Get to know your Young Professionals Council Board of Directors
Mike Battershell
Hometown Helena, Montana
Why Omaha ? I went to Creighton for a semester in college as a Junior transfer. I really enjoyed all that Omaha offered and it's physical location in the country. From that, I have enjoyed watching Omaha become the vibrant place that I am happy to call my home. The ways that Omaha has developed over the past decade are nothing short of amazing.
Profession Since moving here (the second time) in 2001, I have worked for Bergman Incentives. At Bergman Incentives we help companies with the branding of their image on promotional items. I focus on corporate accounts that are looking to manage their brand across multiple locations working to maintain their standards.
Favorite spots in Omaha Johnny's Cafe (24 & L), Louie M's (19th & Vinton), Blue Sushi (Old Market), Henry Doorly Zoo, Hanscom Park, Field Club
What is your vision for Omaha? Omaha has spent much of the past decade expanding and growing. Now it is time to reinvest in the core of the city and ensure that our city is sound financially and provides the opportunities to its citizens that are important as we mature into a true metropolitan community. The vision includes thorough public transportation, smart land use, & smaller nodes of commercial space to build stronger neighborhoods within our larger community. I truly believe Omaha will continue to become the place young professionals want to live, work & play and I am working to make that happen.
Drew Davies
Hometown Omaha
Why Omaha ? Omaha has a unique and grounded sense of community. People come here, they put down roots, they grow families and friendships, and they choose to stay. Omaha is a city where the citizens care, and they are willing to take action. And perhaps most importantly, Omaha is a place large and cosmopolitan enough to be fun and vibrant, but small and intimate enough to feel like you're always among friends.
Profession Owner and Design Director of Oxide Design Co., an internationally-acclaimed communications and information design firm, working to put Omaha on the map as a city widely recognized for brilliant graphic design.
Favorite spots in Omaha Dundee, The Taj, Film Streams, Memorial Park, Bemis, Roja, Elmwood Park.
What is your vision for Omaha? To be honest, I think Omaha is on the fast track to my vision of an ideal community for young professionals to live and work. I see progress being made every day to activate and attract the creative class that will make this town prosper into the future. Omaha's always had the qualities that make it a great place to live and raise a family: good values, low cost of living, friendly neighbors. More recently, great strides have been made towards making this my ideal community: a broad range of cultural attractions and activities, a diversity of people, an adventurous creative spirit, and real financial incentive for young professionals to come and stay. As a final wish, I dream of Omaha becoming a city with a vital public transportation system.
Andrea Fox
Hometown Omaha
Why Omaha ? Omaha has a lot to offer young professionals. I have been blessed to have a lot of opportunities that I may not have been able to have in other cities. Omaha is small enough that if you're involved in the community, you start to see many of the same faces, and get a chance to really know others who care about improving our city. But Omaha is also big enough that there are plenty of opportunities to branch out and meet new people.
Profession Legislative Aide to State Senator Heath Mello, and self-employed grant writer.
Favorite spots in Omaha For restaurants, I like Thai Kitchen on south 24th street. I like shopping at Be Yourself, walking in Memorial Park, and hanging out in Benson. My favorite spot, no matter where in town I live, will always be my front porch in the summer.
What is your vision for Omaha? I would love to see an Omaha that's more forward-thinking and progressive. We're getting there, but there's a ways to go. Why has there never been a woman or person of color elected Mayor? When will we have public transportation that meets the needs of our residents? What will it take to get on board with energy efficiency in a meaningful way? This is what motivates me in my professional and personal life. I want Omaha to reach its full potential.
Daniel Holke
Kristine Hull
Hometown Omaha
Why Omaha? Omaha has offered me the best of both worlds. While there are a multitude of cultural events and institutions, such as Filmstreams and the Holland Performing Arts Center, there is also a strong base of Midwestern values. It offers all the amenities of a big city with less traffic, friendlier citizens, and a lower cost of living.
Profession Controller, Omaha Performing Arts
Favorite spots in Omaha Dundee, Benson, Elmwood Park, Slowdown, Filmstreams, La Buvette, Blue Line, M's Pub
What is your vision for Omaha? I envision a city that engages its citizens in an inclusive manner and motivates them to develop and promote community. My hope is that Omaha remains a city that proactively evolves and adapts to retain and attract young professionals. To me, the ideal community for young professionals has a dynamic Downtown and Midtown area and corporate citizens interested in continuing the development. It is a city focused on environmental sustainability and is a city friendly to bicycle riding, walking, and public transportation. It is well-known nationally for cultivating art and culture. Its citizens have pride in their community and have continued the city's tradition of philanthropy and professional success.
Beth Katz
Hometown Omaha
Why Omaha? I returned to Omaha with a vision and commitment to start a sustainable interfaith organization for our area. I believed that conditions in Omaha made it ripe for this sort of venture to be launched.
Profession Executive Director, Project Interfaith
What is your vision for Omaha? My vision for Omaha is to continue nurturing or, when necessary create, the components in it that will enable it to be proactive, dynamic, democratic, integrated, authentic, and self-critical. We need to ensure that it has the infrastructure and support necessary to allow it to be responsive and inclusive to the needs of all its residents -especially young professionals - and to grow in a sustainable, responsible way. I would like to see our community place greater value on diversity, innovation, and more aggressively work to promote a shared sense of ownership and respect among all its residents. Employers play a critical role in achieving this vision. They can offer incentives for workers to be creative, balanced and involved in the community and I would like to see ethics integrated at all levels into the practices of business and organizations. I also would like to make the leadership of the community more accessible by its constituents and one that not just values but seeks feedback and thoughtfully integrates this feedback into its practices.
Hesse McGraw
Lonnie Michael Jr.
Katie Neddenriep
Hometown Lincoln
Why Omaha? It's great for the young professional! It's got a lot of things to offer and seems to be improving every year I've been here. There is a lot of energy and excitement in all areas of the community.
Profession Civil Engineer, Olsson Associates
What community issues are you most interested in? Smart land use practices. Not only does it help reduce urban sprawl (which creates a very inefficient and expensive use of infrastructure and services), it also promotes walking, biking, diverse housing choices and overall community pride and engagement. I am also alarmed by the very small number of women in leadership positions here in Omaha. There are major strides that need to be made in the diversity arena in general.
Favorite spots in Omaha Anything midtown. I frequent the Dundee area, Midtown Crossing and live right next to Aksarben Village. I never have to go far for any basic services. Pitch, Wholner's, Jimi D's and eCreamery are a few of my favorites. And there are new restaurants and bars cropping up all the time, which is fantastic!
Jay Palu
Hometown Loup City
Why Omaha Mary and I were looking for an opportunity to move closer to our families still living in central NE. Although we loved California, once we looked into the quality of the old Omaha neighborhoods, the lower cost of living and the employment opportunities, we choose to give Omaha a chance.
Profession Architect at DLR Group, currently practicing in sports and entertainment venues. Our national sports practice has allowed me work with great clients ranging from the New York Yankees to the Texas Longhorns.
What community issues are you most interested in? Improving the built environment, supporting smart urban growth through infill midtown and downtown development, sustainable living and green building initiatives, public policy that embraces social justice.
Favorite spots in Omaha Farmer's Market Saturdays in the Old Market, our Country Club Neighborhood.
What is your vision for Omaha? Emerging as a funky soon to be progressive Midwestern town.
How would you describe Omaha? Re-inventing itself again.
Stephen Pedersen
Hometown Omaha
Why Omaha? I returned to Omaha to re-engage myself in the local music scene, to secure a great legal job and be close to family and friends.
Profession Attorney/Musician
Favorite spots in Omaha Blue Line Coffee, Donut Stop, Dario's, La Buvet, assorted rock clubs.
How would you describe Omaha? Like a Cotton Candy Cloud floating on top of a warm blanket with a really great Eames pattern.
You know you are in Omaha when A stranger asks where you went to grade school and is able to immediately rattle off 3 of your closest friends.
Mike Robinson
Hometown Camden, NJ
Why Omaha? Transferred to play last year of football at UNO, then attended graduate school.
Profession Director of Development, Family Housing Advisory Services
What is your favorite thing about Omaha I am blessed to constantly meet individuals on a daily basis who are down to earth, so to speak. I love my hometown, but the east coast involves so much hustling and bustling that you can forget to appreciate life.
Mark Spotanski
Hometown Originally from Grand Island, but now consider Omaha my home!
Why Omaha? I moved to Omaha for a career following college and have stayed because I truly love the city. The progressive nature of Omaha and incredible opportunities to help make an impact are what keep me here.
Profession Manager of Marketing and Client Relations for First National Bank
What community issues are you most interested in? Promoting economic development and the young professionals' movement, while keeping an eye on the projects that will help move Omaha into being a future destination and home to others.
What is your vision for Omaha? My vision for Omaha is to see a vibrant community where we continue to push our boundaries through economic development, inclusive networking, and continued advancement for young professionals. With these three items in place, I see Omaha as a place to visit and stay, a place that attracts and retains citizens, and a place where the sum of its incredibly generous community can overcome all obstacles and become a thriving metropolitan area. Omaha has transformed itself while maintaining its sense of community over the past 10 years, the next ten to fifteen years will define Omaha and it truly is the place where everyone should want to be!
How would you describe Omaha? Omaha is a city on the verge of being a metropolitan area with Midwestern values. It is pushing its boundaries to enhance the way of life with amenities that rival the best in the U.S. Most importantly, Omaha is a place where giving back to the community is a way of life - not a one-time donation.
What does Omaha offer young professionals? Omaha offers young professionals the chance to speak up and be heard, incredible communities within the city to start or raise a family, and an abundance of options to meet people and feel a part of the city.
You know you are in Omaha when...You know you are in Omaha when you are asked what high school are you from versus where are you from! Not being a native to Omaha this might take you by surprise, the longer you are here the more you realize why this question is asked - Omaha is a true jewel in the Midwest where people don't leave - it's that great!!
Ryan Wade
Robert Wiebusch
Hometown Norfolk, Nebraska
Why Omaha? The people are what make Omaha a great place to live. I was brought to Omaha by my wife over 8 years ago and have fallen in love with what this city has to offer.
Profession Vice President of Operations, NP Dodge Real Estate
Favorite spots in Omaha The Henry Doorly Zoo, Lo Sole Mio, the Qwest Center and the pond down the street from home.
What is your vision for Omaha? A city that sets the standard for smart, dynamic use of land through residential, commercial and public development. Omaha is packed full of people who have the drive to continue to re-invent this already thriving city and I am pleased to be a part of it. We can continue to be the luckiest city in the nation through our collective hard work!
Jenny Zimmer
Hometown Sioux City, IA
Why Omaha? I had spent a few years here during college and really liked Omaha. I found a great job and saw a huge potential for design and development in downtown.
Profession Architect, Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture
What community issues are you most interested in? Urban Design, Sustainability and Transportation.
Favorite spots in Omaha Little Italy (my home), Old Market and South O.
To serve on the Young Professionals Council, candidates must be 40 and under and currently employed by a Greater Omaha Chamber member company.
Nominations for new board members are accepted each fall.
For further information, contact Sarah Johnson at (402) 978-7945.