Midlands Business Journal June 7, 2019 Vol. 45 No. 23 issue by Midlands Business Journal

Health & Wellness

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

June 7, 2018

New models, community partnerships take on access to quality, affordable care by Michelle Leach

Escalating costs of chronic conditions and procedures to treat them are driving transformations in the patient-doctor relationship and community conversations around health challenges. “From greater utilization of high-deductible health plans, ever-increasing premiums and narrowing networks of authorized providers, patients are often left with several thousand dollars of out-of-pocket expenses before their insurance benefit kicks in,” said Dr. John Hallgren, founder of Mission Direct Primary Care. “If they Robertson make a mistake or have an emergency requiring treatment with a non-network provider or facility, they may be on the hook for the entire episode of care, insurance or no.” In turn, Hallgren said patients are turning to “less traditional avenues” (urgent care, telehealth) — cobbling together episodes of care without much coordination. His firm’s approach is in its name — direct primary care. “Our goal is to restore a trusted, direct

Dr. John Hallgren, founder of Mission Direct Primary Care. relationship between the doctor and the pa- parent and reasonable costs for primary care.” tient,” he said. “That includes patients having Mission Direct Primary Care is mema doctor they know and who knows them, bership-based, with monthly payments that who they can contact when needed (including Hallgren said pair well with high-deductafter-hours), and having predictable, trans- ible/wrap-around insurance plans or health

Reaanddit

shares — savings for companies with health benefits, and enabling companies that haven’t been able to have such a benefit to afford one (and to compete for talent in a tight labor market). CHI Health CEO and Senior Vice President of Operations Dr. Cliff Robertson said employers remain concerned about costs despite wellness programming. “Great evidence shows 80% of the costs come from 20% of the people, and if you identify the 20% of the people that have the most medical concerns, you can wrap resources around them and Sjolie lower costs,” he said. “Particularly with corporate wellness, the return on that investment may be a longer horizon. It may take multiple years to see an impact.” CHI Health has reportedly rolled out a direct primary care program for individuals and businesses, and a version for employees. Robertson also referred to how technology — artificial intelligence and machine learning — is impacting the delivery of care and costs. It’s partnering with technology platform MDsave. What Kayak and Expedia are to travel, MDsave is to health care. One may shop for vouchers for medical procedures online, reportedly at up to 60% savings of what health systems bill insurance. Technology is also being deployed, for example, via bots that search patients’ electronic records and notify physicians during their visit of data that informs proactive care. “Historically, with those electronic medical records, the physician had to search through the data,” Robertson said. “Even during a brief encounter, they’ve got the machine helping them to not miss a recommended screening.” Machine learning may inform diagnostics, interpreting tests and X-rays to gain efficiencies among its most expensive resource: caregivers. Robertson said lower costs can then be passed on to consumers. A soon-to-be-announced partnership will allow CHI Health patients to access healthy eating rewards, discounts and coupons at a regional grocery chain via an app. “It’s behavioral economics, the science of using incentives and getting people to change Continued on next page.

Reap!

Health & Wellness — inside JUNE 7, 2019

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS

$2.00

VOL. 45 NO. 23

Baxter Auto Group embraces re-investment discipline

THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:

by Richard D. Brown

New modern general store, the Dapper Dwelling, centers on sustainability. – Page 2

40 er d Un 40 Renaissance Financial’s Whiteing leads with empathy to serve clients, new employees. – Page 3

ing

Solar technologies to energy-efficient materials, sustainability-centered innovations flourish. – Page 27

Angela M. Quinn, who along with her brother Mickey Anderson, own and operate Baxter Auto Group, credit a strong focus on re-investing in their business that includes 20 dealership locations and more than 8,000 vehicles, with being the paramount factor in the robust growth of their business. Baxter Auto Group, with about 2,000 employees — approximately 1,600 in Nebraska — hit about $1.5 billion in revenues in 2018 and sold about 40,000 vehicles. Close to a double digit increase in sales is expected this year by the firm that industry publication Automotive News ranked No. 33 in its annual analysis of the nation's largest auto dealerships. Quinn said Baxter — which has added 11 locations in the past 10 years and more than doubled its size — differentiates itself from many competitors, which might focus on “certain stages Continued on page 13.

Owners Angela Quinn and Mickey Anderson at the new Audi dealership … The organization recently opened a new Audi dealership and eye on future growth opportunities. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

Little King to recapture national ‘crown’ with social engagement, online orders by Michelle Leach

In its 50th year, Little King is positioning itself to be a national company again, like President Robert “Bob” Wertheim said the locally based deli was in the 1970s and 1980s. It’s taking a big bite out of that goal via the ingredients that have sustained the franchise as others in their space fell by the wayside. “It’s the consistency and qual-

ity of the product that we put out, and throughout those 50 years we’ve used lots of the same product from Hormel, Jennie-O and Frito-Lay,” Wertheim said. “And nobody says they have cruddy service. Everybody says they’ve got great customer service. But we make you feel welcome. We know it’s important to greet people. I say, ‘You can go anywhere Continued on page 9. Dr. Paul Grandgenett, director of UNMC’s Rapid Autopsy Program … Expanding the program to include non-cancer organs through a partnership with Live On Nebraska.

UNMC’s Rapid Autopsy Program advancing breakthrough pancreatic cancer research by Becky McCarville

President Robert “Bob” Wertheim … Locally grown franchise known for its signature “Royal Treat” celebrates 50 years with series of events that bolster net sales, reacquaint customers with brand.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Rapid Autopsy Program (RAP) has expanded dramatically over the past few years, not only in additional lab space and specialized sub-80 degree freezers to store samples, but also in the number of collaborations with cancer researchers at UNMC and outside of UNMC as well as a partnership with Live

On Nebraska. The program provides tissue samples — cancer tissue and normal tissue — to researchers worldwide to help pancreatic cancer patients increase both their life expectancy and quality of life as well as provide samples for other types of cancer research. “It’s called a rapid autopsy program but it’s really a tumor Continued on page 10.

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

New modern general store, the Dapper Dwelling, centers on sustainability by Gabby Christensen

New to Countryside Village, the Dapper Dwelling offers a modern take on the traditional general store by carrying household and lifestyle items that are both timeless and ethically sourced, according to owner Brooke Keele.

The Dapper Dwelling Phone: 402-871-3190 Address: 8727 Countryside Plaza, Omaha 68114 Founded: 2018 Service: modern general store offering sustainable household and lifestyle items Goal: Eventually become a zero-waste business. Website: www.thedapperdwelling.com

Keele, who has 20 years of experience in health care with a clinical science background, first developed the idea for the store in June 2018 after realizing she wanted to be more present for her children, celebrate craftsmanship and be more responsible for the environment. “Initially, I thought it would be an online business but soon realized I would miss out on that interaction and connection with people,” Keele said. “My husband and I wanted to make this business a family affair and also wanted to show our children the importance of taking care of our planet.” It wasn’t long after that Keele started hosting pop-up shops and eventually moved into her current space in December 2018. She said her ultimate goal has always been to offer sustainable, handmade prod-

Owner Brooke Keele … Emulating an old-fashioned general store while aiming to be as eco-friendly as possible. ucts while fostering relationships with her also enjoy new faces. Our conversations are customers. the best part. They’re teaching me things According to Keele, people of all ages and giving me advice. They also tell me visit the shop, but they all have a similar about other makers and products.” mindset. Having previously been in sales, Keele “Our customers care about sustainabil- said it’s been difficult to adjust to the idea ity as much as we do,” Keele said. “I abso- that business must come to her. lutely love having repeat customers, but I To follow suit with her nostalgic

The Midlands Business Journal's

Business Minute Name: Doug Schuring. Age: 59. Title: Vice president of sales administration/vendor relations. Place of employment: All Makes. Hometown: Omaha. Education: Bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. How I got into the business: 34 years ago, a friend recommended that I combine my interest Schuring in selling with my degree in architecture and consider entering the contract furniture industry. Accomplishments or milestones: Securing the new USSTRATCOM headquarters project at Offutt AFB. It is the single largest project I’ve worked on in my career. First job: Selling architectural services in Nebraska for DLR Group. Biggest career break: Leaving the dealership side of the contract furniture industry and going to work on the manufacturing side in field sales and sales management. The toughest part of the job: For all the hard work and effort required to submit

Doug Schuring, vice president of sales administration/vendor relations, All Makes

a formal bid response, the disappointment of the salesperson when they learn that it has been awarded to a competitor. In an industry where time is money, it can’t be recovered. The best advice I have received: “Where is the grass always greener? …It’s greener where you water it!” About my family: Very happily married to my wife Betsy for 36 years. Our son, Greg, lives in Omaha and works in medical sales. Our daughter, Libby, married to Darin Ruf, and their son Henry, live part of the year in Daegu, South Korea. Darin plays professional baseball for the Samsung Lions after playing seven seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies and LA Dodgers. The rest of the year, home is here in Omaha and Scottsdale, Arizona. Something else I’d like to accomplish: A hole-in-one on the golf course. Book I finished reading recently: “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Patterns of Japanese Culture.” It has helped me better understand conflicting values in Japan. Something about me not everyone knows: I lived in Tehran, Iran, during my sophomore year in high school. My father

was an instructor pilot for Boeing after retiring from the U.S. Air Force. How my business will change in the next decade: Advances in technology have already started to reduce the number of employees who need a dedicated office space. Many workers today conduct their business from virtually anywhere with access to Wi-Fi and a phone connection. Our industry has been challenged to help companies support their people with the best options available while these changes are happening. Outside interests: Travel and golf. Pet peeves: Drivers who don’t use the middle turning lane. Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere with my family. Other careers I would like to try: Creative advertising — many tell me I have a way with words. Favorite movie: “Braveheart” (We even named our Scottie, Wallace). Favorite cause or charity: Nebraska Humane Society and dog rescue. Favorite app: Instagram, so I can see what my grandson, Henry, is doing in South Korea, 14 hours ahead of us. (Interested in being featured in the Business Minute? Email news@mbj.com for more information.)

themed business, Keele said she’s been utilizing old school tactics. Ultimately, she said she tries to avoid trends and instead focuses on bringing in items that are classic and lasting. Since opening the doors of the Dapper Dwelling, Keele said she’s seen an increase in customers every week. “At first, no one knew about us and people stopped in only because they were walking by,” Keele said. “Now, people are coming directly to us. It’s been so great to watch the business gain that kind of attention.” Moving forward, Keele hopes to expand and focus more on a zero waste concept. “We hope to start allowing customers to bring in their own container, in which we can refill in order to reduce plastic and packaging,” Keele said. Additionally, Keele said she hopes to offer more ‘meet the maker’ classes so people can learn more about the store’s products. As a business owner, Keele said she aims to show consumers that safety of products should be a main concern. “Just because others are using some unsafe products, doesn’t mean you’re supposed to be using them, too,” Keele said. “I’ve taken what I’ve learned in my research and medical background to educate people on the products they use in their home. I want my customers to know that they can trust me and I put a lot of time into making sure the products at our store are truly effective and safe. When you shop at the Dapper Dwelling, you’re buying from someone who has not only done their research, but also cares about you and our environment.”

Midlands Business Journal Established in 1975

PUBLISHER & FOUNDER, Robert Hoig

ADMINISTRATION VP OF OPERATIONS, Andrea “Andee” Hoig

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

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

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

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

-The Publisher.

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

Renaissance Financial’s Whiteing leads with empathy to serve clients, new employees 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

Omaha native Tom Whiteing entered his career in financial services after starting on a path toward a medical career, which abruptly changed when a family friend suggested he look into a new financial advising company — Renaissance Financial — as a possible career. “The intrigue I had with the medical field was you’re taking care of people. You can see the results and the impact you have and the relationship that you develop,” Whiteing said. “It was a pretty natural transition into this field and this role, once I learned that’s what you’re doing, just in a different environment. You’re not doing it medically; you’re doing it with the finance side of things.” The move proved a good one as Whiteing rocketed up the company’s sales rankings. To date, he’s been recognized as Developing Advisor of the Year and inclusion in the company’s elite sales ranks. He’s a four-time qualifier for a biennial national sales convention and received Securian’s Excellence in Performance Award, which highlights new advisers for production achievements. “A strong skill I have is relating to people and translating a concept, essentially, relating to the person I’m talking to,” he said of his sales skillset. “If I can relate and appreciate, I can describe and build a plan. The interest I had in the medical field was proactive care versus rehab

care. In financial terms I see that as a financial planner — it is a proactive measure and plan that I’m helping clients put together, versus how do I get out of my problems.” Whiteing followed that up by volunteering to open and develop a new Kansas City office, where he achieved similar success. He increased the office by 17 new advisers in three years, earning him Securian’s Gold Managing Director of the Year, recognizing managing directors, field directors and recruiters for growth. “I’d say my leadership style and leadership philosophy are very much the same as with interacting with clients,” he said. “It’s checking your ego, realizing that we’re all human and we all have our own quirks and we all have our own fears. The culture we’ve created with the successful advisers and staff is, we want you to come in with the same core values and then from there you put your own spin on it.” Moving back to Omaha as a field director, he once again grew the sales force, by 19 new advisers in four years, resulting in silver and gold Field Director of the Year honors. He’s lending much of what he’s learned and perfected for attracting and developing sales talent into a forthcoming company training program. “We’re very focused on developing new talent,” he said. “We want to create a four-year training program. As part of our culture, that means people we hire, we’re going to help them succeed. That also helps with our retention; if we’re the ones that help train and develop and became part of the family, we don’t have to worry about the turnover and the retention challenges as much.”

Tom Whiteing, financial advisor and director of advisor development … Helping to expand the firm’s employee base. Part of the challenge, he said, is connecting You’ve got to get face-to-face, you’ve got to with younger personnel — and by extension get on the phone,” Whiteing said. “That’s still with younger clients — who communicate important, but electronic communication has much differently than the generations before become important too, whether that’s through them. the video screen where we’re streaming our “I remember when we used to be a little conversation, or texts and social media to get in bit resistant to electronic communication. touch with people.”

Proud Sponsors of the 2018 40 Under 40:

Health & Wellness

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

June 7, 2018

New models, community partnerships take on access to quality, affordable care by Michelle Leach

Health & Wellness •

Quality, affordable care

Continued from preceding page. their behavior,” he said. In UnitedHealthcare’s 2019 Wellness Checkup Survey released recently, the company reported more than two-thirds of Americans would be motivated to devote at least an hour daily toward improving their health with an incentive of as little as $2 per day. Almost 60% would likely participate in a fitness routine if the program offered “opportunity to socialize or make friends,” while the third annual survey also noted 82% of respondents paid more attention to their health due to access to wellness programs and 63% increased their physical activity. Live Well Omaha is launching Share Our Table, a collective effort to address metro-wide food insecurity. “It’s a really comprehensive look at the entire food system,” said CEO Sarah Sjolie. Organizers of the kick-off Share Our Table Food Summit are soliciting volunteers and others who want to engage in bettering access to nutritious foods. Sjolie noted the June 28 event will feature Craig Gunderson of the University of Illinois, whose work includes analyzing the causes of food insecurity and evaluating assistance programs. “We can’t solve everything; we convene with experts,” Sjolie said. “People can say a problem is ‘too big, you can’t do anything about it.’ But the area of prevention is not crowded. Pick a swim lane. If you don’t start working on specific

contributions now, things aren’t going to change.” Sjolie also highlighted the Xchange, an all-day summit October 9 for workplace wellness, HR and community health stakeholders to collaborate, connect and commit to improving health and wellness with practical strategies and multiple educational tracks in areas like HR/benefits. The event will feature Dr. Kent Bradley, former president of technology firm Safeway Health, which supports “total worker health strategies” for big commercial clients. A nod to holistic strategies, Sjolie indicated content will be richer in the area of mental health — topics that surfaced as priorities from community needs assessments and listening sessions. “What we’re hearing from folks is they’re struggling with being a care provider for someone with mental illness, or maybe they’ve never been diagnosed but feel isolated and don’t know how to connect to resources,” she said. Summer conversations will take a deeper dive into potential solutions. The Xchange follows Live Well Omaha’s inaugural community awards, to be presented alongside WELLCOM awards during a gala event October 8. The Sister Norita Cooney Lifetime Achievement Awards honors a community health pioneer, and will be awarded to a community leader, whereas the Community Health Innovator of the Year Award and Community Health Champion Legacy Award recognize unique health products or services, and outstanding volunteers respectively.

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

Traci Lichti, president and CEO of New Cassel Retirement Center.

Senior care companies evolve to meet demands of baby boomer generation by Dwain Hebda

As baby boomers continue to hit retirement age in record-breaking numbers, they are transforming senior care resources with demands for more services and amenities. “Boomers shook up everything, so we know when it comes to their needs in later life, they are shaking things up,” said Lakelyn

Hogan, gerontologist and caregiver advocate with Home Instead Senior Care. “I think that’s one of the most interesting parts of working with the aging population, there’s so much variety. My grandparents are still very, very active and they’re in their early 80s, but I’ve gone to clients’ homes and we’ve proContinued on next page.

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal • Health & Wellness

Companies evolve to meet demands Continued from preceding page. coordinator of Touching Hearts at Home’s vided 24/7 care to an 80-year-old who is very Omaha office. “We’ll go to a movie or just frail. It is so hard to draw generalities around hang out or take them to a friend’s house to the aging population.” visit because they can’t get there Nevertheless, Hogan said there by themselves. It’s just the little are some trends that she can point things that you don’t think of that to among today’s seniors. They we’re here to do.” are more tech savvy, she said, O’Connor agreed seniors are and more receptive to receiving more agreeable to getting a careservices having grown accustomed giver or other help these days, to service providers of various catcompared to past eras. However, egories during their lifetime. they still want to stay at home as “We’re also seeing chronic long as they can. This has caused conditions on the rise, so while a soaring demand for home health they’re likely to live longer, they’re services. Hogan also likely to see their health needs “It used to be, they’re elderly, and the amount of support that they need to they’re sick, they need to go into a nursing stay independent increase,” she said. home. That was a big thing way back when,” Elder care companies are providing a she said. “Now you see a lot more people widening array of services to their elderly bringing in help to make them comfortable, clients that go beyond medical care. to let them stay at home.” “We do companionship, we run errands, The widening range of in-home services maybe we’re just taking them out to have means seniors are typically older by the time a fun day,” said Kristine O’Connor, care they enter a senior community, said Traci

Lichti, president and CEO of New Cassel Retirement Center. “As a whole, people are able to have support services in their own home such as housekeeping, laundry and even physical therapy,” she said. “With these additional services, they are staying in their homes as long as possible. In the last three years, New Cassel has seen the average age of residents move to be four years older.” At whatever age the day does arrive to choose an assisted living community, Lichti offers the following advice. “It is important to feel comfortable with the price and services offered, but most importantly, to walk into a facility and feel warm and welcomed from the first moment,” she said. She also added you should feel comfortable and invested enough to ask any question on behalf of yourself, your spouse or a loved one entering the community. “Families expect staff to be experts in navigating all of the health care options available in the market,” she said. “Your need to understand the scope of services that a facility is able to provide as they can vary from place to place.”

Telehealth improving access to health care by David Kubicek

In the midlands, particularly in rural areas, telehealth means better access to health care for patients and greater efficiency for providers. Telehealth is 24-hour, seven days a week access to physician services online via email, phone or FaceTime. According to Mary F. Drueke-Collins, vice president of employee benefits at Swartzbaugh-Farber & Associates, telehealth is most successful for treating simple conditions that often need a prescription for a cure, like bronchitis, rashes, bug bites, ear infections or the flu, but some providers also offer mental health services. “Most insurance companies include telehealth services Drueke-Collins as part of their health plan coverage,” she said. “Typically, the copayment or cost of a telehealth service is lower than the copay for a regular doctor visit.” Telehealth appointments can be scheduled during lunch hours or work breaks, so a physician Amis visit has less impact to work productivity, and it saves on after-hour emergency room visits for non-emergency medical care. The average cost of a telehealth service is $40 to $50 as opposed to $125 to $150 for a primary care office visit. “We recommend Hansen that you set up your profile through the telehealth company during their health plan open enrollment so everything is ready when you need it,” Drueke-Collins said. Encounter Telehealth partners with rural nursing homes to provide behavioral health care for their residents, according to President and CEO Jen Amis. The firm’s psychiatric and mental health specialists care for individuals with dementia, depression, severe mental illness like schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, and other behavioral illnesses. “Telehealth technologies allow Encounter to bring specialized behavioral health care to communities that have none,” Amis said. “In Nebraska alone, our rural communities have less than 25% of the mental health specialists needed. There is also a dearth of primary care physicians in those communities.” Encounter’s partnerships with approximately 40 Iowa nursing facilities has resulted in a drop of long-stay residents receiving antipsychotic medication from 18.8% in 2015 to 12.1% in 2018. To put this in perspective, the national average was 18% in 2015 and 14.6% in 2018. “A primary goal of Centers for Medicare Continued on next page.

Health & Wellness •

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

Popularity of skin care services, cosmetic procedures increases with new options by Gabby Christensen

Susan Caniglia, advanced practice registered nurse at Methodist Physicians Clinic Women's Center/Skin Renewal Suite. (Story at right)

Telehealth

Continued from preceding page. & Medicaid Services (CMS) is to reduce the use of these antipsychotics,” Amis said. “CMS launched the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes with this specific focus. There are limitations to what Encounter will do over telehealth. For example, we do not treat children or adolescents who require psychiatric care. We believe the complexity of care for these individuals should be handled in person.” Encounter now operates in more than 10 states throughout the Midwest and Mountain states. The organization regularly asks its

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nursing home partners what else the firm can do for them. “They have requested more talk therapy options as well as staff training,” Amis said. “We started rolling out both of these services at the beginning of the year. Telehealth continues to point towards increased access to care, improved health outcomes and reduced health care costs.” Nebraska Medicine provides remote patient monitoring and asynchronous services like X-ray, MRI, and EEG readings by specialists. “We have a substantial telestroke program, and we have monitoring in biocontainment units so providers don’t have to go

When it comes to individual wellness, feeling good in one’s own skin is critical, which is why skin care experts say many seek out various skin care options and cosmetic procedures to accomplish this. Dan Nedved, owner of Faces Spa, said popularity of skin care has grown significantly over the past two decades with various options becoming available. Today, Nedved said clients frequently request a chemical peel to help refresh and rejuvenate the skin. “Chemical peels can improve sun damage, acne scarring, blotchy pigmentation, fine lines and early pre-cancerous skin lesions,” he said. “Clients not wanting a chemical peel are opting for fruit enzyme peels which into the room and be exposed to contagious elements,” Telehealth Program Manager Geri Hansen said. Telehealth still faces some challenges. For instance, some rural areas still have spotty bandwidth availability, which can make it difficult for an emergency medical response. “We’ll see an enormous boom in telehealth because it allows access to care and efficiency and in many cases higher quality care than we could expect in person,” Hansen said. “We can expect things like predictive analytics and AI being incorporated. If we can use predictive analytics to identify patients at risk, we can reach out sooner and provide better care.”

are far gentler on the skin but in no way less effective.” Nedved said dermaplaning, which occurs when an esthetician uses a carbon steel blade to scrape the skin removing dead skin cells and the fine villus hairs while stimulating collagen, is another popular service. Faces also offers the FDA approved microneedling facial, the SkinPen, which creates controlled micro-injuries to stimulate the body’s natural wound-healing process while minimizing cellular damage. Nedved said microneedling, which is also known as collagen induction therapy, is safe for all skin types and helps hydrating products get into the deepest layers of the skin, providing optimal results in one to two weeks. “Today we want to be healthier, to look younger and feel better about ourselves,” he said. “Faces offers various treatments that are customized to help you look and feel healthier.” Susan Caniglia, advanced practice registered nurse at Methodist Physicians Clinic Women’s Center/Skin Renewal Suite, said people are starting to understand the importance of taking care of their skin. “Patients are more aware of the importance of wearing daily sunscreen during all four seasons to protect their skin,” Caniglia said. “They are using a variety of skin care products tailored to their skin care needs. Patients want to stop the aging process of Continued on next page.

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• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal • Health & Wellness

Encouraging, supporting employee well-being a growing necessity by Jasmine Heimgartner

While good pay and traditional benefits are a must, getting and retaining top-notch employees may require thinking outside the box and ensuring an environment that supports and encourages employee well-being. Companies may have already established health programs — such as gym memberships, tobacco cessation and weight-loss challenges — but the concept of employee wellness has evolved beyond just the physical aspects. “We are seeing much more all-around well-being than just focusing on the physical. It’s not just a gym, the physical component, anymore,” said Kathy Nellor, Wellness Services manager, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. “People are looking at all dimensions such as emotional, mindfulness, resiliency, social, relationships and financial. It’s looking at the person as a whole person rather than just their physical component.” For employers, understanding their role in enhancing the employee experience can create win-win situations.

“More than ever, what companies need to understand is it is not their place to change an employee’s behavior,” said Theresa Nelson, president and CEO of WELLCOM. “The responsibility is that they need to create a supportive environment so those healthy choices are easier and more readily available, which creates a ripple effect. That supportive environment can lead employees to be more engaged at work and in their home lives.” Oftentimes, a Nellor business already has the tools on-hand to offer wellness opportunities to employees. “You really need to look under the hood to see the resources you already have,” said Ali Payne, global practice leader and DVP Wellbeing & Engagement at Gallagher. “When it comes to financial well-being, you

think about your retirement plan, but your financial group has great resources you are already paying for that you may not recognize or be promoting. You have to take a step back and see how you are communicating and educating people on what may already be available.” Employees aren’t just a company’s biggest asset for the work but also for enhancing the all-around work environment. “We have internal committees made up of employees, so it’s Payne not just the manager saying ‘we want you to do this.’ These employees dig deep and constantly come up with new things,” said Joshua Howell, employee experience and communications specialist at CQuence Health Group. “Our Thrive Committee keeps the fridges stocked weekly with options if you didn’t bring lunch or want to

add something healthy. The Wellbeing Committee puts together fitness challenges. We also have a volunteer committee, CQuence Cares, that pairs well with the others. It all folds into the employee experience. If we want to take care of customers, we have to take care of employees.” For companies looking to start or expand on their wellness offerings, it’s not a one-size fits all. Employers need to truly understand their workforce and their needs. “Know your demographics. Having five generations in the workforce does not make it easy. You can’t just go in with one mode,” Payne said. “You have to think about the different modes to employ. How to deploy them is part of the bigger strategy as an organization. How do you make it so employees are cared for and valued as an employee?” As an employee, their well-being is often tied with the people with whom they are close. “One of the things many are starting to offer that is really making a big difference are services not only for employee but also family members,” Nelson said. “That has a huge impact. If a person is making healthy choices at work but doesn’t have a conducive environment at home, they may not stay on track. Offering those resources for family members makes it easier.” Regardless if trying something new or Continued on next page.

Individual wellness

Continued from preceding page. their skin but continue to look natural.” Caniglia said treatments that are currently in high demand include skin rejuvenation laser treatments that help even out color pigmentation and brighten the skin and ablative lasers are popular to help with fine lines, wrinkles and scarring. Additionally, she said laser hair removal is popular for all areas of the body, as it decreases the need for shaving or waxing. These trends offer non-surgical options for patients with minimal to no down time. “Most procedures are low-risk and minimally invasive with little discomfort,” Caniglia said. “Patients want to look as young as they feel. They feel they have more self-confidence when they feel they look better.” Dr. Jeff Popp, owner of Popp Cosmetic Surgery, said the biggest innovation in skin care right now is the use of DefenAge, a new FDA approved product line that uses molecules called defensins to improve appearance by helping with wrinkles, sun damage, fine lines and blotchy pigmentation. Additionally, he said radio frequency devices are now being utilized to cause collagen to shrink and tighten without surgery. Popp said cosmetic surgery procedures in demand currently include liposuction, breast augmentation, tummy tucks and face lifts. According to Popp, the two most frequent cosmetic procedures that do not involve surgery are botox and dermal fillers, which help to smooth wrinkles and folds in the aging face, while replenishing volume. “These procedures are done more done than any other because they can be done in just a few minutes with no recovery time,” he said. “As summer comes along, we see an increased demand for these services, as people want to look and feel good as they show more skin.”

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

Little King to recapture national ‘crown’ with social engagement, online orders Continued from page 1. and get a sandwich with an attitude.’” Employees of the metro-based subs, sandwiches and soups franchise started by Wertheim’s father, Sid, may not know every customer by name, but they do know him or her by sandwich.

Little King Restaurant Corp. Phone: 402-330-8019 Services: Locally grown deli franchise specializing in subs, sandwiches and soups Founded: 1969 by Sid Wertheim Goals: Grow online ordering. Industry outlook: Competition in areas such as catering is increasingly fierce, via the likes of grocery stores entering the space. Website: littlekingsubs.com

“They’ll know, ‘She is the Royal Treat on white, no tomatoes, extra onions,’ and if they see you, they’ll have the sandwich made before you get to the door,” Wertheim said. Customers see sandwiches being made, with real meat and cheeses — no questionable “imitation” products. “We’ve changed our bread a couple of times, and now bake our own bread, but we make sure to test before we make a change,” Wertheim said. One may not hear complaints but “people talk with their pocketbook,” and he indicated when there have been potential switches or tests, loyal customers know there’s a difference — and will ask about it. The aforementioned “Royal Treat” is a favorite; the sub features ham, hard salami, capicola, prosciutto and provolone cheese. The signature menu item was on full display during a series of promotions last month to coincide with its 50th anniversary. “Our biggest day was when we sold 50-cent Royal Treats all day, at all our stores,” Wertheim said. Wertheim, who owns its highest-volume store in Millard, said net sales surpassed expectations. “It was the busiest we’ve been in years,” he said. “We often heard people say, ‘We haven’t been here in so long but it’s the best sandwich around.’” The anniversary reacquainted customers with Little King, a business Wertheim noted is the source of many fond memories for customers. Wertheim worked closely with Joanne Grady over the past year on events; for instance, its 3-foot submarine sandwich-eating contest at the Millard and 108th Street

Employee well-being

Continued from preceding page. sticking with existing opportunities, it’s important to determine if it’s truly working. “One of the important things to do is to measure your results,” Nellor said. “That can be done through personal health assessments that track changes year over year or doing satisfaction surveys. You want to make sure you are evaluating the satisfaction with employees. Surveys are also a great way to find out what your employees are interested in doing and what incentives they may want, which can guide your wellness options.”

and Mockingbird Drive stores. “We had a total of six contestants, three at each store, who had 15 minutes to eat the 3-foot sub,” he said. The sandwich weighed in at seven pounds. At stake? A sandwich a week for a year. “No one finished it,” Wertheim said. “The winner ate all but two and a half pounds of it.” Little King Founder Sid Wertheim was joined by its most tenured employee (at 40-plus years), Sharon Devers, in drawing the name of the winner of the anniversary campaign’s most coveted prize: a trip for two to Las Vegas. Customers rediscovering Little King no doubt noticed the new king in its logo, the result of collaboration with Omaha’s Webster Design (and an Addy award winner). Debuted in 2013, the rebrand was integrated into the reopening of its Old Market store and the remodel of its Millard

location. According to Webster (now part of the Daake family), the company’s “decades-old brand identity was well past its sell-by date.” “In an industry that trades on freshness, such a stale public persona did nothing but hamper sales and growth,” the brand communications firm project write-up reads. Another nod to the competitive environment, Little King’s catering tab on its website reads: “Delivery is not catering.” As Wertheim explained, they do delivery through the likes of Grubhub. “That’s been a help to our business, but it isn’t catering,” he said. Little King’s catering means many different things; for instance, a few party and dessert trays may be ready to go for a lunch meeting in 10 to 15 minutes, whereas many 3-foot sandwiches may be more involved for other gatherings. “That piece of the business continues to grow, but it’s tougher today than it used

to be when you were, somewhat, the only guy in town,” Wertheim said. “We’ve got a lot of grocery stores that got into it — so there’s a lot of different competition in catering.” The organization could be described as hungry. “We are looking to grow again and put the pieces back together, so Little King can be a force to be reckoned with again,” he said. “We can become a national company again, like in the 80s and 90s. It’s getting there by pushing an app to boost its now-small online ordering presence, and leveraging Facebook as a tool to invite guests. If one isn’t invited for dinner, he or she isn’t going to come over. As opposed to traditional ad blitzes that run 12 to 15 weeks of a 52-week year, Wertheim indicated social platforms allow for consistent messaging and engagement like its pop socket (phone grip) give-away in exchange for registering for a 50th birthday contest.

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

UNMC’s Rapid Autopsy Program advancing breakthrough pancreatic cancer research Continued from page 1. donation program,” said Paul Grandgenett, Ph.D., director of the program. “While the patient has suffered so much having cancer, they’re able to really contribute to the science and the next generation of people being able to hopefully overcome at least parts of the disease.” The group of 40 RAP volunteers who are available to be on call 24/7/365 — oncologists, surgical oncologists, pathologists, technicians, nurses, Ph.D.s, graduate students and post doctoral fellows — has performed 127 pancreas cancer autopsies since the program was initiated, averaging 10 to 14 donors every year. The program is a stand-out among others in the U.S. and worldwide because of the number of program volunteers, the large volume of organs and tissue harvested from pancreatic cancer donors and the healthy organs collected from living donors through Live On Nebraska. Spearheaded in 2002 by Dr. Michael (Tony) Hollingsworth and Judy Anderson, the program’s original goal was to “harvest both the primary tumor and all the metastatic sites as well as all the unaffected tissues in the patient,” Grandgenett said. “The biggest issue with pancreas cancer [research] previous to starting this type of program was being able to obtain and be able to use large quantities of human tissue in their studies, and there was very little to no availability for research both at UNMC as well as outside UNMC for human samples that they’d be able to do their testing. “There are two to three other programs around the country, for example at Johns Hopkins, they’re a little bit more of a pinpointed autopsy program in that they are looking at and taking very specific lesions as opposed to very large quantities of tissue and so that makes our program pretty unique.” While 127 patients might seem like a high number, once categories are applied — 13 or 14 untreated and also the different combinations of cancer treatment drugs or how the disease has affected other organs — the statistical numbers for researchers drops. “[Pancreatic cancer] can present in different ways and so it’s important for us to continue collecting these samples so that we have enough of each category of type of cancer so that we can provide statistically significant numbers for any researcher in each category,” he said. One vital aspect to the program that Grandgenett pointed to are the sacrifices made by the patient donors and their families. “We really work to honor our patients every day and that’s the goal of the program — do whatever it takes to honor the patient,” he said. Longitudinal studies Around 55,000 adults are diagnosed with pancreas cancer every year. Currently the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths, the prevalence is increasing because of a combination of earlier detection as well as better treatment for other types of cancer, Grandgenett said. It’s projected that it will be the second or third leading cause of death in the next five to 10 years. Pancreatic cancer, recently in the headlines as Alex Trebek, host of TV game show “Jeopardy” battles the disease, is difficult to detect because of the associated non-distinct symptoms and location of the pancreas — its position makes it difficult to see when using imaging techniques.

Washington and the University of Michigan, Grandgenett said. At any given time, 40 RAP volunteers from six labs at UNMC are on call, ready to perform up to two to three autopsies in succession, harvesting organs within two to three hours of the patient passing away to obtain high quality samples. Once patients are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, they will see an oncologist and most likely start a treatment plan. Even though treatment is getting better, success rates are low and after a time, patients typically decide, along with their oncologist, to stop treatment. That’s when they’re approached about the program. If they participate in the program, a research nurse will track the patient and alert the team of volunteers once the patient goes into hospice. After a patient’s death, the body is taken to UNMC’s morgue. The RAP has its own equipment and sets up four stations, working in groups of two to document, collect samples and flash freeze them with liquid nitrogen to preserve the quality. “The goal is to be able to recreate the disease in the patient from our pictures and our documentation, that way when a researcher or an investigator comes to us with a very specific question, we can go and look at the way we’ve documented and be able to provide them with exactly what we need,” he said. “We have samples from 2002 that when we pull them out, they’re still very high quality. With them being flash frozen very rapidly, we would expect them to last for the next 50 to 100 years.” The National Cancer Institute provides more than $8.5 million to UNMC in annual funding for its pancreatic cancer research, including a SPORE (Specialized Program of Research Excellence) grant, which has funded around $12 million in pancreas cancer research over the last 10 years. Further, the tumor and normal tissues donation program “has become a critical component of several funding mechanisms here at UNMC and provides support for research efforts nationwide,” he said. “The program is very highly regarded by the National Cancer Institute and provides a strong foundation for grant submissions utilizing human specimens. “Our goal is to develop a broad-based tumor donation program that will build on the successes we have had in collecting and utilizing pancreas cancer samples that will ultimately help in the study of prostate cancer, lymphoma and colon cancer.”

Tom Caffrey, left, lead coordinator of the Patient-Derived Models program, and Dr. Grandgenett analyze a pancreas that has been preserved in formalin. Often diagnosed after it’s already spread, MIT), the Mayo Clinic, Columbia, Stanford patients have just a 3% chance of survival at and Cornell among other prominent research five years once it’s metastasized to a different universities. part of the body and 35 to 38% if it’s diagnosed “We work with every group that has early and more localized. Sadly, 75% or more research that is cutting edge that is really of patients die within a year of diagnosis. working to help the patients,” he said. “It’s really important to note — it’s not In conjunction with the Broad Group, always the cancer itself that kills a patient. investigators have been working on ways to Oftentimes it’s complications from the dis- use liquid biopsies (cell-free DNA) via blood ease,” he said. samples to diagnose the disease, with hopes All organs are compromised, which is for publication within the next year. why large quantities of tissue — not just the “Cell-free DNA has become a bit of a hot pancreas — are collected from donors. This topic — looking at the circulating tumor DNA allows researchers to study how other organs to look at early diagnosis rather than trying to are affected and how it progresses throughout do biopsies,” he said. “The goal is to be able the whole body. to use liquid biopsies and cell-free DNA to be “The goal is to be able to develop a longi- able to get a better understanding of treatment tudinal story of how the cancer develops and strategies that will be most effective for the how it responds,” he said, noting that samples whole disease, not just specific lesions. The from patients can include blood collected prior idea is you treat the whole disease and get to or at diagnosis via UNMC’s early detection a better quality of life and hopefully better screening program, imaging information and response.” clinical data from autopsy. “And then to be How the program works able to provide those valuable samples to Along with the National Cancer Instiabout any investigator around the world that tute and its patient-derived models group, has quality research going on — that they can UNMC’s RAP has helped establish stanmake a difference for patient’s lives too.” dardized operating procedures that are used Researchers, including a UNMC patholo- nationwide for processing and shipping gy group led by Dr. Ben Swanson, Dr. DiMaio tissue samples — protocols used by other and Dr. Lazenby and an oncology group led programs at Johns Hopkins, the University of by Dr. Jean Grem and Dr. Klute, are working on early diagnosis and improved treatment strategies. The RAP has had a role in a number of high-profile publications through its work with UNMC researchers and outside researchers, one as recently as April 17 with a paper published in the scientific journal “Nature,” whereby the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, used a sample set of untreated donor specimens from the RAP. UNMC’s RAP has A group of 40 volunteers makes UNMC’s Rapid Autopsy Program stand out among other programs worked with the Broad Group (associated with in the U.S. and globally. (Photo courtesy of UNMC)

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

Getting to the bottom of a top worker’s recent slide by Liz Reyer

Q: I have a strong performer on my team who is starting to slip. He is missing deadlines, making errors and isn’t his usual positive self. I’m concerned about the work aspect, but also worried that there may be something else going Workplace on. How can I help him get back on track? -Annette, 49, chief financial officer A: First, a caution. Your worry that there’s “something else going on” could lead you into risky territory. If you think there is a medical or other personal issue affecting SUPER CROSSWORD

his performance, be sure to get guidance from your HR team about what you can and cannot ask him about (or discuss with him if he raises it). Now consider all the reasons an employee’s performance could slip, apart from personal issues. How is his workload? One risk managers face with strong performers is that there can be a temptation to pile it on. No matter how good someone is, they will eventually hit a point where it’s just too much. Does he like what he’s doing? Another risk with top performers is that they thrive REAL AMERICANS

on growth and challenge. Consider if his work may be feeling stale. Is he rewarded for his performance? Consider if raises and bonuses have been meager or if he has been passed over for a promotion. Is the overall work culture positive? If he has been an oasis of positivity in a negative culture, no wonder if he’s wearing down. As you can see, there are many potential explanations, some of which are within your control as his manager. Look at the specific issues you have had with his work to see if these also seem like plausible explanations. Your next step is to talk with him about your observations. Positioning it in this way will create a more emotionally neutral tone that will facilitate honest communication. After all, I’m sure he is aware of his recent lapses, so avoiding an accusatory or overly solicitous tone will defuse potential defensiveness and put the emphasis where

it needs to be: on addressing root causes. Offer your observations and ask for his thoughts. Then listen. Prepare to hear things that may be uncomfortable; for example, issues he has had with you as his manager. Get his opinion on ways to improve his situation. If he raises health or other personal matters, plan to provide any support you can on behalf of the company, as well as offer compassion as a fellow human. You also have to keep the company’s interests in mind. Be sure you’re documenting issues and discussions just in case things don’t turn around. In the meantime, look for short-term solutions, including more direct oversight on your part, to ensure that work is getting done properly. If performance is slipping because of dissatisfaction, identify and fix it if you can. If it’s due to other issues, support as you can. Seek a good outcome for both the company and your team member. ©2019 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Smart homes offer convenience but can also compromise privacy by Natalie Campisi

Answers on page 12.

You walk into your house and the lights automatically dim, your favorite song begins to play and the air gets slightly cooler. Upstairs, your steam bath is already prepared and your blinds are closing. This is not a far-off Technology fantasy, but rather the high-end of high-tech homes — also known as smart homes. An all-inclusive system like this, where face recognition sets off a chain of events via embedded sensors and the internet to create the optimal home experience for each household dweller, can cost up to $300,000, says Emil Hartoonian, real estate agent at The Agency in Los Angeles. This type of hardware and internet connectivity is known as the internet of things, or IoT. These futuristic bells and whistles are practically essential for today’s upscale real estate buyer. Along the way, smart-home technology has transformed the way people view their homes: instead of a static entity that’s manually operated, it’s a personalized, automated unit. Customized systems like this usually come with their own server, located in the house, and require professional installers to set it up. “From the lighting to the sound, to the fireplace and window treatments — you can do all of this on your phone before you arrive,” Hartoonian says. “Once you get used to it, it’s hard to live without it. Buyers most certainly look for it in their next home.” But millionaires aren’t the only ones benefiting from today’s tech. Up your home’s IQ game on a smaller budget The off-the-shelf version of customized smart-home technology is budget friendly and can typically be installed yourself. You can still do things like automate lights and the thermostat with plug-and-play devices that you can buy at Target, Home Depot or online. Products like the Amazon Echo, Google Assistant and Siri are basically smart speakers that are controlled by virtual assistants. They only require a power source and a Wi-Fi connection.

They can do everything from answer questions and provide information (sports scores, traffic updates and the closest pizza delivery) to make calls, send and receive messages and play music. For less than $100, you can essentially go hands-free with tasks you would normally rely on your computer or cell phone for. Devices like Nest offer comprehensive home-security solutions, which connect home cameras, keyless entries and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to your smartphone interface. You can set up Nest to unlock your doors from anywhere in the world. Couple that ability with other features like outdoor cameras and this connected tech can solve real-life problems. For example, imagine hiring a plumber to fix a leaky pipe. With technology like Nest, you can identify the plumber on your doorbell camera and let them in remotely — and then lock the door once they leave, all from your phone. Notion, a Denver-based tech company, offers wireless home protection which allows people to monitor water leaks, gun and liquor cabinets, temperature changes and doors opening and closing. “We realized people wanted to protect their entire home, so we made a device that can monitor eight different things,” says Brett Jurgens, co-founder and CEO of Notion. Notion offers solutions that can help curb major damage to your home. For instance, there’s a water-leak detection feature. By getting an early warning, a homeowner can react quickly and prevent a flooded basement or first-story ceiling disaster. Notion leveraged their ability to detect leaks via monitors and notify homeowners to partner with insurance companies, Jurgens explains. The insurance companies Notion teamed up with will give users a discount if they install Notion in their homes. This benefits both the insurance company and the homeowner, Jurgens points out. Smart, yes, but what about private? The convenience of Siri reminding you about your coffee date or settling a debate Continued on next page.

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Wanted: Digital whizzes to work in agriculture by April Simpson

To the uninitiated, it can be hard to imagine. Robots with fingers designed to pick mature tomatoes, among the most delicate of crops. A Fitbit-like collar that monitors the wellbeing of a cow. Science Drones with sensors to identify dry areas of a field or discover crop production inefficiencies. “In 30 years, what we’re doing or seeing as innovative now will be viewed as tradition,” said Susan Duncan, associate director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg. Science and technology will be core to the farming revolution, which teachers and agricultural leaders envision as including robots, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images and GPS technology, alongside big data that affects everyone — suppliers, farmers, traders, processors, retailers and consumers. But agricultural educators and advocates are concerned about the future of agricultural education, given the industry’s broad needs and the lack of qualified job candidates. They say part of the problem is marketing: Most people, including students, equate agriculture with farming. The industry gets limited media exposure, they said, but also needs to do a better job of promoting itself, particularly as high-tech. “We rely on software developers probably as much as Silicon Valley does,” said Eric Haggard, director of human resources, talent management and diversity and inclusion at AGCO Corporation, a Duluth, Georgia-based agricultural equipment manufacturer. The issue is important to states seek-

ing to protect their agricultural interests and grow their economies. For example, in Virginia, agriculture and forestry are among the largest industries, according to Virginia Tech, with an annual economic impact of more than $91 billion and nearly 442,000 jobs. Precision agriculture — using technology to take detailed measurements and adjust on the fly — is intended to boost the efficiency and productivity of the farm and the health of the land. According to an April 2019 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, digital technologies that collect and analyze large amounts of data, typically by agribusinesses, researchers and public sector officials, can help inform decisions on how to fertilize for soil conditions, apply pesticides to targeted areas, use limited water resources effectively, and estimate the potential profit and economic risk in growing one crop over another. Precision agriculture could even help address global challenges, such as how to feed a population the United Nations projects will reach 9.6 billion by 2050. But too few college graduates have the skills employers need. The food and agricultural production sectors influence more than 20% of the U.S. economy and 15% of U.S. employment, or 43.3 million jobs, according to a report from Virginia Tech University and Tyson Foods. To be sure, digital technologies already have made an impact. But if farms and producers had the digital technologies and expertise they needed, the United States could boost economic benefits by nearly 18% of total agriculture production, based on 2017 levels, according to the USDA report. That’s $47 billion

Smart homes offer convenience but can also compromise privacy Continued from preceding page. about who won the Grammy for best album in 2009 are balanced with security and privacy issues, says David Mazières, a computer science professor at Stanford University. He explains that most of the off-theshelf solutions, like Google Assistant and Echo, mean going through the cloud, which puts users at risk of getting hacked. This can be especially dangerous if you have multiple devices hooked up to one system. If a hacker can gain access to that system, then they can ostensibly control your doors and cameras while collecting private information. There’s also the risk of mining the data to sell or use it to sell you things. These companies might or might not have privacy policies and they might or might not abide by them, Mazières says, citing Facebook’s infamous problems with privacy over the past decade as one example of how companies can benefit from and even abuse your private data. “These companies might reveal things about you that you don’t want revealed. I think a lot of people think they don’t have anything to hide and that works fine until something changes,” he says. One way people can find out if their

connected devices are sharing data is through spy apps, like the one created by Princeton University called IoT inspector. This is an open-source tool that analyzes network traffic to show users whether their Wi-Fi cameras, doorbells, thermostats or any other connected device are sharing information with a third party. According to their blog, the IoT Inspector has revealed third-party sharing activity from companies like Chromecast and Geeni (a smart light bulb), even when the devices were not actively being used. Chromecast was sending data to Google, while Geeni was constantly sharing data with China-based IoT company TuYa Inc. Mazières recommends that consumers weigh the risks and rewards of the technology they’re bringing into their home. For example, an outdoor camera is fairly innocuous as it basically just records street noise. However, indoor cameras and devices that are made to listen to everything that’s said inside your house (even when not in use) — including private conversations, could compromise your privacy with relatively little benefit. ©2019 Bankrate.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

to $65 billion annually in additional gross economic benefits. The USDA report recommends colleges equip a new workforce for careers in high-value technology. Occupations focused on food, agriculture, renewable natural resources and the environment will need about 57,900 college graduates a year through 2020, but as of 2015, only about 35,400 available candidates graduated, according to a 2015 report from the USDA and Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. “People coming out of the communities really understand the farmer, and that colors the way they’re going to think about building the technology that suits the needs of the farmers,” said Sara Williams, head of recruiting at Farmers Business Network, a fast-growing agronomic information startup. Who’s Team Ag? But agriculture can be a tough sell to students when other flashy majors are competing for attention. Engineering programs, for example, often have ample resources and funding. Computer science academies can give students computers, said Karl Binns Jr., lead development officer and former recruiter for the School of Agriculture and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, a historically black university. “It’s very hard to tangibly hand somebody a piece of agriculture and say, ‘That’s why you should be in this industry,’” Binns said. Binns and others said the agricultural industry can feel insular and difficult to break into for those who didn’t grow up on

a farm, in a rural area or with an industry connection. While there are efforts to expand the representation of farmers and agricultural professionals, the industry continues to be racially homogenous: Roughly 95% of agricultural producers are white, though the number of female producers grew by roughly 27% from 2012 to 2017, according to the 2017 agriculture census. “Outside of the racial disparity, whenever you go to these agricultural conferences, it’s always people who are already on team ag,” Binns said. “If you’re only talking to people who agree with you, you’re not reaching a new audience.” States vary in their support of agricultural education. In Maryland, for example, there are 56 high school agricultural education programs among 235 high schools, according to the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, a ratio that advocates say is typical for states. A House bill supported by the Maryland Farm Bureau that would encourage each county board of education to start an agricultural education program that includes integrated classroom and laboratory instruction failed for the second year to pass the state Senate, though in both years it passed unanimously in the House. “We get a lot of bills in our committee, and we’re kind of saying that if it doesn’t take us forward, if it doesn’t do anything, if it’s just a feel-good, we shouldn’t make it law,” said Maryland state Sen. Ron Young, a Democrat from rural Frederick County who voted against the bill because it would not mandate the changes. Maryland educators such as Terrie Shank, assistant director of high school and post-secondary education for the Maryland Continued on next page.

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

Puzzle on page 11.

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

Baxter Auto Group embraces re-investment discipline Continued from page 1. purchased Audi Omaha, a dealership forof ownership” rather than all stages. merly owned and operated by the late Stan “That requires heavy investments in Olsen. Formerly with 10 employees, that systems and processes, technology, facilities operation has grown to a point where it and employees,” Quinn said. “This re-inhas been moved into a newly constructed vesting discipline and 50,000-square-foot, ‘life-long approach’ Baxter Auto Group two story building at makes for a pretty Product/services: vehicle dealerships 17340 Burt St. unique approach in Founded: 1957 in Benson by Johnny Audi Service automotive retail.” Manager Pat LostaBaxter S t r a t e g i c a l l y, Employees: 2,000 group-wide; 1,600 in glia, a 12-year inBaxter represents a Nebraska dustry veteran who balanced mix of lux- One-year goal: Grow revenues across heads a 23-member ury, domestic, and the board. service team, said import brands. the Audi Omaha serIndustry outlook: Must be adaptive “Going forward, to flexibility online buyers seek, as well vice department fawe plan to maintain as how current tariff issues may impact cility is bright, with that balance, keeping dealerships. spacious use of natuour eyes open for Website: www.baxterauto.com ral light and features attractive opportunisuch as high perforties in growing communities,” she added. mance doors operated on a magnetic Rytec At present, Baxter's 20 locations insystem. In addition, diagnostic tools used clude 15 world-class brands, and a growing include a built-in tire tread depth reader footprint that includes Kansas and Coloraand a huge screen that enables a customer do, as well as Nebraska. and employees to track the work being For example, in January 2015, Baxter completed. The state-of-the-art facility

easily contains a couple dozen cutting edge features. “Everything is happening and being tracked in real time,” Lostaglia said. A concierge service is offered that will drive up to 80 miles to pick up and drop off cars for customers. In addition to the recent grand opening of Audi Omaha, Quinn has additional ribbon cuttings scheduled. Later this month she expects to welcome Volkswagon CEO Scott Keogh to the opening of Baxter Volkswagon’s new facility and in July ceremony at Baxter Subaru’s new location is expected to draw Subaru CEO Tom Doll. Additionally, Baxter Auto Group has 26 acres under development for Chrysler and Ford dealerships in Sarpy County. “What we’re doing is investing in the foundation on which our people and guests can be the best in the class,” Quinn said. “First and foremost my dad (the late Tal Anderson) taught that taking care of our guests was first and foremost.” Quinn, who started in the family business full-time after graduating from the

Continued from preceding page. Agricultural Education Foundation, said legislators representing urban areas without farms often do not appreciate that agriculture isn’t all field work. “I think some of the reasons the legislature fails is because they don’t see farming as being a viable occupation for students,” Shank said. Young pushed back against that assertion too. “We’ve allowed farmers to have all kinds of activities on their farms to produce money, like wineries and breweries and things like that,” Young said. “We’re constantly trying to do things. Agriculture is the state’s No. 1 job creator, so we do what we can.” Finally, there’s long been a shortage of certified agricultural teachers. In addition to their teaching responsibilities, agricultural educators are expected to manage labs and community-based programs and serve as the faculty adviser for high school students’ agriculture organizations. When schools are unable to fill positions with certified candidates, openings are filled with teachers from alternative backgrounds, but advocates say the field requires subject-specific knowledge. Several states — including Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont — have no agricultural teacher preparation programs, according to a national teacher supply and demand study by the American Association for Agricultural Education. “We know one of the best reasons anyone does anything is because someone says, ‘Hey, I think you have a lot of potential,’” said Ellen Thompson, the National Teach Ag Campaign project director for the National Association of Agricultural Educators. Big Ideas Eventually robots will take over the fieldwork that’s typically the domain of migrant workers, and someone will need to control the machines, said Mary Lou de Leon Siantz, professor emeritus at the Betty

people between ages 5 and 18, there’s a push to reach those who may not have heard of 4-H before or live in underserved communities, said Kathleen Lodl, 4-H program administrator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. In Maryland, where agriculture is a critical industry, there are Future Farmers of America chapters in all but one county, and three in Baltimore City alone, said Shank, who’s also executive director for the Maryland FFA Association. Binns, also president of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences, or MANRRS, has over the past six years helped rebuild chapters on the University of Maryland campuses of College Park and Eastern Shore, and at the University of Delaware, and launch the MANRRS Leadership Institute for underrepresented Maryland high school students, he said. This past fall, Binns said, saw its highest number of students enter the agriculture college at the Eastern Shore campus. ©2019 Stateline.org Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Wanted: Digital whizzes to work in agriculture Irene Moore School of Nursing at University of California-Davis and founding director of the Center for the Advancement of Multicultural Perspectives on Science. She and others say the next generation of farm labor and agriculture workers will require more advanced skills. Today’s farm laborers will control the robots that will need round-the-clock maintenance. Meanwhile, through 4-H youth development programs delivered locally through University of California Cooperative Extension Offices, laborers’ children will be encouraged to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) paths in agriculture, de Leon Siantz said. Building a pipeline that starts early, as in elementary school, is part of UC Davis’ ambitious plan to revolutionize agricultural technology. It’s looking at creating a major in digital agriculture and agriculture technology that would involve training in the use of autonomous vehicles, such as tractors, for agriculture. The school also has invested in a course on the Internet of Things, during which students create devices that use the internet to turn equipment on and off, and smartphone interfaces and program controls to manage irrigation or environmental control systems for vertical farming, said David Slaughter, a professor of biological and agricultural engineering who’s managing the Smart Farm initiative. Virginia Tech is in the midst of its own Smart Farm evolution to develop partnerships between researchers and industry. “The agricultural system is so complex and has so many players in it that sometimes people feel like they’re on the outside,” said Duncan, associate director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. “They might think they’re not really part of that system, but in reality, we’re all users or players in some part of that system.” Advocates in other states are reaching out to young people in urban areas to tap a different audience. In Nebraska, where 4-H programs reach about a third of young

University of San Diego, remembers helping her father by cleaning the water fountains at Johnny Baxter’s Benson location when she was 12. She earned 25 cents for that task, plus a smaller amount for picking up rags from the service department floor. Quinn, who remembers signing 12 paychecks at the former Performance Chrysler Plymouth Jeep in downtown Papillion in 1999 said the 2,000-some employees at present are aware of the philosophy she and her brother advocate: “continuing to evolve is crucial and there has to be a continuous thirst and desire to improve.” Due to the fast growth, immediately filling all job openings has been tough. At present, the firm has 76 vacant positions. They range from car wash workers to finance personnel. A major thrust in recent years has been instituting standardization. “We’ve built it out and with processes that allow us to expand successfully,” she said. “The amount of support we've been offering is a benefit and we’ve had our operations director and department heads go out to stores to implement the standardization.” Online accounting efficiencies have been achieved. “Being proactive,” according to Quinn, has been a thrust to bring coaching and accountability to the growing Baxter Auto Group team. “We’re looking for ways to improve what we can offer employees in terms of benefits to give us best-in-class status in Nebraska,” she said. A current initiative will transition all stores to the use of iPads and digital awareness. Fleet accounts involving sales of five or more vehicles provide a growth opportunity for stores and users range from utility firms to police agencies. Quinn said the skillsets she and her brother bring to the administrative table are complementary. “He’s extremely idealistic and charismatic while I tend to be more introverted and thoughtful,” she said. “We think differently in the right way and hold each other accountable.” They share many leadership responsibilities while managing different brands. Additionally, they maintain relationships with the manufacturers of their respective brands and hold leadership positions throughout the industry.

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Impeachment would be a debacle

If congressional Democrats will temper their enthusiasm for impeachment with lucidity about the nation’s needs and their political self-interest, they will understand the self-defeating nature of a foredoomed attempt to remove a president for aesthetic reasons. Such reasons are not trivial but they are insufficient, particularly eorge when almost all congressional Republicans are complicit in, ill by their silence about, President Trump’s comportment. Impeachment can be retrospective, for offenses committed, or prospective, to prevent probable future injuries to the nation. Greg Weiner is a Madison scholar par excellence and author of a new book on a subject — prudence — that Democrats should contemplate (“Old Whigs: Burke, Lincoln, and the Politics of Prudence”). Elsewhere, he writes this about what he calls “one of the Constitution’s most solemn powers”: “The purpose of impeachment is not punitive. It is prophylactic. Criminal law looks backOpinion ward toward offenses committed. The object of impeachment is not to exact vengeance. It is to protect the public against future acts of recklessness or abuse.” Attempting to overturn the result of a presidential election is a momentous undertaking. In 1998, when Republicans impeached President Bill Clinton for lying about sex with an intern, the public punished them for what it considered a grossly disproportionate response. Today, many Democrats are fixated on Trump’s possible obstruction of the investigation into an offense — conspiracy with Russia — for which the investigation did not find sufficient evidence. Prudent Democrats will not propose removing Trump because, for example, they think he had a corrupt intention when he exercised a core presidential power in firing FBI Director James B. Comey. What can accurately be called aesthetic considerations are, however, powerfully germane. As Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist 65, impeachable offenses should “relate chiefly to injuries done immediately to the society itself.” Trump’s incessant lying and increasingly contemptible coarseness are as reprehensible as was President Richard M. Nixon’s surreptitious criminality. And — because they are constant, public and hence desensitizing — they will inflict more long-term damage to America’s civic life than Nixon’s misdeeds did. But Democrats should heed Weiner: “That an offense is impeachable does not mean it warrants impeachment.” Potential impeachers must consider “the general political context of the times,” including “the potential public reaction.” Democrats should face two lamentable but undeniable facts: Trump was elected because many millions of Americans enjoy his boorishness. And he essentially promised to govern as a lout. Promise-keeping would be an unusual ground for impeachment. Furthermore, impeachment will not result in Trump’s removal. Consider today’s supine behavior of most congressional Republicans, which stirs fragrant memories of the vigorous obedience of many members of the U.S. Communist Party to Stalin in the late 1930s. Until Aug. 23, 1939, Stalin wanted, so the CPUSA advocated, U.S. engagement in European resistance to Hitler’s expansionism. However, when on that date Germany and the Soviet Union signed a nonaggression pact as a prelude to carving up Poland, the CPUSA instantly pivoted to advocatingU.S. noninvolvement in Europe’s affairs. Then, on June 22, 1941, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union and the CPUSA lurched back to advocating maximum U.S. engagement in resistance to Hitler. Most congressional Republicans today display a similar versatility of conviction. They were for free trade until Trump informed them that they were not. They were defenders of the U.S. intelligence community until Trump announced in Helsinki that he believed Vladimir Putin rather than this community regarding Russian support for his election. They excoriated wishful thinking regarding North Korea until Trump spent a few hours with Kim Jong Un and, smit-

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Despite trade woes, Minnesota manufacturers see growth by Dee Depass

Minnesota factories bucked a regional trend in May, seeing growth in a key manufacturing index while other central states showed slowdowns or economic losses as flooding and new trade woes took a toll, according to a Creighton University economic report released recently. Creighton’s nine-state Mid-America Economy Business Conditions Index fell to 54.3 in May from 55.9 in April as exports, inventory levels and confidence levels declined across nearly half of the region. Any index above 50 signals growth, while figures below 50 show economic contraction. Pounded by severe spring storms, flooding and in some cases tornadoes, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and Oklahoma recorded overall indexes that were below the “growth ten, tweeted, “There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea.” Republicans have moved from stressing presidential dignity to cowed silence when, to take only the most recent example, Trump endorsed a North Korean state media outlet’s ridicule of “low IQ” Joe Biden (a taunt Trump falsely ascribed to Kim). Republicans railed against President Barack Obama’s executive overreaching but are eloquently mute when Obama’s successor promiscuously declares “emergencies” in order to “repurpose” funds Congress appropriated for other purposes, and to truncate the process of congressional approval of weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and its allies. CPUSA members in the 1930s, blinkered by ideology, had a servile faith in a Soviet regime that they identified with historic (and therefore progressive) inevitabilities. Today’s congressional Republicans, blinded by their puppy-like devotion (and leavened by terror of the capricious master to whom they are devoted), would make a Senate impeachment trial a partisan debacle ending in acquittal. Impeachment can be an instrument of civic hygiene. However, most of today’s Senate Republicans, scampering around the president’s ankles, are implausible hygienists. The Washington Post

neutral” threshold of 50 for the month. In contrast, Minnesota’s May index inched up to 55 from 54.5 in April amid a boost in new product orders and sales, especially for medical supplies, durable goods and nonfood products. “The regional economy continues to expand at a positive pace. However, tariffs and flooding across several states pulled the overall index below growth neutral for four (of the nine) states (tracked),” said Ernie Goss, director of Creighton University’s Economic Forecasting Group. The nine-state region, which also includes South Dakota, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas, saw declines in new orders, production and inventories. The inventory decline came even as 24% of surveyed factory heads reported ordering extra inventory last month. “I expect sinking inventories to weigh on both regional and U.S. growth for the second quarter 2019,” Goss said. Several factories tried to mitigate the effect of rising trade wars the U.S. enacted against both China and more recently Mexico. Nearly a quarter of manufacturing managers surveyed last month said they increased their supply orders in advance of the 25% trade tariffs that went into effect June 1 for $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. President Donald Trump surprised manufacturers with a tweet announcing that he planned to impose a new 5% to 25% trade tariff on Mexican imports. That measure had little to do with trade and everything to do with trying to force Mexico’s government to do more to curtail the flow of undocumented immigrants into the United States from Mexico. Business owners surveyed by Creighton said they responded in several ways. Some 24% pre-ordered inventory supplies to avoid the new tariffs. About 13% switched suppliers to avoid the new levies. Some 62% of the manufacturers said the trade skirmishes were making it more difficult to purchase from abroad. The survey found that some factory leaders blamed previous U.S. presidents for the trade woes. Others complained Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

Report to Congress ponders a future of cryptocurrency over cash by Steven Harras

Congress may be beginning to contemplate a country where cryptocurrency — not cash — is the coin of the realm. The Congressional Research Service examined the decline in cash usage in the United States and the potential rise of alternative payment systems, including bitcoin or other digital assets, in the purchase of goods and services. The CRS is tasked with producing Economy nonpartisan advice on issues that may come before Congress, especially when lawmakers express interest in a certain subject. Alternative payment systems are gaining steam as lawmakers introduce legislation that would require stores to take cash and examine the impact of financial technology, or fintech. Although the amount of currency in circulation has increased over the last 20 years, Federal Reserve studies suggest the use of cash in payments may be dropping, according to the CRS report, issued May 10. Just how much may be a matter of debate, but the migration away from cash transactions at retail stores is evident in daily life. So far, the move has been largely in favor of what the CRS refers to as “traditional noncash payment systems” such as credit cards and debit cards. And the report even includes rising payment mobile apps, of which there are many and no clearly established market leaders, in the category of “traditional.” The question facing businesses, policymakers, consumers, and the economy at large is how significant a role alternative channels such as digital currencies will play in the future of the U.S. retail payments system. The use of cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology and distributed ledgers to make payments in the U.S. is “quite rare relative to cash and traditional systems,” the report states. While there is a public interest in and demand for some digital currencies, analyses indicate they are not being widely used and accepted as payment for goods and services, “but rather as investment vehicles.” var rcrdTwitter = 1; For one thing, unlike dollars, cryptocurrencies are not legal tender, meaning creditors are not legally required to accept them to settle debts. “Consumers and businesses also may be hesitant to place their trust in these systems because they have limited understanding of them,” CRS writes, suggesting people are satisfied with the speed and convenience of current traditional electronic payment systems, and see no reason for society to move on to unfamiliar crypto-based alternative. The report includes services such as Venmo, Apple Pay and Google Pay in the traditional category. Despite the limited uptake so far, some believe they will be at least part of the payment options in the future. “While cryptocurrencies may not supplant traditional payments aggressively in the near term, the value of blockchain and innovative approaches to the payments industry

Minnesota manufacturers

Continued from preceding page. about the abrupt changes to U.S. policies and pleaded for a calmer, more thoughtful approach. Said one executive, “We need a measured approach to tariffs. Currently the USA lacks capacity in some types (of) paper materials.” Regardless of opinion, shifting trade policies are starting to show up in several economic reports, including the one released Monday. Creighton’s nine-state import index remained unchanged at 57 in May. Exports, however, shrunk to 48.5 in May from a healthy 53.9 in April. “I expect the latest announced tariffs against Mexico, if implemented, to push more Mid-America states into job-loss territory in the months ahead,” Goss said. In a separate, national report also released Monday, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported that U.S. manufacturing growth also slowed in May, sliding to 52.1 index from 52.8 in April. Eleven of 18 manufacturing industries reported growth in May, led by printing, furniture, plastics, textile mills, miscellaneous and electrical equipment. Industries losing ground included apparel/leather, primary metals, petroleum/coal and wood and paper product makers. ©2019 Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

extends beyond fiat currency replacement,” said Amy Zirkle, interim CEO of the Electronic Transactions Association, a Washington-based trade group for the payments technology industry. She said the value could be in solving cross-border payments, streamlining communication between financial institutions, and better securing data. Cashless discrimination One concern about moving to new payment options, though, is the possibility of excluding people if certain digital assets become the norm. Even under the current traditional electronic payments system, there is a growing political opposition in some parts of the country to “cashless” retail establishments, which accept only credit cards, debit cards and mobile apps for payment. Opponents of cashless brick-and-mortar stores and restaurants say such establishments discriminate against lower-income individuals, often members of minority groups who do not have access to credit and debit cards. The Federal Reserve reported recently that 14% of blacks and 11% of Hispanics have no bank accounts. Sixteen% of U.S. adults are “underbanked,” which means they have an account but also used money orders, check-cashing services or payday loans in the past year. New Jersey, Massachusetts and Philadelphia have enacted laws that largely prohibit cashless stores. Earlier this month, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed legislation that requires nearly all brick-and-mortar retailers in that city to accept cash. The measure had been introduced by Supervisor Vallie Brown, who told CQ Roll Call in an emailed statement: “A ‘no cash’ sign is a ‘not welcome’ sign for many San Franciscans who do not have access to banking services. … The future may be cashless but denying the ability to use cash as a payment today means excluding too many people.” Earlier this month, two Democratic members of Congress introduced separate bills that would make it unlawful for physical retail establishments to refuse to accept cash as payment. Volatile pricing High volatility in the price of many cryptocurrencies also undermines their ability to act as money, according to the report to Congress. “Cryptocurrencies can have significant value fluctuations within short periods of time; as a result, pricing goods and services in units of cryptocurrency would require frequent repricing and likely would cause confusion among buyers and sellers,” it states. The CRS report also casts doubt on the ability of cryptocurrency systems to handle the sheer volume as a cash replacement. ??At present, the systems underlying cryptocurrencies do not appear capable of processing the number of transactions

that would be required of a widely adopted, global payment system,” the CRS writes, even raising questions about the environmental impact of a widespread alternative electronic retail payment system. “One concern involves the significant energy consumption required to run and cool the computers that validate the transactions on these platforms.” There is also some question about the enthusiasm of traditional payment system operators to embrace a new crypto-based system. The CRS reports that both the Federal Reserve and private institutions are working to increase payments system speed and reduce the time it takes to finalize certain transaction such as the lag that can occur between when a payment, such as a paycheck, is deposited and when the full amount of funds become available to the depositor. “Payment system operators arguably have little incentive to achieve faster or real-time payments,” the CRS writes. That is because they are already in compliance with the federal law requirement directing that most deposits be available by the second business day, meaning generally the next day depending on the time of the deposit. Updating systems to improve on this would be costly for the institutions that operate them. Moreover, banks, which act as intermediaries in traditional payment systems, are generating revenue through overdraft fees, something they would lose with the adoption of theoretically faster alternative systems. Future unclear While the future role of alternative electronic payments systems in the U.S. is “speculative,” according to CRS, one payments industry expert says they are not going away. “I think you will see them co-exist,” ETA’s Zirkle said. She told CQ that among her group’s members the use of distributed ledger technology is definitely “an area of attention.” Zirkle said she sees growth potential in the e-commerce sector, noting that online retailer Overstock has been accepting cryptocurrency since 2014. She was cautious, however, about the possibility that cryptocurrency use will find widespread acceptance among small-scale merchant brick-andmortar stores in the near future. Despite an uncertain future, cryptocurrencies, blockchain and distributed ledger technologies “have the potential to significantly affect the usage of cash and traditional systems for payments,” according to the CRS. That conclusion and that potential may put the future U.S. use of alternative electronic payment systems on Congress’ radar screen. ©2019 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

US-China trade war has morphed into a deeper, harder conflict by Don Lee

What started out two years ago as an effort by President Donald Trump to wring better terms from China on the nutsand-bolts of foreign trade now threatens to become a far wider and more ominous confrontation. The conflict continues to be framed as a “trade war” between the world’s two biggest economies — as Washington and Beijing pursue an escalating series of tariff hikes and other retaliatory measures. Economy Even as Trump moved to open a new, potential damaging trade war with Mexico, however, the conflict with China has widened beyond the original trade-based issues. Beneath the surface, a new tone has begun to emerge since trade talks broke down in early May and Trump ratcheted up tariffs on imported goods from China, an action met with retaliatory duties from Beijing. Officials on both sides of the Pacific have begun to portray the U.S.-China relationship in nationalistic and emotion-charged terms that suggest a much deeper conflict. Recently, for example, a private group of American economists and trade experts with long-standing experience in China traveled to Beijing, expecting their usual technical give-and-take with Chinese government officials. Instead, a member of the Chinese Politburo harangued them for almost an hour, describing the U.S.-China relationship as a “clash of civilizations” and boasting that China’s government-controlled system was far superior to the “Med-

iterranean culture” of the West, with its internal divisions and aggressive foreign policy. On the U.S. side, a senior State Department official, during a forum last month in Washington, warned of a deepening confrontation with China that she cast in something close to racial terms. In the Cold War with the Soviet Union, said Kiron Skinner, the State Department’s director of policy planning, Washington at least faced fellow Caucasians, whereas with Beijing, Washington faces a non-white culture. “In China we have an economic competitor, we have an ideological competitor, one that really does seek a kind of global reach, that many of us didn’t expect a couple of decades ago,” Skinner said. “And I think it’s also striking that this is the first time that we will have a great-power competitor that is not Caucasian.” On the trade issues themselves, the two sides may still be able to reach a truce, with the best chance coming with the economic summit of major nations at the end of June in Osaka, Japan. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to attend the meeting of G-20 leaders. Nothing short of a deal struck directly by the two leaders is likely to avert new rounds of punches and counter-punches over economic and financial ties, analysts say. But whether either leader is interested in a stand-down is unclear. The conflict, however, now goes beyond just the escalaContinued on page 20.

• JUNE 7, 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. ADAMS & SULLIVAN, P.C., Attorneys 1246 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 1 Papillion, Nebraska 68046-2843 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION GUINAN MORTGAGE, INC. Notice is hereby given that Guinan Mortgage, Inc. has been incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska on April 10, 2019 when Articles were filed with the Secretary of State. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares. Patrick J. Sullivan, Incorporator, 1246 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 1, Papillion, NE 68046 Registered Office: 1246 Golden Gate Drive, Suite 1, Papillion, NE 68046-2843 Registered Agent: Adams & Sullivan, P.C., L.L.O. First publication May 17, 2019, final June 7, 2019 HALEY REAL ESTATE GROUP, LLC 10703 J Street, Suite 101 Omaha, NE 68127 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FOR POINTE HC4, LLC A Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State for Pointe HC4, LLC (the “Company”) on April 19, 2019. The address of the Company’s designated office is 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127. The name and address for the Company’s registered agent is Carl J. Troia, Jr., 10703 J Street, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68127. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), LARRY BRANT You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 02/18/2019 on Case Number CI19-4480, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $1190.00, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 07/07/2019 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 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: ANDREA S. ARON, 2705 North 45th Street, Omaha NE 68104, you are hereby notified that on April 2, 2019, American Family Mutual Ins. Co., S.I. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-7322, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $14,638.67, 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 15th day of July, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 14, 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 FLYING D ENTERPRISES, INC. Notice is hereby given of Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Flying D 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 Orion Equipment, Inc. The Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State of Nebraska on May 17, 2019. In all other respects, the Articles of Incorporation remain unchanged. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 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: SAMANTHA L. ORBAN, 5914 Fay Blvd Omaha NE 68117, 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 8th day of July, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication May 17, 2019, final June 7, 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: BELINDA J. CALLOWAY, 3131 Lafayette Avenue, Omaha NE 68131, you are hereby notified that on February 18, 2019, Credit Acceptance Corporation filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-3960, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $5,866.54, 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 8th day of July, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication May 17, 2019, final June 7, 2019 TIEDEMAN, LYNCH, KAMPFE, McVAY & RESPELIERS, Attorneys 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68106-1045 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-667 Estate of Norma L. Kemp, a/k/a, Norma E. Kemp, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on May 19, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Deceased and that Daniel L. Kemp, whose address is 3604 South 94th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68128, 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 July 24, 2019 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 LEGAL NOTICE In the District Court of Hall County, Nebraska. PR17-523 STATE OF NEBRASKA, on Behalf of EMANUEL ANTONIO RIVERA, Minor Child, Plaintiff, vs. ANTONIO JAMES RIVERA, Defendant, MARTHA ROMINA RIVAS, Defendant. TO: ANTONIO JAMES RIVERA, Defendant: You are hereby notified that Defendant Rivas has commenced an action in the District Court of Hall County, Nebraska, the object and prayer of which is for Defendant Rivas to obtain legal and physical cusody of the parties' minor child; establish parenting time and that the parties should share in the daycare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses of the minor child; for a modification of child support effective May 1, 2019; for attorney fees; and for such other and different relief as the Court may deem just and equitable. You are required to answer said Complaint on or before July 10, 2019, or an order will be entered against you. MARTHA ROMINA RIVAS, Defendant Joshua A. Johnson, #25260 CONWAY, PAULEY & JOHNSON, P.C. P.O. BOX 315 Hastings, NE 68902-0315 402-462-5187 jjohnson@hastingslaw.com Attorney for Defendant Rivas First publication May 31, 2019, final June 21, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION FOR Greater Omaha Paint & Design LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Greater Omaha Paint & Design LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The office of the Company is 5017 Underwood Ave. #12, Omaha, NE 68132 and it’s registered agent is Jennifer A. Hughes. The general nature of the company is residential paint and interior design and was organized in May 2019. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KARST NIELSEN, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Karst Nielsen, 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 322 N Molly St., Bennington, Nebraska 68007 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 May 31, 2019, final June 14, 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: JAMES A MINOR, 2420 Camden Ave, Omaha NE 68111, you are hereby notified that on January 3, 2019, AMERICAN FAMILY MUTUAL INS. Co., S.I. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-194, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $6,692.15, 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 8th day of July, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication May 17, 2019, final June 7, 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: CHRISTIANA CREIGHTON, 8730 Hamilton Street, Omaha NE 68114, you are hereby notified that on February 4, 2019, THE HERTZ CORPORATION filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-2835, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $5,063.54, 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 8th day of July, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication May 17, 2019, final June 7, 2019 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BRAD PRESTON FLOORS AND MORE, 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 May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PRINT IMAGE SOLUTIONS OF MISSOURI, 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 May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Screaming Meadows, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 14817 Parker Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The registered agent of the Company is Scott Maupin, 14817 Parker Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Company was formed on May 24, 2019. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MIDWEST HEMP GROWERS, 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 May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Sunhouse Global, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the Company’s designated office is 1910 S. 44th St, Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68105, and the name of the registered agent at such address is Tran & Associates Law, LLC. 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 5/03/2019 and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be managed by its managers. Khanh Tran, Member First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Global Claims, LLC. 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 7, 2019, final June 21, 2019

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 • LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Purposeful Priorities LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office at 2715 N 189th St, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022 and with Rachelle Swanson as its initial agent for service of process at such address. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GLAD HOTEL DEVELOPERS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Glad Hotel Developers, LLC (the "Company") has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 11550 “I” Street Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. The Registered Agent of the Company is John Hughes, 11550 “I” Street Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that JM Coaching, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of JM Coaching, LLC is 6714 N 60th St. Omaha, Ne 68152. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 SUNSET MEDIA LLC 621 N 48TH ST #1 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68132 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Sunset Media, L.L.C., a Nebraska limited liability company, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered office at 621 N. 48TH ST #1 Omaha, Nebraska 68132. The general nature of the business is to engage in and do any lawful business, other than banking or insurance, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and for all other purposes authorized by law, to the extent as natural persons might or could do. The limited liability company was formed on April 11, 2019. Its affairs shall be conducted by the members pursuant to an Operating Agreement duly adopted by the company. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Rowley Consulting, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 4718 N 108th Cir Omaha, NE 68164. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Laura Rowley, 4718 N 108th Circle Omaha, NE 68164. The nature of the company is social emotional learning instruction and coaching. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Trustegic Insurance Notice is hereby given that Trustegic Insurance, 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 Cyrus Jaffery, and with its initial designated office at 4910 N 136th Street, Omaha, NE 68164. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 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 MWCDE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MWCDE, 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 National Registered Agents, Inc., 5601 South 59th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68516. The limited liability company commenced business on May 15, 2019. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Sam 1, Inc., whose registered agent is Ghassan Aboied and registered office is 6922 Spring Street, #211, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, was formed on May 16, 2019 to engage in any lawful business. The corporation has authorized 10,000 shares of capital stock. Thomas E. Whitmore, Incorporator First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 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 SOCIAL HOLDINGS LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Social Holdings LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 900 South 74th Plaza, Suite 303, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. 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 14, 2019. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019

GROSS & WELCH, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 2120 South 72 Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF AMBER CROWN NATURALS, LLC a Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that AMBER CROWN NATURALS, 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 May 14, 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 May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 10305 Joseph Circle La Vista, Nebraska 68128 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SQUARE ONE FINISHES, LLC Notice is hereby given that a limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is Square One Finishes, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 10305 Joseph Circle, La Vista, NE 68128. The designated office is located at 4729 S. 47th Street, Omaha, NE 68117. John Menichetti, Member First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 TIEDEMAN, LYNCH, KAMPFE, McVAY & RESPELIERS, Attorneys 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68106-1045 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that MAXMARY Properties, LLC, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated office at 6910 Pacific Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The general nature of the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized. The limited liability company was formed on May 15, 2019, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Limited Liability Company is STERKEL PROPERTIES, LLC 2. The address of the designated office of the company is 11825 Skylark Drive, Omaha, NE 68144. 3. The purpose for which the company is organized is to engage in any and all business which is lawful under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Nebraska. 4. The company commenced its existence on April 18, 2019, and the period of duration of the Company shall be perpetual. 5. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members in accordance with the company’s operating agreement. Andrew C. Sigerson First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Limited Liability Company is B. HANSEN PLATTE RIVER PROPERTIES, LLC 2. The address of the designated office of the company is 13802 Biel Dike Road, Gretna, NE 68025. 3. The purpose for which the company is organized is to engage in any and all business which is lawful under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Nebraska. 4. The company commenced its existence on April 18, 2019, and the period of duration of the Company shall be perpetual. 5. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members in accordance with the company’s operating agreement. Andrew C. Sigerson First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 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: MICHELLE RECKINGER, 5453 S. 50th St, Omaha NE 68117, you are hereby notified that on April 11, 2019, American Family Mutual Ins. Co., S.I. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-8044, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $2,595.80, 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 15th day of July, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 14, 2019

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF TETRA HOLDINGS COMPANY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Tetra Holdings Company, 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 3900 Old Cheney Road, Suite 201, #104, Lincoln, Nebraska 68516 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 May 24, 2019, final June 7, 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 JULIE HOCKNEY DESIGNER, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Articles of Incorporation of Julie Hockney Designer, Inc., a Nebraska corporation, were amended and restated on May 21, 2019, in their entirety as follows: Article 1 states the name of the Corporation is Julie Hockney Designer, Inc. Article 2 states the registered agent is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. Article 3 states the purpose. Article 4 states the number of shares the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $1.00 per share. Article 5 states the Corporation shall have perpetual existence. Article 6 states the provisions relating to amending the Articles and Bylaws. Article 7 states that provisions relating to director liability. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of state’s office of Daniel's Lawn Service, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is Daniel's Lawn Service, LLC. Registered agent and office of Daniel's Lawn Service, LLCat 6038 S 38th Street, Omaha, NE 68107. Initial members: Daniel Altamirano Valladares. General nature of the business is the general law service and to transact any and all lawful business for which limited liability companies are allowed by statute. The LLC was organized on May 2019 for the perpetual duration and is managed by its members. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of state’s office of Chameleon's Pro Remodeling, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is Chameleon's Pro Remodeling, LLC. Registered agent and office of Chameleon's Pro Remodeling, LLC at 2511 N 18th Street, Omaha, NE 68110. Initial members: Mariana I Guerra. General nature of the business is the general construction and to transact any and all lawful business for which limited liability companies are allowed by statute. The LLC was organized on May 2019 for the perpetual duration and is managed by its members. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 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 DIXIE LAND AND CONSULTING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Dixie Land and Consulting, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 431 North 62nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68132. 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 15, 2019. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KRC, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that KRC, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 825 North 90th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF GCP II HQ, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of GCP II HQ, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to change the name of the company to GCP II CWG HQ, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on May 9, 2019. First publication May 17, 2019, final June 7, 2019

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOIL AND WATER, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Soil and Water, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 2059 N. 61st Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68104. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Epoxy On, Inc., whose registered agent is Whitmore Law Office, LLC and registered office is 7602 Pacific Street, Ste. 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, was formed on May 14, 2019 to engage in any lawful business. The corporation has authorized 10,000 shares of capital stock. Thomas E. Whitmore, Incorporator First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF NKC CAFFEINE OPPORTUNITY ZONE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that NKC Caffeine Opportunity Zone, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The Registered Agent of the Company is Andrew A. Snyder, 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 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 ORGANIZATION OF PARAMETRIC RESEARCH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Parametric Research, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 11404 W. Dodge Road, Suite 500, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The general nature of the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The limited liability company was formed on May 24, 2019, and its duration is perpetual. Management of the Company shall be vested in its Managers. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 WILLIAM N. BEERMAN, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF BLING BY ZING, INC. BLING BY ZING, INC., a Nebraska corporation (the "Corporation"), has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State with a dissolution date effective April 22, 2019. The terms of the dissolution provide for the payment of liabilities of the Corporation and the distribution of any remaining assets to the Shareholders of the Corporation. Kimberly Nelson, President, will manage the Corporation's affairs and distribute its assets. As of the close of business on April 22, 2019, the Corporation had no liabilities and no assets. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THE GROUP DPC, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that The Group DPC, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 825 North 90th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 GROSS & WELCH, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 2120 South 72 Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MEA HOME INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MEA Home Investments, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on May 22, 2019. Its designated office is located at 11630 Tyler Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. Its initial registered agent for service of process is Allen Mayville with an address at 11630 Tyler Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. Gerard T. Forgét, III, JD, MBA, LLM (Taxation), Organizer First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of state’s office of GAEL's Construction, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is GAEL's Construction, LLC. Registered agent and office of GAEL's Construction, LLC at 1122 N 29th Street, Omaha, NE 68131. Initial members: Jose Hugo Sarmiento Canales. General nature of the business is the general construction and to transact any and all lawful business for which limited liability companies are allowed by statute. The LLC was organized on May 2019 for the perpetual duration and is managed by its members. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that 6646 Binney, 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 5/24/2019 and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be managed by its managers. Yuri Paskar, Member First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 AMANDA M. FORKER, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THE POMERLEAU GROUP LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of The Pomerleau Group LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is The Pomerleau Group 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 Amanda M. Forker, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of state’s office of JRS Construction, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is JRS Construction, LLC. Registered agent and office of JRS Construction, LLC at 5838 S 13th Street, Omaha, NE 68107. Initial members: Jonathan Rivera Sanchez. General nature of the business is the general construction and to transact any and all lawful business for which limited liability companies are allowed by statute. The LLC was organized on May 2019 for the perpetual duration and is managed by its members. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Limited Liability Company is B. HANSEN MUFFLER SHOP, LLC 2. The address of the designated office of the company is 4841 South 137th Street, Omaha, NE 68137. 3. The purpose for which the company is organized is to engage in any and all business which is lawful under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Nebraska. 4. The company commenced its existence on April 18, 2019, and the period of duration of the Company shall be perpetual. 5. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members in accordance with the company’s operating agreement. Andrew C. Sigerson First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RKMM LLC Notice is hereby given that RKMM LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the initial designated office of the company is 17007 Marcy St., St. 3, Omaha, NE 68118. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118-3121. First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DIRTY DEVIL DETAILING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Dirty Devil Detailing, 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 19463 Orchard Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68135 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 May 31, 2019, final June 14, 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 May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019 C R O K E R , H U C K , K A S H E R , D e W I T T, A N D E R S O N & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SNELLMAN, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Snellman, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 17514 Renfro Street, Omaha, NE 68135. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Lisabet Snellman Alexander, 17514 Renfro Street, Omaha, NE 68135. Snellman, LLC was converted from Snellman Limited Partnership, a Connecticut limited partnership. The conversion of Snellman Limited Partnership, a Connecticut limited partnership, to Snellman, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, was approved by the sole General Partner and all of the Limited Partners and complied with the governing laws of the State of Connecticut. SNELLMAN, LLC By: Elizabeth A. Sevcik First publication May 24, 2019, final June 7, 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 PLB, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PLB, Inc., a Nebraska nonprofit corporation, is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered office at 11404 West Dodge Road, Suite 500, Omaha, NE 68154. The general nature of its business is any and all business which is lawful under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. The corporation commenced its existence, which is perpetual, on May 20, 2019. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors, and by the officers which shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and such other officers as shall be designated in the Bylaws. Myron J. Kaplan, Incorporator First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 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 7, 2019, final June 21, 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: DESHAUNA M. STARKS, 10365 Hamilton Plaza Apt 308, Omaha NE 68114, you are hereby notified that on March 26, 2019, Credit Acceptance Corporation. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-6818, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $8,858.07, 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 22nd day of July , 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 21, 2019 DIANE B. METZ, Attorney 123 North 55th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68132 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-760 Estate of Lucille Cochran, Deceased. Notice is hereby given that on May 31, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, Charles Cochran whose address is 6304 North 40th Street, Omaha, NE. 6811 has been appointed as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 32, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before August 7, 2019 or be forever barred. CARROLL L.MILLS Registrar First publication June 7, 2019, final June 21, 2019

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 • LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given the registration with the Nebraska Secretary of state’s office of Palacios Patios & Landscaping, LLC under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: The name of the company is Palacios Patios & Landscaping, LLC. Registered agent and office of Palacios Patios & Landscaping, LLC at 5641 S 49th Street, Omaha, NE 68117. Initial members: Nemorio Lemus-Romero. General nature of the business is the general construction, landscaping and to transact any and all lawful business for which limited liability companies are allowed by statute. The LLC was organized on May 2019 for the perpetual duration and is managed by its members. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), JACOB D WEES You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 01/15/2019 on Case Number CI19-1857, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $162.70, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 7/14/2019 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 MICHAEL D JONES, Attorney ELLICK, JONES, BUELT, BLAZEK AND LONGO, LLP 9290 W. Dodge Road, Suite 303 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-714 Estate of Robert G. Hoig, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on May 22, 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 Oliver E. Hoig, whose address is 321 Laurel Ridge Lane, Knoxville, TN 37922, 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 July 31, 2019 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 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. PR19-677 Estate of Jimmy R. Martin, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on May 20, 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 Janis C. Martin, of 3303 Curtis Avenue, Omaha, NE 68111, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before July 31, 2019 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is given that MG PAINTING, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with the following registered agent and registered office: Marcelo Felipe Gallardo at 2705 H St. Omaha, NE 68107. The general nature of the Company's business is to engage in any lawful business permitted under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The company was organized on April 22, 2019, and it shall continue in perpetuity unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms of its operating agreement. In general, the Company's business is to be managed by its primary member Marco Felipe Gallardo in accordance with the Company's operating agreement. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 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 7, 2019, final June 21, 2019

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JH Jorgensen, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on May 23, 2019, JH Jorgensen, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 14216 Huntington Avenue, Omaha, NE 68164. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Jerry Jorgensen, whose address is 14216 Huntington Avenue, Omaha, NE 68164. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 2019 BRANDON K. DICKERSON, Attorney LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MITCH KAVANAGH LLC Notice is hereby given that Mitch Kavanagh LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company”), has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office and registered office of the Company is 5745 N. 79th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68134, and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Mitch Kavanagh. First publication June 7, 2019, final June 21, 2019 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF 20 TWENTY VIDEO, INC. Notice is hereby given that a corporation has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the corporation is 20 TWENTY VIDEO, INC. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock. The name and street address of the corporation’s initial registered agent is USCA (United States Corporation Agents), INC., 1603 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102, and its incorporator is Bryan Smith, 2906 Mason Street, Omaha, NE 68105. Bryan Smith, Incorporator First publication June 7, 2019, final June 21, 2019 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Papa Rico’s, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on May 24, 2019, Papa Rico’s, LLC was organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, with a designated office at 7804 South 71st Street, LaVista, NE 68128. The Company’s initial agent for service of process is Donna M. Garcia, whose address is 7804 South 71st Street, LaVista, NE 68128. First publication June 7, 2019, final June 21, 2019 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION 1. The name of the Corporation is A Latere Academy. 2. The Corporation is a public benefit corporation. 3. The Registered Office of the Corporation is: 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124, and the Registered Agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. 4. The name and address of the Incorporator is as follows: Mitchell D. Hiatt, 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. 5. The Corporation shall have no members. 6. The corporate existence began on June 3, 2019, when Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State. First publication June 7, 2019, final June 21, 2019 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF WILLIAMS AND FENSKE, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that WILLIAMS AND FENSKE, INC. has been incorporated as a corporation under the laws of the State of Nebraska (the “Company”). The Company has designated its registered agent as Zach Williams, with registered office at 1706 North 203rd Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The Company was organized and commenced perpetual existence on May 30, 2019. First publication June 7, 2019, final June 21, 2019 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES 9859 South 168th Avenue Omaha, NE 68136 Notice of Organization Platinum Interiors & Design Notice is hereby given that Platinum Interiors & Design, 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 John Diamantis, and with its initial designated office at 8213 N 127th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68142. First publication June 7, 2019, final June 21, 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 TONEY’S ENTERPRISES, INC. Notice is hereby given of Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Toney’s 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 J3 Roofing and Contracting, Inc. The Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State of Nebraska on May 30, 2019. In all other respects, the Articles of Incorporation remain unchanged. First publication June 7, 2019, final June 21, 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: JOSHUA CASE, 2501 Poppleton Ave Apt 3, Omaha NE 68105, you are hereby notified that on February 18, 2019, Credit Acceptance Corp. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-3961, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $8,818.36, 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 29th day of July, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication June 7, 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: LONDAN YANCY, 221 E Mckinley Ave Apt 202, Des Moines IA 50315, you are hereby notified that on January 3, 2019, American Family Mutual Ins. Co., S.I. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI19-254, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $7,171.85, 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 29th day of July, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication June 7, 2019, final June 28, 2019 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: YP DIVERISTY GPS Name of Applicant: YP CONSULTING LLC Address: 1704 S 12TH ST, OMAHA, NE 68108 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 13, 2019 General nature of business: CONSULTING AND EDUCAITONAL SERVICES YESENIA PECK Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative First publication June 7, 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 7, 2019, final June 21, 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 29th day of July, 2019, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication June 7, 2019, final June 28, 2019 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 May 24, 2019, final June 7, 2019

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF 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 7, 2019, final June 21, 2019 SUSAN J. SPAHN, Attorney FITZGERALD, SCHORR, BARMETTLER & BRENNAN, P.C., L.L.O. 10050 Regency Circle, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3794 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR19-737 Estate of Marianne Murray, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on May 24, 2019, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, Maureen O'Connor, of 12911 Nicholas Street, Omaha, NE 68154, 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 July 31, 2019 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication May 31, 2019, final June 14, 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 7, 2019, final June 21, 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 7, 2019, final June 21, 2019 ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Rosenbach Warrior Training Branch Bennington Name of Applicant: Karst Nielsen, LLC Address: 322 N Molly St., Bennington, NE 68007 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: 05/23/2019 General nature of business: Martial Arts and Self-Defense Classes Andrew Collins Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative Pub date June 7, 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 7, 2019, final June 21, 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 7, 2019, final June 28, 2019 JAMES WALTER CRAMPTON, Attorney 1904 Farnam Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68102 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE SALE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: You are hereby notified that the following described property will be sold by James Walter Crampton, Successor Trustee, at public auction to the highest bidder at the Douglas County Civic Center, Farnam Street Level, 1819 Farnam St, in the City of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska on July 12, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. Lot 9, and the East 40 feet of Lot 10, Block 126, South Omaha City Lots, now a part of the City of Omaha, as surveyed, platted and recorded in Douglas County, Nebraska. DATED, at Omaha, Nebraska May 20, 2019. First publication May 31, 2019, final June 28, 2019

US-China trade war has morphed Continued from page 15. tion of tariffs. Attitudes have hardened in recent days after the Trump administration blacklisted the telecom firm Huawei, effectively blocking one of China’s most successful global companies from buying crucial components and software from U.S. firms. (Huawei later got a temporary reprieve on some of the Commerce Department restrictions.) The White House is preparing similar actions against other Chinese high-tech firms, according to news reports. “All of that would sap most of the remaining interest the Chinese have in negotiating with the Trump administration on trade,” said Scott Kennedy, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. China, he added, will probably “hunker down and try to get by until either the second term of the Trump administration or the incoming new administration.” The widening friction has not yet had a big impact on financial markets or the broader economy. But the domestic politics, for now, seem to favor conflict, not compromise. At home Trump mostly gets cheers for going after an adversary many Americans believe is an unfair trading partner that has stolen valuable U.S. intellectual property in its rise to superpower status. The political risk for Trump from potential Democratic opponents in 2020 isn’t from hitting China too hard, but treading too softly or coming away with a weak deal. In China, the party’s propaganda organ has dusted off old patriotic films of the Korean War — when the Chinese army pushed back American forces advancing northward — and Xi’s recent countryside tour conveyed a message of girding up for a new “Long March” to resist a foreign bully. At this point, many experts on U.S.-China relations say, the best one might hope for is a temporary truce, and even that will be hard to come by if Trump keeps piling on the pressure. By the time of G-20 summit starts on June 28, the U.S. Trade Representative will have wrapped up public hearings on a proposed new tranche of tariffs, meaning it could at any time slap taxes on the remaining $300 billion of imports from China, including many ordinary consumer goods. Earlier rounds have imposed hefty 25% duties on about $250 billion of Chinese products. China’s retaliatory tariffs, at first dollar for dollar, have been more limited in recent rounds, for the simple reason that its imports of American merchandise, about $120 billion last year, are less than one-fourth of what it sends to the United States. China has added tariffs on about $110 billion of U.S. products. Beijing could hit back in other ways, however. Already one in five U.S. firms operating in China say they face increased inspections and slower customs clearances, according to a recent survey by the American Chambers of Commerce in Shanghai and Beijing. China has reportedly suspended purchases of billions of dollars of U.S. soybeans, and officials have begun to signal they could restrict supplies of so-called rare-earth elements that are important for manufacturing electric cars and other high-tech products. China is the world’s dominant producer of rare earths. Beijing also could spur boycotts of popular American products such as Apple iPhones or curtail tourism to the United States, which would be particularly painful for states such as California. And American universities already are fretting about a potential drop-off in full-tuition-paying Chinese students. Then there’s Boeing, the single biggest American exporter to China. Sales to China last year accounted for more than 20% of the company’s commercial aircraft revenue. Boeing has been embattled in recent weeks by the grounding of its 737 Max fleet after two fatal crashes. The company faces several governmental probes related to the jet even as it is working with federal authorities on software fixes in the hopes of resuming service soon. Beijing could withhold its own certificate of air-worthiness, which would keep the 737 Max from flying in and through China, with almost certain spillover effects to other countries. “It strikes me as a logical sort of retaliation … and obvious where China has at least potential for some leverage with what’s going on with Huawei,” said David Bachman, a specialist in U.S.-China relations at the University of Washington in Seattle. ©2019 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

When bills pile up, young people turn to strangers on Venmo by Suhauna Hussain

Indira Marquez Robles felt helpless. Just before her comparative politics class, the 19-year-old Oglethorpe University student learned that her stepfather had been arrested on suspicion of DUI and taken into Immigration and Financial Customs Enforcement custody in Georgia. A tuition payment loomed. Legal fees would pile up. With the breadwinner behind bars, her whole family would feel the purse strings tighten. So Marquez composed a tweet: “hey all i’m trying to keep my cool here but my dad has just been arrested … “ Her mom needed money for gas to drive from Houston to visit him, Marquez wrote, and if anyone had anything to spare, they could find her on Cash App or Venmo, mobile payment apps that let users send cash to one another with just the click of a button. With thousands of likes and retweets, donations broke $1,000 two days later — more than enough to cover gas for the drive. Venmo, owned by PayPal, and Cash App, owned by Square, have surged in recent years, as cashless financial services moved into the mainstream. Some 40 million people use Venmo, and payments jumped by 73% to $21 billion in the first quarter of 2019 from a year prior. Cash App reported 15 million monthly active users as of December. Most person-to-person payments are free, with the companies taking a cut from business transactions and those involving credit cards. Neither firm is profitable, but both boast sweeping popularity that PayPal and Square hope to monetize in the future. The services frame themselves as tools that make it easy for their millennial and Gen Z user base to pay back a bar tab or split the cost of lunch. But some straddling tight budgets are also turning to payment apps as crowdfunding tools for bills, emergencies and the costs of daily life. Tweets linking to Venmo and Cash App accounts are common in some pockets of Twitter, as users seek to crowdfund a few hundred dollars for rent or food, burdensome expenses such as medical bills, surgery, immigration fees, a family member’s funeral, and even a couple dollars for a cup of coffee or a trip to the nail salon. Twitter user @queenofyelling summed it up with a tweet: “millennial culture is just passing around the same $20 to whoever needs it at the time forever.” References to personal micropayment accounts are common on the social media profiles of people in online communities that coalesce around marginalized groups, including women, people of color, immigrants and LGBTQ-identifying individuals. As gender pay gaps persist and racial wealth gaps widen, there is broader understanding of the toll that being female, transgender, black, brown or an immigrant in the U.S. illegally has on one’s finances. That perspective comes through in appeals for money. On International Women’s Day, for example, some Twitter users urged men to try to help level the playing field through Venmo. Marquez’s stepfather stayed in the

country illegally. Marquez herself is a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. When communities like hers come together on social media, they form a supportive network, she said. “I use Twitter a lot anyways, and the community I’ve sort of met and connected with there is undocumented. They know the struggle,” Marquez said. Marquez raised a total of $1,500, the majority from strangers online. Pauline Elevazo, a student at Western Washington University, posted on Twitter after learning a $1.99 magazine subscription charge had bounced. Elevazo had just paid rent, with a tuition payment and a third notice for a medical bill lurking in her mailbox. She still had a full day of classes to get through and no money to buy food. In her spare time, Elevazo teaches Tagalog, a language spoken in the Philippines, as part of an offshoot program from her campus’ Filipino American Student Assn. She figured that because she provides a service that’s meaningful for her community for no pay, her followers might see the value in that. She had seen friends post on Twitter to crowdfund for tickets to raves, so why shouldn’t she ask for lunch money? Within a day, she had $150 in donations, Elevazo said, enough for three weeks’ worth of groceries. “There’s no shame in having to do it. Women of color, trans folks, queer folks — these institutions aren’t built to love us and support us. These institutions don’t care about our well-being,” Elevazo said. “Sometimes you have to turn to folks on the internet and their generosity, and that’s totally OK. It’s one less thing to worry about.” Neither Venmo nor Square said they could provide data showing how often their applications were used for crowdfunding. “We’re definitely not a GoFundMe and we certainly don’t facilitate charitable payments,” a Venmo spokesperson said. “A lot of use cases for Venmo are people splitting a dinner bill or utility bills, and it’s really happening between friends. If someone was going through a difficult situation and might need help with medical payments, for example, I’m sure that does happen, but we don’t have data to support it.” Venmo, however, pointed to a few prominent, lighthearted examples of crowdfunding. Fans of “The Bachelor” sent contestant Becca Kufrin wine money on Venmo after she was dumped on national television, and more than 3,000 people sent a 23-year-old college student beer money after he held up a sign with his Venmo handle on the “College GameDay” telecast. Such uses of Venmo and Cash App are an extension of the type of crowdfunding made popular by Kickstarter and IndieGoGo, where people raise cash for particular projects, and Patreon, where creative workers seek compensation from their audiences, said Alice Marwick, a communication and media studies professor at Fordham University. Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe and YouCaring have turned into popular avenues for Americans swimming

in steep medical bills or funeral costs for loved ones. In concept, crowdfunding from a Twitter community resembles a digital version of immigrant lending circles, or a modern version of a rent party — events that arose in the 1920s as African Americans migrating to Harlem leaned on their friends and communities to cover exorbitant, discriminatory rents. Given today’s harsh economic realities, younger generations are demanding compensation rather than pretending they don’t exist, Marwick said. Saddled with student debt and stagnant wages, young people are struggling to find the same level of financial security as older generations. Financial woes are often compounded for marginalized groups, with black college graduates, for example, owing $7,400 more on average than their white peers. “(Crowdfunding) recognizes the financial constraints people are under and structural inequalities under capitalism — that some people just have less than others,” said Marwick, the Fordham professor. “The difference here is if you are someone who has extra money, you might want to give that money directly to someone you have something in common with or whose politics you understand rather than an organization where you don’t know what direct effect it will have.” Mario Pizarro Rojas, a graduate student at Cal State Los Angeles, has used Venmo and Twitter frequently to crowdfund, including for tuition payments, a study abroad program, and a DACA renewal fee. When an expense more than a couple of hundred dollars comes up, Pizarro said, he might not necessarily have the means to cover it. “It is hard to fund (a DACA renewal payment), but if I can’t pay for it then I can’t work legally in the country anymore,” Pizarro said. “It’s a weird cycle of trying to make ends meet little by little.” Unlike Pizarro’s posts, some Twitter requests don’t specify what the money will go toward. Instead, they serve more as reminders of individuals’ difficult lives and the work they do behind the scenes that is often unacknowledged and unpaid, said Sarah Abdeshahian, who worked as a student organizer at UC Berkeley. There’s been a “generational shift”

in the way young millennials and Gen Z discuss labor, wrote Terry Nguyen, who produces a biweekly newsletter on Gen Z culture. “Through social media platforms, even the most niche hobbies and lifestyles can become monetized labor. Children grow up aspiring to be Youtubers. Teenagers rake in thousands of dollars selling slime,” Nguyen writes. “Nothing is done for free anymore. In fact, unpaid work is frowned upon and institutions that encourage free labor are shamed.” Nicole Silverberg, a writer for “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” flips the practice on its head: She sets aside money to send through Venmo specifically for people she finds through Twitter. She started about a year ago after reading a tweet on International Transgender Day of Visibility that said, essentially, pay transgender people directly, because verbal support and donations to transgender advocacy organizations only go so far. On the day Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh was confirmed by the Senate and sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court, Silverberg felt inundated by upsetting conversations about sexual assault on the news and social media. So she asked her female, transgender and nonbinary Twitter followers if there was anything she could pay for to help them — a massage, a Crock-Pot or money for rent, she wrote. Madison Geihs was a two-hour drive from her home in Orange County with an empty tank of gas, and broke, when — as luck would have it — she saw Silverberg’s tweet. Within minutes, Geihs received $40 from Silverberg through Venmo. “She was trying to support other women on a day that was very hopeless for a lot of us,” Geihs said. Silverberg doesn’t think people should have to justify expenses some might perceive as trivial — say ingredients for a fancy dinner or a massage — over fundamental costs such as rent. “People who are concerned about money shouldn’t spend their whole day thinking about not having money and restricting themselves from having any joy in their lives,” Silverberg said. “It’s not like if you do that, suddenly your bills are paid.” ©2019 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

New perk for working parents: Sleep coaches by Lisa Schencker

From the start, Amy Evanko’s son was a great sleeper. She’d gently place him in his crib, and he’d sail off to sleep. So it came as a surprise when his younger sister wouldn’t do the same. “ We w e r e l i k e , Workplace ‘What, all babies don’t just go to sleep?’” said Evanko, 39. “She was just more difficult and didn’t want to do what we wanted her to do.” With the end of her maternity leave looming, Evanko knew she needed help. “It’s one thing when you don’t have to get up and go to work, you can take a nap in the middle of the day,” Evanko said. “But knowing I was going back to work and would need sleep was motivation to get her into a better situation.” She got help from an unexpected source: her employer. The customer service supervisor used a reimbursement from her company, Eileen Fisher, to hire a sleep consultant to help her daughter – and herself – get some rest. Within a few weeks of working with the consultant, Evanko’s infant daughter went from waking every couple of hours, wanting to be nursed or held, to sleeping for six-hour stretches. In recent years, as the labor market has improved and competition for workers has increased, many employers have broadened their benefits, offering everything from stocked kitchens and pet-friendly workplaces to longer maternity leaves. Now, some companies are paying for sleep consultants for parents, with the idea that a well-rested household is a win for workers and their employers. Generations of parents have slogged through sleepless nights, seeking advice from their pediatricians. But many modern moms and dads, overwhelmed by well-meaning but contradictory advice from friends, social media and books, have turned to sleep consultants. The consultants talk with parents to understand their unique challenges and offer tips for improving babies’ sleep environments. They also come up with step-by-step plans for parents that address questions such as when to put babies to bed, how long to let them cry at night and how to respond to that crying. Sleep consultants can cost anywhere from $200 for advice before a baby is born to thousands of dollars for multiple nights of live-in help. Many consultants charge $400 to $500 for a consultation followed by several weeks of support. The fees are financially out of reach for some, but a growing number of employers are happy to foot the bill, offering reimbursements, lunch-time seminars or even one-on-one help for workers. There’s a reason why employers are stepping up. Productivity losses due to fatigue and poor sleep can cost employers $1,967 per employee per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chicago-based PowerReviews began working with local sleep consultant Susie Parker a few years ago, allowing employees to get Parker’s help for three weeks any time during their children’s first year. PowerReviews, which

helps brands collect, amplify and analyze user-generated feedback, has about 175 employees. “We just thought sleep was so important, not only to the child but the parent,” said Kira Meinzer, the company’s former chief people officer, who implemented the program. “It’s going to make everyone happier and make the employee more productive.” She came up with the idea after her own experiences with her twin boys several years ago. As babies, they often woke three times a night – each. “We just couldn’t function,” Meinzer said. “I don’t think people recognize the effect it has not only on your daily life but your work life. You can’t think straight.” She and her husband hired Parker when their boys were about six months old. Parker talked with the family, came up with a plan and checked on their progress as they implemented it. Within a few weeks, the boys began sleeping though the night. “It was unreal the work she was able to do with them,” Meinzer said. Meinzer called the costs of Parker’s help “miniscule when you think about the lost productivity of a high-level employee.” Parker said she’s worked with a few companies since she started her sleep consulting business, Sleep Baby Love, Child Sleep Consulting, in 2014, though she mostly works with individuals. Sleep consultants aren’t regulated as an industry, and anyone can call him or herself a sleep consultant, though some, such as

Parker, go through training programs. Parker decided to become a sleep consultant after “several bad months” trying to get her youngest daughter to sleep, during which she became “sleep obsessed.” Once she figured out how to teach her daughter to go to sleep on her own, it changed her life, and she thought she could do the same for others. “The parents that come to me, they’re at a point of not only desperation but they’re confused and overwhelmed about what to do,” Parker said. And employers see it as a “return on investment that makes sense because my employee is going to come back more productive and energized.” Several other Chicago-area sleep consultants say they’ve done seminars and workshops at tech companies and law firms, giving employees tips and fielding questions. “They see that their employees are tired and struggling and they see that they aren’t able to put in their best work when they’re so exhausted,” said Linda Szmulewitz, who has a Chicago-based business, Sleep Tight Consultants. It’s part of a broader trend of employers increasingly trying to support working moms, said Jill Micklow, wellness manager for Assurance, a Schaumburg-based insurance brokerage that helps employers with their employee benefit packages and wellness programs. “We’re getting tons of requests around how can we support our working parents, making sure moms are coming back, and coming back mentally well, and able to do

their jobs,” Micklow said. Assurance recently started connecting some of its clients with a company called Maven, which offers a range of assistance for families, from counseling about fertility to access to doulas, midwives and doctors and, for bleary-eyed parents, sleep coaches. Employees who use the program can work with the coaches to create personalized plans for their kids. In addition to offering Maven to client companies, including some in Illinois, Assurance has also adopted the program for its own employees, Micklow said. The company has over 500 employees and more than a dozen pregnancies a year, she said. “You imagine how you perform on three hours of sleep versus eight hours of sleep,” Micklow said. When their children are sleeping, employees are “happier, they work well with others, they’re more productive and make less errors. They really can just perform more in line with their best selves.” Micklow, in particular, knows how important sleep can be after struggling with getting her own tykes, now 4 and 1, to bed. She remembers the difficulty of wading through different methods, trying to find the best approach. She remembers feeling short on energy and patience during those days. “I wish I had a sleep coach to kind of walk me through it and give me some practical advice,” Micklow said. “Once your child is sleeping through the night, it’s amazing. I just remember thinking, ‘How did I function before without this?’” ©2019 Chicago Tribune Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Millennials think too narrowly about benefits, especially retirement contributions by Janet Kidd Stewart

Asked to name their highest priority benefits for a new job, more than half of millennials in a new survey ranked health insurance highly. Just 36% included a company retirement plan match in their top three. Financial This, despite the existence of a federal health insurance marketplace that guarantees coverage and offers subsidies for lower income workers. While it’s understandable that young adults on limited budgets would value anything that helps them get ahead today — many of them are strapped with onerous student loan debt — it’s also an ominous sign for their long-term futures, said Gregory Anton, chairman of a financial literacy commission within the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). “A mentality of ‘I’ll start saving when I get a bit older’ often results in retirement savings being put on the back burner,” he said in announcing the survey. “Time is an asset, and those just starting their career are in a prime position to take advantage of it.” The survey of adults between 18 and 34 years old identified a group of millennials who graduated within the last 24 months or will graduate within the next year and are looking for jobs. Nearly two-thirds of them had student loan debt, with an average debt load of $33,332. That’s a lot of dough, particularly for recent graduates, but at the averages it’s still manageable

on most grads’ starting salaries. Asked about a hypothetical $100 that their prospective employers would pay in benefits, respondents overwhelmingly valued employers paying off their student loans. They would assign $65 to student loan forgiveness and just $35 to a company 401(k) match. Paid time off and working remotely also figured higher on the priority list than retirement funds, AICPA found. To be sure, there is value in paying off loans. There even is value in alleviating some stress in the workplace by enhancing work flexibility and vacation time. But what’s clearly overlooked is the value of compounded savings and what it can do for workers over the course of their careers. Consider the old game of asking someone if they’d like $1 million, or 1 penny, doubled every day for a month. Doubling just a penny every day for 30 days, results in $5.3 million. Of course, no one’s 401(k) doubles every day. But even a $500 investment, with $100 a month added over 35 years, will be $214,173, assuming an average return of 8 percent, according to this calculator at Investor.gov (https://www.investor.gov/ additional-resources/free-financial-planning-tools/compound-interest-calculator). So, how to think about the benefits being offered at different prospective employers? —Start with the free retirement money. Assume you’ll at least contribute enough to

qualify for the maximum company match. Does one employer match top out at a higher rate than the other? Score one point for that workplace. Ditto for student loan debt forgiveness, but be sure to consider the limits to the benefit. Say one employer kicks in a lot more than the other for retirement. The other offers a better debt forgiveness plan. If you’re drowning in student debt, you may be better off going with that employer, just don’t let it crowd retirement out completely. —Consider health insurance alternatives. How valuable is that company-paid health insurance anyway? Ask for a schedule of available health plan options and their current costs, and compare it to what you’d pay for an individual plan on the federal marketplace. If there isn’t much difference, don’t make this a factor in choosing an employer. Instead, look at debt repayment and retirement plans. —Finally, consider the important factors for your own situation. Survey respondents ranked “working remotely” much higher on the priority scale than having tuition reimbursement programs. If you know you’ll be heading back to school in the near term, score that employer higher. The key is not necessarily to run to the employer with the most benefits, but to choose the place where the benefits suit you best. ©2019 Tribune Content Agency Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Human Resource

Architecture

Management

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

• Architecture in the Midlands overview • Lincoln projects • Greater Omaha, Sarpy County and Council Bluffs projects • Evolving technology • Wellness architecture • Incorporation of nature, recycled materials • Security • Enhance a client’s corporate brand

• Overview • Job market • Employee benefit • Employment law experts Strategies for building employee engagement • Social media policies Performance reviews • Employee handbooks• Leadership development/training programs

Issue Date: June 14 • Ad Deadline: June 6

Issue Date: June 21 • Ad Deadline: June 13

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

Topics may include:

Topics may include the following:

TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION & WAREHOUSING

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Technology trends overview • Augmented reality • Virtual reality The latest in the cloud • Big data/analysis • IT job market overview Protecting your online privacy/app security • Disaster recovery services

Transportation, Distribution & Warehousing Overview • Trucking industry outlook Air travel overview • Transportation planning, traffic engineering Roadway design services • Warehouse/industrial space • Logistics services providers Eco-friendly transportation options • New technology

Issue Date: June 21 • Ad Deadline: June 13

Issue Date: June 28 • Ad Deadline: June 20

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

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

UPCOMING

SECTIONS

IN THE MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

JUNE 14

ARCHITECTURE

JUNE 21

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

TECHNOLOGY

JUNE 28

TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION & WAREHOUSING 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…

Encompas, a Haworth preferred furniture dealership, has moved its Omaha showroom to a larger, more suitable location just around the corner from its current location. The new 10,000-square-foot showroom is located at 1425 Jones Street. Encompas’ new showroom is three times the size of its old showroom, allowing for additional room to showcase products. Although 90% of the showroom consists of Haworth product, encompas will also showcase partners such as Bernhardt, Hightower, Watson, Humanscale, Andreu World, AIS, and Janus et Cie. The U.S. Small Business Administration published a proposed rule that will provide a free online application process for women-owned small businesses to be certified and eligible to participate in the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business Program or access contracts as a Women-Owned Small Business or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business. The SBA is seeking public comments on the proposed rule online by July 15. The proposed rule will bolster the number of federal contract awards to WOSB and EDWOSB-certified businesses and better empower agencies to meet the 5% federal contracting goal for women-owned small businesses. Currently, contracting officers must review a contract awardee’s documentation to verify an applicant’s WOSB and EDWOSB eligibility. Werner Enterprises, a transportation and logistics provider, has been named a Best for Vets Employer by Military Times for the fifth consecutive year. Organizations were evaluated based on a survey that included 91 questions focused on company culture, hiring efforts, employment benefits and policies related to veterans, service members and military families. Approximately 20% of its workforce is comprised of veterans and military family members. Echo Systems has joined a new alliance in the industry: The Guild. The Guild represents the best of luxury residential A/V, Lighting and Technology Integration ﬁrms in the United States. Through rigorous review, region-by-region across the country, a select group of 14 companies have met its standards. Echo Systems is the residential and commercial automation and lighting division of Echo Group, Inc., which has roots in the community dating back more than 60 years.

Health care notes…

The 2019 Omaha-Council Bluffs Heart Walk locally presented by Physicians Mutual, Noddle Cos. and Union Pacific raised $1 million for the American Heart Association, the first time the walk has crossed into seven figures raised. The event, chaired by President/CEO of Noddle Cos. Jay Noddle, a survivor, and Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of The Nebraska Medical Center Dr. Harris Frankel, brought together 5,000 people to Aksarben Village to celebrate survivors and remember those lost while raising lifesaving funds. The top fundraising companies for the 2019 walk were Physicians Mutual, Noddle Cos., Union Pacific, H&H and First National Bank.

Education notes…

Creighton University’s Heider College of Business has established a new major — Finance and Technology, or FinTech. Lee Dunham, Ph.D., associate professor of finance and initiator of the FinTech major,

attended multiple FinTech conferences and met with several firms in Omaha and New York City to ascertain what specific skills Creighton graduates need to remain competitive in the changing finance industry. He also consulted fellow finance professors and practitioners, in addition to business intelligence and analytics faculty, to determine the best course selection. The new major will consist of five finance courses and five technology courses.

Activities of nonprofits…

The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands has released its 2019 Nonprofit Economic Impact Report. The report compiles data on the overall impact and growth of the nonprofit sector and found that nonprofits contribute greatly to Nebraska’s economy. Below are some key findings: there are 13,340 nonprofits in Nebraska; Nebraska has more nonprofits per 1,000 people than the United States overall; 1 in 11 Nebraskans were employed by a nonprofit in 2015; Nebraska ranks sixth in the United States for volunteerism; and nearly half of all Nebraskans donate their time through volunteering.

Arts and events…

The Durham Museum is bringing back $5 after 5 to encourage guests to visit the museum after 5 p.m. on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, admission for all ages will be just $5 after 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. On Tuesday nights, the museum stays open until 8 p.m., giving guests the opportunity to visit late during the workweek. During this promotion, all admission levels will be granted the $5 admission and children 2 and under remain free. Boys Town will host the Fathers Matter Community Celebration on June 8 at 10 a.m. The event highlights the unique and vital role fathers play in their children’s lives. Boys Town Iowa will host the day event that includes activities like kite flying, arts and crafts, booth games, and more. Nearly 24 community organizations participate in the event. The event is being held at Iowa Western Community College — Kinney Hall Welcome Center and is free and open to the public. Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family is opening June 8 at The Durham Museum. The exhibition showcases the newly-revised Tyrannosaur family tree and shows how this group became the world’s top predators. Exhibit highlights include: “Scotty” the largest and oldest T.rex ever discovered; over 10 life-sized dinosaur specimens, including five complete tyrannosaurs cast skeletons; a multimedia experience featuring large-scale projections of dinosaurs; a chance to meet Guanlong wucaii — the newly discovered feathery relative of the T.rex; touch-screen interactive and hands-on games. The 51st Annual Munroe-Meyer Guild Garden Walk will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 9. Attendees will tour four Omaha area gardens, rain or shine. All of the gardens are at private homes and are created by the homeowners. There will be a master gardener from the Extension office at each garden to answer any of your plant questions. These Omaha restaurants will offer tastings: Railcar Modern American Kitchen; Homestyle Café; Jimmy John’s, Mama’s; Pizza West; and The Garden Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 • REGIONAL LANDSCAPES Continued from preceding page. Café. Tickets are available in advance for $20. Children under 5 free but no strollers are allowed. The Joslyn Art Museum is hosting Pull Up a Chair on June 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. as part of it’s “The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Design” installation. Guests can stop by to meet University of Nebraska-Lincoln student designers and try out their chairs. Enjoy light refreshments,

give selected chairs a sit, and engage in conversation with the designers to learn about their inspiration and some of the trials and triumphs that accompanied the design process. Those wishing to view The Art of Seating exhibition that evening must obtain a ticket (exhibition tickets are discounted to $5 for general public adults on Thursdays, 4–8 pm). The Art of Seating is open for viewing until August 8.

MEETINGS AND SEMINARS Tuesday, June 11 The Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants is hosting an all-day workshop on “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Business – Moving Targets with All New Bulls-Eyes” at Mahoney State Park. The discussion leader will be Bradley Burnett, J.D., LK.M., and the workshop is worth eight hours of CPE Credit. Lunch will be provided and the cost will be $265 for society members and $315 for non-members. The Human Resource Association of the Midlands is hosting its June program and member orientation from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scott Conference Center. Member orientation is held three times a year and provides members an opportunity to learn about their HRAM membership. The keynote speaker for the June program is Dr. Scott Carwood, Ed.D., CCP, GRP, president and CEO of WorldatWork, who will present “A Rewarding Future.” This program has been pre-approved for 2.0 PDCs from SHRM’s Professional Development Certification and 2.0 hours of Business recertification credit from HR Certification Institute. The American Marketing Association- Omaha Chapter is hosting its June Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Spezia. The June luncheon will feature Greg Sharpe, the voice of the Huskers, and Brandon Meier, senior associate ad - marketing & multimedia, at Huskers Sports Marketing. Guests will learn about the marketing team’s strategy including game day tactics and how they use their marketing to boost engagement. Winner of the 2017 Nebraska Sportscaster of the Year award, Sharpe begins his 12th football season as the voice of the Huskers. Sharpe is also the lead broadcaster for Husker baseball and hosts Sports Nightly. Meier oversees Nebraska’s HuskerVision, creative & emerging media and marketing & fan experience departments. Seat reservations are online. PRSA Nebraska is hosting its June Monthly Program from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Grief’s Journey. The topic for this program is “Finding You in a Stress-Filled World: Self-Care for PR Professionals.” PR is consistently ranked as one of the most stressful careers. Tackling stress head-on with self-care techniques can be key to avoiding long-term health conditions related to stress like heart disease, diabetes and depression. Grief’s Journey Program Director Valerie Height will provide some practical ideas and hands-on activities for self-care to help prevent burnout and deal with life and PR’s daily stressors. This event includes a picnic-style lunch. Registration is online. Wednesday, June 12 The Nebraska Society of Certified

Public Accountants is hosting an all-day workshop on “§199A Pass-Through Deduction – How to Turn High Taxed Tears to Joy” at Mahoney State Park. The objective is to update the participants on relevant, cutting edge tax planning opportunities and pitfalls under the Tax Cuts Jobs Act for the §199A deduction available to partnerships, S Corps, sole proprietorships, trusts and estates. The discussion will be lead by Bradley Burnett, J.D., LL.M., and the course is worth eight hours of CPE credit hours. The cost is $265 for society members and $315 for nonmembers. Friday, June 14 The Nebraska State Bar Association is hosting a seminar, “2019 Labor Relations & Employment,” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kutak Rock. Topics will include: Assessing the Pros and Cons of Workplace Arbitration; New Methods and Resources for Civil Case Progression in the Nebraska Federal Court; Advanced Issues in Discrimination Part I: Navigating the Changing Waters of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in the Workplace; Advanced Issues in Discrimination Part II: Evolving Landscape of “Regard As” Claims Under the ADA; and Advanced Issues in Discrimination Part III: Raining Cats and Dogs: Accommodating Assistance Animals in the Workplace. Registration is available online. FNTS’ Women in Tech Career & Panel Event on June 14 at First National Bank Tower is designed to help young women between the ages of 14-18 explore future careers in technology. Gallup’s Melissa Moreno will present STEMming Girl Power Through Strengths with women leaders in technology and security. Panelists include: LaShonna Dorsey, Sr. business systems consultant, Mutual of Omaha Insurance; Sue Lobsiger, vice president of IT & customer service, Metropolitan Utilities District; Beth Schmidt, director of technology, Markel Corporation; and Kim Whittaker, president, First National Technology Solutions. Lunch will be provided and door prizes will be awarded. There also will be job shadow opportunities. Space is limited, so please RSVP online. Saturday, June 15 The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands will host a MindSet Leadership Series Mini Session from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at NAM. This program will cover the insights any leader, from CEO to front-line manager, needs to successfully attract, build, motivate, and retain phenomenal employees. MindSet includes insights into: leadership & culture; recruitment & selection; building stars; instilling pride & ownership; compensation; decision making; mastering conflict; dealing with problem employees; and team chemistry. Registration is available online.

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

Beyond promoting small businesses, buying local benefits individuals, community by Jasmine Heimgartner

While there may be a quaintness associated with meandering through local shops, maybe getting a freshly made pastry or buying a unique gift for a friend, the essence of those businesses has far-reaching benefits beyond the purchase. There is a good likelihood being a patron at one homegrown business means helping other local companies. “Most of our supplies are local,” said Jeff Jorgensen, co-owner, The Old Market Candy Shop. “We can’t purchase some things, like our Dutch milk chocolate, but we buy as many things as we can from local suppliers, from paper to baking supplies, candy suppliers and a variety of things.” That chain of connectivity not only diversifies and boosts local economics — when it’s grown or produced locally the money stays local — but also presents opportunities to truly get to know fellow citizens. Since Omaha boasts a plethora of farmer’s markets and neighborhoods full of unique experiences, it makes connecting on a personal level a little easier. “Connecting with people is the most important thing I have found in life,” said Tom Lundhal, co-owner, Meristem Farm & Nursery. “Understanding and hearing stories and opportunities to tell your own is enriching and very educational. At the markets, you find a diversity of talents and skillsets.” On a personal level, buying locally grown foods or visiting places that use local vendors ensures a freshness aspect. “That is why chefs are excited about what is available locally,” Lundhal said.

“Fresh ingredients not only bring people in the door because the taste of it is better, but also the nutrient density. From my perspective, you know where it comes from. It doesn’t come from faraway places. You can come visit our fields for yourself. There is a confidence in knowing what you are eating and being comfortable with what you are eating.” One feature of a strong community is the ability to rely on itself. That is only possible when local options are available. “Sustainability is part of it as much as resilience,” Lundhal said. “We’re a little bigger than home production but trying to

keep it manageable. We look at the farm as an entity beyond what we envisioned as a resource for the community. It also leaves a smaller footprint.” Homegrown benefits also impact how outsiders see the state and city, which often makes a lasting impression. “People don’t realize how many reasons and how many people come to Omaha,” Jorgensen said. “In the Old Market, we are at the human scale, and that’s why people from places even like New York think they don’t have what we do. They talk about how terrific it is. I sell the Old Market as the total experience. We love

being part of it.” For the many small growers and producers in the area, they are still businesses with a bottom line, but none of that matters if customers aren’t satisfied. “We know what’s in it for the owner,” Jorgensen said. “To me, it’s what is in it for the customer. It works when, whether they are local or a traveler, we are providing a good experience they can’t get anywhere else. It’s not something you’re going to find in a mall or in just any town. I think that is why people do support their local businesses. Our goal is to give that great, wonderful experience every time.”

Alternative medicine options are on the rise in Omaha area by Gabby Christensen

As more people look to alternative medicine options, more local choices are becoming available. Mandy Ryle, owner/founder of Sound Method Yoga, said the studio offers various options for classes. In addition to yoga classes and private yoga instruction, the studio offers yoga therapy, special events for more in-depth study and yoga retreats. Ryle said Sound Method Yoga is also a registered yoga school with the Yoga Alliance and offers yoga teacher certification courses throughout the year in addition to specialty trainings for yoga teachers. According to Ryle, the biggest reason people choose yoga is because they want to take control of their own health. “Everyone we see comes to us because they need something to be addressed in

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their life and other stuff just isn't cutting it anymore,” Ryle said. “Yoga is a centuries old discipline that can improve well-being and foster optimal health on all levels of selfhood; physical, emotional, relational and even spiritual. Most importantly yoga cultivates mindfulness, which is sorely needed in our culture.” Though it may just seem like exercise, Ryle said yoga is much more than Isherwood that. “It’s really the ritual of a class: moving, exploring, challenging and calming the body, practicing with a trusted guide in a community setting where one feels comfortable and accepted,” Ryle said. Dr. Ryan Isherwood, family medicine provider at Methodist Physicians Clinic Gretna, said medical acupuncture, similar to traditional Chinese acupuncture but performed by a physician and not a Chinese medication therapist or chiropractor, is another alternative option. “Acupuncture is a treatment involving insertion of needles the size of hairs into acupuncture points along major muscle groups and nerve distributions,” Isherwood said. He also mentioned that those trained in medical acupuncture undergo a six-month 300-hour course of training. Isherwood said acupuncture treatments are used as a standalone therapy or in conjunction with traditional medical therapies for pain, muscle tightness, asthma, headaches and other issues. If someone has failed traditional therapies or has a contraindication to certain medical modalities, Isherwood said acu-

puncture would be a viable option. Dr. Travis Baker, founder/owner of Balanced Body Acupuncture & Chiropractic, said his office performs some alternative options, including chiropractic, acupuncture, dry needling and massage therapy. “Dry needling especially has really become a hot topic recently,” Baker said. “I’m noticing that more medical professionals are actually Baker referring patients to this method.” According to Baker, dry needling differs from acupuncture in the way that it focuses on trigger points within muscles, whereas acupuncture focuses on traditional acupuncture points. While acupuncture can treat chronic neck and back pain, menstrual cramps, anxiety, depression and other documented illnesses, dry needling is primarily used for muscle injuries, Baker said. “When you choose these options, you’re facilitating the body’s healing response,” Baker said. “Some choose our services because they want to get away from drugs or medications. Oftentimes, it also helps to reduce or avoid surgeries. People are looking into more natural approaches and addressing the cause of the problem.” Baker said aromatherapy is also gaining more attention and people are also starting to become more educated regarding nutrition. “All in all, people are becoming more involved in their health,” Baker said. “Our patients are asking more questions and searching for quality supplements and options.”

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

Going Green A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

June 7, 2019

Solar technologies to energy-efficient materials, sustainability-centered innovations flourish by Michelle Leach

“Sustainability” is increasingly a byproduct of organization-wide initiatives, if not at the heart of many organizations. “While environmental outcomes are not part of our mission, they are a natural outgrowth from our goals,” said Mode Shift Omaha Chair Kevin Flatowicz-Farmer. “As a city, we're at an inflection point. Our pattern of development in the second half of the 20th century is neither sustainable, nor conducive to active transportation options.” D e n s e r, m o r e Crampton walkable, bikeable environments require fewer resources to build and maintain, less energy to move through, and prevent brain drain — “Good for the environment, good for the economy,” Flatowicz-Farmer said. This year, Mode Shift Omaha is focused on “missing middle housing” — vacant lots in eastern Omaha and zoning restrictions prohibitive to building the higher-density housing that makes active transportation attractive and efficient. “Our second initiative this year is to raise the awareness of sidewalks as a transportation infrastructure,” he said. They want to make sidewalks easier to use, especially around construction sites, and are advocating for bike infrastructure (including protected lanes). “If the Lime scooter pilot project becomes a permanent transportation option, we really need a dedicated space for those vehicles, and bike lanes are the best option,” Flatowicz-Farmer said. As Hillside Solutions puts it, they help an organization “do better stuff with its trash.” “If you see the national headlines, you’re probably reading that, because China stopped importing our recycled material, much of it is now winding up in the landfill or that municipal curbside recycling programs are ending,” said Director of Partnerships Brent Crampton. “While nationally the industry is definitely in turmoil, on a local level, things aren’t as bad.” Crampton explained First Star Recycling has developed regional relationships with manufacturers and businesses that use Omaha’s recycled materials, instead

Stephen Bruckner, attorney at Fraser Stryker. of relying heavily on exporting to in- landfills and creates a toxic sludge that puts ternational markets. Hillside Solutions’ us at risk of getting it into our water,” he said. Crampton also indicated the myth perStudies, Crampton said, have shown a sists that food waste in a landfill breaks head of lettuce can take 10 to 25 years to down safely. break down in a landfill. As bacteria eat away “It puts off methane gas (which is way at it, they put off methane. worse than CO2), shortens the lifespan of “U.S. landfills are responsible for 41%

of methane emissions in our country, while methane can be up to 120 times worse than CO2 in the first 10 years,” he said. “Plus, all that moisture content in our food mixes with all the other liquids in a landfill to create the toxic sludge called leachate.” Composting, he said, turns food waste into nutrient-dense soil to regenerate communities’ growi n g c a p a c i t y, r e move the need for chemicals and retain moisture. Crampton noted commercial composters collect and haul materials to minimize the perception of composting as Rowe smelly, bug-spreading and raccoon-attracting. Would-be “Zero Waste” organizations (whereby 90% or more of waste is recycled, reduced or reused) should audit waste streams; for instance, convert plastics to reuseables. Crampton has a big takeaway: “While it’s our civic duty to provide recycling infrastructure and participate in recycling, real progress will come from not making trash in the first place.” Millard Lumber Vice President-Sales Continued on next page.

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

• Going Green

Local firms highlight major sustainable projects in metro by Gabby Christensen

With sustainability in mind, local architecture firms remain busy with various “green” projects throughout the area. Megan Jarosz, associate partner at Holland Basham Architects, said the firm has been involved in a variety of projects incorporating sustainability throughout the design, as well as developments that encourage and support sustainable communities. Some projects include the University of Nebraska system — Commitment to Sustainability; Omaha Public Schools — Green Schools Initiative; Lincoln Public Schools — Moeller LPS Sustainability; and Midtown Crossing, the first LEED neighborhood project in the country. An upcoming project includes the Mammel Hall addition, which has an estimated completion date of August 2021. “Creating green/sustainable projects is important for the community to compete

with larger metropolitan areas,” Jarosz said. “Traditionally when people think about green/sustainable projects, they think of energy efficiency of buildings and the building envelop. While these are important features of green/sustainable projects, they aren’t all encompassing. Green/sustainable design looks at reducing negative impacts on the environment and addresses the health and comfort of building occupants.” She said education projects have been at the forefront of incorporating new green/sustainable features in buildings for years. Additionally, Jarosz said workplace Rupert strategy plays a role in creating sustainable built environments and addresses the health and comfort of building occupants. Todd Moeller, partner at Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, said the firm is currently wrapping up two very different projects that are each a unique case study

Associate Partner Megan Jarosz at Holland Basham Architects. in sustainable design. “We worked with the Countryside team “At the Hoff Center for Performing Arts to select the best building orientation and in Council Bluffs, we are reusing a centu- site placement, taking advantage of solar ry-old building and turning it into the new benefits,” he said. “We included a system home for some of the area’s most exciting for the collection and reuse of rainwater performance art groups,” he said. “Studies on site. Our team used energy modeling have shown that the adaptive reuse of exist- software and best practices to carefully ing buildings is one of the most sustainable analyze and reduce the energy use intensity construction methods available.” of the building.” Moeller said the other project, CounMoeller said APMA is committed to tryside Community Church, part of the the American Institute of Architect’s 2030 Tri-Faith Initiative, is a new building that challenge, which means all projects will be aligns with the congregation’s vision to be designed with sustainability and reduced one of the greenest churches in America. Continued on next page.

Solar technologies to energy-efficient materials Continued from preceding page. Don Rowe indicated energy savings is a perennial green and hot topic, courtesy of windows and, moreover, the type of glass used in window products and doors. Rowe said there are seven different glass options through manufacturer Andersen (plus specialty art glass). “When evaluating glass options, we want to think about energy and light,” he said. “Energy efficiency is measured by the U-factor and the solar heat gain. The U-factor measures how well the glass prevents heat from escaping (important in the winter). The solar heat gain coefficient measures how well the glass blocks heat caused by sunlight. (important in the summer).” Visible light transmittance and UV protection refer to how much visible light comes through the glass — and how many UV rays

are blocked. “We want to be able to see out of our windows to enjoy the view, but we also want to protect our interior furnishings from the UV rays,” Rowe said. “The standard glass required by code in our area of the country is Low-E.” He also said the proper glass for Energy Star-certified windows can be selected based off of the Midlands’ climate zone. If the renewable energy industry was a stock, Fraser Stryker Attorney Stephen M. Bruckner said, the recommendation would be “Strong Buy.” “Even as the federal tax incentives wind down, the industry has sparked innovation that is making renewable energy resources ever more cost-effective,” he said. “We also are seeing increased investor interest in renewable energy resources.” Bruckner indicated there is growing acceptance of renewables among utilities and consumers, and strong inroads within the distributed energy space; for instance, community solar projects. “There are some headwinds from current tariff policy, which is increasing the cost of imported solar panels and steel used in the industry,” he said. Bruckner referenced technological innovations such as oversized utility-scale photovoltaic solar arrays — a resource choice for utilities that need capacity. “Energy storage is beginning to emerge in renewable projects,” he said. “And there are software innovations that will, for example, allow aggregators to pool renewable resources for grid support in wholesale energy markets.”

Going Green •

Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

Building systems getting smarter, more affordable by Dwain Hebda

The brains of today’s buildings are smarter, more encompassing and more affordable than ever, say industry experts. This means better efficiencies for building owners without sacrificing the comfort of tenants. “In the past, building automation access was limited to a computer in a mechanical room,” said Frederick Lerouge, principal of Control Management Inc. “CMI is now providing integrated building technologies Lerouge solutions of various systems into a simple web-based interface. This allows building owners to have easier control and more intuitive management of the building environment. “Systems now leverage the owner’s IT as the backbone for easily accessing information. Building technologies are providing increasing volume of data, and CMI provides streamlined actionable intelligence to the right people at the right time. In regards to existing buildings, CMI has partnered with utility companies to provide owners energy and comfort improvement projects with a one- to three-year payback.” Building systems technology also is providing a steep challenge for vendors who are pushed to keep pace with the demands of their clients. “Building automation is a standard nowadays in building construction, however it takes an experienced partner like CMI to save energy, extend the life of capital equipment and increase staff efficiency in running the building,” Lerouge said. “Systems require new security measures to protect both the

Projects in metro Continued from preceding page. carbon footprint in mind. Chris Rupert, director of planning at Leo A Daly, said the firm currently is leading station design for Metro’s ORBT rapid bus transit project, which will bring a sustainable transit option to the Omaha community. “We incorporated sustainability in our station design in a few ways, including use of LED lighting, which significantly decreases the energy consumption at the stations,” Rupert said. “Additionally, the station canopies are pre-manufactured in a factory setting, which allows for the reduction of waste and minimizes installation time.” Promoting sustainable communities, Rupert said the stations feature level boarding that allows people of all abilities to board the buses without delays or special equipment. “Level boarding also encourages active transportation via cycling, and cyclists will have easy access to storage racks inside the buses,” Rupert said. According to Rupert, the impact of mass transit on a community is greater than just the sustainability of the stations. “Utilization of mass transit options like ORBT using compressed natural gas reduces the carbon footprint of the Omaha community,” Rupert said. “Additionally, the universal accessibility via level boarding will improve mobility for people boarding and deboarding, helping keep buses on schedule.”

business and the building automation.” The new systems themselves are not only robust, but vendors have become better educated on their proper configuration for maximum benefit.

Carson Horrell “When we look at controlling the temperature in a room, we used to put a thermostat on the wall,” said Howard Carson, president of Intelligent Building Systems. “Times have changed, as have customer expectations. We are incorporating new technology where we can mount a high-tech sensor on the ceiling and monitor the occupants, not the wall temperature. “This high-tech sensor can become a hub to control the temperature, door access, window blinds, audio/visual and lighting. Intuitive dashboards on your phone allow occupants to maintain their own environment.” Moreover, the basic operating principle of monitoring systems has made them more flexible and expandable, Carson said. “Building owners are able to network multiple vendors together and monitor all aspects of the building on one automation system,” he said. “Data management and system monitoring are new tools that improve efficiency.” Even though today’s systems provide more benefits than ever, they are less expensive than previous models, said Stan Horrell, director of campus planning and sustainability at Metropolitan Community College. “As with all technology-related tools and devices, costs continue to decline while the capabilities and features increase,” he said. “While the cost of technology decreases, often the complexity of integrated systems continues to increase, generally meaning

that the skills of existing staff becomes the primary challenge to implementation and effectiveness.” Horrell said once the staff gains that expertise however, the potential benefits and savings are substantial. “With proper visibility and training, maintenance staff can continuously monitor a much larger facility footprint than in the past,” he said. “Coupled with proactive maintenance, the systems last longer, run more efficiently and also allow for automatic

sequencing of operations [where] night setback temperatures, automatic lighting levels and exterior room lighting are diminished simultaneously.” As for the future, Horrell said there’s a lot of innovation left to be seen in systems. “The next few years will show decreasing costs of sensors, much-increased remote monitoring and troubleshooting and the application of AI for system monitoring,” he said. “Technicians will begin to use more augmented reality tools for working on the equipment. This will come with the need for more technician training and better technology for the working tradesperson.”

• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal

University of Nebraska names Fritz interim president-elect

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents has named Susan M. Fritz, Ph.D., a 30-year veteran of NU who has served as executive vice president and provost since 2012, as interim president-elect. Fritz will become the first woman to lead the university since the system office was created 51 years ago. Fritz, a Nebraska Fritz native, first-generation college student, three-time NU alum and faculty member with decades of progressive leadership experience, will assume the title of interim president on Aug. 15, following the departure of current President Hank Bounds. She will remain in the role until the board completes its national search for the next president and her successor is in place.

The Graham Group Inc. opens Omaha office with Gehrki as GM

The Graham Group Inc., whose construction division has works in health care, commercial and industrial warehouse fields, recently opened an Omaha office. Regional Vice President and General Manager BJ Gehrki leads the company’s eastern Nebraska/western Iowa efforts based in the Sterling Ridge office center. Gehrki Gehrki joined Graham’s executive leadership team in late 2018 on the heels of the company’s biggest revenue year ever. Gehrki brings close to 20 years of construction experience and will be leading all business aspects and construction operations in the Omaha office. Gehrki, an Omaha native, will use his wide range of experience in preconstruction and construction services to drive the company’s extensive health care, commercial and industrial initiatives.

Lutz selects Roberts to rejoin firm’s admin office as CFO

Lutz, a Nebraska-based business solutions firm, added Steve Roberts to its Firm Admin Department. Bringing over 30 years of experience in accounting and finance, Roberts joins the firm as chief financial officer. His responsibilities include oversight of the firm’s internal accounting department, financial reporting, budgeting, Roberts as well as assisting with long term strategy for the firm’s business solution offerings. He is rejoining the team after his initial experience with Lutz as a staff accountant. Roberts graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Roberts received his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting.

Hansen

Rodenburg

HGM Associates Inc. selects Hansen, Rodenburg for team

HGM Associates Inc. has hired Dana Hansen, EI, and Lincoln Rodenburg, EI, to the team. Hansen graduated from Florida Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2009. She is a full-time engineering designer and oversees the construction observation on the city of Council Bluffs West Broadway Street Restoration Project. Rodenburg graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2018. He oversees the construction observation on various roadway and highway projects throughout Iowa. He previously served as an engineering intern for three summers and is now a full-time engineering designer and construction observer.

Goosmann Law Firm adds Simpson to Omaha office

Goosmann Law Firm has added attorney Andrew W. Simpson to the law firm at its Omaha, Nebraska location. Simpson has over 14 years of experience and has been involved in multi-million dollar transactions and developments in the Omaha area. His areas of practice include mergers and acquisitions, real estate development and transactions, land Simpson use law, municipal corporations, homeowners associations, residential and commercial construction, commercial litigation, and estate planning. He received his Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law, his master’s in biology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and his Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Prior to practicing law, Simpson was a biologist in Kearney. Simpson is licensed to practice in Nebraska.

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Midlands Business Journal • JUNE 7, 2019 •

First Nebraska Bank adds Dekker to leadershop role

First Nebraska Bank has hired Mark Dekker to the team as chief credit officer. Dekker will work at the Valley, Nebraska location. He brings extensive banking experience to his role with First Nebraska Bank, previously serving as senior vice president at Iowa Trust and Savings Bank in Centerville, Iowa. Dekker Dekker graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management, General.

Premier Bank names Konen SVP, chief financial officer

Premier Bank has hired Brad Konen as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Konen has worked in the banking industry for more than 24 years and has held various finance positions including chief finanKonen cial officer and most recently serving as the director of business

University of Nebraska names Blackman in leadership position

University of Nebraska has named Bret Blackman, a 20-year veteran of NU, as NU vice president for information technology systems and chief information officer. Blackman, who currently serves as NU associate vice president for information technology and chief information officer at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, will assume Blackman his new role on July 1. He will continue to hold the CIO title at UNO. Blackman brings two decades of leadership experience in IT, having begun at UNO, his alma mater, in 1999 as a technology coordinator. As associate vice president, Blackman played a role in the reorganization of IT divisions at UNL, UNO, UNK and Central Administration to better serve the university’s IT needs and reduce operational costs. planning and analysis at American National Bank. Prior to entering the banking industry, he worked in public accounting as a financial auditor specializing in financial institutions. Konen received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

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• JUNE 7, 2019 • Midlands Business Journal