Baird Holm Congratulates the 2026 Best Places to Work in Omaha® Winners!
by a culture dedicated to organizational success. The Best Places to Work initiative helps strengthen not only individual companies, but the Omaha community as a whole.
The Greater Omaha Chamber demonstrates its commitment to a strong regional workforce by serving as a sponsor of this important program, underscoring this vital connection between great employers and a thriving city.
The Best Places to Work in Omaha® initiative is an annual program created by Baird Holm LLP which provides the opportunity for local employers of all sizes to learn more about the engagement of their employees through an online employee survey.
Baird Holm founded this initiative in 2003 to celebrate exceptional local employers and inspire others to foster outstanding workplace cultures.
The survey, powered by Quantum Workplace, measures key elements of the employee experience, including morale, workplace environment, engagement, opportunities for growth, leadership, and relationships with co-workers.
Research has shown that engaged employees are more likely to remain with their organizations, serve customers more effectively, and help contribute toward a more profitable company when surrounded
Nebraska Cancer Specialists is all about its mission: “Committed to care, dedicated to discovery.” More than a workplace, NCS is a growing team of nearly 400 dedicated employees and providers specialized in caring for patients and families in 15 cancer centers across Nebraska and Iowa. Their commitment to innovation, relationships, and compassionate care earned NCS recognition in Baird Holm’s Best Places to Work in Omaha awards program for the second year in a row.
“Most importantly, our
team takes pride in knowing their work brings hope and healing to those who need it most.”
Growth and expansion
NCS is experiencing an exciting phase of growth with a new full-service clinic set to open in 2027 in Elkhorn and a stand-alone radiation oncology clinic opening this spring at 172nd and Center. This growth also includes the addition of another interventional radiologist, strengthening the depth and coordination of services available to patients.
This year, six of the ten winning companies can boast a repeat from last year. Two newcomers were recognized, and one organization achieved Sustained Excellence status after several years of top five placements—an impressive testament to their continued dedication to their employees.
2026 Winning Companies
COMPANIES WITH 25 TO 200 EMPLOYEES:
1. 3G Companies 4. Supportworks
2. Lockton 5. Stephen Center
3. Improving
COMPANIES WITH MORE THAN 200 EMPLOYEES:
1. Nebraska Cancer Specialists 4. DMSi
2. Cobalt Credit Union 5. Olsson 3. Rotella’s Italian Bakery, Inc.
SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE AWARD:
Signature Performance
FEATURED NON-PROFIT:
The Work Lab
“The survey delivers the actionable insights employers need to foster engaged and high performing teams,” said Kelli P. Lieurance, Partner at Baird Holm and Chair of the Best Places to Work in Omaha Initiative. “Being named a winner is a point of significant pride and a powerful reflection of an organization’s commitment to its people. At a time when employers are navigating economic pressure, workforce shortages, hybrid work challenges, and heightened employee expectations, these organizations stand out for getting it right.”
The winners, along with this year’s featured non-profit, The Work Lab, were publicly recognized at a luncheon at the CHI Health Center Omaha on April 23, 2026.
ABOUT THIS SECTION
This special section was produced by the Omaha World-Herald for “Best Places to Work in Omaha®” founder Baird Holm LLP and the initiative’s sponsor, the Greater Omaha Chamber. The 2026 winners featured were determined in an annual survey administered by Quantum Workplace.
Nebraska Cancer Specialists: One of Omaha’s Best Places to Work
NCS continues to advance cancer care through clinical research trials, expanding access to innovative therapies close to home. These trials also extend to rural communities, helping ensure patients across the region can participate in leading-edge treatment options without leaving their local area.
The company’s culture is guided by the belief that when employees feel supported, they provide the best care. That’s why NCS’s culture is built on teamwork, respect and a shared purpose. Open communication, strong leadership, and a focus on professional growth create an environment where employees feel valued and empowered.
Supporting team members
Because NCS is committed to an environment where employees are inspired to give their best every day, they provide competitive
compensation, comprehensive benefits, wellness initiatives and continuing education. Most important, the team takes pride in knowing their work brings hope and healing to those who need it most.
80 Years of Serving Members and Supporting People
Cobalt Credit Union, a Nebraska-owned credit union, was founded in 1946 by 12 individuals. Today, 80 years later, we proudly serve more than 116,000 members across the country through 19 branch locations and the support of 230 employees.
At Cobalt Credit Union, our mission is to support our members through every stage of life, and we bring that same commitment to our employees. Our culture is rooted in teamwork, communication, and helping one another succeed. We take pride in the positive impact we make on our teammates, our members, and the communities we serve.
We value work-life balance and offer meaningful benefits, including a paid day off for each employee’s birthday and Cobalt work anniversary. Many roles also offer hybrid remote work options, giving employees added flexibility and time to recharge.
Our organization promotes learning, innovation and creativity. We invest in our employees through development programs such as Emerging Leaders, Leadership 101 and 102, and specialized service and sales training. Last year alone, we dedicated
nearly 1,400 hours to employee training and also offered tuition reimbursement for certifications and college coursework.
Our culture of engagement extends beyond the workplace. In 2025, Cobalt employees contributed more than 2,600 volunteer hours in the communities we serve, reflecting a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference both inside and outside our organization. That same spirit of dedication is reflected in our team’s more than 1,500 combined years of service.
We also continue to invest in technology that improves communication, increases efficiency, and creates new opportunities for employees to showcase their talents and strengths.
At Cobalt Credit Union, we are committed to building a workplace where employees thrive, grow, and feel valued. Being recognized as one of Omaha’s Best Places to Work for the second year in a row reflects that ongoing commitment.
2
Best Places to Work
COMPANIES WITH MORE THAN 200 EMPLOYEES
Honored to be Recognized as a Best Place to Work in Omaha
Since our start in Omaha, NE, in 1921, our mission has remained the same: to masterfully blend old-world craftsmanship with modern efficiencies to create the highest-quality breads and rolls. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that define our bakery family.
At Rotella’s, our employees are more than a team — they are a part of our bakery family. From generation to generation, we have upheld a culture of excellence, quality, and service, built on strong values and a shared commitment to always
doing our best. Our founders, Alessandro and his wife, Maria, took great pride in their bakery family, and today, we continue that tradition with the same unwavering pride.
We value our employees and always strive to ensure they feel comfortable, supported, and heard.
Thank you to our incredible team for making Rotella’s a truly special place to work!
As part of our continued commitment to serving the community, we are pleased to announce the opening of our new Gretna bakery.
Best Places to Work ®
COMPANIES WITH MORE THAN 200 EMPLOYEES
DMSi provides business software to the building materials industry. We’re a fiercely independent company and have proudly called Omaha our home for 50 years.
Our 330+ team members come from a variety of backgrounds. What connects us is a shared way of approaching our work. We ask hard questions, dig into problems, and learn from one another. Most of all, we care deeply about the customers who trust us with their businesses.
“We like to say the 'DMSi difference' is that we care more: about our work, our customers, and each other.”
Our shared values shape how we work every day. Success is always a team effort. When we visit customers, we bring together perspectives from across the company and theirs — because more perspectives always lead to better answers.
Nothing captures that spirit more than PartnerConnect, our biannual conference. Hundreds of customers travel to Omaha to connect with our team and our products. In a world of email
Best Places to Work ®
COMPANIES WITH MORE THAN 200 EMPLOYEES
DMSi: It’s All About the Team
and video calls, meeting face-to-face is something special. This September at PartnerConnect, we will celebrate DMSi's 50th anniversary alongside the very customers who helped make our journey possible.
At DMSi, growth has always meant opportunity. Team members are encouraged to take initiative, recognized for new ideas, and trusted to run with them. The best products, processes, and solutions often start with someone asking, "why do we do it this way?"
We like to say the “DMSi difference” is that we care more: about our work, our customers, and each other. Our most exciting work is still ahead of us!
Olsson Again Recognized as a Best Place to Work in Omaha
Olsson is an engineering and design firm made up of people who craft expert solutions that improve the world. The firm engineers possibilities every day through safer roads, more efficient buildings, clean water systems, and the infrastructure that helps communities stay connected.
Recently, Olsson was recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Omaha. The company has more than 2,300 employees nationwide, with approximately 400 based in Omaha. Olsson has contributed to many of the city’s recent infrastructure projects, including the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Project Next, the new Mutual of Omaha tower, and the expansion of The Joslyn. Later this year, the firm will open a new office in The Row at Heartwood Preserve.
“We’re honored to be recognized as a best place to work in Omaha,” said Michael Piernicky, local area leader of Olsson’s Omaha office. “This achievement wouldn’t be possible without our incredible employees. They continue to make a positive impact across Omaha through their work and their commitment to our community.”
Olsson’s people-centric culture creates an environment that encourages employees to grow and be creative with their talents. The firm provides opportunities for people to thrive through meaningful work, training and development, mentorship programs, and more.
Olsson previously earned the Best Places to Work program’s highest level of recognition, the Sustained Excellence Award, for its ongoing commitment to an engaged workforce after being named a Best Place to Work winner for several consecutive years. Winners were selected based on a survey that inquired about several aspects of the workplace: morale, environment, engagement, opportunities, management and co-workers.
Founded in 1956, Olsson is one of the 75 largest engineering firms in the nation, providing advisory, planning, engineering and design, field services, and environmental services to clients from coast to coast.
Best Places to Work ®
COMPANIES WITH 25 TO 200 EMPLOYEES:
Places to Work
COMPANIES WITH 25 TO 200 EMPLOYEES:
Building More Than Projects, Building Relationships
At 3G Companies, our Core Purpose is to Build Relationships. We just happen to do it through construction.
Founded in 1981, 3G Companies has grown into a trusted construction leader specializing in healthcare, commercial, industrial, and educational construction. The Eastern Nebraska Office, located in Omaha, opened in 2019. Since then, it has transformed spaces for organizations like PayPal, Methodist, CommonSpirit, Douglas County, and Plumbers Local Union 16.
What sets 3G Companies apart as a workplace is a culture anchored in three guiding uniques: The Graham Mentality, The Graham Way, and The Graham Guarantee. Simply put, it’s 3G Companies’ Ethos. Every decision is made with the best interests of both employees and clients at the forefront.
That commitment shows up in the numbers. The company boasts an employee Net Promoter Score of 89, reflecting a team that is proud, motivated, and excited to come to work. Career development is central to the culture, with a strong tradition of promoting from within. The company's president, Casey Hansen, began his career at 3G Companies as an intern and worked his way up.
Regional Vice President and General Manager Cole Kratochvil put it simply, "I come to work every day excited because of the people I work with. They are the best in the business."
The Omaha community has shaped who 3G Companies is, and
the team is proud to contribute to its growth through the projects they build and the careers they support. Being recognized as one of Omaha's Best Places to Work reflects the people who show up every day committed to excellence.
Lockton’s Commitment to Independence Sets it Apart
Lockton is the world's largest independent insurance brokerage. What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes it better: independence. Lockton's private ownership empowers its 13,100+ Associates doing business in 160+ countries to focus solely on clients' risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results.
“Life at Lockton includes top-notch benefits, professional development, flexibility for work-life balance and professional recognition...”
Lockton is the place for those with drive, passion and a hunger for intellectual challenge. The unique entrepreneurial culture empowers our Associates and Producers to best serve client needs and realize their full potential. The best and brightest are drawn to Lockton because they want to make a difference. In an ever-changing marketplace and world, Lockton Associates are empowered to learn and grow through unique experiences and
educational opportunities. The Lockton culture fosters a work-life environment that helps ignite personal and professional passions. Life at Lockton includes top-notch benefits, professional development, flexibility for work-life balance and professional recognition, but “LocktonLife” is so much more. Giving back is an essential part of our culture because the communities we live and work in are what bring us together.
Our people make us a Best Place to Work. For more information, visit lockton.com.
Best Places to Work
COMPANIES WITH 25 TO 200 EMPLOYEES:
Improving is a complete IT services company dedicated to positively changing the perception of the IT professional. We offer cutting-edge solutions through IT consulting, software development, and training to help our clients prosper and achieve their most challenging technology goals. Our commitment to excellence, involvement, and dedication is at the heart of everything we do. Our core values of trust, collaboration, and community not only guide us in building strong client relationships but also foster a supportive and inspiring work environment.
“We are fortunate to work alongside individuals who care deeply about the work they do and the communities around them....”
We are proud to be recognized as a top five Best Places to Work in Omaha winner for the third consecutive year. This honor is a reflection of the culture our people build together every day. Our team consistently describes their experience as one of genuine support and mutual respect. Colleagues show up for one an -
Best Places to Work ®
Supportworks has been named one of Omaha’s Best Places to Work for the sixth time in the past seven years, a recognition that reflects the company’s continued focus on providing fulfilling work that creates fulfilling lives.
Supportworks develops and distributes foundation- and con -
Changing the Way People Experience IT
other and take pride in the work they do together. When employees were asked to describe their work environment in a single word, the answer was clear: Excellence.
Improving also believes in giving back to the community where we live and work. Through local user groups, tech events, and charitable efforts, our team is connected to the Omaha community while also contributing to a broader impact on a national and global stage.
This recognition belongs to our employees who make Improving what it is. We are fortunate to work alongside individuals who care deeply about the work they do and the communities around them. That is what sets Improving apart, and it is something we do not take for granted.
It Starts at Supportworks and Reaches Everywhere
crete-repair products to home service contractors throughout North America, and provides training support, software, and marketing resources to those customers in its efforts to redefine the contracting industry.
The company’s purpose, mission, and values are clearly defined
and provide a framework for success for each employee. New hires are quickly acclimated with Supportworks’ purpose: To Redefine the Contracting Industry. It’s a rallying cry and a north star that guides decision-making at every level of the company.
“We continue to look through the lens of our purpose with every business decision – from products we develop, who we decide to hire, or new initiatives we launch,” Supportworks CEO Dave Thrasher said. “Not only does it strengthen our culture, but it’s also a strong business strategy. It’s transformed our company.”
Since its inception in 2008, the company’s leadership has emphasized creating a culture where employees are challenged, supported, and given opportunities to improve both professionally and personally. The combination of high expectations, coupled with love and belief, creates work that is meaningful and rewarding.
That intentional focus on growth and employee fulfillment creates a ripple effect that starts in the office and extends to the broader community, which is important to the family-owned company with roots in Omaha.
“We believe that if we can create an environment where employees feel a burning passion and fulfillment from their work, they can go home to create a happier family,” Supportworks President Amanda Harrington said. “And those happy families create happy neighborhoods and communities.”
COMPANIES WITH 25 TO 200 EMPLOYEES:
Stephen Center is honored to be recognized among the Best Places to Work in Omaha, and the truth is, this recognition says more about our people than anything else.
Our mission is serious work—even though the word employees most often use to describe our culture is fun. Every day, our team partners with individuals and families facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges. It is the kind of work that requires patience, compassion, and a strong sense of purpose. Because of that, culture is something we actively cultivate each day, and 84% of our employees are highly engaged in that mission.
One thing people notice quickly at Stephen Center is that our people are approachable. Titles matter far less than teamwork. There are no silos, and there is no hierarchy for hierarchy’s sake. When something needs to be done, people step in and help. Leaders are accessible, coworkers support one another, and everyone understands that the mission only works if we work together.
Central to Stephen Center’s culture is the intentional focus on putting the right people in the right roles. When someone is doing work that aligns with their strengths and interests, the results are better for everyone—including our team and the people we serve. Just as important, Stephen Center invests in the tools, training, and opportunities that give staff what they need to grow into the professionals they aspire to become. Staff know that if they want to grow
Growing People, Communities While Serving Others
in their careers and take on more responsibility, they will be listened to and supported until they achieve their goals.
None of this happens overnight. It takes trust and a shared belief that our individual work matters.
This recognition is truly a reflection of the people who show up every day ready to help others and support one another along the way.
Our mission is the reason we join, and our culture is the reason we stay—oh, and the free food doesn’t hurt either.
And so do the people doing it. Where the work matter s.
Supporting those facing homelessness and substance abuse takes people who care deeply – and a culture that supports
Best Places to Work ®
Since our founding in 2004, excellence has defined Signature Performance. It’s not merely a slogan or line item in our strategic plan; it’s who we are. It’s how we show up for one another, for our clients, for our ever-growing community, and for the healthcare industry.
We are deeply honored to be recognized by Best Places to Work in Omaha with the Sustained Excellence Award, highlighting our uncommon approach to the Associate experience. When we first were recognized by Best Places to Work in 2009, we were a firm of just under 200 Associates. Today, we are privileged to offer an award-winning culture to our 1,500 Associates nationwide.
“While anyone can be excellent for a moment, true excellence is resilient.”
Each year, we intentionally pause to listen to our Associates to identify what keeps them motivated and how we can continue to create a culture where everyone feels seen, inspired, and celebrated. In this year’s Best Places to Work survey initiative, the top three recurring words our Associates used in their reflections were: Engaging, Collaborative, and Supportive. At Signature Performance,
Sustaining Excellence Through the Dedication of Our Team
we recognize everyday excellence, offer opportunities for growth, and honor the contributions of our Associates.
These Associate-led words are a true affirmation that we are crafting an Associate experience unlike anything the industry has ever seen. As we look to the future, we remain committed to building the ultimate employment experience for all.
While anyone can be excellent for a moment, true excellence is
resilient. When circumstances are hard, we ground ourselves in our values. We stay steady during growth and change, united under our shared mission.
We are incredibly grateful for our Associates who work to achieve our mission of improving the health of our clients’ business and making the lives of the people we work with better. It is they who make this recognition not only possible but truly meaningful.
Best Places to Work ®
The Work Lab: Helping People Build the Life They Want, Supported by Their Work
ounded in Omaha, The Work Lab is a 501(c)(3) employer collaborative that gives employers something rare: a real person.
Partner organizations receive WorkLife Coaches embedded directly in their workplaces—meeting employees where they are, not on a hotline or through a chatbot—to help them set goals, make plans, and navigate the personal and financial challenges that quietly drain focus and performance.
The thesis is simple: employees aren't disengaged because they don't care about their jobs. They're disengaged because no one has connected their work to the life they're trying to build.
The Work Lab changes that equation. Employers who partner with us aren't buying a service; they're building relational infrastructure. The kind that makes people want to stay, grow, and show up fully.
WorkLife Coaches help employees do three things: imagine what they want their life to look like, build a plan to get there, and connect with the right people and resources to move forward—and stay there. The work is often financial. It's always personal. And because coaches work across multiple employers, they surface patterns no single HR team ever sees—giving employers a clearer picture of
what their people need and a community of peer organizations already working on the same problems.
We practice what we preach. Our team operates inside the same relational culture we build for our employer partners. We're small, mission-driven, and honest about the hard work of helping people. We trust our people. We invest in them. We give them work that matters and colleagues who mean it.
Omaha is exactly the right place for this model. This is a city where relationships are currency and trust is earned in person. If you believe people deserve better support at work and that employers are the ones positioned to provide it, we'd like to talk.
GREAT WORKPLACES ARE BUILT ONE RELATIONSHIP AT A
TIME.
GOALS.
MONEY. LIFE.
The Work Lab embeds Worklife Coaches directly in partner workplaces - real people, in person, helping employees navigate what matters most so they can be fully present at work. HELPING PEOPLE BUILD THE LIFE THEY WANT, SUPPORTED BY THEIR
