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Top Business Leaders Honored at CBA Advisory Board Luncheon

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business Administration held its Advisory Board Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 15, at the Nebraska Champions Club. The awards honor the outstanding accomplishments of business leaders and corporations in the state of Nebraska and the world.
 
Dr. Donde Plowman, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business Administration, and Jeff Noordhoek, chair of the College of Business Administration Dean’s Advisory Board and CEO of Nelnet, presented the awards to the recipients.
 
“The College of Business Administration has truly Started Something. The faculty and staff are creating a world-class college right before our eyes,” Noordhoek said. “They have reached out and made incredible strides in building a true sense of connection and partnership within the business community.”
 
The 2016 honorees included Katie Zulkoski '05 of Lincoln, Nebraska; Mike Cassling '86 of Omaha, Nebraska; Cecil L. Walker '59 of Atlanta; and Cornhusker Bank of Lincoln.
 
Sixteen sponsors helped make the award luncheon possible. They included Ameritas; BKD, LLP; CD Bykerk Consulting, LLC; ConAgra Foods; Cornerstone Bank; Cornhusker Bank; CQuence Health Group; Deloitte; Lincoln Industries; Midwest Steel Works, Inc.; Nelnet; Pinnacle Bank; Talent Plus; Union Bank and Trust; US Bank; and Wells Fargo.
 
Young Alumni Award – Katie Zulkoski '05, Owner, Attorney and Lobbyist, Zulkoski Webber LLC, Lincoln, Nebraska
 
Plowman, Zulkoski and Noordhoek
Plowman, Zulkoski and Noordhoek
Katie Weichman Zulkoski received the Young Alumni Award, which recognizes individuals who are outstanding examples of successful leaders, and provide inspiration and insight to CBA students and members of the business community.
 
“Chances are only what we make of them and all we need,” Zulkoski said. “Thank you to the College of Business Administration, who continues to give us the opportunity to take these chances every day.”
 
Zulkoski is an attorney specializing in lobbying and government affairs. She has crafted successful legislative strategies for health care clients, national non-profits and associations of all sizes.
 
Outside of the firm, she dedicates her time to public service on state-wide non-profit boards including the Nebraska Land Trust, Nebraska Human Resources Research Foundation Board of Directors and the Lincoln Children’s Museum board. She is the founder of Rise Lincoln, a solutions-oriented speaker series for Lincoln women in business, and is a founding member of Lincoln’s 100s of Women Who Care. She also continues to be connected to her family’s ag business in north central Nebraska.
 
Business Leadership Award – Mike Cassling '86, President and CEO, CQuence Health Group, Omaha, Nebraska
 
Plowman, Cassling and Noordhoek
Plowman, Cassling and Noordhoek
Mike Cassling was recognized with the Business Leadership Award, which honors individuals who are outstanding examples of successful leaders in their respective fields, including business ethics, community service and overall business excellence.
 
Cassling is the president and CEO of CQuence Health Group, a growing portfolio of healthcare organizations with a focus on employee engagement, wellness and social responsibility. Cassling is active in the Omaha community, serving on the board of directors for the Salvation Army, Omaha Symphony, Omaha Performing Arts and Jelecos, and is a member of the United States Strategic Command Consultations Committee, Bellevue University Strategic Business Committee and Omaha Community Foundation Strategic Planning Committee.
 
“I think everybody here knows it takes a great team to be successful in business and in life,” Cassling said. “I wouldn’t be successful in business and life without my great team at my business and my family. I had a great education at UNL, and that was a cornerstone to where I sit today.”
 
He is an Ak-Sar-Ben councillor, vice chairperson for the Omaha Sports Commission Board of Directors and past chairman of The Salvation Army Board. Nationally, he serves on the Broadway Dreams Board of Directors. Cassling is an Omaha 40 under 40 alumnus and received the 2010 Alumni Achievement Award from UNL.
 
Lifetime Achievement Award – Cecil L. Walker '59, Retired Chairman and CEO, Gannett Broadcasting, Atlanta
 
Plowman, Walker and Noordhoek
Plowman, Walker and Noordhoek
Cecil L. Walker was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes those individuals for their outstanding leadership, time, energy and guidance provided throughout their career.
 
“It’s an honor to be associated with all that Donde is doing with the college of business,” Walker said. “I am proud to talk about my Nebraska roots when I am home in Georgia.”
 
Walker retired in 2002 as the chairman and chief executive officer of Gannett Broadcasting. At Gannett, he climbed the corporate ladder from working at a news affiliate to running the company as president and CEO. A Nebraska native, Walker graduated from UNL in 1959.
 
After his retirement, he continued to serve on boards, including the board of directors at Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Walker served on the board from 1998 to 2013 and was chairman from 2004 to 2007. At BMI, he worked with renowned musical artists such as Gloria Estefan, Dolly Parton, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.
 
Walker and his wife, Jeanette “Jan” Turner Walker ’59, have established family endowments to make annual awards of Walker Family Scholarships at several universities, including UNL.
 
Corporate Leadership Award – Cornhusker Bank, Lincoln, Nebraska
 
Plowman, Dittman and Noordhoek
Plowman, Dittman and Noordhoek
John Dittman, chairman and CEO, accepted the Corporate Leadership Award on behalf of Cornhusker Bank in Lincoln, Nebraska. The award recognizes excellence in Nebraska-based companies that are successful, dynamic and have a high level of commitment to their communities, customers and employees.
 
“It’s because of the people here with me today and those who are back at the bank right now that we are allowed to receive this recognition today,” Dittman said. “We are very deeply honored.”
 
Cornhusker Bank’s legacy began in 1903, when Farmers State Bank was chartered in Davey, Nebraska. The bank moved to Lincoln in 1960 and was renamed Cornhusker Bank to better reflect the Nebraska values it embraces. In 1975, Alice Dittman, John Dittman’s mother and one of the first women to graduate from CBA, became president. She was the first female bank president in Lincoln or Omaha.
 
“We are proud to celebrate her as one of the first women to graduate from CBA, and the banking community celebrates her as an integral part of many banking firsts as well,” Noordhoek said.
 
Since that time, the bank has added multiple branch and ATM locations around the city of Lincoln, and embraced technology to offer 24/7 online and mobile banking solutions. The bank focuses on surrounding customers with the best experience possible through its 360 service model. As a member of the Lincoln area community for more than 100 years, Cornhusker Bank has a strong commitment to the community’s success.

Facebook Photo Album of Awards Luncheon
Published: April 15, 2016