New Faces at the Sarpy Chamber The Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce has welcomed five new members to the staff in the past four months. Tara Simons and Breann Lundblad have signed on under Membership. Kelly Deane is the new Event Director and Shelly Stotts has started in the new position of Development Director. Evan LaMontagne rounds out the new hires as the Administrative Assistant. Three new board members have also been elected to the Sarpy Chamber Board of Directors: Jim Janicki with Hillcrest Health Services, Ryan Ousey with ROC Business Technologies, and Nate Garcia with Insight Marketing Concepts. Continued inside on page 2
FROM THE PRESIDENT
I’m so excited to bring you this issue
Outlook will give you a glimpse of
because it highlights the return of
what’s coming to the county. You’ll
chamber life that’s familiar as well
catch up on Chamber Groups and
as the arrival of new faces and big
major events and see how they’ve
changes! You’ll read about the
returned to familiar in-person formats.
new staff members at the chamber
We hope to see you soon at our
as well as new board members.
events and get to know your new
Highlights from the Economic
Sarpy Chamber team members!
WHAT’S INSIDE: 2021 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK GET HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EVENT
Karen Gibler
MEET YOUR ALL STAR TEAM................1
RETURN TO IN-PERSON EVENTS
THAT COVERED SARPY COUNTY’S
GROUPS AND MAJOR EVENTS
ECONOMIC FUTURE.
RETURN TO MEETING IN PERSON
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ANNUAL AWARD NOMINEES.............5 UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS.........6
402.339.3050 WWW.SARPYCHAMBER.ORG 1243 GOLDEN GATE DRIVE
New Faces at the Sarpy Chamber
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New Staff Tara Simons and Breann Lundblad had both been Sarpy Chamber members before they joined the staff, making them uniquely insightful in their new positions in Membership. Tara has over ten years of experience in sales and marketing and over three years as an Office Manager and Assistant Project Manager. She previously held a position as an Office Manager and Assistant Project Manager with a local manufacturing company. Breann is an experienced public relations specialist who previously worked as a Practice Representative for Millard Family Chiropractic. She’s worked extensively as a community and social services professional with a Master’s degree focused in Public Health Education and Promotion from Nebraska Methodist College. Breann and Tara enjoy using their experience as Sarpy Chamber members in their new roles that help members maximize the value of their membership, utilize chamber resources, and connect with their business community peers. Kelly Deane and Shelly Stotts are both returning to work at the Sarpy Chamber. Kelly first worked with the Chamber in 2020 as a part-time employee and now returns as the full-time Event Director. While transitioning into her new role, Kelly assisted heavily with one of the chamber’s major events, the Grand Giveaway. Most recently she successfully carried out the return of the Economic Outlook event to an in-person gathering. Shelly last worked at the Sarpy Chamber six years ago as the Office Manager. She previously worked as the service processor for Lincoln Financial Group in the Portability and Conversions Department. Shelly is now back with the Sarpy Chamber in the new position Development Director, working to expand the vision and mission of the Sarpy Chamber. She looks forward to building the Sarpy Chamber up to its full potential to benefit its members and the larger Sarpy business community.
(Left to right: Jim Janicki, Ryan Ousey, Nate Garcia)
Evan LaMontagne is the new face members and visitors will see at the front desk at the Sarpy Chamber. Evan has started as an Administrative Assistant and has already excelled in the collaborative spirit the position requires. He works with every member of the team to carry out everything from daily tasks to big-picture projects. Evan looks forward to learning more about the Sarpy County business community and getting to know the business leaders that make up the Sarpy Chamber membership. New Board Members In September Sarpy Chamber members elected three new board members. While they come from a range of industries and business sizes, they are all active and dedicated long-term chamber members. Jim Janicki is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Hillcrest Health Services. Ryan Ousey is the Founder and CEO of ROC Business Technologies. Nate Garcia the Founder of Insight Marketing Concepts. The Board of Directors helps develop the strategic plans and goals each year for the chamber and that impacts members and their businesses. The three new board members begin their terms in October. With so many new staff and board members comes new skills and perspectives. Everyone looks forward to serving the membership and encourages members to reach out and get to know the team that’s dedicated to their growth and success.
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2021 Economic Outlook The 2021 Economic Outlook brought together insight from leaders across the county to over 130 attendees. This year’s event returned to an in-person format at the Tiburon Golf Club. The presenters at the Economic Outlook included Craig Mielke, Environmental Group Manager for the Great Plains region of Alfred Benesch & Company, Sarpy County Engineer Dennis L. Wilson P.E., PhD, Randy Coleman the Skillbridge Program Director at Offutt Air Force Base, Abby Kossow the Program Director for Project Reset, and Dawn Nizzi and Collin Baldwin with the Metropolitan Community College Workforce Innovation Division. Highlights on Project Development I-80 Interchange – Craig Mielke presented on the I-80 Planning & Environmental Linkages Study that examines the area west of N-50 and south of N-370. The project has identified two needs; Unacceptable traffic operations and a lack of regional connections to I-80. He also shared established project goals: • Accommodate Regional Freight Movements • Improve Regional Connectivity to Local Street Network • Encourage Economic Vitality and Placemaking • Foster Environmental Sustainability • Provide for Multi-Modal Connectivity
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(Presenters spoke at Tiburon Golf Club for the 2021 Economic Outlook.)
Connect Sarpy Road Construction – Dennis Wilson covered a number of road construction projects in western Sarpy County including Schram Road at the western edge of the county, Generations Entertainment District at Werner Park, Platteview Road Freeway and more. He showcased a helpful online tool that maps different projects and gives real-time status updates on what is open to traffic, what is closed, under construction, and expected timelines for different construction phases. This can be found at www.connectsarpy.com/updates along with drone video of projects and videos depicting future completed road construction. Highlights on Workforce Development DoD Skillbridge Program – Randy Coleman presented on this program that works with employers and service members transitioning into civilian sector jobs. Employers with the program gain access to a highly qualified, skilled, and dedicated population of potential employees. Industry partners/employers can apply at dodskillbridge.usalearning.gov/industry-employers. htm Project Reset Program – Abby Kossow shared how this program’s mission is to mentor justice involved individuals into a life-changing career in the skilled trades and labor industry. Project Reset is a program under the nonprofit organization The Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education. The project is relatively new but already seeing major success with transitional employment job retention at 79% and trade-based employment job retention at 83%. Metropolitan Community College Workforce Innovation Division - MCC WID meets the needs of businesses by offering a wide array of programs tailored specifically to today’s workforce. Dawn Nizzi and Collin Baldwin shared how the program can help employers maintain an internal and external employee pipeline. Visit www.mccneb. edu/workforce to take advantage of this resource.
The Return of In-Person Events Events are back in full swing at the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce and this last quarter saw the creation of a new event in the Red White and Blue Poker Run, and the return to form of a favorite with the Grand Giveaway. The Sarpy Chamber’s Modern Professional Group engages an energized group of people who, regardless of age, are new to the workforce, in new positions, or starting in new industries. As the group has evolved, they’ve focused part of their energy on supporting local non-profits. This led to the creation of the Red, White, and Blue Poker Run, benefitting the Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation. On July 1st participants formed teams to visit various checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one with the objective to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. Businesses in Midlands Place hosted checkpoints, creating fun and lively spaces for networking and fundraising. The event raised over $900 for NVVMF’s mission to develop, erect and maintain a memorial to honor all Veterans who served during the Vietnam War and to further provide a lasting historic educational account for future generations. The Modern Professionals group is thankful to ROC Business Technologies for sponsoring the event as well as all the participating Midlands Place Businesses: Belay Bank, First Watch, PostNet, Spin Pizza, Mathnasium, Fairfield Inn & Suites Papillion, Ollie & Hobbes, Schrock Innovations, and Vision Specialists. In 2020 the Grand Giveaway event was reconfigured to be a golf outing, but in 2021 the event was able to be held in its usual fashion as a dinner and auction. Over 350 guests gathered at A View on State on August 19th for a Game Night themed evening. Live music from Blues Agent entertained guests over the social hour while guests placed bids on auction items that highlighted the best of the local business community. Ryan Ousey with ROC Business Technologies and Lt. Jacob Betsworth with the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office closed out the night by hosting a live auction. The fundraiser benefitted the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce, who holds over 160 events a year designed to provide business and professional orientated education, advocacy,
(Grand Giveaway guests browse the auction items provided by local businesses and organizations.)
and leadership in the community. “Our focus at the chamber is on building you and your business up to its greatest potential,” said Sarpy Chamber president, Karen Gibler, “and the funds raised at this event go a long way towards keeping our events and programs either free or low-cost. This support helps us make our resources not only highquality, but accessible as well.”
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2021 Annual Award Nominees
Each year we ask our membership to nominate the businesses and organizations they feel best represent business excellence in our community and we are thrilled to announce this year’s nominees! Business of the Year (25+ Employees) Offutt Collision Repair Core Bank ACCESSbank
New or Emerging Business of the Year Union Omaha Anchor Roofing PostNet of Papillion
Business of the Year (1-24 Employees) Kahler-Dolce Mortuary Joe Rickley Farm Bureau Insurance Agency Charter Title & Escrow Homewise Roofing and Exteriors All Hands Waterproofing Pixel Fire Marketing Omaha Storm Chasers Schmit Law Firm
Non-Profit of the Year Papillion Community Foundation Fontenelle Forest Rejuvenating Women City of Springfield - Volunteer Fire & Rescue Midlands Community Foundation Cross Training Center Habitat for Humanity of Omaha HETRA
Business Leader of the Year Mark Rodgers - Vice President at Core Bank Lisa White - Mortgage Sales Manager at Gateway Mortgage Laura Osborn - Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate - The Good Life Group; President of the Springfield Business Association Neal Krauss - Vice President at ACCESSbank Ryan Ousey - Owner of ROC Business Technologies Renee Hennings - Personal Risk Advisor at Unico Insurance Laurie Schlender - Vice President and General Manager of the Omaha Storm Chasers Recipients of the 2021 Chamber Excellence Award: Bellevue Public Schools, Gretna Public Schools, Papillion La Vista Public Schools, Springfield Platteview Public Schools, Sarpy/Cass Health Department - Sarah Schram
Facebook is proud to call Sarpy County home and prouder still of our partnership with the community. Sarpy Data Center represents a $1.5 billion+ investment in the state of Nebraska that drives significant positive impact in Sarpy County and beyond. Whether through volunteering at local schools or contributing to local nonprofit organizations, at Facebook, we’re committed to strengthening the community. For more information, please visit: facebook.com/SarpyDataCenter.
datacenters.fb.com
3rd Quarter Ribbon Cuttings The Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce is always thrilled to celebrate a business’ opening, new location, remodel, anniversary, or groundbreaking. We celebrated those accomplishments with these businesses last quarter. Visit www.sarpychamber.org/events to check dates for upcoming ribbon cuttings. Sarpy Chamber ribbon cuttings are free and open to non-chamber members. Contact us to learn more about setting up a ribbon cutting. Axis Apartments July 8th, Papillion Outlook Business Solutions July 15th, Omaha Papio Pit BBQ at Werner Park July 21st, Papillion Centris Federal Credit Union July 29th, Omaha Chocolat Abeille August 12th, Bellevue Tangeman Training Systems August 18th, Papillion Millard Family Chiropractic August 27th, Papillion Live Hydration Spa Rockbrook August 31st, Omaha Kure CBD & Vape September 1st, Papillion
(Chocolate Abeille)
Sing Omaha September 9th, Omaha Papillion 150 Butterfly Effect Mural at Papillion La Vista South High School September 15th, Papillion 88 Tactical Group Groundbreaking September 16th, Papillion Butterfly Garden at Veterans Park September 24th, Papillion Unified Ag Solutions September 28th, Omaha
Upcoming Events Coffee & Contacts at the Papillion Area Historical Society Thursday, October 14th Leadership Alumni Event Thursday, October 21st Business After Hours at North Risk Partners Thursday, October 28th Sarpy Chamber Annual Awards Wednesday, November 3rd Visit www.sarpychamber.org/events to register for these events and get the latest information.
SARPY CHAMBER STAFF Karen Gibler President Shelly Stotts Development Director Kelly Deane Event Director Celeste Pille Marketing Manager Tara Simons
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Membership
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Breann Lundblad Membership
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Administrative Assistant
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