in Omaha, Nebraska, from the grassroots creativity in Hot Shops and the visionary work at KANEKO, to the dialogues and soundscapes at Bemis Center and the world-class collections at the Joslyn Art Museum.

What other profession would you like to try?

Civil engineer, florist and interior designer. I’m fascinated by how the thoughtful design of physical

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“You have been assigned this mountain so you can show others it can be moved.” — Mel Robbins

50 YEARS DEDICATED TO OUR

CORE VALUES

Driving a positive impact in the lives of our employee's clients and communities. Congratulations to all the recipients for striving for excellence.

MIDWESTLABS.COM Page 23 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Marisa Hattab, 36

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I love to sing and line dance. For the past year I have been intentional about incorporating dancing into my life daily.

I have learned seven new dances in 2025 and particularly enjoy dancing in the kitchen while I cook.

CHIEF CULTURE OFFICER HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE What are three words that describe you?

Joyful, present, dependable.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career began in education at the Omaha Street School and expanded through statewide and national youth-focused work at MENTOR Nebraska. Serving as Douglas County’s inaugural DEI officer strengthened my commitment to people-centered systems change. Now as chief culture officer at Heartland Family Service, I lead with a restorative lens: focused on belonging, strong workplace culture and community impact.

How do you give back to the community?

I give back through extensive board service including vice president of the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, past president of Mom Power Inc. and participation on several additional boards. I also mentor leaders and serve as a trusted adviser to groups like the FBI’s Multicultural Advisory Board. My focus is restoring dignity, strengthening families and elevating community well-being.

What other profession would you like to try?

A full-time media host/TV personality for women’s leadership and healing.

What was your first job?

I was a cashier at Culver’s when I was 14 years old.

What advice would you give your past self?

Believe bigger and think beyond the limits around you. Don’t let a small town make you feel small.

Give your heart permission to dream boldly, want more and trust that you are more than enough. Life will be hard, but don’t let the hard seasons harden you. Let them refine you, teach you and guide you toward the purpose God placed within you.

What is your ideal vacation?

Somewhere tropical with no set agenda. Just ease, options and space to spontaneously do whatever is it I desire to do in the moment.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

John Ewing, Omaha’s first Black mayor, has been a transformative mentor in my life for four years. He guided me as Douglas County’s inaugural DEI officer, teaching me strategic leadership, collaborative influence and how to lead with confidence and credibility. His wisdom, integrity and commitment to community shaped how I show up: grounded, purposeful and focused on lifting others.

Libby Haus, 39

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Lauryn Hill What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

What other profession would you like to try?

Interior design or psychology.

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING LOCKWOOD DEVELOPMENT

What was your first job?

I spent much of middle school babysitting and my first official job was as a courtesy clerk at Hy-Vee bagging groceries. I loved getting to know the regular shoppers, which led to a role in the customer service department.

What are three words that describe you?

Bubbly, creative, enthusiastic.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career path began with a temporary summer receptionist role at Grubb & Ellis during my junior year of college. What started as a short-term position quickly sparked a passion for the beauty of community development. That receptionist role evolved into an internship, then a full-time position, and nearly 15 years ago I joined Lockwood Development where I’ve continued to grow my career.

How do you give back to the community?

I give back utilizing my time, energy and talent, mainly through volunteer work. In this season of life, I am heavily involved in our school and parish, Mary Our Queen Catholic Church. I love working with the kids and I like to go by the motto: “Be the person you needed when you were younger.”

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with many amazing women at Lockwood who have both supported and inspired me throughout the years. Growing up, my Grandma “Bobbi”’ made a huge impact on me. She owned her own interior design firm and I spent summers working with her. I also need to give credit to my mom who has shown me what it means to be assertive and strong, while making life fun and meaningful.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I initially majored in music/vocal performance, but after realizing I didn’t want to pursue performing or teaching professionally, I changed my major to communication studies during the second semester of my freshman year.

What advice would you give your past self?

Control your controllables. Don’t take things too personally, most of the time it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. Everyone brings something unique to the table, including you. So if someone doesn’t see your value, find a better table.

What is your ideal vacation?

Anywhere I can feel inspired and at peace; probably the mountains. I don’t love humidity.

What is your favorite restaurant?

It was Rivera’s — RIP. What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

This will not come as a shock to anyone who knows me, but I do not follow any sports. Take me to a Broadway show or an outdoor concert and I’m a happy girl.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” — C.S. Lewis

Page 24 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Jim Huerter, 36

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

Tim Sullivan is the president of our bank today, and has been instrumental in my development over the five years we have worked together.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND NEBRASKA MARKET PRESIDENT SECURITY NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA

What was your first job?

I worked in facilities at Security National Bank in high school.

What are three words that describe you?

Collaborative, empathetic, goal-oriented.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I have always had a strong desire to follow in the legacy of my grandfather, who founded our bank. With this goal in mind, I worked for other banks in Omaha and Chicago before working for Security National.

How do you give back to the community?

I serve on a number of boards, including The Salvation Army, Radius and Omaha Children’s Museum. My wife and I have also chaired several events, including Completely KIDS, Stronger Together Luncheon and Radius’ Healing Heights event.

What advice would you give your past self?

Be comfortable not always having the answers.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Nebraska Cornhuskers What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.” — Winston Churchill

Page 25 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Chris Humphries, 36 BUSINESS PARTNER LIAISON OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

What other profession would you like to try?

I served as the photo editor of my high school and college newspapers. If I tried another profession, I would love to embrace my creative side and get back to working with photography.

What are three words that describe you?

Loyal, connector, energizer.

What was your first job?

My first paid job was tutoring at my alma mater, Rosehill Elementary, when I was a student at Monroe Middle.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career path has been shaped by my experiences with the Omaha Public Schools. The beginning of my career was with FNBO after I attended events at the bank while I was a student at Benson High.

I began volunteering with the schools while working there. I moved into roles in human resources including learning and development and recruiting, which led to my dream job as the business partner liaison for the Omaha Public Schools.

How do you give back to the community?

I have been fortunate to serve in roles that have allowed me to give back often to the Omaha community.

My volunteer work has mostly been centered around education as well as the attraction and retention of young professionals to Omaha. I serve on numerous boards and committees including Benson Neighborhood Association, Omaha STEM Ecosystem, Heartland Workforce Solutions and the Greater Omaha Chamber Leadership Omaha Curriculum Committee.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

My father, Roger Humphries, has been my mentor from day one. He set the example that if you care about your community, then you must be willing to step up to make it better. He is a hard worker who has always been willing to give his time to the organizations he is passionate about. His advice has been important as I continue to grow personally and professionally.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I have played adult recreational hockey for 10-plus years. Hockey has been a part of my life since becoming an Omaha Hockey fan at an early age. After finishing my baseball career in college, hockey has been my competitive outlet. I have been fortunate to play with many great teammates who have become close friends.

What advice would you give your past self?

Whatever step you are nervous about right now, take a deep breath and make the leap. Embrace the uncomfortable sooner and you will be better for it.

What is your ideal vacation?

A trip with my friends to a place I have never visited with plenty of time to both explore the local community and relax.

What is your favorite restaurant?

There are many restaurants that I love, but Everett’s is a new favorite. They are giving Tracks and Oscar’s a run for the best wings in Omaha.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I am a big fan of the University of Nebraska Omaha hockey team. My family has had season tickets since the first game in 1997. Since then, my dad and I have served on the board of the booster group, the Blue Line Club, where I currently serve as the president. Over the years my dad and I have made many trips to away games and tournaments across the country.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“You live your life today, not tomorrow and certainly not yesterday.” — John Grisham

Empowering children.

Changing lives.

REAL PEOPLE REAL IMPACT ERC has been like a light during a very dark time.

With ERC’s help, the school took real, meaningful action.

Clear goals were set and consistent support was provided.

-Fabiola ContactERC@EducationRightsCounsel.org • 402.263.2600

EducationRightsCounsel.org Page 26 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Zak Kephart, 30

at an ATM on the Fourth of July while in Louisville, Kentucky, to sell massage chairs.

SERVICE MANAGER GROUNDWORKS

What other profession would you like to try?

If I weren’t in the current role I am in now, I would be a teacher. Something about the spark you see in others when learning new things gets me pumped up and ready to do more.

What are three words that describe you?

Ambitious, persistent, disciplined.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career path began with a year of AmeriCorps service in Boston, followed by time in Indiana figuring out my next steps. In 2017, I moved to Omaha, taking on door-to-door sales, then traveling nationwide selling massage chairs. I entered the foundation repair industry as a service technician and steadily rose — becoming a sales rep, then sales manager and now service manager — building a career defined by grit, growth and leadership.

How do you give back to the community?

I give back by leading with heart and action. I support local nonprofits, organize branch-wide drives, rally my team to help families in need and treat every homeowner with care. I build leaders, uplift others and strengthen my community through service, integrity and genuine compassion. I strive to be the change I wish to see in the world at every turn possible.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

Richard Battersby. He was a teacher and my barracks inspector during my time at Culver Military Academy. He had a true passion for working with students and allowing us to make and execute on decisions. If we failed, he was right there ready to pick us up.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I have unfortunately had guns pointed at my head on three separate occasions. The first was in Boston coming off the subway. The second was working door-to-door sales in Council Bluffs. The last time was

What was your first job?

My first job was as a busboy at Lakehouse Grille in Culver, Indiana.

What advice would you give your past self?

I don’t think I would; I am rather happy with who I am today and I wouldn’t want to risk altering that in any way. If I had to choose, I would say fail sooner, fail more often, fail fast and don’t be afraid of what comes after.

What is your ideal vacation?

On a European cruise, either through the fjords or Mediterranean Sea with my wife.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Piezon’s. I love pizza and they have some of the best. I’m also a huge fan of them allowing customers to buy a round for the kitchen staff.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Artist: Kip Moore. Sports team: Carolina Panthers — Keep pounding. Pop culture icon: Spider-Man. What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“You have light and peace inside of you. If you let it out, you can change the world around you.” — Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender

Page 27 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Evan Lamprecht, 37

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

Before pursuing architecture, I attended Midland Lutheran College where I played basketball. The experience helped shape my teamwork, discipline and leadership skills, which still influence how I approach my work today.

PARTNER ALTUS ARCHITECTURAL STUDIOS What are three words that describe you?

Collaborative, innovative, troubleshooter.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career path was shaped by my parents — my father, an architect, and my mother, a nurse — who inspired my interest in health care design. I began my career at a firm in northeast Iowa, gaining hands-on design experience, then moved home to be closer to family and rejoined Altus. Driven by entrepreneurship, collaboration and problem-solving, I now focus on advancing thoughtful, peoplecentered health care design.

How do you give back to the community?

I give back to the community by supporting health and mentorship initiatives. I served as a board member for the Omaha American Heart Association’s Hard Hats with Heart Campaign, promoting cardiovascular awareness in the design and construction industry. I also volunteer as a YMCA youth basketball coach and mentor young professionals.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

A mentor who has had the greatest impact on me is my dad, Loren Lamprecht. From an early age, he taught me the value of hard work and problem-solving. As I grew in my career, he mentored me in the realities of running a business, from leadership to decision-making. Today, he continues to be both an architectural and business mentor, offering guidance that shapes how I lead, design and approach challenges.

Timothy Maides, 38

What other profession would you like to try?

If I were to try another profession, it would be real estate development, where I could combine strategy, problem-solving and long-term vision to bring projects to life.

What was your first job?

Residential framer, where I learned the fundamentals of construction and hands-on problem-solving.

What advice would you give your past self?

I would tell myself to spend a semester studying abroad.

What is your ideal vacation?

No shoes, no schedule and time to enjoy great food and drinks with great people.

What is your favorite restaurant?

The Drover What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Nebraska Cornhuskers What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”

— Simon Sinek

What was your first job?

Dishwasher at España Tapas Bar in Benson, where Au Courant is now.

OWNER DOLOMITI PIZZERIA & ENOTECA | BENSON SOAP MILL

What advice would you give your past self?

Never take spending time with your parents for granted, it’s shorter than you think.

What are three words that describe you?

Driven, caring, grateful.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I started off working in the hospitality industry as a dishwasher in high school and worked my way through all the stations (line cook, sous chef, executive chef) for over a decade until opening my own pizzeria.

How do you give back to the community?

I love supporting local nonprofits that give back to the community through the culinary lens or to advocate alternate means of transportation. Two things I care deeply about, as they affect our everyday lives.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I worked for Chef Aleksiy Shalev as a sous chef at Omaha Country Club, and he really helped reinspire my passion for culinary. He helped me hone my skills that gave me the confidence and guidance that I was lacking.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I used to joke that I never wanted to become a chef, and then I became a chef. I also joked that I would never open a restaurant, and now I opened a restaurant.

What is your ideal vacation?

My ideal vacation is more of an adventure than a vacation, I love bikepacking. My favorite way to travel is by traversing countries with a fully self-supported bicycle. It really lets you immerse yourself into a culture and embrace the people and the foods.

What is your favorite restaurant?

I get this question a lot. I’m a big fan of La Buvette, a great way to enjoy some wine and good food in an unpretentious setting. Unbiased, Au Courant is the jewel of Omaha, it serves a Michelin-starquality menu that changes weekly.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I don’t follow much pop culture, but my biggest inspirations are my brothers, who work hard and excel at everything they do; and my business partner and longtime friend, Carlos Mendez, who shows up daily with a good attitude and is always working on a new project.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Happiness is only real when shared.” — Christopher McCandless

What other profession would you like to try?

I’ve honestly never considered any other line of work, but I did like the medical field because it combines science with caring for people.

Page 28 • December 26, 2025

Making an Impact in the Midlands Congratulations to Jen Cross and all the 2025 40 Under 40 honorees.

hdrinc.com

metromagazine

PASSION • PURPOSE • POWER

PASSION: The re that drives change-makers to pursue their vision.

PASSION •

Metro Magazine celebrates those who refuse to accept the status quo,

ER OSE • POW

PURP

showcasing the energy that transforms communities.

PURPOSE: The driving force behind meaningful action. Metro Magazine spotlights those who have found their calling in service to others—entrepreneurs building sustainable businesses, artists creating transformative experiences, and leaders addressing society’s most pressing challenges with clarity and intention.

POWER: The collective force unleashed when passionate people unite.

Metro Magazine shows how individuals become catalysts for change, proving real power lies in moving hearts, minds, and communities forward.

VIEW THIS ISSUE ONLINE NOW!

make no small plans

ge park mary yanney herita kearney’s e.k. and

EGACY A LASTING L RHERO” by SHEILA

“MEADOWLARK SUPE

BERGER

Big relaunch details coming soon …

Page 29 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Jamie Matheson, 39

What other profession would you like to try?

I’ve always been intrigued by law, although I wouldn’t pursue it as a profession.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS COBALT CREDIT UNION

What was your first job?

Taco John’s What are three words that describe you?

Confident, empowered, gritty.

What advice would you give your past self?

Enjoy the moment and stop rushing through the days.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I began on a pre-law path and pivoted to finance. I fell in love with sales while working at a tanning salon in college. I knew I wanted to use both my interest in finance and passion for performance as a career. An entry level opportunity in banking gave me the perfect blend of both, as well as exposure to the world of leadership.

How do you give back to the community?

My children and I love serving meals at New Visions Homeless Shelter. I also serve on the board as vice chair at the Urban League of Nebraska.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

My first female manager, Tracy, taught me how to be a coach and ensure you always had a seat at the table.

What is your ideal vacation?

Anywhere warm and with a vibrant culture.

What is your favorite restaurant?

J. Gilbert’s What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Elton John What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“The time is always right to do the right thing.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I was a teen mom and had my son at 16. I was determined to break the mold and achieve every goal I set for my future, regardless of the adversity.

Victoria Mbachu, 39

What other profession would you like to try?

If I weren’t in business, I’d love to try being a professional athlete. I admire the discipline, mental toughness and daily commitment it takes to perform at that level. Plus, the idea of training relentlessly, taking coaching seriously and still showing up on game day feels surprisingly similar to running a company — just with better uniforms and louder crowds.

PRESIDENT PARKING AREA MAINTENANCE What are three words that describe you?

Driven, resilient, service-minded.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career has been built on leadership, infrastructure and service. After serving as an officer in the U.S. Army, I transitioned into business ownership, leading a long-established paving and infrastructure company. My focus has been on building reliable systems, developing skilled teams and delivering work that strengthens communities. Each project is an opportunity to improve safety, create opportunity and leave the places we serve better than we found them.

How do you give back to the community?

Giving back is a core part of how I lead. Through my business, I support local organizations, workforce development efforts and veteran initiatives, while prioritizing hiring locally and investing in people. I actively serve on nonprofit and civic boards and use my industry expertise to support community projects that improve safety, infrastructure and opportunity. For me, giving back means showing up consistently and using my skills to make a lasting impact where we live/work.

What was your first job?

Chick-fil-A cook.

What advice would you give your past self?

I would tell my younger self that you never fully feel ready, and that’s OK. Growth starts when you step forward without having all the answers. Trust your preparation, take the first step sooner and know that clarity and confidence come from doing, not waiting.

What is your ideal vacation?

My ideal vacation is somewhere calm and beautiful, with great food, good morning workouts and very little on the calendar. I enjoy time to recharge, reflect and be fully present with family, whether that’s near the water or somewhere quiet where I can slow down, think and come back energized.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I’ve been fortunate to learn from several mentors, but the most impactful have been leaders who modeled integrity, accountability and service. Senior military mentors taught me how to lead under pressure and put people first, lessons that continue to guide how I run my business and serve the community. Their example showed me that strong leadership is less about title and more about responsibility and consistency.

What is your favorite restaurant?

I don’t have just one favorite, but I love restaurants that feel welcoming, are well-run and take pride in doing things the right way. Good food matters — but how you’re treated matters just as much.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

Not everyone knows that I have a twin brother, and I’m the younger one. He’s been a constant source of support and perspective throughout my career and plays a meaningful role in my business by helping keep me grounded. Having a built-in sounding board has reminded me that success is better when you’re balanced, honest and not taking yourself too seriously.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature.

We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is ... life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.” — Pope Francis

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Growing up in Houston, I’m a proud fan of all their sports teams; once you’re from Houston, that loyalty sticks. I’m also a lifelong Beyoncé fan; Houston pride runs deep.

Page 30 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Elizabeth McClelland, 39

What other profession would you like to try?

A dematologist. I find the field of dermatology fascinating, as they treat such a wide array of concerns, from simple rashes and acne to skin cancer.

MANAGING ATTORNEY-JUVENILE LEAD EDUCATION RIGHTS COUNSEL

What was your first job?

At 14, I worked at Dick’s Meat in Elkhorn.

What are three words that describe you?

Dedicated, tenacious, innovative.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

After several years working in the juvenile system — as both a prosecutor and in private practice — I was approached by ERC’s CEO with an opportunity that aligned perfectly with my heart for service. It allowed me to continue practicing law while giving back to the community in a meaningful way.

How do you give back to the community?

Through my work at ERC, I am able to connect with youth involved in the juvenile justice system and help families through some of their hardest times as a pro bono attorney. I also continue to serve as a guardian ad litem for several children, ensuring their basic needs are met and best interests are served.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

My family has shaped who I am. They’ve inspired me and believed in me through everything — they push me to be the best version of myself every day.

What advice would you give your past self?

Hang in there, because it’s all worth it in the end.

What is your ideal vacation?

Anything where there are no phones or computers, like the beach.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Anything with sushi.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I’m a huge Food Network fan and I love Ree Drummond.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

As a guardian ad litem, I’ve had the privilege of working with one of my youth for more than six years.

I’m committed to standing by him until the challenges in his life begin to ease and he’s able to grow and thrive each day.

Leadership belongs at Blue.

Honoring our colleague, Steve Condon, a Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, we celebrate those who lead with vision and impact—because that’s what moves Nebraska forward.

An independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

72nd & Farnam Development *Conceptual Rendering

CONGRATULATIONS TO

LIBBY HAUS

AND TO ALL THIS YEAR’S HONOREES! O M A H A ,

Page 31 • December 26, 2025

N E B R A S K A

W W W . L O C K W O O D D E V . C O M

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Zach Mellender, 30

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I married my elementary school sweetheart — we’ll celebrate our 11th anniversary the week of the award ceremony.

DIRECTOR OF ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS OMAHA’S HENRY DOORLY ZOO AND AQUARIUM

What other profession would you like to try?

I would love to be a scuba dive guide on an island; perhaps that will be my retirement gig.

What are three words that describe you?

Curiosity, what-if, empowerment.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I started at the zoo while in high school, working on the grounds crew. I quickly fell in love with the organization and its mission, resulting in my taking a gap year after graduating. I seized opportunities to learn new skills and identified needs in the business, specifically for data and technology. I was fortunate to have great leadership that empowered me and together we built an entire department.

How do you give back to the community?

I try to give back to Omaha and Nebraska through service. I serve the State of Nebraska on the Nebraska Information Technology Commission, overseeing the office of the CIO. I’m a frequent guest at universities such as Creighton, UNO, UNL and ODSA, where I can share my real world experience, networking and mentorship. I had so many business leaders invest in me that I feel it’s imperative that I do the same for others.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I’ve been privileged to have had many great mentors in my career. Two that have been with me from the beginning are Craig Jacobs and Jeremy Eddie. From sharing hard truths to building a deck (or three) together, these two gentlemen have strongly influenced me as a leader, manager and person.

Samuel Noddle, 32

What is your ideal vacation?

Anywhere that involves scuba diving: Galapagos, Australia, Colombia, you name it.

What is your favorite restaurant?

For lunch, Stella’s is my absolute favorite. For dinner, it’s a tie between Gather in Omaha and Nosh.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Husker football, of course. I’m also a really big fan of Ruth Bader Ginsburg; her writings, feminism and famous friendship with Antonin Scalia are inspirational. You can disagree and still be friends, which is especially important to remember today.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“If,” by Rudyard Kipling. The entire poem has resonated with me since I was a child

What was your first job?

Car detailing business.

What are three words that describe you?

Determined, empathetic, honest.

What advice would you give your past self?

Buy NVDA and more TSLA.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career path has been creative and calculated, from retail leasing to hospitality, fashion and development.

What is your ideal vacation?

Spearfishing with my homies in Guatemala.

How do you give back to the community?

Through community programming and by creating opportunities for individuals to meet and form connections.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I always wanted to be an artist.

What advice would you give your past self?

Take opportunities to grow and learn, before you think you need them.

What other profession would you like to try?

I’m done trying new businesses for a while ... maybe a shark biologist.

VICE PRESIDENT NODDLE COMPANIES

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

Jay Noddle, Michael Silverman, Dr. Stephen Strummwasser.

What was your first job?

I started at the zoo on the grounds crew, picking up trash and handing out maps.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Au Courant What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

American motivational speaker, author, and retired United States Navy SEAL David Goggins and media mogul Joe Rogan.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“To elevate the consciousness of society, one must first elevate the consciousness of the individual.” — Eckhart Tolle

Page 32 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Nicholas Olari, 36

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I love doing CrossFit with my wife, mother, in-laws and other family members. It is a family affair.

VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF COMPLIANCE & PRIVACY OFFICIAL WOODMENLIFE

What other profession would you like to try?

I’ve always been captivated by space travel. If I could try another profession, I would work in the aeronautical industry.

What are three words that describe you?

Strategic, driven, principled.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I began at WoodmenLife in 2011 as a law clerk, advanced to staff attorney (2013), assistant general counsel (2017), director and associate general counsel (2020), director and senior associate general counsel (2021), and today serve as vice president, chief compliance and privacy official. I earned a B.S.B.A. (2011) and a J.D. (2013) from Creighton University.

How do you give back to the community?

Working for WoodmenLife has allowed me to contribute to a not-for-profit organization that not only provides insurance and retirement products to members, it is dedicated to giving back to community.

I have had the opportunity to serve as the WeCare coordinator for the Food Bank for the Heartland for years and also give back through ministry opportunities at my local church with my family.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

Lynn Espeland, our prior general counsel, was a formative mentor in my career, shaping my leadership and sharpening my judgment. Beyond formal development, Lynn’s day-to-day guidance — regular oneon-ones and real-time coaching on complex issues — modeled calm, principled decision-making. I am very grateful to have been mentored and coached by Lynn.

What was your first job?

Bank teller at what was Great Western Bank.

What advice would you give your past self?

I would tell my past self to embrace change early: take calculated risks, seek mentors and trust that adaptability and curiosity will open doors you never imagined.

What is your ideal vacation?

Unplugging on a quiet beach with my family, eating excellent food and exploring nature.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Chipotle What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Nebraska Huskers What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” — Michael Jordan

40Under40Ad.qxp_Layout 1 12/5/25 10:30 AM Page 1

Diane Cruz

Assistant Vice President, Retail Financial Services

Congratulations on being selected as a 40 under 40 honoree!

Service-Driven. Member-Focused.

402-334-7000 centrisfcu.org

Page 33 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Jennifer Pessini, 39

What other profession would you like to try?

I have always had an interest in the medical field. Any chance that I get to see or watch a medical procedure I am there. I find it all so fascinating.

OWNER KIDVANCED SCHOOL AT SUGAR CREEK What are three words that describe you?

Driven, dedicated, compassionate.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I started off in a preschool classroom and eventually worked my way to an executive director of that center. I later transitioned to a special needs preschool classroom for a few years, but ultimately missed operating a childcare center. When the building we currently occupy became available, we submitted a proposal, and we have been operating ever since — four years and counting. We are now preparing to open a second location in fall of 2026.

How do you give back to the community?

I absolutely love being involved in the community in any way that I can. It truly takes a village and we are in this together. We are always looking for ways to give back and get involved. We have partnered up with the Food Bank, Project Harmony, TeamMates, Operation Others, ALS, MS, Out of the Darkness and several other organizations that are near and dear to our hearts.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I am grateful for the many mentors who have shaped my professional and personal journey including my parents (who taught me the importance of hard work), Gene Bell (for my first management guidance), Dr. Laura Jana (who always believed in me), my husband and family (who gave me the necessary push to take risks) and many others that have helped shape me to who I am today with words of wisdom and guidance.

What was your first job?

My very first job was babysitting at the age of 9. I watched 3 little boys over the summer and on weekends and then quickly became busy with multiple other families in our small town.

My first “official” job was at Burger King at the age of 14.

What advice would you give your past self?

Enjoy the journey. Don’t stress about things that are out of your control. Trust the process and keep doing the right thing.

What is your ideal vacation?

I love the ocean and mountains. Ideally though anywhere and anytime that I can be together with my family is what brings me the most joy.

What is your favorite restaurant?

Omaha has so many amazing places to eat. For coffee, Beanery; ice cream, Coneflower; steakhouse, Sullivan’s; and Mexican, La Mesa.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I am not a huge sports fan, usually just there for the food, but if I were to pick I would have to say Go Big Red! Proud to be a Nebraskan. For an artist, I think Taylor Swift is an incredible woman and has changed the music industry and is truly a role model for young entrepreneurs.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I came into this world prematurely and had to be airlifted to Memphis, Tennessee. Born a fighter.

Blake Peterson, 33 PRIVATE CLIENT WEALTH ADVISOR CARSON WEALTH

What other profession would you like to try?

I’ve always thought it would be fun to work at a startup, high risk, high reward and everyone bootstrapping together to bring a shared dream to life.

What are three words that describe you?

Resilient, reliable, grateful.

What was your first job?

I worked at a McDonald’s as soon as I was legally able to be employed and became manager before leaving for college.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I started my career in oil and gas before transitioning into wealth advising, where I found a mission aligned with service, leadership and community impact. Coming from an entrepreneurial family, I saw firsthand how thoughtful planning can transform lives. Today, I work with business owners and families to simplify decisions and secure their legacies, while also serving on local boards and contributing to initiatives that strengthen our community.

How do you give back to the community?

My community work is shaped by personal experience. As a Type 1 diabetic, I support Breakthrough T1D and Light the Night to advance research and help families navigating similar challenges. I also serve on the board of Keep Nebraska Beautiful and donate my time to the Business Ethics Alliance by hosting their podcast to share ethical stories and strengthen our business community.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

My mother and father taught me what it means to give everything for your family and to always do the right thing, even when it’s hard.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I was a musician in high school and played local bars and shows around my hometown, hoping to become a rock star. I’m probably lucky that didn’t work out, but it made for some great memories.

What advice would you give your past self?

Be patient, stay present, and enjoy what’s in front of you right now. The future will work itself out.

What is your ideal vacation?

I have to be doing something, so a trip with a large group of friends with plenty of opportunities to socialize and explore a new city.

What is your favorite restaurant?

It has unfortunately closed, but Uptown Brewery in Denver was where my wife and I spent a lot of our early dates, and those memories are incredible.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I am a diehard University of Michigan football fan.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“It takes no courage to sit back and view the world through a lens of cynicism.” — Tony Robbins

Page 34 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Natasha Plooster, 39 CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER BRIDGEPOINT INVESTMENT BANKING

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I immigrated to the United States at age 9, and English is my third language.

What are three words that describe you?

Christ-follower, relational, achiever.

What other profession would you like to try?

It’s hard to imagine doing anything other than what I do; I truly love it. If not investment banking, I would feel called to ministry.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I earned an engineering degree from the University of Michigan and took a nontraditional leap into investment banking — an unexpected, but natural fit. I began my career as an analyst in the Global Industrials Group at Deutsche Bank. After returning to the Midwest and running a healthy food retail business, I found the intersection of my passions. Today, as COO of Bridgepoint Investment Banking, I combine operations and finance while focusing on caring for our people and helping them thrive.

How do you give back to the community?

God has blessed me abundantly with opportunity, and I feel deeply called to serve. I have volunteered with and served on the boards of organizations committed to supporting the most vulnerable in our communities, most recently retiring as immediate past president of Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach.

We serve together as a family and as a team, encouraging our colleagues to give back through the organizations and causes they care about, creating a multiplier effect that extends impact well beyond any single effort. I am also deeply passionate about increasing opportunity for rural talent by giving college students access to high-level careers at high-caliber institutions. Through Bridgepoint’s internship program, we are proud to help students expand their horizons and pursue paths that were not previously accessible.

What was your first job?

Investment banking analyst at Deutsche Bank.

What advice would you give your past self?

I would tell myself to prioritize progress over perfection.

What is your ideal vacation?

Traveling with my family brings me the greatest joy. Our favorite place is the beach in Turks and Caicos.

What is your favorite restaurant?

I love great food, especially at places with an inviting atmosphere, attentive service and well-executed dishes. The experience matters as much as the meal.

What is your favorite quote?

“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” — 1 John 3:18

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I have been shaped by many mentors who believed in me, encouraged me and challenged me to soar beyond what I could have imagined. Their confidence and guidance continue to influence how I lead today.

On behalf of Mayor David Black and the Papillion City Council

Create lasting impact What does it take to achieve sustainable success?

Working with partners who understand the challenges you face

Steve Engberg | Tom Mumgaard | James Glover | Bob Stubbe Jason Gaines | Steve Sunde | Dave Fanslau | Becky Hoch

and share your commitment to growing your business and community.

What would you like the power to do?®

Congratulations

Amber Powers

Start the conversation Kirsten Soneson, Kirsten.soneson@bofa.com business.bofa.com

“Bank of America” and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names used by the Global Banking and Global Markets divisions of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, other commercial banking activities, and trading in certain financial instruments are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Trading in securities and financial instruments, and strategic advisory, and other investment banking activities, are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“Investment Banking Affiliates”), including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc., which is a registered broker-dealer and Member of SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. BofA Securities, Inc. is a registered futures commission merchant with the CFTC and a member of the NFA. Investment products offered by Investment Banking Affiliates: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

Thank you for your professional leadership of our City of Papillion team!

Your 40 Under 40 recognition is well deserved!

©2025 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. GBGM-564-AD 8006184

Page 35 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Amber Powers, 39

What other profession would you like to try?

Event planner or travel agent/travel blogger.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR CITY OF PAPILLION

What was your first job?

I grew up on a farm, so I’d say being a farm kid was my first job, but being a hostess at a local restaurant was my first official job.

What are three words that describe you?

Driven, analytical, accountable.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I graduated from the University of South Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in political science and history, and a master’s degree in public administration. I moved to Anthony, Kansas, in 2010 to serve as their city clerk/administrator for seven years. In 2017, I moved to Papillion to serve as the assistant city administrator for three years before Mayor Black appointed me to my current role as city administrator in July 2020.

How do you give back to the community?

I am active in the community through my role within the City of Papillion and through the Papillion Junior Woman’s Club (PJWC). I look forward to participating in the PJWC fundraisers. The funds raised are donated to nonprofits within the community.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

My parents pushed me despite my fears to leave my comfort zone (family, friends, home state) after college to pursue my career on my own, which dramatically and positively impacted the trajectory of how my life, both professionally and personally ended up. I hope I have the courage to be that for my kids if they ever need the “extra push” when they are older, even if I’d rather want them to stay.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

This is embarrassing, but ... Wild Wild West (1999) is, and will most likely always be, my most favorite movie ever.

Ashlea Rodriguez, 34

What advice would you give your past self?

Take an introductory psychology course in college and learn about the different personality traits sooner. Every great organization needs every personality type in it, even the nonanalytical types.

What is your ideal vacation?

Prior to having kids (2020), it would have been to hike across Europe, exploring every tourist attraction along the way. Now, with two young kids, my ideal vacation is a week at an all-inclusive beach resort with no scheduled plans and with the kids staying back at home with Nana.

What is your favorite restaurant?

It depends on my mood. Papillion has the best restaurants in the Metro that cover all the different types of foods; so no matter what mood I’m in or time of day, I can find what I’m craving nearby.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I’m a proud shareholder of the Green Bay Packers (Go Pack, Go!) but you also can’t beat an Omaha Storm Chasers game at Werner Park on a summer evening.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“A mark of lifelong learners is recognizing that they can learn something from everyone they meet.” — Adam M. Grant

the way, I’ve curiously asked for advice and guidance from all those around me. In doing so, I developed the ability to see each situation from multiple unique perspectives. No challenge is as difficult or daunting as it initially seems.

MILITARY VETERAN SERVICES MANAGER BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY What are three words that describe you?

Authentic, studious, honored.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I went from a small-town kid working three jobs at 14, to a USAF medic serving around the world, to a first-generation college graduate leading one of the most impactful military-serving centers in the area. Every unexpected move built the grit, adaptability and purpose that brought me to Bellevue University, where I found my calling: serving those who served.

How do you give back to the community?

My career is community service, but beyond my role, I found the best way to serve my community is to truly get to know your community. By learning about the people and businesses within your community, you begin to understand when donating, volunteering, or other acts of kindness are best suited to strengthen our community.

What was your first job?

My first jobs were a mixture of early morning paper routes, after school bussing tables at the only restaurant in our town and evenings of babysitting. Even from a young age, I truly thrived by taking advantage of multiple opportunities with a willingness to juggle my schedule.

What advice would you give your past self?

Stop underestimating yourself. You are capable, you are worthy, and one day you’ll be doing things you can’t even picture right now. Keep going because the future version of you is cheering you on.

What is your ideal vacation?

Finding a quiet beach with my family, good food, warm weather and absolutely no schedule. Just sunshine, gelato, and the sound of my kids laughing. Bonus points if I don’t have to answer a single email.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

One of my greatest mentors is Dr. Michelle Eppler. She taught me two things: 1. Your voice has power. 2. Don’t wait to be invited; show up like you belong. Her guidance helped me move from self-doubt to confident leadership, and I pay that forward every chance I get.

What is your favorite restaurant?

A mom-and-pop restaurant where the employees have connection to the food, the people they serve, and the atmosphere they create.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

Once I realized that failure isn’t something to fear, but instead an essential stepping stone for growth, I admittedly have an obsessive habit of trying new things. If there is a DIY-project out there, chances are I’ve taken my shot at it.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I consider myself a big fan of music and I am fascinated by the dedication and creativity of musicians, whether it’s classical, 1940s bops or even the current pop-culture icons that my children relentlessly fixate on. However, I will always be a diehard for my era’s “it’s not a phase” punk rock music.

What other profession would you like to try?

I would love to try a profession focused on motivational speaking or writing, one day. I feel as though I have lived through more chaos, hard choices and new beginnings than most. Every step of

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” — Peter Drucker

Page 36 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Sierra Roseby, 26

What other profession would you like to try?

I would love to have my own show like Rachael Ray, where I bake in front of a live crowd and compete with Gordon Ramsay to see who really has the best desserts.

DIRECTOR OF INVOLVEMENT UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA What are three words that describe you?

Trailblazer, legacy-builder, initiator.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I never imagined myself as a senior leader in higher education, but I am certain that I am operating in my purpose. From serving as a team captain in basketball to leading organizations throughout high school and college, I have built my leadership foundation around empowering others. I am passionate about inspiring teams, creating opportunities for growth, and adding meaningful value to every organization I have been part of.

How do you give back to the community?

A wise man once said, “There’s a level beyond success that very few achieve, and that’s significance.

Significance is taking everything you have gained and learned in success and paying it forward to the next generation.” I strive for significance daily, by investing into the community through student development programming, mentorship and volunteer service across multiple initiatives.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I want to give a special shoutout to Kevin Vann and Maurtice Ivy. Through their guidance and mentorship, I learned the importance of pushing past potential, maintaining consistency and holding myself to a standard of excellence. They both played pivotal roles throughout my basketball and life journey. Even today, I credit much of my character and discipline to the lessons learned through sports.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

During the speech and debate team’s first year at Midland University, I had the opportunity to serve as the founding (and only) member. After delivering a presentation in his class, Coach Adam Knowlton personally invited me to join the team. Before I knew it, we were meeting early in the mornings to practice speeches and traveling across the country to compete alongside other storytellers.

What was your first job?

If you asked my Grandma Shirley, she would say that in kindergarten I told her, “My full-time job is going to school” (I really do miss naptime.). However, my first real job was at Omaha Sports Academy. I wore multiple hats as part of the operations team, managing game-day logistics, guest services and overall facility support.

What advice would you give your past self?

Progress over perfection. I’d remind my younger self to trust the timing of life, be patient and focus on growth instead of rushing to check boxes. Life has its own schedule and works out better than any plan you make.

What is your ideal vacation?

A warm getaway to an all-inclusive resort where I split my time between adventurous excursions, shopping sprees and eating my way through the best local food spots.

What is your favorite restaurant?

This question really isn’t fair because I’m a foodie at heart. If I could get on a flight I would go to Butterfield’s Pancake House for breakfast in Arizona; Jack Stack Barbecue for lunch in Kansas City and I would end the night in New Orleans at Morrow Steak.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

With my dad being a Kansas City native, I naturally bleed Kansas City Chiefs’ red and gold. I’ve had the pleasure of attending home games and training camps. Not a lot of people get to witness their favorite team win multiple Super Bowls.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“You can be a work of art and masterpiece at once.” — Anonymous

Congratulations, Nic Olari!

Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree WoodmenLife congratulates and thanks Nic for his outstanding contributions in the workplace and the community.

Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society: Omaha, NE

Page 37 • December 26, 2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Javier Saldaña Jr., 35

deep interest in culture, language and travel, flying would allow me to experience the world from a truly unique perspective while connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. The combination of exploration, responsibility and human connection makes it especially appealing to me.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY DIVISION ADMINISTRATOR NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT What are three words that describe you?

Collaborative, resilient, visionary.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

My career path reflects a strong commitment to public service, leadership and impact, beginning with the Nebraska Army National Guard. I then transitioned into higher education where I helped lead and develop nationally recognized programming for military-connected students. Building on these experiences, I now lead economic development efforts across the State of Nebraska, working to strengthen communities, drive growth and create opportunities that support long-term prosperity across the state.

How do you give back to the community?

I give back to my community through active service in Latino, young professional and veteran advocacy organizations across Omaha and throughout Nebraska. Drawing on my lived experiences and professional background, I support initiatives that expand access to opportunity, mentorship and leadership development for underrepresented communities. This is whether collaborating with local organizations, mentoring emerging leaders or advocating for policies and programs that strengthen economic and social mobility.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I believe that mentorship takes many forms and evolves through different stages of life. A strong and impactful personal and professional board of directors is essential to that journey. Because I deeply value people’s time, effort and wisdom, I reflect on words that inspire me and help guide my life in a more positive and meaningful direction.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my family. I come from an incredibly large and loving family, with nearly 100 first cousins.

What was your first job?

As a born and bred Nebraskan, my first job led me to the cornfields of Platte County detasseling corn in the heat and humidity of the early hours. Jokingly, I feel like this should be considered a rite of passage for any Nebraskan.

What advice would you give your past self?

I would encourage myself to be bold, unafraid and willing to take even greater risks. Growth often comes from stepping outside of comfort zones, trusting your instincts and embracing opportunities even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

Taking those chances can open doors to experiences and lessons that shape both personal and professional success.

What is your ideal vacation?

My ideal vacation is one that allows for full immersion in a different culture. I would especially love the opportunity to explore East Asia, particularly countries like South Korea and Japan (coming 2026).

What is your favorite restaurant?

As a foodie at heart, I love any restaurant or cuisine that’s full of rich, bold flavors. While I can’t name just one favorite, if I had to choose, it would be Andrea’s home kitchen — also known as Mom’s house.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Sports: Atlanta Braves, San Antonio Spurs and Nebraska Huskers. Artists: Selena, Mexican Norteño, Banda Sinaloense and Bad Bunny.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“There is always room for one more good idea.” — Anonymous

What other profession would you like to try?

If I had the opportunity to try another profession, I would be excited to pursue a career as a pilot. With my

Johnny Sandquist, 39

What other profession would you like to try?

I started playing guitar when I was 12 and have always had a desire to be a professional musician. Though that ship has long sailed, playing together with others still remains a highlight every time I get to do it.

FOUNDER THREE CROWNS COPYWRITING AND MARKETING What are three words that describe you?

Creative, dependable, strategic.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I began my professional career planning the 40 Under 40 at the MBJ when I was fresh out of college. I then worked at a technology firm where I entered the marketing field. After polishing my craft at a successful marketing agency, I started Three Crowns in 2018 to focus on mission-driven small businesses.

How do you give back to the community?

I enjoy volunteering with my local church community, taking part in activities like WATCH D.O.G.S. at my children’s schools and giving to organizations I’m passionate about like No Kid Hungry and the Food Bank for the Heartland.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

I’ve had many professional mentors, but probably the one that is most memorable was Dr. Bob Darcy, one of my literature professors at UNO who was also my academic advisor. Dr. Darcy taught me to approach work with seriousness, but not to miss levity and joy at the same time.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I received a minor in Medieval/Renaissance literature — and it was my goal early in life to become a scholar and professor of Renaissance-era poetry.

What was your first job?

My first job after graduating from UNO was as an editorial assistant at the Midlands Business Journal.

What advice would you give your past self?

Trust in yourself and don’t be afraid to pursue what you are passionate about.

What is your ideal vacation?

Anywhere in the mountains.

What is your favorite restaurant?

A favorite restaurant is always a tough one, but I think you can’t go wrong with a burger from Dinker’s Bar and Grill.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

So many to name: T.S. Eliot is the poet I return to most often. In sports, I follow the Cornhuskers and Denver Broncos. Musically, my favorite band right now is Lord Huron.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than they seek.” — John Muir

Page 38 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Jason Sevener, 39

What other profession would you like to try?

During my senior year of high school, I looked into either being in emergency medicine as a physician or construction management. I chose the latter, obviously.

OWNER 7ER CONSTRUCTION

What was your first job?

I worked on my neighbor’s farm baling hay.

What are three words that describe you?

Determined, empathetic, driven.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I’ve always had a strong work ethic and a focused goal of wanting to achieve more than the status quo, learning from my mistakes and figuring out how to do it better.

How do you give back to the community?

Working with several organizations and sponsoring where we can, including the American Heart Association and several local hospitals.

What advice would you give your past self?

Enjoy the moment and spend as much time with your parents as possible. Life is short.

What is your ideal vacation?

Any vacation where I can turn my phone off and just be present.

What is your favorite restaurant?

The Committee Chophouse

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

My father, who passed away when I was 15. He instilled in me my work ethic and the ability to push through difficult times.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

I’m a big Green Bay Packers fan.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I have a twin sister and I have a set of twin boys myself.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” — Various

Corporate & Wealth Management Finance & Creditor’s Rights Health Care Labor & Employment Litigation Real Estate Technology & Intellectual Property

GROUNDED IN INTEGRITY GROWING WITH PURPOSE Delivering both - now in Omaha and Lincoln.

Omaha Office

301 S 13 t h St., Ste. 610 Lincoln, NE 68508

402.344.0500

402.480.7040

info@bairdholm.com

Page 39 • December 26, 2025

Lincoln Office - New Location

1700 Farnam St., Ste. 1500 Omaha, NE 68102

www.bairdholm.com

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

2025 40 Under 40 Honorees

Alicia Dallman Shoemaker, 38

What other profession would you like to try?

Every professional experience I’ve had has reinforced my passion for education. As a lifelong learner, I am always curious about exploring and learning from disciplines beyond education, which is why I’ve sought many partnerships from various industries to implement initiatives locally and globally.

EDUCATOR ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOLS; MALAIKA FOUNDATION What are three words that describe you?

Altruistic, visionary, adventurous.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

Connecting domestically and internationally with individuals and communities reinforced my dedication to collective well-being. I’ve expanded my capacity to serve via roles on local, state and national committees as well as an Ed.S. and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. As an educator, partnering to support students through personalized learning and systemic school improvement are priorities. I was named the 2024 National ACTFL Teacher of the Year, and continue to advocate for students and colleagues.

How do you give back to the community?

After receiving two consecutive Fulbright grants, I focus on the importance of mutual understanding and exchange in my interactions within our local and global communities. All service is truly reciprocal. Joyfilled and fulfilling roles for me are often as an advocate, celebrator and educator. In each role I have held or currently have the honor of growing within, I have continued to seek input and am always learning from those around me of all ages.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

One of our beloved colleagues challenged us to define a mentor at a conference. Through this powerful reflective experience, we concluded that a mentor is a valued guide who nurtures growth. Throughout my life, mentors have come in all ages and I’m deeply grateful for each one. My family members, friends and individuals in our schools and communities have all assumed this role. Some mentors have even emerged as characters in literature, film and music.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I attended a one-room schoolhouse centered around personalized learning from kindergarten to sixth grade.

Kirsten Soneson, 39

What was your first job?

My first official job, cultivating food with my grandparents, instilled a deep respect for nature and agriculture.

What advice would you give your past self?

Walk by faith and trust God’s plan for your life.

What is your ideal vacation?

As an aficionado of travel, nearly any vacation is my ideal one because it would involve new perspectives, products and practices.

What is your favorite restaurant?

That’s a challenging question for someone who makes a list of favorite places, including restaurants, of every city I visit. Narrowing it down to one might prove impossible for someone who loves to experience novel or innovative interpretations of many types of cuisine.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

As a fan of many artists, icons and teams, I’ll celebrate the University of Nebraska-Lincoln volleyball team because it is the season of the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament. Their talented and brilliant coach, Danny Busboom Kelly, provides impactful mental models and leadership philosophies that have nurtured and championed her accomplished, undefeated players. In particular, I’m drawn to her holistic approach to player development, astute resourcefulness and emphasis on fun as fuel.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.” — Maya Angelou

an admiration for my health care providers and friends in the profession who change and save lives every day. Unfortunately, during a high school shadow, I almost passed out during an endoscopy, so my career aspirations took a different turn.

VICE PRESIDENT, SENIOR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER BANK OF AMERICA What are three words that describe you?

Curious, intentional, connected.

Describe your career path. What has led you to where you are today?

I’ve gone from academia and financial regulation in Washington D.C., to investment banking on Wall Street, and back to the heartland to build our business community through commercial banking. I’ve been rewarded with an interesting career path that combines my passions and experience to help companies grow and create economic stability.

How do you give back to the community?

I’m honored to serve as board chair of the Nebraska Council on Economic Education that provides educators with the curriculum and tools needed to teach their students economic and financial literacy across the state of Nebraska. I also serve on the Lutheran Family Services Foundation board, which works on many important community initiatives. My family also spends time focused on food access programs.

Who is a mentor who has made an impact on you?

Dr. Stephan Thurman was my first professional mentor who built my confidence and steered my career.

As chief international economist at the U.S. Department of State, he provided opportunities for learning in important policy situations and with influential decision makers. Stephan taught me I could do difficult things. He influenced my first profession as an economist which serves as the foundation for my world viewpoints, problem-solving abilities and nonprofit focus.

What is something about you that not everyone knows?

I studied abroad in the United Arab Emirates for a banking consulting project during grad school and traveled through China after that experience. I’m very fortunate to have made friends from across the world during that period of my life.

What other profession would you like to try?

If I hadn’t pursued economics and finance, I would have liked to have gone to medical school. I have such

What was your first job?

My first internship was at my aunt’s CPA firm during summers in high school. My first full-time real position was as a financial economist under the chief economist at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in Washington, D.C.. It was a life-changing experience with rapid commodity price changes, my boss testifying in front of Congress weekly, the implementation of Dodd-Frank and analysis for important market manipulation cases.

What advice would you give your past self?

Don’t be so self-conscious. Trust yourself, listen to your gut, speak up and go for it.

What is your ideal vacation?

Kauai, on the northern end of the island in Princeville overlooking Hanalei Bay, sipping a fresh smoothie and watching the surfers. Otherwise, wandering somewhere in Europe down ancient streets absorbing the culture, history and food.

What is your favorite restaurant?

The Inn at Little Washington. My husband and I went to the wonderful Little Inn in Virginia years ago before it was a three-star Michelin restaurant, focused on intricate French cuisine through Julia Child-inspired recipes and lovely, comfortable rooms in the rolling hills of Virginia. It was a magical experience and some of the best food I’ve ever eaten.

What artist, sports team or pop culture icon do you consider yourself a big fan of?

Yo-Yo Ma and his brilliance of music but also his ability to connect to all people and cultures through his heavenly gift.

What is your favorite quote, and by whom is it?

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

— Benjamin Franklin

Page 40 • December 26, 2025

Founded in Omaha in 1966

dlrgroup.com

Page 41 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

2025

MBJJ

MIDLANDS ACHIEVERS & INNOVATORS UNDER 40

THANK YOU

to our Event Partners!

Page 42 • December 26, 2025

expertly planned.

EXCEPTIONALLY EXECUTED. www.planitincevents.com

a global powerhouse in meetings and events

Page 43 • December 26, 2025

Specializing in fresh florals, weddings, and events, Loess Hills Floral offers years of professional, award-winning experience with a custom-made touch.

1010 S. Main Ste 700 Council Bluffs, IA

712-256-9959 New location NOW OPEN Loess Hills Floral @West Shores 110 S 243rd St. Ste 107 Waterloo, Ne

402-884-8820 https://www.loesshillsfloral.com

Page 44 • December 26, 2025

Four venues, four unique celebration experiences. Hosting events for 100 - 1,000 guests, Omaha Event Group boasts 15 years of experience with over 300 events each year, including Omaha Fashion Week. If you can dream it, we can host it.

402.819.8792 | omahaeventgroup.com Omaha Design Center | The Garden Room | Empire Room | Leo Ballroom Page 45 • December 26, 2025

SPONSORED content MARK HANWRIGHT, NIKKI WOODS, JOHN JERKOVICH, RACHELLE EDWARDS, JASON JAMES

Heartland Properties COMPANY ENTERS ERA OF GROWTH AND AGENT DEVELOPMENT Heartland Properties, one of the region’s leading real estate brokerages, is taking agent support and professional growth to the next level with two major initiatives designed to empower its team and strengthen its culture.

challenging career, and our goal is to create an environment where our agents feel supported, motivated, and inspired to grow, not just in sales, but as people. Nikki’s role and the Legacy Partner Program are key steps in making that vision a reality.”

The company recently hired Nikki Woods as its new sales success coach, a role that is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the Council Bluffs–Omaha real estate community. In addition, Heartland Properties has launched the Heartland Legacy Partner Program, an innovative opportunity for top-performing agents to earn ownership in the company.

In her new role, Woods serves as Heartland’s dedicated sales success coach, a position that focuses entirely on helping agents reach their goals and build thriving, sustainable businesses.

According to Heartland Properties owners Jason James, John Jerkovich and Mark Hanwright, both initiatives are part of a broader strategy to help agents achieve long-term success not only in their business but also in their personal and financial lives.

Unlike traditional management roles that juggle recruiting, compliance and operations, Woods’ sole focus is on the individual agent. She works one-on-one with team members to set goals, overcome challenges and stay accountable to their own plans for success.

Her role also emphasizes personal development and mindset, encouraging agents to pursue balance between work and life, and to celebrate wins along the way.

“We wanted to do something truly different,” said James. “Real estate is a

Page 46 • December 26, 2025

MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

“Nikki’s job is to be an advocate for our agents,” Jerkovich explained. “She’s here to help them reach their highest potential, both personally and professionally. We truly see this as an investment in our people and our culture.”

and seeing her become our first partner is incredibly rewarding. This program is about building something lasting, and she’s helping pave the way for others to follow.”

Woods brings a wealth of experience in real estate sales, coaching and team building, and she has quickly become a driving force in fostering connection and positivity within the company.

Heartland Properties plans to eventually expand the Legacy Partner Program to include up to 10 partners, each owning a portion of the company. This shared ownership model reflects the firm’s belief that success is best achieved collectively, and that those who help grow the company should have the opportunity to share in that growth.

Beyond goal setting and training, she plays an integral role in maintaining and growing Heartland’s culture, one rooted in family, loyalty, integrity and positivity.

Weekly sales meetings, one-on-one coaching sessions and team development events are just a few of the tools she uses to help agents stay inspired and focused.

“Our goal is to start each week with energy and optimism,” said Woods. “I want our agents to feel supported and excited about the opportunities ahead of them. Real estate can be an emotional business and my role is to help them keep perspective, stay positive and continue growing.”

In addition to the new coaching initiative, Heartland Properties recently launched another first-of-its-kind opportunity: the Heartland Legacy Partner Program.

The program gives qualified agents the opportunity to earn a pathway to ownership within the company. Through a combination of sales achievements, demonstrated leadership and alignment with Heartland’s core values, participants can become equity partners in the brokerage.

“We’re not just building a sales company, we’re building a community of business owners,” said James. “We want agents who think like entrepreneurs, who want to create wealth through real estate, and who share the same core values as our company.”

“Our long-term vision is a company that’s owned by the people who built it,” James said. “We want Heartland to be a place where agents can spend their entire careers, continue evolving, and know they have a voice in the direction of the company.”

The combination of a dedicated in-house coach and an ownership pathway underscores Heartland’s forward-thinking approach to brokerage management. In an industry often focused on transactions, the company’s leadership is focused on transformation, helping agents build better businesses, stronger finances and more fulfilling lives.

“At the end of the day, our success is defined by the success of our agents,” said Jerkovich. “If we can help them reach their goals, build wealth and love what they do, then we’ve achieved something special.”

With these new initiatives, Heartland Properties continues to position itself as a leader in innovation, culture and agent development, proving that in real estate, growth is about much more than sales numbers. It’s about creating lasting impact, both within the company and throughout the community it serves.

To qualify, agents must meet certain production benchmarks and also demonstrate that they are actively working to build wealth through real estate investments, whether through rental properties, development projects or other ventures. The goal, James said, is to develop a team of professionals who not only sell real estate but also live it.

Heartland Properties recently welcomed Rachelle Edwards as the first official partner in the Heartland Legacy Partner Program: an exciting milestone for both Edwards and the company.

“Rachelle truly embodies what this program is all about,” said Hanwright. “She’s consistently been one of our top agents, but what really stands out is her leadership, her commitment to our core values, and her drive to grow her own real estate sales business and investments. We couldn’t have asked for a better person to help set the tone for what the Legacy Partner Program represents.”

Hanwright added that Edwards’ achievement is a reflection of the culture Heartland is striving to build.

“We’re so proud of Rachelle,” he said. “She’s been a huge part of our success story,

Page 47 • December 26, 2025

2026 Omaha YP Guide

STRATEGIC NETWORKING FOR THE METRO’S EMERGING LEADERS This directory identifies the primary organizations currently shaping the professional landscape for emerging leaders in the Omaha metropolitan area as of late 2025. This curated list serves as a roadmap for professionals aged 21-40 who are seeking to expand their civic influence, technical skills, and community impact.

The organizations range from broad-based chambers of commerce to mission-specific nonprofits and academic academies, providing a diverse array of opportunities for career advancement and relationship-building. As several of these groups utilize cohort-based models or have major annual events scheduled for early 2026, this guide is intended to assist in early-year strategic planning and professional development goal setting.

AAF Nebraska: Meet the Pros

Designed for young professionals in advertising, marketing and graphic design, this group provides a bridge to the Midwest’s top agencies. Their flagship “Meet the Pros” event in March 2026 at LinkedIn HQ offers portfolio reviews and direct mentorship, making it an essential resource for those navigating the creative and communications industries.

— aafnebraska.org/engage/signature-events/meet-the-pros/

ACG Nebraska YOUNG ACG

ACG Nebraska’s Young ACG division serves professionals and business leaders under 40 in Nebraska’s middlemarket mergers and acquisitions sector. The group welcomes both ACG members and non-members, offering opportunities to build connections through networking events and educational programming focused on the M&A community. Young ACG membership provides 12 months of access to all ACG Nebraska events, creating pathways for emerging professionals to engage with industry leaders and expand their knowledge of middlemarket transactions.

— acgnebraska.org

Council Bluffs Young Professionals

Council Bluffs Young Professionals (CBYP) is an organization for adults ages 18 to 40 focused on career development and community involvement. The group provides networking, leadership training and civic engagement activities to enhance opportunities for young talent in Council Bluffs.

— councilbluffsiowa.com

Forge Omaha

Forge is a high-level leadership collective that focuses on keeping top talent in Omaha through civic engagement.

They connect ambitious young people with current city influencers to discuss policy and urban growth. It’s designed for the YP who wants a “seat at the table” regarding Omaha’s future development.

— forgeomaha.com

Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals

Omaha Jaycees

— omahachamber.org/category/young-professionals/

— omahajaycees.org

Heartland Family Service: Friends Guild

Omaha Venture Group (OVG)

As the city’s primary networking engine, this group bridges the gap between emerging talent and corporate leadership.

Best known for the annual YP Summit (celebrating 20 years in 2025), they provide a massive platform for those looking to scale their careers quickly while staying informed about Omaha’s economic initiatives.

The Friends Guild brings together peer professionals to support one of the region’s largest human services agencies.

Members organize high-profile events and service projects that provide counseling and education to families in need. It is a premier choice for professionals looking to combine highlevel event planning with deep community impact.

— heartlandfamilyservice.org/get-involved/friends-guild/

Joslyn Young Art Patrons (YAP)

YAP provides a modern, social entry point into Omaha’s premier art museum. Designed for those under 40, the group offers curated gallery experiences and after-hours events that make the arts accessible. It’s an excellent choice for professionals who value culture and want to support the museum’s educational mission.

— joslyn.org/support/join-renew/young-art-patrons/

Metro Young Latino Professionals Association (MYLPA)

MYLPA is a community-driven group that unites Latino professionals and allies to foster leadership and civic participation. Through their scholarship fund and intentional social gatherings, they create a supportive environment where members can celebrate their culture while building professional connections in the Omaha metro.

— mylpaomaha.com

Omaha Area Board of Realtors Young Professionals Network (YPN)

OABR’s YPN empowers professionals in the real estate and home-building sectors to achieve success through community involvement and advocacy. The group encourages members to take an active role in local policy while providing networking events that connect agents with lenders, inspectors and other vital industry partners across Omaha.

Building community leaders since 1921, the Jaycees focus on management and professional skill development through civic projects. Their hallmark event is the “Ten Outstanding Young Omahans” (TOYO) awards, which recognizes individuals under 40 who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to public service and career excellence in the region.

OVG reinvents traditional networking by turning it into a “learning lab” for philanthropy. Members pool their resources to act as a collective foundation, vetting local nonprofits and deciding where to invest. It’s a hands-on way for young professionals to learn about community needs while making a financial impact.

— omahafoundation.org/donors/omaha-venture-group/

University of Nebraska Omaha Young Alumni Academy

This cohort-based program offers a “behind-the-scenes” tour of Omaha through the lens of the university.

The Class of 2026 is currently in session; however, interested alumni should monitor the website for the next application cycle, which typically opens in midsummer.

— unoalumni.org/yaa

Urban League of Nebraska Young Professionals This organization serves as a powerhouse for professionals ages 21 to 39 who prioritize social equity alongside career growth. By focusing on civil rights advocacy and mentorship, members work to dismantle economic barriers and build an inclusive professional landscape for the next generation of Omaha leaders.

— urbanleagueneb.org/auxiliaries/urban-league-ofyoung-professionals/

ynpnGO (Young Nonprofit Professionals Network)

Ideal for the mission-driven professional, ynpnGO focuses on the “business of doing good.” They offer practical workshops on board governance and nonprofit management, helping young leaders find their voice in the community sector. It is a vital resource for anyone looking to turn their passion into a career.

— ynpnomaha.org

— omaharealtors.com/ypn/

Omaha Habitat Young Professionals (HYP)

HYP mixes traditional networking with active community service. By organizing construction builds and advocacy campaigns, the group helps young professionals build leadership skills outside the office. It’s the perfect fit for someone who prefers “doing” over just talking, providing a direct way to impact local housing.

— habitatomaha.org/volunteer/yp/

Page 48 • December 26, 2025

Business Journal

Years!

Celebrating

1975-2025

CELEBRATING 21 YEARS WITH “BOLD MOVES, BIG IMPACT”

The Greater Omaha Chamber’s Young Professionals (YP) Summit will celebrate a major milestone in 2026, marking 21 years of connecting, developing and empowering emerging leaders across the region.

The event will take place on March 27, 2026, at CHI Health Center Omaha, with more than 1,000 young professionals expected to attend.

Since its inception, YP Summit has grown into one of the Midwest’s largest conferences dedicated to young professionals, attracting attendees from a wide range of industries and career stages. The annual event is designed to help participants grow personally and professionally while strengthening their connection to the Omaha business community. This year’s theme, “Bold Moves, Big Impact,” emphasizes the importance of intentional leadership, meaningful action, and long-term influence in both careers and communities.

The 2026 YP Summit will feature two dynamic keynote speakers who will share powerful, real-world stories that highlight leadership, growth and bold decision-making. These stories will energize and inspire a full day of learning and engagement.

In addition to keynote presentations, attendees will Feature a new hire, promotion, have access to 15 breakout sessions led or by experienced professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders. accolade to inform the leaders of the These sessions will explore a broad range of relevant Omaha metro, Council Bluffsfresh andperspectives Lincoln topics, offering practical strategies, and real-world insights that MBJ. attendees can immediately communities through apply in their careers and personal lives.

XU %XVLQHVV YP Summit is also recognized for its strong LJQDWXUH emphasis on connection and engagement. With more VVXHV than 1,000 attendees expected, the event provides ample opportunities for networking, collaboration and relationship-building throughout the day. From structured engagement opportunities to informal conversations between sessions, the summit creates an environment where meaningful connections can form and grow.

As this event enters its third decade, it continues to play a vital role in developing Omaha’s next generation of leaders. The one-day conference reflects the Greater Omaha Chamber’s ongoing commitment to workforce development, talent retention and fostering a thriving business community.

Registration for the 2026 YP Summit is now open.

Additional event details, including keynote speaker announcements and opportunities to sponsor, can be found at omahachamber.org/events/yp-summit.

IN THE spotlight

MIDLANDS BUSIN ESS

HEALTH CARE | APPOI NTED

Tim Martens

JOURNAL

HEALTH

CARE | NAMED MARTENS ANNOUN CED AS PRESIDEN T OF HCAN LINCOLN Josie Rodri & SARPY guez Home Care Advocacy Network (HCAN) ONEWORLD NAMES of Lincoln and Sarpy announce the appointme JOSIE RODRIGU is pleased to nt of Tim Martens EZ CHIEF OF DIVERSIT & INCLUSION as President.

Y, EQUITY Mr. Martens joins the organization Josie Rodriguez, with 17 years of and is ready to BS, MHA, senior position HCAN care experience for OneWorld Communit was named Chief of Diversity, as a premier provider services to individual Equity and Inclusion y Health Centers. of non-medical s in the greater and prioritize diversity, The position was Lincoln and Sarpy/Cas created to increase equity and inclusion s markets. grow. efforts as OneWorld Mr. Martens is continues to an active member of the Nebraska Healthcare and Association for Hospice and a diplomatic Home Originally from central Throughout his advocate for senior Nebraska, Josie combined 17 years care issues. holds a Bachelor Service Administra in the senior care with the senior of Science in Human tion and industry, he has population. “Senior from Bellevue University. a Master of Science in Healthcare grown passionat care is my career different than working Administration e about working Josie worked for and my life. I don’t with seniors. I thoroughl During her time the State of Nebraska see myself doing with the State, she y enjoy it,” he says. for 30 years. anything worked for the Nebraska Medicaid, Children While senior care Department of Health and Family Services, is the service HCAN Public Health and and Human Services 2011, she rejoined offers, Mr. Martens “Our number one the Office of the DHHS in the Office in core value is to Nebraska Attorney is also an advocate of Health Disparities pursue the genuine General. In for caregivers.

Caregivers, they and Health Equity. success of others. will feel valued, Josie If also served on the love their jobs, and provide incredible we do this well with our board of the People’s Josie said she has Health Center, now care to our clients.”

Mr. Martens is always admired Bluestem Health, also a huge proponent Federally to those who need in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Qualified Health of working in tandem of the ways we it most, and as a Centers for providing can best care for with other non-medic Latina, the opportunit health care services number of Latinos seniors is to we are in a critical y to work for an al is a great fit for her. organization that labor crisis so partnering partner with like-minded agencies. agencies. “One serves a large seniors are receiving It’s no secret that client care with other trusted providers all the care they With her vast experience need.” helps to ensure and knowledge in and advocating for working to address To learn more about diversity and inclusion, health disparities HCAN careers, , advancing health inclusion strategies Josie said she is partnerships, or equity looking forward to advance OneWorld in-home care, please to using diversity, ’s mission. contact us. equity and “We are working HOME CARE to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive they belong,” said 402-287-61 ADVOCACY NETWORK Josie. “OneWorl organizational culture 71 OF LINCOLN d has an internal EMAIL: TMART where everyone want to get to know AND SARPY LGBTQ+ Task Force feels everyone in these ENS@HCAN and an Employee WEBSITE: groups and engage let people know Council, and I WWW.HCANTH NEBRASKA.COM that leadership values with team members WWW.HCANTH at every location.

RIVE.COM/SA every employee I and that at OneWorld want to RIVE.COM/LI RPY OR , everyone has a NCOLN voice.”

ONEWORLD 402-734-41 COMMUNITY HEALTH 10 CENTERS EMAIL: DEVEL OPMENT@O WEBSITE: NEWORLDO WWW.ONEWO MAHA.ORG RLDOMAHA .ORG

INSURANCE | APPOI NTED

Shawn Beng

tson

WOODMENLIFE APPOINTS EXECUTIV E VICE PRESIDEN T & CHIEF RISK OFFICER Shawn Bengtson was appointed Executive Vice President security, investmen and Chief Risk Officer, t underwriting, physical property Enterprise Risk, effective July 1, security, business Security, and Property 2022. She will lead continuity, corporate WoodmenLife’s & Facility divisions. insurance retention, expanded risk managem and current and ent efforts in cyber “Risk reaches into forecasted business many areas of the risks. She will also business world a strong leader, lead the and is constantly WoodmenLife will evolving,” said be well positioned WoodmenLife President to not only handle & CEO, Patrick L. the current risk Bengtson started Dees. “By ensuring environment but her career with also be prepared our Risk Managem WoodmenLife in from University for the future.” ent efforts have 2001, and most of Nebraska-Lincoln recently led Woodmen in the Interdepa (CFA) since 2004, Life’s rtmental Investmen she earned her Area of Business, t division as Vice Chartered Insurance President. She has Operations Profession with focuses in corporate finance, multiple degrees investments and al (CIOP) designatio including a banking (1996). doctorate n in 2009.

As a Chartered WOODMENL Financial Analyst IFE • 402-3

EMAIL: COMM 42-1890 UNICATION@ WEBSITE: WOODMENL WOODMENL IFE.ORG IFE.ORG

Page 33 • July 22,

2022

IN THE spotlight Feature a new hire, promotion, or Published and featured on MBJ.com and in the next accolade toofinform theapproval. leaders of the available issue MBJ after Omaha metro, Council Bluffs and Lincoln Published in a weekly e-newsletter each Tuesday: communities through MBJ. Accolades, Promotions & New Hires

XU %XVLQHVV

LJQDWXUH VVXHV

PRESS release

YP Summit

Submit a Spotlight at MBJ.com MIDLANDS BUSIN ESS

HEALTH CARE | APPOI NTED

Tim Martens

MARTENS ANNOUN CED AS PRESIDEN T OF HCAN LINCOLN & SARPY Home Care Advocacy Network (HCAN) of Lincoln and Sarpy announce the appointme is pleased to nt of Tim Martens as President.

JOURNAL

HEALTH CARE | NAME D

Josie Rodri guez

ONEWORLD NAMES JOSIE RODRIGU EZ CHIEF OF DIVERSIT & INCLUSION Y, EQUITY

Mr. Martens joins the organization Josie Rodriguez, with 17 years of and is ready to BS, MHA, senior care experienc position HCAN for OneWorld Communit was named Chief of Diversity, as a premier provider e services to individual Equity and Inclusion y Health Centers. of non-medical s in the greater and prioritize diversity, The position was Lincoln and Sarpy/Cas created to increase equity and inclusion s markets. grow. efforts as OneWorld Mr. Martens is continues to an active member of the Nebraska Healthcare and Association for Hospice and a diplomatic Home Originally from central Throughout his advocate for senior Nebraska, Josie combined 17 years care issues. holds a Bachelor Service Administra in the senior care with the senior of Science in Human tion and a Master industry, he has population. “Senior of Science in Healthcare from grown Bellevue care passionat different than working University. Josie is my career and Administration e about working worked for the State my life. I don’t see with seniors. I thoroughl During her time of Nebraska for myself doing anything with the State, she y enjoy it,” he says.

30 years. worked for the Nebraska Medicaid, Children and Family While senior care Department of Health Services, Public is the service HCAN and Human Services 2011, she rejoined Health and the Office offers, Mr. Martens “Our number one DHHS in the Office in of the Nebraska core value is to is also of Health an Attorney General. advocate Disparities and Health pursue the genuine for caregivers.

Caregivers, they In success of others.

Equity. will feel valued, Josie also served If love their jobs, on the board of the and provide incredible we do this well with our People’s Health Josie said she has care to our clients.”

Center, now Bluestem Mr. Martens is always admired also a huge proponent Health, in Lincoln, Federally Qualified to those who need Nebraska. of working in tandem Health Centers for of the ways we it most, and as a can best care for providing health with Latina, other non-medic number of Latinos the opportunity to care services seniors is to we are in a critical al is a great fit for her. work for an organizatio labor crisis so partnering partner with like-minded agencies. agencies. “One n that serves a large seniors are receiving It’s no secret that client care with other trusted providers all the care they With her vast experience need.” helps to ensure and knowledge in and advocating for working to address To learn more about diversity and inclusion, health disparities HCAN careers, , advancing health inclusion strategies Josie said she is partnerships, or equity looking forward to advance OneWorld in-home care, please to using diversity, ’s mission. contact us. equity and “We are working HOME CARE to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive they belong,” said 402-287-61 ADVOCACY NETWORK Josie. “OneWorl organizational culture 71 OF LINCOLN d has an internal EMAIL: TMART where everyone want to get to know AND SARPY LGBTQ+ Task Force feels everyone in these ENS@HCAN and an Employee WEBSITE: groups and engage let people know Council, and I WWW.HCANTH NEBRASKA.COM that leadership values with team members WWW.HCANTH at every location.

RIVE.COM/SA every employee I want to and that at OneWorld RIVE.COM/LI RPY OR , everyone has a NCOLN voice.”

MIDLANDS Business Journal ONEWORLD 402-734-41 COMMUNITY HEALTH 10 CENTERS EMAIL: DEVEL OPMENT@O WEBSITE: NEWORLDO WWW.ONEWO MAHA.ORG RLDOMAHA .ORG

ATTENDEES HAVE FUN TAKING PHOTOS AT THE YP SUMMIT

Crossword by Myles Mellor Across 1. Parental sisters 6. Type of lily 10. Business graduate degrees, abbr.

14. Early visitor to Omaha: General George ____ 15. Child’s building brick 16. Double-reed woodwind instrument 17. Italian poet who wrote “The Divine Comedy” 18. Sultanate on the Arabian Peninsula 19. Goods for sale 20. Narrow escape from danger, 2 words 22. Printing paper size, abbr.

23. Ode title starter, 2 words 24. Omaha is its county seat 27. Transportation and logistics company in Omaha 31. Oscar-winning Berry 32. Glowing coal fragment 33. Hostile 37. Parisian pals 38. High IQ society 40. Bloody 41. Final say in a matter, 2 words 43. Tranquility 44. Hawaiian porch 45. Rare ___ (some important elements) 46. Mothers and fathers 49. BBC rival 50. Mineral-bearing rock 51. Part of the Henry Doorly zoo 57. Pesky insects 59. Recedes like the tide 60. Canine companion 61. “Downton Abbey character”, ____ Crawley 62. “I cannot tell ___”, 2 words 63. Relating to the moon 64. Very small particle 65. For fear that 66. Like some questions, 2 words

Down 1. Like some appliances, 2 words 2. Russian mountain range 3. Forbidden thing, 2 words 4. Small children 5. Mosquito 6. Hawaiian greeting 7. Parts of a musical scale, 2 words 8. East African nationals 9. Landlocked Asian nation 10. Cut grass 11. Hoops 12. Main artery from the heart 13. Prophets

Page 49 • December 26, 2025

21. Rocky hill 25. German city on the Danube 26. Radiation counter 27. Happiness 28. Austen novel 29. Baseball scoring stats, abbr.

30. Snuggle closely 31. Official language of India 34. Outer garment 35. Curved structure 36. Caustic solutions 38. Largest city in Quebec 39. Able to be rubbed out 42. Pale 43. Impressive array

45. Investment fund acronym 46. Native American tribe preOmaha 47. Running wild 48. Nostalgically styled 49. Smaller picture within a larger one 52. Wading bird held sacred in ancient Egypt 53. Casanova, perhaps 54. Vast ages 55. Quick examination 56. Via, for short 58. “Casablanca” pianist

UPCOMING events

A roundup of upcoming events in the area

Jan. 7

and marketing frameworks that can be applied immediately to their businesses.

— app.ourbusinessowners.com

Location: 1128 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100, Lincoln The first Chamber Coffee of 2026 includes updates from the City of Lincoln, Lancaster County government, Lincoln Public Schools and other community partners throughout the Lincoln area.

— lcoc.com

Jan. 15

Lincoln Chamber Coffee

Jan. 8

Coffee & Connection with the 402 Arts Collective

Location: Hardy Coffee Co., 6051 Maple St. This relaxed morning meetup creates a unique opportunity for artists to connect and network with fellow artists.

— 402artscollective.org

Jan. 17

Women Entrepreneurs Conference: “She’s About Her Business”

Jan. 9

Omaha emPower Breakfast

Location: German American Society, 3717 S. 120th St. Omaha emPower Breakfast is a longstanding monthly networking event for local business professionals and owners to build relationships, share opportunities and hear from community speakers. Suzanne King of the Omaha Alternatives to Violence Project is this meeting’s featured speaker.

— omaha.empowerbreakfast.org

Jan. 14

Using Marketing to Drive Results

Business Ethics Alliance Annual Trustee Meeting

Location: Charles Schwab Field, 1200 Mike Fahey St., Omaha This morning meeting will feature speaker Ted Bridges III, chief investment officer of Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation, and will explore “Ethical Prologues and Epilogues,” how to begin an ethical story and determine what ethical story to leave behind. The session starts at 7 a.m. and includes a 2025 review and 2026 signature programming preview. Trustee admission: $60; General admission: $65.

— businessethicsalliance.org

Location: The Player’s Club, 121 Deer Creek Drive The first conference of 2026 for networking group OBO (Our Business Owners) is for business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals who want practical strategies to grow their brand, attract customers and generate measurable results. Featured speaker David Slobotski will walk attendees through systems

Location: Remedy Road, 4211 S. 143rd Circle The Annual Women’s Entrepreneur Conference is a day of networking, learning and empowerment for current or aspiring business owners.

— mowbcf.org

Jan. 20

Lunch & Learn: Smarter Systems for Growing Small Businesses

Location: Elevator Co-Warehousing, 1402 Jones St. The theme of this event led by Jocelyn Stange, an Omaha-based process consultant and efficiency coach, is designing sustainable systems that reduce chaos, save time and help businesses grow with clarity and balance. Stange’s human-first approach to workflow design emphasizes practical ways to create people-centered systems that fit a business without draining the owner’s energy.

— elevatorspaces.com

Jan. 21

Techstars Founder Catalyst Startup Showcase

Crossword by Myles Mellor – Answers

Location: The Ashton, 1229 Millwork Ave. T​ his showcase celebrates the bold ideas, creative momentum and early traction from the first-ever Omaha Techstars Founder Catalyst Program.

Hosted by Open Range, the event is intended for founders, community leaders, mentors and investors and will include founder pitches, product demos and opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs.

— openrange.org

Jan. 22

ACG Nebraska Economic Outlook Breakfast

Location: Happy Hollow Country Club, 1701 S. 105th St. ACG Nebraska’s annual Economic Outlook Breakfast provides insights into the economic forecast for the upcoming year.

— acg.org/nebraska

Jan. 24

Fourth Annual Women With Voices Summit

Location: Zenia, 450 S. 193rd St. This day of courage, connection and community brings together women business owners, leaders and professionals for keynote presentations, breakout sessions and conversations about courage, purpose and possibility.

— powerupbysandy.com

Jan. 29

Council Bluffs Chamber Annual Meeting

Location: Mid-America Center, 1 Arena Way in Council Bluffs The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting brings the Council Bluffs business community to celebrate and look to the year ahead.

— councilbluffsiowa.com

Page 50 • December 26, 2025

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

FOR A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON! MEDIA PARTNERS

produced by Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. & SHINING SPONSORS

RADIANT SPONSORS Mammel Family Founda-

EVENT PARTNERS

ILLUMINATE SPONSORS American National Bank · Baxter · Broadmoor · Centris Federal Credit Union · Cox Communications Jacobs · Kiewit · NuStyle Development · Omaha Downtown Improvement District & Old Market Association PGSA · Tenaska · Veridian Credit Union

SPARKLE SPONSORS Brickline at the Mercantile · CHI Health · Five Points Bank · Gallup · Hawkins Construction Company Kutak Rock · Omaha Steaks · Wade Trim

Page 51 • December 26, 2025

LEGAL notices Important Service Change Effective October 31, 2025: The Midlands Business Journal will continue to provide publishing services for legal notices but will no longer submit notices to the Nebraska Secretary of State (SOS).

Affidavits with a final publication date of October 24, 2025 will be filed.

Thank you for using MBJ as your preferred publication for legal notices. We appreciate your business.

For direct SOS submissions, visit: www.nebraska.gov/apps-sos-edocs/ Questions about SOS submissions?

Call 402-471-4077

Midlands Business Journal Legal Notice Submission Guidelines Please visit https://mbj.column.us/place to submit all legal notices to the Midlands Business Journal. Through this platform, you can submit your notice, receive pricing information, make payment, track your notice, and receive proof of publication.

For trade names, submit a copy of the approved Application for Registration of Trade Name from the Secretary of State (must include barcode in upper right-hand corner). Trade names run for one week only.

The flat fee for a trade name is $50.

As a publisher and not a legal advisor, we print notices exactly as they are submitted. Complimentary reruns are only provided when a notice was rejected or affected due to an MBJ error. All companies submitting notices are responsible for ensuring content meets state requirements and bearing the cost of republishing if the notice is rejected due to misinformation or missing information. Submitters are responsible for filing their notice with the Secretary of State as required by law.

The deadline is noon on Monday for notices to start publishing that Friday. Payment must be received prior to publication.

Questions? Contact our Legal Department at legals@mbj.com.

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: KENNETH BEASLEY You are hereby notified that on 07/30/25, the Plaintiff Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska, against you shown as Case Number CI25 19593. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of 213.89, 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 01/25/26 at the COUNTY court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA Nebraska.

Jerry D. Clinch #25651 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, NE 68802 (308)398-3801 Attorney for Plaintiff First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 ARTICLES OF DISSOLUTION OF BOMEX EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. The corporation organized and existing under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act hereby certifies as follows: 1. The dissolution of Bomex Equipment Services, Inc. has been duly authorized by the Board of Directors and Stockholders in accordance with Section 21-2,186 of the Nebraska Revised Statute.

2. The Board of Directors and Stockholders hereby authorize the date of Dissolution to be December 15, 2025.

3. The names and addresses of the directors and officers of the corporation are as follows: D. William Kroupa, President 10030 Fieldcrest Drive Omaha, NE 68114 Alicia C. Kroupa, Secretary 10030 Fieldcrest Drive Omaha, NE 68114 Alicia C. Kroupa, Treasurer 10030 Fieldcrest Drive Omaha, NE

68114 Alicia C. Kroupa, Director 10030 Fieldcrest Drive Omaha, NE 68114 D. William Kroupa, Director 10030 Fieldcrest Drive Omaha, NE 68114 IN WITNESS HEREOF, the undersigned President of the Company has caused this Articles of Dissolution to be duly executed as of December 15, 2025.

D. William Kroupa First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 Daniel J. Waters LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF COORDINATED PLANNING, INC. Notice is hereby given that an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Coordinated Planning, Inc. a Nebraska corporation, was filed with the Secretary of State on October 22, 2025, to change the name of the business to Mundy Enterprises, Inc. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer 4880-7625-1642, v. 1 First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF BLOOM ANESTHESIA SOLUTIONS, P.C. Notice is hereby given that an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of VanWinkle Dreams, P.C., a Nebraska Professional Corporation, was filed with the Secretary of State on December 16, 2025, to change the corporation name to Bloom Anesthesia Solutions, P.C. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026

ARTICLES OF DISSOLUTION OF A-D SERVICES, INC. The corporation organized and existing under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act hereby certifies as follows: 1. The dissolution of A-D Services, Inc. has been duly authorized by the Board of Directors and Stockholders in accordance with Section 21-2,186 of the Nebraska Revised Statute.

2. The Board of Directors and Stockholders hereby authorize the date of Dissolution to be December 15, 2025.

3. The names and addresses of the directors and officers of the corporation are as follows: Alicia C. Kroupa, President 10030 Fieldcrest Drive Omaha, NE 68114 D W Kroupa, Secretary 10030 Fieldcrest Drive Omaha, NE 68114 Alicia C. Kroupa, Treasurer 10030 Fieldcrest Drive Omaha, NE 68114 Alicia C. Kroupa, Director 10030 Fieldcrest Drive Omaha, NE 68114 D W Kroupa, Director 10030 Fieldcrest Drive Omaha, NE 68114 IN WITNESS HEREOF, the undersigned President of the Company has caused this Articles of Dissolution to be duly executed as of December 15, 2025.

Alicia C. Kroupa First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Articles of Incorporation of AFSC Advisors, Inc. (the “Corporation”) have been amended to show that the Corporation has 10,000 authorized shares of Class A Voting Common stock, each with a par value of $0.0 I; and 90,000 authorized shares of Class A Nonvoting Common stock, each with a par value of $0.01. Class A Voting Common stock and Class A Nonvoting stock shall hold all of the same powers, preferences and rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions, except shares of Class A Nonvoting stock shall be limited to the extent that the shares convey no voting rights to their shareholder. The Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State on December 16, 2025 First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 Page 52 • December 26, 2025

Daniel J. Waters LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF CONCORDE VENTURES CORPORATION Notice is hereby given that Concorde Ventures Corporation, a Nebraska corporation, has filed an Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 26, 2025. The Amendment changes the corporation’s principal office address to 200 South 31st Avenue, Unit 4303, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, and provides that the sole director of the corporation is Todd Johnson.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer 4911-2732-7085, v. 1 First publication December 26, 2025, final January 2, 2026 Daniel J. Waters LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF BAILEY & DINEEN FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Notice is hereby given that an Amendment to the Certificate of Organization of Bailey & Dineen Financial Group, LLC, a limited liability company, was filed with the Secretary of State on October 24, 2025, to change the name of the business to Coordinated Planning, LLC. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer 4880-7625-1642, v. 1 First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTIONOF FELTZ WEALTHPLAN, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Feltz WealthPLAN, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Corporation”), filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 12, 2025, effective December 31, 2025, and the Corporation is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the Corporation are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore. Amy C. Feltz, as President of the Corporation, will wind up and liquidate the Corporation’s business and affairs. The Corporation has no assets or liabilities as of the date hereof.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF GOLDENROD HENRY APARTMENTS LP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of Goldenrod Henry Apartments LP, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to change the name of the company to Goldenrod Henry Coinvestors, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 3, 2025.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LUXE OUTDOORS, LLC A NEBRASKA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Notice is hereby given that Luxe Outdoors, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of its designated office is 20211 Hopper Street, Omaha NE 68022. The name and address of the initial registered agent is Mitchell Parks, 20211 Hopper Street, Omaha NE 68022. The mailing address of the registered agent is 20211 Hopper Street, Omaha NE 68022. Luxe Outdoors, LLC, commenced business on December 8, 2025, and the general nature of its business is to engage in any lawful business not prohibited by the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. Bruner Frank Schumacher Husak Simpson, LLC Attorneys at Law 5804 1st Avenue P.O. Box 2230 Kearney, NE 68848-2230 First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026

LEGAL notices Charles E. Dorwart, #16456 Charles E. Dorwart, P.C., L.L.O. Dorwart Law Office 7305 Main Street Ralston, NE 68127 Telephone (402) 558-1404 NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF TIMOTHY O’REILLY, Deceased. Estate No. PR 251934 Notice is hereby given that on November 17, 2025, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Intestate Estate of said Decedent and that Molly Oreilly, 7315 James Avenue, LaVista, NE 68128 was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the intestate Estate of Timothy O’Reilly.

Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 330, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before February 24, 2026, or be forever barred.

VALERIE BOYLE Clerk of the County Court First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 David J. Myers, #25639 CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 Telephone (402) 391-6777 NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF MICHAEL JOHN DEICHMANN, Deceased. Estate No. PR 25-2000 Notice is hereby given that on November 19, 2025, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Appointment of Personal Representative in Intestacy and that John E. Deichmann, whose address is 5032 B Avenue, Marcus, Iowa 51035, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the estate.

Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 330, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before February 24, 2026 or be forever barred.

VALERIE BOYLE, Registrar First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 Steven G. Ranum, #24716 CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 Telephone (402) 391-6777 NOTICE ESTATE OF LUZ MARINA RENGIFO, Deceased. Estate No. PR 25-2113 Notice is hereby given that on December 16, 2025, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate and that Angela Borrero, whose address is 5317 South 122nd Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68137, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2408(4), claims other than expenses of administration may not be presented against this Estate.

VALERIE BOYLE Registrar of the County Court 1701 Farnam Street Omaha, NE 68183 First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 Angela L. Burmeister, #20042 CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 Telephone (402) 391-6777 NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF EDA K. CHAPLIN, Deceased. Estate No. PR 25-1997 Notice is hereby given that on November 18, 2025, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Appointment of Personal Representative in Intestacy and that Ryan Chaplin, whose address is 6213 South 211th Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate.

Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 330, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or

before February 24, 2026, or be forever barred.

VALERIE BOYLE Clerk of the County Court 1701 Farnam Street, 3rd Floor Omaha, NE 68183 First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 Charles E. Dorwart, #16456 Charles E. Dorwart, P.C., L.L.O. Dorwart Law Office 7305 Main Street Ralston, NE 68127 NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF DONALD L. PIKSA, Deceased.

Estate No. PR 25-1608 Notice is hereby given that on October 2, 2025, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the testate Estate of said Decedent and that Kenneth A. Piksa, whose address is 12920 Josephine Street, Omaha, NE 68138, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the testate Estate of Donald L. Piksa.

Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 330, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before February 24, 2026, or be forever barred.

VALERIE BOYLE Clerk of the County Court First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 MATTHEW WURSTNER, Attorney CARLSON & BLAKEMAN, LLP 11429 Davenport Street Omaha, NE 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MRC ARCHITECTURE, LLC Notice is hereby given that MRC ARCHITECTURE, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 7514 N 124th Street, Omaha, NE 68142. The Company’s initial registered agent in the State of Nebraska is: MATTHEW WURSTNER, whose address is 11429 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE 68154. The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful business and activity, 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 with filing its Certificate of Organization on November 19, 2025, and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is a Manager Managed Limited Liability Company.

MATTHEW WURSTNER, Organizer First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WH IRON WHEEL MOUNTAIN HOME, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that WH Iron Wheel Mountain Home, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office is 515 N. 162nd Avenue, Suite 202, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The registered agent is Midwest Housing Equity Group, Inc., 515 N. 162nd Avenue, Suite 202, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. It commenced business on December 19, 2025, and its duration is perpetual.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Bezoluco, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street address of the designated office is: 605 N 264 Street, Waterloo, NE 68069. The name and street address of the registered agent is: Chris Rehberg, 605 N 264 Street, Waterloo, NE 68069.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF HOLDING THE ROPE, INC. Notice is hereby given that Holding the Rope, Inc, a Nebraska corporation, has filed an Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 18, 2025. The Amendment changes the corporation’s aggregate number of shares which this corporation has authority to issue from 1,000 shares of Page 53 • December 26, 2025

Common Stock to 2,000 shares of Common Stock.

LDM Business Services, Inc. First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF RV THERE YET, LLC RV THERE YET, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), filed its STATEMENT OF DISSOLUTION with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 19, 2025. Persons with claims against the Company must present such claim to: RV There Yet, LLC, c/o Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Claims against the Company must include the following information: (i) claimant’s name, address and telephone number during business hours; (ii) any facts which may support the claim; and (iii) any amounts allegedly owed by the Company under the claim. Claims not including this information will not be reviewed.

Any claims against this Company will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce such claims is commenced within five (5) years after the date this Notice is last published.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF BRICK TOWN MANAGEMENT, LLC BRICK TOWN MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), filed its STATEMENT OF DISSOLUTION with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 18, 2025. Persons with claims against the Company must present such claim to: Brick Town Management, LLC, c/o Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Claims against the Company must include the following information: (i) claimant’s name, address and telephone number during business hours; (ii) any facts which may support the claim; and (iii) any amounts allegedly owed by the Company under the claim. Claims not including this information will not be reviewed. Any claims against this Company will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce such claims is commenced within five (5) years after the date this Notice is last published.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF YORK 44, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that YORK 44, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, designating its registered agent as Thomas E. Horgan, an individual, with its registered office at 13304 West Center Rd, Ste. 109, Omaha, NE 68154, and its designated office at 15063 E Ash Rd, Adams, NE 68301.

The Company was organized for the purpose of engaging in the transaction of any lawful business and the performance of any lawful activities that a limited liability company may engage in under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Company shall have a perpetual existence unless dissolved in accordance with its Certificate of Organization, its Operating Agreement, or the Limited Liability Company Act. Unless otherwise provided in the Company’s Operating Agreement, the affairs of the Company are to be managed by its Managing Member(s).

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Craig W. Benson, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF ORGANZIATION OF PREISTER AG HOLDINGS, LLC Notice is hereby given that on December 18, 2025, Preister Ag Holdings, LLC, amended its Certificate of Organization. The company shall know be known as Garden Hill Farms, LLC. The full text of such Amended Certificate of Organization is on file with the Secretary of State.

Garden Hill Farms, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026

LEGAL notices Gnuse LAW OFFICE, P.C. 11311 Chicago Circle Omaha, NE 68154 Rodney G. Gnuse NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JC3 SO 24 BUSINESS RENTALS, L.L.C. A Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that JC3 So 24 Business Rentals, 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 4922 S 22nd Street, Omaha, NE 68107. 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 address of the limited liability company’s initial registered office is 11311 Chicago Circle, Omaha, NE 68154, and the name of its’ initial registered agent at such address is Rodney G. Gnuse. The Certificate of Organization was filed in the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 9, 2025. The Company commenced business thereon and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Managers.

Rodney G. Gnuse, Organizer First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 MATTHEW T. PAYNE PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER, LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF DARLAND CONSTRUCTION CO. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, Article IV of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Darland Construction Co. (the “Corporation”) has been amended to change the authorized shares of Fifty Million (50,000,000) shares of common stock, to Forty-Five Million (45,000,000) shares of “Class A Voting Common Stock,” with a par value of $.001 per share, and Five Million (5,000,000) shares of “Class B Nonvoting Common Stock,” with a par value of $.001 per share. Article XIII has been added to permit written consents signed by Shareholders holding the requisite number of shares of the Corporation . The Articles of Amendment were dated effective December 17, 2025, and filed with the Secretary of State of Nebraska on December 20, 2025. In all other respects, the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation remain unchanged.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 Notice is hereby given that Rocket Carwash International, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 7878 Main Street, Suite 2G, LaVista, NE 68128. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kendra Ringenberg, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, NE 68154.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF REVIVE DESIGN, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that REVIVE DESIGN, LLC , a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, designating its registered agent as Thomas E. Horgan, an individual, with its registered office at 13304 West Center Rd, Ste. 109, Omaha, NE 68144. Its designated office address 14872 Himebaugh Circle, Omaha, NE 68116.The Company was organized for the purpose of engaging in the transaction of any lawful business and the performance of any lawful activities that a limited liability company may engage in under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Company shall have a perpetual existence unless dissolved in accordance with its Certificate of Organization, its Operating Agreement, or the Limited Liability Company Act. Unless otherwise provided in the Company’s Operating Agreement, the affairs of the Company are to be managed by its Managing Member(s).

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 ALG ENTERPRISES LLC, with its designated office at 4303 N. 174th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68116, gives notice that it filed a Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State on December18, 2025. The registered agent and office is Barbara

Medbery-Prchal, 3555 Farnam Street, Suite 1000, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. ALG Enterprises LLC may engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be formed under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. Amber Goepfert, Organizer.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 MATTHEW WURSTNER, Attorney CARLSON & BLAKEMAN, LLP 11429 Davenport Street Omaha, NE 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CMK2 HOLDINGS, LLC Notice is hereby given that CMK2 HOLDINGS, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 10730 Pacific Street Omaha NE, 68114. The Company’s initial registered agent in the State of Nebraska is: MATTHEW WURSTNER, whose address is 11429 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE 68154. The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful business and activity, 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 with filing its Certificate of Organization on December 5, 2025, and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is a Manager Managed Limited Liability Company.

MATTHEW WURSTNER, Organizer First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE is hereby given that Koepsell Consulting, LLC a Nebraska limited liability company, has been dissolved by act of the Company with the consent of its sole Member. A statement of Dissolution was filed with the Secretary of State on December 17, 2025. All known debts, obligations and liabilities of the company have been paid or otherwise provided for, and all remaining property and assets of the company have been distributed to its Members. Those parties having claims against the Company shall state the name and address of the claimant, amount and basis of the claim, and the date the claim arose and mail the same to Kelly Koepsell 17461 J Street, Omaha, NE 68135. All claims against the Company will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within five (5) years after the first publication of this notice. The company affairs and distribution of assets have been managed by Kelly Koepsell, Member. The company has no remaining assets, and all liabilities have been paid or duly provided for. Koepsell Consulting, LLC a Nebraska company By Kelly Koepsell, Member First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF H&S OMNICORP REGENCY WEST, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that H&S Omnicorp Regency West, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 Gnuse LAW OFFICE, P.C. 11311 Chicago Circle Omaha, NE 68154 Rodney G. Gnuse NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JC3 NO 73RD BUSINESS RENTALS, L.L.C. A Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that JC3 No 73rd Business Rentals, 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 1901 N 73rd Street, 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 address of the limited liability company’s initial registered office is 11311 Chicago Circle, Omaha, NE 68154, and the name of its’ initial registered agent at such address is Rodney G. Gnuse. The Certificate of Organization was filed in the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 9, 2025. The Company commenced business thereon and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Managers.

Page 54 • December 26, 2025

Rodney G. Gnuse Organizer First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF POSEY INDUSTRIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Posey Industries, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 20284 Wirt Street, P.O. Box 626, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 JEFFREY A. DEAVER, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF CONVERSION OF OCHSNER ENTERPRISES TO OCHSNER ENTERPRISES, LLC Notice is hereby given of the conversion of Ochsner Enterprises, a Nebraska general partnership, to Ochsner Enterprises, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company.

1. The name of the converting entity is Ochsner Enterprises.

2. The name of the converted limited liability company is Ochsner Enterprises, LLC. 3. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 9737 Ascot Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 , and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is William G. Ochsner, 9737 Ascot Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 .

4. The effective date of the conversion is December 16, 2025.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 Law Offices ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3419 NOTICE OF AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION The Certificate of Organization of Snook Pest Control LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, originally filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on October 23, 2025, has been amended in its entirety, so as to amend the street and mailing address of the designated office, the name of the registered agent, and the street and mailing address of the registered agent. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 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, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ISS ACQUISITION, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ISS Acquisition, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 20284 Wirt Street, P.O. Box 626, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SIP CRE GP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SIP CRE GP, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 4 Boyz Real Estate LLC A NEBRASKA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Notice is hereby given that 4 Boyz Real Estate LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office at 22821 Rifle Ridge

LEGAL notices Road, Elkhorn, Nebraska, 68022. The general nature of its business is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The company was organized and commenced on December 15, 2025, and the company shall exist perpetually, unless terminated sooner. The name of the registered agent is Ken Heinrich. The address of the registered agent is 22821 Rifle Ridge Road, Elkhorn, Nebraska, 68022.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 LAW OFFICES ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 WEST DODGE ROAD, SUITE 300 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 681143419 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Hager Travel, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing addresses of the initial designated office of the company are 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing addresses of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Thomas J. Malicki, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF SALMON ENTERPRISES, 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 Salmon Enterprises, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 12917 N. 185 th St., Bennington, NE 68007 . The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 12, 2025 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer 4897-7389-0944, v. 1 First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3419 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF BOI-CO ENTERPRISES, LLC Boi-Co Enterprises, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been dissolved and is winding up its activities in accordance with the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. Persons having claims against the Company must submit them in writing to Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, Attention Thomas J. Malicki, at 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Any claim submitted to the Company shall contain the following information with respect to such claim: the name of the claimant, a description of the nature of the claim, the amount of the claim, and the date on which the claim arose. A claim against the Company is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five years after the third publication of this Notice of Dissolution.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THOMAS D. MANGELSEN CONSERVATION WILDLIFE FUND, a Nebraska Non-Profit Corporation Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska Non-Profit Corporation has been formed under the Nebraska Non-Profit Corporation Act. The name of the non-profit company is THOMAS D. MANGELSEN CONSERVATION WILDLIFE FUND The designated office is 10152 L St., Omaha, NE 68127. The general nature of the business to be transacted is to serve the needs of the public in protection of wildlife and conservation of the wilderness areas, along with other charitable purposes as determined by the corporation and any other lawful purpose. The organization commenced on November 20, 2024 and will have perpetual existence. The registered agent is CorporAgent, Inc., 2120 S. 72nd St., Ste. 1500, Omaha, NE 68124. The company’s

affairs are to be conducted by the following members: Thomas D. Mangelsen, David M. Mangelsen, David A. Mangelsen, Maria Mangelsen and Matthew Mangelsen First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3419 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF BOICE FARMS, LLC Boice Farms, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been dissolved and is winding up its activities in accordance with the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. Persons having claims against the Company must submit them in writing to Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, Attention Thomas J. Malicki, at 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Any claim submitted to the Company shall contain the following information with respect to such claim: the name of the claimant, a description of the nature of the claim, the amount of the claim, and the date on which the claim arose. A claim against the Company is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five years after the third publication of this Notice of Dissolution.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF SALMON ENTERPRISES, 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 Salmon Enterprises, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 12917 N. 185 th St., Bennington, NE 68007 . The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 12, 2025 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer 4897-7389-0944, v. 1 First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that DJMM Nebraska Real Estate Holdings, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 19107 Pinehurst Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The Registered Agent of the Company is Gerard Mangenot., 19107 Pinehurst Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The general nature of the business is real estate. The Company will be member managed.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TDM Farms, LLC a Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that TDM Farms, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 13385 Bluebird Court, Springfield, NE 68059, its registered agent is Matthew Mangelsen located at 13385 Bluebird Court, Springfield, NE 68059. 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 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 December 15, 2025, the Company commenced business thereon and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Managing Member.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 ERICKSON & SEDERSTROM, P.C. 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Corporate Name: Eastern Nebraska Area of Narcotics Anonymous Type of Corporation: Public Benefit Registered Agent: Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C. Page 55 • December 26, 2025

Registered Office: Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C., 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 Members: Corporation will have Members Incorporator: Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C., 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 LAW OFFICES ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 WEST DODGE ROAD, SUITE 300 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 681143419 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT Alford Oil Company filed Articles of Restatement of Articles of Incorporation, amending and restating its Articles of Incorporation in their entirety. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation filed by Alford Oil Company, the name of the corporation is Alford Oil Company, the street address of the corporation’s registered office is 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha Nebraska 68114, and the name of its registered agent at that office is Robert M. Schartz. The corporation is authorized to issue 100,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $2.00 each, composed of 2,000 shares of Class A Voting shares and 98,000 Class B Non-Voting shares.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PINK SHADES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Pink Shades, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 10617 Castelar Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that DJMM Capital Investments, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 19107 Pinehurst Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The Registered Agent of the Company is Gerard Mangenot., 19107 Pinehurst Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The general nature of the business is real estate investing. The Company will be member managed.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 NOTICE OF AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of Nexus Equity Estates, LLC has been amended to change the name of the company to: Nexus EE Investment, LLC. The amendment was accomplished by the filing of an Amended Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 16, 2025.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF CANIGLIA CREATIVE STUDIO, 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 CANIGLIA CREATIVE STUDIO, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 12350 Westover Rd., Omaha, NE 68154. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 16, 2025, and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc. First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026

LEGAL notices LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF 6-4-3 DOUBLE EAGLE, 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 6-4-3 Double Eagle, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 3720 S 228 th Terrace Circle, Elkhorn, NE 68022. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 9, 2025 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer 4932-1372-7103, v. 1 First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF SARAH LUDLOW REAL ESTATE, 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 SARAH LUDLOW REAL ESTATE, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 11, 2025, and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc. First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AGIV WINDOW AND DOOR, 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 AGIV WINDOW AND DOOR, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 16, 2025, and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc. First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 ERICKSON | SEDERSTROM, P.C. 10330 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF N3887F, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that N3887F, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 10404 Essex Court, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114 and designating its registered agent as Jennifer Tighe de Soto with its registered office at 10404 Essex Court, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF E2 COFFEE CO., LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company

under the laws of the Statae of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is E2 Coffee Co., LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 6517 S 175 th Street, Omaha, NE 68135 . The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114.

The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 4, 2025 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer 4909-8229-1071, v. 1 First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of Under The Tree Wellness Community LLC Notice of organization is hereby given that Under The Tree Wellness Community LLC has been organized in accordance with the laws of the state of Nebraska, commencing 10-31-2025. The registered agent is Darryl Brown Jr. and the designated office address is 413 S 35th St. Omaha, NE 68131.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Craig W. Benson, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF ORGANZIATION OF STEFFEN RANCH & LIVESTOCK, LLC Notice is hereby given that on December 9, 2025, Steffen Ranch & Livestock, LLC, amended its Certificate of Organization. The company shall know be known as Horseshoe Bar Cattle and Equipment, LLC. The full text of such Amended Certificate of Organization is on file with the Secretary of State.

Horseshoe Bar Cattle and Equipment, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF MUGS AND MARGINS, 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 Mugs and Margins, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 7401 Peters St., La Vista, NE 68128.

The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114.

The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 9, 2025, and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer 4933-7339-4304, v. 1 First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 ERICKSON | SEDERSTROM, P.C. 10330 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF OLYMPUS CLOSING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Olympus Closing, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated office located at 14680 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 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, NE 68114.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF CHRISTIAN’S LOVE AND COMFORT CREW LLC A NEBRASKA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY 1. The name of the limited liability company is CHRISTIAN’S LOVE AND COMFORT CREW LLC. Page 56 • December 26, 2025

2. The period of duration for CHRISTIAN’S LOVE AND COMFORT CREW LLC is perpetual.

3. CHRISTIAN’S LOVE AND COMFORT CREW LLC is organized for the purpose of conducting any and all business as permitted by the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. 4. The address of the initial designated office for CHRISTIAN’S LOVE AND COMFORT CREW LLC in Nebraska is 7302 S 52nd St, Bellevue, NE 68157.

5. The name and address of the registered agent for CHRISTIAN’S LOVE AND COMFORT CREW LLC in Nebraska is Dawn Lytle, 7302 S 52nd St, Bellevue, NE 68157.

6. Additional provisions, not inconsistent with the law, for the regulation of the internal affairs of the limited liability company shall be provided for in the Operating Agreement.

7. Dawn Lytle, organizer(s) of CHRISTIAN’S LOVE AND COMFORT CREW LLC has signed the Foregoing Certificate of Organization effective this December 16, 2025.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 ERICKSON | SEDERSTROM, P.C. 10330 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TIMMONS ENTERPRISES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Timmons Enterprises, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated office located at 11412 S Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68137 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 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 MCGRATH NORTH MULLIN & KRATZ, PC LLO 1601 DODGE STREET, SUITE 3700, OMAHA, NE 68102 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CSG FREMONT PROPERTIES, LLC Notice is given that CSG FREMONT PROPERTIES, LLC was formed in Nebraska with the following registered agent and office: McGrath North Mullin & Kratz, PC LLO, c/o Jonathan L. Grob, 1601 Dodge Street, Suite 3700, Omaha, NE 68102. The LLC’s designated office address is 660 Dillon Drive, Omaha, NE 68132.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 MCGRATH NORTH MULLIN & KRATZ, PC LLO 1601 DODGE STREET, SUITE 3700, OMAHA, NE 68102 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF HEALTHY HOUSING OMAHA Notice is given that HEALTHY HOUSING OMAHA, a Nebraska nonprofit corporation, filed Articles of Dissolution with the Secretary of State on December 11, 2025 and is in the process of dissolution.

The plan of dissolution calls for the complete liquidation of the corporation. Jeff Weaver, Executive Director of the corporation, shall wind up and liquidate the corporation’s business and affairs. The Corporation will discharge or make provisions for discharging its liabilities and obligations with its remaining assets. Persons with claims against the corporation may present them in writing to Jeffrey S. Penne at McGrath North Mullin & Kratz, PC, LLO, 1601 Dodge Street, Suite 3700, Omaha, NE 68102. Such claim must specify the nature of the claim, the amount of the claim and the name and address of the claimant. A claim against the corporation will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within five years after the first date of publication of this notice.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 ERICKSON | SEDERSTROM, P.C. 10330 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF TREACY BUSINESS CONSULTING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Treacy Business Consulting, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), filed a Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 11, 2025. The terms of the dissolution provide for the payment of liabilities of the Company and distribution of any remaining assets.

The Company requests that persons with claims against it present them in accordance with this notice. Any claimant shall describe the claim and the date on which the claim arose and mail the claim to the above address. A claim against the company will be barred

LEGAL notices unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within five years after the publication of this notice.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF BLUEPEAK FLOORING, 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 BLUEPEAK FLOORING, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 8010 F Street, Omaha, NE 68127.

The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114.

The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 15, 2025, and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc. First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CLAWSON PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Clawson Psychiatric Services, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Clawson Psychiatric Services, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 1143 Leavenworth Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Kimberly P. Clawson, M.D., 1143 Leavenworth Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102 .

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOWER SOLAS II MANAGERS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Sower Solas II Managers, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 South 107th Avenue Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SIP CRE SMA , LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SIP CRE SMA, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SIP CRE LP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SIP CRE LP, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF H&S OMNICORP MANAWA 505, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that H&S Omnicorp Manawa 505, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and

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

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 Daniel J. Waters, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DIAMOND FAMILY DENTAL, 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 Diamond Family Dental, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 625 N 144 th Ave., Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68154. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 15, 2025, and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer 4902-0834-7778, v. 1 First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 4 Boyz Catering LLC A NEBRASKA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Notice is hereby given that 4 Boyz Catering LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office at 22821 Rifle Ridge Road, Elkhorn, Nebraska, 68022. The general nature of its business is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The company was organized and commenced on December 15, 2025, and the company shall exist perpetually, unless terminated sooner. The name of the registered agent is Ken Heinrich. The address of the registered agent is 22821 Rifle Ridge Road, Elkhorn, Nebraska, 68022.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF H&S OMNICORP REGENCY EAST, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that H&S Omnicorp Regency East, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 . The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 ERICKSON | SEDERSTROM, P.C. 10330 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION On December 17, 2025, an amendment to the Certificate of Organization of Timmons Painting Plus, LLC was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State to change the name of the organization to Timmons 5540, LLC. First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 MATTHEW T. PAYNE PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER, LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF CAROLINA CUSTARD, INC. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, the Articles of Incorporation of CAROLINA CUSTARD, INC., a Nebraska corporation, have been amended and restated in their entirety on December 4, 2025.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF LIBERTY OUTDOOR SOLUTIONS, LLC The undersigned, desiring to form a limited liability company (the Page 57 • December 26, 2025

“Company”) under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, states as follows: 1. Name. The name of the Company is LIBERTY OUTDOOR SOLUTIONS LLC. 2. Initial Designated Office. The address of the initial designated office of the Company is 2506 Palmer Drive, #3, Fremont, Nebraska 68025.

3. Address and Agent for Service of Process. The address for service of process on the Company is 2506 Palmer Drive, #3, Fremont, Nebraska 68025, and the name of the initial registered agent at such address is Mason D. Thiesen.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I signed this Certificate of Organization on September 25, 2025.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 MARTIN P. PELSTER, Incorporator and Attorney with CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF HAGEN HILLS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Hagen Hills Homeowners Association has been incorporated under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act on October 3, 2025. The corporation is a mutual benefit corporation that will have members . The street address of the corporation’s registered office is 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the name of the initial registered agent at that office is Martin P. Pelster.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 LAW OFFICES ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 WEST DODGE ROAD, SUITE 300 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 681143419 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FRH Land, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing addresses of the initial designated office of the company are 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing addresses of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Thomas J. Malicki, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF H&S OMNICORP VALLEY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that H&S Omnicorp Valley, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF H&S OMNICORP OVERLAND PARK, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that H&S Omnicorp Overland Park, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 MATTHEW T. PAYNE PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER, LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 100 EAST 6TH STREET, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of 100 EAST 6TH STREET, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is 100 EAST 6TH STREET, LLC 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 4949 Underwood Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68132, 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 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025

LEGAL notices NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOUTHERNHOME INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Southernhome Investments, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc. 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114.

Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF BRICK TOWN CONSTRUCTION, LLC BRICK TOWN CONSTRUCTION, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), filed its STATEMENT OF DISSOLUTION with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 3, 2025. Persons with claims against the Company must present such claim to: Brick Town Construction, LLC, c/o Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Claims against the Company must include the following information: (i) claimant’s name, address and telephone number during business hours; (ii) any facts which may support the claim; and (iii) any amounts allegedly owed by the Company under the claim. Claims not including this information will not be reviewed. Any claims against this Company will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce such claims is commenced within five (5) years after the date this Notice is last published.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 MATTHEW T. PAYNE PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER, LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DCTE, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of DCTE, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is DCTE, LLC 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 4949 Underwood Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68132, 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 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF NGX2, LLC NGX2, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), filed its STATEMENT OF DISSOLUTION with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 11, 2025. Persons with claims against the Company must present such claim to: NGX2, LLC, c/o Matthew T. Payne, 10250 Regency Circle, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

Claims against the Company must include the following information: (i) claimant’s name, address and telephone number during business hours; (ii) any facts which may support the claim; and (iii) any amounts allegedly owed by the Company under the claim. Claims not including this information will not be reviewed. Any claims against this Company will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce such claims is commenced within five (5) years after the date this Notice is last published.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF ALFORD INVESTMENTS SD, LLC ALFORD INVESTMENTS SD, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), filed its STATEMENT OF DISSOLUTION with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 11, 2025. Persons with claims against the Company must present such claim to: Alford Investments SD, LLC, c/o Matthew T. Payne, 10250 Regency Circle, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Claims against the Company must include the following information: (i) claimant’s name, address

and telephone number during business hours; (ii) any facts which may support the claim; and (iii) any amounts allegedly owed by the Company under the claim. Claims not including this information will not be reviewed. Any claims against this Company will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce such claims is commenced within five (5) years after the date this Notice is last published.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 Lawrence F. Harr, Attorney LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF PRAIRIELAND INSURANCE COMPANY 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 Prairieland Insurance Company. The Articles of Incorporation are on file with the Nebraska Secretary of State. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of common stock of one cent ($0.01) par value per share. The address of the corporation’s principal office is 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and street address of the corporation’s registered agent and office is Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The incorporators are Lawrence F. Harr, Michael Storey, Adam Feeney, John Walker, and Kallie Gloudemans, each located at 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114.

4900-9898-9694, v. 1 First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Erin K. Artz, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF BIG RED TAX, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a professional limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the professional limited liability company is BIG RED TAX, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 10410 S 144th St. Ste. 3B, Omaha, NE 68138. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, LLC, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful accounting. The company commenced existence on December 8, 2025 and shall have perpetual duration.

The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc. First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF ROGERS CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY ROGERS CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, a Nebraska corporation (the “Corporation”), has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State with a dissolution date effective December 9, 2025. The terms of the dissolution provide for the payment of liabilities of the Corporation and the distribution of any remaining assets to the Shareholders of the Corporation.

John C. Rogers, President, will manage the Corporation’s affairs and distribute its assets. Persons with claims against the Corporation must present such claim(s) to: Rogers Construction and Development Company, c/o Matthew T. Payne, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Claims against the Corporation must include the following information: (i) claimant’s name, address and telephone number during business hours; (ii) any facts which may support the claim; and (iii) any amounts allegedly owed by the Corporation under the claim. Claims not including this information will not be reviewed. Any claims against the Corporation will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce such claims is commenced within three (3) years after the date of this publication.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 MCGRATH NORTH MULLIN & KRATZ, PC LLO 1601 DODGE STREET, SUITE 3700, OMAHA, NE 68102 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STRAIGHT A LLC Notice is given that STRAIGHT A LLC was formed in Nebraska with the following Page 58 • December 26, 2025

registered agent and office: McGrath North Mullin & Kratz, PC LLO, c/o Jon Blumenthal, 1601 Dodge Street, Suite 3700, Omaha, NE 68102. The LLC’s designated office address is c/o Jon Blumenthal, 1601 Dodge Street, Suite 3700, Omaha, NE 68102.

First publication December 26, 2025, final January 9, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF SEH-SLATE JOINT VENTURE, 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 SEH-SLATE JOINT VENTURE, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 3624 Farnam St., Omaha, NE 68131. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc.., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on November 26, 2025, and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement.

LDM Business Services, Inc. First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 MARTIN P. PELSTER, Incorporator and Attorney with CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF EAGLES LANDING HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Eagles Landing Homeowners Association has been incorporated under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act on April 15, 2025. The corporation is a mutual benefit corporation that will have members . The street address of the corporation’s registered office is 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the name of the initial registered agent at that office is Martin P. Pelster.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF POS HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that POS Holdings, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MONARCH RADIOLOGY, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Monarch Radiology, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Monarch Radiology, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 1143 Leavenworth Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102 , and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Alex G. Walker, M.D., 1143 Leavenworth Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102 .

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOWER SOLAS I SIDECAR V, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Sower Solas I Sidecar V, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 LINDSEY A. SCHULER, Attorney CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM 2120 S. 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CASTLE RENTALS, LLC

LEGAL notices The name of the limited liability company is Castle Rentals, LLC . The address of the initial designated office is 6716 South 52nd Street, Omaha, NE 68117. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Croker, Huck, Kasher, DeWitt, Anderson & Gonderinger, LLC, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 NOTICE IS GIVEN that the undersigned has organized a limited liability company known as CHRISTINA POWELL, LLC, with its initial registered office at 15738 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, NE. 68118, with its initial designated office being the same as the registered office.

The initial agent for service of process for the Company is CHRISTINA POWELL. The Company commenced on November 25, 2025.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 MARTIN P. PELSTER, Attorney CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM 2120 S. 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LTP SOUTH DAKOTA, LLC The name of the limited liability company is LTP South Dakota, LLC . The address of the initial designated office is 9808 South 148th Street, Omaha, NE 68138. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Croker, Huck, Kasher, DeWitt, Anderson & Gonderinger, LLC, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION The name of the Company is Covalence Health Nebraska, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is 11785 Todd Drive, Blair, Nebraska 68008. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. This limited liability company commenced business on December 2, 2025.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF ROMEO ONE HOLDINGS, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Romeo One Holdings, Inc. has been incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The corporation is authorized to issue 500,000 shares of common stock at a par value of $1.00 each. The street address of the corporation’s registered office is 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 and the name of its initial registered agent is DDLG Business Services, Inc. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation is Michael J. Weaver, 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOWER SOLAS I SIDECAR IV, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Sower Solas I Sidecar IV, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 Law Offices ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3419 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF MUENCH INSURANCE, LLC Muench Insurance, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been dissolved and is winding up its activities in accordance with the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. Persons having claims against the Company must submit them in writing to Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, Attention Thomas J. Malicki, at 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Any claim submitted to the Company shall contain the following information with respect to such claim: the name of the claimant, a description of the nature of the claim, the amount of the claim, and the date on which the claim arose. A claim against the Company is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is

commenced within five years after the third publication of this Notice of Dissolution.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 LENDINGRIGHT, LLC, with its designated office located at 17008 Harney St., Omaha, NE 68118, gives notice that it filed a Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State on December 4, 2025.

The registered agent is Barbara Medbery-Prchal and the Registered Office is 3555 Farnam St. Suite 1000, Omaha, NE 68131. The company may engage in any lawful business or commercial activity for which a limited liability company may be organized. Zachary Schreiber, Organizer First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 Charles L. Grimes, Attorney BURNETT LEGAL GROUP, LLP 17525 Arbor Street Omaha, NE 68130 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PITSH, LLC Notice is hereby given that PITSH, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial Designated Office is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The Company’s initial Registered Agent in the State of Nebraska is: Charles L. Grimes, whose address is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful business and activity, 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 with filing its Certificate of Organization on December 5, 2025 and shall have a perpetual period of duration.

The Company is a Member Managed Limited Liability Company.

Charles L. Grimes, Organizer First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF McGREGOR INTERESTS PLATTSMOUTH STORAGE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that McGregor Interests Plattsmouth Storage, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 11750 Stonegate Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68164.

The name and address of the Registered Agent of the Company is McGregor Interests, Inc., 11750 Stonegate Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68164.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF JOHN WHITE PAINTING LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that John White Painting LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 2, 2025, and the company is in the process of a voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its member. The manager will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against John White Painting LLC, please provide the following information with respect to your claim: (1) your name or the name of your entity; (2) the nature of your claim; (3) the amount of your claim; and (4) the date your claim arose. All claims shall be mailed to 7700 Serum Avenue, Ralston, Nebraska 68127. A claim against John White Painting LLC is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five (5) years after the publication date of the third required notice.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF MIKE JULIETT HOLDINGS, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mike Juliett Holdings, Inc. has been incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The corporation is authorized to issue 500,000 shares of common stock at a par value of $1.00 each. The street address of the corporation’s registered office is 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 and the name of its initial registered agent is DDLG Business Services, Inc. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation is Michael J. Weaver, 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 Page 59 • December 26, 2025

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MUC-MILLARD, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of MUC-MILLARD, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is MUC-MILLARD, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 1335 N 129th Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68154, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

First publication December 19, 2025, final January 2, 2026 MCGRATH NORTH MULLIN & KRATZ, PC LLO 1601 DODGE STREET, SUITE 3700, OMAHA, NE 68102 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ORANGE CAPITAL, LLC Notice is given that ORANGE CAPITAL, LLC was formed in Nebraska with the following registered agent and office: McGrath North Mullin & Kratz, PC LLO, c/o Brian T. McKernan, 1601 Dodge Street, Suite 3700, Omaha, NE 68102. The LLC’s designated office address is 18010 Burt St, Elkhorn, NE 68022.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF EVERWELL INTEGRATIVE HEALTH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that EVERWELL INTEGRATIVE HEALTH, LLC , a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, designating its registered agent as Thomas E. Horgan, an individual, with its registered office at 13304 West Center Rd, Ste. 109, Omaha, NE 68144. Its designated office address is 20018 Nina St, Omaha, NE 68130. The Company was organized for the purpose of engaging in the transaction of any lawful business and the performance of any lawful activities that a limited liability company may engage in under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Company shall have a perpetual existence unless dissolved in accordance with its Certificate of Organization, its Operating Agreement, or the Limited Liability Company Act. Unless otherwise provided in the Company’s Operating Agreement, the affairs of the Company are to be managed by its Managing Member(s).

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 Forza Vita, LLC, a limited liability company, with its registered office located at 13810 FNB Parkway, Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68154 has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The registered agent is Jeffrey Vaske, 13340 California Street, Suite 204, Omaha, NE 68154. The Company shall engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be formed under the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act. The perpetual existence commenced on December 1st , 2025, The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by its Members and/or Managers pursuant to an Operating Agreement duly adopted by the Company.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 MCGRATH NORTH MULLIN & KRATZ, PC LLO 1601 DODGE STREET, SUITE 3700, OMAHA, NE 68102 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 1001 PIERCE ST LLC Notice is given that 1001 PIERCE ST LLC was formed in Nebraska with the following registered agent and office: McGrath North Mullin & Kratz, PC LLO, c/o Jon Blumenthal, 1601 Dodge Street, Suite 3700, Omaha, NE 68102. The LLC’s designated office is located at c/o Jon Blumenthal, 1601 Dodge Street, Suite 3700, Omaha, NE 68102.

First publication December 12, 2025, final December 26, 2025 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: LIL FLIPS MINI PANCAKES. Name of Applicant: Dora Aguero Address: 2806 YORKTOWN ST, BELLEVUE, NE, 68123 Applicant is INDIVIDUAL. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska.

Date of first use of name in Nebraska: Upon Filing.

General nature of business: Sale of mini pancakes and specialty breakfast treats.

Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Dora Aguero.

First publication December 26, 2025

LEGAL notices APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: MIEK & PAULIE’S GETAWAY. Name of Applicant: El Chivo & Fat Kid, LLC Address: 8558 BLONDO STREET, OMAHA, NE 68134 Applicant is LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska.

Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 12/15/2025.

General nature of business: Bar. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Barb Prchal.

First publication December 26, 2025 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: HIGH POINT HYBRIDS. Name of Applicant: GroWest Genetics, LLC Address: 405 SE 6TH STREET, CAPE CORAL, FL 33990 Applicant is LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska.

Date of first use of name in Nebraska: Upon Filing.

General nature of business: Sales of seed corn hybrids.

Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Ryan Frazier.

First publication December 26, 2025 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: TIMMONS PAINTING PLUS. Name of Applicant: Timmons Enterprises, LLC Address: 11415 S CIRCLE, OMAHA, NE 68137 Applicant is LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska.

Date of first use of name in Nebraska: Upon Filing.

General nature of business: Painting.

Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Christopher Timmons, Member.

First publication December 26, 2025 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: DUET CARE. Name of Applicant: Symphony Of Care LLC Address: 9802 NICHOLAS STREET, SUITE 375, OMAHA, NE 68114 Applicant is LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska.

Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 10/05/1965.

General nature of business: In-Home Senior Care.

Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Richard A. Troia.

First publication December 26, 2025 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: SYMPHONIC CARE. Name of Applicant: Symphony Of Care LLC Address: 9802 NICHOLAS STREET, SUITE 375, OMAHA, NE 68114 Applicant is LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska.

Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 10/01/2025.

General nature of business: In-Home Senior Care.

Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Richard A. Troia.

First publication December 26, 2025 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: K4 FLOORING. Name of Applicant: KRISTY KUSLEIKA Address: 7209 N 153 CIRCLE, BENNINGTON, NE 68007

Page 60 • December 26, 2025

Applicant is CORPORATION. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: NEBRASKA. Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 11/01/2025.

General nature of business: COMMERCIAL FLOORING DISTRIBUTION. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/KRISTY KUSLEIKA. First publication December 26, 2025 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: FIRST MOVEMENT. Name of Applicant: Symphony Of Care LLC Address: 9802 NICHOLAS STREET SUITE 375, OMAHA, NE 68114 Applicant is LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska.

Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 10/01/2025.

General nature of business: In-Home Senior Care.

Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Richard A. Troia.

First publication December 26, 2025 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: CADENCE CARE. Name of Applicant: Symphony Of Care LLC Address: 9802 NICHOLAS STREET, SUITE 375, OMAHA, NE 68114 Applicant is LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska.

Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 10/01/2025.

General nature of business: In-Home Senior Care.

Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Richard A. Troia.

First publication December 26, 2025

250 Businesses 250 Visionaries 250 Making a Difference

FEATURING BUSINESSES LED BY 40 UNDER 40 HONOREES AND ALUMNI! BE PART OF SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY Omaha Protein Popc orn TIM AND BRITTNE

Y REXIUS, CO-OWN

ERS, OMAHA PROTEIN

Company

BY TIM TRUDELL | PHOTOG RAPHY BY DEBRA S.

KAPLAN

POPCORN COMPAN

Y

tics BAT Logis Parking Are OWNER VICT

ORIA MBA

CHU, LEFT,

a Maintena

NK, VP OF

nce

RALPH BLA

AND OPERATIONS

KOWSKI,

ASHLEY JAN

ISTICS

, BAT LOG

E OFFICER

F EXECUTIV

R AND CHIE

CO-OWNE

Hutch Contr act

BY TIM TRUD ELL | PHOTOG RAPHY BY WITH TEAM KAYLEIGH TIPT MEMBERS ON

Popped with Pu rpose OMAHA PROTEIN POPC ORN COMPANY ADDS

Paving Ro ads

MBACHU BR INGS

and Rebu

ilding Live LEADERSHIP s TO OMAHA’S ASPHALT IND Victoria Mba USTRY chu spent most construct of her

Area Maintenan parking lots, the ce’s business is paving roads company, at its more functional and core, is really about building “I really wante and safer, d to and grow, Mbac more inclusive spaces for impact and econo transform it into a vehicle people to live, hu said. for community work mic empowerm “I’d say what owned business, ent,” she said. sets us apart is our people,” “Being a vetera from the comm we stand like she said. “We a reflection of nand leadership unity. hire resilience, oppor with purpose.” individuals, espec I’m very big on offering second chanc tunity ially veterans Taking over an es to and looking to rebuil established comp it involved buildi d their lives and justice-involved citizens. any was a challe We’re ng trust with with the same invest in an emplo nge becau clients while commitment operations to yee’s growt also restructurin se I once gave to meet modern in command.” my soldiers when h g expectations, “I felt like I was Mbachu said.

I was stepping into About 25 perce a know me and nt of employees the clients were space where the employees point in their have been lives, incarcerated at didn’t unsure what to Parking Area some expect,” she said. concept is amon she said. Creating a positi Maintenance ve culture and allowed her to g her proudest military trainin team use aspects of moments as a g— “When I first her busin starte a civilian enviro discipline, precision and strate what I really neede d, I thought I had to hustle ess owner. nmen gic thinking — hard employees, Mbac t. She also used that backg d was to lead in military, it’s all smarter,” Mbac to succeed, but round to unite hu said. about hu said. “In the “I thought there those same princi systems, protocols, and was a big divide being able to ples in my busin the office versu apply all the answers, ess. Leadership s the crews and , where it was the people in it’s really about isn’t about havin the foreman,” really a small are empowered creating that town, where she said. “Oma g cultur everyone to step up, take ha is outsider, so it ownership and e where people really took a while knows each other, and She said of all I’m this grow.” the things that for “I think it took learning to trust have gone into creating a cultur the guys to trust me. herself and not her success, everyone needs e where we are at the table ranks wait for anyon each other, but a e to hand her right near the also just taking team and think I was able a seat top.

“Build your own care of everybody. to do that fairly quickly.”

I “Stay anchored table and invite others to join you,” she in your ‘why.’ said.

There setbacks and moments of doubt ’s always going to be uncer tainty, , but just keep NO. OF EMP on moving.”

LOYEES

ion. Assignmen milit ts included worki ary career in to build road ng with other systems. nations “Roads are the arteries and veins that is severed, to a community, you don’t have and once “You need good access to anyth infrastructure. ing,” Mbachu said.

If a road is close to find a new way to d down, you have That philosophy get to work.” as owner of Parkin has served her well since taking over in g Area Maintenan 2024 maintenance ce. The 40-ye company, which ar-old asphalt also handles specializes in concrete surfa asphalt pavin g, crack seal, ces, seal coat and striping.

‘M

ake a dif ference’

Following her retirement from native who spent the much of her 20-ye United States Army, the Texas Carolina, wante d to own a const ar career at Fort Bragg, North ruction business.

She didn’t want to just own a make a differ company, howe ence in society, ver, she wante Mbac Area Maintenan d to ce was for sale, hu said. When she saw Parkin buy it. she jumped at g the opportunity to

FOUNDED: 1984 FOUNDED BY: BEN NORRIS CURRENT OWNER: VICTORIA MBACHU

More fantastic photos Parking Are a Maintenanc from e on mbj.com !

Building inclusive While Parking spaces

: 42 ADDRESS: 9580 IDA ST. OMAHA, NE 68122 PHONE: 402 -496-3400

WEBSITE: PARKINGMAI NTENANCEO MAHA.COM HOURS: MON.-FRI.: 7 A.M.-5 P.M .

Forward Bold Path NNECTION

g a CULTURE, CARE AND CO ChartTICin ON S THRIVES BAT LOGIS

they can see us because who we rs stay with know “Our custome owski said. “They know Jank honest. They our culture,” we’re going to be re with us. We’ g know king They wor are. goin fun but we’re g to have as people ybody they’re goin about them , too. We want ever going to care r business thei t to care abou ul.” a decade, for essf ers succ to be lone own t the ing as the didn’t wan they After serv ed agre red Marinello , they offe Rorie and so, in 2018 ki and Ralph stagnate, to Jankows business to ns. opportunities president of operatio ownership vice serves as loyees with Blank, who ed three other emp vest the They later ness within options. le our busi ownership been doub to it’s e, able . “From ther “We were and culture ide ths,” she said our culture, next 18 mon r coaster of what is d prov g positive le of in the midd Creatin ders believed they coulthat would invite the rolle emic g pand ridin a BAT’s foun you throw te a culture companies — even when ice and crea better serv producers and trucking — . customers them work with to want to

r the custome focusing on ul years and gs right and essf Doing thin Logistics to 17 succ the BAT ess. That’s er, has carried pany’s succ offic of the com executive f part chie big a ki, is wn Rorie. ley Jankows belief of Ash the company with Sha Backhaul and ted who co-owns od Marinello crea s of experience Jarr ral year Rorie and wing seve and railroad stics follo e company Track Logi a king brokerag . BAT Logistics is king with a truc said ki rs with truc Jankows get ects custome companies, firm that conn nerships that help them brokerage creating part North America. es, pani com ered across products deliv

Concern over relatives not following a healthy meal plan led Tim and Brittney Rexius to create Omaha Protein Popcorn Company.

“I’ve been in the nutrition industry for 20 years,” Tim Rexius said. “It’s one thing to be around athletes all the time who have this dedication, but we got a certain level of little more worried about the parts of our family that maybe fitness isn’t their main goal, but we still wanted them to be healthy. We found that those people won’t eat a protein bar.”

With popcorn the world’s top between-meals treat, the couple wondered if they could find a way to add protein to the otherwise healthy snack. They sought to find the perfect combination of protein powder and flavor in their popcorn. After 600 batches sampled over seven or eight months — and a broken tooth — “I can honestly say I’ve bled they struck gold. for this company,” Rexius said.

The duo decided for market research, they would utilize unsuspecting focus group. their family as an “We put it out at Christmas in a bowl and didn’t tell anybody,” Rexius said. “Everyone was like, ‘This is really good.’ (It was) healthy, but they didn’t know. Even our kids were may have something here.’” eating it up. We’re like, ‘Yeah, we think we As they built the popcorn side of Rexius Nutrition, the couple also tested their product at bodybuild ing competitions. As competitiv themselves, they thought e bodybuilders it an ideal market for their product, Rexius said, adding that a large bag of their popcorn has 30 to 40 grams of protein.

“We went to the Mr. Olympia convention, 100,000 people,” went through 14,000 bags. he said. “We Just got mauled. It was great.”

Finding their niche

After a few years of lackluster sales — nutrition stores product, but it didn’t sell liked their elsewhere — the couple’s luck changed when Rexius became president of the Ralston Chamber of Commerce. A representative of Hy-Vee’s 90th and West Center Road him with the offer to sell store approached the flavored popcorn at the location.

NICK HUFF

, CO-FOUN

PROTEIN TO HEALTHY SNACK

Rexius was initially a naysayer to the idea until Hy-Vee’s the Rexius Nutrition store sales outdid by a 50-1 margin, he said “I’m thinking it’s just not going to nutritionist at Hy-Vee understoo work, but we’ll try it,” Rexius said. “The d the product and knew the dietician could get the elderly patients to actually eat it.”

With eight flavors, including plain white popcorn, cheddar caramel, Omaha Protein cheese and Popcorn became popular with grandparents and mothers, he said.

“Grandma and Mom are the ones who are going to decide what the family gets to snack on,” Rexius said.

Realizing they had a new market with on their hands, the Rexiuses went full-force, getting the popcorn in 7,000 outlets including convenience stores and gas stations.

International expa nsion

Omaha Protein Popcorn Company has expanded internationally, selling in 13 countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, China, Australia and New Zealand. Represent ing the Made in America Initiative during a trip to Dubai, Omaha Protein Popcorn Company was the most-requ to meet with by internatio ested business nal marketers, Rexius said.

“I spent half of every Zoom meeting when I met with 25 grocers in Dubai last year explaining what Omaha is,” he said. “I got to do my little piece of making Omaha famous.”

Looking back over the journey, Rexius has advice for his younger self: Start now.

“The time will never be right,” he said. “The perfect conditions will never exist. I speak on entrepren eurship and the biggest thing I speak about is if you’re going to wait until you’re financially ready, until all the ducks are aligned, it does not exist.

“Complacency is another (pitfall); greatness doesn’t come out of comfort zones. It’s never going to be comfortable.”

More fantastic photos from Omaha Protein Popco rn Company on mbj.com!

FOUNDED: 2018

FOUNDED BY: TIMOTHY REXIUS , CO-OWNER BRITTNEY REXIUS , CO-OWNER NO. OF EMPLOYEES: 5 CURRENT OWNE RS: TIMOTHY REXIUS BRITTNEY REXIUS NICK LANGER DANI LANGER ADDITIONAL LOCAL INVESTORS ADDRESS: 12105 WEST CENTE R ROAD OMAHA, NE 68144 WEBSITE: NICK HUFF AN OMAHAPROT EINPOPCORN.COM D BRANDON BEED FORM HOURS: HUTCH TO HU N/A - PRODUCT TCH CONTRA PURCHASED ONLIN E CT

Curating Curios

It started with a hutch — a modern furni piece of midc ture entury first home item from a thrift store that and1960s-inspir was the Nick Huff and ed Brandon Beed his business Men” showcased dresses while TV show , bought toget partner, s such as “Mad the midcentury in marketing her. Huff, then

By July that aesthetic in and sales for year, the busin its full glory. restaurants, spent working weekends comb ess basement of most of his ing through thrift McLovin at 1012 had moved out of the After meeting store 900-f Howa s for oot space in uniqu Beed Midtown Cross rd St. and into its own to furniture made , however, his passion turne e clothes.

“I think Midto ing. d from fashio from the 1950s wn Crossing n “I loved going through the early called and asked move our store to 1970s. , and we said, if we could what you could thrift stores, and loved a hobby,’” Huff ‘It’s not a real the hunt find,” Huff said, store, it’s just said. vintage was “and you know of The sales kept often a , back then, Together, Huff steal of a deal.” moved to a 4,300 coming and two years later, and Beed amas vintage furni with new piece -square-foot space, mixin Hutch sed more and ture, and thoug g s vinta more that ge mirro finds That changed ht about sellin red collaborating in g it with local make the midcentury look and friend with a early 2013 when Huff disco online. rs. store vered a space available. front in the Old Market Moving, had basement and shakin The community While working g, respo for nded ward on his busin named Hutch to this new store and center in ess, Huff was , to purchase , aptly the high-quality curated by nowYP Summit Chan community. He was name also front vintage furnit business partn ure d timing was right ers Huff and became an Omahge Maker in 2015, the same an Omaha Beed. The — runways year a Fashion Wee that year were the co-chair k judge. In 2017 he full of 1950sof KANEKO , he was Soiree That love of community also with Ryan Ellis. inspired the dynamic duo

Submit a business to celebrate!

Visit www.mbj.com or email impact250@mbj.com

A VISIONARY PARTNERS

BECOME A PARTNER, CONTACT IMPACT250@MBJ.COM

A LEGACY PARTNER

SECURITYNATIONAL.BANK

DER AND CEO,

HUTCH CON

TRACT

Congratulations to all 2025 40 Under 40 Award Recipients!

14320 Arbor St, Omaha | 9719 Giles Rd, La Vista 3333 N 168th Ct, Omaha | NW.bank

Member FDIC