Strictly Business Omaha October 2016

STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM

OMAHA • OCTOBER 2016

Celebrating In This Issue

• Workplace Accessibility • Integrative Health • Holiday Planning • Fall Landscaping Client Spotlights • University of Nebraska - Lincoln • Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Ranch

RIVER CITY SIX

9 Years of Serving Omaha!

PICTURED L TO R - BACK: HOLLY RYAN, GRAPHIC DESIGNER; TINGLESKA HALLUM, ART DIRECTOR; AMANDA WILSON, EDITOR - FRONT: JENNA HUBL, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT; PAIGE ZUTAVERN, PRESIDENT

DAN SHULL Cox Business

GAYLEEN BRADLEY Comfort Keepers

JASON WOLLEN No Coast Business Advisors

MARILYN VIEHL

TYLER CALABRESE

JIM HANNUM

Madonna Rehabilitation Alamo Drafthouse A United Automatic 1 Hospital OCTOBER 2016 CinemaStrictly Business Doors & Glass, Inc.

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FOCUSING ON YOUR BRAND The Second Stage of the Buyer’s Journey: CONSIDERATION

Last month we covered the first of three stages in the traditional model of the Buyer’s Journey, a term referring to the active research process a buyer goes through leading up to a purchase. To recap, during the initial AWARENESS stage a problem or opportunity requiring action/resolution at some point down the line has presented itself. This is something that calls for expansive research in order to be more precisely identified. If it’s deemed worthy of pursuing after broad-spectrum exploration, the potential buyer will continue gathering information but in a more concise, targeted manner. This brings us to the CONSIDERATION stage. A person in the consideration stage has now clearly defined and given a name to the situation at hand. While a better understanding of the central issue has been gained, there’s still much more to come in the way of research and analysis. Since at each stage the prospective buyer is technically seeking information, it helps to understand what differentiates each to best grasp reaching a person in the middle during the consideration stage. In best gauging your approach as far as content is concerned, I find that it’s helpful to think of the stages this way: Awareness=Informational; Consideration=Directional; Decision=Transactional. As those in the consideration stage have already found a wealth of information that’s very general in nature, now they are moving forward to research available approaches and methods to solve it. They know it’s highly likely that they will eventually be buyers, but now it’s less about exhaustive online research and more about exploring solutions, researching vendors, and determining strategy. Approaching this from a navigational perspective—determining which avenue is best—is an identifying characteristic of those who have moved on to the consideration stage. Since the rule of thumb for interaction with someone in the awareness stage is providing educational, vendor-neutral content that’s quickly and easily digested, a person entering the consideration stage has already absorbed a great deal of content and feels well-enough educated to proceed with solution-oriented investigation. I often describe it as follows:

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

first, get to the root of the problem and define it; second, create a list of options as to how you’ll address it and then thin that out to the best of the bunch; third, make the final selection. Therefore, to succeed at remaining a trusted resource in contention to ultimately be identified as the provider of the optimal solution, you’ll want to offer content that goes further in depth to help define what’s most important to the potential buyer, guiding them through the process of narrowing down the options. As it’s also critical to communicate value and promote further engagement, this will likely include any of the following types of promotional content: Ask The Expert, Testimonial, Q&A (or FAQ), How To, Seminar/Webinar, Video, Case Study, News, Podcast, and so on. Furthermore, it’s necessary to understand your buyer persona (the characteristics of your ideal customer)—their goals, challenges and motivations—so you can provide the best content as they look to you along with a mixture of other sources. The desire for comparison is a key indicator that the customer is far enough along in the Buyer’s Journey to have passed the awareness stage into the consideration stage, but keep in mind that it doesn’t necessarily translate into a readiness for a direct sales approach. Your goal still remains to play a fundamental part in making your potential buyer more intelligent, and while it may be tough to hang tight in the lead nurturing phase, it will pay off in establishing your credibility to the person that you’ve already taken the time to help free of charge at this point. With a focus on the needs of your customers, existing and potential, the goal of incorporating the Buyer’s Journey into your strategy for content marketing is to find ways to better position your business to address the needs that would lead to the conversion of your target audience to leads and then ultimately, to customers. It’s very much all about delivery of the right content in the right place at the right time. As for the consideration stage, it’s the optimal time to leverage your knowledge and presence in the marketplace to lead potential buyers to you as they’re transitioning into the final stage, DECISION, which we’ll be examining next month.

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 22 Personnel

26 Non-Profit 32 Health

SPOTLIGHTS

16 River City Six 38 Client Spotlight: University of Nebraska-Lincoln 45 Client Spotlight: Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Ranch

ASK THE EXPERT 15 Sandler Training

FEATURE STORIES 34 37 39 46 4

Workplace Accessibility Integrative Health Holiday Planning Fall Landscaping

Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

Amanda

Tingleska

Holly

Jenna

PRODUCTION TEAM: Editor Amanda Wilson - Amanda@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Art Director Tingleska Hallum - Design@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Graphic Designer Holly Ryan - Creative@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com SALES TEAM: President/Sales Paige Zutavern - Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Executive Assistant Jenna Hubl - Office@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Accounting Shayne Zutavern - Shayne@Strictly-Business.com STRICTLY BUSINESS is not responsible for unsolicited material. All rights to submission, including letters, will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to our unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially or creatively, unless otherwise negotiated with the author. Nothing may be printed in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. The publication of any advertisement in STRICTLY BUSINESS is not an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright ©2016 by PZAK, Inc. Third Class Postage Paid at Lincoln, NE 68505

ABOUT THE COVER

Cheers to 9 years!

Strictly Business is celebrating the 9th anniversary of our Omaha publication, and it’s hard to believe that we’ll soon be reaching double digits! However, looking back on all of the progress and growth that’s happened during this time, for both our publication and our clients’ businesses and organizations all across the Omaha Metro, it’s truly satisfying beyond measure to see how far we’ve come. There have been many successes along the way that we’ve been honored to be a part of—as a company, those of our clients, and also the accomplishments of our own who have gone on to do amazing things, with a prime example being the co-founder and past president of Strictly Business - Omaha who pursued her dream to launch the innovative and now wildly successful SHOLDIT® brand, Angela Lee. Even in just the past year there has been exciting progress going on at Strictly Business. The focus of our most recent efforts to enhance our offerings has been reaching our readers on different platforms, from engaging on social media with a stronger presence there to the recent launch of our new flipbook feature on our website, allowing access to the magazine page by page from anywhere, on any device, at any time. Of course, Strictly Business magazine can still be spotted in offices and storefronts all across the Omaha Metro; as our readership has continued to grow, so has our distribution. We feel so incredibly blessed to not only work with many local businesses and organizations that are doing remarkable things to transform our community for the betterment of all who live and work here, but also for the opportunity to share that information with all of our readers each month. We’re humbled by the overwhelming amount of positive feedback we’ve received, which inspires and motivates us daily along with reinforcing the value of the work that we do here at Strictly Business. While the core team behind Strictly Business magazine has changed over the years, our dedication to branding, promoting and supporting the local business community has remained the same day in and day out. As pictured on this month’s cover, our President Paige Zutavern is at the helm of operations and the widely recognized face of Strictly Business, supported by a tight-knit team of professionals who make it all happen each month: Amanda Wilson, Editor; Tingleska Hallum, Art Director; Jenna Hubl, Executive Assistant; and Holly Ryan, Graphic Designer. Just as important are our team members behind the scenes who contribute to the quality and success of our publication as well as our online and social media presence: Lizzy Werner, Intern; Meg McCave, Webmaster; and the original founder of Strictly Business himself who wears many different hats as per usual, Shayne Zutavern. We’re confident that we’ve assembled our best group yet, and with such an amazing team, the future is bright indeed. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again; we are deeply grateful for the support of the Omaha community, which not only welcomed us from the beginning but has been a pleasure to work with and be a part of ever since. As with any company birthday, a “cheers” is in order: Thank you to our loyal clients and readers for supporting us both on our journey to where we are today and on into our next chapter!

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BUSINESS NEWS Agricultural High Yield Fertility Intensives Announced by Yield Champions Dennis Nun, President of Yield Champions, has announced the scheduling of twenty soil fertility seminars across the Midwest coming up in November, December, January and February. “We’re excited to be able to bring cutting-edge fertility training to our customers and clients as well as opening up these programs to seed and fertilizer dealers, farm managers, land owners, agricultural extension specialists and other agricultural professionals. Our featured speaker for these programs will be a leading, innovative soil fertility agronomist, Cory Oberlander.” Oberlander who manages the fertility programs for over 130,000 acres in 6 states was brought to South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado by Yield Champions, last year and spoke to several hundred producers. “The response from those attending was overwhelming to bring Cory back and the demand has resulted in the 20 programs that are now scheduled,” says Nun. He adds, “With low commodity prices, crop producers are looking for responsible and intelligent ways to reduce their production costs, while at the same time increasing their yields. We’ve had many of our growers achieve 300 bushel per acre, field-average, corn yields and several exceeding 100 bushelper-acre soybean yields. But, many growers are still trying to figure out what it takes to achieve these yield levels. That’s the purpose of these 1-day intensives.” For more information, please visit www.YieldChampions.com, contact via email at info@YieldChampions.com, or text to (402) 430-7727.

Inaugural Fun Run/Walk Supports Madonna The inaugural Miles for Madonna 5K Run/1-Mile Walk is taking place on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals Omaha Campus. It’s a fun and healthy way to learn more about Madonna’s world-class rehabilitation at the new Omaha Campus. The race course starts and ends at the Omaha Campus and winds through Village Pointe Shopping Center. Prizes are awarded to top male and female finishers in the age categories of 19+ and under 19. Cox Business is the title sponsor for Miles for Madonna. Other sponsors include Village Pointe Shopping Center, The MARK, Cunningham’s Pub and Grill, Baker’s, Omaha Media Group, Pitch Pizzeria, GNC, Funny Bone and Eleven Twenty-Three. For more information please contact (402) 401-5050 or miles4madonna@madonna.org. Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals offers world-class medical rehabilitation and research. Specializing in traumatic brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, pulmonary conditions, stroke and neurological diseases for adults and children, Madonna takes the most medically complex cases. Madonna offers hope and healing and returns patients to their community settings at a higher rate than industry benchmarks. Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Omaha Campus is located at 17500 Burke Street in Omaha, Nebraska 68118 and can be contacted directly at (402) 401-3100 or via the Lincoln switchboard at (402) 413-3000. 6 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

Fleetmark Solutions Launches New Website Fleetmark Solutions is pleased to announce their new website is up and running! The new website (www. fleetmarksolutions.com) features up-to-date product and business information, easier navigation, and highlights the company’s services provided. 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. When you’re in need of fleet services, let the pros at Fleetmark Solutions take care of you and your fleet! For more information on Fleetmark Solutions, please visit www.fleetmarksolutions.com. You may also contact Mark at (402) 715-4487 or by email at Mark@ fleetmarksolutions.com.

Echo Systems to Host Seminar in Partnership With Lutron Electronics Echo Systems and Lutron Electronics are pleased to announce a learning seminar and CEU opportunity for the designer, architect and remodeler community. Special guests from Lutron Electronics will be on hand October 13th from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to answer questions and provide demonstrations at the Echo Systems Showroom located at 4315 S. 120th St in Omaha, NE. The first CEU, titled “Let the Sun Shine In”, will be from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and include lunch served to attendees (please RSVP). Then from 2:00-3:30 p.m. the “Lighting Renaissance 1” CEU will be offered—both offer AIA, ASID & IIDA approved credit. Thirdly, “Lighting Control in the Office” CEU will take place from 5:00-6:30 p.m. for AIA credit only. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served throughout the day. Echo Systems is pleased to demonstrate the latest trends in Lighting Control and Shading Solutions by Lutron, the industry quality leader. From dimmers and window shading for the home, to lighting management systems for entire buildings, Lutron Electronics (www. lutron.com) offers more than 17,000 energy-saving products. In the US alone, Lutron products save an estimated 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion in utility costs per year. Echo Systems (www.echosystemsmidwest.com) is the Midwest’s leading provider of professional electronic systems, delivering the ultimate technology lifestyle through carefully planned and designed systems. To register for the CEUs, RSVP for lunch, or to get more information about this event, please contact Doug Dushan, Echo Systems at ddushan@echosystemsmidwest.com or (402) 334-4900.

BUSINESS NEWS CAMP FEAR Now Open for 2016 Season What happens when a peaceful summer park and campground lapses to evil in the fall? CAMP FEAR happens! Now officially open for fall, Sept. 16th- Oct 31st, CAMP FEAR has the most unique and intense Halloween attractions that Nebraska has to offer. Located at 233rd & W. Maple Rd, CAMP FEAR offers three attractions not found anywhere around. The BLOODRUSH Forest of Terror is Nebraska’s longest and most intense haunted forest discovered and uncovered in the backwoods of Riverwest Park by the owners of Nightmare on Q Street. The Z-BUNKER Toxic Haunt and Shoot is an old abandoned Army facility where a crazy military doctor had used toxic waste to make the living into zombies. Your mission is to go in the waste dump and try to survive while shooting the zombies with zombie-killing paintballs. Then, there is NIGHTMARE THEATER--horror movies in the pitch dark on the giant outdoor movie screen. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and coolers; you can even rent a moviefront firepit with firewood for your Horror Movie Night. Nightmare Theater and Fright Overnight Camping is BYOB for 21 and older. Discounted company group outings and rental of the party pavilion for large gatherings are also available. Experience Nebraska’s ONLY haunted campgrounds this fall! For more information on CAMP FEAR, please visit campfearomaha.com, find them on Facebook, or email riverwestpark@yahoo.com.

McGill Restoration Hosts Ribbon Cutting in Recognition of Lincoln Office McGill Restoration recently hosted a ribbon cutting with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce on August 25th. Coinciding with the two-year anniversary since opening the Lincoln office and warehouse located at 2939 Cornhusker Hwy in July of 2014, the event was held to showcase recent upgrades to the facility and property and in honor of officially becoming a part of the Lincoln business community. An open house reception followed the ribbon cutting, with refreshments provided along with the opportunity to tour the new office. Tim McGill, President of McGill Restoration, addressed attendees at the event, thanking those in the community for their support during the process of establishing a presence in Lincoln, which was largely due to the company’s growth and active role in many restoration projects in the area. McGill Restoration is based out of Omaha, NE and operates its overall business strategy to service each location’s customer-based needs. 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 about McGill Restoration, visit www. mcgillrestoration.com or contact the Lincoln office at (402) 438-4110.

Talon Steel Buildings Donates Structure to Branched Oak Observatory Talon Steel Buildings recently made a donation in support of the Branc hed Oak Observatory. The agricultural and commercial steel building sales and construction company donated a 12x24’ pre- engineered garage to the observatory to be used as a visitor’s center. Branched Oak Observatory is a unique star park just 25 minutes northwest of Lincoln where visitors can meet with astronomy enthusiasts and explore the night sky through a variety of telescopes. As a general contractor specializing in all- steel pre- engineered buildings, Talon Steel Buildings brings excellence and integrity to each commercial project from the initial design to the final. Talon Steel offers a wide array of quality features and optional accessories to improve functionality and enhance your building’s appearance, while standing behind the quality and integrity of every building they sell. For more information, please visit www.talonsteel.com or contact Darren Kinney at (402) 937-5937/dk.talonsteel@gmail.com.

National Awards to Recognize Restaurant Industry Icons in Diversity, Philanthropy and Leadership The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) has begun accepting nominations for its coveted 2017 national recognition awards: Restaurant Neighbor Award, Faces of Diversity Award, and Ambassador of Hospitality Award. Applications and nomination forms are available online at ChooseRestaurants.org/ Awards until October 15, 2016. The awards honor professionals who have enhanced the restaurant and foodservice industry through tireless work and remarkable leadership. The winners will be recognized at a gala awards dinner in Washington, D.C. during the National Restaurant Association’s Public Affairs Conference in March 2017. Now in its 18th year, the Restaurant Neighbor Award, founded in partnership with American Express, honors restaurants and restaurateurs for their philanthropic efforts and dedication to their communities. Each year, a small business, a mid-size restaurant company, and a large or national chain each receive $10,000 to support a charity or community project. In partnership with PepsiCo Foodservice, the Faces of Diversity Awards program honors individuals in the restaurant industry who have realized the American Dream through hard work, determination and enterprise, and now also work to help others do the same. The Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality Award, sponsored by Ecolab, is the premiere award bestowed by NRAEF to an individual who has shown extraordinary achievement and leadership in the restaurant and hospitality industry. For more information on the Restaurant Neighbor, Faces of Diversity, and Ambassador of Hospitality awards, and to read the remarkable stories of past winners, visit ChooseRestaurants.org/Awards. OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business 7

BUSINESS NEWS Union Bank & Trust Selects Alegeus to Power Benefit Account Offerings Union Bank & Trust is pleased to announce a partnership with Alegeus, the market leader in consumer directed healthcare (CDH) solutions. Union Bank & Trust (UBT; www.ubt.com) has selected the Alegeus (www.alegeus.com) platform to power UBT’s benefit account product offerings. In addition to supporting UBT’s existing health savings accounts (HSA), the Alegeus partnership will enable UBT to expand its portfolio to include additional account-based products – such as flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). These expanded benefit account products will deliver enhanced value to UBT’s broker and employer customers, and position UBT as a one-stop shop for all benefit account-related products and services.

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BBB Rewards Work That Changes the Game at 2016 Integrity Awards Luncheon The Better Business Bureau (BBB) will be recognizing Omaha’s ethical businesses and remarkable students at its 21st Annual Integrity Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at Embassy Suites Omaha – La Vista Conference Center from 11:30 a.m. –1:00 p.m. The keynote speaker is Dr. Bennet Omalu, the first doctor to discover and diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in athletes and in veterans. He will share his story of coming to the U.S. as an immigrant from war-torn Nigeria and his journey to becoming the physician who revolutionized neuroscience, sports medicine and safety, and the entire sports industry. The recent movie “Concussion” (starring Will Smith) details the challenges Omalu faced to ensure that the truth—and risk—of chronic brain damage was known, understood, accepted and prevented. In fact, UNL’s Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior (CB3) and UNMC are now national leaders in concussion research and its effects on human behavior as a result of Omalu’s discovery. Dr. Omalu will be introduced by Clete Blakeman, a former Cornhusker quarter back and the honorary chairman of the event. Mr. Blakeman is a Personal Injury Attorney at Carlson & Burnett in Omaha and is also a professional referee. He served as Crew Chief at Super Bowl 50. His uniform number is 34. This event is open to the public and the entire community is invited to attend. Individual reservations, tables for 10 and sponsorships are available. To make your reservations to hear Dr. Omalu’s moving account of his “courage under fire” and his triumph in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, go to bbbinc.org. 8 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

Firespring Holds Open House at New Omaha Facility Firespring hosted an open house and ribbon cutting at its new Omaha f a c i l i t y, located at 1515 South 75th Street, on Thursday, L to R: Ryan Henkel, VP of Operations, Print, Kevin Sept. 8, Thomas, President, Print, Jay Wilkinson, CEO. 2016 from 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. The newly renovated building is home to Firespring’s Omaha print and Cloud IT teams, with plans for an Omaha-based creative team at the location in the future. Firespring has been a part of the Omaha business community for more than 20 years, with roots as an AlphaGraphics franchise. The company’s growing presence in Omaha created a need for a larger, central facility with room to expand. Visitors in attendance at the open house learned more about Firespring’s advanced printing and targeted mailing capabilities. Firespring was recently ranked #829 in the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America with revenue growth of 479 percent over three years. The company also made Inc. Magazine’s 2016 list of the 50 Best Places to Work, and was #2 on the 2016 Printing News Top 100 Quick and Small Commercial Printers list. The Omaha facility currently employs approximately 40 team members. Firespring is one of the largest marketing communications firms in the Midwest, providing print, creative, website and IT solutions for nearly 6,000 brands, businesses and nonprofits all over the world. For more information, visit firespring.com.

BUSINESS NEWS Douglas County Reports $5.3 Million Surplus for 2015-16 Fiscal Year Douglas County Commissioner James Cavanaugh recently announced that the county finished its 2015-16 fiscal year with a surplus. Cavanaugh noted, “I am gratified to report that Douglas County’s General Fund ended the year with a $5.3 million surplus.” The county will use a portion of the surplus to increase reserve funds. “The surplus will also help us pay for a proposed $45 million Public Safety Bond issue to upgrade 9-1-1 facilities and equipment without a property tax increase. This is very good news for homeowners,” Cavanaugh said. The remainder of the surplus will go toward the 2016- 17 budget.

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“With modest growth in property values and careful budgeting, we are on track to offer real property tax relief for the 2017 tax year. If our protest and Supreme Court appeal of the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission (TERC) decision to raise valuations on 70,000 Douglas County homeowners is not successful later this year, I will push for a property tax cut in 2017,” Cavanaugh said.

Ruth and Bill Scott Honored by Omaha Press Club Ruth and Bill Scott, the Omaha philanthropic couple whose generosity has transformed Omaha and Nebraska, were honored by the Omaha Press Club on September 22 as the next Face on the Barroom Floor. The Scotts are the 150th “Face” honoree at the Press Club, which is located on the 22nd floor of the original First National Bank Building at 1620 Dodge St. The Face on the Barroom Floor recognition is given to newsmakers who have made a difference in the city and state.

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At the conclusion of the roast, Press Club artist Jim Horan unveiled his Face caricature of the Scotts. The caricature is placed on the Press Club’s barroom floor, where it will remain until the club has its next Face event. It will then be hung on the club’s wall. The generosity of the Scotts is seen throughout the state. Their personal and foundation’s financial support has touched more than 150 local and statewide organizations. Much of their generosity has been extended to educational institutions. All four of the University of Nebraska campuses have been touched by the Scotts. In addition, Creighton University, Metropolitan Community College, Bellevue University, College of Saint Mary, and Omaha Public Schools have received their support. The Scotts’ generosity also has extended to Educare, Children’s Scholarship Fund, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Visiting Nurses Association, Health Center Association of Nebraska, Project Harmony, The Salvation Army, and Collective for Youth.

Call today for more info! 402-937-5937 3800 North 27th St Lincoln, Nebraska 68521 www.TalonSteel.com | dk.talonsteel@gmail.com OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business

BUSINESS NEWS UNICO Group Awarded Best Practice Agency for 70th Consecutive Year

Urban Economist, Author to Build Case for Inclusion at Chamber’s Economic Outlook

UNICO Group has been selected to be part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States participating in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) “Best Practices” Study Group.

Urban economist, best-selling author and Harvard professor Edward L. Glaeser will headline the Greater Omaha Chamber’s upcoming Economic Outlook, a future-focused tradition set for Tuesday, November 15 at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Glaeser authored the book Triumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener, Healthier, and Happier. His keynote promises to challenge commonly-held assumptions about cities and make the case for economic inclusion as a key to growing business and the region. Glaeser has taught at Harvard University since 1992 and currently serves as the Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor at the Department of Economics. The theme of this year’s Economic Outlook is Triumph of the City: Growing Greater Omaha and the Case for Economic Inclusion. The cost is $65 per member or $85 for nonmembers. Tables of 10 are $650 for members and $850 for nonmembers. Reservations are due by Tuesday, Nov. 8 through OmahaChamber.org/EOL. Attendees at the Tuesday, Nov. 15 event will also benefit from reporting on the most current economic trends and the results of the annual, Chamber-driven Economic Outlook Survey, exclusive insights attendees can check against internal projections and act upon. The Economic Outlook Luncheon sponsors are Baird Holm LLP, D.A. Davidson & Co, Deloitte LLP, Lamp, Rynearson & Associates, Inc., and Mutual of Omaha Bank.

Each year since 1993, IIABA and Reagan Consulting, an Atlantabased management consulting firm, join forces to study the country’s leading agencies in six revenue categories. The agencies comprising the study groups are selected every third year through a comprehensive nomination and qualifying process and awarded a “Best Practices Agency” designation. The selected “Best Practices” agencies retain their status during the three-year cycle by submitting extensive financial and operational data for review each year. More than 1,800 independent agencies throughout the U.S. were nominated to take part in the annual study, but only 254 agencies qualified for the honor. To be chosen, the agency had to be among the top-performing agencies in one of six revenue categories. UNICO Group is an insurance and financial provider that offers a consultative and relational approach to the insurance process. With clients ranging from Fortune 500 giants to local retail shops, UNICO’s risk advisors have extensive experience in custom strategies that generate long-term value. For more information about business and personal insurance and financial needs, call (402) 434-7200 or visit unicogroup.com.

Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

BUSINESS NEWS New Technology Repair Center Digital Doc Opens in Omaha Digital Doc is proud to announce that its newest location is open for business in Omaha. Located at 3822 N. 156th Street, Digital Doc offers a full range of electronic repair services for all digital devices. They expertly repair top brands of smartphones, tablets and computers, including iPhone, Samsung, HTC, LG and more. The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce welcomed Digital Doc with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 30th, which was followed by an Open House reception. This is the first Digital Doc location to open in Omaha. Owner Linette Nelson says Digital Doc’s ability to handle all types of repairs, with its trusted brand and high quality products and services backed by a warranty on all repairs, is what distinguishes the business from other repair centers. The most common repairs include cracked screens, charging issues, broken LCDs, water damage and damaged logic boards. Digital Doc also provides computer repair services, including tune-ups, virus removal, and data recovery. The business has recently expanded to phone, tablet, computer, and accessory sales. Older device models can be sold back for cash or to be used to purchase a refurbished device available in store. For more information about Omaha Digital Doc, visit www.DigitalDoc. com/Omaha or call (531) 200-3800. Digital Doc is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday Noon – 5 p.m.

REACH Program Launches New Plan Room to Assist Small, Emerging Contractors R E AC H , a program of the Greater O m a h a C h a m b e r, has just launc hed a new avenue of assistance for the small and emerging construction businesses it serves – the REACH Plan Room. Open three times a week, the REACH Plan Room will provide a space where contractors can gain access to tools, knowledge and assistance from expert volunteers – all with the goal of helping them bid and capitalize on new projects. A grand opening for the REACH Plan Room was held on September 28 at its home base: Metropolitan Community College’s Fort Omaha Campus, 30th and Fort Streets. The REACH Plan Room will be open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be staffed by expert volunteers from the general contractor and A&E firms, including Lamp Rynearson & Associates, DLR Group, BCDM Architects, BVH, Hawkins Construction, MCL Construction, Leo A Daly, Alley Poyner and the Architectural Offices. Volunteers to staff the plan room are being accepted. The REACH Plan Room is for drop-in purposes, but participants are asked to sign up if they plan on visiting a certain day. For more information, please contact Savannah Cuevas at (402) 978-7929 or at scuevas@selectgreateromaha.com.

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Save The Date: Sandler Sales Training to Host Goal Setting Workshop Registration is open for Sandler Sales Training’s u p c o m i n g wor kshop on November 16th, which will focus on goal setting and getting yourself mentally prepared to reach your goals next year! Did you know that only 3% of the US population has written goals? Did you know that those people are 10 times more likely to achieve them? Goal setting is not the difference between black and white for your business in 2017. It is the difference between RED and BLACK! The seminar will be held at the Sandler Training Center, located at 3828 Dodge Street in Omaha, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost to attend is $500 or $250 for President’s Club members, which includes lunch and all materials. Those interested in signing up for this workshop may do by visiting their website at Karlschaphorst.sandler.com. For more information, contact Michelle Halpenny at michelle.halpenny@ sandler.com.

Kimberly Arms Shirk Releases Book: “REMOTE FEARS & Silver Linings” September 3, 1997. Nineteen years ago a near tragedy took place in Des Moines, Iowa. While setting up for a Remote Live Television Broadcast a colleague of Kimberly Arms Shirk raised the mast of their Live truck into electrical lines, grounding a path for 13,000 volts of electricity first to the colleague and then after a daring rescue attempt, coursing through the body of Kimberly. Burned over 12% of her body and face, and against all odds, she survived to tell the story of a devastating physical journey and spiritual healing through it all. Released on September 3, 2016, REMOTE FEARS & Silver Linings is a documented television reporter’s account of the initial accident, the five years of surgery and therapy that ensued, and the hope found in the healing process. While we as a society search constantly for meaning in life, Kimberly maintains that by simply changing our perspective, one can find hope and healing in any situation. Books are available to purchase from Outskirts Press, Amazon and Kindle, and Barnes & Noble. A Lincoln, Nebraska resident, Shirk is a Senior Marketing Strategist with Talent Plus. To book a speaking engagement or purchase a signed copy of REMOTE FEARS & Silver Linings, visit www.kimberlyshirk.com or email silverliningswriter@gmail.com. OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business 11

BUSINESS NEWS

BHMI Celebrates 30 Years of Business Success Baldwin Hackett & Meeks, Inc. (BHMI), a leading provider of enterprise software applications, is celebrating 30 years of business success. During the past three decades, the company has built a proven reputation across a wide range of industries, including financial services, telecommunications, transportation, government, education, and health care. The company was founded in 1986 by Chairman, Dr. Jack Baldwin; President, Dr. Lynne Baldwin; and SVP of Software Development, Mr. Michael Meeks. Throughout its history, the company has maintained the same mission it held in the beginning – develop quality software that produces real value for clients. BHMI has thrived over the past 30 years due to the longevity of its staff members, commitment to quality, and unparalleled customer service. To celebrate this corporate milestone, BHMI created an entertaining video starring the company’s corporate mascot – MAX the bulldog. On the video, MAX interviews the corporate founders and some BHMI team members. To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/uTc5ocXWEf0. Baldwin Hackett & Meeks, Inc. (BHMI) is a specialist in creating enterprise software applications. BHMI not only provides custom software development services, but also a comprehensive set of consulting, design, engineering, and support services. BHMI is also the creator of the Concourse Financial Software Suite – a powerful PCIcompliant back office software solution designed to manage electronic payments including credit, debit, POS, ATM, mobile, and prepaid transactions. For more information, please visit www.bhmi.com.

Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

Exciting New Ramen Concept Ugly Duck Now Open Freshly prepared, gourmet ramen has arrived at Midtown Crossing. Ugly Duck, a venture pairing Omaha restauranteur Charles Yin and former Boiler Room sous chef AJ Swanda, opened its doors in September. Forget any college days’ notions of what ramen means. Ugly Duck promises high-end varieties of the Japanese comfort food, carefullycrafted with noodles and broth made-from-scratch. Swanda, also a partner, will serve as executive chef. Ugly Duck is the next evolution of a ramen pop-up he launched about a year-and-half ago. The popularity of ramen – widely available on the coasts – is undeniable. Locally, Yin has witnessed the dish’s draw as an organizer, along with Javid Dabestani, of Omaha Ramen Fest. Year two of the event, held in Turner Park last October, drew approximately 6,500 people. While the menu certainly celebrates ramen, it is not limited to it. Yin and Swanda say appealing to midtown’s lunch crowd with varied, affordable options is going to be a “huge focus.” They plan to do some intriguing things with Asian sandwiches, fun entrée-sized salads, and first courses with a little bit of Japanese, Korean and Chinese influences are just a few highlights to date. Promising a jovial, carefree atmosphere, the Ugly Duck concept has taken the place of another Yin establishment, Pana 88, which closed on July 20.

BUSINESS NEWS

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If there is any question how strong the demand has been for a commercial real estate brokerage that caters exclusively to tenants and owneroccupiers, look no further than Cresa. The firm’s continued growth should cause the local industry to stand up and take notice. Cresa, the world’s largest corporate real estate tenant advisory firm, continued its expansion into the Omaha market just over a year ago and it has proven to be an exceedingly successful one. Labeled the “Silicon Prairie,” Nebraska is more than just a booming Midwest tech hub. In Omaha alone there are more Fortune 500 companies per capita than anywhere in the U.S. As a result, there has been an increasing need for Cresa’s conflict-free representation services they are known for around the globe. Since opening their doors 13 months ago, Cresa Omaha has already completed over 30 transactions totaling more than 700,000 square feet - valued at over $90 million. Cresa provides a wide range of integrated corporate services including Strategic Consulting, Transaction Management, Project Management, Capital Markets, Lease Administration, and Workspace Planning. Cresa’s diverse client base includes recent transactions representing premier transportation organization Werner Enterprises, high growth Omaha tech start-up ScoreVision, national clients BAE, Oracle, 3M, as well as additional local professional service firms, technology companies and law offices. In addition to its local presence, the Cresa Omaha office completed transactions in more than 12 total major markets, expanding as far west as Los Angeles, California, and as far east as Miami, Florida. “Our focus is on new-to-market tenants as well as companies approaching lease renewals or an expanding footprint; they’re going to be the early adopters in Omaha,” says Steven Edlefsen, Managing Principal of Cresa Omaha. While this is not a new concept in comparable US markets, “For whatever reason Omaha has not had a firm exclusively committed to occupiers of commercial space.” He defined Cresa’s foundation revolving around a simple concept: “Real estate doesn’t have to be a second job. With Cresa’s substantial global platform and state-of-the-art technology, we can be the one to help them manage local requirements and their entire real estate portfolio.” Of note, following the acquisition of Conagra’s private label and a lengthy due-diligence process, Cresa represented Treehouse Foods in leasing 70,000 sq. ft. in the Old Mill submarket. Cresa Omaha’s project management division has also been active, having been awarded multiple opportunities to assist with pre-transaction services including analyzing construction work letters, developing preliminary budget and schedules prior to lease execution, as well as establishing project plans for multiple clients, including Grant Thornton, BAE, ScoreVision, and MWC Wrestling Academy, to name a few. “In our first year we saw strong traction with both the industrial and office markets. We worked with premier transportation and logistics provider Werner Enterprises on sales and lease transactions all over the country,” explains Kaylin Brabec, Operations Director at Cresa Omaha. “The Healthcare real estate market remains a strong point in the region, as does retail – we enjoyed assisting local favorite Scissors & Scotch as they expanded to Colorado and beyond. We are very excited for what the future holds and expect tremendous growth in the coming years.” Cresa is the world’s largest tenant-only commercial real estate firm. In representing tenants exclusively — no landlords, no developers — we provide unbiased, conflict-free advice. Our integrated services cover every aspect of a real estate transaction from site selection and financing to project management and relocation services. We offer our clients customized solutions with over 70 offices covering 75 markets worldwide. For more information, visit www.cresa.com.

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Just Good Meat Announces Extended Store Hours Just Good Meat is excited to announce its new, extended store hours just in time for the holidays! Hours of operation are now as follows: Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, Just Good Meat has also announced that prices have been reduced on all beef products and bundles. True to its tagline that guarantees “You Can’t Beat Our Meat”, you can’t beat the quality of the beef at Just Good Meat, as it’s grass-fed, all-natural, hormone-free, and locally sourced—and now you likely can’t beat the price either! A master of the butcher block in Omaha for 57 years and counting, Just Good Meat is located on 84th Street between L and F Streets. For more information about Just Good Meat or to place an order for pick-up, delivery, or catering, please call (402) 339-7474 or visit www. justgoodmeatomaha.com. Or, with such an impressive selection at the store, just stop by anytime and grab what you need on the spot!

Cheers Paint and Sip Celebrates Grand Opening in Omaha Cheers Paint and Sip, a new paint and sip Art Bar located at 3052 S. 32nd Avenue across the street from Lo Sole Mio, has officially opened its doors for business! The opening weekend celebration was held September 8-10. Art, wine and cocktails, and music were enjoyed by guests in the lively, classy yet casual atmosphere. The party room at Cheers Paint and Sip also made its grand debut as it was utilized to showcase the space, which can accommodate an array of events--plus a photo booth to capture your special night out! At Cheers Paint and Sip, guests sign up online to attend a two hour painting class where they receive simple, 5-step instructions on how to recreate the offered painting(s) featured for the evening. Cheers Paint and Sip seats about 30 painters in the main studio room and bar. The party room seats about 18 painters and can be reserved for private events. Cheers Paint and Sip is staffed by local artists who teach the painting classes, which cater to painters of all levels ranging from beginners to the more experienced. To find out more, visit the website at www.cheerspaintandsip. com, find Cheers Paint and Sip on Facebook or Instagram (@ cheerspaintandsip), or call the studio at (402) 991-5151. Cheers! OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business 13

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BUSINESS NEWS Goin’ Postal Set to Open Midtown Location Answering the demand for enhanced postal services in midtown Omaha, postal service retailer Goin’ Postal will soon be a new and welcome addition to the neighborhood. Scheduled to open its doors in October, Goin’ Postal will offer a host of services, including mailing and shipping, packaging services, copying and faxing, and mailbox rental to consumers and small businesses. Founded in 2004 in Florida with a focus on premier service and affordability, Goin’ Postal has quickly grown into a major retail shipping chain with 200 independently-owned, franchised stores across the country. Its arrival at Midtown Crossing will meet a need for added accessibility to postal products and services in midtown. Goin’ Postal will be located at 3157 Farnam St., Suite 7104, next to Definitive Vision. It will offer consumers and businesses access to key carriers, including FedEx, DHL and the U.S. Postal Service. Find out more about Goin’ Postal at www.goinpostal.com.

Nebraska Native’s PR Firm Look East Grows Trust in Food and Ag JETHRO HOPKINS JASON WOLLEN

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Business Description: This is a great business for anyone who wants to just manage a business with experienced employees who make the owner’s job easy. This business has built its reputation on the high standard of service that it provides to all of its clients. It has shown an average increase of 30-50% year after year and is still servicing and expanding its list of long-term clientele. The majority of the equipment is newer and well maintained, including two carpet vans.

Business Description: This is a great business for those looking to move to York, Nebraska or for a motel owner looking to expand their business! This motel’s business is long term and it is set up long-term stays, with most of the rooms being suites with kitchenettes. The motel comes with a large apartment conversion for the owner or manager to live in with 2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and 2 restrooms.

Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

Food and agriculture companies and organizations looking to grow trust should Look East. The new name of a full-service public relations firm founded by Nebraska-native Charlie Arnot, Look East serves national and international clients, growing trust in their products, processes, people and brands. “With the growing disconnect between consumers and the people who produce their food, success depends on it,” said Arnot, Look East CEO, who grew up on a small farm just south of Lincoln and launched his firm, formerly CMA, 12 years ago. “Look East reflects a fresh approach and represents the dawning of a new day for clients who need solutions.” Look East’s strategies in public relations, creative services, digital engagement, issues and crisis management, and association management are founded on its trust model and ongoing consumer trust research. Look East is based in Gladstone, Missouri with an office in Ankeny, Iowa, and team members who work remotely from offices in Nebraska and several other states. This includes Jana McGuire, a senior account manager based in Lincoln, Bob McKeon, a senior account manager based in Omaha. To learn more about Look East, its team and services, log on to www.lookeast.com.

NorthMarq Capital’s Omaha Office Arranges $7.1M Refinance of Chantacleer Apartments in Lincoln John Reed, managing director of NorthMarq Capital’s Omaha-based regional office, arranged the $7.1 million refinance of Chantacleer Apartments, a 104-unit multifamily property located at 1400 Garret Lane in Lincoln, Nebraska. The transaction was structured with a 20year term and 30-year amortization schedule. NorthMarq arranged financing for the borrower through its correspondent relationship with a life insurance company. NorthMarq Capital, the largest privately held commercial real estate financial intermediary in the U.S., provides debt, equity and commercial loan servicing through its 36 offices across the U.S. The company has built long-term relationships with life companies, CMBS platforms and local, regional and national banks and has a long track record of multi-family loan origination through Freddie Mac Program Plus™, the Fannie Mae DUS program and through FHA, resulting in more than $12 billion in annual production volume and a loan portfolio of more than $47 billion. For more information please visit www.northmarq.com.

BUSINESS NEWS Shelter Insurance Announces New Location, Hosts Ribbon Cutting

West Enhances Cloud Contact Center to Bring Customer Service Technology to the Next Level

Shelter is excited to announce the recent relocation to 600 S. 4th St., Ste C in Council Bluffs! The agency officially opened in February of 2015, and recently relocated to a new location June of this year. An official ribbon cutting was held on September 8th with the Council Bluffs Area Chamber in celebration of the new agency location.

In order to help companies meet modern customer experience expectations, West is announcing enhancements to its Cloud Contact Center offerings for enterprise and mid-sized businesses.

Tory Porter is licensed to sell insurance in both Iowa and Nebraska. Her agency strives to provide excellent customer service as well as helping insureds with their insurance protection. Tory prides herself with being a positive, active pillar in the community. Council Bluffs is an outstanding, growing city, and she looks forward to growing as a business with it. Shelter has over 70 years of experience servicing their insureds, with operations taking place in 17 states. The insurance products they provide are specifically designed to help you, and include protection for your home, life, car, farm, business, and more. For more information about Shelter Insurance please visit shelterinsurance.com/tporter or contact Tory Porter at (712) 2564141 or (402) 210-4985 or email tporter@shelterinsurance.com.

West’s Cloud Contact Center is a flexible, multichannel platform designed to boost agent productivity, increase connection rates and build customer relationships. West’s decades of experience managing contact center operations and the acquisition of Magnetic North, Ltd. in 2015 has equipped the company with the ability to improve and scale its Cloud Contact Center solution to provide clients with industry-leading software and managed support. The recent enhancements include the addition of preview, predictive and progressive dialing modes that provide artificial intelligence techniques to manage dialer pacing in real time and call blending so agents no longer have to be tethered to a single type of call. Call blending allows companies to combine inbound service with outbound customer care, effectively eliminating agent idle time. Other features include prepackaged integrations with third-party CRM software, multichannel survey, web chat, email, quality management, secure payment capture, screen capture and callback. With these additions, West provides its clients with an even greater ability to expand communication channels, thereby enhancing customer convenience and satisfaction. For more information on West Corporation, please call 1-800-8419000 or visit www.west.com. For more information about West’s Interactive Services segment, visit www.west.com/interactive.

Dundee Venture Capital Raises $20M Fund III to Back Midwest Startups Dundee Venture Capital (dundeeventurecapital.com/@dundeevc), an Omaha-based seed-stage investment firm, recently announced that the firm has raised $20M for its Fund III. The capital will be deployed into seed and early-stage investments targeting e-commerce, B2B SaaS and consumer-network focused startups. Dundee Venture Capital has made over 30 investments in startups to date, including Nebraska-based Bulu Box, with a goal of actively transforming the business landscape of the Midwest through entrepreneurship. With a target capital raise of $30M, Fund III will be 65 percent larger than Dundee’s previous fund. The current fund focuses on consumer and B2B investments and has already closed its first seed investment in Fooji, a real-time fan engagement platform based in Lexington, Kentucky. Dundee plans to lead seed round investments in early-stage startups with high-velocity growth potential. Dundee Venture Capital is also announcing its strategic partnership with Lakewest Venture Partners to add value and expand Dundee’s current market reach into Chicago. Lakewest co-founder David Mann joins Dundee as part of this alliance, bringing experience, insight and relationships, while fellow Lakewest co-founders Buzz Ruttenberg and Jonathan McCulloch will provide strategic advisory to Fund III. Led by Mark Hasebroock, who founded GiftCertificates.com and Hayneedle Inc. (now a part of Walmart), Dundee Venture Capital is dedicated to building and scaling the Midwestern tech economy. Capital from Fund III will be primarily invested in startups located in the broader Midwest region including Denver, Omaha, Lincoln, Kansas City, Madison, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Chicago. As part of its broader expansion, David Mann and his Lakewest cofounders will now run Dundee’s office in Chicago. Together, the two companies will continue to cultivate a new innovation ecosystem in the middle of the country and their combined AUM will deploy to a broader set of investments in Chicago and throughout the greater Midwest. OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business

BUSINESS NEWS

New Direct Flight Connects Silicon Valley and Omaha’s Silicon Prairie Getting to Silicon Valley from the Silicon Prairie (and vice versa) is now a whole lot easier. September 7 marked the inaugural direct flight connecting Omaha’s Silicon Prairie to San Francisco’s Silicon Valley. The new daily flight will open the door for new opportunities and access connecting both tech talent and capital to the Midwest. Valley VC’s and tech talent can now jump on a plane and be in Omaha in just under 4 hours, something that until now required a layover and 6+ hours of travel time. The direct connect also makes it easier for Omaha to attract tech talent and startups. On average there are around 600 open tech positions in the Greater Omaha area. The cost of living in Omaha is 46 percent less than San Francisco and housing is 74 percent less. (Source: Payscale.com) The median house price is $163,500 in Omaha compared to Silicon Valley where the median is $980,000. And for startups the cost of doing business in Omaha is 11 percentage points less than San Francisco. As such, the new direct flight is projected to impact those doing business in the region favorably.

Strictly Business Launches Magazine Flipbook Online Have you ever wished yo u c o u l d read through the pages of Strictly Business magazine on your computer or mobile devices? Well now you can! A new flipbook feature has been added for online readers, allowing them to view the entirety of the magazine from cover to cover, page by page, with just the click of a button or swipe of a finger. The flipbook for the current issues of Strictly Business magazine, including both the Lincoln and Omaha publications, as well as a selection of past issues, can be found on our websites: www.strictlybusiness.com (Lincoln) and www.strictlybusinessomaha.com (Omaha). For those who prefer the stand-alone article posts, this familiar format is still available on the websites along with the flipbook format that allows you to virtually turn the pages of the magazine, viewing it as you would if you were reading it in the office or at any number of local businesses. Check out this month’s issue online using the flipbook and enjoy immediate, convenient access to your very own virtual copy of Strictly Business!

Frankel Zacharia Named Best Accounting Firm to Work for in 2016 Frankel Zacharia, LLC is proud to announce it was named as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Best Accounting Firms to Work for in 2016! Accounting Today has partnered with Best Companies Group to identify companies that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees. This survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers nationwide in the accounting industry, benefiting the industry’s economy, workforce and businesses. Companies from across the United States entered the two-part survey process to determine Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work for each year. Twenty-five percent of the evaluation focuses on each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The remaining 75% consists of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determine the top companies and the final ranking. Frankel Zacharia is located at 11404 W. Dodge Rd. #700 in Omaha. For more information, visit www.fzacpa.com or call (402) 496-9100. 16

Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

402-403-4334 SANDLER TRAINING by Karl Schaphorst, President • www.karlschaphorst.sandler.com

Working Harder is Not Always the Answer

A friend of mine was running a landscaping business for someone, overseeing the crews and the like. Now I’m in sales, but I mention the landscaping for a reason. It was late in August on the hottest day of the year. Must have been about two o’clock in the afternoon, not a cloud in the sky and the temperature pushing 101°. They were re-grading a section of the local golf course. Not a tree in sight. About an hour later and 300 feet away, he saw this shovel rising up out of the ground, tossing the dirt, going back down, coming back up. You could have set your watch to the rhythm. Two hours later they decided to pack it up. It had grown even hotter. He glanced over to where he had seen the shovel earlier and right on schedule, up it came, dirt tossed, back down and back up. He went over to see just who could keep that up. Down in this trench was a fellow about 5 feet tall and about 50 years old. Sweat was pouring off of him. “Hard work,” he called down to the gentleman. The man looked up, never breaking rhythm, and said with no trace of exertion, “Hell, this ain’t hard. I just make a hole from stake to stake. What was hard was knowing where to put the stakes in the first place.” From the point of view of the fellow in the ditch, the hard work had already been done. Every shovelful after the first one was getting him one shovelful closer to success. From my friend’s point of view, what he was doing was extremely hard work. Now I ask you, whose point of view is the one that really matters? Many folks, not just salespeople, fervently believe that if you work hard every day, success will show up at your door at some point in the future. There is nothing wrong with the right type of “hard work.” What’s the right type? You know where to start. You know where to end. You know what you have to do to get from the starting point to the ending point. You are confident that you can do it. And you set out to do it in a steady and constant manner. Should you do this type of “hard work,” you will find out something odd. You will perceive the work as tiring at times, but not hard at all. Others will look at what you are doing and shake their heads in astonishment. How can he/she keep that up, they will think. It’s so boring. So mind-numbing. Remember the fellow in the ditch. He was sweating a river but absolutely confident because he knew where he was headed. While the work was tiring, he did not think it hard. His perception of the work was the only one that mattered because he was the one doing the work. It doesn’t matter at all what you or I think, because it doesn’t get the ditch dug any faster or slower. Do this for yourself. Not for the sales manager. Not for upper management. Not for your fellow salespeople. Only for yourself. Write down where you want to end up six months from now. Write down where you are at this moment in relation to six months from now. Write down all of the things you can do to get to that spot in the future. Decide, of those things you can do, which ones you are going to do every day for the next six months. Now start doing them. Every day. This is important. Don’t show anyone what you have written. Keep it to yourself. Why? Because the moment you do, whether you are told something good or bad, you’ll stop doing it. Sounds easy? It is. If you don’t know where to start and where you are going to end, then all the work you do is pointless. Pointless work is always hard work. 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.

OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business

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Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

DAN Dan Shull

COX BUSINESS Cox Business provides voice, data and video services for more than 300,000 small and regional businesses, including healthcare providers, K-12 and higher education, financial institutions and federal, state and local government organizations. Dan Shull is the Cox Business Security Solutions Manager. Tell us a little about your business. - Cox Business prides itself in offering solutions for every business size. We recently launched Cox Business Security Solutions, which provides Detection and Surveillance services for small/medium-sized businesses within the Cox service footprint. As with our core services, we’ve found one of our key differentiators to be customer service. How did you get started in the business? - I was hired by a company that was challenging the Bell system to offer competitive long distance services back in 1984. Shortly after that, the breakup of the Bell Company happened and the industry took off. It has been very exciting to be a part of such a large industry’s transformation. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Being able to keep up with all of the industry changes. I cannot begin to imagine what technologies will emerge and evolve within the next 20 years. We definitely live in a digital era with access to more information than ever before. What has been your most important achievement professionally? - A team I led was recognized by our customer as “Telecom Vendor Team of the Year” 4 years in a row. Tell us a little about your family. - I’ve been married to Lisa, my high school sweetheart, for 35 years. She has her own photography business. We have 2 kids, Josh and Taylar, and 2 grandkids, Ben and McKenzie. What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? Playing college football. My draw to attend college was to be on the football team, but I stuck with the academics and earned my degree. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Work in my yard and watch Husker games! What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - That at the time I was one of the youngest patients to be operated on at Mayo Clinic, as I was 6 weeks old when I had my first of two surgeries to remove narrowed sections of my descending aorta. The second surgery was when I was 11 years old. What are you the most proud of? - Helping launch Security Solutions at Cox Business. Not only did we build a new sales team but we worked with various boundary partners to test and refine workflows and processes from beginning to end. At times it was overwhelming but the support and teamwork from our market and corporate staff was phenomenal. It’s exciting to be one of the chosen markets for a new product launch, and the response we’ve received from the business community validates we are doing it right. If you could have a super power, what would it be? - To reverse the divide that is impacting America these days. We need to get back to where “United we stand, divided we fall” is truly what America is all about. What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I am a member of the Knights of Columbus and am able to support many local organizations through our fundraising efforts. What is your favorite local restaurant? - Oscar’s Pizza & Sports Grille. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Via email at daniel.shull@cox.com or find Cox Business online at www. cox.com/business.

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COMFORT KEEPERS Offering services from as little as one hour a day, all the way up to 24-hour care, Comfort Keepers is an in-home care service committed to providing companionship and personal care to adults and seniors. Their goal is to improve the quality of life and enable independent living wherever adults and seniors call home. Gayleen Bradley is the Client Care Coordinator for Comfort Keepers Omaha. Tell us a little about your business. - We specialize in helping people remain independent in the home through personal care (like bathing, cooking, medication reminders and companionship). I am the liaison between our clients and caregivers. I discover the needs of the client, learn his/her personality traits, and then match the skill set and personality of our caregiver to that client. I enjoy meeting with both our clients and caregivers. Problem solving is part of what I love about this position. Creating a good match, watching the trust build and the relationship blossom is very rewarding. What has been your most important achievement professionally? My dementia training has been my most important achievement. I am a Certified Dementia Specialist through the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. I currently present seminars to the public (for free through Comfort Keepers) on the signs of dementia, how to recognize some different types of dementia, coping strategies, and techniques to handle challenging behaviors. Being able to educate and help people understand the disease process is personally fulfilling. Even more so is helping families communicate with, and meet the needs of, those who are close to them suffering through dementia. Tell us a little about your family. - I have 5 daughters and 3 grandkids who live mostly in the Lincoln area. I look forward to spending time with them on the weekends. My time with them is always a highlight for me as we are all very close.

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If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - I would be a chef. I am interested in health foods and would lean towards creating healthy meals. What is your favorite TV show? - To go with my unfulfilled other career, Chopped! Chopped is a cooking show on HGTV and it is fun to watch them compete with mystery ingredients which they have to turn into three course meals right then. They are judged on their work and go through elimination rounds. There is only one winner in the end. What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - The Alzheimer’s Association is my go-to non-profit because my father has dementia. He is still alive and I work with him and his dementia and help my family to understand his needs. He is why I reach out to people to educate them on the disease. I live through the frustration of trying to get my family to understand that some of my dad’s actions are caused by the disease and not just orneriness. Helping others learn coping skills also helps me with mine. What is your favorite local restaurant? - For Thai food it is the Blue Orchid in Lincoln. My favorite dish there is the drunken noodles. It is usually the only one I get; it has just the right amount of spice to give it a kick! If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - Please contact me if you would like me to educate your church group, trade group, neighborhood association or employees about dementia. My Comfort Keepers mobile number is (402) 306-9987 and direct email is Gayleen.Bradley@ComfortKeepers.com. You can also check out our website at www.ComfortKeepers.com/Omaha-NE.

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Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

JASON Jason Wollen

NO COAST BUSINESS ADVISORS No Coast Business Advisors offers a complete suite of services specifically targeted to those who are looking to buy or sell a business. Jason Wollen is the co-owner of No Coast Business Advisors. Tell us a little about your business. - As a Nebraska business brokerage and consulting firm, the goal of No Coast Business Advisors is to help the business owners within our territory to reach their goals, whether that means selling a business to qualified buyers, finding them an investor/business partner, or helping them license their business’s products, as just a few examples. We take confidentiality very seriously and are also able to provide recommendations for accounting, legal services, and financial advisors that we have a working relationship with and trust to have our client’s best interest at heart. How did you get started in the business? - We started out doing it privately for business owners who came to us for help. This went on for several years before we made the decision to liquidate our other business assets and do brokering full-time publicly. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Starting my first business; it was tough going in the beginning. I had to work another job to provide capital for the new business as well as setting up how we wanted operations to work. I also felt the need to learn all of the labor laws and a lot of other things to ensure our business was running above-board. Then after we got it off of the ground, there were a lot of 12-hour days or more spent running around to keep clients happy and check up on employees in addition to worrying about promoting our services to new clients. What has been your most important achievement professionally? - I think that the creation of No Coast Business Advisors has been my greatest achievement to date. Though at times it is still stressful, my business partner and I both have the opportunity to help local business owners and feel strongly about bringing ethical business practices to the professional field of business brokering in Nebraska. Tell us a little about your family. - My family has lived in Nebraska for several generations. My great grandparents lived in Ashland, but my grandparents have lived in Lincoln for most of their lives. My mother works for Bryan LGH as does my sister. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Read books and search out new and interesting information. I accrue knowledge like crazy; as the saying goes, ‘the pen is mightier than the sword.’ What are you the most proud of? - The success of my first business. It was a lot of hard work but well worth it in the end, because now I get to do exactly what I’ve always wanted to do--help other business owners. If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Professional. Which talent would you most like to have? - To be a mathematical genius. It would make my job a lot easier if I was a human calculator. What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Anything local; I prefer to support the place where I live and work. If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - It’s a tie between Oda Nobunaga and Albert Einstein. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Call (402) 217-3252, email ncbalincoln@gmail.com, or find us online at www.nocoastbusinessadvisers.com.

TYLER Tyler Calabrese

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA Located at 12750 Westport Pkwy in La Vista, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema offers an experience that’s second-to-none. Tyler Calabrese is Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s Franchise Principle for the Omaha Market. Tell us a little about your business. - Cold beer, hot movies, and delicious snacks and meals; The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is dinner, drinks, movies and events, all under one roof. Our attention to detail in film presentation and programming has made us a second home to movie fans all over the planet and earned accolades from the likes of Entertainment Weekly (#1 theater in America), Wired.com (Coolest Movie Theater in the World) and Fandango.com (One of the Best Theaters in the Country). How did you get started in the business? - I started early in business with the intention to open a restaurant in Sarpy County. Through conversations with my partner and an extensive analysis of our market, we identified a need for true, LOCAL, entertainment. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has been a trendsetter in the industry, which drew our attention to the concept and their franchising opportunities. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? The age at which I started my business career; however, not in the sense you would imagine. Respect wasn’t an issue, as I don’t believe your age determines the amount of respect you earn from an individual. The challenge I’ve faced is trying to coordinate a workforce – all with many years in the industry – when I’ve been around for less time than many of them. The key to my success in this regard is to truly value, engage, and rely on my employees. I hired a very experienced management team – all with more experience than myself – and I allow them to be independent and operate using their knowledge and proficiencies they have obtained over the years. Tell us a little about your family. - I was born in Bellevue, NE at the Base Hospital and spent my whole life growing up in Sarpy County, graduating from the Papillion La Vista School District. My father is a retired Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and my mother is a finance director here in Omaha. I have four brothers and I am the middle child. My family is extremely important to me and I try to balance my professional and personal life accordingly. What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - The day I first saw the walls going up on our building in La Vista. In 2012 I identified a partner who invested in me personally and professionally. I spent three years negotiating, planning, designing, etc. We started construction in November of 2014 and on April 1st, 2015 our first wall went up. By the end of the week what we spent years conceiving was completely boxed in. This is when I truly realized the magnitude of the project at hand. I was 22 years old, and I didn’t admit it at the time but I was in WAY over my head! I really had to take a step back and identify my strengths and weaknesses, and build our management team in a way to supplement those. What are you the most proud of? - I’m extremely proud to call Omaha home. To be able to open and operate a business where I grew up is truly humbling. I love where I come from and I love what I do. I hope we can continue to have a positive impact in our community and look forward to the years to come. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - Via email at t.calabrese@omahadrafthouse.com or visit our website: www.drafthouse.com/omaha.

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Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

MARILYN Marilyn Viehl MADONNA REHABILITATION HOSPITAL

Established in 1958, Madonna is a national leader in specialized rehabilitation programs. Marilyn Viehl, RN, BSN, MHA is the Administrator for Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital’s new Omaha Campus. Tell us a little about your business. - We’re opening an exciting new hospital this month providing inpatient rehabilitation services for adults and pediatrics. Although those we serve are medically stable, they have functional and cognitive issues that need to be addressed in order for them to have a successful return to their life and their community. How did you get started in the business? - Most of my career has been outside of traditional hospital walls, including home health care, hospice, infusion and respiratory therapy. My master’s degree in health care administration was from the ambulatory care track in the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota, which helped me with community focus. Most recently at Bryan Medical Center, I also have many years of experience in the traditional hospital management, so I consider myself a “generalist” in administration. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - My husband and I worked for a corporation for many years that provided community living experiences for intellectually-challenged people coming out of institutions. This was in the 70s, when community integration was brand new. We had our first two babies living and working in group homes serving up to eight persons at a time. It was the hardest, best work and we loved it. What has been your most important achievement professionally? - I am planning my most important achievement professionally to be with Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals’ Omaha Campus! It won’t be a “personal achievement” because so many persons have worked this dream for five years to make it reality, but it is a huge honor to be in a leadership role with this cutting-edge and caring team. Tell us a little about your family. - I have four children and eight grandchildren. My husband and I just celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary. We raised our kids in Wisconsin but moved to Nebraska almost 20 years ago and have enjoyed it here very much. What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - My husband works in the teaching ministry. He was invited to go to Haiti on a mission trip and we were forever changed. Warren was able to go many times to teach at a seminary there, I was able to do some health work and two of our children went to teach and help build a clinic. We made some lasting friendships and are so grateful for the time we had there. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Anything outside! Gardening, hiking, a ball game or going to one of Nebraska’s fabulous parks. If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - The law, especially economics and health care policy. What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? -We volunteer at City Impact during the holidays; I love the caring attitude and the emphasis on dignity. We also support the Wachiska chapter of the Audobon society; I’d love to learn/do more with them whenever we retire. What is your favorite local restaurant? - Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - I’d encourage everyone to check out the website www.madonna.org. There is a great video that will tell you more about the fantastic hospital services coming to Omaha The Lincoln switchboard number is (402) 413-3000, our Omaha Campus can be reached directly at (402) 401-3100.

JIM Jim Hannum

A UNITED AUTOMATIC DOORS & GLASS, INC. Headquartered in Omaha, NE, A United Automatic Doors & Glass, Inc. is a familyowned company with three generations of experience in glazing and commercial manual and automatic doors. A strong emphasis on quality is the focus for all products and services. The company’s 9,500 sq. ft. office and Service Center is located at 1410 N. Saddle Creek Rd. Jim Hannum is the owner of A United Automatic Doors & Glass. Tell us a little about your business. - We specialize in the installation of ADA handicap operators, automatic sliders, and storefront metal and glass. Our experienced service staff can also repair or replace door glass, manual door hardware, and any kind of automatic operators. However, we do not service or install garage doors. How did you get started in the business? - I started as an apprentice in the glazing union back in 1979. My father was in the union for 45 years. We started our business in 1997 with the Stanley Distributorship in automatics, which went well with storefronts and glass. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Growing in size while maintaining the same quality one-on-one service and always being there for our customers when they need us. What has been your most important achievement professionally? - Building the business. We’ve grown from a team of 3 people to 15 people and now service the whole state of Nebraska and Western Iowa, along with some of South Dakota. Tell us a little about your family. - My wife and I have four wonderful children and eight grandchildren with one more on the way. All of our children work for A United, along with my brother and wife. What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? Breaking away from being an employee and becoming an employer. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I like to trap shoot and relax at home on the mower. What are you the most proud of? - My family. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - My father would always say “If it’s worth doing, do it right and always keep trying until it’s done right.” If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Fair. If you had a theme song, what would it be? - The Gambler by Kenny Rogers. If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Super-speed like The Flash. What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - Singing. Which talent would you most like to have? - I would like to be able to draw. If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Architecture. What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Open Door Mission. They utilize their funds well and do so much good for those in our community. What is your favorite movie? - Once Upon a Time in the West. What is your favorite TV show? - The Blacklist. What is your favorite local restaurant? - Nate’s Stumble Inn Bar & Grill in Bennington, NE. If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - John Wayne. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - All are welcome to contact me at www.aunitedglass.com or via email at jim@aunitedglass.com.

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PERSONNEL NEWS Nebraska Alumni Association Welcomes New Alumni Leaders

Nebraska Data Centers Names Mike Friend Director of Nebraska Colocation Centers

Summertime brought a raft of new appointments to the Nebraska A l u m n i Association’s board of directors and advisory council. These positions are crucial for providing leadership and policy governance for the association.

Nebraska Data Centers, LLC is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Mike Friend as Director, Nebraska Colocation Centers. Friend’s IT background, and talent for assisting his clients in developing strategic technology advantages, will benefit Nebraska Data Centers’ current and prospective customers. Friend will be responsible for extending the market presence of Nebraska Colocation Centers, a division of Nebraska Data Centers. Since serving 8 years in public service, six as a Nebraska State Senator, Friend has held several IT services related positions, ranging from technical documentation to business development for colocation and managed services. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from Creighton University.

Joining the seven-member executive board of directors are Duane Kristensen and Douglas Law. Kristensen graduated in 1978 with a bachelor of science in agriculture. He is VP of operations and general manager for Chief Ethanol Fuels based in Hastings. Law earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1983. He is a senior attorney with Black Hills Corp. in Papillion. In addition, eighteen new members joined the alumni advisory council. Members are ambassadors for UNL in their respective communities. Advisory council members represent all UNL colleges and a wide range of class years, geographic communities and business profession. For more information about the Nebraska Alumni Association, visit huskeralum.org or contact Hilary Winter, Nebraska Alumni Association at (402) 472-8914 or hwinter@huskeralum.org.

Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation Appoints New Executive Director Paula Hazlewood Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation (ASWIC), a partner of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, has appointed Paula Hazlewood as its next executive director. Effective Sept. 1, she is now responsible for promoting economic vitality and job creation in Southwest Iowa and throughout the region. Hazlewood previously served as senior director of business retention and expansion for the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership. Appointed to that position in August 2013, she spent the ten years prior serving as executive director of Gateway Development Corporation, a Partnership affiliate. In her new position, Hazlewood will focus on retaining existing businesses, attracting new businesses, creating new jobs and expanding current business and industry in Southwest Iowa. She will also: Collaborate with investors, partners, community leaders and economic development allies, including the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development; Serve as project manager and point of contact for new-to-market and expansion projects in Council Bluffs; and Participate in economic development activities and projects throughout the greater Omaha region. A graduate of Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute and the inaugural classes of Leadership Nebraska and Leadership Washington County, Hazlewood is also a past-president of the Nebraska Economic Developers Association and a member of PDI and MAEDC. She was awarded the inaugural “Professional of the Year” award from the Nebraska Economic Developers Association in May 2010. 24 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

As the owner of two distinct data center facilities and the only carrier hotel in Nebraska, Nebraska Data Centers provides customers with affordable, secure and reliable facilities to host computer network infrastructure. The presence of over 40 carriers offers connectivity and bandwidth options unmatched by any other facility in the region. Nebraska Data Centers serves customers of all sizes and industries that manage local, regional, national and international networks. To find out if colocation is right for your business or organization, or to schedule a tour of one of the facilities, call (402) 342-2656 or email info@connectncc.com.

Stacy Leners of Blur Parties a Featured Speaker at XLIVE 2016 Stacy Leners of the Nebraska-based tailgate and event production company Blur Parties is among the impressive list of featured speakers slated to present at XLIVE 2016, the world’s premiere live event production conference. Transcending all things festival, music, film, culinary, eSports and technology, XLIVE 2016 touches down in the entertainment capital of the world this December 5th -7th, 2016 at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Previously known by two separate entities, International Music Festival Conference (IMFCON) and International Film Festival Summit (IFFS), XLIVE will host 140+ guest speakers, 80+ exhibitors and 40+ interactive sessions for participants to transform their perspective and understanding about the latest approaches to elevate event production and attendee experience to new, unprecedented heights. Uniting the industry’s most brilliant minds under one roof, the 13th annual conference will bring the dynamic festival community together to share in a creative and collaborative space where attendees can explore the latest trends and share ideas within the rapid evolution of the large scale gathering phenomenon. For more information about XLIVE 2016 and/or to register for the convention, visit xlivecon.com/lasvegas. To learn more about Blur Parties, including upcoming Husker tailgate events, please visit www.blurparties.com or contact Stacy Leners at (402) 882-2448/stacy@blurparties.com.

PERSONNEL NEWS Kristine Gale Joins Nebraska Community Foundation

Dave Paulmeyer Named Vice President at First Capital Partners

Nebraska Community Foundation is pleased to welcome Kristine Gale to its team of affiliated fund development coordinators. Kristine works part time from her home office in Bassett, Nebraska, providing training and education to Nebraska Community Foundation affiliated funds primarily in north-central Nebraska. As a Community Development Coordinator, she helps to build community awareness, provide training resources for successful fundraising, and enhance community impact through grantmaking and leadership development.

Dave Paulmeyer has joined First Capital Par tners as a vice president with responsibilities for investment origination and execution as well as working closely with portfolio companies.

Kristine has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master’s degree from University of Nebraska-Omaha in public administration. In addition to experience in marketing, communications and community development, Kristine’s previous experience includes serving as economic development director in Bassett, Nebraska; executive director of the Fremont Area Community Foundation; and executive director of the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation.

Paulmeyer received a BS in accounting from the University of Nebraska where he was a Chancellor’s Scholar. In June, he earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business where he graduated with high honors and was also selected by the faculty for having the most outstanding academic record in his graduating class.

Kristine and her husband, David, have lived in Bassett since 2010 with their three sons, Jack, Charlie, and Thomas. Kristine and David also served as founding members of the Rock County Community Fund, an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation. Nebraska Community Foundation is a statewide 501(c)(3) organization using charitable giving to build prosperous communities. Visit NebraskaHometown.org to find out more.

Sarpy YMCA Welcomes New Executive Director Katlin Wilson The Sarpy YMCA Board proudly announces the hire of Katlin Wilson as the Executive Director of the Sarpy YMCA, one of nine YMCA of Greater Omaha facilities. Wilson began her career with the YMCA of Greater Omaha in 2004, starting as a Summer Day Camp counselor. After graduating from Northwest Missouri State University, Katlin returned to Omaha and began working for the Y full-time in the Child Development Center, Summer Day Camp, and later was promoted to business manager and membership director at the Downtown YMCA. Wilson acted as membership director for three years, increasing membership revenue by six percent from 2014 to 2015. Wilson quickly established herself as a leader in the organization and became Executive Director of the Downtown YMCA in 2015. “I chose to work for the Y because I am able to be part of a bigger picture and appreciate the opportunity to give back in our work each day,” Wilson stated about her decision to transition from the Downtown YMCA to the Sarpy YMCA, “I’m looking forward to continuing to foster current relationships as well as building new ones and strengthening our community together as a team.” Wilson’s first day at the Sarpy YMCA was Monday, September 26. Learn more about how the YMCA of Greater Omaha is serving and strengthening our community at www.metroymca.org.

Paulmeyer originally joined First Capital Partners in 2007 as a college intern and was appointed to a full time analyst position in 2009. In 2011, Paulmeyer was promoted to an associate. In 2014, Paulmeyer departed the firm to pursue a full-time MBA before rejoining First Capital Partners in July.

First Capital Partners is a mezzanine debt and private equity investment firm that was founded in 2006 and has offices in Omaha and Chicago. The firm is currently investing from its $91 million FCP Fund II, L.P. For more information, visit www.firstcapitalpartners.com or contact the Omaha office at (402) 633-3396.

Pinnacle Bank Names Jay Faylor, Alyssa Simon Vice Presidents Pinnacle Bank recently promoted Jay Faylor to Vice President of Commercial Lending and Alyssa Simon to Vice President of Retail Banking. Both work from the 180th and Dodge branch. Faylor, who has been with the bank for six years, is responsible for managing an existing commercial loan portfolio and developing new business relationships. He gained his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In the community, Faylor is president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Service League and is actively involved in the CUES Young Professional Group.

Jay Faylor

Simon’s responsibilities include sales management, super vision of branc h employees and business development. Simon has been with the bank for nearly nine years gaining experience in various roles including Personal Banker and teller. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Alyssa Simon business administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and continued her education later receiving her master’s degree in business administration from Bellevue University. In the community, Simon is involved in several organizations including Heartland Family Service, artVenture, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross. Family-owned since 1938, Nebraska-based Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc., is a $9.5 billion financial holding company operating 140 community banks in seven states including 61 locations in Nebraska. For more information, visit pinnbank.com. OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business 25

PERSONNEL NEWS David Newell Reappointed to Nebraska Children’s Commission, Viv Ewing Joins Nebraska Families Collaborative Nebraska Families Collaborative president and CEO, David Newell, CSW, ACSW, has been reappointed to the Nebraska Children’s Commission by Governor Pete Ricketts. The Nebraska Children’s Commission was created by the Nebraska State Legislature in 2012 to devise a strategic plan for child welfare and juvenile justice and to work collaboratively with the three branches of government to enhance programs to improve the safety and well-being of children and families in the state. Newell sits on the Foster David Newell Care Reimbursement Rate committee which reviews and makes recommendations on foster care reimbursement rates, statewide standardized level of care assessment and adoption assistance payment. His term runs until June 20, 2019. It was also recently announced that Viv L. Ewing, Ph.D. has joined Nebraska Families Collaborative as Vice President of Human Resources and Community Relations. In the newly created position, Ewing will lead the departments of human resources, marketing Viv Ewing and communications and development of the agency. Throughout her professional career that has spanned across both corporate and not-for-profit organizations, Ewing, an Omaha native, has remained dedicated to helping individuals, families and organizations make positive changes to enhance their success and reach their potential. She served as Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association of Nebraska, Director of Government Affairs for Habitat for Humanity, Assistant Operations Director for The Salvation Army Kroc Center, Human Resources Manager at ConAgra Foods, Sr. Director of Human Resources & Administration at Omaha Housing Authority and Human Resources Representative at OPPD. She has received more than 30 community awards and has dedicated her time to organizations and boards such as the University of Nebraska Medical Center Board of Councilors, University of Nebraska Alumni Board, College of Public Affairs Advisory Council, Literacy Center Board, Governor’s Judicial Selection Committee, Nebraska Children Event Committee, Immanuel Pathways Participant Advisory Committee, Hope Center for Kids Guild, American Red Cross Board, Sienna Francis House Board, Catholic Charities Mental Health Committee, Holy Name Home & School Association, Omaha Table Talk and the Human Resources Association of Midlands. Nebraska Families Collaborative is contracted by the State of Nebraska to provide case management and service coordination for children and families involved in the child welfare system in Douglas and Sarpy Counties, working with approximately 5,000 children and families each year. For more information, please call (402) 492-2500 or visit www. nebraskafc.org.

It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know & Who Knows You! At Strictly Business Magazine (www.strictlybusinessomaha.com), we strive to recognize local businessmen and women for their significant awards, promotions, achievements, and/or efforts in partnership with other organizations and the Omaha Metro 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 OCTOBER 2016

Veridian Credit Union Announces Promotion of Drew Mickle Veridian Credit Union is pleased to announce that Drew Mickle has been promoted to the position of branch manager. He’ll oversee the credit union’s first Omaha branch, which is scheduled to open at corner of West Maple Road and 150th Street in early 2017. A resident of Council Bluffs, and formerly of Waterloo, Iowa, Mickle has been employed at Veridian for four years, most recently as a loan officer at the credit union’s Council Bluffs branch. He’s a graduate of the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Management and Marketing. Veridian Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative founded in 1934 in Waterloo, Iowa as John Deere Employees Credit Union. Earnings are returned to members through lower rates, higher dividends, better services and low-to-no fees. The credit union offers a full range of business and consumer financial services, including accounts, loans, guidance, investments and insurance. Membership is open to anyone living or working in the credit union’s 45-county field of membership, including Council Bluffs, Omaha and surrounding communities. For more information, please visit www.veridiancu.org.

Community Health Charities Announces New State Board of Directors Members Several area business and community leaders were named to the Community Health Charities of Nebraska (CHC-NE) State Board of Directors at the organization’s annual meeting on August 25. Teresa Layton, Great Western Bank, was elected Board Chair Elect. Other Officers include: Craig Sall, First National Wealth Management, Chair of the Board; Clarence Nichols, United Republic Bank, Immediate Past Board Chair; Erica Hinrichs, ACI Worldwide, Secretary; and Ralph Davoli, Hancock & Dana, PC, Treasurer. Additionally, Mike Wade, Physicians Mutual Insurance Company, was elected to the Executive Committee. Other Executive Committee Members include: Sharon Brodkey, iLuicom; Michael Demman, SimplyWell LLC; David Gilinsky, Bergman Incentives; Larry Guenther, BMO Harris Bank, N.A.; Stanley Kathol, Omaha Airport Authority; Thomas Macy, Nebraska Medicine; Deenie Meyerson, Community Representative; Amber Preston, Baird Holm LLP; and Loren Steenson, Community Representative. The following individuals were also elected onto the State Board: Vicki Anzalone, Nelnet, American Diabetes Association of Nebraska representative; Homer Fouquier, Jr., Prudential Financial Services, March of Dimes, Nebraska & Western Iowa Market representative; J. Erin Hunt, HDR, at large; Stephen Jackson, Douglas County Health Department, Susan G. Komen Nebraska representative; Rondi Kinney, Community Representative, Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska Representative; Heather Kudron, Wells Fargo Bank, at large; Tom Neal, Nebraska Organ Recovery, Nebraska Kidney Association Representative; Mark Neilsen, Valmont Industries, Inc., Nebraska AIDS Project Representative; Paul Petera, TD Ameritrade, at large; and Chris Tooker, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., Arthritis Foundation, Heartland Region, Nebraska Representative. Community Health Charities of Nebraska is a fundraising federation of 19 premier non-profit health charities raising charitable contributions primarily through annual corporate employee giving campaigns. For more information about CHC-NE and the work of its member charities, go to www.chcne.org and www.facebook.com/ CHCNebraska or call (800) 990-2423.

PERSONNEL NEWS Benefit Professionals, Inc. Welcomes Candace Chapman

United Republic Bank Announces Promotion, Appointment of Key Executive Officers

Benefit Professionals, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Candace Chapman as an Account Manager. Chapman comes to Benefit Professionals with 10 years of insurance experience. She will be responsible for providing account management and client relations. Chapman graduated from Western Iowa Tech with a major in Marketing. Established in 1989, Benefit Professionals is a group benefits’ brokerage firm located in La Vista. They work with clients in Nebraska and Iowa finding solutions to meet their individual needs when it comes to employee benefits. Benefit Professionals can be contacted at (402) 592-7777.

Mike Pate, President and CEO of United Republic Bank, has announced recent promotions and additions. Larry Marinovic has recently been promoted to Senior Vice President of the Commercial Larry Marinovic Radean Cox Real Estate Division at United Republic Bank. Marinovic has been involved in the local commercial real estate industry since 1973, spending the past 25 years in a lending capacity for community-sized commercial banks, and responsible for Clarence Nichols Dave Arkfeld originating in excess of $450 million in commercial real estate loans. He was inducted into the Commercial Real Estate Summit Hall of Fame in 2008. Radean Cox has recently been promoted to Senior Vice President of Georgia Anderson Trevor Kroll the Loan Operations Division at United Republic Bank. Cox has over 30 years of banking experience with expertise in loan operations management and client relationships. Clarence Nichols recently joined United Republic Bank as Senior Vice President of the Commercial Banking Division. He has more than 24 years of experience in the banking industry and has originated more than $450 million in lending activity. Nichols is a graduate of Leadership Omaha and is a recognized performer at the American Institute of Banking, Schools of Banking. Dave Arkfeld recently joined United Republic Bank as the Vice President of the Mortgage Division. Arkfeld has 19 years of experience in secondary market loan origination and 23 years of banking experience, as well as expertise in client relationships and business development. He is a member of Business Network International Built 4 Business Chapter Omaha, NE. Georgia Anderson recently joined United Republic Bank as the Assistant Vice President of the Retail Banking Division. Anderson is responsible for managing the bank’s retail banking operations and has 20 years of banking experience with expertise in Branch Management, Operations and Client Relations. Trevor Kroll recently joined United Republic Bank as Assistant Vice President/Senior Credit Analyst of the Commercial Loan Division. Kroll holds a CPA Certificate and has 10 years of credit analysis experience with expertise in finance and accounting. For more information about United Republic Bank, visit www. unitedrepublicbank.com. OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business 27

Swanson Russell Welcomes Nancy Montera Swanson Russell welcomes Nancy Montera, who has joined the firm’s Omaha office as an agency assistant. Originally from Highland, Indiana, Montera most recently worked as a guest services supervisor at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, and retired from the Air Force after over 22 years of service. She received bachelor’s degrees in music performance and criminal justice from Indiana University. Founded in 1962, Swanson Russell is a Nebraska-based marketing communications firm with offices in Lincoln and Omaha. In addition to working with local and regional clients, the full-service agency is nationally recognized for expertise in agriculture, health care, outdoor recreation, construction and the green industry. For more information about Swanson Russell’s Real Connection™ approach to advertising, public relations, interactive and branding services, visit www.swansonrussell.com.

Dr. Michael Wadman Named Chair of UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine Michael Wadman, M.D., a key figure in the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine emergency medicine program for more than 20 years, has been selected as the new chair of the UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine. The appointment, whic h is subject to approval of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, would be effective on October 15. It was announced on September 14 by Bradley Britigan, M.D., dean of the UNMC College of Medicine. Dr. Wadman joined the UNMC faculty in 1994 as assistant professor and was elevated to associate professor in 2004 and professor in 2014. In 2003, he was the founding director of UNMC’s emergency medicine residency program, and he continued in this role for seven years. Dr. Wadman succeeds Robert Muelleman, M.D., who has headed emergency medicine for the past 18 years and started the UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine in 2007. Dr. Muelleman will remain on the faculty as professor, emergency medicine, and is in line to be president of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM), the certification board for emergency physicians, in two years.

NON-PROFIT NEWS Save The Date: Bridges to Hope Freed for Life Dinner Set for November 13th

Gretna Community Foundation Accepting Grant Requests

Bridges to Hope is pleased to announce that the Freed for Life Dinner and fundraising event will be held on Sunday, November 13th from 6-8 p.m. at Sheridan Lutheran Church, 6955 Old Cheney Rd. Proceeds from the fundraiser and community awareness program go towards Bridges to Hope, Followers of Christ Prison Ministry and the FEAST program at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Featuring the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes as keynote speaker, reservations cost $25 per person or $200 for a table of seven guests plus one FEAST partner from the Community Corrections Center in Lincoln. These ministries provide support to inmates inside the prison and to those transitioning into the community.

Gretna Community Foundation is accepting grant requests of up to $5,000 from 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Organizations must provide services to, and the grant proceeds must be used within, the City of Gretna, and/or the Gretna School District to be considered for support.

Bridges to Hope in Lincoln is a non-profit agency serving men and women soon to be or recently released from correctional institutions throughout NE. The goal is to create and sustain joint efforts to prevent Reentrants from falling back into their criminal behaviors and to lower the recidivism rate. This is done by providing Reentrants with everything they need to start up a new home. Furniture, clothing, household items and hygiene products are a few of the items provided to them at no cost. All items are donated by community members. Current needs are: dressers, end tables, coffee tables, kitchen tables, and lamps.

NAM Celebrates 10 Years of Summit With 10 Facts About Nonprofits

To learn more about Bridges to Hope, visit bridgestohopene.org or contact Rhonda Mattingly at (402) 420-5696 or mattinglyr1@ windstream.net.

Children’s Scholarship Fund Hosts New Family Reception Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha held its annual New Family Reception at Creighton University on September 8, 2 0 1 6 , o ve r 2 5 0 people attended. The event focused on the important role parents play in the education of their children. An inspiring evening for all! Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha (CSF) believes that all families, regardless of income, should be able to choose the best educational setting for their children. CSF provides tuition assistance scholarships so children from low-income families can access the private or parochial K-8 education of their choice. CSF is destination neutral and has no religious affiliation—children attend approximately 80 different schools across Omaha and northeast Nebraska. For the 2016-17 school year CSF award over 1,800 scholarships valued at over 2.7 million to students in Omaha and northeast Nebraska. SAVE THE DATE: Children’s Scholarship of Omaha’s annual fundraiser, the CHANCE Luncheon, will be held on June 8, 2017 at the Hilton Omaha from 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Please contact CSF offices for more information at (402) 819-4990. CSF Omaha relies solely upon donations to provide scholarships. If you or your company would like to make a donation or sponsor a student, please contact the office or visit www.csfomaha.org. 28 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

The Foundation will accept applications via U.S. Mail or email through October 15. No hand delivered applications will be accepted. Visit www.gretnacommunityfoundation.com for an electronic copy of the application packet. The Gretna Community Foundation is an affiliated fund of Midlands Community Foundation. Its mission is to help fund community improvement projects and help those in need in the Gretna community.

The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (www. nonprofitam.org) is celebrating the 10th year of its Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands. The theme of this year’s Summit, which will be held Thursday, November 3, is “Who’s Telling Your Story?” NAM helps more than 330 charitable organizations in Nebraska and Western Iowa with the tools they need to tell their story. With the 10th annual Summit approaching, NAM wants everyone to know 10 facts about nonprofits: 1. The nonprofit sector is Nebraska’s third-largest industry. In Nebraska, 1 in 11 people work for a nonprofit. 2. One-third of the nonprofits in Nebraska are human services organizations. Another 14 percent are health care. 3. More than three-quarters of the nonprofit employees in Nebraska—82 percent—live outside of Douglas and Lancaster Counties, the state’s two largest metro areas. 4. According to Giving USA, charitable donations reached $373.25 billion in 2015, an all-time high. Individual giving was up four percent. 5. In 2014, 25 percent of adults nationwide volunteered with a nonprofit organization. In Nebraska, 36 percent did so. Nebraska ranks seventh in the nation in volunteering. 6. As of 2013, there were 1.41 million nonprofits registered with the IRS. 66 percent of those had expenses of $500,000 or less, qualifying them as small nonprofits. 7. As in Nebraska, 35 percent of all charitable organizations nationwide are human services-focused. Educational organizations are second, and health care third. 8. In 2012, nonprofit organizations employed 11.4 million people in the U.S., which represented 10.3 percent of all private employment. 9. December is the most popular month for giving. Donors gave the least on July 5, according to an online giving report issued in July. 10. Every Nebraskan uses a nonprofit every day. This year’s Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands has two keynote speakers. It’ll be held at the Embassy Suites La Vista Conference Center.

NON-PROFIT NEWS Public Awareness Campaign Comes to Nebraska With Goal of Saving Babies

Senior Health Foundation to Host 23rd Annual Golf Outing

A new partnership has the potential to save hundreds of babies in Nebraska. The Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPQIC) is joining forces with Count the Kicks, a public awareness campaign that encourages expectant moms to track their baby’s movements in the third trimester of pregnancy with the goal of delivering a healthy baby and preventing stillbirth. Since the campaign was created in neighboring Iowa in 2008, the state’s stillbirth rate has decreased by 26 percent. Scientific studies indicate kick counting, a daily record of a baby’s movements (kicks, rolls, punches, jabs) during the third trimester, is an easy, free and reliable way to monitor a baby’s well-being in addition to regular prenatal visits. Healthy Birth Day, the non-profit organization that created Count the Kicks, hears from parents across the country who say their baby was saved because they knew to monitor their baby’s movement and alert their provider when the movement pattern changed. NPQIC plans to support this campaign by dissemination of the initiative throughout the state of Nebraska. As of Thursday, September 1, doctors’ offices, hospitals and clinics in Nebraska now have access to free Count the Kicks materials by visiting the website countthekicks.org. Maternal healthcare providers are encouraged to learn more about Count the Kicks and share the life-saving message with their patients.

Senior Health Foundation looks forward to seeing you on the links for their 23rd Annual Golf Outing on Friday, October 7th at Shoreline Golf Club, located at 210 Locust St Carter Lake, Iowa. Registration is at noon with a shotgun start set for 1:00 p.m. The entry fee is $100 per player and includes lunch, golf, dinner and prizes. All proceeds from the event will be used to expand a program that connects seniors to distant relatives via Skype. Over half of all residents in senior homes never receive a visitor and this program keeps them close to family and friends. All are encouraged to come join them for an afternoon of fun and support a great cause!

Assistance League® of Omaha Presents 42nd Annual Christmas Caravan Tour of Homes

For more information, please visit www.seniorhealthfoundation.org to register online or contact Mark Kresl at (402) 827-6051 or by email at mkresl@shf.org.

Get in the holiday spirit, help children in need, and see four spectacular homes decked out in holiday finery! Christmas Caravan 2016 will take place Thursday, November 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Homes for the Holidays 2016 offers a tour of four private northwest Omaha homes decorated for the holidays by local florists and designers as well as a variety of related events to be held at Champions Run. The 2016 ALO Christmas Caravan includes a variety of home décor, styles, sizes, and neighborhoods. Each of this year’s homes is different, ranging from a stunningly renovated ‘70’s home in Lake Candlewood subdivision, to a newly-built, gorgeous 1½ story home in suburban Silverleaf. This year’s lovely homes have been beautifully enhanced by Andrea’s Designs of Elkhorn, Country Gardens of Blair, Papillion Flower Patch, and The Tweed Couch of Omaha. In conjunction with the tour, participants will enjoy an opportunity to purchase items from each home’s vendor. A stop at Champions Run, 13800 Eagle Run Drive, will offer a lovely buffet luncheon ($13 per ticket at the door), bake sale, and more shopping provided by Assistance League’s Thrift Shop Boutique. This popular event benefits Assistance League of Omaha’s philanthropic programs including Operation School Bell®, annually clothing over 3,500 Omaha-area children in need. This is done through a partnership with JCPenney’s Westroads location. In addition to this service, Caravan proceeds also support other year-long programs such as Assault Survivor Kits®, Operation Bear Hug, Operation Teen Parent, ACT/PSAT Review Sessions, and Operation Recovery. Tickets are available for purchase in advance for $16 online or from vendors, Assistance League Thrift Shop, HyVee Stores, or any Assistance League member. Tickets may also be purchased on the tour date for $20 at any of the homes. Contact the Assistance League office at (402) 342-4288 or visit www.alomaha.org/get-involved/fundraisers for more information.

Senior Health Foundation helps fill in the gaps in critical programs for seniors in Omaha through Midwest Geriatrics, Inc. MGI is a nonprofit 501c3 management company for Florence Home Healthcare, Royale Oaks and House of Hope Assisted Livings, and House of Hope Alzheimer’s Care.

Domesti-PUPS Brings Canine First Aid & CPR Course to Nebraska K9 First Aid and CPR certification class will be available Sunday, October 23 to be held at 1541 Center Park Road, Suite A in Lincoln. The class is taught by Colorado paramedics Dan Ponce and author of the book K9 Medic, Eric ‘Odie’ Roth. The morning session will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the afternoon session will run from 1-4:30 p.m. Eric has taught over 1,700 dog owners and professionals his paramedic-based material since 2009. This class is a must for any dog owner or anyone who works with dogs on a daily basis. Participants will receive basic instruction on the following topics: Canine Body Language; Personal Safety; The Importance of Early Veterinary Care; Appropriate Restraint of an Injured Animal; and Preparing a First-Aid Kit. They will also learn valuable skills, including: Checking Vital Signs; The Doggie Heimlich; How to Control Bleeding; Poisons; Seizures; Dog Fights; Splinting and Bandaging; Bloat; and of course, CPR. As a bonus, all participants will receive an autographed copy of the book K9 Medic by instructor Eric Roth. This training is brought to you by Domesti-PUPS, Nebraska’s premiere resource for therapy and service dogs, as a public service initiative. The classes are sponsored in part by Nature’s Variety dog food and Nebraska Animal Medical Center. Register online: www.pups-pals.com/first-aidcpr.html. OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business

NON-PROFIT NEWS Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce Toastmasters Club Celebrating 10 Years

League of Women Voters Provides Voters’ Guide and Candidate Forums

The Sarpy County Chamber Toastmasters is proud to be observing its 10th anniversary. A Celebration Open House was held during a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, September 21 at 8:00 a.m. Chartered in July of 2006 and located in District 24, the club has been dedicated to helping people become better leaders and confident public speakers.

The League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha (LWVGO) says “Go Vote, Omaha!” with its Voters’ Guide and video recorded candidate forums.

The public is welcome to visit any Sarpy County Chamber Toastmasters meeting on the 1st or 3rd Wednesday of each month from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Meetings are held at the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce offices in Papillion, Nebraska. Questions about the event or regular meetings can be directed to Tina at tinak.gethealthy@gmail.com. For more information about the organization and the club, please visit sarpy.toastmastersclubs.org.

The League’s non-partisan Voters’ Guide to Douglas County candidates will be out in early October. Copies will be available at area public libraries and other locations. The Guide can also be found on the League’s web site at omahalwv.org and at Vote411.org. The Guide can be found in the October edition of “The Reader” as well.

For 10 years, the Sarpy County Chamber Toastmasters club has provided a supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to overcome their fear of public speaking and sharpen presentation skills. Other benefits include the opportunity to increase one’s confidence, build critical thinking skills and become an effective listener. Several members have achieved advanced communication and leadership recognition from Toastmasters International for their efforts in the club. Whatever your season in life, Toastmasters offers the opportunity to grow in your leadership and communication abilities while connecting with others that will cheer you on along the way!

The Greater Omaha League has a weekly 30 minute television show called “Go Vote, Omaha!” featuring issues important to voters so they are ready and willing to go vote. The show airs weekly Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. on Omaha KPAO (Cox 22 or CenturyLink 89) with archived shows on YouTube. (Search for League of Women Voters Greater Omaha GOVOTEOmaha) Candidate Forums have been featured on the show and include: Nebraska Legislative Districts 7, 13, 31, 39, and 45; OPPD; MUD; Douglas County Board-5; Omaha Public Schools Board of Education; Millard Board of Education; State Board of Education; Learning Community; Coordinating Councils 2 and 6; 2nd Congressional District; Death Penalty Ballot Proposal; and Three-part series on the Death Penalty. All forums and programs can also be found via the League’s web site at: omahalwv.org. For more information about the League go to: omahalwv. org, and find them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. LWVGO may be contacted at: omahalwv@gmail.com.

Child Saving Institute Guild to Host PurseOnalities 2016 On Wednesday, October 5, the Child Saving Institute Guild will host the PurseOnalities 2016 Annual Luncheon to help raise funds for at-risk youth and families served through CSI programs. The luncheon will be held at Hilton Omaha, 1001 Cass St. This year’s event theme is “There’s No Place Like Home” and will also feature a silent auction of fabulous purse packages and fun boutique shopping. Keynote speaker is former foster child Ashley Rhodes-Courter, author of Three Little Words. The Luncheon Honorary Chair is Cindy Heider, widely known for her generosity of spirit and devotion to children. The Event Chairs are Karen Burmood, Amy Epp, and Mary O’Connell The Patron event starts at 10:30 a.m.; Silent Auction begins at 11 a.m.; and the Luncheon Program begins at 11:45 a.m. Individual ticket prices start at $75. For more information or to purchase tickets for the event, visit CSI’s website at www.childsaving.org or call (402) 504-3661. Come for the bags or come for the speaker…but most importantly, show up for the kids! Child Saving Institute is dedicated to the prevention, intervention and healing of child abuse, neglect, and abandonment. CSI has met the changing needs of metro area children for nearly 125 years based on the belief that ALL children should have homes where hope is kindled and dreams can be achieved. 30 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

UNO Partners With Project Harmony to Create New Graduate Degree Program The University of Nebraska at Omaha is excited to announce it has partnered with three organizations to create a graduate degree program and provide free tuition to a group of child welfare employees. UNO’s Grace Abbott School of Social Work has teamed with Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as well as nonprofits Project Harmony and Nebraska Families Collaborative to create the Child Welfare Cohort, which provides a tuition-free, partially-online master’s degree program specifically for employees working in child welfare. The school offers five different degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, a Master of Social Work degree and three dual master’s degree programs pairing social work with criminology and criminal justice, public administration and public health. “Connections is a program of Project Harmony that matches children and families in need with community mental health providers,” says Dr. Debra Anderson, Project Harmony’s Director of Connections. “Through the generosity of Ruth and Bill Scott, we are able to offer graduate education to our employees, address the need for a well-trained work force, and ensure quality mental health services to children and families.” Project Harmony (ProjectHarmony.com) is a nonprofit, community-based organization in Omaha, NE that has served more than 26,000 children during the past 20 years by providing a child friendly environment in which specially-trained professionals work together to assess, investigate, and resolve child abuse cases.

NON-PROFIT NEWS Join Open Door Mission for Ladle of Love Festival

Latino Center of the Midlands Awarded $280,994 Grant

On Sunday, October 23rd, hundreds of friends of Open Door Mission will come cast their vote for their favorite soup! The event will take place from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Garland Thompson Men’s Center, located at 2705 North 20th Street East in Omaha.

The Latino Center of the Midlands is pleased to announce it was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $280,994 from United Way of the Midlands (UWM). Thanks to the generosity of the United Way donors, the Latino Center of the Midlands (LCM) is able to provide academic support services to students and their parents in the Omaha and Bellevue Public Schools, deliver social services navigation and support services to a largely Spanish-speaking population, while also providing classes for adults to strengthen basic literacy and numeracy skills. The investment from UWM enables the Pathways to Success (P2S) program to provide essential services to more metro Omaha schools. In 2015, the LCM served 159 high school students by tracking attendance records, grades and class credits. These students receive individualized assistance and support in order to keep them on track towards graduation. LCM staff also keeps in close contact with parents as these youth navigate the challenges of improving academic outcomes. Self-sufficiency is a key goal for the adult learners who come to the center for basic education. Last year, 456 unduplicated adults were served by the adult education activities. In total, there were 2,228 clients served at Latino Center of the Midlands in 2015. Fo r m o r e i n fo r m at i o n , pl e as e co n t act Ju l i an a G ar z a at jgarza@latinocenterofthemidlands.org or visit www. latinocenterofthemidlands.org.

Guests will taste delicious soups and breads prepared by area chefs, cast a vote for their favorite Soup of the Day, view artwork created by homeless guests who have found safe shelter at Open Door Mission, and enjoy live Cajun-style music performed by Omaha’s Prairie Gators. “This is a great, fun, family-friendly event. Plus, 100% of the proceeds go directly to providing services at Open Door Mission,” says Candace Gregory, President/CEO. “This event would not be possible without all of the gracious and tasty donations from area chefs and restaurants. We are excited to see who takes home the gold!” Tickets are $10/advance or $12/door; admission is free for children 10 and under. Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission that provides 816 men, women, and children with safe shelter beds, serves more than 2,000 nutritious meals, and provides preventive measures to more than 275 families living in poverty. Open Door Mission offers lifechanging programs for those recovering from life-altering addictions and abuse to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. For more information, please call (402) 422-1111 or visit opendoormission.org.

Ted E. Bear Hollow Presents First Place Food Feud – Best vs. Best In the U.S., approximately 1 in 7 c hildren ex p e r i e n c e t h e death of a parent or sibling before age 20. Our community is all too familiar with such tragedies. Ted E. Bear Hollow is proud to serve these kids, their families and other grieving adults through free support groups, day camps, and overnight retreats. Ted E. Bear Hollow’s Annual Comfort Food Classic, set for Sunday October 9th at 5 p.m., is a foodie event with heart. All proceeds from this annual chef competition support the agency’s free grief support services in Omaha, Council Bluffs and the surrounding communities. This year is the 10th anniversary of the Comfort Food Classic, and a very special evening is being planned. Six past winners will return to recreate their winning cuisine and compete for the title “Best of the Best”. The food is not to be missed, and neither is our return host, the ever entertaining local comedian, Kris Covi. Guests will get to sample and judge the creations from six of the area’s top chefs. Judging categories include presentation, creativity, and taste. Guests will also enjoy free beer, wine, appetizers, and desserts and may participate in a silent auction. This year’s auction will once again feature electronic bidding. Location: Ramada Convention Center, 72nd & Grover. Tickets: $90; Tables of 10 are available. Additional event information is available at www.tedebearhollow.org.

23rd Annual Heartland Family Service Safe Haven Golf Tournament a Success Eighty-eight area golfers helped putt an end to domestic violence and sexual assault by raising $16,805 at the 23rd annual Heartland Family Service Safe Haven Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 16 at Tara Hills Golf Course in Papillion. Omaha Storm Chasers President and General Manager Martie Cordaro and his wife Sara served as honorary chairs. The Arby’s PANDA Inc. team (L-R): In addition to receiving a Pat D’Agosto, Jason Mateljan, John SWAG bag, boxed lunch Caniglia and Pat D’Agosto. and dinner, golfers also were able to participate in several games throughout the course. Participants had the choice to tee off while wearing the Storm Chasers mascot head or pay $10 on the ninth hole as part of the “Mascot or Masc-not” Challenge. On the 12th hole, golfers had to tee off in high heels or pay $20 for the “Putt Yourself in Her Shoes” Challenge.

The Arby’s PANDA, Inc. team of Andy and Pat D’Agosto, Jason Mateljan and John Caniglia took first place. Steve Ritzman, Collettee Lozier, Brian Andersen and Megan Holtorf of American National Bank finished second. Nine-hole participants also had the opportunity to attend the first annual Spa Vendor Expo in the clubhouse, along with Expo-only entrants. The Expo featured eight vendors, including Interiors Joan and Associates and Kung Fu Damsels. All funds raised will go to support the Heartland Family Service Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Services program, including the Safe Haven concealed shelter for women and their children who are trying to escape from harmful environments and heal from the lasting effects of their trauma. To find out more about Heartland Family Service, visit heartlandfamilyservice.org. OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business 31

NON-PROFIT NEWS American Cancer Society Breaks Ground on $11.5 Million Hope Lodge in Nebraska The American Cancer Society officially broke ground for the Hope Lodge Nebraska facility o n T h u r s d a y, September 29. Once the Society opens its doors, the Hope Lodge will improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families by providing free lodging for patients who travel more than 40 miles to Omaha to receive their cancer treatment at any of the areas cancer treatment centers. The future site of Hope Lodge is 8104 Farnam Drive in Omaha. In an assessment compiled by American Cancer Society and the four major health centers in Nebraska, the following indicators show the need of Hope Lodge in Nebraska: Each year over 9,200 cancer patients travel over 40 miles to Omaha for their treatment. No other organization provides long-term accommodations free of charge. Hope Lodge will be Nebraska’s lone cancer-only lodging facility. At full occupancy, the Hope Lodge Nebraska community will provide more than 10,500 stays for patients and their caregivers each year, with the average stay being approximately 35 nights. This is in addition to the accommodations provided through the Hotel Partners Program. Local organizations, foundations, individuals and companies have contributed nearly 75% of the $11.5 million goal to date to achieve this milestone. The Society still needs the community’s help now and when construction is completed. For more details, please call (402) 398-0771 or visit www.hopelodgenebraska.org.

Nebraska Logistics Council Awards Scholarships, Professional of the Year The Nebraska Logistics Council (www.nebraskalogisticscouncil. org) awarded three $500 scholarships and the Supply Chain Professional of the Year award at their annual fundraiser, held September 2 in Bellevue. Student receiving scholarships included: Megan Henderson, Millard South High School. Henderson is enrolled in the UNO High School Dual Enrollment Program and MCC Business and Logistics Management Career Academy. Henderson is interesting in attending UNO, UNK, UNL or Iowa University to pursue a degree in supply chain management or international business. Nathan Marx, Millard North High School. Marx is enrolled in the Logistics Academy at Millard Horizon and MCC. He is interested in attending UNK or UNO to pursue a degree in supply chain management or become a storage and distribution manager. Brady Conant, Adams Central High School. Conant is also enrolled at Central Community College. He is planning on attending UNL to pursue a degree in supply chain management and has been accepted into the College of Business Administration Honors Academy. David Hale, Lozier Corporation was recognized at Supply Chain Professional of the Year. Hale started with Lozier Corporation in 1981 as Traffic Manager for the Omaha, NE facility and is currently Logistics Relations Manager. Hale’s focus is on strategic service provider capacity, reliability, sourcing, contracts, rates, and relationships. 32 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

KANEKO Atrium Reveal Set for November 1st KANEKO (thekaneko.org) will be hosting an Atrium Reveal on November 1st. This is actual date that construction will be complete on the project. The Atrium is KANEKO’s new front door, spanning from 11th to 12th Streets along Jones Street. This visionary design reflects the dynamic, innovative, and creative programming that occurs inside KANEKO. In keeping with the original warehouse structure, the Atrium addition integrates a new contemporary aesthetic and 5,000 added square feet of space to the KANEKO building. The KANEKO Atrium structure is sure to become an iconic part of Omaha’s historic Old Market, and serve as a permanent reminder of the impact of creativity in our community. The Atrium Reveal will include remarks given by KANEKO Executive Director, Chris Hochstetler, Architect Mark Mack, and KANEKO Trustee James Linder MD. A keynote speech will be given by Dr. Del Weber on the historical and economic impacts the KANEKO Atrium will have on the Omaha community. Following this reveal event will be a guided tour of the Atrium and a light lunch reception. This event is by invitation only. KANEKO thanks MACK Architects, HDR Architects, Project Advocates, and Lund-Ross Construction for collaborating on this project.

Join Project Pink’d, Inc. and Light it Up Pink’d for Breast Cancer During the month of October, and all year long, Project Pink’d is here to help. Every single day, of every single month, Project Pink’d honors and supports those diagnosed with breast cancer in the community and are dedicated to supporting survivors’ emotional, physical and financial wellbeing. No matter the diagnosis or stage, their bold and compassionate programs and strong local network of support, help survivors focus on moving forward and choosing to thrive in their own way. It’s The Pink’d Movement: Real People. Real Impact. Real Close to Home. Join Project Pink’d and the Omaha Professional Fire Fighters Union, Local 385 as they Light It Up Pink’d in honor and celebration of those diagnosed with breast cancer. Purchase a pink lightbulb at the Omaha Fire Union Hall or visit www.projectpinkd.org for additional distribution locations. Shine your pink light bright at your home or office in October. Then post a picture on social media with your Tribute Card to show who you are honoring and include #omahapinkdout. IAFF Local 385 will donate $1 to Project Pink’d for every Light It Up post. A community that supports one another shines together! For more information, visit www. projectpinkd.org.

The Fit Foundation’s 1st Annual Corn Hole Tournament Set For October 8 The Fit Foundation, a recently formed non-profit organization, has announced its first charitable event happening at IThinkFit Gym in Omaha located at 2424 South 156th Circle on Saturday, October 8. The Fit Foundation board will be hosting the event to raise donations in an effort to further help the Omaha community and surrounding areas. The tournament consists of a NCAA bracket-style corn hole competition, as well as drinks, music and prizes. “One of our biggest goals is to grow The Fit Foundation’s membership. This event is a great opportunity for fitness professionals to come see what we’re all about,” said Tim Gorham, Founder and President. As a new and growing non-profit, The Fit Foundation has raised and donated over $6,000 to local charities in its first year. The tournament registration will start at noon and the games will begin at 1:00 p.m., with a wrap-up around 6:00 p.m. The pre-registration entry fee is $40 per team or $50 at the door. To register for the event, or find more information, please visit www.eventbrite.com and search under “fit foundation.” The Fit Foundation’s purpose is to bring together fitness business owners in Omaha and surrounding areas with the hope of turning our small charitable donations into larger contributions. Visit www. fitfoundation.org to learn more.

NON-PROFIT NEWS Local Festival Showcases Ways to Combat Food Waste

Green Omaha Coalition Rebrands to Celebrate 10th Anniversary

“The Great Food Makeover – A No Food Waste Fest” presented by Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue will be held on October 8 from noon to 4 p.m. at Turner Park in Midtown Crossing.

The Green Omaha Coalition (GOC; greenomaha.org) proudly announces the launch of its new logo and website, www.GreenOmaha. org. As the organization enters a second decade of serving the community, it is positioning itself to engage a broader audience and encourage more individuals and corporations to join the green economy. The rebranding effort enhances the GOC’s ability to endorse sustainability and fulfill its brand initiative – COLLABORATION. EDUCATION. ADVOCACY.

In preparation for this event, Produce from the Heart volunteers will visit area farms to glean vegetables and fruits that would otherwise be plowed into the fields as excess or dumped in the landfill because they are not cosmetically perfect. ProStart culinary arts students from local high schools will help chop the produce. Event head chef Kevin Newlin of The Salvation Army Kroc Center and other local chefs will then prepare autumn stew, which will be served at the event. The family-friendly event also includes cooking demonstrations by local chefs, music, children’s activities, and interactive displays designed to educate visitors about food waste and inspire them to take action at home and in the community. Funds raised from the event will support Saving Grace’s perishable food pipeline that connects excess meat, produce, dairy and grain products from grocery stores, restaurants, caterers and other food purveyors with local nonprofit agencies that feed the hungry in our community. Tickets to The Great Food Makeover are $12 in advance or $15 at the door; children five and under are free. The VIP Brunch from 11 a.m. to noon is $50 and includes admission to the afternoon event. Visit www. savinggracefoodrescue.org for more information.

Over the past decade, the GOC has continued to evolve in order to best fulfill its niche within Omaha’s green movement. As the GOC moves away from its original five council structure, the updated logo better represents the organization’s future. With the emergence of so many sustainability focused organizations in Omaha, the GOC can streamline its role: to strengthen the collective efforts of its members, the community and like-minded partners; to educate the public on environmental issues by promoting local green events, news and opportunities; and to inform community decision-makers and voters on the importance of environmental sustainability. The new visual representation will also further recognition of the organization’s acronym and identity. Citizens or corporations interested in participating in the GOC’s efforts can do any number of things: become an active member, volunteer to help with an event, join a committee, or become a corporate sponsor. Members receive free admission to GOC events, including the upcoming Reel to Real Sustainability Film Festival on Oct. 27 and the Green Home Tour and Smart Energy Expo on Nov. 5.

Alzheimer’s Association’s Omaha Walk to End Alzheimer’s® Raises Over $175,000 More than 2,000 residents from the Omaha area joined the Alzheimer’s A s s o c i a t i o n’s Walk to End A l z h e i m e r ’s ® and united in a movement to reclaim the future for millions at Midtown Crossing-Turner Park. Participants raised more than $175,000 to fund Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. The Alzheimer’s Association thanks our generous sponsors for making this year’s Walk a success. A special thanks to Edward Jones, our National Presenting Sponsor, and Methodist Health System, our Omaha Presenting Sponsor. Walk to End Alzheimer’s participants did more than complete the 2-mile walk. They learned about Alzheimer’s disease and how to get involved with this critical cause, from advocacy opportunities, clinical studies and support programs and services. The event also included an emotional tribute to those who have experienced or are experiencing Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and the nation’s sixthleading cause of death. As baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease will rapidly escalate, increasing well beyond today’s more than 5 million Americans to as many as 16 million by 2050. In Nebraska alone, there are 33,000 people living with Alzheimer’s. For more information or to make a donation, visit alz.org/walk.

Swan Lake to Open Ballet Nebraska’s Season Seven Ballet Nebraska’s dancers will start work next week on its seventh season of professional dance, which will open October 22 at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater with the iconic classical ballet Swan Lake. A chance encounter in Omaha’s Old Market inspired a new Spanish dance for The Nutcracker, the family holiday favorite that comes next in the season lineup. The Nutcracker will open with a special pre-Thanksgiving performance November 20 at the Iowa Western Arts Center, followed by performances December 3 and 4 at the Orpheum. Momentum, Ballet Nebraska’s award-winning mixed repertory program, will round out the season in April 2017. Topping the bill will be Bournonville Divertissements, a compilation of selections by 19th-century master choreographer August Bournonville, staged for Ballet Nebraska by former New York City Ballet principal dancer Nilas Martins. Ballet Nebraska is presenting the work in conjunction with Joslyn Art Museum in celebration of its European collection. Performances of Momentum will be April 1 at Joslyn Art Museum, and April 8 at the Iowa Western Arts Center. Information about all three productions is available at balletnebraska.org/performances. Ballet Nebraska is the region’s professional dance company. Season Seven is presented with major support from the Iowa West Foundation, the Fred and Eve Simon Charitable Foundation, and the Richard Brooke Foundation, with additional support from Douglas County, the Nebraska Arts Council, and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business 33

HEALTH NEWS 19th Annual Omaha Women’s Health & Wellness Conference Offers ‘Strength and Motivation for Life’s Challenges’ The 19th annual Omaha Women’s Health and Wellness Conference will be held Friday, Oct. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the La Vista Conference Center, 12520 Westport Parkway. The conference, which is open to the public, offers a day of new health insights, encouraging and empowering messages, health screenings, exhibits and fun. The conference is hosted by the Olson Center for Women’s Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine, University of Nebraska at Omaha and WELLCOM. The theme of the conference is “Strength and Motivation for Life’s Challenges” and will feature three main sessions and six health education sessions. It will kick off with a continental breakfast and morning health fair with more than 40 vendors offering health screenings, education, demonstrations, massage, consultation, and products available for purchase. Low cost screenings including lipid and glucose profile and complete blood count will be available for $17, and a thyroid-stimulating hormone test will be available for $7. Flu shots will be offered for $20. For more infor mation, call (402) 559-6345 or go to omahawomenshealthandwellness.org/agenda.

Omaha Goes Red in Support of Women’s Heart and Brain Health The American Heart Association raised nearly $400,000 for its lifesaving mission through the 2016 O m a h a G o Re d For Women Expo sponsored locally by Methodist Health System with media sponsors KMTV Action 3 News, Star 104.5 and metroMagazine. Led by Go Red For Women Expo Chair Diane Duren of Union Pacific with Cindy Bay chairing Circle of Red and Tom, Barrett and Bo Ruud chairing Men Go Red For Women, the event was Aug. 30 at Embassy Suites in La Vista. Hosted by 4, 5, 6 and 10 p.m. Action 3 News co-anchor Jennifer Griswold and Star 104.5 morning co-host Terri McCormick, 750 people attended the event, which started with a health expo and educational breakout sessions. The evening also included a live auction and the inspiring story of Tamsen Butler, who survived a stroke in July 2015. The next Omaha Go Red For Women Expo, chaired by SAC Federal Credit Union’s Gail DeBoer, is Sept. 12, 2017. Methodist Health System is the local presenting sponsor with Union Pacific, SAC Federal Credit Union, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington Capital Group, QLI, CQuence Health Group, Consolidated Water Solutions and Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital already signed-on to support. Proceeds from the Go Red For Women Expo fund not only groundbreaking scientific research but also public health education and professional training throughout the state. In 2015, the American Heart Association funded $2.3 million in research in Nebraska alone. Heart disease is No. 1 killer of women in the United States, claiming the lives of one in three women. The national Go Red For Women movement, sponsored by Macy’s, aims to change that statistic. For more information on the Go Red For Women events and other events in Omaha, visit www.heart.org/Omaha. 34 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

Home Nursing With Heart Invests in Health Care Predictive Analytics Software Home Nursing With Heart, a local agency that continues to lead the industry in home nursing and therapy solutions, has recently invested in a cutting-edge, state of the art predictive algorithm-based analytics software solution. MedPAC estimates that 76% of patient hospitalizations are preventable, and that patient hospitalizations on average cost the hospital $11,200. This represents more than $11B in potentially avoidable total healthcare system costs. This new program identifies patients that are “high risk” for hospital readmission by accessing real world data from the largest dataset in home health (more than 3 million episodes), comparing them to their patients’ medical charts, and assessing the risk of hospital readmission for each patient on service. These results are displayed on a dashboard for clinical performance management and preventative action. Home Nursing With Heart is confident that successful deployment and daily use of this application will drive the agencies’ readmission rates to the lowest levels attainable and continue to be the leader in skilled nursing and therapy services in the home setting. For more information about Home Nursing With Heart, email Jim Laughlin at Jim@NursingWithHeart.com or call (402) 614-4622.

Nebraska Safety Council Partnership Yields Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest Employers in the Midwest struggling with workplace health and safety issues now have a stronger ally in their efforts to promote a safer and healthier workforce. Recognizing the critical needs in the region, particularly among small employers, the Nebraska Safety Council is pleased to announce their new efforts in the expansion and launch of the Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest, in partnership with the University of Iowa and Washington University in St. Louis, to provide increased attention to these issues. The expanded center is part of a new, five-year commitment from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, which has funded the Healthier Workforce Center at the University of Iowa since 2006 to address Total Worker Health. Associate Director of the Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest Bradley Evanoff, MD, MPH at Washington University is pleased to bring more than 25 years of experience as an occupational medicine doctor and as researcher in occupational diseases, musculoskeletal disorders and chemical exposures to bear to help employers and employees maximize their well-being. Tonya Vyhlidal, Director of WorkWell at the Nebraska Safety Council invites Nebraska organizations to join the effort. “The Nebraska Safety Council/WorkWell partners with a variety of organizations to help them improve their overall health, safety, and wellbeing initiatives. We can now provide even more resources, trainings, outreach, and development opportunities for organizations across the state.” Find more information at hwcmw.org.

HEALTH NEWS 3D Mammograms Now Available at Nebraska Medicine – Village Pointe

Nebraska Community Blood Bank Offering Free Educational Sessions About Donation

Nebraska Medicine Radiology reached a momentous occasion just in time for October, which happens to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The doors are now officially open on a brand new, state of the art imaging center at Nebraska Medicine – Village Pointe. Appointments can be made for 3D mammograms, which increase detection of invasive cancers by 40 percent and decrease the need for repeat imaging in up to 40 percent of patients.

What is the most common type of blood? What is my blood type? Whose life can I save? Whose blood can save my life? Why do I need to donate blood? Does giving blood hurt?

Other radiology services now being offered at the Village Pointe location include: High Field Open Bore MRI (high resolution scanner with larger opening in a spa-like suite with patient controlled lighting, videos and music), Dual Energy CT (state of the art technology with high resolution imaging and marked reduction in dose), Ultrasound, Bone Densitometry, and Digital X-ray. On September 22, an open house was held in conjunction with the celebration of 34-year-old breast cancer survivor Ashli Brehm’s one-year “Cancerversary” at Nebraska Medicine – Village Pointe. Friends, family and members of her medical team were in attendance and guests had the chance to learn more about 3D mammography. The public was invited to learn more about the specialties Nebraska Medicine – Village Pointe has to offer during a free health fair that followed on September 24. Health screenings, cooking demonstrations, chair massages and more were offered. Find Nebraska Medicine online at www.nebraskamed.com.

OneWorld Inaugurates Patient Transportation Program OneWorld Community Health Centers (www. oneworldomaha.org), a non-profit organization that provides highq u a l i t y, c u l t u r a l l y respectful health care throughout Omaha, is excited to announce the launch of a new patient transportation program designed to give lowincome patients easier access to OneWorld’s health care services. The program was officially launched on August 17, 2016, with a ribboncutting ceremony at OneWorld’s headquarters at the historic Livestock Exchange Campus in Omaha, 4920 S. 30th Street. According to the 2015 Community Health Needs Assessment conducted by nearby counties in Nebraska and Iowa, inadequate access to transportation hindered doctor’s visits for 9.1 percent of residents in southeast Omaha. In addition, lack of transportation interfered with health care access for a greater percentage of uninsured patients (14.7 percent) than insured patients (4.5 percent). Many of OneWorld’s patients live in low-income households that own only one car. In most families, one or both parents need a car for work. Travel by public transportation may pose multiple challenges for lowincome patients who are disabled, who are elderly, and who have small children. Patients who are recent immigrants or who do not speak English fluently may not understand bus schedules or routes. And cost is a factor for families who are struggling to just provide the necessities of life that we all take for granted. With generous donations from the Weitz family and the Immanuel Vision Foundation, OneWorld was able to purchase and staff two vans to provide patient transportation to its community health center. Now, more patients have access to the basic health care they need, at a price they can afford.

Help educate your colleagues by hosting a Lunch & Learn or blood typing event with Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB. org). These educational opportunities, hosted at your company, organization, or school, provide individuals the chance to participate in an informal conversation about the business of blood banking, the everyday need for blood donations and how blood donors, sponsors and volunteers help the community. “People thought it was the most informative and interesting session they have attended in some time,” said Kim Kallhoff, Assisted Living Coordinator at Gateway Vista in Lincoln. “Attendees were impressed!” Everyone, who is able, should donate blood. But not everyone does. Why? The most common answer is that they were never asked. Consider this our plea. Patients in local hospitals depend on Nebraska Community Blood Bank to be there with the right blood type they need to survive. By taking steps to learn more about your blood type, about blood banking and the life-saving gift you can offer through blood donation, you are helping make a difference in the lives of those in our community. To schedule your free educational opportunity, please contact Kari Lundeen at (402) 486-9427 / klundeen@ncbb.org.

Colleen’s Dream Foundation Awards $40,000 Grant to Develop Early Detection Test for Ovarian Cancer Cheng Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, has received a continuation grant in the amount of $40,000 from Colleen’s Dream Foundation. Colleen’s Dream Foundation started in 2012 and funds ovarian cancer research with the primary goal of developing an accurate and accessible early detection test. Dr. Wang’s research involves a quest to discover new and more effective ways to treat ovarian cancer. He has been working in the area of ovarian biology and ovarian cancer for more than 18 years and has published 38 peer-reviewed articles in this field. His research aims to identify new molecules and signaling pathways involved in the initiation and progression of epithelial ovarian cancers. Colleen’s Dream is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Nicole Cundiff and her husband, Billy, a 12-year veteran kicker in the NFL. Colleen’s Dream is dedicated to funding investigational scientific research with the primary goal of developing and establishing an accurate and accessible early detection test for ovarian cancer. For more information about Colleen’s Dream Foundation, visit www.colleensdream.org. OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business 35

Workplace Accessibility October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time when we celebrate the many contributions of workers with disabilities. It also presents an opportunity to educate those in our community about the value of a diverse workforce inclusive of everyone’s unique skills and talents. In an effort to promote further awareness, we consulted with several key resources: Nebraska VR, the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI), the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NCDHH), and Outlook Nebraska, Inc. (ONI). Nebraska VR (Vocational Rehabilitation) is an employment program for people who experience a disability. Nebraska VR’s Employment and Business Services Team serves the entire state and spends the majority of their time working with local businesses to identify creative hiring opportunities for job seeking candidates. Lindy Foley, Program Director of Employment and Business Services with Nebraska VR, highlights areas in which we can all benefit from a better understanding: “The theme for this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month is #InclusionWorks and this could not be more true. Building an Lindy Foley inclusive workforce is good for business as inclusive Nebraska VR organizations benefit from higher employee job satisfaction, lower turnover rates, higher employee morale, and access to a new customer base. The goal of inclusion is to place individuals in the world of work to live independently and enjoy the benefits and privileges that go with it; this notably includes becoming a taxpayer. There are several commonly held myths we encounter when introducing our business services. Myth: Hiring individuals with disabilities can create problems. Truth: Hiring individuals with disabilities is an opportunity to foster a culture that respects the different skills and abilities of workers. Inclusion is also a vehicle to set your organization apart from competition. Myth: Fostering an inclusive workplace is expensive. Truth: Businesses recognize that hiring individuals with disabilities often increases moral, reduces turnover and absenteeism, while increasing productivity. In addition, businesses who hire individuals with disabilities may also be eligible to receive tax credits. Myth: Inclusion means lowering standards. Truth: Inclusion is about making each individual count by matching individual skills and abilities with the hiring needs of the business. Because Nebraska enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, businesses often find it a challenge to find qualified applicants. Many hiring managers may not know that Nebraska VR provides the services of a staffing agency with a focus on placing qualified workers who face challenges entering or re-entering the workforce. This allows businesses to tap into an underutilized pool of talent. Nebraska VR offers pre-screened qualified candidates, support with employee training and may even be able to provide a free trial employment period and other related services. Likewise, Nebraska VR may be able to help employers retain current employees who come to have a disability due to an accident, illness, injury or addiction. Sometimes this may include a workplace modification. Businesses and hiring managers who have not yet worked with Nebraska VR

Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

or hired individuals with disabilities often experience fear of the unknown. For example, many employers, regardless of the size of organization, have questions about the costs associated with hiring individuals who experience disabilities. In reality, to meet ADA requirements there may be none. The Nebraska Assistive Technology Partnership is also a resource for identifying technology to meet the needs of individuals in the workplace. Nebraska VR works with Nebraska Assistive Technology Partnership to meet the needs of individuals to be productive at work. Services can include evaluation, design, adaptation, or technical training. Assistive technology specialists can offer recommendations for worksite modifications along with providing demonstration and trial use of assistive technology equipment. Another concern may be that the hire comes at a cost to productivity. The fact is Nebraska VR provides job candidates with the skills and abilities to do the job. Nebraska VR is an eligibility program that helps individuals with disabilities who want to work to prepare for, find, and keep a job. Those with physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, and learning disabilities receive services to identify their strengths and abilities in order to find success in the world of work. We offer customized and individualized services that are tailored to a person’s specific needs and job goal, with the ability to provide training and the supports necessary to help our clients succeed. Nebraska VR’s business service team can be reached by email at VR.BAM@ nebraska.gov or by phone at (877) 637-3422. More information about statewide services for business and individuals with disabilities is available at www.vr.nebraska.gov.” Further emphasizing the importance of being educated about all of the options available, Carlos Servan, Deputy Director of VR Services for the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI), has also taken the opportunity to clarify a few things regarding workplace accessibility and inclusion: “With the proper training, blind people can compete on an equal basis with their sighted peers. There are many misconceptions about the abilities of blind people. Almost everything that you do visually, you can also do non-visually. In Carlos Servan fact, many methods that blind people use in the workplace, sighted coworkers start to use as a result Nebraska Commission of exposure. Employers commonly express concerns for the Blind and about safety on the job, yet there have been studies Visually Impaired that show that blind people are actually safer on the job than their sighted counterparts. The biggest barrier that blind people face is the attitudes of the public and employers because they are not sure how a blind person would do the job. Sight is a very powerful sense that most of us rely on for the information that we take in, but a blind person has learned to effectively use their other senses to compensate. The main issue that blind people face is accessibility, and NCBVI is available to consult with businesses and provide resources accordingly. This not only includes barriers for potential employees but also for blind customers and clients who wish to access your business’s offerings. We have highly knowledgeable technology specialists on our staff who are able to assess current conditions and make recommendations. NCBVI will purchase all equipment necessary to make your business accessible to a blind employee. Or, there may be some resources that may need to be Brailed or put into a different format. NCBVI is available to make that happen. On the other end of the spectrum, we assist those seeking employment by

helping them develop the compensatory skills that they need to be competitive in a workplace. We teach job seeking skills, develop resumes, provide job leads, and offer job coaching as needed. We provide internships and job readiness skills. We partner with businesses to work on interviewing skills and networking. Essentially we work out any accommodations that need to be made and provide those so there is little to no effort required on the part of the employer.” In agreement, Rachel Carver with Outlook Nebraska, Inc. adds, “Our goal is to show the public that, with the proper tools and the right Rachel Carver Outlook Nebraska, Inc. opportunity, blind individuals have the ability to be successfully employed and carry on the daily business of life. Unfortunately, this very capable group faces a national 70 percent unemployment rate although the reality is that blind and visually impaired individuals can perform most jobs with great skill and attention to detail. Through our adaptive technology training program, our visually impaired neighbors have a chance to learn about all of the technology available at no charge to them. Together, if we can eliminate all of the misconceptions and educate our community on the truths of this often overlooked group, we can create a more inclusive workforce. If someone comes into your office for an interview using a cane or a wheelchair, it is important to keep an open mind about their abilities. People with disabilities, or different abilities, are just as capable as their peers. They just need to be given a chance to achieve independence and upward mobility. In today’s world, there is cutting-edge technology available that makes most jobs accessible. However, many businesses are not familiar with the tools a blind person can use to perform their job duties. The more we can educate businesses about the tools and the resources available, the more inclusive they will be for everyone. Managers can lead by example in the workplace in a number of ways. Knowing how to adapt a company computer, ensuring that your building has an accessible entrance, and making your signs clear and easy to read are all simple things businesses can do to improve accessibility for everyone. Whether you are an employer or someone wanting to learn more about the services available to assist with vision loss, call us, we’d be glad to help. Our Education and Training Center, located in our offices at 4125 South 72nd Street in Omaha, is dedicated to assisting the blind and low vision public utilize digital technology to achieve their personal life goals. Every week new apps, devices, and software are being developed to assist those with visual impairments to function more independently, and we are here to help our blind neighbors harness these tools. Individuals can arrange a free training appointment Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. by calling our training team at (402) 614-3331 Ext. 214. Similarly, John Wyvill, Executive Director of the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NCDHH), provides information from yet another perspective: “Every person with some form of hearing loss has different needs. This is why assistive technology, interpreters, a telecommunication relay service, and other options are crucial to bridge that communication gap. Many employers do not fully understand hearing loss; since it cannot be seen it is often overlooked. It is important to remember that hearing aids or John Wyvill cochlear implants do not ‘make’ an individual hear; Nebraska Commission it increases their access to sound. A common thought for the Deaf and is, ‘If I talk louder, they can understand me.’ Hearing Hard of Hearing sounds and understanding speech are two different concepts. For those who are Deaf, it is important to discuss with them what mode of communication access they prefer, whether it be a sign language interpreter present, live captioning in meetings, or a video relay service provider. Technology is in every aspect of today’s world; and for assistive technology in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, that is no different. There are many different types of equipment that can be used to accommodate not only hard of hearing and deaf individuals. Again, it is important to work with each individual to find how their needs can be met as his or her situation will be unique. The Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has Advocacy Specialists that are willing to provide assistance with this technology as well as provide and offer training for employers and staff to make the transition smooth and most effective. The interested applicant or employee who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing typically has the role to notify what accommodation may be most

Empower. Promote. Build Belief. For The Blind And Visually Impaired

We Provide Employers: • Qualified individuals who want to work. • Technology, equipment, training and support to enable employees to be efficient & productive. • Paid internships and on-the-job training. • A ready resource to answer questions about blindness, technical support and follow-up.

We’re here to help! Call Carlos today! (402) 471-8104 | www.ncbvi.nebraska.gov

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effective for them to do their essential job duties. However, it is not a bad idea for an employer to bring up conversation and ask what communication access accommodations will be needed. The Commission also has developed a resource handbook for advocacy, and one of our Advocacy Specialists would be more than willing to work with an employer, employee, or applicant to help provide these services. Please do not hesitate to reach out to NCDHH, via website, e-mail or phone. We have regional offices located throughout Nebraska. To help find the closest office near you, please call us by telephone at (800) 545-6244 or (402) 471-3593, reach out by e-mail at NCDHH@nebraska.gov, or visit our website at www.ncdhh.nebraska.gov.” Coinciding with October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), those in our community are called upon to reflect on the important role disability plays in workforce diversity. In observing the contribution of workers with disabilities and the value of a workforce that is inclusive of their skills and abilities, NDEAM is an opportune time to review business hiring practices to ensure they convey a commitment to an inclusive workplace culture. We encourage you to reach out to our local resources to find out more about what you can do in your workplace to promote accessibility for all.

OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business

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Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

Integrative Health While the roots of holistic health can be traced back to ancient Greece, in more recent times it’s an area that’s become widespread and with good reason— many are benefitting from it. Maintaining good health has become increasingly more important, and unfortunately more complicated, with the changes in our environment, lifestyle, and any number of other hazards to be aware of and try to avoid at what seems like every turn. As a society we’ve tried to combat this by embracing integrative health, which focuses on the whole person and makes use of all appropriate best practices to achieve optimal health and healing. Found across the spectrum are a myriad of therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals in a wide variety of specialties, and a host of different professions with the propensity to positively influence outcomes. With the evident success of this approach, terms have evolved to encompass exactly what integrative health is, particularly in recent years when the most forward progress has been achieved. According to the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine, “Many terms have been commonly used to describe this field over the past two decades. Alternative medicine was a term used to express approaches that were separate from conventional medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) then became the preferred term, indicating a broad range of healing philosophies and approaches that were outside of conventional approaches but could be used as stand-alone alternatives or adjunctive approaches to conventional care. Integrative medicine is a newer term that emphasizes the integration of CAM approaches with conventional medicine, and is the term that is preferred by educational and governmental institutions.” Just as defined, CAM approaches working in unison with conventional medicine is the way to achieve the best possible health and wellness. What’s more, you are likely already engaging in this approach on some level, whether or not you made the conscious decision to do so. Here are a few of the most common ways you could incorporate what are considered to be holistic practices with excellent benefits for health and wellness, courtesy of our local resources! According to a startling statistic found on NaturalNews.com, 95% of chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies, and lack of physical exercise. So let’s first address the leading three because it’s all about what we put into our bodies--our diet. There are many foods out there with beneficial nutritional content that can help out with any number of ailments, keeping us healthy and properly fueling our bodies. And, unfortunately, there are many that lack any nutritional value whatsoever that we are drawn to because they are “easy” or “delicious”, particularly of the fast food variety. A healthy diet can protect the human body against certain types of diseases, making it a key component in an integrative health approach. “Today it’s just as much about knowing what to put into your body as it is knowing where it was sourced,” advises Kathi Bratberg, owner of Eat Well Nutrition & Wellness. “With the toxicity in our food supply, it’s critical to find places locally that you can trust and are transparent about where the food comes from and how it was grown or raised instead of just going to any store and trying your luck. Avoiding as many of the chemicals and processed foods as possible is the key to prevention of a wide variety of different health issues that have become increasingly prevalent in our population. The best part about healthy foods is that they can help our Kathi Bratberg bodies detox themselves or can be incorporated to target and combat a wide range of health issues! Eat Well Nutrition It’s a win-win when you support the environment and & Wellness it supports you back. With a background in mainstream and functional medicine, a nutrition degree, and holistic training, I’m uniquely situated to help people find natural, practical solutions that will positively impact their health and wellness. There’s always more to learn, new ways to look at things, and along with new problems come new solutions. Instead of searching for magic pills or quick fixes, focus your time and energy on being proactive, gathering the knowledge that will set you up for success and then committing to the follow-through. Nutrition is very much a lifestyle change, so I advise my clients to pick a place, any place to start, and just go for it! Once you’ve got that down, add another. This way, in 6-9 months you’ll find that you’ve made tremendous changes without it being painful. And

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15805 W. Maple Rd., STE 106 OmahaChiropracticTherapy.com remember, if you don’t recognize the ingredient, you probably shouldn’t eat it!” In addition to eating well, it’s equally important to stay active and keep your spine healthy, which will keep your entire body functioning optimally. “We see many people that come in with detrimental effects due to prolonged sitting,” advises Brad Schmitt, DC, owner of Schmitt Chiropractic & Rehab, PC. “Sitting does a number of negative things for your health, most often presenting as neck pain and headaches. Low-back pain, mid-back pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, and numbness in arms/hands are also very common. The posture that is created due to prolonged sitting is a major factor, and simply trying to sit up straight will not fix the problem. Getting the spine functional again and doing the correct type of exercises to correct the posture are needed. One simple thing you can Brad Schmitt do throughout the day is switch back and forth from seated to standing desk if possible. Also, doing Schmitt Chiropractic the correct exercises to strengthen stability in the & Rehab scapula (shoulder blades) is essential. If you have a spine, and you live in today’s world, there is an extremely high chance that there is dysfunction of some sort. That dysfunction happens well before we even feel pain, so just because someone is not experiencing pain yet does not mean chiropractic won’t benefit them. Chiropractic continues to become more mainstream, but it is a holistic approach nonetheless because it aims to correct dysfunction in a natural way with minimal side effects. All of our services are considered alternative/holistic because they do not include pharmaceutical intervention. Everyone can benefit from chiropractic care.” In closing, consider the following information sourced from the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine, which can be found at aihm.org. “We are all too aware of the staggering economic impact of the most common preventable chronic diseases. Integrative health and medicine focuses on prevention, high-quality partnerships among clinicians, a collaborative relationship between practitioners and patients/clients, and evidence-based therapies that are not only effective, but tend to improve health. These areas of focus may feel merely conceptual within a conventional framework, but they are the driving factors behind the success of an integrative health model. It is important to understand that integrative health is inclusive of conventional care; over 40% of hospitals offer at least some integrative services to inpatients, and integrative services are now becoming normalized in institutional and clinic settings. It is clear that the appeal of integrative health and medicine to patients is escalating. Use of integrative health and medicine is as high as 90% for certain patient populations in the US and is 38% for all adult Americans. The most common conditions successfully treated are chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, depression/anxiety, cancer, and stress. Data from the Bravewell Collaborative demonstrated the efficacy of an integrative approach to health care derived from three sources: research conducted at universities, studies at corporations for employee wellness and pilot projects run by insurers. The research also revealed that significant health benefits can be realized by using three strategies: integrative lifestyle change programs for those with chronic illness, integrative interventions for people with depression, and integrative prevention strategies for all. Additional research is anticipated to continue to confirm that integrative health and medicine support the triple aim to improve the experience of care, to improve the health of populations, and to reduce the per capita costs of health care.”

OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

July

Start Something

at the UNL College of Business Administration The southeast corner of 14th and Vine Streets shines brightly these days. A new $84 million, 240,000-square foot University of Nebraska– Lincoln College of Business Administration building rises in the campus skyline and testifies to the college slogan, “Start Something”. The building, with its signature dark blue glass cube peeking out toward Memorial Mall, will become the east bookend looking west toward Memorial Stadium when it opens in the summer of 2017. It will also be home to a top 48 undergraduate business school as recognized by the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.

September

sets for contemporary businesses. Students can choose between a supply chain management major, a business analytics minor, as well as graduate certificate programs in both areas. The master’s degree programs received a major boost recently with the addition of a master of arts in business administration (MABA) to complement UNL’s highly ranked MBA program. The MABA is an accelerated, on-campus 11-month program that lets students take classes in cohorts, where lasting relationships with peers can develop. Alongside the MABA is the new master of arts in business with a specialization in intercollegiate athletics administration (MAIAA).

“We are thrilled to be recognized among this elite set of business schools – both private and public,” CBA Dean Donde Plowman said. “We have had a singular focus to raise the stature and visibility of our college. This ranking, our growing enrollments, our new privately funded building and our exceptional faculty and staff are indicators that we are making great progress.”

“This one-of-a-kind partnership program with the Nebraska Department of Athletics is rising in stature and popularity,” said Plowman. “The number of applicants has been growing since our inaugural year.”

The college checked in at No. 48 in the publication’s annual rankings released Sept. 13, which was a 13-spot jump from last year. The rankings also reflect the expanding selection of majors, minors and graduate programs offered for an increasing student population.

Another signature program is the CBA Honors Academy, which opened its doors in 2013. Academy students complete courses together, and are integrally connected to the college mission of molding the next generation of ethical leaders for Nebraska and the world.

“The entire building project is privately funded by our alumni for future alumni.”

“The quality of students enrolled in the CBA Honors Academy and the number of outstanding applicants we are attracting nationwide demonstrates the college’s growing national stature,” said Plowman. “To be selected is a testament to their scholastic achievement, exceptional leadership and communication skills, and their desire to become leaders in the business world.”

“But the building is just part of the story. Our alumni engage with us through advisory boards, classroom presentations and mentorship. These are business people from successful companies throughout the world, helping to shape curriculum, guide decisions on critically needed academic programs and provide internships. We couldn’t be where we are without them,” said Plowman. During the past six years under Plowman’s leadership, a variety of new programs have opened at the college. The new Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics offers two of the most needed skill

Additional high impact programs started during Plowman’s tenure include a business minor for non-business majors, a Career Services at CBA office, the Clifton Strengths Institute, an executive education program and more.

Dean Donde Plowman University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Administration

Visit cba.unl.edu to learn more! 40

Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

Holiday Planning The holidays are here! Almost, technically, but according to the aisles dedicated to Halloween that popped up in many of our local retailers last month, being prepared early seems to be a prevailing trend and with good reason. This month many have already begun to get in gear for what’s ahead—plenty of holiday parties and gift giving! Whether you fall into the “I’m SO excited!” category right now (we’ve all seen those Buddy the Elf memes) or need a little more time and encouragement to get there, you’ll still want to keep a few things on your radar so the best opportunities don’t pass you by. Holiday Party Planning In the spirit of the holiday season, which is much about fellowship and celebration, the calendar for the next few months is highly likely to be jam-packed for most of us, with parties, gatherings and events positioned throughout. In order to get everyone on the same page for the best turnout, you’ll want you party to get penciled in as a priority well before it’s in competition with a crazy mix of engagements. Furthermore, the calendars for our local businesses with holiday offerings are already filling up, so it’s a rule of thumb to secure your date, and even your vendors, this month if possible for any holiday event that you’ll be hosting yet this year. Selecting Your Venue Similar to wedding season, while we do have a fantastic selection of local venues, it’s astounding how fast they all book up for the holiday season. The most popular dates tend to book the earliest, which would be your Thursday, Friday, and Saturday affairs. With off-peak dates and times only slightly less desirable in this particular scenario (and for a variety of reasons, preferable to some), these too are hot commodities within such a limited window of time. If you have your heart set on that perfect place to host your holiday party, or will need a specific venue to accommodate the size of the party, theme or desired activity, catering preferences, or any other determining factors at play, you’ll want to get this one detail finalized as soon as you can. Parties are unique, with no one the same as the next. While the holiday theme is what the majority will have in common this time of the year, there is quite the diverse spectrum of options available to choose from in the Omaha Metro. With so many local venues to consider, it really depends on your vision for the event, and more importantly with precious little time to spare, how much time and effort you want to invest. While some are natural party planners and find great satisfaction in coordinating all of the details, others will greatly benefit from partnering with experienced professionals. These are the people who specialize in taking all of the stress and responsibility off of the client’s shoulders and onto theirs during the planning stages along with flawlessly executing their role when it’s party time. If you’re looking for somewhat of a blank canvas or open area that can be transformed to your own taste and specifications, a ballroom or designated event space will afford you plenty of options. Alternatively, you may want to go where the action’s at to keep your guests engaged with one another and entertained, possibly even providing

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the opportunity to try something new. Or, you could even create an itinerary for a “night on the town” experience and travel to several different locations, which could be in close proximity and within walking distance or arrived at via group transportation. With so much fun to be had all around town, it can really be tough to narrow it down to just a few options, so we’ve provided a few great examples of each to check out for inspiration! A fun night out catching a movie at the theatre is a form of entertainment that’s universally enjoyable. When you add fantastic modern touches to the traditional movie-going experience like a full bar, a chef-driven menu similar to one you’d find in an upscale restaurant, and service right at your seat—it ranks high on the list of unique venues that would be perfect for a holiday party. “We are well known for presenting the best film, food and drink all in one seat for an experience that’s second-to-none and have many wonderful options for private holiday parties, with our ‘Action Pack’ being the most popular,” says Tyler Calabrese, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s Franchise Principle for the Omaha Market. “Entertainment options include holiday-themed quotealongs, sing-alongs, bingo, trivia, and TV classics. We provide everything—costumed hosts, onscreen pre-show, and décor in the Tyler Calabrese theater—so you can relax and enjoy your Alamo Drafthouse Cinema event. You can even mix and match your holiday options to create your Ultimate Holiday Party! While you could certainly book a group for lunch or dinner and a movie, or one of our holiday party packages, you could also choose a venue rental package, which includes event planning services, three-hour auditorium rental, use of A/V equipment, and full wait service during the event. We have 8 auditoriums ranging in size, so we’re able to accommodate parties of up to 200 people. For both food and drinks

Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016

there are really fantastic options to choose from. For the fare, hosts have the option of full menu service, buffet service (for groups of 25 or more), or plated custom service. With a full bar, signature cocktails, beer and wine or non-alcoholic options are available. Seasonal holiday food and drink specials are available in addition to our regular menu too. Or if you prefer to keep it simple, the standard movie staples of freshly popped popcorn with a fountain drink won’t disappoint!” A favorite local destination year-round--and quite the scenic, festive setting for a holiday party or gathering--is Lied Lodge & Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm. “Lied Lodge is a perfect location to show your appreciation with a unique and inspiring holiday party,” says Jennifer Phillips, Senior Conference Planner at Lied Lodge & Conference Center. “Throughout the holiday season, we offer many one-of-akind experiences. As a Conference Planning Manager, I assist clients in choosing options that fit any particular budget or group size and menu offerings with a holiday flair. I’d suggest incorporating one or more of our biggest holiday offerings. Back again by Jennifer Phillips popular demand is the Holiday Trolley Tour Lied Lodge & of Lights. Climb aboard Arbor Day Farm’s Conference Center enclosed trolley for a one-hour tour of historic Nebraska City. For the second year, Christmas at the Mansion offers the opportunity to tour the 52-room Morton Mansion at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park while enjoying holiday themed displays, refreshments, holiday music, and vintage décor. From guest rooms and conference spaces to the grand lobby, guests will appreciate the refreshed interior with nature-inspired, timeless and contemporary updates from our recent $9 million renewal. We want everyone to have a safe holiday season and encourage people to enjoy themselves and ‘take the elevator’ home at the end of evening.

Choosing a date early is especially advantageous, as it gives your guests the opportunity to ‘save the date’ during a busy festive season. Christmas at the Mansion offers an after-hours look at Arbor Lodge all dolled up in vintage decor, or hop aboard the Holiday Trolley for a tour of Nebraska City -- either choice offers something unique your guests will remember. If it’s not too cold, an evening bonfire during a beautiful snow fall complete with s’mores and Arbor Day Farm’s famous hot apple cider sets the perfect ambiance.” Another venue with a scenic backdrop, Bellevue Berry Farm has a warm, rustic ambiance that sets the scene perfectly for a holiday party. “We have four barns on the property that vary in size and we decorate them every year for the holidays with tons of lights and gorgeous Christmas trees,” says Tyson Schaefer of Bellevue Berry Farm & Pumpkin Ranch. “Each of the barns has an outdoor area with a firepit, which is stocked with wood and ready to enjoy. The combination of indoor and outdoor entertaining areas is ideal as it allows guests to mingle and switch up the scenery. The barns are already festive as is, so you Tyson Schaefer could leave it at that, but if you want to take Bellevue Berry Farm it up a notch we offer the services of our in& Pumpkin Ranch house decorator who is incredibly talented and has done many different things with the spaces. Catering and bar services are thoughtfully planned out, with plenty of options to choose from, and since there’s a campfire on-site, s’mores make for the perfect dessert. As far as entertainment, there’s a lot of freedom here too: live band, deejay, comedian, magician, Santa and Mrs. Claus—we’ve even had guests bring in their own mechanical bull! We can also provide hayrack rides for your party guests, which is another really nice special touch that’s popular for holiday parties. We start booking fast this month for dates in late-November and December, so if you’re interested in exploring the options at Bellevue Berry Farm, we’d love to talk to you as soon as possible.” Finally, you might also consider experiences in the form of activities to partake in together, such as a group cooking or art class. It keeps things interesting and allows for the expression of creativity along with interaction and engagement with one another. After all, holiday parties in the traditional sense are tons of fun but can all lean towards being very similar, so it’s refreshing to do something unique. “Here’s something different you could do schedule a woodworking class as a private party,” suggests Gerry Phelan of Midwest Woodworkers. “Spend some quality time with your friends, family or co-workers and learn a new skill at the same time. If you are looking for a creative outlet that gives you a chance to work with your hands, we have some excellent opportunities. Carving, pen making, marquetry, scroll sawing – there are lots of possibilities that would work for a small group. Just let us know what you would like Gerry Phelan to do and we will try to make it happen.” Midwest Woodworkers Securing the Entertainment As with some of the venues we’ve already mentioned, the entertainment is already a part of the equation. However, there are also other forms of entertainment that can be incorporated at almost any venue of your choosing. Once you have the basics in place, all of the special touches can be arranged accordingly. Choosing a Caterer With one of the more eagerly anticipated aspects of the holiday party experience being the fare, as one might suspect, caterers also book up rather quickly during the holiday season. As such, this will likely be another priority item to check off of your list, and with a similar sense of urgency as booking the venue. There are several different avenues

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Call or stop by today: (402) 331-5404 • 8510 K St, Omaha www.CornhuskerBeverage.com to consider for party catering, all with a wide variety of possibilities for customizing your spread: 1. Choose from the catering selections available at the venue you’ve booked; 2. Hire a local catering company; or 3. Utilize one of our local restaurants with catering offerings. Setting up a meeting with your top two or three choices to really get a grasp of what they’d be able to provide is advised since you’re working with a little more time on your side at this point. “When it comes to holiday party fare, we have just about any delicacy you’d associate with a holiday meal,” emphasizes Sean Fuller, owner of Just Good Meat. “In customizing a meal for an upcoming party, meat is obviously our specialty and as such, our customers have a wealth of options such as pulled pork, smoked or marinated chicken breasts in many different flavors, sliced pork loin, phillies, or meat and cheese trays with a wide variety of gourmet sausages and cheeses to choose from all the way up to fine Sean Fuller dining fare such as farm-fresh turkeys, geese, Just Good Meat capons, duck breasts, quail, old-fashioned dry cure ham, prime rib, and of course, any cut of steak you can think of. There are many more items available that I haven’t named, and since we have so much variety when it comes to main dishes, sides, and hors d’oeuvres, it’s advantageous to line up a consultation via phone or in person so that we can go over everything together and set up a meal that best fits the particular event. All of our offerings are available to pick up in-store or for catering on location, so you are free to choose what works best for your specific needs and fits within your budget. We run a holiday special on prime rib throughout the season, which is a nice alternative for those who are looking for a somewhat nontraditional holiday dinner. As there are plenty of parties to attend and holiday meals to enjoy, it also can be a refreshing change of pace. However, if you’re sticking to the classic turkey dinner, we offer the OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business

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finest all-natural, locally-sourced turkeys and we can also smoke them for enhanced flavor.” Sweet Treats to Share Indulging in sweet treats is a part of the holidays that many enjoy the most and with good reason—cookies, pies, candies…YUM! With plenty of creativity to share, the talented professionals at your local bakery are just the folks you’ll want to work with for your holiday party delicacies. “Whether the style you’re looking to achieve is elegant, traditional, whimsical, cute, or unique, there’s a dessert option that will fit the bill nicely and we’d love to create it for you this holiday season,” says Michelle Kaiser, owner of The Omaha Bakery. “For groups of ten employees or 200+ guests alike, the key is to get your order in as soon as possible so we have time to explore the possibilities. It ensures you’ll get exactly what you want, when you want it, along with having the opportunity to incorporate personal touches Michelle Kaiser and a little creativity too if you like. This is an The Omaha Bakery exciting holiday season for us because we’ve added so many signature offerings to our already well-rounded list of delicacies available. We also make it a point to accommodate special requests and all budgets. Just give us a call and we’ll go from there!” Serving Up Holiday Spirits The beverages, of the adult variety and otherwise, are another enjoyable aspect of a holiday party to consider. If your chosen venue is a restaurant or bar, this part is already conveniently checked off the list by default. However, if you’re hosting at your home, office, or a venue where you’ll be responsible for setting up the bar, there will be a few more items on the planning side to cover. The two best options here are putting together your own bar or booking a local company that can bring the bar to you. Assembling Your Bar: Cornhusker Beverage & Bridal offers an amazing selection, so you’re sure to find exactly what’s on your list of must-haves. Chances are good that you may even run across something new or fun to try out! As knowing what to serve and the exact quantities needed can be quite the dilemma, the experienced staff at Cornhusker Beverage & Bridal will not only help you decide the best fit for beverage offerings but also the optimal proportion of beer, wine, liquor, punch and soft drinks while also staying within your budget. In addition to carrying all of the classic party favorites, you’ll have convenient access to party goods such as tableware and professional bartenders are also available for hire. Concierge Beverage Service: The Margarita Man is a convenient and fun option for parties; with delivery, set-up and pick-up of everything you’ll need to serve up delicious frozen beverages, it’s definitely one of the more stress-free ways to entertain. There are over 20 different gourmet flavors to choose from, and for kid-friendly parties, the Grand Fiesta Package includes two machines so that you can provide a non-alcoholic option. The Margarita Man will personally mix the first batch on-site and leave behind easy-to-follow directions for the next, cups and straws are provided, and you can choose to have a designated server present or let guests serve themselves at their leisure. Simple and hassle-free! “One of the best ways to make your holiday party memorable and special is to incorporate something unique that sets it apart from all of the others,” says Dan Cheloha, owner of the Margarita Man franchise serving clients in Nebraska. “Providing frozen drinks is one way you could achieve that, because while they’re refreshing Dan Cheloha in the summer months, they’re just as tasty in Margarita Man

the winter! For example, if your holiday event will be held at a local winery, you could provide an additional option that pairs well—frozen sangrias or peach Bellini’s are past favorites. Or alternatively, similar to Christmas in July parties, doing just the opposite of what is expected is more often than not a welcome surprise. As such, you could also opt for a non-traditional holiday party theme that transports your guests to a destination with a warmer climate; we’ve done holiday fiestas with a selection of margarita flavors that pair well with a taco or enchilada bar and Hawaiian luaus with tropical daiquiris. We enjoy creating custom frozen drinks for our clients and would love to chat about the possibilities for your upcoming holiday party!” Arranging for Transportation Holiday parties are notorious for having the drinks flowing, no matter the location. Closer to the holidays there are free cab rides offered by local businesses, and with Uber there is much better access to safe transportation across the Omaha Metro these days. However, as a responsible party host, booking transportation for your guests would be greatly appreciated and allows everyone to let loose and enjoy themselves without worry of logistics as the event draws to a close. Making Plans for Your Pets There is a lot packed into a short amount of time during the holidays, with much to do that requires more of a commitment of time and attention (and probably a lot of running around town) than during the rest of the year. With travelling and entertaining in the home to add to the equation, you’ll want to make sure that any necessary arrangements for your family members of the furry variety are handled soon because this is another area of high demand during the holiday season. Particularly if you’re hosting a gathering at your home, visitors and so much action may be a stressor to your pets. With everyone coming and going, it’s also easy for your pet to slip out the door unnoticed. If you don’t have a quiet, secure place in your house where your pet can lay low during the festivities, you’ll probably want to plan for transport to another location, whether it’s a friend or family member’s house or a place where you can board your pet. Alternatively, if your pet enjoys being the center of attention, a trip to the grooming salon for a holiday style is likely on the agenda. Of course, to be party-ready on the day of the event, you’ll want to make sure the appointment is on the books well in advance for a fresh style 1-2 days prior. … And Everything Else We’ve covered a lot of territory in terms of party prep, but there are still a few other things to add to your list (which of course you’ll check twice--can’t be too careful!). Lights: Holiday lights are a must! While there are some ambitious enough to take on the job, it can easily turn into a situation that closely resembles something out of Clark Griswold’s playbook if you’re not careful. By hiring a local company to bring your party to life with festive holiday lighting, this will all be avoided and the results are guaranteed to be absolutely stunning. OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business

Camera: What’s a party without plenty of fun photos to look back on fondly at a later day – or to post on any number of social media channels immediately to show everyone how much fun you’re having, who are we kidding?! As such, dressing the part is a must. You might have go-to statement pieces in your wardrobe, but it’s always fun to debut a brand new look that’s fitting for the occasion. Holiday parties run the gambit from casual dress to glitz and glamour, and even venture into themed attire—you’ve probably got an ugly sweater just waiting to be unleashed yet again this year. If your goal is to dress to impress, make sure to check out the local boutiques in town because these are the places where you’re sure to find the best hidden gems! You’ll find a great selection of pieces that are perfect for holiday parties, with plenty of new arrivals coming in all throughout the season. Action! Now you should be well on your way to putting together the best holiday party yet! Holiday Gift Preview With all of the holiday party necessities out of the way, this brings us to an equally important topic during the holidays: Shopping for the perfect gifts. While for most gifts there is a little time to spare before you’ll need to get started with your holiday shopping adventures, for a select few items now is the time to act. Gifts that need to be special ordered are best to get out of the way as soon as possible, particularly if there are lead times involved. A prime example is anything you’d need personalized—a last name embroidered on sports apparel, an engraved watch or flask, and anything that would be custom-made, from furniture to jewelry and

so many more possibilities on past those. Corporate gifts often fall into the customized area, if not because of the gift itself but because they are generally ordered in numbers as opposed to just one item. Placing your orders this month is ideal to ensure you receive your gifts with enough time to distribute them accordingly. It’s also the best time to pick up the items that will be in high demand; while you may find good deals during the holidays, there are plenty of other items that may not vary that much in price when all is said and done. To get you started, we’ve listed some ideas for gift giving provided by a few of our favorite local businesses: “Our steak gift boxes are always very popular among our corporate clients. These can be customized with an assortment of different cuts, and can even be purchased in bulk for a special discounted price. They make a great gift for either your employees or your clients, whether you choose to hand them out at the office, deliver them around town, or give them to guests at your holiday party. Furthermore, meat can be purchased in bulk which is perfect for companies who want to send all of their employees home for the holidays with turkeys or hams.” – Sean Fuller, Just Good Meat “If you have a woodworker on your list, we are your one-stop woodworking gift shop with thousands of items in stock. As the woodworking ‘season’ ramps up the fall, we stock more heavily on the hardwoods, particularly the exotics. We also begin looking for new useful tools and gadgets that will fill every need; from gift to stocking stuffers. It has been interesting in recent years to see folks taking classes to learn a new discipline and then using that newly learned skill to make holiday gifts. Pen making or box making would be good examples. The opportunity to learn a new skill is a priceless gift that will last a lifetime. Anyone who takes pleasure in creating projects with their hands will enjoy woodworking. So if you have someone on your list who needs a creative outlet and enjoys working with their hands, a woodworking class is a great choice. Even better, you could take a class with them. You can both enjoy learning and doing, while sharing some quality time together. Remember that your time and attention is the best gift of all. If you are able to make something special with your own hands, that gift has a much stronger personal connection. Woodworking takes time to do it right and some woodworking projects can take quite a while to complete. If you are a woodworker, now is the time to get started on those holiday gifts. We see folks even starting gift projects in late summer and early fall. And you don’t want to cut it too close - once the woodworking is done you need to allow time to get a great finish on your creation. And of course you need to allow time to wrap it! At the end of the day, if you’re completely unsure what your woodworker needs, a gift certificate can’t miss! We offer gift certificates in any amount that never expire and have no service charges. If you are not sure what to give, we can help – we are woodworkers and we can offer gift suggestions and answer your questions. Just let us know what your favorite woodworker’s interests are and we’ll go to work for you.” – Gerry Phelan, Midwest Woodworkers “Our dessert trays and gift baskets are very popular during the holidays, particularly as corporate gifts. With the variety of items and flavors we have to offer, putting together the perfect combination is easy and fun. As the holidays can get quite hectic, we make it easy for our customers by offering the option of ordering customized items ahead of time to be picked up at a convenient time or having readymade gifts available that are easy to grab on-the-go.” – Michelle Kaiser, The Omaha Bakery

While there are always going to be those things on the holiday checklist that end up getting put off until the lastminute, there are others that you’ll want to get on top of right away. Most notably, if your holiday party plans necessitate a date in November or December, or if you’ll need to special order a custom gift, this month is the time to act! 46

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch The family behind the Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch hold deep roots dating back to the late 1800’s in Nebraska’s frontier history. Committed to family farming, preservation of farm land, and the values of rural America, their passion shines through every part of the property. A visit to their ranch, while close to the Greater Omaha area, is like revisiting the past when farming was the main stay of the U.S. Economy. Visitors experience a variety of farm antiques, livestock and crops, as well as unique interactive areas patterned after what life was like 40 to 100 years ago. This time of year, nature lovers and visitors of every age have plenty of activities to choose from including hayrides through 20 acres of woods along the old Papio Creek bed. Unique tree houses can be visited along with their version of a small western frontier town and recently upgraded kid friendly playgrounds, including a 3 story 120 foot long pirate ship. Every building on property has been reconstructed using old barns of which family and friends have personally taken down over the years from farming neighbors.

different lodges to choose from and campfire sites for use. They even offer full catering for groups of all sizes. All the food is prepared and cooked on site, by ranch hands over outdoor camp fires and smokers, providing visitors with a down home unique country experience. The Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch is continually offering visitors a truly family farm county experience. Owner, Ed Schaefer, can often be heard saying “local food cooked over an open fire, served in a barn that was built out of old historical barn wood, what more could anyone want”!

Come experience for yourself how time magically slows down at the Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch!

Plan your visit this Fall and join the ranch as they kick off festivities in September, which include berry and vegetable picking, the oneof-a-kind Ranch of Terror haunted house, Pirates Caves and the best Haunted Hayride where the forest around you comes to life. The Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch is a place where your family or company can make their own festival and reunion with four

Call 402-331-5500 to book your next gathering!

www.bellevueberryfarm.com | 11001 S 48th St., Papillion, NE OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business

Fall Landscaping As we are entering the time of year where the green is giving way to a gorgeous display of autumn hues, it also signals that it’s go time on yard projects in an effort to get everything in order before the arrival of winter. In the fall we often focus on tying up loose ends and addressing anything that’s been waiting in the wings because it’s best done this time of year in addition to the annual list of general grounds maintenance tasks. Preparing your lawn for winter will ensure that it not only survives, but thrives next season. This includes clearing all debris, especially leaves, and applying a winterizer. A winterizer is a late fall fertilizing treatment designed to help lawns store more food for winter survival and to encourage thick, rapid growth and rooting in the spring. Keep in mind that this isn’t meant to encourage fall growth of grass; it is the finishing touch now for a good start in the spring. Early fall fertilizing, which can still be done in October too, is widely considered the most important fertilizer of the year for northern grasses. The best time to apply a winterizer is after the grass stops growing in the fall, but while it is still green. In Nebraska, this will be sometime in late October all the way up until mid- to late November in some instances. Basically, when you put the mower away for the year, apply winterizer to your lawn. Aerating and overseeding are also a good idea. This will also promote root growth; the stronger the root system, the better chance your lawn will have to withstand the harsh winter conditions in Nebraska every year. Also, fall is a great time for planting trees—it may seem strange, but especially after the leaves have fallen off. As with your lawn, this gives the tree a chance to grow a strong root system prior to dormancy while not being stressed out trying to create leaves. Preparing your lawn for the winter is fairly easy and not terribly time consuming, but it

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is also something that is often overlooked and with detrimental results. QUICK TIP: Preparing your living landscape for winter is extremely important. Ensuring the root system is adequately covered is key to the long term health of the plant. Where most homeowners fail is in providing enough water to the plant’s root ball going into winter. Just because there are no leaves on the plant doesn’t mean the plant is fully dormant. Evergreens, both broadleaf and needle, need plenty of water going into winter. As long as the ground isn’t frozen solid and still accepts the moisture without running off you should maintain regular watering. As for landscaping projects, the optimal approach is two-fold: handle what needs to be done now and plan for the coming year (yes, already!). Marcus Hellwege, owner of Great Plains Landscaping & Design and Great Plains Epoxy, offers the following advice: “Meet with your landscape designer and create a good design and landscape plan for the winter and the following year. This will help you stay within your budget and will also help your indoor/outdoor space flow as well as allowing for easy maintenance during those tough winter months. Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs too, so get on Marcus Hellwege, Great the calendar early this fall to get your plans Plains Landscaping in place. & Design/Epoxy I’m often asked if it’s a good idea to trim shrubs and grasses back in the fall, and my advice is to wait until early spring for a trim as the leaves provide protection for plants throughout the winter. If you do move forward with a fall cleanup make sure you mulch around the crown of the plants for extra protection. Finally, make sure your spaces are neat and tidy prior to winter so that your plants and beds in close proximity to your porch, walkways, driveways and any other point of access do not get damaged during the snow removal process.” He adds, “With the addition of our epoxy flooring division, we are getting a lot of requests for outdoor flooring space. Most often this is due to the fact that the homeowner’s concrete has matured and looks a bit tired and worn down. We have helped numerous homeowners’ vision become a reality for these spaces by resurfacing with epoxy and concrete overlay. For outdoor spaces, we offer everything from flake to mica and lava flow. Did I mention this option is a fraction of the cost of replacing the current flooring? Whether it’s landscaping or flooring, get on the calendar with us now as dates are filling up. We would be happy to come out and help you get a plan in place.” QUICK TIP: Don’t forget, the first thing to have done prior to a major project near the edges of your property is a boundary survey to establish exactly where the property lines lie. The money that you spend in your landscaping project is an investment in the overall value and appearance of your property, but if you don’t own the land you are improving you are effectively investing in someone else’s property value. With the exception of a few select things, the majority of projects that can be done during the regular growing season can be done in the fall too. Similar to landscaping in the spring, when it comes to assessing what should take priority some projects are best suited for late summer and fall. Renovating your lawn can be done at any time during the season, but fall is the optimal time. The soil is still warm, the rains are a bit more frequent, the sun does not have the scorching effect it does in July and August, and finally you’re not competing with heavy weed growth and turf feeding insects. The same holds true for landscape projects. You will generally receive a better value on your landscape material in the fall

as growers and retailers are offering end-of-season discounts. You’re also getting a full year’s worth of growth for the cost of the plant when calibrated in the early spring. When renovating landscape it is important to remember that major bed renovations will also require adapting your irrigation system. Sprinkler heads that are trapped inside new or existing landscapes will reduce the coverage of turf areas causing stress to the turf and even over watering some plant material. While you are updating or adding landscape beds consider irrigating the beds with drip irrigation. When properly installed, drip irrigation can enhance the plant’s health and ensure that your landscaping will thrive for years to come. When installing foundation border landscapes, drip irrigation is a great addition. Drip uses approximately 50% less water than aerial delivery systems, it is more precise, more controllable, and requires less weeding of landscape areas. With the drier weather Eastern Nebraska has been experiencing it is also a great way to keep the soil moist around the foundation of your home to assist in preventing foundation shift.

Call today! (402) 734-9661

Fall is also a great time to have your irrigation system audited. If your irrigation system is older and has not been tuned up in at least the last two years, it is time for a check-up. Just as you perform maintenance to your car, furnace/AC or your lawn mower, your irrigation system also needs a little attention from time to time. Always keep your eyes out for the obvious such as broken heads, leaky valves, squishy areas in the lawn, but also look for signs of stress or uneven watering. If there are areas of your yard that look greener than others or you have high and low areas consider giving your irrigation professional a call as this could be something as simple as cleaning a nozzle obstruction or it could be a sign that your irrigation system is not designed correctly. Proper water distribution (matched precipitation) is a very important part of your sprinkler system’s operation and your turf’s health. Since outdoor living spaces are still all the rage moving into fall, you may also be considering this type of project yet this year. In terms of benefits, adding square feet to your home by way of outdoor living space enhances the value and your enjoyment of your property. There are many ways homeowners can improve or add interest to outdoor living and entertaining spaces to make them comfortable and inviting. With cooler temperatures, fireplaces are being fired up all across town too. While most people don’t think about their fireplace during times of the year when we are enjoying warmer temperatures, masonry repairs are ideally performed in warm weather so that the mortar sets up correctly. We may get lucky and still have a little time yet this month in case you run into any complications, so if you haven’t already inspected your fireplace, and the part of the chimney that’s exposed to the elements in particular, you’ll want to do that as soon as possible. For optimal function as well as the best possible color match to the existing brick, you’ll want to have a professional help you find the right materials and in most cases perform the repair too. The same holds true with concrete, tile, and just about any other process that requires a bonding agent to cure, with projects of that nature unable to be completed once winter weather has set in. When you’re doing all of your fall maintenance, it’s a great time to assess your entire property and take note of anything that’s damaged or deteriorated. Key areas you’ll want to focus on are structures, design features, patios and decks, driveways, walkways, stairs, curbing/edging/bordering, and retaining walls. This will be helpful in planning for what will take priority next spring if it’s unable to be addressed yet this fall. With the fall season approaching and the days becoming shorter, now is also definitely a good time to look at installing an outdoor lighting project. Some of the key benefits of outdoor lighting include: Safety Outdoor lighting can add safety in a variety of ways. Illuminated walkways ensure that people navigate these areas safely. Use of zone lighting adds light to areas of your yard and landscape for nighttime use. Zone lighting can be effective for lighting a patio, deck, garden, pool area or outdoor seating area. Illuminating sidewalks, driveways,

garages and entryways aids in keeping your landscape safe after dark. The more lights, the safer your outdoor areas will be. Comfort Extend your living areas by lighting your outdoor landscape. If you have a deck or patio with seating, adding comfortable and attractive lighting will enable you to use these areas after dark. The ambiance of outdoor seating can be pleasant and inviting, especially when you feature attractive outdoor lighting that adds to your outdoor decor. Design Features Showcase and highlight specific areas of your landscape with decorative lighting. By installing up lighting around your landscape in various spots, you pull the eye to these areas and display them attractively. Landscape lighting is also an effective way to display planting areas or flower gardens. Installing mood lighting along outdoor buildings adds pleasant splashes of light in your landscape too. You can even add low-voltage exterior lights to trees and shrubs outdoors to illuminate planting areas and add beautiful accents to your exterior areas. Curb Appeal A well-lit home gives a well-maintained impression to the entire neighborhood. Your house will appear warm and inviting as it sits quietly on your property. In contrast to a dark and drab home, your illuminated home will draw people in and offer a warm refuge for family and friends. Cutting-Edge Technology There have been some impressive advancements in outdoor lighting over the past few years. With LED technology there is much less energy consumption and many systems are equipped with Bluetooth technology and apps for both Android and Apple IOS, putting the control of your new lighting system at your fingertips. “Color changing outdoor lighting has been very popular among my OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business

Vibrant Durable Floor Coatings

clients,” says Travis Lerdahl of Natural Night-Scapes. “It really enhances the plants and plays up the prominent features of the property nicely. Many also have fun with setting the festive holiday mood by changing the lighting scheme accordingly. The best part is that you can operate the lighting system right from your smartphone or tablet!” He adds, “From the no-cost consultation, to the design, all the way to the annual check-ups, Natural Night-Scapes will be there the whole Travis Lerdahl way. For those who are on the fence about lighting and are unsure of its potential, we Natural Night-Scapes offer a free demo in which we will generally focus on one area of the property. We’ve found that setting up a few temporary fixtures for a few nights really goes a long way in helping property owners decide on the direction they want to go.” To recap, here are a few key guidelines for fall landscaping in general: Turf Management Fall is a great time to plant just about anything. From a turf management perspective, fall is a great time for aeration and over seeding. The best seed window lasts until October 15th. If you do not intend to aerate your yard in the fall then consider slit seeding or drilling the seed. Either one of these methods implants the seed in the soil and protects it from neighborhood friends like birds, squirrels and rabbits. Seeding in the fall usually requires less water to establish the newly planted seed. Another advantage to fall over seeding is weed control. Weeds are at the end of their growing cycle.

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Winterizing One of the most important things to keep in mind in regards to your underground irrigation system as fall draws near is the winterization process. Whether you choose to use the gravity drain method or blow the system out with pressurized air you want to make sure you or your irrigation professional winterizes the system correctly. An improper winterization can lead to expensive repairs in the spring. While it is not required on most residential systems, winterizing with pressurized air is the only way to ensure all the water has been evacuated from your system. If you blow-out your own irrigation system make sure to never exceed 70 psi.

Marcus Hellwege President

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402-417-6906 www.GreatPlainsEpoxy.com 50

Plant Trees (Especially Fruit Trees) Fruit trees should be planted in the fall or very early spring. Planting fruit trees for a fall landscaping project will be rewarding for years to come. Decide what type of tree you want to plant and make sure that it will survive in your zone and fit into your landscape once fully grown. Many fruit trees come in dwarf varieties and can be pruned to maintain a smaller size. Look for a young and healthy tree at a local nursery. Follow planting recommendations for your variety of tree.

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Outdoor Lighting With the fall season approaching and the days becoming shorter now is a good time to look at installing an outdoor lighting project. When you spend time outdoors with family and friends, you’ll need adequate outdoor lighting to illuminate your landscape areas. Whether you’re sitting outside on a deck or patio or you wish to place a spotlight on a specific area of your yard, outdoor lighting can create a very pleasurable and inviting space.

As you can see, there’s much more to be done on a property during the fall than one might think. While there are some general rules of thumb to follow, every yard is different as are the possibilities to explore, so what’s on the to-do list will vary. Since we only have precious little time until winter weather is upon us, if there’s anything you have yet to tackle, now is the time!

OCTOBER 2016 Strictly Business

Strictly Business OCTOBER 2016