Berry Law

Berry Law — America’s Veterans Law Firm

Berry Law supports and represents the servicemen and women who sacrificed for our nation, while also defending the Constitutional rights of all Nebraskans. They fight alongside those who choose to fight back when a conflict or injury jeopardizes their freedom, family, or future. Berry Law represents veterans with VA appeals nationwide and maintains a regional trial practice which includes criminal defense, personal injury, civil litigation, and military law. The firm was also recognized by the Department of Labor for their commitment to hiring Veterans. Berry Law is known for developing some of the best trial lawyers in the Midwest, and they are one of the largest trial firms in Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas. Leadership and technology differentiate Berry Law from their competitors. Their large referral network of clients, law firms, and vendors helps make their success possible. Their clients respect them and trust them to handle their most serious problems. Founding attorney John Stevens Berry, Sr. has appeared in court in 24 states and two foreign countries. Following his military service, he was associated with the Henry B. Rothblatt Offices in New York in 1970 and 1971, where he tried a number of high-profile cases. In 1971, he returned to Lincoln and has continued to have a regional criminal trial practice. His son, Attorney John S. Berry Jr., followed in his footsteps and is dedicated to helping his clients fight some of the most important battles of their lives. Not only has he led successful teams in the courtroom, resulting in several jury trial victories, but he has also led soldiers in deployments to Iraq and Bosnia. His warrior ethos has become the foundation for the firm’s success. Beyond the battlefield and the courtroom, John’s leadership experience extends to local community and national organizations that protect our constitutional rights and our veterans. CULTURE - The culture of excellence at Berry Law shows in everything they do. They are a meritocracy; opportunities, promotions, and raises are based on performance and potential, not seniority or title. Leaders have emerged at all levels of the organization. They are a culture of winning, and proud to say that their VA appellate attorneys and non-attorney advocates consistently win backpay awards for their Veteran clients in excess of $100,000. They are also a culture of referrals. Berry Law’s clients trust them to handle their most important legal matters and do not hesitate to refer their closest friends and family to the firm. PEOPLE - The attorneys and staff that make up Berry Law are hand selected. The firm provides outstanding employee development. Team members bring unique perspective to every conversation and provide a collaborative working environment. Collaboration at all levels is prevalent as the team openly discusses how to improve Berry Law and themselves. TRAINING - Berry Law trains to win. The training is realistic and challenging. They maximize on-the-job opportunities and they invest in education. New attorneys and staff participate in a 90-day onboarding program. Attorneys attend quarterly in-house training and staff receive monthly in-house training. They also conduct After Action Reviews after every jury trial. ENVIRONMENT - Clients, guests, and team members feel the energy before they walk through the front doors of Berry Law. When entering the lobby, they can see they are patriots, Veterans, and defenders of the Constitution. CLIENT SERVICE - The attorneys at Berry Law set clear standards of service with their clients, and they deliver on those services. They believe feedback is a gift, so if the client ever feels an attorney is failing to provide 5-Star service, Berry Law encourages honest feedback. In addition, they respond to client phone calls and emails the same day they are received, whether it be a substantive response or a mere acknowledgment of receipt. When they receive referrals, the referring attorney is proactively kept informed to the extent the client permits. When clients require after-hours service, the firm’s on-duty attorney is always available to assist with phone calls, jail visits, hospital visits, and more.

402-466-8444 | BerryLawFirm.com | 222 S 15th St., #405N | Omaha, NE 68102

It’s Time to be Champions for Our Local Small Businesses

We all know how uncertain these times have establishments in the U.S. These businesses are responsible for more been—that is not what I intend to harp on than 41% of net job creation, 45% of GDP, and 34% of all U.S. here. In fact, I’d rather shift the attention to exports. These numbers just emphasize even more so the importance something I am certain about, which is that our of protecting our small businesses throughout the pandemic. The small businesses need us to be champions for Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings gathered data from them now more than ever. What is happening March 13 to April 25 to show the average percentage change in to our local economy is frightening, and I’m not revenue per state compared to early January before the pandemic talking about big corporations. Yes, they have hit. Nebraska is shown to have an average revenue loss of nearly been hit too, but they will bounce back. We’re looking at multiple local 40%. I’ve personally spoken with individual local business owners businesses—the mom and pop shops—that will have to permanently and some have lost up to 80%! No business can operate for long close their doors because of the hard hit they took during COVID under that kind of defi cit. I’m a small business owner myself, and I and the strenuous restrictions that have followed. When our small can tell you fi rsthand how scary this is. businesses fail, we fail as a community. We can’t let this happen. Just think about how Think about our downtown businesses—the ones that rely on events and game days for the majority Small business owners invest more than money into their business. For many, their business is who they are—their livelihood is ingrained in their DNA. different Omaha will look in fi ve years if we lose half of their revenue. Think about the breakfast nook in your neighborhood that depends on foot traffi c to stay afl oat. Think about the local drycleaner that is Small business owners have a lot more at stake or even a quarter of the now twiddling their thumbs because so many people than a CEO of a large corporation in the sense that their customers and employees are far more than just that to them. In addition, closing shop means small businesses that make up our city. are working from home and aren’t socializing on the weekends. a small business owner can’t support themselves More than just buying local, we have to urge our or their families, and they can’t pay for things like car payments, government to keep businesses open to protect the mortgages, childcare, or college tuition. The ripple effect seen here overall quality of life and freedoms we share. It’s time to wake up is a very heartbreaking one. and really look at what is happening. Don’t stop living your life, but Strategist Denada Ramnishta, in an article published in Medium, notes depend on it. that when you zoom out, those individual losses of small business do so safely. Our small businesses and the welfare of our community owners will result in towns and cities looking drastically different I want to end this by saying thank you to our clients who have stuck in the future. Unfortunately, that means losing important lifelines to with us even though we’re all struggling to get by, our readers who our communities, and to each other. Just think about how different support Strictly Business by supporting the businesses we promote, Omaha will look in fi ve years if we lose half or even a quarter of the and my staff for the enthusiasm and dedication they bring to the small businesses that make up our city. I’m talking about nail salons, offi ce each day. We will continue to adapt and serve our advertising restaurants, mechanics, bookstores, wedding venues, dance studios, partners the best we can, small and big businesses alike. We all have boutiques, art galleries...you name it! a stake in this, and we are all crucial to the success of our community. According to the SBA, small businesses are the macroeconomy’s Let Strictly Business help you lock in your status as backbone—the lifeblood of America. There are around 30 million THE EXPERT in your industry, utilizing print, the internet, and social small businesses across the country, accounting for 99% of all business media. Find out how by contacting Paige at (402) 466-3330.

CONTENTS

NEWS 4 Business 28 Nonprofi t 23 Personnel 36 Health SPOTLIGHTS 1 Berry Law 15 McGill Restoration 38 Midland Pumping Service COLUMNS 16 River City Six 22 Outlook Business Solutions FEATURE STORIES 39 Buying a Business 43 Wedding Planning 46 Buying a Home

2 Strictly Business AUGUST 2020

Hannah Diane Katherine

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Certified Piedmontese Beef: On a Journey to Become a Household Name by Fueling America with the Healthiest Beef Choice

You’re driving down North 84th Street in Lincoln, you look over and see a beautiful new building complex with Certified Piedmontese displayed on the side, and you ask yourself, “What is Certified Piedmontese?” More than just a prestigious breed of cattle, Certified Piedmontese Beef represents years of passion and ingenuity that has resulted in a product unlike any other. Before establishing the strong Nebraska roots it has today, the Piedmontese breed came over from Italy, landed in Canada, and then made its way through Montana and into the Midwest where it was purchased by Tom Peed in 2009, joining the growing empire of ventures that make up Sandhills Global. Tom Peed’s son Shane Peed is part-owner and general manager of Certified Piedmontese. On its own, Piedmontese beef has gained notoriety for its superior genetic makeup compared to conventional cattle, but the Peeds took the operation to the next level with their commitment to responsible handling and environmental stewardship. Shane continues to take the industry by storm with his entrepreneurial spirit, backed by a dedicated production team and—the real superstars—the ranchers. According to Director of Business Development Billy Swain, the greatest challenge Certified Piedmontese has faced is simply educating people what Certified Piedmontese beef is and breaking the misconception that fat equals flavor. What makes the Certified Piedmontese beef program unique and a step above the rest is the attention to detail that’s put into every aspect of the process, from birth to harvest. Certified Piedmontese cattle are raised with integrity on family ranches throughout Nebraska. They are never given antibiotics, steroids, or hormones. Progressive ranching protocols are in place to guarantee the beef meets their high standards of quality. Certified Piedmontese is the only beef producer that tests for inactive myostatin, which means the final product has more muscle and less fat, resulting in a healthier beef option without sacrificing flavor or tenderness. Additional measures include EID (Electronic Identification) tagging technology, database tracking initiatives, voluntary third-party audits, and DNA testing to confirm heritage (they are able to trace the sire/father of every single calf). Over the years, people have become more aware of what they are putting in their bodies, so Certified Piedmontese’s source-verified, ranch-to-fork beef program puts consumers at ease. “Natural and organic” is no longer a trend, it’s a way of life.

A Look Inside the New, State-of-the-Art Headquarters Building a major Certified Piedmontese campus was a long time coming. It was clear to see the need for one location to house all operations...and then some. In addition to a large cold-storage facility, grind house, and shipping warehouse, the new headquarters also has a separate building for its administrative offices that features a retail store and private dining/event space. The retail store will be open to the public seven days a week, showcasing Certified Piedmontese products that are available for purchase. Not only can people take home premium cuts, but also cheeses, vegetables, and other high-quality ingredients that can’t be found anywhere else in the area. The upstairs restaurant is accessible by reservation and invitation only. The venue can fit 60-70 people, when operating at full capacity. Certified Piedmontese has a talented chef on staff who has ample experience working with area farmers and producers. He will have reign over a well-equipped kitchen that was designed with an open concept to give guests an intimate look at the culinary process. The menu will extend past Piedmontese beefs into a specialty tasting menu offering big-city dining options. Everything will be made in-house, including fresh pastas and vegetables grown in a substantial on-site garden. A primary motivation behind the expansion was to be able to house inventory under a company-owned roof instead of relying on a third party. This allows Certified Piedmontese to provide the most reliable and efficient service to their customers. With such strict operating guidelines, proximity that cultivates more streamlined communication is key. There are many benefits to being headquartered in Lincoln with operations that span across Nebraska. All of Certified Piedmontese’s land is irrigated with fresh water from the Ogallala Aquifer, and their ranchers and farmers are stewards of both the cattle and the region’s natural resources for supplemental feed. From a shipping standpoint, Lincoln is a perfect central location for delivering goods across the country. Plus, various local retailers and restaurants sell Certified Piedmontese beef, making their connection to the area even stronger.

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