Mr. Kowel joined the FBI as a special agent in 2005 and was assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force in the New York Field Office, where he led criminal and counterterrorism investigations. Mr. Kowel completed deployments to Iraq in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2009 in support of the FBI’s counterterrorism mission.
He was promoted to supervisory special agent in 2010 and worked in the International Terrorism Operations Section, Counterterrorism Division, at FBI Headquarters in Washington. In October 2020 Director Wray named Mr. Kowel as the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Omaha Field Office. To read more about Mr. Kowell, click here.
On May 20th, Rotary District 5650 (your District in eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa with 1,840 Rotarians) approved an expenditure for a marketing campaign for the coming year. This campaign will focus heavily on the next generation of Rotarians and engage them where they live – on social media. Every dollar invested by your District may be multiplied by three (3) to account for the expertise to be applied by the District team, which includes Jared Bakewell of Omaha’s Pink Gorilla Events. If you would like to contribute time, talent, or treasure to this campaign, please contact Membership Chair Phil Taylor or incoming Chair Spencer Secor. The District welcomes your engagement. Phil and his team have also been planning an Omaha Downtown membership campaign to build upon our recent recruiting success and engage more Rotarians. It’s going to be an exciting year ahead for Rotary exposure! Long-time Rotarian Bill Ramsey (rest in peace), a veteran of the Korean War and penultimate public relations man in his day, would be proud.
If you have not yet met our new Executive Director Yolanda Hoffman, I encourage you to read her brief biography below and to greet her at your next opportunity. As an immigrant to the United States, Yolanda brings another perspective to our club. We are very appreciative of her excellent contributions to Omaha Downtown in her first 60 days on the job. Welcome, Yolanda!
See you at Field Club as we continue our HYBRID meetings with Special Agent-In-Charge Eugene Kowel – F.B.I. / Omaha Office as our speaker, and a report on the future of Honor Roll with PDG / PP Gary Bren.
The Rotary Club of Omaha welcomes its new Executive Director, Yolanda Hoffman.
Yolanda Hoffman was born and raised in the Philippines, she is now a grateful American. Yolanda has been involved with Rotary International for 23 years, 10 years as Rotaractor in the Philippines where she served as Rotaract President in District 3860, and 13 years as Rotarian in the United States. Yolanda is currently serving as Membership Chair at the Omaha West Rotary where they posted a net positive in membership growth in the last five years. She also serves as Rotary District 5650 Chair for Rotaract and Interact. Yolanda is a graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute. She is Paul Harris Fellow +3.
Alexis Boulos has been the Director of Operations for the Pinnacle Bank Championship since its inaugural year on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2017. Born and raised in Omaha and a graduate of Westside High School (99’), Alexis attended the University of Missouri where she earned her Bachelors of Journalism with an emphasis in Television Broadcasting.
Alexis was sponsored to Rotary by Past President Sean Olson. Welcome to Rotary, Alexis!
Alexis with her Rotary sponsor Past President Sean Olson and President John Sullivan
Josh Todd has over 15 years in the sports, events, and sports tourism industry and took over the helm of the Omaha Sports Commission in February 2018. Josh previously worked with the Huddle Up Group sports consulting firm as well as Connect Meetings where he served as the Director of Connect Sports. Before that he spent six years as the Director of Sports in Mesa, AZ where he helped put Mesa on the sports map and orchestrated over $250 million in economic impact through booked sporting events in the Mesa area. Josh's well-rounded experience includes work in collegiate athletics, parks, and recreation, Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports, and coaching high school football.
Brett Frevert sponsored Josh to Rotary. Welcome to Rotary, Josh!
Josh with his Rotary sponsor Brett Frevert and President John Sullivan
It was great to be back in person at Rotary today. I am sure you feel the same.
Thanks for your cards. And thanks for your interest in financially supporting the Fund we have set up in Amber’s name. The link into the Metro Foundation should let you access MCC to make your kind donations in her name. Please click here to donate. Thanks very much, on behalf of our Family, particularly Amber’s 4 children---Savannah, Kellan, McClain, and Max. Thanks as well from Deb, me, and Amber’s Sister Adele (Mike and her son Alex).
Because of the overwhelming response from Rotarians to conduct a hybrid meeting going forward, the club's Executive Committee, led by President John Sullivan, approved the purchase of the Meeting Owl Pro. The Owl started working for us at last week's meeting. The Meeting Owl Pro is a premium 360-degree camera, mic, and speaker combined into one easy-to-use device. It creates the experience of in-person participation for hybrid teams and integrates seamlessly with the conferencing platforms that our club is using. Thank you to incoming Digital Experience Chair Adam Leong and Yolanda Hoffman for doing the research on continuously improving the Rotarians' digital experience.
Thank you to our greeters last week: Past President Bill Harvey of EHPV Management Group, John Marburger at Happily Retired, and Chris Tooker of Northwestern Mutual. We are in need of Greeters, Cashiers, Sgt At Arms every week. It's the best way to meet many Rotarians every week. Plus you get the incentive of getting attendance credits because you arrive ahead of every one, And you get your photo published on the Whirl with over 500 subscribers. Volunteer now, Click Here.
Here's a glimpse of our first in-person meeting in 2021 held at Field Club in Omaha on April 28, 2021. The video is optimized for viewing on mobile devices. Watch it because you are in it, click here. Or copy/paste this link to your browser: https://youtu.be/j4u7BQ9HA2E.
We will celebrate birthdays every first Wednesday of the month. Birthday celebrants are encouraged to attend the meeting and to sit at the birthday table. Otherwise, a huge fine will be assessed. If you miss your own birthday party, that will result in a fine too.
The Rotary Club of Omaha welcomes its new Executive Director, Yolanda Hoffman.
Josh Todd is glad to share exciting volunteer opportunities for Rotarians at the Swim Trials.
Because of the overwhelming response from Rotarians to conduct a hybrid meeting going forward, the club's Executive Committee, led by President John Sullivan, approved the purchase of the Meeting Owl Pro. The Owl started working for us at last week's meeting. The Meeting Owl Pro is a premium 360-degree camera, mic, and speaker combined into one easy-to-use device. It creates the experience of in-person participation for hybrid teams and integrates seamlessly with the conferencing platforms that our club is using. Thank you to incoming Digital Experience Chair Adam Leong and Yolanda Hoffman for doing the research on continuously improving the Rotarians' digital experience.
Thank you to our greeters last week: Past President Bill Harvey of EHPV Management Group, John Marburger at Happily Retired, and Chris Tooker of Northwestern Mutual. We are in need of Greeters, Cashiers, Sgt At Arms every week. It's the best way to meet many Rotarians every week. Plus you get the incentive of getting attendance credits because you arrive ahead of every one, And you get your photo published on the Whirl with over 500 subscribers. 
