Adam J. Straight is the new President and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) as of January 5, 2026.
Straight comes to Omaha from New Orleans, Louisiana, where he served as the Chief Operating Officer of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (MCCNO), the nation’s sixth largest convention center, overseeing the Convention Center’s day-to-day operations. Straight’s time in the Big Easy was defined by community partnership, pandemic response, sustainability efforts, and transformative capital projects.
In his seven years at the MCCNO, Straight managed a $73 million annual operating budget, achieved LEED Gold Certification and re-certification through comprehensive sustainability initiatives, led a $763 million Capital Improvement Plan, modernizing and renovating the interior and exterior of the Convention Center, and oversaw the planning and execution of the $1.5 billion River District Development, creating a mixed-use entertainment district adjacent to the MCCNO.
Before his time in New Orleans, Straight worked at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) in Atlanta, which encompasses the Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Centennial Olympic Park, where he managed daily operations as Senior Director of Operations. Under his leadership, Straight and his team oversaw multiple large events such as NCAA Final Fours, a Super Bowl, and the NCAA College Football Playoff Championship.
Also, while in Atlanta, Straight was tapped to be the Executive in Charge/Owners Representative of Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a $1.9 billion construction project, along with heading up other prominent large-scale projects, including the Centennial Olympic Park renovation ($29 million) and the Exhibit Hall Expansion ($55 million).
In 2001, Straight’s journey in the events venue industry began at the University of Maryland. Over the span of 10 years, Straight worked his way up to Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Facilities Management, overseeing operations for 14 athletic venues, including Comcast Center and Byrd Stadium. Straight also managed the planning, construction, and opening of Maryland’s $13.5 million football renovation.
A veteran of the United States Coast Guard, Straight received numerous accolades and commendations for his service. In 2024, Straight was named to the City Business Power 20 Tourism & Hospitality list, honoring the 20 most influential leaders in the New Orleans tourism and hospitality sector.
Married to his wife, Alyson, and a father of two sons, Silas and Peyton, Straight is actively involved in his community. He regularly volunteers his time to several different initiatives and organizations.
At Crestridge Elementary Rotarians provided volunteer support to operate the bounce houses that celebrate students' year-long achievements through physical exercise. See the slide show here.
20 Reasons to Join Rotary is a document based on typical Rotary International and local club benefits. It was posted by the Little Rock Metro Rotary but applies to Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha. Angela Chaney is doing a social media campaign highlighting each of the reasons and will be asking club members for materials to support the reasons.
The After Hours for the month of May will be hosted by Samland Stained Glass on Monday, May 18 from 4-6 pm. It will be held at the Home Studio at 3513 S. 94 Ave.
The May meeting of the Rotary Means Business group will be May 13 from 4:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. at Lucky Bucket Brewing Company, 11941 Centennial Rd in La Vista. This is a wonderful opportunity to network and socialize with Rotarians in business.
The Omaha Polio Ride is scheduled for May 23rd. Suburban Rotary has been asked to manage one rest stop for the ride. There are four rest stops and we need 4-5 people per stop. The event begins at 7am and the riders will be done by 11:45am. Sign up to volunteer here.
Who can Ride: Open to Everyone, not just Rotarians…and it’s open to families and children as a community event with different length rides and bike safety training.
Distances: 10, 25, and 44 miles. The 10 and 25 mile rides are specifically designed to be family friendly.
Where: Will start at the Marcus Twin Creeks Cinema Parking lot. All rides will be on the trail system. Only the 44 mile ride will have any street crossings (North of Democracy Park towards Lake Cunningham).
Cost: $40 for all riders. Registration includes a t-shirt and donation to help the eradication of Polio worldwide. Registrations will open March 22nd.
What other activities will happen along with the ride: We’ll have food trucks, bike clinics, and participants will be entered in a drawing for a $500 gift certificate to a local bike shop.
Rotary International is committed to eliminating Polio by 2031. Only one in ten Rotarians contribute to the PolioPlus Fund annually. Go to rotary.org to donate to the PolioPlus Fund today! Contact Dan Witt with any questions.
Ron Burkle shared a tribute from Jimmy Dean, the country singer, on the importance of mothers in honor of Mother's Day.
Ron also was presented his official blue badge by President Jennifer Green.
About 14 persons from the Leadership Sarpy County group attended the meeting. They and club members were treated to a presentation by Karen Gibler. She shared with the group that her dad was a Rotarian and that this leadership example made her want to be a leader too. She discussed the nine-motnh leadership course that works on everything from working with different personalities to professional development, meeting other leaders like mayors, getting to know the local government and volunteerism.
The Salvation Army is having an Open House at the Kroc Center and is inviting all Rotary Clubs in the area. The event is Tuesday, May 19 from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. at 2825 Y St. Light refreshments will be served and you can learn more about the Kroc Center.
Our next book club meeting will be on Tuesday, May 12, at 5:30 p.m., at Bonefish Grill in Regency. The book for discussion is: "A Year on Ladybug Farm." The book is about three friends uprooting themselves from their comfortable lives in the suburbs, buy a run-down mansion nestled in the picturesque Shenandoah Valley. They christen this new home "Ladybug Farm," hoping the name will bring them luck. This is a fun read, and I think will be enjoyed by everyone who reads it. Ask for Lisa Neu when you get there.
Rotary District 5650 Rotarians—Welcome to May! “April showers bring May flowers” … and all sorts of ways to serve our communities and the world to make an impact, create lasting change and “Unite for Good”!! Please read on.
Did you know that May 16th is Rotary’s Epic Day of Service? What is Rotary’s Epic Day of Service you might ask? PDG, Carol Horner, Council Bluffs Noon Rotary Club, Zone 29, Epic Day of Service Champion explains.
“The EPIC Day of Service isn’t just a date on the calendar — it is a unifying moment. When clubs across the world register their projects to create a powerful, collective story of Rotary’s impact. It’s visibility. It’s momentum. It’s inspiration. And it reminds our communities that Rotary is here, active, and committed!!”
Even though the published date is May 16th. Any day in May can be used.
Your Rotary Club doesn’t need to invent a new project if they already have one in May. Just register that one. An event happening in our Rotary District 5650 is the Bike Ride to End Polio on May 23rd coordinated by Polio Plus Chair, PDG, Gary Bren. The event starts at 7 am at the Marcus Twin Creek Cinema in Bellevue, NE. To find out more and register you can go to https://rotaryrides.org/event/. The whole idea is to engage our communities in service with us. (serves as a great membership recruitment activity too!)
Imagine the map lighting up with dozens of projects — each one a spark of Rotary spirit. That is the vision. And it starts with your clubs taking one simple step: registering their project.
This website also serves as a volunteer recruitment and organizing site, a fundraising site, etc. Tons of resources at your fingertips.
Let’s show the world what Rotary can do when we move together.”
That brings me to Rotary’s Area of Focus for May – Youth Programs
If you are a new member to Rotary, you may not know about our commitment to developing the next generation of leaders. Our programs help younger leaders build leadership skills, expand education and learn the value of service. There are three main Rotary Youth Programs:
Interact Clubs Interact clubs bring together young people ages (12-18) to develop leadership skills and learn about the world through service projects and activities.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards RYLA is a leadership development program for young people who want to learn new skills, build their confidence, and have fun. Events range from one-day seminars to weeklong camps.
Rotary Youth Exchange Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than one hundred countries.
Enjoy this month of May. Focus on a way to engage and make an impact on our communities and the world through Youth Programs.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to each one of you and the Rotary Clubs in our District for your outstanding efforts throughout April to "Unite for Good" in your community and the world. It was my honor to be invited to be a part of three outstanding events, two of which supported youth: The Rotary Club of Omaha’s 99th Annual 8th Grade Honor Roll and 39th Scholarship Luncheon; Omaha Suburban Rotary Club’s 49th Scholarship Recognition Luncheon; and Rotary Club of Seward’s United States 250th Anniversary One Nation-Many Stories Awards Dinner. The students were amazing!!
Finally, remember to invite a guest to your Rotary Club meeting. Grow your membership. One meeting could change their life and yours as well.
Focus on your Rotary Club experience for your members and guests.
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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