Strictly Business Omaha Magazine - March 2021

OMAHA • MARCH 2021 TM

• SPRING CLEANING • WORKPLACE WELLNESS • COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION • JOINING ORGANIZATIONS

Client Spotlights

• G. LEE HOMES • BIG BIRGE PLUMBING • CAREBUILDERS AT HOME

AGO

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RIVER CITY SIX

In This Issue

STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM

CHARLIE CHRISTENSON JUSTIN LEWANDOWSKI JEN KELLER Streamline Energy Solutions Christenson Cleaning & UNICO Group Restoration & Halo Custom Lighting

SAM COMFORT MARY BYRNES Angel Guardians, Inc. Lincoln Federal Savings BankMARCH 2021 Strictly

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Your Choice of Builder for Two Exciting Upcoming Developments in the Omaha Area

G. Lee Homes is locally owned by husband-and-wife team Greg and Katie Frazell. Since 2006, G. Lee Homes has been taking building to a higher standard. With expertise in new construction, remodeling, and even the buying and selling of homes, Greg and Katie can come alongside you to make your dreams a reality. Their skill set and dependable reputation has earned them a place as a one of the recommended builders in two exciting upcoming developments emerging in the Omaha area.

VACATION RIGHT AT HOME!

The vision for FlatWater Lakes, a Hampton Development Services Neighborhood (hamptonlots.com), was to provide affordable—but still beautiful—lake homes close to Omaha. Instead of having to drive an hour or more to get to your vacation home, FlatWater Lakes is just 10 minutes from Village Pointe (30 minutes to Midtown Crossing). With 131 waterfront lots, FlatWater Lakes boasts a total of 207 acres of lake for boating, wake boarding, kayaking, jet skiing, and fishing. What makes this development so attractive is that it is not man-made—it's an 80-acre deep springfed sandy lake. Looking into 2023, there will be an event and food venue area with a large beach and docks for community fun once the expansion into the FlatWater Lake Estates is complete. The FlatWater Lake Estates and FlatWater Lake will be connected with a bridge over West Valley Street for boat traffic both ways.

FlatWater Lake will be hosting the Metro Omaha Builders Association’s (MOBA) 2021 Street of Dreams in the fall. There will be about eight homes to explore, including two homes built by G. Lee Homes. Street of Dreams is premium event showcasing high-end, luxury homes around Omaha. These are new construction homes with a wide variety of price ranges. This is a custom-built neighborhood, anyone interested in a lot should reach out to G. Lee Homes directly. Designs have large garages with openings to the backyard for ease of reaching the water, along with stylish and spacious covered patios for entertaining and cookouts.

Vistancia — MUCH-NEED ELKHORN LIVING

Half-acre lots or larger are hard to find and even harder to find in the Elkhorn School District! This is why Falcone Land Development (www.falconedevelopers.com), led by Tom Falcone, pursued plans for Vistancia—a new Elkhornarea subdivision located at 204th and Fort Streets. The development will involve 25 builders and a wider variety of styles, including a batch of smaller villas offering less maintenance and expense, along with Falcone’s typical upscale mode. There will be a mix of walk-outs and flats, with a handful backed up to a beautiful tree line that provides welcomed privacy. G. Lee Homes is thrilled to be one of the builders chosen for lots within Vistancia.

When you work with G. Lee Homes, it's all about the relationship.

Since G. Lee Homes can work with you on so many levels—from the real estate side of things to the design-build process—they want to make sure it’s a good fit. If G. Lee doesn’t match the style you are looking for in your new home or remodeling project, Greg and Katie have fostered so many relationships within the industry—they can point you in the right direction. It’s their passion to help you find your dream home. In addition, Katie is licensed realtor at Berkshire Hathaway, so she can help you list your home or purchase land to build your dream home on. G. Lee Homes regularly receives compliments from appraisers, agents, and inspectors for their attention to detail and quality construction standards. Their dedication is evident in the fact that G. Lee Homes has been twice selected as the People’s Choice Award Winner during the Street of Dreams, the region’s most premier home tour event. They also make sure there isn’t anything overlooked in the budget so there won’t be any costly surprises down the road, which all homeowners can appreciate.

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RIVER CITY SIX

IN THIS ISSUE

RIVER CITY SIX

What's special about celebrating a milestone anniversary is how overwhelmed I get when I think about every year that got us here. The highs and lows along the way all feel worth it when I'm able to look around at everything we've accomplished and how much we've grown since we launched Strictly Business in Omaha 15 years ago. September is our official anniversary month, but this is truly a great time to be celebrating, not only because of the milestone, but also because there are many exciting things in the works right now and strides being taken to remain a top-notch local news source and strong advertising tool.

Our history dates back to 1993 when my husband Shayne and his associate Mike Branigan were printing and distributing a monthly coupon book in Lincoln and saw the need for a business publication in the local marketplace. After positive feedback from the community, Shayne decided to shift the focus towards creating “Lincoln’s Business News & Marketing Magazine,” and the first issue of Strictly Business was introduced. I got behind the magazine not long after, taking on the role of sales manager. It was a perfect fit for me, and remains an ideal position for me today, as I love making connections and building relationships.

Taking the leap into Omaha was a big deal for us. We had been wanting to for a couple years, especially after seeing the meaningful impact we were making in the Lincoln business community—it made us eager to do it on an even bigger scale. Along with a lot of faith and prayers, the launch of Strictly Business Omaha would not have been possible at the time without the leadership and passion of Angela Lee (now Diaz). She really blazed the path for Strictly Business in Omaha, making a variety of important connections that gave the magazine the foothold it needed for long-term success. Another key member of our team at the time was Angela Woltman (now Chaney). When Angela Lee was out in the community introducing the magazine to new people, Angela Woltman was slaving away in the office, crafting articles and arranging the magazine. I'm grateful for all the amazing staff members Shayne and I have had throughout the years—way too many to name—and many of them have gone on to start businesses of their own, which makes me very proud! Angela Lee went on to launch SHOLDIT, a top brand for solution-based accessories. Angela Woltman is co-founder of eSpark Media — Pixel Fire Marketing, a highly reputable digital marketing company in Omaha. Check them both out!

Our current staff consists of Hannah Hundley, who has been with Strictly Business for over three years now. Hannah acts as editor and director of operations, which encompass as many different responsibilities as the titles suggest. Our current art director is Dillon Crawford.

Dillon came on board within the past year and has been a lot of fun to have around. He's been a great mentor to our graphic design intern, Emma Tuzicka. We're all so proud of how much she's developed her skills as a designer since she started working here! Diane Gumaer is our extraordinary writer. With 30 years of writing experience under her belt, we sure feel lucky to have her on our team and clients love her.

CONTENTS NEWS

4 Business 22 Personnel

26 Nonprofit 32 Health

SPOTLIGHTS

1 G. Lee Homes 44 Big Birge Plumbing 48 CareBuilders at Home

COLUMNS 16 River City Six

FEATURE STORIES

33 36 37 45 4

Spring Cleaning Workplace Wellness Commercial Construction Joining Organizations

Strictly Business MARCH 2021

Hannah

Diane

Dillon

Tegan

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

Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright ©2020 by PZAK, Inc. Third Class Postage Paid at Lincoln, NE 68505

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OMAHA l NOVEMBER 2013 TM

JOE ROSNER: THE V ENTERTAINMENT

DR. DAN BENINATO: PREMIER DENTAL

STEFANI FISHER: FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR

KIMMYLEA KONSEL: LIMELIGHT EXPRESSIONS

KEVIN HENSEL: CONVENIENT CARE PLUS

BEKA DOOLITTLE: THEPINKSTORE.COM

INTRODUCING THE

Omaha Area’s Best Dressed 2013 HOLIDAY CHEER KEEPING IT LOCAL

RIVER CITY SIX

MEMORY CARE

UNDERSTANDING YOUR LOVED ONES

LOOK OF SUCCESS

FASHION MEETS PROFESSIONALISM

CLIENT SPOTLIGHTS:

Open Door Mission

Sam and Louie’s

GREG NOLAN

SARAH STUMPF

ANGELA ROEBER

KRISTINA KRUMME

DARRYL MICKENS

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In addition, Tegan Colton is on board as an assistant writer and social media strategist. Tegan initially came on to do sales for the magazine, and she still contributes to those efforts, but now she is doing more writing—which is where her passion really lies—and overseeing social media posts for our clients. Also on the social media front is our most recent addition, Meg Stice, who has already helped us established a brand guide and will be carrying engaging team posts and giveaways on our social media accounts.

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CHIP THOMPSON DESIGN THE CORKY CANVAS

AQUA SYSTEMS FIRST AD (2007)

Both Tegan's and Meg's positions are a testament to the importance Strictly Business is putting on the digital presence of the magazine. We are also currently redoing our website, which is very exciting for us. We want the content we create and publish for our clients to be easily accessible online—on both desktop and mobile view. So stay tuned—in the next month or so strictlybusinessomaha.com will have a whole new look and feel!

Aside from thanking all the amazing employees we've had, we’d like to thank our audience for their continued support, not only of Strictly Business but the businesses and organizations we feature. There is nothing that brings us more joy than when we hear about a relationship or partnership forming because of the magazine. It's great to get feedback from our advertisers when this happens as well.

Another wave of thanks goes to Aradius Group! We are very proud to print locally, and they do an amazing job. Joe, Eileen, and the rest of the Aradius production team—you are the best!

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Looking back over the past 15 years, you can see how the magazine has changed and adapted. It's fun to flip through old issues and see features such as "Omaha Area's Best Dressed" or to look at all the faces that have been showcased as River City Sixes. It's like jumping in a time machine! We're looking forward to many more years ahead.

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New Fitness Machine Technicians Franchise Supports Equipment Maintenance and Repair O n F eb r u a r y 2 , e n t r e p r e n e u r Alex Pearson launc hed a Fitness Mac hine Tec hnicians franc hise to provide equipment maintenance and repair in the Lincoln, Omaha, and southwest Iowa region. Passionate about fitness himself, Alex is familiar with the frustration of broken and underperforming equipment and wants to solve the problems he’s witnessed in the gym firsthand.

Fitness Machine Technicians provide equipment maintenance and repair for residential and commercial customers alike, from homes to gyms to hotels, apartments, assisted living facilities, high schools, colleges, property management companies, and anyone else who has a fitness business or exercise room. Alex’s goal for the business is to be the No. 1 service provider in the area—the go-to, one-stop shop for businesses and individuals to depend on for reliable service and customer care time and again.

“It’s very frustrating when the machines you rely on to get a good workout in fail,” Alex said. “I can recall several times at the gym when I’ve had to switch up a routine because a piece of equipment was out of order—and then it stays that way for far too long.

Our goal is to get machines up and running as quickly and safely as possible to alleviate this all-too-common problem. I want to be part of the solution, and there’s a big opportunity out there.”

Fitness Machine Technicians offers as-needed services, as well as preventive maintenance contracts, through which businesses can contract to make sure all equipment is running smoothly and provide preventive services like belt tightening and lubrication of moving parts on a monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual basis.

The goal is to extend the life of your existing equipment, so business owners don’t face the burden of purchasing brand new machines prematurely. Fitness Machine Technicians is certified as an independent contractor with about 50 different manufacturers to repair and maintain virtually all brands of exercise machines on the market, including service and warranty work.

Alex is not new to business. In fact, he is an entrepreneur to the core. When he was just 16, he and a friend started their own landscaping business, which they operated throughout high school and college, until he sold his half to his business partner in 2019.

With a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from the University of Nebraska Omaha, he is excited to help local residents and businesses keep their fitness equipment running in top shape.

Fitness Machine Technicians specializes in the maintenance and repair of fitness equipment for commercial and home exercise facilities. The company’s award-winning franchise currently has locations in approximately 100 territories across the country. For more information, visit FitnessMachineTechnicians.com/omahalincoln or call (402) 871-4735.

6 Strictly Business MARCH 2021

BUSINESS NEWS Langer Electric Celebrates Five Years February 8 seemed like a normal work day for Langer Electric—running around star ting and completing jobs in the bitter cold so that their customers could stay warm in their homes and keep operations going in their businesses—but it was a special day as it marked five years in business. Owner Chris Langer is very proud of his team, the company's growth, and all the long-term relationships they've fostered over the years. There have been many highlights in the past five years, including being named to the Better Business Bureau’s Honor Roll for Excellence in Customer Service.

Chris leads Langer Electric with over 15 years of electrical experience under his belt. Their scope of work spans across the residential and commercial sectors. From overseeing the electrical work in a restaurant remodel to trenching an underground line for electrical out to a new shop, Chris can do it all. Langer’s services include but are not limited to repairs, maintenance, estimates, fixture installation, panel updates, boat lift electrical, marine electrical, and basement finishing. To learn more or request electrical services for your home or business, call (402) 215-1914 or go online to langerelectricco.wixsite.com/electrical. Langer Electric is also very active on Facebook (@LangerElectricCo).

CountryHouse of Elkhorn Opens Memory Care Home with Space for 40 Residents in Elkhorn On January 6, CountryHouse at Elkhorn opened their doors and began moving in new residents to join their memorycare family. Located at 3720 George B Lake Par kway, the world-class community is accepting new residents (with a capacity of 40 people) to help families whose lives have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

It is a 30,000-square-foot purpose-built residence, where those with memory loss can live comfortably in truly homelike surroundings, and it’s a community that local families can count on to provide their loved ones with a loving, caring, and safe home. CountryHouse is committed to treating all who live and work in their community like family.

Just like CountryHouse of Omaha and Council Bluffs, CountryHouse at Elkhorn offers services including free transportation—not just to doctor appointments but to anywhere within a certain radius of the community. Under the leadership of Director Beth Gonnerman, they also offer unique activities and outings that allow residents to continue to cultivate current interests, try new things, and truly live a fulfilling life, despite their illness. What’s more, they offer in-house physical and occupational therapy provided by their partner, EmpowerMe, as well as the services of their community physician, Dr. Lindsey Schindler, DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine), of Nebraska Medicine.

CountryHouse at Elkhorn is the newest community opened by parent company Agemark Senior Living in Elkhorn. Other CountryHouse communities in the area are located in Council Bluffs, Omaha, Lincoln (three locations), Grand Island, and Kearney. Agemark Senior Living also is the parent company of The Meriwether in La Vista and The Kensington in Beatrice and Hastings. For more information or to get details about moving a loved one to this caring community, visit countryhouse.net, call (531) 999-2747, or email info@countryhouse.net. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Alumna House Launches to Offer Women's Game Day Apparel Jean Douchey and Carly Frazee, Nebraska natives, have founded Alumna House, an online women’s game day apparel company.

Alumna House provides women with comfy, casual, cute gameday apparel and accessory options.

When Jean and Carly started their partnership, they spent many hours talking about what kind of company they wanted to have, the products they wanted to sell, the people they wanted to highlight in their social media posts, and the list went on. A major goal that stood out to both of them was lifting others up and helping the community through their business. Alumna House has done this in a variety of ways already. For example, every item sold with a high school logo, they give 8% of the net sales to the high school. In addition, they have offered promotional t-shirts specifically for a nonprofit and given 20% of the net sales to the nonprofit for every item sold.

Alumna House is based in Omaha. It was established because Jean and Carly saw a void in the apparel market for women. They believe supporting your team should be comfy, casual, and cute. So far, Alumna House partners with Chadron State, Creighton University, Hastings College, Iowa State University, University of Iowa, University of Nebraska – Kearney, University of Nebraska – Omaha, York College, Elkhorn Public Schools, and Skutt Catholic. To learn more or to become a partnering team/organization, visit www.alumnahouse. com or contact (402) 960-2519 / jean@alumnahouse.com.

Greater Omaha Chamber Applauds Fiserv’s Nebraska Commitment The Greater Omaha Chamber applauded Fiserv, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: FISV) continued commitment to Nebraska, reiterating Omaha’s strength as a financial services hub, and celebrating Fiserv’s recent accolades as FORTUNE’s No. 8 “World’s Most Admired Company for 2021.” On February 5, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts held a press conference, where he was joined by Frank Bisignano, Fiserv’s president and chief executive officer and board member, who shared the global leader in payment and fintech solutions’ plans for an ongoing presence in Greater Omaha.

“Fiserv’s decision to continue a relationship with the Omaha metro comes in no small thanks to an uncompromising commitment to collaboration and a remarkable history of Fiserv’s presence in Omaha. We congratulate everyone involved in reaching the decision that was announced today,” said Greater Omaha Chamber President and CEO David Brown.

Fiserv, a $15.8 billion global leader in financial services and payments technology, is Omaha’s No. 5 employer, according to the Greater Omaha Chamber. The finance and insurance industry contributed $10.6 billion to Greater Omaha’s GDP in 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Brown said Omaha’s fintech/finance and insurance industry is 70% larger than the national average—with a concentration in payment processing and compliance that is 6.4 times higher than the national average.

The mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber is to champion a thriving business community and a prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration. Learn more at www.omahachamber.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

On-the-Job Training Reimbursement Program Employers willing to provide on-the-job training to laid off workers may be eligible for a 50–75% wage reimbursement up to $10,000 through the Nebraska Department of Labor.

Benefits to Employers. On-the-job training helps employers recruit more efficiently, hire better-prepared employees and reduce their training costs.

On-the-job training helps jobseekers quickly reenter the workforce while increasing their skills and earning a wage.

Contact us today to learn more: email: NDOL.EconomicTransition@nebraska.gov our job centers: dol.nebraska.gov/ContactUs

Equal Opportunity Employer/TDD: 800.833.7352 Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

MARCH 2021 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS MarbleLife Offers FREE 6-Month After-Care Professional Cleaning Supply with Service

Fetch! Pet Care Announces Ribbon Cutting at West O Chamber Coffee & Connections

MarbleLife® Omaha can restore your dirty or damaged stone floors and other surfaces to look better than new, and now they’re offering six months’ worth of professional cleaning products to customers for FREE when you hire them to brighten up your surfaces. MarbleLife offers state-of-theart cleaning, polishing, and restoration, along with cleaning and restoration for stone, granite, tile, terrazzo, travertine, concrete, interlock, and vinyl surfaces. They are a world leader in surface restoration and help individuals in Omaha and around the world keep polished, professional, and beautiful homes and businesses.

They restore countertops, floors, patios, showers, walls, and more in buildings of all types, including homes, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, parks, and offices.

What’s more, they use special products that nourish your marble, reverse the stripping done by improper cleaning products, and ensure that the marble’s pores are clean, bacteria-free, and sealed in to make it shine. Regular and proper treatment of marble, granite, concrete, or other surfaces is imperative to its longevity and beauty.

MarbleLife Omaha encourages anyone with dull or worn-looking surfaces to reach out for a free consultation.

MarbleLife has been providing marble, granite, terrazzo, limestone, travertine, and tile restoration services to businesses and homeowners throughout North America for more than 25 years. For a free estimate or to learn more, call (402) 407-4848 or visit marblelife-omaha.com.

Fetc h! Pet Care is excited to announce that they will have a celebratory ribboncutting ceremony during the West O Chamber’s Coffee & Connections on Wednesday, April 14, from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

The event will take place at the Bank of Bennington, 15645 Spaulding St. The ribbon cutting commemorates the launch and growing success of Fetch! in the local market. All Omaha-area business leaders are welcome to attend and connect with like individuals while enjoying coffee, snacks, and prizes.

Local franchise owner Vanicsa Czarnick is passionate about animal care, and she loves how Fetch! is an inclusive pet concierge service that offers premium in-home care. They have a wide range of services, including walks, play-time, feeding, daycare, puppy visits, almost-overnight stays, boarding, medication administration, waste removal, and taxi services. They also customize packages for special occasions like weddings and maternity time.

Fetch! Pet Care matches families with a Pet Care Professional and then a consultation is scheduled with the family to approve the match. The selected Pet Car Professional will be the sole provider of services going forward, offering a familiar face each visit. The Fetch! App offers real-time tracking visits, text message exchange with the Pet Care Professional, and pet report cards. To learn more, visit fetchpetcare.com or call Vanicsa at (402) 709-3037.

B & K’s ExSeptional Ones Adds Saturdays, Parents’ Night Out, Drop-in Care Options

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B & K’s ExSeptional Ones Academy announced add-on services to their God-centered early c hildhood education and care, including opening for care from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, offering one Saturday evening a month for a parent’s night out, and drop-in and part-time care to relieve pressure on parents who need some time to themselves. Brian and Keana SeptMatthews opened the childcare academy one year ago, during the pandemic, to provide a safe, loving environment where kids can partake in engaging education and learn important social skills, while instilling the love of Christ into the heart of each child. What’s more, with the February renewal of their license, they now are no longer a provisional site, but a permanently licensed care center!

B & K’s has recently taken lots of requests for additional care hours and are adapting to serve the community’s long-term needs to the greatest extent possible, including helping kids with remote learning at the center.

Daily, half-time, or drop-in care is for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years old, and the new Saturday care is for infants, toddlers, and children of all ages. The addition of babysitting care for a Parent’s Night Out on the last Saturday of each month is available separately for a small fee, which does not go into the business but instead into a hardship scholarship fund for families that get in a rut for childcare, food, and the like. Parent’s Night Out is open to the public, and the evenings for the kids will include supper, movie night on the big screen, and usually an art project.

B & K’s ExSeptional Ones Academy is a family-owned childhood education center located at 12717 S 28th Ave., STE D, in Bellevue. For more information, call (531) 365-6806, email exseptionalconsultingbiz@gmail.com, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram (@exseptionalones). #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Budget Car and Truck Rental Programs Meet Short- and Long-Term Vehicle Rental Needs

Berry Law Receives Veterans Appeals Law Firm of the Year Award Third Year Running

Although Budget Rent a Car is an internationally recognized brand, you might not know that Budget Car and Truck Rental of Nebraska is actually a 33-year-old, local family business run by Omaha resident Rob Durrett. With seven locations serving Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island, Budget Nebraska recently launched their Long-Term Rental Program, which serves as an alternative to leasing or even purchasing a car or truck. The program is a perfect solution for individuals and businesses with long-term transportation needs who might not want to make a long-term commitment.

Budget Nebraska’s dedicated Rental Agent Concierge provides a high level of customer service throughout the long-term rental process, and customers can choose from a wide selection of cars, pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, and cargo vans. Rates start as low as $599 per month and are inclusive of a generous mileage allowance and preventive maintenance. If you have shorter-term rental needs, Budget can help with that, too. Now is a perfect time to plan that long awaited, much needed summer vacation, and Budget can set you up with great rates on SUVs, minivans, and 15-passenger vans perfect for your entire crew to hit the road! With all rentals, your Budget vehicle will be a newer, fully loaded model to get you to your destinations comfortably and safely.

For more information about Budget Car and Truck Rental of Nebraska’s Long-Term Rental Program and traditional rentals, visit BudgetNebraska.com or call (402) 898-7250.

Berry Law has been named the Veterans Appeals Law Firm of the Year in The Lawyers Worldwide Award Magazine’s Innovative Lawyers 2021 awards program, for the third consecutive year. The awards celebrate the leading, most prolific firms that have continually displayed a high degree of quality, tenacity, and the ability to stand out distinctly within their area of specialization. The award is determined via a thorough, global poll of the magazine’s readership, which asks the voting readers to forward nominations for firms that embody “Innovative Lawyers” in said specializations. The Lawyers Worldwide Award Magazine provides their global readership with a comprehensive guide to winning firms in each category.

“As a firm dedicated to helping Veterans, it is an honor to be recognized and shows that our hard work is paying off—but we still have a long way to go,” said Berry Law CEO and Army Veteran John S. Berry, Jr. “Veterans throughout the country have been denied disability benefits for injuries that occurred in service, and our job is to get them the benefits they deserve. While awards are a nice bit of recognition, our real satisfaction is in helping Veterans obtain benefits that allow them to lead better lives.”

Berry Law was founded in 1965 by legendary attorney and Vietnam Veteran John Stevens Berry, Sr. With more than 250 years of combined legal experience, Berry Law is well-equipped to handle the most serious legal needs. Reach the Veterans line at (888) 8832483 or visit their Veterans website at ptsdlawyer.com. For more information, visit berrylawfirm.com or call (402) 466-8444.

365DailyHustle’s Karissa Adkins Launches Biweekly BossUp Babe Radio Show March 9 365DailyHustle Founder and CEO Karissa Adkins is premiering her BossUp Babe Radio Show on March 9 to help professional women show up, BossUp, and thrive in their daily lives and careers. Karissa is a health and wellness expert, trainer, international speaker, No. 1 Amazon bestselling author, and ultimate “Bossbabe.” She created the new podcast specifically for “mompreneurs,” career-focused women, and stay-at-home moms. The program is for you if you are a woman who wants to look and feel healthy, takes responsibility for her actions, wants to make an impact in this world, wants and needs to BOSS Up and live a healthier life, and who is ready to achieve the next level of success.

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The BossUp Babe Radio Show will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month on transformationtalkradio. com. In each show, Karissa will deliver tangible tips and expert coaching advice, support, resources, and proven strategies to help you BossUp and balance your health, life, and business. She will interview industry leaders and powerhouse Bossbabes to give listeners the inside scoop on what it takes to create the happy, healthy, and more abundant life they deserve.

In addition to the podcast, 365DaillyHustle offers signature coaching programs, which includes one-to-one VIP coaching, group coaching, and corporate training for women. Karissa is also a corporate speaker and trainer who offers training on a variety of topics, including work/life balance, burnout, wellness in the workplace, and goal-setting Masterclasses. For more information, visit 365DailyHustle.com, and be sure to listen in on the premier of The BossUp Babe Radio Show on March 9! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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BUSINESS NEWS Center Sphere Continues to Grow Nationwide Center Sphere continues to increase its reach from coast to coast, recruiting members in new cities nationwide week after week. After solidifying its imprint in the Midwest over the last few years, the organization is now seeking to impact local businesses in new markets, focusing mostly on those who see the need for a different networking experience than currently exists in their region. Some of the most recent states to extend the Center Sphere footprint include Texas, Florida, Minnesota, and Ohio.

“Our members understand that a network of professionals doesn’t have to be limited to their own city or event state,” says Center Sphere Founder and CEO Brett Boyer. “There are so many opportunities to gain referrals and make lasting connections when they are able to expand their reach into new areas. We love hearing the success stories our members are creating for themselves by reaching beyond their local bubbles.”

Center Sphere is an established network of business professionals whose mission is to share referrals, ideas, and resources through genuine relationships. The Omaha Network is currently made up of nearly 50 chapters and has access to members nationwide. For more information about Center Sphere or to inquire about attending a complimentary meeting or event, visit www.CenterSphere.com or connect with Omaha Area Director Lona Anderson at LonaAnderson@ CenterSphere.com or (402) 650-5380.

Millard Business Association Unveils New Logo, Meaningful Branding The Millard Business Association (MBA) recently unveiled a modern new logo.

Their branding colors come together for a dynamic combination that has meaning behind it—blue invokes trust, green signifies growth, and the red stands for value. When you become a member of the Millard Business Association, you are trusting them to help grow and add value to your business, and that is exactly what they are committed to doing.

The square shapes and blending of colors in overlapping boxes represents the role the MBA plays in connecting different businesses in Millard, and how they are stronger together.

MBA offers opportunities to make connections in the community through networking lunches, “Bagels & Business” meetings, business after hours, ribbon cuttings, and more. There are also many active referral groups and monthly Lunch and Learns where you can get expert advice for today’s economy.

The Millard Business Association was established in 2003 and comprises more than 350 area businesses members. The MBA provides the catalyst for our members to grow and prosper through a variety of events, opportunities, services, and programs. Apply for membership at www.MillardBusinessAssociation.org. For more information, contact the MBA Admin at (402) 707-2827 or email info@millardbusinessassociation.org.

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BUSINESS NEWS BBB Shares Business Tips on Small Business Growth Strategies to Adopt According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), business growth is essential in any year, but 2020 produced unique difficulties. Now more than ever, small business owners need to try new approaches to see continued growth and success. Here are some ideas from the BBB: 1. M arket penetration allows you to gain a larger market share by competing with others in your industry.

2. Customer loyalty programs work because customers enjoy signing up for them and will go out of their way to shop at businesses that reward their loyalty.

3. Market development requires you to find new places or ways to sell your product or service.

4. Strategic partnerships with another small business can benefit both by giving each access to new clientele.

5. Product expansion allows you to upsell to your current customer base.

6. New sales and marketing tactics may be done with a marketing campaign you've never even considered.

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The Better Business Bureau has been serving local communities since 1936. The overall mission of the organization is to be a leader in advancing marketplace trust. For more information, visit bbb.org/ nebraska or call (800) 649-6814. For more ideas about growing your business go to bbb.org/article/business/23745.

NDOL Offers Short-Time Compensation, Onthe-Job Training Reimbursement Programs The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) encourages employers to apply for their Short-Time Compensation (STC) program and/or On-the-Job Training Reimbursement Program.

The STC program helps prevent layoffs by allowing employers to uniformly reduce affected employees’ hours by 10-60% while permitting the employees to receive a prorated unemployment benefit. The program is available to businesses that are looking to retain their workforce during a temporary slowdown and allows employers to voluntary reduce the hours of staff in leu of layoffs. Employees of business approved for the program receive a partial unemployment benefit to help them offset the loss of income. From July 2019 through June 2020, the STC program helped avert over 6,000 layoffs. Over 450 employers were approved for the program, which paid out nearly $2.98 million in benefits. To learn more, go to dol.nebraska.gov/STC. In addition, NDOL is offering an On-the-Job Training Reimbursement Program for employers who are planning to hire a worker who was impacted by a layoff. Employers who are willing to provide training on the job may be eligible for a 50–75% wage reimbursement up to $10,000. On-the-job training helps employers recruit more efficiently, hire better-prepared employees who understand workplace expectations, and reduce their training costs. These programs also help jobseekers quickly reenter the workforce while increasing their skills and earning a wage. Contact one of NDOL’s job centers to speak to a reemployment coordinator or email NDOL.EconomicTransition@nebraska.gov.

Learn more about the Nebraska Department of Labor and additional programs/resources they offer by going online to dol.nebraska.gov. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

AOI Corporation Launches Framery Pods that Promote Employee Productivity and Happiness AOI Corporation in Omaha recently announced the launch of a new product—Framery Pods— geared to promote employee happiness and productivity. AOI is Nebraska’s authorized dealer for Framery, a globally recognized brand known for offering innovative workplace solutions to many of the world’s leading companies, including Microsoft, Puma, LinkedIn, and Tesla. In fact, 40% of all Forbes 100 companies use Framery!

Framery soundproof pods are a perfect place to have meetings, brainstorming sessions, and important one-on-one conversations in private without disturbing the whole office—or the office disturbing them. Based on automotive technology and design, the much-admired signature design Framery pods and office phone booths fit naturally into open offices. Framery offers modern color schemes and accessories to fit all styles and needs. Sustainable highquality materials guarantee a quality user experience. Whether you’re a small business or represent a global enterprise, Framery has a fully customizable pod solution for you. When noise is reduced, work becomes more efficient. Without further ado, Meet Framery One, the world’s first connected soundproof pod. Framery One is not only stylish and super smart, it incorporates the latest technology, leading sound insulation standards, and echo-free acoustics.

Soundproof like Framery, futureproof like no other. Framery One. AOI Corporation works with clients, from small startups to Fortune 500 corporations. They provide solutions for construction, furniture, and customized prefabricated interiors. For more information, visit aoicorp.com or contact Rebecca Costello at (402) 896-5520 or rcostello@aoicorp.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS NECS Announces New Emotional, Holistic Wellbeing Courses with Dynamic Speakers

Clearwater Counseling Celebrates Women’s Day and Women’s History Month in March

The Nebraska Safety Council (NESC) recently announced the launch of a fourhour “Addressing Emotional Wellbeing at the Workplace” course and a four-week Holistic Wellbeing group. Addressing Emotional Wellbeing at the Workplace will cover how to support your employees in areas such as creating policies, Ashley Montag and providing resources, and cultural and Katie Bardsley physical environment changes. The class will feature education as well as a group discussion about what will work best for your specific company’s needs. The next available training is slated for April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

As many employers are concerned about their employee’s emotional wellbeing, NESC created a new course for employees called Holistic Wellbeing. This is a four-week education-and-support group meeting that will meet virtually one night a week for 30 minutes. Curriculum is developed and taught by Katie Bardsley, PLMHP and Ashley Montag, PLMHP, mental health therapists and founders of Restoration Psychotherapy & Wellness. Classes will be available to join in April.

Located in Lincoln and serving all of Nebraska since 1961, the Nebraska Safety Council’s mission is to provide education and leadership to empower people to live safe and healthy. Their unique Worker 360° approach provides integrated risk management that reduces health- and injury-related costs, boosts worker engagement, and improves overall worker quality of life while positively impacting an organization’s bottom line. For more information, visit www.nesafetycouncil.org or contact Nicole Osborne at (402) 483-2511, ext. 102 / nosborne@nesafetycouncil.org.

As a women-owned and operated mental health practice, Clearwater Counseling, PC is excited to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 and Women’s History Month throughout March. These observances are intended to commemorate and celebrate the history of women’s impact in the world and to raise awareness of issues women are facing globally today. Throughout the month of March, Clearwater will share a series of social-media posts that highlight the crucial role women play in society. They encourage individuals to study, observe, and celebrate International Women’s Day and its 2021 theme— #ChooseToChallenge—as well as National Women’s History Month.

Clearwater Counseling is a private practice offering mental health services to children, adolescents and adults in the Grand Island, NE and Omaha, NE area. They work with clients who are struggling with a variety of mental health diagnoses including depression, relationship issues, grief/loss/trauma, addiction and recovery, co-dependency, anxiety and phobias, parenting problems, sexual abuse and incest, physical abuse and violence, as well as various others. They treat mental health diagnoses through personalized and compassionate counseling practices that promote growth, development and wellbeing to further enhance quality of life.

To learn more about Clearwater Counseling, PC staff, services, or resources, visit clearwatercounselingpc.org. To schedule an appointment, or for more information about mental health services, please call (308) 210-8487 or email info@clearwatercounselingne.org.

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BUSINESS NEWS

We will provide each child with a safe, loving environment with engaging and stimulating learning.

CCA Home Care Partners with Immanuel Village to Sponsor Blood Drive March 24 CCA Home Care is partnering with Immanuel Village to host a blood drive in cooperation with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank on March 24.

The blood drive runs from noon to 5 p.m. at 11640 Arbor St. in Omaha. Johnny Ricco’s Brooklyn Pizza will have their food truck on hand, where all donors will get a free slice of pizza and a drink along with a free t-shirt from the Blood Bank. Scan the QR code shown and register for a time slot to donate blood. You can also visit NCBB. org/searchdrives and use Code CCAI, or call (402) 486-9414.

“We worked with Immanuel and the Nebraska Community Blood Bank to keep the donations local,” said CCA Home Care Business Development Coordinator Blake Thomas. “We will be in touch with caregivers and our clients, who will also be invited to come and donate. We want to give back to this generous, supportive community.”

CCA Home Care is the area’s most affordable home-care option for the elderly. They are committed to providing care for senior clients who may be disabled, in hospice care, or need more assistance as they age. For more information or to see how they can help your family, call (402) 398-1848 or visit CCAHomeCare.com.

Sarpy County EDC Announces 2020 Capital Investment in Excess of $280M, 1K New Jobs More than 250 people attended the Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) virtual annual meeting on February 11. In addition to highlighting economic indicators and development activity across the county, Sarpy County EDC announced four projects in 2020. Those projects total more $286M in capital investment and 1,020 new jobs. Landed projects include the R&R Realty Warehouse Building 3 (300,000 square feet) in Papillion, an Amazon sortation center (2,700,000 square feet) in Papillion, CymSTAR’s flight simulator training facility for E4B pilots in La Vista and a light industrial and flex space from Nebraska Warehouse (100,000 square feet) in Springfield.

“Few would argue 2020 was an unusual year; but, despite the challenges of a global health pandemic, Sarpy County performed extremely well economically,” said Andrew Rainbolt, executive director, Sarpy County EDC. “We are grateful for our stakeholders, partners and the full community for pulling together and ensuring the economic health of this region. This is a time for celebration, made possible thanks to excellent teamwork.”

Sarpy County EDC also presented several awards and recognitions: 2021 Partner in Economic Development Award – Jon Meyers and family and Nebraska Warehouse / Cannonball Express; 2021 Business Progress Award – Securities America; and Career Achievement Award – Christine Myers.

Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation is a proud par tner of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership. View the Sarpy County EDC Annual Progress Report at www.omahachamber.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ Sarpy_2020_Annual_Progress_Report.pdf. Contact Andrew Rainbolt with any questions at (402) 233-7155 / arainbolt@ selectgreateromaha.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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The Empowerment Network Opens 2021 Step-Up Omaha Application A p p l i c a t i o n s fo r T h e Empowerment Network’s 2021 Step-Up Omaha summer employment program are now being accepted and will close on March 7, 2021. The job training program runs June 7 through August 6. The benefits of Step-Up Omaha include: opportunities to learn more about your strengths, talents, and career interests; acquire and build life, job, and teamwork skills; gain work experiences including interviewing, job search, and customer service; gain valuable on-the-job work experience and explore future career opportunities; earn up to $1,800 this summer and gain valuable educational training.

All applicants ages 14–21 will receive a response via mail and/ or email in March and April. Application does not guarantee acceptance into the program. The number of positions is determined by the availability of funding. Current key funders and sponsors include City of Omaha, Charles E. Lakin Foundation, United Way of the Midlands, Office of Violence Prevention, Obama Foundation, Weitz Family Foundation, Kiewit Foundation, American National Bank, CHI Health, Mutual of Omaha, and other major employers and organizational partners.

The Empowerment Network, in collaboration with community partners, are working to provide opportunities for youth and young adults to gain valuable job training and work experience during the summer and beyond. To apply for Step-Up Omaha, go to stepupomaha. com/applicants. To learn more about The Empowerment Network, visit www.empoweromaha.com or call (402) 502-3763.

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BUSINESS NEWS MOWBC to Celebrate Women’s History Month with March Events

King Insurance Recommends Springing into Action to Prepare Vehicles for Winter Thaw

Metro Omaha Women’s Business Center (MOWBC) is excited to celebrate Women’s History Month with a couple of educational and engaging events throughout the month.

First, on March 11, there will be a workshop on Building Credit as an Asset. On March 19, MOWBC has invited a panel of women to share their struggles, triumphs, and what they’ve learned throughout their careers. Additionally, on March 18, there will be a B.A.I.L question and answer forum with experts from Security Nationsl Bank, DM Financial Services, Linoma Financial Services, and Carol Cleaver Law, to name a few.

If you lowered your insurance coverage on your summer vehicles for the winter, King Insurance recommends that you ‘spring’ into action now and renew insurance coverage for seasonal use before the winter thaw. The experts at King Insurance can help you prepare now so you have proper insurance to cover things like floods, motorcycles, boats, RV/campers, ATV’s, golf carts, and jet skis. From accidents to passenger protection to theft, they’ve got you covered. They will be able to instate any crucial coverage you removed while your seasonal vehicles were in storage.

King Insurance is an independent agency that focuses on providing insurance solutions tailored to the needs of its commercial and personal clients. For more than 40 years, King Insurance has worked with a group of financially sound, reputable insurance companies to provide clients the best coverages at competitive prices. To discuss your personal insurance needs or learn more about King Insurance, visit kingins.com or call (402) 597-5224, ext. 100.

The mission of the Metro Omaha Women’s Business Center is to empower women to become economically self-sufficient by providing targeted education, workshops, job training, strong relationships, and resources that provide business, professional, and personal growth. They create economic opportunities and bring value to their members through their signature MOWBC programs. In February, in honor of Black History Month, they arranged an impressive speaker lineup, including Ashley Kuhn, Miranda Adams, Dannette R. Smith, Dr. Cynthia Gooch Grayson, Carmen Tapio, Dr. Jessiline Anderson, and Marshawn Ford Rush—all of whom are strong women of color who have made an amazing impact in their communities. To learn more about MOWBC membership and other upcoming events, visit www.mowbcf.org or contact (402) 763-0540 / info@MOWBCF.org.

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Gitt Construction, Modern Hive Design Named Regional Contractor of the Year The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) recently named Gitt Construction the 2021 Regional Contractor of the Year (CotY™) award winner in the category of bathroom remodels between $50,000 and $75,000. Gitt Construction worked in coordination with The Modern Hive Interior Design Studio on the project.

The judging panel represented industry experts and selected winners based on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, and degree of difficulty. NARI will honor all regional winners and announce national winners via a virtual presentation on April 30.

“The Modern Hive Owner Courtney Otte designed the bathroom remodel, and Gitt Construction executed it, truly spotlighting a combination of high design and Gitt’s renowned quality and attention to detail,” said Gitt Showroom Manager Cole Hoofnagle. “It means the world to us to receive this award.”

Each year, NARI presents CotY Awards Photos by Mandy to members who have demonstrated McGregor Photography outstanding work through their remodeling projects. The CotY Awards are the highest form of recognition by industry leaders and peers.

NARI received nearly 435 entries from across the United States, representing more than $128 million in remodeling projects. “This year’s submissions were outstanding, making the job of our esteemed judges very difficult,” said Tracy Wright, Senior Director of Membership and Chapter Services at NARI. “The CotY Awards allow us to celebrate our members who are committed to design, best practices, integrity, high standards, and professionalism.

Gitt Construction is recognized as one of Omaha’s premier remodeling companies, specializing in whole-house remodeling, kitchen, and bath remodels, additions, and more. For more information, visit gittdbr.com or call (402) 740-9551. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Heartland International Holds Metal Roofing and Advanced Roofing Systems Trainings Heartland International invites current and aspiring roofing contractors to learn more about Conklin Roofing Systems at the upcoming Metal Roofing and Advanced Roofing Systems Training seminars on tap in Kansas City in March and April.

The one-day Metal Roofing System Training will cover not only the application process of a Conklin MR® System but also will provide an overview about how to get started as a Conklin contractor and introduce strategies for making sales calls, quoting a roof, presenting proposals, and working with building owners. The next Metal Roofing System Training programs take place on March 25 and April 22.

The three-day Advanced Roofing Systems Training provides a more in-depth coverage of Conklin Roofing Systems and gives contractors a chance to participate in a hands-on construction of the systems using industry-standard tools and materials.

Participants in this training must have completed a one-day Metal Roofing System Training program as a pre-qualification for this advanced program. The next Advanced Roofing Systems Training programs are set for March 10-12 and April 7-9.

For more information about the Heartland International, Inc. training programs, please visit thesecureroof.com.

Energy Studio Celebrates 11 Years Building 1:1 Relationships to Become More Powerless Most engineering companies celebrate anniversaries with open houses, champagne toasts, and congratulatory speeches.

When Energy Studio, Inc. passed its 10-year milestone in March 2020, client offices were closed, employees were working from home, and celebrating seemed tone-deaf to pandemic concerns.

On March 5, Energy Studio is celebrating 11 years with a twist. The success of their nationwide energy analysis and modeling business is one-to-one relationships, and they’re appreciating clients and teaming partners with a year-long ‘1:1’ campaign: “ENERGY STUDIO values 1:1 relationships that result in improved energy usage.”

Energy Studio President Amanda Bogner founded the firm to “become more powerless” with smart energy strategies. Their primary clients are architectural and engineering firms across market sectors, including higher education, healthcare, and commercial/office. The firm has six employees with complimentary skills and credentials in energy analysis.

“Designing energy-efficient spaces is complicated,” Amanda said. “We handle all aspects of energy analysis so clients are confident that their buildings will meet long-term energy goals.

We’re excited for 2021 and are reaching out 1:1 with partners to improve energy performance across the U.S.” Energy Studio, Inc. is an energy modeling and management firm that specializes in helping architects, engineers, developers and building owners maximize energy efficiency and minimize costs. The firm is a certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Woman-owned Small Business (WOSB), and Omaha Small Emerging Business (SEB) Tier II business. The company serves education, office, healthcare, multifamily residential, and industrial owners across the country. For more information, visit energystudioinc.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Immanuel Communities Receives McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Award Immanuel Comm unities, the Midwest leader in retirement living options, i s p ro u d t o r e c e i ve a 2020 Senior Living Bronze Innovator of the Year recognition from the McKnight’s Senior Living Excellence in Technology Awards. The award recognizes innovative use of technology to improve overall care and community operations for the organization's 14 senior living communities across Nebraska and Iowa.

This senior living and retirement community organization discovered resident wellbeing and technology go hand-in-hand after adding interactive tools and services to help residents continue to thrive: • Resident portals, available at Immanuel’s signature suite of communities offer residents the ability to virtually discover community events and activities, access dining menus and announcements, and even schedule maintenance needs with the touch of a button.

• In partnership with It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L), Immanuel added person-centered enrichment to several communities. iN2L tablets and apps are accessible for all levels of technology expertise, and allow residents to tour world-famous museums, take a trip in a flight simulator and even call their grandkids.

• LifeLoop software systems at select communities have enabled family members to stay in close contact with their loved ones, care plans and community employees.

• New innovative programs streamlined safety procedures and ordering across all retirement living communities. The operational changes led to Immanuel being named one of Nebraska’s safest companies from the Nebraska Safety Council in 2019.

• And in response to a global pandemic, Immanuel’s existing advances in technology have allowed residents to continue thriving through virtually broadcasted wellness activities, social events and worship services.

Since 1887, Immanuel has been providing Christ-Centered Service to Seniors, Each Other, and the Community. As a not-for-profit, serving arm of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Immanuel’s house of brands includes: Immanuel Classic Courtyards, Lifestyle Villages, Signature and Care Communities, Lakeside Lofts, Immanuel Pathways, Immanuel Community Foundation, and The Immanuel Vision Foundation. Learn more at Immanuel.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS Omaha Fashion Week Goes BEYOND THE RUNWAY for Spring Season Omaha Fashion We e k ( O F W ) i s g o i n g B E YO N D THE RUNWAY this season! Join OFW March 22–27 for a week-long series of events to celebrate fashion and creatives. The traditional runway shows will transform into thought-provoking conversations featuring industry experts and local Omaha panelists.

In the first conversation of the week, guests will hear from Omaha's industry experts about how they are tapping into creativity and inspiration as we enter the darkest days of the pandemic. They will share what has helped them through the isolation, fear, and social changes that have been the hallmark of the past year.

Industry specialist, James Scully, will speak on his experiences across many areas of fashion, from editor to casting director, and the significant changes being made to bring justice to mistreated models.

Fashion designer and Nebraska native, Thakoon, will discuss how he has shifted his design process during the pandemic and how to stay creatively inspired during these unprecedented times.

Omaha Fashion Week is pleased to present this season free of charge. To register to attend this exclusive event, please visit www. omahafashionweek.com/tickets.

BFF Partners with Refocus Omaha to Launch City-Wide Visual Storytelling Effort BFF partners with Refocus Omaha, a project started by members of Leadership Omaha class 43, to launch a city-wide visual storytelling effort that showcases peoples’ unique perspective from their diverse communities via images posted on Instagram (@refocusomaha).

Photographs will be chosen by the Refocus Omaha team and shared on Instagram, culminating in a public exhibition and limited publication of a juried selection of photographs in June 2021.

Published photographs will be chosen based on the following criteria: originality and creativity, composition and design, unique perspective/story, and entertainment value. Submissions are now open—all ages are encouraged to participate.

Refocus Omaha aims to bring together Omaha’s many communities and perspectives through visual storytelling. They chose to partner with BFF because BFF is dedicated to supporting the region’s emerging and established artists by creating opportunity, exposure, and experiences that help them move forward while enriching the cultural competency of the Greater Omaha Area.

Learn more online at www.bffomaha.org.

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Strictly Business MARCH 2021

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BUSINESS NEWS Omaha Performing Arts Announces Return of Broadway with 2021-22 Season

AMA Omaha Selected as Top American Marketing Association Chapter in Nation

Omaha Performing Arts (O-pa) has announced six Tony ® nominated Broadway musicals, including the return of Hamilton, will make a stop at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater during O-pa’s 21/22 Broadway season. Beginning in September 2021, the season includes Cats, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Fiddler On The Roof, Mean Girls, and the 2019 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Hadestown. Subscribers will also have first access to special engagements of Wicked and Anastasia.

“We have been working closely with our Broadway colleagues as touring shows plan for a safe return to theaters across the country this fall. We’re bringing a spectacular Broadway season back to Omaha and appreciate our audiences’ patience. We can’t wait to see these shows and our fans again,” said Omaha Performing Arts President Joan Squires.

Dates of the performances are as follows: Cats — September 28–October 3; Hamilton — October 26–November 14; Dear Evan Hansen — December 28–January 2, 2022; Fiddler on the Roof — February 8–13, 2022; Mean Girls — March 8–13, 2022; Hadestown — March 29–April 3, 2022; Wicked — April 27–May 15, 2022; Anastasia — June 7–12, 2022.

Omaha Performing Arts 2020-21 season packages are now on sale at TicketOmaha.com. More information is also available at O-pa.org and in the Ticket Omaha app.

AMA Omaha, the leading educational information, c a r e e r- b u i l d i n g, a n d networking resource for marketing professionals in the Greater Omaha area, announced that the Chapter won the Gold Chapter of the Year award in the 2019/2020 American Marketing Association (AMA) Chapter Excellence Awards (CEA) for outstanding ac hievements in leadership, finance, membership, programming, and comm unications. AMA Omaha first entered the awards competition following the 2016/2017 Board term, and has received increasing CEA recognition each year since.

Local NAWIC Chapter to Celebrate Women in Construction Week March 7–13, 2021 The Greater Omaha Chapter #116 of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) along with over a hundred chapters and thousands of members across the nation will this year celebrate Women in Construction (WIC) Week March 7–14. Throughout WIC Week, the NAWIC Greater Omaha Chapter #116 will promote and cohost or host daily activities. It is also a time for the chapter to give back to their community, which they already do a wonderful job of throughout the year.

The focus of Women in Construction Week is to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry.

WIC Week also provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry.

NAWIC Chapter #116 based in Omaha also encompasses Lincoln, Council Bluffs, and the surrounding areas. First chartered in 1966, the chapter has over 50 members working in businesses whose primary focus is the construction industry. Meetings for the Greater Omaha chapter are on the second Thursday of each month in varied locations, and are open to the public.

To learn more about the National Association of Women in Construction or WIC Week, please visit www.nawicomaha.com.

Reach out to Chapter President Ashley Meirose at (402) 836-9701 / Ashley.meirose@unmc.edu with any questions. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

“The onset of the pandemic meant that little about the 2019-20 term went as expected or initially planned, but every member of our Board and our local marketing community stepped up to see a special year through to incredible success,” said Jordan Maddex-Kopp, 2019/2020 AMA Omaha President. “When faced with such incredible change, it is important to note AMA Omaha did not waiver from our commitment to our marketing community, and in fact sought to find new and innovative ways to add value and continue to meet our strategic plan. While we were realistic in our approach, the pandemic was in no way, shape, or form a reason to step back from our duties or our enthusiasm for the work done by AMA Omaha. Taking home the Gold CEA is an incredible affirmation of the commitment and dedication of everyone involved, especially our wonderful volunteer board.”

Established in 1974, the CEA program highlights AMA professional chapters’ outstanding achievements in all areas of chapter operations, such as strategic planning, volunteer management, membership engagement, programming delivery, and financial management. These chapters continue to build on a legacy of achievement by delivering exceptional, innovative experiences to their local marketing community year after year.

The 2019/2020 CEA competition saw a record-number of Chapters participate, making the Gold Award all the more special. The top honor recognized a year of not only meeting and exceeding Chapter goals, but showcasing incredible innovation, including a revamped programming lineup, the launch of the AMA Omaha Executive Advisory Council, the AMA Omaha Pub Quiz, and the podcast AMP by AMA Omaha.

“The mundanity of excellence is not lost on the AMA Omaha chapter. Their unwavering and selfless commitment to the Omaha marketing community spans decades,” said CEO of the AMA, Russ Klein. “The chapter’s leadership team leaned into the adversity of 2020 and cemented new and impressive milestones for member growth, attendance, engagement, and financial achievement; and shines as an exemplary model for all AMA chapters.”

To celebrate the first-ever Gold CEA for AMA Omaha, the chapter offered free online programming to both members and non-members for the month of January 2021, including a soldout January 13 Power Hour and a popular Workshop event.

The Chapter also plans to unveil a fully revamped website, in partnership with Wave Interactive, to conclude the month of celebration and further elevate the online experience for members and the local marketing community.

MARCH 2021 Strictly Business 17

Lock In Your Expert Status Are you an expert in the healthcare, trades, financial, retail, construction, business, government and/or education fields?

JEN

Jen Keller

STREAMLINE ENERGY SOLUTIONS AND HALO CUSTOM LIGHTING Meet Jen Keller, co-owner of Streamline Energy Solutions and Halo Custom Lighting.

Tell us a little about your business. - Streamline is a residential energy efficiency contractor, and Halo Custom Lighting focuses on insulation upgrades and exterior LED lighting.

How did you get started in the business? - I started working for an insulation contractor right out of college 10 years ago.

While working, I received my master's degree in global energy management and eventually partnered with my colleague to form Streamline and Halo.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Quitting a comfortable career to start my own businesses.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married for a little over 10 years. We have a toy poodle that is very much our child. I love living back home in Omaha close to my family, although I miss the sunny southern Utah weather.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Exploring outside— biking, hiking, paddle boarding, etc.

Let Strictly Business Magazine help you lock in your status as A LOCAL EXPERT by helping you: • Create a marketing program to compete on more than just price.

Who inspires you? - My mom. She was a single mother raising two girls. Despite working full-time, she always made it to all our extracurricular activities. She taught me the value of hard work and independence.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Never settle for anything less than you deserve, whether it be personally or professionally.

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

• Create press releases, feature stories, and advertisements to showcase your expertise.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Teleporting to places all over the world. Skip the traffic and airlines!

• Cause the right people to choose you over your competition and increase your profits.

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

• Create and strengthen your credibility with existing clients and potential clients.

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What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - Decorating cakes.

Which talent would you most like to have? - Public speaking.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? Rejuvenating Women helps victims of sex trafficking recover and get back on their feet. I run a large fundraiser every April called Save the Next Girl where all proceeds go to Rejuvenating Women.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey.

What is your favorite movie? - My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

What is your favorite TV show? - New Girl.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Blue Sushi Sake Grill.

Lock In Your Expert Status In Print, Online, In Person & On Social Media StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com | 402.466.3330

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Strictly Business MARCH 2021

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (402) 512-4221; jen@streamlineenergysolutions.com; www. streamlineenergysolutions.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

CHARLIE

Charlie Christenson

CHRISTENSON CLEANING & RESTORATION Meet Charlie Christenson, owner of Christenson Cleaning & Restoration.

Tell us a little about your business. Christenson Cleaning & Restoration is a family-owned business that Cindy and Eric Christenson, my parents, started back in 1983. In order to make some extra money, they began cleaning one account in the evenings after their full-time jobs. This one account eventually grew into handfuls. In 2015, I took over the business when I was just 22, growing it into what it is today. Now, we service multiple cities and towns in Nebraska, and six states across the U.S. specializing in fire, water, and mold. Christenson Cleaning & Restoration is certified through the I.I.C.R.C., the E.P.A for lead paint removal, trained by Midwest Training Institute for mold remediation, and most recently certified through the G.B.A.C for COVID-19 disinfecting.

How did you get started in the business? - I have helped out with the business ever since I can remember. From vacuuming to collecting trash around different accounts and anything else my parents asked me to do.

I grew up in the janitorial industry. When I turned 16 and was able to drive, I got my own accounts to clean and supervise. Eventually, I became manager of the company, and as of six years ago, I became the owner.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Going from 15 employees to now well over 75 was a challenge at times. We started by adding systems and procedures to the day-to-day operations, focused on structuring the company, and training new employees— without losing sight of where we began.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? Growing the business while maintaining our loyal customer base is one thing I’m very proud of. We have not lost sight of where we began, yet have been able to improve ourselves along the way—making for an even better customer experience. We are still cleaning for families that my mom and dad cleaned for in 1983. I believe this speaks to the fact that we always put our customers first and never skimped on service.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I enjoy being outside.

I would start by getting an iced coffee at a local coffee shop and going on a walk around the lake near my house. I am a very outgoing person, so I like to spend my time with friends and family. When I’m by myself, I like researching stocks and watching real estate shows.

Who inspires you? - My mom inspires me in more ways than one. My mom passed away from pancreatic cancer, which is partly why I took over the business at such a young age. My mom was the most selfless person I know—always looking out for others. She had the strongest work ethic and instilled in me, from a very young age, how far you can get by working your hardest.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford If you could have a super power, what would it be? - To go back in time.

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

What is your favorite movie? - The Godfather.

What is your favorite TV show? - The Office.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Nicola’s Italian Wine & Fare.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (402) 463-7622; charlie@christensoncleaning.com; www. christensonclean.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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How did you get started in the business? - While I was taking classes at Southeast Community College, I was required to do an internship and was connected with an independent insurance 10:58 AM agency owned by a small town bank. I started by scanning paper files into the agency’s management system. I was then able to shadow an agent and learn the basics of insurance and sales.

After the internship, I was offered a full-time job and shortly passed the tests to acquire my various insurance licenses. I have been in the business ever since.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Learning to adapt to changing needs. For example, we have seen a large increase in the need for Cyber Liability coverage in the last few years. I have had to make sure I am consistently educating myself on coverage changes so that I can provide the best value to my clients.

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Tell us a little about your family. - I am married to my beautiful wife Kylie, and we have two daughters: Kyla (8) and Addysen (7).

The girls are very involved in sports and dance which takes up a lot of our spare time. We also have two dogs: Wrigley, a Beagle/ Terrier mix (10) and Jet, an American Bull Dog/Lab Mix (1).

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?- Spending time with my girls and going for hikes, walks, or bike rides. We love spending time outside as it is a great opportunity to get some exercise.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “Those who think they can and those who think they can’t are usually right.” – Confucious. This is a great reminder of the impact of positive thinking.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - The ability to fly. It would make getting around a lot easier!

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - I would choose to be an architect. I have always loved looking for unique buildings and can only imagine how the design concepts are crafted.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The last good book I read was The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. It has really helped me organize my day and become more efficient in the morning. I highly recommend it.

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What is your favorite TV show? - One of my all-time favorite TV shows is How I Met Your Mother. I have watched the entire series twice!

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - I would love to have dinner with Will Ferrell. He has always been one of my favorite actors and I’m sure it would be a hilarious conversation.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? (402) 361-5921; Jlewandowski@unicogroup.com; unicogroup.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

MARY

Mary Byrnes

LINCOLN FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK Meet Mary Byrnes, vice president and mortgage loan officer at the Omaha Branch for Lincoln Federal Savings Bank located at 132nd and Dodge.

Tell us a little about your business. - I am a real estate lender and assist people on purchasing, building, or refinancing a home to meet their financial needs.

How did you get started in the business? - When I was about five years old, I would go to the bank with my parents when they closed on all the homes they purchased. The entire transaction fascinated me, and their loan officer was the only female lender in real estate lending in Omaha at the time. Ironically, when I was 18, I started working for that same institution. I actually got to work with her, and she let me look over files and sit in on the closings. This is what started me on my path to become a mortgage lender. To my knowledge, I am the longest running lender in the State.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? - I was Governor appointed to the Commission on Housing and Homelessness and Keep Omaha Safe. In addition, I received sales and marketing awards from both the Metro Omaha Builders Association and Nebraska State Home Builders Association in the same year, and I was named Affiliate of the Year by the Omaha Area Board of REALTORS®.

Tell us a little about your family. - My husband is retired, and we have two children. Our youngest, Elizabeth, is a senior at UNL. Her plan is to work in data analytics and will she will be pursuing her master's degree.

Our son Kent is a Law Enforcement Officer in Colorado and was recently hit head on by semi-trailer. Though he is currently wheelchair bound, he is working on strengthening his legs to be able to walk again.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I love camping.

Relaxing by a fire in the evening and enjoying the outdoors with family is peaceful to me.

Who inspires you? - My parents! They worked full-time jobs and bought homes to create safe, clean, affordable housing for people to rent.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - You are going to fall down a few times and skin your knees.

That’s okay. Get back up and start again. The fall will remind you what not to do again.

Which talent would you most like to have? - Measuring twice and cutting once! I love DIY projects, but I get in such a rush to see the end result that I tend to have to start over because my impatience gets the best of me.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I currently serve on the Board of the Omaha Municipal Land Bank, and we work to acquire vacant or dilapidated lots for the purpose of future use and growth of the community with much needed affordable housing and/ or to utilize the lots for community gardens.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - My favorite genre is mystery or psychological thrillers, and my favorite author is Kendra Elliott.

What is your favorite movie? - Sister Act—I've watched it too many times to count.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Joe Tess Place.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? (402) 493-5599; MByrnes@LincolnFed.com; MByrnes.LincolnFed.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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MARCH 2021 Strictly Business

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SAM

Sam Comfort

ANGEL GUARDIANS, INC.

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Time Mastery - OverComing Me If you have ever said, “The only thing holding me back is me”, then this workshop is for you!.

Practically everyone buys into the idea that change comes from within. But very few know how to make change from within, to overcome your own apprehension or procrastination. We will first learn why we tend to be our own worst enemy, then we will discover what to do to overcome it. At the end of this workshop you will leave with very specific, written steps to becoming the greatest asset to your business, AND YOURSELF. This workshop is designed for BUSINESS OWNERS & LEADERS who are open to learning simple, new, ways to run your business and are passionate about improving their business. Come learn what 10,000s of business owners are doing to make their business work for them!

Attend the Control Your Business MasterCLASS and learn the secrets to making your Business work for you!

Here's what we'll cover: • The Formula for Effective Change • How to focus on what's most important to you and your business.

• How to identify what to delegate or eliminate.

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• How to build a Dashboard to track your progress.

• Avoiding The Road Less Stupid, with a look at Keith Cunningham's book.

• The Default Calendar - a new way to organize your week.

Your Business: A high performing “profit machine.”

The Control Your Business MasterCLASS is for business owners who are ready to take control of their business and make it work for them!

Tickets include up to 2 attendees per company!

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Strictly Business MARCH 2021

Meet Sam Comfort, executive director at Angel Guardians, Inc. Tell us a little about your business. - Angel Guardians, Inc. (AGI) is a service provider for adults experiencing intellectual or developmental disabilities. At AGI, we take pride in providing community-based habilitative services that are person centered. Over 16 years, AGI has grown and strives to uphold the mission of improving the quality of life for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the areas of employment, fitness, socialization, and recreation.

How did you get started in the business? - I started as a paraeducator at Westside Communities Schools. I am proud of my background working my way up, starting as a direct support staff, coordinator, supervisor, and facilitator across multiple school districts and agencies. My mom, a retired Special Education teacher, provided opportunities early on for me to interact with people of different abilities and sparked my passion for the work we do at AGI. Tell us a little about your family. - My wife Courtney and I have been married for almost nine years (happy anniversary on March 3) and have three children: Elsie (6), Evan (4), and Isla (1). They make life more enjoyable. Additionally, we are fortunate to have grandparents that live in Omaha. They provide us with support, for which we are incredibly thankful.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spend time with family and friends, ideally on a golf course.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “If you want to feel secure, do what you already know how to do. If you want to be a true professional and continue to grow…go on the cutting edge of your competence which means a temporary loss of security. So whenever you don’t quite know what you’re doing, know you are growing.” - Madeline Cheek Hunter If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Passionate.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - "Sunday Candy" by Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiments.

Which talent would you most like to have? - Artistic or musical talent. My current abilities include stick figures and clapping off beat.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? Angel Guardians, Inc is the obvious answer, but there are many other agencies doing great work. I am the past president of Nebraska Transition College and a believer in their mission of empowering individuals with autism or other disabilities to learn, work, and live within our communities.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build Thriving Organization

by Dave Logan and John King.

What is your favorite movie? - Out Cold.

What is your favorite TV show? - LetterKenny, it is a guilty pleasure.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Jams Midtown.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (402) 614-8202, Ext. 2; sam@angelguardians.org; www. angelguardians.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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LEX

Lex Ann Roach

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Meet Lex Ann Roach, the reemployment services regional manager at the Omaha area Nebraska Department of Labor location, serving Douglas, Washington, and Sarpy counties.

Tell us a little about your business. - Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) reemployment services offers a full range of programs and resources to 1) help employers find the talent they are looking for; 2) help job seekers connect with their next opportunity; and 3) partner with community agencies as part of a wrap-around community approach to self-sufficiency. I oversee a workforce team including business services experts who help employers develop recruiting and upskilling plans. The reemployment team, by working with both job seekers and employers, can assist in the invaluable step of connecting the right people to the right jobs. Job seekers are assisted with pre-employment services such skills assessment and resume preparation. Businesses are supported to get the most out the state job board, NEworks.nebraska.gov, and to navigate the many programs designed to encourage workforce growth.

In addition, we also provide added services for those that served in our military and eligible spouses.

How did you get started in the business? - I am an example of the benefits of using reemployment services. I had the good fortune of connecting with the Omaha reemployment team as a job seeker while experiencing a career transition. I’m not just a cheerleader for reemployment services, I’m a result.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Nebraskans are hard workers and experiencing the pandemic-related unemployment crisis was heart-wrenching. I cannot tell you how many individuals told me that they had never, in their life, not been able to go to work. In response, I had the incredible experience of watching the Omaha reemployment team step-up, going above and beyond every day.

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What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- As the pandemic began to impact our state, there was a decision to continue to allow public access to NDOL field offices. While addressing staff concerns and various unforeseen roadblocks, I am proud to say the reemployment team remained available to our community without fail.

Tell us a little about your family. - I am lucky, and so grateful, that my husband Russ has always supported and encouraged me in all my career choices. We both made abrupt changes four years ago when we decided to relocate from Grand Island to Omaha to be closer to kids and grandkids.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - I had considered earning a master’s degree as soon as I graduated with my bachelor’s, but it wasn’t until 2009, during the Great Recession, that I determined: If not now, when? As a result, I downplayed my work (and income) to have more time to devote to graduate school. It was a great decision and, after earning my master’s in the art of management, I earned my first experience in agency leadership.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I grew up in the Nebraska Sandhills and come from a long line of ranchers. It was never my path; however, as a kid I, too, took part in moving cows, brandings, and putting up hay.

Who inspires you? - My parents and grandparents always put their work first—ranchers are like that. No matter the conditions or challenges, I know that they faced something just as overwhelming and take pride in relying on that foundation.

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

- (402) 934-2392; lexann.roach@nebraska.gov; dol.nebraska.gov. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Dave Arkfeld 402-880-8687

Mary Byrnes 402-515-8024

MARCH 2021 Strictly Business

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PERSONNEL NEWS Strictly Business Brings on Megan Stice as Social Media Guru

True North Technologies Welcomes Alexandra Coffelt-Bush as Team’s New Project Manager

In an effort to stay active and engaging on social media, Strictly Business has added Megan Stice to the team. Megan will be working part time to spearhead internal social media efforts for the magazine. In this role, she will create fun content such as giveaways, team spotlights, client testimonials, event promotion/ coverage, and much more. Megan’s previous experience includes three years as a graphic designer for JEO Consulting Group, and she also owns and teaches dance at Elements Dance Concept. She obtained her degree in dance from UNL and then went on to earn her design degree from Southeast Community College. Strictly Business is thrilled to have Megan on board as she brings a lot of energy and fresh ideas to the table. She’s looking forward to helping the magazine grow their online following.

Strictly Business is reliable news source and effective advertising tool in Omaha, creating and publishing captivating content in print and online.

Learn more at strictlybusinessomaha.com. Strictly Business is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google, and Alignable.

True North Technologies, a Lincoln-based business launched by Renee Sobotka, recently brought Alexandra Coffelt-Bush onto the team as Project Manager. Known around the office as “AB,” Alexandra has joined the True North team to leverage her years of customer-facing and management experience into the Project Manager role. Counting Connectedness, Strategic, and Individualization among her top Gallup strengths, AB possesses the ability to bring out the best in both people and processes with her unique perspective. She balances empathy and drive to facilitate high-quality, timely deliverable production while encouraging the True North team along the way. AB thrives in the fast-paced environment she has found at True North and enjoys the opportunity to flex her creative problem-solving skills to help clients meet their business goals.

AB has lived in Nebraska since 2013 after spending her formative years moving around the country due to her father’s Air Force career. She currently resides in Bennet with her husband, Eric, and their small pack of rescue animals. Outside of project management, she enjoys cooking, kayaking, and painting. AB is eager to continue growing her knowledge of the digital marketing industry and True North’s clients’ specific needs.

True North Technologies makes technology simple with website and mobile app development, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), branding, and social media marketing. Learn more at www.go-tnt. com or call (402) 420-5101.

Acclaro Valuation Advisors Brings on Wietfeld as Partner, Ravenstahl Promoted to VP Acclaro Valuation Advisors, an Omahabased business valuation firm, is pleased to announce that Jason R. Wietfeld has become a partner of the firm and Thomas Q. Ravenstahl has been promoted to vice president of the firm.

Jason rejoined Acclaro in 2019 as a director and is based out of Greater Chicago. He previously worked in Acclaro’s Omaha office before moving to Chicago and working for Houlihan Capital and Duff & Phelps. Jason regularly performs Jason Wietfeld valuations for public and privately held companies and other business interests for merger and acquisition, employee stock ownership plan, gift and estate planning, tax reporting, and fairness and solvency opinion purposes. He earned a Master of Security Analysis & Portfolio Management degree from Creighton University and a BS in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Tom joined Acclaro in 2017 as an associate and is based out of Omaha. Prior to Travis Q. Ravenstahl joining Acclaro, he worked for Gleason & Associates, British Petroleum, the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, and Vanguard. His responsibilities at Acclaro include developing financial models using generally accepted valuation methodologies, conducting industry and economic research, and writing valuation reports. Tom earned an MBA, finance degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a BS in business administration, accounting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduating with distinction from both universities.

Acclaro Valuation Advisors provides valuation and consulting services to lower and middle market companies. It serves clients throughout the U.S. from its headquarters in Omaha, and has branch offices in Seattle, Chicago, and Orlando. Firm clients range from small local businesses to large international companies from virtually every industry. To learn more, visit www.acclarovaluation.com or contact Director Tom McQueen at (402) 895-6222 / TomM@AcclaroValuation.com.

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Universal Group Welcomes Brandon Knedler as Agency’s Executive Vice President of Sales Universal Group, LTD is excited to announce that Brandon Knedler joined their team in February as the Executive Vice President of Sales. He brings nearly 30 years of experience in the insurance industry and will be sharing his knowledge and supporting the Universal Group team’s continued growth.

Brandon joined Universal with one goal in mind—to support their already stellar team of producers, while building a world-class sales team by adding new talent to help them grow into new and existing markets.

“If you aren’t growing, you’re dying,” said Universal Group President Dan Headlee. “We’re excited to have Brandon join us and share his extensive knowledge to achieve our growth markers. Diversifying our portfolio, while maintaining the high standards set by the agency over the years, is the key to reaching the next level for our clients, carriers, and employees, and we’re confident that Brandon will help us accomplish that.”

By remembering their roots in Omaha—which date back to 1889— Universal Group, LTD brings the combination of tradition and highly technical insurance skills to their clients and remains dedicated to professionalism, regular client contact, and ongoing education about the many changes in the insurance field. Universal Group can protect your most precious assets, as they offer personal and business insurance, in addition to employee benefits and industry specialties including contractor, dealership, garage repair shop, manufacturing, and trucking insurance. For more information, visit uninversalinsgroup. com or call (402) 399-8721. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

PERSONNEL NEWS Associated Builders & Contractors Adds Michelle Auman, Carter Klute, Rhea Barfield

Beth Gonnerman Named Director of New CountryHouse Memory Care in Elkhorn

Anne M.N. Klute, president and CEO of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) in Lincoln and Omaha, has announced new additions to the staff: Michelle Auman as executive assistant and office manager, Carter Klute as director of member services, and Rhea Barfield as grant administrator and education liaison.

Michelle joined the ABC team in March of 2020—and she stuck with them through the insanity of COVID-19. Although she is new to the construction and education arena, Michelle Auman she has vast experience as a manager and professional executive assistant. Michelle is now the voice of ABC when you call the State Office in Lincoln. She loves spending time with family and spoiling her nieces and nephews, playing board games, movie nights, and hanging with her dog.

Carter has been with the team in this roll since October 2020. Many may recognize him as the ABC photographer, which is a role he will continue to manage. As director of member services, Carter is here to be a partner in Carter Klute everything ABC. Carter works out of both Lincoln and Omaha offices. Outside of work, Carter is an avid outdoors man, photographer, and volunteer firefighter. He has a degree in International Rescue and Relief. He enjoys travel and believes in the merit shop principles and values that ABC holds dear.

Rhea comes to ABC with a background in the construction industry as well as corrections. She has been with ABC since October of 2020.

Rhea works with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services assisting inmates Rhea Barfield with education supporting an opportunity for a career in the crafts upon re-entry. In addition, she also works with instructors and students at the Lincoln Training Center.

When she is not working, Rhea enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, and doing anything that involves her being active and outdoors.

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Cornhusker Chapter supports the commercial construction industry through apprenticeship and safety training, advocacy, and workforce development. They are located at 830 Westgate Blvd. in Lincoln and their hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday. An additional location is at 10640 Burt Cir., in Omaha and their hours are 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m.–11:30 a.m. on Friday. For more information about ABC, call the State/Lincoln location at (402) 477.4451 or the Omaha location at (402) 344-4258 or visit www.abcnebraska.org.

Beth Gonnerman has been named director of Agemark’s new CountryHouse memorycare residence in Elkhorn, which opened January 6 at 3720 George B Lake Parkway.

Beth is a 25-year veteran of healthcare administration, previously serving as a longterm care, assisted-living, and memory-care administrator, as well as holding positions in acute care and outpatient services. Her first experience in senior living was as an activities director at a long-term care facility, which is where she developed her lifelong passion for serving seniors.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in health promotion. She later earned her master’s in management and leadership from Doane University, and she holds certifications as an Assisted Living Administrator and a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. A native of Lincoln, Beth and her husband, Kevin, have been married for 35 years and have three grown children, Ellyn, Hannah, and Sam. They are proud grandparents of two grandchildren, Finley and Daniel.

CountryHouse at Elkhorn is the newest community opened by parent company Agemark Senior Living in Elkhorn. For more information or to get details about moving a loved one to this caring community, visit countryhouse.net, call (531) 999-2747, or email info@countryhouse.net.

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

Child Saving Institute Honors Outgoing Chair, Welcomes Incoming Chair Michael Geppert Child Saving Institute (CSI) recently showered thanks on community volunteer Melanie Hecker for her leadership and services as 2020 chair of the Board of Directors, and they welcomed 2021 chair Michael Geppert, chief information officer of HDR, to the Board. Hecker’s two-year term as chair wrapped up at the close of 2020. Not only did she successfully lead the agency through a pandemic but she also headed up the agency’s signature event, Cabaret. While the event eventually canceled in 2020, she is Melanie Hecker returning as a co-chair for the 2021 event.

Geppert continues along the path of stellar leadership and is committed to guiding the agency until the pandemic comes to a safe close. Having served on the Board of Directors for five years, Geppert was instrumental in formation of the agency’s first Technology Advisory Group. In his role as chair, Geppert will lead the Board through an adoption of the agency’s next strategic plan, partner for Cabaret’s success, and propel the agency forward with a robust technology strategy.

Michael Geppert Child Saving Institute is dedicated to the prevention and healing of child abuse, neglect, and trauma. For 129 years, CSI has been “responding to the cry of a child” and meeting the changing needs of metro-area children. In 2020, they served more than 2,300 children and families. CSI is proud to welcome Geppert as chair and ever-grateful to Hecker as she continues to serve children and families through her leadership of Cabaret, which is slated for May 8, 2021. For more information about CSI programs, visit childsaving.org or follow them on Facebook (@csiomaha), Twitter (@ChildSaving), and Instagram (@childsavinginstitute).

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PERSONNEL NEWS West Gate Bank Promotes Jeremey Shiers to President of West Gate Bank Mortgage

Seldin Company Welcomes Christie Oldman as Vice President of Property Management

West Gate Bank® recently announced the promotion of Jeremey Shiers to Executive Vice President of West Gate Bank and President of the bank’s mortgage division.

Shiers was also elected to the bank’s Board of Directors. He will be taking over for Mark Hansen, who is retiring after a 40-year career in the banking industry, including the last 18 years at West Gate Bank, where he served in a variety of leadership positions.

Shiers joined West Gate Bank in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the mortgage division, where he led financial management and reporting, secondary market and other strategic initiatives. In his new role, he will manage the entire mortgage division and serve on the bank’s Executive Committee. Shiers is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Kearney, where he earned his degree in business administration. He also completed the Colorado Graduate School of Banking. Shiers is working out of the West Gate Bank Center at 6003 Old Cheney Rd. and can be reached at (402) 434-4089 or jshiers@westgate.bank.

West Gate Bank® is a family-owned community bank with locations in Lincoln and Omaha. As a full-service banking institution, they are large enough to serve all your personal or commercial needs, yet small enough to provide the outstanding personal service that only a community bank can deliver. They’re committed to your success and invested in your financial well-being. At West Gate Bank, their interest is you! Visit westgate.bank for more information.

Seldin Company is proud to welcome Christie Oldman as Vice President of Property Management. Christie has more than 17 years of experience in property management with a strong background as a regional manager and in training and development. She studied finance at Grand Canyon University, and is a licensed real estate broker in both New Mexico and Arizona. She has previously donated her time to the Arizona Multihousing Association. Christie holds Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), Certified Credit Compliance Professional (CP7) and Spectrum certifications, and is a Certified Property Manager (CPM) candidate. In her role as Vice President of Property Management, Christie will oversee a portfolio of more than 50 properties across Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. She will report directly to Executive Vice President of Operations Seth Perkins.

“I am very proud to have been a part of an industry that has always been capable of overcoming incredible economic challenges,” Christie said. “I’m excited to bring my expertise to Seldin and work with such a great team of people, who are the experts in their field.”

Seldin Company is a leading property management firm with deep roots throughout the Central United States. Headquartered in the heart of the Great Plains in Omaha, Seldin was founded in 1923 and engages in the management and expansion of multifamily apartment communities. To learn more, visit seldin.com.

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PERSONNEL NEWS MLCDC Welcomes New Board Member Matt Lindell to Finance, Loan Committees

Business Ethics Alliance Welcomes Four New Members to Governing Board

Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC) is proud to welcome Matt Lindell as a new member of the Board of Directors. Matt is the south Omaha branch manager for Great Western Bank, will serve on the MLCDC Finance Committee, and will lead the Loan Committee. Matt has more than 12 years of banking experience. He began his banking career as a teller and received myriad promotions by way of his dedication through the years.

Throughout his banking career, Matt has demonstrated a passion for coaching and facilitating his team members, and enjoys any opportunity to lead a team to success. He also dedicates time to give back to his community by facilitating financial literacy classes at the Omaha Street School. Matt shares his banking knowledge with as many individuals as possible in the community to help them achieve financial stability. His goal is to empower others to create a better life for themselves. In his new roles as MLCDC Head of the Loan Committee, he will review and make determination for business loans.

Many people know of the Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation as a place where individuals receive training to open childcares, but the mission at the heart of the organization is to provide training opportunities to low- and moderate-income individuals to achieve financial stability and economic growth through entrepreneurship. For more information about the MLCDC, contact Juan J. Montoya at (402)933-4466 / info@midlandslatinocdc.org or visit midlandslatinocdc.org.

The Business Ethics Alliance is honored to have four distinguished professionals from the Omaha metro area join its Governing Board. The Governing Board manages the business and the affairs of the Business Ethics Alliance. Currently, it has 14 members and is made up of esteemed business leaders in our community. The four newest members of the Business Ethics Alliance Governing Board are Steve Koesters, treasurer; Daniel Padilla, trustee; Joel Falk, trustee; and Chad Richter, trustee.

Steve Koesters Steve currently serves as the CEO of Fusion Medical Staffing. He has previously held leadership roles with a number of companies across the Midwest. Steve also has a commitment to volunteer leadership, previously serving on governing boards for two nonprofits based out of Kansas City, MO. Daniel is the executive director of Lending Link and has worked in the financial services industry for over 20 years. He has been involved with developing lending strategies for unbanked and underbanked markets for Daniel Padilla several years. Daniel is passionate about his civic involvement, and he has served on many organizational boards and task forces dedicated to improving the financial wellbeing of the Omaha community. Daniel speaks fluent Spanish and graduated with a degree in business administration from Universidad Mariano Galvez in Guatemala City.

Joel is the president of UMB Bank and specializes in commercial banking and investment management. Other notable companies he has worked for include US Bank, Union Pacific Railroad, and Bank of Joel Falk the West. He has a deep commitment to volunteerism and has served on a number of nonprofit boards in Omaha, including United Way of the Midlands.

Chad currently serves as the managing par tner of Jac kson Lewis and has extensive experience in the legal industry.

He specializes in preventive counseling and training, traditional labor law, and workplace litigation. Chad is a frequent speaker to local and national organizations on a variety of employment and laborChad Richter related topics. He serves on a number of nonprofit boards throughout the Omaha area. Most recently, Chad received the honor of being a Recommended Attorney by Legal 500 USA. The mission of the Business Ethics Alliance is to build leadership, strengthen organizations, and elevate Greater Omaha through positive, practical business education. The Alliance was legally established in 2008 as a standalone, not-for-profit entity. The Alliance has three founding partners: the Heider College of Business, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and the BBB of the Midlands. Additionally, the Alliance is made up of Trustees around Omaha who act as a guild of business leaders who are ambassadors, supporters, and advisors of the Alliance’s mission. The Alliance’s brand of ethics is impartial, research-based, and respectful.

To learn more, www.businessethicsalliance.org.

Immanuel Welcomes Infection Control Specialist Dr. Devin Fox as Medical Director Immanuel, the Midwest leader in retirement living and senior living solutions, is pleased to welcome Devin J. Fox, MD, MBA, FACP, as medical director. In this role, Dr. Fox oversees clinical operations and infection-control practices across all business lines, including 14 retirement and senior living communities and three Immanuel Pathways PACE® (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) centers in Iowa and Nebraska.

Dr. Fox joins Immanuel after serving with CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center as vice president of medical operations and academic hospital medicine physician. He also previously served as chief medical officer at Creighton University Medical Center, supervising quality and patient safety as the hospital transitioned to a new academic medical center. A skilled physician and instructor, Dr. Fox was involved in the development of curriculum, educational tools and training programs for medical students and residents at the Creighton University School of Medicine.

In the greater community, Dr. Fox serves as president on the BLUEBARN Theater board of directors; co-chair of the Acute Care Test Material Development Committee for the National Board of Medical Examiners; vice chair of the Josie Harper Hospice House board of directors; and is a board member of the Metro Omaha Medical Society Foundation.

Since 1887, Immanuel has been providing Christ-Centered service to seniors, each other, and the community, as a not-for-profit arm of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). Immanuel owns and operates 14, 55+ active living, independent living, assisted living, and long-term care retirement communities on nine campuses. Learn more at Immanuel.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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NONPROFIT NEWS Goodwill Omaha’s “Round It Up” Campaign Raises $16.5K for United Way Organizations

Heartland Hope Mission Updates Millard Pantry Hours with an Additional Saturday

Goodwill Omaha’s latest “Round It Up Campaign,” held throughout November and December 2020, collected $16,500 of donations from Goodwill shoppers for United Way of the Midlands (UWM) and Fremont Area United Way. Goodwill Omaha President and CEO Tobi Mathouser presented checks to the organizations in early February to assist them with their efforts for locals affected by COVID-19. Goodwill stores in Fremont and Blair raised $1,500 for the Fremont Area United Way, and stores in UWM’s territory raised $15,000.

In an effort to serve working poor families better, Heartland Hope Mission’s Millard location has updated their pantry operating hours by adding a second Saturday each month for families in need.

They now will be open from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Volunteer opportunities are available for those who would like to serve families in need. Volunteers help distribute food and hygiene products, restock pantry shelves, and sort clothing to help poor families in our community.

“We want to be good stewards of the communities we serve, and a significant way we can do that is to help other organizations that can help people in other ways than Goodwill does,” Tobi said.

“COVID-19 has caused struggles for so many people, and it seems like everyone’s needs are unique. The best way we can help is by sponsoring a campaign like this.”

Goodwill Industries, Inc. in Omaha serves eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa by providing a place to donate used clothing and household items, or find a great bargain. The true mission of the nonprofit, however, is to provide job training and placement services to people with disabilities and other disadvantages. For more information about Goodwill or their 18 regional locations, visit www. goodwillomaha.org or follow them on Facebook (@goodwillomaha), Twitter (@goodwillomaha), and YouTube (@goodwillomahatv).

FAMILY, Inc. Wins $250K Federal Grant to Support Mobile Wellness Unit for Children FAMILY, Inc. is excited to announce that it is one of only 10 organizations nationwide to receive a Health Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program (HTPCP) grant in 2021. The federal funding comes through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and amounts $50,000 per year for five years, or a total of $250,000! That will go a long way toward supporting FAMILY Inc.’s creation and operation of a mobile wellness unit, which will be a retro-fitted RV that they can take into underserved and rural areas of our community to provide a host of preventive wellness screenings and assessments for children. These will include dental, vision, hearing, and nutritional screenings, as well as lead testing and developmental assessments.

“FAMILY, Inc. is honored to be one of the 10 national recipients for this funding and proud to bring the resources to our community,” said Executive Director Kimberly Kolakowski. “This support will help FAMILY, Inc. break down barriers so that children in need—particularly in rural communities—will have access to preventive health screenings for early detection and for intervention when concerns are noted.

We are setting children up for their best chances at success!”

FAMILY Inc. provides public-health and family support services to women, children, and families in Pottawattamie and Mills counties.

HTPCP grant recipients are entrusted to build on past program success facilitating partnerships with pediatric providers that coordinate to bring important health-care services to rural and other underserved populations. For more information or to donate to FAMILY Inc.’s mission, visit familyia.org or contact Kimberly at kkolakowski@familyia.org or (712) 256-9566, ext. 240.

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Heartland Hope Mission operates one of the largest food pantries in the state but is “More than a Pantry,” as they help families work toward self-sufficiency. They primarily serve working poor families and those who may be facing a crisis situation by providing a week’s supply of food, as well as clothing, diapers, job resources, and community referrals. To sign up to volunteer at the Millard pantry location, please visit HeartlandHopeMission.org. To stay up-to-date about all the great work they are doing in the community, like and follow them on Facebook (@HeartlandHopeMission), LinkedIn (@ Heartland Hope Mission), and Instagram (@heartlandhopemission).

Fundraising Letter Campaign Raises More Than 80K for Assistance League of Omaha® After COVID canceled plans for their largest annual fundraiser—the Christmas Caravan Tour of Homes—Assistance League of Omaha® bounced back with a fundraising letter campaign that resulted in donations of more than $80,000 to help carry on their programs in 2021. That includes Operation School Bell, Operation Teddy Bear, Assault Survivor Kits, Operation Teen Parent, Operation Literacy, and Operation Recovery, all of which have continued with modifications to meet health guidelines.

Assistance League of Omaha also recently opened their new, larger Thrift Shop at 8502 West Center Rd., which currently has limited hours—Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—but they plan to add more days in the future.

Operation School Bell (OSB) each year gives more than 4,000 Omaha area school children in need the opportunity to shop for coats and clothing in conjunction with JCPenney at the Westroads.

Normally held during the first two weeks of October, it had to be redesigned because of COVID, running for one week in October and two weeks in January. Even with the pandemic adaptations, the Assistance League of Omaha was able to invite 2,750 school children to shop. Because of the large amount of need in the community, they are thrilled about the amount of money they raised. The donations received through the letter campaign will go toward funding OSB and all of Assistance League of Omaha’s other programs.

Assistance League of Omaha is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit service organization whose members identify, develop, implement, and raise funding for ongoing philanthropic programs to serve specific needs of children and adults in the Greater Omaha area.

Learn more at alomaha.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS NAM Affinity Groups for HR Professionals, Executive Directors, and CEOs of Nonprofits

Habitat Omaha Hosts Educational Sessions About Estate Planning, Property Taxes

The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) is highlighting its Affinity Groups for Executive Directors/CEOs of nonprofits and Human Resources professionals who are members of NAM. The Executive Director/CEO networking Affinity Group gives nonprofit leaders a chance to connect, brainstorm ideas, and problem solve, while the Human Resources networking Affinity Group is aimed at those working in HR or nonprofit leaders who want to learn more about nonprofit human resources. The group gives leaders a chance to discuss relevant HR topics from a nonprofit perspective, including a mix of skill levels among participants to maximize the networking and mentoring opportunities.

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha recently held two educational webinars for community members—one about wills and estate planning and another about property taxes. Habitat Omaha is working with community partners to provide these educational sessions about housing-related topics that impact everyone who owns, or hopes to own, a home.

Although most people don’t want to talk about the need for a will or other estate planning documents, they’re critical to providing people with a voice in determining how their property will be transferred and identifying the people who will care for their loved ones and handle their affairs when they’re gone. If you missed the Wills and Estate Planning 101 webinar in December 2020, it can be viewed on Habitat Omaha’s YouTube channel.

Property taxes are another hot topic in Omaha, considering that thousands of residents recently saw an enormous increase in their taxes—some as much as 200%! Habitat Omaha and Omaha Together One Community hosted a session in January to explain the step-by-step process homeowners can take to protest property tax valuations. If you missed that webinar, head over to habitatomaha.org/property-taxes to find the information covered.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, visit habitatomaha.org or call (402) 457-5657.

The meetings are currently being offered virtually due to COVID-19.

The Executive Directors/CEO Affinity Group Roundtable meets the first Tuesday of every month, from noon to 1 p.m., with the next meeting on tap for March 2. The HR Affinity Group Roundtable meets the fourth Wednesday of every month, from noon to 1 p.m., with the next meeting slated for March 24.

The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands represents more than 650 nonprofit organizations in Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Their goal is to strengthen the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofits to enrich the quality of community life throughout the region. To inquire about joining NAM or an Affinity Group, contact Kelly Koepsell, director of membership and operations, at Kelly@ nonprofitam.org or visit nonprofitam.org/events.

Best Care EAP Hosts First HR Insight Series of Year, Monthly Training Session in March Best Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has scheduled their first HR Insight series program for March 9 from noon to 1 p.m. Guest attorneys from Baird Holm will join the nonprofit to present a virtual session entitled “Understanding Employer Implications with COVID-19.” The program is intended for leadership and HR professionals—and is free!

Best Care EAP also encourages people to join them for their next free virtual training session—“Good Grief: Moving Forward from Recent Losses”—on March 17 at 9 a.m. Best Care EAP Counselor, Amy Monzingo and Training Consultant, Kim Hurst will dive into how to identify and act on feelings of grief and how to experience and cope with it, without being consumed by it. During the last year, everyone has experienced abundant uncertainty and change. If you are someone who’s typically felt in control of your life, it can be quite jarring to have it suddenly disrupted in so many ways. The sense of loss can be profound, and this session will help you understand that it is grief and for many people, there are effective ways to push back.

Best Care EAP offers emotional/mental health support to your employees, helping them focus on their jobs when problems in their personal lives get too overwhelming. They also offer a number of professional development options, performance coaching, and leadership training to help your organization be the best that it can be. To register for either of the programs listed above, please email Best Care EAP at EAP@BestCareEAP.org, call (402) 354-8000, or visit bestcareeap.org and view upcoming Training & Events under the Services tab. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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MARCH 2021 Strictly Business

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NONPROFIT NEWS NAMI Omaha Announces March Affiliate Meeting is Set for March 4 Through Zoom

Saving Grace Adapts Distribution Model to Meet Emerging Needs for More Food

NAMI Omaha’s next Mental Health NAMI Affiliate meeting will be held virtually through Zoom on March 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. The speaker is yet to be determined, but advance registration is required through Zoom, so contact namiomaha@gmail.com to request registration link.

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

For more information about NAMI Omaha, visit namiomaha.org or call (402) 345-8101 / (877) 463-6264. For helpful articles about mental illness, follow NAMI Omaha on Facebook (@NAMIOmaha).

Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue is adapting its logistics and distribution model to meet emerging needs for more food to feed the hungry during the pandemic. When donations from regular food donors dropped because of business closures and supply-chain issues, Saving Grace joined the community conversation addressing increased food insecurity. Offering Saving Grace’s transportation and logistics services led to partnerships with the Omaha Restaurant Association, Food Bank for the Heartland, Millard Public Schools, Catholic Charities, and the COVID-19 Garden/Farming Response group. Capacity-building was also a focus, as a new refrigerated van and two team members—a deputy director and manager of field operations—were added.

Nebraska’s Animal Loving Advocates Rescue Another 106 Animals, Seeking Forever Homes After their rescue of 96 cats and dogs on December 23, “Just in Time for Christmas,” Nebraska’s Animal Loving Advocates (NALA) took in another 106 animals from the same overwhelmed Arkansasbased organization on January 30, for a total of 202 animals in five weeks! Founder Angie Hospodka and volunteers continue to work tirelessly to provide shelter, medical coverage, nutrition, love, and foster homes to these desperate animals and are working to find them safe, forever homes. The Omaha-based animal-rescue organization saves animals from across the country and could not exist without the tireless efforts of volunteers and the generous contributions from donors.

NALA's mission is to revolutionize the way people think about animals and animal rescue. They educate people about the dangers of puppy mills and the realities of backyard breeders, in their effort to provide loving homes to all the dogs and cats they encounter, including the feral, the unwanted, the damaged, and the lost. NALA believes that every living creature not only deserves love but also has so much love to offer. NALA approaches this mission through their core values of love for all living things and faith that our culture can change, and together we can create a world where rescues are no longer needed. If you are interested in adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating, please visit www.nalarescue.org or their Facebook page (@nalarescue), where you’ll also find wonderful photos of some of the cats and dogs ready for adoption!

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“The pandemic underscored the need for greater equity in access to healthy perishable foods, and this expansion enables us to make a larger impact,” said CEO and Founder Beth Ostdiek Smith.

During 2020, this response to the pandemic resulted in Saving Grace transporting 700,000 pounds of nutritious perishable food. As businesses closed their kitchens, Saving Grace rescued their surplus food. Drivers also transported Farmers to Families food boxes from partner locations to other nonprofits that feed the hungry.

Since operations began in October 2013, Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue has rescued 5,367,709 pounds of perishable food. This translates to 2,680 tons of food that has been kept out of the landfills.

To learn more, call (402) 215- 6718 or visit savinggracefoodrescue.org.

The Hope Center for Kids Accepting Registration for The Hope Golf Classic The Hope Center for Kids is accepting registrations for the 19th annual The Hope Golf Classic, scheduled for Monday, June 14—and you’ll want to register your foursome quickly because it sells out fast every year. The outing will be at Champions Run golf course in Omaha, with a shotgun start at noon, and meals and prizes included.

Proceeds from the event support lifeimpacting programs at The Hope, the mission of which is to inspire hope in the lives of youth and children through education, employability, collaboration, and faith.

The Hope Center for Kids provides a safe after-school and summer program where children and youth can take part in the academic support, youth development, faith-based learning opportunities, and receive a hot meal every night. It all started with a vision in the heart of the late Pastor Ty Schenzel, who saw the need for hope in the lives of kids who could not see beyond their circumstances, and his vision became a reality in 1998. More than 20 years later, The Hope is led by Pastor Ty’s son-in-law, Paul Lanphier, and is home to multiple learning spaces, including an Employment & Learning Academy, a commercial kitchen and cafeteria, and the Hope Skate roller rink.

To learn more about The Hope Center for Kids or register for The Hope Golf Classic, visit hopecenterforkids.com, or contact Lou Valla at (402) 341-4673, ext. 1050 / lou@hopecenterforkids.com.

Sponsorships are available for this year’s event by contacting Emily at (402) 341-4673, ext. 1028. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS Omaha Beef Faith & Family Night Set for April 3 to Benefit Open Door Mission Mark your calendars for April 3 to enjoy the Omaha Beef Faith & Family Night, which benefits Open Door Mission. The football game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Ralston Arena and will include “Sock it to ‘em” night, where fans are asked to bring brand new packaged men’s tube socks to throw out onto the field after the first Beef touchdown. All of the socks will be donated to Open Door Mission. Tickets for the game are $18 apiece, and $4 from each ticket sale will also be donated to the Mission.

Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission that meets the needs of individuals and families while inspiring HOPE for lasting change. Each day, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 917 safe shelter beds to homeless men, women and children, serves nearly 4,750 nutritious meals and provides preventive services to more than 1,000 people living in poverty. For more information, visit opendoormission. org or contact Kristen Dineen at (402) 829-1538 / KDineen@ opendoormission.org. To purchase your tickets for the Omaha Beef Faith & Family Night, visit FEVO.ME/BEEF-OPENDOOR.

Jennie Edmundson Foundation Seeks Donations to COVID-19 Response Fund The Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation created its COVID-19 Response Fund, and they are encouraging the community to continue supporting their efforts by donating supplies or making a financial contribution. Your gift to the Jennie Edmundson Foundation’s Emergency COVID-19 Pandemic Response Fund will be used to help patients and caregivers who are impacted by this disease and to address emerging areas of greatest need, including: • Assisting uninsured and underinsured low-income patients to cover healthcare costs related to COVID-19.

• Providing financial help with necessary everyday living expenses and housing for some of the most vulnerable patients who may not be able to shelter at home.

• Support and enable their healthcare staff to sustain resilience as they continue to provide safe, high-quality care to patients and the community.

• Ensuring that Jennie Edmundson has sufficient personal protection equipment, supplies, and medical equipment to keep healthcare workers healthy while caring for patients.

The Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation is indebted to the longtime support they have received from large and small communities across southwest Iowa and the Omaha metro area. Consider making an impact by honoring the Jennie Edmundson healthcare providers who are facing the pandemic challenge with confidence and grace. Your tax-deductible gift will provide much-needed support during this unprecedented time.

For more information, please visit http://jehfoundation.org/greatestneeds/covid-19-response/ or call 712-396-6040. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Omaha Home for Boys Golf Classic June 9 The annual Omaha Home for Boys (OHB) Golf Classic, presented by RBC Wealth Management, is slated for Wednesday, June 9 at Tiburon Golf Club in Omaha. Proceeds from this fun-filled day benefit the more than 1,300 youth, young adults, children, and families served by OHB every year. Check-in will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and a shotgun start at noon. The day concludes with a dinner, raffle, brief program, and awards.

“We always have such a great time at the Golf Classic every year, and Tiburon is just such a beautiful course,” said OHB Chief Development Officer Lori Bechtold. “We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone on June 9 and raising funds for the youth and families here at OHB.” The Omaha Home for Boys equips youth, young adults, and families with the skills they need to become self-sufficient and productive members of the community. Programs include Inspiration Hill Residential Living, Jacob’s Place Transitional Living, Branching Out Independent Living, Supportive Housing, and clinical services, in addition to support services in the form of education and scholarships, Youth Mart, and Valley View 4-H. Registration for the four-person Golf Classic scramble tournament now is open, and spots are filling up quickly, so register right away at OHB.org or by contacting Lori Bechtold at (402) 457-7014 or email giving@ohb.org.

Midlands Community Foundation Raises $930K in Matching Charitable Program Midlands Community Foundation is pleased to announce that its MCF Matching Charitable Program that ran from December 1, 2020, through January 5, 2021, raised nearly $930,000, with $476,020 qualifying for matching funds.

Under the Matching Charitable Program, MCF provided matching funds for NEW contributions made to existing and newly created Affiliated General, Designated, Donor Advised, Field of Interest, and Scholarship Funds. Matching donations were made on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to a limit of $5,000 per individual donor, and subject to a maximum of $100,000 of matching dollars being available in the aggregate for all Funds. Because more than $100,000 was contributed on an aggregate basis to all Funds, the matching dollars were prorated among such donors based on the total contributions made.

“We are so pleased to be able to help our donors stretch their charitable dollars. The results exceeded our expectations and allowed us to provide our more than 150 charitable funds an opportunity to raise awareness, and most importantly, encourage new donors to support their charitable causes in the areas of arts, education, health care, human services, and community and economic development,” said Tonee Gay, Midlands Community Foundation executive director.

The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to benefit the diverse needs of the Sarpy and Cass county communities by providing financial support, involvement, and service. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $10 million dollars to many worthy organizations through its grants program, discretionary giving, and special events. Learn more online at midlandscommunity.org.

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NONPROFIT NEWS JDRF’s 2021 Promise Gala Set for April 17 Mark your calendar for the virtual 2021 JDRF Promise Gala, airing LIVE at 7 p.m. on April 17. Get comfy on your couch and make it a special night with your family. By joining in virtually, YOU control the guest list, the dress code, and more. The Gala promises to be an incredible event, with a goal of preserving the beloved elements of the Gala programs that you have come to know and love, including an online auction and inspiring giving opportunities. This year’s theme, Stronger Together, honors our resilient community, which has come together to fight for cures and therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

The JDRF Nebraska-Southwest Iowa Gala—Stronger Together will be an unforgettable evening uniting the T1D community to share progress made, celebrate this community’s philanthropic spirit, and remind the world that we won’t stop until we cure this disease! Watch Party Packages for the Gala are available at $400, $2,500, and $5,000, and sponsorships are offered at $10,000, $15,000, and $25,000. If you are unable to attend, you may make a 100% tax-deductible donation to research through JDRF’s Fund a Cure Program.

JDRF is the leading global organization funding T1D research. Their goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, policy influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D. For more information or to register for the JDRF Promise Gala, call (402) 397-2873 or visit jdrf.org/nebraskaiowa and scroll down to “Events.”

‘commUNITY: Herald Native Women’ Marks Vision Maker Media’s 45th Anniversary In commemoration of its 45th anniversary, Vision Maker Media has launched its first online program for 2021, titled “commUNITY: Herald Native Women.”

The online program celebrates Women’s History Month with the communitythemed online film streaming event. The celebration will be a panel discussion and a program of films available for streaming 24/7 throughout March, both free and open to the public. commUNITY: Herald Native Women is the culmination of six documentaries all produced or directed by Native women. The program portrays Native women in leadership, coming of age, and language revitalization. All the films will be available worldwide.

In partnership with Americans for Indian Opportunity (AIO), Vision Maker Media is presenting a moderated panel with Native women leaders who are among the more than 250 graduates of AIO’s Ambassadors Program. For more than 50 years, AIO advances, from an Indigenous worldview, the cultural political and economic rights of indigenous peoples in the United States and around the world.

Vision Maker Media is a nonprofit established in 1976 with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Nebraska Educational Television (NET). Their mission is to empower and engage Native people to share stories. Currently, Vision Maker Media has 28 projects in various stages of production and 34 films in publicmedia broadcasting, five of which were added in fiscal year 2020.

To learn more about “community: Herald Native Women,” visit visionmakermedia.org.

HETRA Recognizes Volunteers of the Year, Seeks More Volunteers to Provide Support

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Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA) recently held a Volunteer Appreciation Event to recognize people who have provided extraordinary service to their mission during the last year. In fact, HETRA has always relied heavily on volunteers, and they’re looking for more people who want to help them serve a good cause! Session volunteers work with participants to provide emotional, educational, and physical support throughout each session, and barnmaintenance volunteers help ensure they have a clean, functional barn and a healthy herd. You don’t need any experience, as HETRA provides all the training you need. If you’re interested, learn more at hetra.org/volunteer.

At its recent Volunteer Appreciation Event, HETRA recognized the following amazing people for their service: Masha Borchert, Youth Volunteer of the Year; Carol Teske, New Volunteer of the Year; Tracy Robledo-Clark, Substitute Volunteer of the Year; Jill Shwiner, Special Programs Volunteer of the Year; Roberto Macedo, Barn Maintenance Volunteer of the Year; Carrie Lindell, Conditioning Volunteer of the Year; Kyle Black, Feeding Volunteer of the Year; and Deborah Bean, Adult Volunteer of the Year.

HETRA’s mission is to improve the quality of life both physically and emotionally for adults and children of all ability levels through equineassisted activities. Year round, HETRA serves a variety of participants including children and adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, TBI, autism, developmental delays, and strokes. HETRA also has robust Veterans and First Responder offerings as well. For more information or to participate or donate, call (402) 359-8830, or visit hetra.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS Stephen Center Serves 1,278 People in Need in 2020 Despite the unprecedented challenges of the past year, Stephen Center continued to deliver safe services to individuals and families, which included 1,278 individuals in need. With the community’s support, Stephen Center served 203,472 meals, moved 89% of clients to positive housing destinations, served 30,000 collective volunteer hours, and donated furniture and household items to 68 households in 2020.

“It’s easy to focus on the number served, meals provided, and volunteer hours…all of these things have impact in the lives of individuals and facilities in our community,” Executive Director Michael Wehling said, “but the real impact is measured in the smiles of people who experienced homelessness, addiction, or poverty as they find stable housing for themselves and their loved ones.”

Located in South Omaha, Stephen Center serves the homeless, addicted, and those in poverty. The campus includes a homeless emergency shelter, inpatient/outpatient co-occurring treatment, and permanent supportive housing for disabled and low-income individuals. To learn more or to donate, go online to www. stephencenter.org or call (402) 715-5442.

Unrestricted Endowments Growing Across Nebraska Community Foundation Network Five communities in the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) network recently raised a combined $3.75 million to pursue hometown dreams. By the end of 2020, NCF affiliated funds in Howells, Columbus, Imperial, Keith County, and Stuart had each met a $500,000 fundraising goal. Their success means each will receive a $250,000 match, for a grand total of $750,000. That money goes straight into their affiliated fund’s unrestricted community endowment—a savings account that grows forever and provides perpetual annual payout, which offers volunteers opportunities to award locally-controlled grants for community betterment.

Currently, 80 NCF affiliated funds are building community unrestricted endowments—46 of which have an annual payout of more than $10,000. Altogether, these unrestricted endowments total more than $60 million—a substantial increase from $12 million in 2012. Grants from unrestricted endowments are creating change that may otherwise not occur across the state. Some examples include affordable housing development in Keith County, early childhood development in Boone County, non-traditional scholarships in Nebraska City, K-12 curriculum enhancement in Shickley, entrepreneurship and small business development in Valley County, youth engagement in Norfolk, and leadership development in Brown County.

Headquartered in Lincoln with employees working from hometowns in every corner of the state, Nebraska Community Foundation provides financial management, strategic development, donor education, and training in partnership with 1,500 volunteers serving 272 hometowns in 83 Nebraska counties. Since 1994, NCF has reinvested $393.1 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org or call (402) 323-7330. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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RISE & Shine Online to Learn More About RISE Academy at 8 a.m. Friday, March 5 RISE Academy is hosting is RISE & Shine Online via Zoom from 8 to 9 a.m. on Friday, Marc h 5. This casual, opentable gathering is where the RISE staff loves to meet new people, catch up with volunteers, answer questions, and tell anyone and everyone in the community about their programs and events. If you’ve ever been curious about what RISE does or would just like some casual community time with staff and past volunteers, this is a great way to connect—and you can start off your ‘Casual Friday’ with a smile.

RISE Academy’s mission is to help people find freedom from cycles of incarceration. They work with incarcerated individuals, include pre- and post-release. Their inside-out model bridges incarceration to the community and considers all the critical steps in that journey.

RISE Academy prepares and trains people for each phase through intensive character development, employment readiness, job creation through entrepreneurship, and case management. To learn more, visit seeusrise.org. To get a link to the March 5 RISE & Shine Online, contact Chantal Randall at crandall@seeusrise.org or (531) 233-9348.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands Partners with Mobile Giving Platform Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands (BBBSM) recently partnered with the mobile giving platform, Roundit, to make donations easier. By signing up for Roundit, patrons can donate to the adult volunteers and children involved in BBBSM’s programs with every purchase they make. By signing up for a free, secure account (it only takes two minutes), interested donors can set a monthly spending limit and allow Roundit to round up their spare change so they can automatically donate to BBBSM and help kids throughout Omaha. BBBSM recognizes that relationships are more important now more than ever during these stressful times. That’s why BBBSM is giving patrons the opportunity to make an impact so they and other community members can help match youth on their waitlist with every grocery run, coffee, or other every day purchase. Sign up to help BBBSM through Roundit by visiting signup.roundit.com/cause/00093.

For more than 60 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands has been creating meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers and children ages 7 – 21 in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area, with a goal of helping children realize their potential and build their futures. For more information or to volunteer, visit bbbsomaha.org.

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HEALTH NEWS Rockbrook Village Welcomes The Pelvic Physio, Women’s Health PT Practice

Goodwill Partners with Max I. Walker to Make Scrubs Available to Area Hospitals

Rockbrook Village is excited to announce the addition of The Pelvic Physio, a women’s health physical therapy practice. Owner Kayla Ives holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern State University and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of North Dakota.

The Pelvic Physio is a physical therapy clinic serving women with pelvic floor and women’s health related issues. They specialize in conditions related to low back, hip and pelvis, bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction as well as pregnancy and postpartum care. After identifying the root cause of the issue, The Pelvic Physio works to decrease and eliminate the patient’s symptoms, and restore mobility, strength and function so patients can reach their individual goals.

“It is our mission to empower, guide, support and educate not only our patient’s, but all women who cross our path. We proudly serve women of all ages, stages and fitness levels,” said Kayla.

The Pelvic Physio is located at 2806 S 110th Court and is open for business Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, please contact Kayla Ives at (402) 404-7014 or visit the website at www.thepelvicphysioomaha.com.

Goodwill Industries, Inc. Omaha recently partnered again with Max I. Walker Dry Cleaning & Laundry for a Sleepers & Scrubs Drive to collect scrubs and preemie and newborn sleepers and make them available to area hospitals.

This latest partnership was spurred by a second occurrence in the last several months of a healthcare worker requesting, via social media, donations of preemie and newborn clothing items for their hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Goodwill and Max I. Walker also decided to collect scrubs—more than 425 pairs—to have on hand for Omaha hospitals to request when they need extra. Max I. Walker provided the laundering services and will coordinate delivery for each request sent to info@maxiwalker.com.

American Red Cross Offers Tips to Help Protect Your Family’s Health, Safety After responding to more than 50 fires affecting more than 250 people in the Nebraska-Iowa Region in the first 10 days of February alone, The American Red Cross recently shared some tips to help protect your family’s health and safety this winter. Home fires typically rise during winter as people spend more time indoors, use a variety of heating sources, and do more cooking, all of which contribute to the seasonal spike.

To protect your family from devastating injury and loss, the Red Cross offered the following nine home heating safety tips: 1) If using a space heater, look for a model that shuts off automatically if the heater falls over. Place the heater on a level, hard, and nonflammable surface in the home. 2) Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding, curtains, or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces. 3) Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. 4) Keep children and pets away from space heaters. 5) Cut down on heating costs. Insulate the home by installing storm windows or covering the inside of windows with plastic to keep cold air out. 6) Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home. 7) Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. 8) Test batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 9) Develop a fire escape plan and practice it with everyone who lives in the home.

In like manner, the Red Cross offers the following seven cooking-safety tips: 1) Keep an eye on what you fry! Never leave cooking food unattended. 2) Move items that can burn away from the stove. This includes dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper, and curtains. Also, keep children and pets at least three feet away. 3) Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking. 4) When frying food, turn the burner off if you see smoke or if the grease starts to boil. Carefully remove the pan from the burner. 5) Keep a pan lid or a cookie sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire. This will put out the fire. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. 6) Turn pot handles to the back of the stove so no one bumps them or pulls them over. 7) Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.

Each day, the American Red Cross is active in the community, serving those in need. To learn more or inquire about donating blood or plasma—which are always needed—call (402) 343-7700 or visit redcross.org/local/Nebraska.

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“This is the fourth time we’ve partnered with Goodwill in the past year, and it goes to show just how much of a different it can make when you find a partner you can rely on,” said Casey Walker, director of retail operations at Max I. Walker. “Especially in times like these, local businesses can do a lot of good when they work together to support each other and the community.”

Many people recognize Goodwill industries, Inc. as a place to donate used clothing and household items or find great bargains, but their mission is to provide job training and placement services to people with disabilities and other disadvantages. For more information, visit goodwillomaha.org or call (402) 341-4609.

Hillcrest Health Vaccination Rates Exceed National Average, at 96% by Mid-February Hillcrest Health Services is reporting exceptionally high COVID vaccination rates for residents and team members, achieving vaccinations for 96% of their almost 700 independent, assisted-living, and skilled nursing residents across eight facilities by mid-February. In addition, more than 80% of the system’s 1,500 team members were vaccinated on the same timeline—more than double the 38% average for staff, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control on February 5. In the second week of February alone, more than 1,400 vaccinations were given in clinics hosted by Walgreens and RelyCare. A third round of clinics were underway by the third week of the month to begin providing second doses to team members and first rounds to new employees and residents.

“Our team members understand the importance of getting vaccinated,” said Dr. Anthony Hatcher, the system’s full-time Chief Medical Officer, who has led Hillcrest’s fight against COVID-19. “We have provided extensive education and even one-on-one information sessions about the safety and efficacy of the two vaccines. But more importantly, we have stressed the opportunity we have to enable our residents to see their loved ones again, and that has had a dramatic impact on our teams.”

Hillcrest Health Services offers the Omaha/Lincoln region's largest continuum of health services for aging adults, including independent and assisted living, in-patient and outpatient rehabilitation, long-term care, memory support, adult day services, certified skilled home health and in-home personal care, telehealth services, and hospice care. Hillcrest currently serves nearly 1,400 aging adults daily across 12 counties in Nebraska and Iowa. For more information, visit www.hillcresthealth.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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There are those mythical few who love cleaning—at least that’s what we hear. Probably the vast majority of us, however, love having a clean house or business, though given the option, wouldn’t choose to volunteer a weekend to climb ladders, squeegee windows or dust fans, torture our backs to scrub or wax our bathtubs, or push around a rental carpet cleaner that really isn’t doing any deep-cleaning at all. Given that your home and business are your biggest investments, it’s positively crucial that you protect those investments by performing deep spring-cleaning tasks that prevent dirt and grime buildup, protect your flooring and other surfaces from damage or dulling, and ensure that you avoid mold and reduce other allergens that could harm your family or employees.

The good news is that you don’t have to do it all yourself. Omaha is home to some of the best cleaning-related companies around, and these professionals will get it right the first time. They’ll help your home or business look—and function—like new, which is uplifting for your family and/or employees, your business, and your vehicles. The importance of spring cleaning increased exponentially since COVID’s arrival, too, and we talked to professionals in the Omaha area who can ensure that your home and place of business are clean and safe for all who enter!

accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2002, with which they maintain an A+ rating. Owner Mike Rouw said everyone knows that a clean place of business reflects highly upon the company’s employees and their quality of service. Some business owners feel like they need to clean their offices themselves, but in reality, a detailed office cleaning from a professional staff will not only be faster, but cleaner. One of the most neglected spring-cleaning tasks for businesses is the flooring, and the repercussions can be costly.

Your vehicles might not be on your list of top spring-cleaning list, but if not, add them to it, as deep cleaning is also essential to extending the life of both the interior and exterior. To achieve topnotch clean, we recommend the family-owned IQ Car Wash, which launched in Omaha about a year ago. They make cleaning your vehicle a no-brainer! The innovative technology and equipment Mike Rouw they employ is: SMARTER, thanks to 3D mapping technology The Office Cleaners that uses close-celled foam sponges; CLEANER due to high-tech equipment and premium bio-degradable soaps; and GREENER “Spring cleaning for businesses is a proven method of extending the life and usefulness of flooring, furniture, because it uses less water and energy than many others. and vehicles,” Mike said. “Skipping deep cleaning and floor care in Customers at IQ Car Wash enjoy free vacuums that give them the spring could create more maintenance headaches and expense two choices of nozzles to ensure that they can get their vehicles throughout the remainder of the year. Neglecting the care of your as clean as possible—and they are open 24/7, so customers can flooring always results in more expense down the road.” wash their cars at their convenience at a company that guarantees clean! Loyal customers to IQ Car Wash can enjoy some major With COVID-19 in play, it’s crucial to go the extra mile with cleaning, upgrades this season, too, thanks to new roll-up doors in the especially in spring. Hiring a professional team like The Office exits of three of their easy-to-use self-serve bays and a new LED Cleaners allows you to stick to your business expertise and feel monument sign along West Maple to let everyone know about certain that your employees, clients, and visitors are safe to enter. new specials. The IQ Car Wash office also has been transformed from bare, concrete walls and floors to drywall, paint, and plank “Deep cleaning and anti-viral misting have become essential tasks flooring. Most important, they have hired one full-time and one for businesses, and this is especially important after the winter season part-time employee to help customers and continue to keep the when floors, furniture, vehicles, etc. may not be getting cleaned as well or as often as needed,” Mike said. “Your time is valuable! facility clean, safe, and friendly.

We believe you should spend less time cleaning and more time conducting business. Our focus is on providing the highest quality Business Cleaning Essentials customer service in our industry and the highest quality clean to The Office Cleaners have been serving greater Omaha, Council businesses of all sizes.”

Bluffs, and Lincoln customers for 26 years, and they have been #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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The COVID pandemic has changed spring cleaning trends dramatically. Nationally, MarbleLife is seeing an increase in requests from restaurants and retail businesses that want their surfaces cleaned. By professionally cleaning shared bathrooms and countertops, businesses can show their patrons that they are serious about keeping them safe and health. For these types of concerns, it’s no longer spring cleaning but all-year cleaning!

“There are very few providers in Omaha operating at our level, and MarbleLife has a national footprint to provide support,” Williams said. “With three decades of research and development, MarbleLife has one of the top chemical engineers in the industry always innovating our products and services. We will go above and beyond to get the job done right with the best and most efficient technology in the industry.”

From Top to Bottom After the winter weather gets its powers of muck on your windows and floors, springtime is the perfect time to schedule your deep cleaning, inside and out. Another fantastic option for getting that done is a call to Christenson Cleaning & Restoration.

“We clean many commercial buildings, and a lot of our customers like us to do all the interior and exterior glass for their springcleaning needs, along with cleaning all the floors to ensure that their building is looking its best after the rough winter,” said Owner Charlie Christenson. “It’s really important to spend the extra money, if possible, on having a building’s floor deep-cleaned, too, to ensure all the ice-melt residue is out of your carpets and other flooring.”

Clean AND Protect One of the things that is crucial in spring cleaning is to use the right products on the right surfaces—another great reason to hire a professional to do the job for you. Using a product with inappropriate ingredients for your natural stone surfaces, for example, can result in damage that shortens the life of your beautiful stonework. When it comes to stone, the most overlooked spring-cleaning task is the cleaning and honing of marble and granite surfaces. It’s important to remove or reduce any scratches in the surface of your stone where dirt and microorganisms can live.

From there, the stone can be polished and sealed to limit further grime collecting in the scratches. MarbleLife also provides a lot of tile and grout cleaning to remove the stains, properly seal, and allow the stone to look its best. That’s where MarbleLife comes in.

“A lot of harmful bacteria get caught in the cracks, crevices and unsealed grout in your home or business,” said MarbleLife Director of Business Development William Vodvarka. “Spring cleaning is a great time to tackle these problems at a deeper level. Using the proper products and going deeper than usual at least once a year is crucial. Don’t forget to apply a new seal to keep these surfaces protected, and if you’re unsure what to use, give us a call and we can help!”

For spring cleaning, even many all-natural products contain harmful acidic ingredients, like citrus or vinegar, William explained. Many cleaners cause permanent etching on natural stone products and can degrade grout over time. Acidic cleaners are incompatible with many sealant chemistries, unzipping your seal overtime and allowing dirt, oil, and microorganisms into the grout. MarbleLife’s proprietary products are safe to use and our services are geared toward getting out the stains caused by ineffective seals allowing bacteria and grime to get in and discolor your surfaces.

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Charlie Christenson COVID has really brought to light the importance of having not only an Christenson Cleaning & Restoration aesthetically clean building but a safe one for all occupants, so it might be necessary to have your business cleaned more frequently than usual. That includes extensive tile and grout cleaning, which many businesses tend to put off but which make a tremendous difference in the look and cleanliness of your place—and when it comes time to get someone hired for your spring cleaning, don’t just pick out any fly-by-night company.

“When choosing a contractor to provide these types of services,” Charlie said, “you really need to find a reputable company that’s certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC) to ensure they understand the importance of cleaning the floor properly. Also be sure that they have the necessary training to clean each type of flooring and that they are committed to delivering on their promises. That’s why we’re an IICRC certified firm, as we believe in the importance of buying the right chemicals and equipment and ensuring that our team is properly trained so we can deliver the best results possible for our customers!”

A Time of New Life Throughout the year, especially winter, your beautiful stone floors take a beating, but that doesn’t mean you need to replace them.

It’s amazing what the professionals at Lifetime Stone Restoration can do to make dull, dingy, dirty floors look like new again. They have 10 years of experience and, since they are not a franchise, they can change their process, equipment, and chemicals to give you the best result possible. They routinely test new products in their shop to bring the best materials to each and every job.

“Spring is always a time of new life and we can do the same for your floors, counters and showers,” said Owner Don Mlnarik.

“After all, snow, mud, and salt have been brought onto your tiled floors over the winter, so spring is the perfect time for deep #PrintProudDigitalSmart

cleaning. Most people don’t notice that their grout is dirty, but if they look in areas that nobody walks, such as right along the baseboard or in corners, they will see the color the grout should be. If you want do even more for your tiled floors, we can give them a new look by changing the color of your grout and color sealing it.”

Don Mlnarik Lifetime Stone Restoration

Stone floors can get damaged from the salt you spread outside your business or home, and a deep cleaning can go a long way. If you need more, a full restoration that removes etching or scratches in the stone may be necessary. Spring cleaning should also include your shower.

“If you want to feel clean after your shower, you want to get clean in a clean shower,” Don said. “We can replace moldy caulking, fill in missing grout, remove soap and mineral-deposit buildup and re-seal the grout.”

Avoid Costly Damage If your home has a septic tank, regular maintenance is a must to avoid expensive repair and the yuck factor that comes with failures. Midland Pumping Service, Inc. offers pumping of any liquid that is not hazardous or flammable, which includes pumping of septic tanks, restaurant or commercial kitchen grease traps, and pits or holding tanks of all types and sizes that you might find in places such as auto body shops, car washes or industrial buildings. They also offer hydro-jetting, which is the use of highpressure water to clear blockages or buildup that may occur in sewer or grease trap lines.

Aimee Hoffman Midland Pumping Service, Inc.

“If you are on a septic system, spring is the perfect time to schedule your routine tank pumping,” said Midland Pumping’s Aimee Hoffman. “Having it pumped every year is typically not necessary but putting it on your calendar for once every three to five years is a great plan. A poorly maintained septic tank can cause thousands of dollars in damage in a short amount of time, and if waste escapes the unit, it can damage your property and your relationship with neighbors who have to deal with the aromas.”

If it’s not clean, we’ll eat our hat!

402.680.7838 mrouw@the-office-cleaners.com www.the-office-cleaners.com

STONE & TILE RESTORATION CLEAN, POLISH, SEAL, RESTORE - COUNTERTOPS, SHOWERS, FLOORS, PATIOS, AND MORE!

FREE In-Home or Virtual Estimates

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Not only does skipping proper maintenance of your septic system reduce your home’s value when you decide to sell, but it could be dangerous to you, your family, your neighbors, and the environment.

BEFORE

“Improperly treated sewage has the potential to contaminate all nearby surface waters,” Aimee said. “Malfunctioning septic tanks release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals to local waterways. You can promote the health of your systems by not flushing random items and chemicals, like paper towels, paints, coffee grounds, kitty litter, and dental floss.”

Midland Pumping provides superior pumping services, which are always prompt and affordable. They offer free estimates, a knowledgeable staff, and more than 25 years of experience.

Let Midland help you with spring cleaning by pumping and drain cleaning, grease trap systems, and septic tanks, all toward protecting your family, neighbors, and your investment.

Your business, home, and vehicles are likely your biggest investments, so it’s crucial that you take care of them to protect them. Spring cleaning is essential for ensuring that your investments are not only good-looking but also safe and comfortable. We recommend contacting these professionals to help you get the job done right the first time! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

CALL TODAY, SMILE TOMORROW AFTER

888-388-7730 MARBLELIFE-OMAHA.COM MARCH 2021 Strictly Business

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WORKPLACE WELLNESS Now Enrolling!

Reclaim Your Best Life!

With Life and heaLth CoaCh Karissa adKins

10 week transformation • Shred Body Fat • Increase Lean Muscle • Double Your Energy • Awaken the Queen Inside of You 365dailyhustle.com/group-coaching

An increasing percentage of employers across the country are adopting workplace wellness programs because research shows that, when done correctly, they effectively improve the health of employees, which, in turn, increases employee productivity. Workplace wellness programs also have been shown to reduce the number of reported workplace accidents resulting from overweight, tired, out-of-shape, stressed, and sleep-deprived workers. These programs also help reduce absenteeism by as much as 40% because employees are healthier, and they lower healthcare costs absorbed by employers and improve the corporate culture, allowing business owners to attract and retain topnotch employees. In fact, a recent Harvard University research study by economics professors found that every dollar employees invest in workplace wellness programs returns an estimated $3.27 in medical costs and a decrease of $2.73 in absentee-day costs.

10-Week Transformation One of the hottest trends in workplace wellness is to hire wellness coordinators and coac hes, either as additional employees or as contractors. Humanresource professionals are simply too busy to provide these services, but they understand the importance they deliver in terms of employee support, improvement, productivity, loyalty, and the bottom line.

That’s where 365DailyHustle comes in.

Companies of all sizes can hire Founder and Owner Karissa Adkins to help men Karissa Adkins and women overcome their weight-loss 365DailyHustle battles and self-sabotaging habits.

“We cover all of the topics that are important to workplace wellness,” Karissa said. “When employees are happy and thriving in their personal lives, they step up in their workplace with a sense of balance.”

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Karissa’s Reclaim Your Best Life 10-week Transformational Program combines all of her years of coaching, personal experience, and expertise into a fun online open coaching format that anyone can do from the comfort of their own homes. Reclaim Your Best Life includes eight live group Q&A coaching sessions, four VIP Mindset coaching sessions, and a 90-minute subconscious breakthrough session—plus unlimited access to video lessons and modules covering: Motivation, Vision, and Goals; Nutrition and Intuitive Eating; Exercise and Movement; Stress and Relaxation; Healthy Gut Healthy Life; Building a Morning and Nighttime Routine; Life-Work Brilliance; and Self Care.

“What I’ve added recently and am so excited for is the 90-minute subconscious breakthrough session,” Karissa said. “If you don’t address the root of the problem of why you don’t feel worthy to show up for yourself, you’ll always be on this path. Exploring the deep subconscious is crucial to keeping things going long-term.”

Mental Health Support The COVID pandemic has triggered and exacerbated mental-health conditions across the country, and the 2021 Employee Wellness Industry Trends Report reports that an estimated 88% of employers are increasing their investment in mental-health programs for their employees, while 81% are investing more in stress management and resilience programs, and 69% are initiating mindfulness and meditation programs. A Better Way Therapy in Omaha has therapists with different specialties, so they can help with just about every mental health issue.

“We all need to support all of the members of our community and recognize that mental health is a part of it,” said Executive Director Bruce Hugunin. “It is hard to find any family who hasn’t had mental-health issues affect someone in their family. There is a big need for treatment services in the Omaha and surrounding communities, and with COVID-19 and the recent election, we have seen a spike in anxieties, depression, and alcohol and drug abuse.”

Bruce Hugunin A Better Way Therapy can help employees A Better Way Therapy deal with their mental-health issues and find ways to move forward with life, even if that means it is different than it was in the past. They try to help clients learn how to stay safe and still find things they enjoy doing, as well as looking forward to a bright future.

The support they get from therapists can show employees in need the way to be happier and more fulfilled, which helps improve productivity and your bottom line.

Gone are the days that the health and wellness of your workforce holds little responsibility for employers. We highly recommend 365DailyHustle and A Better Way Therapy as professional local companies that can help you achieve a healthy, happy workforce and maximized production. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION COVID hit many businesses segments in Omaha hard and fast in 2020, while the commercial construction industry registered a mixed bag of results but is cautiously optimistic about 2021. Like many other businesses, operations of the industry experienced a number of significant changes during the last year, though, with the increase of remote working, social distancing requirements, disruption in supply chains, and associated reallocation of resources. Even with those adjustments, many local construction companies are busier than ever with commercial construction projects in the area, and they have to stay on their toes, because construction trends and technologies are ever-changing.

Research indicates that the most pervasive trends in commercial construction in 2021 include increased use of biological construction materials, safety features, remote technology, modular construction, artificial intelligence, 3-D printing, design technology, supply-chain alternatives, and a move away from purchasing new equipment and instead renting or buying previously used implements. As we talked to local companies in the commercial construction business, we found some of the most common trends in the industry now include aerial imaging, attention to safety, quality, technology, and environmental impact, prefabricated construction with precision engineering and consistent quality; repurposing of existing buildings, sustainability, advancement in energy-saving designs, and more.

Improving Your Perspective Commercial construction has witnessed one of the fastest-growing uses of drones of any industry in the last year. The aerial view of construction provides contractors with invaluable information, including identifying potential safety issues, improving safety on sites, and delivering a whole new dimension to a project overview. That trend is expected to continue on the upswing moving forward because drones allow for a whole new level of remote work and deliver improved safety to construction sites.

Mirage Aerial Imaging provides baseline and post-damage structural assessments, as well as advertising photography, thermal imaging for commercial low-slope roof inspections, videos for construction progression, insurance claims, and real estate, and more. Their construction imaging can follow the process from a vacant lot to a completed project, including topographical mapping, 3-D imaging, and site surveys. One of Mirage’s recent projects was providing the aerial video of the Ames Construction project at the Mid-American Energy site in Iowa.

“We provide our clients with aerial imaging for construction purposes,” said Owner and Chief Pilot Tom vonAhlefeld. “We also provide pre- and post-construction mapping services. We augment this with aerial videos, either in a raw or edited format, for advertising or other uses. Mirage Aerial also provides virtual tour services for clients to highlight their completed projects. This service enables anyone, anywhere to experience the completed project as a self-guided, selfpaced 360-degree tour, as if they were on the site personally—but without leaving the comfort and safety of their office.”

Tom vonAhlefeld Mirage Aerial Imaging

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OMAHA | 402.934.5559

LINCOLN | 402.438.5559

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402.477.6745 cheeverconstruction.com

RESORT LIFESTYLE COMMUNITIES

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EMPLOYEE OWNED EXCHANGE BANK

65+

YEARS IN BUSINESS

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While on his last tour of duty with the United States Air Force, Tom also worked as a professional photographer with a focus on college sports and professional rodeo in the Pacific Northwest. He transitioned into aerial photography in 2012 and was one of the first to obtain a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 333 Exemption to legally fly remote aircraft for commercial use in Cincinnati. He maintains his certification to fly drones legally for commercial use by maintaining his part 107 certification through the FAA. “Our pilots are all FAA certified and follow all airspace regulations,” Tom said.

“We perform an onsite assessment and make a comprehensive plan with each client, ensuring safety and quality results. When it comes to inspecting a roof, we provide thermal imaging and it helps increase safety, because there is no need for an inspector to take hours to walk the entire roof. Drones are incredible tools and can be used in so many ways. We can provide services to any type of construction project, big or small, at reasonable prices.”

The Power of Experience Having been in business for 97 years, Kingery Construction has an extensive history of completed projects that demonstrate their expertise and provide customers better insight before they begin construction.

They provide every contracting option from design-bid-build to designbuild, construction management, general contracting, and pre-bond/ pre-construction services. Quality customer relations is crucial to Kingery, regardless of the project type or size, and their goal is to give customers a high-quality product and spend their money wisely.

“Our partnership with our owners is much more successful when we understand what the expectations are before we begin,” said Kingery President Rod Berens. “Our relationship with our customers goes beyond just completion of the project. We have many customers that we have done various projects for over several years. It is very rewarding to get a call from one of our previous customers and find out that they want us to do another project with them because of the success of the previous ones.”

As expected, Rod said, retail and restaurant construction has slowed since the onslaught of the pandemic, but they continue to see a lot of project in the public sector with various kinds of structures. Recent projects they are working on include several projects at Northeast Community College (NECC) in Norfolk. They have been at the college for seven years and are currently nearing completion of the expansion and addition of the Student Center.

Rod Berens This fall, they will be completing the new Large Kingery Construction Animal Farm Operation and the new Vet Tech buildings at NECC, as well.

“We also worked on the Rocket Carwash on O Street, which was a particularly challenging project because the old building needed a lot of work and the tight working conditions and traffic on O Street added to the challenge,” Rod said. “Another important project is a complete renovation of the 135,000-square-foot Air National Guard Hangar; the project is ongoing and, the coordination of daily operations of the military is something that requires special attention every day.”

Relationship-Based Firm Cheever Construction is an employee-owned construction firm that delivers on their promises. Employee owners and experienced, key individuals have maintained the consistent management and character of the company, creating a culture of integrity and commitment toward each project’s success. Cheever projects the full spectrum of commercial construction services, including construction management, design-build, and design-bid-build—all toward their vision of building good futures for their clients, employees, and community.

“Cheever is a relationship-based firm,” said President Justin Kurtzer.

“We take pride in building trust with our clients and project partners in all that we do. We have built our reputation on our ingenuity, expertise, and exceptional people. We utilize an effective schedule, coupled with the quality and skill from our subcontractors and combined with our field craftsmen. Cheever Construction takes pride in #PrintProudDigitalSmart

all of the relationships that we have entered.

We strive to make each project the precursor to the next project, while building a lasting relationship with everyone involved.”

In the current marketplace, Cheever has witnessed tremendous demand for construction projects at educational facilities, both K-12 and university work, in small and large communities in the area. The pandemic has played a role in that trend, with construction projects being easier to complete when students are doing so much learning from home. Cheever also has Justin Kurtzer seen some manufacturing construction demand, Cheever Construction as well as a spike of sorts in requests for specialized construction in scientific labs—both for educational institutions and for science-based companies, including NEOGEN and the University of Nebraska. One interesting project Cheever worked on in 2020 was remodeling of a Lincoln Air Base aircraft hangar at the Lincoln Airport, including mobile offices and a temporary hanger to accommodate a United States Airforce temporary placement from Offutt Airforce base.

Working Together While construction of office interiors, entertainment, and retail has slowed due to COVID-19, AOI Corporation has experienced continued strength in a variety of other strong and viable markets, such as the quick-service restaurant and healthcare sectors. Other areas that have shown strong demand include the banking and insurance sector and parts of the agriculture and food-supply sector.

Among its recent projects, AOI Construction Group just finished some really nice Class A interior builds for Boston Omaha, QAT, and Q2, as well as a sizable addition and renovation to Plattsmouth Middle School, and several McDonald’s renovations.

“Our role on those projects was as the general contractor,” Vice President of Marketing & Business Development Patrick Jensen said. “Our DIRTT group recently completed projects for Kiewit’s new building, a Methodist Clinic in Elkhorn, and QAT offices at Central Park Plaza. For those projects we provided prefabricated interior construction solutions.”

AOI is unique as a General Contractor in that they are non-prescriptive in their approach and offer a variety of solutions for the built environment, including construction, Prefabricated Modular Construction (DIRTT) solutions, and a full-service Herman Miller furniture dealership.

“As a strategic business partner, we build upon the foundation of our experience, which we customize to your vision and goals,” Patrick said. “It’s all about working together to create efficiencies, drive down costs, and earn our partners the earliest returns on their investments. Our services are available individually or combined as part of a holistic approach developed in close collaboration with our clients and their design teams. Very few contractors in the country can serve as comprehensively on a project team.”

In the current marketplace, speed and cost are always demand drivers in commercial construction, as are safety, quality, technology, and environmental impact. Prefabricated Patrick Jensen Construction is being leveraged from the new AOI Corporation construction of the largest buildings to quickservice kiosk-type restaurants to solve these challenges. ‘Prefabricated’ in construction doesn’t mean what it used to, either. Instead of shoddy, mass-produced items of the post-war era, today it delivers precision engineering and consistent quality while reducing construction timelines, waste and site disruption. In addition to being the most eco-friendly way to build, it offers increased safety and flexibility.

“With regard to interior construction in particular, the pandemic really exposed limitations with the inflexibility of built environment, Patrick said.

“Prefabricated modular solutions offer flexible building infrastructures that are resilient to change and can adapt to the lifecycle of the building.

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environments, is that we cannot predict the future and how a space will need to function and respond to current needs. Baking in adaptability and flexibility from a project’s outset is just smart money.”

Making Buildings Smarter As the leading control technology contractor in Nebraska and Iowa, Engineered Controls has a goal to provide customers with products and services that created efficient, safe, and comfortable building environments. Established in 1994, Engineered Controls offers a complete turnkey building-control solution, including system design, new construction, and owner-direct retrofit sales, installation, repair service, and preventive maintenance work for small buildings. In their 27 years of operation, they have provided innovative and cost-effective building control solutions to thousands of satisfied customers.

“We live in an era in which buildings of any size and shape can become intelligent buildings,” said Pat Killeen, the president and CEO of Engineered Controls. “With open protocol technology, they can connect multiple subsystems together, on one network, rather than operating them all independently— maximizing energy efficiency, lowering maintenance costs, and providing centralized building control. The systems also provide information on problems in the building, allow for computerized maintenance scheduling, are Pat Killeen easy and effective for employees to use, and Engineered Controls easily detect problems.”

According to Pat, long range analysis shows that there are a number of business sectors that are currently, and will continue to, drive the building automation sector of the building technology industry in the future: “These include the demand for ‘green building technology,’ electrical energy management systems, LED lighting and lighting controls, security and access systems, asset management, smart buildings, and the technology convergence into one, holistic Building Automation and Control System.

In addition, the demand for home automation products will increase the demand for more commercial automation products.”

Control Depot works hand-in-hand with Engineered Controls to provide them with the parts and products they need to carry out their work. As a Honeywell-Authorized Systems Distributor, Control Depot offers building control technology to residential and commercial customers. Control Depot’s customers include subcontractors specializing in building controls and electrical and Jeff Killeen mechanical specialists. Because of this, Vice Control Depot President Jeff Killeen says Control Depot has to offer a wide range of up-to-date products and replacement parts to professional contractors.

“Control Depot’s primary goal is to offer the necessary systems and replacement parts that will provide a safe, comfortable working environment, as well as cut wasteful energy costs,” Jeff said. “We are helping companies become more sustainable and improving their bottom lines.”

In addition to offering the necessary products, Jeff says it is important for their staff to be knowledgeable of these technologies to best serve their clients: “We have assembled a team of knowledgeable, qualified individuals whose goal is to assist each customer with personal service rooted in their experience. Because our inventory rivals any of the largest retailers, we can offer comprehensive solutions for building controls.”

Exterior Excellence The exterior of any commercial building is crucial both for its lifetime structural integrity and its aesthetic appearance and impression.

Stonebrook Exterior can help businesses achieve stunning exterior designs that will last a lifetime. They provide full envelope solutions for all commercial buildings, single or multi-story, and they perform installation

Experts in Building Control Technology POWERED BY

As a leading Building Control contractor, Engineered Controls’ goal is to provide customers with products and services to create efficient, safe and comfortable building environments.

Engineered Controls offers complete turn-key control solutions including construction, retrofit, service and maintenance for facilities of all types and sizes.

Offices in Omaha and Lincoln, NE.

866.395.0186 | engineeredcontrols.com Building Automation and Controls I Security I Lighting I Gas Detection I Parking Management

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of all wall systems, roofing systems, masonry, glazing, guttering, and door systems. In the current business environment, Stonebrook Exterior has experienced an increase in requests for repurposing existing buildings.

“This might include one or two of our services, such as insulated metal panels and TPO to an overhaul that would include a full envelope or bundled request,” said Stonebrook Business Development Manager TwiLea Fletcher. “Owners and investors are recognizing that giving the building exterior the attention it needs will lengthen the duration of the structure and bring it up-to-date for a more professional look. Sustainable exterior wall and roofing systems will also lower the cost for TwiLea Fletcher strategic ownership.”

StoneBrook Exterior As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding— and Stonebrook has plenty! Among recent projects, Stonebrook Exterior provided the elements for multi-story office buildings in the Omaha area, including the Baxter Building, Waterford Office, The Breakers, Nove Apartments in Little Italy, The Yard, and Morrison Stadium, plus Plaza on the Green, The Brook, Hudl, and Lionberger Veterinary Clinic in Lincoln.

They perform extensive customer-needs analysis for each project with which they are engaged, taking every opportunity and consider all the aspects of what the customer wants, needs, and has budgeted.

“Our reputation has been built from an unyielding commitment to excellence in the areas of safety, productivity, and workmanship,” TwiLea said. “Whether we are adding value by helping a business select the most aesthetically impressive or environmentally friendly exterior applications or implementing long-term strategies that will help minimize your total cost-of-ownership, we are accountable for the success of every project we take on.”

Energy-Saving Experts Research indicates that virtually all business owners in this day and age are looking for construction that promotes energy savings and efficiencies.

Energy Studio, Inc. in Omaha has mastered the art. They are an energy modeling and management firm that specializes in helping architects, engineers, developers, and building owners maximize energy efficiency and minimize costs. Founded in 2010, Energy Studio is a Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certified women’s business enterprise (WBE), women-owned small business (WOSB), and Omaha Small Emerging Business (SEB) Tier II business. They serve education, office, healthcare, multi-family residential, mixed use, and industrial facility owners across the country.

“Every new building design starts with asking the question, ‘What factors affect energy usage, and how do they impact aesthetic design,” said Owner Amanda Bogner.

“Our team of energy analysts helps the design team weigh many factors that impact energy usage, which helps them balance aesthetics and design to maximize building performance. We leverage our extensive experience with energy modeling to facilitate energy efficiency goal setting, and to improve the project’s energy performance Amanda Bogner using the latest analysis software and Energy Studio, Inc. procedures. Energy modeling can be implemented at any time during design, construction or operation of a building, but we prefer to get involved early, when modeling is most beneficial. By performing conceptual energy analysis early, we help architects and engineers identify the most efficient solutions that work with the design goals and budget.”

Energy Studio services include evaluating design to optimize utility incentives, providing alternatives that weigh factors that impact energy usage, creating energy models to improve operability and lifecycle costs, providing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification documentation, addressing code compliance, evaluating actual vs. predicted energy performance to keep buildings running #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Need An Electrician?

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Commercial • Residential Call today! (402) 215-1914

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efficiently, providing lifecycle cost analysis for long-term building performance, and conducting energy audits. Energy Studio’s efforts continue post-construction, too.

“After construction, effective energy management involves identifying and understanding where and why energy is consumed in a building and using that information to measure, manage, and minimize consumption,” Amanda said. “Energy Studio views energy management as an ongoing process and customizes our services based on client needs because there is no one-size-fits-all solution.”

One recent prominent project in which Energy Studio was involved is the Landmark Tower in Omaha. The Landmark Ownership Group purchased the iconic Landmark Tower with designs of converting a portion of the building into a boutique hotel. The project’s primary challenge was to reduce the building’s energy-use intensity and evaluate the opportunity to connect to the downtown central utility plant. Energy Studio developed an energy benchmark, conducted an occupant survey and site investigations, and identified energy conservation measures and capital improvements to achieve improved building performance for Property Accessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing. Mission accomplished.

Restoration Leader When it comes to concrete and masonry repair, restoration, and construction, McGill Construction is on the job. From highway surface treatment and parking-garage repairs to industrial painting to masonry repair, they’re ready to help you with just about any construction need.

They follow a proven process for each job to ensure that they deliver consistent, high-quality results to all customers. The process begins with a project estimate and proposal and then works through contract acceptance and pre-construction preparation before on-site work begins.

They make daily check-ins and strategy updates, and they deliver weekly performance monitoring through to project completion.

“When it comes to restoration, research is key,” said McGill Estimator and Project Manager Jennifer Loukota. “Researching the building, the materials, and the best techniques is essential to

providing a beautifully restored building or project. When it comes to the planning and execution of a project, we want to offer our expertise. Most companies know the finer points of new construction, but McGill understands the intricacies of restoration.”

The influx of younger generations into the metro areas is fueling a steady increase in new construction and restoration projects—with the new constr uction happening primarily in the suburbs and Jennifer Loukota the restoration is happening in the city McGill Construction centers. The trend of restoring older buildings or converting older spaces into modern designs is contributing to this trend. The onset of COVID in 2020 actually increased demand for restoration projects.

“After COVID struck, many businesses chose to get some restoration and other remodeling projects done during shutdowns forced by the pandemic,” Jennifer said. “The timing of the closures actually helped businesses accomplish some crucial work, at a time when they couldn’t run normal operations. Some of the jobs McGill Restoration took on included work on the Bergan Mercy Hospital parking garage, Eagle Parking garage, Southbridge Condominiums, and Nebraska Medical Center.”

In 2020, McGill Restoration also won the International Parking and Mobility Institute’s annual Award of Excellence for Facility Rehabilitation or Restoration for the restoration at and around the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Parking Lot 1. McGill teamed with Walker Consultants and Kiewit Building Group to restore the lot and the hospital front entrance in 2019. The renovation included a three-level parking structure, a drive-up patient and valet entrance, a helipad, doctor parking at grade level, and a waterproofed plaza system. The scope of the award-winning work included replacement of expansion joints, post-tension cable repairs, masonry repairs, application of traffic

Building Relationships Through Craftsmanship Services: Parking Garages/Stadium Repairs Industrial Restoration & Coatings Infrastructure Repairs & High Performance Coatings Masonry Restoration

Let’s discuss your project today!

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coatings, application of penetrating sealer, and painting the interior ceiling surfaces. The project was completed on budget and on time—in less than six months—while never forcing closure of the garage or interrupting valet services at any time.

Behind the Walls Every part of building construction is crucial to the overall project success and completion, and that includes what’s inside the walls, floors, and ceilings. Langer Electric is an excellent option for your electrical work.

Now in their fifth year of business, the company was named to the Better Business Bureau Honor Roll for Excellence in Customer Service in 2020, so you know they take customer and partner relationships seriously.

Owner Chris Langer has many years of experience in the industry, and it’s important Chris Langer to him to help businesses strategize their Langer Electric energy needs and upgrades, with an eye toward increasing efficiency and reducing monthly electric bills for the long term. He keeps up with all codes and employee-safety regulations to ensure that your building’s electrical system is truly safe and sound.

“Commercial construction offers tremendous opportunities for business owners, but it’s important to know all of the rules and opportunities,” Chris said. “As you plan your business space, Langer Electric can provide estimates for everything from fixture installation to panel updates, camera installation, repairs, maintenance, and pretty much anything electrical.”

If the company’s testimonials are any representation, you’re going to be glad you worked with Langer Electric, whether on new construction or existing upgrades. One local business owner writes: “I’ve used Langer electric several times for my business and my home. (Chris) prides himself on customer service, and he doesn’t disappoint. I have several occasions when I’ve had an immediate need and he is on-point. Would not consider using anyone else.” Another reported: “We used Langer Electric to do some work at our office, and not only did he do an excellent job, he did it quickly and did a great job of cleaning up after himself. He’s affordable and reliable, and I would recommend him for any of your business or home electrical needs.”

The same sentiments are repeated again and again, and would make anyone comfortable working with Langer Electric!

We think you’ll feel the same way about Big Birge Plumbing for your commercial construction needs. Lallenia and Brad Birge started the company in 2012, operating out of their garage with just one plumbing truck. Since then, they’ve grown to having 15 talented team members and a commercial space off 204th Street in Elhorn. Brad has more than 20 years of plumbing experience, having launched his career via an apprenticeship program with a commercial and industry plumbing company, which hooked him on the Brad Birge beauty and art involved in plumbing. Brad Big Birge Plumbing eventually earned the level of Journeyman Plumber and was promoted to foreman by his last employer. He now has accomplished getting his Masters License and running his own plumbing company.

“I have had the privilege of learning from some of the best plumbers today,” Brad said. “They taught me plumbing theory, code, and tricks of the trade to make me efficient, professional, and knowledgeable. It is my wish to use the gifts the Lord has blessed me with, as well as my education and experience to bring the best possible plumbing service to the Omaha Metro and surrounding areas.”

Commercial construction involves more players than one generally might think, and each one’s role is crucial to creating Omaha buildings that are safe, stalwart, aesthetically pleasing, and operating with up-to-date technologies and services.

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Overwhelmed with IECC 2018 Compliance?

Energy Studio’s experts are here to help you navigate requirements, so projects stay on track.

www.energystudioinc.com | 888-503-7591

Kingery Construction Co. has built a wide variety of projects for educational, medical and religious facilities as well as commercial, governmental, industrial and private owners. We are honored to have constructed several iconic landmarks and developed relationships with owners and architects that span decades.

Kingery Construction Co. has the expertise to manage any project.

We have successfully completed projects of Design/Bid/Build, Design/ Build, Construction Manager at Risk and Construction Manager as Agent methods.

Below are a few of our recent projects.

General Dynamics

nE dEPT of corrections 160 bed facility

2 01 N 4 6 T H S T . L I N C O L N , N E 6 8 5 0 3 P: 402.465.4400 | F: 402.465.4529 K C C O2021 B U I LStrictly D E R S . C OBusiness M MARCH

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Old-Fashioned Values Reborn at Big Birge Plumbing When you call the professionals at Big Birge Plumbing, you won’t find your average Joe. You will find incredibly talented plumbers who are passionate about their craft and dedicated to providing an exceptional customer experience every time. Their team values hard work, honesty, integrity, respect, and American craftsmanship—and they like to have a little fun, too. For your next residential or commercial plumbing project, trust this family owned and operated plumbing company in Omaha to give you the high-quality service you deserve without flushing your money down the drain!

"I am so incredibly grateful for Big Birge. Our water heater went out over the weekend and we have two small kids. Big Birge was able to track down a part we needed first thing Monday morning and come out to fix our water heater that same day. They went above and beyond to help us and make sure we were taken care of and the communication was amazing!" - Tawni W.

Breakdown of Services Piping and plumbing: Big Birge takes care of all of the gas, water, and drainage to ensure it is safely installed.

Sewer and water lines: In order to prevent backups, Big Birge takes care of the water and sewer line installation process.

Fixtures: Every bathroom and kitchen must have faucets, toilets, and shower heads.

Shut-off valves: All showers, sinks, and toilets must have a shut-off valve installed.

Residential Plumbing in Omaha

NEW COMMERCIAL PLUMBING IN OMAHA When it comes to building, you can't forget about the plumbing... that would stink if you did! Big Birge Plumbing knows how to work with contractors and business owners to keep the commercial construction process running smoothly. They want every project to finish on time and on budget, and to exceed your expectations. With a combined 40 years of experience, along with the necessary tools and equipment, Big Birge is a step above the rest. They take on all types of new commercial plumbing projects, including additions and renovations, new construction installations, and new multi-family installations.

"This is my second time using Big Birge and I'm just as satisfied now as I was the first time. I think people want a good plumber like they want a good dentist or doctor. They want someone they can rely on and someone they can trust; someone who knows them.

Thanks again for helping me out. I think the price is fair and the techs have always been polite to me and my dogs, as well!" - Sara W.

Big Birge Plumbing handles all types of residential plumbing services, including repairs and remodeling. Regardless of whether you need help with the entire project or just certain aspects, their team of experienced plumbers can help. They make it their top priority to provide you with quality plumbing work in a stress-free environment, so you don’t have to worry about mess or disruption in your home. Residential plumbing services include: • Drain cleaning and installation • Grease trap installation • Sump pump repair and installation • Faucet repair and instillation • Piping repair and installation • Toilet repair and installation • Sink repair and installation • Sewer line repair and installation • Water heater repair and installation

Join the growing family of satisfied customers by choosing Big Birge Plumbing for all your commercial and residential plumbing needs!

We’re looking for more plumbers to join our team!

If anyone knows a great plumber in Omaha looking for a great place to work, have them reach out to Brad at Big Birge Plumbing to set up an interview!

“I've already recommended Big Birge Plumbing to two additional households after the repair this afternoon. Wish I would have known about this company earlier for other plumbing repairs.

The quality of service and price is superior to the other more advertised companies I had tried earlier this year." - Robin A.

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(402) 575-0102 | wwww.bigbirgeplumbing.com 46

Strictly Business MARCH 2021

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Joining Organizations The purpose of the Joining Organizations feature is to give our readers the chance to familiarize themselves with some amazing local organizations, especially if they are looking for ways to grow their business or professional network, make a difference in the community, and gain valuable experience outside of the work place. Don’t be afraid to reach out and get involved!

Whether it’s meeting over Zoom or in person, joining a professional organization is vital to keeping your business healthy. After joining one of these esteemed groups, you’ll be intimately connected with other professionals in your industry and beyond. You’ll have a platform to enrich your understanding of your chosen career and the community you serve, and to join others in learning new and innovative techniques, ideas, and practices. There’s also networking opportunities, advocacy events, scholarship programs, and career development workshops to take advantage of. Not only that, but joining one of these groups will grant you visibility in the business community and offer you a chance to grow your reputation among other professionals and consumers. Even if you’re choosing to socially distance, being a part of one of these organizations in any capacity will keep you accountable to your peers and on the path toward success.

Now the question is, how do you find the right organization for you? That will depend on your values and the goals you have for yourself and your career. Each organization has a set of values that they’re more inclined to support, and so doing your research so that you’re in a group around other like-minded professionals is essential. Take the time to consider which one you want to be most associated with based on how much personal and professional development opportunities are offered. This way, you can decide what organization you feel most confident dedicating a portion of your time and/or money to supporting.

Despite the disruptive way the pandemic is keeping us all apart, the following local organizations and associations work twice as hard to keep us all together and to keep the opportunities flowing. Take the time to look through these organizations to find out how they’re keeping the Omaha business community thriving.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) has been assisting U.S. consumers and businesses since 1912. It is a private, nonprofit, businesssupported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Nearly 400,000 BBB Accredited Businesses support BBB’s mission of advancing mar ketplace tr ust, and their dues and contributions allow BBB to offer its information and services to consumers at no charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million companies, over 11,000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting the marketplace.

People today are overwhelmed with choices—and often unsure about where to find verified, unbiased information. There are more than 32 million businesses in North America alone, and hundreds of thousands of sites around the world where people shop online.

Also, thousands of free and subscription websites offer a range of information, including: reviews, reports, directories, listings, and gripe sites. BBB is the resource where you can find trusted, verified information. Go to BBB.org/nebraska or call (800) 649-6814. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

The National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC) is a resource for women in the construction industry and offers its members education, support, and networking to help advance their careers in construction, build their technical skills, and become leaders. NAWIC Chapter #116 includes Omaha, Lincoln, Council Bluffs, and the surrounding areas.

This year, Women in Construction Week is March 7–13, 2021. The focus is to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry. Women in Construction Week also provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry. It is also a time for local chapters to give back to their communities.

Information about upcoming meeting locations, topics, and times is available on the website at www.nawicomaha.com or email nawicomaha@gmail.com to request information. The Greater Omaha Chapter meets on the second Thursday of each month at various locations in the Omaha area. Visitors are welcome to attend.

MARCH 2021 Strictly Business 47

The Metro Omaha Builders Association (MOBA) was chartered in 1946 and is a not-for-profit organization that was established to promote and protect various aspects of the home building industry.

MOBA is an organization of individuals and firms involved in residential and light commercial building and development and related industries. The organization is also known for the Omaha Home Show, Remodel Omaha Tour, Parade of Homes in the spring and fall, and Street of Dreams. Experience the benefits of MOBA, join now! For more information, visit www.moba.com.

“Let’s succeed together.”

For Omaha to prosper, we need to build a connected community that supports business growth, employment and quality of life. As a Chamber member, you aren’t just building your business, you’re investing in the future of our city.

To connect with other professionals; to grow your presence in the community; to develop your skills and experience; to ignite change and serve as a catalyst for economic growth. These are just some of the reasons to invest yourself and your business into the Greater Omaha Chamber.

“We won’t let up. We won’t let you down—because your work is too important to go it alone.”

To a s t m a s t e r s I n t e r n a t i o n a l is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., the organization's membership exceeds 364,000 in more than 16,200 clubs in 145 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.

For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org and follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.

Lincoln, Omaha, and surrounding areas are served by Toastmasters District 24. District 24 is a grouping of over 60 Toastmasters clubs and over 1,000 members from Kearney, NE to Council Bluffs, IA. Learn more about District 24 and upcoming meetings and events by visiting d24tm.org or www.meetup.com/District-24-ToastmastersMeetup. You can also find them on Facebook (@D24TM). “Come visit us, because we believe that Toastmasters helps you build the confidence and skills to be a better you!”

The Business Ethics Alliance exists to provide solutions to companies of all sizes and for employees across all levels, from C-suite to entry-level, to conduct their businesses and professional lives with accountability, integrity, and moral courage.

Your actions and decisions impact your employees, your coworkers, your community, your customers, your vendors…and more. So much to balance, so much at stake. Ethics matter because reputation counts. What you do each day impacts you and your organization’s reputation for years to come. You have a lot to consider. EthicSpace Conference will lay it all on the table for you with honest and real conversations.

Join the Business Ethics Alliance on November 9, 2021, for the EthicSpace Conference at the CHI Health Center. This year’s theme is Your Company. Our Community. All of Our Responsibility. EthicSpace is inspirational, educational, positive, and practical. To learn more about the Ethicspace Conference, visit Ethicspace.org. To learn more about the Business Ethics Alliance, go to businessethicsalliance.org.

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Join 3,000 other businesses and be part of the movement toward greater: OmahaChamber.org/Belong | memberservices@ OmahaChamber.org | (402) 346-5000

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Cornhusker Chapter supports the commercial construction industry through apprenticeship and safety training, advocacy, and workforce development. In addition, they offer opportunities for networking, and their Excellence in Construction Awards allow them to showcase members’ project success. The organization helps their members and their members’ employees with the opportunity to succeed, winning work, and delivering that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. ABC strives to be the leading voice for free enterprise and the merit shop philosophy of construction in Nebraska. They offer apprenticeship training through the NCCER Curriculum, continuing education, and leadership courses, not only to members, but also to anyone wishing to enter the construction industry for a bountiful career. For information about ABC Cornhusker Chapter, contact Anne Klute at (402) 4774451 or annek@abcnebraska.org. Please visit the website at www. abcnebraska.org to learn more.

Metro Omaha Women’s Business Center (MOWBC) was formed in 2008. Their mission is to empower women to become economically self-sufficient by providing targeted education, workshops, job training, strong relationships, and resources that provide business, professional, and personal growth.

The endeavors of the organization are designed to accelerate the success of women in all aspects and at all levels. They create economic opportunities through their signature MOWBC programs.

Members of MOWBC are able to find mentorship, share their dreams, and embrace a unique kind of sisterhood.

There is a multitude of benefits to becoming a member of the Metro Omaha Women’s Business Center, including: Entrepreneur Annual Award Grants of $500-$1,000; business-to-business discounts; access to referral resources, educational programs, and business opportunities; featured in monthly communications on the MOWBC website; discounts/advance notices to MOWBC events (seminars and conferences); business listing in MOWBC directory; company logo and story listed in the MOWBC Newsletter; business after hours networking; personal log-in and password to the MOWBC membership site; promotional code for discounted member events; and monthly commercial opportunities. To learn more, visit www. mowbcf.org or call (402) 763-0540. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Founded in 1959, the AMA Omaha is the local Chapter of the American Marketing Association, the world’s largest nonprofit marketing association with more than 30,000 members. For over 60 years, AMA Omaha has been the leading network for local marketing professionals and continues to serve the Omaha community to advance the practice of marketing by providing a forum for discussion and on key issues impacting marketing professionals, as well as compelling educational opportunities. Members enjoy a host of national perks, from webinars to savings on promotional items, as well as exclusive local benefits like discounts on programming, award entries and more.

Groups of three or more are eligible for a group membership discount.

For information on AMA Omaha’s award-winning chapter and to apply for membership, visit AMAOmaha.org.

The Empowerment Network works together with the residents and leaders to TRANSFORM the ECONOMIC condition and QUALITY OF LIFE of African Americans, North Omaha residents, and citizens in the Greater Omaha region. The goal is to close long-standing gaps in employment, entrepreneurship, education, housing and other quality of life factors to transform Omaha into a thriving and prosperous city, in every zip code and neighborhood.

The Empowerment Network (EN) is recognized as a backbone organization supporting the key functions of its collective impact partners. The EN excels in the capturing of data; capacity-building; leadership development; advocacy; civic engagement; and fundraising to support specific initiatives identified by the community.

The Network model, recognized regionally and nationally, relies on each person and organization doing their part. Visit empoweromaha. com or call (402) 502-5153 to learn more.

A strong business network should bring you: new business, referrals, visibility, opportunities, advice, and support. Is your network doing enough?

The Sarpy County Chamber proudly serves the communities of Bellevue, Gretna, La Vista, Offutt, Papillion, Springfield, and the Greater Omaha area as the primary business resource in Sarpy County. Joining the Sarpy Chamber is joining a culture of connections with groups, events, marketing, education resources, and more. They make it easy.

Sarpy Chamber membership also unlocks these benefits online with the new Sarpy Chamber Member Video Resource page. This content has been developed and curated specifically for educating and empowering the Sarpy County business community. Only Sarpy Chamber members will have access to this business educational video library that covers leadership training, advertising/marketing, finance, IT, security, wellness, and much more.

Visit www.sarpychamber.org to join easily online or call (402) 339-3050 to learn more. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BNI members enjoy unparalleled business growth. As the world’s largest referral network, with over 10,000 chapters worldwide, BNI passed over 12 million referrals last year, resulting in more than $16 billion in business, and we are on pace to exceed that total in 2020. More importantly, our area members throughout NE, IA, SD, and WY closed over $40 million in tracked business — creating a return of 700 times their investment — most of that supporting other local businesses. BNI celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, and has proudly been helping Nebraska businesses grow for over 20 years.

Members increase their exposure to like-minded professionals, gain referrals from a local, national, and international network, and sharpen their networking skills with exclusive member resources. Belonging to BNI is like having sales people working for you everywhere.

BNI’s proven structured system of giving and receiving business cultivates deep relationships with other professionals. Their members have the opportunity to substantially increase their business through BNI’s core values of Givers Gain, Building Relationships, Life-Long Learning, Traditions + Innovation, Positive Attitude, Accountability, and Recognition.

For more information about BNI Heartland, please contact the regional office at (402) 880-6311, email info@bniheartland.com, or visit our website at www.bniheartland.com.

The Millard Business Association (MBA) was established in 2003 and comprises more than 350 area businesses members. The MBA provides the catalyst for our members to grow and prosper through a variety of events, opportunities, services, and programs.

Joining this thriving organization is great way to GROW Your Business. Members do not need to reside in Millard. The basic requirement is doing business or wanting to do business in the Millard area. Membership is only $130 per year; there is a $65 associate's rate for member businesses that want to add a representative. In addition, MBA has a young professionals group. YP membership is $50 per yer.

Some of the benefits include: Networking and Exposure—“It’s not what you know but who you know.” Make all those important contacts through Networking Lunches, “Bagels & Business” Meetings, Business After Hours, and Ribbon Cuttings. Join one of the many active referral groups.

Community Connections—Get involved and learn more about the nonprofits in the community.

Educational Opportunities—Stay competitive, be productive! MBA’s monthly “Lunch and Learns” offer expert advice for today’s economy.

Apply for membership at www.MillardBusinessAssociation.org. For more information, contact the MBA Admin at (402) 707-2827 or email info@millardbusinessassociation.org.

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Safe, Dependable & Affordable Home Care You Can Trust Seniors should age with independence and dignity in the comfort of their favorite place…their home.

CareBuilders at Home has been helping people across the nation age gracefully in the comfort of their own home for over three decades. Their vast experience allows them to understand the needs of their clients better than any other provider. They create individualized care plans tailored to suit each clients’ needs and preferences. Every home care provider has been thoroughly vetted, passed a drug screening and criminal background check, been CPR

certified, is up to date on all of their personal vaccines, and more. These caregivers are happy to assist your loved one with all types of daily living activities. They can prepare nutritious meals, shop for groceries, help with light housekeeping, ensure medications are taken properly, aid in personal hygiene, and accompany your loved one to doctor’s appointments. They can even help take care of your loved one’s pet.

Whether your loved one just needs a little help preparing meals or requires full-time care, CareBuilders is there for you. CareBuilders knows that aging in your own home can be a challenge, but they are here to make sure that you or your loved one can continue to lead a fulfilling life by enjoying the peace and quiet of one's own space.

"CareBuilders at Home provided respite care to my husband who has dementia while I went on out of the country for a trip.

We live in an independent community that has ambassadors to watch out for my husband but the extra level of security and peace of mind that the CareBuilders at Home team brought allowed me to enjoy my time away and know my husband was receiving the best care. Owner Brenda Ouellette met with us several months in advance to create a plan for while I was away and even made sure she was available to watch out for my husband as he did not think he needed what he called a babysitter. I highly recommend this company to anyone who is seeking professional, compassionate, dignified care for someone who needs help." - Irvin W., past client

Services

Personal Care Services— Providing assistance with activities of daily living. Whether you or a loved one are recovering from an illness, injury, surgical procedure, or dealing with the natural process of aging, CareBuilders at Home can help.

Assisting with Mobility —Caregivers assist with walking, transfers, and range of motion exercises to improve your loved one’s mood, release stress and tension, and improve daily life.

Medication Compliance—Caregivers place special care on medication compliance when caring for the elderly in order to keep them happy and healthy in accordance with doctor’s orders.

Assisting with Hygiene—Caregivers assist your loved ones with bathing, toileting, dressing, and overall personal hygiene so they look and feel their best on a day to day basis.

Companion Care—Part of living a well-balanced lifestyle is helping your loved ones do exactly what they love to do; this includes hobbies, crafts, and game that make their day that much better. Caregivers will prepare nutritious, well-balanced meals as needed for your loved ones.

Caregivers are always aware of allergies or specifications he or she might have.

We know how much living independently means to our clients and understand that all of these things are equally important for a high quality of life!" - Brenda Ouellette, CEO of CareBuilders at Home in Omaha

Help Shopping —Caregivers can help your loved one get out and about to go shopping or purchase groceries/ household essentials.

Light Housekeeping—Caregivers perform light household duties to keep your loved one’s home clean so you can rest assured they have a healthy home to enjoy on a daily basis.

Mental Simulation—Caregivers take special care to make sure your loved one is mentally stimulated with great conversation and activities that keep their mind active every day.

Assisted Living Placement—The decision to move to an assisted living facility can be daunting. You want to make the right choice, that’s when you come to the experts. Our team members can meet with you to discuss all the options and help you make the right choice.

Mobile Cosmetology —We have a licensed barber and cosmetologist on staff to render these services in their homes.

Transitional Services—These are care packages tailored for temporary care to get patients settled at home once released from the hospital or rehab facility.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CONTACT THE OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

(402) 506-9368 | bouellette@carebuildersathome.com | carebuildersathomeomaha.com

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Strictly Business MARCH 2021

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If you know of a local, woman-owned business, tell Strictly Business about them!

APRIL 2021 ISSUE

Calling all Women-Owned Businesses!

In the April 2021 issue of Strictly Business, we will run our biannual “Women-Owned Businesses” feature to highlight the businesses in Omaha that are proudly owned and run by women.

“The world needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved. Women who live bravely, both tender and fierce. Women of indomitable will.” – Amy Tenney

FEATURE INCLUDES: Strictly Business is direct mailed to over 15,000 businesses in Omaha every month! With a 2–4 month shelf life and a pass-along readership, it’s estimated that 1 copy of the magazine could reach up to 5 people. Editorial features are published on our website as well. We are proud to have a strong online presence.

Photo of owner(s), business logo & 150-word write-up/quote

MARCH 2021 Strictly Business 51 To #PrintProudDigitalSmart participate or nominate, contact: (402) 466-3330 | Editor@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

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CONTACT US (402) 734.4400 • aradiusgroup.com 4700 F Street • Omaha, NE 68117 52

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