Strictly Business Omaha February 2019

STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM

OMAHA • FEBRUARY 2019

TM

DARCIE DINGMAN

MARKETING/HR

BOYD DINGMAN OWNER

In This Issue

• Winter Auto Care • Wedding Planning • Building Maintenance • Senior Living Client Spotlights • Getzschman Heating, LLC • Gerst Painting and Contracting Inc. • Boomer Radio • Douglas County Health Center

AGO

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RIVER CITY SIX

WE CAN HANDLE ALL OF YOUR AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR NEEDS

KIM LARSEN

KEVIN DAI

MATT ROWE

MICHELE MAGNER Brookestone Meadows

KRISTI THORNTON

ANGIE PETERSEN-GREEN

Scantron Technology Solutions

Big Birge Plumbing Co. Engineered Controls

Vision Maps with West Gate Bank FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business 1 Angie

Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505

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

MAY THE G-FORCE BE WITH YOU

Getzschman Heating, LLC, a 58-year-old commercial and residential HVAC firm, has remained a local family-owned company since Richard Getzschman started it. Richard began his HVAC career way before then, though. He worked for a company called Nebraska Sheet Metal and then eventually left to join forces with a friend. Together they launched their company, Smith and Getzschman, in 1958. After gaining valuable knowledge and experience, Richard started Getzschman Heating and Sheet Metal. Though he has since dropped the sheet metal portion of the name, the company still manages a significant sheet metal operation.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

ivelye most extens “We have th tenured service esttrained, long cians a. Our techni re a e staff in th akes work on all m are trained to air conditioners, of and models heat pumps.” nd a s, ce a rn fu man - Ron Getzsch

Richard had three of his sons eventually join the company: Ron Getzschman joined in 1972, Scott Getzschman in 1978, and David Getzschman joined seven years later in 1985. Ron and Scott, along with Roger Pannier, now co-own the business. Scott is focused on the residential service side, Ron handles the residential installation business, David focuses on commercial, and Roger oversees accounting.

The company, which started in the garage of the Getzschman home in 1960, now operates out of two facilities. The headquarters is Pictured (L-R): Scott, Ron, and located in a 20,000-square-foot former shopping center in Fremont David Getzschman that Getzschman purchased in 2007. Getzschman currently has 53 employees and field 16 service vehicles (six installation trucks on the residential side; 11 vehicles on the commercial side).

GETZSCHMAN’S G-VERIFY SYSTEM Since the beginning, Getzschman Heating has always put the customer and the community first. This strong family commitment is what Getzschman refers to as its “G-Force.” The G-Force concept is part of a marketing campaign that pushes fast and reliable service and backs it up with measurable and verifiable diagnostics.

A key differentiator that sets the company apart from its competition is that it requires technicians to be highly-trained in what the company calls “G-Verify System Efficiency Diagnostics.”

Getzschman field team members gather for regular safety meetings Ron Getzschman attributes the company’s success to its focus on the in the company sheet metal room.

National Comfort Institute’s (NCI) Performance-Based Contracting™ approach. The Getzschman G-Verify testing and diagnostic methods are used on air balancing and combustion efficiency test to measure the performance characteristics of the HVAC system compared to the collected manufacturer’s specifications.

Getzschman is one of a few companies in the Fremont-Omaha market area that actually measure, test, and verify system performance for their customers.

This performance-based contracting method allows technicians to effectively communicate processes with their customers. Getzschman’s team can explain how most people’s HVAC systems waste 40% of their energy, even on brand new systems. Then they explain how their technicians identify inconsistencies in duct work, why they audit performance on the existing system, and, if they replace that system, how it must be properly installed and commissioned.

Getzschman technicians do this on every installation. Then they recheck to make sure the upgrades and improvements have made a difference.

LOCATIONS: OMAHA

2112 S. 156th Cir., Omaha, NE (402) 554-1110 Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FREMONT

1700 E. 23rd Ave. N, Fremont, NE (402) 721-6301 Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ron Getzschman (left) and

Getzschman is proud to be named NCI’s 2018 Contractor of the Year for Scott Getzschman (right) pose their commitment to implementing the Performance-Based Contracting™ with their plaque after being named NCI’s 2018 Contractor approach. of the Year during that orga-

When you select Getzschman Heating, LLC you not only acquire the products nization’s High Performance themselves, but you also gain a special G-Force membership status among all Summit event in Austin, TX. the customers they serve.

BLAIR

419 N. 19th St., Blair, NE (402) 533-2355 Available by appointment only.

FEEL THE G-FORCE TODAY BY VISITING WWW.GETZSCHMAN.COM #PrintProudDigitalSmart

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

3

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

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

Businesses Succeed When They Know Their Story I hope you enjoyed hearing from our team in the last issue of Strictly Business about a few of our goals, both personal and professional, for the new year.

While 2018 was surely a year for the books, filled with milestones and exciting new developments in our office, Strictly Business is always looking forward to the future with aspirations of growth. There is no denying that this is the time of the year when a lot of New Year’s resolutions have either been neglected or completely abandoned altogether.

It’s why we see gym memberships spike in January, but then steadily decline as the year progresses. It’s an unfortunate trend that I’m sure we can all admit we’ve fallen victim to once or twice, but I’m proud to say that will not be the case for Strictly Business. As a company, our New Year’s resolution is to continue our commitment to our clients and readers by publishing reliable and relevant news every month. It is our pleasure to tell stories and generate new connections within the local business community through these means. The Strictly Business team is dedicated to upholding the integrity of print media, while also capitalizing on our strong online presence, in order to give our clients further promotion. Just because the excitement of the new year has worn off, it doesn’t mean we should lose sight of our goals. Especially for business teams that just devoted time to planning for the year ahead by identifying their main objectives, this time of the year is still an excellent opportunity to continue recognizing things that need to be improved and then take concrete steps to actually improve them.

Just like an individual trying to break a bad habit or develop good character traits, a business can develop habits that are either helpful or harmful. A useful way to look at the importance of a business plan is to think of it like a story.

Many people in marketing or business have come to recognize the importance of having a story to tell their customers. Author David Miller became a New York Times bestselling author by writing about the importance of storytelling to brand a business. Miller’s lectures for business owners are infused with his own personal stories of discovering the importance of branding in his own professional experience. Perhaps the key principle, which is common throughout Miller’s lectures and writings, is the importance of emphasizing the customer, not the business, in any business’ brand. Before the customer reaches for their wallet, they first want clarity on what a business can do to help them. A successful brand recognizes this as key to the relationship between a customer and a business.

Brian Solis, a marketing expert and principal analyst at Altimeter Group, has discussed this same storytelling movement in marketing. In an interview with Keith Richey, published on the Marketing Land blog on November 7, Solis argues that many marketers have accepted the importance of using storytelling to establish a brand without understanding why. “As marketers,

we’ve bought into the aspiration and the ideal of storytelling-based marketing without going through the exercise of what it actually takes to become a storyteller,” Solis told Richey. In the interview, Solis goes on to discuss these key principles for marketing: • Know your audience, including their needs and wants.

• Think of your client as the hero of the story, not your business.

• Track the results of your marketing to see whether you are out of touch with your desired customers.

David Pilcher of the FreeportPress has discussed the importance of storytelling for all major college and universities. For prospective students, understanding their future experience on campus is critical to their choice of school. This has made print brochures a key tool for colleges and universities to communicate a story to incoming freshmen. Pilcher interviewed Sandy Hubbard of The Print Media Center on the topic for a post on the FreeportPress blog, published November 27. Hubbard underscored the vital role that print has: “Thousands— and sometimes hundreds of thousands—of dollars are riding on the impressions that these recruiters make. Nobody is spouting off web addresses during these presentations. It’s all print,” she told Pilcher.

The advantage of print brochures in these settings is they economically communicate a personal story to a target audience: A successful brochure helps an incoming first-year student imagine their enriching educational experience at the school. As a tactile object, it captures their full attention and allows them to hold onto the information. Of course, the prospective student choosing a college is much like any customer making a decision that they hope will benefit them.

Like any good story, a New Year’s resolution involves a clear goal, with the potential of success or failure. For customers, any business, product, or service is a tool that they hope will help them accomplish their goals, wants, and needs. A marketer’s goal is to communicate to their audience how they can support the customer in achieving their goals. In other words, completing their story. Print and digital media continue to be the two key strategies to deliver that message to potential customers, which is why Strictly Business pays close attention to reader engagement with our print and digital content. Breaking last year’s records, Strictly Business articles about our clients appeared in Google’s search results over 12.7 million times, and page views on our articles exceeded 366,000 from Google alone. Our goal for this year is to continue to build on this success, and to help our readers identify the best local businesses and services in the Omaha area.

Let Strictly Business Magazine help you lock in your status as THE EXPERT in your industry, utilizing print, the internet and social media. Find out how by contacting Paige at (402) 466-3330.

CONTENTS NEWS

4 Business 23 Personnel

27 Non-Profit 34 Health

SPOTLIGHTS

1 15 16 22 48

Getzschman Heating, LLC Gerst Painting and Contracting Inc. River City Six Boomer Radio Douglas County Health Center

FEATURE STORIES

36 38 40 44 4

Winter Auto Care Wedding Planning Building Maintenance Senior Living Strictly Business FEBRUARY 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

WE CAN HANDLE ALL OF YOUR AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR NEEDS

TM

MARKETING/HR

BOYD DINGMAN

OWNER

WE CAN HANDLE ALL OF YOUR AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR NEEDS

In ThIs Issue

• Winter Auto Care • Wedding Planning • Building Maintenance • Senior Living Client SpotlightS • Getzschman Heating, LLC • Gerst Painting and Contracting Inc. • Boomer Radio • Douglas County Health Center

RIVER CITY SIX

Dingman’s Collision Center stresses that every vehicle owner has the right to choose the shop of their choice to perform any necessary repairs after an accident has occurred. Many times, insurance companies recommend their preferred shops due to a business agreement that they’ve made with those shops. However, it may or may not be a shop that is the right fit for the customer. Sometimes, in the stress of a sudden accident, a vehicle owner may feel that they are not given a choice on where their vehicle will be repaired and they have to go with a preferred repair facility. This just isn’t the case.

Vehicle owners, regardless of whether they are using their insurance or the other driver’s insurance, have the right to choose the shop of their choice. An accident can be very stressful, which is why deciding where you will take your vehicle before an accident happens can really save a lot of time and alleviate some of that stress. Call or stop by body shops and ask questions. Ask your mechanic for recommendations.

Read reviews and find our more details about the warranty provided.

KIM LARSEN

Scantron Technology Solutions

KEVIN DAI

MATT ROWE

Big Birge Plumbing Co. Engineered Controls

AGO

Dingman’s always believes in doing the right thing for the vehicle owner. It is Dingman’s commitment to ensure that all damage is repaired according to manufacturer specifications so that the safety is put back into the vehicle. Dingman’s doesn’t expect their customers to know the proper repair procedures, which is why they have ongoing training in all aspects of collision repair for their employees so that they can ensure that the vehicle is repaired according to manufacturer specifications. Dingman’s works with all insurance companies on the customer’s behalf to ensure these repairs are completed correctly and no shortcuts taken. They want to take all of the worry and stress away once that vehicle is on their lot.

OMAHA • FEBRUARY 2019

DARCIE DINGMAN

Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505

Dingman’s Collision Center is a family owned and operated business that has roots that go back to the 1960s. However, Dingman’s has been doing business in the Omaha metro for the past 22 years. Boyd and Diana Dingman opened their first location in 1997 in midtown. Over the years, they along with their children, Andy, Darcie, and Travis, have grown the business into four auto body shops and one mechanical shop throughout the Omaha Metro. Andy, general manager, is involved nationally with SCRS (Society of Collision Repair Specialists), bringing back all the latest in the industry so that Dingman’s is always up-to-date with vehicle repair procedures and the ongoing changes in the automotive industry. Each member of the team is dedicated to delivering the best customer service and the best repair possible to each of their customers.

STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM

MICHELE MAGNER Brookestone Meadows

KRISTI THORNTON

West Gate Bank

ANGIE PETERSEN-GREEN

Vision Maps with Angie

Vehicles are constantly changing. The amount of technology in vehicles is incredible. Because of all the technology, repairs have changed as well. It is important to find a shop that has ongoing training as well as access to all vehicle manufacturer repair procedures. Dingman’s Collision Center wants to be your choice for auto body repair. Bring your questions and concerns to them. They are happy to help you in any way. You are their customer, and you and your family’s safety is their number one priority. Stop into any one of their four locations to experience the Dingman’s difference for yourself!

Call any of our convenient Omaha locations!

Midtown Omaha | 50th & Saddle Creek | 402.558.3500 Northwest Omaha | 120th & Maple | 402.502-5511 Southwest Omaha | 144th & Industrial Rd. | 402.502.8757 Downtown Papillion | 84th & Lincoln | 402.933.9400 Dingman’s Mechanical Repair | 120th & Maple | 402-991-2848

For more information, visit www.Dingmans.com.

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www.StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

5

BUSINESS NEWS Business Ethics Alliance to Hold Workshop on Responding to Sexual Harassment

Lied Center Presents “A Celebration of Music and Milestone, N 150”

The Business Ethics Alliance® is excited to announce a new workshop on Wednesday, February 6 from 7:30– 9 a.m. Held at Creighton University’s Mike and Josie Harper Center, and in partnership with SCORE Omaha, this workshop will help small business owners learn strategies for intervention and practical tools for when they are an organization’s only resource.

For any organization, large or small, sexual harassment needs to be considered a significant threat not only to the bottom line but also to organizational culture. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recovered nearly $165 million for employees who made harassment claims in 2015. Whether allegations are made or not, a culture of harassment causes low morale, increased turnover, and serious harm to organizational reputation.

For only $25, small business owners an learn how to become an effective “first responder” despite the limitations of resources in their business. By encouraging employees to speak up and knowing how to respond to their claims, business owners set the tone for a culture of respect, openness, and unconditional willingness to listen. More information and registration can be found at businessethicsalliance.org/events.

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 nonprofit dedicated to city-level business ethics education.

Learn more online at www.businessethicsalliance.org.

On Charter Day, February 15, the University of Nebraska will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a monumental evening of live performance and multimedia entertainment, A Celebration of Music and Milestone, N 150. At this special event, host Jeff Zeleny, University of Nebraska alum, native Nebraskan, and Senior White House Correspondent for CNN, will guide the audience through some of the University’s major accomplishments.

More than 175 artists will unite to perform a program including Wagner’s “Entrance of the Gods,” Orff’s “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana, and N 150-commissioned new works by Nebraska alums David von Kampen and Garrett Hope. Special features include tributes to celebrated alumni Willa Cather, Roxane Gay, and Ted Kooser.

Performing ensembles include the Cornhusker Marching Band, UNL Symphony Orchestra, UNL Opera, UNL Dance, Chamber Singers, University Singers, and the Varsity Singers. They will be joined throughout the evening by notable University of Nebraska alums, including actress Marg Helgenberger. The production will seamlessly integrate multimedia and projection, music, and lighting in an impressive tribute to the University.

Tickets are $30 and are available at: liedcenter.org/event/celebrationmusic-and-milestone-n-150/, by phone at (402) 472-4747, or at the Lied Center box office, 301 N. 12th St. UNL students can purchase tickets at a 50% discount with a valid NCard. Children 18 and younger are eligible for half-price tickets. For more information, visit LiedCenter.org.

Perry Reid Construction Nears Completion of Mansions at Tregaron in Bellevue Perry Reid Construction (PRC) was selected as the general contractor for the Mansions at Tregaron, a brand new townhome community in Bellevue. The 16-million-dollar project broke ground back in January of 2018 and the projected completion date is in October.

PRC has already completed construction of the clubhouse and five of Tregaron’s 13 buildings.

The townhome community has a total of 130 units with eight floor plan options. Located on the fairways of Tregaron Golf Course, the new townhomes are minutes away from delicious local eateries, plentiful shopping locales, and gorgeous parks. With U.S. Route 75 just down the road, residents can be anywhere in just a short drive. Contact Mansions at Tregaron today by calling (402) 804-8079 to be one of the first to call it home.

PRC was very excited to take on the Mansions at Tregaron project, as it is professionally managed by its parent company, Perry Reid Properties.

This is just one of the 40 million dollars worth of projects the company has in the books for 2019. PRC takes on both commercial and residential projects in Omaha and the surrounding area. They have a vast knowledge of multi-family dwellings, hospitality buildings, and medical facilities.

Perry Reid Construction was created with enthusiasm and passion by joining the minds of Craig Reid, Ben Velinsky, Alex Perry, and Angie Welton. Established in 2017, the PRC vision was to create a general contracting company that would value its employees like trusted family, and serve its customers like a respected friend. Their goal is to provide unmatched service and support to all owners, including architects, subcontractors, and the community. Learn more about PRC’s projects by visiting buildprc.com, or call the team at (402) 488-1666.

6 Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

Greater Omaha Chamber’s YP Summit Coming March 15 For next-generation leaders with an inspirational eye on the future, there’s only one Greater Omaha Chamber YP Summit. This celebrated, day-long event is set to take place on March 15 at CHI Health Center Omaha.

Designed to offer regional young professionals an opportunity to test sky’s-the-limit thinking, as well as gain perspective on community opportunities and network with like-minded colleagues, the annual YP Summit convenes more than 1,500 regional millennials for a professional experience that is equal parts imagination and insight.

“Our team promises to activate curiosity and cultivate professional, personal and community growth through intentional development, inspiration and empowerment,” says David G. Brown, president and CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber. “Over the course of the day, through change-making keynotes and empowering breakouts, we will celebrate differences, foster connections, grow inclusivity and initiate positive, community-enhancing change—all with the goal of bringing a new layer of vibrancy to our community.”

Keynote speakers for past YP Summit events have included singer John Legend, journalist Ari Shapiro, and author Malcom Gladwell. The 2019 Summit continues the top-talent, primary-address tradition, with keynote speaker, Vinh Giang, illusionist and entrepreneur, as well as a host of professional/personal development breakouts. The day wraps up with an exclusive, off-site YP Summit post-party accessible only with attendees’ name badges.

For more information, and to register Greater Omaha Chamber YP Summit, visit www.omahachamber.org/ypsummit. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Care Consultants for the Aging Moves to New Location

BNI Holds Member Recognition Events During International Networking Week

As of February 1, Care Consultants for the Aging in Omaha has moved to a new office location at 11640 Arbor St., STE 103. This is the first time Care Consultants has relocated in over 25 years. This updated space will allow for future growth and present more opportunities to host clients and referral partners. The location of the new office is just two minutes off I-680, and more centrally located in Omaha.

BNI® Heartland has member recognition events lined up across the region during the first week of the month, which is known as International Networking Week™ (INW)—a global initiative that encourages business networking and relationship building among professionals who may otherwise not have participated. INW is an annual event that always takes place the first full week in February.

Care Consultants provides a Home Care Registry. They screen and refer caregivers who work for families. The care is client-directed, ensuring that you make the decisions regarding your care for that of your loved one. This unique service has proven time and again to be of superior quality as evidenced by its reputation for providing the best level of care possible.

Established in 1991, Care Consultants for the Aging is a locally owned and operated company that began out of a need in the community.

Care Consultants has been referring qualified, screened, independent contractor CNA-level caregivers who provide in-home care to the elderly in addition to connecting them with a wide variety of services in and around the communities it serves. Stop by the new location or go online to CareConsultants.com to learn more. For additional questions, contact Kyle Johnson at (402) 398-1848 / Omaha@ CareConsultants.com.

Vision Maps with Angie Celebrates First Year in Business Angie Petersen-Green, owner of Vision Maps with Angie, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of her business. Vision Maps with Angie offers a chance for individuals, couples, or teams to generate motivation and growth by creating a vision board. A vision board, or a dream board, is a collage of images, pictures, and affirmations of one’s dreams and desires. The idea behind a vision board is that it will serve as a visual reminder of one’s goals and, as a result, make them more attainable. Angie has had the pleasure of connecting many people with this powerful tool to help transform their lives.

After 20 years in the healthcare industry, Angie felt called to do something else. She still wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, and hosting vision board workshops gave her a way to do that while putting her creative abilities to use. As Angie explains it, it’s dually therapeutic for all visionaries (clients) involved. Through her own experience with life coaches and creating a vision board for herself, Angie saw the impact it made on her life and she wanted to do the same for others. She started by offering three-hour workshops for $40 in her home—otherwise known as her “Zen Den.” However, over the course of the past year, Angie began to realize the value of what she was offering. She now does individual workshops for $200, couples workshops for $300, and team-building workshops for $100 per person. If the group is over five people, she will come to them.

Learn more about participating in a vision board workshop with Vision Maps with Angie by contacting Angie Petersen-Green at (402) 890-5375 / apstemley@yahoo.com. Check out the website (www. visionmapswithangie.com) and the Facebook group as well! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BNI Founder and Chief Visionary Officer Dr. Ivan Misner stated, “We live in a world where business at all levels is more global than ever.

I’m incredibly excited by the new opportunities that BNI® provides members to grow their businesses and build new communities across the world.”

Increasingly, members of BNI® are conducting business with one another across regional and international borders, creating a truly global business network where leaders can expand their businesses and compete on the world stage.

BNI® is the world’s leading referral organization, with over 245,000 members in 70+ countries. Members generate word-of-mouth business for each other through structured, results-driven groups around the world. In 2018 alone, BNI members generated over $15 billion (USD) in revenue for member-businesses. 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.

Advertise With Boomer Radio!

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. We understand how to market to the affluent “Boomer” generation.

Why target baby boomers?

• 50% of the population is over the age of 50 • Boomers spend the most across all product categories • Boomers own 80% of all savings & MORE!

Why choose Boomer Radio to advertise?

• Advertising “zone” options • America’s #1 reach medium • Cost effective • Live and local programing • Only baby boomer station & MORE!

Call Brad at (402) 710-9616 to see how Boomer can partner with your business today!

www.MyBoomerRadio.com

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

7

BUSINESS NEWS Vodec Celebrates 50 Years Founded in 1968 by a host of families focused on securing a safe and respectful environment for their family members with disabilities, Vodec celebrated its 50th anniversary in January. With offices in Council Bluffs and Urbandale, IA, as well as Omaha, NE, Vodec (founded as Vocational Development Center Inc.) continues to grow and evolve, serving hundreds of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities each year.

“We diversified from our original sheltered work service to a multilayered and diverse menu of services focused on employability skills training, community employment, individual and group residential services, day habilitation, and transition services for high school students,” said Steve Hodapp, who’s been with the organization as CEO for 21 of these 50 years. “We also diversified our geography outside southwest Iowa to include Omaha and central Iowa.”

Vodec provides services to persons with disabilities in order that they may live, work, and participate in the community in the least restrictive environment to achieve their full potential. They believe this approach to service and its commitment to dignity, care, professionalism, and success allow them to reveal ability and open doors to whole lives for a segment of the society that has been historically mistreated and isolated. Learn more online at vodec.org, or contact (712) 328-2638 / comments@ vodec.org.

Infusionmedia Publishes Iowa Sports Rivalry Book and Launches Website Infusionmedia has publisked an Iowa sports rivalry book, titled River City Rivals: Sioux City’s Basketball Rivalry between Briar Cliff University and Morningside College by sports writer Barry Fouts. In addition, a website devoted to the book has been launched at rivercityrivals.com.

The book captures the memories of those who played, those who coached, and those who simply enjoyed over 50 seasons of rivalry between Sioux City, IA’s two college basketball teams, Briar Cliff University and Morningside College. The 6” × 9” paperback includes interviews with key players and coaches, as well as historical photos of both teams. The website, rivercityrivals.com, provides more information about the book and its author, as well as an ecommerce functionality to sell the book.

Infusionmedia is a marketing and design agency that develops custom tools to help you succeed at marketing your business. Based in Lincoln, their services include custom book publishing, content marketing, website development, and managed website hosting. Find out more at infusion.media or contact (402) 477-2065 / hello@infusion.media.

BLUEBARN Theatre Presents “I and You” Production BLUEBARN Theatre is excited to present I and You by Lauren Gunderson. The production will run from January 31 through February 24, Thursday–Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, February 10 and 24 at 2 p.m.; and February 17 at 6 p.m.

The play, directed by Barry Carman, is about a boy named Anthony. One afternoon, he arrives unexpectedly at classmate Caroline’s door bearing a beat-up copy of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, and an urgent assignment from their English teacher.

As these two let down their guards and share their secrets, they unlock a much deeper mystery that has brought them together. I and You is an ode to youth, life, love, and the strange beauty of human connectedness.

After the February 14 and 21 (Thursdays) showings, attendees are invited to stay for a revealing conversation with the stars of I and You, Anna Jordan and Jordan Smith. The two will be ready and willing to answer any and all questions about the production. In addition, at 6 p.m. on February 10, BLUEBARN Theatre will host the Nebraska Writer’s Collective as they present young spoken word poets from their Louder Than a Bomb program, performing original work inspired by Walt Whitman. As an additional engagement opportunity, there will be a Whitman Exhibit, curated by UNL’s Whitman Archive, in BLUEBARN’s Mammel Lobby. Available throughout the duration of the production dates, the exhibit is designed for guests to peruse a display on the legacy of the late American poet and journalist, Walt Whitman.

After the performance on February 17, BLUEBARN will convene a forum of transplant donors, donor family members, recipients, and professionals in partnership with the UNMC Transplant Team and Nebraska Organ Recovery. Join them for a discussion of the powerful impact of organ donation and the misconceptions that may prevent some from becoming donors.

General admission for I and You at BLUEBARN Theatre (1106 S. 10th St.) is $35; $30 for seniors. Tickets are available at bluebarn.org. Educator, Military, and BLUCrew tickets are available through the box office, which can be reached at (402) 345-1576. Engagement events are free and open to the public.

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United Way of the Midlands Ranked 7th in the Nation for Performance United Way of the Midlands (UWM) is pleased to announce it has been ranked as the seventh-best United Way in the nation for campaign performance out of approximately 1,200 United Ways.

The ranking is determined by United Way Worldwide’s Performance Index.

The performance index takes into account each United Way’s fundraising campaign size, campaign per capita, campaign per effective buying income (EBI, a measure of disposable income) and growth in each of these areas between 2001 and 2017.

Shawna Forsberg, president and CEO of UWM, accredited the organization’s success to the residents of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro. She also recognized the dedication and passion of our Campaign Chairs Tim and Terri Burke.

UWM partners with 700 local organizations and more than 40,000 donors to raise millions for the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro each year. Because of their support and UWM’s continued focus on cost efficiencies, UWM is able to invest 91 cents out of every donated dollar back into the local community.

As UWM looks to the future, it will maintain its focus on financial excellence while continuing to prioritize impact. As part of this effort, the organization has implemented the Results Based Accountability framework into its grant process. This will help UWM more accurately measure the effectiveness of its investments in local nonprofit programs.

Thanks to donors, volunteers and community partners, United Way of the Midlands is not only focused on addressing our community’s human needs today; it is focused on what can be, and what should be. Visit www.UnitedWayMidlands.org or call (402) 522-7933 for more information. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Omaha Fashion Week Uses “Fashion for Good” During Its Spring Season

American National Bank Receives Two Banking Industry Awards

Omaha Fashion Week (OFW) is excited to kick off another showcase, February 25–March 2! OFW’s “Fashion for Good” season is a week dedicated to supporting the community, inspiring students, and showcasing emerging and established design talent.

American National Bank (ANB) is proud to be the recipient of not one, but two banking industry awards. The American Banker named American National as one of the Top Mid-Tier Banks for 2018. American Banker is the essential resource for senior executives in banking and financial services, keeping its users updated on vital developments and focusing sharply on their most important concerns— innovation, transformation, and disruption; technology, regulation, and reform. Rankings were determined by analyzing the top consolidated bank holding companies, banks, and thrifts with total assets of between $2 billion and $10 billion as of 12/31/17, and they were based on three-year average return on equity for 2015 to 2017.

ANB also extends a special thanks to all of their customers who voted for them during Omaha Magazine’s Best of Omaha Contest, earning them the distinction of being one of the top three best banks of Omaha for 2019. Best of Omaha helps local businesses strengthen relationships in the community. As a community bank since 1856, American National is committed to providing unmatched personal service and innovative banking products to individuals, families and businesses.

American National Bank is the second largest, locally-owned bank based on deposits in the Omaha/Council Bluffs market area. For more information, visit www.american.bank. Contact ANB by emailing CustomerService@anbank.com or calling one their 24-hour automated customer service lines: (402) 457-5465 / (800) 725-5465.

Doors to Omaha Design Center open each evening at 6 p.m. Join OFW before the shows for the Pretty in Patina Pre-Party with live entertainment and shopping in the PopUp Shop Market, as well as the Borsheims Red Carpet Experience!

Plus, don’t miss out on the Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery and Dreams MedSpa VIP Lounge, where you can take in all the fashion and glamour with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks from the ABSOLUT ELYX Bar! It all leads up to the main event: a packed showcase on the Allure Health & Med Spa Runway to Beauty! The show schedule is as follows: Monday, February 25: Omaha Wedding Salon—Brides can plan their big day in fashion by enjoying an evening of inspiration at this glamorous bridal themed showcase. From a high-end runway show full of local designers and boutiques, to a vendor market showcasing endless inspiration, brides can check everything off their wedding list!

Tuesday, February 26: Metropolitan Community College Student Night—Features student collections from local high schools and mentoring programs. The show will be preceded by a Q&A panel discussion on careers in creative industries, such as fashion, photography, design, and more! (Panel TBA) Blocks of complimentary tickets are available for student groups by emailing info@ omahafashionweek.com.

Wednesday, February 27: UNL Student Showcase—Produced

by Omaha Fashion Week in partnership with UNL’s Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design (TMFD), this studentcentered event features incredibly creative original works from senior fashion design students.

Thursday, February 28: Methodist 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: ADORNED Emerging Designer Showcase—This popular evening puts the spotlight on the region’s best emerging design talent, delivering an unforgettable night of creativity and cutting-edge fashion.

Saturday, March 2: Featured Designer Showcase—The crown jewel on top of an amazing week of fashion, culture, and creativity, this is the night for the region’s most talented and seasoned designers, many of whom will sell their collections right from the runway!

Sunday, March 3: Shop the Runway Sunday—Join the OFW Team at Omaha Design Center from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. for a “breakfast of champions” featuring donuts and mimosas. Guests will have the opportunity to shop the collections featured on the runway and meet the designers behind the clothing! Free and open to the public.

Omaha Fashion Week’s has proudly grown into the nation’s fifth largest fashion event, supporting more independent fashion designers than any other organization in the region. Learn more and purchase tickets for Omaha Fashion Week’s spring season at www.omahafashionweek.com. OFW can also be contacted at (402) 937-1061 / info@omahafashionweek.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Oasis Senior Advisors Announces Office Relocation Oasis Senior Advisors is excited to announce that they have moved to a new office location at 11640 Arbor St., STE 103. This updated space will be shared with their sister company, Care Consultants for the Aging, and will offer a private area for clients to come and discuss living options in the Omaha Metro area with an industry expert.

If you have a beloved elder family member who needs more care than you’re able to provide, moving into a senior living community may be a positive solution. Your loved one may be able to benefit from a better overall wellbeing because of the high-quality accommodations and easily accessible services that a senior community can provide.

Oasis Senior Advisors is beyond happy to offer FREE senior housing placement services in Omaha so you can find the right community that meets all of your needs.

No matter your individual needs, Oasis Senior Advisors will sit down with you and help you go over your senior housing options. They understand that everyone is different and will, therefore, have different needs. They also understand that these needs can sometimes change and the senior housing option that once worked for your loved one no longer does.

Oasis Senior Advisors’ senior housing services include assisted living, independent living, memory care, retirement communities, residential care homes, and respite services. They also offer a number of resources for seniors and their families so that they can feel fully prepared and confident in their senior housing selection. Learn more at AnswersForMom.com, or contact Kyle Johnson at (402) 669-9490 / Omaha@YourOasisAdvisor.com.

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business 9

BUSINESS NEWS Yield Champions to Host Pro Ag I Training in Lincoln February 18–19 Dennis Nun, president of Yield Champions, has announced the location of a special crop production intensive coming up in Nebraska in February. On February 18 and 19, the Pro Ag I, a two-day crop production intensive, will be available for producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa, as well as their agronomists, seed, and fertilizer suppliers, in Lincoln at the Embassy Suites. Breakfast will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday the 19th and the program will start at 7:30 a.m., ending at 3:30 p.m.

The focus of Pro Ag I is on reducing input costs while increasing yields. This is a unique program that many of the NCGA State and National Yield Champions credit with having provided them with the knowledge necessary to increase their yields and profits.

Dennis Nun, president of Yield Champions, says, “We’re excited to be able to bring cutting-edge fertility training to our customers and clients as well as opening up these programs to seed and fertilizer dealers, farm managers, land owners and other agricultural professionals.”

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

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Star City BaconFest 2019 Returns April 7 Star City BaconFest returns to the Capital City for the fifth year on April 7 at Lincoln’s Cornhusker Marriott Hotel. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with bacon sampling continuing until 7 p.m. Admission is $25 for adults, with children 10 and under free. Ticket availability is limited, Pictured: Hundreds of bacon lovers so purchasing early is strongly enjoyed an evening of tempting treats featuring bacon cooked suggested. Tickets can be purchased up by some of Lincoln’s most online at starcitybaconfest.com. creative chefs during the 2018 Chefs from several popular area Star City BaconFest. Proceeds of restaurants will offer up their creative the event go toward scholarships bacon-infused samples of everything for Nebraska culinary students. from sweet to savory—and about everything in between. Entertainment will be provided by Screamers Dining and Cabaret. Throughout the evening, BaconFest attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite bacon-inspired treats.

Hormel Foods is providing products for the chefs to use during Star City BaconFest.

Star City BaconFest 2019 is sponsored again this year by the Nebraska Restaurant Association (NRA) and the Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA). Proceeds go toward scholarships for culinary students in Nebraska. For more information, visit Star City BaconFest at starcitybaconfest.com.

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Goosmann Law Firm and Arbor University Present EmpowHer Series

Veterans In Business Forum Announces Upcoming Meeting

Join Goosmann Law Firm and Arbor University for the latest installment in the EmpowHer Series, Grow Your Business & Get Clients, on Thursday, February 7. This free event will take place at Nuri Event Studio (3623 N. 129th St.) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Goosmann Law and Arbor Bank want to give you the gift that keeps on giving: Education. This is why they have invited Christie Finnegan, an expert in growing business relationships and business development, to lead this presentation.

The Veterans in Business Forum (VIBF) meets the first Friday of every month (0800-0900). Their next meetings are 1 February and 1 March at the University of Nebraska–Omaha College of Business Administration, Mammel Hall – Room 215, 6708 Pine Street, Omaha, NE 68182-0048. Guest speaker for February is Kelly Grefe from SCORE Greater Omaha.

He will speak on “Raising Capital for a Business.” Dean Kenkel from Nebraska Veterans Coalition is slated as the guest speaker for March.

Christie leads and manages her firm’s business development efforts and long-term client relationships. She is a highly-effective executive responsible for negotiating and fostering relationships, as well as collaborating with other professionals to guide individuals and their families through the estate planning and business succession process ensuring their plan is personalized and meets their wishes and values.

The EmpowHer Series was created to “EmpowHER” women in Nebraska and Iowa to start, grow, and protect their own businesses!

Please register beforehand by contacting Paula Hazen at (402) 2814634 / paulahazen@arborbanking.com. There is also a registration page for this event on www.Eventbrite.com.

Neptune Cremation Service Holds Ribbon Cutting at New Location in Ralston Neptune Cremation Service (NCS) celebrated the opening of their location in Ralston. The cremation provider hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 4, at which members of the Omaha community were able to visit the new storefront at 5364 S. 72nd St. The ribbon cutting was conducted by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

Guests at the event toured the new facility and learned more about how NCS serves families across the country. In addition, guests had the opportunity to speak with Corey Starr, funeral director at Neptune Cremation Service, or with the pre-planning counselor, Mark Stoltenberg, to learn more about their services, including the travel protection plan, the child and grandchild protection policy, and Neptune’s 24/7 grief support hotline. The NCS team works each day to help families through the toughest days of their lives by carrying out the wishes of those who have passed away.

Neptune Cremation Service in Omaha is a direct cremation provider, here to assist families with both preplanning cremation services and those of immediate need after a loved one has passed away.

By providing varied and affordable plans, NCS helps individuals craft customized cremation plans and services that honor their lives or those of their loved ones without overspending.

Neptune Cremation Service is proud to open its doors in a new community and strives to serve its new neighbors with the dignity and compassion they deserve. For more information about cremation services, go online to www.neptunesociety.com/location/omaha-necremation or call (800) 637-8863. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

The mission of the Veterans in Business Forum 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, contact Michel Thornhill at (402) 932-7243 / info@littlemountainwebdesign.com (email is preferable). Visit www. omahanebraska.com/VeteransinBusinessForumOmahaNetworking to learn more about the organization.

BBB Announces Video Contest with Cash Prize to Omaha High School Students The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has announced the Student Video Contest. If you know of high school students who are creative, like video production, and want to win some money, please tell them about this opportunity. It is an interactive competition designed to engage students (grades 9-12) and to encourage the creation of high quality, usergenerated video content. Along with a cash prize, winners will also be award new video equipment for their school.

Teams must be formed by February 8 at 11:59 p.m., and the videos submitted by March 1 at 11:59 p.m. to qualify.

Additionally, the teams have to be supervised by a teacher or another adult school representative. For the contest, teams of one to four students, approved by a school administrator/teacher, will be create videos that represent one of BBB’s chosen themes: “Start With Trust” or “#Ask BBB.” The students will compete based on the participants’ ability to follow the contest guidelines, quality of video production, delivery of the theme, key messages and successful promotion, and marketing of their videos. Finally, the top videos will be scored by the BBB and selected judges/professionals, and the winners will be chosen. The prizes for the top three winners are: • First Place: $2,000 - Donation of equipment of school’s choice and $500 cash/gift cards to the winning video.

• Second Place: $1,000 - Donation of equipment of school’s choice and $250 cash/gift cards to the 2nd place video.

• Third Place: $750 - Donation of equipment of school’s choice.

Go to bbbvideocontest.org/omaha for more information. For questions, contact Better Business Bureau’s Communications Department at (402) 898-8550.

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business 11

BUSINESS NEWS Durham Museum to Host 21 and Over “Flappers and Fizz” Event

R&R Realty Group Opens New Corporate Headquarters

The Durham Museum will host Flappers and Fizz, a 21-and-older event, on Friday, February 22, from 6 to 10 p.m. Don your glad rags and get ready to drink some giggle water, you’re invited to a night of flappers, champagne, and art deco. Other event features include a murder mystery game to see if you can figure out which Omaha mobster got “bumped off” during a night of cards. If murder isn’t your game, dance the Charleston with the Jitterbugs and listen to some 20s jazz instead.

If you’re lucky, you may even find your way to the secret speakeasy, hidden in the museum. Each ticket receives entry to the event, heavy hors d’oeuvres, one drink ticket, and a mystery game packet.

So grab that flapper dress and your dancing shoes, this night is going to be the bee’s knees! Tickets are available at DurhamMuseum.org/ FlappersAndFizz or by calling (402) 444-5071. Cost is $30 museum members, $35 non-members, or $40 at the door.

Making its home in one of Omaha’s most unique treasures, Union Station at 801 S. 10th St., The Durham Museum offers a fascinating look at the history of the region and offers a broad-range of traveling exhibits covering subjects ranging from history and culture, to science, industry and more through our affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution and strong ties with the Library of Congress, National Archives, and the Field Museum.

For information about The Durham Museum please visit the museum’s website at DurhamMuseum.org.

R&R Realty Group (R&R) announced its move to new headquarters at the 180,000-square-foot Westfield Campus. Effective December 18, 2018, R&R’s new location is: 1080 Jordan Creek Parkway, STE 200 N., West Des Moines, IA 50266.

Immanuel Collaborates with Lightengale Group to Build Affordable Senior Housing Immanuel Communities, in partnership with Lightengale Group, is pleased to announce the closing of a land purchase in November, the future home of an affordable housing development project for seniors in Council Bluffs, IA. The now vacant land will be transformed into a three-story affordable senior living community, housing 56 apartments for the area’s growing retiree population.

The new community will add to Immanuel’s growing array of 14 senior living communities on eight campuses in Omaha, Lincoln, and Papillion, NE and Des Moines, IA. Immanuel currently operates two affordable communities in Omaha and Papillion, and this fall, acquired ownership of their first community in Iowa, The Shores at Pleasant Hill in Des Moines. At more than 58,000 square feet, the new community will feature 28 one-bedroom and 28 two-bedroom apartments and designs aligned with Immanuel’s commitment to the wellbeing of seniors. Residents will see an abundance of common spaces, wellness center, beauty and barber salon, storage lockers, and more. All at close proximity to retail shopping, grocery stores and dining. At least 35% of the building will be fully accessible for those with physical disabilities.

Lightengale Group (LGG) is an affordable housing real estate financial advisory firm offering services to experienced and nonexperienced developers nationally. In addition to Lightengale Group, Immanuel would also like to thank you to the following for their partnership in this development: City of Council Bluffs, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa Finance Authority, Midwest Housing Equity Group, Horizon Bank, and Clock Tower.

Immanuel, the not-for-profit serving arm of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), is committed to developing affordable housing for seniors, and has been serving the Omaha area for more than 130 years. Learn more at www.immanuelcommunities.com or call (402) 507-4899.

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The move culminates nearly three years of research and planning undertaken by R&R’s leadership, along with in-house design and technology teams. Together, they focused on how the next generation of office spaces can help employers recruit and retain top talent in an environment with historically low unemployment levels.

The showroom feeling at Westfield will extend well beyond R&R’s new space. The campus is made of two 80,000-square-foot buildings connected by the Westfield Commons, a collaborative area that features meeting and conference spaces, a coffee shop, a fitness center, and a rooftop terrace. All of these items frequently appear on the wish lists of employers and employees alike. Additional amenities include available underground parking, state-of-the-art security, and access to R&R’s private fiber network.

R&R Realty Group is Iowa and Nebraska’s premier full-service real estate company, with development, brokerage, construction, property management, technology services, capital management, and acquisitions. Founded in 1985, R&R is one of the largest commercial real estate companies in the Midwest, owning and managing over 7.7 million square feet. The company remains family owned. Learn more online at www.rrrealty.com, or call (515) 223-4500 (Corporate Headquarters) / (402) 885-4002 (Nebraska Professional Center).

LinkedIn to Move Into Sterling Ridge Development by 2021 LinkedIn, the Microsoft-owned, employment-focused website, will expand its workforce in Omaha dramatically as it builds a new office campus in the city. The company will increase its workforce from about 450 today to potentially 1,000 people or more by 2021, when its new two-building complex is finished in the Sterling Ridge development off 132nd and Pacific Streets.

It’s a continuing growth story for both LinkedIn and Omaha: Back in 2007, when the company was a promising website for people to post their résumés, it opened its first outpost outside of its Silicon Valley home at 90th Street and Western Ave. in Omaha. In 2016, Microsoft bought LinkedIn for more than $26 billion. It now counts nearly 600 million users and has more than 13,000 employees. In the Omaha office, opportunities also have expanded, with jobs in the marketing, legal, sales, recruiting, and engineering fields, along with the customer support operation. The staff has grown about 20% each year since 2013.

Omaha’s Lockwood Development, which has overseen the Sterling Ridge development, will develop the LinkedIn buildings, which the tech company will lease. The company had been in communication with LinkedIn since 2015 to land its Omaha expansion.

Though the Sterling Ridge development has a mix of uses, the LinkedIn buildings won’t be mixed-use, only Class A office space for the company. Omaha’s Holland Basham is the architecture firm designing the two buildings, each 100,000 square feet and five stories. The majority of the Omaha office’s expansion will be in global customer operations and global sales operations, but other job opportunities are expected to arise, too.

Learn more about economic development in Omaha at www. omahachamber.org/economic-development. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Nebraska Airbnb Hosts Earned $7.6M in 2018 Amid Continued Hotel Growth Airbnb, the world’s leading community driven hospitality company, announced today that its Nebraska host community earned a combined $7.6 million in supplemental income, while welcoming approximately 82,000 guest arrivals to the state in 2018.

This comes as Nebraska residents increasingly embrace the home sharing platform as an opportunity to earn supplemental income and make ends meet. There are now over 1,800 Nebraska hosts who share their homes via Airbnb, typically earning about $2,800 annually in supplemental income.

Yet, statewide data indicates that Airbnb and its host community appear to be complementing, rather than competing with, the Nebraska hotel industry. Recent reports demonstrate that Nebraska hotel occupancy rates, daily prices and revenue have grown steadily even as local hosts welcomed hundreds of thousands of guests.

This suggests that Airbnb is opening up the state to a new slice of prospective tourists by catering to travelers less able to afford hotels, those who desire to stay in neighborhoods or cities that lack hotels, and families who prefer to be together under one roof.

Airbnb also launched Experiences throughout Nebraska in 2018, offering handcrafted activities led by local experts in cities like Omaha. Airbnb Experiences is creating new economic opportunities for Nebraska residents by allowing them to unlock their talents and interests. Experiences is expected to expand further in Nebraska in 2019. Check out Airbnb’s Nebraska Experiences at www.airbnb. com/s/Nebraska--United-States.

Cass County 2018 Capital Investment Exceeds $1.8M Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Council (CCNEDC) celebrated a host of collaborative accomplishments at their 2019 Annual Meeting on January 16. Among the county’s notable successes, CCNEDC was proud to announce that more than $1.8 million in capital investment, with 35 new jobs, were realized in the past 12 months.

Additional pivotal 2018 Cass County accomplishments included more than 110 building permits, resulting in greater than $20 million in new investments ($15 million of which included single-family homes).

At the event, award recipients were recognized for significant contributions to Cass County through economic growth, support, community involvement, and improvement. Bakers Candies and Superior Sales & Service received the Business Recognition Award, while Jane McDaniel received the Friend in Economic Development Award.

To fuel the businesses of Cass County, CCNEDC is committed to accelerating the growth and capability of the local and regional talent base; focused on long-term site development and infrastructure improvements that enhance competitiveness; and determined to create an economic development strategy that targets high-wage, high-investment, and high-innovation opportunities.

The Cass County Nebraska Economic Development Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit membership corporation, funded by public and private sectors, utility partners, and the business community. In 2009, CCNEDC became the second partner of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, which has allowed them to expand the level of service provided throughout Cass County. Learn more online at www.omahachamber.org/economic-development/ cass-county-economic-development-council, or contact Jennifer Serkiz, CCNEDC executive director, at (402) 978- 7909 / jserkiz@ selectgreateromaha.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS NAMI Omaha Announces February Public Educational Meeting

The Jewell Brings Jazz and Fine Dining to Omaha, Announces Grand Opening Dates

NAMI Omaha’s next Mental Health NAMI Affiliate meeting will be held on Thursday, March 7 from 6–8 p.m. This meeting is free and open to the public. Through physical, chemical, and emotional stresses, the bones of your spine can go out of alignment and stress the exiting nerves leading to aches, pains, and other dysfunction of the organs of our body. Dr. Gabriel Long and Dr. TJ Alger from Awaken Chiropractic will present about chiropractic care, how it can help people, and about the assessment and care they can utilize to help your body function to its optimal potential.

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 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.

With a nod to Omaha’s jazz heritage and cutting-edge design, The Jewell opened for business in January in downtown Omaha’s Capitol District, at 1030 Capitol Ave. The club’s soft opening took place January 16–20, but the official grand opening celebration will be held February 6 and 7.

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In the style of major jazz clubs in larger cities across the U.S., The Jewell will offer two seatings each night at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Customers will be able to enjoy an exceptional jazz experience in an intimate setting along with incredible food and drinks. The club is classy and sleek, with each detail chosen to provide customers with a one-of-a-kind experience.

The Jewell is named in honor of Omaha music promoter Jimmy Jewell, Jr., who booked the Dreamland Ballroom and helped bring jazz legends through Omaha from the 1920s through the 50s and 60s. Artists like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, and Nat King Cole all performed at Dreamland Ballroom and other venues in Omaha alongside homegrown stars like Preston Love, Anna Mae Winburn, and Lloyd Hunter.

The Jewell is a music and dining experience unlike anything else in Omaha, and will play host to both nationally-known acts and local, emerging artists. Tickets and information about upcoming shows can be found on the website www.jewellomaha.com. For more information about The Jewell, contact CEO Brian McKenna at brian@jewellomaha.com or call (917) 748-4337.

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Soirée Room Celebrates Grand Opening with Open House

Shandy’s Swedish Bakery Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting

Soirée Room held a “Rosé Soirée” to celebrate its grand opening on Friday, February 1. The Soirée Room team invited friends, family, and community members to stop by their new venue space for an open house, complete with amazing cocktails, delicious food from Attitude on Food, a braid bar for guests to get their hair done, music

by Image Entertainment, stunning displays from Blooms & Bouquets, and more. As a special treat, the team also gave away cookies from Omaha Cookie Co.!

Shandy’s Swedish Bakery, a new spot focused on Scandinavian baked goods, is now open. A grand opening celebration was officially held at the bakery, located at 13811 T Plaza, on January 26. The event ran from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted at 9:30 a.m. The kitchen served guests a full-on Swedish-style menu, complete with coffee and almond rusks, along with sweet breads, cookies, and breakfast pastries.

Soirée Room is conveniently located right off I-680 and has two hotels within walking distance of the venue. They have a gorgeous bridal suite where you can kick off your big day with hair, makeup, snacks, and champagne! They also have a gorgeous outdoor area perfect for cocktail hours or ceremonies. Inside, you’ll find two bars, a stunning focal wall, a large dance floor, a cutting-edge audio/visual system, and more! We would love to meet with you and give you a tour!

Featuring over 9,000 square feet, the Soirée Room is ready to welcome you and your guests for your next event. This space is flexible and can be downsized to accommodate events of all shapes and sizes.

Check out more information online at soireeroom.com, or give Soirée Room a call at (402) 934-4910 to speak with an event producer.

Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum Presents Aircraft Adventure Series The Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum will offer a new lecture series that includes an opportunity to view inside historic aircraft. The Aircraft Adventure series is focused on the museum’s collection, highlighting historic events from World War II through the Cold War. The curator-led speaker series will include the opportunity to view artifacts that are not on display and learn about historic events from a subject matter expert. Each event begins at 10 a.m. with a presentation near each featured aircraft.

Aircraft tours will end at 2 p.m. The series begins February 9 with a presentation on the C-54 Skymaster’s role in World War II and later the Berlin Airlift with an opportunity to get inside the aircraft. The event begins with a presentation focused on Captain Norm Stevens and his experiences with the C-54 Skymaster aircraft during World War II and later the Berlin Airlift.

Captain Stevens (5/23/1923–6/7/2016) was a Nebraska resident with a 10-year United States Air Force career. He flew the C-54 military transport around the world. He evacuated prisoner-ofwar nurses from the Philippines in the latter days of World War II, hauled food and fuel into besieged Berlin during the airlift of 1948-49 and ferried wounded troops from Korea to Japan during the Korean War. The museum’s curator will display unique artifacts from the museum’s collection for each event. The February 9 Aircraft Adventure will include 1940s flight gear, an illustration from the Columbus Evening Dispatch to Gen. LeMay about his work with the Berlin Airlift, and technical drawings and manuals of the C-54 Skymaster.

These Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum events are available to the public as part of general admission and are free for members. General admission 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. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Owner Shandy Thorell Loberg is very grateful for the opportunity to bake heritage recipes with love and offer a warm bakery experience to the community. Among the bakery’s fan favorites are its Swedish rye bread and Scandinavian almond cake. The kitchen also makes yeast breads, kolache and quick breads, among other items.

For more information about Shandy’s Swedish Bakery, visit the website at shandysbakery.com or go to the Facebook page (@ Shandysbakery). You can also contact the bakery by calling (402) 340-3925.

Apartment Association Announces Launch of Nebraska Maintenance Academy The Apartment Association of Nebraska (AAN) announced the launc h of the Nebraska Maintenance Academy (NMA). The first session of this ground-breaking program is scheduled to launch on February 4 at the Omaha AAN Development Center, located at 4862 S. 96th St. Additional academy start dates include June 3 and October 7. NMA’s goal is to train 45 people per year at no cost to the student, and then to immediately place those now trained individuals into careers.

Students of Nebraska Maintenance Academy will spend three months in training, including classes and apprenticeship. Students must be able to pass a criminal background screening, a drug screening, and have access to a vehicle to use for work. Once accepted, students will attend class from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a half hour for lunch for two months. The day is designed to model a typical working experience in the industry.

Each student will be placed in a one-month apprenticeship at an AANmember apartment community with the goal of providing a real world work and training experience in the rental housing industry with a goal of full-time job placement. At the end of the year period, each student will earn the ANSI accredited CAMT certification (recognized in the multi-family industry at both the local and national level).

“We are excited to be able to provide a proven training program that will be part of the solution to the problem and we want to get students out into the workforce quickly.” Said Gretchen Arroyo, Education Coordinator for AAN and NMA. “This program has been successfully implemented in the state of Maryland for the last three years through the Maryland Multi-Housing Association’s Service Training Academy (MMHASTA), and proven to positively impact both the students and the properties in which they were placed. It will be great to do the same thing here in Nebraska and have a positive impact.”

The Apartment Association of Nebraska is an affiliate of the National Apartment Association and was founded in 2002. For more information on The Nebraska Maintenance Academy, visit www.aaneb.org or call the AAN office at (402) 333-5331.

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business 15

BUSINESS NEWS Ono Pinay Kitchen Now Serving Hawaiian and Filipino Cuisine to Omaha Area 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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Ono Pinay Kitchen opened its doors in December, becoming one of the newest restaurants in the Bellevue area. The restaurant, located at 2221 Madison St., hosted their grand opening on Saturday, January 19.

Throughout the month of January, the restaurant stayed open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but Ono Pinay Kitchen plans to expand its hours and days of operation.

From the islands of Hawaii and the Philippines, owners Leo and Maria Villegas are excited to share their culture with the community. Growing up on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Maria started cooking a simple, yet popular Hawaiian dish: Spam with rice and eggs. When her husband was stationed in Nebraska in 2014, Maria started selling traditional Hawaiian pastries at the Bellevue Farmers Market and eventually the Papillion Farmer’s Market as well. Now, Maria and Leo are proud to open a restaurant in Old Towne Bellevue, serving Hawaiian and Filipino foods and goods. Owning a restaurant has been a long-time dream of Maria’s.

Ono Pinay Kitchen’s cuisine includes aloha pinay-style dishes, such as kalua pork (Hawaiian shredded smoked pork with cabbage), bistek (marinated steak with onion), and lechon (roasted pork belly with skin, tomatoes and onions and garlic fried rice). Maria’s daughters, Justene and Cori, are helping to run the restaurant, which will also offer sweet treats such as rolled ice cream and boba tea. Entertainment such as Hula dancing will also be available for parties.

For more information about Ono Pinay Kitchen, please visit their website at onopinaykitchen.wixsite.com/main or call (402) 504-4027.

402-933-4632

City Plans Test for Electric Scooter Sharing

Four Citizens’ Climate Chapters Endorse Bill to Reduce Carbon Emissions

The City of Omaha is planning a pilot project for electric scooters that would be available for rental. The city is seeking proposals from companies interested in participating in the test, which will run from late March until mid-November.

On December 20, four Citizens’ Climate Lobby Chapters in Nebraska endorsed a bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate that would reduce America’s carbon emissions, improve health and save lives, and create 2.1 million jobs over the next decade.

A scooter-sharing system is a service in which electric scooters are made available to use for short-term rentals. It is similar to car-sharing and bicycle-sharing systems. The scooters would be dockless, with no permanent home, so they could be left anywhere. The scooters would have GPS devices so users can see where they are and the companies that own them can find them and retrieve them to be charged for more use. The first dockless electric kick scooter sharing services started to roll out in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles at the end of 2017, and have subsequently expanded to more cities in the U.S.

The four chapters and their respective volunteer leaders include: Bellevue - Frances Moore, (402) 415-7705 / frances.moorene@ gmail.com; Chadron - Steve Welch, (308) 430-2837, and Cheryl Welch, (308) 432-3519, both at loswelchitos@gmail.com; Lincoln - Moni Usasz, (402) 202-3100 / musasz@neb.rr.com; and Omaha - Kay Carne, (917) 655-3361 / catharinegustafson@gmail.com and Mark Welsch, (402) 510-7565 / MarkWelschCCL@gmail.com.

The scooters would likely be barred from sidewalks and major thoroughfares, with far higher speed limits than the scooters can scoot (about 15 mph or 24 kph). A company app lets people access the scooters. The rental cost can vary from city to city, but generally $1 to start the scooter and 15 cents per minute of use.

Due to the fact that scooter-sharing is a newer form of transportation, there are no academic studies that can effectively measure its impact.

This is why the city is planning a pilot project. Overall, scooter-sharing is noted to create an increase urban mobility with fewer carbon emissions compared to automobiles. They also take up less space than bikes, so they have potential to increase transit ridership to and from bus lines.

Learn more about the City of Omaha’s transportation plans at www. cityofomaha.org.

16 Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

The legislation—the bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (S.3791)—is sponsored by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Sen. Andrew Coons (D-DE). It is the Senate version of a similar bill introduced by a bipartisan group of House lawmakers several weeks ago. (That introduction was covered by The Hill, the Washington Examiner, NPR and more.) Senator Coons says he intends to reintroduce the bill in the 116th Congress.

The leaders of all four of Citizens’ Climate Lobby Nebraska Chapters all agree, “We’re thrilled that bipartisan legislation to price carbon has now been introduced in the both the House and the Senate. We hope Senators Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse will consider co-sponsoring this bill when it’s re-introduced in the next Congress.”

Citizens’ Climate Lobby empowers everyday people to work together on climate change solutions. Supporters are organized in more than 400 local chapters across the United States. Together they’re building support in Congress for a national bipartisan solution to climate change. Learn more online at citizensclimatelobby.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

ABOUT

With over 40 years of experience in the painting and wallpapering field, Gerst Painting and Contracting Inc. stays at the top of this industry with an artful balance of technology and fine traditional craftsmanship. Gerst has been awarded “Best of Omaha” for Painting Services for fourteen consecutive years. Plus, they received the “Best of B2B” recognition for Painting Contractor for 2018.

Gerst works closely with interior designers on both residential and commercial projects, and while they would never pretend to be decorating gurus, they have learned how to achieve drama, visual interest, texture, and tailor color palettes to match client’s unique styles and personalities.

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• Zero VOC coatings

• Painting of existing cabinets and trim

• Fill holes

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Gerst Painting and Contracting offers a comprehensive list of painting, wallpapering, and carpentry services for your home. Gerst has earned a reputation as one of the country’s premier repaint specialists. They deliver proven craftsmanship, unmatched efficiency, attention to detail, excellent customer service, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

“

Paint is more than color on a wall—it sets the tone for everything else in the room.

”

- Mike Gerst, owner of Gerst Painting and Contracting Inc.

TIPS

“WHEN IS IT TOO COLD TO PAINT?” When temperatures dip below freezing, it’s a good idea to postpone most outdoor projects. Paint just can’t adhere when it’s cold. Interior spaces are another story, though. As long the space is heated, Gerst continues to paint residential and commercial projects throughout the year.

COMMERCIAL

As leaders in commercial painting services in Omaha, Gerst offers premium craftsmanship from some of the most highly-trained professionals in the industry, backed by the best service in the Omaha Metro area. When you call Gerst, you are guaranteed that their experts will be there as scheduled and will get the job done right with minimal disruption to your business or office.

(402) 289-1010 | WWW.GERSTCONTRACTING.COM #PrintProudDigitalSmart

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

KIM

Kim Larsen

SCANTRON TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS Meet Kim Larsen, vice president of managed IT services at Scantron Technology Solutions.

Tell us a little about your business. - Scantron Technology Solutions is a full-service IT support provider headquartered in Omaha. We do everything related to IT infrastructure, network design, managed services and implementation. We respond rapidly to technology advancements and position our customers at the forefront of that wave. It is my philosophy and my experience that our customers thrive when they can focus on running their core business, not their technology.

How did you get started in the business? - After high school, I graduated with a degree from the Institute of Computer Science with emphasis on programming. Immediately thereafter, David Ward (founder and president of WRK Systems, Inc.) approached me with a business proposition. Together, we grew a successful IT business from only two individuals to a team of over 40 employees.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Joining a new company for the first time in my career. When Scantron acquired WRK Systems, it took time and patience to evaluate the overall values and habits and determine the best way to merge two cultures. I had to relinquish some things, open up new feedback channels, and work hard to integrate and lead. I practice empowering people to have a voice and I make an extra effort to stay in the loop with all departments. The trick is to remember that no changes happen overnight.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? Playing a vital role in the growth and success of WRK Systems. I look back now and clearly recall beginning with only two individuals, David Ward and me. I attribute the success of any business to the quality of its human relationships. Supportive colleagues and customers, combined with a deep knowledge of your business, infuses you with hope and inspiration.

Tell us a little about your family. - My husband Tom and I have three children, Kassie (21), Jackson (13), and Brooke (11). We are a busy household, to say the least.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Family time. We enjoy traveling. So whether we are sitting in a snowy cabin, boating on the lake, or somewhere tropical, I am happy!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - The first thing I do when I get home from work…throw my hair in a ponytail and put on my cozy clothes!

Who inspires you? - My parents. I was raised with excellent core values, which I now instill in my children: Family, faith, and hard work.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Never give up and work hard each and every day.

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

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - MICAH House. I believe in their mission of providing a safe environment for families, especially those with small children, who are experiencing homelessness in our community.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Al Switzler, Joseph Grenny, and Ron McMillan.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Phone: (402) 262-0145; Email: kim.larsen@scantron.com; Website: www.scantron.com/technology-solutions. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Be in business for yourself, not by yourself.

KEVIN

Kevin Dai

BIG BIRGE PLUMBING CO. Meet Kevin Dai, foreman at Big Birge Plumbing Co. Tell us a little about your business. - The commercial division at Big Birge Plumbing specializes in completing any type of commercial project whether it be a remodel or new building. We are capable of plumbing schools, restaurants, multifamily dwellings—basically any project we can get our hands on while also holding true to the core values of Big Birge: Honesty, quality, and American craftsmanship.

How did you get started in the business? - I’m in the 19th year of my plumbing career. A good majority has been spent running commercial projects as a foreman/project manager. Initially, when I started with Big Birge Plumbing, we only did service and residential remodel plumbing.

However, as we grew and our resources and manpower expanded, it seemed only natural we jump into the commercial market.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Finding good quality craftsmen and women to keep up with the workload. In this economy, finding work is fairly simple. However, due to the shortfall in the skilled labor force, especially in the skilled trades finding plumbers who are already trained has been challenging. We are lucky to have the crew that we have currently.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Teaching my apprentices and watching them turn into journeymen and foremen. I do not believe there is a more important part of my job. When my men learn and become better craft professionals, it makes them more valuable in their life while also making Big Birge more profitable, benefitting everyone.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married to my wife Christy for 13 years. She is my teammate in life and the glue that holds my family together. We have two daughters, Kaycie and Kinley, and a son, Brody. They are my everything.

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

- When I made the decision to join Big Birge Plumbing. At the time, the company was very small. It was just three of us and my wife was just starting nursing school. It was a pretty big, risky step for my family... but completely worth it!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Go to my family’s lake. My kids like wakeboarding and tubing, so I enjoy driving the boat and making those fun memories with them.

Who inspires you? - My father. He is an honest, hardworking, middleclass American man. He did whatever it took to support his family and put food on the table. Through good times and bad, his leadership in my family was steady. He was our rock; we all knew to do what he expected of us and we always knew his love for us was unwavering.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - You give a poor man a fish, you feed him for a day. You teach him to fish, you give him an occupation that will feed him for a lifetime.

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

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - To slow down time...my kids are growing up too fast!

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - I was younger I wanted to be in law enforcement.

What is your favorite TV show? - Game of Thrones.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - Phone: (402) 575-0102; Email: kevin@bigbirgeplumbing.com; Website: www.bigbirgeplumbing.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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 Celebrate With A Cajun Flair!

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!

725 N. 114th St. | (402) 933-0980 | AcadianGrille.com | AcadianGrille@gmail.com

It’s the everyday things that make every day special.

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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19 1/9/19 8:37 AM

Modern Business Networking

MATT

Matt Rowe

ENGINEERED CONTROLS

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Contact Amy Nieman, Area Director (402) 709-1774 Amy@CenterSphere.com

FEBRUARY 25-MARCH 2, 2019 www.omahafashionweek.com

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

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Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

Meet Matt Rowe, account manager for Engineered Controls.

Tell us a little about your business. - As a leading building control technology contractor, Engineered Controls’ goal is to provide customers with products and services to create efficient, safe and comfortable building environments. Engineered Controls offers complete turnkey building control solutions including system design, new construction and owner-direct retrofit sales, installation, repair service, and preventative maintenance work for smart buildings. With offices in Omaha and Lincoln, Engineered Controls employs over 90 people throughout Nebraska and our employees collectively represent over 825 years of industry experience. Combined with our hands-on experience, our clients receive the most cost-effective and professional service possible.

How did you get started in the business? - My start in the business came after high school. My father was in the business for 30 years and heard that a local company was looking for additional help. I started on the electrical side of the business in installations, and over the years have moved to more technical roles in service and programming. Currently I am working as an account manager, which gives me the ability to influence projects more on the design side using the experience I have gained throughout the years.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Our industry is very technical and changes very quickly. Keeping up to date on the latest industry trends, new product developments, and software improvements is a challenge, but it is a must for me and our company to do this to stay relevant in the market.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married to my wife Missi since 2001. Missi currently works in the main office at Wilson Middle School in Council Bluffs. We have one boy, Tucker, who is now 17 and attends Iowa Western Community College as part of the early college academy.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? The first one that comes to mind was my dad talking me into giving the controls industry a try, which has turned out to be an exciting career path.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I like to spend my free time either on the golf course or out on the lake fishing. We take many weekend trips to great walleye lakes around the Midwest as well as a yearly trip to Lake Michigan for salmon fishing. This year we are planning on making an additional trip to Lake Erie for spring walleye.

Tucker plays High School baseball, so I enjoy watching his games whenever I get the opportunity.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “Integrity, because it matters what you do when people are not looking”.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Being successful in the hunting or fishing industries. The outdoors has always been a big part of my life, and to be able to make a living doing this would be a dream come true.

What is your favorite movie? - I am a big fan of the Star Wars movies.

I have seen every one of these movies multiple times.

What is your favorite TV show? - There are quite a few shows that I currently watch. Some of my favorites are Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. followed up by Criminal Minds and Seal Team.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - The Drover.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Phone: (402) 339-1300; Email: mrowe@engineeredcontrols.com; Website: engineeredcontrols.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

MICHELE

Helping individuals find their purpose thru: -Values Assessments -Clarity Quizzes -Guided Meditations & Vision Boards

Michele Magner

BROOKESTONE MEADOWS Meet Michele Magner, public relations coordinator for Brookestone Meadows.

Tell us a little about your business. Brookestone Meadows is a skilled short-term rehabilitation and longterm care community. We are one of over 30 Vetter Senior Living properties. We provide inpatient and outpatient care of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and aquatic therapy. In just over 11 years we have served nearly 11,000 people! Many people also call Brookestone Meadows home for long-term care. We are focused on living life to the fullest and having a lot of fun while nurturing each resident’s sense of purpose.

How did you get started in the business? - I was blessed to stay home with my children for 12 years, which provided me the opportunity to care for both of my grandmothers over the course of seven years. While in different assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, I developed a love of the residents and staff who chose to work there. For me, working in a building is coming full circle to understand how much dedication and love goes into caring for each person that we are honored to serve.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I moved from Brooklyn Heights, NY to Berkeley, CA when I was 10. My parents were originally from the Midwest, but I grew up on the coasts. College brought me to the Midwest and God kept me here!

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Kind. We frequently will tell children to be nice, but that is a superficial request. Being nice can be a way of trying to quickly smooth something over, being polite to someone’s face or placating a situation to avoid confrontation. Kindness is from the heart.

It is thoughtful, intentional, inclusive, and fueled by love.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - To speak every language on the planet. I wish everyone could feel understood, helped, appreciated, and loved. Having a super power that would ease language barriers would make this grand task more achievable.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - It would be fun to work for a motivational self-development company. I love the idea of helping people find resources to meet their needs in a way that can transform their life in a positive way.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - The Vetter Foundation, run by Vetter Senior Living, assists local community non-profits and organizations that assist those in need around the world. This foundation is primarily funded by 10% of the profits from our buildings. I love working for a company that recognizes that the success of our business is about people and for people. Additionally, the West O Chamber is dedicated to helping local businesses experience robust growth, but also connecting resources to needs in our community.

Annually, they provide scholarships to students and love to highlight other non-profits within the chamber to allow people to contribute in a more personally connected meaningful way.

What is your favorite movie? - The Greatest Showman. I was very late to the party and didn’t see it in the theater. The music is incredible, and you really feel what the character is going through. It is a remarkable story about family, priorities, respect, embracing each person’s unique strengths, and unconditional love.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Phone: (402) 289-2696; Email: mmagner@vhsmail.com; Website: www.BrookestoneMeadows.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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• Offer 24/7 maintenance support • Use cutting edge technology to market, • communicate, and maintain properties

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LEGACY RPM Legacy is new to the Omaha Metro RPM Legacy isArea. a fullWe realspecialize estate brokerage firm in Nebraska and in residential Iowa managing, selling and improving investments. propertybuying, management and offer buying andand selling real estate services.

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Contact us today! Info@VirtualC.Biz | www.VirtualC.Biz 22

KRISTI

Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

WEST GATE BANK Meet Kristi Thornton, senior vice president, Omaha retail market manager at West Gate Bank®.

Tell us a little about your business. - West Gate Bank is a family-owned community bank with 10 locations in Lincoln and Omaha. As a full-service bank, we are large enough to serve all your personal or commercial banking needs, yet small enough to provide the outstanding personal service that only a community bank can deliver.

How did you get started in the business? - I started as a teller while attending college. I continued to get promoted and decided to stay in banking after graduating. I loved helping customers with their finances and watching them grow, from starting with a bank account to purchasing their first home.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? My current position is one that I have wanted for many years and was one of my goals that I had been working towards. For most banks, there is only one of these positions, so to have the opportunity and be chosen to run the Omaha market is very exciting for me! Also, thanks to the support of West Gate Bank and my manager, I had the opportunity to be a part of Leadership Lincoln, Fellows class of 33 (best class ever)! I learned so much about politics, education, city budgets, and our non-profit organizations. This has provided me with insight on how best to serve and be a leader in the community that I live and work in.

Tell us a little about your family. - I am one of four girls. I grew up in Winside, NE, population 440. My parents owned the local grocery store there for 28 years before selling it.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - I have always been career-minded, aspiring to move up the corporate ladder. It was important for me to work hard and be promoted for that hard work. After starting a family, I realized I needed work/life balance. I had to find an organization that supported that. West Gate Bank’s culture is exactly what I needed.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I enjoy spending time with family, running/hiking, or anything outdoors!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - When I was in sixth grade, I won a Cheerios contest. I got a letter in the mail saying I won an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. My parents said it was junk mail and so we threw the letter away. Then we got a package in the mail saying I had won, along with airline tickets and a check! I even had a local newspaper come to my school to interview me and take my picture for the paper. It was the first time I had ever been on an airplane. It was an amazing trip that I will never forget.

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

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - To duplicate myself! That way I’d have a little extra help to get things done.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - I always thought it would be amazing to be a trader on Wall Street. I did take the National Commodities Futures Exam to earn my Series 3; however, the timing to change careers was not ideal after 2008, so I went back to banking.

What is your favorite movie? - Good Will Hunting.

What is your favorite TV show? - Parks and Recreation or The Office are two of my favorites!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Phone: (402) 758-8705 (office); Email: kthornton@westgate.bank; Website: westgate.bank. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

ANGIE

Angie Petersen-Green

VISION MAPS WITH ANGIE Meet Angie Petersen-Green, owner of Vision Maps with Angie.

Tell us a little about your business. - Vision Maps with Angie is a business in which I help women and men (a.k.a. visionaries) find their purpose through the process of a series of questions, which I call my “dream sheet.” After these questions are answered, I provide them with resources for attributes they are lacking (time management, self-love, organization, etc.). Once that is established, I go through a values assessment, clarity quiz, and guided meditation with the client(s). With proper guidance, we can prepare your vision board with the necessary supplies that are provided in the cost of the workshop (poster board, magazines, glue, scissors, etc.). During the coaching session, there is meditative music playing and aromatherapy for relaxation.

How did you get started in the business? - After going through my own self-discovery journey over an 18-month span, I decided to make an impact on others. Believe me though, I’m still growing! During my time of transformation, I was seeing three different coaches and one in particular who happened to be a coach I found online from Idaho. She had asked me, “What is one thing you’d like to do?” That’s when the vision board was born. It’s been a very therapeutic career for me.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Explaining to people the value of what I do. Some people don’t want to invest time and/or money, as according to them there is no relevance in doing a vision board workshop, but the people who have know how beneficial it is.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- The numerous people who’ve been through my workshop and the testimonials they’ve given that have spoken volumes to my continued passion to help change people’s lives.

Tell us a little about your family. - I grew up on a farm outside of Exeter, NE with my parents and younger brother. I’m happily married, with a 15-year-old daughter and two stepkids.

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

- People change for two reasons: Pain or pleasure. My biggest turning point happened when my father passed away in 2015.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I did improvisation at The Backline.

Who inspires you? - I don’t necessarily have a certain person in mind.

I truly feel there are inspiring people around every corner if we just look for them. The people who inspire me most are those who have a high degree of integrity, empathy for mankind, and those who follow through on their promises.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” - Gandhi.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - WORLD-CHANGER. If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “Heal The World” by Michael Jackson.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - You are a BADASS by Jen Sincero.

What is your favorite movie? - The Goonies.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Phone: (402) 890-5375; Email: apstemley@yahoo.com; Website: www.visionmapswithangie.com; Facebook group: Search for “Vision Maps with Angie.” #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Start investing in your own ROI. ONLINE BUSINESS PROGRAMS • Business Administration, BS • Critical & Creative Thinking, MA • General Administration, BMS • MBA • Organizational and Relational Communication, BS • Public Administration, MPA • And more Jeff Lehmkuhl Public Administration, MPA University of Nebraska at Omaha

4 campuses.

125+ online programs. online.nebraska.edu

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Get Your Boomer On! Now with 3x the signal coverage in the Omaha-Blair area!

Boomer Radio KOBM is an oldies-formatted broadcast radio station, serving the Omaha/Council Bluffs/Blair area.

Broadcasting oldies from the 50s, 60s & 70s, Boomer Radio is programmed to please the 55+ “baby boomer generation” market. KOBM is locally-owned and operated by President Steven Seline, through licensee Walnut Radio, LLC, and managed

by Brad Leggett.

As Omaha’s only locally-owned radio station, Boomer Radio is excited about their recent expansion, which included the addition of two new signals. Along with existing signals, 1490 AM and 104.1 FM, Boomer Radio 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. This expansion also makes Boomer Radio one of the only radio stations in the country that has four frequencies!

Aside from increasing their coverage area, Boomer Radio’s greatest achievement as a business is gaining some of the most legendary DJs in Omaha. Boomer’s rockin’ lineup of live and local DJs include Dave Wingert in the morning, Jessica Dol during the midday, and Jack Swanda in the afternoons.

“Our DJs take song requests ALL DAY long!”

In the past few years, Boomer Radio’s on-air sound has improved as they have converted to digital technology in their studio. Their goal for the next five years is to continue helping their clients communicate with the boomer generation through the use of radio, the internet, and social media.

Boomer strives to ensure everyone understands the buying power and influence of the Boomer Generation. Boomer’s advertising salespeople are ready to help businesses reach the Boomer listeners.

As a part of their efforts to uphold their philosophy of serving their employees, clients, and the community, Boomer Radio is an active member of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Nebraska Broadcasters Association, and the National Broadcasters Association.

Reach your favorite DJs:

Dave Wingert: dwingy@aol.com Jessica Dol: jdol@walnutradio.com Jack Swanda: jswanda@walnutradio.com

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For programming, station information, and sales questions: Main office: (402) 422-1600 Studio: (402) 553-1490

Brad Leggett, General Manager: (402) 710-9616 / bleggett@walnutradio.com

www.MyBoomerRadio.com

Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

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PERSONNEL NEWS Nebraska Community Foundation Welcomes Four New Board Members

Smith Slusky Law Welcomes New Partners Ashley Albertsen and Melissa Oestmann

Four community leaders were recently elected to the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) board of directors.

Ashley Albertsen and Melissa Oestmann have joined Smith Slusky Law as new partners.

Ashley and Melissa bring their expertise in criminal, domestic and tribal law to the firm. Both graduated Creighton School of Law in 2010 and went on to have their own firm, Oestmann and Albertsen.

“Ashley and Melissa are excellent additions,” says Dan Smith, partner at Smith Slusky Law. “This is an exponential team expansion.”

Ashley is a criminal, family, and tribal law expert. Her practice includes protection orders and juvenile law. Additionally, Ashley practices criminal and domestic law in the Winnebago and Ponca tribal courts. Ashley can be reached at (402) 501-8108 / aalbertsen@smithslusky.com.

Melissa’s expertise in family law include divorce, adoption, and child custody, support, and guardianships. She has also been accepted to practice tribal law in both the Winnebago and Ponca tribal courts.

Melissa can be contacted at (402) 501-8105 / moestmann@smithslusky. com.

Smith Slusky Law, officed at 8712 W. Dodge Rd., STE #400, proudly represents clients in personal and business legal matters. Experts in real estate, tax settlement, criminal, employment, and domestic law, Smith Slusky Law offers clients an integrated team. Smith Slusky Law is accepting new clients. Call (402) 392-0101 or visit smithslusky.com for more information.

Pam Abbott of Ogallala grew up in central Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a degree in education. Her life and career have involved a variety of education positions, including teaching in public schools, preschool, management at an educational and employment testing corporation in Illinois, and treasurer of a school board. Among numerous other volunteer activities, Abbott is currently vice chair of the Keith County Foundation Fund in Ogallala.

Brad Bauer is the regional president for Pinnacle Bank of Nebraska based out of Grand Island. Prior to that, he and his family spent 17 years in Ogallala where he was involved as a volunteer with the Keith County Foundation Fund. Originally from the Scottsbluff/Gering area, Bauer received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. As regional president of Pinnacle Bank, Bauer has had numerous opportunities to become familiar and work with many Nebraska communities and has seen firsthand the positive impact NCF affiliated funds are having in communities across the state.

Yesenia Peck is originally from Lima, Peru where she worked as an attorney for the Supreme and Superior Courts. Peck holds a master’s degree in Leadership from Bellevue University and is certified in wor kforce diversity management

by Cor nell University and Bellevue University. Peck is a diversity manager for Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) at their Columbus general office. Peck has volunteered for over 13 years with the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is the current president.

She was recently appointed by Governor Ricketts to the Nebraska Latino American Commission.

Pam Abbott

Brad Bauer

Parkinson’s Nebraska Welcomes Amber Winter to the Team Yesenia Peck

Kiel VanderVeen

Kiel VanderVeen of Nebraska City is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, helping individuals and families plan for and transition to work optional lifestyles by focusing on tax mitigation, income planning, and charitable planning. VanderVeen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting from the University of Nebraska.

He has been involved with Nebraska Community Foundation, both locally and statewide, since 2005. He was a member of the Leadership Nebraska Class X and is involved with EDGE Nebraska City, Nebraska City Growth Fund, and the Nebraska City Board of Public Works.

Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving, and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska. For more information, visit NebraskaHometown.org or call (402) 323-7330. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Parkinson’s Nebraska recently welcomed Amber Winter to the team in December as the new administrator. Amber brings a passion for fostering a strong and supportive Parkinson’s community. In her previous role at the YMCA, she witnessed the impact exercise and a strong community made on Parkinson’s patients. She looks forward to growing the Parkinson’s Nebraska community and expanding services across the state.

Her non-profit management education, coupled with her passion to serve, has prepared her to lead Parkinson’s Nebraska. As the only full-time staff member, Amber is responsible for carrying out the board’s vision, facilitating the delivery of services and education, and cultivating partnerships to benefit Parkinson’s patients throughout the state.

Amber is active in the community and currently serves as the youth and family chair for the YMCA Healthy Kids Day and on the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Greater Omaha events committee. She also served as the volunteer coordinator for the Walk and Run the Park for Parkinson’s and volunteered at the You GO Girl Summit, among other community organizations.

Parkinson’s Nebraska is the primary source of education, support, and resources for Nebraskans whose lives are affected by Parkinson’s Disease. They are locally-based, passionate, and proud that all funds stay in Nebraska. To learn more, contact Amber at amber@parkinsonsnebraska.org / (402)-715-4707 or visit www. parkinsonsnebraska.org.

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business 25

PERSONNEL NEWS Virtual C Adds Samantha Karg as Event Director for Collaboration Center

Goosmann Law Firm Attorneys Become American Arbitration Association Arbitrators

Virtual C is pleased to announce the addition of Samantha Karg as event director for the Virtual C Collaboration Center. Samantha has various backgrounds within the hospitality industry, including a position within the Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL, where she received department recognition for her efficiency and courtesy.

Samantha grew up in a small town located in Minnesota and came to Lincoln four years ago to extend her education and seek new opportunities where her communication, organization, and leadership skills could be utilized to drive results for a company. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading books to further develop herself, hiking, watching movies, and cooking. Her boyfriend Austin Hillis is the co-owner of the Capital Cigar Lounge.

Virtual C was founded by business and technology experts to empower companies to pursue their passions. Their mission is to be an unbiased partner to organizations and to help guide strategies that get businesses operating at their most effective level. The Virtual C Collaboration Center is the area’s premier location for training, conferences, strategy sessions, and other professional events.

Virtual C offers executive consulting services and works with businesses to facilitate agile transformation. Their services allow you the benefits of a full-time chief information officer (CIO) without having to pay for a full-time CIO. For more information, please email info@virtualc.biz or visit www.virtualc.biz.

Jeana Goosmann, CEO and managing partner of Goosmann Law Firm, and Joel Carney, Omaha managing partner, have recently become American Arbitration Association Arbitrators.

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Goosmann and Carney traveled to Houston, TX on October 17–18 to complete the training and onboarding process of becoming American Arbitration Association (AAA) Arbitrators. Having completed the training, they are now officially panelists on the AAA National Roster of Arbitrators.

The AAA is the nation’s leading provider of alternative dispute services.

Jeana Goosmann

The American Arbitration Association is a not-for-profit organization with offices throughout the United States. AAA has a long history and experience in the field of alternative dispute resolution, providing services to individuals and organizations who wish to resolve conflicts out of court.

The Goosmann Law Firm is a full-service Joel Carney law firm with locations in Sioux City, IA; Sioux Falls, SD; and Omaha, NE. To learn more about the Goosmann Law Firm, visit their website at www.

GoosmannLaw.com or call (855) 843-4531.

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ROOFING • SIDING • WINDOWS • GUTTERS Call today to schedule your FREE ROOF INSPECTION! 402.345.9235 | info@loveourroof.com | LoveOurRoof.com 26

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PERSONNEL NEWS Grief’s Journey Welcomes Valerie Height Valerie Height joined Grief’s Journey in December 2018. Valerie holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A majority of her career has focused on work with the geriatric population, with an emphasis in long-term care and hospice. Valerie found her calling in the grief world when she served as the bereavement coordinator for a local hospice agency. Her passion moved her to develop grief related programs such as a children’s camp, grief symposium, and the expansion of support groups. Valerie has received various awards for her work in hospice, including the 2016 Nebraska Hospice Association - Shining STAR Award for Program Development. She has been deeply impacted by sudden and traumatic loss herself and strives to ensure that all individuals have a safe place for hope and healing in the midst of grief.

Since 2001, Grief’s Journey has been a welcoming, safe place where grieving children, teens, and adults find hope. As the region’s cornerstone for grief support, Grief’s Journey provides free peer support programs as well as training, education, and consultation throughout Nebraska and Iowa. For more information, visit www. griefsjourney.org or contact Kelly Morris at (402) 502-2773 / kmorris@griefsjourney.org.

Berry Law Firm’s Erik Fern Earns AV Preeminent Rating Berry Law Firm is proud to announce that attorney Erik Fern has been awarded the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

The Martindale-Hubbell peer and client review ratings acts as a benchmark for the legal community to determine the most highlyrespected, ethically-sound, and successful attorneys. It is a significant achievement, and Berry Law is excited that another member of the team has received the prestigious award.

Erik Fern has been practicing law for more than 12 years, focusing his practice on personal injury, civil rights, general civil litigation, and appeals. He believes that sound preparedness, careful thought, and diligence are the most important assets to being successful not only in the legal field, but also life in general. Fern’s designation as an AV preeminent lawyer is no surprise to his colleagues or clients, who have consistently provided him with positive reviews. Fern will join Berry Law attorneys John Stevens Berry, Sr., John S. Berry, Jr., Andrew Strotman, Christopher Ferdico, Kathleen Pallesen, and Susan Napolitano as a recipient of the AV Preeminent Rating.

The Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating is extremely selective and only awarded to attorneys who have been ranked highly by judges, local attorneys, and other peers in their respective legal practice area for both their professionalism and legal ability. The AV Preeminent rating is the highest peer rating standard that Martindale-Hubbell offers, and the award is reserved for lawyers who represent their clients with the highest ethical behavior and professional ability. Individual attorneys are rated by their peers on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) in five different categories, including: legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication ability, and legal experience.

If you or a loved one are facing a legal crisis, please contact Berry Law Firm at (402) 817-6550 to see how they can help you fight your next battle. The firm’s website is www.jsberrylaw.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

La Vista Community Foundation Elects 2019 Officers to Board of Directors La Vista Community Foundation (LVCF) held their annual board meeting in January and have elected the following executive officers to the board of directors: Tom Kerfoot of Children’s Hospital Foundation, president; Neal Krauss of Access Bank, vice president; Lori Fischer of Blue Cross Blue Shield Nebraska, secretary; and Debbie Atchinson of American National Bank, treasurer. Board members reelected to three-year terms are Mr. Kim Thomas, Marcotte Retirement Plans; Lori Fischer, Blue Cross Blue Shield Nebraska; and Theresa Thibodeau, Primrose School La Vista.

The La Vista Community Foundation was founded in 1999 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to serve the community of La Vista by promoting and facilitating philanthropy through networking and the giving of grants.

For nearly 19 years, they have been leaders of funding for the purpose of community betterment as they fulfill their mission, which is to improve the quality of life where people live, work, and play in La Vista.

The La Vista Community Foundation is dedicated to strengthening relationships between non-profit organizations, donors, and concerned citizens who want to invest in the community’s future. For information on the organization, please contact John Yochum, executive director, at (402) 960-9625. Their website is www.LaVistaCommunityFoundation.com.

CharterWest Bank Welcomes Misty HemphillWilson and Julie Putnam CharterWest Bank has announced the addition of Misty Hemphill-Wilson and Julie Putnam as mortgage loan originators in their Elkhorn Mortgage Center.

Misty joins the team with over 22 years’ experience in the mortgage industry including processing, underwriting, sales manager, and originator. She’s a Central High graduate with a passion for helping people enjoy the dream of home ownership.

Julie brings with her 35 years of helping people find the right purchase programs to Misty Hemphill-Wilson make their next move in life. She’s an avid golfer and traveler, and she keeps busy with her five grandchildren.

“CharterWest is growing and adding Julie and Misty to our team is a huge asset to the Omaha community,” said Nick Brion, senior vice president / mortgage center manager.

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 Julie Putnam 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 in West Point, Nebraska. 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.

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business 27

PERSONNEL NEWS The Capitol District Hires Sarah McMahon as Executive Director

Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Promotes Wendy Hamilton

As part of its growth plan, The Capitol District has hired its first executive director, tasked with furthering the entertainment district’s goal of becoming Omaha’s modern-day town square.

Sarah (Lukas) McMahon, an Omaha native with decades of local event planning and managing experience, started in her new role on January 21.

McMahon comes to The Capitol District after spending years working with the Creighton University Alumni Association, most recently as director of operations and special events.

McMahon obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Creighton University. She is also a Leadership Omaha alumna and a board member of the Summer Arts Festival.

In her new role at The Capitol District, McMahon will oversee the retail and plaza business operations, marketing, and programming, and work to cultivate and implement the strategic plan. She will also forge partnerships between The Capitol District and area businesses, coordinate sponsorships, and plan and assist groups to create events.

The Capitol District is Omaha’s dining and entertainment district with a high-tech town square in the center of it all. Construction is still underway, with additional bars, restaurants, and businesses yet to open. For more information, visit www.capitoldistrictomaha.com or call (402) 200-3039.

Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, the largest girl-serving organization in the state, announces the promotion of Wendy Hamilton to chief development officer.

Hamilton joined Girl Scouts in 2012.

She has worked in non-profit fundraising for more than 15 years, beginning her development career at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD. She serves on several Omaha boards and committees. Hamilton earned a bachelor’s degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA and a Master of Fine Arts in arts management from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Learn more about Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska at www. girlscoutsnebraska.org or call (800) 695-6690.

Center Sphere Promotes Erin Pearson, Welcomes Amy Nieman Center Sphere is excited to announce the promotion of Erin Pearson and the addition of Amy Nieman to the team.

After joining Center Sphere’s corporate team one year ago, Erin Pearson has been promoted to executive vice president, working directly with new area development and area leaders.

She has been integral in helping The Network reach far beyond its Omaha headquarters.

Erin is passionate about helping others capture their dreams, and she is able to do that in her role, working directly with new areas and Erin Pearson area leadership.

Amy Nieman proudly joins Center Sphere as their new Omaha area director. Amy has over 15 years of experience as a marketing and sales professional. She has a proven record of accomplishment in planning and leading comprehensive events and managing multiple accounts. Amy brings to the table her excellent organizational skills, event planning experience, and enthusiasm for helping Center Sphere grow their network. In her spare time, Amy enjoys outdoor activities such as running, Amy Nieman golfing, and canoeing.

Center Sphere also hosts a wide array of networking events all over the metro designed to help members expand their professional network and grow their businesses. 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, please go to www.centersphere.com or contact Christopher Slater directly at (402) 709-1774 / Amy@CenterSphere.com.

28 Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

Women’s Fund of Omaha Welcomes New Members to Board of Directors The Women’s Fund of Omaha welcomes new board members Lorraine Chang, Tonya Conley, Sarena Dacus, Lucia Pedroza Estrada, and Karine Sokpoh, along with new Circles group liaison Megan K. Jarosz, who all exemplify ways to continue to identify, monitor, and strengthen the organization’s initiatives and impact in the community so that every woman and girl can reach their full potential.

Lorraine Chang is a strategic consultant who also serves on the board of directors with College of Saint Mary and Voice for Children, as well as the United Way Community Impact Committee. Chang has previously served on the Women’s Fund board and has also helped with policy development and advocacy efforts as part of the organizations’ public policy committee for the organization.

Tonya Conley works as a senior general attorney at Union Pacific Railroad, where her responsibilities include a focus on transactional law, compliance, and bankruptcy. Conley is also on the Women’s Fund Circles Leadership Team and involved with the African American Unity Fund. She will serve as the board secretary and chair of the nominating committee.

Sarena Dacus is a Region VII health specialist at ICF, focused on providing education, training, and technical assistance to early childhood grantees across Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. Dacus is currently on the Leadership Team with Women’s Fund Circles and also serves on committees with Heartland 2050 and Iowa West Foundation.

Lucia Pedroza Estrada is a senior organizer for Heartland Workers Center, where she works with the lead organizer and executive director in overseeing community organizing, leadership development, and civic engagement programs. Her interests include social justice, immigration reform and reproductive justice, and she has experience working on Get Out the Vote efforts in Nebraska.

Karine Sokpoh is an attorney at Sokpoh Law Group, focused on representing adults and children in family, immigration, and general litigation matters. She has a passion for issues that impact women, children and refugees. Additional community involvement includes representation on the Girls Inc. Girlfriends Board, Midlands Bar Association, and African Love International.

Megan K. Jarosz is an associate partner at Holland Basham Architects, managing a team in successful planning, design, execution, monitoring, and closure of projects. She is active member of the Friends of Planned Parenthood Board and co-chair of Fontenelle Forest’s event, “Feather Our Nest.” As president of Women’s Fund Circles, she will serve the board as a Circles liaison.

More information about the work of the Women’s Fund of Omaha is available online at www.OmahaWomensFund.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NON-PROFIT NEWS Project Harmony Offers Online Safety Training March 5

Cross Electronic Recycling to Host “Friends of the Environment Learn and Mingle”

Project Harmony reminds the community that Tuesday, February 5 is Safer Internet Day—a day that aims to not only create a safer internet, but also a better internet, where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically, and creatively. With this in mind, Project Harmony is giving people the chance to register for their upcoming online safety training, which will take place on March 5.

Project Harmony’s online safety trainings specialize in educating parents, caregivers, and educators with the knowledge and resources needed to protect children from online dangers including predators, cyber bullies, and threats related to gaming, social networking and mobile devices.

The internet has significantly changed the way that our children are interacting with the world. They have access to in-depth knowledge, tools to express their creativity, and people from all over the world. Yet, along with offering an intriguing, new way to connect, the internet also offers opportunity for risk. According to Pew Research Center, teens are increasingly sharing information on social media sites. In addition to the information share on various social media platforms, teen social media profiles are equally revealing.

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. Register for the upcoming March 5 training at ProjectHarmony.com.

The Cross Electronic Recycling will host Friends of the Environment Learn and Mingle on Thursday, February 7. The electronics drop-off center will be open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and the event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m.

Cross Electronic Recycling is located at 5030 N. 72nd St. This event will allow attendees to visit with vendors, exhibitors, and other “Friends of the Environment.” Meet the experts and learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle more. Tour the recycling and refurbishing facility, and see what happens with your unwanted items. Enjoy green snacks and beverages! Bring your unwanted used electronics with you to the event and receive a gift in kind receipt as we are non-profit organization.

Cross Electronic Recycling accepts anything with a cord, battery or motor. Residential, commercial, and industrial items for recycling and refurbishing are welcomed. This includes items such as computers, laptops, large appliances, stereos and audio equipment, personal accessories, lawn mowers, electronic game systems, televisions, microwaves, and so much more. All electronic collections are used for vocational training and work experience at Cross Training Center. Their mission is to empower and equip unemployed, under-educated, and those who have had challenging backgrounds such as homelessness and incarceration through character development and job experience.

For more information about Cross Electronic Recycling, visit www. crossrecycling.com or give them a call at (402) 590-2100.

Youth Mart at Omaha Home for Boys Aids Over 200 Young Adults in 2018

Dreamweaver Foundation Represented by Omaha Runner at 2019 Boston Marathon

Omaha Home for Boys is pleased to announce that the Youth Mart donation center aided over 200 young adults in 2018. When young adults are facing the transition from foster care to independent living without the needed network of supports in place, they know where to turn: Youth Mart. Youth Mart collects and redistributes critically needed items to young adults who are working toward setting up their own independent living environment.

Youth Mart serves young men and women from Omaha Home for Boys, as well as youth from eight other Omaha area agencies. Youth Mart fills a critical need in the community by helping ease the transition to independent living for young adults who face this pivotal change with a limited support system and few resources.

Young adults are allowed to shop free of charge at Youth Mart for hygiene products, cleaning supplies, household and kitchen wares, small appliances, and even clothing, furniture, and baby essentials.

The shelves at Youth Mart are stocked by individuals and businesses who generously donate new and gently used items.

Some of the most requested items at Youth Mart include undergarments for young men and women, laundry detergent, brooms and dustpans, and cookware and flatware. To donate, please call Youth Mart at (402) 457-7002 to schedule a drop-off or pick-up time, or find Youth Mart’s Wish List on Amazon. More information about Omaha Home for Boys and Youth Mart is available online at OmahaHomeForBoys. org or on Facebook (@omahahomeforboys). #PrintProudDigitalSmart

As a designated John Hancock Boston Marathon NonProfit, Dreamweaver Foundation was issued a bib for the 2019 Boston Marathon on April 15. Aaron Schaben from Carson Group will be running on behalf of the organization, in hopes of raising money to fulfill Dreamweaver’s mission of supporting seniors who are terminally ill.

As part of the principal sponsorship of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock donates hundreds of guaranteed invitational entries each year to select non-profits through the Marathon Non-Profit Program.

Organizations use these entries to recruit individual runners who pledge to raise money for their cause. In 2018 over a thousand John Hancock sponsored runners raised $13.1 million for charity. 2019 will mark the 34th year of John Hancock’s landmark sponsorship of the legendary Boston Marathon. John Hancock’s continued support of the Boston Athletic Association, which has directed the race since 1897, ensures the stability of the world’s oldest annual marathon.

Support Aaron Schaben and the Dreamweaver Foundation by going to www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/aarons-run-for-dreams and making a gift. In doing so, you too will help make lifelong dreams come true for seniors!

Dreamweaver Foundation is on track to grant 100 dreams this year alone. With each dream requiring a $5,000 investment, you will help ensure that requests can continue to be fulfilled. All donations are eligible for a business receipt from Dreamweaver Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization. Through your generosity, you make possible incredible experiences that seniors will never forget. Learn more about the foundation online at dreamweaver.org or call (402) 697-5471.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Angels Among Us Announces 2nd Annual Uncorked Benefit Event on March 2

Nebraska Recycling Council to Hold Webinar on Organizing Glass Recycling Programs

Angels Among Us will host their second annual Uncorked event, which benefits their organization, on Saturday, March 2.

The event will take place from 1–4 p.m. at Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. The venue is located at 140 Regency Parkway.

The Nebraska Recycling Council will host a free webinar on Tuesday, February 5 from noon to 1 p.m. The webinar will be led by Lauren Henry, regional program manager for Ripple Glass since November of 2017. Ripple Glass is a glass recycling company that helps over 80 communities keep glass out of their landfills. Lauren is responsible for all glass recycling programs outside of the Kansas City metro area in nine different states. Lauren’s prior experience is seven years as a neighborhood services specialist with the City of Jefferson, MO, managing CDBGs (Community Development Block Grants) and environmental programs to improve the livability and sustainability of her hometown.

This after noon spotlights over 50 extraordinary wines from around the world including Duckhorn Vinyards, Freemark Abbey, Sonoma Cutrer Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Winery, and Chateau St. Michelle. As a complement, Chef Partner Rafael Ponce will expertly curate a selection of Hors d’oeurves for guests to sample and indulge. There will be silent auction items to bid on, all to benefit Angels Among Us. Angels Among Us is a Nebraska non-profit that provides financial and emotional support to families whose children are battling pediatric cancer. Any family living in or being treated in Nebraska is eligible to apply for financial support. In 2018, Angels Among Us provided support to over 80 families from the community with the financial support they needed to remain stable during a pediatric cancer journey.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.myangelsamongus.org/ event and are $50 per person, which includes all wine and food.

For more information, contact Alyssa Theilen at (402) 934-0999 / alyssa@myangelsamongus.org.

Out Beside You Partners with Pheasant Bonanza for Burt County Ice Angler Bowl Out Beside You is excited to announce that their first-ever fundraising event will be the Burt County Ice Angler Bowl on February 22–23. In partnership with Pheasant Bonanza, this charity ice fishing event is open to the first 20 teams to sign up (entry deadline is February 15).

The cost for a two-person team is $299, which includes entry, two dinners per person, fishing at a private pond, and waxed worms and frozen minnows. Call for a la carte options (only $175 for a guide + all ice fishing gear). Sponsorship opportunities are also available for this event, with 50% of the proceeds benefiting Out Beside You. The bar at Pheasant Bonanza Hunt Club & Kennel’s lodge (3097 Co. Rd. O, Tekamah, NE 68061) will open at 5:30 p.m. on Friday the 22nd with dinner, the pond draw, and a Calcutta to follow.

Saturday’s activities will begin with lines in at 8:30 a.m. Lines out is at 4 p.m., but weigh-in will be available from 2 to 5:30 p.m.

Dinner and awards at the lodge will follow.

Awards will be given to the following categories: Biggest fish, heaviest stringer, and smallest fish (photo only). There will also be door prizes and a guaranteed first, second, and third place team payout.

Out Beside You serves active and transitioning military members, their families, and former and retired veterans of all generations through guided outdoor events in order to connect them with each other and nature through fishing, hunting, and agriculture. To sign up a team for the County Ice Angler Bowl, call (402) 374-1765 or email office@pheasantbonanza.com. To view the official event flyer or download the team application, go to www.pheasantbonanza. com/ice-bowl.

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Lauren will discuss how to begin a glass recycling program with Ripple Glass and how the glass industry is doing despite the changes in recycling. To register for this free event, go to attendee.gotowebinar. com/register/9214460891135700226.

Nebraska Recycling Council is a statewide, member-based, 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Their mission is to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of resource recovery in Nebraska.

The goal is to re-energize resource recovery in Nebraska through innovation, education, training, and the power of collaboration. Visit www.nrcne.org for more information, or contact (402) 436-2384 / info@nrcne.org.

Amplify Arts Acquires Former Darger HQ Space for Exhibitions Amplify Arts is excited to announce the acquisition of 1804 Vinton St. (formerly Darger HQ) for exhibitions and performances that are part of Amplify Arts’ Generator Grants program. Moving forward, the location will be known as the Generator Space. The Generator Grants program lends space and support (financial and otherwise) to Omaha-area artists throughout the process of organizing, marketing, and mounting a curated exhibition outside the context of larger institutional systems.

This location will give Generator Grant recipients a larger space to host exhibitions and shows, as opposed to the smaller gallery space at Amplify Arts’ main location at 1419 S. 13th St. Additionally, this will connect Generator shows and performances to the 2nd Friday arts scene that Vinton Street has established, bringing more foot traffic and exposure to local artists.

The first opening reception at the Generator Space took place on January 11. Young Adult Living, curated by Kelsey Magnuson, uses portraiture to examine hierarchies traditionally embedded within representation; both who is represented and how. No religion, no royalty, no noble, working class, or peasantry, the works presented in Young Adult Living collectively call into question the conventions of traditional portraiture. Featured artists include Alyce Carrier, Nick Clark, Kelsey Magnuson, and Keegan VanGorder.

Amplify Arts (formerly Omaha Creative Institute) is a 501c3 non-profit whose mission is to promote unity, innovation, and progress in the arts to build strong and vibrant communities. To learn more, please visit www.amplifyarts.org or call (402) 996-1092. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NON-PROFIT NEWS CEDARS Offers Classes to Local Parents Held at CEDARS Northbridge Community Center (1533 N. 27th St., Lincoln), “Circle of Security” classes are offered Monday evenings, 5:30–7 p.m. from February 25 through April 15. The classes are free but preregistration is required. Childcare is available at no cost.

For any parent wishing to gain a deeper bond with their child, CEDARS is offering an eight-week class called “Circle of Security,” designed for caretakers of children from prenatal to age eight, but applicable to older children as well. Attendees will learn to strengthen their relationship with their child, to be present with their child during the best and toughest of times, recognize their child’s needs and make sense of their behaviors, and meet their child’s needs by being bigger, stronger, wiser, and kinder.

All parents wonder if they’re getting it right. They’re not alone. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what your child needs, what their behaviors mean, and if you’re doing the right thing. CEDARS has been helping kids in crisis and building strong families in Nebraska for over 70 years. The Nebraskabased child caring organization is proud to offer classes to support the families of this community. To register, or for more information, contact Lindsay at lhenkenius@cedars-kids.org or (402) 730-0909. To learn how CEDARS supports families in the community, visit cedarskids.org or call (402) 434-5437.

Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation Earns State Economic Grant The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) awarded a $100,000 grant to the Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC) for microenterprise lending.

The Microenterprise Lending Program funds will be used for direct lending to eligible microenterprise businesses. Only $5,000 of the grant amount may be used for general administration expenses.

The Business Innovation Act defines eligible microenterprise businesses as for-profit business entities with no more than 10 full-time equivalent employees.

“It is a great honor to work in partnership with the NDED for the development of micro-enterprises in the state of Nebraska,” said Marta Sonia Londoño Mejía, executive director of MLCDC. “This grant is crucial for the present and future of our organization.”

The Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (www. midlandslatinocdc.org) provides Latinos and low-income communities 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.

For more information, contact San Juana Paramo at (402) 216-4317 or sparamo@unomaha.edu.

Domesti-PUPS Announces Dates for 2019 I Love My Dog Expo Domesti-PUPS is excited to announce that the 2019 I Love My Dog Expo, southeast Nebraska’s familyfriendly, premiere dog lovers event, will be held on Saturday, February 23 and Sunday, February 24, with extended hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The event will be held in Pavilion I at the Lancaster Event Center at 4100 N. 84th St. in Lincoln. Admission is $10; children under the age of 10 are free.

Well-behaved, fully vaccinated dogs are welcome.

The I Love My Dog Expo is a perfect opportunity to showcase your products, services, or non-profit organization to thousands of pet lovers in the area, while helping to promote responsible dog ownership.

With entertainment, games, and training demonstrations, and, of course, plenty of shopping, the expo attracts thousands of dog lovers of all ages and interests. There will be booth space for a variety of vendors including manufacturers, veterinarians, boarding and grooming facilities, rescue groups, retailers and more.

Proceeds from the I Love My Dog Expo benefit Domesti-PUPS, a service organization that provides assistance dogs for persons with disabilities, pet therapy programs, classroom dogs and educational programs, and a rescue dog training/adoption program. DomestiPUPS serves clients locally, regionally and nationally. This annual event helps the general public better understand and appreciate the many ways that dogs enrich the lives of many. To learn more about DomestiPUPS, visit www.domesti-pups.org or contact 1-866-515-PUPS / (402) 465-4201 / info@domesti-pups.org. For sponsorship and vendor details, and any additional information about the event, visit www.ilovemydogexpo.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

MICAH House’s Girl Scout Troop Sets Goal for Cookie Sales In 2018, MICAH House, a homeless shelter for families and women, started a Girl Scout troop. School-aged girls who reside at MICAH House and Heartland homes are provided an opportunity to join the troop and meet other girls in their situation, earn badges, and gain confidence. This year, Girl Scout cookies sales are from February 1 to March 17, and the MICAH House troop has a goal to sell 800 boxes of cookies. Additionally, the troop will offer drive-thru cookies booths at MICAH House, located at 1415 Avenue J, Council Bluffs, throughout the sale season.

Girl Scout cookie sales help bolster that confidence by teaching the girls about goal setting, decision making, money management, and people skills. This year, the troop orders can be placed over the phone by calling (712) 343-4416 or going online to www. themicahhouse.org.

Founded in 1986, MICAH House is an emergency homeless shelter that serves families and women in the Omaha-Metro area and Southwest Iowa. MICAH House provides safe shelter, nutritious meals, health care access, and adult education classes as individuals seek a better tomorrow. For additional information, including drive-thru booth dates, please visit the MICAH House website and follow the MICAH House Facebook page (@MicahHouseIowa). Additional questions can be directed to Kayla Terrillion at (712) 323-4416 / kterrillion@themicahhouse.org.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS SHARE Omaha Website Launches, Highlights Needs of Local Non-Profits

Kids’ Chance of Nebraska Reports Great Success at 5th Annual Bowling Fundraiser

SHARE Omaha launched a new website (shareomaha.org) to help non-profits in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area to connect generosity with need. The website officially went live on Thursday, January 17. The site includes information about what local non-profits need in terms of volunteers, monetary donations, or items. Nearly 200 non-profits are listed on the site. There are also over 260 volunteer opportunities to explore and 1,630 much-needed products currently listed which can be bought for non-profits and shipped directly to their door.

The SHARE Omaha site features non-profits in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Saunders, and Washington counties in Nebraska, along with organizations in Pottawattamie, Mills, and Harrison counties in Iowa.

David Scott of the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation proposed the idea in Omaha after seeing a similar project in North Carolina.

SHARE Omaha Executive Director Marjorie Maas says the platform has an all-inclusive approach and lists various organizations, regardless of their size, cause, or budget. The goal is to engage a new audience and foster the donors who will sustain and advance the metro’s philanthropic future. Learn more about SHARE Omaha and how to “#SHAREitForward” by going to shareomaha.org, or calling (402) 502-0360. Marjorie Maas can be contacted directly by emailing marjorie@SHAREomaha.org.

The Kids’ Chance of Nebraska organization hosted their 5th annual bowling fundraiser on January 21. The event took place at The Mark in Elkhorn and drew a great turnout.

Attendees enjoyed bowling, food, drink, and tickets to the facility’s XD Dark Ride experience.

The organization has awarded over 14 scholarships that totaled $140,000 since its inception in 2013. Kids’ Chance of Nebraska would like to thank attendees and sponsors of the event for supporting this great cause.

Nonprofit Association of the Midlands Sets Dates of Finance Fundamental Series The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) believes that non-profits have an obligation to act as responsible stewards in managing their financial resources. This is why they are offering training opportunities through their Finance Fundamental Series.

Upcoming trainings will be held on February 19 and March 1 in the NAM Training Room (11205 Wright Cir., STE 210).

The February training, 990’s for Beginners, will be from 8:30–10:30 a.m.

Presenters Jerry O’Doherty with Seim Johnson will answer the questions about organizations’ Form 990 that many representatives may be too afraid to ask. Attendees will walk away with a solid understanding of Form 990.

The March training, Federal Tax Law Changes, will be from 9–11 a.m.

Presenters Brandon Dickerson, Like Meyerson Hatch LLC, and Lorraine Egger, KPMG, will discuss the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that became effective on January 1, 2018 and significant tax law changes that affect taxexempt organizations. The IRS has not yet provided much guidance on many facets of these new changes. Specifically, the new law treats certain expenses associated with transportation benefits provided to employees as unrelated business income that may need to be reported to the IRS by non-profit employers and taxed at the new 21% corporate tax rate.

All non-profits must comply with all legal requirements related to financial matters. Nonprofit Association of the Midlands’ Finance Fundamental Series can help educate organization representatives on how to use their financial resources to accomplish their missions in an effective, efficient manner. Registration is required for both events, $35 for NAM members; $70 for not-yet members. Register online at www.nonprofitam. org/events.

The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) is a state association that represents more than 600 non-profit organizations in Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Contact Abby Hughes at (402) 557-5800 / abby@ nonprofitam.org with any questions.

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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.

Kids’ Chance works to make a difference in the lives of children by providing scholarships to help eligible students achieve both their educational goals and their families’ dreams.

For more information, or to find 2019 scholarship applications, visit the Kids’ Chance of Nebraska website (www.kidschanceofne.org).

Other questions can be directed to (402) 573-2175. You can also follow along on their Facebook page (@kidschanceofne).

Inclusive Communities to Host Humanitarian Brunch Featuring Vu Le Save the date for Inclusive Communities’ 2019 Humanitarian Brunch, which will be held on April 7 at the Scott Conference Center (6450 Pine St.). This is the 81st year of this event and Inclusive Communities plans to continue their vital tradition of gathering Omaha’s best and brightest to honor those with a steadfast commitment to making the Omaha community a better place for everyone. Now more than ever, we need to recognize those who are dedicated to creating more inclusive communities.

The Humanitarian Brunch will start at noon with a happy hour, featuring a bloody mary and mimosa bar until 1 p.m. A hosted brunch and program will follow immediately afterward. The honored guest will be Vu Le, executive director of Rainier Valley Corps, a social justice non-profit. Vu is involved with this work because there is a lot of injustice in the world. He believes that the only way to address them effectively is if everyone works together. After realizing he wanted to do community work, he got a degree but couldn’t get a job because of lack of experience. Vu was accepted into a similar program and learned a lot through it. The program kept him in the sector and allowed him to keep doing the work he loves. Vu is the former executive director of the Vietnamese Friendship Association.

Vu is also the author behind the non-profit humor blog, Nonprofit: Absolutely Fabulous.

Inclusive Communities envisions a society that is strengthened by diversity, inclusion, respect, and justice for all people. For more information and to have your name added to the invite list, please contact Suzanna George at (402) 391-4460 / Suzanna@InclusiveCommunities.org. Learn more about the organization by going online to www.inclusive-communities.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NON-PROFIT NEWS The Set Me Free Project to Host Comedy for Change Event at A View On State

Heartland Family Service to Host 2nd Annual “Strengthen Our Survivors” Event

The Set Me Free Project will host a Comedy for Change event on Thursday, March 7 from 6–9 p.m. at A View On State (13467 State St.). Join in on an evening of comedy, food, and fun! There will be a dinner and a live auction where all funds raised will go to help change the lives of youth and families in the community who have been affected by the darkness that is sex trafficking.

Tickets can be purchased through their Facebook page or website.

The Set Me Free Project is unique because they don’t just bring awareness to sex trafficking, they bring education. Their educators empower each audience member to protect themselves and others from traffickers.

Educators show students how and why they are at risk, and teach them ways to protect themselves. The Set Me Free Project’s curriculum reaches students (grades 3–12), educators, parents, and leaders in every facet of the community.

Additionally, The Set Me Free Project has announced openings for part- and full-time educators. Other positions are available through the AmeriCorps VISTA and include data analysis and a volunteer coordinator. Interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to info@ setmefreeproject.net or (402) 521-3080 or apply at setmefreeproject. net/join-our-team. Find them on Facebook at (@setmefreeproject).

Join Heartland Family Service as they host their second annual Strengthen Our Survivors brunch and ar tisan vendor fair on Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will take place at Oak Hills Country Club in Omaha, located at 12325 Golfing Green Dr. All proceeds will benefit their domestic violence/sexual assault program, including the Safe Haven concealed emergency shelter.

Individual tickets are $40, and sponsorship opportunities start at $300. If you would like to attend, RSVP by March 20. Sponsorship commitments are due March 8.

The mission of Heartland Family Service 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 our community in the following focus areas: child and family well-being; counseling and prevention; and housing, safety, and financial stability.

Learn more by visiting the organization’s website at HeartlandFamilyService. org. Other questions and RSVPs can be directed to Sarah Dighans at (402) 552-7475 or sdighans@heartlandfamilyservice.org.

Jewish Family Service Enhances Adoption Service Offerings Jewish Family Ser vice is proud to offer adoption home study ser vices to prospective adoptive parents.

Individuals and couples are considered regardless of religious affiliation or sexual orientation. Jewish Family Service’s professional adoption coordinator is skilled in acting as a liaison in the often complex adoption process.

Jewish Family Service provides individualized service by completing a Domestic or International Home Study, and any necessary follow-up support. They believe that adoption is a life-long process, not a single “event.” Therefore, they offer assistance and resources to families for as long as necessary.

Jewish Family Service provides flexible scheduling to accommodate your busy lifestyle. As an affiliated member of the Nebraska Adoption Agencies Association (NAAA), they offer Domestic Home Study services to any individual or couple working with an attorney or licensed child-placing agency. Jewish Family Service also provides International Home Study services as their accreditation allows, in compliance with the Hague Convention on the protection of children and cooperation in respect of intercountry adoption. Competitive rates include two post-placement follow-up visits as required by the state of Nebraska. Home Studies are generally completed in eight to 12 weeks, and are valid for one year following the date of completion.

Jewish Family Service is a Child Placing Agency licensed in the state of Nebraska. Their primary service areas include the Omaha and Lincoln communities. Other areas will be considered on a case by case basis. Call (402) 330-2024 for more information, or visit www. jewishomaha.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Family Housing Advisory Services Reports Success of Omaha 100, Inc. Program Family Housing Advisory Ser vices, Inc. (FHAS) is pleased to announce that Omaha 100, Inc., which is FHAS’s homeownership program, helped 33 Habitat for Humanity families realize the dream of homeownership in 2018, with homes totaling $4 million. Borrowers received $600,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance through partially forgivable loans and grants to purchase new construction, renovated or existing homes. Along their homeownership journey, FHAS’s borrowers have improved their finances, reduced their debt, and improved their credit.

FHAS has been dedicated to improving quality of life by helping people achieve housing stability and financial security. Over 50 years, the organization has developed solutions in response to a broad range of housing issues that have surfaced in and plagued our community. Through a unique combination of comprehensive services, FHAS prevents homelessness, educates homeowners, provides foreclosure prevention options, develops financially-wise consumers (including youth transitioning out of foster care), offers affordable mortgage lending options, eliminates housing discrimination, and reduces poverty through access to tax credits.

Family Housing Advisory Services is currently hiring a development director, who will be in charge of overseeing fundraising and implementation of strategies to increase private support for the organization. Interested candidates can submit their resume to gilbertinen@fhasinc.org. For more information about the position or FHAS, please call (402) 934-7921 or visit www.fhasinc.org.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands to Host “Bowl for Kids’ Sake”

Open Door Mission to Host Hearts of Hope Virtual Baby Shower for Lydia House Mothers

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands’ largest annual fundraising event, Bowl for Kids’ Sake (BFKS), is right around the corner. It is a time where supporters of Big Brothers Big Sisters come together to celebrate their fundraising success with 90 minutes of cosmic bowing, pizza, and beer/soda. This year’s theme is “Peace, Love, Rock-N-Bowl,” so come dressed for the occasion! The event will be at Maplewood Lanes (3030 N. 101st St.) on the following dates: April 26, April 27, May 3, and May 4. Start times vary and will be assigned once your team is registered. This is the most fun you’ll ever have in rented shoes!

Open Door Mission is hosting the annual Hearts of Hope Virtual Baby Shower in February. From February 1–28, each gift given will go to a mother experiencing homelessness.

The organization is asking the community to donate baby items such as high chairs, strollers, Pack ‘n Plays, car seats, blankets, onesies, bottle sets, bibs, toys, etc. The complete registry list can be found at www. opendoormission.org/events/virtual-baby-shower. To make shopping easier, you can look at the Lydia House gift registry at Target, Walmart, and Amazon under Lydia (first name) and House (last night).

Open Door Mission’s Lydia House provides emergency shelter, life changing programs, supportive housing and care to mothers. They serve the homeless and working poor, especially victims of domestic violence.

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 www.opendoormission.org or contact Deb Saraka-Rubin at (402) 829-1503 / dsaraka-rubin@opendoormission. org. Find the organization on Facebook at (@opendoormission).

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.

If your company is interested in being a sponsor or you would like to create a team, go to bbbsomaha.org/BFKS2019 or contact Lauren Mohatt at (402) 905-3331 / lmohatt@bbbsomaha.org.

More information is also available on their Facebook page (@ bbbsmidlands).

It’s More Than A Job...

It’s A Career

When he first started at McGill Restoration during the summer of 2006, Jeff McGill 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.

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 General Laborers

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

Omaha 402.558.7989 | McGillRestoration.com | Lincoln 402.438.4110 34

Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

NON-PROFIT NEWS Girl Scouts Introduce New Cookie for 2019 Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska has launched the 2019 Girl Scout Cookie Program by introducing a tasty new cookie and celebrating the largest annual financial investment in girls in the United States. The new cookie, Caramel Chocolate Chip, features rich caramel, semisweet chocolate chips and a hint of sea salt in a chewy gluten-free cookie for $5 per package. The remainder of the 2019 Girl Scout Cookie line-up includes Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Girl Scout S’mores, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Shortbread, Thanks-a-Lot, and Lemonades (all still $4 per package). Cookies will be sold February 1 through March 10.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a powerful entrepreneurship incubator for the next generation of female leaders. Research shows that femalefounded start-ups generate more revenue over time and per dollar than male-founded start-ups, but only 17% of start-ups are female-founded.

Given that over half (53%) of female entrepreneurs and business owners are Girl Scout alums, supporting local Girl Scouts is key to supporting the change-makers of today and tomorrow.

The cookie program teaches girls to unleash their Girl Scout Cookie CEO superhero skills—goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. One hundred percent of the net revenue from Girl Scout Cookie purchases stays in Nebraska. With their proceeds, Girl Scouts take part in formative leadership experiences in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), camping and outdoor adventures, community service projects, and so much more.

To find Girl Scouts selling cookies near you, visit GirlScoutsNebraska. org or use the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app, free on iOS and Android devices.

African Culture Connection Receives Program Grant from Nebraska Arts Council African Culture Connection (ACC) announced the receipt of a $7,970 grant from Nebraska Arts Council for Student-Focused Authentic Cultural Experiences with African Culture Connection (ACC).

“We are extremely grateful for the funding from Nebraska Arts Council,” said Charles Ahovissi, executive/artistic director of African Culture Connection. “This funding will support both the expansion of an in-school residency program and professional development for the Teaching Artists who conduct the program.”

The $7,970 awarded by the Nebraska Arts Council, through an Arts Project Grant, will support African Culture Connection’s expansion of the ACC/OPS Multicultural Arts/Middle School Social Studies Curriculum Integration Pilot Program into 17 classrooms in eight schools within Omaha Public Schools. The Teaching Artists who will be conducting the program will engage in professional development training in Togo, Benin, and Ghana for 14 days in December 2018. A multi-day event planned for February 23–24 will showcase the multi-cultural experiences of collaborators from all programming with the general public.

African Culture Connection is an organization of professional teaching and performing artists using authentic African dance, music, visual arts, and storytelling to encourage students to learn more about the positive contributions African cultures have made to society. Founded by Charles Ahovissi, a professional dancer, drummer, performer, choreographer, stage costume designer, and tailor from Benin, West Africa, African Culture Connection’s mission is to educate audiences through African culture and art experiences, to encourage an appreciation for the richness diversity brings to all. Learn more at www.AfricanCultureConnection. org or contact (402) 556-5143 / info@africancultureconnection.org.

Prime Time Program Helps Omaha Kids Improve in School Prime Time Family and Prime Time Preschool will be offered this semester at ten Omaha locations. Both are Humanities Nebraska family literacy programs that help strengthen participants’ interest and skills in reading and talking about books. Each session is a free six-week program that begins with a light meal and continues with storytelling and discussion based on award-winning children’s books. Prime Time Family is for families with children ages six to 10 who struggle with reading, and it includes special activities for siblings ages three to five. Prime Time Preschool is for families who want their children to develop reading readiness skills. Six sessions are bilingual (Spanish and English), and one session focuses on Native American stories and legends. The first seven sessions scheduled include: • Thursdays at 5 p.m., January 31– March 7: Learning Community Center of South Omaha, (simultaneous family and preschool sessions) • Saturdays at 9:30 a.m., March 9–April 13: Girls, Inc., North Omaha (English) • Thursdays at 5:30 p.m., March 21–May 2: Spring Lake Elementary (Bilingual) • Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., April 2–May 7: Completely KIDS (Bilingual) • Tuesdays (time TBD), April 2–7: May Ponca Tribe (Native American) • Tuesdays at 5 p.m., April 2–May 7: Gilder Elementary (Bilingual) Dates and times for four additional Omaha area sites will be announced soon. Prime Time is offered without cost to families thanks to generous statewide sponsors including the State of Nebraska, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Carol Gendler, and an anonymous foundation. The Completely KIDS session received additional funding from Omahans Mary and Rodrigo Lopez.

Teachers who are interested in recommending families for Prime Time should contact one of the sites listed above and ask to speak with the Prime Time coordinator. For more information about Prime Time in Nebraska, visit the Humanities Nebraska website, www.HumanitiesNebraska.org, and select “Prime Time” from the programs list. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Comedian Jeff Dye Returns as Headliner for Child Saving Institute’s Cabaret 2019 Child Saving Institute’s (CSI) board of directors and guild board will present its biggest fundraiser of the year, Cabaret 2019, on Saturday, May 11 at 6 p.m. at the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, 222 N. 10th St., The event will feature the return of comedian Jeff Dye. Dye was such a hit at Cabaret 2018 that CSI is bringing him back and with all new material!

Dye is a nationally-touring comedian, actor, host, prankster, and Bigfoot enthusiast. Since June, Dye has been guest co-hosting Access Live for NBC, he finished filming the feature film The Wedding Year with Director Robert Luketic, and he shot an episode of The Brian Regan Show for Netflix. Dye has hosted NBC’s Better Late than Never for two seasons, which followed Henry Winkler, William Shatner, Terry Bradshaw, and George Foreman as they traveled across the world on an adventure of a lifetime.

Tickets and tables are available for this laughter-filled evening that includes cocktails, dinner, and Dye’s show. Event chairs are Addie and Robert Hollingsworth, co-chairs are Melanie and David Hecker, and the honorary chair is a friend of CSI. Funds raised from the evening support Child Saving Institute’s quality programs, including parenting workshops, an emergency shelter for youth, therapy, older child adoption, foster care, and developmental early childhood education. Tickets are $175 per person. To sponsor a table, purchase tickets, or for more information, please visit childsaving. org or call Anna Willey at (402) 504-3663.

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business 35

HEALTH NEWS Flaherty Senior Consulting Offers Free Family Caregiver Workshops

Brookestone Meadows Hosts Basic CNA Training Classes

Flaherty Senior Consulting is excited to offer three free family caregiver workshops, designed to help caregivers provide the best possible care for their loved ones with dementia. All sessions will be held on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Service Center of Compassion, 7400 Military Ave. Is it Normal Aging or Something Else? (March 2) — It can be hard to tell the difference between age-related changes in memory and early signs of dementia. Memory often changes as a person grows older, but memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a sign of dementia. In this seminar, participants will learn what is normal aging and what are warning signs of dementia.

Are There Different Kinds of Dementia? (April 6) — This presentation is designed especially for family caregivers who are interested in learning about different types of dementia, including Alzheimers, Vascular, Frontal Lobe, and Lewy Body. The characteristics of each type and how to handle the symptoms in loved ones are explored.

Creating a Plan for Peace of Mind: Short Term and Long Term (May 4) —Participants will learn how to plan, short or long term, with and for their loved one. The presentations cover resources that are available to make a safe plan, along with respite options. PACE and Medicaid information will be discussed.

Participants may attend one or all of the Flaherty Senior Consulting sessions, and registration is required. While there is no charge to attend, a free-will offering will be taken. To register, call Sister Margaret Stratman at (402) 951- 3026 or email scc@osms.org with which session(s) you want to attend. Visit www.flahertyconsulting.net for more information and additional programs.

Brookestone Meadows will host basic certified nursing assistant (CNA) training classes February 26 through March 13.

This program is designed to train the beginning nursing assistant to provide safe, effective, and caring services to the patients of any health care setting. It is designed to meet the training requirements of both federal and Nebraska laws for nursing assistants working in a licensed nursing facility. The skills and knowledge contained in this material can be adapted for any health care or residential setting.

Enrollment for the training classes can be found at www.nehca.org/ event/basic-nursing-assistant-training-lincoln-february-26-2019.

A member of the Vetter Senior Living network that includes 30 centers in the Midwest, Brookestone Meadows has created a culture of rehabilitation and overall improvement of health, with a team that’s dedicated to encouraging and motivating patients to excel in therapy and regain daily life skills. The facility offers state-of-theart technology and therapy equipment, including aquatic therapy and the Alter G anti-gravity treadmill, and continues to enhance its offerings to promote successful outcomes. All operating decisions are made locally to ensure that every center remains responsive to the needs of its residents and communities.

L e a r n m o r e a b o u t B r o o k e s t o n e M e a d ow s a t w w w. brookestonemeadows.com, or contact (402) 289-2696 / mmagner@vhsmail.com with further questions.

Nebraska Community Blood Bank Announces New Sickle Cell Donor Program Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) encourages people of African, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Asian, Indian, and Mediterranean descent to donate blood for patients with sickle cell disease as a part of their new Sickle Cell Donor Program. The program involves extensive blood typing to match donors with patients in need.

In February, the nation celebrates the remarkable and groundbreaking work of African Americans. NCBB recognizes the important work of Dr. Charles Drew, one of the founders of modern blood banking. Dr. Drew was a distinguished physician, surgeon, and researcher. His work aided the Allies during World War II and led to technology and practices that would be used in the nation’s first blood banks and bloodmobiles.

Dr. Drew would be proud to know that his efforts would one day support patients with sickle cell disease, the most common hereditary blood disease in the U.S. The disease impacts one in 500 African American children and one in 1,400 Latino children. Often blood transfusions are often the only way to relieve frequent episodes of pain and complications related to the disease. NCBB, in partnership with Nebraska Medicine, provides specially matched blood for sickle cell patients.

Nebraska Community Blood Bank asks businesses to empower their employees to step up and participate in the Sickle Cell Donor Program.

NCBB supplies lifesaving blood to healthcare facilities in six counties throughout Nebraska. For more information, call (402) 486-9414 or visit NCBB.org. Connect with NCBB on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter (@NCBBLincoln).

36 Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska Receives $3.7M Grant The Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) has received a five-year, $3.7 million collaborative grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Mid-American Mental Health Technology & Transfer Center (MHTTC) grant will provide mental health training and technical assistance to behavioral health-focused agencies and 87 community health centers. It also will benefit behavioral health professionals, schools, federally qualified health centers, state agencies such as divisions of behavioral health, regional associations of behavioral health providers and individual providers in a four-state region, which includes Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

The grant also is a reflection of the expertise BHECN has. The grant will focus on four areas: integrated behavioral health in the primary care clinical setting; school mental health; behavioral health workforce development; and serious mental illness. A goal of the grant is to develop expertise in each state so the initiatives can be sustained once the grant is done.

Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska was created in 2009 when the Nebraska legislature passed LB 603 to address the statewide crisis in mental health access. Since then, BHECN has received two national awards and is considered a best practice for innovative programs to recruit and retain licensed mental health professionals in rural and urban communities.

For more information about BHECN, visit www.unmc.edu/bhecn or follow on Facebook and Twitter. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

HEALTH NEWS Medical Solutions Receives Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Hosts Program on Blood Disorder Treatments

Medical Solutions, one of the nation’s largest healthcare staffing companies, has earned recertification from The Joint Commission (www. jointcommission.org). The Joint Commission conducted its thorough on-site review at the company’s Omaha headquarters in December.

Joint Commission experts assessed and evaluated Medical Solutions’ compliance with national standards for health care quality and safety.

The recertification earns Medical Solutions The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval through 2020.

Medical Solutions was one of the first travel nursing and allied healthcare staffing companies to be certified by the Joint Commission and has been continuously certified since January 2005. Medical Solutions has contracts with 2,200+ client hospitals nationwide and is one of the fastest-growing companies in the travel nursing industry. Visit MedicalSolutions.com to learn more.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invites patients and caregivers of those with certain blood cancers and conditions to attend a free educational program on February 9 at the Hilton Omaha’s St. Nicholas Room, 1001 Cass St., from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Douglas County Health Department Works with Pharmacies on Vaccine Campaign The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health and College of Pharmacy and the Douglas County Health Department have launched an information campaign to let parents know that vaccines can be given to children nine years old and above at the local pharmacy.

The campaign is part of a two-year, community-based research study in partnership with CVS, Walgreens, and Hy-Vee pharmacies in the greater Omaha area. The goal is to increase awareness of this service, provide information about vaccines and improve the rate of vaccinated children in Douglas County. It is funded by a $300,000 anonymous donation through the University of Nebraska Foundation.

Over the years, vaccines have prevented countless cases of disease and saved millions of lives. The three vaccines that adolescents need—Tdap (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), human papillomavirus (HPV), and meningococcal—can now be given together in one visit. A booster dose is needed for HPV and meningococcal at age 16. The vaccines are normally covered by health insurance.

The mission of the Douglas County Health Department is to promote and protect the public’s health. Learn more at www.douglascountyhealth.com or call (402) 444-7471.

Community Health Charities of Nebraska to Change Name, Launch Rebrand Campaign Effective July 1, Community Health Charities of Nebraska will change its name back to its original name, CHAD (Combined Health Agencies Drive). The organization has operated as Community Health Charities of Nebraska since 2005.

Since 1972, the organization has raised funds for Nebraska’s premier health charities, distributing more than $56 million since its inception to its local members to make sure all Nebraskans affected by health issues have access to the resources and support they need. As CHAD, the organization will continue to fundraise for its existing 22 member charities in workplace giving campaigns across the state, raising dollars to support its members’ missions. In Lancaster, Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie Counties, the organization has contracts with United Way, but it operates independently in Greater Nebraska.

Community Health Charities of Nebraska worked with Pat Buffum and Dean Vavak of PB&J Designs on an updated and modern look for its CHAD logo through PB&J’s non-profit assistance program. Learn more online at www.chcne.org, or call (402) 614-8500 (state office). #PrintProudDigitalSmart

The free program is part of a regional American Society of Hematology conference sponsored by the University of Nebraska Medical Center for the last 12 years. National support is provided by Novartis, a global pharmaceuticals company.

Participants will hear updates on new treatments and management of acute and chronic leukemia, thrombosis/hemostasis, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative disorders.

They also will hear about support resources available locally through LLS. The slate of speakers include nationally recognized oncologists from some of the leading cancer centers in the U.S. One of the speakers is Matthew Lunning, D.O., associate professor at UNMC and a lymphoma physician at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. UNMC oncologists are known for their expertise in treating leukemias and lymphomas. The cancer team has led and participated in research that has resulted in better cancer treatments and improved patient care around the world.

Though the workshop is free, pre-registration is required. Please RSVP by February 1. To register, go online to www.eiseverywhere.com/382152.

For more information or for assistance for people with disabilities, contact Josh Bollam at (914) 821-8409 or josh.bollam@lls.org.

American Heart Association Launches American Heart Month Campaigns The American Heart Association encourages the public to wear red and raise awareness while sharing photos using #GoRedNE on February 1 in honor of American Heart Month. Since the first of the month is National Wear Red Day®, the public is invited to wear red to support the fight to end heart disease and stroke, the first and fifth leading cause of death in the United States each year.

The organization will be facilitating other incentives as well. To kick off the month, every baby born in the state of Nebraska at participating hospitals will receive a red hat through the American Heart Association’s Little Hats, Big Hearts campaign. More than 1,600 hats will be delivered with love from people across Nebraska and around the United States, for babies in the community.

The Little Hats, Big Hearts program raises awareness of heart disease, and congenital heart defects, the most common type of birth defect in the country. This year, 27 hospitals across the state will receive hats to distribute to newborns. The week of February 7 is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, and the American Heart Association and the American Stroke encourage you to follow the hashtag #LittleHatsBigHeartsNE. The media is encouraged to reach out directly to the hospitals for video footage or photographs.

While February is designated as American Heart Month, it’s important to realize that cardiovascular disease knows no borders. Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading global cause of death with more than 17.3 million deaths each year. That number is expected to rise to more than 23.6 million by 2030.

The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country.

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business 37

Winter Auto Care In 2018, Nebraska enjoyed an unusually warm November and December, but the cold weather has finally started to come in full force for January and February. Extreme heat and cold temperatures often cause problems that some drivers may not have experience with.

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Strictly Business spoke to three local Omaha businesses with experience in automotive care to learn what car and truck owners can do to protect their property from common problems which can lead to lasting damage.

Cody Simons is the owner of DPC Unlimited LLC, a family owned and operated diesel performance, chrome, and truck accessories retail outlet, utilizing over 40 years of combined experience in the repair and trucking industry. Simons said this about his work with DPC: “We specialize in assisting our clients with making their trucks look good and perform at their best. We can help with any chrome or truck accessory need and offer the diesel performance parts and tuning required for on and off-road performance for big rigs and light duty pickups.”

Cody Simons DPC Unlimited LLC

Simons says one recommendation he makes to his customers to help them save money in the long run is an economy tune to improve miles per gallon. “One of the best things we can do is put an economy tune on, it will help boost the performance and help boost the fuel mileage….when you are not spending as much on fuel, it pays for itself,” says Simons. One of DPC’s specialties is helping big-rig and truck owners personalize their work vehicle. “A lot of what DPC can do is get you set up with #PrintProudDigitalSmart

the after-market accessories that you want to make your vehicle your own. Everybody has got the same thing. We can set you up with accessories that make your vehicle special to you. We do lights, bumpers, wheels, and mats to keep the interior protected when everything is wet and soggy,” says Simons.

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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.

Simons says both extremely hot and cold conditions can affect a car’s battery life. “It’s really the heat that kills the battery and the cold that takes them out. When it’s hot, maintain a good clean cooling system. Make sure everything is flushed out,” says Simons.

Mark Griger, the owner of Fleetmark Solutions, says two of the most common ways the cold winter weather creates problems for customers is by affecting the vehicle’s battery and antifreeze.

“Every year that you drive a vehicle, the antifreeze loses some of its qualities. If you don’t have it checked it may freeze up on you. Every couple years it might be good to flush it out. As it loses its ability to not freeze, it builds acidity over time.”

Mark Griger Fleetmark Solutions

Griger warns his customers that when their vehicle is inspected, look for a professional that is thorough. “They’ll take the cap off and look at it, and say, ‘Yes it’s full.’ But that doesn’t mean it’s good,” says Griger.

Griger says before driving on a cold morning, check your tires for low pressure. “It’s obviously colder, it’s a lot stiffer. It’s a lot easier to damage than when it’s warmer when the tire is more pliable. Make sure you have enough tread on there.” Because a tire’s tread provides grip, a low tread can cause a tire to slip due to low grip. Temperature can affect a tire’s grip as well as age and use.

Griger says the ability to diagnose a problem correctly is the best way to prevent car services from becoming more expensive than they should be. “We have top of the line diagnostic equipment.

It points us in the right direction to repair that problem instead of replace everything. With computers you have to communicate with the system to diagnose the problem. It gives us a fault code, a piece of information to help us diagnose the problem.

That’s what we do: we find out what’s not right so we can fix the problem, rather than replace a whole part,” says Griger.

Griger’s top piece of advice to those in the market to buy a used car is this: “Always, always have it looked by someone you trust, and if possible make sure the car is certified pre-owned.”

Griger recommends that a thorough car inspection should look for tricks to disguise problems with the vehicle. “For example, they might spray some lubricant on it to disguise the squeak, and it’s quiet for a few weeks. They’re trying to hide the sounds and problems and issues,” says Griger. Earning a reputation of trustworthiness from his customers is why Griger decided to go open his own business. “I built my business on integrity, that’s why we’re called Fleetmark Solutions instead of Fleetmark Repairs.

I’m always willing and more than happy to take a call from somebody if they’re at another shop and want an estimate on my side. Cover your six, and make sure someone is not trying to get over on you,” says Griger.

Darcie Dingman Dingman’s Collision Center

Most drivers know to be cautious of slippery roads to avoid major accidents.

But few are aware that even a seemingly minor fender bender can damage the internal parts in the car. Dingman’s Collision Center is a family owned and operated business that has been serving customers in the Omaha metropolitan

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area for the past 22 years. Darcie Dingman is their director of marketing and human resources. She joined her family’s business over 12 years ago after completing a degree in human resource management. “We were beginning to expand and I wanted to be a part of what my parents had worked so hard to build. It is exciting to see our expansion just in the time that I have been on board!” says Darcie Dingman.

“An accident, even a minor one, can affect your entire vehicle.

And sometimes damage isn’t readily apparent to the eye,” says Dingman. To ensure that a vehicle meets manufacturer specifications after an accident, Dingman’s uses frame-measuring technology.

In 2017, Dingman’s completed a major milestone, opening the new division Dingman’s Mechanical Repair. While Dingman’s Collision Center specializes in restoring a car to factory-standards after an accident, Dingman’s Mechanical Repair specializes in general maintenance needs of any vehicle. “Ultimately, our goal at Dingman’s Mechanical Repair is to help you maintain the value of your vehicle. Whether you own or lease it or if your vehicle is part of a fleet, we can handle all types of repairs. Every one of our mechanical technicians is ASE certified, so you will receive only the best work on your car, truck, or van,” writes Darcie Dingman.

While buying a used car can seem like an economical choice, it can become costly to repair a vehicle which has not been thoroughly inspected before purchase. Maintaining your own vehicle, whether it has been in an accident, or during the snowy months of the year when sleet and salt can cause damage, is a wise choice for anyone who wants to preserve the re-sale value of their vehicle.

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Wedding Planning

Did you get engaged over the holidays? It wouldn’t be surprising, considering that Christmas is the most popular day to get engaged.

With family all together and celebration in the air, it makes sense. Not to mention that Valentine’s Day is the second most popular time to get engaged, which is coming up! This is definitely a fitting time to talk about wedding planning. There is a lot that goes into making your special day just perfect...or at least, as close to perfect as possible.

Selecting the venue is usually a good place to start. This will help you determine the date of your wedding. A trend we are noticing is smaller, more intimate wedding ceremonies. An intimate ceremony results in a lot less stress for the bride and groom; they can just focus on their close family members and friends during their short and sweet nuptials.

A newer event space in town is The Omaha Bakery. Of course, we all hear about their delicious treats and baked goods, but the bakery recently added on to their store and basically doubled their size! During the day, the event space is filled with tables and chairs as an extension of the cafe seating, but it can be rented out for small events—even wedding

ceremonies! Or at the very least, bridal showers or post-wedding brunch and gift opening. The white faux brick walls and wood-patterned floors make it an elegant space. There is even a projector and screen for slide shows or videos.

Being centrally located in Omaha, this new upand-coming event space could be the perfect intimate setting for your special day. The best part? You’ll get to work with Michelle Kaiser, owner of The Omaha Bakery.

Michelle loves it when people use her space for their special events. Whether it is a guest Michelle Kaiser speaker, an organization meeting, a Bible study The Omaha Bakery or book club, Michelle will make you and your group feel at home in her bakery. “We have a list of preferred caterers here in Omaha, and we can also arrange this space to anyone’s liking, making room for about 35-45 people comfortably. We even have linens!”

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Michelle mentions. “In regards to The Omaha Bakery’s wedding cake options, my best advice is to plan ahead. Since the engagement period seems to get longer and longer, people are planning their weddings years in advance. I’m already taking orders for 2020! That’s not to say that I don’t have availability for this year still, but you need to start locking your vendors down as soon as possible. At The Omaha Bakery, we offer tastings by appointment only on Saturday mornings. During these $20 consultations, we will actually make up the cake or cakes (up to three) that you’re dreaming of.”

Another option for cake ordering in Omaha is Cold Stone Creamery. With a variety of flavors, Cold Stone can give your wedding guests a little bit of everything. From eight-layered ice cream cakes to signature pies, you can order yummy wedding desserts at Cold Stone Creamery. They even have a PhotoCake® option, which allows you to personalize your cake by using your own image for an edible top layer. Maybe an engagement photo? Combine any of their freshly-made ice cream flavors and mixins with your choice of moist yellow, red velvet, or devil’s food cake, all wrapped in fluffy white frosting. Then send Cold Stone your image and they’ll make your one-of-a-kind cake!

Since wedding planning can get a little stressful at times, there is a chance you’ll forget things here and there—and that’s okay! There are a lot of businesses in the industry that know how special this day is, and they’ll be there to assist you up until the very second you say, “I do.” For example, if you realize last minute that you didn’t order enough food or your wedding party needs a quick boxed lunch to make it through the ceremony without passing out (it happens), you can count on Garden Cafe’s 24/7 catering.

They specialize in short notice requests, so you don’t need to worry about not planning a head on this one detail. Garden Cafe will cater for groups as small as 10 and as big as 1,000! Whether it’s brunch, the reception, or your bridal shower, there isn’t much Garden Cafe can’t handle. Better yet, they’ll deliver to you wherever you are.

Food and beverages aren’t the only considerations to take into account after selecting your venue. Depending on what your event space offers, you may have to look into renting tables, chairs, colored linens, plates, glasses, etc. Lucky for you, all these things can be found locally at Honeyman Rent-All. Since 1968, Honeyman Rent-All has been a leader in party and event rentals in the Omaha area. Honeyman Rent-All can save you a lot of money by providing you with everything you need at an affordable rate, and the best way to really grasp all that Honeyman Rent-All has to offer is to go to their website.

In addition to the day-of logistics, hair and cosmetics play an important role in the wedding-planning process too. Aside from the ultimate wedding bod, you’ll also need to consider booking your trip to the salon and spa for other grooming needs. To offer some expert advice to our readers, we interviewed Jaelyn Witte, the bridal coordinator at Creative Hair Design Salon & Spa in Omaha: How can your business be of assistance with planning weddings and/or related events?

Jaelyn Witte As Omaha’s number one full-service salon and Creative Hair Design spa, we love to provide a fun and exciting Salon & Spa environment for our clients. Our wedding staff strives to achieve the most memorable day for our brides and their wedding party. In the last year, our staff has performed over 140 wedding styles alone.

What makes your business unique within the wedding planning realm?

With over 16,000 square feet and more than 55 stylists, we have the space and staff to provide for several large wedding parties all at once.

Our stylists are all very talented and up-to-date on trends, as well as the classic looks; yet, they know how to make each individual look and feel their best on such a special day.

What are some new trends you’re seeing in the wedding industry?

We noticed a lot of beautiful styles, but what stuck out to us as a “trend,” would be braids. Braids have always been a staple wedding style, but now there are so many ways to style them. From fishtail braids, to loose and tousled braids, as well as an up-do with a braid—you can do a braid any way and make it stand out. Flowers would be another big #PrintProudDigitalSmart

trend that we see style with standalone flowers, crowns, and baby’s breath throughout. We see flowers and hair pieces a lot, and love how they can be incorporated into a style. Lastly, probably the newest trend that we see is the “messy up-do.” This up-do is beautiful, but looks very laid back and relaxed—it’s not the classic slicked-back up-do, but instead, it’s a new spin on a classic look.

What do you find to be the most exciting thing about the wedding planning process and why?

Watching the entire process, beginning to end. I really enjoy watching our stylists work with the bride for about six months to create something beautiful, unique, and ultimately what they’ve been envisioning. Having the privilege to help make a bride’s wedding dream come true is what makes me love my job!

We hope you were able to get something out of the expert advice shared above. If you plan ahead and utilize the resources right here in Omaha, your wedding day will be everything you hoped for and more!

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The season of spring cleaning is fast approaching, but there are many problems that can affect a home or office that are not limited to one season. Health hazards like the flu virus and mold can cause lost work days and an untidy home or office can make guests or customers feel unwelcome. Omaha businesses with expertise in building maintenance spoke to Strictly Business about their advice for business-owners and homeowners who would like peace of mind knowing that their property is safe from the most common problems.

Exterior paint can both protect a building from the elements and provide an appealing, aesthetic look for house guests or customers. Casey Hansen is a longtime employee and part-owner of Gerst Painting, with experience working with homes and businesses. “As leaders in commercial and industrial painting services in Omaha, we recognize that regardless of size, every commercial business relies on dependable service from their vendors and contractors.

Casey Hansen At Gerst Painting, we understand and Gerst Painting appreciate this business need. We offer premium craftsmanship from some of the most highly-trained professionals in the industry, backed by the best service in the Omaha Metro area,” says Hansen.

“Making an investment in painting and wallcovering can have an impact for our clients in multiple ways. Having a freshly-painted interior and exterior, with the right colors, not only enhances the image of the company in customers’ eyes, but also can increase the productivity of the employees. Investing in proper maintenance can also prevent more costly repairs down the line,” says Hansen.

Hansen gives this advice to building owners looking to preserve a clean, attractive look: “The most important areas to keep an eye on are the exterior (any rust, cracks, gaps, fading) and high-traffic interior areas.”

Hansen says a specialty of Gerst Painting is explaining the potential products which can preserve the life and value of a building’s protective paint coat. “We like to be involved in the planning and budgeting phase of the project to address any potential issues and offer our knowledge on products. Spending a little more on additional preparation or a better coating can extend the life of the project and save expense in the long run.”

www.ControlDepotInc.com

No matter what project it is, it’s comforting to do business with a company that is build on strong family values.

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(402) 934-0078 • 9304 G Court • Omaha, NE 68127

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Protecting Your Property: How Proactive Building Maintenance Can Guard Your Health and Savings

Getzschman Heating is operated by brothers Scott, Ron, and David Getzschman. A few things to know about Getzschman include: • All Getzschman employees receive in-house training and are considerate of their clients’ homes by always wearing shoe coverings before entering.

• They offer free estimates on equipment replacement costs to their customers any day or night of the week, based on the customer’s convenience • They offer a lifetime guarantee on ductwork installations, are able to track all service and maintenance for the lifetime of your equipment, and offer a G-Force Membership agreement to prolong the life of your equipment and save on energy bills.

When you select Getzschman Heating to provide and install new equipment in your home, you not only acquire the products themselves, but you also gain a special status among all the customers they serve. You become a preferred member of their G-Force Membership V.I.P. client list. This special honor entitles you to additional benefits during the entire future of the business relationship. As that relationship develops, Getzschman will constantly search for new and better ways to serve you at a stress-free level.

Bob Sor ensen is the president of FireGuard, Inc., which is headquartered in Omaha, and its sister company, Jacobsen Fire Equipment Company, LLC. Both companies are focused on the ultimate goal of keeping clients safe and protected at all times. Serving clients across the Omaha Metro and in Lincoln for over 24 years, FireGuard eliminates the need to contact multiple companies by offering complete life safety solutions. The locally owned Bob Sorensen and operated company designs, sells, FireGuard, Inc. installs, inspects and services all types of equipment. “With the motto ‘One Call Does It All,’ commercial clients in the area have access to a comprehensive line-up of products and services in the areas of fire protection and life safety. Our key offerings include fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, fire sprinkler systems, and so much more. We also serve as a resource for any related products, services and inspections,” says Sorensen.

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In order to comply with National Fire Protection Association mandates, property owners are urged to perform a firesprinkler inspection once every five years to ensure there are no blockages. Fire Guard first performs an initial inspection to look for debris, and a more thorough inspection only if needed.

Sprinkler inspections are just one of the services FireGuard provides to ensure fire safety to a variety of business clients. A good step for businesses that want to avoid fines and penalties from a failed fire inspection is to request Life Safety Consulting from Fireguard. Conducted by experienced fire suppression and protection expert Alan Viox, the safety survey ensures that all parts of the building meet fire code.

Many institutional and commercial facilities are increasingly installing a new generation of water-efficient plumbing fixtures.

By understanding the key maintenance considerations for each of these products, you will be better able to incorporate these considerations into technicians’ regular inspection and repair routines, and technicians will be more efficient in troubleshooting potential problems and stopping small issues before they become a major problem.

In August of 2012, Big Birge Plumbing was founded by Brad and Lallenia Birge, nicknamed “Omaha’s Plumbing Power #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Getzschman.com FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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Couple.” Brad Birge now has over 18 years of plumbing experience under his belt, while Lallenia helps run and operate the business. “I learned how to run a business from the back end, while Brad tested to get his master plumbing license,” Lallenia Birge tells us. “Before we knew it, we were business owners and Big Birge Plumbing was up and running!”

Lallenia Birge Big Birge Plumbing

Big Birge Plumbing offers the following advice about eight common problems that are good indicators it is time to contact a plumber:

1. Standing water in your sink or tub is an obvious sign of a clog, but a slow flushing toilet or water backing up into several plumbing fixtures at once may also indicate a clogged drain.

It is good practice to schedule a maintenance drain cleaning once a year to prevent from having a major issue occur.

2. Leaky faucets: The water waste can add up to a lot of money down the drain over time, thanks to increased utility bills.

3. Grease traps should be cleaned every few months: Most homes don’t need a grease trap since most home cooks don’t produce enough oil or grease to warrant one. For commercial businesses, however, having a grease trap is mandatory.

4. Look for small drips, rust or decay in pipes, or request a regular inspection: This can go a long way toward avoiding expensive water damage from unexpected bursts.

5. Frequently flooding basements: Whether your foundation is prone to flooding or you simply want peace of mind that your basement and foundation are protected, a sump pump may be an answer. This effective piece of equipment helps to collect excess water and deposit it far away from your property’s foundation in the event of a storm or other flooding. If you

have a sump pump already a backup sump pump can be a life (and money) saver as well!

6. Toilets that clog or run incessantly: A clogged toilet is incredibly common and nothing to be ashamed of—it’s one of our most common job calls! Just remember flushable wipes are not really flushable and to be mindful not to put things down the toilets that don’t belong there.

7. Unusually long waits for hot water: If you don’t have any hot water, or it takes an unusually long time to reach even lukewarm temps, you likely have a malfunctioning hot water heater or may need an upgrade!

8. If you smell gas, get out of the house and contact MUD. Do not wait on this as this can be a very dangerous situation. They may need you to reach out to a plumber to remedy the situation, we’d love to help!

Large and growing businesses often have specialized technology and maintenance needs. Established in 1994, the mission of Engineered Controls is to offer building control solutions including system design, new construction and owner-direct retrofit sales, installation, repair service, and preventative maintenance work for smart buildings.

“The comfort and safety provided by proper maintenance of your building’s Pat Killeen mechanical and electrical sub-systems Engineered Controls enables you and your employees to give proper focus to your core business or mission,” writes Engineered Controls in a description of their services. “The bottom line of properly controlled and maintained building systems is maximum employee satisfaction, maximum productivity and cost savings.” One of Engineered Controls clients was Father Flanagan’s Boy’s Home, known around the world as

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Boys Town. “We spent most of the time listening,” said Pat Killeen, president of Engineered Controls. “It was essential to thoroughly understand Boys Town, and the pitfalls and problems with existing vendors and systems. Most of all, we needed to have a clear vision of what Boys Town wanted to achieve,” said Killeen.

The purpose of this process was to help Boys Town integrate a comprehensive and cost-effective building system, which Engineered Controls continues to help them maintain efficiently.

Matt Holst Control Depot

Control Depot is a Honeywell Authorized Systems Distributor (ASD) ser ving Nebraska and the Midwest. Matt Holst is the general manager. “Unlike traditional wholesale distributors, Control Depot is bringing a new approach to the way contractors and owners do business. We are the first distributor in our area with a single focus on commercial and residential building control tec hnologies, whic h allows us to better serve our customers with a level of product knowledge and support previously unavailable in the area,” says Holst.

The purpose of building automation controls is to provide control of the HVAC, lighting, and safety systems in a building. Building control is synonymous with the terms “smart building” and “smart home.” Whether working with residential home-owners or commercial businesses, Control Depot both sells basic products and replacements and helps growing businesses integrate their own solutions for building control technology.

“Keeping up with the technology and the company growth go hand in hand. Understanding what is in the box and how it works is paramount to our business. We provide solutions for our customers, not just part number replacement, and we facilitate solution-based thinking which always presents a challenge. We have a great group of employees and everyone spends a large amount of time in training to grow their product knowledge,” says Holst.

In 2018, Control Depot partnered with Prolon Controls to provide their entire line of HVAC temperature controls systems to their clients. Control Depot has also partnered with Contemporary Controls to offer their complete line of building automation peripheral products and solution. While these product offerings are wide and varied, Control Depot helps their customers by offering on-site training for the employees of their clients, warranty coverage on all parts associated with the system, consulting services with their engineers, and contractor programs to help businesses manage every aspect of building control and temperature maintenance.

Jean Duffy Real Property Management Legacy

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Apartment complexes: The services we provide can include leasing agreements, rent collection, cash dispersal, and tenant relations and also 24 hour, seven days a week, maintenance and repair service.

• Common interest communities: Common interest communities include individually-owned units, shared facilities, and common areas in neighborhoods. Alongside the Board of Directors of your homeowners association, our professional property managers will manage the common areas (playgrounds, parking lots, swimming pools, and clubhouses) and ensure compliance to the governing documents of your community.

• Real estate owned (REO) properties: Foreclosed properties owned by a bank, government agency or government loan insurer can be found in nearly every neighborhood across the country. Bank REO properties are frequently in poor condition and need repairs and maintenance, both to satisfy property upkeep laws and to preserve the property’s value for selling purposes.

• Commercial property: A commercial property building often hosts a number of distinct tenants, for example, a shopping plaza may only be one building, but hosts a variety of businesses—each with their unique needs. As the property management company, we not only ensure each tenant is paying rent and other fees such as utility payments and CAM fees, but also ensure timely common area maintenance.

When choosing to invest financially in real estate, considering the type of property is essential to hire the correct maintenance specialists.

Whether it is plumbing, heating and air conditioning, or security, a house or workplace is often a complex system of parts. Keeping these systems maintained and replacing them when they expire protects the health and safety of the people who use the space, and can save money in the long run by preventing expensive disasters.

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Founded in 2017 by Jean and James Duffy, Real Proper ty Management (RPM) Legacy of Omaha is a full-service real estate brokerage firm helping buyers, sellers, and investors manage their properties. President Jean Duffy says, “At RPM Legacy, our goal is to protect your investments and make you the most money…We also conduct movein assessments and regular inspections, complete with photos, to make sure your property stays in good shape.”

While most of their clients are owners of residential properties and rental homes, RPM Legacy is experienced with different types of properties which require different approaches to management. RPM Legacy explains the custom services they offer to the following types of properties: #PrintProudDigitalSmart

402.575.0102 | bigbirgeplumbing.com FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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Senior Living Serving Our Community For Over 125 Years

DOUGLAS COUNTY health center

Specializing in: • Long Term Care • Short Term Rehabilitation • Memory Care

Quality of Care Five Star Rating by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

402-444-7000 | 4102 Woolworth Ave., Omaha 46

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This Spring, Spend Time with Family and Talk to Elderly Relatives about Their Priorities for Retirement Living These late winter and early spring months are an excellent time to reflect on the health concerns of elderly loved ones and prompt a conversation with your senior relatives about their wishes for retirement and living arrangements. Those who follow the spring cleaning tradition, or would like to start, might use their spring cleaning as an opportunity to help elderly family members organize their belongings and discuss the future.

Even if a senior family member is completely healthy and capable of performing all their household tasks today, having this conversation in early years can prevent stress and confusion in later years. Many professional services can offer advice on important issues that seniors face, and the many choices and services available to assist seniors.

According to Jim Laughlin with Home Nursing with Heart, many concerns for seniors are the result of cancer or heart conditions, like heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, or any other acute health issue. “When disabilities arise, the independence of the senior is compromised,” notes Laughlin.

“Although, hopefully, they can overcome the disability, sometimes they cannot. In this scenario, major decisions regarding living arrangements, costs, government Jim Laughlin support, and family support must be Home Nursing with Heart made. I’ve always been a proponent of the services provided by CareMATRIX for help with these decisions, as well as seeking guidance from a medical social #PrintProudDigitalSmart

worker, as there are a wide array of support options many people aren’t aware of out there.”

Laughlin says that it is widely recommended for families to familiarize themselves with the basic types of care that are available, make a list of choices available in their home city, and visit each individual choice to ensure it can provide all the services an individual senior requires. Some may provide more than one type of care, while others are more specialized.

Most fall into these five general categories: • Senior living—designed for seniors aged 62+ who desire to live independently.

• Assisted living—designed for seniors in need of assistance with daily activities, but not yet in need of skilled nursing care.

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• Short-term and long-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation— designed for seniors in need of skilled care temporarily after a hospital stay or long-term due to chronic illness and health needs.

• Residential-style skilled nursing—designed for long-term patients who desire a more home-like environment with space for family gatherings.

• Hospice care—designed to provide compassionate care, pain management, and medical assistance in an end-of-life residential community or at home.

“An often-overlooked service is in-home care,” addresses Laughlin, “but respite care could be the best fit for your elderly loved one. Home Nursing with Heart gives access to the right medical professionals during the later years of life, or while recovering from surgery or an illness, right in the comfort of one’s own home.”

Daniel M. Ward, president of MediGuard USA, has advice from p e r s o n a l ex p e r i e n c e f o r t h o s e considering senior living options for loved ones. “Having gone through this with my mom, I advise people to take a tour of the facilities being considering.

Decide if an elevator can work, check the distance from the room to the dining room, etc.”

To avoid family squabbles, Ward also believes it’s a good idea for families to discuss property and family heirlooms candidly. This can help reduce clutter for spring cleaning and give seniors the joy of sharing family memories with their children rather than worrying about disputes over inheritance.

Coming from a family of 10 siblings, Ward found this helpful and rewarding in his personal life.

Daniel M. Ward MediGuard USA

“Thinning out the home and getting things in order has such family benefits, and makes getting together fun and rewarding.

A good place to start is for the siblings to agree on ‘taking turns’ with the parents involved. We asked our Mom to find things that she wanted to give to us, noting her thoughts and coaching her along the way, and we put names on the items that she was not ready to part with. Being one of 10 siblings, we knew how much better it would be to work it out while Mom still could have a say in it. We took pictures and notified everyone so that no one was left out. Some items we drew straws on, but most everyone worked together and we all ended up smiling and thankful.”

Ward discussed recent trends in medical alert technology which #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BRIDGE to BETTER LIVING favor discreet, simple designs. “Wearing a mobile help button while Mom or Dad are still driving and going places gives you and your family the added sense of knowing they have that extra protection. With GPS, text notifications, and the sleek look now, it is more acceptable among the younger seniors to take advantage of the added services.”

Furthermore, Ward has seen advances which have allowed medical alert technology to become more affordable. “Our mobile medical alert pendants are getting smaller and smarter!

Our customers are able to find them if they get misplaced, just like smart phones. Prices have dropped as well, making it very affordable.”

In contrast to transitional care, which focuses on helping patients recover and return home following a hospital visit, memory care focuses on providing ongoing support to those suffering with Alzheimer’s or dementia. This is why it is important for families to keep the differing types of care in mind. Not all services may fit an individual’s particular needs. To help ensure that their community can meet an individual’s medical and social needs, Douglas County Health Center (DCHC) hires an admissions team tasked with guiding families who are considering senior care through the process. Douglas County Health Center offers five pieces of helpful advice for families choosing a nursing community: • Know the needs of your loved one. Do they need short-term/ sub-acute care for an injury or illness? Or do they need longterm care to provide help with daily tasks due to chronic illness or dementia?

• Consider what is important to your loved one. Various communities can offer different benefits like meal plans and physical therapy in addition to medical care.

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• Ask for recommendations from family, friends, social workers, or religious or social groups you are part of to create a list of possible homes. Many health care providers can also recommend nursing homes they believe provide quality care.

• Call each community on your list to ask any questions you have about costs. Be sure to ask if they have a waiting list.

• Visit each community on your list and ask if you can speak with their social services director.

In addition to round the clock nursing services and activities programming, DCHC offers three types of care: • Rehabilitation services, focused on therapy and helping increase independence • Memory care, focused on providing a comfortable and secure enviroment for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia • Respite care, meant to help the families of seniors who live at home with temporary care services Because of the variety of living arrangements available to seniors, some local organizations specialize in offering information drawing from their experience in the health care field to families seeking answers to their questions. Kyle Johnson, RN, CCM, CSA, is the owner of Oasis Senior Advisors in Omaha, a free, local, community-based referral placement service for seniors and their family members. “Oasis Senior Advisors is a Kyle Johnson Oasis Senior Advisors referral placement service specifically geared towards seniors who are no and Care Consultants for the Aging longer able to live at home. Our role is to educate and inform clients about the many senior living options here in the Omaha community and surrounding areas,” says Johnson.

Many families are surprised to hear that, as a service to seniors, this assistance is complimentary. “Any assistance we provide is absolutely free of charge, no strings attached. We work with seniors and their loved ones in order to streamline the process of finding new living arrangements, which unfortunately can be an extremely stressful situation. We also connect clients to other resources they may need,” says Johnson, who is experienced with communicating with families with questions about dementia and Alzheimer’s about options that are available to them.

“I’ve found that of those who are going through the process of finding their elderly loved ones new places to call home, and not just anywhere but at a facility that’s the best fit possible for that individual, many do not know that a service like this exists.

By simply applying the right expertise, I’m able to minimize the stress of this process on everyone involved.”

Kyle Johnson is also the owner of Care Consultants for the Aging. He discussed some of the materials available to walk families through these topics and empower them to make their decisions. “We are Nebraska’s largest in-home care registry.

All of our caregivers are CNAs and they work directly for the client. The client is 100% in control of their caregiver schedule, and we do not require any minimum of hours or financial deposit to begin services,” says Johnson.

A resource they offer is the ElderCare Resource Handbook. “This is a publication that our office puts out every two years, and has hundreds of resources for any elder care need. Please visit OmahaHandbook.com, or stop by our office to pick a copy of your own,” says Johnson.

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Johnson believes the winter months can be an isolating time for seniors and offers this advice: “We strongly encourage our clients to find a senior center near their home where activities take place daily, and many times will include a meal option.

Many local churches also have retirement groups that meet frequently and do local outings together.”

The top advice Johnson offers families considering living options is to speak with a professional and tour communities alone. “This will give you a better understanding of what home care can provide versus the need to make a move. Everyone we work with wants to stay as independent as they can and live in their own home. However, when the care levels increase to a point where a move to a senior community is best suited, we advise our clients and help them in that transition as best possible,” says Johnson.

One important aspect for families to consider is whether a more independent senior will gradually require more attention and care because of the aging process. There are also some homes that offer respite or adult day care services for families who want their senior relatives to still live at home, but feel that they require occasional assistance on certain days. Founded by Jack and Eldora Vetter, the mission of Brookestone Meadows is “Dignity in Life.” Jack and Eldora Vetter’s legacy of senior care began in 1975. Brookstone describes the way their mission guides their services in this way: “It means we strive to provide everything residents need (physically, emotionally and spiritually) to feel respected, fulfilled, useful, healthy and secure.” Brookestone Meadows’ living options include both short-term rehabilitation (sub-acute care), and long-term care (skilled-nursing).

Their specialized programs focus on specific medical needs, for example, their restorative programs designed to improve independence and mobility. Respite care is intended for families who are the primary caretakers of someone with a disability, but require short-term, temporary assistance with care giving.

Their hospice care provides patients with a life-limiting illness access to medical professionals, hospice organizations, clergy, counselors, and skilled volunteers.

Four core values guide Brookestone Meadows’ mission: •

Serving: We succeed by focusing our attention and energies on anticipating and exceeding people’s expectations.

Our actions are driven by a “Yes, I Can” attitude and the commitment that we are “Family Serving Family.”

•

Integrity: Our relationships, services and decisions will speak for our desire to always act with honesty, fairness, and compassion. People learn from interacting with us that they can trust us to be who we say we are and do what we say we’ll do. We strive to act in a way that will make God smile at our efforts.

•

Teamwork: Our relationships are built on mutual trust and respect. We recognize the value and worth of each person we are privileged to encounter, work with, and serve. We seek to understand what is important to others and let people know they are appreciated for who they are and what they do.

•

Excellence: We continually pursue opportunities to improve ourselves and the services we provide. We learn from our experiences, build on our successes, and make changes when changes are beneficial. We develop people’s strengths and remain committed to becoming the Best of the Best.

To help families understand the kinds of social events and activities available for residents, and in order to plan visits to #PrintProudDigitalSmart

join their family at social gatherings, Brookestone Meadows publishes a monthly Life Enrichment Calendar, which can be read and downloaded under the events tab on Brookestone Meadow’s website.

Bridge to Better Living (BBL) provides a free service to clients and their families when they are considering moving to an independent, assisted, memoryassisted, or long-term care community.

We looked to Robbie Nathan for some helpful advice, as she brings 35 years of experience in home health care as the director of training and staff development for Bridge to Better Living.

“Bridge to Better Living is a locally ow n e d S e n i o r L i v i n g Tr a n s i t i o n Placement service. We pride ourselves on ‘Placement with Passion’ and have an excellent reputation for lessening the stress of those researching a senior living option.

We are at no cost to the client and a person-to-person service, not a computer-based business. BBL engages families at all levels of care: independent, assisted, memory-assisted, and skilled. Their transition consultants have diverse backgrounds in health and administration as well as a vast knowledge of local resources. Bridge to Better Living has established long term relationships with each community to help facilitate a successful placement,” says Nathan.

Robbie Nathan Bridge to Better Living

Nathan believes that current trends indicate the demand for senior care services will continue to grow, and that it will be important for seniors and their families to be aware of both Medicare requirements and any changes in legislation affecting the healthcare industry.

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“Every day 10,000 people turn 65 years of age making it their personal situations is reducing their concerns regarding a important to stay current with legislation and other changes move to retirement living. “As people age their worlds become in healthcare. Medicare has changed the requirements for Oasis Seniorsmaller; Advisors_KJohnson_Quarter Page.indd 9:49:36 AM less of the house1 is used; driving distances are1/11/2019 shorter obtaining rehab coverage. It is important for those on Medicare and meals change in portion size and nutritional content. Bridge to know how long they must be hospitalized, and under which to Better Living finds the seniors who have ‘slid’ into these diagnoses in order to have full coverage in a rehabilitation changes without regret most often transition to a new senior setting. This information can be found online at www.medicare. living option with less stress,” says Nathan. gov or by calling 1.800.MEDICARE. Everyone should have a medical power of attorney to advocate for them when they are Being able to socialize is a very important need for everyone, not able to discuss or make health care decisions on their own. especially seniors. “Bridge to Better Living consultants are A medical and/or financial power of attorney is also advised engaged in many community groups and have reliable resources when considering assisted, memory-assisted, and long-term for seniors and loved ones when they express concern about care,” explains Nathan. changes. Because BBL has helped hundreds of seniors and families, we are often able to introduce like-minded clients to In Nathan’s experience, many families will tell Bridge to Better each other when touring. This personal connection helps to let Living consultants that they wish the decision to move to a others know they are not the first, nor the last, to transition to retirement community had been made sooner. “It is difficult a new style of living.” to put one’s needs first after years of placing others needs before your own. Aging adults need to accept it is perfectly One of the most important pieces of advice Nathan emphasized fine to have others care for them whether it is household chores was for families to have open conversations about their health or personal care assistance. Many baby boomers have not and living options earlier rather than later. “Accepting these invested in long-term care insurance and still expect to be able changes results in an improved quality of life. Consultants at to fund their needs if in an assisted living need or a higher Bridge to Better Living often hear clients say they wish the level of care arises,” advises Nathan. decision to move to a retirement community had been made sooner,” says Nathan.

In order to help afford expenses, long-term care policies, financial assistance for veterans, and local support groups can The advantage of having a conversation with senior family all assist families with costs. “Investing in a good long-term members earlier rather than later is that it gives them a chance care policy often results in over half of the expenses being covered. Veterans should contact their VA representative to to vocalize their priorities and concerns for their future. If spring determine eligibility for financial assistance. Support groups cleaning is an opportunity for adults to make arrangements exist for families facing a life-changing diagnosis and connect participants with specific community resources as well for their home, it can also serve as an opportunity for family as offering emotional support in order to help them cope,” members to help each other prepare plans for the future. explains Nathan. An advantage of helping a senior consider #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Douglas County Health Center:

Where the Spirit of Care Comes to Life Douglas County Health Center (DCHC) has proudly served the Omaha area for over 100 years and continues to be a leader in health care in the community.

Douglas County Health Center’s team of health care professionals provides excellent short-term, postacute rehabilitation, and long-term care. They are recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid as a five-star-rated facility, and take pride in being the only facility in Nebraska to hold that rating since it’s inception in 2008.

Rehab Services At Douglas County Rehab, individuals stay in one of the 20 modern, private rooms in the short-term unit. All short-term stay individuals at Douglas County Rehab enjoy complimentary transportation to medical appointments, customized meals, recreational services, rehabilitative services, such as speech, physical, and occupational therapy, and individual’s care planning initiated within 24-hours of admission.

Physical Therapy—The DCHC physical therapy team provides each patient with a comprehensive evaluation that allows them to create an individualized treatment plan that helps each patient return home active with increased muscle strength and endurance. Patients receive daily private one-on-one therapy sessions to help them improve upon their balance and coordination following a major surgery, injury, or illness.

Occupational Therapy—DCHC uses task-oriented activities to help patients re-gain their functional abilities that have become impaired due to illness, injury, or aging. Each patient has an individualized occupational therapy plan that is designed to help each patient adapt to their social and physical environment by mastering tasks essential for daily living.

Speech Therapy—The speech-language pathology team at DCHC can provide diagnostic and therapeutic speech therapy services. Our team of experts can work with patients who have cognitive, language, speech, swallowing, and voice disorders due to stroke, brain injury, dementia, neurological disorders, hearing impairment, respiratory illnesses, and many other complex medical conditions.

Memory Care The DCHC staff understands that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or Dementia can be challenging. When care can no longer be provided at home, the staff at Douglas County Health Center invites you to entrust your

loved one’s care to them. The Memory Care Program creates a comfortable and secure environment that both the individual and their family will enjoy.

Memory care services include: • In-house physician and 24-hour professional nursing staff • Secure environment • Individualized health monitoring • Medication management • Personalized assistance with daily needs • Delicious meals and snacks are always available • Daily interactive and socially stimulating activities designed for those with memory loss Here’s what just a Respite Care The Douglas County Nursing Community couple satisfied clients offers Respite Care services for families have to say about who need a break from their at-home working with DCHC: caregiving routine. The DCHC dedicated staff provides around-the-clock nursing “During my husband’s supervision for your loved one in a safe, final hours, my family and nurturing environment. Additional features I were impressed with the of this program include: variable length of heartfelt consideration and stay schedules, medication management, rehabilitation, and clinical care services respect demonstrated by all the staff we encountered as needed. during this poignant time.

Activities We were overwhelmed DCHC employs outgoing and friendly with the dignified way his professional staff to create social programs and activities, designed to passing was handled by the match the capabilities and needs of each presentation of the beautiful quilt that was placed over resident. This has a powerful impact on the healing process. Each resident is given him after his death.” a calendar to keep them informed of “When Dad went into the upcoming events, such as birthday parties, movies, musical programs, games/trivia, ‘end-of-life care’ it was such a difficult time, but it was gardening, volunteer involvement, and other special events. Friends and families so much easier because we are always welcome to visit and attend had the ‘DCHC Angels’ doing our on-site events. everything in any way to make it the easiest possible for Dad and us!”

In order for you or your loved one to be considered for admission to Douglas County Health Center, or to schedule a tour of the facility, contact Admission Coordinator Lee Jenkins.

(402) 630-2764 | dchc.douglascounty-ne.gov | 4102 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, NE 50

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