Events

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.

Annually the club provides 10 higher education scholarships to worthy students with disability challenges and they are recognized at the luncheon. 

Click here to pay the $30 registration fee. 

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.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan R. Sankey is the Director of Operations of the 170th Operations Support Squadron (OSS), 170th Group, at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.  The 170 OSS is a Total Force Integrated Air National Guard unit partnered with the 55th Operations Support Squadron and the 55th Intelligence Support Squadron.  36 ANG members seamlessly provide first class intelligence, weather, aviation resource, flight equipment, and airfield management capabilities to 55^th Wing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions and serve as a ready reserve for Nebraska domestic operations.

Lieutenant Colonel Sankey received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Iowa State University in 2008.  He then attended Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas for Joint Combat Systems Officer Training, and specialized as an Electronic Warfare Officer, graduating in 2010.  He received his number one choice in aircraft, and his first assignment was to the 338^th Combat Training Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska to begin his qualification at the formal training unit on the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft.  In 2016, he received his Master of Arts in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma.  Lieutenant Colonel Sankey’s professional military education includes Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and is a current student in Air War College.

After receiving his qualification as an Electronic Warfare Officer on the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint, Lieutenant Colonel Sankey’s first operational assignment was to the 343d Reconnaissance Squadron, Offutt AFB, Nebraska where he served as an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO).  In 2012, he qualified as an Instructor EWO and subsequently upgraded to the Tactical Coordinator/Mission Crew Commander position on the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint.  After becoming an Evaluator, he culminated his tour at the 343d Reconnaissance Squadron as the Chief of Standards and Evaluations.  He then became a full-time instructor at the 338^th Combat Training Squadron, Air Combat Command’s largest Formal Training Unit and served as the Executive Officer to the Commander. In 2017, Lt Col Sankey joined the Nebraska Air National Guard as a Drill Status Guardsman serving in the 238^th Combat Training Squadron.  After serving 2.5 years as a DSG, he accepted a full-time position in the Air National Guard in 2020.  Over the course of his career, he served as a Flight Commander three times, Executive Officer at the Squadron and Group level three times, Assistant Director of Operations and Director of Operations.  He has eight deployments for contingency operations including Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, INHERANT RESOLVE, AND PROSPERITY GUARDIAN, as well as to the INDOPACIFIC and EUROPEAN theaters.  He is a Master Combat Systems Officer with over 4,200 flight hours, including 1,300 combat hours.

Lt Col Sankey resides in Council Bluffs, Iowa with his wife, Rachel and their children, Jacob, Maximus, Avery and Charlotte.   

 Following his passion for community betterment, Vic founded Vic Gutman & Associates Consulting in 1978. Since that time, he has provided communications, organizational development, event management, and fundraising services for hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Nebraska, Iowa, and Michigan. Vic spearheaded and managed the revival of the Omaha Farmers Market in the Old Market in 1994 and in Aksarben in 2010 and first attempted to establish an indoor market on South 10th Street from 2013-2017. He currently serves on the Heritage Omaha-convened committee guiding development of The Riverfront Market, a year-round public market in Downtown Omaha, a decades-long dream of Vic’s that is projected to open in May 2028.

Vic has provided fundraising and organizational development services for nonprofit organizations including the Omaha Theater Company, in COMMON, Immigrant Legal Center, Latino Center of the Midlands, MENTOR Nebraska, The Tri-Faith Initiative of Omaha, Girls Inc. and Nebraska Journalism Trust. He has consulted to numerous urban districts in Detroit, Omaha, and Lincoln (NE), working on more than 100 events including the 300th anniversary celebration for the City of Detroit, Nebraska’s Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration, Lincoln’s Flatwater Festival, and Omaha’s 150th birthday celebration. He led the effort to establish the Omaha Summer Arts Festival in 1975, managing the Festivalthrough its 50th anniversary in 2024. Vic also helped shape Omaha’s Millennium Lights Festival in 1999.  

Lawrence A.  Dwyer holds a B.A. Degree in American and British History from the University of Nebraska Omaha (1971), and a Law Degree from the Creighton University School of Law (1974). He is a member of the Omaha Bar Association and the Nebraska Bar Association, and has been a practicing attorney in Omaha for 51 years.

He has presented over 200 seminars on estate planning, probate, trusts, and elder law for professional, civic and charitable organizations; written seven legal manuals; and has received numerous awards for service to the community including the 2013 Nebraska Philanthropy Society’s Sower Award for 35 years of pro-bono legal work for charitable organizations.

Larry served on the Board of Directors of the Douglas County Historical Society (2006-2011), and was the Founder and First President of its Foundation. He was the keynote speaker at the Historical Society’s 130^th and 140^th Anniversary celebrations of the Trial of Chief Standing Bear.

Larry is a co-founder and Director of The Chief Standing Bear Project, Inc. a national non-profit corporation promoting the life and legacy of Standing Bear. In May 2025, Larry and his wife Karen donated to the Douglas County Historical Society for permanent display in the Crook House, a three-foot replica of the statue of Chief Standing Bear created by Benjamin Victor located in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol.

Since 2009, he has given over 100 presentations on Standing Bear and was the featured speaker for the Midwest Law Librarians Convention (2024); the Nebraska/Iowa Office of the FBI (2023); Coastal Carolina University’s Lifelong Learning Institute (2023 & 2024); the Omaha Bar Association’s 150^th Anniversary (2025 & 2026); the Eighth Circuit Federal Judiciary Conference (2026); and various regional historical societies and civic groups.

Larry is the author of Standing Bear’s Quest for Freedom: The First Civil Rights Victory for Native Americans (2022), which was awarded the Nebraska Best History Book for 2023.

He is here with us today to speak about his recently published book - Andrew J. Poppleton: Fighter for Omaha City, the Union Pacific Railroad and Chief Standing Bear.

Candace Gregory has been named the 2026 Omahan of the Year by the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha.  For the past 30 years, she has served as President/ CEO of the Open Door Mission, a nonprofit that serves the poor and homeless populations in the Metro. She has become a noted national advocate for those experiencing homelessness and poverty and is sought out for her experience in implementing programs that help end the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Candace leads a well-run, financially secure service with compassion, grace and integrity, all-the-while staying under the radar, focused on her mission rather than her achievements. She will receive her award on June 18 at the noon weekly meeting of the club at Legends Restaurant, 6920 Pacific St., Suite 100.

As one client put it,” “I tore away from the wreckage of my past, and still have a long way to go. I know I can’t do it by myself. Open Door Mission saved my life,” said John
 

Dr. Gregory is a graduate of Grace University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. In 2004, she received an honorary doctorate from Clarkson College of Sciences in Humanitarian Services.

Currently, ensuring responsible fiscal oversight of an annual budget of 34 million with approximately 132 employees and 14,000+ volunteers, she is known for her vision, strategic planning and success.  Recently, Dr. Gregory launched a $20 million Expanding Hope Capital Campaign. The three-phase capital campaign will expand hope and address critical needs and challenges in our community.

Dr.  Gregory has received numerous awards, accolades and accomplishments for her dedicated efforts. 

Dr. Gregory resides in Iowa with her husband, Steve and their chiweenie, Dolly.  They have four grown children and four grandchildren.

 According to Mary Bernier Chairman of the Four- Way Test Committee of the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha, Candace was chosen unanimously by the 4-Way Test Committee because of ‘her commitment to the Omaha Community. Through her efforts for the poor and homeless she exemplifies the Rotary motto service above self and has inspired our community take care of each other.’

The club announces the club member who is named Rotarian of the Year.  In addition, past officers, Board members and Trustees are recognized and new offficials for 2026-27 introduced.

Hello all Rotarians!

We have a project to move mulch at Crestridge Elementary School on Saturday June 27th.

We will need volunteers to move mulch with wheelbarrows, spread it in the flower areas and help with general clean up.

Please let me know if you can help even for an hour.

Dan Lupardus

danl@futurewareinc.com

402-681-4561

Crestridge Elementary

818 Crestridge Rd

Omaha, NE  68154

Maj Gen.(Ret) James R.("Bob") Stevenson Jr. retired from the Nebraska Air National Guard and the United States Air Force in Sept of 2022 after a 34 year military career.

His last assignment was as the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM)at Offutt Air Force Base, NE, where he was the principal advisor on reserve component matters related to the command's diverse mission sets, including strategic deterrence, cyberspace operations, integrated missile defense, intelligence, surveillance/reconnaissance and global strike.  

As a Brig Gen, he also served dual roles as the Deputy Director of Operations for Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations and as the Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Operations, U.S. Strategic Command.  During this entire time, he served as an Airborne Emergency Action Officer aboard the Looking Glass Airborne Command Post leading an Alert Battle Staff.

Prior to his roles at USSTRATCOM, General Stevenson served as the Assistant Adjutant General for the Nebraska Air National Guard. He oversaw and was the principal advisor to the Adjutant General on complex and sensitive issues in the areas of logistics, command and control, communications, manpower and personnel, and other support functions related to Federal and State mission operations.  Prior to promotion to General Officer, Gen Stevenson was the Wing Commander of the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Lincoln ANGB, NE.

General Stevenson received his commission through Officer Training School in 1989 after graduating from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. General Stevenson joined the Nebraska ANG in 1997 after nine years on Active Duty and subsequently attended the KC-135R Tanker Qualification Course.

He has held positions in the NEANG as 155th ARW commander, 155th ARW Vice Commander, 170th Group Commander at Offutt AFB, 155th Operations Group Commander, and 173rd Air Refueling Squadron Commander, Director of Operation, Flight Commander, Chief of Training, and Chief of Tactics.   

General Stevenson is a command pilot with over 5,500 hours of flying time in T-37B, C-130E, RC-135, OC-135, E-6B and KC-135R aircraft and has combat flight time in contingency operations Allied Force, Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. 

As a civilian, he is a former airline pilot with the now defunct Midwest Airlines and has flown as a charter pilot, as well as privately for fun for the last 40 years.  He is married to the former Sherry Steinke of Norfolk NE and they have four grown children and ten growing grandchildren. They reside in Lincoln, NE.

Dr. Georg Link is Chief Information Officer at Growth Advisory, where he is building the next generation of AI-enabled tool chains. He holds a PhD in Information Technology and has spent two decades at the intersection of technology, business, and social change — from leading an international software company to co-founding a Linux Foundation open source community. A business leader, technology enthusiast, and international speaker, he lives in Omaha and is passionate about technology that amplifies human capability.                                                                                                                                                                           

Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA

• Chancellor, Barbara and Wally Weitz Endowed Chair in Higher Education Leadership
• University of Nebraska at Omaha

Background

Prior to assuming the role of UNO’s chancellor, Dr. Li served as the dean of the Florida International University (FIU) College of Business from May 2017 to June 2021.

Prior to joining FIU, Li was dean and professor of finance at the Raj Soin College of Business at Wright State University, near Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, Ohio. She also has served as chair of the Department of Finance at Towson University, and associate professor in the Sellinger School of Business at Loyola University of Maryland.

Education and Expertise

A first-generation student, Dr. Li earned her Ph.D. in finance with support discipline in econometrics and a Bachelor of Science (Summa Cum Laude) from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Association for Investment Management and Research/CFA INSTITUTE (since June 2001).

Her areas of expertise include corporate governance, executive compensation, investments, and international finance.

Engagement and Recognition

Dr. Li is a highly engaged leader and scholar who lends her experience and expertise to a wide array of causes and organizations, including:

• Barbara and Wally Weitz Endowed Chair of Higher Education
• Member, CNBC Financial Advisory Council
• Immediate outgoing President, Council of Chinese American Deans and Presidents – 2018 to present
• Influential Business Women of 2020, South Florida Business Journal
• Member, European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Global Network Americas Advisory Board
• Founding Member, Women in Business Education-A Global Community to Champion Women in Business Academia

Personal

Dr. Li is a native of Hong Kong. She is married to Frank Stalla, CFA, and has a daughter who is a graduate of the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virgina. They live with their dog, Bob the Shiba.

Daniela Rojas Florez is the Director of Community Leadership Programs at the Greater Omaha Chamber. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, she brings a systems-informed and inclusive approach to leadership development. Daniela holds a master's degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and has held multiple leadership roles in higher education. She is a graduate of Leadership Omaha (Class 44) and is passionate about building cross-sector collaborations that foster belonging and community progress.

Gretchen Bren’s life has been profoundly impacted by her Rotary journey. Through her experiences she has seen how much power each of us has through Rotary to impact our world. 

She joined The Rotary Club of Omaha (aka Omaha Downtown) in 2007 and served as Executive Director there for 10 years. In 2019, she joined Omaha Night Rotary Club and is a past club president (2020-2022). At the District level, she has been the End Polio Now chair and an Assistant Governor. Gretchen has been a past District Trainer and is a facilitator for the Rotary Leadership Institute and for RI Club Visioning. Outside the District, Gretchen is the secretary for the Rotary Wine Appreciation Fellowship.

Gretchen is a Paul Harris Fellow+8, a Level 1 Bequest Society member and Major Donor Level 2 and spearheaded the Polio Plus Society in District 5650. Her spouse—Gary Bren—is a former District Governor for District 5650 (2016-17) and is also a facilitator for Rotary Leadership Institute and Visioning, and took over as the End Polio Now chair for District 5650.

Gretchen received the Citation for Meritorious Service from the Rotary Foundation and the International Service Award for a Polio-Free World. In 2019, Gretchen was honored with the District 5650 Cadwallader Award – the District’s highest honor for someone who has made monumental contribution in one or more areas of service with Rotary.

Outside of Rotary, Gretchen has worked in the computer industry doing training, programing and web design. She is a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Master Instructor and Microsoft Certified Professional. Since 2016, she has been at Turner Technology as the Director of Special Projects. Gretchen has been married to Gary since 1989, and is the proud mom of two cats, Artemis and Shadow. In her free time, she loves to read, drink fine wines and travel, and recently started stand up paddleboarding.

Valerie Varas is the principal of Crestridge International Studies and Dual Language Magnet School, where she is committed to creating a school community in which every student is known, supported, and challenged to achieve at high levels. Her leadership is grounded in strong relationships with students, families, staff, and community partners, along with a deep commitment to equity, instructional excellence, and developing responsible global citizens.

Valerie began her career with Omaha Public Schools, gaining experience in language development and special education before moving into school leadership. At Crestridge, she has focused on strengthening teaching and learning through collaborative planning, Professional Learning Communities, data-informed decision-making, and intentional support for multilingual learners and students with diverse learning needs.

Under Valerie’s leadership, Crestridge has experienced meaningful growth in student achievement while also strengthening the overall school community. Most recently, proficiency increased across ELA, mathematics, science, and English language development, while student growth in both reading and mathematics improved. At the same time, chronic absenteeism declined, behavior incidents decreased, and suspensions were significantly reduced.

Through sustained school-improvement efforts, Valerie successfully led Crestridge out of Nebraska’s Additional Targeted Support and Improvement designation, and the school has since been recognized as an Excellent school. Valerie’s leadership has also been recognized through the LIGHTS Outstanding Principal Award, honoring her commitment to students, educators, and the broader school community.

Valerie believes that ambitious goals become achievable when educators, families, and community partners work together around a shared belief in what children can accomplish. She is especially grateful for partnerships like Suburban Rotary that extend learning and opportunity beyond the classroom and demonstrate what is possible when a community invests in its children.

Major Jonathan Cooper is a Senior Kroc Center Officer holding  a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Ministry. His love for music, sports—both playing and watching—and quality time with family enrich his ministry and leadership. He has a passion for equipping and discipling leaders.