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Agro National Insurance

Gene Grimsley

Gene Grimsley, Agro National Insurance, Council Bluffs, Iowa, was presented with the Crop Insurance Industry Leadership Award at the 2010 Crop Insurance Industry Annual Convention. This award is given to individuals who are directly involved in the crop insurance industry and who consistently serve the industry by providing outstanding leadership.
Grimsley has been an instrumental part of the crop insurance industry since 1972 and has helped promote and educate the merits of agricultural risk management through the utilization of crop insurance to countless agents and farmers across the United States.
After 37 years in the business and thousands of miles on the road, it is safe to say that Grimsley has developed a knowledge base of experience about crop insurance that few people can equal. One of the great things about Gene is that he not only understands this business, he possesses a unique ability to share and transfer that knowledge on to others.
Grimsley started his career with the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and moved to the private industry in 1984. He has been involved with most every phase and position of the business including claims, sales, processing and management. Grimsley has always been willing to offer assistance and support to individuals, as well as committee work during his career. He has been involved in numerous committees over the years, and is currently the Chairman of the NCIS Public Relations Committee. Committee work is often times consuming and may go unrecognized by many. They also know that committee work has been the lifeblood of our industry. Without the commitment of individuals like Grimsley and their countless hours of involvement to make this a better program, it would most certainly be worse off.
Grimsley grew up in Harlan, Iowa, and currently lives in Council Bluffs with his wife, Shelly. He enjoys activities with his family and anything related to Iowa Hawkeye sports.
Bailey Lauerman

Diane Krajicek

The American Advertising Federation Lincoln has presented its 2010 Silver Medal to Diane Krajicek, director of strategic planning at Bailey Lauerman. She received the award February 6 in front of nearly 500 industry professionals at the annual Nebraska ADDY Awards Show & Banquet.
A native of North Platte, Neb., Krajicek graduated from Kearney State College in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in journalism. Krajicek joined Bailey Lauerman in 2000 and has more than 30 years of experience in the advertising industry in research, branding, media and strategic planning.
"We could not be more proud of Diane for this honor," said Pam Hunzeker, president of administration at Bailey Lauerman. "She is extremely deserving of the recognition."
Since 1960, AAF Lincoln has awarded a Silver Medal to a member who has achieved success in his or her career; shown a consistent high degree of creative and original thinking in work endeavors; worked to increase the stature and raise the standards for the advertising profession; and been active in civic groups including the AAF Lincoln.
Bailey Lauerman is a nationally recognized marketing communications firm with offices in Lincoln and Omaha. One of the most highly-decorated creative agencies in the country, the independent agency works to build some of America's leading brands and companies including ConAgra Foods, TD AMERITRADE, Pepsi and Union Pacific. Bailey Lauerman's work is consistently recognized in national creative competitions including Communication Arts, The One Show, Graphis, the Clio Awards, the ADDY Awards and the O'Toole Awards.
CB Richard Ellis|MEGA

Paul LaFave

CB Richard Ellis|MEGA proudly announces their 2009 Top Producers.
Paul LaFave, vice president and director of Corporate Services, was awarded the Platinum Award, CBRE|MEGA's highest award, for the second straight year. LaFave has been recognized as one of CBRE's top 200 producers nationwide in previous years.
The Chairman's Club was awarded to vice presidents Dennis Hoth, Dave Maenner and Mark Seger, and President's Club was awarded to vice presidents Nancy Johnson, Dave Barton, Jim Maenner and Dale Scott.
Recognized as the number one commercial real estate company in Midland's Business Journal 2008 Book of Lists, CBRE|MEGA is Omaha's full service commercial real estate company with services that include Sales, Leasing, Consulting, Investment Services, Corporate Services, Data Center Consultation Services, Property, Facility and Construction Management. CBRE|MEGA, Omaha's affiliate office of CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., employs more than 100 staff and brokers who work in concert with CBRE serving real estate owners, investors and occupiers locally, regionally, nationally and worldwide.
CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world's largest commercial real estate services firm.
Heritage
Financial Services

Preston R. Speece

Preston R. Speece, CFP, LUTCF of Heritage Financial Services, LLC received the Diamond Managing Director of the Year Management Award for 2009. This award recognizes the top managing director for developing and managing a unit of inexperienced advisers and coaching them to reach their full potential as advisers within Securian Financial Services.
Preston earned the top rating in four categories of productivity and will attend Securian's Leaders Conference for this honor.
SMITH HAYES
Financial Services

SMITH HAYES Financial Services would like to congratulate Maria Sinley, Brenda Merritt, John Decker and Clint Rushing for winning the 2009 Employee of the Year Awards.
Maria Sinley was presented the Spirit Award for her pride in SMITH HAYES and her position as an investment consultant; she is passionate about the firm and her job responsibilities. Sinley exhibits a positive attitude and fosters team work, she inspires others.
Brenda Merritt was honored with the Service Award because she provides excellent customer service both internally and externally. She is involved with the SMITH HAYES Action team and the community. Merritt is willing to help whenever help is needed and goes above and beyond expectations.
John Decker was bestowed with the Innovation Award for his creativity and problem solving. He is able to motivate others to excel. Decker is proactive not reactive and has a comprehensible vision. Decker makes SMITH HAYES a better place for everyone to work.
Clint Rushing was given the Professionalism Award for the way he treats others with respect, strives for excellence in all aspects of his position. Rushing possesses high goals and standards. He displays integrity, leadership and trustworthiness.
SMITH HAYES Financial Services Corp., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a Nebraska based full-service broker-dealer and investment banking firm with offices in Lincoln, Omaha, and Columbus, Neb.
SMITH HAYES
Financial Services

Todd Peterson

SMITH HAYES Financial Services Corp. recently named Todd Peterson of Lincoln the Outstanding Investment Consultant for 2009.
This award is given each year to a registered representative who demonstrates strong leadership, high integrity and an extraordinary commitment to work and community. Peterson is awarded for his exemplary service to his clients and community over the last 17 years.
In addition to being a board member at SMITH HAYES, Peterson serves as a board member of the Lincoln Children's Zoo and is active at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Additionally, Peterson has donated time to the Cedars Home for Children, Tabitha, the Rudge/Charles Memorial Home, and his fraternity at Nebraska Wesleyan.
SMITH HAYES Financial Services Corp., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a Nebraska based full-service broker-dealer and investment banking firm with offices in Lincoln, Omaha, and Columbus, Neb.
SolutionOne

Tom Dickson

SolutionOne recently held their quarterly Stakeholders event. Tom Dickson, major account manager, was recognized with the award for Top Producer at SolutionOne for overall achievement in First Quarter sales. Dickson received this honor for working diligently to promote and grow SolutionOne's client base.
"I'm very proud of Tom. His hard work and quality customer service help give us a competitive advantage," said SolutionOne Vice President Shane Piper. "Being recognized as a top salesperson in an increasingly competitive marketplace is an impressive achievement."
SolutionOne specializes in providing and servicing document and content management software, multifunction equipment, network printers and supplies, and high speed scanners. They are motivated by a 72-year commitment to present the best possible customer experience and deliver world class service with knowledge and expertise. Their consultative process helps clients identify opportunities to automate and improve paper intensive business critical workflows, reduce and control operating budgets relative to the print space, while quantifying the savings and the impacts on the bottom line this additional efficiency can bring to a company. Category Header

ACCESSbank

ACCESSbank is pleased to announce that they have appointed three new officers.

Tom Corrigan

Tom Corrigan has been named assistant vice president and portfolio manager. Corrigan will be responsible for maintaining the integrity of the bank's loan portfolio files and assisting with all aspects of credit underwriting and client services. Corrigan has been with the bank since its inception in 2007 and has worked with two local banking organizations prior to joining ACCESSbank. He is a 2006 graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Jeff Wiitanen

Jeff Wiitanen has been named assistant cashier and controller. Wiitanen is responsible for the bank's daily financial operations. He is a 2004 graduate of Midlands Lutheran College, received his C.P.A. in 2007 and was most recently a bank auditor for five years, the last three years with BKD, LLC.

Craig Robins

Craig Robins has been named assistant vice president and underwriting manager. He will be responsible for oversight of the bank's underwriting processes and will assist with overall credit administration functions. He has an MBA with finance emphasis from Iowa State University. Robins recently relocated from Des Moines, where he worked in credit administration for Bank of the West.
ACCESSbank is a locally owned community bank with $85 million in assets. The bank focuses on building lifelong financial partnership with businesses, professionals and individuals in the Greater Omaha community. Category Header

American
National Bank
Peoples
National Bank

Alan LaFollette

American National Bank and Peoples National Bank have named Alan LaFollette vice president, mortgage production. He will be responsible for achieving division sales goals and objectives and increasing customer satisfaction, productivity, and profitability in the area of first mortgages, through the development and motivation of staff.
LaFollette has more than 23 years of sales and sales management experience, having been employed with Norwest Financial, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and most recently as second vice president of mortgage production at First National Bank of Omaha. The majority of his time involved service and sales efforts in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Hastings College.
American National Corp. operates 29 banking locations in Nebraska and Iowa under the names American National Bank and Peoples National Bank, respectively. With assets of more than $1.6 billion, American National Corp. is the second largest in-market financial institution under local ownership. It is one of the area's leading mortgage lenders and has consistently ranked as the top Small Business Administration lender in the region.
Bahr Vermeer Haecker
Architects

Kate Saroka

Kate Saroka has joined Bahr Vermeer Haecker Architects as an interior designer. Saroka has seven years of experience with other architectural and interior design firms. She is an associate member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for five years.
Saroka holds a Bachelor of Science in Design-Interior Design and a Master's in Architecture with an emphasis in Interior Design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Saroka was the 2002 UNL Superior Scholar - High Distinction, and in 2003 received the AIA Nebraska Gold Award of Excellence, Young Architect.
She will provide interior space planning and design services to BVH in the Omaha Studio.
Bahr Vermeer Haecker Architects is a full service architecture, planning and interior design firm with offices in Lincoln and Omaha.

Feltz WealthPLAN

Todd Feltz, President and CEO of Feltz WealthPLAN, is pleased to announce the following new hires:
*Kristine Kubik was hired in February 2009 as marketing specialist, with responsibilities for the marketing, advertising and event planning for the firm. Kubik is a recent graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University.
*Elizabeth Wilder was hired in March 2009 as financial assistant to a major producer. Her responsibilities include managing and maintaining client relationships and accounts. Wilder is a graduate of Creighton University.
*Jamie O'Brien joined the team as a wealth adviser in December 2009. He will be assisting new and existing clients with wealth planning. O'Brien is a recent graduate of Creighton University.
Recognized as Omaha's number one financial planning firm by Omaha Magazine and Omaha's number one financial adviser by B2B Magazine, Feltz WealthPLAN manages the finances of 1300 households. In 2009 Todd Feltz, President and Founder of Feltz WealthPLAN was named as one of the Nation's Top 100 Financial Advisors by Barron's Magazine for the fifth time.
The Alliance
Marketing Group

Susan K. Koenig

Susan K. Koenig has recently joined the Alliance Marketing Group as an account services representative. Along with an extensive financial background, Koenig is bringing her expertise in account services, special event planning and business development to the Alliance Marketing Group.
Koenig began her career as art director for Bio-Medical Communications at Creighton University. Shortly thereafter she founded Parrish Commercial Art, providing design, promotion and account services to a variety of clients. She is active in various business and charitable organizations across the city.
The Alliance Marketing Group, with associates in Omaha and Denver, specializes in all facets of Marketing/Advertising services: Planning, Budgeting, Electronic Media, Public Relations, Event Planning, Sales Promotion, Corporate Identity Design, Employee and B2B Communications. Category Header

HDR
Engineering, Inc.

George A. Little

George A. Little was recently inducted to the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.
A Hueytown, Ala., native and 1981 University of Alabama-Birmingham alumnus with a degree in electrical engineering, Little has been with HDR since 1989. He started as a project manager on electrical projects and has held positions of increasing responsibility since then, from Minneapolis department manager to his current position as president of HDR Engineering, Inc. and vice chairman of HDR, Inc.
The Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame recognized Little for his guidance of the engineering company's strategic direction, his commitment to mentoring young professionals, and his stewardship of the company's financial health.
HDR is an employee-owned architectural, engineering and consulting firm with more than 7,800 professionals in 185 locations worldwide. All of them are committed to helping clients manage complex projects and make sound decisions. Category Header

American
National Bank
Peoples
National Bank

American National Bank and Peoples National Bank have promoted Chuck Current to first vice president and Dave Burdick and Rhonda Humpal to the title of vice president.
Current is responsible for managing the mortgage division. He joined American National Corp. in April 2009, assuming the responsibilities of residential lending manager. Current came to American National from First National Bank of Omaha and also has served at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. He earned his degree from the University of Iowa.
Burdick assumes the responsibilities of data center operations manager. He joined the bank in June 2008 as an IT consultant, assisting with the Unisys to IBM conversion. Prior to American National, Burdick was employed with Fiserv in Omaha, where he supported IT services for Commercial Federal Bank. He holds a degree in computer science from Iowa State University and has more than 30 years of experience in the IT banking industry.
Humpal plans and directs the operations of processing, underwriting, settlements, secondary marketing and CRA. She was hired at American National Bank in June 2009 as the mortgage operations and secondary markets manager. Prior to joining American National Bank, Humpal held positions at First National Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and Commercial Federal Bank.
American National Corp. operates 29 banking locations in Nebraska and Iowa under the names American National Bank and Peoples National Bank, respectively. With assets of more than $1.6 billion, American National Corp. is the second largest in-market financial institution under local ownership. It is one of the area's leading mortgage lenders and has consistently ranked as the top Small Business Administration lender in the region.
Cabela's Inc.

Cabela's Inc. recently announced the promotions of two members of their World's Foremost Bank executive team – Kevin Werts and Sue Saathoff – to Cabela's vice presidents.
Kevin Werts serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer of World's Foremost Bank since July 2003. He has been with Cabela's for more than 13 years, starting his Cabela's career as a forecast and planning manager and then moving into the position of Cabela's director of finance. Werts currently is responsible for the accounting and finance functions, as well as marketing for the Cabela's CLUB Visa program. This includes acquisition, retention and activation of more than 1.3 million active loyalty customers of Cabela's CLUB Visa.
Sue Saathoff is the senior vice president of operations at World's Foremost Bank since May 2007. She oversees all operations including risk, service, training, compliance, data management, and operational processing. Saathoff was instrumental in the successful launch of the Cabela's CLUB Visa program in 1995 and has implemented key initiatives that have enabled the program to grow year over year and remain ahead of the competition. Prior to joining Cabela's, she was vice president of operations at National Bank of Commerce. Saathoff has more than 25 years of banking experience, with more than 20 years in the credit card industry.
"We are very fortunate as an organization to have a solid leadership team as we fine-tune responsibilities to meet our strategic initiatives," said Tommy Millner, Cabela's chief executive officer. "Sue and Kevin have made important contributions at World's Foremost Bank and I look forward to their continued leadership."
Werts and Saathoff will continue to report to Joe Friebe, Cabela's executive vice president and WFB president and chief executive officer.
Cabela's Inc., headquartered in Sidney, Neb., is a leading specialty retailer, and the world's largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. Since the company's founding in 1961, Cabela's® has grown to become one of the most well-known outdoor recreation brands in the world, and has long been recognized as the World's Foremost Outfitter®. Through Cabela's growing number of retail stores and its well-established direct business, it offers a wide and distinctive selection of high-quality outdoor products at competitive prices while providing superior customer service. Cabela's also issues the Cabela's CLUB® Visa credit card, which serves as its primary customer loyalty rewards program. Cabela's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CAB."
CoSentry

Dan Cullen

CoSentry, a nationally recognized leader in data center co-location and managed technical services, announced that Dan Cullen has been promoted to the newly created position of vice president and general manager for the company's Central Region. Cullen will have sales and administrative duties for Nebraska and Iowa as well as operational responsibilities for both data centers located in the Omaha metropolitan area.
"Dan gets it, he understands the important balance of performance and quality of service," commented Mike Steffan, president and CEO of CoSentry. "With the recent grand opening of our Midlands Data Center and the continued expansion of our Bellevue operation, we needed someone with Dan's significant experience in finance, service and operational standards management" he continued.
Cullen has been with CoSentry since January of 2004 and most recently held the position of vice president, Engineering Services. He was responsible companywide for Engineering, Security and Project Management along with CoSentry's Print Recovery business. The appointment is effective immediately.
CoSentry is the region's largest provider of Data Center and managed technical services. For more than 10 years, CoSentry has provided essential Colocation and Disaster Recovery solutions. In today's always on business environment, market leaders benefit from CoSentry's world-class services to keep their businesses running - no matter what. CoSentry is headquartered in Omaha, with data centers in Omaha; Papillion; Kansas City, Mo.; and Sioux Falls, S.D.
Feltz WealthPLAN

Todd Feltz, President and CEO of Feltz WealthPLAN, is pleased to announce the following promotions:
*Janice Bjornstad has been promoted to chief operating officer, with responsibilities for the development and management of business systems used to manage the firm's large client base, as well as the management of client relations and employment of new technology to enhance producer/administrative systems. Bjornstad has been director of Client Services since 1992.
*Nancy Glass has been promoted to chief operating officer, with responsibilities for financial accounting, process improvement and quality control for the firm's internal business systems as well as the management of staffing and efficiency of operations for the producers and CEO. Glass has been operations manager since 2000.
*Jenny Feltz was named director of Client Relations, with focus on implementation of Feltz Vision1 to new and existing clients. Feltz has been with the firm since 2003.
Recognized as Omaha's number one financial planning firm by Omaha Magazine and Omaha's number one financial adviser by B2B Magazine, Feltz WealthPLAN manages the finances of 1300 households. In 2009 Todd Feltz, President and Founder of Feltz WealthPLAN was named as one of the Nation's Top 100 Financial Advisors by Barron's Magazine for the fifth time.
Omaha State Bank

Alan R. Bost

Omaha State Bank has promoted Alan R. Bost to assistant vice president.
Bost, who has 15 years experience in real estate and mortgage lending, joined the bank in 2006 as a real estate loan officer. He is a graduate of St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minn.

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