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*Schedule subject to change. 

Day One: Agenda (Wednesday, April 24)
Location: UNL East Campus

TIME DESCRIPTION LOCATION
7:30-8:30am CEO Breakfast with Dr. Jim Harter, GALLUP
*Not included with conference admission. Purchase a separate breakfast ticket here.
Garden Room
8:00-11:30am Exhibitors Set Up Great Plains A
10:30am-12:00pm Registration Outside of Great Plains
12:00-1:00pm Awards Luncheon Great Plains
12:00-6:30pm Open Exhibit Hall Great Plains A
1:00-2:00pm Keynote Speaker (Dr. Jim Harter, GALLUP) Great Plains A, B, and C
2:00-2:30pm Well-Being Break  
2:30-4:00pm

DHHS/NDOT/OSHA Panel

DHHS (Charity Menefee), NDOT (Dan Waddle), OSHA (Matthew Thurlby)

Great Plains C
 4:00-6:00pm Entertainment & Networking (Casino/Bowling)

Great Plains B (Casino)
First Floor - Bowling Alley (Bowling)

Day Two: Agenda (Thursday, April 25)
Location: UNL East Campus

TIME DESCRIPTION LOCATION
8:00-9:00am

Registration

Outside of Great Plains
9:00am-4:00pm Open Exhibit Hall Great Plains A
9:00-9:45am Opening Keynote (Dr. JoAnne Owens-Nausler) Great Plains
10:00-10:45am Breakout Sessions #1/Wellness Panel  
      Brian Moore, AP Safety Training Prairie A
Craig Boesch Prairie B
Kristin Hodge, Hinco Prairie C
Rachel Wilson Arbor A
Leadership Workshop Part 1: James Mackiewicz Arbor B
Wellness Panel Great Plains
10:45am-11:00am Break  
11:00-11:45am Breakout Sessions #2/DEI Panel  
    Dr. Adam Gentzler and Todd Prather Prairie A
Stephanie Rouse and Roberto Partida Prairie B
Randy Kinney Prairie C
Brad Neitfeldt Arbor A
Leadership Workshop Part 2: James Mackiewicz Arbor B
DEI Panel Great Plains
11:45am-1:00pm Lunch Cafeteria
1:00-1:45pm Breakout Sessions #3/Women in Safety Panel
       Cody Thomas Prairie A
Rian Beyers Prairie B
Betty Johnson Prairie C
Zach Ernesti Arbor A
Karla and Kelly Arbor B
Women in Safety Panel Great Plains
1:45-2:00pm Break  
2:00-2:45pm Breakout Sessions #4/Traffic Panel  
       Sam Dolezal Prairie A
Kristin Coggin Prairie B
Mike Boehm Prairie C
Julie Sanford Arbor A
Ann McCauley and Allene Gremaud Arbor B
Traffic Panel Great Plains
2:45-3:00pm Break  
3:00-4:00pm Closing Keynote (Dr. Lawrence Chatters) Great Plains

 
Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Jim Harter, GALLUP Keynote Speaker (Day 1)Jim_Harter-headshot.jpg

Jim is the primary researcher and author of the first large-scale, multi-organization study to investigate the relationship between work-unit employee engagement and business results, including profitability, productivity, turnover, customer engagement, safety and health. Read more here.

Dr. JoAnne Owens-Nausler Opening Keynote (Day 2)Dr._JoAnne_Headshot_Final_Square.jpeg

Dr. JoAnne Owens-Nauslar has spent 43 years promoting the benefits of healthy, active living. She is considered one of the nation’s most vocal personalities on issues of physical activity and the need for physical education in the critical core day. Read more here.

Dr. Lawrence Chatters - Closing Keynote (Day 2)Dr._Chatters_Headshot-square.JPG

Dr. Lawrence Chatters currently serves as the Executive Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Initiatives and as an Executive Administrator advising the Director of Athletics. He also serves as the primary sports administrator for Men’s and Women's Gymnastics, Wrestling, and Swimming and Diving. He is the secondary administrator for Men’s and Women’s Golf. Read more here.

 

Breakout Session Speakers:

 

Kristin Hodge, M.S., ATC, Owner, HincoKristin_Hodge-square.jpg

Kristin Hodge, M.S., is the owner of Hinco, an injury prevention and management company in Nebraska. She received her master’s degree in Exercise Science from Arkansas State University and her background in sports medicine and occupational healthcare gives her a unique perspective when it comes to root cause analysis and solutions. Read more here.

 

Dr. Sam Dolezal, Wellbeing Officer, Union Bank & TrustSam_Dolezal-square-2.jpg

Dr. Sam Dolezal is the Wellbeing Officer at Union Bank & Trust (UBT), serving as the company’s go-to for all things health and wellness related. In this role, she gets to fulfill her passion for supporting others on their journey toward a healthier tomorrow. Dolezal draws on all her experience and education, including a doctoral degree in healthcare education, to help others live their best lives. Read more here.

Dr. Adam Gentzler, DC, ARTAdam_Gentzler_HEADSHOT-reduced_size.jpg

Dr. Gentzler, DC, has been certified in Active Release Technique for 15 years and has performed over 1500 onsite ART treatments in the last 5 years alone. He also provides care to the general population in Lincoln, with a focus on complex cases and athletes, at his clinic Spine and Sports Chiropractic. He is passionate about helping both the employer and the employee through application of  Active Release Technique as a OSHA approved First Aid massage intervention. Read more here

Allene Gremaud, MS, University of MissouriAllene_Gremaud_Headshot.jpg

Allene has a master's degree in health and human physiology with an emphasis in health promotion. She works for the University of Missouri Extension's Community Health Engagement and Outreach department where she applies her background in community health education to cover topics including resilience, stigma reduction, and other health issues. She serves as the Program Coordinator for the Missouri Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative under the Rural Opioid Technical Assistance-Region 7 Grant. Read more here

Alyssa Meendering, Sr. Well-being Analyst, AmeritasAlyssa_Meendering_HEADSHOT.jpg

Alyssa is the Sr. Well-being Analyst at Ameritas. In this role, she runs the well-being program, Five to Thrive, for all Ameritas associates. Drawing upon her experience in clinical nutrition and her Human Relations degree, Alyssa loves connecting with people and helping them thrive in their well-being journey. Read more here

Ann_McCauley_HEADSHOT.jpgAnn McCauley, MEd, Director of the Rural Opioids Technical Assistance Project, University of Missouri

Ann has a Master of Education degree with an emphasis in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Ann has published extensively in educational journals and magazines and was the recipient of a national adult educator award. She is employed by the University of Missouri where she serves as the Director of the Rural Opioids Technical Assistance Project, which funds the Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Initiative. Read more here.

Annalisa_Davenport_HEADSHOT.jpgAnnalisa Davenport, Assistant Director of Employee Wellness, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Annalisa is the Assistant Director of Employee Wellness at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in Gender Studies from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and a Masters of Sports and Recreation Management from Springfield College. She has worked in a multitude of roles within the wellness industry including personal training, small group training, group fitness (barre, spin, Pilates, TRX, and yoga), and wellness coaching. Read more here

Ashley Benes, Director of Safety & Training, Metalworks, Inc.Ashley_Benes_HEADSHOT.PNG

Ashley is the Director of Safety and Training at Metalworks Inc in Lincoln, NE. We are a metal manufacturing company that employees 150 people. I have been with the company for just over a year although this is my third round of employment with Metalworks. I started running a press brake when I was 16 years old and did that for 2 years. Read more here

Brad Nietfeldt, Founder of CivilDispatchBrad_Nietfeldt_HEADSHOT.png

Brad stands at the forefront of civilian defense strategy and emergency preparedness, epitomizing the confluence of technical expertise and visionary leadership. As the founder of CivilDispatch, an innovative platform designed to streamline communication and coordination in emergency situations and as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at National Defense Lab. Read more here

Cody Thomas, Public Relations Director, Nebraska State PatrolCody_Thomas_HEADSHOT.jpg

Cody has been the Public Relations Director for the Nebraska State Patrol since 2017, serving an agency of more than 700 sworn and professional staff. In that role, Thomas coordinates media coverage of NSP activities across the state and manages social media for the agency. He also serves on the recruiting-focused Talent Acquisition Program, working to bring new recruits into the agency. Read more here

Curtis Olson, Outreach Coordinator, Bryan Medical CenterCurtis_Olson_HEADSHOT.PNG

Curtis is the Outreach Coordinator for the trauma center at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln. He worked for nearly twenty years as an emergency department nurse, and also has worked as a paramedic. He has presented healthcare education for nursing, EMS, and citizen responder audiences nationwide. Read more here.

Dan Wurm, Claims Advocate, UNICODan_Wurm_HEADSHOT.png

Dan began his career in Insurance as a multi-line adjuster in 1990 with Farmers Insurance. In 2000 he became a Large Loss Injury adjuster for Allied/Nationwide for both personal and commercial losses and in 2014 joined UNICO as a Property and Casualty Claims Advocate. With a solid background in people-oriented work, problem solving, and solution implementation, Dan adeptly fulfills the role of a liaison between UNICO's customers, insurance carriers, and Advisors. Read more here

Heather Lukens, EHS Leader, OlssonHeather_Lukens_HEADSHOT.jpg

Health currently serves as an EHS Leader at Olsson. Heather has been a Safety leader in many different industries for over 25 years including 4 years at the Nebraska Safety Council. She has a BS in Business from Nebraska Wesleyan University and has served on the board of the local Great Plains Chapter of the ASSP. Heather has a passion for workplace safety and impacting change through relationship building and enhancing safety cultures in organizations. Read more here

Joe Gerstandt, Speaker, Author & AdvisorJoe_Gerstandt_HEADSHOT-reduced_size.jpg

Joe is a speaker, author and advisor bringing greater clarity, action, and impact to organizational diversity and inclusion efforts. Joe has worked with Fortune 100 corporations, small non-profits, government entities, and everything in between. He speaks at numerous conferences and summits, and is a featured contributor for the Workforce Diversity Network Expert Forum. Read more here.

Julie Sanford, Founder of Split Second StrategiesJulie_Sanford_HEADSHOT-reduced_size.jpg

Julie is the founder of Split Second Strategies. Julie has a passion for training the unarmed citizen how to survive an active shooter/gun violence incident. Julie realized that businesses, organizations and groups need to have better options for active shooter training, and developed a curriculum that equally concentrates on prevention and survival of these tragic events. Julie spent 11 years as a deputy sheriff and several years in private security management. Read more here

Julie Yuhas, MA, Supervisor, Occupational Health and Wellness, Lincoln Electric SystemJulie_Yuhas_HEADSHOT-2023.jpeg

Julie joined LES in 2016 after holding the position as the onsite Wellness Specialist for the State of Nebraska employee wellness program for 3 years. Prior to that, I worked for the Oklahoma State Department of Health in Norman, Oklahoma as a Health Educator and at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey as a Fitness & Sports Specialist/Assistant Facility Director. Read more here

Kristin Coggin, Director of Football Nutrition, University of Nebraska-LincolnKristin_Coggin_HEADSHOT.PNG 

Kristin is in her first season as Nebraska’s director of football nutrition in 2023. A registered dietitian, Coggin directs all efforts related to performance nutrition within the football program. Coggin joined the Cornhuskers after spending six seasons as the director of football nutrition/director of performance nutrition at South Carolina. Read more here

Peter Ferguson

Peter has dedicated his life to working in the education and nonprofit sectors. Over the years, he has held various positions, including administrator, executive, speaker, adult and youth developer, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging consultant. His main goal has always been to empower others by enhancing their organizational leadership, improving access and advocacy, and expanding their education. Read more here

Rachel Wilson, Director of Driver Education Programs for AAA-Auto Club GroupRachel_Wilson_HEADSHOT-reduced_size.jpg

Rachel is a driver education and traffic safety expert. She is the Director of Driver Education Programs for AAA - Auto Club Group, which covers 14 states, Puerto Rico, and the USVI. Rachel received her education degree from Oakland University in 2006 and has been involved in driver education and traffic safety ever since. Read more here

Randy Kinney, Owner, Kinney ManufacturingRandy_Kinney_HEADSHOT.jpg

Randy alongside his wife Debby Kinney, own Kinney Manufacturing, consisting of IntoMetal, Precise Fabrication, J&J Wire, Blazn Grill Works, MGrills, and Industrial Maid. With an engineering background, Randy previously worked at ExxonMobil, UCB, and a local manufacturing firm. Read more here

Sarah Wheeler, MS, ACSM-EP, CHC, Corporate Wellness Program Manager, Children's NebraskaSarah_Wheeler_HEADSHOT.jpg

Sarah has worked in the fitness and wellness industry for the past 10+ years. While at Children's, she has championed wellbeing by rapidly expanding the program to address current issues such as stress and burnout. The employee wellness program now incorporates a whole person, multi-dimensional approach targeting physical, emotional, social, financial and community wellbeing. Read more here

Stephanie Rouse, Transporation Planner, City of Lincoln-Lancaster CountyStephanie_Rouse_HEADSHOT.jpg

Stephanie is a transportation planner for the City of Lincoln-Lancaster County focusing on active modes including bicyclist, pedestrians, and transit riders. She is responsible for the citywide trail count program, the Complete Streets Committee, and implementation of the transportation goals of the Climate Action Plan. She has a Master’s Degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln with a Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture.

Roberto Partida, Transportation Planner, City of Lincoln, Nebraska

Roberto works for Lincoln Transportation and Utilities in the Traffic Engineering Division. He has a Master's Degree inRoberto_Partida_HEADSHOT.jpg Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota, where his studies focused on community development and transportation planning. In his current role, he is focused on multi-modal transportation planning efforts and overseeing the City's shared micro-mobility programs. Read more here

Todd Prather, EHS Leader, ARTTodd_Prather_HEADSHOT.png

Todd is an EHS Leader with over 15 years of experience who implemented the ART Onsite Wellness Program at his Parker Hannifin facility in 2015. He helped his Parker Hannifin location achieve 9 years with zero soft tissue recordables, helped scale the program to 30+ locations across the U.S., and has since become the Corporate Solutions Manager for ART full time. Read more here

Zach Ernesti, Founder, CortexZach_Ernesti_HEADSHOT.jpg

After serving in the Marine Corps, Zach attended Northern Illinois University where he earned a Bachelor's of Operations Management and Information Systems. After graduating, he worked in the manufacturing industry as a data analyst and software developer while earning a Master's of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Zach then co-founded Cortex Data Services which offers custom data solutions and process improvement consulting in a variety of industries. Read more here

James Mackiewicz, Owner, Crestcom

James Mackiewicz is the owner of Crestcom – Nebraska bringing over 35 years of leadership development training to the state.  The Crestcom L.E.A.R. program is an innovative journey based on 12 fundamental skills CEOs expect from their leaders, world-renowned subject matter experts, and implementation plans that get results. Read more here