2020 Speakers
Keynote Speaker: Brian Ardinger with Nelnet & InsideOutside.io
Brian is Director of Innovation at Nelnet and the founder of InsideOutside.io, makers of the weekly podcast, newsletter, and The IO Summit. For over 25 years Brian has been helping entrepreneurs and enterprises navigate and compete in a world of change and disruption. He has led efforts between startups and corporates to engage the latest trends, tools, and tactics to accelerate innovation, launch new ideas, and build better products. Previously, Brian founded the seed-stage accelerator NMotion and co-founded the corporate innovation consultancy Econic. Brian was Chief Marketing Officer at Nanonation working with clients including Pepsi, Target, Nike, Mazda, Harley-Davidson, and Royal Caribbean. Brian built out the consulting arm in Asia for Gartner and worked with technology giants including Microsoft, IBM, and HP. He also led the creation of Asia’s first dedicated customer experience lab as head of research at Ion Global, a Hong Kong headquartered technology firm. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Nebraska Omaha and an MBA from Penn State.
Brian is Director of Innovation at Nelnet and the founder of InsideOutside.io, makers of the weekly podcast, newsletter, and The IO Summit. For over 25 years Brian has been helping entrepreneurs and enterprises navigate and compete in a world of change and disruption. He has led efforts between startups and corporates to engage the latest trends, tools, and tactics to accelerate innovation, launch new ideas, and build better products. Previously, Brian founded the seed-stage accelerator NMotion and co-founded the corporate innovation consultancy Econic. Brian was Chief Marketing Officer at Nanonation working with clients including Pepsi, Target, Nike, Mazda, Harley-Davidson, and Royal Caribbean. Brian built out the consulting arm in Asia for Gartner and worked with technology giants including Microsoft, IBM, and HP. He also led the creation of Asia’s first dedicated customer experience lab as head of research at Ion Global, a Hong Kong headquartered technology firm. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Nebraska Omaha and an MBA from Penn State.
Janell Anderson Ehrke with GROW Nebraska
CEO Janell Anderson Ehrke founded GROW Nebraska in 1998 and remains part of the driving force behind the organization. The program has over 417 business members statewide. She loves social media marketing and is an entrepreneur enthusiast. She is a strong supporter for buying local and believes the Internet has created an equal playing field for rural businesses. Ehrke lives on a farm in Orleans, Nebraska with her husband and has two adult children.
CEO Janell Anderson Ehrke founded GROW Nebraska in 1998 and remains part of the driving force behind the organization. The program has over 417 business members statewide. She loves social media marketing and is an entrepreneur enthusiast. She is a strong supporter for buying local and believes the Internet has created an equal playing field for rural businesses. Ehrke lives on a farm in Orleans, Nebraska with her husband and has two adult children.
Scott Asmus with Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC)
Scott Asmus began leading SourceLink® Nebraska efforts in August of 2020 to develop a one-stop location for entrepreneurial resources. The new program is designed to provide an integrated system of services for small business and entrepreneurial ventures. SourceLink® Nebraska coordinates the development and implementation of an entrepreneurial resource network in the state of Nebraska. Scott was part of the Professional and Organizational Development team with the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) before leading SourceLink® Nebraska efforts. Prior to joining NBDC, Asmus served as a subject matter expert for Registered Apprenticeship with the Nebraska Department of Labor – Education and Training. Scott has provided business consulting in industry sectors, such as healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and transportation.
Scott Asmus began leading SourceLink® Nebraska efforts in August of 2020 to develop a one-stop location for entrepreneurial resources. The new program is designed to provide an integrated system of services for small business and entrepreneurial ventures. SourceLink® Nebraska coordinates the development and implementation of an entrepreneurial resource network in the state of Nebraska. Scott was part of the Professional and Organizational Development team with the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) before leading SourceLink® Nebraska efforts. Prior to joining NBDC, Asmus served as a subject matter expert for Registered Apprenticeship with the Nebraska Department of Labor – Education and Training. Scott has provided business consulting in industry sectors, such as healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and transportation.
Dr. Randall Bretz with Nebraska Wesleyan University
Randy Bretz's career has involved broadcasting, telecommunications, higher education, church leadership and public corporation leadership. He finished his formal education in 1982 but has never stopped learning. Most recently, Randy worked with Leadership Lincoln to guide and direct their communications, serves on the Broadband Community Council for Nebraska, is an active member of Rotary 14, the downtown club in Lincoln, the founder of TEDxLincoln, teaches at Nebraska Wesleyan and is a member of the board of Junior Achievement of Lincoln. For an old guy, Randy is considered technologically advanced and connected. He's active on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and a variety of other services. Some fun things about Randy are that he's been in all 50 states, participated in a week-long rafting trip through the Grand Canyon, he has 3 sons, 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and he regularly connects online with friends from the TEDx world.
Randy Bretz's career has involved broadcasting, telecommunications, higher education, church leadership and public corporation leadership. He finished his formal education in 1982 but has never stopped learning. Most recently, Randy worked with Leadership Lincoln to guide and direct their communications, serves on the Broadband Community Council for Nebraska, is an active member of Rotary 14, the downtown club in Lincoln, the founder of TEDxLincoln, teaches at Nebraska Wesleyan and is a member of the board of Junior Achievement of Lincoln. For an old guy, Randy is considered technologically advanced and connected. He's active on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and a variety of other services. Some fun things about Randy are that he's been in all 50 states, participated in a week-long rafting trip through the Grand Canyon, he has 3 sons, 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and he regularly connects online with friends from the TEDx world.
Megan Burda with Brick Road Boutique
Megan is the creative mind behind Brick Road Boutique. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Textile and Apparel Design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a specialization in entrepreneurship. Megan has always had a passion for clothing and loves styling women with a helpful and caring attitude. Creating Brick Road Boutique has been a dream of hers for many years. Brick Road Boutique is a premier traveling clothing boutique that gives back to local communities. Based in Geneva, NE, Brick Road Boutique hosts pop-up events across the state wherein women receive personal style tips. By offering a selection of unique clothing items that can be translated to both work and casual wear, we have got you covered!
Megan is the creative mind behind Brick Road Boutique. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Textile and Apparel Design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a specialization in entrepreneurship. Megan has always had a passion for clothing and loves styling women with a helpful and caring attitude. Creating Brick Road Boutique has been a dream of hers for many years. Brick Road Boutique is a premier traveling clothing boutique that gives back to local communities. Based in Geneva, NE, Brick Road Boutique hosts pop-up events across the state wherein women receive personal style tips. By offering a selection of unique clothing items that can be translated to both work and casual wear, we have got you covered!
Doris Elfritz-Lux with Central Community College & Market23
Doris started Market23 in 2014 and continues to help develop the Cooperative style business structure. She has 45 plus years of entrepreneurial experience in retail, manufacturing, wholesaling and agriculture. Doris has 45 years of teaching experience. She has coached entrepreneurs for the past 15 years. Doris and her husband continue the beef farming business with their son.They also have a daughter and son-in-law and two grandchildren (with twins expected in December).
Doris started Market23 in 2014 and continues to help develop the Cooperative style business structure. She has 45 plus years of entrepreneurial experience in retail, manufacturing, wholesaling and agriculture. Doris has 45 years of teaching experience. She has coached entrepreneurs for the past 15 years. Doris and her husband continue the beef farming business with their son.They also have a daughter and son-in-law and two grandchildren (with twins expected in December).
Anthony Goins with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Anthony Goins was appointed Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development by Governor Pete Ricketts in August 2019. With his extensive experience building and managing successful teams and organizations at the highest levels of industry, Tony is spearheading the Department’s pursuit of new and expanded economic opportunities on behalf of all Nebraskans. Tony has a background in operations, where he specialized in global financial services and achieved a reputation as a strategic, results-driven executive. He formerly served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Cabela’s World’s Foremost Bank. Before moving to Lincoln, he was a Senior Vice President and Support Executive at JPMorgan Chase leading operations in Asia and North America. Tony has held senior-level positions at USAA, Ford Motor Credit Company, Key Bank, QVC and American Express. Tony is a small business owner, being co-founder of Capital Cigar Lounge in southwest Lincoln. He is deeply involved in the community, and serves on numerous boards including the Lincoln Community Foundation, Bryan Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, the Omaha Opera, and as Advisor to the Board for Bank of Bennington, Board Director and Chair of Risk Committee for Nelnet Bank, and Board Director for Inceptia, a division of the National Student Loan Program. Tony majored in business management at North Carolina A&T State University, and served as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.
Anthony Goins was appointed Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development by Governor Pete Ricketts in August 2019. With his extensive experience building and managing successful teams and organizations at the highest levels of industry, Tony is spearheading the Department’s pursuit of new and expanded economic opportunities on behalf of all Nebraskans. Tony has a background in operations, where he specialized in global financial services and achieved a reputation as a strategic, results-driven executive. He formerly served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Cabela’s World’s Foremost Bank. Before moving to Lincoln, he was a Senior Vice President and Support Executive at JPMorgan Chase leading operations in Asia and North America. Tony has held senior-level positions at USAA, Ford Motor Credit Company, Key Bank, QVC and American Express. Tony is a small business owner, being co-founder of Capital Cigar Lounge in southwest Lincoln. He is deeply involved in the community, and serves on numerous boards including the Lincoln Community Foundation, Bryan Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, the Omaha Opera, and as Advisor to the Board for Bank of Bennington, Board Director and Chair of Risk Committee for Nelnet Bank, and Board Director for Inceptia, a division of the National Student Loan Program. Tony majored in business management at North Carolina A&T State University, and served as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.
Jamey Hamburger with Odyssey Restaurant
Jamey Hamburger worked in many cities across the country in the fine dining and wine area of restaurant management before returning to Hastings. He was the Clubhouse Manager at Lochland Country Club for 8 years, immersing himself in the community. In 2011, he took over operations at WineStyles and created its counterpart, BistroBelow. In January of 2016, he launched an up-market urban restaurant, Odyssey, in the heart of downtown Hastings. In 2021, his fast casual restaurant, Blue Fork Kitchen, and his premium craft cocktail bar in the Exchange National Bank building will open. A former board member for Leadership Hastings, Adams County Extension and the Downtown Center Association, Jamey is currently the chair of the Adams County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and serves on the board of the Downtown Revitalization Committee.
Jamey Hamburger worked in many cities across the country in the fine dining and wine area of restaurant management before returning to Hastings. He was the Clubhouse Manager at Lochland Country Club for 8 years, immersing himself in the community. In 2011, he took over operations at WineStyles and created its counterpart, BistroBelow. In January of 2016, he launched an up-market urban restaurant, Odyssey, in the heart of downtown Hastings. In 2021, his fast casual restaurant, Blue Fork Kitchen, and his premium craft cocktail bar in the Exchange National Bank building will open. A former board member for Leadership Hastings, Adams County Extension and the Downtown Center Association, Jamey is currently the chair of the Adams County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and serves on the board of the Downtown Revitalization Committee.
Aliese Hoffman with the UNK Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development
Aliese Hoffman is the Coordinator of Experiential Student Entrepreneurship Education in the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development at UNK. In this role, Aliese teaches youth programs to students in elementary and middle school. Participants in these camps learn how to create and run their own business and they have the opportunity to sell their goods at a public venue. Aliese is also an advisor for a student group on the UNK campus that runs their own coffee shop. This experiential learning opportunity gives students real-life business experience. Aliese also coordinates events for Kearney and the surrounding areas. Aliese is a Nebraska native, raised in Red Cloud. She is an advocate of entrepreneurs having grown up in a family of business owners. She is an alum of UNK recently earning her Masters in Higher Education Student Affairs.
Aliese Hoffman is the Coordinator of Experiential Student Entrepreneurship Education in the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development at UNK. In this role, Aliese teaches youth programs to students in elementary and middle school. Participants in these camps learn how to create and run their own business and they have the opportunity to sell their goods at a public venue. Aliese is also an advisor for a student group on the UNK campus that runs their own coffee shop. This experiential learning opportunity gives students real-life business experience. Aliese also coordinates events for Kearney and the surrounding areas. Aliese is a Nebraska native, raised in Red Cloud. She is an advocate of entrepreneurs having grown up in a family of business owners. She is an alum of UNK recently earning her Masters in Higher Education Student Affairs.
Amara Kniep with Network Kansas
Amara Kniep grew up in Wichita, Kansas and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, with a minor in Management from Wichita State University. Her professional experience includes both workforce development, while working at the Kansas Department of Commerce, and economic development, having worked at NetWork Kansas for a total of seven years. In her role, Amara oversees statewide programming, including the growth of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series and the development of VentureDash.
Amara Kniep grew up in Wichita, Kansas and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, with a minor in Management from Wichita State University. Her professional experience includes both workforce development, while working at the Kansas Department of Commerce, and economic development, having worked at NetWork Kansas for a total of seven years. In her role, Amara oversees statewide programming, including the growth of the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) Series and the development of VentureDash.
Sarah LaRosh with Network Kansas
Sarah LaRosh eagerly joined NetWork Kansas in 2017 as a Product Manager of Rural Entrepreneurship, Western Region. She comes to NetWork Kansas with a degree from Tabor College in Business Administration and a concentration in Accounting and Finance. Her top strengths are Achiever, Positivity, Responsibility, Learner and Belief. Sarah is based out of rural Osborne County where the LaRosh family homesteaded in 1871 and is still deeply entrenched in agriculture. She currently serves as the board chair of the Osborne County Community Foundation and has a tremendous passion for rural Kansas, is “Rural by Choice” and a Kansas Explorer. With three young children Sarah has devoted countless time, talent and treasure to ensuring the betterment of Kansas.
Sarah LaRosh eagerly joined NetWork Kansas in 2017 as a Product Manager of Rural Entrepreneurship, Western Region. She comes to NetWork Kansas with a degree from Tabor College in Business Administration and a concentration in Accounting and Finance. Her top strengths are Achiever, Positivity, Responsibility, Learner and Belief. Sarah is based out of rural Osborne County where the LaRosh family homesteaded in 1871 and is still deeply entrenched in agriculture. She currently serves as the board chair of the Osborne County Community Foundation and has a tremendous passion for rural Kansas, is “Rural by Choice” and a Kansas Explorer. With three young children Sarah has devoted countless time, talent and treasure to ensuring the betterment of Kansas.
Andy Larson with the University of Nebraska Extension
Andy Larson is the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the State 4-H Office. Andy has spent all of his career working with diverse audiences creating programs and services that best serve them and allow them to thrive as leaders in their communities. He has served as the Senior Program Director at the YMCA, Director of Out of School Programs for Duluth Edison Charter Schools in Minnesota, and Community Education Programs Supervisor at Eden Prairie Schools in Minnesota. Andy was also the Varsity Head Soccer Coach at Marshall High School and Assistant Men's and Women's Soccer Coach at Lake Superior College. Andy has an MBA in Leadership and Change and founded several leadership organizations as well as a co-founded a non-profit organization.
Andy Larson is the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the State 4-H Office. Andy has spent all of his career working with diverse audiences creating programs and services that best serve them and allow them to thrive as leaders in their communities. He has served as the Senior Program Director at the YMCA, Director of Out of School Programs for Duluth Edison Charter Schools in Minnesota, and Community Education Programs Supervisor at Eden Prairie Schools in Minnesota. Andy was also the Varsity Head Soccer Coach at Marshall High School and Assistant Men's and Women's Soccer Coach at Lake Superior College. Andy has an MBA in Leadership and Change and founded several leadership organizations as well as a co-founded a non-profit organization.
Andy Long with McCook Economic Development Corporation
Andy Long is the Executive Director of the McCook Economic Development Corporation. He previously served as a Vice President of McCook Community College. Andy has also worked at Gallup and held teaching positions in Big Springs and Cozad.
Andy Long is the Executive Director of the McCook Economic Development Corporation. He previously served as a Vice President of McCook Community College. Andy has also worked at Gallup and held teaching positions in Big Springs and Cozad.
Josie Schafer with UNO's Center for Public Affairs Research
Josie Schafer, joined the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2018. Prior, she was an assistant professor of Public Administration in the Department of Political Science at Kansas State University. She received a Ph.D. in 2012 from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in Public Affairs and her Master in Public Adminstration and undergraduate degrees from Appalachian State University. Schafer joined the Center for Public Affairs Research because of its strong history and positioning as the go-to source for expert data and analysis to inform state policy and public and non-profit management in Nebraska.
Josie Schafer, joined the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2018. Prior, she was an assistant professor of Public Administration in the Department of Political Science at Kansas State University. She received a Ph.D. in 2012 from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in Public Affairs and her Master in Public Adminstration and undergraduate degrees from Appalachian State University. Schafer joined the Center for Public Affairs Research because of its strong history and positioning as the go-to source for expert data and analysis to inform state policy and public and non-profit management in Nebraska.
Pauline Stark with SCORE
With a broad background in business including working for an international company to owning her own business, Pauline has a desire for helping businesses achieve success. With thirty years experience in marketing, business planning, sales and new product development she brings a wealth of knowledge that can assist start-up businesses and organizations improve and grow. Pauline is an authorized Client Builder Trainer helping businesses implement systems to generate more leads, increase sales and build an effective sales organization. She is currently a member of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Assistant District Director of SCORE Greater Omaha and is a past President of the American Marketing Association.
With a broad background in business including working for an international company to owning her own business, Pauline has a desire for helping businesses achieve success. With thirty years experience in marketing, business planning, sales and new product development she brings a wealth of knowledge that can assist start-up businesses and organizations improve and grow. Pauline is an authorized Client Builder Trainer helping businesses implement systems to generate more leads, increase sales and build an effective sales organization. She is currently a member of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Assistant District Director of SCORE Greater Omaha and is a past President of the American Marketing Association.
Mike Tobias with Nebraska Public Media
Mike Tobias is producer/host of the Nebraska Public Media Television program, "What If . . . ". He's created a wide range of engaging stories, documentaries and projects since joining NET in 2000. His content for television, radio and multimedia has earned dozens of awards, including two regional Emmys, and aired nationally on PBS and NPR programs. Mike is a Bellevue native and graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Mike Tobias is producer/host of the Nebraska Public Media Television program, "What If . . . ". He's created a wide range of engaging stories, documentaries and projects since joining NET in 2000. His content for television, radio and multimedia has earned dozens of awards, including two regional Emmys, and aired nationally on PBS and NPR programs. Mike is a Bellevue native and graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Lisa Tschauner with the UNK Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development
Lisa Tschauner leads the entrepreneurial activity of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. In her current role, she instructs entrepreneurship and marketing courses, conducts applied research and assists communities with rural development. She has been involved with building central Nebraska for the past sixteen years. She has been a leader in entrepreneurship education and advocacy as an educator, consultant, author and community member. In addition to her formal education, she is also a certified in facilitation, strategic planning and design thinking.
Lisa Tschauner leads the entrepreneurial activity of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. In her current role, she instructs entrepreneurship and marketing courses, conducts applied research and assists communities with rural development. She has been involved with building central Nebraska for the past sixteen years. She has been a leader in entrepreneurship education and advocacy as an educator, consultant, author and community member. In addition to her formal education, she is also a certified in facilitation, strategic planning and design thinking.
Dr. Jennifer Davidson with the Nebraska Council on Economic Education, UNO
A dynamic advocate for economic and financial education, Jennifer Davidson is President of the Nebraska Council on Economic Education and an Assistant Professor of Practice in Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Jennifer develops economic and financial literacy programming and curriculum, conducts community outreach, fosters strategic partnerships and is an ambassador for economic education within Nebraska and nationwide. Jennifer is a dynamic lecturer and presenter. She is recognized for her activity based teaching style, cutting-edge online mentoring and warm personality. Dr. Davidson is an in demand speaker who works with businesses, churches, volunteer groups, schools and associations to present economic concepts in new ways that are accessible to both professional and general audiences.
The Nebraska Council on Economic Education is a non-profit organization housed in the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. The mission of the Council is to act as a catalyst and lead a statewide initiative to advance economic literacy.
A dynamic advocate for economic and financial education, Jennifer Davidson is President of the Nebraska Council on Economic Education and an Assistant Professor of Practice in Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Jennifer develops economic and financial literacy programming and curriculum, conducts community outreach, fosters strategic partnerships and is an ambassador for economic education within Nebraska and nationwide. Jennifer is a dynamic lecturer and presenter. She is recognized for her activity based teaching style, cutting-edge online mentoring and warm personality. Dr. Davidson is an in demand speaker who works with businesses, churches, volunteer groups, schools and associations to present economic concepts in new ways that are accessible to both professional and general audiences.
The Nebraska Council on Economic Education is a non-profit organization housed in the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. The mission of the Council is to act as a catalyst and lead a statewide initiative to advance economic literacy.