Member Type: Board of Advisors

Kim Christensen is an Executive Recruiter at CH Thomas Search. Although an Omaha native, Kim is a graduate of Oklahoma State University. She has previously served on the guild of Stephens Center and the Omaha Hearing School. She is the proud mother to two young men, both graduates of Creighton Prep High School and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Carlos Acosta was born in Omaha Ne, and has lived in LaVista for the last 39 years. I actually grew up and bought a house 1 house away from my parents on the same street. I graduated from Papillion LaVista Monarchs in 1997. I attended Metro community college. I have two awesome children Isabella who is 18 and Gabriel who is 16. When I’m not trying to keep up with 2 teenagers I am very hard at work building a brand for HomeWise Roofing and Exteriors.

I have worked for HomeWise Roofing for 5 years. I started off as a Project Manager then after 2 years or so I moved to Networking and Business Development.

I am a board member with the Millard Business Association, and ambassador, President of a tips group, and also on several committees. I am also a member of the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce and Ralston Chamber of Commerce, and hold ambassador seats with both chambers. I am the President of a Ralston Chamber tips group as well. I am very active in lots of chambers and several independent tips groups. I love to network and help build businesses up and grow relationships.

In my free time, I enjoy football, hanging with friends, and most importantly my family. We have dinners and watch games together and yell at the tv.

My name is Julie Kannas. I was born and raised in Omaha. I am a Millard North graduate. I am the mother of 3 boys and have 3 bonus/step kids. All but 1 of the kids are college age or older. I am an Enterprise Account Executive for Paylocity. I have been with Paylocity since 2014 and have been in the Payroll/HR technology space since 2002. I spend my days talking to HR Directors and C-Suite individuals of companies 500 employees and higher in Nebraska and half of Iowa.

My past volunteer positions have included: I was a member of the Millard Public School Board, the Millard Public Schools Alumni Board, I sat on the Millard Public School budget and action committee several times. I was the liaison between the Millard public school board and the alumni association board. I was part of the executive committee for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s light the night fundraiser for 3 years. I sat on the Executive Board for Dignity Home Care. I currently sit on the board nomination committee for 1000 Togolese. I am excited to help out in any way I can.

Jon is the founder of Veteran Horizons LLC, a C-Suite consulting firm based in Elkhorn, NE. Prior to Veteran Horizons, Jon was a CEO and Board Member in the energy/oil industry. Jon is also a retired officer from the U.S. Navy, serving on four continents in air and land campaigns. His personal commendations include the Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Navy Achievement Medal and numerous unit and campaign awards.

He earned his undergraduate degree from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Jon is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Leadership Program, earned a Masters degree from Central Michigan University (Business) and is a Graduate of the U.S. Naval War College in Strategic International Studies. Jon is also a Graduate of the Omaha Executive Leadership Program, Class 38.

He previously served as national President & Chair of the Board of Directors, for Veterans in Energy (VIE) from 2019-2021, and was elected to the board beginning in 2017. VIE is a national 501(c)3 organization providing guidance for Veterans in the energy industry. Jon and his wife are long participants in the Make A Wish foundation, and were honored to be the Make A Wish Nebraska Honorary Co-Chairs for the 2022 Blue Jean Ball.

Jon and his wife, Julie, have three children, Drew (instructing baseball and softball, Surprise, AZ), Delaney (Nursing School senior at Florida State University) and Chase (Northeast CC, Norfolk, NE on a baseball scholarship).

Kenneth Waters is a Director of Human Resources for Educare of Omaha, Inc. Ken has been an Human Resource professional for 25 years. He is a retired Air Force veteran of 22 years who served in three campaigns. Ken is a graduate of Syracuse University with a MBA. Ken is currently serving on the Advisory Council of Nebraska’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and previously the Board of Directors for Boots & Suits United, providing assistance to active duty service members transitioning into the civilian workforce through mentoring and career advice.