Sarpy County Business Hall of Fame 2014

at Bellevue University

Sarpy County has undergone vast changes over the years. 路 Strong leadership guided these changes.

This special edition recognizes a few of the leaders and legends who have left their mark on the county.

May 7, 2014

A supplement of Suburban Newspapers Inc.

Recognized for their impact across the community

Previous honorees have set the bar high for recognizing those who work to make Sarpy County grow and prosper.

This year’s honorees meet that bar.

Suburban Newspapers Inc., in partnership with corporate sponsor Bellevue University and event sponsor CASA, recognizes the contributions of the honorees.

Members of this year’s group are immortalized with plaques on a wall inside the Durham Center Building on the Bellevue University campus.

the 2014 honorees Legends

John Thompson

He was instrumental in the retail development of the Twin Creek area of Bellevue.

Frank Kumor

The owner of Erwin’s Jewelry is an advocate for Bellevue businesses and Olde Towne. Through his volunteer work, his influence extends beyond the business community.

leaders

Jim and Mary Beth Harrold

Owners of the two oldest businesses in downtown Papillion — Papillion Barbers and Papillion Flower Patch. They have done business in downtown Papillion through thick and thin. Now there’s resurgence in business activity in that area, and the city is pushing that “district” as well.

Brad Stauffer

Longtime business owner in Village Square in Gretna, Gretna Chiropractic Clinic. Huge cheerleader for the Gretna business community and its development through the Gretna Chamber.

PayPal

The first business resident in the Southport development at I-80 and Giles Road. PayPal continues to grow its campus and the number of employees.

about the event Free — thanks to sponsors Bellevue University and CASA. Georgie Scurfield, program director of Sarpy County CASA Program, will give a short presentation with remarks by Judge Lawrence Gendler.

sarpy county business hall of fame is published by Suburban Newspapers Inc. and

the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102. To advertise with us, contact Marie Douglas at 402-444-1202. retail advertising manager: Dan Matuella; special project manager: Paul Swanson; special sections editor: Shelley Larsen; section editor, designer: Tom Knox; copy editor: Howard K. Marcus

When: Wednesday, May 14.

Social and hors d’ oeuvres from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Induction ceremony from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Bellevue University campus Margre H. Durham Student Center

Where: Bellevue University Margre H. Durham Student Center, Galvin Road S. RSVP: By noon on Friday, May 9th. Call Marie Douglas at 402-444-1202 or email marie.douglas@owh.com

Source: Bellevue University

the 2013 honorees Legends

BEARDMORE CHEVROLET

Owned by Carey and Brian Hamilton, the dealership was opened by Maurice Beardmore, Carey’s father, in 1971 on Fort Crook Road in Bellevue.

HARLAN FALK

Senior vice president for business development at Great Western Bank. Falk has been with the bank for 55 years.

He has served on several community boards, including the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, College World Series and the Ralston Public Schools Foundation.

leaders

DAN HOINS

Current City Administrator for the City of Papillion, Dan and the city staff have helped guide Papillion through unprecedented growth among the metro area’s suburban cities.

JOLENE ROBERTS

As president and CEO of Hillcrest Health Services since 1998, she oversees more than 700 employees and multiple locations throughout Sarpy County.

TIM AND JAN VALA

What began in 1983 on 20 acres of land in western Sarpy County has grown into one of the most visited tourist attractions in the metro area. Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Gretna is now a 212-acre entertainment destination that has more than 600 employess during its fall season.

Proud to be a part of Sarpy County since 1966 and proud sponsor of the Sarpy County Business Hall of Fame.

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Inaugural class set the bar high

2012 honorees Legends R. Joe Dennis

leaders Bellevue University

He was a developer of numerous residential neighborhoods in Bellevue and one of the founders of Bellevue College as well as First National Bank of Bellevue.

Was founded by civic leaders from Bellevue and Omaha, has been a pioneer in adult education and online education, and continues to invest in the community.

Andy Anderson and Tom Doyle The inaugural class of the Sarpy County Business Hall of Fame was a unique group.

Their work in the community helped to poise Sarpy County as the premiere area for business growth in the metro area.

These Legends and Leaders have made positive impacts across the community.

They were instrumental in the establishment of the La Vista/I-80 interchange, which has led to explosive growth in that part of the county.

Al Wenstrand

He was the former executive director of Sarpy County Economic Development Corp. who helped land Caterpillar Claas and was a proponent 20 years ago of building the Highway 34 bridge.

Bob Dreessen

With Thompson, Dreessen and Dorner, he was the engineer for the City of Papillion for 35 years. Papillion’s population more than tripled during that time period — from 5,606 in 1980 to 18,894 in 2010.

C.L. Werner

The founder of Werner Enterprises, he moved from one pickup truck to a national trucking presence. Werner also stepped forward by investing in naming rights when the Triple A baseball stadium was built in Sarpy County.

Gail DeBoer

The CEO of SAC Federal Credit Union, she had opportunities to build her company’s new headquarters in different locations but chose to reinvest in Sarpy County. The company has been a valuable corporate partner to many organizations, including Offutt Air Force Base.

Mike Hogan

A local developer/businessman who has left his mark in Papillion, La Vista and Bellevue with several retail spaces. He owns Bank of Nebraska across eastern Sarpy County.

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Barber and florist are committed to each other, Papillion and Sarpy County Jim and Mary Beth Harrold, husband and wife, own Papillion Barbers and Papillion Flower Patch, respectively. k else y stewart suburban newspapers inc .

By Kelsey Stewart Suburban Newspapers Inc. Jim and Mary Beth Harrold landed in Sarpy County by chance, but there’s nothing to chance when it comes to their commitment to downtown Papillion and Sarpy County.

“We love Sarpy County,” Mary Beth said. “They’ve been great to us.”

Jim added: “We’re very fortunate we ended up here when we started.”

Jim, 68, owns Papillion Barbers and Mary Beth, 65, owns the Papillion Flower Patch across the street.

Jim and Mary Beth were high school sweethearts. Jim grew up in Alexandria, Neb., and Mary Beth in Ohiowa, Neb. After graduating, Jim moved to Omaha to attend barber college.

Mary Beth followed once she finished high school.

“It was a short college course to start a living,” Mary Beth said.

Upon completing the nine-month course, Jim spent a year apprenticing at Papillion Barbers where he was then hired. In 1968, he bought the barbershop.

Today, Jim has some of the same clients as when he started there.

“You see such a variety of men. There are clients that are 90 and clients that are 9. Everyone enjoys going to the barbershop. They’ve created a real welcome small-town barbershop,” said Kim Ahlers, president of the Historical Downtown Papillion Business Association and owner of Kajoma’s Boutique in downtown Papillion.

Eight years after Jim purchased the barbershop, Mary Beth took a chance. With no prior experience working as a florist, she opened Papillion Flower Patch on the other side of Jim’s barbershop.

See Harrold: Page 8

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Eight years after Jim purchased the barbershop, Mary Beth took a chance.

With no prior experience working as a florist, she opened Papillion Flower Patch.

Harrold: Continued from Page 6

“I just had a dream to do it. I just took a chance, and it turned out very successful,” Mary Beth said. “It’s a change from back then to now. Back then, you could probably take a chance, now it would be harder.”

Mary Beth ran the flower shop on her own at the start.

“I was very creative and artistic, but I had never worked for anyone,” she said. “I did it from the start by myself.”

Eventually, the Flower Patch outgrew its space in the barbershop, so Jim and Mary Beth added on to the building. But it soon outgrew the addition. So Mary Beth moved the shop across the street and has since added an additional warehouse.

Now with six employees, the flower shop has expanded to offer home decor in addition to floral arrangements.

The shop now draws customers from Omaha and surrounding areas because of the quality of work.

“She’s not one to get into something and do it halfway,” said Bernie Roshone. “She’s going to do it good.”

Roshone, owner of Liberty Social Hall in Papillion, has known the Harrolds for about 23 years. She has worked for numerous organizations with Mary Beth, including the Papillion Community Foundation and the Midlands Community Foundation.

See Harrold: Page 9

“She’s not one to get into something and do it halfway.”

Bernie Roshone

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Harrold:

Customers of Papillion Flower Patch and Papillion Barbershop have been loyal throughout the nearly 40 years the stores have been run by the Harrolds.

Continued from Page 8

Customers of Papillion Flower Patch and Papillion Barbershop have been loyal throughout the nearly 40 years the stores have been run by the Harrolds.

“Our customers have stayed with us from the start,” Mary Beth said. “We’ve been very fortunate. The kids we used to do prom flowers for, now we’re doing their kids’ prom flowers. It’s fun to see them grow.”

In addition to his regular clients, Jim has recruited customers from other barbershops in the area that have closed.

“Jim still talks about the old customers,” Roshone said.

“There’s loyalty of customers because of Jim. He does a great job.”

Mary Beth represents the couple and their businesses in a number of community organizations. In addition to her roles with Papillion Community Foundation and the Midlands Community Foundation, she has also been involved with the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce and many floral boards.

“Jim makes me do the community activity,” she said. “He does the behind-the-scenes work. He’d rather mow the lawns and take care of the buildings.”

Ahlers and Roshone both said despite wanting to stay behind the scenes, Jim does give community support.

“Even though he doesn’t think he’s a community player, he’s got such a heartfelt, loyal following at the barbershop that he has his own way of contributing to the community,” Ahlers said.

“We’ve been very fortunate. The kids we used to do prom flowers for, now we’re doing their kids’ prom flowers. It’s fun to see them grow.”

Mary Beth Harrold

Congratulations

See Harrold: Page 10

SARPY COUNTY

BUSINESS Hall of Fame

2014 INDUCTEES

Legends Leaders Jim & Mary Beth Harrold Thank you for being leaders in our community!

MCF Board and Staff

Legends Leaders We appreciate all you do for

Frank Kumor

SARPY COUNTY and your support of

MIDLANDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

John Thompson (posthumously)

Brad Stauffer

“They’re always willing to give. They’re just wonderful people. If you need something, they’re there to help.”

Bernie Roshone

Harrold: Continued from Page 9

Both have been active in putting on community events such as Papillion Days.

“They have big hearts,” Roshone said. “They’re always willing to give. They’re just wonderful people. If you need something, they’re there to help.”

The Harrolds have seen the landscape of downtown Papillion change over time from when it was the only place to shop to now being one of many shopping centers in the area.

“It was kind of a destination for people in Omaha to come out,” Jim said. “Then that kind of faded away after awhile.”

Despite new strip malls and shopping centers opening, Jim and Mary Beth said they never saw business slow down.

“Growth has been good and that’s good for business,” Jim said.

Both businesses are now members of the Historical Downtown Papillion Business Association.

Mary Beth was ahead of her time in seeing the potential that downtown Papillion held, Ahlers said.

“It was just really hard back then for businesses to see beyond what was there,” Ahlers said. “I’m just so happy that Mary Beth was able to see all this come around and really form up and take place because she’s always had the passion for downtown Papillion.”

Jim and Mary Beth have contributed to the growth of downtown with their businesses being well-known throughout the See Harrold: Page 11

Harrold: Continued from Page 10

city, Roshone said.

“I think it helps so much to see those tried-and-true, strong, small, privately owned businesses still be around,” Ahlers said.

“They’ve hung in there for all these years and created solid, healthy businesses. I think that’s such motivation for anyone wanting to start a business.”

Ahlers approached Mary Beth in 2006 when she wanted to open her boutique in downtown Papillion. Mary Beth offered Ahlers a rental space next to the barbershop.

“They’re great people,” Ahlers said. “It’s been a pleasure renting from them. They take pride in their buildings and they want to make sure it looks top notch. They take pride in the appearance, and they take pride in Papillion.”

Jim and Mary Beth said they’re both toward the ends of their careers but hope their businesses are carried on. Both are also confident that the business climate in downtown Papillion will continue to thrive.

“They’re wonderful people. They give themselves to everything. They work from sun up to sun down,” Roshone said.

“I don’t think there’s anybody I know that works harder than they do.”

“They’ve hung in there for all these years and created solid, healthy businesses. I think that’s such motivation for anyone wanting to start a business.”

Kim Ahlers

“I don’t think there’s anybody I know that works harder than they do.”

Bernie Roshone

The Historic Downtown Papillion Business Association

Jim

Mary Beth

would like to congratulate and for their induction in the Sarpy County Business Hall of Fame!

Thank you for helping shape Papillion and Sarpy County into one of the premier places to work and live in the nation!

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Jim and Mary Beth owners of

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Longtime jeweler an icon in downtown Bellevue Frank Kumor at his downtown Bellevue store, Erwin’s Jewelers.

Kumor has been in the business since 1975 and has owned Erwin’s since 1989.

R O N P E TA K suburban newspapers inc .

By Ron Petak Suburban Newspapers Inc. The shop and its proprietor are local icons.

There, on the corner of Mission Avenue and Washington Street in downtown Bellevue, Frank Kumor has plied his trade since 1975 — first as a loyal employee to longtime jeweler Erwin Dreibus and since 1989 as the owner of Erwin’s Jewelers.

He has done so with the simplest of business philosophies — treat others the way you want to be treated.

“I think a lot of times, other companies or other people try to make things difficult,” Kumor said. “If you can treat it like a good, loving family, it really is fun.”

Kumor arrived in Bellevue from North Platte, Neb., and soon found himself working under the tutelage of Dreibus — the local jeweler anchoring one of Olde Towne’s busiest corners.

“When I came to town, I probably had less than $100 to my name,” Kumor said. “I had an old car, a wife and one child.

“Working for Erwin, I didn’t make a whole lot, but he taught me to live on not a whole lot and that was a great learning experience.

“I certainly made enough to take care of my family — nothing extra, but enough to take care of my family.”

And enough to impress Dreibus when it came time for him to sell the shop.

“Working for him and doing more than what I was ex See Kumor: Page 13

The simplest of business philosophies — treat others the way you want to be treated — has served Frank Kumor well.

CONGRATULATIONS FRANK & JOHN! Thank you for the many contributions you have made to our community.

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Kumor: Continued from Page 12

pected to do, he kind of felt obligated to give me a chance to have the store, and so I certainly took it,” Kumor said.

It was an opportunity that came with a built-in safety net.

“I was fortunate to have a ready-made business,” Kumor said. “From day one I had customers, I had an income. It worked out real well.

“The community has certainly been good to me and it’s nice to be in the position to give back to the community.”

And giving back has been Kumor’s hallmark for more than two decades.

One would be hard-pressed to find such a champion of downtown Bellevue, who has served on the Olde Towne Business Improvement Board, Olde Towne Task Force and Olde Towne Merchants Association.

But Kumor’s contributions go well beyond the shadow of the Bellevue Bridge as he also served on the Offutt Advisory Committee, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a two-term member of the Bellevue Board of Education.

He has been honored many times over by local groups and organizations, including with Bellevue Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Service Award, the chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award, Bellevue University

In 1975, Kumor arrived in Bellevue from North Platte, Neb., and soon found himself working under the tutelage of Erwin Dreibus — the local jeweler anchoring one of Olde Towne’s busiest corners.

See Kumor: Page 14

“I was fortunate to have a ready-made business. From day one I had customers, I had an income. It worked out real well.”

Frank Kumor, on taking over ownership of Erwin’s Jewelers

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Kumor:

Continued from Page 13

“He’s the kind of guy who rolls up his sleeves and gets it done.”

Jim Ristow

“There are so many good causes, so many people who just need encouragement. I think its fun to encourage people to do things for other people.”

Ethical Leadership Award, the Service to Youth Award from the Bellevue Council PTA and twice was grand marshal of the Arrows to Aerospace parade.

And, of course, there are the donations to so many worthy causes that he has made.

“I do it because it helps people out,” Kumor said.

“There are so many good causes, so many people who just need encouragement. I think it’s fun to encourage people to do things for other people. It’s really pretty easy.”

Jim Ristow, president of the Bellevue chamber, said Kumor’s actions speak volumes for his love of Olde Towne and Bellevue.

“He’s the kind of guy who rolls up his sleeves and gets it done,” Ristow said. “He wants to see Bellevue prosper.”

All of this has been made possible, Kumor said, because of a loyal customer base that makes coming to work a pleasure, not a chore.

“To have a business, you have to treat it like a business, not a hobby,” Kumor said. “If you weren’t there to cater to the customers, if you weren’t there all the time, if you didn’t have long, regular hours — it would be harder. You have to take care of the customer because See Kumor: Page 15

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Kumor: Continued from Page 14

the customer takes care of you.

“I’m fortunate enough to have a good enough business where I’m thankful for people every day who come out of their way to come here and shop.”

Kumor’s journey in Bellevue hasn’t been without bumps along the way.

In addition to the ups and downs of the economy, Kumor suffered an agonizing personal blow when his wife, Peggy, died from breast cancer in 1998.

But, as in almost all instances with Kumor, there was a lesson to be learned from the tragedy.

“I was fortunate enough to have her for about 10 years after she first got diagnosed. That made me a better person, made me a better father and made me a better husband at that time, and now it’s made me a better husband,” Kumor said. “You don’t wish that upon anybody, but sometimes we need a swift kick in the butt to really make us appreciate what we have. And it’s really helped me to put things in perspective.”

Kumor remarried in 2001 to his wife, Pat. Ristow said Kumor is a throwback to what “businesses used to be.” In a nutshell, that’s taking care of the people who take care of him.

“People have just been loyal to me, and I want to be loyal to them,” he said. “I have good customers, I have a good product, so it’s easy and it’s fun.”

“I have good customers, I have a good product, so it’s easy and it’s fun.”

Frank Kumor

Frank Kumor is a champion of downtown Bellevue. He has served on the Olde Towne Business Improvement Board, Olde Towne Task Force and Olde Towne Merchants Association.

He also served on the Offutt Advisory Committee, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a two-term member of the Bellevue Board of Education.

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Time management key to Stauffer’s success Brad Stauffer has run a successful chiropractic business in Gretna for close to 20 years. He’s also heavily involved with organizing the Gretna Days celebration and past president of the Gretna Area Chamber of Commerce.

By Antone Oseka Suburban Newspapers Inc. Brad Stauffer doesn’t like to stand still.

He’s run a successful chiropractic business in Gretna for nearly 20 years, is a “major cog� in the organization of community celebration Gretna Days every year, is a past president of the Gretna Area Chamber of Commerce, holds several positions in the Nebraska Chiropractic Association including chairman of the Legislative Committee and is a husband with a 14-year-old daughter.

It’s no wonder you have to make an appointment to see him.

For his efforts in business and commitment to the Gretna community, Stauffer is being inducted into the Sarpy County Business Hall of Fame this year. “I think it’s important to give back to the community you’re a part of and not just own a business there,�

Stauffer said. “I like giving back to the chamber and the Gretna Days Foundation. I like the give and take with the community to make sure all those events happen.�

But ask anyone who’s worked with Stauffer, and they’ll tell you his time management is nothing short of amazing. “I don’t know how he does it,� said Ron VanOeveren, owner of Cornhusker Sign, who’s worked with Stauffer both at the Gretna chamber and on Gretna Days. “He’s a very good time manager. He puts so much effort into the See Stauffer: Page 17

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Brad Stauffer

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Stauffer:

“I know his patients are very important to him. At times, he’ll come in on a Sunday because one of his patients really needs to see him. That’s just the kind of guy he is.”

Kevin Svec

Continued from Page 16

many different things he does for the community.”

With that much community involvement, one might think getting an appointment with Stauffer is a problem. But it’s not. Stauffer puts his patients first when he’s prioritizing his day.

“He’s very dedicated to his business,” said Kevin Svec, first vice-president at American National Bank in Gretna. “I know his patients are very important to him. At times, he’ll come in on a Sunday because one of his patients really needs to see him. That’s just the kind of guy he is.

“He will drop what he’s doing and find time to assist his patients.”

That dedication to his patients is reflected in the positions he holds in the Nebraska Chiropractor’s Association as the Medicare representative and chairman of the Legislative Committee. It keeps Stauffer abreast of the changes in the health care system so he can better help his patients. It also means he’s rubbing elbows with power players in Washing See Stauffer: Page 18

“I don’t know how he does it. He’s a very good time manager. He puts so much effort into the many different things he does for the community.”

Ron VanOeveren

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Stauffer: Continued from Page 17

“If you treat people right and you’re yourself and you do the right thing, that’s what’s important.”

Brad Stauffer

ton, D.C., from time to time.

“I really am pretty down to earth when it comes to all that stuff so I don’t change a lot when I’m around senators and congressmen,” Stauffer said.

“If you treat people right and you’re yourself and you do the right thing, that’s what’s important.

“I think it does a lot of good things for my patients. Knowing what those trends are and what’s coming has helped me to make sure I get the best coverage for my patients and that they get the best treatment possible.”

Stauffer’s schedule is going to get busier, as the planning and execution of Gretna Days is quickly coming up. The celebration starts July 18 and runs to July 20.

“Gretna Days is probably my favorite,” Stauffer said. “It really is neat for me to provide an event like that for the community and see people enjoy themselves and see things come together. I realSee Stauffer: Page 19

Congratulations Brad!

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Stauffer: Continued from Page 18

ly enjoy the fact that it has continued to be, to a large degree, a small-town event that really focuses on the nonprofit groups and the people of the city.”

Svec said not to underestimate Stauffer’s role in the three-day event.

“Would Gretna Days still go on (without Brad)? Yes. Can I picture it without him? No,” he said. “He really does take the lead. Could he do it all himself? I almost think he could but he doesn’t need to. It is truly a group effort, but Brad is a major cog as part of that group.”

And when Gretna Days is over, and all the mess is cleaned up, Stauffer will find another thing to add to his schedule.

“It all comes down to good time management,” he said. “When you’re involved like that, you have to manage your time well. I like to be busy, I like to be challenged, I like to be moving forward.

“I don’t like to stand still.”

“Would Gretna Days still go on (without Brad)? Yes. Can I picture it without him? No,” Kevin Svec

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PayPal a friend to La Vista since 2003

By Elizabeth Brown Suburban Newspapers Inc. Most people who have shopped, donated to charity or bid on eBay are aware of PayPal. They may be less aware that PayPal has a location in Sarpy County.

The business has been in the metro area since 2000, but moved into its La Vista home in 2003.

The company built a 115,000-square-foot office on 15.26 acres in Southport East in 2003 at 12312 Port Grace Blvd.

PayPal added a second office at 7700 East Parkway on 13.49 acres in Southport East in 2006.

Linda Dugan, vice president for Global Operations Omaha, said it was the perfect home for the company.

“We were looking for an area where there would be growth, and we worked with the Sarpy County and Greater Omaha chambers of commerce to identify an up-andcoming, forward-facing community,” she said. “We’ve been thrilled to be here.”

PayPal was the first of several tech companies to build a branch in the county.

Following its lead, Yahoo, Fidelity and Travelers Insurance have all built or are building data centers in the county.

See PayPal: Page 21

E li z abeth B rown / suburban newspapers inc .

The front entrance to the La Vista PayPal location on Port Grace Boulevard.

PayPal was the first of several tech companies to build a branch in Sarpy County.

“We’ve been thrilled to be here.”

Linda Dugan, PayPal

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PayPal: Continued from Page 20

The La Vista PayPal center has an assessed valuation of $32 million and pays $729,369 in total real and personal property taxes. The center also has about 2,500 employees, the result of 125 new hires in 2011.

La Vista Mayor Douglas Kindig said PayPal is La Vista’s largest employer.

“That fact alone means that obviously they add a lot to our community,” Kindig said. “But they’re also a real big supporter of the community with volunteers and financially.”

All of PayPal’s employees are encouraged to give back to the community in which they work, Dugan said.

“Every team is empowered to focus on community-facing initiatives, and we fund a certain amount,” she said.

She listed the Nebraska Humane Society, Food Bank for the Heartland, the Boys & Girls Club and Toys for Tots as examples of charities that employees have raised money to support.

“Teammates in our location are highly committed and deeply devoted to making a difference in the community,” Dugan said.

Kindig said PayPal also has helped with community events, including acting as the title sponsor for La Vista’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2010. PayPal was named

PayPal employees are encouraged to give back to the community.

PayPal is La Vista’s largest employer, according to mayor Douglas Kindig.

See PayPal: Page 22

“Every team is empowered to focus on community-facing initiatives, and we fund a certain amount.”

Linda Dugan, PayPal

TO THE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Thank You For All You Do!

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“The work ethic here is recognized as superior. It’s an amazing location to find highly talented, deeply engaged team members.”

Linda Dugan, PayPal

PayPal:

Continued from Page 21

the Outstanding Business of the Year in 2010 by the now-defunct La Vista Chamber of Commerce.

“PayPal has been a very good corporate partner,” Kindig said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better corporate partner.”

She added that the Midwest produces fantastic teammates.

“One of the benefits of having a branch in La Vista is the very dedicated, professional workforce,” she said. “The work ethic here is recognized as superior. It’s an amazing location to find highly talented, deeply engaged team members.”

Dugan said those at the La Vista customer service operations center deliver day in and day out for PayPal’s customers. The location has departments for merchant services, risk specialists, See PayPal: Page 23

“PayPal has been a very good corporate partner.”

Douglas Kindig, La Vista mayor

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PayPal:

“I’ve enjoyed watching this part of town develop and continue to grow. I look forward to expansion here.”

Linda Dugan, PayPal

Continued from Page 22

compliance specialists, global banking specialists, operational excellence, legal, technicians, policy expertise, account management, privacy and security, enterprise risk management, and phone and email support.

After work or over lunch breaks, PayPal teammates often visit nearby restaurants or businesses, Dugan said.

“Businesses love the PayPal teammate community,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed watching this part of town develop and continue to grow. I look forward to expansion here.”

Beyond La Vista itself, Dugan said she was appreciative of how Sarpy County at large has supported the PayPal operation.

“We’ve had a good partnership with political offices and organizations and the community at large,” she said. “Everyone has always made us feel welcome and valued.”

PayPal’s La Vista location has departments for merchant services, risk specialists, compliance specialists, global banking specialists, operational excellence, legal, technicians, policy expertise, account management, privacy and security, enterprise risk management, and phone and email support.

11 Annual G LF th

TOURNAMENT

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Camp Abilities Nebraska is co-sponsored by Outlook Nebraska, Inc. & Boys Town National Research Hospital.

Congratulations,

2014 Sarpy County Business Hall of Fame Inductees!

On behalf of our 2013 inductee, Jolene Roberts, we thank you for your leadership and contributions to our community.

See you at Indian Creek Golf Course!

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One man’s vision led to Bellevue convention center

By Eugene Curtin Suburban Newspapers Inc. In February, when the Bellevue City Council approved construction of an $8 million conference center in the booming Twin Creek retail district, the man who did more than anyone else to make it possible wasn’t present.

John Thompson got his start by plowing snow from parking lots and then built a Putt-Putt golf course that spurred a lifelong involvement in youth mentoring.

Thompson died Dec. 4, 2012, of pancreatic cancer.

Long before he lost his battle to cancer, he brought his vision to the city that he once served as a councilman — an opportunity to build a state-of-the-art hotel and conference center.

It all began in 1978 when Thompson saw the potential of 155 rural acres northwest of the intersection of 36th Street and Nebraska Highway 370. Although the area today bustles with a Baker’s grocery, a Target department store and dozens of restaurants, commercial offices and retail stores, in 1978 it hosted only weeds and was miles distant from Bellevue’s traditional retail scene.

See Thompson: Page 25

On Feb. 11, 2014, the Bellevue City Council approved construction of an $8 million conference center in the Twin Creek retail district.

John Thompson, who passed away in 2012, long ago envisioned that the Twin Creek district would include a convention center and hotel.

Cowngratulations to the 2014 Inductees We are proud to serve the residents and business owners of Sarpy County.

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thompson: Continued from Page 24

Neither was it an opportune time to risk one’s life savings.

“Even though interest rates were, at that time, 22 percent, I had faith in Bellevue,” Thompson told the Bellevue Leader newspaper.

But there was a final piece of the puzzle, in a sense the centerpiece, of Thompson’s vision, that stood clearly before him for many years, and of which he spoke often.

He wanted to build an artistically attractive retail center on land in front of the Marcus Twin Creek Theater. He sometimes called it “The Village,” as though it already existed, with a central gathering spot highlighted by benches and a fountain. It would be a focal point of a new Bellevue, as the city reached west and south beyond its geographical origins along the Missouri River.

The possibility of building that village, just over a year after Thompson’s death, has never been so bright.

The city’s commitment to build an $8 million conference center at Twin Creek, on land directly north of the movie theater, has been matched by a commitment from Kinseth

Calling it “The Village,” as if his vision already existed, the retail center Thompson imagined would be attractive and artistically designed.

See Thompson: Page 26

In 1978, when Thompson saw the potential of 155 rural acres northwest of the intersection of 36th Street and Nebraska Highway 370, the land was miles away from Bellevue’s traditional retail scene. Today, Twin Creek is home to a variety of retail and other services.

Congratulations to the 2014 Inductees!

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thompson: Continued from Page 25

The arrival of a hotel and conference center to the area, will likely cement Thompson’s overall vision for Twin Creek.

“That was his goal, to build a community that people could enjoy, that was convenient and would make Bellevue a better community.”

Hospitality, a prominent Iowa developer, to build a $14 million hotel directly adjacent. The two facilities will be managed by Kinseth under an agreement with the city.

Confidence that the arrival of the hotel/conference center will spur a new wave of development in west Bellevue — and give “The Village” a real chance at life — was plentiful in the wake of the City Council’s Feb. 11 vote.

Thompson would have been thrilled to hear it.

Thompson’s wife, Monie, said “The Village” is the last piece remaining of her husband’s vision, a vision that he once wrote was to create a place where people could be happy.

“The Village was part of an overarching goal to build a place where people could live,” she said. “People live in Twin Creek, they shop there, they have a trail there, they play soccer there. You really don’t have to go farther to find what you need.

“That was his goal, to build a community that people could enjoy, that was convenient and would make Bellevue a better community.”

An Omaha native, Thompson settled in Bellevue in See Thompson: Page 27

Monie Thompson

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING JOHN THOMPSON AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY

A Powerful Leader OPPD would like to recognize John Thompson’s contributions and leadership as a former OPPD board member.

TWIN CREEK DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLC 3906 RAYNOR PARKWAY, SUITE 300 BELLEVUE, NE 68123

thompson:

An Omaha native, Thompson settled in Bellevue in the 1970s after serving in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1971.

Continued from Page 26

1971. Thompson, a Vietnam veteran, grew to occupy a central place in his adopted hometown’s civic life, serving as city councilman from 1986 to 1990, and being elected to the OPPD board in 2004 and 2010.

He was chairman of several sanitary and improvement districts, and was a 39-year member of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. He also served on various land planning boards, was co-chairman of the Omaha chapter of the Parents Television Council, vice president of the Memorial Ridge of the Midlands Foundation and a member of the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery Advisory Board.

He also served with the Sarpy County Economic Development Corp. from 1996 to 2002.

He lived to see the fruition of a dream he had advocated for years: the building of a national veterans cemetery in Sarpy County. He had wanted the cemetery built in Bellevue, on land east of Twin Creek, but was happy to take the win for Sarpy County when the chosen location was farther west.

He lived to see the fruition of a dream he had advocated for years: the building of a national veterans cemetery in Sarpy County.

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Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer “To me, being a CASA volunteer means I can give a voice to a child who otherwise may remain in the dark shadows of life, alone and silent.”

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“Sometimes I'm the only conduit the child has. When that little voice on the other end of the line says they need you, you know you're making a difference.”

- Russell “I am new to the area, so being Sarpy County CASA has been a great way for me to connect to my community. I know I’m helping a child feel as though she has a safe friend to help.”

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Thank You to Our Business Partners Altus Architectural Studios AOI Corporation Build Omaha E & A Consulting Flatrate Movers J E Dunn Kiewit Building Group Lee Douglas Interiors Leo A Daly Liberty Social Hall Meyer and Associates Midwest Storage Solutions Nathan Homes Sun Valley Landscaping Lift up a child’s voice. A child’s life.

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