Secretary: James Mackiewicz Sgt at Arms: John Marburger Digital Experience: Adam Leong
Invocation & Pledge: Pastor Heidi McGinness
Navigator: Christopher Rath
Cashiers/Check-in: Need Volunteers
Admin Support: Matthew Boulay
Greeters: Liz Crnkovich & Bob Keefer
Speaker Host: Todd Chaney
Speaker: Jesse Bell, Ph.D.
Buffet Lunch is $18 for members and $20 for visiting Rotarians and guests. Lunch ticket is back. Please collect your lunch ticket after check-in and put it in the jar at the beginning of the buffet line
Executive Director, Water, Climate, and Health Program at UNMC
Dr. Jesse E. Bell is the Claire M. Hubbard Professor of Water, Climate, and Health in the Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the School of Natural Resources within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
He is the director of the Water, Climate and Health Program at UNMC and the director of Water, Climate and Health at the University of Nebraska’s Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. The mission of these programs is to develop interdisciplinary research, education and collaborative solutions to public health challenges associated with environmental issues in Nebraska and around the world. As the founding director, he has helped grow these programs to over 25 faculty, staff, and students.
Rotarians and friends, we had another great week at the Rotary Club of Omaha! We enjoyed hosting Drs Michelle Black and Deanna House from the Nebraska Deterrence Lab! Many of us felt like we needed a couple doctorate degrees to understand their level of genius in solving “wicked problems” in order to keep peace in our country and around the world… Our club members had a lot of fun contributing to over 46, 000 meals being package for Kinds Against Hunger! In addition to our exciting engagement contest connecting in our Rotary Circles, we have more opportunities to join together as Rotarians: March 4th we’re serving at the Stephen Center, March 5th we are hosting a multi-club Hapoy Hour at Barnato, and April 9th another multi-club event hosted by Suburban. Thank you again to our February Business Sponsor of the month, the What’s Next Agency. Our featured Program Speaker March 5th is Dr. Jesse Bell with UNMC. I look forward to seeing you soon for Wednesday lunch at the Field Club. Bring a guest!
Reigniting Friendship: Omaha Sister Cities Strengthens Ties with Xalapa
In a significant step toward strengthening the sister city relationship, Omaha Rotarian Steve Gerdes, President of Omaha Sister Cities Association, recently met with Alberto Islas Reyes, the newly elected Mayor of Xalapa, Mexico. This meeting marked an important moment in rekindling the long-standing relationship between Omaha and Xalapa, one of its eight official sister cities.
The Omaha-Xalapa sister city relationship dates back to 2005, founded on a shared commitment to cultural and education exchanges, economic development opportunities, and international travel between its citizens. Over the years, art and student exchanges have thrived, fostering a deep connection between the two cities. However, as leadership changed and circumstances evolved, the partnership had waned in recent years. With Mayor Islas Reyes taking office, the opportunity to rejuvenate this valuable connection emerged. Steve Gerdes traveled to Xalapa, the capital of the state of Veracruz, to reaffirm Omaha’s commitment to the partnership.
We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievement of our fellow Rotarian, Nash Mahupete, who has been appointed President & CEO of QLI, a nationally renowned rehabilitation center in Omaha.
Nash’s journey with QLI began in 2000, and through his leadership, passion, and dedication to their mission, he steadily rose through the ranks — from Certified Nursing Assistant to his recent role as Vice President of Executive Operations. His promotion to President & CEO is a testament to his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to service.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Nash has been a dedicated member of THE Rotary Club of Omaha, having served as Secretary and consistently living out the values of Service Above Self as shown in his dedicated service in all of our Rotary projects.
Please join us in congratulating Nash on this well-deserved honor and in celebrating his continued success both in his career and in Rotary!
Recently Hal Daub introduced transferring Rotarian Scott Buchholz. Scott has been a Rotarian for a couple of decades at Millard Rotary, where he served as President. Scott A. Buchholz served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (retired 2021) at Black Hills Corporation (NYSE – BKH)
Scott Buchholz’s career at Black Hills spanned 40 years, including the last 13 as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Office reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. In addition to leading an organization of over 250 employees and an annual budget of $50 million, Mr. Buchholz’s executive/leadership highlights and key accomplishments include:
Strategic technology visioning and roadmap creation (technology vision 2025)
Omaha, NE, By Yolanda Hoffman – In an extraordinary display of service and teamwork, over 130 Rotarians, along with their families and friends, came together on February 22, 2025, for the Multi-Club Rotary Meal Packaging Project in partnership with Kids Against Hunger. Their collective efforts resulted in a staggering 46,655 meals packaged, reinforcing Rotary’s commitment to making a tangible difference in the fight against hunger.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from members of Omaha Downtown, Millard, Morning, Suburban, and West Rotary Clubs, who worked tirelessly across multiple shifts to ensure the success of this initiative. Volunteers donned hairnets, measured ingredients, sealed bags, and packed boxes—each meal destined to provide nourishment to those in need in our immediate community.
“This was an incredible day of service,” said Brett Wawers, Project Coordinator. “To see so many hands working together for such a meaningful cause truly embodies Service Above Self.”
The energy in the room was contagious as Rotarians, young and old, worked side by side, proving once again that service is at the heart of Rotary. With group photos capturing the spirit of camaraderie and action shots showcasing the dedication of volunteers, the day was not just about packaging meals—it was about strengthening community bonds and living out Rotary’s mission of service.
Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves to make this event a success. Your efforts are feeding thousands and leaving a lasting impact. Together, we are changing lives—one meal at a time!
Bill & Gretchen Harvey's packing table
Yolanda Hoffman's packing table
Packing table of Camille Metoyer Moten and Sean Olson
Omaha Rotary's third shift volunteers L to R: Michelle Trawick, Steve McCollister, Colleen Brennan, Aileen Warren, Camille Metoyer Moten, Paige Mathouser, Tobi Mathouser, Mitch Hunt, Back row L to R: Fletcher Reel, Sean Olson, Charlie Peters, Deb Skinner
Bring on Spring! We are all very thankful for the warm weather this week. Let's hope this cycle stays with us until Spring. It is so refreshing to drive by a lake and see the ripple of waves instead of a solid sheet of ice. It reminds me of Rotary's focus during the month of March on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
Through water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program, Rotary's people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships and invest in infrastructure and training that yields long term change. The Rotary Foundation, with your support, is changing the world by providing grants for projects and activities around the world and in your own backyard. Since 2013, the Rotary Foundation has invested more than $130 million in over 2, ooo WASH projects worldwide. Through this investment, our volunteers of action have improved access to safely managed and basic WASH services to communities, schools and healthcare facilities, while protecting and conserving water resources.
Rotarians are making a difference at Stephen Center. CLICK HERE to sign up.
Stephen Center partners with the community, families, and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction, and poverty. Stephen Center has served the homeless and low-income in Omaha since 1984 through its three programs: Emergency Shelter, HERO Program, and Transitional Living Program. The Omaha Downtown Rotary partners with Stephens Center in serving hot meals to its residents.
January 7, 2025 Volunteers L to R:Steve McCollister, Colleen Brennan, Scott Kinnaird, Fletcher Reel, Heidi McGinness, future Rotarian Paige Mathouser, and Tobi Mathouser
Where three or more Rotarians gather, it's called a Rotary Social, and you earn attendance credits. Rotarians may come from different clubs. Connect with Rotarians and enjoy the power of Rotary fellowship. Below are our recent Rotary Socials.
Rotarians at the Association for Capital Growth L to R: Jill Slupe, Susan Koesters, Dakotah Smith, Back L to R: Todd Chaney, and Larry Guenther
Rotarians Meet-Up L to R: Angie Chaney (Suburban), Todd Chaney (Omaha), Alice Schumacker (Suburban), and Gretchen Bren (Night)
Rotary Meet Up L to R: Bill Harvey, Aileen Warren, Gretchen Harvey and a future Rotarian
A productive Rotary meeting at Chase! L to R: Brett Frevert, Larry Guenther, and Nash Mahupete
June 26, 2024. Outgoing President Larry Guenther recognized our members who achieved perfect attendance. Perfect Rotary attendance(aka Perfect Rotarians) is attained through consistent participation in weekly meetings, service projects, committee work, weekly club service, Rotary socials, visiting other clubs, Rotary online makeups, Zoom attendance, attendance at club board meetings, and attendance at club foundation board meetings. Below is the list of our perfect attendance Rotarians.
July is the perfect time to start your journey towards becoming a Perfect Rotarian!
The Rotary Club of Omaha is now recruiting more members! It's your opportunity to join the Rotary Club of Omaha, click here to complete the membership application form. For questions, please contact Membership Chair Franco Gentile at FGentile@sbgtv.com.
Chase Bank
UNO College of Business
Centris
Ollie The Trolley
Carlson West Povondra Architects
DA Davidson
Elkhorn Athletics Association
Omaha Massage Therapy
Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha
Kevin Baitey
Brad Burklund
Paul Cohen Hal Daub
Gene DeBoer Dianne Desler
John Ewing
Viv Ewing
Brett Frevert
Dawn Gonzales
Okley Gibbs
Fr. Lloyd Gnirk
Tom Gouttierre
Larry Guenther Bill Harvey
Gretchen Harvey
Barbara Hayman
Yolanda Hoffman
Larry Johansen
Bob Keefer
Susan Koesters
Heather Legge
Sandy Lemke
Adam Leong
John Marburger
Steve McCollister
Heidi McGinness
Camille Metoyer-Moten
Lloyd Meyer
John Mock
Jim Murphy
Roxy Orr
Fletcher Reel
Jim Scott-Miller
Deb Skinner
Jim Stewart
Jim Suttle
LeRoy Swedlund
Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Michelle Trawick
Jennifer Trebill
Kathryn Weitz
President's Pen
We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievement of our fellow Rotarian, Nash Mahupete, who has been appointed President & CEO of QLI, a nationally renowned rehabilitation center in Omaha.
Recently Hal Daub introduced transferring Rotarian Scott Buchholz. Scott has been a Rotarian for a couple of decades at Millard Rotary, where he served as President. Scott A. Buchholz served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (retired 2021) at Black Hills Corporation (NYSE – BKH)
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