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Ted Seldin Seldin Company

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cover story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Ted Seldin, Seldin Company

Promises made, promises kept is more than a motto for Ted Seldin. It’s a way of life. The slender, graying and energetic chairman and CEO of Seldin Company continues to envision possibilities that soon become realities.

sPeciAl section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-40 Buy Omaha Profiles

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best of B2B 2009 Ballot Page 39

business ethics ....................................................... 44 The Code of the West

winter 2009 B2B omaha 7

cover story

Story by William E. Ramsey

•

Photo by minorwhitestudios.com

Ted Seldin

In the Golden Land

Promises made,

promises kept is more than a motto for Ted Seldin. It’s a way of life. The slender, graying and energetic chairman and CEO of Seldin Company continues to envision possibilities that soon become realities.

Trust, seasoned with vision, perseverance and compassion, define this son of a Jewish immigrant from Russia, Ben I. Seldin. That journey began when Ben Seldin came to America to begin a new life in a land of freedom and opportunity. He arrived in Omaha on Easter Sunday, 1913, the day of the devastating tornado that swept through the Omaha area. His brother, Eli, had come to the area earlier and helped young Ben get started in his new homeland.

He began delivering groceries by horse and wagon in the hills of Council Bluffs. He also operated several grocery stores. In 1917, when the United States entered World War I, the young immigrant joined the Army. He was assigned to the Balloon School at Fort Omaha where he served his adopted country, thus achieving citizenship.

Following the “Great War,” he was more determined than ever to succeed and in 1923, he opened his own business — the Seldin

8 B2B Omaha Winter 2009

Firm. He sold insurance and eventually turned to real estate. After the Depression and following World War II, Ben began building modest-sized homes to help meet the desperate need for returning GIs. Many of those houses are still comfortable homes today.

During that time, Ted Seldin was attending grade school and Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs. He was a good student and enjoyed school activities. Those included ROTC, band, yearbook, the student newspaper and golf team.

Early on, his father counseled him: “Plan your work and work your plan.” That message has been a driving force in his life.

Ted, along with his brother and two sisters, began working in his father’s office at the Bennett Building at Broadway and Fourth Streets in Council Bluffs while he was still in high school.

He earned a B.A. in economics at the University of Iowa and received his law degree from the university in 1955. He served in the U.S. Air Force on active duty from 1955 to 1957 during the Korean War era. He was assistant judge advocate at Ardmore Air Force Base in Oklahoma for much of his active duty tour. He continued his service in the Air Force Reserve for 15 years, reaching the rank of captain.

PROFESSIONAL INDOOR FOOTBALL

During his Air Force service, he married Sarah Nadler of Waterloo, Iowa, in March 1958. They have two daughters, Stephanie Seldin Howard and Beth Seldin Dotan, and four grandchildren.

In 1957, he joined his father’s firm and together with his brother, Millard, and brother-in-law, Stanley Silverman, continued to build on the foundation laid by Ben I. Seldin 35 years earlier. A major breakthrough occurred when they developed a 1,000-acre site at 120th and West Center Road. At the time, Center was a two-lane, brick road in a rural setting. Seldin’s first master-planned, sustainable community had its modest beginning. Combining strong leadership and determination, the firm evolved into a trailblazing, diversified real estate development and management organization.

Westwood Plaza, one of the area’s busiest shopping centers, was followed by the development of Montclair on Center at 132nd and West Center Road.

Simultaneously, the firm built a community with single-family and apartment homes, provided sites for three public schools, several churches, a fire station, the MillardOmaha Public Library, and recreation and youth development areas (the Southwest YMCA). These properties, along with retail, professional and service-related tenants, completed the planned communities of Westwood and Montclair. Recently, Ted and his associates created a new concept for the promotion of the centers – “The Remarkable Mile of Value Shopping with Parking at the Door.” It has branded the one-mile stretch of West Center Road as a complete, vibrant shopping community.

Twenty years ago, Randy Lenhoff joined the Seldin Company and is now president and chief operating officer. The company turned its attention to North Central Omaha in 2000 when it transformed a 30-acre blighted area at Ames and North 72nd Street into the popular shopping center, Benson Park Plaza. An Omaha WorldHerald story stated that the project helped energize an entire section of the city and also helped reconfigure a congested traffic pattern for Ames Avenue, North 72nd Street and Old Military Road.

Recently, Ted and Randy Lenhoff announced a proposed innovative business park for the I-80 corridor at the new Pflug

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More than 700 acres (purchased by Seldin firm in 1972) would accommodate the Seven Hills Business Park.

“This would be a launching pad for connecting Omaha and Lincoln and other communities along the corridor,” Seldin said.

Lenhoff called it a new frontier in economic development for Nebraska and the region and said it would serve as a magnet for attracting national and international corporations The firm operates in the metropolitan area and in the Midwest, primarily in Nebraska and Iowa. It has built more than 3,000 single-family homes and more than 3,500 apartment homes. It offers quality management for over 1,500,000 sq. ft. of retail and office space and more than 5,500 apartment homes across Iowa and Nebraska. It also helped develop Park East Tower just West of downtown with 100 units, Central Park Tower’s 64 units in downtown, and North Avenue Tower in Council Bluffs with 100 units for affordable senior residences.

Ted and his partners and associates have been recognized and honored locally, statewide and nationally for their commitment in providing affordable housing for both families and senior citizens. Seldin has created more than 1,000 units of housing for seniors stretching from Muscatine, Iowa, to Grand Island, Nebraska He and his firm have been heavily involved in the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. Ted has served as a member of the board of directors and president of the West Council. The company provided the site and helped plan the chamber’s first branch office on South 132nd Street near Montclair on Center.

In 1991, the firm was the recipient of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Golden Spike Award. Ted has been a leader in the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the Metro Omaha Builders Association (MOBA).

He has been inducted into the Omaha Commercial Real Estate and the Metro Builders Halls of Fame.

The Ted and Sarah Seldin Family Fund is the co-publisher, along with the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and Mosaic

Press, of a new book on the Holocaust— “Doorway to Freedom: The Story of David Kaufmann, Merchant-Benefactor-Rescuer.”

Co-authors are William E. Ramsey and Betty Dineen Shrier. The book is about a Grand Island business leader who sponsored the rescue of dozens of Jewish families to come to America to escape being victims of the Nazi Holocaust. Ted said he was impressed with the courageous and caring example of the difference one man can make in the lives of those in need.

Ted is supportive of his daughter, Beth Seldin Dotan, in pursuing the mission of the Institute for Holocaust Education, a program for middle and high school students, which she heads.

His daughter, Stephanie Seldin Howard, lives in California and produces documentaries for television.

Ted and his wife, Sarah, sponsor a scholarship in real estate law at his alma mater, the University of Iowa. They also have been honored by and continue to serve the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Ted is a cancer survivor but his illness has not slowed his non-stop efforts to build the Seldin Company while participating in many charitable causes in the community.

In one of the few quiet moments in his office, Ted shared these closing thoughts: “I am so proud of my partners, our staff and our firm’s accomplishments over the years. I am grateful, too, for the goodness of the people of America’s heartland. I know that my father and my mother, Bertha, laid the foundation for those blessings that we enjoy today.

“With all our diversity in real estate development and management, if I could choose my legacy, it would be this: To be remembered for the more than 1,000 affordable apartment homes we have provided for seniors. It has allowed them to live with dignity in quality and secure housing.

“Our company vision remains clear and resolute as we advance steadily, always grounded on a firm financial base. We build with the future in focus and our reputation as our bond.”

Now, 85 years after Ben I. Seldin set the company in motion, it can be said that he reached the cherished “goldene medine,” a term used by immigrants meaning “golden land.”

107th & Pacific, Omaha, NE • 402-397-8000 • www.regencylodge.com winter 2009 B2B omaha 11

s t o r y b y D a v id W illi a m s

P h o t o b y m i n o r w h i t e s t u di o s . c o m

Continuum of Care

Boys Town Press Thrives with Preventive Products

T

he age-old tradition of framing that first dollar of sales doesn’t translate so well into the world of non-profits, where proceeds are funneled back into a broader mission.

If Boys Town Press decided to emulate the sentimental ritual, the non-profit publishing arm of the venerable 90-year-old village with its own zip code and post office might choose instead to frame a copy of the book Common Sense Parenting.

That title, which features matter-of-fact advice on effective discipline techniques, staying calm in tough situations, and guiding healthy kids through each stage of development, perhaps best represents the origins of the publishing entity founded in 1992. Now in its third printing, the book that has worldwide sales of over 200,000 copies is one of the titles that was “there at the beginning” when 12 B2B Omaha Winter 2009

Thanks for Voting uss then Boys Town director Father Val Peter selected long-time Boys Town writer and editor Barbara Lonnborg to become the director of the publishing house.

“Boys Town Press was a logical outgrowth of our rapidly growing training program,” explained Lonnborg who, 16 years later, still heads the publishing house of titles aimed at parents, children, child care professionals, agencies and schools.

“Our training program was popular with childcare agencies and schools that replicate our services, and we had created a lot of materials that were put into various forms,” she continued. “Father Peter wanted to pull those resources together so we had a central

B2Bquarterly.pdf

11/20/08

2:15:05 PM

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source to coordinate training materials.”

From there, it was anything but a serendipitous decision to expand their objectives by launching a traditional publishing unit.

“We knew that our materials had great value beyond our training programs,” the 25-year Boys Town veteran said in a telephone interview, “but we needed a way to disseminate products to a wider audience – to those who didn’t otherwise have contact with Boys Town.”

Boys Town Press has grown to become a thriving publishing house that processes 10,000 orders a year and fulfills those transactions from its own Omaha warehouse.

“For the first couple years, we had maybe a half dozen titles,” said the executive, who is also listed as editor on many of their products. “Now we are actively marketing over 100 titles, and we also sell books by other publishers.”

With channels that include their own web site (boystownpress.org), along with those of Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com, to name but a few, Boys Town Press has M

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continued on page 14

Winter 2009 B2B Omaha 13

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built a truly global market, one that also gobbles up shelf space in bookstores from Australia to Great Britain.

Along with rapid growth came the evolution of the publisher’s mission. Building on Boys Town’s recently articulated “continuum of care” philosophy that seeks to provide “the right care at the right time based on a child’s or family’s needs,” Boys Town Press is now squarely in the arena of preventive programming and products.

“A lot of people think of Boys Town only in terms of children who have been removed from the home,” said Lonnborg, “but our preventive focus in Boys Town Press, which reflects the organization’s long history of supporting children and families, helps intact families and child care specialists as part of our continuum of care philosophy that covers the whole spectrum of needs.”

And it’s all done with the tiniest of staffs working in the shadow of the most recognizable of area monuments, the “piggyback boys” statue with the memorable inscription that reads “He ain’t heavy, Father, he’s my brother.”

“Five and a half people,” Lonnborg said with a chuckle when asked of the size of her publishing empire.

A familiar sight all across the sprawling campus founded by Father Flanagan in 1917 is the countless generations of Boys Town graduates who return to reflect on their foundational experiences there and on the words of the heroic Irish Roman Catholic priest who famously quipped, “There are no bad boys. There is only bad environment, bad training, bad example, bad thinking.”

Mingling from time to time with those alums are some of the outside writers, illustrators and other stakeholders who have contributed to the products published by Boys Town Press over the years. Lonnborg feels a special fondness for her publishing partners who travel from far and wide to have their own “Boys Town experience.”

“They fall in love with the idea itself – the very idea of Boys Town,” she beamed with a smile that registered right through the telephone connection of our conversation.

“They fall in love with the idea that they are helping children and families. People get attached to us. They fall in love with Boys Town and what we do together.”

14 B2B Omaha Winter 2009

story by sandy lemke

P h o t o b y m i n o r w h i t e s t u di o s . c o m

Mary Williams Fair Weather Ride

M

ary Williams, journalist and marketing executive with Carson Wealth Management Group, grew up like most of us – in a station wagon. Peering out the windows of a Country Squire, did a young Williams eye a Carrera? Williams now proudly owns a 1997 Porsche Boxster and said recently “I love driving this car! I’m not a car buff – I couldn’t tell you much about it. The first time I drove it-- I fell in love and knew I had to have it.” For someone who claims to not know much about cars, Williams has exhibited extraordinarily fine taste in choosing an automobile. The Porsche Boxster has won numerous awards, including: Automobile Magazine’s “Automobile of the Year,” Motor Magazine’s “1997 Performance Car of the Year,” Autocar Magazine’s “Best Roadster in the World,” and Car & Driver Magazine’s one of the “10 Best Cars of 1997.”

Williams’ Porsche is likely garaged right now. “The car doesn’t come out in the winter—but the first nice day you will find me behind the wheel.” You might even be able to hear Williams’ favorite cruising music: “I take the top down put on the Eagles, Springsteen or a little Earth, Wind and Fire and I fly. There’s a carefree feeling that comes over you when the sun is out, great music is playing and the wind is in your hair.”

Williams added, “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.”

?

Winter 2009 B2B Omaha 15

story by tony Endelman

P h o t o s b y m i n o r w h i t e s t u di o s . c o m

Finding the Beat:

The Revitalization of Omaha’s Benson District

Troy Arthur, president of the Benson Business Association.

“S

omething’s happening in Benson,” declares BensonBeat.com. “Some are calling it progress. Others are calling it a movement. We call it the Beat.” Well, call it what you want, but there’s no denying it. Something is definitely happening in Benson. And, for all of Omaha, it’s pretty exciting.

Tucked snugly within a pocket of North Omaha, Benson occupies just a few square miles: from Northwest Radial to Ames and Fontenelle Boulevard to 72nd Street. Originally undeveloped farmland, the area was bought and founded as Benson Place in 1887 by Erastus Benson, a highly regarded member of Omaha’s early business community. In 1917, Omaha annexed Benson Place as part of its rapid westward expansion. Today, the Benson district exemplifies the Greater Omaha ambition, having emerged as an increasingly vibrant destination with a flourishing arts scene. Walk down a particular stretch of Maple Street, and find a world of culture jammed within a few city blocks.

What’s happening in Benson is a uniquely organic endeavor to both create and embrace an atmosphere

16 B2B Omaha Winter 2009

that is markedly absent from other Omaha neighborhoods. Collectively, Benson’s innovative business owners have kindled interest in the area by merely opening their doors, becoming the vital component to a refreshingly eclectic micro-city. A music lover’s mecca, Downtown Benson is conveniently lined with a dozen quirky venues that host an everchanging roster of local and national talent.

And, between lively nightspots, the neighborhood boasts a varied selection of locally owned restaurants, pubs and galleries.

Because Benson continues to be recognized as a distinctively thriving community, the city of Omaha has justifiably targeted the area for revitalization. Mayor Mike Fahey, alongside a number of other city leaders, recently announced plans for the Maple Street Corridor Project, a $6.2 million reconstruction of Maple Street from Northwest Radial to 64th Street. Funding has been provided by the City of Omaha, the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, the Gifford Foundation, the Adah and Leon Millard Foundation, Bluestone Development and The City Weekly. The project, intended to improve both appearance and accessibility, includes a fresh streetscape design, a detailed retail market analysis, and a vigorous community branding effort designed to promote civic pride. The first phase of construction will commence in the spring of 2009 with the redesign of what organizers are calling the “Gateway to Benson”, where 58th Street and Maple intersect.

Working directly with the city’s Planning and Public Works departments are Omaha

By Design, the Benson Neighborhood Association, the Benson Business Association, and the Benson Ames-Alliance.

Formed in 2005 and managed by Omaha

By Design, the Benson-Ames Alliance is a grassroots assemblage of civic leaders, merchants and vendors dedicated to the redevelopment and revitalization of the BensonAmes area. With Downtown Benson as its first priority, the Benson-Ames Alliance encourages the amalgamation of both retail and residential elements to create truly balanced, fully livable neighborhoods.

As the Maple Street Corridor Project takes

shape, Benson business owners acknowledge the potentially detrimental effects of major construction near their entrances. However, the proper improvements would be remarkably beneficial for area establishments, converting Benson into much more than a popular nighttime retreat. “We want to capitalize on the music and art scenes that already exist, but bring back a retail scene,” explains Troy Arthur, President of the Benson Business Association. “We’re trying to make Benson an all-encompassing area, and friendlier for patrons during the day.”

While Benson residents fully support area businesses, successful redevelopment would likely attract more visitors from outside the neighborhood and, in turn, provide businesses a much-needed boost to their bottom line. “You don’t need to leave Benson unless it’s really necessary,” states Michele Fredrich, a Benson local since 1995. “It’s wonderful.

I can get my coffee, my bread, my meat. I can pay my bill, get my prescriptions filled and get my hair done without turning on my car. But, in terms of people coming to Benson from other parts of town, there’s no mid-day activity. Certainly that will change if the city can bolster the area and make it more functional.”

Downtown Benson, which hugs an active strip of Maple Street, can be reasonably difficult to access for those driving by. “The parallel parking on a busy street creates some problems,” says Allan Zeeck, owner of the Benson Grind coffee shop. “Having diagonal parking on both sides would really improve functionality and benefit businesses.” Additionally, Zeeck expressed the importance of removing the brick surfacing from the sidewalks. “In the winter,” he explains, “the brick makes it hard for us to shovel and easy for people to fall.”

Undoubtedly, those who live and work in Benson will have the key voice in the collaborative effort to revitalize the area. Business owners like Zeeck understand what can be done to transform Benson into a fully functional neighborhood, allowing it to thrive even more so than it does today. And, while Benson undergoes its transformation, the rest of us will watch excitedly, as the beat goes on. winter 2009 B2B omaha 17

s t o r y b y m a u r e e n o ’ h a ll o r a n c l a r k

P h o t o s b y m i n o r w h i t e s t u di o s . c o m

The Mayor’s Office

Window to Omaha’s Development

A

fter getting off the elevator, visitors to the Mayor’s Office are greeted in the hallway by the portraits of the men who have served as Omaha’s mayors. Many of their signatures can be found on the inside of the drawers of the desk in the Mayor’s Office. Mayor Mike Fahey explains, “There is an old custom here that once you leave office­— you sign the desk drawer.”

The office is filled with other reminders of Omaha’s past. Fahey picks up one of them, a framed $3 bill, and comments, “Years before there was a banking system in America, each city issued its own money. This is a bill that was issued October 1, 1857, signed by Jesse Lowe, the first mayor of Omaha.”

In a tour of the office, Fahey points out photos and memorabilia which cover the walls, a large table, and the shelves in a large display case as well as those propped along the walls.

Prominent among the collection are numerous shovels from ground-breaking ceremonies during his time as mayor, including the Union Pacific Center, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, the Hilton Omaha, and the Gallup Riverfront campus.

He also points to the “Olympic chair” used at the U.S. Olympic swim trials in Omaha. “That is the chair where Michael Phelps sat. I put the medal around him the night he broke the record.”

From a table covered with photos of him posing with distinguished guests, Fahey selects one and remarks, “This is my favorite. This is the ambassador to the United States from Ireland at the time this picture was taken.” He smiles, “His name is Noel Fahey.”

In addition, much of the memorabilia in the office is associated with Omaha’s sister cities. He notes there are five of them: Shizuoka, Japan; Braunschweig, Germany; 18 B2B Omaha Winter 2009

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Siauliai, Lithuania; Naas, Ireland; and Xalapa, Mexico. “I visited all the sister cities. Since we have been in office, I did the twinning ceremonies for Naas, Ireland, and for Xalapa, Mexico.”

He believes that sister cities play an important role. “So many times countries get the impression of another country simply from what they read in the paper or how their governments respond. It isn’t necessarily how their people respond. It does a lot to break down barriers and remove stereotypes of countries when you actually meet the people.”

It isn’t only representatives from Omaha’s sister cities who visit the Mayor’s Office.

He mentions, “We had six Russian journalists who visited here yesterday. We entertain many people from around the world.”

He will finish his term as mayor in June.

As for his plans after that, he says, “I’m planning on staying on board with Building Bright Futures. I’ve been there since it started, and they asked me to stay on as chair of the Task Force of the After-School Mentoring and Tutoring program. Other than that, we will see what presents itself. I want to stay involved in the community.”

One thing is definitely on his agenda after emptying his desk — adding his signature to one of its drawers.

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17525 Gold Plaza (175th & Center) 402-932-5346 • www.ftomaha.com

Winter 2009 B2B Omaha 21

t h e k n o W - I t - a L L D o e s n o t a L L o W Fa c e b o o k I n t h e o F F I c e .

Modern-Day Robber Barons how middle-class taxpayers are Financing their own subjugation

A biT of hiSTory There are numerous articles looking at the financial Panic of 1873 and the resulting Long Depression (1873 to 1896) for a comparison with the economic downturn we are facing today. Many look to the European housing bubble, and following collapse in home prices, as the spark which ignited the Panic of 1873. The effects of this European collapse spilled across the Atlantic as British and European banks held onto cash, uncertain as to which other banks would fail with the falling home prices. American bank interest rates spiked, making it impossible for American companies to borrow. Business leaders and New York bankers met with President Grant and begged for emergency action by the U.S. government. U.S. taxpayers were charged with what was then considered a significant bailout package. A few large American companies with cash reserves were able to take advantage of the greatly depressed sale prices of desperate businesses. Companies with men at the helm with names like Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Flagler, and J.P. Morgan. These men took advantage of the economic crisis to build empires. Whether you consider these guys heroes or villains, they used their own money to build the Gilded Age. open The flood gATeS In the deregulation craze of the 1990’s, the inspiration to unshackle the investment bankers and hedge funds from congressional restraint led to the repeal of the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act on November 12, 1999, by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Shortly after this repeal, which specifically exempted crazy investment schemes from the laws controlling gambling, all sorts of very risky investment behavior commenced.

22 B2B omaha winter 2009

The Sub-priMe MorTgAge ScApegoAT Today, we are in the midst of an economic crisis which again was sparked by a precipitous fall in home prices in areas where there was seemingly endless appreciation. Many homebuyers borrowed to acquire homes they could never afford, betting on the continued appreciation. Then, investment bankers packaged these loans into groups that were sold, and resold. In fact, these loans were packaged in ways that precluded international and domestic investors from knowing whether any one home mortgage foreclosure should affect any one particular investment.

Yes, I know that a lot has been blamed on the sub-prime mortgage debacle. That is now old news, as the whole sub-prime matter is going on three years old now. I point to the collapse in the home price bubble, and related mortgage financing, as the spark of a much bigger problem.

Too big To fAil Investors were encouraged to speculate in commodities and financial instruments with as little as 1/50th the amount

invested. If the investment went wrong, the loss would be rolled into a new loan on another investment. For example, this type of investment drove the crude oil market from $9 billion to $185 billion. Oil went from $50 a barrel to $147 a barrel in three years. The same thing happened to many commodities which are critical to the world’s economy. To make sure that these investments went the way investors wanted, high-priced PR firms proffered the peak oil, emerging market demand and supply shortages stories.

This is but a glimpse of one of the many investment schemes used to profit in the unregulated investment markets. What happened with oil happened with everything from farm products and metals to bundled home mortgages. The number of these schemes is too numerous to review here.

When reality finally broke through the PR hype, and commodity prices began to collapse, highly leveraged investors had to pay up or default. Or did they? As I revealed in my last article, these “investors” had a willing accomplice in the federal government.

Many “investors” were allowed to profit suf-

ficiently to protect the downside risk of AIG Insurance’s exposure in coverage for commodity investment losses.

The grAvy TrAin In the last 90 days, the federal commitment for all the bailouts has topped $3 trillion. So much money has been handed out to banks that many investment banks and now even American Express have morphed into banks in hopes of getting in on the big federal hand-outs.

Where will it end?

Taxpayers for generations to come will pay for the bailout spending. The same thieves who got us into this mess are the ones who are receiving the federal hand-outs of seemingly endless transfers of billions. In the Long Depression, the Robber Barons used their own cash to conquer competitors. This time the U.S. taxpayer is paying for the creation of this new generation of Robber Barons.

Barons who were inspired at how easy it is to steal money with a big lie, just like Enron.

What do you think they will do with this taxpayer money? I shudder to think of the schemes to come.

winter 2009 B2B omaha 23

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Omahaprofile The mortgage industry has changed drastically in recent years. The mortgage industry is tightening its regulatory and compliance environment. Dundee Mortgage Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of a bank, is uniquely positioned to service its customers during this time.

Dundee Mortgage Services sees itself as mortgage planners, not just brokers. “Our job is to help our clients find the right solution for their unique needs. Our community bank relationship allows us to offer traditional bank programs alongside secondary market mortgage programs to fit the various needs of our clients,” said Leah Smejkal, president of Dundee Mortgage Services. Smejkal leads a seasoned and capable team of mortgage planners, processors, and mortgage professionals at Dundee Mortgage Services.

Dundee Mortgage Services specializes in the origination of residential mortgage loans includ-ing purchases, refinances, home equity loans, and new construction loans. Dundee Mortgage Services began operations in March 2008. It is located in the Dundee Bank building in the heart of Dundee. One of Omaha’s oldest neighborhoods, Dundee continues to prosper and features one of the city’s most vibrant shopping and entertainment districts.

Smejkal clearly takes pride in her work and city.

“We enjoy doing business in Omaha for the same reasons many people choose to live here.

The people are friendly, have Midwestern values and there is a strong sense of community. The relative economic stability of Omaha allows small and large businesses alike to thrive. And the combination of the two makes Omaha a dynamic place to live and do business.”

Dundee Mortgage Services is a neighborhood business building a community. Said Smejkal, “We look at each client’s overall financial picture when advising on mortgage solutions including their current situation and long-term goals.”

24 B2B omaha winter 2009

lEah smEjkal, prEsidEnt

5015 underwood ave omaha, ne 68132 (402) 504-9400

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Omahaprofile Just what does HotShot Deliveries deliver? Just about everything. You think you’ve heard it all? Read on!

HotShot Deliveries delivers satisfaction – every day. Hotshot Deliveries Inc (HSD) serves the same-day delivery market, transporting just about everything for clients large and small. Their staff is professional, uniformed and experienced and wants to represent your company with pride.

HSD also stands for Honest, Superior and Dependable. “Over 90% of our new customers are referred by existing customers. We make customer satisfaction a priority. We have doubled in size and volume in the last five years while maintaining customer satisfaction,” said Jake Hillwick of HotShot Deliveries.

HotShot Deliveries Inc was the brainchild of a group of delivery drivers working for other carriers. In 1994, they decided to form a company that could provide better service to their clients. HSD is part of a nationwide alliance, working together to provide a service that is second to none. Need something picked up in Texas? HotShot Deliveries can help, where other services wouldn’t mess with that!

HSD is a locally owned and operated delivery service. Though their client base stretches across the country, local Omaha deliveries are the foundation of their business. “We have been providing reliable, on time deliveries for many Fortune 500 companies for almost 15 years.

Due to local demand, we now offer the same great service to local companies of all sizes. Our goal is to be known as the preferred delivery service in Omaha,” said Jake Hillwick of HotShot Deliveries Inc. HSD uses superior technology to simplify its customers’ deliveries. Features such as online order entry and tracking make it so simple to use. Add to that email and fax notifications, customized reports, clearly delineated invoices, signature capture and document scanning round out the seamless process. Customized reports help allocate each item in the accounting department.

Hillwick is proud of HSD’s corporate culture. “HSD strives to maintain a relaxed work environment to enable our staff the ability to provide the best possible service to our customers. We believe our employees are the best in the business. At the end of the day, we smile when every client’s need has been met to their satisfaction and every driver returns safely to the yard.”

ownErs scott long

and jakE hillwick

As a member of the Better Business Bureau and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, HotShot Deliveries is a corporate neighbor. Their trucks can be seen buzzing throughout the Omaha metro.

“People always ask what is the weirdest thing you have been asked to deliver? To date, the winner is….we had to deliver an artificial pig vagina that was flown in for a farm in central Nebraska.”

www.hotshotdeliveries.com (402) 592-8080

When asked if they were satisfied, that customer surely went hog wild! winter 2009 B2B omaha 25

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Omahaprofile At some point, every employer has staffing needs: A maternity leave to cover. A project that needs extra help. A full-time position vacated by a retiree to fill, or simply wanting to expand or upgrade their workforce.

Individuals have employment needs, too: Help moving up their career ladder. To change their career direction completely. A parttime job that offers variety and flexibility.

For 40 years, C&A Industries has been matching talented candidates with fulfilling opportunities, offered by leading employers, helping both achieve their goals. In doing so very successfully, C&A has become a national leader in the staffing industry.

That long history and high achievement have been made possible by the company’s internal growth and expansion.

Since its inception in 1969, C&A has grown from a single employee to nearly 500 internally, as well as thousands of contract employees working in all 50 states. It’s evolved into a national staffing company specializing in a variety of industries. Staffing and recruitment firms under the C&A umbrella include: Aureus Medical Group, Aureus Group, AurStaff and Celebrity Staff.

C&A serves the staffing industry from two perspectives, said Chief Operating Officer Scot Thompson. For its organization clients: “Our purpose is to act as an extension of (their) human resource departments…To provide them with the people they need, fulltime and contract, in order to succeed.” And for its individual clients: “We work with our candidates in identifying the best opportunities in the marketplace, many of which are not publicly advertised, that match their skill set and career aspirations.”

Thompson credits the company’s growth and success in part to C&A’s targeted approach to staffing. “How our staffing divisions are structured is unique,” Thompson said. “Each firm is specialized, which enables us to deliver added value to our candidates and our client organizations. Rather than attempting to be all things to everyone, we are focused on being experts in specific markets.”

He also credits C&A’s staffing professionals, who fully understand the areas they represent. “(Our employees) know the questions to ask employers, how to identify highly qualified candidates within their market segment, how to assess a candidate’s skill sets, and are well-versed in the latest business trends.”

The high-energy atmosphere of C&A and the company’s team concept help to bolster their success as well, ensuring that candidates are connected to the right opportunities and client organizations find the right people. “Our employ-

26 B2B Omaha Winter 2009

ees…are bright, motivated, and are driven to serve our candidates, client organizational and their colleagues. They have a passion for our business and understand the immense impact of what we do. It’s a rewarding industry to be in and they take it to heart.”

C&A was founded by Larry Courtage, who initially focused on securing engineers and architects for major firms throughout the Midwest. His innovation and tenacity have resulted in what C&A is today, a multi-faceted staffing firm with subsidiary offices in Lincoln, Neb., Kansas City, Mo., and Des Moines, Iowa. The company remains privately held and family-owned.

Through the years, all four of C&A’s staffing firms have seen substantial growth. Aureus Group began as a finance and accounting staffing firm, and expanded into executive level search services in the early ‘90s. In 2001, the company entered the information systems and information technology markets. AurStaff specializes in staffing industrial and technical positions, and expanded into the engineering market in 2007. Celebrity Staff began as an administrative staffing service, and added management and legal staffing in 2008.

But it’s been Aureus Medical, launched in 1984, that has seen the most significant growth. The company initially focused solely on placing healthcare professionals on a direct hire (full time) basis. In 1998, it redirected its efforts to include contract basis (temporary) personnel, with prespecified time periods of three to six months, and concentrated in the field of radiology. Since then, it’s added all aspects of diagnostic imaging, as well as cardiopulmonary, rehabilitation therapy, and medical laboratory specialties. In 2001, it launched a nursing segment, and most recently, expanded into the advanced practice, catheterization laboratory, and dialysis markets. In 2006, a physicians search division was launched as well.

Today, Aureus Medical is one of the 10 largest healthcare staffing firms nationally.

Driving its growth is the severe shortage of healthcare professionals nationwide, including those in the nursing field. According to the latest projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published in the November 2007 Monthly Labor Review, more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2016. “This represents a tremendous opportunity for healthcare staffing firms such as ours,” said Thompson.

With projections that the staffing industry will be one of the fastest growing segments of the employment market in the coming decade, C&A is preparing for more expansion with plans to add approximately 250 new positions in the next three to five years.

Despite a challenging economy, Thompson believes businesses will think strategically when it comes to staffing. “Companies continue to recognize the advantages of utilizing firms such as C&A to consistently identify the most qualified people for their organizations, so that they are able to meet their business goals, both for the short and the long term.” He adds, “Hiring high quality personnel, regardless of the economic times, will never go out of favor. Great employees produce great results.”

Winter 2009 B2B Omaha 27

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Omahaprofile If you’re a small business owner, you know there’s nothing more frustrating than dealing with computer viruses, down servers, network maintenance and other technology issues that steal valuable time away from your employees.

OurTech Solutions prides itself on serving the technology needs of small companies – many of which struggle with these issues but can’t afford or don’t require an IT pro on staff.

“Small business owners don’t want to have to worry about managing their technology. They just want their technology to work for them so that they can grow their businesses,” said Robert Troyer, founder and CEO of OurTech.

“Most of our smaller sized clients simply choose to fully outsource their IT management functions to us.”

OurTech serves primarily locally based businesses with computer networks with 10 to 100 users. Customers come from a broad spectrum of industries: real estate, construction, staffing and accounting, to name a few. Ordering and installing new equipment, setting up backup applications, detecting and cleaning viruses, maintaining servers, developing security policies and providing help desk service are just some of the services OurTech delivers.

“We provide our services on a flat rate per device basis, so our clients get the benefits of a dedicated engineer with predictable monthly costs,” Troyer said. “I believe our clients look at us…as a trusted business partner and our engineers…as an extension of their own staff.”

Troyer has an extensive business background, having owned and operated several successful businesses, most notably Data Processors International, one of the largest privately held credit card processing companies in the U.S. before being sold in 2002. The selfdescribed “self starter” founded OurTech Solutions three years ago, when after a short stint in retirement, he found himself itching to get back in the technology game. “I retired the first time at 48 and hated it,” he said. Since, he has seen the business grow 35 percent annually. The company has also taken on clients with multi-office locations throughout the Midwest, and larger clients, providing network monitoring and maintenance services.

“Making money is a great thing, but providing an opportunity for others to make money… gives you a wonderful sense of accomplishment,” Troyer said.

He’s proud of the reputation OurTech has built in the Omaha community. After servicing a recent customer having problems with their old IT company, one of the employees said, “Oh, you’re the company the other engineers call when they’re having problems.”

“I thought ‘Yes, that’s just the way I want everyone to remember us,’” Troyer said.

robErt troyEr, cEo

Troyer credits his unique, talented and engaging engineers and support staff for OurTech’s success.

“Whether an employee is involved with customer service, sales, accounting or engineering, they’re all just as important to the overall success of the company as the VP or CFO.” Troyer is a native Omahan, who, with wife, Cindy, recently celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary. The couple has two grown children, including son, Nicholas, who works as an OurTech engineer. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and traveling, which he often combines. “I’ve had the opportunity to fish in some of the most incredible waters.”

28 B2B omaha winter 2009

1010 n 96th st., ste. 102 omaha, ne 68114 www.ourtechsolutions.com (402) 778-7999

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Omahaprofile That thick envelope – you recognize it instantly. It arrives in your mailbox – fun to open, takes just a few minutes to sort through -- coupons you don’t have to clip. It’s the Valpak.

What’s great about the Valpak? The variety of businesses represented.

Owner Scott Farkas, along with his wife and partner Mimi, say some of their customers who never thought this would be an advertising avenue for them have been pleased with their results. Farkas said, “The objections we hear consistently are ‘I don’t want to be a coupon business,’ or ‘I don’t believe in discounting’ etc… Once the business owner gets over these false notions they become really happy and satisfied. Mimi had a furrier, as a client in our early days, and the owner’s quote of the year was “You wouldn’t believe who uses coupons”. That is because, according to our research, the ideal household who uses Valpak inserts is one with an income of $125,000 or more. This could speak to our 90% client satisfaction rate.”

Omaha’s stable and growing economy is reflected in Valpak’s success. It is the fastest growing new market in Valpak’s 40-year history. Valpak mails 50 million homes throughout North America each month. According to Farkas: “We are the only envelope-based mass appeal advertising product in the market.”

Valpak mails in increments of 10,000 homes and can mail to any neighborhood in North America. We have clients who mail 20,000 homes around their single location a month, and Omaha-based clients who mail to millions of homes throughout the U.S. Farkas spent 23 years in radio sales, management and ownership. “I have always wanted to run my own business, and finally got that opportunity when the radio stations in Des Moines were sold. Add to that, his wife, an Omaha native, and partner Mimi wanted to move back to Omaha. She said of Omaha: “We love Creighton Basketball games, UNO Hockey games and are avid Symphony and Broadway fans. Scott is on the Omaha Symphony Governing Board, and is a founding board member of ALS In The Heartland. Mimi is on the board of directors for the Friedel Jewish Academy, and a member of the Symphony Guild and The Opera Guild. She is a former professor of Sociology at Creighton University. Scott added, “We were surprised and thrilled when we learned four years ago that Omaha did not have a Valpak.”

What is their guiding principle in business? “You do the right thing no matter what.”

ownErs mimi and scott farkas

4555 s 133rd st omaha, ne 68137 www.valpak.com (402) 330-3492 winter 2009 B2B omaha 29

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Omahaprofile prEsidEnt joE bonnEtt

Joe Bonnett, president of Bonnett Wealth Management, says the foremost question on his clients’ minds is, “Am I going to be okay?”

“It’s my job to understand what ‘okay’ really means (to them). ‘Will we be able to pay for college without going into significant debt?’ Or ‘If I sold my business today, would we have enough money to maintain our lifestyle?’ Helping clients answer those questions gives me a great sense of accomplishment.”

Bonnett’s wealth management practice focuses on two client profiles: specialist physicians that are retired or nearing retirement; and business owners whose firms are experiencing steady growth and excellent cash flow.

“Physicians and business owners face similar issues,” Bonnett says. “They don’t have a traditional pension, so the quality of their retirements will in large measure depend on their success in business, success of their investments, and the network of experts they rely on for advice.”

Many of his clients share other characteristics as well. The majority have invested assets between $2 to $25 million. Most are transitioning from one phase of life to another. All desire the full gamut of wealth management solutions — wealth enhancement, wealth transfer, wealth protection and charitable giving — in addition to investment consulting. “My clients view Bonnett Wealth Management as the conductor of their financial orchestra,” he quips.

Bonnett says he’s retooled his practice in recent years and reduced his client load from over 220 to around 100 to focus on these two niches. “I can offer a much higher level of service when I focus on clients with similar needs.”

Building strong relationships with clients and understanding their values and goals is a top prior priority, Bonnett says. “I have an extensive discovery process… and I’ve done much reading and research on affluent individuals and have found there are nine high net worth personalities. The ability to determine which personality is at work is the core logic behind how the majority of assets should be managed.”

He’s assembled an extensive network of expert attorneys, accountants, insurance specialists and others to refer clients to. “Some advisors try to employ their own experts. I think the best and brightest tend to ‘hang their own shingle’ or specialize within a large firm. I don’t try to be everything to everyone.”

Although the current atmosphere of the economy and investing is stressful, Bonnett says the long-term outlook is good. “The stock market is convulsing, unemployment is rising and the country, as well as the entire world, appears to be in a severe recession. This is not easy on my business, but it makes people realize they need experienced financial advisors more than ever.”

Bonnett and wife, Susan, have been married for 15 years. They have two young children, Jake and Claire. He cites John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach and inspirational speaker, as a personal mentor.

“I attended a conference where (he) spoke. He must have been 90, but delivered an excellent speech.

The message was full of humorous anecdotes, facts, life lessons…all delivered in such a genuinely humble way…”

Bonnett wrote Wooden after the speech about a poem he’d recited, and received a signed copy of it – “A little fellow follows me.”

“The poem is about a father who wants to set a good example for his son. I have it framed in my office.”

30 B2B omaha winter 2009

11930 arbor st., ste. 201 omaha, ne 68144 (402) 556-8858

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Omahaprofile Borsheims. Majority owner Warren Buffett may have given the Omaha jewelry store international name recognition, but we here in River City have always known it as the destination for gifts of distinction at value prices.

Since it’s founding by Louis Borsheim in 1870, the store has grown to become the largest independent jewelry store in the Midwest and one of the largest in the nation. And just how did Borsheims achieve such success?

“Borsheims is extremely unique in that we carry a extraordinary selection of inventory, larger than any other jewelry and gift store in the country in all price points, from $20 to millions of dollars,” says Susan Jacques, President and CEO since 1994. “We are able to offer very special pricing because of our legendary buying power and the very low operating costs of our business being located in Omaha and having one single store.”

jEnnifEr johnson: Vice President of Human resources & administration

The prestigious reputation Borsheims has earned can be greatly credited to one man – Warren Buffett. In 1989, the investor made Borsheims part of his world-renowned holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., by purchasing a majority interest. Continuing the family business legacy, the Friedman family still owns a minority stake of Borsheims’ stock.

Erin limas: cHief financial officer

The Berkshire Hathaway shareholders that flock to town from around the world each May to hear the Oracle of Omaha speak at his annual stockholders meeting make up a prized customer block for Borsheims, Jacques says. The jewelry store holds two special events for them each spring, showcasing their extraordinary selection of inventory offered at special pricing.

Even with its huge selection and buying power, Borsheims wouldn’t have the reputation and faithful customers it has without its employees, Jacques says.

“We are fortunate to have a very loyal, dedicated staff of 248 full and part-time associates who are committed to our success,” she says. That commitment is most obvious among Borsheims’ management, including Chief Financial Officer Erin Limas. “I enjoy the variety of tasks and projects that we conjure up to improve our operations and please our clients. I love to solve problems,” Limas says. “Having said that, I can still get excited about a sales and inventory position report as well.”

ginny mathEy: director of Gift diVision

joE corritorE: director of Jewelry diVision

Joe Corritore, Director of Jewelry Division, echoed her sentiments. “Building sales, having satisfied customers and employees, all provide me with a sense of accomplishment at the end of a busy day.”

Borsheims’ culture promotes a mentality that employees “are privileged to share in the special moments of our customers’ lives.” It’s a philosophy that has guided the company for more than 130 years.

“Ensuring we sell our customers the perfect gifts to commemorate the most special moments in their lives,” gives her tremendous satisfaction, said Ginny Mathey, Borsheims’ Director of Gifts Division.

Jennifer Johnson, Vice President of Human Resources and Administration, considers herself lucky to be a part of the Borsheims team. “I have an incredible management team who make my job very easy, as well as an incredible boss who is very open to new ideas,” she says.

susan jacquEs: President and ceo

regency court www.borsheims.com (402) 391-0400 (800) 642-GIFt

winter 2009 B2B omaha 31

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Omahaprofile Dr. Matt Davis considers himself both a healer and an educator. At his practice, Davis Chiropractic, at 13479 West Center Road, he cares for hundreds of patients suffering from spine-related ailments. And through his personal public awareness campaign, he teaches health and wellness strategies to the community at large.

Despite the fact that nearly all adults experience some type of back pain in their lifetime, just 7 percent of the U.S. population receives chiropractic care, Davis said, citing one recent study.

“My goal is to educate as many people as I can about chiropractic... to increase that number,” he said.

“Through my lectures and screenings, I teach people how the human body works and inform them that it’s self-healing and self-regulating. (I want to) help them understand the benefits of chiropractic care beyond just relief of their symptoms.”

His safety and prevention workshops, which he offers for free in the Omaha community, teach of the importance of practicing back safety, good sleeping habits, healthy nutrition and regular exercise, and how they relate to proper spine and nervous system health.

He offers many of these workshops at Omaha businesses in the interest of promoting employee wellness and preventing work-related injuries and afflictions such as low back pain, carpal tunnel and stress headaches. Davis also offers workplace screenings and health fairs at which he conducts spinal checks, blood pressure readings, stress surveys and more – all for free. He aims to hold 30 such workshops in the Omaha area this year.

Initially interested in physical therapy, Davis said he developed an appreciation for chiropractic after he received a football injury in high school and benefited greatly from seeing a chiropractor himself.

This appreciation grew into fascination with the field of study, and ultimately led to his career choice.

Davis believes more attention and effort should be paid to prevention, both in spinal care as well as health care in general. “Many people that I see are reactive to symptoms, rather than being proactive to prevent problems,” he said. But, he said encouragingly, “Prevention… is getting more recognition every year.”

Owning his own practice has offered challenges for this young doctor and family man of two children under 5. “I am constantly challenged with time management,” he said. However, the rewards of helping patients make his time and commitment well worth it. “The biggest sense of accomplishment is that I have touched people’s lives in a positive, natural, healthy way that will help them become a better person. It’s very gratifying to see sick people get well.”

He encourages any business owners interested in scheduling a workshop to call his practice at 964-2930 for more information.

32 B2B omaha winter 2009

dr. matt davis

13479 W. center rd. omaha, ne 68144 www.omahachiro.net (402) 964-2930

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Omahaprofile Patrick Bonnett enjoys building relationships with clients while helping them plan for their financial future. As president and CEO of Encore Financial Services, he works closely with individuals, families and small, family-owned businesses to assist them in building a strong financial base with estate planning, long-term care insurance, IRAs and 401Ks, life insurance and other financial tools.

“Our mission is to provide our clientele with the best possible service by offering creative solutions, sound investment opportunity and quality coverage from the industry’s leading product providers,” he said. “Our company is unique in that we independently represent many product providers…Our clients know that their interests come first and that we have a deep seated personal interest in seeing them succeed.”

Though the great value of such planning services is not always obvious short term, it becomes evident when a tragedy or life-changing event happens.

“One doesn’t always recognize the value delivered until there is a particularly unfortunate life event, such as a death in the family, a disability or disease is diagnosed,” Bonnett said. “It’s when our clients are at the worst points in their lives that they actually realize a return on their premiums.

“The appreciation that I’ve received when a death benefit gets paid out or a medical claims are paid on time is simply immeasurable because it means that we’ve preserved a college fun, a retirement account or secured a certain standard of living.”

Bonnett grew up in the financial planning business. Both his father and brother are active in the industry. And though his initial plan was a career in the military — he enlisted in 1993 and served active duty with the U.S. Army Field Artillery in Ft. Sill, Okla., he, too was bitten by the financial bug while finishing his degree under the UNO/Creighton CONAP program.

He obtained his first insurance license in 1996 and has been working in financial services ever

since.

Since its founding just three years ago, Bonnett has seen Encore Financial grow significantly.

It’s added three new agents, expanded its financial product lines from more than 15 insurance carriers, and doubled its sales in just the last year alone.

prEsidEnt and cEo patrick bonnEtt

Bonnett said his military experience has provided him the steady temperament, focus, patience and self-discipline required of a successful entrepreneur. He’s also sought the guidance of several professionals, including Sarano Kelley, author of The Game.

“As a professional coach and mentor, he’s taught me the power of personal accountability….that setting and attaining small incremental goals, or breaking large goals into manageable tasks, leads to great character for an organization.”

Bonnett has set many goals for Encore. He hopes to add 20 to 25 new agents over the next year, move to larger offices in fall 2009, and expand its web development. “….and to build a strong recognizable brand that can be replicated in other markets.” With his focus and determination, he’s well on his way.

One of six children in an Irish Catholic family, Bonnett grew up in the Millard South area, and today volunteers as treasurer 4848 s. 137th st., ste. D for the Millard South Alumni Association. He is also an omaha, ne 68137 advocate for consumer and www.encorefinancialservices.com taxpayer issues. Still an ath(402) 991-2533 lete, Bonnett enjoys hitting the gym or riding the local

winter 2009 B2B omaha 33

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Omahaprofile If Nick Ryan has his wish, he’ll one day be known as the Fitness Guru of Omaha. As owner of Fitness Together, a private, personal training studio, he’s already helped more than 60 clients lose a total of 1489 pounds. With additional trainers and locations, his goal is to help countless more.

A native of rural Overton, Neb., Nick opened his studio at 17525 Gold Plaza two years ago, after moving to Omaha not knowing a soul. “I truly had to step out of my comfort zone to introduce people to my business.” He partnered with a Lincoln, Neb., Fitness Together owner, who provided guidance and financial backing to get the studio going. Within a year, the business took off and Nick struck out on his own.

The Fitness Together model is unique in that it offers its clients private training rooms and one-on-one time with a personal trainer, start to finish. “This eliminates the crowds, the waiting on equipment, and the excuse of not knowing what to do for a workout,” Nick said.

The majority of Fitness Together clients are businesspeople who’ve achieved great success professionally, but in the process have lost control of their health. “Many feel they don’t have time to work out, have high blood pressure and an expanding waist line,” Nick said.

FT trainers design a progressive workout plan for each client, then schedule private sessions with them to ensure they follow the plan correctly and exercise with enthusiasm.

Nick said fitness has always played an important role in his life.

At 8, he began working out on his dad’s Bowflex machine and Air dyne bike, and spent most of his time as a kid on his bike or riding horses. Through high school, he was active in sports and weightlifting, and even designed workout programs and taught proper technique to his friends and teammates. And as an Exercise Science major at UNL, he worked as a student assistant strength coach for the Husker football team. He credits the Husker Power strength and conditioning team as his mentors.

“They taught me how the body is supposed to move, how to transform the body…and what the body is capable of doing.” After graduation, he went on to work as a strength and conditioning coach for the University of Illinois, where he learned the importance people skills in training. “(I learned) it doesn’t matter how knowledgeable you are if you can’t motivate people.”

ownEr nick ryan

Nick said the most gratifying part of his work is hearing clients tell him they’re able to do things they haven’t been able to for years. “…Like golf all weekend pain-free, or wear that pair of jeans again, or carry a load of laundry up and down steps without getting winded. That gives me the greatest sense of accomplishment.”

For more information on Fitness Together, please visit www.ftomaha.com

34 B2B omaha winter 2009

17525 Gold Plaza (175th & center) www.ftomaha.com (402) 932-5346

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Omahaprofile The beginnings of Pinpoint Network Solutions, an Omaha-based provider of telecommuications and data center services, go back nearly a century.

It’s parent company, Pinpoint Holdings, has roots that can be traced to a rural Nebraska telephone cooperative founded in 1918.

“Pinpoint draws strength from its heritage as a 90-year-old legacy carrier,’ said Chief Operating Officer Ralph Armendariz.

But Armendariz credits PNS’s ability to adapt to today’s fast-moving, ever-changing technological environment for the company’s steady growth since its founding in April 2006.

Today, Pinpoint lists among its assets a private, non-compromised local fiber-optic network for the Omaha area, as well as regional fiberoptic networks linking Denver, Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans. PNS networks provide its customers in the corporate, telco, educational and government sectors with global reach and unparalleled data speed, security and integrity. The company also engineers customized data transport solutions for its clients’ special needs.

Armendariz describes the company as “lean, nimble and agile…able to adapt quickly to new modes and technologies.” As clients’ demands for increased connectivity and bandwidth have grown, Pinpoint has stepped up to meet that demand, he said. “The need for security and redundancy has also driven new customers in our direction.”

PNS’s quality customer service and a no-hassle, bureaucracy-free environment are what set the company apart from other network providers, said Armendariz. “Our commitment to service ensures high system reliability, rapid response to problems and innovative options and solutions.”

Armendariz said Omaha is the ideal place for PNS to thrive. “Due in large part to the location of the Strategic Air Command, Omaha has for many years been a leader in the telecommunications infrastructure,” he said. “That, combined with a thriving financial and call center community, make Omaha an ideal environment for next generation technologies.”

Armendariz also believes its customers in the Midwest are unique in that they recognize the importance of forward thinking.

“Our customers tend to be those who can not only evaluate their network needs today, but are able to anticipate future demands as well. We enjoy working with (them) to help formulate solutions that will address today’s broadband demands while allowing for future growth.”

earlier this year, PPns was named the 2008 technology company of the year by the Aim institute.

coo ralph armEndariz

www.pnptnetworks.com (866) 500-6924

winter 2009 B2B omaha 35

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professional indoor football

call for tickets today! beeffootball.com (402) 346-beeF 2009 is a big year for the Omaha Beef Indoor Football team: it heralds the 10th anniversary season. That’s 10 years of the Prime Dancers, the Rump Roasters, Sir Loin and the Meatheads fan club. With an average of 5,800 fans attending each game, enthusiasm is high and climbing. The Omaha Beef is a franchise of the Indoor Football League (IFL).

Dustin Talacko, an Omaha native and vice president of the Omaha Beef, was a ballboy with the organization when he was a senior at Creighton Prep and has steadily climbed the ranks. “I believe Omaha Beef football is one of the most dynamic brands in all of sports. We have a rich tradition that has run deep with in Omaha the past decade. We pride ourselves on being Omaha’s team and we really value our community. At the end of the day, indoor football is sort of a novelty. But we have been so successful in all aspects of this business that there is no question as to why we are the most consistent and recognizable name in Indoor Football. Ten years in indoor football is a lifetime and we blaze that trail.

From the time our fans step out of their car, until the moment they climb back in, there is more entertainment value at a Beef game than any other event.”

The sidelines are as entertaining as the game, with the award-winning Prime Dancers, Rump Roasters and team mascot Sir Loin. The Prime Dancers have won the league’s top honors four times and Sir Loin has achieved a “three-peat.” The Rump Roasters are an entity unique to the Beef. With nicknames like Beefcake, Meatloaf, Beefstrip, Miller Time and T-Bone, these manly men are the Omaha Beef’s Superfans.

36 B2B omaha winter 2009

Well played: The BEEF are always active in the Omaha and surrounding communities, logging over 500 annual hours in community service: Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, Lydia House Diaper Drive, Open Door Mission Food Drive, Bleed for the BEEF Blood Drive just to name a few. This is a testament to not only the players, but also to the management in place. “I am very passionate about this organization. With the current infrastructure of this franchise, I feel like the staff we have is the “Dream Team, “ said Talacko.

Father-and-son team Robert and Jeff Sprowls own the franchise with Dakota Crow. Crow is also the President, having served as Executive Director/Commissioner for three years of the United Indoor Football league. In this role, Crow helped build United Indoor Football into a national leader in indoor football and now will be doing the same with the IFL. Talacko added, “We pride ourselves on a great brand of football as well. 100% of our players have played collegiate ball at one level or another. We push many guys up to the next level and we are a true platform for guys on their way back. When spring rolls around and the Civic is transformed into the Slaughterhouse, our fans know they are going to see an amazing event and a hardhitting, fast-paced football game.”

Season and group tickets are now available by calling the Beef office at (402) 346-BEEF (2333). The season opens the second week in March. Talacko said, “We would like to thank community partners such as Ortho West, Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital, RTG Medical, Side Pockets and Omaha CarryOut.com. Long-term community partners like these help make Omaha Beef longevity a reality.”

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Omahaprofile Weren’t computers supposed to eliminate paper? Wasn’t email going to eliminate postal mail? It seems businesses are generating more documents than ever, and the process eats up a huge part of the administrative budget. Companies bursting at the “reams” look to Better Business Equipment for strategies to control the costs associated with document creation.

Better Business Equipment (BBE) is a locally owned and operated organization, part of the Omaha metro community for 40 years. It helps businesses with their internal document distribution process, which includes looking at how documents are created and distributed within a company.

BBE looks at everything from an operational standpoint to a financial standpoint to offer alternative solutions that reduce expenses and increase productivity in office environments.

Daron Smith, president of Better Business Equipment, proudly stated, “We’re well known for honesty and integrity and for our consistent focus on helping businesses keep their document production costs low and their efficiencies high.

We serve customers of all sizes and in all industries.”

Smith got started in the business by watching his father’s success and immer immersion in the business. “From the time I was a teenager, it was my goal to work with my dad. I’ve always had such a high degree of admiration for my father that it was the only choice I wanted to consider,” he said. “I was given the chance to work for BBE at a very young age and developed a real success in sales.” Smith’s parents retired in 2000. They taught him a significant amount about running a business, treating customers with respect and about how to work hard to accomplish your goals. Smith is pleased to carry on the tradition.

“I’m very proud of the long-term reputation that Better Business Equipment has been able to develop in the Omaha metro area,” he said. “This has been fostered by a team all equally focused on doing what is right for our customers and our community. Success to us is being able to make a difference for our customers either by increasing the productivity in their offices, by controlling their print-related expenses, or both. It’s very satisfying to know that we are forming mutually beneficial relationships with each of our customers.”

smith’s dog, murray, visits bbE oftEn.

bart mahnks, salEs managEr daron smith, prEsidEnt

www.bbeomaha.com (402) 393-6666

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Omahaprofile

ownEr ElizabEth malcom

Hiring a housecleaner demands a level of trust and professionalism. Inviting someone to work in your home on a regular basis is no trivial matter.

“Finding the service or individual that fits your needs can be half the battle. The other challenge is to make sure the tasks at hand are being handled appropriately,” says Elizabeth Malcolm, owner of High Standards Cleaning.

Malcolm has been in the cleaning profession for ten years. She started a small residential cleaning company with hopes of becoming more independent and being able to spend more time with her family.

Malcolm explained, “I always had a knack for cleaning; I grew up in a very efficient, clean home and enjoy being able to help others achieve that in their home and business. So with a few dollars and a lot of elbow grease, I started High Standards Cleaning.”

Some would say Malcolm is a risk-taker, starting a business in this economy.

To that she counters: “Change is inevitable; in an unstable economy I think it is important to provide a service that is both affordable and reliable while not forgetting that good communication is key. The cleaning business has become a bit too rigid over the past few years, lacking that personal touch.

Keeping things simple and clean is what I pride myself on. My main goal has not changed and that is to provide ‘Quality service at a price that won’t clean you out.’”

Malcolm feels that having a small business gives her the advantage in that she can take the time to build a trusting relationship with her clientele. “Bringing both a professional and personal approach to cleaning allows for a more efficient service without all of the guesswork. My services range depending on what you need for your home and office. Not every homeowner or business professional has the same needs as the next. Professional cleaning is both a luxury as well as a necessity. My goal is to make certain both your home and business needs are being addressed, not simply swept under the rug.”

Malcolm’s clients value her company’s attention to details, caring for fine objects and specialty services such as marble cleaning. These additions place High Standards Cleaning a cut above other services.

“I have been very fortunate in that everyone I have had the pleasure of working with over the past years has been remarkably kind and professional. They appreciate a job well done and look forward to the help my service provides. I will continually put my best foot forward and hope to build more business relationships. O! what a town!

38 B2B omaha winter 2009

high standards cleaning (402) 597-2620

The Best of B2B Omaha celebrates businesses that help other businesses keep the Big O’s economy rolling!

Vote for those vendors you call time and time again. The results are anxiously awaited and celebrated the entire year. The results will be published in the Spring 2009 issue. On the stands and in your hands on March 1! Only the ballot printed in this Winter 2009 issue will be accepted. Minimum of 15 catagories must be filled out. We will not accept copies or faxes. ballots must be postmarked by January 31, 2009. please mail your entries to:

Goracke & Associates, CPA, 12110 Port Grace Blvd., Suite 200, La Vista, NE 68128

Professional Services

Burglar alarms & monitoring

accounting Office

Carpet & Rug Cleaning

advertising agency

Electrical Service

Employee Benefit Company

Fence Company

Employment agency

Fire alarm Company

Engineering Firm

Garbage Collection

Financial Planner

General Contractor

Insurance agency

Glass/Window/Door Company

Law Firm

heating/aC Service

Public Relations Firm

Janitorial Service Landscape/Lawn Contractor

Building Services

Locksmith

asphalt Company

moving Company

awning/Canopy Company

Office Furniture

Building Contractor

Painting Contractor winter 2009 B2B omaha 39

Pest Control Company

Florist

Picture Framing

Golf Course

Plumbing Company

hotel

Property management

Limousine Service

Real Estate – Commercial

Live Entertainment

Roofing Company

Party Planning Service

Security Equipment/Systems

Rental Service Store

Security Guard Service

Travel agency

Sign Company Snow Removal Service

Business Services

Towing Company

advertising Specialties

Vending machines

auto Repair Service

Window Cleaning

Background Screening Service Business appraiser/Broker

Financial Services

Business Forms & Systems

auto Leasing Company

Cellular Service

Bank

Computer Service

Credit Card merchant Processing

Copier & Supplies Company

Payroll Service

Delivery Service Internet Provider

Food Services

mailing Lists

Banquet Facility

mailing Service

Caterer

Office Records Storage and Destruction

Coffee Service

Office Supplies

Restaurant – Business Breakfast

Photographer

Restaurant – Business Lunch

Printer

Restaurant – Business Dinner

Screen Printing Uniform Supply

Travel & Event Planning

Video Production Company

airline

Water – Bottled

auctioneer

Website Developer

audio-Visual Service

voter signature: ________________________________________________________________________________ date: _________/_________/_________ 40 B2B omaha winter 2009

story by mIke WatkIns

Photos by mInorWhItestuDIos.com

Metrorideshare.org metro area Planning agency

greg Youell, transportation and data manager for mapa.

M

etrO! Rideshare matches carpoolers like e-Harmony pairs up daters, and even with gas prices taking a nosedive the past couple of months, the program continues to enjoy tremendous success and growth.

Starting with a couple hundred members signing up over the first month in November of last year, the Rideshare program now assists over 2,300 by connecting drivers and riders to share trips to and from work while saving on gas and other car-related costs. The program is administered by the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) and funded by taxpayers in five counties in Nebraska and Iowa “We started getting calls in fall 2007 asking about carpool opportunities as gas prices started rising,” said Greg Youell, transportation and data manager for MAPA. “A lot of the calls came from people who moved here from cities that had carpool systems in place. The program really took off this spring when gas prices went up and Mayor (Mike) Fahey made MetrO! Rideshare one of his environmental initiatives.”

Youell said a structured carpool system hadn’t really existed in metropolitan Omaha since the 1970s during the OPEC oil embargo, even with the area continuing to expand and move further west to the suburbs. Cheap gas for the past two-plus decades severely curbed requests, so any plan for one was shelved.

When gas prices began their climb toward the $4 mark last fall, MAPA revisited the idea of a carpool program — a system where those interested in carpooling could sign up online and be winter 2009 B2B omaha 41

expertly matched with others also looking for a little gas-price relief to and from work. working together Once the program was off the ground, MAPA made a concerted effort to get area companies and organizations involved to extend the reach, get the word out and strengthen the program’s position. With their company on board, employees are then able to search for potential carpoolers within their company.

“Several companies have really gotten into engaging their employees in the program, especially West Corporation, which issued a Rideshare challenge and raffled prizes to employees,” Youell said.

“Employers realize it’s in their best interest to support programs that provide some relief for their employees – especially when it comes to the cost of getting to and from work each day.”

Here’s how MetrO! Rideshare works: Via the website, www.metrorideshare.org, prospective carpoolers begin by entering their personal carpool information. These details provide the most accurate matches possible. The Rideshare program software then maps your address. If your address can’t be mapped for whatever reason, you are asked to pick the closest address from a list or interactive map.

Once your information has been input, you can begin searching for potential carpool matches. The search compares the various pieces of information you have supplied with information from other users. You are then provided a list of potential matches and maps to visually identify their routes.

Finally, you can begin comparing carpool information using the maps and additional information from potential matches. Once a match has been identified, you can contact that person by sending an email via the website, and the system ensures that all your vital personal information remains private.

Safe and Secure As a safety precaution and because MAPA doesn’t have the resources to check everyone who signs on, Youell suggests that Rideshare users meet their matches publicly before agreeing to carpool with them. He also suggests not starting a carpool with 42 B2B omaha winter 2009

strangers until three people are signed on for your particular group.

“People have the ability to choose their carpool matches based on numerous criteria outside of location,” Youell added. “If a woman wants to ride only with other women or a man wants to ride only with other men, they have that option when they sign up. If the wrong people are paired up, it doesn’t serve us or the participants, so we want to make it as easy and comfortable as possible.”

As someone who makes the 50-mile commute from her home in Lincoln to downtown Omaha each day, Corrine Jacox has been carpooling with a co-worker for many years. When she learned about the MetrO! Rideshare program, she immediately signed up, as did her driving partner.

“When I heard about this program, I signed up as soon as the website was up and running,” said Jacox, who has made the trip from Lincoln for her job at the Creighton law library for the past seven years. “We drive in together three days a week, and we work around each other’s work and home schedules. If that means I have to drive in by myself more than two days a week, that’s fine. I figure I save about $48 and 600 miles a month by carpooling.”

“I highly recommend it to others considering carpooling, but anyone who gets involved has to go in realizing they need to be flexible. But the payoff is worth the effort.”

Similarly, Scott Sumpter of Hamburg, Iowa, was spending upwards of $500 each month making the commute alone to Omaha for his job at the Ambassador Omaha. Through MetrO! Rideshare, he has significantly cut his monthly travel expenses and has made some friends in the process.

“I started carpooling in March, and I signed up thinking there more than likely wouldn’t be a match, but I had several,” Sumpter said. “I emailed about three people, and Lisa Erdman, who lives south of Hamburg in Rock Port, Mo., replied.

We checked each other out through mutual friends and family, and we have since added another person who lives in Auburn, Neb. “I will continue to carpool even with gas prices being good again because it helps with the monthly budget, it’s nice to not have to drive by myself, plus, the three of us have become great friends.”

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The Code of the West

L

ast November, Omaha was honored to host Vicente Fox, former president of Mexico. He came to town to talk at the first annual Board of Trustees meeting for the Omaha Business Ethics Alliance.

Come to find out, President Fox is a cowboy. I have always liked cowboys. I think they are the salt of the earth. One of the things I especially like about them is the code they follow – yep, you guessed it the Code of the West.

If you grew up in the Midwest, you’ve heard of the Code since you were a kid.

But what is the Code? Well, pull up a chair, pardner, and lend me your ear.

The Legends of America website reminds us that the Code of the West was never written down, though it was respected by every cowboy on the range. The Code of the West was the rules for survival and fair play (with a little bit of etiquette thrown in for good measure.) It was basically a code for living where there were no other laws and rules in place.

There are several rules in the Code. A few worth noting are: • “Honesty is absolute – your word is your bond.”

• “Give your enemy a fighting chance.”

• “Never steal another man’s horse. A horse thief pays with his life.”

• “Remove your guns before sitting at the dining table.”

• “Real cowboys are modest. A braggert who is “all gurgle and no guts” is not tolerated.”

• “Look out for your own.”

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• “Never order anything weaker than whiskey.”

• “No matter how weary and hungry you are after a long day in the saddle, always take care of your horse first.”

• “Cowboys are courageous. Cowards aren’t tolerated in any outfit worth its salt.”

• “A cowboy always helps someone in need, even a stranger or an enemy.”

In a sense, times have not changed since the days of the Wild West. The basic moral ideals of integrity, fair play and compassion continue to guide our lives.

On the other hand, times certainly have changed. Today, due to a need for greater transparency, business firms all over the world are creating formal codes of ethics.

They are writing down their values and moral beliefs to direct employee conduct.

This change is for the better.

Omaha has a lot of catching up to do in this regard. The 2008 Organizational Ethics Survey conducted by the Omaha Business Ethics Alliance shows that almost half of companies that responded to the survey do not have written codes of ethics or values statements.

What can the Business Ethics Alliance do to help? We have created a free toolkit housed on our website that describes how to write a code of ethics. We also have examples of codes from local firms with which to benchmark.

The Code of the West says that a cowboy doesn’t talk too much - “They save their breath for breathing.” While this may have worked in the Wild West, it does not work anymore. We need leaders who speak out for ethics and who write down their company’s values for all employees to see and follow.

Access www.omahaethicsalliance.org for further information about organizational codes of ethics.

Beverly Kracher, Ph.D. Executive Director, Business Ethics Alliance Associate Professor of Business Ethics & Society College of Business Creighton University

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Patrick C. Cloven Omaha is now smoke-free in all bars, restaurants and keno locations.

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We appreciate your vote of condence in 2008 and look forward to serving you in the years to come!

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