Mission – The mission of the Omaha Jaycees is to better our members by bettering our community.
Vision – We build leaders by individual development, community involvement, business and management opportunities and networking and relationship development.
History – The Omaha Jaycees has been the premier leadership development organization in Omaha since 1921. Our members come from a variety of professional and personal backgrounds.
The Omaha Junior Chamber of Commerce, better known as the Omaha Jaycees, is the oldest young professional organization in the Omaha metro, building strong community leaders for those ages 21 to 40 since 1921. The Omaha Jaycees focus on developing their management and professional skills through community development projects. The Jaycees have four strategic areas of commitment: Community, Individual Development, Management and Membership. Our Community Impact area provides our members volunteer opportunities both led by the Jaycees or through partnerships with local organizations. Our Individual Development area enables members to build upon their professional and personal skill sets. Our Management area focuses on building business relationships and financing the activities and efforts of the Omaha Jaycees. Our Membership area is the core of our organization and is responsible for current member satisfaction, new member recruitment and external promotion of the Jaycees.
The Jaycees are most notable for the Ten Outstanding Young Omahans (TOYO!) project held annually since 1933, making it the longest running Jaycee project in the world. The event, in it’s 86th year locally, grew nationally (TOYA) and internationally (TOYP). Other annual initiatives include Hometown Holidays, benefiting the Nebraska Children’s Home Society, and Brush Up Nebraska, in partnership with Project Houseworks.
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Derek Smith, a dedicated and multi-talented individual, is an integral part of the Family Focus Credit Union. With his warm personality and exceptional skills, Derek has made a significant impact in both his professional and personal life.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Derek leads a fulfilling personal life. He cherishes the company of his friends and is always eager to spend quality time with them. Whether it's exploring new places, engaging in outdoor activities, or simply enjoying each other's company, Derek values the bonds he has formed and understands the importance of nurturing relationships.
Derek's love for animals is evident through his fondness for his dogs. He finds solace in their companionship and appreciates the unconditional love they offer. Whether it's going for long walks, playing fetch, or simply cuddling on the couch, Derek's connection with his furry friends brings him immense joy and contentment.
Another remarkable aspect of Derek's life is his exceptional handyman skills. Whether it's fixing a leaky faucet, building furniture from scratch, or tackling complex home improvement projects, Derek's innate knack for all things practical shines through. His ability to troubleshoot and find innovative solutions is highly admired by his friends and family, who often seek his guidance for their own DIY endeavors.
Overall, Derek Smith is an individual who brings enthusiasm, dedication, and a strong sense of compassion to his work at the Family Focus Credit Union. Beyond his professional responsibilities, he finds happiness in the company of loved ones, the companionship of his dogs, and the satisfaction of creating and fixing things. With his positive outlook and diverse set of skills, Derek continues to make a positive impact on those around him and inspires others to embrace their passions and live life to the fullest.
Heidi Garvin has a passion for Nebraska's communities. She grew up in Wayne, graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a degree in advertising and public relations, and got her MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She spent the first decade of her career as a small business marketing consultant before transitioning into leadership marketing roles, but she still does some pro bono consulting on the side. Heidi is currently the Director of Marketing at Floor Mechanics.
Heidi is a dog mom, small biz advocate, and voracious reader who loves to learn new things. In her free time, she loves to play Dungeons & Dragons, practices Tai Chi, studies coding, and more.
Andrew Galvin is an active member of the Jaycees and joined the organization in 2019. He currently serves as President, and prior to that served as the Jaycees’ Treasurer. Andrew is always looking for opportunities to network and give back to his community and is glad to have found an organization like the Jaycees to continue to grow both professionally and personally.
Born and raised in Omaha, Andrew attended University of Nebraska at Omaha for his Undergrad education. As an Investment Advisor, Andrew assists clients with investments
and financial planning for retirement using custom portfolios and cutting-edge financial modeling.
When not working or participating in the Jaycees, Andrew can be found golfing, participating in other personal development organizations, or simply relaxing with friends.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Brendy Shishido moved to Omaha to attend Creighton University, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry and a Master's in Business Administration. Brendy currently works at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies as a regulatory compliance analyst, Walgreens Pharmacy as a Certified Pharmacy Technician, and Aoki Electric, LLC as a bookkeeper.
In her downtime she enjoys reading, traveling, and eating.
Brent Shishido is currently in his second term as the Vice President of communications. Brent designed and developed the current Omaha Jaycees website.
From Honolulu, Hawaii, Brent moved to Omaha to attend Creighton University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry, Master’s of Science in Human Anatomy, and is currently working on a Medical Degree. Outside of school, Brent enjoys programming, golfing, and finding new places to eat with his fiance, Brendy.
An active member of the Jaycees since 2018, Katie Bruno currently serves as the Director of Hometown Holidays for the Omaha Jaycees. She has previously served as VP of Membership and VP of Community Service. As someone who is passionate about networking and building strong relationships, Katie seeks to engage other young professionals into becoming active community leaders while growing both professionally and personally.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Katie moved to Omaha to pursue her education. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and a Master’s in Investment Management and Financial Analysis, both from Creighton University. A financial advisor for Morey & Quinn Wealth Partners, Katie spends most of her time working with her clients to build customized financial plans and investment strategies.
Outside of the office, she enjoys cheering on the Bluejays, traveling, crafts, and exploring all Omaha has to offer.