Speaker Spotlight
Alex Bagne, Presenter: Often Overlooked and Underutlized Tax Planning Strategies for Business Leaders
Alex Bagne, JD, CPA, MBA, CCSP is the President of ICS Tax, LLC (ICS). His expertise includes cost segregation, energy efficiency incentives (179D/45L), research tax credits, fixed asset reviews, IC-DISC export incentives, and numerous other tax planning strategies. Alex earned a BSBA in accounting from The Ohio State University, a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota, and a law degree from the Tulane School of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana. Alex is a licensed attorney, a certified public accountant, and the President of the American Society of Cost Segregation Professionals. His specialized planning ideas has saved his clients millions in tax dollars. In his free time, he is a martial arts instructor in Judo and coaches his four kids.
Kacy Bell, Presenter: How to Dominate a New Market
Kacy Bell has served the real estate industry for nearly thirty-five years. Early in her career she worked as a REALTOR, a broker, and a mentor in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Yet it was in 2000 that Kacy followed the call to leadership and joined Keller Williams Realty. She acted as Team Leader to her Tulsa market center for 12 years. Embracing Keller Williams’ culture and modeling the company’s mission “to build careers worth having, businesses worth owning, lives worth living, legacies worth leaving and experiences worth giving”, Kacy’s team grew from 40 to over 250 success driven Agents. She now proudly serves as Operating Principal of three Iowa market centers, supporting these communities with over 400 agents.With multiple professional designations, Kacy has acted as an industry leader through the Greater Tulsa Association of REALTORS, President of the Northeast Oklahoma Real Estate Services Multiple Listing Service, as a member of the GTAR Board of Directors and RPAC Trustee. Kacy is the proud mother and mentor of two adult children, 2 step-children and relishes the time she can spend with any of her ten grandchildren.
Patti Bell, Presenter: Business Succession
At Principal®, Patti supports agents and brokers who have technical questions regarding advanced business and estate planning cases and unique plan designs for business owners. She develop marketing tools for technical reference on executive benefits, business succession, estate planning and life insurance products. A native of Iowa, Patti graduated from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, with a BA in Accounting. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU). She is also a current member of the American Institute of CPAs, Iowa Society of CPAs and the local chapter of CLUs, as well as a past president of the Iowa Society of CPAs. Patti regularly provides technical presentations on business planning, executive benefits, estate planning and life insurance planning.
Erin Brockovich, Keynote Speaker
Say the name Erin Brockovich and you think, strong, tough and stubborn. Erin is all that and definitely more. She is a modern-day “David” who loves a good brawl with today’s “Goliaths”. She thrives on being the voice for those who don’t know how to yell. She is a rebel. She is a fighter. She is a mother. She is a woman. She is you and me. It’s been over 15 years since Julia Roberts starred in the Oscar-winning tour de force, Erin Brockovich. The film turned an unknown legal researcher into a 20th century icon by showcasing how her dogged persistence was the impelling force behind the largest medical settlement lawsuit in history. Since then, Erin hasn’t been resting on her laurels…she continues to fight hard and win big! Erin then dominated the world of publishing with her New York Times Business Bestseller, Take It From Me: Life’s A Struggle, But You Can Win. She has also written two fiction novels, Rock Bottom and Hot Water.
Because of her fighting spirit, Erin has become the champion of countless women and men. She is this generation’s “Dear Abby”, and in fact receives thousands of “Dear Erin” letters and emails each year from people who are begging for help and support in their own personal struggles. Erin proudly answers every one of them from people around the world.
Van Deeb, Presenter: POWER OF ASKING…How to Ask your Way to Success
Van Deeb is a native of Omaha, Nebraska. After playing football at the University of Nebraska Omaha, he attended a real estate specialty school in Dallas Texas. Van sold real estate in Dallas for 10 years before moving back home to Omaha to open up DEEB Realty in 1993. Van started his company with just himself out of his basement and grew it to one of the largest Real Estate firms in the Midwest with over 350 agents in only 15 years. Van sold DEEB Realty in January of 2009 and now travels the country inspiring and motivating Sales people and Business owners to be the best they can be.
Jisella Dolan, Presenter: Leadership for the Ages: Empowering and Leveraging a Multi-Generational Workforce
Jisella Dolan serves as Global Advocacy Officer for Home Instead Senior Care®. Jisella is a member of Home Instead’s executive team and in that role advances global brand initiatives. As Global Advocacy Officer, she also leads Home Instead’s advocacy division, which advocates for elderly people and their families, advances a quality care experience, maintains the excellence of the Home Instead brand, and develops aging and home care policy around the world. Specifically, she leads Home Instead’s Legal team, Brand Standards department, Policy and Government Affairs arm, and Thought Leadership platform. Jisella earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska and was a partner at a global law firm prior to joining Home Instead. The challenges family caregivers face hits home for Jisella, as she is a mom who also provides caregiving support to her late father and now her mother and stepfather who suffers from dementia.
Rick Faber, Presenter: Business
After 30 years of business experience in sales, marketing, National Director of Corporate Accounts, COO and Divisional President roles, for a publicly traded company, Rick Faber now works with 60 Regional CEO’s as their Vistage Chair and Coach. Rick has experience in distribution, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and environmental services. Rick is the founder of StratX a strategic execution company and FFAdvantage, working exclusively with high performance leaders and executives. Rick earned his BA from Northwestern and his MBA from Creighton University. Rick and his wife Jean have two daughters, Lauren (20) and Leah (15), and live in Omaha Nebraska.
Ted Gavin, Presenter: Business Bankruptcy
Ted Gavin is a Managing Director and Founding Partner of Gavin/Solmonese LLC and is leader of the firm’s Corporate Recovery Practice, specializing in complex bankruptcy matters, representing Debtors and Creditors as financial advisor, asset sale advisor, chief restructuring officer or in other responsible party roles. In addition, he is frequently appointed liquidating trustee, litigation trustee or plan administrator for post-confirmation liquidating trusts. Ted is Immediate Past President of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), and served as President for the 2018-2019 term, during which period he created ABI’s Task Force on Veterans & Servicemembers’ Affairs. He previously served as ABI’s Vice-President for Development, Co-Chair of the Financial Advisors & Investment Banking Committee (2010-2012), and Co-Chair and Education Director of the Ethics Committee (2008-2010). He writes the “Turnaround Tactics” blog for Forbes.
Jeana Goosmann, Presenter: Negotiate Big Deals
When Jeana Goosmann founded Goosmann Law Firm, she knew she was taking a big risk. “Like a lot of entrepreneurs, it was a difficult decision because my current situation was a good one and a safe one,” she said. “I just knew I wanted more.” She focused her Sioux City law firm around business law and positioned herself as The CEO’s attorney, providing full-service legal and business advice to local and regional business owners. Her growing Sioux City, Omaha, and Sioux Falls law firms now practice in an array of practice areas including but not limited to agricultural law, banking law and finance, bankruptcy law, business law, construction law, cyber law, employment law, divorce and family law, gestational surrogacy law, health law, mergers & acquisitions, real estate law, telecom law, litigation, arbitration & mediation, and estate planning.
Jeffrey Hayzlett, Presenter: Owning Your Hero Factor
Jeffrey Hayzlett is a primetime television host of C-Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett and Executive Perspectives on C-Suite TV, and business podcast host The HERO Factor Podcast on C-Suite Radio. He is a global business celebrity, speaker, best-selling author, and Chairman of C-Suite Network, home of the world’s most trusted network of C-Suite leaders. Hayzlett is a well-traveled public speaker, former Fortune 100 CMO, and author of numerous best-selling business books including: The Hero Factor; How Great Leaders Transform Organizations and Create Winning Cultures, Think Big, Act Bigger: The Rewards of Being Relentless, Running the Gauntlet and The Mirror Test. Hayzlett is one of the most compelling figures in business today and is in five business hall of fames including Speaker Hall of Fame, Sales and Marketing Executives, Business Marketing Hall of Fame, Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, and the Industry Award of Distinction from the National Association of Quick Printers. As a leading business expert, Hayzlett is frequently cited in Forbes, SUCCESS, Mashable, Marketing Week and Chief Executive, among many others. He shares his executive insight and commentary on television networks like Bloomberg, MSNBC, Fox Business, and C-Suite TV. Hayzlett is a former Bloomberg contributing editor and primetime host, and has appeared as a guest celebrity judge on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump for three seasons. He is a turnaround architect of the highest order, a maverick marketer and c-suite executive who delivers scalable campaigns, embraces traditional modes of customer engagement, and possesses a remarkable cachet of mentorship, corporate governance, and brand building.
Meghann Joyce, Co-Presenter: Is There a Bad Apple in Your Bunch?
Meghann Joyce is a complex litigator and your team’s strategic advantage during human resources challenges, construction setbacks, and other business disputes. When the stress is high, Meghann lifts the weight off the shoulders of overworked human resources professionals, project managers, and business owners who need strategic solutions to their legal problems. As a deep thinker with keen analytical skills, Meghann helps you efficiently resolve disputes so that you can focus on improving the well-being of your employees and your business. With several years of legal experience, from complex civil litigation involving employment issues and construction disputes to appeals, Meghann’s priority is to ensure the comfort and confidence of her clients during challenging moments – to make it worth it for her clients.
Cesar Juarez, Co-Presenter: Is There a Bad Apple in Your Bunch?
Cesar Juarez is a trial lawyer and bilingual problem solver. As a trial lawyer, Cesar is a zealous advocate in and out of the courtroom. He finds innovative and creative solutions to effectively and efficiently resolve complex business disputes either through litigation or, even better, without litigation-Worth It. As an employment law attorney, Cesar advises business and corporations to help them manage their workforce and protect their trade secrets. Cesar helps employers recruit and maintain top talent, while avoiding unfair competition from former employees. He works to anticipate and prevent legal issues in employment law and in matters involving business disputes by advising businesses and corporations through extensive planning and strategy to ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations. As one of a handful of fluent Spanish-speaking attorneys in South Dakota, Cesar advises business and governmental entities in cases where the accuracy and content of Spanish communications are important. Governmental entities have previously retained Cesar to help create forms and written policies for persons primarily fluent in only Spanish. Businesses and corporations throughout the United States hire him to communicate with and manage international attorneys when they require representation outside of the United States in Spanish-speaking countries.
Aimee Lowe, Co-Presenter: Negotiate Big Deals
Aimee Lowe is an Omaha business attorney who provides strategic legal counsel, business consulting, and defense work for start-ups, established companies, medical groups, C-Level executives, physicians, and other professionals. She has worked with businesses and executives for years as advisor, strategist, general counsel, defender, and litigator and leverages her litigation, transaction, and in-house experience to provide clients with the total legal package.
Boyd Ober, Presenter: Ignite the Leadership Trifecta: 3 Things That Will Drive Your Business and Increase Your Revenue/Profit
Boyd Ober’s desire to help others achieve success inspired him to found Leadership Resources and continues to fuel his passion today. Serving as the President of the company, he devotes his time to building relationships, coaching and consulting with clients, and strengthening the Leadership Resources team. His guidance and direction have enabled the company to experience steady growth since it began in 2002. Empowering leaders to plan their own paths to success, Boyd ensures that each client has the resources they need to measure the return on their investment.
Mary Ann O’Brien, Presenter: Your Personal Brand
A nationally recognized branding and marketing thought leader, Mary Ann has been entrusted by some of the most successful brands in the world to help steer their strategic direction. Her business acumen, marketing expertise and ability to deliver results gives clients the confidence they need to make the strategic decisions required to grow. Recognized as a pioneer in the world of marketing and technology, Mary Ann and her team have worked with some of the most respected brands in the retail, educational. real estate, financial, medical, digital convergence and wireless industries, helping them to craft everything from big picture strategy to tactical integration and world-class advertising campaigns.
Michelle Mapes, Luncheon Speaker
Michelle Mapes assumed the role of Chief Legal and Administration officer of Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ: GPRE) and Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ: GPP) in January of 2018, and is responsible for all legal affairs, compliance and regulatory matters, board liaison and corporate secretary duties, insurance, government relations, organizational development and strategic compensation initiatives. Ms. Mapes served Green Plains as Executive Vice President – General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from November 2009 to January of 2018. Prior to joining Green Plains in September 2009 as General Counsel, Ms. Mapes was a Partner at Husch Blackwell LLP, where for three years she focused her legal practice nearly exclusively in renewable energy. Prior to that, she was Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel for HDM Corporation. Ms. Mapes served as Senior Vice President – Corporate Services and General Counsel for Farm Credit Services of America from 2000 to 2005. Prior to that she was a partner at Kutak Rock LLP. Ms. Mapes holds a Juris Doctorate, a master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance, all from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and serves on the boards of the American Lung Association and the National Grain & Feed Association.
Rachel Thompson, BE WORTH IT Co-Emcee
Rachel Thompson is the Marketing Director for the Goosmann Law Firm, one of the fastest growing law firms in the United States with locations in Omaha, Nebraska, Sioux City, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Goosmann Law Firm helps business owners win disputes, protect their wealth, and spend time on what’s worth it. Rachel has been with the firm since 2013 and coordinates all the firm’s marketing efforts involving website and digital marketing, public relations, branding, advertising, social media, and event planning. Rachel is actively involved as a member of the Legal Marketing Association and the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firm’s (NAMWOLF) Marketing Best Practices Committee.
Rachel graduated from Morningside College in 2013 in Sioux City, Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in advertising and business administration with an emphasis in marketing and a minor in graphic design. While attending college in 2011, Rachel was awarded a scholarship and title of “River-Cade Queen” – a festival in Iowa that holds a 50-year tradition in the community celebrating the developments that the Missouri River brought to the city in the late 1800s. Rachel remains heavily involved in River-Cade today by working on the River-Cade Royalty Committee to raise funds for their scholarship program.
Julie Agena, Presenter: Ethics
Josh White, BE WORTH IT Co-Emcee
Josh White oversees the development and continued growth of the Goosmann Law Firm as the Executive Director of the firm’s Omaha location and prides himself as being a “culture keeper”. Josh manages the Goosmann Law Firm’s business development efforts and long-term client relationships for the firm’s Omaha market. He also serves as an Executive Leadership Coach within the firm as well as for clients. Josh understands the legal industry having received his Juris Doctor at the University of Nebraska College of Law. His experience spans from 17 years of leadership and management in various positions including, Assistant Athletics Director at University of Nebraska Lincoln, Senior Associate Athletics Director at the University of Nebraska Omaha, and Associate Director of Membership Services at the NCAA.