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HOW I ROLLPAGE 14

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Family Serving FamilyJack Vetter of Vetter Health Services

PlusThe Know-It-All

OmAHA!How I Roll

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Breast cancer expert Hamid Band, M.D., Ph.D., and his colleagues are zeroing in on cures that once were deemed impossible. And, with more than $100 million in annual research support at UNMC, scientists here can tackle the toughest challenges facing us as individuals and as a society. Breakthroughs for life.

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FEATURESFEATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16$1,000 Video Contest

COVER STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Vetter Health Services

FEATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Tourek Engraving

SPECIAL SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Best of B2B 2010 Results

OmAHA! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Spokiz

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Get UnhingedS T O R Y B Y B R I A N S . A L L E N P H O T O B Y M I N O R W H I T E S T U D I O S . C O M

Omaha-based Spokiz (pronounced spoke–eyez) is at the forefront of setting new standards for both sunglasses and daily RX eyewear. Born from the everyday problems that traditional eyewear has bestowed upon us —glasses slipping down the nose, pressure behind the ears,

and broken hinges — Spokiz virtually eliminates these issues, initiating a lifestyle change of sorts for athletes and active wearers.

Back in 2004, James Hermsen, Spokiz inventor, was fed up with these particular problems and decided to take action. He constructed a hinge-less band made of monofilament tubing and bicycle spoke nipples. After removing the original hinges and stems of his glasses, Hermsen drilled holes in the frames and attached the hinge-less band.

“(Wearing Spokiz creates) a lifestyle change because it solves all of your problems with broken glasses. The longer you wear them, the more comfortable they become as they form to the shape of your head. They become one with you, and the bands are unbreakable,” said Hermsen.

In fact, not one single pair of eyewear has been returned due to the band breaking. Spokiz has capitalized on a niche market among the active community and extreme sports enthu-

siasts. Outdoorsmen, kayakers, climbers, bicyclists, runners, skiers, fishermen, sailors, equestrians, and athletes of all types have embraced it. Artists such as potters and glass blowers benefit from the technology too.

Julie Conway, an Omaha-based glass artist, can attest. “With both of my hands occupied by turn-ing hot glass, it is great to have Spokiz keep my protective eyewear in place. Lightweight, sleek and fabulous, I can now focus on my artwork more, knowing that my glasses will not slip off in the heat,” said Conway.

Spokiz is currently being tested at the University Nebraska Medical Center as well.

James Hermsen, Spokiz inventor.


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“We are doing research with kids who have a difficult time keeping glasses on their head or even intact. UNMC is testing these glasses on them with positive results,” said Hermsen.

With the tireless help of Brian Regan and Mark Dean, Hermsen’s two business partners, Spokiz has expanded its appeal to combat soldiers, SWAT teams, policemen, trap shooters, construction workers, arbor-ists, and even farmers. All recently discov-ered the benefits of getting unhinged.

The versatility of the product does not end here. Hand-made masks have taken on a life of their own. With the help of marketing guru Laura Friesell, Spokiz has struggled to keep supply up to meet boom-ing demand for these one-of-a-kind masks made of leather, paper or clay. The masks are fitting for masquerades, holiday parties, or adding a touch of shock factor to your night out on the town.

As is the case with any new business, what you put in is what you get out. Hermsen has developed a true underground approach with everything from setting up shop in a hidden Omaha bunker to his grassroots sales and marketing efforts across the country. Spokiz is employee-owned, assembles everything by hand, uses mini-malist design features for packaging and displays, and offers a lifetime guarantee.

Spokiz products are not only available in Omaha (Backwoods, The Bike Way, UNMC, Victory Cycles), they are available online (www.spokiz.com), and have now landed on store shelves in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Oregon and Texas.

“Over the last six years there has been a lot of work, persistence and planting of seeds. Some are starting to grow now and we are beginning to harvest some of the fruits of our labors,” said Hermsen.

With Spokiz offering conversions to almost any existing pair of glasses, people can enjoy the benefits of this technology while keeping their favorite frames on their face. Customizing the pair of sunglasses at the point of sale has recently been added. You can now choose your band color, lens color, and have the opportunity in selecting local hand-made native beads to add some flair or design to the product.


S T O R Y B Y H E A T H E R C . A K E R B E R G P H O T O B Y M I N O R W H I T E S T U D I O S . C O M

Facilitating a Creative OmahaOmaha Creative Institute (OCI)

Many times when people collaborate, the end result is something unexpected, something greater than either collaborator could have imagined on their own. This is often referred to in the business world as “synergy”. Sculptor Les Bruning and Potter Tim Barry have a

knack for these types of great collaborations. They were two of the founders of Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas Street, in 1999 and more recently germinated the idea for and serve on the board responsible for Omaha Creative Institute (www.omahacreativeinstitute.org).

Omaha Creative Institute (OCI) began as an idea over the last decade, but it started to gain momentum in January of 2008 when Susan Thomas was brought on board as the Interim and later Executive Director. Thomas has brought her business savvy and belief in the transformative powers of art to bare on the task of developing Omaha Creative Institute into a destination for artists, residents and tourists.

With initial programming funded in part by a grant from the Omaha Community Foundation, part of Omaha Creative Institute’s mission is to foster creative capital in Omaha’s residents through

Susan Thomas & Les Bruning of the Omaha Creative Institute.


hands-on creative experiences. This is achieved through their current schedule of “Come Create It” workshops, a series that covers a wide range of art forms, including glass blowing, ceramics, paint-ing and African drumming. The classes are taught by local, professional artists. Since May of 2009, Omaha Creative Institute has conducted over 75 workshops with approx-imately 300 participants.

“It’s about experiencing the creation of art,” said Thomas.

Class sizes are generally limited to eight or less to ensure participants are comfort-able enough to try something new. The two-hour workshops are structured in a way to allow participants to leave having accom-plished something.

“Most of our instructors try to create projects that allow participants to leave with something that they could maybe hang on their wall, something they can look at and say ‘Wow. I did that.’,” said Marjorie Maas, Director of Marketing and Development at OCI.

Workshops are offered at an affordable

rate to ensure they are accessible to all. Therefore, all materials are included in the price of each workshop, which usually cost under $40. Omaha Creative Institute is able to keep the cost to the public low as a non-profit organization through individual donations and a grant from the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. The institute publishes new schedules every three months, which allows them to be sen-sitive to the market.

In addition to their regularly scheduled workshops, Omaha Creative Institute also provides private “Come Create It” workshops as unique team-building experiences. OCI’s success in this market can be attributed in part to the Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau, which has featured the organiza-tion’s classes in their out-of-state advertising campaigns and promoted the institute’s team-building services to visiting conventions.

“It’s team-building in a more mind-open-ing way. While bowling is fun, it doesn’t do the same thing to your mind,” said Susan.

An experienced business woman, Thomas

knows that creative thinking is applicable in most fields, even those sectors not tradi-tionally thought of as creative.

During a recent planning session, Omaha Creative Institute’s board met with artists, supporters and representatives from both non-profit and business sectors. A major need was identified for a place for the arts and business sectors to connect. OCI would like to position itself as that place.

“Being an information hub may be the most important role that we play,” said Thomas.

Whether it’s a non-profit looking for an artist to paint a mural or artists seeking

housing or employment, Omaha Creative Institute would like to help facilitate those connections, to bridge the gap between the arts community and greater Omaha.

“We see both the artist and the public as our customer,” said Maas.

While OCI has connected over 300 people with a creative experience, it has also offered local artists the opportunity to generate income teaching their skills to others. The institute currently has 25 artists on its roster of instructors. Jean Mason, an oil and acrylic painter, has taught several workshops for Omaha Creative Institute. For Jean, teaching

workshops isn’t about financial gain; it’s more about spreading happiness.

“When people leave workshops, they dance out of the room because they are so happy that they’ve created something,” said Mason.

Besides facilitating creative experiences, the classes create an engaged audience for art and artists. It builds a community of people who understand art and its creation. Many workshop participants become devo-tees of their instructors; they attend gallery shows and help promote the arts through word-of-mouth.

While most of Omaha Creative Institute’s workshops are currently taught at Hot Shops Art Center, they are actively looking for a permanent home. They don’t, however, plan on going very far. As a member of the North Downtown Alliance, OCI plans to take up residence in this developing area. Their hope is to renovate an existing building and help to preserve the neighborhood’s character.

A new series of “Come Create It” work-shops continues in May.

Mixed Media Collage instructor Ashley

Rodriguez Reed help-ing during her “Come

Create It” workshop.photo by: Rebecca

Grzeskowiak

Painting instructor Paula Wallace enjoying a “Come Create It” work-

shop with her students.photo by: Ken Guthrie

Glass Blowing

instructor Ed Fennell

helping a student

during a “Come

Create It” workshop.photo by:

Ken Guthrie


Say Cheese... With Hearts and Soccer Balls

Wild Smiles Brackets showcase your snappy smile with a little pizzazz

S T O R Y B Y H E A T H E R H E I E R L A N E P H O T O B Y M I N O R W H I T E S T U D I O S . C O M

A perfect smile is often considered a thing of beauty. Surf the web or flip through magazines at the grocery store and you will be bombarded with images of pretty people beaming unnaturally pearly whites—that happen to be perfectly straight. Chances are that most of

these celebrities and models have been the recipients of some orthodontic care. And few crowning smiles come without sacrifice — namely, braces.

Anyone who has ever worn braces can relate to the frustration of smiling with a mouth full of metal. Even today, with so many sporting the hardware, for some reason people still get self-conscious when it comes to wearing braces. It can be a bit of a drag.

But Dr. Clarke Stevens is on a mission to make orthodontics fun for everyone. A successful orthodontist right here in Omaha, Dr. Stevens invented a fun way to showcase his patient’s hardware—Wild Smiles Brackets. The brackets make braces fun by turning the normal metal squares into fun shapes. Dr. Stevens came up with the idea 10 years ago after seeing a patient’s necklace. He immediately

Dr. Clarke Stevens, inventor of Wild Smiles Brackets.


noticed how the hearts were strung on the necklace, and that it looked just like the brackets on traditional braces. Dr. Stevens envisioned making the brackets into shapes and drew up the initial heart shape design.

Flash forward a decade, and Wild Smiles Brackets are now available all over the world—with doctors and patients from the United States and over 20 countries around the globe requesting the fun shapes. Subtle but noticeable, the styles include hearts, flowers, footballs, soccer balls, stars and a super-diamond (imagine the chest of a certain super hero and you get the idea).

Dr. Stevens knew he had a great idea, but what surprised him the most was that patients really seem to respond to having options. “When a child comes in, they are initially apprehensive about braces,” says Dr. Stevens. He adds, “When they see that they can make a decision, and participate in the treatment … they get excited.” Yet no matter how appealing Wild Smiles are to kids, it’s not just the tween set that’s interested in having a fun smile. “I had an 80-year-old man choose footballs,” says Dr. Stevens with a laugh.

In the 10 years since Dr. Stevens drew the first mock up, it has become abundantly clear that there is indeed a market for his patented invention. With the help of Davin Bickford, Vice President of Marketing and Practice Development for Wild Smiles Brackets, Dr. Stevens has been able to watch his business grow. In the past year alone, they’ve seen a 7% increase in sales. More importantly, having Bickford on board has allowed Dr. Stevens to concentrate on what he really loves—face-to-face time with patients.

While it may seem a bit crazy that a necklace was the inspiration for his invention, Dr. Stevens points out that many orthodontists are really into design and architecture. Makes sense—designing a smile is indeed a work of art. A thing of beauty.

If you are a dentist looking to offer Wild Smiles Brackets to your patients, a parent wanting the option for your child, or an 80-year-old looking for football brackets, visit www.wildsmiles4you.com for more information.

WWW.BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Check out current and past results of Best of Omaha®. See who the readers of

Omaha Magazine chose as their local favorites for Dining, Entertainment, Shopping and much more.


S T O R Y B Y L I N D A P E R S I G E H L P H O T O B Y J O H N G A W L E Y

Bill and JoAnn Kathrein

Bill and JoAnn Kathrein have been motorcycling enthusiasts since their days as undergrads at UNL in the late ‘60s. The pair of Omaha dentists, who’ve shared a practice for 25 years, met and dated while in college and Bill admits, “Our first dates were by motor cycle, since I didn’t

get my first car until I was 25 and married.” Bill spent his college days tooling around on a 350cc Honda, eventually moving up to a Road King

Harley. JoAnn’s gift from her hubby upon dental school graduation? — a Harley Dyna Low Rider. Today, the couple owns seven Harleys in all, as well as two Vespa scooters. The couple rides their Vespas for the everyday commute to work and on routine errands around town. Garnering up to 60 mpg, the motorized bikes seem the “green” choice, and make parking a breeze, Bill said.

The Kathreins fell in love with the colorful, fun-inspired Vespas while traveling abroad. “In Europe that’s all we see.” But back here in the States, the scooters are often seen as novel and described as ‘cute,’ Bill said. “I’m convinced that’s code for ‘I wish I could have one to ride.’”

For long-distance rides, the couple still prefers their Harleys, and has racked up miles in the six digits hitting the pavement through Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho… One highlight: “We did the “Run for the Wall” Memorial Day ride to Washington, D.C., along with 400,000 others.” Bill’s also done longer trips through The Yukon, Nova Scotia and Alaska. “JoAnn and I have both always enjoyed the freedom of travel….We’ve been caught in snow on Independence Pass, sand storms in eastern Idaho, 120-degree heat in Death Valley, and monsoon-style rain in West Virginia.

“I do believe that I enjoy the challenge a little more than JoAnn would let me think she does…,” joked Bill.


A “Royal” ResidenceA Working Castle

One of the finest historic residences in Omaha, the Joslyn Castle is the site of many memorable events such as wed-dings, charitable fundraisers and private dinner parties.

Managed by the Joslyn Castle Trust, the Joslyn Castle is an anchor of the historic Gold Coast neighborhood at 39th and Davenport. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of Interior.

Its stately rooms and graceful furnishings conceal one of Omaha’s best-kept secrets: its super-organized onsite staff ready to carry out not only elegant soirees but also conferences and committee meet-ings. The entire facility is Wi-Fi enabled, a feature Sarah Joslyn certainly would not have anticipated in 1893.

The staff, led by Executive Director Nano Little, has close work-ing relationships with caterers, rental companies, florists and other key vendors who make each event run smoothly. This scores points with meeting planners. Lesley Brandt of planitomaha said of the Joslyn Castle: “Our firm produced a murder mystery dinner at Joslyn Castle for a large & very prominent Omaha company. The experience was well received by all attendees & Joslyn Castle was the perfect backdrop for this type of themed event. The attention to detail provided by Castle staff enabled us to produce a seamless event which resulted in a very happy client.”

B2B Omaha magazine voters have selected the Joslyn Castle their favorite banquet facility for 2010.

Story by Sandy Lemke profi le

CASTLE CLASSIC CAR SHOWNearly 100 cars from the 1920’s to the ‘60s will be showcased at the Classic

Car show, a brand-new event planned for Father’s Day weekend, June 18 to the 20th. The show will begin at 11 a.m. on the opening Friday in a tent on the castle grounds, followed with a luncheon in the castle. That evening, a VIP cocktail reception will be held. The next evening, festivities continue with a Jazz and Gin Gala. “Guests are encouraged to dress in costumes that evoke the period, � appers and such,” said Mark Maser, Joslyn Castle board member. “Charleston lessons and dancing will take place after dinner in the tent.”

Ticket packages are available to all of the weekend events, but individual event tickets are also available. For tickets or more information, call 595-2199 or go to www.joslyncastle.com.


Did you miss out on an Oscar at the Academy Awards ceremony? There’s still hope for you this year. The National Safety Council Greater Omaha Chapter

is seeking entries for its Safety Icon Contest. Producers of eye-catching safety videos are eligible to receive the Safety Icon Trophy (pictured) and $1,000 cash. Intent to enter forms are due April 9 and completed entries are due May 3.

The videos are meant to entertain while promoting important safety messages. Entries can be musical, serious, comedic, a parody and include one or more performers. Past winners’ entries are set to the music of, and parody popular hits such as Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” Justin Timberlake’s “Sexy Back” and Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby.” Previous winners’ videos can

feature

Contest Call For EntriesNon-Profit Seeks Entertaining Safety Videos – Two Winners Each Receive $1,000

Story by Sandy Lemke

Kay Farrell presenting 2009 award check to Safety Icon winners Darilyn “Keds” Beekley and Angie Burns


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Anyone can enter this contest – entries can be submitted in the “Community” category, comprising individuals, fami-lies, schools and civic groups or in the “Business” category. Top prizes will be awarded in each category.

Top contenders’ videos will be shown continuously from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 19, 2010 at the Safety and Health Summit tradeshow at the Qwest Center Omaha, where everyone in attendance will vote for their favorite video. Local celebrities will critique the entries from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. The National Safety Council Greater Omaha Chapter, a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, hosts the Safety and Health Summit annually. It is the largest safety and health conference and trade show in the area. Admission to the trade-show is free.

Winning videos will be shown at the Safety and Health Awards Luncheon on May 20, 2010. Download complete rules, intent form and entry form at: www.SafeNebraska.org.

The National Safety Council Greater Omaha Chapter, led by President and CEO Kay Farrell, is one of the most active safety organizations in the nation. Farrell is wholly committed to the cause of safety, citing statistics that show preventable acci-dents’ rate of occurrence. “Did you know unintentional injury is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States?” she asks. Farrell and her staff work to promote the organization’s mission in unique ways such as the video contest. “Most people think we’re a government agency, because they come in for class after they’ve been issued a traffic ticket.” Other upcoming safety events include a “Safe Ride” for motorcycles on June 26. Farrell is contact-ing local rider enthusiast groups to rally participation.

Learn more about these events, and about how you and your business can promote safety and health at www.SafeNebraska.org.


Story by Donald J. Rashid • Photos by minorwhitestudios.comcover story

drawn up on a napkin are all elements of a phenomenal business success story that Jack Vetter can tell about his company, Vetter Health Services.

The Chairman and CEO of VHS has grown his business from owning a single nursing home in Fairbury, Nebraska circa 1975, to managing 33 long-term care facili-ties and retirement communities throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, Kansas and Missouri. Today, the company employs just under 3,200 team members.

In recent months, VHS has relocated its corporate headquarters near 118th & Q streets in Omaha to a new, 10-acre campus just south of the junction of Highways 6 and 31 in Elkhorn. The offices sit on land adjacent to the company’s short-term

Family Serving Family at Vetter Health Services

A profound respect for life, a growing elderly population and a business agreement


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rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility, Brookestone Meadows, which opened in late 2007. And with demand for senior health care continuing to expand, VHS is poised for further growth.

Vetter attributes much of his business success to his personal philosophy on life, which is reflected in the first value of his company — live a quality life.

And so it seems fitting to tell his story by first looking at the man in the mirror.

A MEANDERING JOURNEYGrowing up in Bassett, Nebraska in the

Sandhills, Vetter developed early on a love for hunting, fishing and the great outdoors. He was raised with strong spiritual values, and went to Church with his mother most Sunday nights.

Vetter left home after high school, and did not attend college. He worked as a blacksmith, held tenure at International Harvester and served two years in the U.S. Army. His journey also included working for Rogers Feed and Grain in Ainsworth, Nebraska, Ford Motor Company, and the Ainsworth Livestock Market.

He developed an interest in fixing mechanical equipment, and in 1967, he earned his private pilot’s license.

Vetter ventured into health care, serving as the administrator at Pine View Manor in Valentine, Nebraska; and later, for the Betheseda Foundation as a Regional Manager in their nursing care facilities. A humble and confident spirit comes across Vetter when he describes a divinely inspired series of events that led him to become a business owner.

Wayne Fields, the gentlemen who approached him about buying his first nursing care facility in Fairbury, Nebraska, was looking to divest of his Nebraska loca-tions and secure monthly income. When Vetter replied that he did not have the capital, Field said “I will fix that,” and they developed a business agreement on a napkin. VHS began in earnest, and he purchased his first four or five facilities with minimal down payments.

FIRST VALUE – QUALITY LIFEVetter said he’s worked hard to infuse his

company with great value for personal dig-nity and quality life. He believes “Nursing homes have had a stigma – a place to go to die. I don’t like that a bit.” Each day, his company strives to live their motto, “Family Serving Family.”

HighlandParkCare CenterAllianceHeritage ofBridgeportBridgeport David PlaceDavid CityBrookestoneMeadowsElkhornHeritage ofEmersonEmersonHeritage CareCenterFairburyHeritageCrossingsGenevaHeritageEstatesGering, NE

Tiffany SquareGrand IslandHooper CareCenterHooperMilder ManorLincolnVillage ManorLincolnRose LaneHomeLoup CityHeritageof Bel AirNorfolkLinden CourtNorth PlatteLinden EstatesNorth PlatteBrookestoneVillageOmaha

PapillionManorPapillionHeritage of Red CloudRed CloudRidgewoodSewardFriendshipVillaSpaldingCloverlodgeCare CenterSt. EdwardHeritageLiving CenterSt. PaulSouth HavenWahooHeritageof WaunetaWauneta

The following Nebraska facilitiesare proud members of the

Vetter Health Services family:

Who Inspires You?

Vetter Health Services | 20220 Harney StreetElkhorn, Nebraska | (402) 895-3932

For a complete online listing of facilities owned or managedby VHS, log on to www.VetterHealthServices.com

Mom or Dad? Or maybe Grandpa or a close friend? At Vetter Health Services (VHS), we are inspired bythe residents we serve. They give us a lifetime of wis-dom, experience, and spirit. We strive to improve our residents’ quality of life andpersonal well-being, and to ensure that their contri-butions are not forgotten and their need for recogni-tion is not ignored.To this end, VHS is continuously adopting uniqueconcepts such as “caring households for seniors,”silent call systems, and new concepts in memory sup-port and rehabilitation.With our “family serving family” attitude, we’rechanging people’s views of long-term care.


cover storycontinued from previous page

Vetter said, “True, people age… we can’t change people getting older. Life may end while they are [in our care.] With a (car-ing) environment for therapy and a pleas-ant staff, VHS provides quality life and activities.”

While touring VHS’s Brookestone property in Elkhorn, it becomes evident that every effort has been made to cre-ate a warm, family-like atmosphere, with the comforts of home nestled into a health-care setting. Noteworthy fea-tures include three therapeutics gyms for physical and occupation therapy, a meditation chapel, small café, beauty salon and an outdoor putting facil-ity. Each of the eight neighborhoods (wings) within the facility features their own dining room and a kitchen staffed by professional chefs, while the whole facility offers a nature-inspired décor.

Vetter said just as with senior residents in his facilities, the same quality of life philosophy is extended to his employees, saying,“I appreci-ate the people that work for me. If I can help

them have a good life, that’s important to me.” And Vetter puts money where his mouth is, so to speak, in more ways than one…

AN INFUSION OF CORPORATE STEWARDSHIP

Perhaps the most remarkable element of the VHS success story is the collective response to corporate social responsibility, a lasting legacy that his company refers to as Stewardship.

A working definition of stewardship is

investing time, talents and treasure toward the betterment of others. VHS President Glenn Van Ekeren further defines this integral business success factor:

“Stewardship is pretty simple. We are stewards and wise users of finan-cial and people resources, investing in people and our business with the resources we have been blessed with.”

Vetter credits his wife, Eldora, as being a vital part of VHS, from keep-ing the books with her “knack for numbers” when the company started, to more recently helping decorating their facilities with keepsakes and antiques. Eldora’s also played a role in developing ways to infuse the com-pany values while making a profit.

This process of self-examination led the Vetters to establish the Vetter Foundation in 1992.

Within the communities VHS operates, the Foundation and employees regularly make donations to food banks and shelters and provide clothing for school-age children.

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An annual $500 match program by VHS-managed facilities is available, when raising funds for a community or a team member’s extenuating need arises, such as house fires or family illness.

The Vetter Foundation also funds staff scholarships to further employees’ educa-tion and professional development, and participates in immediate-response efforts to natural disasters around the world.

A direct outgrowth of this philosophy at VHS was being named as one of Omaha’s Best Places to Work in 2008 and 2009. Equally impressive is that VHS earned this award, an initiative of Baird Holm LLP and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, in their first year of application.

Vetter has enjoyed working in foreign mission projects, which include form-ing new church plantings and partnering to start or sustain Bible colleges in third world countries. A recent venture has been collaborating with five partners from the United States to form Water for the World, a not-for-profit water well drilling organiza-tion in Nairobi, Kenya. He said “I have seen what water can do for villages, schools and orphanages, which has been a real gratifying experience.”

Vetter further defines his philosophy on life and stewardship as “Love, peace and spiritual contentment; when you work at what you really want (knowing) that people will have a quality life, the elderly, our employees and quality business partners. I believe that is what I was called to do. It’s not a burden, it is a joy.”

VISION FOR THE FUTURE At 75, Vetter has no plans to retire. He

emphasizes that he has a great leadership team but can and would leave for “one week to six months” and they would take care of their business. Vetter relishes work-ing with long-term employees, including his assistant Julie Knobbe, who joined the company in 1980.

Summing up his experience at VHS, Vetter said, “This has been a pleasant, great experience, a tremendous fun story. I like working with the elderly and our staff. New ventures intrigue me. It interests me that people have a qual-ity of life. We only go around once. If I can make this a good journey, this is what I wish to do.”

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Printmaker PedigreeTourek Engraving

In business, image matters. One way a business projects its image is through its letterhead and business cards. And for nearly a century,

many of the most prominent companies and professionals in Omaha have turned to Tourek Engraving Company to provide their stationery, and help them put their best face forward.

Tourek Engraving was founded by Joseph Tourek and his brother in an Omaha garage over 90 years ago. Since its inception, the company has been doing business stationery for lawyers, accountants, doctors and other business professionals. Their client list reads like a “Who’s Who” of Omaha and beyond.

Local businesses and people who use Tourek Engraving include McGrath,

Story by Elizabeth A. Elliott Photos by minorwhitestudios.comfeature

Jane & Matt Morinelli with Bailey.


Pansing & Hogan, Fraser Stryker, Baird Holm, and the “Oracle of Omaha,” Warren Buffett.

Kutak Rock law firm has their business cards and letterhead printed at Tourek. “We’ve used Tourek for years to do all our engraving,” said Brenda Lambrecht, office services manager at Kutak Rock of Omaha. “We like to promote local business, and they do a great job and are very dependable.”

Of all the print services Tourek Engraving provides, “Engraving has always been the most prestigious,” said Jane Morinelli, company president. “It’s kind of like the ‘Cadillac’ of stationery. But we also do printing, thermography, blind embossing, foil stamping and embossing.”

A popular item sold by Tourek Engraving is wedding invitations. “We love selling wedding invitations because it is such a happy occasion,” said Morinelli. Tourek Engraving has helped create invitations for

multiple generations of families. “There are many families where we have done the invitations for the grandparents and parents of the bride ordering.”

Morinelli said one of their favorite wedding invitations was done for Chip Davis (of Manheim Steamroller fame) and his bride, Tricia. “The lace from her dress was photographed and printed on the

front of the invitation and accessory pieces. Plus it was a fun wedding to attend! We also offer letterpress done in-house — made popular lately by Martha Stewart.”

In addition, Tourek Engraving also works with personal stationery and party invitations.

Through the years, Tourek Engraving has always remained a family business. “It was handed down from my grandfather, Joe,

to my dad, Frank, and his brother, Joe,” Morinelli said. “Frank retired three years ago due to health reasons.” It’s now run by Jane and her son, Matt.

Matt Morinelli, who serves as vice president, said he enjoys being part of the tradition. “It’s great being one of the owners of the family business. I have been here for 20 years, and many of the customers are truly like friends.

“And it’s great to see a business that is family-owned stay family-owned, especially these days with all the consolidations and mergers,” he added.

The skills to work with engraving have also been passed down through the generations, mom, Jane, said, though continuing education is important as well. “There are yearly seminars in New Jersey to keep up with the latest advances in the engraving industry.”

But overall, things have not changed much in the industry in recent decades. “The equipment and technique have remained unchanged,”Morinelli said.

Morinelli said their business has expanded into Lincoln and elsewhere. “We do have a lot of accounts that we service in Lincoln after buying out the last engraver there. We do work and ship all over the U.S. We have customers with offices in many states.”

For a business to run as long as it has, it takes employees devoted to their craft—something Tourek Engraving has always had. “We have

five full-time valuable employees who have been with us 12 years or more,” Morinelli said. “Some have been here 30 years or more.

“Our biggest challenge is getting jobs done in a timely manner due to all of the ‘hand’ work that goes into engraving,” she said. “We couldn’t do what we do without them.”

That dedication to excellence has helped the company win numerous awards, including the silver Cronite Cup for the “most excellent letterhead” in the USA, Mexico and Canada in both 2004 and 2006, according to Morinelli.

She described a business card they created that stands out for them. “We recently did a business card for a local artist that incorpo-rated design elements from his art and items he brought in,” she said. “It was a two-sided foil-stamped card. He got many compli-ments at his recent exhibit.”


DowntownOld Market • Riverfront

Pick up a copy of The Encounter at downtown

retailers to find out what’s happening in Omaha’s

Old Market, Downtown and Riverfront.

VISITwww.encounteromaha.com

To subscribe go to:www.omahapublications.comFor advertising information

call: (402) 884-2000

Omaha’sdowntownmagazine

Hilton HHonors membership, earning of Points & Miles* and redemption of points are subject to HHonors Terms and Conditions. ©2010 Hilton Worldwide, Inc.

It’s time for the highly anticipated Best of B2B Omaha Winners List! The list is organized into categories, so if you’re looking for a specifi c product or service, you can easily fi nd the best! These businesses have the coveted vote of confi dence from B2B Omaha readers.

The results were tabulated from ballots sent in from the Winter issue of B2B Omaha. Ballots had to be original, not photocopies, and more than half the ballot had to be fi lled out.

If you see some of the businesses you patronize, be sure and congratulate them. They will greatly appreciate it! “This year, we received more votes than ever. The businesses who won in this year’s Best of B2B Omaha contest should feel very proud of their accomplishment,” said Todd Lemke, publisher of B2B Omaha magazine.

It’s time for the highly anticipated Best of B2B Omaha Winners List! The list is organized into categories, so if you’re looking for a specifi c product

The 2010 Results

are Here!


Businesses Are Buying Smarter

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make design and furniture purchases that

fit your office atmosphere, your work style

and your budget. Visit All Makes’ 165,000

sq. ft. showroom to see the latest in new

office furniture, pre-owned office furniture

and business machines.

Thank you for voting us #1 for 5

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Mention this ad and receive Free space planning and design.


a/v ServiceAVI Systems

402-593-6500www.avisystems.com

Pratt

accounting oFFiceLutz & Company

Orizon Group

advertiSing agencyClark Creative

Turnpost402-345-5959

www.turnpost.com

advertiSing SpecialtieSBergmans Incentives

Ideal Images402-596-1002

www.ideal-images.com

airlineSouthwest

American

aSpHalt companyUS Asphalt

Omni Engineering

auctioneerRine Auctioneers

Anderson Auction

auto leaSing companyAtchley Ford

Budget

auto repair ServiceWalker Tire & Auto Service

Firestone

aWning/canopy companyAtlas Awning

Jorgensen

Keeping Omaha beautiful for

50 years.

fbgservices.com402.346.4422

best janitorial service

Post Construction ServicesYour Partner, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

www.kiewit.com

3921 Mason StreetOmaha, NE 68105402.977.4500

Enhanced Project Closeout Warranty Management

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www.davidradler.com402-342-6230

David Radler Studio

Thanks our

business

partners

for voting us #1!

Best of B2B Winner 5 Years in a Row

Member FDIC

WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE BEST?WE’RE WITH YOU.

For the fifth year in a row, B2B Quarterly has selected First National

as the Best Bank and Best Payment Processing Company.

Thank you to all of our customers for your votes

and your business.

CommercialConstructionGreen EnvironmentsDisaster RecoveryIndustrialMedicalEducation

We appreciate your Best of B2B Vote!

2606 S. 156th Circle • Omaha, NE 68130 • (402) 399-9233www.sparklingklean.com


Background Screening ServiceOne Source

Drug Test Services402-813-5720

www.drugtestservices.net

BankFirst National Bank Omaha

Security National

Banquet FacilityJoslyn Castle

Scoular Building

Building contractorOakview Construction

Darland

Burglar alarmS & monitoringSEI

ADT

BuSineSS appraiSer/BrokerSunbelt

Henderson Business Group

BuSineSS FormS & SyStemSPerformance Group

402-896-9400www.formguys.com

Donis

carpet & rug cleaningSparkling Klean

CORT

catererBrandeis Catering

Hap Abraham Catering

cellular ServiceVerizon

Sprint

coFFee ServiceLaRue

Host Coffee & Vending

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Thanks for voting us best!Business forms & services

Public Relations Works.

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If it’s not for your business, you may be missing a vital connection.

At Zaiss & Company our customer-based communications

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bottom-line benefits, partner with us.

You’ll be in good company.

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Omaha, NE 68154zaissco.comBest PR Agency,

2008, 2009 & 2010


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Thank you Omaha! for voting us one of Omaha’s Best Credit Card Processors for the second year in a row!

www.FeltzWP.com

Feltz WealthPLAN Voted #1 Financial Advisor by

B2B Magazine Readers for the 2nd Consecutive Year!One of the Nation’s Top 100

Financial Advisors- Barron’s 2009

Voted Omaha’s #1 Financial Planning Firm by Omaha Magazine Readers

Whether it is retirement planning for the your future or the future of your employees, call 402.691.0200

for a Complimentary Consultation.

B2B Magazine Readers for the 2nd Consecutive Year!

Whether it is retirement planning for the your future

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial - Member FINRA/SIPC

Did you know that one of the Nation’s Top 100 Financial Advisors is your neighbor? Top 100 Financial Advisors is your neighbor?

Probably not.


COMPUTER SERVICEOur Tech

Omaha Computer Repair

COPIER & SUPPLIES COMPANYSolutionOne

Better Business Equipment

CREDIT CARD MERCHANT PROCESSINGFirst National Bank Omaha

American Payment Systems402-502-9985

www.americanpayment.com

DELIVERY SERVICEOntrac

Capital Express

ELECTRICAL SERVICEMiller Electric

OK Electric

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT COMPANYSilverStone Group

Encore Financial Services402-991-2533

encorefi nancialservices.com

EMPLOYMENT AGENCYHemphill Search Group

(402) 334-4800www.hemphillsearch.com

C&A Industries(402) 891-0009

www.ca-industries.com

ENGINEERING FIRMHDR

DLR Group

FENCE COMPANYAmerican Fence

S&W Fence

FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRMFeltz Wealth Plan

Carson Wealth Management Group

THANK YOU to Omaha’s business leaders for voting Hemphill as Omaha’s #1 Employment Firm for the last three years!

#1 Employment Firm — 2008, 2009 and 2010


Thanks, Omaha, for making us #1!We’re proud to help you make life better here.

Engineering | Architecture | Consulting

Life. BETTER.

Popu

lousTM

and H

DR

www.hdrinc.com

Phot

os: T

om Ke

ssler

Abe’s Trash Service, Inc.“Ser ving Omaha For Over 50 Years ”

Residential • Commercial • Rec yclingS ales • Ser vice • Rentals

CO m m e R C i a l• B O t h F R O n t F Oa d & R e a R lOa d S t Y l e S

• S i z e S F R O m 2 - 8 C u B i C Ya R d S

R e S i d e n t i a l• d e p e n da B l e w e e k lY R e S i d e n t i a l t R a S h S e R v i C e

• 90 G a l lO n t R a S h C a R t S a v a i l a B l e• R e C Y C l i n G a n d Ya R d w a S t e S e R v i C e S av a i l a B l e

CO m paC t O R S• S tat i O n a R Y & S e l F - CO n ta i n e d CO m paC t O R S

• C a R d B Oa R d CO m paC t O R S• R e C Y C l i n G S e R v i C e

• w e p e R F O R m a l l m a i n t e n a n C e O n O u R CO m paC t O R S

402-571-49268123 Christensen lane • Omaha 68122 • www.abestrash.com

locally Owned and Operated

• • dd e p e n dae p e n da

• R e• R e• R e• R e

• S tat i• S tat i

• w e p e• w e p e• w e p e• w e p e• w e p e• w e p e• w e p e• w e p e• w e p e• w e p e

CO n S t R u C t i O n & d e m O l i t i O n•C&d l a n d F i l l

• C&d R e C Y C l i n G• G R e e n B u i l d S e R v i C e S

R O l l - O F F CO n ta i n e R S• 12, 20, 30, & 40 Ya R d S i z e S

• m e ta l O p e n t O p R O l l - O F F d u m p S t e R S• O n e - t i m e u S e O R O n a lO n G t e R m B a S i S

• CO n S t R u C d t i O n p R O j e C t S, S p R i n G C l e a n i n G, n e i G h B O R h O O d C l e a n u p S

Otis Elevator Company5366 ‘F’ Street, Omaha, NE 68117www.otis.com

Tori LemkeSr. Account [email protected]

(402) 733-4525, ext. 14

Service comes fi rst at Otis.To us, that means developing new products that meet our customers’ needs and challenges; providing reliable maintenance; and modernizing systems to keep pace with a building’s changing face and function. In all areas of service, Otis is committed to inspiring total customer confi dence.

Give me a call, and let me give you a quote. Let me earn

your trust and business.

Our technicians are trained to service all makes of elevators.


Fire alarm companyBarone Security

Continental

FloriStTaylor’s Flowers402-733-2322

www.taylorsfl owers24hours.com

Stems

garBage collectionAbe’s Trash

402-571-4926www.abestrash.com

Papillion Sanitation

general contractorKiewit Building Group

402-977-4500www.kiewit.com

Hawkins Construction

glaSS/WindoW/door companyCity Glass

Omaha Door & Window

golF courSeChampions Run

Omaha Country Club

Heating/ac ServiceStandard Heating and Air Conditioning

Service One

HotelHilton Omaha

402-998-3400www.omaha.hilton.com

Regency Lodge

inSurance agencyGrace-Mayer

Chastain-Otis

internet providerCox Business Services

402-934-3223cox.com

Qwest

Thank You Cathy, Dianne, Julie, T.J., Chris, Kat, Susie, Jennifer, Dean,

Mark, Jeff, Martha, Ellie, JoAnn, Ann, Natalia, Ryanne, Brenda, Dana, Deb,

Jasmyn, Cathy, Larry, Amee, Jaylene, Jeff, Scott, Amy, Elise, Dave, Jen,

John, Neil, Mike, Mike, Gary, Lindsay, Paula, Joel, Rob, Kristy, Nate, Jodee,

Sandy, Mike, Karen, Brian, Adrienne, Tim, Denise, Nikki, Jim, Audri, Wade,

Lucas, Michelle, Sam, Curt, Chip, Terry, Brian, Catherine, David, Lance,

Jenny, Joe, Ben, Catherine, Dick, Lorraine, Don, Katie, Catherine, Ron,

Sue, Jim, Mickey, Angie, Kevin, Keith, Shawn, Tyrone, Jess, Tom, Jerry,

Steve, Andrea, Kevin, Greg, Scott, Rob, James, John, Brad, Sam, Carlo,

Mark, Barbara, Terri, Kim, Robyn, Tony, Brook, John, Julia, Mark, Todd,

Julie, Ree, Jun, Hal, Karen, Barb, R.J., Jeff, Sheila, Randy, Larry, Todd, Pete,

Jim, Chantel, Tim, Bill, John, Scott and Mark for bringing out our best.

MALIBUG A L L E R Y

Thank You From All of us at Malibu!

Omaha’s picture framer for 25 years!

301 North 78th St.One Block N of Dodge

402.391.4628

17010 Wright Plz.The Shops of Legacy402.334.0920

malibu gallery BB0610.indd 1 3/12/10 10:45 AMSpring 2010 B2B Omaha 33

2440 SOUTH 141ST CIRCLE • (402) 334-5446 • www.brandeiscatering.com

TipTop Downtown Ballroom Livestock Exchange Ballroom Thompson Center at UNO Georgetowne Club

Voted Best Caterer in Omaha!“I want to thank the Omaha Business Community for selecting my

company, Brandeis Catering, as the best caterer in the Metro Area for

four years in a row. We appreciate your support and will continue

to work to make you proud.” Joe Thallas - Owner/General Manager


Janitorial ServiceFBG

402-346-4422www.fbgservices.com

Midwest Maintenance

landScape/laWn contractorLanoha Nurseries

Mulhall’s

laW FirmBaird Holm

Fitzgerald Schorr

limouSineVIP

402-934-5466viplimo.com

Old Market Limousine

live entertainmentMichael Walker

Bandstand OPS

lockSmitHCarl Jarl

Big Red

mailing liStSInfoUSA

The List Company

mailing ServiceBurke’s List Management & Mail Service

Omaha Mail

oFFice FurnitureAll Makes Offi ce Equipment

402-341-2413www.allmakes.com

Sheppard’s Business Interiors

oFFice recordS Storage /deStruction

Benson

Shred It

Thank You For Voting Us Best of B2B!

scouler BB0610.indd 1 3/16/10 10:52 AM

Thank You, Omaha, for recognizing your hometown firm.

Orizon CPAs LLC is proud to receive a “Best of B2B” award for the fourth consecutive year in the category of Best Accounting Firm in Omaha. It is our privilege to serve the needs of our clients and we wish to extend our thanks for receiving this recognition.

Securities offered through QA3 Financial Corp., Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Orizon Investment Counsel, LLC.


Thanks for Voting us Your #1 Locksmith!

To see what else we are up to, check us out at:

www.carljarlgroup.com

Voted Omaha’s Best Printer!

4700 F StreetOmaha, NE 68117

800.369.0033www.omahaprint.com

Thank you!


733-232212330 K Plaza, Ste. 113

Thank You Omaha!

Best Florist“Taylor Made” for ALL your

floral needs since 1950”

www.taylorsflowers24hours.com

oFFice SupplieSPay-Less Offi ce Products

402-891-6210www.paylessoffi ce.com

Offi ce Depot

paintingTraco

Terry McGill

party planning Serviceplanitomaha, Inc.

402.333.306www.planitomaha.com

Fundways

payroll ServiceADP

Paychex

peSt controlLien Termite & Pest Control

402-397-8884www.lienpestcontrol.com

Heartland

pHotograpHerErvin Photography

David Radler Photography402-342-6230

www.davidradler.com

picture FramingMalibu Galleries

malibugalleries@qwestoffi ce.netOmaha’s Picture Framer for 25 Years!

Creekside Framing

plumBing companyCarmody

Backlund

printerOmaha Print

800-369-0033www.omahaprint.com

Barnhart Press

Life InsuranceHealth Insurance

Long Term Care InsuranceDisability Income Insurance

Cancer & Critical Illness CoverageVision & Dental Coverage

Plan D & Medicare SupplementsGroup Bene� ts

4602 South 132nd StreetOmaha, NE 68137-1624

(O) 402-991-2533 (F) 402-991-2535www.encorefi nancialservices.com

Patrick G. BonnettFinancial AdvisorPresident / CEO

Give us a call for your Retirement & Wealth Preservation Planning needs.


Thanks for Voting us Best of B2B Four Years in a row!

Private dining rooms from 6 to 40 people.

13665 California StreetOmaha, Nebraska

402-445-4380

Best of B2B Four Years in a row!Best of B2B Four Years in a row!

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FACES • STYLE • HOME • EVENTS • HAPPENINGS • DINING • LAST WORD

The Dog Days of Summer Issue

Dogs at Work

Omaha’s Dog Park

Nebraska Kennel Club is

Putting on the Dog

Culture

Manifested

Through Dance

as Seen by Artist

TERRY

ROSENBERG

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What CheerMore than cool aesthetics

S T O R Y B Y M E L I S S A M C E L R O Y P H O T O S B Y M I N O R W H I T E S T U D I O S . C O M

Omaha’s growing arts district on north 13th Street is lined with trendy shops, a hip coffee house, Film Streams and Hot Shops. The eclectic, hipster vibe of the neighborhood provides the perfect setting for What Cheer, Omaha’s new,

progressive web site company. Their catchy slogan on their web site describes what they do: “We build cool web sites.”

Nestled away in a once-vacant warehouse since December 2009, What Cheer screams hipster aesthetic. The building’s architect, Paul Nelson, embraced what the old indus-trial space offered and transformed it into functional office space. From the unfinished concrete floors to the wide-open space, down to the loading dock, much of the space remains intact. Yet it’s surprisingly light and airy. Natural lighting adds to the open feel of the office. The furnishings, put together by the What Cheer staff, are sparse and cre-ate a minimalist, modern feel. It’s clear upon stepping foot in their office that they are a different kind of company.

Within this large space, a couple of 20-somethings work intently at their computers. They look so engrossed in their work they scarcely look up from their screens. Soon I


am greeted by John Müller, another young 20-something, who looks more like some-one you might run into at a Kings of Leon concert than the “suit” who runs the com-pany. But What Cheer is more than just cool aesthetics. Müller tells me that they believe in a fun, comfortable work environ-ment free of a rigid hierarchy. He tries to approach work in a positive light.

“I believe in working hard and being nice. Do those two things and you’ll be fine,” Müller said.

It doesn’t hurt that he happens to love what he does. He loves build-ing web sites so much that he works on side projects in his own time. Most notably, the pro-Omaha

web site titled “I live in Omaha because…” “We really like Omaha and wanted

to design a web site that reflected that.” According to Müller, Omaha is an excellent place to do business because of its entre-preneurial culture. The What Cheer pack chose the NoDo area to be near other cre-ative people. Their web site lists an impres-sive array of clients: artists, a photographer, a health care provider and non-profits, to name a few. Their client base has been built by word of mouth.

Jeff Koterba, a political cartoonist for the Omaha World-Herald and author of “Inklings,” succinctly described his experi-ence as a client of What Cheer.

“I was impressed with their ideas and I felt that they really got me, and what I was going for. Not only that, they surpassed my wildest expectations. I’m very happy with what they’ve done and would recommend them to anyone. I love how they think,” Koterba said.

According to Müller, each project is approached differently. “We carefully con-sider the needs of the client to determine the style and strategy. We help build brands for who they are.”

Your company is a place where team members meet day-to-day to engage in activity that helps the company thrive. The space in which they work should do more than just house creative minds – it should inspire them.

A well-planned office does more than just look good. Well-planned offices create a positive first impression on your clients, draw in potential candidates, and also improve the productivity of your current employees. Fortune magazine once revealed that the largest impact on productivity would result from improve-ments in office layout; alongside personal computers and thermal control.

If you are going to invest your time and money in a new office environment, you want to make sure it’s done right. Try to avoid these two common mis-takes some companies make:

• Benchmarking. Don’t compare your company’s office layout to other office setups. They do not have the culture, management, or employee practices that your company has. Therefore, your office environment shouldn’t look like theirs. Instead, identify specific challenges that your current office environment has and work to improve those areas.

• Guessing. Many companies guess how their businesses work by what they see. Although observation is helpful, there is always more than what meets the eye. Ask your employees about what they need and use.

Tips to consider when updating your office furniture:Look for versatility – buy office furniture that can easily be moved and reconfigured

Always buy quality – you should ask if products have been tested for dura-bility and meet office furniture performance standards, commonly referred to as ANSI-BIFMA

Remember the benefits of ergonomical furniture – good ergonomics make employees feel better, make them more productive and more energetic as well

Feel confident about your choice – research and compare warranty options before purchasing

Warranty – a quality chair should always have a lifetime warranty on the frame and mechanical parts and a 5-10 year warranty on fabric

All Makes Office Equipment Co. offers design services and office furniture selections that fill all the spaces in which your employees interact, develop, cre-ate, and execute. Visit All Makes’ 165,000 sq. ft. showroom at 2558 Farnam St. in Omaha to see the latest in new and used office furniture or call 341-2413 to receive a free copy of HON’s “How To Maximize Your Workplace” guide.

Office Environments That Inspire


T H E K N O W - I T - A L L I S P R E PA R I N G A N A C C E P TA N C E S P E E C H .

In this day of big government, big banks, big hedge funds and multi-national companies, what about the backbone of American business? All the small companies that make America great.

It seems to me that there is over-emphasis on saving the big guy, at the expense of the little guy. Let’s take the current economic crisis for instance. By 2006, the end of the housing bubble was becoming common knowledge. In 2007 and the fi rst half of 2008, the hedge fund manipulation of oil left consumers and trucking in survival mode. Heck, even the sleeping federal regulators were awakening from their Alan Greenspan “free trade” slumber, only to be frightened by what they saw. Th e executive branch, Congress and the regulators facilitated the over-leveraging of America. Th e Fed put the markets on amphetamines with their non-stop supply of cheap dollars.

In 2008, banking regulators became determined to do something in the heavy-handed manner big government usually does. In other words, micromanaging banks, rather than establishing appropriate guidance. Whereupon lending to businesses

Buckle Up!We are all in for a wild ride over the next couple of years


dried up during this loan-by-loan review. Th at is, which loans would be classifi ed and which would be allowed under the new regulatory terms.

Enough with the history, it’s time to focus on what to expect in the coming months.

Today’s reality is continued de-leveraging. Banks must meet the new strict criteria banking regulators expect. Th at is, loans only to well-qualifi ed businesses, at loan- to-value ratios of maybe 50 percent to 60 percent. If you have existing real estate loans and if your property value has dropped, expect a call to hand over suffi cient cash to meet the new criteria. Some are calling them “right-sizing” loans. Th e days of “other people’s money” thinking are over.

I worry about the unreasonable regulatory pressure on small banks, which never caused this economic crisis. It seems that the banking regulators are being even harder on them than the giants that crapped on America. Small banks get taken over; large banks get bailed out. Heck, the worst fi nancial off enders became banks in order to take advantage of the public bailouts.

Hedge funds and some large banks are playing in the commodity markets yet again. Today, we all are paying an additional dollar a gallon for gas and fuel because of this “speculation.” Face it, that dollar a gallon adds up to more money being stolen from Americans, even more than what’s been spent for all the federal bailouts.

Th e transfer of commercial and investment property from upside-down owners and developers is about to begin. A friend of mine participated in a Citibank and Bank of America road show. Meetings with those sitting on cash to showcase the massive portfolios of foreclosed properties. I expect the foreclosed asset transfers to build to a frenzy over the next 12 months, and then taper off over the subsequent 12 months. Th e smart investors will buy the mortgage notes at a substantial discount from the banks. Th at way, if the mortgagee performs, the investor gets a great return. If the mortgagee defaults, he gets the property. A new twist on the old adage: Loan to own.

What if you are a tenant in a building that has been over-leveraged, and the property

owner isn’t able to bring enough cash to the lender to get the loan into compliance? Performing tenants are certainly worth their weight in gold. But this doesn’t help if you are paying timely, and your property owner is pocketing the cash in preparation for a disappearing act. I personally know one very large property owner that sent an email to his wife and investors saying good-bye, I have your cash and I’m gone forever. He is now living comfortably in a South American country that doesn’t extradite to the U.S.

Th ere are 1,500 shopping malls in the U.S. We will see 500 of these malls close in this economic cycle. Closing, either all at once or a leper’s death by losing tenant after tenant.

We all understand the federal defi cit, but few are discussing the state budget shortfalls. Until the world economy returns to vigor, states will have to somehow fi nance their substantial shortfalls. Th ere is just no way to increase taxes enough to cover all the federal, state and local governmental defi cits. I expect these debts to be fi nanced at rates that will please investors, and crush taxpayers. Expect even more federal bailout money to prop up these state budgets.

Gaming is going to expand across the U.S. Gone are the silly notions of fl oating gaming fl oors on navigable waters. States want, and need, the revenue gaming off ers. I know this fi rsthand because of my involvement with a consortium backing this expansion. Th e challenge will be in dealing with the percentage of gamblers who are unable to control themselves.

Privatization of public infrastructure will gain speed. (I discussed this in a previous article.) Look at Connecticut where there is a movement to re-regulate electricity.

At this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, bankers and fund managers were told that new regulations were coming. Regulations to curtail the abuses that threw the world into this economic crisis. Those in the know understand that the real result of any new regulation will be but window dressing. Now that Pandora’s Box is open, there may be no way to close it again.

Buckle up, we are all in for a wild ride over the next couple of years.

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business ethicsB Y B E V E R L Y J . K R A C H E R , P H . D .

Jane sat down next to me. I hadn’t seen her for a month. She looked tired but her words were upbeat. “How’s it

going, Bev?” We talked for a while about the snow,

politics, the snow, movies, the snow. I was hesitant to mention it, but finally I asked, “How’s the job search going?”

“I have never been in this kind of situa-tion,” Jane said. “It’s been a year and a half. When I lost my job five years ago, it took me three days to get another one in my industry. And over the years, I’ve had com-panies call me twice a month to do consult-ing jobs. There was so much work. But now, I can’t even find short-term consulting jobs to tide me over. And I’m living off my 401(k). I lost my home and now I’m rent-ing. I figure I have two months of money left until I have to pack up my bags and move out of the state to live with my mom. I never thought I’d be this poor.”

The Labor Department reports that 6.3 million Americans are currently out of work and have been for six months or lon-ger. This is the highest unemployment rate that the country has experienced since 1948 when the government started keeping track of unemployment.

This is not what we want in greater Omaha. We are happy to work. We were raised to do anything it takes (within the law) to put food on the table. Indeed, the recent Gallup World Poll shows this situ-ation is just the opposite of what anyone wants. Across the world, the #1 thing that people want is a job.

Jane wants to work. Jane wants a job. Jane is a decent, honest person. She has taken the risks that are supposed to pay off. Where is the relief?

How about private enterprise? Most companies would be happy to give Jane a job, but can’t – they don’t have enough cli-ents and every month brings more debt.

Government is not a long-term option. The federal administration can create leg-islation to spur job growth but it is the ref-eree, not a player, in this critical game.

Now I’m not saying that this next idea is the solution. But it is at least part of the solution. What if we don’t give people jobs – but we support an effective organiza-tion that distributes money to people who want to start their own businesses? What if this organization makes it very easy to get a simple interest business loan with no collateral? What if loan repayments supply money for future loans “in an ever-expand-ing circle of economic growth?” And what if this organization is in our hometown?

It’s called Grameen America, founded by Professor Mohammad Yunus. He and the Grameen Bank are Nobel Prize recipients for their pioneering, global work in micro-lending. Grameen America is in two U.S. cities – New York City and Omaha.

Grameen is part of the solution – not for everyone but for some. As our U.S. econ-omy tumbles, more and more people who used to be middle class are now poor. As Professor Yunus writes in Creating a World Without Poverty, “microcredit turns on the economic engines among the rejected pop-ulation of society. Once a large number of these tiny engines start working, the stage is set for big things.”

Hey, Jane, check ‘em out. Beverly Kracher, Ph.D.Executive Director, Business Ethics AllianceAssociate Professor of Business Ethics & SocietyCollege of Business Creighton University

Grameen America has come to Omaha

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April/May/June B2B 2010