Although the calendar only marks two days out of the year to honor military Veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, it is important to be thankful for the sacrifice of Veterans in our community all year long.

Veterans are some of the bravest and hardest-working members of our community, and it is important to give back to the men and women that fought for our freedom. After serving in the military, many go on to new professions or business ventures and we want to highlight the businesses in our community that are owned by Veterans.

Supporting these businesses shows your support for our troops and the sacrifices they have made for our country. Coming back from deployment is often not an easy task, so having a supportive community around them makes the transition a lot easier.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental disorder that occurs after a person experiences a stressful sevent, affects about 15 million people each year. 21+ Veterans commit suicide daily, so it is important to keep strong relationships with their local Veterans Service Office and Veterans Associations. Over 1.7 million Veterans received mental health services at VA last year. Their services range from peer support with other Veterans to counseling, therapy, medication or a combination of these options. Their goal is to help you take charge of your treatment and live a full and meaningful life. Military OneSource is another free service that provides expert support to connect military personnel and their families with the best available resources to fit their needs.

All of us at Strictly Business are honored to get the chance to highlight these businesses and the Veterans that run them every day. Your bravery, strength and dedication to our country does not go unnoticed. Thank you for your service!

If you would like to be featured in next year’s Veteran-owned Business feature, please reach out to Cemre at cemre@strictlybusinessomaha. com or call our office at (402) 466-3330.

Adam Schroeder
Marine Corps (1999-2003); Nebraska National Guard (2003-2010)

Adam Shroeder of Strat V Consulting (www.stratvconsulting.com) served in the Marine Corps and the Nebraska National Guard leading and executing military operations with the US and abroad before moving into civilian life and getting his degree. He received his Masters in marketing from Doane University in 2020. By the time January of 2021 rolled around, Adam was opening the doors to Strat V Consulting.

Having 20+ years of experience in strategic planning, supply chain and operations gave him great insight into what makes businesses tick, and just as importantly what doesn’t.

“I saw a gap between business leaders and the people that support those businesses, the employees. I knew there was an opportunity to close that gap through connecting the individuals in the business across all levels,” says Adam.

Strat V Consulting works with all business sizes, and working with his larger clients has helped him see that small businesses can and should have the same opportunities to improve their processes and grow their business. They enjoy opening up a whole new world for clients that may think they aren’t big enough to fully utilize a business consultation partner. Strat V is committed to coming alongside all of their clients in a way that makes sense to each individual company they work with to provide a personalized consulting experience.

You can get in touch with Adam from Strat V Consulting by reaching out to aschroeder@stratvconsulting.com / (402) 730-9776; or going to www.stratvconsulting.com.

John Berry Jr.
US Army

John Berry, Jr. is a trial attorney at Berry Law Firm (jsberrylaw.com) since 2003. For the past twenty years, John has been a powerhouse when it comes to his clients. As a Veteran himself, he has skilled knowledge of the Veteran Affairs system and commits himself to finding justice for thousands of Veterans.

John served in the US Army for over 20 years, retiring as a Battalion Commander and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the 209th Regimental Training Institute for his service. He has spent his whole life committing himself to the betterment of the community around him and continues to do so today. His passion extends to his family as well, his wife and four children continually encourage him to be the best family man he can be.

Berry Law’s success stems from the foundation John has laid. His most recent accomplishment was being recognized by “Best Lawyers in America Criminal Defense” in 2023. He has successfully led teams in Bosnia and Iraq and continues to lead successfully both in the courtroom and in the firm. Berry Law represents Veterans with VA appeals nationwide and maintains a regional trial practice that includes criminal defense, personal injury, civil litigation and military law. John makes sure their high standards are met with each case.

With over 250 years of combined legal experience and 300 years of combined military service, the team at Berry Law is well-equipped to handle the most serious legal needs. The firm has expanded to offer Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Veterans Law. To learn more, go online to jsberrylaw.com.

Brenda Rohren
US Navy (1981-1986)

Behavioral Health Resources (BHR, www.bhr-llc.com) was founded in Spring 2011 by Brenda Rohren as a private, for-profit organization. This endeavor was prompted by requests from several CARF-accredited organizations that were interested in contracting for consulting to prepare for CARF accreditation surveys.

Behavioral Health Resources was incorporated as a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Lincoln on June 8, 2011 and was accredited by the Better Business Bureau on June 13, 2012. In March 2013, business operations were expanded to include Clinical Services. BHR was designated as a verified Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) on October 31, 2013. CARF accreditation was obtained on October 31, 2014 for the trauma-focused Integrated SUD/MH Outpatient Treatment (OT) programs for Children/Adolescents and Adults. (The accreditation status is a Three-Year accreditation, the optimal accreditation outcome indicating high quality of services.) Licensure in Nebraska as a Substance Abuse Treatment Center was obtained on March 20, 2015; deemed status based on CARF accreditation was obtained on October 21, 2015. Services were expanded again in May 2015 to include Professional Development (sponsoring EMDR therapy basic and advanced training workshops, providing consultation to EMDR therapists pursuing EMDRIA certification and becoming the corporate sponsor for the Southeast Nebraska EMDRIA Regional Network).

For more information, please visit www.bhr-llc.com or call (402) 486-1101.

John Stevens Berry Sr.
US Army

John Stevens Berry Sr. has written several books over the years, including fiction, nonfiction, biography and poetry. His writing is heavily influenced by his esteemed military service, and he takes his readers on a journey into his brilliant mind with each page.

His first published work was Darkness of Snow in 1973, a beautiful collection of poetry. With his next publication, a prose memoir, he explores his experiences of the ambiguities of law within the walls of the military. Those Gallant Men: One Trial in Vietnam was published in 1984. In 2014, John Sr. co-wrote The Twelfth Victim: The Innocence of Caril Fugate in the Starkweather Murder Rampage. This book covers the life and crime of Charles Starkweather and his girlfriend, Caril Fugate. This shocking story went on to become a documentary series on Showtime released in early 2023.

In May, John Sr. released his latest book, Foot Soldier. This piece is a memoir, a collection of free verse poetry written after his diagnosis of PTSD. It offers insights into war, small-town America and a life fully lived. Fellow author Marcia Southwick says about Berry, “I used to think J.S. Berry was a famous attorney who had once studied poetry with Yvor Winters at Stanford. Now I realize, after reading these poems, that he’s really a famous poet who has been disguising himself as an attorney for the past 57 years.”

Currently, John Sr. is living in Lincoln with his artist wife, Margaret Berry. He passes his leisure time with his grandchildren and farming interests. If you would like to get a copy of John Sr.’s latest work, you can find it for sale on amazon.com by searching for Foot Soldier.

Jim Cada
US Army (1968-1970)

Jim Cada was born and raised on a farm north of Schuyler. He served in the U.S. Army 1968- 1970, obtaining rank of staff Sgt., and leaving with a Purple Heart and honorable discharge. He graduated at UNL with a BS., MA. and JD. Jim’s practice of law includes personal injury, estate planning and probate, collection of business accounts and establishment/representation of business and corporate entities.

Jim currently serves as the NE Aide to Secretary of the Army, is on the Governor’s Advisory Commission and serves as a board member of the Nebraska Veterans Council, which promotes legislation to help Veterans. He’s been president of the State Veterans Home Board since 1998; and, since 1994, he has served on the Lancaster County Veterans Service Committee that provides an array of services for Veterans.

Jim Cada and Cada Law have spent their careers giving individuals, families and businesses the help that they need at the time they need it. With over 50 years of combined experience, they know that their firm could not have had such continued success without a genuine commitment to our clients and community.

Regardless of who you are, your legal issues and concerns are unique, important and deserve to be treated with respect. Call or text today to get the help you need at (402) 477-2233 or email office@cadalaw.com.

Marty Fortney
US Marines (1986-1992)

I joined the Marines out of high school to serve my country. In 1986, we were still engaged in the Cold War. I trained as a combat engineer specializing in cold weather mountain warfare. I got experience working with explosives, mines and building bridges to accommodate the new M1 Abrams 60 ton tank.

After being in the Marines for a few years, I married my wife of 34 years now. Six months after we were married, I was deployed to a little country Kuwait that nobody really spoke of until they were invaded by Saddam Hussein. They did not have a standing army and were easily overrun by opposing forces. My wife and I communicated mostly with paper, pen and stamps! There was a 30-40 day turn around for letters. I can still only imagine how difficult that was for my wife and loved ones to watch the news and wonder where we were or if we were still alive.

Ironically, I had trained for years to operate in the mountains nonetheless, Marines are taught to adapt and overcome. I saw and participated in war actions that I would wish for no one to witness. The injustice that the Republican Guard of Iraq placed on those defenseless people of Kuwait is indescribable. I am so grateful to have served my country but in no way do I believe that war is a way to solve any problem. I believe that we the United States of America and our coalition forces saved many lives in Kuwait. We have an amazing country with rights that are protected by our constitution. Every citizen in our country should know those rights and exercise them with civility. I’m proud to continue ser ving my country in a different way through my small business, Superior Storage. The opportunities that are given to us by the men and women who serve continue to open up for my community. God bless the USA.

Jason Krueger
Army Reserve (1985-1990); Army (1990-1991)

Jason Krueger has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and after serving in the Army he was working but looking for a new opportunity. On the hunt for a franchise for supplemental income, circumstances changed and Jason needed a full-time franchise to support himself. He switched focus and started looking into companies that aligned with his morals and motivations.

Kitchen Tune Up (www.kitchentuneup.com/lincoln-ne) was at a franchise convention and Jason knew that they were a good fit together. With company values like honesty, integrity and care for customers, this was the perfect opportunity. Jason’s franchise started in June of 2018 and has been thriving ever since.

Over the years, Kitchen Tune Up has acquired some businesses that rounded out the company to become a one-stop shop for customers. Any home repairs you need, Jason will have someone in mind who he knows will care for you just like he would. Those high standards are hard to come by.

Community is extremely important to Kitchen Tune Up and Jason loves being as involved as he can. He’s donated items to LIBA auctions and is always trying to get people more involved with the organization. He is part of the Home Builders Association of Lincoln remodel council, which puts on an annual event called Crusin’ for the Trade and gives a scholarship to lucky students looking at trade careers. It’s an awesome family event that they’re looking forward to seeing grow. Jason also supports Foster Closet, donating shelving and time when he can.

If you’re looking for an elevated kitchen and remodeling experience, Kitchen Tune Up and Jason Krueger will partner with you to exceed your expectations. You can find out more information by going to www.kitchentuneup.com/lincoln-ne or contacting Jason at jkrueger@kitchentuneup.com / (402) 340-0008.