APRIL · MAY 2019 | U.S. $3.25
TORIC IMPLANTABLE COLLAMER LENS
TALK ABOUT GROWING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
NEW ASTIGMATISM-CORRECTION SURGERY
NOTHING UP OUR SLEEVES
THE MAGIC OF CLEAN WATER
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02 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
it’s about all of us. Connect With Your City U.S.
FEBRUA RY · MARCH $3.25 2018
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RITE ROOM
2018
FACES of
OMAHA
OFFIC E // THE GRAN D
CREATIVE creative director Matt Wieczorek
vice president Greg Bruns
senior graphic designer Derek Joy
associate publisher Bill Sitzmann
graphic designer II Mady Besch
chief operating officer Tyler Lemke
photographers Katie Anderson Keith Binder Scott Drickey Ariel Fried Sarah Lemke Jeremy Allen Wieczorek
TIFUL
INCUBATORS & ACCELERATORS
LEGISLATING HEALTH CARE SOLUTIONS
EXECUTIVE publisher Todd Lemke
REVE AL OF
A YEAR LONG
RENO VATIO
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EDITORIAL executive editor Doug Meigs managing editor Daisy Hutzell-Rodman senior editor Tara Spencer editorial interns Pumulo Kasaji Ashton Nanninga Kate Smith contributors Keith Backsen Leo Adam Biga Ryan Borchers Tamsen Butler Megan Fabry Charlie Litton Kirby Kaufmann Beverly Kracher Maggie O’Brien Linda Persigehl Mariel Richter Kara Schweiss Scott Stewart INFORMATION advertising information 402-884-2000
SALES executive vice president sales & marketing Gil Cohen senior branding specialist Mary Hiatt senior sales executive Gwen Lemke branding specialists Dawn Dennis George Idelman Local Stubs ticketing representative and branding specialist Joshua Peterson digital sales manager Jillian Dunn assistant to the publisher Sandy Matson senior sales coordinator Alicia Hollins
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account assistants Sophia Galardi Megan Fabry
B2B Magazine is published six times annually by Omaha Magazine, LTD, P.O. Box 461208, Omaha NE 68046-1208. Telephone: 402-884-2000; fax 402-8842001. Subscription rates: $12.95 for 4 issues (one year), $19.95 for 8 issues (two years). Multiple subscriptions at different rates are available. No whole or part of the contents herein may be reproduced without prior written permission of B2B Omaha Magazine, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted, however no responsibility will be assumed for such solicitations.
OPERATIONS distribution manager Mike Brewer accounting associate Kendra Hill
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 03
TABLE OF CONTENTS MAIN FEATURE
GROWING OMAHA
TRENTON MAGID AND JEFF BEALS’ RADIO SHOW
FEATURES
60
INTERNS
MAKING THE MOST OF A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
62
68
TORIC IMPLANTABLE COLLAMER LENS NEW ASTIGMATISMCORRECTION SURGERY
NOTHING UP OUR SLEEVES
THE MAGIC OF CLEAN WATER
DEPARTMENTS
36 BIZ + GIVING
40 LEADERS
44 AFTER HOURS
38 ROUNDTABLE
42 omAHA!
46 HOW I ROLL
LIZ CODINA
OMAHA—THE NO. 1 CITY FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES
COLUMNS
STEVEN ZEHR
GILDEN TREE
METRO’S COFFEE COLLEGE
SPRING IS BEST
SPECIAL SECTIONS
ABOUT THE COVER
U.S. $3.25
07 BEST OF B2B
THE RESULTS ARE IN
TORIC IMPLANTABLE COLLAMER LENS
TALK ABOUT GROWING COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
NEW ASTIGMATISM-CORRECTION SURGERY
NOTHING UP OUR SLEEVES
THE MAGIC OF CLEAN WATER
70 CVB
50 BEST OF B2B
70 ETHICS
58 SPONSORED PROFILE
CELEBRATE TOURISM
TRUST OPPORTUNITIES
SPONSORED CONTENT
EMBASSY SUITES
MAKAYLA MCMORRIS
BUTCH ATHERTON
APRIL · MAY 2019 |
05 EDITOR’S LETTER
48 ON THE RISE
Grow Omaha hosts Trenton Magid (left) and Jeff Beals (right) present a weekly outlook on commercial real estate in Omaha every Saturday at 9 a.m. on KFAB 1110 AM.
04 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 1
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 05
FROM THE EDITOR
SPRING IS BEST
ho wants to see more snow? If you answered the question “yes,” then please move to Minnesota and leave spring with those of us in the metro area.
ABE’S
TRASH SERVICE
Quality, Dependable Trash & Recycling Service
SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS For Over 60 Years COMMERCIAL
• • • •
Waste Disposal Rear Load Containers Front Load Containers Recycling
RESIDENTIAL
COMPACTORS
• Dependable Weekly Trash Service • Trash Carts & Recycling Bins • Weekly Recycling • Weekly Yard Waste
• Stationary Compactors • Self-Contained Compactors • Cardboard Compactors • Recycling • Compactor Maintenance Performed
CONSTRUCTION & CLEAN-UP
• Roll-Off Containers • C&D Landfill • C&D Recycling • Green Build Services
Locally Owned and Operated 8123 Christensen Lane | 402-571-4926 | abestrash.com
Spring is a prime time for people to buy and sell real estate. Our cover story is about two popular local real estate agents, Jeff Beals and Trenton Magid. They have hosted the radio show Grow Omaha for about 15 years, and in that time, they have reported on exciting developments in the city, such as The Cheesecake Factory coming to Omaha, as well as commenting on the state of the construction and real estate industries in the area. Scott Stewart sat down with the pair to ask the secrets behind their longevity, and some questions about this year’s growth. Spring leaves many college students (and parents of college students) thinking of graduation. Some of those graduates will spend the summer at internships—a word rife with controversy these days. Reports from Forbes to Huffington Post to college newspapers expound the benefits of unpaid internships and the reasons to stay away from them. Megan Fabry, herself a former intern of mine, explains a couple of different approaches to internship programs in this issue. Other graduates will look for full-time employment, and while many local graduates may dream of warm places such as California for that first job, Omaha is a great choice. The city was chosen as the No. 1 City for College Graduates by ZipRecruiter. In my roundtable this month, I spoke with three professionals in big fields (medicine, insurance, and public relations) who could have gone to Phoenix or Rochester, Minnesota, for a job, but chose Omaha as the best place to start their careers. Speaking of the best, this is our Best of B2B results issue. Happy spring!
Since 1950, United Rent-All has been Omaha’s trusted partner for events, conventions, receptions and more! 811 S. 48th St. | Omaha, NE Mon-Sat, 7:30am-6:00pm
Call 402.556.1600
unitedrent-all-omaha.com
B2B Daisy Hutzell-Rodman is the managing editor of B2B, a publication of Omaha Magazine, LTD. She can be reached at daisy@omahamagazine.com.
THANK YOU! For giving us the opportunity to serve your Search, Staffing, and Consulting needs.
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AND THE WINNERS ARE… Here is B2B Omaha’s highly anticipated Best of B2B winners list for 2019. Readers and customers voted the following Omaha-area businesses the best in the city for the services and products they provide in their respective fields. Unlike Best of Omaha, in which the ballot is online so the public at large can vote for their favorites, the Best of B2B contest was available only in the magazine, ensuring that those business owners and executives who care specifically about B2B were able to vote. Best of B2B results were tabulated from ballots sent in from the December 2018/January 2019 issue of B2B. Ballots had to be originals—not photocopies—and a minimum of 15 categories had to be filled out for them to be accepted. The Best of B2B list is organized alphabetically by themes, then categories, making it easy to find the best in a specific product or service. Winners were given the option to list their phone number and website as sponsored content. “Best of B2B has developed into what it was meant to be and what we hoped it could be,” says Todd Lemke, the magazine’s publisher. “Business owners get it—it’s a contest in which businesses recognize businesses. We feel honored to be able to showcase the very best our city has to offer.” B2B
08 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
THANKS, OMAHA . WE LIKE YOU, TOO. That’s why Omaha has been our home since 1912.
402.341.6479
millerelect.com
Thanks for voting us Omaha’s best electrical service 14 years running.
THANK YOU FOR VOTING US OMAHA’S BEST
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Thank you for Voting us Best of B2B for Commercial Door Service!
OUR MISSION To provide leadership to our Employees, Stakeholders, Customers and Industry through unquestionable character, integrity and commitment to service to mankind.
Since 1963
Doors, Docks & Gates – Since 1963 Installation, Service & Repair
Professional. Proven.
402.331.8920 · www.normsdoor.com
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 09
Making our clients’ businesses better.
Lockton helps companies protect their people, property and reputations. For more than five decades, our clients have depended on our risk management, employee benefits and retirement services expertise to help them take risks and grow.
BUILDING SERVICES AIR COMPRESSORS
To learn how Lockton can help you create a successful insurance management strategy for your business, contact:
Ingersoll Rand Atlas Copco
CARPET & RUG CLEANING Jones Services 402-331-5912 jonesservicesinc.com
LOCKTON.COM
Jack Struyk
Kirt McAlpine
Cody Beguin
jstruyk@lockton.com
kmcalpine@lockton.com
cbeguin@lockton.com
Bob Harry
Alex Petrovich
Jason Smith
rharry@lockton.com
apetrovich@lockton.com
jmsmith@lockton.com
Risk management | Employee benefits | Retirement services 13710 FNB Parkway, Suite 400 • Omaha, NE 68154 • 402.970.6100 © 2018 Lockton, Inc. All rights reserved.
Action Flooring and Carpet Cleaning
COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGN
Thanks for Voting S&W Fence the Best Again in 2019!
Commercial Interior Solutions Gloria’s Elegant Interiors & Consulting
DOOR COMPANY Norm’s Door Service A United Automatic Doors & Glass
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2018 Winner
S&W Fence 402-333-5722 sw-fence.com
American Fence Company
We’re Not Just About Fences.
www.sw-fence.com • 402-333-5722
10 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
• 24 Hour Emergency Service • No Commisions Earned by Our Techs= Fair Treatment to Our Customers • 3rd Generation Family-Owned Business • Residential and Commercial Contractor
UP TO
$2,150 OFF
THE PURCHASE OF A NEW SYSTEM
402.391.2336 | soshvac.com
13 Years!
8314 Maple St. Omaha, NE 68134
11 Years!
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24/7/365 Emergency Service
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24/7/365 Emergency Service
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Delivering Comfort Everywhere Employee owned | 24 Hour Emergency Service
4972 F Street • 402-593-7500 • a1united.net
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24/7/365 Emergency Service �ns�rin� pe�ce o� �in� �y protec�n� �i�e �n� property since 1993.
associatedfire.net 402.733.2800
APRIL · MAY | 11
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM
Your one-stop shop for all your fire equipment needs.
FIRE PROTECTION General Fire and Safety
· · · ·
Fire Sprinkler Systems Fire Alarm Systems Kitchen Ansul Systems Fire Extinguishers
402-556-6100 gfsomaha.com
Associated Fire Protection 402-733-2800 associatedfire.net
GARBAGE COLLECTION
Ultimate Protection. Superior Service. 402.556.6100 • gfsomaha.com
Abe’s Trash Service 402-571-4926 abestrash.com
Gretna Sanitation
GENERAL CONTRACTOR Lueder Construction The Weitz Company 402-592-7000 weitz.com
HEATING/AC SERVICE SOS Heating & Cooling 402-391-2336 soshvac.com
A-1 United Heating, Air & Electrical 402-593-7500 A1united.net
JANITORIAL SERVICE Jani-King Sparkling Klean Services, Inc.
BUILDING A BETTER WAY since 1855 www.weitz.com
12 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
Thanks Omaha for over 30 Years! We would also like to thank Omaha for voting our company the Best of B2B™.
Thanks for Voting us Your #1 Locksmith!
8 Consecutive Years ®
Convenience + Peace of Mind + Protection
To see what else we are up to, check us out at:
402.399.9233 | WWW.SPARKLINGKLEAN.COM
CarlJarl.com
APRIL · MAY | 13
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM
LANDSCAPE/LAWN CONTRACTOR Sun Valley Landscaping CLC Landscapes 2019 WINNERS ‘BEST OF B2B’! FOUR YEARS RUNNING!
LOCKSMITH Carl Jarl Group 402-393-7800 carljarl.com
Affordable Solutions 8006 J Street, Omaha, NE, 68127 selectvan.com - 402.935.3700
MOVING COMPANY Select Van & Storage 402-935-3700 selectvan.com
Office Furniture Installers, Inc. 402-451-8009 OFI-USA.com
OFFICE FURNITURE All Makes 402-341-2413 allmakes.com
BOLD Office Solutions 402-934-1337 boldofficesolutions.com
PAINTING CONTRACTOR Traco Inc. Nebraska Painting
PARKING LOT MAINTENANCE Parking Area Maintenance, Inc.
PARKING AREA MAINTENANCE, INC.
35 YEARS
1984-2019
PARKING AREA MAINTENANCE, INC WE COVER ALL YOUR PARKING AREA NEEDS! Serving Omaha since 1984
HONOR ROLL 2010-2019
Miktom Parking Lot Services • ASPHALT PAVING • STRIPING • SEAL COATING • FREE ESTIMATES • CRACK SEALING
402.496.3400
PARKINGMAINTENANCEOMAHA.COM
14 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
The perfect workspace for gathering ideas. The All Makes’ team is trained to help you make design decisions and furniture purchases that fit your office atmosphere, your work style and your budget. Visit All Makes’ showroom to see the latest in new office furniture, pre-owned office furniture and business technology.
2558 Farnam Street | Omaha, NE 68131 402.341.2413 | allmakes.com
tracoinc.com 402.345.7213
COMMERCIAL PAINTING CONTRACTOR Painting • Wall Coverings • High Performance Coatings
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES DIVISION Remodeling • Additions • Renovation • Restoration
APRIL · MAY | 15
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM
PEST CONTROL COMPANY ABC Termite & Pest Control Quality Pest Control
PICTURE FRAMING Lewis Art Gallery Visions Custom Framing 402-342-0020 visionscustomframing.com
PLUMBING COMPANY Backlund Plumbing Eyman Plumbing Heating & Air 402-731-2727 trusteyman.com
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Cushman & Wakefield The Lund Company 402-393-8811 lundco.com
DP Management, LLC
402.572.6070
10 YEAR RATE LOCK
PROFESSIONAL CONTROL OF:
SPIDERS . TERMITES . CRICKETS . SILVERFISH . ANTS . BED BUGS . BEES . FLEAS . WASPS . RODENTS . ROACHES POWER SPRAYS . YARD SPRAYS . RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL RODENT CONTROL . MOSQUITOES AND MORE...
A Family Operated Business Since 1991 - Serving a 40 mile radius of Lincoln and Omaha! 11075 S. 204th St. Gretna, NE 68028 | ABCTermite - Pest.com | Lincoln 402.434.3290
16 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
Your Midwest Commercial Real Estate Experts
Flat Roof Specialists
New • Repairs • Reroof • Skylights 32 Years of Quality, Integrity and Service
402.493.2800 | dp-mgmt.com info@dp-mgmt.com RETAIL | MULTI-FAMILY | OFFICE | DEVELOPMENT DURO-LAST ROOFING, INC.
Dial
Companies
Visit us online Ciaccioroofing.com or call 402.293.8707 for a FREE estimate! 4420 Izard St • Omaha, NE
APRIL · MAY | 17
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM
PROUD TO BE BEST OF B2B 4 YEARS IN A ROW REAL ESTATE – COMMERCIAL
2016 2017 2018 2019
NAI NP Dodge 402-255-6060 nainpdodge.com
Noddle Companies 402-496-1616 noddlecompanies.com
ROOFING COMPANY Ciaccio Roofing Corp. 402-293-8707 ciaccioroofing.com
12915 W Dodge Road Omaha, NE 68154 +1 402 255 6060 nainpdodge.com
Scott Enterprises, Inc.
SECURITY EQUIPMENT/SYSTEMS SEi, Security Equipment Inc. Atronic Alarms
SIGN COMPANY Best Buy Signs Stickman Graphics & Signs
SNOW REMOVAL SERVICE A & P Construction 402-740-0800 apconstructomaha.com
SunCo
TOWING COMPANY Neff Towing Service, Inc.
Serving the Great Customers of Omaha for 74 Years!
402-733-5500 Search “Neff Towing Service,Inc.” on Facebook
Arrow Towing Company
Thank You for Voting Us #1 for 8 Years! 402.733.5500 | 4315 South 50th Street
18 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
BUSINESS SERVICES ADVERTISING SPECIALTIES Ideal Images 402-596-1002 ideal-images.com
Regal Awards
AUTO GLASS Omaha Glass Pro
& 2019
Dinges Auto Glass in CB
Thanks for voting us Best of B2B!
AUTO LEASING Lux.Car Audi Omaha
BACKGROUND & DRUG SCREENING SERVICE One Source
SECURING OMAHA'S BUSINESSES FOR 50 YEARS!
1-800-608-3645 onesourcebackground.com
Let us design a security solution that fits YOUR business SEiSecurity.com • 402.333.3233
Drug Test Services 402-813-5720 drugtestservices.net
BUSINESS BROKER The Firm Business Brokerage M E RGE R S & AC QU ISI T IONS
2B
O MA H A ’
S
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Selling Omaha Businesses using Ethics, Integrity and Confidentiality
2018 Winner
402-913-9080 | Resultsba.com 12020 Shamrock Plz. Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68154
Results Business Advisors 402-913-9080 resultsba.com
APRIL · MAY | 19
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM
BUSINESS FORMS & SYSTEMS Performance Group Inc. Donis Corp
BUSINESS REBRANDING Daake Webster
COMPUTER IT SERVICE InfiNet Solutions 402-895-5777 omahait.com
Kidwell
COMPUTER REPAIR Ken’s PC Repair 402-933-7890 kenspcrepair.biz
Schrock Innovations
COPIER SERVICE
Voted Best Background & Drug Screening Service for 15 consecutive years!
Marco Simplified Office Solutions
CORPORATE GIFTS Borsheims Bergman Incentives, Inc.
800.608.3645 info@onesourcebackground.com onesourcebackground.com
20 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
THANK YOU FOR VOTING
BEST DELIVERY SERVICE!
402.592.9062 C A P I TA L E X P R E S S . B I Z
APRIL · MAY | 21
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM
Your Partner for Asset Disposal
CORPORATE JET SERVICE Jet Linx 402-422-0393 JetLinxOmaha.com
NetJets
CUSTOMER SERVICE TD Ameritrade Werner Enterprises
Electronic Recycling • Secure Data Destruction Secure Transfer of Custody • Asset Disposal & Management
DELIVERY SERVICE
402-590-2100 | crossrecycling.com
Capital Express 402-592-9062 capitalexpress.biz
MJ Express
DELIVERY VEHICLE DEALER
Voted Best of Omaha
Five Years in a Row!
Mercedes-Benz of Omaha Woodhouse Ford
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING Lifespan Cross Electronic Recycling
ELEVATED PRINTECH | 10404 Essex Ct. Ste 600 | Omaha, NE 68114 402-505-9888 | Elevatedseo.com | Elevated.ink
402-590-2100 crossrecycling.com
FLEET REPAIR Omaha Truck Center Co. Hatcher Mobile Services
GLASS COMPANY Midwest Glass & Glazing Keystone Glass
7:00am-2:30pm DAILY firstwatch.com
22 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
INTERNET PROVIDER Cox Business 402-934-3223 coxbusiness.com
CenturyLink
MAILING LISTS CAS Inc
402-963-2000 cas-online.com
GoLeads
MAILING SERVICE Omaha Mail, Inc. 402-758-0671 omahamail.net
DBS Burke
MOBILE AUTO DETAILING
CALL TODAY 866-249-1977
Attention to Detail Crystal Blue
NETWORKING EVENT Greater Omaha Chamber 402-346-5000 omahachamber.org
Business Ethics Alliance
NETWORKING GROUP BNI of the Heartland Center Sphere
APRIL · MAY | 23
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM
RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING IS KIND OF OUR THING 200+ events — all of them opportunities to connect. 10,000+ attendees — all of them potential boosts for your professional network.
This year, let’s make it 10,000 + you.
OFFICE SUPPLIES Pay-LESS Office Products, Inc. Office Depot/Office Max
PRINTER
Join us for at least one Chamber event and see why we’ve been voted the best at bringing people together.
Aradius Group Printco Graphics
SALES TRAINING
OmahaChamber.org/Events
Sandler Training UNO College of Business Administration
WATER – BOTTLED Ideal Pure Water 402-392-2600 idealpurewater.com
Culligan of Omaha 402-540-2503 culliganofomaha.com
WEBSITE DEVELOPER Elevated SEO & Web Design Little Guy Design
WEBSITE HOSTING Flywheel JM Web Designs
Success is…Our mission, our promise and our brand. “The Sandler Training system has been great for our business. The tools have allowed our close rate to increase from 30% to over 50%, my salesman have more time to work on quality accounts, and it has been fun learning how to become a professional sales person.”
-Scott Knack, VP of Sales, Prince Manufacturing
Our Services: •Sales Training •Sales Management Training •Coaching •Assessments
JOIN US for an executive briefing to learn more about how Sandler Training can grow your business. Register at www.karlschaphorst.sandler.com Or call us at 402.403-4334.
T: 402.403.4334 10711 O Street • Omaha, NE 68127 kschaphorst@sandler.com
Karl Schaphorst Owner
24 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
APRIL · MAY | 25
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM
FINANCIAL SERVICES BANK First National Bank 800-642-0014 fnbo.com
ACCESSbank
CREDIT CARD MERCHANT PROCESSING TSYS Merchant Solutions American Payment Systems
CREDIT UNION Centris Federal Credit Union 402-334-7000 centrisfcu.org
Metro Credit Union
INVESTMENT COMPANY McCarthy Capital Weitz Investment Management 800-304-9745 weitzinvestments.com
PAYROLL SERVICE
Merchant Processing for First Data and TSYS & Point of Sale Systems.
Profit Advantage 402-592-8334 profit-advantage.com
Payroll Professionals, Inc.
Local Family owned business since 1982 402.502.9985 | americanpaymentsystems.com
26 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
Crystal Blue Mobile Detail Revolutionizing the Automotive Detail Industry Omaha’s First Mobile Detail Service EST. 1997
/crystalblueomaha
Basic Wash Detail Interior Detail Premium Detail Leather Treatment Monthly Agreement Paint Correction Ceramic Coating Engine Detail
WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS
crystalblueomaha.com | Cars * SUV * Trucks * Exotics * Classics * Fleets | Call Kirk at 402-714-7954!
PROFESSIONAL IMPECCABLE MEMORABLE ASK FOR BRANDEIS CATERING AT MANY FINE VENUES THROUGHOUT
THE OMAHA METRO. OUR EXCLUSIVE VENUE LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE BALLROOM
(402) 334-5446 • www.brandeiscatering.com
"Thank you for selecting us the Best Caterer in Omaha for the past 13 years!" - Joe Thallas Owner/General Manager
APRIL · MAY | 27
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM
FOOD BANQUET FACILITY Thompson Alumni Center at UNO Ralston Arena
CATERER Brandeis Catering 402-334-5446 brandiescatering.com
Eddie’s Catering
COFFEE PROVIDER Host Coffee LaRue Coffee
RESTAURANT – BUSINESS BREAKFAST First Watch Louie M’s Burger Lust
RESTAURANT – BUSINESS DINNER 801 Chophouse
THE THOMPSON CENTER
Omaha’s Premier Venue for Outdoor Weddings Indoor Receptions & Professional Functions Midtown Location / Free Parking Exceptional Catering / Extensive Ameties A Public Event Space 6705 Dodge St., Omaha 402.554.2444 ssummers@unoalumni.org thethompsoncenter.org
Photo provided by Complete Wedding + Events
402-341-1222 801restaurantgroup.com
Fleming’s
RESTAURANT – BUSINESS HAPPY HOUR Bonefish Grill Della Costa
RESTAURANT – BUSINESS LUNCH Charleston’s Biaggi’s
Thank You Ethical Omaha
Community Programs Workshops Ethics Products Consulting
Omaha’s only nonprofit dedicated to city-level business ethics education.
For our 2019 event calendar and more info:
www.businessethicsalliance.org
402-280-2235
28 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 29
Clean Results. For all of your facility cleaning needs, Jani-King’s trained and dedicated franchisees deliver beyond expectations. It’s all of the efforts behind the scenes that prepare you for success. Call our local Jani-King office today and discover how our efforts help your business each and every day.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ACCOUNTING OFFICE Lutz
© 2016 Jani-King International, Inc. | CD0216-0023
402-496-8800 Lutz.us
Bland & Associates P.C.
ADVERTISING AGENCY
402.932.0514 | 5885 S. 118 Circle Omaha, NE | janiking.com
Sleight Advertising 402-334-3530 sleightadvertising.com
BluePrint
ARCHITECTURAL FIRM LEO A DALY HDR, Inc.
COLLECTION SERVICE Brumbaugh & Quandahl Merchants Credit Adjusters Inc.
CORPORATE HOUSING Omaha Corporate Housing
THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR US! Licensed, Bonded, Insured & Locally Owned in Papillion, NE Insurance Claims Welcome • New Roof & Reroofs Roof Maintenance & Repair
402-933-5314 omahacorphousing.com
Blvd Suites
Call us today! 402-740-0800 | apconstructomaha.com
We believe a company’s greatest asset is its employees. This family run business has been helping organizations with their employee benefit programs for over 36 years. Join our family and protect your greatest asset.
Thanks for your vote Omaha (4 years in a row)! 16820 Frances Street, Suite 202 | Omaha, NE 68130 theolsongroup.com | 402-289-1046
APRIL · MAY | 31
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT COMPANY The Olson Group 402-289-1046 theolsongroup.com
SilverStone Group 402-964-5400 silverstonegroup.com
EMPLOYMENT AGENCY C&A Industries, Inc. 402-891-0009 ca-industries.com
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INSURANCE AGENCY The Harry A. Koch Co. 402-861-7000 hakco.com
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32 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM Zaiss & Company 402-964-9293 zaissco.com
Lukas Partners
RETIREMENT PLANNING Feltz WealthPLAN Steier & Associates
SOCIAL MEDIA CONSULTANT MediaSpark 402-505-5433 themediaspark.com
Pixel Fire Marketing 402-214-5053 pixelfiremarketing.com
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 33
20 YEARS OF a national and regional powerhouse in meetings & events | planitomaha.com
34 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
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OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 35
HOTEL Hilton Omaha Omaha Marriott Downtown
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THANK YOU!
Thank you for voting us best B2B business in 2019 for the fourth straight year. A credit union is only as successful as the people and communities it serves. As your local credit union, we are committed to serving the communities where our members live and work and are proud to support organizations that help these communities thrive. People helping people is the credit union philosophy, and Centris seeks to live this philosophy every day.
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36 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
BIZ + GIVING | STORY BY KIRBY KAUFMANN | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
LIZ CODINA PETER KIEWIT FOUNDATION PROGRAM OFFICER
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 37
iz Codina’s genuine passion for community stems from her upbringing in Omaha. It is the place she calls home, and that is important to her. It makes even more sense that she brings these values to her job at the Peter Kiewit Foundation.
-JEFF KUTASH
As a program officer, the 27-year-old woman works closely with those who seek project funding from the nonprofit, which supports community growth in the Omaha metro. Since its founding in 1979, the Peter Kiewit Foundation has awarded more than $640 million in grants and scholarships to help build up its surrounding community.
As a UNO employee, Codina managed a team of six people at the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center. Along with working at the Peter Kiewit Foundation, she serves as president of the South Omaha Business Association and vice president of the Metro Young Latino Professionals Association.
“I WANT TO SHED LIGHT ON GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND TO FOCUS ON THAT DIVERSITY AND EQUITY DIALOGUE.”
Jeff Kutash, CEO of the Peter Kiewit Foundation, says Codina brings an “incredible background to their team.” He adds that her nonprofit experience before joining the organization will help her succeed in the world of philanthropy.
-LIZ CODINA “I love this community,” Codina says. “My time at UNO really helped me develop a huge passion for community engagement and the work nonprofits do.” Born to immigrant parents in El Paso, Texas, Codina moved to Omaha at age 4. She attended Bellevue Elementary School, eventually transferring to Westside Community Schools. In college at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, she studied political science and foreign affairs.
“WE ARE VERY MUCH A COMMUNITYBASED ORGANIZATION. SHE CALLS OMAHA HOME, AND THAT’S IMPORTANT.”
“It makes her a better program officer,” Kutash says. “We are very much a community-based organization. She calls Omaha home, and that’s important.” At the foundation, Codina manages Art Stock and two capacity seminars across the state, Building Innovation Capacity and Fundraising School. “It lets me learn about communities across the state,” she says. In addition to working with Nebraska community members, Codina says the foundation expands 100 miles into Iowa. This allows them to better explore areas for potential investments in quality of place amenities.
“It’s a great opportunity to give back to my community,” she says. “I want to shed light on groups that have been marginalized in our communities and to focus on that diversity and equity dialogue.” Codina says her personal mission coincides with the organization’s. It is to create opportunities for people to live in and build strong, vibrant communities. She works with members of the community to make sure they submit eligible and fundable applications. “The organization supports their local efforts to build what they see as a thriving community,” says Codina, who joined the nonprofit in February 2018. Her other work at the foundation includes helping youths succeed in their education and help secure meaningful employment. She also cares about issues that affect Latinos. Through networking at UNO, she met with local leaders, who, she says, served as great mentors. “To me, Omaha is home because this is the community I know that I love,” she says. “I have been helped along on my journey, and I want to do that for other people.” Visit peterkiewittfoundation.org for more information. B2B
38 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
ROUNDTABLE | STORY BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN | PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
OMAHA—THE NO. 1 CITY FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES WHY AND WHY NOT?
Jeremy Maskel
“I LOOKED AT OTHER, SIMILARLY-SIZED COMMUNITIES IN 2010 AS I PREPARED TO MOVE, AND NONE GAVE ME THE SAME FEELING AS OMAHA.” -JEREMY MASKEL
Kellee Grimes
ollege graduates are visible in Omaha daily—in the workplace, in coffee shops, at bars and nightclubs, and more. A 2018 study done by job search site/app Ziprecruiter noted Omaha as the No. 1 city for college graduates to start their careers in. B2B recently spoke with three professionals regarding this designation: Kellee Grimes, manager of Health Services at Mutual of Omaha and a member of the Greater Omaha Young Professionals Council; Jeremy Maskel, director of External Relations & Engagement at Ralston Public Schools and the 2019 president of the Omaha Press Club; and Geoffrey Talmon, M.D., assistant dean of medical education at UNMC.
Geoff Talmon
B2B: Jeremy, you technically did not start out of college in Omaha, but you were in the area (Maskel started in Sioux City, Iowa). What drew you to Omaha? Maskel: I knew I wanted to grow in a community I loved, if at all possible. So, I started by only applying to cities where I wanted to spend a larger chapter of my life. I had visited Omaha before and loved seeing so many people out for dinner, for Jazz on the Green, or for special events. Everyone I met was so friendly, helpful, and welcoming. Construction was bustling as Midtown Crossing and Aksarben Village opened. Growing up in the Minneapolis suburbs, I loved the opportunity to move into a neighborhood like Dundee and experience a completely new routine. As big as it is, it still felt comfortable and accessible for me as a growing professional.
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 39
B2B: Kellee and Geoff, you both graduated from UNL, then UNMC. As medical professionals, I would imagine you have some choice in where you want to live. What kept you in Omaha? Grimes: I was born here, and grew up in Atlanta, then I came back here during high school. I chose to start my career here because I saw a lot of opportunity. The UNMC had a lot of great programs. I saw the best access to technology and direct access to patients. I hear people tell others, “Oh, you’re new to Omaha? You’re going to love it.” Talmon: I grew up in Gretna, and I went to Lincoln. UNMC was attractive because it was the right fit—it was flexible, and I didn’t have to go through a lot of red tape. I did a fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester [Minnesota]. In fact, I looked at a job there, but Omaha was the best of both worlds. It has a lot to do, but it is small enough that people know each other. B2B: What makes Omaha a great place for college graduates from a standard of living point of view? Maskel: Since so many of my Mizzou classmates were scattered across the country, it was interesting to compare our quality of life those first few years after college. I feel—and continue to believe— that Omaha has a phenomenal balance between rich amenities and an affordable cost of living. I was lucky enough to take in baseball games, visit museums, watch big concert tours, listen to the Omaha Symphony, and try out Omaha’s incredible restaurants with what I earned as a new graduate. Friends living in major cities across the country spent so much on rent or lived so far from the city center, they either didn’t have the resources or time to get out and enjoy what their city had to offer. Talmon: There are certain things you don’t have to talk about in Omaha. The public schools are good, the cost of living is good. All of our residents buy houses. There’a a lot of amenities in Omaha, but just as much, it’s the things you don’t have to worry about that makes it a great place. We have a resident from Boston at UNMC right now. He and his wife came here in November, and he tells me there are two things he is impressed with: 1) He actually has money in his checking account, and 2) never underestimate the power of a gridded city. The ease of driving is a great benefit.
Grimes: To me, the attractive part is that everything is accessible. There’s not a portion of town that is too far away. And you can really tie your passions to philanthropic ventures. You don’t find that in many places. B2B: How about from a lifestyle point of view? What makes Omaha great? Maskel: I believe Omaha offers a great lifestyle to new graduates. I looked at other, similarly-sized communities in 2010 as I prepared to move, and none gave me the same feeling as Omaha. Talking to friends and other people in those communities, asking what they did for fun, I just didn’t feel the enthusiasm I did when talking with people here. I think the balance between options and cost of living would be very difficult to beat. Talmon: There are certain college-town vibes here. You can find that community if you want. If you don’t want it, you can cross the street and find something different. There’s not a lot of places in Omaha where you would feel out of place. Grimes: Not every city is someplace that can accommodate you for every stage in your life. Omaha is one of those places. You can go from the bar scene to a family-friendly scene in the same city. The colleges are also connected to the businesses. If you are in Omaha for college, you will be able to make a career because the colleges do such a great job of connecting students and graduates with the business community. B2B: What would you like to see Omaha do better in order to retain graduates from the local colleges, or to attract graduates of other colleges to the area? Maskel: I think there’s a lot of people who still do not realize how awesome Omaha really is. Thanks to the efforts of a lot of different groups, word is definitely out more than in 2010, but there is always room to grow. I also think belonging to community groups is key to strengthening and deepening roots of local graduates or people who may only plan to live here for a few years. I am so grateful that I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to help strengthen Omaha and prepare future professionals through the groups I’ve been part of. Talmon: I’m still amazed by some of the perceptions. I still have people, when I travel, who ask if I ride a tractor to work. From our standpoint, we don’t do enough tooting our own horn. I love our modesty, but it’s why we are not on people’s radar.
Grimes: We recognize we are not perfect, but we are intentionally enacting strategic plans to achieve that. We are creating visibility to help with that goal. We need to make sure the level of access to all people is equitable. There are different people in my peer group who have a different experience from me because of having a different background. What is great is that we are starting to acknowledge that race is a factor, we are bringing these conversations front and center. B2B: As part of a professional organization/college, what are you trying to do to attract or retain college graduates and young professionals? Has it been successful? Maskel: I’m lucky to serve on the PRSA Nebraska Board of Directors and focused last year on engaging with university student PR groups at local colleges. Many soon-to-be graduates planned on moving to larger cities because of the perception that’s where jobs are—or the restaurants and nightlife are best there. I am also president of the Omaha Press Club, and it’s important to research what types of opportunities young professionals are seeking, then see how we can best match. Ensuring young professionals can see themselves in the organization and find that first connection to be accessible are priorities. Grimes: I know a lot of people who moved back to Omaha will tell you making friends after college is hard. I see more intentional, and larger, networking groups happening. These kind of organic meetups are great. There’s a lot going on to try and bring people together, whether that’s through a school or through a social group. Talmon: It’s not just new groups, but established groups as well. I’m a Mason. The existing social groups are becoming more intentional about recruiting. With residents, it used to be that you were only friends with the families of the people you work with. That is not always the case these days. We are seeing residents pursuing other passions, which is good for their work-life balance. B2B
40 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
LEADERS | STORY BY LINDA PERSIGEHL | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
GLOBAL FARMING STEVEN ZEHR, COO
“YOU HAVE TO HAVE GOOD COMMUNICATION UP AND DOWN THE CHAIN AND WORK WITH END USERS SO THAT YOU REMAIN THEIR EVERYDAY SUPPLIER.” -STEVEN ZEHR
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 41
ike many restless small-town kids, Steven Zehr set his sights on leaving rural life to explore something new after high school. Staying on the family farm in Fairbury, Illinois, to grow corn and soybeans, and raise beef cattle, was not on Zehr’s agenda.
“I’d always wanted to work and travel internationally, and ADM provided me that opportunity,” Zehr says. “They asked me to move to Mexico, and I was very excited about it.” Knowing only high-school Spanish, Zehr had to learn the language quickly. “It was sink or swim.”
Recent agricultural tariffs put in place on the European Union and China pose challenges as well. “While they’re meant to correct problems in the market that may have been kicked down the road by previous administrations, at the same time, trade wars do no one any good,” Zehr says.
But there’s no denying that Zehr’s agricultural roots and Midwestern values have served him well, helping him climb the corporate ladder in a nearly 25-year career that’s taken him to India, Paraguay, Switzerland, and farther.
Zehr later switched hats from the accounting to commercial side of commodities, creating opportunities for him to move to Brazil, Latin America, the U.K., and Germany, all the while being, he says, “mentored by some great people.” (He has become fluent in Spanish and Portuguese along the way.) In all, he spent 18 years with ADM, holding positions in sales and marketing, finance, business development, and general management, becoming chief financial officer in 2008. Zehr’s openness to relocating internationally and to take assignments in multiple divisions of the company allowed him to garner a thorough understanding of the global commodities business, preparing him well for his next step.
Gavilon’s international presence helps mitigate their financial risk.
ZEHR LATER SWITCHED HATS FROM THE ACCOUNTING TO COMMERCIAL SIDE OF COMMODITIES, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIM TO MOVE TO BRAZIL, LATIN AMERICA, THE U.K., AND GERMANY, ALL THE WHILE BEING, HE SAYS, “MENTORED BY SOME GREAT PEOPLE.” Zehr serves as chief operating officer at Gavilon Group LLC, a commodities brokerage firm headquartered in Omaha with approximately 2,000 employees worldwide. Gavilon deals in grain, food and feed ingredients, and fertilizer, and includes a network of 100 grain locations across the U.S., with dozens of locations near rail lines, rivers, and ports internationally. The company handles a billion bushels of grain annually. Zehr attended Illinois Wesleyan University and earned an accounting degree; a practical choice because “When you look at it, the root cause of everything is numbers,” he says. After earning an MBA from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, he landed a job as an auditor at Archer Daniels Midland, a global food processing and commodities trading firm based in Chicago.
When Gavilon’s (now former) CEO Greg Heckman offered him the position as vice president/general manager at the headquarters in Omaha in 2011, the timing was right. Married with two kids, Zehr and his wife decided they wanted a stable, Midwestern upbringing for their children. “I wanted to allow my kids the same opportunities I had growing up,” says Zehr, who has grown to love Omaha and the Gavilon culture. Zehr was promoted to COO in December 2017. “Overseeing all the moving parts of a company with the huge international footprint Gavilon has poses some real challenges…transportation issues, HR issues, maximizing the profitability of a company day-to-day. We’re dealing with cents, from a margin perspective,” Zehr says. He’s also charged with charting the long-range plan of the company. “How we grow, how we divest.” Zehr sits on the national board of directors of the Commodity Markets Council (CMC), which helps execs like himself navigate regulatory changes and resolve issues that often create an uneven playing field.
“Grain trading is one of the oldest businesses in the world. And it’s also a very small marketplace,” Zehr adds. “You have to have good communication up and down the chain and work with end users so that you remain their everyday supplier.” Robert Jones, chief administrative officer at Gavilon, has this high praise for Zehr: “Steven is an inspiring leader who has the ability to excite, focus, and bring forth sustained performance and excellence in others. He supports a collaborative culture by promoting mutual goals and building trust across Gavilon.” With three sports-minded kids under age 18, the Zehrs are big Creighton Bluejay fans, attending soccer, baseball, and basketball games often. He and his wife also enjoy supporting the culinary entreprenuers in Omaha. “We like to try all the smaller, independent restaurants. I’m kind of a foodie.” Visit gavilon.com for more information about Zehr and the company. B2B
42 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
omAHA! | STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY REAPS REWARDS GILDEN TREE
From left: Kumy and Ann Thariani
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 43
ilden Tree secured its first product orders pretty easily, recalls Ann Thariani, who owns the company with her husband, Kumy. Not only had the couple invested in no marketing or advertising, they hadn’t even started the business yet. In Karachi, Pakistan, Ann had discovered a common terra cotta tool that worked like a pumice stone to smooth feet. It was virtually unknown in the U.S. “We ended up bringing some of those foot scrubbers home on a visit; I put maybe 10 or 12 of them out at my mother’s law office with a little note: ‘Please try these and let me know what you think,” she says. “I got orders for six more back.”
THEY DIDN’T STRATEGICALLY CHOOSE A BUSINESS AROUND FOOT SCRUBBERS, BUT RECOGNIZED THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE A USEFUL PRODUCT TO THE MARKET.
The Tharianis met as students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and lived in Pakistan, Kumy’s home country, for five years after marrying. Architect Kumy and teacher Ann “wanted to do something together,” Ann says. They didn’t strategically choose a business around foot scrubbers, but recognized the opportunity to introduce a useful product to the market. “You can never underestimate the value of luck.” After making their way back to Omaha, the couple officially launched Gilden Tree in 1990 with the foot scrubber made by a group of Pakistani women. “We worked with the artisans to make them and it was really challenging because they’re used to making a dozen or two dozen,” Thariani says. “They had to ramp up and make thousands at a time. But they met the challenge.” The women began earning an income for the first time. “That’s pretty life-changing for that community and those families,” Ann says. Gilden Tree eventually began contributing to the education of the artisans and their children “to thank these women for their amazing work,” and was featured in a TIME Magazine article in 2005. Gilden Tree was also ahead of the curve in other ways. “When we started out, the green movement was still pretty new, and we were all-in with natural products and even our [eco-friendly] packaging,” Ann says. Today, Gilden Tree’s line includes foot, hand, and body care products; and natural cotton robes, towels, and accessories. “I think that it was much easier to start a business in the early ’90s than it would be now. It was a lot less complicated,” Thariani says. “We didn’t know you’re not supposed to start a company with one product; you’re supposed to have a line. We didn’t know you’re not supposed to waltz in to a sales group in New York City in the Merchandise [Mart] building with one product. But we did.”
“WE DIDN’T KNOW YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO START A COMPANY WITH ONE PRODUCT; YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A LINE. WE DIDN’T KNOW YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO WALTZ IN TO A SALES GROUP IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE MERCHANDISE [MART] BUILDING WITH ONE PRODUCT. BUT WE DID.” -ANN THARIANI Gilden Tree’s successes have included “extraordinary experiences with really big companies” like a long run with Bath & Body Works, a best new product designation from the New York International Gift Fair for bath salts packaged in cigar tubes and boxes, industry design honors for waffle weave towels, providing the spa line for Kenyon Ranch in Tubac, Arizona, and having velour robes chosen for the Sundance catalog: “We got a check from Robert Redford because he decided to keep a sample and wear it himself.” Around 10 years ago, Gilden Tree transitioned from being 100 percent wholesale to integrating web-based retail operations. A warehouse in Omaha employs six. “We’ve been in Omaha 29 years. We have wonderful staff here at Gilden Tree and after all this time it’s still fun coming in to work every day,” Thariani says. “Omaha’s been a great pace to do business.” Visit gildentree.com for more information. B2B
44 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
AFTER HOURS | STORY BY MARIEL RICHTER | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
BREWING WITH BEAN MITCH’S COFFEE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
“COFFEE WAS NEVER SOMETHING I GAVE TOO MUCH THOUGHT TO.” -MITCH BEAN
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 45
ook, for me, coffee was never something I gave too much thought to. Apart from a standard pot and some ground-up beans, it wasn’t something I had a strong interest in.” What a difference a semester can make. Mitch Bean, retired business executive, became interested in coffee after perusing Metropolitan Community College’s online course catalogue.
BEAN SPENT 38 YEARS AT EAKES OFFICE SOLUTIONS, AS A SALES TRAINER, SALES MANAGER, AND THEN AS MANAGING PARTNER/OWNER. Bean clicked “Enroll” out of curiosity, but as a selfdescribed practical learner he wasn’t entirely sure what he’d get by attending Nick Tabor’s Extraction and Brewing Methods courses at the MCC North Express Highlander spot. Bean spent 38 years at Eakes Office Solutions, as a sales trainer, sales manager, and then as managing partner/owner. Bean’s work required long hours. It was expected in his household that he wouldn’t be home for Christmas Eve. “The knowledge I gained there allowed me to do my job well; I studied the art of people and learned how to provide them with practical solutions for their business,” Bean says.
Retirement has allowed him to transition from working every Christmas Eve to enjoying the leisure of coffee-bean extraction methods. Tabor says Bean was not the lone student professing to drink a daily cup of joe extracted from a drip maker in the class. “In the classes, we cover everything from the unique journey coffee made out of Ethiopia to the rest of the world to how coffee is produced and processed, along with hands-on brewing skills and sensory development,” Tabor says. In Tabor’s Roasting and Processing course, Bean explored the relationship between roast, region, and variety by trying coffee from various regions and learning how the supply chain of beans to coffee cup impacts the quality of one’s daily brew. The business twist and emphasis on different quality levels of coffee has officially converted Bean to a coffee snob. He awaits the best beans available at Hardy Coffee Co. (where Tabor is brewmaster) and firmly states he “can’t go back to the regular stuff” after what he’s learned. During his Brewing Methods course, Bean began learning that not only is coffee a commodity, it is a skill and a science. The practicality of of choosing a convenient and results-oriented brewing method made coffee no longer seem like a $3 waste and more like an art to be learned and passed on. Two courses down and Bean is no longer innocent of the variety of morning beverages; in fact, the jewels he learned in his coffee college courses have enabled him to share his hobby with his out-ofstate son.
He once dismissed a gift of a glass pour-over coffee maker from his son, but in learning how extracting flavor from beans is a chemical reaction, Bean realized the error of his ways. He wrote his son an apology letter, owning that he did not see the point of a single-cup coffee maker, but is now elated to discover the differences in flavors and richness of various brewing methods. It did not stop there. Bean learned, via his course, about the superiority of the burr method of taking whole coffee beans and “shattering” the beans between two plates instead of the traditional method of grinding with one double-edged blade that spins. Going from drip coffee addict to java evangelist, Bean can proudly say he’s passed on his knowledge as his son now makes coffee exclusively with a controlled-pour tea spout kettle, a burr grinder, and kitchen scale to ensure proper ratios of bean to water. He plans to share the art of Turkish coffee with his wife, son, and his son’s significant other; and in spring 2019 Mitch will eagerly be taking notes in his Origins of Coffee course and developing his sensory development. Visit the noncredit class site at mccneb.edu for more information. B2B
46 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
HOW I ROLL | STORY BY RYAN BORCHERS | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
AMORE ITALIANO BUTCH ATHERTON’S EXOTIC CARS
Caption
utch Atherton’s reason for being interested in cars is straightforward. “I’m a guy,” Atherton says. “I’m supposed to like cars.” Specifically, he says he’s always been into exotics. “The Italians are well-known for making absolutely absurd cars that really have no reason to exist,” Atherton says. But, as he points out, they exist all the same, two of them on a rack in his garage: a yellow 1999 Lamborghini Diablo roadster and a red 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia Spider 16M. Atherton has other vehicles, including a 1965 Shelby Cobra, a 1982 Rolls-Royce Corniche, and motorcycles, but the Diablo and 16M are the stars of his collection.
FOR EVERY MILE ONE IS DRIVEN, IT WILL LOSE ABOUT $3 IN VALUE. “About 10 years ago I retired from the automotive business. And I decided to start buying some of this stuff up because the economy was starting to turn around,” Atherton says. “I knew these two cars were going to be going up in value, so they were an investment.” Atherton has driven them, but for every mile one is driven, it will lose about $3 in value. Maintenance can represent a major cost, which is why Atherton has thus far serviced them himself. Given how rare and special they are, it is understandable that he takes good care of them.
The Diablo is one of only 100 produced, and, as per Lamborghini tradition, it’s named for a fighting bull. The Diablo, specifically, was named after a ferocious bull raised by the Duke of Veragua in the 19th century. It has a V12, 5.7-liter engine with 529 horsepower. It is all-wheel drive, the first Lamborghini to have ABS brakes, and the first Lamborghini capable of going faster than 200 mph. Some of its other upgrades include larger wheels, larger brakes, and a front suspension hydraulic lift. “It was built for shock and awe,” Atherton says. “It was supposed to be the prettiest car ever made.” The 16M is one of 499 in existence. The car was built to celebrate Ferrari’s 2008 Formula One World Constructors’ Championship, its 16th overall (hence the 16M). Ferrari has won the award more than any other constructor, seven more than Williams Grand Prix Engineering, which has won the second most championships.
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 47
The 16M is the fastest convertible Ferrari has built to date. Michael Schumacher, winner of seven Formula One world championships, helped develop it and took it on its final test run. It features a 4.3liter V8 engine, carbon-ceramic brakes, upgraded suspension, and an F1-Superfast2 automated manual transmission. The car is also track-ready. “They’re not practical by any means,” Atherton says. “They’re hard to get in and out of, they’re hard to work on, they’re expensive to work on. But they do have their own little personality that you can not really not fall in love with them.” However, a distinctly Italian trait causes this Italian love affair for Atherton. “[The manufacturers] take risks on design, we don’t like to do that too much in America,” he says. B2B
48 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
ON THE RISE | STORY BY LEO ADAM BIGA | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
OUTPERFORMING AND INCLUDING OTHERS MAKAYLA MCMORRIS
“I LEAD A TEAM OF 21. I WANT TO BE SOMEONE THEY ACTUALLY FEEL CONNECTED TO.” -MAKAYLA MCMORRIS
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 49
arketing whiz Makayla McMorris became executive director of the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Office of University Communications in December 2018. The Omaha native hopes to elevate her hometown community, leading by example as an AfricanAmerican female in UNO’s executive ranks. “Being in this position is a huge hope for the community,” McMorris says. “It’s difficult in Omaha. A lot of people from the community leave for better opportunities. ”
SHE OUT-PERFORMED REVENUE TARGETS BY DEVISING INTEGRATED MEDIA CAMPAIGNS ACROSS BROADCAST, PUBLISHING, AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS. She and her husband, Charles Drew Health Center CEO Kenny McMorris, have spurned offers to relocate. “We both are very committed to the success of Omaha,” she says. “We see where change is starting to happen. Networking and understanding how things work here has allowed us to stay in Omaha and thrive.”
The Nebraska Wesleyan graduate’s local professional life began as a Hearst Television Broadcast Sales Academy Fellow, where she found herself to be the only African-American in local media marketing. She often exceeded sales goals, surpassing her new business goal alone by 30 percent in 2007. The position at Hearst empowered her to be an entrepreneur. That two-year experience helped her relate to clients when she joined Cox Media in March 2009. “I could talk to business customers about things other consultants couldn’t—about how to write a business plan, supervise construction of a physical space, hire and train employees, make payroll,” she says. “I had a connection with, and understanding of, small- to medium-sized businesses and what the value of a dollar means to them. It put me so far ahead of other consultants.” Over the next few years, she climbed steadily in her career, and in 2013, exceeded her first quarter goals by 12 percent for new business, and by 139 percent for digital. But it took time to for McMorris to overcome stereotypes. “When I would go into a business for the first time I could see they didn’t expect a black person,” McMorris says. “They were like, ‘who is she to tell me how to run my business?’ I felt like I was always under the microscope. I had to perform at a higher level. I had to break down barriers to get them to understand I’m of value to their company.” She out-performed revenue targets by devising integrated media campaigns across broadcast, publishing, and digital platforms. Word of her achievements led KETV to recruit her back into the Hearst fold. As the KETV senior marketing executive, she led multi-million dollar integrated sales campaigns that grew station revenue by millions.
She’s also grown her circle of influence, serving on the Omaha Women’s Fund and Metro Community College Foundation boards, doing professional meet-ups, and encouraging peers. “You just really have to be connected,” McMorris says. “This position at UNO came to me because of those things. People I had worked with who I stayed in connection with vouched for me in this role. It’s a testament to that networking.” That’s one reason she brings a democratic, inclusive leadership style to “the UNO family.” “I lead a team of 21. I want to be someone they actually feel connected to,” McMorris says. “I like to sit back and listen. But when I do have something to say, it’s effective. I want it to be relatable. People don’t respond well to jargon…I prefer one-on-one, intimate conversations.” McMorris believes UNO is “a premier institution for higher learning, not only on a local level, but on a national level.” And with her track record for marketing, she will certainly help elevate the school into an even more premier institution. Visit unomaha.edu/university-communications for more information. B2B
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WEITZ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. Weitz is an employee-owned investment management firm, which undoubtedly contributes to their success. “We believe in putting our money where our mouth is,” says Wally Weitz, founder and co-chief investment officer. “All our investment team members have most of their investable assets in our strategies and our employees are also heavily invested in our portfolios. This means our opportunity for success is aligned with our clients’ success.”
STORIES BY KARA SCHWEISS PHOTOS BY KATY ANDERSON AND PROVIDED When it comes to doing business, no referral beats advice from folks in the industry. That’s why B2B Magazine produces the Best of B2B contest. The contest results are determined by ballots (printed in the December 2018/January 2019 issue of B2B) submitted by mail. This contest focuses on the opinions of business industry insiders, i.e., readers of B2B. Categories include professional services, building services, financial services, food services, travel & event planning, business services, and best new business. This contest is independent of the Best of Omaha contest distributed to subscribers of Omaha Magazine. B2B
With long-time employees, there’s no frantic scramble when the market fluctuates. “We view the emotional highs and lows of the market as opportunities, and as value investors, we often go against the crowd,” says Weitz. “Staying true to our guiding principles does not mean that we rigidly follow a formula. Based on decades of experience, our process is time-tested and flexible, allowing us to capitalize on different opportunities as they present themselves, treating every opportunity as unique.” “Our investment philosophy does not change with market cycles, and it is grounded in the intrinsic notion that, in the short term, human behavior and stock prices will always be more volatile than actual changes in fundamental business values. Emotions tend to determine stock prices in the short run, and our job is to take advantage of the irrational price changes that occur,” says Brad Hinton, co-chief investment officer. “Flexibility, common sense, conviction, and independent thinking are the core attributes we rely on to help us be successful investors,” says Hinton. These values, coupled with employees’ dedication, help ensure the company’s success. 1125 S. 103RD ST., SUITE 200 OMAHA, NE 68124 402.391.1980 WEITZINVESTMENTS.COM
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BLUEPRINT ADVERTISING AGENCY RYAN PANKOKE Ryan Pankoke got his start in media during the economic recession of the early 2000s. This experience was invaluable. Understanding the importance of providing clients with the best results, regardless of their budget, is what has propelled him to where he is today. Pankoke opened BluePrint Ad Agency in 2011. With a mentality of focusing on long-term relationships and results, they have grown every year since they opened. From the start, Pankoke knew the best way for BluePrint to grow was to focus on building relationships and earning clients’ trust with market knowledge, hard work, and proven results. From Sales to Agency Before starting his agency, Pankoke gained experience working in sales for newspapers and TV—both cable and broadcast. With each stop along the way, he attained extensive knowledge of different media outlets, and the distinctive results they each provided.
Additionally, this experience gave him the opportunity to learn things from the other side of sales. This provided him a better understanding of how the media outlets would package and price, and where the added value was. He also found the best ways to work with different clients in different fields. It was an integral part in Pankoke’s growth and development. “When I was working in sales I’d often work with clients who had a large budget and wanted to put it all in one place. I’d come back with a plan that was half of what they budgeted, and suggest using other media outlets for the other half of the budget. I helped them grow their business, and their budget was spent more effectively. I earned their trust. I was no longer a salesman, but a consultant,” he says. Teamwork from around the world BluePrint Ad Agency uses local staff from Omaha & Lincoln, and also works with different vendors across the world. This ensures clients get the best product at the best price. With advancements in technology, most things in advertising are now done digitally.
“We live in a day and age that I can get voiceovers, production, graphics, websites, and almost anything else from different vendors anywhere in the world. It all comes down to the quality of work, customer support, and pricing.” Focus on the Client With BluePrint Ad Agency being relatively new to the advertising scene, growth is a main objective. “For BluePrint to grow, we must focus on the clients and their success. If we can help a client succeed, then they will be a client for life. We look at this as a business partnership. If the client grows, then we grow.” After leading his company to banner years and establishing a client-first culture, Pankoke has BluePrint on the right track to even higher levels of success in the future. 5701 S. 108TH ST., SUITE 10 OMAHA, NE 68137 402.671.5000 BLUEPRINTADAGENCY.COM
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INGERSOLL RAND Ingersoll Rand may be a well-known brand within the air compressor industry, but it is not the name that guarantees success for this Omaha company. “Our people are what makes Ingersoll Rand the best in the compressed air industry,” reveals Jon Sprunk, area services leader. “We not only hire top talented people, we hire people that have a strong passion for customer service. Our customers do not buy Ingersoll Rand just because of the name, it is because of the people that they know and trust.” The employees at Ingersoll Rand are a diverse group of community-minded people with varying education and experience. “Our people range from high school graduates through people with their master’s,” says Sprunk. Though their educations may vary, their dedication to safety and client satisfaction remains a constant. “Our people go through various internal company training programs to be certified on not only our equipment, but our competitors’ equipment, for services.
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Since safety is the number one priority for our people, all our employees hold certifications in safety and must complete courses on an annual basis that are required by our customers, our states, or our government; and complete our internal safety policies to insure all of our employees return home to their families the same way they showed up.” Sprunk added that he and his employees are honored and appreciative of every award they receive from the community. Though Ingersoll Rand is a global company, the local employees are active members of the Omaha community. “Our people are involved throughout our communities in volunteer work—as active members of chambers of commerce, leadership groups, and Habitat for Humanity; and as coaches and sponsors of youth sports and youth programs of the arts,” says Sprunk. “Our sustainability as a company depends on our people being active members in the community.”
Ingersoll Rand has a strong focus on their clients. “We love what we do because of the customers that we get to work with in our industry. It is such an exciting business to be part of,” said Sprunk. “We have the privilege of working with these businesses and learning why they are passionate about the products they build. We are grateful that we get to be part of that and that our customers trust us to be their partner.” With dedicated, experienced employees and a robust client base for which they are grateful, it is no wonder Ingersoll Rand dominates the air compressor industry in sales and service. “We believe we make the best products in the world,” said Sprunk. “Our people understand the bigger picture of what our obligation is to our customers, as well as our communities, and that is why we continue to grow.” INGERSOLLRANDPRODUCTS.COM
It is that community involvement and employee dedication that has helped propel Ingersoll Rand forward for over 100 years. “When you have people on your team that all believe and want the same thing, you become an over-125-year-old company that still gets voted the best by your customers,” said Sprunk.
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Tanya Shapiro, CAPS ® Senior Vice President, Property Management
CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD /THE LUND COMPANY
and customer satisfaction, as well as through the lens of the employee-work relationship. It is not just a pleasure working with Lund, it is a pleasure working for Lund.
The formal name is Cushman and Wakefield/The Lund Company, but, when referencing the business, customers most likely refer to it simply as “Lund.” That is because customers are really thinking about their personal point of contact. They think of the property manager or associate who has been with them from the beginning, who takes phone calls and replies to emails as though there were no such thing as office hours. The person who cares if a question has been answered.
Lund does more than manage buildings, they build relationships. Earning customers’ trust is a privilege, and maintaining it is the top priority. Customers see this relationship honored and celebrated far beyond the sale, as their team continues to learn and fight for the best for each client.
When customers think of the name Lund, they smile, and think of the expertise their team member brings to the table every time they discuss a property. There is no sales pressure, only passion to create a successful match. To make that happen, Lund needs to understand their customers, and where those customers are going. For more than 30 years, Lund has been counted among the elite commercial real estate brokerage firms in the Omaha and Eastern Nebraska regions. This distinction comes through performance reports, numerous property management awards,
While customers are a high priority, the only way to keep them happy is to be a supportive and growth-minded company. Providing an inclusive and encouraging workplace helps every member of the staff become the best they can be. Lund proudly offers volunteer time off, “VTO,” which is paid time off of work for employees interested in taking time away to make the community a better place. The company believes that strong, happy, whole people in an inclusive and encouraging environment not only make Lund a better company, but make the world a better place. Relationships are built from scratch, and that is exactly how Lund approaches each new client and project—with a fresh perspective rooted in
a tradition of excellence. Every action taken by Lund is driven by ethics. Customers never have to specify that a property, home, or office should be well maintained, as this is considered a base standard. Pristine appearances backed by staff who takes pride in every aspect of their job, from first impressions to lasting performance. Customers are never on their own with Lund. Whether someone has a high-maintenance project or simply needs immediate answers, a full-time Customer Care Department is always ready to take a call. With a global reach and a local touch, Lund has all of a customer’s property acquisition needs covered— from brokerage services to property maintenance, assets management, to project development. With a tag line of “at the intersection of real estate and real life,” Lund knows that it all starts with people. 450 REGENCY PARKWAY, SUITE 200 OMAHA, NE 68114 402.393.8811 LUNDCO.COM
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THE HARRY A KOCH CO. When a company boasts myriad awards, an impressive client satisfaction rating, and an average employee tenure of nine years, it is obvious they are doing something right. But when that company has been around for over 100 years and still manages to be one of the fastest growing companies in their industry in the city, it is obvious they’re doing something exceptional. The Harry A. Koch Co. is an independent insurance broker. The company’s president, Scott Hill, attributes the company’s success to a healthy company culture that values unwavering dedication to client satisfaction. He says the employees have knowledge, passion, and dedication to their work. Megan Thom, vice president of Human Resources for The Harry A. Koch Co. adds, “We have a knowledgeable group of impassioned employees.” A recent survey among employees found that 99 percent of them consider their work to be challenging and rewarding.
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The employees hold more than a dozen national association affiliations among them, and more than half of the employees hold advanced designations in insurance. This allows the company to have a firm grasp on what is happening nationally in risk management. “They like to land the plane,” says Thom. “They are an execution-based group. They want to get things done. They enjoy it and understand the business.” “After evaluating several insurance agencies in Omaha, I am so happy I ended up where I did,” sales executive Alec Hogan states. “In addition to being a personally rewarding place to work, I also enjoy the fact that it is a client facing role. It allows me the opportunity to develop relationships with my clients that go deeper than discussing insurance.” “I absolutely love working for The Koch Co. because they have empowered me to put the client first,” account executive Angie Gross says. “As a company The Koch Co. strives to provide every client with the best service in the industry. The Koch Co. allows me to make genuine connections with my clients and to provide the type of customer service relationship that I would want from a business.”
Hill says the company’s culture is “one hundred percent client-centered. The client comes first.” Thom adds, “When people are excited to come to work, it comes through to clients.” It is that dedication that consistently propels The Harry A Koch Co. to the top of their industry. “We deliver on our promises,” Thom says. “Ultimately, we’re focused on the client. Our dedication and passion follow the client through any changes in business. We help businesses throughout their life cycle. They’re supported; their relationship with Koch remains solid.” Many of their clients have stayed with them for decades, with some clients remaining with the company for more than 50 years. The Harry A. Koch Co. is pleased every time another award of accolade comes their way. “It’s an honor,” says Hill. “When the clients say we’re the best—that’s the best.” HAKCO.COM
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SCOTT CONFERENCE CENTER AMANDA GLAZEBROOK Planning a meeting or conference can be a stressful experience, but having an award-winning staff ready to assist in all aspects of hosting a successful event is helpful. At the newly remodeled Scott Conference Center, the staff anticipates needs before they occur. “We can do anything,” says Amanda Glazebrook, sales director for Scott Conference Center, adding that the center boasts “the friendliest staff in the area.” Glazebrook says the recent renovations were “floor to ceiling” and added square footage to the available space along with new artwork, tables, chairs, and audio-visual equipment. “We also added a mother’s room for nursing,” says Glazebrook. “It’s a private space where moms can step away to take care of any necessities while away from their baby.” Anyone who has tried to pull together an event at a conference center knows that there are two things that can help make or break the event: the food and the technology. Scott Conference Center excels in both categories.
Director of Food & Beverage Darrin Dukart works alongside chefs Kimbler Harrold and Adam Miller to provide world class cuisine. “We can cater anything from breakfast to four-course dinners,” says Glazebrook. “The chefs can create customizable menus. We once hosted a luau and roasted an entire pig. The chefs also once pulled together a Mardi-Gras-themed Cajun menu for a client. They’re very creative.” The chefs bring decades of culinary experience and are active within the community. Chef Harrold has won several awards at area events, including the Ladle of Love silver medal. He spends a good deal of his own time mentoring for children’s culinary organizations and has been recognized by the National Association of Catering Executives. “We also have the most accommodating IT folks,” adds Glazebrook, who further says, “We don’t charge to have staff here for IT, they are even available on the weekends.” The IT staff is available to presenters prior to the event. Glazebrook says the IT staff routinely assists multiple speakers for each event by looping together their individual Power Point presentations into one seamless presentation. “That way there’s no issues with switching laptops during the presentation.”
The IT staff is also well-versed in pulling together live streaming of the event. “Every client has custom needs,” says Glazebrook. “That’s why we sit down with clients beforehand and find out what we can do to make their event the best it can be.” Centrally located in Aksarben Village, the Scott Conference Center can accommodate up to 500 people and has free, ample parking. The space is flexible and can be condensed to accommodate smaller groups. Hallways prevent the transfer of noise from one room to another. A friendly, attentive staff in a fantastic location, coupled with IT assistance and world-class food—it is no wonder Scott Conference Center is consistently recognized as the best business conference center in the Omaha area. “We’ve had some clients for 10-15 years,” says Glazebrook. “They know they’ll be taken care of and will have a good time.” 6450 PINE ST. OMAHA, NE 68106 402.778.6313 SCOTTCENTER.COM
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CROSS ELECTRONIC RECYCLING BRENDA BANKS “It’s always better to reuse, repair and refurbish until an item reaches its end-of-useful life,” says Brenda Banks of Cross Electronic Recycling. “Refurbishing and repairing electronics allows us to reduce the amount of mining of valuable natural resources. And these items that would end up in the landfill can be hazardous; there are environmental concerns from the leakage of lead and over 70 other components into our water supply, vegetation, and atmosphere.” Anyone can drop off unwanted electronics at the Cross facility on Mondays from noon to 5 p.m. or Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “We take anything with a cord, battery, or motor,” Banks says. She really does mean anything, Banks emphasizes. The long list includes computer equipment, power tools, exercise equipment, large appliances like refrigerators, outdoor equipment like lawnmowers, small appliances such as toasters, and more.
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After items arrive at the center, those that meet criteria indicating they have remaining usefulness are repaired or refurbished. The organization, which is a Registered Microsoft Refurbisher, refurbishes and provides secure data destruction for computers and laptops. Other electronics such as stereos and appliances are repaired. The restored items go to an on-site store, Redeemed Computers & Electronics, to be sold to the public. Items that cannot be salvaged, or that are determined to be at the end of their useful life, are fully dismantled with hand tools. “The parts are separated into like items or into various scrap commodities such as copper, aluminum, and steel. The parts are sold to manufacturers and the scrap is sold to downstream vendors who continue the process and then sell to manufacturers,” Banks explains. The organization also offers services to businesses needing to dispose a broad range of items beyond computers and IT paraphernalia such as medical and manufacturing equipment. Businesses and other groups can also coordinate collection events with Cross. “People are always pleasantly surprised about all the stuff we accept and that we take most of it free.
We have to charge environmental fees sometimes; mostly this is for televisions due to the cost of processing the cathode ray tubes and items in flatscreen televisions,” Banks says. Most people become aware of Cross when they are looking for environmentally conscious disposal for used electronics or secure data destruction, but Cross Electronic Recycling is actually one of the entities under the umbrella of Cross Training Center, a nonprofit that provides job training through Cross Automotive and Cross Social Hall in addition to Cross Electronic Recycling and Redeemed Computers & Electronics. The objective is to provide participants with life-changing tools to help them overcome the challenges of entering the workforce and ultimately become financially successful. “The Cross Training Center’s mission is to empower and equip men and women who are unemployed and under-educated through character development, vocational training, and job experience,” Banks says. “The students are involved in the entire process.” 5030 N. 72ND ST. OMAHA, NE 68134 402.590.2100 CROSSRECYCLING.COM
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ZAISS & COMPANY TRACY ZAISS & WENDY WISEMAN A legacy of making it happen. It is not every day that Tracy Zaiss, founder and chief strategist of Zaiss & Company, and Wendy Wiseman, president and chief creative officer, tell clients they are sisters. It is not that they are hiding the fact. It is that they prefer to define themselves as third-generation professional marketers, each with a wealth of experience that combined to contribute to the success of Zaiss & Company. “We come by our passion for effective marketing honestly,” Wiseman says. “Our grandfather was G.M. of WOW radio and later, assistant G.M. of WOW-TV, and is in the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. In 1941, he gave an impassioned speech about ‘this new thing called television.’ TV was in just 12 major markets at the time—not Omaha. While his radio peers were reeling over the change, he saw the business [advertising] opportunities ahead and was determined that WOW-TV lead the way.”
“Our dad was in charge of advertising, marketing, and PR at Mutual of Omaha, including production and distribution of Wild Kingdom,” Zaiss adds. “His career was defined by his personal drive to do things bigger and better—and he wasn’t afraid to push for results. Both men are acknowledged visionaries in this field who set the bar high.” When founded, Zaiss & Company was the first agency in the region to adopt the Strategic Planning model to do advertising differently. “Our focus has always been on helping our clients grow,” Zaiss says. “When I founded Zaiss & Company, I knew there had to be a better way, and the Strategic Planning model resonated with me. We start with a deep dive to unearth breakthrough strategies and they drive the creative approach—not vice versa as clients often get from traditional agencies. It’s not easy, and not everyone can do it, but it’s the secret sauce born of a legacy to make things happen, and it works.” “Our clients appreciate our passion for their business,” Wiseman says. “Our way of doing business can seem like the ‘extra mile,’ versus what they may have experienced with other agencies, but it’s the only way we partner with our clients—fully engaged in their goals and in how we get there together.”
Through the years Zaiss & Company has grown well beyond the sisters to a full-service team that includes creative, media, PR, production, and account management professionals. One of the most awarded agencies in the region, Zaiss & Company most recently earned 16 social media awards, was a finalist for a national media award, and is honored to be named Best PR Firm in Omaha 11 years running. “Our greatest reward is the honor of serving clients,” Wiseman says. “When that service is acknowledged as a significant contribution, in our industry or theirs, it comes full-circle in honoring our legacy to see what’s next, what can be and to push for results. We’ll gladly take that.” 11626 NICHOLAS ST. OMAHA, NE 68154 402.964.9293 ZAISSCO.COM
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EMBASSY SUITES DOWNTOWN KRISTEN BLATTERT
SPONSORED PROFILE STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS PHOTO BY KATY ANDERSON Native advertising is an advertisement that tells a story, is paid for, and is labeled as sponsored. This advertising format allows clients to have control of how their story is told, and it allows B2B Magazine to be transparent with readers when content is sponsored. If native advertising is of interest, contact B2B publisher Todd Lemke at 402-884-2000 or todd@omahapublications.com. B2B
A full-scale renovation of Embassy Suites Downtown (Old Market) has now begun with an aggressive, seven-days-a-week construction schedule ensuring the hotel meets the July target completion date, says Regional Director of Sales and Marketing Kristen Blattert. In the months before the project launched, Blattert oversaw communications to clients to provide a consistent message of what to expect as the project progresses, to minimize interruptions in service, and to make sure options were available. It’s all about cultivating connections, says Blattert, which directly reflects the renovation project itself. “We are looking at a ‘Rustic and Refined’ theme with old-town transportation as the heart of it: images of cars, buses, trains, bikes,” she says. Graphics in guest suites and throughout the common areas of the hotel will showcase downtown Omaha’s history as a transportation hub and create a communityfocused interior that will make this Embassy Suites truly unique. But there’s another facet of the connections premise that guests will notice immediately upon entering the hotel for their first post-renovation visit, Blattert says. The hotel atrium is being modified to provide more seating that will make it easier for people to meet up and will facilitate collaboration. “The new design will be inviting. It will encourage people to meet, and network, and spend time together,” she explains. “That’s what our hotel—our brand—is all about; people come to us because of the two-room suites. They want to gather and socialize.” 555 S. 10TH ST. OMAHA, NE 68102 402.346.9000 EMBASSYSUITESOMAHA.COM
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Omaha’s IT partner for more than 35 years
scantron.com/omaha
We’re a premier sponsor of Future OPS 2019, the tech conference for banking professionals, April 25th, in Council Bluffs, IA. RSVP at futurebankops.com
Congratulations to Todd Feltz and Feltz WealthPLAN for being recognized by Forbes as one of the Best in State Wealth Advisors for 2019 in the State of Nebraska! Feltz WealthPLAN would also like to thank our clients for helping us celebrate 30 years of providing award-winning service. We are honored to be your Financial Planning and Asset Management Firm.
1989
2019
Todd Feltz, CFP® President & CEO
101 South 108th Avenue, Second Floor • Omaha, NE 68154 www.FeltzWealthPLAN.com • 1.800.366.5448 • 402.691.0200 Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. | All rights reserved. © 2019 Feltz WealthPLAN Feltz WealthPLAN and Securities America are not affiliated. The Forbes ranking of Best In State, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative data, rating thousands of wealth advisors with a minimum of seven years of experience and weighing factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews. Data is provided by the advisor and is not verified by the Securities America. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Requirements to qualify include: seven years as an advisor; minimum of one year at current firm, with exceptions (acquisitions, etc); advisor must be recommended, and nominated, by their firm; completion of an online survey; over 50% of revenue/production must be with individuals; and an acceptable compliance record. Quantitative factors that are reviewed include: revenue/production, with weightings assigned for each; assets under management (and the quality of those assets) both custodied and a scrutinized look at assets held away; client-related data, such as retention; portfolio performance is not a factor as audited returns among advisors are rare and differing client objectives provide varying returns. Qualitative factors that are reviewed are telephone and in-person meetings with advisors; compliance records and U-4s; advisors providing a full client experience that includes their service model, investing process, fee structure, and breadth of services; credentials; use of team and team dynamics; community involvement; and discussions with management, peers and competing peers.
60 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
FEATURE | STORY BY MEGAN FABRY | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
INTERNS MAKING THE MOST OF A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
COLLEGE POSSIBLE HAS AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO SHADOW THE COACHES AND SERVE STUDENTS. THIS ALLOWS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERNS TO ORGANIZE PROJECTS, CREATE MANAGEMENT SKILLS, AND SERVE WITH THEIR PEERS.
Valmont Senior Director of Talent Management Patrick Groves
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 61
hen a human resources employee scans resumes for a position, key words often make the difference between someone advancing to the next step or having their resume tossed aside. In the case of young workers, the ability to place key words on a resume often comes from internships. With the help of companies, young hopefuls have a chance to gain relevant knowledge, skills, and establish important connections to further their careers. On the flipside, interns take resources. According to fair labor laws, unpaid interns should either be taking the internship for a class or be receiving instruction and mentorship as though they were in a class. In the current business environment, the idea of an employee taking on the task of teacher to a 20-something may not be appealing. Fortunately, there are ways to help youth become prime future employees. College Possible is an organization that helps students get into college and gives them encouragement throughout their upper-level education. This year, they are serving almost 25,000 students and have a 98 percent success rate. Denzell Clements is a college coach at University of Nebraska-Omaha, acting as an adviser to College Possible participants. He helps students with FAFSA information, helps them find activities to be involved in on campus, and meets with them to provide support when they are feeling overwhelmed. College Possible has an internship program that allows students to shadow the coaches and serve students. This allows the opportunity for interns to organize projects, create management skills, and serve with their peers. There is not a specific major that is needed to apply, so all students are welcome to send in an application for the opportunity to serve the community. Clements was a student in the College Possible program and majoring in music. He was encouraged by his own coach to work for the company and has done so since August 2018. “I help this nonprofit, and like many others, help guide our future leaders of the community in some way, shape, or form by giving them the best tools that we have to offer for navigating through school,” Clements says. College Possible has seven locations across the United States, but with the help of donors, coaches, and interns they hope to become accessible to all 50 states, which could help bridge the gaps between young students who are unsure about how to pursue higher education and success.
Other companies create separate internship programs with a designated coordinator to facilitate the learning experience and create a point person for interns to turn to.
This program runs from the beginning of May to the second week of September and accepts between 35 and 50 interns each year. It requires 40 hours per week during their time with MUD.
Metropolitan Utilities District is one such program.
Valmont Industries, a manufacturer of linear irrigation, lighting and traffic poles, and much more, has internships that span areas from engineering to marketing. Each intern is given an individual and group project where they focus on key strategies within their areas of expertise and present their findings and recommendations to senior leaders within the organization.
“The [internship] program is for any current, fulltime college students,” Vice President of Human Resources Bonnie Savine says. “We actually also take applications from college-bound students, those registered for the upcoming fall semester full-time, in case we don’t have enough current college students.”
“AN INTERN AT VALMONT WILL HAVE MEANINGFUL DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ARE IMPACTFUL FOR THE BUSINESS. THE INTERNSHIPS ARE ALIGNED BY FUNCTIONAL AREA TO LEVERAGE THE STUDENTS’ EDUCATION AND PROVIDE THEM INSIGHT INTO THE CAREER FIELDS THEY’RE PURSUING.” -PATRICK GROVES The MUD internship program tries to pair students with assignments related to their major, but they are also given an opportunity to do something different, such as performing grounds work, painting fire hydrants, and other manual labor. The experience gives students an idea of what their future work days may entail. “The college students that participate in our summer program or one of our posted internships benefit from acclimating to a full-time work schedule and all of the time commitments and responsibilities that come with that,” Savine says. “They are also participating in some level of training on the job, attending orientation to learn about policies and procedures of the company, getting feedback on performance at the end of their assignment, reporting to a chain of command, and taking away experience for future employment.”
“An intern at Valmont will have meaningful daily responsibilities that are impactful for the business,” Senior Director of Talent Management Patrick Groves says. “The internships are aligned by functional area to leverage the students’ education and provide them insight into the career fields they’re pursuing.” To obtain an internship at Valmont Industries, college hopefuls must apply online, and go through a phone or in-person interview. This is followed by trips to the site where the intern will work. The company also goes to career fairs and speaks with students who stand out. “The on-site interviews give the candidate an opportunity to meet with their direct supervisor and members of the team, and often include a plant tour as well,” Groves says. “We put a lot of effort into making sure the student has a good opportunity to evaluate and understand the role before an offer is presented.” More than half of Valmont Industries interns return to the company for future internships or join the company on a full-time basis. Groves credits the well-run, structured program as being the key to success. And today’s successful interns will become tomorrow’s successful employees. Visit collegepossible.org. mudomaha.com, or valmont. com for more information. B2B
62 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
FEATURE | STORY BY MAGGIE O’BRIEN | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
TORIC IMPLANTABLE COLLAMER LENS NEW ASTIGMATISM-CORRECTION SURGERY IS TESTED IN OMAHA
ABOUT HALF OF THE U.S. POPULATION AGE 50 AND YOUNGER NEED GLASSES OR CONTACTS DUE TO MYOPIA.
Dr. Lance Kugler (front) performs an eye surgery in Omaha.
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 63
rian Leising could barely see his cell phone screen without glasses or contacts. Leising, 45, was severely nearsighted and had astigmatism until this past year—now, he has perfect vision. He is one of more than a dozen patients in Omaha who, since December 2018, have undergone permanent contact lens implant surgery to correct both nearsightedness (medically known as myopia) and astigmatism. Dr. Lance Kugler, physician CEO of Kugler Vision, represents one of 10 practices in the country to be selected by the manufacturer as a test market for the product.
About half of the U.S. population age 50 and younger need glasses or contacts due to myopia. It occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back. Instead of focusing images on the retina, it focuses on the images in front of the retina, according to the National Eye Institute. People with myopia can see fine up close, but struggle to see anything even a little far away.
Refractive lens exchange, in which a person’s natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), is the same as cataract surgery, but can be done cosmetically to correct vision in someone who does not have cataracts. Cataracts are a natural part of aging, being the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40, and is the principal cause of blindness in the world.
Astigmatism, meanwhile, is a vision condition affecting 33 percent of all people. It causes blurred vision, the American Optometric Association says, and occurs when the cornea is irregularly shaped.
Lichtenberg also says people should be aware that having surgery on the eyes such as ICL may mean a less successful cataract surgery down the road.
The idea was to work out any kinks in the procedure with a small test market of ophthalmologists. The procedure was offered to a broader range of ophthalmologists within a few weeks.
LASIK surgery has been an option to correct for nearly two decades. However, Kugler says, about 15 percent of people with poor eyesight do not qualify for LASIK. Patients who are extremely nearsighted, for example, are not good candidates for LASIK. Others are patients whose corneas are abnormal or have an abnormal shape, he says.
“Everybody who has had the surgery is now seeing 20/20 or better,” Kugler says. “They tell us, ‘It’s so nice that I don’t have to wear my glasses.” Permanent contact lens implants have been a vision correction option across the country for at least a decade, but until now they were unable to correct astigmatism, Kugler says. This type of lens, called the Toric ICL, has been FDA-approved to treat astigmatism and myopia. “It’s been a long time coming,” he says. “This was a product that took a long time to get all the research done that the FDA required, but now we have it available.” Omaha Eye and Laser Institute offers Toric ICL through Dr. John Liu, but he had not performed the surgery as of press time. Liu has performed hundreds of other permanent contact lens operations. Ophthalmologists at Nebraska Medicine do not offer Toric ICL surgery, but they soon may, spokesman Taylor Wilson says. The procedure is in-office, outpatient, takes a few hours, and is done with the patient awake— the eyes are numbed with drops. Doctors make two millimeter openings in the side of each eye. Then, the lens is folded, inserted into the eye and unfolded once inside. Nobody can tell that anything was done by looking at patients who have had the procedure, Kugler says, and they walk out being able to see. Within four hours, their vision is 20/20 or better.
The new permanent contact lenses can perfect vision in patients who can’t get LASIK. “You hear stories about people who aren’t happy with their LASIK,” Kugler says. “The problem isn’t their LASIK—it’s that they shouldn’t have had the surgery in the first place. Getting LASIK when you shouldn’t may increase the risk of a complication.” The patients who have received Toric ICL were on a list of people who had come to Kugler for LASIK but did not qualify for it. The ideal candidates for the Toric ICL are people between the ages of 21-45 years of age with high levels of myopia and mild-to-moderate astigmatism. Although Leising was at the top of the age range recommended by the FDA, Kugler thought he would be an excellent candidate for this new procedure. “A surgeon can decide to implant the ICL into older patients if they deem it appropriate,” Kugler says. “In Brian’s case, his eyes were in excellent shape and ICL was the best technology to suit both his vision needs and his lifestyle.” Heidi Lichtenberg, O.D., of Eye Care West, P.C., says the longevity of the ICL surgery is reduced once a person hits their 40s. “When a 45-year-old comes in here and asks me about ICL, it becomes a gray area,” Lichtenberg says. “Do you have ICL done and then have cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange done? Or do you wait 10-15 years and have one cataract surgery done?”
“The accuracy of the outcomes go down after cataract surgery,” Lichtenberg says. “You can have a more exact outcome in a patient who has not had a surgery done than one who has.” Like LASIK, ICL is typically not covered by most insurance plans. The procedure runs about $10,500. For LASIK, each eye costs about $2,500. Stephanie Bradley, a spokeswoman for Kugler Vision, says the cost of wearing glasses or contacts over a lifetime adds up to “tens of thousands of dollars,” with supplies, upkeep, and exams. Leising, a life insurance sales director at Financial Brokerage in Omaha, had gone to Kugler seeking LASIK. He had worn glasses since first grade, when he found that he couldn’t see the blackboard at school, and contacts since middle school. Dr. Kugler thought the Toric ICL would be a better option for him. Being able to see has been hard to get used to—in a good way, he says. “It’s weird to get up, get out of bed, and I don’t have to take the phone off the nightstand to see it,” Leising says. “I still think I need to put in my contacts. But next time I go on a vacation, I’ll have so much more room in my bag because there won’t be contact solution, contacts, or glasses inside. It’s one thing if you forget a toothbrush, but if you forget your contacts or glasses you are in trouble.” Kugler called the surgery “life-changing.” “It’s about how people interact with the world. It’s about waking up in the middle of the night and being able to see, or going camping and not having to worry about trying to put in your contacts,” he says. “Vision is a fundamental need. This is another technology to give that opportunity to people.” Visit lasikomaha.com for more information. B2B
64 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
FEATURE | STORY BY SCOTT STEWART | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
GROWING OMAHA CO-HOSTS OF POPULAR RADIO SHOW EXPECT OMAHA TO KEEP GROWING IN COMING YEARS
“WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO SEE CONTINUE IS BOTH DOWNTOWN AND INNERCITY DEVELOPMENT.” -TRENTON MAGID
From left: Trenton Magid and Jeff Beals
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 65
renton Magid and Jeff Beals share their vision each week for a bigger, better Omaha. The co-hosts of KFAB’s Grow Omaha have a dynamic that’s rooted in their childhood friendship and intertwined careers in Omaha’s commercial real estate market. It is also rooted in their own attachment to the Omaha community and their confidence in the city’s future success. “People are very interested in the success and advancement of the city,” Beals says. Their radio show discusses what is happening in commercial real estate, and it explores economic development more broadly—the excitement and challenges of deliberately growing a city. Magid says commercial real estate covers everything that’s not single-family homes, including vacant land, retail, industrial, multi-family residential, and specialpurpose properties.
“THEY BUILD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR AUDIENCE, BUT THEY ALSO BUILD A VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR SOURCES.” -TOM BECKA “Commercial real estate is a very niche business,” Magid says. The show’s popularity is built around how interested people are in the place where they live, Beals says, and he believes Omaha has a particularly strong civic pride. The show is also “cocktail party fodder,” as people want to know about new businesses, skyscrapers, shopping centers, and neighborhoods. Its mission is to boost confidence in Omaha’s community and the economy.
“I wouldn’t quite call us cheerleaders for the local economy and for the city, but I would say we’re unabashedly positive,” Beals says. “We will point out negatives when we think that it will help make Omaha a better place, but, for the most part, this is a great economy, a great business community, and a great place to live—except for the weather—and we try to really accentuate the positive.” Magid says people reach out to the hosts with tips, and they will hear rumors about what may happen. The duo lands scoops, too, such as announcing The Cheesecake Factory was coming to Westroads Mall, which Magid says they learned a year early because of a premature announcement of an HVAC contract. Tom Becka, a longtime KFAB talk show host who is now with KPTM Fox 42 news and a residential real estate agent at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, says Magid and Beals work well together on the radio because they’re informative and entertaining. They know how to tell a story, Becka says. “They build a good relationship with their audience, but they also build a very good relationship with their sources,” Becka says. “When those rumors or whatever come to fruition, it helps build trust with the audience because they know that these guys know what they’re talking about.” Neither Beals nor Magid set out to become radio personalities, although each had the background for it. Beals studied journalism as an undergraduate at UNL and Magid spent a year in Hollywood producing television commercials and public service announcements before going into real estate. Now they reach an estimated 15,000 listeners and have the most downloaded podcast among iHeartMedia’s Omaha stations. The idea for Grow Omaha started after they appeared as guests on local radio shows to discuss real estate growth and construction. Beals says they realized there was an appetite in Omaha for something that went beyond politics and sports in the talk radio market. Grow Omaha debuted on Jan. 10, 2004, on KOIL (which used call letters KKAR at the time) as part of a six-month experiment. The show stayed on the air and moved to KFAB in 2006, where a stronger signal takes the show as far as Kansas City. It has flourished alongside Magid and Beal’s careers, and the economic clout of Omaha, over the past 15 years.
“It’s hard to believe how fast that time has gone by,” Beals says. Magid and Beals work for NAI NP Dodge Commercial Real Estate, which they joined in 2016. Magid is executive vice president, and Beals is vice president of marketing and community relations. La Vista Mayor Doug Kindig says the duo are the “yin and yang” of each other, with the more reserved Beals bringing detailed research and the more outspoken Magid bringing a down-toearth perspective. Kindig has co-hosted with Magid on several occasions and says the show generates a lot of buzz and covers a lot of material—everything from new start-up businesses to La Vista’s $200 million project to build a new downtown district. “I hear people talk about their show all the time,” Kindig says. “Whenever I’m on it, I’m always surprised by the amount of people who will say something to me who heard it, so I know they have a great listening audience.” How will Omaha grow in 2019? Several major development projects are underway in Omaha, and their progress will be among the most visible signs of growth this year. “What you’re going to see continue is both downtown and inner-city development,” Magid says. One major project is Kiewit Corp.’s new headquarters in North Downtown, which will link TD Ameritrade Park and the CHI Health Center Omaha arena to Creighton University. The former Civic Auditorium site is also poised for redevelopment. The downtown district will start to transform as part of the “tri-park initiative” to revitalize the riverfront. There’s also plans to transform part of the former Conagra campus and CHI Health Center’s Lot B near the baseball stadium. CONT. PAGE 66
66 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
FROM PAGE 65
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Out west, Beals says work will begin on Heartwood Preserve, the former Boys Town site southwest of 144th Street and West Dodge Road that used to be called West Farm. There’s also the “Project Wizard” data center project in Papillion. “The outlook for Omaha’s economy is still very, very rosy for the foreseeable few years,” Beals says. In fact, Beals predicts a slight acceleration of growth in the coming year, as the city continues to grow denser in the urban core and continues to land major business investments, such as the new LinkedIn campus at Sterling Ridge near 132nd and Pacific streets.
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Single-family residential growth will also fuel the local economy, Beals says. Bellevue, Papillion, Gretna, and northwest Omaha are seeing a “shocking” number of new subdivisions, and he expects to see that trend continue to reduce some of the pressure on the metropolitan area’s housing market. Suburban growth shouldn’t slow the pace of projects on the eastern side of the city, either. Beals says that 13th Street near the former Bohemian Cafe “could pop the way that Midtown and Blackstone have,” and there’s also redevelopment potential along 24th Street and the Vinton Street corridor. The challenge will be continuing to attract talented people to the city while retaining a workforce that many cities would love to pillage, Beals says. He says Omaha could become a community with a vibrant economy similar to those of Charlotte, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; or Austin, Texas. “We have made huge strides in that effort over the past 10 years, but we have a long ways to go to become the type of city that we could possibly become,” Beals says. “It is going to take constant effort and we have to do the things that make the talented people want to come here.” Grow Omaha airs Saturdays at 9 a.m. on KFAB 1110 AM and is released as a podcast on Mondays. Find more about the show at growomaha.com. Find more on NAI NP Dodge at nainpdodge.com. B2B
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 67
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68 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
FEATURE | STORY BY CHARLIE LITTON | PHOTOS BY BILL SITZMANN
NOTHING UP OUR SLEEVES THE MAGIC OF CLEAN WATER
THEY HELP MONITOR AND MAINTAIN COMMERCIAL FACILITIES LIKE AN EGGCRACKING FACILITY IN MINNESOTA, BUT ALSO A MORE CUSTOM SYSTEM LIKE THAT OF TARGET FIELD IN MINNEAPOLIS, HOME OF THE MINNESOTA TWINS.
Chad Meyer of PeopleService Inc.
OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM APRIL · MAY | 69
here is magic in this world. We put our nasty, rancid garbage out on the street. Then it all disappears, like it never happened. Alas, that kind of magic only happens once a week. Another mystery should inspire daily awe and wonder: Turn a simple valve...Presto! Glorious, clean, delicious water. Clean water—even better, the disappearance of yucky water—is not really magic, of course. Like any essential service, it’s just not a day-to-day concern...until it is. “It’s hard to take it seriously until you flush, and it doesn’t go down,” says Chad Meyer, president of PeopleService Inc., a local wastewater management firm. “I’m the same way. I turn on the faucet, water comes out, life is good. All the pipes are underground, the [water treatment] plants are all outside of town, so you don’t see any of it.” The Missouri and Platte rivers provide most of Omaha’s tap water. The Metropolitan Utilities District filters, disinfects, and “softens” about 90 million gallons of water every day to remove minerals like calcium and magnesium. What eventually comes out of the tap in Omaha, says PeopleService CEO Alan Meyer, is better than what you can buy in a bottle. “From a convenience standpoint, I get it,” says Alan, who is also Chad’s father. “I buy a bottle of water once—for the bottle. Then I just refill it at the tap.” What happens after we’ve finished with our water is a little more…intense. Homes in rural areas that are not tied to municipal system will most likely have a septic tank. It is an underground tank where everything goes that is washed or flushed down a drain. Solids settle to the bottom, while liquids trickle out of a perforated pipe on the opposite end. The small holes help the liquid seep into a sandy gravel mixture that helps filter the water as it slowly rejoins the environment. Eventually, a septic service company will need to remind the homeowner about all that magic every few years when it is time to pump out those accumulated solids.
Omaha, however, relies on a centralized sewer system, as do some smaller communities. The City of Omaha Public Works primarily uses two systems: A sanitary system that treats all sewage from homes and businesses, and then a separate stormwater collection system that handles runoff. All together, Omaha’s treatment facilities serve about 600,000 people with more than 2,000 miles of pipe and more than 50 pumping stations, according to Jim Theiler, assistant director at the City of Omaha Public Works. The process for cleaning Omaha’s wastewater begins with screening out things like sand, egg shells, whiffle balls, and other large particles that have no business in the sewer system. Once larger particles have settled out, the water is treated to a host of friendly bacteria. The bacteria devour dissolved organic matter that is bound to water molecules. The water eventually is disinfected with a chlorine process that rids the water of any remaining bacteria or pathogens. A final process removes the chlorine before the water is released into the Missouri River. The, um, solids? That material emerges from the process as something that sounds like the worst party treat ever—sludge cake.
They also maintain and monitor similar systems for housing developments like Riverside Lakes outside Waterloo, Nebraska. Riverside Lakes maintains freshwater and wastewater treatment facilities as its own sanitary improvement district. It draws and treats drinking water from local wells, then eventually releases treated wastewater into the Elkhorn River. If these systems run into unexpected problems, it is usually a result of running into things that should not be there. The largest offenders are grease and the criminally mislabeled “flushable wipes.” Chad says that toilet paper is made to break down. So-called flushable wipes aren’t. “Flushable” or not, wipes tend to ball up with congealed grease, creating an unholy mess that clogs pipes and fouls pumps. “Pumps move that water,” he says. “They get clogged and have to be pulled and cleaned or replaced more often.” Worse than that, a clogged pump can lead to raw sewage escaping into the environment. Apart from the potential health hazard that would create, such a scenario potentially violates the Clean Water Act. Fines for violating the Clean Water Act cover a span of transgressions that range from $2,500 to $100,000 per day.
Plants love it. It is shipped to farms as an effective fertilizer.
It matters little if the leak or spill is accidental.
While this process has been reduced to the simplest terms, it is not altogether different from what happens in smaller systems. Small communities, housing developments, and industrial outfits sometimes require a custom solution, and that is where companies like Omaha’s PeopleService steps in.
For example, in 2017, a ruptured pipe in southern California spilled raw sewage into a tributary of the San Diego River. The pipe was repaired only after an estimated 760,000 gallons were pumped into the Los Coches Creek. That eventually cost San Diego County $700,000 after a settlement.
They help monitor and maintain commercial facilities like an egg-cracking facility in Minnesota, but also a more custom system like that of Target Field in Minneapolis, home of the Minnesota Twins. Target Field’s system harvests rainwater, which is then used to wash the stands after games. That same water is then filtered to remove peanuts and crackerjacks, among other things, and fed to the Major League grass.
“Thus far,” Theiler says via email, “we have been able to avoid many issues that other communities have with this issue by increasing the preventative maintenance of the pumps at our wastewater treatment plants.”
Operating in five states—Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, and Illinois—PeopleServices have helped upgrade and maintain systems at a few dozen municipalities, ranging in size from the 1,000-person Eagle, Nebraska, to the 12,000person Maryville, Missouri.
Meyer adds: “What can go in the trash should go in the trash.” Not down the drain. And then the delightful magic of ignoring all that we flush can continue. Visit peopleservice.com for more information. B2B
70 | B2B MAGAZINE · 2019
VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
OMAHA CVB BY KEITH BACKSEN
CELEBRATE TOURISM he Lone Tree Ferry Co. was one of the first businesses in the area to represent the tourism industry. The crew transported speculators from Council Bluffs across the Missouri River as early as 1850–four years before the city of Omaha’s founding. The owner of the ferry company, William D. Brown, had vision. Brown was the first pioneer to see the potential for a city on the site where his ferry dropped off speculators. The landing became a popular gathering site for the first settlers of the Nebraska Territory. Named after a solitary tree on the Nebraska bank of the river, Lone Tree Ferry became central to the founding and development of the city of Omaha. As the territory grew, the company would become the Council Bluffs and Nebraska Ferry Co., and expand to include a steamboat that could bring visitors to Omaha from greater distances. Brown not only worked hard to get visitors here, he worked just as hard to make sure they felt welcomed once they arrived. Brown, with the help of 12 other investors, built the first building in Omaha, the St. Nicolas Hotel—a log cabin lodging house near 12th and Jackson streets. What Brown understood was that visitors meant business—lots of business. Today, Omaha continues to offer some of the firsts and the bests in the tourism industry. Omaha’s EVEN Hotel, best known for providing exercise equipment in each of its rooms and offering unique fitness classes, was one of the first hotels of its kind built in the world. Omaha’s historic Blackstone Hotel is where the original Reuben sandwich was created. And Omaha’s Henry Doorly
Zoo & Aquarium is recognized internationally as one of the world’s best zoos. It is hard to tell how many people Brown employed at the ferry company and the hotel, most likely it was fewer than 30. Today, more than 17,280 people work in some aspect of tourism in Omaha. They are individuals with vision, creativity, and a sense of pride, and they are making great things happen to help grow this industry. They welcome visitors to our hotels, restaurants, and attractions, and they represent our city every day, 365 days a year. According to the U.S Travel Association, a total of 15.6 million jobs in America are supported by tourism. Every year during National Tourism Week, the Omaha Metropolitan Area (OMA) Tourism Awards honor the best in tourism. The event is an opportunity to celebrate employees and volunteers from local attractions, hotels, restaurants, and retail shops for their outstanding contributions to the industry. If these awards had been around in the 1850s, the Lone Tree Ferry Co. would have been in the running. After all, this little tourism company played a big role in Omaha. The OMA Tourism Awards are a tri-county partnership between Visit Omaha, Sarpy County Tourism, and the Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, to nominate someone, or to purchase a ticket to attend, go to omatourismawards.com. B2B
ETHICS BY BEVERLY KRACHER
TRUST OPPORTUNITIES rust is like the air we breathe. When it is present, no one notices. When it’s absent, everyone notices.”—Warren Buffett Warren has it right, especially when it comes to business. There is a comfort and ease when we can do business on a handshake. This can lull us into an expectation that everyone is honorable, keeps their word, and works responsibly. But then it happens…someone takes advantage of us…and distrust jumps into our minds. The worst part is that a sense of distrust also begins driving our future actions and dealings. Business is easier, and better, when we can trust and depend on trustworthiness. So, let us take a moment to examine two forms of trust, and the opportunities that arise from them that can drive successful business transactions. First, there is swift trust. It is an immediate confidence that others will not take advantage of us. It happens quickly because of small cues and adherence to accepted norms. Think of what happens when our house furnace quits working and we don’t have a preferred heating and air company. We call three or four companies on the phone and talk to receptionists or technicians. Someone on the other end of the phone tells a joke that makes us laugh, and we connect; they say something about furnaces that sounds like they know our system and why it might be broken. Based on these initial interactions, we pick a company with which to continue the conversation. We respond with swift trust. It can happen between a business and a client, between businesses, and in teams. Once we
recognize the existence of swift trust, we can train ourselves to quickly, and appropriately, prompt it. Second, there is slow trust. This is an expectation that builds over time. Because someone treats us in a consistent, considerate way, we develop a confident attitude that they can be trusted to watch out for us and to even put our benefit above their own. Going back to the heating and air company example, slow trust evolves as a customer is serviced by a company over the years. Over and over again, the company is always available to answer questions and to attend to problems that arise. So, it is not surprising that when the furnace quits working at midnight on a freezing winter evening, the customer trusts that the company will send a technician to fix the problem. Once we recognize this phenomenon of slow trust, we are sure to develop business systems to maintain it. Companies that earn awards such as “Best of,” “Company of the Year,” etc., are prime examples of organizations that prompt swift trust and maintain slow trust. And the trust they imbue becomes like the air we breathe, something we do not even notice, that is pure, and fresh, and clean. In a real sense, the institution of business can’t exist without it. B2B
Keith Backsen is executive director of the
Beverly Kracher, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Business
Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Ethics Alliance and the Daugherty Chair in Business Ethics and Society at Creighton University.
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VOLUME 19 · ISSUE 2
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