Personnel

UNICO Adds Rodenburg as Benefits Advisor

UNICO Group recently welcomes Reagan Rodenburg to their benefits team as a benefits advisor. Reagan grew up in Elkhorn and currently lives in Lincoln with her husband, Max. She comes to UNICO equipped with a bachelor’s degree in business and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law. She began her career after law school working as an in-house claims attorney for Fidelity National Title Group, handling title insurance claims for owners and lenders. As a benefits advisor with UNICO, Reagan will work with employers to develop and manage employee benefit programs by working with insurance carriers to customize solutions that fulfill their needs. “As I grew to love the insurance industry, I wanted to find a way to combine my legal expertise with my passion for analyzing and working with businesses,” Reagan said. “UNICO proved to be the best of both worlds. I am dedicated to making sure clients feel confident in the decisions that must be made to efficiently run their businesses. I want my clients to consider me an ally when it comes to the success of their businesses, as I’ll ensure they feel understood and well-equipped throughout their decision-making process.” UNICO Group is a client-focused insurance broker headquartered in Nebraska. They offer a consultative and relational approach to their customized solutions for clients nationwide. As an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) organization, every one of their employees is a part-owner and gets to celebrate the company’s biggest successes as their own. For more information, visit unicogroup.com or call (402) 434-7200.

First Responders Foundation Welcomes OBI Creative Founder Mary Ann O’Brien to Board

The First Responders Foundation is delighted to welcome Mary Ann O’Brien to its Board of Directors. Mary Ann is the CEO and Founder of OBI Creative—an internationally-recognized research, strategic communications, and advertising agency with offices in Omaha, Des Moines, and San Diego. She launched the company in 2001 with her first project, Digital Home Solution, for Gateway Computers. It was the first of many successes that led to the growth and capabilities of her agency. OBI Creative has since led numerous national and global strategic initiatives for companies including Microsoft, Sony, Viewsonic, Stericycle, Borsheims, Nebraska Crossing Outlets, Creighton Heider College of Business, and Travel and Transport. Mary Ann’s experience and skill in bringing big-picture strategy to world-class advertising campaigns and her thorough understanding of customers will be priceless in directing the First Responders Foundation to fulfill its mission to serve and honor first responders and their families and enhance public safety. Mary Ann is an Iowa native and has lived and worked on both coasts, but chose to put down roots here in Omaha. She and OBI have earned countless regional, national and international awards, but her favorite was winning an Integrity Award from the Better Business Bureau. The First Responder Foundation provides the support and services needed to first responders, veterans, and their families, and Mary Ann’s expertise and leadership will help the Foundation’s success in the metro area along with growth in the Midwest and beyond. For more information, visit firstrespondersfoundation.org, email contact@firstrespondersfoundation. org, or call (402) 218-1234.

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Whitney Skutt and Sarah Barnhill Join McGill Law

McGill Law has announced the addition of Whitney Skutt as office administrator and legal assistant and Sarah Barnhill as a new associate attorney.

Whitney was born in Omaha and is pursuing a degree in sociology at UNO. Her passion for supporting and elevating other women, along with her kind and helpful demeanor, will be a true asset to clients as they start their journey with McGill Law.

Sarah is passionate about public service and guiding families through the legal process. The team at McGill Law is so excited to have Sarah onboard as her passions will align well with their mission. Sarah will specialize in family law litigation and also assist with probate, collections, and uncontested family law matters.

In 2011, when Jodie McGill founded McGill Law, she knew that she not only wanted to help people through their legal matters, but also help people differently. Jodie is committed to focusing on the client and providing expert legal guidance with compassion, integrity, and their futures in mind. "When we complete a case and clients share their deep gratitude and appreciation with us, it makes all the difference," said Jodie. "We feel truly honored that people trust us to guide them through what is often the most challenging time in their life. We're excited to add Whitney's and Sarah's expertise to this process."

McGill Law had four employees at the start of 2020, and they have since doubled that number to eight employees this year. This has allowed the firm to serve even more families, using their creativity and patience during a time that has felt out of control. McGill Law specializes in family law issues including divorce, modifications, adoptions, estate planning, and guardianships. Learn more online at www.mcgilllawomaha.com.

Whitney Skutt

Sarah Barnhill

It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know and Who Knows You!

At Strictly Business, we strive to recognize local professionals 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, email editor@strictlybusinessomaha. com, or submit your news online via www.strictly-business.com. Our advertising clients qualify for a free press release each month, which is a great opportunity! We’d love to share your story and celebrate your people and their accomplishments.

APRIL 2021 Strictly Business 25

Bridge to Better Living Hires Stephanie Sacco as Omaha Transition Consultant

Bridge to Better Living is proud to announce the hiring of Stephanie Sacco as their Omaha Transition Consultant for Retirement Living Options. Stephanie brings a background of 14 years as an assistant vice president of marketing, during which she worked with hundreds of seniors and their families while opening independent senior living communities in Omaha, Lincoln, and the surrounding areas. Stephanie’s favorite part of being a Bridge to Better Living transition consultant is developing relationships with her clients. She thrives on introducing seniors and their families to communities that fit each client’s specific needs and criteria and on witnessing how rewarding and beneficial the right move is for the senior. She exemplifies the Bridge to Better Living motto of Placement with Passion. Bridge to Better Living, a locally owned 11-year-old business, assists seniors to find the best quality of life when choosing a move to a senior living community, be that an independent, assisted-living, memorysupport, or long-term care community. Serving Omaha, Lincoln and surrounding areas, this service is available at no cost to clients. For more information or to meet with Stephanie, visit BridgetoBetterLiving. com or call (402) 218-5610.

Outlook Business Solutions Appoints Diana Criser to Accessibility Advisory Council

Outlook Business Solutions recently appointed Diana Criser to its new Accessibility Advisory Council for its digital accessibility testing service offering, Ally Support. The social enterprise also provides marketing and customer-care services to organizations, as well as employment to professionals with vision loss. Outlook’s vision for the Accessibility Advisory Council is to assemble a team of strategic partners who have a passion for improving the user experience for people relying on assistive technology to access digital content. Websites, applications, and software are often plagued by errors that make them incompatible with the adaptive technologies used by people with a range of disabilities.

“I am proud to collaborate with Outlook Business Solutions to help develop Ally Support,” Criser said. “As the world continues to move online, it is critical that no one is left behind in gaining access to the tools helping us stay connected to employment, commerce, education and our loved ones.”

Criser, a product and field technology specialist with Securities America, based in Omaha, specializes in the continuous improvement of web-based applications. She is a certified user experience analyst (CXA) and certified usability analyst (CUA) by Human Factors International, the world’s largest company specializing in user experience (UX) design.

Outlook Business Solutions works with entities to create workplaces that are more inclusive and aligned with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the global standard for digital accessibility to web content for a range of end-users, including individuals, organizations and governments. Ally Support is the company’s subscription-based offering that provides accessibility expertise for development teams and content creators, allowing them to troubleshoot and remove accessibility issues without having to add full-time staff. For a free consultation about outsourcing to Ally Support, call (531) 365-5055, or visit allybiz.co for more information.

26 Strictly Business APRIL 2021

Ovation Heartwood Preserve Brings on Karin Holmes as Community Relations Assistant

As of late last year, Karin Holmes has been bringing her years of marketing and event planning experience to her new role as Ovation Heartwood Preserve's community relations assistant. Karin is the first face you will see upon entering the Ovation Showroom. As Ovation gets closer to their grand opening, Karin will be an integral part of Ovation events and the move-in process ensuring that all residents receive an outstanding hospitality experience.

Ovation Heartwood Preserve is a new active lifestyle village opening in Omaha in late Fall of 2021. It will offer independent, assisted living, and memory care communities. Ovation will be located within the new development in West Omaha’s Heartwood Preserve, a larger community surrounded by well-planned urban development including family homes, shopping, restaurants, and walking trails. Current plans include spacious apartments, numerous dining venues, attractive social and fitness options, and a wide range of state-of-the-art features right within the neighborhood. With 14 different floor plan options, full-service living and month-to-month fee options, Ovation Heartwood Preserve is designed specifically to meet the needs and desires of those looking for a premier, active senior lifestyle. To learn more, visit www.ovationbyavamere.com or contact Karin at (402) 999-7900 / karin.holmes@ovationbyavamere.com.

The Hope Center for Kids Welcomes 4 New Members to Volunteer Board of Directors

The Hope Center for Kids recently welcomed four new community leaders to its volunteer Board of Directors. Kappes Chatfield is the CEO of Rveal Media; Jean Main is a realtor with The Good Life Group for Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate; Shawn Shanahan is the executive director of Development and Community Heath at Methodist Fremont Health/ Fremont Health Foundation; and Luther Starks is a director of Commercial Card and Treasury Services at FNBO. The 16-member board guides the work of The Hope Center for Kids, overseeing strategic goals, financial decisions and overall operations of the nearly 23-year-old nonprofit in north Omaha. “Our board is made up of gifted and dedicated volunteers, and it means so much to our team that these successful leaders in our community would give of their time and talents to further our mission,” said Board President Mike Frank. “We’re honored to announce our newest directors, and we’re confident their expertise will be critical as we continue the work we do in 2021 and beyond.” The Hope Center for Kids Executive Director Paul Lanphier said board members help promote a beacon of hope: “There is so much hopelessness in the world, and we want to be a place of light and hopefulness—where kids get excited just at the thought of being with us. That’s why I’m thrilled to know our board is comprised of caring people who truly have a heart for kids in North Omaha.” The Hope Center for Kids is a faith-based after-school and summer program for K-12 students in North Omaha, where children and youth receive a nutritious meal every weeknight, as well as life-transforming opportunities such as tutoring, college visits and field trips, employment training, sports programs, family events, and more. Get involved by visiting hopecenterforkids.com or calling (402) 341-4673.

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Kevin Mahler with Contributed Line Helps Nonprofits Grow, Thrive, and Raise Money

As society struggles to get past the COVID-19 pandemic, the ways in which nonprofits have relied upon philanthropy in the past may not be viable as we enter a post-pandemic world. However, new opportunities are emerging every day. Led by founder, Kevin Mahler, an experienced fundraising professional with more than a decade of diverse fundraising experience, Contributed Line, LLC has spent most of 2020 and 2021 helping nonprofit organizations identify the doors that are opening determine a path forward. Contributed Line is a grant writing, fundraising, and content development company serving the nonprofit sector in Omaha and several other locations across the Midwest. Since founding Contributed Line in 2017, Mahler has helped dozens of clients achieve new levels of success and engagement through assistance with grant applications, corporate giving programs, and overall fundraising strategy planning. “When you lead a nonprofit organization, you have a lot on your plate,” said Mahler. “Raising money can seem like an overwhelming process, but it doesn’t have to be.” If you are interested in learning more about Contributed Line, LLC and meeting with Kevin Mahler to discuss your organization’s fundraising needs, please contact kevin@contributedline.com / (402) 216-8766. For more information, go to www.contributedline.com. You can also follow Kevin on Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/kevinfmahler.

Business Ethics Alliance Adds Director of Education Casey Putney to the Team

The Business Ethics Alliance is excited to announce the addition of a new director of education. In February, the Alliance welcomed Casey Putney, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role and is committed to advancing the Alliance in the Omaha community. Casey is a leadership professional with more than 15 years of training, evaluation, professional development, and consulting experience in nonprofit and for-profit organizations. He holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and is a John Maxwell-certified speaker, coach, and trainer. Casey honed his leadership skills while holding a top-secret security clearance within the United States Air Force, where he served as director of personnel within the Nightwatch program. He also led all learning and development efforts within Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services. Most recently, he engineered the global leadership development efforts of Omaha-based Travel and Transport. Casey is passionate about helping individuals find their potential and helping organizations create cultures that leave employees feeling valued, respected, appreciated, and heard. The mission of the Business Ethics Alliance is to build leadership, strengthen organizations, and elevate Greater Omaha through positive, practical business education. The Alliance was legally established in 2008 as a standalone, not-for-profit entity. The Alliance has three founding partners: the Heider College of Business, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and the Better Business Bureau of the Midlands. The Alliance also includes trustees and business leaders around Omaha, who act as ambassadors, supporters, and advisors of its mission. For more information, visit BusinessEthicsAlliance.org or contact Charli Hathcox at (402) 280-2235 or chathox@businessethicsalliance.org.

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Angels Among Us Welcomes Davis, Henry, Johnson, Patterson to Board of Directors

As they celebrate their 15th anniversary in operation, Angels Among Us is pleased to announce four new board members to its Board of Directors. Terry Davis (BuilderTrend), Katie Henry (ACCESSbank), J.R. Johnson (Edgewater Insurance), and Terry Patterson (Children’s Hospital & Medical Center) were seated at the beginning of the year. As the Angels Among Us organization has continued to grow both in size and demand for services, they are thrilled to bring on additional board members that will play vital roles in moving their mission forward. Terry Davis has a keen focus on internal processes, and as the nonprofit manages hundreds of families a year, his skillset will ensure that the Angels Among Us back end and onboarding process is fine-tuned and seamless from the start of each client’s journey to the finish. Katie Henry and J.R. Johnson have great networks in the community that will help spread the Angels Among Us mission to new networks as the organization grows. Terry Patterson brings a perspective that Angels Among Us has needed for some time, as he has worked side-by-side with the families Angels Among Us serves at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center for most of his career. He understands the importance of what the organization does and the impact it has on pediatric cancer families. Overall these additions to the Angels Among Us Board of Directors will be extremely valuable. “As we grow, we are really focused on how we better serve our families and be sure we are touching every pediatric cancer family that needs us,” said Director of Community Relations/Development Aly Theilen. “By helping cover critical bills such as rent, mortgage, and utilities, among others, we are helping families focus on what matters most—their sick child.” In 2020, Angels Among Us provided more than $510,000 in support to nearly 130 pediatric cancer families in Nebraska, amid the global pandemic. The needs of local families whose children have cancer are only expected to grow. Angels Among Us feels extremely blessed to work with their Board of Directors, Advisory Committee, and countless volunteers and supporters as they celebrate their 15-year anniversary and look ahead at the next 15 years. They recently scheduled their two key fundraising events for 2021, including a July 12 golf outing at Champions Run Golf Course and the October 15 Gala event at Embassy Suites Conference Center in La Vista Nebraska ranks No. 1 among the 12 Midwestern states for incidences of childhood cancer, constantly increasing the need for financial backing for Angels Among Us. Any family whose child is battling cancer and living in or being treated in the state of Nebraska is eligible for support. For more information about Angels Among Us or how you can help make a difference, visit myangelsamongus.org or call (402) 934-0999.

Terry Davis

Katie Henry

J.R. Johnson

Terry Patterson