A banker, a convention center manager, a real estate couple and cousins behind the “Omaha Steaks” brand are entering the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame.

The 2025 inductees represent the “highest caliber of entrepreneurial leadership, civic dedication and transformative impact” on Nebraska’s largest city, according to a chamber statement.

They are: Roger Dixon, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA); Todd and Mary Heistand, owners of NuStyle Development Corp.; Chris Murphy, executive chair of First Westroads Bank, and Bruce and Todd Simon of Omaha Steaks.

The vision, dedication and service of each of the hall-of-famers has had a profound influence on their city, said Heath Mello, Omaha Chamber president and CEO.

“Each of these honorees exemplifies what it means to have pride in your community and commit yourself to make a difference,” said Mello.

The Omaha Business Hall of Fame started in 1993 as part of the chamber’s centennial celebration and has continued. This year’s honorees are to be formally inducted at an Aug. 20 gala at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Proceeds help support the chamber’s foundation and efforts to develop the next generation of local business professionals, the chamber said. Inductees become part of the permanent exhibit at the Durham Museum.

Honorees

Joining MECA in 2000, Roger Dixon’s goal was to build Omaha’s premier arena and convention center, according to a chamber statement. In addition to the CHI Health convention center, which is being expanded, Dixon has led operations at the Charles Schwab Field and The RiverFront tri-park system. He has announced his retirement at the end of 2025.

High school sweethearts Todd and Mary Heistand own the longstanding NuStyle, whose team has reshaped Omaha’s urban core housing landscape via conversion of old buildings including the Duo (former Central Park Plaza), the Atlas (Creighton University Medical Center) and? the Breakers (a power plant).

Chris and wife Betsy purchased First Westroads in 1990, and for 17 years it has received the highest rating from Bauer Financial. Chris Murphy currently is on the Creighton University board of directors and has served in leadership roles of entities including the chamber, Children’s Hospital and foundation, Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben.

Bruce Simon was a fifth-generation family owner of Omaha Steaks, where he served as president and CEO until his passing in 2021. He was active on boards of numerous organizations including the Omaha Performing Arts Society, Boys and Girls Clubs and American Meat Institute. He and Todd are cousins.

Todd Simon, a fifth-generation owner of Omaha Steaks, joined Omaha steaks about 40 years ago and currently serves as board chair. He has served on several boards, including Omaha Community Foundation and Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. He and wife Betiana were named Humanitarians of the Year by Inclusive Communities.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in June 2025. Thank you for being a part of the association! Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit here to share your story and photo.

Liz Abren, Modernfold, Inc., DORMA, Greenfield, IN
Stino Adams, Four One, a division of Willwork Global Services, Orlando, FL
Geoff Allen, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Jennifer Allen, Sodexo Live!, Chicago, IL
Asma Ansari, City of Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Noelle Atwood, Trilith Live, Fayetteville, GA
Gillian Behnke, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Gary Bialk, Series Seating, Miami, FL
John Bisignano, Four One, a division of Willwork Global Services, Orlando, FL
Adarion Bivins, Orpheum Theatre Group, Memphis, TN
Romel Blackson, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Chaston Bullock, Lincoln County Civic Center, Brookhaven, MS
Steve Burgess, Series Seating, Miami, FL
Aryana Burkett, EverBank Stadium & Daily’s Place, Jacksonville, FL
Corey Burns, Utah State Fairpark & Event Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Maddie Burns, 1861 Club, Hutchinson, KS
Vee Butler, Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN
Daniel Christenson, St. Nick’s Christmas Lighting & Decor, La Palma, CA
Vincent Chung, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Nicki Claeys, Utah State Fairpark & Event Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Gabe Clendenen, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Kathryn Coleman, Brookshire Grocery Arena, Bossier City, LA
Morgan Conners, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX
Connor Cummings, Paycom Center, Edmond, OK
Mandy Davis, Canadian County Expo Authority, El Reno, OK
Maci Deaton, Three Rivers Campus, Kennewick, WA
Bill Deiter, AECOM Hunt, Phoenix, AZ
Joseph DeLaronde, Huntington Place, Detroit, MI
Wendy Denman, University of North Texas Coliseum, Denton, TX
Hayley DeVilbiss, McWane-Tyler Pipe, Tyler, TX
Stacy Dorsey, ATG Entertainment – San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Andrea Dreyer, Advanced Security Technologies, Closter, NJ
Maddie Duffy, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Michela Dwyer, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Frank Escobar, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX
Kevin Estrela, HappyBelly Vending & Merch Management, Royal Oak, MI
Cibele Ferraz, Sonco Worldwide, Capitol Heights, MD
Sierra Fritz, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Dillon Fryer, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Cameron Fujii, South San Francisco Conference Center, South San Francisco, CA
Cindy Gabriel, Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TX
Alycia Garcia, Utah State Fairpark & Event Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Gilberto Garcia, Southwestern Community College District, Chula Vista, CA
Jared Garon, Canada Life Place, London, ON, Canada
Ryan Gibson, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Holly Gildner, Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo, MI
Gary Gillespie, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix, AZ
Alli Giza, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Ricky Gonzales, Trilith Live, Fayetteville, GA
Alison Greer, Gas South District, Duluth, GA
Sean Griffin, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Mountain View, CA
Sherill Gross, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Gabby Gunn, Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Patrick Hajduk, Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, San Francisco, CA
Becky Hancock, Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN
Julie Hawk, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Paul Hegarty, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Megan Henderson, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Christiana Hernandez, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX
Taylor Hickman, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA
Matthew Hird, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Natalie Hisczak, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Jourdan Holden, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Collette Ingalls, atVenu, San Clemente, CA
Novella Jackson, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Waraporn Jaikhamsuk, Mabee Center/Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK
Jason Jody, League One Volleyball, Colorado Springs, CO
Stephanie Keller, Nickerson Arena Curtains, Bay Shore, NY
Jesse Kelly, Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN
Joe Knopp, Pebble, Chicago, IL
Peter Krahenbuhl, Privv Inc., Scottsdale, AZ
Tracy Lawler, JGL Consultants, Princeton, NJ
Norman Lee, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Madeline Masamba, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Matteo Maximilian, Modus, Park City, UT
Kelli McCaffery, Utah State Fairpark & Event Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Elizabeth McCaslin, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, Nashville, TN
Kayla McClure, Joffe Emergency Services, Los Angeles, CA
Erica McGarry, Southwestern Community College District, Chula Vista, CA
Karagan McGlauflin, Cross Insurance Center – OVG, Bangor, ME
Danny Medina, Sodexo Live!, Winter Garden, FL
Mike Mitchell, Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TX
Alexandra Morrell, Agua Fria High School District, Avondale, AZ
Eric Mowrey, Smart City Networks, Las Vegas, NV
Larry Mullenax, Utah State Fairpark & Event Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Mashari Nassar, Walter P Moore, Dallas, TX
Michelle Nezart, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Thomas Nierman, Union Station Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Billy Nixon, Four One, a division of Willwork Global Services, Orlando, FL
Derek O’Connor, Series Seating, Miami, FL
Jessica O’Donnell, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Kristin Orlando, New Jersey Symphony, Newark, NJ
Aaron Palmer, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Chaz Pando, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Benito Pastrana, Southwestern Community College District, Chula Vista, CA
Gregory Peddie, City of Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Danielle Pelargos, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK
Sean Peterson, Acrisure Arena – OVG, Palm Desert, CA
An Pham, Honda Center/ocV!BE, Anaheim, CA
Andrew Progin, Cross Insurance Arena – OVG, Portland, ME
Kelvin Redmond, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Joshua Reyes, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas – OVG, Dallas, TX
Talema Rice, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center, Washington, DC
Sylvia Rogalla, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Karen Rosen, Junckers Hardwood, Inc., New York, NY
Izabeth Rossi, SaskTel Centre, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Joe Rossi, Four One, a division of Willwork Global Services, Orlando, FL
Paula Rubio, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Jay Shiltz, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
Alex Shirley, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Kim Shugart, Three Rivers Campus, Kennewick, WA
Jennifer Shuler, Trilith Live, Fayetteville, GA
Jason Simmons, Trilith Live, Fayetteville, GA
Chris Skrzypek, MiEN Company, Grand Rapids, MI
Stephanie Slusser, Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, FL
Ebony Smith, Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC
Lawanda Spence, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Acadia Stewart, Cross Insurance Center – OVG, Bangor, ME
Lisa Stratton, Trilith Live, Fayetteville, GA
Katelynn Street, The Fabulous Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO
Kevin Sutton, Saenger Theatre Pensacola, Pensacola, FL
Emma TenBrink, Texas A&M Athletics, College Station, TX
Aaron Thompson, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
Halie Thompson, Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, Port Charlotte, FL
Michelle Tremmel, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Nathan Truitt, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Mountain View, CA
Megan Turner, Gas South District, Duluth, GA
Amanda Vaiden White, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA
Melissa Vasalos, Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN
Sam Voisin, Chattanooga Convention Center, Chattanooga, TN
Kelsey Watson, PHX Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Maya Weatherholt, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX
Gabriel Weisz, Listo, Los Angeles, CA
John Williams, Daphne Civic Center, Daphne, AL
Travon Williams, PHX Arena, Tempe, AZ
David Yerg, Momentus Technologies, Saint Louis, MO
Jeremy Young, RockForce, Brentwood, TN
Robert Zamora, Agua Fria High School District, Avondale, AZ
Angelica Zamundio, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX

Since earning IAVM’s 30|UNDER|30 recognition in 2022, Simone Loftman has continued to grow as a leader in the live events and sports industry, demonstrating exceptional skill, resilience, and dedication to the evolving world of venue operations.

Shortly after receiving the award, Simone found herself at the forefront of one of her organization’s most high-profile runs—managing arena operations during her team’s path to the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals. This high-pressure opportunity allowed her to step up in a significant way, navigating the complexities of league regulations, broadcast coordination, and large-scale crowd management. “It was a transformative moment in my career,” she recalls. “I had to think fast, lead confidently, and stay focused—it gave me invaluable insight into the real-time demands of this industry.”

In 2023, Simone continued to elevate her expertise and visibility. She successfully completed Venue Management School, deepening her operational knowledge and gaining valuable industry connections. That same year, she earned a promotion to Senior Event Manager, a pivotal step that expanded her strategic influence and further refined her leadership capabilities. Later that fall, her hard work was formally recognized with her company’s prestigious President’s Performance Award—a testament to her consistent excellence and impact.

Throughout this period of growth, Simone’s presence has also been publicly celebrated in meaningful ways. She was featured in the 2023 Woman of the HEAT television special and again in her organization’s 2024 Black History Month tribute—two honors that spotlighted her leadership, representation, and influence within the industry. These recognitions, she notes, are not just personal milestones but powerful reminders of the importance of visibility, mentorship, and representation in sports and entertainment.

In 2024, Simone achieved another key milestone by earning her Certified Venue Professional (CVP) designation. The credential formalized her industry expertise and capped off a period of accelerated professional growth.

From team operations to national recognition, Simone’s career continues to reflect a deep commitment to excellence, learning, and meaningful impact. As she looks ahead, she remains focused on growth, collaboration, and creating pathways for future leaders in the industry.

Cynthia Serrano, CEM, CVP, has been named Deputy Director of the City of Fort Worth Public Events Department.

Serrano was promoted to Assistant Director (General Manager of Operations) for the Fort Worth Convention Center in 2021 and will continue her GM role there as the center is undergoing a $701 million expansion scheduled for completion by late 2029.

“Cynthia’s commitment to our team, tourism partners and clients during her 25-year tenure with the City has resulted in proven success for hosting convention business in Fort Worth,” said Mike Crum, Director of Public Events. “Her experience and deep knowledge of venue management will provide steady leadership as we transform the southeast quadrant of downtown with our center’s long-planned expansion and modernization.”

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to lead this center into its next exciting chapter,” said Serrano. “My priority is to remain focused on providing excellent customer service to our clients and guests while delivering a modernized facility to serve the Fort Worth community and visitors for decades to come.” 

Serrano achieved a Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) credential from the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, and a Certified Venue Professional (CVP) from the International Association of Venue Managers. She holds a Master of Science in Advertising and Public Relations from Texas Christian University, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington and completed coursework in Public Administration from Texas Wesleyan University.  She has been with the City of Fort Worth since 1999 and has worked in several departments, including Finance and Community Relations.

IAVM is thrilled to announce Seton Hawkins, Director of Public Programs at Jazz at Lincoln Center, as the keynote speaker for VenueConnect 2025, taking place in New Orleans, July 27-31.

Attendees will experience a keynote unlike any other – one that blends compelling presentation, dynamic discussion, and live performance into a customized event that bridges the worlds of music and business.

This exclusive session will dive deep into the essential elements of Jazz, Blues, Swing, and Improvisation. More than a concert, this interactive keynote will use the live interplay between musicians to explore how jazz principles mirror the building blocks of effective teams, visionary leadership, and vibrant workplace culture.

A Soundtrack for Leadership and Collaboration

This unique presentation will use the structure and freedom of a jazz ensemble to highlight critical workplace themes:

• Respectful communication and cultural civility
• Diversity and inclusion
• Active listening and collaboration
• Balancing individual expression with shared goals

Through the artform of jazz, attendees will see in real-time how high-performing teams thrive under pressure, make space for each other’s voices, and deliver a polished product-just like a world-class ensemble.

Jazz fans are in for a treat! Hawkins will be joined by a Jazz septet composed of members from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and local NOLA artists including: Walter Blanding (formerly of the Wynton Marsalis Quintet), Sisonke Xonti, one of Africa’s top saxophonists all the way from Johannesburg, South Africa, NOLA drummer Herlin Riley and the great NOLA clarinetist Doreen Ketchens! Together, they will demonstrate how the core concepts of jazz are more than music-they’re a blueprint for modern leadership and workplace excellence.

About the Speaker

Seton Hawkins serves as Director of Public Programs and Education Resources at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where he oversees Swing University, leads the Jazz Academy media library (the world’s largest free video library for jazz education), and designs corporate training workshops that merge music and management.

He is also a professor at the Juilliard School, the host of SiriusXM’s South African Jazz show on the Real Jazz channel, and a sought-after speaker on jazz, leadership, and cultural understanding. He holds an MBA from Babson College and a BA in Music from Columbia University.