FAB 50:
A LIFE GUIDED BY FATE
Business Journal
TODD STUBBENDIECK’S PATH FROM D.C. TO AARP NEBRASKA
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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY ACROSS NEBRASKA & BEYOND
MBJ.COM
VOLUME 52, No. 39
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SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
Omaha’s Growth Moment SCALE, NUMBER OF PROJECTS A COMPETITIVE CATALYST FOR REGION BY MICHELLE RENNE LEACH
OMAHA, Nebraska — The Building a Better Omaha Committee today launched a citywide campaign urging Omaha voters to approve both General Obligation bond questions on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. The measures would provide new bonding authority for public facilities and park improvements, with City officials identifying a proposed joint Omaha Police and Fire headquarters and completion of the Tranquility Park redevelopment as the principal intended projects.
Eppley Airfield modernization, the streetcar project, the largest and most ambitious investment in University of Nebraska history (Project Health), Mutual of Omaha’s new downtown headquarters, the transformed Omaha RiverFront and the CHI Health Center expansion are among visible or noteworthy projects highlighted by Omaha leaders as reshaping the metro’s physical and economic landscape. While Greater Omaha Chamber President and CEO Heath Mello said it’s always been a steady and resilient economy, the scale and intentionality of current growth are distinguishing characteristics. “In 2025 alone, projects supported through the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership represented a record $12.3 billion in capital investment,” he said. Mello said the challenge is to translate momentum into more jobs, stronger wages, and sustained population and workforce growth. Citing federal data from July, leisure and hospitality employment growth led the metro’s major private sector categories (up 7.6% from a year earlier). Constructionrelated employment was the next fastestgrowing sector, up 7.2% year over year,
BETTER OMAHA ON PAGE 23
OMAHA ON PAGE 07
GENE LEAHY MALL (PHOTO COURTESY BY MECA)
BUSINESS NEWS
BUILDING A BETTER OMAHA CAMPAIGN URGES APPROVAL OF TWO BOND ISSUES
INSIDE: Focus Section
Tax and Accounting
• PERMANENT CHANGES EVERYTHING • CHILDCARE BENEFIT UNDERUSED • STATE WIDENS CPA PATH
START ON Page 16
IN THIS ISSUE Business Journal EDITOR’S pick
Established in 1975
VOLUME 52, No. 39 SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
Hustle Set For Sept. 30
CONFERENCE BRINGS TOP KEYNOTES, INVESTORS TO CREIGHTON
Publisher / CEO Andrea “Andee” Hoig Executive Editor Daisy Hutzell-Rodman
BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN
Editorial & Digital Content Coordinator Anna Blumenthal
Hustle Conference, now in its third year, returns Sept. 30 to the Heider College of Business at Creighton University, 602 N. 20th St., with a lineup co-founder Eric Gautschi says has been “leveled up” for entrepreneurs, founders and investors. Gautschi said this year’s conference is going bigger and bolder with its keynote roster, bringing in speakers who have accomplished significant things in business and can offer attendees useful, practical advice. The daylong event, running 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., also has assembled a group of Nebraska business founders whose experiences, he said, can help other business owners navigate their own growth. “This is not a conference built around polished success Dan Murphy, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Liquid Death stories or surface-level advice,” Gautschi said. “Hustle creates space for honest conversations about building, adapting, failing, growing and making and I will be about the power of radical common sense.” the relationships that can move an idea or business forward.” An Omaha founders panel will feature Jennifer DiMotta of Uprisors Growth The lineup includes Chris Barton, founder and original CEO of Shazam, delivering Partners, Molly Huyck of Aequitas Invest and SET The Bar, Stephanie Olson of Set Me the opening keynote, “Bringing Impossible Ideas to Life.” Barton built the music- Free, Karen Borchert of Alpaca and Renee Black of Planit for a candid discussion on identification platform years before smartphone apps existed; Shazam has since building, leading and scaling a business. been downloaded more than 2 billion times. Zach Holman, whose career spans One recurring theme Gautschi hears from founders, whether early-stage or in GitHub, GitLab and Signed, will lead a midday conversation on building and growing growth mode, is the challenge of connecting with investors. This year’s conference companies in Silicon Valley. will feature a strong presence of angel investors and capital firms looking to meet with The closing keynote, “Building a Brand in This Moment,” features Dan Murphy, growing companies, he said. senior vice president of marketing at Liquid Death, and Andy Pearson, the “There’s founders looking for capital, and there’s investors — venture capital company’s vice president of creative. The pair helped turn a canned-water brand firms and angel investors — looking for growing companies to invest in,” Gautschi into one of the most talked-about names in beverages by refusing to act like a said. “It’s a great place to find these resources that can change things for a lot typical beverage company. of people.” “Our founder Mike realized the most fun advertising came from the most unhealthy Among those addressing that gap is Erica Wassinger, a venture investor and stuff — booze, fast food, junk food,” Murphy said. “He wondered what would happen co-founder of Proven Ventures, who will lead an “Ask Me Anything” breakout session if you marketed healthy beverages that way, using infinitely recyclable aluminum cans on raising, using and returning capital. Wassinger said founders who struggle to find instead of single-use plastic bottles. The rapid growth of Liquid Death suggests people funding aren’t necessarily facing a shortage of capital — they may just be looking at will make healthier, more sustainable choices when you do.” the wrong kind. Pearson said the brand’s approach exploits how people actually process “If you’re a founder and you’re having trouble finding capital, you might not be information. finding the right capital for you,” Wassinger said. “For years there have been two “Our brains are conditioned to look for replication and patterns to make it easy for types of capital — equity or private equity — and they call the shots. Now there are us to move through the world,” Pearson said. “By creating ideas that are 180 degrees more options. We took the best of debt and the best of equity and combined them.” away from what our brains expect, we break through to people, make them stop and She said Proven Ventures looks for founders focused less on scaling for its own make them actually engage with it. That’s the definition of disruption. A lot of startups sake and more on serving the customers they already have. like to throw that word around, but Liquid Death is a perfect example of it executed “Our capital is really built for founders who love their customer and want to in a deeply insightful way.” keep serving them,” Wassinger said. “I need people who need more capital for Both men said the lessons scale down far smaller than Liquid Death’s current sales and support — because if I can unlock that bottleneck, I can serve more budget suggests. of my customers.” “Liquid Death still has incredibly tiny budgets compared with others in the beverage Her advice to founders: Don’t overlook debt. space,” Murphy said. “Our launch video that got tens of millions of views was made for “Founders need to remember that debt has better uses than equity,” Wassinger said. under $10,000. It’s never been easier to make content for almost nothing — a great “You can use debt to finance sales team expansion — equity is expensive for that. If you idea and a smartphone is really all it takes.” know the path to grow, even directionally, debt is often the better way to go. The most “We were forced to adopt the style of marketing we do because we were a tiny sophisticated founders have found a way to make debt work for them.” startup,” Pearson said. “When you have next to no money and are competing against What draws her to Hustle, Wassinger said, is the caliber of people in the room. some of the biggest, most well-funded brands on the planet, you create explosively “It’s a room full of people creating meaningful value — not just of returns, but of creative ideas that can generate their own momentum and go viral online. Our the industry they are in,” she said. “It’s not a room of ideators.” playbook hasn’t really changed from day one to today.” Beyond the keynotes and panel, the day includes speed networking, communityMurphy said he hopes attendees leave with a simple takeaway. voices presentations, lunch, breakout sessions and interactive conversations, followed “The best way to get a brand message into actual minds is to not make ads, but by an after-party beginning at 5 p.m. at Brickway Brewery & Distillery in the Old Market. rather genuine entertainment,” Murphy said. “I also think most brand leaders would Gautschi said he’s most looking forward to the energy in the room, both from what be much better served spending a few days in a town like Omaha, connecting with happens onstage and from the attendees themselves. real people, than all of the big advertising award shows combined.” “I’ve seen the names of people who are coming, and it’s really exciting. It’s really Added Pearson: “The real lesson behind Liquid Death is that there is a better way going to be high-energy,” he said. Tickets are $299, and information and registration are available at to do everything. We’re usually just too wrapped up in what we’re doing to step back and look at the big picture in a critical way. A lot of what founders will hear from Dan hustleconference.com.
Sales and Business Development Jane Shinn Advertising Assistant Julie Whitehead 402-330-1760 mbj.com
BUSINESS news
CONTRIBUTORS
CREATIVE: Jalapeño Designs • Mike Cottrell Waking Words, LLC • Rob Killmer PHOTOGRAPHY: Debra S. Kaplan Monica Sempek Photography Roger Humphries Photography SENIOR WRITERS: Dwain Hebda Kara Schweiss WRITERS: Chris Hatch Michelle Leach Tim Rohwer Brooke Strickland Wendy Townley Tim Trudell PRINTER: White Wolf Web Dedicated to Robert G. “Bob” Hoig (1932-2019) Founder Zane D. Randall (1925-2006) Co-founder LeAnne M. Iwan (1932-1986) First News Editor The Midlands Business Journal (ISSN 0194-4525) is published weekly by MBJ Inc. and is available for $2.00 per individual copy, $99 per year (print + digital) or $60 (digital only). Editorial offices are 8709 F St. #113, Omaha, NE 68127. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE POSTMASTER. Send address changes to Midlands Business Journal, 8709 F St. #113, Omaha, NE 68127. All submissions to the Midlands Business Journal become the property of the Midlands Business Journal and will not be returned. ADVERTISING 402-330-1760 or sales@mbj.com Written permission must be obtained from Midlands Business Journal and MBJ, Inc., to post any of our stories or other published materials on a website. Under no circumstances, because of spamming potential and other issues, will permission be granted to transmit our stories by email. -The Publisher
Page 3 • September 18, 2026
Husker Hounds
KAPLAN GRAPHY BY DEBRA S. BY TIM TRUDELL | PHOTO
OWNER SCOTT STRUNC
250 Businesses 250 Visionaries 250 Making a Difference lty Pays OffFAN DEDICATION Big Red Loya KA BUSINESS ON NEBRAS SCOTT STRUNC BUILDS
No Name N
utrition Ma
he said. through the whole thing,” “The fans have been the heroes had to get a real job. When they d to own I would have known he was destine “If it weren’t for our fans, Scott Strunc should have Growing a, there truly isn’t. Nebraska Cornhuskers. say there’s no place like Nebrask most proud of a business related to the his childhood. That BY TAMSEN “They’ve probably proven that more now; I’m probably irrelevant in early games BUTLER | PHO TRENT HURL up a Husker fan, he attended because we’ve been pretty college buddies TOGRAP EY, SECO around, with stillHY tripsND led to road BY KAYLEIGH GENERATI the fact that we’re A lot of turmoil, a lot of ON CO-OWNE obsession with the Big Red TIPTON 20 years now. R in football for going on about keep coming in to to other Big Eight schools. filling that stadium. They y of Nebraska Omaha, Strunc loyal.” firings, but the fans keep While a student at the Universit ed him be happy, but they’re always store. They might not always theFOU and his sister, a Marine, encourag reset, a use could he n, NDED: 1976 figured policema sign up in the Army as a military to Set military. the He FOU join to NDED BY: truck driver. r-focused in the Army Reserves as a ome Cust Strunc NANCY e, anywher a friend suggested he enlist gear AND DELYNN buy Husker canHUR Reserves. Knowing that people LEYservice, product selection and CUR spent 11 years in the Army RENT OW NERS:customer Husker Hounds’ the area. believes TRENT HUR g the store from others in LEY in separatin roles AND JOS HUR Strunc said. “I’ll write it down, quality play key ADD LEY RESS: to what the fansHwant,” Fan favorite probation officer in Omaha when he and “We listen some 203 2 N. 72ND look for what they’re asking for. So it’s not a Strunc was working as a Nebrask after we actively ST. andAHA OM Hounds in 1995, a year , NE 681 . his wife Janine opened Husker Osborne place.” 34 Tom cutter cookie in the day, Strunc 144 nship under Head Coach 69 WEST CEN for that young soldier back won its first national champio hit pay dirt as TER ROA If he had any advice OMAHA working out. Figure out D 84th and Center, the Struncs , NEhim 681to44 try harder if things weren’t Located in a strip center at tell would PHONE: the store became a fan favorite. n the space and adapt. was 30 402why realized they had outgrow -393-5812 here for 30 years, and it’s not the same as it After six years, the Struncs building across 402-33 “We’ve been(72ND ST.) things change in the a building of their own. A 3-1300Strunc “It’s still a good area, but said.CEN they had leased and sought ago,” (WEST on business. TER ROA whatever the next generati WEByears to D) big red flag signifying Strunc’s SITEso be able to adapt you better the street soon hoisted a AMENUT city, : NON locations, and -mortar RITI brick-and our d ON. HOURS: wants. We’ve always prioritize COM not been blind to the MON: 9:30 my heart lies. But I have also still where that that’s A.M .-8 P.M Loyal fans . buying more online, and so we’re making TUES-S Husker fans have years, 30 AT: are Hounds’ 9:30 people fact that A.M.-6 P.M For nearly 20 of Husker football program, SUN: CLO SED challenging times for the at a higher level.” . work remained faithful through Strunc said.
rket
No Name Nutrition Market
OMAHA’S OR IGINAL FAMI LY-OWNED HEALTH FO OD STORE As No
Name Nutrition Mark anniversary next year, co-ow et approaches its 50th think back to ner the humble begin Trent Hurley can’t help As a child, he but dealt with painf ning of this Omaha stapl e. and suffered ul canker sores throu and cold sores aspirin and popsi gh a regimen suggested by his physi cles. Then, his moth in at a nutrition er, Nancy Hurle cian of shop and asked y, stopped for According to Trent, the owne advice. probiotics and r at that time sugge a change to Trent canker sores ’s diet. As a result sted and cold sores , the painful cleared up withi “My mom was n two weeks. secretary and so impressed that she quit started worki ng there,” Trent her job as a a year, Nancy said. In less than and her husba nd, Lynn, bough Name Organ ic Vitamins & Supplements, t that store, No No Name Nutri and rebranded tion. it as
From run ning aroun running the busine d to
Trent and his ss brother, Todd, the store grow spent a great ing up. As a child, deal natural foods Trent pushed of time at his running the busin parents served and didn’t back against the pictur working in the ess. But maturity, along with e himself ever store as a child many days spent eventually fall and college stude in love with the nt, made Trent busin Long-time custo mers sometimes ess. remembering joke with Trent seeing him and about “little squirts.” Todd running around the store as “I grew to love the business,” Trent said. “It’s pretty inspiring
when people come back and say that we chang guiding them down a ed their lives by Though No Name path of good health.” Nutrition is now within the Omah a respected mains a tay they faced when area, Trent vividly recalled the difficulties they opened Center Road in the late 1980s their second location on West . “I remember $25 and walked aroun and $50 days,” he said. “People came in we were sitting d to buy a candy bar and a natural pop, there thinking, and we here?’” ‘What are we doing? Why are Despite the rough beginning, the Oakview Mall opening of in the Name Nutrition’s early 1990s changed the the nearby game second locati for No supplements on. As intere and st in nutritional 1990s with the healthy living grew, espec ially rise Nutrition becam of the internet, businesses in the late e increasingly like No Name consumers. sought-after by health-con scious
A varied
BE PART OF SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY JOIN THESE IMPACT 250 BUSINESSES
More fantastic photos from m! Husker Hounds on mbj.co FOUNDED: 1995 RS: FOUNDERS/OWNE SCOTT STRUNC JANINE STRUNC 25-43 NO. OF EMPLOYEES: 58 PHONE: 402-255-00 WEBSITE: OM NDS.C HUSKERHOU RAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN
Sgt. Peffer’s Cafe
N | PHOTOG BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMA
HOURS: AM-9 PM 9 PEFFER SAT: DANA MONOWNER SGT. PEFFER’S SUN: 10 AM-6 PM 1988 ED:PM 7 AM-7 FOUND FOOTBALL GAME DAY:
FOUNDED BY: TIM PEFFER DANA PEFFER CURRENT OWNER: YEES: ABOUT 35 NUMBER OF EMPLO ADDRESS: ROAD, 1501 N. SADDLE CREEK 68104 NE , OMAHA PHONE: 402-558-7717 OM WEBSITE: SGTPEFFERS.C HOURS: 11 A.M.-9 P.M. SUNDAY-THURSDAY: 11 A.M.-10 P.M. DAY: -SATUR FRIDAY
Page 7 • November 14, 2025
More fant No Name Nut astic photos from rition Market on mbj.com !
acy Lives On NESS A Delicious Leg IN BUSI OACHES FOUR DECADES
conventional medical interv ention. Trent educators at and his team heart, are knowledgeable spread rapidly about No how to take care and consistently try to help Name staff clients learn of themselve provided to client and the personalized atten Nutrition’s s. “You don’t want to go to the docto about wellness s and today’s team is no less tion they he said. “You r every time you and healthy living want to be able passionate Creek Road drives or offer medic e,”down Saddle Peffersneez to build your . Taking care nutrition and Dana al advice that Every morning, The body up throu not to diagnose diets and every should come what professional, gh challenges await. thing knowing not t Trent else.” from they lean on attributes Noto her restauran a medical boasts 37 years of their long years Name Nutritowner provide helpf of Sgt. Peffer’s Cafe, which based family family ion’s succe of experience ul, perso business.latest ss cuisine North Saddle Creek Road, to beingS.ataKAP to He derive While some client nalized guidance. faith-LAN guidance from RA 1501 s a great Italian homemade deal BY DEB s are simply curiou his faithserving HY of streng RAP living, others and th TOGthe as an adventure. and daylegac built. His advic DELL | sees s about healt PHOfrom every with are seeking relief y of what hier ‘What am I going to deal his like, for ailments that and I’m TIM TRUe to hopeful“Ibusin paren down BY drive ts literally ess “Devo owners reflec people that have had their first dates te your life persist despi ts this. te Page 19 • Septem said.”I’ve had as much Peffer others,” he said. to God wedding.” today?’” as you ber 26, 2025 and then we catered their and tohere, “That’s why we’re engaged getcan, helpin JUDITH REIS g here, and then in this business.” AIRES AND OWNERS
clientele Word-of-mouth
SGT. PEFFER’S CAFE APPR
ry Reis’ Bake
his Family-friendly vibes by her father, Tim, who began
The restaurant was founded partnered in Ames, Iowa. In 1979, he that hospitality journey at Minsky’s to launch Pefferoni’s, a concept with his brother, Walt Peffer, in May 1986 years. Tim left the company grew to 17 locations in seven Sgt. Peffer’s Cafe. and two years later, he founded restaurant started small but its the s, As with many new ventures, sauces and fresh ingredient homemade utilizing scratch-made dishes, as well as an year. Tim was an innovator led its expansion within a only set Sgt. drive-thru window that not for entrepreneur, installing a in the area, it now accounts Peffer’s apart from other pizzerias Catering also represents significant business. ’s 60% of the restaurant luncheons. from baby showers to funeral revenue, serving everything and pride that stressed work ethic Dana grew up in a home working in her patriarch’s footsteps, of of ownership. She followed college at the University at the restaurant while attending Nebraska Omaha.
that good work ethic, and I adopted “He just always had a really passion. He’s a said. “My dad has a lot of from him for sure,” Dana I love him very much.” very hardworking man, and Dana left management degree in 2008, After she earned a sports Tim when 2014 May in ies but returned to pursue other opportunit was unhappy in her job. needed hip surgery and she called my dad to this place,” she said. “I “I always felt drawn back He said, like where I’m at right now.’ crying and said, ‘Dad, I don’t time for good a is this maybe replaced, so ‘Well, I need to get my hips you to come back.’”
A new era
and nt of both the original location Dana took over manageme 2013. that Tim had opened in December family the Carter Lake restaurant the of life in the restaurant business, Through the ups and down various through changing tastes, persevered and weathered has pandemic, access and even a global construction projects affecting grace. saving a was window where once again Tim’s drive-thru Dana said. sales ever since we opened,” “We actually had the most Park.” “We had a line down to Metcalf carries into its fourth decade, Dana As Sgt. Peffer’s continues service. of hard work and community forward her father’s legacy say,” she said. could you guess I blood, “You know, it’s just in my product, My dad created a really good BY DAWN GON “I’m so humbled, I’m so grateful. fantastic photos from ZALES | PHO More for 37 years now.” TOGRAP and obviously we’ve lasted ! OWNERS MIKE BY on Cafe DEBmbj.com RA S. KAPLAN Sgt. Peffer’sHY AND LISA ROSS
The Corky
Page 26 • November 7, 2025
sing HEROES ors MUTisE TO FALLEN et Hon TRIB ITH W NavySTVRIE D S PAIRE ts FRESH PA
Canvas
FOUNDED: 2018 FOUNDED BY: ANGIE LEWIS CURRENT OWNERS: MIKE AND LISA ROS S ADDRESS: 200 S. 31S T AVE., SUI TE 4104 OMAHA, NE 402-637-4 68131 066 3700 S. 9TH ST., SUITE LINCOLN C , NE 68502 402-421-6 731 WEBSITE: CORKYCAN VAS.COM SOCIAL MED IA: LINKEDIN HOURS: M-F , 10 A.M.-5 P.M.
s redien mers who have had issue their baked Fresh ing said custo riences with h flour, Reis notice Using Frenc haven’t had those expe immediately An are . customers gluten c photos from consuming constantly comp Reis’ Bakery, with a white tablecloth in a More fantasti on mbj.com! ed y come in and rose Walking into s. red drap “The a er, good said. with had.” the corn idea,” he to Paris r setting, Reis’ Bakery as Missing the table in nothing “We had no what their recent trip single dinne women listed ingredients, to in front of a r the men and returned home from empty chair on using fresh what we make yet r items, hono prides itself not ry othe ldn’t and have bake wou I The vase , who that Reis said. it’s nothing soner of War they in Action/Pri prepackaged, MIA/POWs. into them, and can pronounce and . what goes the return of we don’t know you 2025 “We know America’s wars Reis’ Bakery is tied to “Everything FOUNDED: home, but and simple.” ly,” he said. S: The future of not only didn’t they come don’t know anything feed my fami iple syllables. It’s plain /OWNER , “We FOUNDERS was built “Many of them said owner Aires Reis. don’t have mult this country S re at,” that, because AIRES REI t s where they’ forge said. S him, Reis foodie , and we can’t Mike and are, Ross JUDITH REI braska ledge of food impressethes food about them that theyLisa Ne ies 5 are .” pass art lders know and the busin ionate abou PLOYEES: EM on their shou t busin Nebraskans’ that Nebraskans were ess of creatingNO. OF ess, them idea art. selve no Whil . they have alwa e not artist nts in thes,few “We had -21s3-2739 Lisa said. “We had to re-ev mersn they to Nebraska Whe ty,” he said. NE: 531 transpla loyal custo an appre transplants aluate content, were looking ys had PHO the team was ciation for it. they know quali been blessed with price points, New Yorkwife, Judith, are New Yorkce, the retired Navy petty putting toget The Corky Canvarou nd to own business, has what her for class Price TE: I come as in 2018 just aWE The bakery said. one servi purchasing n M points differ on of BSI Reis duty whe nt , Reis and his e eme bled open activ “We wantedthis. made good sens YOMAHA.COlocati urag canvas size, and es and the schedule.” been 19 years of ed something that extremely hum would at the enco KER ons offer week months it’s e. The Corky Canva ly and ha need was funREI After almost amazed and ‘You know, Oma Reis’ Bakery night classes for the supp really enjoy andSBA It’s. just that our custo customers have “I am always class opened Our managers and Thirsty Thurs s t you do.’ tell me, a natural move mers wha officer first options availa are very passi : team, loveour days, so and people we ” r URS Lisa It seemed like . PM and said. corne ble that may onate HO than -3 hters stop the a weekend class it and so AM e don’t be less expen treats out of Beyond provid of their daug sionally. . occaprodu sive ed you. Pleas N-FRI: 7:30is in ing pastries and ialist. MO Need sleep ing said. to spec cts creat Reis and tics of Reis PM ry, The Corky Canvain the ” services, the 8 AM-3 logis months, ck : essence a cottage bake been amazing. some processes will allowwitho d about six Unique cla in at 3 o’clo s is providing a place to SATcore Reis started e. That laste and it just blew come and SUNDAY have to come ut being an artist, Mike Automating sses create th and a half, kitchen at hom e. CLOSED art said. Classes at The goal is to not “Most of our about a mon the demand from hom the couple’s Corky Canvas staff has art exper “The next big business for meaning they change with the To se ience but simple. ive comp said. is have “We were in just couldn’t keep up with world or open have not at a high seasons, art right inromi morning,” he to other entrepreneurshe t andcreat never, ever “We level. the corporate bor back in our community offer individualiz seasonally themed art as up,” he said. well r go back to is the biggest ed options. A Reis’ advice mate the level of efforsaid. we can eithe thing,” “paint your pet” as classes that is that my neigh ry.’” requir that resti Withi thing es lots of prep y ght unde n the ’t I thou . Funn class, paint-and-sip “Don up a bake industry, the Rosse -mortar shop because their a picture of their work for the instructor. Custo for example, ought to open he said. istently ‘You ty,” busin up a brick-and cons g, s pet are mers provide quali ess in uniqu sayin been is privately advance of the e shop of its kind always and has Canvas instru class, and The ctors create a in Nebraska. The owned and theirs were the Brooklyn was doors in July its ber 14, 2025 Corky ed Novem stenc • open are first 8 art templates customer in class il that created by their Page Reis’ Bakery used in their studio to create a one-o will then be painted by the “That is proba staff, not a franchise. f-a-kind piece Some of their bly the most innov busy, Reis said. of art. other unique offeri ative thing we Like so many painted door mats ngs include porch businesses, the do,” signs, The Corky Canva COVID-19 pande Mike said. guests and later and wedding signs used for s greeting recep hung in the coupl (except the two operations. Laying off nearly mic changed tion special day. e’s home as a all of their team store managers) memento of their grab-and-go kits and coming up The Rosses attrib availa with ways to ute their succe have With COVID behin ble helped them to surviv More fantasti via conference ss to weekly e call so that the c photos from team meetings evolve their busin d them, the couple contin the pandemic. Omaha and Linco can participate The Corky ued ess in the Monday Canvas on ln managers of their customers. model to meet the shiftin to change and huddle. They Mike said. mbj.com! g needs and value share everything “People didn’t s , “We have the mone cover the busin The owners like y to come in and ess, the numb be very open ers, have a fun event marke about what is week, the challe to classify the meeting into ting and we try ,” going on with the wins for the nges and the to business,” he the performanc opportunities. locati said. ons are e of the well-v Their teams at both their guests, and ersed in creating positive experiences for Lisa helps to ensur engaged throu e that all staff gh her weekly members are visits to each Page 19 • Octobe studio. r 31, 2025
Passionate About Art AN ARTIS
EVERYONE CAN BE
T AT THE CO RKY CANVAS
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TOP THINGS TO KNOW Boston Omaha Corp. eyes $30M buyback
Boston Omaha Corporation (NYSE: BOC) announced that its board authorized a new $30 million Class A common stock repurchase program. Effective Nov. 1, this initiative replaces a 2025 program under which the Omaha-based advertising firm already repurchased 1.6 million shares. The strategic capital reallocation underscores leadership’s confidence in its intrinsic localized asset value.
Ag giant responds to labor investigation
Pillen Family Farms, the agricultural producer owned by the family of Gov. Jim Pillen, issued statements strongly denying allegations regarding the use of undocumented labor. The corporate response follows a joint investigative report published by the Flatwater Free Press and The New York Times, tracking heavy scrutiny across Nebraska’s ag sector.
OPS eyes tax hike to fix $50M deficit
Omaha Public Schools officials presented a budget proposing an 8.2-cent property tax levy increase to resolve a $50.6 million state aid shortfall. The fiscal gap emerged from a state calculation error, forcing the district to repay $30 million from last year while absorbing a $20 million reduction. Emergency mitigation plans include deploying $27 million from cash reserves.
GreenState to Build New Omaha Branch
GreenState Credit Union has secured the final available lot near 120th and L streets to expand its Omaha footprint. The financial institution will construct a brandnew branch office at 12020 Anne St., placing it right next to a Scooter’s Coffee and a Take 5 Oil Change facility. The newly brokered commercial real estate deal signals continued retail development across the city’s active business corridors.
Streetcar fund tops $4M in grants
The Nebraska Enterprise Fund distributed more than $4 million through Omaha’s $5 million Streetcar Business Impact Fund, issuing 70 grants and 70 loans since August. With 80% of money committed, the targeted relief program actively assists small brick-and-mortar businesses along the transit route experiencing losses during prolonged infrastructure construction.
Casino groundbreaking set for Iowa
Penn Entertainment breaks ground Sept. 14 on the new Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, a $180 million to $200 million land-based destination opening in 2028. The project replaces the adjacent riverboat, features 1,000 slot machines, 25 table games and the area’s first Shake Shack. It will create 450 construction and 50 permanent roles.
Grading begins at 180th & West Dodge
Heavy machinery commenced initial site grading for a highly visible 2.94-acre commercial parcel on the southeast corner of 180th Street and West Dodge Road. The infrastructure work initiates the development phase for a premium commercial asset. This project targets highgrowth retail and professional office footprints along West Omaha’s prime transit corridor.
Retail hub planned for Council Bluffs
The ACCESS Companies initiated major structural renovations at Lake Manawa Centre to combine the vacant Toys R Us and Gordman’s structures into a single retail complex. Big-box giants Ross Dress for Less, HomeGoods and Sierra Trading Post have all signed longterm commercial leases to anchor the new square-footage. Montage Builders is acting as general contractor for the major cross-river commercial corridor development.
Baird Holm absorbs Lincoln law firm
Omaha firm Baird Holm LLP, based in the WoodmenLife Tower, announced a strategic regional expansion after acquiring Lincoln-based firm Seacrest & Kalkowski, PC, LLO. The long-standing capital city firm specializes in complex real estate, zoning and land-use law. The merger, effective April 1, 2027, will significantly scale up Baird Holm’s commercial development practice and institutional billing capacity across Lancaster County.
Specialty grocery store planned
Commercial brokerage NAI NP Dodge confirmed the successful sale of the vacant 66,000-square-foot Family Fare grocery store located at 108th & Q Street. The heavy industrial retail site, which sat empty since closing in March, is officially slated to be redeveloped into a large-scale Asian supermarket. The transition brings a massive grocery anchor back to the Empire Park shopping center footprint.
UNL launches sales skills program
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Business launched a Sales Excellence Program with 50 students. The curriculum provides structured preparation for professional sales careers and builds a targeted workforce pipeline. The launch broadens UNL’s career programming as regional employers fiercely compete for revenue-generating talent.
La Vista gains metal distributor
Coated Metals Group opened a distribution facility at 14607 Chandler Road in La Vista, its 14th nationwide location. The Wisconsin-based company supplies prefinished architectural metals directly to contractors and manufacturers. The expansion strengthens its regional logistics pipeline to serve growing commercial construction and roofing fabrication projects.
Nebraska RNG project gets underway
Ameresco subsidiary Neogenyx Fuels and Adams Land & Cattle began developing a renewable-natural-gas facility at the Broken Bow feedlot. Eight anaerobic digesters will produce 4,400 standard cubic feet per minute of biogas, or 1.2 million MMBtu annually. The project creates infrastructure investment, jobs and fertilizer while reducing agricultural emissions.
Omaha Steaks slashes menu by 75%
Omaha Steaks CEO Nate Rempe unveiled a massive operational overhaul designed to combat record-high U.S. beef costs. The 109-year-old pioneer is slashing its catalog offerings by 75% to lean out its supply chain
Page 5 • September 18, 2026
and focus exclusively on core, domestically grown meats. The aggressive pivot includes accelerating its brick-andmortar retail footprint while introducing more value-driven, affordable cuts to retain inflation-weary consumers.
Fashion Cleaners plans seventh store
Omaha garment care staple Fashion Cleaners officially launched its seventh metro location Sept. 14 at 20106 Pierce St. Positioned right along the high-growth corridor southeast of 204th and Pacific streets, the new facility scales up the company’s regional retail capacity for premium dry cleaning, specialized shirt laundering and high-end bridal gown fabric preservation services.
HOTWORX gym opens near Creighton
Infrared fitness franchise HOTWORX hosted an official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony inside The Atlas Apartments at 2929 California Plaza. Located immediately west of Creighton University, the ultra-modern boutique sauna workout studio targets downtown’s dense student and young professional demographic. The launch included localized fundraising partnerships collecting school supplies and cash reserves for Educare of Omaha.
FBN selects Omaha for 2027 event
The Farmers Business Network (FBN) officially selected Omaha’s CHI Health Center to host its premier international conference, Farmer2Farmer VIII, from Feb. 9-11, 2027. The massive multi-day ag-tech convention is projected to bring nearly 1,000 global ag-tech innovators, AI software developers and independent agricultural producers directly into the downtown Omaha business ecosystem.
Roads face new detour disruptions
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities announced a series of major multi-month road closures starting next week that will impact logistics networks heading southwest of the metro. Critical thoroughfares including South 48th Street will remain closed through winter 2026 for essential pavement reconstruction. While hospital and localized storefront access is preserved, regional delivery routes and commercial freight paths will experience mandatory detours.
State Fair draws 306,351 guests
The 2026 Nebraska State Fair drew 306,351 visitors over 11 days, its fourth-highest attendance since 2020. Officials reported over 10,000 livestock entries, increased concert attendance and strong vendor sales. The results point to resilient tourism and agricultural-business activity despite tracking one of the warmest weather stretches on record.
Gov. Pillen releases Policy Playbook 2.0
Directly following intense federal immigration scrutiny surrounding his family’s multi-million dollar hog operation, Governor Jim Pillen counter-released his updated “Pillen Playbook 2.0” campaign platform in Lincoln. The strategic policy memo functions as a renewed executive wishlist ahead of the legislative session, explicitly calling for the total elimination of state taxpayer-funded public benefits for undocumented individuals across Nebraska.
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Page 6 • September 18, 2026
OMAHA
GROWTH report
Omaha’s Growth Moment
SCALE, NUMBER OF PROJECTS A COMPETITIVE CATALYST FOR REGION BY MICHELLE RENNE LEACH CHI CENTER EXPANSION (PHOTO COURTESY BY MECA)
HEATH MELLO
PRESIDENT AND CEO GREATER OMAHA CHAMBER
OMAHA FROM PAGE 01
followed by education and health services, which grew 2.4% from 2025. “That reflects some of what is happening on the ground – a substantial construction pipeline, continued strength in Omaha’s visitor economy and a large healthcare sector,” Mello said. “Those are different from the industries we view as long-term strategic opportunities. Omaha has established strengths in areas including finance and insurance, logistics, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and, increasingly, data-driven industries.” In its 2025 Barometer, Mello said Greater Omaha ranked eighth overall in quality of life when compared to 22 peer and competitor metros, with particularly strong performance in cost of living, public safety, and arts and culture. “The report also found that Omaha was outperforming the peer group and the nation in GDP growth,” he said. “That combination matters, because companies are competing not only for a good place to operate, but for a place where people want to build a life.” Growth in the past 18 months has also been marked by a return to the office, according to City of Omaha Senior Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Development Marco Floreani. “This has occurred in different ways and at different cadences, and will be felt downtown once the Mutual of Omaha Beacon Tower opens later this year,” he said. “When employees return to company offices, surrounding businesses like restaurants are helped.” Floreani said this doesn’t mean everyone is back to a traditional “9-to-5.” “Technology and the COVID-19 pandemic have permanently disrupted an old way of working, but we JOHN W. EWING JR. have seen real signs that companies are eager to have MAYOR employees collaborating in the same physical space,” CITY OF OMAHA he said. Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. also indicated the metro compares favorably to other peer metros with community policing/crime reduction efforts led by Chief Todd Schmaderer, as well as its strong record of public-private partnerships. “Look around, the VA Ambulatory Center was the first of its kind in the nation, thanks to federal and private support,” he said. “The Central Library is an example of how the donor
community can help the city further a public mission with extraordinary beauty, service and care. The place is packed and will catalyze an important part of our town.” An infusion of philanthropic dollars allows for the city to maintain 250-plus parks, and Ewing said Omahans need only look at how The RiverFront investment changed downtown to see the difference the parks make in our lifestyle. “Omahans can enjoy a higher quality of life, thanks to our shared public-private efforts,” he said.
Philanthropic, educational support
Omaha Community Foundation President and CEO Donna Kush said the growth conversation is increasingly focused on conditions in the community that allow people and families to thrive. “As wealth transfers to the next generations across Omaha and the entire nation, we have an opportunity to invite more people into philanthropy by helping them find causes that feel meaningful and relevant to their lives,” she said. Kush described a concerted effort to grow from DONNA KUSH within current companies and sectors, and how PRESIDENT AND CEO incentives, housing, childcare and transportation OMAHA COMMUNITY create the right environment for job growth. In part, FOUNDATION OCF assesses how to make connections between community needs and resources (public or private). “For example, we recently formed a small working group with local subject matter experts, and business and philanthropic leaders, to take action around childcare,” she said. “Our goal is to lift the organizations already doing work in this space, supporting a multi-faceted approach CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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OMAHA
GROWTH report
Omaha’s Growth Moment
SCALE, NUMBER OF PROJECTS A COMPETITIVE CATALYST FOR REGION BY MICHELLE RENNE LEACH
FROM PRECEDING PAGE
since there is no single magic solution.” Kush said Omaha sets itself apart through collaboration, such as its new dual member governing role of Nebraska Medicine. “Working with leaders from philanthropy, Nebraska Medicine, UNMC, University of Nebraska and the University Board of Regents, we were able to re-establish the community MARCO FLOREANI voice in our region’s largest healthcare system,” she said. SENIOR DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Joanne Li, Ph.D. said they don’t want to react to CITY OF OMAHA workforce trends after they happen. “We want to anticipate where Omaha’s economy is going and prepare our students to lead it there,” she said. “I think about it like hockey: You gain an advantage by skating to where the puck is going, not where it is right now. At UNO, that means using workforce data and, just as importantly, listening closely to employers to understand the skills they will need next.” Li said its Career Connect paid internship initiative and Center for Competencies, Skills and Workforce Development strengthen connections with employers and give insight into a rapidly changing labor market. “The result is graduates who bring more than technical knowledge to the workplace,” she said. “They are prepared to succeed in an AI-enabled economy while bringing the leadership, communication, critical thinking and real-world experience employers need.” Citing the center’s 2026-2027 skills report, Li said AI for decision support, financial analysis and marketing communication are new to the top 10 list of workforce needs, which tells her that employers need people who can use emerging technology, make sound decisions with data and communicate effectively. “Higher education has to broaden its definition of who we serve,” Li said of UNO’s role in the current labor market. “Education can no longer be something people pursue once early in life and then leave behind. Learning is lifelong, and universities have a responsibility to meet people where they are.”
Looking ahead
Mello referenced how Eppley Airfield’s $950 million modernization will be a major improvement as the region competes for businesses, workers, conventions and visitors. He said the streetcar will connect with The RiverFront and other areas of substantial investments, while supporting great density along the corridor. Mutual of Omaha’s JOANNE LI, PH.D. new headquarters will further concentrate CHANCELLOR employment downtown. UNO Lastly, Mello referred to how UNMC and Nebraska Medicine will expand clinical capacity, strengthen healthcare education and support collaboration with the private sector through Project Health and the EDGE District. “Each project matters on its own,” he said. “Together, they improve connectivity, create capacity for additional growth and strengthen the experience Omaha can offer companies, workers, residents and visitors.” Ewing pointed to the streetcar system (nicknamed “Oscar”) as the bold and big project that will matter most in the city’s efforts to restore the urban core, add affordable housing and a protected bike line and fuel a vibrant city to retain young people. “We know that it will be an economic driver for real estate projects that are starting to materialize along the 3.1-mile route, and for our small businesses that are valiantly hanging in there during this disruptive construction,” he said. “The streetcar, along with the nearly $1 billion Eppley Airfield expansion and the CHI Health Center expansion, provide a ‘three-fer’ on impact.” Ewing said people underestimate Omaha. “Visitors who discover us call us a ‘hidden gem,’” he said. “Homegrown Omahans, maybe owing to our Midwestern humility, sometimes undervalue all we have to offer. What everyone should know is this: Omaha has so much to offer in quality of life, entertainment and future possibility.”
LOOKING WEST FROM THE RIVERFRONT (PHOTO BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN)
Page 8 • September 18, 2026
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OMAHA
GROWTH report
Supplying Omaha’s Workforce CHAMBER, OTHERS MEETING WORKFORCE CHALLENGES
BY TIM ROHWER While Omaha’s unemployment level has consistently been low over the years — just 3.1% in June 2026 — it has created a workforce challenge of supply, not demand. Local organizations and others are finding ways to meet that challenge. “Part of our work has to be making sure the talent we have is being prepared for the opportunities that exist in our region,” said Merrick Brtek, workforce development MERRICK BRTEK director for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. WORKFORCE At the chamber, Brtek leads a group called The Landing DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Crew, bringing together recruiters, HR professionals and GREATER OMAHA talent acquisition professionals from various industries. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “These professionals can sit at the same table, talk openly about the challenges they’re experiencing, problem-solve together and share ideas about how we can better support our existing talent and attract new talent,” she said. The chamber also sponsors a talent council, made up of leaders from various sectors working together around these broader talent challenges and opportunities, Brtek said. Educational institutions are offering different training and upskilling opportunities that can help employers build their talent pipelines, she added.
MCC responds to workforce needs
Gary Girard, vice president of community and workforce education at Metropolitan Community College, said the college works with regional employers and the local, state and federal governments to develop training that responds to current workforce needs. This includes registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities, as well as short-term and noncredit workforce training to help people gain skills valued by employers. MCC recently became one of the first community colleges in the nation to offer programs eligible for Workforce Pell Grant funding, a new federal funding source available to students pursuing eligible short-term, noncredit workforce training programs, Girard said. Workforce Pell provides needs-based financial assistance for approved programs that can be completed in eight to 15 weeks. Students pursuing noncredit CDL-A (with E exemptions), certified pharmacy technician, CompTIA Tech+ (information technology) and phlebotomy technician workforce credentials may receive assistance to help cover the cost of tuition, books, supplies and other required course materials. “This program helps students prepare for high-demand careers,” he said. Girard said MCC also offers programs in areas such as construction, transportation, advanced manufacturing, information technology, healthcare and biotechnology, with employers involved in helping shape curriculum and identify the skills graduates need to be successful. “Healthcare continues to be a strong area of interest, reflecting the ongoing demand for
trained healthcare workers,” he said. “Skilled trades, transportation, information technology and advanced manufacturing also continue to generate significant interest from both employers and students.” The strongest workforce programs are built with employers, not simply built for employers, he said. “A strong example is MCC’s involvement with the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance and the NeMAC credential initiative,” Girard said. “Through this effort, TRAVIS HOOPS 47 manufacturing employers work alongside education MANAGER OF partners to define the technical and employability skills TECHNICAL TRAINING required for success in modern manufacturing careers. OPPD The result is a credentialing framework that provides students with clear, industry-validated milestones, while giving employers greater confidence that credential earners possess the competencies needed in the workplace.”
Local employers get involved
Heartland Workforce Solutions, with locations in North and South Omaha, has a new initiative, Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), to connect people with in-demand construction trades careers that align with this region’s labor market needs, said Erin Porterfield, executive director. MC3 is a nationally recognized pre-apprenticeship program developed by North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) and delivered through TradesFutures. It introduces participants to the construction industry while building the knowledge, skills and workplace readiness needed to enter registered apprenticeship programs. Local partners in this initiative include the Nebraska and Southwest Iowa Building and Construction Trade Council, MCL Construction, JE Dunn Construction and Omaha Public Schools. “We’re excited about what MC3 can mean for people pursuing strong construction careers and for employers building our region’s workforce,” Porterfield said. Utility companies, like the Omaha Public Power District, are also actively involved. In 2020, OPPD had 64 apprentices in 10 different programs, said spokesperson Jodi Baker. Today, OPPD has 161 in 12 different programs. These include line technician, system protection relay specialist and machinist roles, as well as recently added positions such as underground construction worker. “In 2024, we also worked to register all 12 of our apprenticeship programs with the U.S. Department of Labor,” said Travis Hoops, OPPD’s manager of technical training. “Registered programs must meet established standards, while providing additional accountability. Those who successfully complete our apprenticeships now receive a nationally recognized credential.” Brian Kramer, OPPD’s senior director of utility operations, construction and maintenance, added, “The electrical industry is more competitive than ever, and our workload is growing rapidly. That means we must develop skilled, confident frontline employees faster than we ever have before.”
Healthcare continues to be a strong area of interest, reflecting the ongoing demand for trained healthcare workers.Skilled trades, transportation, information technology and advanced manufacturing also continue to generate significant interest from both employers and students.” —GARY GIRARD VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY AND WORKFORCE EDUCATION METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Page 10 • September 18, 2026
OMAHA
Technology Drives Omaha’s Future
GROWTH report
FINTECH LAYS FOUNDATION FOR OMAHA GROWTH
BY TIM TRUDELL
While fintech, financial technology, may be a relatively new term, its influence in Omaha dates back more than 70 years to the early days of Offutt Air Force Base, when it served as Strategic Air Command’s headquarters. Today, technology has led to the creation of several major companies and start-ups. “Omaha was perfect from a talent perspective,” said Kurt Strawhecker, founder of The Strawhecker Group (TSG), a globallyKURT recognized analytics, intelligence and solutions STRAWHECKER firm serving the global payments ecosystem. FOUNDER “The Strategic Air Command headquarters TSG was staffed by all of these very smart (THE STRAWHECKER GROUP) communications experts, programmers. So really, the original start was that you had the people who worked for SAC, and the second part was Omaha got overbuilt from an infrastructure standpoint in telecommunications.” That infrastructure led to the creation of telemarketing companies employing thousands of people, such as West Corp., which handled incoming telesales, Strawhecker said. This directly led to Omaha’s start in fintech, with regional banks creating the Mid-America Bankcard Association (MABA), he said. MABA was part of a national group of similar banking organizations around the country.
First Data becomes world leader
impact that most Omahans don’t even know,” he said. “If you used a credit card today, no matter where you were, there’s more than a 60% chance that transaction traveled through Omaha.” As technology develops, local financial institutions, such as First National Bank of Omaha, may create programs that help them become better at predicting credit outcomes, such as who may have issues paying back loans, said Lee Dunham, Ph.D., CFA, chair of economics and finance at Creighton University. However, companies using large models to determine credit candidates must handle them responsibly, Dunham said. “One of the things that’s very tricky about this in lending, and people in the business know this, is you have to be super careful not to be discriminating,” he said. “We have very strong laws against lending discrimination. You can’t have a model that predicts that these certain people will not pay, but it could also be largely tied to nondemographic factors, not necessarily economic factors. Because of that, I think companies are very wary and slow moving in using those things to maybe make credit decisions.” While technology has improved financial institutions’ performances, overall, it has been a cautious process, Dunham said. “If you look at SoFi, they were supposed to change the way banking is done, but they’ve largely been stagnant for five years, after they had this big run-up,” he said. “FNBO experimented with something like this, where they offered a product named Milli (a digital bank that closed after two years), but they just started out with basically offering a relatively attractive rate on deposits. Now, they have tried to expand into other lines of business, but it’s been a slow road to hoe.”
Finance is major player
Financial institutions have played a strong role in the Omaha area’s economy, accounting for about 32,400 finance and insurance positions, said Alec Gorynski, Omaha-area financial institutions hired Bill Esping to manage MABA. The former senior vice president of economic IBM executive soon realized there was development for Greater Omaha more to the bankcard industry than Chamber. what MABA offered, so he formed Digital transformation produces First Data Corp. The company grew internal improvements and marketSTATE’S TECH GROUP FORMS NONPROFIT, ADDS NEW LEADERS into the world’s largest credit card facing products, Gorynski said. processor, and eventually bought BY TIM ROHWER These investments create demand MABA and the other regional groups. Tech Nebraska recently became its own independent nonprofit organization after it was for positions such as software First Data is now a part of Omaha’s formed in 2023 as an industry association led by several founding state organizations in engineers, product managers, history, having been acquired by conjunction with the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce. data scientists, cybersecurity Fiserv in 2019 for $22 billion. professionals and employees who Strawhecker joined First Data, “Becoming independent gives us an opportunity to build on our foundation and be even understand technology and financial eventually managing its international more intentional about the organization our members and Nebraska’s broader technology regulation, he said. They also create community needs,” said Emily Allen, executive director of Tech Nebraska. operations from England. opportunities for partnerships Realizing there was even more to and new companies that can Chris Dill, chief information officer at Kiewit and board chair of Tech Nebraska, added, the financial technology industry, solve problems for established “Technology issues are complicated, Tech Nebraska’s role is to make those issues Strawhecker left First Data after 18 institutions, Gorynski said. understandable and relevant in ways that will lead to policy that enables Nebraska years, and, in 2006, founded TSG. Fintech’s trends indicate technologists and companies without unintended consequences that could become The industry has seen other spin-offs, competitive barriers.” it can improve underwriting, such as ACI Worldwide, which likely expand access to small-business processes more transactions than any Tech Nebraska has a group of almost 30 state organizations committed to its mission, Dill said. credit, accelerate payments and other company today, Strawhecker disbursements, strengthen fraud said. Buildertrend has embedded “Our corporate and individual member roster continues to grow each quarter as more people prevention and give investors better see the value of being involved in the association,” he said. fintech in their construction information, he said. management software. “Continued progress will “Around the same Tech Nebraska table, you might have technology leaders from organizations depend on connecting established such as Kiewit, Ameritas, HDR, Werner Enterprises, Scoular, Tenaska, Google, Nebraska Fintech’s strong institutions with entrepreneurs, Medicine, and others representing very different parts of Nebraska’s economy,” Allen said. influence universities and investment capital, Omaha’s influence in financial while building the specialized talent For the future, Dill said Tech Nebraska will always stay focused on the core mission, advocacy technology is staggering, Strawhecker these companies require,” he said. on behalf of their member community with the goal of the best possible policy environment said. from which individuals and companies can thrive. “If Omaha does that consistently, “Whether it be in payments, fintech can become both a high“The organization will grow its membership base broadly, and will continue to strive to have a whether it be in architecture, value industry of its own and a presence in every corner of Nebraska,” he said. engineering and construction, or growth platform for the rest of the insurance, we really have worldwide regional economy.”
TECH NEBRASKA GOES INDEPENDENT
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OMAHA
GROWTH report
Commercial Growth Spreads INVESTMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT PICK UP
BY ANNA BLUMENTHAL Omaha’s commercial real estate market is growing in multiple directions, from downtown redevelopment and west Omaha’s continued expansion to new investment in North and South Omaha. Commercial real estate professionals say there is plenty of activity, with more to come. “West Omaha is where we’ve seen a lot of growth,” said Kristi Andersen, president of NAI NP Dodge. “There’s a lot going on downtown as well. With the new airport project and the new soccer stadium and everything that Creighton University is doing and how they’re expanding their footprint, there’s plenty to be excited about downtown too.”
KRISTI ANDERSEN
PRESIDENT NAI NP DODGE
Growing vertically
David Fanslau, planning director for the City of Omaha, said the city is going through its first complete rewrite of its comprehensive plan (We Make Omaha), which is on track to be adopted by the city council in the first quarter of 2027. He said Omaha is running out of developable land because the city’s sewer infrastructure is constrained by natural ridgelines, making areas beyond the Elkhorn Ridge harder and more expensive to serve. Fanslau predicts this will occur within the next 20 years, which the city has been planning for by focusing more attention on redevelopment east of the ridgeline and vertical development rather than horizontal. “I think you can look around Omaha and see things getting taller because that’s what we’re taking advantage of is that infrastructure that’s already in place, the sewers that are in place, the transportation networks that are in place.” Fanslau said. “How can we redevelop the older parts of our town, thoughtfully?” Fanslau said commercial development in areas between the UNMC campus at 42nd and Emile streets and the RiverFront remains active. While he said construction of the streetcar downtown has been a challenge, it is temporary and while it’s painful for some right now, the payoff will be worth it. Since the streetcar project was announced in 2022, more than 20 projects have been officially announced, representing more than $1.3 billion in new development. “We’ve already seen projects come through my department and be approved by the city council because of the streetcar,” Fanslau said. A list online showed more than 20 projects, from a $6.8 million commerical building to the Mutual of Omaha headquarters. “And there’s no reason to think that that will slow down once construction of the streetcar is done and once it’s operating.”
North and South Omaha developments
Fanslau also pointed to development happening in North and South Omaha. Construction started last month on South Omaha’s $25 million Plaza de la Raza project,
transforming the west side of South 24th Street between M and O streets into a cultural and economic hub. In North Omaha, Fanslau pointed to the work of the Omaha Inland Port Authority (OIPA). The organization has secured and managed approximately $125.3 million in public investment, with $73.92 million deployed to date, and has acquired 24 properties totaling roughly six acres for future development. DAVID FANSLAU One of the clearest signs of that momentum can PLANNING DIRECTOR be seen along Abbott Drive and Locust Street, where CITY OF OMAHA four properties are moving through different stages of development as part of the Airport Business Park. The OIPA and the Omaha Economic Development Corp. (OEDC) have formed a collaborative partnership alongside the state government, the Omaha Chamber of Commerce and Burlington Capital to develop the project. “The lack of targeted commercial development, new commercial development, or new rehab in this area of North Omaha has been long overdue,” said Michael Maroney, president and CEO of the OEDC. “We’ve been pleased to be part of making some of those things happen, we’re glad to see others are becoming more engaged, and we see things are on the drawing boards. I think in five years we’ll probably see a totally revamped North Omaha.”
Strong second-quarter reports
Andersen said the Omaha commercial real estate market is strong. According to NAI NP Dodge’s second-quarter 2026 report, the industrial and retail sectors had especially strong conditions. Industrial remained the strongest sector, with a low 3.1% vacancy rate and slightly higher rents of $8.76 per square foot. Retail vacancy increased to 4.7%, but absorption improved to 117,000 square feet, while construction activity rose significantly to 1.2 million square feet. Building permits were issued recently for multiple retailers at the Avenue One Goodlife District, including Arhaus, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, L.L. Bean and Yard House. “Ever since we hit that million-person mark in the metro, the national players are starting to look at Omaha a little bit closer,” Andersen said. Andersen said office remains the softest part of the commercial real estate market, but some of the biggest office users are starting to bounce back. The office market saw vacancy fall to 7.4%, with 207,000 square feet of positive absorption over the past year. Andersen said that with office spaces, more people are looking for high-quality buildings with amenities. “Common conference rooms, common training rooms, things that they don’t have to have built into their space or pay on their rentable square footage,” Andersen said.
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OMAHA
GROWTH report
Creativity Fuels Growth ARTS LEADERS MAKE CASE FOR CULTURE AS INFRASTRUCTURE
BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN Joan Squires and Adam Straight proudly pronounce that arts and entertainment matter to Omaha’s economy. It’s a claim that comes with numbers that can do the talking. Squires, president of Omaha Performing Arts, and Straight, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority, lead two of the city’s biggest cultural engines. They argue arts and culture are not an amenity Omaha offers once the essentials are covered, they are infrastructure that keeps the city competitive. “It’s a core of who we are,” Squires said, “and I think we need to celebrate that and lean into it.”
JOAN SQUIRES
PRESIDENT OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS
The numbers behind the claim
well before either Tenaska or the RiverFront existed. Alex Jochim, co-founder and director of Benson First Fridays (BFF), said Benson has been a state-recognized Creative District built around local and emerging artists rather than national acts; anchored, when Jochim arrived in 2010, by venues such as The Waiting Room, Barley Street Tavern and The Sydney. BFF’s monthly gallery ADAM STRAIGHT walk, now draws more than 6,500 attendees each PRESIDENT AND CEO month during the summer. The strip was full of METROPOLITAN vacant storefronts when the event began; that ENTERTAINMENT AND has changed considerably since. CONVENTION AUTHORITY “Creative placemaking has a real, measurable economic effect,” Jochim said, adding that the neighborhood’s challenge now is keeping that growth, and outside developers, from displacing residents and the grassroots arts scene that built it. Jochim has firsthand knowledge of the business spike gained from a neighboring event, having spent 12 years bartending at Jake’s Cigars & Spirits. Jochim said, “our business spiked anytime there was a big show at the Waiting Room.” Small and large arts organizations are seeing reduced revenue as a result of the downtown construction. Squires said it has dented ticket sales and, in turn, restaurant and bar traffic, prompting O-pa’s “Downtown, ‘O’ So Worth It” campaign. In Benson, Jochim said the bigger obstacles are parking and funding for infrastructure to support a growing arts ecosystem. He also cited a perception problem of suburban patrons sometimes avoiding the urban core over safety concerns, unrelated to any real risk.
O-pa, which operates Orpheum Theater, Holland Center, Steelhouse Omaha and Tenaska Center, has invested more than $500 million downtown since its 2005 founding, 98% of it through private philanthropy. The organization generates more than $2.8 million annually in state and local sales tax and supports 386 full-time-equivalent jobs, translating into more than $16 million in labor income. MECA’s three properties, CHI Health Center, Charles Schwab Field and the RiverFront, produced more than $2 billion in combined economic impact in 2025. The RiverFront is on pace to welcome its 10 millionth visitor sometime in September. Although a headline act such as Thomas Rhett often sees large ticket sales, Straight pointed to a smaller event as a surprising moment: A free bat-release ceremony at the RiverFront park drew roughly 6,000 Confidence over corn people on a weeknight with no ticket price and Straight didn’t point to money or little promotion. Squires cited a single evening infrastructure as Omaha’s biggest need in the when the Tenaska Center hosted a 1,000-person arts sphere. “Omaha needs confidence,” he corporate picnic while Steelhouse Omaha said, describing new Omaha acquaintances who hosted an 800-person nonprofit dinner. These STEELHOUSE OMAHA IS PART OF O-PA’S CAMPUS react with surprise when he praises the city — a community-minded cultural events help identify (PHOTO BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN) reaction he attributes to lingering stereotypes Omaha as a city to be reckoned with. about Nebraska. All three leaders agree the payoff isn’t confined to ticket revenue. It shows up in tax receipts, job counts, hotel stays and bar tabs; and, they argue, in whether people Talent, not just tourists choose to stay in Omaha at all. Omaha’s arts leaders tied their numbers to workforce retention. Squires pointed to a “There is a synergy about all of it,” Squires said. “It’s about the entire patron recent Chamber of Commerce survey ranking quality of life among Omaha’s strongest experience.” attributes relative to peer cities. “We in Omaha have now, in O-pa’s case, four world-class buildings that are the envy of our peers across the country,” she said. Straight, eight months into his role after arriving from Atlanta, made the same case from the employer’s chair, saying a strong events calendar helps keep young workers from leaving for cities like Kansas City. Starting the second Friday in June, downtown Omaha transforms into a mecca for “We want them to live, work, play,” he said, “not just as a ticket holder, but on a baseball fans, as the College World Series takes place, filling hotels, restaurants and day-to-day basis.” bars, and Charles Schwab Field for approximately two weeks. According to a 2025 He cited more than 50 applicants for a single social media coordinator opening as economic impact study by College World Series of Omaha Inc., this cultural event evidence of growing interest in working at MECA — and in Omaha. generates over $147 million in impact for Omaha.
OMAHA’S BIG-LEAGUE PAYOFF
A shared ecosystem, at every scale
Squires said Omaha Performing Arts, MECA, the Joslyn Art Museum, the Omaha Symphony and the zoo all draw from and feed the same visitor base. “We need everyone to do well,” she said. “There is room for everybody.” Straight said the two organizations are exploring more collaborative programming. That dynamic holds at a much smaller scale in Benson, a commercial strip roughly five miles northwest of downtown that has functioned as its own arts district since
• $147.6 million — total economic impact • 1,500+ — full-time-equivalent jobs supported • $47.9 million — wages and salaries for Omaha metro workers • $14.4 million — state and local tax revenue • $2.8 billion — estimated publicity value for the city (a measure of media exposure, not direct spending)
Page 14 • September 18, 2026
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FOCUS SECTION
TAX AND accounting
Permanent Changes Everything WHY 2026 IS A PLANNING YEAR, NOT A FILING YEAR
BY ANNA BLUMENTHAL The era of making tax decisions around expiring provisions is over, as Nebraska small-business owners can now build tax strategies with greater certainty. The second half of 2026 gives small-business owners their highest-leverage planning window in a decade. With several major federal tax rules made permanent, owners can focus less on what tax breaks will continue next year and more on making long-term financial decisions. Simultaneously, Nebraska’s individual income tax rate is scheduled to drop again in 2027, making timing around recognizing income or claiming deductions crucial. “When you know what it’s going to look like going forward, you’re not constantly just chasing when is this going to expire or what does that look like, but you can actually plan ahead a little better,” said Derek Meyer, partner at HBE LLP. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act permanently restored 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying property placed in service after Jan. 19, 2025, allowing businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of many qualifying investments instead of spreading the deduction over several years. It also restored limits based on earnings before DEREK MEYER interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for business interest deductions, replacing the more restrictive EBIT calculation. Because EBITDA includes depreciation and amortization when determining how much interest businesses can deduct, the change generally allows companies, particularly those with significant investments in equipment or other capital assets, to deduct more of their borrowing costs. Brian Klintworth, partner at HBE LLP, said the changes allow for his firm to have more structured talks with clients about planning better for the future from a tax ADAM AUSTIN standpoint. “We can look towards more, what’s the timing that makes sense for the business, and not have to worry about what tax consequences we are going to be stuck with,” Klintworth said. Klintworth noted that it’s important to remember that no changes from the federal government are truly permanent, but it is good for business owners to plan proactively. Adam Austin, tax shareholder at Lutz, echoed Klintworth, saying that the permanent provisions are nice for people to rely on. SETH MOEN He said that bonus depreciation is advantageous for people, as was previously ratcheting downward. “Now that it’s been made permanent, people can have a greater level of comfort knowing that, well, maybe I want to buy this piece of equipment this year to take advantage of a higher tax rate and therefore a greater benefit to my deduction,” Austin said.
No one size fits all model
Business owners have often accelerated equipment purchases to maximize advantage of bonus depreciation. That urgency has largely disappeared. Some Nebraska businesses now ask how the state’s scheduled income tax rate reductions affect the timing of income and deductions. Under LB754, the state’s top individual income tax rate fell from 5.20% in 2025 to 4.55% in 2026 and is scheduled to decline again to 3.99% in 2027. Owners of passthrough businesses who have flexibility over when to recognize income or claim deductions can make the timing of tax decisions just as important as the deductions themselves.
Meyer said that depending on a company’s circumstances, it may make sense to delay recognizing income until lower state tax rates take effect or accelerate deductible expenses into the current year. “I don’t think there’s necessarily a one-size-fits-all situation or scenario here where you can explain the same thing to clients in every situation,” Meyer said. He advised clients not to buy unnecessary equipment just because bonus depreciation is now permanent. “It still needs to make sense,” Meyer said. “But it can definitely be a good planning strategy at the end of the year as you’re looking at ways to lower income.” Jeffery Schaffart, shareholder at Koley Jessen, said Nebraska’s scheduled income tax reduction makes the state more competitive with neighboring Midwest states and creates planning opportunities. “Normally you might consider accelerating your expenses into 2026 using the higher tax rate or trying to deduct those against the higher state income tax rate, so there’s a bit of an arbitrage play there, and it certainly made the state’s income tax rate more BRIAN KLINTWORTH competitive,” Schaffart said. The permanent extension of the qualified business income (QBI) deduction also gives pass-through business owners greater certainty when evaluating their tax structure. Section 199A allows many owners of partnerships, S-corporations and sole proprietorships to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income, though the deduction is subject to a variety of income, wage and capital investment limitations. Those rules interact with how a business is structured and, in the case of S-corporations, how JEFFERY SCHAFFART owners split their compensation between wages and profit distributions. Tax advisers say entity selection and owner compensation should remain part of every year-end planning discussion, regardless of whether the deduction is now permanent. “I don’t know the permanency of the QBI is going to be a material change, but it’s definitely going to continue the discussion of are you legally within the right tax structure,” said Seth Moen, partner at Dvorak Law Group LLC. JONATHAN GROB
Practical advice for year-end
Federal lawmakers also raised the reporting threshold for Forms 1099-NEC and certain Forms 1099-MISC from $600 to $2,000 for 2026 payments and restored the longstanding Form 1099-K threshold of more than $20,000 and 200 transactions. These govern who must send a form, and all income remains reportable, so businesses should keep records supporting income and deductions. The changes mean fewer information returns may be issued. Jonathan Grob, president of McGrath North, said that good recordkeeping is a crucial part of tax planning. “You always want to have you know substantiation for any expenses that you pay, so record keeping is really important,” Grob said. Overall, advisers and attorneys agreed that if business owners wait until past year-end for tax planning, they are missing out on great opportunities, so it is important to make a checklist of what to do now before year-end. Moen said that when creating the checklist, business owners need to remember not to bite off more than they can chew. “Make it a one page checklist, and don’t try to accomplish so much,” Moen said.
Page 16 • September 18, 2026
Childcare Benefit Underused
FOCUS SECTION
TAX AND accounting
THE TAX CREDIT ALMOST NOBODY IS CLAIMING BY ANNA BLUMENTHAL Nebraska’s workforce and economy continue to feel the strain of a lack of childcare, but an expanded tax credit that has remained largely unused could provide a solution. A 2025 report by First Five Nebraska and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bureau of Business Research, in collaboration with the Nebraska Chamber Foundation, found that childcare challenges resulted in $1.74 billion in direct and multiplied losses to business output and $1.61 billion in lost labor income. Access to childcare, especially affordable options, remains a key factor in workforce participation, and it forces many parents to take time off, reduce hours or leave the workforce. The expanded employer-provided childcare tax credit aims to encourage businesses to invest in childcare benefits, helping employers attract and retain workers while supporting parents. “Women are the ones who tend to stay out of the workforce to stay home and take care of the children, and we’re losing that extra income and that extra productivity in society,” said Stacy Watson, tax and consulting shareholder at Lutz. “So I think we can attract and retain better talent, and I think we can keep women in the workforce, which then, from my perspective, increases the entire state of Nebraska’s economic activity.”
Encouraging Investment in Childcare
In January 2026, the Section 45F employer-provided childcare tax credit increased to 40% of eligible costs (50% for eligible small businesses), with maximum annual limits rising to $500,000 for regular businesses and $600,000 for small businesses, subject to future inflation adjustments. Qualified childcare expenditures include costs to build, buy, renovate or expand a childcare facility used for employees’ children; operate a childcare facility; or pay a qualified childcare provider to provide services for employees’ children. To qualify, a childcare facility must provide care for employees’ children, comply with state and local licensing and regulatory requirements, not be located in the home of the employer or an employee, and be available to all employees regardless of compensation. The employer-provided childcare credit was created by Congress AMBER SALOTTO as part of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 to encourage employers to invest in childcare benefits. The credit first became available for tax years beginning after December 2001. Under the original rules, employers could claim a credit equal to 25% of qualified childcare expenditures plus 10% of qualified childcare resource and referral service expenses, with a maximum annual credit of $150,000. To qualify, the childcare facility had to meet state and local licensing requirements and primarily serve employees’ children. Watson said the terminology in the original bill required the facility to be employee-sponsored or supported, which created STACY WATSON confusion for businesses. “Being employer-sponsored was almost a no-go from the start,” Watson said. “I think it’s really hard to say, ‘OK, as a business owner, I’m going to also take on the responsibility of a daycare.’” Watson said the unclear language was one reason the credit went largely unused. “It was so undefined in the original bill,” Watson said. “And if you’ve ever tried to open a licensed daycare facility, it’s super-expensive, the insurance, to do so. And if the company actually had to own that, and something went wrong, they were afraid it would come back on the employer.” Amber Salotto, managing director at RSM Washington National Tax, said she has seen increased interest from clients who want to begin offering the benefit. She said the flexibility of the credit and increased attention around it has made it attractive to a variety of employers, whether they previously offered childcare benefits or not. “(The interest) is not necessarily limited to any particular industry or business,” Salotto said. “It’s not even limited to I already operate a childcare program, or I don’t operate a childcare program. It’s kind of across the board.” Salotto said employers interested in the credit should first determine whether they qualify and discover how to comply with the four parts needed to become eligible.
How small businesses can benefit
Under the increased credit, smaller businesses receive a higher percentage of expenditures and a higher cap than larger businesses. However, Salotto said a small business would need to spend $1.2 million or more on childcare to reach the maximum credit.
She said a more practical approach for small businesses may be combining resources. “One of the other changes is that they now permit joint ownership and operation of childcare facilities amongst small employers,” Salotto said. “So, if small employers wanted to pool their resources together to operate a facility, they could do that too.” While Watson believes the tax credit can make a meaningful impact, she is skeptical about how easily small businesses will be able to use the benefit. She said some small businesses may hesitate because tax incentives can change over time, and employees may come to rely on childcare benefits once they’re offered, which requires business owners to consider the long-term cost beyond the temporary tax savings. “I think that’s why some people are hesitant,” Watson said. “It sounds great, but after those credits run out, who in the company is going to fund that daycare expense?” Businesses wary of shouldering that cost alone, can look to the joint-ownership provision for a middle path. “If small employers wanted to pool their resources together to operate a facility, they could do that too,” Salotto said.
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Page 17 • September 18, 2026
FOCUS SECTION
State Widens CPA Path LAW CREATES THREE PATHS TO LICENSURE BY ANNA BLUMENTHAL
My executive benefits are complex and I don’t fully understand them. I want to make informed decisions and have enough set aside to pay college tuition for my boys.
I WORK HARD FOR WHAT I EARN. HOW CAN I MAKE THE MOST OF MY COMPENSATION?
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Nebraska is on track to lose most of its certified public accountants within 15 years, and a new law that took effect in July is the state’s bet on refilling the pipeline before that shortage bites harder. Nebraska Society of CPAs Chair Jodi Eckhout testified in January 2026 that 75% of today’s CPAs will retire within that window. The state’s accounting firms are already feeling the strain: longer turnaround times, higher fees, and a growing number of firms turning away new clients. LB 718 modernizes the path to becoming a CPA by lowering the barrier to entry for the licensing exam. Signed by Gov. Jim Pillen in February 2026, the law replaced the previous 150-hour route with three pathways to licensure: a master’s degree plus one year of experience; a bachelor’s degree plus 30 additional credit hours and one year of experience; or a bachelor’s degree plus two years of professional experience. All three still require passing the CPA exam. “To keep those Nebraskans in Nebraska, doing taxes and doing audits in Nebraska, I think is a benefit to everybody,” said Justice Coffey, partner at O’Donnell, Ficenec, Wills & Ferdig LLP. JUSTICE COFFEY KRISTEN VANWINKLE The biggest change allows students to sit for the CPA exam after earning a standard four-year bachelor’s degree instead of first completing 150 credit hours. “Right there, you’re reducing 30 credit hours worth of costs for students, so that helps,” said Kristen VanWinkle, president and executive director of the Nebraska Society of CPAs. “ It also brings in individuals ERIN PLEGGENKUHLE-MILES GURPREET DHILLON who might be looking for a career change.”
Universities respond
Leaders at the University of Nebraska Omaha are determining how to respond to the changes, though no plans have been finalized. Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles, associate dean of UNO’s College of Business Administration, said the earliest the university could launch a new academic offering would be fall 2027, and also said one possibility is an accelerated master’s program. “It’s hard to adjust on the fly since we work so far in advance in terms of SCOTT SORENSON scheduling, but it is a priority for the college to transition and meet the needs of the changing market,” Pleggenkuhle-Miles said. Gurpreet Dhillon, dean of UNO’s College of Business Administration, said the new pathways could appeal to adult learners returning to school to continue their education or change careers. “They bring with them a wealth of expertise,” Dhillon said. “Now, it’s, how do we value that expertise and make a path for them?” Pleggenkuhle-Miles and Dhillon said employer partners have responded positively because they are always looking for ways to move students into the workforce more quickly. “In general, (employers) care less about the credentials per se, but they want to see what the competence is,” Dhillon said.
Firms eye hiring shift
While universities adapt to the new law, accounting firms say the hiring benefits will take time to materialize, making early recruitment and internships especially important. Scott Sorenson, partner at Frankel LLC, said the new pathways will help the firm recruit. “Most full-time hires that come to us out of college have had an internship with us, and now we’re going to be able to focus, as opposed to over a five-year period, a four-year period of really getting to know those interns,” Sorenson said. Sorenson said accounting firms also need to connect with students in high school to introduce them to the profession and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Coffey agreed, saying more people need to understand the opportunities a CPA career offers. “Accountants have not done a good job of explaining to young people what a great career path this can be for a lot of people,” Coffey said.
Page 18 • September 18, 2026
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FAB 50
MBJ’s Fab 50 is a profile series highlighting remarkable individuals shaping our business and nonprofit communities.
TODD STUBBENDIECK
A Life Guided by Fate EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S PATH FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. ,TO AARP NEBRASKA Todd Stubbendieck’s career started in Washington, D.C., and transitioned to statewide advocacy back home, but it never followed a rigid plan. The AARP Nebraska state director credits an early nudge from an unlikely source and a deep belief in letting opportunities present themselves. “My sister’s boyfriend a long, long time ago, when I was very young — he and I were friends, and he told me what you really should get into is international relations because when you study international relations, there are no wrong answers,” Stubbendieck said. “That, to a younger version of myself, really appealed to me.” As a kid, Stubbendieck said he was always drawn to the news, and developed an early love of politics, policy and current events. That fascination solidified during his junior year of high school, when he took part in the Close Up program, a weeklong immersion trip that exposes students to Washington, D.C. “I fell in love with Washington, D.C., and knew that was the place I wanted to head,” Stubbendieck said. “After I finished graduate school, that’s where I went.”
From Capitol Hill to a federal agency
Stubbendieck spent the better part of two decades working for two U.S. senators, first for Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey for six years, then for South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson, eventually rising to deputy chief of staff and legislative director. He describes Kerrey as a demanding, but rewarding boss. “He was the sort of person that would ask very detailed, pointed questions,”
Stubbendieck said. “You couldn’t go in there and fake it, because he was going to expose what you didn’t know. What I learned early on was that need to really dive into an issue and understand it well.” Loyalty, not lack of ambition, kept him in Senate offices as long as it did, he said. “I worked for two amazing senators, and one of the things that kept me there was the love of working for them,” Stubbendieck said. “I changed jobs the first time because Senator Kerrey retired, and the second time because Senator Johnson retired. They had to leave office to get rid of me, essentially.” When Johnson’s Senate tenure ended, Stubbendieck moved to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), eventually serving as acting deputy assistant administrator overseeing legislative strategy for the agency. The shift from petitioner to gatekeeper was a revelation, he said. “After being so long on the other side of people coming to our offices, to be on the other side of going to the Hill and asking for things, it was a really interesting change of position,” Stubbendieck said. “For 20 years as a Hill staffer, it had been sort of opaque to me how decisions were made.”
A return to Nebraska, guided by fate
Stubbendieck’s political appointment at USAID ended with a change in presidential administrations, and he had a job offer in hand, but it didn’t feel right. He and his wife had long talked about eventually moving back to Nebraska, and she suggested they
Page 20 • September 18, 2026
MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN
(Kerrey) was the sort of person that would ask very detailed, pointed questions. You couldn’t go in there and fake it, because he was going to expose what you didn’t know. — TODD STUBBENDIECK treat the moment as a test. “I remember saying to my wife, I think I’m going to turn this job offer down, but I’m not sure what else is out there,” Stubbendieck said. “It was my wife who said, why don’t we set a date, and if you don’t have the perfect job in place, we’ll take that as a sign and move back to Nebraska.” That perfect job never materialized. The family sold their house and relocated, drawn partly by a desire to raise their young children in a different environment than the D.C. metro area. “What I learned is if you turn your decisions over to fate, you have to take the answer that fate gives you,” he said. Back in Omaha, Stubbendieck simply started meeting people. That networking led him to Douglas County Health Center, the county-owned long-term care facility, where he became chief operating officer not because of healthcare expertise, but because of his leadership background. “I had all this leadership and management experience, and I was really hired to come in and help them make some leadership and management changes,” he said. Eventually, Stubbendieck began building his own government affairs consulting business until a job opening caught his eye: AARP Nebraska state director, a role he’s held since 2019. “It has everything that I love and that I think I’m good at doing: leading a team that’s mission-focused and dedicated to serving a constituency,” Stubbendieck said. “I brag all the time; I think I have the best job in the state of Nebraska.”
AARP’s work across Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan Legislature. “There’s a whole lot that we work on that we can all agree on,” he said. “We do a lot of work on behalf of the 300,000 unpaid family caregivers in Nebraska. We can all agree that we should be supporting caregivers, and then it’s about finding those places in which we can create policy that helps do that.” Still, he’s noticed a shift in Washington since his early Capitol Hill days. “Things are much more partisan than they used to be,” Stubbendieck said. “With Senator Johnson, I didn’t take him a proposal unless I had already worked out who the Republican co-sponsor was going to be. I don’t think that exists as much as it used to anymore.” His leadership approach, honed across Senate offices, a federal agency and a healthcare facility, is intentionally hands-off. “You hire smart people, you give them what they need to do to get the job done, and then you get out of their way,” he said. “The only thing I ask of my teams is if they sense that there’s trouble, let me know about it sooner than later.” That approach is guided, above all, by what AARP hears directly from its members. “It really fundamentally is people want to be able to age in place and stay in their homes for as long as possible,” Stubbendieck said. “That is the center of everything that we work on.”
More than a membership card
Most people associate AARP with the membership card that shows up around a 50th birthday. Stubbendieck said that perception barely scratches the surface. “AARP is a nationwide nonprofit that empowers people to choose how they live as they age,” he said. “Our members support our work to advocate on the issues that matter most to people 50-plus, at the state, local and federal level.” Social Security and Medicare remain central to that mission, he said, but represent only a fraction of the organization’s scope, which also includes housing policy and fraud prevention.
FUN FACTS:
Fighting fraud, one kiosk at a time
What would you tell your 16-year-old self?
Nebraska’s crackdown on cryptocurrency kiosk fraud ranks among the accomplishments Stubbendieck is proudest of; the scheme often targets older adults. “It’s become the favorite tool of scammers to convince people to go withdraw their money from the bank,” he said, describing how victims are often told they owe a fine, then directed to deposit cash into a cryptocurrency kiosk. “Once that money is converted and put in the scammer’s digital wallet, it’s gone forever. It’s untraceable.” AARP Nebraska worked with Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island to pass local ordinances requiring warning signs on the machines, then helped pass a state law last year regulating the kiosks and allowing scam victims to recover funds. “Within the first six months, Nebraska helped return $300,000 to people who have been victims of scams through these machines,” Stubbendieck said. “I’ve been a real leader in the nation in protecting people from scams involved in these machines.”
Building bridges in a partisan era
What saying or quote sums you up? There’s a poem called “If” by Rudyard Kipling that I recited to my oldest son every night for the first 10 years of his life. I love that poem. The line I’m most drawn to is: “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too.”
It all works out, so slow down and enjoy it a little bit more. What’s your favorite diversion away from work? My kids. What’s your favorite special-occasion place in Omaha and what do you order? If I’m with my kids, it’s Mama’s Pizza; they have a really good gluten-free pizza, which helps since my youngest is gluten-free. If it’s just my wife and I, Committee Chophouse. What’s a hidden talent you have that not many people know about? I’m an avid fly fisherman, but frustrated with not getting to go as much as I’d love to. My favorite place to fish is the Rose River in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.
Decades of navigating Capitol Hill taught Stubbendieck that advocacy succeeds through relationships built before an ask is ever made, a lesson he applies leading
Page 21 • September 18, 2026
MIDLANDS leaders
Alyssa Francis
A CAREER SHIFT BRINGS FRANCIS BACK TO OMAHA AND HER NONPROFIT ROOTS BY ANNA BLUMENTHAL | PHOTO CONTRIBUTED Midlands Leaders is a weekly section showcasing individuals who are making an impact in the community through their professional and volunteer endeavors. To nominate someone for this section, email news@mbj.com with the individual’s name, position, company and email. While Alyssa Francis’ career has taken her from higher education to the nonprofit world and across several states, her focus has remained the same: supporting and uplifting others. Originally from Omaha, Francis moved around the Midwest before attending Miami University in Ohio, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration. An internship with Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha gave her an early connection to the nonprofit world, but she ultimately pursued higher education, earning a master’s of education from the University of Kansas in 2022. Francis then took a leap of faith and moved to Auburn, Alabama, to work as coordinator for student organizations at Auburn University. Her parents and sister, however, had returned to Omaha, making the pull toward home even greater. Francis not only returned to Omaha, she returned to Ronald McDonald House Charities. In March 2024, Francis began at RMHC Omaha as a volunteer coordinator. She was promoted to her current role of day program coordinator in July 2025. “(I’m really grateful I can blend) being able to take some of the professional skills that I’ve gained in other roles and bring them back to (Ronald McDonald House Charities) and have a greater understanding of needs that we have as individuals, in addition to the circumstances that our families are navigating,” Francis said.
Providing support
Ultimately, Francis’ joy in her profession is taking care of people. “I think it’s the same part of me that wanted to do best by my students and wanted to make sure, are you taking care of yourself, are you having your needs met, are you getting enough sleep,” Francis said. “Those are conversations that are really pivotal for young adults that are trying to navigate college for
the first time.” Although academia and nonprofit are different, everyone knows what it is like to have a really rough day. That mantra has guided her through working with people of various needs. “No one can ever exactly understand what they’re going through, but what I’ve navigated personally, I still can utilize to better support them,” Francis said. In her role, Francis works directly with supporting families through Ronald McDonald House’s programming. Francis described her day-to-day functions as wraparound support execution for events. She assists in a variety of programs, from helping with haircut day, an event where they partner with Capitol Beauty School to provide haircuts to families, field trips or bringing in therapy animals. One of her favorite parts is getting to hear the families’ stories and how they are integrating into the Omaha community. “It’s unique where the families that stay with us are not from Omaha,” Francis said. “They’re temporarily here with us, but we get to share everything that we love about our hometown with them, and hopefully make sure that their experience here with us is as positive as it can be too.”
Intentional community building
Although she moved back to be with family, Francis wanted to create her own community, and challenged herself to branch out from the organization and city with which she was familiar with. She moved to the Blackstone neighborhood, focused on building connections and joined the Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals. “Coming back here, it was taking the time to figure out … what I wanted my identity to be within a place that had the potential, if I gave it the power, to feel like it could define me for me,” Francis said. Her first event was a park cleanup sponsored by Keep Omaha Beautiful, and she quickly was introduced to individuals that would later become some of her closest friends. Now, she serves as the committee’s networking lead, where she sparks conversations with strangers and helps them to figure out new opportunities through the chamber. Francis said for others who are looking to get more involved in the community, an easy first step is to ask a friend or colleague
ALYSSA FRANCIS
about what drew them to their Omaha experience. “There’s something to be learned from each (story), and I think being open to have those conversations, especially if it’s not typically on your one-on-one agenda, can be really insightful,” she said. “Because most people who are here are passionate in some regard about what being part of Omaha and Nebraska means to them.” Francis said a current goal of hers is working to blend her work with the young professionals community with her work at Ronald McDonald House. “I think Ronald McDonald House has been a huge opportunity for me to grow, but I’ve also been able to see firsthand the impact that the organization has on the families we’re hoping to serve,” Francis said. “ … I’m excited now to be embarking on a discovery process for what it would be like to bring more YPs into our organization with intention.”
Founded in Omaha in 1966 Celebrating 60 Years
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Page 22 • September 18, 2026
BUSINESS news
Building a Better Omaha CAMPAIGN URGES APPROVAL OF TWO BOND ISSUES
BETTER OMAHA FROM PAGE 01
The two questions would authorize up to $155 million for public facilities and up to $30 million for park and recreation improvements. City officials have said existing levy capacity is sufficient to repay the bonds, and no increase in the City of Omaha property tax levy is anticipated. “The more I’ve learned about these two projects, the more convinced I’ve become that they are smart investments in Omaha’s future,” said Nate Dodge, chair of the Building a Better Omaha Committee and chair and CEO of NP Dodge Co. “One supports the people who protect our community, and the other creates better opportunities for our kids and families. Omaha has always been willing to invest in the next generation. I hope voters will learn the facts and join me in voting yes on both.”
Public Facilities Bond Question
PROPOSED JOINT POLICE AND FIRE HEADQUARTERS IN THE CROSSROADS DEVELOPMENT
The Public Facilities Bond Question, would authorize up to $155 million in General Obligation bonds for public NATE DODGE, CHAIR OF THE facilities. The City has identified a proposed joint police BUILDING A BETTER OMAHA and fire headquarters in the Crossroads development as COMMITTEE AND CHAIR AND CEO the principal project associated with the authorization. OF NP DODGE The 275,000-square-foot campus would bring key administrative and specialized Police and Fire functions together and accommodate about 300 personnel. It would not serve as a police precinct or fire station, and no police cruisers or fire apparatus would deploy from the site. The current Omaha Police headquarters is more than 50 years old and does not have the size or configuration to serve Omaha’s needs. It cannot accommodate current staffing, specialized units, or modern technology needs, and structural steel with spray-on asbestos fireproofing hampers renovation. Omaha Fire Department administrative functions are spread among multiple locations, while its headquarters at Fire Station 1 also operates as an active fire station and lacks adequate room for training and public functions. “The Greater Omaha Chamber is excited to help educate the public about the importance of these two questions,” said Heath Mello, president and CEO of Greater Omaha Chamber. “Voters deserve clear information about the proposed public safety headquarters and completion of Tranquility Park as they consider both questions.”
Parks Bond Question
The Parks Bond Question, would authorize up to $30 million in General Obligation bonds for park and recreation improvements. City officials have identified completion of the Tranquility Park redevelopment at 120th Street and West Maple Road as the principal intended use. The current plan calls for 16 synthetic-turf fields. Construction is underway on the first 12 fields, which are anticipated to open in summer 2027, with four additional fields anticipated to open in fall 2027.
TRANQUILITY PARK REDEVELOPMENT AT 120TH STREET AND WEST MAPLE ROAD
The completed complex would give local young athletes better access to quality playing fields and more opportunities to compete at home. It would also position Omaha to compete for national tournaments, bringing visitors to the city and supporting the economic activity generated by youth sports. The campaign will provide project information, ballot details, election deadlines and source documents at buildingabetteromaha.com through Election Day. Omaha voters will consider both questions in the Nov. 3, 2026 General Election.
e e d n A & y g with Win Page 23 • September 18, 2026
BUSINESS news MAPA announces its 2026 Annual Awards A COMMUNITY LEADER AND A BIKE-SHARING ORGANIZATION ARE THE RECIPIENTS OMAHA, Nebraska—A public servant whose support for transportation projects is dramatically reshaping infrastructure investment in the fastest growing part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs region and a non-profit organization focused on increasing mobility options and access to reliable transportation for a better quality of life are the recipients of MAPA’s 2026 Annual Awards. MAPA’s Regional Citizenship and Regional Service Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose positive influence on the MAPA six-county region has been extraordinary. Paula Dennison, Gretna City Administrator, is the recipient of MAPA’s Regional Citizenship Award. “Paula’s leadership on major initiatives has impacted growth, development and infrastructure across the region,” said Mike Helgerson, MAPA Executive Director. “Her vision to work collaboratively across jurisdictional boundaries for the Western Sarpy Transportation enhancements Program (WE-STEP) created a framework for consistent and efficient infrastructure investments in the fastest-growing part of MAPA’s region. Her work to accelerate construction of the new I-80 interchange and associated local roadways translated MAPA’s Sarpy County Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study into action on decades of promises made to tackle these complicated projects.” Heartland Bike Share is the recipient of MAPA’s Regional Service Award. “Heartland Bike Share has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to improving the quality of life across the region through thoughtful programs and partnerships,” said Helgerson. “Its close coordination with local governments and community partners to launch the Free Rides program exemplifies its commitment to expanding access to opportunity, active living and shared mobility.” Both recipients will receive their awards at the MAPA Council of Officials Annual
PAULA DENNISON, GRETNA CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Meeting on Oct. 7, 2026, at the Charles E. and Florence M. Lakin Community Center on the Mills County Fairgrounds just south of Malvern, Iowa.
BUSINESS news
City Settles Blackstone
$700K DEAL CLEARS WAY FOR DEMOLITION, REDEVELOPMENT OMAHA, Nebraska — The City of Omaha announced Sept. 10 a proposed agreement with the owners of the Blackstone building at 3810-12 Farnam, where a foundation wall collapsed in June. The agreement, which was approved by City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 15, provides a clear path to resolution.
“Our priority since day one has been a solution that is efficient and fair to the property owners and local businesses in the neighborhood,” said Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. “We also want to keep the Omaha Streetcar project moving forward and on time.” In an effort to help bring the issue to a rapid conclusion, the City offers a $700,000 settlement, which would be paid out of the judgment fund. Kiewit Infrastructure Co. would contribute $200,000 to the City to offset Omaha Streetcar project costs. Kiewit said it supports the City’s efforts to resolve the matter and is ready to move forward under the City’s direction. This total represents a $675,000 property appraisal combined with $25,000 to cover the owners’ expenses. Approval means the city will acquire the property, contract for the demolition of the existing structure and prepare the site for redevelopment. A demolition contract would be awarded at a later date. Property owners Trey and Lallaya Lalley are the long-time co-owners of the Brothers Lounge in Omaha’s Blackstone District, which they took over in 1998 and closed in 2021. Trey Lalley said he and Lallaya were glad to have the situation resolved. “This is a relief,” he said. “The settlement is fair, prompt and allows us to close this chapter.” This resolution also aims to directly address the concerns of the Blackstone Business Association and local stakeholders who have advocated for a swift cleanup of the site to support ongoing construction and neighborhood vitality.
Page 24 • September 18, 2026
BUSINESS news
Omahans Set World Record A 429-FOOT SLIM JIM IS CERTIFIED IN OMAHA
OMAHA, Nebraska — For hundreds of employees at Conagra Brands’ Omaha campus, Sept. 9, 2026, will be remembered as the day they could “meat” history. That day, Slim Jim, touted by ConAgra as “America’s best-selling meat stick” and a brand of Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) secured a Guinness World Records™ title for the World’s Longest Meat Snack Stick. The stunning 429-foot-5-inch Slim Jim meat stick was certified by an official Guinness World Records adjudicator as their new World Record holder. At 143 yards – well past the length of a football field – and weighing in at nearly 70 pounds, the history-making Slim Jim is a fitting representation of the brand’s bold, larger-than-life personality. While many in attendance today will share the tale of this behemoth Slim Jim with their grandchildren, the day was especially poignant for those team members who helped craft the Bunyanesque treat. “The record-breaking Slim Jim is a testament to the creativity, expertise and dedication of our team,” said Jess Sweley, senior vice president of Research & Development at Conagra Brands. “Our people bring innovation to life every day, and we wanted to find a unique way to celebrate their passion. This record-breaking Slim Jim was a true labor of love for our group.” The epic Slim Jim surged well past the former record Crossword by Myles Mellor holder, a 314-foot-long meat stick unveiled in 2023. Once the World Record was confirmed, Conagra Brands team Across members were invited to “Snap into a Slim Jim” like no 1. Sixth sense, for short other, taking celebratory bites of this history-making snack. 4. Young Scottish girl The task of beefing up a typical Slim Jim started in 8. “Antiques Roadshow” airer 11. Twirled around June 2025, with a team of 11 Conagra Brands employees 13. Related to vision who were charged with creating the record-breaking 15. Fish eggs stick. Staying true to the iconic Slim Jim recipe, the group 16. Beginner worked to ensure that this once-in-a-lifetime meat stick 17. Separated delivered the legendary snap that Slim Jim aficionados 18. Hawkeye State know and love. 19. Dined at a restaurant, 2 words “Slim Jim fans crave snacks that are big and bold,” said 21. Repeat broadcast Juan Amadaor, VP/GM for Slim Jim. “That attitude led 23. First name of Warren Buffet’s us to create a Slim Jim stick that’s bigger and bolder business than anything the world has ever seen. We wish all the 25. Cheers of support members of the Long Boi Gang could have joined us in 28. Political party member, informally Omaha today for a bite.” 29. Ready to mate, of animals, 2 For a Slim Jim experience more suitable for everyday words enjoyment, fans can get their own taste of big flavor with 31. Mark on the skin the new Slim Jim Cheese Mode™, the first-ever Slim 35. Not too spicy Jim featuring real cheese inside every bite. Available 38. Mario ___ of the N.B.A. in Cheddar and Cheddar & Jalapeño flavors, Cheese 39. Margarine, old-style Mode brings together the legendary Slim Jim snap while 40. Lash ___ of old westerns delivering 10g of protein per stick. 41. “___ Well That Ends Well” Ready to “Snap into a Slim Jim?” For more information 42. Rowing implements 43. Biblical paradise about Slim Jim and its lineup of bold-flavored meat snacks, 44. Attention-getting whisper visit slimjim.com.
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45. Sorting patients by urgency 47. German cry 50. Lottery-style game 51. What was Omaha famous for in 1898, 2 words 57. Tiny Pacific island nation 59. Female graduate 60. Swing around suddenly 63. Omaha is famous for this Japanese food 65. Beatty and Buntline 66. Kardashian mother 67. Contemptuous facial expression 68. Put in stitches 69. Mountain in Switzerland 70. Joyful delight 71. Drug smugglers fear, abbr.
CONAGRA EMPLOYEES IN OMAHA CREATED THE WORLD’S LONGEST SLIM JIM
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Page 25 • September 18, 2026
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Volunteer ity of Omaha’s TODD with Clinics, where she Lawyers Project and planning needs Habitat for veatrse assists Re and toindivid uals law professional and mentotiv Aim ts.Erin s estuden has been recogn with estate tiaunityrscontrib Inicomm ized for her for thed: utions, Inspire Awards and receiving the including being named a finalis Plan Unveile t Nebraska State Award in 2025. Bar Association’ lataryion Brain Gain Grow PopuVision s t brain gain LDMLAW.CO Talent Loss, ounced a jointer Omaha, a M Cen of Omaha ann
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CHIEF LENDING
July 22, 2022
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Published and featured on MBJ.com and in the next available issue of MBJ after approval OFFICER
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Adam M. Ripp
Charlie brings 25 years coaching and develo of lending experience and a bank’s commercial ping teams. As Chief Lendin strong passion for g Office and residential m mbj.co relatio lending strategies r, he will lead the nships Journal info@ e Builder with business leader while strengthenin nds Business fueled — The Peopl s across Nebra by working with g From: Midla Cover Story ska. Charlie’s custom This Week: MBJ AM and ct: 8:08 driven at Subje to grow in ways ers who are passionate about passion is ary 20, 2026 that positively their businesses Date: Febru m impac mbj.co t where they live To: mike@ MBJ today! A graduate of Creigh towork. cribeand subs ... ton n Unive icatio rsity Charlie is deeply publ ourwith majors getti conne not ctedng to the Omaha area. in Economics and Finance, e still youth you'r baske but e-newsletter, for the Omahtball, baseball, and football, and Outside of work, he coaches You get our serves on the Board a Suburban Athlet ic Association. of Directors Lincoln Federa l Savings Bank (Member FDIC to welcome Charli / Equal e Boone to the leadership team. Housing Lender) is proud
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Scott M. Stevens UNICO GROUP WELCOMES SCOTT M. STEVENS, RHU, CDHC UNICO Group, a leading independent insurance brokerage based in Nebraska, is pleased to announce that Scott M. Stevens has joined the organization, effective September 1, 2026. Stevens is an experienced employee benefits broker and consultant with 40 years helping employers manage health insurance and benefits strategies. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to trusted relationships, client-focused service, and innovative benefits solutions. By joining UNICO, Stevens clients gain access to UNICO’s broader expertise in employee benefits, property and casualty insurance, risk management, and business solutions. Clients will continue to benefit from Stevens consultative approach, now supported by UNICO’s team. Scott has built an outstanding reputation by helping employers better understand and manage their employee benefits programs, said Shane Ideus, President of UNICO. His experience, values, and commitment to serving clients align closely with our culture. We are excited to welcome Scott to UNICO and look forward to the opportunities this partnership creates for his clients and our team.
CARE | APPOIN TED
Tim Marte ns
MARTENS
Publicat ion date Reserve : Septemb your prof er ile by: Aug 9 ust 19
Lincoln
Display adver also availa tising ble
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from The own from the Univ tal studies environmen lth science education degree in hea
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to announce that partners within Brian Barmettler, the fFirm. David W. Rasmu ssen and Adam M. Ripp have been Brian Barmettler elected to is a commercial litigator whose employee benefi practice encompasses ts & represented insure ERISA, construction, financial a broad range of transa rs and insureds industries, includi in defense and covera ctions, energy and trust and adjudications, banks ng insurance, estates. Among others, he has suppliers and purcha in U.C.C. Article 9 collection disput ge disputes, employee welfar e benefit es, contractors and sers in U.C.C. Article project owners in plans in reimbursement 2 matters. construction defect David W. Rasmu cases, and ssen practices primar estate planning ily in the areas of and handled numerous probate/trust administration. David corporate transactions, govern ance, transactions and corporate restruc has almost twenty years of experi structuring, succession planni ng, tures for clients ence in these practic across a variety Adam M. Ripp repres e areas, having of industries and ents busine sses of practice focuses different sizes. of all sizes in a variety on of corporate transa Adam also advise strategic mergers, acquisitions, ctions and and s entity formations, clients on regulatory compliance— divestitures, representing both general corporate matters. His buyers corporate reorga particu and larly in the sellers across indust nizations, succes ries. sion planning, contra banking sector—and regularly counsels “Brian, David, and ct negotiations and Adam join an alread governance issues them on Holm LLP Manag y strong partnership, . ing reinforcing the depth ethic in unanimously Partner Chris Hedican. “The partne of experience rship electing them. We are pleased to welcorecognized their tremendous talent,our clients rely on,” said Baird me them into the client relationships Baird Holm LLP’s partnership.” and work integra to the positive outcom ted team of 105 attorneys, licensed in 21 states respond efficiently es they seek. With extensive , is committed to and to has proudly repres its clients’ local, regional, nation diverse expertise, Baird Holm connecting each of its valued clients leverages each ented al attorney’s skills governmental entitie public and private companies, and international legal needs to . For more than individuals, private s and nonprofit 150 years, Baird organizations. funds and other Holm investors, financ ial institutions, BAIRDHOLM
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As chief financial officer, Rempe will lead Cobalt|s financial strategy, governance and administrative operations, overseeing accounting, finance, payments and facilities. His responsibilities include financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, balance sheet and asset-liability management. He will also provide financial analysis and strategic guidance to senior management and the board of directors.
COBALTCU.COM
PAID ANNOUN
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WOODM ENLIFE
Rempe brings more than 23 years of experience in banking, credit unions, commercial finance, capital markets and financial technology, along with executive leadership in finance, strategy and operations. A Nebraska native, he is returning home to join Cobalt.
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Cobalt Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointment of Benjamin Rempe as chief financial officer.
Rempe holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Iowa and degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Hutchinson Community College.
FRASER STRY KER WELCOMES MARK CURLEY TEAM AT CURL AND EY IMMIGRAT ION LAW TO FIRM Fraser Stryker PC LLO the Firm. This additi welcomes the team at Curley enhances the Firm’s on strengthens Fraser Stryke Immigration Law PC LLO to r’s immigration matte ability to advise businesses Immigration practice and and individuals naviga Mark Curley and rs. “This move is a meaningful his team compl expansion for both ting ement our existin Fraser Stryker firms. to meet the growi g Fraser Stryker ng needs of our capabilities and position partner. clients,” said Micha el Coyle, The team joinin g Fraser Stryke r includes attorn Kathryn Bass and ey Mark J. Curley Miranda Lopez , paralegals Avelino. “Our priorit , and y has always been legal administrative assistant strategic immig Estaphany providing thoug ration htful, part of Fraser Stryke representation,” said Curley . “Becoming r strengthens maintaining the personalized approour ability to do that while to expect.” Curley ach our clients have Immig come ration Law Stryker’s office at 409 South 17th has relocated to Fraser Street, Omaha, NE..
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PAID ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNOUNCE MIDLAN D AS PRESIDENT DS BUSINES Home Care OF HCAN HEALTH S JOURNA Advocacy LINCOLN CARE | NAMED announce Network & SARPY L the appointmen (HCAN) of Lincoln Josie t of Tim and Sarpy Rodrig Martens Mr. Martens is pleased as President. uez ONEWORLD to and is ready joins the organization & INCLUSIONNAMES JOSIE to position with 17 services RODRIGUEZ years of to individuals HCAN as a senior care CHIEF OF in the greaterpremier provider DIVERSITY, experience Josie Rodriguez, of non-medical Lincoln EQUITY Mr. Martens and Sarpy/Cass for OneWorld BS, MHA, was Healthcare is an active member named Chief markets. and prioritize Community Health and Hospice of the Nebraska of Diversity, Throughout Centers. diversity, grow. his combinedand a diplomatic Association The position Equity and Inclusion equity and with the advocate inclusion was created for Home senior population.17 years in for senior efforts as to increase the senior different OneWorld “Senior than working care industry, care issues. Originally continues from central with seniors. care is my career he has grown to Service and my I thoroughly Administratio Nebraska, Josie passionate While senior holds a enjoy it,” life. I don’t see about working from Bellevue n and myself doing “Our number care is the service he says. University. a Master of Science Bachelor of Science During her HCAN offers, anything Josie worked in Human in Healthcare Caregivers, one core value time with Mr. Martens is to for the Medicaid, the State, they will Administratio is also an Children feel valued, pursue the genuine she worked State of Nebraska n and Family 2011, she advocate for the Nebraska love their success for 30 years. Mr. Martens rejoined Services, for caregivers. of others. jobs, and DHHS in Public Health Department If we do provide the of the ways is also a huge Office of incredible of Health this well and the proponent Josie also Health Disparities Office of we can and with our care to of we are the Nebraska Human Services served on our clients.” in a critical best care for seniors working in tandem and Health Josie said the board in Attorney labor crisis seniors Equity. she has of with other is to partner General. are receiving always admiredthe People’s Health to those so In with like-minded non-medical who need all the care partnering client Center, Federally it number care with agencies. agencies. “One they need.” of Latinos most, and as a Latina, Qualified Health now Bluestem Health, To learn other trusted It’s no secret more about is a great the opportunity Centers for in Lincoln, providers that fit for her. HCAN careers, providing Nebraska. helps to to work With her health care ensure partnerships for an organization vast services , or in-home and advocatingexperience and HOME that serves care, please for diversity knowledge in working a large inclusion 402-28CARE ADVOC contact and inclusion, strategies to us. ACY NETWO to advance EMAIL: 7-6171 Josie said address health disparities, OneWorld’s she is looking WEBSIT TMARTE “We are RK OF advancing mission. forward working NS@HC health equity LINCOL to using to create WWW.HCE: WWW.HC they belong,” diversity, ANNEB N AND equity and ANTHRI ANTHRI said Josie. a diverse, equitable RASKA. SARPY want to “OneWorld VE.COM VE.COM and get to know COM has an internal inclusive organizationa /LINCOL /SARPY let people everyone in these know that LGBTQ+ l culture OR N groups Task leadership where values every and engage with Force and an Employee everyone feels team members employee Council, and that ONEWO at OneWorld, at every location. and I 402-73 RLD COMMU I want everyone has a voice.” to NITY EMAIL: 4-4110
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on WOODMEN LIFE APPOINTS EXECUTIVE Shawn VICE PRESIDENT Bengtson was security, & CHIEF investment appointed Executive RISK OFFICER Enterprise underwriting Vice President Risk, Security, , physical and Chief property and Property Risk Officer, security, “Risk reaches & Facility divisions. business continuity, effective July into many a strong corporate 1, 2022. She will areas leader, insurance lead WoodmenLi WoodmenLi of the business retention, world fe will be fe’s expanded and current well positioned and is constantly Bengtson risk managemen and forecasted started evolving,” to not only from University her career said WoodmenLi business t handle the risks. She efforts in cyber of Nebraska-Liwith WoodmenLi current (CFA) since fe President will also fe in 2001, risk environment ncoln in 2004, she & CEO, lead the and the Patrick earned but also her Chartered Interdepartmental most recently led be prepared L. Dees. “By WoodmenLi Area Insurance for the future.” ensuring our fe’s Investment WOODM Operations of Business, with Risk Managemen focuses Professional EMAIL: ENLIFE t efforts in corporate division as Vice (CIOP) designation have • 402-34 President. finance, WEBSIT COMMUNICATIO investments She has 2-1890 in 2009. E: WOODM and banking multiple degrees N@WOO ENLIFE (1996). As including a doctorate a Chartered .ORG DMENLIFE.ORG Financial Analyst
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I am excited to join an organization that shares my commitment to trusted relationships and thoughtful client service. This partnership will allow me to continue serving clients while providing access to additional expertise and capabilities as their needs evolve.
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Seacrest & Kalkowski, PC, LLO Joins Baird Holm LLP
counties.
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Stevens has worked with thousands of organizations on alternative health insurance funding, creative benefits strategies, and employee education. His background includes leadership roles in insurance sales and marketing, co-founding a third-party administrator, and founding The HSA Toolkit, an education system for employers and employees. He is also a published author and speaker on healthcare financing. UNICO’s strong reputation in the marketplace, access to a broader team and resources, and commitment to its core values and culture made this a natural fit, said Scott M. Stevens.
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Seacrest & Kalkowski, PC, LLO is proud to announce that its attorneys and staff will join Baird Holm LLP effective April 1, 2027. Founding partners Kent Seacrest and DaNay Kalkowski, will continue serving clients from Baird Holm’s Lincoln office, located in the Cornhusker Office Building. “For more than 30 years, DaNay and I have been fortunate to build a practice based on strong client relationships and responsive, practical service,” said Kent Seacrest. “Joining Baird Holm is an important next step for our practice. We believe this transition will allow us to continue serving our clients well while maintaining the values and relationships that have been important to us throughout our careers.” “While our firm name will change, our commitment to our clients will not,” said DaNay Kalkowski. “The relationships we have built over the years are at the heart of our practice, and we are dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition for our clients and the matters entrusted to us.”
WWW.SK-LAW.COM
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Page 26 • September 18, 2026
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NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF HOMELINK OF AMERICA, LLC Notice is hereby given that the Certificate of Organization of HomeLink of America, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (“Company”), has been amended to change: (i) the name of the Company to Concio of America, LLC; (ii) change the Designated Office Address to 450 Regency Parkway, Suite 240, Omaha, Nebraska 68114; and (iii) change the name and address of the Registered Agent to DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 W Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Amended Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on September 9, 2026. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, Attorneys 14606 Branch Street, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF CONVERSION OF CREEVO, LLC TO CREEVO, INC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Creevo, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has filed Articles of Conversion with the Nebraska Secretary of State and a Certificate of Conversion and Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State converting the limited liability company to Creevo, Inc., a Delaware corporation, effective September 1, 2026. The Company has designated its Delaware registered agent as The Corporation Trust Company, with registered office at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF UNIFIED TAX STRATEGIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Unified Tax Strategies, LLC ( the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 17002 Marcy Street, Suite 120, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. The Registered Agent of the Company is Seth M. Neben, 17002 Marcy Street, Suite 120, Omaha, Nebraska 68118. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 W. Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 Law Offices ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3450 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION War Eagle Holdings, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 16508 Riviera Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are David C. Nelson, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3450. First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 Notice of Organization DM360 Business Team, LLC Notice is hereby given that DM360 Business Team, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 19660 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 and with its initial agent for service of process as Deborah Juhlin, 19660 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF a Limited Liability Company NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PLATINUM TOWING LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the limited liability company is 4830 Aspen Dr, Omaha, NE 68157. The registered agent of PLATINUM TOWING LLC is ANTONIO FLORES DOMINGUEZ LLC, 4830 Aspen Dr., Omaha, NE 68157. First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE Pursuant to the Neb.Rev.St. §§ 21-193 & 21-117, notice is hereby given that the undersigned has formed a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The name of the Limited Liability Company is VAIDEN ESTHETICS, L.L.C. The address of the Company’s initial registered office in Nebraska is 1519 E. Church Rd Plattsmouth NE 68048 and the name of its registered agent at such address is Vickie Deans. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial designated office is 1519 E. Church Rd Plattsmouth NE 68048.
This company is organized to engage in and to do any lawful business for any lawful purpose, for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Company’s duration is perpetual beginning on the date the Certificate of Organization was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nebraska. The affairs of the limited liability company are conducted by Managers, Members and such other officers as may be provided for in the Operating Agreement.Vickie Deans, Member and Manager Michael Deans, Member and ManagerConnor W. Orr, Organizer 9375 Burt Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 408-6488 First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION SOWER VENTURES MANAGEMENT, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Sower Ventures Management, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 LAW OFFICES ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 WEST DODGE ROAD, SUITE 300, OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68114-3450 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION RJT Consulting LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process is Thomas J. Malicki, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SL RESIDENCE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SL Residence, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 9448 South 232nd Circle, Gretna, Nebraska 68028. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JML LEGACY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that JML Legacy, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 22777 G Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68022. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MKADEN HOLDINGS, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mkaden Holdings, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 35049 475th Avenue. St. Edward, Nebraska 68860. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF MONSON BUILDING, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Monson Building, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 13351 Dovers Street, Waverly, NE 68462. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on August 26, 2026 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MKADEN FAMILY OFFICES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mkaden Family Offices, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 35049 475th Avenue. St. Edward, Nebraska 68860. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 Jeffrey T. Palzer * 3555 Farnam St., Ste. 1000, Omaha, NE 68131 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION The name of the corporation is BRIDGEPOINT CPA, P.C. The registered agent is Smith Pauley, LLP, and the address of the registered office is 3555 Farnam St., Suite 1000, Omaha, Nebraska, 68131. The general nature of the corporation is to operate and maintain establishments carrying on and engaging in the practice of accounting. 10,000 shares of common stock, each having a par value of $1.00 are authorized to be issued at such time and upon such conditions as the Board of Directors shall determine. The corporation commenced on August 27, 2026, and shall have perpetual existence.
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The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Board of Directors shall determine. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 Aimee L. Lowe, Attorney Lowe Legal Group PC LLO Linden Place 14301 FNB PKWY, STE 100 | Omaha, NE 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that LOWE BUSINESS SERVICES, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, was organized on March 3, 2020, under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Its designated office is: 14301 FNB Pkwy, Ste. 100, Omaha, NE 68154 The Registered Agent is Northwest Registered Agent Service, Inc., located at 200 S. 21 st ST. STE. 400A, Lincoln, NE 68510. First publication: September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE ORGANIZATION OF LA REINA, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is La Reina, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 7161 N. 163rd Street, Bennington, NE 68007. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on August 26, 2026 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 Notice is hereby given that CRE8 Social, LLC , a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 333, Omaha, NE 68154 . The Registered Agent of the Company is Daniel J Goaley, 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 333, Omaha, NE 68154 . First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 MATTHEW T. PAYNE PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JENNIFER ALLRED CREATIVE, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of Jennifer Allred Creative, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is Jennifer Allred Creative, LLC. 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 1804 Greyson Drive, Papillion, Nebraska 68133, and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Jennifer L. Allred, 1804 Greyson Drive, Papillion, Nebraska 68133. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AJS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is AJS, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 2712 N. 182 nd Ave., Elkhorn, NE 68022. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on August 28, 2026 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc. 4920-9220-6283, v. 1 First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 Gnuse LAW OFFICE, P.C. 11311 Chicago Circle Omaha, NE 68154 Rodney G. Gnuse NOTICE OF INCORPORATION OF OM NAMAH SHIVAYA, INC. Notice is hereby given of incorporation of Om Namah Shivaya, Inc. under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The number of shares that the corporation is authorized to issue is up to 10,000 shares of voting common stock. The name and address of the initial registered agent is Rodney G. Gnuse, 11311 Chicago Circle, Omaha, NE 68154. The name and address of the incorporator is Rodney G. Gnuse, 11311 Chicago Circle, Omaha, NE 68154. The Corporation shall engage in any lawful business for which a corporation may be formed under the Nebraska Model Business Corporation Act. Perpetual existence commenced July 6, 2026, when articles were filed with the Secretary of State. Affairs are to be conducted by the Board of Directors and Officers authorized by the Bylaws and the Board. Rodney G. Gnuse Incorporator First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MARCO MEDIA, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that MarCo Media, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street address of the initial designated office is 20284 Wirt St, PO Box 180, Elkhorn, NE 68022. The name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is Ryan Ahart, 16235 Wood Dr, Omaha, NE 68130. The general nature of the business is to engage in any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026
LEGAL notices LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ADVISORY MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Advisory Management Solutions, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 11714 N. 175 th Circle, Bennington, NE 68007. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on September 11, 2026 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc. 4912-1057-4796, v. 1 First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 NOTICE OF INCORPORATION Notice is hereby given that Bedford Legacy Foundation has been incorporated under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. The corporation is a Public Benefit Corporation. The street address of the corporation’s initial registered office is 5068 Parkview Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68134, and the initial registered agent at that office is Corey L. Bedford. The name and street address of the incorporator are: Corey L. Bedford 5068 Parkview Drive Omaha, Nebraska 68134 The corporation does not have members. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 ERICKSON | SEDERSTROM, P.C. 10330 Regency Parkway Drive Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF NELLIE TRUCKING, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Nellie Trucking, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been duly organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with its designated office located at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114 and designating its registered agent as Erickson & Sederstrom, P.C., a Limited Liability Organization with its registered office at 10330 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 LAW OFFICES ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 WEST DODGE ROAD, SUITE 300 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68114-3450 NOTICE OF DOMESTICATION OF GERARD’S VEHICLES, LLC The following is a brief resume of the domestication of Gerard’s Vehicles, LLC, a District of Columbia limited liability company (“D.C. Entity”) into Gerard’s Vehicles, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (“Nebraska Entity”): Effective August 25, 2026, the D.C. Entity was domesticated in Nebraska and became a Nebraska limited liability company, and the D.C. Entity surrendered its existence in the District of Columbia. The domestication does not affect the continued existence of the entity. The limited liability membership interests of the D.C. Entity were converted into the same amount/percentage of limited liability membership interests of the Nebraska Entity. The Certificate of Organization filed with the Articles of Domestication shall be the Certificate of Organization of the Nebraska Entity and any managers or officers of the D.C. Entity shall continue to hold such positions in the Nebraska Entity. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 Notice is hereby given that Alora Nail Bar, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The designated office of the company is 10429 Cary Street, LaVista, Nebraska 68128. The Registered Agent of the company is Anh hoang nhi Nguyen, 10429 Cary Street, LaVista, Nebraska 68128. The Certificate of Organization was filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on August 20, 2026. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OF CONTOUR BODY STRUCTURE, L.L.C. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Amended Certificate of Organization Limited Liability Company of CONTOUR BODY STRUCTURE, L.L.C., was adopted by the Limited Liability Company on August 21, 2026, to change the Company to a professional service company providing medicine, surgery and healthcare, the full text of such Amended Certificate of Organization Limited Liability Company is on file with the Nebraska Secretary of State filed on September 4, 2026. ANTHONY L. GROSS, Authorized Representative 3018 South 87th Street, Omaha, NE 68124 First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Daniel J. Waters, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive | Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF GENEROSITY WEALTH PARTNERS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Generosity Wealth Partners, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 14301 FNB PKWY, Suite 201, Omaha, NE 68154. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on September 11, 2026 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc. 4917-0569-8508, v. 1 First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that M-1 Contracting, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws, with its designated office at 17401 Yankee Hill Rd., Bennet, NE 68317. It
is organized to transact any lawful business for which a Limited Liability Company maybe organized under Nebraska laws. Its affairs are to be conducted by the manager German Moran Lopez. Its registered agent is German Moran Lopez and his office is located at 17401 Yankee Hill Rd., Bennet, NE 68317. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 LEGACY DESIGN STRATEGIES, LLC, Attorneys 9859 S. 168th Ave, Omaha, NE 68136 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION The name of the Limited Liability Company is RABIH FAHED, LLC. The designated office of the limited liability company is 1706 West Benjamin Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68701. The registered agent and office of the limited liability company is Rabih C. Fahed, at 1706 West Benjamin Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68701. The purpose for which the company is organized is to engage in any and all business which is lawful under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Nebraska. The company commenced its existence on September 8, 2026, and the period of duration of the Company shall be perpetual. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by its Members in accordance with the company’s operating agreement. First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF WYOCHAR LLC Notice is given that Wyochar LLC (“the LLC”), has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska with the following registered agent and office: McGrath North Mullin & Kratz, PC LLO, c/o Rachel C. Meyer, 1601 Dodge Street, Suite 3700, Omaha, NE 68102. The LLC’s designated office is located at c/o Rachel C. Meyer, 1601 Dodge Street, Suite 3700, Omaha, NE 68102. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 SEAN D. MOYLAN, Attorney 1010 South 120 th Street, Suite 320 | Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF JIKANY DEANG, LLC The name of the Company is Jikany Deang, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company engaging in NIL monetization. The initial registered agent is Sean Moylan located at 1010 S. 120 th Street, Suite #320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. The initial designated office of the Company stated in the Certificate of Organization was 1010 S. 120 th Street, Suite #320, Omaha, Nebraska 68154. This limited liability company commenced business on August 21, 2026. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 Julia K. Palzer 3555 Farnam St., Ste. 1000 | Omaha, NE 68131 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION The name of the Company is T & K TILE KREATIONS, LLC. The address of the registered office is 7621 Castle St., Papillion, Nebraska, 68046. The general nature of the Company is tile services. The Company commenced on September 9, 2026, and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by Managing Member(s), the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as the Members shall determine. First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 Notice is hereby given that Oliver Investments, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska, with its initial designated office at 1328 N 181st Ave, Elkhorn, NE 68022. The initial agent for service of process of the Company is Bonnie Eisenhart, 1328 N 181st Ave, Elkhorn, NE 68022. The company is member-managed. Nature of the Company is real estate investments. First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 Law Offices ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300 | Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3450 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Rokeby Properties, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under the Nebraska Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office of the company is 16508 Riviera Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68136. The name and street and mailing address of the initial registered agent of the company for service of process are David C. Nelson, Abrahams Kaslow & Cassman LLP, 8712 West Dodge Road, Suite 300, Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3450. First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 Scott A. Meyerson, Esq. LIKES MEYERSON HATCH LLC 444 Regency Parkway Drive, #100 | Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Spot Outdoor LLC Notice is hereby given that Spot Outdoor LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the Company’s initial designated office is 9825 Grover Street, Omaha, NE 68124; and mailing address of the Company’s initial agent for service of process is 9825 Grover Street, Omaha, NE 68124; and the Company’s initial agent for service of process at such address is Darin N. Plautz. First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 Aimee L. Lowe, Attorney Lowe Legal Group PC LLO Linden Place 14301 FNB PKWY, STE 100 | Omaha, NE 68154 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that THE KIRSCH GROUP, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, was organized on March 3, 2020, under the laws of the State of Nebraska. Its designated office is: 720 Grenoble Drive, Bellevue, NE 68123 The Registered Agent is Northwest Registered Agent Service, Inc., located at 200 S. 21 st ST. STE. 400A, Lincoln, NE 68510. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SKOL HOLDINGS GROUP, LLC Designated Office: 8822 Quest Street, Omaha, NE 68122 Initial Agent/Address for Service: Lars T. Pedersen/8822 Quest Street, Omaha, NE 68122 First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026
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Craig W. Benson LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP 10306 Regency Parkway Drive | Omaha, NE 68114 NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF ORGANIZATION OF INTELLIGENT DJ, LLC Notice is hereby given that an amendment to the Certificate of Organization of Intelligent DJ, LLC a Nebraska corporation, was filed with the Secretary of State on September 8, 2026, to change the name of the business to Intelligent Events, LLC. LDM Business Services, Inc., Registered Agent First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 MARK J. LAPUZZA, Attorney PANSING HOGAN ERNST & BUSER LLP 10250 Regency Circle, Suite 300 Omaha, Nebraska 68114-3728 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 741 NORTH 89 TH PLAZA, LLC Notice is hereby given of the organization of 741 NORTH 89 TH PLAZA, LLC: 1. The name of the limited liability company is 741 NORTH 89 TH PLAZA, LLC ; and 2. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 and the name and street address of the initial agent for service of process is PDM, Inc., 14301 FNB Parkway, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 . First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF ARMBRUST STRATEGIES, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Armbrust Strategies, LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the designated office is 11118 Jones Street, Omaha, NE 68154. The registered agent for service of process is Sebastian deMayo whose address is 11118 Jones Street, Omaha, NE 68154. The company was organized on August 27, 2026. The general nature of its business is to engage in any lawful business. First publication September 18, 2026, final October 2, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SL LAKESHORE, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SL Lakeshore, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 9448 South 232nd Circle, Gretna, Nebraska 68028. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 | Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 LAW OFFICES ABRAHAMS KASLOW & CASSMAN LLP 8712 WEST DODGE ROAD, SUITE 300 OMAHA, NEBRASKA 68114-3450 TELEPHONE 402-392-1250 FACSIMILE 402-392-0816 NOTICE OF DOMESTICATION OF LGS-RLG, LLC The following is a brief resume of the domestication of LGS-RLG, LLC, a District of Columbia limited liability company (“D.C. Entity”) into LGS-RLG, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company (“Nebraska Entity”): Effective August 25, 2026, the D.C. Entity was domesticated in Nebraska and became a Nebraska limited liability company, and the D.C. Entity surrendered its existence in the District of Columbia. The domestication does not affect the continued existence of the entity. The limited liability membership interests of the D.C. Entity were converted into the same amount/percentage of limited liability membership interests of the Nebraska Entity. The Certificate of Organization filed with the Articles of Domestication shall be the Certificate of Organization of the Nebraska Entity and any managers or officers of the D.C. Entity shall continue to hold such positions in the Nebraska Entity. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Phillip T. Sanberg, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive | Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF MOMMI MAT, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is Mommi Mat, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc., 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on August 26, 2026 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 Gnuse LAW OFFICE, P.C. 11311 Chicago Circle | Omaha, NE 68154 Rodney G. Gnuse NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SAUNDERS RIDGE HOLDINGS, L.L.C. A Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that SAUNDERS RIDGE HOLDINGS, L.L.C., a Nebraska Limited Liability Company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its designated office located at 1736 N 174th Street, Omaha, NE 68118. The general nature of its business is to engage in and do any lawful act concerning any and all lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the limited liability company’s initial registered office is 11311 Chicago Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68154, and the name of its’ initial registered agent at such address is Rodney G. Gnuse. The Certificate of Organization was filed in the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State on August 26, 2026. The Company commenced business thereon and shall have perpetual existence. The affairs of the Company are to be conducted by the Members. Richard Provaznik, Organizer First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF RKS LEGACY, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that RKS Legacy, LLC (the “Company”) has been organized
LEGAL notices under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 18 West Sandy Ridge Road, Columbus, Nebraska 68601. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 | Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DAUNTLESS PROPERTIES LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Dauntless Properties LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1605 South 141st Avenue Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 | Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MILLARD HOTDOGS LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Millard Hotdogs LLC (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1605 South 141st Avenue Circle, Omaha, Nebraska 68144. The Registered Agent of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 | Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 Notice is hereby given that 26 2 STEP MINI MARATHON, a non-profit corporation, has incorporated under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act. The general nature of the business is any lawful business. Denise Ibsen Cole is the incorporator and the registered agent is Damien P Foster, CPA. The address of the registered office is 13621 Boyd Street Omaha, NE 68164. The affairs of the corporation are to be conducted by the Board of Directors and such officers as it may elect. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 LAMSON DUGAN & MURRAY LLP Craig W. Benson, Attorney 10306 Regency Parkway Drive | Omaha, Nebraska 68114 NOTICE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF INTELLIGENT EVENTS, LLC Notice is hereby given of the formation of a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Nebraska, and that the name of the limited liability company is INTELLIGENT EVENTS, LLC. The address of the initial designated office is 8019 12th Street, Murray, NE 68409. The name and address of the registered agent is LDM Business Services, Inc. 10306 Regency Parkway Drive, Omaha, NE 68114. The general nature of the business to be transacted is all lawful business. The company commenced existence on September 3, 2026 and shall have perpetual duration. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by the Members, as prescribed by the Operating Agreement. LDM Business Services, Inc. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF LENNY LOU HOME L.L.C. Notice is hereby given that Lenny Lou Home L.L.C., a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The street and mailing address of the initial designated office is: 18888 Patrick Circle, Elkhorn, NE 68022. The name of the initial agent for service of process is Nathan Newhouse, and the street and mailing address of the initial agent for service of process is: 18888 Patrick Circle, Elkhorn, NE 68022 First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Alizada Logistics, LLC, a Nebraska limited liability company, has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The company’s initial designated office is located at: 1211 S 122nd Plaza Apt 220, Omaha, NE 68144. The initial agent for service of process is: Zaman Mokhammad Khasan, 1211 S 122nd Plaza Apt 220, Omaha, NE 68144. The company is organized to provide the following professional services: The company provides professional delivery and transportation services for a wide range of products. Its operations include the pickup, handling, and secure transport of goods from suppliers, warehouses, or retail locations to designated destinations. The company was formed on August 20, 2026. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF SOWER LVFII GREENWOOD 1276, LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Sower LVFII Greenwood 1276, LLC ( the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The Designated Office Address
of the Company is 920 S. 107th Avenue, Suite 250, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. The Registered Agent and Office of the Company is DDLG Business Services, Inc., 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, Nebraska 68114. Dvorak Law Group, LLC 9500 West Dodge Road, Suite 100 | Omaha, NE 68114 First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 BP23, LLC, with its designated office located at 1000 Blackstone Plaza, 3555 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 gives notice that it filed a Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State on August 19, 2026. The registered agent is Andrew J. Huber and the Registered Office is 1000 Blackstone Plaza, 3555 Farnam Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68131. The company may engage in any lawful business or commercial activity for which a limited liability company may be organized. Andrew Huber, Organizer First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 Notice of Organization of MUSTOE I, LLC, a Nebraska Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that a Nebraska Limited Liability Company has been formed under the Nebraska Limited Liability Company Act. The name of the limited liability company is Mustoe I, LLC. The designated office is 5645 Ohio Street, Omaha, NE 68104. The registered agent is Christopher Mustoe. The office address for the registered agent is 5645 Ohio Street, Omaha, NE 68104. The organization commenced on August 18, 2026 and will have perpetual existence. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 Notice of Incorporation of JESUS LABOURERS MINISTRY, A Non-Profit Foreign Corporation Notice is hereby given that a non-profit foreign corporation has been granted authority to transact business under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The name of the non-profit foreign corporation is Jesus Labourers Ministry. The nonprofit corporation was formed on June 2, 2021 as a religious corporation, and shall have perpetual existence. The registered office address for the corporation is 9706 Nina Street, Omaha, NE 68124 and registered agent at that office is Anthony Odhiambo. Its officers are: Musyoka Meni, of P.O. Box 411, Mtwapa, Kenya, 80109; Dorcas Mwikali Musyoka, of P.O. Box 411, Mtwapa, Kenya, 80109; and Gilbert Mitzanze Iha, of P.O. Box 411, Mtwapa, Kenya, 80109. The corporation will not have members. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION of a Limited Liability Company Notice is hereby given that Imperial Builders, LLC has been organized as a limited liability company under Nebraska laws, with its designated office at 1208 Potter Rd., Bellevue, NE 68005. It is organized to transact any lawful business for which a Limited Liability Company maybe organized under Nebraska laws. Its affairs are to be conducted by the manager Omar Cornejo Ramirez. Its registered agent is Omar Cornejo Ramirez and his office is located at 1208 Potter Rd., Bellevue, NE 68005. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION Notice is hereby given that Savannah’s Light Publishing , LLC , has organized pursuant to R.R.S. Section 21-2601 et seq . The registered office is 17325 Douglas St., Omaha, Nebraska 68118 and the registered agent is Frank X. Haverkamp. The nature of the business to be transacted is Publishing. The designated office address is 900 N. 96 th St. Lincoln, Ne. 68505. The business commenced on August 20, 2026. The affairs of the company are to be conducted by the President, Secretary and Treasurer. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF MACHAIRA MARKETING LLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Machaira Marketing LLC has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The address of the initial designated office is 17410 Grand Ave, Omaha, NE 68116. The name and address of the initial registered agent for service of process is Eric Bork, 17410 Grand Ave, Omaha, NE 68116. First publication September 11, 2026, final September 25, 2026 NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF DANDELION GROVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that DANDELION GROVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS (the “Company”) has been organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska as a limited liability company. The Designated Office Address of the Company is 1515 S. 39th St., Ste 302, Bellevue, Nebraska 68005. The Registered Agent of the Company is Alison L. Condon. 3313 Montreal Dr. Bellevue, Nebraska 68123. The company commenced business on August 25, 2026. First publication September 4, 2026, final September 18, 2026
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APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has registered the trade name under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The registered trade name is Midwest Power Sports. The applicant is BE National LLC. The address of the designated office is 14911 Z Circle, Omaha NE. 68137. The general nature of its business is to buy ATVs and Side by Sides for resale under the laws of the State of Nebraska. The date of first use was upon filing. Dated: 9 September 2026 Applicant/Legal Representative: Brent Zywiec First publication September 18, 2026 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: THE STUFFED OLIVE. Name of Applicant: PC Capital Partners, LLC Address: 6027 UNIVERSITY DRIVE, STE. 100, CEDAR FALLS, IA 50613 Applicant is LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska. Date of first use of name in Nebraska: August 1, 2023. General nature of business: Bar and Restaurant. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Scott Hirschman, Authorized Representative. First publication September 18, 2026 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: TRUE NORTH RESTORATION OF LINCOLN. Name of Applicant: TN LNK, LLC Address: 10306 REGENCY PARKWAY DRIVE, OMAHA, NE 68114 Applicant is LLC. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska. Date of first use of name in Nebraska: May 1, 2026. General nature of business: Restoration Services. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Phillip Sanberg. First publication September 18, 2026 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: HR MECHANIC. Name of Applicant: DM360 Business Team, LLC Address: 19660 WOOLWORTH AVENUE, OMAHA, NE 68130 Applicant is LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska. Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 08/20/2026. General nature of business: Consulting. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Colin Kastrick. First publication September 18, 2026 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: AVIA WOMEN’S HEALTH. Name of Applicant: Sancta Familia Medical Associates, Inc. Address: 10506 BURT ST., OMAHA, NE 68114 Applicant is DOMESTIC CORPORATION. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Nebraska. Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 9/4/2026. General nature of business: Medical Care. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Lloyd A. Pierre, Jr. First publication September 18, 2026 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF TRADE NAME Trade Name to be registered is: THE HEARTLAND ROADSHOW. Name of Applicant: Road Show Concepts, LLC Address: 1415 W. 22ND ST., STE. 950, OAK BROOK, IL 60523 Applicant is LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. If other than an Individual, state under whose laws entity was formed: Illinois. Date of first use of name in Nebraska: 09/09/2026. General nature of business: Purchasing of precious metals, jewelry, coins, collectibles and antiques. Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative /s/Sarah Balen, Authorized Representative. First publication September 18, 2026
Program Manager (Req# 6090145); Council Bluffs, Iowa; Google LLC; Lead the full lifecycle of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) programs, which may extend beyond the immediate team, driving impactful operational and technical improvements. Domestic travel more than 10% of the time required. The US base salary range for this full-time position is $132,000 - $190,000 + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Learn more about benefits at Google at careers.google.com/benefits. Apply online at https://goo.gle/4zTZrNA
Page 29 • September 18, 2026
The Ripple Effect Where Giving Moves the Midlands
From the Publisher Every act of generosity starts somewhere small — a single gift, one volunteer hour, a board member who says yes. On its own, it can look like a drop in a very big pond. But drops don’t stay still. Giving moves outward, from a donor to a nonprofit, from a nonprofit to a family, and back into the neighborhoods, schools and small businesses that make this region feel like home. One act touches the next, until the whole community is moving together. For more than five decades, philanthropic highlights and charity events have lived on the pages of Midlands Business Journal, Metro Magazine. IMPACT Magazine is now part of that mix. I grew up among those pages. My father, Bob Hoig, founded this newspaper in 1975 on a simple conviction: A business publication owes its community more than a balance sheet. After purchasing and stepping into the role of publisher and owner of Metro Monthly at age 26, I spent most of my career keeping that promise; highlighting local nonprofits, photographing galas, reporting on millions of dollars raised and why, printing the names of people who showed up, and telling the stories of organizations doing the quiet, unglamorous work that holds the Midlands together. The Ripple Effect: Where Giving Moves the Midlands, is how we carry that forward for the next year. From September 2026 through August 2027, we will follow generosity wherever it travels. The 22nd edition of the Giving Guide arrives this holiday season, our fullest portrait yet of the organizations serving Greater Omaha and Southwest Iowa, and a launchpad for end-of-year giving and into 2027. Starting now, you will find nonprofit news, features and event coverage every month on The Ripple Effect pages of MBJ. BIG IMPACT TV launches in November, giving our nonprofit partners a camera and an audience. Coffee & Connections brings small groups around a table, because the best ideas here still start over a cup of coffee. To the business professionals and community members reading this: What follows is a map of where your dollars, hours and attention can go. To our nonprofit friends: Thank you for letting us tell it. The ripple starts with all of us. It doesn’t stop there. With gratitude for all you do, Andrea “Andee” Hoig Owner, Publisher and CEO, Midlands Business Journal
Andee’s 5K Calendar Sept. 19 — Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5K/10K, Omaha. Sept. 19 — AppleJack Fun Run & Walk, Nebraska City. Tied to the AppleJack Festival — make a day of it.
Goodwill Omaha Acquires Future Operations Center OMAHA, Nebraska — Goodwill Omaha has purchased property near 108th and I streets as the organization looks to expand its capacity to meet the growing needs of the Omaha community. The property will become the organization’s new Operations Center. The Retail Outlet Store, Good Threads, e-commerce, recycling and logistics operations, corporate headquarters and workforce training space will all be housed in this new facility. This purchase of the new building will allow Goodwill to efficiently process and distribute donated goods to Goodwill Omaha’s 16 retail stores and four specialty stores, reinvesting millions of dollars in financial support into free workforce training and community resources. “This is about much more than moving into a larger building,” said Tobi Mathouser, president and CEO of Goodwill Omaha. “We’ve seen the needs in our community continue to grow and we’ve reached a point where our current space is limiting our ability to respond. This investment gives us the capacity to accept more donations, expand our programs, create more opportunities, and ultimately serve more people in our community.” Goodwill Omaha has outgrown its current 92,000-square-foot space at 72nd and F streets and is now renting storage trailers to accommodate the growing volume of donated goods. The new 327,000-square-foot facility will eliminate the need for off-site storage trailers while increasing Goodwill Omaha’s recycling capacity from about 9 million to 25 million pounds annually. That means more donated goods can be repurposed and kept out of local landfills. Goodwill Omaha’s current lease on the existing Retail Operations Center will expire in 2028. Purchasing a permanent home allows Goodwill Omaha to invest in its long-term ability to serve the community. “This investment will also create a long-term home for our employees, strengthening our workforce and ensuring we have the resources to support the individuals who make our mission possible every day,” Mathouser said. Rather than building new, Goodwill Omaha is giving an existing building new life. The location was selected after a three-year search for its central location, proximity to major transportation routes and ability to efficiently move donated goods to stores and communities. Access to public transportation also helps remove barriers for those who rely on it to reach Goodwill Omaha’s programs and services. The new Operations Center is expected to open in 2028.
Sept. 20 — Run With a Heart 5K, Omaha. Miller's Landing, 8 a.m. Hosted by Creighton's Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Phi, benefiting Nebraska Special Olympics and women's heart health. Last year: 350-plus participants, more than $11,000 raised. Vendors, food, live music. Sept. 20 — Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5K/10K, Ashland. Page 30 • September 18, 2026
The Ripple Effect Where Giving Moves the Midlands
50 Mile March Supports Veterans BY ANNA BLUMENTHAL The 50 Mile March took place Aug. 22-23, with over 150 marchers completing the trek from Lincoln to Omaha, and more than $800,000 raised for veterans’ mental health awareness. The funds are dedicated to supporting homeless and at-risk veterans facing mental health challenges and PTSD. THOUSANDS OF SUPPORTERS HELPED CHEER ON THE MARCHERS
Blake Martin, a six-year marcher for the organization and owner of FranNet, highlighted the growth of the event since its 2020 inception by founder Jay Miralles. The march, which began as a small birthday fundraiser with six close friends raising $25,000, has since expanded into a significant community effort involving hundreds of volunteers and even more donors. “Thousands of people have donated to this each year, and it keeps us motivated, and frankly keeps us focused on the true purpose of this, which is to help those veterans who are struggling with mental health challenges, struggling with them because of what they’ve done to put our country before themselves,” Martin said.
THE MARCHERS SOLDIERED ON THROUGH THE NIGHT
A RUCKSACK REPRESENTS FALLEN SOLDIERS
SUPPORTERS CHEERING THE MARCHERS ON
SUPPORTING EACH OTHER
This year was the first time the landing celebration was held at Werner Park, a change Martin said was inspired by increasing participation causing the event to outgrow previous venues. He added that the new location was also possible due to support from Werner Logistics, which has served as a major headlining sponsor. Martin said that it is “a total team effort” to be able to complete a 22-hour, 50-mile march, and he expressed gratitude for event volunteers and the marchers and their supportive families who make it possible.
LINOMA BEACH IS ABOUT HALFWAY
A SYMBOL OF THEIR SERVICE
CARRYING FORWARD
Page 31 • September 18, 2026
THE MARCH LEFT PLENTY OF TIME FOR REFLECTION
CHEERING THEM ON
HEADED TOWARD THE FINISH LINE
CHRIS BARTON
DAN MURPHY
JORDAN KAREN THE NINJA BORCHERT Emcee and content creator
Founder and CEO, Alpaca
SVP of Marketing, Liquid Death
Founder, Original CEO, Shazam
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September 30, 2026
Heider College of Business, Creighton University
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