What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Getting to share in the lives of people who have experienced so much life daily.  Being reminded that sometimes less is really more.  Our residents lived during an era when times were tough yet they were happier than most people today who seem to have it all.

Tell me a little about your family. - I married my high school sweetheart, Michael and we have two beautiful daughters, Courtney is 15 and Caitlyn is 11.  We live on the family acreage that my husband grew up on outside of Syracuse. We are blessed to live close to lots of our family.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – The second day I began working in Assisted Living over 12 years ago.  I knew that I would do this the rest of my life.  It’s an indescribable feeling to know you are serving your calling in life.

What are you the most proud of? - Learning from the lessons my parents taught me when I was younger.  We had elderly neighbors that we were very close to, and we helped them as they grew older so that they could stay in their home.  I didn’t realize the impact this would have on my life at the time, but I’m so grateful that my parents exposed me to this gift of service to others.  The times I spent with our neighbors are some of my best childhood memories.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – Being organized and having a neat desk.  People used to make fun of me because I didn’t like to leave the office unless all of my piles were completed.  When you work with caring for people, comforting families, and finding enough staff to cover a shift the piles don’t seem to matter so much.

Which talent would you most like to have? – Life-balance.  I’m an all or nothing kind of gal and sometimes I get wrapped up in work or a family project and everything else takes a back seat.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - “Choose Joy” by Kay Warren.  It’s a great reminder that we should choose joy because God already has every aspect of our lives planned out.  We don’t have to figure it out on our own.

What is your favorite TV show? – Parenthood

What is your favorite local restaurant? – La Paz

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Oprah Winfrey.  She helps the world to see that everyone is put on this Earth for a purpose and when you find God’s purpose in life, there is no greater joy.  I’m living this reality!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can reach me by phone at (402) 423-0000 or by email at pcarlson@thewaterford.net

How did you get started in the business? – I was born into it!  I went to college with the idea of coming back and running the company and that is pretty much how the plan went. My dad retired completely from the business in 1994.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Being the Chair of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  I am also grateful to have a great brother-in-law as a partner.  We share so many values and goals as well as holding each other accountable.

Tell me a little about your family. – I have been married to my wife Lisa for 30 years, and we have 3 children.  Tyler is our oldest and is married to Darcy, who is a great daughter-in-law.  They currently live and work in Boulder, CO. Tony is a Missionary in Richmond, VA.  He works with inner city children as a part of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and his primary duty is to manage their rope course.  Our youngest child also happens to be the only girl.  Maddie is a sophomore at GI Senior High, and she enjoys volleyball and Show Choir.  She is her father’s daughter because she does not like the running part of high school track!

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - When I was named President of Lacy Construction Company in 1994.  Prior to this, I had managed different segments of the construction business, and then all of a sudden I was managing the entire company.

What are you the most proud of? – That my children all have a personal knowledge of the Lord.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Working on projects around the house. I also enjoy golf, hunting and boating.

What is the one goal you would most like to accomplish? – To shoot an even par on the golf course! It’s harder than it sounds!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – That I love woodworking projects.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Take time to get to know the Lord, you will never regret it.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – To be able to travel long distances instantly.

Which talent would you most like to have? – To be able to play a musical instrument.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey

What is your favorite movie? – Top Gun, that movie has very cool planes and flight scenes.

What is your favorite TV show? – Ultimate Factories

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Vincenzo’s

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Ronald Reagan, he was a true leader, something we haven’t had for some time.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – The best method is by phone at (308) 384-2866.  You can also reach me by email at jerry@lacygc.com.

How did you get started in the business? – Contracting numerous accounts was a big part of my corporate life and early in my career I always found success in client and contractor relations.  A friend came across this opportunity to start a trucking company so we went after it.  I have always believed in the potential for the transport of durable goods.  It’s something the internet can’t take away from us.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – It is certainly the changing world we live in.  I never imagined that things would change so quickly and society would move so fast when I was younger.  There is always competition and there is always something cheaper, better, and faster.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Leaving the umbrella of the corporate world and starting my own business.  It is nerve-racking at times but also has rewards.  Business decisions carry a much heavier weight when they will impact the life of your family.  Whether it is time that I can spend with them or the security of our future, these decisions are all more important now.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I spent three years trying to be a professional racquetball player and had the opportunity to spend some time at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs.  I won a few matches, and lost a lot more, but it was a great experience.

What are you the most proud of? - My family and my daughter, Alexandria.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Treat people with respect no matter what.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Vigilant

Which talent would you most like to have? – I would really like to be able to sing.  I have tried and sadly there is no way I will ever carry a tune.  I am amazed by the ability of people that can sing.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – ‘The World is Flat’ by Thomas Friedman.  It is really intriguing and talks about how the ability to communicate with anyone in the world, instantly and individually, has changed our lives.

What is your favorite TV show? – Star Trek the Next Generation.  It pretty much made my year when it came out on Netflix.  I have the DVD’s but now it is easier to watch random episodes.  I actually believe Star Trek is the true inventor of the iPad…no discredit to the amazing Steve Jobs who made it a reality.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Anywhere that serves fish tacos!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – By email at Jason@spiritlinestrans.com or you can visit our website at www.spiritlinestrans.com.

How did you get started in the business? – I got into real estate about five years ago, when I was just a year out of college.  A friend of mine from college was already a Realtor, so I talked with him and found out that I could really fit into that type of career.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve face professionally? – So far the biggest challenge I’ve had to face professionally is taking on and representing Third Generation Builder, and trying to make them one of Lincoln’s premier and sought-after Builder.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?  – Getting the opportunity to represent Third Generation Builder as their Realtor.

Tell me a little about your family. – My mother and father are still married and together, and I have one sister that is two years younger than me.  They all still live in Lincoln, so I still get to spend time with them regularly.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – When I got the opportunity to play football for the University of Nebraska as a Cornhusker and a tight-end for four years.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Go golfing.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – That I like to do CrossFit as a method of working out.

What are you most proud of? – Playing football for the Huskers!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – The harder you work the luckier you are, and that you cannot control the world around you—but you CAN control how you react to it.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Legendary.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - I think I would want similar super powers as Wolverine from X-Men, or Superman.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – My athleticism and strength.

Which talent would you most like to have? – Photographic memory with perfect recall.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – CEO/Owner of a multi-national corporation.

What is your favorite book, or the last good book you read? – The Art of War by Sun Tzu

What is your favorite movie? - James Bond.  It’s a three-way tie between Thunder Ball, From Russia with Love and Casino Royale.

What is your favorite TV show? – White Collar

What is your favorite local restaurant? – OSO Burrito

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Ben Franklin

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can contact me by phone at (402) 202-2871, or by email at jrknopphomes@gmail.com.  You can also visit my website at www.jrknopphomes.com, or the Third Generation Builder website at www.thirdgenerationbuilder.com.

How did you get started in this career? -  My first degree is in nursing.  I have a BSN from a private college in Iowa.  All of my nursing experience has been in critical care, including heart transplant.  I always knew I would go back to college and further my education and I did so, receiving my physician assistant degree in 1994.  Since graduation I have worked in family practice, internal medicine and urgent care.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced professionally? – One of my first jobs as a physician assistant was in my hometown of about 27,000 people.  At the time, there were possibly three mid-level providers including myself.  Most people had no idea what a physician assistant was, but they did know we were not doctors.  As was the norm for our town at the time, most people saw their doctor with any concerns, not a physician assistant that was not their doctor.  I think I may have seen five patients on my first day of work.  Gradually, with patience, education and perseverance, my practice expanded and I was seeing 15-25 patients daily.  I learned a lot from my patients and I hope my patients learned a lot from me in the 12 years I was there.  Currently, I think there are close to twenty mid-level providers in my hometown now.

Tell me about your family. – I am originally from Iowa, and am the middle child of ten children.  I have eight sisters and one brother.  My father worked at an army arsenal and my mother is a nurse (she was also elected the first black female mayor in Iowa, another story for another time).  My parents always encouraged us and instilled in us that we could all be what we wanted to be in life.  Hence, we have no two professions the same in our family, with one doctor, one lawyer, one policeman, one nurse, and the list keeps going!  I am married and my husband, Haydn, works as the IT manager at the Purina plant in Crete.  We have one daughter, Victoria, who attends Morley Elementary School.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Getting married and having a baby.  No need to explain this one further!

What is your greatest talent that you do not utilize in you daily work/life? – I work with people, I’m from a family of ten children, I’m a mother and I’m a wife.  I use ALL the talents I have, usually on a daily basis!

What is the best advice you have received? – I have several.  Tell the truth.  Hear what people are saying and be careful you are not hearing what you want them to say.  Pick your battles…and not everything is a battle.  Finally, don’t wait for someone else to make you happy if you can do it easily enough yourself.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can contact me at the Urgent Care Clinic by phone at (402) 488-4321 or by email at reception@ucclincoln.com.  You can also visit our website at www.ucclincoln.com.

How did you get started in the business? – My son, Nate, daughter-in-law Kirstin and I started daydreaming about owning and operating a restaurant. Nate mentioned he had never seen the “Reuben Roll”, a favorite dish from his childhood, served in a restaurant, so perhaps that would be a unique idea to try. Kirstin suggested making this Reuben Roll, or basically Reuben sandwich ingredients in a pie crust, in muffin tins.  This worked, and we were on our way to having a restaurant.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – In our restaurant business, figuring out how to meet the ongoing expenses of a startup business that is not yet paying its way.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Completing a master’s degree while working full-time and raising a family.

Tell me a little about your family. - I grew up with my parents and two older brothers. My husband had two little girls when we married, and together we had two sons. I have been richly blessed as all four children have wonderful spouses and I have six wonderful grandchildren, ranging in age from 22 years to 1 week old.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – The unexpected death of my husband in 2007. We had always lived conservatively, in terms of finances, living within our means and saving toward a comfortable, debt-free retirement with some inheritance for our kids. Without him, retirement no longer seemed interesting; so when my younger son, Lucas, asked me to help him build a recording studio (SadSon Music Group) in 2009, I sought and received the wisdom of trusted advisers and decided to go ahead. This project was so much fun that when the restaurant idea started developing in 2010, I wanted to try that too!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I enjoy spending time with family members or friends, going to a movie or concert, or going out to eat at a fun place.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – To fly, because I don’t like driving!

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - Teaching children. I’ve been deeply devoted, for the past decade, to a ministry for kids in west Lincoln. Our school year program is called “Kids Are Great” and our summer program is “Sundaes on Mondays”.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Favorite book – Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton; Last good book read – Tattoos on the Heart by Greg Boyle, S.J.

What is your favorite movie? – Favorite classic – “To Kill a Mockingbird”; Favorite recent – “Les Miserables”.

What is your favorite TV show? – I like in-depth news programs or home and garden shows.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Jim Cymbala, pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle, to learn more about how they successfully help broken, suffering people move towards wholeness.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – By phone at (402) 261-9498 or you can visit our website at www.roundaboutsrestaurant.com.

How did you get started in the business? – After college graduation, I began my career in banking as a National Bank Examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in 1987.  Since then, I have worked as a Bank Officer in various capacities, served as President and CEO, as well as managed a region of bank locations.  I guess you could say that I have sat on about every side of the banking desk that there is.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Without a doubt, the most gratifying accomplishment as a banker is making a substantive difference in a person’s financial life.  This can often occur under difficult circumstances, and it takes a genuine commitment to the client and their financial future, as well as a mutual trust, to truly be effective.

Tell me a little about your family. – My wife Lori and I have three children, one in college and two that recently graduated from college.  We are still adapting to the empty nester stage of life.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – At age 28, I was given the unique opportunity to manage a large group of banks in the Midwest.  Whether I was ready for that supervisory responsibility or not, the experience certainly positioned me for the future that I have been blessed to enjoy in our industry.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I have many interests outside of the bank.  Family activities are always on the top of that list, but I also enjoy spending time on our farm and I am painfully reacquainting myself with the game of golf.

What are you the most proud of? – The type of people that my children have grown to be.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? – I have been fortunate to know many exceptional people who have influenced my life through their actions and words.  But the one piece of advice that continually resonates is “Be True to Yourself.”

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – One of my most favorite books is “The Road Less Traveled” by M. Scott Peck.  Two of the more enjoyable books that I’ve recently read were “The Big Short” and “Boomerang”, both written by Michael Lewis.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – There are three ways: by telephone at (402) 420-0560, by email at koehnb@midwestbank.com, or on our website at midwestbank.com.

How did you get started in the business? – A friend’s father owned a small scrap recycling operation in my hometown in central Wisconsin. In 1991, they expanded and were looking for a scale operator. I figured I’d give it a try for a year and here I am, 22 years later.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Making the decision to switch from a Marketing Representative to an Operations Manager. In marketing, I enjoyed seeing customers, building new relationships, and maintaining relations with our present clients. In operations, I enjoy the multi-tasking, yet my favorite part is being out in the operation and passing on the knowledge that I’ve acquired over the years.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Accepting the recent job promotion as Nebraska Regional Manager. I was hesitant to leave a great team in Green Bay, but the change has been wonderful.

Tell me a little about your family. – I have a very supportive wife and two children: a 15-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter. My wife and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this July. We’ve moved multiple times with my job, and each time was quite an adventure.  We enjoyed getting out and exploring the different regions of Wisconsin that we lived in, now we’re looking forward to discovering the State of Nebraska. Our last home was in northern WI just 25 miles north of Green Bay, where the population was about 350 people so moving to the Lincoln area was a big change for all of us, but has been a great experience so far.  I did have to sacrifice a few things during the transition of moving to Nebraska: Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer games.  I took care of my Packer fix with the NFL Satellite package but have to rely on broadcasted highlights for most of the Badger games.  I was able to go to the Husker/Badger game this last fall. Wow….I thought Packer fans knew how to tailgate, what a great experience!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I am a drummer. I played in a rock and blues band for about seven years.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? -  I love to cook. I look forward to starting up my smoker, grilling out some good BBQ and inviting the neighbors over.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – The one piece of advice I think of the most comes from my late grandfather: “Give everyone and everything a fair chance.”

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I’ve always wondered about being a restaurant owner. The new mobile food trucks really intrigue me.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – I like to go to Toast for lunch. We’re still exploring restaurants, but everything in Lincoln Haymarket Square has been a great experience.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can email me at napoleones@sadoff.com, or visit our website at Sadoff.com.

How did you get started in the business? – I was working as the manager of a local retail floor covering store that also provided professional cleaning services.  When I decided to start my own business, it was really a logical transition.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Fighting the consumer perception that professional cleaning services are a commodity—that all companies are the same regardless of price.  Like buying a TV for example.  A particular brand and model of TV is going to be the same TV no matter where you buy it.  Carpet cleaning is just the opposite.  The fact is there is a tremendous difference in quality and service from one company to the next.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Winning Franchise of the Year (with Steam Brothers) and later leaving Steam Brothers to become an independent, local business.

Tell me a little about your family. – My wife, Lynne and I have been married for 17 years.  We have a daughter, Bridget, who is 15 years old and twin sons, Trey and Elijah, who are 11.  Plus, I have an older step-son and daughter-in-law, Jon Paul and Leslie.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Deciding not to go on to Law School after graduating from UNL.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Golfing with friends.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – When I was 9 years old, I suffered a lawn mower accident and lost half of my lower left leg.  After several surgeries, I was able to keep my leg, but doctors said I would never be able to run and would always walk with a limp.  I went on to prove them wrong, playing football, basketball, baseball and track in high school.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – I’ve received this twice, from my first boss and then later from my franchise CEO:  “It’s crowded at the bottom.  Work harder and be better than your competition.”

What are you the most proud of? – My children.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Honest.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I have always been a big history buff.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Astronaut

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Hero of the Underground by Jason Peter

What is your favorite movie? – Goodfellas

What is your favorite TV show? – Mad Men. I love that time period.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – Buzzard Billy’s

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Johnny Carson

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – By phone at (402) 488-3290, email at klhestermann@neb.rr.com, or you can visit the website at www.fivestarfloorcare.com.

How did you get started in the business? – Creating beautiful hair has always been a passion of mine, starting as a young girl creating up-do’s for dances that my high school friends and I were attending.  Naturally after graduation, I went to beauty school and nine years later I was able to open my own salon.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The biggest positive challenge for me was taking a leap of faith and turning a raw space into my dream.  Salon Chic is my biggest and most important professional achievement.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Going from a commission salon to a booth rental salon where I became my own boss.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – On my days off, my favorite things to do are to travel and do outdoor activities with family and friends.  I am always on the go, looking for the next adventure!

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I am very artistic.  I love to paint and play the piano, as well as write my own music.

What are you the most proud of? – Salon Chic! The experience of having a concept, following through, and watching my dreams become real.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? – To work hard and to be a positive person.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Happy.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I would be a wedding planner if I could choose another profession.

What is your favorite move? – Pretty in Pink is my favorite move of all time!

What is your favorite TV show? – Top Chef

What is your favorite local restaurant? – I adore Carmela’s.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Audrey Hepburn

What is your favorite quote? – “You are never fully dressed without a smile and a great hairdo.”

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – You can find Salon Chic on Facebook, and our business phone number is (402) 261-4905.  Or you can stop by at 4848 Normal Blvd., Suite C.