Midlands Business Journal February 14, 2020 Vol. 46 No. 7 issue by Midlands Business Journal

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Only in Nebraska

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal • February 14, 2020

Iconic Nebraska companies share their histories; recipes for success by Michelle Leach

It’s hard to imagine it now, but Nebraska’s most recognizable brands grew up from the likes of a mail truck-turned-food truck, and a smallscale meat market launched by immigrants who had fled Europe to escape religious persecution. “Nebraskans are inherently proud of things, when wellmade here in Nebraska,” said Bakers Candies CEO Todd Baker. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a foil-wrapped chocolate meltaway, everyBaker body’s favorite orange salad dressing, a red hot dog, or an oven-stuffed sandwich. I don’t have to even mention the brands behind these iconic foods because, as a Nebraskan, you already know them!” Baker’s father (and founder), Kevin Baker, leveraged his aerospace background to develop a manufacturing process that predates the recipes, which led to the Greenwood-based business in 1987. “Bakers Candies was the first candy company in the history of the world to start with a 100% fully-automated custom manufacturing process and no recipe,” he said. “Our recipes were custom-made for the manufacturing process. Reverse engineering chocolate gave

Michael Schwartz, owner of Wohlner’s. Bakers a huge advantage.” plus million chocolate meltaways sold during Described as “simple Midwestern common- the 2019 holidays — about a dozen chocolates sense,” Bakers was among the first gourmet per Nebraskan, reportedly making their chocchocolate manufacturers to individually twist- olates the state’s most popular Christmas gift. wrap and color-code meltaways, and to sell “The Baker family goes back five generagourmet-quality chocolates in bags. It was said tions in Cass County, Nebraska and there are 10 that “modest Midwestern consumers” balked at ‘next-generation’ Baker kids now growing up in buying themselves “a fancy box of chocolates.” the family business in order to ensure that the Bakers Candies produces and sells 30-plus future of Nebraska’s chocolate industry is kept million chocolates annually in the state, with 20- in good hands,” Baker said.

Reaanddit

Donald Everett Jr. knows the aforementioned stuffed sandwiches intimately; his grandmother, Sally Everett, began selling the beloved beef and cabbage fare from the Runza Drive Inn near Lincoln’s Pioneers Park in 1949. “It was truly a small business with one location for 17 years,” said Everett, Runza president. “My father had the tenacity to open a second location at 56th and Holdrege. He had a vision this could be more than a small family restaurant.” A former walk-on Simon with the Husker Football program, Donald Sr. sold Runzas outside of the stadium on game days, and from the back of a used mail truck — long before “food trucks” were common parlance. “Coach Devaney said, ‘Why don’t you start selling in the stadium?’” Everett recalled. Runza is the official partner of University of Nebraska Athletics, and Everett said he and his sisters are “actively training and educating generation No. 4.” “The original Runza restaurant didn’t have a drive-through and had a limited menu,” he said. “We evolved into a company that was willing to pivot, but we never changed the recipe to the Runza sandwich. We’ve always had crinkle-cut french fries. We’ve stayed true to our core menu items.” The late Donald Sr. said, “Anyone can be low on price. Stick with quality with whatever you do.” “That could be facility maintenance or ground beef,” Everett said. “We live our ‘difference is real motto’ in everything we do. When we consider wild proposals, we ask ourselves, ‘Is this true to our mission and to our values?’” Runza weaves itself into communities’ fabric, supporting local softball teams, chambers of commerce and fundraisers. Communities have responded in kind; a ribbon-cutting at its Milford location attracted 10% (or 200) of the town’s residents. Wohlner’s Grocery has remained true to the neighborhoods around it; be it its home of 74 years on Leavenworth Street in Omaha or, today, at Midtown Crossing. Mike Schwartz’s late father, Sidney Schwartz, purchased the business from his father-in-law, founder Al Wolhner, in 1962. The third-generation owner put a spotlight on its meat department. “Each product is selected specially for the Continued on page 9.

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Only in Nebraska — inside FEBRUARY 14, 2020

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS

THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:

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VOL. 46 NO. 7

Strawhecker Group finds niche monitoring payments industry by Richard D. Brown

Lowe launches boutique law firm focusing on a personalized approach. – Page 2

40 er d Un 40 Moheiser achieves career ambition with ITS Healthcare Consulting. – Page 3

h alt e He ranc u Ins

Insurance leaders weigh in on how the industry is aiming to control costs. – Page 22

From fin-tech startups to Fortune 500 companies on five continents, clients of Omaha-based The Strawhecker Group are being offered the consulting expertise and vital decision-making data to successfully operate in the volatile global payments industry. The father-son duo of Kurt Strawhecker — managing partner and board chairman—and Mike Strawhecker — president and partner — is enjoying an annual 20% increase in revenues in an industry where the average is half that. The Strawhecker Group has grown from 15 to 40 employees over the past decade and recently moved its offices from a 6,500-square-foot suite into 10,000 square feet on the third floor at 11605 Miracle Hills Drive. Satellite offices are located in Sacramento, Denver and London. Fortune 500 companies served by the 14-year-old firm include JP Morgan Chase, Mastercard and Visa Worldwide. Kurt Continued on page 10.

From left, Kurt Strawhecker, managing partner/board chairman and Mike Strawhecker, president/ partner … In the volatile payment industry, the firm is seeing growth. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

Mercury Builders, Contractors soars with diverse residential, commercial activity by Michelle Leach

Multi-faceted Mercury Builders and Mercury Contractors is leveraging momentum represented by the Associated General Contractors of America report that Omaha is the fastest growing market for construction jobs within the 358 metropolitan areas surveyed late last year. Bright external factors are coupled with internal advantages, no less embodied by co-owner Jeff Gehring’s 40-plus

years of expertise as a builder and in project management. “We are a design-build company, too,” Gehring said. “So, a lot of what we do on the commercial side depends on the project we’re getting brought into.” From Mercury Builders and Mercury Contractors’ home at 2828 S. 148th Avenue Circle in Omaha, the team helps wide-ranging projContinued on page 10.

Owner Michael Torres … Creating one-of-a-kind environments for corporate events and weddings with vintage, rustic and modern décor design and rental services.

de la Torre Event Design capitalizes on gap in event rentals and design by Becky McCarville

Co-owner Jeff Gehring … Features across price points, in-house capabilities resonate with home- and commercial-build clients.

Whether fabricating animal habitats for the Nashville Zoo, dressing the set and building props for TV commercials and films, or creating themed environments and décor rentals for corporate events and celebrations, Michael Torres’ attention to detail is the overarching theme of his creative career. As owner of the newly established de la Torre Event Design, a

design and décor rental company targeting the corporate event and wedding industry, and de la Torre Art Design, a company created in 2015 specializing in museum and zoological exhibit fabrication, Torres brings together his 20-plus years of industry experience. His career has spanned television commercial work to working in the theming industry in Orlando and Texas to Continued on page 31.

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Lowe launches boutique law firm focusing on a personalized approach by Savannah Behrends

transition, and I think it’s because a lot of people are looking to see what is possible, what does it take to launch out,” she said. Her time as a public speaker and career coach has taught her that being honest about the challenges and triumphs is what can really inspire others to branch out. “What makes a difference is sharing that you were intimidated and you felt everything

An affinity for negotiations and passion for advocacy lured Aimee Lowe into the family business of law, and, 14 years later, inspired her to open Lowe Legal Group. A self-described “overzealous advocate,” Lowe has found a way to combine her experience in commercial litigation, commercial real estate and executive and physician negotiations to better aid clients. “What I ultimately ended up finding was that it was impossible for me to negotiate a deal without one of the other two aspects coming into play,” Lowe said. For example, an executive she represents in a negotiation for benefits might also be looking to purchase real estate as a passive source of income.

“It’s not whether or not you’re intimidated, but it’s what you do with it and whether or not you walk through it.” — Aimee Lowe “What I learn from one field always assists in another area,” she said. “If I’m protecting my client’s trademark rights for a new startup, I’m always learning and applying new techniques that can help existing clients.” Less than six-months into her new venture, her workload is split between small-to-midsized businesses and contract negotiations with executives. Clients from previous tenures have followed Lowe, keeping her busy in her first few

Lowe Legal Group Phone: 402-850-4226 Address: 14301 FNB PKWY, Ste. 100, Omaha 68154 Founded: October 2019 Service: boutique law firm focusing on commercial litigation, commercial real estate, executive benefit negotiations and physician benefits negotiations. Website: lowelegalgroup.com

Owner and attorney Aimee L. Lowe … Launching her own law firm after 14 years of practice. months. Finding new ways to help those clients, of Lowe’s decision to launch her own firm. whether it’s through new apps, new software, or While at larger firms, she noted that it was a third-party legal affiliate, has been particularly harder to implement innovative processes, part challenging and gratifying. of which can be attributed to the industry’s slow “Because this is a startup law firm I can use crawl to change. all of these modern approaches and modern However, Lowe believes that the industry technology to streamline my practice and get is indeed changing and eventually technology back to what I love to do, which is representing and smaller boutique firms like her own will be my clients,” she said. more commonplace. In fact, her endeavor has Representing her clients in whatever way launched a flurry of questions from colleagues. makes the most sense for them is the hallmark “People have been really curious about this

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that everyone else feels but you walked through it,” she said. “I think that’s what people aren’t use to hearing because today they just receive the cleaned up version.” She’s championed this sentiment at recent speaking engagements, one of which was at the Harvard School of Medicine in front of 900 physicians for the Harvard CME Career Advancement and Leadership Conference. During her presentation she spoke about wage and gender discrimination, the impact, and how women physicians can handle different instances of discrimination. Despite speaking at multiple engagements, representing hundreds of clients and starting her own law firm, Lowe said she still gets intimated. “It’s not whether or not you’re intimidated, but it’s what you do with it and whether or not you walk through it,” she said. “Only a foolish person has no fear of the unknown, however, I’ve tried not to define myself in the confines of fear.”

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Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

Founder Shawntea Moheiser … Growing business in health care consulting niche.

Moheiser achieves career ambition with ITS Healthcare Consulting by Dwain Hebda

Health care industry veteran Shawntea “Taya” Moheiser long wanted to go out on her own with a consulting business. Finally one day, her husband Matthew confronted her about it. “I always knew I wanted to go that route, but it’s something I kind of talked about in theory and didn’t really do,” she said. “My husband and I sat down and he said, ‘What is it that you want to do?’ I said, ‘I want to change the landscape of this industry.’ He said, ‘Then why aren’t you doing it?’” The pep talk helped Moheiser overcome her fear of failure and she launched ITS Healthcare Consulting in 2016. The company has found a strong market for its consulting services among smaller practices, with goals to one day serve much larger clients. “I help provide strategic guidance on operational improvement, financial best practice, employee engagement,” she said. “I’ve worked between solo practice offices up to [practices of] 70 doctors. I haven’t worked at anything at the health system level yet, but it’s a goal.” Much of what Moheiser addresses is the continuing shift from fee-for-service to value-based payments and what that means for service delivery and overall practice management. “I’m seeing two things right now,” she said. “One is primary care really trying to get a good footing on what it means to shift quality of service over quantity of service. And I’m also seeing specialty practices struggling to determine which path is going to be best for them. “Primary care needs to be at the heart of patient care. But the specialists have a significant role in that. It’s quite understandable that CMS and every other federal entity releases things that are primary care driven initially, but there’s a lot of specialty care practices and surgical

practices that are off to the side, not sure where they fit in. We want to be far-reaching into the community, making sure we’re engaged and not overlooking populations with social service needs. The more you do that, the more you’re going to be reimbursed, and that’s a gigantic shift in mindset for an organization.” The success of her consulting business has led her to work in professional organizations to help affect even broader change in the local health care industry. She’s currently president-elect for Nebraska Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and currently sits on two workgroups for the Medical Group Management Association. “Early in my career one of my mentors encouraged me to get involved in government affairs in the state of Maryland,” she said. “At that time, I was working at a neuroscience center and we had a very challenging situation with an insurance company, creating a lot of regulatory burden and administrative paperwork. It was just a mess, and there was a bill that was going to increase that burden. “We went to what they called legislative day and I got to sit down with senators and delegates and explain this is why I don’t like this bill. This is what’s going on day to day in our practice. Our physicians can’t handle this workload. But we could do the same thing an easier way if you would just let us do this. And they changed the legislation. I mean, I had no idea the power of simply getting involved and communicating when you need your community to come around you and help you a little bit. So now I firmly believe in getting involved in associations.” A native of Maryland, Moheiser has a bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Bellevue University and is currently pursuing her executive MBA for health care management at Creighton University.

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• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Only in Nebraska

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal • February 14, 2020

Iconic Nebraska companies share their histories; recipes for success by Michelle Leach

Only in Nebraska •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • Only in Nebraska

Arts, architecture and animals headline Nebraska attractions by Dwain Hebda

Kelli Bello, manager of communications and development at Joslyn Castle.

A world-class zoo, engaging artistic programs and an urban castle are just a few unique Nebraska attractions awaiting locals and tourists alike. Nearly two million people visit Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium annually, immersing themselves in several distinct ecosystem exhibits, according to Diane Kohout, communications Moylan manager. “Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has seven acres of indoor exhibits,” she said. “In the Lied Jungle, visitors are transported to a rainforest while view-

ing Malayan tapirs, monkeys and macaws. The Desert Dome, the largest indoor desert in the world, offers 42,000 square feet of desert native plant and animal species. The Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium brings visitors nose-to-nose with sea turtles and sharks in a 70-foot shark tunnel.” More attractions are coming this fall, Kohout said, including the Owen Sea Lion Shores exhibit Halbkat featuring underwater viewing areas and state-of-the-art animal care facilities. Omaha’s Joslyn Castle carries on the legacy of the Joslyn family and its commitment to the arts and community through a variety of programming. “We have regularly scheduled public tours throughout the week and that schedule increases during peak tourism season May through September,” said Kelli Bello, manager of communications and development. “We also are a leader in educational and cultural programming. Right now, we are in the middle of our chamber music series with the Omaha Conservatory of Music.” Other events include June’s Castlepalooza, a free neighborhood festival; an art and literary festival in conjunction with Metropolitan Community College and lectures on the architecture of the one-of-akind attraction. “We also are in the middle of our Speakeasy Series where you can taste a different libation every month with local experts,” Bello said. “The concept is really fun because prior to each event you’re given the password and you have to enter through the subterranean basement entrance just as George Joslyn would have had his buddies coming and going at the turn of the century.” Entertainment of a different sort can be found at The Capitol District, where customers enjoy food and drinks outdoors in a modern town square. Located between the Old Market, the riverfront and several downtown attractions, the area is a popular draw for urban dwellers and visitors. “Our town square is always hosting something fun,” said Mike Moylan, the district’s developer. “We put up an ice rink over the holidays. Our giant screen shows big sporting events, movies and sometimes even soap operas over lunch. Various companies and organizations use that great space to bring people together for team building, fundraisers and just plain fun.” Moylan said 2020 is set to be a big year for the development as the final piece of the neighborhood puzzle will reach completion. “The 1100 Capitol Building is on schedule and will mark the end of major construction in The Capitol District,” he said. “The building will provide more than 46,000 square feet of modern office space on the second and third floors, with 23,000 square feet of retail on the first floor.” Those looking for something artistic should check out KANEKO, a creative cenContinued on next page.

Only in Nebraska •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

Local mom and pop shops making names for themselves by Gabby Christenen

Over the years, various long-standing local businesses have achieved success and seen measurable growth, which has led to recognition throughout the area. Doug Sorenson, co-owner of Haney Shoes, said the store has seen steady growth since its founding in 1942. Family-owned and based out of Kavich Benson, Haney Shoes first started out as a shoe repair shop, with some retail on the side. Since then, the business has expanded to three strorefronts and also offers a mobile store program, providing safety shoes to over 100 workplaces and industrial sites throughout the region. “Quality and comfort has always been our focus,” Sorenson said. “We personally measure or fit everyone who walks through our doors and then we modify the shoes to get the perfect fit.” He attributes the personalized customer service that has kept customers coming back. The store offers large sizes and extended width selections for hard-to-fit feet, from narrow to extra-wide, up to size 13 for women and size 20 for men, which also draws customers to the store. “Currently, we have our fourth generation of family working here now, which can be a bit challenging, but it’s also really fun,” he said. “We’ve been blessed to have our customers and lucky to have our family continue the legacy.” Jeff Kavich, president/CEO of All Makes, said the business was founded in 1918 as a typewriter sales, service and rental business in Omaha. In the following years, Kavich said the company expanded to include office furniture and machines and high-end contract furniture. “All Makes is a fourth-generation family-owned business,” Kavich said. “It’s grown into the Midwest’s largest and most experienced office furniture and technology dealer, a 14-time winner of the ‘Best Office Furniture Dealership in Omaha’

Nebraska attractions

Continued from preceding page. ter that combines art, science, technology, philosophy and design to give each visitor a look at creativity through a different lens. The attraction is free and open to the public daily. “KANEKO has four core programs — Movement, Generator, Passages and Great Minds — that each happen once a quarter,” said Christopher Halbkat, design, marketing and PR manager. “Art patrons should also stay tuned for the KANEKO Open Space Soirée. Soirée is KANEKO’s annual fundraiser, an event combining food, art and live performances. Each Soirée is unique and a party not to be missed.”

award, offering office solutions for all workplaces and all budgets.” Now in it’s 102nd year of business, Amee Zetzman, CFO/executive vice president, said All Makes has done business in all 50 states and around the world. Additionally, the company’s show rooms have expanded to include showrooms in Omaha, Zetzman Lincoln, Kearney, Columbus, as well as, Des Moines, Iowa. “Being a fourth generation family-business that’s stayed in business for over a century is pretty rare and something we Continued on next page.

Doug Sorenson, co-owner of Haney Shoes.

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • Only in Nebraska

Nebraska companies turn humble beginnings into national, global leadership by Jasmine Heimgartner

Hidden within what some consider a flyover state are locally based companies with humble beginnings that have stood the test of time, becoming national and global leaders in their industry. Three of those companies include Mutual of Omaha, Tenaska and Valmont Industries. Each one has become a beacon of what is possible with innovation, an entrepreneurial spirit and Midwest values. One of the five Fortune 500 companies in Omaha, Mutual of Omaha was founded in 1909 as Mutual Benefit Health & Accident Association by Dr. C.C. Criss, who sold insurance while he was a medical student at Creighton University, and his wife, Mabel. By 1920, the company was selling health and accident insurance in 15 states with premiums topping more than a million dollars. The company continued to grow and weathered the Great Depression, becoming licensed in 48 states and two territories by 1939.

“One thing that has remained constant is that our customers depend on us and they are the reason we exist,” said Gail Graeve, vice president community affairs & corporate events

Graeve Hawks at Mutual of Omaha. “We’ve been listening to our customers for more than 100 years. We strive to help them protect what they care about and achieve their financial goals. Our vision is

that every customer will have a financial future imagined, planned and secured. As a mutually held company, our associates are able to focus on and commit to the priorities that best serve our customers. Policyholders have placed their trust in us, and we are here for them when they need us the most.” Drive and commitment were at the heart of Tenaska’s beginnings. On March 1, 1986, Howard Hawks incorporated Tenaska to purchase the Central Campbell Basin Pipeline from Enron at Enron’s established price, which Enron then refused to sell to him. On April 1, 1987, Omaha businessmen and former InterNorth/Enron executives Hawks and Tom Hendricks, with two others, opened a Tenaska office in Omaha. One plant turned into many, growing Tenaska into one of the leading independent energy companies in the United States. The company started its own gas marketing sector, Tenaska Marketing Ventures, which is among the top five largest natural gas marketers in North America and top-ranked natural gas pipeline capacity trader. “We treat our employees like family and instill a ‘small company’ culture even as an industry leader,” said Hawks, founder and chairman at Tenaska. “That approach has helped us retain our workforce and the knowledge and skillsets that have evolved with the markets. We remain true to our founding principles: hire exceptional people; take reasoned, manageable risks; insist on quality; and deal fairly and honestly with partners, customers and the public.” Robert B. Daugherty took a leap of faith after returning from WWII and invested his life savings of $5,000 into a small manufacturing company in Valley, Nebraska, which eventually became Valmont Industries — a combination of Valley and Fremont. Steady growth as a smallscale general fabricator and manufacturer led to a gamechanger for the company in 1954 when it purchased the licensing rights to manufacture the center pivot from inventor Frank Zybach. Through the years, mastering pole construction led to the company innovating products for other industries. The company now has four distinct business segments with about 10,000 employees around the world. Across the business segments, Valmont has 87 manufacturing facilities in 23 countries. Approximately 20% of its workforce is in Nebraska, including its Omaha headquarters. “We operate with a set of four core values: passion, integrity, continuous improvement,

delivering results,” said Renee Campbell, vice president, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications at Valmont Industries. “If you think about those four core values, so much of that is really what the Midwest or Omaha is all about. We feel Omaha has a strong and diverse workforce that allows us to fill a majority of our roles locally with high-quality people. Being one of the few global companies in Omaha, it allows the opportunity to explore the world without moving away.” For each of these three companies, at the heart of their success is the community and people around them. “Community is everything. Nebraskans get community,” Hawks said. “We get the importance of giving back to one’s community. We do that in many ways. Everything from coaching, mentoring kids, serving on local and state boards, our involvement in the chamber and in working on economic development strategy.” Staying dedicated to roots also is a driving force for success. “Omaha is an integral part of our brand, and we are proud to call this community home,” Graeve said. “Omaha has enjoyed steady economic growth and vibrance with genuine collaboration among business and civic leaders. The people who live here make all the difference and represent a workforce known across the country to be hard working, ethical and service-oriented. Without question, talent is one of the best advantages of being based in Omaha.” While great success has been achieved, these companies show no signs of letting go of its founding principles heading into the future. “We are all looking for ways to use our business to help the world become a better place,” Campbell said. “It is key to success, especially regarding the next generation. They are all looking to work for a company that gives back and is focused on sustainability. It is good for all of us to work alongside other companies to project those values.”

Local mom and pop shops Continued from preceding page. take great pride in,” Zetzman said. “We also like to give back to the communities we serve.” In celebration of All Makes’ 100th anniversary in 2018, Zetzman said the company launched a nonprofit makeover contest, donating $100,000 office makeovers to a nonprofit in each of its office locations. A representation of the local fashion scene, The Mix Shoes and Accessories, is a women’s specialty shoe boutique in Omaha. Owner Susan Lapp said the business seeks out independent designers from Europe and the U.S. “Ensuring that our customers are satisfied is the biggest factor in our success,” Lapp said. “As our customer base grew and they came to appreciate our style, service and value, many recommended our shop to their friends and family. The ultimate compliment and sign of success was when many of our clients encouraged us to branch out and include apparel in our concept.” She said the business followed through with this idea by stocking collections from established and emerging designers, while still keeping style, quality and value in mind. “In the last several years, our e-commerce business has grown tremendously,” Lapp said. “The marketing is, obviously, completely different, but we have gained a following nationally — and even a bit internationally — as we continue to buy unique goods.”

Only in Nebraska •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

Agriculture background drives Nebraska work ethic

Besancon Dickhut small enough that it’s easy to get around in,” Dickhut said. “You can get to almost anywhere in the city in about 20 minutes.

Melby Vetter There are lots of connections here going back generations, but also new connections as people move in and out of Omaha. It’s

an easy place to live, and living in Omaha is a good value for the money.” Nancy Melby, director of operations at Leo A Daly’s Omaha Studio, characterized Omaha employees’ work ethic as determination, consistency and responsibility. “I think upbringing in a Midwestern culture reinforces a certain set of ethics and values that positively contribute to cultivating a strong work ethic,” she said. “For many, the foundation that their word is their bond, hard work and follow-through are critical, and respectfulness and kindness are valued and starts when they are young — at home and in school.” Leah Vetter, area president for Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota of GallaghContinued on page 11.

Continued from page 4. store,” he said. Schwartz was 7 years old when he began working. “My father and grandfather had me carrying out groceries,” he said. With training in the meat department, courtesy of the generations before him, Schwartz introduced sausage-making and smoking capabilities in the 1970s. “It’s been important to me, my family heritage, we’ve been in business for well over 100 years,” he said, recalling the Wohlner family hails from the Poland-Russia border. One brother joined another in Omaha once there was sufficient business at the meat market he started. “At one time, we had five or six grocery stores,” he said. Al Wohlner started United A-G to support small independent grocers, and helped his nephew launch the predecessor to No Frills. Today, Schwartz’s “extended family” includes many

20-plus-year current and former employees. Omaha Steaks CEO Bruce Simon and Senior Vice President Todd Simon represent fifth-generation family ownership. Todd’s great-grandfather, J.J. Simon, and his son, B.A. Simon, left Riga, Latvia in 1917 to escape religious persecution. The Simons reportedly took a cross-country train from Ellis Island, settling where it “looked most like home.” The story goes that Table Supply Meat Company, a small-scale butcher shop at 1211 Howard St., grew into a food service division. Under B.A.’s son, Lester, they went from selling to local hotels and restaurants, to restaurants from around the country. “When Lester joined the company in 1929, he built upon our early success in food service by partnering with Omaha business neighbor, Union Pacific,” said Todd Simon. “We began to serve our steaks in the dining and private cars of their trains, and people from distant parts of the country began calling to find out how they

could purchase delicious steaks they had on the train — that’s essentially how our mail delivery business was born — and we later changed our name to Omaha Steaks in the 1966.” Now its food service division is a leading supplier of gourmet center-of-plate options in Omaha and Lincoln, and supplies Midwestern restaurants while exploring options on the coasts. And business gifting launched in the 1960s, is part of dozens of popular loyalty airline and hotel programs. Also, Omaha Steaks has, in the past decade, focused on options for companies to reward employees; for instance, through wellness, referral and employee perk programs. Omaha Steaks remains committed to the area that bears its name. During the holidays alone, it reportedly hires an additional 4,000 employees to handle demand, and the family supports core cultural institutions, including the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha Children’s Museum and Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts.

by David Kubicek

Work ethic is often defined as a set of values based on the principals of discipline and hard work, an attitude with its roots in agriculture. “It’s the farming mentality where the work is done when it’s done, not when five o’clock hits,” said Rick Besancon, Omaha office manager for Burns & McDonnell. In addition to most of the firm’s employees being originally from the Midwest, Besancon attributes much of the work ethic to Burns & McDonnel being employee-owned. “Folks take personal ownership of the projects,” he said. “They want to succeed not only for themselves but also for the client. I’d put the work ethic in Omaha up against anyone else in the world.” Randy Dickhut, senior vice president of real estate operations for Farmers National, said the work ethic is one of the advantages for Omaha businesses. “A lot of the workforce in Omaha, especially some of the more mature workers, have some sort of ag background,” he said. “They either grew up on the farm or had relatives on the farm so they grew up around it. That helps give people experience working on their own, setting their own schedules, and getting the job done. Secondly, I think there’s a very strong historical context and reason going all the way back to the pioneers.” Omaha is known for its public and private schools and university and college systems that support further education and improving skills of all kind. The city also offers a variety of entertainment options. “Omaha is large enough to offer almost everything a larger city has, but it is

Iconic Nebraska companies share their histories

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Strawhecker Group finds niche monitoring payments industry

Continued from page 1. overseeing the development, design and cre- source.” Kurt Strawhecker said that while the techStrawhecker, an award-winning University ation of the platforms and other technological of Nebraska at Omaha advertising and photo tools led by a 20-person development and sales nology can excel in the rent payment function, it could also be used to track leases, pay utility journalism graduate, started the family-owned team operating out of Omaha. firm after employment with First Data (now “I learned from GEM that nobody else bills, among other functions. “It could be used in 350 industries in the Fiserv) where he was (competitors) can do introduced to entrepre- The Strawhecker Group this because of its U.S. from restaurants to optometrists and the neurship opportunities Phone: 402-964-2617 difficulty,” he said. merchant could pick the level of depth,” he said. Software used to collect rent via debit card within the then-nascent Address: 11605 Miracle Hills Dr., Suite “The first two years credit card/payments 302, Omaha 68154 we worked on it were at multiple building sites, for example, could have a 2.7% transaction charge. industry. Service: payment experts offering data for touch and go.” In the future, the Strawheckers see elec“I tested a con- decision-making Projects can recept,” he said simply. Founded: 2006 by Kurt Strawhecker & quire investments from tronic transactions being used for the payment The Strawhecker Jamie Savant as little as $10,000 to of parking tickets, license taxes, and expanded Group is now one of Employees: 40 hundreds of thousands business-to-business payments. For example, they said they can work with the largest global an- One-year goal: To become preeminent of dollars, from 50 to alytics and consulting firm nationally in the industry. 2,000 hours and from independent hardware store owners about “fricfirms focused on the Industry outlook: industry growth rate as little as two weeks tions” that need to be overcome to get different constituencies on the same platform. global payments in- annually is 10%. to three months. “We can incentivize them and show them dustry. Website: www.thestrawgroup.com Just as the payment “In one year we industry has designed how we can make things easier for them,” Mike want to be the preeminent on our space glob- software for fast food establishments to take Strawhecker said. About a third of The Strawhecker Group’s ally,” said Mike Strawhecker, a three-time credit cards, the younger Strawhecker is pretty championship wrestler at Skutt Catholic and confident that software will be developed to revenues are generated by market intelligence 2006 marketing and management graduate from enable renters in large apartment complexes work. Clients are looking for competitive intelligence on their rivals. The Omaha firm Bellevue University. to use cards for their monthly rent payments. The younger Strawhecker, who ran kid “If money can be made off that payment, employs seven analysts full-time to keep pulse camps for the Chicago Bears and interned for the apartment complex managers are going to on relevant news. That division is headed by former U.S. representative Lee Terry, said per- be for it,” he said. “Our technology could help Jared Drieling, senior director of merchant haps the biggest asset he brings to the family them monitor it and turn it into a new revenue intelligence, consulting and market intelligence. business is, “I’m the most competitive person you’ll ever meet.” Kurt Strawhecker and key members of his Mercury, as it’s growing today, was created team were keenly monitoring breaking business Continued from page 1. in 1992 with a focus on refurbishing residential news the morning of the Midlands Business ects take shape; Gehring rattled off a lengthy properties in Dundee. Journal interview: swiping a Visa card is about list of projects — restaurants and nail salons, “The internet was just starting up and we to be more expensive as early as April due to barbershops and industrial spaces, gas stations were looking for names that were available,” a planned hike in the interchange rate — the and nightclubs, ice cream shops and urgent care. Gehring recalled. “Mercury has several connoamount a business is charged whenever a cus“We’re going to do independent living and tations, as a planet and element.” tomer their card. revitalization of downtown Bellevue,” Gehring Gehring and co-owner Ed Bueno joined “It’s one of the biggest changes in about a said of what’s ahead, in partnership with R&R forces to create what would become Mercury decade,” he said, noting that while the charge Realty Group. “The oldest street in Nebraska is Contractors. will vary by merchant, the impact can include Mission Avenue, but it’s the last one to get revi“When everything went south with the a major change in how much a consumer is talized. Part of the requirement is to ‘reface’ and crisis, we saw a niche in commercial, and we crecharged at some of their favorite firms — and modernize the look, but to keep it traditional.” ated that part of the company,” he said. “We’ve the type of card they will choose to swipe at R&R also embodies Mercury’s anticipated grown from $100,000 to over $10 million.” the counter. future headquarters, which they will share at The decision to parse out Mercury Builders Kurt Strawhecker, an Omaha native who the Gateway I-80 Business Park off 118th and and Mercury Contracbegan his career at First National Bank of Oma- Harrison streets. tors as separate brands ha and who later worked for the Ellis & Guy ad “By September, Mercury Builders and was solidified around agency where back-end work was done for God- we’ll have it built,” Mercury Contractors six or seven years ago, father’s Pizza, an Omaha firm that grew from Gehring said. “It’s a Phone: Mercury Builders, 402-671-5675; and involved bringing 40 to 700 locations during his tenure, began an mixed-use building. So, Mercury Contractors, 402-689-1423 on board a new project 18-year stint in 1985 with First Data, a credit we’ll get other tenants Address: Mercury Builders, 2826 S. 148th manager, Lee Sharpe. card electronic processor. He spent three years in there, too. You get al- Ave. Circle, omaha 68144; mercury ConGehring acknowlin England in the early ‘90s when First Data most $8 to $10 a square tractors, 2828 S. 148th Ave. Cir., Omaha edged the creation of was establishing FDR Limited, a UK division in foot for mixed-use; it 68144 Mercury Builders was Brighton, England. used to be $6.” Services: custom residential construction driven significantly The Strawhecker Group, which closed its Gehring said both (Mercury Builders); commercial building, by the need to reduce first significant transaction on 2009, began a sides of the business and residential and commercial roofing “brand confusion.” global expansion in 2014 to reach companies will remain in the new (Mercury Contractors) “If I’m building you on multiple continents. By mid-2015 the firm space, and he indicated Founded: 1992 a home and we’re Merwas providing services to nine out of 10 top this “dovetailing” gives Website: mercurybuilders.com, mercurycury Contractors, you merchant acquirers in the U.S. Mercury a competitive contractors.com may wonder how much In 2011, The Strawhecker Group launched edge. dedication we’ll have to the home building proAcquiring Industry Metrics, an innovative “When we combine with R&R on the decess, if we’re also doing bars and roofs,” he said. industrywide performance platform. velopments side, there will be a little separation Pivoting to the Mercury Builders side, Kurt Strawhecker said the introduction on the mezzanine, but there is a lot of overlap,” Gehring characterized the division as a “true” by his firm of Gateway Enterprise Metrics, an he said. “When we build a house, there might be custom builder. industry first and five-year-old platform offering 171 pieces that need to happen. A commercial “If you bring us a set of plans that you want, gateways to benchmark uptime, transaction build can be as simple as 12 [pieces] or up to we won’t find a set of plans that doesn’t work time and decline rates, was an important ele- 100, there are not as many detailed pieces. With for you,” he said. ment in The Strawhecker Group’s growth. commercial it might take six to eight weeks, not Gehring said they offer a five-year home “We had launched an industry first,” he said. more than eight to 10 weeks, whereas a home warranty (in partnership with ServiceOne) for An assessment done in April 2018 found that we start from scratch can take six months. all new home builder-clients; clients get 10 that payment companies realize more than $500 Complex commercial can carry a lot of pieces hours of interior designer services; and the goal in additional revenue per merchant by utilizing and be a lot more labor-intensive, but there is still is to complete the home within six months — a TSG Analytics. a lot of the same structure. We do try to keep our significant distinction for a custom build. Mike Strawhecker has taken the lead in project managers separated.”

The Strawhecker Group publishes a monthly newsletter, NewsFilter, which goes to more than 65,000 subscribers in the payment industry. Drieling, a former First Data employee, joined Strawhecker Group five years ago. “The Strawhecker Groups’ success has been helped by its uniqueness and focus,” the senior Strawhecker said. “We specialize in one part of the payments industry and we’ve striven to become experts in that part.” Attracting the needed talent to Omaha and facilitating partnerships with international companies where necessary are other important elements of the firm’s success. The Strawhecker Group has also used “bootstrap financing” to build its human capital. Those coming on board are told they will get experience and if it works out they will be given more responsibilities. For many, Kurt Strawhecker’s offer launched their career’ with the firm. He even admits using the “I’ll hire you if you can pay for yourself” promise on his son when he was hired 15 years ago. Recently, The Strawhecker Group rolled out Transaction Watch, a weekly newsletter aimed at cutting-edge payment executives, corporate strategists and private equity groups seeking to learn of the most important and relevant merchant news impacting the industry.

Mercury Builders, Contractors soars with diverse residential, commercial activity “We offer features that you wouldn’t see in a home under $300,000 or $400,000,” he said; for instance, high-end finishes and taller ceilings. In another distinction, its Realtor team is featured prominently on the website, and includes Matthew Lindauer of Complete Real Estate Group at Nebraska Realty. “Price points are all over the place right now, and that is a nice thing,” he said. “You’re going to get a nice, finished product whether you’re spending $350,000 or $650,000, and that’s due to the relationship that we have with Nebraska Furniture Mart.” Specifically, Gehring referred to how project management worked with the company to “get well below the shareholders’ pricing;” for example, mosaic tile for $7 a square foot versus $12 to $18. “We have our own framers, drywallers and roofers on staff, and that helps us,” he said. Lindauer and colleague Stacy Fellows handle communication. So, the team as a whole remains organized and on the same page. “We really do have a wide variety of lots,” Fellows added of differentiators. “If clients say, ‘I want to be in this area,’ we can find a subdivision that they like.” At the time of this writing, Fellows noted significant interest in Papillion, Gretna and Elkhorn. “Sarpy has seen a little bit more action,” Lindauer added. “But Douglas is consistently solid.” From a Realtor standpoint, Fellows noted, she appreciates that “when we walk into a model home, everything is standard. I don’t have to tell my clients the trim around the window is an upgrade. This is all included.” Additionally, Gehring referred to partnerships with Daikin to provide heating and air conditioning systems that are 40% more efficient, which further speak to new energy codes. Featured communities include Summerhill Farm in Bennington, Settlers Creek and Pioneer View in Papillion, and Elkhorn’s Westbury Farm.

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

How AI is quietly revolutionizing homebuying by Natalie Campisi

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quietly infiltrating the real estate industry — without looking like a futuristic takeover but rather a boon for buyers and sellers. Real Estate Mortgage lenders, realtors, title companies, property appraisers and consumers use AI for a wide variety of purposes, including application automation, expediting processes, chatbots on real estate sites and automated valuaSUPER CROSSWORD

tions models, or AVMs, to name a few. “AI can benefit real estate industry participants in many ways. An example is the use of machine learning to link potential buyers with more relevant properties, creating an enhanced real estate transaction (more timely and focused),” says John D’Angelo, managing director at Deloitte Consulting LLP. “This can also make it easier for buyers and sellers to receive more personalized offerings based on their preferences. In addition, AI can reduce the DOING PR WORK

transaction costs for buyers and sellers by shortening the transaction cycle.” Communication between buyers and sellers can be augmented with AI, as well, says Adrian Fisher, CEO at Property Simple. This kind of technology is a useful tool for real estate agents who want to provide fast responses to their clients, without spending resources on more staff. These cost-savings can be passed on to consumers. “Chatbots can already answer simple queries to help potential buyers find their next home. If they’re unable to provide an answer, these bots can notify human agents to take over and offer a better, more customized response,” Fisher says. “As machine learning advances, chatbots will become smarter. In the future, they’ll be able to answer complex search queries proficiently, including those through voice technology.” Harnessing the power of big data for buyers and sellers The enormous amount of data available, due in part to the digitization of information — makes AI an increasingly important tool in parsing that data in a way that’s meaningful to buyers and sellers. Ramneek Gupta, managing director and co-head of venture investing at Citi Ventures, cites two companies that are using AI to dive into big data for a more efficient and results-driven experience. Reonomy, for instance, uses AI and machine learning to automate the aggregation, clean up and feature extraction from large amounts of alternative data (information used in the investment process) on more

Agriculture background

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Continued from page 9. er Benefit Services, said Omaha’s work ethic is expansive and continuing to be re-invented. “Omaha’s growth has created a healthy competitive spirit among businesses,” she said. “It’s a great place to live, where so many [businesses] are working hard to maintain their cultures and their services to stay competitive, relevant and attractive to employees. In my experience, Omaha employers are focused on their people, recognizing the importance of employee engagement and how it creates a much more productive workforce. The combination of Nebraska natives and transplants makes for an incredible community, schools and workforces.” Nebraska employees thrive in an environment where they feel safe to be their true selves. Their strengths are valued and appreciated, but they are also challenged to grow. “Omaha has added to our workforce’s well-being programs through our beautiful parks, museums, downtown developments, music festivals, nonprofit groups, trail systems, sports teams, universities and community colleges,” Vetter said. “Omaha employees are collaborative in nature because of proximity to Lincoln and Iowa and the combination of Nebraska natives and transplants. This collaboration promotes a work ethic in which people are motivated and committed to creating better solutions and, as the Chamber says, making our mark.”

than 50 million commercial real estate properties. “This enables both buyers and sellers to make better sourcing, pricing and buying decisions,” says Gupta. “Another example is Homelight, a company that uses AI and machine learning to improve its pricing algorithms. Homelight leverages historical data and input from homeowners and agents to come up with accurate home price estimates.” Combining ai with human interactions for a more holistic experience There are limitations to AI, says Peggy Zabakolas, Esq., real estate broker for Nest Seekers International. Already, most homebuyers use AI to look for a home online, loading their specifications to filter properties that meet those requirements. But when it’s time to buy, AI is not equipped to understand the nuances of purchasing the home, which includes a detailed understanding of the market and negotiating, Zabakolas adds. She also points out that AI might not have information on all the properties available, including those that might be word-of-mouth sales. “Buyers are becoming more and more knowledgeable, which is wonderful, but when I’m going to spend millions or hundreds of thousands of dollars on a property, I want to work with a human that has expertise in negotiating and getting a deal done,” Zabakolas says. “Also, agents may know of properties off-market that AI may not necessarily have access to.” Most technologists agree, this is act one of what ai can do Although AI is transforming how companies do business, it’s still in its infancy. In fact, there are major hurdles technologists and policymakers have to overcome to increase AI security and eradicate bias. Recently, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, IBM Policy Lab co-directors Ryan Hagemann and Jean-Marc Leclerc urged global regulation of artificial intelligence based on accountability, transparency, fairness and security. Their argument is that technology relies on data with “baked-in” bias, which includes discrimination against women, minorities, the disabled, older Americans and others. “I see an abundance of technology but a shortage of actionable policy ideas to ensure we protect people while allowing innovation to thrive,” Christopher Padilla, vice president of government & regulatory affairs at IBM, said in a statement. “The IBM Policy Lab will set a new standard for how business can partner with governments and other stakeholders to help serve the interests of society.” A report issued by the FDIC in February last year showed that both face-to-face and FinTech lenders charged Latinx and African-American borrowers 6- to 9-basis points more in interest for purchase mortgages, which is “consistent with the extraction of monopoly rents in weaker competitive environments and from profiling borrowers on shopping behavior.” In total, Latinx and African-Americans pay some $750 million per year in extra mortgage interest, according to the report. This is where policy, like what IBM proposes, becomes critical moving forward in our dependency on and use of AI. What consumers should know about ai The bottom line, for consumers, is to Continued on next page.

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

New homes in the US are shrinking as builders try to contain costs by Steve Brown

Builders are putting the squeeze on new homes to lower costs. The average new home size across the country is declining in response to higher house price tags and more buyers Real Estate wanting to downsize. But the typical new home still has plenty of room at about 2,500 square feet last year. “It peaked at 2,689 square feet in the 2016,” said Rose Quint, a top researcher with the National Association of Home Builders. “In the last four years we have seen the average size of new homes decline every year. “It’s the smallest house size we have put in the ground since the year 2011 in this country,” Quint said at the building industry’s annual show

last weekend in Las Vegas. Homes being built in the U.S. are about the same size as what builders were providing before the Great Recession. But the price tags are much higher. In 2005 the median price of new houses in Dallas-Fort Worth was about $176,000. Now a mid-priced single-family home in the area costs around $350,000. With similar price increases in most states, builders are worried they are pricing buyers out of many markets. So builders are trimming sizes and reducing frills to rein in costs. Dallas-Fort Worth new home sizes are still ahead of the national average. In 2019 the average new home sold in North Texas was 2,774 square foot, according

to housing analyst Metrostudy Inc. D-FW home sizes have fallen from a record 2,910 square feet average in 2015. One way for builders hold down costs is to downsize the number of bedrooms. Less than 45% of homes built nationally in 2019 had four or more bedrooms, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ latest studies. “It’s been edging down in the years since” the recession, Quint said. “It’s the smallest share since the year 2012.” Big garages are also starting to shrink in number of stalls and overall size. “Builders are shifting more and more toward the entry level homes in what they produce,” Quint said. “They are trying to respond to the affordability crisis we have had in the country in the last few years.”

Help wanted: Builders still struggle to find workers by Steve Brown

After years of tight supply, there are signs that the building industry’s systemic labor shortage is stabilizing. But that doesn’t mean that there still isn’t a shortfall of Construction thousands of workers in various markets across the country. “Any given month, we are short anywhere between 300,000 to 400,000 construction workers,” said Robert Dietz, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders. “It got worse in 2018 and worse in 2019.” Since the Great Recession, homebuilders across the U.S. have struggled to come up with enough skilled workers to meet a growing demand for housing. The labor shortage is one of the key factors the industry says has kept home starts below needed levels. “I think 2020 will be the year where the construction labor shortage doesn’t necessarily get better but stops getting worse,” Dietz said. “There are a huge number of efforts being undertaken by local home building associations, and some of those have started to pay off.”

Revolutionizing homebuying Continued from preceding page. do their due diligence when shopping for or selling a home. Leveraging online tools, like rate comparison tables, is a great way to use AI to find the most competitive rates. Although AI is a powerful tool, it can also pose security threats, so practice caution when you’re using things like electronic documents, online portals and other AI-powered technology. Make sure you have a clear understanding of security protocols in place when you send and receive documents via your lender. For example, some buyers have become victims of escrow wire fraud because they received an email from what looked like their bank asking to wire their escrow money, when in fact it was a scam artist. The unfortunate reality is that most victims of escrow wire fraud won’t recover their funds. Finally, if you’re asked to enter personal information online, like your social security number, make sure the request comes directly from your lender. Double- and triple-check online transactions to ensure you don’t fall prey to a scam, virus or security pitfall. ©2020 Bankrate.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

At the home builders’ annual meeting this week in Las Vegas, a new effort was announced to bring in thousands of new workers. The Home Builders Institute is teaming up with the Home Depot Foundation and the National Housing Endowment to provide an additional $700,000 for nationwide skilled construction trades education programs in high schools. “The homebuilding industry faces a skilled trades gap,” said Home Building Institute president Ed Brady. “Yet the opportunity for rewarding careers in residential construction is limitless. “Through this initiative, the home building industry continues to come together to create a skilled workforce for a new decade and beyond.” The money for construction training programs will be distributed through hundreds of state and local homebuilders’ associations across the country, said John Ellington, director of the Home Depot Foundation charitable organization. The Home Depot Foundation and the builders’ groups hope to train 20,000 tradespeople over 10 years. “We are well on our way to executing that,” Ellington said. “Residential construction has entered a whole new era, an era that presents challenges and opportunities for this industry and the skilled trades workforce.” Builders and construction companies say they still have trouble reaching young people while many school systems focus on college prep training and high-tech jobs. Tighter immigration controls have also kept many potential workers out of the market. “There is a negative perception that too many people still harbor against careers in our industry and the trades,” Brady said. “We must portray a skilled trade career path in residential construction as attractive to more young people throughout this county. “We have a long way to go, but I do think we are starting to move the needle.” Builders groups and the construction industry have been working with high schools, transitioning military, at-risk youth groups and juvenile justice centers to attract more people into building jobs. “We are not making a huge impact because we are losing a lot of skilled labor in this country,” Brady said. Since Dallas-Fort Worth is the country’s top apartment and home construction market, North Texas builders have fought labor short-

ages for years. “We surveyed our members last month on the labor situation,” said Phil Crone, executive director of the Dallas Builders Association. “Our conclusions are that it is stabilizing but still significant in terms of the cost and delay impact to new construction. “More than two-thirds of the 400 builders surveyed claimed the lack of labor is negatively impacting their business,” Crone said. “Most say it is adding $3,000 to $5,000 to every home they build.” The labor shortage is also adding an average of four to five weeks to the construction time of a D-FW home, he said. ©2020 The Dallas Morning News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Consumers are also doing their part, turning their noses up at some over-the-top home features. You’ll find fewer of those grand two-story entries and family rooms in new houses. “A lot of consumers consider those high spaces difficult to heat and cool so builders are shying away from them,” Quint said. About 12% of first-time buyers say they want no parking at all. “What does that tell us—they have no cars,” Quint said. Buyers still have their lists of must-haves in a new house. Some of their make-or-break home features include laundry rooms, hardwood floors, energy saving windows and celling fans. Topping the features that turn them off are elevators, wine cellars, pet washing stations and rooftop plantings. “People are not going to be willing to pay for these things for the most part,” Quint said. “Nobody wants a roof covered by plants.” More than 60% of buyers say they want to purchase in the suburbs. Less that 20% — despite what you hear – say they want to live in the center city. “Fifty-nine percent of first timers want to buy that home in the suburbs,” Quint said. “Only 15% want the central city.” More than three-fourths of buyers say they want a traditional single-family home—not a townhouse or condo. Almost 80% of potential buyers polled said they are looking for open concept kitchen and living areas, instead of the compartmentalized floor plans many of the grew up with. ©2020 The Dallas Morning News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES MBJ legal notice instructions The following are some guidelines to consider when posting legal notices with the Midlands Business Journal: 1. Submit a written notice in either Microsoft Word or as a PDF document to Beth Grube at legals@mbj.com, fax to 402-758-9315 or mail: 1324 S. 119th St. Omaha, NE 68144. For trade names, submit a copy of approved (bar code in upper right hand corner) Application For Registration of Trade Name from the Secretary of State to the same email address. Please include your billing address and the desired duration you’d like your notice to run (trade names run for only one week). 2. You will receive a confirmation and price quote. Legal notices, except for trade names, are charged per line. The flat fee for a trade name is $50. Payment options are cash or check. 3. Deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday for a notice to start publishing that Friday. 4. All costs include fees to file the notice with the Secretary of State and/or any appropriate courts. 5. You will receive a paid invoice copy and a courtesy proof of the notice the first week it runs and a copy of the affidavit filed with the courts the last week.

DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Name: CGLL, LLC Date of Organization: January 24, 2020 State of Organization: Nebraska Registered Agent: Cheri Lee Grossoehme Registered Office: 8116 Grand Avenue, Omaha, NE 68134 Duration: Perpetual Capital Contribution: $5,000.00 First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 DANIEL R. CARNAHAN, Attorney DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MORGAN-GIRGIS & GEORGE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Morgan-Girgis & George, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on January 17, 2020. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 7180 N. 122nd Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68142. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF JES BROKERAGE SERVICES, P.C. Notice is hereby given of incorporation of JES BROKERAGE SERVICES, P.C. under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: 1. The name of the professional corporation is JES BROKERAGE SERVICES, P.C. 2. The number of shares that the professional corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000 shares of voting common stock. 3. The name of the initial registered agent is Benjamin J. Pick, and the address of the initial registered office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. 4. The name and address of the incorporator is JORGE E. SOTOLONGO, 3504 S. 24th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68108. 5. The general nature of the profession to be practiced by the Corporation is real estate brokerage services. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that STANCO HAMPTON HOLDINGS, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with the following registered agent and registered office: Joss Jeffery Tuenge, 1272 North 8th Street, Seward, NE 68434. The general nature of the business to be transacted is any or all lawful business. The business commenced on January 21, 2020, and it shall continue in perpetuity. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), GENE H CRAWFORD You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 10/23/2019 on Case Number CI19-24076, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $118.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 03/14/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF FARMERS AGENTS CHARITIES OF OMAHA INC Notice is hereby given that Farmers Agents Charities of Omaha Inc, a Nebraska non-profit corporation, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered office at 19326 Spencer St, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The Corporation is a public benefit corporation, which is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 509(a) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1988. The Company commenced its existence on January 8, 2020, and its duration is perpetual. Its affairs are to be conducted by the Board of Directors who shall appoint officers including a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Jennifer R. Petersen, Incorporator First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), AMALIA D JOHNSON & TYRON JOHNSON You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 10/09/2019 on Case Number CI19-22993, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $569.14, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 03/21/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), TERYN BAKER You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 10/23/2019 on Case Number CI19-24073, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $542.91, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 03/21/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PWC PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PWC Properties, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 4511 South 46th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68117. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on November 27, 2019. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HIGHWAY SIGNING EQUIPMENT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Highway Signing Equipment, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1125 S 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 S 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 27, 2019. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 RUSSELL J. KREIKEMEIER, Attorney KREIKEMEIER LAW OFFICES 126 East Grove Street West Point, Nebraska 68788 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF CORPORATION Notice is hereby given of the Dissolution of Stavas Medical Imaging, PC, a Nebraska Professional Corporation, with its principal place of business at 662 North 63rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68138. Pursuant to the provisions of the statutes of the State of Nebraska, Stavas Medical Imaging, PC has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Secretary of State. The Articles of Dissolution contain the express will of the sole Shareholder to dissolve the Professional Corporation and to wind up the Professional Corporate business. It is hereby agreed to by the sole Shareholder and in accordance with the Articles of Dissolution that the proceeds of any assets of the Professional Corporation shall first be paid in discharge of all Professional Corporate liabilities. Creditors of this Professional Corporation should file their claims with Joseph M. Stavas, c/o Russell J. Kreikemeier; 126 East Grove Street; West Point, Nebraska 68788. EFFECTIVE the 5th day of November, 2019 Russell J. Kreikemeier First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BDL PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BDL Properties, LLC (the "Company") has been has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 16624 Elm Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The Registered Agent of the Company is Dale L. Botkin, 16624 Elm St., Omaha, Nebraska 68130. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020

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 Stavas Medical Imaging, LLC, with its registered office address at 126 East Grove, West Point, Nebraska 68788 and its principal office location at 662 North 63rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68138. The purpose or purposes for which this Company is formed is to specialize in diagnosing injuries and diseases using medical imaging procedures such as X-Ray, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and ultrasound; from body imaging to diagnostic radiology, mammography, to molecular medicine/imaging, interventional radiology procedures and medical consulting. The Company will conduct any other matter(s) including the transaction 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 law. 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 November 6, 2019, 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 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Ginkgo Naturals, Inc., whose registered agent is Jeffrey H. Ferris and registered office is 659 N. 63rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68132, was formed on January 23, 2020 to engage in any lawful business. The corporation has authorized 10,000 shares of capital stock. The name and address of the incorporator is Thomas E. Whitmore, 7602 Pacific St., Ste. 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Thomas E. Whitmore, Incorporator First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF MERGER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Nox-Crete Properties, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Merging Corporation), and Nox-Crete, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Surviving Corporation), have adopted and filed Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State, wherein the Merging Corporation will merge with and into the Surviving Corporation effective as of January 1, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TLG PROPERTIES LLC Notice is hereby given that TLG PROPERTIES LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118-3121. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF AE SCHMIDT SERVICES, LLC Notice is hereby given that the Certificate of Organization of AE Schmidt Services, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to reflect that the company renders professional services. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 16, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 N O T I C E O F A M E N D M E N T T O T H E A RT I C L E S O F INCORPORATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that NCI, Inc., a Nebraska corporation, has adopted and filed Articles of Amendment with the Secretary of State changing the name of the company to Nox-Crete, Inc. effective as of January 1, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF FOREST RIVER LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Forest River LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on January 23, 2020 (the “Company”). The Company has designated its registered agent as Marc Johnson, with registered office at 7307 N. 151st Circle, Bennington, NE 68007. The Company’s initial designated office is at 7307 N. 151st Circle, Bennington, NE 68007. The Company shall be governed by one or more managers. The general nature of business is any lawful purpose. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Trades Up Technical Academy LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Andrew P. Deaver and 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 DANA ROCHE, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WEST MAPLE CAR WASH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that West Maple Car Wash, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 222 S. 15th Street, Suite 1404S, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kendra Ringenberg, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Steve A. Johnson, CPA, P.C. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Professional Corporation Act of Nebraska. The street address of the corporation's initial registered office is 8305 Davenport Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name of the initial registered agent of the corporation at that office is Steve A. Johnson, CPA. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of Common Stock. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation are Steve A. Johnson, CPA, 8305 Davenport Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that FRY PROPERTY, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the Company’s designated office is 16183 Wakeley St, Omaha, NE 68118. The name and address of the registered agent is Greg Fry, 16183 Wakeley St, Omaha, NE 68118. The general nature of the business is any legal and lawful activity allowed pursuant to the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act and the laws of the State of Nebraska and elsewhere. The Company commenced business on 1/20/2020 and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be managed by its managers. Greg Fry, Member First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RISING STARS SPORTS GROUP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Rising Stars Sports Group, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 6611 Corby Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68104. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Bellmark Properties, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the Company’s designated office is 7914 West Dodge Rd, Suite 162, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and address of the registered agent is Khanh Tran of Tran & Associates Law, 1910 S 44th St, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68105. The general nature of the business is any legal and lawful activity allowed pursuant to the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act and the laws of the State of Nebraska and elsewhere. The Company commenced business on 1/20/2020 and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be managed by its managers. John Amiri, Member First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ZINC, LLC Notice is hereby given that Zinc, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered agent Sean D. Moylan and designated office both located at 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The purpose for which Zinc, LLC has been established is real estate management, and any and all lawful businesses for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Perpetual existence commenced on December 9, 2019. Management of the company shall be vested in its Members. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that PG Realty, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the Company’s designated office is 1910 S 44th St, STE 100, Omaha, NE 68105. The name and address of the registered agent is Andrew Panebianco at 1910 S 44th St, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68105. The general nature of the business is any legal and lawful activity allowed pursuant to the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act and the laws of the State of Nebraska and elsewhere. The Company commenced business on 1/23/2020 and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be managed by its managers. Andrew Panebianco, Member First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: CHRIS A. RING, 2805 Angie Dr., Bellevue NE 68005, you are hereby notified that on November 11, 2019, American Family Mutual Ins. Co. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI1924954, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $3,926.17, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 16th day of March, 2020, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ELITE REAL ESTATE INVESTORS 2020, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Elite Real Estate Investors 2020, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 20740 Rawhide Road, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on January 22, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HAULRIGHT-AG, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Haulright-Ag, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 700 Calvert Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68502. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

DIANE STEFFENS RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MONTAGE SPECIAL PROJECTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Montage Special Projects, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1303 South 72nd Street, Suite 209, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kendra Ringenberg, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VIKING RACQUETS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Viking Racquets, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 425, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on January 23, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is Matthew P. West, M.D., P.C. 2. The Corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $0.01 each. 3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 13616 California Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska 68154, and the Registered Agent at such address is Matthew P. West, M.D.. 4. The corporate existence began on January 23, 2020, when Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State. 5. The name and address of the Incorporator is: Matthew P. West, M.D., 13517 Seward Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that 3MFarm, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 517 S 188th Cir., Elkhorn, NE 68022. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Jennifer Mulholland, 517 S 188th Cir., Elkhorn, NE 68022. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 PHILLIP G. WRIGHT, Attorney 103 East 4th Street Papillion, Nebraska 68406 NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE OF CORPORATION Notice is hereby given that on January 13, 2020, the name of S Line Motorsports, L.L.C. was changed to SLM Auto Care, L.L.C. On that date, an amended Certificate of Organization was also filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 72nd and Poppleton, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 29, 2020, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Members. Darren Hicks will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against 72nd and Poppleton, LLC, please provide the following information with respect to your claim: 1) your name or the name of your entity; 2) the nature of your claim; 3) the amount of your claim; and 4) the date your claim arose. All claims shall be mailed to 72nd and Poppleton, LLC, c/o Darren Hicks, 1303 South 72nd Street, Suite 209, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. A claim against 72nd and Poppleton, LLC is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five (5) years after the publication date of the third required notice. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF XCANCERAIR, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that XCancerAir, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 17607 Gold Plaza, 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 16, 2020. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF EM GENERAL CONTRACTING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that EM General Contracting, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 5823 Burdette Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68104. 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 29, 2020. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Bliss Beauty Bar, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 2867 S. 168th Street, Studio 102, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The registered agent of the Company is Sravanthi Tatikonda, 17282 Sprague Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The Company was formed on January 29, 2020. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is ADAPTIVE THERAPEUTIC SOLUTIONS, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 5824 South 142nd Street, Suite A, Omaha, NE, 68137. The registered agent is Daniel J. Stava and the registered agent's address is 5824 South 142nd Street, Suite A, Omaha, NE 68137. 3. The general nature of the Company is mental health therapy. 4. The Company commenced on January 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 February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OFAMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION CHANGE OF NAME The Certificate of Organization of AMR ENTERPRISES, LLC. have been amended, changing the name of the company from AMR ENTERPRISES, LLC to CACR VENTURES, LLC., effective January 14 , 2020. All other provisions of the Certificate of Organization remain unchanged. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 WAYNE S. RASMUSSEN, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO RIDGE ENTERPRISES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 16, 2020, Buffalo Ridge Enterprises, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 14914 Buffalo Rd., Springfield, Nebraska 68059. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Michael J. Schram, 14914 Buffalo Rd., Springfield, Nebraska 68059. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 Name: SLCZ, LLC Date of Organization: January 13, 2020 State of Organization: Nebraska Registered Agent: Saul Chavez Registered Office: 6223 N. 150th Street, Omaha, NE 68116 Duration: Perpetual Capital Contribution: $5,000.00 First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PACIFIC MARCY LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PACIFIC MARCY LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on January 13, 2020 (the “Company”). The Company has designated its registered agent as Flatwater Development Company LLC, with registered office at 17121 Marcy Street, Attn: Shervin Ansari, Omaha, NE 68118. The Company’s initial designated office is at 17121 Marcy Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The Company shall be governed by one or more managers. The general nature of business is any lawful purpose. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 ALEX B. RAINVILLE, Attorney VANDENACK WILLIAMS LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118-3121 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ALLAN IMPROVEMENT SERVICES, LLC Notice is hereby given that ALLAN IMPROVEMENT SERVICES, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118-3121. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Goons & Hooligans, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 5123 S. 170th Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The registered agent of the Company is Brian Christiansen, 5123 S. 170th Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The Company was formed on January 16, 2020. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: DEUZ CAMPOS You are hereby notified that on 08/27/19, the Plaintiff Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska, against you shown as Case Number CI19 19026. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of 223.00, plus court costs, pre-judgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable. The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are hereby notified that you must answer the Complaint on or before 03/08/20 at the COUNTY court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA Nebraska. Megal L Bischoff #25206 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, NE 68802 (308)398-3801 Attorney for Plaintiff First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION SVM Health & Wellness Corp., whose registered agent is Stephen Magistro and registered office is 514 S. 85th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68144, was formed on February 3, 2020 to engage in any lawful business. The corporation has authorized 10,000 shares of capital stock. The name and address of the incorporator is Thomas E. Whitmore, 7602 Pacific St., Ste. 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Thomas E. Whitmore, Incorporator First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JPB CONSULTING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that JPB Consulting, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 14260 Ellison Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68164. 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 30, 2020. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), JACK N FURNISS & JESSICA E FURNISS You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 09/10/2019 on Case Number CI19-20732, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $655.50, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 03/14/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is C&C Industries, Inc. 2. The Corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $1.00 each. 3. 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. 4. Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 3, 2020. 5. The name and address of the Incorporator is: Taylor C. Dieckman, 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska 68124. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 JERRY W. KATSKEE, Attorney K & K Law P.C., L.L.O. 12815 Franklin Street Omaha, NE 68154-3646 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Corporation Name: K & K Law P.C., L.L.O., 12815 Franklin Street, Omaha, NE 68154-3646 Registered Office: 12815 Franklin Street, Omaha, NE, 68154-3646 Registered Office: Jerry W. Katskee 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 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF MERGER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Nox-Crete Manufacturing, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Merging Corporation), and Nox-Crete, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Surviving Corporation), have adopted and filed Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State, wherein the Merging Corporation will merge with and into the Surviving Corporation effective as of January 1, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF MERGER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Nox-Crete Products Group, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Merging Corporation), and Nox-Crete, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Surviving Corporation), have adopted and filed Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State, wherein the Merging Corporation will merge with and into the Surviving Corporation effective as of January 1, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

TIEDEMAN, LYNCH, KAMPFE, McVAY & RESPELIERS, Attorneys 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68106-1045 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Robertson Enterprises, LLC, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated office at 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The initial registered agent is John S. Kampfe, and the registered agent’s address is 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The general nature of the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized. The limited liability company was formed on September 10, 2019, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 BROWN & WOLFF, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1925 North 120th Street, One Bennington Place Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF QUANTUM GRETNA, LLC NOTICE is hereby given that Quantum Gretna, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the designated office is 1925 North 120th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The purpose of the Company shall be to have such purposes and to engage in such activities with the exception of banking and insurance 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 on the 12th day of December, 2019, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by its Members and/or Managers as set forth in the terms of the company’s Operating Agreement from time to time. The registered agent for the service of process is Scott Brown at 1925 North 120th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68154. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF CBAHA, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is CBAHA, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 150 18th Rd., Emerson, NE 68733. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business to be investing in Miller Veterinary Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on November 26, 2019 and shall remain effective until Miller Veterinary Holdings dissolves and liquidates at which time CBAHA, LLC shall dissolve unless unanimous consent by the Members is given to remain in existence in perpetuity. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 NICK R. TAYLOR, Attorney FITZGERALD, SCHORR, BARMETTLER & BRENNAN, P.C., L.L.O. 10050 Regency Circle, 200 Regency One Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3794 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-152 Estate of PATRICIA V. SILVA, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on February 3rd, 2020 in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Decedent and that Chris E. Silva, whose address is 16121 Timberlane, Omaha, Nebraska 68136, 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 7, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LAURA WIRTH SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Laura Wirth Speech and Language Therapy, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 11330 Q Street, Suite 206, Omaha, NE 68137. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Laura P. Wirth, 11330 Q Street, Suite 206, Omaha, NE 68137. The limited liability company commenced business on January 3, 2020 and shall have a perpetual duration. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser New York, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser New York, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Capitol Corporate Services, Inc.. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • 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 AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of Epic, LLC has been amended to change the name of the company to: Men On The Moon, LLC. The amendment was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 28, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 JAMES R. SACOMAN, Attorney 14707 California Street, Suite 5 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-1855 Estate of JAMES M. HEENEY, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on December 5, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Clerk-Magistrate issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Deceased, and that CAROLINE L. CHRISTIANSEN., whose address is 13954 Camden Avenue, Omaha, NE 68164 has been appointed Personal Representative of this estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before March 31, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 CHARLES E. DORWART, Attorney MASSIH LAW, LLC 226 N. 114th Street Omaha, NE 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-1963 Estate of Richard J. Lenczowski, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on December 23, 2019, 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 Kim Lucas of 916 Elk Court, Beaver Lake, NE 68048 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 March 31, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: NUTEK Natural Ingredients Name of Applicant: NU-Tek Food Science, LLC Address: 600 Hwy 169 South, Suite 885, St. Louis Park, MN 55426 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Minnesota Date of first use of name in Nebraska: February 7, 2020 General nature of business: all legal purposes ARTHUR STICKLEY Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 14, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Total Logistics Solutions Name of Applicant: SWJKM, LLC Address: 6905 N. 97th Circle Omaha NE 68122 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: 01/18/2006 General nature of business: wholesale storage and distribution services M. THOMAS LANGAN, II Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 14, 2020 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: The Event Firm Name of Applicant: Elite Entertainment LLC Address: 18927 Grover St. Omaha NE 68130 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: new General nature of business: Entertainment Booking, event production, planning, and management. LEAH JOHNSON Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 14, 2020

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CORDES PARTNERS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Cordes Partners, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is Cordes Partners, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 10250 Regency Cr. Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DEEZY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Deezy, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, designating its registered agent as Dale T. Eesley with its registered office at 614 S. 123rd Street, Omaha, NE 68154. The Company was organized for the purpose of engaging in the transaction of any lawful business and the performance of any lawful activities that a limited liability company may engage in under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Company shall have perpetual existence unless dissolved in accordance with its Certificate of Organization, its Operating Agreement or the Limited Liability Company Act. Unless otherwise provided in the Company’s Operating Agreement, the affairs of the Company are to be managed by its (members) (managing member). First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MUSTARD SEED SOLAR, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mustard Seed Solar, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 6030 South 50th 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. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SECOND STORY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Second Story, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C. a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ADAPTIVE ADVICE, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Adaptive Advice, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 8420 West Dodge Road, Suite 110, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 RICHARD A. DEWITT, Attorney CROKER, HUCK, KASHER, DeWITT, ANDERSON & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, NE 68124 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF HOLY NAME MEN’S CLUB Holy Name Men’s Club (herein “the Corporation) amended Article IV of its Articles of Incorporation to provide additional purposes for which the Corporation was organized; said amendment to be effective November 27, 2019. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 ANDREW J. HUBER, Attorney LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF CHAD SNOW DDS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is CHAD SNOW DDS, LLC. The name and address of the registered agent and office is Chad Snow DDS, 15804 Cary Cir, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 7, 2017 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ELO INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Elo Investments, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 11451 S. 123rd Avenue, Papillion, Nebraska 68046. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF OUTSWING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that OutSwing, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 2514 N. 165th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ROY HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Roy Holdings, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 8661 S. 168th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MMS OMAHA 518, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MMS Omaha 518, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 8661 S. 168th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF EM&CO, 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 Em&Co, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 1407 N. Pennsylvania Ave., York, NE 68467. 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 February 4th, 2020 and shall 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 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ELITE FIRE DESIGN, 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 Elite Fire Design, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 5641 South 85th Circle, Omaha, NE 68127. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on February 5th, 2020 and shall 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 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PHILLIPS TILE & STONE LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Phillips Tile & Stone LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 4924 South 128th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. The Registered Agent of the Company is Trevor Phillips, 4924 South 128th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF REBECCA MAX, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Rebecca Max, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 12452 Caspian Dr, Papillion, Nebraska 68046. Its affairs are to be conducted by the owner Rebecca Max. Its registered agent is Rebecca Max and her office is located at 12452 Caspian Dr, Papillion, NE 68046. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES RUSSELL J. KREIKEMEIER, Attorney KREIKEMEIER LAW OFFICES 126 East Grove Street West Point, Nebraska 68788 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Notice is hereby given of the incorporation of Shoup, Inc., with its registered office address at 222 South 15th Street, Suite 316, Omaha, Nebraska 68012 and its principal office location at 2222 North Main Street, #3104, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The purpose or purposes for which this corporation is formed is to own, conduct, operate, maintain and carry on the business of a retail lounge and to prepare and serve alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, liquor, cocktails, and other beverages, and to conduct all things incidental to and necessary to said activities and all related matters, including by not specifically limited to, sales and promotions thereof and including the transaction of all or any lawful business or engagement in any commercial venture permitted by the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act, as amended, and all other applicable law. The initial authorized capital stock of the corporation is $10,000.00 and such stock shall be issued at such time and under such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine. The Corporation commenced doing business on January 24, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted by a Board of Directors and such officers as may be provided in the bylaws of the Corporation. The incorporator is Brian Shoup, 2222 North Main Street, #3104, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. DATED the 29th day of January, 2020 First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ONE STOP LEASING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 14, 2020, One Stop Leasing, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 3339 N. 109th Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68164. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Michael Schmidt, 3339 N. 109th Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68164. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ONE STOP CONSTRUCTION, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 14, 2020, One Stop Construction, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 3339 N. 109th Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68164. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Michael Schmidt, 3339 N. 109th Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68164. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STEINKEMPER INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Steinkemper Investments, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with the following registered agent and registered office: Molly Steinkemper, 1517 S. 152nd Cir., Omaha, NE 68144. Business to be transacted is any lawful business, excluding professional services. The business commenced on December 30, 2019, and is perpetual. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 K2CONCEPTS.COM, INC. 3552 S 193rd St Omaha, NE 68130 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF K2CONCEPTS.COM, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that K2CONCEPTS.COM, INC., a Nebraska corporation (the “Corporation”) has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State with an effective dissolution date of December 31, 2019. The terms of the dissolution provide for the payment of liabilities of the Corporation and the distribution of any remaining assets to the shareholders of the Corporation. Greg Krieser, President, will manage the Corporation’s affairs and distribute its assets. As of the close of business on December 31, 2019 the Corporation had no liabilities and no assets. By: Greg Krieser, President First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of Hubb Group, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended as follows: the limited liability company has changed its name to Enova Group, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 13, 2020. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF VAN KIRK SAND AND GRAVEL, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Articles of Incorporation of Van Kirk Sand and Gravel, Inc., a Nebraska corporation, have been amended and restated in their entirety. Included in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is an amendment to authorize the Corporation to issue 100,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $.10 per share. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MY 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 MY 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., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 20120 Chicago Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022. Siok Yap, Member First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JJC 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 JJC 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., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 115 S. 32nd Street, Ashland, NE 68003. Jacob Crnkovich, Member First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DITORO INVESTMENT TEAM, 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 DITORO INVESTMENT TEAM, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 12502 Longshore Circle, Papillion, NE 68046. Wendy Ditoro, Member First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 DAMILOLA J. OLUYOLE, Attorney YOLE LAW P.C., L.L.O. 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF YOLE INVESTMENTS, LLC Notice is hereby given that Yole Investments, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws, with its designated office at 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247, Omaha, NE 68114. It is organized to transact any lawful business for which a Limited Liability Company may be organized under Nebraska laws and its duration is perpetual commencing from February 10, 2020. Its affairs are to be conducted by the manager Damilola J. Oluyole. Its registered agent is Damilola J. Oluyole and his office is located at 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247, Omaha, NE 68114. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of state’s office of On Your Time Cleaning, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is On Your Time Cleaning, LLC. Registered agent and office of On Your Time Cleaning, LLC is Alfredo P Garcia at 4819 N 31st Avenue, Omaha, NE 68111. The designated address is 4819 N 31st Avenue, Omaha, NE 68111. Initial members: Alfredo P Garcia and Celeste De Jesus Revolorio. General nature of the business is to transact any and all lawful business for which limited liability companies are allowed by statute. The LLC was organized on February 2020 for the perpetual duration and is managed by its members. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SJTJ, 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 SJTJ, 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 12956 Jackson Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. Joshua Bundren; Thomas C. Anstey, Inc.; James Mercer; and Sonya Stejskal, Members First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF DIVYAANG Notice is hereby given that a nonprofit corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is Divyaang. The corporation is a public benefit corporation and will have members. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent and office is Rakesh Srivastava, 3211 W. 12th St., Hastings, NE 68901. The name and address of the incorporator is Rakesh Srivastava, 3211 W. 12th St., Hastings, NE 68901 Rakesh Srivastava, Incorporator First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

GNUSE & GREEN LAW OFFICES, P.C., Attorneys 11311 Chicago Circle Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF TLC AT HOME, INC. Notice is hereby given of incorporation of TLC AT HOME, INC. under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The number of shares that the corporation is authorized to issue is up to 10,000 shares of voting common stock. The name and address of the incorporator and the initial registered agent is Rodney G. Gnuse, 11311 Chicago Circle, Omaha, Nebraska, 68154. The Corporation shall engage in any lawful business for which a corporation may be formed under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. Perpetual existence commenced December 11, 2019, when articles were filed with the Secretary of State. Affairs are to be conducted by the Board of Directors and Officers authorized by the Bylaws and the Board. Rodney G. Gnuse, Incorporator First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 BREASCH ACCOUNTING INC. 4879 S 132nd Avenue Omaha, NE 68137 CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF J.E. STEWART ENTERPRISES LLC A NEBRASKA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY 1. The name of the limited liability company is J.E. STEWART ENTERPRISES LLC 2. The period of duration for J.E. STEWART ENTERPRISES LLC is perpetual. 3. J.E. STEWART ENTERPRISES LLC is organized for the purpose of conducting any and all business as permitted by the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. 4. The address of the initial designated office for J.E. STEWART ENTERPRISES LLC in Nebraska is 10524 Evans Plaza #720, Omaha, Nebraska 68134. 5. The name and address of the registered agent for J.E. STEWART ENTERPRISES LLC in Nebraska is Jesse Stewart, 10524 Evans Plaza #720, Omaha NE 68134. 6. Additional provisions, not inconsistent with the law, for the regulation of the internal affairs of the limited liability company shall be provided for in the Operating Agreement. 7. Jesse Stewart, organizer(s) of J.E. STEWART ENTERPRISES LLC has signed the Foregoing Certificate of Organization effective this 23rd day of January, 2020. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GOOSE ISLAND LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Goose Island Landowners Association, Inc. has been organized as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the State of Nebraska (the “Company”). The Company has designated its registered agent as CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, with registered office at 233 South 13th Street, Suite 1900, Lincoln, NE 68508. The Company was organized and commenced perpetual existence on February 7, 2020. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CK WAITT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CK Waitt, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1125 South 103rd Street, suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on February 10, 2020. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF NABFAM BARN, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that NabFam Barn, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 8843 South 137th Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68138. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Stephen W. Nabity, 8843 South 137th Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68138. The limited liability company commenced business on February 10, 2020. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF PAPIO VALLEY AUTO PARTS, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Articles of Incorporation of Papio Valley Auto Parts, Inc., a Nebraska corporation, have been amended and restated in their entirety and were duly filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 29, 2020. Included in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation are amendments to the Registered Agent and Corporate Office of the Corporation and do not affect, exchange, reclassify or cancel any issued shares of the corporation. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Texas, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Texas, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Capitol Corporate Services, Inc. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser North Carolina, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser North Carolina, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Capitol Corporate Services, Inc. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Ohio, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Ohio, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Capitol Corporate Services, Inc. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Illinois, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Illinois, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Capitol Corporate Services, Inc. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: TYLER BOVERHUIS You are hereby notified that on 09/06/19, the Plaintiff Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska, against you shown as Case Number CI19 19876. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of 333.04, plus court costs, pre-judgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable. The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are hereby notified that you must answer the Complaint on or before 03/29/20 at the COUNTY court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA Nebraska. Edwina Heise #25377 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, NE 68802 (308)398-3801 Attorney for Plaintiff First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 DAVID M. HOHMAN, Attorney FITZGERALD, SCHORR, BARMETTLER & BRENNAN, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 10050 Regency Circle, 200 Regency One Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3794 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF ENVISAGE ENTERPRISES INC. Notice is hereby given that Envisage Enterprises Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Corporation”), has been dissolved under the laws of the State of Nebraska effective as of December 31, 2019. The Corporation has collected all of its assets and will convey and dispose of those assets as may be necessary to pay, satisfy, discharge or provide for all liabilities and obligations of the Corporation. Any assets remaining after satisfaction of all liabilities and obligations of the Corporation will be transferred and distributed to the shareholders of the Corporation in cancellation and redemption of all shares of stock of the Corporation. At the time of the dissolution, the Corporation had no assets or liabilities, other than the expenses incurred in this dissolution. Josh Malesa, President of the Corporation, is responsible for winding up and liquidating the business and affairs of the Corporation. Any creditors or claimants of the Corporation shall present a detailed claim setting forth all relevant claim information and the amount of the claim in writing to the Corporation at the following address: Envisage Enterprises Inc., 115 S. 204th Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022. Any claim against the Corporation shall be barred unless a proceeding to enforce such claim is commenced within three years after the publication of this notice. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020

CHARLES E. DORWART, Attorney MASSIH LAW, LLC 226 N. 114th Street Omaha, NE 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-179 Estate of Lawrence K. Spitler, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on February 7th, 2020, 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 Carolyn Spitler of 2412 Hartman Avenue, Omaha, NE 68111 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 14, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Eccker Enterprises, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68154. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Kelsey M. Weiler, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68154. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DYNAMIC DENTAL ARTS LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Dynamic Dental Arts LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office is 4815 S. 161st Circle, Omaha, NE 68135. The registered agent is Karen Matychuk, 4815 S. 161st Circle, Omaha, NE 68135. These papers were filed with the Secretary of State 1/17/2019. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 GNUSE & GREEN LAW OFFICES, P.C., Attorneys 11311 Chicago Circle Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CIN-OMA PROPERTIES II, L.L.C. A Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that CIN-OMA Properties II, L.L.C., a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 11311 Chicago Circle, Omaha, NE 68154. The general nature of its business is to engage in and do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the limited liability company’s initial registered office is 11311 Chicago Circle, Douglas County, Omaha, NE 68154 and the name of its’ initial registered agent at such address is Rodney G. Gnuse. The Certificate of Organization was filed in the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State on October 16, 2019. The Company commenced business thereon and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Members. Rodney G. Gnuse, Organizer First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 GNUSE & GREEN LAW OFFICES, P.C., Attorneys 11311 Chicago Circle Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BEYOND GOLDEN PRODUCTS, L.L.C. A Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that Beyond Golden Products, L.L.C., a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 9691 Meadow Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of its business is to engage in and do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the limited liability company’s initial registered office is 11311 Chicago Circle, Douglas County, Omaha, NE 68154 and the name of its’ initial registered agent at such address is Rodney G. Gnuse. The Certificate of Organization was filed in the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 27, 2019. The Company commenced business thereon and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Members. Rodney G. Gnuse, Organizer First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 MARK GOODALL, Attorney GOVIER, KATSKEE, SUING & MAXELL, PC, LLO 10404 Essex Court, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-106 Estate of WALDO D. OLSON, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on 24th day of January, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Decedent and that Kenneth D. Olson, whose address is 1515 North 212th Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022, 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 March 31, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF PACIFIC POINTE ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of Pacific Pointe Estates Homeowners Association (the “Association”) have been amended and restated in their entirety as follow: Article I states the name of the Association is Pacific Pointe Estates Homeowners Association. Article II states that the Association is a mutual benefit corporation. Article III states the principal office of the Association is 19454 Walnut Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. Article IV states the Registered Office of the Association is 19454 Walnut Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, and the Registered Agent is Carl Andersen. Article V states the purpose and powers of the Association. Article VI states the provisions relating to membership of the Association. Article VII states the provisions relating to dissolution. Article VIII states the provisions relating to duration. Article IX states the provisions relating to amendments. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 4, 2020. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Connecticut, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Connecticut, LLC (the “Company”) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 17645 Wright Street, Ste. 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Capitol Corporate Services, Inc. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 PHILLIP A. BELIN, Attorney BELIN LAW FIRM, P.C., L.L.O. 12341 Westover Road Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Notice is hereby given that TAP Church, Inc. has been organized as a non-profit corporation in the state of Nebraska. The address of the registered office of the corporation is 1305 South 95th Street, Omaha, NE 68124. The agent at such office is Jonathan C. Cook. The corporation is a religious corporation. The Company commenced on December 10, 2019, and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company are to be conducted by its board of directors. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: ERICK J. MURRAY, JR, 11131 Cottonwood Plz Apt R6, Omaha NE 68164, you are hereby notified that on November 11, 2019, American Family Mutual Ins. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-24957, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $46,042.78, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 6th day of April, 2020, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication February 14, 2020, final March 6, 2020 MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF OTT STRATEGIC PARTNERS, LLC Notice is hereby given that OTT STRATEGIC PARTNERS, 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 111 Admiral Drive, Blair, NE 68008. 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 February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CALL THE NIGHT NURSE LLC Notice is hereby given that CALL THE NIGHT NURSE 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 16607 Holmes Street, Omaha, NE 68135. 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 February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Notice is hereby given that EJ McMAHON CONSTRUCTION, INC. has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Affairs will be conducted by the Corporations registered agent, Edward J. McMahon, who’s address and designated office is 3806 “V” Street Omaha, Nebraska 68107. The general nature of the company is to engage in any and all lawful business for which a corporation may be organized in the State of Nebraska and is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock. The corporation’s duration is perpetual, commencing October 7, 2019. Incorporator is Sonia Becerra at 515 Post Oak Blvd. #300 Houston, TX 77027. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 TIEDEMAN, LYNCH, KAMPFE, McVAY & RESPELIERS, Attorneys 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68106-1045 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that LEELO BUILDING, LLC, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated office at 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The initial registered agent is John S. Kampfe, and the registered agent’s address is 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The general nature of the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized. The limited liability company was formed on October 29, 2019, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members. First publication February 7, 2020, final February 21, 2020 HOWARD KASLOW, Attorney ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 609 LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 8712 W. Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Howard J. Kaslow, 8712 W. Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 WAYNE S. RASMUSSEN, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ACE MANAGEMENT OF OMAHA, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 18, 2019, Ace Management of Omaha, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 8260 Hascall St., Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Wayne S. Rasmussen, 8712 West Dodge Rd., Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Please Clap Entertainment, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 12, 2020, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Member. If you have a claim against Please Clap Entertainment, LLC, please provide the following information with respect to your claim: (1) your name or the name of your entity; (2) the nature of your claim; (3) the amount of your claim; and (4) the date your claim arose. All claims shall be mailed to 2003 Straightway Ave, Apt. 6, Nashville, Tennessee 37206. A claim against Please Clap Entertainment, LLC is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five (5) years after the publication date of the third required notice. First publication February 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020 Daniel C. Pauley, Attorney LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF OLAF PROPERTIES, 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 Olaf Properties, LLC. The designated office address shall be 7914 West Dodge Road Unit 301, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 12, 2019 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 14, 2020, final February 28, 2020

Farm bankruptcies keep rising across the US by Adam Belz

President Donald Trump touted the trade cease-fire he signed with China last month as a “momentous step,” but it didn’t lift commodity prices. U.S. pork and soybeans, the two farm goods most likely to benefit from China’s commitment to purchase $32 billion in farm products over the next two years, are both down over the past several weeks. Corn prices, which don’t have as direct a connection to the Chinese Economy market, are flat. The spread of coronavirus that originated in the Chinese megacity of Wuhan has roiled markets worldwide, suppressing the upside from the trade peace. Even before that surprise damper on prices, there was skepticism that China will follow through on its end of the deal and concern that continued tariffs on U.S. exports to China will prolong farmers’ struggles. Meanwhile, a global oversupply of grain persists and is likely to grow in coming weeks with signs pointing to a good crop in Brazil, the No. 2 food producer in the Western Hemisphere and already a larger exporter of soybeans to China than the U.S. “China hasn’t been doing anything. Wheat was down last week because China was buying wheat from three or four countries but not the U.S.,” said Mark Mason, a broker at Kluis Commodity Advisors in Wayzata, Minn. “They’re supposed to start making purchases in 30 days, and the worry is, can they do that when they’re focused on the coronavirus.” The pork market, which spiked in May but since fell back below pre-trade war levels, will just have to see more convincing evidence of Chinese demand before prices rise, said David Preisler, executive director of the Minnesota Pork Producers. “Until it’s on the ship and cleared customs in China, it’s probably not going to affect the marketplace,” Preisler said. “We need to physically see that we’re increasing exports. That, in turn, should have an effect on price.” Soybean growers in Minnesota, many of whom have been growing their crop specifically for export to China, were hit especially hard by the trade war and received the biggest checks from the government to help them weather the tariffs. On the surface, China’s commitment to double U.S. farm imports should have lifted prices. Instead, soybeans are down 54 cents since the trade

deal was signed, to $8.75 per bushel. Prices for soybeans have been affected by China’s 2019 outbreak of swine fever — which killed as many as half of that nation’s pigs — at least as much as by the trade war, said Preston Caldwell, a Morningstar equity analyst who specializes in Chinese economics. The fatal hog illness has also spread to Vietnam and several other East Asian countries. “I wouldn’t expect the unwinding of the trade war to have a major impact” on prices, Caldwell said. Morningstar’s ag experts also don’t believe China will meet its quotas for U.S. imports. “Even if the targets were met, it would represent less than a 10% gross boost to total U.S. agricultural exports of about $150 billion,” Caldwell said. “The net boost would very likely be an order of magnitude smaller, as higher exports to China will largely represent a redirection of exports that would’ve gone to other countries.” Perhaps the biggest problem for farmers, one that won’t go away soon, is an oversupply of grain — and competition from farmers in other parts of the world. Despite a poor growing year for U.S. farmers in 2019, Brazil’s crop is looking excellent, said Rick Erickson, risk manager for Goodhue-based Ag Partners, which operates several grain elevators in southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin. “There’s many factors at work, but the No. 1 thing is we have ample supplies of commodities in the world — corn and soybeans,” Erickson said. South American farmers aren’t as choosy as North American farmers about when they sell their grain — and at what price, he said. They’ll price the grain at whatever level will move it quickly, while U.S. farmers store their grain and wait for a better price. Erickson said it’s not all gloomy, however. “Some of the prices are higher than they were a year ago,” Erickson said. “They’re just not as high as we’d like.” A final factor limiting the effects of the trade deal on prices is that China did not promise to lift its tariffs — which will be a long-term drag on pork, soybeans and other U.S. commodities. “Without the tariffs coming off,” said Preisler, “it still puts us at a competitive disadvantage.” ©2020 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

USDA: U.S. farm income will drop by 9% in 2020 by Adam Belz

U.S. farm income is forecast to fall by 9% in 2020 due to rising expenses, lower government payments and ultralow prices for corn and soybeans, the nation’s biggest crops. That decline will happen even though farm revenue is projected to rise 2.7%, according to data released recently by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “That increase in cash receipts is Agriculture expected to be eclipsed by the drop in government payments, because we’re looking at a drop in government payments for the sector as a whole of almost $9 billion,” Carrie Litkowski, a USDA economist, said. “On top of that, we’re forecasting an increase in cash expenses.” The department’s forecast assumes that the Market Facilitation Program, the USDA’s trade-war bailout that shored up farms across the country, will wind down. Direct government payments to farmers spiked in 2019 thanks to $14.3 billion in trade aid, but the agency forecasts only $3.7 billion in payments in 2020 because the U.S. and China settled some of the dispute. China confirmed that it would reduce its tariff rate on U.S. soybeans and pork to 5% from 10%, a step that should lead to greater purchasing of U.S. farm products and reduce the need for the MFP bailout.

“We are assuming in this forecast that these will be the final MFP payments in 2020,” Litkowski said. The profitability of farms will vary by type, the USDA’s data showed. Its forecast assumes corn and soybean prices will remain low or drop further. Soybean revenue will drop by about $1 billion, or 2.5%, because there are fewer soybeans to sell, and corn revenue will rise by about $1 billion, or 2.1%, because of the abundance of that commodity. Dairy, beef and hog farm revenue is expected to grow. Milk revenue should rise by about $2.1 billion, or 1.6%, and hog revenue should rise $4.2 billion, or 18.4%, “reflecting both higher prices and quantities sold,” the agency said. Feed, labor, seed, pesticide, fertilizer and fuel expenses are all expected to rise in 2020. Farmers in southwest Minnesota and eastern South Dakota are being asked to cut costs, said Jeff Hoover, a banker at Minnwest Bank in Marshall, one of the largest ag lenders in the state. “It certainly seems that the market wants to pay three-anda-half dollars for corn and eight-and-a-half dollars for soybeans, so we’ve got to lower our cost structures so we can scratch out a living,” Hoover said. Low interest rates are keeping land prices high, because they keep the debt service on a land purchase down and preserve some return on the land after the monthly land payment. That’s been a boon for farmers. But the strong dollar is hurting U.S. corn and soybean prices and there’s simply too much supply of those two row crops. “It’s not just the trade war,” Hoover said. “It’s a supply issue.” Adam Belz — 612-673-4405 Twitter: @adambelz ©2020 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

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REGIONAL LANDSCAPES

Briefs…

Paul Davis Restoration of Central Nebraska will open an office location in Kearney to help customers with rapid emergency mitigation work including board-ups, water and fire response, mold removal, trauma scene biohazard remediation, and full-service reconstruction. Services are available 24 hours a day with an emergency on-site arrival time within two hours. The new space is slated for construction completion in early-to-mid-February with 4,000-squarefeet of area to accommodate offices, warehouse, contents, storage, and a showroom at 2102 E. Hwy. 30, Ste. 2 in Kearney. Access Systems has expanded its footprint in Nebraska and opened its 15th location in Lincoln. This additional location will provide a strong presence and accommodate the rapid growth and client demand for technology solutions in the surrounding area. The office, located at 1001 S. 70th St., Suite 106, will showcase printers, copiers and telecommunication solutions. In addition, Access Systems also offers a full-service IT solution for small- to medium-size businesses. Customers can view firsthand the capabilities and solutions Access offers in this showroom. Senator John Stinner introduced a proposal in the Nebraska Legislature that would move the Nebraska Brand Committee to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture in an effort to modernize the State’s branding statue. LB 1165 would retain cattle producers’ rights to own and use registered brands, but it would remove the brand inspection requirement. It would also simplify the administration and registration of brand applications and renewals. Additionally, rising fees would compound property tax issues already being faced by cattle producers. Windstream delivered faster internet connections to about 1.3 million locations in 2019. The company accomplished the goal it set at the beginning of the year to expand Kinetic Business 1-Gig Fiber Internet to 100,000 business locations while also deploying fiber Kinetic Internet to 100,000 homes and using other methods to boost speeds to another 1.1 million locations. The buildout represents a total investment of roughly $400 million. Windstream has grown its Kinetic Internet consumer subscriber base for two consecutive years, with a net addition of more than 28,000 customers in 2019 alone. Matthew K. Stadler, CPA, ABV, AEP, with RG & Associates Certified Public Accountants, LLC took the position of president with the Omaha Estate Planning Council on June 1, 2019. Additional board members include: Vice President — Keith Deras, The Harry A. Koch Co.; Treasurer — Thomas V. Van Robays, First Trust Company; Secretary — Andrew C. Sigerson, Legacy Design Strategies; Assistant Secretary — Jeremy Belsky, Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home; Director — Steve Kenney, Lutz; Director — Timothy J. Harrison, Harrison Financial Services; Director — Sarah Duey, Carson Private Trust; Director — Susan J. Spahn, Fitzgerald, Schorr, Barmettler & Brennan, PC; Director — Linda Garbina, The Salvation Army; Executive Director — Stacie Sarasio. Brent O’Mara of Feltz WealthPLAN and WealthPLAN Partners has been awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies. The AIF designation signifies specialized knowledge of fiduciary responsibility and the ability to implement policies and procedures that meet a defined standard of care. On an ongoing basis, completion of continuing education and adherence to the Code of Ethics and Conduct

Standards are required to maintain the AIF designation. O’Mara is a senior wealth manager for Feltz WealthPLAN and WealthPLAN Partners in Omaha. O’Mara specializes in investments and retirement with a focus on high net worth. Applications are now being accepted for the Nebraska Chamber’s Leadership Nebraska — the statewide leadership program that prepares Nebraskans who want to play a key role in their community. Applications must be received in the Nebraska Chamber office on or before April 17. Applications can be completed online and submitted, e-mailed or mailed. Those who participate in this leadership program are selected from different regions of the state, and possess varied backgrounds and diverse talents. Participants demonstrate community and professional leadership experiences. The yearlong program consists of six sessions, each of which lasts two and a half days. The sessions cover a broad range of key Nebraska issues. Lutz, a Nebraska-based business solutions firm, has officially relocated its Lincoln office to 115 Canopy St., Suite 200 in the historic Haymarket. The new office, located on the second floor of the new four-story Olsson Building South, has nearly 8,500 square feet, tripling the previous office space. The new Lincoln office features writable walls, open workstations and a large training room for employee education and client seminars. Werner Enterprises has joined the fight to combat human trafficking by signing the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking initiative. The voluntary pledge signed by Werner and other companies will educate employees and organizational members in the transportation industry on how to recognize and report signs of human trafficking. It will also raise awareness among the traveling public by utilizing common messaging in targeted outreach campaigns. Werner Enterprises partners with Truckers Against Trafficking as part of our commitment to raising awareness of human trafficking. 2020 will be a significant milestone year for Jackson – Jackson & Associates, Inc. Architects, as it celebrates its 70th anniversary. The firm provides architectural design services for a wide variety of project types, including financial, educational, health care, civic, religious, broadcasting and industrial. Many are multi-million-dollar projects receiving national recognition for design excellence. Scoular’s board of directors appointed its first outside member: Doug Stark, the recently retired CEO of Farm Credit Services of America. As the 127-year-old Scoular executes its strategic plan of growing its core business, while launching high-growth products and investments, the board sought talent who could provide additional leadership and innovative perspectives. This is the first time the company has added an outside board member who is neither a current or former company executive, nor a member of one of Scoular’s founding families. Nebraska Cattlemen’s board of directors met in Lincoln for its annual legislative meeting. NC’s six policy committees brought attention to bills and resolutions recently introduced in the Nebraska Legislature that are of interest to Nebraska beef producers. Under close review and in accordance with NC Policy, the board of directors considered and took positions on 62 pieces of legislation and choose three bills as priorities for the 2020 legislative session: LB 1200, LB 974, and LB 802. NC is opposing Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES Continued from preceding page. LB 1165, which would eliminate the Nebraska Brand Committee and transfer its duties to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Health care notes…

The Healthy US Collaborative is piloting the new TakeCare Campaign in Omaha to inspire people to take care of their whole health — mind, body, spirit and community. The TakeCare Film Fairs feature short films about personal whole health transformations. On Feb. 5, Midland University hosted a self-care learning event. Attendees took the Health Reflection Tool, viewed inspiring films and participated in chair yoga, meditation or Tai Chi demonstrations. Nebraskans can view the TakeCare Films, find a list of the Omaha TakeCare Chairs and future events, and assess their own whole health at Takecare.org. Visiting Nurse Association was awarded a $50,000 grant from Mutual of Omaha Foundation. This operational funding will be used by VNA to improve the health and independence of those living in or at risk of poverty through MEETINGS AND SEMINARS Tuesday, Feb. 18 The Metro Omaha Builders Association is hosting its monthly luncheon at 11 a.m. at Anthony’s Steakhouse. This membership luncheon discuss the 2018 IRC and ammendments that reccently passed. Reservations are avalible online. Join the Heartland Women’s Network at its monthly meeting, featuring Carri Lyons. Lyons is the founder of Victory Lane Consulting. She is a published author, national speaker, two-time cancer survivor and angel mommy. Additionally, she is a world traveler, six-time marathon finisher and long-distance cyclist. The luncheon will be held at Security National Bank at 1120 S. 101st Street from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is online. Wednesday, Feb. 19 The American Marketing Association is hosting its February 2020 Workshop from 11: 30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at SilverStone Group, 11516 Miracle Hills Drive. Michael Johnson, senior director of brand and communications at the Greater Omaha Chamber, will be talking about believeable copywriting. Registration is avalible online. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is hosting a talk on Nutrient Dynamics in Agricultural Ecosystems as part of its Spring Water Seminar Series. The talk will be given by Laura Johnson of the Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio. Thursday, Feb. 20 The annual Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference will celebrate 35 years Feb. 20 and 21 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Kearney. Workshops and presentations will offer tools and information to help women better manage risk, improve their farms and ranches and become more successful operators and business partners. Both single- and two-day registrations are open. The conference will feature more than 30 workshops and five speakers, including author Michele Payn, blogger Lauren Eberspacher and beef advocate Amanda Radke. Friday, Feb. 21 The Metro Omaha Women’s Business Center is hosting its Business Breakfast Forum Panel from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Monica Sempek Studio. Shayne Fili, Robin Hesselgesser, Susan Hawley, Nicole Ryan and Candice Price will head up the panel, discussing “How to Run a Successful Small Business.” Seating is limited and registration is available online.

VNA’s programs, such as its Homeless Shelter Nursing Program. VNA’s Shelter Nursing Program allows a nurse to serve every local homeless and domestic violence shelter in the metro. The Nebraska Optometric Association and the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry launched a statewide campaign to remind Nebraska employees of the importance of an annual comprehensive eye exam with its 2020 the Year of Your Eye Exam by signing the 2020 Nebraska Employer Pledge. Businesses, nonprofits and other organizations, can sign the pledge, find a local doctor of optometry and learn more at nebraska.aoa.org.

Education notes…

An international leader in HIV-associated opportunistic infections, Susan Swindells, M.B.B.S., has been named the 14th University of Nebraska Medical Center Scientist Laureate. The award is the highest honor UNMC bestows upon its researchers. Swindells, professor of internal medicine-infectious diseases, will be honored March 3, along with 21 other researchers. In the past five years Swindells has been responsible for more than $33 million, including multiple clinical trials and training grants. Swindells has been involved in HIV care since 1988. In 1991, she joined UNMC and began serving as medical director of the HIV Clinic, a position she continues to hold today. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Training, Simulation & Quarantine Center, part of the Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, is now open on the UNMC/ Nebraska Medical Center campus. The Global Center for Health Security is the umbrella encompassing bio preparedness, infectious diseases and high-consequence infections research, education and clinical care at UNMC and its primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine. The TSQC is located on the ground floor of the Dr. Edwin G. & Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center. Inclusive Communities has announced a partnership with Bellevue University to offer a new educational workshop series designed to bring diversity, equity and inclusion into the leadership skills that front-line leaders need to be successful. The Transformational Leadership Series consists of five sessions focused on leader identity; intentional diversity, equity and inclusion; coaching for performance; succession planning; and operationalizing the value of diversity. Experienced instructors and faculty from the Bellevue University College of Continuing and Professional Education will teach and lead the interactive sessions. Continuing Education Credits are available for the program. The series is open to anyone.

Activities of nonprofits…

This year’s 13th annual Skate-a-Thon for Parkinson’s disease at the University of Nebraska Medical Center raised a record $34,000. In addition to the 525 skaters who skated over the 24-hour period, five individuals skated 24 hours. The Nebraska Warriors team — a hockey club — had a representative on the ice for all 24 hours. Proceeds from the event will go toward clinical and basic science Parkinson’s research at UNMC and Parkinson’s Nebraska. To date, the event has raised $244,000. Midlands Community Foundation’s 2020 Reflection Ball, held on Jan. 18 at the Embassy Suites in La Vista, raised over $115,000. More than 400 guests attended the gala. Net proceeds from the event will support the needs of nonprofit organizations that provide programs and services in Sarpy and Cass counties, with an emphasis on first responders and, also in the areas of art, community, economic development, education, health and human services. At the event, the 2020

Reflection Award was presented to Bob Olson for his more than 55 years of volunteer service to Sarpy and Cass counties, particularly in the area of emergency medical services.

Arts and events…

Joslyn Art Museum has been selected as one of 10 American museums to participate in the Association of Art Museum Directors’ paid internship program for college students from underrepresented communities. The program will provide an opportunity for students who have begun to solidify their academic interests and potential career path to get hands-on experience in an art museum for 12 weeks during the spring and summer of 2020, while earning a stipend of $6,300. At Joslyn, the intern will focus on projects in the Native American art curatorial department, which may include object research, Native community outreach and Indigenous language programming, and updating of curriculum materials for schools. The Metro Omaha Builders Association is hosting a special presentation of Native Gardens at the Omaha Community Playhouse on Feb. 20 starting at 6 p.m. Play description: “When Pablo and Tania purchase a new home in a well-to-do white neighborhood, the couple next door initially offers a friendly welcome.

But when a laughable property line disagreement dissolves into an all-out turf war, the dirt begins to fly.” Tickets are available online for $35 per person, which includes two drink tickets and heavy hors d’oeuvres. More than 1,100 guests are expected to attend this year’s JDRF Promise Gala in support of JDRF, a global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Proceeds from the event will go toward research focused on improving lives and curing T1D. The 2020 JDRF Promise Gala – Vision for a Cure will be held Feb. 22 at the CHI Health Center Omaha. This year’s Presenting Sponsor is Aviture. Photographers record the defining moments of our world and our time, capturing history through timeless images of fleeting moments. This exhibition, the second Pulitzer-themed display to visit The Durham Museum, features more than 80 large-format framed photographs, expanded so that visitors can explore the details of the images. Each will be accompanied by a label describing the dramatic story of how the photographer captured the moment. Interactive touchscreen kiosks explore more recent Pulitzer Prize winners through more than 1,000 images and 15 hours of video interviews with the photographers. The exhibit will be on display from Feb. 22 through May 3.

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Health Insurance

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal • February 14, 2020

Insurance leaders weigh in on how the industry is aiming to control costs by Michelle Leach

From acquisitions to new types of plans, from evolving approaches to care to technologies, change continues to characterize the insurance industry — all intent on addressing the country’s notoriously prohibitive medical costs, and often by treating the “root cause,” rather than the symptoms, of sky-high pricing. “The health insurance industry has been in the news virtually nonstop since the 2016 elections,” said Strategic Benefits President Mike Mandolfo. “With stories of ‘ACA repeal efforts’ and ‘Medicare for all’ dominating the headlines, most consumers find it difficult to identify any real changes in health care. Despite the clouded forecast, the health insurance industry will see many improvements in 2020.” Small- to mid-sized employers who offer group health insurance plans are being introduced to more options in 2020, he said. “Most health insurance companies are now offering ‘level-funded’ health plans,” Mandolfo said. “These plans include increased cost savings and customizations that were traditionally reserved for larger employers. We’re also seeing many advancements in benefit technologies.” He said individual health insurance marketplace improvements are becoming more recognizable. “The ACA individual mandate tax pen-

Mike Mandolfo managing agent at Strategic Benefits. alty was reduced to $0, meaning there is no He also referenced the expansion of longer a federal penalty for being uninsured,” short-term health plans to 12 months, Mandolfo said. “Individual health insurance 36-month renewable, which, Mandolfo said, premiums have stabilized nationwide for “provides substantial cost savings to many 2020, with many consumers in Nebraska consumers.” and Iowa experiencing rate reductions on the “By adapting to industry changes, Stratehealth insurance marketplace.” gic Benefits has been able to introduce new

health insurance strategies across Nebraska and Iowa,” he said. “The popularity of these strategies has contributed to our agency growth of 25% since 2019.” Omaha Association of Health Underwriters (OAHU) Media Relations Chair Molly Stickels also described a “state of continuous change.” “We have a growing and aging population and health care spend continues to rise,” she said. “Some of our more challenging issues continue to be access to care, cost control, quality Esser of care and consumer engagement.” Of those changes, one of the industry’s biggest, according to Stickels, is the combination of insurance companies and pharmacy benefit management companies (PBMs) operating under the same organization; for example, Cigna’s acquisition of Express Scripts. “With CVS’s recent acquisition of Aetna, we have spent the past 12 months exploring all of the synergies available to improve the health care experience of consumers,” she said, adding that her outlook for 2020 will be defined by continuing “to identify ways to contain costs and improve the consumer health care experience.” More to experience, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska leadership emphasized improvements to how care is delivered, via “evidence-based approaches” to help members get healthy faster and stay that way longer. Value-based programs such as “Total Care” reportedly help to ensure patients see primary care providers who know their entire medical history, understand their preferences, and coordinate optimal care effectively with specialized practitioners. Via BCBSNE information, members who are connected or attributed to Total Care physicians are more likely to be engaged with providers, avoid inpatient hospital stays or emergency care, get preventive care, and effectively manage chronic conditions. “The interaction between physicians and patients in the Total Care program is the key to mitigating escalating health care costs,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Esser. “Our ACO partners want to provide this kind of team-based care for their patients, because Continued on next page.

Health Insurance •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

New health care regulations affecting businesses abound in latest session

Julia Hebenstreit, executive director of The Kim Foundation. (Story at right)

Insurance leaders

Continued from preceding page. it is improving health outcomes; for example, when you focus on prevention, there are more opportunities to find cancer in its early stages when it’s less expensive to treat. When a diabetic patient is controlling his or her blood sugars, there are fewer complications.” ACOs are reportedly incentivized by

BCBSNE for the quality of care that they provide, rather than the volume of services they perform as measured against benchmarks provided by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. According to BCBSNE, Total Care savings amounted to $60 million last year, for year-over-year gains of 122%, with members “attributed to” ACO providers spending, on average, $588 less on health care than those

by Dwain Hebda scenario a symptom of a larger issue. Industry groups are following several “Reflexology is just one more example of health care legislation proposals, from easing the need to scrutinize Nebraska’s job licensguidelines and providing suicide intervention ing laws for how they impact our workforce to correcting existing regulations. and marketplace competition,” he said. “In Jim Vokal, CEO of the Platte Institute, 2016, the Platte Institute was contacted by said the group was behind LB 347, which a number of reflexologists from around the would ease a licensing burden. state who either could not afford “Legislative Bill 347 exempts the massage therapy license or the practice of reflexology from did not wish to become licensed Nebraska’s state massage thermassage therapists. apy licensing requirement,” he “In one case, Connie Young, said. “LB 347 is needed because a certified but unlicensed reflexNebraska has one of the country’s ologist from Omaha, was forced most time-consuming and costly to move her business to Council massage therapy licensing laws.” Bluffs after receiving a cease and Vokal said reflexologists in desist order from the Nebraska Nebraska must complete 1,000 Department of Health and Human hours of massage therapy trainServices. Eventually, Connie deHallstrom ing, take an industry exam and cided to relocate permanently and pay a state licensing fee while 36 continue practicing in Indiana.” states and the District of Columbia have no Bob Hallstrom, Nebraska state director licensure requirements at all. He called the Continued on next page. outside of the Total Care arrangement. Furthermore, clinical metrics include 4.3 fewer inpatient hospital admissions and 26.1 fewer ER visits for every 1,000 BCBSNE members in Total Care versus other members from July 2018 to June 2019. Likewise, diabetic Total Care members were 32% more likely to have their blood glucose under control than other members outside of the program. Cervical, breast and colorectal cancer

screenings were 12%, 16% and 23% better, respectively, among Total Care membership. Executive Vice President of Operations, Business Process and Shared Services, Susan Courtney, called the program results “extremely encouraging.” She attributed its success to strong relationships among employer group-clients and network providers, working together to better the health care system and make a difference in members’ health.

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• Health Insurance

Controlling costs of employee benefits a top concern for company leadership by Gabby Christensen

When it comes to controlling the costs of benefits, experts say there are a number of avenues businesses can take. In fact, Howard Shandell, general partner of Midwest Benefit Advisors, said controlling costs of benefits can be easier than most businesses are led to believe. “When we align the goals of the employer and employee with the goals of the health

Bessmer Dickmeyer plan, cost decreases and benefits increase simultaneously,” Shandell said. He recommends that employers perform the deepest analytical dive into their health care supply chain to identify each and every nickel flowing out of their health plan. “If not for the fact that employer healthcare spend is doubling every 10 years, how about the fact that the five largest health insurers stock price since 2010 has increased cumulatively over 1,500%,” Shandell said. “This has been devastating to the American worker and their quality of life. If more

evidence is needed that employers have been led down the wrong path, compare the increase in worker’s wages to the increase in health insurance premiums since 1999.” Ryne Bessmer, director of growth at Strada Healthcare, said health care is a major line-item on most company’s budgets. “The problem is that businesses too often rely on third party insurance companies to manage their health care spending rather than working to control costs like they do for every other major line-item on their annual budget,” Bessmer said. “Businesses need to explore opportunities to pay physicians directly for the care their employees are receiving rather than Drueke-Collins using an insurance mechanism to pay them. Doctors will many times give a significant discount when they are paid outside of insurance, because they don’t have to spend any time on paperwork or filing claims.” According to Bessmer, one thing to consider is how many “functionally uninsured” employees are in America today; these are employees who have “insurance” but their deductible is higher than the amount of money they have in savings. “In cases like this, companies are paying thousands of dollars a year to give

Howard Shandell, general partner at Midwest Benefit Advisors. these employees an insurance plan that the ered. Additionally, validating the pharmacy employee may not even be able to afford to benefit manager’s (PBM) performance is use,” he said. fundamental to effective cost-containment.” Andy Dickmeyer, senior vice president Dickmeyer noted that it is also critical, in at The Harry A Koch Co., said employers these times of low unemployment, that emare moving away from fully insured plans ployers are able to recruit and retain talent. and looking at different funding strategies, Mary F. Drueke-Collins, vice president such as level funding or partial self-funding. of employee benefits at Swartzbaugh-Farber “In doing so, they are capturing some & Associates, said wellness plans are still a savings through state/Federal tax savings, popular solution for larger employers, but and betting on the hope that claim experi- employers need to have a team dedicated to ence will be lower than projected,” he said. the communication of the program in order Dickmeyer said employers are also for it to be successful. considering a different type of claim paying Additionally, Drueke-Collins said some methodology called reference-based pricing creative solutions are appearing with pre(RBP), which calculates an objective value scription drug coverages. for medical services. “We see more employers working with “There is significant concern with the third party pharmacy vendors that help cost of prescriptions and new, not necessari- employees find the lowest costs methods to ly better, solutions continue to enter the mar- fill their high cost prescriptions,” she said. ket,” he said. “We feel our role is to provide According to Drueke-Collins, other resources that can study a client’s contract alternatives include offering plans with and pricing to ensure value is being delivContinued on next page.

Health care regulations abound in latest session Continued from preceding page. for National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), said another proposed law would insert undue government interference in the operations of health care b usinesses. “LB 305 is the Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act,” he said. “It would allow employees to accrue a minimum of one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, with a maximum of 40 hours of paid sick time accrued in a calendar year.” Hallstrom said while the bill is not likely to receive any further attention this legislative session, NFIB stands in opposition to the measure, saying it will unduly constrict health care companies’ options in managing their employees. “The mandate proposed under LB 305 will take away the flexibility small business owners need to run their business, especially the need to shape the type of benefit plan that best suits the needs of the employees and employer,” he said. “NFIB believes small business owners should be free to do what is best for their business and their employees. It is difficult for a small business to fill the gap when employees are absent. The proposed mandate only makes it more

difficult for small employers.” One bill that seeks to preserve health and wellness in the student population is LB 1001, supported by The Kim Foundation. “LB 1001 would place the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and/or Crisis Text Line on all student ID cards in public schools, middle school through post-secondary levels,” said Julia Hebenstreit, executive director. “This legislation was prompted by … other passed legislation in both California and Alabama. Many students are required to have their ID card on them at all times and placing the lifeline on it would provide easy, immediate access to the potentially lifesaving phone number.” Hebenstreit said the bill, which had been referred to the Education Committee, gives a lifeline to those contemplating harming themselves. “The foundation supports this legislation as an easy, effective and inexpensive way to get the Suicide Prevention Lifeline in front of a number of young people who are in need of resources and a safe place to reach out for help,” she said. “Schools are already printing IDs, and this bill utilizes an existing resource to share useful information and potentially save lives.”

Health Insurance •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

Increased health plan options key to employer strategies by David Kubicek

Health care is usually a top three business expense, but the good news is that there are many viable options for employers to review when developing health plan strategies. Today, most groups offer dual health plans, according to Travis Martin, employee benefits consultant at The Olson Group. These plans usually incorporate one preferred provider organization (PPO) health plan, and one high deductible health plan (HDHP) that is health savings account (HSA) eligible. “Employees then get to choose to either pay a higher premium for richer benefits, or a lower premium for fewer benefits,” Martin said. “Such a dual plan gives employees a choice and allows them to decide which plan works best for themselves and their families.” Driven by consistently rising health care costs over the past couple of years, employers are taking more control over their health care plan spending through alternative funding

Controlling costs

Continued from preceding page. limited provider networks, reducing the plan benefits by increasing deductibles and out of pockets and offering alternative plan offerings. “Employees use benefit plans as one of the top factors when making an employment choice,” she said. “As the costs of health care continue to rise, employers are required to get more creative with their benefit designs in order to continue to offer quality plans.”

options. “We’ve seen many employers implement health reimbursement accounts and take on some of the risk associated with operating a health insurance plan,” Martin said. “Many employers are also implementing pharmacy tools to help their employees access prescription medications at lower prices.” Colleen Block, vice president and unit leader at Lockton Martin Companies, said that whether offered separately/stand-alone or as a multiple-choice offering, PPO networks and HDHPs are the most prevalent. “Even though offering choice is more expensive — due to anti-selection — it’s the most prevalent because employees value choice,” she said. Employers are using data to identify tech-enabled programs to help manage specific health needs of their employees like diabetes, mental and behavioral health services, management for complex conditions, and chronic condition coaching to help members manage conditions like metabolic syndrome. “The challenge is getting members to participate, and motivating behavior change,” Block said. Depending on their administration capabilities, employers prefer to offer multiple health plan options to their employees —

sometimes as many as three or four — as managed care options gain in popularity, according to Brett Sesker, principal and senior consultant at SilverStone Group.

Block Sesker “One example of a managed care option would be a narrow network that may require specific providers be used to receive the best level of benefits — deductible and out-ofpocket — and/or premium contributions,” he said. A narrow network — which may also be referred to as a regional network or accountable care organization (ACO), depending on the market — aims to improve health care costs through use of high quality providers with aligned incentives, although offering a traditional PPO network with broad provider access as a choice continues in most cases. Historically, Medicare Supplement Plan F was the most popular, partly because it paid the Medicare Part B deductible (first dollar coverage), but plan popularity has begun to shift due to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA),

which went into effect Jan. 1, 2020, according to Brian Hickey, vice president of Medicare BackOffice. “One of the major changes out of MACRA was that if you are new to Medicare in 2020, that first-dollar coverage is no longer available,” he said. “Because of this change and carrier pricing strategies, we’re seeing more enrollments into Plans G and N and away from Plan F.” With Medicare supplement plans, consumers who want their medications covered also must purchase a separate prescription drug plan, but Medicare Advantage offers MA-PD plans, which combine medical coverage with prescription drug coverage. “While MA-PD can end up costing more in the long run depending on utilization, we are seeing an increase in consumers willing to take that risk to pay less premium up front,” Hickey said. “Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans over the past few years has skyrocketed. Medicare Advantage plans have started to offer additional benefits, such as gym memberships, transportation to doctors’ appointments, and dental coverage.”

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• Health Insurance

Employee-focused preventive wellness perks aim to keep health care costs down by Jasmine Heimgartner

With the high cost of health care on the forefront of many peoples’ minds, taking a preventive approach to wellness has gained momentum in keeping employees healthier, happier and more productive. “Focusing on the power of prevention could help educate employees on how to reduce their risk for serious health problems before it’s too late,” said Alan Kohll, TotalWellness president and founder. “According to the CDC, 86% of the nation’s $2.7 trillion annual health care expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions. Because many of these costs can be reduced through preventive health care, it’s crucial that employers emphasize prevention in their employee wellness programs.” While offering more physical-related perks — such as gym membership assistance or blood pressure and diabetes tests —

continue to be important, many companies are seeing the benefits of encouraging allaround wellness. Stress, financial wellness and social relationships all contribute to mental, social and emotional health. “Wellness related benefits allow for the employer to assist employees with their health and well-being in a more wholistic manner than just providing tools and resources for sick care,” said Tonya Vyhlidal, workplace culture and wellbeing director at The Wellbeing Partners. “When an employer looks at their employee in a humanistic way and understands that the individuals they are providing resources for needs a total wellbeing model to assist them in being well — body, mind and spirit. The company helps the individual not only work better but live better and for many companies this really is their overall goal.” A company focused on employee well-

ness also benefits in other ways. “If you are trying to bring in and promote corporate wellness, you have think about what it will do for the employee, as well as what it can provide for future employees,” said Rebecca Mohning, owner of Expert Nutrition Omaha. “Many millennials are looking at what a company will offer as part of a wellness package, which has become highly attractive to people. By changing the culture of the company to get people to think more about wellness, you attract wellness-minded employees.” For smaller comKohll panies, providing wellness benefits may seem like something a little difficult to fit into the budget. There are many ways to begin forming a wellness culture that don’t require a significant upfront investment. “It is about trying to get people to stay engaged,” Mohning said. “A lot of companies are doing step challenges or other on-site challenges. If people move more, they keep their energy levels up. Some businesses share a healthy recipe of the month or offer seminars and other programs. A newer trend has been to move away from traditional vending and only have healthier snacks or providing healthier options for meetings.” Other trends reshaping wellness in the workplace include financial wellness resources, nap rooms, rock climbing walls, massages, on-site health clinics and mindfulness training.

“Gaining popularity is digital health care for things like urgent care, behavioral health and health coaching for people with conditions like diabetes or other like conditions,” Vyhlidal said. “Technology is reshaping the way companies provide well-being and health care tools and resources to employees.” For businesses ready to up their wellness game or are just getting started, employees should come first when developing options. “First, define your goals and make sure your employees are at the center, then look at your culVyhlidal ture to ensure that it makes being healthy easy,” Kohll said. “Consider ways to make the workplace a healthier scene for employees in multiple aspects — from the meeting room to the break room. And be sure to ask for feedback to see what your employees want.” It’s also important for businesses to realize they are unique and what they are offer should reflect that. “We often get stuck in the trap of trying to mimic others and what others are doing in wellness and well-being without really evaluating the true needs for our workplace and people and building a plan based on those needs,” Vyhlidal said. “As long as your program is designed to really help people improve their lives and is designed for the right reasons and not just designed for cost containment, then you can and will be successful.”

Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 things women should know about heart disease From Mayo Clinic News Network

All women face the threat of heart disease, which is the No. 1 killer of Americans, according to the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention. Mayo Clinic cardiologist Dr. Amy Pollak, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, says there are many important things women should know Health Care about heart disease. “The first one is to know your risk factors — you know, if you have a family history of heart disease, stroke or peripheral arterial disease,” says Dr. Pollak. Second, know what your numbers are in terms of cholesterol and blood pressure. And if they’re high, take steps to get them under control. “The last part is to know if you have any risk factors that are something related to another medical condition you have. People who have a history of autoimmune or inflammation conditions, if you’ve had prior treatment, including radiation or chemotherapy, because all of this factors into your potential risk,” says Dr. Pollak. She also adds that nontraditional risk factors, like problems with high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy, also can make women more likely to develop heart disease. (Mayo Clinic News Network) ©2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

YP Summit Breakouts •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

Leaders Council Jodi Benenson Assistant Professor, School of Public Administration at the University of Nebraska Omaha; board member, New Leaders Council

Getting to know the 2020 YP Summit breakout speakers “Self-Love is the Only Way! A Creative Exploration of Self-Care Tools”

Felicia Webster Teaching artist, WithloveFeliciaProductions To call Felicia Webster “multi-talented” or “multi-faceted” might well be the definition of understatement. “I show up in the world as a mama, poet, educator, teaching activist, healer, creative and self-love artist,” she said. Webster, who is artistically known as “Withlove, Felicia,” believes in using the arts to “educatain.” So, she’s often been called a “teaching artist.” The arts can also be a vehicle to promote social change, express love, empower, create connections, invite healing and build authentic relationships. “I was motivated to do this work by spirit,” she said. “I was born to do this work.” When asked about her accomplishments, Webster said she’s most proud of “being able to walk in my purpose every day and love what I do in an extraordinary way.” “Self-love” is at the heart of Webster’s session, and it’s her central topic of interest. “Oftentimes, we don’t take time out to authentically love and care for ourselves, like we do for other people — families, lovers, friends, supervisors and so on,” she said. “But a car can’t run without gas, and nor can we.” So, this idea of “self-love” is also a manifestation of “self-care.” Webster’s session is designed for one to experience creative ways and helpful techniques to add self-care to work and home life, allowing for opportunities to recharge, reboot and reignite. “What I intend YPs to take away from this workshop session, is when we immerse in the intentional practice of loving ourselves, we can truly find happiness in living in the now with ourselves and others,” she said.

In this exclusive focus, we take a closer look at the breakout speakers at the 15th annual YP Summit. The event, taking place March 6 at CHI Health Center, draws in more than 1,500 young professionals each year. Read on to learn a little bit more about each of these breakout sessions.

“YPs and Policy Advocacy: Why, What and How”

Alex Bauer Research and evaluation associate, The Sherwood Foundation; board member, New

As a research and evaluation associate at a local family foundation, Alex Bauer is passionate about providing equitable, culturally responsive evidence to inform decision-making for both the foundation and nonprofits throughout Omaha and Greater Nebraska. “Although I fully embrace the nerdiness that comes with a research and evaluation title, I also embrace being a partner in systems’ change work, and in providing tools to cultivate a culture of learning throughout my community,” she said. Fellow YP and Advocacy Panel Moderator, Jodi Benenson, held many professional roles before teaching courses in public policy and nonprofit management and researching the likes of social equity and civic engagement for UNO’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) and PhD programs, including: camp counselor, barista, film festival coordinator and hospital clinical records administrator. “In each of these roles, I have had the opportunity to pursue my greatest passion — organizing,” she said. “I have spent time organizing people, programs, data, and coffee beans, and could not be more grateful to live this passion as an educator and scholar at UNO. I try to ‘practice what I preach’in my research and teaching by immersing myself in the campus and community.” The YP panel discussion featuring Civic Nebraska’s Brad Christian Sallis, Greater Omaha Chamber’s Jennifer Creager and Julia Tse of Voices for Children in Nebraska, is “all about advocacy,” according to Bauer. “This session will cover why policy advocacy is important for young professionals in Omaha, what opportunities are available for advocacy in Nebraska, how to effectively engage with policymakers in Nebraska, and what you can do right now to create change in your communities,” she said. Advocacy is important for all YPs, Benenson said, so they’re able to express their views and concerns, access information and services, and defend and promote their rights and responsibilities. “We look forward to the unique opportunity to engage young professionals in a conversation about how to engage in policy advocacy in Nebraska during an election and census year,” she said. Bauer’s dream is for YPs to have a greater sense of self-efficacy, and to impact communitywide decision-making. “I hope that YPs walk away from this session with tools that they can use to advocate for themselves and their communities,” she said.

“Doing More While Working Less and Feeling More Fulfilled”

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• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • YP Summit Breakouts

Continued from preceding page. Haris Reis CEO, BIH Media An immigrant from Bosnia, Haris Reis recalls how his parents were always working multiple jobs to provide for him and his sister. So, he rarely saw them. “I needed to find a way to make money while being able to be with my family, and enough money where my parents didn’t have to work nonstop,” Reis said. Online startups were the answer. But the businesses “kept failing.” “I needed to get around people who were already ‘crushing it,’” Reis recalled. “That is exactly what I did.” While at an event in San Diego, Ryan Diess of DigitalMarketer.com captured Reis’ attention. “He fascinated me with digital marketing … the psychology, getting someone to purchase, building massive automation and email campaigns,” Reis said. “He was the first person who didn’t say, ‘Go sit on a beach and just watch your bank account increase when you learn this one trick!’” Reis once worked 18- to 20-hour days. He neglected his friends, family, and health — thinking, “If I work more, I would make more.’” Reis eventually tipped the scales at almost 300 pounds. “I’ve learned that this is no way to live,” he said. “Balance is super-important.” Reis later shed 75 pounds in under 12 weeks. “I will share my story, briefly, and give tactical steps to live a balanced life, regardless of if you are an employee or entrepreneur,” he said. These are actionable tools; a five-step formula. “I hope anybody that comes to my session understands how important it is to not just focus on working,” Reis said. “By working less, but more focused, you’ll actually be more productive.” Developed over three years, Reis’ simple-to-implement tips and tricks ease anxiety and depression, promote workplace productivity, and allow one to live more. “This is truer now more than ever, with Kobe Bryant’s passing,” Reis said. “He influenced my life greatly and makes us realize that life can be gone instantly. If we just work nonstop, climbing the ladder, trying to get the promotion, creating amazing products or building something, life will be gone in a blink of an eye.”

dent and creative self at work. “I coach them to lead in ways that feel authentic so that they can receive the results they want,” Thompson said. “I also help people pursue career changes that align with their true self.” As founder of Rise Confidently Leadership Masterclass, a series for corporate women leaders, she helps women advance and lead with clarity and courage. A passionate writer and speaker, she also hosts in-person leadership training events. Thompson said an intentional mindset is critical in order to establish a sense of balance and peace. “Essentially, this session will make people more curious about their own mindset,” she said. “This talk discusses how our thoughts can contribute to the type of results we want in our lives.” Ultimately, Thompson will hit on three expensive mindsets: scarcity thinking, not asking and stalling. The presentation will highlight simple coaching tools that can be used to reframe mindset in order to help companies and organizations advance. “In many instances we are held back by our own doubts, fears or insecurities,” she said. “Young professionals must realize that this can be more expensive than any other business expense, and innovation can be lost because of doubt. For this reason, it is extremely important to take a look at how our own beliefs and mindset can really influence our success.”

Human resources has always been a passion for Chad Mares, which is why he worked to spearhead the launch of the Greater Omaha WorkLab (GrOW), an employer benefit program that brings together businesses and community resources. “The program is intended to help employees with anything in their personal life that is affecting their ability to be physically or mentally present at work,” Mares said. Mares, who serves as director of workforce services, oversees a team of resource navigators. Danielle Ward-Thompson and Leontyne Evans, who both serve as navigators, meet with employees on-site to help them through issues by providing resources and constructing a plan that will allow them to be present at work. Ward-Thompson and Evans are published authors and are also both working toward master’s degrees. At the YP Summit, the GrOW team will present “Building Positive Relationships with your Employees as a Manager,” a session that is geared toward first-time managers, as well as young leaders who hope to move into a manager role in the future. “For this reason, we thought this topic was an excellent fit for the YP Summit,” Mares said. “A lot of our insight comes directly from personal experience in our careers. Everyday, we interact with employees and supervisors regarding very important issues.” During the breakout session, there will be an interactive role playing activity that will help to shed light on some of the hard conversations that take place between employees and managers. “This is a topic that needs to be focused on even more,” Mares said. “In a lot of instances, new managers receive training on the administrative aspects of the position, but don’t necessarily receive the appropriate advice on developing relationships with employees, which is equally, if not more, important.”

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“The Age Wave’s Impact on Young Professionals”

Lakelyn Hogan Gerontologist and caregiver advocate, Home Instead Senior Care As a gerontologist and caregiver advocate at Home Instead Senior Care, Lakelyn Hogan uses her passion for gerontology to educate professionals, family caregivers and communities on aging issues and available services. Additionally, Hogan’s work involves building national partnerships with other organizations. Locally in Omaha, Hogan serves as vice president for the Dreamweaver Foundation board, an organization that grants lifelong wishes for older adults. Next year, she will step into the role of board president. Nationally, she serves on the board for the National Alliance for Caregiving, a nonprofit that works to increase public awareness of family caregiving issues through research, policy analysis and national best-practice programs. Currently, Hogan is working on a Ph.D. in social gerontology and has embarked on the dissertation process with a goal to graduate in December 2020. Hogan intends to inspire young people to look at aging from a professional, as well as, personal perspective. She will discuss how the age wave will have a ripple effect on society, as there will be more people over the age of 65 than under Continued on next page.

In many instances we are held back by our own doubts, fears or insecurities. Young professionals must realize that this can be more expensive than any other business expense, and innovation can be lost because of doubt. For this reason, it is extremely important to take a look at how our own beliefs and mindset can really influence our success.

“Three Expensive Mindsets (and how to reframe them)” Kelli Thompson Leadership coach, writer and speaker

After spending 15 years in a corporate position, Kelli Thompson decided to take the leap to start her own business in March 2019 — a decision that she says has become one of her greatest milestones to date. Now, she serves as a leadership coach, in which she works one-on-one with corporate leaders, helping them to rise to their most confi-

Chad Mares, Director of workforce services Leontyne Evans, Danielle Ward-Thompson, Navigators, Greater Omaha GrOW WorkLab (GrOW)/Greater Omaha Chamber

“Building Positive Relationships with your Employees as a Manager”

”

— Kelli Thompson

Continued from preceding page. the age of five for the first time in history. Additionally, she will provide insight on how to be mindful of the aging population and how young people can help older individuals feel connected within the community. “Typically, this topic isn’t discussed in a younger setting, as younger people aren’t usually thinking about aging,” Hogan said. “It’s very progressive of the YP Summit to include this topic on the agenda and I hope it will help shed light on the fact that aging is a universal experience that shouldn’t be overlooked.”

“Be the Best Ally! How to support and stand up for the communities you love"” Erik Servellon Deputy director, Tri-Faith Initiative/president, Metro Young Latino Professionals Association

Erik Servellon, president of the Metro Young Latino Professionals Association (MYLPA), has worn many hats over the years that have allowed him to serve both his local community and country. Through MYLPA, Servellon helped raise $55,000 for Dreamers to attend college. Currently, Servellon also serves as the deputy director for Tri-Faith Initiative, a nonprofit comprised of three faith groups that are focused on fostering relationships and promoting understanding of diverse faiths. In his role, he works closely with donors and funders, while also establishing community outreach. Additionally, Servellon is currently a medic at the Nebraska Army National Guard. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2016 as part of a flight medic unit, where he assisted soldiers from both the U.S. and Afghanistan. In 2019, Servellon was named one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the JCI USA. Right now, he is also running for Omaha Public Schools board of education, in which he hopes to further advocate for the community. Servellon will present “Be the Best Ally!,” a panel session that will illuminate ways to be an ally for minority groups and underrepresented communities. “So many people aspire to be an ally, but they don't know where to start,” he said. “This is a great learning opportunity for the young professionals community in general.” The discussion will begin with basic information on being an ally, while also highlighting appropriate verbage to use as an ally. Resources will also be provided at the end of the panel discussion. “Our goal is to encourage others to be an ally,” Servellon said. “We want people to feel comfortable as they start out on this journey and also feel inspired to learn even more about being the best ally.”

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YP Summit Breakouts •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

Our goal is to encourage others to be an ally. We want people to feel comfortable as they start out on this journey and also feel inspired to learn even more about being the best ally.

“Powering Performance Using The F-Word: Feedback”

Debra Manning Senior strategist learning & development, SOLVE A social psychologist with over 20 years of experience in business and strategic consulting, Manning began her career as an academic psychologist, teaching at the University of North Dakota. Her professional stops have included Gallup and Farm Credit Services of America and she has advised the likes of First National Bank, Alegent Health, Cabela’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Qwest Communications. She is currently an adjunct professor at Creighton University and senior strategist at SOLVE, a human capital consulting firm that helps organizations maximize the talent of their people. There, she leads SOLVE’s Learning and Development and Diversity and Inclusion practices. Whether an entry-level employee, mid-level manager or high-placed executive, everyone in business can benefit from giving and receiving effective feedback. And everyone, says Manning, can learn to be much better at it than they are right now. “A lot of research shows people want more feedback and a lot of times feel like they’re not getting what they need,” she said. “Managers are ill-equipped to provide the kind of feedback that people need and part of that goes to the fact that we all have a love-hate relationship with feedback. We know we need it but it has become what I call the broccoli of conversation.” Manning will address the finer points of giving and receiving feedback, with particular attention on the latter. She said receiving feedback is something often overlooked in training and HR exercises, especially the higher one gets on the corporate ladder. “Companies spend a lot of time and dollars trying to teach managers how to be good feedback givers,” she said. “But the fact is, there are two people in any feedback conversation and until we start talking about how to be good receivers of feedback, we’re going to have conversations that more likely than not go off the rails.”

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— Erik Servellon

“Bravership”

Nicole Bianchi Partner, Bravium Human Development With more than 20 years of business experience, Bianchi is an accomplished facilitator, speaker and master certified coach. She possesses a passion for enabling leaders to stretch into their bravest selves, the mission of Bravium Human Development, which she founded. Her goal: To help clients use bravery as a secret weapon to connect in even more powerful and profitable ways and live a great story. Prior to starting her practice, Bianchi was a human resources and organizational development executive with Conagra Brands and Markel Insurance. She’s also the forthcoming author of “What’s the Bravest Thing You Can Do Right Now.” Understanding what brave leadership looks like and identifying what gets in the way of personal and professional courage is the theme of Bianchi’s talk. “‘Bravership’ is about combining bravery plus leadership,” she said. “So often with leaders it’s all about building leadership skills, but what if we move the spotlight from not just building leadership skills, but becoming a braver version of ourselves? “In our work, we find the common missing element is bravery. We can have all the right skills but if we’re not going to be brave enough to do it, it’s not going to work.” Bianchi said it’s not just the major forks in the road or the crisis situations that demand brave action; her talk will show how to apply the trait consistently in the everyday as well. “I talk about ‘braveryisms’ which people think are the big iconic things, when in reality they’re not,” she said. “Bravery is simple, small movements. It’s the ability to present an idea in a meeting. It’s the ability to speak up in conversation, or to say when something isn’t right, or to ask for feedback and actually take the feedback or share an opposing view. These things add up.”

“Unleashing the Potential of a City Built for People” Scott Dobbe Executive director, Omaha by Design

An architect by training, Dobbe works daily to enable and inspire a more vibrant, livable Omaha for all residents and neighborhoods. A native of Kearney, Dobbe began his architectural career in Chicago with industry vanguards Perkins and Will and HOK. Returning to Nebraska in 2011, he joined DLR Group in Omaha where he became the firm’s youngest Regional Design Leader. Dobbe earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska College of Architecture and a Master of Architecture from Ohio State University. He is a graduate of Leadership Omaha Class 39 and chairman of the city of Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission. Dobbe’s talk will examine effective cities and how intentional planning and construction of cities can have an impact on how they function today and how they evolve effectively tomorrow. “I have always been fascinated by cities,” he said. “I grew up to be an architect and I spent the first dozen or so years of my career in that world, shaping buildings we all inhabit. But the real fascination for me is not the buildings per se, but everything in between; the ingredients that make a really healthy and vibrant city.” Having traveled extensively, Dobbe identifies key elements forward-thinking cities have in common. These elements, he said, are critical to fostering innovation, boosting quality of life and spurring organic economic development. “Some cities just have a certain ‘it’ factor that can be boiled down to their environment,” he said. “The way they’ve chosen to physically shape their environment, the choices they’ve made that aggregate over time, creates an environment in such a way that’s self-catalytic. “As we look to the cities of the future, it’s about opportunity and creativity and I think so much of that is grounded in the cross-pollination that happens in a city. That’s what makes cities very exciting places to be. That's what I love and that’s what I love about Omaha.”

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • YP Summit Breakouts

“Nonprofiting: Fuel Your Heart While Accelerating Your Career”

Change Makers panel session

Aakriti Agrawal Data governance analyst, Ameritas/ co-founder, Girls Code Lincoln

Nick Knihnisky Vice chair of the YP Summit; in-house counsel/legal affairs manager for Buildertrend

A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Agrawal is a seasoned presenter in both classroom and conference settings, including last year as a featured TEDX presenter. A data governance analyst with Ameritas Life Insurance in Lincoln, Agrawal co-founded Girls Code Lincoln, a nonprofit launched last year. Through that organization, she teaches fourth through ninth graders how to program for free on the weekends. She also helps instill and foster certain qualities in participants, including encouraging young girls to go into STEM fields, particularly technology, teaching them how to be more confident and take more risks. Agrawal’s talk examines how involvement in nonprofits improves communication skills and fosters leadership within one’s work career. “Young professionals can develop skills through nonprofit work, skills they might not get to exhibit through corporations,” she said. “For example, we have two things we operate at Girls Code Lincoln. One of them is a weekly club where we have 50 students involved. And we have workshops each semester for 150 to 200 students. “At my corporation, I’m not in a leadership role per se. But through my nonprofit, I can show my company I have these leadership skills and I’m running this cool thing.” Agrawal will also be addressing the concept of creating balance in one’s work, personal and volunteer life, a critical piece of overall health and effectiveness. She said the message is particularly timely given the general attitudes of today’s workforce. “I really want people to see those two things don’t have to be separate and that there’s ways for you to be impactful in your community and to really help the people around you while also helping your career,” she said. “I want people to realize that skill-based volunteering is a great way to benefit both areas.”

For the Change Makers panel session, organizer and YP Summit Vice Chair Nick Knihnisky wanted to do something more handson than a quick speech in front of the audience. A moderator will feed questions to the panelists, who will tell the stories and the motivation behind their work, and then the audience will be allowed to ask questions. The change makers will be highlighted in video presentations throughout the day of the summit. “We want people to walk out of there knowing that not only are there incredible individuals in the community doing amazing things, but they also can pursue the causes they care about with the same passion and drive,” Knihnisky said. The 2020 Change Makers are: Darryl Brown, Jr., who is the founding and senior pastor of Kingdom Builders Christion Center of Omaha. Within the community, he provides sexual health education and has created programming to help the homeless. Candias Jones, who created a career coaching program at Mutual of Omaha to provide an outlet for employees to share negative experiences in their personal and professional lives. Jasmine Harris, who created “Black and Brown Legislative Day” for people of color to visit the Capitol, learn about the legislative process, and register to vote. Lynn Schneider, a current YP Council executive, who works with Emspace + Lovegren’s creative student outreach program Forge, a free program for college students to expose Omaha Talent and retain individuals in the city. “We’re unbelievably proud of the individuals we selected,” Knihnisky said. “I have no doubt that this will be a thought-provoking, inspiring session.”

“How We Add It Up”

Edem K. Garro Musician, Edem Soul Music Local musician Edem K. Garro’s session, “How We Add It Up,” will help attendees dive deep into mindfulness and the world of connection in life, according to the YP Summit website. “What if we could better understand our relationships? What if we could understand the keys to our passion and purpose? Understanding this fundamental part of ourselves can help us to answer some of these deep and meaningful questions,” the website states.

“You Are More Than Your Job Description” Brooke Ossenkop, Kimberly Van Horn Partners, Allocative.work

In the interactive workshop, “You Are More Than Your Job Description,” presenters Brooke Ossenkop and Kimberly Van Horn will help attendees understand what the next step in their career paths will look like. “Being entrepreneurs and going out on their own is not the path for everyone,” Ossenkop said. “Some people enjoy the corporate environment. [We help them] understand what’s unique and special about themselves and learn from people who are doing similar things to what they want to do in the future.” Ossenkop and Van Horn are partners in Allocative.work, which helps its clients focus on ideas and opportunities that will make them happier and more successful in their careers — essentially taking the lessons they learned in their own careers and making it more accessible to others. They ask questions like: How do you get a promotion? How do you set yourself up in the workplace? What does it look like to have imposter syndrome? “We tackle subjects that are specific to people working in corporate environments but that they may not be getting from HR at work,” Ossenkop said. “We’ll start by talking about our backgrounds. Each person in will receive a workbook, and we’ll walk through it step by step and help people figure out the things they’re really good at, how to find a mentor, how to put together an action plan, and what it would look like for their own personal accountability.” Ossenkop has more than 15 years of experience in the corporate environment, including three years at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Nebraska and currently Virgin Pulse where she focuses on helping the firm move into new markets. Van Horn has held a variety of roles including project management at Conagra, Mutual of Omaha, and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Nebraska. Currently she is with InEight. “Edem is an incredibly talented musician, having recently served as both the Capitol District’s artist in residence and a feature in Lincoln Motors’ Chart Your Course campaign,” YP Vice Chair Nick Knihnisky said. “Her breakout session is going to be one of the Summit’s most unique sessions ever. Edem possesses an incredible storytelling ability that she shares through music. Her session will weave music and speech to discuss how we can better understand our relationships, keys to passion, and purpose.” According to the Nebraska Arts Council website, Garro — also known as Edem Soul Music — composes, sings, and plays several

“Baling-Wire, Duck Tape, and Dogs; Life Isn’t Always A Straight Line” Steve Wolf CEO, Wolf Territory/head of the local branch of Fathom Realty

About 20 years ago, Steve Wolf’s spine collapsed, and he spent most of the succeeding years partially paralyzed in bed or in a wheelchair unable to walk. Wolf grew up in southwest Iowa. When he was entering his teens, he became the first person in the U.S. to have a multi-level lumbar spinal infusion, which fused four levels of his lumbar spine. He graduated with honors from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, where he played football for four years, and from Creighton University Law School. In the early 1980s he was a founder of Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop in Omaha — the firm that gives free taxi rides home during the holidays — and at a young age he had a successful career as a trial attorney. Then his back started degenerating again, which forced his early retirement from law. After undergoing many procedures and much rehab he was able to reach a point in the past year where he could do some constructive things again, like speaking at the YP Summit. His session is titled “Bailing-Wire Duck Tape, and Dogs: Life isn’t always a straight line” (duct tape was originally called duck tape, according to Wolf). “It’s about how unexpected things happen to each of us,” Wolf said. “Life isn’t always going to go in a straight line—sometimes it deviates drastically.” The theme comes from a book Wolf wrote, released in the fall of 2012, called “Comet’s Tale: How the Dog I Rescued Saved My Life.” The most important thing Wolf wants the audience to take away from his session is that we’re allowed to fail more than once, but each time we fall down we must get back up. “A lot of our experience comes from bad experiences, but they make us better equipped to handle future bad experiences,” he said. instruments. Her primary focus is on cultural preservation and identity. A first-generation American whose parents are from Ghana, she uses music, storytelling, sound exploration, and performance to inspire others to explore where they came from.

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Edem possesses an incredible storytelling ability that she shares through music. Her session will weave music and speech to discuss how we can better understand our relationships, keys to passion, and purpose.

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— Nick Knihnisky

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

de la Torre Event Design capitalizes on gap in event rentals and design Continued from page 1. rented from us … plus we can do the delivery, working on Alexander Payne movies and Lady the setup, the tear down, the whole nine yards.” Gaga’s “You and I” music video that was filmed With about half of his time spent in Tenin Nebraska. nessee building award-winning animal habitats His new venture, de la Torre Art Design, for the Nashville Zoo, Torres uses Facebook located at 2023 Harney St., was formed Marketplace and buy-sell-trade sites to find based on what he saw antiques and unique as a gap in event de- de la Torre Event Design items that aren’t availsign and rental services Phone: 402-597-6900 able in the Midwest or available in Omaha, as Address: 2023 Harney St., Omaha would be more expenwell as in response to a 68102 sive if bought here. He downturn in commer- Services: full-service décor design and also found a couple cial television work rentals for events and celebrations of companies he can because of the advent Website: www.delatorreeventdesign.com buy wholesale from of digital technology, that have facilities in which dampened the demand for set dressers Kentucky and North Carolina. and fabricators. “It helps because I’ve been in Tennessee For the past three years, Torres has been working, so we’re constantly out [looking] and filling and categorizing the 12,000-square-foot I’m constantly sending trailers back here full of space with materials and products inspired by materials and full of product,” he said. “We’ve his travels so that event planners don’t have to brought a lot of stuff back from all over Tentravel to Des Moines or Kansas City to find nessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia.” décor, he said. Products are broken down into three cateEvent planners, caterers and anyone looking gories: vintage, rustic and modern. to plan a party will find a wide assortment of Inventorying and categorizing the 2,500stock, from chairs and couches down to tiny 3,000 pieces have been a “huge undertaking,” picture frames. There are backdrops, draperies, he said. furniture, bars, chandeliers, planters and urns, Themed packages will be offered to make linens, glassware, tiered trays, picture frames, it easier for clients to visualize the design and lanterns, birdcages, greenery and much more. corresponding price; for example, themes might “Nobody really specializes in décor and we include “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Alice and wanted to change that and give other people — Wonderland,” art deco, underwater, Hollywood, like some of the corporate design people in town Prohibition/speakeasies and more. — give them another opportunity to have stuff “We build it, we sculpt it and everything that they would typically have to go looking else for a lot of that,” he said. “That stuff takes for out of town,” he said. “This way it could be time.”

Molds are made so that they can make multiples. Dramatic five-feet tall seahorses were created to go with the underwater package. Four-feet tall art deco swans can be filled with greenery. Eight-feet tall Hollywood sign letters and red carpet will be included in the Hollywood package. A large staging area allows Torres and his team to set up different looks to photograph in house, which they are working on to showcase the packages online. They can also stage furniture and backdrops for clients to see in person. “To me it’s just creating environments,” he said. “The nice thing about it, we could walk into a garage, which we have — and just completely blacked it out and changed it to where we created a complete whiskey lounge. It’s possible because we have everything we need to be able to do that.” With five employees at de la Torre Event Design in Omaha and five currently in Nashville for de la Torre Art Design working on ongoing projects at the Nashville Zoo, Torres is looking to hire an event planner/coordinator in Omaha and a project manager/superintendent in the Nashville area, which will help him with the challenges of operating two businesses in different states. “I think it’s worth it,” he said. “I just want to do what I enjoy. It’s what I have a passion for.” At times the two businesses cross over and complement each other. “We create all [Nashville Zoo’s] natural habitats and environments and exhibits and any animal enrichment stuff like that too,” he said. “We do a lot of artificial trees, artificial rock, all

their faux finishing and a lot of foam sculpture stuff, too. Most of it’s created in place, most of it’s on the job, on site. “As things start to grow down there we’re looking to fabricate here and send it out because I have people here who are capable as well. It just depends on the workload there versus the workload here. I’ve had a crew there since May/ June 2015. It’s ongoing.” Torres and his Nashville crew recently built two large cannon replicas out of old, leftover wood from the zoo to use as props for a party for the American Bus Association’s annual meeting that took place in Omaha. “They are two different industries but at the same time it works,” he said. For an event at PayPal, the company recreated the “Roseanne” television set. “They wanted us to come out and do a large photo op, so we recreated the ‘Roseanne’ set for them. We built props for it,” he said. “They were sitting on the couch, standing on the stairs … all the little knick-knacks and everything that’s in there on the shelf, photographs, everything. I don’t think we could have gotten any closer — in a couple weeks. They walked in and were like, ‘wow.’” Down at the Nashville Zoo, Torres’ recent work is getting national attention. A tamarin exhibit built in the women’s restroom in the zoo’s “Expedition Peru” won the 2019 Best Restrooms in the Country contest by Cintas Corp., and the “Expedition PERU: Trek of the Andean Bear” exhibit won a 2019 Top Honors Exhibit Award from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

Engineering Lincoln Real Estate Profession

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:

Engineering Overview • Greater Omaha, Sarpy, Lincoln and Council Bluffs area projects E-Week • Adoption of new tech • Engineering profession/careers/licensing Infrastructure • Engineering in the energy sector • Importance of safety Project types in demand/trends in design

Commercial/Office/Industrial Space Market Overviews • Retail space update Residential market overview • Building renovations • Workspace design Lincoln and Omaha MLS • Mortgage trends/refinancing

Issue Date: February 21 • Ad Deadline: February 13

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Software as a Service gaining wider usage as more products become available by Dwain Hebda

Software as a Service (SaaS) has grown rapidly in the number and scope of available applications. And, as executives with local tech companies note, the utility of such products is only going to grow. “SaaS applications have traditionally been broadly focused on core services that could be applied to a wide variety of industries. Those functions include accounting and marketing,” said Scott Siegert, vice

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president of customer success at Buildertrend. “This model has recently shifted as more vertical industries, such as residential construction, demand specialized solutions. “By focusing on a specific base of users, vertical-specific SaaS solutions now offer capabilities specifically tailored to the daily pain points and needs of those industries. Siegert This has led to continued growth and adoption of SaaS across niche industries.” Not surprisingly, this trend points the way for new SaaS products to offer even more customized features. “The future of SaaS technology is in personalization,” Siegert said. “Many of these applications collect exponential amounts of data, which can be used to enhance user and customer experiences versus creating a one-size-fits-all approach. By tailoring tools to the user, you can improve their ease of adoption as well as their business’s efficiency.” New products are not only customized, but reach the market faster than ever, said Matthew Mixan, chief architect with Decision Logic/Aviture Inc. “Technologies such as React and ReactNative have made prototyping new

Young Professionals

ideas extremely fast compared to even a few years ago,” he said. “For example, we were able to build a prototype of our

Mixan Bartlett newest mobile platform completely from scratch and with multiple features within only a few weeks and using only a few developers. “Our end-users had the prototype in their hands and were giving us feedback after about a month. Getting feedback quickly is critical to our success, and newer technologies have allowed us to speed up not only the delivery of our features but also the development itself.” Mixan noted this speedy development timeline makes attention to security of paramount importance in developing new applications. “It takes attention to detail to ensure you’re securing things properly so you don’t end up like one of the security breaches we see in the news, especially when leveraging cloud technologies,” he

said. “It’s very tempting to get your first website deployed with a few button clicks, but if there is sensitive data behind the scenes you better be sure you are taking the appropriate measures.” SaaS still hasn’t conquered all market roadblocks, particularly when it comes to smaller businesses. Costs remain a barrier, which has led SaaS companies to come up with creative ways to help clients maximize their investment, starting at the developmental phase. “Hybrid SaaS providers, like us, are starting to crop up or shift their business model where there is a need to be more specialized and cost-efficient in certain areas,” said Brean Bartlett, manager of corporate strategy with WorldView. “We aren’t a development shop creating brand new solutions all the time, we create when necessary, and then build on top of other platforms when it makes sense. “We believe there is no reason to recreate the wheel every day if someone has proven themselves as a market leader already. But, there are things we know we can do better, so that’s where we focus.” Bartlett said the future of the industry lies with smaller providers and their ability to react to changes quickly. “We stand out because we solve problems our larger partners cannot,” Bartlett said. “Our solutions are customized with all the little nuances of the customer’s workflow and specific business needs in mind. In the end, everybody wins.”

Weddings

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Topics in this section may include:

YP Trends • Work/life balance • Community initiatives Career changes • Financial/employee benefits trends

2020 Weddings Overview • Preserving Wedding Memories Fashion/bouquet/accessories trends • Venues Honeymoons and Destination Weddings • Catering/Cakes

Issue Date: February 28 • Ad Deadline: February 20

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

Professionals recommend tips for startups in beginning stages by Gabby Christensen

When it comes to starting a business, local experts say there are various considerations that must be examined before and during the startup process. In the beginning, Bart Dillashaw, principal at Enterprise Legal Studio, said an entrepreneur should first look at goals for the business, the business model and the relationship between co-founders and investors. “These considerations will help you determine what kind of entity is best for you, be it an LLC, C-corporation, S-corporation, B-corporation, or the various other alphabet soup of alternatives,” Dillashaw said. “Each form will have pros and cons from a tax and governance perspective, so it’s important to understand your goals so you can better evaluate the options.” When first getting started, Dillashaw said it’s also important to separate personal and business assets. “For example, you will want to set up a separate bank account for your company, probably have a separate company credit card for business uses and you will certainly want to maintain a separate set of books and records to keep track of your business operations,” Dillashaw said. Some resources for new businesses in Nebraska include Nebraska Business Development Center, Center for Entrepreneurship at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and SCORE. From a legal perspective, Casey Kidwell, attorney at Husch Blackwell, said there are a few important things to consider before starting a business, such as goals, capital needs and team members. “The answers to these questions will help determine what preliminary steps are needed to protect your legal rights, how you should organize your business, and what documentation is necessary,” Kidwell said. “An attorney’s focus at this time is to assess the client’s goals and the business landscape so that he or she can build a strong legal foundation designed for the situation at hand.” According to Kidwell, building the right legal foundation allows the business to grow naturally without having to spend the resources necessary to rebuild that foundation. “My advice is to find an attorney who has experience working with businesses like yours and who you trust,” Kidwell said. “At the end of the day, this will allow the owner to focus on the business rather than legal issues.” When starting a business, Aimee Lowe, attorney at Lowe Legal Group, said one must research the market, talk to others, consult with a team of experts, and take the time to ensure the best decision is made. “It’s easy to make adjustments before you jump in but once you’ve made the leap, it can become difficult to back-track,” Lowe said. “Your lender, CPA, lawyer, insurer and colleagues can help you get started on the right track. They’ll also slow you down and help you walk through questions you didn’t know to ask but that ultimately benefit your business.” Julian Young, chief executive officer of The Start Center Omaha, an urban and community-based entrepreneurship center,

Dillashaw Lowe said the first thing entrepreneurs should understand is that everyone’s path is going to be different.

“Be open minded, be flexible and don’t compare yourself to others,” Young said. With that being said, Young said it’s still important to find an experienced mentor who can answer questions. Additionally, he Young said it’s critical that a business owner clarifies their business idea, as well as their unique value. Along with that, a clear and concise

vision and mission is a must. “Ultimately, to be successful, you have to shift from an employee’s mindset to an entrepreneur’s mindset, in which you understand that you’re responsible for the business,” Young said. Environment is also key and being surrounded by others who are also starting or growing businesses can help an entrepreneur flourish. “Don’t forget to find a coach who will hold you accountable and push you throughout the process,” Young said. “Your coach will also walk you through the technical and legal aspects, so that you can focus on developing as an entrepreneur.”

Amenities, customization rule buying decisions in today’s hotel consumer by Dwain Hebda

Today’s hotel consumer is looking for luxury amenities when they travel, and Midlands hoteliers are paying attention. Hotel properties offer far more technological and other perks than their predecessors, say area hospitality professionals. “Today’s traveler is looking for all the modern luxuries but at a great deal,” said Danielle Neef, general manager for Cambria Hotel Omaha Downtown. “In the last 20 years, we’ve seen technological innovations that were a luxury and are now commonplace, specifically Wi-Fi. We are also seeing a growing trend toward smart TVs that allow guests to stream their Netflix, Hulu, et cetera, in their hotel rooms.” “One really cool amenity that is specific to the Cambria brand, but I anticipate you will see other hotel brands add in the near future, is Bluetooth mirrors. Our bathroom mirrors have Bluetooth connectivity and speakers so you can sync the mirror to your phone and listen to music or podcasts while showering or getting ready. Sean Davis, vice president of operations for Anant Operations Inc., operating 11 hotels in Nebraska and Kansas, said travelers are amenity-conscious even though they’re typically not staying in their rooms as much as they used to when traveling. “Today’s leisure traveler is looking for an experience,” Davis said. “Comfortable inviting public spaces are a must. “Paying attention to in-house amenities such as an inviting lobby or a high-quality fitness facility can make a big difference in shifting leisure travelers your direction. Twenty years ago, we used to see people spend a lot of time in their hotel room, so rooms were bigger and there was little thought given to public spaces. Now, the size of the hotel room is not as important as the amenities.” Davis said this thinking also carries over the corporate traveler and business groups, another category of guest whose needs have changed dramatically. “It used to be necessary for us to be concerned with creating great workspaces in the rooms so that corporate clients would have a place to work in the evenings,” Davis said. “Today’s corporate client is looking more for areas in the public spaces where they can work and be comfortable. “This again is requiring us to pay more attention to the public spaces when designing new hotels. Lobby areas need to plenty

of space and high-speed Wi-Fi capability. Corporate and social meeting clients value high-quality audio/visual capabilities that are extremely simple to use. Systems need to be built in such a way that casual users can easily get up and running with presentations of any kind.” Brian Thomas, director of sales and marketing for Hilton Omaha, said hotels have themselves harnessed technology in the ongoing competition for guests. “I remember as a child, my parents would always select a hotel that was in close proximity to people we were visiting or attractions. Now, with the accessibility of ride-sharing services, proximity isn’t as important,” he said. “Loyalty programs like Hilton Honors, which were in their infancy in the 1980s, now have become

highly valued currency used for additional travel experiences.” Thomas also said that the future lies in offering guests more customization options and putting those options right at their fingertips. “Today’s traveler is more varied than ever,” he said. “While many people enjoy traditional full-service hotels, there are travelers that will actively seek properties that offer services and amenities fitting their personal preferences; whether that be in a focused-service hotel or a luxury brand. “As a result, mobile apps that will allow you to personalize your hotel room experience will become more commonplace and expected in the coming years. Some travelers seek that technology now.”

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

In the Spotlight Paid Content

ACCOUNTING

INSURANCE

Joined

Appointed

Promoted

Appointed

Nabina Shrestha

Jon Aerni

Blake Warneke

Rudy Moser

Senior Accountant

Executive Vice President, CFO

Vice President, Actuarial & Chief Actuary

Director, Product Development

WoodmenLife

O’Donnell, Ficenec, Wills & Ferdig, LLP

O’Donnell, Ficenec, Wills & Ferdig, LLP is pleased to announce that Nabina Shrestha has joined the firm as a Senior Accountant. Nabina graduated from the Truman State University in Kirksville, MO with a B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting, and went on to achieve a master’s degree in Professional Accountancy. Nabina is a Certified Public Accountant and has expertise in tax planning, and small business accounting as well as auditing. In addition to her accounting experience, Nabina has a unique world view which will allow her to also understand international transactions having grown up in Kathmandu, Nepal. She understands that “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them” and credits her mentor Stefanie Wientjes. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants. Nabina and her husband both love to cook and try new recipes. Since 1951, O’Donnell, Ficenec, Wills & Ferdig, LLP, has been more than accounting. They view every client relationship like a partnership and truly believe the firm’s success is a result of the clients’ success. They take pride in giving assurance that the professional service a client receives comes from years of advanced training, technical experience and financial acumen and provide the highest quality of personalized auditing, tax, valuation, accounting and consulting services in response to the clients’ specific and personal needs.

Jon Aerni has been appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, effective Jan. 1. He’s been at WoodmenLife since 2006, and most recently served as Vice President & Chief Actuary. In his new role, Aerni will help set the course for continued stability and financial growth while upholding WoodmenLife’s mission to help families and communities.

Blake Warneke has been promoted to Vice President, Actuarial & Chief Actuary to fill the role Aerni previously held. Warneke has been with WoodmenLife since 2000, serving in various leadership roles since 2005. He’s a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, a Chartered Life Underwriter, and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries and the Nebraska Actuaries Club.

Rudy Moser has been appointed Director, Product Development, to fill the role Warneke previously held. Moser is responsible for actuarial oversight of design, pricing and implementation of products, such as the organization’s new My Choice Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL) product. In addition, he works with Business Technology teams to ensure hardware and software systems are meeting actuarial needs and requirements.

INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE Elected

Named

Loren Sweigard

Nolan Day

Branden Bender

Board of Directors, Executive Vice President

Senior Vice President

INSPRO

Loren Sweigard was recently elected to INSPRO’s Board of Directors at their annual Shareholders Meeting in January. He was also named as an Executive Vice President. Sweigard, a native of Norfolk, NE and graduate of University of NebraskaLincoln, joined INSPRO in January of 2006. Prior to INSPRO, Sweigard had 16 years of experience in underwriting and marketing at Nationwide Insurance. Sweigard is responsible for the management of their Lincoln location. He holds the professional CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation.

Nolan Day was named Senior Vice President. He is responsible for the management of the benefit division in Lincoln, Fremont and West Point. Day is a lifelong Lincoln resident and 2007 graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a degree in Finance. Before joining INSPRO in 2015, he worked as a Regional Sales Manager for a group benefits carrier. Day is an active NAHU member, and has been involved in numerous local organizations including The Food Bank Backpack program, Teammates, and the Lincoln Young Professional Group.

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

Branden Bender was also named Senior Vice President. Bender is responsible for management of the benefit division in INSPRO’s Omaha, Des Moines and Wahoo locations. Bender upholds 20+ years of experience in employee benefits. He’s a licensed consultant and has his PPACA certification. Bender serves on numerous boards such as JDRF, Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation and Peru State College National Alumni Association. Branden is a graduate of Peru Stage College.

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 14, 2020 •

In the Spotlight Paid Content

ENGINEERING

LEGAL SERVICES

Added

Joined

Brad Williams

Matthew S. McKeever

Terrence Wayne Huntington

Stockholder

Partner

Associate

E & A Consulting Group, Inc.

Carlson & Burnett, LLP

Brad is the first addition to E&A’s ownership team in seven years. In addition to being a senior engineering technician, he is a professional photographer, and his project familiarity is nearly unmatched within the company. Brad’s story is an illustration of the E&A culture; a culture that grants the latitude for people to grow the firm, fueled by their unique talents. From his start in the land surveying department to his current role on our civil site team, we appreciate all that Brad has contributed over the past 15 years. We look forward to the impact that he will make in the coming years. E&A is an engineering, planning and field services firm celebrating 54 years of Engineering Answers.

The law firm of Carlson & Burnett, LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Matthew S. McKeever as a partner. Matt will be working out of the firm’s West Omaha office. Matt earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1996. He began his trial practice in New York City with a focus on civil and commercial litigation. Following his return to his home state of Nebraska in 1999, Matt continued to build his practice, developing expertise in complex commercial litigation, real estate litigation, creditors’ rights, insolvent estates and probate litigation. Matt will be working as the lead litigator on Carlson & Burnett’s estate litigation and contested guardianship cases. Matt is engaged in the community through Maplewood United Methodist Church and the Omaha West Rotary Club. For more information about Carlson & Burnett, LLP, visit www.carlsonburnett. com.

The law firm of Carlson & Burnett, LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Terrence Wayne “T.W.” Huntington, Jr. as an associate. T.W. will be working out of the firm’s West Omaha office. He graduated from Creighton University School of Law in 2013 and began his legal career working at a prominent Omaha bank as a Trust Officer responsible for administering trusts and estates. He also expanded his tax and business background working for a national law firm in their corporate tax group before joining Carlson & Burnett. As a member of the firm’s estate planning team, T.W. will work closely with clients on asset preservation strategies, estate planning and estate administration matters. For more information about Carlson & Burnett, LLP, visit www.carlsonburnett.com.

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Midlands Business

Journal • NOVEMBER 24, 2017 •

November 24, 2017

5055 Building at Bryan Health’s East Campus (Courtesy of Davis Design)

Unique Midlands by Michelle Leach

Boys Town Clinic (Courtesy of Calvin L. Hinz Architects)

features, robust economy

Sandhills Publishing

Cyber Center Rendering (Courtesy of Sinclair Hille)

result in multi-sector

Mixed use building rendering (Courtesy of Studio 951)

Private giving and an economy that any one industry isn’t may stays,” but the level be Midlands “mainDundee harkening and the sheer need of cross-sector activity back for talent to meet in communities that to communities withdemand for services are newer-emerging sprung up on streetcar phenomenon or bus lines. for area firms. He also speaks to “The architecture, engineering and lifestyle and the built a “balance in terms of construction industry the movement from environment”; consider Greater Omaha region is very strong in the and now “hybrids,” cubicles to open spaces at the moment,” said conference rooms which combine smaller BCDM Principal and areas where and employees can still have Director John Sullithat sense of community van, who also isolated but also privacy Sarpy County’s highas needed. growth. “We’re moving Further, Sullivan to that direction, notes strength “nearnot because it’s the trend ly across the board” but because it’s — from office the and right thing,” he said. institutional to private The architecture sectors such as reliand engineering Palandri gious projects which, side of the construction he said, is “unusual” and “won’t last forever.” industry was described “The economic development as “robust,” into and growth of the metro-area Smith the has been steady and Design Senior Associatefinal quarter by Davis and the diversification strong, and Senior Architect of the area economy Greg Smith. — both of those factors add up to things happening “Several projects good by Sullivan: John Sullivan, principal and in the metro, and designed recently director at BCDM “One of the things still in hopes of breaking that’s not about necessarily true are Architects. that’s unique across the state, ground this fall many of the large especially and Omaha is there is strong philanthropic environments, and a shift if you’re in an ag in what people private support for Downtown Lincoln and area and go into expect.” ects are gaining inertia,” central or key projects.” projwestern Nebraska AO’s … he said. Palandri speaks to modities-driven areas,”and some of the com- Palandri Managing Principal Randall trying to attract millen- remodel market is also strong “The interior J. nials and a has seen the uptick and this will keep contractors busy lifestyle He also referenced he said. in growth that became noticeable during winter months.” urban centers are shift, whereby the more the many pockets around two years growth, from newer Many in demand from of main steady ago rea housing Telegraph large-scale projects, such as to Aksarben Village, areas such as Blackstone attributes in more recent months, which he perspective and offices that speak the District’s Marilyn at the stage where particularly to infill-type generation are in-demand to this School/YMCA, Moore Middle sion of that development extenprojects. from a Hudl, and “There of the projects featured is occurring. Some opment,” is a lot more emphasis on redevel- perspective. He also speaks, not workplace to form; however, Smith Nelnet, have come necessarily mains he said. “What really to “vintage” or said here in this section reflect another “traditional” work in the build-outs. there still redrove it was, there was prominent trend He referenced mentioned apartmentsa pent-up demand for market-rate materials but to, perhaps, more construction work at Bryan Health’s “traditional” East neighborhood- and and in more walkable-type community-building, new LES Operations Center, Campus, the of with areas and projects for Eustis Autobody such as Benson, at 98th Street and Blackstone and Highway Continued on next page.

opportunities

Architecture — inside NOVEMBER 24, 2017

THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS

Technology upgrade by Richard D. Brown

s keep Interstate

$2.00

VOL. 43 NO. 47

Printing competitive

Interstate Printing ha-based firm founded Co., an Omaby a German immigrant with Business & Industrial a special interest in publishing ethnic Parks/Leasing newspapers, has used its family-ownership as an anchor, placed strong equipment upgrades, emphasis on and maintained a comprehensive Green Arrow Junk list Co. aims to reduce has enabled it to growof services that household, landfill clutter. – Page of its commercial with the needs Business & Industrial 2 printing clients, which are located Park/Leasing throughout much of the country. — inside “For our 100 years OCTOBER 20, we have main2017 tained a low-key approach, which has enabled us to attract THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE: with jobs that we business clients can do a good job on,” said William F. Peter, a third generation family member who became president five years ago. “With each job we to say, ‘This came want to be able from us’ and that both our client and Persistence paves way for will be pleased with their customers 40 for Contemporary Art’s The Union the results,” he community der continued. impact. Un 40 – Page 3 Peter, who formerly practiced law full-time before uncle Eugene Peter succeeding his who retired from Locally owned Aksarben the business at age 88 five years ago, serves large demographicCinema From Continued on page left, Senior VP of with amenities. Sales Jim Mancuso 8. reached its centennial year – Page 2 with investments and President William Peter … in new tech. The printing company has (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville) in 28

der Un

• OCTOBER 20, 2017 • Midlands Business

Journal

October 20, 2017

No slowdown in demand by Michelle Leach

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

as availability presents

ongoing challenges

More buildings may economy with upside be coming out of potential.” ground, but demand the NAI NP Dodge also being constructed remains brisk. “Demand for commercial at described the leasing Associate Kyle Pelster Opportunities are Highway Crossing.” Edney indicated real estate market as “very tight.” loans is very strong,” this is driving “At any given and landlords leasing available for tenants such as the said Stephanie Moline, executive vice president aforementioned R&R. projects, to them. time, there are around These challenges ing with First National of Enterprise Lend- 100 properties, aren’t limited to Class Bank. “Commercial give or A; Edney recalled and industrial loan how the Kellogg take, listed/available demand is growing, building at 10203 Crown at a much slower but in the Omaha/Council Point Ave. near pace.” Fort Blair High Road She said some of had “multiple offers and Bluffs couple of weeks.” in a in late 2016 is being the capital investment said. market,” he “Having said absorbed. “There isn’t much “It would appear that, finding the of that type of product out there, either,” coris lagging the capital the anticipated revenue rect he said. square footage, expenditures,” Moline He also spoke to said. location, rental rates tures, such as greater demand for certain feaGrowth of C&I and building layout clear heights and dock doors — driven larger about the same as loans, she said, remains can be by requirements a year very difficult.” companies such as “Agribusiness loans ago. as He referred to are up year over year and using third-partyAmazon are growing and commercial Moline more providers. real estate is up Edney “We’re also seeing year over more construction in the last year — year,” she said. Pelster with a lot of interest owner/user buildings “We are finally seeing from investors that Generally, businesses but some spec are an increase in new in spec industrial space are optimistic buildings as well. industrial properties,”looking to invest about potential tax on the market “The new Facebook reform. he project will add after a slowdown in new spec projects again of that interest is coming fromsaid. “A lot “This would cause new infrastructure some monies to past,” he said. outside of in the the Midwest.” along the Highway repatriated and improving be 50 rental rates “The increases in term length, working capital corridor,” Pelster said. “This will Edney referred to and operating expenses and money that can break way to cap rates and be used for acquisitions for new projects and industrial continue ROI as lower steadily rise. or additional investment on the coasts, making one’s parks in that in equipment and/ area.” “The rest of the market Omaha attractive as a secondary or people,” she said. seems to be catch- to He Chicago, New York or tertiary market more entrants into “There continues to be created said Thrasher and Freightliner have ing up with the rental rates we or Denver. are Regarding “behind-the-scenes” from loan productionthe local market; both leaving large new buildings for themselves, of the new construction projects.” seeing out vacancies in their offices OMNE Partners indusprevious locations. Moline is encouraged and FinTechs.” EVP Matt Edney Continued on page “Brook Valley continues Class A industrial by new market 30. entrants as: “People availability remains said to be the leader believe this is a vibrant in new industrial construction hard to find.” “really projects,” Pelster said. “The “And that type R&R Commerce of product is moving Park is pretty quick,” he said.

n me ss Wo ine Bus

Women’s representation in leadership: Ripples adding up to a sea change? – Page 4

in Omaha

Archrival updates 10-year-old Haymarket space, establishes Los Angeles presence by Michelle Leach

Archrival’s renovated space as one space,” said Clint! RunLincoln ge, headquarters at 720 founder and the unique mix of O St. speaks to director. “We managing creative a mature wanted our space years old and counting firm — 20 be a little further to along the business — and energetic startup spirit chain … and at that has resulted one point that was in campaigns with an ‘aspirational’ Redbull, space, it became Motorola, and expansion Adidas, us and we outgrew with sister mature it. It’s more offices and teams of a business than in the space gon, and Los Angeles.Portland, Ore- felt like.” “We’ve been here The Haymarket for over 10 years, and wanted Archrival’s niche space breathes to rethink the entire in youth cultureContinued on page 10.

yee plo s Em efit Ben

Harness technology to overcome capacity constraints, attract business year-round – Page 6

President Nick upon 30-plus years Cusick … Equipment manufacturer builds soccer; tennis courtof innovation with safety features in volleyball, sports like pickleball.renovations to accommodate rising interest in

Bison makes gains Nebraskan Michael Forsberg focuses as new gyms built lens on Great Plains amid popularity of conservation. sports like pickleball – Page 34 by Michelle Leach

Founder/Managin g Creative Director Communications Clint! Runge Amy with focus on youth Filipi … Brand communications with Head of culture. firm flourishes

Depending on where pared to that,” said President Nick across Bison’s divisions one looks Cusick, who indicated its focus and product lines, the Lincoln-based was on other areas. “Even without manufacturer’s growth is up at least 5 to a lot of direct marketing emphasis, 10 percent to 30 percent our site furnishing business, BRP, following or amid dealer base and ownership was up 5 to 10 percent.” transitions, and Falling under custom a business unit redesign. trial job shop manufacturerindusIM“Bison overall, its SCORP’s holding company umline, had an incredibleown product brella, wholly-owned year prior subsidiary and this last year was flat com- Bison is joined by SNA Sports Continued on page 10.

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS

Lamp Rynearson by Richard D. Brown

Drone and innovative scanning technology is giving Lamp Rynearson, Omaha-based civil engineering, a 58-year-old landscape architecture, construction and surveying firm, administration a competitive advantage as it completes a wide range of private and public sector projects. Nancy Pridal, a professional engineer and 20-year son employee who Lamp Rynearto president of the was promoted firm in August, stresses that leading the latest technologywith the use of the employee-owned has enabled increase its revenues company to by more than 100 percent over the while the employee past 10 years creased by 45 percent.count has in“With the investment we’ve made, we want to be viable in the future with the technology provided,” Pridal said. “For example, we can scan a mound and get the typographic data and in scanning stockpiles we can get quantities.” The purchase of a second drone Continued on page 12.

competes with innovat $2.00

VOL. 43 NO. 42

ive technology

President Nancy

Pridal … Leveraging

La Casa Pizzaria dishes out more options to customers from online orders to food by Michelle Leach truck

tech investments

for variety of projects. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

La Casa Pizzaria Jesse. “Being a family restaurant, is evolving with offerings on our staff lives for wheels — its food interaction.” truck — and via She indicated there technologies such is a balas online ordering, ancing act for the third-generafocused on customerwhile staying tion, family-owned service from and operated the family that restaurant, which has been dishing is still located at out its Neapolitan-style 4432 pizza for the Leavenworth St. in Omaha — almost 75 years. same location that reportedly “Technology plays caught on so well that a part,” said General Manager/Treasurer Patane and his family Founder Joe “ran out of Nicole Continued on page 18.

Ashley Abel, property manager with Cushman Lund Co., for 1415 & Wakefield/ @ The Yard, demonstrates app during the IOTAS’ property grand opening event for the complex.

Smart-enabled apartment community delivers plug and play app to renters by Becky McCarville

General Manager/Treasur er Nicole — from food truck to website and menu Jesse … A heaping of “new” on service, Neapolitan-style updates — blends with focus pizza and pasta.

At the recent grand lifestyle. opening of 1415 @ The Yard The platform also apartment comprovides data plex at 14th and Cuming streets, to property managers so they can property manager Ashley Abel with monitor and control energy usage, Cushman & Wakefield/Lund rent units Co., streamlinefaster through automation, logged onto the property labor costs and add dashboard value to launch the smart apartment app to properties. designed by Portland-based “It helps run the property IOTAS more (Internet of Things As a Service), efficiently,” Abel said, adding that demonstrating the she can control ease new tenant can control at which a ing, heating vacant units’ lightand air conditioning, automated technologyand integrate monitor maintenance to fit their issues as well Continued on page 39.

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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

ACCOUNTING

Promoted

Added

Jason Kinnison

Megan Blome

Walker Claussen

Emily Pawoll

Managing Director

Associate

NorthMarq Omaha

Seim Johnson

NorthMarq promoted Jason Kinnison to managing director in the Omaha office. Kinnison joined the company in 2006 as senior analyst, became a producer in 2012 and was promoted to senior vice president in 2015. He has arranged $750+ million in financing for commercial properties leveraging NorthMarq’s nearly 500 capital sources.

Blome graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a major in Accounting and Human Resource Management. She was a member of the UNL College of Business Administration and Honors Academy, part of the UNL Honors program and was recognized on the College of Business Administration Dean’s List. Blome also participated in the Chi Omega sorority. Megan has been an intern with the firm since 2017.

Claussen received his major in Accounting and minor in Psychology from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. He was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. Claussen was previously employed at Crete Carrier Corporation for two and half years and spent two summers interning with Seim Johnson.

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

Pawoll graduated from UNO majoring in Accounting and minoring in Sociology. She was a member of UNO Secret Kindness Agents, Financial Management Association, Beta Gamma Sigma and Beta Alpha Psi where she held various officer positions. She was awarded the Delta Sigma Key for maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout her college career and was the 2019 Outstanding Accounting Student. Pawoll interned in both audit and tax before joining the firm.

• FEBRUARY 14, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal