Member Profiles

Student Profile | Noah Larsen | Creighton University

Noah Larsen Creighton Student 2018 photo

If you’re active in Omaha’s advertising community, there’s a decent chance that you’ve seen me around at some point or another. I was a participant in the 2017 Oath: Advertising Knockout (fun fact: I was in the same group as Abbie Perry who also recently wrote a student profile); I attended this year’s Meet the Pros and took the chance to meet more pros as a volunteer at the ON Brand Conference; and over the summer, I have taken on the position of Bozell’s media intern. Though outside of advertising endeavors, you can probably find me playing music (preferably with friends) or rummaging through the DVD bargain bin of your local Walmart. Read More

Five Things You Didn’t Know About AAF Omaha Member Tyler Catania

Meet Tyler Catania, AAF Member and Media Director at Zaiss & Company. He manages all digital and traditional media buys, implementation, and analysis for clients. Tyler has been with Zaiss & Company since 2013 and has recently AAF Omaha. Read More

AAF Omaha Welcomes Rachel Green to the Board of Directors

Lisa Conklin, AAF Omaha president along with the AAF Omaha Board of Directors appoint Rachel Green to the board on May 3rd during the federation’s monthly board meeting. Read More

Student Profile | Abbie Perry | University of Nebraska – Omaha

The definition of a “maverick” is someone who strays from the pack. Mavericks are independent thinkers and don’t always play by the rules. At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, I have learned that being a maverick embodies so much more. With the help of my amazing peers and mentors at UNO, my undergraduate experience has taught me the importance of values like excellence, creativity and spirit. Read More

Five Things You Didn’t Know About AAF Omaha Member Laura Spaulding

Under Laura’s leadership AAF Omaha was named the AAF District 9 2016-2017 “Club of the Year”. As AAF Omaha’s Chairwoman, she keeps a watchful eye on all aspects of the federation. She serves as a mentor to our Education and Public Service teams, works with the AAF Omaha Chairwoman’s Council on chapter awards, and has worked tirelessly the past few years helping write award winning club achievement binders. Read More

Student Profile | Sumit Jagdale | University of Nebraska – Lincoln

A little over two years ago, I was sprinting toward the U.S. Embassy in Mumbai, India trying to make it to my visa interview on time. No bags or electronic devices are allowed inside the embassy, so I’d locked them inside my car. To add to my woes, I’d been forced to leave my car in a no-parking zone. I had a thin, plastic folder in my hand, overflowing with the documents I’d been advised to carry to the interview. Read More

Student Profile | Jase Hueser | University of Nerbaska at Kearney

My name is Jase Hueser. I am originally from Papillion, Nebraska. I have always found art compelling and invested much of my early years into music and drawing. I was pulled in by the duality of art, as it contains both an intellectual rationality and dense emotion. In my junior high years, I discovered the wonders of branding and typography. Understanding what makes a clever logo and more importantly, a successful implementation of an identity had become an obsession of mine. I was thrilled to discover that design was a vocation that I could potentially pursue. Thus began years of experimentation as I studied designers and relentlessly tried my hand at it. Read More

Five Things You Didn’t Know About AAF Omaha Member Shannon Garner

Shannon’s favorite AAF event to attend is
AdConnect so I can meet and chat with as many attendees as I can throughout the evening, and have a beer or two lol. I look forward to meeting you at AAF Omaha’s next AdConnect on April 26th at Kith & Kin. Remember this event is a Member Perk and free to AAF Omaha members. Read More

Student Profile | Kristi Bolling | Creative Center

Kristi Bolling Creative Center Student 2018

Recently, I volunteered to assist during the American Advertising Awards – Nebraska ADDYs judging day this year at SKAR. I had a lot of fun meeting professionals from across the country and seeing the work that was entered for the Nebraska ADDYs this year. I also attended Meet the Pros this year and significantly enjoyed the event. The speakers spoke of the hurdles they went through and how they overcame each one. There was a portfolio critique, and I managed to visit three pros, who gave me helpful advice on expanding my skills. Read More

Five Things You Didn’t Know About AAF Omaha Member Erica Rowe

2015 October 09 - Staff at OBI Creative in Omaha, NE.

I have a passion for making things pretty – taking chaos and making it organized, beautiful and easy to understand. Graphic design in a nutshell I guess. As a Creative Director, I am passionate about helping others in their journey to make things beautiful/solve problems/succeed. There are always going to be challenges and hard situations to deal with but if you can face them with positivity and a passion to solve them together then everyone wins. Read More

Student Profile | Carlos Velasco | University of Nebraska-Lincoln

I had the chance to attend AAF Omaha’s Meet the Pros with the awesome support of our AIGA faculty advisor and professor Colleen Syron. This was a really great event to attend and I was able to hear some wonderful presentations, network with professionals and also most importantly get one on one portfolio and resumé reviews. My time as a student member of AAF Omaha has also been beneficial as it’s opened up the doors to other opportunities such as the National AAF Most Promising Multicultural Student Award, where the excellent professor and mentor Amy Struthers nominated me. I’ll get to attend the special conference in New York in February and network with ad professionals and recruiters from across the country! Read More

Five Things You Didn’t Know About AAF Omaha Member Brooke Wittrock

My name is Brooke Wittrock. I am the director of marketing at Boys Town National Research Hospital. I’ve been with Boys Town Hospital for 11 years and honestly can say the time flies when you are having fun. I work with a team of eight incredibly talented staff and we are responsible for the development and implementation of strategic marketing campaigns that hopefully have increased your level of awareness of Boys Town healthcare services (aka: Boys Town Pediatrics, Boys Town Ear, Nose and Throat, Specialty Care, Same Day Pediatrics, and more). Read More

Five Things You Didn’t Know about AAF Omaha Member Rod Coleman

I joined Bozell in 2015 after four years as the marketing manager of a South Korean manufacturing subsidiary, Dae Seong Gear/EM Gear. I am currently the Director of Project Management which means I help improve processes to make work flow through the agency smoother. I also work with a variety of clients including Omaha Performing Arts, Greater Omaha Packing and Grain Systems. Read More

Student Profile | Madison Siglin | Creative Center

While attending the Creative Center and enjoying my time here, I have really found my life’s purpose. I have developed my fine art skills – and now computer skills – over the past two years. This year will be my last, as I learn more of the business side of the Graphic Design field. The school has helped me to understand what really makes good design and the discipline needed to succeed. Read More

Student Profile | Molly Rogers | Creighton University

After taking a couple of graphic design classes in high school I was certain about my decision to enroll as a graphic design major at Creighton University. As fate would have it, I had an Intro to Public Relations and Advertising class with Dr. Jeff Maciejewski. That same year, he prompted me to attend my first Meet the Pros. It was then that my love for advertising began to take shape. I decided to pursue a second major in journalism with an emphasis in advertising. Read More