Events

About John W. Ewing Jr.

I am a proud son of Omaha, born and raised on the city’s north side. I know personally the difference affordable housing can make and remember, age 15, when my parents were able to buy our first home. My initials are still in the cement at that house in north Omaha, and I’m happy to say my parents still live there. I am the oldest of three children, the husband of Dr. Viv Ewing, and father of two wonderful daughters and a grandson.

I am a graduate of Northwest High School and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where I hold two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Business and a Master of Science in Urban Studies. I served the Omaha Police Department for 25 years, from 1981 to 2006, and retired at the rank of deputy chief. I am an associate minister with Salem Baptist Church. In 2006, I was elected five times to the Douglas County Treasurer’s Office and served the people of Douglas County for 18 years, having been elected four times to the post. I became the city of Omaha’s 52nd mayor on June 9, 2025.

I am a proud advocate of Omaha and am committed to advancing key initiatives that will enhance the lives of all Omaha residents.

• Head Coach, Omaha Mavericks (NCAA Division I – NCHC) - 2017-Present
• Associate Head Coach, Omaha – 2016-17
• Head Coach, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) – 2015-16
• Assistant Coach, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology – 2012-15

• Holds a program record of five straight winning seasons and a record of 95-73-9 since 2020-21
• Three-time finalist for the NCHC’s Herb Brooks Coach of the Year over the past five seasons (2020-21, 2022-23 and 2024-25) 
• Over the past three years, six former Gabinet-coached Mavericks made their NHL debuts, and the Edmonton Oilers hired one former Omaha assistant
• Led Omaha to become one of 12 programs nationwide with 95 wins since 2020-21
• Helped the Mavericks beat 11 nationally ranked opponents in 2023-24 and earned their second NCAA Championship berth in four seasons during a 23-win campaign (second-most in program history) 
• Coached Omaha to its first-ever appearance in the NCHC Frozen Four Championship in 2024
• Simon Latkoczy became the first-ever Maverick to win NCHC Goaltender of the Year under Gabinet’s leadership in 2024-25
• Four of Gabinet’s former players have been awarded the NCHC Postgraduate Scholarship 
• Eleven Mavericks have been named to an NCHC All-Conference or Rookie team since Gabinet became head coach
• Named the first former Maverick hockey player and third head coach overall in program history on April 5, 2017, after one season as associate head coach (2016-17)
• Was the youngest NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey head coach at the time of his appointment

• Led NAIT to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Championship after going 36-0 in 2015-16, only the second time in 51 years that a team finished undefeated in the conference
• Was named ACAC Coach of the Year and was the first rookie head coach to lead his team to an undefeated season in Canadian college hockey history

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Business Finance, Omaha (2004)
• Resides with his wife, his son and his daughter in Omaha, Neb. 
• Native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• Selected by the Los Angeles Kings in 2001 NHL Draft
• Played in 131 games at Omaha under the then-head coach Mike Kemp over four seasons (2000-04) and ranks in the top 15 for all-time points by a Maverick defenseman with 47 (6G-41A)
• Played professionally from 2004-2012 in North America, Finland and Sweden
• Grandfather Clare Drake was inducted for his legendary coaching career into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame (1989) and Hockey Hall of Fame (2018) 

I am President and CEO at Midwest Laboratories.

Midwest Laboratories is a trusted name in the analytical lab testing industry, delivering science like no one else in the world. At Midwest Laboratories, we serve the analysis needs of our clients in the Agriculture/Environmental, Human Health, and Animal Health Industries.

My core competencies include innovation, teamwork, and dynamic service, which I apply to foster a culture of trust and excellence among our staff and partners.

I continue to work at building a "People First" Community where our employees, clients and guests are treated with the utmost respect and we work together to answer questions and resolve issues and support each other as best we can.

My Christian Faith is important to me and provides me the proper place to lead and live every day. I believe prayer is essential to running a business. Living my Faith everyday is the only way to live.

I am a book author, with my latest work, “Leaders Look Within,” published in May 2023. My second book is in the final phases of editing and should be released Fall, 2025.

Ben Doody became the executive editor of the Omaha World Herald on April 28, 2025.  The veteran journalist and newsroom leader brings his passion for news, sports and digital journalism to the paper which has served Nebraska readers since 1885. He was formerly managing editor at digital sports information service Heavy and longtime leader at several Connecticut newsrooms

Jewel Rodgers is the 2025–2029 Nebraska State Poet, a 2025 Academy of American Poets Fellow, and a 2025 AIRIES Fellow. She is also a three-time Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award nominee for Best Performance Poet and a three-time TEDx speaker. In addition to her poetry, Jewel is an interdisciplinary performer, spatial practitioner, and youth coach. Her ultimate goal is to continue exploring her passions while inspiring others to do the same.

Eric Miller, AICP, Streetcar Operations Manager for the City of Omaha has been in the transit industry since 2004 and has held numerous positions with private consulting firms and at the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD), primarily with transit operations planning projects. While in Denver, Eric helped plan and implement the operations for nine new rail lines or extensions over 14 years as part of the RTD FasTracks program and has worked for many other transit agency clients as a consultant, including New York City, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

A veteran of the 82^nd Airborne and Old Guard of Arlington National Cemetery, Fletcher came to notice as the brash young spokesman for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration during the Space Shuttle Test Flight Program and was subsequently chosen as one of the “100 Most Eligible Bachelor’s in America” in 1982.

During the 1990s, he focused his attention on Media and Crisis Management and served clients worldwide – including Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, Duke Energy, former Ukrainian President Petro Porochenko, among others.

After the birth of his two sons at the turn of the century, Fletcher moved to Hollywood and managed a famed production company that assisted in the production of such films as the Bourne Trilogy and Spiderman 2.

In 2015, he returned to Omaha to write and raise his family. Today, he is the gardener, dishwasher and dog walker for former Omaha City Councilwoman Colleen Brennan to whom he is also married.

Sabrina Weiss is the Senior Vice President of Development for Omaha Performing Arts (O-PA), a key leader in securing funding for major projects like the Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement and the new Steelhouse Omaha venue, working to expand arts education and facilities in the city. She plays a vital role in fundraising and community engagement for O-PA's mission to bring diverse performing arts to Omaha. 

Founder, CEO/CIO

Ryan M. Fleischer

RFC, MScF, CEPA®, CAIA®-FA

Ryan Fleischer is founder, chairman & CIO of Revolution Group. He has spent his entire career helping people and institutions address their financial needs and goals. Ryan provides expertise in goals based investing and innovative portfolio construction to entrepreneurs, founding CEOs, and high net worth individuals and families.

Ryan and his family have a long history of entrepreneurship. His first endeavor at the age of 6 was raising sweet corn in the family garden and selling it door to door out of his wagon. He worked under his father and grandfather at a family owned business that was recognized as one of the most successful in the country by the Small Business Administration. Ryan has been a trailblazer and pioneer in the financial services industry achieving many awards and recognitions. He was instrumental in helping to bring sophisticated, private equity instruments to the wealth management industry.

Prior to forming Revolution Capital, Ryan worked with individuals, foundations, wealthy families as well as financial engineering a portfolio and serving as an outsourced portfolio manager for one of the world’s largest family offices. He served on advisory boards of private equity firms with over $46 billion of transacted investment volume.

Ryan currently resides in West Omaha with his wife and two dogs. He enjoys reading, traveling, hunting, fishing, and attending live sporting events.

Education

• Yale School of Management, MSF- Investment Management
• EDHEC Risk Institute of London, Certificate in Risk Management & Prior Fellow
• University of Nebraska- Lincoln, BS- Business Administration
• Metropolitan State University-Denver- Certificate in financial planning

Certifications

• RFC, International Association of Registered Financial Consultants
• CEPA®, Exit Planning Institute
• CAIA®-FA

Eric L. Ewing is a native of Omaha, NE. He is married and has three successful adult children and four grandchildren. He retired from the United States Navy, where he worked in Healthcare for 20 years.

• Associate Degree in General Studies from Vincennes University
• Undergraduate Degree in Workforce Education from Southern Illinois University at
• Carbondale
• Graduate Degree in Management from Bellevue University
• Graduate Certificate in Life Coaching from Bellevue University
• Graduate Certificate in College Teaching from Capella University.
• Currently working on his PhD in Post-Secondary Education from Capella University.

He has worked in higher education as an Academic Dean, Manager of Academic Advising, and Adjunct Professor for Bellevue University, Metropolitan Community College, and Omaha School of Massage and Healthcare of Herzing University.
 He is currently serving in the non-profit community as the Executive Director for the Great Plains Black History Museum.

 He currently serves on the following Board of Directors and Representative:
• Nebraska Museum Association
• Preserve Omaha
• Nebraska Arts Advocacy Network Representative
• Urban League of Nebraska Guild
• Arts, Culture & Preservation Committee for We Make Omaha
• Co-Chair of the 100 Black Men of Omaha’s Annual African American History Challenge.

Sheriff Aaron Hanson was elected as Douglas County Sheriff in November 2022 and sworn into office in January of 2023. Prior to his election to Sheriff, he served with the Omaha Police Department for over 26
years serving in Uniform Patrol and the Criminal Investigations Bureaus to include: Peer Support Team, Canine Squad, Patrol Sergeant and supervisor in the Special Operations Section's Gang Suppression Unit and the Fugitive Squad / Metro Omaha Area Fugitive Task Force. Hanson served three terms as the President of the Omaha Police Officers Association (Omaha POA), two terms as a Trustee on the Omaha Police and Fire Retirement System and seven years as the Legislative Liaison for the Omaha POA. He also served as Executive Director of the Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting young people and individuals with a reentry history with skilled trade career exposure and entry.
 

As Sheriff, Hanson is proud to command an agency that prioritizes the public safety and quality of life issues that impact Douglas County residents on a daily basis. He is dedicated to utilizing data, ingenuity, and old-fashioned police work to target criminals and reduce crime within Douglas County. He is the first Sheriff in Nebraska to have full time Deputies assigned to assist with problem-solving courts (Drug Court, Veterans Court, Young Adult Court, etc.). Hanson is focused in utilizing innovative strategies to ensure justice involved individuals are set up with 2nd chances that allow them real opportunities to succeed and changes their lives.
 

Hanson represents Nebraska in the National Sheriff’s Association Board. He is also a member of the Nebraska Crime Commission, a Trustee on the National Crime Prevention Council, a Member of the Major County Sheriff's Association, Nebraska Sheriff’s Association, Metro Chief's Association, State of Nebraska Sentencing Reform Task Force, and is a graduate of the FBI LEEDA Session 82 in August 2024.
 

Josie Schafer, Ph.D.

Director

Center for Public Affairs Research

College of Public Affairs and Community Service, UNO

Josie Schafer, Ph.D., is a recognized expert in public policy research and analysis, with a focus on community and economic development.

Biography

Schafer is well known for her exploration of demographic, workforce, and housing trends in Nebraska. Schafer leverages her data and research expertise to identify effective ways to share and disseminate information, providing timely and meaningful insights to governance leaders across the state and nation. 

Her work includes high-profile projects like the '6 Regions, One Nebraska' initiative with the Office of the Governor, Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and the annual preparation of a series of policy briefs at the request of the Nebraska State Legislature’s Planning Committee. 

Additionally, she works with a range of community-centric organizations to provide strategic research efforts, including recent collaborations with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Nebraska Tech Collaborative, and UNO’s Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC). Her research has been featured in academic journals, including the Journal of Public and Nonprofit Affairs, and Public Performance and Management Review. 

Katie Henry, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Suburban Rotary Foundation will discuss the Foundation and why donations are needed.

David  was raised in Southern California and attended Cal State University, Northridge before moving to Rochester, NY to attend Rochester Institute of Technology.  He returned to California and worked for Playboy enterprises (no nudes!) for two years before moving to NYC. There he worked as a fashion photographer before moving to Milan, Italy to work in fashion for two years. David was recruited by Brandies Department Stores and moved to Omaha while keeping a home in NYC and dividing myself between the two cities working in advertising and fashion photography. Some of his advertising clients include Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Footlocker and Proctor and Gamble.

David has worked on many personal projects including Holocaust survivor portraits in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska. These portraits are on permanent display at The Omaha JCC and on a three-year exhibit at the Nebraska History Museum.

He lives with my his wife of 40 years, Gretchen and has three daughters, a dog and cat.

Patrick “Pat” Drickey is an Omaha-based entrepreneur, photographer, and arts advocate, and the founder and director of Gallery 1516. Through his leadership, the gallery has become a prominent cultural space dedicated to showcasing the work of Nebraska and regional artists while fostering meaningful engagement with the arts in the community.

Before establishing Gallery 1516, Drickey built a successful career as a professional photographer. He is widely recognized for his panoramic golf course photography and fine art prints, with work displayed in homes, clubs, and collections around the world. His experience working with visual imagery, printing, and presentation informed his vision for creating a gallery that celebrates both artistic excellence and accessibility.

Since its founding, Gallery 1516 has grown into a dynamic venue for visual art exhibitions, educational programs, performances, and public conversations. Under Drickey’s direction, the gallery regularly highlights emerging and established artists from across Nebraska and the broader region, providing a platform that strengthens connections between artists and the community.

Drickey remains deeply committed to supporting the arts and contributing to the cultural vitality of Omaha. His work continues to promote creativity, collaboration, and appreciation for the diverse artistic voices that shape the region. 🎨

Renowned Rotarian and former Rotary International Director, Frank Goldberg, will be honored on April 2.  The Club will announce The Frank and Leanne Goldberg Endowed Scholarship, a $50,000 scholarship endowed by his fellow Rotarians.  The endowment will help support the Club’s premiere scholarship program for worthy seniors with special needs or disabilities.

Frank N. Goldberg joined the Omaha-Suburban Rotary Club December 14, 1972 and became the 19^th President in 1986-81.  Tow significant things took place during the year: the club ended the year with 211 members, the first time over 200 members, and Frank sponsored Charlene Tierney, our club executive, as our first female member ever in Jun 1987.  His Rotary activities advanced beyond the club as he became District 5650 District Governor in 1992-92, a Director of Rotary International 2005-2007, and Treasurer of Rotary International 2006-2007.

Frank has served Rotary International as a member and chair of many committees and task forces, including Finance, Vocational Service and Operations Review. He served Rotary as an International Assembly Group Discussion Leader, Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Zone Membership Coordinator, Council on Legislation Delegate and Rotary International President’s Representative at numerous district conferences around the world. In addition, he has serves as a Zone Coordinator for the Polio Plus $200 Million Challenge and as an Endowment/ Major Gift Adviser for the Rotary Foundation Major Gist Initiative.

Frank and his wife Leanne have been recognized as Major Donors, Bequest Society and Paul Harria Society members of the Rotary Foundation.  Frank has been the recipient of the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and the Distinguished Service Award.  He also has received the Rotary International “Service Above Self” award, given to only 150 Rotarians in the world in any given year.

Frank is a certified public accountant having retired from full-time practice in 2014.  As a volunteer he served as president of a local B’nai B’rith lodge, board member and treasurer of the Omaha Jewish Federation, United Way Budget and Allocation Committee member, board member and President of the Highland Country Club. Frank is the recipient of the Omaha Jewish Federation Award in 1972, and in 1992 was presented “The Governors’ Award for Philanthropic Planning” by the Governor of the state of Nebraska.

Frank has been a member of the Omaha-Suburban Rotary Club for over 53 years. In the last couple of years, Franks has concluded a two-year term on the Board of Directors of District 5650 , is currently Treasurer of the District 5650 Foundation and the District 5650 Rotary Foundation Grants Fund Account.

Chris Breci is the Vice President of InfiNet Solutions, an Omaha-based technology services firm. He has over 20 years of experience working with businesses to manage technology, reduce risk, and improve operations.

For the past three years, Chris has spoken to organizations across the greater Omaha area on security awareness. His focus is on real risks businesses actually face and how those risks impact revenue, operations, and reputation.

His presentations are built on real scenarios drawn from his own client experience and from incidents seen across partner MSPs around the country, giving a clear view into how attacks actually happen.

Bio:
Chet Fortune is a world champion strength and conditioning coach and speaker based in Omaha, Nebraska. He has played a key role in preparing Terence Crawford for multiple world title runs and works with elite athletes across professional sports. After surviving a severe spinal cord injury in 2021 that left him temporarily paralyzed, Chet fought his way back to walking and coaching at the highest level. Today, he speaks on resilience, mindset, and high performance—teaching others how to win despite adversity.

Speaking Topic:
Chet Fortune will be speaking on resilience, overcoming adversity, and what it truly means to win, especially when life doesn’t go as planned. Drawing from his experience coaching world champions and overcoming a life-altering spinal injury, Chet shares powerful lessons on discipline, mindset, and perseverance. His message challenges the idea that success requires perfect conditions, instead showing how individuals can rise, rebuild, and perform at a high level despite setbacks.

I'm a graduate of Southern Illinois University and made my first trip to Omaha in 1977 as a student in broadcasting to cover SIU in the NCAA basketball tournament at the Civic Auditorium. I covered my first College World Series in 1988 when Stanford was on the back end of consecutive championships.

I'm based in K.C. and the only active media member who has covered all four World Series appearances the Royals have made (1980, '85, '14 and '15). As a former desk clerk at The Kansas City Star, that's where I first became acquainted with renowned Omaha World Herald columnist Tom Shatel.

I actively covered Huskers football during the Tommy Frazier years and have covered other big events in Omaha such as the Olympic swimming trials.

I just completed coverage of my 34th Final Four (men's and women's combined) and continue to cover the Women's Volleyball Final Four on an annual basis.

Karen Gibler is President of the Sary County Chamber of Commerce and has been a dedicated leader, where she has proudly served for over 14 years. Throughout her tenure, Karen has played a pivotal role in the Chamber’s growth, helping transform it into a highly impactful organization that serves as a driving force for business success and regional collaboration across Sarpy County and the greater metro area.

During her time with the Chamber, Karen has contributed to significant increases in membership engagement, program development, and community influence. Her leadership has supported the expansion of strategic initiatives, strengthened partnerships with local businesses and government leaders, and elevated the Chamber’s role as a trusted voice for economic development and advocacy.

Karen’s contributions have been recognized through multiple professional and community awards, reflecting her commitment to excellence, leadership, and service. She has been honored with such awards like the Paul Haris Fellowship Award and Admiral of the Navy for the Great State of Nebraska.

Karen has five children, 4 grandchildren and has lived in Sarpy County for over 30 years.

Karen’s long-standing commitment and leadership reflect her deep belief in the power of collaboration to create lasting impact. Her work continues to shape a stronger, more vibrant future for Sarpy County.