Buffet Lunch is $18 for members and $20 for visiting Rotarians and guests. (Lunch increase is inevitable. $18 for members and $20 for guests effective August 7, 2024)
ENGR. HARRISON ABBOTT Structural Engineer, Kiewit Corporation Topic: Riverfront Development
Harrison Abbott is a design professional and team manager for Kiewit Corporation and moved back to Omaha from south Texas last year. Working for Kiewit as a professional engineer, he collaborates, designs, and executes with a multitude of projects across North America.
Harrison’s early life includes being born and raised in western Nebraska on a family ranch. Attending and graduating from Ogallala, his family encouraged him to study and gain real world experience outside the family ranch and led to completing an engineering degree from the University of Nebraska (Lincoln). After graduating, he joined Kiewit in 2012 as a field supervisory staff and worked on TD Ameritrade Headquarters and STRATCOM.
In 2017, Harrison transitioned to a structural engineering role focusing on design, collaboration, and execution of higher-risk projects throughout North America. With this role, he responsible for managing multiple project’s higher risk temporary works through feasibility studies and completing the subsequent engineered designs. With this assignment came a lot of travel the past 5 years, working with private clients (Exxon Mobil, Conoco Phillips, Alaska Airlines), government agencies (USACE, NAVFAC, DoD), and state agencies (DoTs). This has led to living in states such as Alaska, Texas, Washington DC, New Mexico, and more.
Through the successes over the past 5 years, Harrison was fortunate to move back to Omaha to lead a team of structural engineers from the new Kiewit HQ. While the move back has not been that long ago, he led design efforts with Riverfront Play Equipment / Sculptures (to be opened next year), and the temporary structural management and analysis of the Farnam Pier (set Summer 2022).
Prior to moving around the country, Harrison was active in volunteering efforts such as Habitat for Humanity, HETRA, and smaller fundraisers. Upon moving back, he is looking forward to collaborating with community leaders to develop and give back to the community, as well as, learning from community leader experiences in Omaha.
Welcome Newest Rotarian Doug Pedersen! August 13, 2024 Omaha, Nebraska
Recently, Hal Daub introduced our newest Rotarian Doug Pedersen, Founder of HR Systems. After 22 years in corporate Human Resources, Doug started HR Systems in March of 2003. The Company’s focus is directed at any size business with HR needs including hiring, training, compensation, employee relations, compliance, and safety programs.
While Omaha is the home base, HR Systems has offices in Dallas, TX, and Naples, FL with clients in 18 states. Doug has a staff of 7 HR professionals. Doug’s career includes working for, Cummins Engine Company, Becton Dickinson, ConAgra, and Werner Enterprises. Doug gained valuable experience at all levels of the Human Resources discipline through each of these corporate positions.
Doug and his wife Jody have been married 45 years, and have 3 grown children and 14 grandchildren. Doug is an Iowa State University graduate with advanced HR credentials and certificates.
Welcome to Rotary, Doug! and thank you Hal for sponsoring Doug to Rotary.
Doug Pedersen with President Heather Legge and his Rotary sponsor Hal Daub
Hello Rotarians and friends of the Rotary Club of Omaha,
Wow, what an eclectic and impressive membership we have! Thank you to Fletcher Reel for sharing some fascinating stats and tidbits about our fellow members, and especially for bringing us the latest version of our club’s directory!! Thank you to all those who assisted with this project, including Tom Goutierre, and thank you to all the advertiser contributors that helped keep the price down! $10 for members
Bob Keefer gave us an energetic teaser of the Rotary International Convention experience, and promise to share more at a later date! Stay tuned…
As you’ve noticed, we have had some technical challenges since returning to Field Club. Yes, it’s frustrating, and we are addressing these in order to bring the highest level of Digital Experience we can to all our attendees, whether in person, on Zoom or watching the broadcast. Adam Leong and the whole committee recognize that visual and audio quality are important parts of the meeting, and we appreciate them working with FCO to resolve our challenges. Thank you for all you do!!
We welcomed our newest member Doug Pederson, President of HR Systems, sponsored by Hal Daub. Secretary James Mackiewicz invited “Red Badgers” Christopher Nwafor, Rebecca Rens, Amie Konwinski, Amy Tritsch, Zac Triemert, and Ben Washburn to share a bit about themselves. (Note: “Red Badgers” are yearling members in the process of earning their permanent badge.) Thank you also to Mike Schlickbernd for presenting our club with a banner from the Rotary Club of St Petersburg (FL).
Thank you to our Business Sponsor of the month Vanessa Essono with The Good Care LLC. Video link!
Upcoming meetings: On Aug 21 Harrison Abbott will share updates on the Riverfront Development.
Aug 28 is designated as Prospective New Member Day! as we also kick off our season of political candidates as featured speakers with Senator Pete Ricketts (link to Rotary speakers). Take a look through your contacts and invite prospective Rotarians to join us for lunch on August 28!
I look forward to seeing you Wednesday at noon at the Field Club or online. Bring a guest!
President Heather Legge The Rotary Club of Omaha
Click here for President Heather Legge video message or copy/paste this link to your browser: https://youtu.be/FNR7zmn7BOc?si=MkIQqptIGSd2TeLE
Larry Guenther, Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Omaha, was recently recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow +2 during the Paul Harris Thank You Party held at Hal Daub's home. Larry's leadership was instrumental in guiding our club through a challenging year when we were without a permanent meeting place, earning him widespread respect and gratitude.
In his professional life, Larry serves as the Nebraska Market Executive for JPMorgan Chase, where he is responsible for delivering the firm's global resources to Nebraska. In 2017, he established JPMorgan Chase's first commercial banking office in the state, marking a significant milestone in his career. Over his 30 years in banking, Larry has been involved in numerous financing deals and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) across a variety of industries throughout the Midwest.
Larry's journey began in Nebraska after he graduated magna cum laude from Wayne State College in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in management and finance. While at WSC, he completed the prestigious John G. Neihardt Scholars Program and became a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Pi.
Larry launched his commercial banking career in Blair, Nebraska, where he also made one of his most significant life mergers by marrying his college sweetheart, Traci Van Meter. He later completed his MBA in finance at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and broadened his experience with career moves to Iowa and Illinois. In Illinois, he worked for Bank One, which eventually became part of JPMorgan Chase.
In 2003, Larry and his family returned to Nebraska to raise their two daughters close to family and friends. His career continued to thrive as he took on regional commercial banking roles, managing clients across multiple states in the Midwest. Notably, in 2008, he became the Omaha Business Banking Manager for Great Western Bank, where he played a key role in overseeing three banking teams and successfully leading the acquisition and integration of the largest failed bank in Nebraska's history.
Beyond his professional achievements, Larry has always prioritized community service. He currently serves on the State Board of Community Health Agencies Drive (CHAD) and the State Board for the Alzheimer’s Association, where he has chaired both the Omaha and Central Illinois chapters. Additionally, he is a member of the Nebraska Chapter of Financial Executives International, ACG-Nebraska, and remains active in Rotary International. Larry also continues to contribute to his community through his work on the finance committee for St. Charles Borromeo Church.
Larry Guenther exemplifies the spirit of Rotary through his professional accomplishments and steadfast commitment to service.
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 latest Rotary Socials.
From Bill Harvey, Austin, Texas: Greetings from the Rotary Multi-District Training Institute in Austin! Pictured with our Rotary International Director for our Region, Salvador Rizzo Tavares from Monterrey, Mexico. There are only two Rotarians in this picture, but leave it to Bill, a lawyer, to argue that this qualifies as a Rotary social. After all, the room was packed with Rotarians from around the world – you just can't see them behind Bill's convincing smile!
Field Report: Rotarians Gather at Sullivan’s. Can you guess the occasion? Pictured L to R: Todd Murphy, Brett Frevert, Fletcher Reel, and Colleen Brennan.
"Committee Meeting on the Green," reported Brett Frevert. L to R: Brett Frevert, Sean Olson, and Nash Mahupete.
Looks like these Rotarians were in Germany! L to R: Ben Washburn, Hal Daub, Fletcher Reel, Brett Frevert, Steve McCollister, Sean Kelly, John Sullivan, & Chris Mehaffey. With John Sullivan and Sean Kelly both running for public office and Hal Daub in the mix, it's anyone's guess if they're plotting world domination or just debating who gets the last stein of German beer!
James Mackiewicz, Amy Tritsch, and Josh Todd at the West Omaha Chamber Coffee & Contacts
Ben Washburn, Fletcher Reel and Sean Kelly at Red State Nebraska
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!
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.
Pictured here are the July 2024 volunteers L to R:Steve McCollister, Colleen Brennan, Christopher Nwafor, Fletcher Reel, and Julie Sanford
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
ENGR. HARRISON ABBOTT
Welcome Newest Rotarian Doug Pedersen!
Larry Guenther, Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Omaha, was recently recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow +2 during the Paul Harris Thank You Party held at Hal Daub's home. Larry's leadership was instrumental in guiding our club through a challenging year when we were without a permanent meeting place, earning him widespread respect and gratitude.
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