Harrison Johnson is the Director of Community & Economic Development for the city of Bellevue. Mr. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Southern Utah University.
Mr. Johnson entered public service in 2017 as the Director of the joint Hildale- Colorado City Utilities Department and returns to Nebraska after serving as the Deputy City Manager of Hildale City, Utah since 2021. During that time, he led and completed the Hildale-Colorado City Natural Gas Cross Border Pipeline project which brought significant cost savings to residents. In addition, over the last few years, Mr. Johnson procured over a million dollars in grant funding for the Hildale and Colorado City communities including the Rural Economic Investment and Development Grant which led to opening the Hildale Economic Advancement and Innovation Center in 2022. Mr. Johnson has also managed and completed the overhaul of considerable increases in city infrastructure with Community Development Block Grants supporting the Safe Routes to School initiative, bringing modern and accessible sidewalks to students of Hildale's primary education institutions. As a forward-thinking Administrator, Mr. Johnson pioneered changes in city planning to include the completion of the Hildale Master Transportation Plan which focuses on active transportation and responsible street development projects. Lastly, Mr. Johnson introduced and developed the Hildale Historic Residential Housing Overlay and the Future Land Use District System that prioritizes affordable housing and responsible growth.
Mr. Johnson is tasked with helping to promote all the great things going on in Bellevue, manage all economic development activities and work to grow our community by securing relationships with interested businesses and partners.
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month for Rotary. As I am visiting clubs in our district, it is fantastic to see the number of clubs that are recognizing students for academic achievement, giving out dictionaries to grade schoolers and awarding scholarships to high school seniors to help support our next generation of leaders.
In addition, I would like to thank PDG Kathryn Schubert and her committee for all of the work that they have put in to bring the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) back on October 11-13 at Camp Sonshine in Roca, Nebraska. We truly are "People of Action".
I would also like to thank our District Conference Committee, led by James Mackiewicz for all of the work that they are doing to plan a terrific "Fusion 5650 District Conference".
We will be hosting the conference on October 18th and 19th at the Downtown Omaha Marriott. Please make plans to attend. The discounted conference rate and the room rate will end on September 20th.
We are working on a great agenda that will include Don Eckles, Co-founder of Scooters as our keynote speaker at the District Luncheon on Friday. PDG Barbara Bartles will present on her group's NID trip to India on Saturday. We will have some interactive roundtable discussions on Membership Recruitment and Public Image best practices and more. We will post the entire agenda soon. I hope to see you all there.
Omaha, NE, August 29, 2024 — In a generous act of philanthropy, Rotarian Tom Vann has made a significant contribution to the Suburban Rotary Charitable Foundation, donating $50,000 to establish the Tom and Gina Vann Scholarship Fund. This fund aims to provide educational opportunities to deserving students, reinforcing the Rotary's commitment to service and community development.
Tom Vann, a devoted Rotarian for 39 years, has consistently exemplified the Rotary ideal of "Service Above Self." His longstanding dedication to the organization is evident in his recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow +9, an honor awarded to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the Rotary Foundation. Additionally, Tom is a Major Donor, reflecting his deep commitment to supporting the Rotary International Foundation's global initiatives.
This scholarship fund is a testament to Tom and Gina Vann's enduring legacy of service and their belief in the transformative power of education. Their generosity will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the lives of many students, helping them achieve their academic goals and pursue successful futures.
Below is Tom's remarks at Rotary:
It is with immense joy and profound humility that my wife, Gina Vann, and I are honored to donate $50,000 to the Suburban Charitable Foundation for our Scholarship Program. Suburban Rotary has truly distinguished itself in the Omaha Metro area by providing college scholarships to outstanding students who excel academically despite facing significant physical challenges.
Today, I must express my deepest gratitude to my father, Howard Vann, the visionary Founder of Suburban Rotary, and my mother, Judy Vann, who is with us today. They have instilled in me the value of giving back to the community that has given my family and me more than we could ever need in our lifetime.
To my fellow Suburban Rotarians, I am grateful for the privilege of your company in our collective mission to make a difference in the lives of others, both here and abroad. Your dedication to "Service Above Self" has positively impacted countless lives in ways that words cannot fully capture. I am fortunate to be associated with such a remarkable group of individuals.
As I continue to work diligently in my industry, I am committed to doing more for our causes in the future. Together, we will keep pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve, knowing that our efforts today will create a brighter tomorrow for many.
Thank you, each and every one of you, for being a Rotarian and for making a difference in this world. The impact of your service reaches farther than you may ever know.
L to R: Tom Vann with his wife Gina Vann, his mother Judy Vann, Suburban Trustees Chair Katie Henry, and President Zach Ziler
Recently, we welcomed our newest Rotarian, Linda Miller sponsored by Kim Stewart. Linda S. Miller, the owner of a State Farm Agency, was born and raised in Omaha, NE. She attended Mary Our Queen Grade School through 8th grade and graduated from Westside High School in 1988. From an early age, Linda excelled in swimming, competing in local and national events, including State Championships, Junior & Senior Nationals, and The Olympic Sports Festival. Her talent in swimming earned her a full scholarship to Boston College, where she competed until graduating in 1992 with a degree in Broadcast Communications and Advertising.
After college, Linda stayed in Boston for a year to pursue her goal in broadcast communication, working at the sports desk for NBC affiliate WBZ TV 4. In 1993, she returned to Nebraska to be closer to her parents and three siblings. She then spent 23 years working as a Special Investigation Unit Fraud Investigator for American Family Insurance. In 2019, Linda transitioned to State Farm as an Agency Owner.
Linda now runs a successful office at 76th and Dodge St. in Omaha, with a team of four employees. Together, they help customers protect against the unexpected by providing insurance and financial services, with Linda specializing in life insurance. During her time with State Farm, she has qualified for Chairman’s Circle four years in a row, a prestigious achievement awarded to the top 1% of agents nationally.
Linda currently resides in Elkhorn with her two children, Henry, 12, and Caroline, 10, along with their two Standard Schnauzers, Harry and Walter. Her parents, siblings, and their families all live in Omaha. In her spare time, Linda enjoys sports, travel, and spending time with family and friends.
The annual summer party at John Hoich's picturesque lake house was an unforgettable experience, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and great memories. John Hoich extends his heartfelt thanks to all the Rotarians and guests who joined in on the festivities, making the day truly special. The event was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen bonds within the community while enjoying the beauty of the lake and the warmth of good company. John's generous hospitality and the lively atmosphere made it a highlight of the summer, and he looks forward to creating even more memories with everyone in the years to come. Thanks to Dan Hosford for helping coordinate the party. Below is a video from the party submitted by Dan Hosford or copy/paste this link to your browser:https://youtu.be/vGRH2DXTAk4?feature=shared
Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience.
How do I join a fellowship?
Membership in a fellowship is open to any interested individual. You can contact a fellowship directly by using the link below. https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/more-fellowships
Thanks to the foresight of the Rotary Club of Bucyrus, Ohio, students were outfitted with 6,600 pairs of glasses for the 8 April total solar eclipse. In late 2022, with the eclipse still nearly two years away, “we talked about how neat it would be to get solar eclipse glasses for every school in our county for their students for the big event,” says Julie Rexroad, a club member, Interact club adviser, and science teacher at Wynford Local Schools. Once the club approved the $4,300 purchase, members designed, ordered, stored, and eventually delivered the glasses, purchased online from a company recommended by a local astronomy club. “Our location in Ohio is in the totality zone, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime event for most,” Rexroad says. For those missing out, northern Ohio can always look forward to 2099.
Canada
Atop self-crafted engineering marvels of corrugated paper and tape, about 80 cardboard toboggan enthusiasts sledded during a timed contest of the Rotaract Club of North Simcoe, Ontario, in February. The challenge is held in conjunction with Penetanguishene’s Winterama, a 76-year-old staple in the town, and is open to competitors at no cost, attracting as many as 160 each year. “We’ve seen so many amazing sleds, and each year they get even better,” Club President Elana Durtnall says. The club awards prizes for categories such as most creative, most team spirit, and fastest sled, with the speediest clocked at about 28 kilometers per hour (17 mph) by the radar of auxiliary officers of the Ontario Provincial Police. Club members handle tasks such as registration, social media promotion, sponsorship acquisition, and assistance with building a Rotaract cardboard toboggan used to promote the event in the parade the previous day.
Belize
The Rotaract Club of Belize City is renovating a rural school and a Rotary club-sponsored park as part of its youth-focused agenda. In April, club members met at the Hattieville Government Preschool to paint restrooms and complete other beautification work. A later phase will include new toilets. “We’ve been able to replace chalkboards in 10 classrooms with whiteboards and to donate a printer and other school and hygiene materials,” says Kristoff Nicholson, immediate past president. The club partnered with a telecom provider and raffled off smartphones to help pay for the project. It also received a District 4250 grant of $1,000. In March, club members replaced basketball and goal nets and painted benches and a playset at Love Park in Balama, another element of the project, Nicholson says.
Colombia
In January, the Rotary Club of Cúcuta-Ciudad de Arboles purchased about $600 of school supplies and delivered 100 sets of notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, and more to students in the city. It’s about 350 miles northeast of Bogotá. Club members also visited with students in the neighborhood of Las Delicias, says Dora Patricia Lobo, a past president of the club. “The hustle and bustle and joy of these students when they receive their school package warms our souls and encourages us to continue,” Lobo says. More than 1,400 students have benefited since the project began.
Consider visiting another Rotary club for a make-up! Rotary.org has a club finder for locations around the world. Please see the District website at rotarydistrict5650.org for details on local clubs. Visit one of the following Metro-Area Clubs!
Monday: Omaha Millard Rotary, 12:00 pm, German American Society, 3717 South 120th St.
Tuesday: Omaha Morning 7:00 am, 88 Tactical, 15350 Shepard St., Suite 1, Omaha NE 68138
Tuesday: Omaha Northwest, 12:00 pm, Sand Point, New England Fare, 655 North 114th Street. Omaha, NE 68154
Wednesday: Omaha Downtown, 12:00 pm, Trinity 113 N 18th St., Omaha, NE 68124
Wednesday: Council Bluffs Centennial: 7:00 am, Hy-Vee Community Room 1745 Madison Avenue Thursday: West Douglas County, 12:00 PM Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation 20272 Veterans Drive
Thursday: Council Bluffs, 12:00 pm, Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center, 1001 South 6th Street
Friday: Omaha West, 12:00 pm, Charlie's on the Lake, 4151 S 144th St., Omaha, NE 68137
Email Yolanda for make-up/attendance credit at yolanda@suburbanrotary.org.
Harrison Johnson
Recently, we welcomed our newest Rotarian, Linda Miller sponsored by Kim Stewart. Linda S. Miller, the owner of a State Farm Agency, was born and raised in Omaha, NE. She attended Mary Our Queen Grade School through 8th grade and graduated from Westside High School in 1988. From an early age, Linda excelled in swimming, competing in local and national events, including State Championships, Junior & Senior Nationals, and The Olympic Sports Festival. Her talent in swimming earned her a full scholarship to Boston College, where she competed until graduating in 1992 with a degree in Broadcast Communications and Advertising.
United States
Canada
Belize
Colombia
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