Midlands Business Journal February 12, 2021 Vol. 47 No. 7 issue by Midlands Business Journal

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •

Young

Professionals A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

February 12, 2021

Young Professionals uniquely positioned to lead community change By Gabby Hellbusch

Local organizations say there are many ways young professionals are stirring up positive change in the community. Marjorie Maas, executive director at SHARE Omaha, said SHARE Omaha’s website makes it easy to find ways to safely volunteer, provide items nonprofits need and donate funds to over 500 local charities. “SHARE Omaha has grown rapidly to serve as a connector to ‘good’ for over 145,000 metro supporters who have submitted over 4,300 volunteer applications, purchased over 30,000 wish list items for nonMaas profits and attended over 2,200 promoted philanthropic events,” Maas said. “SHARE Omaha raises funds for 501(c)(3) organizations 365 days a year, with its recent Giving Tuesday fundraising campaign on Dec. 1, 2020, generating $3.16 million locally. With the final Omaha Gives, powered by the Omaha Community Foundation occurring in 2020, the entire Council Bluffs/Omaha metro will be encouraged to take part in SHARE Omaha’s Do Good Week presented by FNBO, April 19-24, 2021. This new celebration of all forms of giving will include themed days for volunteerism, purchasing items nonprofits need and fundraising.” Andrew Galvin, a member of Omaha Jaycees, said Omaha Jaycees is involved in a myriad of projects in the community. “Throughout the year, the Jaycees do Ten Outstanding Young Omahans (TOYO), which gives out awards to young professionals making a difference in the community, and one of them receives a grant to help fund their ongoing work,” Galvin said. “We also do Hometown Holidays, where we put up Christmas trees in local businesses and then have shoppers take a tag off and buy the respective gifts for a child in need. Throughout the rest of the year, the Jaycees partner with other organizations such as Brush Up Nebraska to help paint homes for underprivileged members of the community, or Together, Inc. where we assisted with putting together pantry boxes for families experiencing food shortages during the pandemic.” Galvin said young professionals are uniquely situated to drive change in the community. Julio Aguirre, professional development chair at Metro Young Latino Professionals As-

sociation (MYLPA), said MYLPA is dedicated to helping its community. “Being part of a growing community, an ever-changing community, a community that is beginning to have a voice is what brought me into MYLPA,” Aguirre said. “From providing nearly $40,000 in college scholarships to DACA recipients, donating 4,000 masks over the Summer of 2020, and being at the forefront of racial equality, MYLPA stands by its motto: ‘amplifying the power of Latinos through civic and professional engagement.’” According to Aguirre, MYLPA provides a direction and opportunity with the scholarRay ships, networking and local events that are facilitated. “Young Professionals are in control of their future now more than ever,” Aguirre said. “We saw how hard our parents worked and we want to duplicate that in our own way.” Sarah Beth Ray, director of finance and young professional engagement at the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce, said Impact CB Young Professionals is a program of the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce that hosts monthly events centered on professional

Julio Aguirre, professional development chair at Metro Young Latino Professionals. development, networking, volunteering and said Impact CB is hosting events to bring the civic engagement. community together online. “Young professionals who are employed “In the near future, business leaders will by a Chamber member organization are eligible be more focused on accessibility of connecting to join for free,” Ray said. “By bringing young with others, whether in person or virtually,” professionals together, we are connecting the Ray said. “Impact CB is working to prepare next generation of business leaders in our area.” our members for the ever-changing landscape During these times where a majority of of the business world. The next generation people are working from home and many are of leaders will be focused on community and struggling to find a sense of community, Ray togetherness.”

Young Professionals — inside FEBRUARY 12, 2021

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS

$2.00

VOL. 47 NO. 7

Local Hubbell Realty affiliates see sustained growth

THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:

by Michelle Leach

Nebraska Health Network works to transform health in communities. – Page 2

40 er d Un 40 New role allows Diping Huang to help international students assimilate. – Page 4

o hn

log

Commitment to startup support system fuels tech sector growth. – Page 5

Boyer Young Land Development Co., the metro-born and -grown affiliate of West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hubbell Realty Co., shattered a record for land lot sales in 2020, at 265, that had stood for nine years. Inventory pressures and brand recognition are converging to build upon growth represented by the likes of the more than 100 sales transacted, year over year, for the firm which includes a family of local companies: The Home Company. and Premier Land Title Co. “In general, we are experiencing a shortage of existing homes in the market, and that is pushing demand in new home construction,” said Heather Dembinski, who leads the lot sales team. “Builders know the product, and they have a great relationship with The Home Company.” Dembinski referenced the rollout of communities in areas ranging from Bennington to Bellevue for The Home Company, the home-building arm of this threeContinued on page 9.

Boyer Young Land Development’s Heather Dembinski ... Diverse lots, revenue streams, and inventory demand converge to build upon firms’ foundation in metro community, land development. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

Communication expertise, community roots lift Papillion Windows & Siding by Richard D. Brown

A strong emphasis on communication with both homeowners and her installers, plus her roots in the community have been important in Michelle Christensen’s Papillion Windows & Siding, a 15-year-old home exterior remodeling business. “From repairing storm damage on a one-year-old house to replacing windows and the roof on a 100-year-old house, whether I ar-

rive at the home of a potential client or meet with them in my showroom, I’m there to listen and understand their needs,” Christensen said. “It’s not to sell them a list of products.” As founder, owner and president of her company, Christensen — a former 20-year accountant with a degree in accounting from Northwest Missouri State — credits her success as an entrepreneur to her father in addition to the quality Continued on page 9.

Owners Joe Pittack and Jeanne Ohira … Brother-sister duo rely on bold, scratch-made flavors, traditional methods, local vendors and family atmosphere to remain Omaha ice cream staple.

Ted & Wally’s ice cream dishes out big flavors in Old Market and Benson shops by Becky McCarville

Founder Michelle Christensen … Emphasis on locally-owned perks drives the home exterior remodeling company.

While the world seems to speed up at an increasing pace, Ted & Wally’s Ultra-Premium Homemade Ice Cream relies on time-tested traditions — using one of the highest butterfat in the nation (20%); churning ice cream in its century-old White Mountain freezers with rock salt and ice; and incorporating natural flavors and original recipes, sourcing many ingredients from

local vendors. When brother and sister Joe Pittack and Jeanne Ohira bought the shop from Julie Gilbert and Dave and Deb Kirschenman in 2001 (Theodore “Ted” Weber and Dean “Wally” Kirschenman originally founded the ice cream shop in Lincoln in 1984), Ohira had already worked at the Old Market location for four years and Pittack for two. The previous Continued on page 8.

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Nebraska Health Network works to transform health in communities by Gabby Hellbusch

Founded in 2010 as an accountable care organization (ACO), Nebraska Health Network strives to improve health in communities by developing partnerships that deliver patient-centered, high-value care while also addressing cost and patient satisfaction, according to CEO Lee Handke, who joined the organization in 2015.

Nebraska Health Network Phone: 402-559-6464 Address: 9140 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, 68114 Founded: 2010 Service: an accountable care organization focused on improving the quality of care patients receive, making health care more affordable and strengthening overall patient experience Employees: 18 Goal: Empower partners, ensure patients receive highest quality care at the most appropriate cost, increase partnerships and contracts. Website: https://nebraskahealthnetwork. com

Partnering together, Methodist Health System and Nebraska Medicine spearheaded Nebraska Health Network in order to improve care coordination between the entire care team, including primary care providers, specialists and hospitals. What began as an organization run by a committee of physicians who met at night after working during the day, has grown substantially

CEO Lee Handke … The need for accountable care organizations has been amplified in the pandemic. over the years, now serving 165,000 lives in to show them how we’re doing with contracts value-based contracts. with payers and where we can do better. Fifth, “We define our role in five ways,” Handke when we do well, payers offer rewards for said. “First, we enter into agreements with that success by providing incentives that we payers that define quality metrics, cost metrics then distribute to physicians and hospitals that and patient satisfaction measures. Second, are successful.” we aggregate data together. Third, we take It’s the data component, as well as the partthat information and communicate it to phy- nership with other caregivers in the community, sicians and clinics in the network. Fourth, we that really sets Nebraska Health Network apart, collaborate with over 2,500 physicians and he said. other care providers in our network through Handke said the Network also strongly performance reports to show them how they're partners with payers in the market. doing against peers. We also create dashboards “If they had not adopted value-based care,

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which ensures that patients receive the highest quality care at the most appropriate cost, we would not be able to maintain what we do today,” Handke said. “This shift is a really big trend that’s ongoing and changing each year.” He said the biggest challenge is that there’s data everywhere, and bringing the data together can be difficult, but it is necessary to improve performance and quality. “Another challenge is knowing that as good of care that we can provide, we still can’t address all the issues patients are facing, like social and economic determinants,” he said. The Network has addressed this through a partnership with Aunt Bertha, a national social care network, to bring Community Relay to the Midwest. The purpose is to help connect individuals with the services and support they need on demand, Handke said. Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has been another ongoing challenge this past year, as it’s been difficult for patients to visit their physicians. To combat this, telehealth has been heavily implemented across the industry. Over the years, he said seeing the impact and enhanced quality scores has been incredibly fulfilling. This means we’re achieving success,” Handke said. “Personally, getting to work with outstanding teams at Nebraska Medicine and Methodist, as well as our strong team at Nebraska Health Network, is very rewarding to me. Additionally, we’ve been very supported by a lot of great partners on this journey, which makes us feel very grateful.” Today, the Network continues to grow through its increased contracts. “Everything we do is aligned around the patient, keeping them healthy and making sure they're getting the recommended treatment,” he said. “Our vision is: inspired providers, engaged people and healthy communities.”

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Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

New role allows Diping Huang to help international students assimilate by Dwain Hebda She also supports the university’s “2+2 When Bellevue University created the program” with Guangzhou College of Comjob of Global Relationship Manager last year, merce in China, where students attend GCC they had someone just like Diping Huang in for two years and then come to Bellevue Unimind to fill it. After all, Huang is not that far versity to complete two years in Supply Chain removed from the intimidating environment Management. in which many new international students find “We have student housing here and our themselves. international students, especially undergraduate “I came from China about 10 years ago,” students, need the housing,” she said. “Our she said. “I got a study abroad scholarship and school also provides many kinds of assistance I came here. It was a short-term program and I for them. We offer in-person classes and fell in love with Bellevue University. we also have a student center and The people care about you — espethey come to the student center for cially staff members and professors meals.” here care for students. Huang’s first big challenge hit “When I came here, the staff right out of the gate last year, as she members are super friendly. One of started tackling concerns related to my advisers here — he and his wife the COVID-19 pandemic. She said gave me some gloves because they in many cases students just need know we are new here and need help. someone to talk to being so far from We didn’t know how to get gloves. home in difficult times. 2020 It’s winter, snowing. And Thanksgiv“Yes, it’s difficult for everyone, ing we had nowhere to go and the faculty and the COVID-19, but especially for international staff members sacrificed their personal time students who don’t have a family member and hosted different events or invited us to their in the United States,” she said. “Right now, house for dinner. Yeah, they are basically like I’m working on campus because the students our family members and we felt loved.” sometimes stop by my office to say hi or just Huang, who received both a Bachelor of Arts want to talk to somebody. We are here for them. degree in communication and an MBA from The majority of time we are on campus to help Bellevue University, stepped into the new role our students.” last April. In it, she helps manage relationships Prior to her new role, Huang worked for between the university and international partners the university helping to design and implement regarding institutional and student compliance innovative and effective scholarship practices with immigration rules and guidelines. She also allowing first-generation college students to coordinates support services addressing specific access and excel in higher education. Through needs of more than 300 international students this, Huang and her colleagues served approxfrom 32 different countries. imately 1,000 students annually and awarded

Global Relationship Manager Diping Huang … Using personal experiences to help the more than 300 international students from 32 different countries at the university. about $2 million in scholarships and grants to “Some students come back to school and deserving students. when they graduate, they bring their family “Sometimes I’d pick up the phone and member to their graduation and they just want call them and tell them we have a scholarship to say thank you to me and my coworkers. I available here,” she said. “Some students don’t even have a student who came to Bellevue for even know we have resources. They were too her bachelor’s degree and later her brother, her shy to ask questions or they didn’t know. We dad, and her husband all come back to college. have to let them know and also listen to them We have many different stories about how that and communicate with them. changed their lives.”

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Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •

Technology A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

February 12, 2021

Commitment to startup support system fuels tech sector growth by Michelle Leach

The pandemic is unequivocally accelerating technology adoption. But momentum surrounding the state’s tech ecosystem was built in 11 months, continues to take shape, and “shows” in a variety of different ways. “A significant illustration of tech growth in Nebraska is a recent report on the impact of the Business Innovation Act (BIA) on Nebraska startups,” said Matt Foley, director of The Combine, a statewide initiative to support high growth food Foley and ag entrepreneurs. “The report shows firms raised $174.7 million in capital after receiving BIA support. This equals $5.75 in capital for every $1 of state funding.” Prepared by the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the report notes a “multiplier” effect from participating BIA businesses: $517.1 million (total annual economic impact); 2,343-plus jobs accounting for almost $140 million in employee compensation; and $11.7 million in state and local tax impacts. Foley said that The Combine’s annual report “2020 program highlights” include 41 meetings with ag-tech entrepreneurs statewide, 36 active mentors, $1.49 million in funding (by active and alumni Combine companies since its inception in 2019), four jobs created by active and alumni companies, nine meetups, and its distinction as one of 52 programs and one of 55 programs respectively to win $650,000 in two awards (EDA’s Build to Scale and Energy Program for Innovation Cluster Award). Its OnRamp 2020 Agriculture Conference featured 400-plus attendees across 14 countries and 70-plus corporate partners, despite transitioning to a Zoom format. In late January, Foley highlighted its upcoming OnRamp, scheduled for July 14 (virtual) and July 15 (in-person at Millwork Commons in Omaha). Since 2002, the Scott Technology Incubator has supported startups and initiatives to catch Nebraska up with known innovation hubs; for instance, Scott Data Center and Scott Technology Center President Kenneth J. Moreano noted research on National Science Foundation-Small Business Innovation Grants (SBIR). Historically, the state has

Allie Esch, senior associate at Dundee Venture Capital. lagged in terms of award recipients. At this projects they’re working with to pivot from writing, Moreano said they’re working with their primary market to a secondary market, three grant recipients (not headquartered in as the former was “frozen” due to the public Nebraska) to “bring their innovation into health crisis. our community, locate some aspect of their “The secondary market had been part business in Nebraska, and explore potential of the overall strategic plan; however, partnerships with Nebraska companies for [it] was accelerated by more than eight these three to collaborate.” to 12 months because of the pandemic’s The pandemic forced one of the software impact,” Moreano said. “The pivot forced

the company to focus on validating product market fit for the second market in a much more expeditious manner.” An agricultural project experienced growth as customers bought more of their core products, because they were concerned about shortages of said product — similar, Moreano said, to when consumers panic-purchased toilet paper and disinfectant in large quantities. “An interesting outcome is that the increased purchase volume by the existing and new customMoreano ers provided strong validation to the customers of the product’s performance, which has resulted in higher sales in each of the subsequent months,” he said. A third skin care project launched its online presence and sales at the onset of the pandemic. “The timing was clearly not favorable,” Moreano said, yet he attributes their operator/ CEO to reconstituting the team, and effectively adjusting to the impact of changing consumer behaviors and market conditions while inContinued on next page.

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

• Technology

Hottest jobs in the local tech community by Gabby Hellbusch

As technology continues to change the world at a rapid rate, local tech companies say jobs in this sector remain highly sought after. George Wehbe, senior vice president of Fiserv, said financial technology, commonly referred to as fintech, is one of the fastest growing technology sectors globally. “There is a desire — and opportunity — to make the movement and management of money faster, easier and more secure,” he said. “Fiserv

is a pioneer in fintech, and we continue to innovate the movement of money and information among consumers, businesses, and financial institutions. A current growth driver in fintech is digital, and, more specifically, digital banking technology that enables banks and credit unions to provide financial services to their customers and digital commerce technology that enables consumers to purchase goods online or via a mobile device.” Considering the ways consumers will

engage in a post-COVID world, Wehbe said businesses like Fiserv that prioritize building technology that enable digital engagement will be positioned for growth opportunities, and in turn will offer new career opportunities across technology fields such as engineering, web and

Wehbe Thorne app development, cybersecurity, information systems, data science and computer programming. “Technology careers will continue to be in-demand for the foreseeable future as consumers continue their adoption of digital technology to replace what were traditionally thought of as in-person interactions,” he said.

Matt Thorne, executive vice president of Electronic Contracting Company, said the pandemic has forced many businesses and educators to implement technical solutions that allow people to work and learn in remote environments. “This trend won’t stop as many entities have decided to permanently restructure their internal policies and practices to work with these technologies,” he said. “As a result of this growing need for both unified communications and distance learning implementations, there’s a shortage of skilled technicians to design, implement and Khazanchi support these solutions.” Additionally, Thorne said the risks of cyberattacks are on the rise and the need to protect network infrastructures haven’t only become a topic of discussion, but a requirement. “Network administrators that are trained in network security are in high demand and are Continued on page 11.

Commitment to startup support system fuels tech sector growth

Continued from preceding page. creasing discipline in cost/benefit spending priorities. “The company has managed to ‘weather the storm’ and over the past several months has seen continual increases in month-over-month sales.” And, Moreano noted, what was a very small pilot around 24 months ago transitioned to a larger-scale pilot in August (to November), and as of December, is hiring a full-time employee in Omaha, focusing resources to grow its local presence. In its current (third) venture fund, Dundee Venture Capital is focusing on how technology is impacting commerce, construction, trucking, logistics, and financial services — industries at the Midwest economy’s core. “The bar for VC investment has risen over the last year or so,” said Allie Esch, senior associate. “We’re seeing that there is

more capital chasing fewer deals. We’ve also seen an increase in deal flow velocity as new companies are formed and older companies decide to raise venture capital that may not have raised pre-COVID, usually to capitalize on a COVID-related business tailwind.” Dundee Venture Capital’s investment in leadership teams that react to change quickly, solve problems creatively, work collaboratively, and market products innovatively remains unchanged. “There is more regional seed-stage investment activity today than at any point since we formed Dundee VC in 2010,” she said. “When we formed the firm, we had a then-radical idea that the next generation of market-defining technology companies would be built in the ‘Mighty Middle.’” The number and quality of investment opportunities are indicators, Esch noted, that the trend is accelerating — partly, as geography doesn’t matter as much now as it did pre-pandemic. “We believe that we are filling a major gap in the Midwest, and our ability to lead makes our brand stand out,” she added. “With over 600 seed funds in the US, only 2% of seed funds focus on companies outside of San Francisco, Boston and New York.” With more capital flowing, seed rounds that formerly took several months to raise now happen in weeks. In a familiar refrain, the pandemic is accelerating many techbased trends; for example, one of this fund’s core investment themes, ecommerce, has experienced a “decade’s worth of change in six months” — 30% growth in 2020. “Despite the pandemic’s acceleration of technology trends, we often say there are no shortcuts in entrepreneurship, no ‘growth hacks’ to build sustainable, valuable, and enduring technology companies,” Esch emphasized. “We recognize that the investments we are making today will still take years, maybe even a decade, to mature, and we’re playing the long game as seed investors.”

Technology •

As companies work to get back to normal, technology follows wherever they go by Dwain Hebda

Companies working to get back to normal following the pandemic are relying on technology to pave the way. Janel Bromberek, manager of sales at AppExchange for SilverlineCRM, said the company has found an audience for its planning and tracking tools to keep employees on pace. “Calendars connect people,” she said. “As we return to Bromberek work, CalendarAnything empowers employees with the decision and tools to go back to the office when it is a good time for them. RSVP, CalendarAnything’s accelerator, allows employees to self-schedule for a timeslot that works with their new normal.” Bromberek said response to the tools has been overwhelmingly positive from a number of different industries. "Human Resource teams love the ease of using CalendarAnything and RSVP,” she said. “Hospitals have also enjoyed using CalendarAnything and RSVP as it allows patients to sign up for treatment and it also captures data so new patients can be dropped into marketing campaigns for future updates.” Anne Branigan, senior vice president of innovative service with the Greater Omaha Chamber, said staying in touch with the organization’s constituents was just as challenging as communicating with work-fromhome employees. “Prior to March 2020 the vast majority of our work was done in person or over the phone,” she said. “What the pandemic did was force us to innovate at a faster pace and find effective ways to connect people and impart information. We spent time learning from others and trying different methods to see what worked best for our customers.” Branigan said digital meeting tools proved very effective and will undoubtedly be part of operations going forward. “We will never go back to exactly how we were pre-pandemic,” she said. “We have actually received higher customer satisfaction scores with our virtual offerings, and customers told us they were able to attend something they wouldn’t have been able to if it were only in-person. Our individual engagement across the membership base has also increased.” As reliance on technology has increased, so has the need for increased online security, said Mary Kass-Muckey, vice president and CIO at Omaha Steaks. “Omaha Steaks has examined or implemented geo-fencing, multi-factor authentication and VPN for our users as well as file sharing safety guidelines and policies,” she said. “We increased security training and phishing awareness campaigns to help employees understand best practices in password strengthening, device protection and malware education.” Kass-Muckey said a byproduct of reliance on technology is “Zoom fatigue” among employees. “Some employees prefer the interaction face-to-face meetings provide,” she said.

“Some report online meetings are time consuming and not amenable to ad hoc conversations. It is much easier and quicker sometimes to duck your head into a coworker’s office

Branigan Spyers than to arrange a virtual meeting.” Matt Spyers, senior vice president and chief technology officer at First National Bank of Omaha, said for all of the advanceContinued on page 12.

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Ted & Wally’s ice cream dishes out big flavors in Old Market and Benson shops Continued from page 1. owners were looking at selling when the building they occupied (now the Imaginarium) was set to undergo renovations. “A guy from out of state called when I was there that had some kind of doughnut franchise,” Ohira said. “I didn’t want it to turn into that. I really loved working there and the family that we worked for and just kind of the whole concept and the people and everything — I wanted to keep that going.”

Ted and Wally’s Ultra-Premium Homemade Ice Cream Phone: 402-341-5827 (Old Market); 402551-4420 (Benson) Address: 1120 Jackson St., Omaha 68102; 6023 Maple St., Omaha 68104 Services: ultra-premium, 20% butterfat ice cream made from scratch using all-natural ingredients and old-fashioned methods Founded: 1984 by Theodore “Ted” Weber and Dean “Wally” Kirschenman in Lincoln Employees: about 40 during peak season Website: tedandwallys.com

Ohira remembered calling Pittack, who was attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at the time, to see if he wanted to get a loan and buy the business with her. He said yes. “He moved back,” she said. “The owners were really helpful with us getting started and kind of showing us the ropes and all of that. We’re still really good friends with them — they’re really good people.” After becoming new owners of the business, Ohira and Pittack moved the shop to its current location at 1120 Jackson St. While a community focus was infused within the company culture, Ohira and Pittack instituted some changes when they took over, like developing scratch-made recipes using local cream and eggs, real sugar and high butterfat specifically formulated for its century-old freezers. “It’s a New York style — very rich, lots of eggs, very, very high fat, which no one else is serving here in Omaha,” Ohira said. “So I think the way we make it is unique … once we bought it, we more and more rolled in getting [ingredients] from local bakeries and farmers and all of that.” A couple of years ago, Ohira found the old recipe box from the original shop, which had 108 recipes. Now, they have over 3,000. Ted & Wally’s is known for its creative, offthe-wall recipes as well as customer favorites, like the Salty Seahorse — salted caramel with chocolate cream-filled cookies — which has a “cult following.” One “weird” flavor had salted caramel apple, bourbon and prime rib flavors. Another was a cigar-inspired flavor. One of Ohira’s favorite concoctions is Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee, an homage to Muhammed Ali — an orange honey ice cream with pound cake, bee pollen and candied orange peel. “Actually, even when we do weird stuff, we try to make it good — that’s kind of my thing,” Ohira said, adding that she trained at Escoffier School of Culinary Arts and has been making ice cream for 25 years. Other flavors are inspired by local bakeries, like a signature cheesecake or bagel. “For me, I think it’s how I cook,” she said. “I’ve developed most of the flavors, but we also have some employees who make ice cream and who’ve come up with some great flavors. Duffy came up with cucumber sandwich, which is a

Longtime employee Michael Duffy scoops limoncello ice cream at the Old Market location. really popular one. I never would have thought our flavors — going with the heavy-hitters and less experimental,” Pittack said. “We had of that flavor.” The pandemic affected sales in 2020 — to really look at what are we spending money on. We’ve got to treat it like January — treat down 40% from 2019 — not just because of the whole year like January.” the shutdown from March through May, but The Benson store’s sales bumped up after also because of a reduction in tourism from the Taste of New Orleans, an Omaha food truck, the NCAA Men’s College World Series, Olympic Swimming Trials, businesspeople moved into that location in July. “With Taste of New Orleans coming into visiting Omaha for conferences and the like. The downtown store was more affected than our Benson location in July, we actually saw the Benson store because of “losing that tourist a boost from them in Benson,” he said. “We actually had numbers coming in that were dollar,” Pittack said. better than 2019 at our Benson location. We And while money from the first round of were really happy about that — that kind of PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) helped, along with grant money from the state to keep bucked the trend.” Ted & Wally’s established its Benson employees on the clock, the owners got creative with curbside pickup, deliveries and paring location in 2016, at that time partnering with Localmotive, which has since gone out of down flavors. “We really kind of streamlined things — business.

“I think being in the Old Market — it’s the perfect shop for the Old Market area, and when the Benson shop came open it was a similar kind of vibe,” Ohira said. “The community — its diversity in ownership in the area and the customer — I think it fits in for that.” Supporting small, local shops and taking care of employees is important to the owners, and they’re aware how a decrease in orders for ingredients also affects other businesses. They get chocolate from Sweet Minou, caramel from Perennial Homestead, and other ingredients from FarmTable, Lone Tree Farm, local bakeries and farmers. “That’s been hard on my mind through all of this is trying to take care of all our employees, then how much we work with all these other businesses,” Ohira said. “And we’ve had to pare down — normally we have donut ice cream sandwiches from Culprit Café and Bagel Bin and Sweet Magnolias — just have had to pare down so much this year. We’re all just trying to get through and looking forward to it changing.” They’re also supportive of other local ice cream shops like Zestos, Dairy Chef and Coneflower, and have cross-posted eating ice cream at the other shops on social media, for example. And, the entire Dairy Chef family visited Ted & Wally’s downtown location and posted it online. “I think that’s how it should be. We’re all doing something a little bit differently,” Ohira said. “We have very strong opinions, Joe and I, similar ways of looking at it, and I think it’s really important as a community to really support each other, especially for small, family-owned businesses, absolutely need to be supporting each other. It’s good for the economy, it’s good for the community and it’s good for diversity.”

COVID-19 inspires new awareness, protocols for health care industry by Dwain Hebda

Medical professionals say the experience of living with and adapting to COVID-19 will have a lasting positive effect on the health care industry going forward. These improvements run the gamut of enhanced care for high-risk patients to increased development of medical technology. “I believe the brightest spotlight during COVID in 2020 was shown upon two areas specifically: the geriatric care community and the critical care segment of our hospital systems,” said James Rago, administrator at All Midlands Health Services. “As a provider of nursing services and personnel, we have seen a large burden placed upon our direct patient care staff as well as the geriatric community at large. “The risks taken by direct patient care staff cannot be over-valued. In some cases, they have paid the ultimate price for their dedication and selflessness. It has also shown the vulnerability of our elderly population as it exacerbated their isolation.” Rago also said even routine medical practices have been enhanced as a result of COVID-19, benefiting all patients. He predicted more people will be inspired to enter the medical professions. “Doctors and nurses have been trained on the importance of infection control and will likely be even more vigilant in the future based on their experiences in 2020,” he said. “The attention paid to first-line health care providers will encourage more people to go into the health care field. We have seen how

important critical patient care, research and communication have been in this pandemic.” OneWorld Community Health Centers CEO Andrea Skolkin said technology is

Skolkin Tremblay another element of health care that has been advanced by the fight against coronavirus. “Technology works; we changed in one week to embrace primary care through telehealth and expanded behavioral health telehealth,” she said. “Telehealth was the pivot, and that mode of health care delivery works for many and will continue. Zoom and similar platforms have become an essential tool, not limited to pandemics. “Even the air we breathe has undergone transformation in many settings from HVAC overhauls, HEPA filtration and bipolar ionization. We will need to continue these efforts to optimize air quality.” Skolkin said as technology continues to develop, such tools will become more prominent in educating physicians, nurses and other health professionals.

“The future will bring more technology and care to people in their homes, through their telephones or other technology. This comes from innovation, research and development,” she said. “I think telehealth and the integration of behavioral health and emergency response will be included in [medical] education.” Joel Tremblay, president of Medical Solutions, said additional changes in the credentialing and deployment of new medical personnel is another potential positive to come out of the pandemic. “The way many states reacted through executive order to ease their licensing restrictions and requirements to allow for a larger pool of clinicians is something we will see gain traction, even post-pandemic,” he said. “There is a push for a national nursing license, which would allow for a faster mobilization of clinicians to areas most in need, regardless of state borders.” Tremblay said the inspiring efforts of front-line health care workers also highlighted certain operational shortcomings, such as supply chain bottlenecks. As a result, he expects these issues to be greatly reduced in the future. “As with any event or experience, we learn, make adjustments and improve,” he said. “Our health care system is no different. There was an enormous spotlight on the shortage of PPE throughout this last year and this will be an area where we see adjustments made to ensure the sufficient number of medical supplies and equipment are on hand or available.”

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •

Local Hubbell affiliates share sustained growth with Boyer Young Continued from page 1. pronged Greater Omaha Hubbell group, which also includes all-inclusive title and escrow services provider, Premier Land Title Co. The firms share a local home at 9719 Giles Road in La Vista with Boyer Young, whose services reportedly support builders in finding homesites, land owners in finding buyers and homeowners in managing developed neighborhoods. “We have a trusted name,” said David Vogtman, who is the founder and president/ co-owner of The Home Company, as well as Hubbell’s general manager. “Builders gravitate towards our areas. They know our lots are developed correctly, and that our neighborhoods are set up correctly and are financially sound.” The firms recently celebrated two years as Hubbell affiliates; with roots tracing back to 1865, the full-service commercial construction, development, property management, brokerage and home-building company acquired Boyer Young, The Home Company and Premier Land Title Dec. 31, 2018. “This was Hubbell’s first acquisition,”

said Senior Communications Specialist Claire Brehmer. “Hubbell was looking for a suitable partner to expand and diversify our homebuilding portfolio across the Midwest, and Boyer Young co-owners were looking for a financial growth and succession plan.” Brehmer recalled how the Hubbell leadership team had been monitoring the growth of the Omaha market “for a few years.” “Like central Iowa, Omaha continues to see a steady population growth and increasing housing market,” she added. “And being less than two hours away, the merger was an easy, positive-impact decision.” Brehmer further noted that the partnership has allowed both parties to keep up with tremendous growth in the housing market, offering various floorplans and lot plans in more communities across the metro. It was a sentiment shared by Vogtman, who noted diversification is represented in more than a few ways. “We’re diversifying our lot portfolio,” he said. “We’re starting to develop smaller lots for narrower-type products to keep costs down.” However, he and Brehmer emphasized

their “bread and butter” in larger lots, which Vogtman indicated has been helped along by the social effects surfacing from COVID-19. “People are searching for bigger homes,” he said. “So, they can have a home office and other amenities.” He also referenced “multi-generational” housing. Anchor Pointe in Bennington illustrates these and other trends. “People are spending more time in their homes and with their families,” Dembinski said. “Anchor Pointe backs to Flanagan Lake, and they have large trails and greenspace.” In fact, Boyer Young advertises some 730 acres of “recreation” associated with the community located two miles south of West Maple Road on N. 168th Street. “We have multiple different revenue streams,” Vogtman said, when asked about the organization’s internal advantages. He indicated there is a seamlessness and healthy collaboration across its entities, from lot sales to home-building, that can represent contention or struggles within other industry organizations with different structures.

Communication expertise, community roots lift Papillion Windows & Siding Continued from page 1. products her company sells. “Ours is a low-pressure educational sales style that is straight forward, with all-inclusive pricing and backed by licensed, bonded and insured team members,” she said. “It’s based on fair pricing and generous financing options.” That said, the tenacious Christensen, who honed her work skills by walking bean fields near Lenox, Iowa and pulling weeds, believes that one reason for the growth of Papillion Windows & Siding, which enjoyed a 35% growth in revenues in 2019, gives credit to her father as being her best teacher. “He taught me so many great lessons — one of my favorites is to always be prepared before talking with a potential customer,” she said. “I educate myself on products and processes on a daily basis so that I am confident in walking into a home and presenting my products.” She is essentially the only salesperson-educator for Papillion Windows & Siding, a situation Christensen said she’s found most customers prefer. “They like to work directly with the owner of the company because there’s no going through sales personnel and the typical dog and pony show,” Christensen said. “I also give my cell phone number and I find trust is a huge factor in them making their decision.” Christensen said the current shortage of homes for purchase in the Omaha area is causing more homeowners to decide to stay in their current housing. In seeking to update the look of their residence, she discusses different styles in siding, windows and roofing. A couple of years ago Papillion Windows & Siding invested in five software programs that enable prospective clients to “visualize” or see siding of various styles and colors on their current home. “For windows, we can change the design and style and enable the client to get an interactive look on how a style change will look,” she said. Christensen, who spent two years with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Kansas City and 19 years with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of

Nebraska before starting Papillion Windows Papillion Windows & Siding serves the & Siding, said her revenues are almost evenly entire metro area including Council Bluffs, split between windows, siding and roofing. Blair and Lincoln. As the firm’s scope has Spring and summer storms some years can widened, so has some of its jobs. Duplex and cause more spending on one or two of the town home complexes — some with as many revenue sources. as 40 units — have been served. “Relationships with insurance agents Area trade schools and community colhave been important to our growth,” she said. leges don’t have programs to train installers Papillion Winto meet the needs of d o w s & S i d i n g Papillion Windows & Siding, Inc. home improvement operates out of a Phone: 402-597-1777 companies specializ2,800-square-foot Address: 1230 Royal Drive, Ste.2, ing in exterior work. h e a d q u a r t e r s a n d Papillion 68046 On-the-job training is showroom at 1230 Services: home exterior remodeling the only alternative for Royal Drive. The firm Founded: 2006 by Michelle Christensen company owners such has 12 installers that Employees: 12 independent contractor as Christensen. operate as indepen- installers Word-of-mouth dent contractors on job One-year goal: Drive home message supplies 98% of the crews that range from of customers demanding quality home customers. Social meone to six depend- service maintenance work. dia such as Google ing on the size of the Industry outlook: Due to COVID-19 and Facebook have house and difficulty of some building products such as those also become more imthe job. portant. made with vinyl remain in short supply. Christensen said Website: www.papillionwindowsandsidChristensen said her strong emphasis ing.com the “gift of gab” on effective commuthat she developed nication extends to as a young child has her supervision of the contractors. Most are evolved into a more consistent and focused in the 30 to 50 age range and must adhere to message that she controls as Papillion Winher professional standards that include telling dows & Siding’s lone educator-salesperson. the truth, using appropriate language, keeping Christensen, who named the company the job site clean, and no smoking. after her city, said she wanted to commuOne window crew member has hit 13 nicate the local base of her business, which years of experience; a three-man gutter crew she started with no loan money, and with the has been working for Christensen since the knowledge and input of only a few of her beginning. closest friends. She said her customers appreciate her “My dad has been supportive of me since straight talk and willingness to admit when the day one and encouraged me from the beginrequirements of a particular job may be a bit ning to open my business,” she said. “Sharing outside the firm’s expertise or comfort level. his many years of business experience with “Yes, we will walk away from some me has been invaluable and having had him situations and return the customer’s mon- work for me for several years and mentoring ey,” Christensen said. “They appreciate the me as a salesperson has helped me achieve honesty.” success.” On one occasion, installers found that Christensen is a board member of the getting to the fourth story of a roof was Millard Business Community Foundation. impossible with the scaffolding available. In Her involvement in BNI International, a busianother situation, installers got up on the roof ness networking organization, has also been and found the condition of the home’s rafters important to her success in growing Papillion to be shifting and too unstable. Windows & Siding.

“We don’t have a lot of people, but we get a lot done, and the people that we do have — like Heather — are efficient and know what they’re doing,” Vogtman said. Dembinski, for one, has real estate in her blood; she learned a great deal from her mom, a licensed real estate agent, and learned about new construction firsthand from her father and brother, both builders.

Hubbell Realty Co. in Omaha (Boyer Young Land Development Co., The Home Co., Premier Land Title Co.) Phone: 334-3690 (Boyer Young); 884-4854 (The Home Co.); 891-7160 (Premier Land Title Co.) Address: 9719 Giles Road, La Vista 68128 (Boyer Young and The Home Co.) Services: solutions for builders, buyers, and sellers related to the development of communities, land (Boyer Young); home builder (The Home Co.), all-inclusive title and escrow (Premier Land Title) Website: www.boyeryoung.com, www.thehomecompanyomaha.com, www.premierlandtitlecompany.net, www.hubbellrealty.com

Two years after she earned her license, in 2014, Dembinski joined Boyer Young. “I quickly fell in love with the land development side,” she said. “I’ve met so many great people. And every community I sell is different, and every home I sell is different. I also have the opportunity to see something go from a field to homes that families live in.” Dembinski also joins accomplished female leadership within the organization, such as Hubbell Homes Vice President Rachel Flint, a reported past president of the Greater Des Moines Home Builders Association and a recent 2021 National Housing Quality Award recipient. Brehmer quoted Flint as saying, “‘I don’t want to be the ‘best woman;’ I want to be the ‘best in the industry.’ And that rings true across the board for all of the leading ladies in the industry.” Dembinski emphasized “support.” “Find a niche and what excites you,” she tells early careerists. “Have an open mind. A willingness to learn from other people is probably the greatest tool. Learn everything you can, educate the buyers along with it, and it should give you great success. Remember how you treat them, and not what you sold them.” Local leadership also highlighted the team’s support of Mosaic, a nonprofit that supports adults with intellectual disabilities. Even though its annual golf outing was canceled due to the pandemic, sponsors still donated and raised a large contribution again. In Hubbell’s “home” market, Brehmer noted how its “Hubbell Extreme Build” every four years attracts more than 100 trade partner companies and its homebuilding and land development/construction teams to rebuild a facility at an organization of their choice. This initiative goes back to 2006, when Hubbell was invited to participate in ABC’s “Extreme Home Makeover” show. Its most recent builds span a new Easter Seals Cabins for Campers and a new Ronald McDonald of Central Iowa house in Downtown Des Moines, in 2013 and 2017 respectively. This year’s build is Easter Seals Care for Kids, a 12,000-square-foot child care facility.

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

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Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •

Don’t give up on remote work, even if you hate it by Sarah Green Carmichael

A new year is well underway, but many of us are exactly where we were last March: working from home. Most people enjoy that, the data show, finding that it reduces stress and inWorkplace creases productivity. But what about the vocal minority who are truly miserable? Some form of location flexibility is probably here to stay. So it’s worth the effort to find a way to work from home that you don’t hate. That starts with figuring out

what exactly you hate about it. First, consider whether it’s working from home that bothers you, or actually your job. If you felt miserable when you were going into the office every day, you probably didn’t tell yourself, “Man, I really hate this building.” When the problem is the work itself, you have bigger career questions to answer. If it’s not, then your particular role might be making remote work especially hard. Managers find it much more difficult than do those who don’t supervise others. AM TOO!

While the rest of us have been able to reallocate commuting time to personal activities, managers are using that time (and then some) to work longer hours, research shows. Managers and people in collaborative jobs with lots of meetings are also the most likely to suffer Zoom fatigue. Restructuring the work itself would be a challenge, but it might be necessary. Marissa King, the author of “Social Chemistry: Decoding the Elements of Human Connection,” says that means answering questions such as: What do we actually need to do to support one another? What makes a meeting effective? What constitutes a productive workday? Cutting the costs of collaborating will pay off even after the return to the office. Or maybe your company’s culture is not well-suited to remote work. King says that only strong company cultures translate well to the work-from-home world. In those with weak cultures, employees don’t know what’s expected of them — and readily fill in the blanks

Hottest tech jobs right now

Answers on page 12.

Continued from page 6. needed to educate, identify, respond and implement proactive measures,” he said. “People are reliant on their technology more than ever in their workplaces, schools, churches and homes. The demand for educated and skilled technical jobs will continue to surpass technical labor pools. Electronic Contracting continues to support our local technical colleges, organizations and high school guidance counselors to advise on the growing demand for quality technicians and opportunities that are available for them.” Dr. Deepak Khazanchi, associate dean for Academic Affairs and professor of Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis within the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s College of Information Science & Technology, said employment in the computer and information technology field is expected to grow by 11% between 2019 and 2029, according to the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). “I would argue that all jobs will be tech jobs to some extent as automation and industry 4.0/5.0 will take hold; all college graduates will need to have exposure, if not competence, in aspects of technology that affect all business functions,” he said. According to Khazanchi, human intellect and analytical skills will still be irreplaceable. “Automation will take two forms: One for routine tasks, complete automation will be the norm; for nonroutine and unstructured tasks, supervised or unsupervised learning-based approaches will be used to automation and decision support,” he said. “Emphasis on algorithmic fairness in developing software will become even more important. Finally, I would predict that societal and ethical challenges will continue to force scientists and citizens to consider the impact of automation and the importance of consideration of issues of digital divide, skills gaps based on ZIP Code and economic status, sustainability and economic disparities.”

with biases or misunderstandings. And any company that can’t function without eight hours of meetings a day will struggle to function remotely. Conversely, it’s easier to work from home for a company where people rarely send emails at night (they do exist). One thing that’s probably not to blame for your anti-WFH attitude is your personality. Despite headlines about how extroverts suffer more from remote working, introverts also miss the social fix they get from casual office interactions. But people with different personalities probably don’t suffer in the same way. King distinguishes between “segmenters” and “integrators.” Segmenters are those who usually draw a bright line between work and home; they keep separate work and home calendars, don’t mix work friends with personal friends, and may even live rather far from the office. Integrators are more comfortable jumbling their work and home lives. Segmenters might struggle with WFH right now because they’ve lost the boundaries that made them comfortable. (This may be one reason that men, who on average are more accustomed to keeping work and home life separate, are more dissatisfied with WFH arrangements.) But integrators have difficulties of their own. They’re often the people who have a hard time switching off email at the end of the day. Thinking about which way you lean might help pinpoint what’s bugging you, and how to fix it. Hewing to daily routines and wearing work-from-home clothes (not sweatpants) might help segmenters feel more in control; stopping work at a certain time each day might help integrators find balance. Of course, some things can’t be changed right now. Loneliness has been one of the biggest complaints among those working remotely this year, but that’s more about the pandemic than work. (Normally, a remote worker can compensate for her monastic days with super-social nights and weekends.) And some WFH problems may not be solved by returning to the office. For example, fed-up WFH-ers say they have no privacy and too many interruptions. They’re irritated by the chatter of their spouse and kids. But note that lack of privacy, constant interruptions and intrusive sounds are also the biggest complaints about open offices. If fixing what’s bad about WFH isn’t realistic, then pay more attention to what’s good about it. A survey of knowledge workers conducted by London Business School’s Julian Birkinshaw in 2013 and again in 2020 showed that most of them find benefits from working at home: They are able to spend more time on the work they deem valuable and important, more time on training and development, and less time politicking with managers and colleagues. Even if you’ve hated working from home during the pandemic, it doesn’t mean you’ll never enjoy remote work in the future. And that’s good, because the future will probably include some WFH elements. In any case, the pandemic is going to last several more months. There’s still time to adapt. ©2021 Bloomberg News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Clear N95 face masks designed by Ford could be huge for hearing impaired, teachers by Phoebe Wall Howard

Ford Motor Co. has designed and created clear N95 face masks so that hearing impaired people can read lips while protecting themselves from COVID-19, the company announced recently. A patent is pending for the new design, which is awaiting fedPandemic eral approval to qualify for N95 status from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The low-cost, reusable respirators may supplement or replace the use of cloth masks that block facial expression and lips from view as mask wearers seek protection from the increased threat of new coronavirus variants. In addition to the hearing impaired, these masks could be used by people who depend on facial expressions to better do their jobs, like teachers. Face masks many people wear today are often not tight. Respirators are airtight on the face and protect both the wearer and

the people nearby. This new design by Ford filters exhalation, protecting the people around the face mask user. Ford has also made and distributed cloth surgical masks. “One of the things that’s missing during the pandemic is the power of a smile,” said Jim Baumbick, Ford vice president, Enterprise Product Line Management and leader of the company's PPE (personal protection equipment) manufacturing effort, in a news release. “This clear respirator promises to improve interactions between neighbors, at the store and for those who have hearing impairments." An immigrant's legacy Will Brick, design prototype lead at D-Ford, the company’s human-centered design studio, designed the clear mask. “I was interested in making something that was reusable, that didn’t fog somebody’s glasses,” he told the Free Press. “I was looking in the mirror at the shop to see

how it would fit on the face and realized I could see myself smiling.” The goal, initially, was to design a transparent reusable N95 respirator for health providers — an idea inspired by discussions with doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists, Brick said. “So you could share facial expressions and bring some humanity back to our conversations and encounters with people. A simple human thing like a smile has been absent so many months now.” Brick is from a family that has worked in the auto industry for more than a century. His great-grandfather, Fred Manhire, moved from working the tin mines in Cornwall, England, to working mines in the Upper Peninsula, known for its copper. Then he headed down to Detroit to work at the Rouge plant when it opened. He did a number of jobs, like putting steering wheels on the Model A. Now Brick, 41, of Berkley is part of a team doing final advanced prototyping.

Tax season is almost upon us and it’s going to be a messy one. Here’s what to know by Abdel Jimenez

The 2021 tax season gets underway next Friday, and taxpayers will see some changes ushered in by the coronavirus pandemic that could affect their Financial returns. Experts say people should be aware of certain situations, including working in a different state or claiming a stimulus payment, that could affect their tax liability. Here’s what you need to know: —Are stimulus checks taxable? No. Anyone who qualified but didn’t receive a payment can claim the amount as a credit on their 2020 federal return. Tax experts say some people might be able to receive a larger tax refund if they were shortchanged on their stimulus payments. In the first round of stimulus payments last spring, the IRS used 2019 tax returns to determine eligibility in most cases, so those who ended up earning less in 2020 could be eligible for more, said Jason Katz, a wealth

Technology follows

Continued from page 7. ments of last year, the business community has only scratched the surface on technology’s potential. “We’re going to continue to research and look for new solutions that we can deploy to engage our customers digitally, offering them advice and guidance which traditionally had been provided through the branch,” he said. In the process, Spyers said, the bank continues to listen to employees to ensure it is adopting the right technology, the right way. “We routinely did short pulse surveys of our employees to get their feedback and then we’d incorporate that feedback in future things that we would roll out or deploy. I envision that will continue going forward,” he said. “I think what we’ve learned is the importance of communication, but also the importance of continually listening and getting feedback from our employees.”

management advisor for Bartlett Wealth Management. New parents who had a child last year and report it on their 2020 return might receive a higher tax refund or see their tax liability shrink. Taxpayers who received a higher stimulus payment than they should have based on their 2020 income aren’t liable to pay it back to the IRS, Katz said. In the first round of stimulus payments, individuals earning less than $75,000 in adjusted gross income qualified for the full $1,200 payment, and married couples filing a joint return with income of less than $150,000 qualified for $2,400. The federal government offered $500 per dependent child to certain taxpayers. People who made more qualified for smaller amounts, and it was phased out for individuals whose income exceeded $99,000 or $198,000 for joint filers with no children. The second round of stimulus payments covered more people, including mixed-immigration status families. The payments were reduced to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for joint filers. For people who earned more than those amounts, the payments were reduced and then phased out for individuals making more than $87,000 and $174,000 for couples with no children. —What if I worked remotely from another state? People who spent part of last year working from a vacation home in another state might owe income taxes there, too, but the answer depends on the state. “It could be very complicated this year. The more states people have been at and working could be an issue,” said Eileen Sherr, director of tax policy at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A few states, like Texas and Florida, don’t have personal income taxes, but almost every other state that does will impose them on nonresidents working remotely from that state after a certain number of days. Illinois residents catch a break here. The state has reciprocity agreements with

Wisconsin, Michigan, Kentucky and Iowa that prevents Illinois residents from having to pay income tax in those states. For people working in states other than those, Illinois offers a tax credit to reduce double taxation. In light of the growing number of people working in different states, a group of states have offered some guidance to remote workContinued on page 19.

Not only would these be helpful to hearing impaired people but Ford also learned that children with autism have a harder time communicating when they can’t see facial expressions. Reusable N95 respirators could provide medical protection as well as ease demand for disposable masks and reduce waste, he said. Ford plans to do continued testing this winter in hopes of making the masks available in the spring. It is unclear at this time whether they will be sold or donated. Promise from Bill Ford Bill Ford, executive chairman of the company, has committed to donating 100 million masks by mid-2021. The company recently increased its commitment to 120 million. These are medical-grade face masks primarily for at-risk communities, in addition to supplies being made available at Ford dealerships around the country. The Ford Fund has played a key role in distribution. Ford cleared approximately $50 million in profit from its government contract to make ventilators this year to replenish the national stockpile, in addition to small sales of PPE, including isolation gowns, Mark Truby, chief communications officer at Ford, said in November. In addition to filling the government contract order for ventilators, the company has made face masks, face shields, gowns and respirators. Most of the face shields were donated to first responders and health care workers throughout the nation. ©2021 www.freep.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • LEGAL NOTICES MBJ legal notice instructions The following are some guidelines to consider when posting legal notices with the Midlands Business Journal: 1. Submit a written notice in either Microsoft Word or as a PDF document to the Legal Department at legals@mbj.com, fax to 402-758-9315 or mail: 1324 S. 119th St. Omaha, NE 68144. For trade names, submit a copy of approved (bar code in upper right hand corner) Application For Registration of Trade Name from the Secretary of State to the same email address. Please include your billing address and the desired duration you’d like your notice to run (trade names run for only one week). As a publisher and not a legal advisor we print notices exactly as they are submitted and therefor only comp reruns when the notice was rejected or messed up due to a MBJ error. All companies submitting notices are responsible for ensuring the content fits with the State’s requirements and are responsible for the cost of republishing the notice if it is rejected due to misinformation or missing information 2. You will receive a confirmation and price quote. Legal notices, except for trade names, are charged per line. The flat fee for a trade name is $50. Payment options are cash or check. 3. Deadline is noon Tuesday for a notice to start publishing that Friday. 4. All costs include fees to file the notice with the Secretary of State and/or any appropriate courts. 5. You will receive a paid invoice copy the first week it runs and a copy of the affidavit filed with the courts the last week.

Jeffrey T. Palzer, Attorney KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is JKE HOSPITALITY HOLDINGS, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 17676 Welch Plaza, Ste. 9, Omaha, Nebraska, 68135. The registered agent is Javier T. Villa and the Registered Agent's address is 17676 Welch Plaza, Ste. 9, Omaha, Nebraska, 68135. 3. The general nature of the Company is holding company. 4. The Company commenced on December 30, 2020, 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 January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that BIG FUNDAMENTAL LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with the following registered agent and registered office: Joe Finocchiaro, 17007 Howard Plaza, Omaha, NE 68118. The general nature of the business to be transacted is any or all lawful business. The business commenced on April 30, 2019, and it shall continue in perpetuity. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that SREI, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with the following registered agent and registered office: Julie Wilson, 101 South 108th Avenue, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68154. The general nature of the business to be transacted is any or all lawful business. The business commenced on January 6, 2021, and it shall continue in perpetuity. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

JERRY W. KATSKEE, Attorney K & K Law P.C., L.L.O. 10675 Bedford Ave., Suite 201, Omaha, NE 68134 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Corporation Name: K & K Law, P.C., L.L.O., 10675 Bedford Avenue Suite 201, Omaha, NE 68134 Incorporator: Jerry W. Katskee Incorporator Address: 10675 Bedford Avenue Suite 201, Omaha, NE 68134 Registered Agent: Jerry W. Katskee Registered Office/Agent Address: 10675 Bedford Avenue Suite 201, Omaha, NE 68134 Corporation shall engage in any lawful business for which a professional corporation may be formed under the Nebraska Professional Corporation Act. Authorized capital stock is $10,000.00 to be fully paid and non-assessable on issue. Perpetual existence commenced on January 10, 2020, when Articles were filed with the Secretary of State. Affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors and officers authorized by the By-Laws and the Board. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

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 KKB HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that KKB Holdings, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 22145 West Maple Road, P.O. Box 131, 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 January 21, 2021. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

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 AC TIRES LLC The name of the Company is AC Tires LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is 6130 Military Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68104. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is Anthony M. Giessinger, 6130 Military Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68104. This limited liability company commenced business on January 21, 2021. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CEDAR FLY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Cedar Fly, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 5808 S. 118 Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. The Registered Agent of the Company is Registered Agents, Inc., 530 S. 13th Street, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68508. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TMM, 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 TMM, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 419 West Judy Road, Fremont, NE 68025. William Douglas, Organizer First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF NORDHUES RAILWAY VALUE SOLUTIONS, LLC Notice is hereby given that a limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is Nordhues Railway Value Solutions, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 15414 Himebaugh Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116. Connie Nordhues-Bieber, Member First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF BUCKENDAHL’S TRUCKING, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BUCKENDAHL’S TRUCKING, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 14905 Z Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. The registered agent is JOE R. BUCKENDAHL. The general nature of the business is to operate a general over the road trucking 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 over the road trucking 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 August 18, 2020, and upon its Articles being filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on October 20, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors, the number of directors to be provided in the By-Laws, and the officers shall be a President, VicePresident, 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 January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF CKP HOLDING COMPANY, LLC Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, the Certificate of Organization of CKP HOLDING COMPANY, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been amended to change the name of the Company to SHARMALEAU HOLDINGS, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nebraska on January 25, 2021. In all other respects, the Certificate of Organization remains unchanged. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF PopOmaha!, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PopOmaha!, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 5428 South 13th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107. The registered agent is AUBREY A. PALERMO. The general nature of the business is to operate a general licensed signage rental/installation business, to own, operate and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law, which are necessary, suitable, proper, convenient or expedient to the operation of a general licensed signage rental/installation business. The authorized capital stock is $10,000.00, consisting of 10,000 shares of stock having a par value of $1.00 each, which stock shall be paid for wholly or partly by cash, by labor, by personal property and by real property. The corporation became a corporate body upon its Articles of Incorporation being filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on June 19, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors, the number of directors to be provided in the ByLaws, 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 January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Husker Entertainment, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the Company is 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent of the Company is Thomas E. Whitmore, 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Company was formed on January 13, 2021. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

JAMIE M. HURST, Esq. WALENTINE O'TOOLE, Attorneys 11240 Davenport Street P.O. Box 540125 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-0125 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JUETT PROPERTIES, LLC Juett Properties, LLC, with its initial designated office at 2023 S. 214th Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, gives notice that it filed its Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 22, 2021, and that it has been organized as a Nebraska limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial agent for service of process is Lance Juett, and his initial mailing address is 2023 S. 214th Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The company’s period of duration is perpetual, and the general nature of its business is to engage in any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Jamie M. Hurst, Organizer First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

JOHN N. MASSIH, Attorney MASSIH LAW, LLC 226 N. 114th Street Omaha, NE 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR 21-69 Estate of TIMOTHY COMPTON, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on January 19th, 2021, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Intestacy of said Decedent and that TAMMY FLEER, of 5017 s. 93rd st. Omaha, NE 68127 was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before April 5, 2021 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HUSKERS IN CB, LLC The name of the Company is Huskers in CB, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 13323 California Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. 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 January 20, 2021. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

JUSTIN A. SHELDON, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MANNA SALON STUDIOS LLC Notice is hereby given that MANNA SALON STUDIOS 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 16911 Briar 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. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

Jeffrey T. Palzer, Attorney KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is JKE HOSPITALITY 2, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 17676 Welch Plaza, Ste. 9, Omaha, Nebraska, 68135. The registered agent is Javier T. Villa and the Registered Agent's address is 17676 Welch Plaza, Ste. 9, Omaha, Nebraska, 68135. 3. The general nature of the Company is Mexican Restaurant Taqueria. 4. The Company commenced on December 31, 2020, 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 January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MALIBU AIR, 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 Malibu Air, LLC. The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 21008 Cumberland Drive, Suite 110, Elkhorn, NE 68022. William Douglas, Organizer First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

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 EXTRALUMENAL, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ExtraLumenal, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 8901 Indian Hills Drive, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Thomas Waldron, 8901 Indian Hills Drive, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The limited liability company commenced business on January 21, 2021. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

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 WHITE OAK ACRES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that White Oak Acres, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 17605 Shirley Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on January 21, 2021. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SIMON RENTAL MANAGEMENT, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Simon Rental Management, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Simon Rental Management, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 1224 South 118th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68144, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOJO PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SOJO Properties, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State if Nebraska. The Designated Office Address is 8019 12th Street, Murry, Nebraska 68409. The Registered Agent of the Company is Heath Marrinan, 8019 12th Street, Murray, Nebraska 68409. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

JUSTIN A. SHELDON, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SHEPHERD CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION LLC Notice is hereby given that SHEPHERD CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION 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 2929 California Plaza, Apt. 6105, Omaha, NE 68131. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

RUSSELL J. KREIKEMEIER, Attorney KREIKEMEIER LAW OFFICES 126 East Grove Street West Point, Nebraska 68788 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given of the organization of Simply Board Designs, LLC, with its registered office address at 118 East Grove Street, West Point, Nebraska 68788 and the registered agent at that address being Russell J. Kreikemeier. The designated office location of the Company is 16465 Read Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68007. The purpose or purposes for which this Company is formed is to own, manage, conduct, operate and carry on a small crafts and home décor business, including the conduct of sales of all products and raw materials to make small crafts and home décor whether in this State or any other and to conduct all related activities thereto. The Company shall conduct the transactions of all or any lawful business or engagement in any commercial venture permitted by the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act, as amended, and all other applicable laws. The initial capital of the Company has been contributed and evidence of membership in the Company will be issued by the Management Board. The Company commenced doing business on January 4, 2021, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company shall be conducted by a Management Board and such other Officers and Managers as may be provided for in the Operating Agreement of the Company. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

MATTHEW WURSTNER, Attorney CARLSON & BURNETT, LLP, Attorneys 17525 Arbor Street Omaha, Nebraska 68130 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION: SUMMIT HOMES AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC Notice is hereby given that SUMMIT HOMES AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The Company’s initial registered agent in the State of Nebraska is: Matthew Wurstner, whose address is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful business and activity, as may be mutually agreed upon by the Members from time to time, and which are not prohibited by the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The Company commenced with filing its Certificate of Organization on January 26, 2021, and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is a Manager Managed Limited Liability Company. The initial Manager of the Company is Awad Qumseya whose address is 2327 South 191st Street, Omaha, NE 68130. Matthew Wurstner, Organizer First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MS JS INVESTMENTS, 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 MS JS Investments, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 6929 L Street, Omaha, NE 68117. Gerold Schuette and Mark Schuette, Members First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF K HUTCHINSON REAL ESTATE, 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 K Hutchinson Real Estate, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 15318 Wycliffe Drive, Apt 7, Omaha, NE 68154. Keaton Hutchinson, Member First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Teresa Lenzen Psychotherapy, LLC, has been organized as a professional limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The designated office of the Company is 638 N 109th Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The registered agent of the Company is Teresa Lenzen, 638 N 109th Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Company's members, managers, professional employees and agents are licensed or otherwise legally authorized to engage in the sale of real estate in this state. The Company was formed on January 8, 2021. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

ERIN K. ARTZ, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF PHYS HOLDCO, INC. Notice is hereby given that a corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is Phys Holdco, Inc. The corporation is authorized to issue 5,209 shares of common stock. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on January 26,202I and shall have perpetual duration. The name and street address of the corporation's initial registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the incorporator is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. LDM Business Services, Inc., Incorporator First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF S.JAYMES PROPERTIES, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is S.Jaymes Properties, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 5743 S. 239th Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022. Rob Henry and Missy Henry, Members First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BAGS OF FUN OMAHA, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Bags of Fun Omaha, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the limited liability company is 2310 South 220th Avenue, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The Registered Agent of the limited liability company is Amy Krause, 2310 South 220th Avenue, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022 First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • LEGAL NOTICES KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF PRECISION CANCER RESEARCH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of Precision Cancer Research, LLC has been amended to change the name of the company to: XCancer, LLC. The amendment was accomplished by the filing of an Amended Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 22, 2021. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CRYSTAL HAM REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES, L.L.C. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CRYSTAL HAM REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES, L.L.C., is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a designated and registered office at 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The affairs of the company are to be conducted by the manager and registered officer, CRYSTAL L. HAM. The Limited Liability Company is organized to transact any and all business, and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law. The Limited Liability Company commenced doing business on September 4, 2020, and filed Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on October 20, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. CRYSTAL L. HAM, Organizational Member 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124 First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF REBECKA J. MOSSMAN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, L.L.C. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that REBECKA J. MOSSMAN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, L.L.C., is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a designated and registered office at 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The affairs of the company are to be conducted by the manager and registered officer, REBECKA J MOSSMAN. The Limited Liability Company is organized to transact any and all business, and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law. The Limited Liability Company commenced doing business on December 2, 2020, and filed Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 22, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. REBECKA J. MOSSMAN, Organizational Member 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124 First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF COUNSELING WITH KRISTIN, L.L.C. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that COUNSELING WITH KRISTIN, L.L.C., is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a designated and registered office at 6706 South 142nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. The affairs of the company are to be conducted by the manager and registered officer, KRISTIN WALKER-VINAL. The Limited Liability Company is organized to transact any and all business, and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law. The Limited Liability Company commenced doing business on December 3, 2020, and filed Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 22, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. KRISTIN WALKER-VINAL, Organizational Member 6706 South 142nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137 First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF TRUE IRON TATTOO, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that TRUE IRON TATTOO, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 11408 Elm Street, #16, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. The registered agent is AARON JOSEPH WERT. The general nature of the business is to operate a general tattoo shop business, to own, operate and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law, which are necessary, suitable, proper, convenient or expedient to the operation of a general tattoo shop business. The authorized capital stock is $10,000.00, consisting of 10,000 shares of stock having a par value of $1.00 each, which stock shall be paid for wholly or partly by cash, by labor, by personal property and by real property. The corporation became a corporate body upon its Articles of Incorporation being filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on July 9, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors, the number of directors to be provided in the By-Laws, and the officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as shall be designated in the By-Laws. ANTHONY L. GROSS, Incorporator CATHERINE L. WHITE, Incorporator 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, NE 68124 First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

ERIN K. ARTZ, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF SERENE HOLDCO,INC. Notice is hereby given that a corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is Serene Holdco, Inc. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,417 shares of common stock. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on January 26,2021 and shall have perpetual duration. The name and street address of the corporation's initial registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the incorporator is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. LDM Business Services, Inc., Incorporator First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DUNDEE HARD ICE CREAM CO., LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Dundee Hard Ice Cream Co., LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Dundee Hard Ice Cream Co., LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Sara Nies, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the Company is 18805 Polk Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The Registered Agent of the Company is Sarah Nies, 18805 Polk Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The Company was formed on January 20, 2021. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION OF LANPHARRA DENTISTRY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Lanpharra Dentistry, LLC, a Nebraska professional limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 5050 L Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117 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. The company has been organized to render dental services. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of Nebraska Prospects Foundation, Inc., a Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation, were filed on January 14, 2021 with the Nebraska Secretary of State for the purpose of amending the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the corporation to change the name of the corporation to The Four Coaches Foundation. First publication January 29, 2021, final February 12, 2021

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF FLAIR FARMS LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Flair Farms LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 16850 Frances Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The Registered Agent of the Company is William E. Stevens, 16850 Frances Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

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 MVB PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MVB Properties, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 102 North 53rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68132. 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 January 27, 2021. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

SCOTT A. MEYERSON, Esq. LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RED SHELL LLC Notice is hereby given that Red Shell LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial designated office is 12915 West Dodge Road, Omaha, NE 68154. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial agent for service of process is 5601 S. 59th Street, Suite C, Lincoln, Nebraska 68516 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Registered Agent Solutions, Inc. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

HOWARD N. KAPLAN, Attorney K & K Law P.C., L.L.O. 10675 Bedford Ave., Suite 201 Omaha, Nebraska 68134 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Corporation Name: Cultural Centers of Lincoln Incorporator: Howard N. Kaplan Incorporator Address: 10675 Bedford Avenue Suite 201, Omaha, NE 68134 Registered Agent: Howard N. Kaplan Registered Office/Agent Address: 10675 Bedford Avenue Suite 201, Omaha, NE 68134 Corporation shall engage in any lawful business for which a non-profit corporation may be formed under the Nebraska Non-Profit Corporation Act. Perpetual existence commenced on September 30, 2020, when Articles were filed with the Secretary of State. The Public Benefit affairs of the non-profit corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors, the officers authorized by the By-Laws and the Board, and the members of the organization. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OFAMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OFARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF LAWRENCE RECRUITING SPECIALISTS INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Articles of Incorporation of Lawrence Recruiting Specialists Inc., a Nebraska corporation, have been amended and restated in their entirety and were duly filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on December 21, 2020. Included in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is an amendment to authorize the Corporation to issue 1,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $1.00 per share, of which 10 shares are in a class designated as voting common stock and 990 shares are in a class designated as nonvoting common stock. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF JORDAN D. HOLMES, M.D., P.C. Notice is hereby given of incorporation of JORDAN D. HOLMES, M.D., P.C. under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: 1. The name of the professional corporation is JORDAN D. HOLMES, M.D., P.C. 2. The number of shares that the professional corporation is authorized to issue is 10,000 shares of voting common stock. 3. The name of the initial registered agent is Michelle Cascio, and the address of the initial registered office is 8901 Indian Hills Drive, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. 4. The name and address of the incorporator is Jordan D. Holmes, M.D., 3418 S 102nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. 5. The general nature of the profession to be practiced by the Corporation is medicine and surgery. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES Engle Investments, LLC 900 South 75th Street, Ste. B Omaha, NE 68134 Notice of Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given the establishment of Engle Investments, LLC., with its’ registered office address at 900 South 75th Street, Ste. B, Omaha, NE 68134. The general nature of its business is to engage in the business of buying and selling real estate, and to engage in all lawful acts or activities for which Limited Liability Company may be organized under the Nebraska Law. The Limited Liability Company commenced doing business January 21, 2021, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Limited Liability Company shall be conducted by its members and managers as provided in the Operating Agreement. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Alumni Association of Omaha, NE, INC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity Alumni Association of Omaha, NE, Inc. has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office and the registered office of the Corporation is 9215 Fremont Street, Omaha, NE 68122. The registered agent at such office is Mark W. Slobotski. The Corporation was commenced on January 15, 2021. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

SHAUN M. JAMES, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BAO SALON OMAHA LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 29, 2021, BAO SALON OMAHA LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska, Uniform Limited Liability Company Act with a designated office at 639 N 114 Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Shaun M. James, Smith Slusky Law, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

CATHERINE E. FRENCH, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF IMAGINE WORKFORCE STRATEGIES, 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 IMAGINE WORKFORCE STRATEGIES, LLC. The address of the company’s initial designated office is 1006 Elk Ridge Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68022. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on February 2, 2021 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the manager as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Lucia Marquez Law, LLC has been organized as a Limited Liability Professional Organization under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The initial designated office’s street address is 3035 Harney Street Suite 101C, Omaha, NE 68131. The initial designated office’s mailing address is 3035 Harney Street Suite 101C, Omaha, NE 68131. The Registered Agent is Lucia Marquez. The street address of the Registered Agent is 3035 Harney Street Suite 101C, Omaha, NE 68131 and the mailing address is 3035 Harney Street Suite 101C, Omaha, NE 68131. The main purpose of the business will be to engage in the practice of law through properly licensed members. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION FOR TROIA INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of Troia Investments, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been amended as follows: the Company has changed its name to Salix Leaf, LLC; the street and mailing address of the designated office has been changed to 10703 J Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68127; and the street and mailing address of the registered agent has been changed to 10703 J Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68127. The registered agent remains the same: Carl J. Troia, Jr. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 2, 2021. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

JACOB A. ACERS, Attorney SMITH SUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BERAKAH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 9, 2020, Berakah, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Jacob A. Acers, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

Sean A. Minahan, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF PLYMOUTH FRAME COMPANY, 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 PLYMOUTH FRAME COMPANY, LLC. The address of the company’s initial designated office is 2023 South 181st Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on February 2, 2021 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the manager as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FOR PATRIOT POINTE HC5, LLC A Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State for Patriot Pointe HC5, LLC (the “Company”) on December 17, 2020. 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 February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

ROBERT J. LIKES, Esq. LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RLB85, LLC Notice is hereby given that RLB85, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial designated office is 1609 South 193rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial agent for service of process is 1609 South 193rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Laura K. Bertsch. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

DANIEL J. WATERS, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF RED BRANCH MEDIA, INC. Notice is hereby given that Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Red Branch Media, Inc., were filed on January 25, 2021. The corporation is authorized to issue 2,000 shares of common stock. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

ERIN K. ARTZ, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF NL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, 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 NL Property Management, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 1311 South 185th Cir., Omaha, NE 68130. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 18, 2020 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

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 LOVETHEGAME, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LoveTheGame, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 20950 State Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Sam T. Wageman, 20950 State Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The limited liability company commenced business on February 3, 2021. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

JACOB A. ACERS, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PERIGON WELLNESS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 4, 2021, Perigon Wellness, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 12301 Reynolds Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68142 The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Paul Golwitzer, 12301 Reynolds Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68142. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

JACOB A. ACERS, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF A ONE GROOMING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 13, 2021, A One Grooming, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Jacob A. Acers, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF MARY JANE DANCE, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MARY JANE DANCE, 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 SUZANNE M. KASSELMAN. The general nature of the business is to operate a general dance instruction 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 dance instruction 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 6, 2020, and upon its Articles being filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on October 20, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors, the number of directors to be provided in the By-Laws, and the officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as shall be designated in the By-Laws. ANTHONY L. GROSS, Incorporator CATHERINE L. WHITE, Incorporator 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, NE 68124 First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GCP III VAN ZANDTS, LLC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that GCP III Van Zandts, 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, Nebraska 68122. The Registered Agent of the Company is Zachary A. Wiegert, 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. First publication February 5, 2021, final February 19, 2021

TIEDEMAN, LYNCH, KAMPFE, McVAY & RESPELIERS Attorneys at Law 300 Overland Wolfe Centre 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68106-1045 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION OF 1217 BUILDING, LLC Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Organization of 1217 Building, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to reflect its registered agent as John S. Kampfe, and its registered office as 300 Overland Wolf Centre, 6910 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska 681061045. A Statement of Change of Registered Agent and Registered Agent’s Address was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 28, 2021. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • LEGAL NOTICES MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JTB TECHNOLOGIES, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of JTB Technologies, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is JTB Technologies, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 19133 Pinehurst Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, 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 February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

Diane Stewart-Ferro Attorney at Law 7207 South 103rd Street La Vista, NE 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SABBY’S SERVICES, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Sabby’s Services, LLC. The address of the initial registered office is 1721 South 10th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68108, and the initial registered agent at that office is Luke Sabaliauskas. Luke Sabaliauskas is the sole member and the affairs of the company will be conducted by the sole member. Perpetual existence commenced on the 25th day of January 2021. Dated this 4th day of February 2021. Sabby’s Services, LLC By: Luke Sabaliauskas Manager and Sole Member First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TREATMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Treatment Solutions, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 14110 Olive Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68138. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

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 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF FLATWATER SOFTWARE, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Flatwater Software, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 12755 Hamilton Street, Omaha, NE 68154. 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 February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

Timothy J. Buckley, Attorney SMITH, SLUSKY, POHREN & ROGERS, LLP 8712 W. Dodge Road, #400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR21-102 Estate of Kimberly J. Dolphin, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on February 3, 2021 in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of said Decedent and that Michaela M. Dolphin, whose address is 1017 North 33rd Street, Omaha, NE 68124 and Kevin O. Dolphin whose address is 1323 N. 140th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68118, were informally appointed by the Registrar as Co-Personal Representatives 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 April 12, 2021 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

Notice of Incorporation of Rank the Vote Nebraska. Notice is hereby given that Rank the Vote Nebraska has been incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Corporation is a public benefit corporation and shall have no members. It’s initial registered agent is Cynthia S. Maxwell-Ostdiek, 16626 Harney St. Omaha, NE 68118. The original incorporator is Cynthia S. Maxwell-Ostdiek, 16626 Harney St. Omaha, NE 68118. The corporate existence began on February 2, 2021 First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

MARK J. LAPUZZA, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF LINCOLN WAY SOUTH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Notice is hereby given of incorporation of Lincoln Way South Homeowners Association under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: 1. The name of the corporation is Lincoln Way South Homeowners Association. 2. The Lincoln Way South Homeowners Association is a mutual benefit corporation. 3. The street address of the Corporation's initial registered office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The name of its initial registered agent at that office is Mark J. LaPuzza. 4. The name and address of the incorporator is as follows: Marc Stodola 3803 N. 153rd Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68116 Mike Freestone 3803 N. 153rd Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68116 5. The Corporation shall engage in any lawful business for which a corporation may be formed under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. 6. The Corporation shall have members. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

CARLSON & BURNETT, LLP, Attorneys 17525 Arbor Street Omaha, Nebraska 68130 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT – NEIGHBORS FOR COMMON GOOD Notice is hereby given that on February 5, 2021, NEIGHBORS FOR COMMON GOOD, a Nebraska corporation, filed an Amendment to its Articles of Incorporation. The Amendment stated the Company changed its Articles of Incorporation and will have members. The amendment was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Bylaws. In all other respects, the Articles of Incorporation remain unchanged. By: Alyssa Preciado, President First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

Notice Of Organization Of Porta Potty Solutions, LLC Notice is hereby given that Porta Potty Solutions, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office address of the Company is 1125 S. 119th St, Omaha, NE 68144. The registered agent of the Company is Philip S. Murante, whose mailing address is 1125 S 119th St, Omaha, NE 68144. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

Darren R. Carlson, Attorney CARLSON & BURNETT, LLP 17525 Arbor Street Omaha, Nebraska 68130 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LOT 27, LLC Notice is hereby given that LOT 27, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The Company’s initial registered agent in the State of Nebraska is: Darren R. Carlson, whose address is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful business and activity, as may be mutually agreed upon by the Members from time to time, and which are not prohibited by the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The Company commenced with filing its Certificate of Organization on February 5, 2021, and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is a Member Managed Limited Liability Company. Darren R. Carlson, Organizer First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

CATHERINE E. FRENCH, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF RENEE HOERSCHELMANN, 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 RENEE HOERSCHELMANN, LLC. The address of the company’s initial designated office is, 7012 S 161st Cir, Omaha, NE 68136. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on February 4, 2021 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the manager as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ELKHORN SPORTS PERFORMANCE, LLC The name of the Company is Elkhorn Sports Performance, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company. The initial registered agent is Sean Moylan located at 1010 S. 120th Street, Suite #320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The initial designated office of the Company is located at 19111 Mason Plaza, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. This limited liability company commenced business on February 3, 2021. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that JEWELL PUBLISHING, LLC has organized pursuant to R.R.S. Section 21-101 et seq. The registered office is located at 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68154, and the registered agent at that address is THOMAS H. PENKE. The Designated office is: 11597 South 207th Street, Gretna, Nebraska 68028. The nature of the business to be transacted is any lawful business. The business commenced on February 5, 2021 and is perpetual. The affairs of the company are to be conducted by the President, Secretary and Treasurer. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

SHAUN M. JAMES, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF EIRENE LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 19, 2021, Eirene LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Act, with a designated office at 1325 Lynnwood Lane, Omaha, Nebraska 68152. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Shaun M. James, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF PULLED BBQ, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PULLED BBQ, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a regis¬tered office at 2202 North 152nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The registered agent is KRISTINE R. FULLER. The general nature of the business is to operate a general restaurant and barbeque 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 restaurant and barbeque 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 January 6, 2021, and upon its Articles being filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 28, 2021, 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 February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STIMULADE HEALTH & NUTRITION, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that STIMULADE Health & Nutrition, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1101 Jackson Street, Unit 307, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that SierraLincolnBenni, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the Company is 18108 Honeysuckle Drive, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The Registered Agent of the Company is Jonathan Jones, 18108 Honeysuckle Drive, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The Company was formed on February 2, 2021. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES Jeffrey T. Palzer, Attorney KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is SUNSET HOMES & PROPERTIES, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 1309 South 204th Street, Suite #314, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent is Tracy A. Ostlund and the Registered Agent's address is 1309 South 204th Street, Suite #314, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. 3. The general nature of the Company is property construction, remodeling and management. 4. The Company commenced on February 4, 2021, 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 February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that KDKLK LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the Company is 7956 S 171st Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The Registered Agent of the Company is Steve Sheppard, 1237 S 119th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. The Company was formed on February 8, 2021. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

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 DREAMVESTING PROPERTIES I, LLC The name of the Company is Dreamvesting Properties I, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 503 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68105. 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 February 8, 2021. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

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 DREAMVESTING PROPERTIES III, LLC The name of the Company is Dreamvesting Properties III, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 503 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68105. 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 February 8, 2021. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that GC Residential Real Estate, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 8, 2021, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Members. Kendra Ringenberg will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against the company, please provide the following information with respect to your claim: 1) your name or the name of your entity; 2) the nature of your claim; 3) the amount of your claim; and 4) the date your claim arose. All claims shall be mailed to GC Residential Real Estate, LLC, c/o Kendra Ringenberg, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, NE 68154. A claim against the company is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five (5) years after the publication date of the third required notice. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

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 HOTSHOT DELIVERIES, INC. Notice if hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of HotShot Deliveries, Inc. have been amended and restated in their entirety as follows: Articles 1 states the name of the Corporation as Cartage Management, Inc. Article 2 states the registered Office of the Corporation is 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska 68124, and the registered agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. Articles 3 states the purpose. Article 4 states that the Corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $1.00 each. Article 5 states that 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 February 3, 2021. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE TO UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS AGAINST DISSOLVED CORPORATION Faith Baptist Church of Omaha, a Nebraska nonprofit corporation (the "Corporation"), filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 4, 2021. If you have a claim against the Corporation, please provide the following information with respect to your claim: (1) your name or the name of your company; (2) the nature of your claim; (3) the amount of your claim; and (4) the date your claim arose. Please forward the foregoing information to the following address: Attn: Jane Slotemaker, Trustee, 2566 Ellison Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68111. Claims against the Corporation will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within five (5) years after the publication of this notice. February 12, 2021

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 DREAMVESTING PROPERTIES II, LLC The name of the Company is Dreamvesting Properties II, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 503 South 36th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68105. 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 February 8, 2021. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Faith Baptist Church of Omaha, a Nebraska nonprofit corporation (the "Church"), has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 4, 2021, and the Church has voluntarily dissolved. The Church’s sole assets are cash reserves held in financial or banking accounts maintained by the Church, and the Church has no liabilities. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the Church have been fully paid and satisfied and any remaining assets will be distributed in accordance with the Church’s Articles of Incorporation. The Trustee, Jane Slotemaker, will wind up the Church’s business and affairs. The Church’s remaining assets shall be distributed in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution. First publication February 12, 2021, final February 26, 2021

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: BARE WAX CO. Name of Applicant: Bare Wax LLC Address:817 N. 48th St #7 Omaha, NE 68132 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: UPON FILING General nature of business: Esthetics MALLORY RIDGWAY Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 12, 2021

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Tagge Rutherford Group Name of Applicant: TR Financial Group, Inc. Address: 15808 W. Dodge Road, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68118 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: 1/31/2021 General nature of business: Financial Consultants MONTE L. PETERSON Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 12, 2021

STATE OF NEBRASKA PAROLE BOARD HEARING N O T I C E A total of 119 cases will be heard by the Board in February, 2021. The following case(s) sentenced in Douglas County will be seen by the Board of Parole. February 16, 2021– 8:30 a.m. Lincoln Correctional Center, Lincoln, Nebraska Rodriguez, Jose 57613 False Imprisonment 1st Degree (2 counts) Sexual Assault 1st Degree (2 counts) Bailey, Robert 80696 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Colchin, Chad 210617 Theft by Unlwfl Taking Theft by Receiving Braden-Wirth, Caleb 89967 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I February 17, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. Nebraska Correctional Center for Women, York, Nebraska Urbanovsky, Patricia 99489 Theft by Deception (2 counts) February 17, 2021 – 10:30 a.m. Wo r k E t h i c C a m p , McCook, Nebraska Brooks, Tyrone 82048 Assault 2nd Degree Possession of Defaced Firearm Use Deadly Weap to Commit Fel Glass, Roddrick 85537 Assault by a Confined Person Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Edwards, Jeffrey 87422 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Poss/ Receive Stolen Firearm February 18, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. Nebraska State Penitentiary, Lincoln, Nebraska Dinsmore, Reginald 51645 Murder 2nd Degree Moten-Roddy, Steveaun 82644 Assault 2nd Degree Escape Flores, Alfredo 85718 Unlawful Discharge of Firearm Howell, Anthony 87710 Burglary Perry, Nathaniel 87860 Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana Kane, Rickey 89118 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Bridgeford, Justice 89853 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Carter, Anthony 210413 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug February 19, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. Community Correctional Center – Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska Goss, Con 69122 Assault 2nd Degree Cantrell, Jesse 87840 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Cummings, Timothy 88962 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana Disher, Jayden 89968 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Covarrubias, Saturnino 211141 Robbery (2 counts) Arthur, Jermaine 212121 Robbery Cavitte, Michael 212172 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Hardeman, David 212205 Driving Under Revoked License Cole, Frankie 49081 Operate Motor Veh/Avoid Arrest Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Lawrence, Ernest 73549 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I February 22, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, Tecumseh, Nebraska Hanks, Damone 85758 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Crawford, Christian 88438 Robbery (4 counts) Tampering Stelly, Clarence 44024 Assault 1st Degree (2 counts) Robbery (2 counts) Use Firearm to Commit Felony (2 counts) February 24, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. Community Correctional Center Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska Williams, Scott 77888 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop (3 counts) Loftis, Greg 85308 Theft by Deception (2 counts) Williams, Terry 86157 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Terroristic Threats Nelson, Katrell 86175 Assault 1st Degree Robbery Williams, Kyrie 89628 Theft by Unlwfl Taking or Disp Smith, Kevin 211460 Poss/Receive Stolen Prop Matlock, Maurice 211984 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Tampering Purdy, Jeff 210379 Driving While Intoxicated Sheridan, Thomas 212048 Driving Under Revoked License (2 counts) February 25, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. Community Correctional Center Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska Warren, Marvin 84824 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Johnson, Robert 86622 Pos Cntrl Sub Except Marijuana Possession of Burglary Tools Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop (3 counts) Theft by Unlwfl Taking or Disp (3 counts) Sanchez, Philip 87986 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Doss, Ronald 88092 Assault 1st Degree Brown, Jeremy 88132 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Smith, Warren 88340 Poss Deadly Weap by Felon/Fug Glouser, Lucas 88814 Theft Theft by Deception Theft by Receiving Stolen Prop Comer, Deyvion 211117 Unlawful Discharge of Firearm Leach, Jason 211499 Child Abuse February 26, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. Omaha Correctional Center, Omaha, Nebraska Branch, William 71928 Assault 2nd Degree Use Deadly Weap to Commit Fel Guzman, Carlos 89291 Visl Depict Sexl Explicit Cond James, Paul 89475 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I (2 counts) Long, James 210619 Manu/Dist/Del/Disp or Poss W/I Chambers, Romeo 210021 Robbery ROSALYN COTTON, CHAIR NEBRASKA BOARD OF PAROLE First publication February 12, 2021

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •

Why the job market is in for a long and bumpy recovery by Don Lee and Christopher Rugaber

As David Spatafore looks at the COVID-19-depressed economy, he sees good times just ahead. "Our plan right now is kind of shooting for summertime to be like the Roaring '20s," said the owner of San Jobs Diego restaurant company Blue Bridge Hospitality. Pent-up demand after almost a year of social distancing and lockdowns has created a big reservoir of consumer demand, he thinks, and hungry customers will soon come surging back. But there's a catch: Spatafore doesn't expect to hire back all of the almost 400 employees he had at the peak of his business before the new coronavrius struck. Many economists agree with Spatafore — on both counts: the revival of the economy by Labor Day, but after an initial burst of hiring, a bleaker outlook for jobs. Recently, the pandemic's capacity to throw previously self-supporting Americans out of the job market was demonstrated once more on a nationwide scale when the Labor Department released a new round of jobs data. Despite some plateauing of new coronavirus cases and a surge of hope as the Biden administration pushed to accelerate vaccinations, job growth essentially stalled in January for the second month in a row. The economy added a measly 49,000 jobs last month after losing 227,000 in December. The nation's unemployment rate went down to 6.3% from 6.7%, but that was

largely because hundreds of thousands of people dropped out of the labor force. More workers were hit with permanent layoffs last month, and 40% of the 10 million officially unemployed now have been without work for more than six months. The economic impact of the pandemic has sometimes stemmed from government-mandated lockdowns and distancing requirements, but the more far-reaching effects may involve acceleration and intensifying trends already at work. Even if President Biden is relatively successful in dealing with the challenges, most analysts expect recovery on the jobs side to be long and slow. Stock markets have already bounced back. And the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has projected U.S. economic output to fully recover this summer, but not the jobs — not until 2024. Assuming $2 trillion in additional fiscal spending, Mark Zandi of Moody's Analytics predicted all the jobs to return in May 2023 — still more than three years for a full recovery. The pandemic has triggered potentially far-reaching changes in consumer behavior and deeply rooted business models. It has also accelerated changes that were already underway before the coronavirus swept across the country. Many of these changes may be welcomed, but they will also disrupt the jobs of millions of workers and businesses even if new job opportunities eventually arise. Some jobs will shift from urban business districts to more residential areas as

more people work from home. The Labor Department said 23% of employed people worked from home in January. Also likely to outlast the pandemic: the surge in online shopping and home delivery of everything from prescription drugs to fresh vegetables, and the rise of "gig" and contract jobs. There may be fewer salesclerks at stores but more retail customer service reps handling online orders. And many of the pre-pandemic jobs just won't exist at all. For several years, Lillian Isabella, an actress and playwright, supplemented her income by playing the role of a patient to help medical students prepare for an exam testing their bedside skills. She's one of hundreds of people across the country who have played "standardized patients" in various programs to turn out better doctors. But last week, after putting that test of clinical skills on pause during the pandemic, U.S. medical licensing officials decided to abolish it for good — a painful reminder of how the economic pain of COVID-19 can touch even the smallest nooks and crannies of the economy. "When it was on, it was a pretty good form of steady work," said Isabella, 31, who lives in New York. In San Diego, Spatafore sees some of those same factors at play in his company, which operates a half-dozen restaurants, a beach club, dessert shop and a public market. Last March, Spatafore laid off most of his employees, calling them in one by one. His business survived the spring lockdowns

Tax season is almost upon us and it’s going to be a messy one Continued from page 12. ers. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia said they temporarily won’t enforce their tax rules on out-of-state residents working in their state remotely because of the pandemic, according to the American Institute of CPAs. —How will a state know if I worked from there? There are several ways. First, employers might withhold taxes for employees working in a different state. Tax preparers will ask clients when helping them file a return. The IRS could audit the individual and ask for credit card bills, phone records or car registrations, Sherr said. —Can I write off my work-fromhome expenses? No. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which took effect in 2018, eliminated the ability of employees who receive a W-2 from their employer to deduct home office expenses. However, Illinois law requires employers to reimburse workers for necessary expenses that are within the scope of their employment and benefit the employer. Companies don’t need to reimburse workers for expenses that were the employee’s fault, normal wear and tear on items they use for work, or theft. —What if I’m self-employed? The self-employed and small-business owners might be able to deduct home office expenses if they meet two requirements. One, taxpayers must regularly use their home office exclusively for work and not

for any other purpose, and two, it must be the main place where the individual conducts his or her business. The rise of remote work has opened the possibility of self-employed people who typically run their business from an office but have shifted operations to their home to claim the home office deduction. “Most peoples’ principal place of business didn’t exist during COVID. A self-employed business owner would be able to possibly make the claim that their home office served as their principal place of business during 2020,” said Steven Savoy, an accounting professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Those taxpayers can use two calculations to deduct a portion of their expenses, including utility bills, mortgage interest, depreciation, rent or office supplies. The first calculation uses the percentage of the home office space relative to the entire area of the home. The second involves multiplying $5 by the area of the home used as an office, which is limited to 300 square feet. —Are my unemployment benefits taxable? Yes. The income people received from unemployment benefits, including from federal pandemic relief programs, is taxable at both the state and federal level, said Kristin Richards, acting director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Anyone who received jobless benefits in 2020 will be sent a 1099-G form, which contains the amount of benefits paid out and any taxes withheld. The department said it

sent out the form in late January, using the contact method the individual provided. Richards said people who didn’t apply for benefits but received the form should immediately contact the Illinois Department of Employment Security at (800) 244-5631 because they might be a victim of unemployment fraud. Taxpayers who didn’t apply for benefits can request a corrected form, according to the IRS. Anyone who doesn’t receive a corrected form before April 15 should still file an accurate return listing only the income they received, the agency said. Though it’s too late to change the election for tax withholding, experts say benefit recipients can avoid owing taxes next year by choosing to have taxes withheld from their unemployment check. —What else should I know? In the pandemic relief package enacted last spring, a special provision temporarily suspended limits on charitable contributions, allowing taxpayers to deduct up to $300, regardless of whether deductions are itemized. Donations must be to charitable organizations with tax-exempt status that are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. That includes churches, charities, nonprofit schools, hospitals, volunteer fire departments, and certain cultural groups. The IRS has an online search tool to help determine an organization’s charitable status. ©2021 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

with the help of family members and a $1.2-million forgivable government loan, and then got back up to 280 employees last summer before the latest COVID surge knocked his payroll back down under 100. "It's been a roller coaster of 11 months," he said. Now he's climbing up again, but even if conditions are as they were before the coronavirus outbreak, Spatafore doesn't see his staffing returning to pre-pandemic levels. During the last year, his two pizzerias, for example, went from full-service, dine-in businesses to a self-pickup counter service, first out of necessity but then because the change turned out to be a successful model. "We're not going to go back, which means that we wouldn't hire back waiters and waitresses and as many busboys," he said. In January, U.S. employment at restaurants and bars went nowhere, and now accounts for nearly one-fourth of the jobs yet to be recovered. Other leisure and travel-related jobs also remain deep in the hole. The hotel industry was shaken after Microsoft's co-founder Bill Gates prediction last November that over 50% of business travel will be lost in in the pandemic's aftermath. Some hoteliers are talking about possibly cleaning rooms only on demand — and for a fee — which will likely cut back on the need for housekeeping employees, said Robert Cole, a senior analyst at Phocuswright, a travel market research firm. Other hotels now employ touchless check-in and check-out. "It's going to be fits and starts and a very bumpy road," Cole said of hiring and recovery of hotel employment and business. The retail landscape is also shifting. Employment at stores in January remained about 330,000 shy of year-ago levels, but there's been almost as many new jobs in warehousing and delivery services over the last year. At Comfort One Shoes, the retail shoe chain in the Washington, D.C., area, sales last year were about half of what they were in 2019, said Garrett Breton, the company's president. But its online revenues were up more than 120%. He has 45 employees at the moment and is projecting it'll go up to about 75 when things return to normal, compared with more than 100 before the pandemic, in part because of the hit to traditional shopping areas. "I think that the urban downtown centers are scarred deeply and will not return just because people are vaccinated," he said. Jed Kolko, chief economist at the online jobs site Indeed, expects employment in most sectors to snap back, but the longer-term outlook for some is filled with more risks. "Some of the biggest unknowns about what happens after the pandemic are how big some of these shifts will be — from in-person retail to delivery, from office to remote work, from spending going down for services to different goods," he said. "Some of that may be permanent." ©2021 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Forget 5G, the US and China are already fighting for 6G dominance by Shirley Zhao, Scott Moritz and Thomas Seal

Most of the world is yet to experience the benefits of a 5G network, but the geopolitical race for the next big thing in telecommunications technology is Technology already heating up. For companies and governments, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The first to develop and patent 6G will be the biggest winners in what some call the next industrial revolution. Though still at least a decade away from becoming reality, 6G — which could be up to 100 times faster than the peak speed of 5G — could deliver the kind of technology that’s long been the stuff of science fiction, from real-time holograms to flying taxis and internet-connected human bodies and brains. The scrum for 6G is already intensifying even as it remains a theoretical proposition, and underscores how geopolitics is fueling technological rivalries, particularly between the U.S. and China. “This endeavor is so important that it’s become an arms race to some extent,” said Peter Vetter, head of access and devices at Nokia Oyj’s

research arm Bell Labs. “It will require an army of researchers on it to remain competitive.” Years of acrimony under the Trump administration have hit Chinese technology companies hard, but that hasn’t stopped the country from emerging as the leader in 5G. It has the world’s largest 5G footprint, and — despite multiple attempts by the U.S. to take it on — Huawei Technologies Co. towers over rival 5G vendors globally, mostly by offering attractive prices. The development of 6G could give the U.S. the opportunity to regain lost ground in wireless technology. “Unlike 5G, North America will not let the opportunity for a generational leadership slide by so easily this time,” said Vikrant Gandhi, senior industry director of information and communications technologies at consultancy firm Frost & Sullivan in the U.S. “It is likely that the competition for 6G leadership will be fiercer than that for 5G.” It’s clear that 6G is already on the minds of policy makers in both Washington and Beijing. Former President Donald Trump tweeted in early 2019, for example, that he wanted 6G “as soon as possible.”

China is already moving ahead. The country launched a satellite in November to test airwaves for potential 6G transmission, and Huawei has a 6G research center in Canada, according to Canadian media reports. Telecommunications equipment manufacturer ZTE Corp. has also teamed up with China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd. to develop the technology. The U.S. has demonstrated that it has the ability to seriously handicap Chinese companies, as in the case of ZTE, which almost collapsed after the Commerce Department banned it for three months in 2018 from buying American technology. Similar moves could hamper Huawei’s 6G ambitions. Washington has already started to sketch out the 6G battle lines. The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions, a U.S. telecom standards developer known as ATIS, launched the Next G Alliance in October to “advance North American leadership in 6G.” The alliance’s members include technology giants like Apple Inc., AT&T Inc., Qualcomm Inc., Google and Samsung Electronics Co., but not Huawei. The alliance mirrors the way that the world has been fractured into opposing camps as a

New type of home equity loan caters to major renovation projects by Jeff Ostrowski

Brandon Segal was set to make a substantial addition to his historic house in a Philadelphia suburb, but he wasn’t sure how to pay for it. He didn’t have enough equity to cover the six-figure renovation Real Estate bill with a home equity line of credit or a cashout refinance. A construction loan struck Segal as complicated and cumbersome. Segal settled on a home equity loan through RenoFi, a financial technology company that connects homeowners with credit unions willing to loan based on how much a house will be worth after upgrades are completed. “I like the ability to borrow based on what my appraised value is going to be,” Segal says. RenoFi served as a matchmaker, directing Segal to Ardent Credit Union, a Philadelphia lender. He took a 20-year, fixed-rate loan to pay for a two-story addition to his 1920s home. HOME IMPROVEMENT TAKES OFF DURING THE PANDEMIC The coronavirus pandemic has turned home improvement into a national pastime. In one illustration of that trend, the National Association of Home Builders’ remodeling index soared during the pandemic. Home-improvement retailers and remodeling contractors reported spikes in business. With many Americans working from their home offices, more homeowners have developed a hankering for upgrades to their spaces. Meanwhile, a spike in home prices and a shortage of homes for sale limits the choices available to those who’d traditionally be move-up buyers. The national median price of homes sold by Realtors spiked 12.9 percent from December 2019 to December 2020. Housing inventory fell to a record low, according to the National Association of Realtors. Segal, for his part, loves the house he shares with his wife and their three daughters, but the quarters were getting cramped. He found a contractor to add a master bedroom and other living space to the house. Paying for home improvements can pose a challenge, however. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is one tried-and-true source of renovation funds. But HELOCs work only for

homeowners with significant equity. If you owe $300,000 on your $400,000 property, a bank is unlikely to lend $100,000 through a HELOC. To keep your loan-to-equity level at 80 percent, or $320,000, you’d be able to borrow just $20,000. RenoFi offers a different approach: Homeowners can borrow up to 90 percent of their home’s after-renovation value. The company has partnered with credit unions throughout the country to offer the loans, says Justin Goldman, founder and chief executive of RenoFi. Goldman launched the company after experiencing firsthand the challenges of paying for renovations on an older home. He created RenoFi to fill what he sees as a gap in the market. Goldman found most lenders didn’t offer after-renovation loans, so he began persuading credit unions to add RenoFi home equity loans to their offerings. HOW RENOFI LOANS WORK RenoFi loans are second mortgages. In one example, Ardent Credit Union offers 20-year loans at a fixed rate of 4.25 percent, Goldman says. That’s higher than the rate on a primary mortgage, but it includes the flexibility of allowing homeowners to borrow against yetto-be-created value. Borrowers pay for an appraisal that establishes the home’s value after renovation. The appraiser looks at the proposed construction plan and determines by how much the work will boost the property’s market value. The typical RenoFi customer borrows $150,000, Goldman says. At that amount, a 20-year loan with a 4.25 percent interest rate carries a monthly payment of $929. Goldman says RenoFi’s loans also appeal to homeowners who recently locked in loans at rock-bottom levels and don’t want to do a cashout refinance to pay for improvements. “If you’ve taken advantage of a low rate and refinanced, you’re going to have to pay all those closing costs again,” Goldman says. That situation applied to Segal, the Philadelphia-area homeowner. He had recently refinanced and didn’t want to do so again. “We have a great rate on our current mortgage, and we didn’t want to touch that,” he says. To land a RenoFi loan, the borrower pays for the after-renovation appraisal, which typi-

cally costs $100 to $200 more than a standard appraisal, Goldman says. Beyond that, closing costs typically range between $95 and $500. “Credit unions’ closing costs are typically lower than a traditional bank, so in the end, it’s still cheaper for the homeowner,” Goldman says. OTHER WAYS TO PAY FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS RenoFi’s loans are one of several options for homeowners looking to renovate. Among the others: - Home equity lines of credit. HELOCs come with one significant caveat: To borrow against your house, you must have plenty of home equity. Before considering a HELOC, make sure the value of your home is significantly higher than the amount you still owe on your mortgage. HELOCs usually close quickly and carry variable interest rates. - Home equity loans. Essentially a second mortgage, a home equity loan comes with a fixed interest rate. As with a HELOC, you’ll need sufficient equity. - FHA 203(k) loans. This type of loan lets you borrow against the value of the home after improvements. FHA loans are lenient about down payments and credit scores, but they charge higher mortgage insurance fees than other types of loans. - Cash-out refinance. In this scenario, you borrow more than you owe on your existing mortgage and apply the proceeds to renovations. This requires equity in your home. - Construction loan. A home construction loan is a short-term, higher-interest loan that provides the cash to pay the contractors. The property owner typically needs a longer-term mortgage after the work is completed. - Selling a stake in your home. A new breed of financial technology firms is pitching American homeowners on a different way of tapping into home equity. If you’re sitting on a pile of it, these companies — including Haus, Hometap, Noah, Point and Unison — will buy a piece of your house. You repay the “co-investment” when you sell. One downside: This money comes at a higher cost than a mortgage or HELOC. ©2021 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

result of 5G rivalry. Led by the U.S, which identified Huawei as an espionage risk — an allegation the Chinese giant denies — countries including Japan, Australia, Sweden and the U.K. have shut the firm out of their 5G networks. However, Huawei is welcomed in Russia, the Philippines, Thailand, and other countries in Africa and the Middle East. The European Union in December also unveiled a 6G wireless project led by Nokia, which includes companies like Ericsson AB and Telefonica SA, as well as universities. The lack of trust in Chinese companies like Huawei is unlikely to abate with 6G. Democracies are growing increasingly worried about how 5G technology is being used by authoritarian regimes, with fears that 6G could enable technologies such as mass drone surveillance. China is already using surveillance cameras, AI, facial recognition and biometrics such as voice samples and DNA to track and control citizens. “Currently China seems to be doing everything in terms of surveillance and suppression to make sure that they lose future markets in the U.S. and Europe,” said Paul Timmers, a senior adviser at Brussels-based think tank European Policy Centre and former director of digital society and cybersecurity at the European Commission. “This indicates that the technical approach to 6G cannot be trusted to be decoupled from state ideological objectives.” While commercial 5G was introduced around 2019, countries are still rolling out networks and developing applications that could attract businesses and turn the technology profitable. Likewise, 6G may not reach its potential at least 15 years from now, said Gandhi of Frost & Sullivan. Only about 100 wireless carriers worldwide offer 5G services in limited areas right now. But researchers have an ambitious vision for what the next-generation network could offer. At a potential rate of 1 terabyte per second, 6G is not only much faster, but also promises a latency — which causes lags — of 0.1 millisecond, compared to 1 millisecond, or the minimum for 5G. To achieve that, scientists are focusing on the super high frequency terahertz waves that could meet those speed and latency requirements, though there is not yet a chip capable of transmitting so much data in a second. It still remains too early to tell whether the envisioned futuristic world defined by 6G will eventually materialize. In that theoretical world, everything in our environment will be connected to the 6G networks — not only can people communicate with things like furniture and clothes, but those gadgets can also communicate among themselves. Major scientific obstacles abound — for example, researchers must solve the question of how airwaves traveling extremely short distances can easily penetrate materials such as water vapor or even a sheet of paper. Networks may need to be ultra-dense, with multiple base stations installed not only on every street, but also in each building or even each device people use to receive and transmit signals. That’s set to raise serious questions over health, privacy and urban design. “Technological advances, especially those as futuristic and complex such as 6G radio communication should be developed carefully,” said Gandhi. “We believe that countries cannot start soon enough. The private sector cannot start soon enough. And that is why we already have initiatives such as the Next G Alliance. ©2021 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •

Engineering Profession

Aviation

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Industry overview • The pandemic's impact on the future of the built environment Engineering job market/education: attracting new talent • Emphasis on safety Project innovations: Experts discuss new tech and unique projects • E-Week Environmental engineering • Continuing education

State of aviation in Nebraska • Private jet industry Aviation careers • Travel industry Update on local airports

Issue Date: February 26 • Ad Deadline: February 18

Issue Date: March 5 • Ad Deadline: February 25

Marketing Higher Agencies Education 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:

Marketing outlook • Digital marketing strategy in 2021 Sales growing on social media platforms • Marketing trends Small businesses partnering with agencies

Education outlook • Growth in virtual learning Popular degree programs • Skilled trades Campus improvements

Issue Date: March 5 • Ad Deadline: February 25

Issue Date: March 12 • Ad Deadline: March 4

To advertise your company’s products or services in one of our upcoming sections, contact our Director of Advertising at karla@mbj.com.

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Pandemic provided many lessons for business to carry into 2021 by Dwain Hebda

As difficult as 2020 was on the business community, it also provided the opportunity for innovation and ingenuity that will be useful in the future. “From a ‘lessons learned’ perspective, many companies expanded what they had in place for business continuity plans to acknowledge different kinds of scenarios that were maybe unfathomable before,” said Chris Vilim, president of CoreTech. “Very few businesses had any sort of pandemic-type incident in their business continuity plan. Now that [they see] these things can occur and can happen, obviously, companies see they need to contemplate more than just fire, flood and tornado.” Vilim also said companies should plan to continue remote work arrangements for the near term. “There are going to be more flexible arrangements where people are in the office two or three days a week and working from home two or three days a week,” he said. “The workforce has shown there can be advantages

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Firms should also pay particular attention to their staff’s communication skills, given that remote work and digital interaction with clients is likely to continue in 2021.

Vroman Falke “For some programs, society’s new willingness to communicate online actually helped communicate with more people more efficiently. This largely was true for our own business,” said Patrick Falke, strategic consultant and operations officer for Paul J. Strawhecker, Inc. “Distancing allowed us to work more effectively with our clients outside of Omaha. We have learned that we can provide the same level of service despite geographic distance. “Refining the skills and processes that allow us to communicate more effectively with clients and the philanthropic community as a whole will be valuable in 2021 and beyond.”

Companies that are welcoming employees back to the office should give serious consideration to reconfiguring office technology, said Hannah Bolte, director of marketing at All Makes Office Equipment. “As a 103-yearold office furniture and technology company, All Makes has adapted to every change in the workplace for more than a century, and continues to do so,” she said. “We offer free office Bolte reconfiguration consultations for businesses looking to make a safe return to the office.” That safety-first mentality extends to service work for existing clients. Bolte said companies should ask questions of their office technology provider to ascertain how technicians are observing safe practices. “Our team is able to remotely troubleshoot, diagnose and resolve most issues with our machines,” she said. “For issues that require a technician to be in the field, our team members take the proper precautions recommended by the local health departments and the CDC to keep our clients and our team member safe.”

by David Kubicek

Smith-Howell said. UNO is in the process of approving graduate certificates — expected to be available next fall — in Data Management and Spanish, which students could take online or face-to-face. The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) will start several new programs in the fall, including a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree and a Doctor of Public

the Automotive Technology and Automotive Collision Repair program will open at the South Omaha Campus within a year,” said Public Relations and Media Manager Derek Rayment. “The two-story building is being created in collaboration with business partners, so it really is a community effort,” he said. MCC has also started a pharmacy technician training program through the Workforce

Smith-Howell Davies Health Degree, according to Dr. Dele Davies, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “The new OTD program will welcome 46 new students at our Omaha and Kearney campuses, using a hybrid model of innovative technology, online learning and face-to-face instruction,” he said. Occupational Therapy supports the adaptability of human beings to life and its challenges, and the Doctor of Public Health Program — which is completely online — is designed to further the skills of public health practitioners who have three or more years of experience in practice. The 200,000-square-foot Davis Global Center for Advanced Interprofessional Learning at UNMC is up and running, and the McGoogan Health Sciences Library reopened this past fall after a major renovation that led to its total transformation. Metropolitan Community College’s new Automotive Training Center for students in

Rayment Allen Innovation Division of the college. This series of noncredit courses prepares students for the exam to become a certified technician. The Automotive Training Center will open sometime within the next year while the Pharmacy Training noncredit series is currently underway. The College of Saint Mary launched its Doctor of Physical Therapy in June of 2020, according to Dr. Kimberly Allen, vice president for academic affairs. Courses in this program are taught both online and in-person. In the fall, CSM decided to temporarily transition all in-person courses, not including labs, to online in mid-October. After the Thanksgiving break, the remaining two weeks were delivered entirely online leading up to finals week. “If anything, our ability to gracefully manage a rapid transition to remote learning has heightened our confidence and demonstrated our readiness to provide more access to higher education through online learning,” Allen said.

Educational institutions plan for post-COVID world

In the Spotlig

for working remotely. And we have certainly shown that technology can support pretty much everything that a remote worker needs.” Companies should also adopt diversity within their workforce as a leading challenge for the new year, according to Rick Vroman, shareholder with Koley Jessen and author of the article, “Black Lives Matter: Adjusting Workplace Policies and Practices.” “Many of our cliVilim ents have been focused on diversity topics for many years now,” he said. “I expect that the work in this area will remain important and continue to evolve as companies learn which initiatives can have the largest positive impact on diversity.” As for the impact of the new presidential administration on mandates that push diversity, Vroman said it remains to be seen what occurs on the regulatory front. “It is always possible with a new administration that we will see a wave of new labor legislation,” he said. “We will be keeping an eye on state and national developments in order to best advise our clients as things progress.”

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Although educational institutions are looking forward to returning to normal later this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced some innovations that are expected to become permanent. “The No. 1 priority for me is to figure out how to support a workplace that includes more flexibility from employees who work from home,” said Bellevue University President Mary B. Hawkins. This may include redesigning workspaces and/or not assigning workspaces to employees who mostly work remotely. Another task is figuring out how to effectively use technology Hawkins to help students work more closely together, including having more face-to-face time with their instructors, advisers and peers. “Over the past year, we’ve invested in curriculum, faculty and facilities to push our STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] minus the E capacities because those careers are more significant and highly needed in Nebraska,” Hawkins said. Deborah Smith-Howell, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, expects the long-term impact from methods learned during the pandemic to make learning better for all students. “Our faculty, with support from our digital learning groups, is doing a tremendous amount of work to make sure that students, regardless of level, whether in real time or completely online, are able to create those connections from faculty to student and student to student and to make sure resources needed to support students and faculty are available,”

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •

Young

Professionals A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

February 12, 2021

Young Professionals uniquely positioned to lead community change By Gabby Hellbusch

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

• Young Professionals

Virtual networking supports inclusivity, access by lifting logistical barriers by Michelle Leach

Authentically, intentionally, and meaningfully engaging one’s team has, arguably, never been more important than in this time of flux, and of leaning ever forward into technology. “Like many other organizations, the Junior League of Omaha had to rethink our entire way of operating throughout the past year,” said Jamie Schneider, communications council director and digital strategist with the American Heart Association. The shift to an almost completely virtual experience was characterized by pre-meeting chatter in the Zoom chat box (instead of pre-meeting happy hours), breakout rooms (instead of icebreakers), and a Zoom-facilitated cookie-decorating experience (instead of its in-person holiday social). “As an organization known for our voluntarism, we also transformed our volunteer experience,” she said. “Before, almost everything that our League did was in person. This year, while we offered small, masked and social-distanced opportunities with partners like the Heart Ministry Center and No More Empty Pots, we also had

volunteer opportunities online.” Its focus was on critical and unmet needs, hunger and access to healthy food, so members researched recipes that complemented items at the food bank. Members also supported and provided companionship and appreciation with the launch of League Letters, a hand-written note campaign. Notably, opportunities were presented to leverage technology to be more accessible and inclusive to women who formerly may have missed in-person meetings due to Schneider family responsibilities (i.e. kids at home), transportation challenges, or untraditional hours. “Even when we can be in-person again, we will take those lessons of inclusivity, and continue to look for opportunities for those women we may not have engaged as well in the past,” Schneider said.

Going forward, she sees more of a variety in terms of networking — a “balance” between all in-person and all-online. So, people can create relationships in spaces where they are comfortable. “We can have different avenues to connect,

Starks Ostronic making everyone feel comfortable and included,” she said. As the next generation becomes leaders, Schneider indicated young professionals will carry 2020 with them, underscoring the importance of engagement as the past year has been isolating. “Networking gives us understanding that we cannot find on our own,” she said. “It helps us learn. It helps us grow.” Angel Starks, 2021 Omaha Area Board of Realtors Young Professionals Network Chair, recalled how conference calls and teleconferences were initially assumed to be “all business and no play.” “Not only did our Association create a ‘how to’ form for virtual meeting newbies, we also allotted intentional time before events to prep attendees on how to have the best experience in our changing world,” she said. “And I think that is key. No matter what the future holds, and how weird our interactions may feel, we must always acknowledge that we serve one another first and educating folks on how to just be, in the midst of uncertainty, is pertinent.” To create a sense of normalcy, the YPN team reviewed its pre-COVID events plan, and aligned it with the new normal. “One of our annual events we host is a huge Bingo event — one that if supported by YPN-ers and those who are young at heart,” Starks said. “We decided that we would do QUINGO — Quarantine Bingo via Zoom, and it was a huge success.” Though she described that many are

“Zoomed out” and crave a real “high five” or hug, reach and accessibility has been a plus. “Meeting virtually and the idea of socially distancing actually removed burdens of travel and logistical barriers,” she said. “Sitting on the couch or deck became the norm, and more people felt comfortable entering a Zoom room alone versus a physical room full of people they didn't already know.” On the horizon, Starks indicated, having an option (virtual or in-person) is appealing. “Before, if a person couldn't physically show up, they were excluded,” she said. “Now, with the advances and simplicity of virtual meetings, people can attend from anywhere, at their leisure.” She encourages businesses to find ways to creatively reach and engage with young professionals — to survive in the years to come. “Young team members and the next-generation leadership have been engulfed into this new virtual life, adjusting in strides, and if we don't stay connected and listen to their input, our personal businesses will become archaic and we'll be the ones left behind,” Starks said. “So many networking apps, such as ClubHouse, HouseParty … were created in response to the pandemic, but they will never replace the beauty and need for in-person networking, and we must insist on that balance by continuing to involve and engaged our young professionals.” The Greater Omaha Chamber’s Young Professionals Council wasn’t ready to sit out on the sidelines for a year, not with their vision of the metro as a dynamic, inclusive, integrated community where diverse young professionals want to live, work and play, noted Kasey Ostronic, manager, young professionals. Instead, they employed creativity. “A typical year for the YP Council entails plenty of programs, including events, projects and community collaborations,” she said. “Instead of large event spaces, our YPs have focused on creating intimate, virtual events where content and conversation is the main driver. Instead of trading business cards, YPs now are trading ideas on which local businesses to support or showcase. Instead of shaking hands, YPs are now trading virtual chats and cups of coffee to discuss topics that mean the most to them.” Ostronic’s positives include seeing a number of new YPs interacting and exploring the group. “Because it’s just a click away,” she said. “The barrier to entry is a lot lower and it’s a lot less scary to join a Zoom call than to walk into a room full of strangers, especially if you are new to town.” Ostronic’s negatives including distractions in the home that compete for one’s attention, and the challenge with replicating the same amount of spontaneity and energy as in-person events with music, breakout rooms or ice breakers in the virtual space. A nod to another notable transition, YPs are readjusting and refocusing traditional arts and culture, transportation, community development, and entertainment priorities. “For 2021, the GOC YP Council has added mental health and child care to their focus areas for the first time ever and will be advocating for legislation that supports these focus areas,” she said. “This is just another way the YP Council has taken this situation to reflect on what matters most.” Fittingly, the theme for this year’s YP Summit (March 4 and 5) is “Metamorphosis.” “YPs aren’t afraid of change,” Ostronic said. “Instead, they are embracing it and finding ways to not only change, but to change for the better.”

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES

Briefs… .

HBE LLP, a Nebraska advisory and accounting firm, has merged with the Lincoln firm of Marvin E. Jewell & Co., P.C. This combination, representing a partnership between two CPA firms with shared values, will provide enhanced services for clients and growth opportunities for team members. Founded in 1963, MEJ has served individuals and businesses for nearly 60 years. Now operating as one firm, MEJ and HBE will deliver a broader range of services, using the latest technology platforms, to an expanded client base throughout Nebraska and Iowa. Carmen Standley has joined HBE as a partner with the firm. She and the former MEJ team members will continue serving clients from their existing office, located at 8215 Northwoods Drive, Suite 300, in Lincoln. Revealed as part of its complete rebranding, The Clark Enersen Partners has changed its name to Clark & Enersen. The new name pays tribute to the firm’s original founders, Architect Kenneth B. Clark, and Landscape Architect Lawrence A. Enersen, Harvard graduates who settled in Lincoln and established their partnership in 1946. The rebranding process began in 2019 and comes as the firm celebrates its 75th year in business. Clark & Enersen has grown to work with clients nationwide in five offices: one in Nebraska, two in the Kansas, one in Colorado and another in Oregon. Eakes Office Solutions announced the addition of Spartan Chemical Company to its line of cleaning and disinfecting solutions. Eakes offers professional-level cleaners and chemicals, and can provide businesses with dispensers for towels, tissues, soap, and hand sanitizer. In addition to cleaning products, Eakes also offers a full line of cleaning equipment including auto scrubbers, floor machines, burnishers, extractors and vacuums, and is an authorized service dealer for cleaning equipment throughout their market. Investors Realty has sold the 72nd Crossing Shopping Center in Omaha for $12,750,000. NewStreet Properties was the Seller; LVP Center, LLC, a Kentucky LLC was the Purchaser. The property was 100% occupied at the time of sale and had a 10-year occupancy rate of 98%. Located in the 72nd Street Corridor, the shopping center contained 98,837 square feet; tenants include Michaels, PetSmart, BigLots, Dunkin Donuts, and others. Ember Grummons, CCIM of Investors Realty, represented the Seller, Jason Taylor of Equity Management Group represented the Buyer. Confluence, a landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm, has acquired Denver-based firm studioINSITE. Confluence now has nine locations throughout the Midwest and Western U.S. to serve its growing client base. This includes its office in Omaha. Under the new combined structure, studioINSITE founding partner Dennis Rubba, FASLA, will assume a senior principal role and continue to lead the Denver office in collaboration with Chris Sutterfield, PLA, ASLA and Gary Worthley, PLA, ASLA, who will assume the role of managing principal of the office. All nine studioINSITE team members will be integrated into the Confluence team of over 60 designers, planners, creators and facilitators nationwide. Chartered in 1946, the Metro Omaha Builders Association represents the interests of local housing professionals through advocacy, education and builder related event promotion. Board members for 2021 includes: President – Greg Frazell, G. Lee Homes; Vice President – Brett Clarke, Frontier Builders; Immediate Past President – Ryan Krejci, Ideal Design Custom

Homes; Treasurer - Dan Wellendorf, Builders Supply Co.; and Secretary - Deb Benak, Centris Federal Credit Union. Directors include: David Hartman, Core Bank; Matt Kronaizl, Sierra Homes; Marc Stodola, Charleston Homes; Dave Tewes, Thomas David Fine Homes; Kent Therkelsen, KRT Construction; Jason Troshynski, Grace Custom Homes; and Dave Vogtman, The Home Company. The Greater Omaha Chamber announced $481 million in capital investment for year-end 2020 — growth catalyzed by more than 40 economic development projects expected to add $943 million to the local economy each year, once the projects are fully operational. The Greater Omaha Chamber also announced the launch of 24 startups as part of The Startup Collaborative. REACH, an ongoing program designed to remove barriers for small-andemerging businesses, secured more than $7 million in contracts for construction entrepreneurs in 2020. In addition, the chamber presented its ‘Headliner of the Year’ Award to the Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. UNMC’s GCHS team has been leaders in biopreparedness research, education and training throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Nebraska Business Development Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a department of the College of Business Administration has launched an on-demand training platform, Enlighten. Due to the pandemic, all face-to-face consulting and in-person training moved to virtual. With the CARES Act, NBDC was awarded the funding to build an online, on-demand training platform addressing the needs of the small business owner. Enlighten is a virtual library of training videos for entrepreneurs and small businesses across Nebraska. NBDC selected facilitators who are subject matter experts from a wide variety of disciplines. Topics include legal considerations to cybersecurity, employee development, protecting intellectual property, and investor relationships . Ag Processing Inc, a cooperative, has elected three directors to serve three-year terms on the board. Newly elected to the board is Rob Jacobs. Re-elected to the board are Bruce Granquist and Larry Oltjen. The AGP Board elected Lowell Wilson as chairman of the board. The board also elected Dean Issacson, as vice chairman. Chuck Shafer was elected secretary-treasurer. The Firm Advisors, an Omaha-based company, has completed the sale of an $18.7 million Michigan-based niche construction firm in 45 days: MJ VanDamme. Through a strategic search on behalf of a buyer The Firm Advisors contacted MJ VanDamme, one of the largest employers in the biggest county in Michigan that provides construction services for industries such as mining, farming, and civil construction. Jim and Missy Delmont ultimately had their pick of 10 offers and negotiated to be retained, as the president, for a period after the sale to continue providing leadership. Swanson Russell received five honors at the National Agri-Marketing Association Region II awards. Best of NAMA honors exemplary work in agricultural communications. The agency accepted an advertising best of show award for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board “Your Dollar Does” multimedia campaign. The agency accepted three first place awards in the following categories: AMVAC: Product Logo System, Corporate Identity; Cattlemen’s Beef Board: “Your Dollar Does” Multimedia Campaign; and Koch Agronomic Services: 2020 ANVOL

CropLife Advertorial. In addition, the agency accepted a merit award for AMVAC’s Virtual Media Event. Swanson Russell’s award-winning entries will now advance to the national competition held in July. The Truckload Carriers Association and CarriersEdge announced their Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For, which included Fremont Contract Carriers. FCC has been recognized as a Top 20 “Best Fleet” for 11 of the last 13 years, including three years of winning Best Overall Fleet (2009, 2011, and 2015). The four stage evaluation process is conducted by CarriersEdge, an independent third party, and measures driver workplace factors such as compensation, benefits, policies, and programs. Then the Best Fleets to Drive For committee rates the companies. Those that finish in the top 20 are identified as Best Fleets to Drive For.

Education notes…

Todd Hansen is the recipient of this year’s Diane Donelson Spirit Award, an annual recognition given to Metropolitan Community College employees who demonstrate leadership and the ability to build relationships with a compassionate and positive spirit. Hansen is the executive director of Student Affairs for MCC and has long been at the heart of MCC’s presence in the Fremont area and Dodge County. The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s online undergraduate programs received recognition from U.S. News & World Report, making notable jumps in the national rankings of the top online undergraduate programs for veterans. Compared to prior years’ rankings, the 2021 list takes into account UNO’s entire portfolio of 12 online undergraduate degree programs across five of the university’s six colleges. Mercy High School has earned the College

Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles. Schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded girls’ access in AP Computer Science courses. Out of the 20,000 institutions that offer AP courses, 1,119 achieved either 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female population during the 2019-2020 school year. Chasers Charities, the charitable arm of the Omaha Storm Chasers, announced the 14th annual Jackie Robinson Athletic Scholarship. The program honors two local African-American students in an effort to commemorate the baseball legend that broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947. One male and one female student in the Greater Omaha area will be awarded a $1,000 dollar scholarship that recognizes the athletes for their hard work, character, and motivation to make a positive impact on our local community and society as a whole. Interested applicants must submit their application by March 31. The winners will be notified by April 9 and honored at a Storm Chasers’ home game. A transformational gift from CL and Rachel Werner will change the face of campus and expand Creighton University’s national reputation as a leader in preparing students for interprofessional, team-based health care. The Werners’ investment represents the lead gift for an innovative health sciences facility that will bear their name. The CL Werner Center for Health Sciences Education will serve as the Continued on next page.

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES Continued from preceding page. new home of the School of Medicine and will include shared spaces for each of the university’s health sciences schools and colleges. Expected to open in fall 2023, the $75 million building will stand near the I-480 and Highway 75 interchange at Cuming Street, providing a new front door to the west side of campus. A $10 million renovation of the adjacent Criss Complex will bring the total project cost to $85 million.

Health care notes…

The University of Nebraska Medical

Center, in partnership with Nebraska Medicine, has been awarded a $9.5 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to enhance infection prevention and control initiatives in small and rural health care facilities and advance the ability of health care workers to provide safe and effective clinical care. Three innovations are being proposed for this project: the Isolation System for Treatment and Agile Response for high risk infections (ISTARI) Care Cube 2.0; the Mixed Reality for Consultation, Assessment and Education; and

In the Spotlight Paid Content ACCOUNTING SERVICES

Activities of nonprofits…

Hired

Trey Taubenheim Tax Associate Seim Johnson

Seim Johnson happily welcomes the addition of Trey Taubenheim to the firm as a tax associate. “Welcoming a new accountant at the start of opportunity season is a great way to bring fresh energy to the team,” said Jerry O’Doherty, CPA, CGMA, managing partner of Seim Johnson. “I know that Trey will bring a great attitude throughout tax season,

the National Infection Control Strengthening (NICS) for Small and Rural Hospitals Innovation Test Bed Network. A startup company founded by UNMC College of Pharmacy scientist Dong Wang, Ph.D., landed a fast-track Small Business Innovation and Research grant of nearly $2 million for a potentially transformative new treatment for arthritis. The $1.68 million Phase II funding was approved on Jan. 5, 2021. It will support a series of pre-clinical studies that are designed to open the door to filing an investigational new drug application with the FDA. Wang founded Ensign Pharmaceutical on a novel formulation called ProGel, which is an injectable liquid. After ProGel is injected, it transforms into a gel-like substance as it reaches body temperature. The gel is then more likely to linger in the affected area, concentrating the pharmaceutical payload exactly where it needs to be.

and I can’t wait to see how his career soars within the firm.” Previously a tax and audit intern at Seim Johnson, Taubenheim will now work full-time in the tax department to prepare and reconcile individual, business, nonprofit, and limited liability company tax returns. A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Taubenheim graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was the treasurer of Beta Alpha Psi, the honors accounting fraternity, while at university. Raised in Amherst, Nebraska, Taubenheim currently resides in Elkhorn.

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The Omaha Community Foundation launched the Douglas County Food Services Stimulus for eligible restaurant and food services organizations in Douglas County today. The $2 million in stimulus funding is available to support small, locally-owned and operated businesses in the food and beverage industry severely impacted by the pandemic. The Douglas County Board has allocated funding to OCF to administer the program in partnership with the Nebraska Enterprise Fund. Applications are due to the Foundation by Feb. 17. Pottawattamie County Community Foundation has awarded the second round of grant funding from the Women’s Fund of Southwest Iowa to four organizations totaling $29,000. Grants to All Care Health Center ($9,000), Building Blocks Academy ($5,000), CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs ($10,000), and West Pottawattamie Extension and Outreach ($5,000) will support programming and projects that are focused on improving the

quality of life and well being of women and children in southwest Iowa. Linda Timmons, CEO of Mosaic based in Omaha, and Neal Ouellett, CEO of Living Innovations based in Dover, New Hampshire jointly announced that Living Innovations has now become a service of Mosaic. All services currently provided by Living Innovations will continue with no changes as a result of the move to Mosaic. The Living Innovations name will remain, with the addition of the tagline, “a service of Mosaic.”

Arts & events…

Creighton University accounting and law school student volunteers will be available to help answer questions during free virtual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance for qualifying individuals and students. Due to the pandemic, this tax year’s clinics will move to a completely virtual format. Starting Feb. 13 and continuing through March 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. via Zoom meetings. The clinics are available to individuals who have annual income less than $57,000 and need help preparing their federal and state tax returns. This year’s VITA clinics will not require an appointment. MEETINGS AND SEMINARS Tuesday, Feb. 16 The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands has partnered with Best Care Employee Assistance Program for a training opportunity on “Managing the Change Process.” This program will help attendees take a look at how change can benefit the organization, their department and their staff. Attendees will learn techniques for guiding employees and ways to respond positively for quicker acceptance and buy in. Registration is available online and the program will run from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Heartland Women’s Network is meeting via Zoom from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Speaker Wendy Townley has served as executive director of the Omaha Public Library Foundation since 2014. During her presentation Townley will discuss what the library experience during the 2020 pandemic, how it adapted to serve library patrons while libraries were closed, and what’s in store for 2021. Registration is available online. The Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance Omaha Chapter is hosting its February Meeting and Presentation from noon to 1:30 p.m. Lisa M. Lehan, attorney and shareholder at Koley Jessen, PC LLO, will be speaking about “Potential Estate Tax Law Changes and What To Do Now for Your Clients.” Registration for the event is available online. Thursday, Feb. 18 The Business Ethics Alliance is hosting its Spring Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. virtually. Former astronaut and retired Air Force Col. Rex Walheim will discuss how to encourage a speak up culture, even in space. NASA has spent years building a speak up culture where risks and complex issues are brought up and addressed from any level within the organization. Registration is available online. ASCM Midlands is hosting a virtual meeting at noon. Jerry Kostal, Methodist Hospital Supply Chain Director, will present on the health care supply chain and the impacts that COVID-19 has had over the past year. Registration is available online.

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 12, 2021 •

In the Spotlight Paid Content

BANKING

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Elected

Joined

Grant Kobes Commercial Real Estate Broker Investors Realty

Grant Kobes, CCIM has joined the brokerage team at Investors Realty, Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska. Grant’s area of focus will be on investment sales for both buyers and sellers. Grant brings more than four years of commercial real estate experience to his new position. He prides himself on working with a strong team of industry professionals to bring top quality service and value to his clients. He has a proven track record

translating client and investor visions into reality. Grant graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln earning a Bachelor of Finance in 2016, he earned his CCIM Designation in 2020. Grant is licensed in Nebraska and Iowa. “I’m excited for the opportunity to join the team at Investors Realty. Investors Realty has always been a top firm in Omaha, in my eyes, and draws respect from many inside and outside of the real estate industry.” says Kobes. “The professionalism and industry knowledge of the people at Investors has always been outstanding, no better place for me to grow my career.”

Clay Blank Mortgage Officer/Jr. TPO Account Executive West Gate Bank

Originally from Wilcox, Nebraska, Blank joined the Correspondent Mortgage Services department at West Gate Bank in 2018 as an Account Manager after attaining his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In his new role, Blank will be managing a client base, while playing an integral role in the team’s marketing strategy. He will continue to maintain current Correspondent Mortgage relationships

while fostering new relationships with current and prospective clients. In addition, he will be creating new training and informational materials for clients, and facilitating new processes and applications within the department to improve efficiency. Clay Blank can be reached at (402) 8537026 or cblank@westgate.bank.

BANKING

Elected

Stacy Hall Vice President, TPO Account Executive West Gate Bank

Hall joined the Correspondent Mortgage Services department at West Gate Bank in 2016 with nearly 20 years of experience in the banking industry. She will continue to establish and maintain Correspondent Mortgage relationships with new and existing clients, identify prospective new clients and facilitate the new application process. In addition, she will provide training to Correspondents regarding

West Gate Bank’s policies, procedures, programs and technology as it relates to Correspondent Mortgage. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Hall is a member of the Oklahoma Mortgage Bankers Association, Iowa Mortgage Association, Nebraska Mortgage Bankers Association, and Independent Community Bankers of South Dakota. Stacy Hall can be reached at (918) 706-6005 or via email at shall@ westgate.bank.

Kelly Lutomski Vice President, Mortgage Talent Recruitment & Development West Gate Bank

Originally from Grand Island, Nebraska, Lutomski earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. She joined West Gate Bank in November 2012 as a Mortgage Banking Specialist, with more than 25 years of banking experience. In 2017, she was promoted to Assistant Vice President (Loan Operations). In her new role, Lutomski is responsible for training and development of staff, talent acquisition, employee

BANKING Promoted

Jeff Kanger President First State Bank Nebraska

First State Bank Nebraska announces the promotion of Jeff Kanger to president. He is succeeding Jerry L. Lentfer. Lentfer remains CEO of the bank and will continue to manage the bank’s executive committee and the overall direction of the bank. Kanger has been at First State for over 10 years and most recently served as executive vice president. Lentfer and Kanger work together across First State’s

footprint in eastern Nebraska to deliver deep experience across the bank’s lines of business with a strong commitment to the wellbeing and growth of employees, customers and the local community. Tom Damkroger, chairman of the bank, said, “I’m really proud of what our team has accomplished over the last several years and 2020 in particular. We were a local leader in Paycheck Protection Program loans to provide essential operating capital to small businesses during a global crisis. Jerry and Jeff’s care for our communities, resilience and strategic insight continue to build a better bank for our customers.” Kanger will continue to lead the bank’s retail mortgage lending team, strategic planning and the locations near the Omaha market. He is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State,

University of Nebraska College of Law and the Nebraska Bankers Association Leadership Program. He serves on the Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy and the Nebraska Environmental Trust. Jeff Kanger can be reached at jkanger@1fsb.bank. First State Bank Nebraska is a $700+ million bank with locations throughout eastern Nebraska. First State has nearly 150 employees. We are committed to our local communities. To learn more, go to www.1fsb.bank or call 402-421-3535.

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retention and coaching leaders to focus on growing an inclusive and diverse team for the Mortgage Department. Lutomski is an alumnae member of the Gamma Kappa Chapter of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and previously served as President of the House Corporation Board for the Pi Chapter for the Sorority at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Kelly Lutomski can be reached at (402) 434-7815 or klutomski@westgate.bank.

• FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal