Midlands Business Journal July 23, 2021 Vol. 47 No. 30 issue by Midlands Business Journal

REWRITING THE PLAYBOOK | Moving Forward From Here

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VOL. 47 NO. 30

Fareway Stores builds on meat backbone by Richard D. Brown

Class Intercom shares firsthand stories for school social media accounts. – Page 2

40 er d Un 40 Early advocates led Morrissey Engineering’s Gudeman to fulfilling career in sustainability. – Page 4

al rci ce e a mm Sp Co ffice O

Local commercial real estate market looks strong moving forward. – Page 5

Since coming into the Omaha-area market in 2004 with stores in Papillion and Millard, Boone, Iowa-based Fareway Stores has applied its model of 20,000 to 25,000-square-foot stores to Council Bluffs and Nebraska City. In addition, the 83-year-old family-owned business has also opened specialized Fareway Meat Market locations at 8900 West Center Rd. and in Lincoln at 3033 South 84th St. In May, the firm with about 12,000 employees among its 129 stores in six contiguous Midwestern states, opened a newly-built store on the northeast corner of 132nd & Fort streets. Earlier this month, ground was broken for a 21,000-square-foot store at 604 South Highway 6, in Gretna. That location — with an average of 100 employees — will open next spring. Other area stores are at 17070 Audrey St. in Millard, 1325 Jersey Continued on page 23.

President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer at the groundbreaking of the new Gretna store. (Photo by Roger Humphries)

From blog to full-time online business, The Anastasia Co. reaches worldwide by Michelle Leach

Jillian McClenahan parlayed her inherent entrepreneurial spirit and passion for storytelling through graphics and similar content into a blog that would eventually led to the launch of a full-time online business, The Anastasia Co., touting products such as paper goods and apparel that, as the founder puts it, “hit people in the feels.” The eight-year-old business’s products can also now be found in almost

500 stores worldwide. “I am so passionate about products that give people hope through a hard time, or encouragement to follow what they’re called to do,” she said. “There have been times at local events where one of our cards or prints will make someone start crying. I love making people cry — in the best way.” By that, a perusal of the Omaha-based business’s online store Continued on page 23. Owner Mike Petersen aims to see interest in e-bikes grow in the Midwest. (Photo by Monica Sempek)

Top Gun Bikes builds niche in electric transportation from bikes to skateboards by Gabby Hellbusch

There’s no “one-size-fits-all”

Founder Jillian McClenahan is turning blog success into selling inspirational products around the globe. (Photo courtesy of The Anastasia Co.)

bike, which is why Mike Petersen, owner of Top Gun Bikes in Omaha, said he’s made it his mission to help others ride away with the perfect option for their unique situation. Originally founded in California as an online electric bike store that mainly catered to those looking for custom options, the business was purchased by Petersen in 2019

and has since evolved to become a storefront and showroom where customers can come in to try out different offerings — a feature that sets the store apart, Petersen said. The shop offers a range of factory electric bikes, skateboards and scooters. Custom options and conversions are also available. The business works to accommodate those who are looking for bikes Continued on page 26.

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Class Intercom shares firsthand stories for school social media accounts by Brooke Strickland

Each school has a unique story and culture, and Class Intercom is doing its part to help share those with the local community, and the world. The business was born in 2016 in Lincoln, when practicing high school principal Ben Pankonin

Class Intercom Phone: 402-413-7114 Service: social media management for schools Founded: 2016 Goal: To support schools in creating engaging and secure social media content to student and educator collaboration. Industry outlook: The education industry is rapidly changing with the pace of technology and communication mediums. The next generation of jobs depends on our ability to help students understand the direction of digital communication and provide them with the skills to be successful content creators. Website: https://classintercom.com

learned that he had some students at the school who wanted to create social media content for the school. All of the school’s social media usage was managed via sticky notes and it wasn’t long

President Dr. Jill Johnson giving platform to schools to connect with students and educators. (Photo by David Kubicek) before Pankonin thought that there should be a helps schools or entire school districts create, safer, more secure way to manage things. collaborate, and communicate safely on social Today, Pankonin works as the founder and media, while administrators maintain control of CEO at Class Intercom and its related compa- the posts from draft to approval. The company ny, Social Assurance. Class Intercom serves also helps secure social media data and limit as a social media management platform that third-party access to protect school, student, and

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Curtis (Curt) Field Principal/Architect, Prochaska & Associates Associations/Titles: American Institute of Architects (AIA), Registered Architect in Nebraska Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska Education: At UNO, Bachelor of Fine Art studies; at University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture studies, minoring in Urban Planning multiple Special Projects team opportunities How I got into the business: I loved art since I was a child, and was an Art Major at UNO, there on a Regents Scholarship. I changed my major to Mechanical Engineerschooling at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis), and looked unsuccessfully for work there during an economic slowdown, so came back to Omaha, and started work at Leo A. Daly in 1983. Accomplishments or milestones: My only son, Andrew, was born while I was in college in 1980. I was successfully self-employed as “Curtis Field, Architect” for seven years, then hired at Prochaska & Associates in First job: I was hired as an Intern Architect at Leo A. Daly Company in 1983. Biggest career break: I was assigned to

The toughest part of the job: This busimultiple, simultaneous project commitments, all balanced with proper attention to family obligations. It is very helpful to love one’s career. The best advice I have received: Adequate preparation is key, or “Architecture is a service profession, as much as it is an art form.” About my family: I have a son, Andrew, now aged 41, and my wife, Launie and I have now been happily married for 16 years. Something else I’d like to accomplish: As part of a military family, I lived in Munich, Germany, as a small child, and would love to travel more extensively to European cities and absorb the different cultures there. How my business will change in the next decade: I am not sure — I have no intentions of retirement at present. Architects typically work later into life than do those in other careers.

Mentor who has helped the most in my career: George Douglas at Leo A. Daly, who got me involved on Special Projects Teams there. Don Prochaska was a close second, and we worked together extensively on Alaska projects. Outside interests: I really enjoy home improvement, and lawn and landscaping projects. I also love [modestly-priced] sports cars. Favorite vacation spots: My wife and I enjoy California Wine Country, and also the northeast oceanside communities, like Martha’s Vineyard. Other careers I would like to try: Industrial Design, or Urban Planning and Design. Favorite cause or charity: I believe in environmental stewardship, and I have been closely involved in the past in the local Sierra Club. I am also involved in my church. Favorite apps: Solitaire; Spotify; BIG 10 Network.

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staff information. To date, there are subscribers in over 30 states and 10 countries. “The educational focus, with a scalable, centralized management platform, allows for systematic growth within a school district without increased costs,” said Dr. Jill Johnson, Class Intercom president. “The platform is easy to use and collaborative in nature, which allows school leaders to safely manage all social media accounts while saving time and increasing security.” While there are several other social media management platforms out there today that could pose as competitors, Class Intercom has some things that set it apart from the others. First, Class Intercom offers unlimited users for a school. “This strategic difference encourages more student involvement without the school incurring additional costs,” Johnson said. In addition, the social media posts are viewed as public record and archived for open records requests. Last year, the pandemic changed how education was done. Because of this, educators students, parents, and the community. Social media was one of the best ways to do this, which allowed Class Intercom to stay busy. “We invested much of 2020 and 2021 in connecting with schools to assist them in executing best practice social media communications and guidelines in communicating on social media during the pandemic,” Johnson said. “As schools move forward, we are sharing the stories of the schools who leveraged our platform to help other educators build safe and robust social media content and communication practices.” Looking at the future, Class Intercom plans on staying up to date with the rapid changes happening in education right now. It will also continue to encourage students to become content creators.

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• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Director of Sustainability Sarah Gudeman is passionate about sustainable building design. (Photo by Monica Sempek)

Early advocates led Morrissey Engineering’s Gudeman to fulfilling career in sustainability by Dwain Hebda

man was in the minority throughout most of her education and early years in the engineering industry. In fact, had it not been for a push from some early advocates, she might not have taken the journey at all. “Twenty-plus years ago, there were certainly fewer women going into engineering,” she said. “Luckily, at Marian High School we had a huge advocate in Bruce Esser, a physics teacher who really enabled me to

challenges through passive design strategies, renewable energy and improving ongoing operations in buildings.”

culture where individual initiative and creative approaches to design issues carry more weight than raw seniority. She said this not only encourages innovation but also helps individuals feel engaged in projects. “What I really like about Morrissey Engineering is that we try to foster a working environment that isn’t built on ‘the ranks,’” she said. “Employee in college. responsibilities extend as far as your “I told my parents I was trying individual interests and drive. As for to decide between art or engineerme, I feel constantly challenged to ing, and they obviously guided me learn more and improve, which are towards the latter.” skills that I personally value. Gudeman rose to partner at Mor“There are also lots of opporrissey Engineering where she’s now tunities, especially in the specialty director of sustainability, and a highly 2020 area of sustainability, for futurist and regarded authority on the design and strategic thinking. My work in third-party rating advancement of green building systems. “Some of the best advice I have received is systems such as LEED, WELL, and ILFI’s ‘Find what you are passionate about and grow JUST allows for some systematic framework, your strengths, because that is where you’re which my engineering brain appreciates. Still, likely to see exponential growth in capability there are lots of times where creative thinking, and knowledge,’” she said. “I am passionate communication and mediation are all just as about advancing and educating on sustainability important. Every day is a little different, which topics across the board, beyond energy to in- is always exciting.” Gudeman has also applied her skills and door environmental quality, how our buildings and spaces can impact and improve health and wellness, improve equitable access and serve service organizations. Gudeman said variety is one of the most appealing things about her work, as is her ability to positively impact the environment through smart design and systems. “Since buildings are generally responsible for 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it represents an enormous opportunity to reduce environmental footprint,” she said. “The world is currently undergoing the largest wave of urban growth in human history, with no sign of slowing down. We cannot meet climate goals without also reducing to a minimum the emissions associated with embodied carbon. “As an industry we need to approach these

with is the U.S. Green Building Council, which has a local chapter, USGBC Nebraska Flatwater,” she said. “Also, I can’t say enough great things about CREW Omaha; it’s a fantastic organization with a dynamic network, education and community outreach. “I’m hopeful to begin meeting with my mentee through Teammates again soon and look forward to joining the board for the Dundee-Memorial Park Neighborhood Association this fall.” An Omaha native, Gudeman has a degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University.

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Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

Commercial Office Space A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

July 23, 2021

Local commercial real estate market looks strong, continues development regarding their real estate footprint. This by Gabby Hellbusch will be welcome news after the downturn Like all real estate sectors, the comwe saw the previous 12 months. Like other mercial real estate market has been vibrant previous downturns to the office market, in 2021. Omaha should rebound sooner than other Shawn Ilg, executive vice president markets.” and general counsel/associate broker at Additionally, he said conNebraska Realty - Commercial struction costs have started to Division, said Omaha has seen a impact projects. lot of activity and development “We’ve seen companies in many areas. scrap plans to build and others “With that said, many busihave elected to stay instead nesses are re-evaluating things of relocating because of the after COVID to see if they need current high cost to construct,” to make changes due to the needs Sheppard said. “Despite some and wants of their workforce,” cancellations, 2021 will still see Ilg said. “As always, they need a boom in new commercial real to stay competitive with what estate development. Dodge Data they offer their employees and Ilg & Analytics reports that projects that includes more freedom and costing more than $50 million each will flexibility in their jobs.” increase by at least 40% year-over-year.” He said this has complicated things Overall, he expects the Omaha office on many levels and has made companies market to gradually improve, as seen nalook at more variables related to their oftionally most office-using sectors are now fice needs such as size, configuration and on a par with pre-pandemic employment flexible use. levels. “I believe that these factors are going “There are exciting projects in the to fundamentally change many facets works that will help propel our market,” of commercial real estate in the coming Sheppard said. “Downtown has big news years,” Ilg said. coming, the Crossroads redevelopment Steve Sheppard, first vice president of project will flourish and Heartwood PreCBRE, said COVID-19 and the implicaserve will continue to make headlines with tions of how companies utilize their space announcements forthcoming.” continues to be a topic of conversation Derick Lewin, associate broker at PJ surrounding the office market. Morgan Real Estate and the 2021 presi“We expect to see most employers dent of Midlands Regional Commercial require or encourage employees to return Information Exchange, said the industry to the office later this summer and into the has experienced consistent activity in the fall,” Sheppard said. “That should help Omaha office market, in all submarkets, office vacancy and absorption figures movsince this spring. ing forward, as business leaders are more “I expect that activity will continue comfortable making long-term decisions to pick up momentum, especially as more and more employers return to the office, and find that their office space needs have already or will change,” Lewin said. He noted a trend to downsize and list the excess space for sublease, as well. “However, we are also finding that many businesses grew in the last year and three months or so, and need to find additional space to meet the needs of their company,” Lewin said. “I anticipate a very active market through all of 2021, with many more transactions — both sale and lease/sublease — taking place than the number of deals that occurred in 2020.”

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• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • Commercial Office Space

Leasing tips when seeking office space by Brooke Strickland

Many of Nebraska’s businesses are coming back in full swing after the pandemic slowed things down. That means business leaders are doing some strategic planning in how to bring people back into the office. For a good number of these companies, this translates to finding the right office space for lease. Leasing trends “We are seeing leaders bringing the workforce back to the office and thinking about the future,” said Alex Epstein, executive vice president of OMNE Partners. “Many surveys are Epstein showing productivity going up when people are in the office. “We do think companies will be more flexible with their employees and we will see more flex schedules due to the tools and efficiencies found during COVID. The hybrid model with flexibility may be an option for the future, but one thing is for certain — employees will need a place to meet, and teams need a place to collaborate, which is why office space will continue to be important real estate for companies to use as a tool to recruit and retain employees.” Leasing tips Negotiating a commercial lease involves a lot of different details, so it’s important to keep that in mind when you

set out on your search. Tip #1: Allow for enough time. “Negotiating a commercial lease is likely to take longer than you anticipate, making it important that you start your search for the perfect office as early as you can,” said Aaron Moser, president of Sage Capital Real Estate Investments. “Once you have an initial lease agreement, don’t procrastinate. Review it right away, so you don’t find yourself signing a less-thanideal lease because you’re running out of time.” Tip #2: Consider a longer-term Moser lease. Business leaders are well-versed in projecting numbers and working to meet their specific business goals. So, when it comes to finding the right commercial space, keeping the company’s growth trajectory in mind is key. Moser recommended that tenants consider a longer-term lease, as this allows them to gain greater leverage during the transaction. “Landlords can amortize improvements over the lease term more effectively the longer you have committed to the space,” he said. “You must be hyper aware of your growth, or possible contraction regarding your space needs. If you are confident that the space will serve your needs the Continued on page 10.

Commercial Office Space • Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

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• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • Commercial Office Space

New developments stress amenities, technology for today’s office worker by Dwain Hebda brimming with creature comforts, green space and technology, offering something for every aspect of workers’ lives. “The notion of ‘workplace’ has changed dramatically in the last 18 months,” said Bart Emanuel, national director of development and construction at Applied Underwriters, the company behind Heartwood Preserve. “As a result, it’s very important coming to work comfortable and pleasant.” Heartwood Preserve leans heavily on green space design throughout the 500-acre grounds, upon which 1.65 million square to the Applied Underwriters corporate headquarters demonstrate this ecosystem mindset. “We’ve designed nearly 80 acres of land devoted to green space, parks and open spaces,” he said. “We have nearly eight miles of paths and open trails. Parking is underground in climate-controlled garages which means when workers look out the a concrete parking lot. Nothing but green The development has attracted heavy

corporate hitters such as Union Bank and Trust, a cornerstone tenant in a towering offered through OMNE Partners. “The battle in recent years in attracting employee talent has led employers to invest, cated and provide more high-end amenities in high-end locations,” said Alex Epstein, OMNE Partners executive vice president. Epstein said companies that have made such an investment are not only well-posi-

tioned to retain talent, but are in a better posture to manage the encroachment of work-fromhome arrangements. “We see employers eager to keep employforecast the pandemic effect will be more of a hybrid approach going forward, allowing Excellent design and cutting-edge technology will also be on display in downtown’s forthcoming The Mercantile, ac-

cording to Tom D’Arcy, senior managing director at Hines. “Today, we are seeing an increasing need for innovative spaces with a focus on access to outdoors, wellness and connectivity,” D’Arcy said. “Providing tenants multiple opportunities to have access to outdoor light and space is a critical amenity moving forward, emphasizing an increased focus on health and wellness.” Features of the seven-story, 230,000-squarefoot project include increased accessibility to Continued on next page.

Commutes, convenience, available space driving demand for multi-tenant spaces by Jasmine Heimgartner

As cities bounce back from the aftermath of COVID-19, commercial spaces are doing so right alongside, and much of the new construction happening is multi-tenant spaces. For businesses and residents, these type of structures offer a welcome convenience that often enables an enhanced work-life balance and pleasing aesthetic to the area. “The urban core in most markets is going through a revitalization that mixed-use are getting built,” said Kirk Hanson, ACCESS Commercial co-founder and principal. “You are also seeing it in more suburban areas where people want a cool factor

instead of just a strip center. We have also realized that the closed-mall model has become irrelevant. Customers like going outside, and it makes employees happy when they can walk downstairs and have three or four restaurants available. Multi-use locations are an overall trend. When it works, it is a lot more dynamic for businesses and residents.” Businesses looking to get into one of these types of spaces need to consider numerous factors before diving in, especially ensuring that they are aligned with complementary businesses. “It depends on whether your business is destination driven,” said Trenton Magid,

NAI NP Dodge executive vice president. “Restaurants and retail want to be visible and accessible. They want to feed off of other businesses and traffic. If you need office or industrial, you want the amenities, but you may not need that visibility. Budget and availability are also important. All things considered, you pay for visibility. If there is Magid no availability, you have to be patient.” Commute time has also been a factor in driving the trend for multi-use spaces. “When cities get larger, the commute gets longer,” Hanson said. “People like being able to walk to their office. Omaha is becoming a very urban walkable area. Frankly, when land in downtown areas starts to get expensive, you have to build a lot more on less land to make the numbers work. You have to build projects that are more dense, and the best use is to do these mixed-use and go vertical.” In Omaha, there are a number of these spaces available, from Shadow Lake Towne Center to West Dodge corridor, Aksarben Village and Regency Landing, as well as other areas, such as the La Vista City Centre. Where and how people want to live also plays a role. “There is a lot of trends toward single family housing for lease rather than purchase,” Magid said. “The younger families, millennials and generation Z seem to be more transient and want to lease instead of purchase. Some want the flexibility in case Continued on page 10.

Commercial Office Space • Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

Pandemic impacts office design trends by David Kubicek

Local experts expect the pandemic’s imThe one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work anymore, according to Matthew Gulsvig, senior associate with DLR Group. “As design professionals it’s important for us to understand clients’ goals and needs, and of my clients have operated as if it’s business as usual during the pandemic whereas others have completely changed their approach to everything they do.” The pandemic disrupted the supply chain, making many products more expensive or harder to get. This slowed some projects and forced changes in how they came together. For example, when figuring budgets, the traditional 3% to 5% annual cost increase designers have used was unreliable because of the uncertainty surrounding prices. “Historically, meetings would be either in-person or virtual,” Gulsvig said. “Post pandemic almost all meetings are hybrid. Decades ago, in educational environments desks and chairs were lined up in an orderly fashion, and workplaces were set up similarly. Now students change classrooms regularly and have free periods. When that class enters the workforce, they’re expected to sit in a chair all day. The expectations of those employees may not align.” according to Gretchen Golter, vice president and design director at All Makes Office Equipment. Safety will be a primary focus in

New developments Continued from preceding page. outdoor spaces, attention to air quality, touchless door sensors and bike rooms for tenants. Workspaces themselves also provide unique “Many tenants don’t want to be stuck at their desk all day,” D’Arcy said. “Our conspaces throughout the building allowing people to work anywhere, with Wi-Fi connectivity throughout.” Modus, located in the Flatiron District, bining the in-house resources of a co-working space with high-end appointments. office space and targeted services,” said Neeraj Agarwal, Modus CEO and founder. nished and includes key offerings such as onsite notaries and multifunction printers and copiers that are necessary for most business’s day-to-day operations. By offering businesses that do not want to waste time and administrative issues.” Agarwal said the organization also provides a robust mix of professional services that “Most organizations that focus on facilitating the growth of small business focus on providing four key services that are vital for their growth and success: banking, accounting, insurance and legal, or BAIL,” he said. “Modus seeks to build on that standard foundation with BAIL+, offering other government consulting and marketing/ branding services.”

back to how employees may have worked in their home environment. the office environment,” Golter said. “[There will be] options to work in more locations within a space, or at least [they will] address how work has changed now that technology has improved or changed in 2020.” The traditional

Gulsvig and a door is being transformed into sit-stand environments so individuals can change the way they work throughout the day. The standard conference table with chairs around it is being replaced by more comfortable meeting areas. Employees may be able to work closer to a window with a view, farther away from

a noisy workroom, or in a lounge or another more comfortable location. be dictated by business but by the returning workforce, changes in our society, and in our economy,” Golter said. “I don’t believe that most business environments will go back to

have a hybrid set-up with some cubicles that don’t have name tags on them so people who work remotely can come in and work at a station for a few days,” he said. people are starting to realize that they can’t have private conversations with one another need to work privately. In the past, one room might be set up for video conferencing, but the pandemic has accelerated the trend of video conferencing in each room. “Many banks we work with set up a hub

Golter Wesely the way it was. Some will, some will not. how people want to work when they come Although hoteling isn’t new, the pandemic has accelerated the process, according to Ayars & Ayars Vice President Andrew Wesely.

they can utilize those video screens to talk with clients who come into banks,” Wesely said. “Companies don’t want to have all happens. Over the past year bigger companies have been separating departments off into their own eating areas so if there’s another pandemic event, they don’t risk infecting a large cafeteria.”

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Why technical high schools help boys more than girls, and how to spot a high-quality program by Arianne Cohen

Say your beloved high-schooler is less than spectacular at academics. “I think we all feel comfortable saying that four-year college may not be the perfect fit for every kid,” says Careers Eric Brunner, a professor of economics and policy at the University of Connecticut. These days trade schools teach everything from the trades to graphics to sound production to pre-nursing. Would this gambit pay off for your kid? Brunner wanted to know too. His

Commutes, convenience Continued from page 8. they want to relocate. That plays into the mixed-use. They want to be able to walk to bars, retail and grocery stores.” While retail, restaurants and entertainment are making a comeback, office space is still facing some unknowns. “Regarding the office market, we don’t see much on offering prices, but there is a big question mark on how tenants want to address their space needs in the future,” Magid said. “If you have a large office and most employees were working from home the past year, that space may not be needed. If they want to expand, being in a larger office building makes it a lot easier to expand in contiguous space instead of moving across the city.” Many of the multi-use spaces with offices are being designed with a business’s employees in mind. The location of an office and its amenities play key roles in employee retention and hiring. “It’s hard to hire people and find good people and keep good people,” Hanson said. “Regency Landing’s tagline is to make employees happy. If comparing to working from home, where you can easily walk to the fridge, employees and tenants like having everything in one spot. When an office’s location has a direct connection to trails, outdoor activities, restaurants, a gym and balconies, your day isn’t just sitting in a cube all day. You have the the ability to do it all right there.”

interest is personal: He married into a long line of trade workers. “Every single person on my wife’s side of the family chose technical school over regular school.” He holidays with relatives who answer his pressing HVAC and electrical questions. But academics like data, so he studied Connecticut’s expansive Technical Education and Career System, which runs popular technical high schools across the state. Demand overwhelms seats, so students must apply. The fact the system rejects students makes it ripe for research: Scholars typically struggle to determine whether various schools pay off for enrollees, because the students who attend certain schools tend to have different abilities and interests from those who opt into other schools. So researchers tracked students who just barely got accepted, and compared them with students who just missed getting in and instead circulated at public high schools. “It’s really nice from a research perspective,” says co-author Shaun Dougherty, associate professor of education and public policy at Vanderbilt University, and a former high school teacher himself in Lansdale, Pa. “The last person into the school is nearly identical to the first person out, and so we can make reasonable comparisons and draw conclusions about the effectiveness of that school. And we know that everyone who applied is actually interested in going to that school.” Their verdict: There’s no downside to Connecticut’s technical schools, and some students do really well. “Getting into the technical high schools has a really large positive effect on both academic outcomes and workforce outcomes, all the way to age 24,” Dougherty says. This last bit is interesting: Students in the technical schools do better academically than similar students in normal schools, with higher attendance rates and test scores, and an ensuing graduation rate around 10 percentage points higher. This disproves the commonly held notion that tech students miss out on skills like communication and

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quantitative reasoning. Except … this is all only true for boys. “The girls look exactly like their counterparts who did not go to technical high school,” Brunner says. Girls are not harmed by tech school, but they also do not reap the same benefits as their male peers, for two reasons: One is that the girls who are rejected from tech school tend to do just fine in mainstream public schools, unlike their male counterparts, who struggle. The second is because girls tend to gravitate toward lower-paying fields like tourism, hospitality, cosmetology, early childhood ed, eldercare and food service. This means that when following wage earnings after graduation, their incomes are dwarfed by those of the many boys who went into the trades and the mechanical, construction and tech fields. “The contrast between getting into these schools and not getting in is quite large for boys, because they go into these fields that are really well compensated,” Dougherty says. The question you’re obviously wondering is whether these Connecticut findings are applicable to, say, the technical school near you. Most states don’t have programs like Connecticut’s, which are stand-alone schools where cohorts of students study for years with the same group of teachers. “The vast majority of technical education [is made up of] courses within a high school, often a school within a school,” Brunner says. A handful of states, including Massachusetts and New York (New York City), do have them, and they tend to offer students perks such as a tighter community, access to many adults in the field, and motivated peers who really want to be there. Researchers can’t parse which details are the most important, but overall, the impact is very positive. “I don’t know that that’s replicated outside of these systems,” says Dougherty, though his research suggests what to look for in your tech school: —First-year exploration opportunities. “One big asset of (Connecticut’s system) is a year in 9th grade where students really get to test drive a few of these programs of study,” Dougherty says. Students eventually match with a track based on performance and interests. That’s very different from typical high school, where a 9th grader might take an elective in AutoCAD, but if the class isn’t going well in October, they might be stuck through January or June. “There’s no other way for any of us to figure out what we might like than trying out different options,” he says. —Feeder programs into local jobs and colleges. You want to see partnerships with local employers and colleges, and available jobs in those fields. Bonus points for opportunities to “shadow” or intern locally, and seamless enrollment into local community colleges. This is not the life moment to reinvent the wheel.

—Programs where students score similarly to public school students on standardized tests. “There doesn’t need to be a tradeoff between focusing on technical education and general learning skills,” Dougherty says. This indicates that the school teaches reasoning, math and reading comprehension skills. —Academia learned in applied settings. The same kid who hates math might enjoy geometry learned via carpentry. “If students can see a purpose to learning math or writing, and do it in an applied setting, it makes it a lot easier for them to take it seriously or see why these are going to be usable skills,” Dougherty says. —High-quality, high-paying fields, especially for girls. A 2020 paper on California technical schools noted that schools offering in-demand health training, like pre-nursing, pay off for girls. Ideally participation would be less gendered, but as long as that’s the case, girls need to see teacher role models and fellow female students in fields with opportunities. Next up, the researchers are extending their follow-up by five years. “The big question is whether or not these kids see big wage gains early on because they get into the labor market earlier and have more work experience,” Brunner says. He doesn’t think that is the case, but he still likes data. Stay tuned. ©2021 Rate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Leasing tips Continued from page 6. same on day one as it does five years from now or longer, then look at doing a longer-term lease.” Tip #3: Engage in tenant representation services. Working with a professional commercial real estate broker is important, as they understand the various intricacies that come with these kinds of transactions. “The tenant representation adviser is 100% accountable and committed to you because they have a fiduciary obligation to represent your best interests, not those of a landlord,” Epstein said. “The broker will save a tenant huge amounts of time by preparing property market data reports to leverage in the negotiation process, scheduling and conducting property tours, submitting proposals, negotiating and reviewing leases and managing the tenant improvement and relocation process.” Moser noted tenant brokers are advocates that play crucial roles in the leasing process. “A tenant rep will remain by your side during the entire negotiation, acting as your advocate,” he said. “Since their fees are covered by landlords, hiring a tenant rep broker is a simple, cost-effective way to tip the negotiating scales heavily in your favor.”

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

Consumers wait or pay more as businesses wrestle supply chain woes by Michael E. Kanell

For months, cars were driven sporadically or not at all. So as the economy reopened, when many people grabbed keys and headed out the door to work, shop or visit with friends, an odd thing happened. Nothing. WorkplaCe Many vehicles didn’t start. Others badly needed service. And while that is good for a mechanic’s business, it has been bad for getting the parts needed to do the work all at once, said Kevin Keller, a Norcross, Ga.-based mobile

technician for YourMechanic.com. Prices are higher and everything has to be ordered early or the job gets postponed — which has happened, Keller said. “Even for simple stuff, like brake pads, I have to be pre-emptive. I need a fuel pump tomorrow for a Dodge Charger. I better have it today.” The problem — supplies coming up short as demand suddenly rebounds — is widespread. And it means consumers sometimes can’t get what they want right away, or they have to pay more to get it. A TEN FROM A HEN

Price Index soared 5.4% in June from a year earlier, its fastest pace in 13 years. Prices for used vehicles surged 10.5% from the previous month, fueling much of the run-up, amid a global shortage in semiconductor chips used in cars and trucks. But prices on other goods and services also rose sharply last month, from airline fares to apparel. That worries some economists and businesses, who wonder whether it’s time for the Federal Reserve to lift interest rates and choke Jerome Powell this week told Congress he thinks price spikes will be temporary, but that depends on how long the supply chain’s gears keep grinding. It is, of course, all about the pandemic. Fifteen months ago, business closures and stay-at-home orders triggered shortages of consumer products like toilet paper and yeast. Most kinks got straightened out but reopening the economy jangled the supply chains. Like a machine revving up after running in low gear for months, the multi-trillion-dollar global supply network has bucked, rattled and run rough. the pre-pandemic system, said Pinar Keskinocak, professor in Georgia Tech’s Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. For decades, supply chains were increasingly designed to be economical, using cost-saving tricks like keeping inventories as low as possible. Supply chains “are not designed for race cars. If you turn to the right or the left, they don’t turn quickly,” she said. The effects run the economic gamut. When Winton Machine in Suwanee, Ga., orders an electrical strip that is a component in the fabrication equipment it makes, it used to wait about six weeks, said Maureen Paige, operations manager. “Now, it is looking like 17 weeks.” Some clients won’t wait — they’d rather change the order, said Dean Collins, president of Axis Companies of Alpharetta, Ga., which designs buildings and manages projects, some of them disrupted by a scarcity of steel bar joists. The joists are used to support roofs. But they are in short supply, which forces Axis to hurriedly redesign buildings for impatient customers, he said. “Maybe we use shorter spans in the building. Maybe we go to wood or use Redbuilt trusses, which are metal and wood.” In a restaurant, a change in supply can make an immediate difference — and not always in a good way. Jose “Pepe” Fundora, co-owner of Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant in Alpharetta, said he has been frustrated by a series of shortages, starting with a French liqueur that has been widely used to make Oysters Rockefeller for decades. “Now it’s out of stock,” he said. “We had to

Answers on page 12.

Some people liked it, some people did not.” And sometimes there’s no substitute. “First, calamari was three times the price, and then I couldn’t even get it,” Fundora said. “I tell the customers that it’s just not available, and they look at me like I’m the bad guy.” Uncertainty about what happens next — and for how long For now, higher prices are a nuisance, not a crisis. But all the added costs have not been passed along. Prices of many materials have climbed far more than most consumers realize, because many businesses thus far have been reluctant to raise prices and risk losing customers. Winton Machine is paying an average of 20% more for many parts, but is not passing it along, Paige said. “But we will eventually have So long as businesses think their higher costs are temporary, they will be slow to raise their own prices, economists say. The danger comes when businesses think even-higher costs are coming and start to raise their prices to get ahead of the curve. As others on itself, a process that can be painful to people long-term contracts and workers who cannot get higher wages. If this were an old-fashioned, overheating economy, manufacturers would want to grab the Soon, supplies would exceed demand and prices would drop. This time, the problem is much more complicated. Since demand so far has been partly fueled by government spending and stimulus payments, factory owners aren’t sure they can depend on it, so they are slow to expand, said Aleksandar Tomic, associate dean for strategy, innovation and technology at Boston College. “I think the higher prices are here for six months to a year,” he said. The adjustment also depends on where the goods are coming from. The shorter and simpler the chain, the quicker it will adapt, said Sanchoy Das, supply chain expert at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. “Lumber is a good example. Prices jumped but are now closer to normal.” But chains reaching to Asia are more complex, he said. “Christmas could be a challenge.” Production is off kilter because some factories were closed, and many have had trouble rehiring workers as they reopen and try to adapt to a post-pandemic demand. Distribution too is uneven. Thousands of ships were idled or out of position, while air services were curtailed. And the usual paucity of truckers is worse than usual. “A wide swath — nearly everything — is affected. Nike sneakers, computers, bananas, grain, medical devices, heart valves. It will disentangle itself, but it is not going to happen overnight,” said Ira Breskin, author of “The Business of Shipping” and a senior lecturer at the State University of New York Maritime College. The more complicated the industry, the harder the adjustment. “In capital-intensive industries, it’s not easy to ramp down and then ramp up again. Or with something like pharmaceuticals, it is not just equipment. It is rules, regulation and a trained workforce,” said Georgia Tech’s Keskinocak. ©2021 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Car repair shops profit as drivers hold on to their aging vehicles by Candice Williams

One recent weekday at Jay’s Auto Repair

repairs. That's become the new normal as customers try to hang on to their aging auto cars, SUVs and pickups during a time of surging prices for new and used vehicles, said Jay Salaytah, who owns the service shop on the city's east side. “This past year has been nonstop,” he said. “We are surprised at how busy it’s been and how crazy it’s been. We’ve been so short-handed trying to get enough help that we can’t keep up with the volume. It hasn’t died out.” There are reasons for that. The average age of vehicles in the United States has hit a record 12.1 years, according to data provider IHS Markit. Cars and trucks are staying on the road longer, experts say, partly due to improved vehicle quality in the past 15 years. At the same time, the global semiconductor shortage has crimped auto production just as demand is reviving from pandemic lows, pushing up prices for new and used vehicles and leading some consumers to spend more to keep their current rides on the road. That means more business at repair shops “For the most part, we see a lot of mechanical repair facilities being successful,”

said Ray Fisher, executive director of the Texas-based Automotive Service Association. The reason? “I think the price of cars. People are holding on rather than purchasing new.” The average price of a new vehicle totaled $40,948 last month, up 5% from $38,967 in June 2020, according to Edmunds. Used car prices have risen even faster: The average price of a 9-year-old used car was $13,252 last month, up 29% from $10,226 in June 2020. “There’s a multitude of factors,” said Ivan Drury, senior manager of Insights for Edmunds. “If we look at the year, people not driving around as much, naturally we were going to ratchet up that age of vehicles on the road even higher. You combine that with the (fact that) durability of vehicles has gotten so much better over time. Instead of these older clunkers, you’ve actually got these older, nicer vehicles at the same time.” Gone are the days when owners worried about their vehicles surpassing 100,000 miles, he added. Drivers became more comfortable keeping a higher-mileage car during the recession in 2008, when job losses and the housing crisis forced many to hold onto their cars longer. “They saw that the average age of the trade-in went up — so did the miles,” he said, in part because vehicle quality improved dramatically in the mid-2000s. “People learned that lesson that ‘hey, these cars last longer than we thought.'” At Jay’s Auto Repair, most of the vehicles

In hot housing market, fixer-uppers present opportunities — and challenges by Jeff Ostrowski

In normal housing markets, Americans want move-in ready homes. But the post-pandemic housing market is far from normal, and soaring prices have home shoppers changing their expectations. According to a TD Bank survey of Americans aiming to buy their real estate 71 percent aren’t looking for a dream home. Instead, they’re shopping For buyers frustrated by the lack of inventory and rocketing prices, older homes can be a good compromise. Of course, buying a one fraught with uncertainty. Scott Lindner, national sales director at TD Bank Mortgage, says buyers need to prepare themselves for the special challenges that accompany home renovations, such as dealing with contractors and making endless runs to Home Depot. He spoke with Bankrate about pers? A: We’re seeing prices rise. The National Association of Realtors says prices rose 23.6 percent from May 2020 to May 2021. This low inventory has been out there as an issue since been adding a lot of inventory. Q: What types of loans are available for renovations? A: Many lenders have an FHA 203(k) loan it’s a smaller amount, you can do the old triedand-true credit card balance — but you also need to understand what that means from an

interest-rate perspective. If you already own the home, a home equity loan is an option. Many home equity loans will go up to a 90 percent loan-to-value ratio. And with interest rates where they are today, if you

they service are from the 2011 to 2017 model years, Salaytah said: “That’s the majority of our work right within that range, but we do see a lot of '07s and '08s still on the road, and people still put money into them." "Where 10 years ago, a car 10 years old, people wouldn’t have put two, three grand into it," he added. "Now they’re doing it. You get a 2011 Equinox, to replace a motor, rebuild a motor is three, four grand, and they’re spending it.” Salaytah said he believes people are putting money into their vehicles from the $1,400 federal stimulus payments distributed this spring. The increase in wages resulting from the labor shortage has helped, too. One of Salaytah's customers, Blair Hilson of Detroit, says he prefers to invest in his 2011 Chevy Malibu instead of buying a new one. The Chevy fan says his car has about 150,000 miles and has no plans to get rid of it. “I worked two jobs and paid it off in full,” said Hilson, 22. “It’s my prized possession.” Hilson said he’s spent more than $2,500 on his car in the past two years, including a new transmission and wiring. His family also surprised him with new rims and tires. That cost $1,200. “It’s great having a new vehicle, but it’s ance is so high,” he said. “Depending on what your note is, you’re paying $300 or $400 or more, and your insurance is just as much." Hilson said he's noticed the impact the chip shortage has had on inventory and vehicle prices. "That shortage is making a huge difference in that price and in that value," he said. "For someone that's looking to get a new

A recent customer with a 2003 Ford Taurus helps make Row's point. The car was in OK condition but needed a $3,200 repair, which the owner decided to have done. “That person spent quite a bit of money to replace the transmission, where sometimes in the past somebody would say, ‘I’m not moved on.” Mark Sullivan, auto repair manager at the Plymouth shop, says some jobs are taking longer these days because of delays in obtaining parts: “If everything was normal, it would be a couple hours; now it’s like same day if you’re lucky.” It’s been harder to get parts quickly since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and businesses began opening back up, he said, with brake jobs among the repairs being delayed. Pent-up demand is a factor. “Cars sat for almost a year,” Sullivan said. “Now you’re still doing a year’s worth of work because cars still needed it, but (owners) didn’t do it. Now all of a sudden everybody needs their car to go to work next week instead of them getting it done throughout the year.” ©2021 www.detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

might make sense to go ahead and do a cash-

A: First and foremost, be part of the inspection process. Buyers don’t always take this seriously. Maybe they hang out in the living room while the inspector makes his rounds. You should become attached at the hip. Really look at the inspector as a person to go around with and learn about the property. Also, a great way to buy a house is to put in a lot of sweat equity. If you can do a lot of work yourself, you can potentially save a lot of money. There’s the potential of discovering additional issues, so be cognizant of cost overruns. Lumber prices have been going up, so buyers should be prepared for and thoughtful about cost increases. Q: What’s a common mistake made by A: The biggest and most hurtful mistake is underestimating the cost of your renovation. No matter how well you think you estimate, there are always surprises. You have to assume that there are going to be cost overruns. It’s better to go into it anticipating that. Probably in the back of your mind you should be thinking of a 15 to 20 percent cost overrun. ©2021 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

vehicle, I wouldn't recommend it at this time because it's so tough." Bret Row, owner of Auto Lab in Plymouth, Mich., said people keeping their cars longer is great for business, a trend he attributes to high sale prices. age coming in,” he said. “People are willing

Puzzle on page 11.

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 • Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES MBJ legal notice instructions The following are some guidelines to consider when posting legal notices with the Midlands Business Journal: 1. Submit a written notice in either Microsoft Word or as a PDF document to the Legal Department at legals@mbj.com. For trade names, submit a copy of approved (bar code in upper right hand corner) Application For Registration of Trade Name from the Secretary of State to the same email address. Please include your billing address and the desired duration you’d like your notice to run (trade names run for only one week). As a publisher and not a legal advisor we print notices exactly as they are submitted and therefor only comp reruns when the notice was rejected or messed up due to a MBJ error. All companies submitting notices are are responsible for the cost of republishing the notice if it is rejected due to misinformation or missing information Payment options are cash or check. 3. Deadline is noon on Tuesday for a notice to start publishing that Friday.

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Contracting owner: Polynomial Properties, LLC

DAVID J. SKALKA, Incorporator and Attorney with CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM 2120 S. 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF TRIFECTA HOLDING GROUP INC. Trifecta Holding Group Inc. has been incorporated under the Nebraska

South ½ of Lot 13, Redicks 2ndAddition, an addition to the City of Omaha, as surveyed, platted and recorded in Douglas County, Nebraska; EXCEPT, a triangular parcel of land located in Lot 12, Redicks 2nd Addition and more particularly described as follows: Beginning at the southwest corner of said

the point of beginning. The Real Property or its address is commonly known as

in the subject real estate: Simple Title holder (if different from contracting owner): N/A

and/or any appropriate courts. This termination applies only to the following described real estate:

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WALENTINE O'TOOLE, Attorneys 11240 Davenport Street P.O. Box 540125 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STASTNY PROPERTIES, LLC

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KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys

that it has been organized as a Nebraska limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial agent for service of process general nature of its business is to engage in any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. David A. Stastny, Jr., Member/Manager Jason Stastny, Member Craig Stastny, Member

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with the Secretary of State. Affairs are to be conducted by the Board of Rodney G. Gnuse Tashiara Wilson Tyrece Wilson Incorporators

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC

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agent is ANTHONY L. GROSS. The general nature of the business is to operate a general consulting business, to own, operate and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law, which are necessary, suitable, proper, convenient or expedient to the operation of a general consulting business. The authorized capital

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Margaret McGrath, Member

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 • Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES SCOTT A. MEYERSON, Esq. LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GROUNDED NEBRASKA LLC Notice is hereby given that Grounded Nebraska LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial

AMANDA M. FORKER, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BMW DECKS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of BMW Decks, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is BMW Decks, LLC. 3. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of

for service of process at such address is Registered Agent Solutions, Inc.

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION

is to own, manage, lease, and deal with real property whether in this State or any other and to conduct all related activities thereto. The Company shall conduct the transactions of all or any lawful business or engagement in any commercial venture permitted by the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act, as amended, and all other applicable laws. The initial capital of the Company has been contributed and evidence of membership in the Company will be issued by the Management Board. The Company commenced doing of the Company shall be conducted by a Management Board and such other of the Company.

AMANDA M. FORKER, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HIGH LIFE PAPILLION, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that High Life Papillion, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CORE-DAVIS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Core-Davis, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is Core-Davis, LLC.

Rodney G. Gnuse GNUSE & GREEN LAW OFFICES, P.C. Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF GSLB, INC. Notice is hereby given of incorporation of GSLB, Inc. under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The number of shares that the corporation is

3. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of

The name and address of the initial registered agent is Rodney G. Gnuse, The Corporation shall engage in any lawful business for which a corporation may be formed under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is Ayala Tree

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEBRASKA IN RE NAME CHANGE OF SHAWN MARIE FALCONE

Rodney G. Gnuse Incorporator

business is to transact any and all lawful business for which limited liability the perpetual duration and is managed by its members.

from “Shawn Marie Falcone” to “Shawn Marie Hovey”. The hearing on said Petition for Name Change is scheduled to be heard before the Honorable

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys

Shawn Marie Falcone, Petitioner ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys

brent@brentkuhnlaw.com Attorney for Petitioner

Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DOUBLE PLAY PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Double Play Properties, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been duly organized under the agent as Erickson & Sederstrom P.C., a limited liability organization, with

Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Skyler Sells Homes, 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 registered agent of the company for service of process are Kathryn A. Glissman, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman company is organized to render the professional service of marketing and Real Estate License Act.

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OFAMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF VINCE KUNASEK DESIGN, INC. Notice is hereby given that VINCE KUNASEK DESIGN, INC. has the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. The amended notice of

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Nouveau Soleil, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF COLD STORAGE ROOFING, LLC

street and mailing addresses of the initial registered agent of the company

the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its provide the following information with respect to your claim: 1) your name or the name of your entity; 2) the nature of your claim; 3) the amount of your claim; and 4) the date your claim arose. All claims shall be mailed to

Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Green Shores, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street street and mailing addresses of the initial registered agent of the company

Matthew Wurstner, Attorney CARLSON & BLAKEMAN, LLP 2002 Douglas Street Omaha, NE 68102 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SEASONAL SOLUTIONS MANAGEMENT, LLC Notice is hereby given that SEASONAL SOLUTIONS MANAGEMENT, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Company’s initial registered agent is Matthew Wurstner, whose address Company is to engage in any lawful business and such activity, as may be mutually agreed upon by the Members from time to time, and which is not prohibited by the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act. The Company is to be managed by its Members. Matthew Wurstner, Organizer

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LIGHTS FOR CHRISTMAS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Lights for Christmas, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF REEFER HOLDINGS, LLC Holdings, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended changing the name of the company to MCT Holdings, LLC. The Amended

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10th Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF QUALITY SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS INC. affairs. Assets, if any, remaining after paying liabilities will be distributed pro-rata to the shareholders. All claims against the corporation must be forwarded to the corporation at the foregoing address and contain the name of the claimant, the nature and amount of the claim, and the address and contact person for the claimant. A claim against the corporation is barred unless a proceeding to enforce the claim is commenced within three years after publication of this notice.

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ANN ES, LLC

DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney JAKE T. HOULIHAN, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE Omaha, Nebraska 68144 NOTICE OF SUIT

the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the

be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly.

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JESSICA DEMBINSKI REAL ESTATE, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is Jessica Dembinski Real Estate, LLC. The company practices the profession of real estate sales. The name and street address of

Jessica Dembinski, Member KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PCRK VENTURES, LLC The name of the Company is PCRK Ventures, LLC. The Designated

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF NUTTER TRUCKING COMPANY LLC NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Ocerg Nagar, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company has been duly organized under the laws of the State

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CULTURED CASK BREWING CO. LLC Notice is hereby given that Cultured Cask Brewing Co. LLC has

company. The company shall be member managed.

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION SUSTAINABLE HOMES, INC. Corporate Name: SUSTAINABLE HOMES, INC. Registered Agent: Allan M. Ziebarth

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HIGH LIFE LOUNGE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that High Life Lounge, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

ERIN K. ARTZ, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF PRECISE COMPANIES, INC. Notice is hereby given that a corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF COLLEGIATE CONSTRUCTION, LLC KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys

of common stock. The general nature of the business to be transacted is

Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CHADDSMILL, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Chaddsmill, LLC has been

and shall have perpetual duration. The name and street address of the

LDM Business Services, Inc., Incorporator ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STARSHINE HOMES, LLC TIEDEMAN, LYNCH, KAMPFE, McVAY & RESPELIERS, Attorneys at Law KENDRA RINGENBERG, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW

Omaha, NE 68106-1045 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that FINANCIAL DESIGN GROUP, LLC, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated

the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized. The limited liability company was formed on shall be conducted by its Manager.

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 2418 S. 9 ST., LLC

Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MANAWA CENTER CARWASH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Manawa Center Carwash, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 • Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES ELIZABETH A. SEVCIK, Attorney CROKER HUCK LAW FIRM 2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1200 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MGKGSC, LLC The name of the limited liability company is MGKGSC, LLC. The

ANDREW J. HUBER, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF WINE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC. Notice is hereby given that a corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is Wine

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF ZMB ENTERPRISES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ZMB Enterprises, LLC, a Nebraska dissolution provide for the payment of liabilities of the Company and distribution of any remaining assets.

of common stock. The general nature of the business to be transacted is and shall have perpetual duration. The name and street address of the

in accordance with this notice. Any claimant shall describe the claim and the date on which the claim arose and mail the claim to the above address. A claim against the company will be barred unless a proceeding to enforce

LDM Business Services, Inc., Incorporator

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PACIFIC180 HOLDING, LLC NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF LIVE LIFESTYLE, LLC

SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION The Dahlman Apartments LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company,

of Astro Theatre, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to change the name of the Company to Astro Theater, LLC. The The Limited Liability Company shall engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be formed under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The registered agent is Matt Manager pursuant to an Operating Agreement duly adopted by the Company. KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MJJT HOLDING II, LLC The name of the Company is MJJT Holding II, LLC. The Designated

HOWARD KASLOW, Attorney ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION MANGO MAMMOTH LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The

Darren Carlson, Attorney CARLSON & BLAKEMAN, LLP 2002 Douglas Street Omaha, NE 68102 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 5505 PROPERTIES, LLC

street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SKYLINE POINT-ELKHORN, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Skyline Point-Elkhorn, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated

to engage in any lawful business and activity, as may be mutually agreed upon by the Members from time to time, and which are not prohibited by the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The Company BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CRB HOLDINGS, 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 CRB Holdings, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial

Chris Benson and Rachel Benson, Member Richard J. Henkenius, Attorney at Law Suite 525 the Douglas Building 209 South 19th St. Omaha, NE 68102-1705 CO., LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice if hereby given that Daisy’s Concrete & More Co., LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws service business, and any and all lawful business for which a limited liability

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Gregg Young Mitsubishi Name of Applicant: GYML, LLC Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska

and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is a Member Managed Limited Liability Company Darren Carlson, Organizer

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BRICK TOWN CONSTRUCTION, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Brick Town Construction, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Brick Town Construction, LLC; and and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J.

General nature of business: car dealership GREGG YOUNG Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative PATRICK M. FLOOD, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THE BLESS COLLECTIVE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that THE BLESS COLLECTIVE, LLC, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a designated and ERNEST H. BLESS III. The Limited Liability Company is organized to transact any and all business, and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law. The Limited Liability

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF NEMED1, 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 NEMED1, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial

shall have perpetual existence. ERNEST H. BLESS III, Organizational Member John Taulborg, Organizer

NOTICE OF AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF MADONNA SCHOOL & COMMUNITYBASED SERVICES Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of Madonna School & Community-Based Services (the “Corporation”) have been The Articles of Incorporation have been amended to generally provide as follows: 1. To clarify the power of the Board of Directors, and specify that certain powers are reserved to the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha.

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES JUSTIN A. SHELDON, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SALT BEAUTY LOUNGE LLC Notice is hereby given that SALT BEAUTY LOUNGE LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Heartland System Solutions, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Heartland System Solutions, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BADER INVESTMENT GROUP I, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Bader Investment Group I, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Bader Investment Group I, LLC; and

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STANSTECH, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Stanstech, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Stanstech, LLC; and WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Blue Quarter LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HIGH LIFE PACIFIC, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that High Life Pacific, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska.

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: DEVON NEWBOLD DOUGLAS County, Nebraska, against you shown as Case Number CI21 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is JELLI HOLDINGS INC.

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STAG ROOFING, LLC

plus court costs, pre-judgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable. The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are at the COUNTY court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA Nebraska.

address is Cynthia Breasch. Attorney for Plaintiff

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Kruse Fitness Name of Applicant: Gymholdings, LLC

Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is Jimenez Concrete, LLC.

Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska General nature of business: Fitness training MATTHEW WURSTNER Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative

SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION N.C. Medical Supply, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, with been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Limited Liability Company shall engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be formed under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability

Jimenez Gomez and Eva Elizabeth Jimenez. General nature of the business is to transact any and all lawful business for which limited liability companies pursuant to an Operating Agreement duly adopted by the Company.

duration and is managed by its members. ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 512 E 5TH STREET LLC the laws of the State of Nebraska with the following registered agent and

Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Crucero Properties II, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of

JUSTIN A. SHELDON, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC

lawful business permitted under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The

Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OFAMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF MICHALSKI LAWN CARE LLC Notice is hereby given that MICHALSKI LAWN CARE LLC has

unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms of its operating agreement. In general, the Company’s business is to be managed by its primary member, Ashley Jankowski, in accordance with the Company’s operating agreement.

under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The amended

WILLIAM N. BEERMAN, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is J & T LAWNCARE INC.

address is Cynthia Breasch.

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF B WAXED INC Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of B Waxed Inc (the “Corporation”) have been amended in the following respects: Article I of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended so that, as amended, said Article shall provide as follows: ARTICLE I. NAME The name of the Corporation shall be ROBOPF, INC. remain unchanged.

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LTC STAFFING SOLUTIONS, LLC been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 • Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MOOI SKIN, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mooi Skin, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated

SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney Omaha, Nebraska 68154 liability company. The initial registered agent is Sean Moylan located at

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Clout Enterprises I, Inc. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Nebraska, and the name of the initial registered agent of the corporation at shares of Common Stock. The name and street address of the incorporator

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Brown and Son Auto Service Name of Applicant: Browns Commercial Cleaning LLC Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: General nature of business: Auto cleaning and detail, oil changes, repairs. ROBERT E. BROWN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative

Will you need long-term care? And what’ll it cost? by Carla Fried

Chances are you’ve come across a headline or two pointing out that retirement healthcare costs will likely run well those scary estimated costs are spread out over a retirement that is expected to last 20 or more years. As an analysis by T. Rowe Price calmly pointed out, when you break down the big scary number into a monthly or annualized retirement basis throughout retirement, it becomes a much more manageable sum that can often be paid for out of regular retirement income, or by dipping into savings from time to time. That’s the good news. Now some not-so-good news: Those estimates don’t factor in the cost of needing long-term care. It’s vitally important to understand that long-term care is not solely about nursing homes. Long-term care is a catch-all phrase for all sorts of help the elderly may need in their homes. That can include socalled activities of daily living such as help with bathing, dressing and eating. Help with household chores and errands is another common need for the elderly. The odds you might need long-term care help HealthView Services is a data company that provides consumers, drawing from government data, medical claims and actuarial data on life expectancy. It recently published a report on both the potential for needing long-term care help later in life, and the potential cost of that care. A healthy 65-year-old male has a 44% probability of needing some level of long-term care during his expected life span. For a woman, the odds are 56%. If those 65-year-olds are married there’s a 75% chance that at least one spouse will need long-term care assistance. If a 65-year-old has heart disease the odds of eventually needing long-term care rise to 61% for women and 45% for men. conditions lower the probability of needing long-term care. For instance a 65-year-old female smoker has a 35% probability of needing long-term care, and for male smokers the odds are 26%. That’s because smokers have much shorter average life expectancies: 84 years for women and 82 for men. By comparison, HealthView estimates a 65-year-old with no serious health conditions has a life expectancy of 89/87. Those are just averages; if you have a serious medical condition, but end up living beyond your average life expectancy, your odds of needing care rise. For example, if a

65-year-old female smoker is still alive at 90, the odds of her needing long-term care assistance rise to 46%. (Side note: Life expectancy estimates are when 50% of a given cohort will be dead, and 50% will still be very much alive.) On average, HealthView’s data suggests that someone will need care for no more than three years. Keep in mind, that’s per person. For a married couple the years of care can be higher if both need help at some point. The cost of long-term care Even before COVID, there was a desire among the elderly to stay at home rather than move to a nursing care or assisted living facility. HealthView crunched the numbers and for someone who receives 44 hours of at-home care a week today, the annual cost adds up to a national average of $50,000. If the need is for 12 hours of care (84 hours a week), the average cost today is more than $107,000. Double that for 24/7 care. Those are the costs for someone needing care today — in today’s dollars. The costs are obviously going to be a whole lot higher if you need long-term care 10, 15, 30 years from now. Time for an important disclaimer: Those are just broad estimates. The actual cost will of course depend on where But can we agree that even if your costs are half those planner Panic is not a healthy response to all that. Nor is sticking your head in the sand and deciding there is nothing you can do to plan for the potential need to pay for long-term care. Take a deep breath. One of the smartest moves is to work care insurance, or life insurance. Both may be a smart solution if you want to plan for business of selling you a long-term care insurance or life insurance policy. There are many possible ways to address planning for potential long-term care costs if you live a long life. You want someone who will look at all the options based recommendation is long-term care insurance or life insurwith advice from your planner on what features to focus on. an hourly or project basis. ©2021 Rate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

As employees return to offices, they may bring new addictions with them by Lisa Schencker SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney Moylan Law, LLC Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Notice is hereby given that Horst Dental, P.C., a Nebraska Corporation, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial Horst Dental, P.C. has been established is to engage in the dental services business, and any and all lawful businesses for which a corporation may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Perpetual existence

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF ROY HOLDINGS – CCM LA VISTA, LLC Holdings – CCM La Vista, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended changing the name of the company to KCFrisco, LLC. The

face a new challenge: employees who became addicted to drugs or alcohol during the pandemic. The isolation and stress of the past year spurred alcohol and drug use. Some people have been able to hide those habits while working from home, but employers may soon stance abuse head-on as workers WorkplaCe again convene in conference rooms and share cubicle walls. Companies that turn a blind eye to the issue do so at their own peril, experts say. “Without question, the workforce that’s returning is not the same as the one that left,” said Paula Allen, global leader of research and total well-being at LifeWorks, which sells services to help companies with employee health and anxiety. We have a lot of people on edge. We are seeing more unhealthy behaviors, including more risky substance use.” During the early months of the pandemic, drug and alcohol use increased sharply. In Cook County, the average number of opioid overdose deaths rose nearly 26% during a Northwestern Medicine study. About 13% of about 5,400 American adults who responded to a June 2020 survey said they had started or increased substance use to cope with stress

reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The problem has persisted, even as people have become vaccinated and the country has reopened. In a late April and early May survey by LifeWorks and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation of people employed or recently employed, about 31% of respondents who use alcohol said they’ve been drinking more since the pandemic started, and, of people who use drugs, about 29% said they’ve been using more. While some people who used drugs and alcohol over the past year will be able to stop when they have to return to their desks, “There will be a lot of people who developed Britton, president and CEO of the Gateway Foundation, an Illinois-based addiction treatment organization. Gateway, which has 16 locations in Illinois, got about twice as many calls during the pandemic from people who had never had substance use problems before COVID-19, Britton said. “We’re living in the most psychologically traumatic time of any of our lifetimes and people reach to whatever supports For some people, one or two glasses of wine a day turned into three or four once they no longer had to show up at an Continued on next page.

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

As employees return to offices, they may bring new addictions with them manager at Gateway. Hassler said at least one Gateway client lost her job during the pandemic because of substance use. He said the woman’s employer gave her time off to go to a residential treatment program, but she relapsed and ultimately couldn’t perform her job to her employer’s standards. “She lived by herself and it just really exacerbated her substance use from the start of the shelter-in-place,” Hassler said. Robert Duckels, 47 of Carlinville, knows an addiction. About three years ago, before COVID-19, the attorney’s drinking problem became more severe as he worked from home. He stashed liquor bottles throughout his house to drink in secret, away from the eyes of his children and wife, who were mostly at work and school during the day. Though Duckels didn’t work and drink at the same time, “I would arrange my workdays around how and when I would get my

work done so I could drink,” Duckels said. When “you’re not being watched then it is much easier to feed your addiction in a way that will cause your body to get used to more consumption consistently throughout the day.” He managed, for a time, to do his job despite his addiction. But when he reached a he was an alcoholic and needed to take a leave to go to rehab, his bosses didn’t seem very surprised, he said. He believes he would have eventually lost his job as his drinking worsened and his productivity continued to slide. to go to rehab at Gateway and then return to work when he was ready. Duckels hopes that other employers are equally understanding, with new or worse substance abuse problems. Not everyone with a problem, however, asks for help. And it may be tough for employers to spot problems until they become disruptive, Britton said. Many managers aren’t trained to notice substance abuse issues or may feel uncomfortable asking employees if

they’re OK, he said. “Somebody has to (do something) really, caught in the workplace,” Britton said. Dealing with workers with substance use disorders also may not be at the top of employout how to bring their employees back safely after a year’s absence, Allen said. “The thing about substance use is people work very hard to hide it, and people don’t look for it, and when you are distracted, you’re not going to see it as much,” she said. But it’s something employers should zero in on, and quickly, experts say. The longer a person’s substance use problem goes unchecked, the more the person’s productivity and health may suffer, costing companies and individuals more in the long-run, Britton said. Many companies try to help workers with substance abuse issues through employee often-free counseling and other services. Chicago-based HealthJoy, which offers a digital platform for employers to use with their health

Startup investment poised to break records in 2021, report says by Akash Pasricha

folios,” he said. While startup investment remained rel-

across the United States is on track to shatter records, according to a new report released this week. startups The spike is driven by a rise in late-stage investment, and particularly deals that exceed $100 million, said the report produced by

March 2020, Stanford said, investors quickly became comfortable with the “new normal” by summer, meeting founders and evaluating companies over Zoom. Interest in young tech companies swelled as technology became more ingrained in daily lives. “Deal activity came screaming back a lot faster than anyone would have expected,” he said. Propelling the industry has been a rise in “megadeals,” or deals exceeding $100 million. Deals in this category totaled $85 billion

Venture capital is continuing its surge in

company, and the National Venture Capital Association. “There’s more capital, there’s more investors, there’s more interest, there’s more of everything in venture,” said Kyle Stanford, a senior analyst at PitchBook, who contributed to the report. In Washington state, startup investment of 2021, already nearly 70% of the $5 billion total investment seen in 2020. In 2019, the state’s total was $4.1 billion. Washington has seen its share of megadeals this year. Umoja Biopharma, a venture developing new immunotherapies for cancer, raised $210 million in June. Highspot, which runs a software platform to help customers manage sales, raised $200 million in February. Cap Hill Brands, a venture that acquires e-commerce businesses, raised $150 million in January. Even the smaller deals grew larger. The median early-stage investment in Washington from $6.1 million the previous year and $5.5 million in 2019, according to PitchBook. Nationally, startup investment growth has been even more pronounced. In the United States, $150 billion was raised by ventures the $164 billion raised in all of 2020 and exceeding the $142 billion raised in 2019. This year’s explosive growth may be attributed to pent-up demand from venture capitalists, said Michael Schutzler, CEO of the Washington Technology Industry Association. Early in the pandemic, “2020 was full of stories among founders who had [fundraising] rounds dry up as venture capitalists reserved capital for existing port-

$75 billion in all of 2020. With funds glowing from venture instay private much longer now, said Soma Somasegar, a managing director at Seattle-based Madrona Venture Group. According to PitchBook, venture funds are on track to raise more than $100 billion this year. Right now, he said, companies “have want to go public,’ as opposed to, ‘I need to go public, because that’s the only way I can

raise lots of money.’“ Perhaps a sign of how popular venture has become: Hedge funds and mutual funds, which typically focus on investing in public companies, are now also investing in startups at record rates. That may be a sign that the market is nearing the top of an investment cycle, and may be cause for concern, said Steven Kaplan, a professor who researches venture capital and Chicago Booth School of Business. “In these sorts of times, tourists show up, and at some point, the tourists go home.” Kaplan said this recent surge, with technology being adopted at extraordinary rates during the pandemic, may be similar to the investment cycle during the late 1990s when companies raced to use the internet. He said venture investments did exceptionally well in 1997 and 1998, and then did poorly in 1999 and 2000, when the internet bubble burst. “What you don’t know is, are we in 1997, or are we in 2000,” said Kaplan. ©2021 The Seattle Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

and wellness programs, has seen an uptick in the number of employers wanting to implement employee assistance programs and behavioral health programs in recent months, said Doug Morse-Schindler, president and co-founder. Most large and medium-size companies in the U.S. have employee assistance programs, according to the International Employee Assistance Professionals Association. One challenge with those programs, however, is making sure employees know they exist. The May LifeWorks survey found that 44% of respondents didn’t know if their employer offered resources to help with substance use issues or weren’t sure what resources were available. It’s also important that managers be trained in how to deal with workers with substance use disorders, Allen said. Supervisors should be taught to approach workers with concerns privately and tell them what, spemust then reassure workers that they’re on or point them toward resources, Allen said. It’s something that’s long been emphasized in the local construction industry, where safety is critical, said Tom Cuculich, executive director of Chicagoland Associated General Contractors, which represents employees of general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers who work in commercial construction. The association has put on trainings to educate managers and employees on the telltale signs of drug problems and mental health issues for years, he said. It’s important, in those cases, to let workers know what supports are available, he said. Other companies say they’re offering oneon-one counseling to employees and managers Companies that are successful in handling returning workers will be those that create programs to help with not just substance abuse, but also other issues that arose out of the pandemic, such as depression and anxiety, said Cheryl Larson, president and CEO of the Midwest Business Group on Health. “Our employees are under a lot of stress,” Cuculich said. “We’ve got to keep an eye on people and make sure they know there are resources out there.” ©2021 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Almond growers had expected a record harvest. Drought just took 13% by John Holland

The worsening drought forced a 13% cut in the projected almond crop in California. The U.S. Department of Agriculture now expects about 2.8 billion pounds from the August-October harvest. agriCulture The initial estimate in May was for a record 3.2 billion pounds. Some growers have opted to strip nuts from branches so their trees can get by with less irrigation this summer, Monday’s report said. Water is especially short in parts of the western and southern San Joaquin Valley. Any upside? Growers with adequate water can expect higher prices per pound from almond buyers around the world. This includes the Modesto, Turlock, Oakdale and South San Joaquin irrigation districts. The state accounts for about 80% of the

global almond supply. Farms and processing plants employ several thousand people in and near Stanislaus County. Even with Monday’s revision, this year’s harvest would be the second-largest ever, topped only by the 3.12 billion pounds in 2020. The Almond Board of California, based in Modesto, noted this in a news release. “The report still forecasts a really large crop, and it’s further proof that California is an ideal place to grow almonds, even in Stenderup, a grower in Kern County. The estimates are made each year by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics on a telephone survey of growers about how their almonds are developing. The second is in July, following visits to orchards to count and measure nuts.

The initial projection was based in part on favorable weather in February and March for the bees that pollinate the trees. Growers also reported little trouble with almond pests or diseases. The winter had below-average rain and snow. The outlook got even worse with the lack of spring storms. “Due to low water allocations and record high temperatures in June, the crop did not develop as well as expected,” Monday’s report said. “Some growers have decided to save their trees by stripping nuts before harvest.” Many customers of the federal Central Valley Project have zero water this year. Some are getting 75% because of river rights predating its construction. MID and TID are providing about 80% Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

Google wants people in office, despite productivity gains at home by Mark Bergen Google software engineers reported something in a recent survey that surprised higher-ups: they felt as productive working from home as they did before the pandemic. Internal research at the Alphabet Inc. unit also showed that WorkplaCe employees want more “collaboration and social connections” at work, according to Brian Welle, a human resources vice president.

said “more than 75%” of surveyed employees ly craved physical proximity when working on new projects. “There’s something about innovative work — when you need that spark,” Welle said in an interview. “Our employees feel like those moments happen better when they’re together.” That’s partially why, despite the rebound in productivity, the technology giant is sticking with its plan to bring most employees erates which individual employees will get to continue working full time from home and who will need to come in, some staff are increasingly frustrated by the lack of clear direction and uneven enforcement of the policy. Internal message boards lit up this month when a senior Google executive announced he was going to work from New Zealand. Meanwhile, most lower-level staff are waiting to learn if they can relocate, or is being closely watched. The search giant practically invented the luxurious Silicon Valley campus, with its abundant free food,

Drought just took 13% of their accustomed amounts. Growers can tap wells, if they have them, and stretch the supply with careful use. OID and SSJID have not capped growers and in fact are selling surplus water to the West Side. The record crop in 2020 had a downside — lower prices paid to growers. They got an average of $1.83 per pound, below the cost of producing the crop. The Almond Board reported strong shipments in recent months of the nuts remaining in storage from the 2020 harvest. They were running about 22% ahead of 2019 as of June. “Shipment numbers show that the demand for California almonds continues to increase both in the U.S. and around the world,” President and CEO Richard Waycott said. “.... With such strong demand, competition for the 2021 crop could lead to a much needed increase in the return to growers, which is currently below the cost of production due to the recent record crop.” The $1.83 per pound last year was the lowest average price since the $1.79 in 2010. $2.39 to $2.53 from 2016 to 2019. It spiked as high as $4 in 2014, but a sustained price at that level could drive away buyers. The average price for the 2021 crop will not be announced until well into next year, after all of the almonds in storage are shipped. ©2021 The Fresno Bee. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

nap pods and other perks. Google is saving around a billion dollars a year on expenses thanks to remote work, yet the company has invested far more on recent real estate expansions in San Jose, California; New York City; and elsewhere. And even Google must contend with personnel unwilling to surren-

remote work — especially with a white-collar workforce that has had no qualms rebelling against management. Workers in many industries have decided to quit their jobs rather than give up virtual work. While some tech companies went fully remote during the pandemic, others that haven’t, like Apple Inc., have also dealt with staff resisting a return. A new cottage industry sprung up around remote work as smaller cities try to lure rich tech employees from the coasts. “Google and Apple have co-founder of MakeMyMove.com, an online directory for remote work. “If they’re dealing with it, it’s safe to assume that everyone else will be too.” Welle runs Google’s People Analytics, a division that tracks staff performance and

notify staff of those decisions in August, and the company set up an internal tool for employees to submit and track these requests. But that messaging, on occasion, has been clumsy. That latest internal spark set off in June, when Urs Hölzle, a powerful executive overseeing Google’s technical infrastructure, emailed staff about his plans to move from California to New Zealand for at least a year. For many underlings waiting on approvals to change their work situations, this unexpected

policies, a transfer to cheaper cities can mean a pay cut. Several employees complained about Hölzle’s decision in text threads and on memegen, the company’s internal messaging board. The email was “very tone deaf,” said Laura de Vesine, a senior engineer who works under Hölzle. “Obviously there’s an enormous double standard.” It was even the subject of a cartoon from Manu Cornet, a veteran Google software engineer with renown inside the company

Sundar Pichai told staff about a new plan for a “hybrid” work model — 60% of the company

recently left Google for Twitter Inc. A Google spokesperson said that Hölzle’s relocation request was approved last year but was delayed because of the pandemic. In his email, Hölzle said he would continue to work on California hours. The spokesperson said that Hölzle is supportive of remote work and that there will be employees “across all levels” of his division who will be approved to relocate or work remotely. Hölzle, Google’s eighth employee, is known internally for building the teams managing its sprawling data centers and server farms. “I’m not retiring, just changing my location!” Hölzle wrote in an email to staff, which was reviewed by Bloomberg News. In an earlier email from May, Hölzle had noted that remote employees might be

remotely full-time. Google said it would

“where we know collaboration happens.” CNET reported earlier on Hölzle’s email and staff reactions.

Google opened its Mountain View headquarters to staff on a voluntary basis. In September, Google will ask most of its workforce to return three days a week. When the pandemic struck, overall measures of productivity quickly “plummeted,” Welle said. It was only this May that those productivity surveys, bounced back — a pleasant surprise for Welle’s division. Google only shared suremploys thousands of non-engineers as well. Also in May, the company relaxed its re-

In internal messages about Hölzle’s move, some frustrated Google staff resurfaced an email from an ex-colleague native to New Zealand. That person wrote that they were leaving the company in April 2020, after being unable to get authorization to work remotely from the country, according to a copy reviewed by Bloomberg News. with certain requests. “There is an opportunity for exceptions,” he said. In recent years, Google employees have gone to war with management over a number of issues. Staff have complained that, in response, company brass has put up barriers to communication and made decisions with less transparency. Meanwhile, executives have complained that a more activist employee base has forced them to withhold information. Google pays lavish salaries to many employees and isn’t at risk of a mass exdeparting. De Vesine, the Google engineer, considered moving from the pricey Bay Area during the pandemic but did not have management sign-off. “The uncertainty about what Google’s policies will be has left me stuck,” she said. “And I got tired of waiting.” She is planning to leave Google for a remote position at another company. De Vesine said she was not speaking on behalf of the employee labor group, the Alphabet Workers Union, of which she is a member. Welle stressed that Google’s guidelines around remote work may still change. The proportion of employees it expects to return sharing how many employee remote work requests have been approved so far. But Welle called the overall employee reception to the transition positive. “So far, so good,” he said. “Let’s see how it unfolds.” ©2021 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Upscale convenience chain Foxtrot to open 50 stores in two years by Lauren Zumbach

Chicago-based upscale convenience store startup Foxtrot is doubling down on its expansion with plans to open 50 new stores within the next two years. The company, which has nine Chicago stores and two each small business in Dallas and Washington, D.C., raised $42 million in funding in February and said it would have 19 stores by the end of the year. Now it’s aiming to triple that number, with 63 locations by the end of 2022. Foxtrot has been growing during the COVID-19 pandemic and saw opportunities in empty storefronts left vacant as other retailers struggled, said CEO and co-founder Mike LaVitola. “We know how important getting that right location is, so the combination of increased demand for Foxtrot and the availability of these sites is a recipe to go faster,” LaVitola said. Foxtrot expects to open stores in Chicago's Gold Coast, Lakeview and West Loop neighborhoods this year and add about four more locations next year, including some in the Loop, a neighborhood that struggled when the

“We are big believers that work patterns are going to shift and things are going to look different, but fundamentally it’s not going to be a ghost town,” LaVitola said. The company also plans to enter new cities including New York, Austin, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles and Houston within the next two years. When LaVitola founded Foxtrot in 2014, customers could only place online orders for delivery. When Foxtrot opened a combined warehouse and store, it found customers liked stopping in to shop in person and expanded the bricks-and-mortar concept. The new locations will be twice as big as Foxtrot’s earliest stores, with on-site cafes where customers can grab a coffee, meal or glass of wine at night, the company said. Cafes account for about half of sales in stores, while online orders skew to wine and snacks, LaVitola said. About half the business comes from stores and half from online orders. Overall, sales doubled last year, led by a surge in delivery business, but customers are coming back to browse in person, LaVitola said. Foxtrot’s blend of a convenience store and between different types of dining options that

dining restaurants offered takeout and some restaurants sold packaged goods along with meals, said David Henkes, senior principal at Technomic, a Chicago-based food service “Consumers are just looking for food whenever and wherever they want it,” he said. Even though interest in delivery is likely to decline as customers get back to dining out, it isn’t going away, as consumers have shown they’re willing to pay for experiences and convenience, Henkes said. “We’re not out of the woods with the pandemic and it’s something consumers have gotten used to,” he said. Opening new stores also means Foxtrot will need to hire employees at a time some compaFoxtrot said its typical starting wage is $15.50 per hour in Chicago, with higher pay for specialized roles. Though hiring has been more challenging than it was than a few months ago, “it’s been going fairly well for us,” LaVitola said. ©2021 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Corporate & Leisure Travel A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

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

Topics may include:

Travel agencies update Popular vacation destinations Corporate travel post-pandemic

Overview Private jet/charter update Latest in aviation careers and education

Issue Date: August 6 • Ad Deadline: July 29

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

Philanthropy & Charity

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Digital workplaces – offices staying completely virtual and the tools they need Telehealth • Manufacturing technology Self-service tech in businesses • Tackling cybersecurity

State of philanthropy • Fundraising events Grantmaking • New ways of giving Transparency in where funds go

Issue Date: August 13 • Ad Deadline: August 5

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

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

From blog to full-time online business, The Anastasia Co. reaches worldwide features the likes of greeting cards that read, “I promise to never ghost you,” and sweatshirts emblazoned with a lion that read, “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.” Likewise, McClenahan noted that she is most interested in connecting with partners who “value small business, high-quality goods and loving others well.” A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, McClenahan earned her degree in public relations and advertising. The six years of corporate marketing experience that she accrued reportedly gave her the “skill set to create my own business.” The business name refers to both McClenahan’s middle name, “Anastasia,” and its meaning: “resurrection.” “As a business rooted in faith, it’s important for me to glorify God through everything I do,” she said. Indeed, some of her products contain messages that speak to this faith-based center; for instance, journals feature “God is Within Her

She Will Not Fail,” and greeting cards feature Bible passages such as John 14:6: “The Way, The Truth, The Life.” “Our goods have resonated so well,” McClenahan said. “Words are so powerful, especially during challenging times. When can take on a whole new meaning and help keep a positive perspective.” ber 2013, The Anastasia Co.’s products have resonated so much that they can be found worldwide; last month, McClenahan noted that it reached Canada in 2019. “This year, we’ve added retailers as far as Germany and Turks and Caicos,” she said. Furthermore, McClenahan said the shop is looking to expand its wholesale program with other small businesses who boast similar, aforementioned principles. These include merchants in the coffee shop, books, clothing, lon, and life coach spaces — not to mention, other online shops.

“In coming years, I could see us looking to move into a larger space for shipping and potentially be open for retail a few days a week,” she said. “I would also love to offer educational courses for other aspiring entrepreneurs at some point in the future.” In all, The Anastasia Co. employs three part-timers to aid with the packaging and shipping. “Consistency” has been a force that propelled the shop’s vast footprint forward, she indicated. “Rather than striving for fast growth, I’ve taken a slower, yet consistent, approach, which has worked so well for us,” she said. “Over the last almost eight years, we have consistently showed up at local markets several times per year. We’ve consistently built strong local relationships as well as relationships online — both with customers and with retailers.” One could say, though, that this greeting cards/miscellany retailer’s entrepreneurial success was “in the cards.”

Fareway Stores builds on meat backbone Continued from page 1. St. in Papillion, 1738 S. 11th St., in Nebraska City, and 310 McKenzie Ave. in Council Bluffs. “It is my hope that we could open another

the same trip, being able to pick up other items from the 15,000 to 20,000 items displayed in

Cramer and Fort Street Store Manager Joel Wymore — in his 36th year as a Fareway Stores team member — cited the meat deFareway Meat & Grocery partment’s dependence Phone: 515-432-2623 (headquarters) on fresh ground-beef Address: 715 Eighth St., Boone, Iowa cut daily, as well as 50036 specialty items such Services: retail meat and groceries as bacon cheeseburger Founded: 1938 by Paul S. Beckwith on a stick, bone-in ribEmployees: about 375 in Omaha area eye steak and daily

this (market) area,” said President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer. Cramer said the newly-opened store at 13150 Fort St. spotlights Fareway Stores’ One-year goal: Roll out online shopping “commitment to a and digital signage model in Omaha-arvibrant and growing products, which are in ea stores and build new Gretna location. area of Omaha.” healthy demand from Industry outlook: Stores emphasizing He emphasized fresh and custom-cut meats can thrive his firm’s niche in local stores. by emphasizing an enhanced customer the competitive area “More of our cusservice experience. food market: fresh, tomers are seeking Webside: www.fareway.com highest quality meat; healthier choices,” a full-service butcher Cramer said, noting counter; farm-fresh produce; competitive prices; and the highest level of customer ser- been taken to product shows in New Orleans vices, including to-your-car carryout. Online and San Diego to study ways to continually shopping and curbside pickup was recently in- improve sales. troduced earlier this year in 50 Fareway stores. Selection, quality and the overall customer “What we’ve done is build a very friendly experience are among the considerations in site, which our customer can use 30 minutes “upping the game,” Cramer said. before they come to pick up their groceries,” Fareway Stores differentiates itself in the Cramer said. appearance and use of space in each of its A few items left off the original online 20,000 to 25,000-square-foot stores — often order can also be called in and quickly added. about one-third the size of its larger competCramer, a business administration gradu- itors. ate of Luther College, is a fourth-generation “Our stores tend to have wider open look, grocer. This is his 35th year in the business. are bright and our customers do not have to He started with Fareway Stores at its Docorah, worry about things being in the way as they Iowa location where he learned the business push their cart,” Cramer said. from the ground up beginning as a cashier, In the newest stores such as Fort Street, a stocker and carryout person. “The three years I spent in the meat de- introduced, along with a new look with enpartment taught me to appreciate our focus closed black vertical display cases that aid in on meat,” he said. “That department is the more effective space utilization. backbone of our operation and provides the A partnership between LG Business largest share of our revenues.” Solutions and ADFLOW begun in 2020 has initiated the use of digital signage, which is the meat department is important to Fareway being tested by Fareway Stores in Nebraska. Stores’ goal of getting the customer to come The venture seeks to transform the neighborback for additional meats, including custom hood meat market concept store into a more cuts done by experienced butchers while in improved and inviting shopping experience

with digital signage targeted toward individual displays to more effectively engage, inform and at times, entertain customers. Pricing updates, sales announcements, food pairing suggestions, and healthy eating facts are among the uses behind the investment. Fareway also announced special 10% discount days for nurses. Cramer said digital investment also enables Fareway Stores to promote 90-some charities in communities served with relevant planned. Earlier this year, Progressive Grocer, an industry trade journal, ranked Fareway Stores Number 81 on its PG 100 list of the top food and consumable retailers in North America. In addition to Nebraska and Iowa, Fareway Stores also operates in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and South Dakota. An expansion into Kansas with a meat outlet in Olathe was recently announced. For all the growth Fareway Stores is enjoying, Cramer said the chain remains committed to its core values, one of which is closing all stores on Sundays to give customers, employees and business partners a day of rest. ss Journal Midlands Busine

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go into as an adult. Looking back, I can see Storytelling through blogging, she noted, served as a “launchpad to create the online presence and helped McClenahan to build a small following — a foundation to build upon when creating her own products. Yet another example of how one thing leads to another, McClenahan met her now husband through The Anastasia Co. “He was on the board for Camp Quality, which is a summer camp for children with cancer,” she said. “He was collecting silent auction donations for their golf tournament in August of 2018. I reached out and offered to donate some framed prints in hopes to provide encouragement for families who were going I dropped off the items, and long story short, we have been together ever since.”

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“I would make keychains and bracelets,” she said. “I had a small display at my mom’s pharmacy where they were kind enough to let me sell a few. I’m not sure if I ever made more than $20, but I think it’s safe to say I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit.” A favorite hobby, fittingly, involved printing off greeting cards using the family’s Windows 98 computer. “I would make sure to use up all of the ink in my mom’s inkjet printer,” she said, joking. “She sure loved that.” Naturally, the young entrepreneur gravi-

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“When I was around 8 years old, ‘store’ was my favorite game to play,” McClenahan said. “I asked for a cash register for Christmas one year, and I would cut items out of the Sunday paper for my family to ‘buy.’” When middle school hit, she started her

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• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

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AUGUST 13

TECHNOLOGY

To advertise your company’s products or services in one of our upcoming sections, contact our Director of Advertising 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…

Emprise Bank, a financial institution with total assets exceeding $2.1 billion, has with Fintel Connect, an end-to-end marketing Amur Equipment Finance, Inc. introduced Wildcat to provide market-leading terms to qualifying customers. Through Wildcat, Amur will provide rates as low as 3.99%, with terms up to 72 months to ensure that its vendor partners small business customers. Sierra Homes of Omaha will be installupcoming custom home in Gretna. The third iteration of Tesla Solar Roof was unveiled in the Midwest completed by Weddle & Sons, Inc. Tesla’s Solar Roof integrates active solar tiles that produce energy with inactive glass tiles to create a roof that produces energy without distinguishable (conventional) solar panels. The Solar Roof has a 25-year warranty. TS Banking Group has entered into an agreement with B&E Investments, Inc., to acquire State Bank of Arcadia in Arcadia, Wisconsin, with banking assets of $210 million. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of the requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals. Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. and Oakridge Financial advised B&E Investments, Inc. on the transaction. Electronic Contracting Company, one of the top 50 systems integrators, launched its new Complete Design program. Complete Design is a comprehensive design program that incorporates the client’s voice to create a truly open, cooperative design approach that delivers technology system designs to organizations. Omaha’s World Champion Boxer, Terence Crawford, is co-founder and CEO of a digital asset management company named Pixelbird. Pixelbird utilizes strategic partnerships with companies globally to enhance the earning potential of past, present, and future athletes in all sports. Pixelbird assists athletes to capitalize on the digital version of themselves, referred to as “Digital Athlete NFT”. Pixelbird’s platform aligns eSports gaming publishers, eSports gaming professionals, and the physical athlete used in game play to maximize the athletes ability to generate revenue from their digital likeness. In addition, Pixelbird is part of the development team behind a Cryptocurrency Combat Token that will be utilized as the exclusive method for purchasing ringside seats, VIP experiences, and live event gambling. Stephanie Isaacson, founder, president, and CEO of New Horizons Enterprises, LLC, has been named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 Heartland Award finalist. Isaacson, according to E&Y sources, is one of the 36 area of the awards program: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The EOY Regional Award winners will be announced on July 27, 2021, during a virtual evening celebration and they will then be eligible to participate in the national EOY awards selection. New Horizons TS Bank has partnered with The 712

Initiative in Council Bluffs to help local neighborhoods through a new program called AMP, which provides funding for direct homeowner projects, neighborhood block initiatives and down payment assistance. Applications are open now through Aug. 15. Recipient(s) in the Council Bluffs area will be awarded up to $5,000 in prize money for their particular project. TS Bank is the lead sponsor donating $3,500 to the program. Individuals are encouraged to nominate themselves or a neighbor who needs assistance with outdoor housing needs. Project requests can range from landscaping, siding, painting, fencing, exterior doors. Elkhorn Athletic Association and Nebraska Quakes have entered into a partnership agreement combining forces to create the largest girls fastpitch softball organization in the state of Nebraska. The partnership marks an important milestone in the development of girls youth fastpitch softball and vision to create a regional destination sports complex ties, youth and their families from across the region. The combined program would serve approximately 1,225 players and leverage shared services for operational and administrative activities, balance expenses, and focus on developing players and coaches. The combined organization will call the MD West ONE Sports Complex home starting in 2023. Nebraska veterans can now apply to have up to $350 in eligible pet adoption fees paid through the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs Vets Get Pets program. Veterans must be registered in the Nebraska Veterans’ Registry and adopt from an organization registered with the Nebraska Rescue Council. The Vets Get Pets license plate launched January 1, with proceeds from the plate’s sale going to fund the adoption fee program for Nebraska veterans. As of June 30, 2021, 376 of the specialty plates have been purchased. The Vets Get Pets license plates are available for purchase online and cost $5 for the alphanumeric version or $40 for the custom message. Nebraska Public Media earned four Public Media Journalists Association awards. For continuing coverage and multi-media presentation, the news team’s in the radtio and digital media categories. The short documentary “Remote Learning in Remote Nebraska” and “High School Football Takes the Field; An Attempt at Normal During

Education notes…

The United Soccer League has partnered with Bellevue University As part of the partnership, Bellevue University will grant a full scholarship to each USL Championship and League One team annually to be awarded to a player to pursue their undergraduate or graduate degrees. Additionally during year one, the USL, the USL Black Player’s Alliance and Bellevue University will work collaboratively to award a scholarship to a Central Community College and the University of Nebraska Medical Center announced a new education partnership, which will allow CCC nursing graduates to complete a bachelor of nursing degree through UNMC. The RN to BSN program is an online advanceContinued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES ment program for registered nurses with an associate degree of nursing. Curriculum is presented through distance education, with courses available on-demand. All courses are offered in 16-week sessions and eight-week sessions. the student’s local community or one nearby. UNMC has relationships with more than 100 health care institutions across Nebraska and in select other states. TS Bank has partnered with Council Bluffs Community School District to launch a banking and finance Diploma Plus One Pathway career exploration program for high school students. Enrolled students receive high school credit as well as an industry-recognized credential from the American Bankers Association. This model for a course was piloted during the second semester of the 2020-21 school year with a small number of students. Students learn banking fundamentals in this program. Dr. Siobhan Wescott has been named the inaugural holder of the Dr. Susan and Susette (Inshata Theumba) LaFlesche Professorship in Public Health at UNMC. Wescott has always been an advocate for Alaskan Natives and American Indians, especially when it comes to issues of health equity and educating the next generation. She has cultivated a nationally recognized voice, especially through her work with the American Medical Association. The new department at UNMC is named after Dr. Susan and Susette LaFlesche, two sisters from the Omaha Tribe whose lives spanned the 19th and 20th centuries.

Health care notes…

The Brant Senior Living will open in the fall of 2022 in Omaha. The senior community will provide independent living, assisted living and memory care settings. The living spaces, resident services, programming and amenities all combine to encourage seniors to enjoy retirement in a way that suits their individual needs and interests. The Brant campus is located at 6991 S. 178th Plaza in Gretna, close to many shopping, dining and entertainment options. Minneapolis-based Health Dimensions Group manages the 138-home community. Multi-organ transplantation — simultaneously transplanting a kidney with another organ such as a liver or heart — has increased

substantially over the past two decades. UNMC researchers published a study in the American Journal of Transplantation that makes a case for changes in the nationwide organ allocation process. The study evaluated the impact of the current multi-organ transplant allocation policy on KAT candidates. Researchers used a large Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database from 2002-2017 to identify 7,378 KAT next-sequential candidates (those who would have received a deceased donor prioritized MOT recipient).

Shakespeare Company; Lincoln Crossroads Music Festival; Nebraska Cultural Endowment; Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska; Nebraska Transition College; University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University Honors Program; University of Nebraska-Lincoln, E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues; Conservation Nebraska; Prairie Loft Center for Agriculture & Outdoor Education; Center for Legal Immigration Assistance; Lincoln/ Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity; Lincoln Police Department; St. Monica’s; and The Bridge Behavioral Health.

Activities of nonprofits…

Arts & events…

Midlands Community Foundation is accepting grant applications organizations. Grants are limited to organizations that provide services in the Foundation’s geographic area of Sarpy and Cass counties. All grant applications and supporting materials should be submitted online. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 2. Visit www.midlanda link to the online application. The Foundation places an emphasis on prevention and education and has a strong commitment toward programs benefiting health, art, culture, community, economic development, education, and human services. It does not provide grants for direct aid to individuals/families, religious programs, political organizations or projects, and dinners, tickets or conferences. Applications for the tive Institute Class 15 will close on Aug. is an 11-month leadership program designed to enhance organizational sustainability and transform the communities they serve. The want to expand their professional network and gain tactical skills. This program focuses on capacity building seminars, which develop: organizational leadership, prosperous leadership, strategic leadership, public leadership, and program leadership. Applications can be found on the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands website. The Cooper Foundation awarded a total $452,000 in grants to the following organizations: Blixt Locally Grown; Flatwater

Southern Avenue is performing at the Holland Center’s East Lawn on July 24 at 7 p.m. The boundary-breaking Memphis combo Southern Avenue fuses soul, blues and R&B as well as their deep commitment to their southern style. The band has traveled to more than a dozen countries wowing audiences and released their second album, Keep On, in 2019. Tickets are available online. The 8th Annual Ribstock will take place

on July 24 at Aksarben Village. A portion of Heartland, Project WeeCare, and the Millard Business Association scholarship fund. The event will gave barbeque, craft beer and live music, including from Lemon Fresh Day. Admission is $5 and the event runs from noon to 1 p.m. The annual is taking place on July 26 at the Tiburon Gold Club. Starting at noon, the 18-hole scramble-style event will include complimentary Partnership 4 Kids. Registration for the event is online. Private golf club ArborLinks will host the Dormie Day of Giving event on July 26. The event, third in Dormie Network’s 2021 philanthropy tournament series, will its giving pillars in the areas of youth golf, responder organizations, and health care and humanitarian efforts.

MEETINGS AND SEMINARS Tuesday, July 27

resentative program is hosting a live webinar on Insuring Personal Residential Property from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The CISR Personal Residential Course helps attendees develop the expertise to guide their customers through the often complex and confusing process of purchasing homeowners insurance. Attendees will be able to provide information that will help clients make decisions for protecting their in the event of a loss. An optional exam will be offered August 9-11 online. Registration for this program is online. Thursday, July 29 Nebraska State Bar Association’s Health Law Seminar from 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The 2021 Health Law Seminar will provide lawyers who practice health law with a diverse overview of issues impacting the health care industry, including emerging issues from COVID-19, coding for lawyers, private equity in health care,

and ethics. If unable to attend in person, there will be a live webcast available. Registration and schedule is available online. CLE Hours and Ethic hours are available. The Greater Omaha Chamber is hosting the second session of its CODE Education Series: DEI 101. This session is a continuation will cover unconscious bias and inclusion in the workplace. The session will run from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. online. Registration is also available online. Friday, July 30 The 2021 Annual Government and Administrative Practice Seminar will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at The Graduate Hotel in Lincoln. The 2021 Annual Government and Administrative Practice Seminar will discuss state and local emergency/police powers in a pandemic, review of Open Meetings Act requirements as they related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide updates on the 2021 Legislative Session. Registration for the event can be found online.

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Workforces remaining virtual and the need for the right tech is strong by Brooke Strickland

The pandemic impacted almost everything in our day-to-day lives. It also transformed the way we use technology and showed how much we depend on it. When shutdowns happened last year, companies in varying industries had to figure out how to shift to remote work. To smooth this transition, technology and communications providers worked diligently to provide reliable access to technology. Now, as people have become accustomed to this, many places are choosing to offer employees the option to stay virtual. The response Shawn Mills, president and founder of Lunavi, said that his company has offered a wide range of solutions that can be used in a remote work scenario. “The goal is usually delivering the software and data that employees need wherever they may be located and through whatever device they have at hand,” he said. “And, we always focus on solving the business problem while delivering the most value from the technology. Over the past year, many of our common projects have involved Microsoft 365 as many organizations adopt Microsoft Teams for real-time collaboration and video conferencing, but the pandemic really accelerated digital transformation across the board.” Jayte Burns, director of sales for Cox Business, noted that the business has been working on making virtual environments

feel and act like working on-location. “Many solutions are the same in virtual and non-virtual settings,” he said. “In terms of the desktop experience, the connectivity and even security of data, Cox Business approaches the conversation in a consultative fashion to understand the business’ overall technology goals and roadmap. From Mills there, we provide local companies with a personalized cloud solution backed by the most customer-oriented care team in the industry, to support the customer’s IT department in delivering human connections.” The future Many organizations were in crisis mode at the beginning of the pandemic and had to work through a lot of challenges to keep their businesses afloat. Looking ahead, it’s important to look at the overall picture in your approach to technology. Consider ‘what if’ scenarios and plan for unexpected situations and give your staff and business grace to evolve. “Ask yourself, what parts of your technology do you want to outsource,” Burns said. “I recommend choosing partners who can provide consultative guidance to look into the future with you,

We are excited to let you know that Carlson & Burnett is changing its name to:

Burnett Wilson Law, LLP

Our new name reflects some changes in personnel, but we continue to offer the same high level of service as we have since the firm was founded in 2008. As before, the firm will be focused on estate planning, elder law, probate and trust administration, family law, business planning and personal injury. We have a team of twelve attorneys with expertise in each of these areas. Anne Burnett Andy Wilson Matt McKeever

Terry White Karen Nelson Joe Risko

DeAna Shaffer Charlie Grimes Steve Schmidt

David Thompson Adam Wintz T.W. Huntington

We are all conveniently located in our existing office at 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130

402-934-5500 burnettwilsonlaw.com

so your approach with technology does more than just survive, it allows you to thrive.” Maddie McGinn, marketing coordinator at Access Systems explained that if companies are looking at the long-term virtual setup, they should be proactive about protecting business assets. “Partnering with Burns the right provider is crucial to delivering the ultimate defense to IT threats that remote work brings with it,” she said. “With that, implementing the correct tools and services

will provide an extra layer of protection to valuable data. We also advise that if a company wants to thrive in a virtual work environment, they need technology tools that are going to improve employee’s functionality, efficiency, and make communication with customers as seamless as possible.” Mills reiterated the importance of security as companies consider long-term remote work options. “We’ve seen more and more organizations adopting a cloud-first mentality for their organization because these cloud platforms offer such strong integration of security tools, system monitoring, and user identity controls and access management,” he said. “Those features are invaluable when you’re working in a virtual workspace.”

Top Gun Bikes builds niche in electric transportation from bikes to skateboards Continued from page 1. said it has brought in more customers purposes like trail riding. looking to cycle, but it has also destroyed When it comes to e-bikes, the main the supply line, which has become a new clientele are people ages 40 and over. On challenge. Additionally, he noted that the other hand, those the younger gen in their early 20s are Top Gun Bikes eration is now less more interested in interested in owning the electronic skate- Location: 12131 West Center Rd., cars and more interOmaha 68144 board selection. ested in alternative H e n o t e d t h e Phone: 402-512-3162 transportation, such Midwest is lagging a Founded: 2011 as e-bikes. bit when it comes to Service: electric bicycle store As the business its view on bicycles Employees: 1 continues to grow, Goal: Focus on local advocacy for overall. Petersen expects to “ P e o p l e o f t e n infrastructure; introduce new products to expand to offer addithink bikers should market. tional products like be on a mountain Website: topgunbikes.com machines that can bike or road bike,” keep the rider out of Petersen said. “However, those are sport the bad weather or rain. machines meant for a specific purpose. “Another goal is to bring some of these Generally, there’s this misconception in products and technologies to underserved the Midwest about what an e-bike is and communities,” he said. “There are many we’ve had to overcome that. In reality, people who can’t afford the maintenance most people want to enjoy their ride, look of a car. If the infrastructure is there to around and not be uncomfortable or un- make it safe and doable, that would help safe. We try to figure out each customer’s a lot of people have more mobility and fitness level and what they’ll use it for in freedom.” order to find them a bike they’ll actually ride.” Despite their health status, he said all people can enjoy riding a bike, all thanks to e-bike technology. “It doesn’t matter if there’s a lack of strength, balance or energy,” Petersen said. “We can put everyone in something that allows them to keep up with family and friends, which is also extremely rewarding.” While the space to ride is available, he said there’s a lack of infrastructure in Nebraska, which he hopes to change by Update your information at getting more involved in advocacy locally. “Having the infrastructure in place MBJ.com by selecting the would lower traffic congestion and prepurchase/subscribe button vent having to build more lanes or parking garages to accommodate more cars,” and filing out the form. Petersen said. “It would really impact the community for the better and allow people to feel safe when riding.” More recently, word of mouth referrals have been the main driver for the business. (402) 330-1760 • www.mbj.com As far as the pandemic is concerned, he

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Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

In the Spotlight Paid Content FOOD AND BEVERAGE

LEGAL SERVICES

Hired

Ric Smith Senior Vice President of Development Scooter’s Coffee

To help cultivate the rapid growth of Scooter’s Coffee and advance an intentional mindset toward franchisee success, Ric Smith has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Development. Smith will lead the franchise sales, real estate and construction functions. Smith has held a wide array of development team leadership roles with Starbucks Coffee, opening 350 stores in six states; Potbelly Sandwich Works; and Qdoba Mexican Grill, spearheading

growth strategies for the 650-location chain across 42 states. At C2 Education, a national chain of 200 specialized tutoring centers in 14 states, Smith led strategic planning, site selection, legal, lease management, construction and facilities. As president and CEO of Credit Union Liquidity Services, Smith managed geographically diverse loans and U.S. real estate holdings. Smith has a B.A. degree in Political Science and Business from SMU in Dallas. He also completed coursework for the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation. As the Senior Vice President of Development, Smith’s experience and leadership will help underscore the company’s

commitment to achieving growth goals for valued franchisees while providing innovative ways for customers to get amazing drinks, amazingly fast. Scooter’s Coffee continues to grow rapidly while it strives to become the #1 drive-thru coffee franchise in the nation. The Scooter’s Coffee Brand Promise is: “Amazing People, Amazing Drinks… Amazingly Fast!®” It represents the company’s business origins from 1998 and reflects a steady commitment to providing an unforgettable experience to loyal and new customers. Visit ownascooters. com to learn more about the benefits of owning a franchise of a well-established company.

engagement and planning as a source of pivotal transformation. His drive for consensus, planning, workshops, design charrettes, and data-driven outcomes will complement a team of diverse talent. “Now is an exciting time to grow our existing base of highly engaged landscape architects and environmental assessment experts. We look to complement our current services with Jeff’s planning and community engagement expertise to bring together a transformational space to inspire and dream with our clients. Imagine. Create. Deliver on community changing projects,” said Regan Pence, Planning and Landscape Architect Group Leader. As a civil engineering firm offering design, survey, planning and landscape architecture, and construction contract

administration services for public infrastructure and private development and redevelopment projects, Lamp Rynearson’s purpose statement is to “Leave a Legacy of Enduring Improvements to Our Communities.” The firm has three office locations and over 150 employees, with headquarters in the greater Omaha area since 1959.

CIVIL ENGINEERING Hired

Jeff Spiehs Senior Planner Lamp Rynearson

Jeff Spiehs joins the Lamp Rynearson team as a Senior Planner. With both feet firmly planted in the Omaha Metro, Jeff’s 15 years of experience includes Community Relations Manager at the Omaha Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) and the Director of the Foundry and Program Director of inCommon Community Development. Spiehs is an innovator who believes in the power of community COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Spencer Secor Certified Commercial Investment Member CCIM Institute

Spencer Secor, CCIM, Senior Associate, Office Specialist for Cushman & Wakefield/The Lund Company in Omaha, recently received the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation from CCIM Institute. To earn the CCIM designation, commercial real estate professionals must complete more than 160 hours

of case-study driven education covering topics such as interest-based negotiation, financial analysis, market analysis, user decision analysis, investment analysis, and ethics in commercial investment real estate. Candidates must also compile a portfolio demonstrating the depth of their commercial real estate experience and pass a comprehensive examination. Spencer has seven years of commercial real estate experience and is responsible for the marketing, leasing and sales of commercial real estate properties. Since joining Cushman & Wakefield/The Lund Company in 2015, Spencer has been involved in more than 1.17M SF of brokerage transactions totaling more than $90M. Spencer is a graduate from

the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Business Administration with majors in both Accounting and Finance.

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

Ellen P. Prochaska Attorney, Litigation & Trial Practice Group Dvorak Law Group

Dvorak Law Group is pleased to welcome Ellen P. Prochaska to the firm’s Litigation and Trial Practice Group. She represents clients in commercial and business litigation matters, including contract disputes, construction disputes, employment law, and insurance disputes. Ellen assists clients through all stages of the litigation process, from initial negotiations to commencing litigation, conducting discovery, participating in trial or mediation, and the appellate process. Ellen received her J.D., cum laude, from Creighton University School of Law. AGRICULTURE Promoted

Jordan Hasan Associate General Counsel Scoular

Scoular is excited to announce that Jordan Hasan has been promoted to Associate General Counsel. In Jordan’s two years with Scoular, she has proven herself to be an integral part of Scoular’s legal team and has consistently taken on more responsibility, such as advising on COVID-19 legal matters. In addition to her existing responsibilities, Jordan will now be the primary labor and employment and litigation contact for matters in both Mexico and Canada and the primary contact for all compensation withScoular’s human resources team on a daily basis to provide advice andguidance on labor and employment matters. Jordan joined Scoular as Assistant General Counsel in 2019. She is a graduate of The University of Oklahoma and received her law degree from the Creighton University School of Law. A 128-year-old company with $6 billion in sales, Scoular creates safe and reliable supply chain solutions for end-users and suppliers of grain, feed ingredients, and food ingredients. From in North America and Asia,Scoular’s 1,000-plus employees lead the way by buying, selling, storing,handlingand processing grain and ingredients as well as managing transportation and logistics for customers around the world.

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

REWRITING THE PLAYBOOK | Moving Forward From Here

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2021 CHI HEALTH CENTER OMAHA

AttendCRESummit.com

A section prepared by the staff of

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • CRE Summit

CRE Summit enters third decade as relevant, useful as ever by Dwain Hebda

For the past 31 years, top commercial real estate professionals — and those who aspired to be — have attended the CRE Summit. This year’s event is slated for Friday, Aug. 20. But all you really need to know about the impact of the event is to look at the last year’s fully virtual event. “Last year, even with a virtual event, we had 700 on the Zoom call. That’s the story,” said Jerry Slusky, of Smith Slusky Law, who conceived the event more than three decades ago. “It’s that one day a year that you can come to an event that’s really meaningful in your practice. “We educate one another. It’s not about commercialism, it’s not about a trade show trying to sell products. We don’t allow anybody to talk about their product. We talk about the substance of the topic they’re covering. And because of that, I think people realize it’s genuine and it’s meaningful.” With events opening up all over the Midlands, attendance is generally running high after a year of being locked up due to COVID-19. Slusky said the CRE Summit is no exception to that trend. “I think it’ll be bigger and better than ever. We’re seeing really unprecedented interest,” he said. “We did 950 in 2019 and our registrations this year — at just a little under two months out — are over 500. I’ve talked to everybody on our 45-member planning committee and a number of other presidents of the real estate companies and

I said, ‘Let’s try to top 1,000.’ So that’s our goal.” If the committee reaches its goal, it will represent a nearly tenfold growth in attendance since the first CRE Summit attracted 125. But whatever headcount shows up will be treated to the best collection of speakers, panel discussions and

Slusky Vyskocil breakout sessions to be had anywhere in the region, said Scott Vyskocil, senior vice president of property management for NAI FMA and a member of the CRE Summit planning committee. “I haven’t run into anybody who can tell you what the real estate market will look like. There was even an article in which Warren Buffet mentioned what postCOVID would look like and he doesn’t even know,” he said. “But I think, with all the expertise and all of the speakers and the breakout sessions and so forth, I think everybody will get a much better focus on what to look forward to. It’s everything from sustainability, to local economic

development and those types of things.” The event’s agenda reflects this diversity, with speakers addressing such topics as economic trends and racial equality in commercial real estate. Breakout sessions deal with such topics as industrial assets, valuations, housing affordability, tax issues, a Lincoln real estate focus and the impact of lumber costs from a national and regional perspective. “If you look at our attendance, it’s not just people in my world who deal with commercial real estate every day,” Vyskocil said. “We’ve got attorneys, contractors, we’ve got Twit tax folks, we’ve got all kinds of accounting people as well as some who are even outside of the industry a little bit. “Because there’s a broad range of people who attend, we provide a broad range of topics, and current topics at that. I think that’s what makes it so relevant and so important.” T.J. Twit, president and CEO of OMNE Partners and a member of the planning committee, said another factor in the summit’s lasting popularity is the immediate applicability of the knowledge being handed down, no matter where someone is in their real estate career. “You’re always going to learn some-

thing,” he said. “As a new person, as a younger person like when I was starting out, having access to the best and brightest in our industry here in town is just so important. “But there’s also plenty of content for people who have been in the business a long time. Jerry and the planning committees have continued to really, I would say, up their game from year to year. You’re going to learn something, period.” The timeliness of the speaker topics is another prime selling point for the CRE Summit, Twit said. “There’s going to be a ton of focus on what it’s like coming out of the pandemic,” he said. “Whether it’s working from home or how the pandemic has impacted specific sectors of the market, whether it’s retail or industrial or office, we’re going to be interested in other people’s experiences and other people’s outlooks. I would say much of this year’s content is going to be informed by the pandemic in some way.” Twit also said the networking opportunities are worth the price of admission alone. In fact, the noon meal is billed as a networking lunch, but connections can be made anytime throughout the day. “CRE has become a must-see, mustattend event for people in our industry,” he said. “It’s become a scenario where you’re noticeably absent if you’re not there.” As the event enters its third decade, Slusky said he’s most proud of the impact the CRE Summit has had on multiple genContinued on page 4.

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CRE Summit • Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

What makes office space great? At R&R Realty Group, we believe the answer is innovation and collaboration. And, with 36 years of experience developing workspaces across the Midwest, we're unveiling our most innovative and collaborative building yet.

As our first office building in Omaha, we've created an environment with 180,000 square feet of space, 20,000 of which are dedicated to collaboration. An event space, executive conference room, rooftop patio and outdoor terrace all act as gathering spaces where people and ideas can come together.

So, what's missing at the Waterford Building? You.

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Amenities at the Waterford building include two underground parking garages, a grab-and-go market, a self-serve Starbucks coffee shop and a state-of-the-art fitness center. We've also incorporated a suite of touchless technologies and built with germ-resistant materials as an innovative way to keep people safe, healthy and productive.

Talk to Mike Homa and schedule a tour of the most innovative and collaborative office space in the Omaha market.

Mike Homa President, R&R Realty Group Nebraska Homa.Mike@RRRealty.com (402) 885-4002 www.RRRealty.com/Waterford

OMAHA

COUNCIL BLUFFS

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • CRE Summit

Cottonwood Hotel and Telegraph District are developments of the year by David Kubicek

Omaha’s Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel and Lincoln’s Telegraph District have been named CRE Summit’s 2021 Development of the Year for Omaha and Lincoln respectively. The Cottonwood Hotel, a redevelopment of the historic Blackstone Hotel, opened in Omaha on Nov. 17, 2020. “I told people on that day I believed that once the doors were opened, they would never be locked at the CotMcLeay tonwood Hotel for hopefully 100 years or at least my lifetime,” said Thomas H. McLeay, president of Clarity Development Company. McLeay’s partners on the project are Matt Dwyer and Jay Lund, principals at GreenSlate Development, and Mike Peter, a principal of Clarity Development Co. “The Blackstone Hotel, which opened in 1916, was the preeminent hotel for many decades until it closed in the mid-1970s as patterns of suburban development emerged,” McLeay said. Kiewit Construction later purchased many years. When Kiewit moved to a new building downtown, they sold it to McLeay and his partners, who elected to restore it. Blackstone guests included Ronald

Reagan, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Jack Benny. Richard Nixon announced his candidacy for president at the hotel in 1967, and John and anniversary there.

“The mayor’s office, city attorney’s ning department, the city council members and First National Bank were great partners,” McLeay said. “When we approached them with our vision about bringing back this historic jewel of Smith Omaha, they really leaned in with us to make it a reality. Leo A Daly did the architecture and DLR did the interior design.” In addition to redoing the historic tower into 163 room, the developers added 42 more rooms, a pool house, and a resort level pool. “We felt an obligation to Omaha to make this something special for the city and to make it stand out across the Midwest McLeay said. Lincoln’s Telegraph District on the eastern edge of downtown covers a little over 60 acres, making it about twice as large as the Haymarket, according to Craig A. Smith, a partner in Speedway Properties. “The project revitalizes the industrial

elements of the former Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph campus,” he said. “Through a partnership between Speedway Properties and Nelnet the Telegraph District will deliver a vibrant work-live environment,” said Adam K. Criswell, Speedway Properties’ director of operations. As a new home for Nelnet & ALLO Communications, this will stimulate an active mixeduse urban neighborhood. The addition of

the bike path within walking distance from the university.” The developers purchased the original telephone museum and enlarged it. Included in the displays are all of the old phones, old switchboards, and even a telephone service truck from the 1920s. The Deal of the Year goes to the Scoular corporate headquarters relocation by Tim Kerrigan and JP Raynor of Investors Realty.

opportunities will be offered throughout the area.” Phase I, which included the former Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph buildings on South 21st Street and Capital Parkway, is almost completed. Phase II will include

Third decade of CRE Summit

will focus on new construction of office, retail, and residential buildings on 21st & N streets. The 75,000-square-foot 401 Building, where Nelnet has resided since June, 2017, was Phase I of the project. Other tenants include The Mill, JC Designs, Subway, Schemmer Associates, Lotus House of Yoga, and Capital Athletic Club. The Telegraph new one- and two-bedroom apartments and a Lofts East, the newest addition to the Telegraph District, offers a mixed-use complex. “We thought because of its proximity to the university, that this was an ideal site for a redevelopment project that would have a tremendous impact on Lincoln,” Smith said. “The Telegraph District is on

Continued from page 2. erations of CRE professionals, including those just beginning their journey. “We are very closely affiliated, our summit group, with the University of Nebraska Omaha Real Estate Department. We support them and they support us,” he said. “Pre-COVID, they went from about 25 registered in real estate courses to 150. And I understand from the dean that postCOVID, the interest has been even higher. So, I think there’s a lot of opportunity here for young people. “That’s just another way we’re providing a great service to not only the commercial real estate industry here in Nebraska and Western Iowa, but every company that has to deal with their own real estate. We have a lot of corporate players coming now to learn on this one special day. I think of it like a mini chamber of commerce; we’re providing a service that’s really become invaluable to our community and to our area.”

Community isn’t just where we live, it’s how we live.

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CRE Summit • Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

O F F I C E

R E T A I L

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

M U L T I - F A M I L Y

CENTURY DEVELOPMENT W W W . T H E C R O S S R O A D S O M A H A . C O M

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • CRE Summit

Introducing the 2021 CRE Summit Hall of Fame inductees by Gabby Hellbusch

Robert Hancock founder/principal,

Robert Hancock & Co. Through various developments since its founding in 1980, including a primary role in the emergence of Aksarben Village, Robert Hancock & Company now owns and manages 1600 apartments and remains an investor in an Omaha industrial park and two apartment complexes in Lincoln. Observing the real estate market Hancock today, Founder/Principal Robert Hancock said aggressive treasury and mortgage bond buying is resulting in soaring home and apartment pricing and timing the tapering and tightening will be critical in normalizing the market. As a Hall of Fame inductee for the 2021 CRE Summit, Hancock said, “It’s always gratifying to receive recognition of one’s career achievements. Including me in the panel of inductees is an honor and I endorse and congratulate them.”

Thomas Huston

Robert Huck

Michael Yanney

Partner,

Retired member,

Chairman emeritus,

Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather

Croker Huck Law Firm

Burlington Capital

For more than 50 years, Robert Huck, retired member at Croker Huck Law Firm, has been a prominent member of the real estate bar, participating in the development of the Omaha metropolitan area as precipitated by the commercial and residential real estate industry. His clients have included businesses and individuals in housing developments and mixeduse developments, Huck as well as specific enterprises in areas such as solid waste disposal, gaming and other diverse fields including sanitary improvement districts. “While many changes have occurred over this long period of time, the real estate community continues to be one of the major driving forces in the growth and progress of the Omaha community as a whole,” Huck said. “I am proud to have played a role in this.”

With over 63 years of business and investment experience, Michael Yanney, founder and current chairman emeritus of Burlington Capital, has played an integral role in expanding Burlington Capital’s real estate division to include the ownership, operations, financing and development totaling over $4 billion through the sponsorship of 15 public and three private real Yanney estate funds. The company’s portfolio has included 360 properties with 68,000 units in 40 states. “My company and I are deeply honored to be recognized by the Hall of Fame,” Yanney said. “We feel very fortunate to be able to do business in this great city. There is a huge amount of development taking place and we can all be very proud.” Yanney has been married to Dr. Gail Walling Yanney, a retired physician, for over 60 years.

As partner at Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, Thomas Huston’s practice includes all aspects of real estate law and commercial development with a focus on community development and its related tax increment financing. Huston represents developers and over 20 municipalities in the area. “I have been Huston very fortunate to practice with other great lawyers who let me have the autonomy to develop a real estate practice,” Huston said. “I have tried to focus on three aspects of commercial real estate including: land use, redevelopment and financing, including tax credit financing. These practice areas enabled me to work on some very important and iconic real estate developments in the Midwest.”

Our distinctions include: • Ranked Band 1 (highest tier) in Chambers and Partners real estate category • One attorney in the Omaha Real Estate Hall of Fame • Two attorneys in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers • Four real estate attorneys in the Best Lawyers in America • Five Chambers-ranked real estate and land use attorneys

1700 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 • Omaha, NE 68102 • 402.344.0500

CRE Summit • Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • CRE Summit

The future of the office by Brooke Strickland

The pandemic changed many things in the last year and a half — one of the biggest things being how and where people work. For those in the commercial real estate industry, the pandemic added some unique complications to day-to-day business operations. Here, Ted Zetzman, executive vice president and director of development at Noddle Companies shares some information about commercial real estate industry workers returning to the office. The challenge “The pandemic was difficult for the commercial real estate industry because not only did the pandemic cause many companies in the real estate market to pause and reevaluate their current and potential future space requirements, but those companies that did want or need to proceed with procuring space or real estate acquisition were unable to access shut buildings,” Zetzman said. “Technologies such as ‘virtual tours’ and video conferences were already in use in the industry but those became the primary tools during the pandemic.” Post-pandemic in-office work Zetzman noted that it is very important for sales professionals to be near each other to collaborate well. Because of that, working from home full-time is difficult. “Interactions and collisions between sales professionals within the office are critical for current market knowledge,” he said.

Instead, a hybrid work schedule — part at home, part at the office — is looking like it will be more of a go-to. “The hybrid work schedule suits the real estate industry well with real estate brokers typically spending significant time out at client offices, subject properties and developers out at project sites,” he said. “Changes anticipated for typical business environments are a greater emphasis on or expansion of amenities to entice workers back to the office, greater focus on healthy office environments so that employees feel safe, and shared workspaces to leverage and facilitate hybrid work schedules.” For commercial office spaces that are being built, Zetzman said that people should be prepared to see new health features being included into the design and construction of commercial buildings. “Building health and employee wellbeing were areas of increased focus for the design and construction of new office projects prior to the pandemic,” he said. “Post-pandemic, this emphasis has been significantly accelerated and elevated. New projects currently in design will include many new health and sustainability features improving the quality of the buildings. Tips for returning to the office It can feel a little overwhelming trying to figure out the best way to transfer back to office work after adjusting to the work-from-home environment. Zetzman recommended that for people that are

transitioning back to the office to keep these things in mind. Get familiar with new workplace policies Things have likely changed significantly in the time employees have been away from the office. Workplace policies have likely been adjusted to keep the health and safety of workers in mind. “As individuals come back to the office they should inquire and be familiar with the company’s workplace policies and be proactive in discussing alterna-

tives with supervisors if uncomfortable,” Zetzman said. Be understanding Everyone has handled the pandemic and the changes that came with it in different ways. When transitioning back to in-person work, remember to keep respect and understanding at the forefront of everything. “People also need to understand that some coworkers may have different concerns or comfort levels and be prepared to respect those differences,” he said.

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CRE Summit • Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

Meet the CRE Summit 2021 keynote speakers Ryan Severino

Karen Mangia

Ryan Severino is the chief economist at JLL where he manages the economics team and is responsible for global and regional economic research, analysis and forecasting as well as property market forecasting. Prior to JLL, Ryan served as senior economist and director of research at Reis in the research and economics department, the team responsible for folio analytics services. Ryan also served as the Associate Director of Research at MetLife Real Estate Investments where he was responsible for macroeconomic and real estate market analysis, formulating portfolio strategy, and conducting deal reviews. Before joining MetLife, Ryan served as the Director of Investment Strategy and Market Research at Starwood Capital Group where he

Karen Mangia is an internationallyrecognized thought leader whose TEDx appearance, keynotes, blogs and books reach hundreds of thousands of business leaders each year. She is the author of Working from Home: Making the New Normal Work for You (Wiley), Listen UP! How to Tune Into Customers and Turn Down the Noise(Wiley) and also Success With Less (Marie Street Press). A prolific blogger and sought-after media interview, she has been featured in Forbes and regularly contributes to Thrive Global and ZDNet. As Vice President of Customer and Market Insights at Salesforce, she engages current and future customers around the world to discover new ways of creating success and growth together. She serves on the company’s Work from Home Taskforce, where she is helping the company’s 50,000+ worldwide employees to better adapt to a work-from-home environment. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, she also serves on the company’s Racial Equality and Justice Taskforce. Prior to Salesforce, she spearheaded Customer Satisfaction and Experience at Cisco Systems. Recognized with the Centurion Award, Hall of Fame Honoree and a Graduate of Distinction from Ball State University; part of the 40 under 40 in the Indianapolis

has also held research positions at Prudential Real Estate Investors and UBS. Additionally, Ryan currently serves as an Columbia University and New York University teaching courses such as Urban Economics, Portfolio and Risk Management, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics. He also has experience in real estate asset management, portfolio management, and acquisitions. number of journals such as the Wharton Real Estate Review and The Real Estate Finance Journal. His assessments of market conditions have appeared in international publications like The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Financial Times and on

Ryan Severino business networks such as CNBC and Bloomberg. Ryan is a member of the CFA Institute, the American Economic Association, ULI, and NCREIF. bia University, where he studied International from Georgetown University, where he studied Finance, Japanese, and Economics, and is a CFA Charterholder.

Karen Mangia Business Journal; and Ivy Tech Distinguished Alumni Award. She is a trained chef, and is active in numerous community organizations, including serving on the board of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Ball State University.

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• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • CRE Summit

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CRE Summit • Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

What excites you about the future of Omaha commercial real estate? Aaron Grote Civil Engineer Lamp Rynearson The opportunities present in toreal estate market are chances to leave a positive mark on

Kevin Stratman Industrial Broker Investors Realty, Inc. I think for me the most exciting thing CRE wise in Omaha is how widespread the growth has been. There is

Amanda Sudbeck Vice President ACCESSbank It is exciting to watch Omaha thrive as it’s grown into such a fun and vibrant place to work, live and play. The CRE industry plays a

Jennifer Taylor Senior City Attorney City of Omaha Law Dept. I am excited about the increased activity in the city that improves our overall quality of

Amy Lawrenson Partner Baird Holm LLP a continued increase in racial, ethnic, gender/sexual identity and orientation, cultural, and age diver-

our communities. From growth in the affordable housing market to more equitable development to sustainable design, we have a real chance to make decisions that excited by the chance to work on projects that help people connect and thrive in our community. There is much to learn and the CRE summit provides the opportunity to connect and learn more.

great activity downtown, in west Omaha, in Papillion. Look at any corner of town and there is something new and exciting going up. Speaking from the standpoint of an industrial broker, what has me excited is the modernization of our warehousing strides as a market the last five to seven years. It is going to be exciting to see what the next decade brings as the market continues to evolve and new growth corridors are identified.

huge role in that growth. Whether it’s new development/construction or bringing old buildings back to life with a new purpose, the Omaha community always seems to come together to make things happen. No matter the area of town, you are bound to see growth and improvements taking place. Our city is full of CRE professionals who are collaborative and passionate about building a better Omaha and I’m excited to see what the future holds. I love watching the new and innovative projects come to life and the revitalization of older neighborhoods.

life, which will make our community more attractive to new and existing businesses looking to expand or relocate to Omaha. As the city continues to develop both the urban core and new areas in west Omaha, we increase opportunities to appeal to a diverse community and economically thrive.

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• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • CRE Summit

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CRE Summit • Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

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• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • CRE Summit

REWRITING THE PLAYBOOK AttendCRESummit.com

| Moving Forward From Here

2021 CRE SUMMIT CONFERENCE AGENDA

7:30 AM-8:30 AM

REGISTRATION OPENS

8:30 AM-9:15 AM

2020-2021 HIGHLIGHTS AND PROGRAM OVERVIEW Jerry Slusky, Esq., Smith Slusky Pohren & Rogers, LLP- Founder & Chair of CRE Summit Chris Mensinger, Colliers International | Omaha

9:15 AM-9:45 AM

SESSION ONE: Ryan Severino, CFA, Chief Economist, JLL DESCRIPTION: Current Economic State

9:45 AM- 10:00 AM MORNING NETWORKING BREAK 10:00 AM-10:45 AM SESSION TWO: A Neighborhood By Design – How Institutional Racism shaped the North Omaha we see today. MODERATOR: Ashley Kuhn, President, Blair Freeman Group DESCRIPTION: A conversation around how covenants, laws and government decisions negatively impacted the North Omaha Community, forcing it into a state it couldn’t recover from and plans to move forward. PANELIST: Manne Cook, Urban Development Manager, Spark CDI Meredith Dillon, Program Associate, The Sherwood Foundation 10:45 AM-11:00 AM MORNING NETWORKING BREAK 11:00 AM-11:45 AM MORNING BREAKOUTS BREAKOUT 1: The Future of Logistics, Supply Chain and Real Estate MODERATOR: Mike Homa, President - Nebraska Division, R&R Realty / Kevin Stratman, Broker, Investors Realty DESCRIPTION: Industry experts will focus on logistics, supply chain, and what role those factors have in real estate decisions in this breakout. Discussions will go in- depth into changes taking place in the industry, such as driverless semis and their impact on distribution, and how they might affect real estate as we advance. PANELIST: Aaron Evans, Senior Director of Economic & Industrial Development, Union Pacific Chad Dittberner, SVP, Van/Expedited, Werner BREAKOUT 2: Learn How to Create Reliable Valuations Amid Uncertainty MODERATOR: Scott Mausbach, Senior Appraiser, CBRE | Valuation and Advisory Services DESCRIPTION: In this breakout, we will cover the current state of office, retail, industrial, and multifamily with a quick overview of the appraisal process. Talking through tax appeals, financing appraisals and how to ensure the property owner is getting the best they can in terms of appraisal services will set you up for success! PANELIST: Randy York, Principal and Founder, Independent Appraisal Management/AMOS Ben Young, Principal, Independent Appraisal Management/AMOS BREAKOUT 3: Housing Affordability: A Land of Challenge and Opportunity MODERATOR: Jennifer Taylor, Assistant City Attorney, City of Omaha / Zach Reinhardt, Real Estate Project Manger, Burlington Capital DESCRIPTION: This panel will cover what affordable housing is, how it differentiates to housing affordability, and the historical data on for sale and rental costs. They will have an open conversation about the challenges they face and what opportunitities they are excited about. PANELIST: Meredith Dillon, Program Associate, The Sherwood Foundation Cydney Franklin, CEO, Seventy Five North Ryan Harris, Acquisitions Manager, Midwest Housing Equity 11:45 AM-12:00 PM AFTERNOON NETWORKING BREAK 12:00 PM-1:15 PM

KEYNOTE SPEAKER/NETWORKING LUNCH KEYNOTE: "Working From Home" -- Making the New Normal Work for You Karen Mangia, Vice President of Customer & Market Insights, Salesforce

CRE Summit • Midlands Business Journal • JULY 23, 2021 •

REWRITING THE PLAYBOOK AttendCRESummit.com

1:15 PM-2:00 PM

| Moving Forward From Here

2021 CRE SUMMIT CONFERENCE AGENDA

AFTERNOON BREAKOUTS BREAKOUT 4: Lincoln Economy – Where we are and where we’re going. MODERATOR: Kirby Reardon, Assistant Vice President / Commercial Lending, West Gate Bank DESCRIPTION: Take a look at how the pandemic has affected the current Lincoln market and what type of lasting effects (if any) it will have on future growth. PANELISTS: Luke Peltz, Vice President, Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED) Eric Thompson, Associate Professor of Economics, UNL BREAKOUT 5: What is going on with Single Family Homes? MODERATOR: Vince Leisey, President, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate DESCRIPTION: Vince Leisey is a residential industry leader that’s is known for his expertise in understanding what drives the single family residential market. With home prices skyrocketing, Vince will explain the history that led us into this tremendous spike in home values. Vince will also cover the future direction of the market, the effect of rising construction costs, and the impact these forces will have on the rental housing market. BREAKOUT 6: Tax Deferred Alternatives to Selling Your Real Estate MODERATOR: Danel Jung, Chief Operating Officer, Dakota REIT DESCRIPTION: Join us to learn from Real Estate, Tax and Investment experts on how to defer capital gain taxes by investing in a Private Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). We will discuss the advantages and walk through how to execute an Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 721, more commonly known as an UPREIT (Umbrella Partnership Real Estate Investment Trust). This is an alternative to the IRC Section 1031. An UPREIT is a structure that permits real estate owners to exchange their property holdings for Limited Partnership (LP) units in a REIT as a tax deferred exchange. UPREITS are often an attractive option for real estate owners looking to dispose of real estate while taking advantage of the ability to defer capital gains, as well as the following benefits: • Estate Simplification and Tax Strategy • Reduced Risk • Liquidity PANELIST: Jerry Banks, Real Estate Investor Joe Donovan, Tax Director, Lutz Matt Pedersen, CPA, EVP and CIO, Dakota REIT Jose Vizcarrondo, Registered Investment Advisor, Elgethun Captial Jerry Banks, Real Estate Investor

2:15 PM-3:00 PM

CLOSING SESSION: Office of the Future MODERATOR: Ted Zetzman, Noddle Companies DESCRIPTION: During this closing session, our panelists will dive into dealing with interior and exterior changes to office buildings due recent pandemic impacts and sustainability trends. PANELIST: Kevin Andersen, Deputy Chief of Staff-Economic Development, City of Omaha Jan Johnson, FIIDA, MCR.w, VP Workplace Strategy, Allsteel Thomas Knittel, AIA NCARB LEED AP, Design Director, Sustainability, HDR - Seattle

3:00 PM-5:00 PM

RECEPTION: networking, complimentary cocktails

Presented by:

• JULY 23, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • CRE Summit

D E V E LO P M E N T. CO N ST RU C T I O N . M A N AG E M E N T.

OMAHA, NEBRASKA W W W. LO C K WO O D D E V. CO M .

Midlands Business Journal July 23, 2021 Vol. 47 No. 30 issue

Articles inside

Early advocates led Morrissey Engineering’s Gudeman to fulfilling career in sustainability

Class Intercom shares firsthand stories for school social media accounts