The New York City Transit Authority’s modern R211 rail car, manufactured by Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. in Lincoln, Nebraska, has been named the “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” for 2022. Manufacturers, students, and all Nebraskans were invited to vote in a head-to-head, bracket-style matchup of 16 finalists to determine the 2022 winner. Learn about each of the finalists at nemanufacturingalliance.com. In total, the four rounds of voting drew more than 20,500 votes total. “This was an exciting contest for Nebraska’s manufacturing community. We saw friendly face-offs on social media and employees seeking votes from family, friends and communities,” said Mike Johnson, chief operations officer and vice president of manufacturing for the NE Chamber. “But in the end, we’re all aligned in highlighting the global problem-solving and world-class, high-tech products coming out of our hometowns across Nebraska every day.” The champion was announced October 11 at the NE Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit in La Vista, where the 16 products featured in the tournament were also invited to display their products. The contest, hosted by the NE Manufacturing Alliance and powered by the NE Chamber, celebrates the state’s thriving manufacturing industry with Nebraska residents, students, educators, community leaders, manufacturers and especially, the vast number of Nebraskans working in manufacturing every day. ### About NE Manufacturing Alliance Five statewide manufacturing groups have pledged to coordinate efforts to grow manufacturing and STEM workforce in Nebraska over the next decade. Learn more at nemanufacturingalliance.com. Mike Johnson, NE Chamber COO, awards Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A. President, Mike Boyle, with the 2022 Winner award for the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska. Kawasaki nominated their NYC Subway car. Click the photo to see the top 16 products in the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska Contest.
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LINCOLN – Two Nebraska-made products are in a head-to-head race to claim the championship title in Nebraska’s first ever “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” tournament. Manufacturers, students, and all Nebraskans are invited to vote for their favorite product now through October 9. Online voting is available at nemanufacturingalliance.com.
The following Nebraska manufacturers and their featured products are finalists:
The champion will be announced October 11 at the NE Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit in La Vista, where the 16 products featured in the tournament are also invited to display their products. The contest, hosted by the NE Manufacturing Alliance and powered by the NE Chamber, celebrates the state’s thriving manufacturing industry with Nebraska residents, students, educators, community leaders, manufacturers and especially, the vast number of Nebraskans working in manufacturing every day. ### About NE Manufacturing Alliance Five statewide manufacturing groups have pledged to coordinate efforts to grow manufacturing and STEM workforce in Nebraska over the next decade. Learn more at nemanufacturingalliance.com. LINCOLN – Four Nebraska-made products have advanced to the semifinals of the “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” tournament being held now through October 9. Manufacturers, students, and all Nebraskans are invited to vote for their favorite product in this head-to-head, bracket style competition. Online voting is available at nemanufacturingalliance.com.
The following Nebraska manufacturers and their featured products are semifinalists.
The champion will be announced October 11 at the NE Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit in La Vista, where the finalists will also be invited to display their products. The contest, hosted by the NE Manufacturing Alliance and powered by the NE Chamber, celebrates the state’s thriving manufacturing industry with Nebraska residents, students, educators, community leaders, manufacturers and especially, the vast number of Nebraskans working in manufacturing every day. ### About NE Manufacturing Alliance Five statewide manufacturing groups have pledged to coordinate efforts to grow manufacturing and STEM workforce in Nebraska over the next decade. Learn more at nemanufacturingalliance.com. – The field in the first ever “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” tournament has narrowed to eight products. Manufacturers, students, and all Nebraskans are invited to vote for their favorite Nebraska-made product in a head-to-head, bracket style competition through October 9. Online voting for the competition is available at nemanufacturingalliance.com.
The following Nebraska manufacturers and their featured products advanced to round two of the tournament.
Round one garnered more than 4,600 votes. Voting for round two begins today, September 20. The final round will end at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, October 9. Each contestant has submitted a photo and description to aid in voting. Only one vote per person per matchup per round will be allowed. The remaining voting timeline follows.
The champion will be announced October 11 at the NE Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit in La Vista, where the finalists will also be invited to display their products. The contest, hosted by the NE Manufacturing Alliance and powered by the NE Chamber, celebrates the state’s thriving manufacturing industry with Nebraska residents, students, educators, community leaders, manufacturers and especially, the vast number of Nebraskans working in manufacturing every day. ### About NE Manufacturing Alliance Five statewide manufacturing groups have pledged to coordinate efforts to grow manufacturing and STEM workforce in Nebraska over the next decade. Learn more at nemanufacturingalliance.com. LINCOLN – The first ever “Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska” tournament will lead Nebraskans into the annual celebration of NE Manufacturing Month this October. Manufacturers, students, and all Nebraskans are invited to vote for their favorite Nebraska-made product in a head-to-head, bracket style competition over the next four weeks.
The contest, hosted by the NE Manufacturing Alliance and powered by the NE Chamber, celebrates the state’s thriving manufacturing industry with Nebraska residents, students, educators, community leaders, manufacturers and especially, the vast number of Nebraskans working in manufacturing every day. The following Nebraska manufacturers and their featured products will comprise the contestants for this inaugural tournament.
Voting for the first round begins Tuesday, September 13. The final round will end at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, October 9. Each contestant has submitted a photo and description to aid in voting. Only one vote per matchup per round will be allowed. The voting timeline follows.
Online voting for the competition is available at nemanufacturingalliance.com. The champion will be announced October 11 at the NE Chamber’s Manufacturing Summit in La Vista, where the finalists will also be invited to display their products. “This exciting contest is an opportunity to showcase just how much and how broadly manufacturing is at the heart of success in our communities and our families, not to mention the level of pride Nebraskans have in Nebraska-made products,” said Mike Johnson, NE Chamber chief operating officer and vice president of manufacturing. “It’s already exceeded our expectations, and voting hasn’t even started yet! We can’t wait to see how the public embraces the competition and who will take the championship title.” Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the competition. Contact James Berringer ([email protected]) for more information. ### About NE Manufacturing Alliance Five statewide manufacturing groups have pledged to coordinate efforts to grow manufacturing and STEM workforce in Nebraska over the next decade. Learn more at nemanufacturingalliance.com. LINCOLN – The NE Chamber Foundation Monday evening announced the recipients of six scholarships named for past Nebraska Business Hall of Fame honorees.
Following is a list of recipients and their awards.
Each award totals $2,000. Students must be sophomores or juniors in a business-related field, show demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities, and maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average to be considered. “Our members are dedicated to welcoming our talented graduates to the fold and helping them get their education and careers started in Nebraska. These scholarships are just one way they show it,” said NE Chamber President Bryan Slone. The students were recognized at the NE Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Nebraska Business Hall of Fame Banquet Monday, May 2. Also, at the event, Mike McCarthy, founder of McCarthy Capital in Omaha; John Sampson of Sampson Construction in Lincoln; and Gloria Thesenvitz of Nova-Tech in Grand Island, joined more than 120 business leaders in the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame. The Nebraska Business Hall of Fame Scholarship Foundation was established in 1997 to recognize and support Nebraska’s next generation of business leaders while honoring the achievements of Nebraska’s more established entrepreneurs and business owners. Since 1997, the Foundation has awarded $226,000 in scholarships to 113 students in business-related fields. Learn more at https://www.nechamber.com/nebraska-business-hall-of-fame-scholarship-program.html. The NE Chamber Foundation has announced the members of its new Leadership Nebraska class. This year’s class is the 14th in the program’s history.
Leadership Nebraska was founded in 2006 to identify current and emerging leaders throughout the state, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing Nebraska. Participants have been selected from across the state and possess varied backgrounds and diverse talents. All candidates have demonstrated an abiding interest in Nebraska and its future. The nine-month program covers a broad range of key Nebraska issues including economic development, workforce and education, agriculture and environment, health care, education, government and policy development. “If we’re going to compete and win in the race for new families, talent, innovation and community development over the next five to 10 years, we need strong, informed and connected leaders to help us go the distance,” said Bryan Slone, NE Chamber President. “We’re pleased to welcome such a high-caliber group, from across the state, into the program.” Following are the Nebraskans selected to participate in Leadership Nebraska’s Class XIV, along with the class member’s employer. AURORA: Brett Mitchell, Fontel, Inc. BLAIR: Jordan Rishel, Washington County Chamber of Commerce CRETE: Dr. Jennifer Bossard, Doane University COLUMBUS: Dawson Brunswick, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce FALLS CITY: Lucas Froeschl, Falls City Economic Development Growth Enterprise GERING: Jennifer Sibal, Gering Public Schools GRAND ISLAND: Lisa Albers, Anesthesia Group of Grand Island Lori Schuppan, Chief Industries, Inc. Lynne Werner, First National Bank (FNBO) IMPERIAL: Eric Exum, Pinnacle Bank KEARNEY: Michael Christen, University of Nebraska at Kearney Trevor Lee, Economic Development Council of Buffalo County John Lowe, State of Nebraska LINCOLN: Matthew Kasik, Region V Services Brandon Malleck, Black Hills Energy John McNally, Nebraska Public Power District Holley Salmi, NE Chamber Abbi Swatsworth, OutNebraska NORFOLK: Candace Schmidt, Norfolk Public Schools NORTH PLATTE: Jacob Rissler, Mid-Plains Community College OMAHA: Sydnie Carraher, The Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative Brenda Christensen, SHARE Omaha Veronica Doga, UNO-Nebraska Business Development Center Ryan Gerdts, Omaha Public Power District Cynthia Gubbels, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska Patrick Hoefener, Medica Kara O’Connor, Edward Jones Patricia Thraen, Peter Kiewit Foundation PAPILLION: Mark Stursma, City of Papillion WAYNE: Brittany Webber, State Nebraska Bank & Trust After graduation participants join a network of 320 alumni committed to lifelong learning and community engagement. Leadership Nebraska is the NE Chamber Foundation’s cornerstone program. The NE Chamber Foundation is focused on meeting the needs of current business, community and state leaders, as well as equipping Nebraska’s next generation of leaders with the experiences, information and research they need to turn big ideas into bold moves. The NE Chamber is teaming up with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (NDED) to host a webinar that helps businesses and community leaders evaluate growth opportunities using the state’s mainline economic incentives program, ImagiNE Nebraska.
When: Wednesday, May 18 Noon – 1 p.m. CDT / 11 a.m. – Noon MDT Who: Jacquelyn Morrison, Incentives Division Administrator, NDED Tom Saltzman, Incentives Division Business Manager, NDED What: NDED leaders will provide an overview of the full suite of benefits ImagiNE Nebraska can offer, including:
Where: Zoom webinar Register at NEChamber.com In 2020, the NE Chamber led a coalition of business organizations and leaders to help modernize the state’s mainline economic incentive program. The streamlined and more flexible ImagiNE Nebraska program gives businesses of all sizes new opportunities to grow in Nebraska, including tiers geared toward both urban and rural manufacturers. It was passed in a broader tax relief and economic development package. A steadfast advocate for free enterprise, a competitive business climate and statewide economic growth, the NE Chamber is the state's only broad-based business and industry association. NDED is holding multiple information sessions across the state to help Nebraska businesses evaluate growth opportunities through ImagiNE Nebraska. WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 9 A.M. – 3:30 P.M. CDT, COLUMBUS, NE WHAT: Nebraska manufacturing leaders meet with disruptive technology experts to discuss mapping out their Manufacturing 4.0 technology journey. The day includes sessions on:
Nebraska currently ranks 36th in research and development spending in the nation, with 60% automation potential yet to be realized. Manufacturing Nebraska’s Future is designed to help Nebraska manufacturers consider their options and build a plan for tech-enabled production that keeps them competitive nationally and globally in a tight labor market. WHEN: Wednesday, May 11, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CDT WHERE: Central Community College, North Education Center, 4500-63rd Street, Columbus WHO: Manufacturing executives, plant managers, engineers and technicians, Women in Manufacturing - Nebraska Chapter and operational leaders in related logistics, processing and supplier sectors will be attending. RESERVE A MEDIA PASS IN ADVANCE: Conference passes will be available to members of the news media for those interested in covering the speakers or engaging with manufacturers. Please reserve your pass in advance by contacting Holley Salmi, NE Chamber, [email protected], 402-763-0007. LINCOLN – The NE Chamber and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) College of Business today announced that 2022 honorees will be inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame at an NE Chamber banquet on May 2. Honorees include:
The Nebraska business Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Monday, May 2, with a 5 p.m. reception and 6 p.m. banquet, at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. To join in honoring these individuals and their families, register at web.nechamber.com/events or contact the NE Chamber at 402-474-4422. To sponsor, contact James Berringer at 402-474-4717 or [email protected]. “Our honorees this year really embody the ingenuity, determination and service to community and neighbor that characterize the Good Life,” said Bryan Slone, NE Chamber president. “Their personal drive and vision of growth have literally brought about game-changing opportunities in both their communities and the quality of life for others.” McCarthy, Sampson and Thesenvitz join a distinguished group of more than 120 business leaders whose work to grow their businesses in Nebraska have made a significant impact on the free enterprise system, Nebraska’s economy, overall job opportunities and quality of life in their communities. Candidates are nominated by individuals from the business community, business associations and academia. The program was established in 1992 by the NE Chamber and UNL College of Business. “Our three inductees are leaders in their industries and great examples for our students and other entrepreneurs who want to lead the future of business. Gloria, John and Mike also give back to their communities and the state through advocacy, service and support,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Dean of the UNL College of Business. “Celebrating the success of strong, civic-minded members of our business community means celebrating strong communities and decades of growth and good jobs,” Slone said. “They give us an example to which we can aspire.” The NE Chamber is the largest, statewide business association, proudly serving as the voice of Nebraska’s business community since 1912. The organization promotes and protects Nebraska’s free enterprise system by ensuring a competitive business climate, economic growth and greater prosperity for all Nebraskans. Learn more at nechamber.com.
NEBRASKA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME 2022 HONOREES MIKE MCCARTHY, McCarthy Capital, Omaha Mike McCarthy is the founder of McCarthy Capital, a private equity firm headquartered in Omaha since its founding in 1986. After moving to Omaha with his wife, Nancy, and four children, Mike and his co-founder, Rich Jarvis, opened an investment bank focused on funding small businesses. Mike also began a long career of community involvement, serving on the boards of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Omaha Community Foundation, United Way of the Midlands, the Omaha Zoological Society, Creighton University and other not-for-profit organizations. He currently serves as a board member of Lasting Hope Recovery Center and is chair of the Heritage Services board of directors. Mike also continues as an active Chairman of Bridges Trust, while serving on the boards of Peter Kiewit Sons’, Inc., Union Pacific Corporation, Election Systems & Software and McCarthy Group, LLC. Mike and Nancy were honored as United Way Citizens of the Year in 2012, and Mike was earlier inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame in 2006. JOHN SAMPSON, Sampson Construction, Lincoln John has been the President and CEO of Sampson Construction since 1995. Under his leadership, Sampson Construction has completed over $3 billion in commercial building projects in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Nevada and Illinois. Throughout his commercial construction career with Sampson, John has served in all types of project management and development roles. His day-to-day focus is to manage the assignment, deployment, and use of the firm’s resources at each of its five locations. As a result, he forms strong, ongoing relationships with project management teams, project owners, subcontractors, and community leaders. These relationships allow Sampson Construction to stay on the leading edge of the market and continue to deliver high-quality construction services across the Midwest. GLORIA THESENVITZ, Nova-Tech, Inc., Grand Island Gloria Thesenvitz is founder and board chair for Nova-Tech, Inc., a nationally recognized provider of custom aseptic fill manufacturing services and private label IV fluids to the animal health industry throughout the United States and Canada. In 2011, the site transfer of manufacturing into a new plant located in the Platte Valley Industrial Tract in Grand Island laid the foundation for three additions, each bringing significant growth through growing production and technical capabilities. A strong advocate for education, quality jobs, women entrepreneurs and rural Nebraska, Gloria has reinvested her talents, time and resources serving on multiple community and state boards. Gloria is the recipient of the Governor’s Bioscience Award and the Grand Island Independent’s Woman of the Year in 2017. |
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July 2024
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