Sgt at Arms: Okley Gibbs Digital Experience: Adam Leong
Invocation & Pledge: Need Volunteer
Navigator: Pastor Heidi McGinness
Cashiers/Check-in: Scott Buchholz & Need Volunteer
Admin Support: Ryan Lemmon
Greeters: Mark Gudgel & Chris Knauf
New Member Host: Need Volunteer
Speaker Host: Hal Daub
Speaker: Tiffany Regan
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
Tiffany Regan joined the Omaha Parks Foundation as Executive Director in 2021. A former educator, Regan led the Foundation’s first public-private partnership, the Metcalfe Park Playground Project. Inspired by the positive impact the new playground had on her community, she joined the Omaha Parks Foundation Board in 2013 and continued to “Play It Forward” until completing her term in 2018.
Prior to joining OPF, Regan worked on the development team at Lauritzen Gardens. She and her husband, Kevin, live in Omaha with their three daughters.
Dr. Mark Gudgel is a career educator and lifelong Nebraskan, who taught high school English in the public schools for eighteen years. He grew up in Valentine, went to college in Lincoln, and after a brief stint in London, England, moved to Omaha to start a family.
Mark is an associate professor of education and the director of the environmental sustainability minor at CSM. Presently, he is running for the OPPD Board of Directors for subdistrict 2.
Mark is active in the Omaha community, serving as president of the board of directors for the vinNEBRASKA Foundation and vice president of the Omaha Performing Arts Presenters Circle. Mark is also the vice president of the Nebraska Chapter of the Fulbright Association, and is the coordinator for athletes with disabilities for the Lincoln Marathon.
He is a sought-after speaker and the author of numerous full-length books and more than two hundred peer-reviewed articles, essays, book chapters, and poems. He has four more books coming out in 2026 on a variety of topics.
When not working, Mark is an avid marathon runner, lay-sommelier, certified barbeque judge, and philanthropist. He lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with his wife, Sonja, their children Titus and Zooey, and their doggo Captain Jack.
Please join us in welcoming Mark Gudgel to the Rotary Club of Omaha. We’re glad to have you with us!
Thank you to Jim Cavanaugh for sponsoring Mark into Rotary.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Jack McKeegan as the newest member of our Rotary family.
Jack brings more than 30 years of experience in the financial services sector. His career has spanned roles as a CPA, bank officer, and senior leader at Russell Investments, giving him a well rounded perspective on financial strategy and client service. He has found his professional home at Harrison Financial Services, where he serves as one of four private wealth advisors, providing comprehensive financial planning and investment guidance to individuals and families.
Jack earned his Certified Public Accountant license and Certified Private Wealth Advisor designation through Arizona State University. He is known for pairing deep technical expertise with trusted long term client relationships to create thoughtful investment, retirement income, and wealth management plans.
Outside of work, Jack enjoys time on the golf course, attending sporting events, and traveling with his family. We are delighted to have him join our club and look forward to his engagement and service.
A special thank you to Brett Frevert and Shelly Ruwe for sponsoring Jack and welcoming him into Rotary.
At a recent Omaha Downtown Rotary meeting, Kris Pojar was proudly awarded her permanent badge, marking an important milestone in her journey.
The badge was presented by her sponsor, Jill Slupe, with Presiding Officer Cella Quinn overseeing the ceremony. This recognition highlights Kris’s dedication, commitment, and the mentorship she has received throughout her time with the organization.
This moment not only celebrates Kris’s achievement but also reflects the strong support system within the Omaha Downtown Rotary community. Congratulations to Kris on this well-deserved honor!
Christmas Tree Recycling 2025 to 2026 By Yolanda Hoffman, Omaha Nebraska Jan. 5, 2026
Service Above Self in sub zero conditions
Our annual Christmas Tree Recycling project once again demonstrated Rotary at its very best. Over the last weekend of December 2025 and the first weekend of January 2026, Rotarians and community partners came together to divert thousands of Christmas trees from landfills while serving the City of Omaha in some of the coldest conditions of the season.
December 28 was particularly challenging, with sub zero temperatures and severe wind chill. Despite the brutal weather, volunteers showed up, stayed engaged, and worked continuously to keep the operation running safely and efficiently. We are especially grateful to Units Omaha for providing a warming station, which allowed volunteers to rotate, warm up, and continue serving throughout the day.
This annual environmental project is made possible through strong partnerships with the City of Omaha and the Boy Scouts of America, whose Scouts worked alongside Rotarians hauling, stacking, and managing the steady flow of recycled trees.
The project opened with a full staff shift on December 27 led by Project Chair John Mock, joined by Jim Cavanaugh, Tom Gouttierre, and Larry Guenther, whose leadership ensured a strong and organized start. The concluding shift on January 4 was a memorable one, led by our two mayors - Mayor John Ewing Jr. and Mayor Hal Daub, alongside John Sullivan and Lisa Schiele, bringing this year’s effort to a meaningful close.
We extend our sincere thanks to the many volunteers who gave their time, energy, and good humor in extreme winter conditions. Our gratitude goes to Jeremy Bouman, Colleen Brennan, Jim Cavanaugh, Todd Chaney, Hal Daub, Justin Dougherty, John Ewing Jr., Brett Frevert, Tom Gouttierre, Mark Gudgel, Larry Guenther, Bill Harvey, Scott Kinnaird, Liesel Kittlitz, Bodey Koesters, Susan Koesters, Ryan Lemmon, James Mackiewicz, John Mock, Duncan Murphy, Charlie Peters Jr., Christopher Rath, Sarah Robak, Richard Sampson, Lisa Schiele, Dakotah Smith, Jim Stewart, John Sullivan, Elizabeth Swedlund, Josh Todd, and Russell Vaughn.
Thank you for showing up, braving the cold, and once again proving that Rotary service makes a lasting difference in our community.
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.
Jan 6 2026 volunteers at Stephen Center L to R: Future Rotarian Sam Stewart, Jim Stewart, Steve McCollister, Fletcher Reel, Colleen Brennan, Heidi McGinness
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Happy January 2026!! I hope everyone was able to ring in the New Year with family, friends and community and say “Auld Lang Syne” to 2025. It is so special that the ball has dropped in Times Square in New York and everyone is celebrating the New Year, but here in the Midwest we get an extra hour to enjoy 2025!!
I found a great phrase from a Facebook group called, “English Literature” that may help bring meaning to the New Year! Listed under the heading, New year is coming, it says:
“From winter’s hush a promise breathes, Soft as dawn through bare-limbed trees. The future hums in unseen-ways, A newborn light in unspent days.”
What a terrific way to think about the New Year! Rotarians are eternal optimists. We look to the New Year with the hopes and dreams that are just waiting for us to realize. While caught in winter’s grip it may seem that we are unable to move forward, but the truth is winter gives us the space for introspection and reflection.
Every day going forward is a little longer and the light grows stronger. We are resilient and know that spring is right around the corner and our pace quickens. We are People of Action!
I wanted to give a big shout out to every Rotary Club in our District for everything you did in December to “Unite for Good” and serve your communities and the world! Thank you!!
At our July 16 meeting, Outgoing President Heather Legge proudly recognized an extraordinary group of members, our Perfect Attendance Rotarians!
Achieving perfect Rotary attendance is no small feat. It reflects dedication, service, and an unwavering commitment to our club’s mission. Whether it's showing up at weekly meetings (in person or via Zoom), joining service projects, attending committee meetings, helping with club operations, gathering with fellow Rotarians (3 or more), visiting other clubs, participating in online makeups, or engaging in board activities, these Rotarians show up, step up, and make a difference! Let's give a big round of applause to these role models of Rotary engagement!
See the full list of honorees below.
July is the perfect month to start your own journey to becoming a Perfect Rotarian! Join us, stay involved, and let’s make service and fellowship a way of life.
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 enjoying the Creighton game! From left to right: Mayor John Ewing, Viv Ewing, Aileen Warren, and Matt Boulay
Rotarians visiting John Marburger at Brookstone Village L to R: Bill Harvey, John Marburger, Okley Gibbs, and President Gretchen Harvey
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.
Aileen Warren
Adam Leong
Amy Tritsch
Aileen Warren
Bill Harvey
Gretchen Harvey
Bob Keefer
Brad Burklund
Camille Metoyer Moten
Brett Frevert
Charlie Peters
Colleen Brennan
Deb Skinner
Elkhorn Athletics
Josh Todd
Fletcher Reel
Gene DeBoer
Goodwill Industries
Heather Legge
Heidi McGinness
Huntrex.com
Jim Murphy
Jim Stewart
John Mock
Larry Guenther
Larry Johansen
LeRoy Swedlund
Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Michelle Trawick
Nash Mahupete
Okley Gibbs
Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation
Omaha School of Massage Therapy
Paul Cohen
PDG Bob Perrin
PDG Roxy Orr
Ralston Schools Foundation
Randy Wieseler
Rick Waxman
Sarah Robak
Scott Buchholz
Steve Carper
Steve McCollister
Susan Koesters
Tobi Mathouser
Todd Chaney
Todd Murphy
Tom Gouttierre
Westside Foundation
Tiffany Regan
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Happy January 2026!! I hope everyone was able to ring in the New Year with family, friends and community and say “Auld Lang Syne” to 2025. It is so special that the ball has dropped in Times Square in New York and everyone is celebrating the New Year, but here in the Midwest we get an extra hour to enjoy 2025!!
