NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2025
CONTACT
Aron Wehr
Greater Omaha Chamber
402.978.7920
awehr@venturemediablasting.com
Greater Omaha Chamber Announces
2025 Omaha Business Hall of Fame Inductees
Omaha, NE – The Greater Omaha Chamber is proud to announce the 2025 inductees into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame, honoring a distinguished group of leaders whose exceptional achievements have shaped Omaha’s business landscape and enriched its community.
This year’s honorees represent the highest caliber of entrepreneurial leadership, civic dedication, and transformative impact:
- Roger A. Dixon, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA)
- Todd & Mary Heistand, Owners of NuStyle Development Corporation
- Chris J. Murphy, Executive Chairman of First Westroads Bank
- The Simon Family of Omaha Steaks
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- Bruce Simon, Former President & CEO
- Todd Simon, Chairman & Chief Steak Evangelist
The Omaha Business Hall of Fame was initiated in 1993 as part of the Chamber’s centennial celebration and has since become a hallmark event, celebrating business excellence and legacy. The 2025 honorees will be formally inducted at a gala event held Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at the Holland Performing Arts Center.
The evening will include an hors d’oeuvres and cocktail hour, an induction ceremony, and a dessert reception. Proceeds from the event support the Greater Omaha Chamber Foundation and its efforts to develop the next generation of Omaha young professionals. Honoree achievements will also be commemorated in a permanent Business Hall of Fame exhibit at The Durham Museum.
“We are honored to recognize these outstanding business leaders whose vision, dedication, and service have had a profound influence on Omaha,” said Heath Mello, President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. “Each of these honorees exemplify what it means to have pride in your community and commit yourself to make a difference. This is a special achievement and we are proud to enshrine this class of inductees in the exclusive club of the Omaha Business Hall of Fame.”
To learn more about the Omaha Business Hall of Fame or to purchase tickets, visit OmahaChamber.org/BHOF.
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About the Greater Omaha Chamber
The Greater Omaha Chamber is one of the country’s largest, strongest chambers with nearly 3,000+ member businesses and a 5-star accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber is to champion a thriving business community and a prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration.
Honoree Bios
Roger A. Dixon
Roger Dixon is the President and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA), which manages the operations of CHI Health Center Omaha and Charles Schwab Field Omaha. He also holds the same titles for MECA Tri-Park Complex, LLC, which operates The RiverFront in downtown Omaha.
Dixon joined MECA in 2000 with the goal of building Omaha’s premier arena and convention center. In his over two decades with MECA, MECA’s facilities regularly host top concerts and coveted sporting events, such as the Men’s College World Series, volleyball and basketball NCAA Championships, and four consecutive Olympic team trials for USA Swimming. Under Dixon’s leadership, MECA was also charged with overseeing the construction and activation of The RiverFront. Comprised of three public parks— Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America, and Lewis and Clark Landing— The RiverFront, hosts dozens of events each month and welcomes millions of people annually. The latest project Dixon is overseeing at MECA is the 90,000 square foot expansion of the CHI Health Center’s convention center, aimed at allowing Omaha to compete for larger conventions.
Dixon has been in the industry for nearly 50 years. Before coming to Omaha, he served in management positions around the country in cities including St. Louis, Philadelphia, Miami, and Louisville, Kentucky. Dixon was also an executive with SMG, which manages several major facilities throughout the country.
Dixon is a 1976 graduate of Southern Illinois University.
Todd & Mary Heistand
High school sweethearts Todd and Mary Heistand were born and raised in the close-knit town of Woodbine, Iowa. After graduation, Todd pursued college at ISU and Mary at DMACC, but soon returned home to help operate Mary’s family farm due to her father’s declining health. When the farm crisis of the early 1980s hit, Todd shifted paths and moved to working in Omaha, launching a full-time career in real estate with a broker’s license and construction—an industry he’d worked in since the seventh grade.
While Todd built his career, Mary dedicated herself to raising their four children—Carrie, Mindy, Matt, and Kassey.
In 1988, Todd partnered with his sister, Tammy Barrett, to co-found NuStyle Development, the company originally focused on rehabilitating condemned homes. By 1994, they had expanded into multifamily and historical apartment development, completing their first affordable housing project in Omaha. Tammy stepped away in 2003 to raise her own family, and Mary stepped into an active role at NuStyle, guiding the design, aesthetics, and amenities of their properties while Todd leads development and construction.
Over three decades, Todd and Mary have played a transformative role in reshaping Omaha’s downtown landscape. Their work brings character and charm to once-forgotten buildings, breathing new life into dilapidated and run-down buildings.
Beyond development, they established the Heistand Family Foundation, dedicated to uplifting families and children affected by poverty. Their commitment to community runs deep, and they remain proud residents of Woodbine, Iowa.
When they’re not on a job site, Todd and Mary enjoy traveling—Costa Rica being a favorite destination—boating during their annual family vacation to Table Rock Lake, and riding their Harley through the countryside. Most of all, they cherish time with their 16 grandchildren, whose ages range from Kindergarten to College Freshman. Their growing family keeps their hearts full and their lives joyfully busy.
Chris J. Murphy
Chris J. Murphy is Executive Chairman of First Westroads Bank, one of the most successful locally owned banks serving the community since 1967. Chris and Betsy purchased the Bank in 1990.
Under Chris’s leadership, the Bank has received the coveted highest rating from Bauer Financial for the past 17 consecutive years, and its excellence rating for 32 consecutive years. Bauer Financial recognized First Westroads Bank for excelling in capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality, and much more.
The Murphy Family believes strongly in giving back to the community that has long supported their business and values.
He currently serves on the Creighton University board of directors and on the University of Notre Dame’s Graduate Studies & Research Advisory Council.
He has served in leadership roles on the boards and executive committees of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Mid-America Council, Children’s Hospital and its Foundation, The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, and Nebraska Bankers Association, among others.
Several recognitions include the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year, Scouting’s Walter Scott, Jr. Citizen of the Year and the Salvation Army’s Tree of Lights Honorary Chairman.
A graduate of Creighton Prep, Drake University, and the Colorado Graduate School of Banking, Chris and Betsy have two children. Their son, Daniel, is part of the Bank’s senior leadership and board of directors.
With the Bank’s 50th year anniversary, Chris and Betsy created the Murphy Vision Fund from which was made the lead investment in Omaha’s Startup Collaborative. Several of those investments are making significant small business transformations.
Since 2013, Chris and Betsy have also sponsored the Murphy Cup, a joint marketing strategy competition between Creighton and Drake University. The event brings together top marketing seniors from both schools to collaborate on real-world client challenges in a weekend-long competition that emphasizes both teamwork and innovation.
Chris’s dedication to family, community, education, and entrepreneurship reflects his belief that success is best shared—and that strong communities are built through service and vision.
Bruce Simon
Bruce Simon was a fifth-generation family owner of Omaha Steaks, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer. Bruce’s career with Omaha Steaks dates back to his childhood, when he accompanied his father to the plant and help assemble boxes to earn extra spending money. Bruce began his full-time Omaha Steaks employment in 1981, upon graduation from the University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School of Finance, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.
Bruce’s first full-time position post college graduation was as Assistant Plant Manager and from there he went on to hold numerous other positions throughout the company until being named President and Chief Executive Officer in 1994. He held this role until the time of his passing in 2021. Under Bruce’s direction, the company experienced tremendous growth. The brand, Omaha Steaks, has become synonymous with the finest quality beef and the company’s award-winning customer service is unparalleled
Bruce lived the philosophy of “leading by example.” His decisive leadership and genuine philanthropic commitments were evident in all he did. Bruce was recognized as a strong leader in supporting the cultural arts and health and human service organizations both locally and nationally.
Over the years, Bruce was actively involved on the boards of numerous philanthropic organizations including the Omaha Performing Arts Society, Omaha Symphony, Joslyn Art Museum, and Boys and Girls Clubs.
On a professional level, Bruce was a past member and Chairman of the Executive Board of the Nebraska Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization. He also served on the board of the CEO Organization and was a long-time member of the American Meat Institute and the North American Meat Association. At the time of his passing, Bruce sat on the Friends of Florence (Italy) board where he served as treasurer. He was passionate about Italian Renaissance art and its preservation. He loved all things Italian: clothing, art, wine, history, etc.
Bruce and his wife Stacy have two daughters and one granddaughter.
Todd Simon
Todd Simon is a 5th Generation owner of the Omaha Steaks® group of companies, currently serving as Chairman of the Board after almost 4 decades in various roles including Vice-President of Sales & marketing, Chief Marketing Officer and, most recently, Chief Executive Officer.
Todd joined Omaha Steaks 39 years ago after graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He was responsible for developing and implementing Omaha Steaks’ brand strategy and many award-winning marketing programs, as well as the employee development efforts that make Omaha Steaks one of the finest customer service organizations in the USA.
Mr. Simon believes that supporting the community is a critical personal and corporate endeavor. He has had the honor to serve on the Douglas County Visitor Promotion Council since June of 2019, and today as chair of the Committee.
Over the years, Todd continued the Simon family’s legacy of philanthropy and dedication to the community by serving on the Boards of Directors for various arts, civic and human services organizations. Currently, Todd serves as a Trustee of the Omaha Community Foundation, President of the Board of Directors of the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, a Director of the Mid-American Arts Alliance and a Trustee of United States Artists.
He was the recipient of the Humanities Nebraska Sower Award and was named Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year by the Nebraska Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He and his wife Betiana were named Humanitarians of the Year by Inclusive Communities. Todd and Betiana have two children.