Midlands Business Journal December 13, 2019 Vol. 45 No. 50 issue by Midlands Business Journal

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VOL. 45 NO. 50

Exchange Bank’s mid-state roots reach to metro by Richard D. Brown

Valet recycling service, RecyclePal, works to reduce waste through convenience. – Page 2

40 er d Un 40 Mikuls behind standout real estate transactions at CBRE. – Page 4

r re e C a nt & e i ng pm ai n el o Tr Dev

Technologies that remove logistic barriers present opportunities for specialized learning. – Page 5

Nebraska-based Exchange Bank with roots going back to the community of Gibbon in 1885, has aimed its growth to the eastern third of the state with the opening of locations in both Lincoln and Omaha. The 130-employee institution now has its eyes on reaching $1 billion in assets in 2020. The business, owned by Dennis & Susan Schardt of Kearney, opened its Lincoln location in 2014 and has totally filled its 8,000-square-foot location built at 7655 Pioneers Blvd. The $2.4 million investment in the Omaha location at 8008 West Dodge Road was completed in September. That location has opened with seven employees, a number Omaha Market President Marty Madden expects to double over the next couple of years. “I view us as the rural Nebraska banking organization that has expanded into the bigger cities,” Madden said. Lincoln site President Bob Panzer said that a second location could be in the future for the Lincoln marContinued on page 9.

Omaha Market President Marty Madden … Nebraska-based bank sticks to community bank model with expansion into Omaha and Lincoln. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

Stored introduces valet storage model to Omaha area, alternative to self-storage by Michelle Leach

When Shannon Snow’s mother “decluttered her life,” the trained city planner and serial entrepreneur ended up with “almost everything.” But she didn’t have the space in her Field Club home to accommodate all of her mom’s stuff, too. It was from this challenge that Snow, alongside Michelle Kohrs and Rachel Heeren, arrived at what would become Stored — a personal valet

storage service, and an alternative to self-storage. “I could have put it in a storage unit,” Snow said. “But that’s not a real answer. All it does is get the problem out of the house, pushing it down the road. I wanted a solution to deal with it head-on.” A relatively new (around five years) industry, until Stored announced its launch in August, Continued on page 8. Owner Matt Boshart … Hitting its stride with higher roasting volumes and adding a salesperson to target wholesale customers.

Reboot Roasting takes a crack at boosting wholesale clients by Becky McCarville

From left, Founder Shannon Snow, VP Business Development Autumn MorningSky and VP Storage Solutions Shane Sullivan … Serial entrepreneur, community planner addresses economic development, environmental implications of managing “stuff” through new storage concept.

Since its founding in 2015 by Matt and Rachel Boshart, Reboot Roasting has grown every year, recently adding Director of Sales and Training Sarah Spurgin, former owner of Well Grounded Café (now closed), to focus on gaining wholesale customers and provide barista training to new and existing customers.

Matt Boshart, who has been roasting full time for a little over a year, said that roasting volume has increased from 150 pounds per week spiking to 200, to an average of 225 pounds spiking to 250-260. He expects to hit 300 pounds weekly by the end of 2020. Lola’s Café, located inside Dundee Theater, is the most reContinued on page 8.

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Valet recycling service, RecyclePal, works to reduce waste through convenience by Gabby Christensen

Over the course of the past decade, RecyclePal has directed its focus to reducing the amount of waste that enters landfills by providing valet recycling services to small businesses and residents of apartment and condominium communities, thus eliminating garbage on a large scale. The business was founded by Jim Best, who previously had a background

RecyclePal Phone: 402-932-9244 Founded: 2009 Service: recycling services for apartments, condominiums and businesses Employees: 6 Goal: Gain additional properties/clients, consequently lessening the amount of waste. Website: https://recyclepal.us

in the packaging industry. Upon becoming aware of the lack of recycling options for apartment residents, he set out to develop a bag made with fully recycled material, that could be used to transport and hold recyclables at multi-story buildings. Each week, crew members pick up the bags, which are then taken to a material recycling facility. According to Best, the service offers convenience and accountability. This means that if there is garbage or other non-recyclable material found in the bag, RecyclePal won’t take it. Instead,

Founder Jim Best … Expanding in niche for recycling services for apartment tenants. crew members leave a note with an expla- essarily mean the materials always make nation and instructions for next time. it to the facility,” he said. “If the trash “While some apartments do offer a company notices any garbage, they won’t dumpster for recycling, this doesn’t nec- sort the material and those items will not be recycled. This is what sets us apart — we work to make sure you are able to recycle FINANCIAL & TAX PLANNING SELF IMPROVEMENT IN THE NEW YEAR that material so you can be confident that WEDDINGS BUSINESS ANNUAL/PREVIEW you are making an impact.” RETIREMENT & SENIOR ISSUES OMAHA Recently, other countries have stopped REAL ESTATE BUSINESS PLANNING IN 2014 accepting the U.S.’s materials because the SPORTS & RECREATION AIR HUB OMAHA VALENTINE’S GIFT GUIDE FINANCING amount allowed has been exceeded. Now, STARTUPS TECHNOLOGY HEALTH Best said this has caused a hurdle for INSURANCE PRINTING & GRAPHICS the recycling industry, as the cost to sort ENGINEERING PROFESSION BUSINESS SUCCESSION & TRANSITIONS WOMEN’S material has skyrocketed because there’s LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE HOME nowhere to get rid of it. TRENDS INVESTMENTS OFFICE SERVICES “Our country (U.S.) really needs to GUIDE FASHION BANKING IN THE clean up its recycling so that we have better MIDLANDS GUIDE TO COMPANY PICNICS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE WORKSHOP outlets for it and we can start selling it to AG TRENDS IN THE MIDLANDS SAFETY & other countries again,” Best said. HEALTH SUMMIT BUSINESS APPEARANCE: However, he said the Midwest is startINTERIOR AND EXTERIOR TECHNOLOGY SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ing to catch up to other coastal states by INVESTING FOR RETIREMENT HOTELS AND realizing the value of recycling. TOURISM LEGAL PROFESSION BIG O! “Property managers are beginning to EXCELLENCE AWARDS COUNCIL BLUFFS GROWTH REPORT CELEBRATE offer our services as an amenity, which CONSTRUCTION MARKETING, can be a very big deciding factor for future ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS ENERGY & residents,” Best said. “People are starting UTILITIES SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS to really care about the environment. They COMPANY OUTINGS EDUCATION & CAREER DEVELOPMENT SARPY COUNTY also realize that recycling reduces our GROWTH REPORT HEALTH & WELLNESS consumption of oil, thus keeping prices GOING GREEN CONDO LIVING HUMAN lower.” RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION & Additionally, Best said property manWAREHOUSING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT agers are noticing that RecyclePal’s serACCOUNTING PROFESSION COMMERCIAL vices keep properties cleaner and lowers OFFICE SPACE DIRECTORY NONPROFITS overall costs. WORK RELATED INJURIES EVENT PLANNERS/TRADE SHOWS SENIOR ISSUES Currently, RecyclePal services over 70 HOLIDAY OFFICE PARTIES GUIDE LINCOLN different properties, which equals 5,000 GROWTH REPORT TECHNOLOGY OFFICE doors a week. DESIGN TRENDS PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE CAREER TRANSITIONS & JOB So far, the business has recycled nearSEARCH SHOPPING/MALL SPACE ly 4 million pounds of material, which DIRECTORY HOME equates to 34,000 trees or 32,000 barrels IMPROVEMENT/MAINTENANCE GO of oil. GREEN: INDUSTRY & THE ENVIRONMENT NEBRASKA PRODUCTS SHOW LIFE This year, the company has expanded INSURANCE WEB DEVELOPMENT & by adding a third truck and additional crew SOCIAL MEDIA HOLIDAY OFFICE PARTIES members. GUIDE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS BIG O! SHOW PROGRAM AVIATION IN THE For the past four years, the business MIDLANDS OMAHA GROWTH REPORT has also experienced 25% growth annually. While capitalization of equipment

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and acquiring new business to justify new equipment has been a struggle, he said praise from residents makes the daily grind worth it. Best has plans to continue to grow the business with help from his son, Jason, who runs the operations. In fact, he noted there is ample opportunity for growth, as there are 90,000 apartments in Omaha and RecyclePal currently only services 5,000 of them. “We truly look at ourselves as a partner for property managers, and we treat the property as our own,” he said. “We hope to get many more decision makers on board with our mission.” For Best, the business’ success stems from a sincere passion for recycling and bettering the planet. “I never dreamed the business would become this impactful,” Best said. “But now, I can’t imagine not being part of this company in some way or another in the future. I absolutely love being able to help individuals make a difference by allowing them the option to recycle. It really benefits everyone.”

Founded by Robert Hoig

ADMINISTRATION VP OF OPERATIONS, Andrea “Andee” Hoig

EDITORIAL EDITOR & VICE PRESIDENT OF NEWS, Tiffany Brazda EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, Savannah Behrends STAFF WRITER, Becky McCarville

ADVERTISING ADVERTISING CONSULTANT, Julie Whitehead OFFICE OFFICE ASSISTANT, Rosemary Gregurich BOOKKEEPING/LEGAL NOTICES, Beth Grube

(402) 330-1760 Zane D. Randall (1925-2006) Co-founder LeAnne M. Iwan (1932-1986) First News Editor

The Midlands Business Journal (ISSN 0194-4525) is published weekly plus one by MBJ Inc. and is available for $2.00 per individual copy or $75 per year. Editorial offices are 1324 S. 119th St., Omaha, NE 68144. Periodical postage paid at Omaha NE POSTMASTER; Send address changes to Midlands Business Journal, 1324 S. 119th St., Omaha, NE 68144. All submissions to the Midlands Business Journal become the property of the Midlands Business Journal and will not be returned.

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Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 •

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Mikuls behind standout real estate transactions at CBRE by Dwain Hebda

In the world of commercial real estate, CBRE’s Kellee Mikuls has shown herself to be Omaha’s go-to professional for the oversized, extra-large and hard-to sell properties as vice president on the brokerage services team. She sold Nebraska’s sixth-largest building, the former Creighton Hospital, and was part of a sale involving CHI’s medical office portfolio totaling more than $1 billion. Not bad for someone who just turned 30 last summer. “It was just creativity and being strategic,” she said of those deals. “That’s what I try to offer to our clients is thinking like a landlord or thinking as a tenant and really trying to be strategic for them.” Case in point is the Creight o n H o s p i t a l p r o p e r t y, a 700,000-square-foot structure that Mikuls helped reimagine as multi-family residential. “No one buys a hospital and turns it into another hospital; we knew that from analyzing what we’re seeing on a national scale,” she said. “We knew that property is a redevelopment property. “Approaching that from a creative, strategic perspective, what could that building be? It ended up being what most big buildings are

now, which are apartments. For me it’s so cool every time I drive by the building and it has 1,000 apartment units. I get to tell my kids I was part of that. I could have made $20 and sold that building and been really happy because it was a really cool project.” And there’s more where that came from, as her success in moving such complicated properties has brought similar deals to her door. “I think I’m on my fourth hospital,” she said. “I have one under contract right now.” Mikuls credits her family with channeling a childhood precocious streak toward an industry that has become her stock and trade. “My uncles were in commercial real estate through brokerage and development,” she said. “They always noticed my knack for not taking the word ‘no’ very seriously, more of a light suggestion. “They really planted the seed from a young age that I have the personality and temperament to be in sales. My mom was an entrepreneur and had 15 stores in Hawaii, so I also understand working throughout the night and to be really hungry. Clients want their buildings to sell, they want to get their leases signed and it’s on their front of mind. For it to be on my front of mind makes them know I’m an

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Vice President Kellee Mikuls … Projects like the sale of the former Creighton Hospital have been prominent deals in the real estate agent’s career. advocate for them and I care about their business plan and it’s been really exciting. doing well. It seems to have worked so far.” “I was approached by them to chair a benefit Mikuls is equally passionate about her com- and I said if I’m going to do something, I want munity service work. She founded Kidchella, to get my hands dirty. That’s my philosophy a music festival for children benefiting Omaha in life; if you’re going to do something, roll Children’s Museum. your sleeves up and do it. So Kidchella came “I have young kids and in the dead of winter about sitting down with a friend of mine who in Omaha, we spend a lot of time at the Omaha also thought it was a neat idea. The first year Children’s Museum, which is a place that is we had 3,500 to 4,000 people come through, absolutely magical for my children,” she said. it was a great success and it kicked [the “The Children’s Museum is also a client of museum] into a different territory that they mine; I help them with their strategic master hadn’t been.”

This startup is designing cashierless stores — and just raised $30M by Brittany Meiling

A technology startup in San Diego has just raised $30 million from investors to continue building out its software for cashier-less, “grab-and-go” stores. The model, popularized by Amazon Go, allows shoppers to simply walk into a store, grab items from the shelves, and walk out — with the receipt sent directly to their mobile device. The startup, Accel Robotics, is developing computer vision software StartupS — along with cameras, sensors and store equipment — to make this concept work. In fact, the startup can build out an entire modular store for its customers, pre-loaded with the computer brains to enable a “checkout-free” experience. The new money came in a round led by Japanese funding giant SoftBank, with further participation from New Ground Ventures, Toyo Kanetsu Corporate Venture Investment Partnership and RevTech Ventures. Co-founder and CEO Brandon Maseda said Accel Robotics already has its technology deployed in North America and Japan, including at restaurants and drug store chains. However, Maseda was slim on specifics, saying he couldn’t reveal who his customers were just yet. Broadly, the company plans to create stores from scratch — and partner with existing retailers — to help bring small-format stores to locations that couldn’t accommodate larger buildings. Think university campuses, corporate offices and office parks, military bases, airports and other travel hubs. “The idea is to deliver small, modular stores closer to where people live and work,”

Maseda said. Accel Robotics was founded in 2015 and was incubated early on by San Diego’s tech accelerator EvoNexus, along with a Texas-based incubator RevTech Ventures. This new capital is in addition to $7 million previously raised, bringing its total capital to $37 million. The startup was founded by Maseda, along with Marius Buibas, Brain Corp.’s former director of engineering; and Martin Cseh, a Harvard University graduate. Just a couple of years ago, the three founders were working out of a tiny glass office in EvoNexus with only two employees. Today, they have an office in San Diego’s Kearny Mesa neighborhood, where they employ 40 people. The startup also has offices in Argentina and Tokyo, employing a total of 60 people. Maseda said he imagines he might hire an additional 30 people over the next 12 months, spanning a variety of positions, including software engineers, hardware engineers, project managers and data scientists. Although Maseda wouldn’t disclose specific figures, he did note they were bringing in revenue from paying clients running pilots. Accel has a lot of competition in the world of grab-and-go retail tech. Technology titan Amazon recently announced big ambitions for the cashier-less store model, with plans to expand to larger formats and license the technology out to other retailers. Plus, Amazon is joined by a slew of technology startups looking to create cashier-less checkout systems, including Trigo, Grabango and Standard Cognition. How will Accel compete with the stiff comContinued on page 12.

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 •

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

A section prepared by the staﬀ of the Midlands Business Journal • December 13, 2019

Technologies that remove logistic barriers present opportunities for specialized learning by Michelle Leach

The flurry of metro-wide growth and the quickness with which technologies debut and bow out inform dynamic learning and professional development opportunities across industries. “Creighton’s Center for Professional and Corporate Excellence is noticing a higher demand in career advancement for the managerial and supervisory workforce,” said Jennifer L. Metzler, director, business development. “These programs are designed as short-format, non-degree seeking opportunities for leadership growth and development.” Just-In-Time Learning (JIT) and on-thejob communication is achieved through the likes of practical simulations and hands-on exercises. “A trend for 2020 is ensuring that organizations develop a positive learning culture,” she said. “Managers and supervisors are understanding the need for development, are confident in the resources available and are invested in supporting their teams through their development journey within the organization.” Metzler said organizations are streamlining strategies by shopping for quality, customized alternatives to internal programs. “Health care organizations often promote physicians and advanced practice professionals to leadership roles within their company, which has increased the need for continuing education courses that teach skills in emotional intelligence, mastering communication skills, increasing effectiveness in teambuilding and collaboration, and learning to effectively navigate change,” she said. The ability to use mobile devices and Procore and other cloud-based software has changed how quickly information pertinent to jobsites can be sent and received, said Carpenters Training Institute Lead Instructor Jon Zuerlein. “Being able to lay out an entire building within hours, as opposed to days, has

Jennifer L. Metzler, director, business development at the Creighton University Center for Professional and Corporate Excellence. increased productivity and that helps our to gain specialty knowledge, Zuerlein said; contractors,” he said. for instance, laser-aided building layout, or Career development comes naturally; building enclosure processes to save money once the apprenticeship is completed, they on heating and cooling. move to journeyperson status. “Organizational learning and develop“From there, every member has opportu- ment has really evolved over the past few nities to move up within their company and years with advances in technology and an take advantage of other programs locally and even deeper understanding of adult learnat our International Training Center in Las ing principles,” said First National Bank of Vegas, such as journeyman leadership, col- Omaha L&D Director Jessica Havran. “We laborative leadership and foreman training.” are seeing virtual training platforms, content As the metro has been cited among the curation, self-directed learning and employcountry’s fastest-growing construction in- ee-created learning coming to the forefront as dustries, Zuerlein said, with that comes new organizations are evolving to be more focused technologies and advancements. on learning.” “Our curriculum is reviewed all the time Havran highlighted virtual core training, to make sure that we are teaching all of our as the bank’s employees are spread across students the newest technology and industry seven states. standards,” he said. “In addition, the business lines we support Night classes allow members to stay cur- have an increasing need for flexibility as it rerent on certifications and qualifications and lates to training,” she said. “We have started to

build out more self-directed learning modules that allow employees to access some of their needed resources in a self-directed fashion when they need it.” Learning plans leverage partnerships with external content providers and use content they’ve curated to close knowledge gaps in niches, according to Havran. “We also fully realize that we have a lot of very knowledgeable employees with a lot of experience that we can leverage,” she said. “A great example of this is content we’ve been able to co-create with our treasury and credit departments.” A series was created on how the bank works and various departments interface, including info on the basics of the balance sheet/P&L and credit quality. Last month, Duncan Aviation announced the rollout of its registered airframe technician apprenticeship program to, as Chairman Todd Duncan put it, address the industry’s workforce shortage for qualified aircraft technicians (with the number of retiring techs outpacing the number of young adults entering the field of aircraft mechanics). The “earn-as-you-learn” program includes national credentialing from the U.S. Department of Labor. And, while Duncan has offered apprenticeships and full-time careers that include on-the-job training and instruction, onboarding new team members as “Tech Helpers,” a “formal instruction program” wasn’t in place. “Though it was successful, we identified areas of theoretical and practical training that would yield better results through standardization,” said Airframe Manager Jeremy Rangel. “That is exactly what we did, working with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Nebraska Department of Labor. We now have a true pathway to help new team members become knowledgeable, well-rounded aircraft technicians.” Creighton’s Metzler noted learners and Continued on next page.

Training & Career Development •

Local leaders offer valuable strategies for encouraging leadership in the workplace by Gabby Christensen

A strong team of leaders can make all the difference, which is why experts say it’s critical for employers to continually build leadership skills in the workplace. In fact, Lynda Shafer, leader leader at Greater Omaha Chamber, said skills development is an important way to demonstrate commitment to employees while building core strengths for the future. “An ongoing investment in leaders will mitigate panic later when needs arise,” Shafer said. “However, organizations also need to be prepared to offer or arrange for leadership development to Shafer meet specific needs. Building leadership development into your strategic plan is one way to ensure you are budgeting time and money for staff development.” While internal training and development programs are important, she said there is also value in Wood utilizing outside experts to build staff skills. Shafer said mentorship is another powerful way to increase personal leadership skills. “Those who have the privilege of leading people also have the obligation of helping them grow and learn,” she said. “Be observant of your team. Leadership isn’t positional. The strongest leader on the team may be someone who doesn’t have a title, but who has earned the trust of the team members themselves. It is incumbent upon leaders to recognize those people and give them opportunities to shine.” Marco Kpeglo LeRoc, director of Leadership Africa Summit, said one of the first ways employers can build leadership in the workplace is to help employees identify their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, LeRoc said incorporating collaboration and teamwork is also critical. He said potential leaders should also opt to volunteer or serve on a board in the community.

“Leadership also stems from employees getting to know each other and understanding how to help one another,” he said. LeRoc said it’s also important to encourage future leaders to embrace diversity. “Leaders need to be able to value various cultures,” he said. “It will be hard to lead if you don’t understand and embrace the backgrounds of those you work with.” Maggie Wood, executive director of Inclusive Communities, said any industry that embraces the current reality of uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity is better served when their leader can anticipate the issues that will shape the future. LeRoc “While authenticity and remaining humble are two very important leadership aspects that are important to model for a team within the workplace, the most important contribution any leader can make to the growth of a team is to inspire and encourage others,” Lillig Wood said. In today’s world, she said there are five generations in the workforce and most employees value inclusion and connection as a part of their experience. “I’ve seen many times, a person in a leadership position becomes uncomfortable or threatened by someone providing new ideas or challenging old assumptions,” Wood said. “When a leader can let go of their ego and listen to the idea that diverse input can provide, we have seen costly mistakes be avoided because they’ve already been spoken aloud and considered throughout the entire process.” Julie Burrell Lillig, vice president of Strategic Partnerships at ICAN, said building leadership skills in the workplace requires time, intention and dedication. “Topical areas of emotional intelligence, unconscious bias, communication, resiliency, gratitude, whole brain thinking, framing stratContinued on page 11.

Technologies that remove logistic barriers Continued from preceding page. their employers are understanding the value of more “across campus” programs; for instance, communication, negotiations, emotional intelligence. “[They’re] finding it necessary and successful for different outcomes and types of learners,” she said. “One-size-fits-all training will not inspire commitment to your organization.” Solar is on the way, according to Carpenters Training Institute’s Zuerlein. “OPPD is looking to increase how power is created with solar in our area,” he said. “Our millwrights are already in other areas installing the panels and we are looking to bring that here as well.”

Building envelope training to properly seal and prevent air and moisture is another focus as owners seek money-savings on energy bills. First National’s Havran also referenced close partnerships with internal subject matter experts, and facilitators to train content across multiple regions simultaneously. “For example, before virtual training, we had to have more facilitators focused on basic system and process training in all regions, and today we can leverage our facilitators to focus on true skill, competency, and career development,” she said. “As we help managers and leaders build competence in certain critical skills and attributes, they are then able to better to engage and enable our entire workforce.”

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 •

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Reboot Roasting takes a crack at boosting wholesale clients Continued from page 1. noting that Spurgin is the first hire outside of the cent addition to Reboot’s wholesale roster, which husband and wife team. also includes Whisk and Measure and Legend This year, the company plans to target more Coffee and Comics. local grocery stores. “Lola’s was our first training customer where “As things pick up, I’m kind of my own [Spurgin] went in, met with their staff, taught bottleneck as far as new business goes,” he them how to use their new espresso machine, said. “That’s going to be huge to be able to have how to do some basic latte art,” he said. “We’re [Spurgin] help with pursuing new accounts … currently working on a training manual, some- I still feel like there’s a decent amount of local thing we can give to our wholesale customers.” wholesale customers that we can target and The company also started a subscription pursue and then we will probably start looking service where individat targeting some busiual customers can get Reboot Roasting nesses outside of Omacoffee delivered week- Phone: 402-321-3073 ha — maybe some in ly, biweekly or once a Service: small batch, specialty coffee Lincoln, Grand Island.” month, with free deliv- roaster offering wholesale coffee as well To keep up with ery every Thursday in as monthly subscription sales for individual demand, Boshart is the Omaha area. looking to upgrade his customers “That’s really start- Founded: 2015 by Matt and Rachel five-kilo roaster to a ed bringing back up the Boshart 12- or 15-kilo machine, amount of individual Goal: Increase roasting to hit 300 pounds which would triple his sales,” he said. “I still do a week by the end of 2020 and target local roasting capacity and Boshart roasts small batch, specialty coffee, buying beans through Kansas Citymost of the deliveries; grocery stores. allow him to continue based Anthem Coffee Imports, ensuring traceability and fair payment to the farmers. I feel like a lot of our Industry outlook: In general, specialty roasting and bagging on espresso, happened by accident in response stant coffee packets, working with a company customers really like coffee farmers are receiving fair payment the beans “fairly easily.” to Spurgin needing “something in a pinch” when in Michigan that has the equipment to freeze that. That’s probably and in some cases are auctioning off their dry coffee, which is then broken up into powder. The highest vol- she owned Well Grounded Café. my favorite day of the coffee to importers who are competing for “I threw together the three beans that I had on The powder is dissolved into water to make ume bean at Reboot is week is doing the de- their product. the wash process Gua- hand and she tried it and it went really well — she instant coffee. liveries and getting to Website: rebootroasting.com “I got a lot of positive feedback on it,” temala, a bean that’s on kept using it,” he said. “I jokingly wrote 3 Bean talk to everybody and the dark side of medium Salad on the bag and so it’s kind of stuck now. he said. “We haven’t pulled the trigger yet on see how things are going.” roast. He also stocks a naturally processed Ethi- It’s not on the website yet, but I have wholesale buying the equipment to do it. I don’t know if When he first started the company, sales opia bean, the lightest roast, and a wash process [clients] that use them both.” we will or not, but it was kind of a fun experwere comprised of mostly individual orders with Columbia for the daily drinker. He’s been selling Reboot Blend at holiday iment to see what people thought. We have a lower wholesale numbers. Last year, wholesale He rotates in a couple of other coffees, for markets and he’s thinking about adding 3 Bean lot of people who say they would love it for orders were about 90% of sales. Now sales are example, a Costa Rica or an El Salvador. Salad, a name that works well “around the camping trips and backpacking and things like starting to even out to 75% wholesale and 25% that. You just have to heat water and you’re Coffee blends are a newer addition. The holidays because I think that’s actually a dish.” individual. Roasting is a solitary process, but Boshart good to go.” Reboot Blend is a “well-rounded cup of coffee,” Reboot supplies three architecture firms, he said, and there’s the Traditional Espresso uses the time to come up with new ideas. Further down the road, he might look into two advertising agencies and one CPA firm Blend. The 3 Bean Salad blend, a modern take Recently, Reboot tested out single cup in- adding a mobile cart for events or catering. with coffee. Business owners might see buying a premium product as an employee perk, he said, adding that he likes hearing that workers are going to work to drink Reboot’s coffee rather than Continued from page 1. or otherwise distributing items — going minimalists who may not want to get rid going through a drive-through every morning. personal valet services were limited to beyond knowing what they have to know- of all of the baby clothes, but they don’t Whole Foods is another local wholesale have the closet space.” the biggest metro areas, and venture cap- ing what to do with what they have. customer and Reboot holds prime, eye-level Clothes or heirlooms may be stored ital-backed operations in the likes of New “We have an opportunity to engage shelf presence at the store, along with a bio card York City and Los Angeles. with customers about why an item is im- offsite until, for instance, another child on the shelf to emphasize its local roots. Boshart “We have the hometown advantage,” portant to them and why they may want may be able to use them, or as life dictates. attributed much of the attention to the shop local As around 74 million baby boomers she said, noting they made the decision to keep an item,” she said. “A lot of firms movement as well as the coffee’s packaging, not to go the venare unlikely to do look to move from their larger homes into designed and illustrated by Rachel Boshart. ture capital route. Stored that, because of how downsized properties or even assisted “Rachel’s still doing all the marketing and living communities, the generation and “We don’t have the Phone: 431-2291 they’re funded.” design work, making me look good,” he said, r e v e n u e p r e s s u r e Services: alternative to self-storage as Stored members their children are experiencing the stress that you get when personal valet storage solutions can choose from a of what to do with belongings. This is you have a big in- Founded: 2019 in metro Omaha monthly plan, cus- Stored and other valet storage companies’ vestor. Where we Website: stored-us.com tom plan (such as for target market. Snow also noted their plans to launch have the opportularge items), or an nity to make a difference is having that annual plan. These plans generally include an inventory service. “One of our target markets is the senior hands-on, intimate customer service reusable totes that may be picked up for experience that you don’t get from a free at a designated time and location and living community,” she said. “Especially larger company.” secured in a safe, climate- and pest-con- for family members that aren’t here loAnd, at that, all of this “stuff,” with trolled facility offsite. The totes may be cally, we can help determine whether to which the emerging industry revolves returned and delivered back when items keep items without them having to visit.” They’re also looking at a service to around, has so many emotionally-charged, are needed again. societal, and even economic development “We don’t want you to feel like you ship totes to family members who might and quality of life implications. have to pay every time you use our ser- live elsewhere. Citing the Self-Storage Almanac, Citing Dr. Darby Saxbe, whose spe- vice,” Snow said. “We guarantee we’ll cialties include stress and health, Snow be in the neighborhood twice a month for 2019, Stored reports 45,547 self-storage and her team noted that people who free. If you’re not available during those units in the United States, with 5.4 square describe their homes as “cluttered” are times, we can set up an appointment for feet of storage allocated for every person. “I’m a city planner by training … more depressed, fatigued and stressed. an additional charge.” They also noted that 90% of baby boomer The approach helps to keep costs low, and it’s just common knowledge in the children in a survey agreed that Americans but also has the added benefit, according planning community, that ‘dead space’ accumulate too much “stuff,” and that it’s to Snow, of reducing the carbon footprint promotes an unsafe environment, and that communities become safer when buildings a problem. Yet, that “stuff” often has a as an environmentally friendly service. perceived sentimental value. “What we know about valet storage are inhabited,” Snow said. “Full-service Snow described using goal-setting to is that it’s taking a significant part of the valet services don’t take up those spaces, Rachel Boshart illustrated and dedetermine priorities and encourage cus- market share,” she said. “The valet storage and leave those buildings for higher and signed the company's packaging. tomers to take action around preserving model has attracted customers who are better uses.”

Stored introduces valet storage model to metro Omaha, alternative to self-storage

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 •

Exchange Bank’s mid-state roots reach to metro Continued from page 1. change Bank’s philosophy of heavily-proket, perhaps in the north or northeastern moting organic growth has been in place areas of the city. since the doors of the Omaha bank opened “It takes from 18 to 24 months for a lo- on Sept. 12. cation to get its footing and for us the plan At front and center is the localized has been going from the western part to the promotion of a “disruptive product”— a eastern cities of our state,” Panzer said. basic personal checking account that “Our business model is that of a true pays 2% interest. The lone requirement community bank — is that the customer serving communities Exchange Bank must set up one dithat might be a bit Phone: 402-408-1400 rect-deposit payroll bigger in size,” Mad- Address: 8008 West Dodge Road, Omaha or social security den said. account. 68114 Both Madden and Services: family-owned Nebraska-based “We’re on track Panzer head opera- banking to well exceed our tions in newly-con- Founded: 1885 by James H. Davis & goal in attracting structed buildings Horace F. Flint in Gibbon, Nebraska new deposits by designed by DLR Employees: 200 among seven locations year ’s end,” MadGroup that target a One-year goal: develop core deposit base den said. stately appearance Industry outlook: Regulatory guidance Madden grew up w i t h a t r a d i t i o n - can threaten growth potential of smaller on a Sidney, Nebrasal look with brick institutions. ka farm, wrestled structures that differ- Website: www.eb-us.com and played fullback entiate themselves at Kearney High. He with large windows. has a business degree from University The two-story West Dodge Road of Nebraska at Kearney and started his bank contains a drive-through on its west banking career in 2004 as a credit analyst side, a 7,000-square-foot parking garage with U.S. Bank in Kearney. He joined and 14,000-square-foot second floor Exchange Bank as a commercial lender that is being leased to tenants at pres- three years ago. ent, but is expected to be needed as the He brings a belief in relationship bank grows. banking into the Omaha market, although If the new building — on land that he said nationally the financial services formerly housed an auto lube business, industry is fighting high employee turnservice station, and music store — isn’t over rates. eye-catching enough, Madden said ExMadden said from the top-down,

Exchange Bank’s model is to identify leadership talent, give them the tools with which to do the job, and by offering them — often at a fairly youthful career point — liberal opportunities for growth that will keep them happy as they progress in the institution. “Its a marathon — not a sprint,” the former athlete said. Madden said Exchange Bank is making important inroads in the Omaha and Lincoln markets with loan packages offered on a variety of projects ranging from $5,000 loans for a service truck for a plumber to $15 million and $20 million dollar projects for downtown projects that range form hotels to all types of community development initiatives. Such opportunities are built on developing relationships with real estate developers. Recent financing projects have included financing of a strip mall renovation near Millard Avenue and 142nd Street, significant hotel and community center projects involving flood renovation, and a variety of packages aimed at the ag community. The “relationship-banking” approach is especially filling a niche with the rural farming communities. “The conversations we’re having with farmers are crucial as they a trying to maintain profitability through adequate planning for their next operating cycle,” Madden said. “With the ag economy

operating sub-par since 2013, we work closely with them on how they can make sure their cash flow, fertilizer costs and other expenditures are carefully planned. “That’s a sharp contrast to 10 years ago when they were asking how they could minimize taxes on all the money they were making.” About 60% of Exchange Bank’s revenues are generated by commercial real estate investments, including multi-family properties. A future growth area is the rehabilitation of additional historical buildings and also new construction. Madden said smaller banks such as Exchange Bank have an advantage in that local decisions are made on loan applications, saving valuable time for customers. “The risk for us is less because we’re right here and our lending only includes our trade area,” he said. The culture of Exchange Bank stresses the ease of working with customers and the lack of unnecessary red tape. He said in dealing with local projects rather than customers and developments all over the country, there’s a better understanding of what’s being done and the questions are better understood and addressed. Flexible, not pre-packaged loan structures are attractive to loan applicants. In addition to Gibbon, two branches in Grand Island, other Exchange Bank branches are located in Salina and Junction City, Kansas. Brian Schardt, son of owners Dennis & Susan Schardt, is CEO. He offices in Grand Island.

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

WORKPLACE TRENDS

Technology

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Workplace Trends overview • Employee engagement • Closing the talent gap Remote working • Hiring eﬃciency • Training programs

Technology trends overview • Commercializing tech • Hyperautomation Mobile tech trends • IT troubleshooting tips • Tech careers

Issue Date: December 20 • Ad Deadline: December 12

Issue Date: December 20 • Ad Deadline: December 13

Cybersecurity

Year in

Review 2019 challenges and successes

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Cybersecurity overview • Cybersecurity insurance • Phishing scams Create a response plan • Training employees on cybersecurity prevention

Banking/Finance • Technology • Education/Employment • Health Care • Real Estate Insurance/Employee Benefits/Law • Architecture/Engineering/Construction • Economic Development

Issue Date: December 27 • Ad Deadline: December 19

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 • Joe Misiunas - joe@mbj.com

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 •

Options for corporate gift giving abound by Dwain Hebda

No matter your budget or audience, there’s a vendor to accommodate business-to-business holiday giving. All you need is a list of recipients and a little imagination. “We tell customers to focus on items their employees and clients will want to keep, things they will use and remember the occasion,” said Jill Adams, owner of The Creative J-Geiger. Adams said trending gift categories include technology items such as ear buds and power banks; lifestyle gifts such as SUPER CROSSWORD

kitchen items and cutting boards; business-themed gifts such as journals and backpacks; and apparel. “Promotional products have the longest-lasting marketing ability of any other advertising medium,” she said. “If you give a tangible gift, every time it’s used or viewed there’s a memory of where it came from and when it was received.” Companies can gain a promotional punch with other gifts as well. Tony Harman, one of the owners of Eileen’s Colossal Cookies said custom icing jobs can turn a tray of cookies into a well-received piece FAMOUS FOODIES

of marketing. “We go from just basic cookies with our assorted flavors all the way up to decorating them with the company logo,” he said. “We can get a lot of good detail on a three-inch cookie. If they do a big cookie cake, we can get even more detail with the larger logo on that. We can always work with people on what kind of custom decorations we can do for them.” Harman said another advantage of his company’s products is how fast they Adams can turn around orders, making cookies the perfect last-minute gift. “We surprise people with how fast we can turn around an order,” he said. “A lot of times it’s not as long as they may think. If it’s 100 clients and they want to give them a tray of two dozen cookies, assorted plain ones that are not decorated, we can do that in a couple of days.” The same goes for wine or other holiday cheer, said Laurie Hellbusch Wolford, owner of Spirit World. “We do a lot of corporate gifts,” she said. “We’ll see anything from individual bottles to a group I’m working on where 100 bottles are going to a law firm and they’re going to deliver them to various clients.” Wolford said a nice touch is to customize bottles with the company logo on the label. Some winemakers will

custom-label their wine for just such a purpose, but less-expensive options also exist. “If you really like a specific product, we can work with a vendor to have a custom label printed,” Wolford said. “A lot of our corporate clients have their own in-house printing, so we give them the label dimensions and they print it in-house, provide us

Wolford Ludwig a label and then we will attach the labels.” The Omaha Gift Company offers the ultimate versatility, dealing in customized gift baskets with items curated from small companies coast-to-coast. “Our most popular items are edibles,” Tonya Ludwig, co-founder said. “We primarily carry snack items like cookies, coffees, teas, nut mixes and that kind of thing. We do see a lot of items that are shareable at an office.” One key to a successful B2B gift is to customize it as much as possible to show a connection with the recipient, Ludwig said. “Make sure when you’re giving a gift it’s as focused on the recipient as possible,” she said. “It’s more of the intent behind it and to make it not come off as we feel like we had to do this, versus we wanted to do this. The type of gift you choose really can reflect that message.”

How to prepare for helping key client’s business thrive by Liz Reyer

Q: I lead an important account for my company and need for 2020 to go well in order to grow their business. I have some time to prepare. What steps should I take? Zoe, 39, account manager and consultant A: Reflect on the Workplace past, then use your insights to prepare for the future. Start by taking the long view. What has the arc of this account been? Think about how it was first launched — what was your firm’s winning message? If you weren’t on the account then, talk to colleagues who were involved and steep

Leadership in the workplace

Answers on page 12.

Continued from page 7. egy, and the ability to think cross-functionally across the enterprise are key,” Lillig said. She said it is also crucial to build an engaged workforce where people are in roles they want to be in where they can be most successful. Lillig said leaders also need to take the time to invest in experiential learning opportunities that expose them to deep conversations, new thinking and ongoing development that is sustainable. “Arm them with the tools they need to discover how they lead naturally through a strong sense of self-awareness and emotional intelligence,” she said. “Encourage them to find their tribe and find their champions to build their network and bring others along with them in their leadership journey.”

yourself in the historical record. Reflect on events that have transpired since then. Accounts have their ups and downs. Find the lessons from successes and bumps in the road. Notice who is involved on the client side and how that may have changed. Are you considered a strategic partner by them? You’ll be able to tell by the titles of people you work with. If it used to be the chief marketing officer and now you’re talking to people lower in the hierarchy, this creates risk for you. Looking at past year, give yourself a grade for how well you have: -Met specific requests they have made. -Anticipated their needs and provided information proactively. -Created a strategy for helping them succeed. Don’t be discouraged if you have low grades on the latter two. That’s what you’ll prepare for in 2020. Put your full attention on the client now. Study them like you would if you were writing a thesis about them. You need to know all about their industry, their competition and the threats they face, any regulatory issues, international dynamics, etc. Look at work that futurists are doing. What changes should your client anticipate from, say, climate change, technology or demographic trends? Then put on your CEO hat. What would keep you up at night? What help do you need? This is where your new strategic partnership Continued on next page.

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Sarpy County Chamber strives to be hub for cities in the community by Gabby Christensen

As a chamber of commerce that serves an entire county, being a hub for its cities is an essential component for the Sarpy County Chamber. Karen Gibler, president of the Sarpy County Chamber, said the organization has a specific vision for its role. “We're a hub because effective economic development doesn't happen in a silo,” Gibler said. “We're working to create space for meeting points between the businesses, nonprofits, municipalities and people across the cities of Sarpy County. We want to facilitate the shar-

ing of information, goals, tools and priorities.” Additionally, she said it's vital to provide meaningful meeting spaces. “Business owners from across the county provide each other insight and support through executive dialogue and people grow their network beyond their base in T.I.P.S. groups,” Gibler said. “The Government Affairs group provides a monthly meeting between elected officials and chamber members. It opens and sustains conversations on local, state and federal government news and issues.” She said countywide interconnection is

also foundational to educational resources. “Leadership Sarpy is a nine-month program designed to build up leaders and get them engaged in Sarpy County,” Gibler said. “We do this with a curriculum that covers local nonprofits, economic development, state government, leadership skills and much more. We take the class on a unique and in-depth tour of the cities of Sarpy County. They tour Bellevue, Gretna, La Vista, Papillion and Springfield on a bus with each city’s mayor or city administrator on hand to act as a guide.” She said participants end the program by presenting their work on their Legacy Project

entire family wants. The decision to provide financial support for an adult child is, of course, personal. That said, if you have even the tiniest worries about retirement security, you owe it to your entire family to consider recalibrating your support. Not overnight, but by setting a timeline expectation for when your child will be independent. Nearly half of parents in the Merrill Lynch and Age Wave survey said they wished they had established clearer financial boundaries. Here’s how to achieve that: —Adult kids contribute to family expenses. Once an adult child has a job, even if they are still living at home, it’s time to have them participate in bill paying. At a minimum, they should pay their share of a family cellphone plan, and if you're still covering them on your health insurance, consider having them contribute to your monthly premium. That's not harsh. It's building adult muscles. Are you thinking, geez, trimming your support isn’t going to make a difference in your financial life? That’s a cop-out. Right now you may be helping with rent, but it becomes the mortgage, or childcare for the grandkids. Without a conscious game plan, there will always be opportunities to contribute, and you will always default toward giving. The parental instinct to provide doesn’t magically click off at 22 or 25. Yet if you have even the slightest concern about your retirement security, those are dollars you need to seriously reallocate to your 401(k) or IRA. For instance, let’s say you trim your support by $250 a month. And that gets invested for 20 years earning an annualized 5%. That would add $100,000 to your retirement kitty. —Set limits on what you will help with. Helping an adult child get established is one thing, but often help can extend into bankrolling a nicer-than-needed lifestyle. Money for groceries so they don’t exist on a ramen diet or helping make rent on a shared apartment are reasonable assists. Co-signing a loan for a new car (which should be a used car), or contributing to rent for their own place (rather than shared) is you not

setting smart limits. —Hands off your savings. In the Merrill Lynch study, more than eight in 10 parents with adult children said they are willing to make a major financial sacrifice for their adult kids. If you want to trim your lifestyle to come up with the extra cash to help — downsizing your house, driving the car more years before trading in — that’s a responsible tradeoff to consider, and one that 40% of survey respondents mentioned. But half of parents also said they would consider raiding a savings account, and one-quarter said they are willing to pull money from their retirement accounts. What’s more, one-quarter said they would take on debt to help their adult kids. That’s where your helping puts your family at greater financial risk. If you don’t have the savings to take care of yourself, who will? The kids? ©2019 Rate.com News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Helping adult children financially — learn to say no by Carla Fried

Between high rents, student loan debt and meager wage growth, it’s hardly surprising that young adults increasingly lean on parents for financial support. A Pew Research survey reports that the majority of us think it would be grand for an adult child to be financially independent by age 22. But Pew’s analysis of government data estimates that fewer than one in four grown kids are hitting that milestone these days, compared to one in three in 1980. FinanceS Need proof that most of us consider our kids special? In the Pew research, nearly two in three parents said that parents with adult kids between the ages of 18 and 29 generally are doing too much for those kids. Yet fewer than 30% agree that they themselves do too much for their adult children. When the help is financial, we’re not talking pocket change. A survey last year by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave estimated that the $500 billion in annual financial help that parents give adult children is double what those same parents manage to save for retirement. Nearly three in four parents reported they put their adult kids’ needs ahead of retirement. Parents who make that choice could be setting everyone up for a difficult future. The less you have saved for retirement, the more likely you will feel money-stressed in retirement — that’s not the goal, right? — and you may end up needing to rely on your kids for help in your later years. That’s surely not an outcome the

Key client’s business Continued from preceding page. plan will come in. Your first step is to show them that you understand them at a depth that they may not have realized, and that you’ve taken the time to anticipate where they need to go in order to prosper. From there, critique the work that you do for them. Some of it likely supports them in valuable ways, but some may be out of date compared to their needs. In that case, you can recommend some retooling to give them better value and expose them to other capabilities that your firm offers. Learn from feedback they provide and seek to develop a deeper, more interactive relationship. Offer partnership without strings attached, following up with ideas and insights. Ideally they will come to rely on it and will begin to ask questions that move beyond the tactical. Play the long game focusing on building trust and engagement. Business growth will follow in due course. ©2019 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

Cashier-less stores Continued from page 4. petition? Maseda said they’ve kept their heads down, focusing on building a product instead of getting caught up in the media hype around cashier-less stores. “To be frank, we’ve been focusing on building the world’s most convenient cashier-less store. If we get that right, then the rest will take care of itself,” Maseda said. ©2019 The San Diego Union-Tribune Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

in which they were tasked with implementing a community initiative that will leave a positive lasting effect on places across the county. According to Gibler, the chamber also works to connect people new to the business community. “Whether it’s a company coming from outside the state, or someone local who is just starting out, we’re your welcome committee,” she said. Gibler “We’ve worked with businesses on finding new space for large projects like a headquarters and smaller companies looking to open a retail location or a business office. We offer educational programs to assist in the growing challenges of business and how to expand on opportunities.” Leading by example is another way the chamber has embraced its role as a hub for Sarpy County communities. Since taking on this role, Gibler said the chamber has formed many diverse connections. “When the space and coordination is there for people to come together, amazing things can happen,” she said. “These relationships have grown businesses, boosted nonprofits and expanded networks. We are excited about the relationships the chamber has formed with our partners. Their support allows us to offer educational resources and events and keeps us functioning as a hub of growth to Sarpy County.”

Puzzle on page 11.

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 •

Trump country sees biggest income dips — and jumps by Tim Henderson

In recent years, an oil boom has pumped up the incomes of many rural residents in Texas, even as flooding and the trade war have dragged down incomes in Nebraska farm country. Both cases are emblematic of a broader trend: The counties with the most economy dramatic income gains and losses since 2016 are mostly rural and Republican. A Stateline analysis of Bureau of Economic Analysis data shows that while residents of booming big cities were most likely to have growing incomes in the three years between 2016 and 2018, rural residents had a very mixed outcome. The numbers are yet another illustration of the urban-rural divide that characterized the 2016 election. Democratic-dominated metropolitan areas are thriving, attracting employers and highly educated and skilled workers who can earn big paychecks. Democrat Hillary Clinton won fewer than 500 of the nation’s 3,000 counties, but they accounted for nearly two-thirds of the nation’s GDP, according to an analysis by the Brookings Institution. Meanwhile, many residents of rural counties and smaller cities, most of which voted for Donald Trump, face diminished job prospects or depend on the ups and downs of energy and agriculture. Nationally, the average personal income rose to about $54,000 last year, up 4% after inflation; and the typical county saw a 3% rise,

whether it was Democratic or Republican, big city or rural. But in the list of the 200 biggest winners and losers, big Democratic cities tended to be among the success stories while rural Republican areas — which comprised nearly 90% of both lists — were split evenly between winners and losers. Counties in West Texas, which benefited from an oil boom in the Permian Basin, dominated the list of those with the largest per capita income gains in that time, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data released in November. Only one of those counties voted Democratic: rural Reeves County. Tops in the nation was Midland County, Texas, transformed by an oil boom that coincidentally had its biggest effect between 2016 and 2018, experts say. The county voted 75% for Trump in 2016, according to election data used in the Stateline analysis and maintained by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The average personal income in the county grew to $124,455, a 57% increase, and now ranks 10th in the nation, jumping ahead of wealthy places like Santa Clara in Silicon Valley and the hedge fund hub of Fairfield, Connecticut. “We have been very blessed here by the oil and gas industry,” said Sherri Merket, the Republican Party chairwoman in Midland, “and the Republicans have been letting us do our job without putting too many regulations on us. Overall this area is going to stay very

Republican.” Rural Republican areas in one state — Nebraska — also dominated the list of biggest income losses. The top 10 drops in average personal income in the country, ranging from 21% in Banner County to 36% in Sioux County, were in that state. That came from a perfect storm of floods, the trade wars, a weak ethanol market and a strong dollar that made it even harder to export farm products. Many of those trends also affected Iowa, Kansas and Minnesota. Even if some of those ills can be attributed to federal policy, rural Nebraska voters aren’t likely to take it out on Trump or the Republican Party, said Deb Cottier, director of the Northwest Nebraska Development Corporation, an agency that advocates for economic growth. “It’s kind of a ‘more cows than people’ situation in those agricultural areas,” Cottier said. “And Mother Nature has created a situation where it’s been very difficult to make a living from those cows. Trade issues have an effect on our local economy, but I don’t think people associate those problems with Trump or the Republican Party.” Suffering in Nebraska’s agricultural counties may be even worse than it appears, said Ernest Goss, an economist at Creighton University in Omaha, because the per capita average glosses over the fact that some farm families made nothing because of flooding. “The average disguises a lot of the pain

Regulators warn about fraudsters creating synthetic borrowers by Keith Lewis

The financial technology industry that’s upending consumer finance could be the solution to a kind of identity fraud that’s dogging traditional banks and fintech companies alike. It’s called synthetic identity fraud, where instead of stealing one person’s information, criminals synthesize a false identity using information from many people — usually those unlikely to monitor their credit, like children, the elderly, prisoners or the homeless. Fraudsters then establish a credit history for the fake person over time economy until they can trick banks or financial technology companies into lending them money. Although most synthetic identity fraud affects credit card and loan products, person-to-person payment applications could be equally vulnerable, according to federal authorities who are monitoring the problem. The Federal Reserve issued warnings about the practice, and is expected to release a report early next year on ways financial companies can mitigate the problem. A major part of the solution will come from financial technology companies, the Fed said. “Fintechs are developing artificial intelligence and money laundering models to detect synthetic identity patterns in card and loan applications, among other product areas,” Jim Cunha, who heads the Secure Payments and Fintech division at the Federal Reserve, said in a statement to CQ Roll Call. Cunha, who is also vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, authored the Fed’s most recent synthetic identity fraud report, which came out in October. Other industry leaders agree that technology will aid the solution. “The speed of innovation means greater business solutions, but also presents greater challenges,” said Amy Zirkle, vice president of industry affairs at the Electronic Transactions Association, which represents more

than 500 fintech companies. “Addressing these challenges is top of mind for all of our members.” Artificial intelligence could help spot anomalies in customer behavior patterns to detect the fraud, the Fed’s October report said. “No single organization can stop wide-ranging, fast-growing synthetic identity fraud on its own,” the report said. “It is imperative that payments industry stakeholders work together to keep up with the evolving threat posed by synthetic identity fraud, which includes anticipating future fraud approaches.” Detecting it could require further innovation than currently exists, though. ID Analytics, a credit and fraud risk company, in a report this year said fraud detection computer models failed to flag as much as 85% to 95% of potential synthetic identity fraud applicants. The ability to instantly verify that a name and Social Security number match may be a first step. The Social Security Administration is scheduled to roll out a pilot project in June that will provide such instant verification. The current version can take up to several days to verify a match, according to the Fed. The Fed touted Social Security’s pilot project as a helpful tool, saying the initiative seeks to “educate the industry, create a sense of urgency, and influence action.” ‘Dramatic spikes’ Synthetic identity fraudsters have shown a willingness to invest substantial effort into maximizing profits cultivating synthetic identities over a long time by making small payments on the account to increase its legitimacy and earn credit line increases. Once the credit lines are large enough, the thief vanishes with cash or easily convertible goods, a move called “busting out,” according to the Fed. Sometimes, after the bust out, a fraudster

will falsely report that the synthetic identity is the victim of theft and may succeed in resetting the credit lines and repeating the process. The industry that’s grown around protecting personal information is tracking the rise in such crimes. “We’ve seen dramatic spikes (in synthetic identity fraud) in the past few years on applications for new credit and service products in the U.S. such as credit cards, online loans, and new smart phones,” Ken Meiser said in an email to CQ Roll Call. Meiser is the chief compliance and consumer support officer for ID Analytics, a division of Norton Life Lock. “While the problem isn’t growing as rapidly as it was in 2015-2017, it remains on the rise and at an all-time high.” While financial companies are the main targets, people can still feel ill effects. Cunha recommended freezing or at least monitoring the credit reports of vulnerable loved ones such as children or elderly relatives. “It definitely seems to be more of a U.S. problem because of our Social Security number being the identifier and also how much personally identifiable information has been exposed,” Cunha said. Norton’s Meiser added that victims of identity theft spent an average of six hours correcting issues resulting from the fraud. The House Financial Services Committee’s Task Force on Artificial Intelligence held a hearing in September in which a digital fraud expert, Amy Walraven, testified about the threat of synthetic identity fraud and the need to develop better digital identity verification. But lawmakers haven’t touted any legislation to accomplish what Walraven and other fraud prevention experts are recommending — a secure digital identity verifier. That would replace Social Security numbers as means to identify a person, with the idea that they would not be shared in an unsecure Continued on page 19.

that’s going on,” Goss said. In an attempt to stanch some of the economic damage, the Trump administration this year announced as much as $25 billion in new subsidies for agricultural areas. The rural Republican pattern remains consistent for the top 200 counties in both income gains and losses. Almost 90% of counties that had large jumps or falls between 2016 and 2018 voted for Trump in 2016, and nearly 90% in both categories are rural. But the cyclical surges in oil prices that lift West Texas from time to time don’t depend on which party is in power, noted Jesse Thompson, a business economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas who specializes in the Permian Basin economy. Even there, U.S. trade policies had mixed effects on the oil industry. “There was a big windfall from the tax breaks and, on the other hand, some of these companies were hit by steel tariffs, because they have to pay a lot for the steel tubing they use,” Thompson said. “The price of oil is way more meaningful than either of those policies.” The Midland area has been through times of layoffs and declining income. But in boom times, high oil profits draw West Texas workers away from other jobs, making it hard for other industries to find workers, he said. “Midland goes through this every couple of years or so,” Thompson said. “There’s a tremendous surge in demand for workers at every skill level, from oil field hands to flipping burgers. It’s what happens when one industry sucks up all of the local resources.” Similarly, the economy of Nebraska’s farm counties is tied to the rise and fall of agriculture. It’s a pattern that extends to nearby parts of South Dakota, Kansas and other states with counties that depend on agriculture, said Nathan Kauffman, Omaha branch executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “There were 31 counties in our state that saw a decline in income, and farm income constitutes a pretty high percentage of income in those counties,” Kauffman said. He emphasized, however, that the state has good economic prospects overall. “The cities of Lincoln and Omaha account for by far the largest number of jobs and population, and they’re doing quite well,” Kauffman said. “There’s been a growing disparity between the urban and rural parts of our state.” To be sure, the economies of some urban and Democratic counties changed dramatically. But the only big city where income dropped — by 2% to $55,747 — was Philadelphia. The top big city winners included the metro areas of Miami, Silicon Valley, Manhattan, Austin, San Francisco, Denver and Houston. The county-level increases ranged from 9% in Miami and San Francisco to 19% in Denver. All those urban counties, including Philadelphia, voted Democratic in 2016, except for the fast-growing Houston suburb of Montgomery County, which voted Republican. States watch personal income closely because they use it to predict tax revenue and plan budgets. Statewide, Washington, Utah and Arizona had the biggest increases this year. In the rural counties suffering from declining income, however, residents are unlikely to stop supporting the president, Cottier said. “We are much more self-reliant than either coast or the urban areas,” Cottier said. “It takes a lot to raise the anger and ire of hardworking, rural, agricultural people. If they believe they are being treated fairly, they are not going to jump ship.” ©2019 Stateline.org Visit Stateline.org at www.stateline.org Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

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 Beth Grube 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). 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 5 p.m. 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 and a courtesy proof of the notice the first week it runs and a copy of the affidavit filed with the courts the last week.

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TRUCKY’S CREATIONS LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Trucky’s Creations LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered office at 4811 North 139th Street, Omaha, NE 68164 and its Registered Agent being Donald Truckenbrod. The company was organized and commenced on October 22, 2019, and its duration is perpetual. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its sole Member, Donald Truckenbrod. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF G & T DRYWALL, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of G & T Drywall, Inc. have been amended and restated in their entirety as follow: Article 1 states the name of the Corporation as G & T Drywall, Inc. Article 2 states the purpose. Article 3 states the number of shares the Corporation is authorized to issue as 25,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $1.00 per share. Article 4 states the Registered Office of the Corporation as 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent as Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. Article 5 states the Corporation shall have perpetual existence. Article 6 states the provisions relating to amending the Articles and Bylaws. Article 7 states the provisions relating to director liability. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 26, 2019. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 HALEY REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC 10703 J Street, Suite 101 Omaha, NE 68127 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FOR LEAGUE COMMISH, LLC A Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State for League Commish, LLC (the “Company”) on December 4, 2019. The address of the Company’s designated office is 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127. The name and address for the Company’s registered agent is Carl J. Troia, Jr., 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

THOMAS H. PENKE, Attorney 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Indian Creek Nursery, LLC, has organized pursuant to R.R.S. Section 21-101 et seq. The registered office is 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 and the registered agent is Thomas H. Penke. The nature of the business to be transacted is any lawful business. The business will commence on January 1, 2020, and is perpetual. The affairs of the company are to be conducted by the President, Secretary and Treasurer. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 THOMAS H. PENKE, Attorney 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Indian WAIIC Properties, LLC, has organized pursuant to R.R.S. Section 21-101 et seq. The registered office is 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 and the registered agent is Thomas H. Penke. The nature of the business to be transacted is any lawful business. The business will commence on December 1, 2019, and is perpetual. The affairs of the company are to be conducted by the President, Secretary and Treasurer. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 THOMAS H. PENKE, Attorney 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE The following described property will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the Roskens Room, on the Farnam Street level of the Douglas County City County Building, 1819 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska on the 7th day of January, 2020, at 9:00 o'clock a.m.: The South 34 11/16 Feet of the West 170 Feet of Lot 14 and the North 13 15/16 Feet of the West 170 Feet of Lot 14½, Millard and Caldwell’s Addition to the City of Omaha, as surveyed, platted and recorded in Douglas County, Nebraska. The highest bidder will deposit with the Trustee on the date of sale the sum of $5,000.00 with the remainder to be received by 5:00 o'clock p.m. on the sale date, at the office of the trustee, 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska, except that this requirement waived for the beneficiary. Thomas H. Penke, Trustee 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 402.330.6860 First publication November 29, 2019, final December 27, 2019 JOSEPH J. SKUDLAREK, Attorney 1055 North 115th Street, Suite 301 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LLC The Nebraska limited liability company’s name is Willa J Collection, LLC. Its designated office is 15606 William Plaza #106, Omaha, NE 68130. Its purpose is any lawful business. It commenced on October 29, 2019. Its affairs shall be managed by a Member/Manager. Jennifer J Seay, Organizer First publication November 29, 2019, final December 27, 2019 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that KWill, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 3721 N. 75th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68134. The registered agent of the Company is Kevin A. Williams, 3721 N. 75th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68134. The Company was formed on November 22, 2019. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019

HALEY REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC 10703 J Street, Suite 101 Omaha, NE 68127 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FOR KEY COMMUNITIES 5, LLC A Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State for Key Communities 5, LLC (the “Company”) on December 4, 2019. The address of the Company’s designated office is 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127. The name and address for the Company’s registered agent is Carl J. Troia, Jr., 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Slattery Luck, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing 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 November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019

KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is FINNCO MACHINE, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 4089 S. 84th St., Suite 191, Omaha, Nebraska, 68127. The registered agent is Thomas J. Finn and the Register Agent's address is 14618 Borman Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68138. 3. The general nature of the Company is precision machining. 4. The Company commenced on December 4, 2019, and shall have perpetual existence. 5. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF AMERICAN RISK CONSULTANTS, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that American Risk Consultants, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (“Corporation”), has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 20, 2019, and effective November 20, 2019 and the Corporation is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the Corporation are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore. John H. Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, will wind up and liquidate the Corporation’s business and affairs. The Corporation has no assets or liabilities as of the date hereof. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF AMERICAN RISK, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that American Risk, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (“Corporation”), has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 20, 2019, and effective November 20, 2019 and the Corporation is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the Corporation are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore. John H. Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, will wind up and liquidate the Corporation’s business and affairs. The Corporation has no assets or liabilities as of the date hereof. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF CONVERSION OF SILVERSTONE GROUP, INCORPORATED AND ORGANIZATION OF SILVERSTONE GROUP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SilverStone Group, Incorporated has been converted into SilverStone Group, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the company is 11516 Miracle Hills Drives, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Registered Office of the company is 1125 S 103rd Street Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124 and the Registered Agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. The conversion of the corporation into the limited liability company was accomplished by the filing of Articles of Conversion and Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 25, 2019 and effective November 25, 2019. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 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 CLF ENTERPRISES LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CLF Enterprises LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 19202 Binney Street, 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 November 20, 2019. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 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 WILLIAM 12, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that William 12, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 3814 Farnam Street, Suite 201, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Thomas H. McLeay, 3814 Farnam Street, Suite 201, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. The limited liability company commenced business on November 21, 2019. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 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 ACCURATE CALIBRATION AND SCANNING, LLC The name of the Company is Accurate Calibration and Scanning, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 14540 Grover Street, 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 November 21, 2019. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THE (402) GIRL, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that The (402) Girl, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 4128 Terrace Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68134 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 November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 STEVEN G. RANUM, 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 TINYWORKS, LLC The name of the limited liability company is TinyWorks, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 9850 Nicholas Street #300, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 • LEGAL NOTICES MYRON J. KAPLAN, Attorney McGILL, GOTSDINER, WORKMAN & LEPP, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 11404 West Dodge Road, Suite 500, First National Plaza Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2584 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RLB HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that RLB Holdings, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 11404 W. Dodge Road, Suite 500, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The general nature of the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The limited liability company was formed on November 22, 2019, and its duration is perpetual. Management of the Company shall be vested in its Managers. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 RADLEY E. CLEMENS, Attorney 5717 North 127th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68164 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-1350 Estate of Joseph J. Welter, III, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on October 4, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, William D. Welter 1st, whose address is 22935 N. 68th St., Scottsdale, Arizona, 85251, was informally appointed by the Registrar asPersonal 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 January 29, 2020 or be forever barred. KELLY J. GOLDEN Clerk of the County Court First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-1812 Estate of Annechien Wilhelmina Jones, Date of Death: August 20, 2019 Decedent. Notice is hereby given that on the 25th day of November, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Testacy of the Estate of Annechien Wilhelmina Jones and that that the following sole surviving daughter was appointed Personal Representative of this estate: Ramona Poelmans-Powers 7419 N. 155th Terrace Bennington, NE 68007 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 January 29, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: LONNIE D. STUBBLEFIELD, 3512 4th Ave,, Council Bluffs IA 51501, you are hereby notified that on October 1, 2019, American Family Mutual Ins. Co., filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-21585, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $18,158.56, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 13th day of January, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication November 22, 2019, final December 13, 2019 CUTCHALL MANAGEMENT CO. 13305 Birch Drive Suite 201 Omaha, NE 68164-5443 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that OMV-2, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 13305 Birch Dr Ste 201, Omaha, NE 68164. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Greg Cutchall, 13305 Birch Dr Ste 201, Omaha, NE 68164 First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 CUTCHALL MANAGEMENT CO. 13305 Birch Drive Suite 201 Omaha, NE 68164-5443 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that CPM BIRCH, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 13305 Birch Dr Ste 201, Omaha, NE 68164. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Greg Cutchall, 13305 Birch Dr Ste 201, Omaha, NE 68164 First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF SONLIT, INC. SONLIT, INC. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. The corporation is a Public Benefit Corporation. The street address of the corporation’s initial registered office is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118, and the name of the initial registered agent of the corporation at that office is Mary E. Vandenack. The corporation is organized for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes. The corporation commenced on November 22, 2019. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation is Mary E. Vandenack, 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. The corporation will not have members. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 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 HIGHWAY SIGNING EQUIPMENT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Highway Signing Equipment, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 4343 South 67th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Matt Fatka, 4343 South 67th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117. The Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 27, 2019. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 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 MARY BYRD COUNSELING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mary Byrd Counseling, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The limited liability company shall provide mental health services. The designated office of the limited liability company is 16023 Lindenwood Circle, 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 November 20, 2019. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF NU DRYWALL, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of NU Drywall, Inc. have been amended and restated in their entirety as follow: Article 1 states the name of the Corporation as NU Drywall, Inc. Article 2 states the purpose. Article 3 states the number of shares the Corporation is authorized to issue as 1,000 shares of voting common stock and 99,000 shares of nonvoting common stock, all having a par value of $.10 per share. Article 4 states the Registered Office of the Corporation as 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent as Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. Article 5 states the Corporation shall have perpetual existence. Article 6 states the provisions relating to amending the Articles and Bylaws. Article 7 states the provisions relating to director liability. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 25, 2019. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is Cemer Foundation. 2. The Corporation is a public benefit corporation. 3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. 4. The name and address of the Incorporator is as follows: Alexander J. Wolf, 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. 5. The Corporation shall have no members. 6. The corporate existence began on November 25, 2019, when Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 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 2020 MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 2020 Mortgage Holdings, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. 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 December 4, 2019. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STIRLING ENTERPRISES, 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 STIRLING ENTERPRISES, 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., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 3809 N. 207th Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. Ruffin Stirling, Member First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HARP ENTERPRISES, 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 HARP ENTERPRISES, 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., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 15311 Nebraska Ave, Omaha, NE 68116. Barb Bettin, Member First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF S & B JEWELRY, 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 S & B JEWELRY, 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., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 10531 S. 15th Street, #101, Bellevue, Nebraska 68123. Brad Martin, Member First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LISA HARRIS REALTY, 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 LISA HARRIS REALTY, 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., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 2712 N. 175th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116. Lisa J. Harris, Member First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VP BAR, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that VP Bar, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 8222 F Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68127. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF MEET THE NEED SIOUXLAND, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Meet The Need Siouxland, Inc. (the “Corporation”) has been incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Corporation is a public benefit corporation and shall have no members. Its initial registered agent and office is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The incorporator is M. Thomas Langan, II, 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The corporate existence began on November 21, 2019 when the Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, 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 WOODLAND HOMES, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of Woodland Homes, Inc. (the “Corporation”) have been amended: (i) in respect to Article IV, to increase the authorized shares to One Hundred Thousand (100,000) shares, consisting of Ten Thousand (10,000) shares of “Class A Voting Common Stock,” with a par value of $0.01 per share, and Ninety Thousand (90,000) shares of “Class B Nonvoting Common Stock,” with a par value of $0.01 per share; and (ii) in respect to Article V, to delete the same. The Articles of Amendment were dated effective September 6, 2019, and filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 30, 2019. In all other respects, the Articles of Incorporation remain unchanged. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Chokkaras Properties, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 19020 Nicholas Circle, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent of the Company is Geeta V. Chokkara, 19020 Nicholas Circle, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The Company was formed on November 22, 2019. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 JUDITH A. WELLS, Attorney 1603 Farnam Street Omaha, Nebraska 68102 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-1471 Estate of STEPHEN POPE, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on October 23, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, Fredrick Popew, Sr., 5315 Larimore Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68104, was appointed by the court 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 January 29, 2020 or be forever barred. KELLY J. GOLDEN Clerk of the County Court First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR THE MIDWEST PLAINS CHAPTER OF CERTIFIED HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGERS (A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the MIDWEST PLAINS CHAPTER OF THE ACADEMY OF CERTIFIED HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGERS is amending its Articles of Incorporation. The purpose of the amendments is to change the Chapter name to MIDWEST PLAINS CHAPTER OF CERTIFIED HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGERS. The amendments also update the name of the national organization, whose name has changed since the initial incorporation of this Chapter in 1999. References to the national chapter have been changed to the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals, AHMP, or Alliance. The current registered agent is Brian Gorman and the organization address is P.O. Box 541202, Omaha, NE 68154. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: FRANCISCO E. HUPP, SR., 1404 Savannah Dr, Papillion NE 68133, you are hereby notified that on September 20, 2019, CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-20885, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $10,556.80, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 13th day of January, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication November 22, 2019, final December 13, 2019 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the voluntary dissolution of NORTHWOODS ESTATES, INC., as of November 22, 2019. Any person having a claim, whether known or unknown, against the Company is requested to present such claim in writing to the Company at the following address: c/o Curt Hofer, 16820 Frances Street, Suite 206, Omaha, NE 68130. The claim must be in writing, must be sent by mail to the address set forth above, and must set forth the name, address and telephone number of the claimant, a detailed description and amount of the claim, the date of occurrence of the claim and any tangible evidence to support the claim that is available to the claimant. Unless sooner barred by any other statute limiting actions, any claim against the Company is barred if an action to enforce the claim is not commenced within five years after the publication date of the third required notice. First publication November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), TIMOTHY J SKEEN You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 09/16/2019 on Case Number CI19-21044, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $1,800.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 01/27/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication December 13, 2013, final January 3, 2013

STEVEN G. RANUM, 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 TACOS Y TACOS, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Tacos Y Tacos, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 5936 Q Street, Omaha, NE 68117. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 STEVEN G. RANUM, 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 SUPERIOR LIQUORS, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Superior Liquors, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 5936 Q Street, Omaha, NE 68117. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 STEVEN G. RANUM, 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 SJK RETAIL, LLC The name of the limited liability company is SJK Retail, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 2219 North 90th Street, Omaha, NE 68134. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 DANIEL R. CARNAHAN, Attorney DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STADE HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Stade Holdings, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on November 19, 2019. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 12118 S. 213th Avenue, Gretna, Nebraska 68028. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 DANIEL R. CARNAHAN, Attorney DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STADE REAL ESTATE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Stade Real Estate, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on November 19, 2019. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 12118 S. 213th Avenue, Gretna, Nebraska 68028. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 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 PWC PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PWC Properties, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 451 South 46th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117. 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 November 27, 2019. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF AZ CAR RENTS, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that AZ CAR RENTS, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent is ANTHONY L. GROSS. The general nature of the business is to operate a general car rental 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 car rental 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 October 28, 2019, 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. ANTHONY L. GROSS, Incorporator CATHERINE L. WHITE, Incorporator 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, NE 68124 First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of Sun Mesa, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 30, 2019, Sun Mesa, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 16216 Hartman Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Joseph Grimaldi, whose address is 16216 Hartman Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF CUTTING EDGE SURGICAL, INC., NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVE, Cutting Edge Surgical, Inc., filed Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State on November 15, 2019. The corporation is authorized to issue 10 shares of common stock. The Initial Registered Agent and Office is Catherine Grimaldi, 16216 Hartman Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116. The Incorporator is Catherine Grimaldi, 16216 Hartman Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LC NOVA, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LC NOVA, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office address of the Company is 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, NE 68122. The name and address of the registered agent of the Company is Zachary A. Wiegert, 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 W. ERIC WOOD, Attorney Downing, Alexander & Wood 2800 South 110 Court Omaha NE 68144 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF Boat, Motor, Trailer Sales, Inc. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Boat, Motor, Trailer Sales, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska on December 3, 2019. The Corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock. The registered office is located at 10702 South 144th Street, Omaha NE 68138 and the registered agent is Scott D. Stevens. 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 corporation may be organized under the laws of Nebraska. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF CBAHA, 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 CBAHA, LLC. 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 to be investing in Miller Veterinary Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on November 26, 2019 and shall remain effective until Miller Veterinary Holdings dissolves and liquidates at which time CBAHA, LLC shall dissolve unless unanimous consent by the Members is given to remain in existence in perpetuity. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 GNUSE & GREEN LAW OFFICES, P.C., Attorneys 11311 Chicago Circle Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BEYOND GOLDEN PRODUCTS, L.L.C. A Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that Beyond Golden Products, L.L.C., a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 9691 Meadow Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of its business is to engage in and do any lawful act concerning 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 in the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 27, 2019. The Company commenced business thereon and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Members. Rodney G. Gnuse, Organizer First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Petrovich Team Home Loan, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 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 Andrew P. Deaver and Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 • LEGAL NOTICES SCOTT D. JOCHIM, 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 SGS PROPERTIES, LLC The name of the limited liability company is SGS Properties, 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 Scott D. Jochim, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 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 SILVER BULL HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Silver Bull Holdings, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 3814 Farnam Street, Suite 201, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Thomas H. McLeay, 3814 Farnam Street, Suite 201, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. The limited liability company commenced business on December 2, 2019. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is Hula Lacrosse. 2. The Corporation is a public benefit corporation. 3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. 4. The name and address of the Incorporator is as follows: Alexander J. Wolf, 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. 5. The Corporation shall have no members. 6. The corporate existence began on November 25, 2019, when Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 TIEDEMAN, LYNCH, KAMPFE, McVAY & RESPELIERS, Attorneys 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68106-1045 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Robertson Enterprises, LLC, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated office at 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The general nature of the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized. The limited liability company was formed on September 10, 2019, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MWC HEART, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of MWC Heart, LLC 1. The name of the limited liability company is MWC Heart, LLC 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 14110 Franklin Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Matthew T. Payne, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), BARBARA SIMS You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 08/21/2019 on Case Number CI19-19169, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $5293.20, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 01/20/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Bang, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 9201 N. 156th Street, Bennington, Nebraska 68007. The registered agent of the Company is Blake Banghart, 9201 N. 156th Street, Bennington, Nebraska 68007. The Company was formed on November 27, 2019. First publication December 6, 2019, final December 20 2019

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VETERANS VILLA OPERATING LLC Notice is hereby given that VETERANS VILLA OPERATING 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 17332 Edna Street, 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 68118-3121. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser North Carolina, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser North Carolina, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF J. VINCENT PIETRO, DDS, 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 J. Vincent Pietro, DDS, P.C. The corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock. 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 Dr. J. Vincent Pietro, DDS, 625 N 144th Ave Ste. 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. Dr. J. Vincent Pietro, DDS, Incorporator First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Ohio, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Ohio, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ISLAND WINGS BVI, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Island Wings BVI, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 3322 N. 131st Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68164 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 December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 GROSS & WELCH, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 2120 South 72 Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOUTHPAW INTERPRETING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Southpaw Interpreting, LLC, a Nebraska corporation, was organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on November 20, 2019. Its designated office is located at 4434 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68105. Its initial registered agent for service of process is Gerard T. Forgét, III, JD, MBA, LLM (Taxation) with an address at 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1500, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. Gerard T. Forgét, III, JD, MBA, LLM (Taxation), Organizer First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF HHB ENTERPRISES, INC. 1. The name of the Corporation is HHB Enterprises, Inc. 2. The Corporation is authorized to issue 100,000 Shares having a par value of $.10 each with 1,000 shares designated as voting common stock and 99,000 shares designated as nonvoting common stock. 3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 1125 S 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. 4. The corporate existence began on December 6, 2019, when Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State. 5. The name and address of the Incorporator is: Michael J. Keblesh, 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska 68124. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser New York, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser New York, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 HALEY REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC 10703 J Street, Suite 101 Omaha, NE 68127 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FOR MAISON HC5, LLC A Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State for Maison HC5, LLC (the “Company”) on December 4, 2019. The address of the Company’s designated office is 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127. The name and address for the Company’s registered agent is Carl J. Troia, Jr., 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Illinois, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Illinois, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Connecticut, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Connecticut, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MIDWEST RADIANT HEATERS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Midwest Radiant Heaters, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 663 N. 132nd St, #104, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 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 December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION The name of the Corporation is LOBO’S MANAGEMENT, INC. The address of the registered office of the Corporation is 9859 South 168th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68136 and the registered agent of the said Corporation is Andrew C. Sigerson. The Corporation has Ten Thousand (10,000) shares of common stock authorized, each having the par value of $1.00. The Incorporator is Ross M. Berg, 9859 South 168th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68136. Ross M. Berg, Incorporator First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: TONY MOCKOBEE You are hereby notified that on 07/12/19, the Plaintiff Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska, against you shown as Case Number CI19 15336. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of 352.50, plus court costs, pre-judgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable. The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are hereby notified that you must answer the Complaint on or before 01/26/20 at the COUNTY court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA Nebraska. Edwina Heise #25377 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, NE 68802 (308)398-3801 Attorney for Plaintiff First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Limited Liability Company is WANNABEE’S VINTAGE, LLC 2. The address of the designated office of the company is 5036 Lake Street, Omaha, NE 68104. 3. The purpose for which the company is organized is to engage in any and all business which is lawful under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Nebraska. 4. The company commenced its existence on October 21, 2019, and the period of duration of the Company shall be perpetual. 5. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members in accordance with the company’s operating agreement. Colin Kastrick Andrew C. Sigerson, P.C., L.L.O. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney MOYLAN LAW, LLC 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF MALLARD REMODELING, INC. Notice is hereby given that MALLARD REMODELING, INC., a Nebraska Corporation, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated agent Sean D. Moylan and designated office at 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The purpose for which MALLARD REMODELING, INC. has been established is to engage in the remodeling business, and any and all lawful businesses for which a corporation may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Perpetual existence commenced on December 4, 2019. Management of the company shall be vested in its Board of Directors. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Texas, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Texas, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Abe Schumacher. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WOODSONIA-INDIAN CREEK, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Woodsonia-Indian Creek, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The registered agent of the Company is Drew Snyder, 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF QUADTECH PARTNERS GP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that QuadTech Partners GP, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office address of the Company is 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, NE 68122. The name and address of the registered agent of the Company is Zachary A. Wiegert, 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION The name of the Corporation is LJS MANAGEMENT, INC. The address of the registered office of the Corporation is 9859 South 168th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68136 and the registered agent of the said Corporation is Andrew C. Sigerson. The Corporation has Ten Thousand (10,000) shares of common stock authorized, each having the par value of $1.00. The Incorporator is Ross M. Berg, 9859 South 168th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68136. Ross M. Berg, Incorporator First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Traverse Project Solutions, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 6505 S. 149th Ave, Omaha, NE 68137. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Paul Buss, 6505 S. 149th Ave. Omaha, NE 68137. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 16400 COLLEGE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 16400 College, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 222 South 15th Street, Suite 1404S, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, and its mailing address is P.O. Box 428, Boys Town, Nebraska 68010. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ACKERMAN FAMILY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Ackerman Family, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on November 14, 2019. 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 November 29, 2019, final December 13, 2019 SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney MOYLAN LAW, LLC 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ZINC, LLC Notice is hereby given that ZINC, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated agent Sean D. Moylan and designated office at 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The purpose for which ZINC, LLC has been established is real estate management, and any and all lawful businesses for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Perpetual existence commenced on December 9, 2019. Management of the company shall be vested in its Members. First publication December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: That List Lady Name of Applicant: Kurtzuba Unlimited, LLC Address: 8116 S 192 Ave Gretna, NE 68028 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: 11/15/2019 General nature of business: Liat and Data Broker/Consultant JOHNNY KURTZUBA Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 13, 2019 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Prairie Homes Omaha Name of Applicant: PHI, LLC Address: 8114 Maple St Omaha NE 68134 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: August 1, 2019 General nature of business: New home construction JEFF A. HUBBY Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 13, 2019 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Petrovich Team Home Loan Name of Applicant: Petrovich Team Home Loan, LLC Address: 8712 W. Dodge Rd., Ste. 300, Omaha, NE 68114 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: December 3, 2019 General nature of business: Home loan procurement and servicing MICHAEL D. PETROVICH Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 13, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Next Chapter Counseling of Nebraska Name of Applicant: Amber Fry Counseling, P.C. Address: 1710 North 144th Street, Suite 4, Omaha, NE 68154 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: 11/26/19 General nature of business: Counseling AMBER FRY Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 13, 2019

STATE OF NEBRASKA PARDON BOARD HEARINGS NOTICE A total of 149 cases will be heard by the Board in December, 2019. The following case(s) sentenced in Douglas County will be seen by the Board of Parole. December 18, 2019 – 8:30 a.m. Community Correctional Center - Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska Fields, Jerry 53221 Assault 1st Degree (2 counts), Use Firearm to Commit Felony Brosnihan, Joseph 77607 Leave Scene of Injury Accident, Motor Vehicle Homicide Barnes, Gary 78209 Robbery (4 counts), Use Deadly Weap to Commit Fel McCabe, Trayvon 78505 Robbery (3 counts) Littlehoop, Cameron 87000 Terroristic Threats, Use Deadly Weap to Commit Fel Schlinder, Joseph 210139 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I (2 counts) Coleman, David 88437 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Gamble, Randale 81815 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug December 19, 2019 – 9:30 a.m. Nebraska Correctional Center for Women, York, Nebraska Cramer, Sara 392015 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I, Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana Garrison, Rishundra 392156 Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana, Theft by Deception Thurman-Cornell, Selena 392179 Burglary December 20, 2019 – 9:30 a.m. Omaha Correctional Center, Omaha, Nebraska Thompson, Reginald 47232 Burglary, Sexual Assault 1st Degree Cunningham, Alfuntize 54713 Assault 2nd Degree, Poss Deadly Weap By Felon/Fug, Terroristic Threats, Use Deadly Weap to Commit Fel Zeschmann, William 73384 Robbery Espino-Escamilla, Juan 82368 Sexual Assault 1st Degree Campbell, Charles 82785 Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana Elsasser, Nicholas 86779 Sexual Assault 1st Degree Noel, Aquarius 86912 Sexual Assault 1st Degree Fogg, James 88187 Unlawful Intrusion, Visl Depict Sexl Explicit Cond Junez-Rios, Juan 89432 Assault 3rd Degree, Burglary Collins, Tony 89527 Driving Under Revoked License, Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana Werner, Kyle 88186 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I December 23, 2019 – 8:30 a.m. Nebraska State Penitentiary, Lincoln, Nebraska Gooch, Frederick 65759 Aslt Peac Ofcr/DCS Emp 3rd Dgr (4 counts), Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Mallory, Mark 73085 Robbery (2 counts), Theft by Unlwfl Taking or Disp (2 counts) Brown, Royce 79152 Sexual Assault of Child 1st Deg Vawser, Edward 81374 Robbery Grimes, Xavier 82187 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Solorzano-Ramirez, Camilo 82320 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Milton, Gene 86012 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Fleming, Brevin 86206 Escape, Robbery (2 counts) Dorsey, Ralph 88899 Theft by Unlwfl Taking or Disp Perez-Mendoza, Juan 89540 Burglary Harshbarger, David 89819 Terroristic Threats Moten-Roddy, Steveaun 82644Assault 2nd Degree, Escape O’Neal, Kaliph 88313 Robbery (3 counts) Kingery, Patrick 78522 Sexual Assault 1st Degree December 24, 2019 – 8:30 a.m. Lincoln Correctional Center, Lincoln, Nebraska Good, Curtis 52771 False Imprisonment 1st Degree, Robbery, Use Deadly Weap to Commit Fel Harris, Marklyn 69555 Possession of Defaced Firearm, Tampering, Unlawful Discharge of Firearm Jessop, Phillip 84735 Theft by Deception, Theft by Unlwfl Taking or Disp Sarco, Alfred 85799 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Denetelli, Nicholas 88711 Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Mattan, Tony 210170 Burglary, Domestic Assault Clark, Justin 210177 Theft by Unlwfl Taking or Disp December 26, 2019 – 9:30 a.m. Community Correctional Center - Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska Nelson, Aaron 76017 Assault 1st Degree Jones, Dustin 76554 Burglary (2 counts), Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop (2 counts) Gilstrap, Scott 81969 Operate Motor Veh/Avoid Arrest, Theft by Shoplifting (2 counts) Jackson, Terrell 82276 Burglary, Escape Etherington, Michael 87754 Burglary Engram, Camren 88772 Accessory to a Felony, Burglary Hill, Patrick 87304 Assault 1st Degree December 27, 2019 – 8:30 a.m. Community Correctional Center - Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska Lopez, Timothy 69278 Sexual Assault 1st Degree Russell, Billy 78949 Burglary, Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug, Theft by Unlwful Taking or Disp (2 counts) Sanchez-Fitl, Alexander 85425 Burglary (2 counts), Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Villafuerte, Antonio 87308 False Reporting, Robbery Oliver, Frank 89226 Operate Motor Veh/Avoid Arrest Sinnott, Nicole 99241 Burglary (2 counts), Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Standley, Emily 99497 Motor Vehicle Homicide Wilcoxon, Michele 99784 Burglary Sherrill, Christina 392107 Criminal Impersonation, Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Smith, Sidney 82209 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I, Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana, Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug December 30, 2019 – 9:30 a.m. Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, Tecumseh, Nebraska Argo, Cole 69497 Assault 1st Degree, Assault by a Confined Person, Burglary ROSALYN COTTON, CHAIR NEBRASKA BOARD OF PAROLE December 13, 2019

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 • LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF RIGHT TO RECLAIM ABANDONED PROPERTY TO: The Estate of David S. Larsen, the Beneficiaries of the Estate of David S. Larsen, John Doe, Jane Doe and Real Names Unknown Address: Camelot Village Apartments, 2506 N. 93rd Court, Apartment #7, Omaha, NE 68134 You are hereby notified, pursuant to the Nebraska Disposition of Personal Property Landlord Tenant Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 69-2301 et. seq., that the personal property that is identified below remained on the premises at the address stated above, after the death of David S. Larsen: 28 comic figurines 44 boxes of comic books 1 -tote of photography equipment 1 Star Wars X-Wing game 2 dominos set 2 poker set 8 boxes of trading cards 4 bookcases of books 1 box of action figures 2 suitcases and travel bag 1 Star Trek attack game 1 coat 3 hoodies 1 oxygen machine 1 computer monitor 1 entertainment center 1 desk 75-100 miscellaneous movies 1 thirteen-inch television 1 paper shredder 2 fans 1 DVD and VCR 1 computer scanner Speakers Headphones 1 laptop 3 swords 1 piggy bank 1 lamp 1 bed 4 boxes of c-pap supplies 30 shirts 1 tool box 1 step stool 1 dresser with miscellaneous clothing The said property may be claimed at the address listed below. The reasonable cost of the storage of the property must be paid before any of the property may be removed or reclaimed. Because the property is believed to be worth less than two thousand dollars, it may be kept, sold, or destroyed without further notice if you fail to reclaim it on or before [thirty days from the first publication of this Notice], pursuant to the Nebraska Disposition of Personal Property Landlord Tenant Act. Property may be reclaimed by contacting the landlord/landlord’s property manager at the address or phone number listed below. Michelle Roberts, Portfolio Manager Elevate Living, 2344 N. 92nd Avenue, Omaha, NE 68134 (402) 393-5214 First publication December 13, 2013, final January 3, 2013 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Name of Applicant: CK Ventures, Inc. Address: 10341 Pacific Street, Suite 13, Omaha, NE 68114 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: upon filing General nature of business: massage and facial spa BRANDON D. HAMM Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 13, 2019 RUSSELL J. KREIKEMEIER, Attorney KREIKEMEIER LAW OFFICES 126 East Grove Street West Point, Nebraska 68788 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: RAMONA & RUTH Name of Applicant: KIM BURKS Address: 13411 BOYD STREET OMAHA NE 68164 Applicant is an Individuial If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Date of first use of name in Nebraska: April 1, 2019 General nature of business: Letterpress paper goods RUSSELL J. KREIKEMEIER Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 13, 2019 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF POHLMEIER CONCRETE, 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 December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

SUMM AVIVA Y. GORDON, ESQ. Gordon Law, LLC Nevada Bar No. 5333 2850 W. Horizon Ridge, Suite 200 Henderson, NV 89052 (702)527-5557 agordon@gordonlawlv.com Attorneys for ROAM Nevada Trust and Home Loan Services, LLC DISTRICT COURT CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA ROAM NEVADA TRUST, a Nevada Trust Company and HOME LOAN SERVICES, LLC, a Nevada Limited Liability Company vs LK OMAHA I, LLC, a Wyoming limited liabilityCompany, EDWIN W. LESLIE, and DOES 1 – 10 Defendants Business Court Requested Plaintiffs, Case No. A-19-799512-B Dept. No. 13 Exempt from Arbitration - Declaratory Relief Requested SUMMONS NOTICE! YOU HAVE BEEN SUED. THE COURT MAY DECIDE AGAINST YOU WITHOUT YOUR BEING HEARD UNLESS YOU RESPOND WITHIN 20 DAYS. READ THE INFORMATION BELOW. TO THE DEFENDANT(S): A civil Complaint has been filed by the Plaintiff(s) against you for relief set forth in the Complaint. 1. If you intend to defend this lawsuit, within 20 days after this Summons is served on you, exclusive of the day of service, you must do the following: (a) File with the Clerk of this court, whose address is shown below, a formal written response to the Complaint in accordance with the rules of the Court, with the appropriate filing fee. (b) Serve a copy of your response upon the attorney whose name and address is shown above. 2. Unless you respond, your default will be entered upon application of the Plaintiff(s) and failure to so respond will result in a judgment of default against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint, which could result in the taking of money or property or other relief requested in the Complaint. 3. If you intend to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so that your response may be filed on time. 4. The State of Nevada, its political subdivisions, agencies, officers, employees, board members, commission members and legislators each have 45 days after service of this Summons within which to file an Answer or other responsive pleading to the Complaint. STEVEN D. GRIERSON CLERK OF THE COURT Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89155 Aviva Y. Gordon, Esq., 2850 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy., Suite 200, Henderson, NV 89052 Attorney for Plaintiff A civil Complaint has been filed by ROAM NEVADA TRUST, a Nevada trust Company and HOME LOAN SERVICES, LLC, a Nevada Limited Liability Company (the “Plaintiff”) against Edwin W. Leslie for Declaratory Relief, Breach of Guaranty, Breach of the Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing and for Alter Ego. The Plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $15,000. Unless Mr. Leslie responds to the Plaintiff’s Complaint, Mr. Leslie’s default will be entered upon application of the Plaintiff, and a judgment of default may be entered against Mr. Leslie for relief requested in the Complaint. First publication December 13, 2019, final January 3, 2019 JOSEPH J. SKUDLAREK, Attorney 1055 North 115th Street, Suite 301 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: The Tennis Club Name of Applicant: The Tennis Club, Inc. Address: 8031 N 123 Circle Omaha NE 68142 Applicant is a Coprporation If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: April 20, 1973 General nature of business: as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation of The Tennis Club, Inc. including any lawful business. JOSEPH J. SKUDLAREK Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 13, 2019 HALEY REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC 10703 J Street, Suite 101 Omaha, NE 68127 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: HCLP-5 Name of Applicant: Haley Communities Limited Partnership fund No. 5 Address: 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127 Applicant is a Limited Partnership If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 12/4/2019 General nature of business: Any lawful purpose CARL J. TROIA, JR. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative December 13, 2019 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MIDWEST HEMP TESTING, 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 December 13, 2019, final December 27, 2019

Regulators warn about fraudsters creating synthetic borrowers Continued from page 13. environment, such as on medical forms or lease applications. The total amount of fraud has been difficult to calculate. But Auriemma Group, a research and consulting firm that focuses on the consumer finance industry, tabulated that synthetic identity fraud cost U.S. financial institutions $6 billion and accounted for up to 20% of credit losses reported in 2016. “Synthetic identity fraud is not a problem that any organization or industry can tackle independently, given its far-reaching effects on the U.S. financial system, healthcare industry, government entities and consumers,” the Fed’s October report said. “Industry collaboration can be a key step toward identifying trends and developing strategies to reduce specific fraud vulnerabilities.” ©2019 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES

Briefs…

Kiewit Plaza, home to Kiewit Corporation since the building’s construction, has been purchased by Blackstone Plaza, LLC. The 15-story, 248,124-square-foot building includes: A full-service cafeteria with a Starbucks kiosk; a 6,500-square-foot fitness center; a barbershop, still boasting the same barber who has been serving Kiewit Plaza tenants for more than five decades; a full-service gas station, including an onsite mechanic who serves tenants in Kiewit Plaza’s attached, 247-spot covered parking structure; and an additional 2.5 acres of adjacent surface parking. The Cloud Room, a long-time Omaha tradition atop the building, offers a 360-degree view of Omaha from floor-to-ceiling windows and exterior balconies. It will continue to host events for building tenants. Makovicka Physical Therapy opened its 17th clinic location in Omaha at 119th & Pacific streets. Brittni Klostermeyer PT, DPT, has been named clinic director. Klostermeyer earned her doctorate of physical therapy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center where she graduated with high distinction. Clinic hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and therapeutic treatment such as dry needling, ASTYM, blood flow restriction training, and more will be offered. BerganKDV has merged the firm’s marketing and talent teams to better support employee and client engagement. The team of 11 staff members is led by Brittani Von Roden. Roles include traditional marketing and human resources functions as well as managers to specifically focus on culture and staff learning and development. The firm’s leadership team, led by CEO Dave Hinnenkamp, has been working over the past 18 months to realign the firm’s structure, moving away from traditional silos by service area to a new accountability structure that is focused externally on the clients and communities served by the firm. Elkhorn Athletic Association and Elkhorn Soccer Club have entered into a merger agreement. The organizations share similar missions, visions and values. The merger includes plans to develop a multi-sport outdoor community complex to address the lack of field space that both organizations have faced. The complex will encompass more than 140 acres near 264th and Ida streets off Highway 275. The combined organization will own and operate the complex, which will be largely privately funded. Initially the complex will offer turfed baseball, softball,

and soccer fields, as well as football fields. The goal is to open the initial fields within the next two years. Dozens of Omaha snow removal businesses have partnered with Lawn Love to offer an on-demand snow removal service that can be scheduled as quickly and conveniently as ordering an Uber. Homeowners can now order snow removal instantly through the Lawn Love platform on their smartphone or computer. Quotes are generated in less than two minutes using satellite-imaging technology. Once the customer accepts the price, a local snow removal provider is assigned to the property. Award-winning travel journalist and public television travel host Rudy Maxa formally launched Rudy Maxa’s Tours featuring small group luxury travel experiences curated from his multiple Emmy Award-winning show, “Rudy Maxa’s World.” Maxa’s Tours has entered into a partnership with Omaha travel agency Your Travel Center to sell the tours to travelers throughout Nebraska, as well as in Iowa. Located at 8404 West Center Road in Omaha, Your Travel Center is the only approved partner travel agency to sell Rudy Maxa’s Tours in Nebraska. Hines, the international real estate firm, along with Conagra Brands, announced the redevelopment of a portion of Conagra’s existing campus to be named The Mercantile. The Mercantile will be a mixed-use addition to Omaha’s downtown community. When fully developed, The Mercantile will include more than 20 acres of land and provide a full mix of residential, commercial and green space uses, all overlooking the Heartland of America Park lake. Changes to the property are expected to begin before the start of 2020. Nebraska legislators, economic developers, community leaders, and chambers of commerce executives rallied to support ImagiNE Nebraska (LB720), launching a statewide Good for Nebraska (goodfornebraska.org) movement to reiterate the economic benefits of incentive programs to communities of various sizes. ImagiNE Nebraska comes as Nebraska’s current economic incentives program, the Nebraska Advantage Act, prepares to end in 2020. Since 1987, incentive programs have created nearly 110,000 Nebraska jobs, and sparked more than $35 billion in qualified investment for the State of Nebraska. For 15 years, Second Chance Pups has been working with trainers from the Nebraska State Penitentiary to prepare dogs for adop-

tion. Recently, the program wrapped up on its 50th rotation and has already launched its newest class. Dogs are selected from animal shelters and rescue facilities and then are adopted out after training provided by program participants at the penitentiary. To date, 350 men have taken part in the program. More than 450 dogs have been adopted. The dogs come from Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. During nine weeks of obedience training, dogs are taught how to sit, heel and stay, as well as more complex skills like greeting strangers. Omaha Performing Arts has selected six new schools to participate in the 2019/2020 Disney Musicals in Schools program. This is the first year Lincoln Public Schools joins the program. The expansion to Lincoln includes Everett Elementary School and Riley Elementary School. Additionally, four new schools in the Omaha metro and Bellevue area include: Nelson Mandela Elementary, Sherman Elementary, Sunny Slope Elementary, and Central Elementary. The Disney Musicals in Schools program is an initiative developed by Disney Theatrical Productions to create sustainable theater programs in under-resourced elementary schools. Goosmann Law Firm has been named to the 2019 Law Firm 500 Award Honorees list as one of the top fastest growing law firms in the United States. This is the third year the firm was listed as an honoree, making the list in 2018 and 2017. Goosmann was ranked No. 82 on the 2019 Law Firm 500 Award Honorees list showcasing the top firms who have achieved significant growth in revenues over the past three years. CEO and Managing Partner Jeana Goosmann started the firm in 2009 with one attorney and one assistant. Ten years later, the firm has a team of sixty and counting with three locations: Omaha, Nebraska, Sioux City, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Maly Marketing, a Lincoln based advertising agency, has acquired Optix Digital Media. According to Maly Marketing founder Steve Maly this acquisition was made to better serve clients. Maly Marketing is a strategy-focused full-service marketing and advertising agency that works with clients throughout Nebraska and the Midwest. The American Marketing Association Omaha Chapter is the recipient of four Chapter Excellence Awards. The Chapter Excellence Awards program, established in 1974, recognizes and rewards AMA professional chapters’ outstanding achievements in

leadership, finance, membership, programming, and communications. Chapters are evaluated in all areas of chapter operations, such as strategic planning, volunteer management, membership engagement, programming delivery, and financial management. ENX Magazine announced that Access Systems was among the 137 companies chosen this year as a 2019 Elite Dealer. This is the fifth consecutive year Access Systems has been recognized as an Elite Dealer. ENX Magazine selected this year’s winners based on several criteria, including marketing prowess, digital transformation, leadership, work environment, technology, customer service and charitable endeavors. Sampson Construction has opened its new location at 10982 Cumberland Drive in Papillion. The new office consists of two stories, each being 7,500 square feet. The upper level is a finished space that contains 13 offices with open collaboration space for 12 people. There are also three conference spaces, a kitchen and an overhead glass door that opens onto an exterior deck. While the lower level is currently unfinished, it will eventually house 12 offices and a fitness room with restrooms and showers. Over the past two years, the company has added over 50 employees across its entire footprint and now employs nearly 350 people. Holmes Murphy has launched ethOs. EthOs will focus on improving workplace culture, engagement with multi-generational staff, and addressing all aspects of an employee’s total wellbeing. EthOs is led by Ali Payne, an organizational engagement/ culture expert and award-winning thought leader with more than 20 years of experience. EthOs works with organizations to enhance the overall employee experience by empowering their people to bring their best self to work every day to fully engage in the organization’s purpose.

Health care notes…

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska and its pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics LLC are launching an over-the-counter discount card for Medicare Advantage members Jan. 1, 2020. BCBSNE’s Medicare Advantage members will receive a quarterly prepaid card by mail, redeemable for at least $25 per quarter. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved card will help purchase nearly 90,000 items like cold and allergy drugs, hearing aid batteries, oral care items and pain relievers. Once the balance has been spent for the quarter, the Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 •

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES Continued from preceding page. OTC card converts to a discount card. Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center signed a new Master Affiliation Agreement to further strengthen their longstanding partnership and enhance pediatric care, education and research in the state of Nebraska and beyond. The Master Affiliation Agreement creates a path forward to broaden and enhance collaborations between Children’s and various UNMC entities. It serves as an “umbrella” over Children’s current Institutional Affiliation Agreement with the UNMC College of Medicine; it also is intended to provide a framework under which new individual affiliation agreements between other UNMC academic units and Children’s will be developed in the future.

Education notes…

The Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, a strategic initiative of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, and Wonderschool, a network of early care and education programs, have partnered to increase access to high-quality, family child care and education programs for Nebraska families. By providing existing and aspiring directors with the technology, curriculum, mentorship and resources needed to run a successful family child care program, NECC and Wonderschool aim to increase the number of quality, affordable child care programs across the state, including in rural areas. Doug Rausch, director of the Center for Cybersecurity Education at Bellevue University, was named College Tech Educator of the Year at the 2019 Tech Celebration by the nonprofit AIM Institute. Rausch, who also serves as program director for Bellevue University’s undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity programs, has more than 30 years of experience providing communication systems and cybersecurity expertise in both the defense and commercial sectors. Rausch retired in 2013 as a Colonel and cyber operations officer in the U.S. Air Force, where he held key leadership positions with Air Force Space Command and U.S. Strategic Command. Catherine Todero, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, professor and dean of the College of Nursing, has been named vice provost of health sciences campuses for Creighton University. In addition to her new responsibilities she will continue to serve as dean of the College of Nursing. In her new role, Todero will exercise general executive responsibility for the broad educational, clinical, and community engagement programs of Creighton’s health sciences colleges and schools. Based in Omaha, she will provide leadership, oversight and stewardship to all aspects of the university’s health sciences academic programs and facilities at both the Phoenix and Omaha locations. The University of Nebraska at Omaha Strauss Performing Arts Center will undergo a second round of renovation beginning in the summer of 2020. Private funds will cover the entire cost. The project includes the following: Construction of a grand entrance; remodeling of all 27 practice rooms to increase soundproofing; adding at least one additional classroom and expanding the existing computer lab from 13 to roughly 30 stations; flattening the floor of a rehearsal room to increase the flexibility of the space and improve acoustics as well as enhancing A/V and lighting; and installing a smooth

floor on the first level of the building. Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM, provided vision and leadership to Mercy High School as president from 1988-2009. In 2020 she will celebrate her 60th year as a Sister of Mercy. Burnell will receive the highest award Mercy bestows, the Cor Misericordiae Award, at Fiesta 2020. During her 21 years at Mercy, Burnell’s achievements included: Growing enrollment from 216 to close to 390 students; undertaking numerous capital campaigns that included renovations and building the Catherine McAuley Athletic Center and Franey Hall and expanding the Sheehan Library; developing a Minority Enrollment Initiative; and increasing faculty salaries, upgrading computers and other equipment. A new grant that brings together researchers from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the University of Illinois and Princeton University aims to bridge the gap between data-collection, modeling and decision-making so crop producers can more easily decide whether to irrigate. The project, funded by a $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture program could potentially save both financial and water resources. The project includes three parts, and Nebraska will serve as ground zero for the third part. Trenton Franz, Derek Heeren and Daran Rudnick from UNL will work with partners and producers in the state to validate remotely collected soil moisture and weather data and to inform the design of an end product.

ed to the foundation’s national, regional and local 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners through the store guests and funds contributed by SpartanNash and the SpartanNash Foundation. Together, Inc. is receiving $6,950 on behalf of Family Fare stores in Omaha, Plattsmouth, Papillion and Blair. Refugee Empowerment Center, a nonprofit that resettles refugees in Omaha, has started Project Refuge. Project Refuge sells candles that are hand-made by refugees with 100% of the profits going back to REC. Many refugee women lack formal work experience when they first arrive. Creating candles is a first step in gaining identity and experience. Oftentimes volunteers and refugees work together — giving refugees the opportunity to practice and refine their English skills. Refuge candles can be obtained on REC’s website by setting up a recurring donation of $15 per month. Candles will be mailed to each recurring donor four times a year. Felius Cat Café is launching its own feline rescue: Felius Rescue. Felius Rescue expands the organization’s reach and impact on the Omaha community, further establishing the nonprofit’s place on the front lines of cat rescue efforts. The launch of Felius Rescue signals the third phase of the organization’s multi-pronged outreach efforts. Expanding into rescue addresses a critical facet of care in the community and provides Felius Cat Café with opportunities to increase operational efficiency and, ultimately, boost adoptions.

Activities of nonprofits…

Omaha Performing Arts presents Mariachi Herencia de México on Dec. 20 at the Orpheum Theater. The group will collaborate with Omaha’s local ballet folklorico dance group, The Mexican Dance Academy of Nebraska. They’ll perform “La Negra” a traditional Mariachi Mexican song. Tickets start at $10 and are available at TicketOmaha.com, in person at the Ticket Omaha Box Office located

Together with its store guests and company associates, the SpartanNash Foundation’s scan campaign to provide hunger relief raised $271,150 to support more than 100 local food pantries and food banks in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. One hundred percent of all money raised is grant-

Arts & events…

inside the Holland Performing Arts Center. The concert includes Mexican and American holiday favorites such as: “Feliz Navidad,” “Los Peces en el Rio,” “Ave Maria,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Mi Burrito Sabanero” and more. Frostival 2019 returns for its 12th annual charity event benefiting Open Door Mission on Dec. 21. Guests can celebrate and give back to the community while enjoying continuous music at The Waiting Room and Reverb Lounge from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Performing this year — Blue Martian Tribe, Linear Symmetry, Funk Trek, Sebastian Lane Band, A Ferocious Jungle Cat, Dr. Webb, Jerry Pranksters, Rock & Roll Suicide, Mr. E & The Stringless Kite, Omaha Beat Brigade, Peach Truck & Doom Lagoon. Happy hour is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets at the door are $15 with five cans of food or an unwrapped toy, or $20 without. The DC Centre is hosting the 2nd Annual Winter Solstice Yule Ball on Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Learn your future with a reading in the Hall of Oracles or shop the silent auction to benefit this year’s chosen nonprofit, Youth Emergency Services. Swag bags await all those who attend, as well as dancing, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres. Event open to guests ages 19 and older. Event attire is a semi-formal winter holiday ball. Turn up the holiday magic with a fun-filled hour of confectionery creativity at the Omaha Community Playhouses’ Gingerbread House Building Party on Dec. 22. Budding gingerbread architects and candy lovers will enjoy crafting the edible holiday homes of their dreams using graham crackers, icing, colorful sprinkles, glittery sugars, candies, gumdrops, peppermints, sprinkles, marshmallows and more. Enjoy the endless decorating options and holiday tunes while sipping apple cider. Cost is $15 per gingerbread house — no more than three people are recommended per house.

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

In the Spotlight Paid Content BANKING

BANKING

Promoted

Matthew Clare

Tyler Hunt

Jon Hawthorne

Assistant Vice President, Commercial Lending

Miranda Soulliere

Assistant Vice President, Private Banking

Union Bank & Trust

Assistant Vice President, Customer Service

Union Bank & Trust

Assistant Vice President, Union Equipment Finance

UBT recently promoted Matthew Clare to Assistant Vice President — Commercial Lending. Clare has been with UBT for nearly 11 years. In his new role, he will be responsible for working with existing and prospective commercial clients to help them achieve short- and long-term financial goals by assisting with various credit and depository banking needs.

UBT recently promoted Tyler Hunt to Assistant Vice President — Private Banking. In his new role, Hunt will manage a portfolio of high-net-worth clients and serve as the single point of contact for all their banking needs, including retail lending, commercial lending, and business development as well as personal banking.

WEALTH MANAGEMENT Joined

Union Bank & Trust

UBT recently promoted Jon Hawthorne to Assistant Vice President — Union Equipment Finance. In his new role, Hawthorne will be responsible for business development and relationship management with current and prospective Union Equipment Finance customers. Hawthorne brings nearly a decade of experience with the bank to his new role.

UBT recently promoted Miranda Soulliere to Assistant Vice President — Customer Service. In her new role, Soulliere will support 15 Lincoln branches, ensuring employees are appreciated, goals are being met, and customers are satisfied. Soulliere’s focus is on leadership, manager development, and overall employee satisfaction, with a special emphasis on fostering UBT’s culture.

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Joined

Awarded

Reem Rawashdeh

Angeli Calero Armstrong

Vice President of Wealth Management

Stacey Hrabik

Carla K. Stohlmann

Executive Assistant

Registered Paraplanner/ Operations Associate

Wealth Management Advisor

Ludacka Wealth Partners

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Advisors

Ludacka Wealth Partners

We are pleased to announce that Reem Rawashdeh has joined Ludacka Wealth Partners as the vice president of wealth management. Reem is a member of the CFA Institute and Director of the CFA Society Nebraska. She started in the financial industry as an equity analyst in Switzerland and, later, transitioned into portfolio and relationship management at Wells Fargo and US Bank. Reem holds an MBA from the International University of Geneva, Switzerland, as well as the CFA, CMT and AWMA charters. We are proud to have Reem join Ludacka Wealth Partners, as we share common values such as integrity and purpose. Reem has travelled and lived in several countries across Europe and the Middle East; in fact, she speaks several different languages. She moved to Omaha from Italy and is very thankful to the local community, who has made her and her family feel welcomed! Outside of work, she spends time as a proud supporter of Girls Inc. and Salvation Army. Reem enjoys spending quality time with her family and supporting their love of sports and school. In her free time, she has a passion for traveling, skiing, horseback riding, and spending time at the beach.

Ludacka Wealth Partners

Ludacka Wealth Partners is excited to welcome Angeli Calero Armstrong, who aligns with our values and focus on integrity, excellence, relationships, purpose, and impact. Angeli Calero Armstrong joined Ludacka Wealth Partners as the executive assistant to Paul Ludacka. With Angeli’s demonstrated history in various industries, including finance, legal, sales/marketing, insurance, customer service and account management, as well as her involvement with volunteering and non-profit work, Angeli will not only provide high-level support to the Ludacka Team, but will manage marketing and philanthropic duties while attaining her financial licenses to become a Registered Executive Assistant.

With the expansion of Ludacka Wealth Partners, we are also excited to welcome Stacey Hrabik, who brings a wealth of industry knowledge and will be an asset to our growing team. Stacey exemplifies Ludacka Wealth Partner’s focus on building first-class client experience. As a Registered Paraplanner/Operations Associate, Stacey Hrabik joins Ludacka Wealth Partners, with over 30 years of diverse experience. She spent the past five years in the wealth management industry working in operations as a portfolio administrator and office manager. She holds a Registered Paraplanner designation, along with a Nebraska Life, Health and Annuities license. She earned her Bachelor in Journalism, majoring in Advertising from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Submit your company’s employee announcements to Spotlight@mbj.com

Carla K. Stohlmann, CFP® has been awarded the Wealth Management Certified Professional designation (WMCP®). Carla is a Bellevue University graduate with a major in Finance and has her MSFS (Masters of Science in Financial Services) from The American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. She is fully licensed for both securities and insurance transactions with over 20 years of financial industry experience. Carla works for the Randels’ Team at the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company.

Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 •

In the Spotlight Paid Content LEGAL SERVICES

ACCOUNTING

CONSTRUCTION

Joined

Promoted

Named

Patrick McNamara

Abby Fargo

Abby Hargiss

Attorney

Alan B. Kennedy

Director

Business Analyst II

Chief Operating Officer

Goosmann Law Firm

Bland & Associates

Lueder Construction

Attorney Patrick McNamara has joined the Goosmann Law Firm at their Omaha, Nebraska location. McNamara has 10 years of experience and his areas of practice include business advising, contracts, estate planning, employment, and commercial/ breach of contract litigation. He is licensed in Nebraska. Learn more at www. GoosmannLaw.com or call (855) 843-4531.

Abby Fargo, PMP, was promoted to Director at Bland in June 2019. She joined Bland in 2017 as Project Manager for Comprehensive Primary Care Plus Audits. An Omaha native, Fargo earned a bachelor’s of science degree in sociology from Kansas State University. She was a Colorado Medicaid fiscal agent before returning to Omaha in 2012. In 2015, she earned her Project Manager Professional certification.

Abby Hargiss was recently promoted to Business Analyst II in the Governmental Consulting department at Bland. Hargiss joined the company in 2017 as an Administrative Assistant and is currently attending Bellevue University earning a degree in human resources. Prior to joining Bland, she worked for Lutheran Family Services, Mosaic, and P.J. Morgan Real Estate.

INSURANCE

ACCOUNTING

Named

Promoted

Kevin Faltin

Adam Steffen

Austin Johnson

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer

Manager, Governmental Consulting

Senior Consultant I

Bland & Associates

Adam Steffen joined Bland in 2017 as a contractor and became a Manager in the Governmental Consulting department in 2019. Prior to joining Bland, Adam worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Buena Vista University in 1999 and his MBA from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2006.

Austin Johnson was promoted to Senior Consultant I in the Government Consulting department at Bland in September 2019. Prior to joining Bland in 2017, Johnson was a technical recruiter, identifying potential candidates for IT-related positions. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2014.

ACCOUNTING

Promoted

Assurity Life Insurance Company

Assurity Life Insurance Company has named Kevin Faltin vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. He succeeds the retiring Marv Ehly. An Assurity employee since 2005, Faltin holds two decades of accounting and finance experience, most recently as senior director and controller. A graduate of Doane University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in business with an accounting and finance emphasis.

Coutney Teeter

Brad Hove

Chris Purdy

Senior Consultant I, Government Consuting

Director

Team Lead II, Government Consulting

Bland & Associates

Courtney Teeter joined Bland in 2017 and was promoted to Senior Consultant I in the Government Consulting department in June 2019. The Mason City, Iowa native earned a bachelor’s of science degree in accounting and finance from Iowa State University in 2017.

Bland & Associates

Brad Hove was promoted to Director at Bland in June 2019. He joined Bland in 2017 as a Manager in the Government Consulting department and previously worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1999 and a master’s degree in social work in 2002 from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Bland & Assocites

Chris Purdy was recently promoted to Team Lead II in Government Consulting Department at Bland. Prior to joining Bland in 2017, he spent 9 years at another CPA firm working on Medicare Advantage documentation auditing and processing. Purdy has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Submit your company’s employee announcements to Spotlight@mbj.com

Lueder Construction has announced that Alan B. Kennedy has been named Chief Operating Officer. Kennedy comes to Lueder with 26 years of experience in operational excellence, financial management, construction management, client and supplier relationships, team leadership and personnel development. “We look forward to putting Alan’s considerable experience to work moving Lueder Construction into the future,” said president Greg Key. “We got to know Alan as a client and realized a symbiosis in how we think about bringing projects to life with quality and care.” Kennedy is a graduate of the American Contractors Insurance Group University Executive Track, Leadership Omaha and is a LEED Accredited Professional. He has served on the Boy Scouts of America Board of Trustees, the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Engineering Industry Advisory Council, is an OCI Union Pension Trustee, Teammates Mentor Volunteer and outgoing board chair of the Sarpy County Chamber. At Lueder, Kennedy’s leadership responsibilities will include a focus on the company’s core values, mission and vision. He will also be responsible for the development, design, operation and improvement of the systems and people that create and deliver the firm's varied services, ensuring that business operations are efficient and effective and that the proper management of resources, service to customers, and routine analysis of systems and procedures is occurring. “Lueder is a company I’ve respected and admired for years in the Omaha marketplace,” said Kennedy. “The opportunity to serve as COO is a pinnacle in my career.”

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal • AIM Tech Celebration

AIM targets accessibility for training, educational tools with programs by Dwain Hebda

A sizeable gap exists between the demand for tech workers and the number of people trained to fill them. Since its founding in 1992, the nonprofit organization AIM has been at the forefront of trying to reduce this shortage. “The brutal reality is, there are far more tech jobs available today than we have qualified candidates for. We’re talking thousands of jobs that are literally open at the moment and we can’t hire for them,” said Scott Rowe, vice president of tech community development. “Our role is to do what we can to create strong training. “We work to get youth excited about a career in technology. A lot of these children would never have expected they could have done anything like that, because their parents have never been involved in it. Giving them those experiences and knowledge will ultimately help to fill that gap moving into the future.” It seems incongruous to have such a labor gap, given technology’s pervasiveness in everyday life, but Rowe said looks can be deceiving. He noted technology curriculum and hardware access varies greatly by neighborhood and by school. “There are definitely pockets in north and south Omaha where they don’t have access,” he said. “If you talk to anyone in those communities, they know it’s a problem. A lot of the kids we serve don’t even have computers or tablets or laptops at home. They don’t have access to that type of technology, as opposed to my son who’s a middle schooler at Elkhorn where every one of the students in the middle school this year has a Chromebook. “It is critically important, therefore, for us to be able to get additional funding through foundations and donations to expand that programming to impact the lives of more children.” Hardware and access aren’t the only challenges facing today’s youth. Educators are often woefully unequipped to teach students anything beyond the fundamentals of applying technology, if they teach it at all. Here too, AIM steps in to supplement instruction. “It’s really difficult for educators; most

Attendees at the AIM Tech Celebration Awards. (Courtesy of AIM) of them aren’t technology professionals,” he able to send them out to schools.” said. “Something we take pride in our proAnother strategy for addressing the grams is educators who are trained in these shortage of tech workers that AIM spearthings, they know how to teach it and we’re heads is helping people in the workforce

gain the training and networking they need to enter this in-demand field. “Our AIM coding school is for individuals who don’t have much technology experience but are looking for a way to gain some core experience to be able to start down that career path,” he said. “We offer code school classes on a variety of different topics — Java, .Net, web fundamentals. “Along with that, we do customized training with companies so if they have a specific technology need for an employee skillset within their organization, we can help create a curriculum and offer some of that training for them so they don’t have to go figure out how to do it themselves.” Rowe said the business community has a role to play in making it easier for willing individuals to change careers into tech positions. “There’s a responsibility of corporations to be willing to take a risk with someone without a tremendous amount of experience, giving them an opportunity with an internship or some sort of mentoring-type relationship,” Rowe said. “We can help prepare people, but it is also up to organizations to bring these people in and help develop them to become strong members of the technology community and ultimately help our economy.”

2019 AIM Tech Celebration’s impact can be felt long after the event by Michelle Leach

The AIM Tech Celebration acknowledged exceptional technology leaders and enterprises on Nov. 14; over the longterm, the annual event is contributing to region-wide health by building the talent pipeline. “In the past, most of the recognition around tech achievements was done as part of these conferences,” said Marina Brown, recipient of the Tech Champion of the Year award. “It did not take on the festive and prestigious spirit that it has recently acquired. The fact that this transition is happening speaks to the recognition of technology’s importance in our community.” Brown was among honorees selected

Emcee Maya Sael of KMTV and Scott Rowe, VP, tech community development at AIM show off light-up suits. (Courtesy of AIM)

as part of an open nomination process, and recognized at the celebration that drew a reported 500-plus people to Metropolitan Community College’s Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology. “If you are outside of the tech community, you probably do not realize the technology powerhouse that the Omaha/Lincoln area is becoming,” Brown said. “Putting the spotlight on it encourages more and more people to get engaged and potentially start a tech business or enter a technology career … In this recent celebration, I saw a lot of students and startups, which is a very positive development.” According to Silicon Prairie News, an arm of AIM Institute, the celebration featured live music and entertainment, 3D tech displays, and the awards ceremony. “For over 25 years, the AIM Institute has celebrated the outstanding contributions in tech talent,” said VP of Program and Resource Development Levi Thiele, Ph.D. “We have honored many up-and-coming technologists, such as Steven Grandfield, who won Tech Innovator in 1995 and is now president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska.” Thiele noted community support has grown tremendously. “From last year to this year, we have doubled our corporate sponsors from 10 to 20, as more businesses want to be associated with this amazing tech event,” said Thiele, who expressed gratitude to title sponsor, Cox Business. Growth is validation that the event’s a “great avenue for recognizing local technology talent and outstanding contributions from our community,” said AIM Board member Ashok Fichadia. “One of the most memorable moments for me, for personal reasons, was when my son was awarded the High School Tech Student of the Year in 2018,” he said.

This year’s Tech Student of the Year, Amanda Crone, is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School. Additional winners in respective award categories include: Tech Community Builder Award recipient, The Aksarben Foundation’s Nebraska Tech Collaborative; Tech Educator of the Year, Dr. Lynn Spady of Westside Community School District; College Tech Education of the Year, Douglas Rausch of Bellevue University; and Startup of the Year Ocuvera of Lincoln. Rounding out this year’s winners: Visio Health and Technical Solutions (Best Technology of the Year to it’s the Working Clinic); Kiewit Innovation Center’s David Guiliani (Tech Innovator of the Year); Enterprise Agile Coach Matt Kirilov (Tech Leader of the Year); and Werner Logistics (Tech Enterprise of the Year). Fichadia, assistant vice president of IT development at Union Pacific, noted how his employer was one of the original founding contributors when AIM Institute was incorporated. According to AIM, in the fallout of the 1980s ag crisis and Enron’s relocation from Omaha to Houston (taking 3,000 jobs with it), commissioned studies found the metro ripe to take advantage of robust telecommunications and IT infrastructure. “At the same time,” the organization notes, “there was a critical shortage in the availability of skilled tech workers to support growing reliance on technology.” The Applied Information Management Institute rose from this environment in 1992 — tasked with coordinating and facilitating efforts to address talent shortages in IT across business-government-educational sectors. “Since then, UP has supported AIM Institute’s mission and goals through several mechanisms, including sponsorships like Continued on next page.

AIM Tech Celebration • Midlands Business Journal • DECEMBER 13, 2019 •

Tech celebration honors leaders in tech community, provides networking by Gabby Christenen

the annual Tech Celebration ceremony presented by Cox Business. Over 500 guests were in attendance. Presenters for the evening included Kandace Miller, president and CEO of AIM Institute; Shonna Dorsey, senior business systems consultant at Mutual of Omaha; Ashley Perkins, vice president of Cox Business; MC Maya Saenz, morning anchor for KMTV 3 News Now; MC Scott Rowe, vice president of Tech Community Development; Tony Vargas, state senator of 7th Legislative District; Joe Olsen, chief growth officer at MediaMonks; Nancy Williams, president/CEO at No More Empty Pots; Tony Veland, director of Community Engagement at AIM Institute, and Victoria Novak, director of Workforce & IT Innovation at Metropolitan Community College. For two decades, AIM has awarded students, educators and business leaders for their outstanding achievements in growing the area’s tech ecosystem. At the event, Nebraska Tech Collaborative, a workforce development initiative created by the Aksarben Foundation, its leadership network, and partner businesses, were named the 2019 The event featured performance artists. (Courtesy Community Builder. of AIM) The 2019 Tech Student award

As part of its commitment to spark interest and innovation in the tech community, AIM Institute honored the metro’s top tech talent for their contributions during

2019 AIM Tech Continued from preceding page. Tech Celebration, services engagement, and board participation,” Fichadia said. Brown got involved via technology professors at College of St. Mary in Omaha who supported AIM and its sponsored Infotec conference. “Through their encouragement, I attended these conferences both on local and regional levels,” she said. “I have also presented at Infotec, most recently on implementation of machine learning in corporations.” While the tech community is growing, Brown acknowledged continued need for boots on the ground to share the “positive message of technology.” “As I said during the awards ceremony, technology is a huge enabler above and beyond pure usability,” she said. “It has the power to put skills in people’s hands that can lift them out of their current state and empower them to make their own decisions and create their own wealth.” This is especially true, Brown noted, for young girls and women. “But we need the role models that they can look up to,” she said. “This is where the AIM tech awards come in — demonstrating what is being done in the community can motivate other people to pursue similar causes.” Brown said the awards also provide a forum for discussing topics that aren’t openly addressed. “This year, the Tech Champion award was focused on creating awareness for young women of the opportunities that technology can open for them,” she said.

Winners pose with their awards. (Courtesy of AIM) The recipient of the 2019 College Tech was presented to Amanda Crone, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School and a Educator was Assistant Professor Douglas current leader in the AIM TRIO Upward Rausch, who is the Maenner Endowed Chair, director of the Center for CyberseBound program. Additionally, Dr. Lynn Spady, K-6 curity Education and the program director enrichment teacher with the Westside for the undergraduate and graduate cyberCommunity School District and sixth security program at Bellevue University. Also at the celebration, Ocuvera was grade accelerated math teacher across the district, was named 2019 High School Tech awarded the title of 2019 Startup of the Year. Ocuvera’s product is a video-based Educator. monitoring system that uses a 3D camera and artificial intelligence to monitor patients in hospital beds for behaviors that indicate fall risk, and sends an alert to nurses so they can react before a fall occurs. Visio Health and Technical Solutions, Inc. were recognized for the 2019 Best Technology Product. Visio and The Working Clinic offers advanced connectivity to deliver high definition medical diagnostic video to doctors. The 2019 Tech Champion was Marina D. Brown, application development manager with Werner Enterprises. At Werner, Brown leads developer and data science teams to create cutting edge logistics software. Additionally, David Giuliani was named the 2019 Tech Innovator at the ceremony. As manager of the Kiewit Innovation Center, Giuliani took 3,000 square feet of empty space in the new Kiewit University building and transformed it into an interactive showcase of Kiewit innovation. Matey Kirilov, organizer or co-organizer of several agile and professional coaching meetups in Omaha and in Bulgaria, was named 2019 Tech Leader. Event attendee trying out a virtual reality demo. (Courtesy of AIM) “The ability to bring this conversation like Union Pacific and at startups like The 2019 Enterprise Business recipient where it can fall on most ears and influ- Buildertrend, but we have a continued and was Werner Logistics. Recent tech imence future behavior is tremendous. In this increasing need for talent. Events like the provements at Werner include implementcase, the award simply becomes a driver Tech Celebration help us us grow and retain ing machine learning algorithms that have for delivering a strong message that can talent in the community.” helped increase productivity of users nearly open many opportunities to women in the Thiele spoke to how the celebration 60%, and developing a strategic partneryears to come.” puts tech talent on the “Omaha agenda,” ship between business and IT leaders on When asked about the celebration’s and puts a spotlight on the need to invest in all initiatives to increase accountability. wider-ranging implications, UP’s Fichadia growing, connecting and inspiring the tech The evening also acted as AIM’s noted how the Midwest isn’t generating community. fundraising gala to support its Brain Exenough tech talent. Going forward, she said AIM wants to change program, which serves tradition“And we often lose them to the East continue to grow attendance and “make this ally underrepresented youth in STEAM [and] West Coasts,” he said. “We certainly event like the Academy Awards for Achieve- (science, technology, engineering, arts, and do great technology work at corporations ments in Tech — roll out the red carpet.” math) fields.

• DECEMBER 13, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal • AIM Tech Celebration

Making investments to advance technology Cox Business salutes the individuals and organizations that enhance the atmosphere of technology innovation in our community. We are committed to inspiring the growth of IT in the greater metro area and cultivating the talent that will not only sustain it, but accelerate it.

Congratulations to the 2019 Tech Celebration Award Winners

coxbusiness.com