Midlands Business Journal February 21, 2020 Vol. 46 No. 8 issue by Midlands Business Journal

Engineering Profession

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal • February 21, 2020

Engineers see steady volume of projects; address resources challenges by Michelle Leach

Omaha’s built environment ended 2019 on a high note; in late November, the Associated General Contractors of America named the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro as the market with the biggest year-onyear gains in new construction jobs of the nearly 360 metropolitan areas surveyed — at 20% (or 5,900 jobs). The local engineering industry is benefiting. “Construction acCowman tivity is generally a byproduct of a robust design environment,” said Morrissey Engineering Principal George M. Morrissey. “Most construction activity comes from design activities. With more activity, engineering firms find opportunities to focus their efforts on the type of work that best suits their firm’s abilities. Conversely, some firms will find opportunities to pursue a variety of different types of work to gain diversity in workload.” Schedules for projects are continuing to shorten and become more aggressive, according to Morrissey.

George M. Morrissey, principal at Morrissey Engineering. “Our greatest challenge lies in trying without a high level of engagement from to meet aggressive schedules while still the entire team tend to be less distinct and having all the face time needed with own- unique. We coach our teams on the value ers and architects to develop the design of of collaboration.” the project,” he said. “Projects designed The firm is increasing efforts to bring

Reaanddit

sustainability into design. “Programs such as LEED, WELL, Living Building Challenge can be used as an aid or for a building certification,” he said of associated certifications. “We are also investing in technology to help engineers find the best balance between competing elements.” Technology should aid, not replace, the creative process. “As an example, we want to maximize the benefits of daylighting while minimizing solar heat gain,” he said. “The goal is to find that balance. Using visualization software, we develop options to change the building’s characteristics for best in class solutions for our projects.” Kim Cowman’s position in the new role, national director of engineering, represents an evolution for Leo A Daly. “Primary responsibilities of this role are to bring greater focus to the technical excellence of all of our engineering disciplines, and leverage the benefits of our integrated engineering and architecture practice,” she said. “We recognize the influence engineering has over the lifecycle of a building, from the inclusion of low-carbon building materials, to reduced energy and resource usage, to the long-terms costs of maintenance and operations. This new position reinforces the vital role of engineering in design.” Cowman also said the firm hired its second dedicated commissioning agent. “Commissioning agents are engineers (usually mechanical), and they focus exclusively on building performance,” she said. “This is especially apropos right now because Nebraska recently adopted new commercial energy guidelines, and the guidelines will take effect this summer.” Cowman noted Leo A Daly’s involvement in high-profile projects. “We are highly involved in driving innovative engineering for some of the region’s most topical and transformative projects — among them [Omaha Rapid Bus Transit], the Cottonwood Hotel (historically known as the Blackstone Hotel) and the Omaha VA,” Cowman said. “The ORBT construction is well underway, and the VA and Blackstone projects are scheduled to open later this year.” Generally speaking, opportunities for engineers are presented by design solutions that integrate and use new technologies in building operations — internet of things, Continued on next page.

Reap!

Engineering — inside FEBRUARY 21, 2020

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS

THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:

$2.00

VOL. 46 NO. 8

Truck Center Cos grows in consolidated Omaha headquarters with acquisitions by Michelle Leach

Goldfish Swim School emphasizes safety for young children. – Page 2

40 er d Un 40 Dredge looks for innovative ways to build up students at Green Hills Area Education Agency. – Page 3

ss ine us ges B a ln co al P Lin ourn J

SCC’s Great Plains Culinary Institute plays role in attracting more students to restaurant careers. – Page 4

Since moving into its consolidated corporate offices at Cornhusker Rd. around two and a half years ago, President and CEO Trey Mytty said Truck Center Companies’ -hour turnaround time to get customers back on the road has gone from the low th-percentile to its fill rate parts in stoc is up by about to appro imately and its “e press assessment” is at 75% — from a percentage in the low s-range. “Within two hours of a customer arriving, we give them a basic diagnosis of what is causing the issue, tell them if we have parts and, if we don’t, when we will have the parts and somebody to work on the truck, as well as the estimated completion,” ytty said of the aforementioned assessments, spanning nine dedicated bays. “Those are big-time metrics that we measure, and all e uate to customer satisfaction.” ounded in , Truc Center Cos. offers new and used trucks and trailers, parts and service, leasing and financing, fuel solutions Continued on page 20.

President and CEO Trey Mytty … Securing continued expansion opportunities in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas core; development of industry training program among objectives on the horizon. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

Bakers Candies builds on 32-year tradition of chocolate in Nebraska by Becky McCarville

General Manager Todd Baker is not only well-versed in the lore of his family’s -year-old business, a ers Candies, but he can also e pound the social and economic factors that shaped the chocolate industry. Many Nebraskans know the chocolate factory’s origin story by heart, he said. Kevin Baker, Todd Baker’s father and founder of the chocolate factory located in Greenwood, Nebraska, has

a background in electromechanical engineering in the aerospace industry and mass-produced missiles for government contract work during the Vietnam War era. “He got really good at mass producing anything,” Todd a er said, noting his dad’s “e ceptional mechanical aptitude.” When the war wound down the U.S. ended up with a surplus of misContinued on page 20. Instructor and Franchisee Daniel Cornwell … Omaha native launches center that uses established self-learning methodology, with goal of students doing calculus by the time they enter high school.

Omahan debuts Village Pointe arm of global Kumon educational franchise by Michelle Leach

General Manager Todd Baker … The addition of a new, larger retail store at the chocolate factory helped boost sales by 30% in 2019.

Before native Omahan Daniel Cornwell returned to the States a year ago this March, he was becoming acquainted with the Kumon method that would evolve into Kumon of Omaha-Village Pointe while teaching second-graders in South Korea. “A girl was doing basic algebra,” Cornwell, instructor and franchisee, recalled. “She’s doing most

of it in her head, and she’s quickly going through these worksheets. I ask her, ‘What’s that?’ and she said, t’s umon.’” Cornwell owns and operates the avenport t. location, a local arm of the worldwide math and reading center operation. ounded in , umon reportedly enrolls over million students in nearly , centers across Continued on page 21.

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Goldfish Swim School emphasizes safety for young children by Gabby Christensen

pening oldfish wim chool a year ago in Omaha, a franchise originally based out of Michigan, owner RJ Meade intends to offer the metro area a unique swim instruction facility for families, while also raising awareness for the importance of teaching young children how to swim. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are roughly people who die from unintentional drowning every day. Of these, two are children age or younger. Because of these startling statistics, Meade said it’s critical that children as young as months old be introduced to water. To date, the franchise has more than locations across the United States, teaching about , children a wee . The local store, which is the first location to open in Nebraska, began welcoming students in arch and has since seen steady growth, according to Meade. Meade said the success comes from a consistent and effective curriculum, as well as highly-trained staff. “Our instructors go through rigorous training and all staff are certified lifeguards and C -trained,” he said. “We ta e safety e tremely seriously, which parents have noted.”

diapers supplied, an air-conditioned viewing gallery for parents to watch classes, as well as an area for children to color while waiting. There’s also an option to rent the facility for parties. Additionally, both members and non-members can enjoy family swims. “We want families to feel comfortable

Goldfish Swim School Phone: 402-281-3900 Address: 2502 S. 133rd Plaza, Suite 102, Omaha 68144 Founded: March 2019 Service: swimming facility dedicated to teaching children ages 4 months to 12 years how to swim Employees: 25 Goal: to expand customer reach throughout Omaha area Website: https://www.goldfishswimschool.com

Owner RJ Meade … Focusing on providing safety-focused swim lessons for children as young as 4 months old. Meade also said the facility offers var- structor ratio, are held in a -degree pool ious classes for multiple skill levels at the with an advanced purification system. same time, an added perk for parents who The facility itself houses other amenihave more than one child. ties such as private changing rooms, a blow Classes, which have a to student-in- dryer bar, a changing table for parents with

Business Minute

Paid Content

Ericka Nienhueser Electrical Department Manager — Vice President — Electrical Engineer, Farris Engineering Associations/Titles: Professional Engineer – Electrical Engineer, LC - Lighting Certified. Hometown: Sidney, NE. Education: Bachelor of Science – Architectural Engineering, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Masters of Architectural Engineering, University of Nebraska.

How I got into the business: I have two older brothers that both went into engineering in college, so when it came time for me to go to college, I followed in the family footsteps. Also doesn’t hurt that math and science tend to come naturally to me. Accomplishments or milestones: Passing both my and C e ams. lso being elected to our company’s Board of Directors. First job: Started my own cleaning business to clean my mom’s office building. Biggest career break: Being voted by my fellow co-workers to be a member of our company’s Board of Directors. The toughest part of the job: Learning

that perfection is not actually achievable and that that is okay. Also, learning how to manage the people in my department, which is a very different skill from engineering. The best advice I have received: The best advice I ever received was from my Grandmother that I am too smart to let being a girl stop me. Something else I’d like to accomplish: I would like to travel to every continent, so far have only made it to two of the seven. Also, would like to turn my side hustle cupcake business into an actual full-blown business although my fellow co-wor ers say ’m not allowed to leave the company to do so . Book I finished reading recently: “Girl, top pologizing” by achel ollis. How my business will change in the next decade: Technology advances and pushing to ma e buildings as energy efficient as possible. Mentor who has helped the most in

my career: Shaun Nienhueser, my brother. Having him in the same industry allows me to have a person that I can discuss our industry as a fellow member, but also be someone that knows me on a personal level since he has been stuck with me my whole life. Outside interests: Baking, dancing, sand volleyball, and anything that involves spending time with family in particular my three little nephews and friends. Pet peeves: People that are consistently negative or Debbie Downers. Favorite vacation spot: Colorado. Other careers I would like to try: I would LOVE to be a back up dancer for a touring musician/artist. Favorite movie: Pretty Woman. Favorite cause or charity: The Compassionate Friends. Favorite app: Instagram or Apple Podcasts.

Interested in being featured in the Business Minute? Email news@mbj.com for more information.

here,” eade said. “We also want them to understand that our program was designed by parents for parents. We place emphasis on safety and convenience.” In fact, Meade said the business offers free make-up classes if a student is unable to attend a scheduled lesson. He said the program promotes repetition and encourages children to attend classes weekly, year-round. While it has been challenging to establish brand awareness, Meade said he’s remained diligent by visiting local schools to provide safety and education presentations to students and parents with help from oldfish wim chool mascot, “ ubbles.” “A lot of folks have the misconception that children can’t learn much about water Continued on page 11.

Midlands Business Journal Established in 1975

Founded by Robert Hoig

ADMINISTRATION VP OF OPERATIONS, Andrea “Andee” Hoig

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

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

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

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

Written permission must be obtained from Midlands Business Journal and MBJ, Inc., to post any of our stories or other published materials on a website. Under no circumstances, because of spamming potential and other issues, will permission be granted to transmit our stories by email.

-The Publisher.

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

Dredge looks for innovative ways to build up students at Green Hills Area Education Agency by Dwain Hebda

Looking for new and innovative ways to help students reach their full potential, no matter what their learning style or ability, is the life calling of r. tephanie redge, field director at Green Hills Area Education Agency in Council Bluffs. It’s a goal Dredge, a native of Illinois, has chased since entering the field seven years ago. “It’s really interesting having the school psychology frame of mind and being administration,” she said. “As we talk about school psychology, that’s primarily set up to support students who are eligible for special education services; identifying those students, doing evaluations and working with schools and districts to develop a plan. “School psychology has been traditionally a custom-type of decision. You do your standardized assessments and decide if there’s a score low enough to qualify for services. I was quite a bit more progressive in that we use more of a problem-solving approach. Looking at our larger agency and what we’re doing in administration right now, is working to shift the lens of just identifying students for special education to looking at districts and buildings’ needs system-wide.” This shift to a multi-tiered system of support approach helps facilitate meaningful conversations with districts to determine if they have the right tools in place to support all students, Dredge said. Identified gaps can then be addressed programmatically or by enhancing training for instructors. “Where I would like to see that develop with school psychology is that school psychologists become less and less a testing place profession, but nationally we work more to

become those mental health providers as well,” she said. Dredge first got interested in the field while working on her undergraduate degree at Creighton University. “I was toying between counseling law and law and there was this intro to school psychology class that I took from the professor who is still one of my dear mentors today,” she said. “ t perfectly married my interests in working with kids and families and some of that legally driven policy and procedure. The more I dug into it, learned to love it.” Her career path solidified after working a summer gig with students in a residential center who had behavioral difficulties. Today, she continues to serve children with various learning challenges by dissecting and reassembling teaching pedagogy. “The end goal is to instruct students that have specialized needs in a way that they can cope or ueue into their own learning needs,” she said. “It’s also working with teachers to be able to have a classroom of upwards of kids sometimes and differentiate and scaffold to meet all of those needs. “What does that learning look like? I think nowadays we’re in such a fast-paced world, where information is flying at you from every angle, that our traditional educational systems are just not keeping up with the availability of information out there. When you have students who can go home and learn anything on YouTube in minutes and we’re still high-sta es testing and teaching to te tboo s, there’s a bit of a disconnect.” At the same time, Dredge said many schools are showing great ingenuity in creating teaching methods to help all students

2019

Proud Sponsors of the 2019 40 Under 40:

Field Director Dr. Stephanie Dredge … Aiming to offer problem solving approaches to psychology for students. reach their potential; innovation that includes to, ‘If you graduate to become a contributing member to society in whatever capacity that redefining academic success. “I think we’re going to start seeing edu- is, that’s what success is going to loo li e,’” cation get away from, ‘If you graduate and she said. “We still have a long way to go, but thin we’re well on our way there.” go to college that’s how you’re successful,’

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • LBJ Pages

Lincoln

BUSINESS Journal Pages

A monthly production by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

SCC’s Great Plains Culinary Institute plays role in attracting more students to restaurant careers by Michelle Leach

Since the Great Plains Culinary Institute at Southeast Community College in incoln got its start in early , enrollment in the culinary and hospitality program has grown substantially, with Program Director Rob Epps noting that the institute attracted more than four times the number of students in the fall than the fall before, and secured an additional boost in enrollment for fall . “We’ve always been able to take in a lot of students,” pps said. “ ut the thing is, people know that we’re here and they

see the facility. The economy is really good; unemployment in food service is below . o, it’s a great atmosphere for wor ing.” Furthermore, Epps noted that the program, prior to the multi-faceted institute at t., was spread across two different campuses. “And we were trying to teach classes out of ma eshift rooms,” he said. “ ow, we have a proper facility.” Notably, the institute added a restaurant alongside dedicated teaching labs and demonstration classrooms.

Program Director, Culinary/Hospitality Program Rob Epps … Off coffee shop expansion, home base for SCC program eyes addition of fermentation, butchery and convention space offerings. “We do lunches that are open to the they’re not wor ing hours a wee and public on the days when we’re in session,” get full benefits,” he said. “They get to Epps said. “Ninety percent of the people make real food. It’s not just taking it out of that are coming in are from the public, and the freezer. t’s fresh, high uality food.” are students and faculty on campus.” The program boasts an advisory board Moreover, this community support is of industry leaders in town that, Epps said, represented by the demand for its evening meets with them twice a year to discuss buffets and banquets, whereby students what’s going on locally and to help drive come up with their own recipes and menus. adjustments in curriculum as needed. “We sell tickets online to those evening “One of the biggest things is soft events, and we sell out,” he said for in- s ills,” he said. “ or the future, the feeling stance, in January, he noted an upcoming is that they would like to see the institute event had sold of its tic ets in a add a butchery program to train chefs to matter of two days. “People know we’re do butchery in restaurants, and to save here more, and the public in general is costs where they could be buying bigger e cited about it, and e cited to see the parts of the animal. That’s a big push, and students.” so is fermented foods, and breweries and Students are joined at the institute by distilleries. We see movement with that, merican Culinary ederation C -cer- and want to add space and opportunities tified instructors. for training.” “We try to make sure that students Arguably at the forefront of Epps’ wish understand this is the national standard,” list, however, is an on-campus convention pps said. “We meet or e ceed the stan- space for the community. One notable ofdards that are put out there for culinary fering was checked off of his list — Course schools and pastry chefs.” Ground Coffee. uch e pertise is paying off pps “Last semester one of the first things noted its placement rate for graduates with I thought of was that there was a need on the full associate’s degree is and has campus for a coffee shop,” he said. “ nd been over the last two years. I used to own a coffee shop and bakery “Ninety-some percent stay in the Lin- here in town.” coln area,” he said. “ ost of them will go Today, students are able to rotate into the independent restaurant scene. We through the shop, getting ba ery e pertise have some that like the chain restaurants, and knowledge on coffee. those styles and the full-time benefits. The Lincoln community has responded With our baking and pastry focus, some well, with Epps noting that they go through [graduates] are baking for grocery stores, hundreds of pounds of coffee. and we’ve had a couple who open their The Great Plains Culinary Institute is own ba eries.” one of the first projects that SCC completAdditional opportunities abound in the ed as part of its . million e pansion. present environment. The system initially hoped to take on a “Right now, especially with boomers number of projects across its -county retiring, there is a need for higher quality, area; however, this big bond issue didn’t made-from-scratch food at assisted living pass when put to a vote. and retirement communities — they’re “ t’s still going to happen,” pps said. knocking down the doors to talk to our “We’re just doing it in pieces over years, students, and they get paid very well, instead of all at once.”

Lincoln Real Estate - Page 5

LBJ Pages • Lincoln Real Estate •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

Lincoln Real Estate Real Estate A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal • February 21, 2020

Industrial leads the real estate industry as the strongest segment in Lincoln by Michelle Leach

Lincoln’s real estate industry is no stranger to headwinds e perienced by other markets across the country, but local professionals are largely remaining busy amid myriad projects and transactions despite ongoing construction cost- and labor-related pressures. “Overall, the commercial real estate market remains solid in incoln,” said NAI FMA Realty Vice President of Sales and LeasBall ing i e all. “ outlook indicates growth in the market and a thriving economy in incoln.” As referenced, Ball noted business growth might be constrained due to higher construction e penses and the “tight labor mar et.” “ ustained activity in the office mar et helped drive positive gains in occupancy and rental rates in ,” he said. “The vacancy rate is the lowest it’s been since at 8.6%, putting pressure on the availability of certain types of spaces.” The shortage of move-in suburban Class space is resulting in more “build-to-suit” or new construction to satisfy space needs. “Speculative construction is nearly non-e istent, unless there is a prior commitment from a tenant,” he said. But, Ball indicated, industrial is the shining star among the three property types, with a reported . vacancy. “Demand remains high while supply is limited,” he said. Ball noted industrial occupiers want yard space and taller building heights. “New product comes with a steeper rental rate,” he said. Office tenants desire modern spaces with nearby amenities, which Ball said give newer product the “competitive edge.” “Tenants want amenities such as a gym, on-site coffee, and shared community conference room,” he said. “ ffice users, employers and employees, still want open, collaborative spaces.” Retail-wise, Ball has seen a renewed round of retailer scale-backs and closings. So, landlords and investors are creatively repurposing big-bo stores and older properties. “Demand for food and beverage, med-

Maddie Martin, community manager at FUSE Coworking. ical and discount retailers were the biggest “soft” when compared to industrial, which driving forces for space,” he said. Froelich concurred is the “strongest segment U.S. Property President Monte Froeh- in incoln.” lich, who boasts a number of other businessHe referred to industrial rates; in some es, also had an overall healthy “ta e” on the cases, increasing from the “traditional” environment in Lincoln. -per-s uare-foot to or even per“Contractors are still very busy in spite square-foot. of increasing costs for construction,” he “Most of this is due to the cost of consaid. “ ow interest rates are helping.” struction and the need for more functional ffice was described as “decent” but space — higher ceiling heights, so more

product density can be achieved, which lowers labor costs,” roelich said. FUSE Coworking at the Haymarket has had no problem attracting tenants; in fact, at the time of this writing, Community Manager Maddie Martin said only one office suite was available. “And there has been quite a bit of interest,” she said. “What people like the most about working out of a coworking space is the fle ibility and options it gives a person.” Froehlich Those with offices who have their own spaces love to get out of the suite, conversing and connecting with others at FUSE, Martin said. “We also have a lot of amenities, like The Mill coffee and tea, free printing and already furnished offices that are attractive to people looking for a new place to work out of,” she said. all indicated office users loo ing for larger spaces in downtown Lincoln may want to consider Commerce Court at th and streets, which offers large floor-plans newly-renovated spaces of up to , square feet at the Terminal Building; and Continued on next page.

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• LBJ Pages • Lincoln Real Estate

Retail market is changing and retail space is changing with it by Dwain Hebda

National trends in retailing are having a noticeable effect on Lincoln’s retail community, say local real estate e perts. This is changing the thinking behind development and e pansion for the city’s merchants, from national chains to local storefronts. “Lincoln is a solid reflection of what is happening in retail across the country,” said Kent Thompson, president of Thompson ealty roup. “ arge bo es in strong areas are repositioning to new uses, while in weak areas they are sitting until ownership realizes that they must change usage. Changing use is very e pensive size needs, infrastructure changes, etc.” Thompson said while all retail is affected by consumers’ online habits, some players are more insulated than others. “Small retail must be internet-resistive — hair salon, nails, massage, doctor/ dentist, day care, etc.,” Thompson said. “Hot areas are where home growth is happening th as well as th and an ee

ill th and ast th and eighton. when planning developments, Perry said. These areas have maturing new residential, “ good e ample is eneral ental meaning built or strong growth, within the that we just finished this summer,” he said. last years.” “ he moved from th and Calvert and she le erry, director of dewas concerned about leaving her velopment for Perry Reid Propclients for a spot over on Yankee erties and partner at Perry Reid Hill Road. She was a little nerConstruction, agreed that roofvous about her clientele coming tops and retail are linked. Howwith her. ever, the roles of the chicken and “I made the argument that the egg are changing. not only will most of them “In a perfect world a bar, follow, but with the number of restaurant and a gas station are houses that are going up there, all right by the site that you she is going to see a better mi selected to build apartments of clients than she would have on,” he said. “With the need for ever had staying in her old place. Simon housing nowadays, the market Even though rooftops are just itself is driving it where apartments are coming in, you can definitely tell the move going up first. The ris is not as high for has set her up for success.” developers when you compare it to a retail Rob Simon, associate professor of or grocery store or restaurant.” practice at University of Nebraska-LinConsumers’ acceptance of destination coln, said retail stores have changed more retail is also changing previous thinking than their address and these shifts in thinkabout how speculative developers can be ing are dictating where stores are located.

“One of the smartest things Apple ever did when they started their retail stores, was offer an e perience as well as a product,” he said. “ ow well a company does that is a ey aspect on the physical side.” Simon said companies that get the e perience right are less restricted on where they can be located while retailers that simply sell merchandise likely won’t survive even in prime space. “Lots of retailing today isn’t what we remember from the Miller and Paine days where there’s tons of product,” he said. “It’s very specialized type retailing, a lot more localized in non-traditional settings. f you loo at maha’s ld ar et, that’s one e ample where those stores do really well. “Meanwhile, where it’s difficult right now, I think, is the larger malls. A lot of them are reconfiguring into being different things — housing, commercial buildings. I think the mall era is over in the U.S. There are going to be a few lu ury malls or a few value malls that are going to do well and that’s it.”

Industrial leads the real estate industry Continued from preceding page. , s uare feet of available space on the top floor of the ssurity uilding at th and streets . If one is in need of smaller spaces, Ball suggested the Federal Trust Building, which offers suites s uare feet and bigger. “ lsson is building a new office building at th and Canopy for office users wanting a modern, new space,” artin said. “ edical office users can find modern, amenity-rich space at ryan ealth’s uilding at th and streets and at the t. lizabeth edical ffice building along . th treet.” uild-to-suit options of up to , square feet, Ball said, are now available at ictory ar on the Campus near th and A streets. “Retailers looking for a well-established center with good traffic generators, the eridian Park development has highly visible space of up to , s uare feet in the middle of the center for lease,” he said. roelich said land along nterstate is attractive, especially on the east side. “Time to commute from Omaha is actually [less] than commuting from west Omaha to downtown maha,” he said. “With the new data center being built at th and - , this area will receive a lot of attention.” roelich also referred to the ta advantages associated with locating downtown, as businesses that locate in this “opportunity zone” can uality for incentives. Martin spotlighted FUSE’s conference rooms and event spaces, available for members and the community. “We have a lot of interest in the conference rooms for folks who want an offsite meeting to get their creative juices flowing,” she said. “Our event spaces are great for after-hour wee end occasions.” FUSE is growing as more people learn about the benefits of cowor ing, artin said in-house events allow for people to meet and make connections with others, and Lincoln as a vibrant community “really does support each other.”

LBJ Pages • Lincoln Real Estate •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

Residential market is strong in Lincoln low interest rates, which e acerbates the by Gabby Christensen As interest rates continue to remain problem of continued low inventory.” With the recent scare in U.S. and low, real estate professionals say the Linforeign markets over the Coronavirus, he coln residential market is staying strong. said interest rates have plunged down even Scott Wolf, broker/owner of Wolf Professional Realty PC, said property values farther making it even more attractive for have been gaining steadily for almost a homebuyers to want to jump into home ownership. decade. “Although home values have “Properties are selling continued to rise, the pace has quickly, and often above the absolutely slowed making it a listing price,” Wolf said. decent time for buyers to take The most competitive price advantage,” ulse said. range is under , , and Like any other industry, it’s not uncommon for a house real estate has been affected by to sell in one day. fraud. “n , when first started “With the number of ‘scamin real estate, a two-stall garage mers’ growing and their methwas the norm and a three-stall ods ever changing, it is more was a lu ury,” he said. “ ow important than it ever has been Wolf we’re seeing four, five and si to be working with an actual stall garages.” Additionally, Wolf said technology has professional when buying or selling real become very affordable over the years and estate,” he said. Recently, Amy Fredrick, Realtor/owner the average person can now have elements of Home Smart Realty, said many millenof a smart home. Brad Hulse, general manager/broker nials are not wanting to purchase homes. “Renting is easier and new house prices at Lincoln First Realty, said inventory can be e pensive,” redric said. “This remains e tremely low for both residential is sad to me because I just had a young homes and new construction. “Many sellers are choosing to remain couple buy a home three years ago and it in their homes and/or delay the upgrade needed some work, but they were able to to a different home because of the his- live in it and fi it up over the years. They torically low interest rates for the past just sold their house a few months ago for , profit and were able to use that -plus years,” ulse said. “ owever, a with the recent trend of new construction as a down payment for a much larger and in the multi-family sector and investment newer home. I wish the younger generation property ownership, many current renters would see the possibilities in real estate have the desire to also take advantage of and not be afraid of them.”

Amy Fredrick, Realtor/owner of Home Smart Realty. Right now, she said Lincoln is in the She said this would put many STR process of trying to set up regulations for owners out of business. short term rentals. According to Fredrick, STRs will be a “Since LB57 was passed, many land- huge asset for the city of Lincoln and limlords that used to rent to long-term ten- iting them will take away from the City’s ants are now trying the short-term rental appeal and tourism. T mar et and are seeing much sucOverall, she said the real estate market cess and more benefits,” redric said. is strong and homes are appreciating. “The city wants to regulate STRs which “If rates stay low, I can see the market many owners are OK with, but the main staying strong for several years,” she said. issue is that one of the regulations might “If you are able to purchase a home, now be that your STR must be your prima- is the time and investing in real estate is ry residence for at least si months of always a great move if the conditions work the year.” for you.”

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• LBJ Pages • Lincoln Real Estate

Consumers, real estate professionals benefit from creation of regional Multiple Listing Service by Michelle Leach

Nebraska’s two largest Multiple Listing Services have joined forces to create a larger, regional MLS with big implications for real estate professionals, the consumers that they serve, and the area’s industry. or ealtors ssociation of incoln ecutive Vice President Kyle Fischer, the merger of Lincoln’s Midlands MLS Inc. and Great lains ealtors nc. reflects a “natural progression” of things. “In Lincoln, the idea of a regionalized MLS was discussed as early as and, uite fran ly, it was already happening, but on a much smaller scale,” he said, noting its wholly-owned subsidiary, Midlands MLS, incorporated York Realtors into its formerly standalone system in . “ t that time, idlands already had brokers entering listings from parts of Gage, Cass and Otoe Counties. While Midlands MLS was undergoing this e pansion, tal s began about a larger, regional MLS with the Omaha Area Board of Realtors, who were already providing service to Fremont, Nebraska, the reater maha area and parts of owa.”

maha rea oard of ealtors President Susan Clark characterized the Lincoln and Omaha Midlands Regional Commercial Information change C as the “first joint venture” for the two MLS services, which led to efforts for a joint Regional MLS three years ago. Clark referenced a wealth of steps required to make the regional service happen — from governance and structure, to conversion of data from Fischer two separate MLS vendors, and user communication the system was new for a fourth of its total users . Despite significant behind-the-scenes efforts, Fischer noted the new entity was operating within months of their first meeting with the OABR — incredibly quick, especially when compared to some other such efforts across the country.

“ t has been a real cooperative effort,” he said. “I want to publicly thank all of the volunteers involved for their desire to cooperate and accomplish something special.” This special something evolved out of rapid, technology-driven change. “ M L S ’s w e r e small and local in the early days,” ischer e plained. “They began as books or binders with -by- notecards hand-written or typed on typewriters.” Clark One’s local MLS published weekly books and updates — an incredibly tedious feat. “Computers, smartphones and cloud-based services have made searching for real estate listings a global process,” he said. “The leading brokers in Nebraska looked at each other and said, ‘Why are we letting arbitrary geographical boundaries get in the way of providing the

largest selection of properties for clients ’” Clark also noted the merger was driven by “national trends toward consolidation, not only in the [real estate] industry but across industries.” ischer said the “real winners” are the consumers. “That is what this business is all about, service to the public,” he said. “ n the beginning, we were very clear in our goals. We got together and formed the new partnership to allow cooperation between any Realtor that wanted to participate and subscribe to the service. Clients who use Realtors that are part of Great Plains Regional MLS have access to a vast amount of properties for sale and e pose their properties to a vast number of potential buyers.” Clark, too, referred to the near-term removal of “artificial boundaries,” and how the regional MLS presents opportunities for “consistent data” and “easier search.” eal estate professionals ali e are benefiting, she said, from the “cost savings for paying only one ,” “more access to data and resources” and the “ability to integrate better tools for agents, due to the cost efficiency of more users.” Long term, Fischer said, the merger brings sustainability to MLS users. “The business is changing every day,” he said. “There are new vendors with new products coming on line every day. Our buying power is stronger as a region and our voice is louder. The Realtors Association of Lincoln is celebrating years in . believe starting down this path today ensures we will be around for another years.” Clark said, over the long term, the new allows for “more efficiency, relevance and fle ibility to adjust to a constantly-evolving industry … better for both consumers and real estate professionals.” The industry is thinking big. “Technology is shrinking boundaries every day,” ischer said. “ o thin we will see a nationwide MLS someday? Probably not. The nuances of properties and how they are marketed is different in Florida versus Nebraska. There’s just no way to modify that data, so you get an ‘apples-to-apples’ comparison; however, I think people would readily say properties in Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri carry enough similarities to be marketed together, and one day we may see regional MLS’s that carry several states.” Clark, too, noted the GPRMLS is keeping a pulse on these broader, regional and industrywide developments. n all, around , users and , -plus listings reportedly span counties in ebras a and Iowa.

MBJ SUBSCRIBERS

Do you have an address/ contact change? For your convenience you can now update your records by simply emailing any new info to subscriptions@mbj.com or navigating directly to our website and filling out an update form.

LBJ Pages • Lincoln Real Estate •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

Many Lincoln renovation projects to be completed over the next two years by David Kubicek

Downtown Lincoln is a hotbed of renovation activity, from repurposing older buildings to updating newer ones. To d d O g d e n , president and CEO of Downtown Lincoln Association, said the city recently completed its aster lan. “We’re thrilled the area continues to grow with several planned current and future developments in the core of our city,” he said. Ogden The Gold’s Building on th and streets was purchased by Florida developer and former University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate Gerard J. Keating, president and CEO of Keating Resources, who plans to renovate the south side for state office space and the north side for a hotel. Originally built as Gold’s Department Store, the building later housed a Brandeis store and most recently was a mi of offices and retailers. “Keating Resources is converting the si -story , -s uare-foot tower, which was built in , to a -room arriott esidence nn with , s uare feet of event space at a total cost of million and updating the four-story , -s uare-foot office tower,” Keating said. The office tower is leased by the State of Nebraska with new windows, HVAC, bathrooms and other amenities at a cost of million. There is no official timetable yet for

this project. Ogden said that The Drury Development group plans to buy the Lincoln Journal Star production facility on th and streets and

Keating Petersen build one of their hotels on that location, but as yet there is no official timeline for the project. Trinitas Ventures, the developer of the 8N Lofts Downtown, has a deal with the Lincoln ournal tar office space on treet, with plans to develop a -story apartment comple but has set no official timeline for this project. Campion evelopment is planning a million, seven-story, student housing development at th and streets on the former ed and P.O. Pears site. “The developer hopes to start construction this spring and have the project completed by the school year,” gden said. The State of Nebraska plans to develop a . million office and par ing building on its Capitol’s geothermal wellfield at th and K streets. This building, which would include two floors of state office space and over par ing stalls, is e pected to be completed by

the summer of . Wor has begun on the -room oliday nn press at th and streets, which is projected to open in arch . The entire project is million, with million in ta increment financing T approved by the City Council. The million lsson e pansion, including . million in T , is e pected to be completed early this year. The four-story office building, directly south of the firm’s current

head uarters at t., includes , s uare feet of office and , s uare feet of retail space. The th and streets housing project will have apartments across three buildings , and treet. Total cost will be . million with , e pected to come from TIF. “Construction on the project would begin in Continued on next page.

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• LBJ Pages • Lincoln Real Estate

First-time homebuyers have plenty of financing options, if they can find a home by Dwain Hebda

Lincoln homebuyers have a range of financing options for purchasing their dream home provided they can find one. imited inventory is providing major challenges to many would-be homeowners, say e perts. “Low inventory and rising home prices are increasing the average age of first-time homebuyers,” said i e arrett, vice president and manager of mortgage lending for Cornhusker Bank. “We are still seeing house prices appreciate. There is a lot of demand and little supply under , with the mar et very hot at , and below. “The average age of a first-time homebuyer is about , which has increased over the last decade. The largest segment of the market is in

the

to age range.” Barrett strongly recommends borrowers get pre-qualified for financing in order to move quickly when the right home does open up. He said there are a number of financing options to look at, as well. “Freddie Mac and Barrett Fannie Mae have nice alternatives to loans with down conventional loans that are attractive,” he said. “These programs offer discounted mortgage insurance if the borrower meets certain income

and credit parameters.” Kevin Shelter, Wells Fargo branch manager, said his bank offers options geared especially for the first-timer. “One special program we developed is called YourFirst Mortgage. It’s a loan option for homebuyers that Young allows for a down payment on a fi ed-rate loan,” he said. “While you don’t have to be a first-time buyer to ualify, the loan program offers a number of features that are attractive to buyers trying to save for that

first home. “Customers also become eligible to receive a closing cost credit when they complete an approved homebuyer education course.” Shelter said one emerging trend with local homebuyers is that borrowers are more informed and educated about the process than in previous years. “ ast year, appro imately of our customers were first-time homebuyers in the incoln mar et,” he said. “ n general, we have noticed that today’s borrowers are very well informed about the lending process. Most of the millennial customers we encounter prefer the digital e perience as they can complete the application online on their own terms and timeframe. “While the digital e perience seems to be the strong preference with millennials, there are still customers who prefer to meet face to face and we’re able to assist customers on this level too.” Those struggling to afford buying a home should check out the Nebraska Investment inance uthority . The organization wor s with ualified individuals in the home buying process. “There are two things for the first-time homebuyer where our program really adds value,” said ac i oung, chief homeownership officer at . “ ne of the values of getting a NIFA loan is it typically provides a lower interest rate than what the regular market can provide. “The other benefit, and this is our flagship program, is called Home Buyer Assistance program, or HBA program. It provides down payment and closing costs assistance.” NIFA programs have some eligibility requirements, including income and the price of the home in question. The majority of clients served have been in urban areas, but NIFA serves homebuyers statewide. “Since our inception, we have helped over , homebuyers in ebras a,” oung said. “But we haven’t done this alone; we have very strong partnerships with lending institutions and real estate agents who are working directly with our customers. “You have to be an approved lender to offer a NIFA loan. And the real estate agents we work with have completed a class; we call those NIFA specialists because they’ve been trained and they’re well-educated in our program.”

Renovation projects to be completed Continued from page 9. spring or summer, with the first units available to rent ne t year,” gden said. Last year, Chief Construction replaced an MRI machine in CHI Health Saint Elizabeth’s radiology department. “The MRI had to go through the roof of the building,” roject anager Tyler etersen said. “The roof had to be opened up and a crane was used to take the old one out and put the new one in, so it was a little more comple project.” In January the firm completed a , -s uare-foot, three floor office remodel of Cline Williams in the U.S. Bank building downtown. The remodel included tearing the e isting space down to the studs, some rewiring, redoing some plumbing, and reconfiguring office spaces, according to the firm’s website.

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

States adopt ‘bring baby to work’ plans but lag on paid leave by Elaine S. Povich

Courtney ’ rien’s tiny office at the ermont Department of Transportation building a few miles from the state capital city of Montpelier looks like a mashup between a nursery Workplace and a workspace. That’s because it is. On a recent weekday morning, O’Brien, , clic ed a computer eyboard with one hand while cradling her -month-old son in the other. SUPER CROSSWORD

“I’ve gotten really good at typing with one hand,” she said. The baby, whose name she didn’t want published, was quiet, almost asleep, as she worked. As his eyes closed, she gently turned from the computer and settled him into a portable crib. Her pace picked up. “I better get some wor done while he’s asleep,” she said, quickly bringing up the day’s documents. he said the baby “has been a dream” mostly, sometimes even sleeping through conference calls. “There’s not many days when he’s fussy,” she said. But on those days, she might have to SHALL I COMPARE THEE?

take him down the hall to her supervisor, who has agreed to be a backup caregiver, should O’Brien have to get on the phone or go to a meeting. n the tiny office, a portable crib is just one piece of equipment. A play mat with a mobile above it is tuc ed on the floor along the other wall, a child safety seat sits on a sturdy cabinet, and nursing e uipment, e tra clothes, diapers and a bag with toys are stuffed into corners. There’s a curtain over the small window in the door — for breast-feeding privacy and to allow O’Brien to dim the lights when her little one naps. The United States is the only industrialized country in the world without a paid family leave policy, according to a study in the journal Milbank Quarterly. The District of Columbia and a handful of states have paid leave policies, however. But not Vermont. Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, vetoed a paid family leave bill late last month that would have allowed new parents the chance to develop family bonds at home for wee s while still receiving a paychec . The Vermont House fell just short of overriding the governor’s veto this month, voting - to override, one away from the needed. cott is putting in place a partially paid si week family leave program for state workers, which private companies could opt into. Meanwhile, O’Brien, a human resources administrator, and other state workers in Vermont can take advantage of a new program that allows parents to bring their infants to the office if bosses and co-wor ers agree. ut that program e pires when the baby turns 6 months old. The aim of the year-old program is to ease new parents’ transition back to work. But there are restrictions. The environment must be safe for the child, a co-worker must agree to babysit if the employee has to go to a meeting or has to step away for another reason, and the employee’s supervisor has to sign on. Collegiality is the key. Supervisors try to accommodate workers who want to move their

Goldfish Swim School

Answers on page 12.

Continued from page 2. or swimming at such a young age, but that’s not true at all,” eade said. “ t’s actually a lot easier to teach a kid to become comfortable in water at an earlier age.” Recently, he said the American Academy of Pediatrics revised recommendations on swim lessons for children, stating that children can benefit from lessons as young as the age of . According to Meade, the Olympic Swim Trials, which will take place in Omaha this summer, will help to bring even more focus on the industry. Meade has plans to accommodate even more families in the area with an overall goal to reduce the number of drowning cases each year. At the moment, the facility employs staff members, but eade e pects that number to double or triple as the business continues to grow. “For me, the best part is watching the children transform and develop their s ills,” he said. “ ome ids come to us who are a bit timid, but then they become confident and e cited about getting in the water. t’s e traordinary to see the progress every week and we are glad to offer these vital lessons.”

desks because they are unhappy with the possibility of an intermittently crying baby nearby, according to Dan Pouliot, deputy commissioner of human resources in Vermont. “ ur e perience is that the novelty factor wears out after about - hours and everything goes bac to normal,” ouliot said. However, Pouliot said he knew of at least one employee who traded desks with a colleague to get farther away from a little interloper. He said parents have ta en advantage of the program in the year it has been in place. State governments in Arizona, Kansas, Nevada, North Dakota and Washington allow some version of the babies in the workplace program. rizona has hosted nearly babies in state agency offices, according to the governor’s office. New Hampshire began accepting paperwork this month for its program, but no one has gone through the process yet, said Ben Vihstadt, a spokesman for Republican Gov. Chris Sununu. ore than private companies and nonprofits also sponsor babies in the wor place programs, according to Massachusetts-based Parenting in the Workplace Institute, a national organization that tracks and advocates for the programs. Supporters say baby-to-work programs help parents balance their work and family responsibilities. But critics say they can allow public and private sector employers to sidestep more substantial benefits. “This kind of policy is a stopgap for more fundamental solutions like affordable child care, or family and medical leave, and not asking parents to ma e moment-to-moment tradeoffs between the child who may need their attention and the work that they are trying to do a good job at,” said essica ason, senior policy analyst at the National Partnership for Women and Families, which supports family leave policies. “It’s always great if employers want to innovate and try out new things,” she said, “as long as we don’t confuse it with the bigger picture of supporting all families.” In New Hampshire, the local chapter of the Service Employees International Union, which represents state workers, slammed the small-bore nature of the program and called it fundamentally unfair. “Granite Staters need real solutions, Gov. Sununu comes forward with photo opportunities,” said ichard ulla, the union chapter’s president, in a statement emailed to Stateline. “Setting aside that this policy isn’t even applicable to many state employees, this policy reads like a half-baked substitute for a much-needed paid family leave plan for ranite taters.” State employees who often toil outside the office, such as child welfare wor ers and bridge inspectors, don’t have jobs suitable for bringing infants along, nor do employees who travel between offices. Sununu spokesman Vihstadt said in an email that more than state wor ers have as ed to bring their infants into the workplace, an indication that interest in the program is more than cosmetic. In California, the state legislature overwhelmingly approved a babies in the workplace bill for state employees, but Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, vetoed it in October. He said the bill as written could e pose the state to a “high level of risk of lawsuits and should be handled administratively or through collective bargaining.” tate officials this year have begun tal ing Continued on next page.

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Look to apprenticeships to jump into hot jobs like skilled manufacturing by Dee DePass

Eight years ago, Justin Vandevoort was working in a glass factory when he applied for a much more advanced job at MRG Tool & Die in Faribault, Minn. “My interview was like ‘The Gong Show,’ ” the -year-old said. The interviewer as ed if he knew how to use different types of machines, and he careers continually said no but he was willing to learn. Yet Vandevoort was persistent. “I kept calling bac and bugging them,” he said. That hustle impressed MRG President Rod Gramse and won Vandevoort not only the job, but three consecutive MRG training programs that gave him the skills to run the company’s waterjet cutter and the thundering punch presses that make high-precision industrial parts for autos, planes, medical devices and agricultural equipment. Last month, he graduated from MRG’s -month leadership apprenticeship program and was named MRG’s new pressman leader. He’s replacing supervisor Ben Froman, who is retiring after years. andevoort is one of innesota’s , workers who gained industry credentials and new s ills with the help of , state apprenticeship or training grants offered to employers in manufacturing, information technology, health care and agriculture. Driving the change is not only more state investment but also employers’ needs to replace aging workers at a time when unemployment

has been at historic lows. The programs are desperately needed as innesota employers struggle to fill , jobs amid soaring baby boomer retirements and a swelling skills gap, said Jacqueline Buck, employer services director at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic evelopment . For those who are seeking skilled manufacturing and other jobs that need e tra training — which employers across the state say are going unfilled because of lac of ualified workers — there are several avenues to tap into apprenticeship opportunities. Training programs often last one to three years and can cost , to , per person. However, training costs are often covered at least partly by employers or unions. Job seekers need to ask. Most of the industrial trainees in the state are beneficiaries of grant programs administered by DEED, particularly the Pipeline and Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative programs. The state grants and training like the ones Vandevoort used let workers earn a paycheck while they learn the job. The idea is that workers get regular pay increases as they pass a skill set or meet classroom hour goals, Buck said. Buck suggests that job seekers contact companies directly to learn if they still have trainee slots. , which hired and trained ine perienced wor ers in five years, joined the innesota Apprenticeship Initiative program two years ago and now gets a , grant to help defray

the cost of training that can reach , per apprentice, Gramse said. , which hired an outside firm to run in-house training, has two apprenticeships. One teaches management skills. The other trained workers like Derrik Richardson to operate machining robots that mill chunky metal blocks into auto and airplane parts. Nearby in Faribault, companies such as Sage Electrochromics, Daikin Americas and Saint-Gobain took a different approach, using Pipeline grants from Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and community colleges to train workers in skills such as welding, electrical work and machining. Buck said the chronic labor shortage has propelled the state and employers to do more to showcase its training grants and partnership programs. Last year’s stepped-up outreach really helped hiring numbers. As of last year, Metro Transit’s apprenticeship program attracted and trained innesotans to become certified bus drivers. It’s looking to hire more apprentices as a way to address a severe driver shortage, Buck said. Viracon in Owatonna, Minn., which made the building glass for U.S. Bank Stadium and the One World Trade Center, hired four apprentices and is looking for two more. Owens Corning in Minneapolis, Spectro Alloys Corp. in Rosemount and Aero Design and Manufacturing in Duluth also hired apprentices for multiyear training. Company trainees and state-sponsored apprenticeships enrolled in formal certified pro-

States adopt ‘bring baby to work’ plans but lag on paid leave Continued from preceding page. about how to handle such a program, according to ewsom’s office. In Vermont, supporters of paid family leave laws see babies in the office as a complementary step, rather than a substitute. Opponents of broad family leave laws also view the two as separate. aying for family leave is e pensive and controversial. Last year Scott introduced a voluntary paid leave program to give ermont’s , state employees si wee s of paid leave. espite a lack of support from the legislature, Scott and the state employees’ union negotiated the paid leave policy in the latest contract. Those workers would form a pool for an insurance company, spokeswoman Rebecca Kelley said in an email, and the state is accepting bids from insurance companies to run the program. Private businesses could choose to join the program. State Rep. Robin Scheu, a Democrat who championed the paid family leave bill, described the baby program as a “defensive measure to hold off paid family leave.” Vermont state Rep. Patricia McCoy, a Republican who opposed the family leave bill, said it wouldn’t have been fair to workers who would have been assessed a fee to support the program but would not have ualified for it. art-time wor ers, for e ample, may not wor enough hours to ualify. “It takes money out of their paychecks that they will never be able to access,” she said. “That was a stumbling block for us in the House, along with the fact that the self-employed are not eligible.” he supports the governor’s voluntary plan for state workers. A half-dozen states — California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Washington — plus the District of Columbia, have paid family leave laws, ranging from four to wee s and covering varying numbers

of workers. With or without paid family leave, some workers opt to bring their newborns to work in the states that allow it. Ryan Darling, a construction paving engineer who works in White River Junction, Vermont, brings his baby, Mason, to work with him under the program. Sometimes family members can watch Mason while Ryan and his wife, annah, both , are at wor , but ason’s around enough that he has become a fi ture. During an interview in Darling’s spare cubicle, a co-wor er dropped by just to say, “ i.” ason, 5 months old, didn’t seem to mind. Darling said it’s delightful being able to bring his id with him. n added benefit is that Ryan’s dad, Melvin, also works at the facility and can drop by frequently, though he’s in the shop and on the road a lot. Neither is a good place for little ones. Darling said the best part of the program is “being able to see him during the day and watching his new tric s.” ut he conceded it’s gotten harder to have the baby around as he’s grown older: He sleeps less and makes more noise. Both Darling and O’Brien have made day care plans for their infants after their eligibility in the program ends when the kids are 6 months old. It will be another adjustment for both parents and kids. Darling said he got started a little late with the babies program because he was initially out on construction projects in the summer and fall. Winter means more indoor work, which is better for babies. “I wasn’t going to take him out on a construction project,” arling said. “Traveling hundreds of miles a day is no life for a baby.” O’Brien said at first she was skeptical about bringing her son to the office, but “the closer we got to coming bac to wor the more I felt this was a good opportunity, not just for me but also for the department.” ut, she said, “Having a small human around is not

grams usually get a mi of on-the-job learning and classroom instruction that lasts to months. They give workers industry-recognized credentials along with raises, career direction and newfound loyalty, Buck said. They can also help employers address production backlogs and speed up growth. generates roughly million in revenue and is growing about a year. t could grow faster — “I have more machines than I have the people to operate them,” ramse said. “The limitation is finding the right s illed people to eep the machines set up and running.” Annie Welch, who runs the state’s Dual Training Pipeline Grant Program, said the state is rolling out more grants to help employers get more workers in the door. Last June, Minnesota’s Department of abor and ndustry awarded employers new “ ipeline” job-training grants worth . million. The funds allowed another wor ers and new hires to get paid while working, training and ta ing college classes in the fields of manufacturing, health care, IT and agriculture. Unli e certified apprenticeships that end with workers having industry-recognized degrees and certifications, the ipeline grants help employers provide on-the-job training needed to advance careers inside factory or health care or IT settings. With the newest round of grants, the number of ipeline trainees grew to , since the program’s creation in . Participating Pipeline employers include Standard Iron and Wire Works in Monticello, Alliance Machine in Elk River, Iron River Construction in Chaska, Jones Metal in Mankato, Standard Iron and Wire Works in Monticello and Yeager Machine in Norwood Young America. ©2020 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

Puzzle on page 11.

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

From toys to Teslas, China’s coronavirus disrupts flow of global business by James F. Peltz and David Pierson

Like many other American staples and lu uries, . . . urprise dolls are made in China. Chatseconomy worth-based MGA Entertainment has them manufactured in Guangdong province, trucked to the port in Yantian Harbor, loaded on ships and brought to the United States, where the popular toys are distributed to retailers and scooped up by eager children. The process went smoothly for years. Then the coronavirus outbreak hit, and the supply chain stuttered. The situation is “a disaster, fran ly,” Chief ecutive saac arian said. Production of his company’s toys has dropped compared with this period last year. To get by, he said, he is filling only partial toy orders — “if a retailer wants , pieces, we’re giving them , or , .” Businesses of all stripes nationwide are feeling pain from the coronavirus outbreak, which has illed , people and infected more than , others worldwide, mostly in China. Activity at Chinese factories has slowed or stopped. Fewer cargo ships from China are docking at Southern California ports. Chinese visitors’ spending in Los Angeles could plunge nearly billion this year. U.S. shoppers might start seeing items missing from store shelves as early as midApril, analyst Edward J. Kelly of Wells Fargo Securities said in a note to clients last wee . ig-bo retailers such as Walmart and Target “could be the first to e perience out-of-stoc issues” because they restoc more quickly, he wrote. Larian, however, fears the virus could “cause a major downturn on the whole consumer-goods business — electronics, shoes, apparel.” The timing of the outbreak was key because workers at Chinese plants had returned to their hometowns for two weeks to celebrate the unar ew ear on an. , and “now they’re stuck, they cannot come bac to the factories” because of uarantines, Larian said. “Some of the factories that did open can’t get raw materials, like fabric and plastics, to make the products. And if they can make products, they can’t get them on the road to the ships because the quarantines mean you can’t travel from one area to another,” he said. Rival toymaker Mattel Inc. also cited that problem Friday in announcing that its Chinese factories and those of its contract partners, which were supposed to restart production eb. , would stay shut until Monday. “We do e pect production delays,” Mattel Chief Financial Officer Joseph Euteneuer said on a call with analysts. “While none of our manufacturing is located in the Wuhan province” where the coronavirus outbreak started, “the ability of the manufacturing workforce to return to work after the Lunar New Year holiday is being impacted.” One of those workers is Li Jianchao, who works in a factory that makes stuffed animals and dolls in the southern Chinese

city of ongguan but traveled to the iang i province in central China, miles away, for the holiday. For the last few weeks, he’s had no luck contacting his boss about returning to work. “ t first, he said he would get bac to us when he knew he could resume the operation,” i said. “Then he stopped ta ing anyone’s phone calls.” It’s a problem felt across industries. Apple Inc.’s manufacturing partners, such as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., also nown as o conn, imposed uarantines on workers returning from the holiday this month, causing a halt in device assembly operations. “We see that the number of virus cases don’t seem to be ebbing,” said errit Schneemann, senior smartphone analyst at the research firm ar it. “ t feels li e this will continue on at least for a couple more wee s.” The delays “will be a shock to the system and disrupt the supply chain further for Apple on both its core iPhone franchise and AirPods unit production, which is already facing a short supply,” analyst an ves of Wedbush Securities said in a recent note. China ma es of the world’s smartphones and tablets and it e ports of the world’s handsets and computers, according to research from the Swiss bank UBS. Earlier this month Facebook Inc. stopped taking new orders for its back-ordered Oculus Quest virtual reality headset due to delays in hardware production from the viral outbreak. Amazon.com urged Chinese third-party sellers on its Marketplace section to alert buyers of the likely disruption of orders and to consider setting their status to vacation mode to avoid incurring poor customer ratings, according to messages to sellers viewed by The Times. Qualcomm Inc., the San Diego-based chip manufacturing giant, warned shareholders on an earnings call that the virus had introduced “significant uncertainty” into the company’s overseas supply chain, with Chief ecutive teve ollen opf calling the outbreak an “unprecedented situation.” Chui Yin Chau, a virtual and augmented reality industry analyst with Greenlight Insights, said there was no clear end in sight to the turmoil. “When we talk to manufacturers, they cannot give an estimate” of when they might be able to return to full production capacity, Chau said. “Most of them are starting to resume production this week, but it still depends on many, many e ternal factors, so they cannot guarantee anything.” The effect on supply chains e tends to the Port of Los Angeles — along with the dockworkers, truck drivers and the vast warehouse and distribution network that rely on it — all of which already had been disrupted in recent months by the U.S.-China trade war, said Gene Seroka, the port’s e ecutive director. He estimated that overall, there would be fewer sailings of ships from China to the United tates, and , fewer shipping containers received, in the coming weeks. The number of cargo containers received at the twin ports of Los Angeles and ong each would drop by one-fifth.

The virus also means fewer Chinese people are visiting Southern California. Tourism conomics, a division of ford Economics, forecasts a loss of up to , Chinese visitors to os ngeles this year owing to the outbreak, resulting in a drop of million in direct spending. But overall visitor spending in L.A. is still e pected to rise. ore than , people were scheduled to converge on arcelona, pain, ne t week for the world’s largest phone show, Mobile World Congress, but that event was canceled Wednesday due to the virus. David Schwartz, a gaming historian and history professor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said the effect of the coronavirus outbreak on Las Vegas is still unclear and that a better read will come in March when detailed data on gambling spending for January and February will be released. He said spending on Baccarat, a card game favored by Chinese gamblers, will be telling. “The question is if it spreads, does it lead to a shift in travel behavior,” he said. “If it is contained and goes away pretty uic ly, it’s not going to be a big impact.” Some of Las Vegas’ biggest casino owners, such as Wynn Resorts, Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts International, may suffer the biggest blows because they also own resorts in Macau, an autonomous region of China where casinos have been shuttered. Americans, meanwhile, are cutting back on travel for fear of infection. Travel eaders etwor , a group of , travel agencies in North America, said it surveyed nearly travel advisers and found that about one-third reported a high to moderate number of cancellations to China and other parts of Asia. broad swath of U. . firms that sell goods and services in China also are losing sales due to the virus. McDonald’s Corp., Nike Inc. and Starbucks Corp. already have closed scores of stores in China. The apparel firm Under rmour Inc. said the outbreak would cause its sales to drop by million to million. The footwear maker Skechers USA nc. also reported “a significant number of temporary store closures” and said its comparable store sales in China — or those of stores open at least a year — were “below average.” Walt Disney Co. has temporarily shut down its theme parks in Shanghai and ong ong, which is e pected to cut million from its second-quarter operating income. The coronavirus also has effectively shut down mainland China’s booming cinema industry, with almost all theaters in the country closed, and Chinese and U.S. studios have felt the effects of the pause. During the Spring Festival holiday, which ran an. through eb. , bo -office sales totaled about . million, down nearly from . billion the same holiday period a year ago, according to Artisan Gateway, a consultancy that follows the Chinese film industry. For studios outside China, including Hollywood companies that often rely on the country’s massive population to pad results for their movies, the market has virtually

vanished temporarily due to the outbreak. mported films have grossed a mere . million at Chinese theaters so far this year, down from the same period in , according to Artisan Gateway data. Tesla Inc., meanwhile, shut down its new Shanghai assembly plant from Feb. to eb. , but it’s unclear how much production has resumed. The Fremont automa er was aiming to build , electric cars at the facility this year. “It is unknown whether and how global supply chains, particularly for automotive parts, may be affected if such an epidemic persists for an e tended period of time,” Tesla said in its newly issued annual report. Overall, the virus will disrupt production of at least million vehicles across the industry, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said. Even if the outbreak stabilized today, “it’s probably three weeks before you get real visibility” on its effect on the carma ers “and everyone has their own plans to either throttle down or ramp up capacity,” said Dan Hearsch, a managing director at the consulting firm li artners. Earlier this month, European commercial aircraft maker Airbus temporarily closed a final assembly line for its aircraft in Tianjin, China, but the company said Thursday it had been authorized by Chinese authorities to reopen the line. Airbus did not specify when it would restart or how the closure affected its business. “Airbus is constantly evaluating the situation and monitoring any potential secondary effects to production and deliveries and will try to mitigate via alternative plans where necessary,” irbus said. Due to tight government regulations, the U.S. aerospace industry does not typically import components from China, though materials from China can be made into parts elsewhere in the world and eventually used in U.S. planes and other vehicles. Peltz reported from Los Angeles and Pierson from Singapore. Times staff writers Hugo Martin, Ronald D. White, Ryan Faughnder, Russ Mitchell, Sam Dean, Suhauna Hussain and Samantha Masunaga contributed to this report. Nicole Liu of The Times’ Beijing bureau contributed to this report. ©2020 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

MBJ SUBSCRIBERS

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

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

AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), KHALIA BRADLEY You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 11/12/2019 on Case Number CI19-25571, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $3,225.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 4/06/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 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 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 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 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 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

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

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 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

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

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES 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 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 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CRUSE CONTROL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 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 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF FKLJ VENTURES, LLC Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act, the Certificate of Organization of FKLJ VENTURES, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”) has been amended to change the name of the Company to KJ CROSSROADS VENTURE, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nebraska on February 12, 2020. In all other respects, the Certificate of Organization remains unchanged. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 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

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • 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 SCHMIT LAW FIRM, LLC 1243 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 7 Papillion, Nebraska 68046 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Afro Swag Media & Magazine Name of Applicant: Business Seals Consulting Firm, LLC Address: 7229 Edna Ct., La Vista, NE 68128 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: October 2019 General nature of business: Media & Magazine ANGELA SCHMIT Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 21, 2020 SCHMIT LAW FIRM, LLC 1243 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 7 Papillion, Nebraska 68046 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: ND KICKS Name of Applicant: Business Seals Consulting Firm, LLC Address: 7229 Edna Ct., La Vista, NE 68128 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: October 2019 General nature of business: Footwear, Apparel, Clothing ANGELA SCHMIT Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 21, 2020 SCHMIT LAW FIRM, LLC 1243 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 7 Papillion, Nebraska 68046 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Behind The Scenes, No More Name of Applicant: Business Seals Consulting Firm, LLC Address: 7229 Edna Ct., La Vista, NE 68128 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: Date of Application General nature of business: Media, i.e., podcast ANGELA SCHMIT Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 21, 2020 SCHMIT LAW FIRM, LLC 1243 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 7 Papillion, Nebraska 68046 CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF VICTORY LANE CONSULTING, LLC THE UNDERSIGNED, desiring to form a limited liability company for the purpose hereinafter set forth, under and in conformity with the laws of the State of Nebraska, under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 21-101, et seq., being duly authorized to execute this Certificate of Organization, does hereby make this written certificate and hereby verify: 1. Name: The name of the limited liability company is “VICTORY LANE CONSULTING, LLC” (the “Company”). 2. Initial Designated Office: The address of the initial designated office and principal place of business of the Company is 14456 Burdette, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. 3. Initial Registered Agent: The name and address of the Company’s initial registered agent for service of process in Nebraska is Angela Schmit, SCHMIT LAW FIRM, LLC, 1246 Golden Gate Dr., Ste. 3, Papillion, NE 68046. 4. Purpose: The Company is organized for the purpose of engaging in any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, including but not limited to, health, life and business education, coaching and consulting. 5. Internal Affairs: The Operating Agreement may contain additional provisions concerning the member(s), obligations, management and operations of the Company which are not inconsistent with this Certificate of Organization. 6. Effective Date of Filing: This Certificate of Organization is executed by the undersigned and effective this 16th day of January 2020. By: Angela Forss Schmit, Organizer First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 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

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

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

MARTIN P. PELSTER, 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 16869 AUDREY STREET, LLC The name of the limited liability company is 16869 Audrey Street, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 15907 Josephine Street, Omaha, NE 68136. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Martin P. Pelster, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WOLF FAMILY REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Wolf Family Real Estate Holdings, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 12930 Izard St., Omaha, NE 68154. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 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 FOUNDATION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND I GP, LLC The name of the Company is Foundation for Affordable Housing Fund I GP, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 900 South 74th Plaza, Suite 301, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Mark Hiatt, 900 South 74th Plaza, Suite 301, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. This limited liability company commenced business on February 14, 2020. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020 TIEDEMAN, LYNCH, KAMPFE, McVAY & RESPELIERS, Attorneys 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68106-1045 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that 463 PROPERTIES, 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 February 6, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020 WAYNE S. RASMUSSEN, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VT MANAGEMENT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on February 14, 2020, VT Management, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. the Company’s initial agent for service of process is Wayne S. Rasmussen, 8712 West Dodge Rd., Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF HNK LEGACY INVESTMENTS, 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 HNK Legacy Investments, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 13101 N. 190th Cir., Bennington, NE, 68007. 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 14th, 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 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VAN NOY INVESTMENT PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that VAN NOY INVESTMENT PROPERTIES, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1840 Timber Ridge Rd., Lincoln, Nebraska, 68522. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Jacob Van Noy, 1840 Timber Ridge Rd., Lincoln, Nebraska 68522. The limited liability company commenced business on November 26, 2019. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of Platte Investments, LLC has been amended to change the name of the limited liability company to Platte Group, LLC. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 N O T I C E O F T H E O R G A N I Z AT I O N O F P E A R S O N ENTERTAINMENT, 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 Pearson Entertainment, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 19006 Ohio St., Elkhorn, NE 68002. 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 10th, 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 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Limited Liability Company is ANDERSON MOBILE THERAPY, LLC 2. The address of the designated office of the company is 7834 North 153rd Street, Bennington, NE 68007. 3. The Registered Agent and office of the limited liability company is Laura L. Anderson at 7834 North 153rd Street, Bennington, NE 68007. 4. The purpose for which the company is organized is to engage in any and all business which is lawful under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Nebraska. 5. The company commenced its existence on January 16, 2020, and the period of duration of the Company shall be perpetual. 6. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members in accordance with the company’s operating agreement. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that MJG Enterprises, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 8020 N. 173rd Street, Bennington, Nebraska 68007. The registered agent of the Company is Thomas E. Whitmore, 7602 Pacific Street, Ste. 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Company was formed on February 12, 2020. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF CONVERSION OF PERLEBACH INVESTMENTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION OF PERLEBACH INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Perlebach Investments Limited Partnership has been converted into Perlebach Investments, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the company is 516 South 96th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Office of the company is 516 South 96th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 and the Registered Agent at such address is George J. Perlebach. The conversion of the limited partnership into the limited liability company was accomplished by the filing of Articles of Conversion and Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 13, 2020. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF MAO CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MAO CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 3301 North 209th Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent is MATT J. KADE. The general nature of the business is to operate a general consulting business, to own, operate and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law, which are necessary, suitable, proper, convenient or expedient to the operation of a general consulting business. The authorized capital stock is $10,000.00, consisting of 10,000 shares of stock having a par value of $1.00 each, which stock shall be paid for wholly or partly by cash, by labor, by personal property and by real property. The corporation became a corporate body on December 23, 2019, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors, the number of directors to be provided in the By-Laws, and the officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as shall be designated in the By-Laws. ANTHONY L. GROSS, Incorporator CATHERINE L. WHITE, Incorporator, 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, NE 68124 First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF HEARING In the District Court of Sherburne County, Minnesota. 71-FA-19-585 Case Type: Adoption In Re: the Petition of Jesse Aaron Hibbard and Jessica Marie Hibbard to Adopt Javelle McBride Hibbard, Jesiah Lonzelle Aaron McBride Hibbard To Adopt: Javelle McBride Hibbard Jesiah Lonzelle Aaron McBride Hibbard PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on November 25, 2019 a Petition for Adoption of the above-named child(ren) was filed by the above-named Petitioner(s) with the above named court. A copy of the Petition is attached. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT A FINAL ADOPTION HEARING regarding the Adoption Pettion and whether the adoption is in the best interests of the child(ren) will take place in court at the following date, time, and place. Setting: March 27, 2020, Adoption Hearing, 8:00 AM at the following location: District Court Judge Walter Kaminsky Sherburne County District Court, Court Room 4 13880 Business Center Drive, Suite 100, Elk River MN 55330-1692, (p) 763-765-4600 YOU ARE EXPECTED TO APPEAR at the above time and place fully prepared to discuss the content of the adoption peptition and whether the adoption is in the best interest of the child(ren). The child(ren) to be adopted must be present at the hearing unless otherwise excused by the court. You must immediately notify the Court Administrator if your address changes. YOU HAVE BEEN SERVED WITH THIS NOTICE OF HEARING because, pursuant to statue or court rule: • You are a party to this proceeding or an attorney for a party; or • You are a person whose presence the court believes is important to a determination concering the best interests of the child(ren) who is/are the subjecct of the Adoption Petition. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR AT THE HEARING: • The court may conduct the hearing without you; and • The court may take testimony from others present at the hearing; and • The court may find that the factual allegations and statutory grounds set forth in the Petition have been proved; and • The courty may enter an order granting the petition for adoption of the child(ren), A STATEMENT OF YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IS ATTACHED, including the opportunity become a party (ask the ourt Admimstrator for the forms about how to intervene). To receive an eReminder for future court dates via e-mail or text, visit www.mncourts.gov/Hearing-eREminders.aspx You are a party to this adoption proceeding pursuant to Rule 20.01 of the rules of Adoption Procedure if you are one of the following: • the child's guardian ad litem • the adoptee if age ten (10) or older • the child's legal custodian • the child's legal guardian • the petitioner • the adopting parent, in cases where the social services agency is the petitioner • the child's Indian tribe, if the child is an Indian child and the tribe is or was a party in an underlying juvenile protection matter as defined in Minn. R. Juv. Prot. P. 2.01(18) • the responsible social services agency, if the child is under the guardianship of the Commissioner of Human Services • the child placing agency if applicable • any person who intervenes as a party pursuant to Rule 21 • any person who is joined as a party pursuant to Rule 22 Your Rights as a party are as follows: To receive a copy of the Petition regarding this Adoption matter To receive notice of all hearings (only if you keep the court administrator informed of your address) To attend all hearings, unless excluded by the Court. To conduct discovery and receive copies of your social services file and other records. To bring motions before the court. To participate in settlement discussions and agreements. To subpeona witnesses to tesify on your behalf. To present evidence. To make argument in support of or against the petition. To ask the court to order that witnesses be sequestered. To examine and cross-examine witnesses. To request review of the referee's findings and order, if your case is heard by a referee. To bring post-trial motions and to appeal from final orders of the court. To be represented by an attorney if you meet one of the qualitfication in Rule 23. Automatic Right to Become a Perty You have a right to automatically become a party to the case if you are: (1) a child under age 10 who is the subject of the adoption; (2) the child's Indian tribe; or (3) the local social services agency. All other persons may ask the Court's permission to become a party. Ask the court Administrator for the correct form to intervene as a party. Parents whose rights have been terminated or who have executed a valid consent to adopt do not have the right to intervene. QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS should be directed to your attorney or the judge. cc: SHERBURNE COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Virlee Rose McBride “via notice by publication” ELLEN MEAGHER MURPHY-FRITSCH First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 2020

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Independence Home Solutions Name of Applicant: Independence Construction LLC Address: 5703 S. 163rd Ave Omaha NE 68135 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: 2/3/2020 General nature of business: construction and residential remodeling MICHAEL ALBINO Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 21, 2020 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: New England Water Group Name of Applicant: Duke's Root Control, Inc. Address: 1020 Hiawatha Blvd West Syracuse NY 13204 Applicant is a Corporation If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: New York Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 01/21/2020 General nature of business: Root control and other sewer services and maintenance. MIKE HOGAN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 21, 2020 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: RMS Utility Services Name of Applicant: Duke's Root Control, Inc. Address: 1020 Hiawatha Blvd West Syracuse NY 13204 Applicant is a Corporation If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: New York Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 01/21/2020 General nature of business: Root control and other sewer services and maintenance. MIKE HOGAN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 21, 2020 SCHMIT LAW FIRM, LLC 1243 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 7 Papillion, Nebraska 68046 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Meet An Entrepreneur Name of Applicant: Business Seals Consulting Firm, LLC Address: 7229 Edna Ct., LaVista, NE 68128 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: October 2019 General nature of business: Media, i.e., podcast ANGELA SCHMIT Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 21, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), SARA L GARCIA & CESAR F DIAZ GARCIA You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 11/07/2019 on Case Number CI19-25285, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $948.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 04/06/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 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: CASSANDRA L. BOX, 4223 N. 40th St, Omaha NE 68111, you are hereby notified that on January 13, 2020, Credit Acceptance Corp. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI20-717, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $5,657.91, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 13th day of April, 2020, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication February 21, 2020, final March 13, 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

CHARLES E. DORWART, Attorney MASSIH LAW, LLC 226 N. 114th Street Omaha, NE 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-204 Estate of Rose Cwirko, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on February 13th, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of said Decedent and that Albert J. Cwirko, Jr., 4607 Margo Street, Omaha, NE 68157 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 21, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication February 21, 2020, final March 6, 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

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: Thai Esarn Name of Applicant: Banana Leaf Hospitality LLC Address: 555 North 155th Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: January 3, 2020 General nature of business: Thai restaurant NUTTAWIN KLAWKLA Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative February 21, 2020

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Truck Center Cos grows in consolidated Omaha headquarters, with acquisitions Continued from page 1. that its presence doesn’t e tend to ansas City and training. metro, either. “ t’s been e cellent for morale for sure,” “ y goal has always been to be contiguous,” Mytty said, when asked about the impact of its he said. “Unless there is an absolutely ‘too good new Omaha headquarters. “Now that we have to refuse’ opportunity, I think it’s easier when you the space, we can coorare able to reach out and dinate the departments. Truck Center Cos. see the locations.” Everything was placed Phone: 402-592-2440 (corporate offices) As Southeast so that people can work Address: 14321 Cornhusker Road, OmaCommunity College together with differ- ha 68127 (corporate offices) in Milford finishes ent departments. And Services: new and used trucks and trailers, up its automotive and we’ve seen significant parts and service, leasing and financing, diesel program camrevenue growth in this fuel solutions, and training pus e pansion, ytty mar et.” Founded: 1975 by Lloyd Brown & Floyd said TCC sponsored Customers have Hough the diesel technology benefited, he said, with Employees: 685 (total) classroom portion of enhanced capabilities Website: www.truckcentercompanies.com that project. He also to handle more volume. noted that its Technician n additional benefit, ytty noted, is its built-in Acceleration program participation has doubled training center. over the last four years, with graduate retention “We have more classrooms for hands-on north of Jeff Hoeft replaces a worn out harness on an engine. . training with the latest technologies,” he said. Diesel techs also dominate the Nebraska all Freightliner and Western Star dealers can use. were able to raise about , .” “The majority of things that are on today’s SuperTech competition, which Mytty said gives “Daimler is worldwide, so to not pool reBroadly, as the company grows, Mytty trucks are driven by a computer, and you plug them the chance to compete for cash awards, sources is ind of foolish,” he said. wants to assure each dealership operates as a into them. So, it can tell you what’s going on and TCC pays for them to go to the national At the time of this writing, Mytty and the family. and what’s happening … with virtual technol- competition. firm’s a e- -Wish oundation committee “We don’t want growth to eliminate that ogy, it’s letting people know before something “With the e pansion into southwest ansas, were also embar ing on planning for its th small company feel that we take a lot of pride catastrophic happens. we’re also working to grow with community year of support. in,” he said. “We wor together with locations, “It’s good for our industry, because of the colleges in iberal and odge City,” he said. “We have surpassed the million mar in and learn from each other. So, we don’t make challenge in hiring diesel technicians. With Mytty referred to collaboration with DTNA our th year,” he said. “We had a big push last the same mistakes. We don’t want to lose sight the evolution of these trucks being a ‘rolling on the development of a training program that year, with a concert and a golf outing, and we of that.” computer,’ it’s more intriguing for the younger population.” ytty addressed the etroit trademar ed Connect Virtual Technician SM remote diagnos- Continued from page 1. tic service, a product of Daimler Trucks North siles. Around the same time, the manufacturing merica T , the owner of reightliner and industry in the U.S. dipped because of a recesWestern Star Trucks. sion, leaving the elder Baker unable to capitalize “ t’s satellite-based diagnostics,” he said. on his mechanical skillsets. The truc owner is notified of a failure or “One thing that he discovered at the time was potential breakdown, as is the party taking care that there are a few very small niche industries of the truck. that actually do better in a recession than they “To us, as the dealer, we can see the issue and do during normal operating times and first and ma e sure we have the parts,” ytty said. “ o, foremost among them is chocolate,” he said. we can be prepared when the customer arrives. “Turns out when people get depressed, they eat Virtual is big for the truck owner themselves, more chocolate. Alcohol and tobacco are two of letting them know when something is going the other ones.” wrong and notifying them of the nearest dealer.” evin a er first wor ed at a incoln-based In this new year, Mytty said the organization chocolate company and saw that the chocolate has launched over the air programming. industry remained untouched by the industrial “If there is a programming issue within the revolution. It was labor intensive, which spoke electronic truck, we can activate an upgrade over to the high price of chocolate. the air when the truc is going down the road,” “Everything, especially in gourmet chocohe said. “ o, they don’t have to stop.” late, is handmade. It’s the way they’ve always To the aforementioned talent attraction piece done it,” Todd a er said. “ e was blown away Dillon Neujahr feeds the bagging machine with the various flavors of meltaways. process and no recipe.” of the “rolling technology” aspect of today’s by the opportunity in the chocolate industry.” want to grow in such a way that’s manageable With about to employees double by the family. For my brother [Paul Baker] trucks, TCC reportedly employs around 685 peoAfter drawing up mass production plans for during pea seasons , including three production and I, we’re starting to kind of reach about the ple up from a reported employees in . the company he worked for, the company was employees, the company produced million ma imum amount of candy that thin we can bout and employees are in service and acquired by a different candy company and it chocolates last year out of its appro imately really produce and so we’re an iously awaiting parts operations respectively, with the balance in subse uently filed for ban ruptcy. , -s uare-foot facility. sales, management and administration. “ o ad was left with this filing cabinet the arrival of the third generation. Between my While the company manages its growth to brother and there’s of them a whole bunch Mytty said Truck Center Cos. was also able full of drawings that represented inventions for stay under every of little a ers.” to bring on good talent via its acquisition of the gourmet chocolate year, this last year the Wic ’s Truc s, which made an additional five industry that would Bakers Candies What started as one production line in the company grew closer family’s basement has grown to four fully autolocations for a total of both Western tar and change the way gour- Phone: 402-789-2700 to with of the ad- mated production lines, with incremental addiFreightliner dealerships. Via the late December met chocolate was mass Address: 831 S. Baker St., Greenwood, dition of the combined tions to the factory. The factory moved from one announcement, the Wick’s purchase makes TCC produced and he had Nebraska 68366 , -s uare-foot retail end of reenwood to the other about years the e clusive dealer for Western tar Truc s no one to buy or imple- Employees: 20-25 full-time, year-round candy store. for eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. In the ment his invention,” employees; may double that number in ago when the original location ran out of space. Bakers Canmiddle of last year, TCC acquired Maupin’s Todd Baker said. peak seasons “His vision was so far ahead of its time that dies brought in about there still is no better way to do what we do than Truck Parts in Dodge City and Liberal, Kansas At that point, Kevin Founded: by Kevin Baker on Valentine’s , visitors in the vision of what he invented,” Todd a er said. and, earlier, it brought the Thomas school bus Baker had a decision to Day in 1988 , many of them “That being said, the specifics of the process have franchise on board for the state of Iowa. make. He decided to Website: www.bakerscandies.com Nebraskans, he said. “We also added the Stoughton Trailer lines take a chance and start been under continual evolution — we're always “ t’s been straight record years,” he said. evolving the processes, and new technologies for ebras a, ansas and owa,” ytty said. his own chocolate factory using his inventions. “One of our core commitments is to managed do ma e it more efficient but if you were in “We loo at opportunities that fit our culture, “The cool thing about our story is because of and incremental growth as opposed to e ponen- our plant years ago and today, to the general and what we feel makes sense for Truck Center the unique origins of how we got into this busitial growth. When you’re working for sharehold- public’s eye it loo s very similar.” Companies and for our growth.” ness,” he said. “We became the very first candy ers, everybody wants e ponential but as a family Mytty indicated some areas of Iowa and company in the history of the world to start with As a mid-sized manufacturer and a full-scale business, we want to continue to grow but we western Nebraska remain untapped, and he noted a fully automated custom manufacturing Continued on next page.

Bakers Candies builds on 32-year tradition of chocolate in Nebraska

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

Omahan debuts Village Pointe arm of global Kumon educational franchise Continued from page 1. that we need.” countries and regions. Furthermore, Cornwell indicated that “When I came back to Omaha, I it’s a franchisor-franchisee relationship that wanted to do something that would help doesn’t “tell you the rules.” the community,” he said. “ t too some This approach parallels in some reself-introspection. I knew I wanted to have spects to the methodology that Kumon is my own business, built upon. and I just came back Kumon of Omaha“South Korea to education.” hires a lot of foreign Village Pointe C o r n w e l l e - Phone: 402-513-8585 teachers, so you’re plored a few poten- Address: 17305 Davenport St., Suite teaching - to -yeartial education-based 103, Omaha 68135 olds,” Cornwell said. franchisors. “I developed a teachServices: afterschool academic enrich“ B u t [ K u m o n ] ment program ing philosophy to i s v e r y r e l a t i o n - Website: www.kumon.com give kids the tools ship-based,” he said. and then be hands“I have what’s called my regional associate, off. If they have trouble building a project, and she’s great. She does Nebraska, Kan- then you give them help. And that’s how sas, and South Dakota, and is constantly on umon wor s, too.” the road, making sure we have everything Using the analogy of a house, Kumon provides the “foundation” and the school shows one how to put this “structure” together. “The goal is that every kid, by the time Continued from preceding page. chocolate manufacturing plant, Bakers they enter high school, is doing calculus, Candies makes not only its own line of mel- and we’re teaching them how to learn by taways and chocolates but also produces themselves instead of teaching them ‘two about private label chocolate projects plus two equals four,’ telling them what it for other companies, from using a custom is … If a kid has issues, they figure it out wrapper on chocolate it already produc- by themselves and it feels more satisfying, es to a full-scale custom manufacturing and it stic s with them better.” Cornwell indicated students may strugproject. “What makes us really unique in the gle under conventional models as they may chocolate world right now is that we are be able to “do this stuff” but they “haven’t a small enough chocolate company where mastered it.” The umon method helps we’re willing to take on projects like that but we’re also big enough that we can handle it,” he said, adding that there aren’t many mid-size chocolate companies left by David Kubicek in the U.S. Cruises and cultural immersion opporThe company also keeps an eye on food tunities are among the most popular travel trends while maintaining its original melt- destinations. away flavors. Initially there were four fla“Europe is so rich in history and culture vors of its “famous ebras a” meltaways so naturally these destinations allow travelers and now there are a dozen full-time flavors. to connect with the locals, the history and the or e ample, the meltaway with the red cuisine intimately,” said helby oodrum, wrapper, milk chocolate, has always been manager of Travel & Transport’s Travel the o. seller and is the most universally Design Lounge. loved flavor within the meltaway cateStacy Beebee, manager of Pegasus Travgory. However, dark chocolate has been el, said e ico and the ominican epublic trending for the last five to seven years continue to be top destinations for beach and seems to have staying power. Vegan lovers, and Alaska is a top cruise destination. and gluten-free options are also trends Recently, Scotland and Croatia are on more that are in more demand on the coasts travelers’ radars, which may be due partly to but haven’t had as much traction in the T series such as “ utlander” and “ ame Midwest yet. of Thrones.” Consumers today are more concerned “Italy and Ireland are always favorites about where and how their food is pro- because of the scenery, culture, and history,” duced. Bakers Candies only buys cocoa Beebee said. “The overall appeal of European certified by UTZ, which ensures sustain- river cruising remains strong a rela ing able farming practices including labor, and way to e perience new adventures without cocoa that is certified by the Rainforest having to pac and unpac along the way.” Alliance. Connie L. Miller, vice president of busiThe company also buys chocolate ness development for Your Travel Center/ products through the “premium” chocolate Montecito Village Travel, said Jamaica, the supplier Peter’s Chocolate, now owned by Bahamas, and Cabo have been particularly Cargill. Bakers Candies was recently rec- popular. ognized with an award by Peter’s ChocoLast year, the WWII anniversary brought late, along with other candy companies, increased interest in WWII tours, which she for “raising the bar in candy ma ing.” e pects to continue. The biggest challenge facing any manu“Travel to Japan has been hot for years facturing company is finding skilled labor. and with the upcoming Olympics we antic“We employ far fewer people than we ipate it will continue to be popular,” iller did a generation ago but … employees need said. “Hawaii is a big draw and a bucket list to be much more highly skilled than they destination.” used to and so we’re huge proponents of River cruises continue to be a top way s illed labor,” he said. “We’re big support- for travelers to e perience urope, offerers of organizations like SkillsUSA and ing many diverse itineraries in Portugal, ream t o t.” Germany, Danube, Rhine and many more,

Bakers Candies

to assure all that stuff is mastered; for instance, the mastery of addition and subtraction carries one through multiplication and division. “I’ve heard of instructors keeping kids in addition and subtraction levels for a year and a half, and they finish the program by the time they’re or years old,” he said. Furthermore, Cornwell referenced the challenge of teaching ids, let alone teaching to students as is often the case with teachers in many school systems. He indicated there may be the issue of needing to “push” a student through, partially due to standardized testing, even though their charge may not have an adequate grasp on the subject. “I feel like a lot of teachers can’t always give every student what they need,” he said. “This is where Kumon comes into play.” As an after-school enrichment program, the Kumon method involves assigning worksheets based on the knowledge of the student — specifically assessing how slowly or accurately students are completing these worksheets. In turn, Cornwell recalled, he can change the plan based off of what he notices when observing each student’s work. “And right now, Kumon is a pencil and paper program,” he said. “ umerous studies have shown that people learn better if they write it down, rather than type.”

The Kumon name refers to Toru Kumon, a high school math teacher who began making worksheets for his elementary school-aged son, Takeshi, after he began struggling on his tests. Reportedly through “much trial and error,” umon made math sheets that encouraged self-learning and the development of sufficient calculation skills. Those worksheets on loose-leaf paper became the prototype for today’s “ umon Wor sheets.” The business would officially launch four years later, and Kumon rented a room in Osaka, Japan that would serve as Kumon’s headquarters until . As for Takeshi, he reached the level of differential and integral calculus at the start of his si th-grade year. The Village Pointe location is off to a great start, according to Cornwell, who referenced how invested all of the parents he works with are in their children’s lives. “ e plain to them, This is what we’re doing this week and this is what you do at home,’” he said. “ t’s a seven days’ a week-program, with five days at home. When we’re united, it really makes for a force that helps the id.” Cornwell is also efforting partnerships with nearby schools and sports teams. “We may bring the teacher some kind of snacks every month, and we don’t want anything back from them — we know how than less it can be,” he said. “We’re always open to hearing someone’s idea.”

Cruises and historical destinations remain popular with travelers Goodrum said. “The destination typically determines the length of the vacation,” eebee said. “The longer the flight time, the longer the stay.

Beebee Miller Farther-away destinations often are once-ina-lifetime trips so clients want to stay longer to e plore.” Pricing varies by season, length of stay and popularity. Goodrum said every destination has a pea season, which is more e pensive but usually provides the best weather. In general, popular times of travel for families are summer, spring break and over the winter holiday — these are also typically are the most e pensive times to travel. A traveler may have a budget that might not be able to get them everything they are looking for in their trip during high season so they may want to consider traveling in low season. If that isn’t an option, they could consider scaling down their trip in terms of destinations or length. Miller said that regardless of destination, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, spring break and the summer months are the most popular times to travel. Overall, travel is highest between January and April and

summertime with family vacations. “Remember that travel to certain destinations is condensed because of seasonality,” iller said. “ or e ample, there is really only about a five-month window to visit las a. Fall foliage tours have a short season as well as tulip time in msterdam.” “Being upfront about your travel budget is always a ey,” oodrum said. “ t provides the adviser with a general guideline of where the traveler would like to be in terms of cost. It’s not set in stone but it is good to have as a starting point so that the adviser can focus on the right destination, e periences and properties.” “Wor with an e pert from the start,” Beebee said. “A professional travel adviser will save you invaluable time along with the headaches of scouring the Internet for travel deals.” Miller recommended downloading the airline’s app to get up-to-date notifications such as delays or gate changes. Check in early for flights and bring snac s and a water bottle. oo early for best selection of flight times, resorts and seat assignments, and best pricing. “ et off the beaten path,” iller said. “Do the local thing, rent a car and get lost. Travel is the epitome of the human connection travel more to understand more.”

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

UPCOMING

SECTIONS

IN THE MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 28

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

WEDDINGS

MARCH 6

AVIATION IN THE MIDLANDS

HIGHER EDUCATION

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

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES

Briefs…

Three Nebraska-based John Deere dealerships announced plans to merge their businesses. Green Line Equipment, Stutheit Implement, and Plains Equipment Group are combining forces to provide leading service, support, and product solutions to farmers, ranchers, and landowners. The newly formed corporation will be named AKRS Equipment Solutions. The company’s plan is to officially close on the deal by the end of arch . evin Clar has been named president and chief e ecutive officer. Clar is currently the chief e ecutive officer of Plains Equipment Group. AKRS will consist of ohn eere dealerships located across Nebraska and part of Kansas with headquarters in Lincoln. Werner Enterprises earned the Alliance ward by C and Logistics Management at the ump tart Conference. The award recognizes collaborative efforts and dynamic supply chain partnerships that produce meaningful outcomes, achieve uantifiable results and drive supply chain e cellence. Werner ogistics was recognized for its collaboration with Blume Global, which helped identify ways to move beyond a web-based equipment portal to a dynamic API-enabled communication strategy. Entries were reviewed and selected by a panel of neutral logistics and supply chain professionals. LCN Capital Partners sold the former , -s uare-foot hop o istribution Center in Papillion to Papillion Foods. The -acre property is located in the arpy West Industrial Submarket of Omaha. Shopko originally constructed the distribution center in with an addition in . C Capital artners purchased the facility in . fter hop o vacated the property in early , Cushman Wa efield The und Company began marketing the property for sale. The Greater Omaha Chamber released the annual accomplishments for the region’s seven-county economic development partnership, noting results of more than billion in capital investment, new projects and , new jobs for the previous months. reater maha was also home to more than new tech startups in , thanks to efforts by The Startup Collaborative, a business accelerator and incubator for Midwest entrepreneurs. The Chamber additionally reported the launch of OPTiN, an Omaha/Lincoln digital solution connecting tech employers and job seekers, and noted the kickoff of the sold-out Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity and Equity conference. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development published the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund application guidelines and opened the annual NAHTF application cycle. The NAHTF is a resource to help increase the supply and improve the quality of affordable housing in Nebraska. The NAHTF program includes two types of applications, Housing Projects and Technical Assistance Funding. Pre-applications are re uired and due on or before arch . Full applications are due on or before May . re-applications and applications will be accepted electronically only. Swanson Russell received honors at the National Agri-Marketing Association Region II awards banquet. The agency accepted five first-place awards for clients in the following categories: AMVAC Chemical: Print Ad; Cattlemen’s Beef Board: “The

rive” rint ewsletter ogemeyer ybrids: Flat Prospect Program Mailer; Koch Agronomic Services: ANVOL Direct Mail; and ebras a tate air lood ideo. The agency accepted seven awards of merit for clients in the following categories: AMVAC Chemical: NAFB Print Ad; AMVAC Chemical: Assure II Logo; AMVAC Chemical ear nniversary eature rticle in AgriMarketing Magazine; Koch Agronomic Services: ANVOL Sales Kit; Nebraska State air ntryway ebras a tate air Website and ebras a tate air Campaign. Travel Faire has received the American press Travel “ epresentative cellence ward” for the third time. ach year, the merican press epresentative cellence rogram awards the top performing agencies within its Travel Network. Agencies are recognized for outstanding leadership, sales achievements, dedication to customer service, and continued commitment to representing pillars of the merican press brand. The distinction recognizes Travel Faire as a top producer of preferred cruise and tour supplier sales for . The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry adopted a package of policy updates intended to align with priority initiatives in Blueprint Nebraska. Adopted policy changes include ursuing structural ta reform to reduce ta burden on ebras ans for the long term; commitment to delivering statewide broadband access; focusing education engagement efforts on workforce-enhancing strategies; seeking longterm funding strategies for transportation and infrastructure; opening more pathways from poverty to full-time employment; opposing discrimination in the workplace, including se ual orientation or gender identity and implementing the realignment of appointed Chamber director districts with Nebraska Community College districts to encourage greater regional collaboration. Trident Building Systems, Inc., located in Sarasota, Florida, has entered into a merger agreement with Behlen Mfg. Co., headquartered in Columbus, Nebraska. Carl Petrat, president of Trident, and the current leadership team will continue to manage the daily operations of the manufacturing facility and erection crews. Tom Boal, president of Behlen Building Systems, will lead the efforts to integrate Trident and Behlen. This merger with Trident will e pand ehlen uilding Systems business unit and open up new regional markets with additional production capabilities.

Health care notes…

AARP has opened applications for the 2020 AARP Community Challenge grant program to fund “ uic -action” projects that spark change across the country. Now in its fourth year, the program is part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to several thousand, or tens of thousands for larger projects. The AARP Community Challenge is open to nonprofits and government entities. Other types of organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The application deadline is pril and all projects must be completed by ov. . CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs, CHI Health Midlands and CHI Health NebrasContinued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES Continued from preceding page. ka Heart have been recognized as an Overall Five-Star Hospital by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. This is the highest quality rating CMS grants to hospitals nationwide. nly out of , hospitals receive this honor. When rating hospitals, CMS looks at inpatient and outpatient data for a number of areas, including cardiac surgery, treatment of heart failure and treatment of stroke. Almost uality measures in the following seven areas are studied: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient e perience, effectiveness of care, timeliness of care and efficient use of medical imaging. Two University of Nebraska Medical Center faculty members are among a group of researchers collaborating on a million grant to speed up development of long-acting versions of medicines for low- and middle-income countries. Susan Swindells, M.B.B.S., and Kimberly Scarsi, Pharm.D., are part of a consortium with the University of Liverpool’s five-year grant called T . The goal is to develop long-acting formulations of drugs for malaria and tuberculosis prevention, and a cure for hepatitis C. UNMC will receive . million for the project. To kick off National Children’s Dental Health Month, Dr. Clarke Stevens of Braces Omaha is launching a new charitable program to children in the Omaha community called Smiling with the Stars. The practice invites children ages to to share what it would mean to enhance their smile for a chance to receive complimentary braces, a professional photo shoot, and become the Braces Omaha Smile Ambassador. On average, orthodontic treatment fees can be , or more and can be financially challenging for many families. The practice is accepting applications from now until arch , . Immanuel announced its first community in Council Bluffs, Graceview Courtyard, an affordable 55+ active living environment for those who qualify through the Low ncome ousing Ta Credit rogram. The community features one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, all appliances and utilities included. It includes a wellness area, community room and studio for crafts and hobbies. Close to grocery stores, shopping, libraries and Iowa Western Community College’s senior programming.

Education notes…

Curt Simon, etro Transit’s e ecutive director, will retire after more than years of service. Simon will step down this fall. Simon, 66, has spent his entire working career in the transportation industry. He is a board member for the Nebraska Association of Transportation Providers and serves as an e -officio member of the ouglas County Board of Health. Metro saw significant changes under his tenure, most recently a cost neutral system redesign, bus fleet upgrades, bus shelter replacement, onboard Wi-Fi access and a real-time bus tracking system. A major achievement will be the opening of T, the region’s first rapid transit line, this fall. Teachers in the Greater Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area can apply online now through arch for a Cox Charities “Innovation in ducation” grant. vailable for up to , , the grants are open to both public and private schools grades pre- through . nterested educators or administrators can visit https www.co charitiescentral.

org to submit an application online. The Co Charities program is funded through the contributions of Co Communications employees. Co Charities funds classroom programs and curriculum that encourage and promote students’ academic success and enhance the educational e perience, as well as initiatives for nonprofits, who can apply beginning pril . Researchers at the University of Nebraska at Omaha have received funding from the National Institutes of Health to study how the brain adapts to the use of -printed prosthetic limbs. orge uniga, Ph.D., associate professor of biomechanics and Brian Knarr, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomechanics at UNO, are co-principal investigators on the study. This NIH Research Project Grant will fund research into changes in neural activity in children following regular usage of a -printed prosthetic arm. This research study seeks to determine how the brain makes this adjustment to the use of a prosthetic limb.

Activities of nonprofits…

The ALS Association Mid-America Chapter will celebrate help and hope provided to families battling ALS on March 6 at the nd nnual ight of ope gala at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Omaha Storm Chasers President Martie Cordaro will be honored with The George Brett Award for Commitment at the event. Tickets for the annual A Night of Hope gala are available at noh.alsa-midamerica.org. The ALS Association is the largest private funder of ALS research in the world. Bobby Brumfield will be honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the annual Humanitarian Brunch hosted by Inclusive Communities. This year’s brunch will be held pril at the cott Conference Center. rumfield is the co-founder of The Men Against Domestic Violence Action Coalition — a prevention-based entity formed to provide outreach, training, support and resources for boys, men & the leadership of organizations in the public and private sectors. The organization serves as speakers, trainers & mentors to help end domestic and se ual violence in our communities. rumfield owns his own security consulting firm and has e perience as a former maha olice officer. The Human Resource Association of the Midlands named Nisha Jafari the olunteer of the ear. The award is given annually to a member who has made outstanding contributions to HRAM, its membership, and the community during the year. After moving from California to maha in , afari joined and its mother organization, the Society for Human Resource Management. She began volunteering on the membership committee for the state council, HR Nebraska, where she has focused on helping to drive overall membership for all Nebraska SHRM chapters.

Arts and events…

eb. mar s the th anniversary of the flag raising at wo ima. ssociated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the moment when si U. . arines raised the merican flag over t. uribachi his image was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. For years the identities of these servicemen were well known, or so we thought. Join

amateur military historian Eric Krelle and former Omaha World-Herald reporter atthew ansen on the anniversary at p.m. at The Durham Museum as they discuss their research into the true identities of the flag raisers and how it changed history. The talk will be followed by a screening of “The Unknown Flag Raiser of wo ima” from the mithsonian Channel. This documentary reveals evidence that led to the identification of one arine that was not previously identified and includes interviews with Krelle and Hansen. Journalist Danielle Vella, author of “Dying to Live: Stories from Refugees on the oad to reedom,” will spea at Creighton University at p.m. on eb. in the Harper Center ballroom. The event is free and open to the public. Vella will offer reflections from her new boo of personal stories of refugees from Morocco, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Eritrea, South Sudan, France, Serbia, Spain, Ethiopia, Uganda, Lebanon and the United States. Her book brings to light how the refugee e perience is critical to creating a culture of welcome for all refugees and migrants. John Kerry, former U.S. Secretary of State and former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, will discuss the role of U.S. leadership in a changing world with Chuck Hagel, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and former U.S. Senator from Nebraska, on eb. at p.m. in the trauss erforming Arts Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The forum is free and tickets are available to claim by the general public online. The event is the second installment of the Chuck Hagel Forum in Global Leadership series that debuted in . New York Times best-selling author and Harvard University professor Arthur Brooks, Ph.D., will discuss his recent book, “Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt,” at p.m. on eb. in the Harper Center auditorium on the Creighton campus. His lecture will focus on how to develop the art of happiness that comes when people choose to love one another, despite their differences. Brooks lays out a roadmap for Americans who seek something better than the current state of political discourse. He believes the goal should not be civility or tolerance but learning to disagree better in order to realize national healing. The fear of se ual assault on college campuses is very real and part of a broader discussion among students about consent, college life and cultural norms. These facts and other observations will be discussed when Jennifer Hirsch, Ph.D., co-author of “Sexual Citizens: A Landmark Study of Sex, Power, and Assault on Campus,” presents the findings of years of research on the subject during a presentation at p.m. on eb. at the cott Conference Center. The event will include a discussion of the book, Q&A, and book signing. The 2020 Russ’s Wine and Food Experience will be held at the Embassy Suites on eb. from p.m. to p.m. This is the th year for the event, a favorite of Lincoln-area wine lovers. The event raised just over , for the incoln Community Playhouse in the last eleven years.

ppro imately booths will fill the main ballroom. The goal is to raise , for the Lincoln Community Playhouse. General admission tic ets are in advance, at the door. Go behind closed doors for a one-ofa- ind tour e perience at The Durham Museum. The Museum Insider Tour Series offers a behind the scenes opportunity for museum guests. During these select tours, guests will receive white gloves and a VIP badge that allows them to enter special areas of the museum with the curatorial team. Tours are for members and for nonmembers. The first event will be on eb. from a.m. to a.m. and the theme is Omaha Fashion. The Heartland Family Service Friends Guild is hosting a first-class adventure at the Carnival of Love Gala on eb. . This year’s theme is “ estination ove.” uests will participate in a silent and a live auction, as well as a raffle and games. An electronic bidding service allows guests to bid and keep an eye on their favorite silent auction items directly from their smart phones throughout the night. All funds raised at the support all Heartland Family Service programs. MEETINGS AND SEMINARS Wednesday, Feb. 26 The Human Resource Association of the Midlands has announced a new series of three diversity symposia — smaller, less formal events focused on learning around diversity and inclusion issues. Jeremy Bouman, founder and CEO of RISE prison ministry, and Pam Bourne, an employment law attorney at Woods Aiten law firm, will ic off the series where they will revisit the effort to hire the formerly incarcerated, an issue HRAM has focused on since . The symposia will be held from a.m. to a.m. at lueCross BlueShield of Nebraska. The events are free to attend and open to the public, but registration is required. Registration is open online. The Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance - Omaha is hosting the Talking Travel Luncheon from a.m. to p.m. at ecurity ational an acific lace. efore the presentation by cite periences there will be lunch and networking. AFWF will also be hosting a Dress for Success drive and asks all members and guests to bring any gently used business attire to the meeting to donate. All items collected will be donated to the Women’s Center for Advancement in Omaha. Registration is online. The Sarpy County Chamber is hosting a membership luncheon featuring Kelley Peterson, with id lov, from a.m. to p.m. at the chamber. eterson will be presenting on “7 Instagram Tricks Learned from y og.” Thursday, Feb. 27 The EmpowHER Series is hosting its meeting at rbor all from a.m. to p.m. atti rannon will preset on emotional intelligence. Brannon is the director of market growth at Leadership Resources. She provides resources, knowledge, and solutions to her clients so that they may achieve the vision for their organization. Registration is available online.

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Engineering Profession

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal • February 21, 2020

Engineers see steady volume of projects; address resources challenges by Michelle Leach

maha’s built environment ended on a high note; in late November, the Associated General Contractors of America named the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro as the market with the biggest year-onyear gains in new construction jobs of the nearly metropolitan areas surveyed at or , jobs . The local engineering industry is benefiting. “Construction acCowman tivity is generally a byproduct of a robust design environment,” said orrissey ngineering Principal George M. Morrissey. “Most construction activity comes from design activities. With more activity, engineering firms find opportunities to focus their efforts on the type of work that best suits their firm’s abilities. Conversely, some firms will find opportunities to pursue a variety of different types of work to gain diversity in wor load.” Schedules for projects are continuing to shorten and become more aggressive, according to Morrissey.

George M. Morrissey, principal at Morrissey Engineering. “Our greatest challenge lies in trying without a high level of engagement from to meet aggressive schedules while still the entire team tend to be less distinct and having all the face time needed with own- unique. We coach our teams on the value ers and architects to develop the design of of collaboration.” the project,” he said. “ rojects designed The firm is increasing efforts to bring

sustainability into design. “Programs such as LEED, WELL, Living Building Challenge can be used as an aid or for a building certification,” he said of associated certifications. “We are also investing in technology to help engineers find the best balance between competing elements.” Technology should aid, not replace, the creative process. “ s an e ample, we want to ma imize the benefits of daylighting while minimizing solar heat gain,” he said. “The goal is to find that balance. Using visualization software, we develop options to change the building’s characteristics for best in class solutions for our projects.” Kim Cowman’s position in the new role, national director of engineering, represents an evolution for Leo A Daly. “Primary responsibilities of this role are to bring greater focus to the technical e cellence of all of our engineering disciplines, and leverage the benefits of our integrated engineering and architecture practice,” she said. “We recognize the influence engineering has over the lifecycle of a building, from the inclusion of low-carbon building materials, to reduced energy and resource usage, to the long-terms costs of maintenance and operations. This new position reinforces the vital role of engineering in design.” Cowman also said the firm hired its second dedicated commissioning agent. “Commissioning agents are engineers usually mechanical , and they focus e clusively on building performance,” she said. “This is especially apropos right now because Nebraska recently adopted new commercial energy guidelines, and the guidelines will ta e effect this summer.” Cowman noted Leo A Daly’s involvement in high-profile projects. “We are highly involved in driving innovative engineering for some of the region’s most topical and transformative projects — among them [Omaha Rapid Bus Transit , the Cottonwood otel historically nown as the lac stone otel and the maha ,” Cowman said. “The T construction is well underway, and the VA and Blackstone projects are scheduled to open later this year.” Generally speaking, opportunities for engineers are presented by design solutions that integrate and use new technologies in building operations — internet of things, Continued on next page.

Engineering Profession •

Rendering of the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel. (Courtesy of Leo A Daly) of physics, thermodynamics and the conservation of energy. Continued from preceding page. “Those laws simply can’t be wished artificial intelligence, data management and away for the sa e of convenience,” he cybersecurity. said. “Modern society is at a critical point. “We are seeing technology integrated Modern society is absolutely dependent on into building fenestration systems through cheap energy, but we’ve pretty much used the use of electrochromic glass, which can all the cheap energy up. It used to be that automatically ‘tint’ the building glass to you could spend ritish Thermal Unit reduce solar heat gain and glare, which in drilling, mining … for energy, and you’d impacts heating and cooling as well as get or more TU’s of oil, coal, gas for lighting systems,” she said. “ nd some your ‘energy return on energy invested’ lighting systems can transmit network and . ow, ’s can be around other data as an analog to Wi- i.” to or less.” Prochaska and Associates LEED AcSimilarly, Hromanik said one has to credited Professional Michael Hromanik burn a gallon of ethanol to make a gallon indicated the biggest challenges and op- and a half of it. portunities are one in the same: to provide “Technologies such as fracking, wind level-headed, realistic leadership in the energy, and solar panels are touted as the direction society needs — in terms of re- way society continues on its ‘business as sources and their use. usual’ path, but the oil and gas fracking “‘Business as usual’ is simply not industry has been losing money for a desustainable, even though everyone wants cade because current oil and gas prices it to be,” he said. “There is this reliance don’t cover their much higher drilling and in society on the concept that ‘technology recovery costs.” will save us’; that our three-car garages will And, he referred to renewables limitabe filled with electric, self-driving U s tions for instance, solar panels obviously and our daily commutes to our ‘solar and don’t provide energy at night, and pollution wind-powered, surplus energy-producing concerns related to their manufacture and office buildings’ will be done while watch- disposal . ing etfli . nd that just isn’t going to “There just is no such thing as a ‘free happen.” lunch,’” he said. “ ow is the time that enHromanik said engineers are in the gineers are needed to provide knowledge unique position of understanding the laws and leadership for a good quality of life to be passed on to future generations.”

Volume of projects

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• Engineering Profession

Omaha area firms see diverse projects with sustainability rising to the forefront by Gabby Christensen

Local engineering firms remain busy moving into , as projects across various industries continue to surface. Michael Wallace, president of Farris Engineering, said there continues to be strength in the federal market sectors. “Overall, the construction market appears to be growing slightly in the markets we are

in,” he said. “We are hoping growth pic s up towards the end of or early .” According to Wallace, net zero buildings are getting closer to reality for some building types, but there are still many that have a long way to go. “The latest revisions to the codes have some substantial changes that will increase the first cost of buildings and it will be interesting

Len Swartz, site/civil practice leader at Olsson. to see how owners react to those changes,” he the company has completed many projects in said. “Major trends still focus around energy the food processing industries. efficiency, safety and providing a “We have successfully designed healthy environment.” dozens of major facilities e ceeding Wallace said the construction million dollars of construction industry, as with many industries, value,” chneider said. “The projcontinues to strive to do more ects have been diversely located with less. from California to Florida. The “While this has greatly imbusiness trend has allowed us to proved the sustainability of buildprovide larger engineering projects ings, it appears that unless there with higher efficiencies, provided to are some significant technological us by computer aided designs, with advances, we may be approaching a vastly reduced staff. The available a point of diminishing returns,” technology has astronomically Wallace he said. changed our business model and has Jerald A. Schneider, president empowered us to have the majority Continued on next page. of Schneider Structural Engineering, Inc., said

Engineering Profession •

Diverse projects

Continued from preceding page. of our workforce located outside of our Omaha office and to advocate communications with teleconferencing.” Gary Lange, associate principal and mechanical designer at Alvine Engineering, said educational projects are particularly strong right now following successful bond issues in Omaha Public Schools, Papillion-LaVista Schools, Elkhorn Public Schools, Gretna and Bennington. A d d i t i o n a l l y, Schneider Lange said commercial projects, as well as residential/housing seem to be consistently active both locally as well as across the United States. As for the latest trends in design, he said

Reserve Your Business Minute Today!

Contact news@mbj.com

there are several that are specific to the engineering industry. “Alvine Engineering’s new corporate head uarters at Cass t. is on target to become one of the first W old certified spaces in ebras a,” ange said. “The focus of WELL Buildings is the comfort and well-being of the occupants. Items such as specialty architectural lighting and lighting controls to enhance the user e perience are prevalent in our building. WELL Certification is also focused on individual control — including temperature control at individual workstaLange tions, control of food selections available in the kitchen, and mechanically operable sit-stand desks that allow individuals to vary and control their seating situation.” nergy-efficiency and environmental control/responsibility are also trends that are driving design decisions. Len Swartz, site/civil practice leader at Olsson, said there is demand across the board for private, public and institutional clients. “Communities are investing in water and transportation infrastructure along with state Ts,” wartz said. “The federal and local governments are investing in flood prevention infrastructure. The land and facilities market is very active in multi-family, data centers, industrial and residential projects.” He noted much of the industrial work is being driven by e-commerce, and that there is a lot of growth in telecommunications investments, as well. “For several years, design has been continually moving towards more sophisticated three-dimensional design,” he said. “The hardware and software keep getting better and this gives us more tools to create increasingly refined designs and communicate more effectively with clients. Some of the software allows us to design from the beginning in three dimensions, which is much easier for clients to review and see what is being planned for their project. This helps reduce opportunities for miscommunication with clients and creates a better end product. Three-dimensional design also greatly helps reduce conflicts in the field which saves cost and time during construction.”

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • Engineering Profession

E-week brings engineering students, industry together to celebrate engineers by Dwain Hebda

The University of Nebraska’s annual -Wee activities, which too place eb. on the university’s incoln and maha campuses, continue to serve as an important connecting point for students and corporate sponsors. The event, planned top to bottom by current engineering students, included social events and activities, free food and the chance to network with sponsor companies. “It is a week to celebrate being an engineer,” said en Weyeneth, a sophomore in UNO’s architectural engineering program and E-Week chairman. “You get to learn about different types [of engineering] because up here in Omaha, each of our events is hosted by different organizations. So, you kind of get a feel for the different types of engineering that you might not always necessarily see.” Weyeneth said the highlight of this year’s event for him is the event, Journey to Space, which includes a nine-hole miniature golf course into the Peter Kiewit Institute, food and prizes. He said while such events are a fun break, they also play an important role in students’ networking with prospective employers. “I think it helps get [sponsor companies’ names out there,” he said. “ s

Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) organization brings in the U.S. Corps of Engineers to demonstrate the engineering behind river dams. (Courtesy of UNL College of Engineering, Engineering Student Services) a student, it’s cool to see some of these engineers at that company. It’s fun to see companies you don’t always realize have how many different companies are out there an engineering part. Usually it’s like I didn’t hiring engineers.” now they e isted or didn’t now they had The Omaha event, put on by Nebraska

Engineering Student Council at Omaha C also aims to reach students in local middle schools in an effort to introduce them to the engineering field. “This year we’re doing some outreach through a program called Completely ids,” said lma amirez- odgers, senior assistant director for Student Development in Engineering Student Services. “They’re going to do some stuff with si th- through eighth-graders at All Saints Catholic School and Sacred Heart. “Those are both traditionally under-represented students, which is another goal of colleges of engineering, to increase the diversity of students coming into these fields. ’m e cited about that.” Students play a pivotal role in organizing all aspects of the week’s activities, said Kayla Person, director of engineering graduate programs and a co-advisor for Engineering tudent dvisory oard . “Engineers Week is part of national engineers week, celebrated across the country. For the College of Engineering it’s a celebration across the college,” she said. “ thin [E-Week] is something the students look forward to every year because it’s a week to celebrate them and their profession and what they can do for their future.” Students also solicit sponsor participation every year, a critical aspect of putting on the event, Person said. “Sponsorship allows companies to interface casually with the students instead of being really formal,” she said. “This is an opportunity for them to eat donuts with them or play some carnival games with individuals in the industry and alumni.” Like their Omaha peers, engineering students in Lincoln also perform community outreach to help impact the ne t generation of engineers. It’s one of the leadership-building aspects of which E-Week advisers are most proud. “Our students are the ones leading that outreach effort where we bring in middle schoolers and teach them about engineering and T programs. t’s fun for them,” said Dr. Hunter Flodman, assistant professor of practice and a co-advisor for ESAB. “And, there’s community building in general. Having doughnuts with the dean, doughnuts with industry professionals, having a carnival, a game night, brings students together and gives them the chances to interact with each other, the college administration, faculty, stuff and industry professionals.”

Engineering Profession •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

New technology saves time and produces higher quality results eight- or -hour intervals, but also pedestrians by David Kubicek State-of-the-art data collection technology and bicycle traffic. “Whether the e isting traffic data is genli e drones, laser scanning, and traffic data collectors saves time, produces higher quality erated from previous counts or traffic volumes are actively collected as part of the results, and is safer than when data traffic study, good initial input is was captured by human interaction. critical to providing feasible recAccording to Principal Tracy ommendations as part of our report Mumford, Schemmer uses drones deliverables,” umford said. for volumetric calculations Building information modelmodeling to determine stockpile ing helps structural engiquantities; utility transmission neers optimize designs, improve inspection and video — asset incollaboration, and deliver projects ventory and inspection of e isting faster, T T anager Tim ones utilities; aerial mapping and survey said. — aerial data collection enhances “Structural engineers can traditional surveying methods; Mumford make more informed design decipre-design and as-built aerials — aerial data collection to show e isting and sions, automate construction documentation, constructed site conditions; bridge inspection and produce more constructible designs,” — close-range bridge structure video and he said. “BIM is allowing our engineers to still imagery; and environmental inspection Continued on next page. — aerial stormwater pollution prevention plan W and construction inspection monitoring. chemmer uses scanning to help lower the life-cycle cost and improve accuracy. “With Schemmer’s recent acquisition of the eica TC laser scanner, we are able to document and capture environments in , improving efficiency and productivity in the field and in the office,” umford said. “This cutting-edge technology shoots million points per second and creates degree advanced high-dynamic range imaging.” laser scanning helps engineers and architects with models for design, construction and fabrication; clash detection; promotional images video and mi ed reality and capturing as-built conditions. “ very project our traffic engineering team wor s on begins collecting data,” umford said. Schemmer uses Miovision Scout video recording devices, which combine computer vision and proprietary quality assurance software to provide accurate traffic counts, not only of vehicular traffic counted at either

Tim Jones, IT manager at TD2.

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • Engineering Profession

Civil and construction engineering firms in need of versatile, tech-savvy workforce by Jasmine Heimgartner

Metropolitan Community College Construction Education Center. (courtesy of MCC)

Engineering is a broad term that encompasses a range of career options. While some may seem more laser-focused, such as chemical or electrical engineer, these kinds of careers offer much more than what they may appear. As technology continues to evolve and become ingrained in the societal infrastructure, demand grows for versatile tech-focused engineers and technicians with varied backgrounds for both the public and private sectors. Since growth often means building, construction engineers and managers and civil engineers continue to be sought after. Barrows Buildings have to be renovated and cities get redeveloped, so there is always something being built or fi ed. Choosing an engineering career often requires a blend of industry, business and technology knowledge. For many of these roles, soft skills also play a big role in finding the right person for the job. “People may think construction is just swinging a hammer, which is an important and not a negative, but it’s more about orchestrating the entire process,” said atthew arrows, assistant professor of practice, Construction Management, Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “We are conductors out there. We bring all the players together and make it happen. Construction managers hire

the necessary workers and bring the team together based on what the architect and other engineers design. We have to have a broad overview of the design and construction process to help put together the vision, as well as leadership, teamwork and communication s ills.” The infrastructure behind every part of a building, road and house, such as water and electricity, often lies in the hands of civil engineers and technicians. From onsite steel engineers to behind-the-scenes computer-aided drafting designers, the field offers a range of opportunities. Vishnevskaya “The short way to say it is that there are a lot of different jobs out there,” said uliya ishnevskaya, civil engineering instructor at Metropolitan Community College. “If you don’t want to be in an office, you can combine some field work. You can apply technical knowledge and drafting together. There are very different ways to apply e pertise as a civil engineer. There is a big demand for people with these degrees with the government and private businesses in many areas such as electrical, environmental, testing laboratories and surveying. There are many options out there.” These careers also provide versatility for the people studying them. While some specific jobs require a four-year degree, a two-year Continued on next page.

New technology produces higher quality results Continued from preceding page. work in near real time with contractors and partners that wasn’t readily available even years ago. Jobs are completed quicker and the opportunity for error is greatly reduced with all related parties being able to observe the project as it unfolds.” The terms “photogrammetry” and “aerial

surveying” are often used interchangeably on the internet, but there are important differences between the two. The process of aerial surveying starts with using a plan or drone to collect high-altitude photos of a plot of land. Photogrammetry is the act of deriving metric information about an object from a photograph of that object. Photogrammetric measurements can be taken from terrestrial photographs, but a combination of aerial angles generally provide the most reliable basis for measurement. Photogrammetry allows surveyors to triangulate photographed locations, create images, and determine geographic coordinates. “ n aerial photogrammetry, you must first mount a camera to the bottom of an aircraft and aim it vertically toward the ground,” Jones said. “To ensure that every location on the plane’s flight path is captured, the camera takes overlapping photos at regular intervals. These photos are then digitally processed and used together to determine the physical measurements and characteristics of the surveyed territory.” T employs a fi ed wing drone for large survey sites and a quadcopter — a drone lifted and propelled by four rotors — for smaller projects like parking lots and structures. “Photogrammetry requires fewer personnel in the field and reduces the time it would ta e to survey a site in the traditional method,” Jones said. “This also shortens the time spent in the office compiling a site survey. We can import large amounts of field data and apply it to a drawing uic ly and efficiently.”

Engineering Profession •

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

Onslaught of community-transforming projects brings opportunities, challenges by Michelle Leach

Alfred Benesch & Company’s Jeff Sockel, senior vice president – Omaha division manager, at the 156th Street Improvements, Pepperwood to Corby project, scheduled to be completed in November 2020. (Story at right)

Jobs in demand

Continued from preceding page. degree is often enough to begin making an impact in the workforce. “ t depends on what you want,” ishnevskaya said. “Some people still need or want to go for a four-year degree. If someone doesn’t want to, they have options. Lately, there are a lot more technical aspects and software to being a civil engineer. There is a high demand for people who can do computer-aided design or civil site designers to help other engineers with software and other newer technologies.” While some aspects of construction may have been slow to keep up with technology, that is uic ly changing. The ne t generation entering the workforce has more ways to infuse technology with a passion for building and seeing a project come to fruition. “We are starting to see a lot of construction companies embrace virtual reality and augmented reality in construction, so we are seeing more need for virtual design consultants,” arrows said. “With that comes a lot of new roles. We are seeing a whole new career path for people who can understand the technologies, such as modeling and , and incorporate it into the process.” Although the need remains steady for various engineering e perts, filling that demand continues to be a struggle. Area schools are working to change that. “We have ramped up our outreach and hired a full-time coordinator, so we are going out to elementary, middle and high schools,” Barrows said. “We also bring people to the university so they can e perience that and see what is available.”

Engineers are among those professionals in the fortunate position to see and e perience the impact they have on community and society. “ ur team is about to start the first-ever Planning and Environmental Linkages project in the maha-metro area, which is a joint project for the Metropolitan rea lanning gency , cities of Gretna and Papillion, Nebraska Department of Transportation, and arpy County,” said Alfred Benesch and Company SVP-Omaha Division Manager Jeff Sockel. “This project will be the first step in formally justifying and designing a new interchange on nterstate , between the ighway and ighway interchanges, to serve Gretna, Papillion, and arpy County.” It’s a project that’s been talked about for a long time. “Over the past year, our design teams pro-

vided emergency services on the flood-damaged ighway - bridges and roadway in Niobrara; completed the design of the Nebraska DOT’s Lincoln South Beltway project and maha’s nd and aple streets and th treet Complete treets multi-modal projects and are in the process of finishing up an evaluation of the intersection of Fort Crook and Harlan Road in Bellevue that is loo ing at different configuration options to assist the city with future planning,” he said. maha’s th treet and treet ridge is open to traffic and th treet from epperwood rive to Corby treet has shifted traffic to two new lanes on the west wor remains on the two lanes on the east side and ellevue’s th treet ridge replacement is underway. forementioned flood-damaged bridgewor was a “true success story,” as oc el said the team worked nearly around the clock Continued on next page.

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • Engineering Profession

Experts give a look at the latest outlook, trends in the energy sector by Gabby Christensen create low-cost or even cash-positive proLocal engineering professionals say grams outcomes while making the buildings there are a number of opportunities happen- more efficient and environmentally friendly.” ing in the energy sector right now. He said PACE is a relatively new energy According to Steve McGreer, owner/ reduction renewable energy financing tool president of Asset Environments, to Nebraska and has been growenergy reduction through building ing e ponentially since it was improvements remains the best enacted by the ebras a for e isting building owners. Legislature. “Converting lighting to LED McGreer said building owners is typically a one to five year in this area are still, understandpayback, and there are a lot of ably, driven by a return on their other controls, HVAC, and other investment when considering upgrades that can also have good energy efficiency. return for a building owner,” cHowever, in other parts of the Greer said. “These opportunities, country, he said businesses are coupled with incentives such as proactively reducing energy due Schnackel utility rebates, ta incentives, to the environmental impacts and and Property Assessed Clean Enthe resulting benefits, recruitment, social ergy C or other project financing can goodwill and other reasons outside of a direct

financial return. “I think we’ll see more of this in the Omaha area as younger generations put more emphasis on energy reduction and the environment,” c reer said. Gregory Schnackel, president of Schnackel Engineers, said buildings consume appro imately of the energy

and emit appro imately of the total greenhouse gases. “Every improvement we can make in efficiency ma es a huge impact on the overall carbon footprint of our buildings,” chnac el said. “This is especially true in the operation of e isting buildings, however the carbon footprint of our new buildings is another area of significant concern.” He said the country’s energy codes are Continued on next page.

Onslaught of community-transforming projects Continued from preceding page. to design repairs and a replacement bridge, along with restoration of traffic via portable bridge. A bid package that normally took a year, he noted, was delivered in a few weeks, and Hawkins Construction Co. assembled and installed the portable bridge, and completed essential repairs, so traffic was restored in less than si months from initial damage. “The permanent bridge and pavement work are on pace to be completed and open to traffic in ,” oc el said. ven before flooding, there was a lot happening in engineering and construction — which has resulted in a tremendous push to recruit students in the industry and to find skilled staff. “The strong economy is allowing many of our clients to do much-needed new construction or reconVohl struction without cutting bac on the continued and ever-increasing need to maintain the assets they already have,” oc el said. Generally, asset management programs help clients apply and stretch maintenance and capital improvement dollars, and he noted demand for engineers remains much higher than the graduating classes provide. E & A Consulting Group Civil Engineering Project Manager Kyle Vohl also alluded to increased demand for resources talented employees and building materials and growth opportunities. “ chieving a population of million people in the area translated into an influ of national businesses; this is a double-edged sword because the national chains bring their own teams of architects/engineers/contractors with them,” he said. “These companies then establish a local presence, thus increasing the need for talented staff.” This need, Vohl said, stretches the employment shortage further.

“Having these new firms in town can increase competition, local firms still e cel because of their first-hand familiarity with local rules, regulations, municipalities and contractors,” he said. The firm has tripled the size of its public sector and transportation department to meet increased demand for arterial streets, which policymakers have prioritized. “As the metro area has grown, we’ve seen more stores and restaurants move into the area, realizing that we have the population to support their presence,” ohl said. “There is increased need for affordable housing, both short and longterm, which has also spurred work for our industry.” Work resulting from floods and area projects had amplified the challenge of finding workers. “There is a greater McIntosh need to acquire large earth-moving and construction equipment, and construction materials,” he said. “ t causes more of a need to plan ahead. More lead time might be needed to bring in the necessary supplies or labor.” urthermore, an influ of contractors with limited e perience or local history adds to the need for closer observation and monitoring and, Vohl said, when so much competition e ists, approvals can be delayed as reviewing agencies may be busier than the private sector. “As the demand grows for natural resources and manmade materials, the federal and state agencies usually get first rights to those resources,” ohl said. “With this increased demand, the prices of resources and trucking has steadily increased over the past couple of years.” Lamp Rynearson Design Group Leader Mike McIntosh also noted the increase in project costs, alongside increased construction activity. “Engineers need to consider these increased costs when communicating e pectations with their client,” he said, adding costs can affect project timing and scope. “It is important to have the right engineering team in place that understands these impacts.” rowth potential e ists in public and private projects. “Clients are looking for advocates who understand the design process and the challenges we are currently facing,” he said. “We believe there are opportunities for local engineering firms to partner with these clients to serve as a trusted adviser and to see projects through to a successful completion.” McIntosh said there is room to grow, diversify and e pand services in the current mar et. “But without the right team in place, it ma es it more challenging to be successful,” he said.

Engineering Profession •

Alex Metschke, energy services leader at Specialized Engineering Solutions.

Energy sector

Continued from preceding page. adopting new measures, aiming for some version of a “net zero” energy target. Schnackel said these translate into energy use intensity goals that require more creativity to achieve. “We are very optimistic about the future of energy use and carbon reduction,” he said. “Schnackel Engineers is an active member of the Embodied Carbon Network, working hard to not only reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the operation of buildings but also to reduce the carbon emissions associated with the construction of new buildings. “We are doing our part to move the industry in the right direction through the use of artificial intelligence to achieve optimized system designs that reduce materials, labor, embodied carbon and energy consumption over the life of the building.” le etsch e, energy services leader at Specialized Engineering Solutions, said more buildings are coming online and becoming automated. “Big data is being underutilized to not

only learn how systems are running, but to make better business decisions in asset replacement and energy reduction,” etsch e said. “Machine learning can better understand systems in a more efficient manner to be able to optimize system operations.” Additionally, he said IoT devices and cloud storage are being utilized more frequently. “From a building systems/energy standpoint, IoT is providing occupants and owners with more and more information about their systems and environments,” etsch e said. “They are receiving more live data to make better decisions. It allows buildings the opportunity for a less intrusive way to retrofit spaces with the potential to integrate within their current building automation and better understand their spaces.” While IoT is still at its infancy, he said the potential is there to provide more opportunities for data reliability, troubleshooting and allowing people more insight into environments, whether it’s commercial or residential. In the end, Metschke said being proactive instead of reactive will save time, money, energy and headache.

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

In the Spotlight Paid Content SENIOR CARE

BANKING

Promoted

Hired

Elected

Jim Hood

Megan Holtorf

Matthew Johnson

Chris Maher

President

Assistant Vice President/ Cash Management Officer

Senior Vice President/ Chief Financial Officer

Chairman of the Board

Premier Bank

Home Instead, Inc.

Home Instead, Inc., the franchisor for Home Instead Senior Care, the leading provider of in-home care for older adults, is pleased to announce that lobal Chief nformation fficer Jim Hood has assumed the role of resident. resident and Chief ecutive fficer eff uber will remain C . “Jim has a great appreciation and respect for the franchise owners and their teams who deliver care in local mar ets,” said uber. “ e also has a deep understanding of the essence of Home Instead and what needs to be done to continuously transform the organization as we move forward.” The newly-minted president has risen through the ranks as global solutions architect, vice president of information technology and global chief information officer in his si -year tenure with the company. Most recently, Hood led the development of key organizational capabilities, including those that allowed the franchise network to maintain high-quality, personalized care while e panding its digital capabilities. n his new role, Hood will oversee strategic planning for the Home Instead Senior Care network and drive key initiatives and day-to-day operations for the company. He will report directly to Huber. As CEO, Huber will continue to lead the strategic vision for Home Instead, and focus on global advocacy, thought leadership and social purpose initiatives. Hood joined Home Instead in after providing business and technical consulting services to the company, and holds more than years of e perience in information technology, software development, and project management. Prior to joining Home Instead, he worked across industries including telecommunications, transportation, publishing and agriculture. Through engagements with national and global companies, Jim gained deep insights into leadership and problem solving at scale. “Jeff has built a world-class team and organization,” said ood. “ ’m e cited to leverage my e perience to improve the lives of ome Instead CAREGivers, clients and family caregivers.”

Premier Bank

The Premier Bank Board of Directors has elected Chris Maher to Chairman of the Board. Maher will now serve as Chairman and CEO of Premier Bank, having previously held the title of President/CEO, a title he has held since the formation of remier an in . Maher has been a banker in Omaha for over years and received his undergraduate degree in Finance from the University of Nebraska and his MBA from Creighton University.

Megan Holtorf has been hired as Assistant Vice President/Cash anagement fficer, working at the Village ointe location. oltorf has years of ban ing e perience with the last years in Cash Management. She brings a wealth of nowledge and e pertise to the position allowing her to provide e ceptional service to clients while offering solutions customized to meet their needs and making them comfortable working with her for their banking services. Holtorf holds a degree in Marketing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Matt Johnson has joined Premier Bank as Senior Vice President/ Chief inancial fficer. Johnson brings over years of professional e perience to the bank. His background includes public accounting and corporate roles in internal audit, cybersecurity and risk management. ohnson is a Certified ublic ccountant C , ebras a and also holds designations of Certified nformation ystems ecurity rofessional C and Certified nformation ystems uditor C .

BANKING

Promoted

Todd Clevenger

Jill Money

Adam Miller

President, Chief Operating Officer

Assistant Vice President

Operations Officer/ Assistant Vice President

Premier Bank

Jill Money has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. Money has been with Premier Bank since its inception serving as ranch anager at the rd odge treet location. oney has years of management and years of ban ing e perience. oney holds a achelor’s Degree in Sociology from Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS.

Adam Miller has been promoted to perations fficer Assistant Vice President. Miller came to remier an in and has over years of e perience in ban ing. Miller attended Metropolitan Community College and the University of hoeni and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Services.

BANKING

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Promoted

Todd Clevenger has been promoted to President and Chief Operating fficer of remier Bank. Clevenger has been with remier an since , previously serving as ecutive ice resident. Clevenger has years of e perience in the banking/mortgage industry and received his undergraduate degree in Management from the University of ebras a maha.

Tom Augustine

Janelle Lacy

Alex Ablan

Assistant Vice President

Branch Manager

Premier Bank

Veridian Credit Union

Tom Augustine has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. Augustine joined Premier Bank in and has been managing both the Village Pointe and th odge treet locations. ugustine has years in ban ing, graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University and has a degree in Business Administration.

Janelle Lacy has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. Lacy joined Premier Bank in when they purchased Farmers Bank and Trust in Nebraska City where she served as ssistant perations fficer. acy has years of ban ing e perience.

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

Veridian Credit Union is pleased to announce the promotion of le Ablan to the position of West Broadway branch manager in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Ablan, a resident of Omaha, Neb., has worked at Veridian for nearly two years. e was previously a loan officer. blan has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Finance from the University of Santa Maria.

Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

In the Spotlight Paid Content BANKING

BANKING

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Named

Jeremiah Gudding

Debi Dodson

Tony Thakur

President of Commercial Insurance

Account Executive, Commercial Insurance

Chief Technology Officer

Arbor Bank

Arbor Bank, a community bank with locations across Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, is pleased to announce the naming of Jeremiah Gudding, CIC; as President of Commercial Insurance. Mr. Gudding will lead the Arbor Bank Commercial nsurance team at a very e citing time as Arbor Bank continues its growing footprint in the commercial insurance sector. r. udding brings over years of e perience in management, sales, underwriting, and claims. Honing his e perience wor ing for a fortune insurance company, Mr. Gudding has also served as the Marketing Director for an industry trade association and as a sales and leadership coach for a national insurance consulting firm. eremiah Gudding, CIC actively consults on industry trends and advances that impact property and casualty agents. Mr. Gudding is a graduate of Kansas State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations. Outside of insurance, Jeremiah is a competitive bass fisherman, avid outdoorsman, mountain biker, motorcyclist, and skier. rbor an is e cited for what the future holds as it continues to grow its insurance footprint, with a President of Commercial Insurance and an ongoing commitment to service in our communities.

Arbor Bank, a community bank with locations across Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, is pleased to announce the naming of Debi Dodson, CRIS, CAWC; as Account ecutive, Commercial nsurance. Ms. Dodson will assist in growing Arbor Bank’s burgeoning commercial insurance area. Ms. Dodson has over 7 years of commercial insurance e perience, wor ing mostly with midsized commercial Accounts; primarily assessing risks within the construction and commercial real estate fields. s. odson’s prior management e perience in the retail sector serves her well in quickly identifying and addressing client needs. Ms. Dodson currently holds two professional designations C Construction Risk Insurance Specialist and C WC Certified uthority on Workers Compensation. She is currently working towards obtaining the additional designation C C Certified nsurance Counselor. Debi Dodson is also an active member of the Independent Insurance gents of maha and is serving her first term on their Board of Directors. Arbor an is e cited for what the future holds as it continues to grow its insurance footprint, with a new Commercial nsurance ccount ecutive and an ongoing commitment to service in our communities.

Subscribe and pay online today at MBJ.com

Great Plains Communications

Great Plains Communications, largest privately owned telecommunications provider in Nebraska, has named Tony Thakur as Chief Technology Officer. In his role, Thakur will guide the technology vision and focus on e panding and enhancing the company’s robust fiber network. Tony will introduce new innovative technologies to e pand the product offerings, national geographic networ e pansion opportunities and introduce automation to drive efficiencies.

Midlands Business

Journal • NOVEMBER 24, 2017 •

November 2 4 , 2 0 1 7

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 central expect.” ects are gaining inertia,” key projects.” projwestern Nebraska or 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

CTOBER 20, 2017 • Midlands Business

Journal

October 2 0 , 2 0 1 7

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.

$2.00

competes with innovat

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.

SAVE TIME, MONEY AND HASSLE WITH AN ANNUAL Midlands

Business Journal

SUBSCRIPTION • Midlands Business Journal/one year ($75) • MBJ/two years ($140) • MBJ/three years ($190) LOOKING FOR BACK ISSUES OF THE MBJ?

NOW ORDER THEM ONLINE AT MBJ.COM

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

Are the days of the late-night grocery run numbered? by Stephanie Ritenbaugh

For night owls used to popping into the grocery store after midnight, the options for avoiding crowds or picking up a quick meal after a night shift are slowly Trends changing. Many grocery stores are cutting bac on -hour operations as overnight traffic dwindles. Starting Sunday, the Pittsburgh-area Giant Eagle locations in Monroeville, McIntyre Square in Ross, Shaler and Washington are now closing during the graveyard shift with “hours that vary, by store and by day, between a.m. and a.m.,” according to Dick Roberts, a spokesman for the O’Hara-based chain. “We review shopping trends on an ongoing basis to ensure that we make our team members, products and services available during the times of the day that matter most to our customers,” oberts said.

Giant Eagle is hardly alone. Recently, Walmart, as well as Idaho-based Albertsons, Iowa-based Hy-Vee and North Carolina-based Harris Teeter are among the grocers who have scaled back overnight hours at certain locations across the country. And in a sector where there’s more and more competition — whether from rival supermarket chains, online retailers or discounters like Aldi — stores need to look at places to reduce costs. “When you’re loo ing at retail, the profit margins are really thin, so finding a place to reduce costs without a big impact to customers is important,” said ennifer artashus, an analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence. Keeping grocery stores open around the cloc is a trend that too hold in the s to help feed the need for instant gratification, Bartashus noted. “But the reality is, few people really

need groceries at a.m. There’s a stronger argument for people to be able to pick up prescription drugs and medicine.” iant agle’s first -hour store opened more than years ago, according to oberts. “The e tension of daily store hours were one of a number of innovations of the time, including opening on Sundays and operating the first from scratch’ in-store ba eries,” he said. emand for stores to be open hours varies depending on local need, said Mickey Chadha, an analyst for Moody’s Investors Services. “It depends on if there are workers on a night shift who want to shop when they are going home or need to pick up a prepared meal and things li e that,” he said. But being open all day and all night comes with a cost. “If you’re not selling enough product to

overcome the additional cost of operating hours, it’s a decision that they need to make if they need to open that other hours,” he said, noting labor, overhead and electricity costs can take a bite of the revenue. In addition, it’s a tight labor market, and you need a labor force that’s willing to work a night shift, he added. n places losing their -hour stores, technology that wasn’t available years ago can come in to assist those who have to adjust their shopping schedules. Bartashus pointed out that click-andcollect services, which are being offered at more retailers, can give customers more accessibility. “They can shop online and set up a time to pic up the groceries at the store,” she said. “That kind of helps offset the potential loss for customers in terms of the convenience factor.” ©2020 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

2020 Engineering Excellence Awards A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal Young Professional of the Year Award

Josh Palik, a professional engineer with Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, has been selected as the 2020 Young Professional of the Year by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Nebraska (ACEC NE). The award recognizes accomplishments of Nebraska engineers under age 35 who have contributed to the engineering profession in the state and made a positive community impact. Palik has spent most of his 14-year career focused on transportation engineering, working on roadway design projects that make life better for the traveling public. Most notably, he served as the lead engineer on the City of Lincoln’s high profile, 14th and Old Cheney Improvement Project. “This technically challenging and politically charged Palik project pushed me to grow in unexpected ways,” Palik said. “Because of high public interest, I was asked to give dozens of project presentations. I found that educating the community about the value of engineering and its ability to change a situation for the better, really energized me.” Other award-winning project work includes Sarpy County’s Giles Road widening from 144th to 156th streets, as well as the City of Omaha’s 42nd & Q streets Roundabouts Design and 144th Street Reconstruction from West Dodge Road to Eagle Run Drive. Palik has served in numerous industry roles including Chapter President of the Eastern NE – National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), as well as active involvement with ACEC-NE and the Lincoln-Omaha-Council Bluffs Association of Transportation Engineers (LOCATE). Josh volunteers with MathCounts as well as Engineering Adventures at the Kroc Center for grade school students.

Grand Award HDR Global Headquarters | HDR for Noddle Companies

Headquartered in Omaha since 1917, global design firm HDR sought a new headquarters building that reflected the talents and skills of its architects, engineers, and planners. HDR partnered with owner Noddle Companies to design a 10-story, 240,000-square-foot multi-use office building located in the mixed-use Aksarben Village neighborhood. The end result is a striking building whose design respects its context and fosters collaboration and in which engineering plays a significant role. This project illustrates the importance of engaging all parties early in the design process. The building’s unique form is chamfered at the corners to maximize square footage on upper floors while opening walkable space on the ground level to activate engagement with the surrounding neighborhood. Rather than having “front” and “back” sides, space that would have typically been used for a loading dock was reimagined as a retail alley. HDR committed to a rigorous, integrated design process, which resulted in the building’s LEED New Construction v4 Gold-level rating. Specific performance achievements include: • 68% Energy Use Intensity reduction compared to the regional average • 31% water use reduction • 87% irrigation reduction • Lighting Power Density that is 38% better than code • Estimated 15% Material Carbon Impact reduction over a comparable building • Saving over 67 tons of steel by using SidePlate® steel connections, a first in Nebraska. The building earned a three-star rating from Fitwel, the highest rating possible for this certification that optimizes buildings to support occupant health.

Rob Vanderveen, a professional engineer with Lamp Rynearson, has been selected as the 2020 Young Professional of the Year by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC NE). The award recognizes accomplishments of Nebraska engineers under age 35 who have contributed to the engineering profession in the state and made a positive community impact. As a licensed, project engineer with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Vanderveen enjoys working on a mix of projects such as housing, schools, site plans and public improvements, and the impact they have on the community. Noteworthy clients include the Omaha Public Schools, State of Nebraska, City of Omaha, and land developers. A community volunteer committed to numerous civic and philanthropic organizations, Vanderveen is co-founder Vanderveen of Hope Dwells, a not-for-profit created to provide resources and educations surrounding the pursuit of homeownership for refugees. He has volunteered for Upward Bound, Boys Town as a Math Mentor, Habitat for Humanity, Public Park Cleanup, City of Omaha Flood Cleanup, Keep Omaha Beautiful, Yellow Door, Bridges Humanitarian Initiative and Helping Hands Refugee Organization. With an 8-year career in engineering, Vanderveen has volunteered his energy and time - both within the firm and through civic and industry organizations. Lamp Rynearson’s Omaha office has had four young professionals selected to receive this award in the last 15 years.

ACEC Nebraska 2020 Charles Durham Achievement Award

The ACEC Board of Directors is honored to announce that the recipient of the Charles Durham Achievement Award this year is John S. Olsson, Executive Vice President of Olsson Inc. As EVP for consulting services, Olsson works with teams throughout the firm to identity and prioritize large public sector clients and projects, and works with Olsson’s practice leaders to enhance the firm’s standing at the municipal and state level. Olsson has served in several leadership roles since he joined the firm in 1989. He was named leader of the Civil Municipal team in 2001, became the firm’s Lincoln office leader in 2007 and two years later was selected to serve on Olsson the first firmwide operations team. Olsson exemplifies the firm’s community focused values through his involvement in various nonprofit and civic organizations. He served as president for the Nebraska Society of Professional Engineers and was a past director for ACEC Nebraska. In 2015, Olsson helped establish the Olsson Foundation, a 501(c)(3) private foundation that supports education, communities and the environment. John graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and earned a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is the son of the firm’s founder, John E. Olsson. The Charles Durham Achievement Award was created to honor Charles Durham’s leadership in the engineering profession and his community stewardship through civic involvement. Durham served as chairman and CEO of Henningson, Durham and Richardson, (HDR) the international engineering and architectural firm headquartered in Omaha. Over the years, he and his wife Marge were active in their community serving in leadership roles with many community organizations and donating millions of dollars to worthy causes.

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• ACEC

Honor Awards and activities. To reinforce this vision, the Initiative’s board of directors desired a circular boardwalk feature to physically connect the three places of worship over the stream referred to as “Hell Creek.” Olsson was engaged to complete the unique design and bring the circular bridge into existence. Civil and structural engineers designed a 450-foot diameter feature that reinforces the geometry of the site, while floodplain management and environmental specialists worked to make sure the structure was compliant with federal regulations. The result is an idyllic setting to cultivate community, respect, and harmony.

1201 Cass Commercial Office Alvine Engineering for Alvine and Associates

The 1201 Cass Commercial Office project was designed according to the WELL Building Standard™ with the goal of International WELL Building Institute™certification. Focus was placed on the architectural layout and programming of the space and all MEP, fire protection, and technology systems. In order to achieve the owner’s goals, systems required innovative solutions while remaining in compliance with WELL standards. The lighting system consists of tunable fixtures that balance electric light with daylight to provide adequate lighting, while reducing eye fatigue and encouraging a healthy circadian rhythm. The underfloor air distribution systems allow workstation users to have control of airflow at each desk, promoting the WELL benefit of individual thermal comfort. The owner’s goal was not only to gain a better understanding of the WELL Building Standard through design and construction, but also to share the lessons and innovation. The building is designed to be a living learning lab with MEP and technology systems on display. Visitors can view the mechanical room from a window in the lobby, the underfloor air distribution system is exposed in one conference room, and the lighting lab features changeable light fixtures for demonstrations. The greatest measure of success for project has been the positive feedback from employees who take full advantage of the WELL benefits that promote a healthier lifestyle.

In the case of HU, ASR is being used to treat high concentration nitrate water and injecting it in back in the aquifer upstream to create a water bubble that has a lower nitrate concentration. This clean water bubble is projected to move downstream to the city’s drinking water wells providing a clean drinking water source. ASR is a subsurface storage technology, more resilient and protected than alternative and traditional storage technologies. Stored water is protected from evaporation, pollutants, and extreme weather events. Advanced hydro-geologic assessment techniques were used for proper selection of the site and water storage zones. The project provides a sustainable, cost effective solution to the community’s drinking water needs.

Upper Prairie-Silver-Moores Flood Risk Reduction, JEO Consulting Group for Central Platte Natural Resources District

Aquifer Storage and Recovery Program Services, HDR for Hastings Utilities

Hastings Utilities (HU) was faced with a difficult decision to provide a reliable long-term drinking water source. The wells in the city were seeing high levels of nitrate and uranium. Traditional solutions included constructing a fullscale water treatment plant, which would cost more than $100 million and severely impact utility rates. Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) is a complex, innovative and developing technology, requiring careful design and implementation.

The Central Platte Natural Resources District hired JEO to provide flood risk reduction and resilience to the northwest area of Grand Island. The project’s primary objective was to provide flood risk reduction for the 100-year storm to residential and commercial properties. Estimates indicate that the completed project reduces flood damages by approximately $47 million from a 100-year event. The project’s secondary objective was to revise FEMA floodplain maps to accurately reflect the reduction in flood risk, including removal of approximately 500 homes and businesses from the regulatory floodplain. The structural flood risk reduction components include a large detention cell, four dry dams, and a levee. The nonstructural efforts included a city-wide public education event: the Flood Control Stroll. In spring of 2019, floodwaters tore through Nebraska, leaving many of its communities and farms destroyed, houses and livelihoods underwater, and roads, bridges, and dams washed away. And yet, Grand Island, Nebraska, a city

Tri-Faith Campus Abraham's Bridge Olsson for the Tri-Faith Initiative

The Tri-Faith Initiative, a bold interfaith endeavor in the heartland, is comprised of three intentionally co-located congregations of the Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity). The Initiative occupies 38 acres in the Sterling Ridge development near 132nd and Pacific streets in Omaha. The Tri-Faith Initiative’s vision called for three worship-education centers, all facing one another, and a shared Tri-Faith Center to serve as a communal gathering spot for programs, events,

Merit Award Recipients

Lower Platte River Drought Contingency Plan, HDR for Lower Platte River Consortium

Metro Area Travel Improvement Study, HDR for Metropolitan Area Planning Agency/ Nebraska Department of Transportation

Nebraska Statewide Truck Model, HDR for Nebraska Department of Transportation

1201 Cass Commercial Office Acoustics, IP Design Group for Alvine and Associates

Live NoDo Technology Integration, IP Design Group for Alvine and Associates

LES Operations Center Thermal Energy Plant, Olsson for District Energy Corporation

Schramm Education Center, HDR for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

City of York Water Reclamation Facility, HDR for the City of York

ACEC • Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 21, 2020 •

Honor Awards historically prone to extremely severe floods, remained dry. Their resilience was possible largely in thanks to the Upper Prairie/Silver/Moores Flood Risk Reduction project. This spring’s flooding was estimated to be a 500-year flood event near Grand Island. The Upper Prairie/Silver/ Moores project successfully prevented these flood waters from entering the city. Grand Island was not only protected from a 100-year event, but safely withstood a 500-year flood event. During this flood event and another, the project has performed as expected and prevented over $90 million in damages; meaning the project essentially paid for itself almost four times over.

The Atlas Lamp Rynearson for NuStyle Development

How do you wipe away the images of a sterile hospital, sitting amid a sea of deteriorated parking? Developer NuStyle had a vision of what the 1972 hospital and site could become. Instead of scrapping both, a high-flying redevelopment project now takes its place – one to inspire anyone who appreciates the unexpected. This 732unit apartment project boasts new residential amenities, commercial and green spaces, a large detention pond, landscaping, and a new connection to the neighborhood north of the project via the North Freeway Pedestrian Bridge. What do you name this truly unique project? The Atlas! Nebraska-based civil engineering firm Lamp Rynearson was an integral part of a collaborative team selected to put the project together. Researching the area’s aging infrastructure and designing for the project’s complex goals were elements of the team’s responsibilities. Knowledge of the City of Omaha’s sewer separation plan positioned Lamp Rynearson for success. 3D scanning, traditional survey, and site design “set the stage” for a winning project. Multiple studies of the urban watershed, an area of land that separates waters flowing to the Missouri River, provided information to aid in the

project’s layout. A Nebraska Environmental Trust grant, Tax Increment Financing, and a City of Omaha alliance combined to secure the additional financial assistance needed to complete the Atlas, a public private partnership. Who stands to gain from this urban redevelopment project? The neighborhood, community, Boys Town Lied Learning & Technology Center, Creighton University, the environment, local economy, and residents who benefit from the remarkable “hospital to home” shift.

Visual systems design and Commissioning Services for the 52,000 SF Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts. Morrissey helped define the Audio-Visual system needs and use cases through meetings with faculty as well as industry influencers and advisory board members. The facility is designed to accommodate tomorrow’s technology and adaptability is taken to a whole new level. Current and emerging technologies are used together to create Audio-Visual systems that move the needle of possibility and improve usability.

Papillion Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility Emergency Flood Services, HDR for the City of Omaha

In March 2019, after heavy precipitation fell upon frozen ground throughout Omaha, the levees adjacent to the Papillion Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility (PCWRRF) overtopped, forcing staff to shut down power and quickly evacuate as floodwaters began to rise. Within hours, most of the facility was submerged in more than 8 feet of floodwater, rendering infrastructure unusable and shutting down the plant. Before floodwaters receded, the city and HDR worked together to determine timeframes for restoration of facility operations and developed a process to quickly implement task orders under the city’s emergency procurement methods. The team faced difficult conditions: no access road, no power, raw sewage, and high river levels causing security and safety concerns. Solutions were cost-effective and allowed competitive pricing, even with a shortage of construction workers due to widespread flooding. One month after the flood event, primary treatment and solids dewatering were achieved, and within two months, pre-flood treatment was achieved. This was an extraordinary effort that took 24/7 dedication from the city and the HDR team.

UNMC Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Morrissey Engineering for the University of Nebraska Medical Center

Morrissey Engineering evaluated existing conditions at UNMC’s Omaha Campus and developed solar array concepts that demonstrate UNMC’s commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2030. Morrissey Engineering followed project development with full design and construction administration for installation of nearly 1,500 solar panels installed atop three UNMC campus buildings. This project is the largest rooftop solar array in Nebraska and is supported by a partnership with UNMC’s electric energy provider OPPD.

UNL Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts Audio-Visual Systems, Morrissey Engineering for University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Morrissey Engineering was retained to provide Audio-

Merit Award Recipients

Missouri River Water Resource Recovery Facility Improvements Project, Jacobs for the City of Omaha

Dakota City Wastewater Treatment Facility, JEO Consulting Group for the City of Dakota City

Columbus 3rd & 18th Avenues Viaducts Project: Grade Separation of Railroad Corridor, HDR for the City of Columbus

For more information about ACEC Nebraska, contact:

Keep Omaha Moving: 168th Street – West Dodge Road to West Maple Road, HDR for the City of Omaha

150th and West Dodge Interchange, HGM Associates for Lamp Rynearson, Noddle Companies, Nebraska Department of Transportation, City of Omaha

US 30 Schuyler to Rogers, Schemmer Associates for the Department of Transportation

Jeanne McClure Executive Director American Council of Engineering Companies/Nebraska 402.476.2572 jeanne@acecnebraska.org

• FEBRUARY 21, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• ACEC

Our mission is to enhance and promote the profession of engineering, represent the industry through legislative advocacy, and strengthen business practices through training and continuing education opportunities. Representing Nebraska engineering companies specializing in the areas of Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Environmental, Transportation, Structural, Water, Wastewater, Water Resources, Construction Management, Geotechnical, Communications, and many more.

ACEC Nebraska • 211 N. 14 Street • Lincoln, NE 68508 • www.acecnebraska.org