OMAHA, Neb., March 29, 2018 – From grassroots beginnings to global impact, Nebraska organizations such as C&A Industries, College of Saint Mary, First National Bank, Kiewit and Lozier Corporation have reason to cheer their leaders, five of whom will be inducted into The Greater Omaha Chamber’s 2018 Omaha Business Hall of Fame, Tuesday, April 17 at the Holland Performing Arts Center. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the honor.
Larry J. Courtnage, owner and chairman, C&A Industries, Inc.; Bruce E. Grewcock, chief executive officer and chairman of the board, Kiewit; Dianne Seeman Lozier, corporate counsel, Lozier Corporation, vice-chair, The Lozier Foundation; Dan O’Neill, president (retired), First National Bank and Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, president, College of Saint Mary will be honored at a gala celebration that begins with a 6 p.m. hors d’oeuvres dinner, followed by an induction ceremony at 7:30 p.m.
This year’s honorees join a long list of regional notables, including Warren Buffett, Rose Blumkin, John A. Creighton, Walter Scott, Jr. and more – all of whom have built legacies of innovation, community impact and success.
About the 2018 Honorees
Larry Courtnage
Owner and Chairman – C&A Industries, Inc.
“It’s all about integrity and taking care of the customer. The customer comes first.”
An entrepreneur from an early age, Larry Courtnage is the founding force behind C&A Industries, Inc., the nation’s 28th largest staffing firm and an eight-time honoree as one of the Best Places to Work in Omaha™.
“I firmly believe that if you have faith in God, a strong belief in yourself and the right goal, you can get into what I call the ‘can do box.’ In the ‘can do box,’ you can move mountains.”
Launched as a one-man firm in 1969, the C&A umbrella now covers seven different affiliates, including Aureus Group, Celebrity Staff, AurStaff, FocusOne Solutions and Aureus Medical Group, one of the largest healthcare staffing firms in the nation.
“We have people working in all 50 states.”
Active in the community, Courtnage founded, funds and sets the direction for The Kim Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to mental health advocacy and suicide prevention.
Bruce E. Grewcock
Chairman and CEO – Kiewit
“Find something you love and have a passion to work hard at – but also be curious about things. When you’re intellectually curious, doors will open for you.”
Bruce Grewcock was first elected to Kiewit’s board of directors in 1994, named president and COO in 2000, CEO in 2005, and board chairman in 2012. He is a founding member of the Construction Industry Ethics and Compliance Initiative (CIECI) and a member of Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs.
“Like Kiewit, I’ve always been wired to be opportunistic and willing to consider how we can do things different. I saw the chance to grow our business in different, more diverse ways and incrementally ran at those opportunities.”
Grewcock serves as a director of Nebraska Medicine and Creighton University and on the Colorado School of Mines Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He actively provides leadership to others in the construction, engineering and mining industries to improve the safety of workers and construction impact on the environment.
Dianne Seeman Lozier
Corporate counsel – Lozier Corporation, Vice-chair – The Lozier Foundation
“Work really hard. Do what you love a lot. Make a good effort to make a difference in your own way – and the rest of it doesn’t really matter.”
Dianne Seeman Lozier has served as corporate counsel for family-owned Lozier Corporation for 25 years now. She extends her impact as vice chair of the 32-year-old Lozier Foundation, which focuses on underserved populations, education and health.
“We care about people. Helping them improve their own lives is so critical to us.”
A key supporter of Omaha Public Schools, the Foundation opened its own free, private school in 2015 – Nelson Mandela Elementary – which serves high-poverty scholars in north Omaha. Like Mandela, Lozier believes “education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
In addition to being a staunch champion of education, Lozier is an active advocate for women and girls. She was involved in launching what is now the Domestic Violence Council and before that, Women’s Fund of Omaha.
Dan O’Neill
President (retired) – First National Bank
“Be yourself. Don’t go read a book and manage like that. Listen to your own intuition and follow that lead.”
Dan O’Neill spent 36 years with the First National organization as a vice president and then president of the Lauritzen Corporation, president of First National of Nebraska, and president and chairman of First National Bank of Omaha. He retired on April 1, 2017.
“I’ve been really blessed with the First National Bank organization and the Lauritzens who really care about the community.”
O’Neill has served on the boards of the Mid-America Center and College of St. Mary and as board chairman for the Durham Museum and the United Way of the Midlands. He and his wife, Alison, have also served as chairs of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Gala and Walk to Cure Diabetes.
“It all goes back to First National. It’s in our roots. John and Bruce Lauritzen always taught me, the bank is only as successful as your community.”
Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM
President – College of Saint Mary
“Find something that you really believe in, something that you are called to, and go at it.”
Inspired by the 18th century foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, believes “nothing is more important to society than the careful education of women.”
Dr. Stevens was appointed president of a struggling College of Saint Mary on June 1, 1996. Today, the institution is thriving with increased enrollment, new programs, and student-centered innovations, including the $10 million Madonna Hall, which allows single mother-students to live on campus with their children.
“There is a tremendous amount of energy among our faculty and staff, and I think that’s caught by the students.”
Prior to her appointment, Dr. Stevens taught in and eventually became chair of the theology department at Creighton University. A woman of profound values, she has spoken both locally and nationally on women’s issues, gender in the workplace, and the need to make college accessible and affordable.
About the Omaha Business Hall of Fame
The Omaha Business Hall of Fame was initiated in 1993 in celebration of the Chamber’s centennial anniversary. Proceeds from the Omaha Business Hall of Fame Gala will continue to support the permanent Omaha Business Hall of Fame exhibit at The Durham Museum and the annual Young Professionals Summit, a project of the Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals. The 2018 Omaha Business Hall of Fame Gala sponsors are Fraser Stryker PC LLO, KPMG LLP and U.S. Bank
The cost to attend the celebration is $250 per person, members; and, $275, nonmembers. Reservations can be made online at https://www.omahachamber.org/bhof/.
About the Greater Omaha Chamber
The mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber (https://www.omahachamber.org/) is to champion a thriving business community and a prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration.