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River City Six
On-the-Job Training Reimbursement Program
Employers willing to provide on-the-job training to laid off workers may be eligible for a 50–75% wage reimbursement up to $10,000 through the Nebraska Department of Labor. Benefits to Employers. On-the-job training helps employers recruit more efficiently, hire better-prepared employees and reduce their training costs. On-the-job training helps jobseekers quickly reenter the workforce while increasing their skills and earning a wage.
Contact us today to learn more:
email: NDOL.EconomicTransition@nebraska.gov our job centers: dol.nebraska.gov/ContactUs
Equal Opportunity Employer/TDD: 800.833.7352 Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
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TIM
Tim Silknitter
GITT CONSTRUCTION
Meet Tim Silknitter, owner of Gitt Construction. Tell us a little about your business. - We are a design-build remodel and residential general contractor improving homes and clients' lives by increasing home value and comfort through design, quality, value, integrity, and innovation. We were founded in 2004 by Mike Gitt. How did you get started in the business? - I was blessed to grow up in a family with rental property, so I was swinging my first hammer at age eight and have never stopped. I have an architectural degree from UNL and worked with a few local architectural firms. I spent 25 years as a manager or director in the commercial opening industry for distributors and manufacturers. I purchased Gitt Construction in October of 2020 from Mike Gitt. I guess my background allowed me to take off where Mike handed it over to me. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Growing a business in these uncertain times, and increased material prices.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
- Receiving recognition as a program developer and trainer for a corporate commercial company. It taught me that employees are driven by the support of their manager and company. Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married to my wife Anne for over 20 years. As we like to say, "We have had five amazing years, a minute here, an hour there." If you are married, you can appreciate the humor in that statement. I would not be who I am today with our her loving support. Our daughter Kate is a sophomore at Cottey College, and our son Colton is a freshman at Iowa State. I'm so proud of them! We also have two fur mutts, George and Walter. What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - Deciding to own a business. It is rewarding and challenging. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Riding our motorcycles while we build friendships and find unique places along the way.
What is the most interesting thing about you that most people
probably don’t know? - I absolutely love the Beastie Boys and Run DMC! Who inspires you? - My late father, Duane. He always made today better than yesterday and never gave up. He could accomplish anything once he set his mind to it.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever
received? - “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” – Ricky Bobby.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered
as, what would it be? - Relentless. If you had a theme song, what would it be? - "Born to be Wild" by Steppenwolf.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work
life? - Smoking meats! Which talent would you most like to have? - Glass blowing. I love Chihuly’s work.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or
involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Miles for Heroes. It was started with Nebraska Veterans in support for those battling combat effects at home. What is your favorite movie? - Deadpool or O Brother, Where Art Thou.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or
present, who would it be? - Frank Lloyd Wright. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (402) 990-6682; tim@gittdbr.com; gittdbr.com.
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MIKE
Mike Rouw
THE OFFICE CLEANERS
Meet Mike Rouw, the president and owner of The Office Cleaners. Tell us a little about your business. - We provide commercial cleaning services to a wide variety of businesses in the greater Omaha and Lincoln areas. Our focus is on customer service first, second, third, and always. We customize our services to the unique needs of each customer. Whether the service is daily, weekly, or just a one-time thing, our professional staff is there to guarantee customer satisfaction. My wife Kellye and I acquired the business in 2020. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Adapting to changes. I’ve worked for four different corporations and owned three different businesses in my 30+ year professional career. I’ve experienced leveraged buyouts, public offerings, international expansion, and many, many different management changes. Adapting to change is the only constant. Tell us a little about your family. - My wife Kellye and I have been married for 36 years, and we have four grown daughters and one beautiful grandchild. We are proud to call Omaha our home for all of that time.
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Universal has added services to help customers manage and grow their own businesses, among those a suite of benefits that include compliance tools—OSHA regulations, a Family and Medical Leave Act advisor; human-resources What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your hotline and resources, including customized handbooks. life? - From a personal perspective, it was choosing my life partner Employee Wellness plan delivered online! and starting our family. Professionally, making the pivot from a corporate management career to running my own small business. Located on the corner of 140th & Center What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I enjoy golfing, Universalinsgroup.com | 402-399-8721 riding motorcycles, attending sports events, working around the house, and hanging out with friends and family over a shared summer BBQ in our backyard.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that
most people probably don’t know? - I spent 20+ years coaching youth soccer, including seven years at the high school level, even though I never had a chance to play the game myself. If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered FIND THE RIGHT as, what would it be? - Responsible. Responsibility shows love, empathy, respect, and professionalism toward others in action. I strive to bring this responsibility in everything I do. LOAN FOR YOUR If you had a theme song, what would it be? - I grew up in the DREAM HOME age of big rock anthems and electric guitars. While I don’t have a theme song, I always enjoy a good guitar riff!
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your
daily work life? - I am a trained computer programmer and data analyst. While we make use of technology in our business, commercial cleaning is more of a personal service to our customers. Which talent would you most like to have? - I would love to have enough talent at golf to beat my wife at the game occasionally! We’re here to help you fi nd the right What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - We home loan. support JDRF and local food pantries. A family member suffered To get started, or apply online at with juvenile diabetes and no one in our community should go hungry. We also support our local parish and schools. pinnbank.com/mortgage. What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - My favorite author is Stephen King. I think I have read them all! What is your favorite movie? - Christmas Vacation is a classic. What is your favorite TV show? - Wheel of Fortune.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do
so? - (402) 680-7838; mrouw@the-office-cleaners.com; www. Standard carrier rates and fees may apply. the-office-cleaners.com.
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KEANA
Keana P. SeptMatthews
B & K EXSEPTIONAL ONES ACADEMY
Meet Keana P. SeptMatthews, director of education at B & K ExSeptional Ones Academy. Tell us a little about your business. - We are an Early Childhood Center like no other. We teach both Montessori practical application and traditional early childhood learning through play. We are a center that was born out of wanting to make a difference in the lives of children in lower social economic statuses. How did you get started in the business? - As a person who has been in early childhood for over 20 years, I have seen and heard lots of negative things. This is the reason I wanted to open a center that not only focuses on the children in our care, but also their families as well as our staff. Our mission is to give them a safe home-awayfrom-home atmosphere. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Being a young, black female entrepreneur.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
- In spite of adversity, my love for this field keeps growing with the opening of the new center in Bellevue. Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married to my husband Brian for over 20 years. Together, we have two adult children, Mario and Mykiah, and one granddaughter, Naomi, whom we are so in love with and adore.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your
life? - Becoming a grandmother to little Naomi. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Sleep!
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most
people probably don’t know? - We are not just striving to make a difference in the United States but we are also funding and helping plant ministries in Kenya Africa. Who inspires you? - Most definitely my husband. His support of my dreams is unreal. Brian is a disabled veteran and, even though he is battling his own things, somehow he always finds the time to give back.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve
ever received? - When given a task, great or small, do it right or not at all. Also, it takes a lot of steps to get to the top but one wrong step to fall to the bottom.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered
as, what would it be? - Passionate. If you had a theme song, what would it be? - "Made a Way" by Travis Greene. Which talent would you most like to have? - Play the piano.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what
would it be? - Law.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or
involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - MALCOM X. What is your favorite movie? - The Blind Side. What is your favorite local restaurant? - Genji Japanese Steakhouse.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past
or present, who would it be? - Judge Lynn Toler.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do
so? - (531) 365-6805; exseptionalconsultingbiz@gmail.com; www. facebook.com/ExSeptionalones.
MICHAEL
Michael King
TEAMS.COACH Meet Michael King, the executive coach and owner at Teams.Coach. Tell us a little about your business. - I am an executive business coach that helps C-suite leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and their teams get better results and break barriers by operating with the highest levels of clarity, health, and innovation. How did you get started in the business? - I started my business three years ago, but I have been a leadership coach in some capacity for close to 20 years. I started Teams.Coach after experiencing the pain of leadership. I had been a part of some incredibly successful endeavors, and I knew what was working and what wasn’t. I recognized a couple things: 1) There is never a lack of "vision"—if you don't have it, someone will; and 2) the world is changing, so the leadership language and business strategies that go along with it needed to evolve. We are helping business leaders look at the world through a new lens and this is a catalyst that is breaking barriers and creating significantly better outcomes. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - I had allowed some negative mindsets to settle in to my life. The Internet is packed full of people who call themselves coaches… how could I stand out? I hired an executive coach. I learned a lot and started believing in myself. What has been your most important achievement professionally? - My clients are my heroes. In the midst of COVID, several of my clients had the best year they've ever had. It all came down to the relentless discipline, never giving up, and trying something new. I was grateful to have a front row seat. Tell us a little about your family. - I am married to Beth, and we have three amazing kiddos—Emerson (10), Amelia (13), and Chloe (14). We are also the proud parents of a St. Bernard named Benedict and a St. BerDoodle named Winston. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spending time with my family and traveling. I love riding my motorcycle or just landing somewhere for a cup of coffee and conversation.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that
most people probably don’t know? - I started off my career as a recording artist and music pastor. Who inspires you? - People who are champions for justice, equality, and fairness.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever
received? - "We are the music-makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." – Willy Wonka. I also love the quote by Tony Gaskins, Jr.: "If you don’t build your own dreams, someone else will hire you to build theirs."
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered
as, what would it be? - Brave. If you had a theme song, what would it be? - The Marvel Cinematic Universe orchestrated theme or “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John. What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath. What is your favorite movie? - Superman (1978). What is your favorite TV show? - The Mandalorian.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the
past or present, who would it be? - Either Winston Churchill or Robert Downey Jr. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (763) 245-4984; michael@teams.coach; www.teams.coach. You can also sign up for a free 45 minute coaching session!
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BLAKE
Blake Thomas
CCA HOME CARE
Meet Blake Thomas, business development coordinator with CCA Home Care and the Omaha and Lincoln Eldercare Resource Handbooks. Tell us a little about your business. - CCA Home Care, previously named Care Consultants for the Aging, has been around for 30 years and is locally owned. We provide medical and non-medical support to seniors in their home, wherever they may call home. We also staff senior living communities with CNAs and Med Tech around the Omaha and Lincoln areas for a much more affordable cost than your staffing and home care agencies. CCA Home Care publishes the Omaha and Lincoln Eldercare Resource Handbooks yearly as the industry's “Bible” to the resources for the elderly. This is a FREE resource book that is paid for by those who advertise. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - We come into the lives of these seniors at their most vulnerable times and to not be able to bring them the services they need is just heartbreaking. This is why we all must have resources in our back pocket to offer, which makes the Eldercare Resource Handbook vital to us in the industry and the seniors who seek help, answers, and solutions.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
- Working for companies that are known for quality care. We received the STAR Award for the highest move-ins from professionals out of 320 locations. Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married to Erik for the last 16 years. We grew up together as our parents were close friends. We have three kids: Evan (16), Bella (14), and Lexxie (9), and Savannah, our one-month-old chocolate lab! We moved here from North Carolina and before that we lived in Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. We currently live in Bennington where we own Johnny Ricco’s Brooklyn Pizza. What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - As a teenager, my father moved in with his mother to care for her with Alzheimer's and my mom moved in with her father to care for him during the same time. I saw them struggle to manage raising us and holding a career all while being full-time caregivers. This has given me compassion for the families going through the same situations. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spend time on the water with family and friends. We love to travel and try new restaurants.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that
most people probably don’t know? - Each child of mine was born in a different state. Who inspires you? - Successful women who are able to obtain their goals while running a household and raising a family.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve
ever received? - You are who you surround yourself with.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what
would it be? - Psychologist or a physician.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or
involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Alzheimer's Association due to my grandmother passing from the disease when I was a teenager. Also, Project Harmony in Millard. They support children taken from their homes due to bad situations. We donate to them yearly. What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - I love the novels by Nicholas Sparks and read each new one he publishes.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do
so? - (402) 200-8731; (402) 398-1848; Blake@CCAHomeCare. com; www.CCAHomeCare.com; www.LincolnHandbook.com; www. OmahaHandbook.com.
CASEY
Casey S. Putney
BUSINESS ETHICS ALLIANCE
Meet Casey S. Putney, director of education and leadership development at Business Ethics Alliance. Tell us a little about your business. - The Business Ethics Alliance works with leaders to impact the lives of others. We believe that everyone desires and deserves to be valued, respected, appreciated, and heard. When leaders can get the organizational culture right, people are sent home happier, better prepared to reach their potential as husbands, wives, mothers, and fathers. How did you get started in the business? - I discovered my passion for leadership while serving in the U.S. Air Force. I felt a genuine desire to help others reach their potential. So I studied leaders and asked question after question. Along the way, I started having success in leading teams and building relationships. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Being a part of a culture that left me feeling unfulfilled and underappreciated. I was going home sick and tired. Not sick and tired of my boss, but sick and tired because of my boss. During that time, my unhappiness at work impacted my life at home. I was tired, stressed, and unfocussed. In all honesty, I wasn’t the best father and husband that I could be. That experience drives me today. It drives me to work with leaders to create the organizational cultures that we all deserve. Tell us a little about your family. - I’ve been married for close to 27 years. We have two amazing kids, a 24-year-old daughter and 20-yearold son. My family is everything to me. We’re a multi-racial family originating from southern Missouri. We’ve learned together, succeeded together, and become better people together. What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - Joining the Air Force. I was 23 and lost. I wasn’t sure if it was the right decision, but it ended up being one of the best professional decisions of my life. I learned discipline, responsibility, service, and leadership during my time in uniform. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Watching St. Louis Cardinal baseball.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most
people probably don’t know? - I was a break-dancer. I’m talking fat laces, nylon jacket, and cardboard. I even had a nickname. Who inspires you? - My mother and wife.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever
received? - “I cannot become what I am to be, until you become what you are to be. And you cannot become what you are to be, until I become what I am to be.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered
as, what would it be? - Servant. If you had a theme song, what would it be? - Umm, "Celebration" by Kool & The Gang. Isn’t it everybody’s? What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - Nonfiction: Anything by John Maxwell. Fiction: Anything by Mindy McGinnis. What is your favorite movie? - Forrest Gump. It just never gets old. What is your favorite local restaurant? - Charleston’s.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or
present, who would it be? - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His desire to serve and impact the lives of others is truly inspiring to me.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they
do so? - (402) 280-2235; cputney@businessethicsalliance.org; businessethicsalliance.org.
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