Midlands Business Journal August 14, 2020 Vol. 46 No. 34 issue by Midlands Business Journal

• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

We WeRise Rise

An economic recovery plan to help the An economic recovery plan to help the people of Greater Omaha thrive people of Greater Omaha thrive

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal An economic recovery plan to help the

Chamber, UNMC lend insight on best practices for reopening safely by Gabby Christensen

As businesses and organizations look to reopen their doors, there are a number of safety measures to keep in mind. To assist in the process, the Greater Omaha Chamber developed an economic recovery plan to help area businesses navigate the decisions and activities needed to safely resume commerce. First and foremost, David Brown, president/CEO at the Greater Omaha Chamber, said each organization is very unique, which means there is no “one size fits all” approach. “Every company must figure out which move makes the most sense,” Brown said. “Customization is a requirement when developing a strategy for reopening.” He noted that utilizing a consistent information source is critical. “It’s always best to resort back to a trusted and reliable source that provides accurate health information, as well as government regulations and CDC guidelines,” Brown said. Prior to bringing employees back into an office setting, he said companies need to focus on making sure employees feel comfortable doing so. This might even mean bringing employees back in stages. “Of course, the office must follow all of the procedures outlined by OSHA and

David Brown, president/CEO of Greater Omaha Chamber. (file photo) the CDC,” Brown said. “However, it’s also Right now, retailers are focused on makimportant to consider how employees are ing sure employees are safe when dealing feeling about their safety. It’s about creating with the public. a safe environment and customizing for each Additionally, he said customer experiunique role.” ence should also be at the forefront.

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“Seventy percent of our economy is driven by consumer spending, which has been very suspended during the pandemic,” Brown said. “Organizations must figure out a way to make consumers feel comfortable again. One way to do this is by utilizing masks, sanitation methods and other distancing guidelines.” The National Safety Council, Nebraska Chapter (NSCN), in collaboration with the Greater Omaha Chamber, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, has launched the Be Safe Nebraska initiative, which allows companies to pledge Gold to adopt best safety practices focused on keeping their employees, customers and partners safe during the pandemic. Companies can visit www.safenebraska.org/besafe for more information. Before safely reopening can take place, Dr. Jeffrey Gold, chancellor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, said “safe” must have a firm definition. “UNMC developed the Pandemic Recovery Acceleration Model (PRAM) to assist public and private sector leadership in assessing the regional and statewide impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and making informed decisions about social distancing and other key pandemic response measures,” Gold said. “The model provides daily assessments of the regional specific impact of COVID-19 and availability of medical resources across Nebraska, helping officials make real-time decisions about appropriate resources and recovery steps for their individual communities.” Right now, he said it’s imperative to remain focused on amping up efforts to keep communities safe. “I am often asked about second or third waves, in which I answer that it’s fruitless to focus on the unpredictable future until we know how we are going to get through this first wave,” Gold said. “The only way to get through this wave is to utilize all of the measures that we know are useful, including physical distancing, PPE, sanitizing and staying home if you’re ill.” He said some tend to compare the Continued on next page.

We Rise — inside AUGUST 14, 2020

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS

THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:

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VOL. 46 NO. 32

The Walling Company’s new owners pursue motion amplification tech niche by Richard D. Brown

CleanMoms provides sanitary solutions, personal service to customers. – Page 2

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Property and casualty industry confronts uncertainty with aim for ingenuity. – Page 22

The new owners of Omaha-based The Walling Company, a 74-year-old industrial equipment sales and service provider that has the strongest customer base among ethanol, food industry and meatpacking plants, are emphasizing predictive maintenance solutions as an integral element in their growth strategy. President Rob Barie and Secretary-Treasurer Scott Felber, who purchased the 18-employee firm 12 months ago, believe severe cost-cutting at many of the 2,000-plants they serve has created an indelible opportunity. “Many manufacturing facilities have cut costs in maintenance in general and [where] they may have had six to eight guys at one time, when we come in we find they have one guy,” Barie said. “They can definitely benefit from our scheduling of maintenance when it will have the least effect on scheduled activities, minimize unexpected equipment failures and ultimately promote reduced Continued on page 9.

President Rob Barie, left, and Secretary-Treasurer Scott Felber … Predictive maintenance solutions are aiding in areas of growth for the engineered mechanical equipment company. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

Local arm of Founder Institute lends external perspective, global resources by Michelle Leach

The industry wasn’t even around 16 years ago. Yet, today, startup accelerators stateside number more than 170 programs, and Brookings reports the space has been growing at an average rate of 50% annually since 2008. One of the accelerators that launched within that timeframe, the Founder Institute, has been the force behind

more than 4,300 company launches valued at $20 billion across 200plus cities globally in the past 11 years. Virtual chapters in Omaha and Lincoln are positioned to boost the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by leveraging a much-needed “outsider’s perspective” and collaboration versus competition. “We need more Nebraskans Continued on page 9.

Omaha Children's Museum Executive Director Lindy Hoyer with the animatronic bugs designed for the upcoming Bug Squad exhibit, opening September 5, 2020.

Industries prep for long term with adjustments to resume business by Michelle Leach

Local Director Levi Cermak … Accelerator set to bridge gap between Lincoln, Omaha entrepreneurial ecosystems, support funding and healthy environment for diverse founders.

Editor’s note: This article is part of a series sharing firsthand experiences from local organizations on how their respective industries are adapting to COVID-19. It’s a familiar refrain. “I’ve been involved with some form of transportation for over 40 years and I have never seen any issue impact our industry, causing chaos across all modes of transport, more than this COVID-19 crisis,”

said Cargo Zone LLC President and AIT Worldwide Logistics Omaha branch owner Terry McMullen. “I’m sure that every person in every industry feels the same way.” In its 29 years of operations in Nebraska, McMullen said it has survived many “impactful situations.” “The DotCom crash, 9/11 was terrible for the transport industry, SARS disrupted travel and trade show business, and the Continued on page 10.

â&#x20AC;˘ AUGUST 14, 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ Midlands Business Journal

CleanMoms provides sanitary solutions, personal service to customers by Gabby Christensen

In the current pandemic era, sanitizing and disinfecting is more critical than ever before, which is why CleanMoms, a sanitary solutions and products supplier, has leveraged its business model to better serve clients, founder Christine Behlen said.

CleanMoms Phone: 402-250-3702 Founded: November 2006 Service: sanitary solutions and products Employees: 1 Goal: Provide healthy solutions to clientele, develop and add additional products. Website: https://cleanmoms.com

Established in 2006, the online store offers a variety of options including hand soaps, sanitizers, lotions, masks, gloves, body wash and shampoos, that are delivered directly to the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s door. Initially, getting the businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; name out to the public proved to be a bit difficult, however, the small women-owned business has now grown to serve a customer base throughout the U.S., composed of small businesses, large organizations and any others who are in need of

Founder Christine Behlen â&#x20AC;Ś Now more than ever, sanitation products are in high demand. sanitary supplies. Behlen, a self-described â&#x20AC;&#x153;clean addict,â&#x20AC;? said In Omaha, CleanMoms works with day itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been especially rewarding to help people cares, school districts and other large agencies. during the COVID-19 crisis.

Subscribe and pay online today at MBJ.com The Lincoln

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the renovation. The Scott Conferenc ille e Center, located in The additional space Aksarben on allows the University the conferenc e of center to host Omahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scott Nebraska at larger events and Campus, has groups â&#x20AC;&#x201D; trireceived a facelift pling the usable after 18 years with a new faĂ§ade space with room pre-functi on for guests to bigger entrance and artwork, mingle and check and in. The main areas, new carpet, reception entrance was moved bathroom s and posiand upgrades to tioned to line up its audio/visual with the crosssystems and lighting. walk and parking lot across the Holland Basham Architects street and allows for and Hausmann Constructi gation for attendees easier navion worked on of the Scott Continued on page 25.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;They say that you should â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;do what you love and love what you do,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; which is really what inspired me to start CleanMoms,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a mom who has always loved to keep my home clean, I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think of a more ideal business idea. I have the flexibility to do my work from virtually anywhere while also getting to help others keep their homes, offices and buildings clean and safe, which makes the job even better.â&#x20AC;? Of course, Behlen said there are times that certain products are unavailable â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially as demand skyrockets during a pandemic. When this happens, she searches for similar products that can be used as a substitute. This has also led her to include additional products on the website and more recently develop her own signature product, â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the Spotâ&#x20AC;? hand sanitizer, which is made locally in the Midwest. The one-time-use liquid sanitizer, which conveniently fits in any bag or pocket, is powered by 80% grain-based ethanol and kills 99.99 percent of germs. In the future, Behlen hopes to offer various sizes of the sanitizer and also create additional products. As part of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core intent, she utilizes a hands-on approach with customers and manufacturers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For me, communication is the biggest contributor to success,â&#x20AC;? Behlen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about creating those personal and long-standing relationships by being relatable, helpful and courteous throughout all transactions.â&#x20AC;? As any business owner, she hopes to gain the attention of more customers and continue to serve people throughout the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love that people know they can come to me to get what they need and know that I will continuously deliver,â&#x20AC;? Behlen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will never stop thinking about my customers and I will always strive to find and offer the products they need to stay clean, healthy and safe.â&#x20AC;?

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Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 •

International background directs, informs Sokpoh’s legal career by Dwain Hebda

Karine Sokpoh has known that she wanted to be a lawyer since she was 13, but her interest in justice sparked even earlier. “I was born in Togo and I’ve always been very much aware of inequality between the sexes there,” she said. “I had a discussion with my dad about how in Togo it was legal for a man to have two wives, but it was illegal for a woman to have two husbands. I was about eleven. “He said, ‘Well, men make the laws and they make the laws to their advantage. So, if women want to change it, they have to go to school and study the law and change it.’ So here I am.” Ever since then, Sokpoh has pursued justice for the underdog, something she does daily as managing attorney for the Sokpoh Law Group. She launched the firm almost nine years ago to represent people who are at a cultural disadvantage in legal issues from court appearances to various immigration matters, including family and marriage-based visas. She’s also an experienced family law attorney, dealing in divorce, child custody, guardianship and juvenile law matters. “In my practice, I deal a lot with immigration,” she said. “I do family law. I also do juvenile law. When I’m able to get

2019

Correction

Joel Katleman is a founding partner of Dial Senior Living. An article in the July 24th edition in advertently misspelled his name.

Managing Attorney Karine Sokpoh … Offering legal guidance for immigrants to the U.S. (courtesy of Sokpoh Law Group) families reunited, be it from immigration “There is an inherent struggle to practice or through my juvenile practice, starting over in a new country, with a that’s what I’m most proud of.” new language, when you don’t have any Sokpoh also assists immigrants with family here and you are new,” she said. “I corporate issues, counseling clients in think those are experiences that are widely acquiring, maintaining and protecting U.S. shared by everybody in that position.” and foreign intellectual property assets. These challenges aside, Sokpoh said This includes services surrounding the Nebraska is generally welcoming to immiavailability and registration of trademarks grants and she’s seen a rise in the number and assisting with filing and defending of resources available to help newcomers trademark and copyright registrations for assimilate and begin to contribute to sobusinesses. Having immigrated to the United States Proud Sponsors of the 2019 nearly 20 years ago, Sokpoh can completely relate to the trials and challenges people face when coming to a new country. This empathy and understanding are two key elements of what makes her effective in her work.

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ciety quickly. “I think for the most part, Nebraska is welcoming, especially now more than before because when I came here, there weren’t as many services for the immigrant population,” she said. “There has been improvement in that area, absolutely, but there’s still room for more improvement. “One specific area that could use some improvement is literacy. A lot of immigrants come here as refugees from wars that have been going on in their home country for decades and they’re illiterate. More literacy programs would be very helpful to them.” Sokpoh was educated at Université du Benin, License en Gestion des Entreprises. She also studied at University of Nebraska at Omaha where she earned a bachelor's degree in General Studies Communications and a minor in Women’s Studies. Fluent in three languages, she’s a 2012 graduate of the Nebraska State Bar Association Leadership Academy. Her commitment to her craft earned her the 2010 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the NSBA and 2016 UNO Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Service. Earlier this year, she received the Visionary Award, presented jointly by the NSBA and Nebraska Lawyers Foundation, to go with her Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40 designation. “Being selected a 40 Under 40 was great,” she said. “I feel very honored to be recognized.”

40 Under 40:

• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

We WeRise Rise

An economic recovery plan to help the An economic recovery plan to help the people of Greater Omaha thrive people of Greater Omaha thrive

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

mic recovery plan to help the

Chamber, UNMC lend insight on best practices for reopening safely by Gabby Christensen

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We Rise •

Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 •

Leaders intentional in the support of talent development, efforts to speed growth by Michelle Leach

As the region rises from a flood of uncertainty and changes, leadership from some of the area’s largest organizations and most prominent brands are helping to lift all boats by serving on the Thrive 2020 Task Force, which is accelerating progress in economic growth and five other areas identified as essential to a thriving regional economy. “I serve as chair of the economic development task force, which is focused on attracting companies to the region and assisting those already here with their growth strategies,” said Mutual of Omaha Chairman and CEO James Blackledge. “Economic activity in the U.S. is primarily driven by consumers. Creating consumer confidence and spending is a key to economic recovery.” Ensuring Nebraska effectively confronts the challenges of the pandemic while remaining open for business, Blackledge said, is also key to unlocking the challenge of attracting those businesses that worry about supply chain and operational disruption. Mindy Simon and her team intimately know the state of consumer spending and the supply chain; Simon serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer with Conagra Brands. “Conagra has played a crucial role in getting our food on shelves across the country,” she said. “Our 1,300 employees in Omaha have been determined to get the job done, especially during these unprecedented times.” Simon described teams that worked “around the clock” in the past five months, and continual adaptation as the environment has evolved. Additionally, their work and products underscored, Simon indicated, the “essential” part of their designation as an “essential

business.” “We make frozen meals such as Healthy Choice, Marie Callender’s and Birds Eye, which serve as great meal options when people are staying home,” she said. “We make staples that people rely on such as Duncan Hines, Hunt’s and Chef Boyardee, which helps keep pantries full and families fed.” From its headquarters right in the middle of the country, Mutual is not unlike most businesses — in that Blackledge Blackledge acknowledged that it too has been impacted by the pandemic in “multiple and profound ways.” Most importantly, though, he said that its insurance services have provided “tens of millions” of dollars in benefits to thousands of people, while balancing security and safety

considerations — a mix of productivity and health precautions vital to a smart and effective regional economic recovery plan. “Nearly all of our associates have transitioned to working remotely,” Blackledge said. “We’ve prioritized their health and safety, a transition made possible by our robust business continuity planning and information technology capabilities.” When asked about the critical components required to assure the Omaha metSimon ro remains a viable community and builds upon efforts (in areas such as diversity and inclusion) to retain and attract business, Blackledge answered with “talent.” He said it’s the key element to attracting and growing businesses.

“So, talent development is essential to long-term success,” Blackledge said. “Diverse talent makes companies more creative, innovative and profitable. Profitable, growing businesses create a growing tax base and a virtuous cycle of increasing prosperity.” Blackledge indicated the state has an important edge on this front. “Nebraskans are smart, practical and caring people,” he said. “By working together, we can accelerate the economic recovery and position our region as the best place to do business, as well as live the good life.” Thrive’s task force spans business leaders like Blackledge and Simon, as well as community leaders and health experts, which are tasked with the development of recommendations tied to economic growth, talent, diversity and equity, and other areas, as a means of moving the region toward goals outlined in Omaha 2040. More information on these efforts can be found at the Greater Omaha Chamber home page under See the Greater Omaha 2040 Plan.

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Reopening safely

Continued from preceding page. COVID-19 virus to the flu, however it has 10 times the hospitalization rate and many times the death rate. “A lot of people think that Nebraska has a pretty low case count and that we will be immune to the trends we’re seeing transpire across the country,” Gold said. “Yet, there’s no way to be immune to those trends. It is possible to get through this, but we must double our efforts and take personal responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe.”

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• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• We Rise

Leaders say supporting diversity and equity is vital by Gabby Christensen

A focus on diversity and equity is becoming ever more prominent in the community and in business, according to local CEOs. Carmen Tapio, president/CEO at North End Teleservices, said a lot of the conversations in the current climate center on listening, learning, understanding and taking action, which presents a real opportunity for people to come together to bring about change. “This means expanding our networks to include people that may be different than us, doing business in a more diverse and equitable way and thinking about equity and inclusiveness in health care, education and economically,” Tapio Tapio said. “The disparity that exists and the need for systemic change cannot continue to be ignored. This is the time to accelerate the rate of change that can happen across society because people see the need and organizations like the Greater Omaha Chamber are leading change even more broadly than before through our Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity and Equity (CODE) Council and CEOs for CODE.” She noted the direction of the future depends upon the change that needs to happen now. “We need to ask ourselves if it will continue to be acceptable to leave large groups of people, minorities and those that have been systematically disenfranchised

behind,” Tapio said. “Is it acceptable that certain populations continue to be targeted, treated differently and largely left out of our economy or certainly don’t have equitable opportunities? We believe the answer is a resounding ‘no’ and the Chamber has made a pledge to stand against and take action against racism to bring about more inclusion, diversity and equity.” She said inclusion and equity starts with each individual and everyone can do their part. Tim Burke, president/CEO at OPPD, said diversity fosters creativity and innovation. “Equity and inclusion support an engaging environment for our employees so Burke they can bring their authentic selves to work every day,” Burke said. “For any company to thrive today, it is critical that we are able to attract, retain and develop the talent we need to take us into the future. Recruiting from a diverse pool of candidates results in a more qualified workforce.” Additionally, Burke said the Black Lives Matter movement has brought the seriousness of systemic racism in the country to the forefront. According to Burke, OPPD has had a strong history of diversity, equity and inclusion over many decades, but there is always more work to do. Burke said OPPD has a longstanding

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relationship with InRoads, which helps businesses gain greater access to diverse talent through continuous leadership development of ethnically diverse students and placement of those students in internships. “We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that promote understanding and support the professional growth and development of members,” Burke said. “OPPD has held several gatherings with professionals of color and women professionals. We have also started a White Men as Full

Diversity Partners development program for white, male leaders.” Burke said OPPD was one of the founding sponsors of the LeadDIVERSITY Program in partnership with Inclusive Communities, the Greater Omaha Chamber and the Business Ethics Alliance. “As a white CEO, it is important for me to educate myself and to understand the privilege I was born with,” Burke said. “While I recognize I am not to blame for systemic racism, it is my accountability and responsibility to improve opportunities and remove barriers for people of color, as well as women, within my organization.”

Boosting small businesses through encouragement, accessible resources by Jasmine Heimgartner

The role small businesses play in the local community touches nearly every aspect of life. From providing jobs to boosting neighboring businesses and giving back to their roots, they are integral to a thriving place to live and work. While no business was unaffected by COVID-19, in many cases, small businesses were hit the hardest. An entrepreneurial spirit and resilience have kept many afloat, but the continued struggles and uncertainty regarding reopening continue to take its toll. Considering that around 90% of the Greater Omaha Chamber’s members are small- and medium-sized businesses, the We Rise task force created a team dedicated to helping small businesses through the recovery process. “The biggest challenge that small businesses have is finding easy ways to get access to what help is available for them,” said Leslie Andersen, president and CEO of the Bank of Bennington. “There is a lot of information out there, but it can be overwhelming. Many are unsure of where to get advice, how to get help and what kind of help is out there. These businesses often have five employees or less and need to focus on their daily work, so they may not have the time to go do the research. One of the things we are doing is putting together resources to create a one-stop shop.” Early on, many businesses sought assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program to keep employees on their payroll. Since then, there have been other opportunities that haven’t been fully utilized, such as Nebraska Department of Economic Development Community Development Block Grant funds. “Many didn’t realize that it was out there,” Andersen said. “It came after PPP, which was a little complicated, but this was a grant application. There wasn’t enough

publicity around it, so we saw firsthand how businesses were missing out. That is why we needed an easy one-spot place for them to go.” The small business team, working with input from the other task forces — economic growth, diversity and inclusion, talent, entrepreneurship and public policy — created a resource page on the Chamber’s website. Along with financial resources, small businesses can find information on insurance, taxes, legal, safety guidelines, finding and getting PPE, and more. As the phases of reopening move forward, the team will continue to meet to address any new bumps in the road or add new resources to make things as easy as possible for small businesses. This is especially important in times when reopening comes with many additional considerations, such as extra PPE and ensuring employees and clients have a safe environment. While every business is different, adapting means embracing new technology to stay connected with customers, thinking out of the box and being prepared for potentially more change. Alongside access to resources, encouraging the community and other businesses to buy local will be essential to small businesses surviving and thriving. “We are getting the word out to buy local and use local contractors,” Andersen said. “We are also encouraging folks to seek out minority contractors. When other businesses, regardless of size, are looking for contractors, they often don’t realize they have access to many minority-owned businesses.” Although the world will likely never be like it was before, a willingness to adapt and reach out to others are keys to making it through. The willingness for Nebraska businesses and communities to work together to help wherever possible has shown that this challenge can be met head-on when working together.

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We Rise •

Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 •

Talent Council analyzes opportunities for collaboration, growth in attracting labor force by Dwain Hebda

Partnering with businesses and support organizations to address talent needs in the community is the mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber Talent Council. Samantha Mosser, president of Access Bank and chair of the council, said attracting and retaining sufficient labor is a key element to the business community’s recovery in the long road back from the pandemic. “The Talent Council’s purpose is to convene leaders from Greater Omaha employers, workforce and talent stakeholders to provide guidance on the Chamber’s Prosper Omaha 2.0 Strategy and Chamber-led initiatives focusing on regional talent and workforce,” she said. “The Talent Committee of We Rise is a sub-committee of the Talent Council of the Greater Omaha Chamber. The committee’s mission is to evaluate and propose essential initiatives to support employment, retention and talent development that propel economic recovery in the Greater Omaha area.” The talent challenge was a tall one even before COVID-19 radically changed the face of the workplace. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Omaha-Council Bluffs MSA unemployment rate was just 3.1% in February 2020. The unemployment rate peaked in April 2020 at 10%, then quickly fell back with the preliminary report for May at 6.3%. And while there are more people currently in the talent pool, barriers remain to bringing them back to work, said Thomas Warren, president and CEO of Urban League of Nebraska. “Pre-COVID, most of the conversations around Omaha were about recruitment of talent in terms of retaining our best and brightest,” he said. “There was a concern that we were exporting more talent than we were importing by virtue of more college graduates looking to move from Omaha versus those that move to Omaha. So, the conversations were around developing specific strategies as well as making sure that the Omaha metropolitan area appealed to young professionals. “What we learned from surveys and other instruments was that young professionals choose to work where they live, not live

where they work. It’s the lived experience that is important — arts, amenities, culture, entertainment — factors that contribute to overall well-being and lifestyle. That was an issue that emerged from our surveys, as well as an emphasis on diversity and inclusion in the workplace.” In July the initial plans of the talent Mosser body were presented to the Chamber board of directors, outlining a number of initiatives. “Our initial plans included connecting business partners with schools to support the

CARES Act Training and Education Scholarship Program and establishing ongoing support for working parents with in-home schooling and child care,” Mosser said. “As well, we proposed developing a career and training navigator network to assist individuals looking for work or reconnecting with education and trainWarren ing, and incentivizing businesses to develop in-house training programs to cross-train existing employees into areas of higher skill and higher pay.” Warren added that long-term initiatives

also had to address gaps in young locals’ perception of what’s available in Omaha in terms of building a career across a wide range of professions and industries. “Talent attraction, both recruitment and retention of our home-grown talent, starts with making sure the Omaha metropolitan area is attractive for these individuals as they enter into their career fields,” he said. “Beyond that, there’s also outreach for talent development, from K-12 instruction or internships and fellowships for post-secondary students. “Targeting those young adults early and exposing them to the work environment is a kind of grow-your-own talent. It’s really an investment in training and development of young professionals to create sufficient workforce and meet our demands for labor.”

Entrepreneurship Task Force brings down barriers to entry by Michelle Leach

Greater Omaha is ripe with opportunities to harvest areas that have been fruitful for the region’s entrepreneurs, represented by the state’s advantageous logistical position and the new types of businesses cultivated in the pandemic environment. Thrive 2020 Entrepreneurship Task Force Chairman Todd Richardson referred to, for instance, how there is room for entrepreneurs to enter the supply chain logistics space as global supply chains evolve to new operating circumstances. “Thanks to Omaha’s location in the middle of the country, we have opportunities here that other localities might not,” he said. Also, opportunities can extend Omaha’s reach in well-established sectors such as infectious disease, telemedicine, online learning, fintech and ag tech. On the funding side, Richardson said that the Entrepreneurship Task Force has identified gaps in early-stage capital. “One of our goals is to identify new funding mechanisms that can help launch new companies at the point of creation,” he said. Richardson referred to mechanisms such as outright grants and equity participation. “But it is important to address the early-stage funding gap by identifying the

challenge and developing appropriate solutions,” he said. Richardson, who is also a partner at Husch Blackwell tasked with working with startups, noted the Thrive Task Force encourages activity among such organizations — reducing and eliminating as many barriers to funding as possible. “We like to say we are focused on the top end of the startup funnel, and our goal is to make the funnel as wide and diverse as possible,” he said. “We are focused on the point at which Richardson startups start and want to reduce the barriers that typically keep people from pursuing their dreams of starting a new business.” Accordingly, its objectives include: increasing available prototype funding; using the power of the Chamber to give founders better access to leaders for mentorship to better connect key influencers; evaluate what is working in other markets to enhance Nebraska’s startup ecosystem; and advocate for expanded venture development programs.

“The Omaha Chamber’s Startup Collaborative is a great place for someone with an innovative idea to start the process of determining the viability of converting that idea into a business,” he said. “There are also tools like Gallup’s BP 10 Builder Profile that can be used to help people assess their entrepreneurial talents and then matching those with top-level talents to startup businesses. The Startup Collaborative supports programs that focus on real-world entrepreneurial skill sets and that promote Wassinger the mindset needed to launch a business.” Co-founder and leader with The Startup Collaborative (TSC), a project of the Greater Omaha Chamber, Erica Wassinger looked back to January, February and early March. “A ton of companies were starting and identifying opportunities for innovation,” she said. “There were all these different, odd things where [entrepreneurs] were saying, ‘This is broken. We can fix Continued on next page.

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• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Public policy council takes proactive approach to pandemic recovery by David Kubicek

The public policy council of the Greater Omaha Chamber reaches out to the government entities in an effort to boost various initiatives that it believes will help the community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and revive the economy. “We spend a lot of time telling the City Council, the Legislature, or Congress — whichever is correct for the particular issue — the position the Omaha business

community has with regard to a particular issue,” said Steve Seline, chair of the public policy council (PPC) and president of Walnut Private Equity Partners. The PPC is oriented toward enacting the goals of the other applied councils, meeting with one council per week over a five-week period to learn their initiatives so it can bring those issues to the appropriate governing body. For instance, the PPC met recently with

the Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee, and inclusion committee put forward by chaired by Carmen Tapio, and the vice advocating for the bills in a letter to the president for public policy drafted a letter legislators explaining their position. The to send to Nebraska legislators in support vice president for public policy also put of three bills that were on the agenda of the that initiative in front of the legislators, and members of the business diversity and inclusion group. community are testifying about Also, the PPC had a conferthe issues. ence call with Second District “This is a unique situation,” Representative Don Bacon to Seline said. “Never before in give him their thoughts on the our history has the government stimulus package now being said to the business communidebated in Congress. ty: ‘Shut it down.’ When that “We’re in a position where happens, the government has we need to spread the word to a responsibility with regard to the public about how hard the that issue. No business disagrees business community is attemptthat they need to do something ing to get back in gear and get Seline to deal with the pandemic. The going and how much work needs to be done on that particular issue,” said government has a responsibility, representSeline. “When our group meets with [each ing all of the people, to try to help those that of the other councils], we talk about what it has told to stop working or curtail their they want from the government and about businesses. That’s a difficult position.” There are 10 members of the public what’s possible to get from the governpolicy council. All of them are people who ment, and then we try to facilitate it.” For example, in the 17-day special ses- know and understand the workings of the sion of the legislative session, the PPC is government, and they have experience Continued on next page. working to get three bills from the diversity

Entrepreneurship Task Force brings down barriers

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Continued from preceding page. it.’ And then the rug got pulled out from underneath us.” Wassinger emphasized pandemic-related circumstances have made “nice to have” concepts “can’t live without” products or services; in fact, some companies in its portfolio have recorded customer engagement and customer volume are three times and double pre-pandemic figures respectively. Though, Google Trends data suggested a “flatline” in searches related to starting new businesses, with a sudden uptick in aspiring entrepreneurs, only to trend down a bit again in July as students return to school, she said, “our heads are getting a bit chaotic again.” Data has identified entrepreneurs’ self-doubts as a foremost barrier to entry. In an effort to bring down those barriers, TSC and the Entrepreneurship Task Force

are exploring opportunities where, for just five minutes each day, entrepreneurs could help get their footing. Furthermore, First National Bank and UNMC are among those organizations that are providing “concepts to carry forward.” Opportunities to disrupt industries and spaces that have long posed their own barriers to entry and access, such as higher education, were spotlighted by Wassinger. She acknowledged the impact that technology in the ranching and farming space could have on long-suffering “brain drain” communities in Greater Nebraska, too. Agtech also presents opportunities to minimize outbreaks, such as highly-publicized incidents at packing plants in the state. COVID-19 has also put a spotlight on social justice- and equity-related issues; Wassinger referenced disparities among venture capital (VC) funding for African Americans and women. Only 3% of VC raised from 2010 to 2019 was invested in female-only teams (compared to 90% in male-only teams, via Crunchbase), while Black founders received just 1% of VC dollars, while accounting for 12% of the U.S. population (CB Insights). More equitable representation has far-reaching impacts; for instance, Wassinger noted research that addressed how more African American doctors could favorably impact systemic health care inequities associated with disparity along color lines in COVID-19 mortality. APM Research Lab, for one, reported Black Americans are dying from the virus at three times the rates of their white counterparts. Wassinger encouraged anyone on the fence about starting up, to visit TSC’s website over the next six to eight weeks. Get targeted materials. Better understand strengths and opportunities. And “see the concepts that are ripe for the taking,” she said.

Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 •

The Walling Company’s new owners pursue motion amplification tech niche

Continued from page 1. maintenance costs.” Felber, who brings experience from former ownership of Seward Turkey Enterprises and involvement in Eidos Ergonomics of Lincoln to Walling, said the newest arrow in the firm’s maintenance quiver is motion amplification. “With motion amplification our team can not only detect vibration and movement, but we can also visualize, measure and troubleshoot our customer a truer picture of what’s really going on in their facility,” he said. Barie and Felber, the fourth owners of the long-time Omaha firm, said the business has invested at least $25,000 in motion amplification equipment and another $10,000 in software development and employee training as part of a pact with RDI Technologies, which over the past four years has rolled out “Iris M” technology. “They were the first to market motion amplification platform technology,” Felber said. “Vibration detection and analysis using video has essentially created a new market category and a new way for predictive maintenance to see motion.” In addition to vibration analysis, additional tools used by Walling include infrared, ultrasound, oil analysis, and balance — among others. While predictive maintenance work at present is only 5% to 7% of Walling’s total revenues, the owners are aiming for

an increase in the 10% to 12% range within 6,500-pound units for pumping water to its the next three years. cooling tower. About $1,200 is invested Barie, an Omaha native who joined in each pump. The lifespan for a unit is Walling in 2017, said fluid handling about 12 years. equipment accounts “Fluid handling for 60% of Walling’s The Walling Company is all about physics,” total revenues. Sales Phone: 402-571-9600 Barie said. have increased as Address: 6103 N. 90th St., Omaha Government both the inside and 68134 regulations in the outside sales staffs Services: engineered mechanical equippast three years have have been increased ment steered equipment to a total of nine. toward greater effiFounded: 1946 by Robert A. Walling in The sales terri- east Omaha ciencies. tory has also been Employees: 18 Customers range expanded from Ne- One-year goal: Support sales staff that from the Cargill b r a s k a , I o w a a n d has been doubled in size. plant in Blair to 12 Missouri to include Industry outlook: Anticipated diversifyTyson facilities and South Dakota and ing into chemical production equipment, Springfield, MissouNorth Dakota. ri hog farms. pharmaceuticals, fluid handling, boilers Walling also has and tires for more general industrial uses. The sale and serbranches in Ankeny, Website: www.thewallingcompany.com vice of combustion Iowa and Kansas equipment is 15% of City, Missouri. sales and growing due to a second dedicatThe firm represents about 20 to 22 ed salesperson being hired. different lines of production, all of which Natural gas burners with valves conare headquartered in the U.S. While nected to form “trains” are used in commany pump castings are made in Asia mercial bakery kitchens for customers and Europe due to strict foundry regula- that include Kellogg’s and Rotellas. Heat tions in the U.S., a foundry in Colorado sources are also used to operate paint is used. booths for manufacturers such as John “We deal with maintenance and plant Deere. managers and many of our guys come to Industrywide, Barie said more efficient us from within the industry, so they are equipment is being developed for metals. more easily able to troubleshoot and solve Commercial fire pumping equipment problems for our customers,” Barie said. is also sold to commercial sprinkler comA typical ethanol plant might have four panies such as Big Red Fire Protection

Local arm of Founder Institute lends external perspective, global resources Continued from page 1. cutting checks for Nebraskans,” said Levi Cermak, local director, in support of his full-time role as assistant director of the Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Franchising at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. “We need more startup activity and deal flow in Nebraska, and we need more diverse people writing and receiving checks. These three things funnel into the large issue of talent attraction and retention.” One need only look to its name to get a sense as to how Founder Institute distinguishes itself from other types of preseed organizations; via its online home at FI.co, the institute focuses on the founders themselves, rather than their ideas. Reportedly, FI identifies those founders with the “highest potential through a collection of aptitude and personality tests,” which have been developed in tandem with leading social scientists since 2008 (FI launched in 2009). “We’re focusing on collaborating and leveraging resources in the system,” Cermak said, when asked about what makes Founder Institute special. “We’re not coming in to compete; we’re coming to collaborate.” As such, Cermak indicated he plays an important role in connecting resources with the likes of city, chambers of commerce, academia, and technical and nontechnical co-founders in both Omaha and Lincoln. “One of the strategies that we employ is bridging the gaps between Lincoln and Omaha,” he said. “We both have our respective ecosystems. We are providing a nexus for interaction. There is a lack of

awareness of and a lack of integrating all of the different resource providers. “Another advantage that we have is bringing external people and external organizations to Nebraska.” Nebraska frequently suffers from what Cermak characterized as “opportunity fatigue;” there is lots of talk. “But not a lot of activity after the talk,” he said. Cermak indicated FI provides an opportunity for the ecosystem to get a “fresh look,” free of the negative tendencies that plague those in the trenches and that are possibly too close to the subject matter. This fresh approach and external perspective will activate stakeholders and resources, he said. “The objective is to get the startup through traction and funding,” he said. “The Founder Institute brings in a global network and proven system.” The chapter itself, Cermak said, has experienced early traction recruiting “headlining” entrepreneurial CEOs and successful founders. “We’re getting plugged in with the ‘best of’ the ecosystem,” he said. “I’m not going to be delivering content; I bring people to the table that have experience. So, they are mentors in the community.” For instance, law firms are engaged to participate in FI’s legal and IP module. Founders in the ag tech and biometrics spaces are also slated for upcoming introductory and Q&A programs. Readers may also apply to the program, which includes the aforementioned predictive admissions assessment, reportedly the “main criteria for evaluating applicants,”

at that Nebraska tab on the FI site. Additionally, Cermak noted that in late July the Black American Founder Fellowship was launched, which provides free access to its pre-seed accelerator program. According to FI information, the new fellowship program borrows methodologies from its Female Founder Initiative that, the organization notes, “has helped to significantly increase the number of women business leaders in our programs.” “The current social justice environment has put a heightened sense in everyone’s mind of the lack of diversity,” Cermak said; for instance, meetings with venture capitalists are predictably with white men, aged 45 and older. Research supports what Cermak and others know anecdotally; for example, CB Insights reports that Black founders received just 1% of VC dollars, even though they account for 12% of the U.S. population. Cermak was engaged in Founder Institute in the first place via a young (20-something) Black authority on artificial intelligence and blockchain, Wiase Research Institute President and Wiase Capital Managing Partner, Joshua Armah. Armah was joined in approaching Cermak by Wiase Capital Venture Partner, Roger Kassebaum, a longtime educator, COO of ExseedU, and Hebron, Nebraska native. The chapter’s inaugural, four-month program is slated to begin in October. The early admissions and final admissions deadlines are Aug. 30 and Sept. 20 respectively.

and Continental Fire Sprinkler Co. The average cost is from $15,000 to $25,000 for structures such as John Deere facilities and buildings at Offutt Air Force Base. “Our equipment is needed for other places such as big box stores and hospitals where city water pressure may not offer support,” he added. One of Walling’s largest customers is Western Sugar, a sugar beet processor located in Scottsbluff. Barie and Felber said Walling differentiates itself by the $750,000 to $1 million parts inventory available at its 10,000-square-foot headquarters at 6103 N. 90th St. “We’ve had our guys run parts and pumps out in the middle of the night to plants,” Felber said. For larger customers that operate multiple shifts, fast response time in breakdowns is guaranteed because additional pumps may be stored at the production site. Otherwise, from 12 to 18 weeks may be the lead time to get a new pump built and shipped to Omaha. Pumps are shipped via pickup truck, trailer and common carrier. Early in his career, Barie learned the importance of communicating effectively with customers and to treat each interaction as being of the utmost importance. “The focus is on customer service,” he said. “You’ve got to make each customer feel like they are the only customer.” Walling’s top two longest tenured inside salespeople collectively have 52 years of experience. The “secret sauce” is in those he hires, he said. A strong benefits package also helps. Barie, who played center on Omaha Westside High School’s 1983 state championship football team and who was student manager for Husker football for three years, graduated from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1988 with a speech communication degree. He worked for Nebraska phone carriers and Cargill Investors Services in Chicago before joining Walling. Barie and Felber met each other eight years ago as members of Lincoln Pius X High School’s parent booster club.

Public policy council

Continued from preceding page. working with governmental agencies. “We volunteered the people we knew were experienced in this area,” Seline said. “Omaha is full of talented people, and a number of them have had experience in dealing with the government and some of them had been part of the government for years and then rotated back into the business community. We reached out and grabbed the folks we knew were going to be valuable in terms of both refining the process and advocating for the positions. “We’re thankful for the volunteers who are helping us to go through this process. Everyone has got the best of intentions to move the community forward, and right now politics is very stressful so I especially appreciate the people who have volunteered to serve on our committee and who have volunteered to be part of the task force. You can see the true spirit of Omaha in this group.”

• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Industries prep for long term with adjustments to resume business Continued from page 1. economic crash of 2008/2009 was devastating,” he said. “But nothing compares to COVID-19.” Uniquely tied to convention and trade show industry, the local office didn’t have opportunities to manage logistics at convention centers and arenas, as events were canceled. “The negative impact has been dramatic, and we’re just one tiny company that is part of the team supporting those events,” McMullen said. “So, we’re not alone.” At the same time, McMullen noted how the role they played as Amazon (and larger big box store distribution centers) stopped receiving and shipping, only handing “essential supplies” for weeks. “With our 250,000-square-foot warehouse [third-party logistics] operation, we not only handled the essential supplies we manage daily … animal feed supplements, kidney dialysis equipment and supplies … we also managed a huge increase in non-essential products,” he said. These products included inflatable water and float toys, and air bed mattresses that big-box locations couldn’t distribute.

“We also managed a couple of very engineer and registered architect. “Each school district or school system large nonprofit organizations that have seen increased giving,” he said; products is really unique,” Nohavec said. “They’re taking time to reflect on themmoved spanned 85,000-plus U.S. selves, the way they learn and nonprofits. their facilities. A lot of decisions McMullen’s team has grown are dependent on how old the capabilities, managing carton building is, on the student popuor single-carton packages shiplation and their timeframe — are ments, and increasing shipment they year-round or opening up in count by almost 10 times the August?” 2019 volume. Spending increases are driv“We’ve invested in our inen by technology; for instance, frastructure, with [Electronic getting devices into the hands of Data Interchange] links and the students and IT infrastructure in capability to better manage those McMullen existing buildings. numbers, and it will allow us to “It’s making sure they’ve got the capacstay in that space for the future,” he said. “Being a part of the AIT Worldwide Lo- ity to run classrooms efficiently,” she said. For many systems and districts, such gistics network has also been beneficial.” Experienced with Food and Drug Ad- set-ups support a combination in-home, ministration-regulated PPE products, AIT’s in-person learning. “How does that get integrated to keep customs clearance division has seen a large increase in the sector that McMullen antic- the communication and culture of the classroom strong?” Nohavec said. “With ipates will continue. With an uncertain academic year loom- physical distancing, building relationships ing, Kristi Nohavec, education market sec- and learning on the technology, there is a tor leader at Leo A Daly, views the educa- lot to bridge.” Additionally, some clients are explortion sector through the lens of professional

Once space age fantasy, AI/machine learning is increasingly common by Dwain Hebda

It wasn’t that long ago that artificial intelligence was the stuff of science fiction, but in a short space of time, versions of the futuristic-sounding technology has infiltrated a broad spectrum of everyday life. Nate Watson, president of Contemporary Analysis, said while there are important differences between AI and the far more common machine learning, collectively the technology is in widespread use throughout even the most slow-to-change industries. “AI, and what’s being called AI, is really everywhere at this point,” he said. “We specialize in Watson what’s called the ‘steel-toe industry’ — heavy construction, transportation, logistics. Those guys are the last bastions and so if they are doing it, everybody is. “In fact, within a year or two, you’re going to find [machine learning] is going to be minimum for you to be successful going forward. You’re going to have to have machine learning in your operational management, what we essentially call data-driven decision making, in your business for you to succeed.” Watson said one of the most readily-identifiable applications for the technology is in retail. “Amazon is the easiest example to understand,” he said. “At the bottom of Amazon, if you bought this, you’re going to love this. And it works three quarters of the time. Three quarters of the time, you’re like, ‘Yes, I bought bananas and you know what? I do want that. I really do want vanilla wafers.’” The technology isn’t limited to commercial applications. Outlook Enrichment harnesses AI to help people connect to the

world around them. “Our visually impaired trainers use artificial intelligence in their everyday lives,” said Donna Faust Aman, the nonprofit’s executive director. “They research, experiment with and determine which new apps and emerging technologies best fit our clients’ diverse needs and implement them into the adaptive technology

Faust Aman Kroeger training program.” Aman said the impact of such technology is wider than just the individual, given how it helps people become able to work and function independently. “Business technology is becoming more inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities through the implementation of artificial intelligence,” she said. “A longtime barrier to employment and educational opportunities for people who are visually impaired is nonvisual access to computer technology. “Artificial intelligence increases access to products and services and enables people who are visually impaired to participate more easily in the workforce and lead more independent lives.” Scott Kroeger, shareholder with Lutz, said machine learning is also growing in the cybersecurity realm, helping systems to protect themselves against threats. “On the tech side, some of the anti-virus products we use, use machine learning,” he said. “It helps the product understand what the footprint of the machine

looks like, then learn what the behavior of the user is. That way, when something abnormal happens — a hack, a virus — artificial intelligence and machine learning recognizes it and blocks bad guys.” Kroeger said AI/machine learning concepts are also playing a role in the development of parallel technologies such as bots. In fact, the potential is so great, the challenge for the end user going forward is knowing how to apply the technology to troubleshoot issues and meet consumer expectations. “Whether it’s artificial intelligence in the anti-virus or automated bill pay or automated document processing solutions, it still comes back to understanding what the business’ problems and goals are,” he said. “I think the overall theme is, a lot of it just becomes stuff that we expect. When the future arrives people just come to take it for granted. So, people get in their Tesla and it self-drives and people think it’s neat at first but then they come to expect it.”

ing ways to make existing systems better; Nohavec likens the building to one’s body, with heating and ventilation the “lungs” of the building. “We’re looking at ways we can modify the mechanical system to make the building healthier — a full building ‘flush-out,’ to flush out all the bad germs at the end of the day,” she said. “And we’re looking at things like lights to kill the virus. As the air circulates, it might pass through UV light to kill germs.” With this being the Midwest, weather is a perennial concern. “With the challenges of coronavirus, and people being more cautious about sending their kids out in icy, dangerous weather, my hope is schooling from home will be an opportunity to provide continuous learning throughout the school year,” she said. “We can use that technology to ‘turn on a dime;’ to learn at school one day, and at home the next, and to shift back and forth. So, that is going to take away the need for snow days … It will provide continuity for the school year, and through challenges and adversity.” The Omaha Children’s Museum was anticipating a mid-August reopening. Updates are available at OCM.org. OCM retained continuity, according to Executive Director Lindy Hoyer, with in-person summer camps (groups of 10 or fewer) throughout the building. Additionally, OCM initiated virtual programming and outreach for day cares, birthday parties, at-home learning and other needs. “Programs are offered in a pre-recorded format, ‘live’ in-person Zoom, or in-person for small groups,” she said. “Live outreaches are particularly popular for birthday parties, where characters can appear and give customized birthday wishes.” Its “Museum without Walls” takes exhibits and educational programming to “under-resourced” parts of the community, according to Hoyer. Quality early learning experiences and safe spaces (from COVID-19) are offered to develop cognitive, linguistic, physical and social skills. “When OCM looks to reopen, changes will be made to ensure the safety of guests,” she said. “The museum will look at a timed ticketing system and ways to accommodate school groups in a safe manner.”

Shared office industry adapts to COVID-19 changes by Steve Brown

Like the rest of the commercial property markets, the shared-office business has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Some of the country’s biggest commercial real estate firms are adapting to how coworking will function in a COVID-19 world and Workplace beyond. Dallas’ Stream Realty Partners is setting up a new flexible workspace platform. And commercial property giant CBRE is teaming up with other office industry providers to map the way forward for coworking. CBRE’s Hana shared office operation — which got its start in Dallas — is working with representatives from companies including Samsung, Herman Miller, Structure Tone and Muraflex to plot the future of the industry. “The way people are working is evolving

rapidly,” Andrew Kao, Vice President of Product and Marketing for Hana, said in a statement. “It is increasingly challenging for companies to offer the flexibility to connect and collaborate from a variety of places while also providing a great, productive workplace experience.” Kao said the new collaboration will help “develop solutions that increase safety and team performance while inspiring employees to once again meet face-to-face with their colleagues.” The group plans to focus initially on new designs and practices for Hana’s Park District location in Dallas’ Uptown district. The multi-floor shared office operation opened last year at Pearl Street and Woodall Rodgers Freeway. The new effort will deal with issues including touchless office solutions, cleaning Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 •

Does a 401(k) plan still make sense for you? It might, or might not by Susan Tompor

During a steamy summer when TikTok video clips can go viral, one wouldn’t imagine that the 401(k) could morph into a trending topic. And yet, here we are. Financial President Donald Trump tweeted on July 6 that your 401(k) and stocks could “disintegrate and disappear” if he doesn’t win on Nov. 3. On July 21, we were told basically that 401(k)s aren’t worth much anyway as Bloomberg ran this racy op-ed titled: “401(k) Plans No Longer Make Much Sense for Savers.” SUPER CROSSWORD

Answers on page 12.

Both triggered a mix of outright anger and some actual applause. What’s odd is that we’re talking about 401(k)s at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic set off the sharpest economic pullback in modern history during the second quarter. Many people would be thrilled to be working and able to save anything, let alone a few dollars for retirement. Why grumble about a 401(k) when so much is so unstable? Quirky headlines that tell people that 401(k) plans don’t make sense fuel that sense of hopelessness that many already have about their NO CLOUDS UP NORTH

financial picture. And the risk is that many people will only read what’s on their Twitter feed. How wise is it to quit saving in a 401(k)? Ditch saving entirely in a 401(k)? I’d upfront say it’s a ridiculous strategy for many workers of all ages. Maybe about as off base as putting no money down on a house. Really, how much sense does it make to quit saving in a 401(k) when no one will care about how you cover your rent or groceries when you hit age 65 or 70? Delaying retirement and working longer in life aren’t always realistic options, no matter how often some experts suggest that’s the solution to a retirement crisis. Ageism, many boomers will tell you, is as much a hazard to your wealth as COVID-19. All 401(k) plans aren’t the same. Some offer a bigger contribution from the employer. Some have a lower overall fee structure; others have higher fees. Everyone doesn’t pay the exact same fees for the plan because individuals can pick higher cost or lower cost investment options, too. Aaron Brown, author of the Bloomberg piece, told me in a phone interview that he heard from a lot of baby boomers who were passionately against his commentary and love their 401(k)s. “For a lot of people, I was spitting on the American flag,” Brown told me. Brown, who is retired, said he too did quite well saving for decades in his 401(k) plan. But he argues that misses the point of his piece, which is that the country needs to stop treating the 401(k) as a sacred cow. He’s particularly concerned about how the rules have changed so that those who have modest incomes won’t see the benefits that their parents saw. “Median wage earners today are not going to enjoy that kind of return,” he said. He’d like to see 401(k) plans fixed, including making withdrawals from a traditional 401(k) in retirement tax free for those households that are below the median income. He also would like to see the payroll tax cut or eliminated to help lower-wage workers save more on their own. If repairs aren’t made, Brown warns there could be a major disaster in the future, “a return to the pre-1930s situation when most old people lived in poverty.” So what’s so bad about a 401(k)? Yet the 401(k) isn’t worthless now, and even Brown acknowledged that in our conversations. Brown told me via email that many critics pointed out correctly that only a small group of people whose 401(k)s are so bad should opt out of saving in a 401(k) entirely. His column does not say this. He told me via email: “Only in a few of the worst cases — low wage worker, no employer match, high fee plan with bad options — should an individual opt out in favor of self-directed plans.” His column states: “We have been slowly raising the temperatures on 401(k)s for 40 years, and we’re nearing the point that they no longer make sense for workers, except those fortunate enough to be offered the best plans or good employer matches.” While saving some money may be better than not saving, Brown told me, it’s not going to be enough to fund retirement for those of modest means. “The real answer is I don’t think they

can solve the problem themselves,” Brown told me. Did you company stop giving a match? It is true that the 401(k) may no longer be as attractive for some savers as it was last summer. The Bloomberg piece by Brown doesn’t mention a trend that I reported earlier. Some employers in hard-hit industries temporarily have eliminated the company’s matching contributions for savers after the pandemic upended once favorable business forecasts. So the socalled “free money” that you always want to grab may temporarily be gone. If you’re no longer receiving a match, it’s still a good idea to keep saving 6% or so for retirement, according to David M. Blanchett, head of retirement research for Morningstar Investment Management in Chicago. Beyond that 6% or so, he said, it might make sense to put extra money toward something else, like higher interest rate debt, especially if there’s no employer match. Do you know the fees you’re paying? Blanchett is highly critical of the anti-401(k) argument made by Brown, which takes issue with high fees in some plans and some employers who offer 401(k)s with fees “stuck around the 3.5% level.” While Blanchett acknowledges that some plans are highly expensive, he maintains that many others are being offered at low cost. Most participants in 401(k) plans are in very large plans, which tend to have incredibly lower fees, Blanchett said. The Walmart 401(k) plan, for example, has 1.66 million participants, Continued on next page.

Shared office industry Continued from preceding page. protocols, ergonomics, health-conscious design, video-enabled connectivity and collaboration solutions. “Customers and employees are looking for more flexibility than ever before, given the dynamic environment that will persist for much longer than anyone could have ever expected,” Mark Quiroz, Vice President Marketing, Samsung Electronics America, said in a statement. Dallas-based Stream Realty Partners’ new Rapid Office initiative will provide clients with flexible workspaces, online shopping for the locations and accessible business resources. The commercial property firm also hopes building owners will turn to Stream Realty to takeover failed coworking office centers. “About nine months ago, we did a deep dive into what makes the top players in co-working successful,” Ben Hautt, Stream Realty co-managing partner, said in a statement. “What we came to find out is that their business to consumer platform was the reason for their success — not just the decked-out coffee bar or trending culture. “Tenants want a streamlined process and would prefer to lease space in a hassle-free environment,” he said. “Rapid allows our customers to lease a space in less than 24 hours.” With millions of office employees working at home because of the pandemic, the U.S. office sector has seen one of the biggest declines in net leasing in a decade. At the country’s largest coworking firm, WeWork, has suffered substantial financial setbacks and is reducing its footprint in some markets. ©2020 The Dallas Morning News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Facial recognition, thermal imaging part of future with coronavirus by Samantha Raudins

The coronavirus pandemic has inspired a new wave of technology closely tied to Ohio businesses, including thermal imaging and facial recognition software which can detect fevers among employees, Technology a common symptom of the virus. Smile for the camera — it might be taking your temperature. The coronavirus pandemic has inspired a new wave of technology closely tied to Ohio businesses, including thermal imaging and facial recognition software that can detect fevers among employees, a common symptom of the virus. PopEntry+ combines instant facial recognition and temperature screening that can connect to employees’ mobile devices, lock doors if a person’s temperature is too high and record all that on a time log. The device has been rolled out nationwide with the help of Wasserstrom, a 104-year-old Columbus distributor and manufacturer of food-service equipment and supplies. John Miller, CEO of PopID, which makes

the product, said it has been implemented in offices, professional sports complexes, restaurants, factories, assisted-living facilities and college campuses. Its purpose is to more efficiently screen employees, Miller said. “If you’ve got a big facility with hundreds of people coming in and out, it’s just awkward and costly, and to have a human standing there doing the screening is just not an efficient way to do it,” Miller said. The product is especially beneficial in places such as nursing homes, which also need to monitor visitors, said Cathy King, executive vice president of Wasserstrom. King said the company pivoted to selling technology and personal protective equipment when the pandemic struck in order to stay relevant. It has distributed PopEntry+ to more than 100 businesses, and has even installed the system at its Broad Street location on the East Side as essential workers continued working there, King said. “It is something that it’s another tool in your toolbox to really try to keep your employees safe in this time of pandemic,” she said. Ohio company Silco Fire and Security,

with offices in Grove City, also added thermal imaging and facial recognition services to its business. The company, which typically provides fire inspection and security services, expanded its surveillance offerings when the pandemic struck, President David Fraser said. “Our purpose that we talk about a lot as a company — it’s written all over our walls, really — is to protect people and property. That’s really everything that we do. It’s our function to society as a business. We started really wondering, ‘What else can we do to help keep our customers safe?’” Fraser said. The company offers two kinds of technology: a tablet that can attach to a wall or kiosk to take someone’s temperature and detect whether they are wearing a mask; and a larger camera that can take the temperature of up to 32 people at once. Silco began marketing its technology in late April and has provided it to museums including the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, as well as schools, day-care centers, a bakery, a church, the Union County courthouse and manufacturing facilities.

Does a 401(k) plan still make sense for you? It might, or might not Continued from preceding page. he said. Does the tax savings add up? The 401(k) — which took effect in 1980 — offers a tax-deferred way to save for retirement. Save $5,000 in one year and you won’t be taxed that year when you’re working on that $5,000. But you will be taxed when you withdraw the money, as ultimately you will have to do if you’re saving in a traditional pretax 401(k). If you turn 70 and a half in 2020 or later, you will be required to take out minimum distributions at age 72. Brown — former managing director and head of financial market research at AQR Capital Management and author of “The Poker Face of Wall Street” — raises some important questions, though, about the course of tax laws in the past 40 years. For a median-income married couple with two children, Brown points out, the marginal federal income tax rate was 43% in 1980, compared with 12% today. While the numbers seem straightforward, the marginal federal tax rates are complex to calculate. Some maintain that the 43% rate being used for 1980 seems high. I reached out to the Tax Foundation for their calculations, which also puts that 43% in question. Garrett Watson, senior policy analyst for the Tax Foundation, said that according to the Census Bureau, the median income for a family of four was about $23,400 in 1980. And that would correspond with a 28% federal income tax bracket in 1980 for married couples filing jointly after taking the standard $3,400 deduction then. In 1980, Watson said, the 43% tax bracket started at a higher income level, above about $35,200. (That would be about $110,000 in 2020 dollars.) Brown, who said he used Internal Revenue Service data for wage earners, told me he had heard from some critics who took issue with his tax rate comparison. “People quibbled over whether to use IRS versus Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and whether to use the median taxpayer or the

median wage earner or the median household,” Brown said. Whatever the number, he said, “marginal tax rates have declined dramatically for the broad middle group of wage earners since 1980.” “The tax benefit of a 401(k) has fallen dramatically, even if we can’t all agree on exactly how much.” The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 reduced tax rates for federal income taxes, as well. For 2020, the 12% tax rate applies to a married couple filing a joint return with taxable income ranging from $19,750 to $80,250. Top marginal tax rates on higher incomes range from 24% to 32% to 35% up to 37%. “I do not believe that putting money into a 401(k) is of little or no benefit,” said George W. Smith, a CPA with Andrews Hooper Pavlik in Southfield. Smith gave one example. If you live in Michigan, put away $10,000 into your 401(k) and you’re in the 22% federal bracket, he said, your tax savings is $2,625 upfront. That includes a 4.25% income tax rate for Michigan taxpayers. “Add to it cumulative earnings over time and to me it’s a no-brainer,” Smith said. How well you do, of course, will depend on how you invest. You don’t want to get stuck holding all or even most of your 401(k) in your own company’s stock. How well you do will depend on how well you pay attention to the fees associated with the investments that you select in a plan. Low-fee options still exist, and you could find more than you did in the past. Brown says one “easy change is to allow workers to roll 401(k) funds over to self-directed IRAs at any time.” You can do that when you leave a job and some limited cases if the employer allows you to opt out when working. But you’re not guaranteed, of course, that you’d end up with lower-cost options in a self-directed IRA. You’d have to take time to understand those fee,s too. And there is a risk that you could end up paying dearly if you get high-cost advice after making such a move. And you never want to overlook the employer-matching contribution. “The employer contribution is still valuable, with a 100% match worth 2.3% per year in extra

return over 30 years, but this has nothing to do with the 401(k) structure,” Brown wrote in his column. What’s unsettling about reading a Twitter feed to get your financial advice, of course, is that you might not dig beyond the gotcha headline to find out if taking action really makes much sense for you. ©2020 Detroit Free Press Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Patriot Preparatory Academy, a K-12 public charter school on the East Side, will be installing Silco’s thermal imaging cameras without facial recognition to monitor students as they enter school, superintendent Sean Smith said. The school, which will begin the year completely online for its projected 739 students, felt like it had to take on more responsibility for the safety of its students once they return, Smith said. Cameras will monitor students as they enter the building, and those with a fever will have their health assessed. “Rather than actually stopping every student and putting a temporal scanner to their forehead, I feel like this is a way that’s not as invasive, that’s maybe not as intimidating to a student to be able to arrive to school and also kind of monitor their general health,” Smith said. Fraser said the technology isn’t a “silver bullet” against the virus: The cameras are for indoor use only because they need to be in a temperature-stable environment; and some people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic and don’t have a fever, Fraser said. “It’s just an additional safety precaution that businesses can take to help keep customers or guests safe,” Fraser said. Miller said PopEntry+ technology can be adapted in a post-pandemic world to eliminate the need for key cards and fobs, instead using facial recognition to gain access to secure locations. The company also is implementing a facial recognition payment system that can be used at restaurants and retailers. “Health screening is just the entry point for us,” Miller said. © 2020 The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

Puzzle on page 11.

Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES MBJ legal notice instructions The following are some guidelines to consider when posting legal notices with the Midlands Business Journal: 1. Submit a written notice in either Microsoft Word or as a PDF document to the Legal Department at legals@mbj.com, fax to 402-758-9315 or mail: 1324 S. 119th St. Omaha, NE 68144. For trade names, submit a copy of approved (bar code in upper right hand corner) Application For Registration of Trade Name from the Secretary of State to the same email address. Please include your billing address and the desired duration you’d like your notice to run (trade names run for only one week). As a publisher and not a legal advisor we print notices exactly as they are submitted and therefor only comp reruns when the notice was rejected or messed up due to a MBJ error. All companies submitting notices are responsible for ensuring the content fits with the State’s requirements and are responsible for the cost of republishing the notice if it is rejected due to misinformation or missing information 2. You will receive a confirmation and price quote. Legal notices, except for trade names, are charged per line. The flat fee for a trade name is $50. Payment options are cash or check. 3. Deadline is noon Tuesday for a notice to start publishing that Friday. 4. All costs include fees to file the notice with the Secretary of State and/or any appropriate courts. 5. You will receive a paid invoice copy the first week it runs and a copy of the affidavit filed with the courts the last week.

PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP, Attorneys 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 N O T I C E O F A M E N D M E N T T O T H E A RT I C L E S O F INCORPORATION OF OC BODY SHAPER, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of OC Body Shaper, Inc. (the “Corporation”) have been amended in the following respects: Article I of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended so that, as amended, said Article shall provide as follows: ARTICLE I: NAME The name of the Corporation shall be Futureshock, Inc. The Articles of Amendment were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on July 29, 2020. In all other respects, the Articles of Incorporation remain unchanged. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 28, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Chokkaras Hospitality Management, Inc., whose registered agent is Sundar Chokkara and registered office is 19020 Nicholas Circle, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, was formed on July 29, 2020 to engage in any lawful business. The corporation has authorized 100 shares of capital stock. The name and address of the incorporator is Thomas E. Whitmore, 7602 Pacific St., Ste. 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 28, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF YATES NUTRITION, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Yates Nutrition, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 2430 South 167th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on July 29, 2020. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 28, 2020 ENTERPRISE LEGAL STUDIO 700 R St. #83204 Lincoln, NE 68501 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Prairiesattva, LLC has organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office of the Company is 4554 Poppleton Ave., Omaha, NE 68106. The initial registered office of the Company is 4554 Poppleton Ave., Omaha, NE 68106, and the name of the initial registered agent of the Company at such address is Matthew Helt. The purpose for which the Company is organized is to engage in any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Certificate of Organization was filed on the 1st day of July 2020. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ALIGN CARE NEBRASKA LLC Notice is hereby given that Align Care Nebraska LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 712 N Polk St Papillion, NE 68046. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Kristina Siebrandt, 712 N Polk St, Papillion, NE 68046. The company is membermanaged. Nature of the Company is health care management services. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020

ANDREW J. HUBER, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF CHAD SNOW DDS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Chad Snow DDS, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 15804 Cary Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The name and address of the registered agent and office is Chad Snow DDS, 15804 Cary Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 7, 2017 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Senior Market Sales LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act by a conversion from Senior Market Sales, Inc., a Nebraska corporation. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 8420 West Dodge Road, Suite 510, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are CT Corporation System, 5601 S. 59th Street, Suite C, Lincoln, Nebraska 68516. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 DANA ROCHE, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF O STREET CARWASH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that O Street Carwash, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 222 S. 15th Street, Suite 1404S, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kendra Ringenberg, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 DANA ROCHE, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SJA TOOLS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SJA Tools, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 8105 Howard Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68114. The Registered Agent of the Company is Jennifer L. Rattner, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MOXIE MARKETING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Moxie Marketing, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 20245 Gateway Road, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on July 22, 2020. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 DAREN R. CARLSON, Attorney CARLSON & BURNETT, LLP 17525 Arbor Street Omaha, Nebraska 68130 Notice is hereby given that RAVENSTONE BRECKENRIDGE, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The initial registered agent is Darren R. Carlson, whose address is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The purpose of the Company shall be to engage in any lawful business and activity, as may be mutually agreed upon by the Members from time to time, and which are not prohibited by the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The Company commenced with filing its Certificate of Organization on July 7, 2020 and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is to be managed by the Manager of the Company. The initial Manager is GREGORY S. SEVERSON 1907 S. 182nd Circle, Omaha, NE 68130. The initial Members of the Company are Gregory S. Severson, 1907 S. 182nd Circle, Omaha, NE 68130. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Evolution Homes, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Evolution Homes LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 19704 O Circle, Omaha, Ne 68134. The Registered Agent of the Company is Chad Williams 19704 O Circle, Omaha, Ne 68135. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ACTIVE NIGHTLIFE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Active Nightlife, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 15713 Berry Street, Omaha, NE 68135. The Registered Agent of the Company is Deanna Albertson, 15713 Berry Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF EW FENCE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that EW Fence, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 18081 Burt Street, 3rd Floor, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on July 23, 2020. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION The Beard & Mane, Inc. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. The street address of the corporation's initial registered office is 2235 Saint Mary’s Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, and the name of the initial registered agent of the corporation at that office is Matthew B. Gosier. The corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of Common Stock. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation are Matthew B. Gosier, 2235 Saint Mary’s Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 SUSAN J. SPAHN, Attorney Fitzgerald, Schorr, Barmettler & Brennan, P.C., L.L.O. 10050 Regency Circle, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3794 Estate of Mark Wellman Estate Estate No. PR 20-725 Notice is hereby given that on July 21, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, Dean Wellman, whose address is P.O. Box 67, Brule, WI 54820, was appointed by the court as Personal Representative of the estate in formal proceedings. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before September 25, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF UNBOXED MINDS, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Statement of Dissolution was filed by UNBOXED MINDS, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on May 22, 2020. Notice is hereby given to all creditors or others with claims against the limited liability company that claims must be sent to the company at ATTN: Nick Krecklow, 2080 Stillwater Drive, Papillion, NE 68046 and must document the basis for the claim. Any claim must provide the following information in writing: (1) your name and/or the name of your entity; (2) the nature of your claim; (3) the amount of your claim; and (4) the date your claim arose. Please send the information to Nick Krecklow, 2080 Stillwater Drive, Papillion, NE 68046. All claims against the company will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce such claims is commenced within five (5) years after the publication date of the third required notice. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Roam on Oak, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 18035 Oak Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The registered agent of the Company is Daniel S. Grieb, 18035 Oak Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The Company was formed on July 24, 2020. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF DUNHAM HOUSE, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Dunham House, Inc. has been organized as a nonprofit public benefit corporation under the laws of the State of Nebraska on July 23, 2020 (the “Company”). The Company has designated its registered agent as John D. Folsom, II, with registered office at 11218 John Galt Blvd., Suite 106, Omaha, NE 68137. The names and addresses of the incorporators are John D. Folsom, II, 1719 N. 60th Street, Omaha, NE 68104, and Arthur C. Jetter, 13624 Parker Circle, Omaha, NE 68154. The Company will not have members. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020

• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES DANA ROCHE, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF 3540 N. 167 CAR WASH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN the Certificate of Organization of 3540 N. 167 Car Wash, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to change the name of the entity to Rocket Carwash, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on July 13, 2020. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 DANA ROCHE, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 3540 N. 167 CAR WASH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 3540 N. 167 Car Wash, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 222 S. 15th Street, Suite 1404S, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kendra Ringenberg, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 ANNE K. BURNETT, Attorney CARLSON & BURNETT, LLP 17525 Arbor Street Omaha, Nebraska 68130 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SYAS REAL ESTATE, LLC Notice is hereby given that SYAS REAL ESTATE, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The initial registered agent is Anne K. Burnett, whose address is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The purpose of the Company shall be to engage in any lawful business and such activity, as may be mutually agreed upon by the Members from time to time, and which are not prohibited by the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act. The Company commenced on July 16, 2020 and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is to be managed by its initial Members of the Company who are Marlene M. Syas, 16403 M Street, Omaha, NE 68135. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 LINDSEY A. SCHULER, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D e W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WF SHOPPES, LLC The name of the limited liability company is WF Shoppes, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Lindsey A. Schuler, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 ROBERT J. KIRBY, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D e W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF POWERHOUSE ASSETS, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Powerhouse Assets, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Robert J. Kirby, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF AUFENKAMP REAL ESTATE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that AUFENKAMP REAL ESTATE, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 6717 S 148 cir Omaha, NE 68137 The Registered Agent of the Company is Amanda Aufenkamp at 6717 S 148 Cir Omaha, NE 68137. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Insuractive LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act by a conversion from Insuractive, Inc., a Nebraska corporation. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 8420 West Dodge Road, Suite 510, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are CT Corporation System, 5601 S. 59th Street, Suite C, Lincoln, Nebraska 68516. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OFAMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF PATRIOT HEALTH WELLNESS COMPANY, LLC Notice is hereby given that Patriot Health Wellness Company, LLC has amended its Certificate of Organization as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The amended notice of organization reflects the name change from Patriot Wellness Company, LLC to Merrill Enterprises, LLC. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF INNOVATIVE BIOTECH CONSULTING, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney MOYLAN LAW, LLC 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CANOE, LLC The name of the Company is Canoe, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company. The designated and registered office of the Company is 4604 North 208th Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The initial registered agent Sean Moylan of the Company is located at 1010 S. 120th Street, Suite #320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. This limited liability company commenced business on July 1, 2020. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF Team Wiebusch, L.L.C. Team Wiebusch, L.L.C., a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been dissolved and is winding up its activities in accordance with the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. Persons having claims against the Company must submit them in writing to Team Wiebusch, L.L.C. at 2720 Mary Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68112. Any claim submitted to the Company shall contain the following information with respect to such claim: the name of the claimant, a description of the nature of the claim, the amount of the claim, and the date on which the claim arose. A claim against the Company is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five years after the third publication of this Notice of Dissolution. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Zomers Heavy Haul, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 7437 N. 144th Ave, Bennington, Nebraska 68007. The registered agent of the Company is Trenton Zomers, 7437 N. 144th Ave, Bennington, Nebraska 68007. The Company was formed on July 23, 2020. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF KRACKIN, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Krackin, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 8722 South 142nd Avenue, Omaha, NE 68138. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on July 23rd, 2020 and shall have a perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF NURSE BEE HEALTHCARE STAFFING, INC. Notice is hereby given that a corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is Nurse Bee Healthcare Staffing, Inc. The corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on July 23rd, 2020 and shall have perpetual duration. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the incorporator is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF TRUE IRON TATTOO, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that TRUE IRON TATTOO, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a regis¬tered office at 11408 Elm Street, #16, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. The registered agent is AARON JOSEPH WERT. The general nature of the business is to operate a general tattoo shop business, to own, operate and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law, which are necessary, suitable, proper, convenient or expedient to the operation of a general tattoo shop business. The authorized capital stock is $10,000.00, consisting of 10,000 shares of stock having a par value of $1.00 each, which stock shall be paid for wholly or partly by cash, by labor, by personal property and by real property. The corporation became a corporate body on June 24, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors, the number of directors to be provided in the By-Laws, and the offi¬cers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as shall be designated in the By-Laws. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF T & J Matulka, Inc. Notice is hereby given that a corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is T & J Matulka, Inc. The corporation is authorizied to issue 10,000 shares of common stock. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery- Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164, and its incorporator is Tim Matulka, 21243 Shiloh Drive, Gretna, NE 68028. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GLAM PROPERTIES, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is GLAM Properties, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 1520 N. 216th Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BRIGHTSTONE HOMES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BrightStone Homes, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 3915 South 223rd Circle, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 S 103rd Street Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on July 29, 2020. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 28, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WCA BLUE, LLC The name of the Company is WCA Blue, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 26809 Taylor Street, Valley, Nebraska 68064. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. This limited liability company commenced business on July 30, 2020. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 Telephone 402-504-1300 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LAUREN DOULA CARE LLC Notice is hereby given that LAUREN DOULA CARE LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 3880 South 149th Street, Suite 106, Omaha, NE 68144. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020

AMANDA M. FORKER, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MIDTOWN 3000 6C, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Midtown 3000 6C, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is Midtown 3000 6C, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 7510 Cass Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. 3. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Amanda M. Forker 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 192ND AND CENTER PROPERTIES, LLC The name of the Company is 192nd and Center Properties, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 2725 South 144th Street, Suite 212, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. This limited liability company commenced business on July 28, 2020. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 Eya Fafa Assignon Law Office of Fafa Assignon 1941 S 42nd Street, Suite 514 Omaha, Ne 68105 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KEEN MINDS, LLC Notice is hereby given that Keen Minds, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws, with its designated office at 16101 Grebe street, Bennington, Ne 68007. It is organized to transact any lawful business for which a Limited Liability Company may be organized under Nebraska laws and its duration is perpetual commencing from May 10, 2020. Its affairs are to be conducted by the manager Date Amouzou. Its registered agent is Eya Assignon 1941 South 42nd Street, Suite 514 Omaha, Ne 68105 First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 Eya Fafa Assignon Law Office of Fafa Assignon 1941 S 42nd Street, Suite 514 Omaha, Ne 68105 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PRAISING LIFE CARE DDS, LLC Notice is hereby given that PRAISING LIFE CARE DDS, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws, with its designated office at 7430 Woolworth Plaza, Omaha, Ne 68124. It is organized to transact any lawful business for which a Limited Liability Company may be organized under Nebraska laws and its duration is perpetual commencing from March 23, 2020. Its affairs are to be conducted by the manager Adzo Hidrissou. Its registered agent is Fofana Muniru , 9110 Black street, Omaha, Ne 68122 . First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Mmmm Beer, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Thomas J. Malicki, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 MATTHEW WURSTNER, Attorney CARLSON & BURNETT, LLP 17525 Arbor Street Omaha, Nebraska 68130 Notice of Amendment – E-QUAKE SOCIAL MEDIA, LLC Notice is given that on July 8, 2020, E-QUAKE SOCIAL MEDIA, LLC, filed an amendment to its certificate of organization. The substance of the amendment changed the name of the company to ROOFTOP SOCIAL MEDIA, LLC. In all other respects the Certificate of Organization filed on January 13, 2016 and amended on October 26, 2016 remain unchanged. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 Notice of Organization Berliner TREX, LLC Notice is hereby given that Berliner TREX, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered office at 9921 S. 168th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68136, and its registered agent is Kristopher Brown. Its designated office is located at 9921 S. 168th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The general nature of the business will be to engage in the transaction of any or all lawful business, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The LLC was filed with the State of Nebraska on June 25, 2020. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CARINO HOLDINGS, LLC Notice is hereby given that a limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is CARINO HOLDINGS, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 3622 S. 197th Street, Omaha, NE 68130. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF PopOmaha!, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PopOmaha!, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a regis¬tered office at 5428 South 13th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107. The registered agent is AUBREY A. PALERMO. The general nature of the business is to operate a general licensed signage rental/installation business, to own, operate and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law, which are necessary, suitable, proper, convenient or expedient to the operation of a general licensed signage rental/installation business. The authorized capital stock is $10,000.00, consisting of 10,000 shares of stock having a par value of $1.00 each, which stock shall be paid for wholly or partly by cash, by labor, by personal property and by real property. The corporation became a corporate body on May 27, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors, the number of directors to be provided in the By-Laws, and the officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as shall be designated in the By -Laws. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 KATHRYN J. DERR, Attorney BERKSHIRE & BURMEISTER 1301 South 75th Street, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DAMCL INDUSTRIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that DAMCL INDUSTRIES, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 11229 N 61st Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68152. The registered office of the Company is 11229 N 61st Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68152, and the agent at such office is David A. McLaughlin. The general nature of the business to be transacted by the company is any lawful business which may be carried on by a limited liability company organized under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The company commenced operations on July 28, 2020 and shall have a perpetual duration. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WILBAR VISION FUND, LLC The name of the Company is WilBar Vision Fund, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The purpose is to invest in qualified opportunity zone property by acquiring qualified opportunity zone partnership interests or qualified opportunity zone stock in one or more first-tier subsidiaries or by directly acquiring qualified opportunity zone business property and to engage in other activities incidental or related thereto. The Company intends to be a qualified opportunity fund and cause any first-tier subsidiaries it invests in to meet the requirements for a qualified opportunity zone business. This limited liability company commenced business on July 30, 2020. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Woven Luxe Boutique LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Samuel R. O’Neill, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 5177 JONES ST., LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 5177 Jones St., LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 5177 Jones Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 SCUDDER LAW FIRM, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 411 S. 13th Street, Second Floor Lincoln, NE 68508 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION A Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State for Crossroads Land, LLC, with its designated office at 37 Avenue 240, Arnold, Nebraska 69120. The registered agent and address for service of process is: Heidi Hornung-Scherr, 411 South 13th Street, Suite 200, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LLC The Nebraska limited liability company’s name is Nikki Burson, LLC. Its designated office is 1519 N. 208th Terrace, Elkhorn, NE 68022. Its purpose is any lawful business. It commenced on May 26, 2020. Its affairs shall be managed by a Member/Manager. Its initial agent is Nikki Burson. The initial agent’s address is 1519 N. 208th Terrace, Elkhorn, NE 68022. Nikki Burson, Organizer. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020

JESSICA E. THOMAS, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF PRIVADA RESIDENTIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION Notice is hereby given of the incorporation of Privada Residential Owners Association under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: 1. The name of the Corporation is Privada Residential Owners Association. 2. The Corporation is a mutual benefit corporation. 3. The address of the initial registered office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name of the initial registered agent at that office is James D. Buser. 4. The name and street address of each incorporator are as follows: Carlo Skrupa 1850 South 72 Street Omaha, Nebraska 68124 Eleanor S. Hohman 1850 South 72nd Street Omaha, Nebraska 68124 5. The Corporation shall have members. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 DANA ROCHE, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WCV LOT 2, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that WCV Lot 2, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The Registered Agent of the Company is Andrew A. Snyder, 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), GERRE WILSON You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 04/23/2020 on Case Number CI20- 8006, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $400.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 09/14/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 JESSICA E. THOMAS, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF ACREAGES AT PRIVADA OWNERS ASSOCIATION Notice is hereby given of the incorporation of Acreages at Privada Owners Association under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: 1. The name of the Corporation is Acreages at Privada Owners Association. 2. The Corporation is a mutual benefit corporation. 3. The address of the initial registered office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name of the initial registered agent at that office is James D. Buser. 4. The name and street address of each incorporator are as follows: Carlo Skrupa 1850 South 72 Street Omaha, Nebraska 68124 Eleanor S. Hohman 1850 South 72nd Street Omaha, Nebraska 68124 5. The Corporation shall have members. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 WAYNE S. RASMUSSEN, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KW EQUITY PARTNERS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on July 28, 2020, KW EQUITY PARTNERS, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 2514 South 119th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Wayne S. Rasmussen, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KTK INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that KTK Investments, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 10330 North 168th Street, Bennington, Nebraska 68007. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on July 28, 2020. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020

• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES NICK R. TAYLOR, Attorney FITZGERALD, SCHORR, BARMETTLER & BRENNAN, P.C., L.L.O. 10050 Regency Circle, 200 Regency One Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3794 NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF Mary F. Stillmock, Deceased Estate No. PR 20-1038 Notice is hereby given that on July 16, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Deceased and that Millicent Y. Pijewski, whose address is 13920 Josephine Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68138, has been appointed Personal Representative of this estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before September 25, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ERYN MCMASTER, LLC. Notice is hereby given that Eryn McMaster, LLC, a limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office at 1315 N. 113th Plaza #6607, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The initial agent for service of process and this agent's address is Megan Brunken, 1919 South 40th Street, Suite 201, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506. The professional service to be rendered by this limited liability company is the practice of psychology, wherever the members of the company are licensed to do so. Eryn McMaster, LLC. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 JESSICA E. THOMAS, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF VILLAS AT PRIVADA OWNERS ASSOCIATION Notice is hereby given of the incorporation of Villas at Privada Owners Association under the laws of the State of Nebraska, as follows: 1. The name of the Corporation is Villas at Privada Owners Association. 2. The Corporation is a mutual benefit corporation. 3. The address of the initial registered office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name of the initial registered agent at that office is James D. Buser. 4. The name and street address of each incorporator are as follows: Carlo Skrupa 1850 South 72 Street Omaha, Nebraska 68124 Eleanor S. Hohman 1850 South 72nd Street Omaha, Nebraska 68124 5. The Corporation shall have members. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KUBAT CLINICAL SERVICES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kubat Clinical Services, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 4924 Center Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 S 103rd Street Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on July 23, 2020. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 DANA ROCHE, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF D ROY SALON, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that D Roy Salon, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 12107 West Center Road, Omaha, Nebraska, 68144. The Registered Agent of the Company is Jennifer L. Rattner, Ringenberg & Rattner Law, LLC, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 BROOKE N. PAULEY 3216 S. 185th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68130 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF HORSEPOWER TODAY, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, andthat the name of the limited liability company is HORSEPOWER TODAY, LLC. The address of the initial designated office 3216 S. 185th Street, Omaha Nebraska 68130. The name and address of the registered agent and office is Brooke N. Pauley, 3216 S.185th Street, Omaha, NE 68430. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on June 24, 2020 and shall have a perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 5013 LAFAYETTE AVE., LLC Notice is hereby given that 5013 LAFAYETTE AVE., LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 9779 Westchester Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF AUCTIC, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Auctic, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 14107 Seward Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on July 27, 2020. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DA&SS HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that DA&SS Holdings, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 3915 South 223rd Circle, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 S 103rd Street Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on July 27, 2020. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 JESSICA E. THOMAS, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF PRIVADA MASTER OWNERS ASSOCIATION Notice is hereby given of the incorporation of Privada Master Owners Association under the laws of the State of Nebraska, as follows: 1. The name of the Corporation is Privada Master Owners Association. 2. The Corporation is a mutual benefit corporation. 3. The address of the initial registered office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name of the initial registered agent at that office is James D. Buser. 4. The name and street address of each incorporator are as follows: Carlo Skrupa 1850 South 72 Street Omaha, Nebraska 68124 Eleanor S. Hohman 1850 South 72nd Street Omaha, Nebraska 68124 5. The Corporation shall have members. First publication July 31, 2020, final August 14, 2020 KARINE E. SOKPOH, Attorney SOKPOH LAW GROUP, LLC NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF MIDLANDS AFRICAN CHAMBER, INC. Notice is hereby given that MIDLANDS AFRICAN CHAMBER, INC., has been incorporated as a mutual benefit non-profit corporation under Nebraska laws, with its registered office at 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247 Omaha, NE, 68114. Its agent at that office is Karine Sokpoh. The corporation shall have members and its incorporator is Karine Sokpoh and her address is 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247, Omaha, NE 68114. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF REPMAK PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Repmak Properties, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 4966 South 136th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on July 29, 2020. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Lil Tee Trucking, Inc., whose registered agent is Perry K. Wiseman and registered office is 6860 S. 118th Street, Ste. 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68137, was formed on August 4, 2020 to engage in any lawful business. The corporation has authorized 10,000 shares of capital stock. The name and address of the incorporator is Thomas E. Whitmore, 7602 Pacific St., Ste. 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020

CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AJMA PROPERTES, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is AJMA Properties, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 7210 L Street, Omaha, NE 68127. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on July 29th, 2020 and shall have a perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: MAXSTAFF Name of Applicant: MAXUM GROUP, LLC Address: 256 NORTH 115TH STREET, SUITE 2, OMAHA, NE 68154 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: JULY 1, 2020 General nature of business: STAFFING MICHAEL WHEELOCK Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative August 7, 2020 GROSS & WELCH, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 2120 South 72 Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HUSKER VETERANS TEAM, LLC a Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that HUSKER VETERANS TEAM, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 10018 South 188th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68136, its registered agent is Frederick D. Stehlik, and its registered office located at 2120 South 72 Street, Suite 1500, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The general nature of its business is to engage in and do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business, other than banking or insurance, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Certificate of Organization was filed in the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 24, 2020, the Company commenced business thereon, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Managing Member. Frederick D. Stehlik, Organizer First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LINDLEY REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Lindley Real Estate Holdings, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on June 22, 2020 (the “Company”). The Company has designated its registered agent as Nathan N. Lindley, with registered office at 324 S. 51st Street, Omaha, NE 68132. The Company’s initial designated office is at 324 S. 51st Street, Omaha, NE 68132. The Company shall be governed by one or more managers. The general nature of business is any lawful purpose. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LINDLEY’S COFFEE SHOP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Lindley’s Coffee Shop, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on June 22, 2020 (the “Company”). The Company has designated its registered agent as Nathan N. Lindley, with registered office at 324 S. 51st Street, Omaha, NE 68132. The Company’s initial designated office is at 324 S. 51st Street, Omaha, NE 68132. The Company shall be governed by one or more managers. The general nature of business is any lawful purpose. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: CAROL ARCHIE You are hereby notified that on, 03/23/20, the Plaintiff, Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska against you shown as Case Number CI20-6559. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of $500.00, plus court costs and prejudgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable. The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are hereby notified that you must answer the petition on or before 09/20/20, at the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA, Nebraska. BY: DANIELLE IHLE, #26177 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, Nebraska 68802 308 398-3801 Attorney for the Plaintiff First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LeverageRx Insurance Services, LLC has organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office of the Company is 808 Conagra Dr. 4th floor, Omaha, NE 68102. The initial registered office of the Company is 808 Conagra Dr. 4th floor, Omaha, NE 68102, and the name of the initial registered agent of the Company at such address is LeverageRx, Inc. The purpose for which the Company is organized is to engage in any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Certificate of Organization was executed on the 3rd day of August 2020. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 THE LAW OFFICE OF ROBERT E. BURNS 11330 Q Street, Suite 220 Omaha, Nebraska 68137 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF OMAHA ONLINE BONDS, Inc. Notice is hereby given that Omaha Online Bonds, Inc. has incorporated under the Nebraska Business Corporation Act. The general nature of the business is to conduct any lawful business including but not limited to the business of the marketing and sale of surety bonds. Capital is 10,000 shares with a par value of $1.00 per share. The registered agent is: Robert Burns and the registered office is located at 11330 Q Street, #220, Omaha, NE 68137. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by the Board of Directors and such officers as it may elect. The corporation commenced existence on July 30, 2020 with the filing and recording of its articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State, and will have perpetual duration. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF GCP II OLD HICKORY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of GCP II Old Hickory, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to change the name of the company to GCP III Old Hickory, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on August 4, 2020. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: CLUB CARWASH Name of Applicant: ROCKET CARWASH, LLC Address: 222 S 15TH STREET, SUITE 1404S, OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68102 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: Upon Filing General nature of business: OPERATION OF CAR WASH BUSINESS CHRISTOPHER L. ERICKSON Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative August 14, 2020 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: BEARDMORE HYUNDAI Name of Applicant: HILAREBA, LLC Address: 6610 DAVENPORT STREET, OMAHA, NE 68132 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: JULY 21, 2020 General nature of business: AUTO DEALERSHIP SALES, PARTS, SERVICE CAREN L. HAMILTON Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative August 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF OZ CT FUND, LLC The name of the Company is OZ CT Fund, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 16435 Jaynes Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The purpose is to invest in qualified opportunity zone property by acquiring qualified opportunity zone partnership interests or qualified opportunity zone stock in one or more first-tier subsidiaries or by directly acquiring qualified opportunity zone business property and to engage in other activities incidental or related thereto. The Company intends to be a qualified opportunity fund and cause any first-tier subsidiaries it invests in to meet the requirements for a qualified opportunity zone business. This limited liability company commenced business on August 5, 2020. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THOMAS BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Thomas Business Services, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Registered Agent of the company is Barry E. Thomas with registered and designated street and mailing address at 7307 Weber Street, Omaha, NE 68122. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RIVET ROASTERS LLC Notice is hereby given that RIVET ROASTERS LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF AJ CRUZ CREATIVES, LLC Notice is hereby given that AJ CRUZ CREATIVES, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CUBLO LLC Notice is hereby given that CUBLO LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 17505 Gertrude Circle, Omaha, NE 68136. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF EMPIRE LIQUIDATIONS LLC Notice is hereby given that EMPIRE LIQUIDATIONS LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 13936 Pine Street, Omaha, NE 68144. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of state’s office of Barillense Construction, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is Barillense Construction, LLC. Registered agent and office of Barillense Construction, LLC is Gapar Francisco Baltazar at 1813 Spring Street, Omaha, NE 68108. The designated address is 1813 Spring Street, Omaha, NE 68108. Initial members: Gaspar Francisco Baltazar. General nature of the business is to transact any and all lawful business for which limited liability companies are allowed by statute. The LLC was organized on July 2020 for the perpetual duration and is managed by its members. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF AUGEO OZ VISION, LLC The name of the Company is Augeo OZ Vision, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 2825 South 170th Plaza, Apt. 507, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The purpose is to invest in qualified opportunity zone property by acquiring qualified opportunity zone partnership interests or qualified opportunity zone stock in one or more first-tier subsidiaries or by directly acquiring qualified opportunity zone business property and to engage in other activities incidental or related thereto. The Company intends to be a qualified opportunity fund and cause any first-tier subsidiaries it invests in to meet the requirements for a qualified opportunity zone business. This limited liability company commenced business on August 4, 2020. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LAND & LORE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Land & Lore, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 3717 Harney Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on June 29, 2020. First publication August 7, 2020, final August 21, 2020

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF APEX OPTICAL SOLUTIONS, LLC Notice is hereby given that a limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is APEX OPTICAL SOLUTIONS, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 2111 Titan Spring Drive, Papillion, Nebraska 68133. Christopher Lile; Joss Petersen; and Shaleen Wilson-O’Riley, Members First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WHEELHOUSE SOLUTIONS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Wheelhouse Solutions, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GAMAVIATION SERVICES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that GAMAviation Services, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 15314 Summerwood Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68137 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C. a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), KC FIALA & JAMES FIALA You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 04/27/2020 on Case Number CI20-8159, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $ 506.91, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 09/21/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SCN LOT 11, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of SCN Lot 11, LLC 1. The name of the limited liability company is SCN Lot 11, LLC 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 4949 Underwood Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68132, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is G. Thomas Simmons, IV, 4949 Underwood Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68132. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 TIMOTHY J. BUCKLEY, Attorney GOVIER, KATSKEE, SUING & MAXELL, PC, LLO 10404 Essex Court, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-1155 Estate of MAX R. CRAM, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on August 4, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Decedent and that ZANTEEN DEAN, whose address is 15256 V St., Omaha, NE 68137, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before October 23, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LLC Notice is hereby given that Souder Enterprises, LLC (the "Company") has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office address of the Company is 20908 Camden Avenue, Elkhorn, NE 68022. The Registered Agent of the Company is Steven P. Ahlf, 11590 West Dodge Road, Suite 1, Omaha, NE 68154. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020

• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that An Awakened You, LLC a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on August 5, 2020, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Members. Angela Pohlman, Manager and Member, will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against An Awakened You, LLC, please provide the following information with respect to your claim: 1) your name or the name of your entity; 2) the nature of your claim; 3) the amount of your claim; and 4) the date your claim arose. All claims shall be mailed to DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. A claim against An Awakened You, LLC is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five (5) years after the publication date of the third required notice. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 CATHERINE E. FRENCH, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF EVERY KID IS AWESOME, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is EVERY KID IS AWESOME, LLC. The address of the company’s initial designated office is 1006 Elk Ridge Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68022. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on March 4, 2020 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the manager as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 CATHERINE E. FRENCH, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF DAVID ADCOCK ENTERPRISES, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is DAVID ADCOCK ENTERPRISES, LLC. The address of the company’s initial designated office is, 1006 Elk Ridge Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68022. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on August 5, 2020 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the manager as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Love's Jazz and Arts Center Name of Applicant: North Omaha Love's Jazz Cultural Arts and Humanities Complex, Inc. Address: 2510 North 24th Street Omaha NE 68110 Applicant is a Corporation If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: October 2, 2014 General nature of business: Exhibits/Live Performances/Cultural Activities TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative August 14, 2020 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-1148 Estate of DEBRA J. LAYNE, Decedent Notice is hereby given that on the 6th day of August, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Intestacy of the Estate of Debra J. Layne and that the following sole surviving child was appointed as the Personal Representative of this estate. Taylor K. Zitek 5417 N. 69th Street, Omaha, NE 68104 Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before October 14, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020

TIMOTHY J. BUCKLEY, Attorney GOVIER, KATSKEE, SUING & MAXELL, PC, LLO 10404 Essex Court, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 LEGAL NOTICE In the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. CI 20-4879 In RE Name Change of Toni Ellen Rowl Notice is hereby given that on the 24th day of June, 2020, a Petition was filed in the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the object and prayer of which is for the change of the petitioner’s name from Toni Ellen Rowl to Toni Ellen Renardo. A hearing will be had on said Petition before the Honorable Marlon A. Polk, in Courtroom No. 506, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 1701 Farnam, Omaha, NE 68183 at 8:45 o’clock a.m. on September 9, 2020 or as soon thereafter as will be convenient for the court and that unless sufficient cause is shown to the contrary, the petitioner’s name will be changed from that of Toni Ellen Rowl to Toni Ellen Renardo. First publication August 14, 2020, final September 4, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LEW, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is LEW, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 14928 A Circle, Omaha, NE 68144. Terry Ledger, Organizer First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF INN-CREDIBLE EYE CARE, LLC Notice is hereby given that a limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is Inn-credible Eye Care, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 14760 W. Center Road, Omaha, NE 68144. Heidi Lichtenberg, Members First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF D&D VENTURES, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is D&D Ventures, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 12344 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Dana Preston, Member First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 NATALIE WORDEKEMPER, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WCV LOT 2, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that WCV Lot 2, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska, 68118. The Registered Agent of the Company is Andrew A. Snyder, 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HOOKS PEAK, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Hooks Peak, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 19102 Q Street, Suite 110-114, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF ZEPHYR AG, INC. Notice is hereby given that a corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is Zephyr Ag., Inc. The corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on August 7th, 2020 and shall have perpetual duration. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the incorporator is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. LDM Business Services, Inc., Incorporator First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020

HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KINGDOM ENTERPRISES LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kingdom Enterprises LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on July 31, 2020 (the “Company”). The Company has designated its registered agent as Jake White, with registered office at 1110 Hickory Hill Road, Papillion, NE 68046. The Company’s initial designated office is at 1110 Hickory Hill Road, Papillion, NE 68046. The Company shall be governed by one or more managers. The general nature of business is any lawful purpose. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MICROBLASTERS, LLC Notice is hereby given that a limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is Microblasters, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 12513 Pheasant Run Circle, Papillion, NE 68046. Robert Niles, Members First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RESULTS REALTY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that RESULTS REALTY, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1401 N 52nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68132. The Registered Agent of the Company is Georgia Parment, 1401 N 52nd Street, Omaha NE 68132. The LLC commenced business on June 8, 2020. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BLUEPRINT EARLY CHILDHOOD CONSULTING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BLUEPRINT EARLY CHILDHOOD CONSULTING, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 6337 S 171ST Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The Registered Agent of the Company is Gladys Haynes, 6337 S 171ST Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THE BEDINGERS, LLC Notice is hereby given that The Bedingers, LLC, has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws, with its designated office at 2566 Farnam St, Ste. 301, Omaha, NE 68131. The initial agent of The Bedingers, LLC is Morgan Noble of Northwest Registered Agent Services Inc., 530 S. 13th St, Ste. 100, Lincoln, NE 68508. The limited liability company commenced business on July 02, 2020. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 PATRICK M. FLOOD, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF MERGER OF HOLY FAMILY CHURCH OF OMAHA INTO ST. FRANCES CABRINI CHURCH OF OMAHA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the merger of Holy Family Church of Omaha, a Nebraska nonprofit corporation, into St. Frances Cabrini Church of Omaha, a Nebraska nonprofit corporation, and the surviving corporation. The merger became effective on July 1, 2020. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 PATRICK M. FLOOD, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF MERGER OF OMAHA ARCHDIOCESAN PARISH FOUNDATION INTO OMAHA ARCHDIOCESAN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the merger of Omaha Archdiocesan Parish Foundation, Nebraska nonprofit corporation, into Omaha Archdiocesan Educational Foundation, a Nebraska nonprofit corporation, and the surviving corporation. The merger became effective on July 1, 2020. As a result of the merger, Omaha Archdiocesan Educational Foundation was renamed Catholic Futures Foundation of Northeast Nebraska. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 PATRICK M. FLOOD, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 N O T I C E O F A M E N D M E N T T O T H E A RT I C L E S O F INCORPORATION OF OMAHA ARCHDIOCESAN DEPOSIT AND LOAN FUND, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of Omaha Archdiocesan Deposit and Loan Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) have been amended by the Directors as of May 23, 2017 and filed with the Secretary of State on July 6, 2020. The Articles of Incorporation have been amended to change the composition of the directors and officers of the Corporation. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES DANA ROCHE, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 83RD & GILES CENTER, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 83rd & Giles Center, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 222 S. 15th Street, Suite 1404S, Omaha, Nebraska, 68102. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kendra Ringenberg, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 PATRICK M. FLOOD, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF CATHOLIC FUTURES FOUNDATION OF NORTHEAST NEBRASKA Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of Catholic Futures Foundation of Northeast Nebraska (the “Corporation”) have been restated by the Directors as of July 2, 2020 and filed with the Secretary of State on July 6, 2020. The Restated Articles of Incorporation generally provide as follows: 1. The Board of Trustees was modified to consist of eight to fourteen members. 2. The powers of the Corporation were expanded. 3. The reserved power of the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha was clarified. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 JEFFREY J. BLUMEL, Referee DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF SALE IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEBRASKA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that by virtue of an Order Directing Sale issued by the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska in an action pending in said Court at Case No. CI 19-8402, wherein Guardian Tax Partners, Inc. is the Plaintiff and Debra L. Townsend and others are Defendants, directing me as Referee to sell the following described real estate, to-wit: Lot 6, Block 4, St. Mary’s Addition, an Addition to the City of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. I will sell said real estate at public auction to the highest bidder on September 11, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. on said day at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1701 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska, Harney Street Level, in the hallway outside Conciliation Court Room 155. Terms of sale: Prior to the sale, bidders must present a cashiers or certified check in the amount of $5,000.00 payable to the Referee in order to qualify to bid at the sale. The purchaser will pay the balance of the purchase price to the Referee in certified funds by 5:30 p.m. the day of the sale. Any additional terms of sale will be announced at the time of sale. First publication August 14, 2020, final September 4, 2020 LINDSEY A. SCHULER, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KAB WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC The name of the limited liability company is KAB Wealth Management, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 2120 S. 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Lindsey A. Schuler, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020 JEFFREY J. BLUMEL, Referee DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF SALE IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEBRASKA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that by virtue of an Order Directing Sale issued by the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska in an action pending in said Court at Case No. CI 19-8438, wherein Guardian Tax Partners, Inc. is the Plaintiff and John Aloysius Barnes and others are Defendants, directing me as Referee to sell the following described real estate, to-wit: Lot 15 and the East ½ of Lot 16, Block 2, in Melias 1st Addition an addition to the City of Omaha, as surveyed, platted and recorded in Douglas County, Nebraska. I will sell said real estate at public auction to the highest bidder on September 11, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. on said day at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1701 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska, Harney Street Level, in the hallway outside Conciliation Court Room 155. Terms of sale: Prior to the sale, bidders must present a cashiers or certified check in the amount of $5,000.00 payable to the Referee in order to qualify to bid at the sale. The purchaser will pay the balance of the purchase price to the Referee in certified funds by 5:30 p.m. the day of the sale. Any additional terms of sale will be announced at the time of sale. First publication August 14, 2020, final September 4, 2020

ANDREW J. HUBER, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF LUPO PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE, P.C. Notice is hereby given that a professional corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is Lupo Preventative Medicine, P.C. The corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock. The street address of the corporation is 10020 Nicholas Street, Suite 106, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the incorporator is Molly Lupo, 10020 Nicholas Street, Suite 106, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Molly Lupo, Incorporator First publication August 14, 2020, final August 28, 2020

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How to bring an aging parent close – but not too close by Carla Fried

How close do you live to your aging parents? A mile? An hour’s drive? A three-hour flight? Now, imagine there comes a day when they can no longer handle things on their own and you need to help them on a daily basis and either care for them yourself or closely oversee caregivers you hire. The commute, even a short one, could upend your life in order to help them. For many middle-aged couples, neither is it an attractive proposition to move Mom or Dad into your house. Understood. That’s where an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) — also known as a mother-in-law apartment, backyard cottage, built-out-basement, etc. — comes in. ADUs are rapidly growing as many cities in modern America confront a housing shortage. My colleague Dee Gill has written about the economics of building and operating an ADU as a rental property or Airbnb: https://www.rate.com/research/news/garage-basement-profitable-rental And she lays out the permitting and construction options for ADUs in a separate article: Real Estate https://www.rate.com/research/news/ add-backyard-single-family-home Here, we size up the ADU in its more traditional role: multigenerational housing. First, back to caregiving. The bulk of it remains the domain of women. But these days, most women work and many are single. So devoting yourself to caregiving, in addition to its physical and emotional cost, comes with an enormous financial penalty. Women who leave the workforce to become caregivers suffer an estimated lifetime cost of more than $320,000 in wages and foregone Social Security benefits. Anything that makes the caregiver role less onerous — like having Mom in an ADU — is worth considering. I’ve covered more on the financial cost of becoming a caregiver in an earlier article: https://www.rate.com/research/news/navigate-expense-caregiver Given increased life expectancies, there will be record numbers of elderly getting ever older. Yes, boomers want to “age in place,” but if that place is far from the offspring who will take care of an aging parent, that might not be realistic. Now, assisted living and other senior living arrangements may be less palatable to families given the excruciating experience of COVID-19 outbreaks. An ADU can be a detached unit plunked down in the yard, attached to the home, or a conversion of a basement or garage. Zoning regulations typically restrict them to 1,000 square feet or less. It could be the best of two worlds: Everyone gets their privacy. But there’s no maintaining two separate residences, no brutal commute between them. Freddie Mac estimates that between 2009 and 2019, the number of first-time listings of homes for sale that advertised an ADU grew at an annualized rate of 8.6%. It estimates the percentage of listings with an ADU has grown from 1.6% in 2000 to 6.8% last year. California has new regulations in place this year that will make it much easier for homeowners to buildADUs, overcoming years of zoning and NIMBY (not in my backyard) concerns. By one estimate, as many as 380,000 single family homes in Los Angeles may now qualify to construct an ADU on their lot. The cost for a detached unit can be north of $200,000. Converting a garage will typically run less. In high-cost Los Angeles, a recent estimate for converting a garage was around $120,000 or so. (Basements, with their stairs, are probably not best for the elderly.) Before you dismiss the idea as too expensive, think through the possibilities. If your parent currently owns a home, would the gain at sale finance the ADU or a big chunk of it? If not, a fixed-rate home equity loan or a home equity line of credit are both financing options. In terms of repayment, don’t be shy talking through with a parent what part of their monthly income (Social Security, other savings, etc.) they can contribute to the household. It just might be what you need to pay back a loan. It can also be helpful to consider what expenses you might be able to avoid, or at least shorten the time they are needed if you move family close. If your parent stays in their own home and eventually needs care, that is going to cost plenty. The current average monthly cost according to a national survey is around $4,000 or so for a home health aide or residence at an assisted living facility. (You can find typical costs in your state with a web search of “Genworth Cost of Care.”) That’s $50,000 for one year. Granted, just because you have an ADU doesn’t mean there will be no need to hire help for your parent. But when you might need to start adding care, and the amount of care needed might be less if you are close by and not worrying if your parent is OK on their own. Even if you end up shouldering much of the construction cost, that peace of mind can be worth far more. And its value will outlive a parent. Maybe it eventually becomes a transition pad for still-launching adult kids. Or a rental that generates valuable income as you head into retirement. And ultimately, at some point, it’s likely to be a desirable feature when you are ready to sell. ©2020 Rate.com News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

UPCOMING

SECTIONS

IN THE MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

AUGUST 21

SHOPPING MALL/ SPACE DIRECTORY

HEALTH CARE (LBJ)

AUGUST 28

ENGINEERING

BUSINESS SUCCESSION & TRANSITIONS

To advertise your company’s products or services in one of our upcoming sections, contact one of our MBJ advertising representatives at (402) 330-1760 or at the email addresses below. Julie Whitehead - Julie@mbj.com • Karla Steele - karla@mbj.com Space and materials deadline is the Friday prior to the publication date. You may email us your insertion orders directly, or fax them to us at (402) 758-9315. We will acknowledge receiving your instructions.

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES

Briefs…

Nebraska drivers will soon be able to show support for their local YMCAs by purchasing a specialized license plate for their vehicle. YMCAs across the state will be taking pre-orders for the plates from now through Aug. 31. Those interested in submitting a pre-order will need to complete an Application for Organizational License Plates and submit a $70 payment for each plate requested with checks written payable to the YMCA of Lincoln. Applications can be found at www.ymcalincoln. org/y-license-plates. OPPD has a new engagement platform called OPPDCommunityConnect designed to provide customer-owners with a more enhanced experience. It provides multiple ways for customers to interact with OPPD and each other. It also allows customers to provide valuable feedback in new ways. In addition to providing comments and asking questions, customers can also participate in quick polls and surveys, share stories, exchange ideas, and more. The Corner Kick Cantina will open a second location at 16274 Evans Plaza in northwest Omaha. The new restaurant will occupy a 3500-square-foot building on West Maple Road. The Corner Kick is known for offering slow-cooked tacos. It uses all-natural braised and grilled meats, locally made yellow maize tortillas, and salsas made from scratch. It serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, enchiladas, wings, tortas, and more. The new restaurant is expected to open in the fall. Mutual of Omaha announced initiatives to address issues of racial equity and social justice, including the removal of Native American imagery from its corporate logo. The company has earmarked $1 million in funding for community-based initiatives and nonprofit organizations committed to racial equity, inclusivity, economic equality and social justice. Mutual will provide management additional training on diversity and inclusion. The company will enhance its efforts to recruit, hire, promote, develop and retain a diverse workforce and heighten its focus on inclusive culture shaping. It’s also developing a more robust supplier diversity strategy, seeking out vendors from underrepresented communities and purchasing from suppliers who demonstrate social justice and racial equity. Lincoln Electric System received a grant of $120,000 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for its Electric Vehicle Public Engagement and Rebate Program. Funds will be used to offer LES customers purchase or lease rebates for new, all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The promotion is limited to LES residential customers only, limited one per household and only apply to purchases or leased made on or after Sept. 1, 2020. Incentives of $1,500 are available for the first-time purchase or minimum 3-year lease of a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. While $4,500 rebates will be available for the first-time purchase or minimum 3-year lease of a new all-electric vehicle.

Education notes…

The College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is changing its name to the College of Education,

Health, and Human Sciences to better represent the college’s academic degree programs and advancements in research. Due to decades of innovation, CEHHS is regarded as a leader in the fields of biomechanics, kinesiology, and STEM education, and the new name reflects the growth of innovative degree programs and groundbreaking research in addition to well-established degree programs in teacher education, early childhood education, speech-language pathology and more. The new name also highlights the growth of external funding, more than $23 million over the past six years, which includes two of the three largest research grants in the health sciences area in UNO’s history. The National Counterterrorism, Innovation, Technology and Education Center headquartered at the University of Nebraska at Omaha officially launched. This is a new, national research hub funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Excellence. The role of NCITE is to provide insight into why and how people turn to terrorism; spotting early warning signs of radicalization; and how to intercept mobilization of extremists to keep Americans safe abroad and in their communities. The goals are to innovate, educate and create new prevention strategies; and to build a workforce pipeline in STEM and Homeland Security Fields. The 1-Check COVID app was the result of an interdisciplinary team effort across the University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska at Omaha. Staff from the emergency medicine department at UNMC saw the need for an app-based screening tool to educate and provide guidance to the general public as COVID-19 cases began to grow in March. Three members of UNO’s Scott Scholars program helped create the 1-Check COVID App. So far, the app has been downloaded more than 20,000 times. The designers built the app so the questions can be changed or added without the user having to update the app. This is important as medical knowledge of COVID-19 and its symptoms continues to evolve. Paragon IT Professionals, a 23-yearold IT staffing firm and founder of the IT Leadership Forum, is bringing a new opportunity to Omaha tech leaders in 2021. The Forum, which is scheduled to begin in January, will be professionally facilitated, half-day sessions that will focus on: Foundational leadership; building relationships through shared experiences; transformative leadership development; and facilitated challenge resolution discussions based on existing challenges. Due to the experiential component of the Forum there are some initial screening questions Paragon asks participants to complete. SONIC Drive-In matched all donations to DonorsChoose on Teacher Appreciation Day, giving 14 teachers in Omaha a total donation of $2,827. Teachers at 10 schools received funding, including: Alison Grady at Central Park Elementary School; Kim Hansen at Crestridge Magnet Center; Kari Blazek at Druid Hill Elementary School; Sara Connell at Hartman Elementary School; Brittany Thomason at Howard Kennedy Elementary School; Angela Blackson at King Elementary School; Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 •

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES Continued from preceding page. Colleen Krokaugger at Prairie Wind Elementary School; Christine Goetzinger, Julie Trimble, Elizabeth Padomek, Michelle Scheet and Shirley Tipler at Saddlebrook Elementary School; Tina Buda at Skinner Magnet Center; and Mary Blair at Wakonda Elementary School.

Health care notes…

Donny Suh, M.D., has been named the John & Irene Graether Endowed Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology. Suh is a professor in the UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and also serves as chief of pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus and director of fellowship at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. Suh has several patents and has been named the 2017 Emerging Inventor at UNeMed’s annual Research Innovation Awards Banquet. UnitedHealthcare awarded $1 million in Empowering Health grants in Nebraska. Together received $355,000 to increase capacity in the Choice Food Pantry. Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue received $300,000 to purchase a refrigerated truck and a van, hire a field manager, and support capacity-building initiatives. Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska received $250,000 to support the Ambassador Program and the Nebraska Behavioral Health Education Partnership to develop the pipeline of students going into behavioral health careers. The Visiting Nurse Association received $95,000 to help the VNA Shelter Nursing Program establish a stop-gap procedure to fill behavioral health prescriptions for shelter clients who are receiving direct services from VNA nurses in local homeless and domestic violence shelters. A new home care organization has launched in Omaha. Led by executives from the home care and senior living industries, the HomeCare Advocacy Network

offers franchise ownership options for individual entrepreneurs as well as senior living providers. The first individually owned franchise, operated by Omaha natives Ryan and Juli Gray, began offering services in Douglas County, in April 2020. The HCAN corporate headquarters and local franchise office are currently located at 3610 N. 163 Plaza in Omaha. For more information, call 402-965-0737 or visit hcanthrive.com Makovicka Physical Therapy has expanded at the University Place clinic with a build-out of a new Occupational Health Center. The clinic is located at 2436 North 48th Street, Suite 101. The University Place clinic opened in 2016 and was Makovicka Physical Therapy’s second Lincoln clinic location. Currently, there are four locations in the Lincoln metro. The Occupational Health Center includes equipment to simulate work environments. Chris Cameron, PT, DPT, OCS, has been named director of the Occupational Health Program for the company. Curtis Basnett PT, DPT, AT, OCS, is the University Place clinic director. Abbie Raikes, Ph.D., and her research team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center were awarded $430,000 in funding from five foundations to conduct the first U.S.-based validation of a new scale of early child development. The Global Scales of Early Development were developed in partnership with the World Health Organization and a global team of scientists. It measures early child development for children from birth through age three. The foundations supporting the project include: Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Imaginable Futures, Overdeck Family Foundation, Pritzker Children’s Initiative and The Valhalla Charitable Foundation.

Activities of nonprofits…

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development is accepting new

MEETINGS AND SEMINARS Monday, August 14 FranNet is hosting a webinar on “How to Fund Your Business” from 11 a.m. to noon. FranNet’s premiere funding partner will be on hand to show participants the many different ways to fund nearly any type of business situation. If you can’t attend the session, but interested in the content, you can register and receive a link to the full presentation afterwards. Registration is online. Tuesday, August 18 Iowa Biotechnology Association and Bio Nebraska are hosting the Animal Health in the Heartland Symposium virtually through Aug. 19. The symposium will be held via a Zoom format that will allow attendees to visit tracks featuring presentations that support the symposium’s focus on whole animal health. Animal Health in the Heartland presentation tracks include: Vaccines: Collaborative development, manufacturing strategies and effective uses; technology on today’s smart farm; advancements in probiotics and animal feed; and overcoming challenges: regulatory pathways, facing pandemics, and making rapid decisions. Registration

is online. The Heartland Women’s Network is hosting its virtual August presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Robyn Sederstrom Burnett will speak about love and belonging and the strains on relationships during turbulent times. Burnett has a passion for exploring ways to combat workplace distress and boost mental health and well-being of an organizations workforce. She also works to educate the community about support services available through Best Care EAP and helps to reduce stigmas and stereotypes surrounding mental health. Registration is online. Wednesday, August 19 Nebraska PRSSA will host “Soft Skills in Stressful Times” at noon for members and non-members. The discussion will be led by Sam Horn, who has been teaching what to say and not to say for 20 years to clients including Intel, Cisco, ASAE, Capital One and Four Seasons Resorts. At this upcoming virtual event, discover how to manage complaints, help people find solutions vs. fault, use words that turn conflict into cooperation, and keep calm. Registration is online.

applicants under the Small Business Stabilization grant program. Due to receiving fewer applications than projected during the first round, DED estimates it can award up to 14,000 more grants of $12,000 apiece. The grants are available to businesses that have not previously applied under the SBS program. The new eligibility requirements mean that 1099 contractors and the self-employed who withhold state income taxes for their employees on a Nebraska Form 941N are now eligible for funds. Because applications to the SBS program for livestock producers exceeded projections, that program will not be reopened. BrokerTech Ventures announced a sponsored partnership with Leader’s Edge magazine, the award-winning content platform of The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers. Through this partnership, BrokerTech Ventures and Leader’s Edge will create and deliver newsworthy, educational content for the insurtech/insurance industry through vlogs, blogs, editorial articles, and webinar opportunities. Mutual of Omaha Retirement Services raised more than $16,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha at its first ever Virtual 401(k) Dueling Pianopalooza. The event, which brought together more than 150 financial advisers from around the country, invited participants to request any song of their choosing, prioritized by a donation to RMHC, and hear it performed live by a dueling pianist. With a nod to Mutual

of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, “Crocodile Rock,” by Elton John, kicked off the evening of more than 40 song requests. Lindsay Corporation, Farm Credit Services of America, and Scoular have partnered to make a $150,000 donation to the Food Bank for the Heartland to address the food insecurity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The $150,000 donation by Lindsay Corporation, Farm Credit Services of America and Scoular will address immediate and unique need, enabling Food Bank for the Heartland to purchase critical food items that will be distributed through the organization’s network of pantries and emergency meal providers and through its Mobile Pantry program. United Way of the Midlands raised nearly $19.2 million for programs and initiatives serving the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro through June 30, 2021, including $1.4 million for those impacted by COVID-19 and area flooding. This was made possible by the support of individual donors, corporate partners, family foundations, the UWM Board of Directors and the 2019 campaign chairs, James and Paula Blackledge. UWM aims to invest donors’ dollars in order to meet increased needs due to COVID-19 and maintain its long-standing commitment to addressing social injustice. As part of this effort, UWM adapted its investment process to give agencies and programs flexibility to respond to immediate and long-term challenges.

• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Property & Casualty Insurance A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

August 14, 2020

Property and casualty industry confronts uncertainty with aim for ingenuity by Michelle Leach

Remember the good old days when widespread rate hikes tracked with Mother Nature, not a global pandemic? “We had entered what’s known as a ‘hard market’ in several lines of insurance coverage in 2019,” said Gallagher Area President Derek Wright. “Auto liability, property insurance and the costs of umbrella coverage were experiencing double-digit percentage increases over the previous year.” The frequency and severity of hail claims and litigation resulted in reduced coverage (or refusal to write business) in these areas; low interest rates and increased reinsurance expense meant costs were passed on to consumers. “It’s possible that businesses will see

the rate increases from insurance companies over the next year and assume the increases were related to the pandemic,” he said. “Unfortunately, the companies were already well on their way to increasing rates and this disruption has only intensified that need.” Uncertainty of coverage related to COVID-19 losses has been a source of frustration, Wright noted, particularly business interruption property claims amid pandemic-driven closures and claims that employees and guests have contracted the virus at work. “Companies will point to exclusions in their policy to support a denial of these claims; however, some states, who have jurisdiction over local insurance placements, have attempted to force payment of these

Derek Wright, area president at Gallagher. claims,” he said. products. Uncertainty could impact profitability “Those companies that have not already and policy pricing dramatically for “years embraced advances in technology and digto come.” ital capabilities to enhance their business, “It’s also creating a flood of litigation likely experienced more challenges during that will not be resolved in the near future,” the pandemic,” Seiboldt said. “Consider Wright added. transforming a workforce from working Lack of coverage (or clarity over in-office to completely working remote … coverage) may affect how insurance is New processes such as photo-based autopurchased for the foreseeable future. mobile estimating has gained additional ac“It also will most certainly bring about ceptance with our customers, due to social innovation and options to help business distancing requirements.” owners find creative solutions,” Wright Its Driveology product allows customsaid. ers to earn discounts based on actual auto Prior to COVID-19, Farm Bureau Fi- use, advantageous when customers drive nancial Services COO-Property Casualty less often and shorter distances. Jay Seiboldt said companies were embracNebraska Asset Protection Group ing enhanced technology, providing new Certified Insurance Counselor Michael and improved services. A. Luna said insurance hasn’t been as “The industry was operating at near negatively impacted as other industries record surplus levels, ensuring insurance and has historically fared well during companies could respond when needed down markets. most, at claim time,” he said. “The indus“We were in a very good position finantry was competitive, providing customers cially before the shutdown occurred, which many available options, coverages, and has helped insulate the impact,” he said. price points.” Negative impacts include: agency Insurers are reassessing operations and Continued on next page.

Property & Casualty Insurance •

Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 •

Agents emphasize the many insurance options for businesses by Gabby Christensen

It’s always best to be prepared in the case of an emergency, which is why local agents say businesses should always have the appropriate insurance coverage in place. Sean Chastain, insurance agent at Chastain Otis, said there are a variety of business insurance policies and many have various coverages within them.

“Most people probably think of general liability and workers compensation when they think of ‘business insurance,’ largely because these policies are often mandatory,” he said. Yet there are numerous other policies for businesses to think about, like property and inland marine to cover property owned by the business, commercial auto to cover

vehicles, umbrellas to cover catastrophic liability claims, cyber liability covering various online threats to a business and professional liability to cover claims alleging negligence in providing professional services. “The consequences of not having these policies is that you have a claim related to any of them, you need that specific policy, or you are paying any judgement out of pocket,” he

said. “People need to speak with a competent insurance agent when discussing business insurance rather than just going online and buying the cheapest general liability policy that they can find. They need to understand that just about every policy out there will

Property and casualty industry confronts uncertainty with aim for ingenuity Continued from preceding page. hiring, new business production, errors and omission lawsuits (for agents and carriers), future limitations on policy coverages and price increases, and limited coverage options for certain business types and industries like nursing homes. As a personal, relationship-centric business, it’s hard to grow sales operations when one can’t get in front of potential buyers. “A lot of agents are adapting to this changing environment as best as they can,” he said. “But it takes time.” Luna referred to smaller, family-owned agencies — still operating like it’s 2000. “They’re now realizing the need to implement more technology into their operations,” he said. As businesses reopen and operate in an ever-changing environment, EMC Insurance Cos. Resident Vice President and Branch Manager of Denver and Omaha Gary Alford, noted insurers play a critical role — providing important financial

protections. Industry threats include litigation to retroactively alter policies covering COVID-19-related costs and closures; generally, virus and bacteria exposures are exclusions (insurers don’t collect premium to cover such losses). Insurers have emphasized community support such as return of premiums, payment term flexibility and no-layoff pledges. Additionally, Alford anticipated an extremely active hurricane season; yet, he characterized the industry as “fundamentally strong.” “Insurance companies and the transfer of risk has been around for hundreds of years and will continue to be here well into the future,” Wright said. “This may spur innovation in new products, the placement and servicing of insurance policies. It has certainly created efficiencies and potential for cost savings that can be translated back into premium savings for clients, once this pandemic’s true economic effect is more fully understood.”

Seiboldt expects more online insurance services for the consumer. “This would include enhanced individual access to policies, additional payment options, new online insurance purchase options, and new methods for handling and reporting claims,” he said. If COVID-19 has shown us anything, Luna said, it’s the need to be proactive and ask more questions. “No one saw this coming, but the businesses who have reserves in place and planned for a ‘worst case scenario’ are the companies that will come out of this the strongest,” he said. “Insurance is just one risk management tool available, but it has its limitations and it’s prudent that you as a business owner/policy owner are aware of them.” Reach out to an agent. Have an in-depth policy review. “Have a better understanding of any gaps in coverage, and the impact it could have on their business, if (and when) a claim occurs,” Luna added.

Chastain Struyk have differences in coverage between them, and not just policy limits or deductibles, but there are actual differences in what is covered and what is not.” Jack Struyk, president of Lockton Companies, said the current property/casualty insurance market is as challenging as it has ever been in the last 20 years due to large property losses the last three years. “The volatile stock market, pandemic and civil unrest are all causing insurance carriers to be more conservative, require larger deductibles and rate increases,” he said. “The combined ratios for property, general liability, excess liability and auto are all over 100%, meaning insurance carriers are losing money from an underwriting standpoint. The Continued on next page.

• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• Property & Casualty Insurance

Cyber insurance demand is growing by David Kubicek

Cyber insurance coverage has become more popular with businesses over the past couple of years, but it hasn’t yet reached a point where it’s thought of as a required policy like general liability. “Many companies are either overwhelmed by cybersecurity or don’t think a breach will happen to them,” said Attorney Todd Kinney, a partner at Kutak Rock. “But a breach will happen, and it’s so important to have cyber insurance in place. I think companies are realizing that more Kinney now than a year ago.” Kinney has handled several cases for small- and medium-sized companies that, without cyber insurance in place, would have been severely crippled or put out of business. “If you don’t have cyber insurance, get it immediately,” he said. “It’s not as expensive as companies might think, and I’ve seen so many times that it provides a lifeline for firms that suffer a breach, ransomware attack, or other security incident.” Ransomware has seen a major uptick in the past six months. “There was a surge when the COVID issues hit, and that’s continuing to some extent, but I think it would still be a pretty busy area,” Kinney said. “We almost always notify the FBI when there’s a ransomware

attack involved, but very rarely is the FBI able to track the attackers down.” Patrick J. Mertz, president of Mertz Insurance Company, said a recent survey showed that 43% of cyberattacks are targeted at small- and medium-sized businesses, but 66% of the respondents said their technolo-

phone numbers, credit cards, driver’s licenses, payroll, and health status — should have cyber insurance.” The cyber liability premium is determined by a number of factors including the firm’s revenue, number of personal records and information kept, and the type and strength of computer security systems. “Revenue and number of records kept are usually good indicators of the quantity of information flowing through the entity,” Mertz said. “The higher the number the greater opportunity for a claim.”

Ross Ingersoll, executive risk and cyber account executive at Holmes Murphy, said the most frequent and commonly triggered coverages include ransomware payments, social engineering fraud, data and system restoration, business interruption, and forensic, legal and notification expenses. Policies may also include third party liability coverages in case of lawsuits or regulatory action against an affected company. “Cyber criminals don’t discriminate based on size,” Ingersoll said. “They often Continued on next page.

Agents emphasize the many insurance options

Mertz Ingersoll gies currently in use can’t detect and block most cyberattacks. “The total average cost of a data breach involving theft of IT assets is $879,582, and 60% of small businesses breached are out of business within six months,” Mertz said. Depending upon the coverage and endorsements, a cyber liability policy provides potential coverage in cases where the hacker accesses personally identifiable information, protected health information and corporate confidential information. “This information is not required to be only in an electronic format, but often can include hard-file information as well,” Mertz said. “Any firm that handles sensitive personal information — like names, addresses,

compensation to protect both your employees Continued from preceding page. and your business,” he said. “If an employee combined ratio on property is over 110% and gets hurt on the job, a business could be vulover 120% on commercial auto.” nerable for a lawsuit.” According to Struyk, the only profitable Jaros also stressed the importance of line of coverage is workers’ compensation. carrying office insurance to avoid In addition to rate increases a devastating financial situation. and increased deductibles, he said “Insurance is a transfer of carriers are now commonly adding risk,” he said. “Instead of taking virus or COVID-19 exclusions, as the gamble that nothing is going well as strike, riot and civil comto happen, people give that gamble motion exclusions. to the insurance company and let “The best plan of action to them take the risk so they won't weather this hard market is to take too much of a loss.” start renewal early with incumbent Additionally, Jaros said it’s carriers and gain understanding of wise for businesses to shop around their renewal position and market to find the best rate and best covto other carriers,” he said. Jaros erage. Recently, Joe Jaros, indepen“An agent should always have their dent insurance broker/owner at All Lines client’s best interest in mind,” he said. Insurance, said there’s been a big push from “A trusted independent agent can shop the state of Nebraska to ensure businesses are the entire market to find the right policy carrying workers’ compensation insurance. “It’s very important to have workers’ for you.”

Property & Casualty Insurance •

Midlands Business Journal • AUGUST 14, 2020 •

Auto insurance rates not expected to decrease anytime soon by Jasmine Heimgartner

Although the roads may have had less traffic for a few months, that temporary reduction likely won’t benefit most people in terms of their auto insurance rates. A number of factors have caused many carriers to steadily push for increases in the past few years, and that trend shows no signs of slowing. “The past two years, the largest insurances losses have been auto related,” said Clyde Wilberger, senior vice president at Harry A Koch. “There is more driving, more distract-

Cyber insurance Continued from preceding page. find it easier to prey on smaller businesses with lesser cybersecurity controls in place.” Tailoring a cyber policy has a lot to do with a firm’s industry because each industry has a unique set of exposures. For instance, companies responsible for housing sensitive information and data are prime targets, but companies with supply chain responsibilities — like manufacturers and wholesalers — are increasingly becoming ransomware targets. The average attack results in downtime of between 12.1 and 16.2 days. “Cyber insurance should be considered a living, breathing aspect of your organization’s cybersecurity posture and overall risk management,” Ingersoll said. “The potential cost of a cyber breach is rapidly increasing. The average ransomware demand is $84,000 — roughly six times the amount it was last year.”

ed autos and more autos on the roads. Plus, the cost to repair a vehicle is extremely high. Newer vehicles have so many sensors that it can easily turn into a $1,500 bill. Another big thing is the judgments being thrown out from the courts. There have been $1 million settlements that we never saw happen in the past.” In the Heartland, Mother Nature also tops the list for increasing premiums. “Insurance companies have to find ways to be profitable,” said Connie Rivera, agent at United Insurance Agencies. “Nebraska lost three Wilberger carriers due to changes in wind and hail coverage. Many have changed their polices to exclude soft metal coverage or had increased rates to offset the claims.” The current year has created additional financial struggles for many people and businesses, so finding the best rate that meets specific needs often means shopping around. “People often don’t realize there are more options out there,” Rivera said. “We work with multiple markets until we find the circle that best fits the specific needs. It’s also important to remember that the lowest prices aren’t always the best option or provide the true coverage you need. Working with someone who knows how things work can help you understand the reason why

potentially having to spend more is worth it down the road.” One trend to lower costs has been to increase premiums. While that often comes down to comfort levels and how much a person is willing to pay out-of-pocket, it can provide a little relief. When it comes to a business fleet, whether one or many vehicles, keeping it insured is always recommended and not a place to cut costs. “Even if you have 15 vehicles not being used and 15 that are, removing them doesn’t remove the risk exposure,” WilRivera berger said. “Also, if you have a loan, the bank will require that it is insured. If the average commercial cost is $1,000, does it make sense to risk that for a few months and save $100? If vandalism happens or a fire breaks out where it is stored, it would be a total loss. Although this current situation is a different, finding other ways to save should be considered, such as raising the deductible or only carrying liability.” Depending on the carrier, there are other ways to get small reductions for commercial auto insurance. “It is beneficial for companies to look for safety elements that can limit exposure to a claim,” Rivera said. “Sometimes people can get a break on rates for simple things like adding GPS to work vehicles so they can be

located if stolen or conducting weekly safety meetings.” If a company does extensive driving, instituting a fleet management program can benefit the pocketbook and enhance employee safety. “A lot of carriers are looking at the policy procedures and seeing what they have in place,” Wilberger said. “Are they doing background checks and screening drivers? Are they providing defensive driving training and getting certified? It can be much easier to negotiate a rate if being proactive instead of reactive.”

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• AUGUST 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• Property & Casualty Insurance

The Big I: Looking out for independent insurance firms, agents by Dwain Hebda

In an era where small businesses are feeling increased effects of competition, technology and multiple challenges related to COVID-19, one association is working overtime to serve its membership. The Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska represents 525 insurance agencies and their 3,000 individual agents with the mission of helping them succeed and stay relevant. “Most independent insurance agencies are small businesses and are facing the same challenges as other small businesses, especially in this difficult environment,” said Carol McClelland, executive director. “Since late March, our association has been working hard at the local, state, and national levels to provide resources to help members survive and succeed through the pandemic.” Among these initiatives are a COVID-19 disaster relief business grant program, help with transitioning to work at home arrangements and how to market during economic hard times. The association also consults members on best practices for handling COVID-related claims and insurance coverage for pandemic-related losses. Such services are provided in addition to The Big I’s regular schedule of programs servicing independent agencies, said Kevin Kraft, IIAN marketing director. “Our most popular program is our errors and omissions insurance plan,” he said. “Like individuals and other businesses, insurance agencies need insurance in order to operate and protect themselves. Our exclusive Big I E&O product is one of the best out there, in terms of coverage, endorsements and claims-handling. “We also have a variety of agencies who provide personal umbrella and in-home business policies for clients through the Big I via our partnership with RLI. By accessing these programs, our members can easily offer these risk management tools to their clients.” Kraft said developing new products and services for members is a constant process. “We work with our national association to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to independent insurance agents’ needs,” he said. “There have been many different tools and resources introduced and modified over the

years that our members have taken advantage information is through education. Lori Srb, of, but the area that requires the most attention IIAN’s director of operations and education, is technology. said this can range from required “Not only have computers, certifications to advanced skills software, and agency manageclasses. ment systems received multiple “One program we offer is the upgrades over the years, but now Certified Insurance Service Repthere is an entire industry dedicatresentative designation from the ed to designing new technology National Alliance for Insurance for insurance agents. As more and Education and Research,” she said. more technology tools are made “By achieving this designation, available for the insurance industry, agents expand their skills in anaour due diligence finds the best fit lyzing risks, policies, forms and for members so they can continue claims data and can convey that McClelland to do what they do best, which is knowledge clearly to their clients, protect customers’ assets.” carriers and colleagues. One major component of delivering this “We also offer the Elite Sales Force pro-

gram, a training program for new producers who have basic understanding of sales and need the training to transform into superstars. Students who complete the classroom work and reporting requirements of the program earn the designation Associate in Insurance Production.” Srb said staying on top of such certifications is a key competitive advantage for independent firms. “The world is quickly evolving and changing, which brings new risks and exposures,” she said. “An agent’s best friends are knowledge and development of new skills. It is just as important now than ever to keep up to date on events and education in order to properly serve customers’ current and future insurance needs.”

Should you have an umbrella insurance policy? by Neal Templin

For homeowners and drivers, umbrella coverage kicks in when limits are exceeded on normal insurance. You cause an accident on the freeway and a dozen other drivers or passengers are injured in the pile-up. Your teenager hosts a party at your house, and a guest gets Insurance drunk and gets hurts. You make an offhand remark about a neighbor at a party and are accused of slander. These situations have one thing in common: You can be sued for amounts beyond the coverage limits of your car or home insurance, or for actions like slander that aren’t typically covered by ordinary insurance. The solution is an umbrella policy, a relatively cheap policy that kicks in when your normal coverage is inadequate. Umbrella policies don’t cost a lot because they don’t pay out unless coverage limits are exceeded for your regular insurance. It costs around $150 to $300 a year for a $1 million umbrella policy. You can buy additional coverage on top of that in million-dollar increments at even cheaper rates. One thing to remember: Insurers generally won’t sell you an umbrella policy unless you already have sufficient liability coverage

on your primary insurance, usually $250,000 on your automobile policy and $300,000 on your homeowner’s policy. If you don’t carry that much insurance currently, buying it will be an additional cost on top of the umbrella policy itself. One way to offset the added expense: Raise the deductibles on your home and auto insurance. This makes sense. The purpose of insurance is to protect you from events that will crush you, not to save you a few hundred dollars through a lower deductible if you get in a fender bender. Every time we buy a refrigerator or iPhone or even a set of tires, we are pressured to buy an extended warranty, which is effectively an insurance policy. But ask yourself: If your phone breaks or your refrigerator goes on the fritz or you blow out your tires, will your financial security be imperiled? Probably not. In the right situation, an umbrella policy can save you from financial ruin. Here are nine situations where one protects you. — You have substantial assets. If you lose a lawsuit, creditors can go after a variety of assets, from your home to your business to your retirement savings. Yes, 401(k)s are protected from all creditors. And IRAs are protected in bankruptcies but not from other creditors. And some states provide additional legal shields for retirement savings accounts. — You own a house. Suppose a guest is injured at your house in a trampoline

accident. Someone slips and falls on your walkway. Your tree falls on a neighbor. In every case, you’re responsible. — You have a teenager driver. If your child makes a mistake, you’re on the hook. — You have a swimming pool or a boat. Water accidents tend to be bad ones that spur costly lawsuits. — You are a landlord. You can be sued by your tenants, their guests, or even people walking down the street who are injured on your property. The umbrella policy covers you if the claim exceeds the limits on your normal homeowners policy. — You volunteer. Someone you serve through a charity or religious organization can come after you personally for negligence or inappropriate behavior. The Federal Volunteer Protection Act doesn’t apply in many circumstances. — You are in a commuter carpool or shuttle other people’s children. If you transport other people and something happens, you’re responsible. — You have any sort of dangerous pet. That goes for exotic animals as well as dogs. — You are sued for pain and suffering. If you’re deemed at fault in a variety of circumstances, you could face awards for pain and suffering, one of the costliest liability expenses. Awards can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. ©2020 Rate.com News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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In the Spotlight Paid Content

BANKING

LEGAL SERVICES

Promoted

Joined

Added

Kristine Timmerman

Jeff Marinovic

Tiffany S. Boutcher

Nicholas F. Sullivan

Retail Branch Manager

Commercial Lender

Attorney

United Republic Bank

Dvorak Law Group

Kristine Timmerman joined the bank in 2015 as the Assistant Branch Manager. In her new role as the Retail Branch Manager she will oversee the Branch and Consumer Lending. Kristine started in banking in 2012. Her background is in Bank Operations, Management and Lending.

Jeff Marinovic joined United Republic Bank as a Commercial Lender October 2019. He is from Omaha and attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he and earned a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Management in 2003 and additionally a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Human Resources from Bellevue University in 2010.

BANKING

Joined

Terry Dunbar

Stormie Wright

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United Republic Bank

Terry Dunbar joined United Republic Bank as a Commercial Lender in May 2020. Terry has experience in many areas of banking. She specializes in startup companies, SBA lending, equipment financing, revolving lines of credit for working capital, and commercial real estate lending.

Tiffany Boutcherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practice focuses on commercial and business litigation/ dispute resolution, including contract disputes, construction disputes, business torts and negligence claims. She assists clients through all stages of the litigation process. Boutcher received her J.D. (with distinction) from the University of Nebraska College of Law. Dvorak Law Group, LLC is a full-service business, estate planning, and litigation law firm, with offices in Omaha, Hastings, and Sutton, Nebraska. It serves individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities in Nebraska and throughout the country. To learn more about Dvorak Law Group, visit www.dvoraklawgroup.com.

Nick Sullivan represents clients in a variety of litigation/dispute resolution matters including complex commercial and business disputes, contract disputes, construction contracts, defective construction and property damage claims, shareholder disputes, personal injury, and wrongful death claims. Sullivan received his J.D. (cum laude) from Creighton University School of Law. Dvorak Law Group, LLC is a full-service business, estate planning, and litigation law firm, with offices in Omaha, Hastings, and Sutton, Nebraska. It serves individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities in Nebraska and throughout the country. To learn more about Dvorak Law Group, visit www.dvoraklawgroup.com.

Stormie Wright joined United Republic Bank as Loan Operations officer in September 2019. She has over 20 years of banking experience and has a wealth of knowledge in loan operations. She completed Leadership Development and Effective Management classes and strives to make the bank more efficient.

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BANKING Promoted

Nate Lindley Vice President â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Commercial Lending UBT

UBT recently promoted Nate Lindley to Vice President â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Commercial Lending. Lindley has been with UBT since 2007. In his new role, Lindley will leverage his years of experience to work with new and existing businesses to identify and fulfill their financing needs.

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Record collapse in GDP points to challenges for economic recovery — and Trump by Don Lee

U.S. economic output fell at a stunning 32.9% annual rate in the second quarter — a level not seen since the Great Depression and by far the largest drop since government record-keeping began in 1947, according to data released recently. The sharp contraction, reflected in the government’s report of Economy gross domestic product, came on the heels of a 5% decline in GDP during the first quarter and marked what most economists predict will be the bottom of the coronavirus-induced recession that officially began in February. The new numbers on GDP — the sum of all goods and services produced in the country — include data from the mini-recovery that occurred before the latest surge in the COVID-19 pandemic. Now with the coronavirus rampaging over large areas of the country, measures of consumer spending, small-business activity and job openings are slowing again, casting a shadow over economic conditions many Americans will face as Election Day draws near. A separate recent report from the Labor Department showed new unemployment claims rose to 1.43 million. It was the second straight week of increase — following about three months of steady declines — and brought the total number of people who have applied for jobless benefits since mid-March to more than 54 million, which is about a third of the American labor force. Taken together, the new economic reports point to significant hurdles for President Donald Trump in his reelection bid and lend fresh urgency to lawmakers who are wrangling over provisions to provide another round of support to the economy. The nearly $3 trillion worth of pandemic relief measures approved earlier by Congress have clearly buoyed the economy, but the effect of those initial programs is ebbing. Many small businesses are running out of loans and grants that kept paychecks going out to at least some workers. State governments are financially distressed. And millions of jobless workers will see their enhanced unemployment benefit checks end. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome H. Powell said recently that additional fiscal support is “essential” for the recovery. He spoke particularly about the hardship of unemployment, which has fallen disproportionately on minorities, women and low-wage workers in service industries such as hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues. “Many of those people are going to find it hard (that) they can’t go back to their old job. There won’t be enough jobs for them. So I think those people are going to need support,” he said during a remote news conference. “I can’t say what the exact level should be. It is not our role. But they are going to need support if they are to be able to pay their bills, to continue spending money, to remain in their current rental house or apartment or house if they own it.” The forecasting firm IHS Markit is predicting the third quarter will grow at a 19.1% annual rate. But as much as that may represent a substantial rebound, analysts said that’s not what many people on the ground will be feeling. The unemployment

rate was 11.1% in June and is likely to remain in double digits through the fall. Thus far, the economy has recovered only onethird of approximately 22 million jobs lost since February, and private-sector payrolls could turn down again in July. Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of U.S. economic activity, fell nearly 35% in the second quarter. Business investments and exports tumbled as well. The only major component of GDP that grew over the quarter was government, thanks to the deficit-financed spending to help businesses and households. “We fell down a huge hole in March and April, and we were only able to climb partway out,” said Ethan Harris, head of global economics research at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. “The challenge is that we’re now entering a period where you’re kind of stuck at the halfway point with the economy starting to level off again.” Unless the recovery falls off the rails, which few experts expect, the coronavirus recession could be one of the shortest in history, technically speaking. But the effects will be long-lasting. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office doesn’t see real GDP recovering to its pre-pandemic level until the middle of 2022, and it’ll probably be years after that before the economy returns to full employment. For Trump, the pandemic has undercut his plan to campaign for reelection on the strength of the economy. Since the pandemic began, he has fallen well behind former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, in national polls as well as in surveys of voters in some swing states. In late February before the coronavirus outbreak swept the U.S., Trump and Biden were tied in the polls in Wisconsin, a state Trump won by a very narrow margin in 2016. But by mid-June, Trump was running 8 points behind Biden in Wisconsin, with substantially more independent voters expressing disapproval of Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic than in the early days of the health crisis in March, according to the Marquette Law School Poll. The new fiscal relief package hammered

out by the White House and Senate Republicans in recent days is aimed squarely at trying to turn the reversal into short-term economic and political gains. They’ve proposed a $1 trillion package that includes slashing the $600 weekly federal add-on to state unemployment benefits; giving another round of $1,200 in cash to tens of millions of Americans; and offering billions of dollars in new aid to schools that reopen promptly this fall, as Trump has urged but COVID-19 experts have warned against. But the plan isn’t nearly big enough or well-targeted to provide a strong boost, most economists said, and it faces stiff pushback from House Democrats, who earlier passed a $3 trillion proposal that includes allocating $1 trillion for state and local governments and maintains the $600-a-week unemployment supplement through January. The Republican provisions, coupled with the likelihood that the third-quarter GDP report just before Election Day will show a big improvement, could help Trump portray the U.S. as back on the road to normalcy, even if the pandemic keeps rolling and illnesses and deaths are continuing to mount. Cutting the $600 jobless benefit payments, or abolishing them entirely as some Republican senators favor, would pressure workers to return to jobs even if that increased their risk of contracting the coronavirus. That in turn could lower the nation’s unemployment rate, which Trump would cite as evidence that the COVID-19 crisis was fading. Similarly, if large numbers of schools reopen in traditional fashion instead of relying on distance learning and part-time classroom sessions, swing voters might be more open to campaign arguments that things were getting back to normal. Tim Murtaugh, communications director for the Trump campaign, said the GDP report isn’t an indicator of where things are headed. “The media is also grabbing on to the annualized number which supposes that the economic conditions will remain the same for an entire year, which it undoubtedly will

not,” he said. “The president’s policies already have the economy rebounding as the jobs reports from May and June show that an incredible 7.5 million jobs were created as lockdowns ended and businesses began reopening.” Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, agreed that the second-quarter data are “all in the rearview now.” Nonetheless, he noted that the report “gives us a sense of how deep the hole the economy fell into during the pandemic, and how hard it’s going to be to completely climb out.” During the worst of the Great Recession, GDP shrank at an annualized 8.4% pace in the final quarter of 2008. And before that, the single largest annualized quarterly decline recorded by the Commerce Department was 10% in early 1958. GDP numbers could very well bounce back in the third quarter, but it may be too late. Studies have shown that not only do voters tend to focus on the last year of a president’s performance — rather than the whole four years — but that their views on the economy are baked into their decision by the summer of an election year. “My sense is people’s perceptions of a recovering economy aren’t going to be especially good,” said Marc Hetherington, a political scientist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who found that a recovering economy in the waning months of George H.W. Bush’s reelection bid in 1992 wasn’t enough. “It usually takes a while for people to perceive that kind of improvement. You don’t start to feel it in your real life until after the uptick has taken place and is being sustained for a while,” Hetherington said. He cautioned that this pandemic-driven economy may be an outlier given the sudden and extraordinary set of events. And Trump may be able to deliver strong GDP numbers in the third quarter, as the president has predicted. Still, Hetherington said: “If those numbers don’t square with people’s perceptions and their experience with the economy, they’re not going to make a hill of beans’ worth of difference.” ©2020 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

US jobless claims rise a second week in sign of growing risks by Olivia Rockeman

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits increased for a second straight week, a sign the economic rebound is increasingly at risk with Congress poised to potentially let supplemental $600 payments expire. Initial claims through Economy regular state programs rose to 1.43 million in the week ended July 25, up 12,000 from the prior week, a Labor Department report showed recently. There were 17 million Americans filing for ongoing benefits through those programs in the period ended July 18, up 867,000 from the prior week — the largest increase since early May. Economists in a Bloomberg survey had forecast 1.445 million initial claims, with projections as high as 1.6 million. Almost five months into the pandemic, job losses show no sign of abating, with the

persistent jump in coronavirus infections and lack of a vaccine preventing a return to normal for the foreseeable future. Further challenges for Americans are in store should lawmakers allow the $600 in extra federal weekly jobless benefits to expire; Democrats and Republicans have remained far apart in negotiations over extending the aid that has propped up consumers and businesses during the pandemic. A separate report showed the U.S. economy shrank at a record 32.9% annualized rate in the second quarter, pointing to the effects business closures and lost jobs are having on the broader economy. The Labor Department said its seasonal factors had assumed an unadjusted decline of about 181,000 initial claims; the count fell by about 171,000. That resulted in an increase of 12,000 after the department applied its seasonal adjustment. The data showed initial claims in almost

all states fell on an unadjusted basis recently. California — the most populous state and a hotspot for the virus — saw a 40,587 decline on an unadjusted basis, while Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas also reported significant drops. States with increases included New Jersey, Virginia and Kansas. States reported 829,697 people filed for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, a federal program for those not eligible for regular state programs including independent contractors and self-employed Americans. That figure was down from the prior week. And the total number of unadjusted continuing claims fell to 30.2 million three weeks ago from 31.8 million. This figure, though, has reflected overcounting of PUA applications as states clear backlogs. ©2020 Bloomberg News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.