FACES of Omaha 2022

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The Staff

MAGAZINE PUBLISHING omaha publications

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elcome to the 2022 edition of FACES of Omaha, highlighting industries across the Omaha Metro.

FACES of Omaha is an annual publication that shows readers across the metro images of occupational experts in a variety of professions. This lets community members see the faces of the people on those teams.

Each page tells the story of what makes the featured business great. Some highlight teamwork; others focus on continual innovation. Some are the first of their type in this area; others started years ago. There are many reasons. Together, the individual pages

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let readers picture who these experts are and how they help their clientele.

It takes a truly collaborative team to produce such a high-caliber book, that’s why this introduction page shows a photo of the Omaha Publications team—the salespeople who assessed the categories and assisted clients, the photographer who shot the images shown on each page, the editors who reviewed the text, and the designer who made each piece look spectacular.

The end result of everyone’s hard work is this enjoyable, readable publication spotlighting some of the top business leaders in Omaha.

OMAHA PU B LICATION S

5921 S. 118th Circle, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68137 402.884.2000 omahamagazine.com

Mayor Jean Stothert

FACE OF OMAHA city of omaha

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his year—2022—is the year of recovery, reinvestment, and rebuilding. With the strong support of our taxpayers and our business and philanthropic partners, the Face of Omaha will look much different in the next years.

We are distributing millions of dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide financial assistance to families and nonprofit organizations to provide supportive services to our citizens.

The Riverfront will open three amazing public spaces on the Missouri River, including the Kiewit Luminarium. Mutual of Omaha will begin construction of its corporate headquarters downtown, and a streetcar will begin to take shape.

Across our city, new development and transit brings opportunities for employment, housing, education, and entertainment, creating an environment where businesses can grow and families can thrive.

Nearly everything we accomplish benefits from the leadership, vision, and financial support of our business, philanthropic and nonprofit communities. Building great partnerships is the way we get things done in Omaha. We are grateful for these remarkable investments.

I am proud to be the mayor of a community that values each other, strives for inclusivity, and embraces positive change. We have great momentum.

C ITY OF OMAHA

1819 Farnam St., Suite 300 Omaha, NE 68183 402.444.5555 mayors-office.cityofomaha.org FAC E S O F O M A H A 2 02 2

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Who are the

FACES OF OMAHA?

Table of

CONTENTS 01

City of Omaha

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ACX Cinemas

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05

Addy’s Sports Bar & Grill

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Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center

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Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Associates, P.C.

08

Allure Health & Med Spa

What makes FACES of OmahaTM (now in its seventh edition) exclusive is that only one person and company per business categor y is invited to par ticipate.

Everyone featured in the book is truly a premier leader in their field. My sales team spent considerable time cultivating this list to ensure that we showcase only those companies and industries that show quality and professionalism in their business, which is what we feature in this book.

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Arbor Aesthetics

10

Batten Trailer Leasing

11

Berry Law, LLC

12

Black Squirrel Tattoo

13

Blackford Law

14

Braddock Finnegan Helget Dermatology

15

Bridges Trust

16

Buoyant Family Services Counseling

The search is on for FACES of Omaha 2023.

I encourage the public, and the business community, to tell us who they think is a “face” in the metro area. Call 402.884.2000 to reach one of our team members.

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Carly Urbach Photography

18

Burton A/C, Heating, Plumbing, & More

20

Catering Creations

21

Ciaccio Roofing Corp.

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Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

his book was created in 2016 to introduce the “faces” of local industry leaders experts, and it’s one of my favorites of the many publications that we produce each year.

Todd Lemke, Publisher Omaha Publications

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24-26

CKF

27

C.O.R.E Physical Therapy & Sports Performance

28

Curt Hofer & Associates

29

Cushman & Wakefield/The Lund Company

30

Cut Spike Distillery

53

Jensen Retaining Walls

75

Riekes Equipment

31

The Dentists

54

JJT Transportation & Logistics, LLC

76

RTG Medical

32

Dingman’s Mechanical Repair

55

Johnny T’s Bar & Blues

77

Safari Cigars and Lounge

33

Dingman’s Collision Center

56

Koenig | Dunne

78

34

Edward’s Stone

57

Kugler Vision

Satellite by BUNGALOW/8 Hairdressing

35

ENT Specialists, P.C.

58

Lockton Companies

79

SecretPenguin

36

Frost Media Group

59

80

Security National Bank

37

Garage Living of Omaha

Ralph Marasco Real Estate Group at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate

81

Sol’s Jewelry

38

General Fire and Safety

82

Status: Pre-Loved Luxury Handbags

39

GMP Pros

40

The Grand Feline Hotel and Salon

41

Groundscapes Inc.

42

Guerrero Media Group

43

Harrison Financial Services

44

Hayes & Associates, LLC

45

Highway Signing Inc.

46

The Hills Montessori

47

Home Team Auto Sales

48

iFixOmaha

49

Igel Orthodontics

50

I Got U Design

51

InfiNet Solutions

52

Jani-King

60

Marsh Creek Contrete Inc.

61

Max I. Walker Uniform

83

Ted & Wally’s

62

McCoy Roofing

84

TLN Law

63

MD West ONE

85

T. Hurt Construction

64

MediaSpark

86

Todd Smith Fitness

65

Mike Jansen Custom Decks

87

The Volleyball Academy

66

Noddle Companies

88

Westfield Plastic Surgery Center

67

North End Teleservices, LLC

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The Olson Group

69

Omaha Primary Eye Care

Te l l u s w h o y o u t h i n k s h o u l d

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Omaha Wine Co.

402.884.2000 or email:

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Patera Landscaping

72

PIP Marketing, Signs & Print

73

Port-A-Johns

74

Re-Bath of the Heartland

S E LE C T I O N S FO R FAC E S 2023 BEG I NS NOW! b e a FA C E o f O m a h a b y c a l l i n g todd@omahapublications.com.

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Bill and Colleen Barstow

MOVIE THEATERS acx cinemas

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hen Bill and Colleen Barstow opened Aksarben Cinema in 2010, the family-owned movie theater was the first in Omaha to offer live entertainment, special events, and a bar. “We changed the view of what a theater could be,” Bill recalled, “and in 2021 we opened ACX Cinema 12+ and became pioneers again.” The new theater boasts an outdoor auditorium, a high-end restaurant, DOLBY Atmos sound systems, and, at 5-by-7 stories, the largest commercial screen in Nebraska.

ACX Cinemas began in 1988 with a theater in Plattsmouth and now includes six cinemas throughout Nebraska and Western Iowa.

Colleen chairs NATO’s Independent Theater Owners Committee.

The Barstows’ children grew up in the family business. Today, Andrea is in charge of marketing and special events while Michael handles analytics and new development.

“Our business is very centralized and local,” Bill noted. “If you want to do an event at one of our theaters, you’re going to talk to someone who has ownership in the company.”

AKSARB E N C I N E MA

2110 S. 67th St. Omaha, NE 68106 402.502.1914 ACX C I N E MA 12+

6200 South 205th Plaza Elkhorn, NE 68022 402.979.8153 acxcinemas.com

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Tim and Megan Addison

SPORTS BAR

addy’s sports bar & grill

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ddy’s isn’t a sports bar, it’s part of the family.

Addy’s is proud to be Omaha’s premier family owned sports bar. Though Addy’s has earned a wide array of accolades and awards, its most treasured title is that it has always been “family owned.”

When you sit down at Addy’s, you are sitting in a chair that was picked out by Tim and Megan Addison. They picked that exact chair so that you would be comfortable. They strategically placed the TVs how they would want to watch the game if they were dining on a Saturday night. They carefully put together a menu with something you’re

sure to love. You might even catch Tim behind the bar or in the kitchen, making sure everything meets the family’s standards for your experience. “When it’s family owned, it’s personal. We want every guest to have an exceptional experience and we are so committed to that goal we put our family name on it.” Tim said.

Addy’s isn’t a business, it’s part of the community.

Addy’s proudly supports local schools, sports teams and other local businesses.

“Doing good for the community is good for everyone. Omaha is such a wonderful city, we have three daughters and feel

fortunate they get to grow up in such a great place. Anything we can do to contribute to help keep it that way is an enormous priority.”

Addy’s has 4 area locations, visit any and you’ll be treated like family.

ADDY’S S PORTS BAR AN D GRI LL

14110 S. St. 1515 S. 204th St. 14615 W. Maple Rd. 101 N. 10th St. addysomaha.com

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Dr. Melissa Sheets

SLEEP HEALTH

advanced dental sleep treatment center

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s the new owner of Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center, Dr. Melissa Sheets brings years of experience as a military dentist and specialized training in dental sleep medicine to the thriving practice.

“Our ownership changed but our core mission has stayed exactly the same: we want to help people with their sleep issues, making their today as fulfilling as it can be after they’re able to sleep through the night,” she said, “and their tomorrow as healthy as it can be because we’re normalizing those risks for dementia, heart attack, cancer, and other serious health issues.”

After guiding and confirming a diagnosis, the team at Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment educates patients on the treatment options from surgery and implantable devices to CPAP and oral appliance therapy, and finds the one that works best for them.

“We work hard to make sure everybody feels at ease and feels like family when they’re here,” Sheets said.

Sheets noted that sleep apnea can affect anyone.

“We have 18-year-olds and very thin women who have apnea.

There’s an anatomical and genetic component to it,” Sheets said. “It’s so under-diagnosed.”

ADVANCED DENTAL SLEEP TREATMENT CENTER

11919 Grant St. Suite 140 Omaha, NE 68164 402.493.4175 whywesnore.com

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Dr. Jim Friedlander

ALLERGY & ASTHMA

allergy, asthma & immunology associates, P.C.

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eople may commonly associate “allergy and immunology” with hay fever, and Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Associates welcomes patients struggling with seasonal allergies. But they also provide comprehensive care for a wide variety of afflictions, including asthma, skin disorders like eczema, chronic inflammatory conditions, and innate or acquired immunodeficiency; some cases potentially life-threatening.

“We see a very broad range of patients who have allergic disorders and asthma, and we also serve a population who have immune deficiency. I’m proud of how our group has gone above and beyond to care for these individuals during a pandemic over the past two years,” said allergist Dr. Jim Friedlander. “For these patients, it’s not as simple as mask mandates coming and going.”

ALLE RGY, ASTH MA, & IMMUNOLOGY ASSOCIATES P.C.

2808 S. 80th Ave. Suite 210 Omaha, NE 68124 402.391.1800 allergynebraska.com

Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Associates is the largest allergy group in Nebraska with two main offices—in both Omaha and Lincoln—and physicians who serve patients across the state and into Western Iowa.

“We have plans to add another physician and we’ve added a nurse practitioner,” Friedlander said.

“We’re growing.”

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7

Hilary Muhle & Leanne Bata

FEMALE HORMONE REPLACEMENT allure health & med spa

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ratitude for their patients is a sentiment shared by Director of Operations Leanne Bata and Medical Director Hilary Muhle of Allure Health & Med Spa whether serving fresh faces or spa regulars.

“We deeply appreciate every person who chooses Allure because there are so many options out there,” Muhle said.

“They keep coming back to us because of that trusting relationship we’ve built.

That means the world to us.”

Clients recently voted Allure Best of Omaha in four categories: Female Hormone Replacement Clinic, Med Spa, Laser Hair Removal, and Aesthetician (Kelly Guderjan). Bata attributes their satisfaction to “the Allure difference.”

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“It’s a central feature of our business model,” Muhle said. “The Allure difference focuses on sincere empathy and heartfelt integrity and I believe that’s a tangible difference in what our customers experience with our entire allure team.”

“Each patient who walks through our door is an opportunity to make a positive impact in a lot of different ways, and we plan on continuing to provide the Allure difference.”

ALLU RE H EALTH & M E D S PA

13939 Gold Cir. Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68144 402.881.3638 allurehealthmed.com

Jeff and Amy Grewe

TREE SERVICES

arbor aesthetics

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he health and safety of trees is paramount to the certified arborists at Arbor Aesthetics, a compassion that extends to their team members and customers as well. It’s rooted in a “people first” philosophy established by the company’s founders, Jeff and Amy Grewe.

“Our purpose is ‘meaningful growth for people and trees.’ We are huge advocates of personal growth, leadership development and self-awareness,” Jeff said.

“There’s more business than the green industry can handle right now; the shortage is in people.

We are becoming a destination company - where people thrive personally and professionally in our culture - which has allowed us to remain fully staffed.”

Supporting their team in a meaningful way appears to be paying off. The company has grown more than 100% in the last two years with continued growth expected. The Grewes anticipate moving to a larger facility within the year. The growing Arbor Aesthetics team reflects the company’s well-earned reputation for excellent service.

“Consistency is a big part of it.

They know they are going to be met with friendly professional and trusted arborists every time,” Amy said.

ARBOR AE STH ETIC S

6724 Irvington Road Omaha, NE 68122 402.408.5600 arboraesthetics.com

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Barry Kubat

SEMITRAILER LEASING batten trailer leasing

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ollowing a 2020 acquisition, Batten Trailer Leasing President Barry Kubat stepped into a role formerly held by the now-retired Blaine Batten, who founded the company in 1984.

“We’ve taken an already strong, existing foundation business that Blaine built and we’re spring-boarding off it. We’re able to take and drive momentum in the supply chain area, where we offer other services that are valuable to our clients, as well as expand the trailer leasing,” Kubat said.

“A sister company, Kubat Transport, works with Batten to offer ancillary services in addition to providing trailers… We also offer small trailers, dump trailers, car haulers, even (live) stock trailers for people to move

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animals; we’re moving into that and it’s evolving.”

Kubat said he’s proud of Batten Trailer Leasing’s positive work environment, nodding to the company’s Midwestern roots.

“The strategic location of Omaha both in supply chain and the culture are big, strong factors in why we will continue to base in Omaha and continue to develop and evolve from Omaha,” he said. “Omaha’s been good to us.”

BATTE N TRAI LE R LEAS I NG

4511 S. 67th St. Omaha, NE 68117 402.339.1429 battentl.com

John S. Berry

CRIMINAL LAW Berry Law

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erry Law has a long history of defending the constitutional rights of Nebraskans in the courtroom and on the battlefield. The firm was founded over 50 years ago by legendary trial attorney and Vietnam veteran John Stevens Berry, Sr. Berry Law focuses on state and federal criminal defense, personal injury, and veterans law.

Like his father, attorney John S. Berry is a veteran of the U.S. Army. Berry served in Iraq and Bosnia and is a graduate of the Army Ranger and Airborne schools. John continues to defend the constitution of the United States one client at a time. Berry is a fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers and a past-president of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.

Berry is recognized as a top criminal defense lawyer by several peer reviewed organizations. He maintains an AV Rating through Martindale-Hubbell, a Super Lawyers rating through Thomsen Reuters, and a Best Lawyer rating through U.S. News & World Reports.

With thousands of satisfied clients, Berry Law has the knowledge, experience, and courage to take on the most daunting legal battles.

B E RRY LAW

1414 Harney St. Suite 400 Omaha, NE 68102 402.466.8444 berrylawfirm.com

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Mel Judkins

TATTOOS

black squirrel tattoo

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attoos have become increasingly popular in recent years, according to Mel Judkins, owner of Black Squirrel Tattoo. “There’s an urgency for self-expression,” she said.

Mel received her first tattoo at age 18 and became an artist in 2000. She opened Black Squirrel Tattoo with Matt Dinovo in 2010, and six years later they divided the studio into separate businesses, one located in Omaha and the other in Council Bluffs.

Mel’s studio at 49th and Center street features a roster of eight skilled artists. Photos of their work are displayed on the studio’s website.

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“When people see something that speaks to them, they seek out that artist,” Mel noted. “The artists are as individual as their clients.”

Black Squirrel Tattoo provides comfortable surroundings for artists and their clients, including open, semi-private, and private rooms. A tattoo takes anywhere from 1 hour to a few years to complete, depending on its size and complexity. “You’re

not just coming in to get art; you’re building a relationship,” Mel said.

“Trust and rapport are important.

We’re very lucky to have loyal clients and loyal artists.”

B LAC K SQU I RRE L TATTOO

4961 Center Street Omaha, NE 68106 402.885.8282 blacksquirreltattoo.com

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lackford Law’s tagline “Keeping Families Together” is a driving principle for immigration attorney Brian J. Blackford, but one aspect among many that sets his practice apart.

“I think the main qualities I’ve learned through my experiences and tried to instill in my staff are honesty and communication,” Blackford said. “Those are two huge components in all businesses, but especially in ours.

We are dealing with people who are from different cultures but are new to America, and they want to be able to go to somebody they can trust—especially since a lot of times their own governments are corrupt or who persecuted them.”

Blackford has practiced for 14 years and his team is growing to serve the diverse legal needs of his clientele.

“Geopolitically there are going to be some shifts in who we assist moving forward. We’re already seeing different populations of those seeking asylum and refugee status such as those from Afghanistan and Ukraine,” he said. “We are looking forward to assisting those populations of immigrants who are trying to achieve the American dream like everyone else.”

B LAC KFORD LAW LLC

11711 Arbor St., Suite 220 Omaha, NE 68144 402.933.4090 blackfordlawllc.com

Brian J. Blackford

IMMIGRATION LAW blackford law llc FAC E S O F O M A H A 2 02 2

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Dr. Mary T. Finnegan & Dr. Blake M. Helget

DERMATOLOGY

Braddock Finnegan Helget Dermatology

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eople may associate dermatology with teenage acne, but dermatologists provide treatment for conditions affecting skin and hair regardless of age.

“We are continuing to offer our very high standards of care in medical dermatology, skin cancer surveillance and cosmetic treatment,” Dr. Mary Finnegan said. “We’re constantly immersing ourselves in what’s new in dermatology.

There are new therapies for hair loss, psoriasis, and vitiligo. At the same time there’s been an increased incidence of melanoma, so we continue to offer our diligent, thorough skin exams. We also offer phototherapy for inflammatory

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skin conditions, and advanced patch testing (to identify allergies).”

The dedicated team’s thoroughness and attention to detail give patients confidence, and the office is designed to ensure their privacy “After patients have a procedure, they aren’t walking back through the lobby,” Finnegan added.

The Braddock Finnegan Helget team consists of dermatologists Dr. Finnegan and Dr. Helget; physician assistants

Greg Morrison, Joyce Sumner and Molly Svec; registered nurse Katie Schmidt; and certified estheticiansmedical assistants Kristie Haffke and Alison Heinert.

B RADDOC K FI N N EGAN H E LGET DE RMATOLOGY

7911 West Center Road Omaha, NE 68124 402.390.0333 braddockfinnegan.com

Edson L. (Ted) Bridges III

TRUSTS

bridges trust

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hough Bridges Trust Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer Edson L. (Ted) Bridges III represents the third generation of leadership for a longstanding firm, his eye is set squarely on the future.

“We’re vibrant, we’re growing and we’re basically trying to leverage that growth by reinvesting back into the business for future growth. Our tagline ‘Trust for generations,’ has two meanings: we’ve worked with a number of families multi-generationally, but we’re also investing to be there for future generations,” Bridges said.

“That takes a significant investment in people and technology and a building-out of greater breadth and

depth of service capabilities, whether that’s investment management, trust and estates, family office service, or philanthropy service.”

The firm employs more than 60 and manages roughly $9 billion in client assets spanning 700 client relationships. Bridges attributes the firm’s success to investment management excellence and authenticity in communication.

“I do think that our growth over time is pretty tangible evidence that what we are doing, how we are doing it, and how we communicate with our clients is resonating,” he said.

B RI DGE S TRU ST

13333 California Street, Suite 500 Omaha, NE 68154 402.393.8300 bridgestrust.com

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Dr. Betty Kola

MENTAL HEALTH

buoyant family services counseling

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uoyant Family Services was started to serve refugees and immigrants struggling with American culture, beliefs, and expectations.

Kenya native Dr. Betty Kola said, “Some of us who come from another country have a hard time finding a provider who is culturally sensitive and aware. So, I opened my company to serve people from other countries.”

About 90% of Dr. Kola’s counseling is with refugees and immigrants. She and her staff help bridge the gap, offering services including work world adjustments, understanding American rules and expectations, substance abuse therapy, childcare issues, and mental health assistance.

“Americans are more open to seeking mental health therapy than many people from other countries,” Dr. Kola said. “Other places are not as open, so it takes twice the amount of work.”

About 15 people, full and parttime, provide services for Buoyant.

The facility is close to the UNMC campus and is accessible to public transportation. Offices are open Monday through Friday until 5 p.m.

Substance abuse therapy is available until 8:30 p.m. with appointments. Saturdays can be arranged.

BUOYANT FAMILY SERVICES COUNSELING

1941 S. 42nd St., SUITE 106 Omaha NE 68105 402.933.7577 bfscounseling.com

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Carly Urbach

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY carly urbach photography

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hotographer Carly Urbach specializes in portraits of children and families, and she’s known for her creative yet measured approach. Early this year, she moved her business into a “gorgeous” new studio space in Dundee, and she’s excited about the opportunities it brings.

“It’s the ‘hilltop house’ at 49th and Dodge. It has lots of natural light; an inviting, homey feeling; and we have eight studios we can choose from to shoot in in that space,” she said. “We’re planning on refreshing some of the rooms every season so we always have new options for backdrops and such.”

Urbach customizes each photo session to create beautiful portraits that showcase her subjects uniquely.

“I try to make sure that, for whoever’s coming in, we’re specialize the session—whether it’s a newborn, a (high school) senior session or a child session,” she said. “My focus is capturing their personality and things that they like, and I’m all about doing different, fun photo shoots with new and creative ideas. I like to switch it up so we’re not always doing the same things.”

CARLY U RBAC H PHOTOGRAPHY

4901 Dodge St. Omaha, NE 68132 402.677.2291 carlyurbachphotography.com

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Mark Evans

PLUMBING, HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

burton a/c, heating, plumbing & more

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urton A/C, Heating, Plumbing & More was voted Best of Omaha for the 17th year in a row in 2021, a reflection of Burton’s exceptional customer service and high-quality workmanship.

“We strive to put our customers first in everything we do. It’s in our company culture, our language, and our actions,” said company President Mark Evans.

“Since Burton first opened in 1989, we’ve hired nothing but the best technicians and support staff in the industry, and each of them are service-oriented right from the start.

Our team of over 120 techs and staff is dedicated to leave everything better than we found it—including our

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approach to teamwork and long-term careers; we offer frequent personal and professional development opportunities to help every single Burton employee stay sharp with customer service best practices, repair and maintenance skills, and new technology.”

Burton serves over 23,000 customers a year with technicians available around the clock.

“We value our customers’ time and we understand that if they’re calling for a repair, they’re probably not having the best day. So our team goes above and beyond to provide every customer with up-front pricing and multiple solutions. Then they get right to work, quickly and neatly,” Evans said. “We educate our customers on maintenance tips and make sure they understand how their system works.

Every customer is our top priority, whether they’re looking for a repair, preventative maintenance, or a whole new system.

Burton strives to serve the community on another level. Last summer the company donated pet food to the Nebraska Humane Society for every customer who took advantage of a discounted A/C system check, resulting in a total donation of more than 3,500 pounds of chow. Another promotion in conjunction with discounted furnace safety inspection netted 2,000-plus pounds of canned food for Food Bank for the Heartland.

“We’re grateful for the more than 1,000 five-star reviews we’ve received on Google—more than any competitor in the market,” Evans said. “I think people really appreciate knowing their home is in good hands every single time they call Burton. Put Burton to the test next time you need a home comfort system tune-up or replacement.”

B U RTON A/C, H EATI NG, PLU M B I NG & MORE

5010 F St. Omaha, NE 68117 402.343.0011 justcallburton.com

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Jeff and Jennifer Snow

CATERING

catering creations

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atering Creations owners Jeff and Jennifer Snow made innovative adaptations in response to a slowdown in the hospitality industry during the pandemic. However, the on- and off-premise catering company—an approved caterer for most of Omaha’s premier event venues—is returning to full-service event planning at last.

“We’re happy to welcome back events.

We’re celebrating life’s events like weddings, birthdays anniversaries.

Our social catering is coming back,” Jennifer Snow said. “We are also slowly seeing some of the corporate events come back.”

Catering Creations has always practiced the highest standards for food safety, and the company is

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retaining some services introduced d urin g th e p a n d e m ic , s u c h a s requests for individually boxed meals.

But the company’s niche is managing the details of event planning from start to finish: timelines, floor plans, tables, chairs, and linens in addition to memorable, outstanding food.

This means everyone—whether bride, guest of honor, or host—can enjoy the day.

“One thing we’ve always promoted is ‘be a guest at your own event,’” Snow said. “We really do focus on being a full-service caterer.”

CATE RI NG C REATION S

1915 Jackson St. Omaha, NE 68102 402.558.3202 cateringcreations.com

Pete and Brett Ciaccio

COMMERCIAL ROOFING

ciaccio roofing corp.

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ounded by Pete Ciaccio in 1987, Ciaccio Roofing installs and services many types of roofing systems. As it celebrates 35 years, the team enjoys a reputation for high-quality workmanship and expertise in insurance claims, many longtime customers, and stellar reviews.

“We’re a full-service company,” said General Operations Manager Brett Ciaccio. “Ciaccio Roofing has actual employees rather than subcontractors, and we have employees who have been with us 10-plus years.”

The relationship with the customer doesn’t come and go with a single re-roof project. Regardless of circumstance, the Ciaccio team will provide

a detailed inspection and report with maintenance recommendations that can extend the life of the roof.

“Roofing materials are constantly exposed to the elements,” Ciaccio said. “Degradation of these materials is not isolated to wind and hail damage. Sunlight, water, atmospheric pollution and extreme temperature variations all cause these materials to degrade over time.”

Ciaccio Roofing continues to work regularly with realtors, property managers, and past customers. “If you’ve done business with us before, you’re welcome to leave a Google review,” Ciaccio added.

C IACC IO ROOFI NG CORP.

4420 Izard St. Omaha, NE 68131 402.293.8707 ciaccioroofing.com

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From left to right: Patrick Thomas, M.D., Abdalla Zarroug, M.D., Angela Hanna, M.D.

PEDIATRIC SURGERY

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

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hen Abdalla Zarroug, M.D., joined Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in 2021 as division chief of Pediatric Surgery, he immediately noticed it was different from other hospitals where he had served.

The people, the equipment, the approach—everything was focused on children and their families, confirming he was in the right place.

Dr. Zarroug has more than 20 years of experience in providing high-quality pediatric surgical care. For 14 years, he was a pediatric surgeon and associate professor of Surgery and Pediatrics in the Pediatric Surgery division at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he remains an adjunct faculty member.

Dr. Zarroug works alongside Angela Hanna, M.D., and Patrick Thomas, M.D.,

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on the Pediatric Surgery team. Dr. Hanna is triple-certified in general surgery, surgical critical care and pediatric surgery by the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Thomas is a board-certified general and pediatric surgeon and early adopter of new and innovative technologies delivering optimal care for children and their families. Dr. Thomas completed a Master of Management degree in Clinical Informatics from Duke

University School of Medicine and served as the chair of a national steering board charged with creating gold-standard surgical protocols and workflows to optimize the care of children on a global scale. Dr. Thomas is the director of Digital Innovation in Pediatric Surgery.

This surgical dream team works in one of the most exceptional facilities in the United States—Children’s Hubbard Center for Children, which opened in fall 2021. This cuttingedge addition joins expansions to Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Cardiac Care Unit.

“Our operating rooms are equipped with everything we need to do any type of surgery,” Dr. Zarroug said.

“In addition to minimally invasive technology, the rooms also feature a new intraoperative MRI machine that allows us to do very complex neurological procedures.”

Children’s surgeons are focused on each child’s journey, tailoring individual interventions to fit their specific needs. Most operations can be performed using minimally invasive techniques that of fer children faster recovery and healing times, less pain, lower rates of infection and fewer complications.

Children’s surgeons are aided by the DaVinci Xi surgical robot, the first of its kind in Omaha to be used in a pediatric setting. The DaVinci Xi can be used for myriad surgeries, including those in the chest, abdomen and pelvic areas.

The team is exploring new ways to use this amazing technology to offer optimal surgical outcomes to children throughout the region.

significant difference in their lives by improving their surgery experience.”

C H I LDRE N’S HOS PITAL & M E DICAL C E NTE R

8200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 68114 402.955.7400 childrensomaha.org

“At Children’s, we do our absolute best to be able to meet the specific and unique needs of our pediatric patients and their families,” Dr. Zarroug said. “By using minimally invasive techniques, we can make a

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23

CKF Team

CUSTOM CABINETRY

ckf

C

KF offers a wide range of cabinetry brands and styles to fit many preferences and price points, stretching beyond kitchens to living and family room built-ins, laundry room cabinets, home office cabinetry, and even bedroom nightstands and window benches. CKF offers cabinetry solutions for commercial clients too, from apartments and senior living facilities to reception desks and employee break rooms.

The company’s premier showroom features the latest in cabinetry design, custom finishes, and time-honored traditional styles. Customers can visit the showroom in person or visit CKF’s virtual gallery for ideas on materials, finishes, hardware, and design. CKF’s talented design and install team members will guide the creation of a customized cabinetry solution from the outer surfaces and

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fixtures to interior accessories like dividers and rollouts.

CKF has been doing business for nearly 100 years, employs more than 200 people locally, and continues its longstanding commitment to supporting local charities. Today CKF is the leading provider of building products in Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas.

C KF

10325 J St. Omaha, NE 68127 402.331.0500 CKFCO.COM

CKF Team

CLOSET SOLUTIONS

ckf

T

he CKF showroom is ever-changing in response to new and clever ideas for organizing closets and other storage spaces like garages, home offices, toy rooms, linen closets, or storerooms—and the design and sales team are ready to create custom solutions ideal for the client’s individual needs and budget. A storage project can be as extensive as one customer’s two-story dream closet (replete with spiral staircase), or as simple as a fully adjustable system that can accommodate a changing wardrobe over time.

CKF is always up-to-date on the latest closet trends like shoe shelves, custom jewelry trays, and luggage storage options along with popular design choices like glass doors.

Customers are welcome to visit CKF’s showroom to see a wide variety of closet and organizational home solutions in person, or to visit CKF’s

C KF

10325 J St. Omaha, NE 68127 402.331.0500 CKFCO.COM

website to search ideas and peruse a wide range of options. The home organization team works closely with the customer on their transformation or renovation project, creating a closet or storage area that turns their vision of a perfectly organized space into a functional reality.

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CKF Team

COUNTERTOPS

ckf

C

KF has long offered enduring classics in stone, laminate and solidsurface countertop products, and the team is also always on trend with new product lines and the industry’s latest offerings. Their new partnership with Cosentino and the introduction of the Private Studio Collection has brought a new line of quartz and Dekton to the CKF showroom – enhancing its dozens of full kitchen displays and numerous samples.

Customers can explore ideas for new countertops using CKF’s online tools, and a team of knowledgeable and helpful design sales representatives is available when the customer seeks to take the next step. The design sales team can guide the customer through every detail and advise on the best fit for every taste, budget, kitchen, or workroom with installation services available.

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CKF has built a reputation of excellence over nearly a century in business serving homebuilders, remodelers, commercial contractors, and retail customers alike.

They have also made several initiatives to become more environmentally friendly, from introducing a reclamation system in the fabrication facility to utilizing Cosentino products produced with 100% renewable energy.

C KF

10325 J St. Omaha, NE 68127 402.331.0500 CKFCO.COM

Drs. Claire and Mark Rathjen

PHYSICAL THERAPY

c.o.r.e. physical therapy & sports performance

C

.O.R.E. Physical Therapy & Sports Performance continues to grow, according to Dr. Claire Rathjen, who owns the practice with her husband, Dr. Mark Rathjen. A recent expansion marks the facility as the largest privately owned clinic of its kind in Omaha.

“We are pretty darn proud of that,” Rathjen said. “We took over the suite to the west of us, so now we’re suites 9, 10 and 11 and sit just shy of 6,000 square feet… We have three therapists now and look to be adding an additional therapist as soon as this summer.”

“We’re able to accommodate pretty much any age group at any athletic or activity level,” Rathjen said. “For the athletes we have coming in and out of here, there’s pretty much not a piece of equipment they want that we don’t have.”

The expansion means space for more equipment to serve a variety clients.

One thing that doesn’t change is C.O.R.E.’s positive, upbeat atmosphere.

“While we strive to always be professional, we also always try to make it a fun experience as well,” Rathjen said.

C.O.R.E. PHYS ICAL TH E RAPY & S PORTS PE RFORMANC E

17660 Wright St. Suites 9, 10, 11 Omaha, NE 68130 402.933.4027 coreomaha.com

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Steve Huber

CUSTOM HOME BUILDING

curt hofer & associates

H

igh-end custom home builder Curt Hofer & Associates works with clients to create the ideal home for their needs, whether they’re young families envisioning playrooms and outdoor recreation or retirees who want aging-in-place features like wheelchair accessibility or caregiver apartments. The company’s experienced team can handle the details from permits to procurement.

Though recent years have brought fresh challenges to the homebuilding industry, The Hofer Team is unfazed and remains stalwart in their goal of providing clientele the best in design, construction, financing, and more. They’re always mindful of shifting timelines, with detailed outlines and frequent, forthright communication keeping clients in the loop and surprises at a minimum throughout the homebuilding process.

“We have to do a lot more longterm planning. We have to back our way into a project knowing timing,” said company President Steve Huber. “We’re in it every day and know the logistics of how to get from here to there and where the speed bumps are.”

C U RT HOFE R & AS SOC IATE S

16820 Frances St. Suite 102 Omaha, NE 68130 402.758.0440 curthofer.com

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Tanya Shapiro

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & BROKERAGE

cushman & wakefield/the lund company

“F

or more than 40 years, Lund has been counted among the elite commercial real estate brokerage firms in the region,” Tanya Shapiro said.

“However, Lund does more than manage buildings; we build relationships.

Earning customers’ trust is a privilege, and maintaining it is the top priority.”

Shapiro herself exemplifies living up to this level of trust. She was recently named president, with former president Jason Fisher stepping into the role of CEO. “Tanya cares about culture and cares deeply about our people,” Fisher said.

“Our continued growth speaks to our reputation for reliable, first-class management services,” Shapiro said. “The technology we utilize, our

reporting abilities, as well as our local touch to recruit and retain the best onsite talent provides the best of both worlds for our clients. Our greatest strength is our people, and I truly believe we have the best teams in the markets we serve. I am honored to be taking the reins from Jason as he steps into the CEO role, and am excited to continue to build on the success we have achieved.”

C U S H MAN & WAKE FI E LD/ TH E LU N D COM PANY

450 Regency Parkway, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402.393.8811 lundco.com

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Jason Payne

DISTILLERIES

cut spike distillery

T

he master distillers at Cut Spike Distillery are always experimenting in pursuit of new, high-quality products.

“We are releasing a new line of flavored vodkas this spring,” said founder and president Jason Payne. “The first round will be watermelon, pineapple, peach and cucumber.”

The summer lineup will nicely compliment the distillery’s other spirit offerings, including its single malt whiskeys, rum, brandy, and gin.

Sister company Lucky Bucket Brewing

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Company, located in the same space, offers 24 different beers on tap in the tasting room and rotates over 50 beers throughout the year.

“We put a lot of time and effort into developing our recipes and formulating every thing we make,” Payne said. “I think we present ourselves authentically to the community and they love our space here with the

atmosphere we have going, with the equipment in the backdrop of the tasting room and barrels lining the walls. We like to immerse our fans into our work environment. They like that ambience and we hope they like the products we make.”

C UT S PI KE DI STI LLE RY

11941 Centennial Road La Vista, NE 68128 402.763.8868 cutspike.com

FAMILY DENTISTRY the dentists

T

he Dentists have locations throughout the Omaha area, meaning greater accessibility for the community and expanded availability for urgent cases. “We have four offices doing complete, full-service dentistry,” said practice administrator Jennifer Abshier.

The practice’s core values are: respect, humility, consistency, compassion, self-awareness, and joy. Everyone from the administrative staff greeting patients and coordinating appointments, to the dental practitioners performing checkups or procedures integrate these values into their interactions. These values not only promote patient satisfaction, but also growth internally, with Dr. Michael Pabian marking the sixth dentist to join the practice.

“The owners are working owners, in the office every day,” Abshier said.

An individualized plan for each patient starts with a conversation—to ascertain concerns, needs and priorities— followed by a thorough exam and discussion of options. The Dentists offer the latest in dentistry for all ages, like 3-D imaging and sedation dentistry, while providing a full suite of dental services, including: basic preventive care, fillings and crowns, restorative treatments, and cosmetic procedures such as veneers and dental implants.

TH E DE NTI STS

Hillsborough 13808 W. Maple Road, Suite 112 402.445.4647 Village Pointe 302 N. 168th Circle, Suite 208 402.505.7474 Ralston Square 5360 S. 72nd St. 402.733.4441 Dundee 119 N. 51st St., Suite 400 402.502.5593 thedentistsomaha.com

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31

Boyd Dingman & Todd Thompson

AUTO MECHANICAL REPAIR dingman’s mechanical repair

F

ive years ago, Dingman’s Collision Center expanded into the mechanical side of auto repair with Dingman’s Mechanical Repair, located near its shop near 120th Street and West Maple Road. Dingman’s Mechanical Repair supports Dingman’s body shop customers with total car care in addition to basic automotive services, including: oil changes, scheduled maintenance, brakes, tires, alignment, diagnostics, and used vehicle inspections.

“We continue to treat every car like our own,” Manager Todd Thompson said, adding that customers can also expect peerless customer service.

“We’re fair and honest and up-front.”

relationship with every customer and become the trusted mechanic for scheduled maintenance and any needed repairs throughout the life of a car.

The team understands the importance of having a reliable vehicle and supporting investments in cars new or old. The Dingman’s Mechanical Repair team aims to establish an ongoing

“We care about the customer; there’s more to them than their car,” Thompson said. “We’re engaged in what we’re doing and we’re in it for the long run.”

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DI NGMAN’S M EC HAN ICAL RE PAI R

12020 Emmet St. Omaha, NE 68164 402.991.2848 dingmansmechanical.com

Boyd Dingman & Darcie Dingman

AUTO BODY REPAIR

dingman’s collision center

S

ince founding Dingman’s Collision Center in 1997, Boyd Dingman has seen the business expand to four locations while establishing a reputation of excellence that earns it a Best of Omaha-Auto Body Repair designation year after year.

“We are a family business and we’re still in control of doing things the way they should be done,” Boyd Dingman said.

Dingman’s provides collision repair and also offers convenient on-site rental cars and towing services. Vehicle safety and performance is restored by conscientious repairs made to manufacturers’ guidelines. Dingman’s even has the expertise and special equipment to work on newer aluminum-body vehicles like Teslas.

“We know that vehicles are an investment and as vehicles get smarter with more and more ADAS (advanced drivers assist systems) options we need to be trained to repair all vehicles. That is why we are continually investing in our training, tools and technology so that we are always prepared for the ever-changing vehicle.

Making sure that the safety of the vehicle has been restored throughout the repair process is top priority for us. Of course, your vehicle will look like it did before the accident, but making sure that it is safe – something you can’t see, is just as important,” says Darcie Dingman.

DINGMAN’S COLLISION CENTER

1419 S. Saddle Creek Rd. Omaha, NE 68106 | 402.558.3500 3402 N. 120th St. Omaha, NE 68164 | 402.502.5511 3510 S. 144th St. Omaha, NE 68144 | 402.502.8757 307 S. Washington St. Papillion, NE 68046 | 402.933.9400 dingmans.com FAC E S O F O M A H A 2 02 2

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Edward Ring

NATURAL STONE edward’s stone

N

atural stone has a timeless look that is simply impossible to duplicate. Not only is natural stone environmentally friendly, but it’s also incredibly durable. Established in 2002, Edward’s Stone has become a leader in producing, selling, and installing natural, thin and full veneer stone with unmatched quality.

As a vertically integrated company, Edwards Stone has the ability to quarry their own stone, produce the products, and distribute them across the United States and Canada. The company’s vast network of industry partners—including masons, architects, interior designers, builders, general contractors and dealers— allow them to grow in new markets and promote high quality products for residential and commercial projects.

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Stop by one of Edwards Stone’s showrooms in Roca, Nebraska; Omaha, Nebraska; Fort Collins, Colorado; or Castle Rock, Colorado; to pick up their 2021 catalog full of new styles, blends and colors, and as always, the best quality natural stone products.

Edward’s Stone understands that each project is one-of-a-kind. The company’s goal is to help clients discover the style and blend that is unique to them.

E DWARD’S STON E

20915 Cumberland Drive, Suite 110 Omaha, NE 68022 402.614.1491 edwardsstone.com

EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT PHYSICIANS

ent specialists, p.c.

“P

atients are treated like family members,” said Dr. Kendra Luebke, one of six doctors available through ENT Specialists, P.C. “We make them the priority in addition to providing them with the best ENT care.”

With their main location in the heart of Omaha, ENT Specialists also offers outreach clinics throughout Nebraska and Iowa in service to both adult and pediatric patients. Two pediatric ENTs on staff specialize in services for the younger patient population, proving highly valued personnel given the unique complexities inherent to pediatric care. “We readily rely on one another’s expertise to provide patients with the best solutions,” Luebke said.

Patients can be referred to or contact ENT Specialists directly for medical procedures including but not limited to: infant ear molding, balloon sinuplasty, hearing aid fitting, and in-office imaging.

Additional services include the evaluation and treatment of hearing loss, ear infections, sinusitis and allergies, septum deviation, and excess earwax. “We provide a full spectrum of ear, nose, and throat medical care and treatment in a compassionate environment,” Luebke affirmed.

E NT S PEC IALI STS, P.C.

720 N. 129th St. Omaha, NE 68154 402.397.0670 omahaent.com Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr Dr

David Denman Patrick Farrell Debora Goebel Ryan Sewell Kyle Stansifer Kendra Luebke

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Alec Rahe

VIDEO PRODUCTION frost media group

S

ince 2010, Frost Media Group has been helping companies and non-profits share their stories through video.

“We want to humanize brands, because we understand that people buy from people. We use video to highlight the most important aspects of a business—its employees, culture, and mission,” said Alec Rahe, the firm’s managing partner and director of sales and marketing.

“We keep our clients engaged all along the way so that whether we’re telling a story about their organization, trying to recruit people, or trying to enhance donations, we never fully disconnect from them during that time,” Rahe continued. “We over-communicate everything we do.”

In contrast with video production companies that accept a project and then “go rogue” with it, Frost Media Group makes sure that clients stay involved throughout the production process.

“The organizations are experts on their brand,” Rahe noted. “Our job is not to tell our clients who we think they are.

We want them to tell us who they are so we can take that truth and bring it to video.”

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FROST M E DIA GROU P

4383 Nicholas St. Suite 306 Omaha, NE 68131 402.235.8219 frostmediagroup.com

Chad and Theresa Nelson

GARAGE ORGANIZATION garage living of omaha

“P

eople call us because they’re tired of the clutter in their garage,” said Garage Living of Omaha co-owner Theresa Nelson. “They want a place where they can hang out and watch TV and throw parties. We’ve done a couple of home gyms during the pandemic and some study rooms for kids.”

We love working one on one with each homeowner, tweaking their design to make sure they are getting the garage of their dreams from the floor up

When Theresa and Chad Nelson purchased their franchise in May 2019, Chad had spent decades as a home renovation contractor and Theresa had served for 24 years in the Omaha Police Department. They visited Garage Living’s headquarters and were impressed by the quality products and the support provided. Another important factor for them was that Garage Living was a North American based company.

All of their products are designed and developed by the Garage Living team and their manufacturing plants are all located in North America.

GARAGE LIVI NG OF OMAHA

The Nelsons take pride in their dedicated crew of installers. “We’re a one-stop shop, and we don’t sub anything out,” Theresa explained. “Our products are top-of-the-line and our crew members are trained in specific ways to do things.

There’s a process for everything.”

20115 Oak St. Omaha NE, 68130-5031 402.506.6601 garageliving.com/omaha

Repeat customers affirm the Nelson’s comprehensive approach. “One of the customers we had during our first year, we’ve now done her garage, all of her kids’ garages, and now we’re doing their friends’ garages,” Theresa said.

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Jason McDonald and Heath Koontz

FIRE SAFETY

general fire and safety

“W

e are 100 percent driven to meet the needs of our customers,” said Jason McDonald, CEO and owner of General Fire and Safety.

The company’s customer-centric focus is evident throughout its operations, with comprehensive training programs on the latest fire equipment technology, 24-hour on-call service, and even the layout of its newly constructed 16,000-squarefoot headquarters all finely tuned to ensure customer satisfaction. “The shop and warehouse are on the left side, the offices are on the right side, and the middle portion is customerservice driven, housing our showroom, training room, and event area,” McDonald explained. The company

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moved into its new building near 132nd and I streets in February 2022.

Established in 1964, General Fire and Safety is a full-line fire equipment service provider for industrial and commercial clients. More than 40 service technicians design, install, repair, update, inspect, and maintain clients’ fire sprinkler systems, fire alarms, suppression systems, fire extinguishers, and more. “We want to be the one call for everybody’s fire equipment needs, because we can handle it all,” McDonald said.

GE N E RAL FI RE AN D SAFETY

13002 I St. Omaha, NE 68137 402.556.6100 gfsomaha.com

Stephanie and Eric Clark

PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL RESOURCES gmp pros

“O

ur motto is Find a Better WayTM ,” says GMP Pros co-founder Stephanie Clark. “We will get down in the trenches to help our clients fix an issue, versus a consultant who comes in, tells you what you’re doing wrong, and then is out the door.”

Stephanie and Eric Clark spent more than 25 years working for big corporations before founding GMP Pros in 2013 (GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practices).

The company has expanded from two to 34 team members and is still growing. “Most of our team members come in with five to ten years of engineering experience in an FDA-regulated environment, but some boast upwards of 30. GMP Pros’ engineers provide a range of services from quality to commissioning qualification and validation to electronic batch records to capital project management.”

“We invest in our team by providing them with the latest industry training, access to industry events, and other opportunities for growth and development,” Stephanie explained. “If you’re really good at a job, a typical corporation will want to keep you in that job forever. By contrast, we help people pursue their passion.

If you’re a process engineer and you want to be a project manager, we will help you get there.”

GM P PROS

5062 S. 108th St. #210 Omaha, NE 68137 402.499.7758 gmppros.com FAC E S O F O M A H A 2 02 2

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Jenny Christopherson

CAT BOARDING The Grand Feline Hotel & Salon

T

here are many options for canine grooming and boarding in the Omaha metro, but far fewer for feline companions. Noting this underserved market, Jenny Christopherson began offering cat grooming services 10 years ago and eventually expanded to offering cage-free boarding as well.

Today, the Grand Feline Hotel and Salon is one of the largest catexclusive boarding facilities in the nation. The business provides a full line of grooming services in addition to toys, treats, and grooming supplies.

“With cats only, it’s not as stressful. It’s a quiet environment,” Christopherson said.

Grand Feline’s three groomers provide ear cleaning, brush-outs, and trims.

They’ll also bathe cats as needed, like

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when self-grooming is impeded by factors of age or weight. If Mittens gets into something oily or sticky, however, a bath is due regardless.

Traditional claw clipping is also available, but Grand Feline’s staff are also able to apply long-lasting claw caps. “It’s becoming more and more popular and claw caps are considered more humane than declawing,” Christopherson said, underlining the Hotel’s commitment to feline health and happiness.

TH E GRAN D FE LI N E HOTE L & SALON

2611 S. 159th Plaza Omaha, NE 68130 402.708.7341 grandfeline.com

Nick and Lori Heimann

OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES

groundscapes inc.

M

ore than two decades…that’s how long Groundscapes owners Nick and Lori Heimann have been changing the landscape of the Omaha metro—one home, one business at a time. Their headquarters and showroom—off US-275 in Valley—highlights their customer-centric philosophy: Allowing clients to submerge themselves into the design process, and getting a clear view of the quality products used by Groundscapes, with full-sized samples “you can put your hands on.” Soon Groundscapes will expand into retail, which promises new and exciting landscaping possibilities.

Their HQs are quickly becoming a landmark in the community, spurring an opportunity for more community involvement. Groundscapes has partnered with Elkhorn Athletic Association as a founding partner on their upcoming multi-field sports complex. Nick and Lori are honored to be a part of this game-changing

GROU N DSCAPE S I NC.

6065 N. 261st Circle Valley, NE 68064 402.397.5930 groundscapes.com

project. They are excited for what it will provide for youth athletes, and what it will bring to the community they now call home.

As they continue to set the standard in luxury landscape design, they will also continue to grow with the community around them.

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Eric and Marisa Guerrero

WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY guerrero media group

T

he creative duo behind the lens at Guerrero Media Group are no strangers to the timeless moments wedding bells invoke—they’ve been married for three years. “Marisa has such a calming, peaceful energy,” Eric Guerrero mused, “while I’m just a ball of energy who gives people a kickstart to have fun.”

After graduating in 2011 with a degree in visual communications, Eric spent 10 years mastering wedding videography and photography before he and his better half, Marisa Guerrero, established Guerrero Media Group in January 2021.

“As a couple, it’s not like we’re competing companies with egos involved,” Eric said. “We truly want to help each other get better…to provide the best product and experience to our clients.”

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“Both of us were already friends, and now we’re business partners, we’re husband and wife, we’re mother and father,” Marisa added. “We’ve been together for six years and married for three. As a team, we offer something that nobody else offers… the compatibility that we share. We’re with each other 25-8, but we get along very well and it shows.”

GU E RRE RO M E DIA GROU P

7502 S. 84th St. La Vista, NE 68128-2424 402.205.4365 guerreromediagroup.com

Tim Harrison, Founder & CEO

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

harrison financial services/ northwestern mutual private client group

A

s the company approaches its 30th anniversary, Harrison Financial Services continues to live by its purpose statement of “Helping Families Build a Better Life, Legacy, and Community”. Harrison Financial Services strives to be the most trusted advisor at the center of their clients’ lives, which is why over 25% of the households they serve are multi-generational. They work with clients’ adult children, grandchildren, and more to help them become better stewards of their wealth. Whether it is transitioning wealth to the next generation or helping educate clients’ loved ones on their family values and mission, Harrison Financial Services is committed to helping build a lasting legacy for the families they serve.

Harrison Financial Services has enjoyed significant growth in the past year, expanding the team – and its reach – with the addition of Darrin Brumbaugh Financial in York, Nebraska.

The now 23-member team offers expertise in financial planning, wealth management, risk management solutions, investment strategies, retirement, business, and legacy planning.

HARRI SON FI NANC IAL S E RVIC E S

9300 Underwood Ave., Suite 500 Omaha, NE 68114 402.891.2302 Members of Harrison Financial Services use Harrison Financial Services as a marketing name for doing business as representatives of Northwestern Mutual. Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group is a select g roup of NM advisors and representatives. Harrison Financial Services and Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group are not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agenc y, federal savings bank or other legal entity. To view detailed disclosures regarding individual representatives, view their information at hfs.nm.com.

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Frank Hayes

ACCOUNTING SERVICES hayes & associates, llc

F

rank Hayes has been in business long enough to have a deep appreciation for modern accounting software.

There was a time—can you imagine this?—when we would complete a tax return in pencil,” he said. “When I took the CPA exam, we couldn’t even use a calculator.”

The company is evolving in other ways, too. Hayes & Associates is managing increasing numbers of busy clients’ day-to-day accounting, especially small business owners.

He’s embraced technology since, and it’s going to add a new dimension to his firm’s services.

“They have so many things to do in a given day and they are not capable from a time perspective to manage their regular accounting services,” he said. “More and more people are seeing the need to bring in a professional

“One of the things we’ve been exploring is expanding our services to include IT services to our clients.”

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in to assist with it rather than them trying to do it themselves. And they want a higher level of service because there are so many things to manage.”

HAYE S & AS SOC IATE S, LLC

1015 N. 98th St., Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402.390.2480 hayes.cpa

Matt Fatka

TRAFFIC CONTROL highway signing inc

M

ost Omaha motorists have likely driven through a traffic control project managed by Highway Signing Inc. That’s because they readily take on many of the more complicated road construction projects in Omaha. “Our top priority is ensuring that the traveling public is safe when they go through a construction project,” said Matt Fatka, Highway Signing owner and CEO. From municipal to private sector projects, Highway Signing’s traffic control services and equipment are relied upon as HSI partners throughout Nebraska. In addition to traffic control they offer temporary concrete and water barriers, pavement markings, temporary traffic signals, digital messaging boards, and water blasting. They are one of only two companies in the Midwest to offer polyurea pavement markings, noted for being uniquely long lasting and reflective.

Fatka believes the key to being an industry leader in traffic control comes down to the team members. “We have incredible people that bring experience to their roles. When you have a team like we do, you can provide the highest level of service.”

H IGHWAY S IGN I NG I NC

3250 16th Ave. Council Bluffs, IA 51501 402.457.6810 highwaysigning.com

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The Team

CHILDCARE & PRESCHOOL

the hills montessori

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amilies have endless options for early education and childcare, and that’s just how the team at The Hills Montessori like it. The educators at The Hills take the time to understand each child and their unique learning language, before approaching each lesson with proven Montessori methods and compassion. “The teachers at The Hills are supporting self-motivated, lifelong learners,” said Education Director Becki Jelinek. “Curious children who want to understand how things work.”

Jelinek refers to The Hill’s teachers as “guides” or “facilitators” in the student-centered Montessori classrooms, saying “Montessori classrooms are child led, which means students have the freedom to move, pursue activities that spark their curiosity, and learn through the manipulation of materials specific to Montessori classrooms. Such

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materials teach independent skills, as well as academic ones. Teachers are responsible for carefully and meticulously designing the Prepared Environment each day, which helps to maximize learning and growth in students. Students’ progress is measured and monitored on a daily basis helping to ensure that each child has a well-rounded experience.”

In a world filled with endless options, it’s clear why Omaha parents are choosing The Hills Montessori.

TH E H I LLS MONTE S SORI

6210 N 107 th Street Omaha, NE 68134 660 S 193rd Street Elkhorn NE 68022 (coming soon!)

402.884.8715 TheHillsMontessoriOmaha.com

Candice Price & Ron Devers

PRE-OWNED VEHICLES

home team auto sales

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elling a pre-owned vehicle goes deeper than the transaction for the team at Home Team Auto Sales. “It’s about setting people up for success through their transportation,” said Candice Price, co-owner.

Now in their fifth year of business, Price and co-owner Ron Devers offer a wide variety of popular makes and models of vehicles. Customers can also specify their needs, allowing for a more personalized shopping experience.

In addition to car sales, Home Team Auto accepts trade-ins, has a service department, and, as an independently owned and operated dealership, they offer a multitude of stress-free financing solutions in addition to several options for vehicle warranties.

“A lot of our business is by word of mouth,” Price added. “We strongly value our customers and love meeting new people. We do our very best to help everyone find exactly what they’re looking for.”

Offering hassle-free sales, Home Team Auto wants to connect with you, “whether looking to purchase a first vehicle for your teen, adding on a company vehicle for your business, or

simply upgrading your current model, we’re here for you,” says the duo. Price and Devers are both strong community partners who look forward to working with you on all of your automotive needs!

HOM E TEAM AUTO SALE S

6005 Sorensen Parkway Omaha, NE 68152 402.505.4998 hometeamauto.com

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Jason DeWater

SMARTPHONE REPAIR

iFixOmaha

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smartphone is a connection to friends, family, business opportunities, and an endless stream of information and utility. It’s also fragile, and a case of butterfingers often rendered an investment of hundreds of dollars as no more than an expensive paperweight. Jason DeWater decided to do something about it when he launched iFixOmaha in 2011.

“The technical awe of opening a smartphone for the first time, it’s such a beautiful design,” DeWater said, “on the human level, people are coming in panicking and thirty minutes later, their phone is fixed. You can see how relieved they are and you’ve earned their trust and their business for life.”

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As his client base grew via wordof-mouth, electronic repair became more than a passion; it became a mission. iFixOmaha began taking on large-scale commercial projects, helped champion the Right to Repair movement, worked directly with manufacturers and service providers to build an industry-standard technician certification program, and was a pioneering member of the Apple authorized Independent Repair Provider Program.

“We grew because we wanted to save people time and money. We’re honest, fast, and reliable,” DeWater said.

“I never expected how people would become so supportive of this business.

The love in Omaha is real.” iFIXOMAHA

Cass Court 7637 Cass Street Omaha, NE 68114 Papillion 11425 South 72nd Street Ste. 102 Papillion, NE 68046 ifixomaha.com

Dr. Kort Igel

ORTHODONTICS

igel orthodontics

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r. Kort Igel’s orthodontic treatments go beyond the aesthetics of straightening teeth. He considers the individual patient’s facial structure and jaw development during the diagnostic evaluation and believes that the most effective treatments work in conjunction with cultivating a healthy airway.

Igel said he is just as passionate about orthodontics now—several decades into his career—as he was when he first started his practice. “Maybe even more,” he said. “Every patient deserves a customized treatment plan; there are no cookie-cutter approaches.

Each case in front of me is a puzzle, and my job is to create harmony by aligning the teeth and optimizing the airway. In turn, our patients win. They leave with beautiful smiles while having the advantages of a healthy airway.”

Igel Orthodontics offers the most advanced technology available, including Invisalign; Propel VPro (a high frequency vibration device used to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement); 3D radiography and digital scans; and the newest in clear braces.

“Everyone deserves a beautiful, healthy smile, so why wait?” Igel said. “Call us today for your complimentary consultation.”

IGE L ORTHODONTIC S

10801 Pacific St. Omaha, NE 68154 402.330.1152 igelorthodontics.com

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Alice Baker

EMBROIDERY i got u design

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lice Baker, who owns I Got U Design, said she can custom-embroider nearly anything made of fabric, like cloth work shirts, canvas tote bags, towels, face masks, leather goods, hats, and patches for uniforms or motorcycle vests. Although she works mostly with businesses and can accommodate large orders, she also is happy to provide custom embroidery for clients who need small-batch items like team uniforms or polo shirts to commemorate a family reunion.

Intricate designs? No problem.

No design at all? Baker can help clients create graphics from scratch.

“I’m local, so I have a fast turnaround time,” Baker said. “And I have my own digitizing software in-house. People don’t need to wait for anything to be shipped.”

Baker started in business in 1998, making rag dolls and their accessories, then added in tailoring and sewing followed by custom embroidery. Due to demand, she now specializes in custom embroidery, although she still does some alterations and other sewing services. As her business tagline says, “Whatever you need, I Got U.” I GOT U DE S IGN

6124 Ellison Ave. Omaha, NE 68104 402.714.4664 igotudesign.com

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Chris Breci

MANAGED IT SERVICES

infinet solutions

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nfiNet Solutions has provided local companies with Managed IT Services and VOIP systems for more than two decades which is a testament to the company’s adaptability in the face of emerging technologies. InfiNet ensures client success by providing customized training, enhanced security offerings, and technology strategy far beyond basic IT support.

“Years-long partnerships and frequent engagement reinforce strong con­ nections between the InfiNet team and clients. “ “We’re heavily based around relation­ ships. Relationship Builder is our top core value. It gives us a deeper understanding of our clients’ needs and allows us to help them grow and succeed,” Chris Breci said, adding that InfiNet employees often take part in client events and celebrations.

The humanitarian spirit of InfiNet extends to the community through longstanding support of nonprof­ its—plus a developing community engagement program that will empower employees to allocate a percentage of their work-hours to volunteerism.

maintaining a solid team is especially important as the company is poised for further expansion.

I N FI N ET SOLUTION S

6430 S. 84th St. Omaha, NE 68127 402.895.5777 omahait.com

Employees are also supported through professional development opportu­ nities, Breci added, explaining that along with a strong hiring process,

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Debbie Sinopoli

COMMERCIAL CLEANING jani-king

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clean environment is more than visually appealing, it’s important for the health and safety of employees and customers alike. Jani-King franchisees have built a solid reputation over many years for providing outstanding commercial cleaning services, reflected in the company’s slogan of “People, Pride and Performance!”

“We care about our customers,” said Midwest Regional President Debbie Sinopoli. “And owner-operators take pride in what they do.”

Jani-King is also committed to providing safe and environmentally responsible green cleaning services. Plus, the company can provide disinfection services using electrostatic sprayers, fogging equipment, and manual techniques effective in reducing the spread of viruses in work environments.

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Jani- K ing’s Midwest region includes Omaha and four additional metropolitan areas. Sinopoli has mentored hundreds of franchise owners throughout her three-decade career with the company, emphasizing professionalism and customer satisfaction. Jani-King employees strive to be friendly, knowledgeable, and accessible, and its franchises are known for being involved in the community via local nonprofits and charitable organizations.

For a complimentary estimate, visit janiking.com.

JAN I-KI NG

5885 S. 118th Circle Omaha, NE 68137 402.932.0514 janiking.com

David Jensen

RETAINING WALLS

jensen retaining walls

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raftsmanship and integrity are central to Jensen Retaining Walls, according to owner David Jensen, who treats every job as if it were for his own property when working with clients.

“Retaining walls is an industry with an array of designs for both residential and commercial projects,” Jensen said. “We’ve expanded to include hardscaping in our services provided, in addition to driveways and retaining walls. This includes outdoor fireplaces, patios and more.”

This expansion is part of the reason why so many customers select Jensen Retaining Walls over the competition.

Customers also value the company’s experience and positive reviews the company receives. “We also retail and install 6 x 6 x 8 new ground-treated timbers that are great for retaining walls,” Jensen added.

The company is always willing to change with the times and update its styles. Jensen Retaining Walls works with customers to bring their vision to reality.

“I’m grateful for my customers in the city of Omaha for whom we build these walls with both beauty and function,” Jensen said.

J E N S E N RETAI N I NG WALLS

1504 Saddle Creek Road Omaha, NE 68108 402.932.8444 jensenretainingwalls.com

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Becki Cloyed

TRANSPORTATION & BROKERAGE

jjt transportation & logistics llc

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he tagline for JJT Transportation & Logistics is “Driving life forward,” and that not only gets to the heart of the company’s full range of trucking and brokerage services, it’s also a reflection of the JJT team’s commitment to growth that includes an investment in equipment, trucks, and trailers as well as technology.

“It’s so we can better provide and service our customers. That’s our focus for 2021,” said Becki Cloyed, one of the company’s owners.

Family-owned JJT began operations in Omaha in 2012 and has grown year after year since.

The full-service transportation and logistics company now offers best-in-class solutions, including vans; refrigerated carriers, flatbeds, and RGN, step deck, and heavy-haul trailers.

JJT’s brokerage capabilities ensure customized solutions for customers. And it’s all backed by a top-notch group of people with deep industry expertise and a tremendous respect for clients and each other, Cloyed said.

“From our operations to our accounting to our truck drivers who serve as the face of the company, our people set us apart from the competition,” she said.

JJT TRAN S PORTATION & LOGI STIC S LLC

7006 J St. Omaha, NE 68117 402.614.4777 jjttrans.com

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John Tierre

BLUES

johnny T’s bar & blues

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orn in Omaha, John Tierre returned to his birthplace in 2021 after honing his skills and vision as a restauranteur down south.

He attended Jackson State University on a scholarship and went on to become a serial entrepreneur who owned and operated a T-shirt printing company, barber shop, beauty shop, and restaurant, all located in the same Jackson, Mississippi shopping plaza.

It was in Jackson that Tierre opened the original Johnny T’s Bistro & Blues in 2015, featuring modern cuisine and live music.

In May 2021 he opened a sister location— Johnny T’s Bar and Blues— in Omaha on North 30th St. on a property that was left to him by his grandfather.

“What brought me back to Omaha was having something that my grandfather left me and then wanting to repackage it, rebrand it, and put it back out there for the public,” Tierre explained. The adultoriented establishment includes a bar, restaurant, and live music on the first Friday of each month promising bar goers an uplifting, if not cathartic blues-inspired experience.

JOH N NY T’S BAR & B LU E S

3825 N. 30th St. Omaha, NE 68111 402.506.6347 johnnytsbistroandblues.com

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DIVORCE LAW koenig | dunne

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nding a marriage is always stressful, empathizes attorney Angela Dunne of Koenig|Dunne: “Even if people have been unhappy for years, they often feel uncertain and vulnerable when they move toward divorce.”

The first step is selecting the best possible representation. Knowledge and skill are essential, but equally important is a commitment to serving and supporting clients. “Each of the lawyers who work here is interested in supporting people from start to finish,” Dunne said. “The great thing about our lawyer team is that each of them came to us with the desire in their hearts to really be a service-minded lawyer. We love working with clients and getting to know them.”

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Koenig|Dunne—Omaha’s largest divorce firm—emphasizes three core values: excellence, integrity, and compassionate support for their clients.

Susan Koenig established the firm in 1983, and Angela Dunne came aboard in 1999. The firm’s attorneys possess extensive experience in areas that include custody litigation, domestic violence, and implications of divorce for couples who own a business or work in the military.

KOE N IG | DU N N E

1266 S 13th St Omaha, NE 68102 402.346.1132 koenigdunne.com

Lance Kugler, M.D.

VISION CORRECTION

kugler vision

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hy do glasses and contacts wearers from all over Nebraska travel to Kugler Vision in Omaha?

Because tough vision problems - like high prescriptions, astigmatism, or even being stuck in reading glasses require vision correction experts. “Your eyes are as unique as your fingerprint, which is why we only perform customized treatments to provide the crisp, clear vision you deserve,” said Lance Kugler, CEO of Kugler Vision.

In fact, Kugler Vision is the sole provider in the area specializing in all seven FDA-approved vision correction procedures. With tens of thousands of happy patients who

rave about their vision results, it’s no surprise Kugler Vision continues to be voted Best of Omaha for LASIK.

KUGLE R VI S ION

17838 Burke St., Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68118 402.558.2211 KuglerVision.com

Dr. Kugler knows first-hand the benefits of vision correction. “I had fairly bad nearsightedness for most of my life. I had LASIK in both eyes and it was an absolutely transformational experience,” Kugler said. “Our goal: remove the barriers to how people see the world. Every Nebraskan has a unique story, and we’re honored to be part of their vision transformation.”

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COMMERCIAL INSURANCE lockton companies

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hen insurance industry veteran Jack Struyk opened Lockton Companies’ Omaha office in 2011, it was important for businesses to have coverage in case of events like hailstorms and floods. But even then he could see that cyber liability insurance was a growing priority as companies increasingly faced data breaches, malware infection, and other tech-related security issues.

“About a year into it, I said, ‘We’re going to need to hire some people,’” Struyk explained. “Then, maybe five to 10 percent of our clients were buying cyber liability coverage. Now it’s probably 90 percent.”

Lockton is the world’s largest privately- owned, independent insurance broker and consultant specializing in risk management, employee benefits, and retirement services. The firm’s Omaha team

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boasts local expertise backed by national resources to ensure clients understand and obtain the right coverage for their specific needs.

Locally, the team remains forward-focused, with Struyk nearing retirement and transitioning more day-to-day leadership functions to Vice President/ Producer Kirt McAlpine and Vice President/Producer Cody Beguin. After all, Struyk said, “We all have to plan for the future.”

LOC KTON COM PAN I E S

13710 FNB Parkway, Suite 400 Omaha, NE 68154 402.970.6100 lockton.com

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ealtor Nico Marasco said that for most people, a home is the single largest investment made in their lifetime.

“You want to trust it with somebody who understands what they’re doing, somebody who is a licensed professional who understands the market and who has an ability and resources to help people navigate through potential landmines that may jeopardize the sale,” he said.

“My job is to get the home sold and to get it sold with the least amount of stress and inconvenience to you.”

Marasco, who handles both residential resale and new construction, acknowledged the resale market is presently difficult due to the low inventory of houses for sale.

“It’s challenging right now regardless of which side you’re on. We’re working twice as hard for the same results. But I think that’s part of the reason we’re able to do what we do and why clients refer their friends and family to us,” he said. “We’re going to find you a home, or we’re going to get your home sold… Big or small, we sell them all.”

RALPH MARASCO REAL ESTATE GROUP AT BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES AMBASSADOR REAL ESTATE

Nico Marasco

REAL ESTATE

331 Village Pointe Plaza Omaha, NE 68118 402.677.7777 marascosellshomes.com

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Ryan and Jennifer Petersen

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CONCRETE CONTRACTORS marsh creek concrete inc.

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arsh Creek Concrete Inc. (MCCI) has achieved much over the company’s 20 years in business—2022 marking two decades completing major construction projects and raising the bar for commercial/industrial concrete contracting citywide.

Under the leadership of owner Ryan Petersen, the company has grown from a humble five-man crew to a thriving business numbering 150 employees. Their dedication and respect for the trade underpins MCCI’s success, and with the addition of recycled aggregate company CRUSHIN’-IT INC., there’s plenty of roles for new hires and industry veterans alike to explore.

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Three distinct yet united branches lend their insight and expertise to MCCI’s clientele. The field team, who endure rain, shine and everything in between to get the job done at unsurpassed levels. The shop team, whose mechanical knowhow keeps operations running smooth and equipment firing on all cylinders. And finally, the office team who handles job estimating, project management, accounting, and customer service with utmost professionalism.

“This team is our family, and we will work to overcome adversity, prove loyalty, and take the same pride that they do,” affirmed co-owner Jennifer Petersen.

MARSH CREEK CONCRETE INC.

20308 Patton St. Gretna, NE 68028 402.253.2092 marshcreekconcrete.com

Casey, Jordan, Rob and Chris Walker

UNIFORM RENTAL

max i. walker uniform

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he Max I. Walker name is synonymous with dry-cleaning, but the family-owned company has also been a mainstay in the uniform rental sector for nearly 50 years.

“Celebrating our 105th year in business this year, we are proud to have our fifth generation of company leadership at the helm,” Vice President of Operations Chris Walker said. “Walker’s has continued to offer excellent service at a fair price in a community we are proud to call home.”

with the highest-grade detergents and sanitizers from Ecolab, we are attracting food processing partners very quickly,” Walker said. “We are able to achieve the highest HACCP standards for sanitization, and that coupled with our outstanding service has been a real win-win.”

Many local companies depend on sanitized uniforms. “We have found that utilizing our state-of-the-art plant and new systems, in conjunction

Through this dedication to excellent service, the team at Max I. Walker aims to streamline the day-to-day operations of their client businesses.

“Our programs are meant to run in the background, per se. We provide the highest-quality service, so your team doesn’t have to worry about it and can focus on running your business.”

MAX I. WALKE R U N I FORM

4320 S. 94th St. Omaha, NE 68127 402.344.7488 maxiwalkeruniform.com

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Landon Wrinkle and Lee McCoy

ROOFING

mccoy roofing

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cCoy Roofing has been family-owned for 15 years, much of the business stemming from referrals by past customers and from people in connected industries like insurance and real estate. Positive online reviews also confirm the company’s quality work and reputation for outstanding service.

“If we weren’t doing a good job, we couldn’t keep getting referrals,” explained co-owner Landon Wrinkle. “Our reputation speaks for itself.”

The company serves the Omaha area and beyond, with offices in Lincoln and Des Moines. Lead by Wrinkle and co-owner Lee McCoy, the team has special expertise in navigating customers through insurance claims. They stand by their work with confidence.

“Because of our years in business and customer satisfaction, we’ve been able to offer up to a 20-year workmanship warranty,” he said, adding that only a handful of area roofing companies can do the same. “It gives customers peace of mind.”

The company is prepared for hail season.

“Be sure to mention that you saw this profile in FACES of Omaha,” Wrinkle said. “And ask about a $200 discount on roof replacement.”

McCOY ROOFI NG

11308 Q St. Omaha, NE 68137 402.616.7304 mccoyroofing.com

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The Specialists

ORTHO, NEURO & SPINE SURGEONS

md west one

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D West ONE’s ortho-neuro-spine specialist team has grown into one of the region’s largest, providing orthopedic, sports medicine, neurosurgery, and spine care throughout greater Omaha, southwestern Iowa, and eastern Nebraska.

O’Malley said. “We’ve been fortunate to have very respected surgeons join our group.”

The practice’s influence is growing in another way, noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin O’Malley. In 2021, Elkhorn Athletic Association and MD West ONE announced a partnership agreement for a sports complex near Valley, Nebraska, with the practice holding naming rights.

8005 Farnam Drive, Suite 305 Omaha, NE 68114 402.390.4111 mdwestone.com

“It’s going to be huge, with indoor and outdoor fields, so we can draw more tournaments into town,” O’Malley said, explaining that the MD West ONE team supports the development of young

athletes and advocates for healthy activity in general.

MD West ONE is also in the process of building a freestanding clinic at 192nd and Dodge Streets. There are also plans for further expansion into southwestern Iowa.

“We have a substantial longevity in the community where we have reached three generations, and we have the ability to treat multiple generations,”

M D WE ST ON E

ORTHO & S PI N E U RGE NT CARE

16120 West Dodge Frontage Road Omaha, NE 68118 402.390.4110 urgent.mdwestone.com

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Patsy Sumner

DIGITAL MARKETING MediaSpark

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t MediaSpark, high integrity and client-first thinking landed the digital marketing agency on The Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in 2020 and 2021. They focus on 30 core fundamentals, outlining their unique culture and foundation across all partnerships.

“As our team has grown year over year, it was important to define our purpose and how we approach our work so that everyone can move in the same direction,” said Patsy Sumner, Founder and CEO. One daily reminder is to Check Your Ego At The Door. Ellie Charter, Chief Connections Strategist, said,

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“Our team selflessly supports each other. We don’t focus on who gets credit. We just want our clients to succeed.”

“I love our commitment to always Find A Way,” said Chief Growth Strategist Lana LeGrand. “We always look for a way to do something—rather than explaining why it can’t be done.”

“My natural instinct is to analyze and research, so the challenge to Look Ahead And Anticipate is right up my alley,” added Chief Marketing Strategist Kim Stoneburner.

Ready to partner with MediaSpark and improve your marketing results?

M E DIAS PARK

14707 California St., Suite 3 Omaha, NE 68154 402.505.5433 themediaspark.com

Mike Jansen

CUSTOM DECK BUILDING

mike jansen custom decks

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ince 1988, Mike Jansen and his family have been building the highquality wood, capstock composite, and PVC decks Omaha can trust.

Whether customers are looking for small additions or modifications to an existing deck, or a custom outdoor creation, Mike Jansen Custom Decks offers creative and unique building solutions to meet the scale and complexity of any project.

The Jansen motto is “Building Every Deck Like It’s Our Own”, and they personally shop and build each project to ensure only premier quality work is done every time. You can expect thorough communication throughout the entire process, and will never be handed off to a no-name construction crew. The entire team is Jansen family, a sentiment they extend to their clients as well.

While your project can be counted on to be as beautiful as it is strong for decades, the build itself will be done in days. Mike Jansen Custom Decks is the family Omaha calls for quality work, low-maintenance upkeep, and custom decks the envy of neighbors citywide.

M I KE JAN S E N C U STOM DEC KS

14225 Dayton Cir. Suite #14 Omaha, NE 68137 402.896.6897 jansendecks.com

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Jay Noddle

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT noddle companies

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oddle Companies President and CEO Jay Noddle’s name is tied to his company’s, but he strongly believes that “no one person accomplishes anything alone.”

“It’s a team. We are very focused on collaboration within and with the community,” he said. The company is 50 years old, but “the future of our city is with our young people and the future of our company is with our young people.”

Noddle jokingly refers to the group of young developing leaders within his team as “young ‘uns.” “They’re all very quick to point out that compared to me, everyone is young—but that’s our banter,” he said.

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Jokes aside, Noddle is immensely proud that the company’s diverse group of young people chose not only his company, but the city of Omaha.

“They want to make a contribution to the quality of life of the community and believe they will make a difference.

Their energy and enthusiasm is exciting to be around,” he explained.

“The things we are working on are influenced by this group, and it’s making a difference.”

NODDLE COM PAN I E S

2285 S. 67th St., Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68106 402.496.1616 noddlecompanies.com

Carmen Tapio

CALL CENTERS

north end teleservices, llc

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ission forward. It’s how North End Teleservices, LLC (NET) lives their purpose of “creating jobs and changing lives” daily.

The omnichannel provider of global outsourcing services is enjoying its second year on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S., thanks to a service model that equally values employees and customers.

That mission is manifesting in community growth, as well, with plans for expansion in North Omaha—home to what will be a large scale economic development project catalyzing the historic 24th and Lake streets block in the heart of Omaha’s important Urban Core.

Carmen Tapio, founder and CEO of NET, says the secret to her success is her team—a highly skilled group of professionals sharing career development, leadership training, and authentic collaboration as they grow their service model and advance the mission of the organization.

An inclusive, all-in philosophy means Team NET is at home with their hardhats, all-hands-on-deck attitude.

Whether turning dirt, or making waves, Tapio says, “a rising tide lifts all boats.”

For North End Teleservices, it’s full “dream” ahead.

NORTH END TELESERVICES, LLC

1500 N. 24th St. Omaha, NE 68110 402.934.3624 northendteleservices.com

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Julie Nelson

BENEFIT ADVISERS The Olson Group

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solid benefits program helps a business take care of its employees, especially important in a market where many are struggling to fill and retain positions.

“It helps them attract and retain talent,” said The Olson Group Chief Executive Officer Julie Nelson.

The mission of The Olson Group— founded by Tim and Adrienne Olson in 2003—is to “Inform, Educate, and Empower your employees to make the best benefit decisions for themselves and their families.” In 2020, The Olson Group became part of Patriot Growth Insurance Services, an organization

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with more than 60 partner agencies throughout the United States. The partnership brings clients expanded services, resources, and technology while retaining The Olson Group’s business model, leadership team, and attentive service.

When working with a client’s executive team, The Olson Group’s experts strive for innovative solutions as they develop the company’s customized

group insurance and retirement planning benefits, considering factors such as employee demographics, company risk tolerance, and more.

“We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all,” Nelson said. “Every employer has different goals and objectives.”

THE OLSON GROUP

16820 Frances St., Suite 202 Omaha, NE 68130 402.289.1046 theolsongroup.com

Dr. Corey Langford

OPTOMETRY

omaha primary eye care

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maha Primary Eye Care offers patients of all ages a comprehensive suite of eye-care services from a caring and dedicated team. However, the practice is experiencing growing demand for one area of specialty in particular: treatment for dry eyes.

“We treat and diagnose people w ​ ith dry eye all day - and the increased use of computers during the pandemic has made it worse.” said Dr. Corey Langford, OD, noting that dry eyes can occur for other reasons too, like aging, contact lens wear, ​ a llergies, systemic diseases or medications and diet.

The effects of dry eyes can be merely bothersome (sensitivity and irritation) to outright debilitating if vision is compromised.

“Dry-eye symptoms can make it tough to get through the day,” Langford sympathized.

Omaha Primary Eye Care screens for dry eyes in regular exams and offers targeted treatments with a high degree of efficacy, from restorative drops, ​L ipiflow and Intense Pulse Light.

“We’ve worked hard to keep up with this,” Langford said.

OMAHA PRI MARY EYE CARE

1011 S. 180th St. Elkhorn, NE 68022 402.330.3000 omahaeyecare.com

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Michelle Hyder

WINE STORES omaha wine co.

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maha Wine Co.’s owners credit the success of their 25-year-old business to Omaha’s love of wine. “We have the best customers not only in Omaha, but anywhere,” said Michelle Hyder, who owns the company with husband Hasan. “We’re focused on forming lasting relationships with our customers as well as the boutique, family-owned wineries we work with.”

They’re also committed to finding rare and unique vintages to delight and challenge the palates of their customers, making individualized recommendations for wherever they may be in their journey along the grapevine.

“We often work with small wineries with amazing portfolios known in the industry. But they’re not typical wines you can find in your grocery store,” Hyder said. “We also make wine more approachable through our ‘Sip & Learn’ wine education classes, tasting events with wineries, and our new ‘Sip at Home’ wine tastings.”

It’s not just loyal customers who appreciate the finely-curated selection. “Wineries from around the world have stopped through and commented on how unique our bottles are. We’re truly committed to providing Omaha high-quality, difficult-to-find wines from Napa and all over the world.”

OMAHA WI N E CO.

701 N. 114th St. Omaha, NE 68154 402.431.8558 omahawine.com

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Jeff & Ryan Patera

LANDSCAPE DESIGN patera landscaping

A

s a family-owned and operated business, Jeff and Ryan Patera started their vision of Patera Landscaping in their high school days, and since then, have come into focus as leaders in both residential and commercial landscaping.

Peerless customer care and satisfaction is Patera Landscaping’s underlying tenet. “We aim to be the best, not only in what we do, but in how our customers are treated,” said co-owner Ryan.

Patera Landscaping offers an array of services: custom landscape design and installation, tree planting, water features, retaining walls, patios and fire pits, outdoor lighting, landscape maintenance, commercial lawn mowing and snow removal, and more.

A commitment to cultivating the ideal experience for customers sets the company apart. “When you work with us, you work with a company that answers the phone, shows up on time and delivers high-quality products and services,” Patera added. “There is no surprise pricing and no unmarked trucks arriving to your property. All of those combined means customers feel good about their experience and about sharing our name.”

PATE RA LAN DSCAPI NG

17511 Storage Road Omaha, NE 68136 402.706.5679 pateralandscaping.com

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Debbie Bremer

PRINTING

pip marketing, signs & print

“P

IP is a 53-year-old company and I’ve owned it for 21 years. I’ve really seen the gamut across printing and how it has changed for businesses,” Debbie Bremer said.

As desktop printers and electronic communications became prevalent, demand for huge print quantities waned. A mid-size printing company like PIP, which retains the capacity for large orders, nicely fills the niche for small batches. The company makes it easy for customers to order customized items online, from business cards and carbonless forms, to bound material and signs.

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Signs are a growing business for PIP, including large channel-letter exterior signs on commercial buildings, medium-sized signs like banners, and even down to “for sale” signs placed on lawns by local real estate companies.

“They order what they want online and we produce it. Then we print it and ship it or deliver it… Our clients

are really busy and request of us to ‘Please just take care of this. Handle this part of my business because I have a lot on my plate,’” Bremer said.

“And I’m all about that.”

PI P MARKETI NG, S IGN S & PRI NT

11067 W. Maple Road Omaha, NE 68164 402.334.5093 pipwesto.com

Dale & Jenny Christianson

PORTABLE RESTROOM RENTALS

port-a-johns

W

hen nature calls at a construction site or an outdoor event like a festival or ball game, it’s a tremendous relief (so to speak) to be able to find clean portable restroom facilities. Port-A-Johns owners Jenny and Dale Christianson completely understand. The company serves a broad region in and around Omaha, Council Bluffs, and Lincoln; plus, a recent acquisition has expanded the service area to more communities further north and south in eastern Nebraska.

Port-A-Johns has more than 2,000 rental units available to accommodate small sites and large gatherings alike, and staff is ready to customize a solution to best meet individual client’s needs. The PortA-Johns team of 18 employees maintains a fleet of about a dozen trucks to deliver a variety of clean portable restrooms including wheelchair-accessible

PORT-A-JOH N S

P.O. Box 116 Bennington, NE 68007 402.965.9700 portajohns.net

versions and lighted units for evening events. Hand sanitizer is in every unit, but hand washing stations are also available for rent. Post-event, the units are promptly picked up.

“We offer good, reliable friendly service,” Christianson said. “Our crew does a great job.”

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Matt Croteau

CUSTOM BATHROOM REMODELING re-bath of the heartland

“T

he majority of our customers have never done a b ath ro o m m o d e l before,” said Re-Bath of the Heartland General Manager Matt Croteau—adding that those who have experienced the task with another provider recall a time-consuming process, punctuated by visits to multiple showrooms for each component. There’s also the cost estimates that grow with recurrent contractor visits.

Re-Bath takes a more customer-first approach, making the process both easy and convenient for homeowners.

“When we show up to your house, we’re saving you hours and hours of shopping by bringing samples of all of our materials to you. We do the selection process right in your home,” Croteau said. “Then you pick out the materials you like and we calculate a to-thepenny price while we’re there.”

Working with a designer at the outset ensures aesthetics are thoughtfully considered, and the Re-Bath team possesses the specialized expertise to execute a wide array of custom projects, from cosmetic updates to a complete remodel. “We can take it down to the studs, if necessary.”

RE-BATH OF THE HEARTLAND

4123 S. 84th St. Omaha, NE 68127 402.991.2818 rebath.com

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Cody Osburn

MATERIAL HANDLING

riekes equipment

A

time-tested foundation of integrity, service, and tireless innovation has elevated Riekes Equipment to meet the Midwest’s evergrowing needs . They ’ve been in business for nearly a century, evolving with and for their customers to overcome operational challenges both old and new. Recently, this has meant expanding into automation, including automated guided vehicles, robots, and automated storage and retrieval systems.

“Riekes has always existed to solve the challenges of our customers quicker, safer, and more effectively than anyone else,” said Cody Osburn, Automation Consultant at Riekes Equipment.

Riekes Equipment takes pride in their ability to customize solutions to meet industryspecific demands. Through their knowledge of industrial e quipment , pro ductivit y, automation, and warehouse solutions, Riekes Equipment combines their offerings into a unique portfolio designed for project efficiency and client success.

“We’ve worked with nonprofits, Fortune 500 companies, distribution centers, and everything in between,” Osburn said. “If you have an operational challenge and are looking for a solution, we’re confident we can help.”

RI E KE S EQU I PM E NT

6703 L St. Omaha, NE, 68117 800.856.0931 riekesequipment.com FAC E S O F O M A H A 2 02 2

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Karna Dam

MEDICAL STAFFING rtg medical

R

TG Medical has much to celebrate. The 20-yearold health care staffing agency—which connects health care professionals with temporary positions in facilities across the country—is readying to move into a new 54,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art headquarters at Highway 275 and Highway 30 in Fremont.

“It will house all of our recruiters and our administrative staff as well,” Community Engagement Representative Karna Dam said, explaining that the company has approximately 90 employees in Fremont along with health care professionals in every state. “The new campus is going to provide new opportunities and it’s so close in proximity to the Omaha metro area that we hope it’s a huge draw for potential employees. We are looking to grow nearly double in size over the next three to five years.”

RTG employees have contributed over $350,000 to local nonprofit organizations through a community partnership program, underscoring the company’s ‘people-first’ workplace philosophy.

“We focus on providing employees an environment that enriches them as a person, not just as a professional,” she said.

RTG MEDICAL

1005 E. 23rd St., Suite 200 Fremont, NE 68025 866.784.2329 (RTG.2DAY) rtgmedical.com

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Jeff and Mari Doll

CIGARS

safari cigars and lounge

A

n otherwise nondescript West Omaha strip center hosts one of the Midwest’s quintessential cigar lounges. Boasting the metro’s largest humidor, Safari Cigars and Lounge is stocked with the finest cigars in Nebraska—the sole purveyor of handmade Davidoff cigars statewide.

The lounge’s cozy atmosphere offers respite from the day’s stresses, while a fully stocked bar and signature cocktails served by knowledgable staff enhance the experience.

“We treat everyone like they’re guests in our own home,” said Safari Cigars and Lounge owners Jeff and Mari Doll, “we’re here all the time, we enjoy this business, and we enjoy offering hospitality and the friendships that follow.”

“The ladies in the house are the glue, the face of Safari,” Mari said, referencing herself and a trio of dynamic bartenders/servers in Amy, Marissa, and Taylor—invaluable staff who keep the good times and premium liquors flowing. “We make a lot of old fashions,” she laughed.

expansive, well-curated humidor, “we still have the largest selection of cigars in Omaha.”

“You’re only a stranger once,” he added with a grin.

SAFARI CIGARS AND LOUNGE

13110 Birch Drive Suite 108 Omaha, NE 68164 402.965.1460 safaricigarsandlounge.com

“We haven’t done too much different in the last nine years,” Jeff noted, gesturing toward the lounge’s

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Eric Burden and Rebecca Forsyth

BEAUTY

satellite by BUNGALOW/8 hairdressing

B

UNGALOW/8 is having a voluminous 2022 with the opening of a satellite salon in Countryside Village, adding some color and flare to the well-trodden 87th and Pacific Streets shopping plaza.

“We needed to expand into a separate space to accommodate our growth, which is an exciting problem to have,” said Creative Director Rebecca Forsyth. “In this new location we have some additional services like spray tanning, which we are offering in a more luxury boutique way, as well as eyelash extensions.”

Founded by Eric Burden, the salon is known for its outstanding work with hair of all tex tures , with each location fielding a curly-hair specialist. BUNGALOW/8 has also

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bolstered its extension services with four methods of application to offer more customized looks.

Stylists at both locations help clients express their individuality in a way that complements their lifestyle.

“I think that people continue to choose our salon because we really focus on continuing to change and evolve their personal look,” Forsyth said. “We strive to not be complacent with our longtime clients and continue to offer them growth.”

BUNGALOW/8 HAIRDRESSING

1120 S. 105th St. Omaha, NE 68124 402.934.8727 bungalow8omaha.com SATELLITE SALON

8733 Countryside Plaza Omaha, NE 68144 402.502.3340 satellitesalon.com

Dave Nelson

CORPORATE/COMPANY BRANDING secretpenguin

“W

e create and refine brands to stand out,” said Dave Nelson, owner of branding agency SecretPenguin. Founded in 2000, Nelson’s firm stands out from the competition in its focus, structure, and winning process.

Rather than roll out advertising campaigns, SecretPenguin explores how customers interact with a brand. “If you have a bad experience, you’re not going to come back because their logo looks good or because they have a great advertisement,” Nelson noted.

“Our clients rarely pay for advertising; most of it is through word of mouth.”

SecretPenguin’s 10-member team is collaborative, and the organizational chart is level. “We support one

another, not report to one another,” Nelson said. “We have a lead account person and a lead creative person on each project, and everyone follows their lead. It’s a really fun way to work.”

The fun also extends to SecretPenguin’s process with clients, from mom-andpops to industry giants. “We’ve created and/or refined over 250 brands using our process, The Iceberg Build, with a 99% success rate,” Nelson continued.

“We aim to eliminate the frustration

many brands face when working with agencies. No endless revisions, no big egos making design choices over our clients’ vision.”

S EC RETPE NGU I N

1516 Cuming St. Omaha, NE 68102 402.637.1250 secretpenguin.com

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Jim Landen, C.L. Landen and Tim Sullivan

BANKING

security national bank

F

ounded by Clarence “Mickey” L. Landen, Jr., in 1964, Security National Bank remains dedicated to community banking, with members of the second and third generations of the Landen family leading the bank.

Jim Landen, executive chairman; and Clarence “C.L.” L. Landen, III., CEO, were joined by Tim Sullivan as president nearly a year ago to form the Office of the Chairman to balance operational excellence with strategic innovation.

Today, Security National Bank is one of the Midwest’s largest family-owned, privately-held banks with more than $1.5 billion in assets. Within the private client services division, its wealth management team exceeds $1.6 billion in assets under management. The commercial banking area focuses on commercial and industrial, commercial real estate and also small business needs. The bank is the right size to help with its clients’ bigger dreams while small enough that its clients get to know the decision-makers.

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In early 2020, the bank expanded its full-service offerings to locations in Uptown Dallas and Jordan Creek in West Des Moines, in addition to its 10 branches in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area.

For 57 years, the bank has offered comprehensive financial solutions to individuals through private client services, consumer banking and m o r tg ag e s , an d to b u s in e s s e s through commercial banking and treasury management.

S EC U RITY NATIONAL BAN K

Three Pacific Place Headquarters 1120 S. 101 St. Omaha, NE 68124 402.344.7300 844.SNB.1964 SNBconnect.com

John Dineen

ESTATE JEWELRY

sol’s jewelry

C

lients shopping high-end jewelry brands—especially one-of-a-kind or vintage items—might not associate Sol’s Jewelry with this special category, said General Manager John Dineen, but the company has the incredible connections to get those exclusive luxury pieces.

“The Louis Vuitton, the Tiffany & Co., a lot of the name-brand designers out there, we carry them,” Dineen said.

“Definitely consider us when you’re looking for something like that.”

Sol’s appraises estate jewelry and serves as one of the area’s top buyers for clients from private owners ready to sell valuable pieces to individuals who have inherited a collection. The company also has expertise in jewelry repair. All pieces of jewelry showcased at

SOL’S J EWE LRY

Six metro locations 402.333.SOLS (7657) solsomaha.com

any of Sol’s six locations have been professionally refinished, cleaned, and inspected.

Dineen, who’s been with Sol’s for more than 25 years, said the company also provides exquisite service.

“We’ve been a staple of the community for over 40 years and our customer service definitely is our numberone priority,” he said. “We strive for generational customers and we want people to keep coming back.”

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Christi Ballard

DESIGNER LUXURY HANDBAGS

status: pre-loved luxury handbags

C

hristi Ballard’s passion for designer luxury handbags began in high school, later spurring a side hustle in the online resale market while working a corporate job. In May 2020, she officially started her business, naming it Status: Pre-Loved Luxury Handbags. Her Omaha customers were thrilled at the opening of her Aksarben Village boutique one year later.

Finding the right handbag is a sensory experience. “You want to be able to look at it in the mirror on you and see how it fits,” Ballard mused, “you want to touch and feel it.” A customer will often come in, fall in love with a handbag, then go home and think about it overnight only to return the next day to complete the purchase.

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Ballard’s husband suggested the name Status because it reflects a question her father used to ask whenever she and her siblings came home for a visit: “What’s your status? How are things going?”

“This is my forever status,” Ballard affirmed, “because I left the corporate world to be an entrepreneur and share my love of sustainable luxury.”

STATU S: PRE-LOVE D LUXU RY HAN DBAGS

1917 S. 67th St. Suite 160 Omaha, NE 68106 402.915.0262 mystatuslux.com

Chef Lee Franklin, Montoya Johnson, Joe Pittack, Jeanne Pittack

ICE CREAM

ted & wally’s

T

here’s a reason why the ice cream from Ted & Wally’s tastes so amazing and possesses such rich texture.

“Our ice cream is unique,” said Jeanne Pittack, who co-owns the business with brother Joe Pittack. “It is made in century-old White Mountain freezers the old-fashioned way. It is the highest premium—highest butterfat—in the United States and made from scratch with unique signature recipes with real eggs, sugar, and cream.”

Visitors can witness the process in action as the vintage freezers slowchurn the ice cream with rock salt and ice. Not only is the ice cream

“We are grateful to be in business in Omaha for more than 35 years,” Pittack affirmed.

outstanding, the family-owned small business primarily uses locally sourced ingredients; Ted & Wally’s partner with dozens of producers, farmers, chefs and, artisans to craft nearly 3,000 unique flavors. Vegan and keto-friendly options are also available.

Old Market 1120 Jackson St. Omaha, NE 68102 402.341.5827

T h e b u s i n e s s o r i g i n a te d a t t h e downtown location in 1986 and is now welcoming second, even thirdgeneration patrons who’ve made Ted & Wally’s not only a family tradition, but an Omaha classic.

Benson 6023 Maple St. Omaha, NE 68104 402.551.4420 tedandwallys.com

TE D & WALLY’S

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Thomas Campbell

PERSONAL INJURY LAW tln law

“T

here are basically no other lawyers who speak Spanish here,” said Thomas Campbell, who founded TLN Law in the heart of Omaha’s underserved Spanish-speaking community eight years ago. In addition to earning a college degree in Spanish, Campbell honed his fluency while living abroad in Argentina for several years. “I’ve been speaking Spanish for a very long time,” he said, noting that the eight-member staff is articulate in multiple languages.

Many of the cases Campbell handles involve obtaining compensation for clients who have been injured in auto accidents. Campbell finds that people often have misconceptions about the roles of the attorney and the insurance company after an accident occurs.

“Your attorney works for you,” Campbell emphasized. “The insurance company does not. As a for-profit company,

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the insurance company wants to make money, and often that means denying claims.”

In addition to handling personal injury litigation, TLN Law accepts criminal, immigration, and family law cases. TLN has established a strong reputation in South Omaha, receiving frequent referrals from satisfied clients throughout the area and beyond.

TLN LAW

4808 South 24th St. Omaha, NE 68107 402.614.9995 tlnlaw.com

Andy Hearn

HOME REMODELING

t. hurt construction

T

he T. Hurt Construction team remodels homes from many eras— particularly adept at renovating older homes—giving special attention to seamlessly blending in the new with important historic details.

“We maintain the style of the house but bring it up to modern standards and modern design trends,” said owner Andy Hearn.

Hearn bought the business nine years ago from Terry Hurt, who founded the company in 1994 and remains involved. The T. Hurt team’s expertise accommodates complex older-home projects like plaster repair, bringing electrical and plumbing up to code, and

updating heating and cooling systems.

A remodel typically also improves flow and functionality, like removing walls between kitchens and dining rooms to create an open floor plan.

Hearn noted that his team can achieve an amazing whole-house transformation or improve a target area just like the remodeling shows on TV that serve as inspiration for many home-owners; no camera crew necessary.

“Your home won’t be done in 30 minutes,” Hearn said, wryly. “But it helps people understand what they want.”

T. H U RT CON STRUCTION

4978 F. St. Omaha, NE 68117 402.510.9585 thurtconstruction.com

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Todd Smith

FITNESS AND NUTRITION todd smith fitness

H

ow does Todd Smith describe his business? “A total immersion in gratitude and joy!”

“After 38 years in the fitness industry, Todd Smith Fitness is committed to elevating the emotions of every person who walks in the door,” he said. “That’s what we try to do on top of the consistent dedication to improving our training protocol, getting better and recognizing trends in the human body. We know we can make a deep impact upon people physiologically, but emotionally also…

When you walk in here, we know who you are. We care.”

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One example of the company’s evolution is that, in recent years, Smith’s team has developed protocol to help counteract the effect on the body from using cell phones, tablets and computers for hours at a time.

“Due to the fact that so many people are on their phones or at their desk and being so sedentary, the human body is changing posturally before my eyes,” Smith said. “Because people have neck and back and hip pain, we’re being proactive and really addressing those issues.”

TODD S M ITH FITN E S S

434 N. 76th St. 402.932.5841 toddsmithfitness.com

Deb Grafentin & Krista Barr

VOLLEYBALL

The Volleyball Academy

I

t’s been an exceptional time of growth for The Volleyball Academy (TVA), said academy Director Deb Grafentin.

“We are currently looking at a 21% growth in our club volleyball side— River City Juniors— and a 15% growth in leagues and Lil’ Digger programs.

Our facility is being booked seven days a week except for major holidays,” Grafentin said, adding that 37,500 square feet of main floor space grants the facility versatility for rentals. “We have hosted events in our facility other than volleyball such as gymnastics meets, futsal league and tournaments, banquets, and wrestling tournaments.”

TVA offers all-ages indoor and outdoor training and competition in addition to popular summer skills camps for youth.

TH E VOLLEYBALL ACADE MY

11924 Portal Road La Vista, NE 68128 402.213.4644 thevolleyballacademy.com

“We have the largest variety of opportunities for any individual or group/ team to get involved in the great sport of volleyball,” Grafentin said. “All are welcome; we want the community to come in and feel they will be taken care of not only in the training and teaching side but also in the person/human side.

We care about our customers.”

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Nagi T. Ayoub M.D. FACS

PLASTIC SURGERY

westfield plastic surgery center

T

he team at Westfield Plastic Surgery Center focuses on fostering a sleek, comforting environment around every patient’s cosmetic procedure— whether it’s a noninvasive or minimally invasive treatment like tattoo removal, skin revitalization, PiXel 8-RF (radio frequency) microneedling, or Botox; or a surgical procedure for the face or body.

This dedication to excellence is reflected in concurrent Best of Omaha designations in three categories: Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck, and Cosmetic Surgery.

the office to be stronger and stronger and reflect the experience we like to provide the patient: a comfortable, private, professional, dignified, and safe place,” said Dr. Nagi T. Ayoub.

“We’re very happy about that, and we continue to concentrate on the patient experience by building our team in

Westfield PSC added three new members to the practice this year, bolstering their expertise in cost-effective,

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comprehensive cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery services.

Westfield PSC is known in the community for delivering exceptional outcomes, and their unmatched commitment to innovation and the cutting-edge of surgical technology.

WE STFI E LD PLASTIC S U RGE RY C E NTE R

9900 Nicholas St, Suite 300 402.578.0706 westfieldpsc.com westfieldmedispa.com

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