Omaha Business Hall of Fame

omaha business

Their aspiraTion. our inspiraTion.

Honoring exceptional achievement and bold community impact.

2016 honorees

Irving R. Dana Jr. (1926-1998) | Gary Gates Fred Hopka Hawkins Jr. | Kenneth Michael “Kim” Hawkins John J. “Jack” Koraleski | Steven S. Martin

special section | april 10, 2016

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Celebrating exceptional achievement

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ix individuals will be inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame at a Wednesday gala at the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. The honorees are Gary Gates, Fred Hopka Hawkins Jr., Kenneth Michael “Kim�

Hawkins, John J. “Jack� Koraleski, Steven S. Martin and the late Irving R. Dana Jr. The evening will include an hors d’oeuvres

buffet, induction ceremony and dessert.

(Reservations for the gala have closed.)

Gala proceeds support Greater Omaha Chamber Foundation efforts to attract and retain young professionals and maintain the Omaha Business Hall of Fame exhibit at The Durham Museum in Omaha. The 2016 gala sponsors are Fraser Stryker PC LLO, KPMG LLP and U.S. Bank.

IrvIng r. Dana Jr.

Work ethic led to success

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His incredible work ethic, his focus on family and the four pillars he tried to instill in his three children are just some of the qualities Irv Dana III remembers about his father, the late Irving R. Dana Jr. “He told us, ‘Everyone needs something to do. Everyone needs someone to love. Everyone needs something to believe in, and everyone needs something to hope for.’ And he lived that.�

The founder of two successful Omaha-based enterprises, Irv Dana Jr. was the consummate hard worker — enthusiastic with endless energy. “He could work hours on end. That was a gift and a great trait that carried him Irving R. throughout his life,� said Dana Jr. Irv Dana III. As he worked in the family poultry business at an early age, Dana Jr. realized that poultry was not his passion. “In seventh grade, he took a mechanical drawing course. He told me once that he knew right then that he wanted to be an architect,� Dana III said.

Naval service at the end of World War II translated into money for college under the GI Bill and an architecture degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “He was very proud of his university and loyal to them,� Dana III said. “He’d take every opportunity he could to tell people — there is no place like Nebraska.�

The young architect launched his career with Leo A Daly in 1951. Eleven years later, he struck out on his own, founding Irving R. Dana and Associates in his basement and getting the entire family involved in helping out. “He would do renderings of the building he was doing. My sister would color those in. My brother and I were left to do the collation of the specifications my mother was typing on the Ping-Pong table.�

Dana Jr. and Mary Jane Hewett were

married in 1949. She died of cancer 28 years later. “My mom really helped my father so much in being organized and doing all the office work,� Dana III said. “She was very involved early on, trying to launch the business as well as trying to take care of the family. She was very supportive in letting my father go and do all this.�

Dana Jr.’s primary focus? Schools, churches and projects aimed at improving the lives of Native Americans. “He probably took the most pride in the simple housing and community centers that he did on the reservations,� Dana III said.

In 1966, Dana Jr. entered into a partnership, joining with William Larson and James Roubal to form Dana Larson Roubal & Associates, what today is known as DLR Group, one of the largest architecturalengineering firms in the country. The firm is Omaha-based, with offices from Houston to Honolulu.

Under Dana’s leadership, the firm’s payroll and project portfolio blossomed. DLR Group designed the Eppley Airfield terminal, the Omaha Community Playhouse, the University of Nebraska at Omaha Strauss Performing Arts Center, schools, correctional centers, sports facilities and more. “Dad had a unique ability to lead people, to get them to have shared vision, to get them to buy into it and be part of it,� Dana III said.

At age 55, Dana Jr. sold DLR Group to its hundreds of employees. “He wanted them to retain it rather than sell it to an outside firm.�

In a dictated DLR History, Dana Jr. challenged those employees to “remember that this is your company and what it does is what you help it to accomplish ‌ It is an effort of many, many team members and their continuing process of coming up with great ideas and doing outstanding work.â€?

After the DLR sale, Dana Jr. was not See Dana: Page 8

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OMAHA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME

A special advertising section of the Omaha World-Herald, produced in conjunction with the Greater Omaha Chamber.

Special sections editor Chris Christen 402-444-1094; chris.christen@owh.com Project editor Howard K. Marcus 402-444-1397; howard.marcus@owh.com

Designer Kiley Cruse Contributing writer Dan McCann Advertising coordinator Rick Carr 402-444-3109; rcarr@owh.com On the cover Heartland of America Park, photographed

by Brad J. Williams

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Gary Gates

Family provided inspiration Unshakable curiosity, steadfast loyalty and supportive family — these are the catalysts for one powerful legacy. Gary Gates retired from Omaha Public Power District in 2015, capping a nearly 43-year career that saw him rise from summer employee to second-longest serving president and CEO. “It was exciting every day, and I think if you’re passionate about your work and you believe the product you’re delivering is important, it’s not a hard call to stay and keep doing it,” Gates said.

Born in Red Oak, Iowa, and raised to reflect the strong work ethic of his parents, Gates also gained inspiration and an affinity for engineering from his uncles. One, an electrician, gave him old motors to tear apart. Another, a farmer, taught him about hard work, independence and how to “fix things.”

“A third uncle was involved in business with my father, but his son ended up going to the Naval Academy, was in nuclear power of all things and part of the initial crew of the Nautilus. He gave me a curiosity that eventually led to where my career ended up.”

An engineering grad from Iowa State with master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Creighton University, Gates launched his career at OPPD in 1972.

What began as a temporary summer job carried into the fall and four decades beyond, with a steady series of promotions

Fred Hawkins

Growth

their dedication

Remarkable their impact

KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD

Gary Gates

along the way.

Gates went from manager of the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station to executive assistant to the president, then division manager of nuclear operations, then vice president and finally president and CEO. See Gates: Page 8

Gary Gates

Knights of AKSARBEN Governor Emeritus

Knights of AKSARBEN Governor Emeritus

Kenneth Michael Hawkins

John “Jack” Koraleski

Knights of AKSARBEN Governor & Chairman

CXIX King of AKSARBEN

Omaha their vision

CONGRATULATIONS 2016 OMAHA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Irving R. Dana Jr.

their city

Unforgettable THANK YOU Irving R. Dana, Jr. Gary Gates Fred Hopka Hawkins, Jr. Kenneth Michael Hawkins John J. Koraleski Steven S. Martin

Wisdom at Work.

Steven S. Martin

GIVING BACK. MOVING FORWARD.

silverstonegroup.com

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Steven S. Martin

Diverse experiences have shaped insurance CEO’s career

FEARLESS IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE. WE CONGRATULATE OUR LEADER, Steve Martin, on his induction to the Greater Omaha Chamber Business Hall of Fame.

Steven S. Martin, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, is a firm believer in “servant leadership” and the power of collaboration.

“I’ve never done anything without the help of a team and the trust of others,” he said.

Born in Horton, Kansas, Martin began working at age 12, delivering newspapers and mowing lawns. At age 16, he did a stint in concrete construction. He learned from his parents that hard work is its own reward.

“I think the greatest lesson they gave was learn to love what you do because you’re going to spend a lot of your life at work,” he said.

Martin paid for college himself with a mix of athletic and academic scholarships.

He credits his mother — a nurse — with his decision to go into the health care industry.

“When I was a junior in college, cocaptain of the football team and an offensive lineman, I decided to switch majors from pre-med to nursing to give me more flexibility, which drove some of my teammates crazy,” he said. “It was my first understanding of how much people taught you about health care, their own health care.”

After graduating from Washburn University, Martin partnered with two colleagues to launch an occupational and home health services company called HealthCheck Inc. Martin’s entrepreneurial spirit came from his father.

“My father was a serial entrepreneur.

I read the book ‘The Mosquito Coast’ when it came out, and there were times I thought my father would move us to the Amazon to prove that he could make ice.”

Martin joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska in 1986 as its first director of reimbursement.

“The CEO who was there when I was hired was a remarkable man — an introvert, but very, very intuitive and deep-thinking,” Martin said. “He kept giving me new opportunities.”

In 1997, with the CEO’s blessing, Martin left to serve as the first CEO of Prime Therapeutics, a Blue Cross Blue Shield offshoot that has become the largest privately-held pharmacy benefit manager in the United States.

“It’s pretty phenomenal that it’s grown to a $20 billion company,” he said. “I remain the only director that has been with the company since its inception.”

Martin grew Prime Therapeutics to its first 5 million members before returning to Blue Cross Blue Shield in 2002 as president and CEO. “I knew my first two goals were to begin to effect change in the culture — more transparency and a culture of management where we actually spent time training leaders, not just promoting subject-matter experts. … We have ongoing ‘Six Sigma’ and lean projects, and we will continue to do that.”

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Steven S. Martin His other priority? Radically changing the company’s information technology culture.

“Today, we lead in a lot of segments, and we are building a technology infrastructure that services two other health plans that serve approximately 2 million lives,” Martin said.

Since 2002, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska has grown by more than $1 billion in annual revenue and by more than 100,000 members.

Health care reform has been a key challenge.

“While some of our brethren decided not to participate, we went through it all,” Martin said. “I was very proud of our team for how we managed our way through that, the nightmare of the federal enrollment the first year.”

Though his job is full of challenge and complexity, Martin takes a very Zen approach, leaving his work at work by asking the question, “Did I do all I could do today?”

“I’m most pleased with the fact that I’ve been able to attract talented people to trust me enough to hang with us through difficult projects and difficult times,” he said.

His proudest personal accomplishment?

Meeting his wife, Dr. Amy Haddad, and having the good fortune to spend the last three decades being married to her. The couple love traveling with their nieces and nephews and immersing themselves in the community.

“Because we weren’t fortunate to have the kind of family we set out to have, we saw other ways to give back to young people — to education — to help people pursue their dreams. That’s something that’s still and will always be very important to us.”

The couple have chaired the United Way of the Midlands annual campaign and have supported many other nonprofits as fundraising chairmen or co-chairmen, including TeamMates, Voices for Children, Omaha Children’s Museum and Community Alliance. In addition, Martin has served on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association board for 14 years.

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Fred hopka hawkins Jr. and kenneth michael ‘kim’ hawkins

Brothers build on family’s construction tradition Inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame 17 years after their father, Fred H. Jr. and Kenneth Michael “Kim” Hawkins are skilled superintendents of a family legacy that has helped our community work, learn, drive and soar.

“We always attempted to put our best foot forward, and it didn’t make any difference who accomplished something,” Kim said. “It was really, ‘What was best for the company long-term?’”

Said Fred, “I’m convinced the best days of Hawkins are the future — not the past.”

They have spent their lives constructing a lasting and expansive legacy — one bridge and highway, school and commercial building at a time.

“Fred developed an ad a few years back that kind of typifies our impact on Omaha. The sense of it was, ‘You taxied on a Hawkins runway. You parked in a Hawkins garage, drove on a Hawkins road, and you probably met in a Hawkins building.’

I think that symbolizes our impact upon Omaha as a whole,” said Kim Hawkins, chairman/president of Hawkins Construction Company.

Both Kim and his older brother Fred were born and raised in Omaha. They graduated from Westside High School and grew up in the family business.

“I started working when I was 10 years old,” Kim said. “I was responsible for fueling all the equipment and sweeping the shop out. Of course, when you’re 10 years old and you’re responsible for anything, you think

you’re making the company run.”

That company’s history dates to 1922, Fred and Kim’s grandfather, and a contract to build one of the most iconic structures in Nebraska.

Said Kim: “The gentleFred Hopka man who owned Parsons Hawkins Jr. Construction at the time, as I was told the story, didn’t want to build Memorial Stadium, so they (Kenneth Hawkins and his brother) bought the company, and their first job as owners was Memorial Stadium down in Lincoln.”

In 1960, Kenneth and Kenneth his son, Fred Hawkins Sr., Michael “Kim” incorporated the business Hawkins into what is now Hawkins Construction Company.

Kim and Fred Jr.’s involvement was never in question.

“We held every craft position while we were going to college — from laborers to carpenters, finishers, operators, ultimately culminating in becoming superintendents,” said Kim, a graduate of Georgia Tech and Creighton University Law School.

“Your company is really only as good as the people you have, and if you really can’t understand what they’re going through, the problems they’re facing, it’s hard to make

good decisions,” said Fred, a Hastings College graduate.

Though they shrug off titles, Fred became CEO and Kim became president when their father retired in 1980. The company had already established itself as a contracting powerhouse responsible for highways, bridges and many of the area’s most recognized buildings. Under Fred and Kim’s leadership, the company soared even higher.

“I never dreamed our company would be where it is today. When Dad and my grandfather started Hawkins in 1960, we were a small company,” Fred said.

Added Kim: “Hawkins’ success is not because Fred and I had such great vision.

It’s because we created an environment that allowed our people to flourish.”

“Hawkins was always geared for people who wanted to advance, who wanted to grow,” Fred said.

After establishing itself in the 1990s as a successful highway and bridge contractor, Hawkins produced many high-profile projects at the turn of the millennium. Among them: » Nebraska State Correctional Facility in Tecumseh » Durham Research Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center » Interstate 80 widening from Omaha to the Platte River » West Dodge Expressway “We’ve built thousands of jobs. They all

had their challenges, and they’ve all been fun,” Kim said.

“Fun” is exactly how Fred describes the decades spent working, solving problems and building the business with his brother.

The older sibling began dialing back his day-to-day involvement a couple of years ago. Fred is now semi-retired. He and Marianne, his wife of 38 years, have two adult daughters and three grandchildren.

“I’m lucky I also have an opportunity to run a couple of farms and a ranch,” Fred said. “I have enough to keep me busy without being in Kim’s way.”

Kim, the father of three and grandfather of eight, is still “full speed ahead,” working with the next generation of Hawkins — his son, Chris.

The legacy the Hawkins brothers helped create extends beyond the built environment, to a focus on young people.

Kim and Karen, his high school sweetheart and wife of 40 years, are longtime advocates for the Boys and Girls Club.

“It really pulls at your heartstrings. Once you get involved with the kids, it’s hard to get away from it,” Kim said.

Fred and Marianne focus their efforts on education. “I’ve been involved in a number of scholarships, and more towards the ‘C’ student, not the ‘A’ student — families that have a great child who probably wouldn’t have a chance to go to college if it wasn’t for the help of the Hawkins family,” Fred said.

Congratulations to those who achieve more for Omaha.

Creighton University is honored to congratulate the 2016 inductees of the Omaha Business Hall of Fame.

You have contributed your time and talent as leaders in the ongoing progress of Omaha, collectively striving for the betterment of the city.

As a university committed to enriching our community, we salute the honorees who so proudly embody such leadership, among whom are some of our distinguished alumni and members of the Creighton family: Kim M. Hawkins, JD’79; W. Gary Gates, MBA’91, member of the Creighton Board of Trustees; and Jack Koraleski, honorary member of the Creighton Board of Trustees.

We applaud your achievements and the examples you have set to which others aspire.

creighton.edu

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OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

Retired Union Pacific president and CEO John J. “Jack” Koraleski

Congratulations to this Year’s

Business Hall of Fame Inductees

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Behind Jack Koraleski’s legacy is an equally epic story of life not going according to plan.

Staying in Omaha after he and his wife, Stephanie, married more than four decades ago? Not part of the plan.

“We had decided, since we were both from Omaha, that we were going to move away and start a new life together,” Koraleski said.

Interviewing for a job at Omaha-based Union Pacific? Not part of the plan.

“I only interviewed with companies outside of Omaha, and I had three job of-

fers. Then, I had my best friend’s dad, who worked at Union Pacific, who was just as insistent as heck. I kept thinking, ‘No, no, no, that’s green eyeshades and armbands, cigar smoke and diesel fumes. I’m not doing any of that stuff.’ ” Actually accepting a position with the iconic railroad? Not part of the plan.

“Wednesday morning I get the call — this is 1972 and my other job offers were market, which was between $675 and $725 a month. UP offered me $925. Sold!” he said. “We were tired of being poor college kids. I took the money and ran.”

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At that point, the Koraleski plan became work hard and get promoted — and this time, he stuck to it.

“I spent the first 27 years of my career in finance — the last 10 years of that I was chief financial officer — and then did a 13year stint as head of marketing and sales.”

Set to retire in 2012, 40 years after accepting a job he never intended to apply for, another change of plans.

Without hesitation, Koraleski delayed his farewell to assume the role of president and CEO while Jim Young — his predecessor and best friend — battled and ultimately succumbed to pancreatic cancer.

“It was one of those truly bittersweet moments where you have the opportunity of a lifetime but a very difficult situation with your best friend,” he said.

During Koraleski’s three years as CEO — March 2012 to February 2015 — he led the “Great Big Rollin’ Railroad” and its 48,000 employees to even greater heights: 12 consecutive quarters of record earnings and a more-than-doubled stock price.

He credits a terrific team.

“We really did work very effectively as a team. That was good. We had an outstanding board of directors. That was good. We had a recovering economy from the economic downturn in 2008-2009. That’s always good for the rail industry,” he said.

After leaving the CEO’s office, Koraleski continued as executive chairman until he retired in September 2015. He counts among his proudest career accomplishments working with Jim Young to fundamentally change the UP mindset.

“When I first started, we didn’t have customers. We had shippers. If you wanted to ship on our railroad, that was great — we ran trains,” he said. “Today, the focal point

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of the company is customers. It’s not the railroad itself. That transition from being iconic, historic, steeped in tradition — we’ve proven that we can change, that we can grow, that we can generate great returns for our shareholders and provide great service to our customers and solid foundations for our employees.”

Koraleski also was instrumental in helping the Fortune 500 company create and chair its first diversity taskforce in 1991.

“Our first employee resource group was our Black Employees Network,” he said.

“Since that time, we’ve grown to eight different employee resource groups and created an environment of inclusivity where people really feel that they can be a part of the company.”

South Omaha-raised, a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Koraleski is settling into retirement now. He and Stephanie, a Ph.D. who is nationally known for her work with cancer survivors, plan to enjoy their home in Hawaii, travel and spend time with their two grandchildren.

He also would like to do some writing.

“I want to write a book — but not the history of Union Pacific. It’s going to be fun.

Dave Barry, Erma Bombeck kind of stuff.”

Continuing the couple’s community involvements — which include assisting UNO’s College of Business, Heritage Services and Omaha Performing Arts — is also part of the plan.

Education is a key focus, typified by the Koraleskis’ involvement with the Aksarben Scholarship Program and an organization called Educate Uganda.

“We like to look for places where we can make a difference and help people get a better start to their lives, and we think that starts with education,” he said.

GIVING BACK. MOVING FORWARD.

DEVELOPING TOMORROW’S LEADERS, TODAY. AKSARBEN Foundation thanks our core scholarship and youth program partners:

Scholarships

CONGRATS, JACK.

Support Services

Career Exploration

Job Training and Placement

DONATE. HIRE. ENGAGE. Bridges Investment Management wishes to congratulate Jack Koraleski on his remarkable business career and induction into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame.

Help Us Give Back and Move Forward Heartland Youth Learn more at AKSARBEN.org

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Gates: OPPD career progressed steadily Continued from Page 3 “It’s really been a case of being successful in the jobs I had,â€? Gates said. “I would be aware of career opportunities, but it didn’t drive me. ‌ I’d hear my mother’s voice all the time — do well at what you’re doing. Don’t worry about what’s around the corner.â€?

In 2004, it was the president and CEO’s office. Under Gates’ leadership, OPPD built a state-of-the-art coal plant, conducted a major overhaul of its nuclear plant and developed its first 10-year strategic plan. “We evolved into a new energy plan. We will be 33 percent renewable and over 60 percent carbon-free,� Gates said. “Why is that important? Because it’s the right thing to do for the future.�

Perpetually future-focused as CEO, Gates enhanced cyber-security measures and ensured that customer service remained a top priority — an accomplishment backed by 13 consecutive awards from J.D. Power and Associates. “Our customers are our owners. At a minimum, you want to take care of your owners,� he said.

But more than that, he said OPPD employees embrace their obligation to serve and ensure that the Omaha community has the power it needs to thrive. “If you think about a utility like OPPD — when everyone is gathered around their fireplaces or in their basements hunkered down in a storm, our folks go out, and that had a piece of my heart every time they did.�

That’s what he said he misses most: interacting with dedicated OPPD employees — the men and women who kept him so energized right up until his retirement last year. “I’m excited about the future of that company with the people who are there,� Gates said. “They’re going to do a great job.�

As for his future — the father of three now deals in the wattage generated by his four granddaughters. “I never thought I’d be hanging onto a cup of coffee at a cold soccer game again.

Now, with grandkids, I’m doing that again.

It’s nice to have that full circle.�

Gates has a little more time now for flying his plane — a pastime and passion. Then there’s his list of community involvements, including an exploratory project to study riverfront development possibilities. “It’s like many projects in Omaha. It starts out with an idea, but the leadership takes on ownership and they make it happen.�

The United Way named Gates and his wife, Kathy, the organization’s 2015 Citizens of the Year. Whether it’s his work with the Boy Scouts, Boys Town or Creighton University, Gates traces his affinity for service to his parents and to his time in the Boy Scouts, where he became an Eagle Scout. “When we talk about ‘paying it forward,’ I think that’s a very important concept. We need to do things now so that the people who follow us — our kids — will have a better situation and take it to the next level.�

 �

Dana: DLR sale led to next career phase Continued from Page 2 ready to retire. In 1991, while facing a diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer, the 64-yearold Dana Jr. partnered with his second wife, Ann, to launch a new venture, PSI Group, a private mail-sorting business. “It was really good for him. It was exhausting at times, but he had such endless energy and fortitude,� Dana III said.

PSI Group soon was processing 7 percent of first-class mail in the United States. “He enjoyed thoroughly what he did. He never saw it as work. It was a passion for him and I think as a leader, other people followed that and it became infectious.�

Complex yet simple, Dana Jr. died in

1998, seven years after his stage 4 diagnosis. He left behind his wife, three grown children and eight grandchildren.

Dana III remembers his father’s heart for the less fortunate and how he partnered with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for decades to elevate the Native American standard of living, advocacy that earned him blood brother status with the Omaha Tribe and the title of honorary chief with the Ogallala Sioux. His passion for service extended to the Greater Omaha Chamber, Nebraska Arts Council, United Way and the University of Nebraska alumni board. “He was on the mayor’s task force for the riverfront development. He designed, with his firm, the Gene Leahy Mall.�

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We believe in the commitments that empower results Aon congratulates the 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees.

Thank you for your outstanding contributions and leadership.

To learn more about how Aon can Empower Results for your business, visit aon.com/omaha or contact Dave McCue, Resident Managing Director at 1.402.697.5213.