Nebraska Ag Connection - Nebraska Businesses Celebrated and Recognized

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Nebraska Businesses Celebrated and Recognized
Nebraska Ag Connection - 05/05/2016

Nebraska Diplomats gathered Wednesday along with company, community and government officials to recognize the state’s businesses and industries for their major contributions to the state’s economy.

The Nebraska Diplomats, which sponsors the annual event, is the largest economic development organization in Nebraska, with more than 300 business executive and community leader members. The Diplomats join with other economic development organizations statewide to promote Nebraska’s business climate and quality of life.

Governor Pete Ricketts welcomed guests during lunch at Memorial Stadium and proclaimed May 4 as Business and Industry Recognition Day.

“Congratulations to General Excavating and SourceOne/Lighting on receiving the Excellence in Business Awards. Manufacturing is our state’s second largest industry, and it’s important we continue to do everything in our power to attract companies and manufacturers in targeted industries that grow our state,” said Gov. Ricketts. “Healthy trade and development is key to our ability to becoming more competitive, both as individual business owners, and the state as a whole.”

Diplomats President Dean Hart, president of MWI Direct, presented Diplomats Presidents Excellence in Business Awards to General Excavating and Source One/Lighting for Impact, both Lincoln, Neb. companies. Accepting the awards were Scott Fitzgerald and Joe D’Amico, cofounders of General Excavating, and Elmer Wessel, president of SourceOne/Lighting for Impact.

For nearly 30 years, General Excavating has provided underground construction solutions for private and public clients throughout the Midwest. Whether installing site utilities at Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, or directional boring communication conduit in Alliance, General Excavating adheres to its goal to “provide high quality work completed in the safest possible manner.” The company’s 85 employees have helped it win several honors, including the recent Associated Builders & Contractors National Excellence in Construction Award for work on Nebraska Innovation Campus’ Centralized Renewable Energy System project.

Elmer Wessel, who wanted to design and build machines, started his business in his parents’ garage. Forty-two years later, his company, SourceOne and Lighting for Impact, operates from a 56,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in west Lincoln and employs 70-plus associates.

Wessel designed, engineered, improved and manufactured many of his company products, which include break away basketball hoops, rotating scoring tables for sporting events, giant video boards for athletic facilities, product lighting for retail shelving, lawn commercial aeration equipment, and robotic and automated equipment for area manufacturers.

Wednesday the company serves customers throughout the Midwest and worldwide, including Harley Davidson, BD Medical, Schneider Electric, Kawasaki, Hexagon Lincoln and Lincoln Industries.

Wessel and his employees are driven by an inventive spirit and strive to exceed customers’ expectations.

B& I attendees also chose to attend one of two tours offered by Lincoln Industries or Lincoln Public Schools and Southeast Community College Career Academy.

A golf outing at Firethorn Golf Club was offered and an evening reception at the Club closed out the day’s events.

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