Sgt at Arms: Need Volunteer Digital Experience: Bob Keefer
Invocation & Pledge: Heather Legge
Navigator: Russell Vaughn
Cashiers/Check-in: Scott Buchholz & Theresa Contreraz
Admin Support: Zac Triemert & Mitch Hunt
Greeters: Brett Frevert & Fletcher Reel
New Member Host: Need Volunteer
Speaker Host: Dakotah Smith
Speaker: Josh Berger
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
Josh Berger is a Director of Development at Woodbury Corporation’s Midwest office. He is a licensed real estate agent with other over 20 years of experience in real estate development. His work expertise is broad with extensive knowledge in master planning, programing, development, design, and construction management. Josh has been involved in a variety of projects In and around the Midwest region, including university, research park development, historical renovations, new construction, urban infill, residential building single family, multi-family, student housing, parking garages, retail, hospitality/hotels, and restaurants.
Josh first began work at Woodbury Corporation in 2008 leaving briefly to gain experience in 2011. Now back at Woodbury Corporation, his role includes reviewing and evaluating various real estate developments, and looking for investments and value add.
Josh is also a licensed journeyman electrician and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute focused on design.
In keeping with our club’s bylaws, the Nominations Committee has submitted its official report presenting the proposed leadership slate for the upcoming terms. This notice will be posted on our website and included in the newsletter as required.
🔹 Officers (2026–2027)
President James Mackiewicz
Secretary Shelly Ruwe
Treasurer Bill Thoms
Club Board Kevin Baitey Amie Konwinski
Foundation Board Gretchen Harvey Hannah Patterson
Sergeant-at-Arms Okley Gibbs Assisting: Ryan Lemmon
🔹 Future Presidents
2027–2028 President Deb Skinner
2028–2029 President Tobi Mathouser
We sincerely thank the Nominations Committee led by Immediate President Heather Legge for their dedication and thoughtful service. Members are encouraged to review the proposed slate in preparation for upcoming club action.
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Welcome to March! The question always is? Did the weather come in like a lion or lamb? Well, I think the sunshine answers that question.
Click here for photo album. Select slide show to see the photo descriptions.
This newsletter is special for me as I attended the annual Rotary International Mexico Leadership Conference (RIMEX), in beautiful sunny, San Miguel de Allende, MX. (See airline trip photo) North of Mexico City. San Miguel de Allende is famous for its Cathedral and sunset views.
Our RI Board of Director, Salvador Rizzo, invited the District Governors and a few other guests from our Zones 29 & 29B from the United States to attend this amazing gathering here February 26-28th, 2026. That included PDG, Barg Bartle and her husband Bob from Lincoln #14 Rotary Club. It was so great to have them at the Conference!! A big thank you to them!!
The Conference included a Project Fair for all 7 Rotary Districts in Mexico featuring 41 Rotary Club international service projects representing 12,000 Rotarians. The service projects do not require Rotary Club to apply for a Global Grant. Rotary Clubs can participate directly. I will send more information by email to each of your Rotary Clubs and post the project page and links on our District website.
Where else but through Rotary, could I attend a 3-day Conference in Mexico to make so many new friends and connections to build bridges of peace and understanding.
There were three special highlights for me during the Conference.
First, was giving a peace pin to Rotarian, Jose de Anda, from the San Miguel de Allende Midday Rotary Club in front of the beautiful peace pole that his Rotary Club dedicated a few years ago.
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.
March 3, 2026 volunteers at Stephen Center L to R: Nonoka Kamada, Steve Gerdes, Steve McCollister, Pastor Heidi McGinness, Uniikye Washington, Fletcher Reel, & Matt Boulay.
Randall J. Wieseler, CSM President and Co-Owner, First Management, Inc.
Randy Wieseler is a 40 year veteran of the shopping center industry. He began his career managing enclosed regional malls before becoming involved in the development and management of numerous retail and office properties throughout the Omaha metro area, including Walnut Creek Village, Harrison Village, Tower Plaza, Eagle Run Plaza, and Hillsborough Plaza.
He also led the redevelopment of The Center Mall, transforming a 230,000 square foot enclosed mall into a multi tenant office building. His primary responsibilities have included leasing, property administration, and oversight of both owned and third party managed retail and office properties.
Randy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Administrative Management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and an Associate Degree in Real Estate Management from Metropolitan Community College. He is also a graduate of Universal Technical Institute in HVAC systems.
Randy Wieseler with his sponsor James Mackiewicz and President Grecthen Harvey
Julia K. Palzer Estate Planning | Wills | Trust Administration
Julia K. Palzer brings both legal acumen and a deep commitment to community service to her practice at Smith Pauley LLP. With a focus on estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate and estate administration. Julia provides clients with compassionate, detail-oriented counsel during some of life’s most important transitions.
Admitted to the Nebraska Bar in 2001, Julia began her career in legal education, serving as Dean of Admissions and Assistant Director of Career Services and External Relations at Creighton University School of Law. She also taught Legal Writing and Lawyering Skills, helping to shape the next generation of legal professionals. Today, she practices alongside her husband, Jeffrey T. Palzer, offering personalized legal services rooted in empathy and integrity.
Welcome to your new Rotary home, Julia!
Julia Palzer with her sponsor Hal Daub and President Gretchen Harvey
CHANGE OF DATE - it is now March 11, 2026, which is Rotary Membership Drive Day! This presents a wonderful opportunity for you to extend a warm invitation to your prospective members. The best part? Rotary will cover the cost of your prospective member's lunch. To ensure a smooth experience, please register your guests in advance by contacting our Membership Chair, Sarah Robak , via email at sarah.robakcfa@gmail.com or register your guests upon arrival at the Field Club.
Let's make this Rotary Membership Drive Day a memorable one by sharing the Rotary spirit and values with potential new members. Thank you for your proactive involvement in growing our Rotary community!
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.
Past President Steve McCollister visiting the Rotary Club of Blair — though it looks like a Blair Rotarian wasn’t quite ready for a photo 😊
Rotarians at the Gouttierre’s presentations at CHI Lakeside L to R: Chris Peters, Jim Stewart, and Tom Gouttierre
Go Big Forum featuring Larry Guenther, Mayor John Ewing, and a fellow Rotarian from another club.
Mayor meet up L to R: Larry Guenther, Bill Harvey, and Mayor John Ewing
Mayor John Ewing welcomed our two transfer Rotarians Randy Wieseler and Tom Adams.
Rotarians Meet up L to R: Colleen Brennan, Candi Jacobs, and Rebecca Rens
First shift Rotarian’s at the Kids Against Hunger male packaging project. L to R: President Gretchen Harvey, Uniikye Washington, Sarah Robak, 2 Rotarians from other club, Christopher Nwafor, Larry Guenther, and Okley Gibbs
James Mackiewicz, Bill Harvey and Bob Keefer at the District Team Training Seminar.
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.
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
Josh Berger
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Welcome to March! The question always is? Did the weather come in like a lion or lamb? Well, I think the sunshine answers that question.
Randall J. Wieseler, CSM
Julia K. Palzer
