Strictly Business Omaha March 2020

• Joining Organizations • Education • Workplace Wellness • Commercial Construction CLIENT SPOTLIGHTS • House of Conundrum - Omaha Escape Room • Destination: Orlando, Florida • Closet & Storage Concepts of Omaha

OMAHA • MARCH 2020

RIVER CITY SIX

IN THIS ISSUE

STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM

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AARON NEWELL AR Solutions

NATALIE HADLEY Outlook Business Solutions

MEGAN MORRISON BELFOR Property Restoration

SHANE REARDON West Gate Bank

NICOLE SIMPSON Ambius

ERIC HALSEY Engineered Controls

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Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505

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Is your Website ADA Compliant?

The Importance of Accessible Digital Platforms Sponsored by Outlook Business Solutions

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Is your company looking towards the horizon to extend its marketing reach while avoiding potential legal action? Lawsuits against companies is an emerging trend when they fail to provide accessibility for disabled people. Businesses worry about the expense and time in ensuring accessibility, especially for online and digital platforms. But for disabled people, it potentially locks them out of opportunities from employment to entertainment.

In 2018, more than 470 suits involving digital accessibility were filed between July and September. UsableNet estimates that in 2019, a new ADA website lawsuit was filed every working hour, totaling 40 a week and more than 2000 per year. These numbers demonstrate the need for websites and apps to be accessible for all people. Disabled seek equity among digital platforms. Considering accessibility before constructing your digital media benefits everyone and grows your market of consumers.

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Whether in the process of developing a business or maintaining an established company, there are steps to ensure web and digital accessibility. The concept is that when accessibility for all is included, everyone benefits.

Finding representatives from a target demographic to test online and digital content is strongly recommended. Using real-life people who understand accessibility is key. Accessibility should be worked into the creation of platforms. Expectations with collaborators should be set up-front, which includes graphic designers, content managers and writers. This keeps everyone on the same page when creating accessible websites. Some key accessibility concerns to work on include: • • • • • •

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YOU’VE GOT ONE HOUR Our team recently took on a daring new challenge at House of Conundrum, an escape room center on 2564 Leavenworth St. that really redefines the escape room experience. With nine rooms in all—the biggest in the Midwest—House of Conundrum has enough variety to keep you coming back for different themes, difficulty levels, and sizes to suit your group (whether you’re on a date or a company outing). Whereas many escape rooms follow mass-produced scripts and setups that can be purchased by anyone, House of Conundrum’s rooms are all original creations from the mind of master puzzler, owner, and founder John Comstock, a man who fascinates our whole team with his ability to devise clever codes and riddles.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

House of Conundrum – Omaha Escape Room

We weren’t quite sure if we’d be up to the task. For one thing, the Conundrum staff recommended we try Knight in the Museum based on the size of our group—their most difficult escape room with a success rate of only 2%. Though we were slightly intimidated by these statistics, we are a determined bunch! We made a goal to beat the one-hour clock and solve the challenge, all without asking for a single clue. We wanted to beat the record and get our picture on the wall with a “gold medal.” Bold move.

The first thing we noticed was how impressively decorated the Knight in the Museum room was with its beautiful suits of armor, sarcophagus, Garden of Eden (complete with fig-leaf-clothed Adam and Eve mannequins), and even an arc of the covenant, though the décor was anything but merely ornamental. A staff member gave us a quick briefing of our challenge, informing us that we were all members of WEST (“WE Steal Things”) and that our directive was to do the unprecedented and find the ultimate treasure. Unfortunately, our team of thieves had tripped the security system on our way in and the authorities had been notified. And so the clock began to run.

We found ourselves turning over just about everything in sight in search of clues and answers. We definitely broke a sweat when we saw the timer running! As intensely focused as we were, we still took moments to pause in awe as we pieced everything together. Our minds are still reeling by the ingenuity of it all! We also had several big moments when we all gasped because magic seemed to be happening before our eyes. We don’t want to give anything away, but we will say it was all pretty amazing.

One of the most satisfying by-products of our experience was how quickly it united us all as a team—especially those of us who were fairly new and unfamiliar with others in the group. The nature of the escape room broke down barriers and joined us through a common objective. We saw a whole new side of our teammates. We can’t recommend this experience enough as an awesome team-building, ice-breaking activity! Out of all the team outings we’ve done, this one stands out due to the high level of energy everyone in our group had when we finished. We were already talking about plans for a next visit and other people we wanted to bring for the experience.

In the end, we were glad we had a large group of 10 people for the particular escape room we chose. It took all of our concentrated efforts and the full use of our brainpower to unravel the tangle of clues all around us. With approximately 20 minutes left on the clock, we had an ultimate Aha! moment when all the disconnected pieces suddenly converged, and in an instant we were standing before the ultimate treasure. Yes. You read that right. Our Strictly Business team is officially comprised of bona fide treasure stealers.

If you’re looking for a new experience that will make you think outside the box and push you to work together with others, look no further! Everything you need is contained within the room. We promise, there really is a key to every lock, and if you hurry, you won’t get caught. You’ve got one hour.

2564 Leavenworth St. | Omaha, NE 402-250-2300 | www.houseofconundrum.com #PrintProudDigitalSmart

MARCH 2020 Strictly Business

1

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

PAIGE ZUTAVERN - Omaha/Lincoln - President (402) 730-0096 | Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

A Look Into What it Means to Partner with Strictly Business: Positioning Yourself as the Expert Last month, I began to address aspects of Strictly Business that someone who isn’t familiar with the magazine may not be aware of, especially from an advertising perspective. We looked at ways to create an effective advertisement and then left off by introducing the free, value-added editorial we offer our clients as a way to tell their story beyond the dimensions of their ad space.

“I encourage our clients to make a bigger deal of things that might seem like they only hold internal significance,” she said.

“As an example, if members of your team attend a conference or complete a training course, that is definitely worth sharing with the public. This gives readers a chance to see the behind-the-scenes of a thriving business team. Highlighting the accomplishments and milestones of individuals at your organization makes a huge impact. Suddenly, the reader can imagine what it would be like to interact with your team and do business with you. A level of trust is built.”

Regardless of the size of advertisement a client runs in our magazine—whether that be a 1/16 page or a full page—all of our Annie also shared why it’s important for clients to participate in clients enjoy the option of monthly news coverage and feature story a few of Strictly Business’s many feature stories. inclusion at no extra cost. Our news section allows “We have an editorial calendar full of feature businesses to share their exciting happenings with Original content and stories that cover a variety of topics. These our readers. Our clients also have opportunities to participate in special feature stories that position storytelling are essential features give our clients the chance to share their advice and insight on topics that are related to them as experts in their field, and all of this parts of any great their industry. The purpose of this is to present editorial content is promoted online through our our clients as the expert in their fields. By quoting marketing strategy. website and social media. our clients and including a headshot photo of the Original content and storytelling are essential individual actually being quoted, our readers parts of any great marketing strategy. Here’s what Sujan Patel, a make a visual connection between the business and the story topic, leading expert in digital marketing, has to say about the need for whether that be senior care, automotive, construction, health and sharing your story as a business: wellness, etc.”

“Telling your story is a critical part of building your brand. It helps to shape how people view you and enables consumers to begin forging a connection with you and your company. Do it right, and you’ll put building blocks in place that allow you to develop a thriving brand with an equally thriving future, one that people buy from simply because they love what you do, what you stand for, and the stories you share.”

Patel understands the immutable power of storytelling and how this makes a business real and relatable to the public. Our Co-editor and Writer Annie Carbutt, who oversees our news and feature stories, has years of experience shaping and crafting words to tell important stories and deliver messages that would otherwise be missed. I asked Annie what makes an effective press release.

So, between press releases and feature stories, we give our clients different avenues to share their message...and this is something any business can get at any ad size! I will go into the benefits of even more free editorial coverage we offer through features such as the River City Six columns and full-page Client Spotlight next month, but in the meantime, I encourage businesses to reach out to us to learn more about including a press release or being included in a feature story that showcases your industry in Strictly Business.

We would be happy to share our editorial calendar with you.

Let Strictly Business help you lock in your status as THE EXPERT in your industry, utilizing print, the internet, and social media. Find out how by contacting Paige at (402) 466-3330.

CONTENTS NEWS

4 Business 23 Personnel

27 Nonprofit 33 Health

SPOTLIGHTS

1 House of Conundrum - Omaha Escape Room 15 Destination: Orlando, Florida 22 Foster Care: CEDARS 35 Closet & Storage Concepts of Omaha

FEATURE STORIES

36 39 40 42 2

Joining Organizations Education Workplace Wellness Commercial Construction Strictly Business MARCH 2020

Hannah

Annie

Katherine

PRODUCTION TEAM: Editor/Operations Hannah Hundley - Editor@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Editor/Writer Annie Carbutt - Office@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Art Director Katherine Crawford - Design@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com SALES TEAM: President/Sales Paige Zutavern - Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Publisher/Founder/Accounting Shayne Zutavern - SZutavern@yahoo.com STRICTLY BUSINESS is not responsible for unsolicited material. All rights to submission, including letters, will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to our unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially or creatively, unless otherwise negotiated with the author. Nothing may be printed in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. The publication of any advertisement in STRICTLY BUSINESS is not an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised.

Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright ©2020 by PZAK, Inc. Third Class Postage Paid at Lincoln, NE 68505

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ABOUT THE COVER

Custom AV Innovation and Solutions at the Speed of Excellence Proud to Now Be Serving the Kansas City Market Echo Systems is the Midwest leader in home/business technology and lighting with local roots that date back 60 years. As the 30th largest custom AV integrator in the nation, Echo Systems is quickly emerging as one of the country’s premier integrators. The company continues to grow their footprint as they expand into new markets. Most recently, Echo Systems acquired Kansas City-based Integrated Electronics in June of 2019, enabling them to service an even greater area of the Midwest.

Integrated Electronics, located at 660 N Lindenwood Dr. in Olathe, KS, had been operating in the greater Kansas City area for 36 years and has earned a reputation as one of the area’s top integrators with a well-respected technical staff and loyal customer base. Echo Systems’ acquisition of the company allows existing and potential Kansas City clientele to work with the same team they had come to know and trust at Integrated Electronics, but now everything they do is backed by a company with greater resources, products, and services than Integrated Electronics had previously. Pictured on the cover is the Kansas City team.

OMAHA • MARCH 2020

TM

In ThIs Issue

• Joining Organizations • Education • Workplace Wellness ction • Commercial Constru Client SpotlightS rum - Omaha Escape Room • House of Conund o, Florida • Destination: Orland ts of Omaha • Closet & Storage Concep

RIVER CITY SIX

M STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.CO

AARON NEWELL AR Solutions

SHANE REARDON West Gate Bank

NATALIE HADLEY Outlook Business Solutions

NICOLE SIMPSON Ambius

MEGAN MORRISON BELFOR Property Restoration

ERIC HALSEY Engineered Controls

Echo Systems is committed to giving each of its clients the highest-class experience in the industry. With Echo Systems, you can have the ultimate technology lifestyle. Through their services, they are making environments smarter with controls for home and office that can be managed from anywhere. A walk through Echo Systems showroom exhibits the beginnings of what they are capable of accomplishing. Visitors can stroll through Echo Systems’ indoor “dream home” and take in the incredible design while trying to identify the locations of hidden technology, lighting control, and motorized shades throughout this full-sized residence. The beautiful showroom is a tool for the imagination, revealing how a residential space can be completely transformed through the installation of: • Automated shades • Home automation systems • Music systems • Outdoor automation systems • Private theater Their focus is to understand your electronic needs and to exceed your expectations by providing a simple solution. They look forward to the opportunity to serve you!

Echo Systems is a proud member of the Greater Omaha Remodelers Association-NARI as well as the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association-CEDIA, the Metro Omaha Builders Association-MOBA, an associate member of the American Institute of Architects-AIA, American Society of Interior Designers-ASID and The Guild Integrators Alliance.

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Strictly Business Magazine NE 68505 PO BOX 57397, Lincoln,

For more information, call (402) 334-4900 or visit www.echosystemsmidwest.com.

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www.StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com MARCH 2020 Strictly Business

3

BUSINESS NEWS Business Ethics Alliance Announces Signature Events for 2020 Every year, the Business Ethics Alliance puts on powerful, thoughtprovoking events for attendees at a variety of levels within an organization. Each signature event focuses on notable keynote speakers and panelists in a large group setting. The Alliance is dedicated to elevating ethics education across the community and is excited to share the 2020 schedule: • EthicSpace Conference – October 13 (location TBA): Second annual conference intended for Omaha’s business community on ethics development.

• Executive Breakfasts – March 3 and September 15 at the Holland Performing Arts Center: Executive level leaders gather for thoughtprovoking ethics strategies shared by distinguished speakers.

• Ethics Network Luncheon – November 10 (location TBA): For management levels professionals to network and put ethics as a cornerstone to doing business.

• Mind Candy Dialogues – April 16 and August 27 at Temple Israel: Known as the most popular events, these dialogues challenge controversial topics and are free and open to the public.

The Greater Omaha Alliance for Business Ethics at Creighton University—the Business Ethics Alliance—is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to city-level business ethics education. To register for any of the 2020 events, go online to www.businessethicsalliance. org. Further questions can be directed to Alise Hernandez at (402) 280-3367 / ahernandez@businessethicsalliance.org.

Classe Elites Matchmaking Agency Launches Remote Dating Service in Omaha Now offering their remote dating service in Omaha, Classe Elites Matc hmaking Agency, LLC is celebrating their opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 4 with the Greater Omaha Chamber.

The event is from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at Classic Rock Coffee. Guests will have the chance to personally meet the co-founders of Classe Elites: Rayna Gochanour, Tina Beckwith, and Doug Swarts. These three individuals saw a need for a change in the dating world. As a result, Classe Elites decided to better serve their members and clients by going remote.

A remote matchmaking agency means that the matchmakers don’t walk into a traditional 8-to-5 office each weekday. This provides a higher success rate with being able to work from any location. The matchmakers at Classe Elites are in front of more people and have that face-to-face interaction, staying better connected with members and clients to keep up with a fast-pace world. Today, almost everything is available at your finger tips with the press of a button, but relationships need more time and care. Classe Elites believes that when selecting your future significant other, one should never be swiping right or left as if you are sorting through a clothing rack, quickly getting pushed to the side, and leaving you feeling uninspired to want to continue the search for a partner.

Classe Elites Matchmaking Agency, LLC strives to provide a personal experience while maintaining the utmost confidentiality. Their service encourages you to be yourself, to feel confident enough to look up from your phone, and engage with those in front of you. When investing in your future with Classe Elites, their team of professionals do the work for you to free up your time and take the stress away from you. Learn more on the website at classeelites.com or call (531) 777-0888.

4 Strictly Business MARCH 2020

Bark Avenue Omaha Celebrates 20 Years Bar k Avenue Omaha is celebrating 20 years of business and exceptional ser vice to four-legged friends and their families.

Their caring and experienced staff of pet stylists, daycare attendants, boarding leads, and front counter supervisors are grateful for the loyalty of their customers that has made their business the success it is.

Bark Avenue Omaha is a doggy daycare, boarding facility, and grooming salon. If you’re looking for a safe, fun place for your pet while you are at work or play, because you care but can’t be there, Bark Avenue’s daycare and overnight boarding provide a comfortable, happy, and secure environment. Their caring staff involves all furry guests in fun activities and gives them constant supervision with webcam available for viewing daycare during play times. Bark Avenue grooming salon features stylists with 75 combined years of experience. They pride themselves in the knowledge to groom all breeds of dogs, especially puppies and geriatrics. They advance their knowledge in every aspect of services and belong to numerous groups for advanced training, such as the Dog Guru and International Pet Groomer, Inc. Whatever your needs are for your furry family, Bark Avenue has you covered in one convenient location. They have been the Best of OMAHA winner for their pet services since 2008.

To learn more about Bark Avenue Omaha’s services, visit their website at www.barkavenueomaha.com or call (402) 933-4007.

DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest Hosts Grand Re-Opening On January 16, DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest celebrated their grand re-opening with a savory selection of appetizer’s, action stations, decadent deserts, complimentary drinks, and entertainment. In addition, representatives from the Greater Omaha Chamber were present to host an extravagant ribbon-cutting ceremony. Guests were also able to enjoy the live music by artists David Zollo, Jason Boggs, and Randy Burk while sipping on a variety of beverage options provided by Kinkaider Brewing Co., Brickway Brewery, Pint 9 / Republic National, and Premier Midwest Beverage. The Double Tree went all out to celebrate their newly-appointed space!

The Hilton conversion process began in June 2019 and full implementation of the exceptional Hilton flag was raised on November 5, 2019. In addition to the conversion process, the team at DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest has extensively been active in collaborating with local nonprofits such as The Coalition for Human Trafficking, YES (Youth Emergency Services), and Children’s Hospital. All of which were featured at the grand re-opening. Quality, active, and dedicated service to the community and to all of their guests is at the heart of the hotel.

Conveniently located off I-80, the hotel offers easy access to many of Omaha’s most popular places such as the Baxter Arena and the Henry Doorly Zoo. They have a heated, glass-enclosed pool, free Wi-Fi, an open concept business center, and a 24-hour fitness center available to all guests. The in-house ‘Vida’ Restaurant and Lounge is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and room service dining.

Hilton is a global hospitality company comprised of nearly 5,000 properties. To learn more about Hilton Hotels, visit their website at hilton. com. To contact the new DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest location, call (402) 905-9414. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Scantron Technology Solutions regularly stands above the crowd with their track record of successfully delivering premium IT services and their willingness to put service at the heart of their offerings. With more than 52,000 customer sites across the country, Scantron has helped their customers get greater value from their IT environments by making them faster, safer, and more reliable for more than 40 years. They continue to provide top of the industry IT support and solutions at local and national levels. To learn more about Scantron Technology Solutions, go to scantron.com/omaha.

Cass County Economic Development Council Recognizes Businesses at Annual Meeting Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Council (CCNEDC) held its 2020 Annual Meeting on January 29 at Round the Bend Steakhouse in Ashland where Executive Director Jennifer Serkiz highlighted the county’s 2019 accomplishments. More than 80 area business professionals attended the event. Dr. Brian Williams, Nebraska Public Power District economist, reviewed Cass County economic growth over the years. Senator Mark Kolterman, District 24 and CCNEDC’s annual meeting speaker highlighted the LB720 ImagiNE Nebraska Act. “I appreciate all the collaboration in the county this past year and as a result CCNEDC responded to 21 opportunities which generated seven site visits and four landed projects resulting in $4.7 million in capital investments and 26 new jobs in Cass County,” Jennifer said.

Two local businesses were recognized by CCNEDC with the organization’s 2020 Business Recognition Award: T.J. and Tifini Olson, owners of Round The Bend Steakhouse, and Mark and Sue Shaw, owners of Shaw Smart Properties, LLC (Shaw Hardware, The Sweet Spot, and Fork and Hammer restaurant). This award acknowledges companies who have significantly contributed to all of Cass County through economic growth, support, community involvement, and improvement. In addition, Alan Mueller was recognized for his leadership of CCNEDC over the last three years and will remain a great asset to the organization as past chairman this next year.

Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Council is part of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership. Learn more online at www.omahachamber.org/economic-development/cass-countyeconomic-development-council or contact Jennifer at (402) 978- 7909 / jserkiz@selectgreateromaha.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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OMAHA • DECEMBER 2019 TM

A salon made for • Senior Care • Technology • Holiday Wrap-Up Client SpotlightS • Bridge to Better Living • Modern Work Suites & Studios

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In ThIs Issue

Scantron Technology Solutions was recently recognized as a leading managed ser vice provider (MSP) by Cloudtango for excelling in several critical areas, such as support services, customer satisfaction, market growth, certifications, and innovation. Scantron was named to two lists: MSP100 US, which honors the best 100 MSPs in the U.S., and Global100, for the best 100 MSPs in the world. Cloudtango screens thousands of MSPs to find the top service providers in the industry.

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Scantron Named to MSP100 US and Global100 Lists by Cloudtango

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JESSICA FRENZEN Clearwater Counseling

JENNIFER LOUKOTA McGill Restoration

CHRIS RUSH 9Round Fitness

BRANDI BALLAN West Gate Bank

KEN INCONTRO Closet & Storage Concepts

TIMOTHY SIRAGUSA Acadian Grille Dundee

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Sandhills Global’s FR8Star Records Successful Closing Quarter, Adds New Carrier Feature FR8Star, a trusted online marketplace and preferred shipping partner of Sandhills Global, announced a successful closing quarter in 2019 with more than 25,000 specialized, less than load (LTL), and flatbed transport loads posted to the FR8Star broker and carrier network. FR8Star connects shippers with expert, bonded brokers and insured carriers, providing a secure and transparent bidding process to facilitate timely, hassle-free shipping. Continuing its momentum into 2020, FR8Star’s lead generation looks to grow past 1,500 quality leads per week, derived from AuctionTime. com, MachineryTrader.com, TractorHouse.com, and TruckPaper.com.

FR8Star now also provides a carrier load board, a new feature that is exclusive to FR8Star carriers and completely free for them to use. The carrier load board enables carriers to quickly filter and sort loads, and to view all available information about each load, in order to find the loads that are most suitable to their expertise. Criteria for filtering and sorting includes location, shipment type, load/unload method, and special load requirements.

Sandhills Global is the company behind these and other industry-leading platforms, including CraneTrader.com and ForestryTrader.com, all of which facilitate the sale of new and used heavy machinery, agricultural equipment, and commercial trucks and trailers. FR8Star is fully integrated into Sandhills’ retail platforms, streamlining the specialized transportation process for purchases, rentals, and leases. Buyers can simply click the FR8Star shipping link on any equipment, truck, or trailer listing to launch a quote request specific to that particular asset.

To learn more, visit www.FR8Star.com or call (888) 281-2269.

MARCH 2020 Strictly Business 5

BUSINESS NEWS Control Depot Recognized as 2020 Diamond Distributor by Honeywell

Mid-Continental Restoration Co., Inc. to Establish Regional Office in Nebraska

Honeywell recently announced Control Depot as one of its Diamond Distributors for 2020. This prestigious award is presented annually to only 10 of the top Honeywell distributors in the nation. The title is based on sales volume, technical competency, and customer service. This represents the 12th year that Control Depot has been recognized with Diamond Distributor status.

Control Depot is a Honeywell Authorized Systems Distributor (ASD) serving Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and Kansas. As an ASD, it sells and supports a wide selection of residential and commercial controls and components to contractors and building owners. This includes everything from a simple thermostat to complete webbased building automation system equipment. Control Depot has been an affiliated with Honeywell for the past 14 years. Control Depot is the first Honeywell Distributor in the area doing business as a true Honeywell counter line. They stock the largest selection of Honeywell controls and components in the area for residential and commercial applications. With unmatched support from a friendly staff, they are “Your Honeywell Partner of Choice.�

Contact Control Depot at (402) 934-0078 / (866) 809-7408 (toll free) / sales@controldepotinc.com for more information on how their services can help you. You can also learn more online at www.controldepotinc.com.

Mid-Continental Restoration Co, Inc. recently announced plans to open a regional office in Omaha. Established in Sioux Falls, SD in 1946, and now headquartered in Fort Scott, KS, MidContinental Restoration has been providing their services to Nebraska and 10 other states for almost 75 years. Establishing a physical location in Omaha is a part of a strategic effort to better serve clientele in the Omaha and Lincoln marketplace. Additional efforts include joining local Chambers and partnering with other area businesses.

Mid-Continental Restoration specializes in building restoration and repair, including exterior cleaning, masonry repair and replacement, caulking and sealant replacement, concrete repair and restoration, and waterproof coatings. The company employs skilled craftsmen, trained in the proper techniques for restoring brick, mortar, limestone, terra-cotta, stucco, and concrete surfaces.

Mid-Continental Restoration Co., Inc. is 100% employee owned and committed to providing professional restoration and construction services that cater to the needs of the owner. This is done by developing a level of trust that promotes honest and ethical cooperation in the best interest of all business transactions. Visit www.midcontinental.com to schedule a free building inspection and estimate with Mid-Continental Restoration. Questions about expansion plans can be directed to John Fagan, director of business development, at (913) 522-6636 / john_fagan@midcontinental.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS FireGuard Participates in 36th Annual Safety & Health Summit FireGuard, Inc. recently attended the 36th Annual Safety & Health Summit hosted by the National Safety Council, Nebraska. The summit is the Midwest’s largest annual “must attend” events for safety, health, human resources, and environmental professionals.

The FireGuard team focused on educating attendees on staying up to compliance and the importance of fire and life safety inspections. In turn, Fireguard was able to learn from other industry professionals in order to further their work in educating the community on safety issues.

FireGuard enjoyed the day of necessary information from Nebraska’s leading experts and the networking experience.

Locally owned and operated since 1994, FireGuard has grown to employ over 50 employees with 450 combined years of experience in fire protection. They have a fleet of over 30 vehicles that allow the FireGuard team to service the Midwest from as far as Colorado to Wyoming. Fireguard serves small companies, major corporations, and everything in between. They focus on sales, design, installation, and servicing of all commercial and/or industrial fire protection systems.

For more information about FireGuard, Inc., please visit fireguardusa. com. You can also call (402) 592-1999 to learn more about the products and services they offer that can help protect you and your business.

North Risk Partners Holds Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate Induction and New Signage North Risk Partners was joined by representatives of the Sarpy Chamber of Commerce on January 15 to officially celebrate their official induction as North Risk Partners. In addition to conducting a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the team also unveiled their new building signage at the event!

North Risk Partners is pleased with the great turnout of clients, friends, and community partners, and they look forward to continuing their involvement with the community.

North Risk Partners’ office in Omaha was formerly known as Benefit Professionals, Inc. Effective May 1, 2018, North Risk Partners officially merged with Bearence Management Group, another independent insurance brokerage firm with over 80 employees spread across three Midwest locations: Omaha, Mendota Heights, MN., and Des Moines, IA. The Omaha team, led by Lisa Daniels, Wendi Peterson-Stott, and Candace Chapman, have over 100 years of combined experience in the employee benefits industry.

North Risk Partners specializes in strategic insurance solutions for businesses and individuals. The firm’s core areas of service are property and casualty, including commercial, home, auto, farm, and more; benefits, including health and life plans for employer-sponsored programs as well as individuals and families. North Risk also has a significant surety bonds practice that is now strengthened with the addition of Bearence.

North Risk Partners advisors are committed to helping clients face risk head-on with right-fit insurance coverage and attention to opportunities for preventing avoidable losses. For businesses, the firm offers programming and compliance support in the areas of human resources, safety, worksite wellness, and more. For additional information, go online to www.northriskpartners.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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MARCH 2020 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS Farmers Insurance - Adam Stoskopf Agency Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

Concentric Strengthens Team Through Group Activities, Living Out 2020 Campaign

Farmers Insurance - Adam Stoskopf Agency recently celebrated one year in business. To make the most of the occasion, Adam Stoskopf Agency combined their holiday party open house with a ribboncutting ceremony conducted by the Sarpy Chamber of Commerce on December 18.

Staff, clients, family, and friends enjoyed Roma’s Italian catering, beverages, and a jolly atmosphere complete with festive lights and reindeer antlers.

Concentric Corporation believes company outings are the best way to bring their team together and offer a much needed break from their regular routine. In February, Concentric Corporation continued to live out their 2020 campaign, Together #WeAreConcentric, by bowling at The MARK for some friendly competition. Concentric is always finding new ways to boost team morale and create fun memories for those in the workplace. Being a team is incredibly important to the success of the company.

Farmers Insurance agent Adam Stoskopf was born and raised in the Midwest. He is the greater Omaha area’s premier Farmers Insurance agent with offices in Papillion and Plattsmouth.

His agency is focused on offering outstanding customer service and consultation to educate you on all your insurance options. Stoskopf has been with Farmers for over 12 years and has the proper skill set to be your trusted advisor.

Concentric is bringing back the fundamentals of recruiting, which starts with the relationship. They are upgrading the approach in executive search and recruiting by being deliberate and purposeful, always taking the extra step with their audience’s best interests in mind. They uncover true motives in hiring and career advancement by having transparent and honest conversations. This allows an execution of what Concentric likes to call connecting excellence. Once they determine the tangible skillset, culture fit, and urgency of both sides, they become the bridge between future hires and career paths.

Farmers Insurance - Adam Stoskopf Agency can provide auto, home, life, renters, recreational, and more types of insurance. Their skilled team of agents are knowledgeable in all aspects of insurance and can help you find the right type of coverage for your family and lifestyle. To get started on your insurance package, text QUOTE to (402) 509-1771. You can also call the office at (402) 682-7290 to schedule an appointment.

Learn more online at agents.farmers.com/ne/papillion/adam-stoskopf.

To learn more about Concentric Corporation, go to concentriccorp. com. Be sure to check out their social media (@ConcentricCorp) to see which team won the coveted gold medals and, of course, bragging rights until the next outing.

Building Local Partnerships

New Cornhusker Bank full service location opening April 2020 at 11102 Blondo Street.

David Shiffermiller, Jim Prchal, Emily Petersen, and Allen Chaffee at the 111th and Blondo building construction site.

Partnering with Prchal Petersen Group Allen Chaffee, Omaha Market President 402-779-1420 | CornhuskerBank.com

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BUSINESS NEWS Bridge to Better Living Celebrates 10 Years Bridge to Better Living, a no-costto-client senior transition service, celebrated its 10th anniversary on February 20 with an open house at their new Lincoln office. The event also included a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Bridge to Better Living was founded by Mary Ann Stallings in 2010 after navigating the confusing and stressful living research for several family and friends who needed care. An aging population has brought an increasing number of seniors who will need one-on-one support while searching for independent, assisted, memory, or skilled care.

Bridge to Better Living expanded into franchise offerings in 2019 and has served thousands of families in the past decade in Omaha, Lincoln, and the surrounding areas. The company motto Placement with Passion® is practiced daily by a staff of five transition consultants holding a history of over 125 years in senior care. A consultation with Bridge to Better Living is the first step to determining where a client’s needs and wants could be met. Support and assistance from the team members continues throughout tours to provide options and resources for the best decisions and after each move. Ethics and integrity are core beliefs of Bridge to Better Living. The Better Business Bureau recognized these values with the Small Business Integrity Award in 2019.

Bridge to Better Living’s new Lincoln office is located at 4230 Pioneer Woods Blvd., STE B. For help in finding a new senior living option, visit BridgetoBetterLiving.com or call (402) 802-3301.

OSX Sales Solutions Brings 28 Years of Experience to Omaha Area Rob Copenhaver of OSX Sales Solutions has brought his decades of experience to serve businesses in the Omaha and Lincoln area, helping them achieve record sales numbers by building high-performing and accountable sales organizations. With OSX Sales Solutions, it is more than just creating a strategy document that a CEO has no time, no resources, or no experience implementing. It is also more than training sales skills that are soon forgotten if the sales organization infrastructure is not built to reward that new behavior. OSX is hands-on in implementation of a rebuilt sales organization.

Rob couldn’t do what he does without having put in the foot work. After earning his BSBA and MBA at Creighton University, he hit the road and implemented his knowledge of optimizing sales for businesses coast to coast. Whether working with a start-up or well-established company, Rob is able to address where the sales organization requires re-building, has room for growth, and where support is needed.

Rob specializes in reading trends and creating a sustainable practice for his clients who will be better equipped to adapt to changes. He will improve prospecting and customer acquisition rates, analyze current staff, hire and onboard new staff if necessary, set sales targets and metrics, leverage technology, reposition your organization given your market, build quotas and compensation plans, install a pipeline management process, and grow sales revenue to new record levels. As an outsourced VP of sales with OSX Sales Solutions, Rob can also run your sales department and manage the team to ensure the newly rebuilt processes are being followed. Ultimately, he can mentor your sales manager into a sales leader providing that training and education that is typically lacking for sales management.

To learn more about OSX Sales Solutions, contact Rob at (402) 8586246 / rcopenhaver@salesxceleration.com or go online to osxsales.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Millard Business Association Launches New Referral Group, Millard Masterminds The Millard Business Association (MBA) is excited to announce the launch of a new referral group—the Millard Masterminds.

The group had their first meeting in February. The addition of the Millard Masterminds makes seven referral groups within the MBA. Referral groups are the heart of the Millard Business Association.

These groups are made up of MBA members from noncompeting industries who help grow each other’s businesses by increasing their connections, introducing them to potential leads, and keeping them up to date on what’s going on in the community.

A big part of what makes MBA so special is members become an extended family who truly understand what others are going through in their business. From making connections to surviving crises and celebrating victories, the Association is all about people, business, and community.

To find out more, contact the Millard Business Association at info@ millardbusinessassociation.org or go to millardbusinessassociation.org.

Greater Omaha Chamber Announces 2019 Regional Capital Investment Exceeds $1B The Greater Omaha Chamber recently announced 2019 annual accomplishments for the region’s seven-county economic development partnership, noting results of more than $1 billion in capital investment, 36 new projects, and 2,300 new jobs for the previous 12 months.

Ranked one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., according to Go Banking Rates, Greater Omaha was also home to more than 48 new tech startups in 2019 thanks to efforts by The Startup Collaborative, a business accelerator and incubator for Midwest entrepreneurs.

Exponential growth was also noted in the tech sector with Google announcing a $600 million investment in Sarpy County last October, and Uncubed reporting Omaha as the fastest-growing tech boomtown in the U.S. The Chamber additionally reported the launch of OPTiN, an Omaha/ Lincoln digital solution connecting tech employers and job seekers, and noted the kickoff of the sold-out Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity and Equity (CODE) conference.

“Together, these efforts represent an intentional effort to attract new tech talent, improve the economic well-being of the underemployed population and show companies how to succeed in hiring and retaining a diverse workforce,” said David G. Brown, president and CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber.

Additional accomplishments included: • The work of the Chamber’s Urban Core Committee, which continued to guide the planning for the heart of the city.

• The 2019 launch of ConnectGO, a transportation initiative focused on crafting a long-term strategy for building a fully integrated, multi-modal transportation strategy.

The mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber is to champion a thriving business community and a prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration. The full annual report can be found online at www.omahachamber.org/2019annualreport.

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BUSINESS NEWS Sherman Executive Consulting Launches Expert HR, Operations Solutions in Omaha

Midwest Retail Properties Lists Commercial Space at Starwood Shopping Center

Dulce Sherman, owner and c hief executive advisor, launched her small business, Sherman Executive Consulting, in January to meet the need that many nonprofits and small businesses experience when it comes to having direction from a human resources professional. Most owners or CEOs wear multiple hats, including HR. Sherman’s solution is to free up the leader’s time so they can focus on their business strategy and growth, while she offers her HR expertise through a strategic partnership. Sherman takes clients through an HR audit process and provides recommendations based on business needs that are identified. Because Sherman is Latina and bilingual in both English and Spanish, she can diversify her services to entities that may benefit from having a culturally competent HR professional.

Sherman earned a Master of Arts degree in business, a graduate-level certificate in organizational development, and has 25 years in HR leadership in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Her current role as the COO for a small nonprofit has given her the first-hand understanding of what it’s like to run a small business. Sherman completed the requirements of the NAM Guiding Principles in less than one year which is important for small nonprofits as it relates to funding and compliance. She is currently enrolled in the inaugural LeadDIVERSITY and Nonprofit Executive Institute programs.

To learn more about Sherman Executive Consulting, contact (402) 3052236 or Dulce@ShermanExecutiveConsulting.com. The website will be up and running within the month at www.ShermanExecutiveConsulting.com.

Midwest Retail Properties (MRP) recently announced the listing of three newly available commercial spaces at Starwood Shopping Center, located at 9939-9959 Redick Cir. The spaces for lease range from 1,950 to 2,604 square feet and can be customized to accommodate retail, office, or medical purposes.

Starwood Shopping Center is a Walmart shadow center located in Omaha and anchored by Cato, Dollar Tree, GameStop, and Verizon.

The property is visible from Highway I-680, providing access to 54,300 vehicles per day (VPD) and gaining attention from the adjacent 208,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter. Main access to Starwood Shopping Center is from Highway 133 providing additional traffic counts of 25,500 VPD. New landscaping surrounding the property was recently added to enhance the exterior of the building. The property is newly painted to match the color scheme of the neighboring Walmart.

Midwest Retail Properties is a national Walmart-anchored shopping center owner. Their mission is to create sustainable returns by investing in people. Currently, MRP owns 27 Walmart shadow shopping centers in 19 different states across the Midwest and Southeast. MRP sets itself apart from other landlords by working with tenants to not only buildout their space with their in-house construction management team, but also by providing a stellar property management representative. To learn more about leasing a space from MRP, contact John Cusumano at (314) 628-8499 / john@mrpstl.com or visit mrpstl.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS Best Care EAP to Hold Conflict Resolution and Management Boot Camps in March

The Kindler Hotel Opens Boitano’s Lounge for Business Afterhours Events

Best Care EAP (Employee Assistance Program) will host two full-day boot camps in Marc h: Conflict Resolution Boot Camp on Wednesday, March 10, and Management Boot Camp on Wednesday, March 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Best Care EAP office, 9239 W Center Rd., STE 201.

The Kindler Hotel in Lincoln recently announced that they will be hosting business afterhours events in their posh new Boitano’s Lounge area. Boitano’s Lounge is a fresh and exciting venue for grabbing a drink and a bite to eat with co-workers and friends before and after events downtown, such as plays at the Lied Center. Its warmcasual yet metropolitan surroundings, cascading waterfall reception area, and polished bar are the ideal setting for good conversations with new and old friends and creating new connections in the community. The atmosphere of Boitano’s Lounge is perfectly suited for your next business afterhours event as the new premier social gathering place in Lincoln.

The Kindler Hotel, Lincoln’s first and only luxury boutique hotel, proudly offers an unmatched and distinctively memorable guest experience through their 45 luxury hotel rooms and sophisticated Boitano’s Lounge with its locally-sourced, seasonal menu and 30+ craft cocktails. To reserve a room and begin planning the ultimate getaway or staycation, visit thekindlerhotel.com or call (402) 261-7800.

Conflict Resolution Boot Camp tackles the tough job of handling workplace conflicts. The camp will give you all the resources you need to prevent team work and morale from falling when conflict arises.

Best Care’s Management Boot Camp is the “basic training” boot camp that provides everything a new manager or seasoned professional will need to survive in today’s ever-changing work environment. Learn how to keep employees motivated while setting clear expectations, promote independence while encouraging initiative, and most importantly, “think” like a manager!

With Best Care EAP as a business partner, you can provide support to help employees focus on their jobs when problems in their personal lives get overwhelming. To register for the work shop, contact (402) 354-8000 / EAP@BestCareEAP.org. Learn more about Best Care EAP at www.bestcareeap.org.

Sarpy County EDC Announces 2019 Capital Investment in Excess of $730M Over 300 people attended the Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation’s (Sarpy County EDC) Annual Meeting on February 6 at the Embassy Suites La Vista Hotel and Conference Center.

In addition to highlighting economic indicators and development activity across the county, Sarpy County EDC announced seven landed projects in 2019. Those projects total more than $738 million in capital investment and 427 new and retained jobs.

Landed projects include a new field office for Black Hills Energy (30,000 SF) in Papillion, Google data center (300,000 SF) in Papillion, JE Dunn’s new warehouse facility (57,000 SF) in Papillion, talent assistance for Red Berry Innovations in Springfield, R&R Realty 2nd Flex Building (250,000 SF) in Papillion, and Physicians Mutual mail processing facility (67,107 SF) in Bellevue.

Sarpy County EDC also presented several awards and recognitions, including the Partner in Economic Development Award which was award to Jered Morris, senior vice president of sales and growth at Olsson. In addition, the Business Progress Award was given to Nebraska Brewing Company.

Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation is a proud partner of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership.

The mission of SCEDC is to grow and diversify Sarpy County through recruitment, expansion, and development of industrial and service enterprises—creating new employment opportunities, capital investment, and an exceptional quality of life. Learn more online at OmahaChamber.org/Sarpy or contact Andrew Rainbolt, executive director, at (402) 233-7155 / arainbolt@ selectgreateromaha.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Evolving Solutions Launches Holistic Enterprise Monitoring Analytics Practice Evolving Solutions, a leading hybrid cloud and infrastructure services provider, launched a new end-toend monitoring, predictive analytics, and issue detection practice called Enterprise Monitoring and Analytics.

The new service will be headed by Nate Austin, an expert with 20 years of application performance management and monitoring experience.

The Enterprise Monitoring and Analytics practice focuses on the endto-end monitoring, predictive analytics, and issue detection across the entire mission-critical application stack. The most common component of this technology is application performance management (APM), which monitors and manages the performance and availability of business applications. APM detects and diagnoses complex application performance problems to maintain an expected level of service.

“We believe this service will be an invaluable asset to our clients in Nebraska and beyond,” says Austin, practice director, Enterprise Monitoring and Analytics. “Clients are struggling with enterprise monitoring and analytics because the complexity of applications has increased significantly. It was challenging enough when it was a single application; now there are 15–20 other applications plus multiple clouds where applications are running.”

“Being able to measure and optimize all aspects of enterprise cloud performance is critical for our clients that require their applications to be operational 100% of the time,” says Jaime Gmach, president and CEO of Evolving Solutions. “Without it, they risk having an outage or application slowdown, which can be extremely costly.”

Evolving Solutions is a technology solutions provider with offices in Omaha and Minneapolis, MN that helps clients modernize and automate their mission-critical infrastructure to support digital transformation. The business is client-centric, providing consulting and delivering technical solutions to enable modern operations in the hybrid cloud. Evolving Solutions has deep partnerships with IBM, HPE, Cisco, Dynatrace, NetApp, Nutanix, Azure, Red Hat, AWS, and over 70 other vendors that help deliver exceptional results to service clients’ technology needs. Learn more at www.evolvingsol.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS Cox to Award $36K to Area Schools through Innovation in Education Grant

Center Sphere Announces Network-Wide March Events

Cox Communications has announced that they will be awarding $36,000 to schools in the area through the Innovation in Education Grant provided by Cox Charities, which is generously funded by Cox employees. Teachers in the greater Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area were able to apply for grants that will directly impact their classrooms through March 1. Cox Charities Innovation in Education grant applications are available for public and private schools (grades pre-K–12).

The Cox Charities Innovation in Education program provides grants of up to $2,500 each to Omaha-area schools to fund classroom programs and curriculum that encourage and promote students’ academic success and enhance the educational experience.

Cox Charities was created to strengthen Cox communities through the support of programs that positively impact Omaha communities in the areas of education, technology, health, and the arts. In addition to the Innovation in Education grants, Cox Charities offers Community Investment Grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and a portion of the funds help Cox employees in times of need. Cox Charities was founded in Omaha in 2014 to engage employees and strengthen community and education programs. In 2020, the employees of Cox Communications pledged to donate more than $145,000 to continue fulfilling their mission of strengthening Cox communities in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska.

To learn more about the Cox Charities Innovation in Education Grant, visit www.coxcharitiescentral.org/omaha.

Each month, the Omaha Chapter of Center Sphere hosts events such as Coffee & Connections, several social hour events, as well as professional development, sales, and leadership trainings, all at no additional cost to members. Dates for Center Sphere’s upcoming networkwide events in March are as follows: • Wednesday, March 11, 4–7 p.m.: Second Wednesday Networking Happy Hour hosted by Chapters 402-O 8 and 11. (Location TBD).

• Thursday, March 12, 7:30–9 a.m.: Network-Wide Coffee & Connections, hosted by Goldfish Swim School, 2502 S 133rd Plaza, STE 102.

• Thursday, March 26, 4–6 p.m.: Network-Wide Social Hour, hosted by Lakeside Village Retirement Community, 17475 Frances St. • Tuesday, March 31, 11–11:45 a.m.: Meet The Network Q & A at The Omaha Bakery, 608 S 72nd St. • Tuesday, March 31, noon–1:30 p.m.: Maximize Your Membership Training at The Omaha Bakery, 608 S 72nd St. Center Sphere hosts a wide array of networking events all over the metro designed to help members expand their network and grow their businesses, many of which are also helping to raise money for local nonprofits. They provide a platform for individuals to create their own networking experience that works for them. The Omaha network is currently made up of over 50 chapters and 800 members. If you would like more information, please go to www.centersphere.com or contact Lona Anderson at (402) 650-5380 / Lonaanderson@CenterSphere.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS New Raising Cane’s Location Opens in Omaha The newest Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers location recently opened at 5011 L St. in Omaha. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce on January 16 to celebrate the grand opening. Throughout the day, Raising Cane’s gave away free t-shirts and box combo vouchers to the first 100 customers that walked in. Additionally, 20 early birds had the chance to win free Cane’s for a year! With approximately 400 people in attendance, this event was a crowd pleaser.

OMNE Partners Lists New Office Space in Recently Completed Exchange Bank Building

Raising Cane’s focuses on their one love—chicken fingers! Because they are specialized in a small amount of products, including their chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, signature Cane’s sauce, etc., they can provide the quality and speed that they feel their customers deserve. They strive to never compromise the quality of their food, cut corners, or clutter their menu with new products that don’t fit their core menu offering. The new Cane’s crew is excited to serve you in a fun, safe, and clean environment.

OMNE Partners is excited to now be leasing office spaces in the recently completed Exchange Bank Building located on 8008 West Dodge. This one-of-a-kind Class “A” building offers an inviting client experience with on-building signage and covered parking available.

The building is located only minutes east of the I-680 interchange. It sits prominently directly north of Children’s Hospital. The spaces available range anywhere from 3,527 to 14,600 square feet. The building features large windows, detailed brickwork, and a large parking lot.

OMNE Partners is a team of real estate professions that offer industry-leading expertise while maintaining a communication level and knowledge of a local partner. They are known for embracing new challenges while caring deeply about the well-being of their team, clients, and community. Founded in 1997, they’ve spent the last 23 years becoming one of Omaha’s most trusted commercial real estate firms.

They maintain that trust by implementing a relationship driven service.

To learn more about OMNE Partners, visit omnepartners.com. The leasing agents for the Exchange Bank Building are Marc Siemers, (402) 881-5035 / msiemers@omnepartners.co, and Peter Frei, (701) 261-8742 / pfrei@omnepartners.com.

To learn more about Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, go to raisingcanes.com. Make sure to check out the new location on the corner of 50th and L St., open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 10 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

TAGG Launches Community-Wide Campaign Encouraging Everyone to Raise $20 in 2020

Better Business Bureau Warns Against Coronavirus Scams Better Business Bureau (BBB) cautions that everyone needs to be skeptical of emails and websites promoting coronavirus prevention products and tips. Right now, issues associated with coronavirus and a potential pandemic are of global interest, and that means scammers have a very large pond to go phishing in. Media reports on the outbreak of coronavirus in the Wuhan region of China already have prompted a social media scam targeting Chinese-Australian citizens in Wuhan with a phony online evacuation form, according to a report by Australia’s ABC news outlet.

During the 2009 swine flu epidemic, McAfee Avert Labs, an online security company, reported that messages promoting virus treatment and prevention, or otherwise sensationalizing the outbreak, accounted for 2% of all spam sent in the days following the first media reports of the outbreak. Various websites promoted “survival guides,” masks, prevention tips, and treatments, most of them of little value in fighting flu. BBB offers the following advice to avoid coronavirus-related scams: • Avoid opening emails from unknown sources. Do not click on links in the body of the email or open any attachments. Instead, delete the email.

• Disregard online offers for vaccinations against coronavirus because a vaccine does not exist.

• Make sure the antivirus and anti-malware programs on your computer are up to date and all operating system security patches have been installed.

Free information on the virus, the outbreak and preventive measures is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Better Business Bureau has been serving the local communities since 1936.

The overall mission of BBB is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. Learn more online at bbb.org/nebraska or call (800) 649-6814. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

TAGG—Together A Greater Good— the Midwest-based tech start-up known for the free fundraising app creating mutually beneficial relationships between local businesses and organizations, recently launched a 2020 campaign seeking to gain the support of more than 20,000 Nebraskans.

TAGG, which partners with over 300 businesses and has generated more than $400,000 for local schools, nonprofits, religious institutions, and youth sports teams since its 2015 founding, is aiming to double the amount of donations it has facilitated to date by having individuals commit to raise “$20 in ‘20.”

Community members in Omaha and Lincoln metro areas are encouraged to sign up and choose which organization they are going to raise $20 for, motivating people of all ages to selectively support charitable merchants first and keeping funds local. Reaching the $20 goal and recruiting friends results in being entered to win prizes from participating businesses. To learn more and get registered to be a part of the $20 in ‘20 campaign, visit togetheragreatergood.com/tagg20in20.

“Our goal in launching the ‘$20 in ‘20’ campaign is to create a grassroots movement positively impacting all facets of our community,” said Leslie Fischer, co-founder. “We recognize the importance of every dollar spent and want individuals to be able to give back without spending an extra penny.”

Through the free TAGG smartphone app, participating businesses donate a portion of their customers’ purchases to the customers’ chosen cause using receipt capture technology. The newest version of the app, released in 2019, includes “near me” and map view directory of businesses in the metropolitan area willing to give back.

Some of the newest businesses to join the app’s growing list of participating merchants include Osaka Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, WestEnd Lounge, The Corner Kick, Grover Ice, select Runza locations, and 17 Hy-Vee stores including all Omaha, Papillion, Council Bluffs, Plattsmouth and Fremont locations.

The free TAGG—Together A Greater Good—app can be found on both the Apple and Google Play stores. To learn more about TAGG and the company’s mission, please visit www.togetheragreatergood.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS Three Nebraska-Based John Deere Dealerships to Merge into AKRS Equipment

Business Ethics Alliance Launches “Omaha Way” Program for Emerging Leaders

Three Nebraska-based John Deere dealerships announced plans to merge their businesses. Green Line Equipment, Stutheit Implement, and Plains Equipment Group are combining forces to provide leading service, support, and product solutions to farmers, ranchers, and landowners. The newly-formed corporation named AKRS Equipment Solutions (“AKRS Equipment”) symbolizes trust, commitment, and innovation in agriculture. The companies plan to officially close on the deal by the end of the month (March 2020).

“The common cultures and values of these three companies and how they serve their customers is really something special,” said Russ Rerucha, the newly-appointed Chairman of the Board. The three companies have a long-standing history of exceptional customer support and service.

Kevin Clark has been named president and chief executive officer of AKRS Equipment. Clark is currently the chief executive officer of Plains Equipment Group. “The size and scale of AKRS is important as the industry changes with new technologies and services,” Clark said. “The combination of these businesses will allow us to serve our customers now and into the future with the rapidly evolving challenges in our industry.”

AKRS Equipment Solutions will consist of 27 John Deere dealerships located across Nebraska and part of Kansas with headquarters in Lincoln. AKRS Equipment aspires to be the Midwest’s Premier John Deere dealership, bringing a wide selection of new and used equipment to farms, ranches, and small businesses. To learn more, go online to www. plainsequipmentgroup.com.

The Business Ethics Alliance has launched Omaha Way—a new type of young professional program that will that hosts events and go beyond the typical peerto-peer network. The Alliance hopes to bring emerging leaders together with seasoned professionals to learn about ethics the “Omaha Way.” The Omaha Way program strives to do something no young professional group in Greater Omaha has done before: train emerging leaders in the importance of business ethics from the moment they enter their professional careers until the time they take the top roles at their organization. This is the “Omaha Way” where those who have led the Omaha community for decades pass along history, lessons, and knowledge to those that will lead Omaha in the future.

“Our Omaha Way programs leave our city in good hands. We plan to bring young professionals and seasoned leaders together in a variety of unique, fun formats which will allow the torch-passing of ethical lessons from one generation to the next. The result is energized ethics education,” explained Dr. Beverly Kracher, executive director and CEO of the Business Ethics Alliance.

The Greater Omaha Alliance for Business Ethics at Creighton University—the Business Ethics Alliance—is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to city-level business ethics education. Learn more online at www.businessethicsalliance.org. For more information about Omaha Way, contact Alise Hernandez at (402) 280-3367 / ahernandez@businessethicsalliance.org.

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Strictly Business MARCH 2020

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

Destination:

Orlando, Florida

Throw any reason you have for delaying your next visit to the magical world of Disney out the window and start packing! The parks have more to explore than ever before, and the Orlando area is bursting at the seams with unique dining experiences and exciting things to see and do.

What is great about visiting the parks at Disney in a Day Disney World is that you definitely get your money’s worth when you get a day pass like we did. Yes, we are brave (and/or crazy) and tried to fit as much as we can in one day. We got to our first park of the day right when they opened at 9 a.m., and we made sure to end at the park that was open the latest, which in our case was Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park.

Depending on the day and time of year, some parks stay open later for guests who are already on property. It’s always good to look up the different park hours when you plan your day in Disney!

Each of Disney’s four themed parks is truly spectacular, but our favorite has to be Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Especially since the opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we definitely enjoy spending the majority of our time here.

From the moment we entered the Pandora section of the park, we were mesmerized by the floating mountains and glowing flora all around us. The grandeur of it all will have your senses tingling. And have you ever wondered what it would be like to ride on the back of a banshee? Well, with the Avatar Flight of Passage ride, you get to do just that as you take a thrilling, immersive 3D voyage over and through Pandora’s breathtaking landscape. It’s unlike anything we’ve experienced.

Another one of our favorite rides is Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. If you are a thrill seeker and love fast roller coasters with big drops, this ride is for you. We loved it so much, we rode it twice!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to our long-time favorite ride, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™. It’s a Disney classic, not only on the park’s skyline but as an experience for all ages. It doesn’t matter how many times in life we’ve strapped ourselves into that abandoned hotel’s elevator, the unexpected drops and upwards catapulting will never get old. Shrieks and laughs the whole way through!

We went from spooky, sci-fi vibes to knee-deep in the enchantment of Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park. Perhaps the most pictureperfect part of Disney World Resorts, Magic Kingdom brings your childhood back to life with nods to both old and new Disney movies everywhere you turn. Everyone should end their day at Magic Kingdom to take in the “Happily Ever After” show—an extravagant, magical, and emotional fireworks show complete with appearances from all your favorite Disney characters. We dare you not to tear up even a little bit... it tugs at the heart strings of any Disney fan.

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While the Disney theme parks are reason enough to make Orlando your vacation destination, there are a lot of fun places to visit outside of the resort as well. The dining scene is amazing! One of the restaurants we fell in love with was Black Angus Steakhouse.

First and foremost, Black Angus Steakhouse serves USDA Choice Beef or higher! Their steak is aged 21–28 days to really saturate the flavor. We ordered the bacon-wrapped filet bites and they were cooked perfectly—very juicy and tender, and the bacon was just crisp enough to give each bite a good crunch without tasting burnt or being too chewy. The peppercorn gravy sauce to dip the filet bites in really impressed us.

The other appetizer we got was the cocktail shrimp. Being so close to the sea, it’s only right to order a little seafood. It’s nice to have a restaurant that serves both fresh seafood and delicious Midwest beef.

The shrimp was huge! Just two bites had us feeling a tad bit full.

For the entrees, we shamelessly ordered the Porterhouse Steak.

This meal just warmed our hearts. The steak was nice and thick and had great natural flavor. From the seafood menu, we selected the crab legs and lobster. With each bite, we settled more and more into our coastal surroundings. This was truly a great meal, and just what we needed to fuel ourselves for more fun adventures underneath the Florida sun.

Be sure to check out the extended version of our Travel Story with additional photos and details regarding our Orlando experience!

You can find the extended version online at www.StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com.

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

MARCH 2020 Strictly Business

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AARON

Aaron Newell

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Meet Aaron Newell, owner of AR Solutions.

Tell us a little about your business. - AR Solutions is a collection agency that specializes in medical collections but can handle any other lines of business also.

With our philosophy, it is common for us to get thank you cards, letters, phone calls, etc. from consumers we work with to restore their credit.

Clients love our approach also as it allows them to maintain their customer base.

How did you get started in the business? - My first job out of college was drafting all the pre legal work at a collection agency. Since that time, I rose to general manager of that collection firm and after it was sold, I started AR Solutions because clients who had known me wanted the same attention and results that I had delivered as a GM. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - I don’t know if I would call them challenges but more a competitive edge. At AR Solutions, we have to keep up on all the changing laws in our industry. The American Collectors Association has quarterly conferences with industry leading speakers that allows agency owners/mangers to keep up on the latest information available as well as potential pitfalls to avoid.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? Achieving a successful business after starting it from scratch. Recently, I was awarded as one of the Top 50 Receivable Professionals as being nominated by my peers.

Tell us a little about your family. - I’ve been married to Jori for 22 years and I have three girls: KiLee (15), Kassie (13), and Khloe (9).

They all play competitive softball, and I coach Kassie. There are times when all three girls are playing in three different states.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

- Having kids. They are the biggest blessing in life.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I used to ride bulls.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Successful people do what unsuccessful people are unwilling to do.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Best-dad-ever. Does that count as one word?

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “If Tomorrow Never Comes” by Garth Brooks.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - I have worked with my hands a lot in the past as a mechanic, auto body technician, and have worked construction.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I have worked with several through our church doing local outreach. I believe that God has given us all talents and it is our duty to be good stewards of those talents and share them with others.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - Favorite book is The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell. The last book I read was Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins.

What is your favorite movie? - Top Gun. What is your favorite TV show? - Last Man Standing.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Tim Tebow.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Phone: (402) 817-3929; Email: aaron@arsolutionsinc.com; Website: www.arsolutionsinc.com; or connect with me on LinkedIn. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NATALIE

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OUTLOOK BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Meet Natalie Hadley, vice president of Outlook Business Solutions.

Tell us a little about your business. - Outlook Business Solutions helps business owners outsource customer care, marketing, and other tasks by matching their needs with the skills of professionals who happen to be visually impaired.

How did you get started in the business? - I joined Outlook Nebraska, a sister company to Outlook Business Solutions, in August 2018. I was promoted to my current position in July 2019. Prior to that, I spent 25 years in marketing in the financial services sector.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Getting people who knew me as a writer to recognize that I have grown beyond that to become a knowledgeable marketing professional.

Tell us a little about your family. - My daughter Georgia is married to Taylor Korensky, founder of Appsky. They have a two-year-old daughter named Rowan. My son Rain has cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities and lives at Hands of Heartland in Bellevue. My son Noah is a senior at Gretna High School and will be going to UNL in the fall to study history.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - My son Rain was shaken by a daycare provider when he was three months old. I didn’t expect to be the parent of a child with special needs; it’s not really a path most people would choose if they had the choice, but I’ve met many caring, amazing people as a result. It made me stronger and better able to face adversity.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Fixing up and decorating my 80-year-old farmhouse.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I love working with my house plants.

My living room is so full of them, I don’t have a TV. Who inspires you? - Other parents of kids with special needs, especially cognitive or developmental disabilities. They are warrior caregivers. They walk this fine line between hope and reality.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - My stepfather once told me that in any situation, you can choose to act or react, but if you react, you have given control of the situation to the other person. I have been biased toward action ever since.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Resilient.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “I Won’t Back Down”

by Tom Petty.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - I’m good at seeing variations in colors. I rock at those crazy puzzles where you have to put the colors in order from one shade to another.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Outlook Nebraska and Outlook Enrichment, of course! Also, Project Harmony because my son was a victim of child abuse, and the American Cancer Society because I lost my mom to brain cancer in 2008.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - Fiction would be Alice in Wonderland and nonfiction is Multipliers by Liz Wiseman.

What is your favorite TV show? - Stranger Things.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Margaret Atwood.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Phone: (531) 365-5347; Email: nhadley@outlookbiz.co; Website: OutlookBiz.Co. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Meet Megan Morrison, sales and marketing representative at BELFOR Property Restoration.

Tell us a little about your business. - We are a property restoration company that handles everything from fire to hail and anything in between. As a global company, our resources are endless. Our employees and training program are exceptional to ensure our customers are receiving the best possible service we can give them in all aspects of the restoration process.

How did you get started in the business? - I was in the insurance industry for several years, but I was ready for a change and a good friend of mine was kind enough to suggest me for this role. I’ve always considered myself a “people person” and this position gives me an opportunity to embrace that theory. I get to meet with people from all different backgrounds and industries to tell them how amazing BELFOR really is. This isn’t a bandaid kind of company, their top priority is to make sure their clients are very well taken care of.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Learning that my strengths and weaknesses can both be assets to my success, as long as I am honest with myself about them.

Tell us a little about your family. - My better half and I keep busy around the house working on projects. We also have the excitement of raising a four-year-old boy and six-year-old girl.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? Finding happiness in my work life. I always thought of going to work as something I had to do. Once I was able to change my mindset (with the help of an AMAZING mentor), I found myself grateful for the opportunity to get to go to work.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spend time with my family and run errands to get ready for the week. If my kids are gone, I watch reruns of Parks and Recreation on Netflix until it asks if I’m still watching...and then I watch some more.

What is the most interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I was born on Nellis Airforce Base in Las Vegas.

Who inspires you? - My mother. She came from Sandy Valley, NV where there was nothing. She worked as a cocktail waitress in the casinos to put herself through nursing school and now has her master’s degree in nursing. She teaches four days a week and works 12 hour shifts at the local children’s hospital the other three days, and she still finds time to fly to Omaha once a month to see us. She also survived breast cancer last year with a positive embrace on life.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - The only person you need to try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “Running Down a Dream” by Tom Petty.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - Dance. I was a ballet dancer for 15 years, and I miss it every day.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Nebraska Children’s Home.

What is your favorite movie? - Dirty Dancing.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Gary Vaynerchuk. If you haven’t heard of him, look him up.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 891-1300 (Office) / (402) 206-5415 (Cell); Email: megan. morrison@us.belfor.com; Website: www.belfor.com/en/us. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

SHANE

Shane Reardon

WEST GATE BANK Meet Shane Reardon, commercial loan officer at West Gate Bank in Omaha.

Tell us a little about your business. - West Gate Bank is a family-owned community bank, founded in 1968.

Community banking has been our focus for over 50 years. We are a full-service bank that offers checking and savings accounts, commercial loans, mortgage loans, and much more. We have seven locations in Lincoln and three locations in Omaha.

How did you get started in the business? - I started in the business as a bank teller. It was a great job that offered flexibility geared towards my business administration major. Each morning, I would open the branch, leave to go attend my morning classes, go back to the branch in the afternoon to close, then head back to school to attend my night classes.

Since then, I have worked my way from a becoming a personal banker to preparing loan documents to an analyst to a senior analyst to, finally, a commercial loan officer.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - A challenge that I have faced most recently was leaving another bank that I had been with for nine years. Change can sometimes be scary, but I am glad I made the decision to come to West Gate Bank.

Tell us a little about your family. - I met my wife Satarah in college about 10 years ago. We have been together since and married five years ago. We have an 18-month daughter, WillaVee. Satarah is a first grade teacher at Central Park Elementary as well as a Kosama Fitness Instructor. We enjoy cooking dinner together and eating ice cream before bed.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I enjoy spending time with my family. We typically take walks around our neighborhood or head over to the park. I also enjoy going to the gym, playing basketball and softball, as well as golfing.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I do not have any first cousins. My dad was an only child and my aunts on my mom’s side do not have any children. I also won a contest in seventh grade to broadcast a Husker football game on the Pinnacle Sports Network. Nebraska beat Kansas State and played for the National Championship that year.

Who inspires you? - My mom is a cancer survivor which shows how strong she is and has always been. I strive to be as strong and determined as she is. My daughter also inspires me to always be great at what I do.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “If you are afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail.” – Kobe Bryant If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Time travel.

I would love to go back to historical sporting events such as all five Nebraska Football Championships.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - An ESPN anchor on SportsCenter or a veterinarian.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - American Lung Association. Each year I run in the Cooperate Cup alongside my wife to raise awareness for individuals with lung cancer. I dedicate my medals to my recently passed grandpa.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Runza.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Brook Berringer.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 758-8721; Email: sreardon@westgate.bank; Website: westgate.bank. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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NICOLE

Nicole Simpson AMBIUS

Meet Nicole Simpson, operations administrative assistant for Ambius.

Tell us a little about your business. - Ambius makes offices feel cozy. Our services include live and artificial plant displays for businesses, complete office plant services, ambient scenting, commercial holiday decorations, and green wall design, installation, and maintenance. Green walls are a growing trend, and they are able to be installed on almost any structure, both indoors and outdoors. They make a dramatic statement and create a welcoming environment for employees, clients, and visitors. We’ve also been providing indoor blooming plants to companies for years. We can create custom potted flower displays for tabletops, desks, filing cabinets, and other spaces around your office. Rooms come alive with colorful blooming plants and inspire a more productive atmosphere for selling, working, and creating. Another unique service Ambius offers is premium scenting for offices, which can help elevate the moods of employees and get rid of scents that are distracting and unpleasant. Around the holidays, we can deck out your business with out with classy holiday decorations. We’ve helped countless businesses draw in customers with cheerful holiday decorations of all sizes, colors, and themes.

How did you get started in the business? - It all started when I was almost done with my horticulture degree and was looking for a job in the field I loved. Ambius was one of the first companies I applied to. I got the job in 2015 as a plant technician and now, as of 2020, I am the operations administrative assistant for our Omaha Branch.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Switching from being out in the field around the clients I care about to being on the office side of things, while making sure our clients continue to have the same care I provided when I was out in the field.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? Being promoted to my current position within Ambius. The work I do is very rewarding.

Tell us a little about your family. - I’ve been married for a little over a year. I currently just have my three dogs and two rabbits as my children.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spend time with my husband by going to the zoo or just relaxing at home with my dogs.

Who inspires you? - There are a lot of people who inspire me, but I think my boss Tiffany Falconer, district manager for Ambius in Omaha, is someone who inspires me every day. She pushes me to work harder towards my goals.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Thoughtful.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Flying so I wouldn’t have to deal with traffic.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Animal rescues. I love animals and no harm should ever happen to them.

What is your favorite movie? - The Fast and Furious movies.

What is your favorite TV show? - The Curse of Oak Island.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Chris Farley.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 346-4200 Ext. 59037 (Office) / (402) 510-3569 (Mobile); Email: nicole.simpson@ambius.com; Website: Ambius.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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ERIC

Eric Halsey

LEGACY

ENGINEERED CONTROLS Meet Eric Halsey, a sales engineer at Engineered Controls.

Tell us a little about your business. Engineered Controls is a building technology company whose goal is to make buildings more efficient, comfortable, secure, and convenient for its occupants. My primary focus is commercial sales of Parking Access and Revenue Control Systems, Video Surveillance Systems, and Access Control Systems. We sell, install, and service these turnkey solutions for our customers. Not a lot of people know what I mean when I say “Parking Access and Revenue Control Systems.” These are the ticket machines, gate arms, and the cash or credit card payment machines that you see in parking garages and parking lots. I am often called “the parking guy” when being introduced to new people around the office.

How did you get started in the business? - I’ve always had a knack for repairing and tinkering with electronics, so it made sense to pursue a degree in electronics technology. After college, I spent a few years repairing variable message LED displays, installing video surveillance systems on city transit buses, and providing telephone technical support of audio and video systems on motor coaches. A friend who was already employed with Engineered Controls thought I would fit in well with their new, at the time (2007), security division team.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Technology is constantly changing, so staying current with all the different products offered to us is very challenging.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- The relationships that I have developed and maintained with all of my customers.

Tell us a little about your family. - My beautiful wife Kathi is an esthetician at a local day spa in Omaha. We will be celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary this April. We have three amazing kids: Willa (6), Hattie (4), and Jasper (2). We love watching our kids grow and making memories with them. We also have a boxer named Bo. What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? Becoming a dad. It is a great feeling!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spending time with my family and friends, watching a Nascar race, or being on the lake in Okoboji.

Who inspires you? - My wife and kids inspire me every day.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “You gotta keep on keepin’ on, life’s a garden, dig it.” – Joe Dirt If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Honest.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “Some of It” by Eric Church.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - Watchers

by Dean Koontz.

What is your favorite movie? - Grumpy Old Men. What is your favorite TV show? - Yellowstone.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Smokin Barrel BBQ. If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Dale Earnhardt Jr. I enjoy hearing people’s stories, and I feel like Dale Jr. has some good ones to tell.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 339-1300 Ext. 211; Email: ehalsey@engineeredcontrols. com; Website: www.engineeredcontrols.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Where open skies inspire open hearts.

MARCH 2020 Strictly Business 19_POG71_STRICTLYBUSINESS_CAMPING_AD.indd 1

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FOSTER CARE: CEDARS (402) 436-5437

WE WORK. WE GROW. WE LIVE. WE JOIN. EMBRACE THE POWER OF “WE”.

www.cedarskids.com

Critical Need for Foster Homes for Children An alarming number of children won’t get to sleep in a safe and loving home tonight because there aren’t enough foster parents in Nebraska.

“In just one month,” says CEDARS President Jim Blue. “We had to turn away 133 kids because we didn’t have foster homes for them. That should not be the way it is. I know that there are good people in this community who are willing to open their hearts and homes to children in need. They just need to take that first step and give us a call.”

Kids come into foster care for a variety of reasons. Ultimately, CEDARS’ goal is to either safely reunite children with their families or find a permanent home for them. Until these goals can be achieved, foster families give kids stability and room to grow as individuals. During this critical time, foster families are able to have a lasting impact on the lives of kids in need of hope for their future.

CEDARS staff walk alongside children and families every step of the way. With encouragement, guidance and direction, the team has the honor of watching lives change.

With offices in Lincoln and Bellevue, Nebraska-based CEDARS has been serving children and families for over 70 years. The CEDARS Foster Care team works every day to ensure that hundreds of foster children and youth flourish in loving families. Because foster parents are an integral part of the CEDARS professional team, CEDARS equips them with exceptional training, provides access to support 24/7, and hosts monthly support groups and quarterly gatherings for foster families.

Together we ensure more opportunity, a higher quality of life and bright future for everyone. Build connections and grow the community—we can’t do it without you.

“We have a foster parent training class that starts on April 18,” says Blue. “In order to meet the demand for foster homes in our community, we need to pack that class. If you’ve been thinking about fostering, now’s the time.”

It is important to know that there is no typical CEDARS foster family. CEDARS foster families include parents with children at home, single adults, couples hoping to adopt, and empty nesters.

To help, all you need is a stable home, an open heart and a willingness to reach out to a child in need.

If you have ever considered fostering and would like more information, please contact Caitlin Summerlin at (402) 810-1399 or csummerlin@cedarskids.org.

OmahaChamber.org/Belong

EVERY DAY,

CALL CANDY TO LEARN ABOUT CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP

CARLY BECAME A FOSTER PARENT.

402-233-7142

kids are turned away because there aren’t enough foster homes.

YOU CAN TOO.

CEDARS

402.434.5437 CEDARSKIDS.ORG

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PERSONNEL NEWS Lincoln Federal Savings Bank Promotes Dave Arkfeld

John Schneider with Big Birge Plumbing Celebrates Five Years with Company

Lincoln Federal Savings Bank recently promoted Dave Arkfeld from mortgage loan officer to the position of assistant vice president/mortgage loan officer.

In this role, Dave will be responsible for developing relationships with customers and affiliates to grow Lincoln Federal’s mortgage portfolio, overseeing the loan process from application to closing, keeping customers informed, educating customers and placing them in the right loan product, and providing excellent interpersonal skills and customer service. Dave’s natural charisma and passion for serving others make him a great fit for this position.

Lincoln Federal Savings Bank has been providing quality banking to the Nebraska area for over 100 years. Their mission is to serve the community by offering a wide variety of loan options and deposit products. Whether you’re saving for, buying, or building your dream home Lincoln Federal is here. Offering construction and consumer financing, mortgage lending, and a wide variety of personal checking and savings options to fit your lifestyle and achieve your financial goals.

Lincoln Federal Savings Bank’s Omaha branch is located at 673 N 132nd St. Additional branches are located in Lincoln, Fremont, Blair, Holdrege, Hastings, North Platte, McCook, and Benkelman. Learn more online at www.lincolnfed.com or call (402) 493-5599.

John Schneider with Big Birge Plumbing recently celebrated five years of service and hard work with the company. John is one of the lead Journeyman in Big Birge’s commercial plumbing department.

An Omaha native, John is described by those who know him as a nice guy with a heart of gold who has stellar leadership skills and motivation to get the job done.

John is a proactive worker who is always driven and dedicated on the job site. He sees exactly what needs to be done and follows through.

When he’s not in the field helping to lead plumbing jobs, he loves to relax at the lake with his fiancé, Molly, and family full of nieces and nephews. John is also awesome behind the boat on the wake board and has been proven to be the fastest sprinter on the Big Birge Plumbing team!

The skilled professionals at Big Birge Plumbing have a passion for what they do. Whether you need help with a kitchen or bathroom remodel, water heater repair, gas or water piping, or the really fun stuff like drain cleaning and clogged toilets, Big Birge Plumbing will be there with a wrench and a smile. To learn more, please visit www.bigbirgeplumbing.com or call (402) 575-0102.

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PERSONNEL NEWS Kyle Johnson of Oasis Senior Advisors Celebrates Four Years with Franchise

Business Ethics Alliance Welcomes Development Associate Eve McLain

Kyle Johnson with Oasis Senior Advisors recently celebrated four years with the Oasis Senior Advisors franchise. Kyle joined Oasis Senior Advisors with a goal to help seniors in the community simplify the process of finding senior housing. The services he is able to offer through the franchise have helped countless seniors in the past four years find the best living situations for their circumstances and with less hassle.

Kyle c hose to open an Oasis Senior Advisors franchise because Oasis offers a compassionate, personalized approach to helping seniors navigate the challenging process of selecting the perfect home for themselves. The services are completely free and customized to individuals’ unique goals and specific needs, something Kyle feels is important because it makes the services available to everyone, no matter their circumstances.

Oasis Senior Advisors’ senior housing services include assisted living, independent living, memory care, retirement communities, residential care homes, and respite services. They also offer a number of resources for seniors and their families so that they can feel fully prepared and confident in their senior housing selection. Learn more at AnswersForMom.com, or contact Kyle Johnson at (402) 669-9490 / Omaha@YourOasisAdvisor.com and congratulate him on four years of excellence and hard work!

Beverly Kracher, Ph.D., CEO and Executive Director of the Business Ethics Alliance (the Alliance), is pleased to announce the hire of Eve McLain as director of education. Eve is accountable for the development and delivery of content for the Alliance along with some administrative responsibilities of human resources and metrics.

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Eve is an experienced global executive who specializes in business, ethics and leadership development. With over 20 years of experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge on what makes leaders effective and how to engage staff to perform at their peak. She’s an expert consultant with hundreds of hours in gap analysis and resulting solutions creation.

Eve holds a master’s degree in Business - Managerial Communications and multiple certifications in training, coaching, and psychometrics.

She is from a military family but now considers Omaha her home, having spent over 25 years here. She is married to Brian McLain, Esq. and has three sons: Sean, Nathan, and Christopher. In her free time, she loves to read, cook, do puzzles, practice yoga, and relax with her family.

The Greater Omaha Alliance for Business Ethics at Creighton University—the Business Ethics Alliance—is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to city-level business ethics education. Learn more online at www.businessethicsalliance.org.

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PERSONNEL NEWS CEDARS Welcomes New Board Members

UNICO Group Announces New Shareholders

CEDARS is pleased to welcome eight individuals to its board of directors to help drive change for children, youth, and families in this comm unity. The new board members are as follows:

UNICO Group’s Board of Directors are pleased to announce its newest shareholders: Paul Hughes, Chris Senkbile, Jeff Carr, Sean Kreuger, Karla Wilson, Katie Meyer, and Dan Mickells. By investing in the agency’s ownership, shareholders play a key role in UNICO’s leadership, strategic ventures, and serving the community.

Paul Hughes, vice president and commercial risk advisor, has been a member of the commercial team since 2011, first becoming a shareholder in 2018. Paul works primarily in the Omaha market and specializes in the hospitality industry, construction, and property development. Paul serves as a board member of Parkinson’s Nebraska and is active within the CUES organization.

Chris Senkbile, vice president and commercial risk advisor, joined UNICO in 2014 after working in commercial banking and business advising.

Chris’s technical analysis and strong relational connections benefit clients across multiple industries and locations.

Jeff Carr, vice president and commercial risk advisor, has been with UNICO since 2015, bringing with him sales and aviation experience.

Jeff specializes in coverages for trucking, aviation, and equipment.

Sean Krueger, vice president and commercial risk advisor, has been in the insurance industry since graduating college and began with UNICO in 2015. With his prior experience in claims adjusting, underwriting, and operations, Sean serves commercial clients locally in Nebraska and also has many communications clients in the south central region of the country.

Karla Wilson, vice president and commercial benefits advisor, joined UNICO in 2015 after spending over eight years in advertising sales.

Karla specializes in helping individuals navigate the private health insurance and Medicare insurance market. She strives to help clients navigate the confusion of health insurance and to help save them money to put back into things they are passionate about. Karla served a threeyear term as a board member of the East Lincoln Business Association serving as secretary and president.

Katie Meyer, vice president and benefits advisor, joined UNICO in 2016, bringing with her seven years of sales, HR, and benefits experience. She primarily works in the Omaha market helping employers with creative solutions to their employee benefits offerings.

Dan Mickells, vice president and commercial risk advisor, joined UNICO in 2016 with over 25 years of insurance experience. He has been a leader in the commercial and communications divisions, helping clients manage all areas of risk with a focus on cyber, professional, and management liability exposures. Dan serves as a TeamMates mentor and Nebraska Human Resources Institute (NHRI) board member.

UNICO Group is a full-service insurance agency with services ranging from commercial insurance, workers’ compensation, and employee benefits, to personal insurance and financial planning. UNICO is dedicated to getting you the best insurance products and services available to protect you, your family, and your business. For more information, call (402) 434-7200 or visit unicogroup.com.

Dr. Lance Perez, dean of UNL’s College of Engineering; Judy Halstead, former health director of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department; Judy Gaiashkibos, executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs; Spencer Bergen, InHouse Legal Counsel at Union Bank & Trust; Tony Ojeda, certified retirement counselor; and Marilyn Hernandez, first grade teacher with Lincoln Public Schools. Returning board members include Chris Wagner, vice president of business loans and financing at Union Bank & Trust; and Jan Zoucha, founder of JZ Insurance and Retirement Advisors.

Together, they will bring their wide range of backgrounds and experiences to the mission of helping children and youth achieve safety, stability, and enduring family relationships.

CEDARS has been helping kids in crisis and building strong families in Nebraska for over 70 years. Since the beginning, the child-serving organization has been community supported and community led. To learn how CEDARS supports families in the community visit cedarskids.org or call (402) 434-5437.

KPE Brings on Brianna Haun as Business Development Director KPE Architecture – Engineering – Forensics recently added Brianna Haun to the team to fulfill the role of business development director. In this new role, Brianna has been building relationships on behalf of KPE as well as facilitating connections between other companies and industries. She serves as a resourceful point of contact for the company’s clients and potential clients.

Brianna’s strong communication skills and sense of urgency can be traced back to her first job as a teenager serving as a waitress for a family-owned restaurant. She worked at several other restaurants throughout college. When Brianna found herself in a leadership role within her direct sales business, she learned more about business and people than she could have ever imagined.

She even started her own personal and professional development consulting business on the side as a result of her network marketing opportunity. After a brief career in car sales, the opportunity to join the KPE team presented itself. While auto sales taught Brianna to dive into something completely unknown and learn quickly, her current position at KPE has proved to be a perfect fit, blending her passion for connecting people and creatively finding ways to grow a company.

Omaha-based KPE Architecture – Engineering – Forensics is a fullservice, multi-disciplined architectural and engineering firm that has been serving a diverse clientele for 20 years. The professionals at KPE are experts in designing, managing, and implementing building modernization. They also specialize in forensic investigation, which sets KPE apart from other firms. By investigating construction defects and the design errors of others, KPE is able to maximize the quality of their designs. To learn more, visit kpe-inc.com or contact Brianna at (402) 291-1444 / bhaun@kpe-inc.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know and Who Knows You! At Strictly Business, we strive to recognize local businessmen and women for their significant awards, promotions, achievements, and/or efforts in partnership with other organizations and the Omaha community.

If you know of someone who meets these criteria and wish to include their news in our publication, please call (402) 466-3330 or submit your news via www.strictlybusinessomaha.com.

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NONPROFIT NEWS MICAH House to Host Champagne and Diamonds, Kentucky Derby Fundraiser MICAH House will hold their coveted Champagne and Diamonds fundraiser on Saturday, May 2, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. Dress in your best Kentucky Derby attire if you plan to attend. Big hats encouraged!

The 23rd annual event will feature a silent and live auction, dinner, livestreaming of the Kentucky Derby, and their highly-anticipated diamond raffle. Sponsorships and tickets are still available!

Founded in 1986, MICAH House is an emergency homeless shelter that serves families and women in the Omaha-Metro area and Southwest Iowa. For information on sponsoring the event, please contact Ashley Flater, aflater@themicahhouse.org, or purchase individual tickets online at themicahhouse.org/derby.

402.991.9200 /TheOmahaBakery 608 S. 72nd St. • Omaha, NE

Jennie Edmundson Foundation Opens Applications for 2020 Nursing Scholarships The Jennie Edmundson (JE) Foundation nursing scholarship applications are now available for the 202021 academic year. These scholarships are provided through the JE Foundation’s Nursing Education Scholarship Fund, the Stahlnecker Trust Nursing Scholarship Fund, the Jennie Nursing Alumni scholarship fund, and the Alice Oth Charitable Foundation. Each scholarship is earmarked for individuals pursing a degree in nursing through an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, RN to BS, Masters in Nursing, or Advanced Practice Nursing program. Applications must be submitted by April 5 for consideration. Students who are currently enrolled, have been accepted, or plan to be accepted into a nursing program for the 2020-21 academic year are encouraged to apply. The scholarships will be awarded in June for the fall semester.

Visit the Jennie Edmundson Foundation’s website at jehfoundation.org to download an application packet or contact Sandy Westphal at (712) 396-6059 / sandy.westphal@nmhs.org.

Heartland Hope Mission Presents Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon April 4 Heartland Hope Mission will be hosting their annual volunteer appreciation lunc heon on Saturday, April 4. Each year, Heartland Hope selects a new theme for the luncheon. This year, guests of honor will come with their boots, spurs, cowboy hats, and bandannas for: Yeehaw! A Volunteer Shindig. Over 100 volunteers will enjoy a burger bar buffet and have fun roasting marshmallows on their tables’ campfire centerpieces. In addition, prizes, games, photo ops, and an awards ceremony will make for a memorable event.

Heartland Hope Mission operates one of the largest food pantries in the state, but they are “More than a Pantry” as they help families work toward self-sufficiency. They primarily serve working poor families and those who may be facing a crisis situation with a week’s supply of food, clothing, diapers, job resources, and community referrals. Like and follow Heartland Hope Mission’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages (@ HeartlandHopeMission) to stay up to date on all the great work they are doing. You can become a volunteer at Heartland Hope Mission by visiting HeartlandHopeMission.org and filling out the volunteer form. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Basketball Bash 2020 to Feature More Activities Big Brothers Big Sisters Big of the Midlands is excited to announce that the Big Basketball Bash fundraising event hosted by Service League is back again on Sunday, March 28, from 4 to 10 p.m. This year, the Bash will be bigger and better than ever, featuring six large screens to watc h the Marc h Madness tournament, food, drinks, a silent auction, virtual reality, photo booth, games, and so much more!

Service League invites you to grab your friends and come to the UNO Scott Conference Center for an unforgettable evening. Not only will it will be fun, but the funds raised will make a meaningful impact on Big Brothers Big Sisters.

For 60 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has strived for all youth in the program to reach their full potential. A Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple provides youth with a sense of safety and security, emotional support, and social skill promotion. Bigs and Littles are matched based on common interests so they can have the benefit of doing activities together that they both enjoy. With a Big by their side, more Littles are discovering who they are and what they can achieve in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters is working to clear the path for our youth’s biggest possible futures.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands or to purchase your tickets to the event, go online to bbbsomaha.org. If you’re interested in becoming a $1,500 Tip-Off Sponsor for this event, contact Lauren Mohatt, assistant director of development, at lmohatt@bbbsomaha.org / (402) 905-3331.

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NONPROFIT NEWS Kids’ Chance Welcomes New Corporate Donor and Invites Applications for Scholarships Kids’ Chance of Nebraska recently partnered with Michael Foods, an Associate Level Partner, who will donate $10,000 over the course of four years. The money donated will allow Kids’ Chance to give more kids the chance to obtain a post-secondary education. Kids’ Chance invites all who qualify for one of their scholarships to take advantage of the generosity of donors such as Michael Foods. All eligible students, regardless of age, can apply for a scholarship today.

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Bluebarn Theatre is proud to announce its next production, Marjorie Prime, the Pulitzer Prize finalist by Jordan Harrison.

Perfor mances will be Marc h 19 through April 12, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Rob Glorvick 402.758.8719 rglorvick@westgate.bank NMLS#1779050

As the storyline goes, in the near future, “Primes” are available from the good people at Senior Serenity, the latest devices for helping people with their fading memories and loss of companionship.

Marjorie’s daughter and son-in-law have purchased Walter Prime (a holographic projection of her husband as he looked in his 30s) to keep her company. As the Prime is fed memories and conversation, the shape of their lives are revealed, more and more years are covered and recovered, and the nature of memories, the legacy of the past, and the promise of the future are all called into question.

Shane Reardon 402.758.8721 sreardon@westgate.bank NMLS#623868

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Kids’ Chance of Nebraska is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to provide financial support to further the education of the children of Nebraska workers who have been severely injured, totally disabled, or killed as a result of employment-related injuries or occupational diseases. Email kidschanceofnebraska@ gmail.com with any questions or go online to www.kidschanceofne. org to apply for the scholarship.

Bluebarn Theatre Presents Pulitzer Prize Finalist “Marjorie Prime” by Jordan Harrison

NMLS#902316

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Kids’ Chance provides scholarships to children whose parents have suffered a workplace injury or death. Kids’ Chance is living by their name—they’re giving kids a chance. Scholarship applications can be accessed online and are due April 15. Kids’ Chance exists because workers’ compensation pays the medical expenses and lost wages when a worker is injured on the job but fails to take into account the costs of post-secondary education for children of the injured worker.

Marjorie Prime is directed by Susie Baer Collins and features Ruth Rath, Ben Beck, Ablan Roblin, and Julie Huff. The production is brought to life with scenic design by Brendan Greene-Walsh, sound design by Bill Kirby, costume design by Denise Ervin, properties

by Amy Reiner, and stage management by Chris Hernandez.

General admission tickets to this Bluebarn Theatre production are $35 for general admission and $30 for seniors, military, and educators, available at bluebarn.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS JDRF Presents TypeOneNation Summit, a T1D Educational Experience JDRF is excited to host their free, informational TypeOneNation Summit on Saturday, April 25, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Scott Conference Center, 6450 Pine St. The summit is intended to educate people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their loved ones about new research and lifestyle changes that can prove effective in managing T1D. The summit is for people of all ages and stages with T1D and their families and friends. The event is offered at no cost to attendees, but registration is required. Online registration opens Monday, March 9.

The event offers a keynote speaker sharing JDRF research updates and progress, the opportunity to connect with others in the T1D community, and breakout sessions discussing information to help navigate life with T1D. Breakout topics include nutrition and exercise with T1D, tools to manage diabetes burnout and distress, off-to-college panel, what teens want their parents to know, and much more.

JDRF is the world’s largest private funder of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Their mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications. Visit jdrf.org/nebraska for full event details or contact Anna Raur, senior outreach manager at araur@jdrf.org / (402) 881-3183 with questions.

NAM to Host Mobilize Conference to Support LGBTQIA2S+ Community The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) is excited to host the Mobilize Conference on Thursday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Omaha Design Center, 1502 Cuming St. The inaugural Mobilize Conference focuses on helping nonprofits to promote equitable, inclusive, and affirming services and support to the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The event will give nonprofit leaders, board members, service providers, educators, and more the information and tools they need to improve and expand their services. Breakout sessions will feature a variety of topics, including creating inclusive workplaces and affirming services, working with youth, and legal issues. The day will conclude with performances from student organizations Louder Than a Bomb and the Pride Players.

The lunchtime keynote is Precious Brady-Davis. As a native Nebraskan, she has never lost her Midwestern charm, yet she is known internationally as an award-winning diversity advocate, communications professional, and public speaker. She currently serves as the central region communications manager for the Beyond Coal Campaign at Sierra Club. Her debut memoir, I Have Always Been Me, is set for release in 2021 with Topple and Amazon Publishing.

Part of the motivation behind hosting the Mobilize Conference is based on a community needs assessment conducted by the Equality Fund, which expressed the desire for additional training for nonprofit organizations.

The Equality Fund was established by the Omaha Community Foundation to cultivate a community that supports, includes, and respects LGBTQIA+ individuals and families. The Equality Fund Chair Tom Elser said, “The Equality Fund asked nonprofits throughout the area for their input, and we found that many of them want more education. They are looking for ways to engage our community and create inclusive places.”

The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands is a state association representing more than 650 nonprofits in Nebraska and Southwest Iowa. Visit NAM’s website, www.nonprofitam.org/Mobilize to register for Mobilize. For scholarship and group discount information, email Rosey@nonprofitam.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Nebraska Flood Recovery Fund Makes Six Grants to Build More Resilient Communities Nebraska Flood Recovery Fund, a fund established by the Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation and Nebraska Community Foundation for the purpose of assisting Nebraskans impacted by the 2019 floods to rebuild their lives, has made grants to six communities and organizations for community development efforts that address flood recovery and building resiliency for the future.

All granting decisions are made by a volunteer Fund Advisory Committee composed of members located across the state with a variety of experience and expertise, from housing, to business and rural community development. Most recently, grants were awarded to the six following communities and non-profit organizations: • The City of St. Edward will receive up to $50,000 for the purpose of flood mitigation and informed future planning. Preliminary efforts will involve hiring a consulting firm to assess possible expansion to its residential area.

• Heartland Disaster Recovery Group of Grand Island will receive $65,000 for the benefit of Hall and Howard Counties to coordinate recovery efforts and assist local families impacted by the floods.

• Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity will receive $25,000 for its efforts to demolish and rebuild flood-damaged homes within its service area.

• Midwest Housing Development Fund has been awarded $75,0000 to help establish a communication and collaboration network – known as the Midwest Housing Resource Network – to better respond to future flood events and other disasters.

• The City of Winslow will receive $97,000, contingent on securing other matching funds, for the purpose of community relocation and increasing resiliency for future flood events.

• The City of North Bend has been granted $62,000 to assist with street and levee repair.

The Rebuild the Heartland Community Fund, created by First National Bank of Omaha, and Nebraska Flood Recovery Fund, both affiliated funds of Nebraska Community Foundation, have been working closely through a joint pre-application process meant to streamline the grant application process and better respond to community requests. Following the floods of 2019, members of both Fund Advisory Committees have met regularly to ensure needs are being met across the state and funding is awarded to projects that address long-term recovery efforts.

Donations may be made to the Nebraska Flood Recovery Fund online at www.nebcommfound.org/give/nebraska-flood-recovery-fund or by calling (402) 323-7330.

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NONPROFIT NEWS Midlands Community Foundation Raises Over $115K at 2020 Reflection Ball

Parkinson’s Nebraska Breaks Records with Over $34K Raised in 24-Hour Skate-A-Thon

Midlands Community Foundation’s 2020 Reflection Ball, held on January 18 at the Embassy Suites in La Vista, raised over $115,000.

More than 400 guests attended the gala. Net proceeds from the event will support the needs of other nonprofit organizations that provide programs and services to both counties, with an emphasis on first responders and also in the areas of art, community, economic development, education, health, and human services.

At the event, Bob Olson was awarded the 2020 Reflection Award for his more than 55 years of volunteer service to Sarpy and Cass counties, particularly in the area of emergency medical service.

“We are pleased to present Bob Olson with this year’s Reflection Award in appreciation for his significant contributions to Sarpy and Cass counties and the Papillion community and the impactful advances in safety he has made to ensure the wellbeing of the residents of our community,” said Tonee Gay, Executive Director.

The Midlands Community Foundation was established to assist with community development by improving and enhancing quality of life.

Since its inception in 1994, the Foundation has enriched many local organizations through gifts and grants totaling more than $9 million.

To learn more, go to midlandscommunity.org.

Parkinson’s Nebraska has raised more than $34,000 to go towards Parkinson’s research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in this year’s Skate-a-Thon. The 13th annual event raised more money than ever before in its history, bringing the total money raised to $244,000.

In addition to the 525 skaters who participated, five individuals skated for the entire 24-hour event. The Nebraska Warriors, a local hockey team made up of disabled veterans, had a representation on the ice throughout the entire event as well.

Skate-A-Thon was started by Collen Weubben, founder of Parkinson’s Nebraska, and her husband Ted, who flooded their own backyard for three years until the event was moved to UNMC’s ice rink in 2011. The Wuebben family continues to continue Skate-aThon annually in memory of Colleen who passed away in 2013 due to Parkinson’s disease.

“Thanks to the community for making this a winter tradition,” said Jenny Knutson, a daughter of the Wuebbens. “The encouraging words of physicians give us the belief that we won’t have to host this event much longer. We hope a cure is on the horizon.”

To learn more about Parkinson’s Nebraska, go to parkinsonsnebraska.org.

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NONPROFIT NEWS Save the Date: Omaha Young Life’s 25th Annual Golf Tournament June 8

Angels Among Us to Host Perfectly Paired, a Wine Tasting Event

Omaha Young Life will host their 25th annual golf tournament June 8 at Oak Hills Country Club. Registration and driving range open at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. This is always a successful event, providing great exposure and publicity for sponsors. With more than 120 players in attendance last year, Omaha Young Life’s summer Golf Tournament will likely be a packed event.

Omaha Young Life’s annual golf tournament has a 25-year history of success, so sponsorships, golfing spots, and volunteer opportunities are sure to quickly be taken. One of the best tournaments in the area, the Young Life tournament is on par with their coveted hole-in-one prize.

They also have prizes that include golf foursomes at the region’s top courses. Registration for sponsors, golfers, and volunteers is open today.

Young Life is a world-class organization for adolescents. Their staff and volunteers enter the world of kids, focusing on what matters to them—fun, adventure, friendship, and a sense of significance. In doing so, they earn the privilege of talking to them about something that they believe matters most—the truth about God and His love for them! If you’d like to participate in Omaha Young Life’s golf tournament as a sponsor, volunteer, or golfer, visit www.omaha.younglife.org or contact the Omaha office at (402) 391-4994.

On Saturday, April 4, from noon to 3 p.m., Angels Among Us will host their third annual wine tasting event, Perfectly Paired. Angels Among Us has partnered with Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar for this event, and the wine tasting will take place at the Fleming’s location at 140 Regency Pkwy.

Rejuvenating Women Invites Amie Ellis to Speak at Human Trafficking Awareness Event Rejuvenating Women has invited Amie Ellis to be the special guest speaker for their Save the Next Girl (and Boy): Omaha Awareness Night on April 16 at 7 p.m. at the new Xcel Community Center located in the Millard area.

Time and location of this event are subject to change based on attendance numbers, so check the savethenextgirl. org website for updates.

At the fundraiser, Amie will lead a human trafficking Q & A panel discussion. She will also tell her story of how her daughter became a victim of human trafficking. More than a month later, with the help of an amazing network of FBI, law enforcement, family, and the support of a nonprofit organization, Amie’s daughter was rescued and reunited with her family. Amie now has a passion to help prevent others like her daughter from becoming victims.

In addition, Rejuvenating Women has planned a Rowing Fundraiser event on April 18 at two local gyms, West O Fitness and Nerve Health & Fitness. The 24-hour event will spread awareness of the dangers of human trafficking while generating donations for Rejuvenating Women’s trauma-informed, holistic recovery program—Restored Wings Home & Program. This recovery effort provides a home and family atmosphere for victims and survivors of human trafficking. Survivors can stay up to two years and have access to in-depth counseling, case management, tattoo branding removal, and legal services during their stay.

For more information about Rejuvenating Women, go to rejuvenatingwomen.com or contact 1-(800) 402-0601 / info@ rejuvenatingwomen.org. To learn more about the Save the Next Girl event and Rowing Fundraiser, contact Jen Keller at (208) 241-4398 / pinkerkell@gmail.com or go online to savethenextgirl.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

The event, formerly known as Uncorked, has been revamped and rebranded for 2020. This year there will be wine stations with nearly 50 different wines. As a perfect complement to the wines, chef partner Rafael Ponce has curated a selection of food pairings. A small silent auction will be available for bidding, and wine will be available for purchase at a discount. Only 150 tickets are available, so those wanting to attend are encouraged to purchase tickets soon. Last year the event quickly sold out.

Angels Among Us is a Nebraska nonprofit that provides financial and emotional support to families whose children are battling pediatric cancer. Any family living in or being treated in Nebraska is eligible to apply for financial support. In 2019, Angels Among Us provided financial support to over 120 families, giving over $440,000 helping with mortgages, rent, and other expenses. For more information about events or to get involved, contact Aly Theilen at alyssa@myangelsamongus.org.

Heartland Family Service to Participate in Omaha Gives! – Pottawattamie Gives!

For the eighth year in a row, Heartland Family Service will be participating in Omaha Gives!

– Pottawattamie Gives! on May 20. This full-day of online giving is a chance to support causes near and dear to your heart, and Heartland Family Service urges people to keep them in mind. Proceeds will benefit the life-c hanging programs and services Heartland Family offers individuals, children, and families in the community.

The mission of Heartland Family Service is to strengthen individuals and families in the community through education, counseling, and support services. Founded in 1875, Heartland Family Service connects with over 54,000 individuals and families through direct services, education, and outreach each year from over 15 locations in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Their 50 programs provide critical human services to the individuals and families who ultimately shape the future of our community in the following focus areas: child and family well-being, counseling and prevention, and housing, safety, and financial stability.

Further information can be found on Heartland Family Service’s website, heartlandfamilyservice.org. Questions about the day of giving can be directed to Nicole Huryta, development manager, at (402) 552-7472 / events@heartlandfamilyservice.org. To donate online for the giving event from midnight to midnight on May 20, go to omahagives.org/HeartlandFamilyService/overview.

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NONPROFIT NEWS Omaha Home for Boys Announces Annual Golf Tournament Date

Open Door Mission Calls for Food Donations to Feed Homeless During Easter Season

Omaha Home for Boys (OHB) is excited to announce its 2020 Golf Classic is taking place on Wednesday, June 10, at Tiburon Golf Club in Omaha.

The event will be sponsored

by RBC Wealth Management.

This fun-filled day of golf on the greens of Tiburon offers a number of sponsorship and team golfing opportunities. Sponsorships range from $150 to $2,000 and offer a unique promotional opportunity for businesses.

The 4-person scramble tournament costs $600 per foursome, which includes green and cart fees, lunch, and dinner. Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch at 11 a.m. and an 11:45 a.m. shotgun start.

Proceeds from the OHB 2020 Golf Classic support the more than 500 youth, young adults, and families served by Omaha Home for Boys annually. OHB equips and empowers its clients with the skills needed to lead independent, productive lives, which helps them transition from a state of crisis to one of safety and growth.

To register a foursome or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact the Omaha Home for Boys development office at (402) 457-7014 / golf@OHB.org or visit OHB.org. Prize donation, volunteer opportunities, and other service opportunities are still available as well.

Open Door Mission is calling for a community-wide effort to provide food donations with “Share an Easter Meal” from March 30 to April 10 in order to make this Easter season a truly happy one for thousands of hungry men, women, and children experiencing homelessness.

Food donations can be taken to Fareway in Omaha, 17070 Audrey St.; Fareway in Papillion, 1325 Jersey St.; Fareway in Council Bluffs, 310 McKenzie Ave; and SuperSaver in Council Bluffs, 1141 N Broadway. They will have collection bins set up in their stores to collect donated items.

All donations must be shelf-stable and unopened. Donors can also provide monetary donations online through Open Door Mission’s website—just $2.15 provides a meal and care to someone in need!

Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission founded in 1954 committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Each day, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 917 safe, shelter beds to people experiencing homelessness, serves over 4,747 nutritious meals to feed the hungry, and provides homeless preventive resources to more than 1,000 people living in poverty to empower them to remain in their own homes. Questions about food donations can be directed to Kristen Dineen at KDineen@opendoormission.org / (402) 829-1538. To learn more about Open Door Mission, visit www. opendoormission.org.

GREAT SKIN ISN’T ABOUT LUCK! Let our skincare professionals help you find your lucky charm! Whether you’re looking to visibly reduce fine lines or correct uneven skin tones, we have the right treatment for you.

Let our therapists treat you to relaxation and rejuvenation! Give us a call or stop in to make an appointment today.

@ CHDSALON 12025 PACIFIC STREET | 402-330-5660 | CREATIVEHAIRDESIGN.COM

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HEALTH NEWS American Heart Association Reveals HandsOnly CPR Training Kiosk In November, the American Hear t Association and the Greater Omaha Chamber debuted Nebraska’s first HandsOnly CPR Training Kiosk in the Westroads Mall. The new kiosk will provide Hands-Only CPR training to the public in as little as five minutes. Recent studies have found that Hands-Only CPR is equally as effective as conventional mouth-to-mouth CPR, and people are more likely to feel comfortable performing it. The kiosk is a revolutionary new way of spreading this information to as many people as possible. The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

Each Hands-Only CPR training kiosk features a touch screen that displays a brief video tutorial followed by a practice session and a 30-second CPR test. With the help of a practice manikin (a rubber torso), the kiosk provides feedback about the depth and rate of compressions and proper hand placement.

The American Heart Association has been actively teaching about Hands-Only CPR since it launched the Hands-Only CPR Mobile Tour in 2012. Their first CPR kiosk was launched at the Dallas/ Ft. Worth International Airport. In the first two years alone, more than 25,000 people learned CPR in an airport. The American Heart Association hopes to replicate that success in Omaha. To learn more, visit www.heart.org.

Omaha Women’s Triathlon Adds Half Marathon for 2020 On May 30, the Omaha Women’s Triathlon returns to Flanagan Lake and Recreation Area in Northwest Omaha. Beginning at 8 a.m., the race starts with a swim in the lake, followed by a bike ride and then a run near Flanagan Lake. Now in its 10th year, the race has been a popular endurance event for many years and is the only female multi-sport event in the area.

“We are excited to add a half-marathon option this year. Our hope is to provide an outlet for women in Omaha to feel strong, powerful, and successful while making strides towards better health,” said Alan Kohll, founder of Race Omaha.

To expand the event to more participants, Race Omaha is giving athletes many options to choose from, including the Sprint (750m swim, 20K bike, 5K run) and Super Sprint Triathlon, which is half the distance (375m swim, 10K bike and 2.5K run). If you are more team-oriented you can opt to be part of a relay team and choose your favorite sport. For runners, they can choose between a Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K run.

Race Omaha Event Series is produced by Mimran Event Management, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, organized to provide opportunities for all ages and abilities to actively participate in events to promote healthy lifestyles. For event details and more information on the Omaha Women’s Triathlon visit raceomaha.com. Additional questions can be directed to Alan Kohll at (402) 212-7508 / alan@omahatriathlon.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Revelation Health Opens in Papillion On October 14, Revelation Health & Wellness opened its doors to the Papillion community at 249 Olson Dr., STE 103. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on December 4 with the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate. Owner Dr. Steve Lapke is excited to offer a holistic approach to medicine that includes physical, emotional, and spiritual health. His wife Brook will manage all administrative aspects of the practice so he can focus on clients. Their mission is to foster self-renewal by providing personalized healthcare in an environment focused on dignity and respect.

Revelation Health & Wellness is a concierge medicine clinic that prioritizes physician-patient relationship in a truthful and respectful environment.

Dr. Lapke wants all of his patients to be able to maintain their dignity through all steps of the treatment process. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop in anytime for a visit or call (402) 715-4855 to make an appointment. You can also learn more about treatment options online at revelationhealthmd.com.

American Lung Association Releases 18th Annual “State of Tobacco Control” Report On January 29, the American Lung Association released the 18th annual State of Tobacco Control report, which finds that in 2019 Nebraska earned mixed grades on its efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use, including e-cigarettes. The report calls for proven tobacco control policies in light of the fact that the country’s youth vaping epidemic worsened in 2019. The need for Nebraska to take action to protect youth from all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is more urgent than ever, with the youth vaping epidemic continuing its alarming rise to 27.5%. This is a staggering 135% increase in high school e-cigarette use in just the past two years, and close to three million more kids started vaping in that time period, setting them up for a lifetime of addiction.

The Lung Association finds opportunities in 2020 for Nebraska officials to take action by increasing tobacco taxes, adding e-cigarettes to the smokefree law, and increasing funding for tobacco prevention and control programs. To learn more and support the work the association does, call 1-(800) 586-4872 or visit Lung.org.

Clearwater Counseling Launches “Wellness Wednesday” Weekly Social Media Series Clearwater Counseling recently began a new weekly social media series titled Wellness Wednesday designed to raise awareness for mental health and promote healthy living. The series offers resources, tips, facts, and insight from an experienced team of therapists. Wellness Wednesday will utilize short videos or graphics to discuss various wellness and mental health topics. The new campaign will directly correlate with Clearwater’s existing blog. A variety of videos are already available on their Facebook page (@clearwatercounselingpcne) discussing what to expect when going into therapy, anxiety, etc.

Clearwater Counseling is a mental health services provider that works with individuals with a variety of mental health diagnoses. They help people who are dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, trauma, addiction, parenting problems, and more. To learn more about staff or resources available to you, visit clearwatercounselingpc. org. To schedule an in-person or virtual appointment, please contact (308) 210-8487 / info@clearwatercounselingne.org.

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HEALTH NEWS

Feel as strong as you look

EMSCULPT

Nebraska Community Blood Bank Hosts Blood Drive with Broadcasters Unite for Life The Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) recently partnered with local radio and news broadcasters for the Broadcasters Unite for Life Blood Drive in which donors gave a total of 122 units of blood. The event, which took place on January 23, boasted some of Nebraska’s top broadcasters from the 10/11 News, KFRX 106.3, and KFOR Radio. Broadcasters Unite for Life is hosted twice a year in the winter and summer, which are particularly hard times of year to meet the needs of local hospitals in terms of units of blood.

Donors who attended the drive enjoyed food from Famous Dave’s, a voucher for a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, a free shirt, and more treats. Brad Anderson, news meteorologist from 10/11, spent the day encouraging others to give blood by donating while giving the weather report. The NCBB is thankful for an industry of local broadcasters who support them bi-annually through their audience.

Hosting a blood drive is a great way to support the community, and the Nebraska Community Blood Bank makes it simple for your business or organization to save lives. Contact them at ncbb.org or 1-(877) 486-9414 to learn more.

American Heart Association to Host OmahaCouncil Bluffs Heart Walk May 30

EMSCULPT Open House March 12 4 - 6 PM

1501 Jackson Street Omaha, Nebraska 68102 402.999.2329 34

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The American Heart Association’s annual Omaha-Council Bluffs Heart Walk is taking place on Saturday, May 30. The Heart Walk, which will be held at Stinson Park, is sponsored locally by University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The Heart Walk is open to all in the community to change the story of heart disease and stroke in Greater Omaha. Those who participate are committed to funding research that keeps hearts beating. By participating in the Heart Walk, people are joining a million Heart Walk Heroes from across the nation raising funds for lifesaving science—science that can teach us all how to live longer and be #HealthyForGood.

The American Heart Association invites people to take a few minutes to consider the lives you are going to help change for the better through your leadership and donations so that the lives of more moms, dads, brothers, aunts, and babies are saved. Join the Heart Walk this month to help keep hearts everywhere beating and take steps to cure heart disease and stroke.

The Heart Walks are now part of the Healthy For Good initiative, which is the American Heart Association’s initiative to inspire all Americans to live healthier lives and create lasting change. It focuses on the simple idea that making small changes today can create a difference for generations to come.

The American Heart Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization dedicated to being a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. For more information about registering for the Omaha-Council Bluffs Heart Walk, visit OmahaHeartWalk.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

With Closet & Storage Concepts’ attention to detail and lifetime warranty, clients are guaranteed quality workmanship and top-of-the-line materials. Whether you’re doing a single office space or an entire home, Closet & Storage Concepts will be there from concept to completion.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Custom Designed Solutions for Homes and Offices Closet & Storage Concepts of Omaha is your premier provider for custom commercial office and home storage solutions. Locally owned and managed, Closet & Storage Concepts is proud to bring storage solutions for every room and lifestyle. All of the storage systems are manufactured right here in their Omaha factory, and everything they create is installed by their team of expert installers. Closet & Storage Concepts offers a wide variety of ¾” furniture grade melamine, laminate, and wood finishes to choose from. Each system is fully adjustable and can be easily changed or expanded to meet changing client needs.

Commercial Solutions Ken & Cindi Incontro, owners of Closet & Storage Concepts, want you to be thrilled with your office environment. Commercial storage solutions are limitless, but can include areas such as:

Copy Rooms | Break Rooms | Kitchens | Conference Rooms Office Furniture | Entertainment Areas | Reception Desks | Filing Cabinets

Residential Solutions Closet & Storage Concepts can also help you add more space to your home. Residential solutions are endless as well, and include pantries, wall beds, pet centers, home offices, garage storage, entertainment centers, laundry rooms, and butler’s pantries.

Add more space to your home with a wall bed!

The addition of a convenient and stylish wall bed is a brilliant way to add space to your home! Also known as Murphy beds or hideaway beds, these beds fold up against the wall when not in use, creating ample extra room. Whether you prefer a traditional or contemporary style, wall beds offer a simple, utilitarian design to conveniently transform your home office or den into a comfortable guest bedroom, saving you money and square footage.

Wall beds from Closet & Storage Concepts are easy to maneuver and operate, and can easily be folded up or down using only one hand. They have wall beds available with built-in bookshelves, as inconspicuous cabinets, with accompanying desks, in horizontal models, and more! Free in-home design consultations are available by appointment. You can also visit the showroom in Omaha to view a variety of models.

Visit the showroom! 10908 John Galt Blvd.

(402) 885-8581 | closetandstorageconcepts.com/omaha-nebraska #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Joining Organizations Joining Organizations

Twice a year, Strictly Business puts together a Joining Organizations feature. This “glorified index” is a way to highlight many of the amazing professional organizations available to individuals who are striving to stay active within the business community and/or their industry network. We want to make sure that these organizations have a chance to get their name out there and share their current efforts, membership benefits, partnership opportunities, etc. with all of our readers. Strictly Business is directly mailed to over 15,000 businesses in Omaha every month, so we feel that we have a responsibility to provide our readers with relevant information about what’s happening in and around the place they call home and, most importantly, how to actually be a part of what is happening.

With a busy career and social life, we can’t get involved with all the organizations we might be interested in. So, how do you decide which organizations are the right fit? You have to think about your objectives in terms of how your service helps fulfill your own professional development goals, your employer’s desire to bring in and keep business, and the kind of service you want to give.

Community organizations shape Omaha—they contribute to the fabric of our economy by bringing industry leaders together, offering education and resources to their members, and partnering with other local entities to implement positive change in our area. There are so many dedicated, passionate groups of like-minded individuals who are all committed to making a difference in their professional, cultural, and social communities. Joining these groups often results in forming new relationships that, in turn, lead to personal and professional growth and success. In terms of making connections in the community, professional organizations and local trade associations provide an environment rich with potential. By tapping into a network like this, in your industry or otherwise, you have access to a wealth of knowledge, referrals, helpful tips, potential job opportunities, a built-in support system, and so much more.

Here at Strictly Business, we stand behind the hard-working organizations that continuously better Omaha and its occupants.

We do this by offering discounted rates to these organizations with local chapters so they can highlight their accomplishments, awards, members, staff, and opportunities for involvement. There are organizations and associations representative of nearly every profession, industry or special interest group and many have national, regional, state and/or local chapters who would love to have you as a member.

Ultimately, why consider membership in a professional organization? The bottom line is that creating professional relationships truly is fundamental to your future success and joining an organization allows you to step outside of the workplace, meet new people and make new connections, gain access to helpful information and opportunities, and to support one another in reaching your goals.

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the following organizations if you are looking for ways to grow your business or professional network, make a difference in the community, and gain valuable experience outside of the work place. Don’t be afraid to reach out and get involved!

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Do you struggle with navigating important complex topics, or potentially controversial current events within your workforce, customers, and community? The Business Ethics Alliance is the voice that helps Omaha create space for difficult, but needed, conversations.

Let’s succeed together.

The Business Ethics Alliance provides solutions to companies of all sizes and for employees across all levels, from C-suite to entry-level, to conduct their businesses and professional lives with accountability, integrity, and moral courage. When you attend our Signature Events, you elevate personal leadership, your organization’s financial vitality, and ultimately the entire community.

To connect with other professionals; to grow your presence in the community; to develop your skills and experience; to ignite change and serve as a catalyst for economic growth. These are just some of the reasons to invest yourself and your business into the Greater Omaha Chamber.

To learn more about business ethics training and growth opportunities, visit businessethicsalliance.org.

For Omaha to prosper, we need to build a connected community that supports business growth, employment and quality of life. As a member, you aren’t just building your business, you’re investing in the future of our city.

We won’t let up. We won’t let you down—because your work is too important to go it alone. Join 3,000 other businesses and be part of the movement toward greater.

OmahaChamber.org/Belong | memberservices@OmahaChamber.org | (402) 346-5000

The mission of the Apartment Association of Nebraska is to support, inform, and connect the multifamily community through education, legislation advocacy, and professional networking. For more information, be sure to visit www.aaneb.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

ASSOCIAT I

L NA

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In January of 2019, the AAN launched the Nebraska Maintenance Academy (NMA), a hands-on training academy for those wishing to secure a career in the multifamily industry as a maintenance technician.

The first of its kind in Nebraska, NMA will offer vocational training to those most in need, including but not limited to non-college bound high school students, veterans, and any individual who desires a meaningful career change. The goal is to train 45 people per year at NO cost to the students and then to immediately place the students into careers.

ION CT

The Apartment Association of Nebraska (AAN) is the local affiliate of the National Apartment Association (NAA). The NAA currently has over 170 affiliates and boasts over 8.7 million apartment homes globally.

Founded in 2002, the Apartment Association of Greater Omaha and Lincoln was created by a group of property managers and owners with a vision to help create and maintain a high level of professionalism in the multifamily rental housing industry in the greater Nebraska area. On October 5, 2002, the AAGOL received its charter from the NAA. In 2014, the name was changed to the Apartment Association of Nebraska to better represent their membership. Their members include multifamily owners and management companies, apartment communities, and the supplier members who service this industry.

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The Empowerment Network (EN) is recognized as a backbone organization supporting the key functions of its collective impact partners. The EN excels in the capturing of data; capacity-building; leadership development; advocacy; civic engagement; and fundraising to support specific initiatives identified by the community.

The Network model, recognized regionally and nationally, relies on each person and organization doing their part. Visit empoweromaha. com or call (402) 502-5153 to learn more.

The National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC) is a resource for women in the construction industry for leadership oppor tunities, community outreach, networking, education and more! NAWIC Chapter #116 based in Omaha, Nebraska, encompasses Omaha, Lincoln, Council Bluffs and the surrounding areas. First chartered in 1966, the chapter has members working in businesses whose primary focus is the construction industry.

IN EN

The Empower ment Network works together with the residents and leaders to TRANSFORM the ECONOMIC condition and QUALITY OF LIFE of African Americans, North Omaha residents, and citizens in the Greater Omaha region. The goal is to close longstanding gaps in employment, entrepreneurship, education, housing and other quality of life factors to transform Omaha into a thriving and prosperous city, in every zip code and neighborhood.

®

• NAWIC Core Purpose: To strengthen and amplify the success of women in the construction industry.

• Core Values: Women-focused, Courageous Leadership, Commitment to Inclusion and Growth, Anticipate Change They welcome you to join them! The Greater Omaha Chapter meets on the second Thursday of each month at various locations in the Omaha area. Visitors are welcome to attend. Current information about upcoming meeting locations, topics, and times is available on our website at www.nawicomaha.com or email nawicomaha@gmail. com to request information.

Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational o r g a n i z a t i o n t h a t e m p ow e r s individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.

Headquartered in Englewood, CO, the organization’s membership exceeds 357,000 in more than 16,600 clubs in 143 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.

For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www. toastmasters.org and follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.

Omaha, Lincoln, and surrounding areas are served by Toastmasters District 24. District 24 is a grouping of 70 Toastmasters clubs and 1,100 members from Kearney, NE to Council Bluffs, IA. Learn more about District 24 and upcoming meetings and events by visiting d24tm.org, www.facebook.com/D24TM, or www.meetup.com/ District-24-Toastmasters-Meetup. Toastmasters helps you build the confidence and skills to be a better you.

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The Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) has been the guiding force of its members since 1927. The NHA serves as the influential voice of its members in the health care legislative and public arenas, promoting delivery of quality health care and influencing public opinion of hospitals and health systems. Our 90+ member hospitals depend on the NHA for support and assistance with advocacy, education, quality, and data initiatives.

Visit nebraskahospitals.org for more information.

The Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the creation of the new B.U.Y.S. Group—“Beef Up Your Sales!”

The B.U.Y.S. Group is focused on refining your sales skills and training. This group will provide opportunities for sales professionals to share best practices, techniques, and strategies.

Guest Speakers will present expert insights into sales tactics and business development at monthly events. B.U.Y.S. Group membership is exclusive to members of the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce.

The group’s inaugural event on March 9th will cover “Rejections, Objections and Stalls.” Future topics will focus on crafting an effective elevator pitch, overcoming high prices, selling like a doctor, and more!

For more information on joining the Sarpy Chamber B.U.Y.S. Group contact grow@sarpychamber.org. Visit www.sarpychamber.org/ events to register for upcoming B.U.Y.S. Group events.

The Millard Business Association (MBA) was established in 2003 and is comprised of more than 350 area businesses who believe strongly in the free enterprise system. The MBA provides the catalyst for our new members to grow and prosper through a variety of events, opportunities, services, and programs.

Joining this thriving organization is great way to GROW Your Business.

Members do not need to reside in Millard. The basic requirement is doing business or wanting to do business in the Millard area. Membership is only $130 per year. Some of the benefits include: • Networking and Exposure—“It’s not what you know but who you know.”

Make all those important contacts through Networking Lunches, “Bagels & Business” Meetings, Business After Hours, and Ribbon Cuttings. Join one of our many active referral groups.

• Government Representation—Attend one of our Government lunches, meet one-on-one with your local, State, and Federal representatives.

• Educational Opportunities—Stay competitive, be productive! Our monthly “Lunch and Learns” offer expert advice for today’s economy.

• Membership Directory—As a member you receive a free listing in the printed and online directory, which is distributed across the entire Millard area (30,000 copies printed yearly).

Apply for membership at www.MillardBusinessAssociation.org.

For more information, contact the MBA Admin, Kim Jipp, at (402) 7072827 or email info@millardbusinessassociation.org.

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The Associated Builders and Contractors Cornhusker Chapter supports the commercial construction industry through apprenticeship and safety training, advocacy and workforce development. In addition, we offer opportunities for networking and our Excellence in Construction Awards allow us to showcase members project success. We help our members and their employees with the opportunity to succeed, winning work and delivering that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. ABC strives to be the leading voice for free enterprise and the merit shop philosophy of construction in Nebraska. We offer apprenticeship training through the NCCER Curriculum, continuing education and leadership courses, not only to our members, but to anyone wishing to enter the construction industry, for a bountiful career.

For information about ABC Cornhusker Chapter, contact Chase or Anne at (402) 477-4451 or email chasew@abcnebraska.org.

Please visit our website at www.abcnebraska.org to learn more.

BNI members enjoy unparalleled business growth. As the world’s largest referral network, BNI passed over 12 million referrals last year, resulting in more than $16 billion in business. More importantly, our area members throughout NE, IA, SD, and WY closed over $40 million in tracked business—creating a return of 700 times their investment—with much of that supporting local business. BNI celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and has proudly been helping Nebraska businesses grow for over 20 years.

Members also increase their exposure to like-minded professionals, gain referrals from a local and global network, and sharpen their networking skills with exclusive member resources. Belonging to BNI is like having dozens of salespeople working for you.

BNI provides a proven structured system of giving and receiving business. It does this through an environment and support structure that cultivates more formal and deeper relationships with other professionals. Their members have the opportunity to substantially increase their business though BNI’s core values of Givers Gain, Building Relationships, Life-Long Learning, Traditions + Innovation, Positive Attitude, Accountability, and Recognition. For more information about BNI Heartland, please contact the regional office at (402) 880-6311, email info@bniheartland.com, or visit their website at www.bniheartland.com.

Don’t Miss Out! This is an excellent opportunity for your professional organization to gain exposure among our readers, as well as for our readers to familiarize themselves with the local resources available that could make an impact on their personal and professional growth.

If you are a local professional organization that is interested in participating in the next JOINING ORGANIZATIONS feature in Strictly Business, please call (402) 466-3330 or email Office@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com today! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Education This month we’d like to discuss a topic that we believe is important to many of our readers—education. For a professional who already has a degree but has not been in the classroom for ten years or more, continuing education can offer a chance to brush up on previously-learned skills and acquire new skills and credentials current to developing trends in the market, especially in the ever-changing field of technology. We asked the University of Nebraska Online to share stories of success from some of their alumni who have found an option for advancement through online education.

“As a young mom, I struggled with the challenges of even being able to consider college, but as time passed I was determined to pursue a career and an opportunity presented itself,” said Natalia McCain, a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “I chose online learning for the convenience and flexibility of my education as I had to make it work with a very demanding nursing position. The educational tracks provided at UNMC as well as the flexibility within those tracks were the absolute deciding factors for me,” she shared.

“What happens with this online world is you are given these options, and now you have the opportunity to become educated in a field that you’re passionate about,” said another alumni, Felicia Webb, a graduate of Social Gerontology, BGS and Master’s, from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Curtis Reese, a graduate of the Biology MS program from the University of Nebraska at Kearney tells students, “If you want to live your normal life, advance your career, and get a high-quality education, then I think University of Nebraska online programs could be the thing for you.”

“You cannot stop learning and improving,” said Pedro Londono, an MBA graduate from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “Education is a must and requirement in today’s business world.”

The University of Nebraska’s four campuses offer more than 150 online degrees, certificate and endorsement programs, from bachelor to doctoral, across 16 fields of study. Online programs are available in high-demand areas such as business, health care, computer science, and education. University of Nebraska online programs give adult learners from around the world access to the opportunity to be taught by the same expert faculty who teach at the four University of Nebraska campuses.

As a result, students are well-equipped to achieve academic goals and to immediately apply learnings in the workplace.

According to the Nebraska Department of Labor, in the next few years Nebraska will have 34,000 annual openings in jobs like engineering, nursing, business, and IT. More than two-thirds of these jobs will require an associate’s degree or higher. To move the state’s economy forward, it is important to be able to fill the high-skill, high-demand, high-wage jobs within the state. The University of Nebraska is committed to equipping Nebraskans with high-demand skills and providing accessibility to highquality online programs that will enhance their careers and advance the state’s future in this modern, fast-paced and tech-heavy world.

Education can open doors for exciting new careers and experiences.

If you are considering continuing your education and pursuing a degree or taking a class to learn something new, remember to look to local institutions and the excellent options they have available! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

4 Campuses.

150+ Programs Online.

• Business Administration, BS • Critical & Creative Thinking, MA • General Administration, BMS • MBA • Nonprofit Administration, BMS • Organizational and Relational Communication, BS • Public Administration, MPA • And more

online.nebraska.edu

Krista Wilson Business Administration, BS University of Nebraska at Kearney

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Workplace Wellness Our jobs can demand a lot from us as working professionals, and in such a fast-paced world, stress seems to be on the rise. In fact, according to a report titled Stress...at Work published the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in January of this year, 75% of employees in the U.S. believe that workers have more onthe-job stress than a generation ago. Not only that, but 25% view their jobs as the top stressor in their lives. It’s eye-opening to hear that a quarter of Americans view work as their number one source of stress. This stress, of course, can spill over into others areas of our lives and cause negative effects in our relationships, family, finances, and ultimately, our all-around mental health. When the pressure’s on, something has to give—people can’t constantly produce, create,

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and use up their energy without replenishing their inner well. It’s for this reason that there is a growing demand for promoting health and wellness in the workplace. We connected with some local professionals who shared their wisdom on the topic and information about the services they offer to support workplace wellness.

Robyn Burnett, LMHP, manager of account and education services at Best Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP), shared her observations on recent trends in workplace wellness.

“I have noticed many employers moving towards outsourcing consultants to help with wellness goals,” Robyn said. “This could mean hiring a local personal trainer to start a Facebook group just for your employees offering daily tips and goals as well as onsite/offsite group fitness tasks/ Robyn Burnett challenges. For emotional/mental health Best Care Employee services, consider bringing in someone like Assistance Program (EAP) Best Care to offer trauma/grief debriefing for employees going through a great deal. Most recently, I have seen employers offering a ‘quiet’ space or room for employees to go and decompress for a few minutes. This space could offer things such as stress balls, essential oils, calming music, lounge furniture, or even a massage chair. Our brains need a way of decompressing, just like the body.”

Best Care EAP offers a wide-array of services for organizations and their employees, including professional development training, performance coaching, short-term counseling, workplace grief/ trauma debriefing, substance/alcohol assessments, and customized workplace wellness solutions. Their professional development opportunities span from over 80 topics in areas such as management/ leadership, work/life balance, and workplace relationships. Best Care partners with organizations, educational institutions, and member association groups, no matter their size. They believe that mental health services should be treated no differently than other wellness initiatives, as research indicates that at minimum one in four employees is suffering from a mental health issue.

For employers who may be wondering what their employees most want and need from them to best support their wellness at work, Robyn has a suggestion.

“Listen to those employees who are actively engaged,” she said.

“They will tell you what you need to know. It’s not always about getting an ice machine or offering chair massages monthly. Yes, those things are nice but not always going to get you the end result #PrintProudDigitalSmart

you are looking for. Solicit advice from those who you truly trust and value what they have to say. When it comes to well-being, it’s about determining what it is you are trying to achieve and then sticking with it. Oftentimes employers are looking at wellness as a “box” they need to check rather than looking at it as a necessity and a way of establishing a healthier workforce. It is not a “one size fits all” model with wellness. What works for one organization may not work for another and it also means sometimes thinking outside the box with how to achieve your wellness goals. If you hear from some of your valued employees that they struggle to find time to go to gym, can you offer “flex” time over lunch to allow them that time to exercise? Lastly, wellness means so much more than physical exercise. It means looking at the whole person and asking yourself as an employer what you can do to help with some of those areas. Whole-person health means looking at five areas: physical, emotional/mental, nutrition, spiritual, and environmental.”

Last of all, Robyn shared how employees can look to their own well-being in their habits at work and outside of work.

“Allow time for yourself and ensure you’re scheduling it on your calendar,” she advised. “Whether this is a lunch with a friend, getting in some physical activity, or scheduling a counseling session that you’ve been putting off, it’s important to schedule this into your routine, just like a management meeting. I know I am a much more productive and valuable employee when I am taking care of myself, so that tends to be time very well spent. If our personal lives are not going well, our work is the first thing that suffers, so invest in your personal life so it doesn’t end up affecting your work life.”

Kayla Leddy, MS, LIMHP, LIPC, CA with Clearwater Counseling, also shared tips on how employees can take care of themselves and employers can take care of their employees in order to improve the workday.

“Self-care is so important for everyone, and it can be practiced in many ways, depending on personal preference,” she said. “Some examples might include taking breaks throughout the day to step away Kayla Leddy from the desk or taking a moment to talk Clearwater Counseling to a coworker for a couple of minutes just to ease some stress. Typically, a 9-to-5 job promotes two 15-minute breaks as well as one 30-minute lunch break. However, mini breaks to stop at a coworker’s desk to look at a funny cat video or to step outside and walk around the building for fresh air or to go fill up a coffee cup more than once an hour are all okay and should even be encouraged! Those mini breaks refresh the brain and help us to regain focus. Encourage employees to leave the office for their lunch break instead of working on something as they are eating their sandwich. It’s also important to encourage employees to use vacation days and sick days. I would love if they weren’t even called ‘sick days’ anymore but instead mental health days as being sick isn’t always the reason someone needs a day off.”

“When I take a self-care day, it isn’t taking one kid to the doctor, the other kid to the dentist, or standing in line at the DMV to register my car,” Kayla shared. “It is a day where I am relaxing and doing things I enjoy—starting a new book, binge watching something on TV, or having an extra long workout at the gym. It’s not running all over town to get errands done. It’s making time for friends or even a date night. I have been trying to take one half-day every month to work from home to catch up on paperwork. That way, I can do a load of laundry at the same time, but I am still feeling productive so it’s taking stress away. I am still trying to figure out my own balanced work life, but small changes can make a big difference.

Also, speaking up when you need a break is so important.”

Kayla emphasized that it’s very important for supervisors and management to be leaders and demonstrate what self-care looks #PrintProudDigitalSmart

you What are r? waiting fo

Contact Best Care today to see how you can leverage our services and expertise for building a healthier and more productive organization.

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like. This might mean marking on their calendars that they have a therapy appointment or even a hair appointment. They need to show what self-care looks like and that they are open about it so their employees know that it is more than okay to practice self-care, too.

Another aspect of workplace wellness for employers to consider and keep up with is the healthcare benefits they are offering to their staff. Small business owners especially need to established affordable healthcare options for their employees in order to help current employees stay healthy and to compete with larger organizations. A membership-based healthcare plan with a direct primary care physician is a great option for small businesses. Dr. John Hallgren, and co-founder of Mission Direct Primary Care, told us about the ways their services improve life for employees and their employers.

Dr. John Hallgren Mission Direct Primary Care

“Our memberships provide excellent access to high-quality primary care which has been shown to improve outcomes for diseases, so you’ll have healthier employees who miss less work for illness and injury,” Dr. Hallgren said. “If your business doesn’t currently offer a health benefit or offers a high-deductible health plan, the addition of a Mission Direct Primary Care membership for your employees can eliminate their out-of-pocket costs for primary care and give them access to a doctor that can see them quickly and on-time and who will take their calls after hours for urgent needs.”

Achieving a healthy office environment doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. There are very simple ways to institute wellness in the workplace. An example is drinking more water. There is plenty of research out there that shows that the greater the water consumption, the better the mood. Tension, depression, and confusion are areas that improve when we drink more water throughout our day.

Aqua Systems is one company that cares that your water is the safest and healthiest it can be and wants to make it easy for people to access pure water, whether it’s at home or at work. That’s why they are passionate about water softeners and drinking water solutions that are proven to eliminate water quality issues, and they work to make these solutions simple, clear, and affordable. What’s more, they’ve been pursuing this passion for nearly 60 years. They are proud to save their customers money from expensive alternatives and assist them in living healthier lives.

Keeping well at work is so important for professionals in today’s world. People have a lot on their plates, especially considering that life exists outside of work as well and that there are always things demanding energy and attention. Take advantage of wellness resources in the community, and remember to put self-care on your calendar! You won’t regret it.

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With population in Omaha and surrounding areas continuing to grow at an increasing rate, the commercial landscape of Omaha is steadily changing and expanding as well. Omaha consistently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Because of this, new professionals are easily attracted to the area. All this means good things for the construction industry, including a wealth of opportunities for exciting new projects and development.

For businesses that are opening new locations or remodeling old ones, certain concerns or questions may arise in the search for contractors.

Common concerns for these businesses include how long the planning and building process will take, how much it will cost, and how to ensure the final product will be of good, lasting quality. There also may be questions about which contractors are easiest to work and communicate with throughout the process. Investors may also have questions about the various new products, services, and innovations available that can really

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enhance their final product. We spoke with local experts in different aspects of construction who are committed to delivering the best possible services and quality results. They gave us their input on the topic and on some of the exciting projects they’ve been working on in recent months.

The Design Process The design process is an important initial phase that sets the stage for all coming construction work. Business owners looking to construct a new building may be overwhelmed by the many players who could take part in the process. Thankfully, Morton Buildings has developed a solution to make the process as smooth as possible. They offer design services and also work with architects and commercial building owners for post-frame construction services through the completion process.

Matt Milby, designBUILD project development manager for Morton Buildings, told us about a great service they offer to save their clients

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time and money in the design-build process for many commercial applications: “We are proud to offer a constructionled, design-build process through Morton designBUILD,” he shared. “This allows business owners to retain all rights to all information (plans, designs, specs, etc.) and only commit to each phase, one at a time. It helps eliminate risk and stress levels normally associated with new commercial construction.”

“Supported by the full resources of industryleading Morton Buildings, Morton designBUILD is a dedicated team that works with you and your local Morton sales consultant from the beginning to end of your construction project,” Matt continued. “We developed the designBUILD process with our customer in mind, as it enables us to deliver projects that meet your scope, schedule, and budget. This alleviates stress, eliminates time loss, and ultimately reduces the overall project cost, as our design fees are nominal and included as part of the construction package.”

Matt Milby Morton Buildings

Morton Buildings believes in giving the very best to their clients in product and service. Some of Morton’s recent projects include: • Sandhills Heating and Air in Omaha, a 2,100-square-foot office building • Numark Golf Course in Lincoln, a 2,592-square-foot pro shop • National Concrete Cutting in Council Bluffs, a 39,000-square-foot office and shop • Valas Pumpkin Patch in Omaha, a 6,000-square-foot shop.

“Whether you want to start up a new company or expand an existing one, one thing is certain—a Morton building will help your business succeed,” Matt said. “What differentiates us from other construction companies is the quality, the craftsmanship, and the efficiency of our buildings. Plus, our warranty is the best in the business. Our local construction center, located at 12055 Hwy 6 in Waverly, is proud to deliver equestrian, agricultural, commercial, designBUILD, and hobby buildings in the communities surrounding Lincoln and Omaha.”

For business owners who are unsure of the delivery method for construction that will best suit their needs and situation, it’s helpful to understand the options in design and construction and who the players are. Justin Kurtzer, president of Cheever Construction, explained more about the design process and what these options are.

Justin Kurtzer Cheever Construction

“There are three traditional delivery methods that business owners can choose from when contracting a construction firm,” he said. “These include:

• Construction Management (CM) – Owner hires architect/engineer responsible for design and a contractor responsible for establishing a program and schedule, organizing sub-contractors, and preparing a benchmark budget. An advantage of this method is the scope of the project can be clearly laid during the design process.

• Design Build – Owner hires a single contractor, responsible for both the design and construction aspects. An advantage of this method is a single firm is responsible for completion of the project.

• Design Bid Build – Unlike Design Build, owner hires an architect to design the project in its entirety. Competitors then bid for the contract to complete the building. An advantage of this method is the bidding process establishes the project cost.”

Cheever Construction is an employee-owned construction firm that takes pride in their tight-knit employee-owner model.

“Because employees own 100% of the company, all of us have a stake in the outcome professionally, as well as financially,” Justin shared. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Notable contributions have been made to the development of Omaha and surrounding areas by Cheever Construction, including: • Construction of Exchange Bank in Omaha • Renovation of the Edith Abbott Memorial Library in Grand Island • Construction of Resort Lifestyle Communities in Lincoln • Renovation of Southeast Community College – Culinary Arts in Lincoln • Historic renovation and construction of the Saline County Courthouse addition in Wilber • Construction of Dairy Queen Grill & Chill in Lincoln Finding the Perfect Location One aspect of construction that goes hand-in-hand with design is finding the right location for your construction project. Selecting the best location is extremely important in commercial projects. You want to know that your business will be able to thrive in the area you’ve chosen.

Midwest Retail Properties, a national Walmart Shadow Center landlord, takes pride in working alongside tenants to find the right location, help them design their space, and construct a floor plan to their liking. Partnering with Midwest Retail Properties is ideal for someone who wants a level of control and decision-making power in the design process with the option of not having to stress over the entire planning and initial construction phase from the ground up. MRP has available spaces that have the bones in place but are Tom Heintz still customizable, like a blank canvas. These Midwest Retail Properties spaces can be designed and completed to fit the needs of any business. Of course, if someone wants to handle design and construction of their space on their own, MRP is supportive of that as well. We spoke to Construction Project Manager Tom Heintz to learn more.

“At Midwest Retail Properties, we view our relationships with our tenants as partnerships,” Tom said. “We collaborate with tenants and contractors to help design, construct, and deliver a space that fits their needs and their budget. It’s typical in our industry to hand off a space to a tenant once the lease is signed, but because of our in-house construction and property management teams, we’re able to guide our tenants through their buildout process, or in some cases, handle it for them.”

Tom focuses on all aspects of Midwest Retail Properties construction needs, including inspections, tenant buildout, and property improvements. He personally has over 25 years in the construction industry ranging from building a family’s first home to managing multi-million dollar private, state, and federal projects. Whether through working with Tom or anyone else on the MRP team, business owners and investors are sure to benefit from the excellent level of service Midwest Retail Properties provides.

Utilizing the Latest in Construction Innovation Recent advancements in industrial technologies have brought about exciting new products, methods, and services that have revolutionized the way construction projects are now carried out. One versatile new technology that improves the construction process in a host of ways is 3D Reality Capture. We spoke to Brad Lauritsen, associate principal at KPE Architecture – Engineering – Forensics, to learn more.

“KPE employs Reality Capture technology with Brad Lauritsen the BLK360 3D Laser Scanner. This tool allows precise documentation of existing conditions KPE Architecture – which can be imported into BIM to create a Engineering – Forensics complete building model,” Brad said. “This scanning tool saves several man-hours of time during pre-construction field work versus the traditional methods of several architects and engineers each taking photos and measurements of the same room but

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only the portions relevant to their own work. Now one person can operate the scanner which takes 360 degree photos and captures a digital 3D point cloud from which everyone can take exact measurements and review existing conditions. Reality Capture is empowering architects, engineers, and construction teams with the ability to incorporate as-built 3D models into their planning and diagnosis of ongoing operations.”

Reality Capture removes guesswork from the planning process for construction projects. There is no need to depend on time-consuming and manual measurements or outdated drawings. The technology captures existing conditions with precise accuracy, allowing more effective planning of installation procedures and coordination between different groups working on various aspects of a building project.

“Reality Capture technology encourages better collaboration on the construction site and results in increased productivity, less rework, and reduced RFIs,” Brad said. “It works very well, especially for safety, planning, coordination, documentation, inspection, production, stockpile volumes, 3D modeling, and QA/QC.”

www.kpe-inc.com

Architecture Engineering Forensic Investigation Planning & Programming Construction Management Pay Application Verification Energy Efficiency Fire Protection/Life Safety Facility Assessments

KPE works to stay up-to-date with the most recent construction technologies, ensuring their staff is educated on the most current information in the field. What makes them truly unique is their involvement in forensic engineering. Forensics is simply investigating what went wrong and why things fail. Each year, KPE is hired to investigate hundreds of property loss claims involving structural deficiencies, water or air infiltration (building envelope), indoor air quality, construction defects, and more. These investigations serve as a continuous stream of knowledge and lessons learned. The added knowledge base from these investigations gives KPE a distinct advantage during design and construction management.

The benefits are primarily cost avoidance, few schedule impacts, fewer change orders, and overall fewer hassles during the construction process.

Brad believes now is a good time for investors and business owners to invest in new building projects.

“Right now there are an abundance of architects, engineers, design professionals, and construction labor in the Omaha Metro area,” he said.

“Anyone who has need for a new building or renovation has the benefit of several options and a good economy.”

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Among their many projects, KPE recently completed a project involving an addition and renovations to Burke High School in Omaha. Their updates brought a fresh, quality look and function to the building with a new multi-purpose addition including an activities center and new band and vocal music suites. Their skilled services also brought important safety and efficiency updates such as modernized fire, life safety, and security systems to correct previous deficiencies and improved restrooms and facilities, among other things. KPE’s use of the latest products in the construction industry have done a lot to enhance the building for students and staff alike.

For contractors working on large building projects, many choose to outsource individual aspects of construction to subcontractors who have a specific area of expertise and an understanding of the latest innovations and products in their specific area of focus. Electric work, plumbing, heating, and cabinetry are a few examples that may be outsourced to subcontractors. We looked to experts in these areas for more information on how they use the latest products and approaches in their work.

Electric In the opinion of Chris Langer, owner of Langer Electric, one of the best new technologies to save money on energy costs is in lighting.

Chris Langer Langer Electric

“LED technology has come a long way these last couple years,” he said. “When I walk through a project nowadays and see the old incandescent bulbs it just makes me shake my head. You literally can take your energy consumption down by 80–90% with LED technology. Why waste the energy and money paying for old lights? What remains the same and what is changing as far as commercial

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construction goes? Customers are starting to realize when it comes to projects the cheapest isn’t necessarily the best. Quality comes with a price sometimes.”

Langer Electric has provided repair, maintenance, and installation services to commercial and residential clients, receiving an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Chris says he strives to bring “a level of comfort that feels as though you’re pretty much working with family…I really want to bring a different level of customer satisfaction to the trade which is hard to find nowadays.” He says that while working on electric work for a commercial construction project, preparation and communication are key.

“I make sure everything on my end is lined up with materials, labor, and communication between trades. We don’t EVER want to be the ones holding up a project,” he explained. This includes establishing a relationship with inspectors for construction projects. “My main concern with any project is making sure everything is completely in line with what the inspector wants. It doesn’t help anyone to butt heads with the one who ultimately calls the shots in the end. You have to be mindful of what exactly the inspector expects because each individual is different.”

Heating In addition to offering stellar customer service, Getzschman Heating uses the most current diagnostic technology to help eliminate waste and save their customers money. Gunnar Guenette told us more.

Gunnar Guenette Getzschman Heating

“We train our technicians to measure the performance of HVAC systems to diagnose improvements,” he said. “We call it ‘G-Verify.’ Pretty much, you are testing the combustion efficiency and the air the system is using and comparing it to manufacturer specifications. It doesn’t matter if it’s a brand

new system. You can waste almost half your energy if you are not testing the actual performance of the HVAC.” Getzschman Heating works in sheet metal fabrication and the installation of heating systems, heat pumps, and air conditioners. When conducting a replacement or installation of a furnace or air conditioner system, they recommend starting with a cost estimate, which they offer for free, and obtaining a written guarantee of performance for all equipment.

“We offer a firm bid on the electric work using our licensed electrical contractor,” explained Gunnar. “We also test during installation. For replacements, we dispose of the junk remaining from the previous system.

Respecting our customers’ property is something that we take pride in, whether it’s how our employees wear shoe coverings, or how we use tarps and floor savers to protect your floors while we work. We want our customers to be happy seeing their property left just as clean as we found it when we arrived.”

Plumbing In the plumbing industry, as in all areas of construction, code requirements are constantly being updated. Working with plumbers who are serious about staying up-to-date with the most current information and methods is important for business owners who want a properly-functioning plumbing system in their building. Scott Dai, commercial estimator and project manager for Big Birge Plumbing, shared with us about the ways that he works to keep current with the latest information in the plumbing industry.

Scott Dai

Big Birge Plumbing “There are several different plumbing codes in the surrounding metropolitan area,” he said.

“As a certified plumbing instructor in Nebraska and Iowa, I am always reviewing the applicable codes including the OPC (Omaha Plumbing

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Code), the IPC (International Plumbing Code), and UPC (Universal Plumbing Code), not to mention the different amendments that might be involved with the different areas. The Plumbing code can impact which type of materials to use, fixture requirements, etc. which can have an important effect on the bottom line.”

Scott uses his knowledge base to help with the overall cohesion of construction projects as well as the completion of specific plumbing aspects.

“My involvement early in the construction process is to review plans and specifications and bring together all the data we need to put together the best plan, and complete the project in a timely and efficient manner,” he said. “It is important to work closely with the foreman and journeyman ensuring they are familiar with all aspects of the material take off.”

Cabinetry and Storage Locally owned and managed, Closet & Storage Concepts of Omaha is the premier provider for custom commercial office storage solutions, offering the latest and greatest in finishes, hardware, and stylistically functional cabinet and storage options. Commercial storage solutions are limitless but can include areas such as: copy rooms, break rooms, kitchens, conference rooms, office furniture, entertainment areas, reception desks, and filing cabinets. Closet & Storage Concepts carries a wide variety of 3/4” furniture grade melamine, laminate, and wood finishes to choose from. Owners Ken and Cindi Incontro want their customers to be thrilled with their office environment. All office products are custom designed by one of their designers and manufactured on site in their own factory.

Their designers will visit your office to better understand your needs and provide a 3D CAD drawing to perfectly suit your space. Everything they create is installed by their own CSC expert installers.

“We do a lot of commercial businesses– breakrooms, copy rooms, etc.,” Owner Ken Incontro explained. “We build beautiful front-area reception desks or office desks.

It is always exciting and satisfying to see a finished office space after we’ve completed the installation of cabinets, desks, etc. We do quality work!”

Ken Incontro Closet & Storage Concepts of Omaha

“However, with the influx of younger generations into the metro areas, we are seeing a steady increase in both new construction and restoration projects. The new construction is happening in the suburbs while the restoration is happening in the city centers. The trend of restoring older buildings or converting older spaces into modern designs is contributing to this trend. An excellent example of this is the Blackstone Hotel in midtown Omaha. This turn of the century building has been restored to its former glory,” Jennifer said.

Jennifer explained that restoration requires an in-depth understanding of a building’s history and details.

“When it comes to restoration, research is key. Researching the building, the materials, and the best techniques is essential to providing a beautifully restored building/project. When it comes to the planning and execution of a project, we want to offer our expertise. Most companies know the finer points of new construction, but McGill understands the intricacies of restoration,” Jennifer said.

Because restoration involves different requirements than new construction, asking questions about the building is vital.

“I would say the best advice I have received is ‘ask a lot of questions and never make assumptions,’” she shared. “In restoration, you can never ask enough questions. The more questions you ask the more you learn the history of a structure, be it a parking garage, a Department of Transportation (DOT) bridge, or a building on the national historic registry. Every structure has a history and that history is important to its restoration. When was it built? What is it going to be used for in the future? These questions will provide a lot of answers to the type of material that must be used in its restoration,” Jennifer said.

Jennifer explained that McGill Restoration specializes in these four market segments: • Industrial • Department of Transportation

Visit our Showroom and Factory!

For those who want a hands-on experience in the design and selection process, Closet & Storage Concepts has a beautiful design center that offers an impressive view of possibilities and options.

“Customers love our design center,” Ken said.

“We have beautiful displays featuring a wide selection of products and setups. Customers can pick from a variety of colors, features, hardware, and door samples. It’s great.”

Closet & Storage Concepts offers free estimates for anyone looking to enhance their space. Their team of experts will assess the space and then offer options and suggestions for space optimization. For contractors working with Closet & Storage Concepts, they can rest assured that the storage aspect of their construction project is in good hands.

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Restoration Projects One aspect of construction that really focuses on reviving and revitalizing buildings to extend their life and help them last for years to come is restoration. McGill Restoration takes their work seriously, and requires their crew to stay up-to-date with training and all the latest restoration technology. As a project manager and estimator for McGill Restoration, Jennifer Baldwin has performed extensive research on restoration for older buildings.

Jennier Baldwin McGill Restoration

“When it comes to construction, generally when new construction is up, restoration or investment in aging infrastructure is down,” she shared.

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• Parking garages and stadiums • Masonry restoration “Each of these areas are important to the aging infrastructure of our communities and nation. These are always our main focus of work and will continue to be long into the future,” Jennifer emphasized.

Her most important advice for any construction project to be a success is to build a competent team.

“Construction is a team sport. Everyone from the architect and design team, all the way down to the project manager and craftsmen are vital to the success of a project,” she said.

Building Automation Building automation can truly transform the quality and efficiency of a construction project. Pat Killeen, the president and CEO of Engineered Controls, told us about exciting updates emerging in building automation technology.

“We live in an era in which buildings of any size and shape can become intelligent buildings,” Pat said. “With open protocol technology, they can connect multiple subsystems together, on one network, rather than operating them all Pat Killeen independently—maximizing energy efficiency, Engineered Controls lowering maintenance costs, and providing centralized building control. The systems also provide information on problems in the building, allow for computerized maintenance scheduling, are easy and effective for employees to use, and easily detect problems,” Pat pointed out.

One central location can now control all lighting, heating, cooling, and security functions, including outdoor controls and elevator controls. Pat

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talked how this is a must for businesses that wish to go green: “There is now a great demand for energy efficient buildings, high-tech devices and enhanced security systems that are now a central component of the building automation system,” Pat said. “Wireless technology will continue to revolutionize the building automation system market. For example, lighting control systems with dimming and light harvesting capabilities are generating an especially high demand for these kinds of products.

It is expected that the Internet of Things (IoT) devices will be instrumental in the integration of heating and cooling systems, hot and chilled water systems, card access systems, video management systems, lighting systems, power generators, pumps, and metering equipment…to name a few.”

“Long range analysis shows that there are a number of business sectors that are currently, and will continue to, drive the building automation sector of the building technology industry in the future,” Pat continued.

“These include the demand for ‘green building technology,’ electrical energy management systems, LED lighting and lighting controls, security and access systems, asset management, smart buildings, and the technology convergence into one, holistic Building Automation and Control System. In addition, the demand for home automation products will increase the demand for more commercial automation products.”

One company that works hand-in-hand with Engineered Controls to provide them with the parts and products they need to carry out their work is Control Depot. As a HoneywellAuthorized Systems Distributor, Control Depot offers building control technology to residential and commercial customers. Control Depot’s customers include sub-contractors specializing in building controls and electrical and mechanical specialists. Because of this, vice president Jeff Killeen says Control Depot has to offer a wide-range of up-to-date products and replacement parts to professional contractors.

Jeff Killeen Control Depot

“Control Depot’s primary goal is to offer the necessary systems and replacement parts that will provide a safe, comfortable working environment, as well as cut wasteful energy costs. We are helping companies become more sustainable and improving their bottom line,” Jeff said.

In addition to offering the necessary products, Jeff says it is important for their staff to be knowledgeable of these technologies to best serve their clients.

“We have assembled a team of knowledgeable, qualified individuals whose goal is to assist each customer with personal service rooted in their experience. Because our inventory rivals any of the largest retailers, we can offer comprehensive solutions for building controls,” Jeff added.

“Thanks to our partnership with Contemporary Controls, Control Depot offers additional technological solutions, which focus on providing reliable networking and communication for control systems.”

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Strictly Business MARCH 2020

Businesses aren’t only considering indoor optimization to improve efficiency and comfort, many are also looking to their outdoor space for remodeling projects. Corporations such as Google and Microsoft have elected for outdoor spaces that allow their employees to work outside of the office or enjoy a leisurely view. From Facebook in the Silicon Valley to Shutterstock in New York City, spacious rooftop work spaces have become a popular choice even when outdoor space isn’t readily available. Businesses incorporating a pleasing outdoor space into their plans can create a welcoming environment for customers and attract young professionals to see them as a desirable employer.

Whether you are looking into a new construction project, a remodeling project, a restoration project, or any other kind of construction project, there are many qualified construction experts in the area who have access to the latest technologies and products to help you achieve high-quality results! Look to them to help you construct the perfect building for your business. #PrintProudDigitalSmart