Strictly Business Omaha - June 2023

Meet the Team at Brookestone Meadows Rehabilitation & Care Center

The administrator is responsible for ensuring that the VSL Mission, Vision and Values are met within the facility through the development of strong personal relationships while ensuring effective and economic operation of all facility departments, providing tactful leadership and supervision and ensuring that approved facility goals and objectives are accomplished and quality services are achieved and maintained.

Brookestone Meadows is specifically designed to meet the needs of seniors needing short-term rehabilitation or long-term care. You’ll find a culture of rehabilitation and overall improvement of health. Short-term rehabilitation patients are served by team members trained to meet their unique and specialized needs. Their long-term care services provide quality care and dignity in life.

Katie Van Boskirk s oci A l s ervices coordin Ator

As a reliable and positive team member, the Public Relations Coordinator helps to promote the programs and services of the facility. This relational promotion includes but is not limited to prospective patients, residents, family members, hospital social workers, discharge planners and physicians. They help to identify the needs and goals of potential customers to better serve them. They communicate with patients, residents and families regarding placement services and help to facilitate information toward appropriate levels of care. They are known for promoting relationships of trust, confidence and loyalty centered around Brookestone Meadows’ quality services, the honesty of their people and involvement in their community.

The social services coordinator is an advocate for the resident, working closely with the administrator, director of nursing (DON), direct line staff and all other departments to better meet the needs of the resident. Social services is responsible to provide for the physical, psychological and social needs of the residents through recognizing each resident’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs beyond traditional measures. Social services is committed to providing individualized care that enhances the resident’s individuality and collective well being, while sharing accountability toward creating and supporting an environment that provides “Dignity in Life.” Social services is always dedicated to providing each resident and their family with integrity and compassion.

Dawn Truckenbrod d irector of n ursing

The director of nursing (DON) is responsible for providing oversight and direction to the nursing team members within the facility. The DON is a full-time nurse who works closely with the facility administrator, department leaders and nursing team members in order to achieve the goals of the nursing department. The DON interacts regularly with residents, families and staff to ensure that quality care and service is delivered on a daily basis. The nursing team members are committed to serving each resident with integrity, compassion and excellence and the DON is instrumental in developing and maintaining this environment.

Jason Nitz AdministrAtor

Sydney Kendle Public r elAtions coordin Ator

My two cents on customer service

Getting personal isn’t the easiest thing to do, especially in business. Everyone has opinions about what needs to happen and how both employers and employees should go about it. My passion for helping local business grow is no secret, and over the course of the next few months I have every intention of keying you in on a few of the aspects of business that I find most important.

First and foremost, a successful business depends on support. I’m not the first, nor the last, person to say that remaining positive can be a struggle when having a bad day. Maintaining energy and positivity is challenging. However, it is extremely important to stay motivated and positive when entering the office and working with other people. I have been blessed with strong faith, great family and friends and an amazing staff that help me every step of the way. I might be the president, but my success stems from those around me just as much as it does from my hard work.

As we all know, customer service is key. But, it is also something that is sometimes not taught or emphasized enough. I recently saw a post from a client that talked about bad customer service he received at a fast food restaurant where someone commented that you can’t expect good customer service when they aren’t even making a living wage. That comment really struck a chord.

Good customer service should be innate as well as taught and constantly improved upon. Neither customer service nor doing a good job is dictated by the amount of money you make. You should take pride in your work no matter what you’re doing. Regardless of if you’re the owner of a business, working for minimum wage or

doing volunteer work, good customer service should be a priority. It is as simple as a friendly greeting or a smile.

We should strive to always treat others with kindness, respect and a positive demeanor. Whether it’s your coworker, a regular customer or someone you’ve never met before, you should try to give the best customer service you can. Nobody wants to have an experience where people aren’t friendly or nice. To me, it is very important to go the extra mile and give more than what is expected. Being kind and helpful should be innate components of customer service that we do.

Another core value in my life is patriotism. I have a strong love for our country and a special place in my heart for those involved with the military. As such, we’re introducing a new feature on Veteran-owned businesses this month. We hope to generate community support and recognition as we publish more down the line.

Currently the Veterans in our community are in crisis. Struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health and high suicide rates, our Veterans are in need of our support. At Strictly Business we are honored to highlight Veteran-owned businesses in the community and hope that you will also honor them by recognizing their service for this country.

Getting personal about topics that aren’t talked about as much as they should be is a daunting task, but this is my attempt at letting you in on my two cents about my values in the business world. I encourage you to reflect on your own values and how they fit into your daily interactions so that we can work towards positive relationships in our community.

PRODuCTIOn TeAM: Director of Operations Cemre Lively - Cemre@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

Art Director Derek Nosbisch - Derek@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

Editor Tessa Yeo - Tessa@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

Writer Shae Withington - Shae@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

Whether it’s your coworker, a regular customer or someone you’ve never met before, you should try to give the best customer service you can.

Derek Cemre Tessa Shae

Businesses have no choice but to adapt to today’s changing landscape. Hiring, managing and retaining employees continues to be a struggle, while new business risks and compliance challenges are emerging at an increasing rate.

Awareness is a critical first step to facing even the most daunting risks head on. Educational events offered by North Risk Partners, a local firm specializing in strategic insurance and risk management solutions, provide leaders with valuable content for protecting and growing their business.

Aradius group celebrates 165 Years in Business

Last month, Aradius Group commemorated 165 amazing years in business. From the humble beginnings in 1858 as a newspaper printer known as Nebraska Republican, to a print shop in 1890 known as Omaha Printing Company, to now a successful printing company with the latest technology to provide clients with the best solutions available. All of this is part of the making of Aradius Group, who celebrates 165 years of business on May 5, 2023.

Aradius Group has several people to account for their success. They’ve been in the same location since 1969, 4700 F St, making them a staple in the Omaha community. Today, you will find Aradius Group offering envelope printing, campaign consulting and even five solutions targeted to help you hit your direct mail and marketing goals.

From 1858 to 2023 many things about Aradius Group have changed, but one thing that hasn’t is their goal to keep their customers at the center of everything. Whether it be their commitment to quality, helping customers understand complex processes or even help customers reach more people. Aradius Group is proud and honored to celebrate 165 years in business. To learn more, visit www. aradiusgroup.com or call (402) 734-4400.

protech provides Diverse Range of services in council Bluffs

When it comes to commercial vehicle outfitters, ProTech is a force to be reckoned with.

Located in Council Bluffs, ProTech is a leading commercial vehicle outfitter — dedicated to providing businesses with superior quality, customizable vehicle upfitting solutions.

With their unmatched expertise and commitment to excellence, ProTech has emerged as a leading player in the commercial vehicle outfitter industry. They pride themselves on their ability to provide a diverse range of services from cargo management and storage solutions to van upfitting and custom fabrication.

ProTech’s state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest technology and tools to provide a seamless client experience, from the initial consultation to the final product delivery. They prioritize remaining at the forefront of industry trends and best practices to ensure the delivery of top-notch products and services, whether it’s a fleet of one or a fleet of 200.

At ProTech, they understand the importance of working with clients every step of the way to create the perfect upfitting solution for their business. With their team of experienced technicians, each project is approached with the utmost care and precision to ensure it is delivered on time and in line with manufacturers’ specifications. Their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has earned them a reputation for being one of the most dependable and reliable commercial vehicle outfitters in the industry.

ProTech works diligently to upfit your fleet, ensuring you too can work like a pro. Learn more at protechcb.com, or contact them at (712) 328-1310.

Astoria in omaha offering huge incentive to new Residents through 2023

The sooner you or someone you love makes Astoria in Omaha home, the more can be saved in 2023. For a limited time, those who deposit on an apartment at Astoria can save $500 monthly through the end of 2023.

At Astoria, expert staff and life-enriching opportunities will ensure you or someone you love will live life to the fullest potential. Whether care needs are a little or a lot, they're here to ensure good health and safety. Restrictions to this offer do apply. To learn more, visit astoriaseniorliving.com/save.

Astoria in Omaha recently hosted a ribbon cutting and open house to celebrate their new ownership, management and name. More than 100 people attended the event and enjoyed refreshments, tours and a ribbon cutting. The community, formerly known as Brighton Gardens of Omaha, joined the Agemark Senior Living family officially on February 1, 2023.

Located at 9220 Western Avenue in Omaha, Astoria in Omaha is tucked back away from busy streets in a quiet neighborhood. With close proximity to hospitals, medical centers, hotels, shopping and some of Omaha’s most historic neighborhoods, there's something for everyone at Astoria. Learn more at astoriaseniorliving.com, or contact them at (402) 393-7313 or omaha@astoriaseniorliving.com.

huffman engineering, inc. Adds Fortinet network security to list of partnerships

Huffman Engineering, Inc. adds Fortinet Network Security to growing list of partnerships. Huffman Engineering believes strongly in continuing education and professional development to ensure their engineers and technicians are at the forefront of the latest controls technology for industrial manufacturing and utilities including water/wastewater, electricity and natural gas. At the heart of all controls is network and cybersecurity.

Huffman’s Engineering’s expertise is bolstered by the Integrator certifications they hold. Huffman has been a Control Systems Integrators (CSIA) Certified member since 2005, a Rockwell Recognized Systems Integrator in Power, Process, Control and Machine Safety, Ignition Gold Certified System Integrator, Wonderware Certified Systems Integrator and Schneider Certified Alliance System Integrator. They are additionally certified as a GE Digital Solution Partner, Kepware Connected Silver System Integrator, Certified VTScada Integrator, Stratus Solution Architect, a WIN-911 certified partner and have certifications in both fundamentals and risk assessment when it comes to ISA/IEC Cybersecurity. They were also named 2022 System Integrator of the Year by Control Engineering and Plant Engineering magazines.

Huffman Engineering, Inc. has over three decades of experience with a proven track record of delivering large-scale system integration projects with industrial customers and municipalities as an electrical control systems integrator with offices in Lincoln and Englewood, CO. Huffman Engineering designs and builds robust and reliable automation systems to meet stringent CDPHE, FDA, USDA and EPA regulations. Learn more at www.huffmaneng.com.

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Blingle! premier lighting comes to omaha

Blingle! Omaha is a customerservice-obsessed team here to serve their clients’ premier lighting needs in landscape lighting, holiday lighting, permanent lighting, event lighting and commercial lighting. From education to installation, their professionalism and commitment to providing a superior outcome is what differentiates them in the market. Blingle’s passion is to display creativity and expertise in the lighting designs that clients want to see come to life.

• Blingle! Holiday Lighting offers a full-service rental experience that includes design, installation, maintenance, take down and storage.

• Blingle! Landscape Lighting provides lighting for all your outdoor needs in patio, deck, porches, gazebos, pools, bar/restaurant outdoor spaces, uplighting and pathway lights.

• Blingle! Permanent Lighting offers one installation and you have hands free year round lighting built for any occasion.

• Blingle! Event Lighting covers lighting décor for any event from weddings, birthdays, retirement parties, corporate parties and graduations.

Franchise founders, owners and partners Mike Marlow and Taylor Olberding brought Blingle! to Omaha to provide creative lighting solutions for any space. Learn more about them and their services at blingle.com/omaha-ne or contact them at (402) 933-1985 / omaha@blingle.com.

centris Fcu hosts omaha Freedom Festival’s Juneteenth celebration June 17

West Dodge Road

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Omaha, NE 68118

Centris Federal Credit Union is proud to sponsor this year’s Omaha Freedom Festival’s Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 17. The event occurs from noon to midnight at Malcolm X Outside Event Plaza.

The mission of the festival is to educate, empower and entertain the community about North Omaha culture while also bringing awareness to local, social and business resources. It celebrates the Juneteenth holiday, which honors the emancipation of those enslaved in the United States.

The Omaha Freedom Festival is hosted by Freedomtainment, a 501c3 nonprofit organization located in North Omaha. The event will have entertainment including Musiq Soulchild, Lyfe Jennings, Enjoli & Timeless, Josh Jones and DJ Chain. Community members also have the opportunity to sign up to perform. Other activities include guest speakers, a poetry contest, a beer garden, food vendors, a kids’ zone and a bike raffle. There are activities for everyone! The festival’s success relies on the support of community sponsors, personal donations and a countless number of volunteers. Together, such support has moved this vision forward to honor the past by bringing the community together in celebration.

Sound like a fun day? Check out the list of activities and gather more information at omahafreedomfestival.com.

Centris Federal Credit Union, founded in 1934, is one of Nebraska’s largest federally chartered community credit unions. Centris has 15 offices located in Omaha, Grand Island, North Platte and Tryon, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Visit www.centrisfcu.org.

all sizes. The agency’s range of services includes branding, marketing, business coaching and hiring services, all designed to help businesses succeed in today’s competitive market. Led by Executive Director Renee Villanueva, BspokeIQ’s team of experts works closely with clients to develop unique brand identities, effective marketing strategies and communication plans. They also provide personalized coaching and recruitment services to help businesses build and grow their teams.

BspokeIQ was created to fill in the missing piece for someone’s business. They understand the challenges that businesses face in building and growing their brands, teams and customer base. BspokeIQ believes that every business has the potential to succeed with the right strategy and support, which is why they are committed to providing their clients with the guidance and tools they need to thrive.

Whether a business is just starting out or looking to revamp its existing brand and marketing strategy, BspokeIQ’s team of experts can help achieve its goals and elevate its presence in the market. With their tailored solutions and personalized approach, BspokeIQ is passionate about helping businesses succeed and reach their full potential.

If you’re looking for a partner in business growth, BspokeIQ invites you to explore their website at www.bspokeiq.com and learn more about their services. You can also contact them at info@bspokeiq. com or call (308) 216-3290 to speak with their team of experts.

D.e. guns to host two upcoming events with Rob pincus

D.E. Guns is gearing up to host another personal defensefocused event with worldrenowned firearms trainer and second amendment activist Rob Pincus. The focus of this event is Home Defense Tactics. The event will take place on June 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at D.E. Guns, 252 N 134th St. in Lincoln.

This is your chance to hear from an industry expert on the latest home defense tactics and how easily they can be incorporated into your routine. Rob Pincus is a professional trainer, author and consultant. He and his staff at I.C.E. Training Company provide services to military, law enforcement, private security and students interested in self-defense.

Rob will also be teaching Fundamentals of Intuitive Defensive Shooting at D.E. Guns on July 1. The Fundamentals of IDS is a one day course that will expose the student to all the core principles and fundamentals of the Intuitive Defense Shooting Program. This course is open to the general public, law enforcement, military and private security. Registration is $280 per student and is available at deguns.net/classes.

D.E. Guns is Nebraska’s Largest Gunstore with an outdoor shooting complex, training rooms, large ammunition selection and thousands of guns to choose from. To get in touch, call (402) 875-6500 or email ffl@deguns.net. For more information, go to www.deguns.net.

Farris engineering expands With a new Office in Council Bluffs

Farris Engineering, an industry leader in mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, announced the grand opening of a new office in Council Bluffs. This new office expansion enables Farris Engineering to have a physical presence back in Iowa.

For close to 25 years, Farris Engineering had an office in Des Moines. In 2017, that office closed with some employees transitioning to the Omaha office.

“Iowa is the natural choice for Farris Engineering’s expansion,” said Business Development Executive Darin Cielocha. “We continue to work on projects in Iowa and have established partnerships with several architects as well. A local presence gives us the right edge to really assert ourselves as industry experts in Iowa.”

To support its growth, two employees from the Omaha office will occupy the space.

“While our main goal is to ensure that our existing clients get the support they need, we have significant capacity to support new clients in what continues to be a very high demand and competitive labor market,” said Cielocha.

With LEED AP+ staff, fire protection engineers, certified geothermal designers, lighting designers and commissioning agents on staff, Farris Engineering is comfortable with the complicated and bring the experience and innovation to provide unique project-specific designs. They look forward to tackling your projects head-on with this talented team of employee-owners as they ‘Bring your Buildings to Life’. To learn more, visit farris-usa.com.

center sphere Announces June events

Center Sphere hosts a wide array of networking events to help members expand their professional network and grow their businesses. Center Sphere is pleased to announce their upcoming network-wide Coffee & Connections event on Thursday, June 8, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. hosted by Brandi Ballan at West Gate Bank, 17617 Manderson St.

On Tuesday, June 20, Center Sphere will host a Meet the Network from 11 a.m. to noon at The Boardroom Omaha, 17121 Marcy St. All Center Sphere members and their guests are invited to gather for these events. New member orientation will follow the event from noon to 12:45 p.m. A network-wide social will finish out the month on Thursday, June 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. The social will be hosted by Center Sphere Chapters 20, 40, 55 and 65 at Waterfall Lounge, 10208 S 168th Ave. Center Sphere is an established network of business professionals whose mission is to share referrals, ideas and resources through genuine relationships. For more information or to inquire about attending a complimentary meeting or event, visit www. CenterSphere.com or connect with Omaha Market President Martina Niemeyer at Martina@ CenterSphere.com / (402) 536-0289.

clearwater counseling co-owners celebrate Five Years of ownership

Clearwater Counseling, PC coowners Kayla Leddy and Nikki Bauer celebrated five years of business ownership on May 31. Since taking over the business in 2018, Leddy and Bauer have not only expanded their Grand Island operations to include a second location in Omaha, but have also tripled their staff. Over the course of the past five years, the business has initiated various community partnerships and has also offered added services, such as teletherapy, to better serve clients. Additionally, Clearwater Counseling’s therapists continually seek various training and educational opportunities to add to their experience.

“The past five years have passed so quickly,” Kayla said. “Clearwater Counseling is so blessed to have a wonderful team, clients and community support to continue to bring awareness to mental health and make positive long term changes. We are excited for upcoming changes and growth.”

Clearwater Counseling, PC is a private practice offering mental health services to children, adolescents and adults in the Grand Island and Omaha areas. 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. To learn more about staff, services or resources, visit clearwatercounselingpc.org. To schedule an appointment with Clearwater Counseling, or for more information about mental health services, please call (308) 210-8487 or email info@ clearwatercounselingne.org.

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control Depot hosts successful new technology showcase

This past May, Control Depot hosted a new technology showcase for its contractors at the main branch in Omaha. Honeywell presented its new Optimizer Suite line of T1L IP Controllers.

T1L technology allows building owners to upgrade to IP based controls without having to rewire the network. New wireless functionality allows mounting in spaces that may be impractical to reach with signal wiring. Internetbased unitary control can now be at the heart of your building’s operational strategy, even with legacy infrastructure.

Optimizer Suite allows you to take advantage of IP-grade cybersecurity, universal I/Os and groundbreaking twisted pair T1L technology, so you can transfer HVAC data without disruptive and expensive infrastructure upgrades.

Control Depot is a building automation and controls distributor serving Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and South Dakota. As a controls distributor, they sell and support a wide selection of residential and commercial controls and components to contractors and building owners. This includes everything from a simple thermostat to a complete web-based building automation system. Learn more at www.controldepotinc.com, or contact them at (402) 934-0078 or sales@controldepotinc.com.

prairie Meadows to celebrate ten Year Anniversary in August

Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Special Care Center is celebrating their 10 year anniversary this August, and they want you to help celebrate! More information is coming soon, but the celebration is set for August 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. If you can’t wait until August, Prairie Meadows is doing something different this year than their Silent Auction to raise support for The Alzheimer’s Association! They invite you to their first ever Carnival on Friday, June 9, from 3-7p.m.

Enjoy all of the fun a carnival has to offer with free hotdogs, games, popcorn and more. Tickets will be sold at the gate for free will donation. Raffle tickets will be sold during the event as well. Worldwide, 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection and maximizing quality care and support.

Prairie Meadows is a homelike memory-care facility with 66 beds in four types of apartment-style housing – private deluxe, private, semiprivate (just shared bathroom) and companion rooms – and a nurse at the community around the clock. They use a “Spark resident-led” program to help get to know residents by learning their life stories and finding out their preferences, likes, dislikes and cherished memories. Prairie Meadows then incorporates that information into their everyday care. For more information, visit prairiemeadowsseniorliving.com or call (402) 391-2790.

Need Additional FDIC Insurance?

With ICS® or CDARS® from IntraFi Cash ServiceSM, you can access additional FDIC insurance protection on your deposits—all through West Gate Bank.

You’ll access FDIC insurance from many banks while working with just one—ours, a bank you know and trust.

Want to learn more? Contact our Business Banking Solutions team at 402.434.3422.

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West gate Bank to host Festival of Free 2023 on June 2

On Friday, June 2, West Gate Bank is extending their business hours to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at their Lincoln and Omaha locations. You can savor the sweetness of banking anywhere, anytime with Completely Free Checking! Stop in to open a new account and enter for your chance to win a Samsung 43” Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV and a $50 Visa gift card! The Lincoln and Omaha locations will have free food, fun and prizes. When you open any new account on June 2, you’ll receive a free gift - a Cylo Tower Bluetooth speaker. Also for Festival of Free, when you open any new account on June 2, you’ll receive a free personalized debit card ($10 value) and up to $10 buy back for your old debit card and/or unused checks! Please note, only one prize package will be given away at each West Gate Bank location. These offers are only available on June 2, 2023.

West Gate Bank ® is a family-owned community bank with 11 locations in Lincoln and Omaha. The newest West Gate Bank branch is now open at 177th and West Maple in Omaha. Visit westgate.bank for more information.

Millard Business Association celebrates 20th Anniversary

The Millard Business Association (MBA) was established in 2003 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary! The MBA provides the catalyst for their over 200 members to grow and prosper through a variety of events, referral groups, opportunities, services and programs.

The MBA membership is only $180 or a monthly option for $18 and members get a business listing on the MBA website. The Millard Business Association has three consistent monthly events, After Hours (first Wednesday of each month), Lunch and Learn (second Tuesday of each month) and Bagels and Business (last Wednesday of each month). Guests are always welcome at the events. Please visit the MBA website for locations, times and any additional events.

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

The next BIG event is the 10-year anniversary Ribstock and LagerFest on Saturday, July 22, at The Granary on the Green in Ralston from 4-11 p.m. There will be two live bands and attendees can vote for Omaha’s favorite BBQ! For more information, go to www.RibstockBBQ.com.

The Millard Business Association was established in 2003 and comprises more than 200 area businesses members. Apply for membership at www.MillardBusinessAssociation.org. For more information, contact the MBA Admin at (402) 707-2827 or email info@millardbusinessassociation.org.

out of the Box now open on sundays!

Out of the Box is happy to announce that they are now open on Sundays from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.! Customers can now stroll through over 15,000 feet of showroom on their day off. The showroom includes a unique lineup of high-quality products such as lighting, furniture, home décor, kitchen, bathroom, doors and tiles. Every piece in the showroom has been personally selected to showcase its exceptional quality. Anything needed to personal a space can be found amongst the countless architectural details available. Out of the Box offers the finest designer names in gently used home improvement products at affordable prices. Because everything is recycled, they offer their items at highly reduced prices. Each piece is treated with great care, having been cleaned, tested and displayed properly to do it justice. Out of the Box is an environmentally green company that believes reusing remarkable products for home improvement is the way of the future.

The founders of Out of the Box, Jody Strauch-Lundberg and Steen Lundberg, hope to share their passion for discovering lightly used discarded gems with members of the community. They invite everyone to visit their showroom in Ralston, NE to find a one-ofa-kind piece for their home or office. To shop online or find more information, visit outoftheboxstore.net or call (303) 669-9808 to talk with someone at the store.

sponsors needed for BBB torch Awards for ethics luncheon september 19

Mark your calendar for the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) signature event of the year, the 2023 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics luncheon! Join BBB on September 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at A View West Shores for an unforgettable celebration that includes the winners of the 2023 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics and BBB Spark Awards, and the recipients of the 2023 BBB Students of Integrity scholarships. Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum President and CEO Clayton Anderson will serve as the event’s keynote speaker. Anderson, who successfully executed six spacewalks and is considered “Nebraska’s Astronaut,” will deliver a sure-to-remember story of big dreams and perseverance.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $85. Sponsorships are available in multiple tiers. Your contribution as a sponsor supports BBB’s Education Foundation programs that serve the community and elevates community awareness of businesses, charities and students that aspire to the highest level of ethics. Both tickets and sponsorships can be secured at www.bbb.org/omahatorch.

The BBB Torch Awards for Ethics honors organizations whose leaders demonstrate a high level of personal character; ensure that the organization’s practices meet the highest standards of ethics; and consequently generate trust with its customers and the community. The Torch Award embodies BBB’s mission of advancing business trust. BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB services to consumers are free. Visit BBB.org for more information.

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hunter Web group offers exclusive Website Design promotional Discount for June

Hunter Web Group, a leading provider of website design solutions, announces a limitedtime promotional discount for the month of June. Businesses can now take advantage of Hunter Web Group’s expertise at a special discounted rate. Enhance your online presence, attract more customers and boost conversions with their visually appealing and user-friendly websites. This offer is applicable to all website design packages booked in June 2023. If you aren’t ready to dive in to this deal yet, Hunter Web Group offers free website demos for businesses and organizations. The demos are designed to provide potential clients with a taste of what the company can offer in terms of website design, functionality and user experience. During the demo, clients will have the opportunity to work with an experienced web designer to create a custom website design that meets their unique needs and specifications. The demo will include a full mock-up of the website, complete with a home page, product or service pages and other key features.

To learn more about Hunter Web Group, visit their website at www.hunterwebgroup.com or contact them at (402) 403-9894 to schedule a consultation.

Metro omaha Builders Association hosts successful parade of homes

The Metro Omaha Builders Association (MOBA) hosted The 2023 Spring Parade of Homes on April 29 –30 and May 6 -7 and featured 56 newly built homes located throughout the metropolitan area. The presenting sponsor was First National Bank of Omaha.

The Parade of Homes lets local residents peek into beautifully built homes in Omaha on self-guided, free tours. The tour showcases innovative workmanship from local home builders featuring everything from townhomes to estate homes.

Be sure to look out for 2024 MOBA’s Fall Parade of Homes if you missed out on this special event. In addition, new for 2023, MOBA presented the Outdoor Living Tour on May 6 and 7. There were seven entries featuring inground pools, shade structures, water features, landscaping and outdoor living ideas.

The Metro Omaha Builders Association was chartered in 1946 and is a not-for-profit organization that was established to promote and protect various aspects of the home building industry. MOBA members are builders/developers and their trade partners who are dedicated to preserving integrity and lifestyle through high professional standards and sound business practices in the industry. MOBA is well known for producing the Street of Dreams, Remodel Omaha & Outdoor Living Tour and the Spring & Fall Parade of Homes. For more information, visit www.moba.com.

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

Blur events to host Annual college Baseball championship series tailgate June 16-24

Blur Events will be hosting the 11th Annual College Baseball Championship Series tailgate at the Hilton Omaha from June 16-24. They’ve covered all the bases, from big game screens to all-inclusive food and drink packages. Score big with your clients, coworkers or friends by treating them to a day of baseball fun. Blur Events’ hospitality tailgate is the perfect place to catch all the action and enjoy some cold drinks and good company. You’ll be comfortable with private outdoor restrooms and multiple seating options throughout the game.

Space is filling up fast, so be sure to purchase your tickets as soon as possible. You can contact Stacy at stacy@blurparties.com or (402) 8822448 for group bookings, or head to blurparties.com and purchase your tailgate tickets online!

To make your Blur tailgate experience even more enjoyable, they will help you customize your day by adding game tickets, hotels and transportation. Please don’t hesitate to contact Blur with any questions or requests. Their team ensures you have the best possible game-day experience!

Blur Events Tailgate can be your “one-stop resource” for all your gameday experience needs. Learn more by going to blurparties.com.

Jams old Market and omaha chamber to host speed networking June 27

Jams Old Market is excited to be hosting Speed Networking at The Cutch Room. This event is for helping you build connections – faster! While the clock is counting down, you’ll be able to interact one-on-one with other professionals, gain valuable visibility and market your company’s products and services.

Think of it as a glorified play-date for professionals with drinks, appetizers and a potentially big pay-off. You may have to step outside your comfort zone just a bit, but it’ll be oh-so worth it!

Registration is now open. Tickets are $25 for members and $45 for nonmembers, and they include drinks and appetizers. Registration closes at midnight on June 26, or when attendee maximum is reached, so be sure to snag your spot early!

Jams, an Omaha restaurant legacy, is an American Grill that offers a melting pot of different styles and varieties of food dishes containing high-quality ingredients paired with the optional cold drink or creative cocktail. For more information, go to jamseasts.com.

The mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber is to champion a thriving business community and a prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration. The organization is made up of over 3,000 members working to make Omaha a vibrant place to do business, work and live. To learn more, visit www.omahachamber.org.

Astro theater at la Vista city centre to stage First outdoor show late summer

The new Astro Theater at the La Vista City Centre plans to stage its first outdoor show in late summer, a big step for the venue and the development it anchors.

The project’s developers are looking at summertime for many of the project’s initial pieces to come together, fulfilling the vision of a place for entertainment, events, dining, gathering and living, a spokeswoman said.

“We’ve been under construction for a few years now and are excited for what 2023 will bring,” said Elle Hansen, marketing and communication manager with Nine Zero Properties, the property management company.

The theater, described by the developer as a state-of-the-art music venue, is the focal point of the residential, business and entertainment district taking shape on the east side of 84th Street, half a mile south of Harrison Street.

Construction of the theater is well along, and it’s easy to see how the theater with its plaza out front will anchor the north end of the district’s Main Street business strip.

The La Vista City Centre project, on the site of a former Walmart shopping center, is aimed at revitalizing the 84th Street corridor and giving the city a central residential, business and entertainment district. It is a collaborative effort of the City of La Vista and the developers. Learn more at lavistacitycentre.com.

White lotus group to Develop Former civic Auditorium site as “civic square”

White Lotus Group, a vertically integrated real estate development firm based in Omaha, announced that it is developing the former site of the Omaha Civic Auditorium into a groundbreaking, multi-use urban block that will be called Civic Square, with site preparation expected to begin early next year.

The development plan includes prioritizing the installation of a national grocer, a long-desired component currently missing from the downtown Omaha area. It will also feature a health and wellness anchor, office space, retail storefronts and both affordable and market-rate housing. The diverse property mix will not only increase the economic contributions of that city block, but also have a growth-inducing impact across the urban core.

The nine-acre site will be bisected by the reintroduction of 18th Street between Chicago and Capitol, and the partial reintroduction of Davenport Street between 17th and 18th Streets, increasing parking opportunities and accessibility into the interior of the development.

Civic Square is centrally located by several large hubs of business: Three Fortune 500 companies, Union Pacific, Kiewit and Mutual of Omaha, have or will soon have headquarters within blocks of the site. Other important features include its proximity to Creighton University, which hosts more than 4,400 undergraduate and 4,300 graduate and professional students.

White Lotus Group is seeking the public’s input on the Civic Square development. Thoughts and ideas can be submitted online at CivicSquareOmaha.com.

For more information on White Lotus Group, go to whitelotusgroup.com.

A local collective Releases online Directory for nebraska small Businesses

A Local Collective is proud to announce the launch of its online directory, connecting customers with local small businesses. The platform offers a comprehensive list of small businesses in various industries in Nebraska, making it easier for people to support their community and shop locally. The directory offers a diverse range of businesses, including boutiques, party design, gourmet, professional services, local farms and more. The website is easy to navigate and allows users to search for businesses by category, location and alphabetically.

Small businesses have faced significant challenges in recent years, and A Local Collective aims to provide a platform for businesses to reach new customers and grow their customer base. By listing their business on the platform, businesses can reach a wider audience and connect with potential customers in their local area.

The directory is one of the many things included in a monthly membership that all small businesses can join and allows them to create their listing to showcase their products and services. Business owners can also provide special offers and promotions to incentivize customers to shop local.

A Local Collective was founded with the mission of amplifying the voices of small businesses to make a big impact. For more information or to list your small business on A Local Collective, please visit www.alocalcollectivene.com/be-in-the-collective.

unMc celebrates groundbreaking of catalyst

This past May, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, praised the community partnerships that keep UNMC on the cutting edge of research, education and clinical care at a ground-breaking event for the Innovation Hub at Catalyst, which the university is building near 48th Street and Saddle Creek Road in Omaha.

UNMC held the groundbreaking ceremony off-site at the Dr. Edwin G. & Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center, 42nd and Emile Streets.

UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, welcomed Gov. Jim Pillen, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts; Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter and Carl Koelbel, chief operating officer of Koelbel and Company, the development team leading the renovation and redevelopment of the former Omaha Steel Works property, to the event.

“This project – and the neighborhood that will surround it – will revolutionize the western edge of our Omaha campus,” Dr. Gold said. “More so, the new products, drugs, treatments and devices that are developed in this facility, through academic innovation, private ingenuity and so much more, will benefit all of humankind for generations to come.”

The Catalyst building will bring UNMC’s UNeMed and UNeTech branches together to facilitate the growth of research and innovation and allow entrepreneurs, investors and innovators to collaborate in the renovated 1906 Omaha Steel Castings industrial tract. Remaining space will be unfinished and leased to a wide spectrum of biotech and technology startups.

Learn more about Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center at www.unmc.edu.

Aradius Group works to combine your marketing Aradius Group works to combine your marketing goals with their printing and mailing expertise. goals with their printing and mailing expertise. They strive to ensure a seamless customer They strive to ensure a seamless customer experience from strategy and design to experience from strategy and design to the final product. the final product.

Find out what they have to offer your company! Find out what they have to offer your company!

Aradius Group is excited to celebrate 165 years in business! Over the last 165 years, they’ve seen many things change but have remained successful by staying innovative while adapting and aligning with the current needs of the marketplace Through the change, they stick to their core behaviors and treat everyone who walks through their door with integrity, respect, and fairness while providing a solution for their business needs. Aradius Group is proud to be in the direct-to-consumer space, with one of the most trusted forms of communication for over 100 years

SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS

Aradius Group is committed to helping their customers find success, to help with that they’ve recently launched five print solutions to align with any brand’s goals

REACH - Allows customers to save money by using cost-effective mail formats

ENHANCE - Combines direct mail and digital channels to boost ROI

RETAIN - Uses personalized print to increase brand loyalty and customer retention

AXIS - Provides customers their own custom branded web to print platform

ATTRACT - Allows customers to acquire new business in a targeted area

SERVICES SERVICES

They also have a number of services to offer, outside of their Solutions

The print department includes things like prepress, digital printing, offset printing, envelope printing, and bindery and finishing Direct mail includes things like mailing lists, campaign consulting, variable data and fulfillment You can even get help with creative services! With deep knowledge of the direct mail marketing world, they know which designs bring the best responses out of consumers and are always doing their part to make sure they’re using the latest technology today

SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY

Aradius Group is committed to creating a more sustainable future. From the forests where trees are harvested to make paper, through the various manufacturing printing processes, to fulfillment and end use They work with paper mills and suppliers who responsibly manage their work processes and our forests and collaborate with a local recycling partner to recycle all of the paper waste Since 2008, Aradius Group has maintained their FSC certification by supporting their mission to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and economically prosperous management of the world’s forests.

Justin Hortelando C YBERBACKER

Meet Justin A. Hortelano, the growthbacker at Cyberbacker.

Tell us a little about your business. - Here in Cyberbacker, we partner great individuals with professionals and business owners who share the same values and characters. We believe that likeminded individuals working towards the same goals or business have the highest capacity for growth. Our services cover a wide range of administrative tasks that can be done remotely.

How did you get started in the business? - Our company started as our CEO Craig Goodliffe believes that equal opportunities should be given and great talents can be found from anywhere on the globe. To empower growth-minded, emerging business owners with world-class, economical leverage to fulfill their greatest purpose.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Providing business owners and professionals leverage so that they can focus on the things that they are really good at and also to bring back their time so that they can enjoy more on what life has to offer. Hearing our client’s stories on how Cyberbacker has helped them as business owners and as individuals has not just been my greatest achievement but also my motivation to push forward.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - The moment that I stopped focusing everything on myself. It was when I realized that there is more to life than who we are. Connecting and helping other people is what life really is all about.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I really do love cats. I volunteer on the weekends to feed street cats in one area of our city and get the chance to pet and care for a lot of them.

Who inspires you? - This is a very cliché answer, my mom. Growing up without a father is always challenging for a family. She inspires me because she has the toughest job in the world, which is being a single parent. But, my mom was able to make sure that just because we have a broken family does not mean we have to have a broken home.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “Stop this Train” by John Mayer. The song compares life to a moving train. When you’re young, you get scared of the train ride because it moves too fast and wish it would stop and take you back. But as you get older, you learn how to accept that the train won’t stop whatever you do and you learn how to make the most of it until it reaches your final stop. What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? -“People don’t care how much you know unless they know how much you care”

What local nonprofit organization are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - For more than 10 years I’ve been part of a youth group here in the Philippines that provides counseling for young, troubled and abused individuals regardless of their financial or educational background. I helped out in this organization when I saw that troubles and abuse does happen regardless of one’s status in life.

What is your favorite movie? - Forrest Gump is always a go to movie for me. It always reminds me to just keep moving forward regardless of the challenges in life and everything will eventually fall into place. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?(515) 217-6387; nebraska-iowa@cyberbacker.com; cyberbacker.com.

Shops of Legacy 16920 Wright Plz

Adel A

Adela Dunlap CLEAR CHOICE RESOURCES

Meet Adela Dunlap, CEO and co-founder of Clear Choice Resources.

Tell us a little about your business. - We are a staffing agency that specializes in staffing hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and labs around the United States. We staff medical professionals that are looking for a short-term contract with the possibility to experience new places and meet new people, all the while giving back and helping patients in need at the facilities they work at. Our mission is to improve the experience medical professionals have in the staffing industry by committing to putting our travelers first. We are dedicated to building honest and authentic relationships with clear communication by prioritizing communication, hiring top quality recruiters and account managers, maintaining a top-quality training program and lastly, putting quality service to our clinicians and facilities above all else.

How did you get started in the business? - I began working for a staffing agency in 2019 as a nursing recruiter. I fell in love with working with travels and getting to know them, their goals and what their career goals were, helping them achieve that has been my biggest achievement as a recruiter. Every person has a story, and a lot of times I feel like people don’t take the time to hear that story.

Tell us a little about your family. - My family means the world to me. I have a beautiful five year old daughter named Leila. She is starting kindergarten this year and keeps us busy with her spontaneous attitude and her no fear approach at life. I have an amazing husband who supports me through anything. He took on the bonus dad role perfectly and didn’t miss a beat at helping me raise my kiddo. Our family grew during COVID and we added a new dog to our family tree, a Pitbull Mix named Nala. She is the most protective big sister and she loves walks with her family, running after her ball outside and watching Leila play at the park. I am also very close to my mother, Safija Rikalo. She has been the best nana our kids could have and one of the most supporting parents through all my struggles in life and celebrations to go along with them.

Who inspires you? - My biggest inspiration is my mother. She has taught me what hard work and sacrifice truly means. She raised my brothers and I on her own as we immigrated to the United States as refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina. She is the most selfless person I know and always puts others before herself. She taught me to always stay positive, even when times seem tough to keep pushing myself to my limits and working towards my goals, they will happen if I don’t give up. She is by far my biggest cheerleader rooting for me to succeed in everything I do.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - Knowing three different languages.

What is your favorite movie? - Dirty Dancing .

What is your favorite TV show? - Grey’s Anatomy .

What is your favorite local Omaha restaurant? - V. Mertz. If you haven’t been, make a trip to Omaha to enjoy some amazing dishes!

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - I would love to have a conversation with Mother Teresa.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (402) 258-0277; adeladunlap@clearchoiceresources.com; clearchoiceresources.com.

Ross

Ross Glenn

P ROT ECH C OMMERCIAL V EHICLE

Ou T f ITTE r S

Meet Ross Glenn, the founder and CEO at Protech Commercial Vehicle Outfitters.

Tell us a little about your business. - We basically take a vehicle and turn it into a “work” vehicle. By adding components like ladder racks, shelving, lift gates, tool boxes, gas tanks, dump bodies or flatbeds, we can customize a vehicle for each type of work and then on top of that, we can narrow it down to what is the most efficient for each technician. We have unmatched expertise and commitment to excellence, and have emerged as a leading player in the commercial vehicle outfitter industry. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide a diverse range of services from cargo management and storage solutions to van upfitting and custom fabrication. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest technology and tools to provide a seamless client experience, from the initial consultation to the final product delivery. We prioritize remaining at the forefront of industry trends and best practices to ensure the delivery of top-notch products and services, whether it’s a fleet of one or a fleet of 200.

How did you get started in the business? - While working as a journeyman electrician in a family business I often helped with setting up and organizing each new vehicle that was added to the fleet. While doing this I realized that there wasn’t really any business that provided this service in the metropolitan area. I saw this as a great opportunity and thought I could take this need one step further by offering customization.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?Starting out, the early challenges were finding vendors, cash flow and building a customer base. Today, my biggest challenge is finding qualified staff to help grow the business with a nationwide employee shortage taking place.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Having the opportunity to win and team up with large fleets. By working closely together we solve problems, implement new products while maintaining their fleet. Together we become partners with the customer that lasts for many years.

Tell us a little about your family. - In September, I will celebrate 35 years of marriage to my wife Trish. We were blessed to have two sons and a daughter. All the kids have worked in our business. Brent and Dean have important roles in sales and management while Kyla moved on to be a mom and homemaker. Our children have given us four wonderful grandchildren and the fifth is due in August!

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

- Taking the leap of faith and starting my own business.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spend quality time being a grandpa.

Who inspires you? - My savior, the Lord Jesus.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Make yourself indispensable to the customer.

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

What local nonprofit organizations are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Rapid Relief Team and One School Global. Rapid Relief Team helps those in need, and One School Global is a global private school that nurtures each student’s potential.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The Bible. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- rglenn@protechcb.com; (712) 328-1310; protechcb.com.

l is A

Lisa Kaderly AOI C ORPORATION

Meet Lisa Kaderly, the Omaha furniture sales manager at AOI Corporation.

Tell us a little about your business. - AOI is a women-owned business providing an elite experience in three practices: General Construction, Prefab Walls and Commercial Furniture. We’re focused on client and employee satisfaction and are passionate about building Omaha culture, philanthropy and the city’s economic development.

How did you get started in the business? - It’s been a bit of a winding path that eventually led to the seat I’m in now. While I’ve been involved in the built environment for over 25 years, what brought me specifically to furniture was a creative recruiter! She found me in the flooring industry and matched me with a furniture dealership, and I’ll be forever grateful.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - The pandemic created a challenge none of us could have imagined personally or professionally. It was easy to get caught up in supply chain issues that resulted in missed deadlines and unhappy clients, while ultimately, a missing chair or desk was irrelevant juxtaposed against the human ramifications. Perspective was crucial.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- My most important achievement has been the relationships forged over the last 25+ years. In particular, the relationships formed with other strong, inspiring women!

Tell us a little about your family. - Other than a couple of muppetlike dogs, we are – blessedly – empty nesters! Our son, Hayden and his husband, Adam, are both veterinarians in the Chicago suburbs. Our daughter, Miranda, works for the government in immigration. Her husband, Chris, is the head coach for Franklin College in Indiana. (Go Grizzlies!) Our son Matt works for Builder Trend in Omaha.

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

- About 10 years ago I realized I was around the halfway point of my professional life, and I asked myself what I wanted the second half to look like. The answer was “I want unlimited potential!” I was in a job where I felt like I was being held back from what I knew I could achieve. “Unlimited potential” became my mantra. I stopped settling and began a new path forward. I haven’t looked back –unless it was to remind myself how far I’ve come!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I love days where you can decide what to do based solely on how you feel in the moment. Sofa and Netflix? Winery? Pedicure? All of the above!

Who inspires you? - I don’t have to look far for inspiration; I am inspired daily by my teammates and friends. I’m amazed by their talents and wisdom and strength; not just at work, but in their personal challenges as well.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - I hired a wonderful woman to help me write my first résumé. She told me “You will never be happy at a job unless you’re utilizing 80-90% of your talents.”

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Girls Inc

– We need to encourage the next generation of strong women! Go Red – My mother passed away from a hemorrhagic stroke. Women’s cardiovascular health is under-researched and under-funded.

What is your favorite local Omaha restaurant? - Jams.

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

- lkaderly@aoicorp.com; aoicorp.com.

2023 Winner

Nebraska is creative. Full of ingenuity and inspiration.

Tom Senn S ENN ’ S C USTOM VANS

Meet Tom Senn, president of Senn’s Custom Vans.

Tell us a little about your business. - I custom build adventure vans, but I like to say I build dreams! A lot of my clientele are retired people looking to travel comfortably, but there is something for everyone. I take conversion vans and convert them to tiny homes. I take pride in the fact that people can come to me with their big ideas and I make them happen.

How did you get started in the business? - I built a van for myself first. I had a Toyota Tacoma with a rooftop tent, but I couldn’t travel with my pet because there was no AC to keep them safe if I left. I got a wild hair and ran across the van business on Youtube, built one for myself and caught the bug. I still own a small management janitorial business that I’ve been in it for 40+ years. I’ve slowly been getting away from that with my new business.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - I think figuring out the market for adventure vans in Omaha. It can be difficult to find the right person looking for road travel in this area that is also looking for a live-in van instead of something for more short-term trips.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? - Making people happy! All of my customers stay in touch with me. They send me photos of their adventures and continue to stay connected. I think this is a unique part of my business that I don’t take for granted.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have two grown children, Ashley and Jordan who live in the Omaha area. I also have a little five pound pom-poodle named Lily. My coworker Ed brings his pup Sienna to the shop every day, they’re family too.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - Starting this business, especially after being in a different industry for so long.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I’m a homebody, I love to grill and hang out on the patio with company and friends, just chilling outdoors.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I’m pretty good at bowling!

Who inspires you? - There is a custom van builder, Leland Gilmore, who owns a company called Benchmark Vehicles out of Portland. His designs are awesome and he’s inspired me to be better and better with each build I do.

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

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Finance - I always wanted to be a money manager. I love the stock market and everything that goes into it.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?Make Something Wonderful: Steven Jobs in His Own Words .

What is your favorite movie? - The Bourne Series.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Brother Sebastian’s.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - sennscustomvans@gmail.com; www.sennscustomvans.com; (402) 968-7127.

Josh

Josh Jones A NGEL G UARDIANS

Meet Josh Jones, the director of advancement at Angel Guardians, Inc.

Tell us a little about your business. - Angel Guardians is proud to offer a variety of self-chosen and self-directed services for individuals who experience intellectual/developmental disabilities. Our mission is to foster abilities, increase access to and create opportunities for inclusion.

How did you get started in the business? - I have been an active professional in the developmental disability community for over a decade. It was serendipitous to become involved with AGI. The company was looking for someone with leadership skills and advancement skills, and I was looking for ways to do more for the DD community in a major way and finally had available time to extend my hands. A mutual friend of both mine and the company knew our hearts, and I was introduced to the opportunity, turned out to be the perfect person.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - The biggest challenge that I’ve face professionally is wishing everyone had the same passion as I do. I believe that it would make them feel more compelled to support my cause. I care deeply about the DD community, and I am doing all that I can to help.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- My most important achievement professionally was starting my own shared living provider agency, The Vessel Network. We work with referral relationships on behalf of disabled individuals, to connect them with passionate caretakers for long lasting shared living provided relationships inside of their homes.

Tell us a little about your family. - I am a husband to Taisha Jones. We have been married for five years. We have one son, a very extraordinary kid, Janoah. He is four years old.

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

- Giving my life to Jesus when I was younger. I see everything from a spiritual standpoint. I learned the true meaning of love, and I have been living on purpose, which is serving community. Everything that I experience in life, I walk by faith, not by sight.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I love to spend family time, watch television, sports, hang out at community events, invite company over to hangout or a bit of being a couch potato.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - People know that I played basketball at Creighton, but they would have to want to meet me personally to find out the other extraordinary things about me.

Who inspires you? - My family, the people that I attempt to serve, those who are less fortunate and Jesus.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - I laugh and I joke, but I don’t play. – My dad.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

What is your favorite movie? - Forrest Gump.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Wilby’s Comfort Food 2.0.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (402) 708-2146; josh@angelguardians.org; angelguardians.org.

Brookestone Meadows promotes emily Marek to people Development coordinator

Brookestone Meadows is elated to announce the promotion of Emily Marek to People Development Coordinator. Emily has been with Brookestone Meadows for eight years, starting as a CNA on the floor and then moving to the admisitrative side after four years.

Emily lives in Omaha with her husband of almost eight years and her five-year-old son, Logan. Recently, the family welcomed a new member of the family, Riley the German Shepard!

While she is not working, Emily is running her own business, Emily’s Creations. She creates custom badge reels, cups and tumblers. Brookestone team members are always sporting her creations around the community!

Brookestone Meadows is a member of the Vetter Senior Living family; a nonprofit company based in Elkhorn. Vetter Senior Living owns and operates 32 senior living facilities in the Midwest.

Brookestone Meadows is specifically designed to meet the needs of seniors needing short-term rehabilitation or long-term care. You’ll find a culture of rehabilitation and overall improvement of health. Short-term rehabilitation patients are served by team members trained to meet their unique and specialized needs. Their long-term care services provide quality care and dignity in life. Learn more at brookestonemeadows.com or contact (402) 289-2696 / brookestonemeadows@vhsmail.com.

Four points Federal credit union Welcomes Bart protzman as president and ceo

The Four Points Federal Credit Union board of directors is excited to announce the recent appointment of Bart Protzman as the credit union’s new president and chief executive officer. He succeeded the previous president and CEO of eight years, Cheryl A. Mascarello, who retired at the end of March.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to take the president and CEO role and am excited to advance the strategy that the board, Cheryl and all of my fellow Four Points team members have been working towards these past eight years,” Bart stated. “Four Points FCU has a wonderful nationwide membership base, and I plan to continue to offer them industry leading access to the products and services they need to grow in life.”

Protzman, a highly respected industry expert with a passion for helping people, aims to make Four Points FCU Omaha’s preferred community-driven credit union. Most recently, he was the director of customer experience at Core Bank, where he was primarily focused on technology driven growth without losing the personal touch of a community-based bank.

Four Points Federal Credit Union memberships are open to all residents, worshippers, students and workers of Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota. Applications for membership can be filled out online at www. fourpointsfcu.org or at either Dodge or West Center branch locations. Member Services Specialists can also be reached by calling (402) 431-5180 or by e-mail at Contact@fourpointsfcu. org. Four Points FCU is an Equal Housing Lender and federally insured by the NCUA.

FAMilY, inc. Welcomes susie Rensch to Board of Directors

FAMILY, Inc. is pleased to welcome Susie Rensch as part of the Board of Directors. As a Council Bluffs native, she has worked for the Green Hills Area Education Agency for 20 years as an early childhood specialist.

Susie lives in Omaha with her husband and three daughters.

“Through my work with families and young children of Council Bluffs, I have had the privilege of working alongside Family Inc. for many years,” said Susie. “I have seen firsthand the positive impact that Family Inc. has had on families in our community and when the opportunity came up for me to join their team as a board member I knew I couldn’t pass it up! I’m honored to be a member of the board and look forward to continuing our work together.”

Executive Director Kimberly Kolakowski shared her thoughts on the new board member;

“FAMILY couldn’t be more fortunate to have Susie join our Board and share her expertise in early childhood education,” noted Kimberly. “Moreover, she brings incredible passion for serving and empowering families, which aligns perfectly with FAMILY’s mission!”

FAMILY, Inc. is an early childhood and public health organization that provides public health education, support and connection to resources for women, children and families in western Iowa. To learn more about how to support FAMILY’s mission, visit www.familyia.org.

pediatric Dental specialists’ Dr. Meeske named AApD pediatric Dentist of the Year

Dr. Jessica Meeske, DDS, MS of Pediatric Dental Specialists has been named Pediatric Dentist of the Year by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).

On May 26, Dr. Meeske was honored at the AAPD 2023 event held in Orlando. Several dentists are considered for this prestigious award and Pediatric Dental Specialist could not be more proud of Dr. Meeske.

Dr. Meeske is dedicated to providing a fun and informative environment for her patients. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hastings College, a Certificate of Pediatric Dentistry and Masters of Science in Public Dental Health from the University of Iowa and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri. Dr. Meeske is passionate about continuing education and has focused her skills on the areas of pediatric dentistry. Pediatric Dental Specialists is currently accepting new patients. At the Omaha office, Dr. Ben Reimer and Dr. Frannie Rensch are all available for new appointments. They recommend children be scheduled for their first dental visit by their first birthday or when they get their first tooth, whichever comes first. Early dental care is essential in creating and maintaining ideal oral health in children. Equally important is the continuity of that care, which is why parents seek a dental office “home” where children can receive routine evaluations and cleanings and any other treatments that keep their smiles healthy.

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, they strive to be a lifelong partner in dental care for families. They aim to create positive dental habits in children that will last a lifetime, so they can grow up to have healthy teeth and healthy lives. For more information, go to pdsomaha.com. To contact the Omaha office, call (402) 397-3377 or email infoomaha@mypdsmail.com.

Fnic celebrates Milestone Anniversaries for six team Members

FNIC Group is proud to celebrate the milestone anniversaries of six valued team members.

Congratulations to VP & Sales Executive Marian Gyhra, celebrating 45 years with FNIC; and Account Manager April Johnson, celebrating 25 years.

Shaee Hernandez is celebrating her second year on the team. The group would also like to recognize the following individuals for their first anniversary: Paige Lukowski, Ramon Diaz de Leon and Kim Gidley.

FNIC is grateful for its exceptional employees who provide excellent care for their clients. They are thankful to be able to celebrate these milestones and encourage you to as well.

FNIC is a regional market leader for insurance and financial benefits. Their clients and company partners recognize their innovation and the lengths FNIC goes to understand their operations and risk initiatives. FNIC is headquartered in Omaha with branch locations across Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Illinois and Colorado. Their team of over 300 employees, supporting multiple insurance and risk management areas, truly operates as an extension of your business. Learn more at fnicgroup.com.

AiM institute Announces Dr. Kandace Miller’s leadership transition

AIM Institute’s Board of Directors announced that after 30 years of fortifying the region’s tech workforce and advancing educational opportunities for individuals in technology, Dr. Kandace Miller will transition from her distinguished leadership role as AIM Institute’s president and CEO. The board is conducting a national search for a successor.

Dr. Miller engineered AIM’s original organizational model as a computer programming training service and transformed it into a resource for thousands.

AIM has removed barriers to tech education by providing free training programs, engaging underserved communities and increasing access to the tech career continuum.

“It’s been an honor to serve alongside leaders and service providers committed to growing the tech community,” Dr. Miller said. “I’d like to express gratitude to the Board of Directors, the AIM staff and community partners, donors and foundations.”

Her stewardship resulted in AIM’s emergence as a difference-maker across the region. AIM has:

• Helped 250,000 individuals improve their tech skills and find jobs.

• Raised more than $59 million in grant funds.

• Helped more than 25 million job seekers apply for new careers via CareerLink.

• Served 142,000 youth with engaging and interactive initiatives.

• Hosted more than 16,000 individuals at AIM events.

Dr. Miller will continue to consult with AIM in an Emeritus role and work closely with the leadership team to ensure a seamless transition. A search firm has been hired to identify candidates for the president/ CEO position. Please refer qualified candidates to Mike English with The Moran Company (mike@morancompany.com).

For more information about AIM Institute, go to aiminstitute.org.

union Bank & trust promotes gutschenritter, Delos, Wieting and sellers

Union Bank & Trust (UBT) is proud to announce the promotion of four employees.

Stacy Gutschenritter has been promoted to vice president – business development and relationship manager in Retirement Plan Services (RPS). Gutschenritter joined the bank in 1993. In her new role, she will prospect and develop new business, while continuing to develop relationships with plan sponsors to create solutions that meet their benefits criteria and coordinate all required services for each plan.

Marci De Los Santos has been promoted to relationship manager/officer within its Omnify division, which focuses on health savings accounts (HSAs). De Los Santos joined Omnify in 2020 and brings 17 years of banking experience to her new role.

Nate Wieting has been promoted to vice president and trust officer. Wieting brings 16 years of industry experience to his new position. He previously worked at UBT from 2007-08, spent a few years in public accounting and returned to the bank in 2011. A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Wieting earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Accountancy, with minors in Mathematics and Political Science.

Julie Sellers to relationship manager in the Retirement Plan Services (RPS) division. Sellers joined UBT in 2016 and has served in various roles within RPS, including call center representative, generalist and client services supervisor. In her new role, Sellers will work in tandem with individual HR teams to coordinate a variety of retirement plan administrative services.

Union Bank & Trust is a privately owned Nebraska bank that offers complete banking, lending, investment and trust services, in addition to serving as program manager for Nebraska’s NEST College Savings Plan. The bank has 38 full-service and loan production offices in Nebraska and Kansas. It is the thirdlargest privately owned bank in Nebraska, with bank assets of $7.6 billion and trust assets of $43.4 billion as of December 31, 2022. Learn more at ubt.com.

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 Lincoln 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 cemre@ strictlybusinessomaha.com, or submit your news at strictly-business.com.

stacy gutschenritter Julie sellers

nate Wieting

Marci De los santos

pAce Awards treynor senior the hoff Family Arts scholarship

A Treynor High School senior, Korbin Horton, was awarded with $5,000 Hoff Family Arts Scholarships on Friday, April 28, at a special reception at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center.

A partnership between Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE) and the Hoff Family, the Hoff Family Arts Scholarship program is an opportunity for high school seniors intending to study an artistic discipline upon graduation. To be eligible, applicants must log at least 40 hours of service or participation with PACE or one of their partner organizations based in the Hoff Center: Chanticleer Community Theater, Kanesville Symphony Orchestra, American Midwest Ballet and Kitchen Council. Horton earned his service hours through his involvement with Chanticleer Community Theater. His most prominent role was as Aladdin in Chanticleer Children’s Theater production of “Aladdin Jr.”

In the fall, Horton will be attending Northwest Missouri State to pursue a degree in acting. He hopes to one day join a national touring theater company.

“There is no student more deserving of this opportunity than Korbin,” stated PACE CEO Danna Kehm. “We can’t wait to see what he does next, and we’re so grateful to Ted and Polly Hoff for helping to support his artistic and academic goals.”

The next deadline to apply for the PACE Hoff Family Arts Scholarship will be in March 2024. For the full list of scholarship criteria and application instructions, email info@paceartsiowa.org, or go to paceartsiowa.org.

the salvationArmyWesternDivisionWelcomes Barb Farho as Director of philanthropy

Barb Farho joined The Salvation Army Western Division as Director of Philanthropy in March 2023. In her role, she is responsible for leading the metro-Omaha major giving fundraising program—as well as disasterrelief fundraising when needed.

Farho brings more than 30 years of management, fundraising, community service and public relations experience to her role at The Salvation Army.

She has worked in the corporate, nonprofit and government sectors, including serving three City of Omaha mayoral administrations as director of community relations and youth development. In that position, she facilitated projects and fostered partnerships with government and community that focused on positive youth development and student success. Her responsibilities included writing and administering grants to support youth initiatives, family stability, violence prevention and workforce development.

Farho earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism/public relations from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She is a graduate of the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands’ Nonprofit Executive Institute, Class 14.

Personally and professionally, one of Farho’s highest priorities is helping ensure that youth and families are connected to basic needs resources and opportunities that help them to succeed. She is passionate about fundraising to support these vital services.

The Salvation Army of Omaha serves the greater Omaha metropolitan area through its multiple worship centers and service locations. The Salvation Army’s mission is to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of all people without discrimination. For more information, visit www.salarmyomaha.org.

neighborWorks home solutions Announces new ceo David hazlewood

NeighborWorks Home Solutions (NWHS) is pleased to announce David Hazlewood has been appointed CEO.

David has been employed as the COO with NeighborWorks Home Solutions since March 2019. He has been instrumental in reestablishing community partnerships, designing an organizational strategic plan, assisting in the selection/hiring of a housing development director, implementing a culture shift to better serve staff and stakeholders and creating single and multi-family development plans to better serve NWHS and communities served.

From August 2001 to January 2019, David was a faculty member of the Construction Technology program at Iowa Western Community College. He has taught Residential and Commercial Construction, Engineering, Construction Management and Welding during his tenure. David was instrumental in developing and sustaining partnerships with the community to construct over 31 affordable and workforce single family dwellings.

David served eight years in the United States Marine Corps. While serving his country as a combat engineer, he also taught Engineering and Explosives for the United States Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia for two years.

NeighborWorks ® Home Solutions works within their communities to provide safe, decent and practical housing opportunities. NeighborWorks ® Home Solutions does this either through singlefamily new construction or the development of multi-family properties. Whether you are a home-buyer or a renter, they are here to help with the right home solution for you. Learn more at nwhomesolutions.org.

patrick Borchers unites with goosmann law Firm as of counsel

Goosmann Law Firm is pleased to announce that former Dean of Creighton Law School Patrick Borchers has assumed the role Of Counsel at Goosmann Law Firm.

Borchers is currently a law professor for Creighton University where he also served as the eighth Dean of Creighton Law School from 1999 to 2007 and then as Creighton’s Vice-President for Academic Affairs from 2007 to 2013.

He is an internationally recognized scholar in private international law, federal courts law and international arbitration. His work with Goosmann Law Firm will focus on federal courts, complex civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Borchers is an elected member of the American Law Institute and the International Academy of Comparative Law. Notably, Patrick was the Principal Investigator on a study funded by the United States Agency for International Development to study resolution of claims between Cuba and the United States.

“Pat Borchers’ leadership and guidance during my time in law school undoubtedly played a role in shaping my legal career and my vision for what a modern law firm should look like. I am so proud to have him as part of my team,” says Jeana Goosmann, CEO. Goosmann Law Firm is the largest woman-owned law firm in the Midwest for trailblazers leading the way. Goosmann Law Firm is a proud member of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms. To learn more about the Goosmann Law Firm, visit their website at www.GoosmannLaw.com or call (855) 843-4531.

CORNHUSKER BANK THINKS DIFFERENTLY ABOUT BANKING. IT’S ABOUT YOU.

They’re more than a bank. They’re your partner.

Choosing a bank is not an insignificant decision, and you have many options when selecting the right financial partner for your family or your business. Even though banking has changed, their mission is still to provide an uncompromising customer experience, featuring just-right-for-you products, delivered in the most modern channels, and powered by a talented team of friendly people who go above and beyond to deliver touches that you wouldn’t expect from a bank.

Helping your business move forward.

Whether you’re starting out or expanding your operations, the Cornhusker Bank team is here to help your business move forward. Our experts live and work in the community and understand the local environment. When you work with our knowledgeable staff, they build a trusted relationship with you and your team, understand your business, and deliver smart, personal advice that helps you navigate the future, no matter what it may bring.

Dave Shiffermiller - EVP Lending, Cornhusker Bank Sherri Tafoya - Owner, Custom Blinds and Design

People helping people, supporting the communities they serve.

They’re excited to roll up their sleeves and make a difference. It’s part of Cornhusker Bank’s culture — all team members are empowered to be leaders in philanthropy, inspiring others to consider how any contribution of time, talent, or money can change lives. Day Without Shoes is an annual shoe collection and distribution event that provides shoes to community members with inadequate footwear. The bank partners with Stephen Center, Omaha businesses, schools and community organizations.

Home loans with no surprises.

Financing your home is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. You can have peace of mind knowing the Cornhusker Bank team is here to help you navigate through your home buying journey. Because of local decision making, they’ll work to find just-right-for-you options such as local servicing* and an Extended Rate Lock Program. Apply in as little as 20 minutes.

Calling

This biannual feature is an excellent opportunity for nonprofits to gain exposure among our readers, as well as for our readers to familiarize themselves with the needs of these organizations and the valuable work that is going on in our community.

FEATURE INCLUDES:

Organization logo & 150-word write-up

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 reaches at least 5 people. Editorial features are published on our website as well. We are proud to have a strong online presence

openDoorMission calls for Volunteers for summer of hope

Open Door Mission is in need of volunteers during this Summer of Hope! You can volunteer individually or as a group. This is a great opportunity for families to serve together.

Open Door Mission especially needs volunteers to help in the Outreach Centers with sorting, organizing and shelving items. They also need volunteers to help prep and serve lunch and dinner for men, women and children experiencing homelessness.

You can make a big impact just by volunteering two hours of your time a month. There are many volunteer opportunities, so find the perfect one for you! Start by submitting your application online at www.opendoormission.org/volunteer.

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 over 4,747 nutritious meals and provides preventative measures to more than 1,000 people living in poverty. Learn more at www.opendoormission.org, or call (402) 829-1538 to get in touch with Open Door Mission.

tri-Faith initiative to co-host Annual Race, Religion and social Justice conference

Tri-Faith Initiative and the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Religious Studies department are hosting the second annual Race, Religion and Social Justice Conference June 7 and June 8 on the Tri-Faith Common. This year’s conference centers around “Building Bridges of Hope,” and will feature 20+ breakout sessions following an opening keynote presentation by Clint Smith, #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Critics Circle award-winning author of How the Word Is Passed, Counting Descent and Above Ground. The two-day event will be held on Wednesday, June 7 in the evening and all day on Thursday, June 8.

The conference will address intersections between race, religion and social justice across different sectors of society. Presenters include nonprofit and civic leaders, diversity, equity, access and inclusion (DEAI) practitioners, community members, educators, physical and mental health practitioners, artists, religious communities and scholars.

The RRSJ Conference is a natural — and necessary — manifestation of Tri-Faith Initiative’s mission to cultivate inclusive environments that advance interfaith relationships and understanding.

Students can attend both the opening keynote and full-day conference for free with a valid student ID; comped tickets are also available for those with financial need who complete a scholarship form, which can be found on the event registration page.

Boys Town, Google Data Centers, the Greater Omaha Chamber, JCRC and many more influential local organizations are sponsors. For more information about the Tri-Faith Initiative and the conference details, visit www.trifaith.org.

community Foundation Wins pinnacle Award for total Marketing campaign

The Community Foundation for Western Iowa is celebrating the acceptance of a regional award given for excellence in marketing material. On April 26, the organization received a Pinnacle Award for "Total Marketing Campaign" in the Not-For-Profit category during AMA Omaha’s Pinnacle Awards at the Truhlsen Events Center at UNMC.

The Omaha Chapter of the American Marketing Association annually hosts the Pinnacle Awards to celebrate area organizations and their most successful marketing campaigns from the previous year. Campaigns were judged by three AMA Chapters across the United States – Charleston, Cincinnati and San Diego – based on metrics and measurable tactics. Judges looked at results-based marketing campaigns and their impact in the community.

The Community Foundation’s “Total Marketing Campaign” entry encompassed its recent name change and rebrand, including a new logo, updated website and social media posts, all designed and managed in-house and with brand awareness videos from local producer, Craig Carlsen.

The Community Foundation for Western Iowa is a tax-exempt public charity, 501(c)(3), that serves thousands of people who share a common interest in improving the quality of life in western Iowa. They are dedicated to creating a lasting legacy in our region by engaging our citizens and communities for durable change and fostering a culture of philanthropy. For more information, go to givewesterniowa.org.

student and Family support give positive outcomes to cues Families

Many CUES families face difficult financial circumstances. Sacred Heart, All Saints and Holy Name anchor their Omaha neighborhoods, providing a faithbased education for preschool through eighth grade children with individualized student and family support services connecting families to community resources. Consisting of three team members, the Student and Family Support program provides families with social emotional learning support, high school transition assistance and debt reduction resources. CUES community partners include Completely Kids, Boys Town and the Hope Center for Kids. According to the Children’s Bureau, parents living below the poverty level often have difficulties meeting basic economic needs for their families, such as paying for rent, food, utilities, clothing, education, accommodations, health care, health insurance, transportation and child care. By focusing on the entire family, CUES gives parents the tools they need to help their children be successful in school. Examples of success include:

• Since 2019, 52 CUES parents and faculty members graduated from the Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty Getting Ahead Class. Previously the host of two Getting Ahead classes, CUES will host a third this October.

• This year, 11 CUES alumni graduating from high school, with an average GPA near 3.5, completed four years with the Upward Bound program at Creighton University.

• During the last four years, the Director of Student and Family Support made personal home visits to over 100 CUES families.

CUES relies on donor support to provide these essential services to families. Donations can be made at cuesschools.org/donate.

project harmony to host hops for harmony June 7

Project Harmony is gearing up to host the Hops for Harmony event on Wednesday, June 7 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Werner Park, rain or shine.

Hops for Harmony is a premier beer festival hosted by Papillion Area Lions Club in June at Werner Park, home of the Omaha Storm Chasers, benefiting Project Harmony. You must be 21 or older to attend.

Tickets are $45 in advance and $55 on the day of the event. You can find tickets online, or at the following HyVee Stores: 156th & Maple St, 180th & Q St, 96th & Q St, 132nd & Dodge St, 180th & Pacific St and 90th & Center St.

Proceeds from this annual event help Project Harmony continue to provide effective and immediate support to children who are victims or suspected victims of abuse and neglect in our communities.

Project Harmony grew out of the vision of several Omaha community professionals and advocates to create a better system of protection for abused and neglected children. To learn more, go to projectharmony.com.

American Red crossRecapsMilitary AppreciationMonthinMay

The American Red Cross provides support to our U.S. military community at every step of their career — from the time a service member takes their oath to navigating life as a Veteran and each event in between. You can find American Red Cross support of military communities across the globe at military hospitals, on installations locally and overseas and through local chapter offices in every state.

Throughout the month of May, the American Red Cross invited people around the country to turn ‘Thank you for your service’ into action. For those with a military background or just a heart for military and Veteran communities, opportunities to volunteer and support were also available. “Oftentimes when military families go through a crisis, they are separated from their families and their support systems,” said Michael Jordan, president, Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces & International Services. “Red Cross volunteers make a huge difference in the lives of military families through emergency relief, comfort and care during the most harrowing of times.”

Over the last year, the Red Cross provided more than 19,000 military families with support through Resiliency Workshops. Visit www.redcross.org/saf for full information about programs that support military communities.

Turn your appreciation into action by volunteering with the Red Cross today. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteer or contact your local Red Cross chapter to learn about open availabilities.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports Veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter @RedCross.

epilepsyFoundationto host epilepsy nightat Werner park June 15

The Epilepsy Foundation is excited to be hosting Epilepsy Night at Warner Park as an evening to celebrate the community, raise awareness for this challenging diagnosis and shine a light on the need for Seizure First Aid for the one in ten people who will have a seizure in their lifetime. The event is set for Thursday, June 15, at 7:05 p.m.

This local event is a fun, familyfriendly event where The Epilepsy Foundation and guests can advocate and raise awareness for those in our community, including our friends and family, who struggle daily with seizures. Tickets are free to those who register. Registration can be found here: bit.ly/3K6dM0e. Any additional questions can be directed to Samantha Tena-Morales at stenamorales@efa.org.

The Epilepsy Foundation is a national voluntary health agency dedicated solely to the welfare of the nearly 3.4 million people living with epilepsy in the U.S. and their families. The Foundation works to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences and to promote research for a cure. To contact Epilepsy Foundation Nebraska, email Nebraska@efa. org. For more information, go to epilepsy.com.

MicAh house highlights children’s programs

MICAH House provides shelter and supportive services for families and women experiencing the crisis of homelessness. This means there are children of all ages living at MICAH House. In order to provide normalcy and routine, there are staff dedicated to providing programs and activities with children that are empowering and encouraging.

Since the beginning of this year, MICAH House’s child program specialist has been working on strengthening MICAH House children’s interest and abilities in reading. Through interactive and curiosity piquing games and puzzles, the children have been finding new ways to love and practice reading. Some activities involved a children’s book themed homemade putt-putt game. Another activity was making a “reading buddy” where the children chose a stuffed animal to be their pet.

Another engaging activity MICAH House volunteers provide are monthly birthday parties. This is a fun way that children feel honored and remembered on such a special day. Children get a gift and there are games to play and cake to be had.

Also, MICAH House has a Girl Scout troop #64224. This is a great way for girls staying at MICAH to enjoy all the aspects of the National Girl Scout program. Through healthy activities and interactions, the girls work on social skills, team work, self-care and service minded projects. For more information about MICAH House children’s programs or how you can become a supporter please visit www.themicahhouse.org.

child saving institute Brings Back touch-Atruck september 9

After taking a few years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Child Saving Institute (CSI) is thrilled to bring back its free community event, Touch-A-Truck. Touch-A-Truck is scheduled for Saturday, September 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Munroe-Meyer Institute parking lot on 69th and Pine Street in Omaha.

The free, fun-filled day for families includes activities for all ages, mobility and sensory needs. Kids and families will be able to see, touch and climb on trucks of all kinds. There will also be bounce houses, face painting, sensory stations, music and more!

Are you interested in joining this event by bringing a truck, sponsoring, volunteering or attending? Reach out to Development Manager Aly Goedeken at agoedeken@childsaving.org for more information or visit childsaving.org. You can also follow CSI on social media to stay up to date.

Child Saving Institute is dedicated to preventing, intervening and healing child abuse, neglect and trauma. For 131 years, CSI has been “Responding to the cry of a child” and meeting the changing needs of metro area children. CSI serves nearly 3,000 children and families each year. To learn more about CSI and the programs and services offered, please visit childsaving.org or follow CSI on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

BFF omaha to host 10th Annual new American Arts Festival August 4

BFF Omaha is excited to host the 10th annual New American Arts Festival in the Benson Creative District on First Friday, August 4.

The festival takes place every August to celebrate the immigrant, migrant and refugee artists in the greater Omaha area. BFF is seeking New American Artists of all disciplines from visual to performance, culinary to music – they welcome it all!

The New American Arts Festival will take place in the Benson Creative District on August 4 during BFF’s monthly First Friday. Selected artists and community partners will be a part of the New American Art Festival either by setting up artwork in gallery spaces, selling goods in the artisan market, hosting a workshop or performing. There are plenty of opportunities for exhibiting artists, performing artists, artisan vendors, workshop instructors, community organizations and more!

For more info and to apply as a New American Artist, visit bffomaha.org/naaf. BFF is also in need of partner organizations that work with immigrant, migrant or refugee communities in Omaha. Organizations should email info@bffomaha.org to get involved with the New American Arts Festival.

BFF Omaha is an Omaha-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds community through arts engagement. BFF is composed of 97% artists. They believe that everyone has the right to create, experience and cultivate the arts in our communities. For more information, ways to get involved and partnership opportunities go to www.bffomaha.org.

heartland hope Mission to host Family Block party June 24

Heartland Hope Mission will be hosting a Family Block Party on Saturday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2021 U St., in South Omaha. This free event includes waterslides, a bounce house, live music, outdoor games, free food, giveaways from local vendors, firetruck tours, Storm Chasers Mascots, a sports camp for kids and so much more! Come with your family and invite your friends. Take the cue, it’s true, there are lots of fun things to do at the Heartland Hope Mission Family Block Party! Vendor booth opportunities are available. Email Amanda@ heartlandhopemission.org for booth rental information.

Heartland Hope Mission is a faith-based organization that is more than a pantry and dedicated to helping families achieve self-sufficiency. They provide clients with a week’s worth of food, along with clothing, diapers, job resources and community referrals to empower them to make positive changes in their lives. They also offer case-management, senior pantry deliveries, rural outreach, crisis response, additional resources for new or expecting mothers and a holiday program that provides around 4,000 children with new toys at Christmas! In addition to Omaha, their outreach pantries serve Valley, Macy and Walthill. You can help by visiting HeartlandHopeMission.org to sign up to volunteer or make a donation.

Brain injury Alliance of nebraska seeks speakers for Annual conference

The Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska is now accepting speaking proposals for the 2024 Nebraska Brain Injury Conference held on March 14 and 15, 2024. In addition to showcasing their research and expertise, speakers will have the opportunity to connect with a broad audience of professionals, organizations and individuals living with a brain injury that stand to benefit from their expertise.

Themes and topics of interest for the 2024 Nebraska Brain Injury Conference include but are not limited to:

• Research and innovations in the field of acquired brain injury

• Precision medicine and brain injury

• Assistive technology for brain injury (apps, programs, devices, practical demonstrations, etc.)

• Educational supports for brain injury (all levels - elementary through post-secondary)

• Brain injury treatment and rehabilitation theories, methodologies or strategies

• Veteran-specific treatments, programs, research or care/case management strategies

• Inspirational stories and lived experiences with brain injury

Speakers are encouraged to consider innovative ideas and approaches that provide new ways of thinking about an old issue or current trends in the topic areas.

The full information on the 2024 Nebraska Brain Injury Conference and instructions on how to submit speaking proposals can be found at biane. org/2024-conference/call-for-speakers.html.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska was founded in 2009 to create better futures for all Nebraskans through brain injury prevention, education, advocacy and support. For more information, contact Executive Director Peggy Reisher, MSW, at peggy@biane.org or (402) 890-0606.

RegistrationforBagsof Fun omahaBagsfor Bags tournament open now

Registration is now open for the Third Annual Bags for Bags Cornhole Tournament benefitting Bags of Fun Omaha! This event will be held at The Barn in Bennington on Sunday, August 27, from noon to 5 p.m.

This event is fun for the entire family with a cornhole tournament run by Jim Kallio of the Fremont Area Cornhole Association, face painting, bounce house and other children’s entertainment, Porky Butts BBQ and a silent auction. A new addition for this year, Big Party and Degan from the Channel 94.1 Big Party Morning Show will be the emcees for the event!

Sponsorships are still available and more information can be found online. Join Bags of Fun Omaha as they have a great time raising funds for children right here in Omaha fighting for an ounce of normalcy while they are being treated for life-threatening illnesses. Bags of Fun Omaha believes in the power of play to bring a welcome distraction during times of difficulty. Bags of Fun bring a child and the parents hope, relief, a smile and the ability to focus on something other than their illness. Bags of Fun is a nonprofit organization. Each Bag of Fun is funded by grants, charitable contributions and fundraisers. The bags are essential tools that bring the power of play into the hospitals. To learn more, go online to bagsoffunomaha.org.

Abide Announces Better together 5K and Round up at goodwill

Abide invites you to their annual Better Together 5K on Saturday, June 10, at 8 a.m. at the Better Together Campus near 45th and Bedford. Checkin will take place on Friday, June 9, from 5-7:30 p.m. and Saturday morning from 7-7:30 a.m. Participation is $12 for adults, $6 for children 6-18 years old and kids five and under are free. This includes an event shirt, a participant packet with race info and breakfast provided by their partner, Christ Community Church. Strollers are allowed, but bikes and scooters are prohibited. Parking is free on the Better Together Campus. While parking is available, it is also limited. Please consider carpooling to help provide enough parking spaces for everyone. Additional race information can be found at abideomaha.org/ better-together-5k.

Abide is partnering with Goodwill Omaha to help fuel its mission to revitalize the inner city. Throughout the month of June, please consider doing your thrifting at your local Omaha Goodwill and rounding up your purchase to the nearest dollar (or $10 or $100!) to support Abide. What could be better than shopping for a cause?!

The mission of Abide is to revitalize the inner city, one neighborhood at a time. Abide takes a grassroots, holistic approach focused on developing safer neighborhoods, stronger families and emerging leaders. To get in touch with Abide, contact them at info@ abidenetwork.org and (402) 455-7807. For more information, go to abideomaha.org.

santa Monica house hosts successful 50th Year celebration

Santa Monica House celebrated their 50th year at a fundraiser to culminate the year on April 22. The organization has been celebrating the anniversary throughout the year. Santa Monica House sends a big thank you to all of their supporters. The celebration was held at Scott Conference Center in Omaha. Guests enjoyed a delicious brunch, inspiring testimonial as well as a Piccadilly and Silent Auction, all in support of the fantastic work done at Santa Monica.

Founded in 1972, Santa Monica House has partnered with over 3,000 women on their journey to recovery from addiction and alcoholism. Santa Monica provides an Intermediate Residential program, Halfway House program with a step-down level of care to a ¾ way house and an 11 unit apartment building for women and children. Peer Support Recovery services are for the ¾ way and apartment programs. For more information, go to www.santamonicahouse. org. For further questions, please contact Heather at heather@ santamonicahouse.org or (402) 558-7088.

nebraska safety council providing Multiple learning options for teen Drivers

The Nebraska Safety Council (NESC) has expanded their teen driver education program to offer in-person, online and online via Google Classroom courses. Several students now participate in hybrid courses. The flexibility of options allows students to participate and learn in an environment that works best for them.

“Our goal is to provide a strong foundation for teens by providing education and resources to make them safe drivers. Our course emphasizes the importance of distracted-free driving, how to be a defensive driver and why it is crucial to pay attention to signs to avoid speeding and other hazards,” explained NESC Traffic Services Manager Tracy Burmeister. “Parents play a very important role in providing additional behind the wheel drive time. We look forward to partnering with families in the community to help make Nebraska roads safe!”

Each course provides 20 hours of in-person classroom or online training, five hours of hands-on driving, five hours of observation and a 30-minute behind the wheel drive test. When behind the wheel, they will cover Highway/gravel, parallel/perpendicular/angle parking, marked and unmarked streets/intersections, interstate driving, heavy and city-traffic driving.

The newest offering is a one-week class via Google Classroom. This is a hybrid class that allows students the flexibility to work at their own pace with instructor support, have access to an easy-to-use app compatible with mobile devices and virtual office hours for extra one-on-one support with the instructor.

Registration for summer classes is open! Lincoln courses are offered June 12-15, June 19-22, June 26-29, July 17-20 and 24-27.

Interested families can register for a teen driver education course on nesafetycouncil.org.

To learn more about The Nebraska Safety Council or to sign up for membership today, visit nesafetycouncil.org, call (402) 483-2511, or email nesc@nesafetycouncil.org.

AhA greater omaha heart & stroke Walk Raises More than $400K

The Greater Omaha Heart & Stroke Walk, presented by The American Heart Association (AHA) raised more than $400,000 and donations continue to arrive post event. The walk was held at Miller’s Landing on Saturday, May 20. Over 2,000 individuals attended and participated in the event.

“We couldn’t be happier with the incredible success of this year’s event,” said Development Director for the American Heart Association Kelly Morris. “We know that the dollars raised are vital to the mission of the American Heart Association in Greater Omaha, but we also know that hundreds were exposed to important messaging that could save their life.”

Dollars raised at the Heart Walk are used to fund the American Heart Association’s research, community health education programs, education and training for healthcare professionals, quality improvement programs and community service in Nebraska.

American Heart Association believes every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life. As champions for health equity, the American Heart Association will advance cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality. To achieve this, they work by driving equitable health impact in our communities. For more information, visit www.heart.org.

stephen center highlights partnershipwith oneWorld community health centers, inc.

For over 15 years, OneWorld has reserved appointment times at the Livestock Exchange Health campus for residents at the Stephen Center, a shelter for individuals to overcome homelessness and addiction, to receive medical care. Now, every Wednesday afternoon, Stephen Center residents can receive care without leaving the center.

“When the Stephen Center presented this idea to us, it was a no brainer,” said Sarah Miller, APRN, CPNP-PC, chief of medical services, OneWorld Community Health Centers. “We already have a wonderful partnership established, and this clinic will run very similarly to our School-Based Health Centers and Teen and Young Adult Health Centers.”

The clinic offers primary care services including diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases, behavioral health referrals, laboratory services and vaccines. Cody Thorson, PA-C, Family Medicine Physician Assistant, is primary provider at the Stephen Center clinic.

In 2022, Stephen Center had 95 children as clients, of whom over half are under the age of five. With the new clinic, parents have direct support from Stephen Center staff to schedule their child’s well-child visits without having to leave the center.

Located in South Omaha, Stephen Center serves the homeless, addicted and those with mental health challenges. The campus includes a homeless emergency shelter, inpatient/outpatient cooccurring treatment and permanent supportive housing for disabled and low-income individuals. In 2022, Stephen Center provided services to 1,179 men, women and children and offered over 200,000 meals to people experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges. Learn more at stephencenter.org.

Youth emergency services seeks urgent Donations for summer

Youth Emergency Services (YES) provides shelter and support to homeless and near homeless youth and young adults. One of the crucial aspects of YES’s work is the Street Outreach Center (SOC). The SOC is a safe space where youth and young adults are encouraged to visit to get the necessities they need.

The youth and young adults who drop into the Street Outreach Center are often experiencing homelessness, which means they may not have access to regular meals. One major benefit of Street Outreach is daily meals. These meals are nutritious and hot. Staff work on daily meal calendars and plan accordingly for the day and the quantity. In any given month Street Outreach serves over 400 meals.

In the months of April and May, the donated meals start to dwindle due to the influx of visitors needing food. YES is asking for your help! They have an empty freezer needing 100 meals to meet their growing requests. By filling the freezer with food, you’re helping to ensure YES’s youth and young adults have something to eat when they’re hungry. This can be particularly important for those who may have missed a meal or two due to their circumstances. In addition, having a well-stocked freezer means that the shelter can provide a variety of meals. YES provides youth with fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and other nutritious options. You can donate to the fund and learn more about Youth Emergency Services at www.yesomaha.org or visit their center at 2602 Harney St.

At ease usA highlights ptsD Awareness Month

To raise awareness to the impact of PTSD on our military and medical heroes, At Ease USA (AEU) is hosting a 5K Fun Run on June 24. AEU is also undertaking a yard sign campaign. If you would like to help raise awareness, please request a sign at ateaseusa. org/yard-signs.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition that develops as a fear response to a shocking, scary or dangerous event. Symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to function, so many people living with PTSD are unable to work. PTSD presents differently from person to person and symptoms may evolve. People who experience PTSD are at higher risk for developing depression, drug addiction, alcohol abuse and eating disorders and are at higher risk for suicide.

At Ease USA removes barriers and offers person-centered behavioral health services through an in-house clinical director and a diverse Preferred Provider Network of culturally sensitive, licensed mental health professionals who are trained in PTSD treatment. AEU utilizes many approaches, including family and couple’s therapy, one-to-one peer support, yoga and group and one-on-one therapy, to address PTSD.

At Ease USA is committed to providing access to confidential trauma treatment to active military, Veterans and their loved ones suffering from PTSD. For more information, contact Beth Kramer at beth@ateaseusa.org or (531) 247-4040, or go to www.ateaseusa.org.

neighborgood community pantryAwarded grant from gFWc papillionJuniorWoman’s club

NeighborGood Community Pantry thanks GFWC Papillion Junior Woman’s Club for awarding a $500 grant to help support families with purchases of meat and dairy items!

NeighborGood Community Pantry serves those living in the greater Sarpy County area. They believe that problems associated with hunger are often much larger than the small pockets of society or certain neighborhoods they are typically confined to. Many people in the community struggle with hunger, whether they recently lost a job or are disabled and unable to work. Oftentimes those struggling with hunger are hard-working adults, children and seniors who don’t have the means to make ends meet.

Offered services include home delivery, a pet food pantry, instaparty kits and summer snack packs. Not only can those in need obtain necessary food and household items, but the food that their pets need as well. Additionally, instaparty kits help children have birthday celebrations and summer snack packs help prevent the risk of hunger for children.

NeighborGood serves those in need in the greater Sarpy County and Ralston community. NeighborGood provides non-perishable groceries, pet food, paper products, hygiene items, diapers and more. For more information, go to neighborgoodpantry.org or contact the Executive Director Melissa Nelson at neighborgoodcommunitypantry@gmail.com.

save the Date for Methodist Jennie edmundson hospitalWheelsof courageFundraiser

The 8th Annual Wheels of Courage Car Show is revving up for another great year! The event will be held on Saturday, June 24, at Quaker Steak & Lube in Council Bluffs beginning at 11 a.m. Each year the money raised goes to benefit the Spirit of Courage Charitable Patient Care Fund at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.

The Wheels of Courage Car Show is an exciting outdoor event open to the public. Register your car now or up until 11 a.m. on the day of the event. Judging will begin at noon with 16 judging categories. First, second and third place trophies will be awarded showcasing a variety of fantastic cars, and winners will be announced at 3 p.m.

Throughout the event, amazing auction items and unique raffle prizes will be announced. Wheels of Courage 2023 T-shirts are also available for purchase.

Many cancer patients at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital have a genuine need each year. Coping with serious illness and mounting medical bills, all at the same time, can be overwhelming. Through the Jennie Edmundson Foundation, funds raised during Wheels of Courage go to help relieve some of the financial burden for medical services, therapy, prescriptions gas/transportation and daily living expenses for these patients.

For more information on Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, how to register your car, become a sponsor or simply give a gift, please call (712) 396-6040 or visit jehfondation.org.

Mosaic in omaha to host Discover the possibilities tour event June 14

Mosaic in Omaha will be hosting their June Discover the Possibilities event on June 14. Mosaic in Omaha hosts its monthly Discover the Possibilities Tour every second Wednesday of the month, from 9 to 10 a.m. and again from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All are invited to come and learn about Mosaic’s mission to “love and serve” those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the nonprofit’s good works to lift up the community and its commitment to relentlessly pursue opportunities for people with diverse needs.

Join Mosaic for refreshments and a tour of Mosaic’s mission and work by those who know it best — the people they support, their families and those who serve. To RSVP or to ask any questions, please contact Jessica Westerlin at jessica.westerlin@mosaicinfo.org.

Mosaic in Omaha is part of Mosaic, which is a whole-person healthcare organization reaching across 13 states in more than 700 communities and providing supports to nearly 4,900 people. Services empower people with disabilities, mental and behavioral health needs and autism, as well as aging adults to live their best life. Mosaic is an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a member of Lutheran Services in America and a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. To learn more about Mosaic, please visit www.mosaicinfo.org.

humanities nebraska Awards over $144K in grants

Humanities Nebraska (HN) is proud to announce that they have awarded Omaha nonprofit organizations with numerous scholarships.

• African Culture Connection was awarded $5,715 to help support summer enrichment programs.

• Circle Theatre was awarded $1,000 supporting “The Tales of Chelm.”

• Great Plains Theatre Commons was awarded $5,000 to help fund the 2023 New Play Conference.

• Kindair at the Benson Theatre was awarded $728 in support of the spring edition of “Conversations withMichelle Troxclair” and $700 for a related DEIA workshop.

• Nebraska Poetry Society was awarded $800 for Spring 2023 events, $1,400 for Fall 2023 events and $718 to help fund the 2023 reading series.

• Partners for Livable Omaha was awarded $2,000 supporting “Friction, Feedback and Failure: A Brief History of Noise Music” discussion & the Noisefest event.

• Together We Achieve Miracles, Inc was awarded $1,000 for multimedia equipment.

• Tri-Faith Initiative was awarded $5,000 for their 2023 Race, Religion and Social Justice Conference.

• University of Nebraska at Omaha Board of Regents was awarded $2,000 for “Making Barlaam & Josaphat,” $2,000 in support of “Nobody’s Listening” and $2,000 for the Winchell Lecture with Kathleen Belew.

Humanities Nebraska is a statewide nonprofit that is celebrating 50 years of helping people explore what connects us and makes us human. HN is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities, an appropriation from the Nebraska Legislature, private donations and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit humanitiesnebraska.org for more information.

Backed by Years of Experience and Commitment to Safety

Discount Enterprises (D.E. Guns) is an online and retail dealer and distribution center based in Lincoln, Nebraska. They specialize in providing quality firearms and accessories to registered buyers. As a Class 3 NFA Dealer, they aim to provide their customers with the best tools for shooting sports, hunting, or whatever your firearm needs may be. They also have a hundred yard outdoor range, a laser engraver/custom designer and offer knifesharpening services at an unbeatable fee of only $10 for a standard pocket knife blade!

The D.E. Guns retail store is 110,000-square-feet location standing on 34 acres of land. They have over 1,000 guns on display and over 10,000 in stock! This spacious location gives them the opportunity to offer their customers thousands of new products , training classes, chp classes and the helpful knowledge to further their firearm experience.

The D.E. Guns website is indisputably the perfect place for registered buyers to purchase used guns online. Professional shooters, firearm enthusiasts, amateurs, or first-time gun handlers—there’s everything for everyone in their online gun store. They take each and every commitment seriously, with constant endeavor to offer only genuine products at the best possible price. D.E. Guns is devoted to delivering quality and safety-inspected used guns. Not only does D.E. Guns offer the most comprehensive range of firearms, ammunition and related supplies, they make sure the products are ready to be shipped to the buyer as soon as they bag an order. Their inventory boasts of some of the most popular handguns, rifles and firearms, even the most uncommon varieties that you may have a tough time finding elsewhere. Their supply managers ensure that the inventory is updated in real-time, reinforcing D.E. Guns dedication to maintaining a consistent stock at greatly competitive prices.

The experienced and trained team at D.E. Guns fully realizes and understands the concerns faced by first-time handlers. It is a nerve-wrecking task to zero down on the most suitable handgun to start with and to learn to operate it safely.

The sales representatives at D.E. Guns are trained to handhold you through every purchase, right from selecting and ordering the merchandise to doorstep shipping. Local customers have the advantage to purchase directly from the store. They also offer CHP classes and a Handgun 101 firearms training, particularly targeted at first-time enthusiasts and amateur shooters so you don’t need to compromise on safety while learning to shoot a firearm. Their aim is not only to teach you fundamentals, like loading and unloading a gun, grip, or stance, but also instill the necessary confidence in you so that first-time users never get shaky when forced to defend themselves in dangerous situations.

Providing T h E wi DEST coll E c T io N of the highest quality guns and accessories at the lowest prices.

We build partnerships with EMERGING TALENT and EMERGING BUSINESSES

Omaha is home to more than 45,000 businesses and that number is constantly growing. With a low cost of living and a high quality of life, the steady economic growth in Omaha is the envy of the nation. As a local small business with the mission of promoting other local businesses, we are passionate about this community and the companies that thrive here. It’s our goal to help businesses grow and we know this process isn’t done without a strong support system in place. It’s also not something that can be accomplished overnight. It takes time and commitment to build a business from the ground up. In order to get an idea of what it takes to successfully grow a business, we talked to a handful of local industry leaders who have experience in this area and offer services that could help along the way.

Planning for the Future

Running a business is no small task and keeping it positioned for growth is even more difficult. As you go, you’ll need strategies to make more time, build better teams and increase money to your bottom line. It can be daunting, but ActionCOACH e xcel e DG e is ready to help. ActionCOACH ExcelEDGE is an award-winning business and executive coaching firm. As coaches, they partner with leaders to inspire innovative processes that continuously motivate them to reach their top leadership and professional potential. They work with businesses and individuals from start-ups to executives. Their coaching programs are designed to identify your challenges and to apply practical and results-driven solutions.

Linda Krei, the senior partner and CEO of ActionCOACH ExcelEDGE, heads up a team of certified business and executive coaches to help driven and energetic business owners and leaders increase their profits and their operating efficiencies. As your

linda Krei ActioncoAch exceledge

team of coaches and advisors, they will help you achieve more through the use of proven tools, methodologies and systems tested and perfected over tens of thousands of businesses worldwide over the past three decades.

“We know everyone is starting this journey from different places. Whether you’re an executive of a Fortune 100 company or a startup a few months into the game,” said Coach Linda Krei, “each of our programs is outfitted with coaches who have years of experience developing the right routines, building the proper plans and massively growing businesses. We have been around for over 27 years and not only have the single best system in the world, we have a 17-Week Guarantee and Client Results to prove it.”

ActionCOACH ExcelEDGE has proven systems and methodologies that guide business owners to develop a commercial profitable enterprise system that can work without them if they so choose. The coaches guide business owners to learn how to work “on” their business instead of “in” their business which consumes and exhausts many business owners, not just those starting a business. Linda and her team help them develop a different mindset to approach their business, to help them see that it shouldn’t be a job; they will likely need to learn different skill sets and ActionCOACH ExcelEDGE offers business education to do so.

Are you ready to set your business on the ultimate track to success?

If so, then Mentor Business Coaching with ActionCOACH ExcelEDGE is for you. You’ll have the tools and strategies you’ll need to guide your business to higher profits and greater levels of success. You’ll get an edge over the competition, and you’ll discover what thousands of other business owners already know about the positive impact Group Coaching has had on their companies. The average mentor client sees a 5x Return on Coaching in the first 12 months.

Marketing Masterpieces

As a print, mail and marketing provider, Aradius Group can deliver your message to future customers nationwide! After operating for more than 160 years, they continue to adapt and grow with the latest technology to provide their clients with the best solutions available in the industry today. Aradius Group’s award-winning team combines your marketing goals with their printing and mailing expertise so that you can expect a seamless customer experience from strategy and design to the final product. One of their most popular marketing solutions, REACH, is a tool that provides users the top ten most costeffective formats and sizes to use for advertising mail today. Simply choose a template, design your piece and deliver your message with the best marketing rates possible.

Whether you’re trying to grow in local areas or catch the attention of potential customers nationwide, Aradius Group has a marketing solution that will align with your business strategy and make your brand come to life! Their services include prepress, digital printing, offset printing, envelope printing and bindery and finishing. For direct mail services, they offer mailing lists, campaign consulting, personalization, fulfillment and postage audit.

Aradius Group wants to partner with your team to become a cornerstone in your marketing strategy. Once they get to understand your business and your company goals, they will propose the marketing strategy that they believe is the best fit for you and tailor it to suit your specific needs. Reach out to Aradius Group today to see how they can make your marketing dreams become reality.

Help is Here

Renee Villanueva BspokeiQ

BspokeIQ offers a range of products and services aimed at helping entrepreneurs and businesses grow and succeed. Their core services include coaching and mentorship, hiring and talent management and marketing and branding strategy. Through personalized support and guidance, they strive to empower individuals and businesses to achieve their full potential and create opportunities for success.

“At BspokeIQ, we believe that the determining factor in successfully growing a business is personalized support and guidance,” said Executive Director Renee Villanueva. “Every business is unique and requires an individualized approach to growth. We work closely with our clients to identify their specific needs and challenges, and develop tailored solutions that help them achieve their goals.”

The coaching and mentorship services at BspokeIQ are particularly valuable to entrepreneurs and businesses looking to grow. They offer personalized guidance and support to help clients overcome challenges and achieve their goals. The hiring and talent management services are also essential for businesses looking to expand their teams and grow their capabilities. By helping businesses attract and retain top talent, BspokeIQ enables them to scale and achieve their full potential. The marketing and branding strategy services are also critical to businesses looking to increase their visibility and attract new customers. By developing personalized marketing plans and branding strategies, these services help businesses differentiate themselves from their competitors and grow their customer base.

“Anyone planning for the growth of their business should be prepared for the need to adapt and be flexible. Business environments are constantly changing, and entrepreneurs and business owners need to be able to pivot and adjust their strategies as needed,” Renee explained. “Recent changes in our industry, such as the rise of remote work and the increasing importance of digital marketing, have made it essential for businesses to be adaptable and innovative in their approach to growth.”

Empowering individuals and businesses to achieve their full potential through personalized support and guidance is at the core of everything they do at BspokeIQ. They believe in creating opportunities for success and fostering a culture of innovation and growth. By working closely with clients and offering personalized solutions, BspokeIQ helps businesses overcome challenges, achieve their goals and realize their full potential.

Keep Track of What’s Important

Forgetfulness is a trait we all can relate to at one point or another. Forgetting your keys before heading out the door, missing a dentist appointment or leaving an important item for the day at home are all things that can mess up your day but overall don’t cause much harm. Forgetting to keep track of your business’s financials, on the other hand, will create a world of hassle for your business and a huge headache for you.

Omaha Bookkeeping is ready to help your business succeed by keeping your business organized throughout each month with the financial transactions that occur. With their help, your business will be able to see a good financial picture and performance of the company at any given time throughout the year. Outsourcing bookkeeping duties may also save money in the long run by finding the partner that fits your business culture. Bookkeepers may also find ways to improve your process and identify areas where you may be overspending. They may also help to take advantage of bookkeeping software to help automate tasks, again saving time and money.

“I would make sure your business communicates with a tax professional and their accounting/ bookkeeping department to make sure all of your tax-related expenses are accounted for,” said Jeff Doering, owner of Omaha Bookkeeping. “It is important to stay on top of account reconciliations and recording and classifying every financial transaction of the business. That’s where my services come in. Keeping and logging the proper backup documents of each financial transaction will make tax process go a lot smoother.”

You want to be ready for next year’s tax season when it rolls around again, and there is no better way to ensure your business is prepared than with the help

Jeff Doering omaha Bookkeeping

of Omaha Bookkeeping. They are dedicated to keeping you on track financially, so that you can reach your goals with ease.

Comprehensive Consults

Over 200 online records are compromised every second, and 60% of small businesses don’t have a plan in the event of a cyberattack. This is a risk you cannot afford to take. Trumbo Corporation’s service includes a comprehensive consult to help identify gaps and opportunities within your IT Department. Then, they put a custom solution together to help meet those goals and take the stress off your IT department. They also offer a suite of quality products that will help keep your network safe and secure. Cybersecurity is incredibly important in our current society and Trumbo wants to make sure your company is as safe and secure as possible.

Trumbo’s services include managed IT solutions, cybersecurity, website hosting, business phone services, disaster recovery and professional services. Whether you need PC or server maintenance, VPS hosting, onsite phone systems, graphic design, project planning or if you don’t understand what any of that means, Trumbo will be there to help.

Save your business a big headache and feel cyber-secured with Trumbo!

Solutions You Can Count On

When you outsource your accounts receivable, you will be able to focus on doing what you do best while simultaneously bringing in more funds that will be instrumental in the growth of your business. To learn more, we spoke to Aaron n ewell , founder of AR Solutions

AR Solutions is a licensed, bonded and insured collection agency headquartered in Lincoln and offering services to the surrounding Lincoln and Omaha areas. With more than 60 combined years in collections, AR Solutions understands that you don’t have time to waste – in Accounts Receivable or in managing multiple vendors. Not only do they offer solutions, but they give you the time you need to balance the competing demands of clients and critical receivable management issues. There’s also zero risk and zero cost, with no fees incurred unless AR Solutions recovers money for you. All of the Asset Recovery Specialists at AR Solutions are American Collection Association (ACA) certified, so you can trust that your accounts will be handled with the highest quality and dignity.

Aaron Newell founded AR Solutions in 2005 after working in the collection industry since 1996. The company was created under the value of integrity: “If you have integrity, nothing else matters; if you do not have integrity, nothing else matters.”

“In addition to offering past due accounts receivable collections, we can also consult with clients to help them set up their receivables process to increase their in-house collections or to prevent future issues,” said Aaron. “I often use this quote: ‘Do what you do best and pay for the rest.’ It is as simple as being able to communicate with the consumer at a specific date and time. If you are not able to communicate with them at that specific time, you may not get a second chance. Collecting past due receivables is all we do… and if we don’t collect, we don’t eat.”

Aaron advises clients to gather as much information as you can on your customers before the transaction is complete, and to also keep in mind that not all customers are going to pay on time, or pay at all. At some point, you may need to use a law firm or collection agency to pursue payment on past-due accounts – AR Solutions has both under one roof. By outsourcing this job to a third party that you trust to uphold your reputation as an extension of your business, it takes the emotions out of it and you don’t have to be the bad guy. AR Solutions works with all types of companies that have accounts receivable issues. They also have a specialized Healthcare division that is HIPAA compliant and understands the ebbs and flow of

medical billing and insurance processing. They will partner with you and your staff to:

• Accelerate cash flow

• Transform accounts receivable

• Backlog into cash

• Sliding scale pricing based on

• Accounts receivable aging

• Lower operational expenses

• Increase efficiencies

• Reduce write-offs

• Maintain positive consumer relations

• Extend billing office capabilities

AR Solutions’ collection process is just as important as how they collect. Their specialists approach their work as skillful sales people and are trained and certified to remain professional, ethical, confident and firm – even in the most difficult situations – to get payment in full on the initial contact. Their company policy dictates that everyone is treated with respect and dignity while also approaching collections in a firm and persuasive manner. AR Solutions has recently implemented an AI (artificial intelligence) platform to increase collections, compliance and ease of communications with consumers.

Run Your Business

Run Payments is a payments consulting company that is building the next generation commerce hub. It’s not an off the shelf technology and pricing for businesses to fit into, but truly a customizable approach and experience to handle any business’s needs.

Run Payments creates custom payment workflows that work for you and your customers. They develop customized payments architecture for their clients that spans in-store, in-app, e-commerce and anywhere else your potential customers might be. You’ll have everything you need to get up and running and always stay one step ahead, because it pays to be flexible.

Don’t Forget About us!

Last but not least, Strictly Business is an awesome marketing tool offering services in the Lincoln and Omaha areas, and we would love to partner with you to promote your brand and help your business grow. Not only do we offer advertising in print, digitally and on social media, but we also have the IN THE ISSUE monthly email blast that is designed to break down each issue of Strictly Business in a clean, concise and easy-to-digest digital format. Our goal is to get in front of even more people in this ever-growing digital age and to further promote all of the local businesses that we love and partner with. Contact us today to learn more! ready to grow your business? Contact these Omaha professionals to learn how they can help you expand your brand throughout the community and beyond.

Aaron newell AR solutions

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to advance independence, integration and inclusion throughout life. ACL recently honored Older Americans Month in May. The theme encouraged older adults and their families to explore the many ways seniors can continue to be an active part of their communities. Below is a short summary of the history of Older Americans Month, taken from the ACL website:

“When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as ‘Senior Citizens Month,’ the prelude to ‘Older Americans Month.’

Older Americans Month may be over, but we want to keep the momentum rolling by sharing more about senior health. We spoke to several reputable senior living services throughout the Omaha area, and industry experts have provided lots of wonderful advice, thoughts and recommendations on how older adults can best manage their health as they age.

Stay Prepared

Our health becomes more and more unpredictable with age, and many problems arise in the blink of an eye. Alzheimer’s and other dementias progress differently in each individual diagnosed. For some, the decline may be very rapid and sudden. In the event your loved one with dementia unexpectedly needs additional care, Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Special Care Center is a wonderful option, providing exceptional person-centered holistic care to residents with cognitive impairment. Their 24/7 on-site nursing goes far beyond the minimal regulations of eight hours a day, and it eliminates any stress and anxiety a family may have when placing their loved one in memory care. Prairie Meadows is a homelike and freestanding memory care facility that specializes in memory care, secured courtyards and restaurant style dining.

“Prairie Meadows partners with The Alzheimer’s Association by offering support groups for families with those in need of memory care,” said Marketing Director Don Woods. “The journey of memory care can be challenging. We are available to meet with families and share resources that will benefit families as they are on this journey alongside their loved one.”

Finding specialized care for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia-related illness is an incredibly intricate and personal process.

Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Special Care Center offers freestanding memory care and assisted living services with a team speciallytrained in memory care. Prairie Meadows also utilizes the SPARK program.

SPARK was inspired by the teachings and research of Maria Montessori and Dr. Cameron Camp and provides meaningful and life-enhancing experiences for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

“The program engages their residents with proven rehabilitative strategies that strive to heighten interaction, optimize cognitive skills as well as promote a sense of purpose and accomplishment,” Don said. “SPARK uses tailor-fit assessment tools to evaluate each resident’s capabilities and strengths, so the program can best meet their specific needs.”

Specialized care like the kind provided at Prairie Meadows is crucial for anyone experiencing memory loss or a memory disease. Living comfortably while staying active and social can keep you or your loved one in good spirits during a difficult transition. Prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s Care Center is ready to welcome you or your loved one into their connected community.

“Services we provide include everything from convenient access to skilled nursing to activities of daily living—whatever is necessary to

Don Woods prairie Meadows Alzheimer’s special care center

maintain a safe and secure living environment,” said Don. “We give our residents restaurant-quality dining with multiple options for every meal, three times a day. We also offer hospitality services, such as regular housekeeping, scheduled transportation for social events, exciting social program and more.”

Prairie Meadows doesn’t forget about the mind, body and soul, either, they provide occupational, physical and speech therapy, group exercise classes, community outings, support groups, religious services and interactive learning. They have created an environment for memory care residents that encourages autonomy and self-expression, provides a structure which supports memory retention and ensures each resident’s healthcare and long-term care needs are met.

Prairie Meadows also partners with home health services, hospice services and anything they need to provide the necessary elements that will allow families to rest assured that their loved one is safe and cared for.

Get Back on Your Feet

According to the CDC, adults 65 years of age and older who are generally fit and do not have limiting health conditions should get 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week and work on musclestrengthening at least twice a week to prevent many of the health problems that seem to come with age. This also grows one’s muscles to allow them to continue to perform their day-to-day activities without becoming dependent on others.

Injuries come when you least expect them, and as you age, the healing process often becomes longer, leading to difficulties in living your dayto-day life. To get yourself or your loved one back into their pre-injury health and strength, visit See The Trainer

See The Trainer has a variety of sports medicine products that can help seniors who want to live an active lifestyle protect themselves from aggravating a past injury or a weak part of the body. They also offer exercise products, such as exercise balls, shoulder pulleys, foam rollers and more, so you can stay fit right from your home.

In the event that you or your loved one finds themselves going into surgery, See The Trainer can help you through the rehabilitation process.

“We have a variety of helpful products that can assist someone going through rehabilitation after a major surgery or injury including canes, sock aids, bathroom accessories and more so that they can safely get back to their normal routine as soon as possible,” shared Owner Kristie egan. “We understand that it would be challenging to have to adjust your daily routine for weeks or months due to something unexpected. Our products can help you through your recovery to ensure everything heals properly and you can get back to your pre-injury routine.”

Visit See The Trainer today to see how they can help you or your loved one continue to stay active and live comfortably at home.

Helping You Improve

Brookestone Meadows offers short-term rehab and long-term skilled care. Designed specifically for resident-centered care, the short-term rehabilitation facility provides an extensive range of rehabilitative services and 24-hour skilled nursing care. The goal is to return home or to a residential care environment. For long-term skilled care, there are options for medical care, nursing and rehabilitation care and personal care. The Vetter Senior Living facility has five households for longterm care and three for rehabilitation.

“We provide short-term rehabilitation to seniors following a hospitalization after an accident, illness or injury. Seniors at our facility receive skilled nursing care and therapy to increase

their strength and independence. Planning for the transition back to the community starts at admission,” said Molly Skidmore from the Brookestone Meadows social work department. “If there is an increased need for care in their home environment, we assist in making those community resource connections. Brookestone Home Health Care also assists with this transition to the community by providing therapy and nursing in the home setting. We also provide long-term care for those who are unable to return to their prior living arrangements who need 24-hour skilled nursing care.”

Registered physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists are available to assist residents in achieving maximum independence and improved quality of life. Residents at Brookestone Meadows will benefit from state-of-the-art modality equipment and treatments administered by highly skilled therapists. Occupational therapy strives to help residents gain their maximum independence in functional daily living skills, which in turn helps improve self-esteem. Brookestone’s physical therapists are equipped to help residents maximize function by building their strength, coordination and mobility. Speech pathologists focus on maximizing communication and swallowing skills through individualized programs to treat language, speech and swallowing disorders.

For those who may be experiencing an unexpected situation with their family members or themselves, Molly shared one last piece of advice. “Don’t give up! Although the life changes or difficult challenges at hand seem new or overwhelming, seniors have often faced many difficult situations throughout their lives and have been successful in navigating them,” Molly said. “They’ve often helped their friends and families through challenges too. Seniors are resilient! Although independence is highly valued, but don’t be afraid to accept the help of others. I hear from many seniors that they don’t want to burden their family members by asking for help. For family members and caregivers alike, it’s an honor to help the seniors of our community.”

Everyone should be prioritizing their health, especially so as one ages. We recommend utilizing the amazing services and products offered by these outstanding senior living businesses!

Kristie egan see the trainer

Molly skidmore Brookestone Meadows

If you’re ready to be in a new office space, don’t rush to create blueprints for a new build just yet. While there are many benefits to starting from scratch, there are just as many reasons to choose to remodel your current office or another existing building instead. Remodeling is a great choice for commercial buildings that have a good foundation but are just in need of a bit of TLC. Remodeling could be done to update the look of the building, implement more efficient methods in regards to the plumbing, electrical or HVAC, better utilize the space or all of the above. In addition, remodeling is typically the quicker and less expensive option when compared to building a completely new space.

Thinking about remodeling your current workspace? Or perhaps you’re a new business owner looking to settle down in a commercial building and are interested in learning more about what all a commercial remodel entails. Regardless of where you are at in your business journey, it’s always good to know your options in the local area for when you decide to do a little bit of a renovating. We went straight to the professionals to hear what they suggest for any soon-to-be owners of remodeled spaces and how their business can help you reach your goals for your workspace.

With the population in Omaha and surrounding areas continuing to grow at an increasing rate, the commercial landscape of Omaha is steadily changing and expanding as well. Omaha consistently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Because of this, new professionals are easily attracted to the area. All of this means good things for the construction industry, including a wealth of opportunities for exciting new projects and development.

PEOPLE THAT MAKE A

The construction industry plays an important role in the economy. When the economy begins to slow down, the construction industry often feels the effects first – but when there is a strong demand for new construction, it’s an indicator the economy is on the right path. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, such as skyrocketing prices on building materials, major supply chain issues and labor shortages, the construction industry persevered. According to the US Census, it is estimated that total put-in-place for 2022 was around $1.79 trillion, an increase of 10.2% from the previous year (construction put-in-place is the estimated total dollar value of construction work done in the United States).

Research indicates that the most pervasive trends in commercial construction in 2023 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.

Are you ready to start from scratch with a new office building? Maybe you aren’t prepared to build a new office, but are interested in renovating an existing building. Regardless of the route you want to take, Omaha has many knowledgeable and experienced contractors that can help you create the most efficient and effective workplace.

experts that Care

At Kingery Construction , they provide full-service construction solutions, from pre-construction through project completion. Their mission is to deliver an exceptional level of professionalism, integrity and honesty, while also providing cost-effective solutions in a timely manner. With their team’s exceptional management skills and strong work ethic, they guarantee the highest-quality workmanship on every project. Kingery highly values their relationships and are committed to maintaining the trust and respect of employees, project owners, vendors and partners.

“Over the years, we have successfully completed projects through a variety of processes, including Design Build, Design Bid Build, Construction Management and as General Contractor,” said director of Construction Operations Jen Cowher .

“Our experience, combined with our dedication to excellence, enables us to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations on every project.”

Kingery prides themselves on staying upto-date on improvements and new trends in the construction industry.

“Virtual construction remains in high demand as more owners recognize the benefits of BIM (Building Information Modeling), not only for reducing errors during construction, but also for maintenance after construction is completed,” Jen explained. “This technology provides a 3D digital representation of the building that includes all its components and systems, allowing for more accurate planning and visualization.”

In addition to BIM, there are now programs like Matterport that are designed to document the construction process through photos and videos. This technology provides a virtual tour of the building during each stage of construction, allowing stakeholders to monitor progress and identify potential issues before they become major problems.

Jen cowher

Kingery construction

“To facilitate the transfer of information, programs like Procore are adding features such as workflows that make it easier to track and share data. Workflows help ensure that all stakeholders are informed and that tasks are completed in the proper order, reducing the risk of errors and delays,” continued Jen. “Overall, the continued development of virtual construction technology is helping to make construction projects more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable. As these technologies continue to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions that will transform the way we build and maintain our infrastructure.”

Kingery Construction takes pride in the variety of projects we have completed and are currently working on. One of our current projects is the final phase of construction at the Lincoln Regional Center, where we are improving patient safety. We are also excited to be renovating Lefler Middle School to provide students with improved classroom and lunchroom facilities. The Omaha Kingery team is currently working on several projects including Ralston High School, Mockingbird Community Center and D.B. Property/ Voss Electric.

In recent years, the drive for environmentally friendly products and projects has increased. Many consumers are beginning to prioritize companies that use these eco-friendly processes, even at a slightly larger cost.

“Sustainable, eco-friendly building materials are still in high demand, and at Kingery Construction, we recognize the importance of utilizing such materials whenever possible,” Jen explained. “In projects where owners desire to prioritize sustainability, we have found that many green materials are only minimally more expensive than traditional building materials.”

As construction costs, material supply and workforce challenges continue to be concerns in the industry, Kingery has the expertise and ability to assess each project and find cost-effective alternatives without compromising quality or sustainability. Their commitment to providing excellent service and innovative solutions allows them to deliver projects that meet both their clients’ and their own high standards of quality and sustainability.

“Kingery Construction is thrilled to announce our expansion into the Omaha market through the acquisition of Construct Inc,” shared Jen. “This move aligns with our strategic goal of delivering exceptional commercial construction services to the communities of Nebraska. By integrating the expertise and knowledge of Construct Inc.’s employees in Omaha, we are confident that Kingery Construction will maintain our position as a premier provider of construction services for many years to come.”

Kingery Construction is dedicated to providing high-quality construction services to communities throughout Nebraska, and they look forward to continuing to contribute to the growth and development of the state through their work.

Recycled and Reclaimed

Remodeling is made more fun if you have fun things to shop for! If you are looking for unique, aesthetically pleasing building improvement products, Out of the Box is the place to go.

Founded in 2011 by Jody Strauch and Steen Lundberg, Out of the Box offers the finest designer names in gently used recycled and reclaimed improvement products at affordable prices. Every piece in the 20,000-square-foot showroom has been personally selected for its exceptional quality.

Jody and Steen believe beautiful pieces deserve to be treated to the utmost in care: cleaned, tested and displayed properly in a vignette setting in a well-lit showroom floor. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to find that fabulous one-of-akind piece and clearly imagine how it would look in your office?

They feature the best in custom doors, lighting, furniture, entire kitchens and baths, all originally curated by top interior designers. Since these items are reclaimed or recycled, they are able to offer them at highly reduced prices!

Out of the Box is an environmentally green company and they strongly believe this is the way of the future – reusing remarkable products for a major renovation or simply selecting that special character piece for your home or office.

Remodel to Attract and Retain Talent

AOI offers solutions for the built environment through their construction, furniture, and premanufactured construction groups. They’ve recently been seeing a lot of traction with their pre-manufactured interior construction group because it is perfectly suited to address the major issues that continue to face the industry – labor shortages, intermittent supply chain issues and unpredictable project costs. This group works with a system called DIRTT (Do It Right This Time) that offers a completely customized solution that delivers speed of construction with cost and schedule assuredness. We sat down with Vice President of Business Development Patrick Jensen to learn more about what AOI has been seeing as of late.

“Post COVID, businesses are working hard to bring people back to the office and give them the kind of workspace they desire. Couple that with the hot competition for talent and attracting and retaining talent is still paramount for the companies we work with,” shared Patrick. “The changes in the workplaces are meant to encourage people to be back in the office with spaces that build company culture and brand while providing health, wellness, collaboration, and productivity. The pandemic changed the way people want to work and their expectations of what a workspace should deliver. If companies don’t adapt and adjust, they will most certainly lose out to the ones who are demonstrating that they value their employees.”

patrick Jensen Aoi corporation

Patrick cautioned that building owners must be flexible with their expectations, budgets and design choices when remodeling their structure. Intermittent supply chain issues are still a factor as is the increased cost of labor and materials. The changing availability of materials coupled with the tight labor market means costs can be unpredictable, which extends project durations and increases budgets. AOI mitigates these challenges by having alternative options ready to go for clients, who must also be able to make decisions quickly to eliminate any potential impact to their budget and schedule.

“AOI is unique because of what we offer with regard to interior renovation. We are the only general contractor that has a construction group along with a full-service furniture dealership –MillerKnoll – and pre-manufactured construction group – DIRTT,” Patrick explained. “This gives us the ability to be neutral with regard to solutions that fit clients’ needs. We don’t know whether the solution to their issues will be something a construction solution solves, or if a furniture solution may solve it, or if their issue is better served with a pre-manufactured approach – or maybe it is the combination of all three. That’s why our products and services are available individually or combined as part of a holistic approach developed in close collaboration with our clients and their design teams. We are trying to truly meet their needs, rather than offer solutions that pigeonhole them into ours.”

AOI is able to provide cost assurance, speed, and schedule reliability with their pre-manufactured construction group as distribution partner of DIRTT Environmental Solutions.

“The recent supply chain challenges in construction provided great opportunities for DIRTT Environmental Solutions to shine the light on several critical value propositions available to our clients including speed to market, fit and finish, and future adaptability,” explained Patrick. “The standard lead times for DIRTT products are astonishingly short. Walls with power are 14 days manufacturing

from order entry. Casework manufacturing is 21 days from order entry, while Timber Framing is just 28 manufacturing days from order entry. The final interiors of a DIRTT project provide significantly higher quality in fit and finish in a fraction of the time it would take to do conventionally. More of your construction budget stays in your project on a DIRTT job.”

If you’re a first-time remodeler, Patrick recommends partnering with a design team and general contractor you can trust. They are going to be your advocates for purchasing construction services and providing you with the best solutions to achieve your goals, while driving your project to fruition. For the time that they are engaged with you on your project, they should act – and be treated – as an extension of your business.

Start with a Foundation

If you are looking into renovating a new space for your business, consider starting from the ground up – literally. RSW Floors & More is your local resource for all things flooring.

RSW Floors & More usually come into a building before all of the furniture, decorations and people move in, and they coat the concrete flooring with epoxy and flakes and can create decorative patterns if you choose. Commercially, they work with schools, locker rooms, bar backs, kitchen areas, industrial warehouses, restaurants, vet offices and more. Their floors are tough, long-lasting and built for heavy-duty use. They also come with a five-year warranty on commercial flooring.

The installation takes about 48 hours, but RSW Floors & More suggest that business owners prep the space before hand to ensure that the process goes smoothly, and that no one has to move furniture or other things back and forth during the installation.

The renovation process might be lengthy and it might be tempting to take some things on by yourself, but it is important to be patient

and let professionals do things the right way. Leave flooring to the professionals as you take on a lot of risk by doing it yourself without proper knowledge. If you want your floors to last in the long run, talk to a professional about what they can do for you. Remember, you get what you pay for!

Need more than flooring? RSW would love to help you with the following residential projects. Reach out to them about projects that you may not see listed as well, they may be able to help!

• Cabinets – custom builds and installs

• Cabinet Organizing

• Garage Cleaning

• Garage Organizing

• And MORE!

RSW Floors & More is committed to making sure you have the best possible experience with their services. They are all about details and will make sure your project is done exactly how you want it. They will come do a courtesy check on the new flooring about a week to ten days after the job is complete. You can be sure you are getting the best possible work done on your flooring because there will be a manufacturer representative available to give a second opinion on any job that requests it. Owner and Operator Raimond Wojtalewicz schedules the job and comes to do it himself, so you know that no details will be forgotten.

Plan for Future Growth

Farris engineering is an employee-owned building design firm that specializes in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and commissioning services. Their roots date back to 1967, and they’ve completed over 34,000 projects and 44 states.

Farris Engineering provides a broad swath of commercial building design and construction abilities. Everything from mechanical, plumbing, electrical and data-comm design is part of every job. Farris Engineering ensures that all options and decisions are in step with what the client would like to see and needs for a successful project. Whatever you need for building design, Farris can help you get there!

“We can provide technology infrastructures that are highly flexible and capable of future growth,” shared Electrical Engineer Derek Brooks, PE, LC. “Our engineers are committed to staying up-to-date on current technology trends and will provide costeffective designs to meet your requirements today with an eye on the future. Knowing your goals, we’ll work with you to determine the best approach needed and help you stay within your budget.”

The technology staff at Farris includes Registered Communications Distribution Designers (RCDD) and electrical engineers with low-voltage expertise. They provide data center design, telecommunications infrastructure, audio and visual system design and security system design.

The foundation for useful design solutions can be found in Farris’ planning services. From comparing total life cycle costs to lowest up-front or energy usage, to determining the right scope for projects, their experienced team brings a wealth of insight and experience. Their 3D models and photometric renderings help clients make better decisions. This technology provides Farris with increased coordination abilities and allows their clients, in addition to the design team, to see how the building functions and flows to meet goals and characteristics that are unique to each building project.

“I feel that Farris Engineering has the ability and experience to work in any type of building construction condition and usage. As I age

in this industry, I feel that sustainability and energy conservation must be part of the grand picture for a project to be successful,” said Derek. “I also believe that communication between the owner, client, designers and tradesman must be optimal to achieve a solid and functional building.”

Your Construction Partner for Life

As an employee-owned firm that has been in business for over 60 years, you can be assured that Cheever Construction will deliver on their promises. They’ve completed numerous renovations, historical renovations and new construction projects since their start. For each project, decisions on many different aspects will affect the ultimate outcome.

“While there are many different delivery methods, the three that are most often used are design-bid-build, construction management and design build,” explained President Justin Kurtzer . “To start, in design-bid-build delivery, a business owner hires an architect to design the remodel in full. They create both a plan and specifications to fulfill the owner’s program requirements. The project goes out for competitive bid to a select group of general contractors, or as ‘open-to-all.’” Some of the advantages of design-bid-build include its single point of responsibility for construction, compliance with public bidding policies, construction documents that clearly define the scope of work and a project cost that is established through the bidding process. As for the construction management approach, it begins with a business owner hiring a construction manager early in the planning process to provide pre-construction services; working with the architect and/or engineer (under separate contracts with the owner) to establish the project program, constructability and schedule and establish benchmark budgets in a team environment.

Derek Brooks Farris engineering

Justin Kurtzer cheever construction

“With a design-build approach, a business hires, under a single contract, the construction manager and design professional, which combine services to provide a single point of accountability for the entire project,” explained Justin. “The entity is responsible for delivering both the design documents and completing construction according to the owner’s requirements. Some advantages of this approach are that the contractor has input during design, the price is guaranteed, there is a single point of responsibility for construction and design and construction can overlap to accelerate project delivery.

“Whichever method you choose, Cheever Construction approaches each project with consistent objectives for success. We utilize an effect schedule coupled with the quality and skill from our subcontractors and combined with our field craftsmen. Cheever takes pride in all of the relationships that we have entered into. We strive to make each project the precursor to the next project, while building a lasting relationship with everyone involved,” Justin concluded.

Save energy

Control Depot partners with the leading suppliers of building technologies in order to provide their customers the best products available. As a Honeywell Authorized Systems Distributor, Control Depot offers a full-line of Honeywell commercial and residential products to fulfill any HVAC control or security needs. From a simple residential thermostat to a complex web-based building automation system, they support and stock the Honeywell parts you need.

From their start in 2006, Control Depot has now progressed to being one of the leading Honeywell distributors in the nation. Honeywell is well-known throughout its 128-year history as a leader in temperature controls. As a twostep distribution channel, Control Depot is proud to offer the products and innovations that have made Honeywell a trusted partner in the industry.

“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,” Vice President Jeff Killeen said. “We are helping companies become more sustainable and improve their bottom lines.”

As a Honeywell-Authorized Systems Distributor, Control Depot offers a full-line of Honeywell commercial and residential products to fulfill any HVAC controls or security needs. From a simple thermostat to a complex web-based building automation system, you can find it at Control Depot. In addition to wholesale counterline, Control Depot provides contractor programs, consulting services, parts coverage, control panel fabrication, training and gas detection calibration.

“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,” Jeff added. “Thanks to our partnership with Contemporary Controls, Control Depot offers additional technological solutions, which focus on providing reliable networking and communication for control systems.”

Control Depot also provides combustion controls, electrical products, tools and equipment, metering, lighting controls, field devices and gas detections.

“If you’re looking to have an energy-saving building with low operational costs after your remodel is completed, our building automation systems can help you,” explained Jeff. “Our building

Jeff Killeen control Depot

automation platforms connect your HVAC equipment for air handling units, variable volume boxes, heat pumps, fan coil units, boilers and chillers and more. Additionally, our building automation controls will integrate lighting systems, flow and KW metering equipment along with security and life safety systems, enabling them to talk to each other in a single language, on a single platform. This gives you information to make better decisions, save money and improve the way your building functions.”

Businesses aren’t only considering indoor optimization to improve efficiency and comfort, many are also looking to their outdoor space for remodeling projects. Corporations such as Google and Microsoft have elected for outdoor spaces that allow their employees to work outside of the office or enjoy a leisurely view. From Facebook in the Silicon Valley to Shutterstock in New York City, spacious rooftop work spaces have become a popular choice even when outdoor space isn’t readily available. Businesses incorporating a pleasing outdoor space into their plans can create a welcoming environment for customers and attract young professionals to see them as a desirable employer.

Lets Talk Concrete

Pitzl Contracting was established in 2021 by brothers Joe and Eric Pitzl. They brought over 20 years of experience with them, and now have grown to a staff of 13 employees.

Pitzl current services range from concrete removal, concrete repair, driveways, patios, garage floors, pool decks, sidewalks and pathways, concrete slabs and flat work, parking lots, stamped and stained concrete and steps for commercial and residential services. During the winter months they offer snow removal services for properties around the Omaha area.

The Pitzl Contracting logo represents a picture of the founders’ father, Steve Pitzl, who passed away in 2021. Pitzl takes great pride in the services and the quality of the services they offer their customers.

Stay Fresh

The Grout Medic is the nation’s leading provider of maintaining existing tile installations. They steam clean showers, tile and grout and replace caulk in counters and showers. The Grout Medic can replace broken tiles, repair water damaged shower walls and change grout colors by color sealing. Their goal is to service and maintain your showers, floors, back splashes and fireplaces, or anywhere you have tile, grout or caulking, giving them years of life.

The Grout Medic has established itself as one of the premier tile and grout cleaning and repair companies in the nation. With over 30 years of experience, you can count on them to deliver nothing less than unrivaled, spectacular results.

They are a national company with established cleaning techniques, and they handle both residential and commercial tile cleaning, tile repair, tile replacement, regrouting, recaulking and tile grout color staining. If it involves tile and grout, you can count on them to restore it back to its former beauty.

The Grout Medic offers proprietary GREEN grout cleaning technology, which is safe for your family and environmentally friendly. As an experienced grout cleaning company, they can offer grout cleaning for any size project – whether it’s one area in your home or an entire wing of a commercial building. Their professional grout cleaners will get the job done to your complete satisfaction. They guarantee it.

Here’s what you

• Fully insured

can

expect with The Grout Medic:

• Written estimates

• Fully trained technicians

• Local service with national support

• Advanced technology for superior results

The Grout Medic’s professional technicians are trained to provide the most advanced restoration services available coupled with a superior level of in-home customer service. As a national brand with the industry’s only dedicated training program, you can be assured that when you see The Grout Medic uniform you are receiving service from a highly qualified grout and tile expert. Customers across the country have come to regard The Grout Medic as simply the most professional and most advanced aftercare resource for grout and tile.

Omaha’s newest Tile Maven

From kitchen backsplashes to entryway flooring to the shower walls, tile and stone are some of the most important details you’ll pick out when building. Choose wisely when selecting the tile and stone to put into your business – it can really make a difference on the outcome of the remodel! In this case, we recommend the professionals at Maven Tile & Stone . They are a tile design studio that specializes in showcasing unique tiles and stones, as well as other commodity products. New to the Omaha market, they’re excited to officially be open serving the Omaha community. They will offer both specialty and commodity products, and clients who purchase through Maven are offered Owner Lizett n issenson’s tile design services at no charge. The store will be open to both the general public and the trades. To make the building process even more convenient, job site delivery is also available at an additional charge.

“We strive to help you pick the product that is best for your individual needs and goals,” shared Lizett. “We are here to make

your process easier, which includes answering the technical questions and doing walk-throughs on projects during non-business hours. Plus, clients that purchase through us are offered my tile design services at no charge.”

The hands-on tile design studio has samples available in their showroom and design center for builders who come in with a set of plans or property owners who want to get ideas and advice for their remodel. Some of the commercial projects Maven has been on before includes restaurants, yoga studios, med spas and hotels.

Lizett’s history in the world of tile design dates back to the age of 20 when she became a sales associate at a tile store in Long Beach, CA, where she was born in raised. It was a total fluke, but Lizett ended up never leaving the industry. She went on to open up her own shop in Manhattan Beach at the age of 36, working by appointment only for high-end clients. Then, about three years ago, Lizett and her husband Hugo decided to leave Califor nia and find a good home where they could raise their daughter. The guidance from a few friends lead them to Lincoln, and now Lizett shares her expertise with our local community.

The hands-on tile design studio has samples available in their showroom and design center for homeowners who want to get ideas and advice for their new home.

Contact Lizett at (531) 249-5917 / mavendesign2016@gmail.com or visit maventileandstone.com / Instagram (@maventileandstone) to check out Maven’s beautiful tile and stone collection. The studio is located at 7011 Kentwell Ln., STE 300 in Lincoln.

ready to start taking out those walls and ripping up that flooring? We suggest first putting on some safety glasses and reaching out to these local remodeling businesses. Your priorities are their priorities, and you’ll find yourself in your ideal workspace after partnering with these contractors.

in Building Control Technology

lizett nissenson Maven tile & stone

MAKE CONNECTIONS. BUILD REPUTATION. GROW PROFESSIONALLY.

Check out these upcoming Human Resources & Professional Development opportunities. Put yourself in the middle of Greater Omaha’s business community.

HIRE CONFERENCE

AUG. 4TH

EXPLORE NEW APPROACHES. ENHANCE YOUR SKILLS. Connect and share ideas with fellow talent acquisition and HR professionals at the HIRE Conference. Register at OmahaChamber.org/hire-conference

SEPT. 25-29TH

NETWORKING. PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS. INSPIRATION. DISCOVERY.

A week-long celebration of events focused on building a stronger and more collaborative startup ecosystem within the Greater Omaha area. Find out more at OmahaChamber.org/startups

veteran-owned businesses

Although the calendar only marks two days out of the year to honor military Veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, it is important to be thankful for the sacrifice of Veterans in our community all year long.

Veterans are some of the bravest and hardest-working members of our community, and it is important to give back to the men and women that fought for our freedom. After serving in the military, many go on to new professions or business ventures and we want to highlight the businesses in our community that are owned by Veterans.

Supporting these businesses shows your support for our troops and the sacrifices they have made for our country. Coming back from deployment is often not an easy task, so having a supportive community around them makes the transition a lot easier.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental disorder that occurs after a person experiences a stressful sevent, affects about 15 million people each year. 21+ Veterans commit suicide daily, so it is important to keep strong relationships with their local Veterans Service Office and Veterans Associations. Over 1.7 million Veterans received mental health services at VA last year. Their services range from peer support with other Veterans to counseling, therapy, medication or a combination of these options. Their goal is to help you take charge of your treatment and live a full and meaningful life. Military OneSource is another free service that provides expert support to connect military personnel and their families with the best available resources to fit their needs.

All of us at Strictly Business are honored to get the chance to highlight these businesses and the Veterans that run them every day. Your bravery, strength and dedication to our country does not go unnoticed. Thank you for your service!

If you would like to be featured in next year’s Veteran Owned Business feature, please reach out to Cemre at cemre@strictlybusinessomaha. com or call our office at (402) 466-3330.

b

rian r oeder

us n avy (1997-2003)

Roeder Mortuary has been family owned since 1912. We have three locations in the Greater Metropolitan Area to help serve our ever-growing community.

Theodore J. Roeder founded the business and was followed by his two sons, Norman Roeder and Ronald Roeder. Jon Roeder continued the tradition as the third-generation. With Brian Roeder taking over the business, as the fourth-generation, Roeder Mortuary remains local family-owned and is now Veteran-owned.

At Roeder Mortuary, “Our Family Helping Yours,” is more than just a slogan. It’s how we do business.

We believe that our primary purpose is providing careful and caring service to our community, the people who are our friends and neighbors.

We also believe that independence, fairness, professionalism and integrity are necessary in building a relationship of trust with our families. We are very proud of our Roeder family of service to our community and plan on continuing that service for many years to come. Roeder Mortuary offers a full-range of personalized burial, cremation and Veteran services. We also offer no-cost prearrangements with several pre-funding options to fit a variety of budgets. To schedule an appointment at any of our locations, please call (402) 496-9000.

John s ievers us a ir Force (1988-2014)

When John Sievers retired after 26 years of service, he knew he wanted to be in business for himself and still be able to give back to the military, its families and to the community. His thoughts kept drifting back to the Green Beans Coffee shipping container cafés, where he enjoyed his daily cup of coffee and “15 minutes of home away from home” while deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq. He contacted the brothers who started it all, and in October of 2014, John opened his first Green Beans Coffee café in Omaha.

Under John’s leadership, Green Beans Coffee has become a pillar of the Omaha community. As the first family/Veteran owner of a Green Beans Coffee café, John was able to give back to the military and to the local community, which he so dearly loved. His leadership at the café inspired strong work ethic, friendship, a family environment and creativity; this included hanging meaningful artwork, commissioning a War Memorial Battlefield Cross statue and creating a commemorative wall for fallen heroes. This dedication resulted in a huge family of loyal employees, customers and peers who loved and respected him. John’s personal success eventually led to his expansion of the business into a second café location in Bellevue.

While we still carry the burden of his loss in 2022, Green Beans Coffee will carry on to serve the community in the way John intended. His love for his country, his family and coffee will continue on. To support the Green Beans Coffee Company mission, you can visit greenbeanscoffeeomaha.com or stop by one of our locations in Millard or Bellevue.

John berry Jr. us army

John Berry, Jr. is a trial attorney at Berry Law Firm since 2003. For the past twenty years, John has been a powerhouse when it comes to his clients. As a Veteran himself, he has skilled knowledge of the Veteran Affairs system and commits himself to finding justice for thousands of Veterans.

John served in the US Army for over 20 years, retiring as a Battalion Commander and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the 209th Regimental Training Institute for his service. He has spent his whole life committing himself to the betterment of the community around him and continues to do today. His passion extends to his family as well, his wife and four children continually encourage him to be the best family man he can be.

Berry Law’s success stems from the foundation John has laid. His most recent accomplishment was being recognized by “Best Lawyers in America Criminal Defense” in 2023. He has successfully led teams in Bosnia and Iraq and continues to lead successfully both in the courtroom and in the firm. Berry Law represents veterans with VA appeals nationwide and maintains a regional trial practice that includes criminal defense, personal injury, civil litigation, and military law. John makes sure their high standards are met with each case.

With over 250 years of combined legal experience and 300 years of combined military service, the team at Berry Law is well-equipped to handle the most serious legal needs. The firm has expanded to offer Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, and Veterans Law. To learn more, go online to jsberrylaw.com.

John stevens berry sr. us army

John Stevens Berry Sr. has written several books over the years, including fiction, nonfiction, biography and poetry. His writing is heavily influenced by his esteemed military service, and he takes his readers on a journey into his brilliant mind with each page.

His first published work was Darkness of Snow in 1973, a beautiful collection of poetry. With his next publication, a prose memoir, he explores his experiences of the ambiguities of law within the walls of the military. Those Gallant Men: One Trial in Vietnam, was published in 1984. In 2014, John Sr. co-wrote The Twelfth Victim: The Innocence of Caril Fugate in the Starkweather Murder Rampage. This book covers the life and crime of Charles Starkweather and his girlfriend, Caril Fugate. This shocking story went on to become a documentary series on Showtime released in early 2023.

In May, John Sr. released his latest book, Foot Soldier. This piece is a memoir, a collection of free verse poetry written after his diagnosis of PTSD. It offers insights into war, small-town America and a life fully lived. Fellow author Marcia Southwick says about Berry, “I used to think J.S. Berry was a famous attorney who had once studied poetry with Yvor Winters at Stanford. Now I realize, after reading these poems, that he’s really a famous poet who has been disguising himself as an attorney for the past 57 years.”

Currently, John Sr. is living in Lincoln with his artist wife, Margaret Berry. He passes his leisure time with his grandchildren and farming interests. If you would like to get a copy of John Sr.’s latest work, you can find it for sale on amazon.com by searching for Foot Soldier.