We have assembled a team of advisors (accounting, legal, business, banking, investment management, administrative services, insurance consultants, etc.) to assist in managing our enterprise.
Our team would also provide value to a new partner in the areas of financial and operating reporting, financing short and long-term needs of the company, Board governance, risk management, and general administrative support.
A. William "Bill" Kernen
Co-Founder and Managing Member
In 2004, Leona and Bill Kernen established Kernen Partners, LLC, a management company which supports affiliates such as Kernen Capital, LLC. Bill graduated from Omaha University and worked at the Omaha World-Herald for over 30 years, holding positions of Controller, Director of Administrative Services, Treasurer and Senior Vice President/CFO. He served on the boards of the Omaha World-Herald (1985 to 2011) and Election Systems and Software (1987 to 2011).
Kernen currently serves on the Boards of Kernen Partners, LLC, Kernen Capital, LLC (and serves as a member of its Investment Underwriting Committee), and Kernen Education 2.0, LLC. Bill serves the community on the boards of Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha, GracePoint Institute for Relational Health, Concordia University - NE Foundation, as Chair of the GracePoint Health Foundation Board, and investment commitees of several endowment funds. In the past, he has served on numerous other boards, including Western Heritage Museum, Omaha Symphony, United Way of the Midlands, Concordia University - NE Board of Regents, Wheat Ridge Ministries - Chicago, IL, and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Foundation, St. Louis, Missouri.
Phil Webb
President
Phil is a University of Iowa graduate and joined Kernen Partners and Kernen Capital in 2009 to provide guidance in the identification of investment opportunities for the Kernen Capital, LLC Wellspring Capital Fund. In addition, he provides advice on the viability of marketing efforts by entities being considered for equity investments. Phil also serves on Kernen Capital's Board of Directors and its Investment Underwriting Committee. Prior to his work for Kernen Capital, Phil served as President and then Chair of Redstone Communications (now RCG Advertising). He also worked as a Partner at Bozell Worldwide and Vice President of Marketing for First Bank System (now US Bank). Phil is currently Vice Chair of the City of Omaha Urban Design Review Board and has served on numerous community boards including United Way of the Midlands, Literacy Center for the Midlands, Junior Achievement, Arthritis Foundation/Heartland Region, and Siena Francis House.
George Wachtler
Business Advisor
George graduated from Omaha University and has worked with the Kernens since 2004 to create Kernen Partners, LLC and Kernen Capital, LLC. He serves on the boards of both companies and on the Kernen Capital Investment Underwriting Committee. George worked for the Omaha World-Herald for over 39 years holding positions of Accountant, Credit Manager, Controller, Vice President, and Senior Vice President/Secretary. He served on the board of the Omaha World-Herald and several subsidiaries. George currently serves on investment committees of the Omaha Catholic Archdiocese, Gross Catholic High School, and Concordia Schools of Omaha. He has served on the College World Series Board of Directors for over 30 years.
Lorri Brockman
Financial Advisor
Lorri, a Bellevue University graduate, joined Kernen Partners in 2007 to manage accounting, financial duties, investment performance, and tax reporting. After serving as business and finance manager for public and private companies throughout her career, Lorri founded Jaguar Group in 2006 and moved into semi-retirement in 2019. She served as a founding board member of Professional Women Connect Omaha and serves on the board of Grand Slam Investments and Flatrock Group. Lorri also serves as Trustee for multiple individuals and businesses.
Lynn Labadie
Financial Analyst and Asset Management Consultant
Lynn graduated from Creighton University and joined Kernen Partners in 2007, assuming responsibilities for banking and brokerage management and investment management reporting. Lynn currently provides investment opportunity financial analysis and then works closely with the sponsors of those investment opportunities to which Kernen Capital makes a commitment. Lynn owns Brookside Accounting Services. Prior experience includes working as Controller at Profitstar, General Accounting Manager and SEC Reporting Manager at Bozell, Jacobs, Kenyon and Eckhardt, and Senior Auditor at Coopers and Lybrand.
Michele Pohlman
Executive Assistant
Michele is a graduate of the College of Saint Mary and joined Kernen Partners, our management services company, in 2005 following a career in Education. Michele assumed the responsibilities for coordinating and maintaining the company's records and reports and overseeing the operations of the Kernen Partner's office.
Denise Fanslau
Office Manager
Denise is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and joined the Kernen Partners team in 2018 following a career in Education and Advancement. Denise assumed responsibilities as Kernen Partners' office manager and Kernen Capital's portfolio engagement liaison and is responsible for document management and data dissemination for all portfolio investments.
Michala Jacobson
Administrative Assistant
Michala, a graduate of College of Saint Mary and Doane University, joined Kernen Partners in January 2024 after spending 25 years in the education field as a teacher, coach, and administrator. Michala is the office administrative assistant and provides support to the Kernen Capital team.
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