2001
Harold Epstein Purveyor, Nebraska Wine and Spirits
Mark Hoch Chef, Jam's
Yvonne Nettelmann Educator, Metropolitan Community College
Harold J. Norman Special Classification, Omaha Livestock Market
William M. "Willy" Theisen Owner, Manager and Director, Godfather's Pizza
Harold Epstein
Purveyor, Nebraska Wine and Spirits
He was Sales Supervisor and City Sales Manager for Sterling Distributing 1947-1951; City and General Sales Manager and Midwest Regional Vice President for McKesson Wine and Spirits 1951-1975 and Owner/Chairman of Nebraska Wine and Spirits, Inc. beginning in 1992. He received the Hiram Walker President's Award (1992 and 1998), the Jim Beam President's Club Award (1994) and Distributor of the Year (1986) from the Canadian Club Society. He was Director of Wholesalers Association of America (1951) and Chairman on the Israel Board (1986).
Mark Hoch
Chef, Jam's
He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and the Beringer School for American Chefs. He worked as Sous Chef at Houllhan's, Executive Chef at the Highland Country Club and Corporate Chef for A & R Services. He owns Culinary Ventures, Inc and is Owner/Chef at Monterey Cafe. He served on the Board of the Omaha Restaurant Association, the American Culinary Federation and the Omaha Chamber of Commerce. He was named Restaurateur of the Year (1998) by the Omaha Restaurant Association and Chef of the Year by The Reader (1998).
Yvonne Nettelmann
Educator, Metropolitan Community College
She graduated from Coltra Coosta College, CA AA and is an American Culinary Federation Certified Educator. She started her career as a soda jerk. She owned a restaurant and also did catering. She earned a B.S.in Restaurant and Management from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She was a vocational instructor for Rehabilitation Services in the Food Service Training Program at the statehouse in Lincoln. She was Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President of the American Culinary Association, Omaha Chapter. She was a member of the steering committee for Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation, the Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame and Opera Omaha Wine Seller. She is a member of Kappa Omicron Home Economics Honor Society. She received a ConAgra Teaching Excellence Award (1994) and a Service Award and Culinary Skills Medals from the American Culinary Federation. She received the state of Nebraska Outstanding Service Award for helpings persons with disabilities (1987).
Harold J. Norman
Special Classification, Omaha Livestock Market
He was admitted under the special classification group for services to the industry. He is a registered public accountant by the state of Nebraska; he audited the Omaha Restaurant Association books beginning in the 1960s. He was named to the Omaha Restaurant Association Board and continued on the board in one position or another through Dec. 31, 2008. He served as Treasurer for the Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation for six years. He served as Executive Director of the Omaha Restaurant Association for nine years and Treasurer of the Omaha Restaurant Association Foundation from May 2001 to May 2009.
William M. "Willy" Theisen
Owner, Manager and Director, Godfather's Pizza
He opened Wild Willys in 1973 selling pizzas. He began franchising Godfather's Pizza in 1975, which became a publicly traded company in 1982. He sold the pizza chain in 1983 and served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Diversifoods, Inc. until his resignation in 1984. He became the President of Business Ventures that same year. He purchased controlling interest in Green Burrito in 1984; in 1994, he became Chairman of the Board and CEO of the company. He received the City of Hope Spirit of Life Award and the Brownell-Talbot School Recognition Award. He became a franchisee of Famous Dave's in 2000.