UNMC for the record

Chris Kabourek

Chris Kabourek

Kabourek tapped as university’s vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer
University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds, Ph.D., this week announced that following a national search, he has named Chris Kabourek, a 20-year veteran of the university’s senior leadership team, as vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer.

Kabourek, who has held the interim role since January, will assume the permanent position pending approval by the Board of Regents at its Aug. 3 meeting. He brings more than two decades of progressive financial leadership experience at the university, including 11 years as assistant vice president in which he worked closely with executives across and outside the university on budgeting, capital planning, debt financing, accounting, risk management, human resources and benefits, legislative strategy and other areas.

As chief financial officer, Kabourek will be part of the president’s executive cabinet and will be the senior business officer for the University of Nebraska system, overseeing all financial and administrative services supporting the university’s $2.6 billion operating budget.

Dentistry’s Dr. Wallen graduates from Leadership Omaha class
Jill Wallen, B.D.S., chairperson and associate professor, UNMC College of Dentistry Department of Growth and Development, is one of 49 members to graduate from this year’s class of Leadership Omaha. This marked the 40th graduating class for Leadership Omaha, which was established in 1978 by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce as a way to develop effective leaders who will strengthen and transform the community.

Class members are chosen based on their demonstrated community involvement and career advancement. More than 1,600 people have gone through the program, which includes orientation in August, a retreat in September and then monthly, daylong sessions designed to encourage open dialogue among class members and more than 100 government officials, civil figures and business leaders who contribute as speakers.

Class members also complete a small group project and can participate in several optional programs, such as a police ride-along.

Cornelia Vremes, projects/initiatives manager for Nebraska Medicine, also is a member of this year’s graduating class.

Registration open for med center Corporate Cycling Challenge team

Registration is now open for the Corporate Cycling Challenge, which will be held Aug. 19.

“This event is a bike tour, not a race,” said Peter Pellerito of the Center for Healthy Living, who is coordinating med center entries. “Cyclists of all abilities can ride.”

For the corporate competition, total employee miles and half the employee family miles count toward the corporate team point total. The med center team won in 2016, while the CHI team won last year.

Tour distance options are 10 miles, 25 miles and 42 miles. Employees can ride for free, and the cost for family members is $5. See registration details.

For an additional $10, participants may order a T-shirt with the campus logos by Monday, July 16. Participants who register by this deadline earn an opportunity to win a $50 gift card. All med center participants also can earn opportunities to win $100, Pellerito said.

The Corporate Cycling Challenge is an event sponsored by Eastern Nebraska Trails Network to raise funds for trail development in the Omaha metro area.