Midlands Business Journal March 19, 2021 Vol. 47 No. 12 issue by Midlands Business Journal

Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

Small Business in Lincoln Lincoln Business Journal Pages

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

March 19, 2021

Need for small business support reflected in scores of new funding resources by Michelle Leach

While COVID-19’s ripples and waves may have felt as if they occurred overnight, a sense of normalcy is not being built in a day as Lincolnite organizations engage and re-engage with the business community through sustained reopening and vaccine roll-out phases. The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development has been working with companies who expressed interest in the capital city as a possible site for their operations. Vice President of Economic Development Luke Peltz noted those companies represent various industry sectors. “The Imagine Nebraska Act is our statewide incentive program that was passed last year,” he said of the replacement to the sunsetting Nebraska Advantage Act. “This new program allows companies to use their tax credits for innovative uses like child care expenses, tuition, student loans or down payment assistance on a primary residence. Lincoln is also a perfect place to build a startup, and LPED continues to help build the ecosystem and create opportunity for entrepreneurs.” Its LaunchLNK program responded to the need for pre-seed support for early-stage startups. “Companies selected for the program receive a $25,000 grant, professional ser-

Luke Peltz, vice president of economic development at the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development. vices from our partners, and connections SubGuru, Corral Technologies, Oculi Data to mentors, potential corporate partners, and Iron Sun. and investors and other sources of capital,” Citing the Mayor’s Economic RecovPeltz said. ery Task Force survey, three of every four Recipients included Job Share Connect, responding businesses craved more oppor-

tunities to connect in what remains a rather isolating environment; Peltz referred to the launch, in turn, of business-to-business town halls (employee mental health, technology and social media represent some of the topics), a virtual workshop in conjunction with the city on how to procure contracts, and a vaccine webinar featuring attorneys from Rembolt Ludtke. Peltz said the LPED is asking business leaders to allocate an additional 1% of their annual expenses in support of local businesses as part of its “One-Percent Pledge;” for inMilobar stance, spend spans local office supplies to catering. The general public is encouraged to do the same. “We continue to reach out to business leaders within our community to promote this initiative and the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Peltz said. “To date, over 50 Lincoln business leaders have taken the pledge and we expect that number to continue to grow.” In late January, the U.S. Small Business Continued on next page.

LBJ Small Business in Lincoln — inside MARCH 19, 2021

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VOL. 47 NO. 12

Woods Aitken enhances services in centennial year by Richard D. Brown

Papio Creek Gems hones in on custom work, expands services with new equipment. – Page 2

40 er d Un 40 Drive and commitment elevate Starks at Nebraska Realty. – Page 4

ts en m t es Inv Evolving intelligence, advisory solutions support sound investing. – Page 29

The Lincoln and Omaha offices of Woods Aitken — a Nebraska-based law firm that also has offices in Denver and Washington, D.C. — credit continually enhanced services over the years to longevity of client retention and their plans this year for a firm-wide centennial celebration. For Partners Pamela J. Bourne and Nathan J. Gurnsey, success comes from being proud of the past while remaining poised for the future. “Client service is the hallmark of everything we do,” said Bourne, a 20-year attorney whose focus is representing management exclusively on workplace legal issues. Gurnsey, who joined Woods Aitken in 2003 and serves as a counselor to individuals, small businesses and large corporations, believes a differentiating factor in the firm’s success has been its five-member recruiting committee that identifies much Continued on page 27.

From left, Partners Pamela J. Bourne and Nathan J. Gurnsey … Focus on enhancing services has proven (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville) successful for client longevity.

Flurry of options for support resonate as Center Sphere grows national footprint by Michelle Leach

In 2010 a group of like-minded professionals from different industries began meeting to not only get to know each other, but also to support their respective businesses. These weekly meet-ups have triggered serious growth within the network that sur faced from these meetings 11 years on; Center Sphere’s footprint spans more than a dozen states, with mem

bers and networks scattered from Phoenix, to Orlando, to Minneapolis. Omaha membership alone stands at around 600 people. “It’s not just about me and you; it’s about you and the 500 people that you know, and about me and the 500 people that I know,” said President/ Partner Erin Pearson. The metro area-headquartered Continued on page 27. Heartland Women’s Network Board Director Lili Shim … With wide variety of industries represented, leadership turns towards attracting diverse ages and people of color.

Heartland Women’s Network provides industry agnostic networking option by Savannah Behrends

President/Partner Erin Pearson … Members rally to support small business, local community as the face of networking changes through the pandemic.

With dozens of industry-specific networking organizations in the Greater Omaha area, Heartland Women’s Network is working to cast a larger net, bringing together diverse backgrounds. Lili Shim, who is serving as the 2021 board director, said the diversity is what drew her to the group four years ago when she relocated from Sioux Falls.

“[But] we would like to see more diversity in terms of women of color,” she said. “We don’t want anyone to think they can’t come because we aren’t as diverse as we would like to be yet.” Diversity will likely be an ongoing topic, not just for this board but future boards, as the Omaha landscape continues to change. One idea the board has Continued on page 28.

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Papio Creek Gems hones in on custom work, expands services with new equipment something entirely new,” she said. by Gabby Hellbusch Papio Creek Gems has remained a famiIt was a life-long love for jewelry that propelled Kaffi MacNabb to found Papio Creek ly-owned and operated business over the years, Gems in 2001. Starting out, she first offered with MacNabb’s husband and oldest son also showings by appointment only, but quickly working at the store. “For us, customer service is always the most opened a retail store front to keep up with deimportant factor,” she said. “As a small business, mand as business progressed. MacNabb, who was constantly on the hunt I feel like we are also able to cater to what people for unique jewelry and jewelry components, really want and need. We try to go above and beyond to make our traveled the world customers’ ideas and looking for one-of-a- Papio Creek Gems desires a reality.” kind pieces. Soon, that Phone: 402-935-4367 The store sees cusmorphed into attending Address: 3412 South 144th Street, tomers from all walks of trade shows. Omaha 68144 life, MacNabb said, inWhile she still par- Founded: 2001 cluding fishermen who ticipates in trade shows, Service: custom jewelry creation, repair are looking to make the store’s bread and and custom gemstone cutting and faceting their own lures or brides butter is selling unique Employees: 3 who are searching for or custom pieces now. Goal: Continue to expand operations, wedding jewelry. “Whether it’s some- utilize new equipment to offer services. While the clienthing we’ve made or Website: papiocreekgems.jewelershowtele varies, each smile something I’ve bought case.com equates the same thing from another smaller artisan, we offer just about everything,” MacNabb for the MacNabb family. “We love watching our customers walk said. “We also sell some cool commercial-proaway happy,” she said. “It’s a great feeling to duced pieces, as well, and do a lot of repair.” When creating a custom design from scratch, know you’re brightening someone’s day. That’s customers are able to select the rough, cut, size when we know we’ve done it right.” These moments make the everyday business and setting of the stone. “Customers also bring us jewelry that they challenges worth it, she said. Even with the pandemic, the business would like redone and we’re able to use the stones they have or melt down their gold to create remained optimistic and changed gears when

Business Minute

Owner Kaffi MacNabb … Family custom jewelry business aims to grow services to provide unique experiences for customers. necessary. us with their special pieces and we’re able to “There are so many large and small busi- still be here.” nesses that have closed their doors permanently Over the years, she has found that the most during this time,” MacNabb said. “We feel in- successful way to attain growth is by listening to credibly grateful that our customers are trusting customers and then moving in those directions. “We’ve been able to measure our success when our customers keep coming back, and bring new customers and referrals to us,” MacPaid Content Nabb said. With new equipment in hand, the MacNabb family has plans to continue to expand, including offering additional repair services and a fantasy cut option. “As a family, we’re proud to have gotten to this point today and that we’re continuing to grow the business,” she said. “Our overall goal is to be known as the go-to place for custom work.”

Travis Schwartz Omaha Market Leader, Meridian

Midlands Business Journal

Associations/Titles: MBA, PMP Hometown: Gering, Nebraska Education: UNL, UTEP

How I got into the business: I was intrigued by the opportunity to do many different things in the business world. I majored in finance, with a minor in information systems, working with numbers and technology have always been a passion. Using data and technology to solve business challenges is what has driven my career. Accomplishments or milestones: Hiked the Grand Canyon with my 72-yearold Dad. I once saved a company $200k/ year by changing Inventory Management solutions. First job: Paper route. Biggest career break: In college, I was looking for a summer internship. I

was selected by Ameritrade as an “alternate,” 1 month later they had an opening, and I was hired. All of the interns rotated through the departments every two weeks, but they wanted me to only work in the Finance department. At the end of the summer, the Finance department hired me to a permanent position. The toughest part of the job: There is a lot of variability in my day. I might be putting together a marketing plan, guiding a client through the purchase of a new financial system, helping a large project team navigate a systems transformation, or solving for a specific system issue. The best advice I have received: “Sleep on it.” I have benefited from waiting 24 hours to react to critical decisions. About my family: Wife, three boys, sheepadoodle. Something else I’d like to accomplish: Start a non-profit to address racial diversity in education. How my business will change in the

Established in 1975

FOUNDER, Robert Hoig

ADMINISTRATION PUBLISHER, Andrea “Andee” Hoig

next decade: There is an “app“ for everything used to just apply to mobile applications and now it applies to business applications. Understanding the different solutions and how they apply to businesses challenges will be critical as business applications continue to add functionality and decrease cost. Mentor who has helped the most in my career: Warren Buffett. His work ethic, integrity, and honesty is something I aspire to emulate. Outside interests: Real Estate, basketball coaching, reading, traveling, working out, woodworking, and camping. Favorite vacation spot: Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Other careers I would like to try: Real Estate agent, corporate pilot, or basketball coach. Favorite cause or charity: Bridges Out of Poverty. Favorite app: Podcast Addict, Audible.

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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 1308 S. 119th St., Omaha, NE 68144. Periodical postage paid at Omaha NE POSTMASTER; Send address changes to Midlands Business Journal, 1308 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.

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Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Drive and commitment elevate Starks at Nebraska Realty by Dwain Hebda

To understand just how far and fast Angel Starks has risen in her real estate career, consider that growing up, she didn’t know such an industry existed. “In my growing up, home ownership just wasn’t a thing,” she said. “It just wasn’t a concept that was ever talked about. I literally thought that everybody rented; I didn’t understand people owned their houses or owned land. “In fact, it wasn’t until I was graduating college that I finally put together all of the Prudential [Realty] signs I saw in people’s yards didn’t mean they were selling insurance, that meant they were selling their homes.” Starks’ educational path was in nonprofit administration and elementary education, but 2020 realizing the long hours and low pay that awaited her in those fields, she looked around for something to augment her financially while she changed the world. What she discovered in real estate, however, was a way to do both. “Originally, I had no idea people were building generational wealth from this opportunity of the American dream, home ownership,” she said. “Once I learned that, then they tell you your first year in real estate you rely on your sphere of influence. Well, my sphere of influence had no money because they didn’t know about the opportunity or weren’t thinking about the opportunity of home ownership.

Team Lead and Chief Experience Officer Angel Starks … Investing real estate expertise in the community while aiming to inspire other people of color in the industry. “It made me think, if I’m going to learn this Nebraska Realty. and I don’t see a lot of people that look like me “I’m a learner and I know that I learn best in the industry, I’m going to change that. Those by doing,” she said to explain the immediacy of became my goals; to get more people of color her sales success. “I’m not afraid of a challenge; in the industry and to get more people of color I might talk myself out of it for a little while, to become homeowners.” but I still end up doing it. Starks has achieved these goals, and then some, in record time. From her rookie year in Proud Sponsors of the 2020 2013, she’s been consistently recognized for sales volume and sales team accomplishments, rising quickly to the rank of team lead and chief experience officer for Team Locale with

“My first year in the industry I was actually inactive and I shadowed as many people as I possibly could. I went on interviews; I did anything and everything that I could do for people that were doing great things in the real estate industry.” Starting in 2016, she expanded her influence to reach more people as an instructor at Randall School of Real Estate, Nebraska REALTORS Association Leadership Academy and Women’s Council of REALTORS-Omaha president. She said involvement with these professional organizations not only fueled her success, it also helped her develop core principles that she now preaches to others. “In real estate, you don’t have a boss telling you to do things,” she said. “If there’s a plethora of classes, you have to choose to show up. I just continued to choose to show up.” Over the same time period, Starks also become heavily invested in the community. A sample of her involvement includes the Child Saving Institute Guild, Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals’ Council and YP Summit Chair. In 2018 she founded triBe (trailblazers rising in Black/Brown excellence) and currently sits on Habitat for Humanity’s board of directors. “I’m pretty driven when something means something to me,” she says of her extensive involvement. “There’s a quote going around that says, ‘I don’t have the time; I make the time.’ If it means something to you, then you’ll make time for it.”

40 Under 40:

Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

Small Business in Lincoln Lincoln Business Journal Pages

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

March 19, 2021

Need for small business support reflected in scores of new funding resources by Michelle Leach

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • Lincoln Business Journal Pages • Small Business in Lincoln

Need for small business resources in Lincoln Continued from preceding page. Administration Nebraska District Office Director Leon Milobar shared how the number of calls for the start of the Paycheck Protection Program were “overwhelming.” After two weeks, calls reportedly settled down but, as the March 31 deadline for the second draw PPP loans approaching, Milobar indicated last week that staff are swimming in requests for assistance again. “I do not have any separate information on Lincoln loan activity for the PPP loan or disaster loan program,” Milobar said; instead, he spotlighted the SBA’s weekly loan data. The March 11 report noted that the current round of PPP spans 2.5 million approved loans totaling more than $168 billion. “The current round of PPP is successfully reaching smaller borrowers,” the report reads, “With 94% of all loans less than $250,000, totaling 52% of loan volume.” Additionally, 92% of loans are reportedly for businesses with no more than 20

employees. Perhaps unsurprisingly, 18% of all lending is driven by “accommodation and food services” businesses. Milobar also drew attention toward the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Advance report, which noted that $20 billion has been exhausted and disbursed (more than 5.7 million disbursements). Upwards of half of those advances are for $1,000, and retail trade accounted for 13% of all advances/grants. Milobar also noted that information about the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants had been updated, a reference to funding for hard-hit live venue operators or promoters, theaters, museums, talent reps and similar entities. Generally, Milobar expressed surprise when looking over fiscal year 2020 and the loan activity for its bread-and-butter 7A and 504 programs; while the activity remained flat, he said the dollar amount increased by $10 million. He attributes this spike to the interest rate on 504 loans.

“When looking at the breakdown of applications, about 45% of the loans were made to startups or businesses being purchased,” he said. Milobar, too, has seen firsthand how many startup businesses’ staff members have spun off their own enterprises — those sectors that have recovered or were impacted less severely by the pandemic. Formerly, SBA partner SCORE Lincoln Certified Mentor Ken Merlin had referenced its free mentoring and lowcost workshops for startups, which partly feature subject matter experts in legal, accounting, marketing, insurance and banking. In late February, the group encouraged Lincoln business to browse its live online and recorded workshops and, last week, SCORE CEO Bridget Weston had highlighted how those small businesses that adopted new software in 2020 “saw an exponential increase in sales and customer satisfaction.” In conjunction with software advice, SCORE found that 47% of those who adopted new tech in response to COVID-19 increased productivity, while 45% noted

increased engagement with customers and sales. As many as 45% anticipate increasing their 2021 investment, too. In its March update, the Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA) leadership conveyed everything from the likes of revised guidance from OSHA on protecting workers from COVID-19, to its efforts to recruit and encourage businesses to come back or join as new businesses. Membership Chair Debby Brehm, for one, noted that some members either had to temporarily close or cut down on their expenses. “Now that restrictions have lifted substantially, and businesses are reopening, it is a great time to get them into LIBA,” she said. The power supply has been on top of national discourse, given grid failures in Texas. LIBA President and CEO Bud Synhorst highlighted in his message their advocacy related to the proposed Climate Action Plan, which is reportedly coming before the Lincoln City Council with a public hearing, at the time of this writing, scheduled for the 15th.

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Small Business in Lincoln

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Lincoln Business Journal Pages • Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

Small businesses adapt, look to future with experiences of 2020 by Gabby Hellbusch

“We partnered with a number of delivery For small businesses, adapting is often the services for local delivery of drinks and food,” name of the game, and this was especially true he said. “We also implemented free local for Lincoln businesses during the delivery of all non-food or drink pandemic. offerings. Even with these efforts, Gail Sutter, executive director our revenue was devastated and our at Continuum, said small businesses staffing needs plummeted. We went had to make quick decisions on how from six or more front of house staff to maintain safety while still sustainper day, per store, to two. However, ing their business goals. we didn’t give up.” “Many companies looked at In April, the business started adapting their processes to remote a successful “Stay At Home Wine work and changed protocols for onPairing” series. site operations,” Sutter said. “This “We deliver the tasting package often took a toll on small businesses directly to the consumer on the day Sutter because so many employees were of the show,” Sloan said. “On the already wearing multiple hats and designated day and time everyone logs onto a pivoting business processes quickly was costly Zoom meeting and we virtually gather to eat, in time and resources.” drink and learn.” While small business owners and leaders While the pandemic has been damaging, it Leslie Huerta, owner of bookstore Francie & Finch. have the luxury of knowing their employees has forced innovation and growth. well, many may not have had resources in place to address all of the emotional and personal aspects that came with the pandemic. “The biggest takeaway from the pandemic “LNK is here to meet for small business has been the necessity to remain flexible to meet current and future needs current expectations and of the customer, community and the employee,” get ready for future needs. she said. Although no one can predict the future, Recovery will come. Sutter said one thing is definite: being ready And when it does, the and willing to adapt is always one of the best strategies. airport will be an even “Looking ahead, I think small businesses When our airport thrives, greater asset to the city.” will remember the lessons they have learned and will continue to look for inventive ways to so does Lincoln. respond to new challenges,” she said. Leslie Huerta, owner of Francie & Finch, a And vice versa. bookshop in downtown Lincoln, said the store DAVE HARING is fortunate to be surrounded by businesses and LNK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR on the route between the Cornhusker Marriott, The Lied Center and the Rococo Theatre. “We enjoy good foot traffic as people walk to these venues or to their parking garage or to a great restaurant up the street,” Huerta said. “Since the pandemic, though, employees have left downtown, performing arts have slowed to a standstill, restaurants have struggled. Our sidewalks are empty. So, we beefed up our online offerings, became more efficient with order processing and added curbside pickup.” The business also shifted to host virtual events and networks with other booksellers. “We cross-promoted with other retailers and took advantage of the Downtown Lincoln Organization,” she said. “Books meet many needs — people read to escape, to learn, to be inspired and they can be distributed in different ways. The ‘shop local’ mindset is real and we’ve gained many new customers during this era of intentional shoppers.” Huerta is optimistic that downtown will bounce back, as there is a residential building boom, and the store will continue to be a vital LNK’s support of 8,900 jobs and $1.3 billion part of the neighborhood. Dan and Tamara Sloan, owners of The Mill in annual economic impact creates endless Coffee & Tea, said the pandemic was a true opportunities for a city on the rise. shock for the business. “We went from record breaking business levels to a fraction of that in less than a month,” Imagine where we can go. Dan Sloan said. When the business was only left with the option to offer take out, curbside or delivery, it was necessary to upgrade the business’ website to facilitate a much more robust online ordering N E X T. L I N C O L N A I R P O R T. C O M experience.

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• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • Lincoln Business Journal Pages • Small Business in Lincoln

Established niche small businesses weathering change and thriving by Jasmine Heimgartner

Joe Horacek, owner and creative director of Little Mountain Print Shoppe screen printing. (Courtesy of Little Mountain Print Shoppe)

While many retail-oriented small businesses have struggled or been forced to close their doors, especially faced with growing online competition and an unexpected pandemic, some niche businesses continue to flourish. In some cases, those two challenges have had a surprising effect. “We had the best year we have ever had, 30% more than the year before,” said Joe Horacek, Little Mountain Print Shoppe owner and creative director. “I have a speculation of why, but there are things you just don’t know. The internet has provided a great outlet for small business. Social media is another part of that. We capitalize as much as we can on that platform. I look at social media as more of a portfolio, showcasing our products and services in the most creative way possible. That has been a huge part of our success.” Founded in his basement in 2010, Horacek

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considers himself an artist first. He decided screen printing was the best way to showcase that art. Learning the technique enabled him to avoid the middleman to be a printer and an artist, which lends a more organic, homemade aspect to the company’s products. “I can use a lot of different techniques to give it that human touch, which a lot of people are drawn to,” he said. “I’m not using big machines. Everything is handprinted, which is the biggest reward of what I do. When I start with an idea and concept, I can truly bring it to life and be part of that entire process from the sketching, designing, burning into screen, printing, etc.” Passion, along with perseverance and not being afraid of hard work and learning, seem to be an underlying theme of succeeding. For Lefty’s Records, owned by Les Greer, 2020 also proved to be a good year. Although the first few months of the pandemic resulted in a significant slowdown in sales, the store has since been enjoying a regular rotation of customers. “I’ve had so many people during the past year that would come in and say they weren’t going anywhere, except maybe getting takeout, but coming to the store and looking through records was an escape for them,” Greer said. “I enjoy music, and it’s always nice talking about music with people, finding them records they want and turning them on to bands they never heard of. I play stuff in the store, and people ask, ‘Wow, what’s this?’” Lefty’s Records is approaching its 10th year in business. While record collecting was always a hobby, Greer had previous experience working in record stores. Although vinyl went to the wayside for many years, interest has steadily resurged. “I don’t know if anyone knows why records took off again,” Greer said. “It is kind of nostalgia thing, but more people have embraced it. It offers more of a listening experience. You have to listen to one side. You don’t just grab one song like when streaming. Vinyl is out-selling CDs anymore. People are either doing vinyl or streaming.” While passion may be essential, running a business is always a learning experience and doesn’t mean overnight success. “My strengths were having a craftsman skillset, so one challenge early on was the books and running the financial side of things,” Horacek said. “That wasn’t my strength, but sometimes you have to do the things you don’t want to do to do the things you want. I knew it was important to have a good accounting system.” Understanding what customers want and the market are also ongoing challenges. “It’s not always easy knowing what inventory to maintain,” Greer said. “One record might sell a ton and then people may have moved on or don’t like them anymore. It could be something new and there is suddenly big demand for it. It can be a guessing game with newer customers, so their feedback is important.” While balancing everything has its challenges, having the right help around and taking a little time for oneself can helps make it easier. “We have one employee, Alena Kinsey, who is coming up on seven years in August,” Horacek said. “She is rock star. Having her around is a huge asset. I can’t be creative 100% of the time, so I sometimes take creative retreats to recharge. Sometimes it is OK to say no or step a way for a little bit. When you do it for yourself, the brand and business thrive.”

Small Business in Lincoln

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Lincoln Business Journal Pages • Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

Starting a business takes team approach from many professionals

expertise and to offer an impartial eye for by Dwain Hebda Entrepreneurship is alive and well, business owners. “A simple thing attorneys are able to however, launching a venture is no easier now than it was in the past, making a help with is marrying up the long-term multi-disciplinary approach attractive for vision and the short-term reality and what legal processes need to take place small businesses, say experts. to get where you want to go,” said “If you were to think criticalCooper Overcash, associate with ly about where your highest value Woods Aitken. “For instance, in work is done, it’s probably not in trying to grow your business, it’s doing your taxes or packing and going to require signing up X, shipping product,” said Cohagen Y & Z distributorships. A good Wilkinson, executive director of attorney will have a game plan The Foundry coworking space for the things needed on your end and a serial entrepreneur. “For to get from point A to point B.” early-stage entrepreneurs, there’s Overcash said attorneys are often no one else to do it. But as paid to see potential issues or the company grows, there’s a lot Wilkinson problems, however, legal experof value in thinking critically tise should not simply shoot holes about where you, the visionary, in every idea. can add the most value.” “Our role is to not merely be a roadblock Wilkinson said delegating tasks is a major maturity marker for any small business to the entrepreneur, but to be a counselor as owner and pays immediate dividends from well,” he said. “Rather than just putting up fences in the way of achievement, our role a strategic posture. “Spending intentional time on the should be to identify risks, talk through the business is not something that happens by risks and then to solve problems.” Stacia Thiesen, business banker in Small accident,” he said. “The ability to think strategically means intentionally taking a Business Banking at Union Bank & Trust, step back periodically to plan for what’s said similar benefits apply in a banking next. I would posit it’s less of a skill and relationship. “From where I sit, it is an advantage to more of a choice.” Delegating business tasks often requires develop those relationships,” she said. “As a team of professionals, which can be criti- the banker, I get to understand your business, cal resources to any business, both for their Continued on next page.

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• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • Lincoln Business Journal Pages • Small Business in Lincoln

Starting a business takes team approach Continued from preceding page. your cash flow, how you operate and what your needs are. As the customer, you get an expert who you can call if there’s an issue with any aspect of your banking. That service is what I’m selling over other banks.” Thiesen said these relationships especially pay dividends over the long term. “It’s a potentially huge advantage over time,” she said. “As the business grows, you’re going to have additional financial needs, either to buy equipment or buy a building or expand. If I understand your business and I understand your financials, then underwriting a new loan is substantially less risky for me and the bank.” The team of experts concept can extend in virtually any direction, including those not immediately called to mind. Jared Froehlich, sales associate with NAI FMA Realty, said a commercial realtor is a good example. “Making a commercial real estate decision is never a small decision,” he said. “There is always a lot at stake in time and money. In making a leasing or purchasing decision, business leaders are rarely aware

of the due diligence needed, the questions to be asked or the potential landmines to be stepped on. “In seeking the right space and negotiat-

real estate agent. “Ask around the business community for recommendations. Once in touch with a couple of agents, ask them about their background and experience,” he said. “Find out how they will specifically provide value to

Overcash Thiesen ing the contract, you need to be keenly aware of many major variables including operating expenses, utilities, the renewal option, et cetera. The right commercial realtor will learn your objectives and goals and guide you to the right space and terms, not just for today but years down the road.” Froehlich recommended shopping around to find the right fit in a commercial

Froehlich Islamova you in your situation. As much as possible, try to discover what the first 30/60/90 days will look like with them on board.” Beyond industry-specific partners, it can also be helpful to seek out general business consultants to help identify trends and shore up weak points in strategy. Umeda Islamova, director of business consulting for the University of Nebras-

ka-Lincoln Center for Entrepreneurship said this is especially important in adjusting to the changes COVID-19 brought to the marketplace last year. “Post-pandemic, the thing I suggest to my clients is their customer needs have changed,” she said. “It’s really important that businesses, especially small and new businesses, take advantage of getting in touch with their customers on a personal-professional basis. They must ask questions on how their needs may have changed and how the business can better provide sufficient value to meet those needs.” General business consultants can also help small businesses identify waste and tighten up financials, especially important during periods of uncertainty. “Everybody knows staying on top of finances and budgeting and record-keeping is important, but they were able to get away with not paying so much attention in that area,” she said. “When it came time to apply for PPP, a lot of people struggled as a result. If the pandemic taught us anything, it was the importance of managing financials and running leaner as well as how to creatively meet those challenges.”

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• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Entrepreneurs are seeing serious growth through Amazon. Here’s how by Candice Williams

A steady crush of packages large, small and piled high equals money to Jacqueline Nelson, whose company employs 40 people to deliver thousands of parcels each week to homes across Metro Detroit. A retired registered nurse, she is one of Amazon’s Delivery Service Partners operating out of the online retailer’s delivery station in Pontiac, which opened in the fall. Her company: NW Premier Logistics LLC. “We’ve always Entrepreneurs been essential workers,” said Nelson of herself and her husband, Abdullah, a retired first responder. “This has been an opportunity to spend more time with family and also become an essential worker in another area that I would have not even thought was an essential worker until I realized what we’re doing and the service we’re providing.” Each day gets off to an early start for Nelson and other DSP business owners as they make sure that they have staff in place to cover the day’s deliveries, placed on carefully sequenced carts. By mid-morning crews are loading up their vans with packages placed in the proper order to ensure timely deliveries. The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted demand for deliveries from the online giant amid an already accelerating shift to online sales. And as Amazon.com Inc. expands its physical presence in Metro Detroit, one segment also has grown locally — small business owners who have launched delivery businesses from its delivery stations. In 2018, Amazon debuted its Delivery Service Partner program enabling independent businesses to contract with Amazon to deliver packages. It’s part of the Seattle-based retail giant’s overall plan as it departs from nationwide delivery services like UPS and the U.S. Postal Service. The number of Delivery Service Partners operating in Metro Detroit has grown to 43 with the addition of 15 in 2020, said Jessia Pawl, an

NW Premier Logistics, LLC owner Jacqueline Nelson, right, of Novi, brings another cart of packages that will be loaded and delivered by her employees. (Todd McInturf/ The Detroit News/TNS) Amazon spokeswoman. More than 2,000 delivery because they’re going into markets with high personnel are employed by these independent density, Wulfraat said. Delivery Service Partners. Amazon benefits from the program because Amid the pandemic and America’s heavy the company does not directly hire or manage reliance on online shopping and home delivery, the delivery drivers, he added. Instead, business “it’s a perfect time for it right now, and it’s an owners run their own companies providing thouindustry that’s growing immensely,” Nelson said. sands of jobs. Amazon’s delivery capacity is expected to The initial investment can be as little as continue to grow, said Marc Wulfraat, a logistics $10,000 to get started, according to the Amazon expert and president of Montreal-based MWPVL Logistics site. Amazon provides training as well International Inc. His firm has tracked Amazon as discounts on vehicle leases and comprehensive for 14 years. insurance. At the end of 2019, Amazon said it had 150 “It’s a tremendous opportunity for somebody delivery stations across the United States and as who would have never had that opportunity of this month, there are more than 250 locations, otherwise,” Wulfraat said. “They can become Pawl said. an entrepreneur, a business owner, they have a Amazon will have 566 delivery stations in lot of responsibility and people’s salaries to pay the United States by the end of 2021, Wulfraat and so forth.” projects: “They’re working their way down all For many of the Delivery Service Partners, the major American cities right now building these their companies serve as a new career path. delivery stations.” That is the case for Nelson. A couple of years Drivers can deliver nearly 200 packages daily into retirement, she was prompted to check out the program at the suggestion of her daughter, Lori Williams. “She had been talking about this for about a year, thinking that it was something that we might get involved in,” she said. It’s been a family affair for Nelson whose husband, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter work in the business. A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal Her daughter recalls the early days of setting things up, Williams said: “We literally turned my dining room table into a boardroom. We sat there, all four of us, and went through training together. Setting up paperwork. “It was a really grueling experience, but we had to get it done. We were bouncing ideas off each other. It’s been a really great opportunity to work closely with our family, but it also gave us an opportunity to learn everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.” Annis Brown-Stubbs, an educator, runs her company Stubbs Logistics out of Amazon’s delivery station in Wixom. She said she and her husband Kendall, an engineer, decided to launch their own business to work together. “I signed up on a whim and got selected,” she said. “Amazon did all the things they did to Topics may include: train us and get up to speed on logistics. My husSmall Business Update • Starting a small business band had some of the transportation and logistics Training/advice for struggling businesses • Highlight on restaurants experience. I just brought up my willingness and need to help folks, especially in Detroit to serve Unique wares and boutiques in Omaha in Detroit.” The Stubbs launched the business in the Issue Date: April 2 • Ad Deadline: March 25 Romulus, Mich., delivery station in 2019 before moving to Wixom, Mich. They now employ To advertise your company’s products or services in one of our upcoming sections, more than 100 employees and have 50 big blue contact our Director of Advertising at karla@mbj.com. Amazon Prime trucks on the road daily, she said.

Salute to Small Business

The couple now works together full-time. “We have a team of incredible people, Detroiters and Metro Detroiters, who are just committed to serving the community where they deliver seven days a week,” she said. Brown-Stubbs said pay for drivers ranges from $15-$20 depending on experience and includes full benefits. She said she feels good being able to “provide a pathway for folks to get hired.” Nolan Kaliszewski of Warren, Mich., long wanted to own a business. After graduating from Western Michigan University with a degree in sales and marketing, he worked for ADP in the small business services unit to get exposure to a variety of small businesses. After reading about the delivery program, he said he applied and went through a six-to-ninemonth process. He launched his business, NK Intelligent Transportation, in Amazon’s Hazel Park, Mich., delivery station in November 2019 before moving to the Sterling Heights delivery station, which opened in late summer. His crew started with six people the first day and has grown to 70 employees. “It’s definitely a rapidly growing business,” he said. “I expected to be super busy, (that) it (would) be my life for about a year to get on top of things. In that aspect of being busy and having the dedication to work long hours and work hard every day — that is about what I expected.” In addition to his administrative tasks, Kaliszewski said he’ll hop in a van to deliver packages when needed: “Delivery is not an easy job. Sometimes, I think it’s fun because you’re very active and you’re problem-solving. It’s a good change of pace for me. “It’s not an easy job, but it can be a rewarding one when you get interaction with customers. That’s definitely the best part for me is when I get to interact with customers and see their smile or see that they had been waiting on something they’ve been really excited to get.” Nelson said when she does deliveries, seeing happy customers is the best part of the job for her. She sometimes takes a ribbing from her colleagues. “They do think I am corny because I say ‘Thank you for shopping at Amazon,’” Nelson laughed. Days start early for the delivery businesses, usually around 7 a.m., with administrative tasks from home and trips to the delivery stations to make sure drivers are prepared for the day. Then there’s the continual monitoring of deliveries throughout the day and well into the evening. Package loads can range from about 80 to 200 packages. There’s an order in which packages are placed in the delivery vehicles to match each driver’s itinerary so they’re not searching for packages at each stop. “Amazon is like a Swiss watch in that everything is doing its own thing, but it’s working perfectly together,” Nelson said. She’s learned how to be safe on the road, to choose the proper location to place packages when delivering. “You’re able to drop it off and go to the next one,” she said, adding she’d like to grow the business and hire more people so she can take a step back in retirement. “For me, it was great. I understand exactly what’s happening. “Amazon is the kind of place you can work at and have a career,” she said. “Not just a job. That develops an intrinsic value that each of my immediate team as well as the driver receive. We want to have good scores. It’s about making sure you’re meeting our quality goals. It’s the big picture.” ©2021 www.detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

Job or kids? One in three working moms forced to choose as pandemic enters Year Two by Erin Arvedlund

After 15 years in a high-paying finance job, Joanna Lepore knew she’d have to quit, for a once-unthinkable reason — she has children. Careers “I never had any intention of leaving my job,” said the married mother of two kids under 10 years of age living in Haddonfield, Pa. But working remotely — while home-schooling her son and watching her toddler daughter shut out of day care — burned her out. With child care and schools closed, the

veteran of the Wall Street investment firm PIMCO left her job onboarding clients in August, just before the remote school year resumed. Her husband is employed in food distribution and works outside the home. Lepore, 38, has lots of company. Women have borne a greater share of job losses during the pandemic. One in three working mothers is considering leaving the workforce or downshifting careers, which could stunt their incomes for decades, surveys show. Women already shoulder more responsibility for the domestic and emotional work in a JUMBLE OF TREES

Answers on page 14.

family — disparities heightened by COVID — and typically make less than men — 82 cents on the dollar. Now entering Year Two of the coronavirus, women increasingly are forced to choose: career or family? Study after study, including a recent McKinsey 2020 report, show that women reduced work hours, or left jobs altogether, to care for children, said coauthor Jessica Huang, a partner in McKinsey’s Silicon Valley office. “The higher load of household work and child care means women are feeling burnt out more than male counterparts.” Job losses among men (5.1%) and women (5.9%) between January 2020 and January 2021 show women pay the price. For women of color, unemployment is higher. More than 1 in 12 Black women (8.5%) were unemployed in January 2021. “Women of color bear the brunt,” said Tina Tchen, CEO of the nonprofit Times Up Now, which fights gender discrimination in the workplace. “The pandemic exposed long-standing lack of caregiver infrastructure for all women.” Now some employers have increased paid leave or stipends to keep women in the ranks. The federal government and states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey are also spending millions of dollars to rescue shuttered day-care centers and enable women to keep working. But will it be enough? “I had to be strong for everyone” Ellen Yin, one of Philadelphia’s top restaurateurs, had to fire 150 workers last spring, roughly 90% of her staff. “Our industry has large numbers of undocumented workers and immigrants, many of whom never had income before,” she said. “They don’t qualify for unemployment, and that weighs on us.” During the pandemic, she was also caring for her elderly mother, who had a debilitating stroke. “We weren’t able to have caregivers come, and she needs 24-hour-a-day supervision,” Yin said. In between applying for emergency loans for her business, Yin drove an hour each way to pick up her mother’s helper multiple times per week. “My mom gets up every hour some nights. I typically get five to six hours’ sleep,” she said. “I function.” As a senior leader in her industry, Yin felt the pressure to be always “on,” especially for her workers who remained. “I had to be strong for everyone. Even though leaders don’t have any better clue than anyone else. I haven’t cried in front of them — yet.” And her businesses? “We’re not thriving, but we’re surviving.” Dropping out A perfect storm of child-care gaps and school blackouts is crippling the careers of women, especially those caring for younger kids. By any measure, child-care centers across America have struggled. Enrollment last spring cratered and never fully rebounded. Fresh expenses, from protective gear to deep cleaning, put them deeper in the hole, forcing up to 40% of U.S. day cares to shutter. Those that remain enrolled fewer children. The pandemic also forced most schools in the region to close over the last year. Philadelphia public schools just reopened a few classes last week after 361 days of closure. Wealthier suburban districts brought back

children earlier but with shorter hours. Disruption was nearly universal. The combination walloped working women, creating a “pink collar recession,” said Diane Cornwall-Levy, executive director of Women’s Way in Philadelphia. By February, more than 2.3 million American women had dropped out completely from the labor force since the start of the pandemic. That dragged down women’s labor-force participation rate — the percent of adult women working or looking for work — to 57%. Pre-pandemic, women’s labor participation rate had not been this low since 1988. By comparison, 1.8 million men left the labor force since February 2020. Overall, Greater Philadelphia’s employment fell 8 percentage points to 68.4% between 2020 and 2019, according to Philadelphia Federal Reserve data. The decline was especially fueled by job losses among members of three demographic groups who had obtained no more than a high school diploma: Black men, Black women, and Hispanic women, Fed researcher Keith Wardrip found. Unemployment hit those groups hardest — employment-rate declines approached or topped 20% for these subsets of workers vs. a year ago. The unemployment rate for women in the Philadelphia region (6%) is still nearly twice as high as it was in February 2020 (3.1%). Nationally, nearly 1 in 11 Latinas (8.5%), and more than 1 in 13 Asian women (7.9%) remained unemployed, according to the National Women’s Law Center. For white women, the rate was 5.2%. It’s largely women working America’s low-paying jobs. “A lot of these industries are heavily female, particularly food and beverage and hospitality. Those were hit first and hardest. Women are naturally adversely impacted,” said Doneene Damon, managing partner of the Richards, Layton & Finger law firm in Wilmington, Del. “It’s been the perfect storm,” Damon said. “We’re now in year two. Everyone’s exhausted. Women are completely overwhelmed with child care and household care, plus their jobs.” One attorney faked leaving her house every day, got in her car, and waved goodbye to her 3-year old, then sneaked back in the house to work upstairs, Damon said. Others put red-light/green-light signs on guestroom doors so they could “teach the kids to follow those instructions and not interrupt.” Her 85-year-old mother assumed Damon was available all the time because “I was home. Even today, late in the afternoon, my mother knows it’s safe to come into my office. I don’t schedule Zoom calls at that time, because she wants to be with me.” “I either sacrifice my family or my career” Without school, day care, or outside help, women are more likely than male colleagues to leave jobs or work less. This hurts earnings for years, from middle-class women to high earners. “I reached a breaking point,” said Lepore. “I loved my job and people I worked with, aside from a boss who demanded a ton of face time, and, strangely enough, was a woman. There was no way I’d make it through with Continued on next page.

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Job or kids? One in three working moms forced to choose as pandemic enters Year Two Continued from preceding page. my sanity intact. I either sacrifice my family or my career.” She recently started remote work at the financial services firm IHS Markit with a more understanding boss. The United States is now at risk of losing $64.5 billion in economic activity in a year from women’s lost wages — largely due to the lack of child care. Schools must reopen Alison Perelman calls the “emotional labor” of working from home the toughest double-duty — attending to a child educated on Zoom, motivating family to stick to a routine, undertaking household chores, and cooking endless meals. “This falls predominantly on women,” Perelman says. “As we’ve all made peace with the one-year anniversary, it’s now a hinge point where women are opting out. And once we all start to return to the workplace, it’s not clear to me that because women were first out, will we be first back in?” As executive director of the political advocacy group Philadelphia 3.0, she’s incredulous that the Philadelphia School District has announced only vague plans to reopen in September. “Why do we not know? This alone is a catastrophe for working women with dependents, and it’s only part of the tsunami destroying their careers,” said Perelman, who has a 6-year-old. “For women, there’s no going back to work without school.” Samantha Matlin, a mother and full-time nonprofit executive who lives in Philadelphia’s Center City, said she is “frustrated at the School District, and the lack of innovation. “Why haven’t we put the most vulnerable children in some of the office buildings for school?“ she said. “That should have been a plan months ago. Philly is such an underdog city, we don’t take advantage of the resources we have.” Some companies went the extra mile — setting up virtual classrooms within the workplace. “People are sharing ideas as to how to cope, ideas about arts and crafts, keeping kids busy on an hour-long conference call, or a court hearing, and not look completely chaotic,” said Damon, the Wilmington lawyer. Hillary Weinstein, 42, cofounded First Law Strategy Group in 2019, just before the pandemic. She felt guilty for not cutting back. “Some of my friends chose to homeschool even though their kids could return to the classroom,” she said. “We didn’t have that option. And I felt like a bad mom for sending them back. I’m the primary breadwinner, and quitting’s not an option financially.” Start-up as solution For some women, the pandemic created an opportunity. Marcia Williams, 45, of

Conshohocken, Pa., worked for five years at QVC as a makeup and hair stylist to on-air personalities, sometimes working through the night on set. She was furloughed last year as the pandemic hit. “I’m grateful for that time at QVC, but I already had something in mind for my future,” said Williams, who’s both African American and Native American. She began focusing full-time on her own line of lipstick, gloss, and beauty products that are mask-proof, vegan, and cruelty-free. Embellish Beauty Concepts “came into being in 2010, but the pandemic forced me to push forward,” said the married mother of three. In September, Williams’ line made an appearance on the Today show. She credits her success so far to the “lipstick effect.” “Women want to feel beautiful during difficult economic times, and often that’s just a splurge on really top-shelf lipstick. The pandemic has really helped drive business in a crazy way, especially for women spending long days on Zoom or for a pick-me-up.” Williams also hopes to capitalize on Corporate America’s interest in minority- and BIPOC-owned businesses, such as LVMH’s purchase of Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty. Williams donates 10% of sales to Big Brother Big Sister, Black Lives Matter, and other nonprofits. Women of color Yvonne Ferguson-Hardin is a longtime Philadelphia fitness instructor. She had contracts teaching classes at Center in the Park in Germantown, Pa., and several nursing homes and assisted living facilities — all of which shut down after the virus hit. The 56-year-old single mother lives with three children between ages 12 and 20, along with her 94-year-old mother. A native of England, Hardin says: “It’s been a challenge. Juggling everything. Everyone’s home and needs space. And my youngest daughter needs more help. She’s not motivated to do homework or get up on time. There’s no routine, no bus to run for, no reason to get dressed, no friends to see.” She pivoted to offering remote fitness classes, setting up cameras at her studio at 47 East High St., across from the old Germantown High School. “I offered free classes initially, so I could just keep going, and people could keep going,” she said. Her business, Fergie’s Instructional Training, dropped off 80% last spring but has recovered to about half of its level before COVID. Even her oldest daughter was inspired to start taking business college classes after watching Hardin reinvent her fitness courses to include outdoor boot camps. “I’m hearing more women like me trying to create their own businesses out of this,” she said. “They’re trying to survive, to adapt, find a way to make things work. If this happens again, we’re ready. Either sit back and do nothing, or get moving.” Solutions for corporate employees If working moms and dads need a national child-care policy, what would that look like? Tchen of Times Up Now says a broad definition includes day care, plus paid family leave, and in-home elder care. “Two million babies are born every year, and the same number of Americans turn 65 every year. On both ends, this caregiving is a growth industry,” Tchen said. Some private companies have started paving the way.

Sally Guzik, executive director at Cambridge Innovation Center, a life sciences co-working space in Philadelphia, works from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then swaps with her husband, who works noon to 9 p.m., caring for their infant son. Guzik, 32, took advantage of Cambridge’s flexible work offering. She returned to work early from maternity leave in January, 10 weeks after giving birth, for half days. Despite having a C-section, she returned sooner than her full 18 weeks of leave, calling the option “a lifesaver.” In partnership with BioLabs at CIC, “we have a team of scientists here, plus we offer co-working space for start-ups. Our benefits are so great,” Guzik said. “I wouldn’t have gotten through without the support of the company.” Cambridge also set up remote classrooms, “so if you had a child out of school, you could bring your kids,” she said. Richards, Layton & Finger lawyers were told not to worry about submitting work until evenings after they helped children with homework. The firm didn’t cut billable hours, Damon said, but “we’ve identified periods of time as flex time to deal with what you have to do. Those are things we should focus on.” Now in year two, “it’s even harder. Our people still aren’t clear when we’re getting out of this. We’ve hit the mark of exhaustion. The longer it draws out, the more support people need.” Answers? Virtual doctors, telehealth visits with a physician; emergency babysitters and child care, taking kids to the office during a client meeting or a court hearing.

“This year, the stress is just pushing some women to drop out,” Damon said. “It’s too much. They have to step away for a while.” Outside the United States, companies in Europe and South America are structuring shorter work days and job sharing. Some families have tried moving to child-care-friendly cities or even more accommodating countries such as France. The PwC accounting, tax, and consulting firm has doubled its child-care reimbursement and now offers remote tutoring assistance “to reduce stress and concerns parents have,” said Philadelphia office managing partner Deanna Byrne. However, the U.S. lacks national standards on paid family or sick leave, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. “The current system is a patchwork of policies determined by employers, state and local laws, or negotiated through labor contracts,” the foundation said in a December 2020 report. President Joe Biden’s newly passed stimulus package, the American Rescue Plan, specifically supported families with young children and child-care providers. It includes $14 billion in emergency block grants, mainly for child care for frontline and emergency workers, $24 billion to help struggling providers meet payroll and rent, and $1 billion for Head Start programs. Tchen called the package “great news, as it is really needed as emergency relief. But it isn’t the full investment that is needed to build the caregiving infrastructure — including child care — that our country needs.” ©2021 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 • Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES MBJ legal notice instructions The following are some guidelines to consider when posting legal notices with the Midlands Business Journal: 1. Submit a written notice in either Microsoft Word or as a PDF document to the Legal Department at legals@mbj.com, 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). As a publisher and not a legal advisor we print notices exactly as they are submitted and therefor only comp reruns when the notice was rejected or messed up due to a MBJ error. All companies submitting notices are responsible for ensuring the content fits with the State’s requirements and are responsible for the cost of republishing the notice if it is rejected due to misinformation or missing information 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 noon 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 the first week it runs and a copy of the affidavit filed with the courts the last week.

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ATTEGO GROUP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Attego Group, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 742 Palamino Rd, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Registered Agent of the Company is USCA, Inc., 1603 Farnam St., Omaha, Nebraska 68102. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ECOMM7, LLC Notice is hereby given that Ecomm 7, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company“), has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial designated office is 2216 North 178th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial agent for service of process is 2216 North 178th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116, and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Michael Van Gerpen. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), KRISTOPHER P TOWN You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 10/13/2020 on Case Number CI20-18459, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $212.87, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 04/12/2021 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

MARTIN P. PELSTER, Attorney CROKER, HUCK, KASHER, DeWITT, ANDERSON & GONDERINGER, L.L.C. 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF OMAHA TAR & STRIPE, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Omaha Tar & Stripe, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Martin P. Pelster, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Temperature Check, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Temperature Check, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 8810 Quest St., Omaha, Nebraska 68122. The Registered Agent of the Company is Fred Whitted, 8810 Quest St, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF PRAIRIE DOG PRODUCTIONS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of Prairie Dog Productions, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended the period of duration to: Perpetual. The Articles of Amendment were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 24, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Notice is hereby given that Grass Cut Right Inc (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the Company is 6411 S 140th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. The Registered Agent of the Company is Nathan Essink, 6411 S 140th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. The Company was formed on February 25, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that GRG Management, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the Company is 4142 S 89th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68127. The Registered Agent of the Company is Tobias Sommer, 1822 N 174th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The Company was formed on February 25, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

Notice is hereby given that CPM EATS, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 13305 Birch Dr Ste 201, Omaha, NE 68164. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Greg Cutchall, 13305 Birch Dr Ste 201, Omaha, NE 68164. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that NE Construction, LLC a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 24, 2021, 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. Catherine M. Nachreiner, Member, will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against NE Construction, 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 Catherine M. Nachreiner, 314 W Reichmuth Road, Valley, Nebraska 68064. A claim against NE Construction, 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 March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

BROWN & WOLFF, LLC, Attorneys and Counselors at Law 1925 North 120th Street, One Bennington Place Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CUBBY’S-OMAHA 16TH STREET, LLC NOTICE is hereby given that Cubby’s-Omaha 16th Street, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the designated office of the Company is 9229 Mormon Bridge Road, Suite 6, Omaha, Nebraska 68152. The Registered Agent for service of process on the Company is PHILLIP E. MORRISON and his mailing address is 9229 Mormon Bridge Road, Suite 6, Omaha, Nebraska 68152. The purpose of the Company shall be to have such purposes and to engage in such activities with the exception of banking and insurance as may be mutually agreed upon by the Members from time to time, and which are not prohibited by the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The Company commenced on the 25th day of February, 2021, and shall have perpetual existence. The Company shall be managed by one (1) manager, PHILLIP E. MORRISON. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney MOYLAN LAW, LLC 1010 South 120th Street, Suite 320 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ALL THE HOME THINGS, LLC The name of the Company is All The Home Things, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company. The initial registered agent is Sean Moylan located at 1010 S. 120th Street, Suite #320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The initial designated office of the Company is located at 221 Main Street, Louisville, Nebraska 68037. This limited liability company commenced business on February 22, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: TYRONE DAVIS Jr You are hereby notified that on 10/12/20, the Plaintiff, Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska against you shown as Case Number CI20 18124. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of $6,224.09, plus court costs and prejudgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable. The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are hereby notified that you must answer the petition on or before 04/18/21 at the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA, Nebraska. BY: Megan L. Bischoff, #25206 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, Nebraska 68802 308 398-3801 Attorney for the Plaintiff First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

JENNIFER L. RATTNER, Esq. RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CRUSH PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that CRUSH Properties, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 17303 Samantha Road, Gretna, Nebraska 68028. The Registered Agent of the Company is Jennifer L. Rattner, Ringenberg & Rattner Law, LLC, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

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 Waitt Verrado, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 23, 2021, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Member. John Schuele, as the authorized representative, will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against the company, 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 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 425, Omaha, NE 68124. A claim against the company 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 March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION In the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. CI21-1377 ROGER ARMELL, as Personal Representive of the ESTATE OF WANDA H. STEPANEK, deceased, Plaintiff, vs. JANE and JOHN DOE; and all other interested parties claiming or having any interest in the real estate commonly known as 910 South 38th Street, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, real names unknown, Defendants. TO: JANE DOE, JOHN DOE, and all other interested parties claiming or having any interest or shares in and to L & N Real Estate Company. You are hereby notified that on February 15, 2021, Roger Armell, personal representative of the Estate of Wanda H. Stepanek, filed a complaint in the District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, against you, the object and request of which is to determine the ownership of all shares in 910 South 38th Street and find that Wanda Stepanek was the only owner of 910 South 38th Street, free of trust. You are required to answer the petition on or before the day of April 18, 2021. BY: Jacob A. Acers, #26001 Smith, Slusky, Pohren, & Rogers, LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, NE 68114 ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Waitt Vornado, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 23, 2021, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Member. John Schuele, as the authorized representative, will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against the company, 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 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 425, Omaha, NE 68124. A claim against the company 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 March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that JUNKINS ANESTHESIA LLC, has been organized as a professional limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The designated office of the Company is 4608 N 166th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The registered agent of the Company is Shawn Junkins, 4608 N 166th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The Company’s members, managers and professional employees are licensed or otherwise legally authorized to engage in the practice of nurse anesthesia in the State of Nebraska. The Company was formed on February 23, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Queen Roofing, LLC Notice is hereby given that Queen Roofing, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws, with its designated office at of 10787 Brentwood Dr, Apt 3B, La Vista, NE 68128. It is organized to transact any lawful business for which a Limited Liability Company may be organized under Nebraska laws and its duration is perpetual commencing from February 18, 2021. Its affairs are to be conducted by the manager Sylvia A Gomez. Its registered agent is Sylvia A Gomez and her office is located at 10787 Brentwood Dr, Apt 3B, La Vista, NE 68128. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

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 PRIME SECURED, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Prime Secured, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 22145 West Maple Road, P.O. Box 131, 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 February 23, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BEBOLDR, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BeBoldR, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 13305 Birch Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68164. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

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 ESEVEN, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that eseven, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 17838 Burke Street, Suite 102, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on February 26, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

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 TODAY’S DENTAL FREMONT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Today’s Dental Fremont, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The limited liability company shall provide dental services. The designated office of the limited liability company is 14406 Harrison Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68138. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on February 26, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of Kuehl Capital Holdings, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended as follows: the limited liability company has changed its name to Convergent Partners, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 25, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

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 BJR FREMONT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BJR Fremont, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 14406 Harrison Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68138. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on February 26, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

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 PRIME DEPLOYED, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Prime Deployed, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 22145 West Maple Road, P.O. Box 131, 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 February 23, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DUBLINER VENTURES LLC Notice is hereby given that Dubliner Ventures LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on December 15, 2020, to conduct any and all lawful business for which limited liability companies can be organized pursuant to the Nebraska statute. The registered agent and registered office for Dubliner Ventures LLC is Alexandra Black at 15459 Stevens Plaza, Omaha NE 68137. The designated office for Dubliner Ventures LLC is at 15459 Stevens Plaza, Omaha NE 68137. Dubliner Ventures LLC will be member-managed. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PERCEPTIVE PAINTING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Perceptive Painting, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska as a limited liability company. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 6002 S. 20th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68107. The Registered Agent of the Company is David I. Castro, 6002 S. 20th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68107. The company commenced business on February 23, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF HEY LIBRARIAN, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Hey Librarian, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 3157 Farnam Street, Suite 7104 #7239, Omaha, Nebraska, 68131. The Registered Agent of the Company is USCA, Inc., 1603 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68102. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

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 PRIME BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Prime Business Services, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 22145 West Maple Road, P.O. Box 131, 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 February 23, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Vohlk Group LLC a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 23, 2021, 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. Lorri S. Brockman, Authorized Person, will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against Vohlk Group 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 Lorri S. Brockman, 11225 Davenport Street, Suite 108, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. A claim against Vohlk Group 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 March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

KENDRA RINGENBERG, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STONY BROOK CARWASH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Stony Brook Carwash, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 222 S. 15th Street, Suite 1404S, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kendra J. Ringenberg, Ringenberg & Rattner Law, LLC, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF FLAIR FARMS LLC Notice is hereby given that the Certificate of Organization of Flair Farms LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended changing the name of the company to AMF Land Co, LLC and to reflect its registered agent as DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 10, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

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 SHEPPARD’S BUSINESS INTERIORS, INC. Notice if hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of Sheppard’s Business Interiors, Inc. have been amended and restated in their entirety as follows: Articles 1 states the name of the Corporation as Sheppard’s Business Interiors, Inc. Articles 2 states the purpose. Article 3 states that the Corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of voting common stock and 125,000 shares of nonvoting common stock, all at a par value of $0.01. Article 4 states the registered Office of the Corporation is 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska 68124, and the registered agent at such address is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O. Article 5 states that the Corporation shall have perpetual existence. Article 6 states the provisions relating to amending the Articles and Bylaws. Article 7 states the provisions relating to director liability. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 26, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 • Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES JENNIFER L. RATTNER, Esq. RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BRRRR HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BRRRR Holdings, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Registered Agent of the Company is Jennifer L. Rattner, Ringenberg & Rattner Law, LLC, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BAIRDWEST, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Bairdwest, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Bairdwest, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 1932 South 24th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68502, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Scott A. Baird, 1932 South 24th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68502. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION BSNB Land and Cattle 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 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Nicole Seckman Jilek, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Elkhorn River Equipment 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 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Nicole Seckman Jilek, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NZUSA of Omaha LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, with its registered office at 1299 Farnam Street – Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska, 68102, was organized in the State of Nebraska to engage in any lawful business permitted under the Nebraska Limited Liability Act. The registered agent is Shaun M. James, Smith Slusky Law, 8712 West Dodge Road – Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska, 68114. The perpetual existence commenced February 26, 2021. Its affairs are to be conducted by its Members pursuant to an Operating Agreement duly adopted by the Company. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

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 PN HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PN Holdings, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 3234 N. 161st Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on March 1, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LRC PROPERTIES II, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of LRC Properties II, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is LRC Properties II, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 3000 Farnam Street, Suite 7H, Omaha, NE 68131. 3. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LRC PROPERTIES III, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of LRC Properties III, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is LRC Properties III, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 3000 Farnam Street, Suite 7H, Omaha, NE 68131. 3. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LRC PROPERTIES IV, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of LRC Properties IV, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is LRC Properties IV, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 3000 Farnam Street, Suite 7H, Omaha, NE 68131. 3. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LRC PROPERTIES V, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of LRC Properties V, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is LRC Properties V, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 3000 Farnam Street, Suite 7H, Omaha, NE 68131. 3. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LRC PROPERTIES VI, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of LRC Properties VI, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is LRC Properties VI, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 3000 Farnam Street, Suite 7H, Omaha, NE 68131. 3. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION WAVY VACATION GETAWAYS LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, with its registered office at 10806 S. 174th Ave., Omaha, Nebraska, 68136, was organized in the State of Nebraska to engage in any lawful business permitted under the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act. The registered agent is Shaun M. James, Smith Slusky Law, 8712 West Dodge Road – Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska, 68114. The perpetual existence commenced February 25, 2021. Its affairs are to be conducted by its Members pursuant to an Operating Agreement duly adopted by the Company. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: CHRISTOPHER ALLBROOKS You are hereby notified that on 09/28/20, the Plaintiff, Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska against you shown as Case Number CI20 17408. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of $293.75, plus court costs and prejudgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable. The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are hereby notified that you must answer the petition on or before 04/25/21 at the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA, Nebraska. BY: Megan L. Bischoff #25206 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, Nebraska 68802 308 398-3801 Attorney for the Plaintiff First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MANDARA GROUP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mandara Group, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 6436 North 68th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68104 and the mailing address is PO Box 641492, Omaha, Nebraska 68164. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Timmerman Land & Cattle LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Howard J. Kaslow, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ETD LAW LLC Notice is hereby given that ETD LAW 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 13210 Hillsborough Drive, Omaha, NE 68164. The agent for service of process for the Company is VW Agents LLC located at 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

Notice of Organization of Dynasty Development LLC Notice is Hereby Given that Dynasty Development LLC, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on 06/24/2020. The initial Designated Office: 18764 Ohern St. Omaha, NE 68135. The Initial Registered Agent: Legalinc Corporate Services Inc., 706 N. 129th St., Suite 121, Omaha, NE 68154. The general nature of the business is investing in real estate properties. The company shall be Member-Managed. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

CATHERINE E. FRENCH, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF MJM BEAUTY STUDIO, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a professional limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the professional limited liability company is MJM Beauty Studio, LLC. The address of the company’s initial designated office is 709 North 98th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business, including esthetics. The company commenced existence on February 10, 2021 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the manager as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE TERMINATION OF NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, TAKE NOTICE: The Contracting Owner identified below gives notice that it caused to be filed a Termination of Notice of Commencement on the 26th of February, 2021, containing the following information: Contracting owner: Richland Homes, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company Real Estate: Lot 181, Southern Pines Replat 1, a Subdivision, Sarpy County, Nebraska. The Real Property or its address is commonly known as 16860 Virginia Street, Omaha, NE 68136

SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NEXTGEN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, with its registered office at 1299 Farnam Street – Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska, 68102, was organized in the State of Nebraska to engage in any lawful business permitted under the Nebraska Limited Liability Act. The registered agent is Shaun M. James, Smith Slusky Law, 8712 West Dodge Road – Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska, 68114. The perpetual existence commenced February 17, 2021. Its affairs are to be conducted by its Members pursuant to an Operating Agreement duly adopted by the Company. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

Contracting owner’s interest in the subject real estate: Simple Title holder (if different from contracting owner):

N/A

The notice of commencement was recorded on February 2, 2021, as instrument number 202104176 and is terminated as of March 31, 2021. This termination applies only to the following described real estate: Lot 181, Southern Pines Replat 1, a Subdivision, Sarpy County, Nebraska. All lien claims for which a notice of lien is not recorded by the termination date may be defeated by a transfer of the real estate. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

Simple N/A

The notice of commencement was recorded on February 2, 2021, as instrument number 202104173 and is terminated as of March 31, 2021. This termination applies only to the following described real estate: Lot 12, Hills of Aspen Creek, a Subdivision in Sarpy County, Nebraska. All lien claims for which a notice of lien is not recorded by the termination date may be defeated by a transfer of the real estate. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

NOTICE TERMINATION OF NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, TAKE NOTICE: The Contracting Owner identified below gives notice that it caused to be filed a Termination of Notice of Commencement on the 26th of February, 2021, containing the following information: Contracting owner: Richland Homes, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company Real Estate: Lot 47, Westbury Creek, a Subdivision, in Douglas County, Nebraska. The Real Property or its address is commonly known as 4352 S 214th Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022 Contracting owner’s interest in the subject real estate: Simple Title holder (if different from contracting owner): N/A The notice of commencement was recorded on February 2, 2021, as instrument number 2021014436 and is terminated as of March 31, 2021. This termination applies only to the following described real estate: Lot 47, Westbury Creek, a Subdivision as surveyed, in Douglas County, Nebraska All lien claims for which a notice of lien is not recorded by the termination date may be defeated by a transfer of the real estate. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

Notice is hereby given that AWD Enterprises, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under Nebraska state laws with a designated office address of Company 11602 W Center Rd Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68144. The Registered Agent of the Company is Katherine Albin 11602 W Center Rd Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68144. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

Notice is hereby given that PARKER JOHNSON, INC, has incorporated under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. The general nature of the business is any lawful business. Authorized capital is 1,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.00 per share. KRL Accounting & Tax LLC is the incorporator and the registered agent. The incorporator’s address and the address of the registered office is 11516 Nicholas Street, Suite 302, Omaha, ne 68154. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by the Board of Directors and such officers as it may elect. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CRESTED MEADOW, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Crested Meadow, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 7727 Keystone Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68134 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 March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLICATION TO: ANGELO MIRANDA You are hereby notified that on 11/27/20, the Plaintiff, Credit Management Services, Inc., filed a Complaint in the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska against you shown as Case Number CI20 21080. The object and prayer of which is a judgment in the amount of $317.93, plus court costs and prejudgment interest and attorney fees, if applicable. The Complaint prays that judgment be entered against you. You are hereby notified that you must answer the petition on or before 04/25/21 at the COUNTY Court of DOUGLAS County, OMAHA, Nebraska. BY: Dana Kay Fries #22411 P.O. Box 1512 Grand Island, Nebraska 68802 308 398-3801 Attorney for the Plaintiff First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOWER NE MANAGING PARTNER, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Sower NE Managing Partner, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on March 2, 2021 (the “Company“). The Company has designated its registered agent as Sower Farmland Managers, LLC, with registered office at 13575 Lynam Drive, Omaha, NE 68138. The Company’s initial designated office is at 13575 Lynam Drive, Omaha, NE 68138. The Company shall be governed by one or more managers. The general nature of business is any lawful purpose. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOWER NE PREFERRED PARTNER, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Sower NE Preferred Partner, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on March 2, 2021 (the “Company“). The Company has designated its registered agent as Sower Farmland Managers, LLC, with registered office at 13575 Lynam Drive, Omaha, NE 68138. The Company’s initial designated office is at 13575 Lynam Drive, Omaha, NE 68138. The Company shall be governed by one or more managers. The general nature of business is any lawful purpose. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

N/A

The notice of commencement was recorded on February 2, 2021, as instrument number 202104185 and is terminated as of March 31, 2021. This termination applies only to the following described real estate: Lot 101, Granite Falls North, a Subdivision as surveyed, platted and recorded in Sarpy County, Nebraska All lien claims for which a notice of lien is not recorded by the termination date may be defeated by a transfer of the real estate. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

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 ONE80 REAL ESTATE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that One80 Real Estate, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The limited liability company shall provide real estate services. The designated office of the limited liability company is 17838 Burke Street, Suite 102, Nebraska 68118. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on February 26, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

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 FREMONT SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Fremont Support Services, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 14406 Harrison Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68138. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on February 26, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CHAMPIONS EQUITY, 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 Champions Equity, LLC. The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Blair, NE 68008. The designated office is located at 10397 Crystal Lake Drive, Blair, NE 68008. Mark T. Wehner II, Members First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

Daniel c. Pauley, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN & MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF GT Capital Consultants, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is GT Capital Consultants, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 1204 N. 60th Street #3, Omaha, NE 68132.The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on February 25, 2021 and shall have a perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 • Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Waitt Shoppes at Ak-sar-ben, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 23, 2021, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Member. John Schuele, as the authorized representative, will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against the company, 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 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 425, Omaha, NE 68124. A claim against the company 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 March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION A Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 24, 2021 for CKL Rentals, LLC, with its principal place of business and initial designated office at 325 South 89th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68520. The registered agent and address of the registered office for service of process is: Chandra Ljunggren, 325 South 89th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68520. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C. 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Corporate Name: Friends of Roatan, Inc. Type of Corporation: Public Benefit Registered Agent: Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C., a limited liability organization Registered Office: 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 Members: Corporation will not have Members Incorporator: Daniel I. Dittman 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Canoas Properties, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the Company is 1939 South 63rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The Registered Agent of the Company is Dale Allen Berry, 1939 South 63rd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68106. The Company was formed on February 24, 2021. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LIVRITE PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LivRite Properties, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 2019 North 65th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68104 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 March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

AMANDA M. BARRON, Attorney P.O. Box 597 Fremont, Nebraska 68026 LEGAL NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANT(s), LANCE A PAQUA You are hereby notified that Credit Bureau Services, Inc., a corporation, filed its complaint in the County Court of DOUGLAS County, Nebraska on 11/12/2020 on Case Number CI20-20515, the object and prayer of which is to recover the sum of $173.15, plus interest, attorney fees and court costs. You are required to answer the complaint of the Plaintiff on or before 04/19/2021 or the allegations in said complaint will be taken as true and judgment entered accordingly. CREDIT BUREAU SERVICES, INC., A CORPORATION First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

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 Waitt AV3, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 23, 2021, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Member. John Schuele, as the authorized representative, will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against the company, 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 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 425, Omaha, NE 68124. A claim against the company 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 March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

Jeffrey T. Palzer, Attorney KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is ZUKS PROPERTIES, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 6415 S. 184th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska, 68135. The registered agent is Scott D. Hazuka and the Registered Agent’s address is 6415 S. 184th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska, 68135. 3. The general nature of the Company is real estate holding. 4. The Company commenced on February 22, 2021, and shall have perpetual existence. 5. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine. First publication March 5, 2021, final March 19, 2021

GROSS & WELCH, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 2120 South 72 Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ADRIAN ENZASTIGA & ASSOC. LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that ADRIAN ENZASTIGA & ASSOC. LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 13304 West Center Road, Omaha, Nebraska 68144, its registered agent is Frederick D. Stehlik, and 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 October 16, 2020, 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 March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JRB REALTY, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is JRB Realty, LLC. The company, its members, managers and professional employees are authorized to render the following professional service: Sale of Real Estate. The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 2938 Bridgeford Road, Omaha, NE 68124. The John Begley, Member First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CASCADE COMMERCIAL, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Cascade Commercial, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is Cascade Commercial, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Bianchi Candle Co. Name of Applicant: The Wild Worksmen, LLC Address: 1104 Locust Avenue Papillion NE 68046 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: Jan 1, 2015 General nature of business: All natural soy candle + diffusers NICOLE BIANCHI Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative March 19, 2021

MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RVG, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of RVG, LLC. 1. The name of the limited liability company is RVG, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 18142 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Joanne C. Gaines, DVM, 18142 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KARI WITT, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is KARI WITT, LLC. The company, its members, managers and professional employees are authorized to render the following professional service: Sale of Real Estate. The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 16008 S. 63rd Street, Papillion, NE 68133. Kari Witt, Member First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MICROBLASTERS, 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 Microblasters, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 12513 Pheasant Run Circle, Papillion, NE 68046. Robert Niles, Members First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GUSTAFSON INVESTMENTS, 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 Gustafson Investments, LLC. The name and street address of the company’s initial agent for service of process is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 15638 Polk Circle, Omaha, NE 68135. Isaac Gustafson and Shelbi Gustafson, Members First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

Jeffrey T. Palzer, Attorney KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is BECKER EQUIPMENT, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 7868 “F“ Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68127. The registered agent is Todd J. Becker and the Registered Agent’s address is 22311 County Road #36, Arlington, Nebraska 68002. 3. The general nature of the Company is construction services. 4. The Company commenced on January 22, 2021, and shall have perpetual existence. 5. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF LENA’S LOVELY LAWNS, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LENA’S LOVELY LAWNS, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent is ANTHONY L. GROSS. The general nature of the business is to operate a general lawn care services business, to own, operate and perform services of every kind and nature whatsoever, which are not inconsistent with law, which are necessary, suitable, proper, convenient or expedient to the operation of a general lawn care services business. The authorized capital stock is $10,000.00, consisting of 10,000 shares of stock having a par value of $1.00 each, which stock shall be paid for wholly or partly by cash, by labor, by personal property and by real property. The corporation became a corporate body on January 26, 2021, and upon its Articles being filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on February 24, 2021, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by a Board of Directors, the number of directors to be provided in the ByLaws, and the officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as shall be designated in the By-Laws. ANTHONY L. GROSS, Incorporator CATHERINE L. WHITE, Incorporator 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, NE 68124 First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

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 Waitt Digital, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on March 3, 2021, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Member. John Schuele, as the authorized representative, will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against the company, 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 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 425, Omaha, NE 68124. A claim against the company 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 March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEBRASKA Case D 01 CI 21 0002023 IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF KATHERINE ANN WILLIAMS to KATHERINE ANN MEIER NOTICe OF PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE pursuant to RRS § 2521,270 And Notice of Hearing Judge Dougherty – 4/22/2021 @ 9:00AM Notice is hereby given that on March 4, 2021, Katherine Ann Williams filed a Petition for Name Change in this Court. The object and prayer of said Petition is to change Petitioner’s name from Katherine Ann Williams to Katherine Ann Meier. An (in person) hearing will be held on such Petition for Name Change before the Honorable Judge Duane Dougherty in Courtroom #503, 5th Floor of the Douglas County Nebraska Hall of Justice (or, if a Courtroom change, in the Courtroom # as posted on #503 door or advised by the then current bailiff in #503), 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, Nebraska 68102 on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 9:00 AM, or as soon thereafter as said hearing can be convened. Unless sufficient cause is shown to the contrary, at that hearing Petitioner’s name will be changed from Katherine Ann Williams to Katherine Ann Meier, as prayed for. Dated: March 4, 2021 KATHERINE ANN WILLIAMS, Petitioner By /s/ Joseph J. Skudlarek Joseph J. Skudlarek #13869 1055 North 115 Street #301 Omaha NE 68154 402 522 6001 jjskudlarek@jjskudlarek.com Petitioner’s Attorney First publication March 12, 2021, final April 2, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MVMT PROPERTIES, LLC Notice is hereby given that a professional limited liability company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the company is MVMT PROPERTIES, LLC. The company, its members, managers and professional employees are authorized to render the following professional service: Sale of Real Estate. The name and street address of the company’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara MedberyPrchal, P.C., L.L.O., 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164. The designated office is located at 4328 N. 143rd Street, Omaha, NE 68164. Tonya Moore, Member First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ROYCE PETIT ROI, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Royce Petit Roi, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Royce Petit Roi, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 12910 Pierce Street, Suite 110, Omaha, Nebraska 68144, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is James D. Buser, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Nebraska Magar Samaj, a public benefit nonprofit corporation with members, with its registered agent as Budhi M. Monger, and registered office at 4727 Erskine Street Apt 6, Omaha, Nebraska 68104, was formed on March 5, 2021 by the following incorporators: Dhan B. Magar, 8354 Hanover Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122; Tanka Pulami, 7511 N 76th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68122; Budhi M. Monger, 4727 Erskine Street Apt 6, Omaha, Nebraska 68104; Tila Magar, 14214 Weber Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68142. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

RUSSELL J. KREIKEMEIER, Attorney KREIKEMEIER LAW OFFICES 126 East Grove Street West Point, Nebraska 68788 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given of the organization of Delenaco, LLC, with its registered office address at 118 East Grove Street, West Point, Nebraska 68788 and the registered agent at that address being Russell J. Kreikemeier. The designated office location of the Company is 2112 North 30th Street, Suite 201, Omaha, Nebraska 68111. The purpose or purposes for which this Company is formed is to own, conduct, operate, maintain and carry on the business of a retail lounge and to prepare and serve alcoholic beverages including beer, wine, liquor, cocktails, and other beverages, and to conduct all things incidental to and necessary to said activities and all related matters, whether in this State or any other and to conduct all related activities thereto. The Company shall conduct the transactions of all or any lawful business or engagement in any commercial venture permitted by the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act, as amended, and all other applicable laws. The initial capital of the Company has been contributed and evidence of membership in the Company will be issued by the Management Board. The Company commenced doing business on February 23, 2021, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company shall be conducted by a Management Board and such other Officers and Managers as may be provided for in the Operating Agreement of the Company. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

CATHERINE E. FRENCH, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF CREATIVBEE, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is CreativBee, LLC. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the limited liability company is 3605 South 107th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on January 14, 2021and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION GREENSLATE DEVELOPMENT 2, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, with its registered office at 3814 Farnam Street – Suite 203, Omaha, Nebraska, 68131, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The registered agent is Shaun M. James, Smith Slusky Law, 8712 West Dodge Road – Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska, 68114. The Limited Liability Company shall engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be formed under the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act. The perpetual existence commenced February 11, 2021. Its affairs are to be conducted by its Members pursuant to an Operating Agreement duly adopted by the Company. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

Julia K. Palzer, Attorney KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-2647 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is LIFE SKILLS INITIATIVE, LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 8349 California Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68114. The registered agent is Stephenie Opal and the Registered Agent’s address is 8349 California Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68114. 3. The general nature of the Company is disability service provider. 4. The Company commenced on March 3, 2021, and shall have perpetual existence. 5. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: Omaha Home Pros Name of Applicant: Dawn Grimshaw Address: 16909 Lakeside Hills Plz #119 Omaha, NE 68130 Applicant is a Individual If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 1/1/2020 General nature of business: Real Estate DAWN GRIMSHAW Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative March 12, 2021

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 Waitt Consulting, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on March 3, 2021, and the company is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the company are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore, and that the balance of any remaining assets are to be distributed to its Member. John Schuele, as the authorized representative, will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against the company, 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 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 425, Omaha, NE 68124. A claim against the company 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 March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

SMITH SLUSKY POHREN & ROGERS LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, # 400 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NB ELECTRICAL LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, with its registered office at 20702 Parker Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska, 68022, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The registered agent is Shaun M. James, Smith Slusky Law, 8712 West Dodge Road – Suite 400, Omaha, Nebraska, 68114. The Limited Liability Company shall engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be formed under the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act. The perpetual existence commenced October 23, 2020. Its affairs are to be conducted by its Members pursuant to an Operating Agreement duly adopted by the Company. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

CHRIS ABBOUD, Attorney ABBOUD LAW FIRM 6530 South 84th Street Omaha, NE 68127 NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR21-47 ESTATE OF CARMEN MARIE TERHAAR, Deceased NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on the 20th day of January, 2021, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, 1701 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68183, REINA TERHAAR-REYES, whose address is 2515 South 32nd Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68105, AND, JOANN TERHAAR, whose address is 6323 Read Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68152, were informally apppointed by the Honorable Douglas County Court Judge Derek Vaughn as Co-Personal Representatives of the Estate of CARMEN MARIE TERHAAR who died intestate. 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 May 5, 2021 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 • Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 11302 Wright LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, filed its Statement of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on March 4, 2021, 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. The Members will wind up and liquidate the company’s business and affairs. If you have a claim against 11302 Wright 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 c/o 11302 Wright LLC, P.O. Box 7484, Omaha, Nebraska 68107. A claim against 11302 Wright 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 March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF GREENHOUSE REAL ESTATE, LLC Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, the Certificate of Organization of GREENHOUSE REAL ESTATE, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company“) has been amended to designate the Company as a professional limited liability company and that the professional services to be performed are real estate brokerage services. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nebraska on March 4, 2021. In all other respects, the Certificate of Organization remains unchanged. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

ANDREW J. HUBER, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF MGM146, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is MGM146, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 3202 S. 188th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The name and address of the registered agent and office is LDM Business Services, Inc, 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The general nature of the business is any or all lawful business. The company commenced existence on February 12, 2021 and shall have a perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Dibble-Townsend Therapy, LLC, has been organized as a professional limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The designated office of the Company is 10826 Old Mill Road Suite 103A, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The registered agent of the Company is Julie McCoy, 3015 N 90th Street Suite 7, Omaha, Nebraska 68134. The Company’s members, managers and professional employees are licensed or otherwise legally authorized to engage in the practice of mental health counseling in the State of Nebraska. The Company was formed on March 5, 2021. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

THOMAS H. PENKE, Attorney 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Flat Head Hunt Club, LLC, has organized pursuant to R.R.S. Section 21-101 et seq. The registered office is 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 and the registered agent at that address is Thomas H. Penke. The nature of the business to be transacted is any lawful business. The Designated office address is 188440 Thayer Street, Bennington Nebraska 68007. The company commenced business on January 1, 2021 and is perpetual. The affairs of the company are to be conducted by the President, Secretary and Treasurer. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

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 MCCC PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MCCC Properties, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 3405 North 140th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68164. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on March 3, 2021. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

Notice is hereby given that SANDERSON GROUP, INC., has incorporated under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. The general nature of the business is any lawful business. Authorized capital is 1,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.00 per share. Foster & Dolleck CPAs is the incorporator, the incorporator’s address is 11516 Nicholas Street, Suite 302, Omaha, NE 68154. The registered agent is Jacque Spikes and the address of the registered office is 3034 Sprague Street, Omaha NE 68111. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by the Board of Directors and such officers as it may elect. First publication March 12, 2021, final March 26, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PRIMO’S 2, 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 Primo’s 2, LLC The name and street address of the company’s initial agent for service of process is Barbara Taylor, 2221 S. 60th Street, Omaha, NE 68106. The designated office is located at 5914 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68106. Travis Taylor, Member First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

BARBARA MEDBERY-PRCHAL, P.C., L.L.O., Attorney 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68164 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF POOLS, 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 POOLS, INC. The corporation is authorized to issue 10,000 shares of common stock. The name of the corporation’s initial registered agent is Law Offices of Barbara Medbery-Prchal, P.C., L.L.O., and the registered office address is 11102 Blondo Street, Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68164, The corporation’s incorporator is Brad Meck, 27801 Jones Street, Waterloo, NE 68069. Brad Meck, Incorporator First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SFF NE PPP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SFF NE PPP, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on March 10, 2021 (the “Company“). The Company has designated its registered agent as Sower Farmland Managers, LLC, with registered office at 13575 Lynam Drive, Omaha, NE 68138. The Company’s initial designated office is at 13575 Lynam Drive, Omaha, NE 68138. The Company shall be governed by one or more managers. The general nature of business is any lawful purpose. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that The Security Company, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the Company is 14104 Edna Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68138. The Registered Agent of the Company is Thomas E. Whitmore, 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Company was formed on March 10, 2021. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is Hereby Given that NUR TRANSPORTS, LLC, has been Organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska on 03/12/2020. The Designated Office: 10104 Grand Plz, Omaha, NE 68134. Registered Agent: Nebraska Registered Agents Inc., 530 S. 13th Street, STE 100, Lincoln, NE 68508. The General nature of business is Transports Service. The Company shall be manager-managed by: Tyrell M. Donald. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

Darren R Carlson, Attorney CARLSON & BURNETT, LLP 17525 Arbor Street Omaha, Nebraska 68130 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PANEL COLD STORAGE, LLC Notice is hereby given that PANEL COLD STORAGE, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The Company’s initial registered agent in the State of Nebraska is: Darren R Carlson, whose address is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful business and activity, as may be mutually agreed upon by the Members from time to time, and which are not prohibited by the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The Company commenced with filing its Certificate of Organization on March 11, 2021, and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is a Manager Managed Limited Liability Company. The initial Manager of the Company is Tom Erickson whose address is 15018 Wirt Circle, Omaha, NE 68116. Darren R Carlson, Organizer First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 3 BOUCHONS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of 3 Bouchons, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is 3 Bouchons, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 17527 Adams Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68135, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

Notice is hereby given that Eccker Sports Group, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68154. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Kelsey M. Weiler, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68154. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DOMESTICATION OF RD SOLES AND ASSOCIATES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that RD Soles and Associates, LLC has domesticated to the State of Nebraska from the State of Virginia. The Designated Office of the Company is 15821 Jackson Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The Registered Office of the Company 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. The domestication was accomplished by the filing of Articles of Domestication and Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State on March 11, 2021. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

Julia K. Palzer, Attorney at Law KELLOGG & PALZER, P.C. 10828 Old Mill Road, Suite 6 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the Company is CHAOS & CAS CO., LLC. 2. The street address of the initial designated office is 1056 N. Pine Street, Wahoo, Nebraska, 68066. The registered agent is Autumn Gerrish and the Registered Agent’s address is 1056 N. Pine Street, Wahoo, Nebraska, 68066. 3. The general nature of the Company is fashion design and retail. 4. The Company commenced on March 11, 2021, and shall have perpetual existence. 5. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Members, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

BURNES LAW OFFICE 5017 Leavenworth Street, Suite 103 Omaha, Nebraska 68106-1438 In the District Court of Douglas County Nebraska: To: WHOM IT MAY CONCERN You are hereby notified that on March 9, 2021, Rose Marie Teeters as PLaintiff filed her Petition for Name Change in the District Court of Douglas County Nebraska at Case No: CI21-2205. The object of the Petition is for the Plaintiff to change her name from Rose Marie Teeters to Romi Anna Frances Spicka. You must file an Answer/responsive pleading with the Douglas County District Court on or before May 9, 2021 or said Petition will be granted. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 9, 2021

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES Robert J. Kmiecik STINSON 1299 Farnam Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68102 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BattleBuds, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska limited liability company named BattleBuds, LLC (the “Company“) was formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the Company is 3508 N. 47th St., Omaha, Nebraska 68104 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Kyle Keener, 3508 N. 47th St., Omaha, Nebraska 68104. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KRITZER6, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kritzer6, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 200, Elkhorn, Nebraska 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 March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

THOMAS H. PENKE, Attorney 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR21-404 ESTATE OF LORI J. MONJAREZ-HILL, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on 10 day of March, 2021 in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, DEREK HILL, whose address is 2701 South 60th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68106, has been appointed Personal Representative of this estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 330, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before May 19, 2021 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

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 LTC PHARMACY SOLUTIONS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LTC Pharmacy Solutions, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 18807 Sahler Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Kenneth W. Klaasmeyer, 18807 Sahler Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The limited liability company commenced business on March 11, 2021. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

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 DISCOVERY OPPORTUNITIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Discovery Opportunities, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 13030 Pierce Street, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. 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 March 11, 2021. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Lebens Pearl District, 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 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Thomas J. Malicki, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION RAWR Investments, 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 2219 North 186th Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Thomas J. Malicki, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION MG Promotions 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 5113 NW Radial Hwy, Omaha, Nebraska 68104. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are M. Tyler Johnson, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP, Attorneys 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: You are hereby notified that the following described property will be sold by Daniel C. Pauley, Trustee, at public auction to the highest bidder at the Farnam Street Level of the Douglas County City County Building, 1819 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68183 on May 12, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. 6518 Sprague Street, Omaha, NE 68104 Legally described as: All of Lot 20, Block 4 and that part of Lot 8, block 5, Camenzind Heights, an Addition to the City of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a point 105 feet North of the Southeast corner of Lot 8, Block 5; thence in a Northwesterly direction, 40 feet to a point on the South side of Sahler Street Cul-De-Sac; thence 8 feet in a straight line to the extreme Northeast corner of Lot 8; thence South along the East line of Lot 8, Block 5, 43.5 feet to the point of beginning. The highest bidder will deposit with the Trustee on the day and time of the sale, a cashier’s check in the amount of $10,000.00 with the remainder to be received by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the sale, except this requirement is waived when the highest bidder is the beneficiary. The purchaser shall be responsible for all applicable fees or taxes, including the documentary stamp tax. This sale is made without any warranties as to title or condition of the property. Daniel C. Pauley By: Jackson E. Stokes, #27102 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 First publication March 19, 2021, final April 23, 2021

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE TAGGE*RUTHERFORD GROUP INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Articles of Incorporation of The Tagge*Rutherford Group Inc., a Nebraska corporation, have been amended to change the name of the corporation to: TF Financial Group, Inc. The Articles of Amendment were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on January 21, 2021. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

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 BACH, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that BACH, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The limited liability company shall provide real estate services. The designated office of the limited liability company is 17838 Burke Street, Suite 102, Nebraska 68118. 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 March 12, 2021. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION [RESTATED] Notice is hereby given that Sarah Nies, L.L.C. (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the Company is 18805 Polk Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The Registered Agent of the Company is Sarah Nies, 18805 Polk Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The Company was formed on February 22, 2021. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

NICK R TAYLOR, Attorney of FITZGERALD, SCHORR, BARMETTLER & BRENNAN, P.C., L.L.O 200 Regency One, 10050 Regency Circle Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3794 NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR21-377 Estate of JEFFREY T. GARVEY, Deceased. Notice is hereby given that on March 9, 2021, 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 Shelia A. Garvey, whose address is 8811 Western Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 330, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before May 19, 2021 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION [RESTATED] Notice is hereby given that Divinely Loved, LLC (the “Company“) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office of the Company is 4723 N. 175th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68116. The Registered Agent of the Company is Thomas E. Whitmore, 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Company was Amended on February 4, 2021. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF VENTURE DISTRIBUYING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Venture Distributing, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the company is 1219 N. 207th Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent of the company is Jody K. Frink and the registered address of the company is 1219 N. 207th Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68022. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ELISA DAVIES LAW, LLC: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Elisa Davies Law, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 506 North Elmwood Road, Omaha, Nebraska, 68132. The registered agent and address of the limited liability company is Elisa Davies, 506 North Elmwood Road, Omaha, Nebraska, 68132. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

STEVEN G. RANUM, Attorney CROKER, HUCK LAW FIRM 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOLVENTUS, LLC The name of the limited liability company is Solventus, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 3017 Saint Mary’s Avenue #406, Omaha, NE 68046. The name and address of the initial agent for service of process is Steven G. Ranum, 2120 South 72nd Street, Suite 1200, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

MATTHEW WURSTNER, Attorney CARLSON & BURNETT, LLP, Attorneys 17525 Arbor Street Omaha, Nebraska 68130 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 4R4 ENTERPRISES, LLC Notice is hereby given that 4R4 ENTERPRISES, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The Company’s initial registered agent in the State of Nebraska is: Darren R. Carlson, whose address is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful business and activity, as may be mutually agreed upon by the Members from time to time, and which are not prohibited by the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The Company commenced with filing its Certificate of Organization on March 12, 2021, and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is a Manager Managed Limited Liability Company. Matthew Wurstner, Organizer First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 • Legal notices LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION JLH, 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 5113 NW Radial Hwy, Omaha, Nebraska 68104. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are M. Tyler Johnson, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Articles of Organization of Wide Awake, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (the “Company“), have been amended and restated as follows: The name of the Company is Wide Awake, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is 24344 Leavenworth Circle, Waterloo, Nebraska 68069. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is Bret C. Griess, 24344 Leavenworth Circle, Waterloo, Nebraska 68069. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on March 15, 2021. First publication March 19, 2021, final April 2, 2021

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Pandemic demanded plastics, but not the recycled kind by Joseph Morton

Efforts to combat coronavirus spread have produced a plastics surge. That ramped-up plastic production provides fresh impetus to proposals aimed at curbing how much of that material gets dumped into the environment. Manufacturers have been working overtime to supply disposable personal protective equipment, take-out food containers and packaging required for all those Trends home deliveries. Officials in some areas last year also delayed or rolled back restrictions on single-use plastic bags. “Even where we had made strides to have items and packages be reusable, they went back to being disposable because people felt that was safer,” said Darby Hoover, a senior resource specialist with the Natural Resources Defense Council. At the same time plastic usage increased, pandemic-depressed oil demand lowered the production cost of new “virgin” plastic. That further undermined the already shaky economic fundamentals of plastic recycling. The marine conservation group OceansAsia estimated in a report that more than 1.5 billion masks entered the oceans in 2020, based on a global production estimate of 52 billion and a loss rate of 3 percent. But the number could be higher than that based on studies that show protecting everyone in the world requires even more masks. According to the group, single-use face masks are difficult to recycle because of their composition and risks of contamination. ‘Existential threat’ The report noted that plastic production had been increasing before the pandemic and that every year millions of tons enter the oceans, endangering mammals, turtles, seabirds and fish. “Marine plastic pollution poses an existential threat to marine wildlife and ecosystems,” according to the report. Environmental advocates have called on President Joe Biden to take steps that include using the federal government’s purchasing power to eliminate single-use plastic items, cracking down on pollution from plastic manufacturers and rejecting permits for new or expanded plastics production facilities. Capitol Hill lawmakers are eager to get into the fray. Among the proposals under discussion is legislation introduced in the previous Congress and expected to be brought back this session by Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif. Its provisions include requiring producers to support recycling programs, creating a nationwide beverage container refund program, and pausing new plastic facilities. “The plastics waste problem was already a crisis before the pandemic began, and I am deeply concerned that the increase in single-use waste over the past year has only accelerated the depth of the problem worldwide,” Lowenthal said in a statement. No mandates, please The industry opposes government mandates aimed at curtailing plastic production, which it characterized as a hero for protecting public health over the past year. “The pandemic has certainly demonstrated the value of plastics in health care, sanitation and safety,” said Rob Benedict, petrochemicals and midstream vice president at the

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. “We have seen petrochemical manufacturers work overtime and adapt operations to supply more of the raw materials for PPE like masks, gloves and hospital gowns protecting first responders, health care personnel and other essential workers, and there is continued demand for these products.” It would be a mistake to back off production given plastic’s role in mitigating the spread of disease, Plastics Industry Association spokesman Brendan Thomas said. “Yes there’s more plastic,” Thomas said. “There’s more plastic because it’s the best material for a wide variety of uses including safe, sanitary food packaging that people also turn to because they’re not going out.” The real problem, per the industry’s diagnosis, lies with poor waste management, particularly in countries overseas. “We fully recognize the necessity to improve waste management infrastructure here and around the world,” Thomas said. Waste management and recycling could represent some common ground. Dominique Browning, director and cofounder of Moms Clean Air Force, said she would like to see Democrats include a big push to bolster recycling capacity in any infrastructure package they move this session. But Browning also expressed concern about new natural gas-fueled plastic facilities and said the problem is so significant it will require a truly systemic approach. “Plastic can be a life-saving material and we need to treat it like a precious resource, not like a disposable piece of garbage,” Browning said. Hoover said that because recycling plastic is inherently difficult, as much as possible needs to be prevented from ever entering the waste stream. Not just PPE She said she understands the need for personal protective equipment and that people should do what they need to be safe and healthy. Rather than focusing on PPE, Hoover highlighted the rampant use of plastic in food and beverage packaging or grocery bags easily replaced by more sustainable alternatives. “Medical applications, automotive applications, things that help people be healthier or safer, that’s where we should be prioritizing plastic,” Hoover said. “You don’t need plastic to take your groceries from the store to your house and then throw the bag away. There’s just no reason you have to use plastic for that.” While the pandemic has increased plastic use, Hoover said it also might have increased public awareness of the issue as people see just how much packaging is coming into their homes and having to be thrown out. Federal legislation could include incentives for companies that reduce their plastic waste. Hoover cited the case of restaurants that shove handfuls of utensils and napkins into take-out and delivery bags – even though their customers will be eating at home with their own cutlery and condiments. “You don’t need eight million napkins,” Hoover said. “How many packets of soy sauce can you use?“ (c)2021 CQ Roll Call Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

UPCOMING

SECTIONS

IN THE MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

MARCH 26

WEDDINGS

EMPLOYEE TRENDS APRIL 2

SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS APRIL 9

AG TRENDS

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REGIONAL LANDSCAPES

Briefs…

Monolithic Brewing is one of the newest breweries to open in Nebraska. Located near 120th & Fort streets, Monolithic is a locally-owned, independent craft brewery serving a variety of flavors and styles from light sessionable beers, to IPAs, stouts, hard seltzers, and everything in between. Its beers are paired with light food fare prepared in Monolithic’s scratch kitchen. Its location offers 5,050 square feet of indoor space that seats 80 and an outdoor patio that seats an additional 30 and overlooks a pond. Monolithic brews everything in-house on its 3.5-barrel system and does not distribute its beers to retailers, bars or restaurants. Buildertrend, a provider of cloud-based construction management software for homebuilders, remodelers and specialty contractors, has acquired CoConstruct, a provider of construction project management software for the residential construction industry. Funding for the acquisition is provided by a growth investment in Buildertrend by Bain Capital Tech Opportunities and HGGC. Existing CoConstruct investor Serent Capital is reinvesting in the combined company. Buildertrend co-founder and CEO Dan Houghton will lead the combined company alongside co-founders Steve Dugger and Jeff Dugger. CoConstruct founder Donny Wyatt will serve as an advisor to lead integration efforts. Darland completed the Baxter ChryslerDodge-Jeep-Ram-Fiat near Highway 370 and Interstate 80. The more than 59,000-square-foot building features a 25,000-square-foot showroom, service center, car wash, 4,500-squarefoot parts mezzanine and customer lounge with kids play area. The new space replaces a nearby dealership Baxter had long outgrown. Having the new building has allowed Baxter to expand its commercial service department and create a space that accommodates all five brands under one roof. Exterior finishes include Alpolic metal wall panels, curtain wall, precast panels and more than 10 acres of paving. The dealership also has one of the area’s first hail net systems. BrokerTech Ventures, a broker-led convening platform and accelerator program, has 12 insurtech startups to take part in its accelerator curriculum. Startups include: Aclaimant, Chicago; altumAI, Chicago; Aureus Analytics, Hartford, Connecticut; Fenris, Richmond, Virgina; HealthLucid, Fremont, California; Layr, Atlanta; Malum Terminus Technologies, Incorporated, Coralville, Iowa; Propeller, Inc., Houston; Relativity 6, Cambridge, Massachusetts; RxLive, Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida; Socialeads, Milwaukee; Surfly, Amsterdam, Netherlands. The accelerator cohort began March 1 in a virtual format for the five-week curriculum. During this time, the startups will advance their technologies, accelerate their progress through a select mentor network, receive $50,000 in seed funding, and gain immediate access to BTV’s multi-billion-dollar distribution platform to deploy the technologies. Metro Transit announced MetroNEXT, a new strategic planning and public engagement initiative to improve transit in the Omaha region. The yearlong effort will consider improvements to existing routes, new service types, potential service expansion and more. The process will culminate in the MetroNEXT Plan, a multi-year transit enhancement strategy. Building from the vision set forth in the Greater Omaha Chamber’s ConnectGO initiative, Metro will engage with community members

through public meetings, surveys, focus groups and other methods to develop strategies for the future of transit in the region. Potential service expansion  Public engagement for MetroNEXT will begin with a series of virtual meetings on March 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; March 27, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.; and March 30 from noon to 1 p.m. National Industries for the Blind, the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind, honored Outlook Nebraska with the 2020 Employment Growth Award. The award recognizes Outlook Nebraska’s efforts to increase employment, retention, growth and upward mobility for people who are blind. Outlook Nebraska, an Omaha-based nonprofit that employs people who are blind and visually impaired, is the largest employer of the blind in Nebraska.

Education notes…

A research center at Creighton University has been awarded the largest National Institutes of Health grant in the University’s history. Creighton’s Translational Hearing Center, which was established in 2019, has been awarded $10.8 million payable over five years and competitively renewable up to 15 years, by the NIH-affiliated Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence. The award will fund a working partnership between the Translational Hearing Center, Boys Town National Research Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center as the three institutions seek to translate basic hearing loss research into practical therapies. The Dinsdale Family Learning Commons on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus has added the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program to provide an environment for ideas and people to thrive. The program is focused on providing experiential, community-based learning to help students build their own businesses from the ground up. Students learn how to create a business plan, make sound financial decisions, practice creative problem-solving and troubleshooting, and market their business, among other skills. The Engler program also aims to help students think outside the box to address old problems in new ways. The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program moved from Miller Hall. Midland University redesigned its hybrid Master of Business Administration. In addition to reducing tuition costs, the program offers enhanced flexibility where students choose their path, courses, and schedule as part of the “MBA Your Way” model. Through the hybrid MBA program, Midland students can participate in online and in-person courses to complete their degree. The program allows students to attend class in-person every other Friday or Saturday and fill the remaining weeks with on-demand content provided by faculty during in-person courses. Students can complete the accelerated, customizable program in as little as nine months. The University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Office of Multicultural Affairs at UNO will host a virtual all nations Pow Wow in April. The UNO Pow Wow is named “Wambli Sapa Memorial Pow Wow“ to honor the legacy of Ponca Tribal Chairman Fred LeRoy, a prominent Ponca leader and respected elder. This annual event brings together Native Americans and non-Natives to honor the generations with indigenous dance, song, and cultural traditions. This year’s ceremony will feature a prayer from the chairman of the Ponca tribe, Larry Continued on next page.

Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES Continued from preceding page. Wright, grand entry, flag song and presentation, dance performances, and a discussion with LeRoy’s daughter, Rhonda Free. Vendors will also participate selling arts and crafts through virtual means. Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education has approved the establishment of the Center for Agricultural Profitability within the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The new interdisciplinary center will facilitate faculty research, conduct outreach related to agricultural profitability and train undergraduate and graduate students — all to support informed decision-making in agriculture through applied research and education. The center will build on strengths present in the university’s Department of Agricultural

Economics through collaboration with other research and education units within IANR and the University of Nebraska system. It aims to serve agricultural producers, agribusiness professionals and the economy in Nebraska and beyond.

Health care notes…

Joshua Mammen, M.D., Ph.D., has been named the Merle M. Musselman Centennial Professor of Surgery, chief of the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Surgery Division of Surgical Oncology and vice chair of academic affairs for the department. He also will serve as a member of the Nebraska Medicine/Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Clinical Program Executive Committee. Formerly, Mammen was the chief of the oncologic surgery division and chair of the cancer committee at the University of Kan-

MEETINGS AND SEMINARS Tuesday, March 23 The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands and the Kentucky Nonprofit Network are presenting a training opportunity on “The Boards Role in Strategic Partnerships.” Marta Brockmeyer, Ph.D., will explore partnership benefits during a challenging time; determining an organization’s readiness for a partnership; types of nonprofit partnerships; decision-making criteria for partner selection; success factors; and a look forward. Registration for the webinar, running from 11 a.m. to noon, is online. Wednesday, March 24 The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Public Policy Forum from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. State Senator John Stinner, chairman of the appropriations committee, will discuss key state budget issues. No registration is required to attend the virtual event. The Women’s Center for Advancement is hosting the third session of its Human Trafficking in Nebraska Lunch & Learn from noon to 1 p.m. Professionals from a variety of organizations addressing Human Trafficking will host this series. It is designed to answer the questions that participants have, whether they work directly with victim, in the health care industry, law enforcement, social services or in another industry entirely.

Session three will address questions brought up in Session 1 and Session 2. Registration is online. The American Marketing Association is hosting an “Ask AM,” featuring Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer Malorie Maddox. The virtual program will provide marketing professionals the opportunity to connect with their peers and to discuss the challenges they are facing. Participants will collaborate with fellow marketing leaders in a safe forum where ideas and questions can be expressed freely. The event will be from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and registration is online. Thursday, March 25 The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands is hosting an interactive, online workshop on how to create a basic plan to evaluate programs. Registration for the event, running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., is available online. Monday, March 29 The Kitchen Council is hosting Happy Hour with the Douglas County Health Department at 5 p.m. Navigating the necessary licensing can be daunting when starting up. In partnership with the Douglas County Health Department, this is an informal opportunity to learn more about food safety, code and regulations. Registration is online

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sas Medical Center. In his new role, Mammen will oversee a UNMC division that includes 11 faculty members, performs approximately 1,500 procedures a year and sees more than 5,000 patient visits annually. The practice of medicine relating to sight has been around for more than 2,500 years. But for the first time, ophthalmologists are able to see what their glaucoma patients see through an iPad tablet application. Dr. Deepta Ghate M.D., associate professor in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Opthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Truhlen Eye Institute, collaborated with students from the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Information Science and Technology to develop the app, then studied it in 12 glaucoma patients. The paper describes the new app that allows glaucoma patients to pictorialize their field of vision. Nebraska Medical Center is once again among some elite company in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2021 ranking, checking in at No. 49 on the list of best hospitals in the United States. Last year, Nebraska Medical Center was ranked No. 54. The World’s Best Hospitals is based on a number of factors, including recommendations from medical professionals, results from patient surveys and key medical performance indicators including patient safety, hygiene measures and quality of treatment. Nebraska Medical Center joins other hospitals like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and Massachusetts General on the list, which includes 334 of the best hospitals in the United States. Nebraska Medical Center is the only hospital in Nebraska to make the list.

Activities of nonprofits…

The Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutri-

tion, an independent nonprofit evaluation and research institution, has opened the application period for its 2021 Rooted in Evidence Food Bank Grant and Evaluation Program. The grant program, created in 2019, funds eligible food banks working to support innovative and dynamic programming to improve the health and dietary quality of emergency food recipients. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) food bank organizations or networks of food pantries in the U.S. are eligible to apply. The Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition will select four food banks to receive $25,000 in grant funding per organization. The Hope Center for Kids welcomed four new community leaders to its volunteer board of directors. Kappes Chatfield is the CEO of Rveal Media; Jean Main is a Realtor with The Good Life Group for Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate; Shawn Shanahan is the executive director of Development and Community Heath at Methodist Fremont Health/Fremont Health Foundation; and Luther Starks is a director of Commercial Card and Treasury Services at FNBO. The 16-member board guides the work of The Hope Center for Kids, overseeing strategic goals, financial decisions and overall operations of the nearly 23 year old nonprofit in North Omaha.

Arts and events…

Opera Omaha’s Book Club is meeting on March 24 at 6:30 p.m. The book club is open to community readers, opera curious and aficionados alike, to connect those who share the love of literature and opera. Selections feature books with opera as a theme or character, or books that are the inspiration for an opera. This month’s selection is “The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan.” Registration is suggested and the event is free and open to the public.

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

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Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

Flurry of options for support resonate as Center Sphere grows national footprint Continued from page 1. opment for a local mortgage company when she came very easy, ‘Well, I want a job like Center Sphere but that doesn’t exist.’ Call it manifesting Center Sphere, led by Pearson and CEO Brett joined Center Sphere. Boyer, is quick to frequently message that the “I knew I needed to network to build a referral my destiny or an answered prayer, but either way organization is “so much more than an online pipeline and happened to come across Center I feel incredibly lucky to be involved with an database or a weekly Sphere,” she said. “My organization like The Network.” As word has spread about the organization, Center Sphere chapter meeting.” chapter at the time, The “At Center Sphere, Phone: 402-650-5380 Morning Minglers, was Pearson said its membership has grown outwe like to say we pro- Address: PO Box 492, Elkhorn 68022 dedicated to each other ward from the middle of the country. Its newest vide the platform but Services: independent membership, and to our successes. chapters are in Kansas, Orlando and Minneapour members pick their weekly chapter meetings, industry colMost of us are still great olis, and members can be found in, say, Utah path,” Pearson said. laboratives, The Academy personal and friends to this day and and Georgia. “It’s so fun to hear the stories of a member “True, authentic con- professional development courses, pre-necontinue to be each othbeing at a conference and talking to a peer, and nections and genuine gotiated member pricing on everyday er’s cheerleaders.” support of each other business and personal expenses, private Center Sphere, she then pretty soon we’re talking to that peer about is a baseline on which social media pages, Network Exchange noted, filled a gap in starting Center Sphere in their area,” she said. our foundation is built. promotions, member directory, virtual and openings within the “It’s awesome because members care enough From that foundation, in-person events to build one’s “network mortgage industry. But about their network and see the benefit of those members can pick and experience“ what kept her with the connections and relationships enough to be choose and build the Website: www.centersphere.com organization has been talking about it.” Additionally, its “Free with Three” allows network that works for 100% the people, she for members to renew at no cost for every three them.” said, noting top-down “realness.” Depending on one’s needs or even person“I remember, back in 2016 or 2017, talking people they bring into The Network. “We always say we only want members and ality preferences, members of what is called The with my husband about ‘What I would do when Network, can benefit from deeper relationships I grew up?’ and he simply asked me what I actu- pay once and never pay again,” Pearson noted. The need for a “rallying cry” for small and referral partnerships within its local chapters ally liked doing,” Pearson recalled. “The answer alone, or they may also be active on the new “Member Hub,” which Pearson described as the network’s “online brain.” Through the Hub, members in the Midwest can connect with others Continued from page 1. companies diversified, they sought a variety of of its talent in-state and nurtures hires via legal services. on the coasts, for instance. “It’s so cliché, but where one door closes, a strong, focused mentoring program. Overall, about 75% of Wood Aitken clients “We want long-term relationships with our have a presence in Nebraska. another opens,” Pearson said, when asked about the pandemic’s effect on networking. “We really hires,” he said. The firm favors attracting legal Gurnsey said a large part of his work did try to see the glass half full in that sense. Our talent that has Nebraska and Colorado ties. involves representing financial institutions in The overarching question asked: “Will they commercial loan transactions, including syndimembers have connected and created relationships with people they would never have known. be mentoring and training partner material?” cations and participations as well as real estate Such a long-term The Network has moved from a concept to a and asset-based financapproach to deci- Woods Aitken living, breathing thing.” ings. He also represents Within the Member Hub, Pearson said there sion-making can be Phone: 402-437-8500 (Lincoln); 402businesses in real estate are opportunities to do things like search for traced back to the 898-7400 (Omaha) matters, counsels indiin-person and virtual events, track activity and founding of the firm on Address: 301 S. 13th St, Suite 500, Linviduals, small businessSept. 1, 1921 in a small coln 68508; 10250 Regency Circle, Suite measure return on investment on membership. es and large businesses. “We also recently launched Center Sphere cubicle of an office 525, Omaha 68114 Bourne said her Academy, a series of courses based on profes- on the fourth floor of Service: local, regional and national law practice is almost exsional growth and development, sales training, the then-Bankers Life firm clusive representation and specific industry highlights from our expert Building at 14th & N Founded: 1921 in Lincoln of management dealing members,” she said. “There is also the opportu- streets in Lincoln. with workplace issues, Employees: 55 (32 attorneys) Marketing Direc- One-year goal: Celebrate the firm’s nity to connect with their peers nationwide with preventive employour Industry Collaboratives, a once-a-month tor Lindsay Pape said centennial. ment law issues and mastermind where they overcome challenges, founders Thomas C. Industry outlook: New administration human resources for create solutions and hold each other accountable Woods and William in Washington, D.C., will require close sound defense. Topics I. Aitken returned to monitoring as many changes being made to goals.” include hiring, E-verify, Its Member Perks program provides pre-ne- Lincoln fresh out of will impact clients. I-9 compliance, discigotiated savings, and its support of nonprofits World War I and agreed Website: www.woodsaitken.com pline, discharge, perwere described as the “heart of what we do,” to open a law firm with formance evaluations, with each chapter encouraged to “get creative“ Frank Woods as counsel. Daily problems with employment related contracts, Family Medical with food drives, community gardening events, a faulty compressed air and piston-controlled Leave Act, ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Christmas light viewing buses, golf tournaments, elevator doors caused challenges and they ended harassment, discrimination, wage-hour and state their first partial year with $297.17 in net income. employment laws. silent auctions and raffles. Their commitment was to set a high stanAlso, its Nonprofit Ambassador Program Bourne started her career with a national gives nearly 20% of the membership fee back to dard for their fledgling practice. Integrity and a law firm but said she was attracted to switch to nonprofits for each member that they recruit into results-oriented focus was established early. An Woods Aitken because of its strong Nebraska Omaha office at 10250 Regency Cir. was added roots. the organization. Pearson acknowledged its services can “seem in 2004 and was expanded nine years ago. Ad“I was finally able to focus on Nebraska,” ditional offices were added in Washington, D.C. she said. long-winded.” “But we truly are so much more than what in 2006 and in Denver, in 2009. A large part of her time is preparing and Among four locations, Woods Aitken has assisting clients in developing human resources people think of when they think of traditional 55 employees, including 32 attorneys. There’s policies and handbooks, and conducting training networking,” she said. Members have supported each other through significant commuting between the Lincoln and for clients whom she counsels to be strategic the pandemic, paying for others’ membership Omaha offices, and to a lesser degree, between and proactive. fees, or resulting in $40,000 in new businesses eastern Nebraska and Denver. Both Bourne and Gurnsey cite the “soluGurnsey said a large share of Woods/Ait- tion-oriented“ goal Woods Aitken takes in for networking “newbies“ through challenging times. Likewise, Pearson has seen mom and pop ken’s revenues are generated from work for approaching the relationship that’s built with shops grow into nationally-recognized brands construction industry clients. each client. “Much of it is from transactional issues (an original member/baker, for instance, was “We work hard to gain a deeper understandfeatured on the Food Network). Members of which over the past 50-plus years involve buying of each client’s concerns,” Bourne said. other networking groups have also been brought sell contract negotiations,” he said. “They truly are involved in the outcomes.” Frank Woods was one of the founders of into the fold. Such an approach gains loyalty from clients Pearson, for one, was doing business devel- Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph. As telecom and long-term relationships are developed.

business and local communities has seemingly never been more important, and Pearson also indicated its unique mix of offerings and flexibility resonates. “No one likes being told what to do; however, they like structure,” she said. “I think we do a good job of balancing the two. Again, we let people pick their own path. We are all so different — how could I ever know what would be best for someone both personally and professionally? They are the ones that have to choose. You know, they have to ‘adult.’” In fact, after the initial panic associated with COVID-19’s effect on networking, Pearson described a sort of organic movement — as The Network leaned into itself more. “People started showing up for each other …. Members knew they needed to connect more,” she said. “We had a group of members that invested thousands of dollars into member-businesses to keep those doors open.” And, while few organizations may be able to give $100K, Pearson noted $100 may be raised by 1,000 people. “We can all do better together,” she said.

Woods Aitken enhances services in centennial year

The firm’s longest serving attorney is Paul Schudel, who joined in 1975, shortly after finishing law school. His specialties include telecommunications, business and commercial law. That’s important, especially at present, with the new Biden administration evaluating and adjusting policies in Washington. Think Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, plus state and local initiatives. With high-profile proposals such as the hike in the federal minimum wage and expected attempts to tighten the rules governing the use of independent contractors, Bourne admits there’s no shortage of material to study. For about 20 years Woods Aitken’s office organization has been organized into nine practice groups, each of which contribute to electronic news dissemination to clients. However, Bourne and Gurnsey stress Woods/Aitken’s commitment to community service. She looks forward to talks at schools such as Millard Aldrich Elementary, putting hours in at the Food Bank for the Heartland, dog shelter volunteering, and board work for Completely KIDS, among others. Gurnsey praises a client idea to collect shoes a decade ago with growing into what is now called “A Day Without Shoes,” an initiative in Omaha and Lincoln which collects 20,000 pairs of shoes annually for distribution at city missions. While the past hundred years have seen the replacement of typewriters with digital technology and air conditioning has replaced open windows and office fans, Bourne and Gurnsey said a huge challenge over the past year has been the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace. “There’s been a lot of questions from landlords and we’ve helped clients navigate the Paycheck Protection Program requirements despite sometimes conflicting advice from the SBA and IRS in a matter of months we’ve helped address the pandemic issues,” Gurnsey said. “Such changes such as remote working would usually evolve over a year our more.” Bourne said Woods Aitken had been using some remote work options for a couple of decades, especially when gathering information from construction sites. An incredible information technology manager also has helped, she added.

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal

Marketing outlook headed in positive direction by Gabby Hellbusch

In 2021, marketing professionals say brands and businesses will continue to operate and innovate in a world changed by a lack of in-person interaction and increased use of video conferencing, augmented reality, remote work and online shopping. According to Mary Ann O’Brien, president/CEO of OBI Creative, another significant impact has been that Google announced its web browser, Chrome, O’Brien will stop supporting third party cookies in 2022. “Marketers have used cookies for years to track website visitors, collect data that improves ad targeting and to properly attribute affiliate marketing leads to appropriate producers,” she said. “What does the

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Midlands Business

Journal • NOVEMBER 24,

2017 •

November 24, 2017

5055 Building at Bryan Health’s East Campus (Courtesy of Davis Design)

Unique Midlands by Michelle Leach

Boys Town Clinic (Courtesy of Calvin L. Hinz Architects)

features, robust economy

Sandhills Publishing

Cyber Center Rendering (Courtesy of Sinclair Hille)

result in multi-sector

Mixed use building rendering (Courtesy of Studio 951)

Private giving and an economy that any one industry isn’t may stays,” but the level be Midlands “mainDundee harkening and the sheer need of cross-sector activity back to communities for talent to meet in communities withdemand for services are newer-emerging that sprung up on phenomenon streetcar or bus lines. for area firms. He also speaks to “The architecture, lifestyle and the built a “balance in terms of construction industry engineering and the movement from environment”; consider Greater Omaha region is very strong in the and now “hybrids,” cubicles to open spaces at the moment,” said conference rooms which combine smaller BCDM Principal and areas where and employees can still have Director John Sullithat sense of community van, who also isolated but also privacy Sarpy County’s highas needed. growth. “We’re moving Further, Sullivan to that direction, notes strength “nearnot because it’s the trend ly across the board” but because it’s — from office the and right thing,” he said. institutional to private The architecture sectors such as reliand engineering Palandri gious projects which, side of the construction he said, is “unusual” and “won’t last forever.” industry was described “The economic development as “robust,” into and growth Smith of the metro-area the has Design Senior Associatefinal quarter by Davis and the diversificationbeen steady and strong, and Senior Architect of the area economy Greg Smith. — both of those factors add up to John Sullivan, principal things happening “Several projects and in the metro, and that’sgood by Sullivan: “One of the designed recently still in hopes of breaking things that’s unique director at BCDM Architects. necessarily true are not about Omaha across the state, environments, and ground this fall and is there is strong many of especially and if you’re in an ag philanthropic a shift in what private support for area and go into expect.” people ects are the large Downtown Lincoln projkey projects.” central or western Nebraska gaining inertia,” he AO’s … said. Palandri speaks to modities-driven areas,”and some of the com- Palandri Managing Principal Randall J. trying to attract millen- remodel market is also strong “The interior has seen the nials and and He also referenced he said. became noticeable uptick in growth that urban a lifestyle shift, whereby the more keep contractors busy during winter this will centers are in demand around two years months.” Many large-scale growth, from newer the many pockets of main steady ago refrom a projects, such as to Aksarben Village, areas such as Blackstone attributes in more recent months, which he perspective and offices that speakhousing Telegraph District’s the Marilyn Moore particularly to infill-type at the stage where generation are in-demand to this sion of that development extenprojects. from a workplace School/YMCA, Hudl, and Nelnet, Middle “There have come to form; however, of the projects featured is occurring. Some opment,” is a lot more emphasis on redevel- perspective. He also speaks, not Smith said necessarily he said. “What really to “vintage” or here in this section reflect another prominent “traditional” construction mains work in the build-outs. there still redrove it was, materials but to, He referenced trend mentioned there was a pent-up demand for market-rate perhaps, more “traditional” work at Bryan Health’s apartments and neighborhoodEast in more walkable-type and community-building, new LES Operations Center, Campus, the of with areas and projects for Eustis Autobody such as Benson, at 98th Street and Blackstone and Highway Continued on next page.

opportunities

Architecture — inside NOVEMBER 24,

2017

THE BUSINESS

THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:

NEWSPAPER OF

GREATER OMAHA,

Technology upgrad by Richard D. Brown

LINCOLN AND

COUNCIL BLUFFS

es keep Interstate

$2.00

VOL. 43 NO. 47

Printing competitive

Interstate Printing ha-based firm founded Co., an Omaby a German immigrant with Business & Industrial a special interest in publishing ethnic Parks/Leasing newspapers, has used its family-ownership as an anchor, placed strong equipment upgrades, emphasis on a comprehensive and maintained Green Arrow Junk list Co. aims to reduce has enabled it to growof services that household, landfill with the needs clutter. – Page Business & Industrial 2 of its commercial printing clients, which are located Park/Leasing throughout much of the country. — inside “For our 100 years OCTOBER 20, we have main2017 tained a low-key approach, which has enabled us to attract THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE: with jobs that we business clients can on,” said William do a good job F. Peter, a third generation family member who became president five years “With each job we ago. to say, ‘This came want to be able from us’ and that both our client and Persistence paves way for will be pleased with their customers for Contemporary Art’s The Union r 40 the results,” he community de continued. impact. Un 40 – Page 3 Peter, who formerly practiced law full-time before uncle Eugene Peter succeeding his who retired from Locally owned Aksarben the business at age 88 five years ago, serves large demographicCinema From left, Senior Continued on page with VP of Sales Jim amenities. 8. reached its Mancuso centennial year – Page 2 with investments and President William Peter … in new tech. The printing company has (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville) in 28

r 40 de Un

• OCTOBER 20,

2017 • Midlands Business

Journal

October 20, 2017

No slowdown in demand by Michelle Leach

A section prepared

by the staff of

as availability presents

the Midlands

Business Journal

ongoing challenges

More buildings may economy with upside potential.” ground, but demand be coming out of the NAI NP Dodge also being constructed remains brisk. “Demand for commercial at described the leasing Associate Kyle Pelster Opportunities are Highway Crossing.” Edney indicated real estate market as “very tight.” loans is very strong,” this is driving “At any given and landlords leasing available for tenants such as the said Stephanie Moline, executive vice president aforementioned R&R. projects, to them. time, there are around These challenges ing with First National of Enterprise Lend- 100 properties, Bank. “Commercial give or A; Edney recalled aren’t limited to Class and industrial loan how the Kellogg take, listed/available demand is growing, building at 10203 Crown at a much slower but in the Omaha/Council Point Ave. near pace.” Fort Blair High Road She said some of had “multiple offers and Bluffs couple of weeks.” in a in late 2016 is being the capital investment said. market,” he “Having said absorbed. “There isn’t much “It would appear that, finding the of that type of product out there, either,” coris lagging the capital the anticipated revenue rect he said. square footage, expenditures,” Moline He also spoke to said. location, rental rates tures, such as greater demand for certain feaGrowth of C&I clear heights and and building layout dock doors — driven larger about the same as loans, she said, remains can be by requirements a year very difficult.” companies such as “Agribusiness loans ago. as He referred to are up year over year and using third-partyAmazon are growing and commercial Moline more providers. real estate is up Edney “We’re also seeing year over more construction in the last year — year,” she said. Pelster with a lot of interest owner/user buildings “We are finally seeing from Generally, businesses but some spec an increase in new in investors that are looking to invest spec industrial space are optimistic buildings as well. industrial properties,” about potential tax on the market again “The new Facebook he said. “A reform. after a slowdown of that interest is project will “This would cause in new spec coming from outside lot new infrastructure some monies to along the Highwayadd past,” he said. “The increases projects in the the Midwest.” of repatriated and improving be 50 rental rates in term length, working capital corridor,” Pelster said. “This Edney referred to and operating expenses and money that can cap rates and be used for acquisitions for new projects and industrialwill break way to steadily rise. continue ROI as lower or additional investment on the coasts, making one’s parks in that in equipment and/ area.” Omaha attractive as a secondary “The rest of the market or people,” she said. seems to be catch- to Chicago, He said Thrasher or tertiary ing up with and Freightliner more entrants into “There continues to be created New York or Denver. market have of the new the rental rates we are seeing out large new buildings Regarding “behind-the-scenes” construction from loan productionthe local market; both leaving vacancies in their for themselves, offices indusOMNE Partners projects.” previous locations. Moline is encouraged and FinTechs.” Continued on page “Brook Valley continues Class A industrial EVP Matt Edney said by new market 30. entrants as: “People to be the leader availability remains believe this is a vibrant in new industrial construction hard to find.” “really projects,” Pelster said. “The “And that type R&R Commerce of product is moving Park is pretty quick,” he said.

n me ess Wo sin Bu

Women’s representation in leadership: Ripples adding up to a sea change? – Page 4

in Omaha

Archrival updates 10-year-old Haymarke t space, establishe s Los Angeles presence by Michelle Leach

Archrival’s renovated space as one space,” said Clint! RunLincoln ge, headquarters at 720 founder and the unique mix of O St. speaks to director. “We managing creative a mature wanted our space years old and counting firm — 20 be a little further to along the business — and energetic startup spirit that has resulted chain … and at one point that was in campaigns with an ‘aspirational’ Redbull, space, it became Motorola, and expansion Adidas, us and we outgrew with sister mature it. It’s more offices and teams of a business than in the space gon, and Los Angeles.Portland, Ore- felt like.” “We’ve been here The Haymarket for over 10 space breathes years, and wanted to rethink the entire Archrival’s niche in youth cultureContinued on page 10.

yee plo Em nefits Be

Harness technology to overcome capacity constraints, attract business year-round – Page 6

President Nick upon 30-plus years Cusick … Equipment manufacturer builds soccer; tennis courtof innovation with safety features in volleyball, sports like pickleball.renovations to accommodate rising interest in

Bison makes gains Nebraskan Michael Forsberg focuses as new gyms built lens on Great Plains amid popularity of conservation. sports like pickleball – Page 34 by Michelle Leach

Founder/Mana Communication ging Creative Director Clint! Runge s Amy with focus on youth Filipi … Brand communication with Head of s firm flourishes culture.

Depending on where pared to that,” said President Nick across Bison’s divisions one looks Cusick, who indicated its focus and product lines, the Lincoln-based was on other areas. “Even without manufacturer’s growth is up at least 5 to a lot of direct marketing emphasis, 10 percent to 30 percent our site furnishing business, BRP, following or amid dealer base and ownership was up 5 to 10 percent.” transitions, and Falling under custom a business unit redesign. trial job shop manufacturerindusIM“Bison overall, its SCORP’s holding company umline, had an incredibleown product brella, wholly-owned year prior subsidiary and this last year was flat com- Bison is joined by SNA Sports Continued on page 10.

THE BUSINESS

NEWSPAPER OF

GREATER OMAHA,

Lamp Rynearson by Richard D. Brown

Drone and innovative scanning technology is giving Lamp Rynearson, Omaha-based civil engineering, a 58-year-old landscape architecture, construction and surveying firm, administration a competitive advantage as it completes a wide range of private and public sector projects. Nancy Pridal, a professional engineer and 20-year son employee who Lamp Rynearto president of the was promoted firm in August, stresses that leading the latest technologywith the use of the employee-owned has enabled increase its revenues company to by more than 100 percent over the while the employee past 10 years creased by 45 percent.count has in“With the investment we’ve made, we want to be viable in the future with the technology provided,” Pridal said. “For example, we can scan a mound and get the typographic data and in scanning stockpiles we can get quantities.” The purchase of a second drone Continued on page 12.

LINCOLN AND

COUNCIL BLUFFS

competes with innova

$2.00

VOL. 43 NO. 42

tive technology

President Nancy

Pridal … Leveraging

La Casa Pizzaria dishes out more options to customers from online orders to food by Michelle Leach truck

tech investments

for variety of projects. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

La Casa Pizzaria Jesse. “Being a family restaurant, is evolving with offerings on wheels — its food our staff lives for interaction.” truck — and via She indicated there technologies such is a balas online ordering, ancing act for the third-generafocused on customerwhile staying tion, family-owned service from and operated the family that has been dishing restaurant, which is still located out its Neapolitan-style at 4432 pizza for the Leavenworth St. in Omaha — almost 75 years. same location that reportedly “Technology plays caught on so well that a part,” said General Manager/Treasu Patane and his family Founder Joe rer Nicole “ran out of Continued on page 18.

Ashley Abel, property manager with Cushman Lund Co., for 1415 & Wakefield/ @ The Yard, demonstrates app during the IOTAS’ property grand opening event for the complex.

Smart-enabled apartmen t community delivers plug and play app to renters by Becky McCarville

General Manager/Treas urer Nicole — from food truck to website and menu Jesse … A heaping of “new” on service, Neapolitan-styl updates — blends with focus e pizza and pasta.

At the recent grand lifestyle. opening of 1415 @ The Yard The platform also apartment comprovides data plex at 14th and Cuming streets, to property managers so they can property manager Ashley Abel with monitor and control energy usage, Cushman & Wakefield/Lund rent units Co., streamlinefaster through automation, logged onto the property labor costs and add dashboard value to launch the smart apartment app to properties. designed by Portland-based “It helps run the property IOTAS more (Internet of Things As a Service), efficiently,” Abel said, adding that demonstrating the she can control ease new tenant can control at which a ing, heating vacant units’ lightand air conditioning, automated technologyand integrate monitor maintenance to fit their issues as well Continued on page 39.

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Jackie Miller, chief marketing officer and owner at Bozell. elimination of third-party cookies mean for Great Recession, we expect those who have brands that rely on search and PPC ads to continued to advertise will realize the best generate leads? Google says the change is results in the long run, but innovation will being implemented to give users greater pri- be the driving factor in how it will grow.” One of the pandemic’s biggest impacts vacy, transparency, choice and control over their data, however, it also recognizes how on marketing has been accelerating the shift dependent the online advertising industry to digital. “With the pandemic, racial tension, is on them.” According to O’Brien, retailers who political division and unprecedented social want to survive this year must adapt their isolation, communicating the right thing in marketing and media strategy to emphasize the right way is incredibly difficult right localization and place priority on the digital now,” she said. “At Bozell, we created a new service called 360 Listening. We conexperience they deliver to customers. Jackie Miller, owner and chief marketing duct search engine, news and social media officer at Bozell, said the outlook for the listening to give our clients a well-rounded marketing industry should remain stable view of what people are feeling, saying, for the first half of the year and anticipate experiencing and searching about topics related to their brands.” growth from July through December. This year and beyond, Lisa Ellis, se“Throughout 2020, a number of brands across the country scaled back their mar- nior communications and public relations keting budgets to save dollars or to focus strategist at Emspace + Lovgren, said on their supply chain where demand was public relations will play the central role in high,” Miller said. “Like we saw with the brand-building, storytelling and reinforcing

an organization’s mission. “As we move forward, it is critical for organizations to build relationships, rather than just share messages,” Ellis said. “It will be important to engage with current and potential customers — to gain trust, open conversations and be keen listeners to what is happening in the marketplace. It’s increasingly important to meet customers, consumers and clients where they are.” She said the pandemic taught the industry to think differently, act differently and respond in new and different ways. “I predict that more and more comEllis panies and organizations will see the real objective of public relations is measured in the relationships that PR can help create,” Ellis said. Greg Andersen, CEO of Bailey Lauerman, said BL constantly monitors public sentiment through social listening tools and has seen overall positivity starting to increase. “Recovery will be sector by sector, market by market,” Andersen said. “Some categories, like hospitality, will see significant growth in marketing expenditures, but that growth is off a near zero base. We have what has proven to be a very durable client roster as partners in sectors like health care, financial services and energy have remained very active. We’ve experienced solid growth for the last 30 months or so and we expect that to continue.” He said AI and opportunities with various forms of automation are changing the capabilities of marketers, agencies and the talent communities that serve the industry. “I think marketers, and the public in general, are waking up to the reality that brands have an important role to play in society beyond just selling stuff,” Andersen said. “They can be a positive force that fights for what is right. Brand altruism can help make things better.”

Heartland Women’s Network provides industry agnostic networking option Continued from page 1. discussed is meet-ups and mixers with other networking organizations. Diversity in age is another challenge. Prior to COVID-19 restrictions, HWN started attending college fairs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. While at the fairs members would talk to students about the importance of networking, and sign interested students up for the newsletter. While Shim said they haven’t seen any UNO students come through yet, the team is still hopeful that students will join after finding post collegiate jobs. In addition to networking, participants hear from speakers on a variety of topics during monthly meetings. Topics are selected by the events and programming chair and cover a wide swath of topics. For example, the 2020 lineup included topics such as: caring for aging parents, career opportunities in the technology sector, and how to recognize unconscious bias. Shim said that Mayor Jean Stothert’s keynote on women in leadership last August was one of the biggest meetings for the group. “When we had Mayor Stothert speak we

groups] the chance to talk a little bit more had to find a larger meeting space,” she said. intimately,” Shim said. Prior to COVID-19 the group was utilizThe Member Spotlight during each ing the meeting space at the Security Nationmeeting also allows al Bank’s 3 Pacific one member to speak Place location. Prior Upcoming events: more in-depth to the to COVID-19, meet- April 20, 11:30 a.m. — Tracey Wanek, group about who they ing attendees where program supervisor at Creighton University are and what they do. invited to come ear- Financial Hope Collaborative “A lot of our ly, grab lunch, and May 18, 11:30 a.m. — Sharon Robino-West, members are also network. community employment coordinator at the small business ownThe group moved U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ers, so it’s chance for its meetings online to Zoom when restrictions were announced them to promote their business,” she said. Memberships, which cost $50, are for a last year. “We tried to do a couple of socials that full year starting the day that the memberwere outdoors where everyone could wear ship is purchased. Five dollars of that price goes to a different local nonprofit that has masks and distance, but the turnout wasn’t been selected by the group. the greatest,” Shim said. Last year the group donated $900 to SavSo far the meetings remain online and leadership is introducing two initiatives to ing Grace Perishable Food Rescue. This year help with remote networking. The first is to membership has elected to donate proceeds to Rejuvenating Women Restored Wings give every attendee the opportunity to introduce themself briefly (name, workplace, Recovery Program, which aids survivors of human trafficking. title) at the beginning or end of the meeting. Without the cost of food for the lunThe second involves the installation of cheons, Shim said HWN might be able to breakouts after the speaker. “We give a question of the day and that give more of the membership fees to Rejugives the members [in the small breakout venating Women this year.

Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

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

March 19, 2021

Evolving intelligence, advisory solutions support sound investing by Michelle Leach

Adversity accelerates industry advancements and advance planning, which characterize adviser-client relationships in the time of the pandemic. “Orion supports more than 2,200 advisory firms around the U.S. with technology and solutions to help them grow their businesses and guide their clients toward their financial goals,” said CEO Eric Clarke. “The advisers at those firms saw an enormous appetite for financial planning since the outset of COVID-19 and the quarantine measures Clarke that followed.” Investors suddenly had to think about what was important to them: Could they retire early? Should they move somewhere else? Could they support family members who lost work because of the pandemic? “Advisers needed the tools to answer those questions and make sure their clients’ investments made sense in the context of their individual financial goals,” he said. The firm most recently adapted by aligning itself with HiddenLevers, a “first-to-market platform for risk analysis, investment process and executive oversight in the wealth and asset management space.” “HiddenLevers spent years building and refining its portfolio stress-testing engine,” Clarke said. “Advisers can use HiddenLevers to put an investor’s wealth through dozens of different ‘What if?’ market scenarios and show the results in a way that are easy to grasp. This lets investors see right away how best- and worst-case scenarios would impact their financial goals.” These solutions help investors understand potential opportunities and market events’ influence on finances. “Portfolio stress tests help investors feel more certain and informed,” he said. “They’re less likely to make snap decisions that will hurt their long-term goals.” Mercer Advisors Managing Director Laura Combs encourages the “average investor” to “turn off” noise generated by TV, radio and social media. “While it is important to follow current events and stay up-to-date on new legislation, consuming too much media can be overwhelming and create an unhealthy level of fear,” she said.

Certified Financial Planner and Lead Advisor-Business Development Ross Polking of Foster Group. Citing financial services market research the broader markets over a 20-year time span,” firm, Dalbar, Combs said its annual study bore she said. “Working with a trusted adviser, a out underperformance among average investors guide to help you wade through the noise, allows you to successfully navigate events in versus various asset classes. “Common investor behaviors, such as the market with confidence.” This takes emotional or irrational behaviors selling stocks after an equity market downturn, cause the average investor to significantly lag out of the picture — allowing one to look ob-

jectively at the markets and their context within one’s personal financial plan. Over the past year, Combs continued, clients have obsessed over what they can’t control; notably, inflation. “We have to keep our eyes on inflation,” she said. “The U.S. Central Bank continues to print money to help support the U.S. economy and get us through this COVID pandemic.” Citing Mercer’s CIO: “When you have unemployment at 6 or 7%, when you have factories that are idle, when you have a lot of small businesses that are struggling, you’re just not going to see a ton of inflation right now.” “Our view is this isn’t something that you get away with forever,” she said. “We can delay dealing with inflation but, ultimately, it will start to crop up in the economy.” Mercer models rising inflation into financial planning projections. A key takeaway: “One of the most powerful and valuable things an adviser can do for clients is to get them focused on what they can control — things like their spending, asset allocation and how they spend their time,” Combs said. Crises have a way of reiterating the importance of planning, according to Certified Financial Planner and Lead Advisor-Business Development Ross Polking of Foster Group. “Investing outside the context of a financial plan really limits people and creates unnecesContinued on next page.

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • Investments

Evolving intelligence, advisory solutions support sound investing Continued from preceding page. sary risks,” he said. “The advisory community needs to use this as a stark reminder of how critical it is to position plans and portfolios to endure the unknown. We have to know our clients really, really well; ask really good questions and always check in on goals, objectives and priorities.” Crises also have a way of driving panicked, rash decision-making. “Historical data clearly points to the fact that letting emotions drive behaviors, specifically when it comes to investing, will derive less than optimal results the majority of the time,” Polking said. “The action everyone must take is to plan in a way that incorporates challenging times like these.” Long-term investing shouldn’t be derailed by “short-term calamities.” “Generally, the closer one is to a distribution phase from their portfolio, the less heavily they should be invested in equities,” he said. “We also must be mindful that we may have more crises in the future. What those look like and how significantly they will impact us is unknown but being disciplined throughout is critical.” In terms of tech adoption, when asked about the pandemic’s potential long-term effects, Clarke said the financial services industry has always lagged behind other industries. “Before the pandemic, some advisers might not have seen much of a difference between adviser software installed on their office computers, and cloud-based tools like ours that they could access anywhere,” he said. “But the pandemic forced advisers to serve clients remotely.”

It’s also hard to overstate, Clarke said, how much COVID-19 has changed investor behavior; video conferencing and remote service tools are facts of life and have made it easier for clients to fit financial advice into their lives. “That is unlikely to change, even as COVID-19 vaccines become widely available,” he said. “People want help from financial professionals at their own convenience, and they want advice delivered in a way they can understand and act upon right away.” Markets go up and go down and, Combs said, market cycles will continue to repeat themselves. “One of the best ways to partner with clients and help them feel prepared and empowered to make wise financial decisions is to create a written financial plan,” she said. Plans encompass investments, taxes, trusts and estate planning to protect one today and in the future, and limits detrimental behavior and emotion-based financial decision-making. Also, Combs emphasized one must be involved in investment decisions and ask oneself: How am I invested? Why am I invested this way, and do I believe in this plan? Without efficient management of financial affairs, Polking said these periods can create overwhelming anxiety and despair. “Whether it be just ensuring you have enough cash in emergency reserves to withstand income changes or investing with a diversified and disciplined approach, embracing these habits and others will help anyone weather the storm,” he said. For every tough time ahead of us, remember: Economic data looks backwards.

“The market is forward-looking and signals recovery before we get positive economic numbers,” he said. “If investors wish to wait until things have ‘stabilized’ before they become market participants again, they could miss significant gains. Investors who couldn’t take

the market sell-off in February and March of 2020, exiting equities and sitting in cash, missed incredible upside and lightspeed entry into bull market territory.” The danger, Polking said, isn’t “avoiding the downs” — it’s “missing the ups.”

by Gabby Hellbusch

may not be appropriate for another. Ryan Fleischer, CIO/chairman/president of Revolution Group, said there are two types of risks to be aware of at all times. “First, idiosyncratic risk is a type of risk you can diversify and mitigate away from,” Fleischer said. “This means you can reduce volatility and risk just by choosing different sleeves of assets in your portfolio makeup — in essence diversifying. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work, especially in times of Jochim economic and market chaos. This is where systematic risk comes into play, which is risk you cannot diversify away from. So, the only way to combat this is to hedge your portfolio, which when done correctly, is extremely efficient, can significantly enhance returns and reduce volatility.” Fleischer said not everyone defines diversification the same way. “At Revolution Group, we believe it’s very much about knowing the true makeup of your Continued on page 32.

Uncovering investment diversification Investment diversification, a strategy of spreading investments to avoid overexposure to any one area, is often used as a way to reduce one’s risk, achieve higher returns, or both, local advisers say. Charlie Bills, financial advisor with D.A. Davidson in Lincoln, said this can be done in a number of ways, such as investing in multiple securities, sectors, asset classes or other categories. “A saying I learned when I began my career Bills was, ‘Your portfolio is working when not everything is working,’” he said. “This suggests that if everything you own is moving in the same direction at the same time, you don’t own a truly diversified portfolio and remain exposed to significant downside risk. Many investors may find themselves in this situation today after selling fixed income securities and buying dividend-paying stocks in order to find yield in our low interest rate environment.” According to Bills, there’s a number of ways to diversify investments, and what works for one

Investments • Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • Investments

Pandemic still affecting investment climate, strategies by Dwain Hebda

Ryan Fleischer, CIO, chairman and president of Revolution Group.

Uncovering investment diversification Continued from page 30. portfolio and the data behind it,” he said. Mary Jochim, president of Sterling Financial Advisors, said the phrase “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket” only goes so far. “What happens to an over-diversified portfolio is ‘di-worsification,’” Jochim said. “It is a point where adding another stock, bond or mutual fund to a diversified portfolio will not provide incremental risk reduction, but it will lessen your returns. Diversification has a multitude of factors besides dividing up your savings between stocks, bonds and cash.” According to Jochim, behaviors of fear and greed can cause investors to underweight stocks especially in long term accounts, overweight their employer’s stock and overweight industries they are familiar with. “If you have a well-planned portfolio my advice is to hold your nose and close your eyes as bad markets do not last forever,” she said. “For a good performance, overweight your intellect and underweight your stomach.”

Andrew Rehmann, financial advisor at The Rehmann Group | Morgan Stanley, said the idea behind diversification is to acknowledge that the dynamics of the market can change on a dime, and having an allocation to many different asset classes potentially improves risk/return reward over long periods of time. “The theory behind diversification itself has not changed much, but the way it is implemented has evolved over time,” he said. “The choice between actively managed mutual funds/ETF’s (exchange traded funds) or index funds is a perfect example. There are areas of the market where solely passive funds make sense, and others, like emerging markets, where utilizing an actively managed fund is more appropriate. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.” Rehmann said diversification is designed to allow one to build a solid foundation for potential long-term growth while minimizing the risk of becoming overly concentrated.

The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery are still shaping the marketplace and investment strategy, and that includes institutional investors. “Optimism is what investors should see for 2021. But how quickly the pandemic fades will have an enormous economic impact on that,” said Ashley Peters, director of the Applied Finance Institute at Metropolitan Community College. Peters said she expects a domino effect in the new year where more widely available vaccines and lower infection rates beget lower restrictions which begets economic recovery. However, Peters she’s also quick to point out she doesn’t expect every industry to come back at the same rate. “Pharmaceuticals, travel and the restaurant industry will hopefully gain some momentum, but tech stocks will likely come back more slowly,” she said. “Unemployment should start to decrease as these industries start to hire back workers as well. “Interest rates will probably remain low, but gas prices will be higher this year. The hard winter in the South and the canceling of the Keystone XL pipeline will be factors for rising gas prices.” David Craft, director of Wealth & Investments for First National Bank of Omaha, said specific to institutional investors, there’s a similarly hopeful outlook noting 2020 was an instructional litmus test for institutional investment strategies. “Although institutional investors are concerned about many macro-economic indicators including government spending, unemployment, inflation and rising interest rates, there are still many reasons for optimism, including the continued vaccinations of Americans as being one step closer to getting back to ‘normal,’” he said. “Economists expect a worldwide recovery of 5.2% in 2021 and 3.7% in 2022. This outlook is somewhat dependent on continued fiscal support by governments through the pandemic. “First National Bank of Omaha’s long-term investment approach and emphasis on staying in-

vested during market cycles is intended to work in every economic environment. This approach provided benefits in 2020 during the COVID-19 market downturn and subsequent recovery.” Such is not to say it will be business as usual in 2021, however. “We consistently apply our processes every year, but in a post COVID-19 world, it will be as important as ever to monitor portfolio allocations,” he said. “Market adjustments are occurring more rapidly, shrinking the window to capitalize on investment opportunities.” Another wild card, investor discipline, has rarely been as important as in 2021, as advisers work to keep clients Portwood steady in turbulent times. “Technology can be a double-edged sword,” said Travis Portwood, chief investment officer at Allen Capital Group. “On the one hand, technology allows us to be transparent and communicate consistently with clients, which is vital during years like 2020. “On the other, having access to your account 24/7 while watching markets react to the latest headlines can be detrimental for investors. Rational people can make irrational decisions during times of market stress [when] inaction is often the best move.” As for the companies best positioned to appeal to institutional investors, Portwood said the word of the day is performance. “The ability to disrupt and innovate shielded ‘growth’ companies from short-term pandemic-related issues last year became the popular narrative during 2020, helping drive prices higher,” he said. “Now, a significant portion of their valuation anchors on forecasted profits, which extend far in the future. These companies must continue to deliver on the promise of an extended period of lucrative cash flows. “If an optimistic reality fails to unfold resulting in a slight change in forecasted future cash flows or an uptick in the discount rate, it would lead to an unfriendly repricing. Popularity is rocket fuel on the way up; it becomes toxic on the way down.”

Investments • Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

Advice for new investors: start simply, start now by David Kubicek

If you’re venturing into investing for the first time, there is much to consider. Shelby Bruckner, portfolio manager at Bridges Trust, said investors should have a clear understanding of cash flow and liquidity needs. “The value of an equity investment can change precipitously in one day,” she said. “Knowing you can bear a temporary or permanent loss on your investment is important to understanding your tolerance for risk.” Jason A. Williams, CEO of LongView Investment Management, said two of the most important things new investors should know are asset location and asset allocation. “The question of where to invest is largely impacted by taxes,” he said. “There are tax incentives that give some account types, or locations, advantages over others. What to invest in, or your asset allocation, is a key factor on the performance of your portfolio. Generally, I would look to invest in broadly diversified, low-cost index funds. Starting with the S&P 500 and further diversifying around that core position is a good strategy for someone who is just getting started.” Investors should consider the time horizon they plan to take for their investments, according to Andrew Hunt, co-founder and partner of Hiley Hunt Wealth Management. “An early understanding of how long the investor can wait before accessing the proceeds will directly inform the investor of how much risk they should take,” he said. “An investor who will need the money within three to five years would want to be relatively

conservative with their investment selection, whereas an investor who is looking out with a 10-year or greater time horizon may have

Bruckner Williams capacity to take more risk.” While it’s generally true that the more risk an investor takes, the more potential return may be available, there are investments that produce an enormous amount of risk with only marginal increases in potential return. “Each investment should be evaluated on its own merits and should be scored based on the risk relative to other investment options,” Hunt said. Williams advised to steer clear of highcost investment options and to “avoid loaded mutual funds — A, B, C shares,” and to “avoid investments wrapped with insurance products.” “It’s very easy for new and seasoned investors to get sucked into participating in strategies where they do not fully understand the risk being taken,” Hunt said. “It is important that investors take the time to educate themselves and seek mentorship

regarding trendy investments [and] new methods of trading if they want to embark down that path.” Wi l l i a m s s a i d new investors should know how their adviser gets paid. “It’s best to work with a fee-only adviser,” he said. “This helps to align their interests with yours.” Ask about your adviser’s investment philosophy, process Hunt for investment selection, and industry qualifications, Bruckner said. “The Client Relationship Summary disclosures advisers must provide do a great job summarizing these and other important top-

ics, so investors should read these carefully before choosing an advisor and implementing a go-to-market plan,” she said. Williams said new investors should start early. “Time is one thing you cannot get back and, ultimately, time can have the greatest impact on your wealth,” he said. “Basically, saving for 10 years early and then stopping will allow you to outperform someone starting later and saving for 30 years.” One of the best things a new investor can do is to start simply, Hunt said. “Gaining exposure to the markets through tax deferred investment accounts and index mutual funds is a simple way to learn about the markets and to start building an understanding,” Hunt said. “It’s not exciting or speculative but will help you gain comfort with the process and will produce long-term results that track along with the markets.” “A thoughtful, long-term plan is key to a positive experience with investing,” Bruckner said.

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• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal • Investments

Advisers lend retirement investment update by Gabby Hellbusch

By starting early with investing for retirement and utilizing financial services, advisers say individuals will be better off, especially during times of economic uncertainty. As of recently, Katerina Wiese, vice president of America First Investment Advisors, said people are gambling on tech stocks, IPOs, Bitcoin and GameStop because they imagine that they will hit it big and retire early. But Wiese said this isn’t the case. “These things are in mania, Wiese and it’s going to end badly for the gamblers,” Wiese said. “Fortunately, most 401(k) plans limit participants to more reasonable choices. But self-directed IRAs allow you to make crazy choices you’ll wish you’d avoided.” Wiese said if one has a 401(k), it’s important to max out contributions if possible, or at least put away enough to get any matching amount the employer offers. Right now, Wiese said interest rates are lower than they have ever been. If inflation comes back and interest rates go up, Wiese said the value of most fixed income funds is going to fall. “You should be wary of so-called ‘life-cycle funds,’” Wiese said. “Their pitch is that you should become more conservative as you near retirement. That may be true, but these funds assume that having a greater percentage of your savings in fixed income is conserva-

Greg Coenen, financial advisor/owner of Regency Investments. tive. The misconception that bonds are safe Coenen said. “Investments should be methoddrives investors to increase their allocation ically planned out with the help of income distribution software to determine the most to bonds.” With the reduction of pensions, Social appropriate investments for not only safety in Security benefits possibly decreasing and in- retirement, but also for growth opportunities terest rates being so low, Greg Coenen, finan- with your longer-term money.” According to Coenen, it’s critical to take cial advisor/owner at Regency Investments, a branch office with Securities America Inc., a very holistic approach that addresses all said retirees now need to find a more modern the issues in retirement such as maintaining an emergency cash account, long-term care approach for income in retirement. “When we are younger and saving for events, a premature death of a spouse, upretirement, we might just have a very growth dated will or trust and insurance products to oriented diversified portfolio; however, when help protect investments. Coenen recommends creating an income in retirement most should use a different strategy and will need to shift gears and focus on distribution plan five to 10 years before retira balance of many products for safety, growth ing, reducing debt before retirement, creating and moderate growth type investments,” a tax-free investment account that can be used

in retirement and working with a financial adviser that is an income distribution specialist. Cory Garlock, financial advisor at RBC Wealth Management, said more and more pre-retirees and retirees are wanting to work with financial advisers on a comprehensive level. “Instead of simply providing investment advice, retirees want an adviser that has developed and refined a process that reaches every part of their financial lives,” Garlock said. “The pillars in our process include wealth management, planning through our WealthPlan tool, risk management and insurance, tax considerations, estate planning services, lending and Garlock philanthropic and charitable giving. We have found that some of those pillars are applicable now to our clients’ lives and others come into focus later. That is exactly why our process is fluid and dynamic and adapts as our clients’ lives change.” While market swings can’t be accurately predicted on a consistent basis, Garlock said investors other than clients are attempting to time the market quite often. “These behavioral investment mistakes can seriously undercut returns over the long-term and even cause damage to a well-funded retirement fund,” Garlock said. “Human nature causes us to want to buy when the market is high and panic during downturns. My retirement investment advice is a truism that a lot of people do not heed: stay fully invested and do not try to time the markets.”

Midlands Business Journal • MARCH 19, 2021 •

In the Spotlight Paid Content

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Amanda Dutton returns to Assurity as CCO and associate general counsel, having held both roles between 2011 and 2018. A graduate of Creighton University and the UNL College of Law, Dutton was an attorney with Baylor Evnen from 2005 to 2011. “We’re thrilled to have Amanda’s extensive knowledge, industry experience and legal acumen back on the legal team,” said Jill Fiddler, VP, general counsel and secretary.

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• MARCH 19, 2021 • Midlands Business Journal