Strictly Business Omaha June 2017

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OMAHA • JUNE 2017

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In This Is-

• Celebrating Father’s Day • Growing Your Business • Senior Health • Company Retreats • Commercial Remodeling Client Spotlight • Modern Concepts Tile

Featured: Engineered Controls Team see About The Cover on pg. 3 for more!

DR. KELLY WESTFALL

Urgent Pet Care

JAY FAYLOR

Pinnacle Bank

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RODNEY WHEELER SR. 2017DREW COFFEY JUNE Strictly

Cox Business

J-Tech Solar

LAURA SCHULZ

McGill Restoration

BRETT WASKO 1 Business

Talon Steel Buildings

Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505

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ENHANCING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE WITH ADVANCED VOICE TECHNOLOGY. DiVentures provides extraordinary swim, scuba and travel experiences for their customers.

That requires the ability to respond to thousands of calls every week, which is why they use IP Centrex from Cox Business. IP Centrex gives DiVentures a managed, scalable voice solution that does not require specialized IT staff.

“With IP Centrex, we have a managed, scalable solution to meet all of our customer needs.”

Learn more about what Cox Business can do for your business.

– Leo Allison, Retail Manager DiVentures Scuba and Swim Centers

Call today for a consultation.

Call (402) 934 -3891 Visit coxbusiness.com

© 2016 Cox Communications. All rights reserved.

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Strictly Business JUNE 2017

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FOCUSING ON YOUR BRAND

Great Brands That Compete On Value: Contribute To Collective Wellness

For the last couple of months, much of what I’ve been sharing with our readers has been related to news and why it’s important to keep those in our community educated about what’s going on within your organization.

To briefly recap, the benefits to both parties in this symbiotic relationship – those responsible for generating newsworthy buzz and the consumers of that information - are abundant.

“News has the ability to capture the attention of a much wider audience than other commonly utilized marketing tools.”

The successful promotion of a ny b u s i n e s s relies on keeping those in the community where you do business, and especially your target market, informed and aware of why your existence matters to them. News has the ability to capture the attention of a much wider audience than other commonly utilized marketing tools. It’s human nature to want to know more about the world around us. Even though once we’ve learned something new we may not necessarily know how we’ll use it later on down the line, we have it at our disposal nonetheless. So, when given the opportunity, most will at minimum give just about anything a quick once-over or a moment of their attention, if only to determine its relevance in their lives. That being said, if news doesn’t land directly in their laps so to speak, it remains something that many will actively seek out, and you’ll want to be positioned as the first source they come across.

This is true with anything that has to do with our health and wellness, where the more you know, the better. It’s a universally important topic because it impacts us all, so we have equal standing as stakeholders. And it’s a hot-button issue with the contentious nature of what the future holds for insurance and healthcare in America, and for us here locally.

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

While we often talk about the importance of figuring out exactly who your target audience is, where they are at, and the best ways to get in front of them with your messaging, there are certain instances where reaching a wider, less specific audience is fitting and this is one. In generating that widespread awareness, people are armed with the knowledge to help themselves and help others too.

Take cancer for example. Today, sadly it’s something that has touched us all in some way or another. For the types of cancer that are gender-specific or more prevalent in one gender than the other, reaching those at risk is critical. At the same time, those people still have family and friends of the opposite sex who care deeply and want to know as much as possible so that they can offer support wherever needed. So it makes sense to share important information with the general public regardless of who is more apt to act on it.

As so many talented professionals work towards ultimately finding a cure, the work of so many others in different areas has resulted in advances made and new things being introduced all the time.

That translates into so much potential for sharing the news of all of these breakthroughs that could improve outcomes and quality of life with the general public.

While obviously there are budget constraints to consider with any campaign, and tough decisions to make about how to maximize the funds you have available, news is often something that delivers excellent reach with a minimal investment.

The main takeaway here is that those who are well-informed will recognize the value of what you have to offer, and are also in a better position to spread the word on to others. Sharing your news, whether it’s health-related or falls in the business, non-profit, or personnel categories of our publication, is an easy yet effective way to deliver useful information that contributes positively to the lives of others.

To learn more about how Strictly Business can help you, contact me directly at (402) 466-3330 or visit StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com/connect. (You can also click on our Staff Letter tab online to view past articles)

CONTENTS NEWS

4 Business 23 Personnel

26 Non-Profit 31 Health

SPOTLIGHTS

15 Client Spotlight: Modern Concepts Tile 16 River City Six 32 Travel Series: Destination San Diego

ASK THE EXPERT 22 Sandler Training

FEATURE STORIES

34 35 39 42 45 4

Celebrating Father’s Day Growing Your Business Senior Health Company Retreats Commercial Remodeling Strictly Business JUNE 2017

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Tingleska

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OMAHA • JUNE 2017

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Creating efficient, safe and comfortable building environments since 1994, Engineered Controls, Inc. is a leading building control technology contractor in Nebraska and Iowa.

Engineered Controls offers a 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. In our 23 years of operation, Engineered Controls has provided innovative and cost effective building control solutions to over 3,000 satisfied customers.

With offices in Omaha and Lincoln, NE, today Engineered Controls employs over 90 people who collectively represent over 825 years of industry experience. Engineered Controls is a fully-licensed electrical contracting firm, with journeyman and apprentice electricians on staff, and is aligned with Honeywell as an Authorized Control Integrator (ACI) contractor. For over 20 years, Engineered Controls has consistently ranked in the top three of Honeywell’s Elite ACI club of advanced building automation contractors, awarded annually to the top ten in the nation. Additionally, Engineered Controls has been honored to receive Honeywell’s National Contractor of the Year award on four different occasions.

As such, Engineered Controls provides a very valuable function in bridging the gap between mega technology companies like Honeywell and our thousands of commercial customers who use Honeywell building technology products every day. Our team offers a wide range of products and services in the areas of advanced HVAC building controls, building automation systems, facility system integration, energy management, lighting systems, energy metering systems, gas detection and refrigerant monitoring systems, intrusion detection, video surveillance and access control systems, and parking management systems.

Our experience in building control technologies extends across a wide spectrum of facility types including commercial office, health care, industrial, government and military, hotels, museums, sports and entertainment, educational and public buildings. The cover photo of the Engineered Controls team was taken at one of our current projects underway: Metropolitan Community College, Fort Omaha campus, in the Central Utility Plant building.

Engineered Controls is presently working at the new $90 million expansion at Metropolitan Community College’s Fort Omaha technology center, which is aimed to provide improved job training for more students in the trades and technology fields. With the use of private and public funding, MCC is building three new facilities on the south end of the college’s Fort Omaha campus: an Academic Skills Center, the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology, and the Construction Education Center. The academic programs moving into the new buildings will closely match Omaha’s job creation projections, which show construction, professional services, and the trades among the top jobs by 2020.

DR. KELLY WESTFALL

JAY FAYLOR

LAURA SCHULZ

RODNEY WHEELER SR.

DREW COFFEY

BRETT WASKO

Urgent Pet Care

Cox Business

Pinnacle Bank

J-Tech Solar

McGill Restoration

Talon Steel Buildings

Pictured on Cover L to R: Back row: Dave Toelle, Bob Kanne, Rod Fullner. Middle row: Chaz Macrander, Eric Halsey, Alan Rief, Jeff Killeen. Front row: Beth Salistean, Pat Killeen, Dan Bartlett

With any project, our goal is to build strong and lasting relationships with our customers by providing value and experience that is unparalleled in the industry. We strive to excel in all aspects of our business, offering quality services in a timely manner but at affordable rates. Whether your needs are a simple component repair or a fully integrated building automation system, Engineered Controls is ready to provide you the building control technologies and support you need.

For more information about how we may be of personal service to you, please visit us at www.engineeredcontrols. com or call or stop by our Omaha or Lincoln locations.

Omaha: 402.339.1300 | Lincoln: 402.434.2110

24/7 @SBMAGOMAHA

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BUSINESS NEWS

Dingman’s Celebrates Expansion Dingman’s Collision Center is excited to announce that an open house to celebrate the completion of its recent expansion efforts will be held on June 22nd from 3:30-7 p.m. A ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce will take place at 4 p.m.

This event will formally mark the launch of the company’s new division, Dingman’s Mechanical Repair. With the addition of this new standalone division, Dingman’s is now a true one-stop shop for automotive repair services.

Another highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the new building addition at their 120th & Maple location, as it will be held on-site to showcase the impressive 16,000-square-foot facility. With the highest volume of the four locations in the Omaha Metro, expansion of the existing facility became necessary to support the growth of the business.

Outfitted with all new equipment, highlights include two paint booths with the latest in refinish application technology, fully-isolated aluminum repair area to prevent cross contamination of foreign matter, full rise lifts, 3D measuring for structural realignment, every welder required for manufacturer-specific purposes, four-wheel 3D alignment, and vehicle scan diagnostics and troubleshooting capabilities covering all makes and models.

All are welcome to join in the celebration of these major milestones with the Dingman family and the rest of the team at Dingman’s Collision Center and Dingman’s Mechanical Repair!

For more information, visit www.dingmans.com or contact the 120th & Maple location directly at (402) 502-5511.

Apartment Association of Nebraska Hosts Grand Opening of New Headquarters The Apartment Association of Nebraska recently held a ribbon cutting c e r e m o ny fo r i t s new headquarters, located at 4862 South 96th Street, on May 4.

The 3,000-square-foot headquarters, named the AAN Development Center, was designed to provide a facility to use for meetings as well as classes, seminars and training. The facility has a dedicated area to allow hands-on training for maintenance technicians, which is the first of its kind in Nebraska that is specific for the multifamily industry.

“Our mission is to advocate on behalf of the multifamily industry at the local, State and Federal levels of government, and provide educational programs, seminars and other educational forums for the members of the Association and the multifamily industry,” said Rhonda Pederson, Executive Director for the Apartment Association of Nebraska. “The new AAN Development Center will help to further our mission and to promote this industry as a lifelong career choice.

We now have a space to educate leasing staff, community managers, portfolio specialists, and maintenance technicians.”

Although the AAN Development Center is located in Omaha, by the end of 2017 it is expected to be fully capable of broadcasting classes via its website to members across the State of Nebraska and into Council Bluffs, Iowa. “I am very excited for the Association’s opportunity to educate, empower, and grow our multifamily housing professionals,” said Brian Wilhite, President of the Association.

6 Strictly Business JUNE 2017

Children’s Respite Care Center Announces Plans for History Wall Unveiling Children’s Respite Care Center was founded in 1990 by two sisters who saw an unmet need in the community: Terri Fitzgerald, a teac her, and Christine Johnson, a nurse. Their philosophy was to care for children with special needs in such a way that enables growth, and first recognizes and preserves the dignity of each child. CRCC opened its doors to six children who were in need of specialized medical care and currently serves over 400 children.

Join Children’s Respite Care Center in celebrating their history, as well as the vision for their very bright future, on June 8th from 5-7pm at the Northwest Location, 2010 N. 88th Street.

Children’s Respite Care Center is a place where children thrive and parents find hope. CRCC helps children with special needs from birth to age 21 to reach their fullest potential by providing comprehensive educational, nursing and therapeutic care through behavioral health as well as day and overnight weekend programs. A team of licensed nurses, therapists, teachers and associates combine their skills and experience to assist children whose needs cannot be met in a traditional childcare setting. For more information about the services CRCC offers, visit the website at www.crccomaha.org or call (402) 895-4000 to schedule a tour.

Concordia Breaks Ground on New Facility for Center of Liturgical Art Concordia U n i ve r s i t y, Nebraska, broke ground on a new facility for the Center of Liturgical Art on May 1with members of the Marxhausen family in attendance.

The new facility is being built at 540 North Columbia Avenue in Seward, NE where the former Marxhausen family home stood. It is also the site of Reinhold Marxhausen’s studio, where the art professor completed his two mosaic murals for the Nebraska State Capitol.

The Center for Liturgical Art is the realization of Marxhausen’s wish to promote the use of exceptional visual art in worship and ministry.

Since its establishment in 2002, the Center has become a recognized leader in liturgical art, providing meaningful, reflective and powerful pieces for ministries around the world.

Construction began immediately with a proposed dedication of the new facility to take place in late September.

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university that currently serves more than 2,600 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

BUSINESS NEWS

Heartland International: Program Announced for Mechanics, Truck Owners, Fleet Operators Heartland International, Inc. a nationwide distributor of Conklin High Performance Lubricants invites Lincoln and Omaha area mechanics, truck owners and fleet operators to learn how to implement oil testing, preventative maintenance and improved lubrication programs for dramatic extension of vehicle life.

The Conklin Company is a Minnesota based research, development, manufacturing and distribution company who pioneered para-synthetic lubricants like CONVOYTM oils in 1978.

Dennis Nun, President of Heartland says, “Ben Welch of Lincoln drives a 1994 Chevy Suburban with over 910,000 miles on it without a major overhaul. His is just one example of hundreds of our customers, including over-the-road truckers who have proven the ability of Conklin HighPerformance Lubricants to dramatically extend engine life, improve fuel efficiency and reduce costs of operation. We market direct to the mechanics, fleet shops and owner-operators, that’s why you’ll rarely see our products on a retail shelf.”

Heartland International, Inc. is based in Lincoln, Nebraska and has distributed Conklin High Performance Lubricants since 1974. For more information on their products and programs, go to www.BetterLubrication. com, e-mail DennisLNun@gmail.com or call (402) 430-7727.

2017 Nebraska Folk & Roots Festival Set for June 16-17 The Nebraska Folk & Roots Festival, to be held on June 16th & 17th, offers a weekend of unforgettable music under the Nebraska sky and stars, with two days of entertainment handpicked by Lincoln’s finest promoters.

For the 3rd year in a row, local organizers will take advantage of Nebraska’s beautiful geographical layout once again and set this year’s Nebraska Folk & Roots Festival on 240 acres of beautiful land on Branched Oak Farm (17015 NW 70th St, Raymond, NE).

This year’s event will feature a diverse blend of extremely talented artists, including Lydia Loveless, Aaron Lee Tasjan, The Cactus Blossoms, The Railsplitters, Joshua Powell and the Great Train Robbery, Handmade Moments, Jack Hotel, The Bottle Tops, The Hangin’ Cowboys, Emily Bass and the Near Miracle, CJ Mills, and more.

There will also be musical hayrack rides, on-site music workshops by Nebraska’s best teachers, craft vendors, yard game tournaments, family engagement and much, much more.

Single day and weekend passes, and a limited number of camping spots, are available for purchase online at www.nebraskafolkandroots. com . Admission is free for kids 12 and under. Unfortunately there will be no pets allowed. For more details, contact Michael Semrad at (402) 435-5335 or via email at michael@redrebelmedia.net This will be without a doubt a truly unique experience for all music lovers, capturing the truth and pure magic of Nebraska’s prairie.

Soft Surroundings Expands to Nebraska Soft Surroundings, a leading luxury lifestyle brand for busy women of all ages, maintains its dedication to providing an extraordinary shopping experience by announcing plans to open a new location at Village Pointe in Omaha, NE. This will be the retailer’s first store in Nebraska.

Soft Surroundings is committed to helping their customers look and feel their best by providing stylish and comfortable clothing, accessories, beauty and home goods while giving them an effortless shopping experience. The brand is best known for their extremely soft fabrics, global inspiration, customer service and convenience. Most of the apparel and home goods are designed exclusively by and for the brand and the beauty department will feature complimentary cosmetic and skincare consultations as well as regular beauty events.

The Omaha location will be the 50th store for Soft Surroundings and is one of sixteen new stores planned for 2017, their largest expansion year to date. An all-day Grand Opening event is scheduled for Friday, June 2nd, featuring complimentary sweet treats, drinks and specialized beauty treatments for all who attend. Additionally, the first one-hundred customers in line for the 10 a.m. opening will receive a special Soft Surroundings Gift Bag filled with incredible products.

Find out more about Soft Surroundings online at www.softsurroundings. com.

Capitol View Winery & Vineyards Now Open Capitol View Winery & Vineyards, located just 15 minutes from downtown Lincoln near Roca, NE, is now officially open to the public under new ownership!

Formerly WunderRosa Winery, Les & Trish Meyer have taken over operations and are excited to welcome guests out to the 22-acre property to enjoy the beauty of nature and taste the fruits of their labor. It was renamed Capitol View Winery & Vineyards because of its unique location that allows for a combination of amazing views of Lincoln’s skyline and the scenic countryside of Nebraska. Along with the incredible view, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best wines you’ll find anywhere and an experience that will have you coming back time and time again.

Capitol View Winery & Vineyards features a tasting room, winery, vineyard, and historic barn which is perfect for an intimate outing, group visits, or special events such as parties, weddings, receptions, reunions and more.

A 3rd of July Celebration has already been announced, as it’s the perfect location to watch Lincoln’s annual fireworks display and live music will be provided by the Salt Creek Pirates. There will be many other events to come throughout the summer, so make sure to watch for upcoming announcements on the website, www.capitolviewwinery. com and on Facebook!

JUNE 2017 Strictly Business 7

BUSINESS NEWS

Fleetmark Solutions to Host Customer Appreciation Night Mark your calendars to join Fleetmark Solutions for their upcoming Customer Appreciation event!

Owner Mark Griger has announced that it will be held on Friday, June 16th on-site at the shop, located at 207 N. Jackson St in Papillion. All are welcome and encouraged to come check out the facility and enjoy free food, fun, and fireworks! Fleetmark Solutions is situated in town with a perfect view of the annual Papillion Days firework show. The event is set to start at 7pm and will run until the end of the show.

Bring your family!

Fleetmark Solutions specializes in commercial fleet maintenance and repair. Gas, diesel, large or small–with their resources they can do it all! With the understanding that your business depends on your commercial vehicles, the dedicated team at Fleetmark Solutions is here to help you keep your business running with efficient and effective fleet maintenance and repair services. The company has been built on a strong foundation of honesty, with the highest level of integrity at the forefront of every job performed.

For more information about Fleetmark Solutions, please visit www. fleetmarksolutions.com or contact owner Mark Griger at (402) 7154487 / Mark@fleetmarksolutions.com.

Talent Plus Executives Release Book: “Managing to Make a Difference” Talent Plus, Inc. ® (www. talentplus.com) would like to announce the official launc h of Managing to Make a Difference: How to Engage, Retain, and Develop Talent for Maximum Performance, written by Larry Sternberg, J.D. and Kim Turnage, Ph.D., and published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Now available in stores and online, it offers a practical, real-world training manual for mid-level management.

The C-suite has a wealth of resources for leadership guidance, but middle managers face a quandary: often given little guidance on how to excel, they are also under enormous pressure to do a variety of things other than “lead.” This book provides much-needed tools and techniques for building a high-performing team – without letting your other duties suffer. Organized around a coherent philosophy and based on solid research, the discussion offers a roadmap to engagement, talent development and excellence in management.

From difficult situations and organizational challenges to everyday motivation and inspiration, these techniques help middle managers achieve the goals of their organization while empowering their workers to achieve their own.

Based upon their management experience, as well as Sternberg’s catalog of blogs posted to the Talent Plus Viewpoint® Blog over the last several years, the book identifies key tenets of management along with actionable illustrations, lessons and experiments for anyone in management to consider. Books are available to purchase at www. managetomakeadifference.com.

8 Strictly Business JUNE 2017

Commerce Village Coming Soon Commerce Village will be opening its doors to entrepreneurs, creatives, and thinkers this July. Housed inside the Rail & Commerce Building that is situated on the 10th Street corridor just south of Omaha’s Old Market, Commerce Village is a coworking community that boasts world-class amenities and expansive views of downtown Omaha.

Commerce Village work spaces are flexible and accommodate unique business needs. Spaces range from a virtual office, to a single desk, to office suites for a whole team. Designed for the modern worker, Commerce Village provides amenities to make day-to-day business operations as stress free as possible so businesses can focus on innovation, networking, and growth. All members enjoy concierge service, speedy WiFi, conference rooms, private gym and locker rooms, stylish furniture, and mail and package services.

Commerce Village contributes to the greater community by existing within a sustainable building. The modern, responsible renovation of the Rail & Commerce Building includes new highly efficient mechanical systems and a rooftop solar array that lowers the building’s impact on the environment. Such choices are not only good for the community but also make smart business sense.

Membership options include virtual office space, individual desks, small suites (sold out!), medium suites, and large suites. Pricing starts at $100 per month, with individual desks also available for daily lease at $65 per day. All on-site memberships include 24/7 access, parking, and a monthly allotment of conference room hours.

To find your space – start your story, visit www.commercevillageomaha. com or contact Nicole McDermott, Community Manager, at (402) 637-4455 / nicole@commercevillageomaha.com.

Pinnacle Bank Championship Announces Regional Qualifier at ArborLinks Golfers with Nebraska ties will have the opportunity to earn a spot in the 2017 Web.com Tour Pinnacle Bank Championship and compete for a share of the $600,000 purse.

The 36-hole qualifier at ArborLinks in Nebraska City on July 6th replaces the regional qualifiers that were originally set for Riverside Golf Club in Grand Island on May 31st and Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln on June 22nd.

Any professional or amateur with a 4.0 handicap index or less with Nebraska ties will be eligible to compete. Current legal residents of Nebraska, Nebraska Section PGA Members and Apprentices, students and graduates of Nebraska colleges or universities and individuals born in Nebraska and graduated from a Nebraska high school will be eligible.

The qualifier at ArborLinks is limited to the first 72 entrants who meet all eligibility and handicap requirements. Entry deadline is Friday, June 30th at 5:00 p.m. Complete details are available by visiting the tournament website at thepinnaclebankchampionship.com or www. nebraskapga.com.

The Pinnacle Bank Championship, presented by Heartland Chevy Dealers, is a stop on the PGA’s Web.com Tour and will be held July 17th – 23rd at The Club at Indian Creek. The tournament’s charity partner, TeamMates, will receive proceeds from the event to help fund education and mentoring programs for Nebraska youth.

BUSINESS NEWS

Pigtails & Crewcuts Opens in Rockbrook Village

OBI Creative Announces Major Investment in Des Moines

Rockbrook Village is pleased to announce its newest addition: Pigtails & Crewcuts.

Pigtails & Crewcuts was created for kids and offers an enjoyable, stressfree haircutting experience for children and parents alike. Focused on offering a quality haircut, combined with a fun, bright environment, Pigtails & Crewcuts offers children themed barber chairs, children television programs and Xbox to create a comfortable experience that’s fun for the whole family.

Owner Julie Luna says, “Rockbrook Village feels like home to us. We are an Omaha owned business and we love the kid-focused businesses that are in Rockbrook Village.” Formerly at One Pacific Place, Pigtails & Crewcuts joins other kid-centric businesses at Rockbrook Village like Aspen’s Closet, Baby Junk, Milkworks O, Omaha Birth Connection, Stork Vision and Well Mama. In addition to hair services, Pigtails & Crewcuts offers their own custom line of kid-centric hair products and retail gift items.

Pigtails & Crewcuts is open and accepting appointments and walk ins at their temporary location at 11045 Elm Street in Rockbrook Village until their renovation is complete with their permanent space at 2820 S. 110th Court. For more information, please call (402) 933-3700 or visit www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com.

OBI Creative (www.obicreative.com), a researc h-based, innovation-driven advertising agency, had announced a major investment in the region with the purchase of Alt Studios, a Des Moines based strategic digital, IT, web hosting and social media advertising agency.

The acquisition of the Iowa-based Alt Studios brings additional expertise in digital media, IT and social media while OBI is wellknown for research, strategy and award-winning creative. Clients of Alt Studios range from finance to health care, local startups to national conglomerates. They will continue to serve their portfolio of clients going forward as well as those of OBI. Alt Studios will be rebranded as OBI Creative. OBI is currently working with several Iowa businesses, including insurance company Guide One, Des Moines, the Okoboji Tourism and Visitors Bureau, the Pearson Lakes Art Center, Okoboji and Priceless Prints, Shenandoah.

Previously Alt Studios was a business unit of Redglaze Group, a network of companies, headquartered in Omaha. Alt Studios was formed originally in 1998 as Innova Ideas and Services, a fullscale creative and marketing agency and rebranded in 2012 as Alt Studios. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

The acquisition, finalized on Monday, May 1 will result in Alt Studios becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company owned by OBI Creative President & CEO Mary Ann O’Brien.

Nebraska Restaurant Association Honors Hospitality Industry Leaders at 28th Annual Taste of Nebraska World Eats, Co., dba The E a t e r y, a n d C a s h - Wa Distributing Co. received the Nebraska Restaurant Association hospitality awards at the association’s annual banquet, Taste of Nebraska. This year’s event was held April 9th at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Pictured L-R: Dr. Tom Osborne, Doug & Hotel.

Michelle Daize, Nicole Jesse, Jim Partington.

Winners of the award are selected for the contributions they make to both the hospitality industry and the communities in which they do business. Doug and Michelle Daize accepted the 2016 Restaurateur of the Year Award for The Eatery. Allied Member of the Year was presented to Pictured L-R: Dr. Tom Osborne, Dale the Henning Family of CashBean, Nicole Jesse, Jim Partington.

Wa Distributing Company and Dale Bean. Al Gomez, The Core Group, was acknowledged as Volunteer of the Year for his significant time commitment and dedication to the Board of the Hospitality Education Foundation. Dr. Tom Osborne gave the keynote address, and Hillis & Co. added the finishing touches by providing parting gifts with a “Celebration of Nebraska” theme.

Money raised at Taste of Nebraska supports the mission of the Nebraska Restaurant Association to represent, educate and promote the hospitality industry across the state. Additionally, money is used to support Nebraska ProStart – a two-year high school curriculum to get students interested in the hospitality industry. The Nebraska Restaurant Association would like to thank special guest, Dr. Tom Osborne, and the many sponsors and guests that made the 28th annual Taste of Nebraska another success.

Business4Business Hosts Quarterly Kickoff Event Business4Business is now in its 4th year as a premiere Omaha-based Professional Society!

While Business4Business plans many opportunities for networking throughout the year, the Quarterly K i c k o f f e ve n t s a r e particularly important.

The beginning of each quarter is significant to many businesses, so B4B plans an exciting event to start off each new quarter of the year. These events offer the opportunity for: networking focused on strengthening existing relationships and making new connections, exposure to new venues that are unique and provide the attendee with a memorable experience, and speaker presentations from some of Omaha’s top inspirational and business leaders who provide valuable insights for attendees.

This year’s 2nd Quarter Kickoff on April 13 was no exception! Hosted by the beautiful Bella Terre Reception Hall and Vineyard, the event featured classic Italian music sung by Omaha’s own Carmelita De La Guardia, catering by Sam & Louie’s, transportation services by Rock Star Party Bus, and floral arrangements by the Purple Orchid.

With an unbelievable view that transported attendees to the Tuscany region of Italy, a beautiful and inviting reception hall, and a staff that just blew guests away with their service and friendliness, the B4B 2nd Quarter Kickoff was an evening to remember!

Business4Business All Access Passes allow professionals to attend all B4B Events throughout the year free of charge. Passes are $240 for12 months from the date of purchase.

For more information, please visit www.B4BSociety.com or contact Michelle Schrage at B4B@B4BSociety.com.

JUNE 2017 Strictly Business 9

BUSINESS NEWS

Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County Becomes Designated Home Base Iowa Community

BBB Offers FREE Workshops for Integrity Award Applicants

The Home Base Iowa (HBI) Communities initiative designates communities as centers of opportunity for military veterans and further highlights Iowa’s statewide commitment to welcoming and employing veterans. For over the past year, the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce ser ved on a committee to lead the efforts to become a certified Home Base Iowa community. Through the work of the committee, the steps required to receive this designation have been accomplished.

On Tuesday, May 16, Governor Terry Branstad came to Council Bluffs to officially declare Pottawattamie County a certified Home Base Iowa Community. “It is truly a proud accomplishment for Pottawattamie County and all 14 communities in Pottawattamie County to have worked together to make this designation possible,” said Lori Shields, Senior Director of Marketing, Communications and Workforce Solutions for the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce.

To learn more about Home Base Iowa, visit www.homebaseiowa.gov.

Find out more about the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce’s current initiatives, upcoming events, community outreach, and membership opportunities online at www.councilbluffsiowa.com.

To stamp the seal of integrity on your business, apply for the 2017 BBB Integrity Awards at bbbinc.org! Application deadline is June 30, 2017. Application materials and instructions can be found at bbbinc.org (click on the “Integrity Awards” image). The Better Business Bureau has also announced that there will be free workshops held for Integrity Award applicants in both Lincoln and Omaha. Show your customers and vendors how ethics and integrity are at the core principles of your business. Apply today!

Achievement Unlimited, Inc. Introduces New Leadership Development Program Ac hievement Unlimited, Inc. is now offering a new program titled Self Mastery: Bringing Out Your Inner Champion. This program is ideal for any individual who wants to be a better leader.

Participants will develop and adapt the eight characteristics proven to attain success, identify the most vital goals in every area of your life, and develop a personal plan of action in order to achieve maximum success. This program is designed to facilitate growth in each individual by working to develop a winning attitude, create confidence, clarify goals, set a plan for the future, develop perseverance and make better decisions and reduce stress.

Rose Mary Hefley, president of Achievement Unlimited, Inc., works with organizations that want to develop leadership for today and with people who want to live a more fulfilling life. Since 1994 the team at Achievement Unlimited, Inc. has worked with leaders to build successful teams and to grow their organizations. Achievement Unlimited, Inc. has a lineup of training and educational materials designed to help business owners, salespeople, and personnel long after the training process ends. Services include executive coaching, organizational development, hiring the right people, doing workshops and seminars and keynote presentations.

To grow your business and develop your leadership skills, contact Rose Mary Hefley at (402) 630-5965 or email her at rosemary@ successisahabit.com.

10 Strictly Business JUNE 2017

OMAHA - Date: Friday, June 9th - Time: 8-9:30 am. Where: BBB Office (11811 P St It’s time to be recognized Omaha, NE 68137). Contact: Jeff Niebaum for your commitment to at (402) 898-8550 or jniebaum@bbbinc. TRUST • HONESTY • ETHICS org to reserve your spot at a workshop.

LINCOLN - Date: Wednesday, June 7th. Time: 2-4 pm. Where: BBB Office (300 N 44th St, Suite 100 Lincoln, NE). Contact: Teresa Stitcher Fritz at (402) 436-2345 x8600 or tstitcherfritz@bbbinc. org to reserve your spot at a workshop.

Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum Presents Father’s Day Airplane Crawl The Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum (www. sacmuseum.org) salutes all dads with a Father’s Day special on June 18. All dads, accompanied by their child or children, will receive free admission for the day. There will be a museum tour at 11 a.m. led by a storytelling decent and an opportunity to get inside the C-47 “Skytrain” from 12–2 p.m. Admission is $12 for any additional adult and $6 for youth ages 4 to 12. Children under 4 are free.

Get ‘Yer Brew On at 2017 Omaha Beer Fest String up those pretzel necklaces, the craft beer event of the summer is here! Omaha Beer Fest returns for its seventh year on Friday, June 9th and Saturday, June 10th at its new location, on the infield TURF at Horsemen’s Park.

Hundreds of unique craft beers, ciders and meads will be available for tasting from American craft breweries, including debuts from Defiance, First Street, and Saugatuck with the return of some of your favorites like Oskar Blues, Infusion, and Backswing.

Fourteen Nebraska breweries are included in this year’s festivities, including Kinkaider Brewing (Broken Bow), Ploughshare Brewing (Lincoln), Thunderhead Brewing (Kearney), Nebraska Brewing and Upstream Brewing (Omaha).

Major sponsors include Unico/Nationwide, Renewal by Anderson, DRAFT Magazine, Bearded Builders, NRG Radio (1290 KOIL, Q98.5, 101.9 THE KEG, 1620 THE ZONE), Five Points Bank, Chris Jerram Law, Omaha Happy Hours, Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, Holiday Inn Express, and Comfort Inn. Attendance supports Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.

Tickets are available online at OMAHABEERFEST.COM and at the following locations: Horsemen’s Park (6303 Q Street), Omaha Tap House Pepperwood (579 N 155th Plaza), Spirit World (6680 Center Street), The Casual Pint (8718 Countryside Plaza), Thunderhead Brewing Tap Room (13304 W Center Road), Upstream Downtown (514 South 11th Street), and Lincoln Race Course (7055 S 1st Street, Lincoln). Save $10 when you buy tickets in advance rather than at the gate on the day of the festival.

BUSINESS NEWS

Papio Fun Park Announces Return of MidWeek Madness

ABC: Nebraska Maintains Lowest NSA Construction Unemployment Rates

Papio Fun Park is excited to announce the return of Mid-Week Madness!

E v e r y We d n e s d a y from June 7th through August 16th, guests can purchase the EXTREME w r i s t b a n d fo r o n l y $16+tax. This popular summertime special is offered at a 30% savings off of the regular price. The package includes unlimited all day access to the go-karts, miniature golf, Lazer Runner, Spaceball, Jumpshot and Water Wars. Drivers of go-karts are required to be at least 8 years old and 50” tall, but younger guests are allowed to be free passengers with an adult driver. Papio Fun Park is open daily throughout the summer from noon-10pm. Season passes are also available.

Papio Fun Park has offered family entertainment to the community since 1990. Guests can come for the day and purchase the EXTREME wristband or simply enjoy a game of miniature golf or time in the batting cages. With a wide variety of options for entertainment, Papio Fun Park continues to attract schools, birthday parties, youth groups and corporate events.

For more information on Papio Fun Park, please visit www. papiofunpark.com or call (402) 592-5671.

March not seasonally adjusted (NSA) construction unemployment rates were down in nationally and in 27 states and unchanged in two on a year-over-year basis, according to analysis released by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). The national NSA construction unemployment rate of 8.4 percent was down 0.3 percent from March 2016, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Latina Businesswoman Opens 2nd Twins Daycare Location Twins Daycare held an open house Saturday, May 27 to celebrate the launch of its second location in Bellevue. The event took place from 10 a.m. to noon at 4711 Giles Road.

Twins Daycare is owned and operated by Merlyn Menjibar Martinez, a native of El Salvador, who serves as vice president of the Childcare Association of the Midlands and is a board member of the Midlands Latino Comm unity Development Corporation (MLCDC).

“Merlyn is an incredible leader and entrepreneur who is dedicated to serving her community,” said Marta Sonia Londono, MLCDC Executive Director.

Adding the second location creates 16 full-time positions and six part-time positions for individuals in low-income communities.

Twins Daycare operates Monday through Sunday, 24 hours a day, offering a bilingual and multi-cultural environment that accommodates 75 children. Daycare services include Halo (healthy food) Program, one hour of bilingual instruction per day, and four field trips per year.

For more information, contact Marcela Morales at (402) 933-4466 or mmorales@midlandslatinocdc.org.

The expansion was made possible in part by support from Latina Women Go Forward, a program of MLCDC. The mission of MLCDC is to provide Latinos 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. Find out more about the organization’s work in the community online at www.midlandscommunity.org.

“This was the lowest national NSA March construction unemployment rate on record, matching the 8.4 percent rate in March 2001,” said Bernard M. Markstein, Ph.D., president and chief economist of Markstein Advisors, who conducted the analysis for ABC. “BLS data also showed that the industry employed 184,000 more workers than in March 2016. In sum, the construction sector remains healthy even as employers cope with shortages of skilled construction workers.”

The states with the lowest estimated NSA construction unemployment rates in order from lowest rate to highest were: Nebraska and Colorado (tie), Utah, Kansas, and Iowa. Three states—Nebraska, Colorado and Utah—were also among the top five in February.

Nebraska and Colorado, both with a 4.3 percent estimated NSA construction unemployment rate, had the lowest rate among the states For Nebraska, this was an improvement from tying with Idaho for the third lowest rate in February and the state’s second lowest March rate (behind last year’s 4.2 percent rate) since 2008.

Living in the Yellow Announces Next Basic Pistol Class for Women Pa t t y N u n , a n N R A Trained Pistol Instructor, has announced that the next Basic Pistol Course for Women being offered Saturday, October 21, is rapidly filling up. This full day class is for women who have little or no previous experience handling a pistol. Registration is limited to twelve participants.

“More than ever, women are concerned for their safety. We all know there is no substitute for being prepared and aware of our surroundings to ensure the safety of ourselves and our family members. That is the common theme of the training we do at Living in the Yellow,” says Nun. “This is a course for someone who has never held or fired a pistol and does not currently know the difference between a singleaction or double-action revolver, or even between a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol. We provide a relaxed setting where women can learn in a safe environment with a trained, professional team that always has safety as the priority.” She adds, “This does not qualify as a conceal carry course for women, but we plan to offer that in the future.”

To find out more information or to register, go to www.LivingInTheYellow. org or call Patty Nun at (402) 432-6470.

JUNE 2017 Strictly Business 11

BUSINESS NEWS

The Vacation Store & The Cruise Company Unveils New Website

Mick Law P.C. Named Due Diligence Law Firm of the Year

The Vacation Store & The Cruise Company is proud to announce the recent completion of their brand new website: www.

BookYourTripWithUs.com!

Explore new destinations, read travel blogs, and get the latest travel tips and deals. The new and enhanced design offers visitors the world at their fingertips!

Mick Law P.C. continues to lead the way in due diligence services for broker-dealers and registered investment advisors throughout the country. For the third year in a row, the firm has been awarded the “Due Diligence Law Firm of the Year” by Finance Monthly. Mick Law P.C.’s reputation as a subject matter expert in securities offering due diligence and underwriting has led it to being highlighted for its strengths in the world of investment management, including features in Forbes Magazine’s articles, “Now Anyone Can Become A VC. Thinking of Trying It? Here Are The Risks” and “Want To Invest In A Crowdfunding Deal? 7 Tips For Doing It Right.”

The Vacation Store & The Cruise Company is Omaha’s premier travel provider, celebrating over 30 years in business. The team of travel agents at The Vacation Store & The Cruise Company collectively offer hundreds of years’ experience, offering a wealth of knowledge and the ability to provide excellent advice to clients. Their primary goal is to consistently deliver the best value for your time, money and travel experience. In addition to the guaranteed lowest price available, you’ll never be charged any extra fees for utilizing the agency’s services. Put their knowledge and experience to work for you and enjoy your dream vacation!

Mick Law P.C. is based in Omaha, Nebraska and maintains its position as a specialty due diligence and underwriting law firm.

The firm is comprised of attorneys with business and broker-dealer backgrounds, enabling them, in concert with the firm’s contract real estate underwriters, petroleum engineers and asset class research databases, to deliver real assessments of prospective investment performance. Mick Law P.C. prides itself in providing the highest level of legal representation, quality customer service, valuable economic analysis and reasoned direction and emphasizes the firm’s commitment to being investor-centric.

For more information about The Vacation Store & The Cruise Company, please call (402) 339-6800, toll-free at (800) 2895505, or visit the website, which can now be accessed at www.

BookYourTripWithUs.com or www.TheCruiseCompany.com. Call, click or come in! Now conveniently located in West Omaha at 14137 Q Street, The Vacation Store & The Cruise Company is open Monday through Friday and Saturday by appointment.

The firm extends its gratitude for the accolades and awards it has recently received, and hopes to continue to be a source of information in various investment asset classes, including real estate, energy, private equity and hedge funds.

For more information about Mick Law P.C., visit the website at www.micklawpc.com.

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Strictly Business JUNE 2017

BUSINESS NEWS

43rd Annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival Presented by First National Bank

U-Haul Rentals Land at Young’s Auto Repair & Towing

The 43rd annual Omaha Summer Arts Festival (OSAF), presented by First National Bank, returns to downtown Omaha June 9-11 on Farnam Street alongside the Gene Leahy Mall. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 9, and Saturday, June 10; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 11. OSAF offers three days of arts immersion featuring 135 professional, juried artist booths; free concerts and entertainment; and a variety of creative activities for all ages. Since the first OSAF in 1975, more than 3 million people from throughout the region have attended the event, which regularly captures local and national “best of” recognition from leading industry and tourism publications.

OSAF is proud to partner with Park Omaha to offer information and discounts on parking in the Downtown area. To make parking easier, visitors can download the free Park Omaha app. With the app, users can pay for parking without leaving their vehicles and receive text messages and in-app reminders before meters expire. Exclusive for OSAF attendees, receive $5 off rates at select Park Omaha parking locations. For more details and the discount code, visit www.summerarts. org/directions-parking. Visit parkomaha.com for a complete list of available public parking downtown.

Find out more about OSAF including complete schedule of events online at www.summerarts.org.

U-Haul Company of Nebraska, Inc. is pleased to announce that Young’s Auto Repair & Towing has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve the Omaha community.

Young’s Auto Repair & Towing at 6023 N. 30th St. will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, support rental items, boxes and in-store pick-up for boxes. Hours of operation for U-Haul rentals are 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. After-hours drop-off is available for customer convenience. Reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by calling (402) 597-3322 or visiting https://www. uhaul.com/Locations/Truck-Rentals-near-Omaha-NE-68111/048575/.

Young’s Auto Repair & Towing owner Samuel Young is proud to team with the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage to better meet the demands of Douglas County. U-Haul and Young’s Auto Repair & Towing are striving to benefit the environment through sustainability initiatives. Every U-Haul truck placed in a community helps keep 19 personally owned large-capacity vehicles, pickups, SUVs and vans off the road. Fewer vehicles means less traffic congestion, less pollution, less fuel burned and cleaner air.

Young’s Auto Repair & Towing is a great place to become U-Haul Famous®. Take your picture in front of a U-Haul product, send it in and your face could land on the side of a U-Haul truck. Upload your photo through Instagram using #uhaulfamous, or go to www.uhaulfamous.com to submit photos and learn more.

Pickleman’s to Open at Midtown Crossing The midtown Omaha lunch crowd will soon have another quick and affordable “go to” dining spot. Pickleman’s Gourmet Café is announcing plans to open shop in Midtown Crossing.

An upscale, fast-casual sandwich shop, Pickleman’s menu also includes freshly-prepared, all-natural pizzas, soups and salads.

The signature fare, made with high-quality ingredients, is served in a comfortable, friendly environment.

The Midtown Crossing location marks five locations in seven years for local franchisee Alex Harrington. Founded in 2005 in Columbia, Missouri, Pickleman’s is something of a family business for Harrington. He met his wife, Catherine, at Pickleman’s. His brother, Doug Strizel, serves as the franchisor.

Harrington says he looks forward to becoming a midtown lunch staple by “getting to know customers on a first name basis – and more importantly, by what they order when they come in.”

Pickleman’s is set to open its Midtown Crossing location in midsummer at 3201 Farnam St, Suite 6104. The shop will also offer delivery and catering services.

Decadent Saint Launches “Ultimate Mixers” Line in Nebraska Decadent Saint, the award-winning craft winery out of Colorado, has announced the launch of their “Ultimate Mixers” in Nebraska, now available at select restaurants and retailers throughout Omaha, Lincoln, and Papillion. The four dual-purpose, high-proof, concentrated, shelf-stable mixers are made with real fruit and can be used to make a wide range of high-quality cocktails and sangrias.

Decadent Saint is the first winery to pioneer these 20.5 percent alc/vol wine-based mixers without the use of any added natural or artificial flavorings. Decadent Saint’s Ultimate Mixers, which stay fresh for six months after opening without refrigeration, come in a 750mL bottle in four different flavors: Passionfruit, Raspberry, Spiced Blackcurrant and Spiced Dark Chocolate.

The Decadent Saint Ultimate Mixers launch was marked by a weeklong series of free tastings at select Hy-Vee locations May 9-14.

Decadent Saint products can also be found at a variety of retailers across Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa, as well as online at www.decadentsaint.com. Find them on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Brad Ashford Honored as Omaha Press Club’s 153rd Face on the Barroom Floor Brad Ashford – a political icon and community leader in Nebraska for the past three decades – was honored on May 17 as the Omaha Press Club’s 153rd Face on the Barroom Floor.

A four-term state senator in the Nebraska Legislature (1987-1995 and 20072015), Ashford served i n t h e U. S. H o u s e o f Re p r e s e n t a t i ve s f ro m 2015-2016. In 2016, Ashford sponsored HR 5099, a bill that created a new way to construct VA facilities. For the first time in the history of the federal government, the bill made it possible that a federal facility could be built locally with private financial support and then be gifted back to the VA. What it means to Nebraska is that after decades of waiting, the Omaha VA will have a new state-of-the-art medical facility in the not too distant future. Some of Ashford’s other successes in Congress included a new runway at Offutt Air Force Base and Ebola-related funding for the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Roasters included: Jim Quinley, a pharmacist at Kubat Pharmacy and one of Ashford’s running partners (emcee); Chris Burbach, a City Hall reporter for the Omaha World-Herald and one of Ashford’s running partners; Erin Grace, Omaha World-Herald columnist; Chris Abboud, partner, Abboud Law Firm and former Nebraska state senator; Jim Rose, KFAB radio host, and Rex Fisher, director of corporate relations, HDR, Inc.; Woody Bradford, partner, Houghton Bradford Whitted Law Firm and the 151st Face on the Barroom Floor; and Ann Ashford, Brad’s wife, and John Ashford, Brad’s son.

Ashford’s Face caricature was drawn by Omaha artist Jim Horan, who has drawn all but two of the 153 Faces on the Barroom Floor.

JUNE 2017 Strictly Business 13

Make A Difference AND Have Fun! Save the Date A United Automatic Doors & Glass 4th Annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament to benefit the Open Door Mission

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14

AAA Insurance Named Property & Casualty Brand of the Year AAA Insurance has earned “Brand of the Year” status in the property and casualty category, according to the prestigious 2017 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study.

“AAA – The Auto Club Group has been providing our members with insurance they can trust for over a century,” said Jeanine Raquet, Executive Vice President of Insurance Operations. “We are proud to provide exceptional customer service and outstanding insurance products to help consumers prepare for life’s unexpected events.

It’s a great honor to be recognized as the top property and casualty insurance brand for the second year in a row.”

Using an academically-vetted brand equity model that examines familiarity, quality and purchase consideration, the annual Harris Poll EquiTrend® survey captures and analyzes more than 100,000 American opinions on more than 4,000 brands across nearly 450 different industry categories. Brand perceptions, such as emotional connection, functional attributes, brand awareness, influence and familiarity are measured and ranked against key competitors in each category.

AAA Auto & Home Insurance received the highest numerical Equity Score among Property & Casualty insurance brands included in the 2017 Harris Poll EquiTrend® Study, which is based on opinions of 102,617 U.S. consumers ages 15 and over surveyed online between December 30, 2016 and February 21, 2017. Individual opinions may differ. “Highest Ranked” was determined by a pure ranking of a sample of property and casualty insurance brands.

Daybreak Marks Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

• Lunch on the Patio • Gift Bag worth $50.00

BUSINESS NEWS

Strictly Business JUNE 2017

Daybreak, Brighter Solutions for Mental a n d B e h a v i o ra l Health, hosted the Grand Opening of its 2nd location on May 23rd. The event included a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and took place in the Center Pointe Building, located at 9239 West Center Road in Omaha.

The Daybreak philosophy is to provide easily accessible services to all children and families seeking assistance for mental and functional impairment. With the belief that treatment and services must be provided in an ethical manner, meet established outcome measures, and utilize evidenced-based treatment practices, Daybreak is committed to helping clients improve mental health and quality of life by developing specific treatment plans to meet each individual’s needs. Daybreak recognizes the importance of providing services that are designed to acknowledge the impact of violence and trauma on individual’s lives and the importance of addressing trauma in treatment. At Daybreak, individuals and their families who have experienced trauma in their lives are involved in the development and evaluation of treatment services.

Taking a holistic approach, Daybreak’s comprehensive interdisciplinary program of treatment with education and activity aims to improve the functioning of the individuals and families served.

Daybreak offers individual and family therapy, group therapy, and psycho-education groups within its mental health counseling programs.

For more information, please call (402) 932-7788, email info@ daybreakbehavior.com, or visit www.daybreakbehavior.com.

BUSINESS NEWS

RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels Coming to Nebraska

Hillcrest Rebrands Private Duty Services as Hillcrest Caring Companions

Building on the momentum of last year’s 58-unit franchise agreement which steered brand development into Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Florida, RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels (RNR), the fastest-growing tire and custom wheel franchise in the nation, has announced a new 29-unit agreement. This deal with industry veterans and business partners Geron Vail and Tim Daniel of Daniel Vail Investments, LLC will break the brand into Nebraska and Iowa and further expand its presence throughout Kansas.

RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels has carved out a unique niche in the tire and wheel industry. With its convenient, no hassle payment plans that fit each client’s budget, RNR offers and professionally installs high quality tires and custom wheels to a growing underserved market. RNR has established a business model that allows clients to pay off name brand tires and wheels on a weekly or monthly plan that is affordable to them.

Founded in 2000 by rent-to-own veteran Larry Sutton, RNR has since grown to almost 100 locations in 22 states. The brand has experienced significant organic growth with 16 franchisees operating 86 locations, and over the past 15 months, RNR has opened a new store every month.

For more information, visit www.RNRfranchise.com.

Hillcrest Health Services is now offering its in-home personal care services, commonly referred to as private duty services, through Hillcrest Caring Companions.

Ray’s Original Buffalo Wings Joining Midtown Crossing Mix Midtown Crossing is set to welcome an Omaha favorite to its dynamic, affordable dining collection: Ray’s Original Buffalo Wings (www. rayswings.com).

Owner Ray Bullock grew up in Buffalo, New York, birthplace of the Buffalo wing. He has been eating them since the 1960’s and making them since the 1970’s. The Ray’s name may sound familiar. Ray and his son Tom currently run Ray’s Original Buffalo Wings out of a south Omaha bar. The family had a restaurant of the same name in Ralston until the early 2000s. Bullock expects their space in Midtown Crossing – 120 S. 31st Ave., Suite 5103 – to officially open in early June, just in time for the 2017 NCAA® Men’s College World Series.

Ray’s Original Buffalo Wings replaces Saints Pub + Patio, which is working to align its space needs to its current business plan.

In addition to wings, Ray’s new midtown location will serve some other Buffalo, NY specialties, including beef on weck sandwiches and Chiavetta’s marinated chicken breasts grilled over an open flame.

There will be a rotating surprise special on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, so make sure to follow on them social media!

Denim Saloon Moves From Dundee to Aksarben Village Denim Saloon, a locally owned boutique specializing in denim jeans and apparel for men and women, recently opened their doors in Aksarben Village. They relocated to Aksarben Village after being in Dundee for the past six and a half years. Denim Saloon is excited to be part of the dynamic community of Aksarben Village.

“We are thrilled to be part of the vibrant, growing community of Aksarben Villlage. It is a bittersweet move to leave Dundee,” said co-owner Jenny Galley of the move. “The foot traffic and strong local business presence pushed us toward Aksarben Village. We wanted to stay close to the Dundee area and are pleased that Aksarben Village is just down the way,” commented Galley. “Aksarben Village hosts many great local events and when we were looking to move it felt like a great fit for Denim Saloon,” added co-owner Sarah Troia.

Denim Saloon is a locally owned and operated business in Omaha, NE. Founded in 2010, Denim Saloon carries over 100 different styles of premium denim jeans to fit every different shape and body, both men and women. The brick and mortar store is located at 6750 Mercy Road, Ste 3. They also have a website and online store at denimsaloon.com.

“Under Hillcrest Home Care, we have been offering in-home personal care services in the Omaha area for more than a decade,” said Reggie Ripple, Vice President of Home & Community Services.

“We feel the time has come to rename this specific type of care to more accurately describe the services offered and help clear up confusion among the public who is caring for aging loved ones.”

Over the years, Hillcrest’s private duty services have helped more than 1,000 aging adults remain safe at home. Through Hillcrest Caring Companions, Hillcrest will continue to assist seniors in the same way.

Hillcrest Caring Companions will provide companion services, such as socialization/friendship or grocery shopping, personal care services, such as bathing/grooming or walking assistance, and specialized services, such as dementia care or overnight care.

Skilled home health, palliative care and telehealth will still be provided through Hillcrest Home Care.

Hillcrest Health Services offers the region’s largest continuum of health services for aging adults, including independent and assisted living, in-patient and outpatient rehabilitation, long-term care, memory support, adult day services, certified skilled home health and in-home personal care, palliative care, telehealth services and hospice care. Hillcrest currently serves nearly 1,000 aging adults daily across nine counties in Nebraska and Iowa. For more information, visit www.hillcresthealth.com.

Biotech Company Evolva Coming to Cargill Campus in Blair The State of Nebraska and the Greater Omaha Chamber Economic Development Partnership are cheering another successful attraction effort, a multi-million-dollar endorsement of the region’s economic amenities. International biotech company Evolva has announced plans to grow its global operation in collaboration with Cargill’s campus in Blair, Neb. The Switzerland-based company develops high-value specialty ingredients, including stevia, nootkatone and resveratrol. It is the latest to join a cluster of major producers, including Novozymes, Evonik, Corbion and NatureWorks, with a presence on the Cargill campus.

Evolva and Cargill are developing the next-generation stevia sweetener EverSweetTM, which will be produced at the Cargilloperated Blair fermentation facility and launched next year. At the same time, Evolva will commence building a state-of-the-art bioprocessing facility on adjacent land leased from Cargill. This facility, operated by Evolva, will manufacture Evolva products, such as nootkatone and resveratrol, starting as early as 2019.

“Nebraska is well suited to helping us build global production for our products, not least because of the state’s green energy and renewable feedstock, well-known fermentation talent, and ample room to expand,” said Neil Goldsmith, president of Evolva. “We hope to bring value to the regional bio-based innovation and development network, building infrastructure that will ultimately form a fully integrated commercial-scale bioprocessing hub for the production of sustainable, high-value, next-generation specialty and functional ingredients.”

Over the next three years, principally in 2018 and 2019, Evolva said it expects to invest an estimated $60 million in Blair.

JUNE 2017 Strictly Business 15

BUSINESS NEWS MITA’s Summer Networking Event Set for June 15th

16th Annual Dinner Honors William M. Kizer Light of Wellness Award Recipients

Come cruise with MITA on Thursday, June 15, on the River City Star Cruise. This 2-hour dinner cruise will travel along the Missouri River while soaking up the scenery at a relaxing, rhythmic pace. A delicious 2-entree dinner buffet with dessert will be served (cash bar provided) plus we will get to dine and dance to live entertainment as we soak in the unique sights of the Missouri River.

The Midwest International Trade Association (MITA), established in 1968, is an organization that encourages the expansion of trade between the Midwest and foreign markets by sponsoring meetings and networking events, international trade conferences and educational seminars. These events are designed to offer ideas and present current information to help businesses succeed in importing and exporting. MITA also provides numerous networking events throughout the year that are designed to maximize the value to both newcomers and seasoned veterans of international business.

So don’t miss this opportunity to relax and socialize with other MITA members and representatives from local organizations involved in International trade on June 15 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on the River City Star Cruise!

Details about the event and how to register can be found at www. mitaonline.org, or call the office at (402) 596-1210 or email mita@ mitaonline.org.

More than 200 people attended the 16th Annual William M. Kizer Light of Wellness Awards Dinner hosted by WELLCOM (www.elevatingwellness. org) on April 27 at the Harper Center Ballroom at Creighton University.

Awards were presented to 19 local business professionals from 13 different organizations. Individuals were honored for their efforts in embracing wellness and serving as role models for others. Award recipients and their companies included: Health Leadership Award: Tim Buderus, WoodmenLife; Scott Wehner, Fusion Medical Staffing.

Health Transformation Award: Mary Gehring, Mutual of Omaha; Aimee Guzman-Jones, Dial Retirement Communities; Jamie Haith, RTG Medical; Alysia Johnson, Fusion Medical Staffing; Gabrielle McDaneld, WoodmenLife; JoEll Null, C & A Industries; Monte Nelson, Physicians Mutual.

Health Inspiration Award: Julie Cobos, CHI Health; Letha Grigsby, CHI Health; Carrie Halford, C & A Industries; Michele Hulinsky, First National Bank; Ericka Juno, Union Pacific Railroad; Mary Morris, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Bonnie Nelson, Physicians Mutual; Carrie Polak, Fusion Medical Staffing; Sheri Rowland, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center; Sarah Stenger, Nebraska Methodist College.

The evening’s sponsors included CHI Health, Mutual of Omaha, First National Bank, Union Pacific Railroad, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine, Valmont, Kiewit and Physicians Mutual.

Jeremy Maskel, director of external relations and engagement at Ralston Public Schools, served as emcee for the event.

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KELLY Dr. Kelly Westfall

URGENT PET CARE Urgent Pet Care is an emergency veterinary clinic with locations in Papillion (73rd & Giles) and Millard (4257 S. 144th St.). Dr. Kelly Westfall is a veterinarian at Urgent Pet Care.

Tell us a little about your business. - Urgent Pet Care was established to make caring compassionate after-hours emergency care more readily available in Omaha and the surrounding areas. Although we are primarily walk-in based, we also receive transfers from local veterinary clinics to provide overnight monitoring for critical pets. We strive for the highest quality care, while taking care of each pet as if he or she were our own.

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How did you get started in the business? - When I was younger I tried to imagine what career would make me excited to get up every morning.

No options were more fulfilling than working with animals, and I pursued a degree in veterinary medicine. I did not envision myself working in emergency medicine, but after shadowing an emergency veterinarian, I fell in love with the fast-paced, challenging environment as it allows me to have the biggest impact on the lives of pets and their families.

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What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - The biggest challenge, which I face daily in emergency veterinary medicine, is the sadness that goes along with critical pets. I have learned to let the successes and wonderful patients give me the strength to be there for people during difficult times.

Tell us a little about your family. - I currently live with my two turtles (Yertle and Myrtle) and my two cats (Jessie and Sahara). I have an amazing, strong, independent mother, Tammy Miller, and loving, intelligent sister, Theresa Westfall. My family means the world to me.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I have been practicing martial arts for 17 years now at the American School of Karate and Judo. In my free time I enjoy teaching and mentoring youth in both martial arts and life.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - My mother always told me while growing up to fully commit myself to my education and pursuing my dreams so that I would not have to struggle like she did. I took this to heart while watching my mom, a single mother, raise two children after my father passed away. It gave me the strength and drive to set and achieve my goals.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - My super power would be to speak every language in the world fluently.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - I have always been interested in physics, mathematics, computers, and emerging technologies. At one time, I thought about pursuing research in nanotechnology and how it can be used in medicine.

The idea of using microscopic engineered machines to fight diseases at a molecular level is fascinating to me, and I believe it will play a significant role in medicine in the future.

What is your favorite movie? - The Last Samurai.

What is your favorite TV show? - Supernatural.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Lo Sole Mio.

Call Andy Storz** today to begin planning for your future! 402-419-3426

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If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? They can reach me via our website at urgentpetcareomaha.com, through our Facebook page, by phone at (402) 597-2911, or email me at drwestfall@urgentpetcareomaha.com.

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JAY 402.991.9200

PINNACLE BANK

www.StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com STRICTLYBUSINESSOMA HA.COM TM

OMAHA • AUGUST

University of Nebraska-Linc Administration College of Business

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KARLA WILSON IN THIS ISSUE AL RIEF UNICO Group • Father’s Day Engineered Controls • Growing Your Business • Company Retreats • Senior Health • Commercial Remodeling CLIENT SPOTLIGHTS • Dingman’s Collisio KRISTIE SILVA n Center HARMENING CHAD Manpower Now You Know Fleet Management

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IN THIS ISSUE • Auto Care • Buying a Home • Wedding PlanningBusiness a • Buying/Selling CLIENT SPOTLIGHT • Cox Business

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SUSIE HULTGREN Elk Ridge Village

MIKE PRENDERGAST Tile Modern Concepts

MICHAEL HOLROYD HIP OffiCenters/ HIP Realty

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KRIS REDDY PAUL HUGHES The Vacation Store & UNICO Group The Cruise Company

DAN RHEDIN Heartland Wood Floors

Magazine Strictly Business Lincoln, NE 68505 PO BOX 57397,

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What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I enjoy spending time with family and friends, possibly going to a concert at a local music venue, taking a vacation, or playing a round of golf.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - My ability to cook. I really enjoy grilling and trying new recipes. My mom is a really good cook and has taught me a lot. I’ve also taken a few cooking classes to try and get a bit better.

1st place twelve straight years!

Which talent would you most like to have? - I’d love to be able to shape golf shots on demand. Instead I’m stuck with the occasional lucky draw or fade. I guess that’s why I’m a banker and not a professional golfer!

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I’m the President of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands Service League and actively involved with the Young Professionals group at CUES. In high school, I volunteered at a local middle school and really enjoyed the experience. I knew once I got a little bit older that I wanted to continue to help children.

What is your favorite movie? - Lonesome Dove…it’s really long though!

What is your favorite TV show? - Seinfeld.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Twisted Cork without a doubt. Excellent food and service!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - They are welcome to email me at Jay.Faylor@pinnbank. com or give me a call at the office, (402) 697-5992. They can also visit our website at www.pinnbank.com.

402.558.3500 402.502.8757 402.502.5511 Corner of 50th & South Saddlecreek

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JUSTIN TANGEMAN Two Men A Truck and

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How did you get started in the business? - I was working a summer job in Omaha between my sophomore and junior year in college. One of my co-workers at the time recommended I contact her daughter in Lincoln about bank teller job. I’ve been in the banking business ever since (10 years).

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Tell us a little about your business. - Pinnacle Bank is a community bank owned by the Dinsdale family. We are a large enough bank to compete with the big banks, but by staying true to our values and by putting the customer first, we are able to offer our customers the best banking experience possible. Each of our banks are led by managers who make local decisions and run their banks with their own communities in mind.

Here locally, Pinnacle Bank is excited to be the presenting sponsor for the upcoming Pinnacle Bank Championship at Indian Creek.

Funds raised from the golf event will be donated to TeamMates Mentoring Program. In my position, I work with business owners in a wide variety of industries to help them grow their organizations.

2016

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Family-owned since 1938, Nebraskabased Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc., is a $9.7 billion financial holding company operating 140 community banks in eight states including 61 locations in Nebraska. Jay Faylor is Vice President of Commercial Lending, working primarily at the Omaha branch on 180th & Dodge.

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McGill Restoration Inc. has been in business since 1985, and is a recognized industry leader in the rehabilitation and preservation of concrete and masonry structures throughout the U.S. Laura Schulz is a Project Manager/Estimator at McGill Restoration.

How did you get started in the business? - I have been working with concrete since I was a little girl. My father was a high school math teacher who worked construction in the summers, which included flat work, basement walls, stone work, and masonry. As the youngest of four girls, he knew that I would need something constructive to do in the summer to prevent my sisters from killing me. A lot of the knowledge that I have about concrete and construction comes from the time I spent working with him. After graduating from the UNO, I took a position as an administrative assistant at CCS Group, LLC, a concrete silo repair company. I was promoted to Safety Director after noticing a need to implement safety policies and procedures.

Due to the massive turnover rate at this company, I was able to learn the business through safety and translate into project management and sales, working my way up to VP of Operations. I joined the McGill Restoration team in May of 2017.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - The decision to expand my knowledge of concrete restoration beyond silo restoration by accepting a job offer from McGill. It is easy to stay where you are comfortable, in a position of authority, and well known. It can be difficult to try something new. However, I enjoy a challenge and look forward to working with a company that is well respected.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Besides being promoted within a company from entry-level to management leadership in 2 years, it was working with an engineer and supplier to develop a new repair method utilizing carbon fiber rebar to fix a silo without using traditional shotcrete methods. This process allowed me to work outside the box and create a custom repair procedure for newer silos with deficient reinforcement. The collaboration of all of our interests and specialties into one project was truly inspiring.

Tell us a little about your family. - My husband, Justin, and I have a 9-year-old son, Levi. We also have two mini schnauzers.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I love to be active!

My son and I play frisbee, basketball, go to the gym, basically anything that keeps us active! We aren’t the type of family that sits around.

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What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I used to work for a funeral home when I was in high school.

What are you the most proud of? - I am proud of the fact that hard work and the willingness to do anything to get to where I needed to be has gotten me to exactly where I am today. Being motivated and hardworking is rare trait in people my age in today’s world. It’s nice to know the American dream is still possible if you work hard for what you want to achieve.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - I’d say it came from my dad. He always told me if you work really hard and you are good to people then good things will happen for you.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Hiro88.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - Email: LSc hulz@mcgillrestoration.com; Website: mcgillrestoration.com.

RODNEY

Rodney Wheeler Sr. COX BUSINESS

COX Business is a division of COX Communications, providing video, voice, data, and security services to business customers across 11 COX markets. Rodney Wheeler Sr. is PMP l Director, Operations for Cox Business Greater Omaha/Sun Valley.

Tell us a little about your business. - COX Business Omaha serves more than 19,000 business customers from major corporations to very small businesses. As a division, COX Business hit $2 Billion in revenue in 2016 which was a goal 5 years in the making.

How did you get started in the business? - After military service, I went to work for a small technology web-based business during the dot.com boom. I stayed in technology and added professional services to my skillset as I transitioned companies through mergers and acquisitions. I joined the COX Business Team in 2013.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Continuing my career after the military. Though the military sends its members to some of the best leadership training in the country, getting credit for that training and skills gained in the service proved very challenging when starting my post military career.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? Building a very successful career, but taking time to be heavily involved in the community I live in as well. In addition to leading 5 teams at COX, I also participate on 3 non-profit boards and support many communityfocused events.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married to my lovely wife Patricia for 18 years. We are blessed with a blended family which includes 5 adult children, 8 grandchildren, and too many godchildren to count.

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

- Joining the military at 18. I am the man I am because of my service.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - RV camping and motorcycle riding with my wife.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I lived in Italy for two years.

What are you the most proud of? - I proudly wear the title “Veteran.”

I am a 20 Year Air Force Veteran. My service has and continues to shape my life.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “Be careful, multi-tasking can make you stupid.”

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

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - Beautiful by Mali Music.

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

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - The ability to work with and motivate youth.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Musician.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Urban League of Nebraska, Mildred Brown Memorial Study Center, Prince Hall Education Foundation. All have at least one program focused on youth.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The Brand Within by Daymond John.

What is your favorite movie? - Star Wars…all of them!

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Lonnell’s Southern Delight.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 934-0269; Email: rodney.wheelersr@cox.com; Website: www.cox.com/business.

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Serving clients statewide, J-Tech Solar is a family owned and operated company specializing in renewable energy. J-Tech Solar’s parent company, J-Tech Construction, was established in 2004 and specializes in exterior remodeling. Drew Coffey is the Head of Solar Design and Procurement for J-Tech Solar.

How did you get started in the business? - I have been involved in the solar industry since 2010, when I graduated high school. I did not know what I wanted to do in college, so I started with a company based out of Denver as an electrical apprentice. I contributed to utility scale solar projects, commercial solar rooftop installations, and commercial electrical work. I fell in love with the solar industry so I decided to go back to school. After completing my program and working in project management for a year and a half, I took the position with J-Tech Solar in January of 2017. Solar is still relatively new to the state of Nebraska so I wanted to challenge myself with pushing solar policy, education, and development in communities that may have never thought of solar as an option. Our owner Jason Olberding has the same kind of passion as I do in developing a solar landscape here, which is something I find extremely invaluable.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Communication in any sort of construction is crucial. It’s always a challenge when there are so many moving parts, i.e. the customer satisfaction, subcontractors, in-house production crew, utilities, city planning, etc...

What has been your most important achievement professionally? The point I’ve reached in my career at a young age.

Tell us a little about your family. - I grew up in an Air Force family. We moved around a ton and it taught me life lessons I wouldn’t trade for the world. I have one little sister, Madison, who is a junior at George Mason in Virginia. She is extremely involved in various philanthropic ventures, one being Wolftrap Animal Rescue. My parents, Ryan and Deanna, had me when they were 16 and are still married today. They are both extremely successful and they drive my sister and I to be better people every day. We wouldn’t be where we are now without their sacrifice and hard work. I take any chance to brag about my family I can because they are so instrumental to everything I do.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Golf, adventure with my dog Kira, barbecue with friends, baseball, hiking, fly fishing anything outside really.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I have lived in 14 different places and counting.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Take the time to really be genuine and listen to everyone you come in contact with, because you never know what you can learn from them.

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If you could have a super power, what would it be? - The ability to teleport. My family is so spread out that it’s hard to see them as often as I’d like. Problem solved!

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - We’re associated with quite a few in Lincoln where our headquarters is located, as well as Nebraskans for Solar. We feel it’s important to give back in any way we can.

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

- Phone: (402) 261-3682; Email: drew@jtechsolar.com; Website: jtechsolar.com. Contact me for a free design and estimate to see what solar can do for you!

BRETT

Brett Wasko

TALON STEEL BUILDINGS Talon Steel Buildings is a general contractor specializing in all-steel pre-engineered buildings. Brett Wasko is a Project Manager at Talon Steel Buildings.

Tell us a little about your business. - Talon Steel Buildings provides a uniquely different approach to the traditional building process. The company was started in 2011 with the concept: “Whatever your perfect building is, we can build it.” From design to completion, our team can build your dream building. With over 30+ years of construction experience, no job is too big or too small.

How did you get started in the business? - I’ve kind of grown up in the construction industry in one form or another. Through college I worked for a custom home builder in northeast Georgia, where I worked on the framing and painting crews. I’ve built custom cabinetry for large homes in Atlanta and done commercial electrical as well. No matter the business or industry, my responsibility has increased, so I guess you could say that I’ve be moving towards the project management role for some time. Over the past 4-5 years, I’ve held positions with the official title. It started out as design and remodel work for a few local investors. I was able to grow their business from 20 properties to over 60. However, prior to that I did case management in both the private and government sectors. The two fields are very similar. I’ve been with Talon since March 2017 and love being here.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Passing the National Home Inspector Examination. In 2014 I took the 200-question test at the conclusion of my Home Inspection training. This was a huge accomplishment and has allowed me to become a member of ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors).

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Tell us a little about your family. - I’m married with 4 children and two dogs (boxers).

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - While I do not have too many of these that don’t involve children, I would say playing a round of golf.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - During college I spent 7 weeks trekking in the Indian Himalayas. We reached elevations of 17,200 ft. during our hikes. I’ve actually had the privilege of traveling to India a total of 3 times, and during each I was honored to work with some amazing people.

What are you the most proud of? - I’m currently working on a Master’s degree in Project Management. Once completed this will be a proud moment for me. I am also very proud of my children.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - In high school I taught myself how to play the bass guitar. I have never used this skill on the job site or in the office.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - My family and I are big proponents of our local church. We attend First Free and love the community we have there. We also support Tiny Hands International, an organization that combats human trafficking and is on the front lines rescuing lives from that horrible industry. Animal rescues are important to us as well, and we’ve rescued and fostered.

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What is your favorite local restaurant? - I love a good hamburger, so my favorite local joint has to be Honest Abe’s. If you’re in Lincoln, give it a try!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Email: brett.talonsteel@gmail.com; Office: (402) 937-5937; Facebook: facebook.com/TalonSteelBuildings.

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No Money, No Sale!

Tim could not believe his luck. While cold calling from the office, he lucked out with a prospect who wanted to see him that afternoon. Tomorrow was too late — it had to be this afternoon, and if Tim had the right stuff, the order would be placed. And from the product description Tim gave, the prospect felt it was just what he had been looking for the past two months.

“Tim,” said the prospect waving for him to come right in and sit down. “Glad you could make it on such short notice.” “Well,” said Tim, “you certainly sound like you know what you want, and I think I have it.”

“I think you do. Just to make sure, could you spend a few moments going over just how it would fit in? Would that be OK?” asked the prospect.

“No problem at all,” responded Tim, who proceeded to take the next fifteen minutes to explain in great detail just how his products and services would work. During this time, Tim could not believe just how enthused the prospect was becoming. Unbelievable luck, he thought to himself; apparently cold calling wasn’t a waste of time. “So, in conclusion,” ended Tim, “if you place the order today, I know we can have everything in place within seven days.”

“That’s really terrific. But there is one important thing I need you to do,” said the prospect. “What’s that?” asked Tim. “Seven days is too long. I have to have this in place within four days or I just can’t give you the order. Can you do anything for me?” “I guess we could,” Tim replied uneasily. To which the prospect responded, “Good. How much is it going to cost?” Tim told him the number. “I don’t know what to say, Tim. You’re way out of the ballpark,” the prospect concluded.

If Tim makes this sale, it will be after the prospect has beaten him down on the price. But Tim will probably let himself be beaten down since this prospect is so “hot.” Also, Tim has absolutely no idea why the prospect needs his products and services so badly. If, indeed, he does.

Tim allowed himself to be carried away by the prospect’s outward enthusiasm to buy today. The prospect is in total control of Tim. Far too often salespeople go charging into a sales situation without having the slightest idea whether or not the prospect can afford the product or service. The assumption on the part of the salesperson seems to be, “Well, if the prospect is talking to me, he must have some idea what I charge so there is no point in bringing up the issue of price.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. The salesperson must never assume that the prospect knows what the investment will be. In fact, it is essential that you learn whether or not the prospect has a budget.

If there is no budget, then there will be no sale.

Bringing up the subject of money is not easy for many salespeople.

However, if the subject is brought up, and you learn what, if any, budget there is, you are now in a position where you can decide to continue with the prospect or end it. To find out what the budget is, just ask, “What is the range of your budget?” You do not have to learn the exact dollar amount beyond which the person just will not go. Just question until you get a budget range. If you cannot get a range from the prospect, it is time to TAKE IT AWAY. Once you know the budget range, and it turns out to be below anything you can possibly provide, you are in a position to end the relationship and move on to one where there is a sales opportunity. If the budget range covers your product/service, you are now that much closer to having the prospect close.

Not everyone can afford what you sell. Find out if they can before you waste their time and yours. If there is no money, then there is no sale.

Sandler Training is a global training organization with over three decades of experience and proven results. Sandler provides sales and management training and consulting services for small- to mediumsized businesses (SMBs) as well as corporate training for Fortune 1000 companies. For more information, please contact Karl Schaphorst at (402) 403-4334 or by email at kschaphorst@sandler.com. You can also follow his blog at karlschaphorst.sandler.com.

PERSONNEL NEWS Pinnacle Bank Names Ryan Major AVP Pinnacle Bank recently promoted Ryan Major to Assistant Vice President of Commercial Lending. Major works from the 180th and Dodge branch.

Major, who has six years of banking experience, is responsible for managing an existing commercial loan portfolio and developing new business relationships. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Family-owned since 1938, Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc., is a $9.7 billion financial holding company operating 140 community banks in seven states including 61 locations in Nebraska. For more information, visit pinnbank.com.

Mark Walz Honorary Chairman of State Games, Tom Kropp Named Parade Marshal The Nebraska Sports Council (NSC) has announced that Farmers Mutual of Nebraska CEO Mark Walz has been named the Honorary Chairman of the 2017 Cornhusker State Games. In addition, Hall of Fame Kearney State basketball player and 25-year UNK Head Coach Tom Kropp has been named the Honorary Parade Marshal of the Opening Ceremonies.

The title of Honorary Chairman is generally reserved for the leader of a longtime sponsor Mark Walz of the Games. Farmers Mutual of Nebraska supports the Games at the highest level (Platinum) and has been a sponsor since 1987. Two of Walz’s predecessors at Farmers Mutual, Larry Frazier and Byron Boslau, served as honorary chairmen in previous decades.

Farmers Mutual (FMNE.com), founded in 1891, is the leading insurer of farms in both Nebraska and South Dakota, and is the largest Nebraska-based insurer of homes, farms and automobiles in Nebraska. Walz, a Lincoln native and Lincoln East graduate, has participated in both swimming and triathlon in Tom Kropp the Cornhusker State Games.

Kropp, a native of Aurora, is a member of four Halls of Fame, including the University of Nebraska-Kearney, NAIA, Nebraska Football and Nebraska High School Sports. While he is best known for his stellar basketball career, Kropp starred in four sports for Aurora High School from 1967-71, earning all-state in both football and basketball and the title of Nebraska Athlete of the Year as a senior in 1971. He contributed to six state high school team championships in three different sports, threw a no-hitter in the state Legion baseball tournament, won the shot put at state with a toss of 56’ 6 ¾” and rushed for 1,015 yards his senior season in football. He also played football at Kearney State and was a twotime Nebraska State College Athlete of the Year. After college, he was drafted by the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, the ABA’s Denver Nuggets, and the NBA’s Washington Bullets. He signed with the Bullets and was traded to the Chicago Bulls. Later he played professional basketball in Belgium from 1979-1983. Sports Illustrated named him one of Nebraska’s 50 greatest athletes of the 20th century. As the head coach at UNK from 1990 to 2015, Kropp’s teams went 482-245 from 1990 to 2015.

The 2017 Cornhusker State Games take place July 21-30 with competition in more than 60 sports at venues in Lincoln, Omaha and surrounding communities. Register or find more information about the Cornhusker State Games at CornhuskerStateGames.com.

Rory Berry Joins Berry Law Firm as COO

Berry Law Firm is proud to announce the addition of Rory Berry, who will serve as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). Tasked with overseeing the daily operations of the firm, Rory Berry will act as a source of both guidance and support for staff and attorneys.

Rory was raised in Lincoln and has returned home to take the COO position following work as a Management Consultant and a Vice President of Product Development.

He originally left Lincoln, Nebraska to attend Stanford University in California, where he earned B.S. in Symbolic Systems with a focus in Neuroscience.

Mr. Berry would later commission into the United States Navy through the University of California Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program. He earned his Surface Warfare Officer pin while on deployment to the Middle East aboard the USS Germantown and later served as an Operations Officer and Detachment Officer-in-Charge for the Navy’s Expeditionary Logistics Support Group in Kuwait, with additional duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Commander Berry remains in the US Navy Selected Reserves where he has served on the Reserve Headquarter staffs of the Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Korea, and the Commander of U.S. Third Fleet.

Mr. Berry also earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from UCLA, and served in several business roles in Southern California at both small startups and large firms including Toyota and Kashi.

For more information about Berry Law Firm and its new Chief Operating Officer, Rory Berry, inquiring parties can visit the firm’s website (www.jsberrylaw.com).

NAM Welcomes New Leadership The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) voted the following individuals to the NAM Board of Directors. These individuals were announced at NAM’s annual meeting on April 27, 2017.

John Levy, Omaha Community Foundation, was elected president of the NAM board, succeeding Anne Meysenburg; she concluded her term as president after serving on the NAM board for six years.

Emiliano Lerda, Justice for our NeighborsNebraska, was named president-elect and John Levy secretary, and Jeff Moran, Omaha Home for Boys, will serve another term as board treasurer.

Jennifer Skala, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, is the newest member to be elected to the NAM board. Skala secures funding and promotes community solutions so that children in Nebraska have the resources and support they need to reach their full potential.

Anne Herman, United Way of the Midlands; Carolina Padilla, Intercultural Senior Center; and Julia Parker, Omaha Small Business Jennifer Skala Network, were renewed for a second term on the NAM board. Becky Gould, Nebraska Appleseed, was renewed for a third term. Other members include Wendy Bower, Peter Kiewit Foundation; John Jeanetta, Heartland Family Service; Ralph Kellogg, Centris Federal Credit Union; Susan Ogborn, Food Bank for the Heartland; and Kerri Peterson, The Sherwood Foundation.

Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) strengthens the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofits to enrich the quality of community life throughout Nebraska and Western Iowa. Find out more about the organization at www.nonprofitam.org.

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PERSONNEL NEWS

McGill Restoration Promotes Jon Meadows Jon Meadows has been promoted to Superintendent at McGill Restoration. His new duties include employee placement, manpower logistics, coordination of materials and equipment, customer service, project management assistance along with many others.

Meadows has been with McGill Restoration since 2009. Starting as laborer, he worked his way through the ranks to foreman in 2012, and now to his new role as superintendent.

In addition to his extensive professional experience in the private sector, Jon has formal leadership training from his time in the military, which he uses to direct, guide, and mentor his peers and employees.

Dedicated to “Building Relationships Through Craftsmanship,” McGill Restoration Inc. has been in business since 1985 and currently employs approximately 75 concrete and masonry restoration professionals.

With annual revenues of approximately $14 million, McGill Restoration is a recognized industry leader throughout the U.S. in the rehabilitation and preservation of concrete and masonry structures For more information, please visit www.mcgillrestoration.com or contact Jon Meadows at (402) 558-7989 or email JMeadows@ mcgillrestoration.com.

Former State Senator Nancy Thompson Recipient of J.G. Elliott Award Nancy Thompson, a former state senator and longtime advocate for children and families in Nebraska, received the J.G Elliott Award at commencement ceremonies for the University of Nebraska Medical Center on May 6. The award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to medicine and health programs for the state of Nebraska.

As an elected official and nonprofit director, Thompson worked throughout her career to advance the health and well-being of children and families. As a partner to community advocates, health and human services professionals, faculty and leadership of higher education, law enforcement agencies and the justice system, she worked to improve public policy and community services for underserved and vulnerable populations.

She was the first CEO of the Health Center Association of Nebraska, which provides training, technical assistance and advocacy for Nebraska’s Community Health Centers, and also served as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands.

Thompson retired in 2015 and currently works part time in policy and development for OneWorld Community Health Centers. She serves on the Bellevue Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, the Cornhusker Motor Club Foundation Board of Directors, the La Vista Citizen Advisory Review Committee, and the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation Board of Directors.

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

26 Strictly Business JUNE 2017

Nancy Pridal Selected as Habitat for Humanity Power Woman of the Year Nancy Pridal, P.E., ENV SP has been named Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s 2017 Power Woman of the Year. She was honored at the Habitat Woman’s Power Luncheon, an annual event that took place on May 4th at the Omaha Hilton.

A Sr. Vice President and Board Member for Lamp Rynearson, Pridal is a past Chair of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s Board of Directors and Construction Committee. Active in the community, she currently serves on the Heartland 2050 Executive Committee and is Chairperson of the Natural Resource Committee. Pridal is a member of the University of Nebraska Civil Engineering Advisory Board and a past member of the College of St. Mary Business Advisory Board. She is also a member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Omaha Metro.

As a civil engineer with a Master’s Degree of Organizational Leadership, Pridal’s broad project experience ranges from successfully managing complex redevelopment and land development projects to leading public outreach projects and facilitating community design workshops and public meetings. Pridal has worked at Lamp Rynearson for 19 years.

Lamp Rynearson (www.lra-inc.com) is a civil engineering firm offering planning, design, survey and construction administration services for public infrastructure and private development and redevelopment projects. The firm has four office locations and 150 employees, with headquarters in the greater Omaha area since 1959.

Smith Slusky Law Adds Rasmussen, Acers Smith Slusky Law, a general practice firm with a growing emphasis in real estate law, has added Omaha Attorneys Wayne Rasmussen and Jacob Acers.

“While Smith Slusky Law has expertise in a wide variety of practice areas, we’re really seeing growth in our business and real estate practices,” says Senior Partner Dan Smith. “We are excited to add both Rasmussen and Aces to make a stronger team.”

Rasmussen brings more than 35 years of Wayne Rasmussen experience to the firm, with real estate, and business law as his main areas of practice. He is a trained mediator for financial broker cases.

Rasmussen also brings in-depth knowledge and legal experience in estate planning, business and farm succession planning, and probate.

Acers brings a strong background in legal contract and research to the firm.

“We feel very fortunate to have an opportunity to incorporate such strong practices in serving our clients,” says Senior Partner Jerry Slusky, “and Wayne Rasmussen with Jacob Acers— along with the addition of Real Estate Attorney Jacob Acers Tom McLeay last year—is making Smith Slusky Law stronger than ever and will no doubt provide an even better future for the firm.”

Smith Gardner Slusky Lazer Pohren & Rogers, LLP was founded in 1978 in Omaha, Nebraska by local lawyers focused on providing exceptional legal services to the families and businesses in their hometown. The firm, now known as Smith Slusky Law, has expanded to attorneys who possess in-depth knowledge about a wide range of diverse practice areas and who hold licenses in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Florida and federal bars throughout the country. To learn more, visit www.smithslusky.com.

PERSONNEL NEWS

CWS of Omaha, Inc. Hires Amy Hornocker as Manager of Marketing & Events

Joel Long Named Executive Director of Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha

College World Series of Omaha, Inc., has announced the hiring of Amy Hornocker as Manager of Marketing and Events for the nonprofit, host organization of the NCAA Men’s College World Series.®

Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha (CSF) is excited to announce the recent hire of Joel Long as the new Executive Director. Long joined the Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha team on May 1st, 2017.

Prior to accepting the position at CSF, Joel Long served as public relations director for the Omaha World-Herald for the past 14 years, but began his tenure with the newspaper in 1993. He also led the newspaper’s Goodfellows charity program, which provides assistance for local people in need. Long and his wife Lisa have six children.

CSF provides tuition assistance scholarships so children from lowincome families can access the private or parochial K-8 education of their choice. CSF is destination neutral; children attend approximately 80 different schools across Omaha and northeast Nebraska. A crucial piece of the CSF program is the commitment it requires from families. Each CSF family must contribute $500 toward their children’s education and their children must achieve a 90% attendance rate.

Since 1999, more than 31,000 scholarships have been awarded.

For more information, please visit www.csfomaha.org or contact Mary Boyle at (402) 819-4990 or via email at maryboyle@csfomaha.org.

Before joining the CWS Omaha, Inc., team, Hornocker served as events director for the Omaha Sports Commission (OSC). She has been with the OSC about 10 years and managed more than 30 sporting events, including all three U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, USA Volleyball and USA Baseball events and the 2010 NCAA Division 1 Wresting Championships. In addition, she was a volunteer staff member for the 2008 and 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds. Hornocker’s key duties will include management of local contributor relations and NCAA community outreach programs, including “Read to Omaha.”

Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Hornocker began working in sports management as an intern with College World Series of Omaha, Inc., at the 2005 NCAA Men’s College World Series. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Iowa State University.

She also is in her third year as the volunteer co-chair of the Omaha FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association “Hometown Heroes” awards.

The 2017 CWS will begin with Opening Celebration Day, Friday, June 16. Games will begin Saturday, June 17, and continue through Tuesday/Wednesday, June 27/28. For a complete schedule of all games and times, please visit www.NCAA.com/CWS.

Concordia Assistant Professor Shanna Opfer Receives Outstanding Teaching Award Shanna Opfer, assistant professor of education, and elementary e d u c a t i o n d i r e c t o r, was presented with the 2017 Outstanding Te a c h i n g A w a r d at the university’s commencement ceremony May 6, 2017.

T h e h o n o r i s g i ve n to a full-time faculty member who has been nominated by students.

A committee of students, as well as faculty members who have previously received the award, selects the recipient. The recipient’s name is not revealed until it is called during commencement. Student Senate president Zane Francescato and vice president Kristin Bartlett presented the award.

Opfer began teaching part-time at Concordia in the fall of 2005 and full-time in 2011. She teaches several core education classes that all students in the program take and also works directly with elementary education program students during their student teaching semester.

Prior to her appointment at Concordia, Opfer taught grades 4, 5 and 6 at Raymond Central Elementary School for six years.

Opfer earned both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Concordia University, Nebraska.

Trinity Village Employee Receives Congressional Briefing Scholarship On April 26, Jolene Baratta, Medication Aide at Trinity Village, was selected to receive the 2017 Congressional Briefing Scholarship from the Nebraska Health Care Foundation (NHCF). The scholarship was presented to Baratta at the association’s Spring Convention in Kearney, Neb. “Jolene is an asset to the Immanuel organization and especially to the residents of Trinity Village. She is a leader in driving change in our community and is an advocate Greg Sullivan, Chair of the Nebraska for providing quality care for Health Care Foundation, presents the seniors.

2017 Congressional Briefing Scholarship to Jolene Baratta, Medication Aide at Jolene is kind, caring, and Trinity Village, an Immanuel community. attentive to the special needs of each resident and puts Immanuel’s mission and CHRIST promises into the care she provides on a daily basis. We are blessed to have her as part of our team!” said Christine de la Vega, Executive Director of Trinity Village.

“Nebraska is filled with people like Jolene Baratta who are providing quality care to nursing facility and assisted living community residents every day. It is our pleasure to reward Jolene in this way,” said Heath Boddy, President and CEO of NHCF. NHCF was established in 1987 to help ensure there are an adequate number of trained professionals to care for residents of the state’s nursing facilities and assisted living communities. Each year, NHCF awards more than 40 scholarships. For more information, please visit nehca.org.

Trinity Village, an Immanuel community, is an independent and assisting living community serving more than 70 residents and their families in Papillion, Nebraska.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

Project Harmony: On National Selfie Day, Every Second Counts

Child Saving Institute Golf Fore Kids 2017 Set for June 19th

Thanks to social media and the smartphone, June 21 recognizes a form of self-portrait that couldn’t exist without them. It’s national Selfie Day!

Child Saving Institute is excited to share Golf Fore Kids 2017 will be held on Monday, June 19th. This annual fundraiser, sponsored by the Child Saving Institute Guild, is held at The Players Club at Deer Creek. Cost is $750 for a foursome and several sponsorship levels are available. Spend a fun day on the spectacular greens at the Players Club at Deer Creek while knowing that you are helping kids get the services they need after experiencing the trauma of abuse or neglect. Register online at childsaving.org/golfforekids.

Child Saving Institute is celebrating its 125th year of serving kids and families in the Greater Omaha area. The mission established by CSI founder the Rev. A.W. Clark, “Responding to the cry of a child,” has kept the agency focused on kids through the years, even though the services and programs have adapted to meet society’s changing needs.

Their vision is that “All children have homes where hope is kindled and dreams can be achieved.”

To find out more about Child Saving Institute, visit childsaving.org or contact Anna Willey at (402) 504-3664 or awilley@childsaving.org.

“Not only is this an opportunity to have a little fun and get creative, but it is also an opportunity to spread awareness of child abuse across the country through the power of social media,” says Project Harmony Executive Director Gene Klein.

A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds. You can do a lot of things in 10 seconds – including a selfie and posting on Facebook.

It is not a lot of time, yet so much can happen. A toddler can be sent to daycare in shorts and sandals in frigid weather. A teacher can notice horrifying bruises on a student. A teenager can contemplate suicide because of the sexual abuse they’ve endured for years.

Together, we can end child abuse. But to do this – to really do this – we all have to have a stake in it. You have to have a stake in it. You are part of the solution. On June 21, through the power of social media and the creativity of a selfie, or “groupie,” take 10 seconds and help Project Harmony spread awareness - #ProjectBeSomeone.

Ten seconds is not a lot of time. However, it’s enough time to be someone in the life of a child.

Nebraska Sports Council: Mud Run Set for Aug. 26 Nebraska Sports Council officials announced that N eb ra s k a ’s l o n ge s t running mud/obstacle race, The Mud Run, will take place Saturday, Aug. 26 at Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln.

The fun begins at 9 a.m. with the mini-Mud Run, followed by the 3-mile events, including 3-person tethered teams, at 10 a.m. Those interested can register or find information at NebraskaSportsCouncil.com.

The 11th annual Mud Run, sponsored by Nebraska Lottery and Scheels, features a course laden with more than a dozen obstacles, including a creek crossing, multiple mud pits, fire jump, and the NSC’s signature, a giant slip-n-slide. Deadlines are Aug. 25 for the 1-mile Mini-Mud Run and Aug. 22 for the 3-mile. However, runners can save money if registered by July 1.

More than 1,500 runners from more than 70 Nebraska communities and surrounding states are expected to take part. All participants receive a Mud Run soft t-shirt, coupon for a free Arby’s Roast Beef sandwich, a free age-appropriate beverage (Gatorade or beer), and access to the post-race party featuring a photo backdrop, vendor giveaways, music, food and beverages. Awards include medals for the top three male and female finishers in each age group and finisher medals for all other runners.

Other contributing partners include Bennet Fire & Rescue, Lancaster Event Center, Lincoln Track Club, Arby’s, CrossFit Lincoln, Gana Trucking & Excavating, LinPepCo, Screed Solutions, Sysco-Lincoln, Tinius Plumbing and Vinnie Krikac State Farm Agency. Other participating businesses and organizations include Lancaster County Emergency Management, Funds2Orgs, Medical Reserve Corps, Midwest Medical Transport, Muhlbach Enterprises, Precision Race Results, JA Concrete, Ash Fire & Safety and Norland Pure.

28 Strictly Business JUNE 2017

Midlands Community Foundation Awards Grants Totaling $104,993 Midlands Community Foundation (MCF) has awarded grants totaling $104,993 to 28 non-profit organizations serving Sarpy and Cass counties including: ALS in the Heartland, Inc. - $1,540; American Lung Association in Nebraska $8,000; Bellevue American Legion Post 339 - $4,000; Bellevue Housing Authority Foundation - $4,000; Bellevue Ministerial Association Food Pantry - $5,000; Bellevue Public School Family and Student Empowerment Team - $2,500; Bellevue University Opportunity Campus - $3,600; Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands - $5,000; CHI Health Midlands Hospital - $7,000; Common Fund of the Heartland - $5,000; Gretna Volunteer Fire and Rescue - $5,000; Heartland Family Service - $2,500; HELP Adult Services - $3,000; Joslyn Art Museum - $5,000; Keipos, Inc. - $2,400; Latino Center of the Midlands - $1,500; Lutheran Family Service of Nebraska, Inc. - $2,500; Mercy Housing Midwest - $1,405; Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries - $1,500; Omaha Conservatory of Music - $5,000; Papillion-LaVista Community Theatre - $1,750; Patriotic Productions $5,000; Project Harmony - $3,385; Radio Talking Book Service - $2,500; Spirit Horse Ranch - $2,500; Tri-City Food Pantry - $6,913; Village of Manley - $5,000; Youth Emergency Services - $2,500.

Of the $104,993 that was awarded, $11,905 was awarded from MCF’s Education Fund and $2,500 from MCF’s Military Fund which were established with proceeds from the Foundation’s Reflection Ball events in 2016 and 2015, respectively. The remaining $90,588 was awarded from MCF’s General Fund. This is the second of two grant distributions for Midlands Community Foundation’s fiscal year. The next grant deadline will be August 1, 2017, with funds distributed in October.

Through its grants program, Midlands Community Foundation places an emphasis on prevention and education. The Foundation has a strong commitment toward programs benefiting health, art, culture, community, economic development, education, and human services. For more information, call (402) 991-8027 or visit midlandscommunity.org.

NON-PROFIT NEWS

Kids Can Expands After School at Mandela Elementary Kids Can Community Center is pleased to announce their newest Out-Of-School program at Nelson Mandela Elementary Sc hool, located at 6316 North 30th Street in Omaha.

Beginning June 12th, Kids Can will begin providing after-school and non-school day programming within the school. The new partnership will allow both entities to leverage their respective work to promote student success and advance each organization’s mission.

Students in the Out-Of-School program will receive high quality programing focusing on STEMsmart activities (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, strength, music, art, reading, and tutoring).

“Kids Can is excited to support the great work being done by Mandela Elementary and support the positive development of their scholars,” said Robert Patterson, CEO of Kids Can Community Center.

The mission of Mandela Elementary is to maximize educational success and bride learning and achievement gaps are aligned to encourage and promote personal growth and academic achievement of all scholars. Kids Can’s mission to educate, engage, and inspire children through early childhood care and out-of-school experiences.

For more information, visit kidscanomaha.org/out-of-school/out-ofschool-mandela.html.

Date Set for Wings and Wheels Ronald McDonald House Charities Gala Save the date! Wings and Wheels, the s i g n a t u r e ga l a fo r Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha, is scheduled for Friday, September 8th.

Sponsored by Nebraska Medicine, this will be a night of luxury cars, private aircraft, local cuisine and drinks, and a live auction, all held in an exclusive airplane hangar at Signature Flight Support.

Purchase your ticket and view sponsorship opportunities at www. rmhcomaha.org/wingsandwheels. If you have questions about the event, contact Emily Mozer at emozer@rmhcomaha.org or call (402) 346-9377.

RMHC in Omaha provides a home away from home for families who travel to Omaha so their child can receive life-saving medical care at an area hospital. RMHC offers warm beds, hot showers, homecooked meals, laundry facilities, playrooms, and a playground – all the essentials of home. Additionally, they have a built-in support system where families are able to connect with each other, forming an interdependent network of resources and collaboration. When families stay with RMHC in Omaha, they have a community of supporters willing to rally around them, so they can fight and heal together.

The cost to provide these services is approximately $120 per night, per family, and no family is ever turned away if they are unable to pay the $15 suggested donation.

The Ronald McDonald House is located at 620 S. 38th Avenue.

To learn more about RMHC in Omaha, visit their website at www. rmhcomaha.org.

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402-933-4632 Join Munroe-Meyer Guild for Garden Walk Call for an appointment today!

For its 49th year, the Munroe-Meyer Guild’s Garden Walk is offering a change of pace. In addition to four visually-arresting private gardens, the upcoming event will also feature the Helping Omaha People Eat (H.O.P.E.) Garden on the grounds of Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 2530 S. 165th Ave. This year’s Garden Walk will be held from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on June 11.

“There will be Master Gardeners at the H.O.P.E. garden to talk about how visitors can start their own pollinator garden and how aronia berries, which are high in antioxidants, are good for your body, and how the H.O.P.E. Garden benefits the people of Omaha,” said Luann Rabe, President of the Munroe-Meyer Guild. “This is the first time we’ve had an ‘educational’ garden.” The five gardens on this year’s tour also include items such as a fish and lily pond, a small waterfall, cherry trees and a “Fairy Garden.”

Tickets are available at all the following locations prior to the event for $15: Blue Pomegranate Gallery, Canoyer Garden Center, Hy-Vee Stores, Indian Creek Nursery, Moore’s Nursery, Westlake Hardware at 140 & W. Center, and Mulhall’s Nursery, Inc. Tickets will be $20 on the day of the Garden Walk at all gardens.

Outlook Nebraska Receives Business Excellence Award Outlook Nebraska, Inc., a nonprofit organization that e m p owe r s a nyo n e i n t h e community facing vision loss, was recently recognized with three Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards in Innovation, Leadership & Philanthropy. The chamber recognized 25 organizations whose contributions elevate our region and make it a better place for everyone to do business, work and live.

“Outlook Nebraska is honored to be recognized among these outstanding organizations. Seventy percent of blind Americans are unemployed, and we all as business leaders have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these individuals,” Outlook Nebraska CEO Eric Stueckrath said.

Outlook Nebraska was recognized for making innovation part of their everyday ‘routine’ and providing tangible benefits through their work; for having a strong vision for the future, a dedication to the betterment of the organization and their community and a passion for developing others; and for going above and beyond to foster an environment of community improvement and support.

Help Outlook Nebraska continue leading the way in offering innovative solutions to the 35,000 individuals experiencing vision loss. Support their mission today at outlooknebraska.org/donations.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

Kitty Lee Dance Team Holding Charity Showcase to Benefit Angels Among Us

Radio Talking Book Service Honors Volunteers at Annual Event

Kitty Lee Dance Team will be holding its annual charity showcase at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 9th at Omaha Burke High Sc hool. This year, Angels Among Us has been chosen as the beneficiary of the funds raised at this event, which gives the team an opportunity to show friends and family the competitive routines they have been performing all over the country, right here in Omaha. Tickets went on sale May 19th and are still available for purchase online at danceatkittys.com. At checkout, there will be an option to donate more to Angels Among Us if you wish. 100% of the proceeds go directly towards Angels Among Us.

On June 11th, Radio Talking Book Service (RTBS) will recognize volunteers at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Event held at the SAC Federal Credit Union’s corporate headquarters in Papillion. Volunteer readers, and those that assist with mailings and administrative tasks, will be honored with an afternoon of music, door prizes and refreshments. Volunteers will also be given Certificates of Appreciation for their passion and dedication to RTBS. Sybil Mahan, long-time Volunteer Coordinator, said this about her volunteers, “We would not be able to bring local news and information to our listeners without our dedicated and loyal volunteers. They are welcome guests in the lives of the visually impaired who miss reading the local newspapers and magazines.”

Radio Talking Book Service, Nebraska’s Audio Companion, was founded in 1974 and brings the printed word to life for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have physical disabilities that prevent them from reading printed material. Radio Talking Book Network’s 24/7 programming includes 11 newspapers, 70+ magazines and books read by over 90 volunteers and is delivered to listeners via preprogramed radios, which are provided at no cost.

Please call (402) 572-3003 or visit RTBS.org to listen live, volunteer, donate, or to apply for a radio from Radio Talking Book Service.

Angels Among Us is a Nebraska nonprofit that financially supports families battling a pediatric cancer diagnosis, with the mission is to reduce financial burdens on the family as much as possible so that they can focus on their child. In its ten-year history, Angels Among Us has assisted over 300 families with over $1.25 million in support.

Additionally, Angels Among Us pays bills directly to the company the family owes so that you can be sure that your donations are used responsibly.

For more information please visit www.myangelsamongus.org or contact Shari Hall at (402) 934-0999 at Shari@myangelsamongus. org.

Nebraska Community Foundation Invited to Ottawa Nebraska Community Foundation continues t o s e r ve a s a n international model for its innovative work in community development philanthropy for community foundations around t h e wo r l d . N C F President and CEO Jeff Yost was recently invited to speak to foundation CEOs at the Community Foundations of Canada Conference in Ottawa, Canada about NCF’s “Theory of Change” which is empowering hometowns large and small across the state of Nebraska to redistribute authority and build stronger, more prosperous communities.

Eleven members of the Nebraska Community Foundation staff, board of directors, and network of peer mentors also traveled to Ottawa May 11-13. The gathering drew philanthropic and foundation leaders from around the world to hear inspiring speakers and build upon their knowledge and skills with the goal of furthering community development initiatives in their respective communities.

Nebraska Community Foundation is a statewide organization using charitable giving to mobilize communities across the state. NCF works with volunteer leaders to serve 250 communities by providing training, strategic development, gift planning assistance and financial management for its affiliated funds located throughout the state. In the last five years, more than 37,000 contributions have been made to NCF affiliated funds, and more than $125 million has been reinvested to benefit Nebraska communities. For more information visit nebraskahometown.org.

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Tickets Available to Omaha Home for Boys Imagine Our Youth Fundraising Celebration The 2017 Imagine Our Youth Fundraising Celebration is an evening dedicated to bringing together those who share in the mission to support and strengthen the youth, young adults and families served

by Omaha Home for Boys. The annual Imagine Our Youth Fundraising Celebration will take place at the Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista Hotel and Conference Center on Friday, September 29 from 5:30-9 pm.

Proceeds from the event will support the youth, young adults and families served by Omaha Home for Boys.

Omaha Home for Boys is excited to announce that Ice-T will be the featured keynote speaker. Orphaned at a young age, Ice-T was forced to learn the art of survival and became involved in Los Angeles gangs before spending four years in the army. He overcame many obstacles to become a groundbreaking rapper, talented actor, author, reality star and cultural icon whose career has spanned music, television and film. Today, Ice-T is a staple in American living rooms starring in NBC’s hit television drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Detective Odafin Tutuola.

The Imagine Our Youth Fundraising Celebration will feature a VIP reception with the opportunity to meet and interact with Ice-T as well as live and silent auctions, social hour, dinner and a program.

For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, individual tickets or tables, please visit www.OmahaHomeForBoys.org or call (402) 457-7014.

NON-PROFIT NEWS

Nebraska Logistics Council Presents Funds to Metropolitan Community College Foundation

Wheels of Courage Car Show to Support Local Cancer Patients

The Nebraska Logistics Council recently presented $4,500 to the Metropolitan Community College Foundation.

These funds are the final installment of the Nebraska Logistics Council $10,000 Endowed Scholarship for the Metropolitan Community College Transportation, Distribution, Warehousing and Logistics program.

Funds for scholarships are raised through an annual golf event. It was 2 ½ years ago that the NLC announced an endowed scholarship with the MCC TDWL program, and the news that the scholarship has been fully funded came almost 2 ½ years ahead of schedule.

Established in 2014, the Nebraska Logistics Council Scholarship was created to support students pursuing supply chain or logistics careers.

A recent study from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development revealed that Nebraska’s geographic center in the U.S. gives it a great advantage for transportation, warehousing, logistics and distribution projects across the world. Today supply chain and logistics management companies are discovering what railroads and trucking firms have long known: that Nebraska is strategically located in the center of the country.

Interstate 80, one of the nation’s busiest transportation routes, stretches from one end of the state to the other, in all, 482 miles. Seven national highways run north-south across the state, making Nebraska an ideal location for companies looking for access in the NAFTA trade corridor.

The state also is served by two Class 1 rail systems.

This year’s “Wheels of Courage” Car Show will be held on Saturday, June 24 at Quaker Steak & Lube in Council Bluffs.

Grief’s Journey Hosts “Characters Who Care” Costume Party on Omaha Gives! Day On May 24, Grief ’s Journey hosted its firste ve r c o s t u m e p a r t y to celebrate Omaha Gives! day. At the free event, guests had the o p p o r t u n i t y t o t a ke pictures with their favorite movie characters, enjoy an afternoon snack, and create memories that last a lifetime.

Each of the special characters in attendance, and their affiliated Grief’s Journey volunteers, experienced the death of a loved one and have grief as a central part of their storyline, connecting them directly with the mission of Grief’s Journey. Two longstanding Grief’s Journey volunteers, sisters Rachel and Samantha Lee, were excited to be asked to represent the beloved Disney winter sister princesses at the costume party. They first came to Grief’s Journey in 2005 after the death of their father, Eric. Rachel and Samantha participated as young children in the family support groups and have continued to give back to Grief’s Journey even as their school and activity schedules have gotten busier.

Since 2001, Grief’s Journey (formerly Ted E. Bear Hollow), 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. Grief’s Journey relies on charitable contributions, special event income and volunteerism to support its free programs. For more information, visit www.griefsjourney.org.

Are you a car enthusiast?

Have a car you would like to ‘show’? This is the event for you! Go back to the Rock ‘N’ Roll era - see gorgeous Classics Cars - Vintage and Hot Rods!

Be a part of the fun and place your vote for “Favorite Car.” Over 90 cars were on display last year and more are expected for 2017. Like to show your car? A $20 registration fee will put you in the line-up!

There will be 11 Judging Categories, including “Special Awards.”

Register before 11:00am the day of the event and receive a free t-shirt. Judging begins at 12:00pm and awards will be presented at 3:00pm. Come, bring your family to this FREE fun event!

As the second event of the year, in conjunction with the annual Spirit of Courage Gala, 100% of the proceeds go to benefit Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital’s Charitable Patient Care Fund, a fund that helps Jennie cancer patients in their time of need. For more information on registering your car or to become a sponsor, go to jehfoundation.org or call (712) 396-7733.

Heartland Family Service Friends Guild Gathers for 2017 Annual Meeting The Heartland Family Service Friends Guild joined together at Happy Hollow Country Club last month for the 2017 Annual Meeting to highlight successes through the year, enjoy a check presentation, honor the 2016-17 Friends Guild Board members of Heartland Family Service, and transition the incoming Friends Executive Committee.

2016-17 Friends Guild Amee Kavich Zetzman, Friends Guild 2017President Melissa Steffes 18 President-Elect, Melissa Steffes, Friends highlighted all of the Guild 2016-17 President, John Jeanetta, volunteer work the Friends Heartland Family Service President and CEO Guild provided this past year and presented President & CEO John Jeanetta with a check representative of the Friends’ fundraising efforts in the amount of $276,337.

F i n a l l y, t h e 2 0 1 7 - 1 8 Heartland Family Service Friends Guild Executive Committee Board was installed: JoAnn Gould, President; Pictured L-R: Back row: Carla Patton-Ochsner, Kacey Lempka, Natalie Petersen, Julie Amee Kavic h Zetzman, Gibson-Beier (Gala Chair), Cheri Duryea, President-Elect; Jennifer Debbie Bouc (Gala Chair), Carol Higgins, Petersen and Carla Patton- Jennifer Petersen, Cindy Jodis. Front row: Ochsner, Vice Presidents of Amee Kavich Zetzman, Melissa Steffes.

Education; Cindy Jodis, Vice Not pictured: JoAnn Gould, Liz Arch.

President of Fundraising; Cheri Duryea, Vice President of Membership; Carol Higgins, Vice President of Social; Liz Arch, Corresponding Secretary; Natalie Petersen, Recording Secretary; Kacey Lempka, Treasurer; Melissa Steffes, Advisor.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

“Top Secret” Summer Adventure Awaits at The Durham Museum

Midlands Community Foundation Raises More Than $38K at 2017 Golf Tournament

Secret agents, suspects and science converge for a family adventure unlike anything you’ve experienced in Top Secret: License to Spy! This highly interactive display will put visitors’ skills to the test as you experience the science, technology and psychology employed in the intelligence field.

Created by the renowned Scitech in Perth, Australia, and based around a James Bond-style fantasy of exotic locations, high-tech equipment, and of course, a mystery to solve, Top Secret: License to Spy features an immersive way for visitors to interact with more than 20 displays as they progress through the exhibition. The exhibit will be on display until September 17th, and special Top Secret programming will take place throughout the summer. Find out more online at DurhamMuseum.org.

Never before has an exhibit been so…Top Secret!

The exhibit is supported locally by Valmont Industries, Inc., HDR, Inc., Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund, Patterson Family Foundation, On Track Guild and Iowa West Foundation. Media support provided

by KETV Channel 7.

Midlands Community Foundation raised more than $38,000 at its 2017 golf tournament at Platteview Golf Club on Monday, May 15. The tournament was sold out with 148 golfers participating.

At this year’s tournament, donations were awarded Pinnacle Bank team, pictured L-R: to Autism Action Partnership, Spencer Kimball, Brad Eckhoff, OneWor ld Comm unity Steve Zey, Bill Ehegartner.

Health Centers, Project Lifesaver, Spirit Horse Ranch and Youth Emergency Services.

“We are pleased to provide funding to these worthwhile non-profit organizations. We appreciate their efforts in creating productive and valuable changes for children through the programs and services they provide,” said Tonee Gay, Executive Director.

The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to benefit the diverse needs of the Sarpy and Cass county communities by providing financial support, involvement and service. Over the last 30 years, the Foundation has served as a leader by helping to identify community needs and partnering with corporate and individual donors to make the most of their charitable dollars. The Foundation has a strong commitment toward prevention and education in the areas of health, art, culture, community, education, economic development and human services. Find out more online at midlandscommunity.org.

Omaha Gives! Hits Donation Record While Celebrating 5 Years A total 52,886 d o n a t i o n s — a n ew record—were given to 923 nonprofits during the fifth annual Omaha Gives! on May 24. This year’s 24-hour online giving day, presented

by American National Bank, raised $7.8 million from 18,767 donors.

Since its inception in 2013, the giving day has now raised more than $35 million from a cumulative 200,000 donations for nonprofit organizations throughout Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie Counties. Omaha Gives! has consistently ranked in the top seven giving days in the country since it began five years ago—an impressive feat for the region.

In addition to a record number of donations and donors, highlights of the giving day included $486,219 in matching challenge funds secured by individual nonprofit organizations, and nearly 400 community members utilizing personal cheer pages to engage their own social networks on behalf of favorite nonprofits. As in past years, donations were amplified throughout the day with 45 participation prizes awarded in amounts ranging from $1000 to $3000, and 48 hourly prizes of $535 each.

Complete leaderboard results with the number of donors and donation totals for each organization can be found online at www.omahagives.org.

American National Bank Presenting Sponsor of Project Pink’d EXPOSED:VO1CE Benefit Project Pink’d is proud to announce American National Bank as the Presenting Sponsor for their upcoming EXPOSED Annual Benefit. The second year as Presenting Sponsor of the event, American National Bank has joined forces with the organization in an effort to help support breast cancer survivors in our local community.

The Project Pink’d EXPOSED:VO1CE 8th Annual Benefit will be held at the Hilton Downtown Omaha Grand Ballroom on Friday, August 18.

Supporters and survivors are invited to this magical celebration of hope, inspiration and survivorship as Project Pink’d honors those diagnosed with breast cancer. Guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, Gift of Hope Program, Silent and Live Auction, Breast Cancer Survivor Ceremony and the most anticipated moment of the evening, the revealing of thriving survivors like you’ve never seen before. Embracing their What’s Raised Here Stays Here philosophy, all proceeds from the evening will directly benefit survivors in Nebraska and Western Iowa. Tickets are now on sale at www.projectpinkd.org.

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Victory Riding Academy Seeking Sponsors for 5th Annual Operation Free Ride Rodeo Victory Riding Academy is hosting the 5th annual Operation Free Ride Rodeo on September 23rd to honor the Military, First Responders, Department of Defense and their families. At this event, complimentary horseback rides and horsemanship experiences will be provided for all participants. There will also be activity booths for kids to learn more about horses in a fun, expo setting. More than 1,000 members are anticipated to come out to Bellevue’s beautiful Haworth Park for this event.

Each year the smiles witnessed as a result of this community event inspire the organization’s mission to honor those who serve and their families. “Rebecca had tears in her eyes as she approached me at the end of the event. All three of her children were laughing, enjoying their day and asking to have one more ride.” –Tony Barnes, Executive Director, Victory Riding Academy Victory Riding Academy is looking for companies to partner with them by becoming a sponsor for this year’s event. The Military, First Responders, Department of Defense and their families in our community deserve to be honored and are worthy of our thanks.

For more information, please visit the website at www.victoryride.org.

If you have any questions please contact Tony at (402) 201-1869 or email at tony@victoryride.org.

HEALTH NEWS

Blood Pressure Demands the 3 C’s: Check.

Change. Control.

When it comes to blood pressure, what you don’t know can definitely hurt you. Many of the 80 million American adults who have it don’t know they have it. It has no symptoms. It can only be reliably diagnosed by a healthcare professional using a blood pressure monitor.

Once diagnosed, it can’t be cured; but it can be controlled, which requires daily attention. Left undiagnosed, it can lead to strokes, heart attacks and kidney failure.

In response, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association created the Check. Change. Control. program — helping people with high blood pressure do what they need to do to control it — eat right, be active, visit their doctor and take their medication.

If you don’t know your blood pressure, you can get it checked at no cost in many pharmacies, healthcare facilities and fire stations. And checking it once is not enough because blood pressure increases with age. If your blood pressure is above 120/80 mm Hg, the American Heart Association recommends getting your blood pressure checked by a doctor at least once every two years starting at age 20.

Knowing your numbers, reducing them if necessary and maintaining your program can help you avert catastrophic outcomes caused by high blood pressure.

Enroll in Check. Change. Control. Use campaign code: GORED to get started.

Your blood pressure is serious business, so get serious about it.

Nebraska Community Blood Bank Raising Awareness for World Blood Donor Day On June 14, countries from around the world will recognize World Blood Donor Day to celebrate and thank blood donors and to raise awareness of the ongoing need for blood. Every year, the lives of millions are affected by emergencies and the immediate need for blood - 1 in 3 people will need blood in their lifetime. What can you do to help?

Don’t wait for a tragedy to happen to donate blood. Depending on the severity of an accident, a single trauma patient may use many units of blood. During the summer months, the need for blood is greater as people donate less frequently. Blood donors are less available as schools are closed or families are on vacation.

Nebraska Community Blood Bank partners with hospitals throughout Southeast Nebraska to maintain a stable supply of life-saving blood every day of the year. Each time you donate, you are making an impact in the lives of the people in our community All blood types are needed. The rarest blood type is the one that’s not on the shelf when a patient is in need. Healthy adults at least 17 years of age are encouraged to donate.

For more information, call 1-877-486-9414 or visit NCBB.ORG. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter (@NCBBLincoln).

NHA Services Announces New Partnerships NHA Services, Inc. has announced the addition of four new companies to their expansive list of preferred business partners for Nebraska hospitals. NHA Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA). Designed to reduce health care supply chain expenses, NHA Services is a collaboration of NHA, NHA member hospitals and other Nebraska health care organizations and providers.

The newest partners for NHA Services are CHC Community Hospital Consulting, Five Nines, Constellation and COMMONd. Community Hospital Consulting through its parent organization Community Hospital Corporation offers practical solutions that help community hospitals enhance efficiencies, improve quality and strengthen financial stability through effective supply chain management and providing access to a national group purchasing pricing program. Five Nines advises the best solutions to drive business growth, offers managed IT services, IT projects and procurement. Constellation, an Exelon company, is a leading competitive energy company providing power, natural gas, renewable energy, and energy management products and services for homes and businesses across the continental United States.

COMMONd is a leader in network security, network optimization, protection, and compliance for business network infrastructure.

NHA Services helps providers find cost-effective, appropriate solutions to their operational challenges. Using NHA Services Preferred Business Partners provides direct financial support to all NHA programs. Learn more at nebraskahospitals.org/nhaservices.html.

Join the Movement During Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness M o n t h and the Alzheimer’s Association® needs you to get involved and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Everyone who has a brain is at risk to develop Alzheimer’s, a disease that is often misunderstood.

Did you know: • Alzheimer’s is fatal. It kills more than breast and prostate cancer combined.

• Alzheimer’s is not normal aging. It’s a progressive brain disease without any cure.

• Alzheimer’s is more than memory loss. It appears through a variety of signs and symptoms.

During the month of June, the Alzheimer’s Association asks you to learn more about Alzheimer’s, share your story and take action. Visit alz.org/abam to: • Learn and share the facts about Alzheimer’s.

• Get inspired by powerful stories of people sharing their experiences with the disease.

• Go purple — the color of Alzheimer’s awareness — on Facebook, Twitter and more!

• Honor those facing the disease by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association The Longest Day on June 21. Sign up or donate at alz. org/thelongestday.

Help the Alzheimer’s Association #ENDALZ this June! Visit alz.org/ abam to get started.

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n o i t a n i t s De

SAN DIEGO

San Diego recently welcomed our Strictly Business team with open arms on our recent travels! With an abundance of hotels, restaurants, nightlife venues, and beautiful beaches, there’s something for everyone in San Diego. Our team was fortunate to be able to visit a lineup of fantastic venues during our stay in San Diego. As many of us here in Nebraska enjoy making the journey to the beautiful coast to get away from being landlocked and avoid the weather extremes, here are some of our recommendations based on our most recent adventures! In a city with so much to offer and only one a few short days to pack it all in, we selected what we considered to be the “must see” attractions that San Diego has to offer.

Kimpton Solamar Hotel ∙ www.hotelsolamar.com ∙ 1-800-546-7866 From beach to city, there’s no shortage of options for quality hotels to accommodate the high volume of travelers at any given time. Located in beautiful Gaslamp District, Kimpton Solamar is a standout property for luxury and hospitality! From check-in to check-out the service we received went well beyond our expectations and was definitely the highlight of our visit.

The interior of the hotel was elegant and very well decorated. We arrived at the hotel well before our available check-in time and the staff was more than accommodating! We were then greeted in our room by a bottle of wine, charcuterie board, and personalized note from the staff. What a pleasant way to be welcomed after a long day of travel! The room itself was very spacious and loaded with everything one needs for luxury travel. An additional bonus of the Kimpton Solamar is their complimentary Happy Hour in the lounge hosted daily from 5-6 pm. We made sure to take advantage of this! It worked out flawlessly for our evening as we had dinner reservations at 6 pm so we were able to indulge on predrinks, with a nice selection of wine and beer available, and appetizers before we ventured onto our next activity.

To sum it all up, our stay at Kimpton Solamar was brief but we enjoyed every minute!

Parq Restaurant & Nightclub ∙ parqsd.com ∙ 619-727-6789 Situated just a few short blocks from our hotel and also in the gorgeous downtown San Diego Gaslamp District lies Parq Restaurant & Nightclub. After a full day’s travel, we were thrilled to visit Parq Restaurant for an ultra trendy and stylish place for dinner that evening.

Parq Restaurant serves farm-to-table eats in a truly unique Alice in Wonderland setting. The funky and electric decor makes you feel as if you are in a fairytale garden, transporting you to another world.

This unique venue offers authentic dishes, all created using the freshest ingredients and homegrown techniques. We would recommend making a reservation and dining first, then heading right over to the nightclub after dinner for the ultimate evening.

Following dinner, we were ready for some dancing! We had reserved a luxury VIP table for our group situated right on the dance floor so that we had prime real estate for dancing! The sound, lighting, and design of the nightclub employ all of the latest technologies and entertainment, which gives you the feel as if you were in a Las Vegas nightclub. The decor was ultra swanky and sexy- every little detail was impressive! It was equally impressive how attentive and sociable the staff and management were throughout the evening. Parq sets the level high for VIP treatment! They checked on us numerous times throughout the evening, which is always appreciated! It doesn’t

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come as much of a surprise considering this popular hotspot was formed by bringing together the top leaders in the restaurant and nightclub industries, which was evident based on our experience.

Whiskey Girl ∙ www.whiskeygirl.com ∙ 619-236-1616 We were ready to continue the dancing at Whiskey Girl, which was our final stop for the evening. We heard that people come for the whiskey and stay for the party at this place – so true! Located in the heart of the Gaslamp District, Whiskey Girl has become one of the hottest sports bars and nightlife spots in San Diego. Once our group arrived, we were escorted to our VIP section which was located on top of a stage with couches and tables. The VIP service was prompt and our hostess was extremely friendly and attentive to our group’s needs. Our arrangement came complete with a bottle of Belvedere Vodka and a variety of mixers. The dance floor was packed the entire evening. The crowd was lively and easygoing as it was apparent everyone was having such a great time. The DJ was spinning all of our favorite top 40 hits and music videos. We didn’t want the night to end. The entire evening was high energy and we can definitely say Whiskey Girl knows how to throw a party!

JSix Restaurant ∙ www.jsixrestaurant.com ∙ 619-531-8744 After an energetic night out on the town in downtown San Diego, we were looking forward to a hearty brunch! Fortunately for us, it was just a short walk over to JSix, which is located adjacent to the Kimpton Solamar Hotel on the property.

The ambiance of the restaurant was super trendy and inviting when you walk in. For brunch, we ordered the All American, Breakfast Sandwich and the Eggs Benedict.

Our server suggested their specialty Brioche French Toast which came with an apricot almond sauce, mascarpone, toasted almonds, and gelato. It was mouthwatering! The presentation of the food, quality and selection of the brunch dishes, and the exceptional service provided us with an A+ brunch visit!

Overall, our brunch at JSix was fabulous!

Mission Sands Vacation Rentals ∙ missionsands.com ∙ 858-488-2550 As you might already be aware, San Diego is home to a multitude of beautiful beaches! Why rent a room when you can rent a whole house just steps from the ocean? Our team did just that and made an exquisite beach house from Mission Sands Vacation Rentals our home for our recent trip to paradise in Mission Beach. The property was everything we anticipated and more. It was full of charm and beautifully decorated! Our three-story ocean view townhouse featured 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, as well as a private rooftop patio. The house was ideal for our needs, as it was very well-equipped with all of the essentials plus some. It offered all the comforts of home with the added benefits of being on vacation. There’s the convenience of

three parking spots, a full kitchen, washer/dryer, grill, WIFI, bikes, and 3 balconies for guests to use during their stay, just to name a few! Aside from all of the amazing amenities, the location of our rental was phenomenal. The unit had plenty of indoor and outdoor space for socializing as well as private spacious bedrooms and quiet sitting areas for anyone to go off on their own and have some alone time. Perhaps our favorite spot on the property belonged to the rooftop patio, where we loved spending the day taking in the ocean breeze and the evening underneath the stars.

In our experience, the rental process with Mission Sands Vacation Rentals was very streamlined, which is appreciated by those who are new to vacationing here and unfamiliar with the location. They even offer a concierge service to guests who want to walk into a fully stocked kitchen or want recommendations for activities and restaurants in the city during their stay. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or quick getaway with your friends, you’ll discover why Mission Sands definitely sets the bar high with its services, property location, and especially its level of hospitality during your stay.

Great job Mission Sands! Thank you for the escape to paradise - we hope to come back and stay with you again soon!

Duck Dive ∙ www.theduckdive.com ∙ 858-273-3825 The Duck Dive in Pacific Beach is widely recognized as one of the best hotspots in San Diego. Beachfront and treasured by locals and tourists alike, if you are looking for a lively, fun atmosphere with an abundance of great people and brunch options, we highly recommend that you visit Duck Dive! This restaurant offers brunch, lunch and dinner menus, catering to all types of beachgoers.

We quickly realized that bottomless mimosas or Bloody Mary’s, served daily, are all the rage in San Diego.

We couldn’t imagine a better way to start our afternoon than by ordering a selection of Duck Dives’ savory appetizers. We ordered the Baja Oysters Rockefeller, the Steamed Baja Bowl and the Baja Calamari for appetizers. The Take Me to Mexico cocktail, made with Los Altos Plata tequila (house infused with fresh watermelon), basil and jalapeño, shaken with agave, lemon and watermelon is a must. So refreshing!

PB Shore Club ∙ pbshoreclub.com ∙ 858-272-7873 Just steps from the beach, this electric establishment serves grub classics, ideal for those fun-filled days at the beach. This place came highly recommended as a must stop while in Pacific Beach. PB Shore Club is known for combining the delicious tastes of the sea, prepared with classic Mexican flair, while providing guests with the perfect setting for the ultimate beach dining and drinking experience. The bar is extremely spacious and we loved the panoramic views of the ocean available no matter where we were standing or sitting.

For appetizers, we ordered the Nachos Gigante, Shore Tater Tot Basket, Shore Club Bacon Wrapped Shrimp and Ahi Poke Stack. So delicious!

Make sure you order their signature secret recipe Red Bull Vodka Slushie served in a goblet. It’s pretty much a Pacific Beach rite of passage to get the frozen combo and is a MUST!

SeaWorld ∙ Dine With Shamu ∙ seaworldsandiego.com ∙ 619-222-4732 Our day at SeaWorld® San Diego was a memorable one with shows, animal interaction, rides and lunch! Dolphin Days, Pets Rule! and the Killer Whale Presentation were the shows we attended and enjoyed seeing the animals perform behaviors and interact with their trainers. We also enjoyed a few rides; one of our favorites was the fun and thrilling Journey to Atlantis® ride, a splashing fun water ride. The most unforgettable part of the day was feeding and petting all the incredible animals, especially the rays. We look forward to returning to SeaWorld® San Diego to explore the rest of the park and attractions!

Our lunch was one to rememeber! Dine With Shamu® was an hour long experience that included an exclusive, up-close seat for the Killer Whale Presentation while we enjoyed a gourmet poolside buffet. The food was outstanding and the impressive staff made sure our Dine With Shamu® experience was a great one!

Hornblower Cruises & Events ∙ www.hornblower.com ∙ 1-888-467-6256 What a truly memorable way to spend one of our last evenings in San Diego by hopping aboard a storied yacht also known as the Hornblower Cruises - one of San Diego’s most beloved attractions. From the minute we stepped foot on the dock, the customer service was above and beyond.

The crew did an incredible job of making us feel overwhelmingly special. Once we entered the ship we were greeted by very pleasant staff members and ushered to our table. The cruise was 3 hours in length and featured a 3-course dinner, dancing and spectacular sunset views. We ordered the Chicken, Salmon and Beef. The food exceeded our expectations! Every dish tasted great and fresh.

Following dinner, the dance floor filled up with people having a great time. The decks were well designed with adequate seating for guests to take in the views. The views were perhaps the best part of the cruise if we had to pick one, which is tough indeed.

The romantic setting and beautiful scenery would be ideal for all types of people and groups - couples, celebrations, weddings, and company outings like us!

Pueblo ∙ www.pueblopb.com ∙ 858-412-3312 Pueblo brings the best of Baja flavor to San Diego! Located just 2 blocks from the ocean, Pueblo offers a taste of the Baja coast without having to cross the border! Our group was longing for local Mexican fare on our last night of the trip so we were undoubtedly excited to dine at this upscale eatery! The restaurant itself is airy and feels somewhat eclectic, yet with modern decor and contemporary details while still incorporating the more prominent architectural features you’d commonly find in the southwest and Central America that inspired the Pueblo name.

The restaurant is decorated beautifully and boasts 2 bars, a rooftop deck, and an outdoor courtyard. For the main course, we ordered the Carne Asada, three Taco Plates: Fish, Spicy Shrimp & Carnitas and lastly the Lobster. The taco plates were unquestionably the table favorites, but the Lobster was a show-stopper, with extraordinary presentation and cooked to perfection. We must admit that overall, our meals were some of the best we’ve had in awhile!

As you can see, there’s a reason why San Diego is voted one of the best cities in the US and also very high up on our list of favorite vacation spots. With its gorgeous beaches, delicious Baja Mexican food, an endless variety of stunning views, and a buzzing nightlife, we’ve detailed many of the reasons why you need to put San Diego on your travel radar.

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Celebrating Father’s Day

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Strictly Business JUNE 2017

Father’s Day, by a very eloquent definition courtesy of Wikipedia, “is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.” This year, it falls on Sunday, June 18th, so for those of you reading this fresh off the press at the beginning of the month, you still have plenty of time to make grand plans for how you’ll celebrate and honor the ones you love, who have had a profound impact in your life and shaped the person you are today. Generally, this entails gift-giving, spending time together, and then letting him do whatever he pleases. It’s really just as simple as treating him to something special, in whatever ways best suit his personality and taste – mission accomplished. And as usual, we’ve got a few ideas to offer!

Something that he’ll appreciate on Father’s Day, and well past that one day of the year, is the best way to go as far as gifts are concerned. As such, consider catering to his hobbies. This also works nicely if you’re planning a special something for the day’s itinerary. It might be golf, fishing, hunting, biking, exercise, travel, landscaping or home improvement, cars or recreational vehicles, camping, music, cooking, reading – while that’s a good starting point to generate, it’s quite the expansive list, with plenty of options to consider.

If it’s woodworking, look no further than the professionals at Woodcraft for ideas and inspiration.

“If your dad is a woodworker, we have the tools, gadgets, and wood that will make his day,” says Gerry Phelan of Woodcraft (formerly Midwest Woodworkers). “But in case you are still stumped, nothing tells dad ‘It’s ok to spend time in your workshop’ like a gift card from Woodcraft. Then Dad can pick out his own gift at his leisure.

Or, for a unique Father’s Day gift, consider giving a woodworking class. Whether your dad is just starting out or an accomplished craftsman, there is always something new to learn. We Gerry Phelan have classes that provide an opportunity to Woodcraft unleash that inner creativity and enjoy the pure satisfaction that comes with making something with your own hands.

Whether your dad is a new woodworker or an accomplished craftsman, there is always something to learn. And this isn’t a lecture in a classroom - in most classes, you make a project in class that you can take home.

Even better, a class is a gift you can share with your father. Join him for a class and share the experience and your time with him.”

To narrow down the options a bit, Phelan recommends the following approach: “Whether Dad is an occasional tinkerer or a master craftsman, here are some Father’s Day questions you might ask him to help connect with his interests: What is he working on? How did he come by his skills? What is his favorite project? Is there a tool in his shop that has a story?

Chances are, by engaging your Dad on a subject he enjoys you will get some great gift ideas and enjoy some real quality time as well.”

Sharing a meal is commonplace for a Father’s Day celebration, and if you’re looking for a delicious Sunday brunch or a casual Sunday dinner, Garden Café is the spot. Alternatively, if grilling out is what you have in mind or you’d like to pick up something for a meal at home, whether it’s already prepared or you’ll be cooking for the occasion, Just Good Meat has you covered. If drinks are on the agenda, stop by the Liquid Sunshine Taproom, and maybe even catch a movie at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema while you’re at it.

The great part about a holiday like Father’s Day is that you can make it special in any number of ways. It’s all about showing him how much he means to you, and that could be a grand gesture or something simple, it all depends on the “man of the hour” – a full 24 dedicated to him on this particular occasion to be exact! To all of the great guys out there who hold the title of “Dad” and all of the responsibilities that come along with it – you deserve your day, enjoy it to the fullest and we truly thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do for your kids and families.

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GROWING YOUR

BUSINESS

While there are a select few that are content with things as they are, by nature, most business owners are forward-thinking and always working to grow their businesses. What it takes to grow a business and a business’s trajectory as it grows will vary for each, as will its needs in doing so, but there are some core pieces that are relevant to the growth of all businesses regardless of the type or industry.

Your Location(s): There are several needs that come along with the growth of a business which seem fairly obvious, and one of those is having enough physical space to accommodate. The most likely options include a move to a bigger and/or better location or the addition of a location. With the advent and growing popularity of coworking spaces and office complexes offering private space that also comes with amenities and shared meeting spaces that are able to house multiple businesses, there are more options than ever. Advances in technology have also allowed professionals to work outside of a traditional office environment, with virtual office space becoming more readily available and utilized as well. No matter what stage or scale of growth a business is experiencing, or the budget allotted for rent and resources, there is likely something that fits the bill available.

Your Finances: The funds you have available after operating expenses are paid will determine how much you are able to invest in the growth your business. Business finance is fairly complex in nature, with a lot of factors at play. Thus, it’s wise to assemble a team of professionals so that you can maximize what you have to work with while also ensuring accuracy and minimizing your risk of incurring losses or errors that would set you back.

“From a banking perspective, the vision to manage your capital needs will be the determining factor in your success with growing your business,” says Mike Alford of Pinnacle Bank. “Capital can be defined as financial assets used in the production or accumulation of more wealth or revenue.

Depending on where you are in the growth cycle, your banking needs will vary. A new business that is just starting out generally has different needs than a more mature business that is looking to grow.

The one thing they will have in common, however, is a need for more capital. With growth comes added expense and much of it has to be funded before that growth can happen.

Banks can help in a variety of ways to meet that need, such as lines of credit or term loans.

While still at historically low levels, interest rates started to rise most notably in December of 2015 when the Federal Reserve increased them for the first time since 2008. The prime rate had held at 3.25% for 7 years, and in the last 17 months, has risen to 4.00%. While 4% is still a very low rate, it does mean that if you borrow money it’s more expensive today that it was just a few months ago. It’s likely that rates will continue to rise through the next year, which will need

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to be considered as part of your business model.

Aside from the lending aspect, products that will help you manage your cash flow and collect receivables on time, along with the ability to have instant access to review cash inflow and outflows, are just as important. The ability to review what you are paying for services like credit card interchange rates is yet another way to help you keep more of your profits.

Almost every part of the business cycle revolves around funds going in and out in a timely fashion. Banking services give businesses the tools they need to meet those demands. From setting up payroll to paying utilities, taxes, suppliers and then giving your customers an easy way to pay you for your service or product, banks facilitate that flow of money. While the basics really haven’t changed, what has changed is that technology now makes it much easier and faster to access information and facilitate cash flows. Banks have actively kept up with that technology in order to give businesses the ability to manage their accounts in real-time. Any business, but especially one that is growing, will need that to operate successfully.

Currently the business climate is very strong, rates are still very low by historic standards, and technology is making easier than ever to manage the financial aspect of your business. If you are thinking of expanding it’s a great time to sit down and see how we can assist you in making that happen.”

He further advises, “One of the most demanding times for a company is during growth. You might think that when you are growing it’s going to get easier than when you started out, but it’s actually one of the most difficult when it comes to finances. Growth will generally require an upfront cash investment that will take months or even years to recover. From more payroll needs when hiring more people to buying more raw materials, more inventory, new more efficient equipment, a larger facility - all of these things come before that growth can happen. Seeing that need and preparing for it financially is critical and banks certainly can make that process much smoother.”

Also with regards to payroll, the processing aspect - including remitting taxes and filing federal and state payroll tax forms - is a potentially time-consuming task that business owners often attempt to manage on their own to the detriment of the bottom line and the wise use of their limited time. In addition to the hours spent on this task, lack of compliance with payroll tax filing requirements can lead to costly penalties and the added work of communicating with tax authorities and fixing errors. Utilizing a provider such as PAYCHEX will help you avoid these types of issues altogether.

With respect to revenue, also as previously mentioned, accepting payments is an important part of conducting business. This includes having systems in place for accepting payments at the time a product is purchased or service is rendered as well as billing and accounts receivable.

With growth comes doing business with more customers and therefore, more financial transactions. Consumers are no longer carrying checks JUNE 2017 Strictly Business 37

or even cash for that matter so a growing business needs to be able to meet their consumers’ payment expectations by accepting debit, credit, and gift card payments. There’s also plenty of new and enhanced technology to take advantage of when it comes to monetary exchange as well as other aspects of managing your day-to-day operations, but you’ll need to know the specifics in order to know what the best fit would be for your business. It’s extremely important to partner with experienced professionals who can get you set up with the optimal merchant payment system and who will also guide you through training of its features and capabilities so that you can use it to your business’s full advantage as you continue to grow.

“American Payment System’s goal is to help our merchants grow their businesses,” emphasizes Jim Barnes, owner of American Payment Systems. “For all of the business owners out there, APS wants you to do what you do best, whatever that may be, and let us do what we do best for you--merchant card processing. It’s a priority for us to help you grow your business; the more you grow, the more we grow. In an industry that is full of scammers, it is important to find a company that you trust for your processing. It is easy Jim Barnes to find yourself in contracts with hidden fees American Payment and high rates, and it is these companies that Systems give business owners a negative impression of the processing industry. In today’s day and age, the plastic card industry is growing rapidly, so it is imperative for business owners to educate themselves. American Payment Systems also offers free consulting on competitor’s quotes or existing statements to help merchants understand what they are paying for and where their money is going.

Moreover, there are hundreds of different types of equipment available. American Payment Systems is always seeking out new

partnerships with equipment providers in order to offer our merchants a wide variety of options, enabling us to select the one that’s truly the best fit for each company. There are Point of Sale systems with inventory and employee scheduling features, or the best fit for your business could be something as simple as accepting payments on your smartphone. The possibilities are vast, and APS is here to make accepting payments as simple and easy as possible for the merchant at a price that won’t break the bank!”

Finally, successfully collecting on your accounts receivable is another key area that will help to drive growth. A tough truth for business owners is that rarely will 100% of outstanding accounts will be paid in full upon receipt of an invoice. While nobody goes into business thinking that their valued clients with whom they have built a relationship won’t hold up their end of the deal and pay their bills, unfortunately, it’s a reality. At some point in time, you will need to use a law firm or collection agency to pursue payment on past-due accounts. When outsourced to a third party, you won’t have to be the “bad guy” and it will allow you to focus on doing what you do best while simultaneously bringing in more funds that will be instrumental in the growth of your business.

Your Support: In terms of what you’ll need to have in place to support the daily functions of your growing business, office equipment and supplies are things that you don’t necessarily notice when you have what you need at your disposal. However, you’ll find that you run into trouble quickly if what’s required isn’t available or working properly. Furthermore, as far as managing expenses goes, it’s an area to examine carefully.

There’s plenty of potential to save money that you can allocate to other areas that will support continued business growth. “At Cartridge World, we provide top quality printing products, local service, and expert advice for our business clients,” says Andy Neil of Cartridge World. “With the business class print solutions we are able to deliver, you could save up to 30% off big box store prices while you enjoy

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the brand selection you want, the quality products you need, and the unsurpassed value you simply can’t find anywhere else. In addition to guidance on choosing the right device for your needs, we’ll also help with related tasks such as ordering supplies and servicing equipment.

Not only will our exclusive approach to office printing save you money, but it will also help you improve efficiency and print greener. We’ll help you reduce the burden and expense of your printer-related activities so you can focus more on what you do best.”

As far as the technology to support your operations, again, there are a wealth of options to consider utilizing and implementing as your business grows.

“Once you begin to grow, outsource your IT,” advises Joel Friesen of Five Nines. “Unless you are in the IT business or a similar vertical, don’t attempt to do it yourself. Our partners grow more quickly than their competition because they have dependable IT, secure networks, reliable/backed up data, and a budget with a plan for growth.”

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Aside from technology-related items to consider, Friesen also offers a few other helpful tips for business owners and leaders/ managers:

• Identify your target client and pursue only them relentlessly.

• Don’t get distracted with new lines of business until you perfect your wheelhouse and have proven success (profit).

• Spend the time necessary to establish your core values and then hire/fire based on them. Make no exceptions.

• Read Traction by Gino Wickman and begin implementing immediately.

To further expand on his final point, this book details the Entrepreneurial Operating System®, which is a model that focuses on how to manage and strengthen the Six Key Components™ of your business—Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction—to achieve your dreams for your business.

1. Vision: Get everyone in the organization 100% on the same page with where you’re going and how you’re going to get there.

2. People: Surround yourself with great people, top to bottom, because you can’t achieve a great vision without a great team.

3. Data: Boil your organization down to a handful of objective numbers that give you an absolute pulse on where things are.

4. Issues: Become great at solving problems throughout the organization and making them go away forever.

5. Process: ‘Systematize’ your business by identifying and documenting the core processes that define the way to run your business. This is the secret ingredient in your organization.

6. Traction: Bring discipline and accountability into the organization, taking the vision down to the ground and making it real.

Your People: Specifically regarding talent acquisition, with the growth of a business comes adding members to your team as it becomes clear which areas would benefit from the additional support. These individuals will be critical to the success of your efforts. As many business owners can relate, across all industries, hiring the right people is no easy task. For those who don’t yet have the resources to allocate to an HR professional or department in-house, a partnership with a local staffing company such as Manpower is advised.

“You have to get the right people in place to make your business successful,” advises Karla Keegan of Manpower. “Finding employees

and talent is what Manpower does. We source, recruit, screen, interview, and place candidates every day. We’re also able to provide valuable information that will greatly help with decision making, including market trends, wage analysis, quarterly business reviews, marketing campaigns, strategic sourcing, and risk management.

Talent within an organization is doing one of two things - saving money or making money – and we can come alongside to help with either depending on your goals.”

Karla Keegan Manpower

Once you have the right people in place, talent development will be your next point of focus, and is also mission critical to the successful growth of an organization.

All companies must embrace the accelerating rate of change, in this area as well as others. As an overarching rule of thumb that applies universally, to remain competitive, companies must rapidly adapt. This requires employees at all levels to have learning agility, receptiveness to new ideas and an appetite for change. There are now scientific assessments that can detect these traits (or the lack of them). When managers have insight into their employees’ strengths, they can empower their people to be the engine for change and growth.

Currently there’s a lot of buzz now about Millennials, and that generation is the workforce of the future. Leaders and managers need to retain and build on the talent that has grown their business in the past and seamlessly integrate it with the talent that will grow their business for the future. Talent selection and talent development are the great equalizers in that process because talent transcends age and experience. Understanding talent allows you to build highperforming teams of people who bring their A-game to work every single day. When you do that, you can’t help but achieve the growth JUNE 2017 Strictly Business

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goals you have for your business.

After investing in your people and optimizing their growth, earning the loyalty of your existing customers should be your next priority to optimize the growth of your business. Retaining customers and winning their continued loyalty costs less and returns more for your investment relative to finding new customers. Your people are the tip of the spear for cultivating healthy, long-term client partnerships.

you done a test to support your idea for growth? The product or service must have an expanding demand profile.

Profitability – Is it sufficient to expand the business?

Does the business have sufficient capital and management of capital to support any plans for growth? Without effective cash management, a growth initiative can endanger a company’s cash and credit position.

Your Strategy:

Does the business have proven Strategic/Marketing/Business plans?

After taking into consideration everything we’ve covered so far, you’ll want to incorporate those items and any other things that will play a part in the growth of your business into an actionable plan to follow moving forward.

Do you have effective leadership and a competent team in place? Most businesses that fail in the growth stage will do so because of lack of leadership and/or the poor execution of projects.

Rose Mary Hefley of Achievement Unlimited, Inc. offers the following insight and advice:

Achievement Unlimited Inc. assists clients with all of the above requirements, providing services for Leadership Development, Strategic Planning, Team Building, Manager Development/Training, Sales Management/Training, and Continuous Improvement.

“There are prerequisites for growth that if violated, puts the organization at risk. As such, you’ll want to consider the following: When looking to grow a business there must first be a plan, and the plan must be communicated to employees so everyone in the organization is all moving in the same direction.

Rose Mary Hefley Achievement Unlimited, Inc.

You must have a consistent performance record of providing a worthwhile product or service. Referring to a quote by Warren Buffet, ‘It takes 30 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it.’ A business must have a healthy brand if they are planning to expand.

Is there demand for the product or service that you are looking to expand? Has market research been done to support the idea? Have

Finally, risk management in all areas will be critical.

The good health of the current economy is encouraging for expansionminded entrepreneurs. Currently, Baby Boomers are retiring in greater numbers than in recent past. This trend combined with low financing cost could offer expansion opportunities via acquisition or merger. Other traditional expansion strategies may include: *Geographic Expansion, *Offering Franchise, *Product Licensing, *Internet and Social Media, *Alliance and Strategic Partnerships.

Whatever the case may be, the most critical element in growing a business is the leadership of the organization. The leader is responsible for success or failure, and we have seen more businesses fail because of lack of leadership and poor hiring practices than for any other reason. Successful leaders work with executive coaches to hone their skills. We work with our clients to: 1. Unify the management team around a shared vision for the future their organization.

2. Collaborate to develop a clear and detailed strategy to realize the shared vision.

3. Develop and implement specific annual financial, marketing and operating plans.

Imagine the Possibilities.

4. Develop a culture of trust and mutual support within the entire organization.

5. Design, develop, educate and implement high-performance teams to execute the defined strategy and maintain a competitive advantage.

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6. Provide all team members with the necessary leadership and self-mastery skills to enjoy personal success and growth.

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Annual Percentage Rate (APR). New money only. Other offers available. This offer applies to home equity loans and lines of credit for single-family owner occupied homes. Estimated payment on a 60 month fixed $10,000 loan at 4.49% APR would be $186.32 per month. For a fixed rate, interest only line of credit, if you made only the minimum payment and took no other advances, it would take 5 years to pay off a credit advance of $10,000, at and APR of 4.49%. During that period, you would make 59 monthly payments ranging from $34.44 to $38.13 and one final payment of $10,038.13. Payment examples do not include amounts for insurance and taxes. Title search, Credit Report, and County Lien Recording fees, charged at time of closing. No other fees are charged unless an external market value, appraisal or title insurance are required. Consult your tax advisor to see if you can deduct the loan interest. Subject to Pinnacle Bank credit underwriting. Offer expires June 30, 2017.

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Many of us here in the Omaha Metro would consider ourselves on the mission of growing our businesses. Being in such good company, we can all benefit from each other. Having a team of trusted professionals at your disposal when needed it invaluable, and we encourage you to get in touch with local experts to help you take your business to the next level.

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Our services have been proven to provide at least a 3:1 return on investment. Achievement Unlimited, Inc. is an organization founded on the principle that our success is dependent on our consistently and professionally delivering measurable performance improvement strategies to our clients. It is not enough to talk about change or make recommendations. Our clients must be able to implement change and realize measurable performance improvement. To realize growth, they must also be able to verify perceived new market demand, ensure the ability to provide for new demand, focus on what they do best, plan strategically, closely follow profitability results, develop a high-performance management team, and be prepared for the unexpected.”

4/13/17 3:07 PM

When it comes to what is required of us in order to maintain our health and wellness as we age, much like the journey that is life, some things change while other things stay the same. One is considered a senior at the still-youthful-by-today’s-standards age of 65, and with many more fortunate enough to live to see triple digits than ever before, the diversity among this population is evident. That being said, there are commonalities, and we’ve consulted with the professionals to keep you informed.

“As the Baby Boomer generation ages we see an even more actively diverse population approaching,” says Connie Chisholm of Immanuel. “In our industry, we think of health and wellness from a body, mind and spirit perspective. One of the most important things anyone can do to positively impact their health and wellness is to stay active. Of course, staying physically active with exercise is always good. Remaining mentally active can be accomplished as easily as continuing to Connie Chisholm read, participating in a lifelong learning Immanuel event or perhaps taking a role in a play where line memorization is necessary.

Caring for our spiritual or emotional wellness might be as simple as joining a social group, scheduling time with friends or attending weekly worship services. Health and wellness choices are really up to the individual.”

She also notes, “Like all other significant life stages, retirement or selecting senior housing take special planning. It is likely that this next generation of seniors will be more apt to pursue senior living communities offering healthy-living services and programs that will complement their more active lifestyles. It is a good idea to begin searching for the right community while the need isn’t so immediate and prior to a health crisis. Having a plan for senior living removes much of the stress of downsizing or just making such a significant life change.

AgeWell by Immanuel offers programming and events designed specifically for seniors. From weight training, yoga and group fitness classes to lifelong learning programs and our Speaker Series events to music ministries, Bible study and worship groups.

All created with the health and wellness of the senior in mind.”

Jim Laughlin of Home Nursing With Heart adds, “In the assisted living facilities we see a lot of activities available that seniors don’t take advantage of but would benefit greatly from doing so.

Exercise classes, tai chi, gardening, dart league, Wii bowling league, shuttle trips around town, among many others.

We strongly urge seniors to get out and enjoy these activities. Moreover, use these opportunities to build relationships with the people around you. Being engaged Jim Laughlin in your surroundings always equates to a Home Nursing With Heart better quality of life, just as maintaining a healthy diet and regular activity supports your health and wellness.”

He also makes note that home health services are a fantastic resource available for seniors to utilize, specifically detailing instances in which this service can be quite helpful in maintaining good health. “Home Nursing With Heart manages the critical process of the patient transition between the hospital or rehabilitation facility and back to the home, and then the continuation of skilled services in the home. We have a full transition process in place ensuring all communication, teaching, and skilled services from the discharging facility carry on to the patient in their home. Our mission is to make the transition seamless for all parties involved and continue skilled nursing and/or therapy services in the home, with constant contact with the patient’s physician.

The biggest challenge we see daily may sound simple but it’s very JUNE 2017 Strictly Business

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impactful: medication competency. Doctor’s offices and hospitals are very busy places so when a physician sends someone home on new medications, sometimes there’s little or no education on how and when to properly take them. Our skilled nursing services in the home spend a good amount of time handling med reconciliation to ensure what the doctors’ office, the patient, and the pharmacy have all match. Then we help the patient understand their meds, as well as how and when to take them.

That’s just one example, and Home Nursing With Heart has a very informative website in terms of outlining what different services include and why you’d use them. We have medical social workers on staff who are well educated on all of the resources available and we routinely match patient needs with these resources. I’d also recommend a visit to the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging at www.enoa.org to see a very thorough list of services available to seniors they may not know about and are very helpful.

When someone is exiting a facility to go home and continued skilled nursing and/or therapy services are needed, they can simply tell their social worker or doctor they want to use Home Nursing With Heart and the rest will be taken care of for them.

Alternatively, you’re welcome to contact us directly.”

Going back to the importance of staying active and engaged, along the same lines, there are many things occurring later on in life that may lead to depression, particularly with isolation being such a common concern. “At CarePatrol we help and work with a lot of seniors and their families, and with that, we come across a good number of seniors who are experiencing depression,” says Theron Ahlman of CarePatrol of Nebraska. “The changes that often come later in life like retirement, the death of loved ones, increased isolation, and medical problems can lead to depression.

Depression prevents seniors from enjoying life like they used to, and goes beyond mood and can impact energy, sleep, appetite and physical health. Many of the seniors who are experiencing

depression are living alone, and are sitting in their house all day long doing not doing much or just watching TV. Socialization can really help with depression as it’s needed to keep their mind active like it should be, and it’s always nice to visit and talk with others during the day. Taking medication wrong and having your body thrown off by missing a dose, or taking it at different times each day can really mess up your body and once again lead to being lazy, out of it or just not feeling right to want Theron Ahlman to go out and live life.

CarePatrol of Nebraska Depression may be able to be helped by a move to an Independent Living or Assisted Living community where there are many activities for the senior to take part in, and many people to visit with during the day. The assisted living community will make sure they are getting three meals a day, taking medication correctly and encourage the senior to take part in activities that are being put on by the community. CarePatrol helps the family or senior for free find the safest and best fit Independent Living or Assisted Living community and can give the family the answers as to what community is more active, offers quality food, has medication kept in the room or on a cart, and who offers the highest levels of care as assisted living communities offer a range of care levels.

For the senior or their families that are worried about depression, they can always contact us at (402) 785-2262 as we have CarePatrol educational cards that we are happy to send out, and can talk with them about the different options available to them.

We also offer a live call medication reminder program where seniors can receive calls during the day to talk to them and make sure they are doing good. At CarePatrol we don’t care where a senior wants to live, as long as they are safe and enjoying life as much as they can.”

You’ve had plenty of awkward conversations.

What’s one more?

The mother-daughter bond is a close one; you two can talk about anything. Don’t let discussing retirement living put an end to that. We’ll provide information and advice to make the conversation a little bit easier. See where the conversation goes. You might just find a place uniquely your own.

Give us a call at 402-829-2900 or visit Immanuel.com.

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In agreement, Michael Robinson of Notre Dame Housing further advises, “At NDH, our goal is to help seniors remain independent, healthy and stable. We strive to ensure that seniors have choices about how and where they age. No one chooses to be in the position of depending on the compassion of others to meet the basic need of shelter. However, due to widespread poverty and the severe lack of safe and affordable housing, many in our community must seek assistance Michael Robinson or face homelessness. This is one of the Notre Dame Housing great challenges of our time with an aging population who is faced with the tough decision of paying for either housing or healthcare.

Since 1997, Notre Dame Housing has provided service-enriched affordable housing that fosters independence and dignity for seniors. As one of the largest affordable housing providers in Nebraska, we offer a stable foundation that allows seniors to explore their potential, supported by programs devoted to maintaining and enjoying independent and healthy lifestyles.

Our programs and services include: *Affordable Housing *Case Management *Money Management *Nutrition Education *Community Food Pantry *Wellness Services *Computer Classes *Rental Education *Community Lunch Program *Medicaid/ Medicare Assistance *Educational Outings.

Opening Doors to New Possibilities

Celebrating 20 Years!

• Affordable Housing • Health & Wellness • Supportive Services • Life Enrichment

Schedule a tour today!

(402) 451-4477 www.ndhinc.org

Not all Assisted Living, Independent Living, or Alzheimers/Memory Care Communities are created equal.

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NDH provides wellness services billed via Medicaid and Medicare to low-to-moderate income seniors, helping them to age in place.

Services range from blood pressure checks and podiatry to mental health and substance abuse to nutrition and health education.

Senior health complements housing in so many ways. Serviceenriched affordable housing provides many seniors with the ability to pay for their necessary health needs and maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Our senior population is growing, and more than ever seniors are interested in aging safely in their own homes and communities.”

He concludes with the following general advice for seniors as it relates to maintaining good health and wellness as they age: “The health-related issues that commonly impact the lives of the seniors we serve range in severity, from a lack of proper nutrition, dementia, and need for in-home health services to preventative dentistry care, falls and diabetes.

Some of the key lifestyles adjustments that seniors can make that will positively impact their health and wellness include nutrition and health education, volunteering, exercise, downsizing possessions, budgeting, and increasing social interaction.”

At the national level, America’s seniors are seeing improvements in clinical care but are facing significant economic barriers to better health, according to the key findings from United Health Foundation’s fifth annual America’s Health Rankings Senior Report.

This report is one of several that United Health Foundation will release throughout 2017 to provide greater insight into health care modernization needs and opportunities at the state and federal levels. Accompanying the report is new survey data, released in partnership with the Alliance for Aging Research, highlighting risks of health savings shortfalls among current and future seniors and uncertainty about future health care savings needs.

Fortunately, seniors are seeing improvements in key clinical care measures. The report finds continued notable improvements in care quality and outcomes since 2013, including: • A 25 percent reduction in preventable hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries age 65+; • A 30 percent decrease in hospital deaths among Medicare

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(402) 785-2262 | TheronA@carepatrol.com Assisted Living | Memory Care | Independent Living | Skilled Care

• •

decedents age 65+; A 7 percent decrease in hospital readmissions among Medicare beneficiaries age 65+, and; A 9 percent reduction in visits to the ICU in the last six months of life among Medicare decedents age 65+.

Notable health savings shortfalls among current and future seniors highlighted in the new survey data includes: • 62 percent of retired seniors age 65+ and nearly three out of four non-retired adults age 50 to 64 have less in total retirement savings than what experts recommend saving for health care costs alone.

• Current and future seniors with retirement savings of $20,000 or less are more likely to be in poor health and have chronic disease compared to those with higher rates of retirement savings.

It also shows that a high percentage of current and future seniors are unsure about how much they need to save to cover anticipated – and unexpected – health care costs in retirement • 50 percent of retired seniors and 36 percent of non-retired adults age 50-64 don’t know or have no opinion of how much money their households will need for both anticipated and unexpected health care costs during retirement.

Thus, it’s more important than ever to be prepared to meet rising health care costs in retirement, to have a solid understanding of your future health care savings needs, and to begin saving early.

Fortunately for those in the area, the Omaha Metro is resource-rich when it comes to health and wellness partners for seniors. Supporting the various needs of seniors in our community, we encourage you to connect with them to learn more well before you may need them.

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Company retreats, when planned and executed properly, can truly do a world of good for your organization. What used to be largely considered a frivolous excursion of forced bonding during which time zero work happens has had a much-needed makeover in recent times in favor of a more balanced approach. As company retreats have evolved, they’ve become quite conducive to accomplishing forward progress without the feeling of actually doing work. Now more structured and with specific goals in mind for what should come from the experience, there’s generally time allotted for work (in the non-traditional sense) and play as a group in equal parts.

Just getting out of the confines of the day-to-day work environment and into a different place altogether can set the stage for improvement in many different areas, individually and collectively. It can be the conduit for increased productivity, improved morale, and facilitate the development of meaningful relationships that extends back into the workplace when the event has concluded. It can help to encourage creativity and provides the opportunity for an open exchange of ideas where everyone is on the same level. This temporary-but-profoundly-impactful equal playing field allows you to become better acquainted with your team as a boss or for those in leadership roles, with each other as co-workers, or with others in different departments or teams, all together while doing something fun or interesting. And that’s just a quick run-down of the more prominent benefits.

As far as planning a company retreat goes, you’ll want to set a budget, select the location(s), structure the agenda to include meaningful activities, and arrange for the necessities, such as a meal, downtime, transportation, etc., or even lodging accommodations if you’re venturing on a trip together.

For those who are considering planning such an event in Lincoln or surrounding areas, we’ve provided a few ideas to consider. We’ve also tried them out ourselves as a team, so they are all Strictly Business approved! (And for those who are thinking about planning a trip for their company retreat, our team just ventured on one and detailed our experience, so make sure to check out our travel series feature in this month’s issue to check out what we did on ours!)

Experience The Great Outdoors There is something very restorative about fresh air and getting outdoors, whether for the entire day or just a few hours. Add in your choice of enjoyable yet productive activities and you’re all set!

“Our venue provides plenty of room to play, engage, and relax,” says Rachel Schizas of Lied Lodge & Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm. “We’re very excited about our newest group activity, Mystery at the Mansion, which takes place in the 52-room Arbor Lodge—built

by Arbor Day founder J. Sterling Morton. Team members participate in a ‘whodunnit’ story by acting out the characters in a quest to solve the clues. You can also hold dining events at this site.

Across the farm, we can facilitate other activities and team games such as life-size Jenga, Scrabble, Rachel Schizas and Super Dominoes, as well as Tangrams, Tightrope Walker, Minefield, and more. Are you Lied Lodge competitive? We can help you hold a bowling tournament at Arbor Lanes. Looking for evening fun and activities? Do a barbecue at the Historic Barns where outdoor grilling and lawn games are an everyday possibility. Let us set up an activity and game room for leisurely fun or a casino night. Sit outside with drinks and s’mores at our fire pits. For those who love the game of golf or consider themselves more casual players, don’t forget the famous Arbor Links Golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. These are just some of the things we have to offer along with our always popular, spa, wine tastings, and canvas painting.

At Lied Lodge & Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm, we recognize that for these types of events, it’s about collaboration and building relationships within teams and organizations to strengthen purpose. We are here to provide much more than the conference rooms our groups occupy. Rather, it’s about people finding inspiration and opportunities to foster bright thinking. During these activities, rich conversations lead to breakthrough, collaboration thrives, and doing business becomes more meaningful.

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When planning a retreat at our venue, the sooner you can book, the better to ensure you get the dates you want. We’ll provide you with your own personal conference planning manager who guides you through every step, including scheduling group and team-building activities. This person will also be here when you arrive and assist you throughout your meeting. We’re here to make it easy for you. Simply tell us what you need, and we’ll handle every detail to ensure your success. Moreover, when you choose to meet at Lied Lodge & Conference Center, you’re supporting the good work of tree planting, stewardship, and conservation around the globe through the vital programs of the Arbor Day Foundation. You are helping solve global issues. Your meeting today makes for a better, more verdant tomorrow – enhancing the environment we all share. With over 260 acres, we have endless possibilities to create your one-of-a-kind event. Let us support what inspires you.”

Bryson Airboat Tours, which is situated along the banks of the Platte River near Fremont, NE, is another great option for getting your group away from the office, out of the city, and into the great outdoors. With the group packages, you’ll not only have access to unlimited airboat rides during your scheduled time, but there’s a nice entertaining area that accommodates groups of all sizes. Amenities on-site include a grilling area with plenty of tables and seating, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball, swimming area, bean bag toss, and you can also bring any number of games/activities to set up.

“In terms of finding something unique for a company retreat, truly just hopping on one of our tour boats and going for an airboat ride is going to be a completely different experience for anybody,” emphasizes Bryson, owner of Bryson’s Airboat Tours. “Our three hours of fun package is the most popular, as it’s a good amount of time to get everyone out on the boat at least once if not more depending on the size of your group. While the airboat rides are generally the highlight of the outing for most, I’ve seen so many different ways that our guests have utilized the outdoor space for team-building activities that Bryson have been a big hit. As a word of advice, for Bryson’s Airboat Tours anyone who chooses to have an outdoor event in Nebraska, consider spending money on renting a tent just in case, whether it’s shelter from a sporadic rain shower that pops up or to have a designated place to get out of the sun for a bit, especially in July and August. We book events from Memorial Day through Labor Day and can still accommodate your retreat this season.”

Adventure Within The Metro There are also, of course, a number of excellent options within the Omaha Metro that a company could utilize for a retreat. These are also options where you could plan to host an event with just your staff, or are family friendly if you’d like to extend the invitation.

If you’re not acquainted with the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema yet, it offers quite the unique experience for moviegoers. For groups, the same is true, but with the ability to take the experience to the next level, there are some fantastic options to explore for a company outing. “If you are planning a company retreat or team building event at the Alamo Drafthouse, one of the perfect ways to have some fun is to do one of our patented Movie Parties!” recommends Derek Dillon of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. “We have plenty of titles available to choose from and these events come complete with pre-show contests and interactive Derek Dillon props. They are just a great time in general, but Alamo Drafthouse Cinema one notable benefit of adding a Movie Party to your retreat is that it’s a great way to get everyone loosened up and have them interacting and really forming a bond over a film that they can all enjoy. There are a lot of different elements that go into a private event and navigating those can be difficult at times. Our event staff will personally walk you through the process and make sure you are aware of everything that is available to you. We’ll work with your budget to ensure you are getting as much bang for your buck as possible. Here at Alamo Drafthouse we have the ability to be very flexible and can pretty much cater to any idea that you might want to bring to the table for your event.”

Papio Fun Park is another unique destination that provides the necessary accommodations for groups, with numerous options for activities and amenities on-site that you could be incorporated into a company event. “The traditional benefit of retreats is to learn more about your ‘working family’ in a social, informal setting,” notes Margaret White of Papio Fun Park. “Our

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staff is always looking for ways to bring out the excitement and element of fun in each activity. If you’re looking for something different for your company that promotes engagement, try putting a spin on competitions. A couple ideas include an air hockey tournament or a miniature golf tournament with unique obstacles, such as using a pool cue instead of a putter for one hole. If you’re planning on several hundred attendees, you can always bring in additional activities. As a general rule, when picking the activities to incorporate, you want them to be entertaining for all ages. Even a 10-year-old can win against their parents in air Margaret White hockey. A big draw has been a ‘bubble’ artist.

Papio Fun Park You have to see them in action to believe, it’s quite enjoyable!” In closing, she offers one final piece of advice: “Talk to the experts at planning retreats, have them come alongside your event planner(s) to help you work out all of the details, and you’ll have the outcome you are seeking.”

Travel With Your Team You may also be setting your sights outside of the Metro, and even the state. Those who have the resources to put together a company retreat that involves travel will be providing a once-ina-lifetime treat for their team. “A destination company retreat can entice your employees to be excited about the retreat and engage them in the planned events,” says Jen Magnuson of The Vacation Store & The Cruise Company.

“A company retreat allows employees to get away from the stress and monotony of the office, providing the opportunity for relaxation that Jen Magnuson can help them to regroup and rediscover their The Vacation Store & passions. For a lot of employees, a corporate The Cruise Company retreat can be a dreaded event. What better way to do some team bonding than on the beach? Let The Vacation Store & The Cruise Company create the perfect company retreat for your group.

We can plan the perfect event at a luxury all-inclusive resort or take your group on the open seas to enjoy a cruise! With a destination company retreat,

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since time of travel is essential, planning in advance is always in your favor to ensure a great rate, flights, availability, etc. We can assist in arranging all aspects of your event from your accommodations, VIP transfers, and airfare from multiple cities to organizing your event space, cocktail parties, group events on the beach and much, much more! Leave the details to us! We can also arrange your AV equipment for presentations and help with shipping event items to your destination. Let the experts make your company retreat or destination event a seamless way to bring your team together!”

Event Planning Essentials Planning to incorporate local vendors is usually a part of company retreats to some extent, depending on the venue’s offerings or the logistics of the event you’re arranging for your team. Keeping the team’s energy up is important for the success of company retreats, so it’s generally a given that arranging for a meal or snack will be in order. Just Good Meat is an excellent local resource to partner with as they do it all – catering, food truck, meal bundles, grilling items, meat & cheese trays, and so much more. Their team will take your budget and all other event specifics into account in order to put together a meal or spread that will make the entire event stand out just for the food alone. Along with the meal, refreshments are a staple of any event where you’re entertaining people, company retreats included. The staff at Cornhusker Beverage & Bridal can help you decide the adequate proportion of beer, wine, liquor, soft drinks, and/or punch needed for your group size and can even help you come up with a fun signature drink to serve at your event! Instead of taking your chances with buying the wrong amount, consulting with them will save you a lot of time and hassle. Finally, for anything you don’t have readily available to but would like to add into the mix for entertaining your guests, instead of purchasing it there may be the option to rent it for your event. Honeyman Rent-All has an entire division dedicated to party and event rentals, with just about anything you could possibly need or want to complete your setup.

To sum things up, we encourage you to find the time to plan and execute your own company retreat, and if you’re staying local, to utilize the venues and vendors here in our community to set the stage for the magic to happen. It’s truly well worth your time, as the benefits are numerous and extend far beyond what we’ve covered thus far. The hardest part of any event is planning it, so turn to the experts for support and guidance with that and you’re well on your way to a company retreat that will yield the results you desire.

There are many reasons why one might consider a commercial remodel – repurposing existing space you occupy, adding square footage or desired features, making a new space your own, updating critical components, repairing worn or damaged aspects, or you just feel like a fresh new look is in order, among other possibilities. As you can tell from this brief rundown, there’s much variation in the types of projects that fall under the umbrella of commercial remodeling. While there’s a lot of ground to cover, we’ve compiled some of the most important things to know going into this type of project thanks to our local industry experts!

Logistics Defined as the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies, working out the logistics of a project and understanding the process is important. Planning, organization, and management will be critical to getting the results you desire. We’ll explore this in more detail later on, but for now, it deserves a prominent spot at the forefront because it will need to be thoughtfully considered at the very beginning for everything to go smoothly throughout.

Infrastructure There are many different components of a commercial building, inside and out, that contribute to daily operations. Many of these are dependent on one another to function properly, and since everything in an existing building is already in place, if you are modifying that it should be done with care and forethought.

The goal is two-fold: To make the requested improvements to incorporate new things, but also to restore harmony so that everything continues functioning as it should once the project is complete.

Integration of technology is a perfect example. Acoustics, lighting, HVAC design and infrastructure planning are all too often overlooked when planning commercial spaces but then the need arises to incorporate them later on down the line. The same holds true with other components you might want to add during a remodel. A more sensible approach is to use a designbuild construction process and involve your audio-visual systems integrator as early in the design process as possible.

Building automation is such technology that needs to be successfully integrated into existing infrastructure too.

Pat Killeen of Engineered Controls details the possibilities, explaining, “There are several trends that are beginning to surface in the building automation system (BAS) industry.

Today buildings of any size and shape can become intelligent buildings. With open protocol technology, multiple subsystems can be connected together, on one network, rather than operating them all independently. This maximizes energy efficiency, lowers maintenance costs and provides centralized building control.

Building automation systems provide efficient Pat Killeen control of internal comfort conditions, individual room control, increased staff productivity, Engineered Controls effective use of energy, improved building reliability and life, quick and effective responses to HVAC and security problems, and save time and money. The systems also provide information on problems in the building, allow for computerized maintenance scheduling, are easy and effective for employees to use, and swiftly detect issues when they arise.

By integrating heating and cooling, lighting and security functions all within one common BAS platform, a building’s power systems; lighting and

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illumination; electric power and control; security, video surveillance and magnetic card access; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVAC); outdoor controls; and elevator controls will all be monitored and controlled from one central location. Studies show that by 2018, it will be the integrated control systems that will show the greatest growth. The largest segments of expected growth are HVAC, which comprises 30% of the market, and security and access controls, which comprise between 40%-50% of the market.

While building automation systems have been around since the late seventies and early eighties, the addition of wireless technologies and the integration of wired and wireless systems are driving the market forward. There is a great demand for energy efficient buildings, high-tech devices, and enhanced security systems that are now a central component of the building automation system. Wireless technology will continue to revolutionize the BAS market.”

He also notes, “By far, anything considered ‘green’ should be a prime target for commercial remodel work. Building owners and energy managers are looking assistance from contractors like Engineered Controls to help in developing reliable and cost-effective solutions for their specific energy challenges and reducing their carbon footprint.

A building’s mechanical systems can be optimized by providing supply air and supply water reset programs, automatically adjusting the temperature of the air or water depending on space demands and outside air temperatures.

Mechanical optimization programs could also include demand control ventilation programs to provide the right amount of outdoor air required in the building to improve the indoor air quality. Additionally, constant volume air and water systems can be converted to variable air and water flow systems, delivering just the right about of air and water based on demand.

Regarding a building’s electrical systems, there are a whole host of ways a BAS can optimize electrical energy in buildings. The simplest and most recognized way is to monitor a building’s electrical energy usage. For most buildings electricity is billed two ways: electrical energy consumption (kWh) or the peak electrical energy usage over a specific period of time (kW demand). A BAS has time-based scheduling programs that can be used to minimize the electrical consumption of a building. At the same time, it can also be constantly monitoring the building’s kW demand and as it begins

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to approach a predetermined peak demand, begin shedding or shutting off electrical loads automatically.

All of these mechanical and electrical optimization solutions are designed to maintain building comfort and maximize energy savings that result in reduced energy bills.”

Space Oftentimes a remodel will be in order to accommodate the growth of a business when another location isn’t being considered. There are generally two options to consider: a buildout or an additional building on the property.

For those who are considering the latter, a pre-engineered metal building from Talon Steel Buildings is a great option.

Alternatively, your goal may not be to add more square footage but rather, to utilize the space you do have more effectively or to repurpose the space for a different use. As previously mentioned, many existing commercial buildings are being renovated from dated compartmentalized designs to the trendier and more modern open floor plan.

“If you’re renovating a building with the goal of opening up the space, it’s critical to consider the actual structural support of the building and make the appropriate plans to transfer the load,” advises Darin Cielocha of McGill Restoration.

“There are different types of strengthening systems, and many employ very innovative methods.

Another example of a common improvement that is problematic for older structures is upgrading a building’s equipment to updated versions.

Originally, they simply weren’t built to support Darin Cielocha the weight of the larger, heavier equipment McGill Restoration available today. This also necessitates planning to transfer the load in addition to the installation of the equipment.

For those who are considering a project that involves restoration of any kind, as a rule of thumb, you’ll want to make sure to take into account how the existing structure will need to be modified to accommodate re-design.

While we specialize in giving the exterior of aging buildings a complete

facelift, we also consult on a lot of projects involving modifications to the interior of older buildings.

You’ll also want to keep in mind that when restoration comes into play, from an architectural and engineering standpoint, the building will need to be brought up to today’s commercial codes by the time the project is completed.

If your goal is to preserve the older look but to give it a more modern appeal, it’s well within our means to do so. But when you’re working with an older building, it’s not just as simple as going right into the demolition process.

Structural integrity is fundamental and you’ll want to plan your project and budget with this in mind.”

Budget With the varying scope of remodeling projects, the same variance is true with respect to cost. It’s important, as was already advised, to plan for the unexpected. Also, while the savvy business owner is always looking to get the best deal, that isn’t always synonymous with the lowest bid. Looking past the number into the specifics of what each company that you’re considering is able to offer is advised. Similarly, you’ll want to take the time to get several bids for comparison, which will help to further inform you about the possibilities for your project. There may be someone out there who is able to present an approach that others haven’t for whatever reason. It’s best to partner with subcontractors and trade professionals who can bring value to the project without sacrificing quality or cutting corners to do so.

Depending on your budget constraints that are present, it can often be tough to choose which upgrades should be made first and which can wait.

By looking at the big picture, it will help you make those decisions based on investing in projects with the most justifiable returns.

Take energy consumption for example. By making upgrades that increase energy efficiency first, you’ll have a return on that investment that you can allocate to other improvements later on down the line. The use of solar energy to power commercial buildings has become much more popular in recent times; the technology has come such a long way and installation has become quite the expedient process too.

“Technological advances in renewable energy resources have made them much more versatile,” advises Drew Coffey of J-Tech Solar. “There are many benefits to investing in the modifications to your building so that you can utilize solar energy as a power source.

Today, solar power is more advanced than ever and the installation costs continue to drop.

It is an incredible way to help the environment, not to mention the significant cost savings it provides, among other upsides that can have a significant impact on a business’s finances and Drew Coffey operations in general. The typical solar system will pay for itself within a 10-year period, and J-Tech Solar it’s not uncommon to save between $15,000 and $20,000 in energy costs during a 15-year period. Most companies will finance their solar panels over a 5-year period, with the majority of those reporting around a 70% reduction in energy costs. Energy expenses can be tricky to pinpoint, but with solar, you will know exactly how energy will factor into your budget.

Our team at J-Tech Solar will manage every aspect of the project from start to finish. We’ll handle all required permitting to install your system, covering all structural and electrical requirements. We’ll then work with your utility company to complete all interconnection and net metering requirements. Our experienced crews can rapidly and accurately install your system, almost always within 48 hours.

Solar power is a brilliant way for businesses, regardless of their size, to go green and increase their profit margins. By reducing overhead and operating costs, companies are able to increase their budgets in other areas and help leave a legacy for our planet.”

Essentials There are a few basic essentials that will make a world of difference when it comes to updating your place of business, inside and out. For the inside, the options are vast and as such, there’s much variance depending on the space and budget – from a change in the coat of paint, flooring and finishes, or furniture to undergoing a complete renovation.

As far as the outside, they are the roof, windows and doors, siding, landscaping, signage, entryway and parking area. Regular upkeep and replacement should be performed on these areas as necessary to ensure that you’re making the best possible impression on visitors and passersby.

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And it’s not just about how it looks, but also that everything is in working order and appears well-maintained in general.

“In our industry, form will follow function,” explains Jim Hannum of A United Automatic Doors & Glass. “If it doesn’t work right or fulfill its practical purpose, then form is wasted. As for useful and beautiful renovations for storefronts, there are existing high-volume entries and accesses that face the North or South. Subject to the blasts of cold air from the North or furnace-like winds out of the South, either of these can be very uncomfortable for employees as well as for customers. One solution we recommend would be to design and build out a vestibule with insulated glass for buildings facing North and tinted glass Jim Hannum for buildings facing the South. With this strategy, A United Automatic we would then build the access for entry on the Doors & Glass East and West sides of the vestibule.

Our inventory consists of products that will add great curb appeal while also improving energy efficiency. We now carry a high-tech Stanley Green Door with special sensors that would optimize the automatic function of the doors to be the most user-friendly and energy efficient. Having a mutual long- term vision for the practical function and beauty of the building is our goal for our building owners and property managers.

Popular upgrades and renovations vary quite a bit these days, but many have the goals of multi-purpose use of their space, increased energy efficiency, and/or cosmetic improvements. Lately, we have been doing a lot of glassed-in conference rooms within an office building or space where meetings occur. Many of our clients want an easy to access, well lit, and yet, quiet place to gather for business meetings. Our clients want, and thus we deliver, beauty and efficiency through our glass designs, access, entry technology and security offerings.”

Specifically on project logistics and coordination, Hannum also offers the following insights: “Something I’ve seen over the last 35 years is the lack of communication between the construction partners from each area of responsibility. In other words, the design partner will incorporate a design that is difficult or almost impossible to implement on the construction side.

When the construction partners begin their assignments, they discover that to meet the design specifications, it could compromise the building’s structural integrity. It’s recommended to give all parties the opportunity to look over the design as a feasibility check, just as a courtesy. This minimizes changes that might need to be made in the middle of a project. Changes must be approved by the owner, which can slow down the project as well as making it more costly. It’s frustrating for the owner or project manager to make late changes due to design and build issues. These changes can also affect morale, and more importantly, can put the project behind schedule. By allowing certain trusted partners to be included in the process, the project will go smoother. We consider ourselves not only partners in the construction phase but also a partner to keep costs down. This is another way we have built trust throughout the years.

Being patient, thoughtful and knowledgeable of the other construction partner’s roles and their timing on the job is a part of being respectful of the other trades and is a key to the successful completion of the project.

Another important aspect is to be clean and efficient throughout the job.

And when things don’t go right, focus on a solution instead of blaming the other contractors. That being said, a ‘good sense of humor’ comes in handy once in a while.

Communication remains a key to a successful commercial remodel, renovation or upgrade. We recommend frequent communication between design and the implementation of the project.”

Commercial remodeling projects vary quite a bit in scope and intended purpose. There’s an array of major and minor improvements that can really help you set the tone and get noticed in a good way, enhance function, or both. Many of these won’t greatly impact your ability to conduct business in the meantime, and if they do, those are things that are much needed or will be well worth it when all is said and done. Sometimes it’s easy to let things such as this go by the wayside in favor of other items that you’ve deemed to take priority, but keeping up with the appearance of your premises is truly just as important as anything else with your business. If there’s something you’ve been thinking about doing to improve the property your business occupies, seeking advice from the local professionals is a great place to start.

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July 19-21

August 14-16

Improve your understanding of key finance and accounting concepts, Unlu best practices and their business implications, and learn to analyze financial statements for strategic decision-making.

Led by Dr. Emre Unlu, CFA, executive director of Executive Education and associate professor of finance.

Learn how to develop new market opportunities, gain insight on customer needs and segmenting markets, create effective value propositions and explore how to assess and manage competition. Led by Dr. Ravi Sohi, professor of marketing, and Dr. Amit Saini, associate professor of marketing.

Center for Entrepreneurship, Lincoln

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The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on any protected status. Please see go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination. Š 2017.

Strictly Business JUNE 2017

Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship

Center for Entrepreneurship, Lincoln

business.unl.edu/execeducation @NebraskaExecEd #NUBiz

Sohi

Saini