THE KANEKO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman of the Founding Board
Bruce has over 30 years of extensive architecture experience in the planning and design of numerous architectural projects of varying scope and size, leading the Civic program's efforts in the Central Region. Bruce's work reinforces the ideal that strong communities are America's cornerstone; his career is distinguished by contributions to Omaha's built environment to improve the quality of life for a community and its citizens. He has been instrumental in the creation of performing arts centers, museums, parks, entertainment venues, community centers, hospitals and other public spaces that all enrich a thriving community. Bruce is especially talented at translating cultural sensitivities into the architectural vernacular of a community's most meaningful projects. His work reinforces the ideal that all projects are enhanced through a collaborative process, an ideal freely shared with architects locally, regionally and nationally.
Bruce was the 2013 recipient of the Harry F. Cunningham Gold Medal for Architectural Excellence, the highest honor that the American Institute of Architects Nebraska bestows in recognition of the most distinguished achievement in service to the profession of architecture in the State of Nebraska.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Founding Board
Carissa is an Omaha native who attended Marian High School. She has been an avid lover of music and art from a young age, with a deep love for the piano. A founding member of several local bands, she has also studied music under several notable instructors, including Beverly Hoff, Chuck Pennington and Jackson Berkey. Also drawn to art in many forms including interior design, Carissa recently received her certificate of graduation in the Interior Design Course at the New York Institute of Art + Design.
Carissa began her career in the auto industry first as a sales executive, moving into finance, business development, marketing and management at Mercedes and Volvo. She later transitioned into the world of information technology where she spent the majority of her professional career - most recently as a senior account executive at global technology companies EMC and VCE. She left her professional career to raise her children in 2014. It was at that time she found her passion for serving the community. While always actively engaged in various volunteer positions, the last 9 years have been dedicated to serving in her children's schools, volunteering for Junior Achievement, serving on the Guild Board for the Child Saving Institute, as well as the Board of Directors for the Omaha Conservatory of Music, where she has recently moved into the role of Vice Chair.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Founding Board
- Owner and President of Lockwood Development
Chip James is the Owner and President of Lockwood Development, a full-service commercial real estate development company located in Omaha, Nebraska. Lockwood's core focus is the development of land, office buildings, and retail centers primarily within the Midwest. Since its inception, Lockwood has grown to develop approximately 1.5 million square feet of commercial properties in Nebraska and Arkansas.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chairman
- Vice Chairman of the Founding Board
- Vice President of AVI - SPL
Chris Kircher is the Vice President of AVI-SPL. This digital enablement solutions provider transforms how people and technology connect to elevate experiences, create new value, and enable organizations to thrive and grow. AVI-SPL is the largest provider of collaboration technology solutions, including award-winning managed services. This highly trained team works hand-in-hand with organizations worldwide, including over 80% of Fortune 100 companies.
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Education & Learning Design Manager
Curtis Taylor is a seasoned educator and coach at the collegiate level who works to empower and inspire others to embrace their authentic selves through a lens of social justice and advocacy within the intersections of one's identity and passions.
He received his bachelor's degree in international business, operations supply chain management, and middle eastern studies with a concentration in Arabic from Marquette University and his master's degree in curriculum and instruction, college student affairs from the University of South Florida where his research concentrated on supporting LGBTQ+ Division I Athletes through inclusive and holistic coaching. Curtis spent over 8 years in Jesuit higher education at Creighton University as the Associate Director of Multicultural Organizations & Programming and as an Assistant Head Coach for women's soccer for 2 years at the College of Saint Mary here in Omaha. Outside of his role at KANEKO, he currently serves on the National Conference of Race & Ethnicity (NCORE) National Advisory Council for Student Athlete Advocacy and as an Interactive Workshop Facilitator for CAMPUSPEAK.
The transition from campus to nonprofit is not new to Curtis as he has spent time in multiple leadership, volunteer, and coaching roles with US Quadball and in the founding years of Major League Quadball over the last thirteen years. Additionally, he has served as a member of the board of directors for the National Apostolate of Maronites for over ten years as the youngest ever to join the board when he turned 18 years old.
Curtis was born and raised in Akron, OH in a Lebanese-American household and an avid sports family of all things Cleveland. He has spent over the last ten years calling Omaha home. When not at work, he's working out at Crossfit Hydro, cooking, spending time with his two wheaten terriers (Dash & Peri), catching a Liverpool game at the pub, or traveling when the opportunity arises.
Job Titles:
- Special Projects Assistant
Delaney Whitney is currently a student at UNO working towards a degree in Forensic Science. I was born and raised in Omaha as well.
I'm not as artsy as the rest of the amazing crew here but I do a lot with watercolor in my spare time. Art has always been something I appreciate as I believe it is something we as people can all connect with. Those values were instilled in me by my grandmother who has mentored me in all things art as she was an artist herself. Otherwise, I spent a lot of my time looking for new adventures by traveling with friends or playing video games.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Treasurer of the Founding Board
- Founder and President of Hayes & Associates
Frank L. Hayes is the founder and President of Hayes & Associates, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants. He is a native of Mendenhall, Mississippi, but has spent his entire adult life in Omaha, Nebraska. Frank is a graduate of Creighton University.
Over his career, he has had the privilege of serving the community in various capacities, including the Nebraska State Board of Accountancy, where in 1984 he became the first African American and youngest person ever appointed to the board. He also served on the Boards of The Omaha Branch of Federal Reserve, United Way of the Midlands, and the Omaha Community Foundation, among others. He currently serves on the Creighton University Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee of the 100 Black Men of America, the Executive Committee of Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and the Executive Committee of KANEKO, an institute for the study and advancement of creativity in work and life.
Frank has received numerous honors during his career, including the Nebraska Society of CPA's Public Service Award, Otto Swanson Spirit of Service Award from the NCCJ, the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Community Leadership Association of America, The Rotary Club of Omaha Free Enterprise Award, the Western Heritage Museum African American Award for Corporate & Community Leadership, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Business Administration Alumni Association Leadership Award.
In 2009, he was inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame and the Omaha Technical High School Hall of Fame for outstanding accomplishments in business and community service.
Frank has two children and two grandchildren.
A New York native and California transplant, Jacqueline Scoones brings a rich tapestry of interdisciplinary leadership and expertise to her role as Executive Director for KANEKO.
Scoones's extensive experience in strategic planning, innovative program design and management, institutional advancement, and education, were developed through administrative and teaching appointments at Cornell University; the University of California, San Diego; the University of California, Irvine; San Diego Mesa College; Skidmore College; and the Opera Company of Philadelphia. Scoones has facilitated a wide variety of collaborations and partnerships within and between programs, organizations, and communities, often conceived in alignment with cultivation and fund-raising aims.
The KANEKO mission of providing opportunity to "think differently" is evident in Scoones' long commitment to promoting creative thinking, discussion, and practices in a wide range of settings. Her multiple administrative roles, including directing a progressive graduate studies program at Skidmore College and facilitating KANEKO's first two years of public and education programs as Associate Director, have been informed by her experiences as a visiting professor/lecturer, community college and adult education instructor, and public secondary school teacher.
Scoones studied voice and violin and earned a B.F.A. in Theater Arts (Directing) from Ithaca College, and earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English from the University of California, Irvine, where her interdisciplinary scholarship focused on environmental ethics, women's studies, modern theories of art, and literature. Her adventurous spirit and willingness to take on challenges is demonstrated by her non-traditional career trajectory, as well as through her achievements as a former skydiving instructor and National Champion.
Job Titles:
- Exhibition and Special Projects Manager
Born and raised in Northern California, Jason Hovey moved to Omaha after receiving his BA in Studio Art from the University of California at Davis to work as an assistant to Jun Kaneko. Upon completion of a three-year apprenticeship, Jun asked Jason to stay on and manage his studio, which he did in two terms for an additional nine years. Between periods working as Jun's manager, Jason worked at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California, as a preparator and mount maker. In addition, he was responsible for developing and constructing creative design solutions for permanent and temporary exhibitions for over five years.
Currently, Jason is developing his studio practice, primarily focusing on ceramics and woodworking.
Job Titles:
- Artist from Nebraska
- KANEKO Assistant
Julianna Perry is a young artist from Nebraska. Julianna studied at Metropolitan Community College and achieved two associate degrees in arts in 2024. After college, Julianna started focusing on her personal portfolio and began working at KANEKO as a Gallery Assistant. Julianna is heavily inspired by pop culture, entertainment media, and animals in her art, and loves physical mediums like oil pastel and acrylic paint. Besides art, Julianna loves to boulder, hike, pc game, and go on trips to Washington to visit her partner.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Producer
- Program Manager
Kimberly Faith Hickman is a producer, director, and educator whose credits include Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, and regional theatres nationwide. Her passion for audience experiences and youth advocacy have driven her work for over twenty years.
On Broadway, Kimberly worked on productions that earned 19 Tony Award nominations combined. Her Off-Broadway and regional credits include Manhattan Theatre Club, Roundabout Theatre Company, Atlantic Theatre Company, Women's Project, Epic Theatre Ensemble, Center Theatre Group (Los Angeles, CA), Williamstown Theatre Festival (Williamstown, MA), Know Theatre of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH), Springer Opera House (Columbus, GA), Playhouse on the Square (Memphis, TN), Omaha Playhouse, Rave On Productions (Omaha, NE) and more! Kimberly is a recipient of three directing fellowships from Manhattan Theatre Club, an Alec Baldwin Directing Fellowship, a member of Lincoln Center Directors Lab and Directors Lab West, a recipient of two SDC Observerships, a finalist for the 2011 Mike Ockrent Directing Fellowship on Broadway and an Artistic Associate with terraNOVA Collective. She also co-founded The Bechdel Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to telling stories that pass the Bechdel test.
In 2016, Kimberly moved to Omaha, NE where she led artistic and educational programming as Artistic Director of Omaha Playhouse and later served as Artistic & Education Director of Rave On Productions. In 2024, Kimberly created Your Empowerment Studio, LLC (YES!) which empowers students by strengthening their talents and bolstering their value.
Kimberly is thrilled to be Program Manager at an open space such as KANEKO and looks forward to furthering its mission of creativity throughout the Omaha community. You can learn more about Kimberly at www.kimberlyfaithhickman.com
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Founding Board
- Board Member / CEO of Moxie16 a Boutique Communications and Marketing Firm, Former Chief Communication and Marketing Officer at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Margaret is an Omaha native that graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Creighton University. She has extensive administrative, gallery management and customer service skills.
She is detail oriented and professional in both performance and presentation. She has a proven ability to plan and complete multiple tasks within strict deadlines. Whether working on academic, extracurricular, or professional projects, she applies leadership, problem solving and planning skills, which she hopes to utilize within KANEKO.
She will be working closely with the Director of Finance and Operations and the Executive Director to advance the KANEKO mission of providing opportunities to "think differently."
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Founding Board
Job Titles:
- Exhibitions & Special Projects Assistant
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Founding Board
Patrick T. Morris, MPA, CCIM and is President-Elect of Nebraska Philanthropic Trust, a real estate professional with a unique background in corporate real estate, brokerage, investments, asset management, facilities maintenance, project management, municipal planning, and fundraising.
After graduating Cum Laude with a BFA in Ceramics in 2005, Peter and his wife Stacy became parents to Olivia, a person with Down Syndrome. As a stay-at-home parent and advocate, he worked diligently at intervention techniques to help Olivia succeed on her journey. Eventually, two more children came along: Miriam and Emil. During this time raising children he also developed a home-based studio practice and continues to make ceramic work.
His work as a practicing artist includes teaching novice wheel-throwers at The Union for Contemporary Art-Omaha and PACE-Council Bluffs. He co-leads, along with teaching doctors from Creighton University and social scientists from Bellevue University, an evolving practicum of discernment and bias recognition for medical students using art, mostly paintings, in the Joslyn Museum's collection.
Peter was born and raised in Hastings, Nebraska and has lived his entire life in Nebraska. His proximity to strong schools, creative people and big spaces has kept him here. Peter's earliest creative journey was exploring the sandy blowouts of Southern Nebraska and forming crude bricks out of backyard dirt, then fired on the barbecue grill. His work for KANEKO since 2011 includes art crating, shipping and installation, summer camp education, and making art works for purchase. He now works closely with Jason Hovey to ready the dynamic gallery spaces and buildings, keeping them whole and inviting for all.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Founding Board
- Director of UNeTech Institute
Rod Markin is the Director of UNeTech Institute and Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Development at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. A well-experienced Chief Technology Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Strong engineering professional skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Budgeting, Analytical Skills, Coaching, and Medical Devices.
A University of Iowa BFA graduate in Painting and Drawing, Terra has cultivated a diverse professional journey that blends creativity and practical expertise. For a decade, she and her husband owned Rhizosphere Farm in Missouri Valley, Iowa, where they grew organic fruits and vegetables for restaurants and farmers' markets in the Omaha metropolitan area. Her professional path has also included roles as copywriter, and recently, Administrative Director of the Nebraska Zen Center in Omaha.
Born and raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Terra remains deeply connected to her roots while pursuing her passions. When not working, she finds joy in zen meditation, painting, drawing, tending her garden, exploring nature through hiking and biking, and satisfying her wanderlust through travel.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Member of the Founding Board
- Artist
Therman Statom is primarily a glass artist, cutting, painting, and assembling the glass, adding found objects along the way, to create compelling sculptures. He began his study of glass as an art medium at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, California, in 1971. He was awarded a B.F.A. in Sculpture from Rhode Island School of Design in 1974 and an M.F.A. in Sculpture from Pratt Institute of Art and Design in 1978. His professional career includes exhibitions at major American and international museums. Statom has also completed public commissions in Los Angeles and San Jose, California, and has work in numerous collections, among them the Afro-American Museum, Los Angeles; Detroit Institute of Fine Arts; Toledo Museum of Art; Oakland Museum, California; High Museum of Art, Atlanta; and Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Secretary of the Founding Board
Vicki Krecek has a degree in Journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She was the Manager of Community Development for the City of Omaha, Vice President of Communications for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and a freelance writer. She retired from the Chamber of Commerce after 23 years. Krecek's volunteer work is centered around the arts and social services, and her interests include art, music, opera, and horses (fox hunting and trail riding). She and her husband David have two sons and two grandchildren.