Sgt at Arms: Chris Rath Digital Experience: Adam Leong
Invocation & Pledge: Bill Harvey
Navigator: Steve McCollister
Cashiers/Check-in: Theresa Contreraz & Hal France
Admin Support: Kevin Baitey
Greeters: Colin McArthur & Kim Stewart
New Member Host: Need Volunteer
Speaker Host: Brigadier General (Ret) Paul Cohen
Speaker: Major General Craig Strong
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
Maj. Gen. Craig W. Strong The Adjutant General Director, Nebraska Military Department Director, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency
Major General Craig W. Stronghas served as The Adjutant General of Nebraska, Director of the Nebraska Military Department, and Director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency since July 2023. Commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 1995, he has built a distinguished career in the Nebraska Army National Guard spanning operational leadership, strategic planning, and defense policy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Nebraska, a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. His military education includes the Army Command and General Staff College, Advanced Joint Professional Military Education, the Joint Task Force Commanders Course, and executive-level programs at institutions such as MIT and Syracuse University.
Throughout his military career, Major General Strong has commanded and served in numerous leadership positions within the Nebraska National Guard and at the Pentagon. Prior to becoming Adjutant General, he served as Special Assistant to the Director of the Army National Guard and previously as Deputy Director for Programs, Analysis, and Evaluation (J-8) at the Pentagon. He also served as Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, focusing on counternarcotics and global threats. Within Nebraska, he commanded the 67th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and the 110th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, while also serving in key operational and staff roles including Director of Operations (J3), Comptroller, and Executive Officer assignments.
Kim Stewart is the owner of Jill of All Trades Construction LLC, a respected Omaha-based contracting company known for quality craftsmanship, reliability, and a deeply personal approach to service. With roots in the industry dating back to 1978, Kim built her career from the ground up, earning her place in a traditionally male-dominated field through persistence, skill, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Her journey began in the janitorial business, where she successfully grew one of the region’s most well-regarded companies serving builders, contractors, and large commercial clients. Over time, she expanded into painting and remodeling, eventually founding Jill of All Trades Construction. Today, her company provides full-service residential and commercial construction, including remodels and commercial build-outs, with a reputation for delivering projects on time and to the highest standards.
Kim has worked on major projects alongside leading firms such as Kiewit Construction, contributing to high-profile developments including the CHI Health Center and multiple large-scale commercial renovations. Her portfolio also includes residential investments and high-end property renovations across Omaha. Her hands-on leadership style ensures every project is closely managed, with a strong emphasis on communication, detail, and client satisfaction.
A Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP), Kim brings a unique focus to her work by helping seniors and individuals with disabilities remain safely and comfortably in their homes. Her projects often incorporate thoughtful accessibility features such as walk-in showers, grab bars, and barrier-free entryways, practical solutions that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
The Rotary Club of Omaha proudly honored David Goldstein as a Lifetime Honorary Member in recognition of more than five decades of dedicated service to Rotary and the Omaha community.
David began his Rotary journey on April 26, 1972, and over the past 50 years, he has become a familiar and respected presence within the club. Known affectionately by many fellow Rotarians as “Big Al,” David has consistently demonstrated Rotary’s spirit of “Service Above Self” through his generosity, leadership, and unwavering commitment to helping others.
The recognition was announced at Rotary at the Field Club of Omaha and was presented to David at his home. We celebrated David’s remarkable contributions and the impact he has made through Rotary service. Past President Tom Gouttierre reflected on his continued support of community-focused projects, especially initiatives benefiting people with disabilities through the Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation Service Fund.
David served as President of our club and also a Paul Harris Fellow, and expressed sincere gratitude to the Rotary Club of Omaha for allowing him to serve the community for more than five decades. The recognition as a Lifetime Honorary Member stands as a tribute to the respect and appreciation he has earned from fellow Rotarians over the years.
The Rotary Club of Omaha extends its heartfelt congratulations to David Goldstein on this meaningful and well-deserved honor.
President Gretchen Harvey, Past Presidents Tom Gouttierre and John Mock, and Treasurer Jim Stewart presented the recognition to David in the presence of his wife and son.
Brian Kruse is the executive director of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Cemetery and Mausoleum. In this role, he leads one of the area’s best known, full-service funeral homes and cemeteries – with a history that spans more than 140 years. Kruse has worked in the funeral industry for more than 25 years. Prior to joining Forest Lawn, Kruse was the Douglas County Election Commissioner, a position that he held for 10 years.
Kruse is active in numerous community organizations including the City of Omaha Administrative Board of Appeals, the Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD), the Archbishop’s Committee for Development (ACD), the Board of Directors for Scouting America Mid-America Council and is an active Parishioner at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Wayne State College.
He brings his family-first focus to everything he does, spending his free time with parents, sister, nieces and nephews. Kruse is also an avid traveler – visiting historic and presidential sites, and exploring the world.
Welcome to Rotary, Brian! We’re thrilled to have you with us and look forward to all the great things ahead.
Scott Meyerson is a founder and partner of Likes Meyerson Hatch LLC, with over 31 years of experience practicing law in Omaha. Scott’s practice focuses on real estate law and has extensive experience representing developers, property owners, and tenants in real estate transactions, leasing, and real estate finance. Scott also serves as outside general counsel to closely-held businesses on matters including entity formation, corporate and contract law, mergers and acquisitions, business succession, and commercial lending.
Before co-founding his firm in 2015, Scott practiced both as a solo practitioner and at one of the largest law firms in the country, giving him a unique perspective on the business and legal issues facing small and mid-sized businesses. He has been recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, with clients describing him as "informed, knowledgeable and creative" and "a deal maker who is always on top of a transaction."
Scott earned his J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1994, where he was inducted into the Order of Barristers, and holds a B.S. from Northwestern University. He is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association and the Omaha Bar Association, and is a graduate of Leadership Omaha (Class 31) and the Nebraska State Bar Association Leadership Academy. Beyond his professional work, Scott has nearly 30 years of volunteer experience, having served on numerous boards and committees for civic, educational, and community organizations throughout the Omaha area.
Scott and his wife, Jenny, have three sons — one currently in college and two who have completed their degrees.
Once again, welcome to Rotary, Scott Meyerson! We are thrilled to have you on board and excited for the opportunities ahead.
Colin McArthur is the Director of Business Development at Meyer & Associates Architects in Omaha, where he helps shape the city’s built environment through thoughtful growth and community-focused development. After several years working in commercial real estate in Miami, Colin returned to his hometown to put down roots and invest in the community he’s proud to call home and hopes to raise a family in.
Outside of work, Colin is a certified EMT and enjoys spending time outdoors with his Italian Greyhound, Olive.
Please join us in welcoming Colin to Rotary! We’re excited to have him as part of our club.
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Welcome to May! “April showers bring May flowers” … and all sorts of ways to serve our communities and the world to make an impact, create lasting change and “Unite for Good”!! Please read on.
Did you know that May 16th is Rotary’s Epic Day of Service? What is Rotary’s Epic Day of Service you might ask? PDG, Carol Horner, Council Bluffs Noon Rotary Club, Zone 29, Epic Day of Service Champion explains.
“The EPIC Day of Service isn’t just a date on the calendar — it is a unifying moment. When clubs across the world register their projects to create a powerful, collective story of Rotary’s impact. It’s visibility. It’s momentum. It’s inspiration. And it reminds our communities that Rotary is here, active, and committed!!”
Even though the published date is May 16th. Any day in May can be used.
Your Rotary Club doesn’t need to invent a new project if they already have one in May. Just register that one. An event happening in our Rotary District 5650 is the Bike Ride to End Polio on May 23rd coordinated by Polio Plus Chair, PDG, Gary Bren. The event starts at 7 am at the Marcus Twin Creek Cinema in Bellevue, NE. To find out more and register you can go to https://rotaryrides.org/event/. The whole idea is to engage our communities in service with us. (serves as a great membership recruitment activity too!)
Imagine the map lighting up with dozens of projects — each one a spark of Rotary spirit. That is the vision. And it starts with your clubs taking one simple step: registering their project.
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.
May 5, 2026 volunteers at Stephen Center L to R: Hannah Patterson, Heidi McGinnes, Uniikye Washington, Fletcher Reel, Matt Boulay, Colleen Brennan, Steve McCollister, Kevin Baitey, & Hal France
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.
Photo from left to right: Brett Frevert, Shelly Ruwe, and Russell Vaughn.
Rotarians meeting up, from left to right: Yolanda Hoffman, Rotary Ann Marsha Stewart, and Treasurer Jim Stewart.
Rotary Means Business
Fellow Rotarians at the meeting. Left to right: Chris Knauff, Susan Koesters, and Julia Palzer
Rotarian’s at Tom Gouttierre presentation
Rotarians at MBJ 50th Anniversary Gala
Rotarians during the club’s annual budget meeting.
Within hours of deadly floods and landslides that struck Mexico in October, Rotary members were responding. In hard-hit Poza Rica, Rotary and Rotaract members brought residents to safety, plowed mud-laden streets, and moved house to house to clean properties. The effort was supported by clubs throughout District 4185 and by neighboring districts and others abroad. The Rotary Club of Poza Rica joined the nonprofit Planet Water Foundation to install four water towers and a water block in the neediest area and deliver purified water elsewhere. The club also coordinated with World Central Kitchen to provide hot meals. Still, “we desperately need help to get back on our feet and return to our normal lives,” says club member Pepe Badillo. “The houses were a total loss. Everything was destroyed, from a single plate to the bedrooms on the second floor.”
India
The city of Thane, northeast of Mumbai, is recognized for its arts and culture scene. It’s home to drama troupes, an art expo, international film festivals, and comedy venues. What it was lacking, says Atul Bhide, of the Rotary Club of Thane Hills, was a large showcase for aficionados of the written word. To amend that, the club (which also sponsors a book-reading initiative for youth) launched the Thane Literature Festival. Over two days in November, bibliophiles toasted 22 authors and poets who read from their work and participated in panel discussions. The event honored journalist and writing coach Bachi Karkaria with the Thane Literature Festival lifetime achievement award, and judges critiqued entries in a short-story contest. “Encouraging reading habits and love for literature for Gen-Next is also our motive behind this literature festival,” says Bhide.
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 Sarah Robak at sarah.robakcfa@gmail.com.
American Express Online Giving
Archdiocesan Schools
Bennington Schools Foundation
Centris
Chase Bank
Club Foundation
Club Service Fund
CFO Systems
Creighton University
DA Davidson
Elkhorn Schools Foundation
EHPV
FNBO
Goodwill Industries
Jungle Driving
Metro Community College
Millard Schools Foundation
Omaha Massage Therapy
Omaha Public Schools Foundation
Ralston Schools Foundation
UNO College of Business Administration
Union Omaha
Westside Foundation
Individuals:
Anonymous Donor
Bill Harvey
Brad Burklund
Brett Frevert
Chris Rath
Colleen Brennan
Deb Skinner
Fletcher Reel
Fr. Lloyd Gnirk
Gretchen Harvey
Heidi McGinness
Jim Stewart
Jim Suttle
John Ewing
John Marburger
John Mock
Larry Guenther
Larry Johansen
Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Mary Daub
Hal Daub
Paul Cohen
Randy Voorst
Randy Wieseler
Sandy Lemke
Todd Lemke
Scott Buchholz
Steve Carper
Steve McCollister
Tom Gouttierre
Viv Ewing
Maj. Gen. Craig W. Strong
Kim Stewart
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Welcome to May! “April showers bring May flowers” … and all sorts of ways to serve our communities and the world to make an impact, create lasting change and “Unite for Good”!! Please read on.
Mexico
