Eugene Kowel serves as the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Omaha Field Office. Appointed to the role in October 2020, Mr. Kowel overseas all FBI personnel, operations, and criminal, national security, and cyber investigations across the Nebraska and Iowa
Mr. Kowel joined the FBI as a special agent in 2005 and was assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force in the New York Field Office, where he led counterterrorism investigations and criminal cases. Mr. Kowel completed deployments to Iraq in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2009.
He was promoted to supervisory special agent in 2010 in the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters and subsequently selected as a Unit Chief.
In 2013, Mr. Kowel was named the supervisor of the Savannah Resident Agency. He oversaw all FBI criminal and counterterrorism investigations and led four task forces in southeast Georgia.
Mr. Kowel was promoted in 2016 as an assistant special agent in charge in the Los Angeles Field Office. He led the violent gang, organized crime, violent crime, and drug trafficking investigative programs in Los Angeles. In 2019 he was selected as the chief of staff and section chief in the Intelligence Branch in Washington, DC.
Mr. Kowel graduated from the University of Virginia and earned his law degree from the New York University School of Law. Mr. Kowel served as an assistant district attorney in New York City before joining the FBI. He currently serves as an adjunct Professor at Creighton University School of Law.
Our BookLoop volunteer opportunity will be taking place September 24th from 4:30-6:30 at the BookLoop offices at 801 N. 96th St.
Our grant funded the purchase of new books for the book swap. Teachers will bring a gently used book from their BookLoop classroom library and exchange it for a new book to add to their collection.
Volunteer opportunities will be in the following areas:
Welcoming and greeting teachers
Food and refreshments
Assisting with book retiring and the book swap
Helping with the art kit and our Little Free Library book giveaways
Please let Angela Chaney know if you'll be able to come help out and support this new partner of Suburban Rotary!
Our new member Joie Mora along with Bob Bosco and Dan Hosford helped to pass out coffee for the homeless. A Suburban Rotary grant paid for coffee supplies.
The next meeting of the Rotary Book Club is Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Bonefish Grill in Regency. The book selection is "The Coming Wave" (Technology, power, and the 21st Century's Greatest Dilemma) by Mustafa Suleyman.
Yearlings were asked where they were on 9/11-- 25 years ago. Answers ranged from at work gathering about televisions, to traveling, at home, in high school and in kindergarten.
Receiving his blue badge from Yearlings Chair Roxy Orr was Matthew Smith.
Jennifer Jirak-Brungardt and Eli McNichols received multiple year perfect attendance tabs. Happy retirement Eli!
Our guest speaker Eugene Kowel shared his experience being in New York City near the towers on 9/11. He was a litigator and was in the city for work. With training in first response, he volunteered and lent his support wherever he could. He said the first-hand experience is etched in his memory and he shared photos and video from the day. After going home that night, he woke up the next day not being able to see because of the ash and soot in his eyes. He got his sight back in about a week. He eventually joined the FBI in New York where his squad worked to terminate terrorist threats. He was also in Afghanistan and finally moved to the Omaha area where he focuses on in-country possible threats. The club saluted his bravery with applause.
September is Rotary's Basic Education and Literacy Month, a reminder that one of the most lasting gifts we can give is the opportunity to learn. Whether supporting local schools, promoting literacy, mentoring students, or investing in youth leadership programs, Rotarians help open doors and create opportunities every day.
This month also gives us an opportunity to remember and celebrate a person who dedicated her life to helping others. On September 20, Rotarians from across the district will gather to honor the life and legacy of Nicki Klein. Nicki was often the person behind the scenes who helped district leaders, clubs, and events succeed. Her commitment to Rotary and to the people of District 5650 left an impact that will be felt for many years.
As we honor Nicki's legacy, we are also working to ensure the district has the support structure needed for the future. District leadership has completed a draft job description for a new District Administrator position, and we expect to begin advertising for the role soon. The goal is not to replace Nicki, because no one can, but rather to build on the strong foundation she helped create and provide continuity for future district leaders and clubs.
Serving as your District Governor continues to be one of the highlights of my Rotary journey. So far, I have visited 29 clubs, with nine visits remaining. Those remaining visits include the opportunity to speak with two of our Rotaract clubs. Everywhere I go, I see clubs finding ways to strengthen belonging, serve their communities, and create meaningful impact.
I hope many of you will join me at Fusion 5650, our District Conference, October 23-24 at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. District Conference is our opportunity to connect, learn from one another, celebrate our successes, and be inspired by the incredible work happening throughout our district. If you have not yet registered, I encourage you to do so and be part of the experience.
Thank you for all you do to strengthen Rotary, support your communities, and help create opportunities for others. I look forward to seeing many of you on the road, at Nicki's memorial, and at Fusion 5650 this fall.
Yours in Rotary, Gretchen Bren District Governor, Rotary District 5650
Consider visiting another Rotary club for a make-up! Rotary.org has a club finder for locations around the world. Please see the District website at rotarydistrict5650.org for details on local clubs. Visit one of the following Metro-Area Clubs!
Monday: Omaha Millard Rotary, 12:00 pm, German American Society, 3717 South 120th St.
Tuesday: Omaha Morning 7:00 am, First Watch Aksarben, 1222 S. 71st, Ste. B, Omaha. NE 68106
Tuesday: Omaha Night, 5:30 p.m. at La Voltaire, 569 N. 155th Plaza (first and third Tuesdays) Omaha, NE http://www.omaharotarynight.org/
Wednesday: Omaha Downtown, 12:00 pm, Field Club of Omaha, 3615 Woolworth Ave., Omaha, NE 68105
Wednesday: Council Bluffs Centennial: 7:00 am, Hy-Vee Community Room 1745 Madison Avenue
Thursday: Western Douglas County, 12:00 PM Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation 20272 Veterans Drive, Elkhorn, NE 68022
Thursday: Council Bluffs, 12:00 pm, Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 South 6th Street
Friday: Omaha West, 12:00 pm, Charlie's on the Lake, 4151 S 144th St., Omaha, NE 68137
Email Deb for make-up/attendance credit to omahasuburbanrotary@gmail.com.
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