Events

Speaker Biography

Sterling Anderson is the Founder and CEO of Aria Residential Group, a real estate investment and development firm focused on acquiring and developing residential and hospitality properties in high growth markets.

With a focus on creating communities where people can live, work, and thrive, Sterling leads initiatives involving Class A and Class B multifamily acquisitions, build to rent communities, luxury residential development, and hotel acquisitions and development.

His approach emphasizes strategic partnerships, disciplined investment analysis, and long term ownership. Through Aria Residential Group, Sterling collaborates with lenders, brokers, developers, investors, and other industry partners to identify development opportunities, strengthen communities, and create lasting value through real estate.

Presentation Topic

Building Communities: The Future of Residential Real Estate Development

From multifamily housing and build to rent communities to luxury residential development, the real estate industry continues to evolve in response to changing housing needs and investment opportunities.

Sterling Anderson will share insights into the residential real estate development landscape, including emerging opportunities in multifamily housing, the role of strategic partnerships, and the considerations involved in acquiring and developing residential properties. His presentation will offer Rotarians a perspective on how real estate investment and development can contribute to creating thriving communities.

Adam brings more than 20 years of experience in the events and venue industry, most recently as Chief Operating Officer of the New Orleans Convention Center. There he managed a $73 million annual operating budget, led the facility to LEED Gold Certification and re-certification, oversaw a $763 million Capital Improvement Plan that modernized the interior and exterior of the Convention Center, and guided planning for the $1.5 billion River District Development. His work in New Orleans was shaped by community partnership, pandemic response and sustainability. In 2024, he was named to the City Business Power 20 Tourism and Hospitality list, recognizing the 20 most influential leaders in the New Orleans tourism and hospitality sector.

Before New Orleans, Adam spent time at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority in Atlanta, which encompasses the Georgia World Congress Convention Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Centennial Olympic Park. As Senior Director of Operations, he and his team managed events including NCAA Final Fours, a Super Bowl and the NCAA College Football Playoff Championship. He also served as Executive in Charge and Owners Representative for the $1.9 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium construction project and led the Centennial Olympic Park renovation and Exhibit Hall Expansion.

His career in venue operations began in 2001 at the University of Maryland, where he spent a decade working his way up to Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Facilities Management, overseeing 14 athletic venues including Comcast Center and Byrd Stadium. He also managed the planning, construction and opening of Maryland’s $13.5 million football infrastructure renovation.

Adam is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. He and his wife, Alyson, have two sons, Silas and Peyton.

Brinker Harding is a fourth-generation Omahan, husband to Rebecca, father to Elizabeth and Grace, business leader, Omaha City Councilman, and candidate for the United States Congress in Nebraska’s 2nd District.

Prior to serving on the Omaha City Council, Harding was a business leader and public servant. From 1995 to 2000, he served as Chief of Staff and Director of Economic Development to Mayor Hal Daub. From City Hall, Harding helped form public-private partnerships that invested more than $2 billion in the restoration of Omaha’s riverfront parks, driving business and job growth in Omaha’s urban core. He helped build the CHI Convention Center, now home to the Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball team and the annual Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting, and helped construct the Dodge Expressway, which spurred economic development and improved transportation across Omaha.

Since joining the Omaha City Council in 2017, Harding has continued his work to grow Omaha from the Missouri River to the Elkhorn River. Again harnessing public-private partnerships for major public projects, Harding has helped grow Omaha from the Gene Leahy Mall at the RiverFront, to a world-class public library at 72nd and Dodge, to the Heartwood Preserve development at 144th and Dodge, to the Avenue One development at 192nd and Dodge, and to the revitalization of Olde Towne Elkhorn.

Harding’s work has helped shape Omaha into the #1 City to Move to in America, according to Forbes, and the hottest housing market in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Unlike in Washington, Harding has helped balance the City of Omaha’s budget every year. During his time on the City Council, he has voted to lower Omaha’s property tax levy three times.

While many major cities have experienced significant increases in violent crime, Omaha has driven its violent crime rate to historic 40-year lows. Harding has opposed efforts to defund the police and supported providing Omaha’s officers with the record pay raises they deserve.

In Omaha, Harding has helped grow the economy, balance the budget, and keep residents and communities safe. Now, he is running for Congress because he believes America should be more like its Heartland. Harding believes the country needs proven leaders who can be counted on to restore, grow, secure, and renew America—and make its next 250 years a new Golden Age.

With Omaha and Nebraska continuing to build momentum, Harding believes there is much more to accomplish for Nebraska and America, and he hopes voters will join him in that effort.

Denise Powell is a mom, small business owner, former corporate executive, public school champion and healthcare advocate who knows that a strong work ethic and a love of family and community is the Nebraska way of life. She also knows the Good Life is getting harder to come by. It’s why she left a successful career in corporate America to focus on fighting for what makes Nebraska such a special place to live and raise a family. After Trump’s election in 2016, she founded an organization that has supported hundreds of Nebraskans running for local office, protected our public schools and the families they serve, and helped stop extremists from passing abortion bans in the state. 

Denise is running for Congress because while our representatives say they’re fighting for us in Nebraska, they’re voting against us in Washington, DC. Every day, we see more of our friends and neighbors struggling to make ends meet while Donald Trump and MAGA extremists are focused on trade wars that are increasing our cost of living and passing massive tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk. Strong families, strong businesses, strong communities – they ALL require work and investment, but everything we’ve fought for here at home is under threat. From dismantling Medicaid and making it harder for seniors to get the benefits they’ve earned, to dismantling education — from the University of Nebraska to our public schools — to attacking our veterans and ripping away women’s rights, Denise is running to fight for the people of Nebraska. We don’t need lip service from politicians, we need action. 

Join your fellow Rotarians for one of our favorite annual traditions, Rotary Bell Ringing for The Salvation Army!

Each year, Rotary Club of Omaha members come together to help support The Salvation Army and the important work it does for individuals and families in our community. A few hours of ringing the bell can make a meaningful difference, and it is also a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fellowship while putting Service Above Self into action.

And good news for Nebraska weather: our bell ringing location will be INDOORS, right by the entrance doors. You can enjoy the holiday spirit without having to stand outside in the cold!

Rotarians, family members, friends, and colleagues are welcome to participate. Choose the time slot that works best for you and help us fill every shift.

🔔 SIGN UP TO RING THE BELL:
Click/tap here to sign up

Bring your Rotary spirit and a warm smile. Thank you for helping us continue this special Rotary tradition and for supporting The Salvation Army this holiday season.