Midlands Business Journal January 31, 2020 Vol. 46 No. 5 issue by Midlands Business Journal

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Advances in Medicine A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

January 31, 2020

Metro is ground zero for better drug therapy, affordable care that adds more quality years by Michelle Leach

Local organizations represent early adopters, if not nerve centers, for a range of breakthroughs in the management and treatment of diseases, from osteoporosis to cancer. ProTransit Nanotherapy President and CEO Gary L. Madsen, PhD., described “impressive” genetic engineering- and medical applications-related advances; for instance, CAR-T cell therapy in cancer immunotherapy, and genetic modifications for sickle cell and other diseases using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Madsen highlighted advances in how medicines are delivered, via the use of micro and nanoparticles. “ProTransit Nanotherapy makes nanoparticles called Pro-NP that are made of a co-polymer that is biocompatible and completely

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biodegradable in the body,” he said. “There are other special ingredients added to our process that allow for long-term sustained release of the drug cargo. This is great for treatment of chronic diseases like hypertension, traumatic brain injury or stroke.” In collaboration with Creighton University, ProTransit is showing nanoparticles, when applied to the skin, can reduce or eliminate the skin cancers whose prevalence is rising worldwide due to sun exposure and the improper use of sunscreens. If, Madsen said, test results continue to show promise, next-generation sun care products could be developed to reduce the rate of disease. Madsen referenced continued improvements in cancer diagnostics through genetic testing using next-generation DNA sequencing of

Jeffrey Kaipust, assistant director for Biomechanics at the Biomechanics Research Building 3D printing lab at University of Nebraska at Omaha. “liquid biopsies,” cancer cells flowing through bones were so dense that they never broke. the bloodstream that provide early detection of Kim further highlighted how Creighton and a metastases. CHI Health represent one of the few centers in “There will also be greatly enhanced appli- the U.S. using non-invasive focused ultrasound cation of telemedicine using 5G wireless internet therapy to treat the neurological condition, Esand artificial intelligence that, together, should sential Tremor, which reportedly affects as many allow the practice of good medicine in the places as 41 million patients worldwide. with few or no doctors,” he said. Kim sees promise in breakthroughs to treat At the University of Nebraska Medical other common conditions, including TAVR for Center (Madsen is a former entrepreneur-in-res- lower- and intermediate-risk patients and the idence at its technology transfer office, UN- WATCHMAN device in the structural heart eMed), how medicine is taught is “changing space; however, he also underscored the lessbefore my eyes,” via the iEXCEL Center er-publicized MitraClip (newer models were equipped with virtual reality and augmented approved by the FDA in March). Via FDA. reality technologies to ready the next-generation gov, the MitraClip is designed to treat patients of health care professionals. with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation by Department of Medicine Professor and reducing the amount of blood that moves in the Chair Dr. Michael H. Kim highlighted numerous wrong direction through the mitral valve. advances with far-reaching implications, includKim isolated advances in medications for ing those innovated from Creighton University. the many people diagnosed with high choles“Dr. Bob Recker, chief of endocrinology, terol and cardiovascular disease. is the vanguard of osteoporosis research and, “Some people with high cholesterol can’t years ago, he developed the mutation for which tolerate the common cholesterol drugs or this [osteoporosis] drug has been made, and it statins,” he said; for instance, side effects include is considered to be one of the biggest advances muscle aches, nausea and insomnia. in 2020,” Kim said. Alternatives to statins are emerging; likeAccording to Creighton information, the wise, new drugs are designed to improve outU.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval comes (hospitalizations, risk of heart failure) of romosozumab was the first new treatment among diabetics. approach in a nearly two decades-long strategy Kim described a recently-approved cystic based on a rare gene mutation in people whose Continued on next page.

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Advances in Medicine — inside JANUARY 31, 2020

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS

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VOL. 46 NO. 5

Makovicka takes football focus to physical therapy chain growth by Richard D. Brown

CombOver Contracting strives for transparency. – Page 2

40 er d Un 40 In Ben Swan’s career, everything old is new again. – Page 3

p rtu Sta tem l ca ys Lo cos E

From venture capital to wealth of incubators, it’s an unprecedented time to be a startup in Nebraska. – Page 25

Native Nebraskan Joel Makovicka is taking the tenacity he showed as a Husker All-American fullback for a team that won three national championships and now applying the work ethic he demonstrated in the 1990s to his chain of 17 physical therapy locations in a multi-county area of eastern Nebraska. And the numbers continue to grow for the 44-year-old Makovicka, who now leads 165 employees, and within the next month will be announcing locations for clinics numbers 18 & 19. “We’re taking a strategic, progressive and well thought-out approach to our growth,” said Makovicka, president of Makovicka Physical Therapy, which he operates with Omaha native Natalie Harms, vice-president of finance. Both Makovicka and Harms hold doctorates in physical therapy from Creighton University. Within the past few months the burgeoning business moved its corporate offices into a wing of a Continued on page 8.

President Joel Makovicka … The physical therapy organization continues growth with plans for additional clinics. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

Synergies align with the CareDx acquisition of Omaha-based OTTR by Becky McCarville

When Omaha’s OTTR Complete Transplant Management merged with Brisbane, California-based CareDx in May of 2019, the union of the organ transplant-focused companies was described by company leaders as a perfect match. The Omaha office will serve as CareDx’s technical hub for its global operations and over the next two

years, the company plans to ramp up hiring in Omaha from about 50 employees to 200. Before the acquisition, CareDx, an organ transplant diagnostic testing company, and OTTR, an organ transplant patient tracking solutions company, were each looking for more ways to improve the lives of transplant patients. “From our founding until about Continued on page 8.

Owner and energy engineer Steve McGreer, PE, left, and energy engineer Jon Fletcher, right … An interest in making green building solutions financially possible led to specialization in C-PACE financing.

Asset Environments focuses on financial strategies to fund green building projects by Savannah Behrends

From left, Matt Hunter, VP transplant software technology, and Brian White, software development manager … Ramping up hiring in Omaha to establish the Omaha office as the technical hub of CareDx’s global operations.

For Asset Environments the message for business and property owners has always been “you can have your cake and eat it too.” “We can do green improvements to your building and make it profitable for you at the same time,” said President and owner Stephen McGreer, PE. Asset Environments, formed in 2016 under Mechanical Sales

but now wholly owned by McGreer, combines energy efficient building solutions with financing strategies to make green upgrades more obtainable for businesses and investors. Solving the triple net problem While not the original focus of the company, one of the ways Asset Environments helps comContinued on page 10.

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

CombOver Contracting strives for transparency by Gabby Christensen

Since its founding in August of 2017, CombOver Contracting has seen exponential growth; in fact, the company grew 571% in 2019 alone, according to owner Ryan DeBolt. DeBolt, who has more than two decades of experience in the home repair industry, said an open line of communication with clients has been key in the company’s success. “We are very transparent with our clients and always keep them in the loop,” he said. “I’m also present on every job, which helps to address any issues that may occur while the project is going on. I think details can sometimes be lost when there’s multiple people involved, but our strong attention to detail makes us stand out.” DeBolt established the company alongside his wife, Heather, who assists in all day-to-day operations.

CombOver Contracting Phone: 402-813-5401 Address: 3119 South 144th Ave., Omaha 68144 Founded: August 2017 Service: general contracting company offering various home repair services; specializing in storm damage Employees: Two in-house, as well as some crew members Goal: To potentially offer products, continue to see growth. Website: https://comboverllc.com

Owners Heather and Ryan DeBolt … The company has seen exponential growth in 2019.

Business Minute

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Jayleen Casano

President/CEO, CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center Bergan Mercy Associations/Titles: United States Department of Commerce Baldrige Performance Excellence Program-Senior Examiner and Team Leader; American College of Healthcare Executives-Fellow. Hometown: Minden, Iowa Education: Harvard Business School-Corporate Directorship/ Governance Certificate; Arizona State University Ira Fulton School of Engineering-Lean Six Sigma; Loyola University Chicago Graduate School of Business-MBA (dual emphasis Finance and Operations Management); Arizona State University-BSN (Nursing); Jennie Edmundson School of Nursing-Diploma (Nursing)

How I got into the business: I excelled at natural sciences and wanted to help people, so nursing was a natural choice. As a staff nurse I was often tapped to help with the business side of care delivery so I decided to fully equip myself educationally with business knowledge and pursued my MBA in non-healthcare advanced operational and finance education. As much as I enjoyed delivering care, I found I could really add value on the strategy, business development, performance improvement, and governance side of business. Accomplishments or milestones: Having the unique opportunity to work sideby-side and be embedded in McKinsey and Company consulting firm for a period of years as we developed and implemented a health system wide performance improvement program was a tremendous opportunity as I learned their approaches in detail. First job: Walking beans in rural Iowa. The toughest part of the job: Balancing and constantly rebalancing abundant priorities.

The company also has a team of crew members who assist with projects. At the moment, the business offers various home repair services, including siding, windows, roofing and gutters. While prime customers are typically homeowners within a 70 mile radius of Omaha, he said the company can also do

The best advice I have received: “It’s about the patient.” In everything we do in our industry and with all the distractions that may come, I return to this concept to ground myself and the teams I lead to what is important and why we are here. About my family: I have an amazing husband and two adult step children. Last month, we welcomed our first grandchild into the world. Something else I’d like to accomplish: Finding great satisfaction in building effective companies, I aspire to serve on the board of a Fortune 500 company. Book I finished reading recently: “Mindset” by Carol Dweck. The book lays out how humans can fulfill their potential through the psychology of a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset. I have now read this book three times and encourage my teams to study it also. Something about me not everyone knows: I played several musical instruments in my childhood: piano, clarinet, saxophone and oboe. Also, I love dogs. How my business will change in the next decade: Due to payer shifts and the rise of

consumerism in healthcare, I predict we will accelerate our shift to value based care. I’m really excited about innovation in health care, ranging from how we engage with consumers to how and where care is delivered to how we measure effectiveness of our interventions. Outside interests: Pilates, weightlifting, yoga, jogging, reading, and English Bulldogs. Pet peeves: Surfacing problems without potential solutions. Favorite vacation spot: Mau’i, Florence Italy, Sicily. Other careers I would like to try: I could see myself being a professional organizer or a Pilates instructor. Favorite movie: Legends of the Fall and the English Patient. In movies, I enjoy complex character development and epic tales that take place over time. Favorite cause or charity: CHI Health Foundation, education advocacy, food banks, and Go Red for Women. Favorite app: I have to admit my Amazon shopping app gets the most use out of anything on my phone.

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

some commercial work. As more people opt to install vinyl siding or windows with a higher energy efficient rating, DeBolt said ventilation has become a huge issue. “Heat builds up in the house and still needs to go somewhere,” he said. “If the ventilation isn’t proper, it can be a major problem. For this reason, we pay close attention to these details and attend training every year to stay up to date on the latest practices.” DeBolt said business ownership offers great satisfaction, but also some pressure. “It can be hard to not have a larger team, especially when someone is out or sick,” he said. “We feel that effect more than a bigger company does. However, the job is still going to be done right and in a timely fashion no Continued on next page.

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Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 •

In Ben Swan’s career, everything old is new again by Dwain Hebda

Where most people see decay and ruin, Ben Swan sees opportunity. The president of Swan Development, he’s made a career of taking properties left for dead and bringing them back to new purpose. “I grew up in old neighborhoods and something about me just kind of roots for the underdog all the time,” he said. “A lot of these old neighborhoods have so much history and character and charm and beauty. There’s so many layers.” Swan graduated magna cum laude from Creighton University in 2006 with a degree in finance. He launched Swan Development in 2012 with the idea of bringing those

2019

CombOver Contracting Continued from preceding page. matter what.” As Omaha natives, the DeBolts have also made a point to give back to local organizations, such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Omaha I80 Cosmopolitan Club. “Our community is so important to us, especially when they’ve been so supportive of our business,” he said. “As long as we are in business, we will continue to give back to those in our area who need it.” Down the road, DeBolt said the company is looking at possibly offering some products, but nothing is concrete yet. Right now, he said the plan is to continue to make people smile through good service and fun advertising. “Witnessing the homeowner’s happiness at the end of a job during the final inspection is always the best part,” DeBolt said. “We’ve made some really lasting relationships with our clients and nothing beats that.”

Owner Ben Swan at the new Lone Tree Animal Care Center next to Wag and Felius … Helping to restore old blighted buildings for modern day use. layers to their former glory and with them, Felius, pet-focused businesses at 522/522 the neighborhoods where they reside. 1/2 South 24th Street, the historic Papillion “I am the first generation to be doing Theater at 225 South Washington Street building restoration and real estate devel- and Lodge No. 39 historic commercial opment in my family, so I don’t have a building at 233 South Washington Street. particularly large amount of capital. The The historic Carnation Ballroom, which only buildings I can afford to start on are hosted performances by James Brown, the ones that other people wrote off,” he B.B. King and Ray Charles is a current said. “And that has really turned into a project. point of pride for me, being able to restore “A lot of the buildings that I’ve had, something back to, if not its former glory, have had a number of patches applied to at least its former usability and dignity.” Swan Development has invested severProud Sponsors of the 2019 al million dollars renovating historic structures in downtown Omaha and Papillion. Some of the firm’s more noteworthy projects include Kellogg Place, a mixed-use building at 2450-2452 Harney Street; Wag/

them over the course of 70 to 100 years. I find myself having to remove those patches altogether and start with what’s left of the original structure. Then I like to build back around that original structure,” he said. “There’s different levels of restoration with classic vehicles or homes. I don’t want to go where the building is overly shined up and overly polished, but I try to respect the quality and grade of the original building and try to complement that with what I have available for modern building materials and architecture.” Swan also said bringing these buildings back is as much about prepping them for their next chapter as it is recapturing their past. “A lot of my buildings are going to be reoccupied by urban pioneers of one ilk or another where people are returning to the riverfront or people who are making a decision to live in what was the abandoned downtown core in the ‘80s and ‘90s,” he said. “In a lot of those historic buildings you can get something that is a modern iteration of them but you’re not going to get the original use. Where possible, I always try to pay homage to that original use.” Buildings aren’t the only souls of a community, which is why Swan is also active in several organizations to help keep moving the neighborhood forward. “I live and work in these areas where these group operate,” he said. “The only thing you can do to counteract some of the deterioration and neglect, not just physical and maintenance deterioration but cultural abandonment and economic abandonment, is build up a close-knit group of people who are caring to create something that’s exciting, safe and welcoming. Really, a holistic approach is the only approach for me. With what I have now, that’s the only way I see it being done.” Swan additionally owns Greenstreet Cycles, a bicycle retailer and repair shop with two locations.

40 Under 40:

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 •

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Advances in Medicine A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

January 31, 2020

Metro is ground zero for better drug therapy, affordable care that adds more quality years by Michelle Leach

Advances in Medicine •

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 •

Affordable care that adds more quality years Sports injury treatments are evolving daily Continued from preceding page. fibrosis medication as a “game-changer” and highlight of precision medicine, the direction Creighton is taking as a whole. “Precision medicine is a term where you identify a basic biology and then you develop therapies that target the specific biology,” he said. “The new drug for cystic fibrosis is targeting gene defects.” Assistant Director for Biomechanics Jeffrey Kaipust of the University of Nebraska Biomechanics Research Building highlighted “bench-to-bedside” capabilities, “working sideby-side with physicians, surgeons, and therapists to develop efficient and cost-effective solutions to medical problems.” Kaipust noted how Director Nicholas Stergiou, Ph.D., assures every new faculty member is mentored by a collaborative physician, enhancing clinical translation of its research. “There are several current projects in the building — ranging from design of aortic stents, 3D printed upper extremity prosthetics, 3D anatomical models to improve surgeries, devices to improve the interface between medical technology and the patient, affordable devices to enhance mobility, proper use of assistive devices …” Kaipust further referenced music-based cueing auditory devices (for seniors), visual cueing devices (to restore proper walking capabilities in movement disorders), devices to wirelessly monitor movement, augmented VR therapies and fall prevention strategies (such as responding to slips, trips and falls. Collectively, the long-term implications, Kaipust noted, include functional, affordable interventions to help patients stay at home

(and for daily use) and strategies to impact both rural and metro areas alike. Kaipust noted partnerships with rural communities, as well as further expansion in animal and rehabilitation biomechanics, and advanced manufacturing. “[We] hope to bring industry partners and business on campus to work alongside students, researchers and clinicians in a truly unique environment,” he said. “UNO is a worldwide leader in the field of biomechanics, yet that word is foreign to most of the population of Nebraska; however, it is the future.” When asked about the biggest caveats associated with discussing advances deemed as “breakthroughs,” Madsen noted how some new medicines cost more than $1 million per year per patient. “It is hard to imagine broad-based treatments at this price, so cost containment needs to happen without slowing the rate of new drug development,” he said. “There is lots of political pressure to reduce drug prices, but those high prices are necessary to pay back the huge drug development costs.” Madsen noted the act of balancing free enterprise capitalism (for exploratory development work) with real-world pricing restrictions. “This is a huge challenge for our politicians right now,” he said. “For a biotech company like ProTransit, the biggest challenge is raising money here in the Midwest. There seems to be a natural aversion to funding biotech companies. So, as a result, I’ve had to travel to places like California to pitch my company to investors.” Madsen added: “Even local efforts to increase funding for startups show no interest in biotechnology.”

by David Kubicek into the cells to promote blood flow and Surgical and non-surgical treatments in decrease inflammation and speed up the sports medicine are evolving daily. Sports healing process. injuries range from sprains and strains to OrthoNebraska sees lots of overuse-retendinopathies — which result by over-uslated injuries, especially during baseball ing a joint before it has time to heal — to season, Physical Therapist Mike Lovegren concussions. said. Arthroscopic surgery, which allows “We get a lot of little leaguer’s elbow, surgeons to treat many sports-relittle leaguer’s shoulder, tenlated conditions in a minimaldonitis, and bursitis,” he said. ly-invasive manner through “We test their range of motion small incisions, has revolutionand strength. Sometimes we ized sports medicine, according start with inflammation and to Benjamin M. Woodhead, a swelling control and modify sports surgeon at Lincoln Ortheir activity level, then we thopaedic Center. can get into addressing those “This has improved the redeficits. Recovery can be anycovery and rehab phase, which where from a couple of weeks allows patients to return to to a few months, depending on sports sooner than in the past,” the injury.” Woodhead he said. “A tremendous amount Much of the research today of money and research is being invested revolves around testing to determine into improving these techniques daily. whether the patient is ready to return to There is also significant interest in regensports. Treatment involves looking at the erative medicine relating to stem cells and whole body in relation to the injury. platelet-rich plasma.” “If I’m looking at a shoulder or elbow Pottawattamie County Sports & Fam[injury], I’m also looking at their spine, ily Chiropractic uses trigger point dry hips, and ankle,” Lovegren said. needling to relieve tension and pain to Shane Cole, a physical therapist and increase range of motion, according to clinic director of Makovicka Physical owner/operator Nathaniel Wiechmann. Therapy in Plattsmouth, said that this year “With palpation we can feel the tight all Makovicka clinics began using blood trigger points in the muscle, which peoflow restriction training, which allows ple get from overuse injuries or postural rehab professionals to partially limit blood changes,” he said. flow to a muscle group so the athlete can Another treatment the clinic uses lift lighter weights when training but proinvolves a laser of a certain wavelength, duce strength gains similar to when lifting which produces heat and works its way Continued on page 11.

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Synergies align with the CareDx acquisition of Omaha-based OTTR Continued from page 1.

10 years ago, we were at about 25 individuals,” said Matt Hunter, VP transplant software technology. “And then over the last 10 years we grew from 25 to 40 but being a small company, it was very difficult to chase a number of initiatives and ideas that we wanted to chase because we were limited by capital.” Now as part of CareDx and under the new name of OttrCare, the company can pursue its larger goals.

CareDx Phone: 800-411-0975 Address: 10202 F St., Omaha 68127; CareDx headquarters located in Brisbane, California Services: organ transplant management solutions and diagnostic testing Founded: OTTR founded in 1993 and acquired by CareDx May 2019 Employees: close to 50 in Omaha; 400 globally Goal: Aggressive hiring plan over the next two years to increase the number of Omaha employees to 200. Website: www.caredx.com

“What an amazing platform to basically elevate the CareDx vision and connect data management with our latest technology in supporting transplant patients in the United States,” said CareDx CEO Peter Maag about OttrCare. “We have already established relationships with 150 transplant centers in the United States; OttrCare is in 60 transplant centers. So, for us this is basically a [crossover] opportunity where our existing infrastructure is helpful in elevating OttrCare. On the other hand … we’re generating so much information with our diagnostic solutions that OttrCare would be an awesome repository to basically link our information into the electronic medical records.” The OttrCare tracking software helps transplant centers more efficiently manage patient care, tracking patients from the moment they are referred to possibly needing an organ transplant, to transplantation, to losing their organ or passing away, said Brian White, software development manager. CareDx provides a number of solutions that help improve patient outcomes and uses less invasive tests to assess organs, which decreases patient anxiety. “The big synergy that our CEO is trying to drive to is, as we serve the patient population, how do we bring together all the right players in a way to advance the science, advance the solutions,” Hunter said. “Bringing machine learning into the transplant space, or analytics — how can we look at the data around patients, how can we provide a better digital analytical solution and provide them the data to make their lives better, to help them with … managing their medications.” One of CareDx’s major goals is to add three years to the life of a transplanted organ. Because of the complexity of health care, there are a number of challenges. The company leaders outlined the conundrum for Medicare patients who need a kidney transplant: Medicare will pay for dialysis, an organ transplant and three years of anti-rejection medication. After three years, the patient foots the bill for lifelong anti-rejection medication. But not all patients can afford these medications. Medication adherence is a major factor to the longevity of an organ and to the patient’s quality of life. “I have a very clear vision about how we

many transplant centers,” Maag said. “In transcan improve the longevity of transplanted plantation it’s very important that we connect organs by three years,” Maag said. “It has to these transplant centers to the data platform, and do with better compliance of patients to their that platform will be in Omaha.” medications, it has to do with better immune OttrCare works with two major electronic medication … and then it has to do with stanmedical records companies: Cerner dardization and individualization.” and Epic. Maag and CareDx have helped “Our approach will be focused champion the “Immuno Bill,” which on a very specific therapeutic area. was introduced to Congress in DeWhere everybody tries to solve the cember and is anticipated to pass this [overall] problem in the hospital, year. The bill will extend Medicare we’re trying to solve the problem coverage for patients who need for a transplant patient and that anti-rejection medication, therefore approach is very groundbreaking, extending the life of organs and very different,” Maag said. “[With patients. The Honor the Gift camthe data platform,] the clinician paign was launched over a year ago will have more information on the as a grassroots lobbying effort in Maag patient and more information on Washington to help gain supporters. the quality of the match, and then tailor his apFurther complicating transplant treatment, proach to the individual patient and individual the U.S., unlike European countries such as organ versus just giving the standard cocktail.” France, doesn’t have a national database where According to recent United Network for individual transplant centers can access data, Organ Sharing (UNOS) data, there are over which can help medical professionals make more informed decisions regarding patient care 112,500 people who need a lifesaving organ transplant, and of those, over 73,000 people are and treatment. active waitlist candidates. “Transplantation is a large field, but every CareDx impacts an estimated 30,000 paindividual transplant center probably experitients daily, which is about 30% of the market. ences individual patients that they don’t expeTo keep the company’s patient-focused mission rience too many times, so they need to collect front and center, patient stories — the high information and connect with information from

and low points — and photos are shared (with permission) in meetings, embedded in presentations and more. “That’s actually very important across the company,” White said. “One of the things that Peter [Maag] the CEO is always saying is, ‘How many patients did we help yesterday? How many did we help today? How many are we helping tomorrow? What can we do to increase that number to have a bigger and bigger impact?’” Maag sees the Omaha location as a neutral position between the differing approaches of transplantation treatment care on either coast as well as with data management. One major challenge to expanding CareDx’s Omaha footprint is one that is felt across many industries, especially in tech: finding talent. But the leaders said that the company’s mission makes it unique and rewarding for its workers. “There’s always a need for more technical staff in the Omaha area for the foreseeable future,” White said. “And CareDx, with its wide range of solutions to help patients and care providers, there are a number of different technological solutions to be built or to maintain — whether it’s machine learning or consolidating data from a number of patients, transplants to tracking, patient information to helping centers provide more effective care.”

Makovicka takes football focus to physical therapy chain growth Continued from page 1. Lincoln and Omaha. building at 4235 North 90th St. Another part of Vogel, who is fluent in Spanish, heads the structure at 90th & Boyd streets in Omaha’s work conditioning initiatives that address the Keystone neighborhood houses a 2,500 square physical issues of flexibility, strength, endurfoot clinic. ance, coordination and work-related function The firm’s most recent ribbon cutting for a quicker, safer and more successful return came two months ago with the opening of a to work. 2,700-square-foot location in the largest portion “Research shows employees who have of a remodeled building at 11901 Pacific St. gone through work conditioning have a deMakovicka is joined in the business by creased risk for reinjury and return to work his father John Makovicka, a board member sooner,” Makovicka said. and 40-year practicing The program ofphysical therapist, and Makovicka Physical Therapy fers participants three vice-president of oper- Phone: 402-932-6791 to four hours a day and ations Cory Sylliaasen. Address: 4235 N. 90th St., Omaha 68134 up to three to five times The latter is another Services: physical therapy and rehabilitaa week. physical therapy alum tion Makovicka said of Creighton Universi- Founded: 2009 by Joel Makovicka and worksite evaluations ty. His specialty area is Natalie Harms and ergonomic assessEmployees: 165 sports medicine. ments are offered as Joel Makovicka One-year goal: Continue strategic growth well as pre/post emsaid his approach to the plan by developing and hiring right people ployment screenings. firm’s growth is fairly to direct/manage locations. Functional capacity logical: “Listen, eval- Industry outlook: Businesses that offer the of a person can be asuate symptoms and best care for people will grow with a larger sessed and work-hardcreate a personalized number of boomers seeking services. ening conditioning physical therapy pro- Website: www.makovickapt.com techniques can be used. gram to meet the needs A fit-for-duty analand improve function, strength an mobility.” ysis can be used to determine when an injured Makovicka, who played pro football for worker can be put back on the schedule board. the Arizona Cardinals, said hamstring pulls Athletic injuries provide another large and multiple knee and shoulder surgeries share of revenues. With more children starting helped him identify his career path, but with sports at ages as young as 7 or 8, within four our the growth of his business on a wide-range of five years more are developing ortho injuries. non-athletic specialties. “From pediatric to geriatric,” Makovicka For example, the new Pacific Street clinic, said, noting more boomers are taking later which is headed by UNMC doctorate holder retirements and expect to continue competing Brittni Klostermeyer, offers specialty thera- in life-long sports as their body ages. peutic treatment services such as dry needling, Across-the-board, Makovicka said, his firm ASTYM, and blood flow restriction training, has gained a deeper tracking capacity for each among others. patient with the use of OccuPro, a new software Makovicka introduced its Labor Force program that the Omaha business has been Ready Program in 2017 and hired Dr. Gaby among the first to use. It is more comprehensive Vogel, a certified ergonomic assessment spe- in tracking the specific treatment and progress cialist and functional capacity evaluator, to made by each patient. head up occupational health centers in both Makovicka said his management team

continues to differentiate Makovicka Physical Therapy from many of its competitors. He seeks out those physical therapy graduates with a strong emphasis on progressive practice methods and with specialties that will broaden the scope of the firm’s work. They are given considerable autonomy in their research work and professional development. “In providing the best care possible we want advocates for the absolute best practices that we can offer our patients,” he said. Within the past two years a blood flow restriction has been added. A large area of patient care involves treatment of muscular/skeletal pain and dysfunction. Issues range from back pain to situations that call for ortho surgery and recuperation assistance. The fast growth of Makovicka Physical Therapy has heightened the importance of identifying physical therapists, many of them recent graduates, who will start and have the best likelihood of staying with the firm for a long duration. A love of working with patients and keeping abreast of the latest research is a must. “We provide the avenues for their continued learning and education as they are hungry to be progressive in their approach to identifying research trends and their desire to be leaders in the field,” Makovicka said. Twelve to 13 visits is the average number made by patients. An in-house leadership development program is available to physical therapists who are identified as having talents that — when honed — could eventually lead them to positions such as a director or manager of a clinic location. “That’s been important to us as we’ve grown to become the largest locally-owned private practice in Nebraska,” he said. “We’ve hired good employees and then provide them with the environment for professional growth.” Four months ago Makovicka was named a board member of the Greater Omaha Chamber.

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 •

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Asset Environments focuses on financial strategies to fund green building projects Continued from page 1. mercial building owners is developing C-PACE (Commercial- Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing strategies. In commercial real estate it’s not uncommon for buildings to be owned by one

Asset Environments Phone: 402-990-5506 Founded: In 2016 by Stephen McGreer, PE. Service: specializing in alternative contracting mechanisms that combine energy efficient building solutions and creative financial solutions Employees: 2 Website: assetenvironments.com

company and inhabited by another, sometimes resulting in a triple net lease where the owner is responsible for capital costs and the tenant is responsible for property expenses (real estate taxes, building insurance and maintenance) in addition to rent and utilities. The problem is that owners hesitate to front the costs for green upgrades, such as energy efficient building controls or solar panels, since the savings will be seen in operational costs, which is the tenants’ responsibility. “One of the reasons that C-PACE was developed was to bridge that split incentive problem so owners would be incentivized to make their buildings better and tenants would be incentivized to bring their operational costs down,” McGreer said. C-PACE financing is used to pay for energy efficiency, water conservation and

renewable energy systems. The loans are repaid over a term of up to 20 years or longer, and allow owners to pass some of that cost to tenants. This structure and shared responsibility for paying for C-PACE financed improvements may allow both the owner and the tenant to remain cash positive, while increasing building efficiency. All C-PACE financing is funded with private capital and the city plays an important role in reviewing and approving C-PACE eligible projects. With a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and experience performing energy audits for Burns & McDonnell and NORESCO, McGreer is able to offer clients both technical and financial recommendations for building efficiency upgrades. PACE brings big economic impact to Omaha Eighteen months after the city of Omaha passed its C-PACE financing ordinance in 2017 the city made national headlines when Shamrock Development and the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority announced the Capitol District. At $24.9 million in C-PACE financing, Asset Environments was able to secure the largest C-PACE deal of 2018, surpassing the second largest deal in Ohio that accounted for $16.3 million in funding. Aspects of the building that were eligible due to efficiency included high efficiency lighting, windows, HVAC systems, controls and even an energy recovery elevator. When the project is new construction, McGreer said C-PACE financing eligibility all depends on energy code minimums.

“With retrofits you finance the cost of the energy upgrades,” he said. “With a new building you compare what is being built to what is energy code minimum and justify the energy saving aspects for what is beyond the minimum.” For example, in June of 2019 City Ventures was approved for more than $900,000 in C-PACE financing for the Rocket Carwash under construction at North 204th Street and West Dodge Road. The carwash will feature a water recovery system, which will re-use up to 70% of the water used at the carwash, reducing water consumption and waste. It will also feature LED lighting, HVAC units, roof insulation and weatherization estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 233,138 pounds per year. Pairing with C-PACE In addition to C-PACE financing, McGreer and energy engineer Jon Fletcher are able to find clients other financial tools, like energy rebates and tax credits. Currently the duo is focused on IRS Section 45L, an energy efficient home credit. The tax credit is worth $2,000 for homes or apartments that have been built or retrofitted with energy efficiencies 50% over energy code minimum. A spending bill adopted by Congress in Dec. 2019 included other provisions including a 45L. The tax credit is retroactive, covering anything put into service since Jan. 2018 through Dec. 31, 2020. Asset Environments, who works with several of the property management companies in Omaha and the region, is hoping to leverage 45L for apartment complexes. While the audit to prove energy efficiency will take time and money, companies could potentially receive $2,000 for each unit. Clients could also consider taking advantage of the 45L tax credit on top of C-PACE financing. “I couldn’t find anyone in Nebraska who did 45L certifications,” McGreer said. “There’s people in Florida and California so we’re trying to figure out how we can be the expert in Omaha.” Audits make up the majority of the company’s revenue and can be rolled into the C-PACE financing. Beyond Omaha Strong relationships with Petros PACE financing, based out of Austin, Texas, and Kansas City based PACE Sage Capital, who has offices in Omaha and Lincoln, has propelled Asset Environments to other parts of the region. Asset Environments has prepared C-PACE energy analyses for projects in Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska. But, McGreer said, part of the value Asset Environments brings to clients in Omaha and Nebraska stems from its familiarity with local tax codes, utility company programs and municipalities. It was also the first company in the area working on audits for C-PACE financing in conjunction with PACE Sage Capital, one reason McGreer isn’t intimidated by incoming competition. “The reality is that you can’t win it all the time and people are going to start doing projects with other companies,” he said. “The nice thing is we’ve partnered with Chris Peterson, who helped pass all the Nebraska legislature, and we’ve meet with the Omaha PACE committee several times.”

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 •

Intel and Softbank beware. Open source is coming to the chip business by Ian King

After revolutionizing software, the opensource movement is threatening to do same to the chip industry. Big technology companies have begun dabbling with RISC-V, Technology which replaces proprietary know-how in a key part of the chip design process with a free standard that anyone can use. While it’s early days, this could create a new crop of processors that compete with Intel Corp. products and whittle away at the licensing business of Arm Holdings Plc. In December, about 2,000 people packed SUPER CROSSWORD

into a Silicon Valley conference to learn about RISC-V, a new set of instructions that control how software communicates with semiconductors. In just a few years, RISC-V has grown from a college teaching tool into an open-source standard being explored by industry giants including Google, Samsung Electronics Co., Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Qualcomm Inc. and Nvidia Corp. “Most of the major companies are putting substantial efforts into RISC-V,” said Krste Asanovic, a computer scientist at the University of California, Berkeley, who was part of the team that developed the standard. He’s co-founder of SiFive Inc., a startup that sells SIX FROM THE FAB FOUR

chip designs based on RISC-V (pronounced “risk five”). Open source harnesses the contributions of multitudes, not just the proprietary ideas of a few companies. New code is shared, so anyone can see it, improve it and build their own contributions on top of it. After being dismissed by giants like Microsoft Corp. in the 1990s, this expanding body of work has become the foundation of the internet, smartphones and many software applications. Last year, IBM bought open-source pioneer Red Hat in the biggest software deal in history. Even Microsoft got on board, acquiring GitHub, the largest repository of open-source code. Opening up even small parts of the chipmaking process is anathema to many in the $400 billion industry. But if enough companies commit to an open-source approach, that could create a shared pool of knowledge that may be hard for Intel and Arm to keep up with. Early developments focus on instruction sets, which govern the basic functions of processors. Only two have mattered for years. One is Intel‘s X86, which dominates computer processors. Buying a chip from Intel or licensee Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is the only real way to use this instruction set. And Intel is the only company that can change it.The other instruction set is the basis of all major smartphone components. It is owned by Arm, a unit of Softbank Group Corp. This can be licensed for a fee, so other companies use it to design their own chips. But again, only Arm can alter the fundamentals.This has left the rest of the industry relying on the innovation of just two companies. That

Sports injury treatments

Answers on page 12.

Continued from page 7. with heavy weights. “This allows us to increase strength more quickly without placing excessive pressure on an injured joint,” Cole said. “This treatment is very low-risk, pain-free, and decreases the time an athlete spends in rehab.” It is difficult to know for sure how common concussions are because some concussions go unreported, especially those that occur outside of school or sport. A CDC risk behavior survey in 2017 found that 15% of high school students reported sustaining a concussion during the previous year. Concussions vary widely in severity. “Athletes may recover from a concussion in a matter of days, or it may take months for an athlete to fully recover,” Cole said. The most serious effects of a concussion are the result of multiple concussions. Second Impact Syndrome is when a second concussion occurs before the athlete’s brain has recovered from the first, and it can result in severe long-term effects. “Concussions are typically treated with a team that involves a physician, a school nurse, and multiple other health professionals, depending on the severity,” Cole said. “Treatment consists of allowing time for the brain to rest and heal. The athlete is then slowly progressed back to a full return to activity, taking time at different stages to ensure symptoms do not return. If concussion symptoms linger, it’s common for physical therapy to be recommended to help the athlete recover.”

was not a problem for decades because most processors were general-purpose components that got faster and more efficient each year through production advances. Those industry axioms are unraveling, though. The steady march of chip miniaturization has bumped up against the laws of physics, while artificial intelligence and a flood of data from the internet and smartphones require new ways of processing information. A fresh set of instructions will help create better chips to power driverless cars, speech recognition and other AI tasks, RISC-V’s backers say. Google is using RISC-V in its OpenTitan project, which is developing security chips for data center servers and storage devices. “There are a range of other computational tasks, such as machine learning, that could benefit from an open computing architecture,” said Urs Holzle, who has overseen the technical infrastructure of Google’s massive data centers for years. Samsung said it will use SiFive designs in chips it’s making for mobile phone components. RISC-V has appeared in microcontrollers – a basic form of a processor – that are part of more complex chips sold by Qualcomm and Nvidia. Western Digital Corp., one of the largest makers of data-storage devices, plans to use the technology in some products and has open-sourced its designs. Alibaba has announced a chip based on RISC-V and several universities have published opensource designs. There are 200 Chinese members of the RISC-V Foundation, a non-profit group created in 2015 to promote the use of the instruction set. An Indian project developed six processors using the technology. RISC-V specifications are developed, ratified and maintained by the foundation’s technical committee, made up of engineers and other contributors from several member companies. Proposed revisions are posted on GitHub. RISC-V designs can either be free or licensed. While there’s no strict requirement to stick to the official specifications, members have an incentive to make their designs compatible. This gives chip customers multiple options for the blueprints they need to design components that communicate properly with the software, according to backers of the project. It’s still very early days, though. In terms of actual chips created, sold and used, RISC-V is nowhere. Arm’s technology is in almost all the 1.4 billion smartphones made each year. More than 200 million PCs sold annually are based on Intel’s X86 instruction set. One criticism of RISC-V is that it won’t end up saving money because there’s more work involved in using open standards. This echoes complaints raised about Linux and other open-source software when they were gaining ground decades ago. Arm said the idea that RISC-V reduces costs doesn’t make sense. “Innovation goes far beyond an instruction set,” said Tim Whitfield, a vice president of strategy at the company. “Arm’s IP is highly configurable and provides our partners with the flexibility to innovate and differentiate where they can add real value while minimizing risk and cost.” Martin Fink, Western Digital’s former chief technology officer who still advises the CEO, said it’s about spurring innovation in a crucial field that’s still locked down, rather Continued on next page.

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Employers’ dream of controlling health costs turns to workers’ sleep by Phil Galewitz

Charlie Blakey had a sense he was sleeping poorly since he often would wake up tired and hear from his wife how loudly he breathed during the night. So he jumped at the chance when his employer, Southern Health care Co., an Atlanta-based electric utility, offered to test him in 2018 for sleep apnea, a potentially serious disorder in which people repeatedly stop breathing while asleep. After he tested positive, the utility arranged for him to have a machine that provides continuous airflow through a mask while he sleeps — at no cost to him. Within weeks, Blakey, of Augusta, Ga., noticed a difference. “Without a doubt, it’s helped me feel more refreshed when I get up,” said Blakey, 38, a safety and health specialist at the company. About 4,000 of Southern’s 30,000 employees have been screened for sleep apnea in the past three years, and 1,500 are being treated. Southern officials said the program is saving money on health costs — $1.2 million in 2018 alone — because it reduces medical services for dangerous conditions such as heart disease that are complicated by sleep apnea. Sleep is the latest in an ever-growing list of wellness issues — such as weight loss, exercise and nutrition — that firms are targeting to improve workers’ health and lower medical costs. Whether all these sleep programs deliver on their promises is not yet clear. A study published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association followed nearly 33,000 employees of BJ’s Wholesale Club for 18 months and found the wellness program did

Open source is coming Continued from preceding page. than saving money. “It’s free as in freedom not as in free beer,” he added. “It’s about community and collaboration.” Other RISC-V backers argue that the more-collaborative process will eventually reduce the cost of creating chips, especially for data center operators and other companies that are increasingly designing their own processors, according to David Patterson, a former Berkeley professor and a distinguished engineer at Google. “Companies all over the world are collaborating to develop because it saves them money,” he said. Pressure on the incumbents to step up their game might be the biggest immediate impact of RISC-V. Last year, Arm announced a try-before-you-buy plan with a much lower fee so smaller companies and academic institutions could do exploratory work using its instruction set. Intel said it is adding new instructions that will help with AI processing and other new areas. “Intel engineers have continually advanced the X86 architecture standard, providing best-in-class performance,” the company added in a statement. Qualcomm, one of Arm’s biggest customers, sees room for multiple approaches, including RISC-V, according to Keith Kressin, a senior vice president of product management at Qualcomm. ©2020 Bloomberg News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

not lead to significant reductions in health spending. Harry Liu, a researcher at the Rand Corp. who studies job-based wellness initiatives, said that while studies show “improving sleeping habits can reduce absenteeism and improve productivity,” it’s uncertain if employers’ efforts will have long-term effects for individual workers. A study published by researchers at the University of Minnesota, Harvard Medical School and other institutions in October found that 1,200 commercial truck drivers who participated in an employer sleep apnea screening and treatment program saved an average of $441 per month in health costs compared with drivers who were not treated. An earlier study of members of a health plan serving Union Pacific employees also found overall health savings among workers who were diagnosed with sleep apnea and got treatment. About 1 in 4 large employers offer programs to help workers get better sleep and more than half plan to implement such efforts by 2021, according to a 2019 survey by benefits firm Willis Towers Watson. Most businesses hire contractors to manage the programs. Benefits officials say promoting a good night’s sleep for employees is as important as making sure their blood sugar and cholesterol are under control. Despite the public’s concerns about privacy, employers say workers have been eager to reveal information about how they sleep to company vendors. To protect employees’ medical privacy, the data on individual workers does not go to their bosses; companies receive only aggregated data to measure program spending and effectiveness. Katie Kirkland, director of benefits at Southern, said a lack of sleep may promote an unhealthy lifestyle of not exercising or eating a poor diet. In addition to reducing medical costs, the company was motivated to offer its program because state transportation department rules require that some employees who operate heavy equipment and have certain health conditions be tested for sleep apnea and get treated if diagnosed. With a diagnosis of apnea, a patient is typically prescribed a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. But Kirkland said many workers needed help sustaining treatment because of difficulties in learning to sleep with a mask. “With sleep apnea, there is a high drop-off rate, where you pay a lot for the equipment and then it doesn’t get used,” she said. “We found it’s a much better experience with the personal coaching.” When the company took on the issue, it made sense to offer the help to its entire labor force, Kirkland added. Beyond sleep apnea, some employers also help workers with insomnia. The Hartford Financial Services Group, based in Hartford, Conn., contracts with London-based Sleepio to offer employees a sleep questionnaire and online tutorial to deal with specific sleep issues. Sandra Trisdale, a sales consultant with the company in San Diego, said she’s sleeping better after finishing a six-week online course on how to fall asleep faster. Tips Trisdale used include room-darkening window shades and getting a noise machine to drown out other noises. She also

learned the importance of trying to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. The program had her keep a diary to track how the changes she made affected her sleep. “It was tremendously helpful,” Trisdale said, “and I got to see how making some small changes led to some big results.” According to the Hartford, the 2,000 workers who completed its six-week education program have gained an average of seven hours of sleep per week. Judy Gordon, wellness director at the company, said a preliminary analysis suggests the sleep program is saving the company money through fewer medical claims. The company began looking into sleep issues after it found employees with an insomnia diagnosis have more than double the average health costs of those without one. In addition, she said, employees who sleep better are likely to be more productive at work. “There is a business reason to look at insomnia,” Gordon said. Remedying sleep issues can also alleviate some anxiety and depression, she said. Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland also recently began working with its employees on sleep. About 185 workers took part in a voluntary four-week program last year that provided sleeping tips and asked employees to keep a record of how they slept each night. Claude “Bud” Morris, a maintenance worker, said the program helped by nudging him to turn off electronics an hour before bedtime. Officials at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, a government agency that provides drinking water for parts of Maryland near the District of Columbia, feared

sleep problems were plaguing many of their employees who often work late nights or early mornings. When they looked over workers’ medical and pharmacy claims, they found 226 of 1,600 employees had been diagnosed with sleep apnea and most of them had at least one chronic disease such as asthma or diabetes. “It wasn’t rocket science to tell sleep was an issue,” said Lee McDonough, the commission’s wellness program manager. Many of the employees with sleep apnea who had started on a CPAP machine quit using it regularly because of difficulty wearing the mask. “They would take it and throw it in a corner and not get better,” McDonough said. The commission contracted with FusionHealth of Suwanee, Georgia, which tests employees for sleep apnea and provides doctors and respiratory therapists to counsel individuals on how to wear the mask. The company also monitors employees remotely and follows up with regular phone calls and emails. After 16 months using the service, the commission found the extra level of personal support helped many employees sleep better. “The human touch combined with the technology has helped employees stick with it and given them a fighting chance to get better,” McDonough said. Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente. ©2020 Kaiser Health News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

Puzzle on page 11.

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 •

The US is losing big-spending foreign tourists — and Trump’s one reason why by Hugo Martín

Over the past two years, Spain’s national tourism agency has targeted big-spending cosmopolitan travelers from Europe and the U.S. and promoted foodie vacations in parts of Economy Spain not typically visited by international travelers. The work has paid off, with Spain recently surpassing the U.S. to become the second most visited country in the world by international tourists, behind only France. U.S. travel industry leaders, miffed that Spain and a handful of other countries have been outperforming the U.S. in attracting high-spending international tourists, say they are ready to launch a new campaign to help the country retake its spot among the world’s top tourism destinations. Part of that effort will involve borrowing from Spain’s playbook by promoting Instagrammable scenery and unique foodie favorite spots in the U.S. “We are growing but just not at the pace of the rest of the world,” said Tori Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs for the U.S. Travel Association, the trade group for the country’s travel industry. Although domestic travel in the U.S. is thriving, travel industry leaders worry about losing out on the country’s share of overseas visitors — so-called long-haul travelers from places like China and Europe — because they spend an average of about $4,200 per visit, much more than the domestic traveler who spends only about $400 per trip. Spain has boosted its share of international visitors by targeting middle-class and high-income travelers in the U.S. and Europe and by promoting the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet and new experiences such as Flamenco dancing, among other messages, said Javier Rodriquez Manas, director of Spain’s tourism office in Los Angeles. In addition, he said Spain’s tourism agency invites social media influencers to the country to visit and promote their experiences in Spain. The effort has included posting social media images of bowls of gazpacho, plates of tapas and centuries-old castles. “We also get the message out on the internet, on Facebook and Twitter,” he said. “We are always working with these platforms of promotion. They really work good for us.” But it won’t be easy for the U.S. to win back foreign tourists who are increasingly heading to alternative vacation spots in Europe and Asia. The U.S. has seen its share of global international travel drop from 13.7% in 2015 to 11.7% in 2018, with a forecast by the U.S. Travel Association suggesting that the rate could drop to 10.9% by 2022. That drop has been blamed on several factors, including a strong U.S. currency, which makes spending in the U.S. by foreign tourists more expensive. In addition, trade tensions with China have been blamed for a drop in visits from Chinese tourists who have in the past few years been spending heavily on things such as souvenirs on Hollywood Boulevard and

name-brand clothes at outlet malls in Los Angeles. The efforts to attract foreign visitors also took a blow in 2018 when the Trump administration decided to divert funding away from a coordinated marketing campaign to promote the U.S. to international travelers, dubbed Brand USA. Trump instead funneled the money to help pay for improved border protection. On top of that, travel industry experts say the president has sent a less-than-welcoming message to would-be foreign visitors by launching a travel ban on mostly Muslim countries and promoting the construction of a wall along the country’s southern border. The Trump administration may be ready to announce as early as Monday an expansion of that travel ban to include seven new countries, according to Politico “We would like to see a more public articulation from the administration and Congress that would be a welcoming message to international travelers coming here,” Barnes said. Between 2015 and 2018, the number of long-haul, international visitors to the U.S. has grown by 3.1%, while the increase has been much bigger at other top tourist destinations such as Canada (23%), France (17%), Mexico (49%) and Spain (41%), according to Oxford Economics, a global economics forecasting firm. “Though domestic travel continues to increase, there continues to be a decline

in international inbound travel, which is costing thousands of jobs and billions of dollars for our economy,” said Chip Rogers, chief executive of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. The U.S. is still number one when it comes to spending, with $215 billion coming from foreign visitors in 2018. By comparison, Spain drew about $74 billion in spending from foreign travelers, according to the U.S. Travel Association. But by failing to keep up with its rivals, the U.S. Travel Association estimates that the U.S. has lost out on about 14 million more foreign visitors who would have spent an additional $59.4 billion in the U.S. between 2015 and 2018. Congress recently restored funding for the Brand USA marketing campaign for the next seven years, giving Barnes and other U.S. travel leaders hope that the U.S. can improve the numbers. Launched in 2011 by travel industry leaders, Brand USA is funded by private donations and fees charged to international visitors who register for visas to enter the U.S. As part of its effort, Brand USA plans to release an IMAX film next month titled “Into America’s Wild,” Christopher Thompson, chief executive of Brand USA, said he doesn’t know exactly how the campaign will market the U.S. over the next seven years but he said he is sure it will rely heavily on social media posts and promotion of food travel and other new unique expe-

riences that go beyond sightseeing and souvenir shopping. “It’s all about the diversity of the geography and the diversity of the experience and where you can do that in the U.S.,” he said. Travel industry experts say bringing international travelers back is vital to the U.S. economy. “More foreigners spending money on tourism in the U.S. is good for our economy,” said Curtis Dubay, senior economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Around 32 million travelers from overseas have come here to vacation since 2015. From Disney to D.C., we have a lot to offer.” Erika Richter, a spokeswoman for the American Society of Travel Advisors, said she hopes the campaign will promote the country’s diverse food offerings to attract ardent tourists whose travels are dictated by their stomachs. “Our marketing needs to be on point with what the modern traveler is looking for,” she said. Richter also agreed with other travel experts who say that the Trump administration needs to send a more welcoming message to would-be foreign visitors. “Policy decisions effect the perception of the U.S. as an inspirational place to visit,” she said. ©2020 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Trump opens door to Social Security cuts by Michael Hiltzik

With his penchant for saying the quiet parts out loud and assuming no one is paying attention, President Trump on Wednesday opened the door to cutting Social Security Social Security and Medicare later this year. The word came at the very end of an interview conducted by Joe Kernan of CNBC, in connection with Trump’s appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Here’s how it unfolded, according to the tape and transcript from CNBC “KERNAN: Entitlements ever be on your plate? “PRESIDENT TRUMP: At some point they will be. We have tremendous growth. We’re going to have tremendous growth. This next year I — it’ll be toward the end of the year. The growth is going to be incredible. And at the right time, we will take a look at that. You know, that’s actually the easiest of all things, if you look, cause it’s such a — “ Trump then wandered off into a string of false and incoherent claims about the economy. “We’ve never had growth like this,” he said, even though economic growth during Trump’s term is nowhere near a record pace. What’s important is that Trump appears to be falling into lockstep with the more general Republican position that closing the federal deficit requires cutting back on Social Security, Medicare and other social safety net programs. Never mind that the deficit was opened into a gaping maw by the tax cut Trump signed in December

2017, which went mostly to corporations and the wealthy, the effect of which goosed economic growth for a short period but has faded. Other commentators have underscored the conflict between Trump appearing open to tampering with Social Security and Medicare, and his promise during the last presidential campaign to leave those programs alone. “Every Republican wants to do a big number on Social Security,” he said in one appearance. “They want to do it on Medicare, they want to do it on Medicaid. And we can’t do that. And it’s not fair to the people that have been paying in for years.” Just before election day 2016 he claimed Cutting benefits has been part of Republican orthodoxy for decades, but the drumbeat has gotten louder. In September, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) talked about the need to go “behind closed doors” to reform Social Security, because it’s clear that the American public won’t stand for it being done in the open. A year earlier, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) labeled Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid — socalled entitlements — “the real drivers of the debt.” It’s worth noting that proposals to cut social insurance benefits are certain to be dead on arrival as long as Democrats control at least one chamber of Congress, as they do currently. Indeed, the Democratic Party, through its representatives in Congress and its candidates for president Trump still can do a lot of damage to

these programs by starving their administrative budgets or tinkering with administrative rules, as he’s proposed to do with Medicaid and Social Security Disability Insurance. As I’ve reported before, Trump’s cavalier approach to these programs isn’t really a secret. His proposed 2020 budget Trump’s budget would gut the nation’s disability programs by $84 billion. At least $10 billion of that would come from Social Security disability through changes in eligibility rules. An additional $400 million would come out of the Social Security Administration’s administrative budget, which is already strapped for cash, in the next year alone. Beneficiaries could expect more busy signals on the phone lines and longer waits at Social Security offices. In October, Trump signed an executive order bristling with stealth attacks on Medicare. Buried within the order was a provision that would destroy Medicare by driving its costs to an unsustainable level. He also proposed to turn more of the program over to commercial insurers. Again, all this has been hiding in plain sight. Trump’s latest remarks have gotten a lot of attention, because they appear to be so blunt. But the danger the Trump administration poses to programs that protect America’s most vulnerable populations has been evident almost from the first. ©2020 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• JANUARY 31, 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. ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Detroit Sterling Heights, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Detroit Sterling Heights, 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, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Capitol Corporate Services, Inc. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that The Cord: Where Science Meets Connection, L.L.C., has been organized as a professional limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The designated office of the Company is 638 N. 109th Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The registered agent of the Company is Catherine A. Schweitzer, 5022 Lafayette Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68132. The Company's members, managers, professional employees and agents are licensed or otherwise legally authorized to render services related to the providing of mental health services in this state. The Company was formed on October 17, 2019. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Name: CGLL, LLC Date of Organization: January 24, 2020 State of Organization: Nebraska Registered Agent: Cheri Lee Grossoehme Registered Office: 8116 Grand Avenue, Omaha, NE 68134 Duration: Perpetual Capital Contribution: $5,000.00 First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 BROWN & WOLFF, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1925 North 120th Street, One Bennington Place Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 186 BASKETBALL FACILITY, LLC NOTICE is hereby given that 186 Basketball Facility, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the designated office of the Company 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 24th day of October, 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 January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020

ROBERT L. FREEMAN, ATTORNEY FRASER STRYKER P.C. L.L.O. 500 Energy Plaza, 409 South 17th Street Omaha, NE 68102-2663 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VILLAGE POINTE MED, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Village Pointe, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on November 20, 2019. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 500 Energy Plaza, 409 South 17th Street, Omaha, NE 68102-2663. The Registered Agent of the Company is Robert L. Freeman 500 Energy Plaza, 409 South 17th Street, Omaha, NE 68102-2663 First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020

ROBERT J. KMIECIK, Attorney STINSON LLP 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102-1818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Milan Laser Detroit Novi, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named Milan Laser Detroit Novi, 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, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Capitol Corporate Services, Inc. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020

ROBERT E. BURNS, Attorney 11330 Q Street, Suite 220 Omaha, Nebraska 68137 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TKBRAND, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of TKBRAND, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability Company is TKBRAND, LLC. 2. The company's Initial agent for service of process is Troy A. Brand. The Initial agent's address and the address of the Initial designated office of the Company is 6320 South 131st Circle, Omaha, NE 68137. 3. The general nature of the business to be transacted by the Company is to engage in and transact in any and all lawful business enterprises for which a Limited Liability Company may be organized under the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act, and specifically to engage in the ownership and management of real estate, and all other related activities, and to own, hold and sell or assign any and all licenses necessary or advisable to conduct said business. 4. The Company commenced on December 27, 2019, and shall have a perpetual duration. 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 P & L REALTY – JOHNSON NE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that P & L Realty – Johnson NE, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 13323 California Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on January 9, 2020. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 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 TEK INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Tek Industries Holdings, 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 Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. at 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 14, 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 DMSI HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that DMSI Holdings, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 17002 Marcy Street, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 233 South 13th Street, Suite 1900, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508. The Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 26, 2019. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ATOMIC NINJAS OF OMAHA LLC Notice is hereby given that Atomic Ninjas Of Omaha LLC. (the “Company”) has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws. The initial designated office of the Company is 18118 Mason St. Elkhorn, NE 68022. The initial registered agent of the Company is LEGALINC CORPORATE SERVICES INC. located at 706 N. 129th St. Suite 121 Omaha, NE 68154. 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 N O T I C E O F A M E N D M E N T T O T H E A RT I C L E S O F INCORPORATION OF THE HUNDRED FOUNDATION Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of The Hundred Foundation have been amended to change the name of the corporation to: The Hogan Family Foundation. The Amendment was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 14, 2020. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: CHRIS A. RING, 2805 Angie Dr., Bellevue NE 68005, you are hereby notified that on November 11, 2019, American Family Mutual Ins. Co. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI1924954, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $3,926.17, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 16th day of March, 2020, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 14, 2020

RUSSELL S. DAUB, Attorney 2800 South 110th Court, Suite 1 Omaha, Nebraska 68144-4818 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FOR GARREN TECHNOLOGIES GLOBAL, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The name of the Company is GARREN TECHNOLOGIES GLOBAL, LLC. The address of the registered office is 19927 Logan Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68130-3718 and the name of the company’s initial registered agent is RAYMOND E. GARREN. The Company shall engage in any lawful business for which a Company may be formed under the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act. The Company commenced business on January 13, 2020, and its duration shall be perpetual. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by its Members. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 DANIEL J. WATERS, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF BRM Farms, 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 BRM Farms, LLC. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on January 10, 2020 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BIG D PROPERTIES, 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 BIG D PROPERTIES, 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 225 S. 123rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. Matt Garland; Kim Garland, Inc.; Jordan Binfield; and Cari Binfield, Members First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DEE & LEE PROPERTIES, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is DEE & LEE PROPERTIES, LLC. The company is organized to render real estate sales services. 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 4301 Edgerton Drive, Bellevue, NE 68123. Kevin Nieto, Jr. and Jessica Nieto, Directors First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TRUCKY’S CREATIONS LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Trucky’s Creations LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered and designated offices located at 4811 North 139th Street, Omaha, NE 68164 and its Registered Agent being Donald Truckenbrod. The company was organized and commenced on October 22, 2019, and its duration is perpetual. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its sole Member, Donald Truckenbrod. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: THOMAS E. DAVIS, SR., 4025 Spring Circle, Omaha, NE, 68105, you are hereby notified that on November 14, 2019, Ford Motor Credit Company, LLC filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-25290, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $8,160.39, 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 2nd day of March, 2020, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication January 10, 2020, final January 31, 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: HELEN B. AFTONOMOS, 7224 Northridge Drive, Omaha NE 68112, you are hereby notified that on November 11, 2019, American Family Mutual Ins. Co. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-24956, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $9,629.92, 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 2nd day of March, 2020, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication January 10, 2020, final January 31, 2020 DANIEL C. PAULEY, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF EUPHORIA LIFE, 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 Euphoria Life, LLC. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on December 6, 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 January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney MOYLAN LAW, LLC 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 2127 VALENTINE STREET, LLC Notice is hereby given that 2127 Valentine Street, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated agent Sean D. Moylan and designated office at 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The purpose for which 2127 Valentine Street, 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 January 15, 2020. Management of the company shall be vested in its Members. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 DANIEL C. PAULEY, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TAKE NOTICE that Koru Studios, LLC, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the designated office is 601 West 2nd Street, Hastings, NE 68901. The company is organized 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 company commenced on November 22, 2019, and its existence is perpetual. The company will be managed by its members. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), GENE H CRAWFORD You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 10/23/2019 on Case Number CI19-24076, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $118.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 03/14/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

ROBERT J. KIRBY, Incorporator C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D e W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF INTEGRATED WINDOWS, INC. Integrated Windows, Inc. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. The Articles of Incorporation were filed on January 8, 2020. The street address of the corporation's registered office is 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, Nebraska, 68124, and the name of the initial registered agent at that office is Robert J. Kirby. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 DAVID J. SKALKA, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D e W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BATTLELINE LLC The name of the limited liability company is Battleline LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 7166 North 52nd Street, Omaha, NE 68152. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is David J. Skalka, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 THOMAS C. DORWART, Attorney TELPNER PETERSON LAW FIRM, LLP 25 Main Place, Suite 200 Council Bluffs, IA 51503 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Njord Transportation, Inc. has been incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered office located at 13504 So. 33rd Street, Bellevue, Nebraska 68123. The general nature of the business is to transact all lawful business for which a corporation may be incorporated under the Nebraska law. The corporation was incorporated on January 9, 2020 and shall have a perpetual existence. Its purpose is to provide trucking and transportation services. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors and its officer who shall consist of a president, a vice president, a secretary and a treasurer, and such other officers as shall be designated in the by-laws. Zachary Mathias, Incorporator First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF GOLDENROD FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Goldenrod Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, NE 68122. The Registered Agent of the Company is Zachary A. Wiegert, 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, NE 68122. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Steckler & Sons, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 7173 Mormon Bridge Road, Omaha, Nebraska 68152. The registered agent of the Company is Chad N. Steckler, 7173 Mormon Bridge Road, Omaha, Nebraska 68152. The Company was formed on January 10, 2020. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF FIAT CAREER COACHING, LLC Notice is hereby given that Fiat Career Coaching, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 530 S. 13th Street, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68508. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Northwest Registered Agent Service, Inc., 530 S. 13th Street, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68508. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 JOHN N. MASSIH, Attorney MASSIH LAW, LLC 226 N. 114th Street Omaha, NE 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-1954 Estate of Ailie May Backora, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on 23rd day of December, 2019, 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 Timothy J. Backora, of 2309 Nelson's Creek Drive, Omaha, NE 68116, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before March 17, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Corporate Name: MDtelehealth, P.C. Registered Agent: Erickson & Sederstrom P.C. a limited liability organization Registered Office: 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 Authorized Number of Shares: 10,000 Incorporators: John Horne, MD, 2111 South 67th Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106 Renuga Vivekanandan, MD, 2111 South 67th Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106 First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 ROBERT J. LIKES, Attorney LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF NFM CUSTOM COUNTERTOPS, LLC Notice is hereby given that NFM CUSTOM COUNTERTOPS, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office and registered office of the Company is 700 S. 72nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Victor C. Padios. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 KATHRYN J. DERR, Attorney BERKSHIRE & BURMEISTER 1301 South 75th Street, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OFAMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF ROYAL TERRACE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF ROYAL TERRACE, LLC has been amended so as to change the name of the company to LENA PROPERTIES II, LLC as of January 6, 2020. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 4863 SOUTH 121ST STREET, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 4863 South 121st Street, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 2357 South 183rd Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 3717 NORTH 70TH AVENUE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 3717 North 70th Avenue, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 2357 South 183rd Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 SAMUEL J. TURCO, SR., Attorney 2580 South 90th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68124 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR9-1913 Estate of TIMOTHY A. SVACINA, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on December 16, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Deceased, and that Karen Walag, whose address is 1453 North 96th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68114, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of this estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before March 24, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Corporate Name: Downey Law Offices, P.C., L.L.O Registered Agent: Shaun Downey Registered Office: 4939 South 24th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107 Authorized Number of Shares: 10,000 Incorporator: Shaun Downey, 4939 South 24th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107 First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), AKILE BANISTER & JENNIFER BANISTER You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 09/30/2019 on Case Number CI19-21949, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $278.80, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 03/02/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), SYLVESTER MALTA You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 10/11/2019 on Case Number CI19-23302, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $116.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 03/02/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), JESSICA L BULTEZ You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 09/30/2019 on Case Number CI19-21950, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $174.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 03/02/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 MARY E. VANDENACK, ATTORNEY VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 OMAHA, NEBRASKA, 68118 TELEPHONE 402-504-1300 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ADVANCED PAIN SOLUTIONS LLC Notice is hereby given that ADVANCED PAIN SOLUTIONS 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 1023 Creighton Rd., Papillion, NE 68046. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents, LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. The Company’s members, managers, professional employees and agents are licensed or otherwise legally authorized to render services related to the providing of pain management medical services in this state. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 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 BOULAIR, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Boulair, 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 January 8, 2020. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SPLIT/LIP PRESS, LLC Notice is hereby given that Split/Lip Press, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office address of the Company is 6710 S. 87th Street, Ralston, Nebraska 68127. 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 January 1, 2020. Its affairs are to be conducted by the Managing Member. The registered agent is Kristine Langley Mahler at 6710 S. 87th Street, Ralston, Nebraska 68127. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LAW FIRM MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Law Firm Management Consulting, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 9859 S 168th Ave, Omaha, NE 68136. The Registered Agent of the Company is Daniel P. Stuenzi, located at the same address. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020

DANIEL R. CARNAHAN, Attorney DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MORGAN-GIRGIS & GEORGE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Morgan-Girgis & George, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on January 17, 2020. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 7180 N. 122nd Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68142. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF JES BROKERAGE SERVICES, P.C. Notice is hereby given of incorporation of JES BROKERAGE SERVICES, P.C. under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: 1. The name of the professional corporation is JES BROKERAGE SERVICES, P.C. 2. The number of shares that the professional corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000 shares of voting common stock. 3. The name of the initial registered agent is Benjamin J. Pick, and the address of the initial registered office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. 4. The name and address of the incorporator is JORGE E. SOTOLONGO, 3504 S. 24th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68108. 5. The general nature of the profession to be practiced by the Corporation is real estate brokerage services. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that STANCO HAMPTON HOLDINGS, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with the following registered agent and registered office: Joss Jeffery Tuenge, 1272 North 8th Street, Seward, NE 68434. The general nature of the business to be transacted is any or all lawful business. The business commenced on January 21, 2020, and it shall continue in perpetuity. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 TAYLOR HERBERT, Attorney LI LAW OFFICE 2103 Franklin Drive Papillion, NE 68133 LEGAL NOTICE IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEBRASKA Case Number CI19-9910 IN RE NAME CHANGE OF Baby Girl Senecal Notice is hereby given that on the 23rd day of December, 2019, a petition was filed in the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the object and prayer of which is for the change of the petitioner’s name from Baby Girl Senecal to Lorraina Elizabeth Senecal. A hearing will be had on said petition before the Honorable Peter C. Bataillon, in courtroom no. 413, 1701 Farnam Street Omaha, NE 68183 on the 5th day of Februray, 2020 at 8:45 a.m., or as soon thereafter as will be convenient for the court and that unless sufficient cause is shown to the contrary, the petitioner’s name will be changed from that of Baby Girl Senecal, to Lorraina Elizabeth Senecal. Petitioner Baby Girl Senecal, 10935 Arlington Plz, Atp 1911, Omaha, NE 68164, 402-391-2486 First publication January 10, 2020, final January 31, 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 MAXWELL SOLUTIONS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Maxwell Solutions, 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 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on January 15, 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 KSAD AVIATION, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that KSAD Aviation, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 10340 N 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. 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 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of state’s office of LFM Construction, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is LFM Construction, LLC. Registered agent and office of LFM Construction, LLC is Luis Fernando Mendez Alvarez at 4161 S 60th Street, Omaha, NE 68117. The designated address is 4161 S 60th Street, Omaha, NE 68117. Initial members: Luis Fernando Mendez Alvarez. 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 November 2019 for the perpetual duration and is managed by its members. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 PAUL R. DIETSCH, VICE PRESIDENT NODDLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY 2285 S 67th Street, Ste. 250 Omaha, NE 68106 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BONUS DAYS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Bonus Days, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on November 4, 2019. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 2285 S 67th Street, Ste. 250, Omaha, NE 68106. The Registered Agent of the Company is Paul R. Dietsch, 2285 S 67th Street, Ste. 250, Omaha, NE 68106. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of state’s office of FCM Construction, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is FCM Construction, LLC. Registered agent and office of FCM Construction, LLC is Filogonio Cruz Melchor at 620 N 41st Avenue, Omaha, NE 68131. The designated address is 620 N 41st Avenue, Omaha, NE 68131. Initial members: Filogonio Cruz Melchor. 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 January 2020 for the perpetual duration and is managed by its members. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 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 VBS INVESTMENTS, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 15236 Curtis Avenue, Omaha, NE 68130. The registered agent is Vanessa Schmidt and the Register Agent's address is 15236 Curtis Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116. 3. The general nature of the Company is residential rental real estate. 4. The Company commenced on January 2, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. 5. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, and, if necessary, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 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 NICOLE E. CRAWFORD, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 6107 Maple Street, Suite B, Omaha, NE, 68104. The registered agent is Julia K. Palzer and the Registered Agent's address is 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6, Omaha, NE 68154. 3. The general nature of the Company is clinical mental health counseling. 4. The Company commenced on January 16, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. 5. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020

MYRON J. KAPLAN, Attorney McGILL, GOTSDINER, WORKMAN & LEPP, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 11404 West Dodge Road, Suite 500, First National Plaza Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2584 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RLB HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that RLB Holdings, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 11404 W. Dodge Road, Suite 500, Omaha, Nebraska 68154, and the registered agent is Myron J. Kaplan. Its initial designated office is 1015 South 78th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The limited liability company was formed on November 22, 2019, and its duration is perpetual. Management of the Company shall be vested in its Managers. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 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 CAREERLINK, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 1905 Harney Street, Suite 110, Omaha, NE 68102. The registered agent for the company is Jeffrey T. Palzer and the registered agent's address is 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6, Omaha, NE 68154 3. The general nature of the Company is career placement services. 4. The Company commenced on January 15, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. 5. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OFAMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION CHANGE OF NAME The Certificate of Organization of AMR ENTERPRISES, LLC. have been amended, changing the name of the company from AMR ENTERPRISES, LLC to CACR VENTURES, LLC., effective January 14 , 2020. All other provisions of the Certificate of Organization remain unchanged. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 WAYNE S. RASMUSSEN, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO RIDGE ENTERPRISES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 16, 2020, Buffalo Ridge Enterprises, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 14914 Buffalo Rd., Springfield, Nebraska 68059. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Michael J. Schram, 14914 Buffalo Rd., Springfield, Nebraska 68059. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 Name: SLCZ, LLC Date of Organization: January 13, 2020 State of Organization: Nebraska Registered Agent: Saul Chavez Registered Office: 6223 N. 150th Street, Omaha, NE 68116 Duration: Perpetual Capital Contribution: $5,000.00 First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PACIFIC MARCY LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PACIFIC MARCY LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on January 13, 2020 (the “Company”). The Company has designated its registered agent as Flatwater Development Company LLC, with registered office at 17121 Marcy Street, Attn: Shervin Ansari, Omaha, NE 68118. The Company’s initial designated office is at 17121 Marcy Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The Company shall be governed by one or more managers. The general nature of business is any lawful purpose. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 ALEX B. RAINVILLE, Attorney VANDENACK WILLIAMS LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118-3121 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ALLAN IMPROVEMENT SERVICES, LLC Notice is hereby given that ALLAN IMPROVEMENT SERVICES, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118-3121. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Goons & Hooligans, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 5123 S. 170th Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The registered agent of the Company is Brian Christiansen, 5123 S. 170th Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The Company was formed on January 16, 2020. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: DEUZ CAMPOS You are hereby notified that on 08/27/19, the Plaintiff Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska, against you shown as Case Number CI19 19026. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of 223.00, plus court costs, pre-judgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable. The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are hereby notified that you must answer the Complaint on or before 03/08/20 at the COUNTY court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA Nebraska. Megal L Bischoff #25206 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, NE 68802 (308)398-3801 Attorney for Plaintiff First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020

CHARLES E. DORWART, Attorney MASSIH LAW, LLC 226 N. 114th Street Omaha, NE 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-71 Estate of Donna M. Brich, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on January 16th, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the testacy of said Decedent and that Renee M. Cummings, of 1810 North 171st Street, Omaha, NE 68118 was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before March 24, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar 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 ZEHV’S PLACE, LLC The name of the Company is Zehv’s Place, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 7630 Park Drive, Ralston, Nebraska 68127. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The purpose is to invest in qualified opportunity zone property by acquiring qualified opportunity zone partnership interests or qualified opportunity zone stock in one or more first-tier subsidiaries or by directly acquiring qualified opportunity zone business property and to engage in other activities incidental or related thereto. The Company intends to be a qualified opportunity fund and cause any first-tier subsidiaries it invests in to meet the requirements for a qualified opportunity zone business. This limited liability company commenced business on January 16, 2020. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF DIVYAANG Notice is hereby given that a nonprofit corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is Divyaang. The corporation is a public benefit corporation and will have members. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent and office is Rakesh Srivastava, 3211 W. 12th St., Hastings, NE 68901. The name and address of the incorporator is Rakesh Srivastava, 3211 W. 12th St., Hastings, NE 68901 Rakesh Srivastava, Incorporator First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HAULRIGHT-AG, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Haulright-Ag, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 700 Calvert Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68502. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ELITE REAL ESTATE INVESTORS 2020, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Elite Real Estate Investors 2020, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 20740 Rawhide Road, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on January 22, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 MARK GOODALL, Attorney GOVIER, KATSKEE, SUING & MAXELL, PC, LLO 10404 Essex Court, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-106 Estate of WALDO D. OLSON, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on 24th day of January, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Decedent and that Kenneth D. Olson, whose address is 1515 North 212th Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before March 31, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Steve A. Johnson, CPA, P.C. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Professional Corporation Act of Nebraska. The street address of the corporation's initial registered office is 8305 Davenport Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name of the initial registered agent of the corporation at that office is Steve A. Johnson, CPA. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of Common Stock. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation are Steve A. Johnson, CPA, 8305 Davenport Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that FRY PROPERTY, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the Company’s designated office is 16183 Wakeley St, Omaha, NE 68118. The name and address of the registered agent is Greg Fry, 16183 Wakeley St, Omaha, NE 68118. The general nature of the business is any legal and lawful activity allowed pursuant to the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act and the laws of the State of Nebraska and elsewhere. The Company commenced business on 1/20/2020 and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be managed by its managers. Greg Fry, Member First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Bellmark Properties, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the Company’s designated office is 7914 West Dodge Rd, Suite 162, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and address of the registered agent is Khanh Tran of Tran & Associates Law, 1910 S 44th St, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68105. The general nature of the business is any legal and lawful activity allowed pursuant to the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act and the laws of the State of Nebraska and elsewhere. The Company commenced business on 1/20/2020 and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be managed by its managers. John Amiri, Member First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that PG Realty, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the Company’s designated office is 1910 S 44th St, STE 100, Omaha, NE 68105. The name and address of the registered agent is Andrew Panebianco at 1910 S 44th St, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68105. The general nature of the business is any legal and lawful activity allowed pursuant to the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act and the laws of the State of Nebraska and elsewhere. The Company commenced business on 1/23/2020 and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be managed by its managers. Andrew Panebianco, Member First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 DIANE STEFFENS RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MONTAGE SPECIAL PROJECTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Montage Special Projects, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1303 South 72nd Street, Suite 209, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kendra Ringenberg, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VIKING RACQUETS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Viking Racquets, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 425, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on January 23, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is Matthew P. West, M.D., P.C. 2. The Corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $0.01 each. 3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 13616 California Street, Suite 100, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska 68154, and the Registered Agent at such address is Matthew P. West, M.D.. 4. The corporate existence began on January 23, 2020, when Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State. 5. The name and address of the Incorporator is: Matthew P. West, M.D., 13517 Seward Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF EMERGENSKI, 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 EMERGENSKI, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 1803 S. 221st Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68133 Tyler Lewandowski, Members First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DJG PROPERTIES, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of DJG Properties, LLC 1. The name of the limited liability company is DJG Properties, LLC 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 16909 Lakeside Hills Plz, #119, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Matthew T. Payne, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 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 Coventry Business Owners Association, Inc. 2. The Corporation is a mutual benefit corporation. 3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. 4. The name and address of the Incorporator is as follows: Max J. Burbach, 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. 5. The Corporation shall have members. 6. The corporate existence began on January 14, 2020, when Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State. First publication January 17, 2020, final January 31, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PMP Property Management LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 6515 N 46th Ave, Omaha NE 68152. Its affairs are to be conducted by the manager Kunta Plunkett. Its registered agent is Irene Tryon and the street address is 5421 N 103rd St, Suite 400, Omaha, NE 68134. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Real Estate Sold By Sonia LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 16063 Frederick Street, Omaha NE 68130. Its affairs are to be conducted by the manager Sonia Herrera. Its registered agent is Sonia Herrera.and the street address is 16063 Frederick Street, Omaha NE 68130. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BAILOR RENTALS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Bailor Rentals, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 4507 Walnut Street, Omaha, NE 68106. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Jason Michael Bailey, 4507 Walnut Street, Omaha, NE 68106. The limited liability company commenced business on December 10, 2019. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of state’s office of Cisneros Tree Service, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is Cisneros Tree Service, LLC. Registered agent and office of Cisneros Tree Service, LLC is Luis Alberto Cisneros at 1010 S 25th Street, Omaha, NE 68105. The designated address is 1010 S 25th Street, Omaha, NE 68105. Initial members: Luis Alberto Cisneros. 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 November 2019 for the perpetual duration and is managed by its members. 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 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

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Trades Up Technical Academy LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Andrew P. Deaver and 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 DANA ROCHE, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WEST MAPLE CAR WASH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that West Maple Car Wash, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 222 S. 15th Street, Suite 1404S, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kendra Ringenberg, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), JACK N FURNISS & JESSICA E FURNISS You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 09/10/2019 on Case Number CI19-20732, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $655.50, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 03/14/2020 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 JERRY W. KATSKEE, Attorney K & K Law P.C., L.L.O. 12815 Franklin Street Omaha, NE 68154-3646 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Corporation Name: K & K Law P.C., L.L.O., 12815 Franklin Street, Omaha, NE 68154-3646 Registered Office: 12815 Franklin Street, Omaha, NE, 68154-3646 Registered Office: Jerry W. Katskee Corporation shall engage in any lawful business for which a professional corporation may be formed under the Nebraska Professional Corporation Act. Authorized capital stock is $10,000.00 to be fully paid and non-assessable on issue. Perpetual existence commenced on January 10, 2020 when Articles were filed with the Secretary of State. Affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors and officers authorized by the By-Laws and the Board. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF MERGER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Nox-Crete Manufacturing, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Merging Corporation), and Nox-Crete, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Surviving Corporation), have adopted and filed Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State, wherein the Merging Corporation will merge with and into the Surviving Corporation effective as of January 1, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF MERGER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Nox-Crete Products Group, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Merging Corporation), and Nox-Crete, Inc., a Nebraska corporation (the “Surviving Corporation), have adopted and filed Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State, wherein the Merging Corporation will merge with and into the Surviving Corporation effective as of January 1, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 WAYNE S. RASMUSSEN, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Cornbelt Investments Name of Applicant: Wayne S. Rasmussen Address: 13111 Lageyette Ave., Omaha, NE 68154 Applicant is an Individual If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Date of first use of name in Nebraska: January 23, 2020 General nature of business: Own, manage and develop real property WAYNE S. RASMUSSEN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative January 31, 2020

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

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of Epic, LLC has been amended to change the name of the company to: Men On The Moon, LLC. The amendment was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 28, 2020. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Eccker Enterprises, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68154. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Kelsey M. Weiler, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68154. First publication January 24, 2020, final February 7, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DYNAMIC DENTAL ARTS LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Dynamic Dental Arts LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office is 4815 S. 161st Circle, Omaha, NE 68135. The registered agent is Karen Matychuk, 4815 S. 161st Circle, Omaha, NE 68135. These papers were filed with the Secretary of State 1/17/2019. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 JAMES R. SACOMAN, Attorney 14707 California Street, Suite 5 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-1855 Estate of JAMES M. HEENEY, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on December 5, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Clerk-Magistrate issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Deceased, and that CAROLINE L. CHRISTIANSEN., whose address is 13954 Camden Avenue, Omaha, NE 68164 has been appointed Personal Representative of this estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before March 31, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 CHARLES E. DORWART, Attorney MASSIH LAW, LLC 226 N. 114th Street Omaha, NE 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-1963 Estate of Richard J. Lenczowski, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on December 23, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Intestacy of said Decedent and that Kim Lucas of 916 Elk Court, Beaver Lake, NE 68048 was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before March 31, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Code Ninjas NW Omaha Name of Applicant: 502 Code, LLC Address: 21204 Buchanan Pkwy Box 299 Gretna NE 68028 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: upon filing General nature of business: Software Coding Program for Children LUKE TOWEY Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative January 31, 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: Accent Drywall Supply Name of Applicant: G & T Drywall, Inc. Address: 13839 L Street, Omaha, NE 68137 Applicant is a Corporation If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: April 1, 1979 General nature of business: drywall supplier TAMARA M. WEINERT Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative January 31, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that 3MFarm, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 517 S 188th Cir., Elkhorn, NE 68022. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Jennifer Mulholland, 517 S 188th Cir., Elkhorn, NE 68022. First publication January 31, 2020, final February 14, 2020 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: kwELITE Name of Applicant: ELITE REAL ESTATE INVESTORS 2020, LLC Address: 20740 Rawhide Road, Elkhorn, NE 68022 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: upon filing General nature of business: real estate sales JEFFREY M. COHN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative January 31, 2020

FHA down payment requirements: Homeownership without a big savings account by Ellen Chang

FHA loans were created to encourage and help firsttime homebuyers since the down payment for these mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration can be as low as 3.5 percent. A traditional mortgage typically requires a down payment of 20 percent, which can be a hurdle for potential homeowners to save, especially when they are already facing credit card and student loan debt. HOW CREDIT SCORES IMPACT FHA LOAN DOWN PAYMENTS A homeowner’s credit score is the largest factor in determining the amount of a down payment for an FHA loan. For anyone with a credit score Real Estate of 580 or higher, 3.5% is the minimum required for a down payment. Anyone with a credit score of 500 to 579 will have to save 10% for a down payment to obtain an FHA loan. For a $125,000 home purchase, depending on your credit score, that’s $4,375 down at the low end and $12,500 at the top, which is a “significant swing,” says Jackie Boies, a senior director of housing and bankruptcy services for Money Management International, a Sugar Land, Texas-based nonprofit debt counseling organization. “Many borrowers select an FHA loan because they are easier to qualify for, allowing for a lower credit score and some credit history blemishes.” FHA loans are government-backed mortgages and insured by the Federal Housing Administration. These loans are often a good fit for first-time homebuyers because down payments are lower, as are minimum credit scores, helping borrowers buy a home sooner. While the mortgages are insured by the federal government, the loans are obtained through mortgage lenders who are approved by the FHA. “They tend to have interest rates that are competitive with loans that are out of reach for some borrowers,” she says. WHAT ARE MORTGAGE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS ON FHA LOANS? One catch to FHA loans is that homeowners are required to pay mortgage insurance premiums, often known as PMI. The additional payment is required because lenders are taking on more risk since homeowners paid a lower down payment, which could impact the mortgage company if the owner fails to make payments on the loan and defaulted. “Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are designed for low- to moderate-income borrowers and come with unique concessions and perks,” says Chris de la Motte, co-founder and president of Simplist, a New York-based digital mortgage marketplace. “FHA loans are alluring to first-time homebuyers. However, keep in mind that this type of loan carries other strict requirements such as required mortgage insurance premiums and loan

limits not found in other alternatives.” In most cases, consumers have to pay mortgage insurance when they have less than 20% for a down payment. FHA loans are stricter than traditional mortgages and require homeowners to pay two mortgage insurance premiums for the life of the loan. THE PREMIUMS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: Upfront mortgage insurance premium: 1.75% of the loan amount and is paid when the borrower gets the loan. The premium can be rolled into the mortgage. Annual mortgage insurance premium: 0.45% to 1.05 percent, depending on the term of the loan (15 years vs. 30 years), the loan amount and the initial loan-to-value ratio, or LTV. This premium amount is divided by 12 and paid monthly. For a homeowner who borrows $150,000, this means the upfront mortgage insurance premium would be $2,625 and your annual premium would range from $675 ($56.25 per month) to $1,575 ($131.25 per month), depending on the length of the mortgage. Unlike traditional mortgage insurance premiums, homeowners are required to pay FHA premiums for the entire term of the mortgage. The only time you can stop paying them is to refinance into a non-FHA loan or to sell the house. “The drawbacks of an FHA loan include that mortgage insurance is required for the length of the loan and there are minimum property standards that you must adhere to,” says Amy Wilemon, a mortgage loan originator at Atlanta-based Silverton Mortgage. “For instance, the home has to be your primary residence and cannot be in need of major repairs.” DOWN PAYMENT GIFTS AND RULES FOR FHA LOANS People who choose an FHA loan can receive money as a gift to help towards the total amount of the down payment. There are several rules that homeowners need to keep in mind. Gifts can come from friends, family members, labor unions and employers, according to data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Even non-profit organizations can provide money for a contribution toward a down payment. In addition, each state offers various assistance programs for down payments for both first-time and low-income home buyers. People obtaining an FHA loan are also eligible for these programs. HUD prohibits these individuals from contributing to a down payment: -Homebuilders -Sellers -Real estate agents or brokers -Anyone with a vested interest in selling the house ©2020 Bankrate.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

UPCOMING

SECTIONS

IN THE MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 7

TECHNOLOGY

HOTELS & TOURISM FEBRUARY 14

HEALTH INSURANCE

ONLY IN NEBRASKA

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…

USI Insurance Services, a risk management, employee benefit and retirement plan consulting company, announced the acquisition of Omaha, Nebraska-based benefits, retirement and risk management advisory firm, Marcotte Insurance Agency, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1927, Marcotte is a multi-line insurance agency that has been delivering solutions and service to clients throughout the Midwest for nearly a century. The agency has 48 employees, in Omaha and Kearney, Nebraska, all of whom will be joining USI under the continued leadership of Marcotte’s President, David Bushey. Werner Enterprises announced its first electric-powered truck pilot program. The 2019 Peterbilt 579 EV Class 8 electric truck will run for a year on a dedicated account in Southern California. Werner’s first electric-powered truck is the result of a partnership with Peterbilt, Meritor and TransPower. It is the first fully collision mitigated TransPower truck and can haul up to 80,000 pounds. The truck is 100% electric, releases zero emissions, and requires a 5- to 10-hour charge time. The truck will operate in the Los Angeles metro area. Funding was provided by the California Climate Investments, the state’s climate change fighting, cap-and-trade program. TEAM Software, a provider of technology solutions for contractors in the North American cleaning and security markets, has acquired Innovise, a United Kingdom-based technology innovator specializing in software for security guarding, cleaning and facilities management businesses. By joining forces, TEAM and Innovise together have customers on five continents, more than 750,000 end users and 50 years collective experience serving the cleaning and security industries. Oxbow Animal Health announced a number of important updates to its Critical Care line of nutritionally complete assist-feeding formulas for herbivores and carnivores. All of Oxbow’s assist-feeding formulas will now fall under the Critical Care line name. Other notable updates include a packaging redesign, the addition of a measuring scoop in packaging, and formula enhancements to Critical Care — Herbivore and Critical Care — Herbivore Fine Grind. LTi Technology Solutions has strategically partnered with JDR to offer servicing to their customers on the ASPIRE platform. JDR represents more than $8 billion in assets while offering portfolio management, consulting, collections, and professional services. The ASPIRE platform allows JDR to offer a wide variety of products and services to its customer base. Having an all in one solution will offer a better customer experience as they will no longer be limited by past software challenges. The U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule to update the regulations interpreting joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Under the FLSA, an employee may have, in addition to his or her employer, one or more joint employers — additional individuals or entities that are jointly and

severally liable with the employer for the employee’s wages. The FLSA requires covered employers to pay their employees at least the federal minimum wage for every hour worked and overtime for every hour worked over 40 in a workweek. In the final rule, the department provides a four-factor balancing test for determining FLSA joint employer status in situations. Senator Kate Bolz introduced legislation today to improve insulin affordability in Nebraska. The bill caps the total co-pay for a one month supply of insulin at $100. According to the American Medical Association, nearly 1 in 4 diabetics have reported rationing or skipping insulin doses because of cost. From 2012 to 2016, the average annual cost of insulin nationwide has increased from $2,900 per year to $5,700. Currently, no medication is known to substitute for insulin to manage diabetes. Attorney General Doug Peterson reached an agreement with PayPal Charitable Giving Fund, Inc. to ensure donors receive adequate information and disclosures when making charitable contributions through PPGF. PPGF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that allows donors to contribute funds electronically to PPGF and select a charity that will receive the contribution. PPGF does not collect fees from donors or charities; however, a charity receives contributions more quickly if it maintains a PayPal account, a fact that had not been adequately disclosed to donors. In some instances, PPGF redirected donors’ contributions from the charity selected by the donor to other organizations with similar purposes without informing donors. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced nearly $2.2 billion in grants to support thousands of local homeless assistance programs across the nation. HUD’s Continuum of Care grants will provide critically needed support to approximately 6,593 local programs on the front lines, serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness. This is the first of two announcements of Continuum of Care awards. Nebraska received a total of $8,474,133 for 47 projects. Union Omaha announced the first 13 signings for its 2020 Inaugural Season roster, pending league and federation approval. The signings were announced in a series of posts for the club’s “Signing Day” via its social media channels. Players announced include Tobias Otieno, Christian Molina, Damià Viader, Evan Conway, Jacob Crull, Kobe Perez, Daltyn Knutson, Nathan Aune, Austin Panchot, Elma Nfor, Juan Mare, Xavier Gomez and Ethan Vanacore-Decker. Nebraska Recycling Council has just released a “Community Materials Management Toolkit” with more than 390 resources covering 22 comprehensive subject matter categories regarding solid waste, recycling, and organics management. Located on the NRC website the toolkit is designed for elected officials, municipal staff, industry, schools, and community organizers looking for model ordinances, best practices, analysis tools, and case studies that provide guidance on how to improve materials management Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 •

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES Continued from preceding page. practices in their communities. The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance recognized Senator Megan Hunt with the 2020 Inspiring Efficiency Award in the Leadership category. The Inspiring Efficiency Awards honor leaders who delivered groundbreaking advancements in energy efficiency. MEEA selected Senator Hunt as an award recipient because of her leadership as the sole sponsor of Nebraska Legislative Bill 405, which updated the Nebraska Energy code from the 2009 IECC to the unamended 2018 IECC, a three-version code jump signed into law in 2019.

Health care notes…

Nebraska state Sen. Dave Murman’s Legislative Bill 347 now appears on the legislative debate agenda. LB347 exempts reflexologists from a current requirement that they hold a state-issued massage therapy license. Reflexologists are personal care practitioners who use their hands to MEETINGS AND SEMINARS Tuesday, Feb. 4 Nebraska’s food system will be the focus of a summit for industry leaders from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the CHI Midlands Conference Center. Presentations and breakout sessions at the Nebraska Regional Food Systems Summit will focus on food systems in Native communities; farm to school and local food procurement; programs and policies impacting the food system; and business development opportunities and challenges. Optional pre-summit tours will occur in the morning at No More Empty Pots and Whispering Roots, both in Omaha. Wednesday, Feb. 5 The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Annual Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. This luncheon celebrates the accomplishments of the Chamber and the city of Lincoln as the chamber celebrates 150 years. The Chamber’s Annual Luncheon welcomes more than 700 guests to hear the latest news and receive the annual report. This year’s Annual Luncheon features keynote speaker Margaret Hoover. Hoover is a best-selling author, political strategist and host of the PBS show “Firing Line with Margaret Hoover.” The Metro Omaha Builders Association’s Professional Women’s Council is hosting its monthly meeting from noon to 1 p.m. at the MOBA office at 4141 North 156th Street, Ste B100. Reservations are available online. Thursday, Feb. 6 The Business Ethics Alliance is presenting its Spring Ethics Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Scott Conference Center. Psychological Safety: Creating a “listen up, speak up, follow up” ethical organization. Everyone today wants to create a “Speak Up” ethics culture, but in order to have a speak up culture you need to have an environment of psychological safety first. Join us as Katie Lawler, senior vice president and global chief ethics officer of US Bank explains what psychological safety is, how to create it and how to measure the return on investment. Registration is online.

apply pressure to a client’s feet, hands, or outer ears. Currently, reflexology can only be performed lawfully in Nebraska by licensed massage therapists. Nebraska has one of the country’s most time-consuming requirements for earning a massage therapy license, at 1,000 hours of classroom training. Most states require a range of 500 to 700 hours for massage therapy licensing, and exempt reflexology from their licensing requirement. A UNMC study will explore sleep disorders in adolescents. Sleep problems are common in adolescents with ADHD and/ or autism. Sleep problems are often linked to physical and mental health problems. Family members may also be impacted by their child’s sleep problems. The purpose of this study is to compare sleep interventions (bedtime tracking and/or melatonin). This study is using an adaptive design. If the child’s sleep does not improve, they will have an opportunity to use a different sleep intervention. The goal of this study is to better understand sleep and sleep interventions in adolescents with ADHD and/or autism.

Education notes…

The Mercy Education System of the Americas to the Mercy High School Board of Trustees appointed four new board members. The new board members are: Molly Collins Beran ’97, Ob-Gyn physician, CHI Health Clinic; Robert R. McGill, president, Robert McGill Construction Company; Annie Messersmith, vice president/comptroller, Mutual of Omaha; and Timothy Schmad, former executive director, Omaha Community Playhouse. Registration is open for the AIM IT Emerging Leaders Program, which helps organizations close the gap between performance and vision. ELP allows IT professionals to develop the leadership skills they need to transition into tech leadership and executive leadership roles. The curriculum includes presentations by high-performing, experienced IT managers, peer discussions, and focuses on the following key areas of leadership development: career development/personal growth, effective communication skills, interpersonal relationship building, resource optimization/performance improvement, leadership and IT dynamics, and “A Day In the Life” scenarios. The 2020 Spring Session starts April 23. Registration is online. The latest rankings of online programs by U.S. News & World Report named the University of Nebraska at Omaha among the nation’s best. For the fourth year in a row, UNO’s Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree program was ranked among the top five nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The publication’s 2020 Best Online Programs Rankings evaluated online programs based on scores in categories such as engagement, faculty credentials and training, expert opinions, and student excellence. UNO’s online Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies also received recognition as one of the top online undergraduate programs in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing among the nation’s

Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs. In its 2020 Best Online Programs rankings the college’s graduate online nursing program is tied at 66th with eight other institutions out of 178 ranked schools. The nursing administration/leadership program, known as the LEAD program, was ranked 12th in online nursing administration programs in the U.S.

Activities of nonprofits…

Food Bank for the Heartland announced that Joanne Kamppinen has joined the organization as a philanthropy officer. The hiring of Kamppinen capped an extensive search process. Prior to arriving at Food Bank for the Heartland, Kamppinen spent many years in e-commerce and mass merchant management, product development, and sales. She was the senior director of the patio and garden department for Walmart e-commerce and prior to that served as the senior director of patio and garden pets and product development for Hayneedle. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s new young professionals program, Tomorrow’s Leaders, is comprised of philanthropic individuals between the ages of 21 and 40 around the country who believe in the CF Foundation’s mission and desire to grow personally and professionally. The Nebraska chapter holds monthly events including social gatherings, networking, volunteering, a NCAA Men’s College World Series tailgate, development workshops, and more. For an annual contribution, membership offers members-only events, discounted tickets to fundraisers, and branded gifts. Membership offers like-minded professionals leadership skills and networking opportunities while they make a difference in the lives of those with CF. The Pinnacle Bank Championship announced the tournament has given more than $252,000 to area charities supporting such organizations as Make-a-Wish Nebraska, The Lane Thomas Foundation and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Championship officials will present TeamMates with a check for $30,000 totaling more than $95,000 given to the charity founded by Tom and Nancy Osborne, which has been the tournament’s benefactor as its charitable partner. The Pinnacle Bank Championship returns in 2020 for its fourth year running from July 27–Aug. 2 at The Club at Indian Creek, one week later than last year.

From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., ReRuns Pop Up will host Sip, Shop & Sparkle with networking, wine, hors d’oeuvres, a raffle and more. Registration is online. Meet up with Lincoln and Omaha young professionals for some democracy in action. YP Day at the Capitol will be focused on giving you some foundational information about political parties, the function of local government, and the history of the capitol. Omaha attendees will meet up at Westroads Mall on Feb. 6 before traveling to Lincoln for half a day of learning. Tickets are online for $25. On Feb. 7, Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket will be filled with the sweet smell of chocolate. The event is from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at Graduate Hotel Haymarket. The 34th Annual Chocolate Lover’s Fantasy fundraising event brings local chocolate chefs together with chocolate connoisseurs, to raise money for the Historic Haymarket District’s nonprofit organization. In addition, there will be food vendors, coffee by The Mill, and a few libations to balance out the tasting event. Jazz music will be provided by the B & The Boppers and a silent auction will be featured. Chocolate Lover’s Fantasy event tickets are $35 each. On Feb. 7, guests will join the KANEKO for an evening pairing local artists and chefs to create exciting combinations of food and art in KANEKO’s gallery spaces. Each artist/chef duo will work together to invent a food and wine pairing, inspired by the artist’s creations while wine and a selection of fine chocolates will be provided by Lange Winery. Selections of work by the artists collaborating in the event will be displayed at the KANEKO the evening of the event and for two weeks following. Live music by Mesonjixx. Tickets are online.

Reserve Your Business Minute Today!

Arts and events…

Opera in Conversation features three sessions that foster cross-disciplinary explorations of concepts in Opera Omaha’s upcoming productions. The conversation on Feb. 4 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Le Bouillon will be with Alison Moritz, director of “The Abduction from the Seraglio” and Dr. Diana Martinez, Film Streams. Opera in Conversation features three sessions in advance of each production featuring artists, scholars, and other public figures that foster cross-disciplinary explorations of artists, big questions, and concepts in Opera Omaha’s main stage productions. On Feb. 4 Bland & Associates Bland Women’s Initiative Rising Stars is hosting a fundraiser for Angels Among Us.

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• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Artificial intelligence has come to medicine. Are patients being put at risk? by Liz Szabo

Health products powered by artificial intelligence, or AI, are streaming into our lives, from virtual doctor apps to wearable sensors and drugstore chatbots. IBM boasted that its AI could “outthink cancer.” Others say computer systems that read X-rays will make Health care radiologists obsolete. “There’s nothing that I’ve seen in my 30-plus years studying medicine that could be as impactful and transformative” as AI, said Dr. Eric Topol, a cardiologist and executive vice president of Scripps Research in La Jolla, Calif. AI can help doctors interpret MRIs of the heart, CT scans of the head and photographs of the back of the eye, and could potentially take over many mundane medical chores, freeing doctors to spend more time talking to patients, Topol said. Even the Food and Drug Administration — which has approved more than 40 AI products in the past five years — says “the potential of digital health is nothing short of revolutionary.” Yet many health industry experts fear AI-based products won’t be able to match the hype. Many doctors and consumer advocates fear that the tech industry, which lives by the mantra “fail fast and fix it later,” is putting patients at risk — and that regulators aren’t doing enough to keep consumers safe. Early experiments in AI provide a reason for caution, said Mildred Cho, a professor of pediatrics at Stanford’s Center for Biomedical Ethics. Systems developed in one hospital often flop when deployed in a different facility, Cho said. Software used in the care of millions of Americans has been shown to discriminate against minorities. And AI systems sometimes learn to make predictions based on factors that have less to do with disease than the brand of MRI machine used, the time a blood test is taken or whether a patient was visited by a chaplain. In one case, AI software incorrectly concluded that people with pneumonia were less likely to die if they had asthma — an error that could have led doctors to deprive asthma patients of the extra care they need. “It’s only a matter of time before something like this leads to a serious health problem,” said Dr. Steven Nissen, chairman of cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic. Medical AI, which pulled in $1.6 billion in venture capital funding in the third quarter alone, is “nearly at the peak of inflated expectations,” concluded a July report from the research company Gartner. “As the reality gets tested, there will likely be a rough slide into the trough of disillusionment.” That reality check could come in the form of disappointing results when AI products are ushered into the real world. Even Topol, the author of “Deep Medicine: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare Human Again,” acknowledges that many AI products are little more than hot air. “It’s a mixed bag,” he said. Experts such as Dr. Bob Kocher, a partner at the venture capital firm Venrock, are blunter. “Most AI products have little evidence to support them,” Kocher said. Some risks won’t become apparent until an AI system has been used by large numbers of patients. “We’re going to keep discovering a whole bunch of risks and unintended consequences

of using AI on medical data,” Kocher said. None of the AI products sold in the U.S. have been tested in randomized clinical trials, the strongest source of medical evidence, Topol said. The first and only randomized trial of an AI system — which found that colonoscopy with computer-aided diagnosis found more small polyps than standard colonoscopy — was published online in October. Few tech startups publish their research in peer-reviewed journals, which allow other scientists to scrutinize their work, according to a January article in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation. Such “stealth research” — described only in press releases or promotional events — often overstates a company’s accomplishments. And although software developers may boast about the accuracy of their AI devices, experts note that AI models are mostly tested on computers, not in hospitals or other medical facilities. Using unproven software “may make patients into unwitting guinea pigs,” said Dr. Ron Li, medical informatics director for AI clinical integration at Stanford Health Care. AI systems that learn to recognize patterns in data are often described as “black boxes” because even their developers don’t know how they have reached their conclusions. Given that AI is so new — and many of its risks unknown — the field needs careful oversight, said Pilar Ossorio, a professor of law and bioethics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Yet the majority of AI devices don’t require FDA approval. “None of the companies that I have invested in are covered by the FDA regulations,” Kocher said. Legislation passed by Congress in 2016 — and championed by the tech industry — exempts many types of medical software from federal review, including certain fitness apps, electronic health records and tools that help doctors make medical decisions. There’s been little research on whether the 320,000 medical apps now in use actually improve health, according to a report on AI published Dec. 17 by the National Academy of Medicine. “Almost none of the (AI) stuff marketed to patients really works,” said Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, professor of medical ethics and health policy in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The FDA has long focused its attention on devices that pose the greatest threat to patients. And consumer advocates acknowledge that some devices — such as ones that help people count their daily steps — need less scrutiny than ones that diagnose or treat disease. Some software developers don’t bother to apply for FDA clearance or authorization, even when legally required, according to a 2018 study in Annals of Internal Medicine. Industry analysts say that AI developers have little interest in conducting expensive and time-consuming trials. “It’s not the main concern of these firms to submit themselves to rigorous evaluation that would be published in a peer-reviewed journal,” said Joachim Roski, a principal at Booz Allen Hamilton, a technology consulting firm, and co-author of the National Academy’s report. “That’s not how the U.S. economy works.” But Oren Etzioni, chief executive officer at the Allen Institute for AI in Seattle, said AI

developers have a financial incentive to make sure their medical products are safe. “If failing fast means a whole bunch of people will die, I don’t think we want to fail fast,” Etzioni said. “Nobody is going to be happy, including investors, if people die or are severely hurt.” Relaxing Standards At The FDA The FDA has come under fire in recent years for allowing the sale of dangerous medical devices, which have been linked by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists to 80,000 deaths and 1.7 million injuries over the past decade. Many of these devices were cleared for use through a controversial process called the 510(k) pathway, which allows companies to market “moderate-risk” products with no clinical testing as long as they’re deemed similar to existing devices. In 2011, a committee of the National Academy of Medicine concluded the 510(k) process is so fundamentally flawed that the FDA should throw it out and start over. Instead, the FDA is using the process to greenlight AI devices. Of the 14 AI products authorized by the FDA in 2017 and 2018, 11 were cleared through the 510(k) process, according to a November article in JAMA. None of these appear to have had new clinical testing, the study said. The FDA cleared an AI device designed to help diagnose liver and lung cancer in 2018 based on its similarity to imaging software approved 20 years earlier. That software had itself been cleared because it was deemed “substantially equivalent” to products marketed before 1976. AI products cleared by the FDA today are largely “locked,” so that their calculations and results will not change after they enter the market, said Bakul Patel, director for digital health at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. The FDA has not yet authorized “unlocked” AI devices, whose results could vary from month to month in ways that developers cannot predict. To deal with the flood of AI products, the FDA is testing a radically different approach to digital device regulation, focusing on evaluating companies, not products. The FDA’s pilot “pre-certification” program, launched in 2017, is designed to “reduce the time and cost of market entry for software developers,” imposing the “least burdensome” system possible. FDA officials say they want to keep pace with AI software developers, who update their products much more frequently than makers of traditional devices, such as X-ray machines. Scott Gottlieb said in 2017 while he was FDA commissioner that government regulators need to make sure its approach to innovative products “is efficient and that it fosters, not impedes, innovation.” Under the plan, the FDA would pre-certify companies that “demonstrate a culture of quality and organizational excellence,” which would allow them to provide less upfront data about devices. Pre-certified companies could then release devices with a “streamlined” review — or no FDA review at all. Once products are on the market, companies will be responsible for monitoring their own products’ safety and reporting back to the FDA. Nine companies have been selected for the pilot: Apple, FitBit, Samsung, Johnson & Johnson, Pear Therapeutics, Phosphorus, Roche, Tidepool

and Verily Life Sciences. High-risk products, such as software used in pacemakers, will still get a comprehensive FDA evaluation. “We definitely don’t want patients to be hurt,” said Patel, who noted that devices cleared through pre-certification can be recalled if needed. “There are a lot of guardrails still in place.” But research shows that even low- and moderate-risk devices have been recalled due to serious risks to patients, said Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research. “People could be harmed because something wasn’t required to be proven accurate or safe before it is widely used.” Johnson & Johnson, for example, has recalled hip implants and surgical mesh. In a series of letters to the FDA, the American Medical Association and others have questioned the wisdom of allowing companies to monitor their own performance and product safety. “The honor system is not a regulatory regime,” said Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, who chairs the physician group’s board of trustees. In an October letter to the FDA, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) questioned the agency’s ability to ensure company safety reports are “accurate, timely and based on all available information.” When Good Algorithms Go Bad Some AI devices are more carefully tested than others. An AI-powered screening tool for diabetic eye disease was studied in 900 patients at 10 primary care offices before being approved in 2018. The manufacturer, IDx Technologies, worked with the FDA for eight years to get the product right, said Dr. Michael Abramoff, the company’s founder and executive chairman. The test, sold as IDx-DR, screens patients for diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness, and refers high-risk patients to eye specialists, who make a definitive diagnosis. IDx-DR is the first “autonomous” AI product — one that can make a screening decision without a doctor. The company is now installing it in primary care clinics and grocery stores, where it can be operated by employees with a high school diploma. Abramoff’s company has taken the unusual step of buying liability insurance to cover any patient injuries. Yet some AI-based innovations intended to improve care have had the opposite effect. A Canadian company, for example, developed AI software to predict a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s based on their speech. Predictions were more accurate for some patients than others. “Difficulty finding the right word may be due to unfamiliarity with English, rather than to cognitive impairment,” said co-author Frank Rudzicz, an Continued on page 24.

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 •

Hotels & Tourism

Technology

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics in this section may include:

Topics may include:

Technology overview • Getting your website up to speed Digital engagement for small businesses • Careers in demand Software as a service • Options for remote office tools • 5G

Tourism industry • Hotels overview Travel agents • Events and conventions Entertainment districts

Issue Date: February 7 • Ad Deadline: January 30

Local Only in startups

Health Nebraska Insurance

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Legacy businesses • Area attractions • Mom and pops Corporations that got their start in Nebraska • Greater Omaha work ethic

Industry overview • Current legislative issues • Controlling costs Health plan options • Preventative care • Payment options

Issue Date: February 14 • Ad Deadline: February 6

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Starbucks announces new sustainability push, aiming to slash waste, water use and carbon emissions by Paul Roberts

In yet another sign of corporate America’s growing focus on environmental sustainability, Starbucks has launched an ambitious plan to cut its waste, water use and carbon emissions in half by 2030. The plan, announced recently by Starbucks CEO and President Trends Kevin Johnson, appears to be driven by a mix of government regulation, activist pressure and internal concerns about the Seattle-based company’s image as the public pays closer attention to environmental issues. Starbucks’ promise comes just a week after Microsoft vowed that by 2030 it would be “carbon negative,” meaning it would remove more carbon from the environment than its own operations and supply chain emit each year. Starbucks would go further, promising to eventually remove more carbon than it emits while also becoming a net producer of water — though it gave no timeline for becoming what it called “a bold, multi-decade aspiration” to become “resource positive.” The initiative would have five main goals: add more menu items that are “plant-based”; shift from single-use to reusable packaging; invest in new farming and forestry practices that conserve water; reduce material waste and food waste through better recycling; and develop more “eco-friendly stores, operations, manufacturing and delivery.” “I see today as a milestone for our business as we declare our concern about our planet’s future and commit to do more,” Johnson wrote in a letter to shareholders and customers. He added that meeting those goals, which he stressed were “preliminary,”

would not interfere with the company’s commitment to “our long-term, double-digit (earnings per share) growth model.” Starbucks’ initiative would cover the full range of the coffee giant’s sprawling global operations — including the water consumed by its coffee suppliers, the climate-altering carbon dioxide emitted by the dairy cattle that supply its milk, and the waste produced at its more than 31,000 retail stores. Starbucks also released what it calls an Environment Baseline Report, which detailed the breadth and scope of the company’s impacts as of 2018. It will be used by the company — and, presumably, its critics — to measure the success of the initiatives. One striking takeaway of the report is that much of Starbucks’ “footprints” for carbon, water and waste relate to its heavy reliance on dairy products, which are both directly and indirectly responsible for just over a fifth of the company’s carbon emissions and just over a seventh of its water use. The announcement was greeted with cautious optimism by a number of environmental groups, including several that have previously criticized Starbucks’ track record on reducing waste. Tyson Miller, forests programs director with Stand.earth, which has pushed Starbucks to eliminate disposable cups, applauded the aims of the new initiative but sought specifics on how those goals would come about. “The ultimate question will be, how is it implemented,” Miller said, pointing out that on several occasions, Starbucks has laid out bold goals on sustainability “that had to be walked back.” Indeed, while Starbucks has succeeded

with some of its social initiatives, such as shifting to ethically produced beans for nearly all of its coffee supply and moving to energy-efficient buildings, the company has struggled on other matters, such as waste reduction and recycling. In 2008, for example, Starbucks promised that by 2015, it would be serving a quarter of its beverages in reusable containers. But by 2016, the company acknowledged that fewer than 2% of its sales met that goal, according to As You Sow, a shareholder advocacy group that filed a 2018 shareholder resolution demanding that Starbucks step up “the scale and pace of its sustainable packaging initiatives.” That initiative went on to win support from nearly half of Starbucks’ shareholders, a result some observers saw as part of a broader shift by Wall Street to push companies to be greener. That push is partly in response to so-called regulatory risk as more governments pass laws on everything from carbon emissions to plastic containers. But it is also part of a broader recognition by investors that many consumers are demanding greener products and practices, especially from global brands. “Young people — millennials, Generation Z and whoever else comes after that — they are worried about climate change,” said Sujatha Bergen, director of health campaigns at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Those are the customers that a company like Starbucks wants to capture, and if they are seen (by Wall Street) as out of touch with that

customer base, then that is a major risk, too.” In recent years, some advocates say, Starbucks has become more open to rethinking its business practices. In 2018, the company committed to eliminate plastic straws worldwide by 2020 and also introduced a strawless lid. Last summer, Starbucks began working more closely with groups like As You Sow, said Conrad MacKerron, a senior vice president at As You Sow who helped lead the Starbucks campaign. One key development: Starbucks has acknowledged that some of its previous sustainability initiatives weren’t sufficiently grounded by research into how to change the behavior of consumers who value the convenience of Starbucks’ products and packaging. For example, although the company since 1985 has offered a 10-cent discount to customers who bring in their own containers to purchase drinks, “only 1.8% of our customers are taking us up on that,” said John Kelly, executive vice president of public affairs and social impact. This time, Kelly said, Starbucks has put considerable resources not only into measuring its carbon, water and other environmental effects, but also into “what it is about consumer choice that we could impact in a positive way to make sustainable choices.” It’s “one thing for Starbucks to do it, but we need the consumer to want it,” Kelly added. ©2020 The Seattle Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Artificial intelligence has come to medicine Continued from page 22. associate professor of computer science at the University of Toronto. Doctors at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital hoped AI could help them use chest X-rays to predict which patients were at high risk of pneumonia. Although the system made accurate predictions from X-rays shot at Mount Sinai, the technology flopped when tested on images taken at other hospitals. Eventually, researchers realized the computer had merely learned to tell the difference between that hospital’s portable chest X-rays — taken at a patient’s bedside — with those taken in the radiology department. Doctors tend to use portable chest X-rays for patients too sick to leave their room, so it’s not surprising that these patients had a greater risk of lung infection. DeepMind, a company owned by Google, has created an AI-based mobile app that can predict which hospitalized patients will develop acute kidney failure up to 48 hours in advance. A blog post on the DeepMind website described the system, used at a London hospital, as a “game changer.” But the AI system also produced two false alarms for every correct result, according to a July study in Nature. That may explain why patients’ kidney function didn’t improve, said Dr. Saurabh Jha, associate professor of radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Any benefit from early detection of serious kidney problems may have been diluted by a high rate of “overdiagnosis,” in which the AI system flagged borderline kidney issues that didn’t need treatment, Jha said. Google had no comment in response to Jha’s conclusions. False positives can harm patients by prompting doctors to order unnecessary tests or withhold recommended treatments, Jha

said. For example, a doctor worried about a patient’s kidneys might stop prescribing ibuprofen — a generally safe pain reliever that poses a small risk to kidney function — in favor of an opioid, which carries a serious risk of addiction. As these studies show, software with impressive results in a computer lab can founder when tested in real time, Stanford’s Cho said. That’s because diseases are more complex — and the health care system far more dysfunctional — than many computer scientists anticipate. Many AI developers cull electronic health records because they hold huge amounts of detailed data, Cho said. But those developers often aren’t aware that they’re building atop a deeply broken system. Electronic health records were developed for billing, not patient care, and are filled with mistakes or missing data. A KHN investigation published in March found sometimes life-threatening errors in patients’ medication lists, lab tests and allergies. In view of the risks involved, doctors need to step in to protect their patients’ interests, said Dr. Vikas Saini, a cardiologist and president of the nonprofit Lown Institute, which advocates for wider access to health care. “While it is the job of entrepreneurs to think big and take risks,” Saini said, “it is the job of doctors to protect their patients.” (Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.) ©2020 Kaiser Health News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 •

Local Startup Ecosystem

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal • January 31, 2020

From venture capital to wealth of incubators, it’s an unprecedented time to be a startup in Nebraska by Michelle Leach

Prior to the Nebraska Business Innovation Act (BIA) in 2011, the state ranked last in venture capital. Eight years later, Nebraska ranks 38th in dollar amounts and deals ($54 million and 21 respectively), via Thomson Reuters and CB Insights data. “In 2019, Invest Nebraska invested $2.79 million in 23 highgrowth businesses in Nebraska,” said CEO Dan Hoffman. “These investments were matched by $17.8 million of capital from private investors.” Its partner, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), received Hoffman 97 applications from startups seeking BIA financial assistance. The department provided $5.4 million in grants and seed funding. Portfolio exits included Omaha-based D3 Technologies (acquired by publicly-traded NCR Corporation in June) and Omaha-based MultiMechanics (acquired by publicly-traded Siemens in October). October also represented the launch of the 2,000-square-foot ag and food tech incubator, the Combine, at Nebraska Innovation Campus. “The pipeline of entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses continues to grow,” he said. “This is also reflected in the metrics of investors. The Nebraska Angels deployed over $6 million in 2019 and now has over 65 members. The Nebraska Angels also saw an exit in mid-2019 when Flywheel was acquired by WP Engine.” When asked about headwinds, Hoffman noted BIA’s annual $6 million in funding is expected to increase to $10 million on July 1, 2021, however, the DED ran out of funds on Nov. 30 for the remainder of the state’s fiscal year (ending June 30, 2020). “While the demand for funding exceeds the current resources, it demonstrates how Nebraska’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem continues to grow,” he said. The University of Nebraska at Omaha Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Franchising (CIEF) Assistant Director Levi Cermak highlighted how Omaha excels in having “supportive entrepreneurial networks” and in “how accessible our best entrepreneurs and innovators are.” “I believe that a motivated entrepreneur can get a meeting with anyone in Omaha,” he said. Room for improvement resides with keeping top talent in the city. “We can also improve on connecting our

Holly Benson Muller, managing director of Kitchen Council. entrepreneurs to capital above the seed-funding efforts to incubate the fledgling companies and, level,” Cermak said. “Omaha is seeing excit- more than a year later, at least seven businesses ing up-and-comers, such as Keith Fix and his are still in existence. company Retail Aware, to highlight.” FNBO also partnered with local colleges Cermak noted the center is supporting and universities to generate new startup busimore student-entrepreneurs in 2020 with cap- ness ideas as part of The Pitch competition in ital, guidance from experts and community 2018 and 2019, which led to a new concept: connections. Build Studio. “CIEF deployed $22,850 in prizes and cap“Build Studio is rooted in bringing in bestital to student and alumni businesses through competitions and the Maverick Venture Fund,” he said. CIEF supports the Maverick Business Plan Competition every April, the Entrepreneurial Living and Learning Community, mentoring programs, a Junior High Summer Camp and Breakthrough Weekend. On April 3-4, it will host the ninth annual Midwestern Entrepreneurship Conference. First National Bank of Omaha Director, Disruption and Innovation Program, Cory Mann, highlighted its partnership with The Startup Collaborative (a program of the Greater Omaha Chamber) on the Fintech Fellows initiative. To increase new opportunities for entrepreneurially-minded talent by giving them “validated problems to solve” and the chance to earn grant money. “Our first iteration launched in late 2018 and more than 20 entrepreneurs answered the call-to-arms to start a business addressing specific pain points impacting our customers and the community,” he said. “We directly inspired the founding of at least 10 startups and funded five of them.” The Startup Collaborative, Mann noted, led

in-class ‘apprentices’ from local universities and giving them business problems, resources and mentorship to help build new products for the bank and our customers,” Mann said. A project of the Greater Omaha Chamber, the Kitchen Council boasts 14 “resident members” (renting a space and co-working), and engagement with 200-plus food and beverage entrepreneurs, according to Managing Director Holly Benson Muller. “Generally speaking, we really assist entrepreneurs by providing flexible and low-cost space to start out,” she said. “The monthly membership breaks down to $15 a day … We’re not looking for hobbyists. This is for people who need longer-term access to a kitchen and resources.” A farm-to-table catering “graduate” now boasts its own production, hosting, tasting and garden spaces while, for instance, a pie-maker is using the kitchen’s space while he builds a facility and makes inroads with local and large national grocers. Its capacity to help more “foodpreneurs” is growing, via a larger, equipment-rich, 3,000-square-foot space within the Pottawattamie County Arts, Culture and Entertainment (PACE) Hoff Center in Council Bluffs, and alongside other nonprofits allowing for cross-collaboration, such as popups and opportunities to sell fare at events, such as the center’s gala and open house next month. “Kitchen Council is trying to bridge a gap,” she said. “So, entrepreneurs know the different resources that are out there.”

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

In the Spotlight Paid Content

FINANCIAL SERVICES

ACCOUNTING

Promoted

Areli Solorio

Kylie Leigh Schwarting

Jennell Manion

Michael Muller

Public Relations Strategist

Consultant II, Government Consulting

Supervisor, Tax Department

Veridian Credit Union

Bland & Associates

Veridian Credit Union is pleased to announce the promotion of Areli Solorio to the position of public relations strategist. Solorio, a resident of Bellevue, NE, has worked at Veridian for two years. She was previously a community relations coordinator. Solorio has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Finance and Banking from the University of NebraskaOmaha. She is involved in the community as a chamber member at the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Veridian Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by the members who use its products and services. The credit union offers a full range of business and consumer financial services, and earnings are returned to members through better rates and lower fees. Membership is open to anyone living or working in the state of Iowa and six counties in eastern Nebraska. For more information, visit veridiancu. org or call (800) 235-3228.

Kylie Leigh Schwarting was recently promoted to Consultant II in the Government Consulting department at Bland. She joined the company in early 2019. In 2018, Schwarting graduated cum laude from the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she played on the school softball team.

Jennell Manion was recently promoted to Consultant II in the Government Consulting department at Bland. She joined the company in early 2019. A Wisconsin native, Manion earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota in 2011 and a paralegal certificate from Metropolitan Community College in 2013.

Michael Muller was recently promoted from Senior Associate to Supervisor in the Tax department at Bland. He joined the company in 2014. An Omaha native, Muller earned an associate degree specializing in accounting from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas in 2012. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration specializing in accounting from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2015.

HEALTH CARE

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

Added

Promoted

Hired

Brian Shanks

Joe Johnson

Dylan McCabe

Chief Financial Officer

Business Consultant Leader, Nebraska

Brokerage Associate

Tabitha

Nonprofit Tabitha, Nebraska’s industryleading Senior Care provider, welcomes Brian Shanks as chief financial officer. He also serves as Tabitha’s corporate compliance and privacy officer. Shanks brings over 30 years of extensive experience in finance and business, including the areas of real estate, courier services and franchise investments. Prior to Tabitha, Shanks was the associate director for University of Nebraska – Housing.

Olsson

Olsson, a nationally recognized engineering and design firm, recently promoted Joe Johnson to business consultant leader for the Nebraska region. In his new role, Johnson will lead a team that is responsible for developing and fostering relationships with key clients for Olsson’s strategic growth strategy. He previously served as business consultant leader for Olsson’s offices in Grand Island and Kearney.

LEGAL SERVICES Added

Michael J. Roccaforte Attorney Baird Holm LLP

Baird Holm LLP is pleased to welcome Michael J. Roccaforte to the firm. Mike focuses his practice on employment litigation. He defends employers against all types of employment claims, including discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, wage and hour, employment torts, and workers’ compensation claims. Mike also represents employers in non-compete, trade secret, and fiduciary litigation

matters. Mike graduated from Yale Law School in 2016, where he was editorin-chief of the Yale Journal of Law & the Humanities. Prior to law school he graduated with highest distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2013, earning bachelor’s degrees in political science and classical languages. Before joining the firm, Mike served as a law clerk for the Hon. Jerome Holmes of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017-18, and for the Hon. Fernando Olguin of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in 2018-19. Prior to clerking for the federal courts, he worked for a litigation boutique firm in Washington, D.C., representing clients in complex antitrust and telecommunications matters. “We are very fortunate to have Mike

join the Firm. He is a valuable addition to Baird Holm’s Labor & Employment practice group,” said Baird Holm Managing Partner, Richard E. Putnam. “His contributions will further solidify an important cornerstone of our Firm.”

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

Cushman & Wakefield/ The Lund Company

Cushman & Wakefield/The Lund Company welcomes Dylan McCabe as an Associate for the Company’s brokerage division. Dylan is responsible for the marketing, leasing and sales of commercial real estate properties and specializes in the office sector. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Finance and is a licensed real estate salesperson in Nebraska. Please contact Dylan at 402.548.4075 for any of your commercial real estate needs or inquiries.

Midlands Business Journal • JANUARY 31, 2020 •

In the Spotlight Paid Content

HEALTH CARE BRAND STRATEGY & DESIGN BRAND STRATEGY & DESIGN Hired

New

Appointed

Max Mentzer

Lisa Link

Writer & Producer

Media Manager

Daake

Omaha’s awardwinning brand strategy and design firm Daake recently added Max Mentzer to their team. The growing firm now stands at 15 professionals ranging from designers to digital experts to writers to strategists. “We are very excited to welcome Max to team Daake,” says company Principal, Greg Daake. “We believe his elite talents will help us further strengthen the delivery on our mission to help brands transform what is — to what could be.” As Daake’s new Writer & Producer, Mentzer brings over ten years of copywriting, branding, and creative leadership to Daake client work. After graduating from Wayne State College, he has specialized in film production and advertising. “I think there's great heart, humor, and talent at Daake,” stated Mentzer. “And they’re just really committed to being everyday advocates for their clients. I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Omaha’s awardwinning brand strategy and design firm Daake recently added Lisa Link. As Daake’s new Media Manager, Link provides the firm with a new level of strategic capabilities and expertise. Lisa has worked on every side of the industry. After graduating from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lisa started working on the broadcasting side, where she developed marketing research and promotional materials to aid their marketing and sales department. She later continued her career on the adagency side of things, where she was a primary strategic media planner for some of their largest clients. “The work that Daake is doing really speaks for itself. That alone was enough to excite me about the opportunity to join,” commented Link. “But the people here are even better. It’s such a great team to be around.”

INSURANCE SERVICES

EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER

INSURANCE

Hired

Named

Clint Kage

Jeff Willis

Scott Anderson

Sales Executive

Steven Coleman

Sales Executive

Controller

The Harry A. Koch Co.

Riekes Equipment

Director of Accounting, Controller

Clint Kage joined The Harry A. Koch Co. in November 2019. He specializes in commercial lines risk management and insurance for agribusinesses, transportation, and manufacturing. He enjoys learning new things and finding solutions to fit his client’s unique needs. Clint is team-oriented and ready to talk through any situation. Visit www. hakco.com to learn more about The Koch Co.

Jeff Willis joined The Harry A. Koch Co. in December 2019. He has worked in agriculture his whole life, spending the majority of his time supporting the industry with financial services. Before joining The Koch Co., Jeff worked in wealth management with FNBO. He enjoys building relationships and reviewing the data. Visit www.hakco. com to learn more about The Koch Co.

Riekes Equipment announces Scott Anderson as their new Controller. “After an extensive search, we are pleased to bring someone of Scott’s ability onboard. He brings a strong background in building efficiencies which is a perfect fit as we automate more of our internal processes,” said Duncan Murphy, President. Scott holds a bachelor’s in Finance and Accounting from Morningside College.

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

Assurity Life Insurance

Assurity has named Steven Coleman director of accounting and controller. In his new role, he oversees the company’s financials and auditing processes. Previously manager of internal audit, he succeeds Kevin Faltin, who was recently named vice president, CFO and treasurer. A certified public accountant, Coleman holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He joined Assurity in 2014.

• JANUARY 31, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal