(LINCOLN, Neb.) -- In Nebraska, people age 50+ contributed 39% or $50 billion of the state’s total gross domestic product (GDP), generated $3.7 billion in state and local taxes, created more than 42% of jobs, and generated over $33 billion in wages, salaries and business income, spent over 250 hours caring for others and 113 hours volunteering on average per year estimated at $3.6 billion. – AARP Nebraska.

Talk about an impact worthy of celebrating! The Bloc, a non-profit organization based in Lincoln, is shattering stereotypes around aging by honoring 50 Nebraskans as recipients of its annual 50 Over 50 NE Awards on Sept. 24, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Downtown Omaha.

The 50 Over 50 NE Awards recognize top achievers in five categories – nonprofit, innovation, business, community, and healthcare – that are age 50 and older in the state. Across a variety of sectors and issues, from urban to rural, political to educational, and from personal to the systemic, all of these honorees (listed below) make a positive impact in the lives of those around them.

Tickets for the Awards Dinner are now on sale, but space is limited. For more information about the below honorees, the Bloc or the 50 Over 50 NE Awards, visit 50over50ne.org

2022 Honorees:

• Yolanda Barney (Omaha) - Co-Publisher Revive Magazine
• Nancy Williams (Omaha) - Co-Founder & CEO at No More Empty Pots
• Kim Mickelsen (Omaha) - CEO at Bozell
• Wendy Goldberg (Omaha) - Executive Director at Tri-Faith Initiative
• Mayor Jean Stothert (Omaha) - Mayor of City of Omaha
• Ricky Simmons (Lincoln) - Motivational Speaker/President at RCS Triumph Foundation
• Commissioner Mary A. Borgeson (Omaha) - Chair of Douglas County Board of Commissioners
• Bridget Hadley (Omaha) - Economic Development Manager at City of Omaha
• Dr. Chris Calkins (Lincoln) - Professor Emeritus, University of Nebraska
• Todd Duncan (Lincoln) - Chairman of Duncan Aviation
• Michele Magner (Omaha) - Founder & Owner at Inspired Senior
• John Chapo (Lincoln) - President Emeritus at Lincoln Zoo
• Sen. Tom Brewer (Lincoln) - Nebraska Senator District 43
• Anthony Goins (Lincoln) - Director of the Department of Economic
• Lynette Farhart (Papillion) - Previous Executive Director at Project Houseworks
• Anthony Gould (Omaha) - CEO at AJC
• Dr. Peter Mccornick (Lincoln) - Executive Director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska
• Patrick Corrigan (Omaha) - Chief Executive Officer at Access Bank
• Mark Mchargue (Omaha) - President of Nebraska Farm Bureau
• Casey Putney (Bellevue) - VP, Leadership Development at Business Ethics Alliance
• Tracey Pearson (Omaha) - CEO Youth Care & Beyond, Inc.
• Willie Barney (Omaha) - President at Empowerment Network and WDB Resultants
• Glenn Johnson (Lincoln) - Retired/Former General Manager at Lower Platte South Natural Resources District
• Debbie Gaspard (Omaha) - Business Administration Advisor at Metro Community College
• Brad Moline (Lincoln) - President and CEO, ALLO
• Dr. Steve Schulz (Omaha) - Associate Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO)
• Kristine Gerber (Omaha) - Making Invisible Histories Visible Project Director at Omaha Public School
• Dr. Archie Clutter (Lincoln) - Dean & Director of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska
• Randy Behounek (Omaha) - Senior Vice President and Head of Central Vendor Management Third Party Assessment at Bank of the West
• Tonee Gay (Omaha) - Executive Director at Midlands Community Foundation
• Debbie Herbel (Omaha) - Agency Executive Director at Duet
• Lisa Lee (Lincoln) - Lead Programmer for International Exchanges Lincoln Council for International Visitors
• John Cook (Lincoln) - Huskers Volleyball Head Coach - University of Nebraska
• Catherine Lang (Omaha) - State Director-Nebraska Business Development Center
• Commissioner James Cavanaugh (Omaha) - Douglas County Commissioner
• Marc N’Da (Omaha) - Owner & Senior Care Manager at Dignity Home Cares
• Gail Mcnair (Lincoln) - Executive Director for Foundation for Lincoln City Libraries
• Dr. Ana Cruz (Omaha) - Associate Professor, School of Communication at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
• Scott Frakes (Lincoln) - Director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services
• Judi gaiashkibos (Lincoln) - Executive Director, Nebraska Commissions on Indian Affairs
• Terri D. Sanders (Omaha) - Executive Director of the Mildred D Brown Memorial Study Center & Publisher of The Omaha Star Newspaper
• Modesta Gnininvi (Omaha) - African Mass Omaha | Founding Member
• Col. John A. Bolduc (Lincoln) - Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol
• Wayne Hudson (Omaha) - Chief Deputy at Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
• Debbie Lidgett (Omaha) - Human Resources Specialist at North End Teleservices
• Jay Reiners (Juniata) - Chairman of Nebraska Corn Board
• Dr. Randy Bretz (Lincoln) - TEDx Lincoln Curator & Professor at Wesleyan University
• Robert Magoola (Lincoln) - Rector at UNL
• Frank Morrison (Clearwater) - President at Morrison Farms Nebraska Popcorn, Inc.
• Maggie Nocita (Omaha) - Stephen Center | Lead Guest Services