Strictly Business Omaha - May 2021

TM 2021TM OMAHA MAY 2021 OMAHA •• APRIL

• Women’s Health • Office Efficiency • Building Your Dream Home • Employing Omaha

CLIENT SPOTLIGHTS

• Todd Menard Construction • Centris Federal Credit Union

AGO

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RIVER CITY SIX

IN THIS ISSUE

STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM

MATTHEW KNIPE Berry Law

MARK FREDRICKSON redbox+ of Omaha

BECKY COSTELLO AOI Corporation

DANIELLE SAVINGTON AR Solutions, Inc.

NIKKI FRENZEN Clearwater Counseling

WILLIAM VODVARKA MarbleLife of Omaha Business 1 and Lincoln

MAY 2021 Strictly

Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505

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Strictly Business MAY 2021

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

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MAY 2021 Strictly Business

3

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

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

Thank You Greater Omaha Chamber and a Big Welcome to Many First-Time Advertisers!

Okay, okay...the cat's out of the bag. We holding off but decided to go through with it knowing that some put on a few extra pounds this month... industries were experiencing an even higher demand because of or should I say, a few extra pages! This is the pandemic. We had a few companies participate in the May thanks to our amazing partnership with the 2020 feature and fewer participate in the November feature, Greater Omaha Chamber. As you've surely which made sense considering the world seemed to be getting already noticed, this month we've partnered scarier and scarier around that time. Fortunately, we rounded the with the Chamber to help them announce bend and saw a far more positive response to this year's Employing their Business Excellence Award winners, Omaha feature. I'm proud to say that we had a considerably along with recognizing many companies that are celebrating higher amount of companies partner with us this year to showcase a milestone anniversary. Many of these organizations took this their company's culture and employment opportunities—a handful opportunity to run beautiful advertisements in the special section to of them have never been in Strictly Business before! Of course, amplify their messages of gratitude to their teams, customers, and this is great for the magazine, but what outshines it all is the fact community supporters. I encourage everyone to that businesses are hiring again. This is a sign familiarize yourself with each award winner that businesses are starting to thrive again, and and milestone recipient, as these are the nothing makes me happier than that.

I've been overseeing the businesses and nonprofi ts that are shaping the magazine for almost 28 years Again, I'd like to thank the Greater Omaha Omaha community. and it's still just as exciting Chamber for their par tnership. If your It means a lot to me and my team to have organization is interested in partnering with us to me when a new business this opportunity to celebrate these inspiring in any way, don't hesitate to reach out. I'd love decides to partner with us. organizations in the magazine. We've had the to talk to you about what that could look like! chance to work with some of them already as In addition, a big welcome and thank you to advertising clients. For others, this is their fi rst the many fi rst-time advertisers this month—in time running an ad with Strictly Business! I've been overseeing the the Chamber's Business Excellence Awards spread, the Employing magazine for almost 28 years and it's still just as exciting to me Omaha feature, and some that have just signed on for a new when a new business decides to partner with us. I have enough campaign! It's a pleasure to open up the magazine and see your confi dence in my staff and the marketing power of Strictly Business names and faces. that I won't be surprised to see many of these businesses in the Next month, we're planning on trimming back down to our summer magazine again. That is my hope, at least! It's an honor to share bod, but thank you for witnessing history with us as Strictly Business the stories and achievements of as many reputable companies in Omaha's page count hits an all-time high. There's a lot of good Omaha as possible. stuff in here, so I'll leave you to it. Don't forget to support the Another exciting part of the magazine this month is the Employing businesses you see in Strictly Business!

Omaha feature. We launched this feature last May, and we knew it would be tough because of COVID. We even considered Let Strictly Business help you lock in your status as THE EXPERT in your industry, utilizing print, the internet, and social media. Find out how by contacting Paige at (402) 466-3330.

CONTENTS NEWS

4 Business 37 Personnel

40 Nonprofi t 44 Health

SPOTLIGHTS

1 Todd Menard Construction 15 Centris Federal Credit Union

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 22 Greater Omaha Chamber Awards Feature

FEATURE STORIES

45 47 48 53 4

Women’s Health Offi ce Effi ciency Building Your Dream Home Employing Omaha

Strictly Business MAY 2021

Hannah

Diane

Dillon

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

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ABOUT THE COVER

Excellence – Earned, Not Given.

There’s no doubt that excellence is a way of life in Omaha and the surrounding region. That’s refl ected in our people and in the work they do. The Greater Omaha Chamber and Premier Bank are here to celebrate that excellence and recognize the businesses that demonstrate innovation, leadership and philanthropy.

The Business Excellence C S Awards are an annual recognition of organizations that elevate our community and make Greater Omaha a better place to live, work and play.

Honorees were selected from more than 50 nominations by a committee comprises representatives from six regional companies and the Greater Omaha Chamber. In short, the 2021 award winners are truly deserving.

The Chamber presents awards in three categories: Leadership, Innovation, and Philanthropy, with additional recognition for Sustained Excellence and major milestone anniversaries.

TM 2021TM OMAHA MAY 2021 OMAHA •• APRIL

• Women’s Health • Office Efficiency • Building Your Dream Home • Employing Omaha LIENT POTLIGHTS

• Todd Menard Construction • Centris Federal Credit Union

RIVER CITY SIX

IN THIS ISSUE

STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM

MATTHEW KNIPE Berry Law

MARK FREDRICKSON redbox+ of Omaha

BECKY COSTELLO AOI Corporation

DANIELLE SAVINGTON AR Solutions, Inc.

NIKKI FRENZEN Clearwater Counseling

WILLIAM VODVARKA MarbleLife of Omaha and Lincoln

AGO

Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505

Strictly Business is proud to be the Media Sponsor of the Greater Omaha Chamber’s 2021 Business Excellence Awards.

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24/7 @SBMAGOMAHA

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So, how does a business demonstrate excellence?

Leadership—A vision of the future, growing an organization, and developing employees; these are the hallmarks of catalytic leaders.

Clarity and demonstration of purpose in all the practices and policies.

An outcome that is representative of the values at the core of the business. These are not platitudes, but the cornerstones of leadership philosophies that defi ne excellence and inspire it from all who come into contact with the organization.

Innovation—The most challenging phrase in business is “that’s how we’ve always done it.” Those who demonstrate excellence in innovation fl y in the face of that conceit, always looking to improve in effi cacy and effi ciency. The honorees in this category change the establishment, shift paradigms and buck old trends. They see and seize opportunity and fi nd new ways to do things. Each winner has established innovation as part of their everyday routine and they defi nitely do not coast.

Philanthropy—Serving others is deeply ingrained in our Midwestern ethos. By helping the community, we understand that we help ourselves, and that a rising tide lifts us all. Organizations with a culture of giving help advance Omaha’s overall health and well-being. Those that prioritize paying back and empowering others understand that we’re measured by a bottom line of caring and support. The improvement of our community rests on all of our shoulders, and those who demonstrate excellence in philanthropy carry that burden willingly, proudly and ably.

Sustained Excellence—For many organizations, being recognized once isn’t the goal. Instead, they shoot for sustained excellence and make a case to be honored year after year. These businesses deserve their own category and are the models for consistency we all strive to be.

Milestones—Experience comes with time, and every year that an organization operates is a testament to its ability to serve, allowing it to uplift the community and contribute to the strength and growth of the region.

Milestones matter, and anniversaries mark the dedication of organizational stakeholders, as well as the commitment of customers to the operation.

Award Winners and Milestone Recipients are displayed on pages 22-36.

Strictly Business Magazine (402) 466-3330 Offi ce@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

www.StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com MAY 2021 Strictly Business

5

BUSINESS NEWS AOI Launches New Herman Miller Workspace Collection to Optimize or Create New Spaces

Innovative Sani Solutions Launches Service to Clean and Sanitize Trash Cans and Bins

AOI Corporation announced the April 1 launch of a brand-new Herman Miller OE1 Workspace Collection of optimized essential offi ce pieces to usher in a new era in the workplace. OE1 is designed to fit seamlessly into the existing fl oorplates of any business—amplifying and optimizing existing spaces or creating totally new ones! As a certifi ed Herman Miller dealer, AOI is offering the OE1 collection to provide agility for organizations, teams, and individuals by creating fl exible, fl uid environments that adapt to evolving goals and personal preferences.

Let’s face it, trash cans and bins can get pretty nasty with repeated use, but Innovative Sani Solutions has some good news: You don’t have to live or deal with the muck and bacteria anymore! That’s because they’ve launched a new curbside trash-can cleaning business.

Their environmentally friendly and safe, high-pressure, high-heat cleaning system will remove dangerous germs and bacteria and disinfect and deodorize your trash cans or bins right from the curb at your home or business. They even offer bulk rates for entire homeowners’ associations or property managed neighborhoods or complexes, and for commercial properties.

Innovative Sani Solutions handles the dirty work for you hassle-free, thanks to their fully-equipped sanitation trucks that spray water at 210 degrees and 3,000 psi to kill virtually all bacteria present on your trash cans or bins and deodorize them so they both look and smell clean. You can choose from a variety of affordable residential or commercial service plans, varying from one cleaning per month to one cleaning per year.

If you need a little extra help keeping your driveway in tip-top shape, they also offer pressure-washing and driveway-sealing services. When you hire Innovative Sani Solutions, you’ll set the bar just a little higher for the rest of the neighborhood! For more information or to view the service plans available, visit innovativesanisolutions.com or contact Chris Reding at (402) 977-9707 or info@innovativesanisolutions.com.

OE1 helps organizations adapt their facilities quickly and easily, scaling their spaces to meet evolving needs. Its multifunctional designs can be used across the fl oorplate, helping optimize real estate and fl uidly adjust to changing workforces. Spaces equipped with OE1 empower teams to create the environments they need when they need them. A quiet spot for focus can quickly transform into a collaborative zone for group work or a casual area for daily stand-ups.

AOI Corporation works with clients that include everything from small start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. They provide solutions for construction, furniture, and prefabricated interiors. For more information, visit aoicorp.com or contact Becky Costello at (402) 896-5520 or rcostello@aoicorp.com.

May 13 Ribbon Cutting Will Introduce New Roll-Off Company, redbox+ to Omaha Region A ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. May 13 at 21966 Platteview Rd., STE 6 will formally introduce redbox+ of Omaha as the new premier roll-off container company—with the only combination portable toilet and dumpster roll-off boxes available—serving the Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs area!

Designed with commercial and residential construction sites in mind, franchise Owner Mark Fredrickson said the combo porta-potty/dumpsters solve a number of issues that come with standard set-ups, such as scheduling confl icts for the containers and porta-potty hazards like tipping over. Manager Steve Caffery work with homeowners, roofers, commercial contractors, and fi re and water remediation contractors. They’ve seen an uptick during the pandemic with homeowners cleaning out basements and garages, as well as realtors who specialize in house fl ips.

The bright red, powder-coated containers, which are manufactured in the U.S., are meticulously designed for durability. They come in 20- and 30-yard sizes, both standard and elite, which are ideal for larger projects. The elite containers include two porta potties, securely mounted onto the front of the container, ensuring they can’t be tipped over or stolen. An additional perk of redbox+ elite containers is that the front doubles as a billboard for marketing.

Scheduling rental with redbox+ is easy, with a simple call or text and a contractors’ app. The routing component of the company’s software lets them control scheduling to ensure a 24-hour turnaround time. Learn more at www.redboxplus.com/omaha or contact Mark at (402) 205-3105 / mfredrickson@redboxplus.com.

6 Strictly Business MAY 2021

NDOL Administers Hiring Incentive Programs The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) is offering employers a variety of hiring incentive programs, including the Federal Fidelity Bonding Program, Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Onthe-Job Training reimbursement.

The Federal Fidelity Bonding program is a new program for companies looking for innovative ways to meet their hiring requirements while protecting their assets. The program is a hiring tool that provides employers insurance coverage for former offenders and other at risk or hard to place job seekers. The Federal Fidelity Bond provides $5,000 of insurance to cover events such as theft, larceny, or embezzlement by the employee during their fi rst six months of the job or promotion. Employers receive the Federal Fidelity Bond freeof-charge. Contact NDOL today at DOL.FidelityBonds@nebraska. gov for more information.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain target groups who have consistently faced signifi cant barriers to employment.

Employers may be eligible for a tax credit up to $2,400 if hiring an individual within one year of release from incarceration due to a felony conviction. Email wotchelp@nebraska.gov for more information.

The Nebraska Department of Labor is also offering an on-the-job training reimbursement for employers who are planning to hire a worker who was impacted by a layoff. Employers who are willing to provide training on the job may be eligible for a 50–75% wage reimbursement up to $10,000. On-the-job training helps employers recruit more efficiently, hire better-prepared employees who understand workplace expectations, and reduce their training costs.

These programs also help jobseekers quickly reenter the workforce while increasing their skills and earning a wage. Contact one of NDOL’s job centers to speak to a reemployment coordinator or email NDOL.EconomicTransition@nebraska.gov. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS HOTWORX Transforms the Fitness the Industry During Challenges of COVID-19 Pandemic

Where Compassion is Key Individual Caregivers - Free In-Home Consultations Serving Omaha/Council Bluffs and Surrounding Rural Areas

HOTWORX is the first-ever 24/7 infrared fitness studio franchise and is thriving amid the pandemic due to its unique training method using heat, infrared energy, and exercise, and its ability to provide socially distanced workouts and virtual instruction. Members can use the HOTWORX Burn Off App to conveniently schedule 30-minute Isometric or 15-minute High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts, led by a virtual instructor, while clients are inside the HOTWORX patented infrared sauna.

402-982-9254 Keyhomecare.us

Through its innovative technology, the HOTWORX patented sauna combines heat, infrared energy, and exercise—called “3D Training”— and makes HOTWORX a workout unlike any other fi tness program available! Benefi ts include: muscle recovery, pain relief, stress reduction; weight loss, increased calorie burn, detoxifi cation, lowered blood pressure, cellulite reduction, skin rejuvenation, and better sleep.

KEEP YOUR HOME THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE.

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HEATING

HOTWORX is a virtually instructed exercise program created for users to experience the many benefi ts of infrared heat absorption, while completing a 30-minute Isometric workout or 15-minute HIIT session.

As the infrared heat penetrates your body causing you to sweat, the isometric postures further accelerate detoxifi cation by physically removing the toxins from your organs through muscle contraction. For more information about the Omaha HOTWORX franchise owned by April Campbell, visit hotworx.net/studio/omaha-northwest.

The Nebraska Competes Coalition Announces First Cohort of Businesses

REPAIR

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COOLING

N eb ra s k a C o m p e t e s, a n o n - p a r t i s a n coalition of businesses committed to achieving nondiscrimination policies at the community and state levels, has announced its fi rst cohort of businesses.

The list includes the following 35 businesses/organizations: Audubon Nebraska; Bozell; Center for People in Need; CIO Wealth Strategies; Data Security, Inc.; DLR Group; DoMore Consulting Company; Empyrean Brewing Co.; Fiedler Law Firm; Firespring; FireWorks Restaurant; Friedman Law; Heartland Family Services; Hudl; Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary; J Brasch Co., LLC; Kindred Psychology; Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill; Lincoln Chamber of Commerce; Lincoln Public Schools; Lux Center for the Arts; Maxwell; Mid America Casing Supply, LLC; Nebraska Appleseed; Nonprofi t Association of the Midlands; Pearl Street Counseling; Signature Performance Inc.; Spreetail; Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center; Stubbs Chiropractic; The Mill Coffee & Tea; University of NebraskaLincoln; Union Pacifi c; Verdis Group; and WP Engine.

Coalition members support inclusive and diverse business practices, including protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Nebraska Competes believes in building a stronger Nebraska where LGBTQ employees and customers are valued. Their efforts attract the best talent to increase businessto-business and business-to-consumer relationships, and to ultimately grow Nebraska’s economy.

Organizations interested in joining Nebraska Competes can contact the team with further questions or sign-up on the Nebraska Competes website at nebraskacompetes.org. You can contact Nebraska Competes at info@nebraskacompetes.org or by calling (402) 488-1130.

GIVE US A CALL! 402-932-0649 HEATINGAIROMAHA.COM MAY 2021 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS Greater Omaha Chamber Announces “Hole” Lot of Fun at Business on the Green June 7

BNI Announces First-Ever Virtual National Conference on May 20–21

The Greater Omaha Chamber is making plans for a “hole” lot of fun at their annual Busines on the Green best-ball scramble at Tiburon Golf Club on Monday, June 7. So, dust off the clubs and grab the business cards for this fabulous outdoor meeting! Whether you’re good at the game or better behind the wheel, the focus is fun and relaxation.

You’ll enjoy 18 holes of friendly competition and have an excuse to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, drive connections, and ace the workweek! A registration fee of $750 per foursome includes cart and green fees, as well as food and beverages for each golfer. Presenting Sponsors include Cox Business and Great Western Bank. Step things up on your registration by becoming an exclusive hole, corporate, or hole sponsor, and purchase raffl e-ticket packages for $20 or a mulligan for $5. Registrations are due by May 31; you can select your tee time at omahachamber.org/business-on-the-green.

If lifelong learning is a value that fuels your business, you’ll be encouraged to learn that BNI has curated resources and speakers to help you grow at the fi rst-ever virtual BNI 2021 U.S. National Conference on May 20 at 11 a.m. to May 21 at 5 p.m. With the theme "Succeed Anyway", the conference will cover topics on the following: Nurturing; Not Spamming Your Customers with Email Marketing; Rapid Growth in the Face of Uncertainty; Servant Leadership: A Philosophy for Success; and How I Grew My Business from Startup to $30M through BNI.

The Greater Omaha Chamber and Tiburon Golf Club have taken enhanced health and safety measures. Help keep each other healthy by following all posted instructions on the day of the event and staying home if you are not healthy.

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

The keynote for the event will be Best Selling Author Mike Michalowicz.

By his 35th birthday, Mike had founded and sold two multi-million dollar companies. Then he became a small business angel investor, and proceeded to lose his entire fortune. Attendees will be inspired by his story of going from a "cash-eating monster to a money-making machine."

BNI is the world’s leading referral organization, with over 270,000 members in 70+ countries. Their members generate word-of-mouth business for each other through structured, results-driven groups around the world. In 2019 alone, their members generated over $16 billion (USD) in revenue for member-businesses. For more information on becoming a local BNI® member, visit bniheartland.com or contact (402) 880-6311 / info@bniheartland.com.bniusevents.com. To register for the national conference, go to bniusevents.com.

Award winning culture.

Find out what the hype is all about at unicogroup.com/careers 8

Strictly Business MAY 2021

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BUSINESS NEWS Sarpy Chiropractic Brings 50+ Years of Experience to Papillion, Millard, Elkhorn

Mirage Aerial Imaging Announces Plans for Helicopter Day at SAC Museum on May 22

Sarpy Chiropractic is at the ready with 50 years of experience to help clients at their locations in Papillion, Millard, and Elkhorn who are frustrated by pain. They provide efficient, effective, and affordable chiropractic care to guide them back to health. Those who are suffering needlessly can schedule a complimentary consultation to get assessed by one of the experienced doctors at Sarpy Chiropractic to see if they are a good fi t.

Flexible scheduling is always offered to accommodate busy lifestyles.

In fact, one of their core principles is that they run on time, every time!

“It is our responsibility to offer hope to those people in the Omaha metro that have been frustrated by pain,” said Sarpy Chiropractic Founder Dr. Rodney White, D.C. “Pain interferes with what they love to do and causes some kind of loss in their life—whether it’s not being able to exercise or simply not being able to play with their grandkids. We know people want to live life on their terms. In order to do the things they enjoy, when they want to do them, they need to be healthy and pain-free. We want to help empower people to start revitalizing their health and increase their quality of life!”

To learn more about Sarpy Chiropractic or to schedule a complimentary consultation, please visit sarpychiro.com.

Mirage Aerial Imaging is sponsoring Helicopter Day at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace (SAC) Museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 22. Gather your family and friends and head out for a fun time watching helicopters fl y to the museum and getting an up-close look at them. The whole crew will also enjoy watching the magical creations of an on-site balloon artist, doing a “make-and-take” with the museum’s educational department, and watching drone fl ying by the Midwest Performance Flyers. Then take the opportunity to see Mirage Aerial’s drones up close, learn about the work they do and equipment they use, and talk to them face-to-face about how they can help you with your next project!

Mirage Aerial Imaging offers thermal imaging services for accurate commercial roof and solar farm inspections, environmental surveys, and more. Mirage’s commercial real-estate services provide baseline and post-damage structural assessments, as well as advertising photography, and their construction imaging can follow the process from a vacant lot to a completed project, including topographical mapping, 3-D imaging, and site surveys. If you have another specifi c need that might be bolstered by aerial imaging, just ask owners Tom and Sara vonAhlefeld while you are visiting during Helicopter Day at the SAC Museum, and they will make it happen! Or for more information, visit mirageaerial.com, email info@mirageaerial.com, or call (402) 203-7868.

365DailyHustle’s Karissa Adkins Announces Release of Second Book, “Expert Profiles” Leading health and fi tness expert Karissa Adkins recently announced the release of her second co-authored Amazon bestselling book in two years, “Expert Profiles: Conversations with Influencers & Innovators,” in which she shares tips and strategies for overcoming life’s biggest obstacles and achieving success in health, life, and business. This latest book is complementary to Karissa’s first coauthored book, “Women Who Boss Up,” which profi les women who have broken the mold to achieve, overcome diffi cult situations, and inspire change through relentless endeavors. The duo is a welcome companion set for any woman who is ready to “Boss Up” to live a healthy, happy personal and business life. Royalties from retail sales of “Expert Profi les” are donated to the Global Autism Project.

Much of Karissa’s inspiration for helping others overcome obstacles in their lives comes from overcoming her own. Childhood trauma, toxic relationships, obesity, divorce, and a crippling autoimmune disease were at the base of her decision to ditch the excuses, Boss Up, and take control of her life. The stories of her journey to happy and healthy now are the model for other women who want to Reclaim Your Best Life, the title of her fl agship 10-week program to success. Content in her latest book includes fi nding what motivates you to stay healthy; tips and advice for women who want to start creating healthier lifestyle habits; how to setup your day for ultimate success; ditching the diets and creating a healthy relationship with food and your body; how to juggle family life, relationships, and business/fi nding balance in chaos; how to stay positive and optimistic during the tough times, “My journey from hot mess to Badass Bossbabe,” and more.

For more information about 365DailyHustle, to receive your autographed copy of “Expert Profi les” or “Women Who Boss Up,” or inquire about personal or group coaching or speaking with Karissa, visit 365dailyhustle.com/shop or call her at (402) 880-2142. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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MAY 2021 Strictly Business

9

BUSINESS NEWS Nebraska Safety Council Offers Three-Day Electrical Safety Hands-On Training in May

MLCDC Wins 10K Entrepreneurship Grant from FNBO to Help Latinos and Immigrants

The Nebraska Safety Council is offering a three-day 70E Arc Flash Electrical Safety hands-on training May 17-19 at the NESC offi ce in Lincoln. Perfect for electricians, linemen and utility workers, warehouse employees, temporary workers, safety directors, electrical contractors, and more, participants will learn how the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E standards apply to a facility, why safe electrical work practices are important, and what can be done to ensure that your organization meets government standards for electrical safety. This three-day course covers OSHA and 2021 NFPA 70E standards.

Training will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The cost for members is $1,495 and, for non-members, $1,825. The hands-on labs will help employees comply with demonstrated ability and annual auditing requirements using Job Safety Analysis (JSA) procedures, which are part of paperwork completed to document that participants have safely and correctly completed the labs.

The Mission of the Nebraska Safety Council is to provide education and leadership to empower Nebraskans to live safe and healthy.

They offer comprehensive programs, training courses, events, and services that are designed to improve employee care at a desk, on the production fl oor, behind the wheel, and on the job. For more details about the three-day training or to register, visit Nesafetycouncil.org and click on “Worker Education and Events,” then choose “Training Courses” from the dropdown menu, or call (402) 483-2511.

The Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation (MLCDC) announced that it has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the First National Bank of Omaha. The grant will allow MLCDC to invest in training and educational opportunities to Latinos and immigrants who want to open a small business in Omaha or Council Bluffs. MLCDC’s Women Entrepreneurs Program is part of this training, giving low- and moderate-income women the opportunity to achieve selfsustainability through entrepreneurship. Many of the MLCDC’s Women Entrepreneur participants are underemployed, do not have English as their fi rst language, and are immigrants.

With the help of this grant, the Women Entrepreneurs program will be able to assist and provide resources to the Latinas in Omaha and Council Bluffs to start or formalize their businesses as a way to support their families. This grant will help increase the number of locally owned Latino businesses in the metro area and includes fi nancial education, industry training, help with business and marketing plans, technical assistance, and it will help MLCDC offer small loans as capital.

The Midlands Latino Community Development Corporation is known as a place where individuals receive training to open childcare businesses, but the mission at heart of the organization is to provide training opportunities to low- and moderate-income individuals to achieve fi nancial stability and economic growth through entrepreneurship. For more information, visit midlandslatinocdc.org or call (402) 933-4466.

IQ Biometrix to Donate Up to $6M in FACESTM Software to Greater Omaha

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Strictly Business MAY 2021

IQ Biometrix, Inc., a software corporation based in Houston owned

by Greg J. Micek, has announced the fi rst steps to integrating FACESTM facial composite software into law enforcement entities and education systems across the country as a part of its FACESTM Saturation Campaign.

The campaign is a comprehensive “relaunch” of the software, transforming from a “niche” market (detectives/ teachers) to a mass market “consumer” product. The widespread initiative will hit the ground running with a signifi cant donation of FACESTM software to the Greater Omaha community, which incorporates an anti-crime awareness campaign. The value of the FACESTM donation is up to $6 million. The ultimate value is determined by how deeply the software is adopted by the greater Omaha community, in all of its applications/uses. The donation of FACESTM, the world’s leading facial composite software, is only phase one of the FACESTM Saturation Campaign. The second phase, where the real impact will happen, is hosting safety workshop events that bring local police offi cers and students together to learn the software by using an educational version of this technology. Designed for students aged 9–14, these half-day workshops will be delivered to classes of 30 students to increase student awareness of their surroundings and potential threats to public safety.

Thousands of police agencies worldwide, including the CIA, FBI and the U.S. Military, use IQ Biometrix, Inc.’s FACESTM, the breakthrough facial composite software. Endorsed by crime fi ghting agencies and supported by police as a proven, effective tool, various versions of FACESTM have been used successfully for more than 12 years to identify, track, and apprehend criminal suspects. To learn more, visit facialcomposites.com or contact Greg at (713) 661-6539 / gmicek@iqbiometrix.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS

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Heartland International Holds Metal Roofing and Advanced Roofing Systems Trainings Heartland International invites current and aspiring roofi ng contractors to learn more about Conklin Roofi ng Systems at the upcoming Metal Roofing and Advanced Roofing Systems Training seminars on tap in Kansas City in May and June.

The one-day Metal Roofi ng System Training will cover not only the application process of a Conklin MR® System but also will provide an overview about how to get started as a Conklin contractor and introduce strategies for making sales calls, quoting a roof, presenting proposals, and working with building owners. The next Metal Roofi ng System Training programs take place on May 20 and June 10.

The three-day Advanced Roofi ng Systems Training provides a more in-depth coverage of Conklin Roofi ng Systems and gives contractors a chance to participate in a hands-on construction of the systems using industry-standard tools and materials. Participants in this training must have completed a one-day Metal Roofi ng System Training program as a pre-qualifi cation for this advanced program. Check out one of the next Advanced Roofi ng Systems Training programs on May 12-14 and June 2-4.

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

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Center Sphere Hosts Annual Charity Golf Tournament, Hires New Market President Center Sphere recently announced that their Annual Charity Golf Tournament will tee off on Wednesday, July 28 and, separately, t h a t t h ey h a ve h i r e d Martina Niemeyer as their new Omaha Market President. Check-in for the golf tournament will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. sharp! The event will be at Tiburon Golf Club, 10302 S. 168th St., and the cost is $300 per four-person team, with lunch included. They ask that at least one Center Sphere member be on each four-person team.

All proceeds from the golf tournament will support Cross Training Center, a nonprofi t that equips unemployed and undereducated adults through vocational training and work experience. Students learn to overcome barriers to employment caused by challenging backgrounds and circumstances, such as homelessness, incarceration, emotional trauma, and generational poverty.

As the newest addition to Center Sphere’s Omaha leadership team, Martina Niemeyer now is the local resource for Omaha members to ensure they see success with their time in The Network! Martina’s prior experience comes from various roles that involved developing the next generation of leaders and helping individuals, businesses, and organizations to grow. She is passionate about coming alongside people to help them achieve their goals both in life and in business.

Center Sphere is an established network of business professionals whose mission is to share referrals, ideas, and resources through genuine relationships. The Omaha Network is currently made up of nearly 50 chapters and has access to members nationwide. For more information about Center Sphere or to inquire about attending a complimentary meeting or event, visit www.CenterSphere.com or connect with Omaha Market President Martina Niemeyer at Martina@CenterSphere.com or (402) 536-0289. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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11

BUSINESS NEWS Vision Maker Media Presents Documentaries to Celebrate Organization’s 45th Anniversary

MOBA's Spring Parade of Homes to Showcase Omaha’s Newest Homes

Vision Maker Media's 45th Anniversary celebration includes the presentation of two 2021 documentary fi lm premieres: Sisters Rising and Chasing Voices.

Metro Omaha Builders Association's (MOBA) 2021 Spring Parade of Homes will be the weekends of May 1–2 and May 8–9 from noon to 6 p.m. The event will feature new homes located throughout the metropolitan area. The tour showcases innovative workmanship from local home builders featuring everything from townhomes to estate homes, ranging in price from $243,000 up to $1 million. Whether you’re looking for a starter home or dream home, there’s truly something for everyone. The Parade of Homes has been a MOBA tradition for over 60 years. Download the Omaha Parade of Homes mobile app for driving directions or visit MOBA website to learn about this FREE event.

Sisters Rising, which premiered April 20, is the story of six Native women fi ghting to heal a society crippled for far too long by violence against Indigenous women in the United States. Sisters Rising now is available for streaming on America ReFramed at bit.ly/ ARF_SsRising. Chasing Voices premieres on FNX May 2. This fi lm tells the extraordinary life journey of controversial ethnographer John Peabody Harrington, who compiled well over 1 million pages of notes about more than 100 different Native American languages during his 50-year career.

Vision Maker Media is the premiere source of public media by and about Native Americans for 45 years. To learn more about Chasing Voices and Sisters Rising, and to browse their collection of high-quality fi lms, please visit visionmakermedia.org. To check your local listing, visit pbs.org/tv_schedules.

The Metro Omaha Builders Association was chartered in 1946 and is a not-for-profi t 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, the Omaha Home Show, Remodel Omaha Tour, and the Parade of Homes. For more information, visit www.moba.com.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Open House for CountryHouse in Elkhorn is Set for May 26 A ribbon cutting ceremony a n d o p e n h o u s e f o r Agemark Senior Living’s new CountryHouse Residence f o r M e m o r y C a r e i n Elkhorn—3720 George B Lake Parkway—is set for 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26. Come enjoy appetizers and drinks, meet the CountryHouse team, and learn about what the new community offers for senior living and care! Most events will take place outside of the building, though small group tours will be available for those who undergo a brief health screening and wear required face masks. CountryHouse in Elkhorn started moving residents in on January 6 and is already home to 20 residents, with room for a total of 40 at capacity. Both private and companion rooms are available, and all residents are treated like family.

"We're so pleased that we've been able to help so many local families so far,” said Executive Director Beth Gonnerman. “We're looking forward to more residents joining our family in the upcoming months. We have a great team who is exceptionally dedicated to providing great care. We're working hard to make sure everyone in our care is living life fully and joyfully! Residents can have visits with their families, and we’re excited that the vast majority of those who live and work in our new community are vaccinated.”

To date, residents have enjoyed a variety of events, including Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter celebrations, plus birthday celebrations, movie nights, indoor bowling, wine tastings, daily bus trips to get ice cream, drive the countryside, look at surrounding neighborhoods, etc., and various games, crafts, and art projects.

12

Strictly Business MAY 2021

For more information about Agemark’s new CountryHouse Residence for Memory Care, visit countryhouse.net, call (531) 9992747, and follow them on Facebook (@CountryHouseElkhorn).

Better yet, show up and celebrate with them at the May 26 ribbon cutting and open house! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS BBB Business Tip: Being Cash-Flow Positive is Crucial for the Survival of Your Business The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently offered some information to help businesses understand how crucial positive cash fl ow is to their very survival. As you know, businesses cannot operate without working capital, and working capital dries up without a positive cash fl ow. Positive cash fl ow, or having more money than you do overhead, indicates that the liquid assets of a business are increasing. It is a sign of growth.

Liquid capital is needed to pay the bills, reinvest in the business, and save enough money to cover expenses during slower times. If your company has negative cash fl ow, it is dying a little more every day.

How can you fi nd out if your business is cash fl ow positive or negative?

At the beginning of the month, tabulate how much cash you have on hand that you can use, without including any unpaid invoices or collections. Subtract from that amount your expenses, including operating overhead, debt repayment, investor payments, and other monthly bills. If you have money left over, your business is cash-fl ow positive. If the number is negative, you have a negative cash fl ow.

Bankers need to know that a business is making sales and will pay the bills every month if they extend a line of credit. If they can see that a company expects enough revenue to cover the bills, they will open liquid operating capital to help the business meet demand.

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

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MOWBC Announces Open House with Grow Nebraska Women’s Business Center The Metro Omaha Women’s Business Center (MOWBC) r e c e n t l y a n n o u n c e d a collaboration with the new Grow Nebraska ® Women’s Business Center (GNWBC) as a resource center for women entrepreneurs.

A GNWBC Open House is scheduled for May 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. at 5990 Sprague Plaza, in the Wurdeman Learning Center at Omaha Home for Boys. The new center will give women a place to get resources for their business, training, mentorship, connections to other agencies that can assist with funding, and more. Candice Price is the executive director of the new GNWBC, and MOWBC’s BC Clark will serve as the director of programming.

The Grow Nebraska® Women’s Business Center is one of 20 Women’s Business Centners across the country to launch with grant funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration in January. The centers are aimed at serving rural, urban, and underserved communities by aiding innovative and determined women entrepreneurs to build successful small businesses.

MOWBC was established in 2008 and has served more than 5,000 women with business training, events, stories of success, powerful lunch speakers, and annual grants for emerging women entrepreneurs. In April, they kicked off their Young Entrepreneur Girls Program (YEG) to serve the fi rst cohort of 20 girls. YEG is a nine-month program that will provide personal development, professional development, internship, and business training to enhance girls’ skills for entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit mowbcf.org or contact BC Clark at (402) 763-0540 / bc.clark@mowbcf.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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MAY 2021 Strictly Business

BUSINESS NEWS Cheever Construction Completes Renovation on Fremont City Auditorium

Operation Triumphus Captures Vietnam Veteran Stories to Help Preserve History

Cheever Constr uction recently completed a wide-ranging renovation o n t h e Fr e m o n t C i t y Auditorium. There was a grand reopening held on April 3 to celebrate, and a virtual tour made available for those who could not attend. Justin Kurtzer, president of Cheever, was in attendance and expressed his gratitude for being selected as the general contractor for the project. It took 1.5 years to complete the $3.87 million project, which came in more than $400,000 under budget. The renovations included a new roof; new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system; fi re sprinkler system; main fl oor restrooms with handicap accessibility; newly refurbished main area with technology and a movable wall that can divide the area in two; new meeting spaces; caterer-friendly kitchen; and entries and exits that are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible.

Operation Triumphus is a new platform designed to preserve the stories and memories of Vietnam Veterans in an interactive multimedia experience. The site is designed to crowdsource and catalogue stories, pictures, and videos from Veterans and share them in a way that is engaging and interactive.

By splitting stories into themed segments and applying hashtags and links, Operation Triumphus allows users to dive deeply into related content, dates, themes, locations, and even military units. The platform will allow users to share their stories, photos, and videos and interact with other users’ stories.

The launched to the public on April 15. It is free to make an account, and both Veterans and their family members can share content. In addition to preserving history and memories, the site will function as a social network for Vietnam Veterans to reunite and collaborate and will endeavor to provide the “welcome home” that many of the era’s Veterans never received.

“Vietnam Veterans weren’t given the same celebration as other Veterans who returned home, and if we aren’t careful, before too long our stories and legacies will be gone,” said Former Crewmember U.S.S. Missouri BB-63. “That is why a project like Operation Triumphus is so important! Our stories deserve to be heard.”

To share your stories about Vietnam, please visit operationtriumphus. org or email Steve at steve@operationtriumphus.org.

Headquartered in Lincoln, Cheever Construction is an established and recognized construction fi rm that brings integrity, expertise, and exceptional professionals who deliver quality work to each project. Cheever is committed to providing specialized solutions and services that align with each client’s goals. Working together, Cheever employees have formed collaborative relationships with clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors, supporting the company’s reputation for superior workmanship and performance.

For more information about Cheever Construction, please call (402) 477-6745 or visit the company’s website at cheeverconstruction.com.

14

Strictly Business MAY 2021

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Right at Home Omaha to Expand Quality Home Care for Seniors to Council Bluffs Right at Home Omaha Metro recently announced that they are expanding into Council Bluffs effective June 1 to provide quality home care for seniors in the city and surrounding area and are planning a grand opening for some time in late summer! Having a local presence is part of Right at Home Omaha’s long-term plan, and they are excited to be better able to serve the extended community.

Right at Home offers a comprehensive approach to delivering the care your loved one needs. It starts by having the right people delivering the right services the right way. From the moment you call, they will work to understand your family's needs and listen to your concerns, then create a custom care plan specifi cally for your loved one based on a thorough needs assessment. As your loved one receives care, they will stay in contact with you, keeping you updated on the care they are providing and how your loved one is doing. With Right at Home’s personalized care plans, managed by professionals, your loved one will always get the care they need.

Right at Home is a Nebraska-licensed home-care agency that provides quality homecare in many settings. Services are provided by their compassionate care team members who are certifi ed, bonded, and insured. For more information, visit rightathome.net/ Omaha-metro. For a free in-home consultation, call (402) 697-7536.

50 Students Compete in NAWIC Block Kids Event Organized by Education Foundation Fifty students in grades K-6 participated in the NAWIC Greater Omaha Chapter #116 virtual Block Kids event on February 20.

The award-winning program, provided by the NAWIC Education Foundation (NEF), is held by NAWIC chapters across the country to introduce children to the construction industry, create awareness, and promote curiosity to learn more about careers in the construction industry as they grow. Before the event, each child was provided with 100 interlocking blocks, a small rock, string, foil, and poster board, and was given a maximum of one hour to use these materials—and their imagination—to design and build a project that was in some way related to the construction industry.

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The overall winner of the 2021 Omaha contest was fi fth grader Cheyanne Richardson, a student at Wheeler Elementary. She built a machine that removes trash and debris from bodies of water. The machine was crane-like and lifted debris out of the water, turned it, and sorted it on the opposite side of the crane. The judges really appreciated her creativity and ability to explain the global need for her machine. Cheyanne pointed out that she had recently learned about water pollution in school.

NAWIC Chapter #116 is based in Omaha and encompasses Omaha, Lincoln, Council Bluffs, and the surrounding areas. First chartered in 1966, the chapter has 60 members working in businesses whose primary focus is on the construction industry. Chapter meetings are on the second Thursday of each month. For more information, check nawicomaha.com or Facebook, or email nawicomaha@gmail.com.

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Strictly Business MAY 2021

BUSINESS NEWS Cox and Nebraska Furniture Mart Announce 50 Winners of Education Heroes Awards Cox and Nebraska Furniture Mart are excited to announce the winners of their Education Heroes Awards. The Education Heroes programs serves to honor local education heroes in the greater Omaha metro. Throughout March, individuals in Nebraska and Iowa were encouraged to celebrate their favorite teacher or school employee—paraprofessionals, administrative and custodial staff, nurses, counselors, and learning specialists. The 50 honorees selected will be featured online and will receive a prize package consisting of a $250 gift card to Nebraska Furniture Mart, a personalized trophy award, and “Education Heroes” t-shirts for staff members at their school.

Winners include: Christine Adair, Ralston High School; Katharine Arnold, Kellom Elementary; Teri Bader, Ralston High School; Riannon Bell, Nelson Mandela Elementary; Jenn Bengston, Grace Abbott Elementary School; Maria Betancourt Vasquez, Jackson Elementary; Annelise Blessen, Westside High School; Thomas Brchard, Upchurch Elementary; Mikayla Bruner, Westside Middle School; Becky Campbell, Arbor View Elementary; Cassie Dalrymple, Franklin Elementary; Teresa Dorwart, Gross High School; Martha Dowd, Elkhorn North High School; Emily Downs, Educational Service Center; Traci Driscoll, Anderson Grove Elementary; Kerri Dymond, LeMay Elementary School; Allie Elsasser, Patriot Elementary; Kristina Fuentes-Ybarra, Gomez Heritage Elementary; Justine Griess, Wildewood; Alissa Hanish, Parkview Elementary; Jacob Hasty, Aspen Creek Middle School; Trenton Hill, Roosevelt Elementary; Paul Hoagbin, Central Middle School; Krissa Hollinger, Laura Dodge Elementry; Myra Hudson, Miller Park Elementary School; Alexandra Jones, Lothrop Magnet Elementary; Kelle Lawrence, Blue Sage Elementary; Tammy Lewis, Rockbrook Elementary; Taylor Lund, Kreft Primary; Angela McCallister, Whitetail Elementary; Luana McClellen, Thomas Jefferson High School; Monica Morales, Gomez Heritage Elementary; Brianne Ott, Peter Sarpy Elementary; Lee Perez, Alice Buffett Middle School; Angie Peters, Aldrich Elementary School; Natalie Peterson, Bryan High School; Billy Rodenbough, Elkhorn High School; Angela Royers, West Bay Elementary; Brent Schade, Hillside Elementary; Alexandra Seals, Betz Elementary School; Emily Smith, Sandoz Elementary; Latunya Sumpter, Bellevue Elementary; Stevie Sutter, Arbor View Elementary; Jerry Swanda, Elkhorn Valley View Middle School; Diane Sweetman, Springville; Laura Vranes, Mary Our Queen Catholic School; Lauren Widner, Remote Learning; Carolyn Willett, Swanson Elementary; Alec Williams, Ralston Middle School; and Dean Wood, Bennington High School.

Cox is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. Learn more at cox.com.

Apache Industrial is a Leader in the Midwest for Scaffold, Insulation, and Coatings Services For over 30 years, Apache Industrial Services has met the needs of the petrochemical, industrial, commercial, and energy sectors by providing superior quality, ser vice, and long-term value to their customers. Through their work, record of safety, and culture, Apache continues to make a statement, but it is the actions of Apache’s craftsmen that speak the loudest and most clearly defi ne and differentiate a company that’s doing it right. To learn more, visit www.apacheip.com.

Contact David Fry at (402) 968-1645 or Luke Wertz at (303) 9051624 with any questions. *Note that an incorrect logo was used in the April 2020 edition for Apache. The logo used here is the correct logo.* #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Photos by Architectural Photography Inc.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Centris Federal Credit Union Opens New Headquarters and 15th Branch at Sterling Ridge

Centris Federal Credit Union recently announced the opening of its new headquarters and 15th branch at Sterling Ridge.

The four-story building located at 13120 Pierce Street provides office space for 150 Centris employees and includes a full service branch, two drive-thru lanes, and a publically available community room.

Holland Basham Architects designed the structure and MCL Construction managed the project implementation. Centris occupies three of the four floors with construction underway now to complete office space for Raymond James.

“Our mission is to be a trusted life-long financial partner.”

Steve Swanstrom, Centris CEO and President said that features of the new headquarters include 24 conference and training rooms, three outdoor patio spaces for employees complete with a green roof- friendly mix of succulent plants.

“We also built out a vending market space in the breakroom and many open spaces with lots of natural light throughout the building designed for team collaboration,” said Swanstrom.

The branch includes non-traditional teller pods for two tellers who can serve members who walk into the branch or are in their car in the drive-up lanes. For parents with school-aged children, Centris installed a kids area with Touch 2 Play and Playstation screens and equipment.

Swanstrom added that one of the many highlights of the building is the exterior light-up, interactive sculpture named “Belong” by artist Joe O’Connell. The sphere shaped sculpture features over 150 unique silhouette cutouts of people who “belong” or are Centris members.

Centris Federal Credit Union, founded in 1934, is one of Nebraska’s largest federally chartered community credit unions. Centris serves Douglas, Sarpy, Lincoln, McPherson, and Pottawattamie counties and has 15 offices located in Omaha, Grand Island, North Platte, and Tryon, NE and Council Bluffs, IA.

Mobile & Online Banking

Solutions for Your Business Needs

Centris offers multiple online banking options giving you access to your accounts anytime from anywhere.

Features such as funds transfer and bill payment keep your finances at your fingertips. Not only is banking online easy, it’s also safe and fast. Centris utilizes the secure Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, which is the same service used by the Federal Reserve Banks to electronically move trillions of dollars annually between participating depository institutions. Centris has their own mobile app through which you can deposit checks, check your balance, and much more.

Centris specializes in helping businesses find the services they need to make their companies thrive, and their small business checking account is just one example. If you are ready to bring your business to Centris for the first time, check out the Commercial Document Checklist online so that when you start your Centris membership, you’ll have everything you need to get your business banking accounts up and running.

Business services include: business checking, business savings, business credit card, ACH cash management services, merchant processing, payroll services, payroll tax services, and automated payroll solutions.

(402) 334-7000 | www.centrisfcu.org #PrintProudDigitalSmart

MAY 2021 Strictly Business

17

MATTHEW

Matthew Knipe BERRY LAW

Is Your Marketing Effective? Do you spend enough? Or too much?

TAKE CONTROL - LEARN THE SECRETS TO EFFECTIVE MARKETING Marketing is the key to business growth - even with a referral business. Business Owners need to understand how to manage and leverage their marketing dollars. Our Marketing MasterCLASS is designed to bring Owners up to speed!

HERE’S WHAT WE’LL COVER: • Writing a Marketing Plan • Writing Effective Ads • Avoiding the 22 most common Marketing Mistakes • Creating an Unlimited Marketing Budget • Climbing the Loyalty Ladder • Building Strategic Alliances • Using Active Referral Strategies The Marketing MasterCLASS is for business owners who are ready to take control of thier marketing and drive their business to new heights!

Friday, May 21st $899-$999

Register your team at www.masterclassomaha.info 18

Strictly Business MAY 2021

Meet Matthew Knipe, a trial attorney at Berry Law. Tell us a little about your business. - I fi ght to uphold the Constitutional values that our great country is founded upon and that I swore an oath to uphold through my service in the United States Marine Corps. I’m proud to fi ght for veterans, people who are falsely accused of crimes, and people injured due to others’ wrongdoings.

How did you get started in the business? - I had a unique opportunity to clerk at a boutique law fi rm during law school, and I was hooked from day one. The work was challenging, exciting, and rewarding. I saw people walk into the offi ce each day with a problem and no hope. All it took to restore their hope was a few minutes talking to someone that had “been there and done that” and could provide quality answers.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Injustice that my clients face due to no fault of their own. I have clients that are falsely accused of crimes and their names are dragged through the mud. I see people whose lives, families, and careers are destroyed overnight. I have the challenge, and responsibility, to do everything in my power to correct that.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Receiving a phone call from a fellow veteran, professional, or colleague with a request for help. It shows they trust me, my reputation, and the people I work with. They know they will be taken care of.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have been happily married for seven years and look forward to each day I get to spend with my wife and two children. My son is in kindergarten and my daughter is anxiously awaiting preschool. We have two dogs and a cat that are all spoiled with love.

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

- Enlisting in the United States Marine Corps taught me that there is only one goal regardless of what you are engaged in: winning.

It may be diffi cult, inconvenient, and near impossible, but it will be accomplished. I apply this mentality in my legal practice. Another turning point was meeting my wife. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp how well she complements me. She levels me out in everything I do.

She taught me to sympathize and to see things from a different perspective without sacrifi cing my own morals and values.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I enjoy golfi ng, biking, grilling, having friends over, landscaping, and watching my kids be kids. I also enjoy reading legal fi ction and murder mysteries novels. My wife and I have been known to stay up late playing board games or doing a puzzle from time to time.

Who inspires you? - I look around and recognize success, but I also recognize failure. I know I can learn from anyone. I can identify what works well for one person and what is detrimental to another person.

Then I can apply those lessons to my life.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Why wait until tomorrow to do what can be done today? Tomorrow has its own list of accomplishments awaiting!

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? - "Eye of the Tiger"

by Survivor.

What is your favorite movie? - Top Gun. What is your favorite TV show? - This is Us. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- (402) 466-8444; matthewk@jsberrylaw.com; www.jsberrylaw.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

MARK

Mark Fredrickson

REDBOX+ OF OMAHA Meet Mark Fredrickson, the president at redbox+ of Omaha.

Tell us a little about your business. - redbox+ is a new twist on an industry that hasn’t seen change in over 60 years.

Along with standard roll-off containers redbox+ also offers our patent Elite container that comes equipped with two porta potties that are securely mounted to the roll off container for an all in one system that cannot be tipped, blown over, or stolen from the job site.

How did you get started in the business? - I tell people all the time, “Never in a million years did I think I would be in the poop and trash business." Having been part of another Omaha based startup and owning another side business the entrepreneurship bug got me. In our current state, not only was I looking for something fairly recession proof but also pandemic proof. I was also wanted something with minimal employees that could let the equipment do the work and advertising.

I also found there was a lack of customer service in the industry, and I felt this would be something we could easily provide.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - In addition to redbox+, I’ve chosen to maintain my full-time position as a professional land surveyor. Having two businesses and two busy daughters has made it diffi cult to do all the marketing and business development that I would like to be doing.

Tell us a little about your family. - My wife of 14 years, Amy, is in the insurance industry and is very hard working. She keeps me and our daughters in line. We also have a white lab.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - Being let go from a sales position that I had left a 21-year, very stable position for. It totally blind sided me and left me in a very dark place for a couple weeks. On the fl ip side, this is also what led me down the path towards entrepreneurship career and made me realize the importance of diversifi cation.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spending a day on the golf course!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I professionally raced 4-wheelers when I was a teenager.

Who inspires you? - My parents. They are both very blue collar and hardworking individuals. Also, seeing my brother turn a life of drug abuse around and becoming a successful business owner is something I am inspired by.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - There are a lot of people out there not as smart as you that are making a lot more money than you because they got out of their own way and took a chance.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - "High Hopes" by Panic at the Disco.

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

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, The E Myth Revisited, and UNFU*K YOURSELF. What is your favorite movie? - Star Wars.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - We frequent LaMesa and Romeo’s. A hidden gem is OJ’s down in Florence.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (402) 490-4407; mfredrickson@redboxplus.com; www. redboxplus.com/omaha. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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BECKY

Becky Costello

AOI CORPORATION Meet Becky Costello, the VP furniture sales at AOI Corporation.

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

FREE In-Home or Virtual Estimates

Tell us a little about your business. - My furniture team is a group of professionals who prides themselves on experience and dedication to a wide variety of services, including sales, interior design, project and move management, and furniture installation and delivery. We represent over 100 brands of commercial furniture with our main product line being the Herman Miller family of brands.

AOI Corporation represents three business units that cover the entire built environment: construction, furniture, and modular construction/walls.

How did you get started in the business? - During an industrial design class in college, I fell in love with furniture design/construction while creating my own furniture pieces. After graduating with an interior design degree from the Art Institute, I moved back to Nebraska and worked for a residential furniture store. Wanting to utilize my space planning and drafting skills more, I looked and eventually found my home and passion at a commercial furniture dealership. professionally?

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- I’m a 2014 ICAN Defi ning Leadership graduate as well as a recent Gallup Boss to Coach graduate. Ongoing learning is one of the most important things I can do. I’m thankful for an employer who encourages and supports my personal and professional growth.

Tell us a little about your family. - I’ve been married to my husband Jim for 13 years. We have two awesome kiddos, Maddie is 12 and Jimmy is 9. We also have a calico cat named Bean. We love our Field Club home and neighborhood!

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What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Cook something delicious with homegrown veggies from my garden! I love to try new recipes but also test out new methods to recreate old standards. In some circles, I am famous for my jalapeño jelly!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I’m an artist! I recently completed an online sketchbook revival class and cannot wait to recreate some of those sketch exercises as full paintings.

Who inspires you? you? - My kids. They are kind, hilariously funny, and wicked smart. They bring out the best in me and each other.

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What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “Infi nite are man’s expressions of beauty and love; open your eyes, your ears, and your heart to them and you will unite the peoples of the world.” – Alexander Girard If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Creative.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Ronald McDonald House Charities Omaha because they provide a place for families to stay together when they need each other the most. I've been able to cook and serve homemade meals to these families.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - A Man called Ove by Fredrik Backman.

What is your favorite TV show? - Wanda Vision.

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Strictly Business MAY 2021

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Carter & Rye for breakfast, Greek Islands for lunch, and Vis Major for dinner.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (402) 896-5520; rcostello@aoicorp.com; www.aoicorp.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

DANIELLE

Danielle Savington AR SOLUTIONS, INC.

Locally owned independent insurance agency servicing all of your risk management needs.

• Business Insurance • Workers Compensation Insurance • Personal Insurance • Employee Benefits

Meet Danielle Savington, attorney for Universal has added services to help customers manage and grow their own businesses, among those a suite of AR Solutions, Inc. benefits that include compliance tools—OSHA regulations, a Family and Medical Leave Act advisor; human-resources Tell us a little about your business. hotline and resources, including customized handbooks.

I represent my client, AR Solutions, in their litigation efforts to collect debt Employee Wellness plan delivered online! that has resulted from breached contracts and unpaid services rendered.

Because our focus is on making our clients whole, extra attention is paid to ensuring that our client’s customers are treated with as much respect Located on the corner of 140th & Center and consideration as possible.

Universalinsgroup.com | 402-399-8721 How did you get started in the business? - I have worked as the attorney for AR Solutions, for the last six years. A colleague was looking for an attorney to partner with in this work and introduced me to the owner, Aaron Newell, and I have remained here ever since. I’m very proud of the work we do and how we do it.

Rent a water softener or What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - I went into “Improve the quality of your life by letting us improve the reverse osmosis system for quality of your water. Our low-pressure sales experience labor with my youngest child the night before the bar exam and had to YOU SAVE is why 9 out of 10 people who talk to us...work with us.” leave in the middle of the second day of testing to deliver the baby. Most * Jeff White, Aqua Systems other challenges have seemed pretty manageable in the wake of that!

What has been your most important achievement professionally? - month First 3 months @ $4.95/mo.

Establishing a reputation for being an attorney who zealously represents with installation cost of $149; after introductory period, rental is $23/mo. my clients while also maintaining ethical practices and a respectful relationship with opposing parties.

Shop and compare at Tell us a little about your family. - I’m the mother of three sports-andilovemywater.com iLoveMyWater.com video-game-loving young adults. My husband is a high school coach, so TEMS between the four of them, there’s pretty much always an athletic event WAT E R S OF N E R S · DRINKING SYS TE taking place. We have a couple big dogs, a cat, and if the youngest has their way, soon we’ll have a bird.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - Probably passing the bar exam even though I’d been in labor and left 2020AquaSystems_3_68x2_41.indd 1 3/19/20 10:58 AM early. When I got notifi cation that I’d passed, I’d given up hope and gotten a job selling electronics at Walmart. Learning that I’d passed showed me that there’s sincerely nothing I can’t accomplish.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I’m passionate about tattoos and the artistry that goes into them. Sadly, I possess less than zero artistic talent myself, so law school seemed like a better bet.

Who inspires you? - So many amazing women! Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sandra Day O’Connor, Sonya Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan...I’m also inspired by my husband who has always been my biggest support.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible.”

– Audrey Hepburn If you had a theme song, what would it be? - What if I say "Blood In The Water" from the Legally Blond soundtrack...? Just kidding! It's probably "I Fought the Law" by The Clash.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Nebraskan’s Against Gun Violence because there needs to be a bridge between the 2nd Amendment right people have and the need to reduce access to fi rearms by prohibited or dangerous persons.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - My favorite book remains the fi rst “grown up” book I ever read, The Matarese Circle by Robert Ludlum. Not a particularly revelatory book, but it blew my little eleven-year-old mind and got me intrigued about fi ction.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (402) 817-3929; savingtonlaw@gmail.com; www.arsolutionsinc.com.

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MAY 2021 Strictly Business

21

NIKKI

Nikki Frenzen

A better way to home.

19K

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CLEARWATER COUNSELING Meet Nikki Frenzen, is the COO at Clearwater Counseling.

Tell us a little about your business. - Our business focuses on mental health of children, teens, and adults. We take pride in helping those who are struggling while helping them explore their inner tools they may already have to help them cope. We all work with different populations and enjoy different populations, which is something I love about our team at Clearwater. It helps us offer a wide variety of services to our community! We have a practice in Omaha and Grand Island. I serve clients out of our Grand Island offi ce and also do virtual counseling through telehealth.

Tell us how you got started in the business. - I was born and raised in central Nebraska in a small rural community. I wanted to bring mental health services to rural communities, so I obtained both my bachelor's degree in human service counseling and master's degree in clinical mental health at Wayne State College. I have over nine years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with behavioral disorders and chronic mental health disorders. I've trained in CASI Evaluations, Brainspotting, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

I really enjoy helping children fi nd positive coping skills who struggle with anger, aggression, anxiety, or children who struggle to express emotions. I can also help parents fi nd positive techniques to parent angry, anxious, or aggressive children.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Setting healthy boundaries with work life and personal life. It can be hard to balance them both at times. It is hard when you take pride in your profession and love what you do!

Tell us a little about your family. - I have the most supportive family.

We are a very family oriented, and I love that!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I go on walks with my dog and spend the day on the farm. There is truly nothing better.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I love to hunt and fi sh. I belong in the great outdoors! It is a great way to disconnect.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Learn to let things go. That is always a tough one but so important.

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

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - I would love to heal people who are struggling or hurting. We know that is always a process or not always possible, but I wish a quick superpower could help heal those who need it.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - I absolutely love kids so I would own a daycare. I would also enjoy working as a realtor or a professional interior decorator/designer.

What is your favorite movie? - There are too many! I do enjoy throwing it back to some Disney movies from my childhood days. I also like seeing the new Disney movies they come out with. Working with kids helps keep me up to date with all of these new movies.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Two of my favorites are Summer Kitchen and Jimi D! If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (308) 210-8487; info@clearwatercounselingne.org; clearwatercounselingpc.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

WILLIAM William Vodvarka

MARBLELIFE OF OMAHA AND LINCOLN Meet William Vodvarka, director of business development and owner at MarbleLife of Omaha and Lincoln.

Tell us a little about your business. - MarbleLife is a hard stone, tile, and concrete restoration company. We specialize in taking your existing marble, granite, terrazzo, tile, concrete, and other natural stones and restoring them back to their original shine and color. Our innovative process involves cleaning, honing and polishing beautiful stone using proprietary solutions and products. Our goal is to listen to our clients, articulate the desired fi nal result, and then execute the restoration plan to the delight of the customer!

How did you get started in the business? - I have always wanted to own my own business and after being successful in corporate America, I decided to invest in MarbleLife. I have a passion for building relationships, so I love meeting with potential customers and hearing about their home or business and their story. Working with a client to fi nd the right solution to their problem is my favorite part of the job. It is motivating to hear their excitement about our work and gives me confi dence in what we do to help their home or business life. MarbleLife is a business that fi lls a gap in service providers in Omaha and doesn’t produce a lot of waste, which is positive for the environment. The franchise has been in business for over 30 years which gives me the support, tools, proprietary products, and all the expertise to provide the best possible solutions here in Omaha. I also own an old home in the middle of town and love the charm. A lot of these old stones and countertops bring the same appeal to me where they can be restored to their original quality whether in a new build or an old home.

Tell us a little about your family. - My wife is in franchise marketing and works with companies just like the MarbleLife brand. We have been married for almost 12 years and have two elementary age boys who keep us very busy! I am originally from Nebraska and my wife is from Kansas, but we both met here in Omaha in college. We loved the city so much, we decided to set down our roots here. We love the people, the honest way of living, and all of the opportunities in Omaha and look forward to all that comes next!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I love to play, watch, and coach soccer. I think it is critical to keep active so even if soccer isn’t an option, I enjoy running, playing catch with my sons, and doing work around the yard. Through the pandemic, we’ve also started quite a few projects in our own home and are looking forward to showing it off post-pandemic.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Empathetic. Putting yourself is another person’s shoes is a diffi cult skill to truly accomplish. I feel like being empathetic is a goal that we should all strive for.

At work, my empathy helps with determining what a customer is looking for in our services.

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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

What is your favorite local restaurant? - I love Butterfi sh in Blackstone, Dario’s Brasserie in Dundee, Au Courant in Benson, and of course the Crescent Moon has always been a staple!

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - The stoic philosopher and Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius.

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

- (888) 388-7730; www.marblelife-omaha.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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

MAY 2021 Strictly Business

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Serving our community for 75 years 1946 – 2021. OPPD has been leading the way we power the future for 75 years. We salute all our employees, past and present, who have made it possible for us to consistently deliver safe, reliable and environmentally sensitive power to all our customer-owners.

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oppd.com

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

FNBO

ACCESSBank

“We truly believe our purpose as a bank is to help make the world a better place by serving others.”

“Excellence is a pillar of the ACCESSway. We believe there are no shortcuts to quality and encourage employees to be thorough, timely and accurate in everything they do.”

FNBO, award recipients the last three years (Sustained Excellence, 2019, Philanthropy, 2018, 2017), believes the true markings of excellence are demonstrated by staying true to those who matter most: their customers, employees and communities.

As a previous B u s i n e s s Excellence Award recipient for Sustained Excellence (2019), Excellence in Leadership (2018), and Excellence in Philanthropy (2017), the 4th largest Omaha-based bank is recognized again for their outstanding service to the community.

When COVID-19 hit, FNBO responded by providing refunds for late fees, non-sufficient funds fees and monthly maintenance fees. They also participated in the Paycheck Protection Program and helped keep businesses open and people at work. In 2020, they provided 7,300+ businesses with more than $800 million in funds which helped preserve 90,000+ jobs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, they kept all staff on board with no furloughs or layoffs. They opened lobbies in order to serve clients in the way they’ve come to expect, and also helped nearly 600 businesses and 9,100+ employees with the distribution of more than $79 million in funds during the first round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Together, we can Project Harmony Child Advocacy Center “We are an organization of very dedicated professionals who take their jobs seriously and want to do the best for the children and families that we serve.” – Project Harmony Employee

END CHILD ABUSE

Now an official back-to-back Sustained Excellence award winner, Project Harmony Child Advocacy Center approaches every situation they encounter through a trauma-focused lens.

Their ambitious Trauma Matters Omaha initiative (the first of its kind in the country) aims to create safe, supportive and engaging communities throughout the Greater Omaha metro area by training advocates to not only recognize signs of trauma, but empower them to respond with compassion and empathy.

“We are forming a stronger community through our three-step process of building awareness, skill building and acute services.” #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BE SOMEONE

projectharmony.com 402.595.1326 MAY 2021 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Sustained Excellence

The Sustained Excellence Award offers another level of distinction for those organizations that prove, time and again, that excellence is standard operating procedure. This award honors those who have received Business Excellence Awards in any category (innovation, leadership and/or philanthropy) for two or more consecutive years.

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Innovation

Creating something better is no easy process, but it’s what true innovators live for, thinking beyond “the now” and “the norm” to improve their customers’ lives. Those recognized for Excellence in Innovation embed this on-going quest for improvement into their cultures and push their bounds, every day, to elevate our community.

QLI “At QLI, excellence is measured by our ability to transition injured individuals from fear and hopelessness to purpose and independence.”

In recent years, as Omaha’s economy improved and the unemployment rate dwindled, it became increasingly difficult to hire quality, dedicated and formally trained staff. It became apparent that this trend threatened QLI’s carefully crafted culture of excellence and, therefore, the quality of our clinical outcomes.

A partnership was developed with the Avenue Scholars Foundation to serve socioeconomically disadvantaged high school seniors. Upon request from the Avenue Scholars Foundation, a threemonth program was also developed for recent graduates who were not successful in a postsecondary education program.

QLI served 18 individuals in 2019 and programs were expanded to serve 31 individuals in 2020. Many of these students have become model employees and are on their way to becoming leaders on QLI’s campus and champions for our mission.

Methodist Health System “Innovation has been part of Methodist since we first began providing healthcare to the Omaha community in 1891. The emphasis continues today and is an integral part of our mission statement: caring for our communities by the way we care, educate and innovate.”

Methodist Health System and the 2020 pandemic will forever be linked in Nebraska – it was Methodist that diagnosed the first COVID-19 patient.

But as the pandemic raged on and Personal Protection Equipment fell into critically low supply early in the year, Methodist OB/GYN Tifany Somer-Shely gave new meaning to the word ‘innovation.’ She designed, fabricated and produced isolation gowns using non-traditional materials, as well as clear face masks that allowed for lip reading by patients who were hearing-impaired.

This level of passionate dedication is one of the reasons why in 2020, Methodist hospitals garnered a total of 16 awards for achievement of excellence in patient satisfaction at the facility and unit levels. That included 13 five-star awards, one four-star award, one top performer award, and an award of distinction.

CRCC “The children and families we serve have complex needs and require medical, educational, and developmental services. Serving unique and amazing people requires innovative approaches to everything we do.”

For CRCC, their model of care for children of all abilities has always been unique within their walls, so when the COVID-19 crisis forced them to temporarily close their centers in March 2020, they had to quickly pivot their entire business model.

This new paradigm enabled CRCC to send teachers and nurses directly into the homes of vulnerable families who needed their high-quality care. But, perhaps even more importantly, CRCC team members brought with them a powerful new tool, Learning Together at Home. This program, which was written by CRCC, was so popular that families in the Omaha community, and all over the country, began purchasing the curriculum to support remote learning from the comfort and security of their own homes. Learning Together at Home was sent to families in more than six states in our region.

OrthoNebraska “OrthoNebraska exists to help people move better. And we accomplish this by creating a direct path to life-changing outcomes and an inspired healthcare experience.”

OrthoNebraska’s innovative efforts are aimed at breaking down the barriers and perceptions around the entire healthcare experience. So, they were eager to find ways that they could support the community during the pandemic.

When there was a personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage, they stood up processes to support healthcare and community organizations. They disinfected N95 masks for healthcare organizations and first responders. They also collected and properly disinfected critical PPE—free of charge— for all community organizations. This continued for the better part of 2020 until the community was able to establish a healthy supply of N95 masks.

26 Strictly Business MAY 2021 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

For the Omaha Community Playhouse, great examples of innovation came when the COVID-19 crisis settled upon the city. Knowing intimately the power an engaging performance can provide to people seeking a respite from the stresses of the world, the Omaha Community Playhouse created a series of safe, drive-in shows that took place in the parking lot. These outdoor performances,done in partnership with Rave On Productions allowed patrons to watch a concert from their car or lawn chairs while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Then, they re-imagined their entire season to consist of small-cast shows to better ensure safety within the theatre.

Anytime Tees With 70% of their business coming from local schools and events, a spring and summer of cancelled sports seasons and celebrations quickly dried up their business. Rather than panic, Anytime Tees pivoted their business model and started making yard signs and face masks. To date, they’ve made more than 25,000 masks for local schools, businesses and groups.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands “Quality relationships drive the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters. That goes for our employee relationships, our relationships with the youth and families we serve, and with our volunteers.”

Within a matter of hours of the decision to shut down the office due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BBBSM team recorded videos to replace the previously in-person volunteer orientation and training sessions. Staff re-designed processes and implemented technology solutions to ensure that BBBSM could continue to be there for the youth and families who needed connections now more than ever. Volunteer orientation, training, interviews and application processes were all moved online and to video calls.

Youth enrollment was moved to a hybrid model to honor the tech infrastructure challenges vulnerable families face. It quickly became apparent that although our community responded quickly and generously to the financial devastation of COVID, many families did not know how to access resources. Our professional match support team speaks to families every day and quickly put together a database of resources to ensure families knew how to get food and other basic needs met.

Then, to support other small businesses affected by the financial hardships of the pandemic, they created the #InThisTogether campaign. Through the initiative, they created unique tees that small businesses could sell and keep a portion of the proceeds. This allowed Anytime Tees to keep their presses printing and employees working, while donating around $4,800 to small business in Council Bluffs.

Vic Gutman & Associates “VGA’s philosophy is to hire talented, responsible, and selfmotivated people and empower them to lead projects and manage client relationships.”

Like so many other award recipients, the pandemic compelled VGA to innovate like never before. COVID-19 and the resulting directed health measures forced their staff to transform in-person public events to virtual formats. For the 2020 Omaha Summer Arts Festival, VGA livestreamed the event on the OSAF Facebook page while also broadcasting from Omaha’s public access television station, KPAO. #VirtualOSAF was one of the first virtual events to be offered in the nation with an estimated 25,000 people participating.

As the pandemic continued unabated into the fall, Omaha families had quarantine fatigue and were desperate for safe, out-of-home activities. VGA planned a drive-thru Family Festival at the Omaha Police Mounted Patrol Barn.

Families enjoyed free craft kits, holiday characters, police officers on their horses, and holiday entertainment. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION

Congratulations to Vic Gutman and the dedicated professionals at VGA

for their recognition by the Greater Omaha Chamber.

For 43 years, VGA has brought people together by strengthening nonprofit organizations and producing exceptional public events.

vgagroup.com

MAY 2021 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Omaha Community Playhouse “Innovation is part of our daily operations in theatre.

From adopting the latest in theatre technology to making theatre magic happen on stage with every show, we have a staff full of creatives and innovators.”

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

CELEBR ATING OUR COMMITMENT

TO OUR CLIENTS

OUR

EMPLOYE ES

& YOU Our people-centric business model isn’t typical, but we’ve proven its success time and time again. We are, and have always been, focused on the wellbeing of our employees. They’re our foundation, our inspiration, our family – and when they excel, our clients succeed. Our NLP™ (NextGen Leadership Program) provides professional advancement coaching, mentorship opportunities, career pathing and our Front-line Supervisor Apprenticeship program.

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT NORTHENDTELESERVICES.COM.

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Strictly Business MAY 2021

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BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Small Business of the Year 2020 Brickway Brewery & Distillery

“Our passion is making great beer and stiff whiskey, the kind you want to share. When it’s time to celebrate, commiserate or commemorate, Brickway is there for you.”

Brickway is a brewery and distillery that opened its doors on December 13, 2013 in Omaha’s historic Old Market District.

As Omaha’s first distillery since Prohibition, they’ve won four international spirits medals in the last two years and two national beer medals.

Once the COVID-19 pandemic became a reality for the community, they used their distilling know-how to produce hand sanitizer. At first, they donated it to hospitals and first responders, then offered it for free to the general public. For fun, they even put the hand sanitizer on tap. To date, Brickway has produced more than 5,000 gallons of sanitizer!

So, let’s all raise a glass and toast our 2020 Small Business of the Year!

CELEBRATE. COMMISERATE. COMMEMORATE.

Scoular is honored to receive a Greater Omaha Chamber 2021 Excellence in Business Award for Philanthropy.

Scoular has been proud to call Nebraska home for more than a century, with its global headquarters in Omaha.

Creating safe and reliable agricultural supply chain solutions is our never-ending pursuit.

OUR BEERS AND SPIRITS ARE CAREFULLY CRAFTED USING THE HIGHEST QUALITY INGREDIENTS TO ENSURE WELL-BALANCED FLAVORS AND GUARANTEED SATISFACTION. TAKE ONE SIP, AND YOU’LL UNDERSTAND.

402-933-2613 1116 Jackson St. | Omaha, NE 68102 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Grains

Pet Food Ingredients

Food Ingredients

International Trade

Animal Feed Ingredients

Transportation

© 2021 Scoular

MAY 2021 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Milestones

Milestones matter, and anniversaries of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 or 150 years in business mark the dedication of organizational stakeholders, as well as the commitment of customers to the business or nonprofit.

25 Years • All American Meats • Artisan Stone Co., Inc. • CHI Health • Critter Control of Omaha • Crown Trophy and Awards • DataShield Corporation • Dingman’s Collision Center • Elisa Ilana • Elmwood Pharmacy • Embassy Suites Hotel Downtown/Old Market • Holiday Inn Express • International Logistics, Inc. • Jesuit Academy • JMonet

• Moylan Kropp • Nebraska Enterprise Fund • Object Partners, Inc. • Power Protection Products, Inc. • Project Harmony Child Advocacy Center • Regal Printing Company • Shamrock Development, Inc. • Sonburst Communication • State Farm Insurance dbaGeyer Ins & Fin Svcs Inc. • The Cleaning Mart, Inc. • Thiele Geotech, Inc. • Thompson • TPG TeleManagement • Upstream Brewing Company

While a lot has changed over the past 75 years, our dedication to providing quality products and services remains the same. We thank you, our valued customers, for your loyal patronage, and we look forward to serving you for another 75 years.

Building Generations One Block at a Time 14306 GILES ROAD, OMAHA, NE 68138 30

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402.896.0900 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

• Central States Group • Continental Fire Sprinkler Company • Fiserv • Five Points Bank • Greater Omaha Refrigeration • Latino Center of the Midlands • Streck, Inc.

75 Years • Airlite Plastics Co. • Cobalt Credit Union • CTM • Frontier Bag Company • Gunderson’s Jewelers • Hertz Farm Management, Inc. • Kirkham Michael • Malnove of Nebraska • Metropolitan Omaha Builders Association • Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) • Smith Insurance • Valmont Industries, Inc. • Watkins Concrete Block Co., Inc.

100 Years • Bozell • Omaha Symphony • Rotella’s Italian Bakery, Inc. • Woods Aitken LLP

125 Years • Lawlor’s Custom Sportswear, Inc. • Visiting Nurse Association of the Midlands

150 Years • City of Fremont • Ingersoll-Rand Air Center #PrintProudDigitalSmart

YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR PASSION.

Thanks to our clients and team for

75 great years!

HELP OUR CLIENTS. IMPROVE OUR WORLD. WWW.KIRKHAM.COM

Serving Metro Area 50 Years Commercial & Industrial Only • Maintenance Contracts Leasing • Sales • Design • Installation • Parts • Service

New and used equipment walk-in coolers & freezers

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

• CONVENIENCE STORES • RESTAURANTS • WAREHOUSES • FLORIST SHOPS • LIQUOR STORES • ICE CREAM SHOPS

571-2626 1-800-642-0009

greateromaharefrigeration.com

3313 N 88th Plaza | Omaha, NE 68134 MAY 2021 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

50 Years

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Leadership

Excellence in Leadership recognizes those organizations with a strong vision for the future; a devotion to collaboration, inclusivity and forward-thinking; and a dedication to elevating their employees and the communities they call home.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska “BCBSNE is made up of more than 1,100 employees that all think of themselves as ‘One Team. In it for Our Members.’”

Like any company, the pandemic presented unforeseen challenges for BCBSNE that tested their agility and leadership at all levels. So, they transitioned employees to work from home, where they continue to thrive.

They were also Nebraska’s first insurance company to protect providers and members by fully reimbursing telehealth costs.

BCBSNE also collaborated with Nebraska’s Director of Economic Development to hire remote-working customer service representatives in greater Nebraska. They took steps to act on commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion as longstanding Chamber members and Employer Coalition for CODE participants. This included workshops with Inclusive Communities and hiring a director of diversity and inclusion to focus and formalize mindful leadership for our customers and communities.

CHI Health “CHI Health delivers on our mission to provide affordable and high-quality care to everyone in our community, particularly the most vulnerable.”

Talk to the leadership team at CHI Health, and they’ll tell you that they’re not waiting for someone else to “fix” healthcare. They’re jumping in, head first, to find new models of care. That means working to bend the cost curve, bring costs down and focus on keeping our community healthy.

They’ve developed solutions including value-based risk sharing agreements, narrow network products, Direct Primary Care offerings, and direct-to-employer agreements in an effort to drive down costs and offer choices to employers to impact both the health of their employees and the health of their pocketbook.

UNMC Business & Finance “We, with our partner, Nebraska Medicine, work to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.”

UNMC was in perfect position to model leadership and make a meaningful difference during the pandemic. With their unique expertise, experience and leadership, UNMC has been an invaluable resource for Nebraska and, often, the nation at large.

UNMC created dashboards to track information and help decision makers make informed choices; created playbooks and provided expertise to help children get back to school and Nebraskans get back to work.

They provided resources to first responders and healthcare facilities; gave bi-weekly updates on the latest research and science; conducted groundbreaking research on the manner of transmission, better tests and environmental epidemiology.

North End Teleservices, LLC “We are, and have always been, focused on the wellbeing of our employees. They’re our foundation, our inspiration, our family – and when they excel, our clients succeed.”

North End Teleservices is the largest African-American, woman-owned business by employee number in the state of Nebraska. As they marked their 5-Year anniversary, the governor proclaimed September 1, 2020 as North End Teleservices Day in recognition of their contributions to the state.

NET truly believes leadership happens from the “ground up.” During the last quarter of 2020, they promoted a total of 35 employees, all individuals who expressed a desire to grow and learn. Their operations team was able to increase capacity and meet the demand for a number of current government contracts. This also became an opportunity for many of their leaders to take on mentors.

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CLAAS is serious about solutions to the workforce shortage. Not only are they volunteer advisors with schools and educators, but they also serve volunteer roles on three professional coalitions all focusing on workforce issues.

CLAAS partnered with Dream It Do It and P4K to offer programs to disadvantaged kids, teaching them real life work skills. They also signed up for Legacy student interns – offering great jobs for bright students from disadvantaged areas in Omaha.

But their commitment to local youth doesn’t end there – they also built a first-class training center for apprentices to learn and practice their skills. In both programs, CLAAS pays 100% of the tuition and books, as well as the apprentices while they’re in school, labs and on-the-job-training.

Signature Performance “We believe that everyone at Signature is a leader because everyone has influence. This is the Signature Way.” T h e S i g n a t u re Way culture is dedicated to providing associates with a workplace experience unlike anything they’ve belonged to before. An essential component of the Signature Way is supporting a diverse and inclusive workplace where associates feel respected and valued at all times.

Many associates have seen an immense amount of growth after participating in the Emerging Leaders program. This program leaves an impact on associates and clients, which in turn feeds the local economy.

Signature Performance generates $102.5 million into the Nebraska economy each year. This type of leadership and commitment to their mission is what sets them apart and makes their associates the biggest asset to their success.

“There is no secret to our success, we just have good ideas and motivated people” – Helmut Claas

claas.com

8401 S. 132nd Street, Omaha NE 402.861.1000

The Tea Smith “At The Tea Smith, we emphasize a welcoming atmosphere for both employees and customers, and love learning and imparting knowledge about all aspects of tea.”

The Tea Smith hires college students, and for most of them, it’s their first taste of significant work experience. That’s why they provide training and educational resources to help these new hires acclimate to a professional work environment. They also have a tea-wiki which all “Smithies” contribute to as a part of their training.

When the pandemic hit, customers were restricted from coming into the shop. So, the Smithies developed a fun Bubble Tea DIY Kit that allowed patrons to make this popular sweet treat in the comfort and safety of their own home. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

CLAAS “Investing in a first-class Academy Apprenticeship Program doesn’t just help students and educators, but it also plants seeds for the students of the great careers in manufacturing.”

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

AWARD WINNERS Sustained Excellence

Innovation Anytime Tees

Accessbank

Big Brother Big Sisters of the Midlands

Project Harmony Child Advocacy Center

Omaha Community Playhouse

OrthoNebraska

QLI

FNBO

Leadership CRCC Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

CHI Nebraska

Methodist Health System

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CLAAS

Lueder Construction

North End Teleservices, LLC

Signature Performance

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The Tea Smith

Vic Gutman & Associates

UNMC Business & Finance #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Scoular

Carson Wealth

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Philanthropy

2020 Small Business of the Year Brickway Brewery & Distillery

RTG Medical

Conagra Brands

NMC Group, Inc.

Metropolitan Community College

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BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Philanthropy

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Organizations, small and large, with an others-focused philosophy of giving make a significant impact on Greater Omaha’s health and well-being. Recognition goes to those who go above-and-beyond to improve individual lives and the broader life and vitality of our community.

Scoular “Scoular takes great pride in donating a percentage of our annual profits to the Scoular Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of human life in the communities where our employees live and work.”

Metropolitan Community College “With the term ‘community’ in our name, it is part of our culture to engage in and support the area we serve. We do this not only with relevant educational opportunities, but also by stepping up in times of need.”

The Scoular Foundation focuses on building longterm, impactful partnerships with Omaha-based nonprofits and community organizations, investing in areas of importance to our employees and community partners. Since 2018, the Foundation has donated more than $1,977,000 to nonprofits, focusing significantly on the Omaha metro.

In 2020, the Foundation spearheaded a corporate giving initiative, providing $400 bonuses to 114 Omaha teachers who serve at-risk students. Scoular also partnered with three other corporations to make a $150,000 donation to Food Bank of the Heartland, helping purchase critical food items.

In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic had started to take hold in the community, there was a shortage of personal protective equipment. MCC stepped up and converted the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology into a face shield assembly plant. Using donated material from local businesses, the Prototype Design Lab team began making plastic face shields for Nebraska Medicine and other local hospital systems.

As demand grew, more MCC employees and volunteers were added to the manufacturing process, which extended outside the lab and into the hallways of the building, keeping social distancing measures in place to ensure safety. Eventually, thousands of face shields were produced and delivered to Nebraska Medicine and others.

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For Ron Carson and his wife, Jeanie, giving back to their community has always been near and dear to their hearts. In 2011, they established The Dreamweaver Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fulfilling end-of-life wishes for impoverished seniors with terminal illnesses. Since then, they have successfully fulfilled more than 300 dreams for seniors in and around the Omaha community.

In the past fiscal year, 61% of their stakeholders participated in philanthropic endeavors and donated more than 2,700 volunteer hours. As a firm, they donated more than $116,000 in charitable contributions.

NMC Group, Inc. “As a company value, ‘stewardship’ is at the forefront of each day. Our employees approach their work with an unwavering focus on the communities in which they live and work.”

The NMC Foundation, which was launched in 2013, works to identify support opportunities that would have the greatest impact within three key giving pillars: Talent Engagement, Industry Engagement, and Community Engagement. The focus is to bring financial assistance and hands-on training to students across Nebraska and Iowa who are pursuing a trade related to those key positions within NMC. NMC Foundation has made donations in excess of $897,750 with more than $717,000 of that amount being donated to educational programs. In addition, NMC directly supported 18 students with tuition, uniforms and tools totaling $38,691.

Conagra Brands “After 100 years, our commitment to delivering exceptional value for customers, consumers, employees, investors and communities remains strong.”

a Best Place to Work for Advisors and one of Omaha’s leading wealth management firms, for receiving the Chamber’s Excellence in Philanthropy award.

Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. 13321 California St, #100, Omaha, NE 68154

Last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, Conagra employees helped Food Bank for the Heartland stock local pantries by collecting 22 pallets of packaged food and surplus product. Additionally, Conagra donated 30 million pounds of product to Feeding America to redistribute to its 200 food banks.Their 14th annual Shine the Light on Hunger campaign generated more than 6.6 million meals for Food Bank for the Heartland and surpassing their goal of 1.5 million meals by 442%.

RTG Medical “Since launching our Community Partnership Program in 2016, our teams have given nearly $300,000 and clocked more than 1,000 volunteer hours.”

In 2017, RTG and the Fremont Family YMCA took their community partnership to the next level and launched a youth swimming program called SwimMates. Since then, more than 1,000 Fremont-area first-graders have completed the program by learning how to swim, how to practice water safety in and out of the water, and discovering new ways to live a healthy lifestyle. To date, RTG has donated nearly $70,000 for students’ transportation, swim instructors, swimwear and towels for students who complete the program. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Metropolitan Community College is honored to be a recipient of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce 2021 Excellence in Philanthropy Award and extends congratulations to the other deserving recipients.

Metropolitan Community College affirms a policy of equal education, employment opportunities and nondiscrimination in providing services to the public. To read our full policy statement, visit mccneb.edu/nondiscrimination.

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BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Carson Wealth “Our new headquarters in West Omaha will have open space and conference rooms for non-profits to utilize at no cost.”

At Lueder Construction, your vision for your project becomes our mission. You can count on us to transform your vision into a beautiful, functional, vital space.

402.339.1000

LUEDER.COM OUR CORE VALUES WE RUN TO A CHALLENGE WE ENJOY LIFE WE USE SOLID PRACTICES FOR PREDICTABLE RESULTS WE ARE GOOD STEWARDS WE BUILD PEOPLE

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PERSONNEL NEWS Goodwill Bids Farewell to 2 Board Members, Welcomes New Vice Chair, 3 New Members Goodwill Omaha has announced several changes to its board of trustees for 2021, including the departure of two members, the arrival of three new members, and the election of a new vice chair. In January, board members Erin Limas, chief fi nancial offi cer at Borsheim’s Jewelry Company, and Scott Semrad, principal at the Urban Village Development, stepped down from the Goodwill Omaha Board of Trustees, and the board and staff thanked them for their generous service in shaping the organization and making it stronger and more transparent.

During the fi rst quarter of the calendar year, the Goodwill Omaha Board approved three new members of the board, including Leah Vetter, area president of the Heartland branch at Gallagher Benefi t Services; Paul Lanphier, executive director of the Hope Center for Kids; and Robyn Burnett, accounts and education services manager at Best Care EAP for Methodist Health System.

“As we continue to bring new members onto our board, we remain particularly mindful of the expertise, skillsets, networks and backgrounds that eac h member brings,” said Goodwill Omaha President and CEO Tobi Mathouser. “Increasing the diversity of our board not only enhances the ways Goodwill Omaha can grow, but it also allows us to expand and improve our current employment training programs and job placement ser vices for the community we serve.”

At the March 30 meeting, the Board voted to retain its current chair, Jim H. Rich, founder of Percipio Partners, for the 2021 calendar year. Although the board typically elects a new chairperson each year, 2020 was such an unusual year, the board unanimously agreed that Rich should remain in the role for a second year. Board members elected Doug Anderson, commercial market manager at Great Southern Bank, as vice chair of the board.

Goodwill Industries, Inc. in Omaha serves eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa by providing a place to donate used clothing and household items or fi nd a great bargain. The true mission of the nonprofit, however, is to provide job training and placement services to people with disabilities and other disadvantages.

For more information about Goodwill or their 18 regional locations, visit www. goodwillomaha.org or follow them on Facebook (@goodwillomaha), Twitter (@goodwillomaha), and YouTube (@ goodwillomahatv). #PrintProudDigitalSmart

“How did you hear about us?”

“Strictly Business!”

(402) 466-3330 www.StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Leah Vetter

Kristie Egan Becomes New Owner of See The Trainer Midwest® to Serve Needs in Omaha

Paul Lanphier

Robyn Burnett

On October 1, 2020, long-time See The Trainer ® employee Kristie Egan purchased the See the Trainer where she had worked for nearly 13 years. She rose through the ranks as an associate to billing manager to offi ce manager to COO. This was the fi rst time that an employee became an owner, making it very special to Franchisor Maurie Maher.

Located at 13106 W Dodge Rd., the woman-owned See The Trainer Midwest ® is an orthopedic, sports-medicine facility dedicated to keeping a diverse population functioning through a variety of bracing and support products. They offer a full line of in-stock bracing, home health, and rehabilitation products. Whether your pain results from a chronic condition or an acute injury, they are dedicated to improving your quality of life. Their knowledgeable staff will do their best assisting you in selecting the appropriate product to best fi t your needs.

Kristie said purchasing the franchise was a dream come true. Kirstie lost her father at a very young age. In 2008, when she joined the See the Trainer family, See the Trainer became hers. She knows that her father is looking down on her with great pride on this huge accomplishment and all of the ones she hopes to make.

Jim H. Rich

Doug Anderson

As owner and president of the location, she is excited to bring her experience related to the medical fi eld and love for helping others in the community. Born and raised in Omaha, Kristie graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in psychology. While at UNO, she concentrated mostly on academics, became involved in the Pre-Med Club, and became a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, as well. Kristie also worked at a family-practice offi ce for a number of years, gaining experience working for and interacting with patients and medical professionals, and she has always been interested in a career in helping others improve their quality of life.

If you’re looking for in-stock products for orthopedic, sports medicine, rehabilitation, home health and patient education, See The Trainer Midwest has you covered. For more information, visit seethetrainer.com/location/omaha-ne or call (402) 493-4747.

MAY 2021 Strictly Business 39

PERSONNEL NEWS American Marketing Association Omaha Elects New Board Members for 2021-2022 M e m b e r s o f t h e A m e r i c a n Marketing Association of Omaha recently voted for and approved is slate of 2021-22 Board members.

Elected to serve as offi cers for the coming year are: President Jordan Maddex-Kopp, Jet Linx Aviation; President-Elect Sara Winters, Fusion Medical; Secretary Kate O’Dea, Harrison Financial Services; Treasurer Max Lau, CPA, Lau CPA, PC; and Immediate Past President Belinda Boelter, Canary & Coal.

Elected to serve as vice presidents, by category are, for Membership: Magdalena Axtell, Sirius Computer Solutions, and Adam Kroft, Red Thread; for Programming: Sarah Morris, COX Media, and Jaycee Stephens, PlanIt; for Communications: Stevie Howard, My Marketing Sense, Sammi Finken, Jet Linx Aviation, Cindy McAndrew, Seldin Company, and Natalie Wickham, Quantum Workplace; for Collegiate Relations: Emily Marston, Make-A-Wish Nebraska; for Sponsorship: James Reilly, Xpressdocs; for Special Events: Jillian McNamee, Amber Pharmacy; for Workshops: Thom Kastrup, Smoth Kroeger; for External Events: Mary Kate Gulick, KidGlov; for Diversity & Inclusion: Tiffany Ward, Oriental Trading Company; and for AMA Omaha Cares: Fernanda Reutzel, Physicians Mutual. The Board Member at Large is Tom Kealy, Barnhart Press.

For almost 60 years, AMA Omaha has been the leading network for local marketing professionals and continues to serve the Omaha community to advance the practice of marketing by providing a forum for discussion and the latest information about key issues impacting marketing professionals. For more information, visit amaomaha.org.

First Responders Foundation Welcomes Malorie Maddox to Board of Directors The First Responders Foundation is proud to welcome Malorie Maddox to their Board of Directors. Malorie is the chief marketing, communications, and strategy offi cer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska.

In that role, she leads the internal and external communications, digital marketing, advertising and brand, corporate social responsibility, wellness, and insights teams.

She also serves as executive sponsor of their Diversity and Inclusion Business Group.

Previously, Maddox spent 20 years as an award-winning journalist. She has been recognized with numerous Associated Press and Nebraska Broadcast Association awards, including an Emmy nomination for her 30-minute special, “Mothers Who Kill.” She has emceed more than 500 events for organizations in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas and also presented as a keynote speaker and panelist at events throughout the Heartland.

Malorie’s experience in communications, marketing, advertising, branding, and journalism will be helpful as the First Responders Foundation seeks to expand its reach to fi rst responders, veterans, and their families, as well as to donors and volunteers. Malorie also has a passion for storytelling. Storytelling the heroics of fi rst responders will assist as the Foundation works toward the mission of building appreciation and respect for fi rst responders and their work.

For more information about the First Responders Foundation, or to volunteer, visit fi rstrespondersfoundation.org, email contact@ fi rstrespondersfoundation.org, or call (402) 218-1234.

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West Gate Bank Promotes Tana Wagener to Senior VP, Director of Human Services The West Gate Bank® Board of Directors recently announced the promotion of Tana Wagener to Senior Vice President, Director of Human Resources. Wagener has worked in the fi nancial industry for 20 years, joining West Gate Bank in 2010. She was promoted to Human Resources and Training Offi cer in 2011 and is a certifi ed Human Resources Generalist. During Wagener’s time in the Human Resources role, West Gate Bank has grown to include more than 250 employees.

With her promotion, Wagener will focus solely on the human-resources needs of the bank, including payroll and 401K administration, enrollment, administration for employee benefi ts, new-hire orientation, and onboarding. She has also been appointed to the West Gate Bank Executive Committee.

Outside of the offi ce, Wagener is a volunteer board member for Lincoln Literacy and serves as secretary on the nonprofi t’s executive committee, is a member of the Bank Training Advisors for the Nebraska Banker’s Association’s Education Advisory Committee, and participates in bank-sponsored community activities. Wagener is located at West Gate Bank Center at 6003 Old Cheney Rd. and can be reached at (402) 323-8962 or twagener@westgate.bank.

West Gate Bank® is a family-owned community bank with 10 locations in Lincoln and Omaha. The newest branch is under construction at 177th and West Maple Rd. in Omaha and is expected to open in mid-2022. At West Gate Bank, their interest is you! Visit westgate. bank for more information.

CCA Home Care Welcomes Audrey Pecha as New Client Care Coordinator in Omaha CCA Home Care welcomed Audrey Pecha as their new Client Care Coordinator in the Omaha offi ce effective March 1.

Audrey has an innate passion for helping others, as evident from her decade of service as a residential manager with Duet, a developmental-disabilities service provider in Omaha. Ready to jump into a new challenge, she is thrilled to be helping people develop care plans through CCA Home Care that suit their needs perfectly.

“In my new role, I meet with potential clients, and their families, that need a little extra help in their lives,” Audrey said. “We sit down and talk about all the things they need help with and come up with a care plan that is best for them. Some individuals need more medical support, some need daily living support like help in the shower or making meals, and some just need help making sure their home stays clean and safe. I am SO excited for this new position and all the people that I will meet. My passion is helping people, so I feel like I am in the best role possible to make that passion fl ourish.”

CCA Home Care provides and manages a Home Care Registry for individuals and families in need of home care that allows loved ones to remain in their homes even when they might require some assistance to do so. They screen and refer caregivers to work for these families and provide client-directed care to ensure that YOU make the decisions regarding care for your loved one. For more information, visit CCAHomeCare.com, email Offi ce@CCAHomeCare. com, or contact Owner Kyle Johnson at (402) 398-1848. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

PERSONNEL NEWS Seven Members of Lincoln Federal Mortgage Lending Team Recognized as Top Originators

Rob Trebilcock Appointed Senior Manager of Public Affairs for Cox Communications

Lincoln Federal Savings Bank is proud to announce that seven members of its mortgage lending team received Top Originator recognition in the 2021 Scotsman Guide. Those who make the rankings were recognized as mortgage professionals who rose to the occasion despite the stressful times that the last year delivered.

Lincoln Federal Savings Bank mortgage-lending professionals who made the latest prestigious Top Originator rankings include: Vice President - Mortgage Loan Offi cer Chris Elgert ranked No. 1 in Nebraska for total loans closed and total dollar volume; Vice President – Mortgage Loan Offi cer Shane Podliska ranked No. 2 in Nebraska for total loans closed and total dollar volume; Cami Moran, Mike Isaacson, Corey Rhone, Dave Arkfeld, and Mary Byrnes all received the designation of Top Originator. Lincoln Federal applauds the determination and effort these loan offi cers have demonstrated over the past year!

Lincoln Federal Savings Bank specializes in Mortgage Lending with multiple programs available to suit each borrower’s unique situation. To work with one of these incredible local loan originators, visit lincolnfed.com/meet-our-team. Lincoln Federal Savings Bank is Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

Rob Trebilcock has been appointed Cox Communications’ Senior Manager, Public Relations for the Greater Omaha area. In the role, Trebilcock will be responsible for managing a portfolio of partners making an impact in the areas of youth, technology, and education, with diversity and inclusion always as an overarching theme. Rob takes pride in partnering with local organizations to help them fulfi ll their missions while, at the same time, aligning Cox’s external strategy with the nonprofi t partners.

Most recently, Rob worked at the executive level in the nonprofi t sector. In the last 15 years, his focus has been mainly on corporate social responsibility (CSR). With experience working across multiple states and internationally, Rob truly enjoys working with diverse populations. Outside of his Cox responsibilities, Rob currently serves as Board President for the Nebraska Sports Council, serves on the Board for Nonprofi t Association of the Midlands, and recently joined the Urban League Board.

Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services.

The largest private telecom company in America, they proudly serve 6 million homes and businesses across 18 states. They are dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities, and the characteristics that makes each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded by Governor James M. Cox in 1898. For more information, visit cox.com.

Business Ethics Alliance Welcomes Marketing & Communications Manager, Charli Hathcox The Business Ethics Alliance is excited to announce the addition of its new marketing and communications manager, Charli Hathcox. Charli brings a variety of knowledge and experience to her new role and is committed to advancing the mission of the Business Ethics Alliance in the Omaha community. Charli joins the Business Ethics Alliance with over a decade of experience in the communications industry. She began her professional career in the television news industry and had the pleasure of working in fi ve different markets across the country, including Omaha.

In television news, Charli served as a reporter, a producer, a senior producer, and an executive producer. In 2017, Charli transitioned to her nonprofi t career, joining Heartland Family Service as its communications manager. Her areas of expertise include crisis communication, public speaking, social media, and developing organizational marketing strategies. Charli received her bachelor’s degree in television journalism with a minor in French from West Virginia University and her master’s degree with distinction in business administration from Bellevue University. She has a deep commitment to volunteerism and has donated her time to various organizations.

The mission of the Business Ethics Alliance is to build leadership, strengthen organizations, and elevate Greater Omaha through positive, practical business education. The Alliance was legally established in 2008 as a standalone, not-for-profi t entity. The Alliance has three founding partners: the Heider College of Business, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and the BBB of the Midlands.

Additionally, the Alliance is made up of Trustees around Omaha who act as a guild of business leaders who are ambassadors, supporters, and advisors of the Alliance’s mission. For more information, visit BusinessEthicsAlliance.org or contact Charli at (402) 280-3395 / chathcox@businessethicsalliance.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Child Saving Institute Appoints New Mental Health Services Director, Lora Sladovnik Child Saving Institute (CSI) has promoted Lora Sladovnik, MS, LIMHP, to director of mental health services. Sladovnik earned her master’s degree in counseling from Bellevue University and an undergraduate degree in human resources and family science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She joined CSI as a licensed independent mental health practitioner in September 2020. She has more than 15 years of training and clinical experience working across a variety of settings, including outpatient specialty clinics, crisis intervention, nonprofi ts, and private practice. In March 2021, Sladovnik transitioned into her new role.

Prior to joining CSI, Sladovnik worked as a therapist at Offutt Air Force Base, Children’s Hospital, and Omni Behavioral Health. She has experience treating a wide range of child, teen, and young-adult psychiatric disorders, and she has training in cognitive behavioral health, reality therapy, solution-focused therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and crisis intervention. Sladovnik specializes in anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and trauma. Her therapeutic approach emphasizes integrative, dynamic, and whole-person centered therapy.

Child Saving Institute is dedicated to the prevention, intervention, and healing of child abuse, neglect and abandonment. For 129 years, they have been “responding to the cry of a child” and meeting the changing needs of metro-area children. To learn more, visit childsaving.org or follow them on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To inquire about CSI’s Mental Health Services or make an appointment with a therapist, email CSIReferrals@childsaving.org or call (402) 553-6000.

MAY 2021 Strictly Business 41

NONPROFIT NEWS Wear Yellow Nebraska Hosts Registration & Gear Pop-Up at Twisted Vine Wine Bar

Turn Out for Wheels of Courage Car Show to Support Patients at Jennie Edmundson

It’s time to start thinking about the 2021 Wear Yellow Ride, Run & Walk and purchase your own awesome one-of-a-kind Wear Yellow Nebraska gear, so mark your calendars for the event Registration and Gear Pop-Up at the Twisted Vine wine bar on May 18. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., you will have the chance to register for the annual event, buy your gear, and then head on in for your favorite wine, craft beer, or handcrafted cocktail and enjoy some live music! Twisted Vine is located at 123 N. Washington St. in Papillion and promises an evening of networking and fun in preparation for the 18th Annual Wear Yellow Ride, Run & Walk.

Mark your calendars for June 26 to attend the FREE 2021 Wheels of Courage Car Show at Quaker Steak & Lube in Council Bluffs to support cancer patients at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. Bring your whole family out to enjoy some fun, as you head back to the Rock ‘N’ Roll era to see gorgeous classics cars, including vintage vehicles and hot rods. If you’re a car enthusiast and have a vehicle you would like to show, Wheels of Courage is defi nitely for you! More than 200 cars are expected to participate in the 2021 show, and a registration fee of just $20 will put you and your favorite show car in the lineup. Register by June 18 to receive a free T-shirt.

The event will include 13 judging categories, plus special awards, with judging beginning at noon and awards being presented at 3 p.m.

Wear Yellow Nebraska is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t organization with a clear focus on niche initiatives that offer cancer survivors support in ways that were not previously being addressed and for people who would otherwise fall through the cracks, truly caring for an individual’s special circumstances. They organize the Wear Yellow Ride, Run & Walk to fund the Wear Yellow Cab Ride program powered by Lyft, as well as other initiatives that support a mission to make a difference for cancer survivors. Your registration fee will provide two rides to a fellow Nebraskan who is fi ghting cancer but does not have adequate transportation to or from their treatments. To learn more or register for the event, go to wearyellownebraska.org, email contactus@ wearyellownebraska.org, or call (402) 965-1699. Or better yet, turn out for the Registration & Gear Pop-Up at Twisted Vine on May 18!

The Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation is indebted to the longtime support they have received from large and small communities across southwest Iowa and the Omaha metro area. All proceeds from Wheels of Courage will benefi t Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital’s Charitable Patient Care Fund, which helps Jennie cancer patients in their times of need. For more information about registering your car or becoming a sponsor, go to jehfoundation.org or call (712) 396-6040.

Businesses Benefit from Donating Surplus Foods to Saving Grace for Redistribution RISE Academy Welcomes New Board Members RISE Academy recently welcomed four new board members, including Naomi Hattaway, Dr. Mark Foxall, W. Todd Wallace, and Ava Thomas.

They will help guide the mission and activities of RISE in bridging the journey from incarceration back into the community via character development, employment readiness, entrepreneurship, and case management.

Hattaway is passionate about community building, diversity and accessibility in online and physical spaces, and affordable housing so folks can thrive, not just survive, in the places they call home. The founder of I Am A Triangle, an international social network, Hattaway now consults nonprofi ts and organizations on inclusive program design, equity and housing solutions. Dr. Foxall is a professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska Omaha where he received his Ph.D. He joined the staff at the Douglas County Department of Corrections in 2000 and began serving as their director in 2011 until his retirement in 2018.

Johnson is a cogent thought leader and community-growth professional profi cient in organizational leadership, team building, workforce psychology and the science of strengths-based career development. He is past global channel leader of entrepreneurship and job creation at Gallup and is current senior vice president of economic development at the Greater Omaha Chamber. Thomas is the President and Publisher of the Lincoln Journal Star and has over 25 years of experience in the industry, having worked her way up from a classifi ed ad-taker to the president of the company. For more information about RISE Academy, visit seeusrise.org.

42 Strictly Business MAY 2021

More than 50 vendors provide the nutritious perishable food that Saving Grace rescues and redistributes to nonprofi t agencies for their clients. These food donors provide their surplus fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meats, prepared, and packaged meals and more to feed the hungry rather than throwing it in the dumpster. Donating perishable food to feed the hungry is easy, and it makes good business sense: • Businesses may receive a tax deduction for their donation.

• Dumpster fees are reduced, as there is less waste.

• D onating food rather than tossing it supports a business’s sustainability plan.

• It’s great for engagement, as employees feel good about donating food to feed the hungry rather than throwing it away.

• The community benefi ts. Nonprofi ts receive the food, free of charge, and their clients have access to fresh, healthy foods. Less food in the landfi lls is good for the environment.

“In our industry, your heart breaks when you have to throw the food away, knowing there are people out there who really need it,” says Jennifer Snow, chef and co-owner of Catering Creations, a food donor since 2014. “Our partnership allows us to give back to our community and help families.”

Saving Grace’s donors include grocery stores, wholesalers, restaurants, convenience stores, event centers, caterers, schools, and other food vendors. Twenty of these businesses have provided their surplus food to Saving Grace for fi ve or more years. Visit savinggracefoodrescue. org/food-donors/ and support these businesses that donate food to Saving Grace. Food vendors interested in learning how they can donate their excess perishable food can call (402) 651-0887. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS Have Coffee with Candace May 26 to Get the Inside Scoop About Open Door Mission Take your lunch break for virtual Coffee with Candace at noon on May 26 to get an inside look at the compelling work of Open Door Mission in the Omaha community. Mission President and CEO Candace Gregory will be live on Facebook and YouTube for the May episode of the 30-minute show to help, amid so much change in the world today, stay on top of and be encouraged by what God is doing at Open Door Mission. Candace will provide updates, as well as interviews with special guests. See how you can get involved by hosting a drive, volunteering, and more. Grab a cup of your favorite coffee, bring your questions, and enjoy this look at Open Door Mission.

Open Door Mission is a Gospel Rescue Mission that meets the needs of individuals and families while inspiring HOPE for lasting change.

Each day, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 917 safe shelter beds to homeless men, women, and children, serves about 4,750 nutritious meals, and provides preventative measures to more than 1,000 people living in poverty. For more information, visit opendoormission. org, call (402) 829-1538, or email Kristen Dineen at kdineen@ opendoormission.org. Tune in to Coffee With Candace on Facebook (@OpenDoorMission) or their YouTube channel at youtube.com/ channel/UCVsNXyy3mZOOkWgwG-C6seg.

A Few Spots Remain for Participation in Omaha Home for Boys Golf Classic June 9 A few spots remain open for participation in the annual Omaha Home for Boys (OHB) Golf Classic on Wednesday, June 9. Presented by RBC Wealth Management, the Classic will tee up at Tiburon Golf Club in Omaha, with c hec k-in at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunc h and a shotgun start at noon. The day concludes with a dinner, raffl e, brief program, and awards. Proceeds from this fun-fi lled day benefi t the more than 1,300 youth, young adults, children, and families served

by OHB every year!

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

NALA Rescues 40+ Cats, Nearly 60 Dogs and Puppies in Months of March, April N e b r a s k a A n i m a l L o v i n g Advocates (NALA) have been busy saving dozens of animals in need this spring, including rescuing more than 40 cats in March and 56 additional animals, including dogs and puppies, in April. They saved all of the cats from Western Nebraska, and several of them were pregnant.

Dozens of adorable animals are available for fostering and adoption, and NALA is seeking loving homes to take them in.

Take a look on their Facebook page (@nalarescue) and see photos of all the beautiful souls looking for forever homes! The sweet faces of these puppies, kittens, and full-grown dogs and cats will make your day, and you’ll literally find new ones looking back into your eyes every day, dreaming of a safe, loving place to live—and melting your heart. In 2020 alone, NALA found forever homes for more than 675 homeless animals, including nearly 70 dogs and cats that the rescue organization saved just in time for a Christmas they would never forget!

Nebraska Animal Loving Advocates is a nonprofi t 501(c)(3) animalrescue organization led by founder Angie Hospodka and her army of 80+ volunteers. Their mission is to revolutionize, through education, the way people think about animals and animal rescue.

NALA educates people about the dangers of puppy mills and the realities of backyard breeders, in their effort to provide loving homes to all the dogs and cats they encounter, including the feral, the unwanted, the damaged, and the lost. NALA believes that every living creature not only deserves love but also has so much love to offer. NALA approaches this mission through their core values of love for all living things and faith that our culture can change, and together we can create a world where rescues are no longer needed. If you are interested in adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating, please visit www.nalarescue.org.

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NONPROFIT NEWS Angels Among Us Gears Up for Annual Bland Cares Golf Outing Set for July 12

Make a Difference in the Community by Participating in the JDRF One Walk

Angels Among Us is excited to announce that their 11th Annual Bland Cares Golf Outing will tee up on Monday, July 12 at Champions Run. Online team registration now is open at myangelsamongus.org, and the event is expected to sell out quickly. All major sponsors have been secured, but Angels Among Us is still has some corporate team spots available. Angels Among Us is grateful for major sponsors: Pillar Restaurant Group will provide lunch for the day; Anchor Roofi ng is the Golf Cart Sponsor; REDiTECH took on the Beverage Cart Sponsor; Truck Center Companies is the Putting Green Sponsor; and Gregg Young Automotive Group is providing a hole-in-one opportunity on the course. The Angels Among Us golf event is always a huge success, thanks to such extensive community support.

If you or your business i s l o o k i n g t o m a k e a d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e community, JDRF has a perfect opportunity via their 2021 One Walk, which is set for Sunday, October 10. The JDRF One Walk will bring together people across Nebraska and southwest Iowa to change the future for people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This fun, family-friendly event gives people with T1D and their friends, families, and coworkers the opportunity to raise money for life-changing T1D research.

Angels Among Us is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide fi nancial and emotional support to any family whose child is battling pediatric cancer living in or being treated in the state of Nebraska. Register for the Bland Cares Golf Outing at myangelsamongus.com and turn out for a fun day on the golf course to support local pediatric cancer families. For more information about ways to make an impact and get involved in the Angels Among Us mission, please contact Aly Theilen at alyssa@myangelsamongus.org.

Cornhusker Bank’s One Day Without Shoes to Benefit Stephen Center, Needy Residents Clean out your closets and find gently used shoes! It’s time for One Day Without Shoes, Cornhusker Bank’s annual shoe collection drive to benefi t Stephen Center.

The collection drive will run through May 8.

One Day Without Shoes is a collaborative effort with local businesses who volunteer to help the bank collect new and wearable used shoes for free distribution by Stephen Center.

“The look on the faces of our clients when we provide them with shoes is priceless, providing them with joy they may not have felt in a very long time,” said Stephen Center Shelter Director Lori Koch.

Cornhusker Bank started One Day Without Shoes in 2011 to benefi t the Lincoln community. In 2020, the event expanded to Omaha, and a partnership was formed with the Stephen Center. The drive in September 2020 collected more than 2,000 pairs of shoes and $350 in monetary donations. All shoes and cash donations collected in Omaha will stay in Omaha for distribution. Gently worn and new shoes can be dropped off at one of the collection sites during the two-week campaign. A complete list of collection sites can be found at cornhuskerbank. com/Day-Without-Shoes-omaha.aspx.

Located in South Omaha, Stephen Center serves the homeless, addicted, and those in poverty. The campus includes a homeless emergency shelter, inpatient/outpatient co-occurring treatment and permanent supportive housing for disabled and low-income individuals. In 2020, Stephen Center provided services to 1,278 men, women, and children and served more than 200,000 meals to people experiencing homelessness, addiction, and poverty. For more information, visit stephencenter.org or call (402) 715-5442.

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Companies of any size can participate in this fl agship community event. By being part of the JDRF One Walk, corporate partners can enhance their recognition and goodwill in the community, provide employee engagement opportunities to promote team building, and receive marketing exposure across the entire state of Nebraska and throughout southwest Iowa. The JDRF One Walk is your chance to show the world that together, we can conquer T1D. For more information on becoming a corporate sponsor or registering a team, please call (402) 397-CURE (2873) or email Chris Dunn at cdunn@jdrf.org. Help them turn Type One into Type None and get more information or register for the One Walk at walk.jdrf.org/omaha.

FAMILY, Inc. Launches Baby Reads Library Partnership to Bridge the Economic Gap Through its Raise Me to Read program, FAMILY, Inc. recently partnered with Council Bluffs Public Library to launch a Baby Reads program to help bridge the economic gap that extends to children’s vocabularies. Research shows that children’s vocabulary skills are linked to their economic backgrounds. By three years old, there is a 30-million-word gap between children from the wealthiest and poorest families, and a recent study shows that by 18 months, children in different socioeconomic groups display dramatic differences in their vocabularies. The FAMILY, Inc. Raise Me to Read library partnership aims to give families the tools they need to help their children succeed.

Baby Reads promotes preventive early literacy tools to new parents by giving them increased library access. The program is available to anyone who is eligible for a Council Bluffs Public Library card and has a child under one year of age. When you sign your baby up for a library card as part of Baby Reads, you will receive a free board book, a one-time waiver of all fi nes and fees on your own library account, and access to all of the library’s wonderful resources.

Raise Me to Read is an Iowa West Foundation initiative that is part of FAMILY, Inc. and the national campaign for Grade Level Reading. It seeks to improve student’s reading profi ciency by the end of third grade through targeted approaches in the three key areas of school: readiness; attendance; and out-of-school learning. Students who don’t reach this milestone are four times more likely to drop out of high school.

For more about FAMILY, Inc, visit familyia.org, and for detail about Baby Reads, please visit raisemetoread.org/swi-baby-reads. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS Mosaic Seeks Expansion of Team to Provide Full Continuum of Service to Meet All Needs

Assistance League of Omaha Reopens Thrift Shop, Encourages Community to Shop Local

Mosaic is looking to expand its care team in Omaha to continue providing the full continuum of services for its clients, including people with disabilities, mental and behavioral health needs, and autism, as well as aging adults. Services are tailored to meet individual needs and goals, allowing people to live as independently as possible. Openings for the growing team currently include a Registered Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse, Certifi ed Medication Specialist, and Direct Support Associate.

With the business climate looking up as people get COVID vaccinations and pandemic restrictions loosen a bit, Assistance League of Omaha® (ALO) has reopened their Thrift Shop at its new location, 8502 W Center Rd., and is encouraging the community to shop local—not just at ALO but throughout Metro Omaha. While the ALO Thrift Shop is still operating on a shortened schedule, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, they are having sales and discounts on different items every week, including items as low as $1-$2 each. The Thrift Shop carries women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, and accessories, as well as a large assortment of decorative and seasonal items and a large display of books, cookbooks, and miscellaneous items.

Assistance League of Omaha is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofi t organization that has operated in Omaha since 1976. They offer six different programs that are directed at Omaha area children in need, assault survivors, women in recovery, literacy programs, Operation Bear Hug, and teen parents. Please consider becoming a part of the solution by becoming an ALO member. They will be offering the next new-member class in late July. To inquire about membership, please contact Jeanne Smay at smayj@cox.net or the Assistance League offi ce at (402) 342-4288. To learn more about their mission and accomplishments, visit ALOmaha.org.

Services available through Mosaic include 24-hour residential support, autism services, behavioral health and autism, day services, mental and behavioral health services, Mosaic at home, services in the community and homes, and supported living. The Mosaic team is a team of problem solvers and connectors who are passionate about services and partnerships that create meaningful lives in caring communities, giving a voice to people’s needs.

Mosaic harnesses data and processes technology to provide highquality services to as many people in need as they can, and adding another nurse, medication specialist and support associate will help them continue to build relationships to drive outcomes for communities, funders, families and, most important, the people they serve. If you’re interested in learning more about Mosaic or joining the team, visit mosaicinfo.org or contact Tabatha Ingram at (402) 235-8203 / tabatha.ingram@mosaicinfo.org.

NAM Promotes Spring Giving Days Across Nebraska to Help Give Back to Nonprofits The Nonprofi t Association of the Midlands (NAM) is promoting Spring Giving Days to communities throughout Nebraska to give back to nonprofi t organizations t h a t s t r e n g t h e n e c o n o m i c development, education, health, and cultural awareness every day.

Nonprofi ts are essential to the quality of life in Nebraska communities, with many communities in the state relying on donations and giving days as effective forms of fundraising. Between 2018 and 2019, charitable giving days across Nebraska and southwest Iowa grossed more than $16 million for local nonprofi ts, but many communities were unable to host any in 2020, due to COVID, so the need is greater than ever in 2021.

Nonprofi t organizations work tirelessly year-round to help their communities and need support of residents statewide during Spring Giving Days to make an impact. You can make a difference this year by supporting nonprofi ts with an online donation. NAM is promoting the following Spring Giving Days in Nebraska this month: Spring into Giving Day in Custer County (Broken Bow), May 1; Wyobraska Gives in Scottsbluff, May 4; Fremont Area Big Give, May 4; North Platte Giving Day, May 5; Columbus Big Give, May 4-8; Go Big Give in Grand Island, May 6; Give Hastings Day, May 6; Norfolk Area Big Give, May 25; and Give to Lincoln, May 25.

NAM is a state association that represents more than 700 nonprofi t organizations in Nebraska and southwest Iowa. NAM strengthens the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofi ts to enrich the quality of community life throughout Nebraska and Western Iowa. For more information about Spring Giving Days, visit nonprofi tam.org/givingdays. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Kids Can Community Center Celebrates 113 Years with Plans to Construct New Building Kids Can Community Center is celebrating its 113th anniversary since fi rst opening their doors to serve Omaha as Social Settlement in spring 1908. With the anniversary comes the announcement that they are planning construction of a new center and asking Omahans to join together and donate toward the next chapter of this organization through their “Get In Gear Capital Campaign” to raise the public funds needed to complete the project. With a mission to educate, engage and inspire kids through early childhood care and out-of-school programs, Kids Can has been in their current building at 49th and Q Streets since 1964. According to CEO Robert Patterson, however, they have been overdue for change.

“This building has served us well over the years, but we are ready for the next chapter of this amazing organization,” Patterson said. “I am proud to announce our capital campaign for a brand-new building that will not only double our capacity but improve the quality and depth of our programs.”

Kids Can won’t be going too far, though. In fact, they will be moving just down the street to 48th and Q Street: “The new center will foster an environment truly suited to the needs of the families we serve, including an innovative STEM room, greater classroom and community capacity, and infant childcare for the fi rst time in our history,” said Kids Can parent and Board Chair Krista Eckhoff.

The mission of Kids Can Community Center is to educate, engage, and inspire children through early childhood education and outof-school experiences. Originally founded in 1908 as Social Settlement Association, the organization has evolved to meet the continually changing needs of children and families in the community. For more information, visit www.KidsCan.org. Get details about the Get in Gear Capital Campaign and make your contribution at kidscan.org/capital.html.

MAY 2021 Strictly Business 45

HEALTH NEWS Best Care EAP Works to Cultivate Joy in Difficult Times via May 12 Webinar

Tee It Up Fore Sight on June 10 at Indian Creek to Support People with Vision Loss

Best Care EAP’s monthly live webinar on May 12 will focus on fi nding ways to cultivate joy amid the signifi cant mental and emotional effects of the pandemic. The free, one-hour webinar begins at 9 a.m. and will explore the best expert-approved strategies for fi nding more joy at work, at home, and in your day-to-day life. The timing for this topic is purposeful, given that so many people are fi nding themselves struggling to fi nd positivity and joy amidst the chaos. In fact, a recent survey from the University of Chicago found that only 14% of Americans say they are “very happy,” down from 31% in 2018 and the lowest it’s been in 50 years! It’s high-time to get reconnected with joy!

Registration for Outlook Enrichment's June 10 Tee It Up Fore Sight golf tournament is now open. Tee It Up Fore Sight has been called one of the best-run charity golf events in Omaha and is one of the only fundraising tournaments in the area with a dedicated women’s fl ight. The tournament is a four-person scramble with lunch, dinner, and a raffl e at the Indian Creek Golf Course in Elkhorn. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with an 11 a.m. shotgun start.

The content of Best Care EAP program will remind viewers that joy certainly isn’t lost forever. Even during diffi cult times, if we our willing to invest a little effort, we can cultivate joy in surprisingly simple ways.

Inviting joy back into our lives not only makes us happier, but research has shown that we actually begin to achieve our goals.

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

Paired with Outlook Enrichment's Stanley M. Truhlsen, Jr. Blind Golfer Clinic, this event will give everyone a new perspective on visual impairment. The Stanley Truhlsen, Jr. Memorial Blind Golfer Clinic will kick off the day. Outlook Enrichment partners with adaptive sports specialists and local golf pros to offer visually impaired participants of all ages a day of inclusion through golf instruction. Sponsorships for the clinic are also available.

The annual fundraiser supports Outlook Enrichment programs, which help people with vision conditions access adaptive technology training and stay active through a wide range of recreational and cultural activities. Your day of golf creates hope, adventure, and joy for our neighbors living with vision loss and blindness. Register a Tee It Up Fore Sight tournament foursome or sign up to help sponsor the event at outlooken.org or call (531) 365-5051.

Clearwater Counseling Advocates for Mental Health Awareness Month Throughout May

If you have not yet registered for the American Heart Association (AHA) iconic Greater Omaha Heart & Stroke Walk for 2021, now is the time! With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to keep Americans distanced, AHA has moved the Heart & Stroke Walk to a virtual platform for the second consecutive year—but with an exclusive twist. Presented locally by Union Pacifi c, this year’s participants will be invited to walk the brand new, never-before-seen Lake Cunningham trail, as it will be available to AHA Heart & Stroke Walk participants only for the week of the walk!

Throughout the month of May, Clearwater Counseling, PC is advocating for Mental Health Awareness Month, an obser vance intended to bring mental health to the forefront. One in five American adults experience a mental health issue, and one in 25 Americans have lived with a serious mental health illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. The Clearwater Counseling team understands that mental health is just as important as physical health, and while many factors can attribute to mental health problems—including biological factors, life experiences and even family history—recovery is possible. Treatment varies for mental health problems and a strong support system is critical for those dealing with mental health struggles.

On Saturday, June 5, Heart & Stroke Walk participants and teams will remain physically apart but together in their efforts to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, encourage physical activity, and raise lifesaving funds for AHA. Get moving at home and around your neighborhoods, follow along with the fun on Facebook (@HeartNebraska), take a walk outside, get the whole family involved with an indoor dance party, try out some new strengthening exercises, create an at-home circuit workout, or do whatever gets you moving for heart health!

Clearwater Counseling works with clients who are struggling with a variety of mental health diagnoses including depression, relationship issues, stress, grief/loss/trauma, addiction and recovery, co-dependency, anxiety and phobias, parenting problems, sexual abuse and incest, physical abuse, and violence, and more. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please don’t be afraid to reach out to others and talk about it. Only together can we raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental health.

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. To register for the virtual Greater Omaha Heart & Stroke Walk, visit www.OmahaHeartWalk.com.

Download the Heart Walk mobile app and encourage friends and family to join in via email or social media. On the day of the event, everyone is encouraged to wear their Heart Walk shirts and post pictures and videos to document their activity using #OmahaHeartWalk. Money raised funds research, advocacy, CPR training, and promotion of better health.

46 Strictly Business MAY 2021

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 to treat mental health diagnoses through personalized and compassionate counseling practices that promote growth, development, and well-being to further enhance quality of life. To learn more about staff, services, or resources, visit clearwatercounselingpc.org. To schedule an appointment or for more information about mental health services, please call (308) 210-8487 or email info@clearwatercounselingne.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Register Now to Participate in the Virtual AHA Greater Omaha Heart & Stroke Walk

Are you ready for a step in the right direction?

WOMEN’S HEALTH According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13.4% of women ages 18 and older are in fair or poor health. National Women’s Health Week begins each Mother’s Day, with the 21st annual event this year running May 9-15. The week is focused on encouraging women to consider all of the factors that affect their physical, emotional, and mental health, understand the importance of each and every one, and remind them to make their health a priority in their lives. Frankly, we believe that Women’s Health Week should be every week, and we wanted to share some tips and treasured information from local women’s health experts to mark the unique challenges and opportunities that women face to maintain overall health every day.

Some of the crucial pieces of women’s healthcare include staying active, eating healthy, paying attention to mental health, getting enough sleep, managing stress, avoiding unhealthy behaviors, taking prescribed medications as directed, getting regular mammograms, physicals, and vision and dental care. The list goes on, and it is a long list of things to fi t into women’s already-busy schedules. But the consequences of NOT fi tting them in can be pernicious to their long-term comfort and very life expectancy. Women’s health is a lifelong journey, and the time to start is yesterday—but it’s never too late to improve your chances of living the healthiest life possible moving forward.

Bossing Up As busy women juggling the responsibilities of work and family, we often put our own needs on the back burner and help everyone else fi rst—children, signifi cant other, co-workers—before we help ourselves.

Regardless of our good intentions for self-care, we often come up with excuses and blame our busy schedules. The truth is, it will be hard to keep up with the busy demands of work and family if we skip out on self-care, healthy eating, and exercise. Eventually we experience burnout and overwhelm which lead to poor health and major health concerns.

H e a l t h a n d we l l n e s s ex p e r t a n d 365DailyHustle Owner Karissa Adkins has been there. She knows all the excuses but fi nally found a way to Boss Up and take control of her own health and wellness. Now she teaches other women to do the same, with one of her leading offerings a 10-week “Reclaim Your Best Life” transformational health-coaching program that helps you hit the reset button, achieve your health goals, and become the best version of you.

Karissa Adkins 365DailyHustle

“Reclaim Your Best Life helps women overcome their weight-loss battle, double their energy, and remove self-doubt and self-sabotaging downward spirals,” Karissa said. “Women learn how to master their mindset, habits, confi dence, and start to own their true badass self. If you're ready to awaken the sexy, powerful, unstoppable queen that I know is inside of you, then the Reclaim your Best Life program is for you!” #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Make Your Mental Health A Priority Today!

308-210-8487

info@clearwatercouselingne.org clearwatercouselingpc.org 7701 Pacific St, Ste 100A Omaha

Scan the QR ficordste to get your ee! workout fr

join now!

3610 North 165th Street Omaha, NE 68116 402-315-3368

hotworx.net/studio/omaha-northwest Check out Karissa’s fabulous new website to get all of the details about what the Reclaim Your Best Life Signature VIP Program includes—like coaching, accountability, conscious and subconscious work, and training videos—at 365dailyhustle.com. Get lifetime access to eight video modules that will deliver the proven weight-loss system that will show you how to ShowUp, BossUp, and THRIVE in your health, life, and career. Clients also receive ten 90-minute VIP Live Group Coaching sessions, three 60-minute VIP Mindset Coaching sessions; and one 90-minute Subconscious Breakthrough session.

“Becoming the best version of you isn’t going to happen overnight, Karissa said. “However, with the right support, accountability, and a fi ercely tender tough-love coach in your corner, becoming healthy, happy, and confi dent is 100% possible! Quit lying to yourself, making excuses, and settling for the body and energy you have because you have so much life to live. It took me 10 years to learn what I teach clients in 10 weeks. You can’t go pick up the magic bottle of pills or potion and hope it will work. Hire someone who drinks the Kool-Aid!” Self-Care Taking care of yourself, your family, and your job can become overwhelming at times, and it’s crucial that you protect your mental health as much as you do your physical health. That’s where Clearwater Counseling comes in. They offer mental health services to women, as well as men and children, through personalized and compassionate counseling practices that promote growth, development, and wellbeing to further enhance your quality of life.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health and can greatly impact an individual’s life,” said Clearwater Coowner Nikki Frenzen, COO, MS, PLMHP. “As

Nikki Frenzen Clearwater Counseling

MAY 2021 Strictly Business

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Now Enrolling!

ice packs for swelling, wrist braces for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), maternity back supports, sacroiliac, or SI, belts to help relieve pressure in the hips from the weight of carrying a child, and compression stockings for swelling in the lower legs.

WITH LIFE AND HEALTH COACH KARISSA ADKINS

“Not only are these products benefi cial during pregnancy, but they can also be used postpartum,” said See The Trainer Omaha Franchise Owner and President Kristie Egan. “For example, if carpal tunnel syndrome induced by pregnancy is not addressed properly during that time, the effects of CTS can linger long after. Another example of proper pregnancy care is use of a maternity support postpartum. This will give the wearer extra support in the lower back as well as lifting and providing support under the abdomen. Doctors like to say that it takes nine months to build a baby, so it takes nine months for your body to go back to normal. No matter where you are in those 18 months, See The Trainer® is sure to help.”

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Kristie Egan See The Trainer Midwest, Inc.

Even if you don’t need a physical support, their additional advice is to put time aside to focus on yourself. Your body has been taken over by another human being, literally. It is very diffi cult to focus on yourself during your pregnancy, but it is imperative that you do so.

Make it a priority to make yourself as comfortable as possible. It’s a stressful time but making yourself comfortable will ensure that your experience is as pain-free (both physically and mentally) as possible!

A Fitness HIIT!

more than one in fi ve women in the U.S. experience a mental health condition each year, it’s critical for women to know that services are available to them. Additionally, depression and anxiety are more common in women, making it all the more important for women to have access to resources.”

It’s also important to note that men and women can experience mental health differently. For example, some women may experience symptoms of mental health disorders, such as postpartum depression, at times of hormone change. Pressures created by their multiple roles, gender discrimination, domestic violence, and sexual abuse, can also be factors for a mental health diagnosis. Fortunately, mental health conditions are treatable, and Clearwater Counseling is here to enhance women’s health.

“Our experienced team of mental health providers offer services to those who have been diagnosed with 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,” Nikki said.

“Unfortunately, if a mental health diagnosis is left untreated, it could potentially affect the individual’s circumstances from both a personal and professional standpoint. Taking care of one’s mind is essential to their overall health and wellbeing.”

Pregnancy Support If you’re going through pregnancy and experiencing the inevitable discomfort it so often brings, See The Trainer® Midwest, Inc. is for you!

Driven by customer service and upheld by reputation, See The Trainer is an orthopedic, sports medicine facility dedicated to keeping a diverse population functioning through a variety of bracing and support products.

See The Trainer offers a variety of products to aid women throughout their pregnancies. That includes in-stock bracing, support, home health, and rehabilitation products, which can be extremely benefi cial to women during that time. These products include, but are not limited to, 48 Strictly Business MAY 2021

If you’re ready to sweat off the stress, pounds, and toxins we’ve got the perfect solution. HOTWORX at 165th and Maple is a 24-hour infrared fi tness studio featuring Isometric and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts. Benefi ts of infrared workouts include weight loss, pain relief, detoxifi cation and much more!

“HOTWORX is a virtually instructed exercise program while you are in an infrared sauna created for users to experience the many benefi ts of infrared heat absorption, while completing a 30-minute isometric workout or 15-min HIIT session,” said Franchise Owner April Campbell. “As the infrared heat penetrates your body causing you to sweat, the isometric postures further accelerate detoxifi cation by physically removing the toxins from your organs through muscle contraction. The results our users achieve make HOTWORX one of the most effi cient 30-minute workout programs in the fi tness and beauty industry today!”

April Campbell HOTWORX

HOTWORX was created for members who want to fl ush toxins from their body and burn massive amounts of calories in the process.

Whether you’re looking to polish off your regular workout routine or looking for new ways to live a healthier lifestyle, HOTWORX will be a major component of your beauty, wellness, and fi tness program.

Infrared is electromagnetic energy and a form of radiation found in the invisible area of the light spectrum. Far Infrared radiation, such as the IR generated inside of a HOTWORX infrared workout sauna, safely stimulates the body’s immune system by boosting metabolic functions and generating the production of white blood cells which enhances the body’s ability to fi ght off infections as well as many other health benefi ts.

Women have unique health needs, and it is important to stay in tune with your body’s needs and changes throughout your life. In addition to the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet, we recommend contacting the specialists featured here to address your whole body and mind health to pave the way to a long and healthy life. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

While some companies are still working from home, many are welcoming their employees back into the offi ce space. To do so smoothly and effectively, there are some new trends to consider this year. Obviously, there are social-distancing trends associated with COVID-19, but there are other driving forces, such as younger generations entering the workforce and the rising use of technology. Trend forecasters project that “resimercial” design, videoconferencing, and workstation neighborhoods will play a key role in the offi ce effi ciency of 2021.

According to an article published by All Work (allwork.space) titled 5 Office Design Trends for 2021, resimercial design mixes residential and commercial features to make employees feel at home in the workspace: “The trend emerged when Millennials and Gen Z—the people who grew up with technology and are familiar with the notion of working any time, any place—started to form the majority of the workforce. In 2021, expect to see decorative touches associated with the home environment and comfortable furnishings, particularly in breakout spaces.” A positive of taking offi ce design in this direction is how it promotes wellness and mental health. When employees feel comfortable and safer at work, they are going to be more loyal to the company and produce better results.

In addition, technology in the workplace is a reality that cannot be overlooked or pushed to the side. Businesses have to be technologically equipped. This is especially true as remote work becomes more common. According to research by PwC, over half of executives expect to offer remote working in the near future and the majority of employees want to work from home at least part-time. This means that videoconferencing and associated equipment will play a critical role in maintaining connection and facilitating collaboration among teams.

Another major trend in 2021 and beyond for offi ce effi ciency is giving a new spin to the typical open-plan workstations. Offi ce architects have introduced functional, movable furniture that can be reconfi gured with ease when privacy is needed for videoconferencing.

Desks can also be grouped together in “workspace neighborhoods” when teams need to collaborate. A local offi ce furniture supplier that has already introduced these types of furniture pieces and layout designs to Omaha is AOI Corporation.

“One of the best effi ciencies is the ability to be adaptable and fl exible,” said Becky Costello, vice president of furniture sales at AOI Corporation. “The easier it is to quickly change the use of a space with little effort and interruption, the better. As businesses are returning employees to the offi ce, they are allowing many to have the option to work from home in some capacity—a distributed work model. With that, they need to start looking at their space in terms of how it fosters desired outcomes for collaboration, productivity, Becky Costello culture, and the work experience. What can be AOI Corporation done to attract employees back to the offi ce where the best collaboration happens? What furniture and technology are needed to allow for this collaboration? The answers to these questions may change as employees return. Having furniture that is adaptable and fl exible is key. As a Herman Miller Certifi ed Dealer, we have access to a wealth of resources to help clients determine the best use for their space. As your furniture provider, we are in it with you long-term. We help ensure that your workplace evolves over time and stays effective, so you won’t have to face a major capital event every 7–10 years.”

If you’re wanting to improve the efficiency of your office to make your team feel more comfortable and improve overall production, reach out to the experts at AOI! They’ve helped many clients stay focused on their business by building and furnishing an environment where their employees and clients will thrive. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Office Efficiency.

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building Your DREAM HOME Your home is far more than a compilation of bricks and mortar. It’s the place where you build your family and memories, a place that delivers a sense of peace and celebration, a gathering place for family and friends, a place for thoughtful solitude, and a place that gives you a sense of accomplishment. G.K. Chesterton put it well: “The truth is that the home is the only place of liberty, the only spot on earth where a man can alter arrangements suddenly, make an experiment on indulging in a whim. The home is not the one tame place in a world of adventure; it is the one wild place in a world of rules and set tasks.”

When you get the opportunity to build your dream home, you have a monumental task in front of you. The good news, though, is that you don’t have to go it alone. Omaha is home to experts in the entire process, starting with fi nding the right spot to build to putting together an accurate budget of costs and fi nancing to mapping out just the right size, layout, materials, and technologies, to designing and furnishing the insides, and then settling into your dream in real time.

Two-Part Financing Centris Federal Credit Union offers fi nancing for both builders and homebuyers. Their consumer-fi nancing product is a short-term, 12-month loan that is then refi nanced into a traditional mortgage upon completion of your dream home. It involves two separate loan closings, and the borrower makes monthly interest-only payments on the construction loan based on the outstanding balance. Centris works directly with your builder to manage and monitor the progress as construction is completed.

“Since our consumer fi nancing involves two separate loans—the construction fi nancing Deb Benak and the mortgage fi nancing—a borrower will Centris Federal work with both our construction lending and Credit Union

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mortgage teams,” said Centris Vice President Construction/Commercial Lending Deb Benak. “Centris Federal Credit Union has developed a program designed to take the stress out of fi nancing the building of a dream home. The fi nancing blueprint is handled by local team members with signifi cant experience in their respective roles.”

If you’re contemplating building a new home, Centris Federal Credit Union encourages you to begin the mortgage pre-approval process as early as possible. Once you have identifi ed a potential property within your budget, having been pre-approved allows the process to move along more quickly as you work to fi nalize your plans and contract with the builder—and helps lock in an interest rate to keep you from overspending!

Protecting Your Investment Simply put, the housing market in Omaha right now is on fi re, with 2020 recording the most single-family construction permits fi led in more than a decade. When you’re ready to get started on your homebuilding project, West Gate Bank is a premier option in Lincoln for home-construction fi nancing, including construction loans and mortgages. They’ll walk you through the entire process and make it as painless as possible for you.

You don’t have to be an expert in construction planning and fi nance, either, because they have all the expertise you’ll need and will share it with you in terms that you can understand.

“When you choose West Gate Bank for home construction financing, our team of experienced lenders will help you through every step in the construction project, helping to protect you and your investment,” said Senior Vice President, Manager of Residential Construction Lending Taylor Ashburn. “We pride ourselves on meticulous and thorough management of your project from start to fi nish. By having a dedicated Construction Loan Department, your project is in good hands as we monitor Taylor Ashburn the monthly construction draws, conduct on-site inspections, track lien waivers, and West Gate Bank reconcile your project budget against the actual spend. If something doesn't look right, we will let you know.”

Once your build is complete, West Gate has a team of mortgage lenders ready to assist you with the permanent fi nancing of your new home. They are proud to service mortgage loans locally, which means they won’t sell off the servicing of your home loan to another bank. They also have an option for customers to lock in their mortgage interest rate up to nine months in advance of the completion of a new home.

Ensure Proper Insurance While you don’t need to acquire homeowners’ insurance before your new dream home is complete, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to think about insurance. Before and throughout construction, your builder is responsible for carrying insurance coverage, and you should make sure they are properly covered. King Insurance writes comprehensive and customized policies for builders to cover inland marine, general liability, auto liability, workers compensation, employers’ liability, and excess/umbrella liability.

“Contractors working on your home must carry liability coverage and builder’s risk insurance while the project is underway,” said Owner Rick King. “We strongly recommend that homebuyers get a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from the builder when your contract is signed. The COI is proof of business insurance and provides a snapshot of the details of the policy. This provides the evidence of who is responsible for what when it comes to the construction of your home, protecting you as the buyer.”

Rick King Limits to be aware of when reviewing the King Insurance builder’s COI are General Liability ($1 million), Workers Compensation ($500,000), and Builders Risk (will vary #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Whether you are building a new home or purchasing an existing one, West Gate Bank can help you to finance the home of your dreams.

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depending on the project). King Insurance also writes personal coverage policies, including homeowners’ coverage for the homebuyer when the home is completed, as well as auto, umbrella, and specialty coverage for boats, RVs, and motorcycles.

Hassle-Free Clean-up—Plus!

Building a new home can be a messy process, but daily cleanup—and workers’ personal needs—can be met hassle-free when builders contact redbox+ of Omaha and rent their combination portable toilet and dumpster roll-off. The fi rst of their kind available in the Omaha, Council Bluffs, and Lincoln area, these roll-offs are specifi cally designed for use on commercial and residential construction sites, and they are truly a unique product. The bright red, powder-coated containers, which are manufactured in the U.S., are meticulously designed for durability.

You—and your soon-to-be-neighbors—will appreciate daily upkeep of your home site throughout the construction process, too.

“Roll off containers are a must have for new home construction,” said redbox+ of Omaha President Mark Fredrickson. “Once framing begins, construction debris and waste piles up daily. Having a quality roll-off container and timely servicing of the container is an absolute must to assure debris is not piling up and being blown around the neighborhood.”

They come in 20- and 30-yard sizes, both Standard and Elite, which are ideal for larger projects. The Elite containers include two porta potties, securely mounted onto the front of the Mark Fredrickson container, ensuring they can’t be tipped over redbox+ of Omaha or stolen—a common problem for the industry.

“The roll off container industry has not seen change in over 60 years— that is, until redbox+ and our patent Elite containers,” Mark said. “Another necessity on job sites is porta potties. Our Elite containers provide solutions to two required services on every job site. Another bonus with our Elite containers is that the porta potties cannot be tipped over, and the front of the Elite container provides a free advertising opportunity. There is also something to be said about job site image. With our clean, eyecatching bright red containers, you never know how many jobs could be landed by maintaining a professional job site appearance.”

A Trustworthy Guide When it comes to selecting a builder for your project, you’ll have a host to choose from, though you may fi nd yourself on a waiting list to get dependable contractors on the job. It’s worth waiting to get reputable contractors that will get the job done right, though. TSR Construction is a Class A contractor licensed, bonded, and fully insured. Building on a tradition of excellence in house remodeling, TSR Construction provides clients with full range of construction services including roofi ng, carpentry, electrical, painting, concrete, and fl ooring. TSR is a general contractor and will manage the entire process of building your home, and they are current on all the latest trends.

“We are seeing the trend of having more open spaces like the kitchen that opens to the den and possibly dining areas,” said TSR Owner Tony Reynolds. “Effi ciency is key.

Homeowners are better understanding that 100% of their spaces should be completely usable. What sets us apart is affordable pricing, the quality of our work, and our commitment to our customers.”

When you are planning to build your dream home, TSR warns against having plans drafted before checking the current cost of construction.

Tony Reynolds Without proper guidance, people in the early TSR Construction planning stages of building a house tend to skip the fundamental steps of the process. First-time planners often jump right into having the home designed and get a set of house plans drawn up even though they have no accurate guidance as to how much it will ultimately cost. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Your neighborhood mortgage Experts.

If you’re in the market for a new home or ready to refinance, our local mortgage experts are here to walk you through the home buying process.

Our mortgage loans are locally underwritten and serviced by Centris, and we take pride in ensuring all home loans close on time, every time.

With great rates and low processing fees, purchase with confidence.

Contact us today at 402.334.7000 or visit centrisfcu.org for more details.

54

Strictly Business MAY 2021

Classy Touches Using stonework on your new home is a great way to add a bit of class and some unique modern touches to your project, and Stonebrook Exterior is a master at getting it done. Their services include, but are not limited to, exterior wall and siding systems, roofi ng systems, masonry elements, windows, gutters, and metal wall panels.

“Homeowners are wanting to fi nd ways that make their home unique, an element that sets them apart from other homes in their neighborhood,” said Stonebrook Exterior Business Development Manager TwiLea Fletcher. “Sometimes all you need is a minor change that makes a drastic difference in the exterior of your home. In many cases, commercial product applications differentiate a residence and will create a much more attractive fi nish.”

Minor cost enhancements or upgrades to a TwiLea Fletcher home will give the new owners a residence Stonebrook Exterior with greater curb appeal should they ever fi nd themselves in a sellers’ market down the road. Buyers should look for design elements that will differentiate their home to give it uniqueness and personal style.

“Our team works with the customer throughout the entire process, from learning the customers’ needs and desires for the home to selecting the right quality product that will provide years of enjoyment,” TwiLea said.

The siding you choose for your home can also make or break its curb appeal and resale value, so it’s crucial that you choose the right siding for your home’s style, the neighborhood, and its longevity. Continental Siding Manufacturing LLC is a reputable building-materials supplier in Omaha with a phenomenal selection of siding options to fi t any style and budget. That includes high-resistant siding that can withstand what Nebraska weather throws its way. Continental is the perfect guide to help you fi nd the just-right, seamless, heavy-duty custom polymer siding that offers triple the strength of vinyl siding—and can make the difference in whether you regret or celebrate your new home!

Style for a Lifetime Locally owned by husband-and-wife team Greg and Katie Frazell, G. Lee Homes takes building to a higher standard. With expertise in new construction, remodeling, and even the buying and selling of homes, Greg and Katie can come alongside you to make your dreams a reality. Their skill set and dependable reputation has earned them a place as a one of the recommended builders in two exciting upcoming breathtaking developments emerging in the Omaha area—the Flatwater Lake Estates/Flatwater Lake, 10 minutes from Village Pointe, and Vistancia in Elkhorn. Lake homes are like taking a vacation without leaving home—but they take particular expertise to build.

“Building on acreages and lakes comes with unique challenges, which require experience and knowledge that not all builders have, but G. Lee Homes does,” said Owner Greg Frazell. “That is why customers trust us to build these custom dream homes.”

Since G. Lee Homes can work with you on so many levels—from the real estate side of things to the design-build process—it’s no wonder they have such a great reputation.

“Our dedication is evident in the fact that Greg Frazell we have twice been selected as the People’s G.Lee Homes Choice Award Winner during the Street of Dreams, the region’s most premier home tour event,” Greg said. “We also make sure there isn’t anything overlooked in the budget so there won’t be any costly surprises down the road!”

Building your dream home is a huge undertaking, and as you can see, there are a multitude of pieces to the puzzle. Fortunately, if you contact the experts featured here, you can make your build a lot less stressful—and your dream home a reality! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Employing Omaha

The Gregg Young Automotive Group has been in Omaha for 21 years! In the past five years, we have doubled in size—six dealerships in Nebraska and Iowa and nine brands of automobiles. Our growing family of dealerships is looking for motivated individuals who have a desire to give customers the ultimate experience at our dealerships. Whether that be in Service, Sales, Finance, Detail, or Parts, we want you! We have full-time and part-time positions available.

We are dedicated to creating an educated, motivated, and inspired team of employees that will go the extra miles for our customers every time, without fail. Come be a part of a winning team at Gregg Young Auto Group! Visit our website at www. greggyoungautogroup.com/careers.

C o n t o u r C o n s t r u c t i o n , founded and owned by K i m b e r l y Re m m e r e i d , employs individuals who are committed to quality, safety, working as a team, and building m utually rewarding and benefi cial relationships with the team and customers. Employees are given advancement opportunities, competitive pay, 401K, health care, dental insurance, vision insurance, referral bonus program, PTO, direct deposit, paid holidays, employee assistance program, short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance.

“I have worked for Contour since September 17, 2018. I remember that day very well because it’s the day I found my career and calling. Working for this company has been beyond incredible— the staff, the comradery, the family focus—it’s what I’ve always hoped for in an employer. I have been given opportunities to learn and grow in this work. Each one of us at Contour takes pride in what we do.” – Mark Armstrong “I can’t say enough good things about Contour Construction. It’s hands down the most professional atmosphere I’ve ever worked in. Contour treats employees with the utmost respect and will do anything to help us out. The benefi ts package is amazing and there is plenty of opportunities to move up in the company. If you’re interested in a great carpentry career, come work at Contour. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.” – Eric Lund To apply to work at Contour Construction, visit www.contourconstruct.com or call (402) 238-2362! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Q u a l i t y C l i n i c a l Research is a multis p e c i a l t y c l i n i c a l research site based i n O m a h a . S i n c e 2003, we have had the pleasure of working with and assisting the great people of Omaha. With our team of dedicated physicians and staff, we hope to continue being a part of your community for many years to come.

With over 15 years of research expertise among our physicians, we are here to move the world forward through safe, reliable procedures and practices. Quality Clinical Research is proud to have conducted over 700 studies by working with thousands of diverse candidates and helping to put life changing medicine into the hands of those who need it.

If you’re interested in what we’re doing, we are always looking for new physicians to work with and patients that are eligible for our current trials. Anyone is welcome to sign up so if you would like to know more about us and what studies we currently have, visit www.

QCRomaha.com or contact us at (402) 934-0044.

Make a difference… and a (great) living!

T h e w o r l d n e e d s p r o b l e m s o l v e r s , planners, and builders.

People who both dream and achieve. That’s what the people of Valmont® have always been.

Our employees make a global impact while enriching local communities. Plus, they receive competitive pay, excellent benefi ts, advancement opportunities, and personal and leadership development. For 75 years, we’ve improved life by creating vital infrastructure and advancing agricultural productivity.

• We connect the world with 5G technology, beautify urban spaces in energy-efficient ways, make roads safer and help traffic move smoothly.

• We enable power transfer from the source to users and help make power grids more resilient.

• We engineer durable irrigation machines and connected crop management technology to maximize crop yields and optimize water and energy effi ciency.

• We provide coatings services that protect against corrosion and improve the life of steel and other metal products.

To fi nd your path at Valmont®, visit valmont.com/careers.

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Without great employees, West Gate Bank® would be just another bank.

If you are interested in pursuing a rewarding career where your skills and passions can benefi t team members and customers, consider joining us at West Gate Bank. Whether you are looking for a new challenge or are ready to advance your talents in a different way, we encourage you to apply for a position that fi ts your goals. We offer full-time positions, part-time positions with fl exible schedules, on-the-job training, a friendly work environment, and tuition reimbursement for employees working more than 20 hours per week. See westgate.bank for details.

H B E L L P i s o n e o f N e b r a s k a ’ s leading providers o f p r o f e s s i o n a l advisory ser vices.

The company has a long history of employee satisfaction due to core values centered upon integrity, respect, and teamwork. In fact, for the third year, they were named among Accounting Today’s 2020 Best Firms to Work For. HBE is also one of Accounting Today’s top 10 Best fi rms for Young Accountants and has been identifi ed by the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance as one of the Best CPA Firms for Equity Leadership.

Operating from Omaha, Lincoln, and Norfolk, HBE offers comprehensive fi nancial management services for businesses, nonprofit and governmental organizations, and individuals.

Services include specialized advisory, accounting, audit, tax, outsourced accounting, and CFO solutions, data analytics, and personal fi nancial planning. They are always looking for bright and energetic talent to join their team. To learn more, visit www. hbecpa.com/careers.

Christenson Cleaning & Re s t o ra t i o n h a s been owned by the Christenson family since 1983. It's a great place to work because they're very team oriented—the business's success is everyone's success and the business's failure is everyone's failure.

They're very big on communicating proactively with everyone as much as possible to help avoid issues. This year, they started an Employee of the Quarter Program to give praise to hardworking team members. In addition, Christenson Cleaning & Restoration pays higher than the industry standard to help ensure they're getting the top talent. They offer a retirement plan, PTO, company phone, some Afl ac benefi ts, and other benefi ts. Major medical depends upon the position. The company is often looking for account managers, night supervisors, sales associates, and cleaners.

"We care about our team and want to see them grow with us as we like to promote from within," said Owner Charlie Christenson.

Christenson Cleaning & Restoration specializes in fi re, water, and mold and is most recently certifi ed through the G.B.A.C for COVID-19 disinfecting. Learn more at www.christensonclean.com or contact Charlie at (402) 463-7622 / charlie@christensoncleaning.com with questions about employment.

56 Strictly Business MAY 2021

When the fi rst Agemark Senior Living community opened in the 1980s, the owners made one promise: to create a place where everyone felt like family. That’s still the promise today, for residents and employees. From chefprepared meals at no cost each workday, great fl exibility, and health, dental, and vision insurance to PTO (even for part-time employees), Agemark has amazing benefi ts for their staff! Whether you’re new to the fi eld and wondering, “What is a CNA?” or a veteran in the fi eld who loves what you do but asks yourself, “Are there better assisted living jobs near me?” reach out to Agemark where they've got some facts, fi gures, and encouragement for you. The future in senior care careers is going up, up, up!

From 2018 to 2021, Agemark Senior Living has been named one of the Great Places to Work in Aging Services by FORTUNE Magazine and the Great Place to Work Institute. Agemark has three CountryHouse communities in Lincoln, two in Omaha, and one in Council Bluffs. Another Agemark community is the The Meriwether in La Vista. To learn more about careers at Agemark, go to www. agemark.com/careers.

Thompson & Thompson 3rd Generation, Inc. is one of the most established and respected roofing contractors in the local a r e a . T h e y p r i d e themselves on the quality of their work, fair prices, and outstanding customer service while providing a dynamic, friendly, and family-oriented work environment. They stay on the cutting edge of product innovations and ideas to deliver the most informed suggestions possible.

Here are some reasons to work for Thompson & Thompson from the current team: Amy W. – I enjoy the people I work with and we have great customers!

Bri M. – I love the family atmosphere.

Jessica E. – The owners genuinely care about their employees and treat them in a way that proves it.

Kaleb R. – People trust me to do my job right and don’t micro manage.

Edgar M. – Our team is effi cient, prepared, and we get things done right!

Dan E. – The ability to create success for myself and others.

Victoria A. – Ability to move up and be given responsibility.

Joe A. – Flexible and can make good money.

Brandon M. – The company really cares about its employees and customers, which shows in our craftsmanship and why I love it here.

Thompson & Thompson is always looking for great people to join their team. They are looking for a salesperson and assistant production manager, along with people who are good with numbers and can negotiate. To learn more, visit www.thompsonthird.com/ careers or call Owner Dan Thompson at (402) 306-5836. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

A t M e t r o p o l i t a n U t i l i t i e s D i s t r i c t (M.U.D.), we believe our most important asset is our employees.

Our organization includes more than 800 dedicated employees. We provide opportunities to develop and strengthen skills and knowledge while using the latest technologies. We employ individuals with administrative, technical, or professional experience and education. Our work covers a variety of disciplines from construction, engineering, customer service, accounting, information technology, marketing, and more.

M.U.D offers an exceptionally competitive group insurance package in addition to a long-standing pension plan, among other benefi ts.

You could shape the future of our utility, providing life-essential gas and water services to the Omaha community! Visit www.mudomaha. com under the Careers tab to view current open positions.

Don’t worry, we’re not looking for tree experts. We’re looking for people with a passion to serve and a desire to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Nestled in Nebraska City, NE, is Lied Lodge and Arbor Day Farm—where our mission truly comes to life. Here our purpose is to create genuine, impactful experiences through our story by providing service excellence for visitors to the Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure and guests at Lied Lodge. Front desk staff, banquet servers, housekeeping, tour guides, line cooks, meeting planners, and many more all work in harmony to ensure an inspiring experience for all.

The Arbor Day Foundation offers an excellent work environment, an attractive benefi ts package, and the rewarding opportunity to work in a hospitality setting while also facilitating environmental stewardship.

If this sounds like a great fi t for your talents and interest, please apply online at arborday.org/careers.

Today, FCC Environmental Services is one of the wor ld’s largest waste management and recycling companies with a presence in over 35 countries. FCC’s more than 60,000 employees wor ldwide interact with citizens on a daily basis and focus on constantly increasing sustainability. Their goal is to create socially integrated communities. You can be a part of this mission right here in Omaha. The company offers a competitive incentive package, medical, vision, and dental benefi ts, 401K matching, PTO, and an exceptional culture for career building.

FCC Environmental Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic. More information on the company and job opportunities can be found by going to the Career Portal at fccenvironmental.com. Questions can be directed to (402) 281-0786 / omaha@fccenvironmental.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

At Kum & Go, our purpose is to ‘Make days better’. For four generations, our family-owned convenience store chain has focused on providing exceptional service.

Eac h day, we take a peoplefirst approac h to developing associates, serving customers, and solving problems. Kum & Go stores aren’t just a great place to visit, they’re also a great place to work! We are committed to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive place to work. We have a variety of positions available throughout the greater Omaha area with room for career growth.

Our full-time positions provide our associates with benefi ts they can rely on including a consistent work schedule, paid time off, 401K, medical insurance, and quarterly bonuses. Our associates can expect to be part of our journey toward our commitment to be better and stronger together as we live our purpose to ‘Make days better.’ Learn more and apply at careers.kumandgo.com.

G r a t t o n Wa r e h o u s e C o m p a ny i s a 1 9 t h century company that has been solving distribution challenges out of Omaha for 127 years, and it has a worldwide impact through its third party logistics services. Gratton isn’t just any other warehouse, though. The employees at Gratton love working there because they are treated like family, plus there are many opportunities to learn and grow professionally. This is why it’s common for an employee to stay a long time—they benefi t from the mentorship provided and the nature of the work, which is both challenging and meaningful.

Gratton Warehouse Company has won Best of Omaha two years in a row with its core values of communication, positive attitude, doing the right thing, security, and accountability. Every position within the company is held to these standards, from entry-level to senior management. Currently, Gratton is hiring for warehouse and maintenance positions. Those who are interested can contact Michael Wohlgemuth at (402) 339-0846 / michaelw@grattonwarehouse. com or go online to www.grattonwarehouse.com/careers.

At McGill Restoration, they live by their culture! Dedication, honesty, hard work, k n o w l e d g e , a n d l oya l t y a r e w h a t makes their teams succeed. McGill Restoration has been named one of Inc. 5000’s fastest growing companies for four consecutive years. They plan to grow exponentially in the coming years, and they could not do it without their excellent employee base.

Aside from their culture, they also value development and training.

McGill Restoration offers in-house training to their employees continuously and pride themselves on promoting from within whenever possible.

They are constantly on the lookout for driven individuals who align with their values and yearn for development and advancing themselves along with the company.

Benefi ts offered at McGill Restoration include 401K with match, health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as company-paid life insurance and disability plans. Interested in learning more about what it takes to work with McGill? Check out open positions at www.mcgillrestoration.com/careers.

MAY 2021 Strictly Business 57

B o y d J o n e s p r o v i d e s commercial constr uction ser vices throughout the Midwest, but we’re more than the buildings we construct. We are committed to our core values of safety, respect, integrity, innovation, stewardship, entrepreneurship, and continuous improvement which are integrated into everything we do. We hire individuals who embody our values and pursue excellence in everything they do.

Our company is defi ned by a collaborative, challenging, and inclusive environment. We’re committed to advancing our employee’s skills and abilities so you’ll benefi t from an individualized career path. Our expanding operations are always looking for a fresh perspective, both in the fi eld and offi ce, and you won’t be forced to choose one over the other. We mentor our associates to develop, identify, and build strengths and to give them exposure to all aspects of Boyd Jones, resulting in a personalized approach to career development.

Boyd Jones is now hiring estimators, project managers, superintendents, and project engineers. Apply online at www.boydjones.biz/careers or email hr@boydjones.biz to learn more!

F o u n d e d i n 2 0 0 5 a n d headquar tered in Omaha, CFO Systems is a nationwide c o m p a n y t h a t p r o v i d e s experienced financial and human resources leadership to organizations of all industries and sizes. CFO Systems’ experts work either on-site or remotely while offering fractional, part-time, project or interim leadership to companies and organizations that may not need a full-time employee or may need to fi ll a gap.

The team of entrepreneurs adheres to their Core Values of family fi rst, get stuff done, team, and truth and transparency while sharing expertise that helps organizations thrive through objective leadership, partnerships, strategy, and creativity.

Additionally, they encourage a collaborative atmosphere that provides fl exibility, variety, and a platform for teams to make a difference while contributing the growth of an organization.

CFO Systems was named on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies for four consecutive years & recently ranked #222 on inc 5000 Regionals Midwest. They are always looking for talented individuals to join their team. For more information, visit www. cfosystemsllc.com or call (402) 884-0066.

Since 1994, Engineered Controls has been a premier building control technology contractor in Nebraska and Iowa. Not only are they dedicated to their clients, but they are also dedicated to their employees. Engineered Controls loves acknowledging the ideas and passions of the individuals on the team. As a company, they provide a collaborative, team-oriented environment and focus on continuous learning and development to ensure employees and company growth. Their goal is to create a challenging and rewarding career opportunity. Benefi ts include competitive salary, medical plan, dental plan, life insurance, disability plan, paid vacation and holidays, 401K, and tuition reimbursement. Engineered Controls is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Some of the current job openings include fi eld systems technician, security technician, journeyman and apprentice electricians, control system designer, and more. The application can be found online at engineeredcontrols.com/about-us/careers. Call (402) 339-1300 (Omaha offi ce) with questions.

58 Strictly Business MAY 2021

At Lozier, they build more than retail shelves—they build strong foundations for career success.

Lozier has been a trusted partner of the retail industry since 1956. They proudly manufacture store fi xtures and shelving for the nation’s largest retailers, including: grocery, automotive, mass retailers, hardware, sporting goods, and more.

Lozier is a dynamic company with cutting-edge technology, and they are committed to supporting employees’ growth and development. You’ll fi nd they have a variety of career opportunities, including skilled trades, manufacturing, engineering, customer support, and more. Lozier also offers a comprehensive benefi ts program, including an on-site clinic, 401K with match, training opportunities, and tuition reimbursement. Join Lozier in growing the future of retail from right here in Omaha! A better job. A better life. The Lozier way. Learn more at Lozierjobs.com.

Centris Federal Credit Union is the place where everyone wants to work and belong.

We know there are many employers to choose from, but what makes us different is our ability to work hard and have fun at the same time.

Centris has been voted Best Credit Union in the Best of Omaha contest 11 years in a row. Our employees are given the opportunity to participate in various charitable causes and events throughout the year including eight hours of paid volunteer time as part of our Corporate Days of Service. In addition, we are committed to our employees’ health, well-being, and career objectives. Employees who work 20 hours or more per week are eligible for benefi ts. We offer a variety of benefi ts for our employees and their families, including: • Health insurance with low deductibles and low co-insurance amounts • Dental and vision insurance plans • $50,000 life insurance policy paid for by Centris • Flexible spending accounts – medical and dependent care • 401K with a company match up to 5% • Tuition reimbursement program up to $5,250 annually for full-time employees • Paid time off • Employee assistance program • 10 company-paid holidays per year • Short-term and long-term disability insurance • Wellness program • Eight hours of paid volunteer time To learn more about jobs and core values at Centris Federal Credit Union, go online to www.centrisfcu.org/careers.

Strictly Business’s Employing Omaha feature is run twice a year—May and November. It is a chance for companies to showcase career opportunities and talk about their amazing team culture and employee benefits. If you would like your company to be included in the next feature, please call (402) 466-3330 or email editor@strictlybusinessomaha.com.

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

Let’s discuss your project today!

Omaha 402.558.7989 | mcgillrestoration.com | Lincoln 402.438.4110

Experts in Building Control Technology POWERED BY

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

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

Offices in Omaha and Lincoln, NE.

866.395.0186 | engineeredcontrols.com Building Automation and Controls I Security I Lighting I Gas Detection I Parking Management MAY 2021 Strictly Business 59

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