Events

Christina Gregg – Heart Heroes Remembrance Program Volunteer

Mrs. Gregg is a part-time Instructor in the College of Allied Health Professions at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  In addition, she works PRN as a nuclear medicine technologist at Nebraska Cancer Specialists in Omaha.  Professionally she has presented at the local, state and national imaging society level, which included one presentation titled “Imaging Congenital Heart Defects.” Christina is a volunteer for the Remembrance Program of Heart Heroes. 

She is a mom of four, two of which are Heart Heroes.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and running. 

Dr. John Schwartz stepped into the role of superintendent at the start of the 2022-23 school year after being unanimously selected by the Millard Board of Education. Previously Dr. Schwartz served as the superintendent of the Norris School District since July 2019. Prior to this role, he has served as an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, a high school principal, assistant principal, director of secondary education, and a social studies teacher for the Papillion La Vista, Bellevue, and Seward School Districts. In addition to his work with PK-12 public schools, Dr. Schwartz is an adjunct graduate instructor for Doane University.

Additionally Dr. Schwartz serves as President for Schools Taking Action for Nebraska Children’s Education (STANCE) and Vice President for Greater Nebraska Schools Association (GNSA). He is also a member of Greater Nebraska Superintendents (GNS), Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA), and is the legislative liaison for the  Nebraska Association for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (NACIA).

Dr. Schwartz was named the Nebraska School Counseling Administrator of the Year in 2014 and the Doane University Alumni Educator of the Year in 2015. He is involved in a wide array of committees, associations, and service organizations.

A Nebraska native, Dr. Schwartz holds a bachelor’s, two master’s, education specialist, and a doctoral degree from Doane University. He is a graduate of Waverly High School. Dr. Schwartz and his wife, Laura, have two children who are enrolled in the district and enjoying their experiences in Millard’s schools.

West Rotary is handling the registrations. If you are not a member of the West Omaha Rotary, you need to register as a guest. 

REGISTER HERE

With a background in pediatric nursing Amy has seen firsthand what a child and their family goes through when diagnosed with a life threatening condition. This became a reality for her family when her niece, Gabby, was diagnosed with cancer at age 5. Gabby's determination and kind, giving spirit spilled over into her wish to bring a Bag of Fun to every child fighting a battle. It is Amy's wish to bring Bags of Fun to the Omaha area and continue spreading the joy and love that Gabby would have wanted. It is in Gabby's spirit that they bring happiness wrapped up in a backpack to those children going through a really tough time in a world where just being a kid and playing is their job! It is with great honor that the Krause family is able to bring this foundation to the Omaha area and they are extremely grateful for the opportunity to provide joy to children living with a life threatening illness.

Please sign up with Bob Cannella to volunteer at Food Bank for the Heartland on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 5pm to 7pm.

Email Bob by February 1 at rcannella@fitzlaw.com if you are able to help.

Details and instructions are below. 

Food Bank for the Heartland Volunteer Center
10525 J Street Omaha, NE 68127

Description:

A few things you should know:

• On the day of your volunteer shift, please park at the south side of our building. The volunteer entrance is at the southwest corner under the Food Bank for the Heartland awning and I, or another Food Bank employee, will be there to greet you!
• We encourage our volunteers to dress comfortably. Our Volunteer Center is climate controlled, so we recommend dressing in layers.

• Please make sure to wear a shirt with sleeves (no tank tops or cut offs). Many company volunteer groups wear company t-shirts to show their workplace pride!
• All volunteers must wear close toed shoes (no sandals or flip flops). We recommend wearing comfortable tennis shoes, as most of your session will involve standing.

• All volunteer tasks are assigned based on product availability and designed to “Feed the Greatest Need” of the Food Bank that day.
• Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. We do welcome younger children ages 10-15, but they must be supervised by an adult.

• If you would like to bring a child between the ages of 10 and 15 in to volunteer, there must be one adult to every five children present.

Ginny Curley is the founder of Power Your Partnerships, a consultant to family-owned businesses.  Her professional work focuses on helping family-owned businesses become successful multi-generational endeavors through improved communication and alignment.

But her role with us today is as the 2023 Omaha Woman of Impact Nominee for the American Heart Association. Selected as Nebraska's first nominee in this national competition, Ginny is set on raising awareness and much-needed funds to save lives.  In fact, her team of 10 dedicated volunteers has already raised over $19,000 toward that goal.

Ginny is here today to share her story and teach us the basics of Hands-Only CPR.

Dr. Candace L. Gregory was born and raised in New Brunswick, Canada. She is a devoted wife to her husband Steve, and mother to their four children. For more than 25 years, she has served at Open Door Mission in many capacities and currently is the President/CEO.  She has become a noted national advocate for the homeless and is sought out for her experience in implementing community prevention programs that help end the cycle of homelessness and poverty.  Candace received an Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarian Studies from Clarkson College of the Sciences. In 2019, she was given the Inspiring Hope Award from Fresh Hope Ministry and the Legacy Award from Women on a Mission for Change.  Recently, Candace was inducted into the Nebraska Housing Hall of Fame in honor of her outstanding commitment to affordable housing.

Matthew S. Aubry, Operations Manager, Omaha Airport Authority

Matt Aubry joined the Omaha Airport Authority as Operations Manager in September of 2016.  His career prior to Omaha includes just over 6 years as an Operations Coordinator for the General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (July 2010-September 2016) and 2 ½ years at Peoria International Airport as an Operations Specialist (January 2008-July 2010).

Matt’s academic background consists of a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) in Aviation Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois (Springfield). He is also an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) through the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).

Patrick S. Kelly, Senior Project Manager, Omaha Airport Authority

Pat Kelly joined the Omaha Airport Authority as a Senior Project Manager in April of 2022.  His career prior to the Airport Authority includes almost 20 years in the consulting engineering field for electrical and low voltage systems for firms in the Omaha metro and nearly 10 years as a owner of an electrical contracting business with his parents in Kearney NE.

Pat’s academic background consists of a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in Construction Management. He also holds BICSI accredited Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) certification, a DBIA design builder certification and is a licensed Electrical Contractor in the state of Nebraska.

My title with the City of Omaha is Recreation Manager.  I have been with the city for about 9 years and have been in my current position for nearly 2 years.  I oversee all Recreation for the City of Omaha which includes the community centers, pools, camps, programming and recreation events.  

About Congressman Don Bacon

Growing up and working on a farm in Illinois, Congressman Don Bacon
learned first-hand how the value of hard work and commitment contributes to
the success of a small business. He moved from the family farm to attend
Northern Illinois University, from which he graduated with a Bachelors of
Political Science in 1984, the same year he married Angie, the love of his life.
They have three sons, one daughter, and five grandchildren. One year later,
he began his military career by joining the U.S. Air Force and serving nearly
30 years, ultimately retiring as a Brigadier General.

During his career in the Air Force, Congressman Bacon specialized in
electronic warfare, intelligence, reconnaissance, and public affairs. His career
highlights include two tours as a Wing Commander, at Ramstein Airbase in
Germany and Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska; group command at
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona; squadron command in Arizona,
and expeditionary squadron command in Iraq. In total, Congressman Bacon
served 16 assignments including four deployments across the globe, three of
which were in the Middle East, and one assignment to Iraq in 2007 to 2008
during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Congressman Bacon’s military decorations include the Air Force
Distinguished Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, two Legion of Merits, five
Meritorious Service Medals, and the Aerial Achievement Medal. Additionally,
he was selected as Europe’s top Air Force Wing Commander for his time at
Ramstein Airbase, as well as recognized as a distinguished graduate of the
Air Command and Staff College, Navigator-Electronic Warfare School, and
Officer Intelligence School. Further, Congressman Bacon has earned two
Masters Degrees, from the University of Phoenix in Arizona and the National
War College in Washington D.C.

Upon his retirement from the Air Force in 2014, Congressman Bacon served
as the military advisor to Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01), where he
specialized in military affairs focusing on Offutt Air Force Base and the
Nebraska National Guard. He also was an Assistant Professor at Bellevue
University where he taught Undergraduate Leadership along with American
Vision and Values (The Kirkpatrick Signature Series), until his 2016 election to
Congress, representing Nebraska’s Second Congressional District.

Presently, Congressman Bacon serves on two committees within the House
of Representatives: the House Armed Services Committee, and the House
Agricultural Committee.

Hello Millard Rotarians,

Millard Rotary is proud to offer scholarships to seniors at our 3 Millard High Schools.  The process of interviewing these fine young scholars is always fun!  Please consider volunteering for the morning of Friday, April 21, 2023 to come to Millard North, Millard South and Millard West High Schools.

Click on this link to sign up.  We are looking for 4 interviewers at each high school.  Reach out to Kim Saum-Mills with any questions.

Thanks!

Kim Saum-Mills, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Leadership, Planning & Evaluation
Millard Public Schools
402-715-8200    Twitter:  @ksaummills
Activator * Responsibility * Achiever * Competition * Focus

Lindsey Rai Kortan - Chief Executive Officer Lindsey Rai Kortan is the Chief Executive Officer for the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha. She is responsible for executing the strategic vision for the organization as it aligns with the mission. Lindsey Rai originally began working for the Ronald McDonald House as the Director of Development and was appointed CEO nine months later. She brings with her a diverse professional background inclusive of academic administration, non-profit management, and environmental compliance.

She is originally from California and has been living in Omaha for the past 12 years.  She earned her undergraduate degree on the President's List for English Literature at California State University, Long Beach and her Masters of Public Policy from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with emphasis on Ocean Law and Policy.  She has two young boys and serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for Aqua Africa.

We are expecting a lot of Parents, Administrators and Guests for the Scholarship Luncheon. Please let us know if you plan to attend so that we have enough seats and food!

Thank you,

Brian Barks is President & CEO at Food Bank for the Heartland. In this role, he is responsible for overall management and direction of Food Bank for the Heartland as well as overseeing the budgetary, strategic planning, and community relations management functions. Brian became President & CEO in July 2018 after spending nine years as the Director of Development & Communications at the Food Bank.
Prior to the Food Bank, Brian spent more than 20 years in the broadcast industry working in North Platte, Omaha and Phoenix, AZ. Brian was born in Iowa, graduated high school from Omaha Burke and earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Born February 1st. 1966 Dubuque, Iowa to parents Ricardo and Bernice Hernandez. Ron’s father was a career service veteran who served the end of World War II, Korea and was an advisor in the early '60s for Vietnam. Ron’s mother was a domestic engineer that raised three boys. Ron graduated high school in 1984 from Plattsmouth, Nebraska. At that time Ron was dating his high school sweetheart, Kimberly Bonge. Ron and Kimberly were married on December 6th,1986 and to this date are still married. Together they have 3 children and 11 grandchildren. Ron served in the United States Army carrying the M.O.S. as United States Army Calvary Scout for most of his career. After leaving the military. Ron created the non-profit Moving Veterans Forward based out of Papillion, Nebraska in April of 2011.

In her role as President and CEO, Shawna Forsberg ensures United Way of the Midlands’ relevance to the communities it serves, provides inspirational action-oriented leadership to enhance UWM’s capacity to carry out its mission and ensures accountability of the organization to its diverse constituents.
She also serves as the chief staff officer and main professional resource to the volunteer leadership of the organization – maintaining significant relationships with the Board of Directors and officers, committees and volunteer leadership, and with the health and social service agencies UWM partners with to serve the Omaha area. And in cooperation with the Chairman and other key board leaders, she represents UWM to the community and maintains active, cooperative relationships with broad and diverse constituencies.
In addition, Forsberg is responsible for the day-to-day operations, leadership and direction of staff in carrying out the organization’s mission. She makes sure UWM’s work focuses on providing critical funding to help our neighbors meet their most basic needs including access to healthy food, physical and mental health services, safe and affordable housing and academic supports – with the ultimate goal of helping families achieve long-term financial stability.
During her tenure with UWM, the organization has achieved a ranking of 7th in the network out of 1,200 United Ways for campaign performance, and Forsberg led the development and rollout of a new “open grant” funding strategy – ensuring impact will be measured and that every donor dollar is invested wisely to make the biggest impact in the community. In addition under her thoughtful leadership, UWM has: partnered with the Omaha World-Herald to administer the Goodfellows program; launched the JAG Nebraska program across the state; established partnerships with the City of Omaha for the disbursement of ARPA funds for basic needs support and with MAACH for the delivery of rental and utility assistance; created an initiative to address mental health needs and offer free Mental Health First Aid training for the community; expanded the 211 Call Center and added additional Community Resource Specialists to address the ever-increasing volume of contacts.
Prior to joining UWM, she led the corporate marketing team at Conagra and served as director of marketing at the Durham Museum in Omaha.
Forsberg earned an MBA from Sam Houston State University. She received a BSBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she majored in marketing and international business, and also studied abroad at Senshu University in Tokyo, Japan and Mansfield College at Oxford University. In 2016, she completed the United Way’s Executive Leadership Development Program which included coursework at the Center for Creative Leadership, Harvard University and Deloitte University.
She currently serves on the Omaha Chamber Board of Directors, United Way Worldwide Network Advisory Council and is a trustee of the Business Ethics Alliance.
Forsberg is married to Grant Forsberg and they have three adult children, Seth, London and Devon.

Jessica Brabec is the Tournament Director of the Pinnacle Bank Championship. She has been in this position since its inception in 2016. Before the Pinnacle Bank Championship, she worked as the Tournament Manager at The Principal Charity Classic and the Operations Director at the Cox Classic. 

Katie Colwell is the Tournament Services Manager and has been in this position since February. Before starting at the Pinnacle Bank Championship, she was in school at Daemen University and graduated in December of 2022.

Join Millard Rotary for a Social After Hours at Graepel!

Thursday, June 15
5:30pm - 7:30 pm

Attendees will be provided, cocktails, snacks and a tour of the office!

Attendees will also earn one Rotary Make up for their participation.

=>12:00-12:15 pm - Folks eat lunch

=>12:15-12:25 pm - normal club business

=>12:25-12:35 pm - Scott recognizes current year (2022-23) leadership and Scott will hand president role off to Puja

=>12:35-1:00 pm - Puja introduces new year club leadership and shares her goals as (2023-24) President

Kathryn was raised in Nebraska. She graduated from Papillion LaVista High School and then went on to receive a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration in 1994 from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, with a focus in Commercial Banking and International Finance. Kathryn is a Certified Financial Planner® and a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch. She started her career in Omaha upon graduation from UNO, and now works in both the Omaha and Lincoln communities. Together with her team, she provides sophisticated financial strategies and solutions for high net worth individuals and families all across America. In February 2022, Kathryn was named to the Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list.

Kathryn is an active member of the Omaha Suburban Rotary Club in Omaha, Nebraska, and has been since 2009. She is a Paul Harris Fellow and a Patron of the Suburban Rotary Charitable Foundation. She is a past member of the board of Suburban Rotary and past President. She is also a past Trustee and past Chairman of the Suburban Rotary Charitable Foundation. She has served as Sergeant-at-Arms and has chaired both the Membership Development and Fundraising committees at Suburban Rotary. She is also a graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute and has served as the Membership Chair and Chair of the DEI committee for District 5650. In 2021, Kathryn was nominated to be the District Governor for 5650 to serve in 2023-2024.

Kathryn lives in Lincoln with her husband, Craig, and 3 children: Zachary is 19 and will be a Sophomore at the University of Kansas studying Math and Physics; Annabeth is 17 and will be a Senior at Lincoln East High School; Isabelle is 14 and is going into her Freshman year at Lincoln East High School.. Together as a family, they spend a lot of time around the ice rink. Both her son and her youngest daughter play ice hockey. When they are not at a rink, they are either in a theater where Isabelle is active in dance or at a school where Annabeth is competing in Speech for the Lincoln East Speech team. They are also a musical family. Both Kathryn and Craig played instruments in the school band when they were young and now all three kids are in the school orchestra. Zachary plays the violin, Annabeth plays the cello and Isabelle plays the viola.

INTRO BULLET POINTS:

• graduated from Papillion LaVista High School

• Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Certified Financial Planner®, Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch in Omaha and Lincoln

• February 2022 named to the Forbes “America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list

• member of the Omaha Suburban Rotary Club since 2009

• Paul Harris Fellow and a Patron of the Suburban Rotary Charitable Foundation

• Served on Board, past President, trustee and Chair of the Suburban Rotary Charitable Foundation, Sergeant-at-Arms, Membership Development and Fundraising chair at Omaha Suburban Rotary

• graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute

• District Membership Chair and Chair of the DEI committee

• Kathryn lives in Lincoln with her husband, Craig, and 3 children