2023 Business Excellence Award Winners

In 2023, keeping local businesses strong means supporting them through intentional and thoughtful consumer choices. It requires a shift in mindset from seeking convenience and low prices to prioritizing the long-term sustainability and vitality of the community.

Local businesses must also adapt to changing consumer demands, embracing e-commerce and online marketing strategies to reach a wider audience. They can also collaborate with other small businesses and community organizations to pool resources and maximize impact.

Strong businesses must prioritize sustainability and social responsibility, recognizing that success is measured by profit and their positive impact on their communities and the world.

Leadership >

• FNIC Trusted Insurance Advisors
• FNTS
• Fusion Medical Staffing
• ICAN – Institute for Career Advancement Needs

Milestones >

• Honoring those in business for 25 to 150 years

Hometown Hero Appliance Repair

“In our industry, customer service and expertise are everything. We strive to provide our customers with an exceptional experience based on our core values: Trusted, Helpful, Efficient, Reliable, and Knowledgeable.”

“They don’t wear capes or utility belts, nor do they wield impenetrable shields or swing supernatural hammers, but that doesn’t deter Todd Daganaar from referring to his team members at Nebraska Home Appliance as “heroes.”

Hometown Heroes to be exact.

“While many see it as just a tagline, we live, breathe, and operate through those words,” said Daganaar. “Operating a service-based business over the last two years of the pandemic has been essential to our customers and we believe that we really can call ourselves heroes.”

Nebraska Home Appliance (NHA) is a family-owned and -operated business that was founded in 1988 by Doug and Anne Carlson. In January 2011, the business was acquired by Doug Carlson’s grandson, Todd Daganaar, the current president. Under Daganaar’s leadership, the business has grown an even stronger reputation for excellence with its customers and is proud to have expanded its outstanding service to the Lincoln and Des Moines communities.

“In our industry, customer service and expertise are everything,” said Daganaar. “We strive to provide our customers with an exceptional experience based on our core values: Trusted, Helpful, Efficient, Reliable, and Knowledgeable.”

Every customer touch point is given deep consideration and examined for ways to improve. “From the customer’s experience on our website, to the first phone call, to the completed service appointment, we are constantly putting ourselves in their shoes and going the extra mile to serve their needs.”

While this customer-first mindset has always been front-and-center at NHA, it has certainly been refined in recent years thanks to the fact that Daganaar himself has worked just about every job at NHA.

“When you truly understand the frustrations and passions of your employees and customers at every level, you can make something truly memorable, as reflected by our awards and 4.9-star average customer ratings.”

But Dagganaar also believes that his first customers are his employees. He’s worked hard over the years to build a culture that emphasizes teamwork, and strives to make NHA a place where employees feel valued – not just for what they do with their hands, but also for what they do with their minds.

“NHA invests in industry-leading professional development and training opportunities for our staff,” said Daganaar. “We also go far above what is typical in our industry by ensuring generous compensation for employees while they are training.”

Through this level of professional development, NHA has empowered their employees to succeed so they can continue to provide the kind of service that’s worthy of the title, “Hometown Hero.”

Congratulations, Hometown Hero Appliance Repair, our 2022 Small Business of the Year!

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Another year, another example of outstanding service, leadership, and innovation for these Omaha businesses.

ACCESSbank

“Our purpose is simple: ‘Creating Positive Experiences.”

Since 2007, ACCESSbank has been committed to improving the financial well-being of all of its customers, and that includes families, entrepreneurs, and business owners.

Today, they continue to be recognized for their expertise in commercial banking as ‘Best Business Bank’ for nine consecutive years by B2B Magazine. Their dedication to providing unique solutions, serving as trusted advisors for their clients, and creating strong relationships is a direct result of their growth and client loyalty.

In an environment where business owners are facing challenges in business succession, their team is providing proactive support and guidance to help meet their future financial sustainability.

“Our purpose is simple: ‘Creating Positive Experiences,’” said Kathy Headley, Vice President, Learning Development Manager. “We infuse that purpose into our culture, decision-making, and shared experiences.”

Carson Wealth

“We support organizations in the community where we can have an impact and organizations close to our stakeholders, so they feel connected and motivated to participate.”

Carson Wealth is one of the fastest-growing financial services firms in the country, serving more than 45,000 families across the United States.

The Barron’s Hall of Fame firm has also been named as one of Inc. 5000’s Fastest Growing Companies in the Midwest, one of Inc.’s Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S. five times, and the Best Places to Work in Omaha and financial services.

Equally impressive, though, is their commitment to stewardship. In 2011, Ron Carson and his wife, Jeanie, co-founded the Dreamweaver Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of senior citizens facing life-threatening illnesses.

“We support organizations in the community where we can have an impact and organizations close to our stakeholders, so they feel connected and motivated to participate,” said Ron Carson.

RTG Medical

“RTG Medical firmly believes in giving back to the community that has supported them as a company from the start.”

RTG Medical is a veteran-owned, privately held healthcare staffing company that provides one of the most reliable healthcare staffing solutions nationwide.

They are a six-time Inc. 5000 recipient for Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies, 2021 Largest Healthcare Staffing Firms in the United States by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), and three-time Baird Holm LLP Best Places to Work in Omaha.

Even with its rapid growth, RTG stays rooted in its heartland values of supporting the less fortunate.

“RTG Medical firmly believes in giving back to the community that has supported them as a company from the start,” said Karna Dam, Community Engagement Representative. “This philosophy is built into our culture based on integrity, family, and community.”

Signature Performance

“We believe that everyone at Signature is a leader because everyone has influence.”

Signature Performance is a leading provider of healthcare administrative solutions and services. Since 2004, their foremost solutions and services have been utilized by many of the country’s most respected providers, payers, and health IT organizations.

However, it’s their commitment to their employees (Associates) that might be most impactful.

“We believe that everyone at Signature is a leader because everyone has influence,” said Amy Hennings, Vice President of Experience. “This is the Signature Way.”

An essential component of the Signature Way is supporting a diverse and inclusive workplace where Associates feel respected and valued at all times. This approach provides a foundation for every Associate to become a “go-to” person, a leader in healthcare administration, and to grow and develop their leadership skills and talents through coaching, Think Tank sessions, Community Connection Points, and in-depth mentoring opportunities.

These businesses were a shining example of selfless stewardship. Not only did they invest their resources, but they rallied Omaha to support and champion underserved communities.

Omaha Community Foundation

“Community is the heart of who we are at the Omaha Community Foundation. We have a deep knowledge of our community’s economic and social needs and the organizations working to solve them.”

The Omaha Foundation was created in 1982, primarily as a charitable bank for Omaha and Southwest Iowa philanthropists. Since then, their community knowledge has grown, and they’ve become a regional thought leader in philanthropy and community investment.

“Community is the heart of who we are at the Omaha Community Foundation,” said Megan Barrett, Communication Specialist. “We have a deep knowledge of our community’s economic and social needs and the organizations working to solve them.”

That work is especially true of two significant initiatives: Front Porch Investments and the Pathways Community HUB.

Front Porch Investments was created to provide strategic investment and coordinated leadership in affordable housing and homelessness prevention. While HUB is a local program and part of a national initiative to create care coordination networks to serve under-resourced residents.

McGill Restoration

“The McGill Restoration team shows up and gets their hands dirty on volunteer-based projects.”

The McGill Restoration team is consistently donating time, resources, and people-power to fuel non-profits that share their vision of improving communities to the tune of over $100,000 each year.

“The McGill Restoration team shows up and gets their hands dirty on volunteer-based projects,” said Blake Berke, COO. “Serving their staff and neighbors is foundational in their approach to doing business and giving back.”

McGill Restoration focuses on local organizations and frequently works with schools, churches, medical-related causes, universities, and other organizations central to the communities where they live and work.

Most notably, they installed a treehouse for a Make-A-Wish® Nebraska recipient and donated air conditioning units to a local Girl Scouts camp.

Baxter Auto Group

“Baxter’s philosophy on stewardship centers on our obligation to support the communities where we are located, to make them better places to work, live, and play.”

“Baxter’s philosophy on stewardship centers on our obligation to support the communities where we are located, to make them better places to work, live, and play,” said Bekka Byrne, Employee Experience Manager.

By doing this, they strive to have a positive impact on society and to empower people with the freedom to experience a fulfilling life.

Last year, Baxter provided over $1.2 million in financial donations and sponsorships to local non-profit organizations focused on food and housing insecurity; health-related causes; support to children and families; education and afterschool care; local arts organizations; and economic and workforce development.

Baxter has partnered with The Furniture Project to collect, repair and deploy used furniture throughout the community to refugees new to Omaha and anyone in need.

Velocity Clinical Research

“For Good Deeds Day, employees are given a cash stipend and a simple instruction: Go make a difference.”

Stewardship and helping underserved Omaha communities is something Velocity takes very seriously. In fact, since 1999, they’ve donated over $3 million to charity.

Today, there are three primary campaigns close to their heart: the Strength In Numbers program (SINP), Good Deeds Day, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Omaha Golf Classic.

“For Good Deeds Day, employees are given a cash stipend and a simple instruction: Go make a difference,” said Kelsey Niehauser, Communications Specialist. “And we do!”

Funds raised through the MDA Golf Classic support programming like summer camps for children with MD nationwide, including Camp Courageous in Monticello, IA. Each year, Velocity sends staff members to work there as camp counselors for the week using their volunteer time off (VTO) program, which grants employees 32 paid hours per year to volunteer.

When others zig, they zag and then zag again. These businesses found new and creative ways to grow and inspire their team members.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands

“We are still facing the challenges of reconnecting with our families because of unemployment and economic burdens.”

Harnessing the power of innovation allowed Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands (BBBSM) to restructure their organization in a post-pandemic world.

“We are still facing the challenges of reconnecting with our families because of unemployment and economic burdens,” said Emma Steeve, Marketing and Outreach Manager. “Plus, they have to cope with academic and emotional setbacks for their children as well.”

This challenge made BBBSM rethink how to strengthen the programming for those they serve. So, they added a new Family Resource Coordinator and created the BIG Futures program and the BIG Futures Program Coordinator position.

These additions will help develop life skills for young adults while cultivating relationships with community organizations, partners, providers, and agencies to ensure their families have equitable access to the appropriate basic needs.

CyncHealth

“We are champions of innovation, here to change the world.”

CyncHealth provides the capability to digitally exchange clinical information among healthcare information systems and providers across the region.

“We are champions of innovation, here to change the world,” said CyncHealth. “We are bold in our actions and able to adapt to new demands.”

CyncHealth prides itself on finding new ways to accomplish goals and views constraints as an opportunity to build resourcefulness, self-sufficiency, and adaptability.

In 2020, they generated a COVID-19 dashboard to support statewide COVID-19 data collection and reporting. Along with the Health and Housing Coalition, they and partnering organizations helped launch Nebraska’s first-ever medical respite program. CyncHealth also provided technological infrastructure for a maternal health program to support healthy outcomes throughout pregnancy and the postpartum journey by helping healthcare teams identify at-risk mothers and infants.

Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha

“RMHC is committed to the practice of continuous innovative planning for the future, always seeking to improve the lives of sick children and their families.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha (RMHC) offers families of sick children access to essential services designed to foster hope and healing. At the same time, they focus on the medical necessities of their children.

“RMHC is committed to the practice of continuous innovative planning for the future, always seeking to improve the lives of sick children and their families,” said Kari Ketcham, Chief Development Officer.

RMHC has broken ground to build the infrastructure necessary to create a micro-community designed to address the health outcomes that align with individuals’ overall health through new program areas that are mandatory for equitable well-being.

Committed to being a catalyst for change, RMHC engineered its 1:1 Family Program, which creates a streamlined process to help families utilize enhanced support throughout their stay.

Lutz

“The ongoing talent shortage in our industry ignited us to think outside the box.”

Since 1980, Lutz has grown to become the largest locally-owned firm of its kind in Nebraska, providing accounting, wealth management, recruiting, M&A, and technology services.

“The ongoing talent shortage in our industry ignited us to think outside the box,” said Robby Renshaw, HR Manager. “So, we put a hyper-focus on our internship program, and the results have been truly impressive.”

In 2022, they employed 75 interns across four offices compared to 21 interns in 2017. Through the SkillBridge program, they successfully employed service members during their last 180 days of service to gain real-world experience in the tech industry to ease their transition back into civilian life.

Additionally, Lutz has partnered with the MCC Rapid IT Academy to bring awareness and internship opportunities in the Technology space to under-employed and unemployed Omaha workers.

When bold action was needed, these businesses exemplified true leadership and found ambitious solutions to their unique challenges.

FNIC Trusted Insurance Advisors

“FNIC’s Leadership Philosophy is outlined and demonstrated daily by our Executive Leadership team, which is: Leading Self, Leading Others, and Leading the Organization.”

In 2021 First Insurance Group, LLC became FNIC. It was the transformation of seventeen individual insurance agencies that united their brands, experiences, stories, and futures into ONE.

“FNIC’s Leadership Philosophy is outlined and demonstrated daily by our Executive Leadership team, which is: Leading Self, Leading Others, and Leading the Organization,” said Chris Evans.

In 2022, FNIC was recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Omaha. In these surveys, three of FNIC’s most favorable items attributed to the trust in Leadership, scoring 95% or higher in each category.

FNIC leadership also understands the importance of relationships and team building. That’s why President, Scott Hill, takes time to meet each new employee within their first few weeks and gets to know them by name. This helps create a sense of value and belonging to FNIC.

FNTS

“Leaders Exist Everywhere.”

“Leaders Exist Everywhere” is one of FNTS’ cultural commitments, so the company has a thoughtful and purposeful leadership development program for all employees.

The program utilizes many tools and processes to help develop great leaders and enhance their skills which helps strengthen partnerships and creates leading-edge technologies.

FNTS connects with clients to understand their needs, so leadership implemented Executive Leadership Summits to ensure clients have technology that meets their long-term growth objectives. This leadership helped pave the way for FNTS to secure its status as a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Modern Work.

“President Kim Whittaker leads by example,” said Dan Chicoine, Vice President, Marketing. “She fosters teamwork by recognizing cross-functional teams, encourages employees to seek certifications, and provides horizontal growth opportunities.”

Fusion Medical Staffing

“Fusion’s thematic goal for 2023 is Grow Together”

At Fusion, every level of leadership is committed to helping their people grow in the ways that they want to, whether that means earning certifications or mastering a healthy work-life balance.

“Fusion’s thematic goal for 2023 is Grow Together,” said Leah Kemple, Public Relations Strategist. “This means growth for the business and for the individuals who contribute to
its success.”

Leadership at Fusion trusts that employees know what is best for them, and each person’s manager is working to make sure their workload is organized in a way that leads them and the company to success.

This, in turn, makes employees feel like they have freedom and control over their life at work.

ICAN – Institute for Career Advancement Needs

 “Our customized programs allow companies to work alongside ICAN to create leadership curriculum specific to their company’s unique needs.”

ICAN is passionate about playing a key role in helping leaders evolve and grow and helping organizations invest in their talent pipeline.

“Our customized programs allow companies to work alongside ICAN to create leadership curriculum specific to their company’s unique needs,” said Aileen Warren, President & CEO.

Those companies inevitably benefit by retaining and engaging their top talent, and the graduates learn to lead using their strengths, connect across the organization, and best contribute to company goals.

ICAN recently created a new program, Examining Unconscious Bias, to educate leaders on the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. They have 77 graduates who have benefited from this program and are now more aware of their blind spots and have the tools and strategies to create systemic change.

Milestones matter, and anniversaries of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 or 150 years in business mark the dedication of organizational stakeholders, as well as the commitment of customers to the business or nonprofit. 

100 Years

• Christensen Lumber, Inc.
• College of Saint Mary
• The Seldin Firm
• Standard Printing Company
• United Way of the Midlands

125 Years

• Alter Metal Recycling
• Field Club of Omaha
• Fraser Stryker PC LLO
• I-Go Van and Storage Co.
• Richelieu America Ltd.

150 Years

• Baird Holm LLP

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Many thanks to our generous sponsors.

This event is made possible by the generous contributions of several organizations. We appreciate their support.

Small Business Awards Sponsor

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