Strictly Business Omaha January 2019

STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM

OMAHA • JANUARY 2019

TM

Need a Plumber?

THE BIRGE FAMILY

• Business Planning • Supporting Non-Profits Client Spotlights • DPC Unlimited LLC • McGill Restoration • Travel Series: Destination Colorado

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RIVER CITY SIX

In This Issue

OWNERS OF BIG BIRGE PLUMBING

REGINA QUINT

Pinnacle Bank

JEFF DOUSHARM

No Coast Business Advisors

CHARLOTTE RALSTON SARAH YOUNG R.U. Nuts Company and Business JANUARY 2019Strictly Strictly Ahroma Specialty Coffee

GUY RUDLOFF

Xcel Roofing

JEAN DUFFY

Real Property 1 Business

Management Legacy

Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505

There will be times you miss the most important meeting of the day.

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SWITCH TODAY. Call (402) 934-3891 or visit coxbusiness.com *Offer ends 4/30/19. Available to new commercial data and voice subscribers (excluding govt agencies and schools) in Cox service areas. $84.00/mo includes VoiceManagerSM Essential with unltd nationwide long distance and Cox Business InternetSM 50 for mos. 1-6 and $99.00 for mos. 7-36. Price based on 3 yr. contract. Early term. fees may apply. Std. rates apply thereafter. Prices exclude equipment, installation, construction, inside wiring, taxes, surcharges and other fees, unless indicated. Offer is nontransferable to a new service address. Uninterrupted or error-free Internet service, or the speed of your service, is not guaranteed. Actual speeds vary. Rates and bandwidth options vary and are subject to change. DOCSIS 3.0 modem may be req’d, unless indicated. See www.cox.com/internetdisclosures for complete Cox Internet Disclosures. Unlimited plan is limited to direct-dialed domestic calls and is not available for use with non-switched-circuit calling, auto-dialers, call center applications and certain switching applications. Phone modem provided by Cox, requires electricity, and has battery backup. Access to E911 may not be available during extended power outage or if modem is moved or inoperable. Telephone services are provided by an affiliated Cox entity.

Services are not available in all areas. Discounts can’t be combined or added with other promotions nor applied to any other Cox account. †Visa prepaid card available with qualifying new services ordered and activated between 1/1/19 and 4/30/19 with min. 3 yr. contract. Must mention “reward promo” when placing order. Account must remain active, be in good standing, and retain all services for a min. of 30 days after install. Online redemption req’d by 5/31/19 and must follow instructions rec’d after service activation. Limit one card per customer, total not to exceed $200. Allow 15 days after redemption for delivery. Card is issued

by MetaBank, FDIC, pursuant to a license fromJANUARY Visa U.S.A. Inc.2019 No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for up to 6 months; unused funds will 2 ® Member Strictly Business #PrintProudDigitalSmart forfeit after the valid thru date. Card terms and conditions apply. Other restrictions apply. © 2019 Cox Communications Inc. All rights reserved.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

YOUR LOCAL PERFORMANCE DIESEL AND TRUCK OUTLET DPC Unlimited LLC is a performance diesel and truck accessory outlet. We offer diesel performance parts and tuning required for on and off-road performance for big rigs and lightduty pickups. We also have your chrome and truck accessory needs covered from the front to the back, top to the bottom. Additionally, services are offered for semi trucks, pickups, and farm implements.

”

”

We have your performance and chrome needs covered! Come see us to get your ride running and looking good. – Cody Simons, owner of DPC Unlimited

At DPC Unlimited, you’ll find a vast selection of performance parts and accessories from many manufacturers, including: • Lincoln Chrome • S&B Filters • Alliant Power • Full Tilt Performance

Available Products:

• Visors—A properly built semi truck sun visor will keep the sun out of your direct line of vision and can deflect torrential rain to help your view during storms. DPC’s selection includes a wide variety of sizes and styles so you can find the exact one you need for your 18-wheeler.

• Lighted Center Panels (New LED Lights*)—DPC offers stainless light bars and center panels to keep your truck illuminated on the road. *DPC now offers a selection of LED lights so you can upgrade your incandescent lights and stop replacing burnt out bulbs. Not only is it more efficient to switch to LED lights, it’s also much safer for traffic around you, since LED lights are significantly brighter.

• Hub Caps and Lug Nut Covers—An easy way to transform your rig is to replace hub caps and lug nut covers, and DPC has variety of chrome for your wheels to give your truck that instant renovated look and feel.

• Cold Air Intakes—Without proper airflow, you end up having excessive fuel in the cylinders, causing heat,

• MBRP Exhaust

possibly even smoke. Installing a Cold Air Intake from S&B Filters will deliver more air to your engine, which turns into efficiency, both in terms of fuel economy, as well as power.

• Grand General

• FASS Fuel System—DPC offers FASS Performance Fuel Systems with exclusive FASS whisper technology; one

• Roadworks Mfg. • Lifetime Lugnut Covers • DSI Performance • Meyer Distribution • Xtreme Diesel Performance (XDP) • Stark Lights • FASS Diesel Fuel

Systems

of the quietest lift pumps around. The system includes enhanced bulkhead and suction tube kit. Mass flow return maintains positive pressure preserving your injectors bolt-on bracket mounts for a simple installation without drilling/welding.

• Interior Chrome Accessories, Hard Parts, Manifolds, and much more!

DPC Unlimited LLC works hard to keep After the inventory stocked with the parts Before you want. From lights and chrome for a semi to go fast parts for a diesel pickup, we’ve got you covered! If there is something you are looking for, give Here is a truck we recently upgraded to a stainless light bar, DPC a call or shoot them an email. center panel, and loaded it with lights.

www.dpcunlimitedllc.com | (402) 466-0555 | dpcunlimited@yahoo.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business

3

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

PAIGE ZUTAVERN - Omaha/Lincoln - President 402-730-0096 | Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the Strictly Business team! We are very grateful to be entering into 2019 with all our amazing clients and readers. It’s rewarding to serve the Omaha community year after year. As a local news and marketing publication, we get a front row seat to all the exciting things happening in our area—new faces, new businesses, expansions, partnerships, charitable giving, outreach, the sharing of innovative ideas, etc. Our resolution for 2019 is to continue publishing relevant, reliable news each month, along with introducing the community to local industry leaders and experts.

New Year’s resolutions are a lot of fun to make, and we think they are pretty fun to share, too! Here is what the Strictly Business team is looking forward to accomplishing this year: Paige Zutavern, President - I’m really determined to Holly Ryan, Art Director - As we say goodbye to spend more time investing in my family and friendships 2018, it’s only right to reminisce on the all of the this year. I have a hard time slowing down, but some things to be thankful for. My family and friends are recent events have reminded me how important it is my biggest fans and supporters. They have made to stop and smell the roses. I want to cultivate new me who I am today and I cherish every moment with friendships, as well as nurture my relationship with them. Also, I am so very fortunate to work with such my long-time friends. Shayne and I are also enjoying a great team at Strictly Business. All of the amazing watching our two sons grow up to be young men. As a small business people I have met and continue to meet through my role here have owner who is super driven and loves to work, it’s easy for me to get made such a positive impact on my professional growth and I look wrapped up in those demands. This year, my goal is to take God’s lead forward to that continuing throughout 2019. A huge thanks to our more, which will require me to take a step back so I can see the plans readers and clients, I have developed an even bigger love for the He has for me, my family, and my business.

Omaha community because of you! Happy New Year to all! 2019, we have arrived!

Hannah E. Hundley, Editor - As I think about my Lizzy Werner, Office Assistant - 2018 has been a resolutions for this new year, I can’t help but reflect year full of change and growth for me. I am proud on what the last year ended up having in store for to announce that I recently finished classes at the me. At the start of 2018, I didn’t know what Strictly University of Nebraska–Lincoln and I am currently Business Magazine was. Now I find myself in the editor trying to adjust to life without school. I am so blessed position, contributing to a publication I’ve come to with the opportunities I have been given and all of believe in wholeheartedly. It goes to show how much the wonderful experiences I have had this year. My can change is the span of 365 days. My goal this year is to continue heart is full, to say the least! As I am going into my fourth year with to challenge myself and pursue what I’m passionate about. I’m also Strictly Business, I am eager to take on more responsibility and build striving to strengthen myself physically, mentally, and spiritually a little new relationships, while still strengthening current ones with clients and more each day. coworkers. The knowledge I have gained and the networking I have Sarah Young, Executive Assistant - What an exciting done has been an amazing experience, and I can’t wait for more! year! I’ve graduated college and landed my first fullI’m excited to see what this year has in store for me. May the year time job. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead in 2019. ahead be equally as amazing as the one that came to a close. Bring Since starting at Strictly Business, I have already seen it on, 2019! a lot of progress in my skill-base, but I look forward to really honing in on my productivity this next year. I am What’s your New Year’s resolution? Let us know! also setting a personal goal to find balance between Let Strictly Business Magazine help you lock in your status as work and play, now that I am seriously entering the “adult” world. I am thankful to have great people around me to help guide me through this THE EXPERT in your industry, utilizing print, the internet and social new chapter. Happy 2019. media. Find out how by contacting Paige at (402) 466-3330.

CONTENTS NEWS

4 Business 22 Personnel

27 Non-Profit 33 Health

SPOTLIGHTS

1 15 16 26 34

DPC Unlimited LLC McGill Restoration River City Six Foster Care: Cedars Travel Series: Destination Colorado

FEATURE STORIES

36 Business Planning 40 Supporting Non-Profits 4 Strictly Business JANUARY 2019

Sarah

Holly

Hannah

PRODUCTION TEAM: Editor Hannah E. Hundley - Editor@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Art Director Holly Ryan - Design@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com SALES TEAM: President/Sales Paige Zutavern - Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Executive Assistant Sarah Young - Office@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Publisher/Founder/Accounting Shayne Zutavern - SZutavern@yahoo.com STRICTLY BUSINESS is not responsible for unsolicited material. All rights to submission, including letters, will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to our unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially or creatively, unless otherwise negotiated with the author. Nothing may be printed in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. The publication of any advertisement in STRICTLY BUSINESS is not an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised.

Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright ©2019 by PZAK, Inc. Third Class Postage Paid at Lincoln, NE 68505

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ABOUT THE COVER TM

OMAHA • JANUARY 2019

STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM

Need a Plumber?

THE BIRGE FAMILY

RIVER CITY SIX

In ThIs Issue

OWNERS OF BIG BIRGE PLUMBING

• Business Planning • Supporting Non-Profits Client SpotlightS • DPC Unlimited LLC • McGill Restoration • Travel Series: Destination Colorado

REGINA QUINT

Pinnacle Bank

JEFF DOUSHARM

No Coast Business Advisors

GUY RUDLOFF

Xcel Roofing

Need a Plumber?

Remember back in the day, when men took pride in their work, treated the customer with respect, and you felt confident after the work was completed? Well, in case you forgot, Big Birge Plumbing is here to remind you.

We are polite, honest, and respectful of your home. We want you to feel peace of mind when our job is complete. We will give you a fair price and leave your home as clean as it was before we arrived. At Big Birge Plumbing, we aren’t your average everyday plumbing company, we love what we do and we have a high level of pride in our profession. We also know that without you (our customers), we wouldn’t be here and every second we are in your home or business, we won’t forget that. At Big Birge Plumbing, this is our vow to you; this is how we are set apart from every other plumbing company in the Omaha area.

CHARLOTTE RALSTON SARAH YOUNG R.U. Nuts Company and Strictly Business Ahroma Specialty Coffee

JEAN DUFFY

Real Property Management Legacy

AGO

Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505

In August of 2012, Big Birge Plumbing was founded by Brad and Lallenia Birge. At the time Brad had over 15 years of plumbing experience, but had been a workingman since the age of 14. He started in the construction industry by working for a local company learning window, seamless steel gutter, and siding installation. He quickly worked his way up to foreman, learning what it takes to manage his own jobs and a crew of men. After evaluating his future, Brad decided to launch his career into a trade profession, which is where he found plumbing. A commercial/industrial plumbing company took a chance on him and enrolled him in the apprenticeship program. For the first month, he thought he had made the worst mistake of his life as he dug ditches in 100-degree weather with a foreman barking orders at him. However, in time, he started to get the hang of it and soaked up as much information as he could. During this time, he began to appreciate the beauty and art involved in plumbing, and he was hooked! He had the privilege of learning from some of the best plumbers. They taught him plumbing theory, code, and tricks of the trade to make him efficient, professional, and knowledgeable.

After years of hard work and schooling, Brad earned the level of journeyman plumber. After meeting his wife and having a child, he decided it was time to take another leap towards improving and investing in the future for his family and himself. He accomplished getting his Master Plumbing License, which was needed to run a full-blown plumbing company.

Unlike her husband, Lallenia does NOT have years of plumbing experience, nor has she dug ditches in 100-degree weather. Her background is in the fitness industry. When she first met Brad, she was a personal trainer at the gym he worked out at. After over a year of obsessing over him at the gym he finally “got the hint” and asked her on a date. Soon after they got married and had their first child, they decided to start Big Birge Plumbing.

At this point, she did not realize everything that would go into owning a company, working full time as a trainer, and raising a little one. Lallenia ended up having to reevaluate her life as a mom and personal trainer. She decided to back off of full time personal training and learned how to run and operate a business with Brad. With this newfound business they started together, she uncovered another passion in marketing and soaked up as much knowledge and skills as she could to help push the business forward.

Brad and Lallenia want to make a positive impact on the plumbing world and change the way people view plumbers. Many people seem to think of plumbers as the “butt crack” joke, but that is FAR from true! Being a plumber is an extremely prestigious job and it takes a lot of talent and skill to be good at it. Not to mention how important this trade is to the world, keeping people healthy and safe.

Fast forward to today, six years later, they have 14 employees and three divisions of plumbing: commercial, residential remodeling, and service. Each department is led by extremely talented and passionate people.

Brad and Lallenia truly believe they have some of the best people in Omaha as part of their team and take great pride in the company that their team is building.

(402) 575-0102 | BIGBIRGEPLUMBING.COM

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www.StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS Virtual C Now Offers New Technology Coaching Packages

No Coast Business Advisors Releases New Book “Exit Lever”

Virtual C is pleased to announce new coaching packages tailored for technology experts, leaders, and practitioners. Virtual C has been a leader in offering online and remote coaching and training to technology companies throughout the world. They are now expanding their group of industry experts to meet the needs of organizations looking to transform their IT departments into centers of excellence for strategy.

Jeff Dousharm and Jethro Hopkins of No Coast Business Advisors officially released their first of many books on December 12, 2018. The book is titled: Exit Lever: How Smart Business Owners & Buyers Avoid The 10 Mistakes That Ruin the Sales of Businesses. These are the words that drove Authors Jeff and Jethro to write this book. They were frustrated by seeing so many good business owners (sellers) and buyers get deals ruined when it comes to the sale of a business. As a result, Jeff and Jethro made a commitment to do two things: Expand and train more brokers to serve others, and write Exit Lever so they can save more people from mistakes that are wasting both time and money!

As technology continues to become more integral to every part of an organization, it’s critical that technology leaders be ready to address strategic challenges and be ready to manage enterprise initiatives. Virtual C’s coaching packages include one-on-one sessions as well as providing access to the tools and advice that technology practitioners need to take their career to the next level.

Virtual C offers executive consulting services and works with businesses to facilitate agile transformation. Adam Walter works with companies to offer up agile CIO strategy and interim management services.

Andrew Storz is an expert in lean, agile cultural transformation; breaking down company silos. Their services allow you the benefits of a full-time chief information officer (CIO) without having to pay for a full-time CIO. The Virtual C team ensures visibility involving technology needs that will give you a competitive edge in the marketplace. For more information please email info@virtualc.biz or visit www.virtualc.biz.

6

Strictly Business JANUARY 2019

Jeff and Jethro aren’t just business brokers, they have started (or acquired), scaled, and sold millions of dollars of their own businesses.

What that really means is that the experiences they share are from more than just theory or operating as business brokers. They have been through the challenges, headaches, and trials that real business owners and entrepreneurs have also faced.

No Coast Business Advisors offers a complete suite of services specifically targeted to those who are looking to buy or sell a business, including consultation, valuations, listing and promotion. For more information, please call (402) 217-3252, email ncbalincoln@ gmail.com, or visit nocoastbusinessadvisers.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS Cox Communications’ Gigablast Speeds Now Available Throughout Omaha Metro

Center Sphere Grows Businesses and Breaks New Ground

Omaha Mayor Jean Stother t and Cox Communications today declared Omaha to be a “Gigabit City,” announcing that 100% homes in the metropolitan area have access to one gigabit broadband internet speeds. Cox Communications customers can utilize this powerful connection, equal to 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps), to download 100 songs within three seconds, 1,000 photos in 16 seconds and a two-hour movie in 8 seconds.

With the average home expected to have more than 50 internet-connected devices by 2020, Cox prepared for its customers’ growing demands by rapidly expanding residential gigabit speeds. Cox has delivered a wide range of broadband speeds to customers for years, including speeds for business customers that have well surpassed one gig for more than 12 years.

Additionally, Cox is making significant upgrades to its infrastructure in Omaha as part of the company’s commitment to invest $10 billion in its network over the next five years. DOCSIS 3.1 technology builds on the strength of Cox’s fiber-based network, and provides the ability to roll out gigabit internet speeds throughout more neighborhoods at a faster pace.

Cox Communications service and its gigabit speeds are available to customers across Omaha, Papillion, Bellevue, Ralston, Gretna, and Valley in Nebraska; Council Bluffs, Crescent and Carter Lake in Iowa; and across Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawatomie counties. Learn more about Cox Communications at www.cox.com.

The Omaha Area Center Sphere Network continues to lead the Metro in professional business networking. Now, with over 50 Chapters that meet weekly all across Omaha, the impact that the network is making on local businesses is immeasurable.

“Three years ago, my family moved to Omaha from California,” said Will Cummings, Chapter 402-O 14 president and co-owner of First Priority Insurance. “Joining Center Sphere is by far the best thing that I have done for my business.”

Such testimonials are plentiful as you visit with members of the Center Sphere Network, now approaching 1,000 business professionals in the Omaha area. More than business, Center Sphere provides an impactful community of allied professionals eager to see one another succeed.

“The number one reason I love being a part of Center Sphere is simply the sense of community,” said Hallie Talley, Chapter 402-O 44 member and owner of Knight of Bytes.

Center Sphere also hosts a wide array of networking events all over the Metro designed to help members expand their Network and grow their businesses, many of which are also helping to raise money for local non-profits. Each month, Center Sphere hosts Coffee & Connections, several social hour events, as well as professional development, sales, and leadership training, all at no additional cost to its members.

If you would like more information about Center Sphere and how you can get involved, please go to www.centersphere.com or contact Christopher Slater directly at (402) 881-2811 / Christopher@CenterSphere.com.

Hillcrest Health Services Acquires SilverRidge, Announces New Gretna Community Last month, Hillcrest Health Services acquired SilverRidge Assisted Living, a highlyrespected, family-owned community on Hackberry Dr. near Gretna High School. The facility provides assisted living and memory support services, as well as childcare on campus Continuing care community planned for Gretna by Century Development, Essex called Little Ridges.

Communities and Hillcrest Health Services The assisted living community offers private apartments, 24-hour staffing and emergency response, restaurant-style dining, housekeeping and linen services, personal care, medication management, lifestyle programming, and an array of attractive common spaces. Memory support assisted living is provided in two freestanding cottages, each home to 14 residents with dementia.

In addition to the acquisition, Hillcrest announced plans for a new continuing care retirement community on the former Rod Kush property on HWY 6, just north of HWY 370. The community will be a partnership between Hillcrest, Frank Krejci’s Century Development and Omahabased Essex Communities, which operates adult living communities in six Midwestern states.

“The new continuing care community will feature independent living, assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing and post-acute rehab, and will be supported by Hillcrest’s home and community services like medical home health, companion services and hospice care, which already serve the Gretna community,” explained Hillcrest President Jolene Roberts.

Although the name of the new community has not been announced, the development partners are busy working on due diligence efforts and design plans. For more information about the planned continuing care community, visit www.hillcresthealth.com or contact (402) 682-4808 (Hillcrest Home Care–Omaha) / (402) 682-6880 (Hillcrest Millard) / info@hillcresthealth.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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BUSINESS NEWS Heartland International Recognizes 2018 Family 21 Preferred Roofing Contractors

Bellevue Berry to Host Corporate Event and Wedding Expo Open House

Heartland International, Inc. a nationwide distributor of CONKLIN® Commercial Roofing Systems, has named the recipients of their qualified Family 21 PREFERRED CONTRACTORS status. Each of these 32 contractors, from across 12 states, have installed multiple large-scale commercial roofing projects, met training and professional performance criteria, and qualified to participate in Heartland International’s PREFERRED CONTRACTOR annual trip to Cancun, Mexico to provide input to the CONKLIN® Company and enjoy meeting with contractors from across the nation.

The Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch will host this year’s Corporate Event and Wedding Expo Open House on Saturday, January 26.

The event will take place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Bellevue Berry invites you to check out its four different barn venues, each with its own unique personality. Shuttles will be ready to escort attendees from one barn to the next.

The venue will open its doors at the Buena Vista Barn, where you will find all things sweet, DJs, photographers, decorators, and hotel accommodations. Free samples and drinks will also be provided.

Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch is a family-run business that has been operating for 30 years. The ranch has many offerings including, pick your own berries and pumpkins (when in season), hayrides, farm antique displays, livestock, haunted features, and much more.

The facility also operates as an event venue with many barns to choose from. From rustic to southwestern flare to architectural elegance, this event space has it all. If you have a company party, a class reunion, a wedding reception, or any other kind of celebration coming up in 2019 or 2020 you would benefit from checking it out!

For more information about Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch, located at 11001 S. 48th St., in Papillion, visit their website (bellevueberryfarm.com) or check them out on Facebook to find out more about the open house event (@bellevueberryfarm). You can also reach them by phone at (402) 331-5500.

Heartland International, Inc., has been a Lincoln-based Independent Manufacturer’s Representative for the CONKLIN® Company, Inc. since 1974. They represent all six of the divisions and all 250+ products manufactured by the CONKLIN® Company. Today, their customers, distributors, and field managers are found in all 50 states and several territories. Heartland’s Distribution Network is responsible for nearly 20% of the CONKLIN® Company’s total annual sales. Heartland International provides direct shipment to retail customers, they screen and represent those interested in becoming independent wholesale distributors, and provide ongoing support and training for customers, distributors, and managers. For more information or to apply for one of the current contractor openings, contact Dennis Nun at DennisLNun@ gmail.com / (402) 430-7727. Learn more at www.TheSecureRoof.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS Veterans In Business Forum Announces Upcoming Meeting

Omaha’s Boomer Radio Expands, Triples Coverage Area

The Veterans in Business Forum (VIBF) meets the first Friday of every month (0800-0900). Their next meetings are 4 January and 8 February at University of Nebraska–Omaha College of Business Administration, Mammel Hall – Room 215, 6708 Pine Street, Omaha, NE 681820048.

Boomer Radio 1490 AM and 104.1 FM in Omaha has expanded its coverage area with the addition of two new signals. According to General Manager Brad Leggett, Boomer is now broadcasting on 94.5 FM in Omaha and 97.3 FM in Blair.

The additional signals more than tripled their coverage area and make Boomer easier to hear in the Omaha area.

The guest speaker for January is Richard Messina from Play It Again Sports. Guest speaker for February is Dean Kenkel from Nebraska Veterans Coalition.

The mission of the Veterans in Business Forum (VIBF) is to provide business support, education, and advocacy to help veterans succeed in business and increase community awareness of veteran-owned business activities. Veterans, active duty, reservists and civilians are welcome to join and support each other and veteran-related goals.

For the latest information, to be a guest speaker and/or to be added to the mailing list, visit www.omahanebraska.com/ VeteransinBusinessForumOmahaNetworking or contact Michel Thornhill at (402) 932-7243 / info@littlemountainwebdesign.com.

9Round Fitness Opens New Location in Midlands Place, Papillion In November, 9Round Fitness opened its doors for business to the public with its first location in Papillion. This is the third 9Round facility in Nebraska for brothers and co-owners Trevor and Todd Vettel.

9Round offers fun, 30-minute, full body kickboxing themed workouts that change daily and cater to all fitness levels with current customers ranging in age from 10 to 82! What makes their services really unique is that there are no scheduled class times. Instead, customers come in for their 30-minute workout when it’s convenient for them, making it easier for people to fit working out into their busy schedules.

“You can show up anytime during our normal hours of business and we will always have a trainer on the floor prepared to take you through an amazing workout!” explains Trevor Vettel, a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln.

Trevor has received extensive kickbox training from the likes of World Champion Kickboxer Shannon “The Cannon” Hudson, Kevin “the Hurricane” Hudson, and renowned boxing coach Xavier “Bad Pads” Biggs.

“We understand that starting a new fitness program can seem intimidating, which is why we always offer a FREE workout and consultation with one of our trainers,” points out Trevor, who has created a workout environment for his clients that is full of energy and enthusiasm. “We really like to have a good time while we work out. Anytime you go through a 9Round workout, you are sweating, smiling, and learning!”

Business hours for 9Round Fitness (www.9round.com) are Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m.–8 p.m., with a mid-day shut down from 1:30–3 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m.–noon, and closed on Sundays. For more information, please contact Trevor Vettel at (402) 415-2970 or email trevor.vettel@9round.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Boomer Radio is a network of local radio signals and is the area’s only “oldies” station that programs to the 55+ baby boomer market. They understand how to market to the affluent “Boomer” generation. Boomer Radio features live and local DJ’s, including Dave Wingert in the morning, Jessica Dol middays, Jack Swanda afternoons, and Kelly Johnson nights.

Boomer Radio is locally owned and operated by Walnut Radio, LLC. Learn more online at www.myboomerradio.com, or call the studio at (405) 553-1490. Boomer Radio’s main office number is (402) 422-1600.

Control Depot Introduces New Product, Millennial Net Pneumatic Thermostats Control Depot is now offering wireless a n d p ro g ra m m a b l e p n e u m a t i c thermostats from Millennial Net. Millennial Net pneumatic thermostats are the world’s first fully functional D i r e c t D i g i t a l C o n t ro l s ( D D C ) thermostat. It replaces most of the thermostats on the market and easily retrofits existing pneumatic HVAC infrastructures. It connects directly to existing pipes to control the HVAC units.

Millennial Net thermostats can integrate with existing BMS systems via BACnet IP protocol, Modbus TCP/IP or RTU, or works with the standalone Millennial Net energy management system to provide remote monitoring, control, and maintenance of building environments. A wireless pneumatic thermostat provides an affordable, non-invasive solution for multi-zone buildings and multi-site portfolios. Combined with other wireless Millennial Net devices, it provides an integral and extremely cost effective solution to dramatically improve energy conser vation for pneumatic HVAC systems.

Control Depot is a building automation and controls distributor serving Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and South Dakota. As a controls distributor, Control Depot sells and supports a wide selection of residential and commercial controls and components to contractors and building owners. This includes everything from a simple thermostat to a complete web-based building automation system. At Control Depot, their goal is to build strong and lasting relationships with customers by providing value and experience that is unparalleled in the industry. They strive to excel in all aspects of their business, offering quality services in a timely manner, but at affordable rates.

Contact Control Depot (www.controldepotinc.com) today for more information on how they can help you: (402) 934-0078 / sales@ controldepotinc.com.

JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business 9

BUSINESS NEWS American Heart Association Counts Down to 2019 Omaha Heart and Stroke Ball

BNI Celebrates $250M of Closed Business from Member Referrals

The American Heart Association’s Omaha Heart and Stroke Ball, the annual black-tie event, will be Saturday, February 9 at the CHI Health Center Omaha.

The event celebrates the energy, passion, and commitment of donors, healthcare providers, community leaders, sponsors, volunteers, and survivors to raise funds for lifesaving research and education. Funds raised during the event support the fight against cardiovascular diseases—the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States each year.

“The Ball would not be possible without our volunteer leadership and sponsors that raise important funds to support the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission,” said Omaha Heart Ball and Stroke Ball senior director, Kelsey Ridder.

The 2019 Omaha Heart and Stroke Ball is chaired by Kelly and Steve Kontz and is presented locally by Renaissance Financial.

To learn more about the American Heart Association and supporting the 2019 Omaha Heart and Stroke Ball, the public is encouraged to visit www.heart.org/omahaheartball or contact Kelsey Ridder, (402) 8106848 / Kelsey.Ridder@heart.org.

BNI Heartland is proud to say that their members have passed thousands of referrals, and they have officially surpassed the $250 million mark of closed business over the last 10 years!

While that is an impressive number on its own, the economic multiplier conservatively estimates the total impact to business owners in Omaha and Lincoln to be over $1 billion. BNI can prove their results, as members track what they do in BNI, using BNI Connect, either online or by the exclusive BNI mobile app. This also allows them to easily see their results.

BNI is happy to keep their members busy with the referrals they receive, and they look forward to continuing to grow and build businesses in 2019.

Many organizations provide a service, but BNI® offers a strategy to get more referrals for your business and continued learning to help improve your networking skills. For more information on becoming a BNI® member and the educational opportunities offered through BNI® University, visit bniheartland.com or contact (402) 880-6311 / info@bniheartland.com.

Voice & Data Systems Protects SMBs From Windows 7 End of Life Voice & Data Systems, a leading managed technology services provider (MTSP), is helping small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) secure their organizations from cyber attacks, by addressing the Windows 7 “End of Life” policy that will begin in January of 2020. Microsoft has announced that they will cease supporting the software, providing updates, enhancing security features and the software will essentially become obsolete. SMBs need to be aware of this transition because cybercriminals are constantly inventing new methods and techniques to exploit weak infrastructure. If a business doesn’t adapt and bring in technology that can keep pace with the ever evolving security threats that the modern business faces, they will eventually become a “sitting duck” for cyberattacks.

Many businesses handle problems like this in the same manner that they handle all other problems. Ignore it until they suffer a minor consequence, and after they feel some of the pain, then they react and begin solving the problem. However, this is a very dangerous strategy to utilize given the potential consequences. For example, we can look at the costs that some major players have paid for insecure infrastructure.

The majority of Windows 7 users will migrate to the cloud which coincidentally will provide many increases in security capabilities that could greatly reduce their need for ad-hoc security features, driving total cost down. However, the key to a successful transition is starting early because these things take time. Unfortunately, businesses who decide not to act may place themselves in even graver danger because they will be extremely susceptible to cyberattacks, precisely because Windows 7 is obsolete technology and it may be too late.

Voice & Data Systems’ friendly, manufacturer-certified technicians are available 24/7 to serve business needs for communication systems as well as voice, data, fiber optic, and video cabling, testing and troubleshooting. Their mission is to provide technology solutions that increase their customers’ profitability, improve employee productivity, and give them a competitive advantage in their marketplace. For more information, please call (402) 571-9049 or visit www.voicendata.net.

10 Strictly Business JANUARY 2019

Inclusive Communities Presents Training for Trainers Workshop Inclusive Communities will be hosting its second Training for Trainers workshop on March 6 and 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Training for Trainers provides a foundation in how to provide effective workshops and trainings with diversity and inclusion in mind. Inclusive Communities will provide up to 20 hours of training on the ORID (Objective, Reflective, Interpretive, Decisional) method, foundational terms, and basics of identity, language, and bias.

It is recommended that attendees participate in at least one Inclusive Communities workshop prior to taking this training.

The training will address the following: • History and basics of the ORID facilitation method • Discuss and practice skills creating brave spaces for facilitating dialogues around identity • Look at the emotional and cognitive response to this knowledge and how each individual interprets their role in the perpetuation of the particular topic • Discuss how we utilize this information for programming that can change the norms around identity, discrimination, and prejudice in the workplace and community This training is open to individuals or representatives from school districts, local governments, colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, and corporate partners who want to help build internal capacity in their organizations, moving them beyond diversity, and helping them launch sustainable programming to promote equity and inclusion within their organizations.

Registration cost for the workshop is $375 for non-profit employees and individuals; $550 for for-profit business employees. The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, and all print materials. Registration is required and space is limited to 20 participants. Reserve your spot today by contacting Cammy Watkins at cammy@inclusive-communities. org / (402) 391-4460. Learn more about Inclusive Communities at www.inclusive-communities.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Care Consultants Releases Updated Omaha ElderCare Resource Handbook

Omaha Fashion Week Announces February 2019 Designer Lineup

Care Consultants for the Aging released the updated Omaha ElderCare Resource Handbook back in September, in both a hard copy and online format. The handbook will be current through 2020. This is Omaha’s all-inclusive listing of services, programs, and other resources available for the aging in each area.

The Omaha ElderCare Resource Handbook was originated in 1991 and has been published every two years since. Care Consultant’s most recent edition is now out and full of information for anyone needing assistance with senior-related healthcare needs. There are many partnering companies throughout the Omaha Metro area who advertise in order to support the publication of this great product.

If you or anyone you know is in their retirement years, this is a must have for them! Many end users have called this the “Bible” of the elder care industry in Omaha. Make sure to stop by the Care Consultants office (7701 Pacific St., Ste 100) today and get your own copy, or you can order online and have it delivered to your door.

Making decisions on another person’s behalf can be an overwhelming task. Many find themselves second guessing their decisions and wondering if they are doing all they can. Although it is natural to wait until a health care crisis occurs before looking into what services are available, people tend to make better choices if they take the time to study their options beforehand. Learn more at OmahaHandbook.com. Further questions can be directed to Kyle Johnson at (402) 398-1848 / Info@ OmahaHandbook.com.

The producers of Omaha Fashion Week (OFW) have announced the designers selected to show during their upcoming season, taking place February 25 – March 2, 2019 at Omaha Design Center (1502 Cuming St.). The week’s schedule is as follows: Monday, February 25: Omaha Wedding Salon Photo credit: Kathy • Brides can plan their big day in Rae Photography fashion by enjoying an evening of inspiration at this glamorous bridal-themed showcase!

Tuesday, February 26: Metropolitan Community College Student Night • Features collections by students at Omaha Central High School, Omaha South High School, Nebraska 4-H, the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program at the Joslyn Art Museum, and Nebraska FCCLA. Wednesday, February 27: UNL Student Showcase • Produced by Omaha Fashion Week in partnership with UNL’s Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design (TMFD), senior fashion design students will collectively show their original works!

Thursday, February 28: Methodists Cancer Survivor Show • Celebrate the triumph over cancer as 100+ survivors take over the runway wearing looks from local boutiques! Presented by Methodist Hospital, part of proceeds benefit the Inner Beauty Salon at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center.

Friday, March 1: ADORN Emerging Designer Showcase featuring • KLYNNE • Lana • Elem by M.L. • Greta Slagle Designs • MA • Victoria Cygan • Xi 2 Si • Otto & Olsen • Lovellfaye • Blond • Hannah Jensen Saturday, March 2: GUILDED Featured Designer Showcase featuring • Abigail Faith • Rachel Pollack Designs • J. Tierney Designs • CJB Designs • Makenzie Lesiak • Roger Figueroa • Little Lola Bunny • Rachel Patten • Only by Faith • Indigo Eye Designs Sunday morning, March 3: Shop the Runway Sunday Omaha Fashion Week has proudly grown into the nation’s fifth largest fashion event, supporting more independent fashion designers than any other organization in the region! OFW is a glamorous event for a good cause, showcasing the work of 65+ local designers each year, spotlighting fashion innovations, and celebrating creative excellence.

For more information about Omaha Fashion Week, visit www. omahafashionweek.com or contact (402) 937-1061 / info@ omahafashionweek.com.

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Nebraska Safety Council Launches New Worker 360° Risk Assessment The Nebraska Safety Council team designed a new Worker 360° Risk Assessment that provides members an easy way to get a comprehensive view of their workforce. Armed with accurate data, organizations can make informed changes to safety, wellness, and driving programs and practices. It ultimately leads to a more productive, more engaged workforce that impacts your businesses bottom line.

The Nebraska Safety Council is the only Total Worker Health (TWH) affiliate in the state, and one of few in the nation. TWH is a concept that encourages employers to view their workers from an integrated perspective, that safety and wellness both impact a worker on and off the job. As a result, the council promotes integrated risk management through their Worker 360° approach, helping Nebraska businesses look at their employees from every angle.

Assessments are a key tool that provide your business with data on your workforce and what impacts their productivity, engagement, and overall quality of life. They also give employees an avenue to provide anonymous, honest feedback without fear of repercussions. These assessments should be user-friendly for companies to implement and for employees to take, and the reports a business receives should be easy to understand.

The Nebraska Safety Council is a non-profit organization headquartered in Lincoln that provides education and leadership to empower people to live safe and healthy. They service the state of Nebraska and surrounding areas through trainings, services, events, and membership. To learn more, visit www.nesafetycouncil.org. Contact Laurie Klosterboer at (402) 4832511 / kloster@nesafetycouncil.org for additional information. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS 2019 Omaha Beer Week Announced to the Metro Community Omaha Beer Week 2019 will take place February 15–24. This week is an annual celebration that brings together breweries, bars, restaurants, and retailers to celebrate craft beer in Omaha. Omaha Beer Week works with more than 50 locations and puts on more than 100 events.

While the festivities take place all week long, the Craft Beer Bus Tour will take place on Saturday, February 16. The bus tour runs from noon to 10 p.m. This tour offers a fun and safe way to get to and from each location. Tickets for the bus tour are $18 in advance and $25 the day of. To buy bus tour tickets; view the list of breweries, restaurants, and bars who are participating; or to become a sponsor visit their official website (www.omahabeerweek.com) or give them a follow on Facebook (@OmahaBeerWeek).

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The Camp Transformation Center Plans to Inspire Omaha The Camp Transformation Center (The Camp), a national brand featuring fitness centers that focus on inspiring powerful physical and emotional transformations, has launched a strategic franchise growth plan that is targeting Omaha as its first expansion market in Nebraska.

Adding Omaha to its growth plans comes amid remarkable momentum for the brand. In 2018, The Camp brought its total franchise presence to more than 100 locations. As The Camp targets Omaha and other strategic markets for growth, the brand plans to continue increasing its presence in 2019.

The fitness giant plans to begin their Nebraska growth with four locations in the greater Omaha region.

The Camp Transformation Center is currently pursuing potential entrepreneurs for the opportunity. Ideal franchisees showcase an unwavering desire to help people with compassion and empathy. Learn about franchise opportunities online at thecampfranchise.com.

Greater Omaha Chamber to Hold Annual Meeting January 23 The Greater Omaha Chamber’s Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 23 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. The agenda includes a program and keynote speaker until 5:30 p.m., followed by a networking reception with drinks and appetizers. Single tickets in open seating can be purchased for $120 (members) / $145 (non-members). Corporate sponsor tickets with priority seating and ticket bundles with reserved seating (5 or 10 pack) are available as well.

Reservations must be made by January 16.

Join hundreds of professionals and community leaders in Omaha to hear from Chamber representatives about all that was accomplished together in 2018 to move the community forward. The event program will also highlight the launch of Prosper Omaha 2.0, the next five-year economic development campaign, which will accelerate Omaha’s ability to compete for business and top-flight talent. This event will also recognize award winners of the Chairman’s Award of Excellence, Headliner of the Year, and Volunteer of the Year.

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This year, the keynote speaker is Deb Calvert, president of People First Productivity Solutions. Her presentation is titled, “E3 Leadership for 2019: Emancipation + Ennoblement = Extraordinary YOU.” Named one of Treeline’s “65 Most Influential Women in Business,” sales industry standout Deb Calvert cultivates leaders.

Reserve your spot at the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Annual Meeting by going to www.omahachamber.org/am. To contact the Chamber directly, call (402) 346-5000. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Elkhorn’s Main Street Studios Presents Nebraska’s First Snow Sculpting Competition

Business Ethics Alliance Offers Governing Board Ethics Training Series

Elkhorn’s Main Street Studios & Art Gallery is teaming up with Omaha artist and engineer Matt Seeley for Nebraska’s first Snow Sculpting Competition on February 8–10. Friday and Saturday’s events will last from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday’s festivities will start at 10 a.m. and wrap up around 4 p.m. This event will host many larger-than-life pro exhibitions from across the nation and local teams competing in sanctioned events, as well as food, drinks, and Nebraska’s only Ice Bar.

The Business Ethics Alliance® has a solution for governing boards that want to infuse ethics conversations into their regular meetings.

Governing boards, both corporate and nonprofit, are tasked with upholding the highest standards of integrity for the organizations they serve. Training on ethics, however, isn’t something that often occurs during regular board operations.

In preparation for the competition, Seeley will hook up his antique snow machine to a nearby fire hydrant. As the propeller blades spin it will blast a cloud of dense, man-made snow over a vacant lot in Elkhorn (2610 N Main St.). The snow will then be gathered and molded into rock-solid 4 x 4 x 8-foot blocks.

The competition will consist of a handful of 2–3 person teams, of all skill levels, from national teams to amateur teams sanctioned by Nebraska, who will work to scrape, carve, and shave the blocks of snow into dazzling art displays. The first-place finisher will have the chance to represent the Cornhusker State at the 2020 United States National Snow Sculpting Championship, held in Lake Geneva, WI. Main Street Studios & Gallery is located historic downtown Elkhorn.

They have two large gallery spaces, as well as numerous in-house art studios. Keep up with their events by visiting their website at www. mainstreetstudios2610.com, or call the studio at (402) 452-3088.

Nebraska Society of CPAs Presents Scholarships to 72 College Students The Foundation of the Nebraska Society of CPAs set a new record for both the dollars awarded and the number of students receiving sc holarships for the 2018-19 school year. At its May 2018 Board of Trustees’ meeting, the foundation awarded an all-time record of $127,500 in scholarships to accounting students (up from $125,000 in 2017 and $118,500 in 2016) at 14 Nebraska colleges and universities.

The Governing Board Ethics series includes six modules that can be purchased as a set or individually to empower boards to discuss ethics candidly and understand the ethical implications of their duties. The conflict of interest module helps participants consider actual, potential, and perceived conflicts from an ethical perspective. Other topics in the series include accountability, groupthink, confidentially, executive compensation, and respectful communication. Each module is designed to encourage open dialogue and help board members see the common ethical pitfalls encountered in the course of governance. The series is also excellent internal training for companies that encourage employees to serve on governing boards. More information about the Governing Board Ethics series and other ethics training products can be found on the Alliance website at businessethicsalliance.org/board-ethics.

In partnership with the Omaha business community, the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and Creighton University Heider College of Business, the Business Ethics Alliance® is a one-of-a-kind non-profit dedicated to city-level business ethics education. Learn more about the organization at www. businessethicsalliance.org, or call (402) 280-2235.

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum Presents New Exhibit, The Robot Zoo

Of the 72 scholarship winners, 22 of the recipients (pictured) attended the society’s annual meeting on November 5, during the Fall CPE Conference at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in La Vista.

The sc holarships ranged from $1,500 to $3,500 each. A total of 72 scholarships were awarded with 16 of the scholarships awarded to 150-hour students who are completing their college education requirement before sitting for the CPA (Certified Public Accounting) exam. One of the 150-hour scholarships is named for, and in part funded each year, by the Aureus Group of Lincoln. Three of the scholarships are named for the Society’s 2018 Award Recipients, one is presented on behalf of the foundation board, one is awarded in honor of the Society’s first Executive Director Arnold Magnuson, and one is given from the Al Brune Scholarship fund.

The mission of the Foundation of the Nebraska Society of CPAs, led

by Don Kluthe of Omaha, is to support excellence in the Certified Public Accounting profession by providing scholarships to accounting students of Nebraska colleges and universities.

The full list of the scholarship winners can be found online at www. nescpa.org. You can support accounting college scholarships by making a donation at www.nescpa.org/donate.php. Contact the foundation directly by calling (402) 476-8482 or by emailing society@nescpa.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Visitors to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum can now explore the biomechanics of complex animal robots to discover how real animals work, thanks to a travelling exhibit by Evergreen Exhibitions known as The Robot Zoo. The Robot Zoo is a 2,500-square-foot exhibit that reveals the magic of nature as a master engineer.

Robot animals and seven hands-on activities illustrate fascinating real-life characteristics, such as how a chameleon changes colors and a fly walks on the ceiling.

The larger-than-life-size animated robots include a chameleon and a platypus. Also featured is a house fly with a three-foot wingspread.

Machinery in the robot animals simulates the body parts of their reallife counterparts. In the robot animals, muscles become pistons, intestines become filtering pipes and brains become computers.

Sensory activities include Swat the Fly, a test of the visitor’s reaction time (one-twelfth as fast as a house fly’s), and Sticky Feet, where visitors using special hand pads can try to stick like flies to a sloped surface.

Triggering the Tongue Gun demonstrates how a real chameleon shoots out its long, sticky-tipped tongue to reel in a meal.

The exhibit will be open January 19 through May 10, 2019. The opening event begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 19 with robotics workshops for guests that register and a show with real live animals by Animal Encounters. The museum is also offering its annual indoor airshow on January 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors or military, $6 for youth ages 4–12, and free for children three and under. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Learn more online at sacmuseum.org, or call the museum at (402) 944-3100.

JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business 13

BUSINESS NEWS Millard Business Association to Host Lunch & Learn January 8

NAMI Omaha Announces February Public Educational Meeting

Millard Business Association’s next Lunch & Learn, sponsored by Centris Federal Credit Union, is scheduled for January 8, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., at The Amazing Pizza Machine (13955 S St.). The guest speaker this month is Ron “Gus” Gustafson, author of Fully Armed. Gus is a man who turned personal tragedy into triumph. The audience will hear his inspiring story of a young boy who loses his arm and has his leg crushed in a farm accident at the age of nine. With a humorous, heart-touching message, Gus will discuss the topic of setbacks and comebacks. Today, Gus is a remarkable motivational speaker who has given his talk to more than one million people over the course of his career.

This event will sell out, and #MBA2ndTuesdays is early this month, so get your registration in early! Admission is $20 for both members and nonmembers. Registration can be found here: business. millardbusinessassociation.org/events/details/lunch-and-learn-3678.

The Millard Business Association holds Lunch & Learn events on the second Tuesday each month in order to create the perfect environment for professionals to share and connect with each other in a way that adds value, brings new opportunities, and is a lot of fun. If you’re a business owner who wants to get more involved with like-minded professionals and the community at large, the Millard Business Association is an awesome opportunity. Learn more online at millardbusinessassociation.org, or follow on Facebook (@MillardBusinessAssociation) for future events.

NAMI Omaha’s next Mental Health NAMI Affiliate meeting will be held on Thursday, February 7 from 6–8 p.m. This meeting is free and open to the public. Brad Meurrens, public policy director for Disability Rights Nebraska, will discuss the mental health bills before the Nebraska Legislature in 2019 and how to affect change in mental health in Nebraska.

These meetings take place the first Thursday of each month at First United Methodist Church, located at 7020 Cass St. in Omaha.

Parking is available on the east and north side of the church. Enter through doors 4 or 6 and proceed to room 112.

NAMI Omaha is a non-profit organization composed of consumers, family members, professionals, and friends who have come together to share and take comfort in the commonality of their experiences and to educate members of their communities about serious brain disorders.

Along with education/literature, support, workshops, conferences, and more. NAMI Omaha actively advocates at the local, state, and national levels to improve the services and the lives of those affected by mental illness and their families.

For information on NAMI Omaha, go to namiomaha.org or call (402) 345-8101 / (877) 463-6264. For helpful articles on mental illness, follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NAMIOmaha.

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BUSINESS NEWS CREW Omaha Metro Celebrates 10 Years of Advancing Women

Soaring Wings Vineyard & Brewing Welcomes Back Trivia Night

On Saturday, January 19, beginning at 5:30 p.m., CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Omaha Metro will celebrate its 10th anniversary of advancing women in commercial real estate with a special event at Omaha Hilton. During the event, awards will be given to those who have been supporters and instrumental in CREW Omaha Metro’s success over the past 10 years.

Award recipients include: Baird Holm - Founders Award; Jacqueline A. Pueppke, Baird Holm - First Presidents Award; Amy Blumenthal, C&A Industries - First Presidents Award; Chip James, Lockwood Development, - CREW Catalyst Award; Jerry Slusky, Smith Slusky Law, L.L.P - I’m With Her Award.

CREW is 140 members strong, made up of women from a variety of companies and disciplines who are experts in their fields. The relationships created during CREW events have crossed over into professional settings with members regularly reaching out and doing business together on local real estate projects. In fact, a $4 million dollar land transaction had six different CREW members involved to get the deal closed!

Over the past decade, CREW Omaha Metro members have been honored in the community in the Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame, 40 Under 40, Midwest Magazine CRE Hall of Fame, and as leaders in various community organizations. Learn more online at crewomahametro. org, or connect with CREW by calling (785) 832-1808.

Soaring Wings Vineyard & Brewing in Springfield, NE is bringing back their occasional trivia nights. Their upcoming trivia event will take place on Saturday, January 12 from 7–9:30 p.m. The winery welcomes teams of all sizes, from a party of one to a group of 10. Table reservations are recommended for the event, but are not required.

Soaring Wings is a delightful winery located just outside of Omaha.

They offer a variety of delicious wines, light food, beers, wine-related merchandise, and a friendly staff to boot. Soaring Wings is certain that they have a beverage to satisfy every palate. Open year-round, the facility also offers live music every Sunday from 2–5 p.m. Wine is available for purchase at select local retailers including Hy-Vee and Bakers, but they recommend you call ahead to verify product availability. The winery’s regular hours are Wednesday–Saturday, 12–6 p.m.; and Fridays, 6–9:30 p.m.

For more information about Soaring Wings Vineyard & Brewing (17111 S 138th St.), visit their website at www.soaringwingswine. com or check out their Facebook page (@SoaringWingsVineyard).

You can also reach the winery by phone at (402) 253-2479.

Getzschman Heating & Air Conditioning to Host Fremont Home & Builders Show Getzsc hman Heating & Air Conditioning is excited to host the 39th annual Fremont Home & Builders Show. This year’s event will be held January 26–28 at the Christensen Field Main Arena, with free admission to the public. The three-day event will begin Friday from 6–9 p.m. and continue through the weekend from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Luckily, for homeowners concerned about overworking their furnace when it’s 20 degrees below, the Fremont Home & Builders Show provides a great opportunity to come together and talk all things home improvement with local experts like Getzschman Heating & Air Conditioning.

More than 60 vendors will take part in the event, which features a host of home-related products and services. Vendors will include window, appliance, heating and air conditioning, and plumbing companies.

Attendees can collect ideas for new home or remodeling projects.

They can get information on a variety of items and services such as siding, landscaping, kitchen cabinets, water softeners, furnaces, and air conditioners. Many vendors offer discounts during the event.

Along with plenty of local service companies, contractors, and other home-related businesses the Fremont Home & Builders Show will also feature a variety of entertainment over the course of the weekend.

Getzschman’s booth will host Husker legend and Heisman winner Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers on Saturday from 1–3 p.m. There will also be a workshop for kids ages 5–12, which is sponsored by Fremont’s Sears Hometown Store. The workshop will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30–3 p.m.

Today, Getzschman has become one of Nebraska’s premier heating and air conditioning service companies, providing repairs and installations of furnaces and air conditioners in the Omaha area. Learn more at www. getzschman.com, or call (402) 554-1110. More information about the event can be found on Facebook (@thegforceteam). #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BBB Warning: Beware of Business Email Compromise The Better Business Bureau reveals that business email compromise is financial fraud, often targeting businesses engaged in international commerce.

Scammers use malware to gain access to company email and instruct accounting employees to send money to another company overseas. The FBI calls this scam “more sophisticated” than other scams aimed at businesses.

How the Scam Works: You receive an email from your company CEO, who may be out of the country or away from the office on business, asking you to arrange a wire transfer of a large sum of money to a “supplier” or “business partner” often in another country. The request is similar to transactions you’ve handled in the past. Unfortunately, sophisticated scammers–believed to be part of organized crime groups from Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East–are targeting companies that regularly work with suppliers in foreign countries and routinely send large sums via wire transfer. Businesses of all sizes can be targets, and the scam is growing.

How to Spot the Scam: 1. Be suspicious of change. An email request for a wire transfer to a new vendor (or to an old vendor at a new address) is a big red flag. Be especially wary of requests for confidentiality or pressure to move quickly on the request. If at all possible, voice-verify the request with the person requesting it.

2. Pay close attention to the email address. One trick of scammers is to use a domain name that is almost exactly like the company URL, maybe off by just one letter (for instance, .co instead of .com).

To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker/ us. To learn how to protect yourself, go to “10 Steps to Avoid Scams” at bbb.org/avoidscams. Better Business Bureau has been serving the local communities since 1936. The overall mission of BBB is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. Learn more online at bbb.org/nebraska, or call (800) 649-6814.

JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business 15

BUSINESS NEWS Report Names Omaha Among Top 15 Cities to Still Achieve the American Dream Omaha was recently found to be one of America’s top 15 cities, with a low cost of living and high quality of life. The report noted that most residents work for one of Omaha’s 37,600+ businesses. Healthcare and social assistance is the largest industry, though the retail industry is also a major source of employment. Manufacturing and education services round out the city’s top four employment industries. The Omaha Public Schools district is the largest school distinct in Nebraska, and it oversees more than 75 primary and secondary schools.

A few other key findings about Omaha in the report included: • Cost of living 8% below the national average • $53,789 median household income • Average commute time of 18.7 minutes BadCredit.org’s analysts started by researching Niche.com’s list of U.S. cities with the lowest cost of living and then looked at crime rates, commute times, employment, walkability, and other factors to determine its rankings.

“While the American Dream may feel far away to many Americans, our study shows it’s still possible to find a city with a great quality of life that doesn’t require a six-figure income. The 15 cities on our list maintain a low cost of living without sacrificing the necessities for a high quality of life, including offering affordable homes and a vibrant community,” commented Brittney Mayer, senior analyst and author of the report.

BadCredit.org was created to help Americans with subpar credit to find the information and resources they need to make successful credit decisions. The full report can be viewed online at www.badcredit.org/ studies/15-cities-where-the-american-dream-is-still-attainable.

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Strictly Business JANUARY 2019

Yield Champions Offers High-Yield Crop and Fertility Intensives this Month Dennis Nun, president of Yield Champions, has announced the location of two special crop production intensives in Nebraska this month. On January 14–15, the Pro Ag I, two-day crop production intensive will be held in Kearney. There will be intensives available for producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa, as well as their agronomists, seed, and fertilizer suppliers. The focus of Pro Ag I is on reducing input costs while increasing yields. This is a unique program that many of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) and National Yield Champions credit as the most influential in their ability to increase their yields and profits.

In addition, January 21–22 is a Pro Ag II soil fertility seminar will be hosted in Omaha that will focus on understanding the basics of soil fertility and soil health. Yield Champions is excited to be able to bring cutting-edge fertility training to their customers and clients, as well as opening up these programs to seed and fertilizer dealers, farm managers, land owners, and other agricultural professionals. The featured speaker will be leading, innovative soil fertility agronomist, Dennis Dammen. Dammen, of Crop Maxx, Inc., trains ag professionals throughout the U.S. through a series of Pro Ag I & II two-day seminars each year.

To preview the concepts shared at these programs, go to www.300BushelCorn.info. For more information on tickets to these events, visit www.YieldChampions.com or contact Dennis Nun at Dennis@300BushelCorn.info / (402) 430-7727 (call/text).

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

The Construction Industry: A Re-Emerging Career Path Facts About the Construction Industry

The construction industry (residential and commercial) went into a recession a year and a half before the overall economy, and still has not bounced back. Employment in construction peaked at 7.73 million in April 2006, but then fell to 5.5 million (down 28%) in February 2010 and has remained near that level since then. However, things are looking up for the future.

• Construction creates good-paying jobs. In 2017, annual pay of all constructions workers in the United States averaged $60,700, which is 10% more than the average (mean) for all private-sector employees.

• Average pay for employees in the construction industry in 2017 was $49,600, which is 12% more than the state average for all private-sector employees.

• Nebraska’s fastest growing industry super-sector is construction, with a projected 22.5% increase and an additional 9,362 job by 2020.

• Nationally, construction employment is projected to increase by 33.3%, adding over 1.8 million more jobs over the next 10 years.

• Heavy and civil engineering construction job, and construction of buildings jobs, are expected to grow around 30% each in the next 10 years.

(Source: The Associated General Contractor of America)

At McGill Restoration, we are always looking to tell the next Jeff McGill story, detailing how our people have grown and advanced within the company.

Right now, we are looking to hire the following positions at competitive wages: Estimator / Project Manager; Superintendent; Foremen; Mechanics; Concrete Finishers; Industrial Painters; Pavement Marking Specialists; and General Laborers.

Please contact Stefanie Phelps at (402) 558-7989 (Omaha office) if you’re interested in working for a company that values your skills, hard work, offers career advancement, and pays a competitive salary.

McGill Restoration is a Nebraska-based contractor, specializing in concrete and masonry repair, as well as high performance specialty coatings, offers restoration services for preserving infrastructure such as buildings, parking garages, stadiums, and roads.

(402) 558-7989 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Jeff’s Story:

Jeff McGill may have been destined from birth to become an integral part of McGill Restoration. However, McGill Restoration was not part of his long term plan when he first started working there twelve years ago. In the summer of 2006, Jeff started working for McGill Restoration to make some extra money for college. Choosing to work for McGill Restoration was a no-brainer for Jeff, not just because his first cousin, Tim McGill, is the company owner; but also because he knew the pay was good and that he possessed the necessary work ethic. Like many other young people starting their college education, Jeff knew that he wanted a career that maximized his skills, was personally satisfying and allowed him to make a good income.

Also like many other young adults in college, he was a touch uncertain about what his future career might actually look like.

In 2008, Jeff took a short break from college and chose to return to work for McGill Restoration. Jeff worked hard, advancing quickly through the ranks, and became a McGill Restoration foreman in 2011. During that time, Jeff’s life continued to move forward. He got married and started a family.

In 2016, Jeff left McGill Restoration to complete his Bachelors of Science degree in Project Management from Bellevue University. While finishing his degree, he tried his hand at manufacturing and once again, his hardworking ways and leadership skills allowed him to excel. He did well at his manufacturing job but didn’t see the career advancement opportunities that he desired.

Fast forward to 2018, Tim McGill wanted to get Jeff McGill back working at McGill Restoration. Tim valued Jeff’s “can do” attitude and leadership skills.

As fate would have it, Jeff was also ready to return to McGill Restoration.

Jeff knew that his original goals when he started college in 2006 could be attained at McGill Restoration with a career in the construction industry. He saw an opportunity for career advancement at a business that valued him and his skills. Jeff returned to McGill Restoration as a foreman but quickly transitioned from the field into the office as the company’s first full-time Safety and DOT Compliance Manager. In October, McGill Restoration recognized Jeff as an asset with a promotion to be the company’s Equipment Asset Manager, while still overseeing Safety and DOT Compliance.

When he first started at McGill Restoration during the summer of 2006, Jeff may not have realized that he was beginning down his career path. He only started with McGill Restoration as he recognized a company that valued his skills, hard work, and leadership abilities, all while paying a competitive wage. Jeff’s dedication, commitment, and astute abilities have allowed him to advance and grow into a professional career with a company he loves.

McGill Restoration Offers a Wealth of Opportunities for Professional Growth and Development

www.McGillRestoration.com JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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Medical Alert SOLUTIONS

REGINA

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Fractional, part-time, or interim financial and HR leadership We are a team of entrepreneurs driving client success by providing access to expertise that helps them grow through objective leadership, partnerships, strategy, and creativity.

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Thank You Omaha!

Tell us a little about your business. - Pinnacle bank started in 1935 in the small town of Palmer, NE by a group of businessmen and farmers, including brothers George and Tom Dinsdale. Since then, Pinnacle Bank has grown and expanded throughout Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Kansas, and Missouri, with assets today of $10.7 billion. The bank has also grown within the family, with now three generations of Dinsdales involved. My involvement with the bank began with a group of six, who started the first Pinnacle Bank in Omaha. My position as vice president of commercial services has remained relatively the same throughout the years. I’m known as a bank on wheels, where I service business clients with the tools and resources they need in business banking.

How did you get started in the business? - I started my career in 1977 with Southwest Bank as a teller. From there I moved to Advanced expertise without the cost different positions within the bank such as branch manager and or commitment of senior-level staff collections before I moved into cash management for Southwest Bank. Southwest Bank was sold in 1995 to First Bank leading me to the start of my journey here at Pinnacle Bank.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Keeping up with technology for the younger generation and still having the ability to adapt to the needs of other generations.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- The relationships I have developed throughout the years are an important part of my life. I have customers today that started with me at Southwest Bank and have stuck with me for all their business needs. I was sad leaving all the relationships I had built at the start of my career in banking, but when those customer relationships followed me to Pinnacle Bank—that was special.

Tell us a little about your family. - I was raised on a farm in rural Nebraska with two brothers and two sisters. I met my husband in Omaha and got married in 1982. My husband Paul and I had our daughter Megan in November of 1984. She is currently living in Arizona with her husband and two children, but they will be returning to Nebraska in summer of 2019.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - Joining Pinnacle Bank and helping them grow into what it is today at almost 600 million assets. I was offered a position at a different bank before I sat down with Sid Dinsdale, the current chairmen of Pinnacle Bank. When I met with Sid, I knew I would be given more opportunities with Pinnacle Bank.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I went to a little one-room school house with a teacher who taught me from kindergarten to ninth grade.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Personable.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? TeamMates Mentoring Program and Special Olympics. Pinnacle Bank encourages their employees to be involved in the community and has been supportive of both of these organizations.

402.575.0102 | bigbirgeplumbing.com 18

Strictly Business JANUARY 2019

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 339-0700; Email: Regina.quint@pinnbank.com; Website: www.pinnbank.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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OPC

Meet Jeff Dousharm, co-owner, business broker, and area developer with No Coast Business Advisors.

Tell us a little about your business. - No Coast Business Advisors (NCBA) started as a Nebraska-based brokerage and now works both regionally and nationally. We serve sellers, buyers, and also existing owners who aren’t ready to sell but would like access to our managed services and relationships, ranging from financing options to consulting and more. We are recruiting business brokers and area developers/partners in regions locally and across the United States.

We also recently launched our book, Exit Lever: How Smart Business Owners & Buyers Avoid the 10 Mistakes that Ruin the Sales of Businesses.

This book quickly became a #1 International Best Seller on Amazon.

How did you get started in the business? - Jethro Hopkins started NCBA and I came on as 50% partner in 2018, as Jethro wanted my help to strategically expand the business. Having known each other and done business together between our other companies before, we knew the matching of our personalities and skill sets would make for a venture that could impact and serve many.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Going from a terrible micromanager years ago to running multiple businesses today. I worked through this transformation and developed a system called The Lever, which is all about focusing on “Time, Team, and Tools (systems).” This is what I bring to every business I’m a part of now.

Tell us a little about your family. - My amazing wife Dr. Corey Dousharm is a part of an outstanding chiropractic practice, MosierTimperley Chiropractic in Lincoln. Together we have our son Henry who is three and a half, and his little brother will be arriving March 13.

My father, who passed away in 2007, served in the Navy and then at a successful insurance agency. My mother lives in Pensacola, FL. She is the glue that holds everything together. My in-laws are Dr. Lanna Scott-Timperley, a retired Oncologist, and Dr. Dale Timperley, a retired college professor and coach. After Corey and I married, they moved closer to Lincoln and became some of Henry’s favorite accomplices (and mentors) in his weekly adventures.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? I’ve had multiple near-death experiences in my life. From surgeries for Ulcerative Colitis to blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, and more. For years, I hid my medical problems from others, but then I became more comfortable as I realized that we’ve all been through some “stuff.” I can make more impact when people know the real me. This turning point led me to find better ways to run my life and businesses so they didn’t bury me...literally.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “Life is competition, everything is sales, and it is your fault.”

What this really means is that no matter what you do, we are competing to win (however you define winning); we are always selling, even if it’s selling our ideas in a conversation with each other; and the concept of it being your fault is not a negative one, it means you are taking accountability for doing something with your circumstances—taking control of where your life goes, versus letting others decide it all.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - My father. He was famous to me. Having lost him 11 years ago, I would give everything I own to have even one more hour with him. We go through our lives being told that time is money, but time is far more valuable than money.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - Email: Jeff@NCBAbroker.com; Websites: www.NoCoastBusinessAdvisors.com / www.ContactJeff.com.

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GUY Guy Rudloff

XCEL ROOFING

When you partner with No Coast Business Advisors to buy or sell a business... ∙ You work directly with an owner. ∙ You receive individual focus. ∙ You get the most out of your business. ∙ You receive options and guidance.

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Strictly Business JANUARY 2019

Meet Guy Rudloff, project manager for Xcel Roofing in Omaha.

Tell us a little about your business. - Xcel is a local roofing and restoration company that started in 1990. We work with residential and commercial clients, specializing in roofing, windows, siding, gutters, decks, and interior repairs. In 2018, we received the BBB Integrity Award. Along with integrity, we believe in strong customer service, the highest quality workmanship, being an innovator in our industry, and giving back to the communities we serve.

How did you get started in the business? - I’ve been in advertising, sales, and marketing for the majority of my career. I launched my own marketing, media, and event business when I moved back from Chicago.

It is going really well, but I’m the kind of person who is always looking for a bigger challenge. Matt Preister had been trying to recruit me to work with him at Xcel. Matt and Jim Harding are the owners of Xcel and I was really impressed with the way they ran the company. I started last year and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Learning an entirely new business. The client service, communication, and accountability is easy to duplicate, but the terminology and industry information took some time to understand. Thank goodness for the Xcel training program and countless hours of YouTube videos.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? - I left a job selling radio advertising for five stations in Kansas City and moved to Chicago to oversee national sales for 132 stations. It was a huge challenge, both personally and professionally. I spent 17 years in Chicago and still miss it, but I am very happy to be back home in Omaha.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Depends on the weather. If it’s nice outside, I enjoy exploring the small towns outside of Omaha or spending time on the water. If it’s cold outside, I like to come up with unique and fun events to enjoy with my friends.

Who inspires you? - My mom was always a great inspiration to me.

Coming from a single-parent home, I watched her sacrifice in order to take care of our family. It taught me to work hard, share success, and live within my means.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Motivator.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “Lose Yourself” by Eminem.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - The ability to heal others, both humans and animals.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - I really enjoy writing, mostly short-form humor and lifestyle reporting. I have written for several local publications over the years and plan to start up again.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I am very proud to be involved with Mustaches For Kids Omaha, a group of men who grow mustaches for 30 days to raise money for a local charity.

What is your favorite movie? - My top three would probably be Princess Bride, Shawshank Redemption, and Love Actually.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - I really like J. Coco and Modern Love.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (773) 848-6996; Email: Guyrudloff@loveourroof.com; Website: www.loveourroof.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

CHARLOTTE

Charlotte Ralston

R.U. NUTS COMPANY AND AHROMA SPECIALTY COFFEE Meet Charlotte Ralston, owner of R.U. Nuts Company and Ahroma Specialty Coffee.

Tell us a little about your business. - R.U. Nuts Company is our wholesale snack and candy distribution company. We have packaged and bulk nuts, dried fruits, gourmet chocolates, and trail mixes (which we make in our facility). Ahroma Specialty Coffee is our small batch coffee roasting company. We do custom roasting and labeling, and carry all the major brands, such as Big Train, Dr. Smoothie, Torani, Davinci, Monin, and more.

We deliver to Omaha and Lincoln businesses, and we ship everywhere!

How did you get started in the business? - Selling nuts and dried fruits out of my home was one of a few ways I found I could earn an extra income as a stay-at-home mom. It blossomed into more opportunity over the years, and then into a full-blown business.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Balancing home and business, especially as my family grew and the business grew.

I was always stretched in both directions.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? Thirty years ago, and still today, you won’t find a lot of women in the grocery or coffee roasting industries. I’m thankful that, as a woman and a small business owner, I’ve been able to work with small and large companies in both industries.

Tell us a little about your family. - My husband and I have been married 38 years. We have five sons who all grew up working in the company, two of whom still work for us. We also have eight grandchildren.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

- Giving up my career in education to stay home and raise my sons.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Play with my grandkids! I also like to read, play the piano, and be outdoors.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - When I started a coffee roasting company, I didn’t even drink coffee...but I do now!

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “My Favorite Things”

by Julie Andrews from the movie, The Sound of Music.

Which talent would you most like to have? - I wish I were more organized. Creative minds are rarely tidy.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Some form of education. Whether it’s with kids or adults, I love to share ideas and discuss things, stimulating the mind.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - We support several, but in Omaha we’re very passionate about Rejuvenating Women.

They’re a faith-based organization that provides hope and restoration for those enslaved in human trafficking.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - No Ego

by Cy Wakeman. I highly recommend this book in relation to business and everyday life. Cy Wakeman is an Omaha-based author who specializes in reality-based leadership.

What is your favorite TV show? - Blue Bloods.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Crane Coffee. I love their flavored coffees!

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Benjamin Franklin.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 475-5282; Email: runutscompany@gmail.com; Website: www.runutsco.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Goin’ Fast & Lookin’ Good!

DPC Unlimited LLC is a performance diesel and truck accessory outlet. We offer diesel performance parts and tuning required for on and off-road performance for big rigs and light-duty pickups. We also have your chrome and truck accessory needs covered from the front to the back and the top to the bottom.

Contact us today! 402-466-0555 | DPCUnlimitedLLC.com

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Photo: Heather and Jameson • Garments: AD Delgado • Sunnies, Bags, Shoes: Scout Dry Goods + Trade Styling + HMU: Aya Zacharias • Models: Margaret S. + Hannah J. of Develop Model Management

JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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SARAH

Sarah Young

STRICTLY BUSINESS Meet Sarah Young, executive assistant at Strictly Business.

Tell us a little about your business. - Strictly Business is a monthly new and marketing publication that represents local businesses. We are experts in connecting faces, names, and personalities with businesses.

We always go the extra mile to get our clients known in the community.

KEEP YOUR BUSINESS RUNNING

How did you get started in the business? - I am still relatively “green” at Strictly Business. I have been here for four months. I am a recent graduate from Nebraska Wesleyan University, with a degree in marketing and communication. I have always been interested in people’s stories, community, connectivity, and the promotion of such.

All Day. Any Day. No Appointment Necessary.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? - As of now, graduating college and getting my first full-time job.

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Tell us a little about your family. - I am an only child to my parents, Ron and Charlotte, who live in Fremont. My parents have a Border Collie/ Sheltie mix named Sophie and she is the world.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I enjoy exploring new places, whether that is a small town in Nebraska or a different state. I love road trips. I’m a big thrift shopper and an even bigger coffee drinker.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I have an Instagram for my dog, but I always lose her password.

Who inspires you? - Folks who overcome adversity in life. Whether it be health, financial, mental, etc. I am also really inspired by people’s life journeys—hearing where they come from and where they go gets me really excited.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Despite how overused these quotes are, they’re so great: “Everything happens for a reason,” and “Be yourself.”

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Optimistic.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “Cup of Tea” by Kacey Musgraves.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Teleportation.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Work on the tour crew of a famous music artist, in whatever aspect—styling, stage design, backup dancer…I think it would be so fun.

Which talent would you most like to have? - The ability to style hair.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - Women in Clothes by Sheila Heti.

Handshakes, smiles, open doors, and new opportunities.

What is your favorite movie? - Right now, it is either Walk the Line or Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

What is your favorite TV show? - Parks and Recreation, Sons of Anarchy, King of the Hill, The Office, American Horror Story, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills…I binge-watched a lot of TV in college.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Sia. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Phone: (402) 466-3330; Email: office@strictlybusinessomaha.com; Instagram: (@nebraska___). #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Bank

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JEAN

Jean Duffy

REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LEGACY Meet Jean Duffy, president of Real Property Management (RPM) Legacy.

Tell us a little about your business. - At RPM Legacy, our goal is to protect your investments and make you the most money. We use the most accurate data available to determine the best monthly rent rate for your property. We guide you in understanding what improvements should be made to garner higher rent and attract tenants who will take care of your home. We also conduct move-in assessments and regular inspections, complete with photos, to make sure your property stays in good shape. Those who have used a property manager before, and those who have not, quickly learn the value of hiring our team. As president of RPM Legacy in Omaha, I focus on business development and management.

How did you get started in the business? - I worked over 30 years in the corporate world, with 20 years of project management experience. I was looking for a new challenge when my husband and I decided to acquire another local portfolio through RPM. We started RPM Legacy in 2017.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Acquiring the portfolio RPM Legacy and having to learn a new business in a short period of time. We assumed over 100 clients, so we had to work fast and think even faster.

Tell us a little about your family. - My husband James and I have two sons, Brian and Ian. I’m very proud of the young men they are becoming.

Brian is finishing college this semester with a degree in library science and Ian is working and studying in the culinary field.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? Getting married and becoming a committed Christian. My life has not been the same since either of those events—for the better!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I enjoy bicycling, reading, volunteering, and cooking. I also love going to the shooting range for some target practice.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I love the Latin American culture. I am fluent in Spanish and have a working knowledge of the Portuguese language.

Who inspires you? - My parents. My dad owned his own businesses all his life. I suppose that is where I get my entrepreneurial spirit.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “God Makes All Things New” by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Which talent would you most like to have? - I am always striving to be a better leader. I want to be the best boss in the world!

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I lost my sister Teresa to suicide, so it is a cause that it very close to my heart. I am also involved in the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I, like thousands of other Americans, struggle with depression, and I want to help fight the stigma towards mental illness.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - Women’s Murder Club, a series of mystery novels by James Patterson.

What is your favorite TV show? - Fox News.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Benjamin Franklin.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 905-0459; Email: jeanduffy@realpmlegacy.com; Website: www.realpmlegacy.com; Facebook: @Realpmlegacy. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Celebrate With A Cajun Flare!

Acadian Grille, Omaha’s newest Cajun restaurant, is now offering catering options, which include: business lunches and other celebrations! Also, a party room will now be available every Sunday. Call ahead and book your next event today!

Acadian food, then and now, presents a blend of French and soul food widely beloved not only in Louisiana, but around the world. Enjoy Acadian Grille Today!

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JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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PERSONNEL NEWS Duane Safarik of NP Dodge Named President of Bellevue Chamber

Pinnacle Bank Welcomes New Executive Vice President Marc Wisdom

Duane Safarik, an associate broker with the Sarpy County NP Dodge Real Estate office, was recently elected as president the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce (www. bellevuenebraska.com). The announcement was made on December 11 by Amanda Andrews, chair of the chamber’s board of directors.

Safarik has spent 36 years in real estate or banking, and currently serves as chair of the chamber’s economic development committee, president of the chamber’s ambassador program, and president of the chamber’s business partners group. He also is a member of the private Offutt Advisory Council, a civilian cocommander of the Operations Squadron at Offutt, and a board member of the Sarpy County Museum.

Safarik’s position as the president of the local chamber of commerce shows great involvement and passion with/for his community, which is one of the pillars that NP Dodge stands on. NP Dodge is passionate about real estate, their community, and helping their clients make the best property investments.

NP Dodge’s family is 500+ agents strong in eastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa. They pride themselves on remaining innovative and having a specific creative vision to keep their business ahead of the game and satisfying their clients.

Find out more about Sarpy County NP Dodge Real Estate at www. npdodge.com, or visit their Facebook page (@npdodge). You can also reach them by phone (402) 255-5099.

Pinnacle Bank recently named Marc Wisdom executive vice president. Wisdom is responsible for business development, credit administration, and general bank management.

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Strictly Business JANUARY 2019

Previously, Wisdom served as president of an Omaha area community bank. Wisdom earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University and his MBA from Creighton University. An active volunteer in the Omaha community, Wisdom currently serves on the board of directors for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and Special Olympics of Nebraska.

Family-owned since 1938, Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp is a $10.7 billion financial holding company, operating community banks across seven states including 64 locations in Nebraska. More than just bankers, Pinnacle Bank sees themselves as friends, neighbors, and links in the community. For more information, visit pinnbank.com.

CFA Society of Nebraska Recognizes Member Milestones CFA Society of Nebraska recognizes and congratulates the following members that have achieved a significant number of consecutive years of professional development in CFA Institute’s continuing education program in 2018.

These individuals have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the highest standards of competency and ethics, which sets them apart from others in the investment management profession.

Robert T. Maher Robert T. Maher, CFA, with WoodmenLife CFA, WoodmenLife is being recognized for completing 20 consecutive years of professional development achievement.

Those being recognized for 15 consecutive years are: Mike Carney, CFA, AGC Networks; Philip S. Mead, CFA, First Premier Bank; and Andrew James Schmillen, CFA, American National Bank.

Those being recognized for 10 consecutive years are: Rodney L. Al-Rashid, CFA, Wells Fargo Private Client Services; Matthew J. Brinkman, CFA, Nelnet; Thomas D. Carney, CFA, Weitz Investment Management; Barry Dunaway, CFA, America First Investment Advisors LLC; Jon C. Gross, CFA, Union Bank & Trust Co.; Thomas E. Henning, CFA, Assurity Life Insurance Company; Bradley P. Hinton, CFA, Weitz Investment Management; Gerald Reed Jensen, CFA, Creighton University; Lori L. Keating, CFA, Mutual of Omaha Companies; Marcia A. Koory, CFA, Pflug Koory, LLC; Scott R. Kubie, CFA, Carson Group; Andrea McMahon, CFA, Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management; Thomas F. Pflug, CFA, Pflug Koory, LLC; Thomas J. Sudyka Jr., CFA, Lawson Kroeker Investment Management, Inc.; Bruce H. Van Kooten, CFA, Lawson Kroeker Investment Management, Inc.; Kenneth M. Washer, CFA, Creighton University; Troy L. White, CFA, TD Ameritrade; Melissa Kaye Woodley, CFA, Creighton University; and John P. Wright, CFA, Salomon Smith Barney.

CFA Society of Nebraska (www.cfasociety.org) is an association of local investment professionals consisting of portfolio managers, security analysts, investment advisors, and other financial professionals. Call (402) 796-2505 to learn more. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

PERSONNEL NEWS Apartment Association of Nebraska Announces 2019 Board of Directors

West Gate Bank Welcomes Glorvick as Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer

The Apartment Association of Nebraska (AAN) is proud to announce the 2019 board of directors. New to the board are as follows: Rachel Birge, vice president of investor relations at Metonic Real Estate Solutions; Ben Hoglund, asset manager and acquisitions specialist for NewStreet Properties; Lindsay Hannah, director of residential management with White Lotus Group; and Wade Carbaugh, outside sales specialist with Ferguson Facilities Supply.

The West Gate Bank® board of directors is pleased to welcome Rob Glorvick as vice president, commercial loan officer.

Glorvick brings 10 years of experience to his new role at West Gate Bank. As vice president, commercial loan officer, Glorvick will develop relationships in the Omaha market to assist commercial lending clients with their business financing needs, including real estate lending. He will be available to council customers on different credit options and utilize West Gate Bank resources to help them meet other business needs.

Originally from Omaha, Glorvick received a degree in finance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He serves as a volunteer on the board of directors for Camp CoHoLo and is chairman of the executive leadership team for the American Lung Association.

West Gate Bank® is a family-owned community bank that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. They’re committed to your success and invested in your financial well-being. Visit westgate.bank for more information. Rob Glorvick is located at West Gate Bank® Pacific Springs branch at 1020 S. 179th Ct. and can be reached at (402) 758-8719 / rglorvick@westgate.bank.

Re-elected for a second term with the AAN board: Tristian Witte, residential property manager with Monarch Investments; and Heather Graewe, senior regional manager with Commercial Investment Properties.

These outstanding leaders join the following board members who are currently in their two-year term: Genero Jimenez, property manager with T&N Investments; Jaime Ruml, regional manager with Timberland Partners; Angela Gibbs, sales executive with RentPath; Gene Eckel, attorney with Stalnaker, Becker & Buresh; Kelly Calderone, vice president of Residential Asset Management; and Sarah Thompson, senior property manager with the Lund Company.

Newly elected board members will hold a two-year term. The role of the board of directors is to supervise and direct the affairs of the Apartment Association of Nebraska. The AAN is a 501 (C)6 whose mission is to support, inform, and connect the multi-family community through education, legislation, and professional networking. This is the local affiliate of the National Apartment Association located in Washington DC. Learn more online at AANeb.org or call (402) 333-5331.

Barb Farho Joins Youth Emergency Services as Director of Development Youth Emergency Services (YES), the only non-profit in Omaha with the sole mission to help homeless and near-homeless youth in the community, welcomed Barb Farho to the team in November as the new director of development.

Farho brings over 25 years of management, fundraising, community-service, and public relations experience to her role at YES. Through her work, she has developed numerous relationships and has extensive knowledge of the non-profit community, educational system, and government.

In her role, Farho is responsible for development, implementation, and management of activities related to public relations/marketing, fundraising, special events, and long-term fund development. Most recently, Farho served as senior director of communications and community engagement at the United Way of the Midlands, leading a team of marketing and communications professionals responsible for public relations, marketing, events, and volunteer engagement.

An active community volunteer, Farho has served on many boards, committees, and associations, including the boards of Collective for Youth, D2 Center, and Butler-Gast YMCA. She also served as chair for the Kids Can! Luncheon and Heartland Family Service Gala.

Youth Emergency Services offers a full continuum of care to ensure all youth receive the support they need, no matter their situation. This includes a Street Outreach Center, Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living Program, and Maternity Home. Last year, YES provided support and services to a record number of youth in the Omaha metro area. Learn more at www. yesomaha.org, or contact YES by calling (402) 345-5187. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

MLCDC Hires Juan J. Montoya as Advance Fund Director Juan J. Montoya has been hired as the new director of the Advance Fund-CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) for the Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC). Montoya has served on MLCDC’s Loan Review Committee since 2017, and he has extensive experience in business planning, individual financial planning, training, and recruitment.

Montoya has prior experience as program coordinator at Creighton University where he helped with the design and development of community programs that focuses on minority populations. He has also worked as a bilingual business consultant at the Nebraska Business Development Center, where he provided financial analysis and business consultations to entrepreneurial individuals pursing a business in Omaha. Montoya has a master’s degree in business from the University of Nebraska–Omaha, and he is pursuing a Master of Science in Public Health at Creighton University.

As director, Montoya will be responsible for the leadership, management, and growth of MLCDC’s nascent CDFI. He will manage a diverse and growing small business loan profile and will be tasked with building on CDFI’s first years of lending success to expand into other products and lines of business that are relevant to the greater Omaha and Lincoln communities in the following three years.

MLCDC’s small business loan fund, Advance Fund, provides business capital to primarily Latino, immigrant, and low-income women-owned local businesses with an emphasis on job creation and place-keeping.

The Advance Fund is expected to be a potential financing vehicle for Community Real Estate and consumer lending in the future.

For more information about Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation, visit www.midlandslatinocdc.org or contact Marta Sonia Londoño Mejía at (402) 933-4466 / info@midlandslatinocdc.org.

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PERSONNEL NEWS Metro Omaha Builders Association Announces 2019 Board Members

CharterWest Bank Welcomes Andy Herold as Producing Sales Manager

A celebratory holiday event, held on November 30 at View on State St. with nearly in 400 attendance, marked the official installation of the 2019 Board of Directors for the Metro Omaha Builders Association (MOBA). MOBA represents the interests of local housing professionals through advocacy, education and builder related event promotion. Board members for 2019 include: Officers: President – Greg Frazell, G. Lee Homes; Vice President – Brett Clarke, Frontier Builders; Immediate Past President – Ryan Krejci, Ideal Design Custom Homes; Treasurer - Dan Wellendorf, Builders Supply Co.; Secretary – Deb Benak, Centris Federal Credit Union.

Directors: Tom Hegarty, General Siding; Matt Kronaizl, Sierra Homes; Marc Stodola, Charleston Homes Kent Therkelsen, KRT Construction; Jason Troshynski, Grace Homes; Denny Van Moorleghem, Regency Homes; Tim Young, Boyer Young Development Also celebrated on this night were the many accomplishments of MOBA members including: MOBA Hall of Fame recipient, Jerry Standerford of Sherwood Homes and Lane Building Corp; and MOBA Service Award recipient, Dan Kruntorad of TruVision Custom Homes.

The Metro Omaha Builders Association was chartered in 1946 and is a not-for-profit organization that was established to promote and protect various aspects of the home building industry. MOBA is well known for producing the Street of Dreams, the Omaha Home Show, Remodel Omaha Tour, and the Parade of Homes. For more information, visit www. moba.com or call (402) 333-2000.

CharterWest Bank has announced the addition of Andy Herold as producing sales manager in their Elkhorn Mortgage Center.

Andy has been serving the Omaha Metro community for over 18 years in the mortgage lending capacity. As an Omaha native, he is a graduate of Roncalli and Wayne State.

Andy is very involved in the community, sitting on the Education Board at Roncalli. He has an active family with four kids and looks forward to working with homebuyers and representing CharterWest Bank Mortgage Center.

Over the past 14 Years, CharterWest Bank has opened mortgage loan centers across the state of Nebraska and has become a leading producer of Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) sponsored loans, USDA Rural Housing loans, and Federal Housing Authority (FHA) loans, as well as conventional mortgages.

CharterWest Bank is a state-chartered community bank that started in 1985. Today, CharterWest Bank continues to be headquartered in West Point and also has full-service bank branches in Pender, Walthill, Elkhorn, and Papillion. CharterWest Bank now has residential mortgage offices in Elkhorn, South Omaha, Lincoln, Papillion, La Vista, Columbus, Grand Island, Kearney, McCook, and Hastings. Learn more at www. charterwest.com. Contact CharterWest Bank’s Elkhorn Mortgage office at (402) 289-0045.

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From L-R: Lori Fischer, Lisa Daniels, Wendi Peterson-Stott (seated), and Candace Chapman

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PERSONNEL NEWS Big Birge Plumbing Hires Sean Piatt as Purchasing Manager

The Omaha Bakery Hires New Cake Decorator Dave Barry

Big Birge Plumbing is excited to welcome Sean Piatt to their team as purchasing manager. Sean is not only a killer trick-shot pool player, he’s also a husband of 12 years to his beautiful wife Erin and a father to two kids: Mitchell (11) and Avery (7).

Their family is complete with a Boxer hound named Freckles and a bearded dragon named Groot.

The Omaha Bakery has recently hired Dave Barry as their new cake decorator.

David was born in Omaha, but went to high school and college in Upstate New York. He received his bachelor’s degree in studio art, with concentrations in painting and sculpture.

Upon graduating, Dave moved back to Omaha where his family had re-located, and he fell into a job learning how to decorate cakes. He caught on pretty quick, and never looked back. Now, 15 years later, Dave is able to make unbelievable custom cakes that he had never thought possible. He says the payoff for him is the look on his customers’ faces when he hands them their cake, especially when the customer is a little kid! Dave is very proud of the memories he’s been able to make.

The Omaha Bakery has evolved over the years and is now a fullservice bakery, deli, and tasting experience for any occasion.

The Omaha Bakery promises to exceed your expectations and make any event memorable. They believe baked goods should be an experience, not just another item on the tray. Drop by the bakery, located at 608 S. 72nd St. For more information, visit their website at theomahabakery.com and their Facebook page (@TheOmahaBakery).

Sean was previously a pharmacy technician and purchasing manager for Bergan Mercy.

He now brings his talents to Big Birge Plumbing as a purchasing manager/inventory specialist. With his knowledge and skills, he will be helping Big Birge Plumbing control costs and better organize the company’s operations as they grow.

The professionals at Big Birge Plumbing have a passion for what they do. Whether you need help with a kitchen or bathroom remodel, water heater repair, gas or water piping, or the really fun stuff like drain cleaning and clogged toilets, Big Birge Plumbing will be there with a wrench and a smile. To learn more, visit www.bigbirgeplumbing. com, or call (402) 575-0102 for your next plumbing project!

Immanuel Resident Dolores Knispel Honored with Master Angler Award Dolores Knispel, resident at Immanuel’s Clark Jeary retirement community, caught the “big one” on a recent resident trip and was honored with Nebraska Game and Parks’ coveted Master Angler Award. The award was presented for an over 11-inch bluegill she caught on Lake Wanahoo in Wahoo while Larry Pape, fishing instruction manager for participating with Live Well. Nebraska Game and Parks honors Dolores Go Fish., an organization Knispel with a master angler award after a that provides seniors with recent fishing trip with fellow Clark Jeary unforgettable fishing cruises. residents through Live Well. Go Fish.

Knispel was honored in a celebration attended by fellow residents, family, friends, Larry Pape, fishing instruction manager for Nebraska Game and Parks, and David Ruder, chief development officer for Live Well. Go Fish.

“We award less than 200 master angler awards each year,” said Pape.

“It’s an honor to present one to Dolores and bring awareness to fishing opportunities through Nebraska Game and Parks.”

Master angler awards are presented to fishermen and women whose catches meet length and size requirements. The 11-inch bluegill caught

by Knispel was the biggest ever caught in the Live Well. Go Fish. program. This year, seven master angler awards were presented to the organization’s participants, four of which were residents of an Immanuel community.

Since 1887, Immanuel has been providing Christ-centered service to seniors, each other, and the community. As a not-for-profit, serving arm of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), Immanuel’s house of brands includes: Immanuel Communities, Immanuel Pathways, Immanuel Community Foundation, and The Immanuel Vision Foundation. Learn more at www.immanuel.com or call (402) 507-4899. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Cornhusker Bank President Barry Lockard Elected to FHLBank Topeka Board of Directors Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) of Topeka has announced newly elected members to their board of directors.

Barry Lockard, president/CEO of Cornhusker Bank, is the Nebraska member representative and will serve a term from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2022.

FHLBank Topeka is a privately-owned, federally chartered corporation which promotes housing and homeownership by providing wholesale products, services, and programs that help member financial institutions expand the availability of mortgage credit, compete more effectively in their markets, and foster strong and vibrant communities. With approximately $51.8 billion in assets and more than $2.4 billion in capital, FHLBank serves 722 banks, thrifts, credit unions, and insurance companies throughout Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. FHLBank is located in Topeka, KS. Congress established the system of home loan banks in 1932 to relieve financial strains on thrift institutions and to promote homeownership. There are 11 Federal Home Loan Banks located throughout the United States and they are regulated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency in Washington, D.C. Mr. Lockard currently serves on the NBISCO board of directors, has previously served on the NBA board of directors, and is a trustee on the board of the Colorado Graduate School of Banking.

Cornhusker Bank is the oldest, locally-owned bank in Lincoln, with a commitment to the success of its customers, associates, and the community at large since 1903. For more information, visit CornhuskerBank.com or call (402) 434-2265.

JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business 27

FOSTER CARE: CEDARS 402-437-8959

www.cedarskids.com

We Became Foster Parents and You Can Too “We love children and we were interested in helping kids that were less fortunate,” says Carolyn Schweitzer.

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That’s why Carolyn and husband Brian became foster parents through CEDARS.

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“Our mission was to help provide a roof over them and a full belly,” says Brian. “Knowing they have a safe place to sleep and a full refrigerator all the time, to me that’s a rewarding thing.”

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With offices in Lincoln and Bellevue, Nebraska-based CEDARS has been serving children and families for over 70 years. The CEDARS Foster Care team works every day to ensure that over 200 foster children and youth flourish in loving families. Because foster parents are an integral part of the CEDARS professional team, they are equipped with exceptional training, have access to support 24/7, monthly support groups, and quarterly gatherings for foster families.

CEDARS staff walk alongside children and families every step of the way. With encouragement, guidance and direction, the team has the honor of watching lives change.

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11011 Q Street, Suite 103C Omaha, NE 68137 402-592-4259

Kids come into foster care for a variety of reasons. Ultimately, CEDARS’ goal is to either safely reunite children with their families or help find a permanent home for them. Until these goals can be achieved, foster families give kids stability and safety.

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“You don’t have to have a lot of kids in and out of the house,” says Carolyn. “CEDARS takes your information, what ages you’re interested in, and they don’t call you about every case. They call you about what’s going to fit with your family.”

It is important to know that there is no typical CEDARS foster family. CEDARS foster families include parents with children at home, single adults, and empty nesters. To help, all you need is a stable home, an open heart, and a willingness to reach out to a child in need.

“It’s a great opportunity to see young kids succeed,” adds Brian.

If you have ever considered fostering and would like more information, please contact Adrianne Poppe at (402) 437-8959 or apoppe@cedars-kids.org.

Lisa always had a heart for kids who needed someone to care about them.

SHE BECAME A FOSTER PARENT.

YOU CAN TOO

402.437.8959 CEDARSKIDS.ORG

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Nonprofit Association of the Midlands Selects Leaders for 2019 Training Program The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM), which supports more than 550 nonprofit organizations throughout Nebraska and western Iowa, announced the non-profit leaders who were selected for its 2019 Nonprofit Executive Institute (NEI) training program. NEI is an 11-month leadership program, designed to offer non-profit leaders skills and strategies to enhance organizational sustainability and transform the community.

The 2019 class was selected from a pool of applicants chosen by the NEI Leadership Team, which includes volunteers from the non-profit sector who have successfully completed the program. The following leaders of area non-profit organizations were selected for this year’s program: • Jennifer Benson, TeamMates • Dominque Morgan, Black & Pink, Inc. • Susanne Blue, Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach • Emily Mwaja, Girls Inc. of Omaha • Phillip Burrell, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation • Andrew Norman, Rabble Mill • Liz Codina, Peter Kiewit Foundation • Daniel Padilla, Community Debt Solutions • Andi Curry Grubb, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland • Joanie Poore, Heartland Family Service • Julie Dierberger, UNO Service Learning Academy • Jennifer Sturgeon, Omaha Early Learning Centers • Kimberly Kolakowski, FAMILY, Inc. • Sonia Tiebi, Women’s Fund of Omaha • Itzel Lopez, AIM Institute • Cammy Watkins, Inclusive Communities • Randy McCoy, MACCH • Michael Wehling, Stephen Center • Tiffany Friesen Milone, OpenSky Policy Institute • Idalene Williams, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Greater Omaha Chapter NEI will focus on capacity-building seminars that develop leadership skills and provide training in the following areas: vision, prosperity, strategy, innovation, public, and ethics.

Nonprofit Association of the Midlands is recognized as the State Association for Nebraska by the National Council of Nonprofits, the nation’s largest network of non-profits. Learn more at www.nonprofitam. org or call (402) 557-5800.

It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know & Who Knows You! At Strictly Business Magazine we strive to recognize local businessmen and women for their significant awards, promotions, ac hievements, and/or effor ts in par tnership with other organizations and the Omaha community. If you know of someone who meets these criteria and wish to include their news in our publication, please call (402) 466-3330 or submit your news via our website at www.strictlybusinessomaha.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Angels Among Us Welcomes 70 Families at Angel Flix Event for Cancer Families The annual Angels Among Us Angel Flix event was held on Saturday, December 1 at Aksarben Cinema.

Nearly 70 families affected by cancer attended the event, a free opportunity for each family.

Children were entertained with face painting, balloon animals, crafts, and breakfast. The event was capped off by a visit from Santa.

The families were then treated to the Disney movie, Wreck It Ralph.

Angels Among Us is a Nebraska non-profit that was established in 2006 and provides financial assistance to families whose children have been diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Currently, Angels Among Us is serving 70 families across Nebraska with the financial support they need to stay stable during their cancer journey. Angels Among Us is a community of people helping people, and they’re thankful for the countless efforts of board members, community volunteers, and donors.

For more information, reach out via email to info@myangelsamongus. org or call (402) 934-0999. To stay up-to-date with Angels Among Us, visit their website at www.myangelsamongus.org or follow their Facebook page (@myangelsamongus).

Kids’ Chance of Nebraska to Host 5th Annual Bowling Fundraiser On January 21, join nearly 200 professionals from the workers compensation industry for Kids’ Chance of Nebraska’s 5th Annual Bowling Fundraiser. The event will take place at The Mark, located at 20902 Cumberland Dr. in Elkhorn.

Proceeds from Kids’ Chance’s bowling fundraiser go towards providing scholarships for children of individuals who have suffered a fatal or traumatic injury on the job in Nebraska.

Since 2015, Kids’ Chance of Nebraska has awarded a total of $140,000 to 14 students.

A registration and social hour will take place from 5:30–6:30 p.m., the first shift of bowling will happen from 6–7:30 p.m., and the final round will be from 7:30–9 p.m. Teams of four cost $150, which includes bowling shoes, pizza, and eight drink tickets. This package also includes four tickets to the facility’s XD Dark Ride, which is an interactive theme park style 4D Theater game. There are multiple sponsorship opportunities still available. Sponsors will have their logo displayed for the entirety of the event. Email kidschanceofnebraska@gmail.com with sponsorship interest.

Kids’ Chance of Nebraska is a non-profit whose mission is to provide financial support to further the education of the children of Nebraska workers who have been severely injured, totally disabled, or killed as a result of employment-related injuries or occupational diseases.

Register for the event at www.kidschanceofne.org/bowling-event.

Find out more information about the organization on their website or follow along on Facebook (@kidschanceofne). Contact Kid’s Chance directly by phone at (402) 573-2175.

JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business 29

NON-PROFIT NEWS Heartland Family Service Sells Tickets to Carnival of Love Gala

Grief’s Journey Announces Free Program Dates for 2019

Heartland Family Service is currently selling tickets and tables to their Carnival of Love Gala on Friday, February 8 at Hilton Omaha (1011 Cass St.) from 6–9 p.m. Individual tickets are $150, and tables of 10 are available for $1,500. Sponsorship opportunities are available, starting at $500.

Purchase tickets online at HeartlandFamilyService. org/Events/Carnival-of-Love-Gala.

This year’s gala celebrates “Peace, Love, and Understanding!” Please consider rocking your favorite pair of groovy bell bottoms and joining Heartland Family Service for an evening that has a lasting impact on the community! Guests will enjoy dinner, cocktails, games, silent and live auctions, and more! There will also be an inspiring story shared from a client who has been through several Heartland Family Service programs so the audience can learn how she created her path to a better tomorrow.

The mission of Heartland Family Service (HeartlandFamilyService. org) is to strengthen individuals and families in the community through education, counseling, and support services. Founded in 1875, Heartland Family Service currently serves more than 52,000 individuals of all ages each year from more than 15 locations in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Their 50 programs provide critical human services to the individuals and families who ultimately shape the future of the community in the following focus areas: child and family well-being; counseling and prevention; and housing, safety, and financial stability.

For further questions, contact Nicole Tromler at (402) 552-7424 / NTromler@HeartlandFamilyService.org.

Grief’s Journey’s calendar of free grief support programs has been announced for 2019 and is now available online. In addition, Grief’s Journey is currently accepting new client registrations for their free bereavement, illness, and injury support programs, which began this month at the Grief’s Journey central facility, 7811 Farnam Dr. in Omaha.

Family-oriented, kid-centered, teen-focused, or adults only, you’ll find Grief’s Journey offers a program to support you in almost any grieving situation. All programs are free, but registration in required in advance.

Carefully measured outcomes indicate that the programs of Grief’s Journey effectively move young people and their caregivers to health and resilience. As the region’s cornerstone for grief support, Grief’s Journey provides free peer support groups and camps as well as training, education, and consultation throughout Nebraska and Iowa.

Grief’s Journey exists so that no one has to walk their grief journey alone. Since 2001, the agency has provided a welcoming, safe place for individuals and families to offer each other hope and support.

The agency relies on charitable contributions, special event income, and volunteerism to support its free programs. For more information, visit www.griefsjourney.org, or contact Anica Marcum at (402) 502-2773 / amarcum@griefsjourney.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Teams Up with eCreamery for National Mentoring Month Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands reminds us that January is National Mentoring Month. As a part of the national campaign to promote youth mentoring, eCreamery will have a special flavor of ice cream for Big Brothers Big Sisters called “Big Swirl Little Crunch” all month long. For every pint sold, eCreamery will donate $1 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands.

In addition, there will be a Scoops of Support event on Thursday, January 24, during which Bigs and Littles will be at eCreamery enjoying time together by eating ice cream and taking pictures in celebration of National Mentoring Month.

The community is encouraged to head over to eCreamery (5001 Underwood Ave.) anytime this month to enjoy the ice cream and support Big Brothers Big Sisters! The organization is also always looking for volunteers. They currently have over 100 kids on their waitlist. When you become a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple, you ignite the potential within a child in the community. As a Big, you are clearing the path for our youth’s biggest possible future.

For nearly 60 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands has provided children facing adversity in the Omaha community with strong and enduring professionally supported one-to-one relationships. Named 2016 Agency of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands is a donor supported volunteer organization that has 36 employees and serves more than 1,100 children each year. Contact Austin White at (402) 905-3342 / awhite@bbbsomaha.org to learn more, or go online to bbbsomaha.org.

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HETRA Horse Academy Offers 12-Week Programs for Variety of Experience Levels HETRA (Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy) Horse Academy is an exciting 12-week program from January 8 through March 26. Divided into two learning levels, Horse Course 101 concentrates on individuals new to the equine environment, while Horse Course 102 is designed for current horse leaders and individuals who have successfully completed Horse Course 101. The programs involve hands-on activities with the horses and in the classroom. All participants must be 14 years of age or older and must complete required participation paperwork. Class sizes are between six and eight participants. A minimum of three participants are required to run the class.

Horse Course 101 meets on a weekly basis, every Tuesday evening between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Horse Course 102 meets weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. These courses offer certifications along the way.

HETRA’s mission is to improve the quality of life, both physically and emotionally, for adults and children of all ability levels through equine-assisted activities. HETRA serves a variety of participants, including children and adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, brain tumors, head or spinal cord injuries, visual impairment, autism, development delays, and strokes. As a 501c3 non-profit, HETRA relies on the support of the community via donations, volunteers, and advocates.

For more detail about HETRA’s Horse Academy, its pricing and registration, please visit HETRA’s website at hetra.org/our-services/ hetra-horse-academy, or contact (402) 359-8830 / Rita@hetra.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NON-PROFIT NEWS Save the Date: Santa Monica House Spring Fundraiser Set for April 27

Sammy’s Superheroes Hits Goal of $43K Through #GivingTuesday

Santa Monica House is excited to announce that its Annual Spring Fundraiser will be held on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the DC Centre Banquet Facility (3693, 11830 Stonegate Dr.). This event is designed to empower and inspire, along with highlighting the growth and happenings of the organization.

To reserve a table of eight or purchase individual tickets, contact Santa Monica House today! For those who are unable to attend, feel free to make a contribution or donate an auction item.

Santa Monica House administers caring, comprehensive programs for women who desire to confidently and successfully live without the burdens of addiction through a long-term treatment program that empowers them to live productively, without the use of drugs or alcohol.

Please help support Santa Monica House by attending or sponsoring a table at this event. Tickets are required for admission and can be purchased by contacting Heather Kirk at (402) 558-7088 or by email at heather@santamonicaomhcoxmail.com. Donations may be made through the website at www.santamonicahouse.org.

On November 27, during the international day of online giving known as #GivingTuesday, Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation rallied all of their sponsors and supporters to reach their fundraising goal of $43,000!

Amplify Arts Announces Upcoming Working Artist Wednesdays Topics Wo r k i n g Artist Wednesdays (WAW) is Amplify Arts’ series of professional development workshops for artists. Included as part of an Amplify Arts Artist membership, each four-month-long unit is designed to strengthen peer networks and relationships with arts professionals, promote collaborative learning, and give working artists the tools they need to apply for grants, exhibitions, and residencies with confidence.

Artists will learn to successfully start and run small business and tap into national and local resources.

To kick off 2019, Amplify Arts’ first WAW unit will cover what artists need to build a solid packet of materials when applying for grant, exhibition, and residency opportunities. Cost is $5 per session, or free with purchase of an artist membership ($60). Participants can expect to revise and refine their artist statements, elevator pitches, resumes and CVs, work documentation, and project proposals. Session leaders will work with participants to help demystify application processes and what juries look for when reviewing and evaluating application materials.

Upcoming dates and topics for the first WAW unit are as follows: • January 2, 6:30 p.m.: Artist Statements and Elevator pitches • February 6, 6:30 p.m.: Resumes & CVs • March 6, 6:30 p.m.: Digital Resources and Documentation (*at DoSpace) • April 3, 6:30 p.m.: Project Proposals 101 *All WAW sessions will take place at Amplify Arts, located at 1419 S. 13th St., STE 103, in Little Bohemia, unless otherwise noted.

The mission of Amplify Arts (formally Omaha Creative Institute) has always been, and will continue to be, supporting local artists and building an Omaha where they can thrive. Learn more at www. amplifyarts.org or call (402) 996-1092. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

The day started with an early morning breakfast fundraiser in their hometown of Columbus. Sammy’s Superheroes then spent the day visiting and reaching out to their greatest supporters to raise as much money for childhood cancer research as possible. Executive director, Jeremy Stanislav, made a visit to Time Harrison Financial Group and they did a $500 match for that hour. Fusion Medical Staffing, with presenting sponsor Glow Gold Omaha, did Facebook Live to help encourage other businesses to get involved in the fight against childhood cancer. This sparked more online donations.

In addition, there were supporters from multiple states setting goals and raising funds on Facebook and through crowdfunding efforts.

By the end of the day, the Sammy’s Superheroes staff and board of directors were grateful by the amount of support everyone had given.

Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation would like to thank everyone for their support, not only during the holiday season, but throughout 2018! To learn more about how to get involved with Sammy’s Superheroes or to make an end-of-year donation, please visit www.sammyssuperheroes.org or contact (402) 563-4673 / info@ sammyssuperheroes.org.

Parkinson’s Nebraska Laces Up for the 2019 UNMC Skate-a-Thon Parkinson’s Nebraska is preparing for its annual fundraiser in partnership with the UNMC. The 2019 UNMC Skate-a-Thon for Parkinson’s is a 24-hour family-friendly event that will take place at the UNMC Ice Rink (4016 Emile St.) from 2 p.m. on Friday, January 25 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 26.

This marks the ninth year Parkinson’s Nebraska has partnered with UNMC. This partnership has helped the Skate-a-Thon grow from one family’s backyard tradition into a tradition for over 500 participants, increasing its reach and impact.

The money raised at this event will go towards supporting Parkinson’s research at UNMC and providing services, such as group exercise classes, support groups, and education to the Nebraska Parkinson’s community.

Individual tickets are $15 and family tickets are $50 for a household (two adults, up to eight children). Tickets include ice skate rental and unlimited skating during the event. Another option is to create a Rock the Clock Team by recruiting family, friends, and co-workers to form a group and then divide up the 24 hours in order to have a team representative on the ice at all times! Rock-the Clock Team tickets are $15 per person and include ice skate rental, unlimited ice skating, and recognition throughout the event.

Participants can raise more money for Parkinson’s research and services by collecting donations from their “cheerleaders” during their time on the ice. Prizes will be awarded to the individual, family, and Rock the Clock team that raises the most money. Tickets are available now at Eventbrite. com. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available as well.

Please contact Amber at amber@parkinsonsnebraska.org or (402) 715-4707 to learn more about how you can impact the Parkinson’s Nebraska (www.parkinsonsnebraska.org) community.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Jennie Edmundson Foundation Presents Dance to the Beat Concert on February 23

MICAH House Hosts Open House at New Women’s Shelter

Join the Jennie Edmundson Foundation on Saturday, February 23 as they raise awareness and funds for Cardiac Care at their third-annual Dance to the Beat concert, featuring the band Taxi Driver. This fundraiser benefits cardiovascular patients at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.

MICAH House (1415 Avenue J, Council Bluffs) invited the community to attend an open house on December 15 to tour their new women’s shelter, which officially opened at the beginning of this month.

Hosted by the Heart Care Center and Dr. Tom and Becky Brandt, the event will be from 7–11 p.m. at Corpus Christi Parish Activity Center located at 3304 4th Ave. in Council Bluffs. Tickets are $30 per person, which includes the concert and light appetizers. The event will include amazing raffle prizes, a silent auction, and much more!

The Jennie Edmundson Foundation is the fundraising arm of Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. By engaging philanthropic leaders, those with the organization are able to help make certain that the equipment, facilities, programs, services, and educational initiatives at Methodist Jennie Edmundson continue to meet community needs.

To purchase your tickets, please call (712) 396-6040. Tickets will also be available at the door. Dance to the Beat t-shirt purchases are available through the Jennie Edmundson Foundation as well. Go online to www.jehfoundtion.org for more details and to learn how to become a sponsor.

Outlook Nebraska Celebrates Five Years of Putting Safety First Outlook Nebraska is proud to announce it has reached a safety milestone of five years without a losttime incident. Outlook, the largest employer of the blind in the state, maintains a workforce in which more than 60% of its associates are blind or visually impaired.

“The safety of every Outlook Nebraska associate is a priority for the team,” said Eric Stueckrath, chief executive officer of Outlook Nebraska. The non-profit has received two awards from the National Safety Council, Nebraska: Service to Community Safety Award in 2017 and Nebraska’s Safest Companies Award in April 2018.

“We work hard every day to ensure our associates go home safely to their families,” Stueckrath said. “Our full-time, on-site safety manager collaborates with all of us to integrate safe practices into our culture.

These practices are second nature to every Outlook associate.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, manufacturers in 2016 experienced an average of 2.9 recordable and .9 lost-time incidents per every 100 workers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a “lost-time incident” usually refers to work-related injuries and illnesses that result in “Days Away and Restricted and Transferred Days” (DART).

Outlook Nebraska, which has the mission to positively impact everyone who is blind and visually impaired, collaborates with the City of Omaha and other partners to ensure the safety of people with vision loss throughout the community. Audible traffic signals are in place throughout Omaha that assist people affected by vision loss in crossing busy intersections.

To learn more about Outlook Nerbaska or to contribute to their mission, visit outlookne.org or call (402) 614-3331.

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Currently, MICAH House has more than 200 women on the wait list seeking safe shelter and support services. To address this need, MICAH House has undergone significant renovations to serve this vulnerable population.

The new women’s shelter will include 10 rooms, 26 beds, and will offer a therapeutic, healing environment for individuals. A full-time therapist will help women address past trauma and issues that contribute to their current situation. Additionally, MICAH House is partnering with Youth Emergency Services and Women’s Center for Advancement to provide housing and services for their populations.

The open house was an opportunity for the community to see the space and learn more about MICAH House’s mission. MICAH House is located on the Charles E. Lakin Human Services campus in Council Bluffs. Learn more about MICAH House at themicahhouse.org or call (712) 323-4416.

Nebraska Community Foundation Recognized for Excellence in Community Philanthropy Nebraska Community Foundation recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.

“Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Randy Royster, chair of the Community Foundations National Standards Board. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates Nebraska Community Foundation demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity, and accountability as it carries out its mission.”

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grant-making, and administration. The program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

Nebraska Community Foundation offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause, support an individual organization, or provide flexible support for community needs. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the accreditation validates Nebraska Community Foundation’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.

Headquartered in Lincoln, the Foundation serves communities, donors and organizations by providing financial management, strategic development, education and training to a statewide network of 1,500 volunteers serving over 250 communities. Since 1993, Nebraska Community Foundation, which unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving, and connects ambitious people, has reinvested $323 million in Nebraska’s people and places.

To learn more about the Nebraska Community Foundation’s nationally recognized philanthropic standards, as well as its work across Greater Nebraska, visit www.nebcommfound.org or call (402) 323-7330. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NON-PROFIT NEWS MENTOR Nebraska Celebrates National Mentoring Month

Heartland Hope Mission Announces Volunteer Opportunities for 2019

MENTOR Nebraska, formerly Midlands Mentoring Partnership, is celebrating National Mentoring Month in January by kicking off its 6th annual city-wide mentor recruitment campaign. As part of the recruitment campaign, MENTOR Nebraska is including a Corporate Mentoring Challenge in partnership with the Greater Omaha Chamber and Mayor. The goal is to challenge Omaha businesses to create or expand an existing mentoring culture within their companies and to encourage employee participation in mentoring programs for youth in the community. More than 40 local businesses are participating in the challenge.

Mayor Stothert will further support the initiative through her continued participation in Mayors for Mentoring, a national network of mayors across the country partnering with mentoring organizations to mobilize their communities around youth mentoring. The City of Omaha Mayor’s Office has also awarded MENTOR Nebraska a $10,000 grant to be used for mentor recruitment events.

As part of the recruitment campaign, MENTOR Nebraska is teaming up with Starbucks in Omaha to help recruit mentors during Martin Luther King week. Twenty-three Starbucks locations will distribute handouts detailing how customers can get involved in mentoring. Starbucks is also providing space at every Omaha location for MENTOR Nebraska’s mentoring organizations to recruit mentors on Wednesday, January 23.

Learn more at www.MENTORNebraska.org or call (402) 715-4175.

Heartland Hope Mission is excited to kick off another year of serving poor, working families in the Omaha area. To reach this goal, the mission is seeking volunteers who will donate their time at one of the mission’s pantries. Volunteer time slots at each pantry location are as follows: South Omaha Pantry (2021 U St.)—Tuesdays, 6–9 p.m.; Thursdays, 1–5 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; Fridays 10 a.m.–noon and 1–3 p.m. (warehouse).

Millard Pantry (5321 S. 139th Plz.)—Second Saturday of the month, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.; last Wednesday of the month, 1–4 p.m.

Ages 12 and up are welcome to volunteer, however volunteers ages 12–15 must be accompanied by a parent or group leader. Thirty and forty volunteers are needed during each pantry time listed above.

As a volunteer at Heartland Hope Mission, you will help working poor families choose food, clothing, and hygiene items. Join the Mission’s community of over 7,000 passionate people making a difference, and bring hope to people in desperate situations.

If you are interested in volunteering or joining a committee, contact the Heartland Hope Mission’s volunteer coordinator at (402) 733-1904 Ext. 16. For more information about the non-profit organization, visit HeartlandHopeMission.org.

La Vista Community Foundation Awards Grant Funds to Local Organizations La Vista Community F o u n d a t i o n ( LV C F ) awarded grant funds to eight worthy organizations that boost personal and community empowerment in the La Vista area. The award ceremony took place on December 12, 2018.

Pictured (L-R): John Yochum (executive Over $10,000 in grant director, La Vista Community Foundation), Kady Wendt (Project SEARCH – Papillion La dollars were given to these organizations Vista Schools), Gene Svensen (Project Healing Waters Veterans Program), David Karlson that work to make a difference in the La Vista (La Vista Recreation Department’s Spread the Coat Drive), Melissa Nelson (Tri-City community and the lives Warmth Food Pantry), Tom Kerfoot (board president, of residents living in this La Vista Community Foundation), Jodi Norton growing city.

(La Vista Public Library), Arvin Fraiser (College Possible), and Lisa Wood (Papillion La Vista The funds distributed will Community Schools Camp Summer Success). assist over 2,000 La Vista citizens through programs offered by the recipient organizations. The agencies receiving funds are La Vista Recreation Department’s Spread the Warmth Coat Drive, Project SEARCH, Schools Camp Summer Success, College Possible, La Vista Public Library, Project Healing Waters, and Tri-City Food Pantry.

The La Vista Community Foundation is a non-profit organization that exists to improve the quality of life where people live, work, and play in La Vista. The foundation seeks to assist other agencies with the similar commitment to providing services in the arts, education, public safety, elderly care, culture, and community in the La Vista area. Contact John Yochum for additional information, and check the website for current year grant details and deadlines at LaVistaCommunityFoundation.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Omaha Home for Boys Expands Programming to Fill Critical Community Need Omaha Home for Boys is excited to announce the addition of two new programs that expand its continuum of care for youth, young adults, and families. Supportive Housing and a Clinical Services Program both launched in late 2018.

The new Supportive Housing Program provides affordable, safe, temporary housing to young adults who lack support and independent living skills. Supportive Housing is a true independent living program where young men and women are surrounded by on-site support services to help them advance their careers, achieve their academic goals, and develop the necessary skills to lead independent, productive lives.

Also launching in late 2018 was Omaha Home for Boys new Clinical Services Program that provides a number of behavioral and mental health services. Services provided on site at the Home’s main campus include day reporting, intensive outpatient programs, evaluations, and outpatient programs. Community based services include intensive family preservation and family support.

Both new programs increase the number of individuals served by Omaha Home for Boys, as well as meet a critical need in the community.

“The Home’s Clinical Services Program helps fill the void of intensive outpatient services in North Omaha and also fills the high community need for in-home and prevention services that allow young people to avoid detention centers or out-of-home placements while receiving treatment,” said Brandy Gustoff, innovative growth leader at Omaha Home for Boys.

For more information about Omaha Home for Boys’ programs and services, please visit www.OmahaHomeForBoys.org or call (402) 4577014.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Open Door Mission Encourages Community Members to Make Hope Totes for Homeless

Goodwill Omaha Opens Three New Donation Centers

The Open Door Mission is looking for community members to help put together Hope Totes for homeless men, women, and children. A Hope Tote is a bag filled with personal care items, such as shampoo, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, deodorant, razors, non-alcoholic cough medicines, feminine products, brushes/combs, etc. Donations and assistance such as these can give our homeless neighbors hope for new life.

Open Door Mission encourages individuals, families, businesses, and groups to fill Hope Tote bags with personal care products and bring them to the Mission (2828 N. 23rd St. E) anytime between January and April. There is also a drop-off location in Elkhorn, located at 1620 N. 203rd St. Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission that meets the needs of individuals and families while inspiring HOPE for lasting change. Each day, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 816 safe shelter beds to homeless men, women, and children; serves over 2,100 hot, nutritious meals; and provides preventative measures to more than 1,082 people living in poverty. For more information, visit their website at www.opendoormission.org or go to their Facebook page (@ OpenDoorMission). Questions can be directed to Kristen Dineen at (402) 829-1538 / kdineen@opendoormission.org.

Goodwill Omaha is excited to announce the opening of three new Donation Centers in the Omaha, Papillion, and Elkhorn areas.

These locations are designed as a convenience to the community by accepting lightly-used household goods. Donated items are then sold in Goodwill retail stores, in turn providing support to Goodwill mission programs. Drive up, drop off, drive away—it’s that easy!

The three new locations are at S. 50th St. and Grover St. (near Godfather’s Pizza), 96th and Q St. (near Palm Beach Tan), and 204th Ave. and Nicholas Cir. (near Don Carmelo’s Pizza). Hours of operation at each location are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week. All Donation Centers have Goodwill staff on-site to assist with donation drop-offs, receipts, and questions. Goodwill mission program information is also available at each site.

Goodwill Industries, Inc., Serving Eastern Nebraska and Southwest Iowa, has been a leader in helping people fulfill their dreams through work since 1933. They train and employ people with disabilities and others who may be at a competitive disadvantage in the job market. Many people know Goodwill as a place to donate used clothing or household items, but did you know that Goodwill is also a place where thousands of formerly unemployed individuals have been given the opportunity to earn a living and the chance to succeed in life? Goodwill offers a variety of employment programs and job opportunities for individuals with barriers to self-sufficiency. To learn more about mission programs, please visit goodwillomaha.org or contact (402) 341-4609 / info@ goodwillomaha.org.

Project Harmony Talks with Children About Body Safety and Boundaries Project Harmony knows that for many, surprise, shock, disbelief, and denial are common responses to child abuse allegations. Especially if we are just hearing about it for the first time. Remember, worry is contagious. You can either amplify or deescalate a child’s anxiety, depending on your own internal reaction. Below are some helpful strategies from Project Harmony when talking with children about body safety and boundaries.

Strategies for beginning the conversation: 1. Take time to deal with your feelings. You need to be calm and make a plan for how to talk to your child about possible abuse.

2. Chances are your child is unaware if abuse has occurred. Parents nor children typically understand grooming behavior. It is done by someone known and trusted by the family.

3. Grooming comes in the form of play or affection (“a silly game, you are special or my favorite”, etc.)

4. Your child’s reaction will depend on your response. Be aware of your body language and your message to your child. Children look to their parents to figure out their own response to stressful situations.

5. When you talk to your child, remember it is more about listening than talking and not reacting.

6. Ask open-ended, general questions.

If you have any suspicion or reason to believe your child was abused, call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-652-1999. If your child discloses any inappropriate contact, be sure to let them know you believe them and it is not their fault. If you have any uncertainty about reporting or you would like additional support, please feel free to reach out to Project Harmony Children’s Services at (402) 595-1326. Project Harmony is the resource for child abuse services and training in the Omaha metro area and surrounding communities.

Project Harmony helps community members protect and support the most vulnerable, restoring courage, facilitating healing, and empowering all to be someone in the life of a child. Learn more at projectharmony.com.

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Jewish Family Service Announces New Play Therapy Space With special thanks to the Lazier L. Singer Memorial Fund for Youth, Jewish Family Service has a new play therapy space that has allowed them to enhance their trauma-focused therapy services.

Jewish Family Service is happy, with assistance from the Singer Memorial Fund, to be able to provide more resources for healing of childhood and adult trauma, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), CPP (Child Parent Psychotherapy), and TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), in addition to their existing play therapy services.

According to the Kids Count Data Center, one in five children in the United States has been exposed to two or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). ACES can include a number of potentially traumatic events, such as sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, as well as exposure to hardships like parental divorce, violence in their homes, communities, or in society, and severe discrimination/bullying.

Such events can have negative and lasting effects on a child’s well-being, and have been linked to increased risk of obesity, alcoholism, depression, and possible suicide, according to research. All races, religions, and socio-economic levels are affected.

Trauma intervention at any stage of life is crucial, but if it takes place during the earlier years when the human brain is most malleable, the long-term outcome for youth facing these challenges can be much more positive.

Jewish Family Service is currently accepting new clients, so please help them spread the word! Visit jfsomaha.com or call (402) 330-2024 for more information. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

HEALTH NEWS Department of Health Agrees to $35.8M Contract Extension with PromiseShip

Nebraska Community Blood Bank Connects Blood Recipient to Donors

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Children and Family Services (CFS), has agreed to a six-month extension with PromiseShip for child welfare case management in the Eastern Service Area (ESA). PromiseShip is the sub-award contractor for the service area, which includes Douglas and Sarpy Counties. The current contract was scheduled to expire June 30, 2019.

CFS Director Matthew Wallen says the extension was necessary to allow DHHS additional time to finalize a request for proposals (RFP) for ESA management services after the current contract expires.

“DHHS hired a consulting firm to collect information about the existing system and to provide technical assistance to strengthen the RFP,” said Wallen. “The extra six months will allow us more time to review the information and craft an RFP to include outcome-driven requirements established in the federal Families First Prevention Services Act, which will help improve outcomes for children and families in the ESA.” The straight six-month extension is for $35.8 million, a pro-rated amount based on PromiseShip’s current contract and includes no changes to the requirements or provisions of the current contract. The RFP for the ESA will be issued early in 2019.

The Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services is a state agency of Nebraska, headquartered in Lincoln. The agency provides health and human services for both families and regular patients. Learn more online at dhhs.ne.gov, or call (402) 471-3121.

Moments after Dale Johnson shared his story of a motorcycle accident that nearly killed him, eight members of the audience made their way to the stage.

He soon discovered these strangers were some of the 23 blood donors who helped save his life.

Johnson, news editor at KFOR Radio, was the keynote speaker at Nebraska Community Blood Bank’s (NCBB) 50th anniversary event, celebrating its service to the community.

Attendees included high gallon blood and platelet donors, blood drive sponsors, hospital partners, and NCBB staff (past and present).

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the room,” said Ellen DiSalvo, president of NCBB. “It’s an honor to see a recipient story unfold and a great reminder that blood donations impact real people and changes lives.

Each person who does something to spread our mission, whether it’s donating blood, volunteering, or advocating to others, allows us to reach more blood donors and serve more communities with life-saving blood. As we celebrate our history, we also look to the future as one of Nebraska’s largest blood providers.”

Nebraska Community Blood Bank serves 19 hospitals, including Methodist Health System and Nebraska Medicine. To continue to ensure enough blood is available, NCBB needs to grow its donor base.

Empower yourself and others to saves lives by hosting a blood drive or a lunch and learn. Learn more at blooddrives@ncbb.org. For more information, call 1-877-486-9414 or visit NCBB.org. Connect with NCBB on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

CQuence Health Group to Give Paid Parental Leave to Employees CQuence Health Group, one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in 2018, has announced that its team members will become eligible for Paid Parental Leave that started January 1. The benefit, which encompasses ten weeks of paid time off for both mothers and fathers, is applicable for employees of CQuence Health Group as well as Cassling and Ensocare, the two healthcare companies under its umbrella.

“This has always been a family company,” said Mike Cassling, chairman and CEO of CQuence Health Group and CEO of Cassling. “This benefit emphasizes our commitment to family in a way that I think my father, who founded Cassling 34 years ago, would be proud of. By providing paid leave to any member of our team who has been blessed with a child, we’re doing our part to help maintain a healthy work-life balance. Plus, we know that added financial stability will give our people peace of mind during this most important transition period as a parent.”

The benefit will be given to all full- and part-time employees of CQuence Health Group, Cassling and Ensocare who have been with the companies for 12 or more consecutive months. The paid parental leave will be applicable for any person who has given birth, has a spouse or partner who has given birth, has adopted a child, has been placed with a foster child.

With this announcement, paid parental leave joins an ever-growing list of exciting benefits offered by CQuence Health Group and its family of companies. These include full health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) matching program, paid time off, volunteer time off (VTO) for employees to contribute to their favorite charitable causes, a wellness-oriented culture overseen by the Thrive steering committee, a casual dress code and more.

Based in Omaha, CQuence Health Group is the parent company to a growing portfolio of healthcare organizations. Those interested in joining the CQuence Health Group team are encouraged to visit www. cquencehealth.com/join-our-team. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

American Heart Association Presents Book on 100 Instant & Healthy Recipes The American Heart Association recently published a recipe book titled AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INSTANT & HEALTHY: 100 Low Fuss, High-Flavor Recipes for Your Pressure Cooker, Multicooker & Instant Pot® (Harmony Books; trade paperback on sale for $18). The cookbook boasts 100 healthy recipes, ranging from appetizers to desserts and everything in between, all of which can be made easily in your Instant Pot® or other pressure cooker. Perfect for health-conscious eaters, home cooks, or anyone looking to improve their overall well-being, INSTANT & HEALTHY proves that the best way to ensure that good food comes out of your pot is to put good-for-you ingredients into it.

Every recipe is tailored made to meet American Heart Association’s dietary recommendations while maximizing flavor. Plus, each recipe includes nutritional information to help consumers manage their calorie intake and sodium consumption, for example. These recipes show surprising and interesting ways to take advantage of the range of functions in the new wave of multicookers, which include steaming, sautéing, slow cooking, cooking rice, and even making yogurt.

To help cooks utilize this modern device’s impressive culinary potential, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION INSTANT & HEALTHY offers up dozens and dozens of tasty dishes packed with nutritious ingredients, including lean meats and poultry, seafood, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes.

The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization in the United States that fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Learn more at www.heart.org or call (402) 810-6870.

JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business 35

D E S T I N AT I O N

COLORADO

VA I L VA L L E Y

As anticipated, our Strictly Business team returned to one of our favorite destinations: Colorado. This is a trip we like to take at least once a year, for obvious reasons. Colorado is absolutely beautiful and it’s an easy drive from Lincoln. Our trip included some skiing/snowboarding, dining, and much-needed R&R in Vail Valley.

RENT-A-VAN | LINCOLN: (402) 421-3400 | OMAHA: (402) 933-2500 | WWW.RENTAVANLINCOLN.COM Colorado is definitely a popular travel destination for Nebraskans, due to the close proximity and all the alluring outdoor activities that it has to offer. Our drive time to get there added up to about eight hours, and while this is a doable drive, but it’s still quite a lengthy time for seven people to spend in the car together. Luckily, we decided to rent a van from Rent-A-Van! We comfortably fit ourselves, along with all our luggage (including three snowboards!) into Rent-A-Van’s seven-passenger full-size van. Our group enjoyed watching movies the whole way to Colorado on the plasma-screen TV, which had a good sound system and also the options to use headphones.

Renting a van like this means not having to take two or more cars to get to a destination. Only having the gas expense for one vehicle instead of multiple totally offsets the rental cost! Plus, your whole group gets to stay together. Rent-A-Van makes choosing the most practical and comfortable mode of transportation easy.

AGAVE | (970) 748-8666 | WWW.AGAVEAVON.COM After we arrived at our condo in Avon, our group agreed that it was time for dinner. So, we went to the most talked about restaurant and nightclub: Agave. After taking drink orders, our server brought us salsa and freshly baked flour tortillas. We were so impressed by this.

Most Mexican restaurants offer complimentary chips and salsa, but Agave will bring you warm, soft, handmade tortillas. What really surprised us was how good the seafood items we tried.

They had Paella Diablo on the menu, which is a Mexican version of fresh seafood in a spicy tomato sauce with shrimp, scallops, and octopus. It was very good. Our waiter also noted that the 36 Strictly Business JANUARY 2019

Pescado de Chile con Crema Poblana is a popular item. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the poblano cream it was served with added a rich, almost earthy flavor.

Agave also has Tacos n Tunes every Tuesday night (a lot of locals love attending this). Tacos n Tunes features Agave’s famous crispy taco special with some spicy local music.

COPPER MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT | (970) 968-2318 |WWW. COPPERCOLORADO.COM Our agenda included a lot of skiing and snowboarding, and the first resort we hit up was Copper Mountain Ski Resort. Copper Mountain is made up of three distinct villages, all with chairlifts, restaurants, retail shops, activities, and nightlife. Our group went in at Center Village because it was within walking distance to The American Eagle and American Flyer. These lifts provide easy access to all levels of terrain down the mountain.

We had so much fun on these runs...so much fun, in fact, were the last people on the slopes! If you are looking for a relaxed, fun atmosphere to snowboard or ski in this winter, we highly recommend that you visit Copper Mountain!

PAZZO’S PIZZERIA | VAIL: (970) 476-9026 | AVON: (970) 949-9900 | WWW.PAZZOSPIZZA.COM Let us tell you about a delicious pizza place, where pizza isn’t even the best thing on the menu... Centrally located in the heart of Avon is Pazzo’s Pizzeria, which translates to “crazy pizza!” With a full bar and game room for the kids, this is the perfect restaurant for casual family dining in Avon.

The pizza was definitely crazy good, but we were even more blown away by a few other items off Pazzo’s menu. We have a couple big French onion soup fans in our group, so when our waiter told us that it was the soup of the day, we had no choice #PrintProudDigitalSmart

but to order some—and thank heavens we did! Not kidding...this was some of the best French onion soup we’ve ever had; everyone agreed. The minestrone soup was also amazing. We had no idea we’d be coming home and writing such raving reviews about soup from a pizza joint, but here we are! The other menu items that blew us away was the Twilight Zone off of the calzone menu and the lasagna. Buon appetito!

BEAVER CREEK SPORTS | (970) 754-6221 | WWW. BEAVERCREEKSPORTS.COM After a long day on the mountain our first day, we were ready to do it all again! This time, we were going to be checking out the slopes at Beaver Creek. We first had to get more rentals for some of the skiers in our group who didn’t join us the first day.

We feel very fortunate to have rented from Beaver Creek Sports. It was an easy process. Plus, since they’re Beaver Creek Resort’s preferred ski and snowboard rental shop, they work together with the other preferred rental shops throughout the main ski resorts in Colorado that are owned by the same company as Beaver Creek. This includes Vail Sports Rental, which worked out perfectly because our plan was to ski at Vail on our last day. This meant we could just return our equipment there instead of having to go back to Beaver Creek. We were also thankful that the rental shop was literally right across from the office where we had to pick up our ski passes.

Just because you’re renting equipment doesn’t mean you should have to sacrifice fit or performance. Whether it’s your first time on the slopes or you just want to try something different, Beaver Creek Sports equip you with current, high-performance skis, boards, and boots, maintained, and tuned to perfection for a fun, safe, and totally awesome day on the slopes.

BEAVER CREEK SKI RESORT | (970) 754-4636 | WWW. BEAVERCREEK.COM Once we got all our gear and our ski passes, we got on the mountain to see what Beaver Creek Ski Resort was all about. Beaver Creek has 150 trails and 23 lifts, so there are plenty of different runs to explore. A few of the intermediate skiers and snowboards in our group really enjoyed the variety of difficulty levels of mogul trails. If you’re someone who hasn’t tried skiing moguls yet, Beaver Creek is a great place to get the hang of it. There were also some awesome cat runs through the woods for those beginners out there.

VAIL SKI RESORT | (970) 754-8245 | WWW.VAIL.COM Our last mountain sport excursion was at Vail Ski Resort. Our group was a little worn out from the last two days of skiing and snowboarding, but once we saw the grandeur of Vail mountain, our spirits shot right back up through the roof! Vail’s wide variety of terrain, back bowls, and 5,289 skiable acres are one-of-a-kind and make it one of the largest ski resorts in the world.

Paired with pristine conditions we had during our visit, skiing Vail was truly like no mountain we’ve experienced before.

We enjoyed having the gondola option to take us up the mountain—an enclosed, relaxing option to get to the top of the slopes while taking in breathtaking views all around you. Not to mention the nice staff who made us laugh every time we got back in line. We could just tell that they loved being there and helping us have a fun, safe time at Vail.

We started our adventure at Lionshead, which we recommend because the access to the mountain is well served with multiple lifts. Taking the Eagle Bahn Gondola up, we were able to access a lot of green and blue trails on the way down, which was perfect for our group to start the day off. Once we had worked up some adrenaline, we were ready to go up to Vail’s legendary Back Bowls. We decided to go to Game Creek Bowl, the easiest to access of Vail’s seven Back Bowls, providing 200+ acres of terrain for all ability levels. From wide, sweeping green trails, to more advanced gladed terrain, Game Creek Bowl truly has something for everyone. Make sure you stop at the top of Chair 7 to take in views of Vail, Beaver Creek, and Eagle County to the west or the rest of the Back Bowls to the east.

We were sad to say goodbye to all the beauty and colors of Colorado, but hopping into our luxury van made our trip back a little less bitter. Colorado never disappoints. There is so much life there, with all the things there are to do and see. It was an eventfilled weekend in Vail Valley and we are already looking forward to our next visit!

One funny (kind of embarrassing) thing to highlight from our time a Beaver Creek was when our editor, Hannah Hundley, had her bindings come undone on the top of the mountain. She had to call ski patrol to have them toboggan her down. The thing to note about this is how quickly the ski patrol responded. She was only waiting for about five minutes and then someone was there to assist her and keep her company until the toboggan arrived.

Beaver Creek truly takes care of its guests!

The friendly Beaver Creek staff informed us that if you buy your lift tickets online, you’re guaranteed to get the lowest price.

Purchase tickets seven days or more in advance for the biggest savings. When you purchase a three or more day Beaver Creek lift ticket, you can use the days of your multi-resort lift ticket however you want at Beaver Creek, Vail, Breckenridge, and Keystone Resorts. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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BUSINESS PLANNING “No hype, no BS; just straightforward lean & agile technology advice.”

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Are you looking for a venue to host off site business meetings & events?

Virtual C offers flexible work spaces, floor to ceiling whiteboards, and professional advice. Set up a tour today: calendly.com/collaboration-center

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Your Partner for Technology Strategy

Creating Frameworks for Effective Organizations

Adam Walter works with companies to offer up agile CIO strategy and interim management services.

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Agile is an Ocean.

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Contact us today! Info@VirtualC.Biz | www.VirtualC.Biz 38

Strictly Business JANUARY 2019

With the arrival of the new year, we asked local businesses what their goals are for 2019, and how they plan to go about establishing and reaching those goals. While business planning isn’t just something that you do in the final months of the year or into the beginning of the next, as it’s an ongoing process, it is a common time to take stock of what you accomplished in the last year and use that information to determine a game plan for the next.

If you are a business owner or a professional who is responsible for all aspects of an organization’s operations, you likely already understand that planning is critical to the continued success of your business. However, with so many different areas to concentrate on, you’ll have to rank your priorities. So, where to begin?

When planning for the year ahead, the key is to take a long-term, big picture approach. It is very easy to think in terms of what might save you money today, but that is not always the best long-term solution.

Communicate with your network of advisors and consider all factors, such as market volatility, cash flows, seasonality of your business, etc. when determining your plan. The ideal plan would find the right balance between minimizing tax liability and maximizing protection from market risks.

As you meet with your business to discuss goals for the year, start by identifying strengths and weaknesses. This will require you to really analyze the previous year. What areas did your business excel at, and what areas need improvement? Think about things your business can change that would make a big difference. This could be done in the hiring process, or maybe even launching a new product or expanding your range of services. These are all good things to consider in the planning process.

For those of you who are maybe starting at square one and your plan is to start a business this year, your strategy will look a little different than existing business owners. Starting your own business and building it from the ground up is an awesome venture to pursue, but it is also risky. Have you considered franchising?

“Franchising offers individuals the opportunity to be in business for themselves, but not by themselves,” explains Shawn Williams with Summit Franchise Advisors. “The franchisor is there to provide support with all the different functions of the business. They have seen the issues that can arise in their business and know how to deal with any problems effectively. They can also provide advertising and marketing support to help build your business.”

Shawn goes on to say, “At Summit Franchise Advisors, our goal is to find an opportunity that Shawn Williams will meet the specific needs of each individual Summit Franchise Advisors we work with. To do this effectively, we first have to learn what those needs are. We will ask you a series of detailed questions, for example: What business are you in now?

Have you ever owned a business of your own?

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

How do you feel about managing people?

How much capital do you have to start a business with?

Will you have partners?

How soon do you want your business to open?

Will you be involved on a full-time or part-time basis?

Sifting through over 2,000 franchise opportunities to find the right fit for you can be a long, tedious, and often overwhelming process—that’s why we did the legwork for you. Summit Franchise Advisors has pre-screened hundreds of companies from all areas of business in order to provide you with a wide variety of quality franchise opportunities. The best part is, our services are totally free! Get in touch with Summit Franchise Advisors this year so we can assist entrepreneurs like you in identifying, evaluating, and owning the franchise that best fits your personal and professional goals.”

One thing we made a point to ask the experts is if they could identify if there is anything that business owners commonly overlook in planning for the coming year, or if there are any other mistakes they’d advise against.

“Based on my industry knowledge and experience, business owners commonly overlook taxes and regulatory fees for expansion,” confirms Jethro Hopkins with No Coast Business Advisors. “I also see businesses underestimate their marketing budget for the year. Along with talking to a financial advisor, business owners need to meet with trusted marketing consultants to get an idea of how much advertising/promotion will cost to reach the marketing goals they have in mind.”

If you are not a business owner but your goal Jethro Hopkins is to become one this year, or perhaps you are No Coast Business just looking to expand your current business, No Advisors Coast Business Advisors is a great resource. As a respected brokerage firm here in Nebraska, No Coast can assist buyers and businesses in finding and acquiring financing through their network of professional lenders. They can also get the businesses they put up for sale SBA pre-qualified by other SBA-preferred lenders in the network.

Pre-qualified means that an SBA-preferred lender has reviewed the business financials and that it would provide a business acquisition loan to a qualified buyer.

In addition, by mid-2019, No Coast Business Advisors will be the only third party credited brokerage firm in Nebraska. They are one out of only a couple agencies in the state to be members of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and M&A Source. The purpose behind being members of both organizations is to provide the maximum knowledge base to their brokers and the maximum possible exposure for their clients as each organization is geared towards a very specific segment of the market.

“If you are thinking about selling your business in the next couple of years, it’s crucial to focus on the financial records now,” addresses Jethro. “This alone will play a major role in the business’s value when it comes time to sell. It’s important to track all transactions, especially purchases, as a part of the profit and loss statements. Having a legitimate paper trail for all of the business’s finances can actually increase the value of the business because you have quantifiable proof to show potential buyers. Moreover, it is wise to begin paying yourself as an employee as opposed to taking your cut of the business’s profit.”

Another resource to reference in terms of business planning is No Coast Business Advisors’ new book, Exit Lever: How Smart Business Owners & Buyers Avoid The 10 Mistakes That Ruin the Sales of Businesses. Just released in December of 2018, this book offers great insight for anyone who is planning to sell a business, buy a business, or just want to get things right to increase the value of their business. Authors Jeff Dousharm and Jethro Hopkins published Exit Lever to help save more people from mistakes that are wasting both time and money. This book is available on Amazon.com.

If you’re a small business and you don’t have someone on your team who is a certified accountant and well-versed in the world of finance, then it’s recommended to bring in a professional to help you with this important aspect of the business planning. CFO Systems is here to provide practical, experienced financial and human resources leadership to middlemarket companies in the Omaha area. When you need it, their team of #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Be in business for yourself, not by yourself.

We brought a brand new franchise to Omaha many years ago and it’s still going strong. We sold that franchise profitably. We reinvested into a different franchise and have grown it into multiple locations that dominate the industry in Omaha. We are leveraging 12 years in franchising and a quarter-century of business experience. We’ve been there, and we’re happy to share that experience with our clients.

Shawn Williams Founder & CEO 402.616.3934 | SummitFranchiseAdvisors.com

SUMMIT FRANCHISE A Modern Business Networking

JOIN TODAY CenterSphere.com

Affordable Efficient Effective

Christopher Slater, Area Director

Christopher@CenterSphere.com 402.881.2811

professionals will offer guidance in the accounting and administrative departments, lender, or auditor relations, and sourcing of external experts, including attorneys, benefits advisors, etc.

Like Jethro mentioned earlier, marketing is not something you want to overlook when planning for the year. If you are a consumer product and services company, typical marketing budgets are 7%–10% of your gross sales. For business to business, look at spending closer to 3%–5%. View the money spent on advertising as an investment in the success of your company.

Don’t try to take on the marketing yourself if you don’t have the knowledge or time to do so. Marketing is NOT making a post on Facebook and calling it good. There is a lot more that goes into it.

“If you’re simply overwhelmed by all the details that go into producing and placing your advertising, leaving you with inconsistencies in your brand representation, let us help,” offers Shana Boyd with Eleven Twenty-Three. “At Eleven Twenty-Three, we partner with you.

We find solutions. We’ll team-up and work alongside you to grow your business, as we’ve done for so many of our amazing clients.”

Eleven Twenty-Three focuses on traditional and digital media planning, event promotions, creative and social media development, Shana Boyd and even boasts on-site video production Eleven Twenty-Three capabilities. They have helped many companies to be creative and efficient with their advertising dollars.

Another terrific way to market your business is to join a referral group.

A good goal for any business is to build stronger relationships with other professionals in the community. To accomplish this goal, become a member of Center Sphere. Far more than a referral or tips group, Center Sphere is forging new ground in the landscape of modern business networking.

“Founded right here in Nebraska, Center Sphere is a firmly established, vast network of business professionals whose mission is to share

JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business

39

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referrals, ideas, and resources while fostering genuine and meaningful relationships,” said Christopher Slater with Center Sphere.

“Networking done right, with the power of an entire network behind you, is among the most effective means of marketing you can do in today’s relationship-driven business world.

Center Sphere has a structured and systematic referral process, strengthened by their comprehensive digital referral dashboard that produces undeniable and measurable results. Members meet weekly in chapters Christopher Slater made up of one representative from each Center Sphere business industry, in addition to having access to countless networking events and professional development training that members can attend as part of their membership benefits. Chapters consist of no more than 35 members, yet events such as Coffee & Contacts and social hours often draw over a hundred at a time.

Philanthropically-focused, local chapters and members have raised well over $150,000.00 for non-profits in the past year. Members of Center Sphere are well-known and accomplished professionals in the community, motivated to grow their business and contacts, as well as yours. With over 80 chapter between Omaha and Lincoln, there is plenty of room for you and your business within Center Sphere in 2019.

Circling back to strategic planning as a whole, Andrew Storz with Virtual C notes that in order to stay competitive in the current environment, it’s important to consistently be reflecting on how your organization can improve upon its strategy, culture, and execution.

“Far too often, we’re overestimating how far out we can reasonably plan and strategize,” states Andrew. “When I used to run the budget process for a company, we would begin work in October determining in great detail what Andrew Storz our business would like through the end of the Virtual C next year, which is not uncommon for many businesses. By next December, 15 months later, that same budget and the goals we set could not have been more irrelevant to how our organization operated. Information stagnates faster than ever and we have to be mindful of that when we create our strategic and tactical visions.”

It’s also important to understand that when change is needed, your business will need to have the ability to respond and adapt. A topic that comes to mind in terms of change, especially in regards to how impactful it is on businesses in today’s day and age, is technology.

“We live in an amazing time when technology allows us to communicate and share information in ways not possible just a few years ago,” comments Andrew. “Technology and business today moves at a much faster rate than any time before. Failing to accept and embrace change can be a deadly choice for an organization. Make it your goal for 2019 to educate yourself on emerging technology trends to keep your business competitive.

Of course, understanding all there is to know about technology and the digital world is quite an undertaking—most business owners and working folks don’t have the time or the means to do this without assistance. We identified this gap in the business world wherein companies have nowhere to turn to gain trusted advice on technology. This is why we created Virtual C. Our goal is to deliver trusted advice by not reselling software or other services. We want to empower your company this year! Get in touch with us here at Virtual C, or stop by our Collaboration Center if you’re in Lincoln and hang out for a while so we get can to know you and your business.”

We wish you and your business team the best as you set goals and plan for the year. It’s a fun, exciting time! Especially when you partner with industry experts who can help you achieve success in so many ways.

Together, let’s make 2019 a great year for businesses in Omaha!

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Supporting Non-Profits Our Strictly Business team would like to take this opportunity to strongly encourage our readers to be conscious consumers, as we feel that it is incredibly important to support local businesses that support the local community. As businesspeople, while working hard towards our own goals, we also know that we play an important part in making our community a better place. We are invested in those efforts because it allows us to build our businesses, as well as raise our families, cultivate friendships, and lead happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Supporting our local non-profit organizations is something that we can all do to give back individually, and to truly make a difference collectively.

As individuals, whether you offer your time, talents, or prefer to donate money or items to the cause, there’s always a need that can be met with whatever you have to give. Businesses also have the opportunity to encourage their employees to get involved, which unites everyone together for a worthy cause, which doubles as charity and team bonding. Many companies incentivize employees to volunteer, participate in fundraising and awareness events, or volunteer together as a group; there are plenty of ways to get involved that can be tailored to fit the needs and goals of your organization. Likewise, as we always encourage consumers to be conscious of their purchasing decisions, staying informed and supporting the businesses that make an effort to support non-profits in the community is something we can all do. Leveraging resources to further reinforce those actions has a ripple effect, as does setting an example, spreading your passion for a cause, and getting others involved.

By contributing to a cause that truly helps others, and mobilizing efforts within your organization, you’ll find a feeling of satisfaction that’s rewarding beyond measure. Unfortunately, it’s just not feasible to contribute to every charity, so you will likely be pulled in many directions when it comes to choosing which ones you want to support. As the goal is to donate money, volunteer, and invest your resources in the areas where they’ll do the most good, there’s more to it than simply selecting a cause you feel strongly about and writing a check. Sadly, we’ve all seen the headlines about nonprofits that have misused or misrepresented the funds they’ve been given. This ties up resources that could be put to better use by one of the many wonderful charitable organizations in the area that are making a sizeable impact for the better, both right here in our community and globally. As such, by gaining a basic understanding of where resources are being allocated, you’ll easily be able to justify your contribution because it lines up with your beliefs and ethics. All non-profits are not created equal, so do your research! While raising awareness is incredibly important, actions often do speak louder than words. The work that each non-profit does, and in turn your contribution to their cause, should impact the community in a real and meaningful way. If this topic interests you, consider taking on an active role within an organization. Serve on the board or as a director, that way you can ensure funds and resources are being used correctly.

At Strictly Business, the focus of our work has always been supporting the growth and prosperity of our local business community. That said, we feel strongly about supporting our local non-profit organizations too. The two really do go hand-in-hand. By shining a light on all of the different ones here in our community, it is our hope that we are encouraging our audience to get involved with the cause(s) they are passionate about supporting.

So without further ado, we’ve highlighted some reputable local non-profit organizations that are doing amazing things in our area.

Our local non-profits are the source of initiatives that are focused solely on helping to make an impact on the lives of those who live in our community—and they need support. Oftentimes, their reach extends beyond that to make an impact at the state, national, and/or global level, but these organizations also create jobs in our community and need local volunteers to get things accomplished. These positions and volunteer opportunities allow many people to fulfill their greater purpose by doing what they love while touching lives and truly making a difference. With the strong following we have among the Omaha business community, we feel compelled to give these organizations a platform to share their missions and happenings, with the hope that doing so will connect them with local support.

We have compiled a list of excellent non-profits, all of which need and welcome your support. We encourage you to get involved with one or more of these organizations!

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Childhood cancer is severely underfunded and misunderstood.

Cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease among children, yet only 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget is dedicated to researching childhood cancer. And while over 60% of adult cancer research is paid for by big pharmaceutical companies, they don’t even give 1% to childhood cancer research due to low profits. A cure for childhood cancer will be funded by small, private groups like Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation. Sammy’s is a Nebraskabased 501c3 non-profit which funds researchers who are doing groundbreaking, innovative work that will lead to modern treatments that will save and have less debilitating side effects for these sweet little fighters. Sammy’s main mission is to raise funds for research, but also to comfort families in the hardest times of their lives. Join the fight, visit www.SammysSuperheroes.org or find us on Facebook to get involved.

Help save lives. Donate blood.

“I’ve never been asked.” That’s the number one reason why people don’t donate blood.

Today, the Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB.org) is asking you to donate blood to help save lives. Every 2 seconds someone needs blood. The rarest blood type is the one that’s not available when a patient is in need. That need is constant. Nebraska Community Blood Bank has been connecting people who need life-saving blood with generous volunteer donors for 50 years. We provide life-saving blood to healthcare facilities throughout southeast Nebraska. Be part of our life-saving mission by becoming a blood donor with Nebraska Community Blood Bank today.

Visit NCBB.org to learn more about hosting a blood drive or to sign up to donate blood at a donor center or blood drive near you. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter (@NCBBOmaha).

Child Saving Institute (CSI) focuses on the prevention, intervention, and healing of childhood trauma, neglect, and abuse. Since its beginning more than 127 years ago, Child Saving Institute’s primary focus has always been children’s safety and well-being.

As an innovative leader in children’s services, our programs include an emergency shelter for youth in crisis, quality early childhood education, consultation services for low-income child care centers, foster care, foster parent training, therapy, pregnancy counseling, in-home services for struggling families, pediatric social services in low income medical clinics, independent living skills education for youth aging out of the foster care system, free parenting workshops, and older child adoption. The agency also operates the Triage Center at Project Harmony, providing a comfortable environment, food, and fresh clothing to children who have been abruptly removed from their homes in crisis.

CSI’s programming is diverse, but so are the needs of today’s children and youth. With your support and the support of others like you, CSI serves nearly 2,800 kids and families each year and touches thousands more, improving the lives of children in our community — and helping them discover the joy of childhood that every child should experience.

For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, visit childsaving.org, or call (402) 553-6000. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Big Brothers Big Sisters strives for all youth in the program to reach their full potential. A Big Brother, Big Sister or Big Couple provides youth with a sense of safety and security, emotional support and social skill promotion. Bigs and Littles are matched based on common interests so they can have the benefit of doing activities together that they both enjoy. With a Big by their side, more Littles are discovering who they are and what they can achieve in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters is working to clear the path for our youth’s biggest possible futures.

To learn more about how to become a Big, make a donation or find other ways to get involved, go to bbbsomaha.org or follow us on social media.

Angels Among Us provides financial assistance to families whose children are battling pediatric cancer. Any family living in or being treated in Nebraska is eligible to apply. Once approved, families are provided with $500 a month for 18 months to help them stay financially stable during treatment. Funds are paid directly to the creditor, which ensures that funds are used for their intended purpose.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, a family’s life as they know it comes to an abrupt halt. Unfortunately, their monthly expenses do not.

Since 2006, Angels Among Us has assisted nearly 400 families with $1.6 million in support.

Will you join us as we fight to keep families stable? Gifts of any amount are welcome and encouraged. There is strength in numbers. There is also hope, help, and monetary relief.

For more information, contact Angels Among Us at (402) 934-0999 or visit our website at www.myangelsamongus.org.

Since 1938, Inclusive Communities has served the Heartland in the areas of youth; community and workplace human relations; and leadership programming to achieve our mission of confronting prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination through educational programs that raise awareness, foster leadership, and encourage advocacy for a just and inclusive society.

Inclusive Communities programming includes IncluCity, Omaha Table Talk, and customized business training. IncluCity is a leadership program for high school students, designed to empower youth to create respectful and just communities. Omaha Table Talk provides facilitated and structured, but informal gatherings of people throughout our community, engaging in conversations about diversity and inclusion over a meal. Our Custom Business Solutions provide workshops focused on building leadership skills and respectful, inclusive behaviors using activities and presentations aimed at building empathy; examining biases and prejudices; and increasing the knowledge, language and dialogue skills to forge meaningful intergroup relationships.

For more information visit us at: www.inclusive-communities.org.

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Friendship Program, Inc. is a community-based non-profit agency dedicated to providing quality services for adults with aging and/or mental health needs in Omaha and surrounding areas. The agency provides three distinct programs: Adult Day, Day Rehabilitation, and Community Support Services. In addition, the agency offers Social Services, Health Services, Peer Support Services, Transportation, and Agency Support Services as part of wraparound care. All services are based on the belief that each individual can maximize his or her ability to live independently within the community. Furthermore, the services promote health and wellness including education and activities in the areas such as physical fitness, nutrition, mental health, socialization, recreation, and safety. The name of the agency, “Friendship,” was chosen by participants in 1979 and perfectly describes the programs which offer care, compassion, and companionship to adults. For more than 39 years the agency has served the Omaha community providing care from the heart.

Midlands Mentoring Partnership is changing our name to MENTOR Nebraska.

In this new role, MENTOR Nebraska will continue the important work of raising awareness, standards, and numbers around mentoring, but will now extend this work outside of Omaha and across the state of Nebraska.

Training, support, technical assistance, and background checks will be provided to nearly 200 mentoring programs around the state.

This expansion will allow MENTOR Nebraska to ensure that more youth are being served safely and effectively through adherence to national standards for evidence-based mentoring.

MENTOR Nebraska’s vision is for every young person to have the supportive relationships they need to grow and develop into thriving, productive and engaged adults. For that to happen, we need caring adults like you to volunteer your time. Please help us make a difference in someone’s life. Learn how you can become a mentor at one of Omaha’s mentoring programs at www.MentorNebraska.org.

Nebraska Recycling Council is a statewide, member-based, nonprofit supporting collaboration between communities, businesses, solid waste and recycling industries to improve waste diversion systems. Our mission is to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of resource recovery in Nebraska.

• Recycling Information: Nebraska Online Recycling Guide, Phone Assistance • Education & Training: Webinars, Green Team Training, Networking Events • Services: Waste Audits, Zero Waste Consultation and Event Planning, Community and Regional Recycling Systems, Construction Waste Management • Grants: Recycling Equipment Grants • Publications: Best Management Practices, E-Newsletters, Case Studies • Annual Awards Luncheon: National Speaker, Workshops, Business & Community Environmental Awards Waste Nothing. Visit www.nrcne.org or call (402) 436-2384 to learn more.

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The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from two of our nation’s top killers, heart disease (No. 1) and stroke (No. 5). Powered by millions of volunteers nationwide, the Association’s goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of Americans by 20 percent by 2020, while reducing deaths from heart disease and stroke by 20 percent. Currently, one person dies every 40 seconds from heart disease and stroke. Through events right here in Omaha like the Omaha-Council Bluffs Heart Walk, Go Red for Women Expo and Heart & Stroke Ball, that startling statistic can change.

For more information, visit www.heart.org/omaha.

The mission of Omaha Home for Boys is to support and strengthen youth, young adults and families through services that inspire and equip them to lead independent, productive lives. The Home’s clients are empowered to transition from a state of crisis to those of safety and growth through five core programs: residential care, transitional living, independent living, supportive housing and clinical services.

The individuals who seek the guidance of Omaha Home for Boys come from a myriad of troubled backgrounds, but thanks to supporters like you, they find brighter futures through the Home’s programs focusing on education, employment, housing and behavioral and mental health. For more information about Omaha Home for Boys or to invest in the futures of the youth served, please visit our website at OmahaHomeForBoys.org.

Omaha Creative Institute is now Amplify Arts! Amplify Arts is a 501c3 nonprofit that promotes unity, innovation, and progress in the arts to build strong and vibrant communities. We award $35,000 in grants to local artists each year, and we provide artists with business skills training through our educational programs like Artist INC, Working Artist Wednesdays, and Work In Progress. We also work to create systemic change in the arts sector by connecting artists, nonprofit organizations, and industry leaders. Part of that work includes connecting local businesses with artists to bring curated or custom works of art into your business space.

Every step of our process can be tailored to your unique project needs.

If your business is interested in working to bring local art into your space, please contact us by phone at (402) 996-1092 or by email at info@amplifyarts.org. Visit our website at www.amplifyarts.org.

BLUEBARN Theatre, celebrating its 30th Anniversary, is dedicated to theatre’s most important tradition: to provoke thought, emotion, action, and change.

Bringing artistically significant scripts and professional production values to area audiences since 1989, BLUEBARN has established itself as Omaha’s professional regional contemporary theatre company. Each year BLUEBARN produces five contemporary plays in a season that runs from September through June. The repertoire is diverse in theme and style, ranging from works by some of America’s most renowned modern playwrights to regional premieres of work produced on the coasts, to new works by writers whose voices deserve to be heard. Come celebrate the sensationally normal, cheerily subversive, and triumphantly theatrical this season. The 30th Anniversary Season gives you the chance to escape…back to reality. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

CEDARS has been a vital part of the community for over 70 years.

What started as a grassroots effort to help kids in crisis has grown into a dynamic and dedicated team of over 200 professionals and a network of loving foster parents serving over 2,400 kids and families each year.

Thanks to community support, CEDARS is there for children and youth who are unable to live at home, for families in need of resources, support and education, and for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

CEDARS is accredited through the Council on Accreditation and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is a United Way partner, a four star charity with Charity Navigator, a top-rated charity with the American Institute of Philanthropy, and a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity.

Today, CEDARS will serve nearly 800 children and youth.

To learn more call (402) 434-KIDS (5437) or visit www.cedarskids.org.

Founded in 1989, Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy’s mission is to improve the quality of life both physically and emotionally of adults and children of all ability levels through equine assisted activities. Therapeutic Riding, Therapy Services, Carriage Driving, Life Skills, Veterans, and Equine Facilitated Learning programs are at the heart of HETRA’s services. The organization employs Occupational, Mental Health, and Physical Therapists, 16 PATH Int’l Certified Riding Instructors, and is the only Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Accredited (PATH) facility in Nebraska. Today, as a result of 28 years of dedication and commitment, HETRA serves over 125 participants weekly with the help of over 200 dedicated volunteers who donate over 18,000 hours annually. HETRA offers year-round programming, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, a herd of over 20 horses, and is situated on 25 beautiful acres in Gretna, NE. Learn more at www.

HETRA.org.

The mission of the Veterans in Business Forum (VIBF) is to provide business support, education and advocacy to help veterans succeed in business and increase community awareness of veteran-owned business activities. Veterans, active duty, reservists, and civilians are welcome to join and support each other and veteran-related goals.

The VIBF meets the first Friday of every month (0800-0900) and ser ves the Omaha area (www.omahanebraska.com/ VeteransinBusinessForumOmahaNetworking).

Speakers may be from VIBF members, business groups, veteran groups, NBDC, PTAC, SBA, SCORE, or private sector and government agencies on a wide range of topics. VIBF encourages collaboration through networking. Each month, members can bring up issues and concerns to discuss with the group to get recommendations to help come up with effective solutions.

Contact us to learn more: Michel Thornhill, (402) 932-7243, info@ littlemountainwebdesign.com. Mailing Address: VIBF c/o Little Mountain Web Design, P.O. Box 461235, Papillion, NE 68046.

Goodwill Industries, Inc., Serving Eastern Nebraska and Southwest Iowa, has been a leader in helping people fulfill their dreams through work since 1933. We train and employ people with disabilities and others who may be at a competitive disadvantage in the job market, such as at-risk youth.

The Siena/Francis House is Nebraska’s largest shelter and is located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. The Siena/Francis House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-denominational, charitable organization, with all financial support able to be deducted by donors, to the full extent of the law. Our overnight programs include providing emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness (262 beds), a residential addiction recovery program for homeless men and women (79 beds) and permanent supportive housing apartments (48 beds). We also have a Rehousing and Reintegration program, designed to help homeless guests acquire the services they need to successfully navigate their way into affordable, safe and appropriate housing out in the community. Additionally, Siena/Francis House offers a food program which serves 3 meals per day, clothing distribution and a work therapy program for up to 110 homeless resident men and women. In-kind donations can be dropped off to our loading dock, located at 1111 North 17th Street, which is open from 8 am until 5 pm every day of the year.

Monetary donations are always welcome and can be made online at www.sienafrancis.org. The Siena/Francis House’s Executive Director is Linda Twomey who begins her second year leading the organization in January 2019. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Many people know Goodwill as a place to donate used clothing or household items. However, did you know that Goodwill is also a place where thousands of formerly unemployed or underemployed individuals have been given the opportunity to earn a living and the chance to succeed in life?

Goodwill offers a variety of employment programs and job opportunities for individuals with barriers to self-sufficiency. These programs include AbilityOne, Employment Solutions, Community Service, Work Experience, and YouthBuild AmeriCorps.

For more information about Goodwill’s mission programs call (402) 341-4609, email info@goodwillomaha.org, or visit www. goodwillomaha.org.

For more than a century, Jewish Family Service of Omaha has provided crucial aid and support to the community. Our mission as a human service agency is to strengthen and preserve life in the Jewish community and the community at large through every stage of the life cycle.

Our Nationally Board Certified, licensed staff provide the services individuals, couples, and families require when facing challenges in their lives: • Counseling is provided to all clients regardless of religion, age, gender, ethnicity, or ability to pay.

• Adoption Home Study Services assist potential adoptive parents to fulfill their dreams of parenthood.

• Family Life Education–Mental Health Practitioners are trained facilitators of Parenting the Love and Logic Way™, and Love and Logic Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun™, by Jim Fay and Charles Fay, Ph.D. Offered at our location, or yours by request!

Please call (402) 330-2024 for more information, or to schedule an appointment.

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Help the Omaha Police Foundation (OPF) Support Our Local Officers! We work to promote and strengthen the Omaha Police Department (OPD) by providing financial support and creating community partnerships to ensure it has highly qualified officers who have the training, equipment and technology needed to prevent crime, save lives and make Omaha a safer community. Since 1999, the OPF has sponsored and hosted the annual Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon to recognize exceptional effort and to honor acts of heroism. The OPF is currently raising funds to purchase 600 Body Worn Cameras to equip each and every officer in the Department’s Uniform Patrol Bureau. 100% of all donations go directly to the project of your choice. If you would like to learn more or to support the work of the Omaha Police Foundation, please visit www.

OmahaPoliceFoundation.org or contact OPF Administrator Elizabeth Balazs at (402) 345-5401, ext. 102.

Incorporated in 2002, the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) started with the goal of helping nonprofits help their communities.

CEO Anne Hindery has led the organization since 2008. “We serve and strengthen more than 550 nonprofits of all sizes and missions in Nebraska and western Iowa.

By connecting organizations with information, education, advocacy and collaboration, we help our members representing health and human services, the arts, education and other areas make an impact in the communities they serve,” Hindery said.

NAM’s signature Guidelines and Principles Program provides legal compliance and best practices information in 12 major areas of nonprofit management: communication, evaluation, financial management, fundraising, governance, human resources, information technology, planning, public policy and advocacy, strategic alliances, transparency and accountability, and volunteer management.

The National Council of Nonprofits, the nation’s largest network of nonprofits, recognizes NAM as the state association for Nebraska.

Learn more about NAM at www.nonprofitam.org.

Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC) provides lowincome new immigrants individuals with opportunities to generate economic growth by providing financing products, development services and community development that advances their ability to develop a sustainable future in the Midlands.

The top programs the organization provides are Business Development, Childcare creation, Micro-lending and Financial Capability programs. We have been serving the community for about 11 years with these programs.

Since 2009, we have been provided ongoing education to more than 5,217 clients, 325 small business have been launched, 128 microloans have been awarded, and 1,260 new jobs have been created and maintained in the Omaha metro area.

MLCDC educates and offers one-on-one coaching to low-tomoderate-income new immigrants seeking to build assets through affordable homeownership and build a plan to improve their financial capability through personalized financial coaching, financial literacy and the responsible access to financial products.

For more information, visit www.midlandslatinocdc.org.

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For more than 140 years, Heartland Family Service has been the area leader in creating the path to a better tomorrow for children and families. Each year, we serve over 52,000 individuals from more than 15 locations in eastcentral Nebraska and southwest Iowa through three program areas: Child & Family Well-Being, Counseling & Prevention, and Housing, Safety, & Financial Stability. With over 50 programs, we are able to craft an integrated, multi-service approach to guide clients toward safety, well-being, and, ultimately, self-sufficiency.

When life improves for one of us, life improves for all of us. We all matter.

To support our mission of strengthening individuals and families in our community through education, counseling, and support services, text “HFS” to 72727, visit HeartlandFamilyService.org, or contact Chief Development Officer Donna Dostal at (402) 552-7443 or DDostal@ HeartlandFamilyService.org.

Established in 1972, Santa Monica has been providing long-term residential services to thousands of chemically-dependent women, partnering with them on their journey to recovery. The program relies on the disciplines of the twelve step program of Alcoholics Anonymous® while incorporating mental health and trauma treatment along with life skills.

Santa Monica provides food, shelter, rehabilitative counseling, job acquisition guidance, and re-socialization training. Santa Monica provides a Halfway House program, followed by a ¾ way house program and transitional apartment living. This approach to stepdown levels of care for the women, provide a more holistic continuum of care. These services will give the women more support as they transition back into the community. Donations are always valued at Santa Monica and the women benefit from toiletries, clothing, and paper products.

Visit our new website at www.santamonicahouse.org for more information about the agency, what the future holds, and how to help.

NAMI Omaha is a non-profit organization composed of consumers, family members, professionals and friends who have come together to share and take comfort in the commonality of their experiences and to educate members of their communities about serious brain disorders. Along with education/literature, support, workshops, conferences and more. NAMI Omaha actively advocates at the local, state, and national levels to improve the services and the lives of those affected by mental illness and their families.

One of our most successful and free educational programs is FAMILY TO FAMILY [F2F]. It is a 12-week course for family caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses. The course offers a wide variety of information including: current information about mental illnesses, medications, current research, gaining empathy, learning problem solving, listening and communication techniques, acquiring strategies for handling crises and relapse, focusing on the caregiver, guidance on locating appropriate supports and services and information on advocacy initiatives.

For information, go to www.namiomaha.org or call (402) 345-8101 / (877) 463-6264. For helpful articles on mental illness follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NAMIOmaha. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Together, we can end child abuse. Project Harmony is boldly focused on ending the cycle of child abuse and neglect in our community. We have reimagined how communities can come together by leveraging resources to respond to, treat and ultimately prevent child abuse. Project Harmony restores courage, facilitates healing and empowers each of us to be someone in the life of a child. Take the pledge to be someone in the life of a child today at ProjectBeSomeone.org.

To find out more about Project Harmony, visit www.projectharmony. com or call (402) 595-1326.

Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership (ENCAP) is a non-profit community based organization that has been providing social and human services to people facing poverty since 1965. Annually we provide services to approximately 7,000 individuals in over 2,500 unique households.

Serving Douglas and Sarpy Counties, ENCAP is a member of a national network of over 1,000 Community Action Agencies dedicated to providing programming that meets community needs, that responds to the voices of the low-income community, and that demonstrates continuous quality improvement. ENCAP’s service areas include: Emergency rent and utility assistance, community response, emergency food assistance, transportation, and mental health and Substance abuse counseling. For more information please go to: www.encapnebraska.org

Family Housing Advisory Services (FHAS) helps families improve their housing, finances and quality of life. FHAS offers a comprehensive menu of cohesive services to address poverty and provide tools for success. FHAS prevents homelessness, educates homeowners, provides foreclosure prevention options, develops financiallywise consumers (including youth transitioning out of foster care), offers affordable mortgage lending options, eliminates housing discrimination, and reduces poverty through access to tax credits.

FHAS serves about 10,000 individuals and families annually. Families learn how to budget, save, avoid eviction or foreclosure; pursue homeownership, post-secondary education or microbusiness enterprise; exercise their fair housing rights, and access income tax credits.

For more information about Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc. please visit www.fhasinc.org or call (402) 934-7921.

MICAH House, a homeless shelter in Council Bluffs, has provided warm beds, meals, and services to children, families, and women for more than 30 years. Located on the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus, MICAH House serves hundreds of homeless individuals each year – and more than half are children. Our focus is to keep families together, while reducing the amount of trauma children experience during a difficult time in their lives. The BUDDY program provides an opportunity for MICAH House children to play, learn, and grow. New in 2019, MICAH House will expand services to include a 26-bed women’s shelter and health care clinic. The shelter will offer a therapeutic healing environment and includes a full-time therapist on-site. The three-exam room clinic will allow MICAH House clients and community members access to medical and dental services five days a week. For more information, please visit www.themicahhouse.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Community Health Charities of Nebraska (CHC-NE) is a fundraising family of 22 Nebraska-based affiliates of nationally recognized health charities dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by a chronic health condition, disability, or end-of-life issue. CHC-NE raises vital funds through workplace giving campaigns, corporate matching funds, individual gifts, and foundation contributions to benefit these health charities. Dollars raised each year help our charities provide support for those with chronic health conditions as well as family members, friends, and co-workers affected by chronic illness. Thank you for giving the gift of hope through your support.

In Omaha, we are proud to partner with United Way of the Midlands.

In 2019, look for us as Combined Health Agencies Drive.

Omaha Office: 212 S. 74th St., Suite 205 | (402) 614-8500 www.chcne.org | www.facebook.com/CHCNebraska

Kids Can! Community Center’s mission is to educate, engage, and inspire children through early childhood care and out-of-school experiences. Kids Can! serves children 18 months to 13 years old. We offer a variety of programs including early childhood education, beforeand after-school programs, summer and nonschool day programs, tutoring, and mentoring.

Kids Can! utilizes the Creative Curriculum and Handwriting Without Tears activities for our youngest students with the goal of ensuring all students are prepared to enter Kindergarten. School-age children participate in the STEMsmart Academy which focuses on science, technology, engineering, math, strength, music, art, reading, and tutoring supporting well-rounded children.

Founded in 1908 as Social Settlement Association of Omaha, Kids Can! has a long history of making a meaningful impact in the community. Kids Can! is located on 49th and Q Streets in Omaha.

For more information about Kids Can! Community Center, visit KidsCanOmaha.org, call (402) 731-6988, or email jgillman@ kidscanomaha.org.

Youth Emergency Services (YES) is the only nonprofit in Omaha with the sole mission to help homeless and nearly homeless in our community. Last year, YES provided support and services to a record number of 3,682 youth in the Omaha metro. YES also provided 9,818 meals to homeless and nearhomeless youth throughout Street Outreach Center. Many of these youth have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused, making it unsafe for them to return home. Without YES, these vulnerable young people cannot succeed independently.

YES offers a full continuum of care to ensure all youth receive the support they need, no matter their situation. This includes a Street Outreach Center, Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living Program and Maternity Home. Throughout these programs, we offer case management, job readiness classes, group activities, support for the LGBTQ+ community, and specialized services for trafficked victims.

To ensure youth are successful once they leave our care, youth in YES’ programs are required to set short and long term goals, be enrolled in school, have a job, or both; and do community service. For more information about YES’ programs, please visit www.yesomaha.org.

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Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving, and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska.

Headquartered in Lincoln, the Foundation serves communities, donors, and organizations by providing financial management, strategic development, education, and training to a statewide network of 1,500 volunteers serving 250 communities.

In the last five years, 41,776 contributions have been made to Nebraska Community Foundation and its affiliated funds. Since 1993, Nebraska Community Foundation has reinvested $323 million in Nebraska’s people and places.

For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org.

Mission: “To improve the quality of life by caring for the body and mind.”

Jennie Edmundson Foundation is the fundraising arm of Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. By engaging philanthropic leaders, we are able to help make certain that the equipment, facilities, programs, services and educational initiatives at MJE continue to meet community needs.

The JE Foundation relies on donations and grants from our community.

These funds go to help our Charitable Patient Care Fund, Breast Health Center, Medi-Bus Transportation and Scholarship Funds, to name a few.

Generous contributions provide education, care, and services to many who may not otherwise have access to healthcare services. Individual or Planned gifts, Memorials or becoming an event or corporate sponsor are also a few ways to help.

Becoming a MJE Teen or Adult Volunteer gives you the opportunity to be involved in many facets of volunteerism. What a wonderful way to meet new people; develop new skills, interests and be rewarded through the experiences of helping patients, family members, and hospital staff.

To find out more about the JE Foundation and how you can get involved, call (712) 396-6040 or visit our website at www.jehfoundation.org.

Why BBB Matters Today The Better Business Bureau (BBB; www.bbb.org) has been assisting consumers and businesses since 1912.

It is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing trust in the marketplace. In 2017, BBB provided nearly 225 million instances of service to businesses, charities and the general public.

BBB has Business Profiles on more than 4.7 million businesses and Charity Reports on over 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. Today, BBB serving Nebraska, South Dakota, The Kansas Plains and Southwest Iowa is supported by approximately 10,000 Accredited Businesses that have voluntarily committed to adhere to BBB’s Standards of Trust.

BBB offers services to both businesses and consumers by creating a community of trustworthy businesses through accreditation, setting standards for trust, encouraging and supporting ethical business practices, celebrating community role models and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.

BBB does not compare businesses to each other, but rather evaluates them against its standards – and BBB’s standards clearly speak to the character and competence of an organization.

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Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission founded in 1954 committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Each day, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 816 safe, shelter beds to homeless men, women and children, serves over 2,100 nutritious meals and provides homeless preventive measures to more than 1,000 people living in poverty.

Visit www.opendoormission.org or call (402) 422-1111 to see how you can make a difference in our community.

The mission of the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is to preserve the history of Strategic Air Command, the Cold War and aerospace artifacts and to inspire learning through imaginative, innovative, and inspirational programs and exhibits. The museum is not funded by any government source and relies on the community to help carry out its mission.

The museum is home to one of the largest collections of Cold War aircraft and artifacts in the U.S. Visitors can touch iconic aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft as well as learn about historic leaders and events. The museum offers free public tours, family events, Children’s Learning Center, and educational programs. The museum’s STEM programming supplements public education with field trips, camps, and monthly workshops. Looking for a thrill? Fly in the museum’s flight simulator or visit a STEM exhibit. There is something for everyone at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum!

Just 20 minutes from Omaha or Lincoln. To check out the museum’s monthly events, rental spaces, or how to become a member, go to SACMuseum.org!

For almost twenty years The La Vista Community Foundation (LVCF) has been helping make our growing community a GREAT place to Live, Work and Play. The word community is the key, and it is what makes things happen in La Vista, Nebraska. We have been a leader in funding activities through collaboration and cooperation of our citizens, businesses, civil representatives, and community sponsors.

LVCF facilitates Community Impact Grants each fall. We have supported and shared success with many area charities, education programs, human service organizations and civic/recreation activities. Yearly contributions support our efforts, and several donor-advised funds are also used to support our grant program. We have been able to give back over $300,000 to the La Vista Community since our early years.

We promote a fun and engaging LVCF Golf Classic fundraiser each summer, and we work to raise dollars from the proceeds at a local fireworks tent each year. And importantly, our organization has chosen to lead the metro area in honoring our U.S. Veterans with our annual “Salute to Veterans” Dinner event, each November at the Embassy Suites – La Vista Conference Center. This event is no charge for veterans who attend.

We look forward to helping La Vista grow! Our goal is solid: to identify need, involve people, and engage support.

For more information about LVCF, or to support our mission with a donation or a donor-advised contribution, please contact John Yochum, executive director, at (402) 960-9625. You can also email us at info@LaVistaCommunityFoundation.com. Our website is www.

LaVistaCommunityFoundation.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

The Set Me Free Project is a nonprofit organization whose focus is to combat sex trafficking.

Our mission is to bring prevention education to youth and families to stop trafficking before it starts.

Our curricula packages are informative, interactive, and flexible – reaching students from 3rd-12th grades, educators, parents, industryspecific professionals, and community members.

The Set Me Free Project is unique, because we not only bring awareness, we bring education. Our educators empower each audience member to protect themselves and others from traffickers. We show students how and why they are at risk, and we teach them ways to protect themselves.

We teach the adults involved in the lives of youth to better guide and protect them. Every presentation we give is based on the foundation of each individual’s intrinsic value and worth.

Together, with our collaborators and supporters, we stop human trafficking before it starts.

Founded in 1993, the Cancer Alliance of Nebraska is a nationallyrecognized 501c3 nonprofit working with the National Cancer Institute and pharmaceutical companies to provide breakthrough treatments to cancer patients using clinical trials which we bring to the local community settings here in Nebraska.

Every day we get closer to the cure.

Why Cancer Clinical Trials are Important • They lead to the discovery of new cancer treatments and cures • They can improve the health of participating cancer patients • They benefit future generations, impacting thousands of lives • When our research is shared – across the state and around the globe – we get closer to the cure even faster We succeed in our work due to the collaborative support of our experienced physicians, hospitals, clinics, donors, and patients in communities across the state of Nebraska. And we share in the collective belief that there is always something more we can do. Visit our site at www.cancerallianceofnebraska.org.

Parkinson’s Nebraska is the primary source of education, support, and resources for Nebraskans whose lives are affected by Parkinson’s Disease. Our goal is to create a community of patients, caregivers, and resources so that the journey of Parkinson’s is A Journey Shared.

We serve the nearly 16,000 Nebraskans living with Parkinson’s. Since 2016, we have sponsored over 1,000 specialized exercise classes, provided support to patients and caregivers, and assisted individuals access important resources. We are locally-based, passionate, and proud that all funds stay in Nebraska to benefit the Nebraska Parkinson’s community.

At Parkinson’s Nebraska, we strive to identify and meet the everchanging needs of the Parkinson’s community. Our goals for 2019 include providing transportation services and expanding our reach in rural communities. We look forward to developing community partnerships to meet these goals and grow our network of resources.

To learn more, contact Amber at amber@parkinsonsnebraska.org, (402) 715-4707, or visit www.parkinsonsnebraska.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

For over 18 years, Domesti-PUPS (www. domesti-pups.org) has been supporting people in our local, regional and national communities through the assistance of animals.

From therapy dogs in the classroom motivating children to excel in their learning environment to pet therapy visitations in nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living centers, Domesti-PUPS pet therapy teams bring a bit of brightness through their furry encounters. Our service dog teams provide increased independence when paired with a disabled partner. These highly-skilled canines can turn on lights, provide balance and mobility, retrieve dropped items, bring a bottle of water from a refrigerator, respond to medical emergencies such as responding to a seizure or alerting to a diabetic high or low, and open doors both literally and figuratively. Some even provide life-saving measures for their disabled partners.

Grief’s Journey (formerly Ted E. Bear Hollow) exists so that no one has to walk their grief journey alone.

Since 2001, the agency has provided a free and welcoming safe place for grieving children, teens, and adults to offer each other hope and support.

Research indicates that unresolved grief correlates to issues such as poor school and work performance and emotional and behavioral concerns, whereas healthy coping leads to long-term successes for children, families, and communities. Carefully measured outcomes indicate that the programs of Grief’s Journey effectively move participants to health and resilience. As the region’s cornerstone for grief support, Grief’s Journey provides free peer support groups, family days, and camps as well as professional training, education, and consultation throughout Nebraska and Iowa.

The agency relies on charitable contributions, special event income, and volunteerism to support its free programs. Together, hope grows.

For more information about Grief’s Journey, please visit www. griefsjourney.org or call (402) 502-2773.

Did you know…

Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) helps donors achieve their philanthropic goals and “Invest in the Power of Community.”

MCF has played an integral part in managing three Affiliated Funds: Gretna Community Foundation, Bellevue Community Foundation and Springfield Community Foundation. These Affiliated Funds have worked hard in their own communities raising awareness and building partnerships to secure a strong Foundation in their respective city.

MCF manages 125 charitable funds that serve an array of needs. This past year, more than $1 million has been distributed into the community through these charitable funds, MCF grants and discretionary gifts in the areas of healthcare, arts, culture, community, economic development, education and human services.

MCF can provide you with a simple, powerful and highly personal approach to giving through a variety of charitable gifting vehicles.

We hold ourselves to high standards, have strong integrity and most importantly work to make a difference in your local community. The time is NOW to create a charitable fund to benefit your personal interests.

• Designated Funds • Donor Advised Funds • Field of Interest Funds • Scholarship Funds To learn more, visit www.midlandscommunity.org or call (402) 991-8027.

JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business 49

Dreamweaver Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling lifelong dreams for terminally ill seniors in need. We strive to enrich the quality of life and are committed to honoring our most cherished generation in their final days. Making the impossible dream, possible.

We serve seniors who are at or below the federal poverty guidelines in the Greater Omaha Area, Lincoln, eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. The granting of a Dream is a simple act, and yet the outcomes are profound. Dreams give the gift of hope.

Dreamweaver Foundation is celebrating six years of making dreams come true for terminally ill seniors by hosting our first Boots & Buckets fundraising event, presented by Pinnacle Bank. The casual event will be held Thursday, September 19, 2019 at A View on State in Omaha.

For more information about our event or Dreamweaver, visit our website at dreamweaver.org or email us at info@dreamweaver.org.

You probably know that when a worker is injured on the job, workers’ compensation pays the medical expenses and lost wages. What you may not know is that workers’ compensation does not take into account the costs of post-secondary education for children of the injured worker. Often families who have suffered such a tragedy are forced to care for the injured individual and do not have the funding to send their children to college.

Outlook Nebraska helps anyone with vision loss find the resources they need, learn how to use technology to stay independent, find out about employment opportunities and stay active through recreation and cultural activities. From teaching them to use technology to helping them enjoy a theater performance with audio description to being their eyes when biking – we strive to enhance the lives of our blind neighbors.

Through our enrichment programs, the visually impaired participate in cultural and recreational activities they otherwise could not enjoy.

Our employment opportunities improve their self-sufficiency. Outlook Nebraska is the largest employer of the blind in Nebraska, through production of janitorial paper products and our business support center, Outlook Business Solutions.

The Need: • 15,000 people in metro area have vision loss that interferes with daily activities. This will more than double because of the prevalence of diabetes and our aging population • More people in our region experience vision loss than homelessness, and most vision loss cannot be corrected.

• 1 in 4 of us is at risk of severe vision loss today.

Giving Opportunities: • Be a Vision Monthly Partner with a $20/month automatic donation.

Choose this option at outlookne.org/support.

• Make a cash donation at outlookne.org/support or mail a check to Outlook Nebraska.

• Sponsor an event such as our June Tee It Up Fore Sight golf tournament.

• Plan a future donation:through our Legacy Fund.

Help those with vision loss in our community live life to the fullest with a donation. Visit outlookne.org to learn more.

Kids’ Chance of Nebraska’s (KCNE) mission is to provide scholarships to children whose parents have suffered a workplace injury or death.

We want to raise awareness of our mission. KCNE wants to do what we say: Give the kids a chance.

Eligible students and families are encouraged to go to www. kidschanceofne.org for information, no matter the age of the children.

We are a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. If you are interested in making a donation, go to www.kidschanceofne.org/make-adonation/

We are connectors and coordinators.

We connect providers to resources and funding that they may not be able to access on their own. We connect donors to good work that best supports their giving goals. We offer streamlined coordination and communication with school districts, which saves everyone time, money, and stress.

We are cheerleaders.

We know that out-of-school-time providers are doing what they do best – providing great programs and activities for our community’s youth. We are here to cheer them on, to advocate on their behalf to donors, the school district, and lawmakers, and to provide professional development, feedback, and assessment tools.

We are building a community-wide system.

We are the entity that brings the right people to the table and guides the growth and development of the out-of-school-time community.

For more information, go to www.collectiveforyouth.org or call (402) 932-2025.

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Our mission is to empower and equip under educated and economically disadvantaged men and women through character development, vocational training and work experience.

The CROSS TRAINING CENTER exemplifies the message, “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day but if you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a life time.”

Our students are youth and adults who are unemployed because of challenging backgrounds and circumstances. They have experienced setbacks in life due to incarceration, homelessness, generational poverty and other challenging conditions.

We provide vocational training and hands-on work experience so they gain skills and knowledge to overcome the barriers of employment.

They are able to acquire a job on a career path and break the cycle of poverty for generations to come.

Our students receive real work experience while providing valuable services to the community in the following areas: • Electronics Recycling • Computer Refurbishing and Repair • Computer and Electronics Retail Store • Automotive Maintenance and Repair Services • Appliance Sales • Banquet Facility and Food Services Cross Training Center’s mission is to provide Solutions to Poverty through Work. Our work experience program not only helps our students succeed but also keeps our environment safe and clean. Learn more at www. crossrecycling.com. Contact Brenda Banks at (402) 590-2100, via email at brenda@crosstc.com, or visit www.crosstc.com for more information. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Help Building Occupants Stay Alert, Refreshed & Learn More!

Honeywell products increase comfort, energy efficiency, and improve indoor air quality.

Call us today to learn more about how Engineered Controls can help improve your building environment.

JANUARY 2019 Strictly Business 1-866-395-0186 | www.EngineeredControls.com

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I’ve formed a lasting relationship with Allen from Cornhusker Bank, who takes the time to understand my unique personal and business needs, and can help me map out a financial roadmap to get me to my goals.

Matthew Klemke, O.D. President and Founder ViewPointe Vision

From left: Allen Chaffee and Matthew Klemke, O.D.

Serving the Omaha/Lincoln metroplex.

Allen Chaffee, Omaha Market President Loan Production Office, 13340 California, Omaha CornhuskerBank.com • 402-779-1420

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WHO WE ARE With over 25 years of experience, Xcel Roofing wants to show why you will Love Your Roof!

With customer first warranties, a commitment to the community and a focus on customer service, Xcel is your choice for residential and commercial exteriors.

ROOFING • SIDING • WINDOWS • GUTTERS 52

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Call today to schedule your FREE ROOF INSPECTION! 402.345.9235 | info@loveourroof.com | LoveOurRoof.com JANUARY 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart