Midlands Business Journal September 25, 2020 Vol. 46 No. 39 issue

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SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS

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VOL. 46 NO. 39

SHARE Omaha builds online conduit for community nonprofits by Richard D. Brown

New to Omaha, Clean Juice advocates for healthy lifestyle. – Page 2

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Local resources, networking provide entrepreneurs space to thrive. – Page 6

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Family-owned businesses remain threads in community fabric. – Page 23

In only its second year of existence, SHARE Omaha, an online resource for the giving community to connect with area nonprofits, is racking up impressive numbers in helping users find a nonprofit organization, learn of volunteering needs, and what are the most important shopping items being sought by the group. Executive Director Marjorie Maas reported that it currently is assisting 425 nonprofits, offering 388 volunteer opportunities, and offers shopping for more than 2,200 much-needed products that can be purchased and shipped to an organization of choice. SHARE Omaha was launched as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity in January 2019. It has grown to three employees and operates out of the Scott Technical Center at 6825 Pine St. The primary service area includes Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders and Washington counties in Nebraska, plus Pottawattamie, Harrison and Mills Continued on page 4.

Executive Director Marjorie Maas … The online connector between nonprofits and givers has grown with the acquisition of Share Good, LLC. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)

Renovations at Mulhall’s Garden + Home reflect aim for community gardening hub by Becky McCarville

Mulhall’s Garden + Home is positioning to become a “cultural beacon” in the gardening industry by creating a community hub centered around making Omaha a more beautiful place. From events, classes and local popups including Coneflower Creamery, The Grove Juicery & Wellness Café, Artemis Teas, Carter & Rye,

Benson Soap Mill, various coffee shops and local singer/songwriter Jocelyn, to partnering with Keep Omaha Beautiful, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, The Big Garden and more, the garden center is aligning its long-term goals of business and community sustainability. “I think that what we’ve been Continued on page 4.

Owners, from left, Noah and Katie Mock … Unique cocktail bar finds home in up-and-coming Little Italy district.

Inspired by the 1950s, Fizzy’s Fountain and Liquor brings new concept to area by Savannah Behrends

President Mick Mulhall … Third generation family gardening business undergoing major renovations to better facilitate professional landscapers and foster community.

The greatest compliment Fizzy’s Fountain & Liqour owners could receive is that their lounge in part of the former Bohemian Café has “Grandma vibes.” “We want to have people come in here and feel something special,” said Katie Mock, who owns and operates Fizzy’s as well as Nite Owl in Blackstone with her husband Noah. From a menu inspired by

1950’s cooking and cocktails, to ordering from a phone at electric blue or sunset orange retro diner booths, every detail has been selected to create a unique experience. But first, drinks “A lot of things have already been done, so you want to separate yourself,” said Noah Mock. “We are a bar first, and we wanted to create cocktails, not just overly Continued on page 11.


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• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

New to Omaha, Clean Juice advocates for healthy lifestyle by Gabby Christensen

An organic and USDA certified juice bar has landed in Omaha with the intent to offer on-thego healthy options with no added preservatives or sweeteners, according to co-owners Angela Moran-Manzitto and Sarah Peter, who opened the doors of the franchise in August 2020 and have since seen steady growth.

Clean Juice Omaha Phone: 402-403-9084 Address: 1308 Jackson St., Omaha 68102 and 7811 Pioneers Blvd., Lincoln 68506 Service: Organic juice bar Founded: August 2020 Employees: 50 between Lincoln/Omaha locations Goal: Educate others on the importance of a healthy diet; expand to new markets. Social media: @cleanjuiceomaha Website: https://cleanjuice.com

Located in the Old Market in Omaha and at 7811 Pioneers Boulevard in Lincoln, the business serves up seasonal smoothies, avocado toasts, wraps, açaí and “greenoa” (organic greens and grain) bowls. Additionally, fresh fruit and vegetables are cold-pressed daily

Co-owners Angela Moran-Manzitto, left, and Sarah Peter … Aiming to educate consumers on healthy meal options. in-house for the maximum amount of nutrients each item from the ground up and nothing is and antioxidants. processed. We don’t pasteurize anything, which “Our menu is transparent — what you see is means our items have a very short shelf life, but what you get,” Moran-Manzitto said. “We build the benefit is that it is as if you are eating all that

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produce, minus the fiber.” The store also offers one- to five-day juice cleanses. According to Moran-Manzitto — who also works as a physician assistant in a family practice — a one-day cleanse is equivalent to consuming approximately 15 pounds of produce, offering an over-abundance of the vitamins, minerals and enzymes that the body needs to function. Moran-Manzitto and Peter employ roughly 50 individuals between the Omaha and Lincoln locations. Because the business is modeled with a healthy lifestyle in mind, it serves a variety of demographics, including busy parents, high school and college students and fitness lovers. While the concept is still fairly new to the Midwest, it’s extremely popular along the coasts, according to Peter, a native of California. “One of the best parts of our job is helping to educate others about the importance of what you put into your body,” Peter said. “We love showing others how good they can feel simply by switching their diet.” As change can sometimes be scary, Peter said it can also be challenging to sway people to accept a new idea even if it will benefit their health. “We work hard to help people become comfortable with what we offer and we constantly remind them that their body is worth it,” she said. Additionally, Peter said it’s been difficult to learn how to run a business from the ground up, especially during a global pandemic. “The pandemic has affected our foot traffic, Continued on page 4.

Correction

Matt Ristow is president and managing director of business administration of CLAAS Omaha. An incorrect photo caption was inadvertently used with Ristow’s photo.

Midlands Business Journal Established in 1975

PUBLISHER & FOUNDER, Robert Hoig

ADMINISTRATION

Accomplishments or milestones: Graduate of Leadership Sarpy, member of Leadership Omaha Class 43 and 2020 MBJ 40 Under 40 recipient. First job: My first ‘official’ job was as a bank teller in college — I still pride myself on the ability to quickly count cash, with the bills all facing forward and in the same direction. Biggest career break: My biggest career break was the opportunity to work for the Greater Omaha Chamber. I am continually amazed by the incredible people and passion in this community and I was able to meet and observe a lot of that through my job at the Chamber. I continue to leverage those connections. The toughest part of the job: Having to

turn someone away is the most difficult part of the job. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, but it’s tough to deliver bad news, even when it’s the right call. If we have to say no, I try to uncover other viable options or resources to help them. The best advice I have received: Do the right things for the right reasons and things will fall into place. Many opportunities for fast growth or a quick paycheck will present themselves, but those things don’t guarantee a good and happy life. Keep your focus on what is right, keep faith, value the people in your life and you will find happiness. Something else I’d like to accomplish: I will own my own business on the side (5 year plan!) but I would also like to ‘rehab’ existing small businesses which may be struggling or in need of a fresh perspective. Business is as much art as it is science and I love the process of peeling back the layers to identify new opportunities and fix what may not be working. How my business will change in the next decade: The importance of personal relationships has always been essential but it’s making a resurgence. Any business, no matter how big or small, must master the

balance of convenience and connection in order to serve and retain clients. I believe business as a whole will focus more on the patterns, behaviors and un-met needs of the client as an individual person in order to create a more holistic business approach for the future. Mentor who has helped the most in my career: I have been fortunate to receive good advice from many talented people, but my parents have always been my source of wisdom, reinforcement, support and perspective. Favorite vacation spot: Any place with fresh air, room to explore and a good dose of history. Other careers I would like to try: I could easily spend my days at a street side café, sipping an espresso, observing the world around me and writing my book. Someday, ‘Melissa Glenn, published author’ will be part of my reality. Favorite cause or charity: HOBY Nebraska. I truly believe the potential of each individual is boundless and we each have the obligation and duty to lift each other up. Favorite app: Old-fashioned pen, paper and a good book ;)

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• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

SHARE Omaha builds online conduit for community nonprofits Continued from page 1. counties in Iowa. “Communities and nonprofit organizations using our platform can immediately

SHARE Omaha Phone: 402-502-0360 Address: 6825 Pine St., Scott Technology Center, Omaha 68106 Services: Connect neighbors to community causes and involvement opportunities Founded: 2019 Employees: 3 One-year goal: Increase awareness of the platform as an unbiased online conduit between nonprofits and the giving public, offering opportunities to support and shop. Industry outlook: Technology exists to help people connect with the giving community and to do so in hyper fashion. Website: ShareOmaha.org

become more inclusive,” Maas said. “With our platform we can connect with a community in hyper fashion.” Qualified nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) registration, employment identification number, and at least one year under their belt can be linked to the SHARE Omaha platform. Maas, who grew up in Bellevue and honed her leadership skills as student body president at Bellevue West High School, and later as a leader at Truman State University, said SHARE Omaha took a pivotal step in July when it acquired Share Good, LLC, a branded community engagement platform powered by web-based technology. It connects new donors and volunteers to nonprofit causes for communitywide impact on quality of life. Share Good, founded in 2016 by Kelly Brooks and serving two locations in North Carolina, could within the next year be used to serve more than a half dozen communities across the country. “It is great that so much of the innovation we’re using is being grown right here in Omaha,” Maas said.

Clean Juice Omaha Continued from page 2.

but we take it day-by-day and remain positive,” she said. “We also remind our customers that if there’s ever a time to take care of yourself, it’s now.” Moran-Manzitto and Peter said adjusting to a new way of marketing has also been a feat, but they have succeeded nonetheless. The store has utilized an online presence versus in-person gatherings to connect with customers. “We have seen many repeat customers and it’s really cool to get to know them on a personal level,” Moran-Manzitto said. “We love hearing their success stories and how Clean Juice has improved their overall health.” In the future, Moran-Manzitto and Peter said they would like to expand and continue to educate others on the benefits of juicing. “Our ultimate goal is to help people nourish their bodies,” Moran-Manzitto said. “A healthy lifestyle impacts everything, and we are here to help our customers as they strive to make positive choices and take care of themselves.”

In addition to Maas, SHARE Omaha’s staff includes Community Partnerships Manager Mary Talen and Marketing and Communications Manager Katie Fourney. Maas said SHARE Omaha is unique because it is an online platform where donors can discover ways to support, serve or shop for local area nonprofits all in one place, 365 days a year. Other organizations also promote donation and volunteering opportunities and SHARE Omaha is engaged in collaborative talks with these community leaders. “Together — we believe we can reinvent what it means to give,” she said. Maas said that user engagement on its website leads to about 70% filling out volunteerism applications, followed by donations and shopping purchases on Amazon. “Our event calendar drives the most web engagements beyond volunteerism,” she said. For example, one upcoming weekend has posted information on the annual David Ruback Memorial Golf Outing, a

petting zoo at Scatter Joy Acres, the Walkon-Wheels + Virtual Walk for the Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands, the 712 Initiative Biketober in the Bluffs event, the Little Giants Foundation 7th Annual Farm Run, as well as a TS Community Foundation Investing For Progress Virtual Workshop. “Our biggest challenge is keeping current for our audience,” Maas said. She hopes to tap local tech talent as growth opportunities arise. Some volunteer opportunities require some social work or legal expertise. “We especially want to engage new young professionals,” Maas said. “We’re also getting a decent amount of traffic on our site from students and we want to work with the school districts. You can be as creative as you want to be in using our website.” Maas said the variety of leadership positions she tackled, such as blood drive coordination, being a leader of two state

DECA championships in high school and as chair of a service organization and leader of an eating disorder awareness organization in college, honed her maturity as to her role in community service. She received her degree in art history and business in 2002, but with a greater respect for the importance of community engagement. Professional stops before joining SHARE Omaha included marketing manager of the Mid-America Center, consulting for arts nonprofits, development officer for College Possible and director of corporate social responsibilities at Blue Cross & Blue Shield. SHARE Omaha was launched as a gift from the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation. Board members include David Scott and Calvin Sisson from the Scott Foundation, Donna Kush of the Omaha Community Foundation, Kristin Williams of The Sherwood Foundation, and Kim Yungtum, Robert B. Daugherty Foundation.

Renovations at Mulhall’s Garden + Home reflect aim for community gardening hub Continued from page 1. fortunate about particularly in the last five-to-10 years is the swell of people who really want to solve a set of problems in line with a set of problems we went into business to solve,” said President Mick Mulhall, adding that what’s called sustainability today has also been known as conservation and horticulture, depending on the era. “That alignment seems to be increasingly happening around this really powerful anchor that is sustainability — and not just sustainability like in the green context but also sustainability in terms of corporate structure. One of my favorite things about our business is that we can think a little bit longer term.” Mulhall, the third-generation leader of the company, said that renovations to the 20-acre site at 120th and Maple streets support its goals to better serve customers (with a focus on industry professionals) as well as foster company growth and opportunities for its employees. As the largest reinvestment in the store’s 60-plus-year history, the project features a new entrance and pavilion, expanded native perennial plantings, new office and break room spaces, meeting rooms and more. Local firms DeOld Andersen Architecture, Olsson, Morrissey Engineering and McLeay Building Company have worked on the project. With over 400 employees during peak season, some employees have been with the company for 25, 35 and 40-plus years, and for many, connecting with nature is not only their livelihoods but also their outside interests, Mulhall said. In fact, many of the events and classes are the result of employees wanting to share and customers wanting to participate. “We’re incidentally a family business … we really think much more about the purpose of our business,” he said. “Especially now in the third generation, it’s really about those people who have committed their careers … to the natural world that I really think connects all these dots in our city.”

The company’s origins began when puts pressure on our industry then to help Mulhall’s grandfather, a gardener, and facilitate that.” While Mulhall’s has clear goals for grandmother, a cook, emigrated from Ireland to Omaha in the 1950s and started its business units — home and garden, Mulhall’s Landscaping & Lawn Service landscaping, farming (growing plants) and out of their garage at 69th and Blondo shared services — he said that its purpose is primary. One goal streets, then moved is to be one of the to the current loca- Mulhall’s Garden + Home best places to work tion in the 1970s. Phone: 402-496-0700 in Omaha as meaUnder his father ’s Address: 3615 N. 120th St., Omaha sured by Quantum and uncle’s leader- 68164 Workplace. ship, Sean and Dan Services: garden/home, landscaping, “We really want Mulhall, the focus farming (the practice of growing plants), to be a thought was on “proving and and shared services that provide busileader around purprofessionalizing” ness services to the other three busipose in the differthe business. Now ness units ent places that we Mick Mulhall, who Founded: by John Mulhall in 1956 communicate. And rejoined the family Employees: just over 400 people during I think that we have business about eight peak season such an incredibly years ago and rose Goal: To be one of the top five places to diverse and thoughtto president three work in Omaha. ful group of people years ago, is bring- Industry outlook: People are seeking working here — I i n g t h e c o m p a n y solace in nature especially during the pandemic; garden centers are cultivating think it’s just a matfull circle. “The foundation lasting ways to connect people to nature. ter of aligning that and helping comthat my grandfather Website: mulhalls.com municate that,” he built was one about caring deeply about the natural world and said. “From a business perspective, we working really hard, but he wasn’t neces- have measurements in all of our different sarily a businessman by training,” he said. business units but all of it pushes up to “When we think about the renovation inter- that and really feeling that we are maknally … we’ve been thinking about, what ing a real dent in making our community does it mean for us to honor that legacy, more beautiful.” Mulhall, age 30, is on the board of the to really think about this problem — this argument for making our community more Immigrant Legal Center and is the membeautiful and in making that argument, bership officer for the Nebraska chapter of making an argument for preserving and the Young Presidents’ Organization, an international peer group of chief executives. protecting the natural world.” “We started as immigrants and I would While the pandemic in many ways has caused health, financial and social say a significant percentage of our current upheaval, more people are finding solace workforce is first generation immigrants. It’s an important part of where we come in nature. “In my experience, when bad things from and where we’re going,” he said. “I happen, it does kind of occasion this think that like anything, starting something reevaluation of what really is important new is hard. Moving to a new country is and I think there’s meaning in what we hard and I think showing up to welcome do — there’s meaning in getting outside, people to our community is an exciting there’s meaning in connecting with the and an important thing. My grandpa was natural world, I mean, it’s literally where welcomed. He was Irish, so that was easy. we come from,” he said. “I think it puts Most of the people that work for us now pressure on us as a business and I think it are Latino. It’s not as easy.”


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Entrepreneurial Success A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

September 25, 2020

Local resources, networking provide entrepreneurs space to thrive by Gabby Christensen financial projections on paper. In the Omaha area, growth opportunities “Even if a new business is not in need of for entrepreneurs can be easily found through a loan to get started, I would encourage the programs and services provided by local or- owner to create a business plan to include ganizations. revenue and expense projections,” Stephanie Dinger, vice presDinger said. “Having these items ident of small business at Union on paper helps serve as a road map Bank & Trust (UBT), said UBT’s and can often hold someone more Catalyst program offers resources accountable to accomplishing them for businesses to gain their footing. if these items are not solely stored “We offer speaker series’ on in the business owner’s head.” relevant and current topics, a free She noted it’s also important lab where customers can hold offthat business owners pay personal site meetings or presentations and creditors on time and utilize credit a network of professionals to help cautiously because personal credit support the business owner from history plays into the loan decision Dinger day one,” Dinger said. when a business is working to obOften when a business owner comes to the tain business credit. bank, she said they have not put their plan and Britney Gibilisco, food entrepreneur

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Britney Gibilisco, food entrepreneur manager at No More Empty Pots. manager at No More Empty Pots, said its hashing out those details may not be the most incubator membership provides access to ma- fun part of starting a business, but it is the terials designed for entrepreneurs starting or most important.” growing food businesses, covering topics such Kristen Beck, senior project manager at as business planning, food marketing, food VGA, said farmer’s markets are also importsafety, menu planning, ordering, inventory ant for entrepreneurs for a variety of reasons, and local procurement. but most importantly, they provide Additionally, Gibilisco said the an environment for local food membership also includes access to producers and artisanal vendors to industry experts and mentors. sell their products, giving the com“The incubator membership munity the opportunity to purchase launched this past January and fresh, local goods. has steadily grown member“In doing so, this directly ship throughout the past several stimulates our local economy and months,” she said. “We currently helps bring communities together,” have 15 active incubator members, Beck said. “The Omaha Farmers two of which have successfully Market is accessible to all commugone through the program and trannity members by offering a variety Beck sitioned to renting our commercial of local goods and providing the kitchens to start and grow their businesses. We opportunity to use SNAP benefits at each loalso have 15 active commercial kitchen renters cation. Farmers markets have become and will who utilize our shared kitchen and storage continue to be a seasonal tradition for many spaces to produce their products, which range families and friends.” from kombucha to soul food to hand pies.” Vendors can be successful in different Entrepreneurs who are renting commer- ways, including offering pre-order, commucial kitchen space get free membership to the nity supported agriculture (CSA), delivery incubator and additional perks like pop-up and other services. space access, local procurement group order“There are a lot of market vendors who ing, co-promotion and catering/retail referral have built a following of customers who stop opportunities. out weekly to get their favorite product,” she “All of the entrepreneurs I talk to are really said. “We love seeing the in-person interaction excited about their business ideas but many of with customers and vendors. This truly allows them would benefit from business coaching to the customer to get to know the vendor and really understand their product, profit margin their products, which helps to connect them or customers,” she said. “Sitting down and with the importance of supporting local.”


Entrepreneurial Success •

Midlands Business Journal • SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 •

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Startup support organizations aim to boost rise of innovation during global crisis by Michelle Leach

Incubators and related programs to support startups have arguably never been more welcome and needed than now. “The Combine Incubator continues to offer in person working for its member companies,” said Matt Foley, director of the incubator that supports entrepreneurs in food and agriculture. Foley noted how such a helping hand came in many forms; from commercialization aid with mentorship and capital readiness programming, to networking, and “incubation space” at Nebraska Innovation Campus. Foley The director said socially-distant workspaces remains available at NIC. “Much of the incubator’s programming has been completely moved to virtual,” he said; for instance, its July OnRamp Agriculture Conference was hosted virtually. “The event [had] over 570 attendees representing over 14 countries.” Forward-looking, The Combine will host a virtual showcase to highlight the progress of member-companies Oct. 6. Publicly-available programming, he noted, can be found via Meetup online (search for Nebraska Food & Ag Technology meetups in Lincoln). In partnership with Advance Southwest

Niki Ferguson, manager, entrepreneurial development at Advance Southwest Iowa. Iowa, TS Bank is returning to its REV small presented by the pandemic to the local business pitch competition Dec. 4. Entre- business community. preneurs and business owners will pitch to “However, they have shown great resila panel of judges, in an effort to win up to iency here in southwest Iowa and, thank$10,000 to grow their respective business. fully, many organizations have stepped up Launched in 2015 and last hosted in with business relief efforts,” he said. “With 2017, this year’s competition will be in a REV, we wanted to help entrepreneurs virtual format. focus on the future and a post-pandemic When asked about the significance of environment. We are hoping this capital the competition, Market President Dave spurs new business ideas, expansions, jobs Wise referred to the tremendous challenge and community prosperity.”

Advance Southwest Iowa’s Manager, Entrepreneurial Development Niki Ferguson added that just over a year ago her organization introduced its LaUNch initiative to improve the overall entrepreneurial ecosystem in Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County. The focus, she said, is community collaboration and connecting entrepreneurs with available local resources to start and grow businesses. “So, we were thrilled with the opportunity to partner with TS Bank to relaunch REV in 2020,” Ferguson Wise said. “The pandemic has presented an unprecedented disruption for our small businesses, but their tenacity and ability to pivot to survive as been truly remarkable. “History has shown that previous global crises have been a catalyst for entrepreneurship, and we doubt that COVID will be an exception. So, we want to make sure we’re here to help those innovators.” Since 2002, President Ken Moreano said the Scott Technology Center Incubator has worked to support, develop and partner with fledgling startup projects. “Initially, the intent was to develop startups that spun out of university research,” he Continued on next page.

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• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• Entrepreneurial Success

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Now is the time for new entrepreneurs to take advantage of education resources by David Kubicek preneurship & Franchising (CIEF) offers Many programs are available to help resources for students, alumni, and commuentrepreneurs start successful businesses nity members. through local educational institutions. “In the classroom, CIEF offers an entreMetropolitan Community College stu- preneurship major and minor, and an innovadents interested in specializing in entrepre- tion-track entrepreneurship major that focuses neurship can participate in programs and take on information technology innovation from courses that can be used as a pathway to the an entrepreneurial lens,” Assistant Director completion of certificates and degrees, ac- Levi Cermak said. “The Center hosts several cording to Dean of Business Lori Lothringer. events designed to engage students and the Entrepreneurship courses at community in entrepreneurship.” MCC include: introduction to enAnnual events CIEF hosts trepreneurship, entrepreneurship include: The BigIdea! Pitch Comfeasibility study, marketing for petition, ($850 in prize money), the entrepreneur, entrepreneurship Maverick Business Plan ($6,000 legal issues, entrepreneurship in prize money), Breakthrough financial topics and entrepreneurWeekend where students start ship business plan. a business as a team, Maverick Entrepreneurship courses are Young Entrepreneur Boot Camp available in many modalities where students learn about entreincluding online and remote, alpreneurship, the Midwest Entrelowing students to receive college preneurship Conference which is Cermak credit or earn a degree on their attended by hundreds of students own schedule while working fullfrom over 30 universities in North America, time in their current jobs. and A Celebration of Entrepreneurship Gala “The economic consequences of where CIEF brings together the Omaha COVID-19 have impacted the small busi- entrepreneurial community to connect and ness sector particularly hard,” Lothringer celebrate its entrepreneurs and support the said. “Unlike larger business entities that students. could weather the storm, already vulnerable For community entrepreneurs, CIEF revenue streams for entrepreneurs and small offers Maverick Venture Fund (MVF), a businesses were significantly impacted early three-semester course in venture capital into the pandemic.” where students invest money in student, alumIn May, research indicated that even with ni, and community startups. Since 2019, the stimulus support, many small businesses MVF has invested $65,000 in six companies. were gone. It has been even more devastating CIEF provides free consulting to anyone for restaurant owners. Those in retail and in the community with an idea or startup. service-based businesses have also suffered. Dr. Dale Eesley, director, and Levi Cermak, “Although there are many challenges assistant director, meet with entrepreneurs to in our economy, this is an exciting time to give feedback, advice, and provide next steps start or restart a career,” Lothringer said. “It and introductions. takes time to create a business plan, prepare “In addition, there are numerous proja marketing strategy, and understand critical ect-based graduate courses that are willing to financial and legal factors.” address specific problems for local businesses Continued on next page. UNO’s Center for Innovation, Entre-

Aim to boost rise of innovation during global crisis Continued from preceding page. likes of startup advisory and strategy on nerecalled. “This approach was augmented by gotiating contracts and their ilk, exposure to an attempt to house many startups with the innovation hubs throughout the country, and hope that a select few might be successful. the facilitation of cohorts — evidence-based Essentially, the approach was similar to the programming to assist startups in the customer discovery process, identifying a venture capital portfolio model.” product and market “fit.” From 2002 to 2008, Moreano He described those successful said they learned the culture in startup services and programs as Nebraska lagged behind other featuring qualities like a consistent known innovation hubs (like Route methodology (free of conflicting 128: Boston’s Tech Corridor). approaches), and the ability to Additionally, they collected data deliver value that transcends mere that focused on innovation grants, bricks and mortar space and infrasuch as Small Business Innovation structure. Research (SBIR) grants, and found Mentors should not only bring Nebraska had a history of very few startup experience to the table, such awards. Moreano Moreano indicated, but they need “Over time, the approach evolved to target fewer, higher quality proj- to be “incentivized.” So, time spent is rewardects with an emphasis on evidence gathered in ed appropriately. Priorities at present include evidence-based order to substantiate the viability of a project,” he said. “This approach attempts to lower the teams and subscribing to and strictly applying risk at the earliest stage of a startup effort. evidence-based methodology before working This deliberate shift occurred in 2010 and with any startup project. “We have been encouraged to expand continues today.” Partnerships are represented by interns, some of what we have implemented from infrastructure such as technology, and subsi- 2010 to 2020, as there have been specific outcomes and progress made in developing dized workspace that is below market rates. Additionally, Moreano referred to the startups,” he said.


Entrepreneurial Success •

Educational resources

Continued from preceding page. and startups,” Cermak said. Since 2017, Grow with Google has trained more than five million people across the U.S. on how to use digital tools to grow their career or business, according to Erica Swanson, head of community engagement. Adopting digital tools is crucial to helping entrepreneurs stay in business through the pandemic. A recent Connected Commercial Council report found that 91% of Nebraska small businesses Swanson increased their use of digital tools during the pandemic, compared to 72% nationally. “Nearly one in three small businesses say that without digital tools they would have had to close all or part of their business as a result of the COVID-19 economic crisis,” Swanson said. In addition to Google for Startups, a program designed to support startups and to help them thrive across every corner of the world, Grow with Google offers free virtual workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions that teach entrepreneurs useful tools to help them get found on Google Search and Maps, how to use Google Analytics, and basics like email and presentations.

Midlands Business Journal • SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 •

9

Legal, accounting expertise critical to starting a business by Dwain Hebda

Entrepreneurs have to wear a lot of hats during the early days of their business, but there’s some expertise worth paying for. Leading among these are legal and accounting professionals. “You cannot put a value on the importance of retaining a law firm if you are an entrepreneur,” said Warren Ford III, senior associate with Goosmann Law Firm. “Not only to help set up a new business, but having [an attorney] on retainer for any legal matters that may arise is imperative to a successful business.” Ford Ford said the assistance of an attorney with transactional and civil litigation experience helps at every stage of the business life cycle, handling a wide range of legal matters. “From formal business formation with the state and taxing authorities to local, state and federal regulation or compliance; to contracts, financing and copyright and trademark, an entrepreneur shouldn’t risk the success of their new business by relying on ‘do it yourself,’ legal websites,” he said. “An experienced business attorney will have an established network of other attorneys and professionals so if they cannot assist you on a specific matter, they will have a list

of referrals they have worked with previously and that you can trust.” Primary among these other resources is a qualified accountant, one of the other professionals considered foundational to an entrepreneur’s success. “We’ve seen a lot of success stories and a lot of things that can go wrong,” said Chad

Pfeiffer Senske Pfiffer, principal with HBE. “Our experience is an asset for a young business owner. We try to find out what their current needs are and what are going to be some of their short- and long-term goals and then try to assess for them, from a tax perspective, what entity option they might need. Then we work in conjunction with the attorney to find out if it also matches their legal needs.” Pfeiffer said while there’s no shortage of do-it-yourself accounting products that seem to provide a cost savings, there are serious drawbacks to following this course of action. “Some of those do-it-yourself software products or websites can be just as dangerous as the people who just do what their friend

did. It’s not always the best practice to follow,” he said. “I think what people fail to realize is everybody’s circumstance is different from an accounting and tax perspective. It looks the same from the outside, but it’s not always.” Danie Senske, CPA with Bland and Associates, said as most new entrepreneurs are uninitiated in the accounting field, the chances of something being missed or done incorrectly are high without a professional to guide them. “With a CPA, you now have someone in your corner, a trusted adviser, an expert,” she said. “A CPA is someone who is going to work to find solutions that fit your specific needs. The do-it-yourself software programs work great for many and are affordable, but at a certain point, you may start sacrificing accurate reporting and potential tax saving opportunities.” That said, Senske said not all accounting firms are created equal and entrepreneurs should know what to look for to ensure they are aligning themselves with the appropriate expertise. “Definitely do your homework,” she said. “Look into the CPA firm, browse their website. Do their areas of expertise fit your new business venture? Also, think about what you want in a CPA relationship. Are you someone who handles everything over email? Or do you prefer in-person meetings? Discuss this information with the prospective CPA. “Communication is key. The CPA should be upfront with their processes and what the potential engagement will look like.”


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• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

• Entrepreneurial Success

B2B software is game changer for many, notably in virtual environment by Gabby Christensen

An increased need for virtual services has put more focus on B2B software recently, and experts say there’s more to come. Zac Robinson, vice president of sales and marketing at FTNI, said companies are always looking for new ways for their customers to pay more conveniently and securely. “While SaaS-based solutions have always focused on access from anywhere, with many companies allowing employees or associates to work from home due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to deploy software that can be accessed quickly, securely and remotely becomes even more critical,” Robinson said. The disruption from COVID-19 has accelerated the need for companies to transition away from legacy, on-premise payment systems. He said checks continue to be a leading payment method for many businesses, but with the onset of COVID-19, the demand for convenient, contactless payment channels has drastically increased.

Robinson

Godbout

“Times of disruption, such as what we are currently experiencing, require flexible technologies and solutions that can support rapid changes in existing processes and business requirements,” Robinson said. “Now is not the time to halt progress. This is a time to move forward, to innovate, to lead.” Katie Godbout, vice president of sales and marketing at Covisum, said the global pandemic shifted how many companies conduct business. “In your own home, your own life, the

Grange

Chait

way you shop has changed,” Godbout said. “The businesses that will succeed in ‘the new normal’ are those that will be able to adapt to the new marketplace and provide fully virtual or hybrid-virtual experiences to their customer base.” She said utilizing B2B software to meet crucial business needs has become paramount. “Being able to demonstrate value virtually has become fundamental to not only growth, but customer retention,” Godbout said. “Some businesses are looking to

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consolidate their spending. That can mean replacing people and processes with a more streamlined approach. It can mean eliminating software that is ‘nice-to-have’ and investing more in software that demonstrates the most concrete value for the business.” John Grange, CTO at OpsCompass, said organizations leveraging virtual services has been a growing trend for a decade or more, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated many existing trends in business. Increasingly, Grange said B2B software is being provided via a SaaS model, and businesses are leaning on this newer class of software, delivered as a service that is securely accessible from the internet, to digitally transform their businesses. “If you’re a CEO, you can now get your enterprise-wide collaboration, CRM, business intelligence, cyber security and most of your critical capabilities through consumption-based SaaS products,” he said. “With this model, business can be more agile and align technology with the business in ways that were never possible before.” Grange said one of the major implications of this trend is that companies now need to ensure security and governance of these virtual services. David Chait, founder/CEO of Travefy, said there’s been a definite growth and need for B2B software. “This period has raised the bar for not only expertise, but deep communication and concierge-level of services,” Chait said. “As a subscription B2B software for travel professionals, Travefy has seen this manifest as more people are needing and wanting these types of tools. We’re going to continue to see a shift toward travel professionals leveraging these types of tech and tools to better support their clients.” Across the board, he said businesses have recognized the essential need for B2B communication and virtual tools. “Six months ago, we were all focused on quickly adapting to existing technologies,” Chait said. “Now, I think we’re going to see a lot of new technologies emerge in the next several months that will really shake things up.”

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Midlands Business Journal • SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 •

11

Inspired by the 1950s, Fizzy’s Fountain and Liquor brings new concept to area Continued from page 1. sweet drinks. We wanted to take classic cocktails and then add ice cream.” As a key ingredient in Fizzy’s menu, the Mocks knew they needed high quality ice cream and decided to partner with local ice cream artisans Coneflower Creamery. Classic cocktails like the Pink Squirrel or the Grasshopper have been retooled “utilizing really fresh ingredients.” Noah Mock’s favorite shake is a spin on a Negroni cocktail, which they’ve named “Day Drunk in Little Italy.” In addition to SUPER CROSSWORD

the traditional ingredients for a Negroni (gin, Campari and sweet vermouth), “we’ve added chamomile tea and strawberry to give it some citrus life, and then we add the vanilla ice cream to it that give it a nice creaminess,” Noah Mock said. Cocktails, hold the ice cream, include drinks like the White Russian #45, a spin-off of a classic White Russian, that includes vodka, dark rum, Archetype coffee liqueur and coconut milk. Local breweries and wineries include: Infusion Brewing Co., Scriptown Brewery, Glacial Till Vineyard, Zipline LIVING A LIFE OF E’S

Brewing Co. and Farnam House Brewing Co. town of Omaha with TV dinner specials There’s also a twist to ordering anything: served in metal trays with compartments. it can be done right at your table via a phone. One recent TV dinner special was homemade The Mocks got the inravioli (customer’s spiration from another Fizzy’s Fountain & Liquors choice, wagyu beef or Nebraska-based sta- Phone: 402-915-4144 four cheese stuffing), ple, King’s Food Host Address: 1408 S. 13th Street, Omaha green beans, garlic that was popular in the 68108 toast and tiramisu. late 1950s through the Service: Ice cream and liquor shakes The Mocks also 1960s. decided to pay triband floats inspired by classic cocktails “It’s the most out- Website: fizzysomaha.com ute to another iconic dated, non-technical Omaha staple, which phone system ever. It doesn’t depend on they now share history with, The Bohemian Wi-Fi, it never breaks down and it’s analog. Café. While the Fremont natives had never It’s basically a walkie-talkie,” Katie Mock eaten at the Café, which was owned and said. “The company that sold them didn’t operated by the Kapoun family for 42 years even have any on hand, they had to produce before closing in 2016, they understood the them for us.” connection between owner and business. Did someone say TV dinners? “This is how [we] express our creativThe Mocks took ity, through restauthe same approach to Fun fact: rants and bars,” Noah the food at Fizzy’s, Omaha based C.A. Swanson & Sons Mock said. “In this focusing on dishes that launched the first “TV dinner” in 1954 business you throw were popular in the after a worker suggested the idea after a party every day 1950s and 1960s and being served a meal in a tin tray on a and when you can’t then adding their own Pan American Airways flight. That year, anymore it’s really Swanson sold more than 25 million TV twist. strange. You don’t “I researched a lot dinners for 98 cents each. know what to do with of my grandma’s old yourself.” cookbooks to see what people were eating,” With that in mind the Mocks made a Katie Mock said. conscious effort to include the entire Kapoun What was popular then? Deviled eggs, family in their endeavor, to the extent of holdpigs in a blanket, and cheese frenchies, all ing a private soft opening that brought both of which made it onto the menu with a slight families together before the official opening. twist. The cheese frenchie, for example, “It made us so happy to have that moment normally is just a grilled cheese fried, but with the family because it felt like a passing Fizzy’s gave it an upgrade with the addition of the keys,” Katie Mock said. “Even though of pimento cheese, broccolini, roasted pep- this isn’t a Czech concept, I do feel this is pers and hot pepper jelly. the perfect space for Fizzy’s because we can Fizzy’s also pays homage to its home- channel that nostalgia.”

The coronavirus gave them jobs — and a new lease on life by Doug Smith

Answers on page 12.

After 52 weeks of anger management, Mia Rogers found maintaining her inner peace easier than finding a job. Her two-year probation had ended in February. With her feloCareers ny assault conviction reduced to a misdemeanor, the 23-year-old was just getting into the groove when the coronavirus shut everything down. “I had nowhere to look for work,” she said. After a couple of months living on the edge of homelessness, Rogers found her way to Chrysalis, the downtown nonprofit that prepares the hard-to-employ for work and finds them jobs. Today she has a job that fits her outgoing personality and has her thinking positively about the future. By an odd twist, she owes it to the coronavirus. Rogers is one of dozens of Chrysalis employees working at hotels and motels on lease to Los Angeles County to shelter homeless people who are at risk of complications from COVID-19 because of their age or medical conditions. As the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority built staffs to run the 38 hotels that are now leased through Project Roomkey, it needed to fill a variety of jobs not usually associated with hospitality — security guards, case managers, nurses and dozens of people to tend to the guests’ needs. Their duties include going door-to-door to deliver three pre-packaged meals and two

snacks daily, sanitizing, record-keeping, making sure guests wear masks and keep their distance and, importantly, maintaining a positive environment for fragile people who are isolated in their rooms for long hours every day. Those assignments are mostly filled by Los Angeles city and county workers displaced from their regular jobs. The city hired Chrysalis to supplement its workers in 15 of the hotels. It was a good fit for Chrysalis’ transitional jobs program. While preparing for permanent jobs, about 450 clients work for the agency. They make a little above minimum wage and get job experience and something to put on their resumes. Most are contracted to business improvement districts, which assess property owners in an area to supplement city services. Easily identifiable in yellow, green and purple T-shirts that signify their district, they push brooms and trash cans picking up downtown’s detritus. Others are janitors at a homeless services agency, work with freeway road crews or tend the city’s homeless storage facilities. Since Project Roomkey began, about 120 of Chrysalis’ transitional workers have gone to work in hotels, and about 55 are currently on the job. Rogers is one of 12 Chrysalis workers assigned to a 94-room hotel in the Fairfax district. It’s the only one of the 38 Project Roomkey hotels that has a beefed-up nursing Continued on next page.


12

• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

Employers can require workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Will it come to that? by Mitchell Schnurman

Here’s one way to get a lot more people to take a vaccine: require it as a condition of employment. Private companies can adopt that policy, which could have a big impact on the uptake of the new COVID-19 vaccines now under rapid development. But such a move would be controversial. The risk of a potential backlash can be seen in the vocal reaction against mask mandates coming from some corWorkplace ners. Given the current politics, imagine the potential opposition to requiring a coronavirus vaccine in order to come to the workplace. “Employers are not trying to make a political statement, but they may be accused of it,” said L.J. Tan, chief strategy officer at the Immunization Action Coalition in St. Paul, Minn. “There’s a lot of autonomy and independence in the U.S., and that creates constant tension with the altruistic goal of trying to protect yourself and those around you.” In the health care industry, it’s fairly common for employers to require vaccines. The underlying premise is that health providers

must take steps to protect their most vulnerable patients. Last year, almost 45% of health care workers said their employers required a flu shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That aggressive approach paid off with 98% flu coverage among employees at those firms — twice as high as the flu immunization rate for the general public. Outside of health care, employers are much more likely to recommend a vaccine, rather than require it. A mandate can lead to worker objections over medical conditions, sincerely held religious beliefs and disabilities — and their claims are protected. “In light of these exemptions and the risk of discrimination, the (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) has advised that it is best practice to simply encourage employees to take the influenza vaccine rather than to mandate it,” two lawyers wrote in July in The National Law Review. “A (COVID) mandate would be an issue for many employees,” said LaToya Alexander, a lawyer for Polsinelli in Dallas and co-author of the article. “Based on my clients, most don’t want to require a vaccine. We’re hearing a lot

of, ‘What should we do? What can we do?’” Employers often go to lengths to increase the uptake of annual flu shots in order to promote a healthier workforce. Many sponsor health fairs and bring in nurses to administer the vaccines for free. Some offer prizes and other incentives, and the COVID vaccine campaign is likely to have similar elements. “It’ll be like the flu shot — plus, plus, plus,” said Harry D. Jones, a longtime employment lawyer for Littler Mendelson in Dallas. “There will be a lot more pressure to get it done because the cost to morale would be so great if companies have to exit the workplace again.” Many people already complain about the fatigue from social distancing and wearing masks. By next summer, if the coronavirus is still spreading rapidly, it’s going to be difficult for employers to accept that some workers just don’t want to get a vaccine, Jones said. “Employers will say, ‘We don’t want to make this mandatory,’” Jones said. “The CEOs and heads of HR (human resources) don’t want another drama or contentious fight. But they want to stop the quarantines and disruptions. “If we have a vaccine that’s safe and working, they’re going to become frustrated and

The coronavirus gave them jobs — and a new lease on life

Continued from preceding page. staff to function as a recuperative center for people who have active medical conditions that require attention. It’s not equipped for quarantine, so guests who test positive for COVID-19 are moved to other sites for isolation. (The Times is withholding the identity of the hotel to protect the privacy of its guests.) She arrives for her morning shift at 7, after a 45-minute bus ride from South L.A. Part of her day is in the lobby, converted to an office. Working with homeless people has been a revelation for Rogers. “Where I come from, South-Central, you would think homeless people is just drug addicts,” she said. “You wouldn’t really look into their stories, learning it’s from mental illness, some people just down on their luck. It’s been really touching here. Really touching.” About half the Chrysalis’ workers, like Rogers, have criminal convictions that limit their job potential. For one of them, a colleague on the morning shift, the chance to work with the nursing staff could be a boost for her chosen career. But for now, a nursing license is out of the question for Dwona Beroit, who said she spent 32 months in prison for carrying a firearm. “Probably later in life after I get it expunged,” she said of her hopes for a credential. After prison, Beroit entered a state-funded residential treatment program in El Monte. From there she was referred to Chrysalis. Project Roomkey is giving her work and — a key goal of the transitional job program — a resume in line with her goals. Her plan is to return to school this fall to become a certified nurse’s assistant. “I think I found my niche,” she said. “I can always help people.” Filling out the morning shift are Jonas McClanahan, an Army veteran recently released after four years in Ironwood prison, in Blythe, for burglary, and Jon Crosby, an Ohio transplant who found himself on the street when his job at Chipotle evaporated. McClanahan, 37, had lived at a recovery program in Venice for several weeks when the stay-at-home order forced him to make a tough

choice. The home didn’t want residents coming and going every day, he said. “I had to choose between staying there and sitting around or going to work and get my life back together,” he said. He chose Chrysalis and Project Roomkey. He lived on the streets until he found a room for rent in a house. He’s about to move into his own apartment. He thinks he can make it on his $17-an-hour salary. “I don’t eat out, can’t go to movies,” he said. Divorced by the mother of two of his children, he looks forward to reuniting with a son whose mother has died and is living with grandparents. Beyond that, he has only a hazy view of what happens after Project Roomkey comes to an end. “I feel lucky to be working,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of applications out there.” Crosby, 27, landed on skid row shortly after his 2018 move to Los Angeles. He got away with the help of friends who let him stay with them and was renting a guest house in Burbank when he lost his job and couldn’t pay his rent. He went back to what he knew, skid row. On a tip, he walked into Chrysalis. “Within a week I got a job,” he said. For now he lives in a house in Hollywood converted by its owner to congregate living with five beds in each of its three bedrooms. “Just a place to live,” he said. “Helping people get off the street.” Just before noon the four workers loaded carts in the food storage room and rolled them to their floors. Accompanied by a caseworker and registered nurse, each began knocking on doors. “Elizabeth. Lunch time,” Rogers shouted outside a door. A frail woman opened the door. “Going to get your temperature,” the nurse said, aiming a device at her forehead. “Do you have any questions, concerns, anything I should know about?” the caseworker asked. She didn’t. “You want a chicken wrap?” Rogers asked. “How many waters, one or two?”

The woman took the offering and returned to her room. The team moved on to the next door. “You gotta know what they like,” Rogers said. “I have to convince people that say, ‘I just want cookies and snacks.’ I say, ‘This tastes just like cookies and snacks.’ “ ©2020 Los Angeles Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

tired with just asking,” he said. “Companies think if they just ask nicely and tell the upside, employees will do it. But there’s going to be some holdouts.” He points to the evolution over requiring masks. Many elected leaders, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, merely recommended that people wear face coverings in public. But as COVID-19 outbreaks grew, Abbott and others imposed mask mandates. No one’s in a rush to announce a policy on the COVID vaccine, but some companies may become pioneers. Restaurants, for example, could stand apart by having all employees vaccinated — and bragging about COVIDsafe policies. They already tout their approach to cleaning surfaces and providing curbside pickup. “Economic factors will have a lot to do with how this unfolds, especially among workers who are facing the public,” said Robert Field, a law professor and health regulation expert at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He said companies often require drug tests for employees and say the policy improves public safety. Requiring a vaccine could be considered in a similar light, especially if public recommendations don’t cut it. “If political leaders are ambivalent about a vaccine, that’s going to translate into public ambivalence,” Field said. “And Texas already has a great libertarian tradition.” Texas is a laggard on adult vaccinations, ranking dead last with Louisiana in a recent ranking. Just 25% of Texas adults had the recommended flu and pneumonia vaccines in 2018, according to the Commonwealth Fund report. Most people won’t be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine for a while because health Continued on page 18.

SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

Puzzle on page 11.


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KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THRASHER, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of Thrasher, Inc. have been amended and restated in their entirety as follow: Article 1 states the name of the Corporation as Thrasher, Inc. Article 2 states the purpose. Article 3 states the number of shares the Corporation is authorized to issue as 8 Class A and 3,030 Class B shares all having a par value of $1.00. Article 4 states the Registered Office of the Corporation as 25022 Farnam Circle, Waterloo, Nebraska 68069, and the Registered Agent as Gregory M. Thrasher. Article 5 states the Corporation shall have perpetual existence. Article 6 states the provisions relating to amending the Articles and Bylaws. Article 7 states that provisions relating to the director liability. Article 8 states that the shareholders shall not a have a preemptive right to acquire the unissued shares of the Corporation. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on August 27, 2020. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF FAIR OAKS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Fair Oaks, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Fair Oaks, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ROS Interiors, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ROS Interiors, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 3401 N. 97th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53222 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, NE 68114. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF AIRLOPA, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Airlopa, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1125 S 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 S 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on September 3, 2020. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF ZAS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ZAS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 8002 North 127th Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68142. The registered agent is ZAHER A. SERHAN. The general nature of the business is to operate a general property management 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 property management 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 August 10, 2020, 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 September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CARRIAGE 2117, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF MÅNSSON NORD AMERIKA STUDIO, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MÅNSSON NORD AMERIKA STUDIO, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 7431 Nina Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent is ROBERT H. HOLMES. The general nature of the business is to operate a general tattoo parlor 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 tattoo parlor 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 June 10, 2020, 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 By-Laws, 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 September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF OBOETIENTIA II, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Oboetientia II, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 4361 Lafayette Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. 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 Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 2, 2020. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF ZOMD, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that ZOMD, Inc. (the “Corporation”) has been incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Corporation shall have authority to issue 10,000 shares, having a par value of $1.00 each, all of which shall be common stock. The street address of the initial registered office of the Corporation is 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name of its initial registered agent at such address is DDLG Business Services, Inc. The name and street address of the incorporator of the Corporation is Seth J. Moen, 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GCP III CONCOURSE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that GCP III Concourse, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. The Registered Agent of the Company is Zachary A. Wiegert, 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

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CATHERINE E. FRENCH, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF ARLANDA SOLUTIONS, LLC Notice is hereby given that an Amendment to the Certificate of Organization of Arlanda Solutions, LLC was filed with the Secretary of State on September 3, 2020, to change the name of the business to Arlanda Business Solutions, LLC. The address of the company’s initial designated office is 200 South 31st Avenue, #4303, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF COTTON 15843, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BENSON 2538, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RED 15708, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BARK 4425, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF UST 19466, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ROB 16117, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020 ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ERS 16461, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF GRANT TAYLOR MADE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that GRANT TAYLOR MADE, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 12879 Bauman Ave, Omaha NE, 68112. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Veronica Switzer located at 2879 Bauman Ave, Omaha NE 68112. The limited liability company commenced business on June 29, 2020. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020


14

• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF COTTON 15812, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

ALLAN M. ZIEBARTH, Attorney 1702 South 10 Street, Suite 2 Omaha, Nebraska 68108 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BURD 16456, LLC Designated Office: 1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 Initial Agent/Address For Service: Allan M. Ziebarth/1702 S. 10 St., Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68108 First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LEGACY SPECTRUM ADVISORS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Legacy Spectrum Advisors, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 18514 Vinton Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on August 31, 2020. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

JUDITH A. WELLS, Attorney Law Office of Judith A. Wells 5062 South 108th Street, #246 Omaha, Nebraska 68102 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-1284 Estate of CEATRICE COTTON, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on August 31, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, ROGER COTTON, whose address is 5925 North 24th Street, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, has been appointed Personal Representative of this estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before November 11, 2020 or be forever barred. CARROL L. MILLS Registar First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

JARROD D. REECE, Attorney LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-1221 In Re: The Abigail Young Koch Revocable Trust Notice is hereby given that on August 11, 2020, a Petition for Determination of Trustee was filed in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. A hearing will be had on said Petition of Determination of Trustee before Honorable Marcela Keim, in Douglas County Courtroom 330, Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68138 on November 10, 2020, at 9 a.m. or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

DANIEL C. PAULEY, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF BACTLD, 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 BACTLD, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 166055 Oak Street, Omaha, NE 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 to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on July 31st and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF MÅNSSON NORD AMERIKA STUDIO, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MÅNSSON NORD AMERIKA STUDIO, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 7431 Nina Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The registered agent is ROBERT H. HOLMES. The general nature of the business is to operate a general tattoo parlor 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 tattoo parlor 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 June 10, 2020, 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 By-Laws, 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 September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT OF EW FENCE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Certificate of Organization of EW Fence, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended as follows: the limited liability company has changed its name to S & W Fence, LLC. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 2, 2020. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

Notice of Non-Discriminatory Clause Heartland School does not discriminate on the basis of race/ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status or economic status, or veteran status, in the administration of any of its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, recreational, and other school-administered programs. Questions and/or concerns may be directed to Ms. Mary Quiroz; 5731 S 108th St.; Omaha, NE 68137. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 18, 2020 JUDITH A. WELLS, Attorney 5062 South 108th Street, #246 Omaha, Nebraska 68137 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-1281 Estate of MAMIE LEE CARROLL, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on 8TH day of September, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said deceased and that CANZATER MCCARTY, whose address is 4265 Corby Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68111, was informally appointed via Will as Personal Representative of the Estate of Mamie Lee Carroll, decedent named herein. 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 November 18, 2020 or be forever barred. KELLEY J. GOLDEN Clerk of the County Probate Court First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020 ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP, Attorneys 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION The Beard & Mane, Inc. has been incorporated under the Nebraska Business Corporation Act. The street address of the corporation's initial registered office is 2235 Saint Mary’s Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, and the name of the initial registered agent of the corporation at that office is Matthew B. Gosier. The corporation is authorized to issue 1,000 shares of Common Stock. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation are Matthew B. Gosier, 2235 Saint Mary’s Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: redbox+ of Omaha Name of Applicant: Big Red Waste Solutions, LLC Address: 18058 Honeysuckle Dr. Elkhorn NE 68022 Applicant is a Limited Liability Company If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 9-2-2020 General nature of business: Waste removal business MARK FREDRICKSON Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative September 25, 2020

NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF PopOmaha!, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PopOmaha!, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 5428 South 13th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68107. The registered agent is AUBREY A. PALERMO. The general nature of the business is to operate a general licensed signage rental/installation 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 licensed signage rental/installation 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 May 27, 2020, 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 September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF TRUE IRON TATTOO, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that TRUE IRON TATTOO, INC., is incorporated under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with a registered office at 11408 Elm Street, #16, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. The registered agent is AARON JOSEPH WERT. The general nature of the business is to operate a general tattoo shop 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 tattoo shop 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 June 24, 2020, 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 By-Laws, and the offi¬cers 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 September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

DANIEL C. PAULEY, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF TL Speaks, 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 TL Speaks, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 10358 Redick, Avenue, Omaha, NE 68122. 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 May 20, 2020 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 N O T I C E O F A M E N D M E N T T O T H E A RT I C L E S O F INCORPORATION OF S & W FENCE, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of S & W Fence, Inc., a Nebraska corporation, were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 2, 2020 to amend Article I, changing the name of the corporation to SSAM Fence Holdings, Inc. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020 TIMOTHY J. BUCKLEY, Attorney GOVIER, KATSKEE, SUING & MAXELL, PC, LLO 10404 Essex Court, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-1328 Estate of HARRY E SEVERSON, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on 2nd day of September, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Decedent and that DOUGLAS E. SEVERSON, whose address is 15141 Edna St., Omaha, Nebraska 68138, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before November 11, 2020 or be forever barred. Kelley J. Golden Clerk of the County Court First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020


Midlands Business Journal • SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ONE VISION PROPERTIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that One Vision Properties, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 12953 Ohio Circle Omaha, Nebraska 68164. The Registered Agent of the Company is James J Churray at 12953 Ohio Circle Omaha, Nebraska 68164. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

CAMERON M. RIECKE, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF LUGER, 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 Luger, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 13006 Scott Street, Omaha, Ne 68142. 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 September 10, 2020 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 September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

MARK J. LAPUZZA, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF CHROMATIC BLACK STUDIO, INC. Notice is hereby given of incorporation of CHROMATIC BLACK STUDIO, INC. under the laws of the State of Nebraska as follows: 1. The name of the professional corporation is CHROMATIC BLACK STUDIO, INC. 2. The number of shares that the professional corporation is authorized to issue is 10,000 shares of voting common stock. 3. The name of the initial registered agent is Mark J. LaPuzza, and the address of the initial registered office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. 4. The name and address of the incorporator is Mark J. LaPuzza, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. 5. The general nature of the profession to be practiced by the Corporation is custom art and graphic design. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

GROSS & WELCH, P.C., L.L.O. 2120 South 72 Street, Suite 1500 Omaha, Nebraska 68124 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DUNCAN 1305 MAIN STREET, LLC a Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that DUNCAN 1305 MAIN STREET, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 19604 V Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68135, 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 September 3, 2020, the Company commenced business thereon, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Managing Member. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ESHELMAN CHIROPRACTIC, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Eshelman Chiropractic, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 909 Capitol Ave apt 507, Omaha, Nebraska 68102. The Registered Agent of the Company is Nebraska Registered Agent, Inc., 530 South 13th Street, Suite 100, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION 1. The name of the limited liability company is Sarah Abegglen Professional Services, LLC 2. The address of the designated office of the company is 19820 Sherwood Circle Gretna NE, 68028 3. Agent of Service: Office: The initial mailing address of the initial agent for service 19820 Sherwood Circle, Gretna, NE 68028. The name of the initial agent for service of the company at such address is Nicholas J. Abegglen First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mobile Anesthesia Consultants, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The limited liability company shall conduct the practice of medicine. The designated office of the limited liability company is 17330 West Center Road, Suite 110-340, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on September 8, 2020. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 13330 California Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KROS STRAIN MANAGEMENT, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Kros Strain Management, Inc. (hereinafter the “Company”) was organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska and commenced perpetual existence on September 4, 2020. The Company is authorized to issue 200 shares of common stock. The Company has designated its registered agent as Scott Strain with registered office at 10411 Portal Road, Ste. 102, La Vista, NE 68128. The incorporator is Colleen Tieman with address at 13330 California Street, Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68154. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

DARREN R. CARLSON, Attorney CARLSON & BURNETT, LLP 17525 Arbor Street Omaha, NE 68130 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ESCAPE NETWORK, LLC Notice is hereby given that ESCAPE NETWORK, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 2002 Douglas Street, Ste. 102, Omaha, NE 68102. The initial registered agent is Darren R. Carlson, whose address is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The purpose of the Company shall be 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 September 10, 2020 and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is to be managed by the Manager of the Company. The initial Manager is Joel Jacobs, 2002 Douglas Street Ste. 102, Omaha, NE 68102. The initial Members of the Company are Joel Jacobs, 2002 Douglas Street Ste. 102, Omaha, NE 68102. Darren R. Carlson, Organizer First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF MR INC. NO.3 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MR Inc. No. 3, a Nebraska corporation (“Corporation”), has filed Articles of Dissolution with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 15, 2020, and the Corporation is in the process of voluntary dissolution. The terms and conditions of such dissolution are, in general, that all debts and obligations of the Corporation are to be fully paid and satisfied or adequate provision is to be made therefore. The President, Walter D Scott, will wind up and liquidate the Corporation’s business and affairs. The Corporation has no assets or liabilities as of the date hereof. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is here by given that a limited liability company has been formed under the name of Pa Mas, LLC. The address of the registered office is 17102 Patrick Ave, Omaha, NE 68661. 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 company commenced on July 15, 2020 and has perpetual existence. The affairs of the limited liability company are to be conducted by its members until such time as their successors(s) are selected pursuant to the Operating Agreement. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STARDUST EVENTS AND SERVICES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Stardust Events and Services, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 1310 North 29th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 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 September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020

15

SCOTT A. MEYERSON, Esq. LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF OLSEN AND RIHA LLC Notice is hereby given that Olsen and Riha LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial designated office is 12105 Wirt Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68164. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial agent for service of process is 706 N. 129th St., Suite 121, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Legalinc Corporate Services, Inc. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JZ PROPERTY GROUP, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that JZ Property Group, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 3031 NW 7th Street, Lincoln, NE 68521 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 September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MMMT HOLDINGS, LLC The name of the Company is MMMT Holdings, LLC. The Designated Office of the Company is: 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is: Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. This limited liability company commenced business on September 14, 2020. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF True Splendor Diamonds and Gold, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that True Splendor Diamonds and Gold, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 8702 N 30th St Omaha, NE 68112 The Registered Agent of the Company is Cornell T Garrett., 8702 N 30th St Omaha, NE 68112. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

ANDREW J. HUBER, Attorney LAMSON, DUGAN and MURRAY, LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3743 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF B MORTON DESIGN, 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 B Morton Design, LLC. The initial designated office is 2305 South 191st Street, Omaha, NE 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 to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on September 10, 2020 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM#715241 LDM Business Services, Inc., Organizer First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 N O T I C E O F A M E N D M E N T T O T H E A RT I C L E S O F I N C O R P O R AT I O N O F M A I N E L L I M E C H A N I C A L CONTRACTORS, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles of Incorporation of Mainelli Mechanical Contractors, Inc., a Nebraska corporation, have been amended to show that the Corporation shall have the authority to issue 1,000 shares of voting common stock and 19,000 shares of nonvoting common stock, each with a par value of $0.50. The Articles of Amendment were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 15, 2020. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RODFORCE 2, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Rodforce 2, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. The Registered Agent of the Company is Zachary A. Wiegert, 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020


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• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LHZ HOLDING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that LHZ Holdings, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 3105 N 84th Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68134. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kyle Schaefer, 3105 N 84th Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68134. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020 DANA ROCHE, Attorney RINGENBERG & RATTNER LAW 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 3833 VILLAGE DRIVE CARWASH RE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 3833 Village Drive Carwash RE, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 222 S. 15th Street, Suite 1404S, Omaha, Nebraska, 68102. The Registered Agent of the Company is Kendra Ringenberg, 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 204, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

Notice of Organization QSR Store 13, LLC Notice is hereby given that QSR Store 13, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered office at 16379 Cheyenne Road Omaha, Nebraska 68136, and its registered agent is Bryce Bares. Its designated office is located at 16379 Cheyenne Road, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The general nature of the business will be to engage in the transaction of any or all lawful business, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The LLC was filed with the State of Nebraska on May 12, 2020. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

Notice of Organization QSR Store 15, LLC Notice is hereby given that QSR Store 15, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered office at 16379 Cheyenne Road Omaha, Nebraska 68136, and its registered agent is Bryce Bares. Its designated office is located at 16379 Cheyenne Road, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The general nature of the business will be to engage in the transaction of any or all lawful business, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The LLC was filed with the State of Nebraska on January 23, 2020. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020 Notice of Organization Galaxy Ventures VI, LLC Notice is hereby given that Galaxy Ventures VI, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered office at 16379 Cheyenne Road Omaha, Nebraska 68136, and its registered agent is Bryce Bares. Its designated office is located at 16379 Cheyenne Road, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The general nature of the business will be to engage in the transaction of any or all lawful business, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The LLC was filed with the State of Nebraska on January 23, 2020. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

Notice of Organization QSR Store 14, LLC Notice is hereby given that QSR Store 14, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its registered office at 16379 Cheyenne Road Omaha, Nebraska 68136, and its registered agent is Bryce Bares. Its designated office is located at 16379 Cheyenne Road, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The general nature of the business will be to engage in the transaction of any or all lawful business, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The LLC was filed with the State of Nebraska on May 19, 2020. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

HOWARD KASLOW, Attorney ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Kleinberg Family Foundation has been incorporated under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. The corporation is a public benefit corporation. The street address of the corporation’s initial registered office is 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114; and the name of the initial registered agent of the corporation at that office is Howard J. Kaslow. The corporation is organized for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation are Cindy H. Levy, Zechariah 24, Efrat, Israel 90435. The corporation will not have members. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MACK RESTAURANT CONSTRUCTION, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mack Restaurant Construction, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 6207 S. 180th Ave Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68135. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Boone Consulting, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 11225 Davenport Street, Ste. 108, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The registered agent of the Company is Scott M. Boone, 11225 Davenport Street, Ste. 108, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The Company was formed on September 4, 2020. First publication September 11, 2020, final September 25, 2020 JEROME OKOLO, Attorney OKOLO LAW FIRM LLC 11605 W Dodge Rd, #5 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-1352 Estate of HENRY EMODI, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on 8TH day of September, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said deceased and that JUSTINA DONNELLY, whose address is 14102 Seward St., Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska 68154, has been formally appointed via Will as Personal Representative of the Estate of Henry Emodi, decedent named herein. 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 November 18, 2020 or be forever barred. KELLEY J. GOLDEN Clerk of the County Probate Court First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

CHRIS ABBOUD, Attorney ABBOUD LAW FIRM 6530 South 84th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68127 NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-1363 Estate of BONNY BURGESS ABBOUD, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on 8TH day of September, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, 17TH and Farnam Streets, Omaha, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written Statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said deceased and that ANDREW ABBOUD, 9 Club Vista Drive, Henderson, Nevada 89052, has been appointed Personal Representative of this Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before November 18, 2020 or be forever barred. KELLEY J. GOLDEN Clerk of the County Probate Court First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney JAKE T. HOULIHAN, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68144 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: STERLING RANDOLPH, 6417 N. 79th Avenue, Omaha NE 68134, you are hereby notified that on July 14, 2020, The General Insurance Co. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI2012643, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $12,481.17, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 9th day of November, 2020, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 9, 2020 KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF KBK INTEGRATED, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that KBK Integrated, 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 September 9, 2020. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020 WHITMORE LAW OFFICE LLC 7602 Pacific Street, Suite 200 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that South Creek Farms, L.L.C. (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the Company is 3363 South 220th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent of the Company is William S. Black, 3363 South 220th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68022. The Company was formed on September 9, 2020. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JAAK RESIDENTIAL HOLDINGS, LLC JAAK Residential Holdings, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The address of the designated office of the company is 9856 Devonshire Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Amy C. Wiechmann, 9856 Devonshire Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ACW, LLC ACW, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The purpose of the company is to render professional real estate sales services in the State of Nebraska. The address of the designated office of the company is 9856 Devonshire Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are Amy C. Wiechmann, 9856 Devonshire Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DIVENTURES COLUMBIA, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that DiVentures Columbia, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 4303 South 121st Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68137. 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 September 21, 2020. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

ROBERT J. LIKES, Esq. LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 N O T I C E O F O R G A N I Z AT I O N O F K AT I E B A U E R LY PHOTOGRAPHY LLC Notice is hereby given that Katie Bauerly Photography LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial designated office is 1546 South 79th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial agent for service of process is 1546 South 79th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Katie Bauerly. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

MATTHEW T. PAYNE, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BUSINESS ETHICS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Business Ethics, LLC 1. The name of the limited liability company is Business Ethics, LLC 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 13716 Corby Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68164, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Matthew T. Payne, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WICKERSHAM FAMILIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Wickersham Families, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office address of the Company is 10580 South 147th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68138. The name and address of the registered agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020


Midlands Business Journal • SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • LEGAL NOTICES DVORAK LAW GROUP LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF AFFILIATED FARM MANAGEMENT, LLC Notice is hereby given that the Certificate of Organization of Affiliated Farm Management, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been amended to reflect that the company renders professional services. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on July 27, 2020. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: The Crossroads of Omaha Name of Applicant: KJ Crossroads Venture, LLC Address: 12910 Pierce Street, Ste. 110, Omaha, NE 68144 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: August 2020 General nature of business: Real estate development and management BENJAMIN J. PICK Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative September 25, 2020

ALTON E. MITCHELL, Attorney at Law, LLC 1905 Harney Street, Suite 711 Omaha, Nebraska, 68102 Notice of Organization of Wisdom Sales, LLC Notice is hereby given that a Limited Liability Company has been formed under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial Registered Agent is: Alton E. Mitchell. The address of the initial Designated Office is: Wisdom Sales, LLC, 2107 South 214th Avenue, Elkhorn, NE 68022. The Certificate of Organization was filed with the Secretary of State on September 17, 2020. The Company has perpetual existence; the general nature of its business is operation of convenience store(s). Company business will be conducted by its Manager as described in the Company’s Operating Agreement. Alton E. Mitchell, Authorized Representative. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

KARINE E. SOKPOH, Attorney SOKPOH LAW GROUP 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF ELEVATE OMAHA, INC. Notice is hereby given that Elevate Omaha, Inc. has been incorporated as a public benefit non- profit corporation under Nebraska laws, with its registered office at 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247, Omaha, NE 68114. Its agent at that office is Karine E. Sokpoh. The corporation shall have members and its incorporator is Karine E. Sokpoh and her address is 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247, Omaha, NE 68114. The corporation’s principal place of business is 2921 South 102nd Street, Omaha, NE 68124. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

DENNIS P. LEE, Attorney JAKE T. HOULIHAN, Attorney LEE LAW OFFICE 2433 South 130th Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68144 NOTICE OF SUIT TO: RANDY NEELON, 3719 N 43rd St, Omaha NE 68111, you are hereby notified that on July 14, 2020, American Family Mutual Ins. filed a suit against you in the Douglas County Court at docket CI20-12621, the object in prayer of which was to secure a judgment against you in the amount of $3,563.74, together with court costs, interest and attorney's fees as allowed by law. Unless you file your Answer with the Douglas County Court on or before the 16 day of November, 2020, the Petition against you will be considered as true and judgment will be entered against you accordingly. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 16, 2020

MARY E. VANDENACK, Attorney VANDENACK WEAVER LLC 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3 Omaha, Nebraska 68118 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF SHAPING YOUR WORLD MINISTRIES Shaping Your World Ministries has been incorporated under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. The corporation is a Public Benefit Corporation. The street address of the corporation’s initial registered office is 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118, and the name of the initial registered agent of the corporation at that office is Mary E. Vandenack. The corporation is organized for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes. The corporation commenced on September 8, 2020. The name and street address of the incorporator of the corporation is Mary E. Vandenack, 17007 Marcy Street, Suite 3, Omaha, NE 68118. The corporation will not have members. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

KARINE E. SOKPOH, Attorney SOKPOH LAW GROUP 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DOKS HOLDINGS, LLC Notice is hereby given that DOCKS HOLDINGS, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws, with its designated office at 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247, Omaha, NE 68114. It is organized to transact any lawful business for which a Limited Liability Company may be organized under Nebraska laws and its duration is perpetual commencing from September 8 , 2020. Its affairs are to be conducted by the managers Karine E. Sokpoh and Damilola J. Oluyole. Its registered agent is Karine E. Sokpoh and her office is located at 10730 Pacific Street, Suite 247, Omaha, NE 68114. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF MERGER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Articles of Merger of Pacific Springs Assembly of God, a Nebraska nonprofit corporation, with and into Flatland Group, a Nebraska nonprofit corporation, were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 16, 2020, in accordance with the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. The merger was effective upon the filing date. The surviving entity in the merger was Flatland Group, a Nebraska nonprofit corporation. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

BROWN & WOLFF, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys and Counselors at Law 1925 North 120th Street, One Bennington Place Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF CUBBY’S-BELLEVUE, LLC NOTICE is hereby given that Cubby’s-Bellevue, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of its registered office 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 17th day of September, 2020, and shall have perpetual existence. The Company shall be managed by one (1) manager, PHILLIP E. MORRISON, whose address is 9229 Mormon Bridge Road, Suite 6, Omaha, Nebraska 68152. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

RODNEY G. GNUSE, Attorney GNUSE & GREEN LAW OFFICES, P.C., Attorneys 11311 Chicago Circle Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF PURPOSE REAL ESTATE, L.L.C. A Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that Purpose Real Estate, L.L.C., a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 3173 Meredith Avenue, Omaha, NE 68111. The general nature of its business is to engage in and do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Certificate of Organization was filed in the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 18, 2020. The Company commenced business thereon and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Members. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: The Crossroads Omaha Name of Applicant: KJ Crossroads Venture, LLC Address: 12910 Pierce Street, Ste. 100, Omaha, NE 68144 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: August 2020 General nature of business: Real estate development and management BENJAMIN J. PICK Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative September 25, 2020

FITZGERALD, SCHORR, BARMETTLER & BRENNAN, P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 10050 Regency Circle, 200 Regency One Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3794 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION MDC ENTERPRISES, 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 6614 N. 105th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68122. The name, street address and mailing address of the initial agent for service of process of the Company are Michael D. Coughlin, 6614 N. 105th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68122. Dated this 21st of September, 2020. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

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BENJAMIN J. PICK, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BACHMAN LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SANDRA ANN, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Sandra Ann, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Sandra Ann, LLC; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Benjamin J. Pick, 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

JAMIE M. HURST, Attorney MICHAEL F. KIVETT, Attorney WALENTINE O'TOOLE, Attorneys at Law 11240 Davenport Street P.O. Box 540125 Omaha, Nebraska 68154-0125 NOTICE OF AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR GRETNA ELITE ACADEMY F/K/A GRETNA SOCCER CLUB Notice is hereby given that Gretna Soccer Club, a Nebraska non-profit public benefit corporation, filed its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation changing the name of the company to Gretna Elite Academy. The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 18, 2020. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: inCOMMON Community Development Name of Applicant: MOSAIC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Address: 1340 Park Avenue, OMAHA, NE 68105 Applicant is a Corporation If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: June 26, 2001 General nature of business: Community Development CHRISTIAN GRAY Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative September 25, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF METAL PETAL ART, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Metal Petal Art, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 618 South 184th Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on August 10, 2020. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

KOLEY JESSEN P.C., L.L.O., Attorneys 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, One Pacific Place Omaha, Nebraska 68124-1079 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF BLUE POMEGRANATE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Blue Pomegranate, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 618 South 184th Street, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O., 1125 South 103rd Street, Suite 800, Omaha, Nebraska 68124. The limited liability company commenced business on August 5, 2020. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

Notice is hereby given that Gifted Minds Learning Center LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 11235 Sahler Street, Omaha, NE 68164. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Beverly Tate, 11235 Sahler Street, Omaha, NE, 68164. The company is member-managed. Nature of the Company is childcare. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF STEINKEMPER INVESTMENTS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Steinkemper Investments, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with the following initial designated office, registered agent and registered office: Molly Steinkemper, 1517 S. 152nd Cir., Omaha, NE 68144. Business to be transacted is any lawful business, excluding professional services. The business commenced on December 30, 2019, and is perpetual. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020


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• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

LEGAL NOTICES ERICKSON l SEDERSTROM, P.C., Attorneys 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Corporate Name: Eesley, Inc. Registered Agent: Erickson & Sederstrom P.C., a limited liability organization Registered Office: 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 Authorized Number of Shares: 10,000 Incorporator: Charles V. Sederstrom, Jr. Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C., L.L.O. 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020 CHARLES E. DORWART, Attorney MASSIH LAW, LLC 226 North 114th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-1364 Estate of ELSIE EMMA HICKS, Deceased Notice is hereby given that on 8TH day of September, 2020, in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska, the Registrar issued a written statement of Informal Probate of the Will of said Decedent and that DARREL LECHNER, 9111 Valley View Drive, La Vista, NE 68128, was informally appointed by the Registrar as Personal Representative of the Estate. Creditors of this estate must file their claims with this Court, located at Courtroom No. 30, Third Floor, Probate Division, Douglas County Hall of Justice, 17th & Farnam Streets, Omaha, NE 68183, on or before November 18, 2020 or be forever barred. KELLEY J. GOLDEN Clerk of the County Probate Court First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

MATTHEW WURSTNER, Attorney CARLSON & BURNETT, LLP, Attorneys 17525 Arbor Street Omaha, Nebraska 68130 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF FIBRAFIL USA, LLC Notice is hereby given that FIBRAFIL USA, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The initial designated office is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, NE 68130. The initial registered agent is Matthew Wurstner, whose address is 17525 Arbor Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. The purpose of the Company shall be 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 September 18, 2020 and shall have a perpetual period of duration. The Company is to be managed by the Manager of the Company. The initial Manager is Awad Qumseya 15606 Elm Street, Suite 105, Omaha, NE 68130. The initial Member of the Company is Awad Qumseya, 15606 Elm Street, Suite 105, Omaha, NE 68130. Matthew Wurstner, Organizer First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020 MICHAEL S. MOSTEK, Attorney MOSTEK LAW LLC 1111 North 13th Street, Suite 305 Omaha, Nebraska 68102 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Travel Spotts LLC Notice is hereby given that Travel Spotts LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the initial designated office of the Company is 13952 Arbor Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144, and the name of the initial designated agent at that address is Sharon Potts. The Company is organized to engage in any and all business, other than banking and insurance, for which a Limited Liability Company may be organized under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The Company commenced its existence on September 8, 2020, and its duration shall be perpetual. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Managing Member and/or Members as authorized by the Company’s Operating Agreement. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF THE BEDINGERS, LLC Notice is hereby given that The Bedingers, LLC, has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws, with its designated office at 2566 Farnam St, Ste. 301, Omaha, NE 68131. The initial agent of The Bedingers, LLC is Northwest Registered Agent Services Inc., 530 S. 13th St, Ste. 100, Lincoln, NE 68508. The limited liability company commenced business on July 02, 2020. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020 SCOTT A. MEYERSON, Esq. LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100 Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SHMILY WOODS LLC Notice is hereby given that Shmily Woods LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial designated office is 14918 Burt Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial agent for service of process is 14918 Burt Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Pam Hagge. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020 DIANE B. METZ, Attorney 1823 Harney Street, ES 1005 Omaha, Nebraska 68102 LEGAL NOTICE In the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska. PR20-1440 Estate of Helen Goings, Deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition of Adjudication of Intestacy of said Decedent, Determination of Heirs, and Appointment of Harold Durman Goings, Jr. II, a.k.a. H.D. Goings as personal representative has been filed herein and is set for hearing in the County Court of Douglas County, Nebraska on October 16th, 2020 at 10:00 o'clock a.m. in room CR30. CARROL L. MILLS Registrar First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020 Extra Mile Holdings LLC 314 S 68th AVE Omaha, NE 68132 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Extra Mile Holdings LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Limited Liability Act. The address of the registered office is 314 S 68th Ave, Omaha, Nebraska 68132 and shall be managed by member Chris Whirrett. The general nature of the business to be transacted by the company is any lawful business which may be carried on in Nebraska as an LLC. The company commenced business as an LLC on September 11, 2020 and shall have perpetual duration. First publication September 25, 2020, final October 9, 2020 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RODFORCE 1, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Rodforce 1, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. The Registered Agent of the Company is Zachary A. Wiegert, 10340 North 84th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68122. First publication September 18, 2020, final October 2, 2020

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During pandemic, more workers being replaced by robots, new study finds by Christian Hetrick

The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating the trend of robots replacing humans in the workplace, which could result in a recovery from recession that nonetheless costs jobs, according to a new report. Workers whose jobs can be done by machines suffered more layoffs per capita than those with jobs that aren’t as easily automated, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said in a report released Monday. People of color were especially harmed, possibly because of their concentration in service jobs at risk of automation. The report noted that most job losses during the health crisis are expected to be temporary. Yet, cashiers, hotel staffers, parking attendants, and others are at risk of permanently losing work if companies become Workplace satisfied with labor-saving technology, or if fears over future pandemics convince firms to stick with machines. The report added that previous recessions resulted in technology replacing laid-off workers too, leading to “jobless recoveries.” There has already been anecdotal evidence that the coronavirus has exacerbated job losses to machines. Besides harming business balance sheets, COVID-19 has forced companies to limit contact between customers and employees. The result has been hotels replacing humans with self-check-in kiosks, meatpacking plants deploying slaughterhouse robots, and call centers using artificial intelligence to hold conversations. The study specifically cited the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, which went cashless and laid off 500 toll workers. “Policymakers need to rethink how to improve the safety net for workers abruptly displaced by the pandemic, who also face an imminent risk of being replaced by technology, as well as how to prepare for the complex workforce transitions ahead,” the report said. The study by economists Lei Ding and Julieth Saenz Molina compared automatable jobs — such as shuttle drivers, retail salespersons, and bank tellers — to occupations at a low risk of being taken by robots, including nurses, plumbers, and teachers. Workers with automatable occupations lost 4.2 more jobs per 100 than the low-risk workers as of August. There were 2.6 million jobs nationwide at risk of permanent automation last month, the study said. The Philly Fed found that automatable jobs held by workers of color were particularly hit hard, suffering 5.1 more job losses per 100 jobs than those held by whites. A possible explanation could be that Blacks and Latinos are concentrated in jobs that can be done by robots and can’t be done at home, such as food service or customer service, the report said. “Pandemic-induced automation is also likely to exacerbate many preexisting racial and economic disparities,” the report said. “The jobs threatened by automation are not evenly distributed across society.” If the coronavirus crisis becomes a prolonged economic crisis, many jobs could be permanently taken by machines, the report warned. It noted that something similar happened during the years-long recovery from the Great Recession. “The actual impact of automation thus could be either relatively modest or quite serious, ultimately depending on when the coronavirus can be contained and how firms and the government respond to automation technologies,” the report said. ©2020 The Philadelphia Inquirer Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

COVID-19 vaccine

Continued from page 12. workers and other vulnerable groups will snap up early doses, said Tan of the Immunization Action Coalition. That will give private employers more time to assess the progress and determine how far they need to go. “If 50% to 70% of their workers get vaccinated, employers won’t have to do much more,” Tan said. “But if it’s just 10% or 15%, then it may become a moral and ethical imperative. They may need to do something more dramatic to make sure their people are protected.” ©2020 The Dallas Morning News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


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• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

UPCOMING

SECTIONS

IN THE MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

MORTGAGES

OCTOBER 9

INDUSTRIAL MARKET

TECHNOLOGY

To advertise your company’s products or services in one of our upcoming sections, contact one of our MBJ advertising representatives at (402) 330-1760 or at the email address below. Karla Steele - karla@mbj.com Space and materials deadline is the Friday prior to the publication date. You may email us your insertion orders directly, or fax them to us at (402) 758-9315. We will acknowledge receiving your instructions.

REGIONAL LANDSCAPES

Briefs…

Veridian Credit Union members elected five directors to its 15-seat board. Board members elected at the 2020 Annual Meeting include: Justine Peebles of Ankeny, Iowa; Ginger Shirley of Waterloo, Iowa; Creston L. Van Wey of Dewar, Iowa; Aubrey Ward of Waukee, Iowa; and Gaylen D. Witzel of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Veridian’s board also assigned directors to its executive committee. Assignments include: Chair: Nick Waters of Johnston, Iowa; Treasurer: Cynthia Buettner of Bellevue, Nebraska; First Vice Chair: Creston L. Van Wey of Dewar, Iowa; Second Vice Chair: James Kacher of Waterloo, Iowa; and Secretary: Justine Peebles of Ankeny, Iowa. INSIDE Public Accounting announced its annual financial performance analysis and ranking of the nation’s largest public accounting firms. This year, Lutz made its third appearance on the IPA Top 100 list, coming in at No. 86. In addition, Lutz was named an IPA “Best of the Best” firm. IPA’s annual Best of the Best recognition honors CPA firms across the country for their superior financial and operational performance based on more than 70 criteria. The selections were based on responses from more than 540 firms that participated in this year’s IPA Survey and Analysis of Firms. Eakes Office Solutions, a provider of business products and solutions, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Founded in 1945 by Howard Eakes, the company has grown from two employees in Grand Island to over 250 employees spanning 13 locations across Nebraska. Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska and Girl Scouts of the USA announced a new cookie in Nebraska and other select areas: Toast-Yay!, a French toast–inspired cookie dipped in icing. In the 2021 season, Nebraska Girl Scouts will again embrace their entrepreneurial spirit by selling cookies through online platforms and innovative “virtual cookie booths” on social media. Many girls will offer socially distant or contactless sales and delivery options. If local guidelines allow, in-person sales may also be available, keeping girls’ safety a top priority. Cookie season kicks off Feb. 12 in Nebraska.

Education notes…

Metropolitan Community College has partnered with Coursera, an online learning platform, giving students the chance to acquire in-demand technology skills entirely online. Through this partnership, MCC students will have access to professional certificates taught by instructors from top universities and industry leaders in fields such as data science and information technology. The noncredit courses will be offered through MCC in online learning formats beginning this fall quarter. The certificates focus on areas of IT customer support, cloud and data engineering, cloud architecture and more. They infuse applied projects, lectures, quizzes, interactive media and learning activities to ensure an engaging and diverse learning experience. Since 2017, First Nebraska Bank has partnered with EVERFI to provide the financial education program. The technology is accessible to schools and students at no cost. The program also includes pre and post-assessments and educator resources that allow teachers to track student progress and quantifiable measures of students’ knowledge gain. Complicated processes — like buying a car or filling out the FAFSA form — are broken down in an easy-to-understand way. Additional topics include understanding a pay stub, savings and investing, and banking basics. First Nebraska Bank also offers short, free online courses for adults. These courses contain topics relevant to personal or business finances online.

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program selected 18-year-old Audrey Anderson of Omaha as a recipient of a $25,000 scholarship for her project, Resilin Distribution and Abundance in Apis mellifera Wing Joints across Biological Age Classes. She is one of only 20 students across the country to be recognized as a scholarship winner. Anderson’s research is the first to demonstrate a relationship between the abundance of resilin and honeybee age class, thus, identifying resilin as a potential age-dependent marker of honeybee health. Her research is an important step to understanding and establishing markers of honeybee health. Anderson will be attending University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a Regents Scholar where she plans to study biological systems engineering. Jane Langenfeld, Mercy High School art teacher, has been named the Outstanding Art Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Art Teachers Association, the highest honor given to active art teachers by the group. The award is given to an individual who meets exceptional standards of excellence and service in art education on local, state, and national levels and is a member of NATA/NAEA who spends at least .51 FTE in art education. Langenfeld has been in art education for 21 years and a teacher at Mercy for 16. She has been the Fine Arts Department Chair since 2006. She is the co-chair of NATA’S Fall Conference and is the independent and secondary schools liaison.

Health care notes…

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center has received the 2020 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest U.S. government honor to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees. Children’s is one of 15 employers nationwide to receive this national award, chosen from more than 2,600 nominations received from Guardsmen and Reservists. This award recognizes employers who provide the most outstanding support for their Guard and Reserve employees and is presented annually by the Secretary of Defense. Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals celebrated the groundbreaking of a $57 million expansion and renovation in Lincoln. It’s the largest construction project on the Lincoln Campus to date. The 112,000-square-foot expansion project adds 59 private patient suites equipped technology, more family support amenities, recreation therapy activities and a new kitchen and dining area. Additionally, it includes a 50,000-squarefoot renovation of outpatient registration and support services. This fall, Sampson Construction, a Lincoln-based company, will begin to erect the framework of the expansion. Two more Lincoln-based companies, Davis Design and Olsson, are assisting with engineering and design. The overall project is expected to be finished in January 2023.

Activities of nonprofits…

The Midlands Community Foundation awarded the Sarpy Community YMCA a $5,126 “technology in preschool” grant. The grant will facilitate the purchase of classroom technology including tablets, iPads and projectors. The additional resources will not only improve learning capabilities for preschool-age children, it will also serve to create a more safe and distanced classroom environment amidst the COVID-related back to school protocols, reducing the sharing of technology items amongst students and helping to facilitate the use of virtual speakers and field trips. The Sarpy YMCA Preschool will facilitate classes on Monday through Friday, with an average of seven students per class.


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• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

In the Spotlight Paid Content LEGAL SERVICES Added

Mark C. Quandahl Attorney Dvorak Law Group, LLC

Dvorak Law Group, LLC is pleased to announce the addition of Mark C. Quandahl to the firm’s banking/finance and corporate practice groups. He joins the team as a former member of Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts’ cabinet as the Director of the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. “Mark’s substantial banking and commercial law expertise, in both the public and private sectors, immediately brings a unique and valuable perspective to two highly regulated areas of the law,” said David Dvorak, President of Dvorak Law Group. “That, coupled with his significant judgment in dealing with technical client issues and regulatory authorities, positions our banking and commercial law practice groups to set a high watermark for advocacy on behalf of the firm’s clients. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have such a seasoned and connected attorney join our team.” Quandahl’s practice focuses on commercial legal matters and government administration. He advises clients within the areas of public administration, banking and finance, non-depository institutions and securities regulation, government relations, litigation, Fintech, healthcare, and start-ups. He received his J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law. “Dvorak Law Group’s clients will benefit from leveraging Mark’s experience and acumen in areas of finance, business, and government,” said David Mayer, Executive Vice President of Dvorak Law Group. “He knows how to maximize outcomes for clients.” Dvorak Law Group, LLC is a fullservice business, estate planning, and litigation law firm with offices in Omaha, Hastings, and Sutton, Nebraska. They serve individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities in Nebraska and throughout the country. To learn more about Dvorak Law Group, visit www.dvoraklawgroup.com.

In the Spotlight continues on pages 30 and 31

Technology, labor dominate local insurance landscape by Dwain Hebda

Coping with the impact of the coronavirus has meant more insurance professionals are leaning on technology to drum up new business and service clients. “Our priority during 2020 has been providing support to physicians, medical facilities and the broader health care community to deal with challenges associated with COVID-19,” said Dale Mahlman, director of market relations for COPIC. “It has forced us to adapt to the changing environment and come up with innovative ways to meet the needs of customers.” Among COPMahlman IC’s innovations are shifting educational programs to a virtual format and building out an online COVID-19 resource center. More challenges lie ahead. “One threat we are focused on is supporting our insureds through issues that may emerge in the wake of COVID-19,” Mahlman said. “We won’t fully know the impact for a while, but we have examined potential outcomes and are doing what we can to prepare our customers to deal with these.” Courtney Callaway, founding agent and CEO of Prime Choice Insurance, said her agency was already using technology regularly in daily business when COVID-19 hit. “My whole team has worked from home full-time for years, so thankfully we were set up in a way that allowed us to work seamlessly throughout the pandem-

ic,” she said. “We have stopped meeting with our customers face-to-face and also stopped a lot of our in-person community outreach efforts, but we have become proficient at using Zoom and communicate entirely over the phone, through email, text, and/or postal mail now.” Callaway, whose firm deals in the individual health insurance market, said steady

Callaway Bretsen two-way communication with clients also helped the firm weather the transition to the new normal. “Being patient and understanding with everyone is vital,” she said. “This is a new way of handling business not only for us but also for our customers.” Not everything about the insurance business has been altered by the pandemic. Paul Bretsen, senior vice president of the Harry A. Koch Company, said the most important factors remain unchanged — whether by virus or the passage of time. “The expectations of our clients have not changed over the years,” he said. “They expect responsiveness, accuracy and attention to detail for their risk management needs of which the insurance policy is just a part.” Delivering on that promise has taken

Technology

new thinking, something for which The Harry A. Koch Company has been known throughout the years, Bretsen said. “We’ve leveraged technology to deliver services,” he said. “These include rapid response to needs such as certificates of insurance or auto ID cards which can either be retrieved 24/7 from our client portal or provided by the client’s account manager.” Another industry challenge that transcends the pandemic has been the challenge of recruiting new professionals into the field. It’s an issue the industry has yet to solve. “While the demand for advisers continues to grow, Wilke the number of advisers in the workforce does not,” said Meghan Wilke, director of advisor development at Mutual of Omaha Advisors. “The financial services industry has an aging workforce and companies are competing for new talent.” Wilke said there’s a good story to tell about careers in insurance and her firm has an unwavering commitment to tell that story to prospective new employees. “As we recruit new advisers, we emphasize the rewarding nature of the career, particularly the ability to make a meaningful impact by helping others build financial security and protect what is most important to them,” she said. “Mutual of Omaha supports its advisers every step of the way in building a successful practice so they can serve customers with the highest level of expertise and guidance.”

Industrial Market A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

A section prepared by the staff of the Midlands Business Journal

Topics may include:

Topics may include:

Overview • Emerging technologies across industries Importance of cybersecurity with remote workforce Digital tools for small businesses

Industry update • Increased pressure on the supply chain • Job market How manufacturers are adjusting safety protocols for COVID-19 Industrial real estate • A look at longtime manufacturers in the metro

Issue Date: October 9 • Ad Deadline: October 1

Issue Date: October 9 • Ad Deadline: October 1

To advertise your company’s products or services in one of our upcoming sections, contact one of our MBJ advertising representatives at (402) 330-1760 or email Karla Steele - karla@mbj.com


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

September 25, 2020

Family-owned businesses remain threads in community fabric by Michelle Leach

Family Enterprise USA reports family-owned or family-controlled firms generated 64% of the Gross Domestic Product and accounted for 78% of new jobs. Renze Display is among those family firms with particularly deep roots in the metro. “In 1895 the Gus A. Renze Co., which is now Renze, was the fabricator of all the parade floats for the Aksarben Electric Parades,” said owner Doug Buchanan. “This annual fall celebration kept the company busy Marcuzzo each year up until 1927 when Aksarben caught fire and burned to the ground, taking all the float chassis with it.” The company sidestepped bankruptcy by painting signs and building retail store window displays. “In 1935, Maynard Buchanan purchased the company and started screen printing large posters, billboards, and some of the first pressure-sensitive decals seen in Nebraska at that time,” his grandson said. Doug Buchanan’s father, John, continued the display building and introduced some of the Midwest’s first portable/modular displays. The third-generation leader propelled Renze into the digital age. “Today, the company occupies 90,000 square feet, filled with some of the latest fabric, rigid board, and roll printers available, plus computer-driven routing and finishing

Brett Hoogeveen, co-owner of MindSet. equipment,” Buchanan said, as he noted Renze “Being a company that started only 30 years has installed corporate branding or assembled after the Civil War, Renze has experienced exhibits in almost every state, along with Can- many victories, but we have also seen some ada and Europe. hard times,” Buchanan said. “The flu pandemic Now in its 125th year, Renze is on the road of 1918 hit Omaha hard like COVID has today.” to rebrand. Then came World Wars, the Great DeIts design lead, Ron Stack, created a new pression and 9/11, which, like now, halted the logo and branding standards — the first in 25- tradeshow/event industry. Through it all, the plus years. team has innovated and adapted; for instance, Likewise, vehicles, team clothing, and this go-around, Renze pivoted to designing, digital and social platforms are on the receiving engineering, fabricating, printing and shipping end of this new look and feel. A late anniversary COVID-19 response items. celebration is planned for 2021. “Generally-speaking of COVID, it was

surreal,” said Louis Marcuzzo, the “Louie M” in Louie M’s Burger Lust. “We’ve never gone through anything like that.” Marcuzzo founded the diner almost 40 years ago, as a catering business. “We closed down the day after St. Patrick’s Day and have ambled along, we did odd jobs and cleaning,” he said. “Because of the [Paycheck Protection Program], we were able to retain all of our help and staff.” And, as of around two months ago, the restaurant reopened. “It’s pretty much Tweedy back to normal; our numbers are fairly decent,” he said. Marcuzzo’s history put the business at an advantage. “Having been here 40 years, I own the building and we have no indebtedness,” he said. “We were able to suffer through it more than a lot of guys.” Marcuzzo is joined in the business by one of his sons — as well as an “extended family” of 30-plus-year employees and loyal patrons. Some of these patrons ask for advice about their business pursuits. For families, it’s important to define, as harsh as it sounds, that “I’m still the boss.” “Your business becomes your alter ego,” he said. When “young kids” ask for his advice, Marcuzzo tells them to have enough money put Continued on next page.


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• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • Family Business

Embracing the right digital sources can help move longtime businesses forward by Gabby Christensen

In order to remain successful, local longtime businesses say adapting to the digital age has been essential. Robert Kozol, owner/CEO of Robert’s Nursery, Lawn, & Landscaping, said if businesses don’t keep up with digital trends, they will not retain certain clients and will not gain new clients either. “Phone books used to be the biggest source of ‘new leads’ for us, or for when clients needed our contact information,” Kozol said. “Now, it's the internet, Facebook and blogging.” Overall, there isn’t a wrong or right way to stay relevant on digital platforms. Instead, it is a matter of research, asking questions and paying for digital marketing to be put in front of prime clients, while also remaining versatile and willing to change often, he noted. “We have adapted by hiring those who are well informed, educated and knowledgeable with these technologies and forms of media,” Kozol said. “This includes both internal and

external sources. We also take input from our clients, vendors and staff that are outside sources. The digital age is forever changing

Simon Reed and changing fast.” Now in its 25th year, Paul J. Strawhecker, Inc. has adopted processes over the years to become more digital, according to Kanani Reed, associate at Paul J. Strawhecker. “Internally, the firm now uses a digital task management system that allows staff members to update each other from the office, at home, or on the go through their phone,”

Reed said. “Having a digital task management system helps to coordinate with our nonprofit clients, graphic designers and grant writers.” Additionally, she said the business has recognized the use of smartphones in relation to fundraising, and therefore has focused a significant portion of client training on text communications and virtual fundraising. “The increased Baker use of smartphones in our daily lives pivots our focus to fundraising via apps and social media,” Reed said. Like many businesses, Omaha Steaks has adapted its digital marketing through the decades while consistently listening to customers in order to remain ahead in the industry, according to fifth-generation family-owner Todd Simon. “Today, our largest sales channel is our

website, so the internet completely changed the dynamics of our business,” Simon said. “We continue to innovate digitally through mobile purchasing — a major shift is happening in e-commerce where more people are buying through mobile devices [rather] than their desktop. Our Omaha Steaks app includes an innovative cooking timer, Continued on page 26.

Family-owned businesses Continued from preceding page. away to live without the business for at least a year. And he asks them: “Do you like to hang out with your friends on the weekends? Or have coffee with your friends on Sunday morning?” If they answer, “yes,” running a restaurant may not be in their cards. Because one has to be willing to work late and on the weekends. “Working with a family member can change the relationship you have with that family member,” said Tina Tweedy, who opened Chocolat Abeille three years ago this December. “It is often important to clearly define the roles each family member has within the business. It’s wise to acknowledge that, though everyone wants to help, that doesn’t mean everyone should work together.” Find something each family member thrives at. “Then allow them to contribute in their own way using that strength,” she said. Tweedy would know; she is joined in the business by her husband, Bryan, mother, Christine, and children, Nate, Claire, Gabe and Isaac. “Some of our greatest joys are seeing something that we built together as a family bring so much joy to others,” Tweedy said. “Our children have gained skills and confidence that have helped them with school projects, interviews, and interpersonal skills.” She is challenged to switch from mom role to boss role and vice versa. “I have to be conscious about giving my husband and children the me that is ‘wife’ and ‘mom’ during our downtime,” Tweedy said. MindSet not only partners and consults with family businesses on organizational culture, but is also a family business. “I run it with my father, Dr. Kim Hoogeveen, and my brother, Blake Hoogeveen,” said co-owner Brett Hoogeveen. “In our business, Blake and I are blessed that our father, Kim, is such a thoughtful and experienced executive. He has been subtly handing over the reins to Blake and me over the last five years, and I think we are only finally starting to realize that we’re ready for the challenge.” In family business, communication is essential. “Business issues can become personal conflicts if you are not careful,” he said. “We have a saying that we teach to our clients called ‘Stupid Idea – Let’s Have Lunch.’ That little phrase represents to type of work environment we have at MindSet and that we hope we can help our clients create as well.” They want to vigorously argue ideas, but never take intellectual disagreement personally. “Unfortunately, I am aware of at least a few family-run business owners who may be operating profitable businesses, but who have suffered a dysfunctional family environment as a consequence,” he said. On a final, positive note, Hoogeveen said: “It is a special thing to be able to share so much of my life with the people I love, respect and trust the most.”


Family Business •

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• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • Family Business

Family business owners should have both a will and a succession plan by David Kubicek

Wills and succession plans complement each other, and family businesses should have both to avoid confusion and infighting after the current owner dies. “A succession plan is more extensive than a will,” said Randy Dickhut, senior vice president of real estate operations at Farmers National. “It’s like an operating plan to carry out the ownership directives that were placed in the will.” Ross Polking, a shareholder in Foster Group, said that succession planning starts on day one, even before the company is open

for business. “If you don’t have a plan for how the business will grow and how it will transition into others’ hands, it’s hard to know in which direction you’re taking it,” he said. “You’re starting with the end in mind and building from there.” The essence of a will is to tell a judge or executor what happens with the business owner’s assets when the owner dies, and some of those assets may be a business. “A will is important enough that’s it’s got to be there, but it’s not meant to dictate how [the business] succeeds into others’ hands,”

Digital sources help move businesses forward Continued from page 24. ensuring that your steaks or seafood is cooked to perfection every time.” Simon said the company is also aggressive in search engine optimization, paid search, remarketing, and affiliate marketing. “In social media, we are focused on creating engaging and valuable content that connects with our followers and customers through how-to tutorials and recipes,” he said. “And our Ambassador Program works with passionate food-minded influencers to amplify our core values and brand identity to new audiences.” Todd Baker, general manager at Bakers Candies, said there have been major advancements pertaining to everything from supply chain management to quality control and inventory management, but nothing has had a bigger impact than digital

communication. “Manufacturers now interact directly with their end consumers like never before, making adaptation to the digital age a near necessity for the modern business’s survival,” Baker said. Never before have customers had so much direct access to the companies they buy from or had the ability to have so much influence on the business methods utilized by those companies, he said. “The best advice we ever received on this subject is that you don’t have to do it all, but whatever you do, you should do it better than anyone else,” Baker said. “There are too many digital opportunities for business owners to be experts in all of them. Accept that, and pick the opportunities most beneficial to you and then squeeze them for all their worth.”

Polking said. A succession plan isn’t necessarily a legal document. A succession plan may say one thing and a will may say another, but the court will rule in favor of the will. “The succession plan needs to align with the will,” Polking said. “A succession plan is basically a financial plan for a business. It helps guide the owners along the way of not only building a business but transitioning ownership.” Dickhut noted a trust succession plan is an operating plan for the future. “Because many times the land goes from one or two people to four, five, six Dickhut or more, and they’re multiple generations as time goes by,” he said. The dangers of not having a succession plan — which Farmers National sees often with farm and ranch nonoperating owners — is that when the next generation inherits the business, they don’t know anything about it. They may not even know where the farm or ranch is located or who the tenant is. They may not know the financial arrangements, the income and expenses, the debts, or even the property taxes. “Not having good knowledge to take over the management of the property, they may not make the best current and long-term decisions,” Dickhut said. “The key is for the current owner to be willing to communicate

[with the next generation owner/operator] before the time of succession.” And if there isn’t a plan? “If no desires or wishes are outlined in a will or succession plan, ultimately a judge will determine what happens with assets, and some of the decisions would be out of the hands of those who would be well-suited to manage a business going forward,” Polking said. A succession plan builds confidence in customers and clients who will know that the business will continue beyond the lifetime of the current owner, that the day to day operation isn’t relying solely on one individual. Polking “It’s also a great retention tool,” Polking said. “If you have a lot of talent on the staff who don’t see a future [with the company], it can siphon off some folks you might want to keep around. A family-owned business has a founder with desires and wishes that everyone wants to honor. With no will or succession plan in place this is really difficult. There can be confusion and misunderstandings, which can lead to a lot of hurt feelings and infighting among the family. “Start [working on a succession plan] early and get outside advice, such as a CPA and attorney. It’s hard to be objective about your own business. Make sure you have a good team around you.”


Family Business •

Midlands Business Journal • SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 •

27


28

• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal • Family Business

Feds, banks move into loan forgiveness portion of Paycheck Protection Program by Dwain Hebda

With the successful Payment Protection Program closing in August, banks have turned their attention to processing loan forgiveness applications and watching for what’s next out of Washington. “The Paycheck Protection Program closed August 8, 2020, based on the law that was passed on the program. The SBA is no longer accepting PPP applications from participating lenders, like us,” said Kevin Thompson Thompson, regional vice president of commercial banking for First National Bank of Omaha. “FNBO has had tremendous response to this program, securing more than $800 million in PPP funds for more than 7,300 businesses, helping to preserve an estimated 90,000-plus jobs. And, beyond the numbers, our customers have expressed gratitude for these funds that helped their businesses stay afloat during a tumultuous time.” The loans were issued at 1% fixed interest for either a two-year or five-year repayment schedule. However, experts predict many PPP loans will be fully or partially forgiven, which has driven borrowers in droves to take the necessary steps to address that possibility.

“There are two loan forgiveness application forms available [Form 3508 and 3508EZ],” said Logan Watley, senior credit analyst with Access Bank. “The 3508EZ form is a short form and if qualified, we believe most business owners will select this application when applying for forgiveness. “Beginning Aug. 10, 2020, borrowers were able to submit their forgiveness application, although many institutions and business owners are awaiting legislation to pass which Glenn would allow loans less than $150,000 to be forgiven with a single-page document.” Many banks have put together informational resources for borrowers to help smooth the process of applying for loan forgiveness. Melissa Glenn, SBA relationship manager with Core Bank, said her institution offers several options for completing the needed paperwork. “The process for forgiveness was released by the SBA and all applications and instruction documents can be found under the PPP section of the Core Bank Coronavirus Updates page [https://corebank.com/ coronavirus-updates/],” she said. Glenn said bankers are also standing by to help business owners with unique

situations or if the application for forgiveness is denied. “The sooner clients start working on their forgiveness applications, the sooner any extenuating circumstances may be resolved and a resolution for the loan may be finalized,” she said. “We encourage each borrower to work with their banker directly if any or all of the loan may not be forgiven to determine if any additional avenues may be explored, how much of the loan will need to be paid back and what the terms of that loan will be.” As for additional government bail-out programs, bankers said the future is murky. “It’s unclear at this time if additional funds or relief programs will be made available,” Thompson said. “As we know, many businesses are still struggling. FNBO is closely monitoring ongoing legislation and would most likely be a willing participant in another round of PPP loans or other relief programs being made available

to businesses.” In the meantime, business owners are encouraged to explore other lending options and community business resources. “One additional program made available as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is the Main Street Lending Program,” Watley said. “This program continues to provide loan options for small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofit organizations that were in a strong financial condition before the onset of the pandemic.” Glenn noted that Omaha is fortunate to have many low-cost or free business resources available year-round. “This is not an exhaustive list, but the Greater Omaha Chamber, Nebraska Small Business Development Center, SCORE and Nebraska Enterprise Fund are all excellent and can provide invaluable insights and information for area small businesses,” she said.

In family business coaching, seek third-party perspective by Michelle Leach

Nine of every 10 owners in Family Enterprise USA’s May survey report the business is a part of their legacy; yet, PwC notes, only four of 10 owners have an “advanced” plan for that legacy, while 31% had an “informal” plan and 27% had no plan whatsoever. Brad Burklund knows the challenges firsthand; as president of Strategic Solutions, an exit strategy firm specializing

in family businesses, Burklund formerly owned a company for 31-plus years before transitioning it to other family members. “One of the key areas I have helped family businesses with for transitions is a real-world assessment to see if the children or key employees have a desire, and the capability, to run the business,” he said. “Many times, emotions and loyalties get in the way of realistic analysis and having a Continued on next page.


Family Business •

Midlands Business Journal • SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 •

29

In family business coaching, seek third-party perspective Continued from preceding page. non-biased, third-party can help get a more accurate picture.” Burklund must also determine if the owner can “let go,” and what they must do to have a successful, fulfilling transition. “Also, understanding how the owner will get paid as they transition (especially if selling to employees or family) can be a key pivotal issue in family business transitions,” he added. He described an outside adviser as potentially changing the game, guiding the process while maintaining family harmony. Peak Performance Coaching provides leadership development and business coaching, including workshops. “Any partnership is challenging,” said founder Allan Hale. “A family partnership is even more difficult. The best advice is to have all expectations in writing. Do not assume anything. This will avoid problems in the future.” Hale emphasized the importance of a clean buy-sell agreement, spelling out each party’s responsibilities. Likewise, the business’s worth should be agreed upon yearly. “If there is disagreement, bring in a third-party to value the business,” he said. A buy-out provision should be included. “Be certain the buy-out will not create a cash-flow problem,” Hale added. “Typically, you should set up a monthly payment with interest, with an option to pay off with no penalty.”

Succession plans should be reviewed annually and, as one approaches retirement, more frequently — for at least five years out. “We tend to wait until someone gets sick or is unable to perform their duties before exploring transition,” Hale said. “Use an outside professional to help with the transition. There are several accountants and attorneys who specialize in transition plans.” As challenging as running a business with family members can be, it’s also rewarding. Hale Hale reinforces one needs to determine each family member’s talents and compatibility. “Keeping family members focused in their area of talent is critical,” he said. “Straying away from their area of responsibility will likely create friction.” If the family looks upon a member as “Little Johnny” or “Baby Sister,” identify opportunities to break out of that role into a trusted leader role, said Heather Legge, senior consultant at Envision Success Inc. “Consider what behaviors they need to see from you and ask for their support and guidance in your transformation,” she said. “So, they will be proud of your business acumen, not just your childhood antics.”

Legge encourages taking advantage of professional development opportunities outside the family business; for instance, find a mentor, coach, or membership organization that provides a neutral sounding board. “Objective support and external best-practices will also help you bring added value into your organization,” she said. Among family, difficult conversations can be even more challenging. Legge suggested putting a structure in Legge place; for instance, a quarterly roundtable with full candor on business and leadership topics. “It can be helpful to have an experienced third-party facilitate these so they stay on track,” she said. Establish guidelines from the get-go on when business can be discussed among family. “Make decisions about what happens if/when you exit the business early in the partnership when you’re getting along well,” Legge said. “It’s much easier to agree during the honeymoon phase of any relationship than trying to overcome a situation where you might not agree on anything if your relationship deteriorates.”

As CEO and Executive Coach with leadership development and communication firm Peak Pathways, Dan Weber said the company’s cardinal principle is to maximize job fit to achieve team success. “For job fit, we want alignment of each team member’s ability, behavioral styles and occupational motivation to the requirements of the job,” he said. “Good leadership is helping each person feel like a contributing member of a winning team and knowing they feel and fare best under that leader.” For the past 17 years, its coaching model has revolved around “change from within.” “We do not come in with all the answers, telling clients what to do; rather we ask questions to help our clients think at another level,” Weber said. “Success is when someone says, ‘That’s a good question,’ because it means they have not thought about it before and they are about to get a new insight.” Like people in general, some family enterprises are tempted to “cut corners” in important areas where action isn’t urgent. “We see this often in leadership development and key personnel processes,” he said. Similarly, at lower levels (not the top leadership position), transition planning is one of the “corners” that often gets “cut.” “Our philosophy is to create a culture and processes for successful transitions/ successions at all levels of the organization, all of the time,” Weber said.


30

• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal

In the Spotlight Paid Content

BUSINESS SERVICES

LEGAL SERVICES

LEGAL SERVICES

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Appointed

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Lexi Mertens

Lawrence Roland

Audit Senior

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Joel Carney

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Lexi Mertens joined BerganKDV in September 2018 as a staff accountant. As an Audit Senior, Lexi will prepare financial statements, perform attest work and communicate with clients, management and staff to ensure timely completion of projects. Lexi holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and corporate finance from Northwest Missouri State University.

2021 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America

Goosmann Law Omaha Attorney Lawrence Roland is a Litigation Practice Area Leader for Goosmann Law Firm. Roland was recognized for his work in Transportation, Labor and Employment, and Banking and Finance Law. Roland was also selected on the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for the past three years. Roland is heavily involved in the Nebraska State Bar and Omaha Bar Associations.

Goosmann Law Omaha Attorney Nick Montague is a Partner and Estate Planning Practice Area Leader for Goosmann Trust Law Counsel. Montague was recognized for his work in Trusts & Estates and Estate Litigation. Over the past three years, he has been selected on the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. Montague is a member of the Omaha Estate Planning Council and the Association for Corporate Growth.

Goosmann Law Omaha Managing Partner Joel Carney received an honor for which only 5% of practicing attorneys in the United States were selected. Carney co-leads the firm’s Banking/Bankruptcy Practice Area and has been practicing law for over 20 years. He is an active member of the American Bar Association and serves as a Nebraska State Bar Association Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates.

BUSINESS SERVICES

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Jessica Skerston

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Jessica Skerston joined BerganKDV in September 2018 as a staff accountant. In her new role as CPA Services Senior, she prepares individual and business tax returns and is in charge or assisting with client audits and reviews. Jessica holds two bachelor’s degrees from Concordia University in accountancy and business administration-finance. BUSINESS SERVICES Appointed

Joshua Teut, CPA Senior Manager BerganKDV

Joshua Teut joined BerganKDV in 2016 as a Client Services Manager. In his new role as Senior Tax Manager, Joshua will continue to work closely with team members who help clients with their tax management and compliance filings with more focus on providing consultative services, internal leadership and business development for the firm. Joshua works with small- to mid-sized companies, most often family-owned businesses, and start-up companies in a wide variety of industries. Joshua has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Goosmann Law Attorney Warren Ford is an Omaha Banking and Bankruptcy Lawyer. Ford was recognized for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. He has represented more than 2,000 clients in Chapter 7 and 13 Bankruptcy Proceedings. He is a member of the American and Nebraska Bar Associations. He is licensed to practice in Nebraska, Iowa, and Colorado.

Goosmann Law Omaha Attorney Patrick McNamara is a Business and Estate Planning Attorney. McNamara was recognized for his work in Business Organizations and Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses. He has helped clients form new businesses – helping to guide them through entity formation, business planning, financing, hiring employees, obtaining commercial space, and more. McNamara is licensed to practice in Nebraska.

Heino focuses her practice on commercial and employment litigation. Heino works with companies, individuals, high liability professionals, banks, finance companies, credit card processors, health care providers and staffing agencies through disputes to protect their name and money. Prior to law school, she worked for years as a claims professional for Berkshire Hathaway giving her extensive experience in negotiating complex issues.

LEGAL SERVICES

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Carter Lowman

Adam J. Kost

Andrew Simpson

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Equity Owner

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Lowman creates estate plans for individuals and families who want to ensure their loved ones are provided for in any event. From those starting a family to those seeking to ensure their legacy, he works with clients to create estate plans tailored to their specific needs. His unique background as a teacher allows him to connect with families and understand their needs.

Goosmann Law Firm

Kost helps his clients find clarity in uncertain times. Whether seeking a divorce, remedies against a former spouse, or ways to best provide for your children, he is passionate about helping families find the right solution for their individual needs. Kost received his Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law and his bachelor’s degree in Government/International Affairs from Augustana University.

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

Goosmann Law Firm

Simpson joins Omaha Managing Partner Joel Carney and majority owner and CEO Jeana Goosmann as Partner and equity owner. Simpson leads the firm’s Business Transactions and Real Estate Practice Departments. He joined the firm in May 2019 and became Partner in February of 2020. Simpson has over 15 years of experience and has been involved in multi-million dollar transactions and developments in the area.


31

Midlands Business Journal • SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 •

In the Spotlight Paid Content

HIGHER EDUCATION

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

LEGAL

Named

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LEGAL Joined

Dr. Mary Hawkins

John H. Dickerson

Julia Cryne

Allison Heimes

The Ohtil Award

Executive Vice President

Partner

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Consulate of Mexico in Omaha

OMNE Partners

Carlson & Burnett, LLP

Carlson & Burnett, LLP

Bellevue University President Dr. Mary Hawkins has been named the 2020 recipient of the Ohtli Award, one of the highest awards given by the Government of Mexico to those who work with the Mexican community abroad. The Ohtli Award is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves by dedicating their professional lives to advancing the prosperity of Mexican-American and Latino communities and opening pathways that improve the quality of life of the immigrant population. The term Ohtli refers to the Nahuatl word for “pathâ€? and acknowledges individuals outside of Mexico who have helped pave the way for others. Dr. Hawkins is one of the few nonHispanic recipients of the Ohtli Award nationwide. She is being recognized for efforts to expand educational opportunities to benefit Mexican youth and adults and improve the quality of their work and family lives. “Dr. Mary Hawkins has walked the road, the path, always looking for ways to build bridges of support and understanding between diverse cultures,â€? said Guadalupe SĂĄnchez Salazar, Head Consul of the Consulate of Mexico that serves both Nebraska and Iowa. SĂĄnchez Salazar cited Dr. Hawkins’ ongoing advocacy for the Mexican and Hispanic communities, including spearheading outreach and scholarships for Omaha’s South Omaha Hispanic community; providing staffing for the Consulate’s Educational Orientation Window to help advance the Mexican community; and supporting IMEBecas, a Consulate scholarship program for Hispanic students living in the United States.

OMNE Partners, a local commercial real estate company, is pleased to announce a new addition to the brokerage team. John H. Dickerson, CPMŽ has joined OMNE Partners as Executive Vice President. With over 40 years of experience in the Omaha commercial real estate business, Dickerson has provided a variety of services to investors and institutional and corporate clients – including asset management, consulting, and brokerage services. He is also a Certified Property Manager, a designation of the Institute of Real Estate Management, as well as Co-Founder and current President of Nebraska Association of Commercial Property Owners, Inc. Dickerson specializes in office, retail, and investment real estate. Over the past several years, he was successful in completing transactions totaling over $20 million. During his time at OMNE Partners, Dickerson will be focusing on his long-term clients and adding new clients. OMNE Partners is a full-service commercial real estate firm with offices in Omaha and Des Moines, Iowa. The company specializes in sales, leasing, property management, development consulting, and investments and supervises nearly 5 million square feet of property throughout Nebraska and Iowa.

Julia grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. She earned her Associate of Arts degree from Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri in 2005 and her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 2007. She attended law school at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, earning her Juris Doctorate as well as a Special Certificate in Indian Law in 2010. Julia’s practice focuses exclusively on immigration, including immigration family-based petitions, immigrant employment, work permits, citizenship and international adoptions. She is fluent in Spanish. Her community activities include volunteering for the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Military Assistance Program, serving active-duty service people, veterans and their families with immigration matters. She also volunteers with the Refugee Empowerment Center, helping refugee families adjust to life in the U.S.

Allison grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and currently lives in Elkhorn. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of NebraskaOmaha in 2012, and she earned a Master of Science degree in Government Organization and Leadership as well as her Juris Doctorate from Creighton University in 2016. Allison’s practice focuses on immigration, with particular expertise in removal defense, including cancellation of removal, asylum requests, and relief under the Convention Against Torture and the Violence Against Women Act. Allison also practices in the area of Criminal Defense, including misdemeanor and felony offenses, traffic violations and DUI/OWI/OUI. Her community activities include volunteering for the Kim Foundation and Honor and Remember.

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Elizabeth M. Lally

Jeana Goosmann

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Goosmann, Partner & banking/ bankruptcy practice area leader at Goosmann Law Firm, has been selected to the inaugural Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers. This U.S. guide includes 36% women lawyers and a remarkable array of talent senior advisors to up-and-coming stars at top firms. Goosmann personally acts as general counsel to company presidents, CEOs, corporate executives, business owners, and business leaders.

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• SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • Midlands Business Journal


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.