Events

Randy J. Goodwin, born Ivan J., is known in Hollywood for his integrity, morals and values. Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, he began his performing career at age 8, singing, dancing and acting in local theater productions, church plays, musicals, and high school talent shows. He is a Creighton Prep grad. Temporarily putting aside his Hollywood dreams, Randy attended the University of Nebraska Architectural School and then joined his older brother in the US Air Force. After completing his active service, he returned to what he loved most...showbiz, performing stand-up comedy and acting in regional theater in Chicago and surrounding cities in the Midwest. After his stint on the comedy scene, Randy made the move to Hollywood. He has been in many television shows and several films.

Upcoming projects include, the soon to be released, "Ernesto's Manifesto", FOX'S 9-1-1, Grey's Anatomy and The Rookie.

After advice from Quintin Tarantino, and stacking many scripts over the years, Randy has moved behind the camera, starring in as well as producing the indie film Xander Cohen aka The Holy Man (Amazon Prime). He also recently wrapped, "The Job", a Christian/Faith based film he produced, starred in and directed.

He recently returned home to revitalize the film industry and founded Fallen Giants.

I am sure many of us have seen the major construction taking place at the Omaha Airport.  On April 3 we will receive an update on this activity from Stephen J. McCoy, A.A.E. ,Chief Strategy & Technology Officer of the Omaha Airport Authority.

Steve McCoy has been part of the Omaha Airport Authority team for over 22 years.  In that time he has held various leadership roles at Eppley Airfield in operations, marketing, public affairs, communications, planning, techology, engineering and strategy.  In his current role he is responsible for organziational, development, customer and technology strategies at the Airfield including strategic planning, air service development and growth, capital development, the Terminal Modernization program an enchancing the overall customer experience.

McCoy obtained a bachelor’s degree in aviation administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and both a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA), also from UNO.  He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Committee for the UNO College of Public Affairs & Community Service and has served as an adjunct faculty member at UNO teaching courses in airport administration.

McCoy is a member of the American Association of Airport Executives and holds the distinction of Accredited Airport Executive from that organization.  He is also active with Airports Council International where he serves on the Steering Group for the Operations, Planning, Safety, Infrastructure, & Development Committee.  Additionally, Steve is a private pilot who loves to fly in his free time.  However, he considers his greatest accomplishment to be his four beautiful children and his lovely wife of 20 years.  He and his family live in Omaha where they are active in their community and their church.

Shannon R. Harner, will talk about the state of housing in Nebraska, including challenges and solutions for increasing the supply of housing. She is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, also known as NIFA. She has worked in the real estate industry for over thirty years in a variety of roles, first as an attorney in private practice, specializing in real estate law and creditors rights. She returned to private practice after a brief sabbatical at a start-up in Hong Kong and then moved in-house, as general counsel, for a subsidiary of HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, where she specialized in legal issues surrounding mortgage, title, insurance and brokerage operations. In 2013, she transitioned to the business side and served as General Manager and then CEO of HomeServices of Nebraska, prior to taking the helm at NIFA in August of 2020.  Shannon is active in her community and serves on several boards and organizations, including the Board and Executive Committee of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and the Bryan Medical Center. She is an honorary Board member and past Board chair of the Nebraska Community Foundation, and has served on the Boards of Nebraska Humanities, TedxLincoln, Bryan Health Systems, the Lincoln Arts Council and a variety of other community organizations. Shannon holds a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Shannon and her husband both grew up in Imperial, Nebraska. They have two daughters, a cat, and a lot of music all around. In her spare time, she loves to hang out in at the family lake house, travel, read, cook, and engage in lively conversation.

Ernie Goss, prominent professor and regional economist, whose specialty is making economics understandable and relatable—not just to students, business executives, community leaders and policy makers—but to people from all walks of life.

Dr. Goss is the director of the Institute for Economic Inquiry and a professor of economics at Creighton University Heider College of Business where he holds the Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics. He is also director of The Goss Institute for Economic Research in Denver, Colorado, a bipartisan think tank conducting business and economic research and providing innovative, practical recommendations that affect change and public policy.

As a professor, Dr. Goss brings the economy into focus for students with case studies pulled from his own files to show how real-life situations match up with the economic theories found in their textbooks. Able to simplify complex economic issues, Professor Goss offers students tangible knowledge and relevant insights they can use to predict and shape public policy debates and economic outcomes throughout their careers—and lives.

As an economist, Dr. Goss is a highly respected, nationally-known expert on the mid-American economy who can articulate how regional economic situations can impact the nation or the world – and vice versa. He is a trusted voice who is often tapped by government and business leaders, economists and the press to shed light on economic issues and trends in terms the average person can understand. He is often a leader in public policy debates, both regionally and nationally.

Amy Hornocker is the Executive Director of College World Series of Omaha, Inc. (CWS, Inc.), serving as the key liaison between the NCAA and the City of Omaha to ensure the continued growth and execution of the NCAA Men’s College World Series. She leads a dedicated team of five staff members who work year-round to bring the event to life. Beyond the MCWS, her office oversees various community outreach initiatives and a dynamic internship program.

Prior to joining CWS, Inc., Hornocker spent nearly a decade with the Omaha Sports Commission (OSC) as Events Director, where she managed over 30 sporting events, including three U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.

A Des Moines, Iowa native, Hornocker began her career in sports as a Cyclone student recruiter in the Iowa State Football office before interning with CWS, Inc. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sports management from Iowa State University.

Hornocker currently resides in La Vista with her golden retriever, Olive.

Renee Rafferty is the Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health and Wellness at Children’s Nebraska.  She brings over 30 years of experience, including more than 20 years in healthcare leadership. Renee has worked across a wide range of clinical settings, including inpatient care, residential treatment, outpatient therapy, substance use treatment, and crisis services.  She is deeply committed to expanding access to behavioral health care and has been instrumental in developing and launching innovative programs.

Dan Kutilek is a graduate of Creighton Prep High School and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, holding a Bachelor's and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation, Dan was drafted into the Army. He served with the First Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Silver Star for bravery, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart.

Dan has worked in the Douglas County Engineer’s Office since 1971, currently serving as the Engineering and Planning Manager. His professional experience and history of civic involvement have developed an extensive network of long-standing relationships with Omaha and Douglas County leaders.

Dan will share his experiences in Vietnam. Come listen to his story as we approach this Memorial Day, honoring and mourning the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Special Agent in Charge at Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Omaha Field Office, Nebraska and Iowa.

John Knicely has been named the 2025 Omahan of the Year by the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha.  Knicely has been a mainstay on Omaha television networks for many years as a sportscaster and news anchor on WOWT and KETV. He has become a favorite of the Omaha community through his news features of “John at Work” and “Knicley Done, “giving viewers unique behind-the-scenes perspective through reporter-involved segments. 

John served as Sportscaster for WOWT from 1974 to 1981, at which time he moved to St. Louis in the same capacity for KTVI, the ABC affiliate. He returned to Omaha and KETV in May 1984, and made the move back to WOWT in May 1992, this time as anchor of the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts.

His community spirit is always on display, and he emcees many charity events throughout the year.  He has received numerous awards, including the Journalism Alumni Award of Excellence from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  He is a graduate of that university’s School of Broadcast Journalism.

He and his wife Sue have raised five children and have six grandchildren. He was born in Sidney, Nebraska.

According to Mary Bernier Chairman of the Four- Way Test Committee of the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha, John was chosen by the 4-Way Test Committee because of his commitment to the Omaha Community. Through his fair and honest reporting, including his news segment “Knicely Done,” he has inspired our community to be and do better.

Knicely will be honored with the award at the Club’s weekly meeting at noon on June 5 at Legends Patio & Grill, 6920 Pacific St. Suite 100, Omaha, Neb. 68106.