2016
Anthony Fucinaro, Jr. and Sr. Owners, Anthony's Steakhouse
Eddie Galas Owner, Eddies Catering
David Hayes Owner, V Mertz
Linda Aniania-Keating Sales Manager, Nebraska Distributing Co.
Ron Popp Owner, Wheatfields Eatery, Bakery and Catering Co
Steve Villamonte, Sr. Executive Chef, Villamonte's Cuisi
Anthony Fucinaro, Sr.
Anthony Fucinaro, Sr. was born in 1931 in Ralston, NE. He graduated Creighton Prep High School and began farming at a very young age with his father. He married Josephine Circo in 1952. He began operating Ralston Bowl 1954-1966, eventually becoming the owner/operator. During his lifetime he was owner of the following; Playmaker Bar, 1960’s, Pussycat Lounge, 1960’s, Anthony's Steakhouse, 1967-2013,Dominico's, 1974-1976, Antonio's Pizza, 1976-1978, Fucci's Buffet, 1978-1979. Anthony was the founder of St. Gerald's Catholic Church. He was active in the Shriners and fed the Nebraska Football Players. He was on the board of NE Restaurant Association and active in the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Ralston Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau. He was awarded Nebraska Restaurant Association's Restaurateur of the Year, 1999 and received Greater Omaha Chamber's Golden Spike Award, 2009.
Four Children, 14 Grandchildren, 16 Great Grandchildren
Deceased 2013
Anthony Fucinaro, Jr.
Anthony Fucinaro, Jr. was born in 1954 in Omaha, NE. He graduated Creighton Prep High School and then graduated UNL with a Business Degree. He married Denise Trader in 1978. Anthony worked for his father at the Ralston Bowl, Domineco's, Anthonio's, Fucci's and Anthony's Steakhouse, 1968-2003. He was operating/owner Cuzzo's Café, 1999-2003 and Anthony's Steakhouse, 2003-Present. He is a current member of Omaha Restaurant Association, NE Restaurant Association, Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Ralston Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau. Anthony was Omaha Restaurant Association's Restaurateur of the Year, 2008 and received the Greater Omaha Chamber's Golden Spike Award, 2009, and was the Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce's 2010 Business Person of the Year. He served as a Omaha Restaurant Association Board Member, 2011-2012
Three Children and three grandchildren.
Eddie Galas
Owner, Eddies Catering
Anthony “Dino” Losole was born to be in the restaurant business. Losole’s culinary journey began in the family restaurant business at the young age of 10, and he was later hired at the Field Club of Omaha. After his parents opened Lo Sole Mio Ristorante Italiano, he studied under his father and mastered the art of menu planning, food preparation and presentation before becoming head chef for 18 years.
Losole passed away in 2013 but leaves a lasting legacy in Omaha. He served on the Omaha Restaurant Association board and worked tirelessly with various benefits and organizations, such as Benefit for 9/11, Taste of the Nation, Omaha Food Bank, Open Door Mission and Lydia House, Our Lady of Lourdes and the Omaha South High School Sports Awards Banquet.
David Hayes
Owner, V Mertz
As director of the Douglas County Health Department since 2002, Adi Pour has employed her passion for community involvement and helping others succeed. A native of Switzerland, Pour attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska Medical Center and attained her post-doctorate fellowship at Creighton University.
Pour received the J.G. Elliot Award from UNMC and the Public Service Excellence Award from UNO in 2007. She was also honored at the 2013 Tribute to Women event by the Women’s Center for Advancement. She enjoys cooking, reading, skiing and traveling.
Linda Aniania-Keating
Executive Chef, Villamonte's Cuisine
Imperial Palace Express Milton Yin grew up with the influence of a mother who had a passion for great food and a father who owned a restaurant in Korea for 30 years. While Chinese, Yin was born in South Korea and came to the United States in 1976 at the age of 18 to join his father and brother, Danny, who had opened Imperial Palace restaurant. In 1986, Yin and his family created Imperial Palace Express, a fast food-style restaurant that boomed, with other locations opening across Nebraska in Bellevue, Kearney, Norfolk, Grand Island, Fremont and La Vista. Yin continued his culinary journey when he opened Hiro Sushi in 2003. The success of Hiro would lead to Hiro 88 locations in Omaha and Lincoln as well as Pana 88.
Yin has a daughter named Jennifer with his wife, Norma, who has been involved in Yin’s restaurant ventures since Imperial Palace. He has actively supported organizations like Project Harmony, Healing Kadi Foundation, March of Dimes and the Siena/Francis House. He enjoys traveling, cooking, working with family and friends, and experiencing new restaurants.
Ron Popp
Sales Manager, Nebraska Distributing Co.
Imperial Palace Express Milton Yin grew up with the influence of a mother who had a passion for great food and a father who owned a restaurant in Korea for 30 years. While Chinese, Yin was born in South Korea and came to the United States in 1976 at the age of 18 to join his father and brother, Danny, who had opened Imperial Palace restaurant. In 1986, Yin and his family created Imperial Palace Express, a fast food-style restaurant that boomed, with other locations opening across Nebraska in Bellevue, Kearney, Norfolk, Grand Island, Fremont and La Vista. Yin continued his culinary journey when he opened Hiro Sushi in 2003. The success of Hiro would lead to Hiro 88 locations in Omaha and Lincoln as well as Pana 88.
Yin has a daughter named Jennifer with his wife, Norma, who has been involved in Yin’s restaurant ventures since Imperial Palace. He has actively supported organizations like Project Harmony, Healing Kadi Foundation, March of Dimes and the Siena/Francis House. He enjoys traveling, cooking, working with family and friends, and experiencing new restaurants.
Steve Villamonte, Sr.
Sales Manager, Nebraska Distributing Co.
Imperial Palace Express Milton Yin grew up with the influence of a mother who had a passion for great food and a father who owned a restaurant in Korea for 30 years. While Chinese, Yin was born in South Korea and came to the United States in 1976 at the age of 18 to join his father and brother, Danny, who had opened Imperial Palace restaurant. In 1986, Yin and his family created Imperial Palace Express, a fast food-style restaurant that boomed, with other locations opening across Nebraska in Bellevue, Kearney, Norfolk, Grand Island, Fremont and La Vista. Yin continued his culinary journey when he opened Hiro Sushi in 2003. The success of Hiro would lead to Hiro 88 locations in Omaha and Lincoln as well as Pana 88.
Yin has a daughter named Jennifer with his wife, Norma, who has been involved in Yin’s restaurant ventures since Imperial Palace. He has actively supported organizations like Project Harmony, Healing Kadi Foundation, March of Dimes and the Siena/Francis House. He enjoys traveling, cooking, working with family and friends, and experiencing new restaurants.