Midlands Business Journal July 5, 2019 Vol. 45 No. 27 issue by Midlands Business Journal

• JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Accounting Profession July 5, 2019

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Evolving client, workforce expectations spur increasingly data-driven, consultative roles by Michelle Leach

Not unlike other industries, technological, generational and workplace shifts may require one to reassess his or her perception of accountants and accounting firms. “[KPMG] has been working with IBM for over a decade at this point,” said Omaha Office Managing Partner Drew Blossom. “With the power of the IBM Watson platform, we envision taking a complex, 40-page lease agreement or 60-page loan document and having the technology to pull out the key terms of that document in a matter of 15 seconds, rather than reading for five hours.” Transformational technology on the audit side improves processes, efficiencies, and empowers professionals to focus on areas where they can add value; for instance, handling mundane matching when testing transactions to see if they have certain attributes. On the tax side, he said the company is investing heavily in robotics process automation — taking those tasks historically handled by staff accountants, weeding out routine processes from those areas identified as requiring further investigation. Specifically, investment in technology for audits allows one to look at bigger sets of populations in a smaller timeframe, so Blossom said they can be more cost-ef-

Drew Blossom, managing partner at the KPMG Omaha office. fective. machine learning to categorize those trans“We’ve invested in a technology that actions and produce financial information. allows us to help a client with their un- We don’t have to do all that ‘behind-thederlying accounting,” he said. “We can scenes’ work.” pull a [small business’s] transaction data In June, he said a pilot technology comfrom their credit card statement, and use pared invoices against what was reported

Reaanddit

versus having a person read the invoices, matching data to what was reported in the system. Accordingly, Blossom indicated the team can focus on items outside-thenorm; for instance, flagging an item whose volume was recorded as “10” when the items should have been recorded as “100” pieces. Error identification, he noted, brings value to the table. Rapid changes in technology mark one of two major trends in the accounting field, alongside “younger generations not wanting to work the hours they see older generations working now,” acSmith cording to McFarlin and Brokke Partner, Shareholder and President Mike Smith. “We are addressing these trends by providing better work/life balance with flexible work scheduling, remote work availability, and the continual integration of increasingly efficient technology — always with the focus of best meeting the needs of our staff and clients,” he said. He looks at technology’s impact as being reflected in changing accounting practices. “Some firms are opting to utilize the online ‘gig economy’ of freelance work and short-term contracts for accounting preparation,” Smith said. “It’s becoming more common for actual data entry of a tax return to be prepared, not by an employee of the company, but by someone hired in a cyber role, looking to make quick money when they choose to work.” Additionally, Smith noted, advancing artificial intelligence creates the potential for tax returns to be prepared by a computer after scanning tax documents into a software program. “In implementation of either scenario, tax preparers will need to become tax reviewers, and CPA firms will need to rethink their traditional business model,” he said. O’Donnell, Ficenec, Wills and Ferdig CPA Matt Tunink said public accounting has historically been a profession that revolves around evaluating information of the past. “While that won’t completely go away, Continued on next page.

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Accounting Profession — inside JULY 5, 2019

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS

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VOL. 45 NO. 27

Aviture leverages AWS platform to unlock potential for clients by Becky McCarville

VirtuActive takes on growing demand for 3D drafting and design. – Page 2

40 er d Un 40 Spivey turns personal challenges into professional success at Peter Kiewit Foundation. – Page 3

ted ela s R k- ie or jur W In

Safety programs are key to decreasing work-related injuries. – Page 28

Demand for software solutions grows as more companies move to cloud technologies to tap into fast, scalable, pay-asyou-go capabilities. As a custom software solutions and tech consulting company, Aviture has engaged with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to keep up with the lightning pace of industry trends. “When you look at the modern cloud platforms, AWS is the industry leader,” said Aviture’s Chief Technology Officer Jerry Koske. “They’ve got the majority of the market share, they’re the place to go and as a consultancy, if you don’t have an offer there, you’re at a disadvantage.” From applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to vast amounts of data to getting real-time feedback from users when designing and testing software, the AWS platform allows Aviture to unlock potential and innovation for its clients. “You look at the capabilities Continued on page 9.

Chief Technology Officer Jerry Koske … Teaming with Amazon Web Services to stay on top of industry (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville) trends and push the software design envelope.

Relationships provide foundation for Graham Construction’s growth by Richard D. Brown

Although Graham Construction had work in Omaha some 15 years ago with construction on OrthoNebraska’s Oak View campus, the Des Moines-based family-owned contractor hasn’t gained significant name recognition in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. That’s about to change as the regional construction firm that did $176 million

in volume last year has opened its first Omaha office for its 10 local employees. Vice President/General Manager for Eastern Nebraska B.J. Gehrki said the 3,500-squarefoot office at 12910 Pierce St., Building B, Suite 100 in Sterling Ridge is the hub of sorts for the energy he’s taking to meetings with area building owners and Continued on page 9. Business Development Manager Michael Edwards … Diverse capabilities and resources, from two data centers to managed IT and web hosting professionals, accelerate firm’s growth in second decade of operations.

Pioneer Lincoln data center Binary Net acquires second Sharp Building facility by Michelle Leach

B.J. Gehrki, vice president and general manager for eastern Nebraska … Recently opened Omaha office gaining footing with large contracts.

In its 23rd year, Binary Net has bolstered its data center offerings with the addition of Lincoln Data Centers at the Sharp Building in downtown Lincoln, while multi-faceted talent across its virtual server, colocation and web hosting services are “hitting a new period of extreme growth,” spanning clients from fraternity and sorority houses and arms of

state government, to health care practices and law firms — and accommodating organizations on a project-by-project basis to a myriad of IT services, according to Business Development Manager Michael Edwards. “It’s basically a secure space where other companies can locate their servers, and know that they’re managed and taken care Continued on page 8.

• JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

VirtuActive takes on growing demand for 3D drafting and design by Gabby Christensen

The intent to bridge the communication gap between builders and clients matched with a desire to move the drafting and design sector forward was precisely what pushed four friends to establish Omaha-based VirtuActive, a 3D drafting and design company, in 2015.

VirtuActive Phone: 402-979-8100 Address: 331 Village Pointe Plaza, Suite 303, Omaha 68022 Founded: 2015 Service: 3D drafting and design firm serving builders, real estate agents, homeowners, architects, interior designers and new construction lenders Employees: 10 Goal: To eventually serve clients on a national level. Website: https://www.virtuactive.com

At the time of inception, Dave Lakin, CEO/ director of sales and marketing, said the team was confident that utilizing 3D in residential drafting and design would soon become the standard. Less than five years later, the company has expanded into Lincoln with a second location

CEO Dave Lakin … Business model using 3D draft and design has grown with regional expansion. and now serves Hastings and Kearney markets. conversions, online plans, a conceptual product Over the years, VirtuActive has grown to and 3D visual. offer full service design and drafting for custom Lakin said it’s the 3D technology and quick homes, remodels and additions, as well as plan turnaround time that has really helped the firm

Business Minute

Joe Jaros

Owner, All Lines Insurance Inc., an Independent Insurance Agency Associations/Titles: Agent/broker, licensed in property & casualty, life & health, Legal Shield. Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska. Education: Omaha South High School, University of Nebraska at Omaha.

How I got into the business: Recruited by Farmers Insurance in 2007. I always had an interest in the insurance industry, so after I took an early retirement from Dex Media in 2006, insurance became my next journey. Accomplishments or milestones: Five President’s Club Awards at Dex Media, Farmers Blue Vase Award, Progressive Platinum Blue Sales Award. First job: Busboy at Lou’s Grill. Biggest career break: Leaving Farmers Insurance to form All Lines Insurance as an independent agent/broker. Getting appointed with Progressive Homeowners Insurance, no other company can beat their rates on homeowners. Best advice I have received: Don’t try to sell to friends & relatives — they will

come to you. Toughest part of the job: Struggling to help customers who have low insurance scores & higher premiums. About my family: Married with four children. I have one brother, one sister-in law and a niece and my mother still lives here in Omaha. Something else I’d like to accomplish: Hire more staff so I can get more vacation time. Book I finished recently: “Catch 22” — I read it every year and always learn something new. Something not everyone knows about me: I’m a big Bruce Springsteen fan, and I’m still very sad we lost Tom Petty. How my business will change in the next decade: Fewer insurance agents, more automation, more online quoting. I believe the younger generation would rather purchase from an app than a real live person that will actually “help” them with their

insurance needs. Auto sharing co-ops, autonomous vehicles, and delivery drivers will change the future of the industry. Climate change will continually increase premiums forever. Mentor who has helped the most in my career: Len Siedlik, State Farm Agent. My morning coffee friend, who is also my insurance and life mentor. Outside Interests: New York Yankees baseball, travel, riding my Harley. Pet peeves: People who drive on the interstate in the exit/merge lanes. Get over if you’re not leaving on the next exit! Favorite vacation spot: Any place with a beach. I’ve been to Mexico, Jamaica, St. Lucia and will be in Antigua this summer! Other careers I would like to try: None – I love my career. Favorite movie: The Notebook. Favorite cause or charity: JDRF – I have a son with juvenile diabetes. Favorite App: Weather app!

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

stand out. “We have worked extremely hard to develop an efficient, measurable, streamlined process that each person on our team follows,” he said. “This process enables us to have prompt communication, meet timelines we have set, ensure accuracy on our plans, and hold our team accountable to measurables that equate to efficiency to be as profitable as possible in the business.” Lakin said the business has also seen success by facing obstacles head on, while constantly being in the pursuit of improvement. “One hurdle is all the things that can distract you that could be great ideas, but still staying focused on the fundamentals of your business,” he said. “We are very fortunate that we have a strong leadership team of partners that challenge each other and support each other. That’s critical when facing struggles.” According to Lakin, a trend he’s noticed recently is the acceptance and need for visuals. “We’ve seen builders that are able to build less models, as they can build one and show their others through the 3D renders and videos,” he said. “In the spec home market, the visuals are allowing Realtors to market the home when the design is finished versus waiting until the build is done to list it. This has been a game changer.” Lakin said VirtuActive has created new developments using this visual technology by designing homes, creating the platt for the new development and placing the homes in the development. Street views, virtual tours and even aerial views or tours of the ‘completed development’ are also options. “It’s amazing where the industry is going,” he said. “Additionally, the conceptual product to visually show homeowners and Realtors what a little TLC to an existing space could Continued on page 10.

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Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

Spivey turns personal challenges into professional success at Peter Kiewit Foundation Editor’s Note: This is one of a series of profiles featuring Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40 award winners — entrepreneurs, business owners, managers and professionals under 40 years of age.

by Dwain Hebda

By any measurement, Ashlei Spivey’s upbringing was challenging, raised in a single-parent household while her father spent most of her life incarcerated. But rather than let these circumstances hold her back, Spivey used them as a living classroom and compass for where she wanted to go in life. “Growing up I noticed and wondered about differences in resources for certain types of people,” she said. “Just within my life experience, you saw some of the inequities like quality of schools, safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, so on and so forth.” These seeds grew into a desire to impact change, solidified during her last year at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. “My last year of undergrad, we did voter registration in Jackson,” she said. “We met a woman who was a functional illiterate. Her house was like a hoarder’s house. I just felt this sense of like ‘Wow, she’s literally in our backyard and it seems like no one cared about her.’ That really kind of changed what my path was going to be.”

Spivey, now program officer for the Peter Kiewit Foundation, changed her professional aspirations from working in corporate communications to direct service within organizations. This went on until she found herself at a crossroads with the death of her mother. “Once my mom passed away, I didn’t have the empathy any longer to work directly with folks,” she said. “I moved to the organizational development side and then this role came up at the Kiewit Foundation and it just felt full circle. I had the experience working with people and helping an organization in infrastructure, now I would be in the position to invest resources in the people closest to the work in the communities from which I come from. It was a great opportunity to tie all my experiences together.” Along the way, Spivey has developed into a highly visible organizer and thought leader on the subject of race and poverty in the city. She’s founded multiple organizations including Ay Spivey, which facilitates conversations and action planning for organizations around equity and inclusion. She also founded I Be Black Girl, which provides networking and intentional spaces for women of color. She also spearheaded the creation of Young Black and Influential Awards, an annual event that honors 10 influential young people in the community.

Proud Sponsors of the 2018 40 Under 40:

Program Officer Ashlei Spivey … Organizer and thought leader on race and poverty in Omaha. In addition, she helped create the Black stratified approach. “It’s not just resources. When thinking Business Expo, an event that happens every other month designed to showcase the eco- about how we do our work here at the foundanomic impact of black-owned businesses in the tion we think about not only what resources and city. She said such efforts represent progress money can we add value to, but outside of monbut the march to full equality in Omaha is far ey how do we do that? Is that raising awareness of an issue? Is that getting folks together for a from completed. “My work is done at the system level not collective approach or is that commissioning the institutional level and when you talk about research to bring in new perspectives to the institutional inequities they’re super-complex, issue? My hope is that everyone does a little nuanced, and didn’t happen overnight,” she so not everyone has to do a lot, and then everysaid. “It’s been since the inception of this one can see themselves in the movement and country or for the last 400 years. Most change they’re not looking towards one leader or one usually happens incrementally and takes a organization to solve it.”

• JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Accounting Profession A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

July 5, 2019

Evolving client, workforce expectations spur increasingly data-driven, consultative roles by Michelle Leach

Accounting Profession •

Workforce expectations Continued from preceding page. the most prominent changes for our industry will be the need to use the technology available to us to provide consulting services that help guide clients in the present and give them direction for the future,” he said. “We will also need to move away from our more traditional roles and become more of a financial counselor to business owners.” As a trusted adviser, clients are looking for advice and knowledge to make better financial decisions, he said. “If public accountants take advantage of these opportunities, clients will see the additional value we have to offer them, and will become more and more reliant on the services we can provide,” Tunink said. “Clients will no longer contact us a couple of times a year for the same report or tax return that they had last year, but they will be actively communicating with us on a regular basis for assistance with the operations of their business.” In fact, in the past year, Tunink has added “quite a few clients” that have requested assistance in the aforementioned areas. “And a number of long-term clients have started to express interest as well — even those that have been in operations for many years,” he said. “Clients are especially interested in the cloud-based accounting systems and applications. More and more of them want access anytime, anywhere and they want us to have that same access to give them feedback and answer important questions on a regular basis.”

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

Consulting and advisory services are on the rise Recently, local accounting firms have seen an increase in demand for consulting and advisory services. Due to increased choice of entities, additional tax regulations from federal and state agencies and internet sales, Leo Panzer, CPA at Infinity CPA Group, said CPAs have increased their consulting and advising services provided to business

by Gabby Christensen

garding accounting systems is helpful to determine if the business entity should use online accounting, internal transaction reporting or should the business contract with an independent bookkeeper,” Panzer said. “The chart of accounts should also be reviewed.” He said providing the business owner with sales tax consulting regarding internet sales and selling product in multiple states

Panzer Weidman owners. “Before a new business is created, the owner should understand what type of entity might work for the business,” Panzer said. “During the entity formation process, there are application forms required to be filed. This process is daunting, requiring the CPA to consult with the business owner to properly prepare the required forms.” Additionally, he said three areas of consulting services also include type of accounting system, payroll reporting and tax aspects of a business entity. “Advising the business owner re-

Morris Lambert should help avoid notices resulting from interstate commerce. Tim Weidman, director of IT services at Frankel Zacharia, said specialized services that the firm is focusing on currently are technology services, business valuations, providing cost segregation studies, as well as QuickBooks training and consulting. “Getting results from your technology is key to leveraging the countless ways it can be used to enhance the success of your organization, which can be through marketing, automation, tracking metrics or even employee satisfaction and retention,”

Weidman said. Specifically, Dan Morris, CPA/ABV at Frankel Zacharia, said the valuation services practice continues to see robust demand. “We have an incredible opportunity right now due to the high number of privately-owned businesses in our area,” Morris said. “We find that clients increasingly want a service provider that will partner with them and educate them on the entire process. Clients also want someone who is willing to provide value and ideas outside of the normal process.” Chris Lambert, certified QuickBooks proadvisor Hermanek at Frankel Zacharia, said the firm is also focusing on coaching businesses on how to maintain and grow. “Our goal as trusted consultants is to teach our clients how to maximize the use of software, like QuickBooks, to collect and organize their financial data while minimizing their time investment,” Lambert said. Hugh Hermanek, CPA/director at Hancock & Dana, said the CPA profession works with clients to meet compliance needs, such as tax return filings and audited financial reports, and the focus of Continued on page 7.

• JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

• Accounting Profession

High demand continues for accounting professionals as advisers, analyzers and communicators by Jasmine Heimgartner

At the heart of any business, nonprofit and governmental agency lie important numbers and data that need to be understood for current and future success. Accounting professionals use those numbers as tools for analysis in order to assist entities in making informed, strategic decisions in a timely manner. Even with emerging technology, the evolving role of the profession continues to be an imperative one that is in high demand. “Regardless of industry, there is a high demand for qualified accountSundquist ing professionals in every level from staff to management,” said Jillian Poyzer, CPA and accounting lecturer/internship coordinator/accounting career advisor at University of Nebraska at Omaha. “The need for accountants has been consistently on the rise for years and is expected to grow another 10% over the next 10 years. Accounting is notorious for being the language of business. Qualified employees who can translate that language to assist in strategic business growth are historically hard to come by since the demand for these employees outpaces the supply.” Often there is a misconception that accounting is just about the numbers. For people seeking a career in the field, much more is expected than just being good at

Jillian Poyzer, CPA, accounting lecturer/internship coordinator/accounting career advisor at University of Nebraska at Omaha Department of Accounting. math. piece is the same as it was 100 years ago “The onset of technology has changed — you still have to have skepticism and the way we do our daily work when it judgment — but the way we analyze it is comes to the determining that the infor- so much different because of technology.” mation we are looking at is reliable,” The ever-evolving field of accountsaid Dr. Tom Purcell, CPA, professor and ing sees more firms seeking CPAs with accounting department chair at Creighton communication, critical-thinking and University Heider College of Business. technology skills. “What we see and do is put more emphasis “Innovations in artificial intelligence, on systems and controls. As auditors, it is automation and data analytics are creating making sure that whatever controls the cli- new opportunities for CPAs to provide ent has are being followed. The judgment high-quality services that are more effec-

tive and efficient,” said Joni Sundquist, president/executive director of Nebraska Society of CPAs. “At the same time, clients and organizations are demanding services that require skills and knowledge in technical areas such as information technology, cybersecurity, SOC (system and organization controls) reporting, IT governance and data analytics.” Although technology has changed modern society, where accountants are needed remains the same — everywhere. “While most people associate an accountant with someone who does tax work, being a tax professional is only one of the many career options accountants can pursue,” Poyzer said. “Most entities, regardless of industry or mission, benefit from employing financial accountants, cost accountants, internal auditors, data analysts, payroll accountants, etc. that do more than just bookkeeping. There are also many opportunities for accountants to work in all levels of government as either a state or IRS auditor, budget analyst, tax commissioner, fraud examiner with the FBI, amongst other options.” The education and skills attained in the profession also can lead people into other successful ventures. “If you look at national statistics, a significant number of CEOs of companies had training in their academic prep as an accountant,” Purcell said. “People become heads of nonprofit organizations, attorneys, politicians and more with an accounting background. It helps the student understand a process, as well as helps Continued on next page.

Accounting Profession •

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

Experts weigh in on smart tax moves to make right now by Dwain Hebda

With six months left in the year, local tax experts say there are things individuals and business owners can do to reduce their tax hit for 2019. “The IRS is still issuing guidance and clarification on issues relating to the changes imposed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, such as the section 199A qualified business income deduction for pass through businesses and workaround for the state and local income tax itemized deduction cap,” said Jerry O’Doherty, managing partner with Seim Johnson. “There were also a few changes in the TCJA that did not take effect until 2019 such as the elimination of the shared responsibility payment, or individual health insurance mandate penalty, and increase of the threshold for deductible medical expenses from 7.5% back up to 10%.” O’Doherty’s best advice is to take a hard look at withholding. “During filing season for 2018 taxes, a lot of individuals received a big surprise when they found out they owed income taxes on their tax returns, which led many to believe their tax rates went up, when in actuality, their rates went down,” he said. “It was the individual’s withholding that was not appropriate.” Kathryn McDonnell, vice president with Hemenway Associates said taxpayers should also make sure they are maximizing retirement savings at the midpoint of the year. “One of the things I would advise people is to look at their 401(k) and make sure they’re putting in the maximum amount

Services are on the rise Continued from page 5. this work tends to relate to transactions in the past year. “One reason for the uptick in consulting could point toward better technology and tools that were not available before now,” Hermanek said. “Mobile devices, faster computing resources and web-based platforms continue to provide enhanced solutions to old problems, and many times these technologies change the landscape of how business is done.” In fact, Hermanek said technology based consulting and tax planning strategies are the topics that come up most frequently. “Data analysis can sort out trends and using dashboards to visualize the information are probably the two most profound changes empowering businesses to make nimble and informed decisions,” Hermanek said. “Intelligent cost saving strategies are always in fashion, and with the newer tax policies in place, reviewing existing approaches to saving on taxes is a must.” According to Hermanek, sometimes not keeping pace with competition will remove a business from existence. “Talking with CPAs in an advisory capacity can assist businesses in getting outside perspective, as well as communicate with professionals that deal with all sorts of businesses each and every day,” he said. “Advisory services can impact a business in all sorts of ways, such as reinventing old processes, saving time and cost, and fostering business leaders with a mindset of continuous improvement.”

they can put in,” she said. “I would also tell wage earners to look at contributing to health savings accounts. Making sure they get those can give them some savings to pay for medical bills and they’re not paying income tax on it. “For the self-employed, if they’re interested in purchasing something such as new equipment, do it before the last 60 or 90 days of the year. There are now rules that don’t allow O’Doherty you to buy something on Dec. 1st and deduct it for that calendar year, so they need to take a look at doing it earlier.” The same goes for seeking tax advice, McDonnell said. “See your tax adviser before the end of

High demand continues Continued from preceding page. them understand how to think critically and solve problems. That can be transferred to many disciplines.” For people interested in this field, most accounting positions require a four-year accounting degree at minimum. Depending on the type of job, accountants may be required to be licensed or certified, most commonly a CPA certification. “Becoming a CPA takes work and effort, but the benefits go far beyond job security and salary,” Sundquist said. “It’s proof that you’ve mastered the vital elements of your profession through years of academic and technical training. As a CPA, you’ll also have access to jobs with higher authority and responsibility — and you’ll enjoy greater career stability. Best of all, being a CPA allows you to do meaningful work with highly motivated and multi-talented people. You can pursue jobs that will let you travel internationally — or find opportunities to give back through work for nonprofit organizations. Whatever you decide, as a CPA, you will play an essential role in the world of business.”

the year,” she said. “Somewhere between August and Oct. 1st is the smartest idea if you’ve made money and need to look at different types of retirement items. Once October comes, [advisers are] limited in what they can do.” Other areas to consider are changes to deductibility of charitable contributions, said Tyler Bartruff, tax and consulting shareholder with Lutz. “The increased Bartruff standard deduction had a significant impact on the deductibility of charitable contributions and provided several planning opportunities. Two of the most frequent strategies employed are charitable bunching and direct contributions from retirement funds,”

he said. “Meanwhile, the new tax bill provided significant deferral on capital gains if such gains are invested in an opportunity zone, a census-designated tract marked for economic development, usually in blighted areas. Grossly oversimplified, capital gains can be reinvested in an opportunity zone investment and that gain can be deferred until 2026 if the taxpayer continues to hold onto the investment.” Bartruff’s advice to business owners looking at succession planning: The timing may never be better. “The new tax law increases the estate and gift tax exemption to around $11.4 million per person in 2019, or around $22.8 million per couple, which provides plenty of opportunity to transfer a business to the next generation with little to no tax consequence,” he said. “That certainly provides for a significant tax savings in larger estates, but planning is still necessary to fully take advantage of the new rules.”

• JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Pioneer Lincoln data center Binary Net acquires second Sharp Building facility Continued from page 1. of,” said Edwards, a lawyer whose own diverse experience spans investment banking, health care software and office equipment circles. “They may decide they don’t want to devote space to having a whole bunch of big computers.” The May acquisition of what was Lincoln Data Investments, a part of Omaha-based Nebraska Data Centers (formerly Nebraska Colocation Center), Lincoln Data Centers joins “The Vault,” Binary Net’s original data center at the First Trust Building at 13th and N streets. “It’s a former Federal Reserve Bank vault,” Edwards said. “This vault goes back to the late 1920s and 30s, and the walls are 30 inches [thick] … it’s really hard to get into.” In fact, when videographers with the University of Nebraska Athletics were looking to feature an imposing bank vault as a play on Pinnacle Bank Arena’s nickname as the “Vault” — the home of Husker Hoops — they were steered toward Binary Net’s first exclusive data center, further described by the company as “… constructed to survive most natural disasters,” located underground (and strategically so) in the heart of downtown. According to its Lincoln Data Centers announcement, Binary Net offers “the longest running and largest data center in and around Lincoln,” serving communities with services not limited to suites and virtual servers. As to the newest member of the Binary Net’s data centers family, Edwards said the Sharp Building facility has four different types (or layers) of security — from biometrics (like thumbprints), to pin numbers, key codes and cards, and fobs. The announcement also noted: “Other divisions of the company perform managed IT services and custom programming and web development. We have the ability to expand services further with our extensive resources and experience.” A hat tip to diverse capabilities, Edwards

referred to the “comingling” of skills with “We provide services for the Department of other Sharp Building teams, in both the Economic Development, and Game and Parks managed IT, and custom software and web and their ‘Great Park Pursuit,’” Edwards said of design spaces. efforts to engage visitors in Nebraska’s outdoor “No one is any more important than the recreational opportunities. “We did an iPhone other; we interact internally, constantly, with and Android app for that, plus the website.” each other,” he said, a A nod to supportnod to the advantage of Binary Net ing regional, national diverse skillsets. “Oth- Phone: 402-484-5211 and international orers may say, ‘we can’t Address: 134 S. 13th St., Suite 301, ganizations, Edwards do it, it can’t be done,’ Lincoln 68508 also referred to the and we are able to do Services: virtual servers, colocation, likes of partnering it. We take care of a lot web hosting with a Florida-based of medical practices, Founded: 1996; currently owned by the e-commerce venture. especially in the areas Sup family “All of the maof imaging and X-rays Website: www.binary.net chines are ours, and and scans that are so they’re all segments of big (digitally-speaking), size-wise, and we big servers,” he said. “It just makes sense for have a lot of law offices.” them to have some sort of digital provider.” The State of Nebraska represents another As it relates to managed IT, Edwards said client. its business clients may employ three people

Print advertising holding strong in marketing campaigns by Dwain Hebda

To paraphrase Mark Twain, rumors of the death of print — particularly in marketing materials — have been greatly exaggerated. “People absolutely underestimate the power of print in a branding and marketing effort,” said Mark McCormack, owner of Identity Marketing Group. “A key advantage to print is, it’s tangible. It can be seen multiple times on a desk or in any environment where a target exists. “When was the last time you showed an email to 10, 20 or even 100 of your coworkers or targets?” McCormack said good design and impactful production make print elements of a campaign stand out as well as accentuates the other elements of a campaign. “We definitely do not have a media-specific bias; we don’t just sell print and try to keep our presses and press partners running,” he said. “We really concentrate on delivering

outcomes. If we feel print is going to contribute to an awesome result, we will make it part of our solution. We do find that print often serves a specific need in the process.” Mike Gilloon, director of strategic com-

McCormack Gilloon munications at Bozell, said his firm takes a similarly agnostic approach when it comes to species of media. “We don’t think ‘print campaigns’ or

When the top bosses don’t agree, you need to get involved by Liz Reyer

Q: I’m feeling powerless and frustrated at work. I’m responsible to help execute strategy, but the team of executives responsible for defining it can’t seem to agree. It’s hard to get Workplace things done. How can I handle this? -Olin, 48, senior director, operations A: Don’t underestimate your ability to influence the situation. Building up your resilience is essential to thriving in your current circumstance. Part of this is physical. Taking steps to be healthy through food, exercise and rest will help you maintain your equilibrium.

or 100 people. “Competitors may have a very high threshold for the size of the company and fees,” he said. “So, then you have a whole group of underserved business owners that could use this type of help, and need better network help than from the ‘guy with a screwdriver in the back of the car.’” It was underscored that organizations may even choose to partner with Binary Net on specific projects; for instance, migrating email accounts to new operating systems. And some clients, he noted, just get accustomed to turning to them for assistance — no matter how seemingly routine the task may be. As it relates to partnering to develop new talent, Edwards noted that Binary Net belongs to organizations such as the AIM Institute, and works closely with Southeast Community College, offering the potential for full-time work for interns.

Your emotional intelligence is the other key. Think about how well you understand yourself, as well as other people’s motivations and behaviors. Invest in your ability to make solid decisions and manage conflict. Now step back and review the situation. What is motivating the individuals in the executive team? Each of them will have both their public and private drivers. You may think some of these drivers are dysfunctional, but if you understand them you will be better able to manage around them. You may also find some of their goals to be inspiring. In that case, it should be easy to align with them to get some motivation. And, based on what you have said, you will almost certainly find competing agendas among the executives. This is where the art of managing up comes in. When you look at your company’s goals, where does the strategy lead? What is stated vs. unstated? Where do the individuals you are working with fit in? Do some mind-mapping to sort out it all out, color-coding to find patterns, conflicts and potential alignment. Look online for guidance if you have never used the mind-mapping approach. This analysis will equip you to effectively influence the executives and their

teams as you’re working to get clarity on the work you are supposed to do. For example, you will be able to say things like, “How do these potential actions lead to progress on Strategy A?” This is a nonconfrontational approach that will shed light on disconnects between the company goals and the direction you are receiving (and on conflicting direction you may be getting from different individuals). Insist on working directly with the executives to understand what’s needed. If you accept only working with people on their teams, you will be more subject to hearsay direction. Also set an expectation that you will meet with the executives together so that competing directions can be worked through as a group. To keep things moving, define tasks with timelines and owners, and get buyin. Also be specific about issues that could delay progress or limit success. Then stay calm and tap into your resilience skills. You will be able to make progress while building your reputation as a clear thinker who is focused on the company goals. ©2019 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

‘digital campaigns’; we find several different ways to solve problems,” he said. “That said, print ads and native print content can be very impactful. They add a trust that’s harder to find in digital. If you run a print ad in the Sunday print edition of the Wall Street Journal, readers take you seriously.” Gilloon said there’s a distinct advantage for clients to do business with an agency that’s diversified versus one that’s hyper-focused on one medium. “As a full-service agency, we’re like a good mechanic, he said. “We are here to find out why your business isn’t running as smoothly as it could. And, we’ll figure out how to make it better. “If we need to buy media or create a social campaign or print 5,000 flyers, we will certainly do that. But we’ve also had clients come in asking for our help on one specific thing and after a couple of meetings, they agree to move forward with a different plan that we feel will be the best way overall to invest their marketing dollars.” Dick Harkness, owner of Alphagraphics at 2211 S. 156th Cir. in Omaha, said his company has steadily added marketing services to its well-known printing expertise, in response to client demand. “Everybody’s looking for more [than print], generally,” he said. “We have some of the more sophisticated buyers and business owners who are looking for a combination of services rather than just one particular service. Most of the time the problem that we have is trying to let people know how many different services we can provide; they know we print postcards, but they don’t know necessarily that we provide mailing services along with those postcards.” Harkness said his store extends its reach and expertise through resources offered by the corporate office as well as partners coast to coast. This enables him to handle virtually anything that walks through the door. “We have a group through the home office that acts like an ad agency for us,” he said. “If we cannot provide something here, they can step in and provide it for us such as some particular animation drawing or something of that sort. We also have corporate partners around the country where we can tap into their expertise and add it to what we’re doing. We use them to help put the whole package together.”

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

Relationships provide foundation for Graham Construction’s growth Continued from page 1. their representatives. “We’re not about growth that comes from getting the volume as the cheapest contractor nor are we seeking to build the largest or most unique building in the city,” Gehrki said. “When we guide our owners from concept to completion of their project it must be on the foundation of a growing relationship.” Gehrki, an Omaha native who earned his

Graham Construction Phone: 402-310-9883 Address: 12910 Pierce St., Building B, Suite #100, Omaha 68144 Services: family owned construction company Founded: 1981 by John Graham of Des Moines Employees: 10 in Omaha; 175 overall One-year goal: Solidifying relationships with a growing number of customers in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Industry outlook: Industry remains optimistic, but tariffs and other economic issues could impact the speed with which clients will move on projects. Website: www.grahamconstruction.com

degree in construction management at University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2002, spent the first part of his career with a large national contractor, returned to his hometown last November to build the nascent Graham Construction team in Omaha. Projects have included building out the top floor of the new headquarters building of Core Bank at 178th & Burke streets for occupancy by Aon Risk Solutions, a project which Gehrki said showcases some of the latest thinking about innovations in office environment. “The space is all open for employees and even for the vice presidents and directors,” he said. “Instead of a large board meeting room what we’re doing is emphasizing ‘huddle rooms’ with meeting rooms designed to serve 2.5 persons.” Another relationship Gehrki is solidifying is with Methodist Health System, which is doing renovations at Jenny Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs as well as the construction of a 60,000-square-foot medical office building on the campus. Gehrki said finding business for the Omaha office of Graham will stay consistent in emphasizing projects that involve the firm’s key targets for growth in the past 38 years: health care, commercial office, industrial buildings and private education. The first three offer the best opportunities in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. “As a company we tend to excel in work that requires keeping facilities open during the construction process, something that causes us to shine in the face of difficult projects, clearly communicating and conducting well organized steps to prevent no unexpected downtime for the owner, keeping the jobsite clean and maintaining a safety record that places us in the top 1% in the nation,” he said. Gehrki said his return to the Omaha area comes at a time when the city is faced with boundless growth from 204th Street down to the riverfront. The strong demand for industrial buildings is something Gehrki is confident will give Graham significant opportunities. “In warehousing and distribution Omaha is prime for this type of construction,” he said.

“We’ve got I-80 and we’re at the dead center of the country.” In recent years Graham’s Iowa division has built several innovative warehouse structures near the center of that state. One included a 600,000-square-foot facility for XPO Logistics, which he believes is the second largest building in Polk County. The largest building site used by the firm has been a 103-acre track with visibility from and across to the nearby interstate. One structure built in an unincorporated area of Polk County offered tenants up to 37% savings in property taxes compared to spaces in other metro Des Moines locations. In the commercial office space market, Gehrki said he expects to see quite a bit of activity in Omaha over the next three years. Opportunities will include the largely inevitable renovation of current space as well as the large number of units being planned for the Heartwood Preserve development on the former Boys Town land. Construction opportunities will likely be almost equally split between renovation of existing and new construction.

“There will be great, great opportunities for both,” he said. Gehrki, who left Kiewit late last year after 14 years — many of them as a senior project manager and with multiple uprootings of his family — said the opportunity to return to his hometown and join a much-smaller family-owned business was crucial in his decision. “My president told me that in my first 90 days he wanted me to interview 10 of our current or past customers and ask them anything I wanted,” he said. “What I heard from facilities directors and construction directors of our clients ‘You (Graham) make me look really good.’” Gehrki found that customers appreciated the firm’s “Graham Mentality” that mandates that every project needs to be completed from an owner’s point-of-view and with the end result being placed on long-term relationships. He found he easily bought into the principle that there should be no surprises and an open line of communication between Graham personnel and the project’s owner. “Difficult decisions become easy when we

ask ourselves ‘What’s in the best interest of our owners?’” he said. He cited an example recently of how Graham’s decentralized onsite decision-making was used to prevent a project from potentially missing its agreed upon deadline when crucial materials were stranded at a Midwestern distributorship. “We made the decision to go there ourselves and pick up what was needed,” Gehrki said. “These continuous scenarios go a long way to make my decision to return to Omaha.” Although he managed projects of up to $400 million for his previous employer, Gehrki said the significantly smaller scale of projects at Graham at this time did little to dissuade his decision. The summer of his high school graduation, at 18, Gerhrki noted his first job as a laborer pouring concrete for Lund-Ross Constructors. That’s part of the reason working in demanding environments, seeking creative solutions for difficult issues and guiding business owners from “concept to completion” resonates so well with him.

Aviture leverages AWS platform to unlock potential for clients Continued from page 1. about user experience, how people interact with that exist — the elasticity — which really allows technology and how to make it better — by you to minimize costs,” he said. “Configurable infusing context and inference. infrastructure provides the ability to really “That whole paradigm is changing to be quickly push things to production, test, get feedmore natural — I think we’re going to see it back from the market hit office spaces realand then make all these Aviture ly soon,” Koske said, micro-adjustments. It’s Phone: 800-590-4950, Omaha headquargiving an example of a big part of the whole ters how eventually workagility thing that people Address: 8802 S. 135th St., Suite 500, ers could use a voice [talk about]. And more Omaha 68138 command to bring up than anything it’s also Services: Custom software solutions and information on a conan area where you can tech consulting in agriculture, financial, ference room monitor really start to collect health care, government, logistics and retail instead of typing it on and aggregate — not & hospitalities industries a keyboard. “When just the data from your Founded: 2004 by Mark Griffis you build software that business but all the Employees: about 100 way it’s really a revolusurrounding data that Goals: Certify the remaining half of the tionary approach more exists.” than an evolutionary company’s cloud developers with AWS cerThat’s what Avi- tification within the next year; use internal one. You need to design ture built for client hackathons to push the limits of AI and ML software differently; Carson Wealth using within the AWS platform. you need to think about data from the firm’s Industry outlook: Companies are looking human interaction diflarge investor base to to cloud computing to gain a competitive ferently. That’s always anticipate life events edge by capitalizing on its scalability, been the focus of Aviand advise accordingly cost-savings and immediate user feedback. ture — user experience — forming meaningful Developers are building smarter software and the art of perception patterns and predictions that’s capable of context and inference. and cognition and how via machine learning Website: www.aviture.us.com humans and machines (ML) and artificial inwork better together, telligence (AI). For example, if an investor but you also need a platform that empowers has a child graduating from high school or a all of that.” grandparent who is going into an assisted living Educating clients in the best ways to maxifacility, Carson Wealth can take on the role of mize their existing solutions instead of building “life advisers,” not just investment advisers. entirely new systems from scratch and to have “We really wanted to say, ‘how can we the “engineering fundamentals in place” can leverage technology to start to unlock that potenbe challenging. tial of what can be and not just what is,’” he said. “[The cloud] is really an entirely different Using and interpreting big data to predict way to do software development and to think behavior can benefit all types of industries, from about software development,” he said. “It can health care to finance to a person’s taste in be really challenging to tell [businesses] it’s movies on Netflix. not binary — cloud or don’t cloud. It’s really a Aviture’s Austin, Texas location has been ‘figure out what the right tool is for everything working with the U.S. Air Force to build an you’re trying to do.’” interactive recruitment application using the AWS certification is part of Aviture’s career AWS’s government offering to help infer a path plan for its engineers. About half of the recruit’s career aspirations and goals to tailor company’s cloud developers are AWS certified. career path options. If the app gets through the The goal is to get all of its developers certified trial phase, it will be used by all new Air Force in the next year. recruits. The company has offerings in all three When building software, Aviture thinks major platforms: Azure, Google Cloud and

AWS, but Koske said AWS requires a higher level of expertise because it’s “one of the more technically complex platforms.” “You need a higher degree of skill to be able to administer and set up and configure it properly,” he said. “It’s like a lot of things — it does the most but it can also be the hardest to use.” Koske acknowledged the “big brother” aspect that can make people skittish about their data being used by companies, but said that data is out of the box and isn’t going back in. He emphasized that data can be used for good when companies are trying to solve problems so long as there’s a “social contract in play.” “I think that part of it is that it’s just a reality, whether you’re talking about wearables, whether you’re talking about real time streaming data from devices and fleets of things,” he said. “It’s a world that is a big data world. It can be regulated to ensure that things are being done in good faith. We’re never going back to small data world and so you’ve got to get your arms around it before your competitors do.” As part of its company culture, Aviture implements internal hackathons that solve office problems like building a coffee machine with sensors to ensure that the person who takes the last of the coffee will make a new pot. “A year from now I’d like to have some significant internal efforts, kind of kicking the tires and pushing the limits of what we can do with the platform in terms of AI and ML,” he said. “It would be really interesting to start to model human behavior — fun little things like that just to keep it in practice. That’s the key: if you keep it all static — assigned business problems — sometimes it’s hard to unlock that passion. Engineers need room to innovate.” Aviture, founded by Mark Griffis in Austin in 2004, has a little over 100 employees with the core group in Omaha, some in Lincoln, Portland, Phoenix, the Washington, D.C. area because of its Department of Defense work and another group in Austin. The company is looking to scale up its Austin operations using Omaha as a model. Koske started at Aviture as a senior engineer shortly after it was founded to work on “strategic global mission planning and optimization software for USSTRATCOM,” he said.

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JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

How an accident led to a startup’s ‘simple and classy’ clothing line for women in labs by Diane Mastrull

Beau Wangtrakuldee’s physical scarring from the chemical burn is long gone. But her memories of the terrifying and painful accident 11 years ago in a laboratory at Northern Illinois University in Chicago remain Entrepreneurs vivid. She was in the fourth year of a doctoral program in chemistry. It was around 8 on a Friday night and Wangtrakuldee was alone, conducting an organic synthesis — combining chemicals such as ketones, aldehydes, and isocyanide with a carboxylic acid — for an anticancer drug. As she poured the mixture into another container, Wangtrakuldee spilled a large amount onto her lab coat, which soaked through to her jeans and onto her legs, the methanol in the concoction causing it to absorb into her skin quickly. With no one else around, she quickly stripped off her clothing, but not before she sustained what felt like a bad sunburn for a week. “I was really lucky because it could have been so much worse,” Wangtrakuldee said in a recent interview. That realization is why the now resident of Philadelphia and consultant to biotech companies is pivoting from chemist to clothing entrepreneur to do two primary things for women working in STEM: Protect them from injury and enable them to wear something more fashionable than a lab coat. AmorSui — “love yourself” in Latin — launched last fall at www.amorsuiclothing. com after raising $15,000 in 40 days through I Fund Women, a crowdfunding platform for female entrepreneurs. Its fire-resistant tops,

Beau Wangtrakuldee stands for a portrait with a stain-resistant dress from her AmorSui clothing line at the 323 Arch Fashion Collective space in Philadelphia's Old City. Wangtrakuldee, a chemist, wanted to create a line of professional, protective clothing for women scientists. (Tim Tai/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS) skirts, dresses, and pants, priced from $60 U.S. market alone reaching $53 billion by to $180, are named after women scientists, that time. The clothing portion of that — inincluding Marie Curie, Rachel Carson, Ro- cluding lab coats, overalls, and aprons — is salind Franklin, and Lise Meitner. currently $19 billion. By some estimates, the global market AmorSui sales have reached about $5,000 for personal protective equipment — which a month, Wangtrakuldee said. While declinalso includes goggles, ear plugs, and respi- ing to disclose revenue projections, she said rators among other non-clothing items — is a deal is pending with a major supplier to expected to expand at a compound annual universities, hospitals, and pharmaceutical growth rate of 6.2% through 2023, with the companies that would likely lead to creation of a wholesale line next year. Married to a chemist, Wangtrakuldee has so far invested $40,000, about half of that in personal funds, in the company that has no full-time employees yet. She’s using a manufacturer in Allentown and relying on creative advice from Old City fashion designer Lele Tran. Lab wear is new territory for Tran, who said she was surprised to learn there was woven-and-knit fabric that was resistant to chemical spills and fire, yet soft. “My only advice to her was to keep it simple and classy,” said Tran, who has done extensive custom work in prom and wedding dresses. “It’s wonderful to know that there are a lot of women who are working in the lab that are scientists and want to look fashionable in the lab.” Wangtrakuldee, who has begun talking to angel investors, is also planning to develop a maternity line next year and, in 2021, expand AmorSui’s offerings to women in other professions requiring protective clothing, such as chefs and firefighters. “Then after that, we may be thinking about expanding into a male market,” she said. The scientist in Wangtrakuldee, 31, also is interested in developing the company’s own fabric that is not only fire- and chemical-resistant but also has a tech component. For example, an embed that could detect an explosion and report it to an app that would alert a company’s safety officer. “I don’t think lab coats will ever go away,” Wangtrakuldee said. But if the clothing worn under them can add another layer of protection and also be sponsorship opportunities more fashionable, women can “feel confident

2019

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at work so they can be the best they can be,” she said. For Wangtrakuldee, being her best means making an impact. In drug development, that wasn’t happening fast enough. “It takes 20 to 30 years for drugs to get from the lab to market,” Wangtrakuldee said. She shifted to a more entrepreneurial focus while doing postdoctorate work at the University of Pennsylvania from 2015 to 2017 in cancer research and development. There, while serving as a consultant for biotech startups at the Penn Center for Innovation, she learned a lot about product valuation, market sizing, and how to turn an idea into a business. Her research into protective clothing for women working in labs, Wangtrakuldee said, yielded “no innovation in that market” since her accident, which took place the same year research assistant Sheharbano “Sheri” Sangji sustained second- and third-degree burns over 43% of her body during an organic chemistry experiment at UCLA’s Molecular Sciences Building. Sangji, 23, who was not wearing a lab coat, had been extracting from a sealed container a chemical compound that ignites quickly when exposed to air when the syringe she was using came apart and she was sprayed with the liquid. The resulting flash fire that set her clothes ablaze was fed by the synthetic sweater she wore, according to a published account. She died 18 days later. Melissa Ludwig, who worked at Macy’s for more than 30 years as a buyer and a district vice president, among other things, said Wangtrakuldee has come up with “a solution to a real problem. It became very obvious that there was a need for this business to evolve.” Ludwig has some personal perspective as the wife of a breast cancer researcher at the Wistar Institute, a bioresearch facility in West Philadelphia. She’s also on the board of CSS Continued on next page.

VirtuActive Continued from page 2. look like is something that we feel will not only be a trend, but a new standard in the real estate industry for outdated or challenging homes.” With the increase in demand for its services, VirtuActive has some pretty lofty goals in its three to five year business plan. In fact, Lakin said one goal is to establish a larger headquarters in Omaha, as well as branch out to a national reach. “We want to be a part of constantly pushing this industry ahead,” Lakin said. “I’m sure there’s many future opportunities we haven’t even thought of yet. But every day another door opens or another idea comes up and we take a look at all of them. It’s been exciting and we are blessed and grateful, but we also feel like we haven’t scratched the surface on where we can go.” Lakin said utilizing technology to change or disrupt the industry to meet the wants and needs of clients is what drives the VirtuActive team. “Homes are not only most people’s biggest investment, but an emotional one, as well,” Lakin said. “This is where they will make memories for a lifetime raising their families. To use technology, such as 3D, to allow people to feel confident and comfortable about that decision is tremendously rewarding.”

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

Housing crunch sends bigger populations to smaller towns by Tim Henderson

Cities with fewer than 200,000 residents grew faster than larger metropolises between 2017 and 2018 as high housing prices chased many people away from big cities and their closest suburbs. Real estate The biggest cities grew by a collective 326,000 people, less than half the number earlier in the decade, and less than the number for smaller cities — 421,000 for cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000. And small towns of fewer than 10,000 people grew more quickly than earlier in the SUPER CROSSWORD

decade, attracting more than 142,000 new people last year, according to a Stateline analysis of U.S. Census Bureau estimates, driven in part by retirees seeking affordable housing. Larry Vollmer, a 37-year-old web development manager, felt lucky to find a home in 2017 in Vallejo, California, a city of about 122,000, despite a new two-hour commute to his job in San Francisco. Tired of constant rent increases for small apartments in closer suburbs, he and his wife bought a $450,000 four-bedroom home with room for a family if they decide to have children. That price might have bought an IN RE

apartment with less than half the space where they lived before, in Walnut Hills. “It’s one of the last affordable places to commute to San Francisco. The house was on the market for two days and we were one of six people bidding on it,” said Vollmer, whose commute consists of a 10-minute drive to a ferry, 20 minutes in a line, an hour on the boat and then a half-hour walk to work. It’s a particularly pressing problem in California, where well-paid tech workers have no trouble finding jobs but are hardpressed to afford a home. “Jobs need beds,” said Adam Fowler, research director at Beacon Economics, a Los Angeles consulting firm, who studied the gap between jobs and housing last year. “We’ve had an influx of well-paid information workers, but we haven’t built housing for them.” California policymakers have been unable to overcome entrenched resistance to the construction of new apartment buildings. But housing shortages in booming cities is a national problem, said Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors. Yun estimated that the nation needs another six million homes near the new jobs created in the past decade, and that the shortage will cause political turmoil in places where it is most acute, like San Francisco and New York. San Francisco grew by about 4,100 people from 2017 to 2018, well down from a recent growth peak of more than 13,000 between 2011 and 2012. New York, the nation’s largest city at about 8.4 million, lost almost 40,000 people, after gaining more than 82,000 earlier in the decade, between 2010 and 2011. “There are repercussions,” said Yun, adding that fear of inflated housing costs and congestion helped doom Amazon’s plan to build a headquarters in New York City this year. The situation gives an economic boost to places that build both housing and jobs, Yun said. One example might be Sierra Vista, a city in southeast Arizona of about 44,000 that lost 1,500 people between 2016 and 2017 but gained 1,400 last year, as increases in defense spending helped fuel growth at Fort Huachuca, said Robert Carreira, chief economist at Cochise College Center for Economic Research in Sierra Vista. Nearby Sahuarita, a far suburb of Tucson, is more typical of places where people are seeking affordable housing, which Carreira called “drive till you qualify.” The small city of about 30,000 grew by more than 800 people, the largest bump in a decade. Carreira said there are plans to build retirement homes in tiny nearby Benson,

‘Simple and classy’

Answers on page 12.

Continued from preceding page. Industries Inc., a consumer products company in Plymouth Meeting, and a cofounder of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator. As an adviser to AmorSui, Ludwig said the startup has great potential for growth once introduced and explained to the appropriate audience. “Her story resonates,” Ludwig said. “A lab coat only covers so much.” ©2019 The Philadelphia Inquirer Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

with less than 5,000 people, which has been losing population every year until gaining 31 last year. The city hopes to mimic the success of rural retirement areas such as the Villages in Florida, a development that contributed to a more than doubling of Fruitland Park’s population to about 10,000 between 2016 and 2018, said Richard Doty, a research demographer at the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida. Retirees seeking affordable housing have helped boost population in small cities of less than 10,000, which collectively grew by more than 142,000 people, compared with about 8,000 between 2011 and 2012. In California, efforts to build more urban housing have been frustrated despite Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s vow to build 3.5 million homes by 2025 — about 500,000 a year, compared with the roughly 85,000 new homes that went up between 2017 and 2018. The state announced plans in April to build housing on state-owned land in cities including San Francisco. State Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat representing the San Francisco area, sponsored a bill intended to ease construction of apartment buildings near mass transit that failed to pass this year. Wiener still hopes it will pass by next year. “It’s politically divisive but it’s critical,” Wiener said. “We have to develop the political will and a culture change from Nimby attitudes. The people get it.” In 2012, the cities with the most population growth were New York, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Austin. Last year’s leaders were Phoenix, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Seattle and Charlotte, and even those cities saw slowing growth compared with earlier years. “It’s not that the biggest and brightest cities are any less attractive, but they are more expensive,” said Patrick Adler, a research associate at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities. People who can’t afford housing, or maybe millennials looking for more space to raise children, might choose a less glamorous city nearby because of costs, Adler said. “If they’re in New York and they want a cheaper city with 70% of New York, maybe they’d go to Philadelphia or Jersey City. If they’re in Los Angeles or San Francisco, maybe they go to San Diego.” Some of the smaller cities gaining population are exurbs that lost their appeal in the rush to live in cities. California’s “Inland Empire” has seen a resurgence in interest, with the cities of Ontario and Chino Hills east of Los Angeles seeing growth doubling since the previous year. Ontario now has about 181,000 people and Chino Hills has 83,000 — together they grew by about 8,900, compared with 4,400 the year before and less than a thousand five years ago. That’s because affluent people priced out of Los Angeles have been buying new houses there. Light rail makes commuting possible, and home prices are half what they are in coastal suburbs like Orange County, said John Husing, an economist specializing in Inland Empire issues. San Bernardino County, which includes Ontario and Chino Hills, opened to more extensive development about five years ago when dairy farmers decided to cash in and move their herds east, Husing said. It’s Continued on next page.

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JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

The bank branch of the future is coming, with coffee bars, cozy nooks … and no teller windows by Robert Channick

The branch bank of the future is coming, and your friendly neighborhood teller may be history. With transactions migrating online, customer traffic down and once-bustling branches closing their doors, major banks including Fifth Third, Chase and Capital One are racing to create Banking cozier, millennial-friendly spaces offering financial advice, technical support and in some cases, cappuccino. Say goodbye to pens on chains and even teller windows, as banks shrink their retail footprint and shift their focus away from once-essential functions such as cashing checks and taking deposits. “The teller line will disappear over the next few years and all transactions will become self-serve,” said Kevin Steele, a senior retail banking consultant with Kronos, a leading workforce management company. The financial technology revolution has taken a toll on the traditional banking model, with upstart online competitors and digital transactions turning many branches into veritable museums. Banks have shed more than 10,000 branches across the U.S. over the past decade. Creating a smaller, more relevant bricksand-mortar experience is an imperative for many banks, which are looking to cut real estate and staffing costs, while maintaining a physical presence to give an increasingly digital-first customer base a reason to visit. Fifth Third Bank, which is closing 44 Chicago-area branches in the wake of its merger with MB Financial, is planning to open a “next generation” flagship branch in Willis Tower next week. Half the size of a traditional branch, the Apple Store-esque space will feature a “transaction bar,” comfy couches, meeting nooks and bankers roaming around with tablets. “You’re going to be greeted, but there’s no teller,” said Greg Carmichael, president and CEO of Fifth Third. “To have a person there waiting to do one of those transactions is not cost-effective.” At Fifth Third, foot traffic is down 30% over the last five years, Carmichael said. The number of bank locations in the U.S. peaked at 99,550 during 2009—the end of the Great Recession—and have declined annually to 88,070 branches last year, according to data from the Federal Deposit Insurance

Corp. In Illinois, the number of bank branches dropped from 4,989 to 4,306 during the same period, a nearly 14% decline. “We don’t need as many banks or branches as banking becomes more digital,” said Pradip Patiath, a senior partner and banking consultant at McKinsey & Co. in Chicago. But maintaining a physical presence still matters, because studies show a nearby branch still plays into the decision of which bank new customers choose, whether they visit regularly or not. “It’s still one of the main reasons why a small business or a consumer will select you—the presence of a branch—because they know they still want to go into it,” Carmichael said. “Even though they’re doing a lot of transactions online, they’re doing savings accounts and CDs and stuff online with different institutions, they still want to have access to a (physical) bank.” Fifth Third isn’t alone in remaking the branch bank for the digital age. Chase, which has 340 branches in the Chicago area, launched its “digital first” prototype on North Clybourn Avenue last year. Amenities at the 3,900 square-foot branch include video conferencing to connect customers to offsite Chase financial specialists, casual meeting areas and a digital advice bar. There are no teller windows or traditional transactions, but banking associates are on hand to help customers cash a check at the branch’s ATM, or make a deposit on their smartphone. Customers also can get help with financial planning, home lending and other banking products. Like other banks, the new model reflects a fundamental shift at Chase, where more than 80% of transactions are done by digital channels—mobile, online or at the ATM. “Branches are still very important to our business,” Chase spokesman Brian Hanover said. “We’re seeing fewer visits, but people still want to know they can rely on having a local branch they can go to and interact with a live person. How that interaction happens, that’s what is exciting and evolving.” Chase plans to convert 20 Chicago-area branches to the digital first model by the end of the year, Hanover said. Meanwhile, Capital One has taken the millennial-friendly concept one step further, opening three Capital One Cafes in Chicago. Tellers have been replaced by “ambassadors,” while “money coaches” help customers with

financial planning. Transactions are done only on ATMs. There’s also free Wi-Fi and a full-service Peet’s Coffee embedded in the bank. The newest location, a cafe/bank branch on South State Street, began serving customers lattes and financial advice with a chill coffee shop vibe last month. On Thursday, a handful of customers sipped coffee, while unobtrusive bank staffers mingled casually. At one table, an elderly couple huddled over a laptop with a financial adviser. Near the front door, a mother pushing a stroller made a transaction at the ATM. Zach Bowman, 26, a software salesman who lives in Lincoln Park, stopped in for coffee and Wi-Fi before an afternoon meeting nearby, grabbing a window seat to work on his laptop. He had no idea at first that the coffee shop was a Capital One branch, despite prominent signage out front. “I was looking for a Starbucks and then I saw Peet’s Coffee,” said Bowman, who used his Capital One card to get 50% off the drink. Bowman, who moved to Chicago a year ago, still uses a local bank from his former home in North Carolina. While he does most of his banking online, he was impressed with the hybrid café/bank model at Capital One, and said he would consider banking there. “No one ever wants to go to a bank,” Bowman said. “It’s so old-fashioned. This seems more laid back.” Patiath said there’s a lot of innovation and experimentation going on, but the evolution of the bank branch is still a work in progress. “I don’t think it’s clear yet, of the various archetypes people are playing with, which ones will be the winning model,” Patiath

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growing because it’s one of the few places in California where the typical family’s income is enough to buy the typical house. At the same time, lower-income people are moving even further inland. He added that legislation like Wiener’s, which prioritizes urban apartments, would hurt the development of single-family houses in the Inland Empire by subjecting it to more review. “They call us sprawl. They’re trying to gut our kind of development,” Husing said. “I don’t see it happening. Over the last 50 years, people have repeatedly tried to get people out of single-family homes and the marketplace has said, ‘No way.’” ©2019 Stateline.org Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

said. “What is certain is that the current size, format and model of the branch is history.” Typical Fifth Third branches are 4,200 square feet. The Willis Tower branch is about 2,500 square feet. There’s a technology table with a big screen TV for demonstrations, private meeting rooms for more sensitive financial discussions and a transaction bar with a robot-like machine behind the counter that can cash a check—with the help of a banker. There is still an old school safe in the back as well. Carmichael said Fifth Third’s next-generation prototype is expected to roll out across the Chicago market and the bank’s 10-state portfolio in the months and years ahead. Fifth Third is opening 125 new banking centers in the Southeast that will use the model, he said. And in the suburbs, customers can forget about a toll plaza-like array of drive-thru lanes, as branches scale back the pre-digital form of mobile banking, Carmichael said. Staffing will also be reduced inside as “universal banking associates” handle everything from car loans to cashing a check. Patty Lindstrom, manager of the existing Fifth Third Bank at Willis Tower, is preparing to help customers navigate their way through the new space, where those used to lining up at teller windows with checks and deposit slips in hand may soon face an electronic banking culture shock. “Most of the transactions that people are waiting in line for can actually be done either by a mobile deposit or at the ATM,” Lindstrom said. “It just takes a little education and you know, hold their hands.” ©2019 Chicago Tribune Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

Despite rising home prices, experts pop bubble fears by Natalie Campisi

Homebuyers sitting on the sidelines waiting for housing prices to backslide might be waiting longer than expected, according to experts. Although the high price of housing in many parts of the country seems to signal a possible bubble, Real estate the usual signs — like oversupply, an uptick in investors and loose credit standards — are not there. The strong demand for housing coupled with a supply shortage is spurring home-price growth rather than speculative buying. A speculative buyer purchases a home with the intention of selling for profit, which played a role in the housing crisis, said Michael Neal, a senior research associate at the Urban Institute. This is a good thing for people who are worried that home values are going to nosedive. An Urban Institute analysis of recent housing price index data from Black Knight concluded that today’s housing demand is primarily coming from people who plan to live in the home, not real estate investors. “The investment piece of the (index) is shrinking quite dramatically,” Neal said. “It explains why house-price growth has slowed. It stands in contrast to the housing boom when investors were driving up home-price appreciation. “You see the same thing when you look out West — that investment piece has declined, as well. It’s actually slightly negative,

so it’s detracting from housing prices.” Supply isn’t keeping up with demand The supply shortage also gives cover to home values, as there are still more buyers than homes on the market. And that naturally drives up prices. Despite housing starts of new homes rising in April, there continues to be a shortage of single-family units, said Joel Kan, associate vice president for industry surveys and forecasts with the Mortgage Bankers Association. “On an annual basis, we’re about 300,000 to 330,000 units short,” Kan said. “If you think about the early 2000s and through the crisis, we had price appreciation that outpaced income growth. And we had overbuilding in many markets. When there was a price correction, there was still inventory and demand lessened; that’s the perfect storm,” Kan said. Today’s market is very different, though. Builders are mostly focusing on the high-end market, leaving entry-level homebuyers with limited options. Consider that 15 years ago, nearly 55% of new homes were priced under $200,000, but today that number has dropped to almost 13%, according to a recent report from the Urban Land Institute. Similarly, homes priced under $400,000 have slid from 91% 15 years ago to just 67% of new-home sales today. Although cooling home prices and waning bidding wars are a welcome reprieve from last year’s housing frenzy, entry-level buyers

still face a market with limited options. That means home prices aren’t likely to stop growing anytime soon. Couple this with a tighter credit market and stricter borrowing guidelines, and the looming threat of a housing bubble is unlikely. “We could loosen lending standards and still be within very reasonable 2001 to 2003 levels,” Neal said. Tighter lending standards, robust economy make housing crash less likely Mortgage products and lenders’ appetite for risk have become more conservative since the housing crash. Unlike the lead-up to the housing crisis when subprime loans were being made to many borrowers who didn’t have the ability to repay, the landscape has tightened considerably in recent years through stricter federal lending regulations. As a result, fewer homeowners are defaulting on their loans today. Foreclosure rates sunk to the lowest level in March for any month in the past 20 years, according to data from CoreLogic. Qualified mortgage, or QM, standards put into place by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, mitigate risk from once-dicey mortgage products like adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs. The CFPB put caps on the variable interest rates on ARM products after they reset so that borrowers’ payments can’t jump too high over a short period of time. While there might be more pronounced fluctuations in certain metro areas, a nation-

Remix: How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace.” In an interview, Pollak credited the rise of social media and digital content with making younger workers aware of global crises faster than their older counterparts. “Members of all generations are purpose-driven and want to find meaning in their lives and in their work,” Pollak said. “I think what’s different today is because of the technology tools that we have, millennials and Gen Zs have a real sense of empowerment that they can make a difference by sending a tweet or making a video.” Other experts on philanthropy and multigenerational workplaces say companies need to lean into this sense of empowerment if they want to hire top-tier young talent. They “look at philanthropy and corporate giving as one of their priorities in how they associate themselves with organizations,” said Bettina Deynes, a senior managing partner at The Surrogate CEO, a leadership consultancy in Maryland. To use philanthropy to their advantage, Deynes said that companies shouldn’t wait for an emergency or for employees to approach them about boosting their corporate social responsibility. “It’s no longer an option just to look the other way,” Deynes said. Both Pollak and Deynes said companies should implement a strategy that aligns with their overall mission and select a few causes that are important to the organization. “A lot of organizations that really go deep in one area or two areas — as opposed to 25 areas — can be more effective in their giving, because they’re really committed to certain causes over time,” Pollak said. But Chris Hammond, the founder and CEO of Corporate Giving Connection, cau-

tioned against embracing philanthropy by simply writing a check or selecting a giving strategy with a limited impact. “It is important for employees to experience the mission in person. Not just contributing to an organization, but getting their hands dirty and planting trees together,” Hammond said. “We’re no longer in the day and age where it’s just money that drives us. We’re looking for more.” After upgrading their corporate social responsibility, businesses can use philanthropy as a marketing tool, both internally to boost morale and externally to recruit talent and connect with potential partners. “Who knows what opportunities could come from this employee going and cleaning up a river or street or a park,” said Lisa Dietlin, a Chicago-based philanthropy expert and author of “Transformational Philanthropy: Entrepreneurs and Nonprofits.” While not all companies have the capacity to donate generous quantities of money or organize large-scale events, there are a few smaller things that managers and leaders can do to bolster corporate giving. -Communicate with employees: Ask employees what causes matter to them and what they’d like to see in a company-wide philanthropy effort. Develop committees and craft initiatives based on their responses. “It really needs to be a mirror of your company and what the people are actually interested in giving back to,” Hammond said. Employers should also keep social responsibility at the forefront of interviews and even performance review conversations. “It would be awesome to be able to go to an employee and say to them, ‘Hey you’ve done a great job, we could either give you Continued on page 22.

How millennials are changing corporate giving by Jorie Goins

Corporate generosity took center stage in May when Robert F. Smith, the founder, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity, announced his plan to Philanthropy pay off student loans for Morehouse College’s entire 2019 graduating class. At the same time, MacKenzie Bezos, the ex-wife of Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, signed the Giving Pledge, agreeing to earmark half of her wealth for charitable donations. As wealthy Americans like Smith and Bezos make public displays of generosity, employees of large and small companies may wish for their jobs to follow suit. This is especially true for millennial and Gen Z workers. Millennials are the largest generation in the workforce, and many have a vested interest in the social responsibility of companies they patronize or work for. Their Gen Z counterparts are entering the workplace with a similar, if not higher, desire for corporate social responsibility. According to a 2016 study by Cone Communications, 75% of millennials said they would take a pay cut to work for a responsible company. Cone’s 2017 Gen Z CSR Study also noted that 87% of millennials and 94% of Gen Zers say companies should address social and environmental issues. Unfortunately, according to author and multigenerational workplace expert Lindsey Pollak, employers often perceive this zeal as a negative trait. “I often laugh when leaders complain about how their ‘entitled’ millennials come into their jobs on day one and want to make a difference,” she wrote in her book, “The

wide housing bubble is doubtful, Kan said. Today’s housing demand is fueled by a strong economy, low unemployment and solid household formation. The sustained growth in housing might even be more impressive if the supply were greater but, instead, home prices have grown. “Housing is still getting tailwinds from low rates and the strong economy,” Kan said. “We’ve already seen home prices start to break, but they’re still going up, just at a slower pace.” As of March, U.S. home-price growth has fallen for the past 12 months and is now at its lowest level since September 2012, according to the latest S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller’s national home price index. Despite the cooling market, Kan predicts home-price growth to continue into 2020, easing fears that today’s homebuyers will lose money next year. “Our expectation is for prices to grow between 3% and 4 percent. So even if someone were to buy now, generally, we’re going to see some home-price growth next year,” Kan said. Buying a house now can help you later Although it can be a challenge to find affordable housing, there are still good reasons for homeownership, Neal said. First, homeowners get the benefit of having a consistent housing bill each month for the life of their mortgage. And the longer homebuyers stay in their house, the more money they’ll likely save in rising rent down the road. A stable housing payment with a fixedrate mortgage can shelter you from the inflation that renters have to pay, something called shelter-cost inflation. Average rents have grown about 1% over the past two months, the fastest pace of growth in nearly two years, according to data from Apartment List’s National Rent Report. Over time, those increases add up for renters. Today’s homebuyers also benefit from low mortgage rates, which help keep loan costs down. However, not all areas are better for buyers, Kan said. In fact, it’s cheaper to rent, on a monthly basis, than it is to buy a home in nearly 60% of the nation’s major metro areas. There are a few markets where the opposite is true like Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia, but those areas are the exception to the rule. If you’re thinking of buying a home, it’s important to ask yourself why you want to purchase a home and how long you plan on staying in it, Kan said. Selling a home soon after a purchase can be a bad financial move because selling fees are costly. Homeowners can easily lose money if they don’t stay in the home long enough to recoup their initial closing costs and see homes values rise. On the other hand, people who buy homes at a younger age (in their 20s and 30s) and stay in them have more time to build significant equity and sidestep rising housing costs, Neal said. Bottom line Everything considered, the country is still struggling with affordable housing, but fears about an imminent housing bubble is one thing homeowners seemingly don’t have to worry about. If you’re thinking of buying a home soon, your real estate agent can run an analysis on where home values have been — and where they’re going — to help instill confidence that your investment is a sound one. ©2019 Bankrate.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Boomers, not millennials, may be the most active generation in the gig economy by Leonardo Castaneda

Millennials may have given rise to the hustle culture, but when it comes to putting in hours in the gig economy, Baby Boomers might have them beat. Baby boomers — those born between 1946 and 1964 — earned the most money, took on the most gigs and earned the highest ratings on Wonolo, a platform where companies can find short-term workers. Trends “I think traditionally, people think of the gig workers as millennials,” said Beatrice Pang, vice president of strategy and finance at Wonolo. “We actually always knew that they are much broader. Our workers range from 18 years old to over 80 years old.” Steve Gregg, who at 51 is just a few years shy of being a boomer, came to gig work late in his working life after an injury put a halt to his career in horticulture. He said he saw it as a way to pay the bills while he bounced back. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with this, I really thought I would hate this work,” he said. But Gregg, who lives in Antioch, Calif., and also drives for Uber and Lyft, said he’s “kind of fallen in love with the human race” over the course of some 14,000 rides in two and a half years. “I think that maturity, perspective, investment play a role in how you do this work, how you treat the custom-

ers,” he said. “Years add to perspective, how much you’re willing to invest.” Gig work gives older workers a way to earn additional income and can provide a flexible option between working full-time and total retirement, Pang said. But experts worry that a general lack of benefits, such as retirement accounts, sick paid leave or health insurance, could put workers at risk. “It doesn’t come with benefits for the future, it doesn’t set people up to have a stable retirement and we need to think about policies that can address that,” said Shelly Steward, a research manager with the Future of Work Initiative, part of the nonpartisan Aspen Institute. Steward said it’s hard to draw conclusions about the entire gig workforce from one company’s data, but the number of workers in their 50s and 60s could be a red flag. “There’s also a broader question of why are people needing to do this in the first place,” she said. “If you have a lot of people at retirement age who are pursuing gig work, it probably means that several years ago something wasn’t quite in place to allow them to retire.” Whatever their reason for taking up gig work, boomers on Wonolo are outearning any other age group, with average monthly earnings in the Bay Area of $1,003 a month, according to that company’s analysis of the users on its platform. Generation X workers, born between

Corn prices up, easing some concerns of a bad planting season by Adam Belz

The silver lining of a wet spring and delayed planting has been a rally in corn prices, and prices may rise more this Friday. July corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade are up by nearly a dollar since early May to nearly $4.50 a bushel. Farmers are locking in prices for DeAgriculture cember 2020, and watching closely for data on acreage and grain stocks set to be released at week’s end that will give investors a better picture of how much corn’s out there, and could lift prices further. “We needed a disaster to reduce the huge oversupply problem, and Mother Nature gave us the wettest spring on record,” said Al Kluis, a commodity broker in Wayzata, Minn. Corn and soybean planting was about two weeks late in Minnesota and much of the Midwest. Some 20% of the Ohio corn crop was unplanted as of Sunday, and almost one in 10 acres of corn hadn’t been planted in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Missouri, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Corn prices, which had been in a five-year slump, flourished with the delayed planting, rising to their highest level since June 2014. But farmers are mostly holding off on selling their stored grain until the U.S. Department of Agriculture releases its market-moving grain stocks and June acreage reports on Friday. “Most producers are sitting there waiting for the government to come out with their crop reports,” said Doug Albin, a farmer near Clarkfield, Minn. Albin said farmers are optimistic prices will increase further after the release, because they can’t help but be influenced by what they see in their “backyards.” In Albin’s area, some farmers couldn’t plant half of their corn because the ground was too wet. That makes him think the reports on Friday might paint a more dire picture of the coming harvest, and drive up corn prices. “Whether it’s going to have a $4 or a $5 in the front of it, nobody knows,” he said, referring to the price of corn per bushel. A lot of farmers, Albin said, are using the recent upswing in corn prices to hedge on their 2020 crop, locking in December 2020 contracts for 5%, 10% or 15% of their expected crop that year. For farmers, it’s another set of calculations on a moving set of figures. While prices have risen, corn needs time to mature and dry before the harvest, and most farmers in Minnesota will reap a smaller harvest than usual in 2019.

“We’re going to be short this year,” said Jim Kanten, a farmer in Milan. He said he’s sold about 1,000 bushels of corn from storage in part to check on the condition of the grain in his bins, but he’s holding onto the bulk of his corn in storage. “I’m waiting a little bit to see where the prices go,” he said. Zach Rada, a farm business management instructor at Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minn., said the price increase and poor corn crop will be close to a wash for many farmers unless prices keep rising. But he’s seen trucks full of corn lined up at the Bushmills Ethanol plant outside Atwater. “I can’t speak to every day but you see lines there, and you don’t usually see that in the summer,” Rada said. “The corn is moving right now.” U.S. corn prices are high enough that imports from Brazil are likely to start hitting the southeast and southwest U.S., said Kluis, the commodity broker, and despite the lower yields many farmers in the Midwest face this year, the higher prices should give farmers breathing room. “Even if you only have 80% of yield potential you are now looking at a profit, and you’re also looking at 2020 hedging in a modest profit,” Kluis said. “The outlook has changed dramatically in two months.” ©2019 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Unretired at 65 and beyond by Janet Kidd Stewart

Older workers blasted through another milestone recently. The civilian labor force participation rate among people 65 and older stood at 20% in May, according to an analysis last month of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by advocacy group AARP. Retirement That’s up from just 10.8% a little more than a generation ago in 1985. The last time the participation rate was over 20% on an annual basis was in 1961, according to Jen Schramm, senior strategic policy advisor for the AARP Public Policy Institute. Still, with surveys showing more than two-thirds of Baby Boomers plan to work past traditional retirement age, the question becomes, is 20% too low? Age discrimination, family caregiving needs and health concerns are blocking many people from continuing to work past traditional retirement age, but it’s difficult to estimate what the numbers would be if those two hurdles

1965 and 1980, earned an average of about $949 a month. Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, earned about $777 a month, and Gen Z, the youngest generation in the workforce, earned about $616 a month. Nationwide, about a third of boomers worked more than three gigs on Wonolo per week compared to 22% of millennials. Boomers and Gen Xers also tied with an average rating from the companies that hired them of 4.86 out of 5, slightly higher than millennials’ 4.81 average. “Boomers also do some of the most physical gigs,” Pang said. “You would think that they’re picking the administrative, customer service work that doesn’t require the physical work, but they actually do a lot of physical work like fulfillment warehousing and general labor.” The prospect of extra money first drew Lauren Swigger to the gig economy, via ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft. Swigger, a boomer who asked that her exact age not be revealed, started driving after she said she was evicted from her apartment in San Francisco’s Mission district. “When I actually started driving for Lyft, I thought of it as an extension of my spiritual practice,” Swigger said. “Here’s something I can do and be of service… and I will make a little extra income.” Swigger, a massage therapist, was already used to being an independent contractor but lost most of her clients when she moved to Oakland. She said older workers probably have more patience and are more comfortable sticking with gig work. “They also don’t have very many other options,” she said. “People in their 50s and 60s, I certainly wouldn’t want to work at McDonald’s.” Pang said attracting a broad range of workers is a key part of Wonolo’s strategy, particularly because older contractors have been a hit with companies that use their platform. “Overall, requesters really enjoy their reliability, they are usually really hard working, really attentive and really care for providing the best job performance,” she said. Wonolo built its request platform in a way that wouldn’t allow users to discriminate based on age or gender by pairing workers and employers purely based on the specific task requested and workers’ ratings, Pang said. The company also offers its contractors access to a platform that helps them navigate the Affordable Care Act’s healthcare marketplace. With or without benefits, Gregg and Swiggler both said gig work drew them in because it was an accessible way to make money, but declining driver rates at Uber and Lyft have made them seek employment in their previous careers. Both have also been involved in public efforts to increase drivers’ pay. “I would do this for the rest of my life if I could make enough money at it because I’ve never enjoyed my job more,” Gregg said. ©2019 The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. were removed, Schramm said. “Just looking at the numbers doesn’t really answer the deeper questions about why people continue to work,” she said. “Our stance is that people should be able to work for as long as they would like to and can, but they should also have (adequate) resources to retire when it’s the right decision for them.” Most people working past age 65 are doing so for financial reasons, she said, but other factors play a significant role. Earlier this year, Janet Dante, 73, shifted her full-time therapy practice in Bethesda, Md., so she could work three days instead of five. She had gone back to school at age 47 to obtain her professional credentials after spending several years raising children. “Money wasn’t the only consideration for me, but it was part of it,” she said of her decision to start a new career at 50. She is quick to add that having the financial and emotional support of her husband during those retraining years was critical. Today, her reasons for continuing to Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

Fed is headed for two quarter-point rate cuts this year: Survey by Christopher Condon and Catarina Saraiva

Economists now expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates multiple times this year — coming round to the view held by investors, though they Economy haven’t gotten all the way there yet. Respondents to a June 20-24 survey said they expected Fed officials will cut rates by a quarter-percentage point in September, and again in De-

cember. Before the recent meeting of the Federal Open Markets Committee, a similar survey found the economists expecting just one quarter-point cut. Economists remain more cautious in their assessments of what the Fed will do than investors, who are betting that the easing cycle will start in July and amount to about three-quarters of a percentage point by year-end. The Fed left interest rates unchanged recently,

Mid-American factories grow, but slower than national pace by Dee DePass

Minnesota factories grew in June but at a slower pace amid labor shortages and trade tariff woes. The state’s index slid to 53.4 in June from 55 in May amid decreases in new orders and sales, Economy slower delivery lead times and fresh pressures on food and other nondurable goods makers, according to a widely watched economic report released recently by Creighton University. The nine-state Mid-America Business Conditions Index showed faster growth, with the regional index jumping to 55.4 in June from 54.3 the month before. The increase was the first since March as manufacturers reported restocking inventories and hiring more than during past months. “The regional economy expanded at a slower pace than the rest of the nation for the first half of 2019,” said Ernie Goss, director of Creighton’s Economic Forecasting Group. “Weak farm income, produced partially by tariffs and flooding, pulled regional growth below that of the nation. Even so, based on our manufacturing survey over the past several months, I expect overall growth to remain solidly positive.” Any index above the critical threshold of 50 signals economic growth, so economists were not alarmed by the fluctuations across the region, one that also includes the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. Producers across the nine-state region previously reported being impacted by severe labor shortages, rising prices and by trade tariffs and supply chain disruptions that

Unretired at 65 and beyond

Continued from preceding page. work are much more about staying mentally engaged. “Now I’m afraid of retiring,” she said. Though her husband is now retired and friends say it’s great, she worries about not finding engaging pursuits. “For me, continuing to work keeps me in a much better place. I had no idea I would still be working past 70, but as long as I’m enjoying it and doing a good job, I’m staying. When it gets to be a burden I’ll stop, but I’m not even close to that yet.” Need a few other reasons to stay on the job? Consider these: -Social Security. While it’s true that working can cause your benefits to be taxable and working well into your 70s probably won’t boost your Social Security paycheck much, it’s also true that a lot of older workers took time out of the workforce and haven’t reached the 35 years of work used to calculate benefits. Doing so now can replace some zeros in that calculation. Plus, each year you delay claiming benefits past full retirement age boosts your check by 8 percent. -Delaying withdrawals. If you’ve hit the number in your retirement accounts to trigger the retirement green light, working a year or two longer without starting withdrawals will allow you to create a cushion. And if markets plunge, trying to go back to work in a bad economy can be difficult. -Keeping a routine. One of the biggest reasons people cite for leaving work is to “give up the daily grind,” long commutes and predetermined schedules. But, just as Dante feared, having no plans can lead to depression, weight gain, excessive spending and loss of self-esteem. Replacing a sense of purpose is vital in retirement, so if you haven’t yet found yours, don’t be too quick to give up what you’ve got. ©2019 Tribune Content Agency Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

hoisted costs. In June, those factories again reported a slow down in imports and exports and they continued to wrestle with fierce competition for workers, a scenario that boosted wages to rise 4.8%. Still, the regional confidence index rose to 59.1 in June from May’s 54.5. Many surveyed supply managers said operations were hurt by the trade tariffs on Chinese imports, but they also said they still supported the tariffs and hoped new negotiations might bring long term relief. While Minnesota factory growth slowed last month, there were still positives, Goss noted. Minnesota metal producers and other durable goods manufacturers “in the state are experiencing slight positive gains in economic activity. On the other hand, nondurable goods producers, including food processors, experienced slight negative economic conditions in recent months.” ©2019 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

but opened the door to a rate cut as early as July. In a post-meeting statement, officials pledged to monitor incoming data and “act as appropriate to sustain the expansion.” Several respondents in the economist survey made clear in comments that their forecasts may change, depending on whether progress is made toward resolving disputes with major U.S. trading partners. “There’s a lot of uncertainty in the economic outlook, and much hinges on whether trade tensions decrease or get worse,” said Scott Brown, chief economist at Raymond James. Based on median responses, the economists saw a 50% probability of the U.S. and China agreeing at the G-20 meeting in Osaka to resume trade talks. The odds of a more positive or more negative outcome were almost evenly split. Economists also roundly rejected the possibility the Fed will opt to cut rates by a half-percentage point when they do decide to ease. Of 36 respondents, only three said they expected a 50-basis-point move. The group also dismissed the idea that President Donald Trump would move to demote Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, whom he has repeatedly criticized for keeping rates too high. If Trump were to make such a move, more than half the respondents said the reaction in financial markets would be “strongly negative.” ©2019 Bloomberg News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Who needs millennials? Gen Z is the next big housing market by Steve Brown

Forget about the millennials. The hot new housing segment real estate agents and builders are eyeing is Generation Z. That’s the group of Americans born right after the millennials. “Right now the oldest segment of Generation Z is 24,” said Dave Mele, president of Homes.com “Millennials are the largest segment of today’s homebuyers. “They are larger than millennials in Real estate terms of size.” Currently millennials make up about a third of the U.S. homebuying market compared with Generation Z’s 27% population share. But by 2026, Gen Z is expected to be the largest U.S. demographic group with about 82 million consumers. That’s why home sales industry players including Mele are focusing on this upcoming group. And, he says, he’s encouraged that more Generation Z members say they want to own homes. A Home.com survey found that 87% of Gen Z members say they intend to buy before they are 35. “That’s a fairly staggering number,” Mele said at the National Association of Real Estate Editors’ meeting this week in Austin. “That’s 20 points higher than the overall homeownership percentage in the U.S.” The current strong economy may be a factor in Gen Z’s positive perceptions about homebuying. “It has come of age in a different time period,” Mele said. “ Millennials entered homebuying really right after the largest financial crisis since the Great Depression. “Generation Z is entering at a time of economic prosperity.” Mele said the upcoming generation of U.S. homebuyers has different priorities from their elders. Home.com found that 48% of Gen Z buyers are racial and ethnic minorities. “Fifty-eight 58% of our survey respondents said they’d prefer to live in a racially and ethnically diverse neighborhood,” Mele said. “That has really big implications. “That could change what our neighborhoods look like.” The Generation Z members Homes.com surveyed were also more likely to be unmarried — either singles or couples — than previous homebuying groups. And they want to live close to where they work. More than 70% of Gen Zers listed proximity to work as the top factor driving their homebuying locations.

“They are going to follow work,” Mele said. “If it gets too expensive for companies to have their workspace in the cities and they move to the suburbs and exurbs, Generation Z says they are going to follow that.” The youngest generation of homebuyers is also worried about housing affordability. Making enough to afford a house, coming up with a down payment and paying off student debt are top concerns. “This generation understands that they have to save,” Mele said. “They are willing to make sacrifices to save.” ©2019 The Dallas Morning News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

U of Minnesota gets grant to develop better corn-based plastic by Adam Belz

Corn farmers in Minnesota are investing in research at the University of Minnesota aimed at developing a more useful corn-based plastic. The Minnesota Corn Growers Association this week announced a $460,000 grant for the Center for Sustainable Polymers, which is working to make green Science plastics that break down more quickly than petroleum-based plastic but still have some of conventional plastic’s durability and toughness. “We kind of want it both ways. We want plastics to be quite strong and durable when we want them to be, but when we’re done with them we want them to rapidly decompose,” said Marc Hillmyer, a chemist at the U of M and director of the Center for Sustainable Polymers. “That’s a big scientific and engineering challenge.” Corn-based plastics are used today — for instance, to make disposable cups, bags and plates — but the plastic is brittle and can deform when filled with a hot drink. Research funded by the state’s corn farmers will focus on adding toughness, strength and better thermal stability to the material. “We’re up and going,” Hillmyer said. “We’ve got students and postdoctoral researchers in the lab, making progress.” Other research at the Center for Sustainable Polymers which will be funded by the corn growers’ grant in years ahead includes using corn to produce eco-friendly plastics and polyesters for everyday items such as take-home food containers, diapers and glue. One of the appealing things about corn-based plastic is that Continued on page 21.

16 •

JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

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

DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: MARIO ROJAS LOPEZ, 106 N 9th St, Tecumseh NE 68450, you are hereby notified that on March 27, 2019, AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL INS. Co., S.I. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-6966, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $7,375.77, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 5th day of August, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication June 14, 2019, final July 5, 2019 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: FELICIA R GLASS & KHADIJAH MILLER, 12130 Anne St Apt 1, Omaha NE 68137, you are hereby notified that on January 2, 2019, SHELTER MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY filed a suit against you in the Douglas County DISTRICT Court at docket CI19-31, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $61,141.00, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County DISTRICT Court on or before the 5th day of August, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication June 14, 2019, final July 5, 2019 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Folk, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 5621 Pine Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The registered agent of the Company is Thomas E. Whitmore, 7602 Pacific Street, Ste. 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Company was formed on June 25, 2019. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019

MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF DLT ENTERPRISES, INC. Notice is hereby given of Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of DLT Enterprises, Inc. as follows: Article I of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended so that, as amended, said Article shall provide that the name of the Corporation shall be Clear, Inc. The Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State of Nebraska on June 25, 2019. In all other respects, the Articles of Incorporation remain unchanged. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 DANIEL J. WATERS, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF JSM GROUP, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is JSM Group, LLC. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on June 24, 2019 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF KAMO, INC. Notice is hereby given that Kamo, Inc. was incorporated under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act effective May 8, 2019, with its initial registered office at 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The initial registered agent and sole incorporator at that address is Clay M. Rogers. The corporation is a public benefit corporation, has no members and shall have perpetual duration. Clay M. Rogers, Incorporator First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Ultimate Drain, Inc. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. The street address of the corporation’s initial registered office is 8712 West Dodge Road, #400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name of the initial registered agent at that office is Clay M. Rogers. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation is Clay M. Rogers, 8712 West Dodge Road, #400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION New Beginnings Recovery, Inc. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. The street address of the corporation’s initial registered office is 8712 West Dodge Road, #400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name of the initial registered agent at that office is Clay M. Rogers. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation is Clay M. Rogers, 8712 West Dodge Road, #400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019

DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: KALVIN J PAGE, 8920 Read St, Omaha NE 68122, you are hereby notified that on March 25, 2019, SHELTER MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-6690, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $29,860.61, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 5th day of August, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication June 14, 2019, final July 5, 2019

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Luna Insurance Services Notice is hereby given that Luna Insurance Services, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial agent for service of process as Michael Luna, and with its initial designated office at 810 Janesview Street, #18, Papillion, NE 68046. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MIDWEST HEMP FIVERS, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF NEBRASKA FOR ELEPHANTS, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Articles of Incorporation of Nebraska For Elephants, Inc., a Nebraska corporation, have been amended to change the name of the corporation to: “For Elephants, Inc.”. The Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on May 30, 2019. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: ROBERT BLAKE HILLARD, 2226 R Street, Lincoln NE 68503, you are hereby notified that on January 16, 2019, State Farm Fire & Casualty filed a suit against you in the Lancaster District Court at docket CI19-175, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $155,481.26, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Lancaster County Court on or before the the 19th day of August, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 19, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that 5404 Poppleton, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the Company’s designated office is 2214 S 86th Ave, Omaha, NE 68124, and the name of the registered agent at such address is Yuri Paskar. The general nature of the business is any legal and lawful activity allowed pursuant to the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act and the laws of the State of Nebraska and elsewhere. The Company commenced business on 6/20/2019 and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be managed by its managers. Yuri Paskar, Member First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given of the dissolution of PARTY PICS TO GO, INC., as of June 19, 2019. The affairs of the corporation will be wrapped up by Diane Kolvek, Shareholder & Director. All creditors have been paid, and remaining assets have been distributed. Total assets: $0.00. Total liabilities: $0.00. Diane Kolvek, Shareholder & Director First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Too Many Leads, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 16930 Pasadena Court, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The registered agent of the Company is Chris Driscoll, 16930 Pasadena Court, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The Company was formed on June 19, 2019. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D E W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 S. 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JK HOUSING, LLC The name of the limited liability company is JK Housing, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 7842 North 151st Street, Bennington, NE 68007. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 LAW OFFICES OF EVELYN N. BABCOCK 3240 North 159th Avenue Omaha, Nebraska 68135 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Bogard Aviation, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on November 7, 2017. The street and mailing address for the initial designated office is 9609 North 29th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68112. The street and mailing address for the initial agent for service of process is 16264 Rolling Ridge Road, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The name of the initial agent for service of process is George T. Babcock. The general nature of the business is any and all business which is lawful under the Uniform Limited Liability Act of the State of Nebraska. The business of limited liability company will be conducted by its Members. George T. Babcock, Organizer First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 • LEGAL NOTICES KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that A Latere Academy LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on May 22, 2019, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Members. Ellen Miller will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against A Latere Academy LLC, please provide the following information with respect to your claim: (1) your name or the name of your entity; (2) the nature of your claim; (3) the amount of your claim; and (4) the date your claim arose. All claims shall be mailed to 2517 N 56th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68104. A claim against against A Latere Academy LLC is barred unless an action to enforce the claim is commenced within five (5) years after the publication date of the third required notice. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SITE DEVELOPMENT LEASE SIX OZ FUND, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Site Development Lease Six OZ Fund, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. The Registered Agent of the Company is Zach Wiegert, 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Thrive Partners, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 18615 Edna Street, Omaha, NE 68136. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are R. Craig Fry, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 THOMAS C. LAURITSEN, Attorney ANDERSEN, LAURITSEN & BROWER 1005 South 107th Avenue, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF FILING OF CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF RANDAZZO EXECUTIVE RECRUITING, LLC A Limited Liability Company NOTICE IS I HEREBY GIVEN that Randazzo Executive Recruiting, LLC, a Limited Liability Company, has filed a Certificate of Organization under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of its registered office is 2524 S. 166th Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The general nature ofthe business is to engage in and to do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business, other than banking or insurance, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of Nebraska. The company commenced business on June 7, 2019,and its duration shall be perpetual. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by its members. Member: Jason Randazzo First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SMART TITLE, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Smart Title, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is Smart Title, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 17725 Welch Plaza, Suite D-1, Omaha, Nebraska, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Tiffany E. Thompson, 4611 South 96th Street, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 DAMILOLA J. OLUYOLE, Attorney YOLE LAW P.C., L.L.O. 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOKPOH LAW GROUP, LLC Notice is hereby given that Sokpoh Law Group, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws, with its designated office at 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247, Omaha, NE 68114. It is organized to transact any lawful business for which a Limited Liability Company may be organized under Nebraska laws and its duration is perpetual commencing from April 30th, 2019. Its affairs are to be conducted by the manager Karine Sokpoh. Its registered agent is Karine Sokpoh and her office is located at 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247, Omaha, NE 68114. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ON 680 ZONE I, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that On 680 Zone I, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1303 South 72 Street, Suite 209, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc. 9500 W. Dodge Rd., Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ON 680 ZONE II, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that On 680 Zone II, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1303 South 72 Street, Suite 209, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc. 9500 W. Dodge Rd., Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JIM BROWN ELECTRIC, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jim Brown Electric, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 21045 Timber Lane Circle, Elkhorn, NE 68022 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom P.C. a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KAIZEN MEDICAL SOLUTIONS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kaizen Medical Solutions, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 18758 Sahler Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on May 29, 2019. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THORNTON PROPERTY GROUP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Thornton Property Group, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 2285 South 67th Street #250, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Todd Swirczek, 2285 South 67th Street #250, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The limited liability company commenced business on June 17, 2019. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 3842, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 3842, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 12256 County Road 40, Bennington, Nebraska 68007. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on June 12, 2019. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CARRIE STROVERS LAW, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Carrie Strovers Law, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska to conduct the practice of law. The designated office of the limited liability company is 2381 South 87th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on June 13, 2019. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HILAREBA, LLC The name of the Company is Hilareba, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 6610 Davenport Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68132. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. This limited liability company commenced business on June 17, 2019. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 645 BALD EAGLE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 645 Bald Eagle, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on May 30, 2019. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019

WAYNE S. RASMUSSEN, Attorney SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ENGELKEMIER FARMS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on June 13, 2019, Engelkemier Farms, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Wayne S. Rasmussen, 8712 West Dodge Rd., Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019

DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Name: EC CONCRETE TRANSPORT, LLC Date of Organization: May 31, 2019 State of Organization: Nebraska Registered Agent: Esteban Chavez Registered Office: 3023 Marcy Street, Omaha, NE 68105 Duration:Perpetual Capital Contribution: $5,000.00 First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019

MICHAEL D. McCLELLAN, Attorney MCCLELLAN LAW OFFICE, LLC 12020 Shamrock Plaza, #333 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of Community Homes Investment, LLC a Nebraska Limited Liability Company. Notice is hereby given that Community Homes Investment, LLC, Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 3735 North 39th Street, Omaha, NE 68111, and its registered agent is Michael D. McClellan with a registered office at 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 333, Omaha, NE 68154. The general nature of its business is to engage in and to do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business, other than banking or insurance, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The company was organized and commenced on May 17, 2019. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019

RICHARD A. DEWITT, Attorney C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D e W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF IVY PROPERTIES, INC. Ivy Properties, Inc. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. The Articles of Incorporation were filed on May 24, 2019. The street address of the corporation's registered office is 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, Nebraska, 68124, and the name of the initial registered agent at that office is Martin P. Pelster. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock. Martin P. Pelster, Incorporator 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF A&K GOLDMAN PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that A&K Goldman Properties, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 2316 North 177th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on June 13, 2019. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019

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JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HUSKER HOUNDS LLC Husker Hounds LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 3570 S 203rd Cir, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The name, street and mailing address of the initial agent for service of process is Amen Business Law, L.L.C., 3420 Cape Charles Rd W, Lincoln, NE 68516. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Global Claims, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 19258 Spencer Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68022. The initial agent for service of process is Kyle Maring, 19258 Spencer Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68022. First publication June 14, 2019, final June 28, 2019 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: GARY R. SAUL, 3612 Gayle Ave Apt 5, Bellevue NE 68125, you are hereby notified that on March 26, 2019, Credit Acceptance Corporation filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-6807, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $10,099.20, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 19th day of August, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 19, 2019 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: ANDREW M. WARD, 5907 N 33rd Ave, Omaha NE 68111, you are hereby notified that on May 29, 2019, AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL INS. Co., S.I. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-11753, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $7,147.23, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 19th day of August, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 19, 2019 MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TORNADO WASH LINCOLN LLC Notice is hereby given that TORNADO WASH LINCOLN LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 18520 Van Camp Drive, Omaha, NE 68130. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents, LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118-3122. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: SUSAN HANSEN, 5506 S 94th ST, Omaha NE 68127, you are hereby notified that on March 27, 2019, AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL INS. Co., S.I. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-6964, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $6,159.70, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 19th day of August, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 19, 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), MATTHEW BRIGGS You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 03/26/2019 on Case Number CI19-7146, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $363.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 08/12/2019 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF THE ATHLETIC CLUBS BY TRUFIT INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of The Athletic Clubs by TruFit Investments, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to change the name of the company to The Athletic Clubs by TruFit Midtown, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on June 18, 2019. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of Fitzpatrick Financial, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on June 19, 2019, Fitzpatrick Financial, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 11840 Nicholas Street, #205, Omaha, NE 68154. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Brian Fitzpatrick, whose address is 11840 Nicholas Street, #205, Omaha, NE 68154. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 MYRON J. KAPLAN, Attorney McGILL, GOTSDINER, WORKMAN & LEPP, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 11404 West Dodge Road, Suite 500, First National Plaza Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2584 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF DR. PATRICIA RYAN, P.C. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Dr. Patricia Ryan, P.C. is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The aggregate number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue is 10,000 shares. The initial registered office is 11404 West Dodge Road, Suite 500, Omaha, Nebraska 68154, and the initial registered agent is Myron J. Kaplan. The name and street address of the incorporator is Patricia Ryan, M.D., 19803 Blondo Parkway, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022 Patricia Ryan, M.D., Incorporator First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of ABQ Opportunity Zone, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), have been amended and restated as follows: The name of the Company is NM OZ Fund, LLC The Designated Office of the Company is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is Andrew A. Snyder, 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The purpose is to invest in qualified opportunity zone property by acquiring qualified opportunity zone partnership interests or qualified opportunity zone stock in one or more first-tier subsidiaries or by directly acquiring qualified opportunity zone business property and to engage in other activities incidental or related thereto. The Company intends to be a qualified opportunity fund and cause any first-tier subsidiaries it invests in to meet the requirements for a qualified opportunity zone business. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on June 21, 2019. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 WESLEY E. HAUPTMAN, Attorney 17826 Monroe Street Omaha, Nebraska 68135 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF SOLEIL NAIL SALON AND SPA, INC. NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned has formed a corporation under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: 1. The name of the corporation is SOLEIL NAIL SALON AND SPA, INC. 2. The address of the initial registered office is 9815 Giles Road, LaVista, NE 68128 and the initial registered agent at that address is Khien Pham. 3. The general nature of the business is to engage in the business providing nail services, and any other lawful activity allowable under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. 4. The corporation shall consist of duly elected members and shall hold an annual meeting to transact the corporate business. 5. The corporation commenced existence on the 17th day of June, 2019 and shall have perpetual existence. 6. The affairs of the corporation shall be conducted by a Board of Directors, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and subordinate officers and agents as may be prescribed by the Bylaws, or appointed by the Board of Directors. WESLEY E. HAUPTMAN, Incorporator First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF B&H ATHLETICS, 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 B&H Athletics, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 21218 Shiloh Drive, Gretna, Nebraska 68028. Alaina Phelps, Members First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ONE RED SOCK LLC Notice is hereby given that One Red Sock LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws. The sole member and registered agent is Mary Shugrue with designated address at 1320 S. 55th St. Omaha, NE 68106. The company commenced business on June 4, 2019. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF OFF BALANCE LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that OFF BALANCE; LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 9819 S. 168th Ave., Suite 6A, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The Registered Agent of the Co., OFF BALANCE 9819 S. 168th Ave., Suite 6A, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF UNITED TITLE AND ESCROW SERVICES, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of United Title and Escrow Services, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is United Title and Escrow Services, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GCP II KC-UPTOWN, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that GCP II KC-Uptown, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. The Registered Agent of the Company is Zach Wiegert, 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF SCM LONGVIEW OMAHA 1303, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of SCM Longview Omaha 1303, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to change the name of the company to SCM FFA 1303, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on June 17, 2019. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF SCM LONGVIEW OMAHA 5110, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of SCM Longview Omaha 5110, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to change the name of the company to SCM FFA 5110, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on June 17, 2019. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF SCM LONGVIEW MANAGERS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of SCM Longview Managers, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to change the name of the company to SCM FFA Managers, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on June 17, 2019. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019 JAMES D. BUSER, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SMK NE INVESTMENTS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of SMK NE Investments, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is SMK NE Investments, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is James D. Buser, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication June 28, 2019, final July 12, 2019

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 • LEGAL NOTICES AMANDA M. FORKER, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OFAMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF 5505 SEMINARY RD 919N, LLC Notice is hereby given of an Amendment to the Certificate of Organization of 5505 Seminary RD 919N, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: Section First of the Certificate of Organization of the Company is hereby amended so that, as amended, said Article shall provide that the name of the Company shall be 6152 Military Ave, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Secretary of State of Nebraska on June 17, 2019. In all other respects, the Certificate of Organization remain unchanged. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF FOLEYSHALD ENGINEERING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that FoleyShald Engineering, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 8790 F Street, Suite 108, Omaha, Nebraska 68127 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom P.C. a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), DEWAYNE A WEAVER You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 03/13/2019 on Case Number CI19-6464, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $150.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 08/05/2019 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication June 21, 2019, final July 5, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CERES GROUP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Ceres Group, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 11225 Davenport St., Suite 108, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Registered Agent of the Company is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 233 South 13th Street, Suite 1900, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PLATTE INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Platte Investments, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 11225 Davenport Street, Suite 108, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Registered Agent of the Company is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 233 South 13th Street, Suite 1900, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DARNER GROUP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Darner Group, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 11225 Davenport Street, Suite 108, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Registered Agent of the Company is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 233 South 13th Street, Suite 1900, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Redding Financial, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Andrew P. Deaver and Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019

DANIEL J. WATERS, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF CHEWLER, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Chewler, LLC. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on June 13, 2019 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF E & A CONSULTING GROUP, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of E & A Consulting Group, Inc. have been amended and restated in their entirety as follow: Article 1 states the name of the Corporation as E & A Consulting Group, Inc. Article 2 states the Registered Office of the Corporation as 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent as Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. Article 3 states the purpose. Article 4 states the number of shares the Corporation is authorized to issue as 50,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $1.00 per share, which may be designated as either Class A voting common stock or Class B nonvoting common stock. Article 5 states the Corporation shall have perpetual existence. Article 6 states the provisions relating to amending the Articles and Bylaws. Article 7 states the provisions relating to director liability. Article 8 states that the shareholders shall not a have a preemptive right to acquire the unissued shares of the Corporation. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on June 25, 2019. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 ROBERT J. LIKES, Attorney LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LK HOLDINGS LLC Notice is hereby given that LK Holdings LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial designated office, and the street and mailing address of the Company’s initial agent for service of process, is 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Robert J. Likes. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF FIT FOOD VENDING OMAHA, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Fit Food Vending Omaha, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 110 South 184th Court #309, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on June 28, 2019. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019

DAVID M. HOHMAN, Attorney FITZGERALD, SCHORR, BARMETTLER & BRENNAN, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 10050 Regency Circle, 200 Regency One Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3794 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION i40 LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 3204 S. 184th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68130. The name, street address and mailing address of the initial agent for service of process of the Company are Sommer Hahn, 3204 S. 184th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68130. Dated this 1st day of July, 2019. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 DANIEL J. WATERS, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF BLAHA & SON ROOFING, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Blaha & Son Roofing, LLC. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on June 26, 2019 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JOINT FINANCIAL, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Joint Financial, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 2111 S. 67th Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom P.C. a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JOINT FINANCIAL, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Joint Financial, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 2111 S. 67th Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom P.C. a limited liability organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STITCH POWERSPORTS, LLC Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of state’s office of Stitch Powersports, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is Stitch Powersports, LLC. Registered agent and office of Stephanie N Irvin of 1243 Limerick Road, Papillion, NE 68046. Initial members: Stephanie N Irvin. General nature of the business is to transact any and all lawful business for which limited liability companies are allowed by statute. The LLC was organized on June 2019 for the perpetual duration and is managed by its members. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ADARA HOLDINGS, LLC The name of the Company is Adara Holdings, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 555 Riverfront Plaza, #303, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Katherine G. Lichtas, 555 Riverfront Plaza, #303, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. This limited liability company commenced business on June 28, 2019. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 N OTI C E OF OR GA N I ZATI ON OF S C M LON GV I EW I MANAGEMENT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SCM Longview I Management, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1303 South 72 Street, Suite 209, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF READY DELICES, LLC Notice is hereby given that Ready Delices, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws, with its designated office at 2214 Alexandra Rd, Papillion, Ne 68133. It is organized to transact any lawful business for which a Limited Liability Company may be organized under Nebraska laws and its duration is perpetual commencing from May 30, 2019. Its affairs are to be conducted by the managers Ines Akouyovi N Dagnon and Komlan M Dagnon . Its registered agent is Eya Assignon, 1941 S 42nd street, suite 514, Omaha, Ne 68105. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SCM LONGVIEW I GP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SCM Longview I GP, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1303 South 72 Street, Suite 209, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019

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JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), DEYZA ORDUNA You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 04/16/2019 on Case Number CI19-9482, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $235.68, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 08/19/2019 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), NIKITTA MOORE You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 03/13/2019 on Case Number CI19-6465, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $536.56, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 08/19/2019 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), DESTINY BEST You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 03/26/2019 on Case Number CI19-7162, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $271.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 08/19/2019 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), KRISTINE MATTHEIS You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 03/12/2019 on Case Number CI19-6476, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $262.50, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 08/19/2019 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 P.O. Box 45947 Omaha, Nebraska 68145 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: RYAN MERRILL DAVIS, 8206 Wilson Dr #2, Omaha NE 68127, you are hereby notified that on May 29, 2019, AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL INS. Co., S.I. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-11749, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $42,010.00, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 26th day of August, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 26, 2019 CHARLES E. DORWART, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney GOVIER, KATSKEE, SUING & MAXELL, PC, LLO 10404 Essex Court, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-947 Estate of Gary V. Wells, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on June 27, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Intestacy of said Decedent and that Mary Leanne Wells Kendall, of 9938 Devonshire Drive, Omaha, NE 68114 was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before September 5, 2019 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Buldyk, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the Company’s designated office is 7402 Blondo St, Apt 3, Omaha, NE 68134, and the name of the registered agent at such address is Anton Buldyk. The general nature of the business is any legal and lawful activity allowed pursuant to the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act and the laws of the State of Nebraska and elsewhere. The Company commenced business on 6/30/2019 and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be managed by its managers. Anton Buldyk, Member First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), NORMA GUTIERREZ & FRANCISCO J GUTIERREZ You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 03/27/2019 on Case Number CI19-6473, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $379.18, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 08/19/2019 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Avant Solutions Name of Applicant: Crowne Promo Communications LLC Address: 16044 Buter Avenue, Omaha, NE 68116 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: upon filing General nature of business: communications consulting MATTHEW J. SPEIKER Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative July 5, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: BEYOND DISPENSING PHARMACY AND COMPOUNDING Name of Applicant: KRC, LLC Address: 825 N. 90TH ST. OMAHA NE 68114 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: NEBRASKA Date of first use of name in Nebraska: MAY 15, 2019 General nature of business: PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES TOM LANGAN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative July 5, 2019

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SIEBRANDT COMMERCIAL, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SIEBRANDT COMMERCIAL, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 712 N POLK ST PAPILLION, NE 68046. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Kristina Siebrandt 712 N Polk St Papillion, NE 68046. General nature of the business is develop commercial real estate. The limited liability company commenced business on May 3rd, 2019. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Ozzy's Roadhouse Name of Applicant: RH Restaurants LLC Address: 12744 Westport Pkwy Suite 1A, La Vista, NE, 68138 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: Upon Filing General nature of business: Full Service Restaurant and Bar V. SOMASEKHAR Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative July 5, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: PLATTE STORAGE Name of Applicant: PLATTE INVESTMENTS, LLC Address: 11225 DAVENPORT STREET, SUITE 108, OMAHA, NE 68154 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: NEBRASKA Date of first use of name in Nebraska: JUNE 19, 2019 General nature of business: STORAGE, TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SERVICES TOM LANGAN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative July 5, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: PLATTE LOGISTICS Name of Applicant: PLATTE INVESTMENTS, LLC Address: 11225 DAVENPORT STREET, SUITE 108, OMAHA, NE 68154 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: NEBRASKA Date of first use of name in Nebraska: JUNE 19, 2019 General nature of business: STORAGE, TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SERVICES TOM LANGAN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative July 5, 2019

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Bolding Dentistry Name of Applicant: Jared D. Bolding, D.D.S., P.C. Address: 10110 Nicholas Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68114 Applicant is a Corporation If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: June 21, 2019 General nature of business: Dental Practice JARED D. BOLDING Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative July 5, 2019

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: PLATTE TRANSPORT Name of Applicant: PLATTE INVESTMENTS, LLC Address: 11225 DAVENPORT STREET, SUITE 108, OMAHA, NE 68154 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: NEBRASKA Date of first use of name in Nebraska: JUNE 19, 2019 General nature of business: STORAGE, TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SERVICES TOM LANGAN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative July 5, 2019

MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Clear Name of Applicant: Clear, Inc. Address: 4005 South 48th Street Omaha NE 68137 Applicant is a Corporation If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: June 25, 2019 General nature of business: Revenue Cycle Managment DAVID L. TRUCKENBROD Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative July 5, 2019

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: CERES INDUSTRIES Name of Applicant: CERES GROUP, LLC Address: 11225 DAVENPORT STREET, SUITE 108, OMAHA, NE 68154 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: NEBRASKA Date of first use of name in Nebraska: JUNE 19, 2019 General nature of business: MANUFACTURING TOM LANGAN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative July 5, 2019

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 • LEGAL NOTICES THOMAS H. PENKE, Attorney 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-906 Estate of TIMOTHY C. TOREK, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on June 26, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, CINDY L. O'NEILL, whose address is 102 Sam Houston Circle NW, Madison, Alabama 35757, has been appointed Personal Representative of this estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before September 5, 2019 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 DEAN F. SUING, Attorney GOVIER, KATSKEE, SUING & MAXELL, PC, LLO 10404 Essex Court, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-949 Estate of Sanford W. Crampton, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on June 27, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Decedent and that Stephen G. Crampton, whose address is 2236 South 163rd Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before September 5, 2019 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 FREDERICK D. STEHLIK, Attorney GROSS & WELCH, P.C., L.L.O. 2120 South 72 Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF AE INSURANCE SOLUTIONS, LLC a Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that AE INSURANCE SOLUTIONS, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered office located at 2120 South 72 Street, Suite 1500, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The general nature of its business is to engage in and do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business, other than banking or insurance, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Certificate of Organization was filed in the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State on June25, 2019, the Company commenced business thereon, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Managing Member. Frederick D. Stehlik, Organizer First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF SCM LONGVIEW OMAHA 3003, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of SCM Longview Omaha 3003, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to change the name of the company to SCM FFA 3003, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on June 28, 2019. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF NABITY BUSINESS ADVISORS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Nabity Business Advisors, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 9802 Nicholas Street, Suite 105, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., whose mailing address is 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION DAVID ECKLEY INSURANCE AGENCY LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that David Eckley Insurance Agency LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 5356 S 72nd ST Ralston NE 68127. The Registered Agent of the Company is David Eckley with his office at 5356 S72nd ST Omaha NE 68127 First publication July 5, 2019, final July 19, 2019

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: DARNER Name of Applicant: DARNER GROUP, LLC Address: 11225 DAVENPORT STREET, SUITE 108, OMAHA, NE 68154 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: NEBRASKA Date of first use of name in Nebraska: JUNE 19, 2019 General nature of business: HEAVY EQUIPMENT SALES AND SERVICE TOM LANGAN Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative July 5, 2019

AMC Theatres launches program to insure franchises don’t kill smaller movies by Ryan Faughnder

Movie theaters can’t survive on superhero blockbusters alone, and that’s a problem for a cinema industry in which big-budget Hollywood franchises are increasingly squeezing out smaller movies. AMC Theatres, the world’s largest exhibitor, is trying to do something about that. Trends The Leawood, Kan.-based company is spotlighting a select set of “character- and narrative-driven movies” through a new marketing and programming initiative in some of its U.S. theaters, AMC said. The program, dubbed AMC Artisan Films, will seek to boost certain movies that might have trouble gaining traction as moviegoers increasingly choose well-known brands, such as Marvel Studios and Pixar, over midbudget dramas, comedies and quirky independent fare. The dominance of movies such as “Avengers: Endgame” has made it tough for critically acclaimed pictures such as “Booksmart” and “Late Night” to get oxygen at the local multiplex, according to box office analysts. “(W)e aim to expose more moviegoers to specialized films and increase their theatrical success,” Elizabeth Frank, AMC’s head of worldwide programming and chief content officer, said in a statement. It may sound like a potential boon for cinephiles tired of sequels, spandex and spooky dolls. But what, by AMC’s standards, qualifies as “artisan,” and how will the company use its muscle? The company did not immediately provide details on how many of AMC’s locations would be participating in the new program. According to AMC’s announcement, a movie that gets the AMC Artisan Films seal is “an artist-driven, thought-provoking movie that advances the art of filmmaking.” The program will begin with Working Title and Universal Pictures’ Danny Boyle-directed comedy “Yesterday,” which is expected to open with a moderate $10 million this weekend. Other qualifying films on the lineup include A24’s folk horror flick “Midsommar”; the upcoming “Downton Abbey” movie from Focus Features; and Warner Bros. and New Line’s “Blinded by the Light,” about a British teenager inspired by the music of Bruce Springsteen. The company will promote such pictures in part by keeping them in theaters longer and by seeking to give them earlier runs in limited release, Frank said. The genesis of the program came from a meeting between AMC’s leadership, including chief executive Adam Aron, and Directors Guild of America members in Los Angeles, the company said. During the meeting, “Fried Green Tomatoes” director Jon Avnet emphasized the importance of exhibitors embracing smaller films, the company said. This is not the first time AMC has sought to showcase its indie film bona fides, however. The company in 2010 launched something called AMC Independent in an effort to dedicate more screens to arty movies. That followed a similar 2006 initiative, AMC Select. ©2019 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

U of Minnesota gets grant to develop better corn-based plastic Continued from page 15. it can decompose within months, instead of the hundreds of years needed for synthetic plastic to break down. “While our mission is to build a more sustainable future on the farm, this research has implications that would help address a number of the major environmental concerns we are facing globally,” said Brian Thalmann, president of the Minnesota Corn Growers, in a statement. As Minnesota’s corn farmers face consecutive years of declining farm income, new markets for the nation’s corn supply continue to be vital, the group said. In 2019, Minnesota corn farmers have invested more than $1.4 million in research at the University of Minnesota, including efforts to address pest and plant disease, conservation tactics like cover crops, nutrient management best practices and more. ©2019 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

I pay my bills on time. Why is my credit score falling? by Susan Tompor

Who would have imagined a day when a credit score could be as mystifying as an SAT or ACT score? But if you’re looking for an elite credit card with amazing rewards or the best rate on a mortgage, you’re hyper-focused on getting the best credit score. Sort of like trying to get into college. But instead of improving over time, consumer knowledge about credit scores is at the lowest level in eight years, Financial according to the ninth annual credit score survey by the Consumer Federation of America and VantageScore Solutions. Only two-thirds of consumers surveyed knew, for example, that keeping a low credit card balance helps raise a low credit score or maintain a high one, according to the survey. That’s down from 85% who scored correctly in 2012. The credit score’s main purpose: Give lenders a way to measure the risk that an individual consumer will not repay the loan. One reader wrote me the other day perplexed by why his score fell more than 30 points to below 770 — still an above-average credit score — after he took on some “same as cash” offers that need to be paid in full during a certain time frame. “For me, it’s a matter of pride,” said George Feld of Sterling Heights. “It bothers me that you don’t get credit for managing your money well.” He used the financing deals to buy a refrigerator and a dishwasher. He also turned in a leased vehicle and leased a 2019 Lincoln.

Corporate giving Continued from page 13. some sort of compensation or we can give back to an organization of your choice,’” Hammond said. -Look at your competitors: See what other businesses in your space are funding to get an idea of what issues are most pressing in your industry. -Beware of guilt giving: Companies that lack a solid strategy are more likely to feel compelled to support multiple causes that don’t fit into their corporate vision. According to Dietlin, passion and a solid plan, rather than guilt, should drive the decision to give. -Set a budget, but leave a little aside for unexpected requests: While some things, like an annual walk or food drive, are predictable, other important causes or events, such as the #MeToo movement or the crisis in Sudan, can come up without warning. “Not every request is a guilt request. Some requests are just unexpected,” Dietlin said, citing 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina as examples of sudden crises that mobilized Americans. With incremental steps to boost corporate social responsibility, companies can place themselves at the forefront of a changing job landscape where employees’ work aligns with their personal lives. More importantly, Hammond said, companies that address pressing causes have the chance to serve a common purpose, absent politics or other dividers. “It’s all about helping one another and really being able to look at the collective good and help our brothers and sisters that are out there.” Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

He plans to pay the financing deals off, and has never missed paying off the balance before the promotion expires. Even so, such plans can be tricky. Some consumers don’t understand that they can be charged interest retroactively for the entire deferred interest period if they do not pay off the balance by the end of the period of a deferred interest credit card promotion. Many consumers correctly know that overall missed payments on any credit card can hurt a score. But even then, only 86% of consumers knew that missed payments are used to calculate credit scores, compared with 94% in 2012, according to the latest survey. (You can take the quiz at creditscorequiz.org.) Why the lower scores? Credit scores can fall, temporarily at least, when you take on new credit, and taking out more than one new loan would impact a score. The trick here: You need to make a series of on-time payments to recover after taking on new debt. Important points to know: Having a good income and paying off the entire balance on one’s credit cards every month aren’t factors that are calculated as part of credit scores, said Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney of the National Consumer Law Center in testimony in Boston. “Lenders do consider consumer income, of course, but not as part of the credit score,” she said. Many people have room to raise their scores. The average credit score nationwide was 680 as of the second quarter of 2018, based on Experian’s VantageScore. In Michigan, the average was 682. On average, Michigan consumers have 2.9 bank-branded credit cards and their average balances on credit cards was $5,730. On average, they’re using 29% of their available lines of credit. Michigan consumers have on average 2.7 retail-related credit cards with an average retail debt of $1,805. Their average mortgage debt is $138,050. Here’s a look at other credit score puzzles: I pay bills on time but my score is still falling Everyone has a unique credit file. But one thing many people do not realize is that your score is likely to be hurt if you’re charging 40% or 50% or more of your available line of credit. You’d be surprised at what can happen when you charge too much.

My score, for example, dropped 5 points recently because I used one bank-issued credit card fairly heavily on vacation and the rest of the month. My previous usage was 12.3% and it went up to 28.28%. I also had opened a new credit card at a store the month before, yes, to get one of those discounts. All this sort of stuff can cause you to scratch your head. It’s bad that I’m using my credit card? Or opening a new one to save money? Well, in some cases, yes. It’s all relative. If a person has a high score but then uses all of the available credit, the consumer might see a score drop by 40 points to 60 points, according to Jeff Richardson, vice president and group head of marketing and communications for VantageScore Solutions, a credit-scoring system created by the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. “The exact percentage of impact will vary from one person to the next but keeping credit card utilization lower than 30% is considered a best practice,” he said. So if you want to help raise your score, it’s a good idea to keep the balance under 25% of the credit limit. It is fine — and a good idea — to pay off that credit card every month. Many consumers wrongly continue to think that they must carry a credit card balance in order to improve their credit score. “The overarching lesson here is that if you plan on financing a large ticket item (auto, home, large installment loan) don’t ramp up utilization or apply for new credit cards,” Richardson said. “That drop could prevent you from either getting approved or getting the best terms.” Most people, of course, couldn’t tell you what’s 25% of their available credit limit. They might know the full limit on a card but not the limit that you shouldn’t go above. For many consumers, the logic is counter-intuitive. After all, if you’ve got a $10,000 credit limit, you might think the lender is fine if you borrow close to that limit. Not so. “In general, the higher the percentage of credit line that is drawn down, the lower one’s credit scores,” according to a report by the Consumer Federation of America and VantageScore Solutions. I got a new credit card and my score dropped “Scores decline after a consumer opens up a new account because, all things being equal, a person seeking credit is slightly more

risky than someone not seeking new credit,” Richardson said. The initial impact, though, could be minimal. The inquiry by a potential credit card issuer or lender would cause the score to decline by a few points, Richardson said. Then once new account is opened, the score would drop too. All told, Richardson said, that drop shouldn’t be more than 20 points to 30 points. A key concern: Is the borrower taking on more debt as part of normal spending? Or are we looking now at someone who is bulking up on credit because he or she is having trouble making ends meet? “By paying on time,” Richardson said, “the score will most likely actually rise from where it was originally.” I pay rent. Will that boost my credit score? Maybe yes, maybe no. Paying all bills on time is clearly important. Yet not all bills are treated equally when it comes to credit scoring. Only 17% of multifamily rental property executives said they report rent payments, according to research by TransUnion, indicating that property managers have been slow to adopt to the process of reporting their data to credit bureaus. Yet, based on a new TransUnion survey, seven out of 10 renters say they would be more likely to pay the rent on time if their payments were reported. The online survey took place in May and included 1,330 responses from renters who are 18 or older. Someone who never had a credit card and doesn’t have much of a credit history could even become “scorable” following a year of rent payment reporting, TransUnion said. A consumer who has subprime credit and makes timely rental payments could see their credit score go up as much as 26 points in the same time. TransUnion wants to motivate property managers to implement reporting of rent payments, as a way to attract more reliable renters as well. TransUnion ResidentCredit accepts and discloses both positive and negative data. As a result, landlords could see delinquencies in real time as they screen applicants — not just as collections or public records. So if you’re renting, don’t just assume that rental payments will be reported to a credit bureau. Ask about the policies before you sign a lease. ©2019 Detroit Free Press Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Is forced telemedicine the future of health care? by Ron Hurtibise

Would you take unlimited 24/7 access to primary care doctors via smartphone, tablet or computer, with zero out-of-pocket co-pays, if it meant you’d have to pay a lot more money to see your regular doctor in person? Welcome to the future of telemedicine, also known as telehealth. Insurance giant Humana is betting many will be happy with such a trade. The company has partnered with a Health care telemedicine provider called Doctor on Demand to offer a discount-priced teledoc-based health insurance plan it calls On Hand. The plan, which costs employers up to 20% less than traditional plans, became available in Florida on June 1. A new telemedicine law signed recently

by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will make it easier for physicians licensed out of state to provide services to Florida residents. Outof-state doctors can pay a one-time $150 registration fee to see Florida patients. Modern technology and ultrafast connectivity is undoubtedly changing how health care is delivered around the world. The internet makes it possible for specialists on the other side of the globe to participate in complex, delicate surgeries, as well as for surgeons to examine patients being treated by paramedics in an ambulance or on a living room floor. Yet, online examinations have been widely available for several years now, but analysts say we’re just not warming up to the idea as they expected. Humans, it seems, prefer face-to-face

visits with their physicians. That’s why Humana’s new plan raises the ante. By making visits free to the patient and throwing in most common lab work and prescriptions for $5 while making in-person doctor visits comparatively pricey for consumers, Humana, and other insurers, is hoping to compel sick people to consult teledocs. What conditions are best suited for telehealth treatment? Services vary, but most companies tout their ability to easily treat colds and flus, allergies, skin infections, asthma, upper respiratory infections, stomach viruses, fevers, sinus infections, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and joint pain. Long-term chronic ailments are also conducive to long-distance monitoring and Continued on page 26.

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

Nonprofits

LINCOLN GROWTH A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

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A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Nonprofits overview • Starting a nonprofit • Donor management/fundraising Social media/branding tactics • Recruiting and managing volunteers Nonprofit partnership • All about grants • Engaging supporters Issue Date: July 12 • Ad Deadline: July 3

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Economic outlook • Lincoln thriving with major projects Shopping in Lincoln • Commercial/Office/Industrial Real Estate • Residential Banking & Financial Services • Health care • Activities and tourism Issue Date: July 19 • Ad Deadline: July 11

EVENT Senior PLANNING

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Living

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Event Planning overview • Focus on sustainability Integration of technology/social media into events Tips for selecting venues • Measure event marketing

Senior Issues overview • Independence for seniors • Life After retirement: Dementia/Alzheimer’s • Investing for retirement • Tips for staying fit Need for rehab centers after injury or surgery

Issue Date: July 19 • Ad Deadline: July 11

Issue Date: July 26 • Ad Deadline: July 18

To advertise your company’s products or services in one of our upcoming sections, contact one of our MBJ advertising representatives at (402) 330-1760 or at the email addresses below. Julie Whitehead - Julie@mbj.com • Catie Kirby - Catie@mbj.com

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JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

UPCOMING

SECTIONS

IN THE MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

JULY 12

NONPROFITS

JULY 19

LINCOLN GROWTH REPORT

EVENT PLANNING JULY 26

SENIOR LIVING To advertise your company’s products or services in one of our upcoming sections, contact one of our MBJ advertising representatives at (402) 330-1760 or at the email addresses below. Julie Whitehead - Julie@mbj.com • Catie Kirby - ads@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…

The U.S. Department of Labor approved Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant funding up to $2,000,000, with $800,000 released initially, for the Nebraska Department of Labor. The funding assists with the assessment of workforce needs in response to storms and flooding that affected more than three quarters of the state in March 2019. Record-setting water levels caused significant losses to highways, roads, and bridges. The Omaha Press Club honored Omaha World-Herald sports columnist Tom Shatel with a face on the barroom floor. Shatel earned his journalism degree from the University of Missouri. He landed his first sports reporting job at Kansas City Star where he covered the Big 8 Conference, which then included the Huskers. From there he moved to the St. Louis Sun, then the Dallas Morning News, covering the Dallas Cowboys and professional golf. He then moved to the Omaha World-Herald and was named the Nebraska Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association on four occasions. He is also a former president of the Football Writers Association of America and the United States Basketball Writers Association. At the Celebration of Safety, an annual event hosted by the National Safety Council, Nebraska to recognize companies and individuals who don’t take shortcuts with safety, Miller Electric Co. was honored as one of “Nebraska’s Safest Companies with Distinction.” The award was established to celebrate those with commendable safety programs throughout the state. Miller Electric Co. has an exemplary safety record more than 50% better than the national average for its industry classification. That culture of safety resulted in a low mod score, or experience modification rate. Miller Electric’s most recent score of 0.56 is the lowest, and therefore best, in its history. Leah Casanave, supervisor of the Douglas County Health Department’s STD Control Program, was recognized as one of the inaugural 40 Under 40 in Public Health by the de Beaumont Foundation. She joined the Douglas County Health Department three years ago. She expanded the existing outreach testing beyond the original template and secured a NACCHO grant that allows local health departments to work with a local Federally Qualified Health Center to create an advisory group to provide information on PrEP in Omaha’s minority community. Casanave developed a take-home test pilot project with Metropolitan Community College and worked to educate teachers and counselors on STD tests and prepared them to distribute take-home kits to students. U.S. Representative Don Bacon along with local leaders are awarding a $25 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of Omaha, Omaha Housing Authority and their community partners. The project is one of four being awarded nationally. In addition to affordable mixed-income housing, a stronger connection to the neighborhood school, and infrastructure amenities are included in the project, which will lead to safer and healthier active lifestyles. Denise McCauley, WoodmenLife’s chief operating officer, was recognized with one of four 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards presented by the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s College of Business Administration. McCauley graduated from UNO with a B.S. degree in business administration in 1988. She

joined WoodmenLife in 2008 as vice president, core operations and was promoted into the role of executive vice president, chief operating officer in 2015. She oversees the areas of core operations, business technology, enterprise project management and coordinates corporate strategy. Before joining WoodmenLife, McCauley held various positions at First Data Corporation and Alliance Data Systems. Cox Communications earned the No. 11 spot on the 2019 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list. This marks the 14th time the company has been recognized among the nation’s corporate diversity leaders. Cox was also specifically praised for its leadership in executive diversity councils and ranked in the top five for supplier diversity and philanthropy. After a 40-plus year career, Roger Kruse Associates founder Roger Kruse has announced his retirement and the closure of his firm. His expertise was entrenched in food service operations in a number of K-12 schools, higher education institutions, as well as corporate offices and justice facilities. Long-time associate Jordon Kramp will continue his career with Alvine Engineering. Alvine will now be offering comprehensive food service consulting and design under his leadership. A new pick-up window at the busiest Godfather’s Pizza location in Omaha, Nebraska, will make it easier and faster for customers to get their pizza. An increase in carryout sales and the desire to improve customer convenience prompted the restaurant to build the pick-up window at Omaha’s 108th and Maple streets location. Of the 16 Godfather’s Pizza locations in Omaha and the surrounding area, there are now four locations with pick-up windows available to customers: 108th and Maple streets, 141st and Q streets, 180th and Q streets and Bellevue’s Twin Creek near Highway 370 and South 36th St. Joe Vlock, CLU, ChFC, CAP of Vlock Financial Group, private wealth advisor with Eagle Strategies and New York Life, has been chosen as 2019’s Hall of Fame inductee into the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, for outstanding contributions to the industry and his clients over the course of his career. He is a registered investment advisor, and a registered representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC. He is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, a member of the Omaha Estate Planning Council, past president of NAIFA, past member of the New York Life Chairman’s Council and National Committeeman for NAIFA. Ag Processing Inc. announced that Cal Meyer, chief operating officer, has decided to retire at the end of 2019 after 34 years with the company. Promoted to COO in September of 2015, Meyer also served for 19 years as group vice president, overseeing the company’s commercial activities and operations functions. During Meyer’s tenure, he has played a crucial role in AGP’s management and leadership, while continuing to assist in the evolution of the company to changing business and industry conditions. Meyer’s career in agribusiness started with Archer Daniels Midland in 1981. In addition to stores in Kearney, Lincoln, Norfolk, and Grand Island, Tradehome Shoes opened a second location in Omaha. The store is located at Village Pointe, featuring premium brands like; Alegria, Chaco, Dansko, New Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES Continued from preceding page. Balance, Ecco, Hunter, Keen, Merrell, HOKA One One, Asics, Nike, Oboz, Olukai and more.

Health care notes…

The University of Nebraska Medical Center Office of Community Engagement designed a program to teach pharmaceutical compounding to Urban League of Nebraska’s Whitney Young Junior STEAM (science, technology, engineering, agriculture, mathmatics) Academy. The program, aimed at girls, is part of a concerted effort to expose the youths to STEAM fields. The girls spend six weeks in the program throughout the summer and take part in numerous site visits and handson activities. To date, 150 girls have taken part in the STEAM Academy since its inception in 2012. The graduation rate is 100% and 80% of young women went on to study some type of STEAM field in college. OneWorld Community Health Centers has added one health care provider, one psychiatrist, two dentists and a director to its growing team. Melanie Budine, APRN, will work at the new Teen and Young Adult Health Center in west Omaha. Shannon Kinnan, M.D., is a psychiatrist at OneWorld’s Livestock Exchange Building campus in south Omaha. Rafael Maldonado is the director of human resources and organizational improvement. Kate May, DDS, will work at OneWorld’s Livestock Exchange Building campus in south Omaha. Cecilia Miyares, DDS, will work at OneWorld’s Livestock Exchange Building campus in south Omaha. Hy-Vee, Inc., in conjunction with The Jel Sert Co., the American Childhood Cancer Organization and 10 children’s hospitals, announced a new partnership in seven cities throughout the Midwest to bring unlimited flavored ice pops to hospitalized children. The partnership with Hy-Vee further expands Jel Sert and the ACCO’s “Take a Pop, Share a Smile” program for hospitalized children battling cancer and other illnesses. Susan G. Komen Great Plains has awarded an $85,000 grant to OneWorld Community Health Centers for breast cancer screening and treatment for Hispanic women. The grant will support an initiative to primarily screen low-income Hispanic women for breast cancer. The project will involve screenings, clinical breast exams, mammograms and coordination of breast cancer treatment for low-income, uninsured patients.

Education notes…

University of Nebraska Medical Center was ranked as a top university in Nebraska for job placement of graduates. A new study by Zippia has determined that the University of Nebraska Medical Center is the No. 1 university/college in Nebraska for its job placement numbers for its graduates. This marks the third year that Zippia has compiled this data, which comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. The data looked at how many students were employed 10 years after they graduated. UNMC students had a 94.96% employment rate. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the newest building to be constructed on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus — the Wigton Heritage Center. The 10,000-square-foot, four-level building will be a gathering place, where UNMC will welcome guests, host events and meet with friends and colleagues. It will celebrate and memorialize UNMC’s history, while also serving as a campus welcome center. It will allow

the McGoogan Library of Medicine to take previously hidden prized collections, artifacts, archives and rare books and showcase them to the public. The $26 million construction project includes construction of the Wigton Heritage Center and renovation of Wittson Hall. The two buildings will connect. The project will be completed in 2021. Bellevue University has appointed two new members to its board of directors. Joining will be Diva Mejias, owner and president of DM Financial Services, Inc., and Javier Fernandez, vice president and chief financial officer for the Omaha Public Power District. Mejias has three-plus decades of professional corporate finance and management experience. She retired in 2010 as district controller for United Parcel Service’s Central Pennsylvania District. Fernandez joined OPPD in 2017. He came to OPPD from the Bonneville Power Administration, U.S. Department of Energy in Portland, Oregon.

Activities of Nonprofits…

In its 25th year of raising funds for MakeA-Wish Nebraska, Truck Center Cos. raised over $430,00 during a dual-event fundraiser. Until this year, an annual golf event has been the primary fundraiser. Since its debut in 1994, the event has raised over $2.6 million and granted over 380 wishes. With the money raised from this two-day event, Make-A-Wish Nebraska will be able to grant 57 wishes for children and families who need them most. For the 25th anniversary of Truck Center Companies’ fundraising efforts, TCC also hosted a concert and auction for Make-A-Wish. Midlands Community Foundation raised more than $46,000 at its 2019 golf tournament at Platteview Golf Club. The tournament was sold out with 148 golfers participating. At this year’s tournament, donations were awarded to Papillion-LaVista Community Theatre, Monarch Band Boosters Association, Conestoga Elementary School and the Summer Reading Programs at libraries in Sarpy County and Cass County. The PenFed Foundation raised over $35,000 to support Nebraska service members, veterans, military families and caregivers at its third-annual Greater Omaha Military Heroes Golf Classic at Quarry Oaks. The 2019 Golf Classic drew over 75 golfers and kicked off with a performance of the National Anthem by local Omaha charity, Guitars for Vets. The PenFed Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that provides military service members, veterans, their families and support networks with the skills and resources they need to improve their financial well-being.

Arts and events…

Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is having an opening reception of “Inner Ear Vision: Sound as Medium” on July 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free event will include a performance by exhibiting artist Benvenuto Chavajay beginning at 7 p.m. Exhibition curators Maria Elena Buszek, Raven Chacon and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe will also all be in attendance. The exhibition will be on view through September 14, 2019. “Inner Ear Vision: Sound as Medium” explores sound as an artistic medium beyond the aural and assembles works throughout Bemis Center’s three galleries by multidisciplinary artists providing a variation on the theme. Metropolitan Community College at Do Space will host the discussion “Renewable Energy” on July 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event is part of the Hubbard

Sustainability Series, and will feature guest speakers Courtney Kennedy, alternative energy Program manager at OPPD, and Darren Dageforde, P.E., executive director of utility and energy optimization at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Kennedy and Dageforde will discuss renewable energy and how Nebraskans can make a difference in their community and in their own lives. A question and answer session with the speakers will follow. The event is free and open to the public. Stand Up Against Bullying: A Night of Comedy for a Good Cause is taking over the Scottish Rite Masonic Center on July 11 at 5:45 p.m. Monies raised directly support RESPECT programming. It will start with a silent auction, dinner buffet, and cash bar followed by a performance from our RESPECT actor-educators, as well as a comedy show with comedian John Bush who has performed stand-up comedy on HBO, Comedy Central, as well as sketches on Late Night with Conan O’Brien in addition to his many other credits. Registration has opened for the July 13 Owl Ride, Omaha’s nighttime urban cycling adventure. Registration is online. The cost is

$45 for adults and $25 for children 18 and under when riding with an adult; $50 and $30 the day of the event. This year’s starlit ride will start at 9 p.m. at Lewis and Clark Landing on Omaha’s riverfront. There’s again a choice of a 17-mile course through Midtown, Dundee, Aksarben, Field Club and downtown, or a shorter, family friendly 7.5-mile course. The ride benefits the nonprofit Meyer Foundation for Disabilities to help improve the lives of adults with developmental disabilities in our community. Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska and Girl Scouts of the USA presents the first-ever Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend July 13–14. In collaboration with the National Association of State Park Directors and Nebraska Game and Parks, Nebraska Girl Scouts will be able to participate in free programming July 13-14 at seven Nebraska state parks: Ponca State Park, Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and Nature Center, Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area, Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area, Ft. Kearny, Ft. Atkinson and the Venture Parks. Free programming will be offered to 50 Girl Scouts at each participating state park.

MEETINGS AND SEMINARS Tuesday, July 9 The Kitchen Council is hosting a discussion on “Lessons Learned and Pro Tips for Starting a Food Business” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Small business owners often don’t know what challenges or obstacles to expect or plan for until they are faced with them. Katie Arant of Coneflower Creamery, Michelle Dill of Big Green Tomato and Philip Shaffart of Blackstone Meatball, Pageturners and The Sports Hall, will speak to specific questions pertaining to starting their business, what surprises and challenges they met and real life advice. The event is free and open to the public but guests are asked to register online. Wednesday, July 10 Lakelyn Hogan, Gerontologist and caregiver advocate at Home Instead will present “Creating a Supportive Workplace for Working Family Caregivers” at the HRAM July Symposium. This session will teach about the growing population of working caregivers, how employers can better understand what

their employees want and need as caregivers, and ways to create a more supportive environment for working caregivers. This session has been submitted for 1.5 PDCs for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP and 1.5 hours of HR credit from HRCI. Thursday, July 11 Nancy Conway, SHRM-SCP, SHRM, will present “Drive Business Success with Workplace Flexibility” at the HRAM July FAMA Program in Fremont. Effective and flexible work — or Workflex — is rethinking how, when and where people do their best work. Employers are making Workflex part of their strategy to attract, retain and engage the best talent. Learn how you can drive business success by harnessing the power of Workflex to support your organizational goals and strategy. This Program has been pre-approved for 1.0 PDCs from SHRM’s Professional Development Certification and 1.0 hours of HR recertification credit from HR Certification Institute.

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JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Is forced telemedicine the future of health care? Continued from page 22. prescribing, including conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and weight management. Psychiatric and behavioral issues are especially suited to telemedicine because they rarely involve invasive therapies. Most of the major telemedicine providers offer treatment options for issues such as addictions, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, insomnia, anxiety and postpartum depression. Some patients might feel more comfortable seeking treatment by telemedicine for issues they might be embarrassed to discuss in person, such as erectile dysfunction or hair loss. That’s one reason specialized services have popped up for these issues. What’s not treatable via telemedicine? Doctor on Demand lists the following conditions they don’t treat: Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, chest pain and/or numbness, vomiting or coughing blood, lacerations, loss of consciousness, broken bones, severe burns or pediatric ear infections. And sorry, forget about opioids, except under limited circumstances, and medical marijuana. How can I be treated at home when I don’t have any medical gear? Members of Humana’s new plan get a welcome kit with a digital thermometer and blood pressure cuff. Services that plug into smartphones and transmit data back to health providers, such as glucose monitors and sleep trackers, are becoming more widely available. Why are insurers and health providers pushing telehealth?

One reason is the belief that telehealth will lower costs for insurers and consumers. Insurers believe costs for telehealth visits should be lower than in-office visits. In Florida, physicians wanted the law to require insurers pay the same amount for either type as they must in 36 other states. The state’s new law leaves it to doctors and insurers to negotiate reimbursement rates. That’ll keep telehealth from growing at the “explosive” rate it has in other states because it reduces incentives for physicians to invest in the necessary technology and training, says Thomas (T.J.) Ferrante, a Tampa, Fla.-based attorney for the law firm Foley & Lardner LLP, who specializes in helping telehealth businesses comply with state and federal laws. Will it be faster to see a doctor? Telehealth will improve patient access to physicians, advocates say. The U.S. is facing a severe shortfall in the number of physicians available to an increasingly large population of baby boomer seniors. By 2030, the nation will need 121,300 more physicians than it will have, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. This shortage will most hurt people living in rural areas. Rural patients wait the longest for visits with specialists, such as neurologists, and find themselves driving farthest when they can’t afford to wait. Absent reforms, the shortage will increase waiting times to see primary care doctors beyond today’s historically long spans. In 2017, patients in the Miami metro area waited an

average 28 days after scheduling an appointment to see a primary care doctor, compared with 12 days in 2014 and seven days in 2009, according to a study by Merritt Hawkins a national physician recruitment firm. I’ve been hearing about telehealth for several years now. Have consumers warmed up to them? Companies that launched telehealth services a few years ago aren’t exactly beating their chests about the results. Cleveland Clinic was the first hospital in Florida to offer telehealth services to anyone willing to pay $49 for a 10-minute consultation (it’s $55 now). Nearly 3,000 Cleveland Clinic Florida patients have used its Express Care Online service since it was launched in September 2015. That’s 45 months ago, for an average of 67 online visits a month, or about two a day. A UnitedHealthCare spokeswoman said the company didn’t have the number of Florida customers who have used its Virtual Visits app since it was introduced in 2016. However, she said visits have doubled each year. Florida Blue also did not cite actual usage numbers for its TelaDoc service but said the number of visits have tripled since the service became available to patients in 2017. Similarly, Baptist Health declined to say how many of its 35,000 enrolled consumers are actually using the app, while Sunrise-based telemedicine provider MDLive also declined to provide data, saying only that it expects about 1 million visits this year out of about 32 million consumers nationwide

When getting fired gets violent — what experts say about avoiding workplace tragedy by John Woolfolk

More than 20 million Americans are laid off or fired from their jobs each year. Most go quietly and move on. Steven Leet was the exception. Fired from his job stocking parts at a Morgan Hill, Calif., Ford dealership, the 60-yearold San Jose man lingered for nearly two hours and then barged into an open office where his two supervisors were Workplace meeting. He shot them to death, then walked outside and fatally shot himself. It’s still quite rare for employees to kill their co-workers on the job. “But they do happen,” said Wayne Maxey, a retired cop and district attorney investigator who’s now an executive consultant in workplace violence prevention with Workplace Guardians of Temecula, California. “One of the big obstacles is that a lot of organizations just kind of assume it’s not going to happen here.” Over a five-year period from 2011 to 2015, 312 employees were killed on the job by a co-worker, an average of about 62 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By comparison, robbers killed more than twice as many workers — 721 — over those years. A 2014 FBI study on “active shooter” incidents in the workplace, schools and other public places from 2000 to 2013 indicated they alarmingly are on the rise. There was just one in 2000, the report said, but 30 in 2017, the most ever recorded by the FBI over a one-year period, according to a follow-up study. That 2018 FBI study, however, said mass shooters typically telegraph their slide toward violence, offering hope that alert observers could intervene and head off tragedy.

“In the weeks and months before an attack, many active shooters engage in behaviors that may signal impending violence,” the report said. “While some of these behaviors are intentionally concealed, others are observable and — if recognized and reported — may lead to a disruption prior to an attack.” Police have not revealed any warning signs about the Morgan Hill shooter. The 2018 study examined 63 mass shooters and found few demographic trends other than that most were male. More than three out of four spent a week or more planning their attack, and more than half used legally acquired firearms. Only one in four had been diagnosed with a mental illness. In two-thirds of cases, at least one victim was targeted. The shooters typically were experiencing multiple forms of stress, the report said, such as depression, financial strain, problems at work or school, marital strife and conflicts with friends and peers. And they typically showed four or five observable and concerning behaviors before erupting in violence, the report said. Those most commonly included increased signs of depression, anxiety or paranoia; discord in relationships with family, friends, or colleagues; expressing intent to harm people; confused or irrational thinking; and a decline in work or school performance. But the FBI report said that observers often are reluctant to act on their concerns “for fear of erroneously labeling a friend or family member as a potential killer.” And authorities “struggle to decide how best to assess and intervene, particularly if no crime has yet been committed.” Morgan Hill police are still investigating Tuesday’s shooting that took the lives of Brian

Light, the dealership’s service director, and Xavier Souto, the parts manager who was Leet’s supervisor. Police said that after Leet was fired at 4:15 p.m., he spent about half an hour at his car in the parking lot, went back to the dealership parts department where he had worked and stood outside an open office where Light and Souto were meeting before entering just after 6 p.m. and opening fire. Surveillance video indicated they did not appear concerned about Leet lingering at the dealership after he was fired. After searching Leet’s home, police found a dozen legally owned guns but no evidence he planned the bloody attack. And they had no answer to what prompted Leet’s firing, whether he knew it was coming, what he said to the employees he spoke with between being fired and shooting his boss, and whether anyone at the dealership knew of his affinity for firearms. Leet lived alone, and co-workers and neighbors described him as a quiet man who kept to himself. Steve Fuentes, the owner of Sunnyvale Ford who was Light’s boss before he joined the Morgan Hill store about a year ago, said that most dealerships consider their employees like family, and if someone is fired, “it’s atypical to escort them off with security.” But, after the shooting in Morgan Hill, Fuentes said he reached out to Sunnyvale authorities. “There is an active shooter program they offer that we will get ourselves enrolled in,” Fuentes said, “and be as proactive as we can in case that kind of thing, God forbid, ever happens at our store.” Consultants like Maxey who advise emContinued on next page.

who have access to the service through their insurance plans. Just seven in 1,000 people nationwide used telemedicine in 2017, according to an analysis of insurance claims data from OptumLabs Data Warehouse cited in a December 2018 Washington Post story. A 2017 survey of 403 consumers by telehealth provider Avizia found higher usage rates — 18% said they use the technology. Among the 82% who don’t use it, 46% said they were less comfortable with the idea of a video visit than an in-person visit with a physician, while only one in five knew for certain whether their insurance plans covered telehealth. So the idea is that once I try it, I’m going to like it? That’s what proponents say. We’ll see. UnitedHealthCare said more than 90% of users rated their visits five out of five stars. Lyle Berkowitz, MDLive’s chief medical officer and executive vice president for product strategy, says 43% of the company’s expected million visits this year will be repeat users. “Once they use us once, they are going to continue to use us on a repeat basis,” Berkowitz said in an interview. Consumers give the service a net satisfaction score of 80 out of a possible 100, Berkowitz said, because they like the convenience of connecting with a physician in 10 minutes or less for consultations that generally last no more than 10 minutes. “It’s convenient, easy, and as wonderful to use as Netflix is compared to going to Blockbuster,” he said. It won’t be long before we have no choice, right? Telemedicine is still an optional service for most people on employer-funded plans, and an affordable option (along with urgent care centers) for the uninsured. An MDLive visit costs $75 to any consumer, and rates are similar from competitors such as TeleDoc and Doctor on Demand. If insurers want to increase use in the future, they’ll increase the number of plans that offer it as the most financially palatable choice. Ferrante doesn’t think we’ll be required to use telemedicine services any time soon, but he sees health plans and providers increasing incentives to move patients along. “It’s not a question of if, but of when,” he said. Physicians who are reluctant will eventually buy in, he said. “It will be driven by market demand. Some will do it earlier than others. Some will be really successful and others, not so much. Some will refuse to change and retire or be driven out of business.” Can I see the same doctor? You can claim one of the teledocs as “your” doc, but that doc likely won’t be located in your area, and perhaps not even your state. But you can build a relationship over time by making appointments to see that same teledoc, Humana says. It will cost more money than you are currently paying for an in-person visit to your local primary care doctor. In fact, unless you are getting a covered “preventative care” service, such as diabetes screening or a Hepatitis B screening, you’ll have to pay the rate your insurer negotiated for the visit — not a co-pay — until you’ve met your out-of-pocket limit. ©2019 Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

College bills coming due? Here are some smart tips before you pay by Erin Arvedlund

With the cost of college rising each year, we did the math to see if it’s possible for students to pay their own way through school. In Pennsylvania, the worst state for affordability, students have to work 120 hours a week to cover in-state tuition and housing, according to price data from College Tuition Compare and labor/wage data from the National Conference of Financial State Legislatures. Granted, price data aren’t perfect: a recent University of Pennsylvania study found that many colleges’ net price calculators don’t correlate with the true cost of a university degree. That said, how can you negotiate your kid’s college bill down and pay what you can afford? First, you can appeal your kid’s financial aid award letter. “For some families, a change in financial status may have occurred since the submission of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid form and may not reflect your current income,” notes Fred Amrein, founder of PayForED.com, a Newtown Square consulting and software firm that helps parents and students maximize financial aid and minimize college costs. He’s even put together a sample

Workplace tragedy Continued from preceding page. ployers in avoiding and dealing with mass shootings say that while “active shooter” drills can help in a crisis, “there’s so much more to do before that.” “In most cases, people don’t snap,” Maxey said. “There’s usually a progression.” Security consultant Aric Mutchnick, president of Experior Group, said even large companies often lack clear protocols for handling employee terminations and keeping them from turning violent. He conducts role-playing exercises and points out areas where employers may inadvertently make things worse, like having security escort a fired worker to his desk with a box in front of co-workers. “Is it the walk of shame?” Mutchnick said. “That’s not conducive to a pleasant experience.” Even small details like the layout of the room where employees are given the bad news can amp up anxiety and tension — is it small and cramped, does the worker feel trapped? — Mutchnick said. What happens before and after an employee gets fired are also important, Mutchnick said. Employers should clearly spell out grounds for termination and give workers opportunities to improve, he said, and they should follow up with fired workers in the weeks afterward to check on their well-being. But co-workers need to have a means to confidentially report concerns about a colleague to company executives, experts said. “In most of these cases, there is some behavior that occurs that can be detected,” Maxey said. “The big challenge is that in a lot of these cases people have seen these changes but they didn’t report it to the organization.” (Staff writer Julia Prodis Sulek contributed to this report.) ©2019 The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

“Financial Aid Appeal letter” as a guide. Second, here’s a list of tuition bill items to review before you pay: -Room size: Prices can vary depending on room selection with a single room being the most expensive. -Meal plan: College freshmen may not have a choice in the meal plan. If you think the meal plan is too much, ask if it can be downsized. -Health insurance: This is a fee sometimes listed on the bill that can usually be waived with proof of your child’s health insurance. -Payment plans: Check with the bursar for payment options, specifically tuition installment plans. Is there a fee to set up the installment payment plan? First payment’s usually due in August. -Federal loans: Tuition bills indicate what federal loans you are eligible for, so student and parent must understand the type of loans they will be accepting. Savings and tax credits If you have money in your 529 college savings plan, remember qualified expenses include tuition, fees, room, board, books, computers, and supplies directly related to courses. Often overlooked? The American Opportunity Credit. This is a tax credit per student that can add up to $2,500 per year, and is only available for the first four years

of college. However, sometimes tax years and school years don’t match, so check with an accountant. IRS tax transcripts When filling out financial aid applications, students and families need two years of tax information to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is available to use with the 2019-20 FAFSA Form. This tool is the fastest, most accurate way to input tax return information. Students and parents can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to access returns from within the FAFSA. Don’t have a copy of your past tax returns? Here are some options: -Access the tax software you used to prepare and file returns. You may be able to download and print a copy. -Contact the tax preparer or provider who filed your return. -Download a tax transcript at Get Transcript Online. Or use Get Transcript by Mail. The IRS will mail a transcript to the address on a return within five to 10 days. (Visit https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript.) -Call the IRS’s automated line at 800-9089946 to order a transcript. Funding financial shortfalls After reviewing the bill, you may fall

short on how to pay the rest of the tuition. Most families finance the cost of college education with: -Parent PLUS loans. -Private student loans. -Home equity or personal loans. Too much work or don’t have the time? Get help from a college financial expert who is a fiduciary — that’s someone legally bound to do the right thing for his or her client, and not just sell a product. Robert Falcon with College Funding Solutions in Concordville has built a business around estimating your expected financial contribution and net cost of college before your student applies, so you can eliminate schools that put your student’s future and your retirement in financial jeopardy. “Unfortunately, there are some college financial advisers out there who see the complexity of college funding as an opportunity to put a commission in their pockets by selling you an insurance product or an annuity,” he warns. Falcon instead focuses on minimizing income in the years prior to paying for college, and targeting schools “where you can obtain significant aid and eliminate the need for suffocating debt.” ©2019 The Philadelphia Inquirer Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Part-timer pressured to work more hours worries about saying ‘no’ by Liz Reyer

Q: I work part-time out of choice in an hourly job. My problem is that my boss and co-workers don’t respect my boundaries. They pressure me to cover for others and spend more time than I can at work, and then treat me as if I’m not one of the team when I refuse. How can I get them to be understanding so that work can be a more positive place for us all? Workplace -Annie, 42, sales assistant A: Maintain a strong but nondefensive stance to protect your priorities. If you feel shaky about what you want, take time to re-evaluate. I’m betting that your assessment will confirm for you that you are on the right path, and that will help you feel anchored. Remember too: your priorities are no one else’s business. Whether it’s yours or your family’s health, aging parents, ongoing education or something entirely different, you don’t need to defend your choices. If you are not solid about this, people will sense it and feel most empowered to put on the pressure. At the same time, your tone matters. If you are uncomfortable saying no, you may respond with an edge that you didn’t intend. This could contributing to the negative culture you mentioned. Try finding a pleasant way to respond when co-workers ask you to sub for them; for example, “Sorry, I’m off today and already have commitments.” No extra details, no annoyance for being asked. Regarding your boss, it’s essential that you have a conversation about their expectations. Is your current boss the same person who agreed to your part-time hours in the first place? If not, they may not be on board with your schedule, and it’s important to get aligned. If it is, then seek information

on what might have changed in the team’s needs. Consider circumstances when you might pitch in. Some give and take is helpful, as you want people to be willing to help you in a pinch. That’s a far cry from being the team doormat, which can happen if you permit it. Find other ways to build team connections. Part of the distance you feel may be because you say no sometimes. However, part of it might be that you’re just not around as much because you’re part time. Do simple things like initiating a friendly chat or bringing in treats now and then. Then accept that they might not like it, no matter what you do. At that point, consider your options.

Of course, if the pressure crosses into abuse or harassment, you need to let HR know. If it’s stressful but doesn’t cross lines, you’ll need to decide if you can deal with it. Part of it comes down to options. If there are other jobs that would give you the flexibility you want, you might choose to be less tolerant. It also depends on what you really want and need from work. Again, if the benefits outweigh the issues, you might opt to overlook the less ideal aspects. Just be sure that you don’t settle for less than you want and need from your job. ©2019 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

WorkRelated Injuries

July 5, 2019

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Safety programs are key to decreasing work-related injuries qualified for the job,” she said. “Fit for Duty, by Gabby Christensen No employer wants to see an employee functional capacity examinations, ergonomics, injured on the job, and while accidents are some- and work conditioning are all part of the menu times inevitable, safety and health professionals of services offered.” Risto Rautiainen, director of Central States say there are many instances where injuries can be preventable if a proper safety program is in Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, said most recent statistics show 5,147 place and procedures are followed occupational fatalities in the U.S., correctly. and 35 in Nebraska. Gaby Vogel, occupational health Rautiainen said non-fatal injudirector at Makovicka Physical ries happened to three workers out Therapy, said some of the most comof 100 in Nebraska in 2017. mon work-related injuries include “The effect of injuries, particulow back and shoulder injuries due larly on smaller employers, can be to repetitive motion, overall muscle serious,” he said. “In today’s job weakness and poor posture with market, every employee is importtasks and at the jobsite. ant. Workers and their families, as Vogel said there are two effects well as their employers may have an employer must consider after a Bougher great difficulty to deal with the work-related injury: the direct and the indirect costs of the injury to get the employ- situation after injury. The cost of lost time, productivity, damaged equipment and other losses ee back to prior level of function. “To keep the workplace safe, it is very im- can be much greater than the medical expenses.” According to Rautiainen, listening to workportant to create a culture of safety within the ers, who are experts in their particular work area; company,” she said. Vogel said a few things that can be imple- making improvements in the working environmented to create a culture of safety include ment; simple housekeeping and recognizing adding a stretching program, educating in body that getting the work done, and getting home mechanics and posture or implementing an safely without injuries or ill health is important for everyone in the organization. ergonomics program. Desiree Bougher, president/owner of “Makovicka Physical Therapy has a comprehensive occupational health program that Xtreme Recognition, said distraction is a big may assist employers in hiring individuals contributor to injuries in the workplace and

Gaby Vogel, occupational health director at Makovicka Physical Therapy. safety programs have been proven to help reduce said. “It can truly make a change when put into injuries in the workplace. place and used correctly. It’s important to reeval“A program should be used as a communi- uate the program and employee performance Continued on next page. cation tool to inform the employee,” Bougher

Smartly-deployed tech helps employers prevent costly injuries, contain workers’ comp expense by Michelle Leach

Leaning on nurse triage from the get-go and artificial intelligence to manage claims, as well as fun wellness challenges to curb preventable workplace injuries, help employers go the distance to contain associated costs. Lockton Companies Nebraska Partner and President Jack Struyk referred to the “age-long adage” of being proactive, starting with the employer maintaining a safe workplace (on- and off-premises) and including an active safety program. He indicated proactive approaches are being coupled with nurse triage. “Employees receive immediate attention from a registered nurse 24/7,” he said. “This avoids some unnecessary doctor and [or] emergency room visits, reducing medical-only and lost-time claims.” This strategy, according to Struyk, further improves the timeliness of getting the injury reported. “So, the employee can be attended to im-

mediately,” he said, noting the injured person receives the care they need — and peace of mind: “which helps reduce litigation costs.” Struyk indicated a partnership with companies like Lockton should be “hands on,” with easy access to the claims department for reporting, guidance, and ongoing updates and claim data. Division Manager Lisa Haas referenced CHI Health Company Care/Employee Health’s wellness and employee engagement portal, which supports keeping employees fit, productive and less injury-prone. “We offer biometric screenings to engage employees in their health, paired with a wellness portal that offers a fun experience,” she said. “It’s tailored to fit the specific needs of the company’s culture, employee population and wellbeing strategy.” Features include wellness challenges, lifestyle resources and games, and she noted the integration of wearable devices to boost “fitness Continued on next page.

Work-Related Injuries •

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

Smartly-deployed tech helps employers prevent costly injuries, contain workers’ comp expense Continued from preceding page. engagement.” Even with the best of intentions and prevention, accidents can arise. “Once we determine an ortho referral is needed, we work quickly with the employer [and] insurance company to get timely approval for the referral,” she said. “Then our staff works closely with the ortho group to get these patients seen quickly.” The National Safety Council reports sprains, strains or tears; soreness or pain; and cuts, lacerations and punctures are the most common types of injuries keeping employees away from work (with 33.54% of all injuries caused by “overexertion,” lifting and repetitive motions). “The cost savings is centered around a quick return to work,” Haas said, while written restrictions that allow employees to go back to work was also acknowledged. “This is done by having those conversations with the employer, so everyone understands how we can return their employee back to work quickly but safely.” Open communication between the employer and practice is key to keeping claims costs down, quick return to work, and minimizing lost days on the employer’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration log, according to Haas. Omaha National’s blend of technology and employee training is paying off for clients and, accordingly, the company — as it’s gone from six to 85 employees in three years. “As a new company, part of Omaha National’s strategy is to develop our own proprietary software and systems … advances in artificial intelligence and automated systems, we use them throughout the company in everything

we do — from spotting fraudulent claims to to hire very high-quality people, and we have making sure that the right amount gets paid for, an extensive in-house training program that is projecting the cost of claims and making sure at least as important as the technology we dewe’re taking the right approaches to velop,” he said. “We see companies managing them,” said President and where their goal is little to no huCEO Reagan Pufall. “We do a lot of man involvement at all. InsureTech our own tech development in-house, vendors may say they’ll improve rather than vended solutions in the customer satisfaction by using a marketplace.” chatbot to handle customer comPufall indicated the insurance munication rather than humans, but industry has long been regarded as that’s not going to improve customer slow-to-adopt technology; nowasatisfaction.” days, it’s a different story. Criticisms It was noted that medical care is abound in the InsureTech arena always going to be a personal; it’s related to how swiftly (and heavily) simply hard to automate. Struyk companies have relied on technoloAnother value-added approach gy, instead of, as Pufall put it, “using technology comes courtesy of its status as a payroll service to enhance what human beings can do.” company. “We still believe there is a huge opportunity “For many of our employers, we run payroll

Physical therapy services aim for speedy rehab by David Kubicek

Rehab clinics work to help patients heal their injuries and return to work as soon as possible. Nebraska Spine + Pain Center sees many injuries to the disks of the lower back, which can be the result of a combined forward bending, rotation, and/or lifting movements, according to Physical Therapy Lead Rachel Gusse. “This type of injury occurs when the level of load to this structure exceeds the tolerance of the tissues to accommodate to that load,” she said. Another injury is simply muscle imbalances

Safety programs Continued from preceding page. often to ensure safety procedures are in place. Surveys can also be an effective tool. If a program is not implemented, the effects can be devastating, Bougher said. “Employers sometimes think they can’t afford it, but taking steps to cut down on risk and injury is a cost that is necessary,” she said. “It will cost much more in the long run if safety procedures and guidelines aren’t put into place. Rewarding safety has been proven effective. It’s a win for everyone.” As all work cultures are motivated differently, Bougher said Xtreme Recognition works with employers to find what will be most effective in order to motivate employees to work with safety on the forefront. Reagan Pufall, president and CEO at Omaha National Insurance, said the company primarily insures small to medium sized companies and he’s seen first hand that work related injuries can be a real crisis, which is why it’s critical that employers try to prevent injuries. Pufall said the single most powerful piece of advice for any employer is to spend more time on the hiring and promoting process. “It’s important to hire good people and then treat them very well,” he said. “Happy, successful employees don’t get hurt as often and file fewer claims. If they do become injured, they’re likely to be more cooperative with medical treatments, too.” Pufall said it’s also important to keep in mind that there is a percentage of claims that are not legitimate, and instead fraudulent. “My advice for any employer in any industry is to report to their workers compensation insurance company immediately,” he said. “Delaying can only worsen the injury or increase the overall cost.”

for them in addition to handling workers compensation when an employee is injured,” Pufall said. “Having that working relationship with our clients is great for an employer; they never have to worry about under- or over-paying the premium … and we can calculate their benefit rate and pay the benefit need very promptly. It puts us way ahead of the curve when it comes to the claim.” Pufall, too, emphasized the importance of prompt injury reporting, ongoing communication and a top-down approach to prioritizing worker safety. Employees who work within a good culture tend to also have reduced injuries, fewer claims, and to not make fraudulent claims (“bad bosses generate injuries and claims, and if you have unhappy employees, you have a breeding ground for costly claims,” he said).

Gusse Dexter created by poor posture, sustained over a period of time, such as spending hours at a desk, computer, laptop, tablet or a smartphone. “These imbalances occur when the muscles we need to hold us in an upright posture weaken, and the muscles that are pulling us into the poor posture tighten,” Gusse said. “We’ve found that by taking it back to the basics and simply encouraging movement, we have significantly more success in returning patients to an active lifestyle. We focus on correcting movement patterns and teaching the patients how to move smarter, not harder.” The clinic has also discovered interest in niche physical therapy services based on individual hobbies. “Within the past year, we’ve introduced Pilates and golf programs, and they are growing in popularity,” Gusse said. QLI specializes in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, and chronic pain rehabilitation, according to Brad Dexter, coordinator of physical and occupational therapy services. Although many medical professionals have been using telehealth for years, physical therapy is just starting to catch up. “Tele-therapy is providing a platform for individuals to receive physical therapy without leaving their home,” he said. “This can improve follow through for the patient, reduce overhead costs for the therapist, and decrease overall health care costs.”

Advances in robotics and bionics can help therapists diagnose more precisely, increase clinic efficiencies, and reach more patients. These technologies improve patient engagement and

home exercise program compliance. “All of these areas are impacting neuroplasticity — the fact that our nervous system Continued on page 31.

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JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Mutual of Omaha elects Junge to vice president

Manby

Suter

Mutual of Omaha promotes Manby, Suter to leadership

Mutual of Omaha has appointed Niki Manby to chief innovation officer, where she will lead a culture of innovation across the organization. Mutual of Omaha has also promoted Wes Suter to deputy general counsel. Manby works with internal and external partners, emerging technologies and industry ecosystems to discover, incubate and invest in ideas that will transform the future of financial services. She has more than 20 years of global financial services experience managing growth P&Ls, innovation, corporate strategy and new product development. Before joining Mutual of Omaha, she held various executive positions at Visa Inc. in San Francisco and Singapore, and at Citi Ventures, the innovation and new venture unit at Citigroup. As deputy general counsel, Suter will provide legal counsel on general corporate and regulatory matters, including mergers and acquisitions. He joined the company in 2006 as a manager of corporate development. In 2007, he was promoted to vice president of corporate development and promoted to senior vice president of corporate strategy in February 2015. Before assuming his current role, he served as associate general counsel, a position he’s held since July 2015. Prior to joining Mutual of Omaha, Suter was a vice president of mergers and acquisitions for First Data Corporation and an attorney at Kutak Rock.

CFO Systems Search and Staffing selects Scheel for recruiting role

CFO Systems Search and Staffing has added Jennie Scheel, CPA, to the team as a recruiter focused on placing accounting & finance professionals in roles in and around the Omaha and Lincoln metropolitan areas. Scheel brings over 16 years of diversified experience managing audits, directing the relocaScheel tion of accounting functions from California to Nebraska, overseeing accounting departments for both public and private companies, and leading the accounting/HR/sales/marketing teams. In her most recent role as chief financial officer, Scheel led the implementation of several strategic initiatives based on financial forecasts that drove revenue and reduced expenses, established processes that increased product margins, and led and mentored the several teams to surpass goals and embrace change.

Mutual of Omaha has promoted Erin Junge to vice president of digital experience design and development. In this role, she oversees the strategic user experience across Mutual of Omaha’s digital environment, which includes leading a team focused on researching, defining, designing and develJunge oping unique digital experiences for customers. Junge joined Mutual of Omaha in 2003 as a web designer and has earned numerous promotions within the digital marketing division over the years. Before assuming her current position, she served as director of digital experience and design, which she began in 2013. Junge received her bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University.

Children’s Square U.S.A. names Clark to VP role

Children’s Square U.S.A. has selected Cheryl Clark as the vice president of resource development. Clark will be responsible for planning and executing a comprehensive fundraising program in support of the needs of Children’s Square. She will work closely with the board and staff to communicate the mission and Clark vision of Children’s Square and to secure resources that will sustain and grow the agency. Clark has over 30 years of experience in financial services and over two decades of sales leadership in management, development, and revenue retention. Clark most recently served in a leadership position for an area nonprofit organization.

Goosmann Law adds Ford

Goosmann Law Firm has added attorney Warren J. Ford III at its Omaha location. Ford is a creditors’ attorney who works with creditors, bankers, and business leaders to reach cost effective and timely resolutions with their borrowers. Ford has represented more than 2,000 clients in Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy proceedings and has been a practicing attorney in Omaha for over Ford seven years. His areas of practice include debt restructuring, bankruptcy, collections, creditors’ rights, foreclosure, and loss mitigation. He received his Juris Doctor from University of Nebraska College of Law, and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Creighton University. He is licensed to practice in Nebraska and Colorado.

Midlands Business Journal • JULY 5, 2019 •

BKD names Scott to partner

BKD’s Nebraska practice has elected Nate Scott to partner. Scott serves clients in the construction, real estate, manufacturing and distribution industries. He chairs the Nebraska construction & real estate team and leads the Scott firm’s employee benefit plan practice in Nebraska. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants. He serves as secretary for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands’ service league and is a graduate of Leadership Omaha Class 39. Scott is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Physical therapy Continued from page 29. has the ability to change itself with appropriate input — through giving the end user more use, feedback, appropriate intensity, and repetition in activities that are important to them,” Dexter said. Robotic exoskeletons have been helpful to individuals who have impairments in walking or using their arms. These devices enable individuals with stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury to engage in walking or reaching Lausterer activities with the appropriate amount of support while giving ample repetition to enhance new learning. In the past, employees needed to modify their bodies to the workstation, but now the focus is on modifying the workstation to the employee to decrease stress on the worker’s body, according to Kris Lausterer, a physical therapist at VNA Healing Motion. “To return the employee to their previous functional status, which includes performing their job effectively and in a pain-free manner, we need to have a good understanding of the employee’s job duties and what is required of their body to perform these duties,” Lausterer said. “Optimally, the physical therapist will perform an assessment of the employee’s workstation and observe their work duties. If modifications of the work station are needed the physical therapist will recommend those to the employee and employer.” Healing Motion physical therapists provide one-on-one care for all clients throughout their rehabilitation. “We do not utilize technicians or physical therapy assistants so patients typically work with the same physical therapist each therapy session,” Lausterer said. Dry needling is a modality that has become more popular and is used to decrease muscle pain and improve mobility. “One of our therapists, Dan Miller, has invented a tool called the UE Ranger whose use is growing amongst therapists in the Omaha area for shoulder rehabilitation,” Lausterer said.

LightEdge Solutions selects Hannan for leadership team

LightEdge has added Michael Hannan to the executive leadership team as the director of compliance. Hannan comes to LightEdge with over a decade of experience in information systems, IT consulting, security and compliance. He has assisted organizations across the most stringent verticals like bankHannan ing, manufacturing, government, and health care with their compliance roadmaps and audit readiness. He will be in an adviser role where he will not only be advising clients on best practices to adopt, but also steering the overall direction of LightEdge’s compliant cloud solutions and third-party certifications.

Gross & Welch names Forgét to shareholder

The Omaha law firm of Gross & Welch has elected Gerad T. Forgét III to shareholder of the firm. Forgét received his L.L.M. in taxation from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1997, his law degree from Creighton University (J.D., 1993), his business administration from Creighton University (M.B.A., 1993) and Forgét his undergraduate degree from Creighton University (B.S., 1990). Forgét’s practice has been primarily focused on estate planning and probate, corporate and business law, tax law, and trust preparation and administration. Forgét is a member of the Omaha Estate Planning Council, the Omaha Bar Association and the Nebraska State Bar Association.

Cox Business selects Burns as sales director for Omaha

Cox Business has hired Jayte Burns as its sales director for Omaha and Sun Valley, Idaho. In his role, Burns will lead various sales teams who work as trusted consultants to advance customers’ business priorities with technology solutions. To the sales director role, Burns brings nearly 20 years of Burns leadership experience, including 11 in the Cox Business organization. Most recently, he was sales manager for inside sales, working as a virtual lead manager for Cox Business teams across the heartland. He joined the company as product manager in 2008 and was promoted to sales manager in 2009.

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JULY 5, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal