Strictly Business Omaha - October 2019

STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM OMAHA • OCTOBER 2019 TM
In This Issue
• Holiday Planning
• Resell Remodeling
Client Spotlights
• Ovation by Avamere
• Ambius
• Venus Vein Clinic
• Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch
RIVER CITY SIX
NICK KAMMANN
Engineered Controls
SUSAN NAPOLITANO
Berry Law
DAVID HANNAM
Concentric Corporation
AGO
Strictly Business Magazine
PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505
BEN GADZINSKI
Echo Systems
WINSLEY DURAND
Greater Omaha Chamber
KATHERINE CRAWFORD
Strictly Business

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Ovation by Avamere, an active adult lifestyle village, will be
one of the first independent living, assisted living, and memory
care communities of its kind in the country. It’s set to open
in West Omaha in the Heartwood Preserve development
next fall. As the two-building campus is being built, the
Ovation leadership is focused on building a safe and engaging
workplace for its employees, which in turn will have positive
outcomes for residents and the local community.
According to Ovation by Avamere President Nicolette Merino,
Ovation Heartwood Preserve will adhere to the Avamere core
values, ensuring that the company’s leadership helps guide
Ovation employees on a path to success.
“Avamere has just over 8,700 employees in 18 states,” Merino
stated on the subject of corporate responsibility. “We’re
focused on transparency, diversity, and the community.”
While that mission is to enhance the life of every person
Ovation serves, the company is dedicated to the employees
who make that mission happen. That is where the corporate
responsibility comes into play at Ovation.
“Many companies have their mission statement and core
values on the wall of their offices, but how frequently are they
reviewed and embraced?” Merino added. “What are companies
doing to ensure that their employees not only know the core
values but are living those core values every day? Integrity
and transparency of these values strengthen Ovation’s ability
to engage with our employees, as well as the residents and
investors.”
To measure the impact of its employee focus, Ovation will
utilize clear measurements, competencies, and benchmarks
to determine an individual’s success and how to help that
person improve both personally and professionally. These
benchmarks will also encourage diversity and inclusion.
Ryan Haller, chief development officer at PDCo, the developer
building the Ovation campus and a member of the Avamere
family of companies, understands the role corporate
responsibility plays in the workplace.
“Diversity and inclusion in the workplace can give a company
a competitive advantage,” Haller said. “Ovation’s mission,
strategies, and practices support a diverse workplace.”
When an employee must hide who they are, or mask core
parts of themselves, they will feel unsure and unsafe. This
can take a toll on motivation, engagement, and culture in the
workplace. In order to create an inclusive culture, Ovation will
appreciate and respect each employee’s unique, authentic self.
“When employees feel accepted and valued, they are happier
in their workplace and stay longer,” Merino added. “That’s a
win for the company, the employee, and the people who put
their trust in us.”
A Focus on Corporate
Responsibility at
Ovation by Avamere
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
Ovation Heartwood Preserve’s Reservation Showroom is now open at
Pepperwood Village. To learn more about the company and its focus on people
visit ovationheartwoodpreserve.com or call (402) 999-7900.
573 North 155th Plaza, Suite 573 | Omaha, Nebraska 68145
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 1

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
PAIGE ZUTAVERN - Omaha/Lincoln - President
(402) 730-0096 | Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com
CONTENTS
NEWS
4
23
Business
Personnel
SPOTLIGHTS
1
22
36
48
28
37
Nonprofi t
Health
Ovation by Avamere
Ambius
Venus Vein Clinic
Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch
FEATURE STORIES
Beyond the Click — Measuring the Impact of Tangible vs. Digital Advertising
First off, happy fall to all of our readers! It’s
crazy that it’s already October and we are
getting into the holiday season. Just like the
leaves, things are continuing to change and
beautifully evolve at Strictly Business. We
are constantly forming new partnerships with
local businesses and organizations to help
them promote the amazing work they do, and we’ve even welcomed
some new faces to our little work family by hiring a couple of interns
who are eager to gain valuable career experience in the areas of
writing, graphic design, sales, and so much more.
Something that never changes, however, is our
commitment to promoting our clients and sharing
reliable, relevant news every month. We’re very
proud to not only be a prominent local news source
in Lincoln and Omaha, but to also be a strong
advertising tool for local businesses. A question
we get asked a lot is how we measure ROI for
our clients who advertise with us, which is a great question. When
deciding how and where to spend your marketing dollars, having an
expectation for what you’re going to get in return is very important.
Unfortunately, we still see companies that put too much emphasis on
hard numbers and statistics. Even though all the editorial we publish in
the magazine is shared online and backlinked to our clients’ website
to enhance their SEO, our greatest strength really is the tangible
print presence we have.
There is no denying that people do not perceive “tangible ads”
(print, television, radio, poster campaigns) the same way they do
digital ones. According to David Pilcher with Freeport Press, when
digital marketing hit the scene, marketers were wild to fi nally have
a way to see, in real-time, performance data. It was the promise of
digital media to deliver a highly-targeted audience with easy-to-see
“results.” Yet, the whole idea was unchartered territory, and ad fraud
escalated and brands chased vanity metrics that failed to deliver.
Still, print couldn’t shake its reputation as being too hard to measure.
Now, industry experts are reevaluating expectations when it comes
to important measures of impact.
“More marketers and brands are
coming to realize that quality
attention is the one thing that
vanity metrics can’t win you.”
In David’s article, he referenced comments made by Nathalie Taboch,
general manager at Ebiquity Paris, made at a roundtable event
sponsored by The Drum in partnership with Print Power. Nathalie
did a great job of defi ning the appeal of digital ads: “Digital is all
about the now, the instant. It’s snackable content that will create an
impulse, favoring an action or a reaction.”
Unfortunately, since companies do have that pressure of grabbing
attention in an instant, their online marketing tactics may be
deceiving—giving off the impression of something too good to be
true, otherwise known as fake news. This is so frustrating for consumers.
You may start seeing higher numbers of page visits
on your website as the result of a digital ad, but
if the user feels like they were tricked into getting
there, that doesn’t help your brand. What is nice
about tangible content such as print is that it makes
a deeper, memorable connection without being
forced in front of someone’s face, which serves a
long-lasting brand image.
“More marketers and brands are coming to realize that quality
attention is the one thing that vanity metrics can’t win you,” David
concluded. “Attention-grabbing strategies won’t sustain your bottomline
business goals. Creating content for the ‘like’ or the ‘share’
could be backfi ring. Consumers are getting really good at ignoring,
blocking, even reporting digital content. Instead, it’s time to return to
strategic marketing plans that make the best use of a mix of media.
And for deep, trusted engagement, that means print…however, you
measure it.”
Ultimately, tangible marketing should support digital marketing
and vice versa. Don’t feel that you need to take an all-or-nothing
approach. Use both tangible and digital advertising to reach
customers, generate brand awareness, and build stronger connections.
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.
Hannah
Katherine
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Editor Hannah Hundley - Editor@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com
Art Director Katherine Crawford - Design@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com
SALES TEAM:
President/Sales Paige Zutavern - Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com
Executive Assistant Sarah Young - Office@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.
39 Holiday Planning
43 Resell Remodeling
Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright ©2019 by PZAK, Inc. Third Class Postage Paid at Lincoln, NE 68505
2 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart
Sarah

I
AGO
ABOUT THE COVER
A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN
AT ELEVEN TWENTY-THREE
THE AD AGENCY YOU DIDN’T KNOW EXISTED
In 2013, Dave Distefano and Shana Boyd formed a partnership that combined effective creative
work and successful media placement. This formula has helped some of their biggest local brands
tout memorable advertising campaigns. Through hard work and client success, they’ve grown the
agency to a full team focused on giving clients the best ROI possible, while providing a client
experience you won’t find anywhere else in Omaha. Eleven Twenty-Three is a boutique shop that
helps businesses of many sizes. Brands don’t grow overnight, they’re proud to work together with
their clients to produce a long term strategy that helps those brands reach their goals.
Success doesn’t end with an ad. It starts with the ‘vertising.’
STRICTLYBUSINESSOMAHA.COM OMAHA • OCTOBER 2019 TM
I Issue
In Th T hI
Is
• Holiday Planning
• Resell Remodeling
Client SpotlightS
• Ovation by Avamere
• Ambius
• Venus Vein Clinic
• Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch
Strictly Business Magazine
PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505
Every agency makes ads, but for many agencies that’s where it stops. For Eleven Twenty-Three, ads are just the beginning. They place those ads
in front of your audience-wherever they are and on whatever they’re watching, hearing, or reading; and they do all without cutting corners or
inflating fees. They think and work in your best interest to develop solutions that meet your brand’s goals and get results. You’ll get a customized
plan for your brand and can expect to work with people that are not just experts in their craft, but down to earth too.
Things have changed. Maybe you should, too.
The basics of advertising have always been true: develop messages that are relevant to your audience and make an emotional connection
with them. Then, get those messages to your audience in the right place at the right time. Although the goal is simple, the media landscape gets
more complex every day. That makes it more challenging to reach that goal, so it’s important to find an agency partner that can help create
a roadmap for your team to find the very best spaces to educate your customers. Eleven Twenty-Three has been doing that for a long time, so
they understand what it takes to make a successful campaign. What’s the best way to get the best message into the space and time provided?
How many times does a prospect need to see or hear that message before they take action? How many times can the audience see or hear
a message before getting tired of it? What the heck should I be paying for my advertising efforts, and how many tactics should that include?
With their track record of success, Eleven Twenty-Three can help make all of this easy for you. You are in good hands, and you’ll feel supported
throughout the entire journey.
Change isn’t always easy. If you could continue to grow doing what you’re doing, you wouldn’t change your approach...but it’s no coincidence you
are still reading this article. You know you need change, and Eleven Twenty-Three is just the agency to help make that change as easy, affordable,
and effective as possible. For more information, call (402) 593-1123 or email info@11twentythree.com for a free consultation. Have your
current plan assessed and start on the path to exceeding your goals! Check out Eleven Twenty-Three’s updated website at: 11twentythree.com.
RIVER CITY SIX
Engineered Controls
BEN GADZINSKI
Echo Systems
Berry Law
WINSLEY DURAND
Greater Omaha Chamber
DAVID HANNAM
Concentric Corporation
KATHERINE CRAWFORD
Strictly Business
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OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 3

BUSINESS NEWS
T.O. Haas Tire & Auto Receives OSHA
Safety Recognition
The Nebraska Department of Labor
officially welcomed T.O. Haas Tire
& Auto to the Safety and Health
Achievement Recognition Award
Program (SHARP) in September.
SHARP is regulated by OSHA and
recognizes small employers who
operate an exemplary safety and
health management system. The store
located at 5120 L St. is managed by Mick Lile and is the second T.O.
Haas Tire location in Omaha to earn the certification.
Officials from the Lincoln-based company joined the store employees
to accept the award. “We’ve been diligently working to reach SHARP
certification status at all of our stores,” said owner, George Hoellen.
“We’ve identified hazards in the workplace and corrected them; and
by sharing information with OSHA officials, we’ve significantly reduced
job-related injuries.”
Achieving the award is a difficult process. Only 31 have been issued
in the state of Nebraska and T.O. Haas holds over half of those
certifications with 16 and another five coming from the states of Iowa
and Kansas. Through SHARP, safety has become a key feature of the
company’s culture and is demonstrated by regularly scheduled safety
meetings and inspections, during which workers have an opportunity to
voice their safety and health concerns and receive assurance that real
action will be taken to resolve issues brought to the table.
T.O. Haas Tire & Auto operates a chain of 25 retail tire and automotive
service facilities in Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa. The firm is headquarted
in Lincoln. For more information, go to www.tohaastire.com.
Mission Direct Primary Care to Offer Bi-
Monthly Informational Session Opportunities
Mission Direct Primary Care
will begin hosting informational
sessions twice a month for
individuals who are looking
to learn more about how
to utilize a membership to access a personal relationship between
doctor and patient, and who are interested in having predictable and
affordable pricing for their primary care needs. Sessions will be held
on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. at 10040 Regency Cir., STE 375
on the following dates: October 9 and 23, November 13 and 20, and
December 11 and 18.
During the informational sessions, the professionals at Mission Direct
Primary Care will cover how membership works and how it fits into a
larger health coverage plan, including traditional health insurance, health
share plans, alternative insurance products, and no insurance. Attendees
will also get to meet the medical staff and get their questions answered
about Mission Direct Primary Care membership.
Mission Direct Primary Care founder, Dr. John Hallgren, believes that
you deserve a personal relationship with your doctor who has the time
to practice full-scope family medicine to keep you from unnecessary and
expensive referrals—someone you know and can rely on to always call
you back on the same day and have readily available appointments
for your urgent needs.
To learn more about Mission Direct Primary Care and attending one
of the upcoming informational opportunities, contact Elizabeth Hallgren
at (402) 509-8964 / Elizabeth@missiondpc.com. In addition, anyone
can go online to missiondirectprimarycare.com to access a prerecorded
information session, and the staff at Mission Direct is happy to set up a
Bridge to Better Living Co-Sponsors October
Moving Seminar
Bridge to Better Living is cosponsoring
a second Moving
Seminar on October 3 at Charles
H. Gere Branch Library, 2400
S. 56th St. in Lincoln, from 6 to 8
p.m. Three professionals—Robbie
Nathan, director of training and
development at Bridge to Better
Living; Jeannine Bryant, owner
of Changing Spaces SRS; and
Lori Wilkinson, realtor at Location
Realty—will address the question of “What’s next?”
Pictured (L-R): Jeannine Bryant, Lori
Wilkinson, and Robbie Nathan.
The seminar focuses on the concerns of elders who are considering a
move, options for retirement living, downsizing to move to a smaller space,
and the art of how and when to sell a home. Decades of experience in
the senior industry is brought to the table by the speakers. Handouts will
be available and the event is free to the public. A third Moving Seminar is
planned for January of 2020. Details will be announced at a later date.
Bridge to Better Living’s expert staff helps seniors and their families
during the difficult navigation of researching retirement communities,
including independent, assisted, memory-assisted, and long-term care.
They are the first locally-owned transition service in Nebraska and have
helped thousands of seniors since 2010. For more information on Bridge
to Better Living’s no-cost service, call (402) 802-3301 or visit their website
at www.BridgetoBetterLiving.com.
Ribbon Cutting Held at Modern Work Suites
& Studios, Upcoming Events Announced
Modern Work Suites & Studios was
thrilled to celebrate its growing
presence in Omaha with a ribboncutting
ceremony on September 12,
which was conducted in partnership
with the Greater Omaha Chamber.
Cutting the ribbon was Founder
Curt Brannon, who purchased the
former Pamida headquarters at 88th and F Streets to house operations
for his furniture manufacturing company, Sympateco. Curt, an inspired,
forward-thinker, tasked himself with putting the 50,000 square feet of
unused space on the building’s top floor to good use. The result: Modern
Work Suites & Studios, a 60s-themed business community unlike anything
else in Omaha.
Since welcoming its fi rst tenant in early 2018, Modern Work has
established itself as the ideal business ecosystem for a wide variety
of industries. Many entrepreneurs and organizations have found an
innovative private office space in one of the 46 single studios, 18 double
studios, nine triple studios, and nine suites that make up Modern Work.
Modern Work is committed to offering an environment of collaboration
and built-in networking opportunities. This is accomplished by partnering
with organizations to host networking events, along with putting on a
monthly Networking Mixxer open to all professionals in Omaha. This
month, in lou of the usual Mixxer, Modern Work will host the Center
Sphere Coffee and Connections on Thursday, October 10, from 7:30 to
9 a.m. The next Networking Mixxer in Modern Work’s 60s-style “mixx
lounge” will be on Thursday, November 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. Guests will
enjoy free drinks and are encouraged to bring lots of business cards!
Go check out what all the fuss is about at Modern Work Suites & Studios!
Learn more online at modernworksuites.com or call (531) 600-6901 to
time to meet one-on-one with no obligation.
schedule a tour.
4 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS
CBD American Shaman Installs New Sign,
Offers Educational and Interactive Events
Garrett and Jennifer Carbonell,
owners of two local CBD
American Shaman stores, recently
had a new outdoor sign put up at
their 2891 S. 168th St. location
in west Omaha! The sign was
beautifully installed by Design
8 Studios. With the enhanced
curb appeal and identification the sign brings to the store, Garrett and
Jennifer hope to welcome more customers through their doors who are
interested in taking advantage of all the health benefits that derive
from CBD products.
In addition, CBD American Shaman will be hosting a pumpkin painting
party on October 13 at their Armburst location, 4721 S. 96th St., and a
“Local Maker Meet” on October 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. with an educational
CBD talk at 2 p.m. at the 168th St. location. The Local Maker Meet offers
a chance to meet with local makers of CBD-infused products. Guests
will get to hear firsthand holistic stories and how these talented small
businesses came to be. More information about these upcoming events
can be found on Facebook (@cbdamericanshamanomaha).
Learn more about CBD American Shaman online at www.cbdomaha.org
or contact Jennifer Carbonell at (402) 885-8727 / mrs.cbd@mail.com.
The Empowerment Network Presents the
African-American Leadership Conference
The Empowerment Network is
excited to present the 8th Annual
African-American Leadership
Conference on October 25, 7
a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the CHI
Health Center Omaha. This year’s
conference is titled Creating a
Culture of Excellence and will focus
on creating an environment where African-Americans are thriving
economically. Join hundreds of local, regional, and national leaders
for this powerful experience.
The keynote speaker of the conference will be Adewale “Wally”
Adeyemo, president of the Obama Foundation. Adewale is a former
senior economic advisor to President Obama, former chief of staff
at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and former deputy
chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Treasury. There will also
be an afternoon keynote led by Tawanna Black, CEO at the Center
for Economic Inclusion in Minneapolis. Additional guest speakers
for the morning EmPower Talks and breakout sessions include the
following national strategists and partners: Jaylen Bledsoe, CEO
of Bledsoe Collective out of Los Angeles, on the topic of youth
entrepreneurship; Dr. Pamela Jolly, CEO of Torch Enterprises out
of Philadelphia, on the topic of legacy wealth; Dr. Randal Pinkett,
CEO of BCT Partners out of Newark, on the topic of redefi ning the
game; and Dr. Will Moreland, CEO of Moreland Int. out of Phoenix,
on the topics of purpose and potential. There are more speakers
to be announced soon!
During the luncheon, the African-American Legends Award will be
presented to Roger Sayers, hall-of-fame athlete, pioneer with Union
Pacifi c BEN, and church and community leader.
To register, inquire about sponsorship opportunities, or get
more information on Empowerment Network’s African-American
Leadership Conference, go online to empoweromaha.com. Deadline
to reserve your spot is October 20. Additional questions can be
directed to Vicki Quaites-Ferris at (402) 502-5153.
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
Millard Business Association Takes 2nd
Place in Millard Days Float Competition
The Millard Business Association
(MBA) and Millard Business Young
Professionals were proud to participate
in the Millard Days Parade on August
24. Their group took home second
place in the float competition. In
addition, MBA members helped serve
up plenty of “cold ones” in the beer
garden and ran the family fun and
safety tent.
The first Millard Days in 1964 was a barbecue in the park sponsored
by the Millard Jaycees. Now, over 50 years later, Millard Days is
a full week of activities, organized by a committee of 16 Millard
area groups. MBA is happy to support this great community event.
The Millard Business Association is a thriving and growing organization
that is membership driven. From making connections to surviving
crises and celebrating victories, the Association is all about people
and community. Area businesses have the option to be a sponsor of
the MBA as a way to get their name out there. With three tiers of
sponsorship levels, you can increase your brand presence through
MBA events, weekly emails, fl yers, the annual Membership Directory,
and MBA website. Email any questions on how to sponsor the MBA
for 2020 to info@millardbusinessassociation.org. To learn more
about membership and ways to get involved, go online to www.
millardbusinessassociation.org.
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2019-08-28 2:43 PM

BUSINESS NEWS
Corn Belt League Expands Into 2020, Seeks
Board Members and Community Partners
The Corn Belt League is one of the
fastest growing summer college
baseball leagues in the country.
The league is set to grow to six
teams in 2020 to accommodate
the plethora of players wanting
to come here to play. Everyone
knows that Omaha is the place for college baseball, and the Corn Belt
League’s goal is to provide a cost-effective opportunity for both local
and college players from across the United States to come here to play
summer baseball. Expansion opportunities for the 2020 season and
beyond sets the Corn Belt League up to be one of the premier summer
collegiate development leagues.
With the expansion, the league is seeking to recreate the fan
excitement and experiences that are seen at both the Minor Leagues
and Independent levels, and they hope to find community partners who
share in their vision of becoming the top developmental baseball league.
The league brings trade to the community—families, friends, and scouts
come from all over the country to see their favorites play. In addition,
through the nonprofit MVP4Life, these college players mentor the youth
in the community.
The Corn Belt League is seeking corporate sponsors, community partners,
as well as additional board members to support the expansion efforts
leading into 2020 and beyond. Please contact Teri Cissell at (402)
598-4998 or Joe Siwa at (402) 669-2892 with any questions you
may have. For more information, visit www.CornBeltLeague.com / www.
MVP4Life.org.
Formerly Fuhrman, Smolsky and Furey, P.C.
Hawaiian Poke Restaurant, Pokéworks
Opens in Omaha
The first Pokéworks officially opened in
the Midwest area at 10351 Pacific St.
in Omaha. To celebrate, the Greater
Omaha Chamber held a ribbon cutting
on August 10. The line was out the door
at the new Hawaiian poke restaurant
on grand opening day. Local franchise
owners Ken Kai and Steven Cai are
excited to bring the authentic taste of
the islands to the Metro area. They also offer catering options!
Inspired by sustainable, seasonal, and natural ingredients, Pokéworks is
committed to serving superior seafood. They believe in the importance
of meeting today’s needs while preserving the oceans so that future
generations will never have to fish in troubled waters. Check out the
menu and learn more about the restaurant’s sustainability efforts online
at www.pokeworks.com or call (402) 810-9659.
Toastmasters District 24 to Hold
Educational Toastmasters LIVE Event
Offutt Toastmasters Club and Rail Talkers
of Toastmasters District 24 are pleased to
present Toastmasters LIVE, an afternoon
of engaging educational sessions and
spectacular speeches evaluated by
“celebrities” in the local Toastmasters
community. The fun and learning will
happen on October 19, 1–5 p.m., at
Nebraska Methodist College, 720 N 87th
St. The event is free and open to the public,
but RSVPs are requested. Online registration can be found on Eventbrite.
Toastmasters International is a worldwide nonprofit educational
organization that empowers individuals to become more effective
communicators and leaders. Omaha, Lincoln, and surrounding areas are
served by Toastmasters District 24, which is a grouping of 70 Toastmasters
clubs and 1,100 members from Kearney to Council Bluffs, IA. Learn more
by visiting d24tm.org / www.toastmasters.org.
People and Results
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Accounting
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Wealth management and investment
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HBE Wealth Management LLC.
contact (402) 415-2804 / HeyThere@ZDesignTile.com.
6 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart
Strictly Business Omaha, Color, 3.68x4.94, 09 2019.indd 1
9/10/2019 10:32:51 AM
Z Design Tile and Stone Launches Services
in Omaha, Opens Showroom
In July, Z Design Tile and Stone
opened a beautiful new tile
showroom at 15105 Industrial
Rd., which is open to the public
and showcases a wide range
of gorgeous, unique, and exclusive tile selections. Owner Kyle
Rasmussen launched Z Design to deliver exceptional tile selections and
complementary design services in a bright and inviting showroom, unlike
anything Omaha has seen before.
As in-house design consultants at Z Design, Kyle and Interior Designer
Michaela Synhorst are able to gain a distinct understanding of their
clients’ needs and wants. They bring unmatched insight and creativity
with top quality guaranteed, providing hands-on guidance through each
step of the design process to make your home building or remodeling
journey simple and fun.
Whether you’re looking for warm neutrals or bold patterns, Z Design
Tile and Stone has the colors, textures, and materials to fit the aesthetic
you’re looking for. They have access to everything from builder-grade
to custom-grade products. Learn more online at www.zdesigntile.com or

BUSINESS NEWS
Success Omaha presents professional
Success Omaha by ActionCOACH to Host
classes for your business and staff.
Developing New Managers Workshop
Success Omaha
Success Omaha, a recentlylaunched
division of
ActionCOACH, will host a
by
workshop titled “Developing
New Managers” on
November 8, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the ActionCOACH Success Center
at 10828 Old Mill Rd., STE 4. can hurt you!
Management must be effective We for can the help success you build of a any team business. of
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For more information or to register,
visit successomaha.com.
ss Omaha 4x6 card D2.1.indd 1
What your employees don’t know
4/9/19 3:59 PM
2019 BBB Integrity Awards Honor Omaha
Businesses and Charities
The 2019 BBB Integrity Award Winners were selected
by independent panels of judges representing
businesses and charitable organizations in metro
Omaha. They were honored on September 10 at
BBB’s 24th Integrity Awards Luncheon held at the
Embassy Suites Conference Center in La Vista. BBB’s
Annual Integrity Awards are designed to promote not
only the importance of ethical business practices, but
also the willingness and efforts made by outstanding
businesses and charities that demonstrate a solid
commitment to marketplace trust.
In the small for-profit business categories, one organization with 11–24
employees was selected to win an Integrity Award: Vision2Voice, a
healthcare communications company that brings biopharmaceutical
companies’ messaging to healthcare professionals with the goal of
extending the lives and quality of life for patients. In the category for
charities with fewer than 24 employees, the award was presented
to Autism Action Partnership. In the large for-profit and not-for-profit
business categories, the companies awarded were: Bridges Trust (25–
99 employees); The Schemmer Associates, Inc. (100–249 employees);
Seldin Company (250–499 employees); and WoodmenLife (500+
employees). The charity with more than 25 employees that received
a BBB Integrity Award was Heartland Family Service.
The judges decided that other organizations that submitted applications
were worthy of recognition too. Therefore, those also demonstrating that
they placed a high priority on honesty and integrity in the workplace
were recognized with “Silver Awards of Distinction” for significant
commitment to ethical business practices and a “Bronze Award of
Merit” for exemplifying the values of the BBB. The “Silver Award
of Distinction” recipients were: Physicians Thrive; Total Construction
Services, Inc.; Oxbow Animal Health; Florence Home Healthcare
Center; and Travel and Transport. Miller Electric was presented with
a “Bronze Award of Merit.”
To learn more about the Better Business Bureau, go online to www.BBB.
org or call (402) 391-7612.
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Business Ethics Alliance Announces
Upcoming EthicSpace Conference
Business Ethics Alliance ® is excited to
present the EthicSpace Conference
once again this year on Tuesday,
October 22 at Creighton University’s
Mike and Josie Harper Center from
7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. EthicSpace is a
one-day experience like no other, during which attendees can engage
in mindful conversations and gain useful takeaways to influence a hightrust
work culture. EthicSpace will feature the following three speakers:
Bill George will lead his workshop, titled “Developing a Trustworthy
Character.” He is the former CEO and chair of Medtronic, the world’s
largest medical device company. George is a senior fellow at Harvard
Business School and author of Discover Your True North, Authentic
Leadership, 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis, and more.
Othello H. Meadows is president/CEO of Seventy Five North
Revitalization Corp. His presentation will discuss trust and inclusion. Prior
to his current position, Meadows was executive director of the Omaha
Workforce Collaborative. He is an integral part of the Omaha
community and will discuss trust and inclusion in the Omaha community.
Stacy Heen Lennon, founder of Triad Consulting Group, will discuss
building trust on teams. Triad is a leading global corporate education
and communication consulting firm. She often works with executive
teams, helping them to work through conflict, repair relationships, and
make sound decisions together.
The Greater Omaha Alliance for Business Ethics at Creighton
University—the Business Ethics Alliance ® —is the nation’s leading
nonprofit dedicated to city-level business ethics education. Learn more
online at www.businessethicsalliance.org. Sponsorship information and
registration for the conference can be found at EthicSpace.org.
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 7

BUSINESS NEWS
Zongkers Custom Furniture Marks 30 Years
Zongkers Custom Furniture, Inc.
celebrated 30 amazing years with an
anniversary and customer appreciation
party on August 16. Representatives
from the Greater Omaha Chamber
and Sarpy County Chamber of
Commerce were in attendance to
conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony to
officially commemorate the milestone
achievement. The event featured a
live DJ and karaoke music, good food, tours of the facilities, and the
opportunity to meet the skilled craftsmen who make up the Zongkers
team. Attendees even had a chance to win a custom-made wood sign
with their company logo or family heirloom name.
Since 1989, Zongkers Custom Furniture, Inc. has strived to provide
premium products by mixing old-world craftsmanship with today’s
technology. The established company serves a national market in
residential, commercial, and government areas with handcrafted
furniture by individual craftsmen, autographed and dated with a full
five-year warranty. Known as Omaha’s best-kept secret, Zongkers
specializes in custom artwork and hand-carvings, marquetry veneer
inlays, curved furniture, and specialty finishes, and they offers full
design services for your furniture, kitchens, or casework. Their team
pays special attention to detail and quality. Whether it’s contemporary
or traditional designs, Zongkers can accommodate any request and
work within your budget. To learn more about Zongkers in Omaha,
visit www.zongkers.com or call (402) 344-7784.
Best Care EAP Announces Open House to
Showcase Renovated Office, Training Room
To celebrate their newlyrenovated
office and
training room, Best Care
EAP will be hosting an open
house on October 15 from
7:30 to 9 a.m. Best Care EAP
is located in the Center Point offi ce building at 9239 West Center
Rd., STE 201. The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony,
prizes, giveaways, and a sneak peak at training programming and
plans for 2020. There will also be complimentary coffee, scones,
muffi ns, and cinnamon rolls for attendees to enjoy.
Best Care EAP is all about helping you invest in the people at
your business. They teach training sessions for over 60 topics
to address emerging workplace issues like leadership and
management development, emotional and physical health, stress
and time management, communication, and more. They have
fl exible training options so individuals or groups can learn in either
an in-person or webinar format. Best Care EAP can also provide
licensed counselors for your workplace through phone call, online,
or face-to-face sessions.
If you want to learn more about the services offered through Best
Care EAP, visit their website at bestcareeap.org or call (402) 354-
8000 / (800) 801-4182. RSVP for the open house is encouraged
and can be done by emailing Robyn Burnett at Robyn.Burnett@
bestcareeap.org.
“
I’ve formed a lasting relationship
with Allen from Cornhusker Bank,
who takes the time to understand
my unique personal and business
needs, and can help me map out
a financial roadmap to get me to
my goals.
“
Matthew Klemke, O.D.
President and Founder
ViewPointe Vision
Serving the Omaha/Lincoln metroplex.
From left: Matthew Klemke, O.D. and Allen Chaffee
Allen Chaffee, Omaha Market President
Loan Production Office, 13340 California, Omaha
402-779-1420 | CornhuskerBank.com
8 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS
Adore Opens New Spa in Downtown Millard
Local business owner, Amanda Spudich,
recently welcomed everyone to the
new location of her spa Adore in
downtown Millard at 4935 S. 136th
St.! After outgrowing her previous
space, Amanda decided to move and
expand into a larger location in order
to offer her clients more services and
appointments. To celebrate the grand
opening of the spa, the Greater
Omaha Chamber hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 26.
Adore specializes in eyelash extensions, dermaplaning, facials,
waxing, chemical peels, brow tinting, and skin care. Amanda is a
licensed esthetician and she loves helping people feel beautiful in
their own skin through professional cosmetic and personal care. To
learn more about Adore or to schedule an appointment with Amanda,
visit www.adoreomaha.com or call (402) 669-7094.
AnyWare Security
Security Guard Service
Spenser Ware
Owner
Security
services include:
Construction Sites
Hotels
Bars & Clubs
Private Events
Car Patrol
Loss Prevention
We provide expert protection for any
private or public event in the U.S.
(531) 333-0321
www.anyware-security.business.site
anyware402@gmail.com
Sarpy Chamber of Commerce to Host
Holiday Open House December 11
The Sarpy Chamber of Commerce is
excited to welcome members and guests to
their Holiday Open House on Wednesday,
December 11. The event will be hosted
at the Chamber office, located at 1243
Golden Gate Dr. in Papillion, from 3 to
5 p.m. Attendees will enjoy food, drinks,
mingling, and jingling—so mark your
calendars!
The Chamber is currently looking for food and drink donations. If you or
your business is interested in making this event even merrier and brighter,
email chamber@sarpychamber.org.
The Sarpy Country Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization
comprised of local business owners and executives who believe strongly in
the free enterprise system. They provide a host of programs and services
designed to help businesses of all sizes grow and prosper. Learn more
online at www.sarpychamber.org or call (402) 339-3050.
Center Sphere Announces October Events
Center Sphere is Omaha’s
largest and fastest growing
professional networking
organization. In addition to
chapter meetings, Center
Sphere also provides its members unique opportunities for networking
and professional development through a variety of events and
trainings each month. These events are also a great way for nonmembers
to learn more about how Center Sphere can help them make
meaningful business connections! October events include:
• Thursday, October 10, 7:30–9 a.m.: NETWORK-WIDE Coffee &
Connections hosted by Modern Work Suites & Studios, 8790 F St.
• Thursday, October 24, 4–6 p.m.: NETWORK-WIDE Social Hour
hosted by Gina V Physical Therapy, 114 E 1st St., STE 105.
• Tuesday, October 29, 11 a.m.: Q&A - Meet The Network at The
Omaha Bakery, 608 S. 72nd St., followed by Maximize Your
Membership Training at noon.
To learn more about Center Sphere and the many networking
opportunities they offer, please go to www.centersphere.com or
contact Shawn Schmidt by emailing shawn@centersphere.com.
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
Honeywell Spyder Training Class to Be Held
At Control Depot Training Center
In an effort to provide Midwest contractors
with the highest level of product support
and training, Control Depot will be
bringing in a Honeywell corporate trainer
to their training center October 28–31 to
give students from around the region a
comprehensive education on Honeywell
Spyder Building Automation Controllers.
Control Depot’s training center is located
in Omaha at 9304 G Ct.
This course is intended for Niagara AX
certified systems integrators, OEMs,
distributors, and other business partners
who have specifi cally contracted with Tridium to sell and service
Niagara 4, which is the fourth generation of Control Depot’s awardwinning
and patented Framework technology. End users are also
welcome to attend this class in order to more fully understand and
exploit the implementation of this product in their facility.
Control Depot is a building automation and controls distributor serving
Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and South Dakota. They sell and support a
wide selection of residential and commercial controls and components
to contractors and building owners. This includes everything from a
simple thermostat to a complete web-based building automation
system. At Control Depot, their goal is to build strong and lasting
relationships with customers by providing value and experience that
is unparalleled in the industry. As a company, they strive to excel
in all aspects of their business, offering quality services in a timely
manner and at affordable rates. Contact Control Depot for more
information on how their services can help you: (402) 934-0078 /
(866) 809-7408 (toll free) / sales@controldepotinc.com. Learn more
on the website: www.controldepotinc.com.
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 9

BUSINESS NEWS
BNI Heartland Chapters Welcome New
Leadership, Set Goals for Upcoming Year
This is the time of year when BNI ®
Heartland chapter leadership teams
change, and they establish their goals
for the next 12 months. Each chapter
has up to 12 leadership positions to be
filled, and the individuals elected must go
through training. The main positions are
president, vice president, and secretary treasurer.
In BNI Heartland’s 34-year history, they have found that placing new
people into these roles annually allows an opportunity to gain fresh
perspectives, ideas, and insights. It provides opportunities for members to
step out of their comfort zones and grow personally and professionally.
BNI is thankful for those who served the last year, and they are excited
for the new leadership teams that have volunteered to step forward.
Each new team participated in a Chapter Success Workshop to prepare
for the year ahead. With this education, the determination of each
individual leader, and a little bit of good luck, BNI looks forward to
continued growth in 2020, both in chapters as a whole and in referrals
and closed business for chapter members.
BNI ® is the world’s leading referral organization, with over 250,000
members in 70+ countries. Their members generate word-of-mouth
business for each other through structured, results-driven groups around
the world. In 2018 alone, BNI members generated over $15 billion
(USD) in revenue for member-businesses. For more information, visit
bniheartland.com or contact (402) 880-6311 / info@bniheartland.com.
Conklin Company Recognizes 40 Heartland
International Contractors
Heartland International, Inc.,
a nationwide distributor of
Conklin Commercial Roofing
Systems, has had 40 members
of their network of contractors
recognized as 2019 Preferred
Contractors by the Conklin Company. These contractors are being
recognized for having established roofing businesses with a reputation
for integrity, commitment to quality, and excellence in application,
sales, service, and professionalism. As members of this elite group
of contractors, they will be invited to enjoy a trip to Hawaii the fi rst
week of December where they will meet with other contractors from
across the nation and share ideas and provide input to the Conklin
Company on the future direction of the company.
Since the introduction of the fi rst, innovative Conklin Roof Coatings in
1977 and the fi rst roofs applied in Lincoln in 1978, the network of
Heartland International’s contractors has spread to over 25 states.
These contractors install Conklin Roofi ng Systems that outlast and
outperform conventional systems from coast to coast. The demand is
strong for these energy-saving systems and Heartland International
is actively recruiting additional contractors to meet the need.
Heartland International, Inc. is based in Lincoln and is responsible to
screen and train contractors to install the Conklin Roofi ng Systems.
For more information or to apply for one of the current job openings,
email DennisLNun@gmail.com or call (402) 430-7727. Learn more
online at www.TheSecureRoof.com.
10 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS
A Place at Home Celebrates Grand Opening
in Papillion with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Thanks to the hard work and dedication
of Rick and Kris Perkins, A Place at
Home is now serving the Papillion area
with their wide range of in-home care,
care coordination, and senior living
placement and transition services. To
celebrate this expansion, a grand
opening event was held on August 30,
featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony
conducted by the Sarpy County
Chamber of Commerce.
Rick and Kris have cared about the safety of Larimer County and
Douglas County residents for a long time. Rick is a former counselor and
manager who spent 20 years with Child and Adult Protective Services,
as well as serving as program coordinator for the Juvenile Assessment
Center. Kris is a former 911 dispatcher and EMT, and she worked in sales
and deployment roles for Motorola Solutions, Inc. where she deployed
public safety software across the U.S. Now, this husband-and-wife team
is turning their attention to senior care issues with the opening of a new
A Place at Home franchise in Papillion.
A Place at Home is an Omaha-based company, and it has experienced
explosive growth after its launch in 2012. The Papillion franchise at
10791 S. 72nd St., STE #104 will serve Bellevue, Offutt, Ralston, Chalco,
and La Vista, NE and Council Bluffs and Center Lake, IA. To learn more,
visit www.aplaceathome.com/ne0009 or call (402) 858-4644.
Berry Law Named to 2019 Inc. 5000
Fastest-Growing Private Companies
Inc. magazine revealed in August
that Berry Law is No. 2,700 on its
annual Inc. 5000 list, a ranking of
the nation’s fastest-growing private
companies. The list represents a unique
look at the most successful companies
within the American economy’s most
dynamic segment—its independent
small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland,
LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their
first national exposure as honorees on the 2019 Inc. 5000.
This marks the third consecutive year that Berry Law has made it into the
prestigious Inc. 5000 list. The team is honored to have been recognized
by Inc. magazine, and they are excited to continue providing high
quality legal services for all their clients. The past year has been another
period of rapid and successful growth for the surging firm. In addition
to establishing a new flagship headquarters in Lincoln’s Meridian Park,
the Berry Law team added talented attorneys Neely Fedde, Erik Fern,
Hannah Carroll-Altman, and Emily Weiss. They have already seen some
great results from these additions, and look forward to the added
firepower they will bring to their criminal defense, personal injury, civil
litigation, and VA disability practices.
The companies on the 2019 Inc. 5000 have been very competitive within
their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared
to prior lists. The 2019 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year
average growth of 454% and a median rate of 157%. To view the
complete results, visit www.inc.com/inc5000.
Berry Law was founded in 1965 by legendary attorney John S. Berry, Sr.
With over 250 years of legal experience, Berry Law is well equipped
to handle the most serious legal needs. Originally focused on criminal
defense work, the firm has expanded to offer a full suite of legal services.
Learn more at jsberrylaw.com.
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
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BLUEBARN Theatre Presents “Red Summer”
BLUEBARN Theatre is excited to present the
world premiere production of Red Summer
by Beaufield Berry. The show kicked off on
September 26 and will run through October
21, Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.;
Sunday, October 6 and 20 at 2 p.m.; and
Sunday, October 13 at 6 p.m.
In commemoration of the centenary of the
Omaha race riots of 1919, Red Summer
depicts Beaufield Berry’s evocative account
of the city’s past centered on the story of
William Brown. Accused of a crime he couldn’t
physically have committed, the infamous
torture and lynching of this 40-year-old
factory worker is a stain on America’s
heartland. Red Summer presents a compelling portrait of the black
migrant experience, grounded by a deeply affecting vision of Will’s
life and relationships before he became a tragic headline.
Red Summer features Antonio Duke, Xena Broaden, Brendan Brown,
Raydell Cordell III, Devel Crisp, Haley Haas, Dara Hogan, Regina Palmer,
and Brandi Smith. The production is directed by Susan Clement-Toberer
and assistant directed by Barry Carman. Sound and projection design are
by Bill Kirby, properties by Amy Reiner, dramaturgy by Denise Chapman,
set design by Marty Marchitto, lighting design by Jamie Roderick, and
costume design by Kendra Newby.
BLUEBARN Threatre is honored to be joining the following partners in the
premiere of this production: Omaha Community Council for Racial Justice
and Reconciliation, University of Nebraska Omaha Black Studies, Douglas
County Historical Society, Dundee Book Company, Inclusive Communities,
and Making Invisible Histories Visible. GA tickets are $35 and senior
tickets are $30, available online at bluebarn.org. Educator, military, and
BLUCrew tickets are available through the box office: (402) 345-1576.
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 11

WHAT YOUR EMPLOYEES
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by
BUSINESS NEWS
Veterans In Business Forum Announces
November Meeting
The Veterans In Business Forum (VIBF)
meets the fi rst Friday of every month
(0800-0900). As there is no meeting
slated for October, the next meeting
will be 1 November at the University
of Nebraska–Omaha College of
Business Administration, Mammel Hall – Room 215, 6708 Pine
Street, Omaha, NE 68182-0048. Guest speaker for November
is Jim Reiff who will speak on the Nebraska Enterprise Fund.
For the latest information on the Veterans in Business Forum,
to be a guest speaker, and/or to be added to the mailing
list, contact Michel Thornhill at (402) 932-7243 / info@
littlemountainwebdesign.com (email is preferable). Visit www.
omahanebraska.com/VeteransinBusinessForumOmahaNetworking
to learn more about the organization.
Daily YayMaker Receives Event Sponsorship
from ENable and First National Bank
Daily YayMaker, an event and
travel consulting business for
individuals with unique needs,
is grateful to ENable and First
National Bank for sponsoring
an overnight event in Kansas
City this month. The group is also looking for sponsorship support for
spring break events, and they would love to go see a play such as A
Christmas Carol during the holidays.
The Daily YayMaker also recently started a respite bed and breakfast
for individuals with intellectual disabilities, The Daily House Respite
B&B. The vision of The Daily House is to provide jobs to people with
disabilities, such as a cook, barista, security guard, or a landscape
manager at the bed and breakfast! Please contact Dawna at (402)
206-3092 / dailyyaymakerne@gmail.com if you would be interested
in sponsoring any upcoming events or would like to support the growth
of the The Daily House B&B. Go online to www.dailyyaymaker.com to
learn more or connect on Facebook (@thedailyhouse).
Nebraska Safety Council Prepares for
Upcoming Conference and Trade Show
The Nebraska Safety
Council Conference and
Trade Show is coming up
on October 16. Held at
Holthus Convention Center in York, NE, this is an educational day for
safety, wellness, environmental, human resource, and other supervisor
and manager personnel. Get inspired by keynote speakers, gain new
strategies and practices to bring back to the office, and network with
peers. Pre-conference sessions are held on October 15 and offer a
deep-dive learning opportunity. The Leadership Development session
is led by Talent Plus experts and will help emerging leaders better
manage teams from a strengths-based focus. The Nebraska Industrial
Council on Environment (NICE) has organized the Environmental Boot
Camp, a day offering something for individuals new to the field or
seasoned professionals. Register online at bit.ly/ripple2019.
The Nebraska Safety Council is a nonprofit organization headquartered
For more information, visit successomaha.com in Lincoln that provides education and leadership to empower people to
live safe and healthy. For more information, visit www.nesafetycouncil.
Email What info@successomaha.com your employees don’t to sign know up today! org. Feel free to also contact Lisa Henning at (402) 483-2511 /
can hurt you!
lhenning@nesafetycouncil.org with any questions.
12 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart
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OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 13

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BUSINESS NEWS
NAMI Omaha to Hold Next Affi liate
Meeting November 7
NAMI Omaha’s next Mental
Health NAMI Affiliate
meeting will be held on
Thursday, November 7,
from 6 to 8 p.m. This meeting is free and open to the public.
OneWorld Community Health Centers’ CEO Andrea Skolkin
will be speaking about their partnership with the community in
providing culturally respectful and quality primary medical, dental
and behavioral health care services with special attention to the
underserved.
These meetings take place the fi rst Thursday of each month at
First United Methodist Church, located at 7020 Cass St. in Omaha.
Parking is available on the east and north side of the church. Enter
through doors #4 or #6 and proceed to room 112.
NAMI Omaha is an organization composed of consumers, family
members, professionals, and friends who have come together to
share and take comfort in the commonality of their experiences
and to educate members of their communities about serious brain
disorders. Along with education/literature, support, workshops,
conferences and more. NAMI Omaha actively advocates at the
local, state, and national levels to improve the services and the
lives of those affected by mental illness and their families.
For information on NAMI Omaha and their monthly affi liate
meetings, go online to namiomaha.org or call (402) 345-8101 /
(877) 463-6264. For helpful articles on mental illness, follow on
Facebook (@NAMIOmaha).
NAWIC Member of the Year Announced,
Omaha Chapter Recognized for Video
Karli Meisinger, construction manager
for Eyman Plumbing Heating & Air
Conditioning, received the Member
of the Year award from the National
Association of Women in Construction
(NAWIC) Midwest Region. This award
recognizes outstanding efforts of a NAWIC member who has been
actively involved throughout the year. Meisinger has been involved with
NAWIC since 2010 and has served on the Board at the local level in
several capacities, including president for two terms, 2016–2018. Karli
is active on local committees and currently co-chairs the Professional
Development and Education Committee. She is also serving regionally
as the Midwest’s representative membership chair for 2018–2020.
The NAWIC Greater Omaha Chapter #116 PR/Marketing Committee
was also recognized for its entry in a nationwide video contest. The award
for the Midwest Region #NAWIC PowerPlay video was presented in
Chicago at the NAWIC Midwest Region Spring Forum on April 26–27.
The #NAWIC PowerPlay Video Marketing Contest was held to give
NAWIC chapters the chance to show how NAWIC empowers them, and
then to use the video as a membership and marketing tool. The Greater
Omaha Chapter #116 was selected for their creativity and design,
and their video was showcased at the Spring Forum and on the NAWIC
Greater Omaha #116 website (www.nawicomaha.com).
NAWIC is an international organization of women working in and around
the construction industry. The Midwest region has over 730 members.
Learn more by contacting Ana Ries (402) 670-5000 / nawicomaha@
gmail.com or visit www.nawicomaha.com.
NATIONALASSOCIATION OF
IN CONSTRUCTION
WOMEN
14 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS
Two Organizations Approved as NHA
Services Preferred Business Partners
NHA Services, Inc., a for-profi t
subsidiary of the Nebraska
Hospital Association, is pleased
to announce two new preferred
business partnerships, effective
September 1, offering new
service lines to healthcare
providers across Nebraska:
H4 Technology and Idea
Translations.
H4 Technology empowers
healthcare organizations to
effi ciently manage, integrate
and analyze their data through
the industry’s premier single-source data management as a
service solution, COMPASS. A Nebraska-based company, H4
Technology works with hospitals, ACOs, State Governments, HIEs,
and behavioral health organizations with fi nancial, claims 837-
835, population health, and social determinants of health (SDOH)
technology solutions. H4 Technology recently launched 837-835
claims analytics for hospitals and health systems to analyze payer
mix, denials (payer, date, and procedure code), denial reason
codes (CARC, RARC), compare contractual allowances vs. actual,
and zero-dollar paid claims. In the Fall of 2019, the Nebraska
Health Information System (NHIS) will partner with H4 to launch
a new website with an easy-to-use dashboard for NHA hospital
members based on claims data. H4 has developed self-service
tools for hospitals and providers to build and analyze customized
reports from multiple data sources All providing immediate ROI
to hospitals and health systems.
To learn more about this new service line being offered through
NHA Services contact Craig Christenson at (402) 598-6561 or
craig@h4-technology.com.
Idea Translations was established in 2007 starting as a boutique
medical content translation company to service the limited non-
English-speaking community in the US. Since then, they have
expanded their service lines to include written translation,
interpreting, website localization, eLearning translation, and
cultural adaptation. Regulatory requirements and an everexpanding
multicultural client base are forcing healthcare
providers to communicate effectively and accurately in other
languages with patients and families. Having a reliable partner
to translate your documentation can be highly valuable. Idea
Translations holds an ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 17100 quality
management certifi cation serving 80 languages and helping
hospitals and health systems communicate effectively. Idea
Translations offers a simple pricing structure which includes per
minute for over-the-phone or video interpreting, per word for
content translation and per hour for all other services. There are no
set-up or monthly fees. NHA member hospitals will benefi t from a
pay as you use model and use of an exclusive portal to automate
requests for service. Services also available are translation of
printed materials and websites.
To learn more about this new service line being offered through
NHA Services contact Sergio Atristain at (860) 781-6377 or
sergio@ideatranslations.com.
For more than 25 years, NHA Services, Inc., has been an essential
partner to Nebraska Hospital Association (nebraskahospitals.org)
members. They help hospitals and healthcare providers across
the state strengthen their operational and fi nancial performance,
improve quality and outcomes, transform infrastructure, and
prepare for the future. For more information, visit the NHA Services
website at nhaservices.org.
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NICK
Nick Kammann
ENGINEERED CONTROLS
Meet Nick Kammann, security sales
engineer for Engineered Controls.
Tell us a little about your business. -
Engineered Controls is a building technology company whose
goal is to make buildings more effi cient, comfortable, secure,
and convenient for its occupants. Day to day, I am working with
contractors, engineers, and owners to provide integrated security
solutions that will help keep people safe and protect their assets.
How did you get started in the business? - I went to college
for electronic systems technology, and after working in a factory
environment for a few years, I needed a change from the repetitive
work. I started in the fi eld as an installation technician and soon
discovered that every day was something new and challenging.
From there I moved into a more technical role, programming and
servicing security systems. I recently moved out of fi eld into a
sales engineering and estimating position focused primarily on
bid-spec projects.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Our
industry is very technical. Keeping up to date on the latest industry
trends, new product developments, and software improvements is
challenging.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
- Earning my associate degree in electronic systems technology.
Tell us a little about your family. - My girlfriend and I live in
La Vista.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Camping
and boating. I really enjoy spending time at the lake and being
outdoors.
Who inspires you? - My brother. He was very hardworking and
successful in his career.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve
ever received? - Don’t worry about the things you can’t control.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered
as, what would it be? - Trustworthy.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Time travel.
Which talent would you most like to have? - To be a master
carpenter and build my own house.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in,
what would it be? - Travel photographer. I love to travel and
explore new places, so why not get paid to do it?
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - I
just finished Alcatraz #1259 by William G. Baker. It’s a true account
of life in Alcatraz written by a former Alcatraz inmate.
What is your favorite movie? - The Jason Bourne trilogy.
What is your favorite TV show? - The Offi ce.
What is your favorite local restaurant? - Charred Burger + Bar.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past
or present, who would it be? - Warren Buffet.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
EQUAL HOUSING - Phone: (402) 689-8257; Email: nkammann@engineeredcontrols.
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16 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

SUSAN
Susan Napolitano
BERRY LAW
Meet Susan Napolitano, attorney for
Berry Law.
Tell us a little about your business.
- Originally focused on criminal defense work, Berry Law has
expanded to offer a full suite of services ranging from injury law
to business law. As an attorney for the fi rm, I am a problem-solver
who loves helping my clients succeed in the areas of real estate,
business, and civil litigation.
How did you get started in the business? - Like many entrepreneurs,
I started from the ground up. I come from a family of builders, so
starting my legal career in real estate was a natural fi t.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? -
Investing my time in the right work, the right people, and the right
experiences. I have learned to be fi ercely protective of my time
and to say no to that which brings little or no value to my life, either
personally or professionally.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your
life? - Twenty-fi ve years ago, my dear friend Polly died of cancer
in the same little Wisconsin farm house she was born in. I visited
her the day before she died and she said to me, “My life is over,
but I feel like I never even got started.” She was 72. That was the
saddest thing anyone has ever said to me. Polly’s words have stuck
with me as a reminder that when it is my time to die, I want to feel
like I did everything I could do to live the hell out of this life.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I love hiking in
the woods with my kids and our dog.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most
people probably don’t know? - I am the most stubborn person I
know...and the most loyal. I guess that’s a double-edged sword.
Who inspires you? - I am inspired by people of courage—the
people who repeatedly rise and get in position at the starting line
in spite of being afraid, tired, or weakened. I am truly blessed to
interact with those kinds of people every day at work and in my
personal life.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve
ever received? - “When you’re going through hell, keep going.”
– Winston Churchill
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily
work life? - I am artsy. I paint, write, or do some other type of
creative exercise every day.
Which talent would you most like to have? - Sing opera.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful
in, what would it be? - I think writing biographies would be a
fascinating way to spend a life.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? -
Either Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, or Sick Puppy. The
last good book I read was Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire
Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past
or present, who would it be? - Buddha or Bill Murray.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
- Phone: (402) 466-8444; Email: susan@jsberrlaw.com; Website:
jsberrylaw.com.
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OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 17

THE POWER
OF ‘WE’
When you invest in the Chamber,
we succeed together, ensuring more
opportunity, a higher quality of life
and a brighter future for everyone.
This is what community-building looks like.
Membership is an investment in your
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DAVID
David Hannam
CONCENTRIC CORPORATION
Meet David Hannam, vice president of
Concentric Corporation.
Tell us a little about your business. -
Concentric Corporation is a technology consulting and staffi ng fi rm
that has been in business for over 15 years. We are an Omahabased,
relationship-driven business focusing on connecting the right
professionals with the right companies.
How did you get started in the business? - I was working in college
admissions recruiting and was approached by a family friend to
explore an opportunity in professional technical recruiting. I took
the plunge and moved into technical recruiting in 1999 and have
been working in this industry now for nearly 20 years. I have been
at Concentric Corporation since 2006.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
- Working with our team at Concentric Corporation to develop this
company into what it is today. I am very proud to have been a part
of the growth of this company over the last 13 years that I have
been working at Concentric. I feel very fortunate to have developed
so many wonderful relationships with my colleagues and our clients.
Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married for 18
years, and we have one son that is 16 years old.
Who inspires you? - My family inspires me. They are at the
center of everything I do in both my professional and personal life.
They inspire me to work hard, be a good person, treat others with
respect, and to always try to be a positive role model to our son.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most
people probably don’t know? - I don’t know how to swim. Throw
me in deep water...I’ll sink like a rock.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Travel with my
wife and son. We are very fortunate to have been able to visit a
lot of amazing places and create a lifetime of memories together
during our travels.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve
ever received? - Don’t be afraid to move the opposite direction
as the crowd. Strike your own path. Great people don’t follow...
they lead.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered
as, what would it be? - Genuine.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily
work life? - I have a vast knowledge of answers to random, obscure,
pointless trivia questions.
What is your favorite movie? - Fandango. This movie was released
in 1985 (set in 1971 Texas). Great movie about a group of friends
facing uncertain futures at home and in Vietnam.
What is your favorite local restaurant? - V. Mertz.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past
or present, who would it be? - He’s not famous, but I would like to
have dinner with my grandfather James “Ziva.” He died just after
I was born, so I never knew him. Everyone that did know him says
that he was an amazing man.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do
so? - Phone: (402) 991-8400; Email: david@concentriccorp.com;
Website: www.concentriccorp.com.
18 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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BEN
Ben Gadzinski
ECHO SYSTEMS
Meet Ben Gadzinski, shade specialist at
Echo Systems.
Tell us a little about your business. - If a
superhero wanted to start building their lair, Echo Systems would be
where they’d want to go for their technology needs. While we can’t
help with traps and lasers, we can provide just about everything else
that a smart home (or lair) requires. That includes lighting control,
security systems, distributed audio and video, automated shades, and
the quality service that our clients deserve. We operate all over the
United States, but our primary market is right here in the Midwest.
How did you get started in the business? - Doug Dushan, our sales
and marketing manager, visited the store of my previous employer
to purchase flooring. I happened to be the salesperson he talked to.
Apparently, he just couldn’t get enough of working with me, so he
convinced me to join the team at Echo Systems!
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally. -
Transitioning into my field. My previous position was strictly salesbased,
whereas at Echo Systems, I’m responsible for sales, project
management, and marketing all things shades related. It’s been a lot
to take on but being surrounded by competent professionals has helped
me meet the challenge and grow from the experience.
Tell us a little about your family. - I’m the youngest of three children
and an uncle to one incredible nephew. My partner Krystal and I are
expecting identical twins in February, and we couldn’t be more excited
to meet them!
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? -
My best friend Jordan encouraging me to apply at my previous job. I
was working at a burrito shop at the time, and Jordan was a frequent
customer. Though he didn’t know me, he kept pushing me to apply for
a sales position. I eventually gave it a shot. His belief in me changed
my life and I would not be where I am today without his support.
What is the most unique and interesting thing about you that most
people probably don’t know? - I was born in Hong Kong, China. My
parents were foreign service officers and I spent the first 10 years of
my life living in China, Nepal, and Brazil.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered
as, what would it be? - Magnanimous.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “Higher Love” by
Steve Winwood.
If you had a superpower, what would it be? - Time travel. I love
studying history so the ability to witness it firsthand whenever I choose
is a no brainer for me.
What is your greatest talent you don’t utilize in your work life?- I
can keep a soccer ball in the air without using my hands for a very
long time (300+ touches for you soccer players out there!).
If you could choose any profession to be successful in, what would
it be? - Video game design.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or
involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I’ve worked
with Kids Can Community Center in the past as a mentor. Having the
opportunity to be a positive role model for young children is a blessing.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - Ender’s
Game by Ors on Scott Card is my absolute favorite, but I recently
enjoyed the Song of Ice and Fire collection by George R.R. Martin.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?-
Phone: (402) 334-4900; Email: bgadzinski@echosystemsmidwest.com;
Website: echosystemsmidwest.com.
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WINSLEY
Winsley Durand
GREATER OMAHA CHAMBER
Meet Winsley Durand, executive director of
REACH, a program of the Greater Omaha
Chamber.
Tell us a little about your business. - I have
worked for the Greater Omaha Chamber for over 13 years in roles
that help to attract and retain businesses in Omaha. For the last four
years, I have been given the opportunity to be an intre-preneur. With the
402-235-5867 iLoveMyWater.com REACH Program, I have been able to create a collaborative approach
to growing the capacities of small contractors. Through training, technical
assistance, mentoring, and access to capital, I get to assist people in
realizing their entrepreneurial dreams and help them create a good
living for themselves and their families.
How did you get started in the business? - Before college graduation,
I went back to my hometown of Peoria, IL and personally dropped off
resumes to as many businesses as I could. In one office building, I struck
up a friendly conversation in the elevator. He turned out to be the VP of
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What has been your most important achievement professionally? -
Empowering people to have control over their destiny.
Tell us a little about your family. - My wife Lori and I are both transplants
who have chosen to be Nebraskans. We came here separately in the
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What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Just relax and read
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What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever
received? - “One person can make a difference, and everyone should
try.” - JFK
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered
as, what would it be? - Caring.
Localize the impact of your outsourcing. If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “I’ll Be There For You”
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If you could have a super power, what would it be? - To multiply
Your marketing and customer care projects take on new myself. There are so many things I want to accomplish...but so little time.
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If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what
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What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or
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What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - Last
book was Zero Day by David Baldacci. I love books that are part of a
series so that when one is finished you can roll right into another and it
already has a sense of familiarity.
What is your favorite movie? - The Matrix trilogy.
What is your favorite TV show? - Modern Family. I love Phil Dunphy
and his eternal optimism.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
- Phone: (402) 346-5000; Email: wdurand@OmahaChamber.org;
Website: www.omahachamber.org/REACH.
20 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

KATHERINE
Katherine Crawford
STRICTLY BUSINESS
Meet Katherine Crawford, the art director for
Strictly Business.
Tell us a little about your business. - Strictly
Business is a monthly news and marketing
publication that represents local businesses and connects readers with
different industry experts. Our magazine is direct mailed to over 15,000
businesses in Omaha every month!
How did you get started in the business? - I graduated from UNL in
December 2016 and have worked as a graphic designer since then. I
started at Strictly Business this past April and have enjoyed getting to
help clients with their marketing efforts through print design.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - As
someone who works in the creative field, I’m my own harshest critic, so
I try not to be too hard on myself. Although, my shortcomings and any
mistakes I might make allow for creative growth.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? -
Having a client tell my boss how much she enjoyed working with me, and
how I came up with the perfect ad for her company.
Tell us a little about your family. - My mom and stepdad recently
moved back to Lincoln from Kearney. I also have a brother and sister,
and our family has a pup named Millie.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Ultimately, relax. I
also enjoy going to the farmers market and concerts, and I like to find
the best local coffee shops and wineries around town.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most
people probably don’t know? - My mom shot a hole-in-one when she
was pregnant with me.
Who inspires you? - All of the strong women I have in my life.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever
received? - Be shy on your own time. A college professor said that one
day in an arts class I was in. It’s stuck with me ever since.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered
as, what would it be? - Empathetic.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “Where You Lead” by
Carole King. The Gilmore Girls theme song!
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work
life? - Cooking/baking. I love trying new recipes and putting my own
spin on them.
Which talent would you most like to have? - Being able to hit a golf
ball further than six feet.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or
involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - My first job
out of college was at Junior Achievement, and everyone on the staff
was so passionate about their mission. Also Make-A-Wish because my
sorority partners with them nationally, and we had a lot of opportunities
to volunteer and hear from the kids they have impacted.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The
Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is my current favorite.
What is your favorite movie? - The Devil Wears Prada.
What is your favorite local restaurant? - The Twisted Fork.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or
present, who would it be? - Kate Middleton.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
- Phone: (402) 466-3330; Email: design@strictlybusinessomaha.com;
Website: strictlybusinessomaha.com.
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OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 21

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
Enhancing the Seasonal
Experience through Scent
Design the Ultimate Holiday Experience in Your Office with Ambius
As autumn knocks on the door, it conjures up memories of falling leaves, cozy sweaters, nights
by the fire pit, and cups of hot cocoa. Can you smell the apple cider or the smoky comforts of
burning wood? Our memories and olfactory senses are deeply linked in the brain. Unlocking the
power of scent can help business owners give a boost this holiday season.
It has never been truer that people are more focused on seeking experiences, and consumers
are seeking intimacy and stronger connections above other factors. By incorporating a festive
mix of music, visually appealing décor, and nostalgic aromas in your office this holiday season,
you can make a lasting impression.
Four Ways Scent Can Help Your Business:
• Increase Foot Traffic – Entice customers into your store.
Ambius’ own research has found that 74% of consumers
have been drawn into a store because of an inviting smell.
• Increase Dwell Time – Encourage more time spent instore
for a better likelihood of making a purchase. When
we asked consumers about their experience of nostalgic
festive scents, 50% of people agreed that a familiar
Christmas smell would encourage them to stay longer.
• Influence Impulse Purchases – Create an experience
that inspires consumers to buy. According to The Business
Impact of Scent report, 74% of people act impulsively due
to smell.
• Encourage Positive Evaluations – Nurture positive
association with your brand, leading to loyalty and
referrals. According to the Scent Marketing Institute,
pleasant smells can increase positive product evaluations
by 25%.
Ambius Premium Scenting
Scent marketing, also known as aroma marketing, is a
powerful yet subtle way for your company to gain your
customers loyalty, whether you are in a retail location,
hospitality, healthcare, office, financial institution, or any
enclosed environment. Of all the five senses, smell is often
cited as the one that triggers emotions and memories most
powerfully.
Ambius’ Top Festive Scents:
Christmas Tree – Nothing evokes the holiday season like
the invigorating smell of an authentic white pine and birch.
We’ve found that 30% of people’s favorite scent of Christmas
is the pine fragrance from traditional Christmas trees—this
is the top result for females.
Peppermint Latte – Cool peppermint is balanced with
warm, frothy vanilla to create this comforting wintry aroma.
Ambius is an award-winning designer of holiday
displays that they will install and take down.
If you think your building’s holiday display is
lacking, contact Ambius in Omaha today to
discuss what might work best for your space!
The right design attracts
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extraordinary minds, and
22 extraordinary Strictly Business minds OCTOBER are in 2019
high demand. Today, it’s more
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important than ever to maximize

PERSONNEL NEWS
Business Ethics Alliance Welcomes
Programs Manager Alise Hernandez
Beverly Kracher, Ph.D., CEO and executive
director of the Business Ethics Alliance ®
(the Alliance), is pleased to announce the
hire of Alise Hernandez. Alise has been
brought on as the new programs manager
for the Alliance. She was born and bred
in Omaha and is committed to making
this city the best it can be. Alise studied
literature and gender studies through her
undergrad at Creighton and her masters
in humanities at the University of Chicago.
She is interested in all human stories,
written or told, and loves planning parties, whether corporate
events or her cat’s birthday party.
The Greater Omaha Alliance for Business Ethics at Creighton
University—the Business Ethics Alliance ® —is the nation’s leading
nonprofi t dedicated to city-level business ethics education. Learn
more by going online to www.businessethicsalliance.org.
Greater Omaha Chamber Announces 2019-
20 Omaha Executive Institute Class
The Greater Omaha Chamber
has launched the 2019-20 session
of its Omaha Executive Institute
(OEI), welcoming a cohort that
adds a wide range of executivelevel
talent to the region. OEI
is offered exclusively for senior-level executives who are new
to their positions and/or to the community and their spouses.
Over the course of eight monthly sessions, participants explore
the community’s issues, challenges, and opportunities to better
understand the environment in which they are now doing business.
The 2019 OEI Cohort include: Aaron Austin, SVP and CHRO at CHI
Health, along with spouse Janice Austin; Mike Brookes, director of
intelligence for the U.S. Strategic Command, along with spouse
Wendy Brookes; Courtney Burnette, director at UNMC iCASD;
Shannon Cotsoradis, president/CEO of Nebraska Early Childhood
Collaborative; Jessica Dennis, VP of fi nance at First National Bank
of Omaha, along with spouse Shawn Dennis, occupational therapist
at Kindred at Home; Liz Durham-Ruiz, director of C4 Systems at
U.S. Strategic Command; Rich Ruiz, IT specialist at U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Naomi Hattaway, program director at
Habitat for Humanity of Omaha; Mike Hilt, dean of the College
of Communication, Fine Arts & Media (CFAM) at the University
of Nebraska Omaha; Sacha Kopp, senior vice chancellor at the
University of Nebraska Omaha; Claudio Laterreur, SVP/CIO
at Valmont Industries; Mike Lucas, superintendent of Westside
Community Schools; Clark Ponthier, SVP of supply chain at
Union Pacifi c, along with spouse Lisa Ponthier; David Ridgeway,
EVP/chief lending offi cer at ACCESSbank, along with spouse
Daphne Ridgeway; Todd Sears, president and publisher at the
Omaha World-Herald, along with spouse Brenna Sears, owner
of Bravenity; Mart Sedky, VP of human capital at Omaha Public
Power District; Kristi Thornton, SVP/Omaha retail market manager
at West Gate Bank; Randy Wood, president of Global Agricultural
Irrigation at Lindsay Corporation, along with spouse Candace
Wood, aerobics instructor at Armbrust Family YMCA.
To learn more about the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Omaha
Executive Institute, visit the OEI webpage at www.omahachamber.
org or contact Lynda Shafer at lshafer@omahachamber.org.
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
Centris Federal Credit Union Hires Fitzgerald,
Svec, and Thompson, Promotes Cornay
Centris Federal Credit Union is pleased
to announce the hiring of Tate Fitzgerald,
executive vice president, chief information
officer; Kevin Svec, executive vice president,
commercial lending; Shelley Thompson,
mortgage service representative and the
promotion of Melissa Cornay, assistant vice
president, strategic risk management.
Fitzgerald has over 30 years of local banking
experience and will lead technology services
at Centris. Most recently, he served as
executive vice president, bank technology Tate Fitzgerald
and operations for Mutual of Omaha Bank.
Prior to working at Mutual of Omaha Bank, he
was chief administrative officer at American
National Bank where his responsibilities
included information technology, human
resources, retail banking, deposit and loan
operations, as well as facilities. Fitzgerald’s
present community involvement includes his
service on the boards of Christian Urban
Education Services (CUES) Fund, Madonna
School & Community Based Services, Nebraska
Methodist College (former chairman) and Kevin Svec
Archbishop’s Dinner for Education (committee
member and former chairman).
Svec has over 26 years of banking experience.
Prior to joining Centris, he was a business
banking team leader/senior vice president
for American National Bank. During his 22-
year tenure there, he held several senior
level positions including market president,
overseeing the banking activities for nine
locations. He has vast experience in branch
management, mortgage, and business lending.
In his role at Centris, Svec will lead commercial Shelley Thompson
banking. Svec is a dedicated volunteer and
also currently serves as the president of the
Gretna Area Development Corporation and
is a member of the Gretna Days Foundation.
Thompson joins the Centris mortgage team with
12 years of local banking experience working
as a collector, personal banker, and mortgage
lender. Recognized as a top performer in
previous roles, Thompson brings her mortgage
expertise to the new Centris branch near 194h
& Harrison. She is a graduate of Bellevue
University and an active member of Downtown
Melissa Cornay
Rotary Club, Sarpy County Chamber of
Commerce, Peak Pathways Tips Group, and Omaha Street School.
Cornay started at Centris in 2015 as the risk and internal control manager
and most recently served as director, strategic risk management. Prior to
Centris, she worked nearly five years in the advisory practice at Deloitte.
With her promotion to assistant vice president, Cornay will continue to
lead her team in compliance, risk management, vendor management,
among other responsibilities. In the past two years, Cornay has taken
on additional functions including fraud and information security. Cornay
is a TeamMates Mentor and has participated in many other community
service activities.
Centris Federal Credit Union, founded in 1934, is Nebraska’s largest
federally chartered community credit union, serving Douglas, Sarpy,
Lincoln, McPherson, and Pottawattamie counties. Learn more online at
www.centrisfcu.org.
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 23

PERSONNEL NEWS
Kayla Leddy of Clearwater Counseling
Completes Specialized Victim Training
Kayla Leddy, CEO/co-owner/clinical director
at Clearwater Counseling, PC, a mental health
services provider located in both Omaha and
Grand Island, recently graduated from the
2019 Nebraska Victim Assistance Academy
hosted by Creighton University.
This fi ve-day, 40-hour certifi cate program
provides statewide, standardized academic
training for victim service providers and
allied professionals. The nationally accredited
training session focuses on both interpersonal
and professional development, covering
more than 25 topics such as communication, empathy, professional
advocacy, human trafficking, immigration, mental health, self-care,
and understanding traumatic reactions in the brain. The academy was
held July 22–26. Leddy intends to utilize this training to further meet
the specific needs of her clients.
Clearwater Counseling works with individuals who are struggling with
a variety of mental health diagnoses including depression, relationship
issues, grief/loss/trauma, addiction and recovery, co-dependency,
anxiety and phobias, parenting problems, sexual abuse and incest,
physical abuse, and violence, as well as various others.
To learn more about staff or resources, visit clearwatercounselingpc.
org. To schedule an appointment with Clearwater Counseling, or for
more information about mental health services, please call (308) 210-
8487 or email info@clearwatercounselingne.org.
Medical Oncologist Joel Michalski Joins
Nebraska Cancer Specialists
Joel Michalski, MD joined Nebraska
Cancer Specialists in August as a medical
oncologist. An Omaha native, Dr. Michalski
completed his medical degree, residency,
and fellowship at the University of
Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Michalski
will see patients with all types of cancer
and has a special interest in how the
immune system interacts with cancer and
how those interactions can be used to
treat cancer.
Dr. Michalski is a member of many medical
associations including The American Society of Hematology,
American Society of Clinical Oncology, National Medical
Association, Metro Omaha Medical Society (MOMS) and is on
the Editorial and Membership Committees for MOMS.
“The fi elds of hematology and oncology are complex, and I’m
committed to providing the best, high quality care that modern
medicine has to offer, along with a sincere desire to treat people,
not just a disease,” said Dr. Michalski.
Dr. Michalski is now seeing patients at Nebraska Cancer Specialists’
Legacy location in the Midwest Cancer Center as well as at their
Methodist location in the Estabrook Cancer Center. Appointments
can be made by calling (402) 334-4773. For more information,
visit NebraskaCancer.com.
24 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

PERSONNEL NEWS
Jessica Salloum Celebrates One Year at
Gratton Warehouse Company
Jessica Salloum is celebrating her one-year
work anniversary with Gratton Warehouse
Company. In her current role as offi ce
manager, Jessica continues to strive to
provide the best customer service possible,
promoting a team-driven environment and
an overall fun atmosphere.
Jessica oversees and manages AP/AR,
customer service, sales support, payroll,
transportation, and customer facing. She
also played a major role in the planning
of the company’s 125th anniversary party,
which was an awesome event! The team at Gratton Warehouse
would like to congratulate Jessica on achieving a year of service
and look forward to many more!
Headquarter in Omaha, Gratton Warehouse is a third-party
logistics company specializing in warehousing and distribution.
They have 165,000 square feet of storage with access to 100,000
square feet more for expansion. The company prides themselves on
their customer service and operational excellence to deliver above
and beyond their customers’ expectations. For more information,
visit grattonwarehouse.com or call (402) 339-9993.
Carson Wealth Omaha Adds Grant Nieland
to Team as Wealth Advisor
Carson Wealth Omaha is excited to announce
that Wealth Advisor Grant Nieland has
officially joined the team, taking on a role that
will focus on nurturing new client relationships
in addition to providing financial planning
services to his current clients. Previously,
Nieland was affiliated with Carson Wealth’s
Cedar Rapids, IA location and has been
a trusted financial advisor for clients in
Nebraska for eight years through roles at
Carson and TD Ameritrade.
Nieland says his main goal is to earn a family’s
trust and provide financial guidance with the utmost transparency and
common language. He strives to truly understand what each client would
like to accomplish with their hard-earned wealth before helping them
make the most informed decisions possible. As a result, he is continually
seeking to expand his own knowledge to enhance the value he brings
to each conversation.
Nieland is a graduate of the University of Nebraska–Omaha, where he
earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and played basketball. Prior
to joining the Carson team in 2017, he was a senior financial consultant
at TD Ameritrade for six years, working with young professionals,
business owners, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. He holds a
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification and Series 7 and 66
registrations. Nieland was born and raised in Omaha and is a Board
Member of the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks Basketball
Booster Club and UNO Athletics Committee.
In addition to being a mainstay in the Barron’s annual list of top wealth
management firms, Carson Wealth Omaha remains among the Inc.
5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies, has been recognized
for two consecutive years by InvestmentNews as a top-50 firm for Best
Places to Work for Financial Advisors, and was recently awarded a Best
Places to Work in FinTech by American Banker. For more information,
visit www.carsonwealth.com.
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
Bob Olson to Receive Midlands Community
Foundation’s 2020 Reflection Award
Midlands Community Foundation is pleased
to announce that Bob Olson will receive
the Refl ection Award at the organization’s
2020 Reflection Ball on January 18,
2020, at the Embassy Suites Conference
Center in La Vista. Each year, Midlands
Community Foundation honors an individual
or individuals who have contributed
signifi cantly to Sarpy and Cass counties
and the mission of the Foundation with its
Refl ection Award.
Bob is a lifelong resident of Papillion.
He graduated from Papillion High School and the University of
Nebraska–Lincoln. Bob built a multiple-unit offi ce building in
Papillion and owned a State Farm Insurance Agency for 35 years.
In addition to his professional career, Bob served six years in the
Army Reserve. He has been a member of the Papillion Volunteer
Fire Department for 34 years, serving as chief, assistant chief,
rescue captain, paramedic supervisor, treasurer, and president.
Bob was in the fi rst paramedic class in Nebraska. He started the
Paramedic Service Program in 1981, making Papillion the fi rst
Volunteer Department to provide Advanced Life Support Services in
Nebraska. He was a founding member of the Nebraska Paramedic
Association. Bob was appointed by the Governor to work with State
Senators to merge the State Board of Ambulance Advisors and
the Board of Advanced Emergency Care and then was appointed
to the State Board of Emergency Medical Services serving as
Chairperson for 10 years.
Bob has served on the Midlands Emergency Medical Services
Council. He has been on the Monarch Villa Board since 1974 and
was appointed to the Sarpy County Hospital Authority #1 that
same year and still serves as President of both organizations. Bob
also served as president of the Tri Mutual Aid Firefi ghters, and as
a member of the Nebraska Stroke Foundation, the State Critical
Incident Stress Management Debriefi ng Team and Foundation
Board, the Papillion Civil Service Commission, the Papillion-La Vista
Schools Foundation Board and Recreation Board. He is a member of
the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association and Treasurer
of the Papillion Area Historical Society. He is currently very active in
the Papio 150/2020 Sesquicentennial as Chairman of the Historical
Committee and serving on the Steering and Scheduling Committees.
A 56-year member of the Papillion Gun Club, Bob helped establish
the program to train and sponsor youth target shooters, having 300
shooters per year use the club and range, with many advancing to
State and National competitions. He also has hosted many Hunter
Education classes at the Club.
Bob has been awarded the National Transportation Highway
Safety Award, the Aksarben/NE Firefi ghters Association Firefi ghter
of the Year Award and the NE EMT Association EMT of the Year
Award. He and his wife Karen have served as Grand Marshals of
the Papillion Days parade. They also have been recognized as
the Papillion-La Vista Schools Foundation Outstanding Alumni and
received the Midlands Hospital Evening with Friends Outstanding
Community Volunteers Award.
The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to benefi t the
diverse needs of the Sarpy and Cass county communities by
providing fi nancial support, involvement, and service. Since its
inception, the Foundation has donated millions of dollars to many
worthy organizations with an emphasis toward prevention and
education in the areas of health, art, culture, community, education,
economic development, and human services. Learn more online at
midlandscommunity.org.
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 25

PERSONNEL NEWS
Ambius Announces Promotion of Tiffany
Falconer to District Manager
Tiffany Falconer has been promoted from
sales and design consultant to district
manager of Ambius. Tiffany has made a
great impact during her time at Ambius,
utilizing her business, creativity, and design
experience. She loves seeing how excited
her clients get when her team arrives to
install a design, whether it’s new plants,
containers, a live wall, scenting, or holiday
displays. Tiffany looks forward to continue
doing what she is passionate about while
leading Ambius into continued success in the
Omaha market.
With the growth of Ambius and promotion of Tiffany, the company
is currently searching for motivated candidates to fi ll the sales and
design position.
Ambius services include live and artificial plant displays for businesses,
complete offi ce plant services, ambient scenting, commercial holiday
decorations, and green wall design, installation, and maintenance.
Learn more online at www.ambius.com or contact Tiffany at (402)
510-9747 / tiffany.falconer@ambius.com to congratulate her on
her recent promotion!
Alvaro Oropesa Celebrates One-Year at
ShineForth as Web Developer
This month marks the one-year anniversary
of Alvaro Oropesa as web developer at
ShineForth. This is a meaningful milestone,
signifying Alvaro’s commitment to the
company and their clients. He has more
than 15 years of experience in graphic
design, illustration, videography, and web
development. A multi-talented individual,
Alvaro has brought energy, passion, and
drive to deliver the best to ShineForth’s
clients. His dedication and fun-loving
perspective is a tremendous asset to the
local business and he has become an important part of the success
and culture that is continuing to be built at ShineForth.
At ShineForth, they build beautiful websites and modern
web+mobile apps. Their goal is to engage their passion, purpose,
and expertise to deliver superior digital experiences for their
clients. They are technologists at heart and they love to work on
challenging technology problems that accelerate your business
success and delightfully position you for success with your audience.
To learn more, visit www.shineforth.co or contact (855) SHN-FRTH
/ hello@shineforth.co.
Karen Gast Recognized for 12 Years at
Alliance Enterprises
Alliance Enterprises, LLC , one of the most
respected professional recruiting, search,
and consulting fi rms in America, is pleased
to announce that Karen J. Gast is celebrating
her 12th anniversary with the organization.
Karen joined Alliance Enterprises in October
2007 as an executive recruiter specializing
in sales and marketing. During her 12-year
tenure, Karen has become skilled in handling
a variety of searches, including sales,
operations, marketing, accounting/fi nance,
engineering, purchasing/supply chain
management, human resources/training, and executive level positions.
Karen credits her business background, demand for excellence,
pure enjoyment of working with people, and high standard of
ethics as the reasons for her success. Prior to joining Alliance
Enterprises, she worked for Fortune 500, as well as family owned
companies, managing multi-million budgets and multi-site locations.
Her understanding of the “art of fi nding the right employees” has
carried over to her knack of fi nding the right people for her hiring
companies. Karen stated a successful recruiter must be viewed as
a partner, a trusted resource and a confi dante—by both the hiring
companies and the candidates she represents.
Karen can be contacted at or (402) 672-2531 / kgast@
allianceomaha.com or connect with her on LinkedIn (@karengast).
Alliance Enterprises, headquartered in Omaha and founded by
Doreen Blakely in 2005, started out as a fi rm specializing in the
search and recruitment of key personnel in accounting and fi nance.
Alliance has since expanded to include providing full service recruiting
to match their clientele’s needs. To better serve their clients and
candidates, Alliance also provides recruitment process outsourcing
(RPO) services. To learn more, visit www.allianceomaha.com or contact
MBA Recognizes Janet Nelson and Kenny
Engelmeyer as Member Spotlights
The Millard Business Association (MBA)
was pleased to recognize Janet Nelson
in August and Kenny Engelmeyer in
September as MBA Member Spotlights.
Janet is the relationship manager,
commercial card of First National Bank
of Omaha and is one of the founding
members of the Nooners referral group
through MBA, and she is still active in
the group today. Janet continues to
demonstrate her long-time commitment
to the MBA’s overall mission to promote Janet Nelson
Millard-area commerce and to develop
networking among members. She has been
a board member of the Millard Business
Community Foundation for a number of
years, currently serving as treasurer/
scholarship chair.
Kenny is a senior vice president with
Primerica Financial Services an active
member of MBA, with his most noteworthy
contribution being the organization
and administration of the annual MBA
Kenny Engelmeyer
Ribstock Festival. In addition, Kenny is an
ambassador and president of the BYOB
networking group, and he is involved with most MBA business
contact events. Kenny is known amongst his peers as being very
selfl ess with his time and contributions, signifi cantly when it comes
to the MBA’s success.
If you’re a business owner who wants to get more involved with
like-minded professionals and the community at large, the Millard
Business Association is an awesome opportunity. Learn more online
at millardbusinessassociation.org or connect on Facebook (@
Doreen at (402) 981-1262 / dblakely@allianceomaha.com. MillardBusinessAssociation).
26 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

PERSONNEL NEWS
Valerie J. Newman Joins Elder Law of
Omaha, P.C., L.L.O.
Catherine N. Swiniarski, founding partner of
Elder Law of Omaha, P.C., L.L.O., is pleased
to announce a new addition to the firm’s legal
team. Valerie J. Newman has joined the firm
as an associate attorney. Ms. Newman grew
up in Spencer, NE and attended Hastings
College where she earned a B.A. in history,
economics, and business administration. From
there, she earned her J.D. from the University
of Nebraska at Lincoln – College of Law.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Newman served in
the United States Air Force where she assisted
military veterans and deploying Airmen with their estate planning needs.
At 18, she enlisted in the Army before switching to the Air Force when
she commissioned, and she is currently in the Nebraska National Guard.
Ms. Newman has served in the military for nearly 19 years.
Elder Law of Omaha, P.C., L.L.O. concentrates its practice in the area
of Elder Law. Services offered include estate planning, trusts, medicaid
asset preservation, and adult guardianships and conservatorships. Ms.
Newman guides retirees through the process of getting their affairs in
order, creates powers of attorney, wills and trusts, and provides other
services to meet her clients’ needs. She will also guide clients through
the seemingly impossible task of navigating through the fi nancial
questions surrounding how to pay for assisted living or long-term care
with Medicaid.
For more information on Elder Law of Omaha, P.C., L.L.O., or to set up
a free 30-minute consultation, please visit www.elderlawomaha.com or
call (402) 614-6400.
Center Sphere Promotes Shawn Schmidt to
Events Director
Shawn Schmidt joined Center Sphere as
the corporate offi ce manager in 2018 and
was recently promoted to events director.
Shawn brings a wealth of knowledge to the
role with her administrative background
and enjoys getting to interact with the
members. Born and raised in Nebraska,
Shawn cherishes the relationships she has
built in and around Omaha, and she loves
being a part of a company that makes
those types of connections a priority!
As events director, Shawn is responsible for
organizing Network-Wide events and professional development
opportunities for Center Sphere members and chapters. She is
excited to continue growing The Network by making time for nonmembers
to learn more about membership and how Center Sphere
can help them grow their circle of both professional and personal
contacts. Monthly Network-Wide events that Shawn oversees
include Coffee & Connections, Social Hours and Q&As for potential
members, as well as development, sales, and leadership trainings.
Center Sphere is an established network of business professionals
whose mission is to share referrals, ideas, and resources through
genuine relationships. They have a structured and systematic referral
process, strengthened by their user-friendly, comprehensive online
referral dashboard that produces undeniable and measurable
results. Their methods focus on developing a network of allied
professionals, which lead to stronger relationships for you and
your business. To learn more, visit www.centersphere.com. Shawn
can be reached at (402) 658-3197 / shawn@centersphere.com.
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
Kids Can CEO Robert Patterson Receives
Afterschool Advocate Award
Kids Can Community Center CEO Robert
Patterson has been selected by Collective for
Youth to receive the Afterschool Advocate
Award. This award is given to an individual
who acts as an advocate for afterschool
programs by supporting programs, raising
awareness, and promoting the importance
of afterschool programs in the community.
Robert’s leadership helps ensure over 500
children a day are served at five locations
across Omaha. The award will be presented
during the Lights on Afterschool Celebration
on October 5.
Kids Can Community Center is a youth serving agency whose mission is
to educate, engage, and inspire children through early childhood care
and out-of-school experiences. To learn more, please visit www.KidsCan.
org or contact Josh Gillman (402) 731-6988 / jgillman@kidscan.org.
The Rose Theater Welcomes New Performing
Arts Instructors for 2019-20 Season
The Rose Theater welcomes new instructors
for its slate of performing arts classes for the
2019-20 season. Dan Chevalier joins The
Rose’s full-time DRAMA at The Rose artist
educators. Michael James joins The Rose as the
associate director of the BROADWAY at The
Rose program, as well as a teaching artist for
DRAMA at The Rose.
Chevalier will lead acting and creative
drama classes, as well as in-school workshops
in classrooms throughout the Omaha area
and field trip experiences held at The Rose.
Chevalier is an award-winning actor who has
performed in regional and touring productions
in more than 30 states across the United States,
and he will continue to perform at The Rose
as a full-time company member. Chevalier
has been highly involved in the Omaha-area
theater community over the past 15 years,
including appearing on stage nine times at
The Rose Theater.
James comes to Omaha after serving as
a director and choreographer for several
children’s theater programs, and his work as a
teaching artist has centered on his experience
Dan Chevalier
Michael James
as a performer and his technical theater training to successfully
collaborate with other artists. James trained in ballet, jazz, and hip hop
and then transitioned into acting.
The BROADWAY at The Rose program, which offers students ages two
to 18 a complete musical theater, voice and dance training experience
focused on top-quality technique training, also welcomes new and
returning instructors to its roster. The DRAMA at The Rose program offers
children ages three to 18 a comprehensive theater education focused
on the creative process. The professional staff lead classes in acting and
directing, playwriting, improv, stagecraft, puppetry, and more. They also
perform onstage in the 11 shows presented during The Rose’s season on
the mainstage and Hitchcock First Stage, and they assist with the Teens
‘N’ Theater program.
For 70 years, The Rose Theater has been providing Omaha-area families
with the best in live theater and arts education. Learn more at www.
rosetheater.org.
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 27

Check out these new businesses
who have joined the Chamber!
4Cleaning Sisters
Atlas Solutions Plus
BerganKDV
Blair Freeman-Nebraska Realty
CBD American Shaman
CycleBar West Omaha
EventPrep
Farmers Insurance - Kevin McTaggart
Fidelity Investments
Goosmann Law
HBE LLP
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Omaha Downtown
Horizon Rehabilitation Center
Jerry Banks Group
K Watson Group
Klink Chiropractic
Ludacka Wealth Partners
Michael Powers Agency, LLC
ParkvilleMedia, LLC
Pinwheel180
Pool & Associates
Sadoff E-Recycling & Data Destruction
Sage Capital
Society of St. Vincent DePaul
Starbucks Coffee Company
222 S. 15th
8734 Pacific
12540 K St
411 N. 114th St
219 S. 72nd St
15821 W. Dodge Rd
14801 W. Maple Rd
12245 W. Center Rd
17396 W. Center Rd
Straxen
Swartz Delicatessen, LLC
The Strawhecker Group
Tree Rush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest
Tyson Foods
Urgent Care of Papillion
Venus Vein Clinic
WorkHaven Studio
Xcel Roofing
Greater Omaha Chamber
808 Conagra Dr., Ste. 400, Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 346-5000
NONPROFIT NEWS
Community Gives Back to Nebraska
Community Blood Bank through Donor Days
Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB)
invites you to celebrate giving back by
organizing a Donor Day of your own. Donor
Days are a chance for small groups of
coworkers, friends, and/or family to donate
blood together at one of NCBB’s four donor
centers between Lincoln and Omaha. Donor
Days are a great way to celebrate a special
occasion or honor someone special in your life,
while providing even more life-saving blood
for Nebraska hospital patients.
“Our group came together to donate blood
in honor of my nephew Cameron’s birthday. Cameron was born
prematurely at 26 weeks and was a fi ghter,” said Alicia McAtee.
“Cameron’s parents are forever grateful for the short time they were
able to spend with their son and the gift of blood donation that helped
each day. For many of us, it was our fi rst time donating and we were
nervous. NCBB staff were wonderful and quickly calmed our nerves.”
Depending on how many donors are in your group, your Donor Day
can take place over several hours in one day or over the course of
a few days. You’re welcome to bring decorations like balloons or
treats to make your day even more special!
To learn more about the impact you can make by donating blood to
the Nebraska Community Blood Bank, visit NCBB.org or call (402)
486-9402. Specifi c questions about organizing a Donor Day can be
sent to Sandy via email at slemon@ncbb.org.
CHAD Nebraska Receives Over $587K through
United Way of the Midlands Partnership
CHAD (Combined Health
Agencies Drive) Nebraska
announced that it received
$587,748 through the
United Way of the Midlands
Campaign. The partnership
between the two organizations dates back to 1987. CHAD and the
21 member health charities it represents participates as a campaign
partner in the United Way of the Midlands Campaign in workplaces
throughout the Omaha Metro. Gifts to the United Way Community
Care Fund directly benefi t these 21 health charities, just as they help
support the human services programs funded by United Way. CHAD
receives a percentage of the United Way of the Midlands Campaign
and the dollars raised.
“This partnership combines our strengths and contacts to present
one unifi ed campaign for employees in the metro,” said Michelle
Grossman, CHAD president and CEO. “We know that many of the
people our member charities are serving might need support from
agencies funded by United Way of the Midlands, and vice versa.
Additionally, poor health is a major cause of poverty, and dollars
that fund research for cures and provide education on prevention
of chronic disease are desperately needed to reduce this major
cause of poverty.”
CHAD Nebraska is a local, donor-designation driven organization
that has been raising funds for Nebraska’s premier health charities
since 1972. Through workplace partnerships, they promote charitable
giving, employee engagement and wellness, and connect people
with health causes they care about. To learn more, call (402) 614-
8500 or visit www.chadnebraska.org. You can also connect with the
organization on social media (@CHADNebraska).
28 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS
Big Brothers Big Sisters Seeks More
Millennial Male Mentors
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the
Midlands (BBBS) is in need of more
millennial, male mentors. Though it is
a specifi c request, it is a necessary
one. Around the state, BBBS struggles
getting young men active in mentoring.
The nonprofi t loves all mentors and
currently has people of all ages and from all walks of life involved
in the program, making a difference in the lives of children. However,
as BBBS look through the numbers and make outreach efforts in the
community, there is a noticeable disparity in young, male mentors,
and it is heartbreaking. Through research and statistics, the staff at
BBBS has seen that Big/Little relationships with millennial Bigs have
been some of the most impactful and consistent relationships. It just
takes at least four hours a month to be a mentor. On average, people
spend more time watching TV or reading.
For more than 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands has
operated under the belief that every child has the inherent ability
to succeed and thrive in life. As a donor and volunteer-supported
organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored
matches between adult volunteers (Bigs) and children (Littles), ages
seven through 18, through the Omaha, Bellevue, and Council Bluffs
area. Learn more at www.bbbsomaha.org or call (402) 505-3075.
Angels Among Us Partners with Colorado-
Based Organization, Bags of Fun
Angels Among Us has formed a new
partnership with Bags of Fun, an
organization that has newly spread
to Nebraska. Their mission is to
deliver a Bag of Fun to every sick
child whose health and happiness is
both compromised and threatened.
This partnership with allow for Angels
Among Us and Bags of Fun to offer
a high-end, durable book bag filled
with a tablet, Amazon gift card, and
brand-new rehabilitative toys to
every pediatric cancer patient being treated at both Children’s Hospital
and Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine. These bags that bring joy
to families with big battles are valued at over $350.
“This partnership is a way for Angels Among Us to love on our cancer
families in yet another way, while joining forces with another organization.
Anytime we can partner with someone else to better serve our families,
we will. Bags of Fun is an incredible way to do that,” Aly Theilen says.
Bags of Fun is based out in Colorado and was inspired by Gabby
Krause. An amazing six-year old girl who died in September of 2004
after her brave fight against brain cancer. During her treatment her mom
always packed a bag of fun, and Gabby always wondered why other
kids didn’t have their own bag. Bags of Fun was created in the spirit of
Gabby’s original bag of toys and fun activities that kept her happy and
silly during hours of chemo and treatment.
Angels Among Us is a Nebraska nonprofit that provides financial and
emotional support to families whose children are battling pediatric
cancer. Any family living-in or being treated in Nebraska is eligible to
apply for financial support. In 2018, Angels Among Us provided financial
support to 99 families, giving over $355,000, so they were able to
remain stable during their pediatric cancer journey. For more information
contact, Aly Theilen at alyssa@myangelsamongus.org.
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
Omaha Home for Boys to Celebrate 100
Years with Roaring 20s Gala
Omaha Home for Boys is celebrating a century of
service by taking it back to the Roaring 20s when
it all began! Grab your glad rags and join the
Home as the organization kicks off its 100-year
anniversary celebration at a Roaring 20s Gala
on November 8 at Embassy Suites Conference
Center in LaVista. Tickets start at $75 for young
professionals and $125 for individuals. Proceeds
from the event support the at-risk youth and
families seeking the security and guidance of
Omaha Home for Boys.
The festive evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a VIP reception, speakeasy,
and casino games. The fun continues with 1920s-themed cocktails during
social hour, a photo booth, Model-T’s, dinner, and a silent auction packed
with unique items and experiences. Live music by The Diamond Empire
Band will top off the evening.
Omaha Home for Boys was founded in 1920 and the Home’s commitment
to serving at-risk youth, young adults, and families continues today.
The Home’s clients are empowered and inspired to lead independent,
productive lives through programs focusing on education, employment,
housing, basic life skills, and mental and behavioral health.
For more information regarding Omaha Home for Boys or sponsorship
opportunities for the gala, please contact (402) 457-7014 / Giving@
OmahaHomeForBoys.org. Reserve your individual tickets or table by
going online to www.OmahaHomeForBoys.org!
Wear Yellow Nebraska Prepares for 2nd Year
of Spooks & Spokes Scavenger Hunt
On Sunday, October 27, the Spooks
& Spokes Scavenger Hunt Ride
II, presented by Wear Yellow
Nebraska, will be held for the 2nd
year in a row. The event will kick
off at 1 p.m. at Stinson Park in
Aksarben Village. There will be new
challenges awaiting for each team
as they embark on a scavenger
hunt bike ride through the trails of
SPOOKS & SPOKES
BIKE SCAVENGER HUNT RIDE
Omaha. Teams are made up of two people. At the beginning of
the scavenger hunt, teams will be given a number of questions,
such as a test or a crossword puzzle, to identify the locations they
need to go to collect an item or perform a task. There will be no
riding on major streets. All teams will need to return to Stinson
Park with the items they’ve collected by 5 p.m. Participants are
invited to enjoy food and drinks at the after party at LIV Lounge
following the bike ride, which is where the points will be tallied
and winners will be announced!
Cost is $65 per team and includes an event t-shirt, food provided
by Pickleman’s, and a drink ticket at LIV Lounge. Funds raised at
this event go towards Wear Yellow Nebraska and their mission
of supporting cancer survivors.
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 weren’t being addressed and for people who would
otherwise fall through the cracks, truly caring for an individual’s
special circumstances. To learn more or register for the event, go
to www.wearyellownebraska.org or contact (402) 965-1699 /
wearyellownebraska@gmail.com.
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 29
Wear
nebraska
yellow

NONPROFIT NEWS
Kids’ Chance to Bring Community Together
through Wine & Indian Food Fundraiser
Join Kids’ Chance of Nebraska
for their Wine & Indian Food
Fundraiser on Wednesday,
October 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.
at the Candy Factory Atrium in
downtown Lincoln, 201 N. 8th St.
This event will serve as a great opportunity to socialize with others in
the workers’ compensation arena while enjoying local wine from James
Arthur Vineyards, founded by the “Pioneer of Nebraska Wine” James
Ballard, along with the best Indian food from The Oven. Funds raised
at this event will go towards supporting Kids’ Chance of Nebraska’s
mission of furthering the education of children who have lost or had a
parent seriously injured in a work-related accident—turning tragedy
into opportunity!
The mission of Kids’ Chance of Nebraska is to provide financial support to
further the education of the children of Nebraska workers who have been
severely injured, totally disabled, or killed as a result of employment
related injuries or occupational diseases. It is the goal of Kids’ Chance of
Nebraska to make a difference in the lives of these children by providing
scholarships to help eligible students achieve both their educational goals
and their families’ dreams. Email kidschanceofnebraska@gmail.com
with any questions and please visit www.kidschanceofne.org for more
information. Registration for the fundraiser can be found on Eventbrite.
Goodwill Industries to Sponsor Two Career
Fairs this Month
Goodwill Industries, Inc., Serving Eastern
Nebraska and Southwest Iowa, has
announced its participation in two career
fairs this month: one at its corporate
headquarters in Omaha and another, which
offers an exclusive interview hour for people
with disabilities, in Council Bluffs.
On Tuesday, October 8, Goodwill’s Find
Your Future Career Fair will feature
approximately 40 employers, including
Cox Communications, Hy-Vee, First National Bank of Omaha, and
Caesars Entertainment. The event will be held at Goodwill Omaha’s
headquarters at 4805 N. 72nd St. in Omaha. Doors will be open from
10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM),
which raises awareness about employment issues that people with
disabilities often encounter and celebrates the many and varied
contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year, Goodwill
Industries is a sponsor of the NDEAM Career Fair, which will be held
on Wednesday, October 23, at the Omni Centre Business Park, 300
W. Broadway, in Council Bluffs. People with disabilities will be able to
enter the career fair at 10 a.m., giving them an hour to meet employers.
Doors open to the general public at 11 a.m., and the career fair will
run until 2 p.m.
Goodwill staff will also attend the NDEAM Career Fair, as will leaders
of Goodwill’s AbilityOne program, an employment program that
provides training and part-time job opportunities at federal properties
for individuals with disabilities, giving them the chance to experience
positive, supportive work environments.
Goodwill Industries, Inc. has been a leader in helping people fulfill
their dreams through work since 1933. Their mission is to train and
employ p eople with disabilities and others who may be at a competitive
disadvantage in the job market. They do this by selling value-priced
merchandise at 17 convenient locations in the Omaha area. Learn
Nebraskans Invited to Nebraska Community
Foundation’s Annual Celebration in York
Nebraska Community Foundation
(NCF) is turning 25 and, to
celebrate, is hosting its 2019
Annual Celebration at the Holthus
Center in York on November 14
around the theme of “NCF25: Turn
It Up. DREAM!” Registration for this
milestone occasion is now open.
Part volunteer training, part hometown expo, part celebratory
banquet, NCF’s Annual Celebration brings hundreds of ambitious
community leaders under one roof to embrace the assets,
abundance and optimism that have earned us the name Greater
Nebraska. NCF’s growing grassroots network hails from every
corner of the state. Together, over 1,500 volunteers are inspiring
change, ta king control of their future, and achieving their dreams.
NCF’s unique training model puts volunteer voices, rather than
outside experts, at the center of learning. Peer-to-peer interactions
have been the cornerstone of NCF’s philosophy since its inception
25 years ago.
Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets,
inspires charitable giving, and connects ambitious people to
build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska. In the last
fi ve years, 44,476 contributions have been made to NCF and its
affi liated funds. Since 1994, NCF has reinvested $355.3 million
in Nebraska’s people and places. For information and to register
for the Annual Celebration, visit NebraskaHometown.org.
MICAH House Presents Comedy for a Cause
2019 Fundraiser
MICAH House is back at it again
with their fall fundraiser, Comedy
for a Cause 2019! Join MICAH
House on Friday, November 8 from
6 to 9 p.m. at Whiskey Roadhouse,
2701 23rd Ave. in Council Bluffs
for an evening of laughter and
love for people experiencing
homelessness in the community. All
funds raised directly impact children, families, and individuals
staying at MICAH House.
This year’s host, Heather Jones, is ready to make your abs hurt
with her very own knee-slappers, and she will also share the stage
with some amazing comedians from the surrounding area, including
Austin Anderson, Bill Blank, Cameron Logsdon, and Kris Covi.
General admission tickets are $35 each (must be 21 years or
older to attend) and event sponsorship levels are also available. To
purchase tickets and learn more about this year’s comedians, visit
www.themicahhouse.org/comedy. If your company or organization
is interested in sponsoring the event, please contact Ashley Flater
by emailing afl ater@themicahhouse.org.
Founded in 1986, MICAH House is an emergency shelter that
serves children, families, and women experiencing homelessness
in the Omaha-Metro and Southwest Iowa area. MICAH House
provides a safe place to live, nutritious meals, intensive case
management services, an on-site health clinic, and life skills classes
as individuals seek a better tomorrow. For more information, visit
more at goodwillomaha.org.
www.themicahhouse.org or call (712) 323-4416.
30 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS
Santa Monica Holds Staff Appreciation Party
On September 13 at Up Stream,
the Santa Monica staff gathered
together for an appreciation party.
It was a time to celebrate the
outstanding outcomes of the 2019
fiscal year. The organization’s
success rates, satisfaction rates,
and accessibility rates all improved
signifi cantly from previous years.
Founded in 1972, Santa Monica has partnered with over 3,000
women on their journey to recovery from addiction and alcoholism.
Reuniting families, reintegrating productive women to the community,
and providing exceptional service has been the vision of Santa
Monica and continues to be for the future. Santa Monica provides a
Halfway House program with a step-down level of care to a threequarters
way house and a 10-unit apartment building for women and
children. To learn more, visit www.santamonicahouse.org or contact
(402) 558-7088 / heather@santamonicahouse.org.
SHARE Omaha Offers Cross-River Office Hours
As a connector of the metropolitan area’s nonprofit organizations and
public supporters, SHARE Omaha is happily spreading the word that it is
leasing physical space in both Omaha and Council Bluffs. SHARE Omaha
will spend half the week at the Scott Technology Center in Omaha’s
centralized Aksarben Village (6825 Pine St.) and the balance of time
in Council Bluffs subleasing from The 712 Initiative (1228 S. Main St.).
SHARE Omaha had an incubation period from June 2018 through
July 2019 at the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation offices. As both
organizations’ needs evolved over the year, the opportunity to explore
a creative office approach presented itself. SHARE Omaha serves
an eight-county footprint: Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders, and
Washington counties in Nebraska and Harrison, Mills, and Pottawattamie
counties in Iowa. The organization will review this pilot officially through
December 2019 and will announce details of office location decisions
later in the year.
SHARE Omaha hosts a robust online platform (SHAREomaha.org) that
makes giving easy by connecting generous people to the greatest needs
in the community. Call (402) 502-0360 with any questions.
Inclusive Communities Announces 2019-20
Season of Lozier Omaha Table Talk
Inclusive Communities has released
the complete 2019-20 schedule of
Lozier Omaha Table Talk (OTT) events.
OTT features informal gatherings of
people from all backgrounds engaging
in conversations about diversity and
inclusion over a meal. Such facilitated
discussions lead to an understanding of
differences and greater respect to help
eliminate prejudice and inequities in our
community. The full 2019-20 Omaha
Table Talk schedule is as follows:
• September 18, 2019 – ERA 2020: Reframing Women’s Equality
as Equity
• September 23, 2019 – Storytelling as Remembrance: Black Art
and History in the 100th Year of Will Brown’s Lynching
• October 15, 2019 – Race, Really: The Myths and Realities of
Racial Differences
• October 31, 2019 – One Person, No Voice: Voter Suppression 2020
• November 14, 2019 – #SaveOurSisters: Protecting Trans Women
• November 26, 2019 – Decolonizing Thanksgiving: Racial Justice
and Oppression as Tradition
• December 17, 2019 – #SomosElFuturo: Immigration and the Crisis
at the Border
• January 14, 2020 – Women and Wisdom: Social Justice in the
Pages of the St. John’s Bible
• February 4, 2020 – Homeless Omaha: Policy, Prevention, and
Community Support
• February 18, 2020 – Transportation Inequities: Marginalization
and Access
• March 3, 2020 – #MeToo on the Margins
• March 17, 2020 – Mass Incarceration: Enslaved in the System
• April 14, 2020 – Askable Adults
• April 28, 2020 – Mental Health First Aid: Youth and Crisis Prevention
• May 12, 2020 – The Color of Wealth: Race, Poverty and Resources
• May 26, 2020 – Time Out to Hard Time: Education, Incarceration,
and the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Inclusive Communities’ Omaha Table Talk is free and open to the public,
with registration required by visiting www.inclusive-communities.org.
American Sign Language interpreters are available at all OTT events.
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
Omaha Police Foundation Celebrates 20
Years, Unveils New Logo
The Omaha Police Foundation (OPF) is
celebrating its 20th anniversary this year
and, as a part of the commemoration,
is proud to introduce a new logo. The
refreshed logo design was inspired by
the badge worn by the sworn offi cers
of the Omaha Police Department (OPD).
Over the past 19 years, the Foundation
has raised more than $5 million to
implement several major improvements for OPD, including the
purchasing of vital equipment, offi cer recruitment and training
programs, community relations, and officer recognition. OPF’s efforts
have made it possible to build a new canine training facility on the
Omaha Police Safety and Training Center (2011), purchase a Fire
Arms Training Simulator for OPD (2014), and to make several other
equipment purchases that improve the quality and effi ciency of
OPD’s police force. OPF has also supported numerous communitybased
programs presented by OPD, such as the Police Athletics for
Community Engagement (formerly Omaha Police Athletic League),
National Night Out, Bomb Pop with a Cop, Cops & Bobbers fi shing
program, and more.
In 2017, OPF concluded its fundraising initiative and purchased a
Mobile Crime Lab, which is used to process evidence found at crime
scenes faster and more effi ciently, and in 2018 they purchased a
Mobile Command and Communications Center. The vehicle is utilized
in the most critically sensitive operations such as barricade situations,
offi cer-involved shooting scenes, homicide scenes, natural disasters,
and other emergencies, as well as high-traffi c events where OPD
maintains crowd control. OPF is currently raising the remaining funds
to purchase 600 Body Worn Cameras to fully equip the Uniform
Patrol Bureau offi cers as well as members of the Gang Unit and
Emergency Response Unit.
Founded in 1999, the Omaha Police Foundation provides fi nancial
support for the Omaha Police Department to ensure that officers have
the training, equipment, and technology needed to prevent crime,
save lives, and make Omaha a safer community. The Foundation is
governed by a 17-member Board of Directors, led by President D.C.
Woody Bradford. The Chief of Police and the President of the Omaha
Police Offi cers Association each serve as ex-offi cio members of the
Board. Visit www.OmahaPoliceFoundation.org for more information.
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 31

NONPROFIT NEWS
ThriVinci to Hold Orientation to Recruit
Volunteers for Committees, Upcoming Projects
In order to make the
decision to volunteer more
comfortable and attainable,
ThriVinci is holding a
volunteer orientation on
Wednesday, October 30
from 4 to 7 p.m. at the UNO Barbra Weitz Community Engagement
Center. The organization is seeking volunteers to assist with their
internal communication strategy for their brand committee, as
well as volunteer consultants for upcoming nonprofi t projects. If
you are looking to make a difference in the community with your
professional skill set, you are invited to stop by the orientation to
learn about the projects ThriVinci has coming up.
In addition, October 20–26 is also National Pro Bono Week, so
join ThriVinci in their vision to maximize the reach of humanitarian
efforts by providing all nonprofit organizations access to
organizational effectiveness consultants.
ThriVinci is an organization of professional volunteers committed
to empowering communities by sharing knowledge and supporting
the advancement of nonprofi t organizations. To learn more and
reserve your spot at the volunteer orientation, visit www.thrivinci.
org. Further questions can be directed to Victoria Graeve-
Cunningham, Mitch Cunningham, or Roxanne Dockter at (402)
281-3908 / info@thrivinci.org.
The Set Me Free Project Calls Out for 2020
Comedy for Change Sponsors
The Set Me Free Project has
already set the date for the 2020
Comedy for Change, their largest
fundraiser of the year! Slated for
March 26, 2020, the upcoming
Comedy for Change event will
feature Comedian Jeff Allen.
The Set Me Free Project could
not pull off this night of dinner,
drinks, laughs, and generous giving
without the help of business and
MARCH 26
COMEDY
FOR
CHANGE
2020
Featured Comedian- Jeff Allen
Auctioneer- Jonathan Larsen
Get your tickets:
setmefreeproject.net/comedy
Jennie Edmundson Foundation Announces
Events for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The Jennie Edmundson
Foundation and the Jennie
Edmundson Hospital Breast
Leadership Team have
teamed up for Breast Cancer
Awareness Month to provide
the community with education
and awareness in its fight
against breast cancer. They
will be hosting events this month and selling pink-out t-shirts in order
to raise funds that will benefit breast health services provided by
Methodist Jennie Edmundson, so mark your calendars and plan to
support this great cause! The lineup of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
events are as follows:
• October 3 8 p.m. — Stir Concert Cove presents Australian Pink
Floyd Concert
• October 5, 11 .a.m. – 2 p.m. — FREE Breast Health Screening/
Health Fair
• October 11, 6 p.m. — Battle for a Cause & Mayoral Proclamation
Council Bluffs
• October 12, 10 a.m. — Loess Hills Harley Davidson’s “Save the
Twins Poker Run”
• October 17, 6 p.m. — Pink Out Glenwood, Iowa
• October 18, 9 a.m. — Pink Out Malvern, Iowa
• October 19, 7:30 a.m. — Pinkercise Classes
• October 19, 12 p.m. — Crew and Brew – Half Marathon Rowathon
Find out more details about these events online at www.JEHFoundation.
org. Ordering for “The Power of Pink” t-shirts can also be done online.
Call (712) 396-6040 with any questions.
Open Door Mission Partners with Hy-Vee
for Turkey N Fixin’s Drive November 1
Help Open Door Mission provide Turkey
N Fixin’s to people in need this holiday
season! You can do that by visiting Omaha
and Council Bluffs area Hy-Vee locations
on November 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
where you can donate turkey, ham, and
other food items or buy a prepackaged
Turkey N Fixin’s bag. Cash donations
are also accepted. You can also help by
hosting a food drive with your group or
business. Food items needed are turkey,
ham, canned fruits and vegetables, mac ‘n’ cheese, boxed potatoes and
more. These food items will be used to empower low-income individuals
and families in the community to prepare a hot, nutritious meal in their
own home.
Open Door Mission will provide more than 213,500 meals this holiday
season to help the hungry and homeless in the Heartland. The need is
greater than ever before! Open Door Mission is also asking businesses,
groups, families, and individuals to host their own food drives before
Thanksgiving to contribute to urgent food needs.
Open Door Mission is a gospel rescue mission that meets the needs of
individuals and families while inspiring HOPE for lasting change. Each
day, Open Door Mission’s campus offers 917 safe shelter beds to
homeless men, women, and children; serves over 3,500 nutritious meals;
and provides preventative measures to more than 1,000 people living
in poverty. To learn more about the Mission or hosting a food drive,
contact Kristen Dineen at (402) 829-1538 / drive @opendoormission.
individual sponsors. To make the 2020 event the best one yet and
stop human traffi cking before it starts, they need the community
to stand with them.
Partnering with The Set Me Free Project can look a few different
ways, such as long-term, reoccurring donations; donating auction
items; and monetary sponsorship packages specifi cally for the
event.
This is the perfect time to spark a partnership, and The Set Me
Free Project will give presentations and resources to any interested
sponsors. Sponsoring Comedy for Change is an ideal way for
organizations to be recognized and make a meaningful impact.
The Set Me Free Project is the primary organization across
Nebraska and Iowa that is active in prevention education for
human traffi cking. They know that only 1–2% of traffi cked victims
are ever rescued, so that is why it is vital to stop traffi cking
before it starts. With prevention, The Set Me Free Project can
make a difference in the lives of youth in the community. To learn
more, contact Stephanie Olson at (402) 521-3080 / info@
setmefreeproject.net. Sponsorship levels and details can be found
online at setmefreeproject.net/comedy.
org or visit www.opendoormission.org.
32 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS
Assistance League of Omaha to Host Christmas
Caravan Tour of Homes November 7
Assistance League ® of Omaha (ALO)
presents its 45th annual Christmas Tour
of Homes on Thursday, November 7, from
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This year’s theme, Gifts
of Caring, exemplifi es the philanthropic
programs of the ALO organization.
Come tour four beautiful homes located in
Papillion, Millard, and Northwest Omaha.
Assistance League’s Thrift Shop Boutique
and Bake Sale will also be available at Champions Run. A lunch
will also be available for purchase at Champions Run. Florists/
designers for this year’s event include Papillion Flower Patch, The
Humble Hive Mercantile, Country Gardens, Studio DIY, and this
& that & other stuff.
All net proceeds will fund Assistance League programs for local
children and adults, including Operation School Bell ® (clothing
nearly 4,000 children for school), Assault Survivor Kits ® , Operation
Teen Parent, ACT/PSAT Review Sessions, Operation Bear Hug,
Operation Recovery, and Operation Literacy.
Tickets are available from Assistance League members, the
Assistance League website at www.alomaha.org, Hy-Vee stores,
and the designers, for $16 pre-event and $20 day of the tour.
Call (402) 342-4288 / (402) 342-1396 with any questions.
Heartland Family Service Presents Annual
Salute to Families Recognition Program
For the 37th year, Heartland
Family Service will host the Salute
to Families recognition program
on Thursday, November 21 at 6
p.m. at Happy Hollow Country
Club to honor four families and
one family advocate from the
Metro area. The Salute to Families
program highlights strong families and individuals who place a high
priority on building and strengthening their bonds, while encouraging
individual growth.
This year’s Salute to Families honorees are:
• Leadership – Tonia and Ray Aranza Family
• Community Service – Melissa and Matthew Graves Family
• Challenged & Successful – Grace and Nicole Burns Family
• Commitment to Family – Kate Mahern and Gary Fischer Family
• Family Advocate – Diane Cochran
Tickets to the Salute to Families event are $60 each, and a table of
10 people is $600. Please RSVP by November 4 to Brenna Ashbrook
at (402) 552-7426 or BAshbrook@HeartlandFamilyService.org.
The mission of Heartland Family Service is to strengthen individuals and
families in the community through education, counseling, and support
services. Founded in 1875, Heartland Family Service connects with over
54,000 individuals and families through direct services, education, and
outreach each year from over 15 locations in east central Nebraska
and southwest Iowa. Their 50 programs provide critical human services
to the individuals and families who ultimately shape the future of the
community in the following focus areas: child and family well-being,
counseling and prevention, and housing, safety, and financial stability.
To learn more, visit HeartlandFamilyService.org.
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
HETRA Announces Veteran and Military
Experience Events
HETRA (Heartland Equine Therapeutic
Riding Academy) invites active duty or
retired military personnel of any age,
as well as their spouses and families,
to take part in a specialized program
where horses help ease the transition from
military to civilian life through equineassisted
learning. Remaining dates for
2019 are October 18 and November
22 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the HETRA Barn, 10130 S. 222nd St. in Gretna.
Participants will experience the unique communication style and behavior
patterns of horses through several activities designed to re-engage the
senses on many levels. Establishing and building trust in themselves and
relationships, re-engaging with a purpose, finding motivation and moving
forward with perseverance, and developing a creative problem solving
process are all beneficial outcomes of equine-assisted learning.
This program is led by the HETRA team, which is made up of experienced
PATH Int’l certified therapeutic riding instructors, occupational therapists,
mental health therapists, and trained veteran volunteers.
To learn more about HETRA, visit www.HETRA.org. To reserve your space,
call Chris O’Callaghan at (402) 359-8830. Groups can also select a
date for a special group event.
Speakers and Sessions Announced for
Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands
More than 300 national and regional
thought leaders, staff, and volunteers
from the nonprofit world will come
together for the 2019 Nonprofit
Summit of the Midlands, which will be
hosted by the Nonprofit Association
of the Midlands (NAM) and D.A. Davidson on Thursday, November 7
at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in La Vista.
The keynote speakers for the 13th annual summit are Frances Kunreuther
and Sean Thomas-Breitfeld, co-directors of the Building Movement
Project, which assists nonprofi ts in building grassroots support for
progressive social change. Building bridges that lead to policies and
approaches that support equity and sustainability, the Building Movement
Project helps nonprofits meet the needs of communities they serve.
The 2019 Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands also will feature breakout
sessions, a Catalyst Award and workshops on a variety of topics that will
benefit nonprofit leaders of any experience level, including fundraising,
lobbying, community building, team development and strategic planning.
NAM’s Catalyst Award will recognize a leader or organization that
has made an impact in the nonprofit community. The recipient will be
announced during the summit luncheon.
Nonprofit Association of the Midlands strengthens the collective voice,
leadership, and capacity of nonprofits to enrich the quality of community
life throughout Nebraska and Western Iowa. With NAM’s growing
base of nonprofits, the organization is committed to: enhancing public
recognition of the importance and role of the nonprofit sector; providing
access to high-quality assistance and information on effective nonprofit
management and practices; advocating on issues that affect the capacity
of all nonprofits to address their communities’ needs; and fostering
communication and cooperation among nonprofits.
Members and nonmembers can register for the 2019 Nonprofit Summit
of the Midlands at www.nonprofitam.org/Summit2019. Questions can be
directed to Abby Hughes at (402) 557-5800 / abby@nonprofitam.org.
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 33

NONPROFIT NEWS
Kids & Clays Sporting Clays Tournament to
Benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities
in Omaha will hold their annual
Kids & Clays Sporting Clays
Tournament October 18–20 at
the Oak Creek Sporting Club
in Brainard, NE. This event is
an excellent chance to show
appreciation for your clients and
employees while raising funds
for Ronald McDonald House.
Each team goes through 10 stations for 100 shots total. You can
also play some entertaining side games, participate in the silent
auction, and enjoy a delicious lunch.
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha is to
create and operate programs that directly improve the health
and well-being of children. They strive to do so by providing
opportunities that strengthen children and families during their
most diffi cult and challenging times. The specifi c purpose of the
Ronald McDonald House Charities is to support access to care,
reduce fi nancial burden, provide psychosocial support keeping
families together, enhance clinical experiences and outcomes, and
help families resume normalcy.
To support Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha, sign up
to a sponsor or register a team at www.rmhcomaha.org. Questions
about the event can be directed to Emily Mozer at (402) 346-
9377 / emozer@rmhcomaha.org.
Project Harmony Welcomes Four-Legged
Team Member Woody as Facility Dog
Woody, Project Harmony’s facility dog and
newest team member, is proof that good dogs do
make great listeners. Woody is a two-year-old
English Golden Retriever who comes from Patriot
Paws Service Dogs. He came to Project Harmony
in late August, but before he was matched with
Project Harmony he went through extensive
training to learn basic commands and how to
socialize in public and private settings. Woody
works throughout the agency, including areas
such as forensic interviews, family advocacy, and
mental health.
Woody helps kids feel safe and comfortable as they describe the abuse
they have experienced or crime they have witnessed. He calms their fears
and brings smiles to faces that have not smiled in a long time. One of
Woody’s most valued qualities is the unconditional love and attention
that he gives to the children with who he interacts.
“We’ve already seen a huge difference in just how excited the children
are to see him,” said Project Harmony director of communications Angela
Roeber. “Children come in anxious and scared and as soon as they see
him, they relax. There is something about petting a dog that is so calming
and therapeutic. The more you pet him the more he comforts you and it
really makes a child who is going through a terrible situation feel better.”
Project Harmony has served more than 42,000 children during the
past 23 years by providing a child-friendly environment in which
specially trained professionals work together to access, investigate, and
resolve child abuse cases. Learn more about the organization at www.
projectharmony.com.
Stephen Center Kicks Off Annual Gobble 4
Good Turkey Donation Drive
Throughout the end of the year, Stephen
Center invites the Omaha community
to Gobble 4 Good by donating turkeys
to serve those in need. Turkeys donated
to Stephen Center make a difference in
many ways:
• Stephen Center’s annual Thanksgiving
feast feeds homeless individuals and
families in their Pettigrew Emergency
Homeless Shelter, residents in the
HERO Addiction Recovery Program, and men, women, and
children in permanent supportive housing apartments as they
work to overcome obstacles, transition from homelessness, gain
self-suffi ciency, and maintain families.
• Stephen Center’s amazing kitchen staff utilize hundreds of
turkeys throughout the year to provide delicious high protein
meals to their clients. Fresh food is available at the Pettigrew
Shelter, three meals a day, seven days a week for residents
across campus.
• Stephen Center is partnering this year with Heartland
Hope Mission to provide south Omaha families with all of
the ingredients for a celebratory holiday meal. They also
redistribute the donations to other missions and pantry’s in need
through-out the Omaha-metro area.
Turkey donations can be dropped off at Stephen Center’s loading
dock at 2723 Q St., located off the alley between 27th and
28th Streets. Go to www.stephencenter.org/events to make an
online turkey donation. Questions can be directed to Michael
Murphy at (402) 715-5441 / marketing@stephencenter.org.
34 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NONPROFIT NEWS
Eastern Nebraska Community Action
Partnership Operates Two Food Pantries
Currently, the Eastern Nebraska
Community Action Partnership
(ENCAP) operates two food pantries
in Omaha. There is a pantry at their
main office at 2406 Fowler Ave.,
open Monday—Thursday between
8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and one
in Bellevue, which is run in partnership with the Bellevue Ministerial
Association and the City of Bellevue, open Tuesdays and Thursdays
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., at 1908 Hancock St.
According to Feeding America, there are nearly 90,000 people
struggling with hunger right now in Douglas and Sarpy Counties. ENCAP
is on a mission to help these people, but their pantry shelves are empty.
They are asking the community for help to fill them up for the fall and
winter months. Items on their wish list includes shelf-stable milk, canned
vegetables, peanut butter, canned chicken, canned tuna, canned salmon
(boneless), pasta, pasta sauce, breakfast cereals, granola bars, oatmeal,
cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, diapers, wipes, and personal care
items. Donations can be dropped off at either ENCAP pantry during
hours of operation.
“Providing the most basic of needs like food increases the stability of a
family. When families are stable, they are more able to maintain their
independence, reach long-term goals, and move forward with their lives,”
said Aaron Bowen, executive director.
Learn more about how to support the Eastern Nebraska Community
Action Partnership online at www.encapnebraska.org, call (402) 616-
5963, or connect on Facebook (@encapnebraska).
Heartland Hope Mission Offers Ways to Give
Back through Christmas in South O Program
This holiday season, Heartland
Hope Mission will be helping
over 1,200 children with toys,
food, and more through their
Christmas in South O program.
There are many ways for the community to get involved and give back.
• Giving Tree Toy Drive: Collect new and unwrapped toys. Heartland
Hope Mission provides the ornaments, marketing materials, and
will pick up the gifts once the drive is complete. Email Renae@
HeartlandHopeMission.org for more information.
• Volunteer: There are multiple shifts available December 12–19 to
sort and distribute toys at Heartland Hope Mission’s Christmas event.
Email Amanda@HeartlandHopeMission.org to sign up.
• Donate Christmas cookies: You can help by donating store
bought cookies to distribute to families. Email Amanda@
HeartlandHopeMission.org for details.
• Donate monetarily: Only $124 will help a family of four for a month
at Heartland Hope Mission this holiday season. Donations can be
made on the website.
Heartland Hope Mission serves working poor families and those who may
be facing a crisis situation with a week’s supply of food, clothing, diapers,
job resources, and community referrals. Parents or legal guardians who
need help with Christmas gifts for their children can register in the month
of November at either of the Heartland Hope Mission pantries. The South
Omaha Pantry is located at 2021 U St.; the Millard Pantry is at 5321
S. 139th Plz. For pantry hours and to learn more about volunteering,
visit HeartlandHopeMission.org or call (402) 733-1904. Like Heartland
Hope Mission’s Facebook page (@HeartlandHopeMission), or follow
them on LinkedIn (@heartland-hope-mission) to stay up to date on all
the great work they are doing.
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
CEDARS Introduces the Power of the Purse
Pre-Party Pop-Up Event
During the past year, women in the
community have been on a mission to
select and gather the most desirable
handbags from around the globe for
CEDARS Power of the Purse event.
On November 7 at 6:30 p.m., those
carefully-curated purses will be up
for auction in the grand ballroom at
the Cornhusker Marriott to benefit the children in CEDARS care. New this
year, the organizers are introducing a Pre-Party Cocktail Hour, starting
at 5 p.m. In the style of a “pop-up show,” local women-owned boutiques
will be sharing a sneak peek of the latest fashions while attendees enjoy
a glass of wine and socialize. Tickets for this Pre-Party event are limited
and can be purchased at cedarskids.org/purse.
While enjoying great fashion and great food, this great community of
wome n give back to help the vulnerable children and families in our
community. Throughout the event’s history, Power of the Purse, has raised
over $1 million to help children and youth achieve safety, stability, and
enduring family relationships. Over the past 15 years, the women of
this community have cherished the CEDARS Power of the Purse, calling
it the best ladies’ night out in town. Tickets to this first-class event are
highly desired, selling out almost every year. Visit the event website at
cedarskids.org/purse to secure your tickets or to become a sponsor.
To learn more about Power of the Purse or how CEDARS helps children
and families, call (402) 434-KIDS (5437) or visit www.cedarskids.org.
Chefs to Compete in 13th Annual Comfort
Food Classic to Benefit Grief’s Journey
Six local gourmet chefs and three
bakers will face off in a culinary
competition Sunday, October 13, to
raise funds for Grief’s Journey’s free
support programs. The 13th Annual
Comfort Food Classic takes place from
4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Hilton Hotel,
1001 Cass St. Guests will vote on their
favorite savory dishes and desserts.
For the first time, the event will feature a patron reception beforehand
showcasing various wine and whiskey samplings from Spirit World. The
event will also include a live donation appeal with a matching donor
and a silent auction.
Comfort Food Classic is Grief’s Journey’s largest fundraiser, which
raised $86,000 in 2018. The generosity of donors helps Grief’s Journey
provides free grief support programs for all ages throughout the Omaha
metro area.
“We’re grateful to the staff and support at Grief’s Journey for helping
us walk through the most difficult time in our lives,” Sarah, Shawnee and
Lucas, a Grief’s Journey family, said.
Competitors include: Dario’s Brassiere, Liberty Tavern, Mode de Vie, MCC
Institute for Culinary Arts, Society 1854, Via Farina, Cake Creations, The
Omaha Bakery, and Sugar Coma Custom Treats.
Since 2001, Grief’s Journey has been a welcoming, safe place where
grieving children, teens and adults find hope. As the region’s cornerstone
for grief support, Grief’s Journey provides free peer support programs
as well as training, education, consultation throughout Nebraska and Iowa.
Comfort Food Class tickets and reserved tables are available online
at www.griefsjourney.org. For more information, contact Kelly Morris,
development director, at (402) 502-2773 / kmorris@griefsjourney.org.
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 35

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
Overcoming Misconceptions
About Vein Disease in Omaha
People who are suffering from vein disease may not even know that’s
what is causing their symptoms—their doctor may not even know! Many
people never develop the classic varicosities or spider veins; they more
so have symptoms that affect every minute of their day and night. This is
why vein disease is so misunderstood. Vein treatment is about so much
more than the cosmetic side effects. Symptoms of vein disease can
include:
• Aching, throbbing or heaviness in the legs
• Restless legs
• Muscle cramps
• Dark or ‘tan’ skin discoloration
• Itching, burning or tingling
• Sores on the lower legs
When people have heaviness or fatigue in their legs, it keeps them from
being active. Over time, their legs become restless and rob them of sleep.
When swelling begins, their primary doctor may put them on a variety
of medicines to treat their symptoms, like water pills or restless leg
medications. Plus, they will likely take over the counter pain medicines
because their legs hurt, and perhaps now they are having to take a
prescription pain medicine. These patients are in chronic pain, and
the pain is made worse by sitting or standing for long periods of time,
or an active day at work. Without regular exercise, these people often
experience weight gain, depression, and other health problems such as
poor skin circulation around the ankles. As a result, people often end up
getting infections and ulcers, which are 100% preventable. Especially in
diabetics, vein disease can be life and limb threatening.
At VENUS Vein Clinic, they can suggest a treatment plan for vein disease,
and they specialize in the most advanced procedures. VENUS is one
of the only clinics in the Omaha metro area to offer state of the art
Venaseal ablations. They also offer a variety of other treatments such as
radiofrequency ablations, ambulatory phlebectomy, sclerotherapy, and
compression therapy. Treating this condition is fairly simple with the right
doctor, and no down-time is required.
Venaseal Ablation - Venaseal is new technology that uses medicalgrade
adhesive to close the vein. As with other methods, the problematic
vein is closed, and circulation is routed through nearby healthy veins. This
improves circulation. Venaseal ablations are very comfortable to undergo
and patients feel better almost immediately.
Radiofrequency Ablation - With radiofrequency ablation, heat is
delivered inside the affected vein to destroy the vein wall and cause it to
seal closed. When this happens, the blood will be naturally redirected to
healthy veins. The main advantages of radiofrequency ablation are it is
safe, effective, and improves circulation in your legs.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy - Ambulatory Phlebectomy is a
procedure where Dr. Schroeder removes the most visible varicosities in a
patient’s legs through microincisions. This leads to faster healing and a
very pleasing aesthetic appearance afterward.
Sclerotherapy - With Sclerotherapy, an irritant/solution is injected into
a varicose vein, causing its walls to collapse. Blood won’t be able to travel
through the problem vein any longer, so it will reroute to other nearby
healthy veins.
Compression Therapy- This treatment involves the use of
compression stockings or compression garments. These support the
action of the muscle to help blood circulation, which is why we see
professional athletes often wearing them. It’s important to be sized and
fit properly for the garment or stocking to be comfortable and provide the
best support.
Looking for the Best Vein Treatment Doctor in Omaha? Meet Dr. Kelly Schroeder!
If you need treatment for vein disease in Omaha, Dr. Kelly Schroeder is the person to see. She
opened VENUS Vein Clinic because she wanted to help our community address the largely
misunderstood condition of vein disease, and create an experience for patients that is both caring
and comfortable. Dr. Schroeder is a specialist in the field with a diploma from the American Board
of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. In fact, VENUS is the only clinic in Omaha that is run by a Vein
and Lymphatic specialist. Dr. Schroeder is a member of the American College of Phlebology.
When you have a consultation with Dr. Schroeder, she will review your medical history and may
perform a vascular ultrasound to investigate your vein health. Once a diagnosis is made, Dr.
Schroeder will recommend and carry out a course of treatment that will make a significant impact
on your quality of life. Imagine living without leg symptoms holding you back from your most
active and healthy lifestyle. At VENUS, you can.
(402) 979-8346 | venusveinclinic.com | 9202 West Dodge Rd., STE 303
36 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

HEALTH NEWS
Young Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center
Celebrates New Clinic with Ribbon Cutting
Young Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
Center invited friends, family,
patients, and community members to
celebrate the grand opening of their
new clinic on August 24. The event
included a ribbon-cutting ceremony
with the Sarpy County Chamber
of Commerce, good food, and fun
games. There was even a bounce
house and face painting for kids to enjoy!
The clinic is lead by Dr. Peter Young and Dr. Sheldon Brown. New patients
can expect same-day appointments and will receive a thorough exam
with x-rays if needed, as well as passive therapies to help relieve pain
right away. During the second visit, the doctor will go over his findings
and start the relief care phase of treatment, which continues the use
of therapies as well as adjustments. The second phase of treatment is
the corrective or restorative phase, which incorporates rehab through
exercise and myofascial work.
Located at 10351 Portal Rd., STE 103, Young Chiropractic &
Rehabilitation Center strives to provide complete care for their patients.
Learn more at www.keepthebodyyoung.com or call (402) 339-2283.
American Stroke Association Brings
Awareness to World Stroke Day October 29
October 29 is World Stroke Day and the
American Stroke Association, a division
of the American Heart Association,
which is the world’s leading voluntary
health organization devoted to fighting
cardiovascular disease and stroke,
provides five tips to help Nebraska
residents to feel healthier and avoid one of the most common causes of
disability and death.
Stroke is often thought of as something that happens to older people,
but more people under 50 are having strokes, due to increased risky
behaviors, such as smoking and untreated high blood pressure. Strokes
don’t discriminate. They can happen to anyone, at any age, and about
one in four people worldwide will have one in their lifetime. In Nebraska,
stroke is the fourth leading cause of death. The good news? Up to 80%
of first strokes may be prevented.
Here are five tips to reduce your risk of stroke and maintain mental
sharpness as you age:
• Keep blood pressure under control — Get your blood pressure into
a healthy range (under 130/80). High blood pressure is the No. 1
controllable risk factor for stroke. Work with your doctor to manage it.
• Eat colorful fruits and veggies — Eating lots of fruits and vegetables
has been shown to lower blood pressure.
• Rest up — Getting 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night can improve
brain function both today and long-term. Sleep-related breathing
issues may increase stroke risk, so seek treatment right away if you
suspect sleep apnea or a similar problem.
• Meditate — Emerging science shows that practicing mindfulness
and being aware of your breathing may significantly reduce blood
pressure and may improve blood flow to the brain.
• Take a walk — For clear health benefits, adults should get at least
150 minutes per week of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous
activity. Two days per week of moderate- to- high intensity muscle
strengthening activity is recommended.
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association are
devoted to saving people from the nation’s top killers: heart disease
(No. 1) and stroke (No. 5). To learn more, visit heart.org / stroke.org.
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
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Receive $500 off an invisalign ®
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Ribbon Cutting Held to Welcome PIVOT
Concierge Health to Community
On September 9, the Sarpy County
Chamber of Commerce held a ribboncutting
ceremony to welcome Omaha’s
only full concierge clinic, PIVOT Concierge
Health, to the community. PIVOT is a onestop
shop for all health care needs. The
concept blends your traditional primary
care with preventive care and focuses
attention on all other wellness areas
including nutrition and fitness, weight loss,
sleep management, hormonal balance, and much more.
As a membership-based concierge health clinic, PIVOT offers some of
the best treatments and services in the market with a 5-star hospitality
wellness experience and the most high-end technology. Healthcare
plans are designed around you to be as personalized, convenient, and
rewarding as possible, saving you the most important thing of all: time.
To learn more about PIVOT Concierge Health, located at 2801 S. 88th
St., contact Chet Fortune, member services manager, at (402) 885-8125
/ chet.fortune@pivotch.com or go online to www.pivotch.com.
Experts Address Lung Disease at the American
Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Expo
On November 6, lung disease experts,
health care professionals, and patients
will meet in Omaha for the American Lung
Association’s LUNG FORCE Expo at the
Scott Conference Center to learn about the
latest research and resources and connect
with people who are impacted by lung
disease. Continuing education credits are
available and registration for this event
is now open.
The LUNG FORCE Expo is a program designed for patients,
caregivers and health care providers to learn more about the latest
trends, resources and research surrounding lung cancer, COPD, and
other chronic lung diseases. Speakers from a variety of fi elds will
present current medical information on topics that have the most
impact on those whose lives are touched by these conditions, as
well as provide up-to-date medical information for health care
professionals to help support patients.
The American Lung Association (Lung.org) is the leading organization
working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung
disease, through research, education, and advocacy. If you are
worried about your family’s lung health and have questions, call
1-800-LUNGUSA to talk to a respiratory therapist. To register for
the event, visit LUNGFORCE.org/Expo or call (402) 502-4950.
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 37

38 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Holiday
H planning
It’s that time of year again! Even if you’re the type of person who
won’t tolerate Jingle Bells until after Thanksgiving , it’s important to
plan all of your events early, especially if you’re trying to juggle
family and work activities. That’s why we’re kicking off this threepart
holiday series by talking about what you can do to have a
stress-free holiday season at work and at home.
The key to getting through the holiday season with ease is
planning ahead. Even though it may seem early to some, you’ll
thank yourself in a couple of months. It will also ensure that you
can remain focused at work without having the details of your
family’s holiday plans constantly on your mind.
If you’re wanting a fresh family photo to put on the Christmas
card, October is a good time to get that knocked out. Find a
photographer and give them a couple dates that work best for
your whole family. Doing this all now will give you time to pick
out outfi ts, take the photos, order them, and then lick, stamp, and
address to all your loved ones!
Start taking inventory now of all your holiday decor. When pulling
out the jack-o’-lanterns and scarecrows for your October decor,
take a look at your Christmas supplies as well. Don’t spend any
money on decorations, gifts, or wrapping paper when you don’t
know what you have tucked away. Take stock of damaged and
broken items so you have time to fi nd replacements before the
shelves get cleaned out at the store. It’s also smart to buy holiday
items after the holidays when everything goes on sale—stock up
for next year!
For businesses, when the holidays come around, one of the best
things to do is to create a warm and inviting environment with
a holiday display that really stands out. However, creating a
memorable holiday display at the offi ce,
with set up and tear down factored in,
can be time-consuming and diffi cult. This
is where Ambius comes in.
Tiffany Falconer
Ambius
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“Ambius is an award-winning designer
of holiday displays that take care of
the design, installation, take down, and
storage,” said Tiffany Falconer, district
manager for Ambius in Omaha. “ We
are your local holiday decor experts
and have been designing and installing
decorations for commercial businesses for
over 25 years. Many of our professional
Christmas decorators have completed
hundreds of holiday design projects. They work with companies
and organizations of all sizes, from extravagant displays for
businesses with multiple locations to a simple hallway tree.”
Whether you are trying to create the perfect retail experience or
just want a display for your building’s lobby, Ambius has a design
consultant who can help.
From a simple display to an expansive design project, the holiday
professionals at Ambius will be there for you throughout the season.
Inspire Awe & Wonder
This Holiday Season
The holidays offer the perfect
opportunity to inspire the magic of
the season in your customers, clients,
and coworkers. With Ambius, you can
awaken the magic of the holidays with
custom holiday designs that showcase
your spirit and unique business need:
• Hassle-free installation and
maintenance
• Stunning displays by
award-winning designers
• Off-season storage
• Custom holiday designs that inspire
• National program services
Discover the sights, scents, and
trends of the season with Ambius!
Contact Tiffany Falconer
at 402.999.4825.
ambius.com
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 39

Ambius holiday design services include but are not limited to:
• Trees
• Custom displays
• Winter scenes
• Poinsettias
• Exterior decor
• Wreaths, garlands, swags, and fl oral
• Decorations for Hanukkah, Kwanza, Easter, etc.
Part of the magic of the holiday season is the ambience, and a
winter scene can play a big part. Ambius’ winter scene rental
services allow you the opportunity to have an elaborate holiday
display in your space without having to worry about storing
decorations all year long. When a Christmas tree just isn’t enough,
let Ambius bring in a scene that your employees and customers
will not forget.
Not only will your own coworkers feel like their employer really
cares, your brand will receive a boost because of the positive
impression you’ll make on visitors and clients. Cheerful holiday
displays have the ability to draw in customers and give your
reputation a boost.
Now is also the time to start planning all of your holiday activities
if you haven’t already. For businesses, it’s common to do a fun
outing or offi ce Christmas party. Things like venue and activities
will vary based on the size of company you have. Large companies
will likely want to rent out a venue that will fi t all their employees
and a plus-one. Companies also need to decide if they want this
to be an elegant affair or more casual. Defi nitely set a date as
early on as you can so everyone can mark their calendars and
plan ahead. It’s likely that not everyone will be able to attend
due to competing holiday events and travel plans, but setting a
date way in advance will allow your staff to plan their activities
accordingly.
Whether you’re in charge of planning something for your offi ce
or your family this holiday season, don’t forget to keep things
simple as much as possible. Make a timeline and a list of tasks
that must be done to make your party a success. Delegate some of
the tasks to others. Remember, it’s the people that make the party.
Forget trying to make everything perfect and just concentrate on
helping everyone have fun. You don’t have to come up with all the
activities yourself, either. There are places in Omaha that provide
fun activities for you!
A popular destination for activities and party venues this time of
year is Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch. There are so many
things to see and do within Bellevue Berry’s 80 beautiful acres
of trees and farmland. The ranch also has four indoor facilities
of varying sizes that have outdoor areas with seating and fi re
pits. Bellevue Berry can accommodate a wide range of holiday
party sizes, from small, intimate affairs to large gatherings with
guest lists in the hundreds.
The ranch embraces all that the autumn season brings in the most
natural way. Your group will enjoy all the fall foliage, 25 acres of
pumpkins, the best hayrides around, and a ton of haunting stuff
to discover leading up to Halloween. The haunted attractions at
Bellevue Berry, when it becomes a “Ranch of Terror,” are open
on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., and Sundays
from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. through October 31.
Into December, the ranch is decked out in Christmas lights and some
of its own festive decor. Overall, this venue is an ideal destination
for groups who are looking to have a fun, casual time. Whether
it’s for a work outing or you go with your family, you’ll enjoy all
the ranch has to offer. With campfi re sites that can be rented out
and hayrack rides to add a fun activity to the mix, groups get so
much more than just a venue to gather inside of. It’s also a plus
for many that Bellevue Berry is kid friendly, complete with play
areas that are lit up at night, a corn maze, kids train ride, bounce
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40 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

pillow, and more. They also welcome pets! In addition, Bellevue
Berry has many great food stands featuring their famous BBQ
and sweet treats. The Pirates Pub is open on the weekends serving
adult beverages, turkey legs, and more.
Holiday parties aren’t complete without good food and drinks,
so you’ll be happy to know that Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch
has great catering options and can offer drinks in each of their
event barns. Bellevue Berry takes pride in their team’s culinary
talent and use fresh ingredients, many of which are grown and
raised on the farm.
Some smaller businesses, or companies that have the room for it,
will choose to host their holiday party at their office. When it comes
to making sure you have everything you need at your offi ce to
make a holiday party possible, Honeyman Rent-All has a large
inventory of party items that can be rented. These items include
chafers, chairs, tables, dance fl oors, event lighting, games, and
more. With their large selection of linens, you can fi nd tables cloths
that match the colors of the holiday you’re celebrating. They even
have a karaoke machine for some fun sing-alongs with coworkers.
It’s recommended to lock down catering right away when
organizing an in-house event. The holidays are a busy time for
restaurants and caterers, so don’t wait until the last minute to get
the food you need to feed all your guests. This applies for all
personal planning as well! If you’re responsible for preparing the
holiday meal, take some of the pressure off yourself by getting
certain things catered such as the dessert.
It’s no surprise that the phone at The
Omaha Bakery is already ringing off the
hook with holiday pie and treat orders!
When we talked to the bakery’s owner,
Michelle Kaiser, she told us that there is
still time to place an order of one of their
delicious, made-from-scratch holiday pies
for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but hurry!
Michelle Kaiser
The Omaha Bakery
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
“As the holidays approach and we
prepare for another new year, we hope
you’ll think of us for cookie trays to share
at the offi ce, cinnamon rolls for those busy
mornings, and pies to grace your tables
as you gather with your families,” said
Michelle. “When you’re out and about shopping and running
errands, stop in for soup and a sandwich. Our hope is that when
you spend time at The Omaha Bakery, you feel at ease, and when
you leave you feel recharged. We not only want to nourish your
body, we want to nourish your soul!”
“We have a variety of seasonal offerings and we can make an
assortment of them for your special occasion,” Michelle added.
“Mini pastries, mini mousse tartlets, mini coconut macaroons, bars,
cheesecakes, brownies, bread puddings, and cannolis—all of these
options will make the holidays a little sweeter!”
Michelle also encouraged our readers to stay healthy during the
holidays without having to give up the sweet treats we all love.
This is possible with the keto items that The Omaha Bakery features
on its menu. Keto foods are high-fat, have adequate-protein, and
are low-carb. The goal is to get more calories from protein and
good fats than from carbohydrates. It works by depleting your
body of its store of sugar, so it will start to break down protein
and fat for energy, ultimately causing weight loss.
The holidays are known as being a time when people gather
and eat a lot of food. This isn’t something that will likely change
anytime soon, but we can help ourselves by integrating some
healthy substitutes.
“We have started to regularly offer keto-friendly desserts that
are gluten free, sugar free, and low carbohydrate, and we
continue to add new keto treats to our offerings,” Michelle told
us. “People are loving our keto pumpkin cinnamon rolls, loaves
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of keto Oneda Bread, and keto pumpkin chocolate chip muffi ns!
All of these would make a great addition to a holiday spread.”
The Omaha Bakery has evolved over the years and is now a fullservice
bakery, deli, and tasting experience for any occasion. One
thing that has been a mainstay is Michelle’s passion for people and
her family-oriented approach to all things in business and in life.
If you’re looking to cater in some of your more traditional holiday
foods, the Garden Cafe has what you’re looking for. With chicken
fried steak, glazed ham, pot roast, fried chicken, roast turkey,
stuffi ng, mashed potatoes, and buttered corn as some of the
choices, Garden Cafe can take care of all the cooking while you
focus on other party planning details. You can arrange to pick up
party trays or place a carry-out order for a meal that’s ready to
serve, and to make your event that much easier, there’s even the
option of home delivery. Service areas include Omaha, Chalco,
Ralston, La Vista, Millard, and Elkhorn, NE and Council Bluffs, IA.
It’s a great spot to treat your guests to breakfast or brunch while
they’re in town too! The Garden Cafe in Rockbrook Village has
been an Omaha tradition since 1985.
There is no rule that you have to have
the traditional holiday fare for your
occasion, though. Mix things up with Cajun
cuisine from Acadian Grille! Offering
catering, Acadian Grille specializes in
authentic, made-from-scratch Cajun food.
From gator bites, crab cakes, shrimp and
grits, traditional gumbo, and crawfish
to homemade dressings and desserts,
Acadian Grille can really add some fl avor
to your holiday.
“We are ready to celebrate the holidays
with you here at Acadian Grille,” said
Owner Dan O’Brien. “Not every business
Dan O’Brien
Acadian Grille
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 41

402.991.9200
/TheOmahaBakery
608 S. 72nd St. • Omaha, NE
PATIO
NOW
OPEN!
can afford to rent out an entire venue for their holiday party or
do something elaborate, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do
something special. The holidays are all about coming together and
being grateful for what we have. Meals are great at bringing
people together, and it’s hard not to have a jolly time when
enjoying delicious soul food!”
The holidays are also about giving, which means it’s also a time
for spending money. Help take the stress out of the holiday season
by creating and sticking to a holiday budget. Begin by making
a list of all of your expected holiday expenses, such as traveling
expenses, gift exchanges at work, and charitable donations. This
will give you a basic idea of things that you will need to pay for
in addition to gifts. Many people only think about the gifts and
wonder why money is so tight in December, but that’s because
they didn’t think about all the other extra expenses the holiday
season brings.
Set a spending limit for yourself and then stick to it! Knowing how
much you have to spend on each gift will help you narrow down
ideas before you shop. Then, make a shopping list with one or
two gift ideas in mind for each individual you plan on gifting. As
you begin to purchase gifts and spend money, be sure to subtract
the amount from your running Christmas budget total. This will let
you know how well you are sticking to your budget.
Other good holiday budgeting tips include:
• Don’t put gift purchases on a credit card. It makes it easier
to overspend.
• Add some generic gifts to your shopping list in case you
realize you forgot to buy something for someone. That way
you don’t have to make an extra trip to the mall or scramble
last minute.
• Be upfront about a spending limit with groups you’re a part
of that want to do a gift exchange like Secret Santa.
• Take advantage of Black Friday sales.
You may be tempted to do a lot of your holiday shopping online.
This is understandable as there are probably a lot of good deals
and you can get a lot done quicker, but don’t forget how important
it is to support local businesses! There are so many shops and
vendors in Omaha that sell items that would make amazing gifts.
With R.U. Nuts Co., you can give the gift of delicious coffee and
gourmet nuts, chocolate, candy, trail mixes, snacks, dried fruit,
seeds, grains, and beans! R.U. Nuts, a family-owned company,
began small batch roasting and called it Ahroma Specialty
Coffee. Ahroma roasts delicious and dense “specialty grade”
coffee beans in small batches, blending signature and house
blends to match whatever profi le of fl avor you desire. They have
over a hundred blends and fl avors available to be paired with
top brand names that they carry like Big Train, Torani, Monin,
and many more.
Good coffee is something every offi ce should have as a perk
for the entire staff, but it’s especially good to have around when
entertaining guests and clients. During the chilly holiday months
ahead, you’re likely to go through coffee pretty quick! Make sure
you stock up. You can purchase whole bean or coffee grounds by
8oz, 1lb, or 5lb. R.U. Nuts also sells frappuccino, chai, and cider
powder, fruit smoothie mix, cocoa, Italian syrups and sauces, and
much more. Order some for your offi ce or your next event!
“No celebration is complete without
snacks!” Charlotte Ralston, owner of
R.U. Nuts, exclaimed. “Let us help you
put together a combination of delicious
chocolate, gourmet trail mixes, nuts, and
freshly roasted coffee for your next event!
Use our stackable tubs or fun food-fi lled
baskets for a centerpiece. Great for an
offi ce party, client gift, or holiday family
gathering, our gift baskets have something
that everyone will enjoy. We can include
your promotional item, company mug, or
other items you provide. Your name is your
most important asset, so we can customize
any label with YOUR name.”
Charlotte Ralston
R.U. Nuts Co. and
Ahroma Specialty Coffee
Also, don’t forget that gifting a shared experience is just as special
as something that can be wrapped and put under the Christmas
tree. A gift idea for a group of friends is treating them to a spa
day! Creative Hair Design Salon & Spa offers special group
packages that will allow you to experience their full range of
hair, skin care, body care, and nail services. Not only would this
make for a great gift, it’s also a time for you to relax your mind
and body and enjoy yourself. These are important things to do
in the midst of all the hustle and bustle!
At Creative Hair Design, all spa services are offered on their
luxurious second fl oor spa in comfortable, private rooms. A spa
coordinator will work directly with you to ensure that you have the
most pleasant experience possible. For optimal results, book as far
in advance as possible (6–8 weeks beforehand is recommended).
It might seem silly to “pencil in” time for yourself, but as you are
making your holiday lists, decluttering the basement, purchasing
decorations, and coordinating with your family, you may fi nd
that free time is hard to come by. It’s important to take care of
yourself, body and mind.
On that note, another great way to avoid stress this holiday season
is knowing how to say no. In your social life, you may fi nd yourself
invited to various holiday dinners and parties, but you don’t have
to attend them all. Keep your budget in mind and your workload.
It’s okay to nicely decline commitments that are not high on your
holiday goals list so you can focus your time and energy on the
things you really value this holiday season.
By making some positive steps toward getting your holiday
plans and needs in order now, you can spend more time
enjoying family and friends when the season actually arrives!
42 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Resell
Remodeling
If you’re thinking of selling your home, you may also be considering
what updates need to be made in order to increase the overall value of
your home. Maybe you’ve spent time and money updating the interior
of the house but the exterior is still in serious need of attention. Are
there stains on the carpet or outdated wallpaper on the walls? Besides
the kitchen and bathrooms, what are some other good remodeling
projects to invest in before selling? Each house is different, and the
decision to spend more time and money on fixing things also depends
on the current condition of the market.
Nebraska is known nation-wide to have an affordable and healthy
housing market. According to a national analysis by Redfin, Omaha
homes are, on average, only on the market for about 10 days and
usually receive at least two offers. Homes are very likely to sell around
their listed price. However, even though it’s a hot seller’s market and
you can probably get away with fewer fix-ups before selling, a home
that needs a lot of repairs will deliver a lower price in any market.
Buyers might not even bother to look at a home that needs too much
major work done.
According to Kyle Rasmussen with Z Design
Tile and Stone Showroom, if a homeowner is
considering selling in the next 4–5 years and
their home is out of date, they should strongly
consider updating their home, specifi cally
their kitchen and master bathroom. This will
allow the homeowner to enjoy their renovation
for a few years while increasing their chances
for a quick sale and for a higher asking price.
“The three main areas a homeowner can
update to attract more buyers are the master
Kyle Rasmussen bathroom, kitchen, and living room fireplace,”
Z Design Tile and Kyle informed us. “These are the focal points
Stone Showroom of the home and when updated are sure to
excite any potential buyer. Tile plays a major
role in both the kitchen and master bathroom so it should be updated
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
You find the perfect home,
we’ll find the perfect loan.
Whether you are a first time
home buyer, moving into a new
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home, let our experience work
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and protects your investment.
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David Wetig
Residential Lending Sales
Manager
402-939-3720
NMLS #402107
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 43

to today’s standards. Geometric designs in smaller areas and large
tile in open areas will help sell your house quick. If the homeowner is
looking to sell their home in the near future and not dive into a big
renovation, a fresh coast of neutral colored paint and a new kitchen
backsplash will go a very long way.”
way to attract buyers and receive top dollar for a home they wish to
sell. It’s currently a strong seller’s market, and buyers have been facing
inventory challenges in certain price ranges. A seller that has made
quality improvements and upgrades are typically experiencing high
demand for their home and, in a lot of cases, receiving multiple offers.
Z Design Tile and Stone was built to provide gorgeous tile, amazing
As a homeowner, careful consideration should be made regarding
service, and design assistance. They have interior designers on staff
which improvements provide the best return on the investment and
who will sit down with clients and take the time to help the them select
which would be considered more of a personal preference and may
the perfect combination of tile and the right tile layout for their space.
not lead to a higher resale value.”
This hands-on approach sets Z Design apart and allows the client to
make educated decisions to help sell their home.
If you’re wanting to sell your house, getting a pre-inspection of your
home before putting it on the market is a good idea. Normally,
the buyers are the ones who set up formal inspections, but doing it
beforehand can put you ahead of the game. For one, it automatically
opens a gateway of trust between buyer and seller. You can foreclose
all issues up front, repair them beforehand, and protect yourself from
any potential claims your buyer may attempt to make later.
Most buyers want a home that’s in move-in ready condition. So after
the inspection, it’s helpful to make a list of everything that’s defective,
broken, or worn out. Smart sellers will then
weigh the cost of the proposed improvements
against the home’s market value after the
repairs or upgrades are completed.
David went into more detail about which aspects of the home should
be first considered for remodeling.
“The first suggestion is remodeling the kitchen,” he said. “Since the
kitchen is considered the heart of the home, upgrades in this area
generally pay off. However, you don’t need to invest in a deluxe
gourmet kitchen that doesn’t fit with the rest of the house. Fresh paint,
energy-efficient appliances, granite countertops, new backsplash, and
quality hardwood or tile flooring will make a big difference.”
“Another area that draws the attention of buyers are the bathrooms,”
David continued. “If you only have one bathroom, it would be worth
the money to add a second bathroom, if possible. Can you convert a
closet or an area under the stairs to add a half-bath? When remodeling
existing bathrooms, look to purchasing fixtures, sinks, and toilets on sale
at major home improvement stores. The last area for consideration is
the ability to reinvent a room to add more useable square footage for
David Wetig from American National Bank
other needs a potential homeowner might have. This is much more cost
gave us more insight on the matter: “As home
effective in comparison to doing a new addition. Options might include
values have been increasing over the past
finishing a basement, converting an attic into a bedroom or recreational
few years, more homeowners are considering
room, or turning space above a garage into an apartment. Rooms
the option of remodeling and making
that offer versatility have a greater appearance to potential buyers.”
improvements to their current home. Some
are doing it because they see it as being
Lastly, David provided a list of eight things to get done before putting
your house on the market:
more cost effective compared to the cost of
1. Consider the curb appeal. It’s the first impression your home makes
David Wetig purchasing a new home in order to obtain the
when a potential buyer pulls up to the house so make sure your
American National Bank features they desire while others see it as a
yard looks neat and tidy.
2. De-clutter living areas. If the home is cluttered, it automatically
seems smaller to buyers which will make them question whether or
not it will meet their needs.
3. Depersonalize your space. You should remove all personal items,
family photos, bold artwork, and any furniture that might be less
appealing or a distraction so that potential buyers can visualize
their own belongings in the home.
Explore a variety of unique stone and tile options
for your home. We know the trends, and we’ll help
you find the right look for any room.
4. Repaint walls to neutral colors. Bold accent walls may be your style,
but it’s best to go with neutral colors when you prepare to sell.
5. Touch up any scuff marks. Be sure to clean and touch up baseboards,
walls, and doors to show your home is cared for.
6. Fix any loose handles. Failure to pay attention to these small details
can create uncertainty in a potential buyer.
7. Conduct a smell test. Invite an unbiased third party to your home
to try and detect any pet smells or lingering odors. If the smells
are pervasive, prepare to do some deep cleaning.
8. Clean, clean, clean. You want the home to look spotless.
American National Bank works with customers to determine the best
method to help finance a homeowner’s renovations and improvements.
They will look at the current value of the property and any debt owed to
determine if a cash-out refinance or a home equity loan would provide
the necessary funds to cover the costs of the improvements. Home equity
loans give you the freedom to do everything from remodeling your
kitchen to consolidating your bills. Their fixed-rate home equity loans
mean low interest and affordable, predictable monthly payments.
If equity is limited, there are renovation loan programs available to
American National Bank customers that will take the anticipated value
of the property after renovations into consideration. They provide
experienced home loan originators to determine the product that will
402.415.2804 | 15105 Industrial Rd | Omaha, NE 68144
HeyThere@ZDesignTile.com | www.ZDesignTile.com
best fit their need.
As David mentioned, homebuyers pay extra attention to the quality of
the bathrooms in a house. If your house doesn’t currently have a bathtub,
44 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

that could be a deal breaker for a family with kids or homebuyers who
are elderly or disabled. At Bath Fitter, they have a variety of options
to fit any and all bathtub needs. With over 30 years experience, their
team of experts will install an attractive and functional bathtub in as
little as one day. Bath Fitter is able to avoid the mess and time of a
traditional renovation by measuring, custom designing, and installing
a new acrylic bathtub liner right over your old one. Unlike porcelain,
fiberglass, or enamel surfaces, acrylic can be maintained and kept
looking brand new with a simple buffing compound. Basically, Bath
Fitter tubs last longer than traditional tubs. Also, because acrylic is
colored all the way through, minor scratches won’t show as much and
deeper ones can be buffed out, unlike in conventional materials.
Along with bathtub renovations, Bath Fitter can also do shower
renovations and tub-to-shower conversions. They have a plethora of
accessories, colors, and styles to make your bathtub or shower fit into
whatever style you have going on in your bathroom.
Bathrooms are one of the key rooms in a home that should be repaired,
remodeled, or added before selling. Having enough functional
bathrooms should be the goal before listing your home.
“The quality of bathrooms in a home is
important to potential buyers,” Lallenia
Birge with Big Birge Plumbing confirmed.
“One leaky faucet could deter an interested
buyer. While it may not bother you, buyers
are just seeing money towards a water bill
dripping down the drain a dollar at a time.
Recently, more and more people are looking
into our water-saving options and efficient
fixtures. We also have our eco-friendly,
low-fl ow toilets. They help save money on
Lallenia Birge
Big Birge Plumbing
Chris Langer
Langer Electirc
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
water bills, and they’re a big selling point to
buyers. At Big Birge Plumbing, we understand
the importance of both budget-friendly and
aesthetically pleasing bathroom options for
people remodeling to sell. Lately, I’ve seen a big shift of people wanting
energy-efficient yet high-performance toilets, sinks, and faucets in their
bathrooms. They’re definitely a highlight on a house tour, especially
if you’re able to compare your water bill from before and after the
remodel. Some other simple fixes in the bathroom are re-grouting the
tile, replacing caulk, and changing mirrors.”
Sometimes, a bathroom is just too outdated to work in your home.
If you have a sleek, modern aesthetic all throughout your home, but
your bathroom looks the same as it did when Reagan was in office, it’s
probably time to invest in an update.
Big Birge Plumbing does all things plumbing for bathroom and kitchen
remodels, and their team is known to take pride in their work, be
prompt and efficient, and to leave your home as clean as they found
it. This family-owned business can help you with your clogged toilets,
drain cleaning, water heater repair, gas or water piping, and more.
They provide clean, trustworthy plumbers who are licensed, bonded,
and insured.
When it comes to plumbing, it’s best to let the professionals take care
of the work. You might be tempted to figure a problem out yourself
in order to save some money, but there is a reason it takes so much
training and experience to be considered a master plumberman. You’ll
likely end up spending more money if you go
down the DIY path and the problem ends up
getting worse because you didn’t completely
know what you were doing. The same is true
with it comes to electrical work. Not only can
it be costly to not let a professional do the
work, it can be dangerous. Dealing with wires
and outlets is serious work. If you’re going to
be doing a remodeling project, chances are
there will be electrical work involved. Langer
Electric provides excellent and affordable
electrical service to clients in Omaha and
the surrounding area. The company strives
to have repeated good experiences with its
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OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 45

customers. Owner Chris Langer has many years of experience, and
it’s important to him to keep his services affordable.”
Aside from overseeing the wiring and panel work during a project,
Langer Electric also installs light fixtures. “LED lights, in my opinion, are
a valuable addition to any home,” Chris shared with us. “They cut down
your energy consumption by over 80% and add so much more light
compared to incandescent lighting. Potential buyers will be impressed
with this aspect of a house.”
Something both sellers and buyers need to
keep in mind when either preparing a home
for sale or looking at homes to buy is air flow
efficiency. We spoke to Gunnar Guenette
from Getzschman Heating to learn more
about how a simple test can increase your
resell value.
“At Getzschman Heating, we have our
G-Verify system where we go out and
essentially test all the airflow in your home,”
he explained. “We make sure that the
Gunnar Guenette
Getzschman Heating
complete system is running at maximum
efficiency. If it’s not, it’s best to get it fixed
and add that as a plus of your home. Also,
most people don’t realize that just replacing the furnace doesn’t always
fix the problem. It’s best to know what’s actually going on with your
airflow than to just make a guess based on what you read online. Just
getting your home tested could increase your resell value since you and
the buyer know for sure that your home’s heating and cooling systems
aren’t costing you extra on utilities bills.”
“You’ll have to consider the age of the system,” Gunnar added. “After
10–15 years, your heating and air conditioning systems will definitely
require major repairs. Potential homebuyers know this if they’ve done
their research. To increase your chances of getting your desired asking
price when it’s time to sell, make sure you’re updating your systems
on schedule.”
Getzschman Heating is one of Nebraska’s premier heating and air
conditioning repair and installation companies. They pride themselves
on being a family business that has been locally owned and operated
since its inception in 1960. They offer a 100% Customer Satisfaction
Guarantee that they put in writing since, to Getzschman, no job is
complete until the customer is absolutely satisfied. When you contact
Getzschman, you’ll be able to talk to a real person, not a machine,
to receive service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They give free
estimates, day or night any day of the week, to make sure that you
know exactly what’s going on with the repair or replacement process
100% of the time.
Another home system that requires routine
maintenance is a septic tank. According to
the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, more than one in fi ve households
in the U.S. rely on septic systems. It can
sometimes be off-putting for potential buyers
who are unfamiliar with septic tanks. The best
thing to do to prevent confusion and concern
during the selling process is to make sure to
regularly take care of your system while
you’re living in the home and to perform
a complete septic assessment before you
sell. Aimee Hoffman, offi ce manager at
Midland Pumping Service, shared some
more information with us.
Aimee Hoffman
Midland Pumping Service
“Well, to start, septic tanks should be routinely pumped every 3–5
years,” Aimee stated. “The frequency of pumps is determined by
your household size, septic tank size, amount of waste generated, and
other factors. If you don’t do these regular maintenance checks, you
could end up spending thousands of dollars to repair or replace your
malfunctioning system. Some banks won’t give mortgages to potential
buyers if there are any issues with the septic system, so it could also
limit your number of offers.”
A 4315 South 120th St.
P 402.334.4900
W echosystemsmidwest.com
Lighten the mood.
Your home is yours. It’s the place to make your own. You choose the paint color, the style, the décor, but why stop the customization there? At Echo
Systems, it is our passion to create custom solutions for your home to best fit your lifestyle. From intuitive lighting and window shades that set the
mood the moment you step in a room, to home theaters or audio technology that put control at your fingertips. Home innovation and customization
starts at Echo Systems and continues on through your daily life. Schedule a tour of our Experience Center and find out just how much is possible.
Commercial & Residential Control Systems | Lighting Control | Private Theater | Audio & Visual Solutions | Electronic Shading
46 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart

“Other than the issue of selling, not following through with proper
maintenance of your system could be a threat to you, your family, your
neighbors, and the environment,” Aimee continued. “Improperly treated
sewage has the potential to contaminate all nearby surface waters.
Malfunctioning septic tanks release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals
to local waterways. You can promote the health of your system by not
flushing random items and chemicals, like paper towels, paints, coffee
grounds, kitty litter, and dental floss. Basically no non-biodegradable
products should be put into your septic system through drains or toilets.”
Another factor to consider, especially if your house has remodeling
done or if you’re planning to remodel, is whether or not your septic
tank is sized for your home.
Midland Pumping provides superior pumping services, which are always
prompt and affordable. They offer free estimates, a knowledgeable
staff, and more than 25 years of experience. Midland Pumping can
help you with pumping and drain cleaning, grease trap systems, and
septic tanks.
Something that hasn’t been mentioned yet is how profitable upgrading
the electronics in your home can be. While many people believe that
upgrading the technology of a home is not such a good idea because
of how quickly it evolves, it’s actually the opposite if homeowners are
smart about how they invest in it. Technology still develops quickly but
definitely not as fast as it used to. So, if you’re thinking of selling your
home in the next five years, a technological upgrade can boost your
home value as much as 3–5%.
Doug Dushan from Echo Systems told us
more about what electronic system upgrades
can do for potential sellers.
“Technology has become a much more
common expectation from buyers,” he
stated. “Cleanliness and organization is just
as important in this respect as it is in the fit
and finish of the home. Having three remote
controls on a coffee table doesn’t induce a
picture of ease and comfort that potential
Doug Dushan
Echo Systems
#PrintProudDigitalSmart
buyers desire. Clients often come to us for
advice on this when thinking of selling their
home. Just as a homeowner would consult an
interior designer, realtor, or furniture stager
in the selling process so should clients consider contacting an electronic
systems provider with an aesthetically minded focus.”
“When selling a home, the technology really sets the mood for the
potential buyers,” added Doug. “Soft music, surround sound, and hidden
technology is soothing and definitely a selling point. Plus, you’ll get to
enjoy the upgrade while you still live in the home! Distributed music,
but particularly outdoor sound, has become an important feature in
helping clients imagine a relaxed and pleasurable lifestyle as they
survey their new potential home. Security features such as cameras
can also be a powerful selling tool, as clients will envision how they
and their family will feel safer in their new home. For some people,
security systems are a must-have, and they’re willing to pay the price
for their security and sense of well-being.”
Choosing the right home automation company is a crucial part of the
upgrade. Buyers definitely notice the difference between the seamless
integration of technology throughout the home and spotty and hardto-operate
technology. It’s important to have a team of professionals
who you can trust to handle the demands of the project and, most
importantly, exceed your expectations. That’s why Echo Systems
believes no one should settle for sub-par service. They use technology
to elevate your expectations of what a home can be. They provide
only the most exceptional support and system solutions. They make
sure every design, installation, and application of technology in your
home is the best it can be within your budget.
While the structure and internal functions of a home are going to be
where the major value is derived, the exterior of a home shouldn’t be
overlooked. First impressions mean a lot when the market is this fast
paced. Smart sellers want buyers to fall in love with the home before
they even step inside.
“Though it can be one of the more costly
remodeling undertakings, replacing old
siding will attract more potential buyers,”
Darren Johnson from Exterior Options told
us. The siding is the most noticeable part of
your home from the street. When trying to
sell, neutral choices normally do the best.
Just changing your house from a blue to
a grey can make the price point jump up.
Whenever you choose to add something to
the home, make sure it appeals to as many
buyers as possible. Renovations that nobody
likes won’t add any value to the home. Next, I
normally say look at the gutters and the roof.
Those areas are what people will look at in terms of how recently
they’ve been updated since they can bear the brunt of the negative
consequences of an old, leaky roof.”
“A trend I’ve seen is that people are leaning towards energy efficient
windows,” Darren added. “People are always looking to lower
their heating and air conditioning costs, and new windows can pay
themselves off over time. At Exterior Options, we specialize in double
hung windows, bay windows, picture windows, palladian windows,
and French doors.”
Exterior Options has been making homes look great in the Omaha area
since 2003. They specialize in siding, windows, doors, decks, gutters,
fences, hail damage repair, and more. They always work to improve the
exterior of your home by executing your project with quality products,
expertise, and top-notch customer service.
Even though Omaha is currently a strong seller’s market, there are
still many improvements and remodeling projects you can carry
out to ensure you get top dollar for your home. Don’t hesitate
to reach out to local experts who are committed to getting
your home in the best condition before it hits the market.
Thank You
Omaha!
Darren Johnson
Exterior Options
402.575.0102 | bigbirgeplumbing.com
OCTOBER 2019 Strictly Business 47

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
Unique Barn Venues +
Campfire Sites and Hayrides
Have Your Next Event or Group Outing at
Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch!
Buena Vista - Seats up to
225, minimum 175
Hungry Moose Lodge - Seats
up to 160, minimum 75
Frontier Room - Seats up to
160, minimum 75.
Kicking Horse Cafe &
Pavilion - Seats up to 25
Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch offers a true country experience right outside of Omaha. The ranch has five barn venues
available to rent out, each with their own unique personality: The Western Barn, Buena Vista, Hungry Moose Lodge, Frontier
Room, and Kicking Horse Cafe & Pavilion. These can be reserved for wedding ceremonies and receptions, class and family
reunions, corporate events, birthday parties, graduations parties, and so much more. There are additional outdoor spaces
on the ranch that make the perfect setting for wedding ceremonies and celebrations. Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch
does not allow outside catering, but their catering options specialize in BBQ meats and farm-fresh salads, much of which is
produced on the farm. They also feature many ethnic meals along with vegetarian dishes.
Reserve a Campfire Spot for Your Group!
Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch has over 25 campfire and picnic areas, which can be reserved separately for more
intimate group gatherings of up to 50 people. Trained staff will start all campfires and each site is equipped with firewood,
a picnic table, some benches, and hot dog/s’more sticks. Groups can bring in snacks and drinks (no outside alcoholic
beverages) or take advantage of the farm’s catering options. There are also many food stands and the Pirates Pub is open
on the weekends serving adult beverages, turkey legs, and more. Daytime campfire site rental includes the use of multiple
recreational areas, including How the West Was Fun kids play area, Pirate’s Cove, Enchanted Forest, Frontier Town, the Great
Pumpkin Round Up, and more. Nighttime rentals include admission to one attraction, the famous “Ranch of Terror” haunted
house or the haunted hayride. You can upgrade while on-site to include both attractions during your visit.
The ranch is known for the most downright fun hayrides around. The 30-minute rides will take you on a journey through
20 acres of wonderful forest. The forest changes with the seasons, so depending on what time of year you visit, you’ll get to
see a variety of characters that live in woods at Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch. The “Ranch of Terror” full of live scares is
available during the Halloween season, September 20 through October 27, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. It has
been named one of the top Midwest haunted attractions.
Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch is located at 11001 S 48 St., in Papillion between Cornhusker and Highway 370.
Events and Haunted Attractions: (402) 661-4786 | Campfires and Company Picnics: (402) 812-6960
General Questions: (402) 331-5500 | bellevueberryfarm.com
48 Strictly Business OCTOBER 2019 #PrintProudDigitalSmart