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Celebrating Credit Unions INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL IMPACT BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
PREPARE BEFORE YOU SELL SMALL DETAILS CAN DERAIL A BUSINESS SALE
A small group of telephone workers wanted a more personal banking experience in 1934, so they started a credit union. Today, that 92-year-old cooperative, Centris Federal Credit Union, serves more than 140,000 members from 15 branches across Nebraska and Iowa, with a second Bellevue branch set to open in 2027. Veridian Credit Union also traces its roots to 1934 and now counts 360,000 members across 32 branches. Mutual First Credit Union, founded in 1949, serves 10,400 members from three branches. Credit unions around the world celebrated International Credit Union Day on Oct. 15 under this year’s theme, “Cooperative Finance: A Steady Signal in a Noisy World.” At these three credit unions serving the metro, that steady signal shows up in everyday ways: a lower rate, a familiar face, paid time to volunteer and a small kindness from a stranger, delivered with a card explaining why.
BY TIM TRUDELL Operating a small business with handshake agreements with suppliers or unsigned employment arrangements can quickly derail one of the most significant transactions of a business owner’s career, according to Thomas Horgan of Horgan Law Firm. Whether a business has been family-owned for M&A ON PAGE 10
INSIDE: ESOPs Under the Spotlight
Value members count on
Ask Centris what members have relied on for nine decades, and the answer comes back to guidance through every stage of life. “Since 1934, Centris Federal Credit Union has been committed to walking alongside our CREDIT UNIONS ON PAGE 06
STARTS ON Page 14
The appeal of employee ownership
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VOLUME 52, No. 43 OCTOBER 16, 2026
X Marks the Moment
TEDX OMAHA TALKS TACKLE CREATIVITY, IDENTITY
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BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN
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Nine slots, one letter and a room full of curious Omahans: TEDx Omaha 2026 turned Creighton University’s Heider College of Business into a laboratory for big ideas Friday, Oct. 9. Organizers built the event around a single theme, X, framed as an invitation to explore, expand, experiment and expose. The independently organized event operates under license from TED, and its speakers took that charge in directions ranging from the business of art to the aftermath of violence. Paul Eric Pape, a creative entrepreneur who has designed custom work for Disney, Universal and Broadway, took aim at the starving-artist myth, which he traced to 1830s Paris, where young people from wealthy families romanticized poverty. As artificial intelligence reshapes creative industries, he argued, that old story turns dangerous. “AI is brilliant at making beige incredibly cheap,” Pape said, “which is why our strange edges matter more now than ever before.” He closed with a plea to stop sanding those edges down: “The world doesn’t need more beige. It needs more you.” Matt Baker runs a youth gang and violence outreach program through, of all places, the Lincoln Police Department, and he addressed the apparent contradiction head-on. “Shouldn’t the organizations whose job it is to arrest people also have the responsibility to keep people from getting arrested?” Baker asked. Where most intervention programs run in 30-, 60- or 90-day cycles, Baker said he stays with young people for five or six years on average, and all 18 high school seniors he works with this year remain on track to graduate. “We spend way too much time teaching our youth to dream about having,” he said. “I want them to dream about doing.” Stephanie Havelaar, a speech-language pathologist and educator, described years of coercive control that escalated into physical violence. She urged the audience to stop asking survivors why they didn’t just leave and to ask instead what made leaving so difficult. “I didn’t stay because I was weak,” Havelaar said. “I stayed because I was capable.” Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, a university professor and administrator, kept a secret for nearly 40 years: In 1982, while he was a UCLA student and Navy veteran, a stranger shot him with a hunting rifle on a California street. Now a 2026 National Survivor Fellow with Everytown for Gun Safety, he described how telling his story finally freed him.
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CREATIVE: Jalapeño Designs • Mike Cottrell Waking Words, LLC • Rob Killmer PHOTOGRAPHY: Debra S. Kaplan Monica Sempek Photography Roger Humphries Photography SENIOR WRITERS: Dwain Hebda Kara Schweiss WRITERS: Wendy Jordan Michelle Leach Tim Rohwer Brooke Strickland Wendy Townley Tim Trudell PRINTER: White Wolf Web Dedicated to 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, $99 per year (print + digital) or $60 (digital only). Editorial offices are 8709 F St. #113, Omaha, NE 68127. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Midlands Business Journal, 8709 F St. #113, Omaha, NE 68127. All submissions to the Midlands Business Journal become the property of the Midlands Business Journal and will not be returned. ADVERTISING 402-330-1760 or sales@mbj.com 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
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DAVID DOWNING, STEPHANIE HAVELAAR, MATT BAKER, DARCI GAMERL, DR. JONATHAN BENJAMIN-ALVARADO, RACHEL MINDRUP, DR. NICK SCHRECK, COLIN ROBERTS, PAUL PAPE, AND DAVID JOEL THOMAS.
EMCEE TERRY LEE AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STRAWBERRY OLIVE
“I was not going to be able to heal what I would not allow myself to feel,” he said. Other talks rounded out the evening. Nick Schreck, dean of business at Midland University, championed experiential learning that connects students with businesses. Leadership trainer Jennifer Okoliko asked who people become when their titles fall away. Bellevue University’s David Joel Thomas traced three generations of his family’s migration, and Darci Gamerl and David Downing of Bel Canto Duo paired music and film to explore displacement and home. Creighton’s Rachel Mindrup used portraiture to see past her son’s neurofibromatosis diagnosis to the person behind it, while songwriter Colin Roberts offered reflections on small daily choices and the beauty of imperfection. The common thread? Each speaker asked the audience to look past the obvious answer. For a business community that prizes innovation, that habit may prove the most useful takeaway of all.
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EVENT highlight
One for the Road
WERNER, AKRS LEADERS DISCUSS AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN PHOTOS BY KATY COWELL, BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF THE MIDWEST PLAINS Autonomous trucks are not meant to take drivers’ jobs, according to a Werner Enterprises executive. Instead, they’re meant for the routes drivers no longer want. Daragh Mahon, executive vice president and chief information officer of Werner, spoke Oct. 8 at Business Ethics Alliance’s Fall Mind Candy Dialogue at Valmont Industries West in Omaha. He was joined by Nick Jacobson, technology product manager for harvest products at AKRS Equipment. AnnMarie Marlier, the alliance’s executive director, moderated the discussion, “Ethical Stories from the Road.” Werner hauls 20 to 25 autonomous loads a week through its partnership with Aurora, a sliver of its 10,000-truck operation. Mahon said the goal is to fill long, monotonous lanes as more drivers want to be home every night. He estimated the industry is short about 300,000 drivers, a gap he expects to reach 1 million within a decade. Anyone hired as a Werner driver today can retire as one, he added. Mahon said Werner’s executives agreed from the start never to compromise safety to put an autonomous truck on the road. Werner had Aurora blow out a drive tire on a truck traveling 50 mph, a situation he said few human drivers can control. The truck stayed in its lane and stopped, then did it again in a second test. Jacobson said John Deere’s autonomous tractors work only inside a field boundary accurate to less than an inch. The tractors shut down if a human shape comes within 25 feet. “It’s frustratingly safe at times,” he said. On accountability, Mahon said responsibility depends on the failure. The truck manufacturer answers for mechanical problems, Werner for loading or tire errors, and the autonomy company for its systems. Werner’s chief legal officer expects the company to be sued regardless. Jacobson described the responsibility as shared among the manufacturer, the dealer and the farmer. Cost remains the biggest hurdle. Mahon said autonomy pays off only at scale, when a truck can run 22 hours a day instead of about 10. For farmers, Jacobson said adding autonomy costs about $40,000 initially, plus about $10,000 per year. New tractors run $500,000 to more than $1 million. An autonomous night shift during soybean harvest can also prevent losses as beans dry in the field.
NICK JACOBSON ANSWERS A QUESTION
DARAGH MAHON ANSWERS A QUESTION
ANNMARIE MARLIER AND DARAGH MAHON
GUESTS ARRIVE EARLY FOR BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING
BEA PACKETS FOR THE TAKING
ANNMARIE MARLIER WITH NICK JACOBSON AND DARAGH MAHON
ANTHONY HENDRICKSON, PH.D., OF CREIGHTON IN A SMALL GROUP EXERCISE
TOM KASTRUP ASKS ABOUT AUTOMATED TRANSPORTATION
Page 4 • October 16, 2026
DARAGH MAHON
ALI JOHN OF WERNER ENTERPRISES WAITS TO ASK A QUESTION
THE BREAKFAST EVENT WAS NEARLY SOLD OUT
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Chamber seeks state zoning role
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry leaders are urging state lawmakers to take a larger role in locating major projects, arguing local zoning rules can be unpredictable for employers. The proposal was presented in Scottsbluff Oct. 6 during a statewide chamber tour. The shift would give the state more influence over some development decisions, raising questions about local control as Nebraska competes for business investment.
Council Bluffs tourism sets records
Unleash Council Bluffs reported visitor spending above $334 million in Pottawattamie County in 2024, the latest year measured, and more than $3.3 million in hotel-motel taxes in fiscal 2026. Collections rose 4.65% year over year and topped $3 million for a fifth straight year. The nonprofit’s Oct. 6 update described a winter tourism campaign supported partly by a $10,000 state grant.
UNMC hospital price tag rises
University of Nebraska regents approved a more than $550 million increase to Project Health’s budget, from $2.19 billion to $2.748 billion, citing construction costs and added inpatient capacity. The planned UNMC and Nebraska Medicine teaching hospital could span roughly 1.5 million square feet and include more than 550 beds. The University of Nebraska Board of Regents unanimously approved the revised program statement and budget increase Oct. 9.
Chamber wins $480K site grant
Greater Omaha Chamber says it received a $480,000 U.S. Economic Development Administration grant to prepare potential sites for major employers. Site selection can require surveys, utility analysis and studies before a company makes a location decision; the funding is meant to answer those questions earlier. The award gives the region another tool to compete for corporate expansions and industrial projects.
Nebraska ranks fifth in momentum
Nebraska placed fifth in the 2026 Index of State Economic Momentum, according to a report highlighted by Gov. Jim Pillen Oct. 7. The ranking puts the state in the index’s top tier for economic vitality, a comparative signal for employers and site selectors evaluating growth conditions. Pillen’s announcement did not specify the component metrics, so the ranking is a state-level indicator rather than a forecast for any local industry.
SGH Concepts acquires Elward
Omaha-based SGH Concepts acquired Elward Systems, a Lakewood, Colorado, architectural building-products maker, in a deal reported Oct. 7. SGH says the transaction will extend its design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities across the Midwest, Mountain and Western regions. Founded in 1949, Elward supplies exterior cladding, rainscreen systems and interior specialty products, broadening the Omaha manufacturer’s multistate footprint.
South Omaha housing seeks TIF
A proposal would replace the vacant Salvation Army complex near 25th and Center streets with 180 affordable apartments and 18 townhomes, including workforce-level
rents. The roughly $57 million project has a $3.6 million taxincrement-financing request before the Omaha City Council; demolition could begin in spring 2027 if approved. City leaders say the redevelopment could spur more investment in the neighborhood.
Baldwin adds Nebraska branch
Baldwin Supply used an Oct. 5 announcement to spotlight its first Nebraska branch, at 11321 S. 147th St. in Omaha. The distributor says the location broadens regional inventory and custom belting capabilities for industrial customers in manufacturing, food processing, construction and agriculture. The site is near I-80, positioning the Midwest supplier to serve operations across eastern Nebraska and neighboring markets.
Streetcar work hits downtown sales
Utility closures for Omaha’s streetcar project are affecting businesses along Farnam, Harney and 24th streets, with the city saying disruptions will run through year-end. Zen Coffee Company owner Abby McLeay told WOWT her flagship store’s third-quarter revenue fell 40% as construction reduced access and foot traffic. She said the business cut operations and employee hours; customers can still reach the store via South 25th and Douglas.
BD plans $1B Nebraska investment
Medical technology company BD announced a $19 billion U.S. investment plan, with more than $1 billion expected to go toward manufacturing in Nebraska. BD operates facilities in Columbus and Broken Bow but has not detailed how the Nebraska investment will be divided or specified sitelevel projects. Nationwide, the plan is expected to increase domestic production of essential medical consumables by about 5 billion units annually.
Omaha eases parking minimums
Omaha City Council approved an ordinance setting minimum off-street parking requirements at one space per dwelling unit across residential housing types, Grow Omaha reported Oct. 8. Developers may still build additional parking, but the lower baseline gives them flexibility and could trim project costs. The change also allows denser development by reducing land devoted to parking.
Youth summit opens job pipeline
Nebraska’s second Governor’s Youth Summit drew more than 640 students, chaperones and sponsors to Kearney and generated over 300 student applications for in-state careers, the Department of Economic Development reported Oct. 7. High school juniors, seniors and recent graduates met business and college leaders to explore internships, jobs and scholarships. Organizers also awarded $20,000 in scholarships, connecting workforce recruitment with employers’ need to retain young talent.
KenBrooke buys Omaha industrial site
KenBrooke Roofing purchased the former Floors Inc. property at 10820 Mockingbird Drive for $3 million, Grow Omaha reported Oct. 8. The 18,400-square-foot industrial facility transfers to the Omaha commercial roofing contractor. NAI NP Dodge brokers Trenton Magid and John Meyer Page 5 • October 16, 2026
represented the seller. The deal adds to industrial-property activity in the metro and puts a locally based service company on the ownership side of a commercial real estate transaction.
Saddle Creek mixed-use plan advances
Omaha’s Planning Board approved rezoning around the closing Family Fare near 46th Street and Saddle Creek Road, Grow Omaha reported Oct. 8. Plans call for converting the grocery building into three commercial units, adding a sixlevel apartment building south of it and building townhomes on a neighboring lot. The proposal updates the commercial site with new retail space and housing as the grocery store exits.
Tower District adds retail momentum
Construction is picking up at Papillion’s 120-acre Tower District, where developers are shifting toward neighborhood retail and businesses, Grow Omaha reported Oct. 8. The project’s 307-unit Thread apartment community has leased up, while homes are selling and commercial buildings take shape. Pinnacle Bank, AutoZone, Panera Bread and other tenants have opened, underscoring the mixed-use project’s growing commercial base.
State sales tax authority clarified
The Nebraska Department of Revenue issued a formal statement confirming that the state agency holds the underlying legal responsibility for collecting and distributing local sales taxes. The clarification came directly after state Sen. Beau Ballard publicly alleged that city officials in Lincoln were improperly collecting a 1.75% municipal sales tax from residents living outside city limits.
Omaha tourism economic impact hits $2.6B
An economic assessment released by Visit Omaha Oct. 7 detailed that the city’s total tourism impact reached $2.6 billion. Officials noted that ongoing major capital infrastructure projects, including the active modernization of Eppley Airfield, are positioned to scale those metrics further heading into 2027.
Iowa public health regionalization shifts
Published Oct. 8, local health administrators outlined a state-mandated regionalization plan restructuring local public health departments. The upcoming administrative alignment comes paired with anticipated budget adjustments, affecting western Iowa’s county-level clinical outreach.
Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska advances
On Oct.14, the Nebraska Chamber revealed the top four contenders in the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska contest. The field, narrowed from 8, is modular housing, Family Built Homes, Gering; fresh, stone milled flour, Grand Republic Milling Co., Gering; animal health IV fluids, Nova-Tech Inc., Grand Island; and popcorn, Popcorn County, USA, North Loup. The 2026 contest winner is to be announced Oct. 29 at the Nebraska Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit in La Vista, where all finalists are invited to display their products.
FEATURE
Celebrating Credit Unions
CELEBRATING CREDIT UNIONS
INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL IMPACT
The best part of being member-owned is that credit unions never have to choose between serving our members or satisfying shareholders. Our members are our shareholders. — RENEE CHRISTOFFER PRESIDENT AND CEO VERIDIAN CREDIT UNION
CREDIT UNIONS FROM PAGE 1
members through every stage of their financial journey,” said Dawn Gonzales, vice president of community relations at Centris. That commitment looks the same no matter where members are in life, she said. “Whether someone is opening their first savings account, purchasing a home, financing a vehicle, starting a business or planning for retirement, our focus remains the same: providing trusted guidance, personalized service and financial solutions designed around their needs,” Gonzales said. Veridian points to the numbers. Callahan & Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based research firm, publishes a quarterly Return of the Member Index that ranks all 4,300 U.S. credit unions on the overall value they provide. Veridian has ranked in the top 1% for years and in the top 10 since 2022. In the second quarter of 2026, the most recent quarter reported, it ranked No. 1. “One of the things I’m most proud of is Veridian’s consistent national recognition for returning value to our members,” said Renee Christoffer, Veridian’s president and CEO. At Mutual First, that value often arrives one member at a time. The credit union recently refinanced a member’s auto loan from another lender and saved the member about $100 a month. “We try to be a valuable resource for our members, providing lower rates, personalized service and assisting those who might be turned away by big banks,” said Jill Stewart, executive assistant and marketing coordinator at Mutual First.
Owned by the people they serve
All three credit unions say the cooperative structure makes that possible. Credit unions operate as not-for-profit financial cooperatives, and the people who bank there own them. “The best part of being member-owned is that credit unions never have to choose between serving our members or satisfying shareholders,” Christoffer said. “Our members are our shareholders.” Members feel that ownership in how staff treat them, in the value they receive from products and services and in their vote for board members, she said. “Credit unions’ not-for-profit, cooperatively owned structure uniquely positions us to prioritize our members and their financial well-being in everything we do,” Christoffer said. Gonzales put it even more plainly. “The greatest advantage of being member-owned is simple: Our members come first,” she said. “Because Centris is owned by the people we serve, we can focus on what matters most to them, not outside investors.” Members experience that through personalized service and trusted financial guidance, Gonzales said. At Mutual First, ownership means members have a voice, Stewart said. “They can voice their opinions and be heard,” she said. “Our members appreciate that their voice matters to us.”
Building good money moves
Asked about a favorite member milestone, Christoffer didn’t single out one member. She pointed to a program that has produced many. Veridian has long partnered with nonprofits to offer financial education
workshops and one-on-one coaching. Through that mentoring, participants raised their credit scores, bought reliable cars and saved enough for down payments on homes. The program worked so well that Veridian recently opened it to its full membership. Called Money Moves, the financial empowerment program helps members “build confidence, strengthen financial habits and take meaningful steps toward their financial goals,” Christoffer said.
Time, talent and treasure
Each credit union also measures its steady signal by how often it shows up in the community. Centris employees have long supported the Nebraska Diaper Bank. This year, through volunteer shifts and fundraisers, including T-shirt and jeans days, staff members are contributing to a $5,000 donation that helps the organization provide diapers to families in need. “Access to basic necessities can significantly impact a family’s financial wellbeing, and we’re honored to support an organization that helps meet this critical need throughout our communities,” Gonzales said. The credit union’s fourth annual Community Impact Grants will deliver $200,000 to 29 local nonprofits by December, separate from its sponsorships and donations. The grant program encourages nonprofits to seek funding that makes an immediate impact on the people they serve. Centris also gives employees up to 24 hours of paid time each year to volunteer for local nonprofits. For the past two years, more than half of its workforce has donated at least four hours. “When it comes to serving our community, Centris has built a culture of giving back through time, talent and treasure,” Gonzales said. Veridian puts its weight behind homeownership. In 2025, the credit union committed $4 million to guarantee no- or low-interest home loans for Habitat for Humanity partners across its service area, including Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. That commitment comes on top of donations, grants and volunteer hours. Mutual First keeps its giving playful and has raised money for local nonprofits for years. Staff members regularly hold competitions, spirit weeks and supply drives. The most popular, the annual Soup-er Bowl soup competition, takes place each February. Then comes Halloween. Since 2024, Mutual First has hosted Boo at the CU at its Elkhorn branch. The event proved such a success that this year all three branches host it Friday, Oct. 16. “We are looking forward to a great turnout and a lot of fun,” Stewart said.
Kindness with a calling card
Veridian marks International Credit Union Day with an annual employee tradition. Each team receives a small budget to spread random acts of kindness in its community. Every recipient also gets a card explaining the day and what sets credit unions apart.
Page 6 • October 16, 2026
MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL
DAWN GONZALES
CENTRIS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
The tradition involves employees and promotes understanding of the credit union’s member-owned, cooperative structure, Christoffer said. “Random acts of kindness are a perfect way to celebrate credit unions’ ‘people helping people’ philosophy, and we look forward to it every year,” she said. With Boo at the CU falling the next day, Mutual First planned to recognize the occasion on social media and in its branches. For Stewart, the message to share remains simple. Credit unions offer the same products and services as banks, with the added benefit of member ownership. That often means better rates, higher dividends and lower fees, she said. “We exist to benefit our membership and to find ways to help them meet their financial goals, provide financial education and provide assistance when the unexpected happens,” she said.
The mission that brought those telephone workers together in 1934 still holds. “Credit unions play a vital role in building stronger communities,” Gonzales said. As member-owned financial cooperatives, credit unions reinvest in their members, support local organizations, provide financial education and help people reach their goals at every stage of life, she said. “Credit unions were created to give people a better financial alternative, and that mission remains just as relevant today,” Gonzales said. “International Credit Union Day is a chance to celebrate that impact and recognize the difference a peoplefirst approach can make for individuals, families, businesses and communities.”
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FOCUS SECTION
Keeping It Local
CELEBRATING CREDIT UNIONS
CREDIT UNIONS EMPHASIZE MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY BY TIM TRUDELL Staff at Omaha-area credit unions see International Credit Union Day as about more than complimentary treats for customers and special offers. It’s a chance to celebrate decades of serving local members and highlight the role credit unions say they play in keeping money and decision-making close to home.
ROBIN LARSEN
PRESIDENT AND CEO COBALT CREDIT UNION
MIKE MCDERMOTT
PRESIDENT AND CEO METROPOLITAN CREDIT UNION
KRYSTLE ROPE
GREETSTATE CREDIT UNION
“Our purpose is to provide value, earn trust and build relationships,” McDermott said. “What is happening around us may change, but that doesn’t.”
Addressing economic uncertainty
As the economy faces challenges with inflation, tariffs and a slowing jobs market, The Nebraska Credit Union League website states that about 520,000 Nebraskans credit unions are in a position to help their members. are members of a credit union. Robin Larsen, president and chief executive officer of Cobalt Credit Union, said member events such as Credit Union Day often lead “We realize that bad things happen to good people, and in this rate environment, to larger conversations. This year’s Credit Union Day meant a little more at Cobalt, you almost have to be psychic with a crystal ball to predict what’s going to happen,” as the credit union celebrated its 80th anniversary. Larsen said Cobalt planned to Larsen said. share members’ stories as well as offer special deals. Cobalt eliminated the 20% down payment requirement on housing loans in April, “Credit Union Day is always something that we have celebrated, and tying it in allowing people to borrow 100% of the cost of a house. Larsen said Cobalt has since with our 80th anniversary this year is really good,” Larsen said. seen its mortgage loans increase by $6 million. Metropolitan Credit Union is also celebrating a major milestone. President and CEO Mike McDermott said Metro CU is in its 75th year of serving members.
Metro has maintained its financial discipline during economic uncertainty, McDermott said.
Local control
“We have also been very intentional about pricing,” he said. “We have used our rates to provide value to members, attract new business and continue growing even in a challenging and very competitive market.”
Credit unions are nonprofit, member-owned financial cooperatives that pool their members’ deposits to provide banking services. They are managed locally, and decisions are based on local membership. McDermott said this provides members with control and influence.
Community support
Being local helps build and maintain trust, which is key to credit unions’ success. “We don’t have outside shareholders expecting us to maximize a return for them,” McDermott said. “When Metro does well, that value stays here and can be returned “The large megabanks and fintech providers are usually not headquartered here in the Midwest, and so that means profits tend to leave the state,” Rope said. to our members through competitive loan and deposit rates, lower fees, better “GreenState has grown because our members see that we support the communities technology and services and continued investment.” that we operate in.” Members of Cobalt have input on actions taken by its elected leadership, which Many credit unions support the communities in which their members live. Cobalt Larsen said influences its local footprint. supports organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Lift Up Sarpy. Metro “It’s important that we hear their voices and their concerns,” she said. “It’s important sponsors the Nebraska Science Festival through the University of Nebraska Medical as a credit union that we make sure we’re competitive, we’re not outpricing Center and the Salvation Army’s Back to School backpack program. ourselves, and our earnings support the members through our competitive products, GreenState also sees community service as a key membership tool, partnering with our service improvements, technology and our investment in the community.” Millard Public Schools Foundation and helping sponsor Jazz on the Green at Turner Park. ‘Steady signal’ This year’s Credit Union Day theme is “Cooperative Finance: A Steady Signal in Credit unions help members be financially savvy through financial literacy programs a Noisy World.” Krystle Rope, vice president of consumer lending products with and budgeting workshops for ways to build their credit ratings and increase savings, GreenState Credit Union, said the message is crucial for credit unions as fintech and Rope said. This, in turn, grows memberships and retains current members. Looking other outlets become prevalent. ahead to 2027, credit unions need to be creative, including offering more online services, Larsen said. “To us, the ‘steady signal’ theme means being a consistent and trusted partner to our members, so they know that they will get great products, financial education “We’re looking at what the needs of the communities are … because banking has and support for their community,” Rope said. changed significantly over 80 years, and we want to really make sure that the ease of doing transactions, either face-to-face or online, is a big focus,” Larsen said. Metro’s view of a steady signal is simple.
Page 8 • October 16, 2026
CELEBRATING CREDIT UNIONS
SPONSORED CONTENT
Centris Federal Credit Union
BUILDS ON 90 YEARS OF PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST Tell us about your credit union and what sets you apart. Founded over 90 years ago by telephone workers who wanted a better financial experience, Centris Federal Credit Union was built on the belief that people deserve more than to be treated like a number. Today, we serve members across Nebraska and western Iowa with 15 branch locations in Omaha, Bellevue, LaVista, Gretna, Council Bluffs, Grand Island and North Platte. While we offer the convenience and technology people expect from a modern financial institution, what truly sets us apart is our people-first approach. As a member-owned cooperative, our focus is on helping individuals, families and businesses achieve their financial goals through personalized service, trusted guidance and long-term relationships.
What’s ahead for your credit union and your members? Centris continues to invest in the future of our members and the communities we serve. In 2026, we opened our newest branch in Gretna, Nebraska, expanding access to personalized financial services in one of the region’s fastest-growing communities. We also celebrated the groundbreaking of a second Bellevue branch, further strengthening our commitment to convenient access and in-person financial guidance. Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance our Business Banking experience that helps members achieve their financial goals with confidence. We are excited to build on our legacy of putting people first and delivering the credit union difference.
How is your credit union making a difference in the community? At Centris, supporting our communities is part of who we are. We invest in financial education programs that help people build confidence in managing their finances, from first-time savers to future homeowners and small business owners. Our employees regularly volunteer their time and talents to local organizations, schools and community initiatives. Through charitable giving, partnerships and hands-on service, we work to strengthen the neighborhoods where our members live and work. We believe strong communities are built on strong relationships, and we are committed to creating opportunities that improve financial well-being and help individuals, families and businesses thrive.
Page 9 • October 16, 2026
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FOCUS SECTION
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Prepare Before You Sell SMALL DETAILS CAN DERAIL A BUSINESS SALE
M&A FROM PAGE 1
BRANDON HAMM
KOLEY JESSEN
THOMAS HORGAN
HORGAN LAW FIRM
generations or is a startup, selling a business is a critical step for many owners. Preparing a business for sale, however, involves more than finding a buyer and agreeing on a price. Owners need to make sure their records are in order, contracts and other legal documents are up to date, and potential liabilities have been identified before a buyer begins digging into the business. That is especially true for a business with less than $10 million in revenue, where even minor gaps can create complications or delays. Issues that can derail an agreement vary, said Lisa Sarver, a partner with Kutak Rock Attorneys at Law.
laundry list of due diligence documents saying, ‘Hey, here’s what we need.’ If an owner doesn’t have any of these, it can cost them, maybe not the deal, but it will certainly cost their accounting a lot of time, money and hassle.” Buyers also may uncover liabilities that aren’t immediately apparent to a seller, said Brandon Hamm, an attorney with Koley Jessen. “The issue that catches sellers most off-guard is the buyer’s intense focus on undisclosed or unknown liabilities — things like unpaid employment taxes, pending worker claims or environmental cleanup obligations that can follow the business long after the sale closes,” Hamm said.
Deep dive into records
Engage an attorney
If the buyer is a larger company, a sale typically involves a team of corporate development, finance and human resources personnel, which may delve deeper into a seller’s operations than the seller expects, Sarver said. “For a small business that doesn’t have that (set-up), it can quickly become overwhelming to them,” she said. “They’ve got to go find all their signed contracts or explain why they don’t have certain information and manage follow ups. It’s just a lot.” Small business owners may also feel threatened, Sarver said. “It sometimes feels like the due diligence process, which involves a lot of questions about the business, can include very detailed and somewhat intrusive questions to the seller,” she said. “A small business owner can sometimes interpret that to be a lack of trust in them.” Horgan emphasized having paperwork in order. “Not having all of (that) can be catastrophic for a deal,” Horgan said. “You might get a letter of intent to purchase your business, and then they give you a
Small business owners often make the mistake of believing they’ll save money by delaying engaging an attorney, Sarver said. “It’s counterintuitive,” she said. “It’s a lot harder to undo something that’s not done well versus doing it right the first time. That can also cause delays. They should get counsel involved as soon as possible. It’s not just their lawyer, it’s their accountant, too. Maybe an investment banker, business broker, depending on the size. Understand what the roles are, too.” Sarver said there are things they can do without an attorney’s input, such as having proper documents, articles of incorporation, shareholder agreements and key contracts. “Understanding those things, you can answer the questions early on and accurately,” she said. “Because one thing that does hurt small business sellers is when they don’t know the answer, if they guess and that turns out to be incorrect, they lose credibility with their buyer.” The end goal, of course, is to achieve a mutual buy-sell agreement.
LISA SARVER
KUTAK ROCK ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Keeping Finances Clean BY TIM TRUDELL
MORGAN FELBER
LUTZ
JUSTIN FRAUENDORFER
BLAND AND ASSOCIATES
DAN MORRIS FRANKEL CPA
RED FLAGS HARM SMALL BUSINESS SALES
A small business owner’s vision of its value can pale when a buyer examines cash flow and profitability. One big factor that can derail the sale of a small business is the condition of its financial records. When financial statements are not current, accurate and well-documented, potential buyers may become uncomfortable and look elsewhere. Certain issues can immediately raise red flags, particularly personal expenses being run through the business, such as an owner’s vehicle, vacations or other nonbusiness expenditures. “While it’s typically understood that the majority of small business owners run certain personal expenses through their business, these expenses can create additional legwork on the due diligence side to ensure personal expense adjustments are actually personal in nature,” said Morgan Felber, a senior financial analyst at Lutz. “Sellers need to be prepared for instances in which buyers will adjust EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) or earnings downward for any understated owner compensation or rent expense.”
Seller needs to be upfront
Small business owners may damage their profitability when selling by focusing on minimizing taxes, such as by quickly depreciating new equipment, rather than maximizing reported profit. “We’re not saying you need to show more profit for your tax return, absolutely not, but what you need to be prepared to do is show and tell that story to the potential buyer,” said Justin Frauendorfer, a CPA with Bland and Associates. “... Having that story to be able to tell upfront to the potential buyer, versus them having to ask questions, that’s the type of thing that will give that buyer a lot more comfort, give you more credibility and then that just helps the due diligence go Page 10 • October 16, 2026
along much better.” Inaccurate records raise red flags, particularly for small business owners who have done their own QuickBooks accounting. “If the balance sheet is wrong, how reliable is the profit and loss that we’re looking at that’s associated with that?” said Dan Morris, a certified public accountant with Frankel CPA. “If we see a credit card balance that’s a debit, and we know it should be a credit, that’s an issue. Once we get access to their books, or they send us their financial statements, we start to see those kinds of issues.”
Red flags
As buyers analyze a small business’ financials, they review which “add-backs” are legitimate. “I would say almost any sort of add back would be legitimate, but the thing that scares people the most is when there is just so many,” Frauendorfer said. “You start to wonder what else is in there … If, all of a sudden, there’s just so many, and they’re not documented or supported, a buyer won’t incur that cost, and therefore they’re not comfortable with paying you for that.” The buyer is often most concerned with cash flow and profitability. “Size, profitability, growth and industry are all items that impact the valuation of a business,” Felber said. “Another factor often overlooked is the reliance the company has on the business owner, a key customer, or key employees. If value is concentrated in certain parts of the business, this is viewed as a risk to the buyer and can often reduce value.” Morris believes most business owners have been in the industry long enough to develop a fair market value of their operation. “Taxes and business valuation are competing priorities,” he said. “Through our due diligence, we work with them to get them to their number or better.”
FOCUS SECTION
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
What Buyers Really Want
OWNERS NEED TO ADJUST EXPECTATIONS WHEN SELLING BY TIM TRUDELL
TRENT FULLER
MURPHY BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CORP.
A small business becomes a far more attractive acquisition when it can operate without its owner. For buyers, a strong management team can mean the difference between purchasing an investment and taking on another job. From expansion to diversification, almost every successful acquisition begins with strong leadership, said Cortney Sells, president of The Firm Advisors. “The ones that are attractive, it’s because there is a team involved, so if the business owner wants to take a vacation, take time off to see their kids or grandkids play ball, they’re not tied to that business,” Sells said. “Even if you only have five to 10 employees, at least make sure that there’s somebody who the other staff can go to.”
Unrealistic expectations
JOHN FULLERTON
TRANSWORLD BUSINESS ADVISORS
But an owner’s close connection to the business can also shape how they view its value. Because many owners built their businesses themselves, they may have expectations about the sale price that don’t align with the market, said Trent Fuller, a business broker with Murphy Business and Financial Corp. “They’re getting advice from their cousin or their uncle, or a friend who says, ‘Oh man, you should be getting this type of multiples,’” Fuller said. “They might find something online that just isn’t realistic with what’s happening in the market.” According to John Fullerton, a broker with Transworld Business Advisors, first-time small business sellers often misunderstand what actually drives a potential buyer, which can create a disconnect over the business’s value. “People are trying to drive down their taxable income as much as they can on their tax return, and then I’m trying to bring it back up as much as I can as
CORTNEY SELLS
THE FIRM ADVISORS
Page 11 • October 16, 2026
a broker in order to be able to really maximize what is the apparent return on the investment,” he said.
Buyers diversify footprint
Small businesses are typically purchased by companies of a similar size, either to diversify or expand their footprint, Sells said. While about 25% of her clients are private equity firms, it’s uncommon for them to buy smaller establishments, she said. “We have what we call our geographic buyers, so maybe it’s a buyer in Kansas City or in Denver, and now they want a footprint in the Omaha marketplace,” Sells said. Buyers look beyond financials, reviewing operational or business characteristics that make a small business attractive, Fuller said. “The first and biggest thing we touch on is that the owner is not the main person,” he said. “Everything’s not running through the owner, and part two to that, it’s not running through only the family. Getting a good management team in place is essential.” Setting a realistic timeline is critical when a small business owner decides to sell. “We always say that time kills all deals, so unfortunately, it’s the fatigue,” Sells said. “The business owner is, quite frankly, sick of giving over information, and the longer it takes, it kind of loses its luster.” Another deal breaker can be a buyer’s misleading intentions, Sells said. “A buyer puts in an overpriced offer to get the attention of the business owner, knowing full well that their intention is to lower that offer in due diligence,” she said. “That may have been a tactic used in the past. I don’t recommend doing that, because now it is a seller’s market. You’ve now just lost all of the trust and the goodwill that you had with that business owner.”
FOCUS SECTION
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Financing a Business Buy
WHAT BUYERS NEED TO SECURE FINANCING AND CLOSE THE DEAL BY TIM TRUDELL
TRIP DUDEN
ACCESSBANK
MARY LAUGHLIN
CORE BANK
JASON PARSONS
SECURITY NATIONAL BANK
Buying a small business takes more than finding the right company and securing a loan. Buyers need enough financial strength to qualify for financing, enough cash to keep the business healthy after closing and a deal structure that satisfies increasingly careful lenders. If a proposed small business purchase has limited resources or collateral, a buyer may opt for a Small Business Administration 7(a) loan rather than conventional financing. “There are some banks out there that would take a blanket filing on the business that this person’s acquiring, but a lot of times that’s not hard collateral,” said Mary Laughlin, vice president of commercial lending at CORE Bank. “So that’s when the SBA comes in to fill that gap, or the seller might fill the gap, and sometimes it’s beneficial for the seller from a tax perspective to kind of take the payoff over time, too.” About 75% of small business transactions are financed through SBA 7(a) loans, said Jason Parsons, senior vice president and SBA director at Security National Bank. About 15% of deals are seller-financed and 10% are handled through buyer equity, he said. Financial strength is key to obtaining SBA financing, Parsons said. A lender prefers to finance an acquisition that includes a proven cash flow, a qualified buyer and a structure that leaves the business healthy after closing, he said. “The business should have consistent historical earnings, clean financial records, reasonable add-backs, stable customer demand and enough cash flow to support the new debt,” Parsons said. “The buyer should bring relevant management or industry experience, good personal credit, liquidity and a well-thought-out transition plan.”
Changing landscape
Improving a buyer’s chances at commercial success is vital to financing a deal, said Trip Duden, vice president and commercial relationship manager at ACCESSbank. “Our team also strives to guide the buyer in structuring the transaction, bringing what they need to closing and providing the liquidity to operate normally right as they take ownership,” he said.
While SBA financing remains available, the landscape has experienced major challenges over the past 18 months, Duden said. SBA underwriters often require detailed verification to ensure compliance with federal guidelines, which can extend the deal beyond the average 30- to 60-day time frame. Higher interest rates result in higher debt service requirements and an increased focus on the debt service coverage ratio, he said. “While the minimum 10% equity injection for change-in-ownership transactions is not new, a buyer really needs to be better capitalized and very straightforward in documenting their financial position,” Duden said. While a buyer primarily focuses on obtaining financing to complete a sale, they also need to be focused on post-loan closing operations, Parsons said.
Common shortfalls
Buyers sometimes overestimate how much debt the business can support, underestimate working capital needs, or assume every seller’s add-back will be accepted at face value. Others wait too long to involve a lender, which can lead to surprises, he said. “The biggest mistake is focusing only on whether they can buy the business, rather than can they operate it successfully after closing,” Parsons said. “A common issue is leaving the business too thin on cash after closing.” When SBA financing is involved as part of a deal, it’s important for the seller to have clean records, updated inventory and accurate equipment lists. Seller flexibility with timelines and financing is prudent, Duden said. “Sellers who are most successful in SBA-backed transactions realize that the lender, not just the buyer, must approve the deal,” he said. “Sellers can be more flexible with the financing structure and payment timing. It helps to work with a buyer who is pre-qualified and has experience with SBA financing.” A seller’s patience is also practical, Laughlin said. “It’s definitely going to take longer than a typical deal, just because you’ve got a third party involved that needs to go through their approval process, as well,” Laughlin said.
“Koley Jessen is an essential part of our team, helping ensure the NCAA Division I Men’s College World Series remains an iconic Omaha tradition.” “Their trusted counsel allows us to focus on the experience, confident that every detail – from complex legal matters to strategic planning – is handled with care. Koley Jessen’s proactive approach, deep understanding of our needs, and unwavering commitment to the community, including their generous pro-bono contributions to College World Series of Omaha, Inc., help us deliver unforgettable experiences and leave a lasting legacy for Omaha.” – AMY HORNOCKER
Executive Director College World Series of Omaha, Inc.
KO L E Y
J E SSEN
A T T OR N E Y S
Active counsel for personal and business success | 402.390.9500 | koleyjessen.com Page 12 • October 16, 2026
Page 13 • October 16, 2026
FOCUS SECTION
ESOPs Under the Spotlight
ESOPs
THE APPEAL OF EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP BY MICHELLE RENNE LEACH
Oftentimes the seller stays on as president or CEO for a number of years to help coach and mentor the next generation of leadership in the company, because that’s critical to the company’s success. — BRIAN ELSASSER SECURITY NATIONAL BANK
Over the next 10 years, a projected 6 million small- and medium-sized businesses will transition ownership as founders exit, according to the McKinsey Institute, making today’s market for employee ownership decidedly bullish. Brian Elsasser, senior vice president and Nebraska director of commercial banking at Security National Bank, said the number of transitions happening in the next decade is incredible. “That’s up from approximately 4.5 million in the prior decade,” he said. “As owners research pathways to their exit, they’re exploring all options, including a sale to family or a management team, a sale to a third party or, if they’re aware of it, a sale to their employees via an ESOP.” Elsasser said education from bankers, accountants, attorneys, the Iowa/Nebraska chapter of the ESOP Association and articles is driving awareness. Some knowledge is also making its way from other states. “ESOPs are more prevalent in some of our neighboring states including Iowa, Colorado and Missouri, because those states have established centers for employee ownership supported with public funds or privately through independent nonprofits,” he said. Elsasser said plans are usually financed with a combination of senior bank debt and seller carryback financing. “The amount applicable to each portion of that is dependent upon a number of factors
including the cash flow and the timeline of the seller,” he said. Bringing a banker and other transaction advisers into the conversation early, Elsasser said, lets companies understand whether ESOPs are realistic, what their companies may be worth, how much debt they can support and what the transaction looks like. “A coordinated team of advisers can help you evaluate alternatives, avoid surprises during due diligence and design a transaction that aligns with your financial goals, succession plans and long-term vision for the company and its employees,” he said. Consistent cash flow to service the debt and a capable management team to guide the company are the most important factors when evaluating potential borrowers, according to Elsasser. “Oftentimes the seller stays on as president or CEO for a number of years to help coach and mentor the next generation of leadership in the company, because that’s critical to the company’s success,” he said. Elsasser indicated business owners mistakenly think they’ll take a steep discount when selling to an ESOP or lose control over their company. “The ESOP is considered a financial buyer and, as such, will pay a market value comparable to other investors,” he said. “There are other opportunities to improve the overall exit consideration with warrants in certain instances or meaningful tax advantages.” Elsasser said the owner can also negotiate to stay on as CEO, which lenders typically view in a good light.
BUILDING MOMENTUM. Helping businesses grow and navigate change. Member FDIC
/commercial Page 14 • October 16, 2026
We are fielding more inquiries from middle-market companies than in prior years. Most owners come to us wanting liquidity on a reasonable timeline without selling to a competitor or a financial buyer who may relocate or restructure the business. — PETE LANGDON KOLEY JESSEN From feasibility to support
Interest in ESOPs is as strong as Koley Jessen Attorney Pete Langdon has seen, driven largely by the wave of baby boomer business owners reaching retirement, uneven private equity and credit markets and recent federal policy attention. “We are fielding more inquiries from middle-market companies than in prior years,” he said. “Most owners come to us wanting liquidity on a reasonable timeline without selling to a competitor or a financial buyer who may relocate or restructure the business.” Langdon, who works with companies in all aspects of employee benefits, said legacy and culture matter more than tax advantages. “There is no single ideal profile, but strong candidates generally share consistent profitability, stable or growing cash flow, a durable management team beneath the owner and enough payroll to make the benefit meaningful to employees,” he said. Langdon indicated Koley Jessen advises owners through the ESOP’s life cycle – from initial feasibility and structuring through to transaction design, financing, trustee and valuation coordination, plan drafting, governance changes, compliance, repurchase obligation planning and incentive design for management. To determine whether companies can realistically afford and sustain the transaction, Langdon said feasibility studies include a preliminary valuation range; analysis of cash flow and debt capacity; payroll and census testing; and modeling of tax and financing structure. “It also examines softer questions such as management depth and whether a successor team can run the business after the owner steps back,” he said. Langdon commonly encounters misconceptions that employees can vote on business decisions, the owner must sell everything at once and the seller must accept a discount based on fair market value. “In reality, an ESOP is a qualified retirement plan holding shares through a trustee. Governance stays with the board, sales can be partial and staged, and the price is set by an independent appraisal at fair market value,” he said. “Owners also tend to overestimate the ongoing administrative burden, which is real, but routine.” Langdon emphasized that plans may be combined with management incentives, later third-party sales and other strategies. “An ESOP is a long-term commitment, not just a transaction, so the companies that thrive are the ones that plan for the repurchase obligation and genuinely communicate ownership to their workforce,” he said.
Building wealth, legacy
Debra Taylor, managing partner and chief tax strategist at Carson Wealth, said ESOPs share ownership with the people who helped build the business without writing a personal check. “The company funds the plan, so employees receive equity without paying for it, and the owner gets a smooth, structured way to transfer ownership over time on terms they control,” she said. “For the employee, the advantage is a real stake in the outcome.” Retirement benefits that can rise as a company grows give employee-owners a reason to care about quality, service and efficiency. Taylor said such alignment is not something a traditional retirement plan can replicate. “That said, I view an ESOP as a complement to a 401(k), not a replacement,” she said. Taylor said the best candidates are profitable companies with steady cash flow, a capable management team and employees who keep clients coming back. She added profitability and a team worth investing in matter more than a headcount. “An ESOP lets that owner reward those people with actual ownership, rather than a bonus that may get spent and forgotten,” she said. “Companies that struggle to recruit and retain talent often find it becomes a differentiator, since ‘you will be an owner here’ is a powerful thing to say to a candidate.” Employee ownership is less suited to startups and businesses with a few large, irregular contracts and unpredictable earnings, because Taylor said the plan needs a company that can reliably support it.
She stressed that ESOPs are one of the few strategies where the company and owner can benefit from favorable tax treatment, as contributions to fund the plan are generally taxdeductible. “Ownership can be shared in a way that the tax code actually encourages,” Taylor said. “I have seen owners come in focused on the sale price and leave focused on after-tax proceeds, which is the number that actually matters.” She encourages companies to define their goals and invest in education on how the plan works and affects the business. “The best ESOP companies treat ownership as a mindset, not just a benefit,” she said.
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Page 15 • October 16, 2026
FOCUS SECTION
ESOPs from the Inside
ESOPs
CREATING SUCCESSFUL COMPANIES AND EMPLOYEES BY MICHELLE RENNE LEACH
The ESOP keeps decision-making with people who know the business, allowing us to maintain our focus on our customers and our vision to improve healthcare access and outcomes. — KYLE SALEM CEO CASSLING AND CQUENCE HEALTH
KAYLA ENGEL CQUENCE
BILLY FRIESEN
COMMONWEALTH HOLDINGS
MIKE HAYWOOD
CQUENCE
Commonwealth Electric Co. of the Midwest began transitioning to an ESOP model in 2017, when the company became 60% employee-owned. Roughly three years later, the remaining shares were purchased. “The ESOP provided an effective path for ownership succession, while giving employees the opportunity to share in the company’s success,” said Commonwealth Chief Financial Officer Billy Friesen. “Under the plan, participating employees become beneficial owners at no cost to them, gaining an additional opportunity to build wealth for retirement through the company they help grow.” This ownership structure serves as a financial benefit for workers and helps exemplify the company’s core values. “(Employee ownership) is an extension of how we believe a successful company should operate: investing in people, serving customers well, acting with integrity and continually striving to improve,” Friesen said. “When employees understand how their individual roles contribute to the performance of the overall business, decisions about efficiency, expenses, profit and continuous improvement take on additional meaning.” He acknowledged ESOPs are powerful succession planning tools, but said viability should be carefully reviewed. “The long-term health of an ESOP depends on the continued health of the business itself,” Friesen said. “For business leaders considering an ESOP, that means looking not only at whether employee ownership works financially, but also at whether it aligns with the company’s long-term strategy and culture.”
A healthy future BRUCE STEC
CQUENCE
JASON TONJES
BLAND AND ASSOCIATES
Founded in 1984 and 2011 respectively, Cassling and CQuence Health transitioned to 100% employee ownership in late 2025. “Instead of selling to an outside buyer, the ESOP lets us protect the culture of service,” said Cassling and CQuence Health CEO Kyle Salem, Ph.D. He explained that outside sales often bring new priorities, restructuring or a change in direction and culture. “The ESOP keeps decision-making with people who know the business, allowing us to maintain our focus on our customers and our vision to improve healthcare access and outcomes,” Salem said. Additionally, he said employee ownership kept the company local and independently operated, and honored the companies’ legacies. CQuence Health Chief Financial Officer Mike Haywood was most surprised by how naturally the ESOP fit into the company’s culture. “While there are some new requirements as an ESOP, the amount of additional work is not that significant,” he said. “The work mostly falls to our leadership, and it is in line with the work that we have been Page 16 • October 16, 2026
doing as a well-governed organization.” CQuence Vice President of People and Culture Bruce Stec said they didn’t spend extra money or time on operational restructuring, outside consultants and cultural integration, which companies face in typical purchases or acquisitions. “Share value is set once a year by an independent trustee, with profitability and paying down debt driving it,” he added. “That gives employees a clear line between how the company performs and what their ownership is worth.” CQuence Director of People and Culture Kayla Engel referred to the upside for talent retention and recruitment. “Since many ESOPs tend to grow in value at or better than market over time, it’s a benefit that rewards employees for building a career with us,” she said.
Accounting for success
Bland and Associates became Nebraska’s first 100% employeeowned CPA firm at the start of 2020. “We wanted Bland to remain independent rather than sell to private equity,” said Bland Managing Partner Jason Tonjes. “We wanted a fair sale price for the selling partners. Most importantly, we wanted to give our employees an opportunity for real financial reward and independence.” He said an ESOP accomplished all those goals at once, and a solid team of advisers walked them through all potential scenarios. “The real test came just two months after we closed the transaction, when the pandemic hit,” Tonjes said. “Employee ownership fundamentally changed how we responded. Instead of focusing on short-term results, we worked to maintain as much of our workforce as we possibly could.” The federal government canceled a significant volume of contracted work that year, but keeping employees first was now crucial. As owners, the employees were the company. “We’ve also seen a real shift in how people think about their work,” Tonjes said. “Many employees want to understand how they can grow the enterprise value of the firm.” Employee ownership has become one of Bland’s best recruiting tools. “Great talent is difficult to find, and the chance to build long-term wealth as an owner sets us apart,” he said. Tonjes said owners shouldn’t let the upfront cost and time scare them. “The benefits, including an employee-led organization and an entity that isn’t subject to income tax, can easily outweigh the cost,” he said.
Page 17 • October 16, 2026
BUSINESS news
Inside Project Game ON PROJECT TOUR SHARES PROGRESS ON $50M FACILITIES
BY ANNA BLUMENTHAL On Oct. 2, MCL Construction hosted a site tour of Project Game ON, offering a look at the progress taking shape in North Omaha. Project Game ON is a $50 million transformative community redevelopment initiative that includes a new home-field athletic stadium for Omaha North High School and a modern, rebuilt Butler-Gast YMCA facility. The project is a partnership among Omaha Public Schools (OPS), the YMCA of Greater Omaha, the City of Omaha, NewStreet Properties, Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, MCL Construction, The Lozier Foundation, The Sherwood Foundation, Emspace + Lovgren and project funders. Project Game ON is fully funded by local, private foundations and a North and South Omaha Recovery Grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Infrastructure investments from the City of Omaha are funding necessary water and sewer line updates. The roughly 39,000-square-foot, two-story YMCA is nearing completion of its structural shell, with roofing and curtain walls coming next. The new stadium is planned to seat approximately 4,500 spectators and will feature team rooms, concessions and hillside grandstands. The field will also include a two-lane walking track that can be used by YMCA patrons when not in use for Omaha Public Schools events. Dirt relocation and home-grandstand shaping are expected to continue over the next few weeks, followed by press-box construction. On July 13, the OPS Board of Education voted and approved naming the new facility the Gene R. Haynes Stadium in honor of the educator who was at Omaha North schools for nearly 50 years.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS GATHER AT A BEAM SIGNING EVENT.
but for the YMCA to also activate it was something that was new, that kind of developed throughout this process.” The facilities are intended to serve as a hub around education, health, wellness, athletics and community. The two-story YMCA will feature a wellness floor with new fitness equipment, an indoor walking track, a gymnasium, a swimming pool and lap pool, youth space, and exercise and community rooms.
Partners are employing several subcontractors to complete consultation, construction and other elements. Subcontractors include Alvine, Olsson, TD2, Vireo and Counsilman-Hunsaker.
The project is also expected to have an economic impact on the North Omaha community through home football games, soccer matches, marching band competitions and other stadium events, potentially bringing hundreds of spectators to nearby local businesses.
The project tour was followed by a beam-signing event hosted by representatives from the YMCA and OPS. One beam will be placed in the Butler-Gast YMCA and the second inside the stadium.
Deterding said she’s grateful for the partners and funders who believed in the project’s mission and made it possible.
The YMCA is expected to open in late summer or early fall of 2027.
“Our philanthropic community is just always amazing and always supportive, and they really see the benefit and the value of a new YMCA and a stadium from our high school,” Deterding said.
Rebecca Deterding, YMCA of Greater Omaha president and CEO, said seeing the project come to life after years of community discussion has been incredibly meaningful. She said the project’s concept has stayed the same since it was announced in April 2025, but the partnership with OPS has deepened over time. “I think we always had the vision of creating a space where communities of all ages can come together and can find belonging,” Deterding said. “The partnership with Omaha Public Schools, and to be able to activate the stadium not only for home football games and other OPS events,
Deterding said overall, the new facility will provide a modern space that creates access to wellness, health services, youth development, recreation and leisure. “Success looks like the Y being filled with community members throughout the day, all week, the YMCA being able to activate the stadium when the high school is not using it, and just the community coming out for sporting events, for wellness, for just a place to belong,” Deterding said. “That community connection is really what I feel like this will be a destination for.”
THE BUTLER-GAST YMCA
Page 18 • October 16, 2026
CONCESSION BOOTHS AT THE NEW NORTH HIGH STADIUM
BUSINESS profile
Bringing Generations Together AWARDS REPRESENT PEOPLE UNDER 20 AND OVER 50
BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN | PHOTO CONTRIBUTED When Dina Becirovic was 20, she wanted someone to show her the way. “I wanted to be guided,” said Becirovic, CEO of The Bloc Inc. “I don’t know how much guidance I got, but I wanted to be guided.” That memory helped shape the biggest change to this year’s 50 Over 50 NE awards. The Bloc will honor its 20 Under 20 recipients and its 50 Over 50 recipients at the same event, putting Nebraskans with decades of experience in the same room as the state’s emerging young talent. The sixth annual 50 Over 50 NE is 3-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at DoubleTree by Hilton OmahaDowntown, 1616 Dodge St. Prices range from $165 for an individual ticket to $1,600 for a table of 10.
Bridging the gap
The Bloc is a nonprofit built around intergenerational collaboration, with programs focused on older adults and youth. Becirovic said combining the two award programs was a natural extension of that mission. “We really try to exist to bridge that intergenerational gap,” she said. The 50 Over 50 NE awards recognize Nebraskans age 50 and older in five categories: business, community, healthcare, nonprofit and innovation. Over its first five years, the program has honored about 250 people. The 20 Under 20 program recognizes young Nebraskans Becirovic described as remarkable people who represent the state’s future. “They create meaningful access between people at different stages in life and leadership,” Becirovic said of the awards. “One group represents the legacy, not just of Omaha, but of all of Nebraska. The other represents what’s next.”
DINA BECIROVIC
The pairing also sends a message about staying in Nebraska. “The whole celebration showcases the talent while also showing young people that they can build meaningful lives and careers here, not go somewhere else,” she said.
That’s part of the reason The Bloc runs both programs, she said, and why it is bringing them together this year. “Talent isn’t defined by age,” Becirovic said. “It’s defined by what you bring to the table, what you contribute and the impact you make.”
Becirovic has a simple measure for whether the pairing works. “If one or even two of the 20 Under 20 honorees leave Nov. 7 not just motivated, but connected to somebody that could be a potential mentor for them, I think we won,” she said. “We’re trying to be a catalyst of not just change, but connection.” Sandy Spady, owner of Power Up by Sandy, has seen that connection from several sides. She was a 50 Over 50 NE honoree in 2021, has served as a judge for the awards and now sits on The Bloc’s board. Last year, she spoke on a 20 Under 20 panel. “Seeing young people already making a difference reminds us that when we invest in and celebrate leaders at every stage, our entire community becomes stronger,” Spady said. The greatest strength of Omaha is its people, she said, and The Bloc gives them a platform to be showcased and empowered.
A new format
The second big change is the format. After years of sit-down dinners, this year’s event will be a cocktail reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres, designed to give guests more time to talk and build relationships. “We heard ‘it’s too long, you have too many speakers,’” Becirovic said of past events. “So we’re really honoring that feedback.” The afternoon opens with about an hour of networking, followed by the awards program at 4 p.m. Honorees will be organized by category with Lifetime Achievement Award recipients recognized at the end. Becirovic said The Bloc may adjust the format again next year based on feedback.
Supporting the mission
What each generation brings
Becirovic said the business community tends to put people in boxes based on their age.
“With young people, we see potential, but we don’t always give them the opportunity to show us what they can do,” she said in a follow-up email. “With people over 50, we see experience, but we don’t always recognize that they still have the ambition, ideas and ability to lead, innovate and make a difference.” Both assumptions are wrong, she said. “A 19-year-old can bring a fresh perspective that challenges the way we’ve always done things. A 55-year-old can bring the experience and knowledge to turn an idea into something that makes a real impact,” Becirovic said. “We need both.”
The event also serves as a fundraiser for The Bloc. Becirovic said ticket purchases, sponsorships and donations go directly toward programming and opportunities for young people. Corporate tables and sponsorships are still available. Nominations for next year’s awards are accepted on a rolling basis at communitybloc.com. Becirovic said success on Nov. 7 comes down to how the honorees feel when they walk into the room. “I want people to feel like they belong in that room and that they’re worthy of everything that they’ve done,” she said. “I want them to enjoy the celebration that is in their name.”
Page 19 • October 16, 2026
MBJ’s Fab 50 is a profile series highlighting remarkable individuals shaping our business and nonprofit communities.
FAB 50
JENNIFER SNOW CO-OWNER CATERING CREATIONS
An Unexpected Career JENNIFER SNOW’S PATH UNFOLDED IN UNLIKELY WAYS Jennifer Snow is one of two minds behind Catering Creations and Founders One • Nine event center. She and her husband, chef Jeff Snow, have turned a small catering operation into an in-demand company and event venue. All of which, Jennifer is quick to admit, was hardly imaginable during her college years, first at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, then the University of Nebraska at Omaha. “I met my husband when I was in college; we got married and I had planned to go to veterinary school with my degree, but I was smart enough to know that marriage is hard enough without adding a long-distance thing to it,” she said. “At the time, the nearest veterinary schools (were) in (Ames, Iowa) and (Manhattan, Kansas). Now, of course there’s one in Lincoln, but that wasn’t the case back then.” Jennifer continued, “I didn’t think we could make a life for ourselves if I’m going to live somewhere else for four years. Had I known what was going to be the path, I would’ve gotten a degree in business.”
The two settled into their respective careers, his as executive chef at the now-closed French Café, and hers in finance. Jennifer said she went into finance because she needed a job and, at the time, thought it would be short-lived. “I got into finance and I worked for what was Ameritrade at the time, then it became TD Ameritrade, and now it’s Schwab,” she said. “I had a great career there, loved that company… “Neither one of us came from an entrepreneurial family … I think both of us knew that we didn’t want to be in a situation where we had to go to work every day, and didn’t like what we did, and just went for the paycheck.” Thus, when Jeff left the restaurant to launch a catering business, Jennifer pulled double-duty with her day job, handling the books and back-office functions after hours. “Eventually it just took off to where I couldn’t do two jobs and I had to pick which one,” she said. “Well, when you’re a person who’s always going to work that hard you might as well work that hard for yourself.”
Page 20 • October 16, 2026
MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL BY DWAIN HEBDA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN
We just slowly built things up. Today, we’re actually about 50% corporate, 50% weddings. — JENNIFER SNOW
Jennifer left TD Ameritrade to concentrate on Catering Creations full time. “We’d started out by purchasing a very small catering company, for a tiny, tiny amount,” Jennifer said. “It was kind of a one-man show but (the previous owner) had her name on a couple of venue lists and we purchased that. We also bought her equipment and we mainly did weddings off the start.” The couple’s timing was impeccable, as they were going into business as the chef-as-celebrity trend was being ushered in by the Food Network. Jeff already had a local following, and Jennifer incorporated that recognition into the company’s marketing strategy. “Jeff was kind of his own little celebrity here in town, and he had his own little following,” she said. “That led to a lot of weddings, and then corporate business, and then big corporate events. “That’s how we just slowly built things up. Today, we’re actually about 50% corporate, 50% weddings.” Jennifer said while she had been exposed to the hospitality industry in college, she understood that what she brought to the table was more on the business side than the culinary one. “You kind of need to stay in your own lane, you know?” she said. “His department was culinary so if I had questions about culinary, I would go through him. “I also managed the operations team. If he didn’t think something was executed properly, he came to me. It really doesn’t matter that you’re married; you have to have that mutual respect for each other’s departments.” In 2013, the couple bought their own building, dubbed Founders One • Nine. The facility serves as a warehouse, commissary, corporate offices and event venue. “We were working out of, I would call it a closet for 13 years and it is amazing to me the volume of business we were doing out of the place,” she said. Today the company employs 24 people full time and keeps another 115 on call for events. Among the company’s most memorable accomplishments was producing Catersource, a major conference for caterers and event planners, about a decade ago. The company was responsible for producing the entire Las Vegas event for approximately 2,100 attendees. The team transported semi-trucks of equipment to the city and established satellite kitchens to support the large-scale production. “I still get compliments when I go to conferences about that one; we were invited two more times to do it but that first one is still my favorite,” she said. Even as Jeff has stepped into semi-retirement, the company is still going strong, and Jennifer sees nothing but opportunity on the horizon. “I have no desire to retire, even though when I look at my forecast, I’m near an age where I’m supposed to retire,” Jennifer said. “I’m like, what would I do?...I’m still looking to expand and I’m still looking at venues.” She said expansion is more about finding the right building than a specific part of town, and they would prefer to renovate an existing property rather than build from scratch.
FUN FACTS What is your personal superpower? I can look at all sides of a situation. What is your favorite food genre? I’m not going to say a genre but I will say Thanksgiving dinner. We’ll sometimes have it twice a year, just because it’s one of my favorite things. How has being married to a chef affected your own culinary skills? Being married to a chef, I have become a good cook. I wasn’t a good cook when we got married but I’m a very good cook now. But I’ve never cooked for the business and I never will. What is your guilty pleasure? I am a big Disney fan, so anytime a friend wants to go to Walt Disney World, even if it’s for a day, I’m there. What is your hidden talent? I don’t want to say this is a hidden talent now, because I’ve noticed as I age that my memory isn’t as great as it used to be, but I used to be really good at trivia. What are the one or two things that every successful event turns on? It’s the people you have in place, people that are going to work as a team, they’re not going to turn on each other and who have the pure goal of making the event a success. I feel like that is one of the reasons why I’m so excited about the company’s future, is building that culture. We cultivate the ability to think on your feet, we empower people to make decisions. I really think, as everyone always says, success is about putting the right people in the right positions.
Page 21 • October 16, 2026
MIDLANDS leaders
Bridging Financial Gaps
RONE HELPS UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BUILD WEALTH BY ANNA BLUMENTHAL | PHOTO CONTRIBUTED Midlands Leaders is a weekly section showcasing individuals who are making an impact in the community through their professional and volunteer endeavors. To nominate someone for this section, email news@mbj.com with the individual’s name, position, company and email. Sipping on coffee at Hardy Coffee Co. inside the Highlander Accelerator building in North Omaha, Lindsay Rone reflected on what the development aims to accomplish, breaking generational cycles of poverty and neighborhood disinvestment. The mission resonates with Rone’s own work at GreenState Credit Union, where she is vice president of business development. Rone is passionate about using financial services to help underserved and underrepresented communities by building generational wealth, increasing financial literacy and eliminating employment barriers. “(Financial health) is at the core of wellness for people,” Rone said. “Yet, it’s not something that, as a society, we focus on for everyone. And that has always been my intention, is how do we make sure that everyone is along for that journey, and everyone is being served at a high level.”
An unexpected path
Rone grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where her introduction to banking came through a high school job as a teller. But at that time, she wasn’t particularly passionate about banking. She began college at the University of Northern Iowa, but her path took a major turn when she gave birth to her son at age 19. Becoming a parent pushed Rone to think seriously about how she could turn her skills into a career. She continued at UNI after the birth of her son, but, after a year and a half at UNI, returned to Des Moines to be closer to family. She then enrolled at Upper Iowa University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and financial management services before earning a master’s degree from Iowa State University. Following graduation, Rone spent a few months as a loaned executive at United Way of Central Iowa, whose program fosters leadership development. These employees play a role in organizing and managing workplace campaigns. She said the experience was intimidating at first because she began working at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, moving into uncharted territory as she helped run United
Way’s annual fundraising and workplace giving campaigns. When she returned to banking, Rone said the experience at United Way influenced where she wanted to put her services to work. “My time at United Way really showed me the community needs and really helped me to better align how community involvement and action can impact generations to come,” Rone said. “When I decided to go back to more of a corporate setting, I knew that I wanted to be in a role that impacted underserved and underrepresented communities.”
Building a thriving community
Rone began working with GreenState in Des Moines in 2022 and moved to Omaha a little over two years ago as the company expanded into the market. She connects businesses and nonprofits with employee financial-wellness resources, and supports initiatives related to affordable housing and community development. Rone said GreenState is focused on building a thriving community and finding ways to fill gaps. She pointed to a financial literacy class GreenState hosted in which the organization provided a gas gift card to help someone attend in person. “That one thing can change the trajectory of someone’s entire month,” Rone said. Rone said the biggest challenge she’s had since moving to Omaha is building trust in the community. A big part of building that trust involves being vulnerable, as talking about finances, including divulging personal information, can be scary for people. “I personally have been in that space, and I know how hard it is to get over that hump and get to the next income level,” Rone said. “And it takes a lot of sacrifice. It takes tough decisions that are made.”
Finding social fulfillment
Rone described moving to Omaha as a “difficult transition.” “It was at a time in my career where I was like, I’m finally experiencing all these things that I worked really hard for, and now I’m starting over in a new space with new people, a new community that is pretty unknown to me,” Rone said. Rone’s involvement in young professional groups in Des Moines led her to join the Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals after moving, which allowed her to find social fulfillment and build community. She serves as the education
LINDSAY RONE
and development lead, partnering with chamber members to provide education events on specific topics to young professionals. Outside the chamber, Rone is involved in the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and Salem Baptist Church. She said the transition was difficult for her oldest son, too, but he was able to make friends through school. (Rone now has two sons.) “We were kind of going through that together,” Rone said. “And while he had the structure of school where everyone is going there every day, I didn’t have that same structure of having a workplace to go to because we were still in our building stage.” Rone continues building connections across the community with people in all stages of life while learning more about their perspectives. “There’s so much history here in Omaha that I think is really unique and special, and I love to hear the different stories,” Rone said.
e e d n A & y g with Win Page 22 • October 16, 2026
RESTAURANT news
Elkhorn Sushi Spot Shutters
FOXY SUSHI CLOSES ORIGINAL LOCATION, STAYS OPEN DOWNTOWN BY ANNA BLUMENTHAL
The concept was created during the COVID-19 pandemic by chef Tom Buder alongside co-owners and friends Shawn Kolterman and Kevin Young. Buder started his sushi career in Omaha in 1998 at Sushi Ichiban and was a co-founder of the popular Old Market staple Blue Sushi Sake Grill. He left Blue Sushi to build Foxy Sushi with the goal of making fresh sushi more accessible, fast and affordable. Foxy Sushi’s original location brought a drive-thru format to a dining category commonly associated with sit-down restaurants or takeout counters. The model allowed customers to order rolls for pickup without committing to a longer restaurant visit. Its focus on fresh-to-order sushi and a quick turnaround helped distinguish the concept in Omaha’s dining scene. In 2025, the team opened its second Foxy Sushi location inside Brickway Brewery & Distillery at 1116 Jackson St. in the Old Market. The Foxy Sushi downtown restaurant operates as a sit-down, bar-integrated taproom concept rather than a fast drive-thru experience. In May, Buder and Kolterman launched their latest sushi concept, Shiki, in Dundee at 4900 Dodge St., formerly Varsity Sports Cafe.
Foxy Sushi has closed its original location in the strip mall at 18101 Chicago St. in Elkhorn, encouraging diners to instead visit its downtown location. The team announced the location’s closure in a Facebook post. No reason was given for the closure. The post read: “We’ve closed our Elkhorn location, but don’t worry — we’re not going anywhere! Our Downtown Omaha Brickway location at 1116 Jackson St. is open and ready for you! So grab your crew and come hang with us downtown. We can’t wait to see you!” In the post’s comments, patrons were saddened by the closure announcement, saying the downtown location was inconvenient due to its distance from west Omaha and the ongoing streetcar construction. As of Oct. 7, the 2,015-square-foot retail space was listed for rent. The rate is listed as $30 per square foot per year. The lease rate does not include utilities, property expenses or building services. Other tenants in the strip mall include First Watch, The Grove Juicery and Charred Burger + Bar. The local drive-thru sushi restaurant opened in the space in 2021. The spot was known for pioneering a fast-casual and Crossword by Myles Mellor drive-thru sushi model.
Stella’s Rebuilds OWNERS THANK WORK CREWS
Eight months after a Feb. 11 fire forced it to close, Stella’s Bar and Grill is rebuilding, and its owners are thanking the crews helping the 90-year-old Bellevue restaurant work toward reopening. In an October social media post, the family that owns Stella’s said the damage ran far deeper than it appeared from the street. The fire compromised the building’s structural integrity, and smoke reached everything inside. Most of the restaurant’s equipment and the family’s personal property could not be salvaged. The family said walking away crossed their minds. Instead, they felt a responsibility to their employees and to “the legacy that Aunt Stella started in this community.” The community rallied, too. A fundraiser supported the business and its employees, and in April, Bellevue Eagles Club opened its kitchen and dining room so Stella’s staff could keep cooking. Stella’s is still serving from the Eagles Club, 209 W. Mission Ave., but an Oct. 12 post said only a few weeks remain there. The restaurant is asking customers to return the favor by supporting the Eagles’ Battle of the Bars-Thanksgiving Donation Drive. To-go orders can be placed at 402-660-7186. The rebuild has drawn on at least 20 companies and individuals. Among them, Paul Davis Restoration secured the building the day of the fire, and architect Ralph Gladbach worked with the City of Bellevue to get plans approved and connected the family with PDI Construction. The post called PDI’s Rick Menichetti “our rock and hero.” Crews have replaced beams and charred floor joists, brought plumbing and electrical up to code, installed a new roof, HVAC system and walk-in cooler, and built an addition. “We are still working. We are still rebuilding. And we are still here,” the post read. “We cannot wait to welcome you all back home.”
Across 1. Most Omahans use this word to ask for a carbonated sugary beverage 4. Police bulletins, for short 8. Gridiron conference, abbr. 11. Make ___ of, 2 words 13. Actor Reeves 15. Cow’s sound 16. Green Lantern supervillain 17. Watch covertly, 2 words 18. Utterly absorbed 19. Meeting’s list of items 21. WWI battle river 23. Fortified wine island 25. Fully settled, as dues- 2 words 28. Former TV advice columnist, Dear ___ 30. Aristocrats 32. Pond scum organism 36. Stylish vigor 38. “At Last” singer, James 39. Colored with pigment 40. More recent 42. Actor Estrada 43. Taylor and namesakes 44. Russo of “Get Shorty” 45. Put on a scale 46. Descendants 49. Business transaction 51. Of this document 53. Gushing forth 58. French bread loaf 60. Guamanian singer and actress who sang “Do It Again” - 2 words 61. Chest muscles, briefly 64. “Yes, ___!” 66. Animal doctors 67. Political incumbents 68. Singer Baker 69. Lawman Wyatt 70. Movie special effects tech, abbr. 71. Grandpa Walton portrayer 72. Negative answers
Down 1. Former popular airline, 2 words 2. Watch used in space 3. Trimmed down 4. Popular Omaha village whose name was coined in 1895 5. Enthusiastic energy 6. Barks like a hound 7. Nosy investigator 8. M.D.s’ group 9. Vain dandy 10. Camping bed 12. Not any 14. Deprive of courage 18. Nebraska’s simple brunch
Page 23 • October 16, 2026
favorite drink, 2 words 20. Spanish word for day 22. “O Sole ___” 24. More capable 26. Extreme, as in politics 27. French for small 29. Swerved off course 31. Japanese rice wine 32. Driver assistance systems, briefly 33. Dorothy ____ dressing 34. Wish-granting spirit 35. Collects on a surface 37. Hawaiian geese 41. Show up again
47. New, as a prefix 48. March composer John Philip 50. Hawaiian flower garland 52. Brief romantic affair 54. Rural Nebraskan’s friendly gesture, Farmer ____ 55. Clarifying phrase, 2 words 56. Explosive compound, briefly 57. Sharp intakes of breath 59. Huron neighbor 61. Photo, briefly 62. Engineer, for short 63. Crime scene investigators, briefly 65. French for summer
BUSINESS news
OIPA Opens Funding $1.5 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR QUALIFYING PROJECTS
OMAHA, Nebraska — The Omaha Inland Port Authority (OIPA) announced Oct. 8 that applications are open for its Impact Fund, making $1.5 million in capital available through $300,000 in grants and $1.2 million in loans to support businesses and development projects within the Omaha Inland Port Authority district. OIPA is continuing to expand access to capital and creating new tools to drive business growth, job creation, housing and real estate development, and community investment throughout North and East Omaha. The application timing is different for the two programs. Grant applications will be accepted throughout the entire fourth quarter and awards will be made based on priority scoring. Loan applications will be reviewed and processed on a first-come, first-served basis as they are received.
period to submit complete, well-supported proposals.
Loan funds are first-come, first-served
The $1.2 million Impact Loan Fund provides flexible capital for qualifying businesses and development projects. Individual loan requests are available up to a maximum of $100,000 through OIPA’s preapplication platform. Loan applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as they are received. Businesses and developers seeking loan financing are encouraged to review eligibility requirements and begin the application process as soon as possible.
Helping applicants access capital
The OIPA Impact Fund is designed to support projects that create jobs, support business growth and strengthen the Omaha Inland Port Authority district. Eligible loan uses include real estate, equipment, working capital and other qualifying project costs.
OIPA Deputy Economic Development Director Jennifer “Jen” McKeone, who administers the Impact Fund, said the initiative is intended to make capital more accessible while helping applicants navigate the process and connect with resources that can strengthen their projects.
Grant fund applications open throughout the fourth quarter
“Our goal is to make this funding accessible, responsive and useful to businesses and developers who are ready to move their projects forward,” McKeone said. “Grant applicants have the entire fourth quarter to submit their applications, and those requests will be evaluated based on our priority-scoring process. For our loan program, we will begin processing applications as they come in on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage interested businesses and developers to review the requirements and begin the process as soon as possible.”
The $300,000 Impact Grant Fund will support projects focused on business expansion, job creation, housing development and community investment. Individual grant awards are available up to a maximum of $25,000. Grant requests may be submitted throughout the fourth quarter. Applications will be evaluated through OIPA’s priority-scoring process, with awards based on how strongly proposed projects align with OIPA’s economic development and community investment priorities. Because grant applications will be evaluated based on priority scoring, applicants do not receive an advantage simply by submitting earlier in the quarter. OIPA encourages applicants to use the application
Crossword by Myles Mellor – Answers
Applicants can also identify needs for business plan assistance, training, mentorship, credit-building services and housing development technical assistance through OIPA’s pre-application process. The Impact Fund reflects OIPA’s broader strategy of connecting people, projects, property and capital to create sustainable economic growth and expand opportunities for residents, entrepreneurs, small businesses and developers to participate directly in investment occurring throughout the district. How to Apply Businesses, developers and organizations can review program information and begin the application process through OIPA’s website. Website: www.omahaipa.com Impact Fund: www.omahaipa.com/what-we-do/programs/p/item/2842/impact-fund Email: info@omahaipa.com Phone: 402-733-2232
IN THE spotlight
PAID ANNOUNCEMENTS
Keith Hansen PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP WELCOMES KEITH R. HANSEN AS AN ASSOCIATE Pansing Hogan Ernst & Buser LLP welcomes Keith R. Hansen an associate. Keith was admitted to the Nebraska Bar in 2026 after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.A. of Arts in French in 2020. He received his J.D. from the University of Nebraska in 2026. His practice focuses on Business Entity Formation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate Acquisitions, Sales & Leasing.
PHEBLAW.COM
Marlene Mily Loo PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP WELCOMES MARLENE MILY LOO AS AN ASSOCIATE
Crossword puzzles available weekly.
Pansing Hogan Ernst & Buser LLP welcomes Marlene Mily Loo an associate. Mily was admitted to the Nebraska Bar in 2026 after graduating from Creighton University Heider College of Business with a B.S. in 2023. She received her J.D. from Creighton University (cum laude) in 2026. Her practice focuses on Insurance Defense and Medical Malpractice Defense.
PHEBLAW.COM Page 24 • October 16, 2026
Husker Hounds
KAPLAN GRAPHY BY DEBRA S. BY TIM TRUDELL | PHOTO
OWNER SCOTT STRUNC
250 Businesses 250 Visionaries 250 Making a Difference lty Pays OffFAN DEDICATION Big Red Loya KA BUSINESS ON NEBRAS SCOTT STRUNC BUILDS
No Name N
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he said. through the whole thing,” “The fans have been the heroes had to get a real job. When they d to own I would have known he was destine “If it weren’t for our fans, Scott Strunc should have Growing a, there truly isn’t. of Nebraska Cornhuskers. there’s no place like Nebrask now; I’m probably most proud a business related to the d. That BY TAM say more that childhoo his in proven early probably games “They’ve SEN BUT irrelevant TRENT HURL LER | PHOTOG up a Husker fan, he attended because we’ve been pretty college buddies EY, SECO around, with stillHY tripsND RAP led to road BY KAYLEIGH GENERATI the fact that we’re A lot of turmoil, a lot of ON CO-OWNE obsession with the Big Red TIPTON 20 years now. R in football for going on about They keep coming in to to other Big Eight schools. keep filling that stadium. a Omaha, Strunc fans Nebrask the of but y loyal.” firings, Universit always the While a student at ed him be happy, but they’re store. They might not always theFOU and his sister, a Marine, encourag NDED: 1976 figured he could use a reset, policeman, sign up in the Army as a military FOUNDED to join the military. Set to truck driver. He BY: r-focused in the Army Reserves as a ome Cust NANCY e, Strunc a friend suggested he enlist AND buy Husker gear anywher canHUR DELYNN that people Reserves. Knowing Army the in LEYservice, product selection and years 11 CUR spent RENT OW NERS:customer Husker Hounds’ the area. believes TRENT HUR g the store from others in LEY in separatin roles AND JOSH HUR Strunc said. “I’ll write it down, quality play key ADD ite LEY want,” RES Fan favor S: to what the fans when he and “We listen some probation officer in Omaha 203 2 N. 72ND look for what they’re asking for. So it’s not Strunc was working as a Nebraska we actively ST. andAHA OM Hounds in 1995, a year after , NE . 681 his wife Janine opened Husker Osborne 34 cutter place.” cookie in the day, Strunc 144 nship under Head Coach Tom 69 WEST CEN for that young soldier back won its first national champio hit pay dirt as TER ROA If he had any advice out. Figure out OMAHA 84th and Center, the Struncs , NEhim ifDthings weren’t working 681 harder try to Located in a strip center at 44 tell would PHO NE: adapt. the store became a fan favorite. n the space and was 30 402why realized they had outgrow -393-5812 here for 30 years, and it’s not the same as it After six years, the Struncs building across 402-33 “We’ve been(72ND ST.) things change in the a building of their own. A 3-1300Strunc “It’s still a good area, but said.CEN they had leased and sought ago,” (WEST on business. TER ROA whatever the next generati WEByears to D) big red flag signifying Strunc’s SITEso be able to adapt you better the street soon hoisted a , and AMENUT city, : NON locations -mortar RITI brick-and ON.d our HOURS: wants. We’ve always prioritize COM not been blind to the MON: 9:30 my heart lies. But I have also still where that’s A.M .-8 P.M we’re making that Loyal fans so have and . fans TUE online, Husker S-S more years, buying 30 AT:that 9:30 people fact A.Mare .-6 P.M For nearly 20 of Husker Hounds’ football program, SUN: CLO SED challenging times for the at a higher level.” . work remained faithful through Strunc said.
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No Name Nutrition OMAHA’S OR Market IGINAL FAMI
LY-OWNED HEALTH FO OD STORE
As No Name Nutrition Mark anniversary next year, co-ow et approaches its 50th think back to ner the humble begin Trent Hurley can’t help As a child, he but dealt with painf ning of this Omaha stapl e. and suffered ul canker sores throu and cold sores aspirin and popsi gh a regimen suggested by his in at a nutrition cles. Then, his mother, Nanc physician of shop and asked y Hurley, stopp ed for According to Trent, the owne advice. probiotics and r a change to Trent at that time suggested canker sores ’s diet. As a result and cold sores , the painful cleared up withi “My mom was n two weeks. secretary and so impressed that she quit started worki ng there,” Trent her job as a a year, Nancy said. In less than and her husba nd, Lynn, bough Name Organ ic Vitamins & Supplements, t that store, No No Name Nutri and rebranded tion. it as
From run ning aroun running d to the bus
iness Trent and his brother, Todd, the store grow spent a great ing up. As a child, deal natural foods Trent pushed of time at his running the busin parents served and didn’t back against the pictur working in the ess. But maturity, along with e himself ever store as a child many days spent eventually fall and college stude in love with the nt, made Trent busin Long-time custo mers sometimes ess. remembering joke with Trent seeing him and about “little squirts.” Todd running around the store as “I grew to love the business,” Trent said. “It’s pretty inspiring
when people come back and say that we chang guiding them down a ed their lives by Though No Name path of good health.” Nutrition is now within the Omah a respected mains a tay they faced when area, Trent vividly recalled the difficulties they opened Center Road in the late 1980s their second location on West . “I remember $25 and $50 days, and walked aroun ” he said. “Peop le came in we were sitting d to buy a candy bar and a natural pop, there thinking, and we here?’” ‘What are we doing? Why are Despite the rough beginning, the Oakview Mall opening of in the Name Nutrition’s early 1990s changed the the nearby game for No second locati supplements and healthy living on. As interest in nutritional 1990s with the grew, especially rise Nutrition becam of the internet, businesses in the late e increasingly like No Name consumers. sought-after by health-con scious
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BE PART OF SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY JOIN THESE IMPACT 250 BUSINESSES
More fantastic photos from m! Husker Hounds on mbj.co FOUNDED: 1995 RS: FOUNDERS/OWNE SCOTT STRUNC JANINE STRUNC 25-43 NO. OF EMPLOYEES: 58 PHONE: 402-255-00 WEBSITE: OM HUSKERHOUNDS.C
Sgt. Peffer’s Cafe
N | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMA
DEBRA S. KAPLAN
HOURS: AM-9 PM 9 PEFFER SAT: DANA MONOWNER SGT. PEFFER’S SUN: 10 AM-6 PM 1988 ED:PM 7 AM-7 FOUND FOOTBALL GAME DAY:
FOUNDED BY: TIM PEFFER DANA PEFFER CURRENT OWNER: YEES: ABOUT 35 NUMBER OF EMPLO ADDRESS: ROAD, 1501 N. SADDLE CREEK OMAHA, NE 68104 PHONE: 402-558-7717 OM WEBSITE: SGTPEFFERS.C HOURS: 11 A.M.-9 P.M. SUNDAY-THURSDAY: 11 A.M.-10 P.M. FRIDAY-SATURDAY:
Page 7 • November 14, 2025
More fant No Name Nut astic photos from rition Market on mbj.com !
acy Lives On NESS A Delicious Leg IN BUSI OACHES FOUR DECADES
conventional medical interv ention. Trent educators at and his team heart, are knowledgeable spread rapidly about No how to take care and consistently try to help Name staff clients learn of themselve provided to client and the personalized atten Nutrition’s s. “You don’t want to go to the docto about wellness s and today’s team is no less tion they he said. “You r every time you and healthy living want to be able passionate Creek Road drives or offer medic e,”down Saddle Peffersneez to build your . Taking care nutrition and Dana al advice that Every morning, The body up throu not to diagnose diets and every should come what professional, gh challenges await. thing knowing Trent attributes to her restauran else.”t not from a medic they lean on boasts 37 years of No Name Nutrit al their long years provide helpf of Sgt. Peffer’s Cafe, which based family ion’s succe family owner of experience ul, perso business.latest ss cuisine North Saddle Creek Road, to beingS.ataKAP to He derive While some client nalized guidance. faith-LAN guidance from RA 1501 s a great Italian homemade DEB serving deal BY s his are HY of streng faith simpl RAP living, others and from TOGthe as an adventure. th and daylegac built. His advic DELL | sees every are seeking relief y curious about healthier y of what am I going to deal with e to hopefPHO ‘What TRU like, I’m his for ailments that and TIM paren ul down busin BY te ts ess drive “Devo “I literally owners reflec people that persist despi your life have had their first dates ts this. te Page 19 • Septem said.”I’ve had as much Peffer others,” he said. to God wedding.” today?’” as you ber 26, 2025 and then we catered their and tohere, “That’s why we’re engaged getcan, helpin JUDITH REIS g here, and then in this business.” AIRES AND OWNERS
clientele Word-of-mouth
SGT. PEFFER’S CAFE APPR
ry Reis’ Bake
his Family-friendly vibes by her father, Tim, who began
The restaurant was founded partnered in Ames, Iowa. In 1979, he that hospitality journey at Minsky’s to launch Pefferoni’s, a concept with his brother, Walt Peffer, in May 1986 years. Tim left the company grew to 17 locations in seven Sgt. Peffer’s Cafe. and two years later, he founded restaurant started small but its the As with many new ventures, ingredients, fresh and sauces homemade scratch-made dishes, utilizing as well as an year. Tim was an innovator led its expansion within a only set Sgt. drive-thru window that not for entrepreneur, installing a in the area, it now accounts Peffer’s apart from other pizzerias Catering also represents significant 60% of the restaurant’s business. luncheons. from baby showers to funeral everything serving revenue, and pride that stressed work ethic Dana grew up in a home working footsteps, in her patriarch’s of of ownership. She followed college at the University at the restaurant while attending Nebraska Omaha.
that good work ethic, and I adopted “He just always had a really passion. He’s a said. “My dad has a lot of from him for sure,” Dana I love him very much.” very hardworking man, and Dana left management degree in 2008, After she earned a sports Tim when 2014 ies but returned in May to pursue other opportunit was unhappy in her job. needed hip surgery and she called my dad to this place,” she said. “I “I always felt drawn back He said, like where I’m at right now.’ crying and said, ‘Dad, I don’t time for good a is replaced, so maybe this ‘Well, I need to get my hips you to come back.’”
A new era
and nt of both the original location Dana took over manageme 2013. that Tim had opened in December family the Carter Lake restaurant the of life in the restaurant business, Through the ups and down various through changing tastes, has weathered and persevered pandemic, access and even a global construction projects affecting grace. window was a saving where once again Tim’s drive-thru Dana said. sales ever since we opened,” “We actually had the most Park.” “We had a line down to Metcalf carries into its fourth decade, Dana As Sgt. Peffer’s continues service. of hard work and community said. forward her father’s legacy she say,” could you blood, I guess “You know, it’s just in my product, My dad created a really good BY DAWN GON “I’m so humbled, I’m so grateful. fantastic photos from ZALES | PHO More for 37 years now.” TOGRAP and obviously we’ve lasted ! OWNERS MIKE BY on Cafe DEBmbj.com RA S. KAPLAN Sgt. Peffer’sHY AND LISA ROSS
The Corky
Page 26 • November 7, 2025
sing HEROES ors MUTisE TO FALLEN et Hon WITH TRIB NavySTVRIE S PAIRED ts FRESH PA
Canvas
FOUNDED: 2018 FOUNDED BY: ANGIE LEWIS CURRENT OWNERS: MIKE AND LISA ROS S ADDRESS: 200 S. 31S T AVE., SUI TE 4104 OMAHA, NE 402-637-4 68131 066 3700 S. 9TH ST., SUITE LINCOLN C , NE 68502 402-421-6 731 WEBSITE: CORKYCAN VAS.COM SOCIAL MED IA: LINKEDIN HOURS: M-F , 10 A.M.-5 P.M.
s redien mers who have had issue their baked Fresh ing said custo riences with h flour, Reis notice Using Frenc haven’t had those expe immediately An are . customers gluten c photos from tantly comp consuming Reis’ Bakery, with a white tablecloth in a in and cons More fantasti on mbj.com! come ed y rose Walking into s. red drap “The a good the corner, e dinner setting, with idea,” he said. to Paris had.” Missing Reis’ Bakery the table in “We had no what their recent trip singl s, nothing en listed as to in front of a fresh ingredient men and wom ned home from empty chair what we make s, honor the retur s itself on using item yet r pride not ry othe ldn’t The bake vase and , who have that I wou Reis said. it’s nothing soner of War they in Action/Pri prepackaged, MIA/POWs. into them, and can pronounce and . what goes the return of we don’t know you 2025 “We know America’s wars Reis’ Bakery is tied to “Everything FOUNDED: home, but and simple.” ly,” he said. S: The future of not only didn’t they come don’t know anything feed my fami iple syllables. It’s plain /OWNER , “We built FOUNDERS “Many of them said owner Aires Reis. don’t have mult country was S re at,” because this they’ that, AIRES REI t re s whe forge said. Reis , and we can’t Mike and ITH REIS are, Ross ska foodie impresses him, ies theyLisa JUD bra food about them that of Ne 5 are passionat art and the busin the food lders.” knowledge PLOYEES: e abou EM on their shou t busin Nebraskans’ that Nebraskans were ess of creatingNO. OF ess, them idea art. While not selve . they have alwa nts in thes,few “We had no artist -21s3-2739 Lisa said. “We had to re-ev mersn they to Nebraska Whe ty,” he said. NE: 531 transpla loyal custo an appre transplants aluate content, were looking ys had PHO the team was ciation for it. they know quali been blessed with price points, New Yorkwife, Judith, are New Yorkce, the retired Navy petty putting toget The Corky Canvarou nd to own a business, ry has what her for classes bake Price his come TE: as I The said. one servi purch n and in M point of BSI 2018 Reis duty whe asing Reis and the sched WE just bled“We active uragement been open, wante MAHA.COlocations s differ on canvas size, and something that made good 19 years of sens eddthis. extremely hum would at the enco KER months it’s e. YO The Corky Canva ule.” offer weeknight ha need was funREI After almost amazed and ‘You know, Oma Reis’ Bakery the supply and really enjoy andSBA s classes and Thirst It’s. just that our custo customers have ral move for “I am always class opened Our managers me, t you do.’ mers y Thursdays, wha our officer first options availa people tell ed like a natu are : team, love very and we ” r seem URS Lisa passi It so . PM and said. ble that may HO onate it and so AM-3 than a weekend hters the corne don’t stop s out of be less expen class. Beyond provid of their daug sionally. RI: 7:30is you. Please ies and treat occaprodu sive ed N-F . in ing pastr ialist MO Need sleep ing said. to ofReis The Corky Canvain the cts and services, the 8 AM-3 PM ” logistics spec cottage bakery, creat months, Reis ck : essence a been amazing. some processes will allowwitho d about six Unique cla in at 3 o’clo s is providing a place to SATcore it just blew Reis started e. That laste come and SUNDAY a half, and have to come ut being an artist, Mike Automating sses create kitchen at hom CLOSED art said. home. Classes at The goal is to not t a month and “Most of our from big abou the couple’s and next for Corky dem staff has art exper “The the Canvas chang business meaning they To se ience but simple. ive comp said. e with the seaso is have “We were in just couldn’t keep up with world or open have not at a high art right inromi morning,” he to other entrepreneurshe t andcreat ns, never, ever “We level. the corporate bor back in our community offer individualiz seasonally themed art as up,” he said. well r go back to is the biggest ed options. A Reis’ advice mate the level of efforsaid. we can eithe thing,” “paint your pet” as classes that is that my neigh requires lots of resti Within the paintI thought that . Funny thing open up a bakery.’” class, prep “Don’t unde and-sip indus -mortar shop because their a picture of their work for the instructor. Custo for example, t to said. istently business is privat try, the Rosses are unique up a brick-and g, ‘You ough pet in advance mers provide quality,” he has been cons shop always sayin ely owned and Canvas instru of the class, and s in July and 2025 of its kind in Nebraska. ctors theirs Brooklyn was door 14, The create its ber were Corky ed a stencil that the The art templ open are created by customer in class Page 8 • Novem ates used in their first Reis’ Bakery their to create a one-o will then be painted by the studio “That is proba staff, not a franchise. f-a-kind piece Some of their bly the most innov busy, Reis said. of art. other unique offeri ative thing we Like so many painted door mats ngs include porch businesses, the do,” signs, The Corky Canva COVID-19 pande Mike said. guests and later and wedding signs used for s greeting recep hung in the coupl (except the two operations. Laying off nearly mic changed tion special day. e’s home as a all of their team store managers) memento of their grab-and-go kits and coming up The Rosses attrib availa with ways to ute their succe have With COVID behin ble helped them to surviv More fantasti via confe ss to e rence call so c photos from that the Omah weekly team meetings evolve their busin d them, the couple contin the pandemic. can participate The Corky a and Lincoln ued to change ess model to in Canvas on the managers and meet the shiftin of their customers. Monday huddl Mike said. mbj.com! e. They share g needs and value everything, “People didn’t s “We cover the have the mone business, the The owners like y to come in and numb be very ers, have a fun event open about what marketing and week, the challe to classify the meeting into ,” we try to is going on with the wins for the nges and the business,” he the performanc oppor locati said. tunities. Their ons are well-v e of the teams at both their guests, and ersed in creating positive experiences for Lisa helps to ensur engaged throu e that all staff gh her weekly members are visits to each Page 19 • Octobe studio. r 31, 2025
Passionate About Art AN ARTIS
EVERYONE CAN BE
T AT THE CO RKY CANVAS
712 Eat + Drink - CB A-1 Flags, Poles and Repair Able Locksmiths Apex Martial Arts Artisan Boards of Omaha ASAP Containers Barn Girls Farms Bagel Bin BAT Logistics Benson Bounty Bonafide Dog Academy Book Nook Boxer Barbeque BranchPattern Brickway Brewing & Distillery Brownie Bar Caring for People Services Catapult Consulting Solutions Casios ChiroLife of Omaha Chocolat Abeille City Limits Clothes Mentor Omaha Completely Cat Clinic Computer Systems, Inc. Contemporary Analysis Creative Hair Design Salon and Spa Crestcom Curly Salon Custom Gems Dan’s Custom Sawmill Delmich Office Cleaning Dietze Music Dirty Birds Dolomiti Pizzeria and Enoteca Durham Staffing Solutions Eagle Eye Enterprises Eagle Mortgage Inc Eleanor Creative Endeveren Family Medicine Energi Salon Equip Global EverBloom Floral and Gift
Everbowl Exist Green Faces Spa Fashion Cleaners First Row Fitness Foundations Business Group For the Wild Birds Gamble Tech Firm Gratton Warehouse Company Home Style Laundry and Dry Cleaning House of J Huffman Engineering, Inc. Husker Hounds Hutch Contract Independent Roofing Company Ink Images Custom Apparel Inmotion Auto Care It’s All About Bees Ital Vital Living J & M Displays (fireworks) Jaffery Insurance and Financial Services Kimberly Creek Retreat LeFlore’s New Look Fashions Let George Do It Lincoln Running Co. Jaipur Jay Moore Landscaping JPlam Hairdressing Karma Koffee KidGlov Krypton Comics Lindley Clothing Co. Lingo Docs Lotus House of Yoga Makovicka Physical Therapy Mangelsen’s Maplewood Lanes Neighborhood Offshore No Name Nutrition Nomad Wax Olive Branch Omaha Dog Bar
Omaha Marine Center Omaha Protein Popcorn Company Pilcher’s Indian Store Platinum Pool Service Orchard AI Parking Area Maintenance Passport Public Relations Prairie in Bloom Quality Fence Recycled Sounds Reis’ Bakery Rolling Rabbit RV Repair Rooted Table Saddle Creek Breakfast Club Sandhills Elixir Say Hey There Screen Ink SET The Bar Sgt. Peffer’s Cafe Shug’s Comfort Food SISO Martial Arts SRK Mowing Surreal Media Lab Synchronicity Ted & Wally’s The Amazing Pizza Machine The Corky Canvas The Green Spot The Nail Shop The Next Chapter Bookstore The Reading Room The Tea Smith Thomas Funeral Home Todata Analytics True Pottery Upside Same-Day Dental Crowns VALO Wellness Spa Vic’s Corn Popper Village Grinder Vino Mas Vintage Oasis Omaha Wheatfield’s Eatery and Bakery
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NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: EVERMARY KIJUMBE YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on 05/07/26, the Plaintiff Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska, against you shown as Case Number CI26 12098. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of 480.45, 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 11/29/26 at the COUNTY court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA Nebraska. Dana Kay Fries #22411 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, NE 68802 (308) 398-3801 Attorney for Plaintiff services@credit-mgmt.com First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF CORRECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the notice of Application of a Trade Name of Sullivan Medical Consulting, LLC, which was published in Midlands Business Journal on October 2, 2026, contained an error. The notice incorrectly stated: General nature of business: Medical Consulting. The correct information is as follows: General nature of business: Consulting. All other provisions of the original notice remain unchanged. Signature of Legal Representative /s/Gabriel Sullivan. First publication October 16, 2026 PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP PATRICK M. FLOOD, ATTORNEY 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, NE 68114-3728 NOTICE OF AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF TOGETHER WE RISE, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Articles of Incorporation of Together We Rise, Inc., a Nebraska public benefit corporation (the “Corporation”), have been amended and restated by the Member and Directors as of September 10, 2026, and filed with the Secretary of State on September 23, 2026. The Articles of Incorporation have been amended to generally provide as follows: 1. To specify that the Corporation has no members and is governed by a Board of Directors. 2. To specify that the Articles of Incorporation can only be amended by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF DOMESTICATION OF RETENTION WIZARD LLC Retention Wizard LLC has been domesticated from Nebraska to Washington, effective October 1, 2026. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, NE 68114-3728 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF NCCS PROPERTIES, LLC NCCS PROPERTIES, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), filed its STATEMENT OF DISSOLUTION with the Nebraska Secretary of State on October 2, 2026. Persons with claims against the Company must present such claim to: NCCS Properties, 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 the 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 October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF SKOL GROUP CORPORATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the dissolution of Skol Group Corporation, a Nebraska corporation (Corporation), effective October 1, 2026. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that when all debts and obligations of the Corporation have been fully paid and satisfied and any remaining assets will be distributed in accordance with the Articles of Dissolution. Lars T. Pedersen, as President, is to manage the company’s affairs and distribute any remaining company assets. Parties with claims against the
corporation are directed to submit them in writing to the attention of Lars T. Pedersen, 8822 Quest Street, Omaha, NE 68122. All claims against the Corporation will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce such claims is commenced within five (5) years after the publication of this Notice. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF MIDWEST DRILL SEEDING, LLC Pursuant to the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Midwest Drill Seeding, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company (the “company”), shall be dissolved in accordance with the terms of the statement of dissolution dated September 30th, 2026. The terms thereof are as follows: there are no pending contracts of the company to resolve or assign, no known outstanding debt or liabilities of the company, and the company’s assets, if any, will be divested from the company and distributed to its sole member in accordance with the operating agreement and the aforementioned consent signed by the member. James Thibault will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. There are no assets or liabilities of the company known to exist at this time. A claim against the dissolved company will be barred unless proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within three (3) years of the publication of this notice. Said claims, if any, shall be sent to the company’s attorneys at the above-provided offices within the aforementioned time frame. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HARDHAT MEDIA AND ADVERTISING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Hardhat Media and Advertising, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 14606 Branch Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Registered Agent of the Company is Goldenrod RA, Inc., 14606 Branch Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BLUEGRASS DRIVE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Bluegrass Drive, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1935 O Street, Suite 101, Lincoln, Nebraska 68510. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, NE 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LK0490, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the organization of LK0490, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is LK0490, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 12910 Pierce Street, Ste. 110, Omaha, Nebraska 68144, 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 October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF FLYOVER COLLECTIVE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Flyover Collective, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street address of the initial designated office is 20284 Wirt St, PO Box 180, Elkhorn, NE 68022. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Ryan Ahart, 16235 Wood Dr, Omaha, NE 68130. The general nature of the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HOWARD STREET 1210-12, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Howard Street 1210-12, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 1105 Howard Street, Omaha, NE 68102 and with its initial agent for service of process being Michael K. Huffer whose office is located at 9290 West Dodge Road, Suite 302, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of its business is to engage in any lawful business. The company was organized and commenced October 9, 2026, and its period of duration will be perpetual, unless terminated earlier. The affairs of the limited liability company shall be conducted by its Managers until such time as a successor or successors are selected pursuant to the Operating Agreement. Michael K. Huffer, Organizer 9290 West Dodge Road, Suite 302 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF 4912 S 114th STREET, 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 4912 S. 114th Street, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 1311 S. 185th Circle, Omaha, NE 68144. 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 October 7, 2026 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 October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM ELIZABETH A. SEVCIK, Attorney 2120 S. 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, NE 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LUBE 2, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Lube 2, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 3820 North 90th Street, Omaha, NE 68134. 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.
Page 26 • October 16, 2026
First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VDS CONNECT IT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that VDS Connect IT, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 8430 Wirt Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68134. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION HERCULES 2, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Hercules 2, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 13830 Martha Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144 and with its initial agent for service of process as Armando Mendoza, 13830 Martha Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney 2120 S. 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, NE 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 3304 L STREET, LLC The name of the limited liability company is 3304 L Street, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Croker, Huck, Kasher, DeWitt, Anderson & Gonderinger, LLC, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, NE 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LK03168, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the organization of LK03168, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is LK03168, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 12910 Pierce Street, Ste. 110, Omaha, Nebraska 68144, 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 October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF RSI, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of incorporation of RSI, Inc. under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: 1. The name of the Corporation is RSI, Inc. 2. The number of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000 shares of common stock. 3. The name of the initial registered agent is R. Kirk Sharp, and the address of the initial registered office is 14141 Hamilton Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. 4. The name and address of the incorporator is Emily F. Mordhorst, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. 5. The general nature of the business to be transacted by the Corporation is any and all lawful business for which a corporation may be incorporated in Nebraska. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 Jeffrey T. Palzer 3555 Farnam St., Suite 1000 Omaha NE 68131 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DARISCO PROPERTIES II, LLC The name of the Company is DARISCO PROPERTIES II, LLC. The street address of the initial designated office is 8806 N. 155th St., Bennington, NE, 68007. The registered agent is Jeffrey T. Palzer and the registered agent’s address is 3555 Farnam St., Suite 1000, Omaha, NE 68131. The general nature of the Company is property management and investment properties. The Company commenced on October 7, 2026, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such officers as the Members shall determine. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PATCH AND PAINT BROS LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PATCH AND PAINT BROS LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1922 S. 18TH ST OMAHA, NE 68108. The registered agent of PATCH AND PAINT BROS LLC is SYLVIA LOPEZ with address 1922 S 18TH ST OMAHA, NE 68108. First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF a Limited Liability Company NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that JMS, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska filed September 8, 2026. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1419 CADY ST OMAHA, NE 68110. The registered agent of JMS, LLC IS JERONIMO FAVILA AGUILAR 1419 CADY ST OMAHA, NE 68110. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 ERICKSON | SEDERSTROM, P.C. 10330 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF M2J2 HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that M2J2 Holdings LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated office located at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 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 October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026
LEGAL notices PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP EMILY F. MORDHORST, Attorney 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, NE 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF G&J ASSET GROUP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the organization of G&J ASSET GROUP, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is G&J ASSET GROUP, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Emily F. Mordhorst, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Erin K. Artz, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ODE TO NINNY, 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 ODE TO NINNY, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 519 S. 85th St., Omaha, NE 68114. The name and address of the registered agent is Calissa Yrkoski, 519 S. 85th St., Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on October 8, 2026 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. Erin K. Artz, Legal Counsel. 4913-2488-3415, v. 1 First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 ERICKSON | SEDERSTROM, P.C. 10330 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DROVER RISK ADVISORS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Drover Risk Advisors, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated office located at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114 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 October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Law Offices 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, NE 68114-3450 Telephone 402-392-1250 Facsimile 402-392-0816 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BIG O ENERGY CO. LLC Big O Energy Co. LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 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 Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM LINDSEY A. SCHULER, Attorney 2120 S. 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, NE 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF AJ VETERINARY SOLUTIONS, LLC The name of the limited liability company is AJ Veterinary Solutions, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 13588 Co Rd P18, Blair, NE 68008. 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. The company is organized to render the professional service of Veterinary Services. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, NE 68114-3728 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF 72 FARNAM CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the incorporation of 72 Farnam Condominium Association under the laws of the State of Nebraska, as follows: 1. The name of the Corporation is 72 Farnam Condominium Association. 2. The Corporation is a mutual benefit corporation. 3. The address of the initial registered office is 10250 Regency Circle, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name of the initial registered agent at that office is Benjamin J. Pick. 4. The name and street address of the incorporators are as follows: Lindsay Banks 12910 Pierce Street, Ste. 110 Omaha, Nebraska 68144 5. The Corporation shall have members. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TREEHOUSE LEGACY GROUP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Treehouse Legacy Group, LLC a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 1701 N. 24th Street, Suite 102 Omaha, NE 68110. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Mytrethia Gunter 1701 N. 24th Street, Omaha, NE 68110. The company is member managed. The nature of the Company is Real estate with related investment, print-on-demand products and any other lawful business activities permitted under Nebraska law. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION HERCULES 4, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Hercules 4, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 13830 Martha Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144 and with its initial agent for service of process as Armando Mendoza, 13830 Martha Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026
Walentine O’Toole, LLP, Attorneys 11240 Davenport Street P.O. Box 540125 Omaha, NE 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF K&S JOHNSON, LLC K&S Johnson, LLC, with its initial designated office at 10641 S. 191st St., Omaha, NE 68136, gives notice that it filed its Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 28, 2026, and that it has been organized as a Nebraska limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial agent for service of process is David P. Wilson, and his initial mailing address is 11240 Davenport St., Omaha, NE 68154. The company’s period of duration is perpetual, and the general nature of its business is to engage in any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Kyle Johnson, Sole Member. 4913-8672-5333, v. 1 First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF CENTRAL DISTRIBUTING COMPANY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Articles of Incorporation of Central Distributing Company, a Nebraska corporation (“Corporation”), have been amended and restated in their entirety and were duly filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on October 7, 2026. Included in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is an amendment that provides for: (i) each shareholder of the Corporation to surrender all of their presently held shares of common stock and shall receive a combined total of ten (10) shares of Class A Stock and Nine Hundred Ninety (990) shares of Class B Stock in exchange therefore; and (ii) the Corporation’s authorization to issue a total of Ten Thousand (10,000) shares of common stock having a par value of $0.01 per share, of which One Hundred (100) shares are designated as voting common stock (“Class A Stock”) and Nine Hundred Ninety Thousand (990,000) shares are designated as nonvoting common stock (“Class B Stock”). Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF COLUMBUS PROPERTIES II, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Columbus Properties II, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 3449 N. 48th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, Nebraska 68504. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION HERCULES 3, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Hercules 3, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 13830 Martha Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144 and with its initial agent for service of process as Armando Mendoza, 13830 Martha Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HOWARD HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Howard Holdings, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 205 S. 93rd St., Omaha, NE 68114. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF W.A.G EQUITY, 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 W.A.G Equity, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 3325 S. 206th St., 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 October 6, 2026, 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. 4901-9517-9221, v. 1 First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF MALACHI ROSE COUNSELING, 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 Malachi Rose Counseling, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 6235 N. 75th Street, Omaha, NE 68134. 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 September 29, 2026 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 October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF H&L COLLECTIVE, 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 H&L Collective, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 10320 N. 191st Ave., Bennington, NE 68007. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc.,
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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 October 1, 2026 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. 4935-9846-7541, v. 1 First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VITARUSH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Vitarush, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 20875 Rawhide Road, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MBT DIGITAL CREATIONS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MBT Digital Creations, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Its initial designated office is located at 19641 W. Street, Omaha NE 68135. The initial agent for service of process is Patience Glenn, located at 19641 W Street, Omaha NE 68135. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF OPERATE WITH CLARITY LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Operate With Clarity LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 4915 N. 140th Street, Omaha, NE 68164. The initial agent for service of process is Mykala Nath, 4915 N. 140th Street, Omaha, NE 68164. The professional service rendered is Accountancy. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THRESHEN LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Threshen LLC (“the LLC”), has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with the following registered agent and office: Justin Kerkman, 524 East Clay Street, O’Neill, Nebraska 68763. The LLC’s designated office is located at 524 East Clay Street, O’Neill, Nebraska 68763. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM MARTIN P. PELSTER, Attorney 2120 S. 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, NE 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TC ACCOMMODATOR 384, LLC AND NOTICE OF AMENDMENT The name of the limited liability company is TC Accommodator 384, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 8701 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Janet Clark, 8701 West Dodge Road, Suite 150, Omaha, NE 68114. An Amendment was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 24, 2026, changing the name of the limited liability company from TC Accommodator 384, LLC to LTP South Dakota (Reverse Exchange), LLC, changing the designated office to 9808 South 148th Street, Omaha, NE 68138, changing the registered agent to Croker, Huck, Kasher, DeWitt, Anderson & Gonderinger, L.L.C., and changing the registered agent address to 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF WALNUT HILL PROPERTIES, 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 Walnut Hill Properties, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 5016 N. 155th Ave., Omaha, NE 68116. 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 September 16, 2026 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. 4935-1032-6227, v. 1 First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, NE 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BLOCK 146 OMAHA, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the organization of BLOCK 146 OMAHA, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is BLOCK 146 OMAHA, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 4433 S. 133rd Street, PO Box 45430, Omaha, Nebraska 68137, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Gerald S. Reimer, 4433 S. 133rd Street, PO Box 45430, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 CARLSON & BLAKEMAN, LLP MATTHEW WURSTNER, Attorney 11429 Davenport Street Omaha, NE 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CC & CO HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CC & CO HOLDINGS, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 11429 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE 68154. 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 September 29, 2026, and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is a Manager Managed Limited Liability Company. MATTHEW WURSTNER, Organizer First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026
LEGAL notices NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HERCULES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Hercules, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 13830 Martha Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144 and with its initial agent for service of process as Armando Mendoza, 13830 Martha Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THE PIXIE CANVAS LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that The Pixie Canvas LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Designated Office: The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 6710 S. 206th Plaza #208 Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. Registered Agent: The name and street and mailing address of the initial agent for service of process is Valerie Sandiford at 6710 S. 206th Plaza #208 Elkhorn, Nebraska. First publication October 16, 2026, final October 30, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SFF ADAMS I, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SFF Adams I, 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 Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF COMMUNITY REAL ESTATE SOLUTIONS, LLC Community Real Estate Solutions, LLC, with its designated office located at 331 Village Pointe Plaza, Omaha, NE 68118, gives notice that it filed a Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State on September 30, 2026. The registered agent is Barbara MedberyPrchal 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. Christopher A. Bauer, Organizer First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF TDF, L.L.C. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that TDF, L.L.C., a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), filed a Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 30, 2026, with an effective date of October 1, 2026. If you have a claim against the Company, please provide in writing 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 in which your claim arose. All claims shall be mailed to 11651 Trumble Loup E, Bellevue, NE 68123. A claim against the Company will be barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five years from the date of your receipt of this notice. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Philip T. Sanberg 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF BALU, 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 BALU, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 10605 Adams Drive, 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 September 23, 2026, and shall have perpetual duration. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc. 4919-1993-1597, v. 1 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TWO GIRLS – ONE CLOSET, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Two Girls – One Closet, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 20875 Rawhide Road, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF A & D OLSON FARMS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that A & D Olson Farms, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1618 South 118th Street, Omaha, Nebraska. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF OPLS HOLDING, 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 OPLS Holding, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 9240 S. 124th St., Papillion, NE 68046. 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 September 25, 2026 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. 4935-1032-6227, v. 1 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GROD DEVELOPMENT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that GROD Development, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 14606 Branch Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Registered Agent of the Company is Goldenrod RA, Inc., 14606 Branch Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF SEA BREEZE ESCAPE AT PONCE LANDING, 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 Sea Breeze Escape at Ponce Landing, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 4406 South 220th St., 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 September 25, 2026 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. 4929-9913-9283, v. 1 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 CARLSON & BLAKEMAN, LLP MATTHEW WURSTNER, Attorney 11429 Davenport Street Omaha, NE 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MFS MANAGEMENT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MFS MANAGEMENT, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 11429 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE 68154. 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 September 29, 2026, and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is a Manager Managed Limited Liability Company. MATTHEW WURSTNER, Organizer First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ARKSTONE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Arkstone, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 3512 North 163rd Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF COUNCILL BEHAVIORAL BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that COUNCILL BEHAVIORAL BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska as a limited liability company. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1102 Roland Dr., Papillion, Nebraska 68046. The Registered Agent of the Company is Joanne Councill, 1102 Roland Dr., Papillion, Nebraska 68046. The company commenced business on September 10, 2026. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KOUASSI HELPING HAND, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that KOUASSI HELPING HAND, 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 7740 N. 87th Street Omaha, NE 68122. 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 October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STAX CURATED LUXURY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that STAX Curated Luxury, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 8116 S. 192 Ave, Gretna, NE 68028 and its initial registered agent at Lindsay Kurtzuba, 8116 S. 192 Ave, Gretna, NE 68028 First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF NIKSEN VENDING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Niksen Vending, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 4029 N. 152nd Cir, Omaha, NE 68116. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Robert Johnson, 4029 N. 152nd Cir, Omaha, NE 68116. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LIFE STRATA DISCOVERY LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Life Strata Discovery LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the initial designated office is 6411 S. 92nd St, Omaha, NE 68127. The name and address of the initial registered agent for service of process is Dana Eugene Bradfield, 6411 S. 92nd St, Omaha, NE 68127. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026
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NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GROD CYTOWN INVESTMENT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that GROD CyTown Investment, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 14606 Branch Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Registered Agent of the Company is Goldenrod RA, Inc., 14606 Branch Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GROD VENTURES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that GROD Ventures, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 14606 Branch Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Registered Agent of the Company is Goldenrod RA, Inc., 14606 Branch Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 CARLSON & BLAKEMAN, LLP MATTHEW WURSTNER, Attorney 11429 Davenport Street Omaha, NE 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HOPE CARE TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that HOPE CARE TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 4324 N 132nd St #234, Omaha, NE 68164. 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 September 25, 2026, and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is a Manager Managed Limited Liability Company. MATTHEW WURSTNER, Organizer First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 Walentine O’Toole, LLP, Attorneys 11240 Davenport Street P.O. Box 540125 Omaha, NE 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CAPE BUFFALO, LLC Cape Buffalo, LLC, with its initial designated office at 10304 Prairie Rd., Omaha, NE 68134, gives notice that it filed its Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 22, 2026, and that it has been organized as a Nebraska limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial agent for service of process is Jonathan M. Brown, and his initial mailing address is 11240 Davenport St., Omaha, NE 68154. The company’s period of duration is perpetual, and the general nature of its business is to engage in any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Matthew J. Burbach, Manager Scott Shirk, Manager Jared Clarke, Manager First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF H&S OMNI MANAGEMENT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that H&S Omni Management, 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 Registered Agent and Office of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TL-SMA ROCHESTER 2660, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that TL-SMA Rochester 2660, 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 Registered Agent and Office of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 1099-R, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 1099-R, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company 5960 Vandervoot Drive, #100, Lincoln, Nebraska 68516. The Registered Agent of the Company is Jennifer L. Rattner, Ringenberg & Rattner Law, LLC, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOWER SC TIMBERLINE-SMA, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Sower SC Timberline-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 Registered Agent and Office of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026
LEGAL notices NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KESTER MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTING, L.L.C Pursuant to the Neb.Rev.St. §§ 21-193 & 21-117, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has formed a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The name of the Limited Liability Company is KESTER MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTING, L.L.C. The address of the Company’s initial registered office in Nebraska is 9375 Burt Street, Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68114 and the name of its registered agent at such address is Connor W. Orr. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial designated office is 2843 Dale Lane, Arlington, NE 68002. This company is organized to engage in and to do any lawful business for any lawful purpose, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Company’s duration is perpetual beginning on the date the Certificate of Organization was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nebraska. The affairs of the limited liability company are conducted by Manager, Member and such other officers as may be provided for in the Operating Agreement. Tyler Kester, Member and Manager Connor W. Orr, Organizer 9375 Burt Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 408-6488 First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320 Omaha, NE 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JINUP DOBUOL, LLC The name of the Company is Jinup Dobuol, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company engaging in NIL monetization. The initial registered agent is Sean Moylan located at 1010 S. 120th Street, Suite #320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The initial designated office of the Company stated in the Certificate of Organization was 1010 S. 120th Street, Suite #320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. This limited liability company commenced business on September 25, 2026. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GC PAC SPRINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that GC Pac Springs, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 14606 Branch Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Registered Agent of the Company is Goldenrod RA, Inc., 14606 Branch Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication October 9, 2026, final October 23, 2026
NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF OMAHA 11102, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Omaha 11102, 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 Registered Agent of the Company is Jennifer L. Rattner, Esq., 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BENDIXEN CONSULTING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Bendixen Consulting, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the designated office is 3539 N. 45th Ave. Omaha, NE 68104. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Margret Bendixen, 3539 N. 45th Ave. Omaha, NE 68104. The general nature of its business is to engage in any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of Nebraska. First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF COMMON ETHOS CONSULTING LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Common Ethos Consulting LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street address of the initial designated office is 2201 South 42nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68105. The mailing address of the initial designated office is 4601 Catalyst Court, #1159, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The initial agent for service of process is Registered Agents Inc., 200 S. 21st St., STE 400A, Lincoln, Nebraska 68510. First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF EZFX, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that EZFX, LLC is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the initial designated office is 2328 S. 23rd St, Omaha, NE 68108. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Uriel Aguayo, 2328 S. 23rd St, Omaha, NE 68108. The limited liability company is member-managed. First publication October 2, 2026, final October 16, 2026 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: AVIA WOMEN’S HEALTH. Name of Applicant: Sancta Familia Medical Associates, Inc. Address: 10506 BURT ST., OMAHA, NE 68114 Applicant is DOMESTIC CORPORATION.
If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska. Date of first use of name in Nebraska: NEW. General nature of business: Medical Care. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Lloyd A. Pierre, Jr. First publication October 16, 2026 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: PRIMARY CLINICAL RESEARCH. Name of Applicant: RS VENTURES, INC. Address: 18314 HAMPTON DRIVE, OMAHA, NE 68136 Applicant is CORPORATION. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: NEBRASKA. Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 11/01/2023. General nature of business: CLINICAL TRIALS FOR NEW AND INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/SHAYLA DESAUTELS. First publication October 16, 2026 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: SKOL PRECIOUS METALS. Name of Applicant: SKOL Holdings Group, LLC Address: 8822 QUEST STREET, OMAHA, NE 68122 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: To conduct any and all lawful business activities for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Lars T. Pedersen. First publication October 16, 2026 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: SIMPLE CASH OFFER. Name of Applicant: Community Real Estate Solutions, LLC Address: 331 VILLAGE POINTE PLAZA, OMAHA, NE 68118 Applicant is LLC. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska. Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 10/1/2026. General nature of business: Real Estate Investment. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Christopher A. Bauer. First publication October 16, 2026
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STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES FOR GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 - PAGE 1 LEGAL NOTICE OF MEASURES TO BE VOTED UPON AT THE GENERAL ELECTION OCCURRING ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026 BALLOT TITLE AND TEXT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE LEGISLATURE BALLOT TITLE AND TEXT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY INITIATIVES PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO. 1 A vote FOR will amend the state constitution to increase the term limit for state legislators from two consecutive four-year terms (eight years) to three consecutive four-year terms (12 years). A vote AGAINST will not amend the Nebraska Constitution, so the current limit of two consecutive four-year terms will remain in effect. State legislators will continue to be ineligible for office in the Legislature for four years after serving two consecutive terms. A constitutional amendment to change the limit on legislative terms from two consecutive terms to three consecutive terms. For Against _________________________ PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION INITIATIVE MEASURE 440 BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR INITIATIVE MEASURE 440 A vote “FOR” will amend the Nebraska Constitution to authorize the enactment of laws to allow persons located within Nebraska to place sports wagers through an Internet-based platform when offered by an authorized gaming operator conducting games of chance within a licensed racetrack enclosure in Nebraska. A vote “AGAINST” means the Nebraska Constitution will not be amended in this manner. Shall the Nebraska Constitution be amended to authorize the enactment of laws allowing persons located within Nebraska to place sports wagers through an Internet-based platform when offered by an authorized gaming operator conducting
games of chance within a licensed racetrack enclosure in Nebraska? For Against _________________________ TEXT OF PROPOSED INITIATIVE MEASURE 440 (underscored language indicates added language, strike through indicates language being removed) OBJECT STATEMENT: The object of this petition is to amend the Nebraska Constitution to state that laws may be enacted allowing sports wagers to be placed within the State of Nebraska through an Internet-based platform offered by an authorized gaming operator. TEXT: Article III, section 24, of the Constitution of Nebraska shall be amended as shown: (1) Except as provided in this section, the Legislature shall not authorize any game of chance or any lottery or gift enterprise when the consideration for a chance to participate involves the payment of money for the purchase of property, services, or a chance or admission ticket or requires an expenditure of substantial effort or time. (2) The Legislature may authorize and regulate a state lottery pursuant to subsection (3) of this section and other lotteries, raffles, and gift enterprises which are intended solely as business promotions or the proceeds of which are to be used solely for charitable or community betterment purposes without profit to the promoter of such lotteries, raffles, or gift enterprises. (3)(a) The Legislature may establish a lottery to be operated and regulated by the State of Nebraska. The proceeds of the lottery shall be appropriated by the Legislature for the costs of establishing and maintaining the lottery and for the following purposes, as directed by the Legislature: (i) The first five hundred thousand dollars after the payment of prizes and operating expenses shall be transferred to the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund; (ii) Forty-four and onehalf percent of the money remaining after the payment of prizes and operating expenses and the initial transfer to the
Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund shall be transferred to the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund to be used as provided in the Nebraska Environmental Trust Act; (iii) Forty-four and onehalf percent of the money remaining after the payment of prizes and operating expenses and the initial transfer to the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund shall be used for education as the Legislature may direct; (iv) Ten percent of the money remaining after the payment of prizes and operating expenses and the initial transfer to the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund shall be transferred to the Nebraska State Fair Board if the most populous city within the county in which the fair is located provides matching funds equivalent to ten percent of the funds available for transfer. Such matching funds may be obtained from the city and any other private or public entity, except that no portion of such matching funds shall be provided by the state. If the Nebraska State Fair ceases operations, ten percent of the money remaining after the payment of prizes and operating expenses and the initial transfer to the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund shall be transferred to the General Fund; and (v) One percent of the money remaining after the payment of prizes and operating expenses and the initial transfer to the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund shall be transferred to the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund. (b) No lottery game shall be conducted as part of the lottery unless the type of game has been approved by a majority of the members of the Legislature. (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit (a) the enactment of laws providing for the licensing and regulation of wagering on the results of horseraces, wherever run, either within or outside of the state, by the parimutuel method, when such wagering is conducted by licensees within a licensed racetrack enclosure or (b) the enactment of laws providing for the licensing and regulation of bingo games conducted by nonprofit associations which have been in existence for a period of five years immediately preceding the
application for license, except that bingo games cannot be conducted by agents or lessees of such associations on a percentage basis. (5) This section shall not apply to any law which is enacted contemporaneously with the adoption of this subsection or at any time thereafter and which provides for the licensing, authorization, regulation, or taxation of all forms of games of chance when such games of chance are conducted by authorized gaming operators within a licensed racetrack enclosure, including sports wagering through the Internet if the person placing the sports wager is located within the State of Nebraska at the time the wager is placed. _________________________ PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION INITIATIVE MEASURE 441 BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR INITIATIVE MEASURE 441 A vote “FOR” will enact statutes allowing persons located within Nebraska to place sports wagers through an Internet-based platform when offered by an authorized gaming operator conducting games of chance within a licensed racetrack enclosure in Nebraska or the operator’s platform provider, and regulating such sports wagers. A vote “AGAINST” means no such statutes will be enacted. Shall statutes be enacted that: (1) Allow persons located within Nebraska to place sports wagers through an Internet-based platform when offered by an authorized gaming operator conducting games of chance within a licensed racetrack enclosure in Nebraska or the operator’s platform provider; and (2) Regulate such sports wagers? For Against _________________________ TEXT OF PROPOSED INITIATIVE MEASURE 441 (underscored language indicates added language, strike through indicates language being removed) OBJECT STATEMENT: The object of this petition is to enact a statute allowing sports wagers to
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be placed within the State of Nebraska through Internet-based platforms offered by an authorized gaming operator, or its contracted platform provider, and regulate such sports wagers. TEXT: AN ACT relating to gaming; to amend section 9-1102, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, and sections 9-1103 and 9-1110, Revised Statutes Supplement, 2025; to allow an authorized gaming operator or its platform provider to conduct sports wagering by means of an Internetbased platform under the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act; to define and redefine terms; to harmonize provisions; to provide an operative date; to provide severability; and to repeal the original sections. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, Section 1. Section 9-1102, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read: 9-1102 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and to the full extent permitted by the Constitution of Nebraska, including amendments to the Constitution of Nebraska adopted contemporaneously with the enactment of the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act, the operation of games of chance is permitted only by authorized gaming operators within licensed racetrack enclosures as provided in the act, including, but not limited to, the offer of sports wagering through an online sports wagering platform by such authorized gaming operators. Sec. 2. Section 9-1103, Revised Statutes Supplement, 2025, is amended to read: 9-1103 For purposes of the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act: (1) Authorized gaming operator means a person or entity licensed pursuant to the act to operate games of chance within a licensed racetrack enclosure; (2) Authorized gaming operator license means a license to operate games of chance as an authorized gaming operator at a licensed racetrack enclosure, including operating sports wagering through an online sports wagering platform if the person placing the sports wager is located within the State of Nebraska at
the time the sports wager is placed; (3)(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of this subdivision, authorized sporting event means a professional sporting event, a collegiate sporting event, an international sporting event, a professional motor race event, a professional sports draft, an individual sports award, an electronic sport, or a simulated game; and (b) Authorized sporting event does not include an instate collegiate sporting event in which an instate collegiate or university team is a participant, a parimutuel wager, a fantasy sports contest, a minor league sporting event, a sporting event at the high school level or below regardless of the age of any individual participant, or any sporting event excluded by the commission; (4) Collegiate sporting event means an athletic event or competition of an intercollegiate sport played at the collegiate level for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student athlete are established by a national association for the promotion or regulation of collegiate athletics; (5) Commission means the State Racing and Gaming Commission; (6) Designated sports wagering area means an area, as approved by the commission, in which sports wagering is conducted within a licensed racetrack enclosure; (7) Dollar amount collected means the total dollar amount wagered by players of games of chance less the total dollar amount returned to such players as prizes; (8) Game of chance means any game which has the elements of chance, prize, and consideration, including any wager on a slot machine, table game, counter game, or card game, a keno lottery conducted in accordance with the Nebraska County and City Lottery Act, or sports wagering conducted in accordance with section 9-1110. Game of chance does not include any game the operation of which is prohibited at a casino by federal law; (9) Gaming device means an electronic, mechanical, or other device which plays a game of chance when activated by a player using currency, a token, or other item of
STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES FOR GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 - PAGE 2 value; (10) Gross gaming revenue means the dollar amount collected by an authorized gaming operator from operation of all games of chance within a licensed racetrack enclosure as computed pursuant to applicable statutes, rules, and regulations less the total of (a) all federal taxes, other than income taxes, imposed on the operation of such games of chance and (b) the amount provided to players by an authorized gaming operator as promotional gaming credits, but only to the extent such promotional gaming credits are redeemed by players to play one or more games of chance being operated by the authorized gaming operator; (11) International sporting event means an international team or individual sporting event governed by an international sports federation or sports governing body, including sporting events governed by the International Olympic Committee and the International Federation of Association Football; (12) Licensed racetrack enclosure has the same meaning as in section 2-1210; (13) Limited gaming device means an electronic gaming device which (a) offers games of chance, (b) does not dispense currency, tokens, or other items of value, and (c) does not have a cash winnings hopper, mechanical or simulated spinning reel, or side handle; (14) Online sports wagering platform means an integrated system of hardware, software, or applications, through which an authorized gaming operator, on its own or through its contracted platform provider, operates, conducts, or offers sports wagering through the Internet to persons located within the State of Nebraska at the time the sports wager is placed; (15) Platform provider means a sports wagering services provider that has a contract with an authorized gaming operator to provide an online sports wagering platform; (16) (14) Prohibited participant means any individual whose participation may undermine the integrity of the wagering or the sporting event or any person who is prohibited from sports wagering for other good cause
shown as determined by the commission, including, but not limited to: (a) Any individual placing a wager as an agent or proxy; (b) any person who is an athlete, a coach, a referee, or a player in any sporting event overseen by the sports governing body of such person based on publicly available information; (c) a person who holds a paid position of authority or influence sufficient to exert influence over the participants in a sporting event, including, but not limited to, any coach, manager, handler, or athletic trainer, or a person with access to certain types of exclusive information, on any sporting event overseen by the sports governing body of such person based on publicly available information; or (d) a person identified as prohibited from sports wagering by any list provided by a sports governing body to the commission; (17) (15) Promotional gaming credit means a credit, token, or other item of value provided by an authorized gaming operator or its platform provider to a player for the purpose of enabling the player to play a game of chance; (18) (16) Racing license means a license issued for a licensed racetrack enclosure by the commission; and (19) (17) Sports wagering means the acceptance of wagers on an authorized sporting event by any system of wagering as authorized by the commission. Sports wagering does not include (a) placing a wager on the performance or nonperformance of any individual athlete par ticipating in a single game or match of a collegiate sporting event in which a collegiate team from this state is participating, (b) placing an in-game wager on any game or match of a collegiate sporting event in which a collegiate team from this state is participating, (c) placing a wager on the performance or nonper formance of any individual athlete under eighteen years of age participating in a professional or international sporting event, or (d) placing a wager on the performance of athletes in an individual sporting event excluded by the commission. Sec. 3. Section 9-1110, Revised Statutes Supplement, 2025, is amended to read:
9-1110 (1) The commission may shall permit an authorized gaming operator to conduct sports wagering. Any sports wager shall be placed (a) through an online sports wagering platform by a person who is located within the State of Nebraska at the time the sports wager is placed or (b) in person or at a wagering kiosk in the designated sports wagering area at the licensed racetrack enclosure. A parimutuel wager in accordance with sections 2-1201 to 2-1218 may be placed in the designated sports wagering area at the licensed racetrack enclosure. An individual employed and authorized to accept a sports wager may also accept a parimutuel wager. (2) A floor plan identifying the designated sports wagering area at the licensed racetrack enclosure, including the location of any wagering kiosks, shall be filed with the commission for review and approval. Modification to a previously approved plan must be submitted for approval at least ten days prior to implementation. The area shall not be accessible to persons under twentyone years of age and shall have a sign posted to restrict access. Exceptions to this subsection must be approved in writing by the commission. (3) The authorized gaming operator shall submit controls for approval by the commission, that include the following for operating the designated sports wagering area at the licensed racetrack enclosure: (a) Specific procedures and technology partners to fulfill the requirements set forth by the commission; (b) Other specific controls as designated by the commission; (c) A process to easily and prominently impose limitations or notification for wagering parameters, including, but not limited to, deposits and wagers; and (d) An easy and obvious method for a player to make a complaint and to enable the player to notify the commission if such complaint has not been or cannot be addressed by the sports wagering operator. (4) An authorized gaming operator using a server to host an online sports wagering platform shall use a server that is lo-
cated within the State of Nebraska. An authorized gaming operator may conduct sports wagering through no more than two online sports wagering platforms operated by platform providers. The authorized gaming operator and its platform providers shall submit controls for approval by the commission that fulfill the requirements set forth by the commission for operating an online sports wagering platform. The commission shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for sports wagering through an online sports wagering platform on or before June 1, 2027. (5) (4) The commission shall develop policies and procedures to ensure a prohibited participant is unable to place a sports wager or parimutuel wager. (6) (5) Beginning on the implementation date designated by the Tax Commissioner pursuant to subsection (1) of section 9-1312, prior to the winnings payment of any sports wagering winnings as defined in section 9-1303, an authorized gaming operator or its platform provider shall check the collection system to determine if the winner has a debt or an outstanding state liability as required by the Gambling Winnings Setoff for Outstanding Debt Act. If such authorized gaming operator or its platform provider determines that the winner is subject to the collection system, the operator shall deduct the amount of debt and outstanding state liability identified in the collection system from the winnings payment and shall remit the net winnings payment of sports wagering winnings, if any, to the winner and the amount deducted to the Department of Revenue to be credited against such debt or outstanding state liability as provided in section 9-1306. Sec. 4. This act becomes operative on January 1, 2027. Sec. 5. If any section or provision of this act is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or otherwise void or invalid for any reason, such determination shall not affect the validity of the act as a whole or any part thereof, other than the part so determined to be unconstitutional or otherwise void or invalid.
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Sec. 6. Original section 9-1102, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, and sections 9-1103 and 9-1110, Revised Statutes Supplement, 2025, are repealed. _________________________ PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION INITIATIVE MEASURE 442 BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR INITIATIVE MEASURE 442 A vote “FOR” will amend the Nebraska Constitution to provide: (1) Schools must expressly designate each athletic team or sport as one of the following based on biological sex: (a) Males, men, or boys; (b) females, women, or girls; or (c) coed or mixed; and (2) Athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls shall not be open to students of the male sex. The amendment would apply to all athletic teams or sports sponsored by public schools or postsecondary educational institutions, and private schools or educational institutions whose athletic teams or sports compete against public schools or institutions. A vote “AGAINST” means the Nebraska Constitution will not be amended in this manner. Shall the Nebraska Constitution be amended to provide: (1) Schools must expressly designate each athletic team or sport as one of the following based on biological sex: (a) Males, men, or boys; (b) females, women, or girls; or (c) coed or mixed; and (2) Athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls shall not be open to students of the male sex? The amendment would apply to all athletic teams or sports sponsored by public schools or postsecondary educational institutions, and private schools or educational institutions whose athletic teams or sports compete against public schools or institutions. For Against _________________________ TEXT OF PROPOSED INITIATIVE MEASURE 442 (underscored language indicates added language, strike through indicates
language being removed) OBJECT STATEMENT: The object of this petition is to amend the Nebraska Constitution to establish constitutional protections for sex-separate athletics to ensure equal access to athletic opportunities for females. TEXT: Article VII of the Constitution of Nebraska shall be amended by adding a new section 16 as shown: Art. VII §16. Equal access to athletic opportunities for females. (1) Schools must expressly designate each athletic team or sport as one of the following based on biological sex: (a) Males, men, or boys; (b) females, women, or girls; or (c) coed or mixed. (2) Athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall not be open to students of the male sex. (3) For purposes of this section, “schools” shall mean interscholastic, intercollegiate, and intramural athletic teams or sports that are sponsored by a common school of this state, a public postsecondary educational institution of this state, or any school or institution of learning in this state not owned or exclusively controlled by the state or a political subdivision thereof whose athletic teams or sports compete against a common school or public postsecondary educational institution of this state. (4) This section shall be self-executing, but legislation may be enacted to facilitate its operation. If any part or parts of this section are found to conflict with federal law or the Constitution of the United States, this section shall be implemented to the maximum extent permitted by federal law and the Constitution of the United States. Any provision held invalid shall be severable from the remaining portions of this section. Respectfully submitted, Robert B. Evnen Secretary of State (Publish three times, weeks of Oct. 11, Oct. 18, and Oct. 25) ZNEZ