Class of 2012

CLASS OF 2012

Executive MBA Class of 2012

Jessica Berry

Jessica L. A. Berry is a Nebraska native who grew up in Omaha. After graduating from Millard West High School, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering from Louisiana State University. After working in several locations around the country, Jessica moved back to Omaha to be closer to family and friends. Currently, she is employed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Munroe Meyer Institute Human Genetics Laboratory as a Cytogenetic Technologist. She performs molecular testing and genomic sequencing on medical samples. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with friends, watching movies, and spoiling her three nieces. Her latest endeavor, besides the EMBA program at UNO, is restoring a car with her husband, Patrick.

Scott Brown

Scott Brown is a Senior Consultant with Gallup. He is responsible for managing Gallup’s Midwest healthcare division comprised of six states. Brown manages client relationships, strategizes, and helps align the right Gallup teams and solutions to improve the client’s organizational challenges. He focuses on helping his clients achieve improvements in human capital outcomes, talent selection, leadership development, succession planning, employee engagement, and patient and physician engagement. Prior to joining Gallup Brown worked in consulting and business development for National Research Corporation, a provider of ongoing survey-based performance measurement, improvement services and governance education to the healthcare industry. Brown received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Strengths:
- Context
- Arranger
- Learner
- Responsibility
- Achiever

Patti Freshman

Patti (R.N., BSN, CNOR, CRNFA, CPN) is a RN First Assistant at Children’s Hospital. She is one of ten team members that operates exclusively on Congenital Heart Disease children at Children’s Hospital in Omaha. She has been involved in Cardiac Surgery since 1979, adult cardiac surgery for 27 years and pediatric cardiac surgery for four years. She has successfully run her own company, CardioSolutions, Inc. from 2002-2005. She has been a charge nurse and a nurse manager of cardiac surgery and a business director of surgical services, overseeing a $14 million dollar budget and all contract negotiations, for the Alegent Health System. Patti is nationally certified as a nurse in the operating room, as a RN First Assistant and as a pediatric nurse. She graduated summa cum laude with her BSN in 1984; she has been awarded nurse of the year nationally by the National League of Nursing (NLN) and by her local Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN). She has also participated in medical mission trips in which she was responsible for setting up an infrastructure for cardiac valve surgery in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa. She coordinated supplies and equipment being shipped from the U.S. and trained and educated Senegalese people to perform cardiac surgery over the course of six trips in four years. Patti is married to Jay; they have one daughter, Danna, and two grandkids. Patti and Jay love to skydive, have a very loving big German Shepherd, Schatze, and love to travel to the Caribbean in their spare time.

Siva Ganga

Siva (Master of Computer Applications, Andhra University, Vizag, India) is an Associate Systems Manager at Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, NE. He develops and administers Customer Relationship Management applications for their Marketing & Sales, and Customer Service Center. He has worked in the IT industry for more than 12 years as a consultant, software engineer, Programmer Analyst, and developer.

Oscar Gladman

Oscar (B.A., Point Park University) is a District Sales Manager for FedEx Services. His responsibilities include managing a team of 9 Field Sales professionals, setting goals, increasing revenue through net new business, and building strategy for future growth. Oscar started his professional career with a marketing firm in Pittsburgh and joined the FedEx team as a sales professional in 2005. While living in Chicago, Oscar pursued an MBA with Robert Morris University but was transferred to Omaha before completion. Oscar is an avid runner & cyclist in his free time and also enjoys travel with his wife Katie.

Josette Gordon Simet

Josette is practicing physician with Alegent Health Clinic since 2002. She has participated in community health awareness projects, hospital committees to improve quality measures, patient outcomes and treatment guidelines. She has served as a patient advocate on the Metropolitan Omaha Medical Society Board to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Douglas County. Most recently worked as a Site Leader at Alegent Health Clinic. Currently enjoys full time practice as a Family Physician in the Benson area. Hobbies are sewing, arts and crafts, and spending time with her family.

Steve Grohs

Steve (B.S. Environmental Studies, University of Nebraska - Lincoln) is a Sales Manager for Univar. Univar is the largest chemical distributor in the US serving many industries including Food, Pharmaceutical, Personal Care and Energy. Originally from Omaha, he is currently based in Kansas City and has worked for Univar for 13 years. Steve is responsible for their Omaha and Kansas City locations and manages seven Outside Sales Reps. During his career with Univar he has held multiple positions including Outside Sales Representative, Sales Manager - Iowa and Industry Manager for Biofuels. Steve and his wife Diane have two young children, Delaney and Mackenzie.

C. B. Gurumurthy

C. B. Gurumurthy (BVSC, Bangalore Veterinary College, India; MVSC & Ph.D, Indian Veterinary Research Institute) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). His education and training in advanced molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques resulted in his recruitment as the Director of Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility at UNMC. He designs genetically engineered mouse models for use by scientists involved in biomedical research in various laboratories in Nebraska. He collaborates with other scientists, nationally and internationally, in developing newer cutting-edge techniques in genetic engineering. He also enjoys teaching and training of junior researchers and students in advanced genetics and molecular biology methods. He relaxes by going on road trips with family and friends, cooking, tennis, yard work and playing with his 9 year old son & three cats.

Claire Kenkel

Claire Kenkel (B.A., American Studies, University of Notre Dame) is the International Product Marketing Manager for Streck, Inc. She is responsible for market research, product marketing and distributor management with sales in 60 countries. Claire began her career in international sales and marketing at Election Systems & Software, Inc. She has resided in Spain and Mexico and has experience in countries throughout Europe and the Americas. In her free time, Claire is involved in the Marian High School Alumnae Executive Council and enjoys recreational sports, including sand volleyball and running.

Doug Knight

Doug Knight joined SAIC in 2005 and has served in the capacity of architect, system integrator, task order lead and program manager. In his current position, Doug manages an advisory and assistance services contract supporting USSTRATCOM, its components and Air Force Weather Agency covering 6 different geographic areas, 34 Task Orders and valued at over $150M. The scope of this program covers the spectrum of USSRATCOM and AFWA mission areas to include Space, Global Strike, Missile Defense, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, Command and Control and Cyberspace. These contracts provide a diverse set of capabilities to include architecture, modeling and simulation, technical evaluations, subject matter expert, testing and portfolio management support. Before hiring on with SAIC, Doug Knight was in the Air Force with over 21 years of experience as a communications officer. He has operational and maintenance experience across a wide array of space, communications, computer and intelligence systems.

Chris Kuklinski

Christopher T. "Chris" Kuklinski is a resident of Papillion Nebraska. Chris is a native of Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Architectural Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Arts Education from Chapman, University, Orange, CA. He is married to the former Deborah DiMuzio of Brielle, NJ. They have three children, Alexander, Emily and Nicholas. Chris is a retired United States Air Force officer having served in several operational capacities from Ground Launched Cruise Missiles, Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, Titan II and Titan IV Space Launch Vehicles, and the Defense Support Program missile early warning system. His staff tours include Headquarters Air Combat Command, Headquarter United States Strategic Command, and the Joint Staff. Chris retired in 2008 and currently serves as the Chief of Nuclear Concepts and Strategy Division at United States Strategic Command.

Jason Lems

Jason (B.S., Agribusiness, B.S., Agronomy, M.S., Agronomy, South Dakota State University) is a Division Finance Manager with John Deere Company in Sioux Falls, SD. He has been working for John Deere since 1998 and has held 6 different positions in four states. Current responsibilities include managing two Area Sales Managers in the upper mid-west, increasing Agricultural and Turf sales through finance incentives, and developing the John Deere dealer sales channel by implementing sales process efficiencies. He is active in the community by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and helping those in need through his church’s Necessity for Neighbors program. In his free time, Jason enjoys traveling with his wife Janette, hunting, fishing, BBQ, and just spending time in the outdoors.

Michelle Oiness

Michelle Oiness (B.S.B.A., Finance - University of Nebraska Omaha) is a Lead Account Executive with NEI Global Relocation where she has worked since 2005. Responsibilities include client relationship management and operations team supervision for the customer services provider. At the end of 2011 she will transition to the position of Mobility Strategies Coordinator where she will be an industry analyst and involved with client retention for the firm. She is a Certified Relocation Professional and holds a Nebraska Real Estate Sales License. Michelle has three sons that completed undergrad degrees in 2009, 2010 and 2011; which prompted her to pursue the Executive MBA program. Her civic involvement has been through Junior League affiliations in three states, as a school board member and numerous youth organizations. During her free time she takes pleasure in entertaining family and friends, play golf and gardening.

Bryan Peterson

Bryan (B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska – Lincoln) currently works as a Project Manager for Ellison Technologies Automation. ETA provides robotic automation solutions for a wide variety of manufacturing companies across the country. Bryan recently returned to Nebraska after working for several years as the Manufacturing Engineering Manager for Gateway Computers at their Nashville Tennessee facility. He has worked in a variety of manufacturing engineering positions in his career covering product/process engineering, new product introduction and engineering team leadership. Bryan has worked in several industries including telecommunications, semiconductor equipment and computer manufacturing. His career began with AT&T Network Systems in Omaha and after that he worked for Applied Materials in Austin Texas prior to his move to Tennessee. Bryan enjoys singing, computers, sports and spending time with friends and family.

Rebecca Schlaebitz

Rebecca (B. A., Journalism, University of Nebraska-Lincoln) is a National Accounts Manager for ConAgra Mills, a division of ConAgra Foods. Her current responsibilities include sales and business development of grain products, both nationally and internationally. Starting her food career as a trader/merchandiser, Becky has worked in the soybean, wheat, vegetable, and seasoning industries, providing risk management, product development, and supply chain solutions for food ingredients to Fortune 100 food companies. Becky enjoys cooking, traveling, gardening, and spending time with her husband Ted and their two children, Noah and Gabriel.

Aaron Smith

Aaron (B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla; M.S. Electrical Engineering, Kansas State University) is Supervisor of Distribution Planning at Omaha Public Power District. His team is responsible for planning the expansion and upgrade of OPPD's electrical distribution system. Aaron joined OPPD in 2007. Prior to that he worked at Oklahoma Gas and Electric in Oklahoma City. At OPPD and OG+E, he has held positions in power system design, planning, operations system protection, and compliance. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Nebraska and Oklahoma. Aaron and his wife Jenni have been married for 8 years and they have 3 wonderful children Aja, Maelee, and Miles. Aaron enjoys spending time with his family, playing softball, and watching college football.

Bryce Spann

Bryce (B.S., Business/Psychology, Nebraska Wesleyan University) is in the commercial underwriting department at State Farm Insurance where he has held underwriting, field underwriting, and leadership positions. His department is responsible for risk selection and pricing of commercial insurance in a six-state region. Bryce’s free time is spent with his wife, three kids, and their activities.

Boise Walker

Boise Walker (B.A.S., Interior Design, Colorado State University) is an Associate Project Manager within Store Development at Starbucks Corporation. Boise manages consultants and vendors ensuring adherence to project budgets, deadlines, local and federal codes, scope of work and design for projects within the Midwest and Mid-America regions. She has experience designing and planning 1,000 sf – 300,000 sf facilities within retail, pharmacy, clinical, restaurant, warehouse and office design disciplines. Boise is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers and recently participated in Rebuild Chicago, an event where neighborhoods in Chicago are selected to receive free home and garden repair for elderly, disabled and low income individuals. Most of her free time is spent volunteering at Millennium Ministries Food Pantry, being involved with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. supporting their mission to help alleviate problems concerning women and girls, teaching bible class at Eastside Church of Christ, riding her bicycle and traveling with her friends and family.