Abe Baker

Baker's Supermarkets

Omaha

(Awarded Posthumously)

Abe Baker, Omaha, Baker's Supermarkets. (Deceased) Abe Baker emigrated from Russia as a child and held a variety of jobs, including newspaper carrier, and produce clerk, before becoming Omaha's favorite grocer.

Abe and his wife, Helen founded the grocery chain just prior to the Great Depression with a store in Walnut, Iowa. The tiny store with six workers grew to employ as many as 3,600 associates. Abe's hallmark was his commitment to his customers. He preached dedication to customer service and total quality management long before these phrases became the buzzwords of the 90s and created the Baker's success story. He led by example, working the sales floor, sacking groceries, and visiting with customers at his many stores. Some of his favorite expressions were, "The customer signs our paychecks," and "We are really in the people business, we just happen to sell groceries," and are often repeated by his associates and family.

As the business grew, Abe realized controlling locations would be a key to future growth and began developing shopping centers. The firm was a pioneer in employee benefits and profit sharing, and it instituted a scholarship program to help young employees further their education.

Abe Baker passed away in January of 1999. He is survived by his daughter, Debbie Krasne, and his sons, Jack and Bob, who carried on the tradition set by their father for many decades.

C.G. "Kelly" Holthus

Cornerstone Bank

York

C.G. "Kelly" Holthus, York, is Chairman, President and CEO of Cornerstone Bank, a multi-bank holding company formerly known as First National Bank of York, which received it's charter on April 22, 1882, with a mission to meet the financial needs of central Nebraska. Surviving the pioneer days, the great Great depressionDepression, and a bank robbery in 1933, the bank has grown through the past 127 years to have 29 locations in 20 communities throughout Central Nebraska

Kelly attended the University of Nebraska and is a 1970 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking. He began his banking career in his hometown of Bertrand before joining the York bank.

Kelly was elected the American Bankers Association (ABA) president in 1990 and also served as president of the Nebraska Bankers Association. He served as Chairman of the State Chamber in 1996. He is currently Treasurer of the York General Health Care Services; a member of the Board of Directors of the York Community Foundation; and a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Nebraska Technology Park. He has previously served as President of the York Chamber of Commerce, a member of the York City Council, a member of the Board of Directors of Concordia Foundation, a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Nebraska Foundation and on the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska Independent College Foundation, along with many other local, civic and philanthropic organizations. Kelly also helped improve the York Area Senior Center and the York County Fairgrounds. To recognize his commitment to the community, Holthus Field House at York College was dedicated in 2003.

Kelly and his wife, Virginia, have four grown children who are all active in Cornerstone Bank. He devotes his time and energy on civic and charitable projects serving central Nebraska communities.

John P. Nelson

SilverStone Group

Omaha

John P. Nelson, Omaha, SilverStone Group. After attending Carleton College and serving as a U.S. Naval officer, John joined his father at the Nelson Insurance Agency in 1965. The company has since changed its name and grown from a one-room office with three employees to more than 160 consultants, actuaries, administrators, and registered investment representatives who serve clients throughout the United States. John has served as sales manager, executive vice president, and president of the company and he currently serves as chairman. With nearly 200 employees, SilverStone is an independent consulting, actuarial and insurance brokerage firm that is an industry leader in risk management, property and casualty, human resource consulting, employee benefits, and private client services. Nelson sees two key elements to the company's growth: a focus on acquiring companies and the recruiting of highly qualified technical associates to create a state-of-the-art company.

John has served many Omaha and Council Bluffs organizations and boards, including the Iowa Western Community College Foundation, Doane College, the Durham Western Heritage Museum, Great Western Bank and Growth Management Corporation, and the Boy Scouts of America, Mid-America Council. In addition, John was the 2003 King of Ak-Sar-Ben and the 2002 United Way Citizen of the Year and he was inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Anne, have three children and five grandchildren. Their son, John H. Nelson, is president of SilverStone.

Joe Hampton

Hampton Enterprises

Lincoln

Joe Hampton, Lincoln, Hampton Enterprises. In 1947, at the age of 22, Joe Hampton moved to Lincoln from Chadron, Nebraska when a lack of funds forced him out of college and into the workforce as an apprentice electrician.

In his spare time he began building a house for himself. Housing was short in those post-war years and Joe found himself selling his brand new home just as soon as he had finished it. So he built another, then another. And that's the way things went until 1964 when Joe made the leap from homebuilder to developer by purchasing land that became the city's first office park and residential community – Lincolnshire Square. The firm continued to build and develop commercial properties in Lincoln, including Williamsburg Village, Corporate Centre and Meadowlane Shopping Center.

Since those days, Joe Hampton has continued to grow in size and scope and has built a solid reputation for quality craftsmanship and unique architectural detail. Today, the company employs more than 60 people and is involved in land development, commercial general contracting, construction management and real estate services, including property management and building maintenance.

An avid pilot, Joe served on the Airport Authority Board from 1963 – 1977. He served two terms on the Lincoln City Council and was a stalwart supporter of pro-growth policies and expansion of the city's infrastructure for future development. Joe continues to be actively involved in state and civic development efforts.

Joe built his business and his life on an unwavering foundation of trust and integrity. He and his wife, Marge, have a son and daughter.

Willard H. Waldo

Willard Waldo, a graduate of the University of Nebraska, began his lifelong involvement with agriculture at a young age. After the Civil War, his family migrated to Nebraska to build a farming operation near DeWitt. By 1937, although Waldo Farms had built a good reputation, they still had not accumulated much. The company set a goal to have the best Duroc hog herd in the world and to either make the business profitable or quit farming altogether.

While working as a Vocational Agriculture instructor and County Extension agent, Willard established his own Duroc herd using selected, Waldo-raised foundation stock. He strongly believed in using the principles of agricultural science to improve swine breeding stock. He put these principles into practice by being among the first to weigh pigs at birth to determine when the pigs would reach market weight. He also developed a simple, but effective ear-notching system, which was used to identify the pigs.

Over time, Waldo Farms has established a tradition of using independent evaluators and industry-wide trials to measure the performance of Waldo Farms' pigs. Willard's son, Max, graduated from the University of Nebraska and became a full partner of Waldo Farms in 1960. Under Max's leadership, an SPF, or Specific Pathogen Free, herd was established, which means that the pigs are free of certain diseases. The entire herd was subject to performance testing and an intensive selection program.

Over the years, Willard has worked tirelessly on behalf of agriculture with many Nebraska agricultural organizations, such as Livestock Breeders and Feeders, the Farm Bureau, the Sheep Breeders and the Wheat Commission. He was a state senator and has served on numerous local and state civic and charitable organizations. He is well known as a lifelong supporter of the Nebraska State Fair. Willard's many achievements indicate his devotion to helping others.

Willard has two children, ten grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

J. Gates Minnick

J. Gates Minnick is a lifelong resident of Lincoln and a 1954 graduate of the University of Nebraska. As a young man he worked in a service station where he learned important lessons about dealing with customers and doing things right the first time.

Minnick's father-in-law, Al DuTeau, began the family car dealership in 1928 and Minnick began work at DuTeau Chevrolet in 1955. He became president of the company in 1983. His love of the automobile industry and innate concern for customers helped Minnick and the DuTeau team grow significantly during his tenure.

Minnick has served as a board member of the Lincoln Foundation, the University of Nebraska Foundation and Alumni Association, Bryan Memorial Hospital, the Downtown Lincoln Association, and other significant industry boards. He has also served on boards for civic and charitable organizations, such as Lincoln Electric System and the City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Minnick served as president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and the Nebraska New Car & Truck Dealers Association and was chairman of the State Chamber in 1997. He was elected to the Lincoln City Council and served two terms. One of his main accomplishments on the Council was helping to continue the retail development of Lincoln and adding considerably to the sales tax base.

J. Gates Minnick has received many awards for his service, including the Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award, the University of Nebraska Builder Award, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Man of the Year Award, among other achievements. In retirement, he continues to serve on the Lincoln Vision 2015 group. He and his wife, Daisy, have four children, who have all graduated from the University of Nebraska, and four grandchildren.

Donald Smeal

Donald Smeal was the fourth generation of a family that settled on a homestead in Snyder, Nebraska. On the farm, he learned about mechanical objects and took particular interest in the steam engine tractor that was used to operate a saw mill. In high school, Don focused on math, physics and science while he continued with work on the farm, such as threshing, saw milling and silage cutting. Eventually he was drafted to serve in WWII.

Upon returning to Snyder, Don bought farm machinery that would allow him to shell corn and bale hay for profit. In 1955, he purchased a repair shop in order to start a welding business. His plan was to earn a living while he searched for a product he could build and sell. He designed and built a feed box with an auger system and a water well hoist, which became the basis of Smeal Manufacturing. In 1965, due to the success of his machines, Don was chosen as Nebraska Businessman of the Year.

In 1963, the Snyder Rural Fire Board asked Don to fix a leak in its fire truck tank. Although the tank could not be repaired, Don was a volunteer firefighter and he knew the needs of the community so he came up with a plan. He asked that the Board buy a new chassis and in exchange, he would design and build a new fire truck. This truck was to include a PTO water pump, a 1200 gallon water tank, a body with an enclosed crew cab and a 42 foot hydraulic aerial ladder.

Today, Smeal Fire Apparatus Company is a major competitor in the fire and rescue industry. The company has thousands of trucks and aerial ladders throughout North America and has grown to include over 340 employees.

Smeal Manufacturing and Smeal Fire Apparatus Company are family owned. Five of Don and Ardath's children work in the company, along with their spouses and children. Don never strayed from his roots and built his business with people who share his values and work ethic. He passed away on October 19, 2004, leaving his companies in the hands of his family and long-term dedicated employees, who share the same commitment to their customers.

Five generations of the Simon family have turned Omaha Steaks into a nationally recognized company.

It began with a father and son, who left Riga, Latvia in 1898 to escape religious persecution. They found themselves in Omaha, Nebraska where they worked as butchers. In 1917, they founded their own company and were dedicated to processing and selling tender, grain-fed beef to restaurants and grocers in the area. Originally known as Table Supply Meat Company, the firm also supplied to the Union Pacific Railroad. The company's reputation quickly spread to the general public and the family began a mail order venture in 1952.

Between the late 1950s and early 1960s, three key innovations were developed: direct parcel shipping, polystyrene shipping coolers, and vacuum packaging, which allowed the firm to ship its products to a much larger audience more efficiently. In 1963, the first direct mail flyers and catalogs were sent to customers to satisfy consumer interest. In 1966, the company was renamed Omaha Steaks International, Inc. and between 1975 and 1978 it began to provide inbound and outbound customer phone service.

In 1990, Omaha Steaks became one of the first companies to join the technological wave of electronic marketing. Customers who were connected to CompuServe could order food products via computer. In 1995, a website, www.omahasteaks.com, was developed. Today, customers can order from anywhere in the world with just a few mouse clicks.

The fourth generation of the Simon family: Alan, Fred, and their late brother, Steve, has been instrumental in developing the concept of mail order steak. This concept has helped the company grow to become a worldwide supplier of a variety of red meats, smoked meats, poultry, fish and other seafood, pastas, soups, desserts and gift baskets. Bruce and Todd Simon, the fifth generation, are now playing major roles in managing the company. All five generations contributed to the company's success in serving 1.5 million customers.

James P. Abel

Jim Abel began to work for NEBCO, Inc. in 1969 as a laborer in the company's concrete pipe plant. NEBCO is a family owned business, based in Lincoln, Nebraska whose interests are in the manufacture of concrete building materials, road construction, mining, railroading, farming and real estate development. Jim attended both the University of Nebraska and Arizona State University and received a degree in business.

He succeeded his father, Business Hall of Fame member George P. Abel, Jr., as president of the firm in 1985. Under Jim's leadership, NEBCO has expanded its concrete building material business through organic growth and acquisitions. NEBCO's real estate activities were expanded to include commercial, residential, and recreational developments. Most notable are the Landmark office buildings near the State Capitol, Chalco Valley Business Park in Southwest Omaha, and Fallbrook, a 700-acre residential and commercial development in Northwest Lincoln, utilizing the features of new urbanism. The Abel family's love of golf led to the construction of Quarry Oaks Golf Club voted by Golf Digest as the "Best Affordable Public Golf Course in America" when it opened in 1997. Quarry Oaks was the last project Jim worked on with his father. Jim's passion for baseball led to the development of Haymarket Park, adjacent to Lincoln's historic Haymarket District. Haymarket Park was built through a joint cooperation of NEBCO, the City of Lincoln, and the University of Nebraska. Haymarket Park is home to the Lincoln Saltdogs and the University of Nebraska baseball and softball teams. Jim is chairman of the Lincoln Saltdogs franchise which began their inaugural season in 2001.

His activities within the community and state extends to membership on civic, philanthropic, and professional boards including the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation, Nebraska Wesleyan University Board of Governors, University of Nebraska Foundation, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. He believes examples set forth by his father, his mother Betty Abel, his aunt Alice Abel, and his grandmother Hazel Abel, the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Nebraska, helped instill the value of public involvement and charitable giving. When accepting a board position, one of Jim's criteria is that the business has a foundation and tradition of giving.

The Abel Foundation continues his family's tradition of returning a measure of the company's success back to the communities in which they operate. Jim is actively involved in its operations and serves as President of the Foundation. Major gifts have been awarded to Nebraska projects that greatly promote the quality of life in Nebraska and health & human services. Abel Foundation gifts have gone to projects such as the Lied Center for Performing Arts, Abel Stadium on the Nebraska Wesleyan campus, Folsom Children's Zoo, Mahoney State Park, and the Lincoln Children's Museum, University of Nebraska, and the United Way.

He and his wife, Mary, have a son, Jack.

Fred Bosselman

In 1948, a farmer and part time truck driver, Fred, his wife, Maxine, and family members opened Bosselman & Eaton Truck Stop in Grand Island. Having been on the road, he saw the wretched conditions for drivers and began to provide good service, good food, and quality products for the transportation industry and traveling public. Realizing the Interstate system would be the key to future growth, he bought river bottom land and built "The Truck Stop of Tomorrow" on I-80 before the road was completed. When a major oil company would not finance the project, he gained local backing.

The company has now grown to 40 Pump & Pantry stores, 8 Grandma Max's restaurants, 5 motels, 10 Boss Truck Shops and 8 Travel Centers. The company includes Bosselman Energy, a multi-state distributor of fuels, propane, ethanol, and lube products; Bosselman Tank & Trailer, fuel/LP transport trailer and bobtail truck sales, testing and repair; Petroleum Equipment Co., with complete services for the petroleum industry; Bosselman Carriers, a multi-state fuel transportation company; Bosselman Contractors Services, providing construction and environmental services; plus condominiums and farming.

The business became a strong family affair with Fred's sons, daughters and spouses helping the expansion. Fred's sons - Chuck and Fred, Jr. - oversee the retail operation and petroleum product and distribution operations. With the third generation of Bosselmans now entering the business, they are poised to enter the new millennium. Despite the growth, Fred's "hands-on" management style provided the vision for continued success. Longtime employees talk of road trips with Fred where he could see what was working or not working at the retail stores. Family lunches at the Grandma Max restaurant (naturally named after Maxine) also provided opportunities for the Bosselmans to communicate and brainstorm new ideas.

Fred's career had many high points, among them President of the National Association of Truck Stop Operators, the UNL College of Business Administration Entrepreneur of the Year, and president of Fonner Park. His generosity to Grand Island ranged from contributions for the Stuhr Museum, College Park, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Crane Meadows Center, and the Fonner Park Civic Center.

Fred Bosselman passed away at his home in Grand Island in July of 2006. He is buried in the Grand Island cemetery across the street from the corporate headquarters where he can always keep an eye on the company.

Jack Vetter

A Sandhills native and lifelong Nebraskan, Jack Vetter worked on a ranch, as a blacksmith, completed a tour of duty with the United States Army, and was foreman of a feed and fertilizer plant before he became administrator of a Valentine, Nebraska nursing home in 1965. A friend noticed Jack's personable and compassionate manner with elderly customers and encouraged him to apply for the Administrator position. Over the next three years he succeeded in improving the home's low occupancy rate. He was then recruited by the Bethesda Foundation to be Director of Operations. During the next 10 years he played a key role in the company's growth from seven facilities to 20 and tripling the bed count from 500 to 1,500.

With experience and tenure in long-term care, Jack and his wife, Eldora, bought their first nursing home in 1975. Their reputation grew. They began to acquire facilities from friends and business associates who were familiar with their work ethic and the integrity with which they conducted their business. Vetter Health Services (VHS) evolved as the management company. Today the company owns and manages 32 skilled nursing centers, three assisted living units, one retirement campus and a rehabilitation care center with locations in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Wyoming. They employ over 3,000 team members with an annual payroll of $59 million. Collectively these team members provide 784,000 days of resident care each year.

Jack and Eldora have a strong spiritual commitment that is entwined in their business. He embraces a mission of "dignity in life" that is conveyed to each facility and supported by six vision goals – Quality Life, Quality Care, Excellent Teams, Outstanding Facilities, Quality Reputation, and Stewardship. These goals are accompanied by four values: Serving, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence. By embracing these visions and values the family of Vetter Health Services facilities has assured quality life for many senior Nebraskans and the elderly in surrounding states. Vetter Health Services' is recognized nationally as a leader, innovator and trendsetter in long-term care.

An active member of the Nebraska Health Care Association, Jack has also completed committee assignments and held regional and national leadership positions with the American Health Care Association. In 2001 Jack was presented the Friend of the AHCA Quality Award in appreciation of his dedication to and support of the AHCA Quality Award. He maintains a political presence and visits Lincoln and Washington D.C. regularly to be a voice for the elderly and long-term care providers in the state and across the nation.

It has been said that you can take the boy out of the country, however, you can't take the country out of the boy. Jack and Eldora own and manage the family farm outside of Bassett. Through the years they have purchased additional land in the area for their cow and calf operation and growing crops.

They developed a 501(c)3 company, Vetter Foundation, to receive personal contributions along with regular donations from the long-term care operation's profits and outside contributions to promote and assist them in their philanthropic giving. In addition to providing ongoing education for people in long-term health care, the Foundation supports local organizations including the Alzheimer's Association, Nebraska Special Olympics, NGA-Nebraska Operations Airlift, and Assistance League of Nebraska. Through the Foundation, they support 50 children through Mission of Mercy. The Foundation partners with Convoy of Hope to assist with disaster responses in the US and around the world. The Foundation has contributed land, libraries and computer labs to bible colleges in Ethiopia and Kenya and promotes water well drilling in Africa to provide clean and safe drinking water in rural villages.

Jack and Eldora reside on an acreage outside of Gretna, Nebraska. They have three grown children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandson. The family enjoys skiing, hunting, fishing, motorcycle riding, and snowmobiling. Jack and Eldora enjoy cruising for their personal vacations. Jack also travels extensively, often piloting his own private aircraft, to manage the business and develop their philanthropic endeavors.

A native of Corning Iowa, Dr. Ryan served in the U.S. Navy after completing high school. Following World War II, he earned degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Creighton University, and a doctorate in Biochemistry from University of Missouri. Dr. Ryan founded Streck Laboratories in 1971. The company, which began with two employees, now has more than 300 employees with 15,000 customers, and generates $50 million in annual sales revenue.

Streck, whose products are sold throughout the United States and in 42 countries worldwide, recently completed a brand new $12 million, 114,000 sq. foot facility in LaVista. Streck maintains 65% of the world market of hematology controls through a combination of Streck label, private label, and patent licenses. In addition, Streck is the largest supplier of hematology reference controls to Japan and is recognized in the global marketplace as a technological leader in its industry. Recently, the company developed preservatives that are added to blood-collection tubes to prolong the life of samples. This development will aid in treatment of people infected with HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Dr. Ryan divides his time among teaching, research, and running the business. He has gained 40 patents and authored or co-authored 80 published scientific works. His Platelet-Chex was the first hematology control on the market. Dr. Ryan has also received numerous awards and honors from local and national organizations. He is a long-time supporter of area philanthropic causes, such as the Christian Urban Education Services, Creighton University, and the St. Augustine Mission at the Omaha-Winnebago Tribes Reservation.

He and his wife, Eileen, have three daughters and two sons. The company name is a derivation of Eileen's first and maiden name (Krebs), Ryan, and their children's first names: Stacy, Steven, Tim, Connie and Carol.

Born in Chester, Nebraska, Dale Tinstman was inspired by his father's efforts in selling stock for his employer. He obtained degrees at the University of Nebraska in Business and in Law with the intention of becoming an investment banker. After service in World War II as a B-29 navigator and navigator instructor in the Army Air Corps., he finished law school and began work in the financial industry. He started his own firm in 1960 with the purpose of financing agricultural-related industry, which he felt was ignored by Wall Street.

The firm, First Nebraska Securities, Inc. was the only Nebraska member of the New York Stock Exchange. He was instrumental in providing financing for food, grain, cattle, hogs, and packing companies, including Iowa Beef Packers (IBP), an innovative packing company.

Tinstman served as president of IBP. He played an important role in the early success of IBP by establishing their headquarters in Nebraska and in the expansion of the concept. Founded in 1960, IBP revolutionized the beef industry by locating highly efficient slaughtering and processing facilities near the source of supply, in the heart of the nation's rural cattle producing areas.

Tinstman has been actively involved with the University of Nebraska, serving twice as Chairman of the Foundation. He was an original director of the Nebraska Technical Development Corporation and assisted in the establishment of the University's Technology Park. He is involved in investments and venture capital projects for a number of many Nebraska companies, including Gene Seek, Nature Technology, and development of the Flat Iron Steak.

Dale and his wife, Jean, have three children.

The history of the Kelley Bean Company begins with the founding in 1927 of the Chester B. Brown Company with a key employee, Robert L. Kelley, Sr. In 1969, Robert's sons, Robert and Gary opened the Kelley Bean Company and Robert, Sr. joined the new company in 1972 The initial growth of the company was enhanced through mergers and acquisitions. In 1982, the bothers purchased and merged with the Chester B. Brown Company. The pattern of acquisitions continues and Kelley Bean Co., has grown to become one of the largest originators and marketers of dry edible beans in the world. Currently, the company has receiving and processing plants located throughout Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, and Idaho. Kelley Bean's reputation for quality and service has enabled them to expand their markets globally into every continent except Australia. The Kelley Brothers pride themselves on their relationships with grower and dealers at home and abroad.

The company delivers quality at every level of bean production through the Kelley Bean Vertical Integration system of research, production, processing, distribution, culminating with the end consumer. They partner every company initiative with quality control for the customer. Their mission is to understand and deliver superior value with absolute integrity.

The brothers maintain a strong sense of loyalty and commitment to the North Platte Valley area that headquarters their six-state operation with 28 plants. They both credit the company's success to the outstanding employees and management team at Kelley Bean. Today, a third generation family management is in place and poised to lead a team of outstanding employees into the future.

Gary and wife, Patty, have two children. Robert and his wife, Rossel, have two children as well.

A native of Belden, Nebraska, George F. Russell graduated from the University of Nebraska and served in the U.S. Navy. He and a partner founded Millard Lumber & Grain Company in 1948. The business initially catered to a rural farming community of fewer than 400. Millard Lumber provided a center for the farmers to sell grain, buy coal and, of course, purchase lumber.

George F. Russell shifted the focus of the business towards building materials and products that supplied both professional contractors and do-it-yourself homeowners. Millard Lumber was an early manufacturer of roof trusses, pre-manufactured wall sections, and pre-hung doors and has stayed in the forefront of advanced building techniques since that time.

Today Rick Russell, George Russell's son, and his management team run the family-owned business along with over 300 associates at their Omaha, Waverly, and Des Moines locations. Both of Rick's sons, Joel and Mark, are also an integral part of the organization. While Millard Lumber has experienced tremendous grown, the mission remains unchanged; to provide basic building materials and continually add project lines and services that provide quality and efficiency on the job.

George also served on the board of two banks, various business organizations, and as a member of the Millard City Council. George served as president or chairman of a number of civic and business organizations, including the National Lumber & Building Materials Association, Bellevue College, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and several other associations. He was inducted into the Millard Education Foundation's Hall of Fame, and an elementary school in the district is named after him.

Bill Kubly

Bill Kubly founded Landscapes Unlimited in 1976, following his five years of work for a local golf course construction company. With five years experience and his Landscape Architect degree from the University of Wisconsin, Kubly formed his one-man operation. With a pickup truck, a pipe wrench and a pipe cutter, he began handling small irrigation projects for local golf courses.

Forever the optimist, Kubly soon began to broaden his capabilities. He began by working with many different golf course architects, helping to take their conceptual designs and build them into striking realities. From its modest beginning in 1976, LU now employs a staff of more than 1,000 professionals during its peak season and has a project resume, which includes many of the most notable locations in golf.

Throughout the last 28 years, Kubly's philosophy and vision for LU has remained unchanged. Direct personal involvement, total commitment to quality, and a desire to be "The Best" have been the attributes that have served to chart the course for LU's success. Today, LU builds more than 35 golf courses per year, coast to coast, working with designers and architects on renovation and new development construction projects. LU is capable of completing projects ranging from $50,000 to $50 million. In 2000, Kubly was selected as National Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.

Kubly is also passionate about giving back to the game of golf. He served as president of the Golf Course Builders Association of America from 1996-1999 and has been instrumental in both and First Tee programs.

He and his wife, Myrna, have two daughters and one granddaughter.

Robert "Bobby" Gottsch

Following his father's footsteps in the agricultural business, Bobby Gottsch has developed his family's interests into cattle feeding, ranching, farrow to finish pork production and farming. Growing up on his family's farm in Elkhorn, Bobby Gottsch began his entrepreneurial career at the age of 6 when he would get eggs from his uncle's farm and sell them in his neighborhood.

He began working for his father's feed yard after high school graduation. In 1982, after his father had a mild heart attack, Bobby went to oversee a feed yard the family had an interest in Juniata. Though he packed his bags for about a month stay, he never left the Hasting area.

Gottsch Enterprises has interests in a packing company, a mail order steak business, commercial and residential real estate, Indian Creek Golf Course in Elkhorn, San Crisobal Farm, a rice farm in Argentina, and a trucking firm. Businesses are also located in Kansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri. While the family's primary business is in cattle, the company is actively involved in hog operations.

An active member of the Hastings community, Bobby Gottsch strongly believes in helping wherever possible. He is a member of the Nebraska Environmental Quality Council and the Hastings College Board of Trustees. Gottsch also served on the Omaha Federal Reserve Bank Board of Directors from 1997-2002.

He and his wife, Cindy, have five children.

Bruce Lauritzen

Bruce Lauritzen's primary business occupation is Chairman of First National Bank of Omaha, its holding company, First National of Nebraska, and Lauritzen Corporation. He is chairman of more than a dozen other banks and bank holding companies operating in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado, and Texas. The combined organizations have more than $16 billion in assets and 7,500 employees in 31 states.

His family has been actively involved in Omaha's growth and development since 1854, when Thomas Davis, one of the bank's first shareholders, helped start the bank. During most of the past century, the Davis, and later Lauritzen, name, has been synonymous with the leadership and growth of First National Bank. It is their vision and courage that made First National a multi-state, multi- bank holding company, an active marketer of banking services, and a leading innovator in merchant processing and integrated data processes.

Bruce Lauritzen has been a leading proponent of Omaha's downtown redevelopment, envisioning, and then bringing to fruition, the exciting riverfront area and a bold new skyline highlighted by the 40-story First National headquarters, the state's tallest building.

Mr. Lauritzen is President of the Omaha Development Council and Foundation, Royal Danish Consulate for the State of Nebraska, member of the Chief Executives Organization, Financial Services Round Table and the STRATCOM Consultation Committee. He is Chairman of Clarkson Regional Health Services, Treasurer of The Nebraska Medical Center, and a Director of Ak-Sar-Ben, Creighton University, Joslyn Art Museum, Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation, Omaha Symphony Association, Strategic Air and Space Museum, and Visa U.S.A. He was inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame in 2004.

He and his wife, Kimball, have two daughters and a son.

Elizabeth Jane Robb Douglas

The inventor of the collapsible voting booth, Mrs. Douglas founded the company in 1910, and Douglas Manufacturing Corporation is the nation's oldest manufacturer of election equipment. She had actually pledged a sum of money to a missionary when she had a dream about a folding ballot box.

She began designing ballot boxes, and her first order came from Los Angeles County, which was impressed with the collapsible voting booth. Considering woman were not allowed to vote for another 7 years, her inspiration for a voting booth was eerily appropriate.

Mrs. Douglas had a flair for innovation and designed a number of items that were actually ahead of their time. The firm still has patent applications that were never applied for, such as retractable Pullman car steps, a gasoline pump shut-of valve, and a mail cart for postmen.

Now owned by the fourth generation, the firm is considered a major supplier of auxiliary supplies to makers of voting systems. The company began making metal storage containers in 1970 when former IBM employees sought a company to make boxes for their data storage business. The firm has been in the same location in Crete, NE and has survived through three fires and a flood. Douglas sells nationally and internationally through a dealer network as well as end users.

Roger and Gayle-ann Douglas are president and executive vice president of the company.

Jan Thayer

Jan Thayer, Grand Island, - A registered dietician, Jan Thayer is an owner, chairman and chief executive officer of EXCEL Development Group, a developer of retirement housing alternatives and long-term care for the elderly. Her first experience out of college was at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln.

Since her graduation from the University of Nebraska, Jan has been involved in health care, as a dietetic counselor of her own firm and as an instructor at the post-secondary and adult education level.

Her knowledge and experience in working with nursing care facilities as an owner and administrator has made EXCEL a leading developer of retirement housing alternatives, and the key is having good employees. She feels that part of her success is having a great respect for our elders; they built this state and this country and it is our privilege to work along side them and to provide for some of their needs as they reach a more vulnerable time in their lives.

EXCEL works closely with local and state government officials. Jan firmly believes that the key to any business success is to be part of the community.

She has served on civic and community boards as well as on national and state offices with the American Dietetic Association and the Nebraska Health Care Association. She has done extensive speaking to many health and allied groups at local, state, and national meetings and conventions. Looking to future is also a key to continued success.

Jan was inspired by a dietician in her hometown, and has followed suit. Her career has taken her farther than she thought. She and her husband, Ernie, have three children.

Lawrence Arth

Lawrence J. Arth, Lincoln, – Lawrence J. Arth became president and chief operating officer of Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. in 1988, the same year the firm changed its name from Bankers Life of Nebraska. He has been with the company for 36 years, beginning in the investment area.

Under his leadership, the firm has grown to a major diversified financial services company, delivering products and services in life insurance and annuities, retirement plans, group dental and eye care, investments, banking and public finance.

A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Arth attended UNL and served in the U.S. Navy before starting his career. His past community services and current activities range from the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben to Junior Achievement and the Girl Scouts. In fact, youth and community development are very high on his activities. A charter member of Leadership Lincoln, Arth was recently awarded the group's "Pillar of the Community" honor, presented to people who have significantly strengthened and transformed Lincoln.

Statewide the firm is a key player in state economic activity. In 2003 the Nebraska Diplomats awarded the firm for its work in helping finance community growth and infrastructure.

Under his direction, Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. converted to a stock life insurance company, wholly owned by Ameritas Mutual Insurance Holding Company. The firm subsequently merged with Acacia Mutual Holding Corporation of Bethesda, Md., to form Ameritas Acacia Mutual Holding Company.

He and his wife, Mary, have three children.

William Fitzgerald

William A. Fitzgerald, Omaha – In 1887, the forerunner to Commercial Federal started as a building and loan association. In 1974, Commercial Federal Savings and Loan named William A. "Bill" Fitzgerald as president – the third generation of Fitzgerald's working for the firm. He began working as a part time teller and served many roles in the firm, which had most of its business related to housing and savings.

During his tenure, the company began building an interstate network of retail banking offices with purchases of thrift institutions in Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas, bringing its philosophy of outstanding customer service and innovative products to an even broader range of customers.

Fitzgerald is currently chairman of the board for Creighton University, his alma mater, and involved in a host of civic and professional duties.

While crediting his parents for much of his success, he also credits his association with the Jesuits who taught him in high school and college for his strong devotion to helping others.

Under his leadership, Commercial Federal provides corporate support to a wide range of nonprofit organizations that relate to the company's major areas of concern: social services, education, arts and community development. They provide support in a number of ways, including operating fund support, capital drive donations, event sponsorships and in-kind donations.

Fitzgerald is a strong believer in personal involvement and feels young persons entering the job market need to be ready to demonstrate such involvement. He and his wife, Barb, have three children.

E.H. "Shoey" Shoemaker

E.H. "Shoey" Shoemaker, North Platte – Born on Long Island in New York, "Shoey" Shoemaker returned from World War II service thinking he might work for an insurance firm in Chicago. His wife's father, though, asked him to run the Milldale Ranch, north of North Platte, feeling that his business experience would be valuable to the operation. Last year the ranch celebrated its 120th anniversary – Shoemaker has been there 60 of those years!

Marie Shoemaker's grandfather established the ranch in 1884. In fact, the first brand recorded under the new Nebraska law was the joined 7HL, by Milldale Land and Cattle Co. of Gandy. "Shoey" Shoemaker's Milldale Ranch still uses the brand today. Of the 1,590 brands registered in 1899, Milldale's is one of a few traceable to original owners through family names.

The graduate of the University of Pennsylvania began to learn all there is to know about ranching from some of the dedicated cowboys who worked the ranch – from branding and calving to riding and roping. Even today, he still has a hand in the operations of the ranch, which covers about 55 square miles in Logan County on the southern edge of the Sand Hills.

In addition to his ranching duties, Shoey took an active part in his adopted community. Shoemaker has been president of the North Platte Chamber of Commerce as well as vice president of the American National Cattlemen's Association, and a Trustee for the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center. He and others worked to establish banking and insurance operations in the community. He is a popular and enthusiastic spokesman for ranching and the beef industry. He was inducted into the Nebraska Cattlemen's Hall of Fame in 2002.

He and his wife, Marie, have two daughters.

The three entrepreneurial brothers started Behlen Manufacturing in Columbus, NE in 1936 in a backyard garage. That modest undertaking grew to an 800,000 square foot plant located just east of Columbus. The brothers began manufacturing agricultural equipment and material such as wire mesh, corncribs, power steering adaptors, and grain drying fans. The company grew steadily, and it developed a systems concept that was apparent in all of its activities: design, manufacturing and marketing. Among these innovations were the Behlen animal husbandry systems such as the Pork Factory and Beef Factory. Other products were the Behlen Building System, Behlen grain-conditioning handling and storage systems, and Behlen hydraulic presses to name a few.

The Behlen Dubl-Panl roof was developed to be utilized with conventional masonry sidewalls, as well as metal rolled walls. The building's durability was demonstrated in a 1950's atomic explosion where the Behlen building withstood the blast. The Behlen hydraulic press is used as a metal stitcher for joining continuous coils of sheet metal in steel mills and finishing plants across the world.

The firm grew to a worldwide manufacturer before the brothers sold the company in 1969 to the Wickes Corporation. Among the many contributions to Nebraska, the brothers contributed more than $500,000 to the Columbus Family Y and the Columbus Hospital, as well as their donations to the University of Nebraska (the Behlen Observatory in Mead and the Behlen Laboratory of Physics on the Lincoln Campus).

Walter Behlen is survived by his wife, Ruby, and children.
Mike Behlen is survived by his wife, Lois, and children.
Gib Behlen is survived by his wife, Rose, and children.

Donald Clifton

For 19 years, Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D., was an instructor/professor of educational psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1950-1969). In 1969, he resigned his position and founded Selection Research, Inc., which became a nationally recognized company in the fields of employee selection, management research, and survey research. In 1988, Selection Research, Inc. acquired The Gallup Organization. Although Gallup is best known for The Gallup Poll, it is now one of the world's largest management consulting firms, with more than 40 offices in 20 countries. Gallup's core expertise is in measuring and understanding human nature and behavior. Gallup leverages this knowledge to develop research-based measurement tools, development programs, and strategic advisory services that help organizations and individuals maximize their performance.

In demand as a speaker and seminar leader, Dr. Clifton had many articles published in professional and trade journals, as well as co-authoring Soar With Your Strength. His mission was to select and develop the right people for the right jobs and to "let people be heard" through surveys and opinion polls. Dr. Clifton served his community with participation on many local boards, including the YMCA, Father Flanagan's Boys and Girls Town, the University of Nebraska Foundation, and Rotary International. In 2002, the American Psychological Association presented Clifton with its Presidential Commendation for lifetime contributions as "the father of strengths-based psychology and the grandfather of positive psychology."

Dr. Clifton passed away last year and is survived by his wife, Shirley, four children and nine grandchildren. His children, Jim, Connie Rath, Mary Reckmeyer, and Jane Miller, are all key employees of The Gallup Organization.

Henry H. "Hod" Kosman

A third generation member of a banking family, Hod Kosman became president and chief executive officer of Scottsbluff National Bank in 1990. The bank was subsequently sold to FirsTier, then merged with First Bank Systems Inc., and in 1996 the Kosman family sold their interest in First Bank and announced the opening of their own Platte Valley Bank and three financial institutions in the Scottsbluff-Gering area.

Kosman is a member and co-founder of the Community and Economic Development Committee, director of the Oregon Trail Community Foundation, a member of the U.S. Small Business Advisory Council and chair of the Scottsbluff-Gering Chamber of Commerce housing committee. He also has been a member of the board of advisors for the Eppley Cancer Institute at UNMC and a member of the NU Foundation Board of Trustees. Kosman was named University of Nebraska Alumnus of the Year by the Panhandle Alumni Chapter, Star-Herald Citizen of the Year and recipient of the Scottsbluff-Gering Chamber of Commerce Trail Blazer Award.

Hod grew up in Scottsbluff and graduated from the University of Nebraska and the Colorado School of Banking. He is currently serving as the chairman of Regional West Health Services, serves as a director of the Omaha Branch of the Federal Reserve Board, and is on the Nebraska Information Technology Commission. He also continues to serve on many civic boards. Hod and his wife, Willa, have two children: Jennifer and Hunter.

Richard K. Davidson

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Union Pacific Corporation, Dick Davidson began his railroad career as an 18 year-old brakeman-conductor with Missouri Pacific in 1960 as a college student. He served as a trainmaster and in various operating departments with the railroad. A top officer with the Union Pacific Railroad since 1982 when the Missouri Pacific and Western Pacific Railroads merged with Union Pacific, Davidson is a railroad industry leader.

His direction was crucial to the UP's merger with the Southern Pacific Railroad, making the UP one of the largest U.S. railroads. He was awarded one of the 2002 Horatio Alger awards given to individuals who share a belief in the American dream and have made it their reality by overcoming incredible personal adversity through positive thinking, determination and hard work. He holds a degree from Washburn University in Kansas and is active in various civic endeavors in Omaha. Davidson is a member of the board of directors of Grupo Ferroviario Mexicano and of The Kroger Co.

He also serves as a trustee and director of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards Foundation. Davidson is chairman of the President's National Infrastructure Advisory Committee (NIAC) and represents NIAC on the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC). In addition, Davidson is a member of the U.S. Strategic Command Consultation Committee and the advisory roundtable for Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns. He is also on the board of trustees of the Boy Scouts of America.

Richard and his wife, Trish, are the parents of three children.

Thomas C. Woods, Jr.

A pioneer in Nebraska telecommunications, Thomas Woods, Jr., directed Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Co. (LT&T) for 29 years. Under his direction, the company grew to one of the country's largest independent telephone companies and was one of the first developers of cable television. LT&T was recognized for the aggressive deployment of advanced technology, a hallmark of the company since its inception by Wood's grandfather.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska in 1943, Tom served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army. In 1947, he and his wife moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked in a variety of positions at the Addressograph-Multigraph Company. In 1958, following the death of his father, he returned to Lincoln and carried on the business and civic traditions established by his father and grandfather. During his tenure, LT&T was the first phone company in the state to offer coast-to-coast direct distance dialing, provide 911 services, to use electronic switching systems, and deploy fiber optic transmission facilities.

The Woods Family has given greatly to Nebraska and the Lincoln area through the Woods Charitable Fund, established by Mr. Woods' grandparents in 1941. Mr. Woods served as Chairman of the Board from 1968-90. The arts, social services, and economic development programs all received support from both the company and the foundation under his leadership. He and the foundation were particularly interested in helping social agencies committed to improving the quality of life for individuals and families in need. He served on countless boards and committees, including the State Building Commission, the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Board, and the Nebraska State Historical Society.

Tom was an excellent swimmer and was an early practitioner of scuba diving. He also enjoyed reading, hunting and gardening. His wife, Marjorie, and daughter, Avery, survive him. His son, Thomas Woods III, passed away in 2000, and also served the Woods Foundation as president.

Roy Dinsdale

Roy Dinsdale is a 1948 graduate of the University of Nebraska. He began work immediately with Dinsdale Bros., Inc., a farming and cattle operation based in Palmer, as well as the State Bank at Palmer. Over the years, the farming operation has grown in Nebraska and Colorado, while the cattle operation is one of the largest in Nebraska, and is also located in Colorado, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and California.

The family's banking business, known as Pinnacle Bank in Nebraska, has assets of $3 billion and has operations in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, and Texas. The family-owned bank holding company started when a group of businessmen and farmers started the bank in Palmer after the two banks in town closed in the 1930's. This group included Roy's father, George, a local cattle rancher and farmer. In 1958, George's sons, Roy and Jack, purchased a second bank, and the bank group began to grow. Soon, the third generation of Dinsdale joined in the banking business.

Roy, through business and personally, has contributed time and funding to various charitable organizations and community endeavors. He has been especially instrumental in helping rural hospitals and medical recruitment efforts. In addition, he has been particularly interested in and contributed to agencies that help the disabled. Roy's contributions are usually significant and quiet.

Roy and his wife, Gloria, have three children: Sid of Elkhorn is president of Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc.; Chris of Sterling, Colorado and president of Dinsdale Bros., Inc.; and Jane Rogers of Omaha.

Roy A. Smith

A longtime advocate for business in Nebraska, Roy Smith has been involved in the new car business all of his business life. The son of a car dealer, Roy grew up in Omaha and went to Stanford University with the hopes of a career in Foreign Service. As an undergraduate, he also developed a passion for campus political activities that he carries with him today on the local, state and federal level. His father, Homer P Smith, needed Roy to help run the family business on L Street. When the Smiths began planning for a new dealership in the Old Mill area of Omaha, Roy heard some ominous words from then-Ford president Lee Iacocca about his fears of the Japanese auto industry. Roy told his dad that that was the right time to start selling Toyotas.

While maintaining an active role in Omaha politics, Roy has been a steady and insistent voice for growth in Nebraska as well. He served the State Chamber twice, once as President of the Nebraska Association of Commerce & Industry (NACCI) in 1978-79 and as Chairman of the State Chamber in 2000. He has served as Chairman of the Nebraska New Car Dealers Association and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

Community service is part of Roy's job, and his office and home have awards and plaques from United Way, the Boy Scouts, and the National Conference of Christians & Jews. He is particularly proud of an honorary degree from Bellevue University, as he has worked tirelessly for the growth and development of that institution. Already inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame and a former King of Ak-Sar-Ben, Roy's advice and outspoken promotion of the Nebraska business community continues on a daily basis.

He and his wife, Macaela, reside in Bellevue within the Fontenelle Forest. He has two grown children, David and Sandra.

Edwin E. Perkins

Edwin Perkins was a self-taught investor, chemist, printer, manufacturer, researcher, merchandiser, and entrepreneur at a very young age in rural Nebraska during extremely difficult times. In 1900 as an 11 year-old boy, he saw a magazine advertisement that read, "Be a manufacturer - Mixer's Guide tells how - write today." He sent for the materials and turned his mother's kitchen into an aroma-filled juvenile laboratory. At 25 he created a small mail-order business known as "Perkins Products Company." Eventually he and his wife, Kitty, moved to Hastings and he began experimenting with soft drink syrups.

One of his first major successes was "Fruit Smack," sold in four ounce bottle in six flavors: cherry, orange, grape, lemon, root beer, and raspberry. Bottle breakage, leaks, and shipping costs caused Perkins to borrow an idea from Jell-O, and he began manufacturing a concentrated powder- and "Kool-Aid" was born in 1927. "Kool-Aid" is designated as Nebraska's official soft drink. In 1937, demand was so great that the Hastings plant was jammed to capacity and he moved his business to Chicago.

His introduction of the "Silent Salesman" counter display was an innovation in advertising. "Kool-Aid" stands may well have been most Americans' first foray into private enterprise, providing the owner's didn't drink the entire product before it was sold. Today Kool-Aid is one of the most popular drinks in the world with more than 563 million gallons consumed each year.

By 1933, Perkins was able to reduce the cost of an envelope of Kool-Aid from 10 cents to five cents. Factoring in the effect of inflation, the price of Kool-Aid today is actually lower than it was in 1947. Perkins sold the company in 1953 to General Foods, which was merged with Kraft in 1989. Without immediate heirs, Perkins wanted to see the company to continue. He and Kitty were most generous with the proceeds of the sale of the company to Nebraska through the Perkins Foundation. Edwin Perkins passed away in 1961, and his wife in 1977. Both are buried in Hastings.

C.L. Werner

Werner Enterprise, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer C.L. Werner started the business in 1956 with one truck at the age of 19. Built from scratch, Werner came to Omaha seeking work in a factory, but found he would rather drive a truck. He sold his only car to buy a gas-powered Ford F800 truck and started subcontracting to haul cargo for other trucking companies. He also hauled the kind of low-end cargo that was exempt from regulatory restrictions, such as grain, watermelon, livestock feed, and fence posts. C.L. built the company one truck at a time, hauling in a five or six state region.

Today, Werner Enterprise is a truckload motor carrier of general commodities in both interstate and intrastate commerce. Werner is among the five largest truckloads carriers in the United States and maintains its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, near the center of its service area with terminals throughout the country. The company operates throughout the 48 contiguous states and also portions of Canada and provides through trailer service in and out of Mexico.

Werner completed its initial public offering in April 1986 with a fleet of 630 trucks. At 2000 year-end, the fleet consisted of 7,700 tractors, over 19,770 trailers and over 10,000 employees and independent contractors. Revenues for the year 2000 were $1.2 billion. Innovation and technology are keys to the Werner success story. The firm is the only carrier with DOT approval to use paperless logging, eliminating costly downtime for drivers and adding more efficiency and productivity.

Another innovation is the use of a training center simulator and computer-based training for Werner's drivers. Located in its Omaha headquarters, the state-of the-art simulator gives Werner drivers the best defensive driver-training program available.

Three of C.L.'s four children work in the business. Gary is Vice Chairman, Gregory is President, and Curtis is Vice-Chairman-Corporate Development. Werner's daughter, Gail Werner-Robertson, has served on the board of Werner Enterprises and downs several businesses. C.L. and his wife, Linda, live in Omaha.

J. Robert Duncan

Established by Robert's father, Donald Duncan, in 1956 as a Beechcraft distributorship, Duncan Aviation has grown into the largest family-owned aircraft support facility in North America. Robert Duncan got his pilot's license at 16 and began to learn all he could about business aviation. In the early years, he did everything, from piloting charter flights to pumping fuel. One of the first distributors of the new Learjet, Duncan continued to build the business, continually adding employees as the firm in service capabilities to fully support their customers and their aircraft.

As new business aircrafts were introduced to the market and Duncan's customers purchased new models, the company invested in support capabilities for those models and continued its passion for service. Robert was elected president of the company in 1968.

For nearly half a century, Duncan Aviation has provided business aircraft operations with high standards and limited downtime to the absolute best in turbine service, sales, and support. The firm believes in investing in facilities and people and in developing innovative products, services, and process to continually improve the corporate aviation industry. They have specialized teams who service, paint, overhaul, install, modify, inspect, troubleshoot, fuel, and repair.

Above all, Duncan employees work to attain the highest customer satisfaction possible in any service industry, not just in the world of corporate aviation. In 1998, Duncan added service facilities in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan, by purchasing a former competitor, Kal-Aero.

Duncan Aviation has grown significantly since the early days, with now more than 1,900 employees located across the United States. Last year it was one of the Top 100 Companies to Work For by Fortune Magazine.

Robert and wife, Karen, have two children, Todd and Paige, and grandchildren.

Richard A. Hunt (left)
Hugh W. Hunt (right)

In 1912, E.C. Hunt's vision laid the foundation for what has become HunTel Systems. Hunt's son, Emory, adopted his father's innovative style. He nurtured the young company through the middle of the 20th century before passing the torch to his two sons, Hugh and Richard. The brothers found that by expanding the core business beyond local exchange telephone service, HunTel could better meet its own internal needs while offering more comprehensive service to its growing customer base.

After attending college and military service, both Hugh and Richard joined the firm in the early 1960s, working many positions before assuming management positions. Active participants in community and industry activities, Hugh and Richard have held many posts. Recently honored by the Applied Information Management Institute, Hugh transitioned their telephone company into a family of diversified businesses that are on the technological forefront in the development of local cable television, the deployment of fiber-optic technology, local telecommunications services, and data processing.

Headquarters in Blair, HunTel's products and services, which include 900 associated worldwide, also provide business forms, portable concrete mixing equipment, professional staff augmentation, communication engineering, energy billing, customer care software, software development, and service bureau administration.

The work ethic of the Hunt family has been passed from generation to generation. Those standards have laid a solid foundation for the future of HunTel, as the fourth generation of Hunts continues the tradition to its associated, customers, and communities, Hugh and Richard's vision continue to bring the world home.

Hugh and his wife, Jane are the parents of Karen Aman, and Bryce Hunt. Richard and his wife, Janyce, have five sons, David, Daniel, Nathan Hunt, and Jay and Greg Gerke.

Joe R. Seacrest

Born into a family of newspaper writers and editors, Joe R. Seacrest was directly responsible for the growth and development of four daily newspapers in Nebraska. He believed that a newspaper publisher should maintain an active role in the community affairs.

He started his long career at the Lincoln Journal in 1946, working as a carrier, reporter, copy editor, editorial page editor, and associate editor before becoming managing editor in 1958 and editor in 1962, a position he held until his retirement in 1986. Among the many issues he championed, Joe R. believed in good streets, good highways, and good planning for roads. His influence went beyond the Lincoln area, and he passionate in support for greater Nebraska's road system and the current Game and Parks Commission Foundation.

Freedom of the Press was a subject dear to Seacrest, and he helped organize Media of Nebraska to represent newspapers, radio, and television interests on matter of First Amendment issues, open meetings, and public records. His dedication to fostering freedom of the press earned him the Nebraska Press Association's Master-Editor Publisher Award in 1984, and in 1987 he was inducted into the Nebraska Press Association Newspaper Hall of Fame.

Joe and his wife, Beatrice, have four sons, Kent, Gary, Eric, and Theodore, and one daughter, Shawn Farrar.

Charles Durham

Charles Durham built HDR, Inc, as a nationwide architectural and engineering company and built other companies including Continental Care Center, two Illinois banks and one independent bank in Omaha, as well as many other investments in Nebraska businesses. Born in Chicago, Mr. Durham followed other family members into the engineering field, eventually obtaining three engineering degrees from Iowa State University.

After beginning with his wife's father's architectural firm, he began the work of building HDR into an international giant. Just looking around Nebraska, one can see many of the HDR projects, including Nebraska Methodist Hospital, the Hastings Sewage Treatment Plant, the Omaha Federal Building, and many of the Strategic Air Command/Offutt Air Force Base facilities. Mr. Durham is the Chairman of the Durham Resource, where he is actively involved in the business and community.

A strong supporter of both the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Lincoln, he has given substantial time and funds to the Omaha community, such as the Durham Western Heritage Museum, the Henry Doorly Zoo, the Boy Scouts, the carillon on the UNO campus, and so many more. He and his wife, Marge, are the parents of Sunny Lundgren, Steve Durham, Lynne Boyer, and Debra Durham.

Margaret Robinson

Margaret Robinson retired as Chairman of the Board of Norfolk Iron & Metal Co. in Norfolk. Mother of a growing family of four, Mrs. Robinson was suddenly thrust into a leadership role when her husband, Arnold, died unexpectedly in 1974. The company began in 1908 by Arnold's father as a scrap metal dealer. Under Margaret's leadership, Norfolk Iron & Metal grew from a small salvage and metal company to a regional leader in steel distribution with her son, Richard, as the third generation of leadership. Norfolk Iron now serves a 10-state area from three locations and a fleet of over 100 trucks.

Under her leadership, the firm won the national Small Business of the Year award in 1979…just five years after she began fulltime duties at Norfolk Iron & Metal. She credits key employees and their talent for the firm's success.

A strong proponent of education at all levels; Margaret served on the Norfolk School board for 14 years. She then opted to run for the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in 1982, and she served as a Regent until 1994, the first woman ever elected to the Board of Regents.

Despite running a family business, raising a family, and taking a leadership role in Nebraska's growth in higher education, Margaret continued to find time for local civic and charitable activities. She has served on the Board of the NEBRASKALAND Foundation, the Executive Board of the Nebraska Council of Economics Education, the Norfolk Family YMCA, and the Governor's Conference on Small Business. In addition, she served for six years on the State Chamber Board of Directors, one of the first women to do so.

Margaret has four children–daughters Dr. Gwen Burney, Barbara, and Dianne, and son Richard.

Paul Mohr

Paul Mohr was one of the best hitters in the Cleveland Indians minor league organization in the late 1950's, fresh out of college and a promising career in professional baseball ahead of him. He was a second-team All American at the University of Texas in 1953. But his father, who founded Ideal Laundry, needed some help and Paul went back to Scottsbluff to learn the business. Over the next year, the laundry business was beginning to grow until a disastrous fire burned his business to the ground. It was time for a tough decision, and Mohr opted to continue, utilizing a small business loan.

Today, Ideal Linen covers the Nebraska panhandle and eastern Wyoming and has expanded to include janitorial products and services, paper products, uniform supply services and commercial cleaning products. A business that started with one truck and 20 employees now has more than 30 delivery trucks and 120 employees.

A strong propend of growth and development in the Scottsbluff-Gering area, Paul Mohr has served on the State Highway Commission and numerous local organizations. He has taught Sunday school and served on the board of the YMCA and local banks, and is active in the Scottsbluff Rotary Club, United Way, and Centennial Celebration.

He and his wife, Beverly, have one son, Paul, Jr. and a daughter, Mindy.

Fred Hawkins, Sr.

In 1923, Fred Hawkins worked as a water boy for 25 cents a day as his father's construction company built Memorial Stadium. He later played varsity football in the stadium for UNL and received a degree in architectural engineering.

By the time he graduated, Fred had worked as a general laborer, truck driver, heavy equipment operator, carpenter, ironworker, and bricklayer, learning the business from the ground up. In 1960, Fred founded Hawkins Construction Company with his father. An early contract with the city of Omaha to construct a water treatment plant gave the firm a financial boost. Among the major construction jobs completed by Hawkins Construction are the Omaha City-County Building; the Telephone Building at 13th and Douglas and 20th and Douglas; the Eppley Airfield terminal, parking garage and runways; the Kiewit Conference Center and Creighton Library and Law Buildings.

Under Fred Hawkin's leadership, the company became one of the nations 400 largest buildings contractors and it ranks among the top 200 equipment fleet owners in the U.S. The company was named the University of Nebraska Entrepreneur of the year in 1997. Fred and his wife, Tish have two sons, Fred Jr. and Kim, and one daughter, Susan.

Charles Sand

Charles "Chuck" Sand founded Sand Livestock Systems, Inc. in 1969 and has revolutionized the pork industry throughout the world. Sand is currently the world's largest domestic and international builder of swine products facilities. In 1979, Sand became the first company to build modern swine productions systems in the People's Republic of China and has added more than 23 additional units since that time.

Sand Livestock produces over 1 millions pigs a year, worldwide. The process is done in sprawling, isolated complexes of barracks-style buildings where hogs are bred, nursed, and fattened in automated, factory-like conditions. Locally, Sand employs over 400 Nebraskans in his various companies and continues to expand his operations.

The son of a grocer in Lindsay, Nebraska, Chuck began a small construction business in the mid-60s. After taking over a farm building dealership in Columbus, he began putting up the first of their swine confinements units. Chuck has been extremely active in economic development activities in the Columbus area and throughout Nebraska and contributes generously to civic, religious and political organizations.

He and his wife, Carol, have three children, Mike, Michelle, and Nicole.

Harriet Peterson Fort

Harriet Peterson Fort was one of the founders, owners, and senior officers of Peterson Manufacturing. Along with her brothers, the family perfected their father's tool, the Vise Grip, into one of the best-known tools in the world.

When Danish blacksmith Wilhelm Peterson immigrated to America, he didn't realize his flair for inventions would be the basis of a giant manufacturing concern. Starting at his blacksmith shop in Dewitt, Bill Peterson invented and patented a unique wrench in 1924. Harriet and her brothers had gone separate ways when her father decided the business would grow if the family were involved. In 1934, a partnership, Peterson Manufacturing, was established and the business took off.

She was a Senior Vice President in charge of finance and marketing and was instrumental in developing sales internationally. Under her guidance the company, which started with vise-grip locking wrench, grew to an international company with sales at the time of their acquisition by American Tool Company of approximately $30 million.

Dale LeBaron

Dale LeBaron was Chairman of the Board of Lincoln Plating Company, a firm that he started as the only employee and built to become one of the Midwest's leading finishing companies. However, his first shop consisted of a boiler in the basement of his home. Working in a heavy industry fought with potential waste issue and heavily regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, Dale was determined that taking the firm ahead of current regulations and practices would pay dividends down the road.

He believed totally in his business and constantly worked to improve Lincoln Plating. He had a vision of what his niche was going to be in that particular industry and built on it. Today the firm is the exclusive furnisher for chromed Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts.

Dale received the Nebraska Small Businessman of the Year Award in 1981 and was active in numerous business organizations to promote the causes for small business. He held many leadership positions in both professional and civic organizations as well as being a "Father Figure" to 35 foster children in his home. Always willing to help employees and his community, Dale hired or worked with close to 500 parolees on work releases. A strong proponent of the free enterprise system, Dale supported programs such as Junior Achievement to help train youth. He and his wife, Joanne, have four children, Marc, Marcia, RoseMary, and Mike.

Jack Swartz

In 1982 the State Chamber Board of Directors hired Jack Swartz as President. He had already served in a similar capacity in his native Kansas and brought new direction and growth to the Nebraska Association of Commerce & Industry (NACI), as the organization was known them.

Born in Dodge City, Jack began his lifelong passion for horseracing as a jockey for his father's thoroughbreds. He worked briefly in the family grain business before he began duties as executive director of the Jaycees. He worked 13 years for the Kansas Association of Commerce and Industry before coming to Nebraska in 1982.

Jack's skill in organizational management began to flourish within the organization. By incorporating a strong outreach to member via the statewide legislative forums, chamber of commerce conference calls during Unicameral sessions, inaugurating a major Annual Meeting and Legislative Caucus for all members, representing Nebraska business community before state and federal governments, and employing a member-driven professional staff, Jack helped bring the organizational to the largest business association in the state. Attention to details and working closely with members and public officials paid long-term dividends. The State Chamber today is one of the most respected organizations in governmental affairs.

He and his wife, Nadine, have four children, Dana, Sean, Jay, and Tim.

B. Keith Heuermann

Born and raised on a dryland farm near Phillips, NE, Keith Heuermann attended the Agricultural College at the University of Nebraska. While in college, he worked for Dr. Louis Camp, an accomplished breeder of hybrid seed corn. Mr. Heuermann saw the potential for hybrid seed on his father's Hamilton County farm, so he wrote home to ask for $12 to purchase the foundation seed. He began production in 1943. As Heuermann's successful hybrids and increased yields caught the neighbors' attention, he began producing hybrid seed for them as well.

As the demand for hybrid seed grew, Heuermann expanded production in 1956. He developed a single-cross hybrid that brought even more success. He started Prairie Valley Hybrids, which also developed sorghum, wheat, and soybean hybrids. In 1978, he sold the business to Stauffer Chemical (now known as Novartis Seed, Inc.).

Keeping a strong interest in hybrid corn, Heuermann began to experiment with developing popping in 1982. "B.K. Heuermann's Exclusive Popping Corn" is marketed nationally and as far away as Argentina. Mr. Heuermann's appearance on the QVC Shopping Network sold out its first shipment and has consistently been a favorite item on the program.

He and his wife, Norma Faye, have four children.

A.F. "Tony" Raimondo

The son of a Buffalo, NY steelworker, Tony Raimondo has been in manufacturing his entire adult life. A graduate of Michigan Technological University and the University of Rochester, he worked for General Motors, Moog, and Sperry Corp. before moving to Nebraska in 1982 as General Manager of Behlen Manufacturing, a family-owned agricultural supply company that had been acquired by the Wickes Corporation in 1968. He began a new people-oriented program, helped bring sales up with backlog of order for grain bins.

The next year, the federal government ended the subsidization of grain storage, replacing those subsidies with the PIK program that paid farmers to keep land idle. Behlen's business dropped 50% and Wickes wanted to sell off the assets. Tony and his partners (Dick Casey, Bob Theilen, and Steve McGill) began a leveraged buy-out of Behlen in 1984.

Having already decertified the union, Behlen Mfg. Began as a new company utilizing profits sharing, incentives, and elimination time clocks to grow the firm. Changing products, exploring new markets, diversification, and proceeding on a path of slow growth and steady profitability were the major keys implemented by Raimondo. By 1994, the turnaround was obvious, with Behlen making over $5 million in profits on $108 million in sales.

Tony has served as Chairman of the State Chamber Board of Directors, the Nebraska Economics Development Commission, and is a Director of the National Association of Manufacturers.

He and his wife Jeanne have four children.

Peter Kiewit

Peter Kiewit's father, a Dutch immigrant bricklayer, founded Peter Kiewit Sons, Inc. in Omaha in 1884. Under Peter Kiewit's leadership, the local construction company became one of the world's largest construction and mining enterprises. Assuming control in 1939, Peter Kiewit guided his company as it builds canals, dams and power plants for the Roosevelt Public Works Administration. War saw a switch to munitions plants, and the beginning of interstate road construction. Eventually, the firm invested in coal mining and other business ventures Kiewit learned about in the contracting work.

A strong supporter of community activities and higher education, Mr. Kiewit had given or pledged $20 million to charitable and civic causes until his death in 1979. The Peter Kiewit Foundation is one of the largest charitable foundations in the country, and the largest in Nebraska.

James Stuart

A native Lincolnite, James Stuart attended Lincoln High and the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1940. Shortly after he began his career, he served in World War II as an infantry company commander. He returned to Lincoln to begin building on the family business of his father and grandfather.

His father built Lincoln's first skyscraper, the Stuart Building in 1928. James Stuart began his business career in 1941 with Stuart Investment Company. In his remarkable career he worked in property and casualty insurance, real estate development, radio broadcasting, outdoor signs, and banking. He is a member of the Board of Directors of First Commerce Bancshares of Lincoln and National Bank of Commerce.

One of the original radio stations owned by Stuart was Lincoln's KFOR. In 1948, he originated Operations Santa Claus through KFOR. The project, which still continues, solicits public donations used to provide a Merry Christmas to indigent children of the community. Mr. Stuart also gifted a portion of the Stuart Building to the University of Nebraska Foundation in 1977, wit the remainder of the building gifted to the Lincoln Foundation in 1985.

He served on the Lincoln School Board, has served on the University of Nebraska Foundation, the Nebraska Games & Parks Foundation, the Lincoln Foundation, and many civic, charitable, and educational organizations.

He has been honored by many civic organizations. He and his wife, Helen have three children.

Willis Strauss

Willis Strauss is a legend in Omaha business circles. His management style and commitment to civic progress has inspired many Nebraskans. He retired as chairman of InterNorth (Northern Natural Gas Company) in 1984. After serving in World War II and obtaining an engineering degree from Iowa State University, young Bill moved back to his hometown of Omaha and began his career with the firm in 1948 as an engineering department clerk.

He soon was promoted into leadership positions and became chairman, CEO and president in 1966. Under his leadership, the company increased its revenues from $308 million in 1966 to nearly $5 billion in 1983.

A strong supporter of community activities and higher education, Mr. Strauss served on the board of Creighton University and Hastings College and the University of Nebraska and Iowa State University Foundations. He served as the chairman of the Citizens Commissions for the Study of Higher Education during Gov. Robert Kerrey's term. He and his wife Janet were honored by having the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Performing Arts Center named after them.

A founding member of the Joslyn Art Museum's board of governors, a governor of Ak-Sar-Ben, and the United Way Citizen of the Year in 1981 are just a few of Mr. Strauss' accomplishments. And his efforts have continued well past his retirement as his activities in economic development projects in Omaha and for the state include work for the SAC Museum, UNO Information Science, and Technology Center.

He and his wife, Janet, have two daughters.

Nathan J. Gold

Born in Hampton, Iowa, in 1894, Nathan Gold moved with his family to Lincoln in 1902. His father started a dry good business there, and young Nate attended Lincoln High School, Lincoln Business College and the University of Nebraska, while also working for his father. The business, Gold and Company, grew to be Lincoln's retail landmark that operated until 1964. Nathan Gold was very active in the business and economic development for the city and state.

In 1962, Mr. Gold was appointed by Governor Frank Morrison at $1 a year salary as special counsel for the Nebraska Economics Development Division and traveled widely across the nation to tell industry about Nebraska's potential.

In 1966, Nathan Gold received the University of Nebraska's highest service honor, the Nebraska Builder Award, for his work in establishment and operations of the Nebraska Resource Foundation. He was one of the organizers of the Lincoln Community Chest and the Urban League Center.

A keen businessman, Mr. Gold was nationally recognized in the Retail Merchants Association, serving on the board of directors and as president in 1959, and was awarded the gold medal of the National Merchants Association, the highest award given in the retail industry. Mr. Gold was also a strong supporter of youth activities, Mr. Gold received many awards of appreciation for his longstanding efforts towards 4-H Clubs, Future Farmers of America, and Future Homemakers of America.

Mr. Gold married Evelyn Baum in 1922 and lived in Lincoln until his death in 1970. They had one daughter, Louise Levitt and one son, William Gold III.

Herman Cain

Raised in Atlanta as one of two sons of a chauffeur and domestic worker, Herman Cain attended Morehouse College and later obtained a graduate degree from Purdue University. His first job out of Morehouse was with the Department of the Navy. He then worked for a time at Coca-Cola, where his father, Luther Cain, was a chauffeur. Ever restless and looking for newer challenges, he left Coke to join the Pillsbury Co., and was named vice president of systems and service in a few years.

Pillsbury ran a "fast track" program for its Burger King subsidiary. Cain signed on and dropped the prestige of having a vice president's title and salary to broil burgers so he could progress through management. By the time he was 40, Cain was asked by Pillsbury to "take on" the presidency of its ailing subsidiary, Godfather's Pizza. He turned the company's performance around in less than 18 months.

Two years later, in 1988, he and Ron Gartlan, Godfather's than current president, formed a partnership and bought the company. While working to reinvigorate Godfather's, Cain became increasingly frustrated with the regulations and red tape. As the volunteer chairman of the National Restaurant Association, he became very involved in debating the Clinton Health Care Plan. These efforts propelled him into his next challenge, as president and chief executive officer of the National Restaurant Association.

Mr. Cain and his wife Gloria have a daughter, Melanie, and son, Vincent.

Kenneth L. Morrison

Kenneth L. Morrison was born in Roxbury, Kansas, in 1921, and has been involved in all aspects of agriculture, from his youthful days on the Kansas farm, until now. He began trading farm commodities and developing agricultural properties at an early age. He attended McPherson College in Kansas and has been a resident of Hastings since 1947.

Mr. Morrison and his family own and operate Morrison Enterprises of Hastings, and he is managing partner. The business includes grain storage and farmland in Nebraska, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana for the production of cotton, soybeans, and feed grains. The company also engages in large-scale livestock production and feeding with other Nebraska partners. He was a pioneer in the dehydration, pelleting, and marketing of alfalfa in Nebraska.

Morrison Enterprises is a worldwide company, including a fully integrated shrimp production business in Ecuador, as well as construction of commercial fishing boats and fish meal in processing in Chile. The techniques learned form dehydrating and pelleting of alfalfa in Nebraska have been applied to improve the processing of fish meal.

Mr. Morrison serves as a trustee for the University of Nebraska Foundation and is a member of the Board of Directors for Hastings College. He was awarded the University of Nebraska Builder Award and was recognized by the Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honors as a Leader of Business and Industry.

He and his wife, Marjorie, have one daughter, Susan Roberts, who is also active in the family business.

Ernst Lied

Across Nebraska, a number of facilities bearing the name "Lied" are testament to a former Omaha car dealer and his uncanny knack of making a deal. Ernst Lied made a fortune in real estate and began a charitable foundation with the money he made. Much of it has found its way to Nebraska.

Lied followed his father's footsteps as an Omaha car dealer, utilizing World War II airplane parts contracts to stay in business when rationing nearly shut down his dealership. After the war, his Buick dealership prospered, becoming the third largest dealership in the nation. Another partnership began as well. Christian Hixon, who had worked at Lied's dealership since 1944, became his secretary, assuming accounting duties as well.

In the 1950's, Lied saw the potential for land development in Las Vegas and determined that would be the next boom. He sold the car dealership, leased his Omaha property and moved to Las Vegas. Miss Hixon joined as his assistant in 1960. Miss Hixon and Lied were essentially business partners–he took her to business meetings and dependent on her instinctive judgments of people.

Lied had no living relatives and created his foundation trust in 1972. It is solely administered by Miss Hixon. Two stipulations are noteworthy: The Lied Family name must be displayed on projects funded by the foundation; and all foundation assets should be given away by 2010.

Among the many gifts to Nebraska are the Henry Doorly Zoo Lied Jungle, the Lied Performance Center in Lincoln, the Arbor Lodge Conference Center in Nebraska City, and the IMAX Theater in Hastings.

Alice Dittman

The daughter of parents who were bankers, Alice Dittman comes naturally to her position as Chairman of the Board of Cornhusker Bank of Lincoln. Her father, an Oklahoma banker, sent her to the University of Nebraska where she earned a masters degree in finance and earned a degree from Harvard "in the days before they let women into the business school." She is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin.

Her banking career began with the family bank, Farmers State Bank of Davey, NE, where Mrs. Dittman was a cashier. She also worked at banks in Central City, NE, and Richmond, MO, before returning to Nebraska. In 1964, the Farmers State Bank moved to Lincoln where it became Cornhusker Bank. Alice became President, CEO and Secretary of Cornhusker Bank in 1975.

A strong believer in community involvement, Mrs. Dittman and her employees are active participants in many Lincoln organizations, ranging from PTAs, Girl Scout Council, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Bryan Memorial Hospital, and the University of Nebraska Lincoln. She has been a pioneer for Nebraska women in business, becoming the first female Chair of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce in 1988, President of the Nebraska Bankers Association in 1993, and first woman to become Chairman of the State Chamber Board of Directors in 1992.

She has three children-Dawn, John, and Doug.

Rose Blumkin

Rose Blumkin is the founder of the Furniture Mart, one of the largest stores in the country. "Mrs. B" believes in her cardinal principles: sell cheap, tell the truth, and give special attention to customers.

Mrs. B's success story is a classic. He began working in her mother's store in Russia at the age of 6. She married Isadore Blumkin and planned to immigrate to America. While Isadore left in 1914, Mrs. B began her journey in 1917.

She and her family began life in America in Fort Dodge, Iowa. They later moved to Omaha where they were more Russian Jews, so she could learn English better. After working in clothing stores and second-hand furniture store, Mrs. B opened the Nebraska Furniture Mart in 1937. Most of her family, whom she helped bring to America, joined her and the rest is history. Weathering fierce competition from other furniture stores and manufactures, lawsuits, change in location, and the 1975 Omaha tornado, Mrs. B is a shinning example of determination.

In 1983, Omaha investor Warren Buffett bought a majority of stock in the company on a handshake. Without formal education or business training, she has produced a business success that ranks right up there with any of the great corporate leader of our time.

Virgil Froehlich

Virgil Froehlich started working for his company the day after he graduated from high school. Fifty years later, and a lifetime of change in the food industry, Froehlich is still at the same place–but now he's president and general manager of Affiliated Foods in Norfolk.

Affiliated Foods is a mammoth operation, serving 550 member grocers in the eight-state area and has an annual sales volume of $500 million. About 500 full and part-time employees work at the Norfolk warehouse facility where some 20,000 varieties of foods and grocery items are shipped daily to retail stores. The company survived a catastrophic fire and went from 100 employees to six. But hard work and cooperation kept Affiliated afloat.

Norfolk has profited from Froehlich's success. It would have been easy to move the facility to another location closer to the interstate when Affiliated re-build after the fire, but he remained loyal to his hometown. Froehlich has served on the city council, the planning commission, PTA, hospital board, the local chamber of commerce, the State Chamber board, and many other community and state groups. He initiated the Affiliated Reclamation Center, which salvages food and other products, then sells at low prices to food banks and other pantries from Norfolk to Omaha, as well as provides meaningful employment to the area's mentally handicapped citizens.

He and his wife, Betty Jane, have ten children.

Warren Buffet

Warren Buffet is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. The firm's business activities include underwriting of property and casualty insurance, candy productions and sales at retail, newspaper publishing, retailing home furnishings, sales of encyclopedias, sales of home cleaning units, manufacture and distribution of uniforms, retail jewelry, and manufacture, imports, and distribution of footwear.

Mr. Buffet is perhaps the one of the most highly regarded businesspersons in the United States. He served as a Director of Capital Cities/ABC, the Coca Cola Company, the Gillette Company, Salomon Inc., and USAir Group, Inc. Berkshire Hathaway has significant investments in each of these companies.

The annual report of Berkshire Hathaway is anticipated and widely read in the business and investment community for its sound advice, its creativity, and it humor in explaining important investments principals. The annual meeting in Omaha is always a high point, with shareholders enjoying visits to the Nebraska Furniture Mart, Borsheims's Jewelry Store, and an Omaha Royals game–all part of Mr. Buffett's holdings or investments.

Born in Omaha to Howard Buffett and Leila Stahl Buffett, Mr. Buffett attended school in Omaha and Washington D.C., where his father served as a U.S. Congressman. He attended the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, and received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from UNL in 1950. He received a Masters degree in Economics from Columbia University in 1951. He marred Susan Thompson in 1952, and they have three children-Susan, Howard, and Peter.

Burnham Yates

Burnham Yates was born in Lincoln on April 30, 1911, and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1928. He received his bachelor's degree from Stanford University in 1933. Mr. Yates began his business career with First Boston Corp., serving in the company's New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles offices. In 1937 he joined the investment-banking firm of Weeden & Co. and remained in the firm's Chicago office until joining the Navy in 1942. During World War II, he served in the Pacific and earned the Bronze Star. After being discharged from the Navy, he joined the First National Bank of Lincoln on December 1, 1945. Burnham Yates was elected chairman of the board in 1969 and remained in that position until his retirement April 30, 1976. He retired from the board in 1982, although he continued to maintain an office in the FirsTier Bank Building.

During Mr. Yate's long and distinguished business career he was very active In supporting economic development in Nebraska. He served as the president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and the Lincoln Chamber Industrial Development Corporation and as chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. He was instrumental in the growth and development of First National Lincoln.

Burnham Yates and his wife, Mary Walsh Yates have three children; sons, Silas Burnham Yates Jr. of East Lansing, MI and Willard W. Yates of Alexandria, VA; and one daughter, Mrs. Russell (Sharon) Ewers, Phoenix, AZ.

George P. Abel

George Abel was born in Boulder, Colorado, the son of early-day Lincoln contractor George Abel, Sr. and Hazel Abel, a former U.S. Senator from Nebraska. He began a lifelong career in the construction business by helping his father, founder of one of the state's oldest paving companies, as a water boy on city paving projects.

Attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Mr. Abel was the student member of the Athletic Board of Control, and won he Big Six Athletic Scholarship Award. One of the Nebraska's full-time football greats, Mr. Abel, a guard, won all Big Six honors and played in the Rose Bowl, the East-West Shrine Game, and the College All-Star Game before joining the U.S. Army in 1942.

Upon his discharge, he assumed an active role in the Abel family business. Under his leadership, NEBCo has became a broadly diversified company with interests in building materials, construction, banking, insurance, railroading, farming, ranching, warehousing, and real estate. NEBCo is one of Nebraska's largest privately-owned employers with operation all throughout the state.

Mr. Abel has served the state in many capacities, such as president of the Nebraska Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, a Trustee of the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation, and as organizer and member of the Executive Committee of FirsTier Financial, Inc., Nebraska's largest financial institution.

He is married to Elizabeth Nichols, who was an NU beauty queen, and they have two sons, John and James Abel, both engaged in the family enterprises.

Harold Warp

No one can drive through Nebraska without at least seeing one billboard about Harold Warp's Pioneer Village in Minden. Pioneer Village was started in 1948 when Mr. Warp bought his old school house in Minden, and began collecting objects and items that told the story of growth on the Plains and across America.

Harold Warp was born and raised in a sod house near Minden, Nebraska, where he was the youngest of 12 children of Norwegian immigrants, and was orphaned at age 11. He had a genius for inventions, and began inventing products in his teens. He developed a flexible glass that could be put up next to henhouses, which would keep the cold out, and still allows for the beneficial ultraviolet rays that helped chickens thrive in winter. With $800 in savings, he left for Chicago in 1924 with his patent for Flex-O-Glass. He and two brothers began production of Flex-O-Glass in Chicago, and he began establishing a network of dealers, which grew to 3,000 across the country. He was a pioneer in advertising and aviation, as he built his company's growth on advertising, and he used his first airplane, a Curtiss Jenny, to fly to dealers and distribute Flex-O-Glass samples from the air! A holder of more than 30 patents in plastics, and a stall-speed indicator for airplanes, Mr. Warp's record as an inventor and businessman displayed a major influence on agricultural growth and in the development of the plastic industry.

But despite his factory location in Chicago and his worldwide travels, Mr. Warp still called Minden "home". He found many of the historic and antique items now on display at the Museum during his many travels. He was determined to tell the "History of Man's Progress" at his museum. In 1979, Mr. Warp was awarded the Haratio Alger Award by the late Norman Vincent Peale. This is an award reserved for those who no only have a rag to riches story, but who have used their success to enrich others. Mr. Warp passed away on April 9, 1994.

Daniel W. Gardner

Dan Gardner was born in New York City, served his country during World War II, and graduated from Syracuse University in 1948. On vacation in 1951, he came to Nebraska and visited Dr. Milton Waldbaum who was just beginning his egg production business. Mr. Gardner moved to Wakefield in 1952 to run the company, while Dr. Waldbaum began medical studies in Omaha. Beginning with only 25 employees, the M.G. Waldbaum Company now employs close to 900 people in Nebraska. Starting as a regional wholesaler of locally produced eggs, the company eventually began to produce their own eggs, and developed egg products for the entire food industry. In addition of shell eggs, Waldbaum's manufactures more than 100 million pounds of egg products each year, including frozen, dried, liquid, and hard-cooked for food services and industrial users.

A major key to growth of the company was Mr. Gardner's leadership in developing complete control of production. Waldbaum owns and operates five feed mills, pullet farms, laying farms, and processing facilities in Wakefield and Bloomfield. He has been active involved in the egg and poultry business, serving on the board of institutions like the Poultry and Egg Institute of America, the Egg Clearinghouse, and America Egg Board, and the United Egg Producers Board, which named him Industry Man of the Year in 1985.

Mr. Gardner and his wife, Jeanne, and their children have been major public servants and philanthropists for Wakefield and northeastern Nebraska.

Charles M. Harper

Charles M. "Mike" Harper received his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1949, and a master's in business administration from the University of Chicago in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II. After earning his M.B.A. degree, Mr. Harper spent five years at General Motors, working in methods engineering. In 1955 he joined the Pillsbury Company, where he worked for 20 years. When he left in 1974 to join ConAgra, he was group vice president with operating responsibilities at Pillsbury's poultry and foodservice businesses, as well as several venture companies.

In October 1974, Mr. Harper joined ConAgra as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He was elected a director in September 1975, the president and chief executive officer in March, 1976. In September, 1981, Mr. Harper assumed his current position with ConAgra, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer. During his 16 years at ConAgra, Mr. Harper and his management team have engineered the company's strong rebound from sizeable losses and a precarious financial position in 1974 to today's position of strength and leadership across the food chain. Under his leadership, ConAgra's sales have increased from $600 million to over $20 billion.

Mr. Harper serves of the board of directors of Creighton University and the board of governors of Joslyn Art Museum. He serves as chairman of the board of governors of Ak-Sar-Ben, and was Council president of the Mid-America Council, Boy Scouts of America, in 1983. He serves as chairman of the board of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce in 1979. Charles Harper is married to Josie Harper.

Walter Scott, Jr.

Walter Scott, Jr. was born in Omaha and graduated with an Engineering Degree from Colorado State University. He followed his father's footsteps as an engineer and began his career at Peter Kiewit Sons, Inc. in 1953.

Started over a hundred years ago by a Dutch immigrant bricklayer, Peter Kiewit Sons expanded under the late Peter Kiewit, Sr. into a giant construction firm building canals, dams, and power plants for the Publics Works Administration. Later, the company built munitions plants and interstate highways. Headquartered in Omaha, the company stays close to its core construction business, which produces 80 percent of the firm's revenues. Mr. Scott worked in many roles, however in 1979, he began chairman of the company. Mr. Scott has guided the company into outside investment in the areas of telecommunications and private financing of infrastructure projects, utilizing the talents of many long-term employees.

Mr. Scott and his wife Suzanne, have been most generous with their time to Omaha and Nebraska, particularity the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Joslyn Art Museum. He has served as President of the Mid-America Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and as the director of Creighton University, the SAC Museum Memorial Society, the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Boys Club Omaha, the University of Nebraska Foundation, Omaha Junior Achievement, United Way of Omaha, Hastings College, and many other civic and philanthropic posts. He is also a recipient of the University of Nebraska's Builder's Award.

Mr. Scott, and his wife, Suzanne, have three children, Karen Dixon, Sandra Parker, and Amy Walter Scott.

Duane W. Acklie

Duane Acklie is the founder of Crete Carrier Corporation, as well as a chairman of Shaffer Trucking, Inc., Sunflower Carriers, Inc., HTL Truck Line, Inc., and president of LRC, Inc. The Acklie Companies are national leaders in the transportation industry. Crete Carriers and its sister companies, while under the same ownership, are independently operated and comprise of the largest privately-held carrier network in the United States.

A native of Madison, Mr. Acklie graduated from Norfolk Junior College before attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he received a Bachelor of Science and Law degree. He served as an Army counter intelligent officer in Germany. After returning to the U.S., he practiced law becoming very involved in transportation law, which helped Crete Carriers and determine its name when it was founded in 1967. Five years later, he and his wife, Phyllis, purchased the company. Today, Crete Carriers Corporation operates a state-of-the-art truck servicing facility, as well as all data processing, and satellite communications to its rig across the continent from its headquarters in Lincoln.

A member of many civic and state boards and organizations, Mr. Acklie served as Chairman of the State Chamber in 1988. He was also a Commissioner of the Nebraska State Highway Commission.

Duane and his wife, Phyllis have three children: Dodie Nakajima, Laura Schumacher, and Holly Ostergard.

James Cabela (left)
Richard N. Cabela (right)

Dick and Jim Cabela are avid outdoorsmen and their love of Nebraska's hunting, fishing, and camping is a classic story of making a dream come true. It was while working in his father's Chappell furniture store in 1961 that Dick Cabela decided he could make a nice profit by selling fishing flies he had purchased in Chicago, at well below the going rate. He put an ad in the Wyoming newspaper. Drafted on the kitchen table, it was the start of a thriving mail order and retail sporting goods business with over 1,000 employees. With each of the original orders went a mimeographed "catalog" of outdoor items. Dick and his wife, Mary were on their way. However, in 1962 they realized their kitchen table business was growing fast enough to need full time attention. Dick persuaded his younger brother Jim into leaving the banking business in Denver and join the family enterprise.

Jim ran the day-to-day operations of the young company in Chappell, while Dick spent a good deal of time developing business contracts on the road. Investing all their money in the business, Jim lived for two year on his National Guard pay and at home with his parents, while Dick and Mary lived on their salary from the future store. Eventually, the brothers outgrew a number of locations in Chappell as the sheer volume of the mail orders necessitated a move to the vacant 50,000 square-foot John Deere building in Sidney. Within ten years, they had outgrown the Sidney building, moving warehousing to old Sioux Ordinance Depot west of Sidney. A second retail outlet was opened in Kearney in 1986, where the telemarketing center and more warehouse is also located. Mail order dominates the business. The Cabelas' have always stressed a commitment to quality products, value, service, and guaranteed customer satisfaction to outdoor enthusiasts throughout the world.

Both Dick and Jim continue their outdoor activities when they have time. Dick and Mary have nine children. Jim, a bachelor, focuses on conservation and restoration of wildlife habit, working with youths to respect the environment and to be conscientious sportsman.

V.J. Skutt

V.J. Skutt was born in Deadwood, South Dakota. He came to Omaha on a cattle train to attend Creighton University. He joined the legal department of Mutual of Omaha in 1924 after earning a law degree at Creighton. In 1926, he was appointed legal counsel for the company's Southwest Division in Dallas. He became a director and executive vice president in 1947 and president in 1949. Named chairman of the board and chief executive officer in 1953, Mr. Skutt served in that capacity until his son, Thomas, succeed him as CEO in 1986.

For 33 years, V.J. positioned Mutual of Omaha as one of the largest health insurance providers in the world. When Mr. Skutt became president, annual sales were $76 million, however, when he retired in 1987, premium sales exceeded $2.37 billion. To assure the highest standard of professional selling, Mr. Skutt established a training program for the company's sales representative that is unique in the insurance business.

Mr. Skutt served on many boards and committees throughout his career, always making it a point to be active. He established the Mutual of Omaha Criss Award to recognize contributions in the fields of heath, safety, and/or the public welfare. His award and honors range from honorary degrees to Distinguished Nebraskalander in 1984, to founding president and former chairman of the Nebraska Chapter of National Wildlife Federation. The Omaha Archdiocese honored him and his wife by naming the community's new Catholic high school V.J. and Angela Skutt High School. Mr. and Mrs. V.J. Skutt have a son, Thomas and daughter Sally Desmond.

Kenneth L. Wortman

Ken Wortman is known far and wide for his skills as an entrepreneur and as an ambassador for his community and for the State of Nebraska. As president of Wortman Enterprise, Mr. Wortman oversees business operations of automobile dealerships, residential and commercial construction company, motels, and a petroleum marketing business.

With the exception of military service, Ken Wortman has lived his entire life in Nebraska. Born in Neligh, Nebraska, he purchased Aurora Ford in 1948, combining natural business ability with an interest in mechanical things, which later branched in to a diverse range of business interests. He has channeled energy not only into his business interests, but into the community he calls home.

Throughout his career, he has been active in civic affairs. He has been instrumental in ensuring quality health care facilities and service to his community. He has worked diligently in establishing area vocational technical schools, while giving generously of his time, energy, and resources. A true leader in industrial recruitment for his community and for the state, Mr. Wortman has served as president of the Nebraska Diplomats, an organization which honored him as an Ambassador Plenipotentiary.

He and his wife, Marilyn, have two children: Jayne Mann and Brian Wortman.

Clifton K. Hillegass

Cliff Hillegass is the founder of Cliff Notes, Inc., a Lincoln-based publisher of literary study guide known and respected the world over. Under his direction, the company has established a reputation for excellence and success based on long-held business principles that have made Cliffs Notes a true standard-bearer in the publishing field.

Born in Rising City, Nebraska, Mr. Hillegass got an early start in business, carrying newspapers and selling magazines to earn money for college. He graduated in 1937 from Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska, and received a graduate assistantship at the University of Nebraska to pursue studies in physics and geology. Mr. Hillegass, an avid reader, landed a job at Long's College Bookstore–now the Nebraska Bookstore as a young graduate student. There he was given the opportunity to further his knowledge of the book business. After serving in the Army Corps as a meteorologist during World War II, he resumed working for the Nebraska Book Company in its wholesale division. He worked closely with their operations and getting to know their needs as retailers.

In 1958, working from the basement of his home Mr. Hillegass established Cliffs Notes, Inc. Today, this company still produces study guides, which have become a standby for countless students the world over. Cliff Notes cover more than 200 literary classics and are sold in approximately 7,000 retail outlets in the U.S. and abroad.

Cliff Hilllegass and his wife, Mary are parents of James C. Hillegass, Linda L. Hillegass, Diane Nolan, Kimberly M. Newton, and Patrick J. Ebel.

Robert L. Peterson

Robert L. Peterson, president and chief executive officer of IBP, Inc. of Dakota City, Nebraska, has had led of his company through years of growth to become one of the largest and most successful company in the meat packing industry.

Born in Hartington, Nebraska, Mr. Peterson grew up in Omaha and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Active in the livestock and meat processing industry, he was one of IBP's original cattle buyers when the company began operations at its first plant in Denison, Iowa in 1961.

During the 1960s, Mr. Peterson moved up steadily through the management ranks, leaving the company briefly to work for another meat company before founding his own company, Madison Foods of Madison, Nebraska. He rejoined IBP in 1976, when Madison Foods was acquired by IBP through a stock transaction. He was named president of IBP in 1977.

Under Mr. Peterson's leadership, IBP has experience tremendous growth. He has led the company through a significant expansion, adding new beef plants and pork facilities, increasing both employees and sales. The company is now the nation's largest producer of fresh beef, pork, and related allied products.

Mr. Peterson has received numerous honors during his distinguished career, including being named "Best Chief Executive in the Meat Industry" in 1981 by the Wall Street Transcript. In 1989, he was selected by BEEF magazine as one of 25 individuals who have made a major contribution to the beef cattle industry, and he received Ak-Sar-Ben's "Agricultural Achievement Award" for his contributions to the beef industry. The South Soo Development Corporation of South Sioux City, Nebraska also named him "Developer of the Year" in 1984

He and his wife, Ginny, are the parents of Mark and Susan Peterson.

Thomas Creigh, Jr.

Thomas Creigh, Jr. of Hastings was chairman emeritus of the Board of Directors of K N Energy, Inc. He has been an employee of that company since 1936, the year of its founding. He began his career with K N as a construction inspector and has since served in a variety of capacities including assistant to the president and chief engineer, vice president-transmissions and gas supply.

A native of the Chicago area, Mr. Creigh is a 1933 graduate of Wabash College. Mr. Creigh served as a chairman of Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1966. Other civic and service affiliations include the board of trustees of Hastings College; past chairman of the Nebraska Council on Economic Education; board of trustees of the University of Nebraska Foundation; member of the Nebraska State Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve; past board member of the Nebraska Art Collection; and past member of the Nebraska State Historical Society.

Mr. Creigh and his wife, Dorothy, have four children: Mary Elizabeth Pfeil of Philadelphia; Thomas Creigh II and John Creigh, both of Hastings; and James Creigh of Washington, D.C.

Dr. Lewis Harris

Dr. Lewis Harris began Harris Laboratories in the summer of 1933 in an office on the third floor of a building at 12th and O Street in Lincoln. Over the next 50 years his business idea grew to one of the largest laboratories of its kind in the nation, and is recognized as one of the industry's most respected scientific testing and research laboratories, with more than 500 employees worldwide.

While guiding Harris' development, Dr. Harris also played a major role in the growth of Lincoln's Norden Laboratories, where he served as president from 1959 to 1969. After the SmithKline Corporation acquired Norden, Dr. Harris became a part of SmithKline management team, which he served as chairman of the board from 1973-76.

Dr. Harris has served on numerous civic and charitable organizations including many years as a trustee to the University of Nebraska Foundations. Two University lectures series have been established in his name. He served as chairman of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1969-70. Dr. Lewis E. Harris has continued to be actively involved at Harris and has served as Chairman Emeritus.

He and his wife, Toni, have two children: Ron, president of Harris Laboratories, and Bob, Chairman of the Board of Harrison Laboratories.

Robert B. Daugherty

Robert B. Daugherty, a native of Omaha, was Chairman of the Board of Valmont Industries, Inc., Valley, Nebraska. A graduate of Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota, he served as a Marine Corps Captain in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Upon his return to civilian life in 1946, he became one of the founders of Valley Manufacturing Company, a small manufacturer of farm elevators. Over the years, he helped build Valmont into a major worldwide producer and supplier of outdoor lighting and traffic signals poles, electric transmission and substation structures and communications towers. Valmont maintains approximately 39 percent of ValCom, Inc., a major distributor of microcomputer products and services, and is the leading producer of mechanized irrigation systems for worldwide agricultural markets.

Beyond his many achievements in the business sector, Mr. Daugherty has been very involved in civic activities and philanthropy. He is currently chairman of the Executive Committee of ConAgra, Inc., a Director of K N Energy; Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc.; and FirsTier Financial, Inc. Mr. Daugherty is a member of the Peter Kiewit Foundation, a Director of Creighton University; Clarkson Hospital; and a Trustee of Hastings College. He served as chairman of the board of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1967.

Earl T. Luff

Earl T. Luff graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1928. In 1935, he became secretary and general manager of The Lincoln Steel Works Company. In 1947, stock was made available to company employees in which he purchased majority interest in the company. He was president until 1972, when he became chairman of the board of Lincoln/Northland, Inc. serving until 1984 when he retired.

Mr. Luff is a past director of the First National Bank & Trust Co., Lincoln, and a member of the Advisory Board for Commercial Federal Savings and Loan Association. He served as president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce in 1953 and was chairman of the Association Industries of Nebraska (a forerunner of the State Chamber) in 1944-45 and again in 1957-59. Mr. Luff was one of the originators of the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce, serving as chairman from 1963-65. He was named Nebraska Business and Industry Man of the Year in 1959, received the Nebraska Diplomat of the Year Award in 1981, and was the very first recipient of the Private Enterprise Award from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He organized a series of meetings in Nebraska on "Ethics in Business" in 1977 and 1978, and served as chairman of the Governor's Task Force for Government Improvements from 1980-1982.

Earl Luff and his wife, Florence, have two children, Earleen (Mrs. Arthur Knox) and Lyall E. Luff.

Edwin J. Loutzenheiser, Jr.

Edwin J. Loutzenheiser, Jr. was Chairman and Chief Executive Office of Great Plains Container, Inc. of Hastings. Great Plains, which was founded by Loutzenheiser in July of 1956, is a manufacturer of folding cartons and corrugated boxes. After 30 years, it now employs 165 people in a 165,000 square foot modern plant operation. Over the past four decades, Mr. Loutzenheiser, a Gothenburg native, has formed at least 11 successful companies including other manufacturing companies, an aluminum foundry and machine shop, a water purification equipment manufacturer; a silk screening facility; a country store; construction; real estate; computer electronics; and a rabbit raising operation.

He received his bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the Armour Institute of Technology, Chicago, then went on to Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he received his Masters and Doctorate degree. He was an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve in World War II.

Mr. Loutzenheiser's numerous civic activities include the Hastings' Board of Public Works; District Governor of Rotary International, and President and Secretary of the Hastings Rotary Club; President of the Nebraska Diplomats; Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Central Community College; and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served as chairman of the board of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1988.

Mr. Loutzenheiser and his wife, Cora, have two children; William R. Loutzenheiser, and Richard A. Loutzenheiser, and they have raised four foster daughters.

Harry P. Seward, Jr.

After serving in the U.S. Army in World War II, Harry P. Seward, Jr. came to Nebraska to work for Bankers Life Nebraskan in 1940. During his 42-year tenure with the company, he worked in several capacities. He became president in 1969 and was named president and chief executive officer in 1973. In 1977 he was elected chairman of the board.

A native of Missouri, Mr. Seward graduated from the University of Missouri in 1939. He earned his Chartered Life Underwriter designation in 1960. He is a past president of the Lincoln Community Council, and was a Trustee of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was president of the Bryan Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, served on the Cornhusker Council of Boy Scouts, and the Lincoln Foundations. He was selected to the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1969, and served as chairman in 1972.

Mr. Seward his wife, Franny, have two children: Anne Cordell, and Harry P. Seward, III.

Robert B. Harris

Robert B. Harris was 10 years old when he first began work at Harris Laboratories, helping clean the glassware and equipment at his father's laboratories. Through the years, Bob Harris has held numerous positions with the company including vice president in 1969, and vice chairman in 1974. Since 1977, he has served as chairman of the board of Harris, helping to direct the growth of the company that now operate research facilities in Nebraska, Arizona, and Northern Ireland, and sales offices in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he has served on the University's Foundation, as well on the Board of Governors of Nebraska Wesleyan and as a trustee of the Nebraska Independent College Foundations.

Mr. Harris was named an Outstanding Young Nebraskan in 1978, and was recognized as the 1988 Nebraska Small Business Person of the Year by the United States Small Business Administration. He was chairman of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1987, marking the only time in the organization's history that a father and son have both served as chairman. He and his wife, Marilyn L. Harris, PhD are the parents of Matt, Ted, and Emily.

Virgil R. Eihusen

Virgil R Eihusen, president and chairman of Chief Industries, Inc., started his construction business with one employee in 1952. The principal activity in the beginning was the construction of single family homes in Grand Island. The business was then expanded to include the construction of commercial and industrial buildings and farm structures. In 1961 the company started its first manufacturing facility to make steel grain storage tanks for farm and commercial use. Mr. Eihusen became head of the company which has five major divisions and several smaller ones, with operation in eight states and England, employing over 1,000 people.

Mr. Eihusen is on the board of directors of Overland National Bank and the Nebraska Private Industry Council. He is a past director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Nebraska Independent College Foundations. He was chairman of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1976 and the Nebraska Diplomats in 1982. He has served on the Grand Island City Council, and was named the Small Businessman of the Year in 1968 by the U.S. Small Business Administration. In 1973 he was awarded the Diplomatic of the Year from the Nebraska Department of Economics Development for promoting industrial growth in Nebraska. He served as Chairman of the Nebraska Economic Development Commission and as Chairman of the State Chamber's Economics Development Council.

Mr. Eihusen and his wife, Patty, have two daughters: Libby and Terri and one son Bob.