Omaha Restaurant Association

The ORA was established in 1944 as a non-profit organization to promote the highest standard of quality in the Omaha Hospitality industry through leadership, scholarship, philanthropy, and advocacy.

ORA History

The Omaha Restaurant Association began in 1944 with a small group of restaurateurs that met at the Castle Hotel. Seven faithful members agreed to serve on the first Board of Directors and began meeting every month to discuss the purpose of the ORA as well as the welfare of their members and of the hospitality industry, in general. One of the early purposes was to promote “eating out”, and they did succeed, as Omaha is known to this day as a city of great food, and great restaurants...

In the early years, the ORA did not have paid staff, and was operated solely by the elected board. In the early 1980’s that was changed by the Board, resulting in the hiring of Mr. Harold Norman to be the first Executive Director. Harold, with his wife Dorothy, were very instrumental in the growth, and stature of the ORA. Perhaps one of Harold’s biggest achievements was the thousands of dollars he raised for scholarships. Upon Harold’s retirement in 2000, Jennie Warren was named the new Executive Director and remains in that position 12 years later, as the ORA continues to thrive.

The ORA has served the community well through the promotion eating at Omaha’s great restaurants. The ORA also works with many local groups and agencies to insure that Omaha is always known for great food and service. Some of the agencies the ORA has worked with include the Douglas County Health Department, the Nebraska Restaurant Association, The American Culinary Federation, and the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College.

The ORA has additionally served the residents of the area by offering scholarships to those outstanding individuals who are interested in making a career in the food industry.
What was once a committee of the ORA (The Scholarship Committee), in 1991 became the Omaha Restaurant Association Foundation (ORAF). It is now an affiliated but separate organization that promotes and distributes scholarships.
The ORA can look with pride at the reputation that Omaha restaurants have developed in the greater metro area. It is proud of its members who have risen to positions of national prominence. Perhaps unprecedented, the ORA has had three individuals who have gone on to be President of the National Restaurant Association. We owe a great debt of gratitude to these individuals, as well as all of those who have served on the ORA Board, especially our presidents, and our two Executive Directors. If not for their dedication, perhaps Omaha would not be so well known for its wonderful restaurants.

ORA Members that became National Restaurant Presidents:
1919-1920 John W. Welch, the First President
1959-1960 Raymond C. Matson, Hilltop House
1994-1995 Herman Cain, Godfather’s Pizza, INC.

ORA OFFICERS:
OMAHA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013

PRESIDENT: John Wade VICE PRESIDENT: Danielle Emsick
Restaurants Inc. La Casa Pizzaria
2242 S. 156th Circle (30) 4432 Leavenworth Street
(w) 697-0057 (f) 697-1125 (w) 556-6464 (f) 556-0585

SECRETARY: Melinda Foley TREASURER: Dan Preusser
Con Agra Foods Omaha Steaks
Five Con Agra Drive (02) 11030 O Street (37)

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Katie O'Connor
O'Connor's Irish Pub
1217 Howard Street (02)

RESTAURANT DIRECTORS

Marie Kunza Debbie Legenza
Railcar Modern American Kitchen Anthony's Steakhouse
1814 N. 144th Street (54) 7220 F Street (27)

Dino Losole Brad Marr
Lo Sole Mio Ristorante Italiano Lot 2 Restaurant and Wine Bar
3001 S. 32nd Avenue (32) 6207 Maple Street (04)

Jennifer Snow Nick Strawhecker
Catering Creations Dante Ristorante Pizzeria
7515 Pacific Street Suite B (14) 16901 Wright Plaza #173 (30)

Glenn Wheeler
Spencer's for Steaks & Chops
102 S. 10th Street (02)

PURVEYOR DIRECTORS

Michelle Evans Erin Goldyn
Loffredo Fresh Produce Pepsico Foodservice
39480 Hutchings Ave Emerson 4603 S. 72nd Street (27)

Eric Hanke Ryan O'Connor
Sysco Lincoln, Inc. Ameripride Linen & Apparel
9321 J Street (27) 7515 D Street (04)

Katie Vap Lea Watson
Quality Brands of Omaha Republic National Distributing Co -Falcon Div.
13255 Centech Rd. (38) 4444 S. 94th Street (27)

Traci Williamson Anthony Zeltner (Kay Lynn)
Johnson Brothers of NE Reinhart FoodService
9820 J Street (27) 9720 N. 9th Street (12)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jennie Warren
Omaha Restaurant Association
4270 N. 139th Street (64)

DIRECTORS EX-OFFICIO

Michael McCarville Joe Gaube
Heartland Payment Systems Douglas County Health Dept.
13067 Potter Street (42) 1111 S. 41st Street (05)

LIAISONS

Erin Vik (Jen) Brian Barks
Institute for the Culinary Arts @ MCC Food Bank for the Heartland
PO BOX 3777 (03-0777) 10525 J Street (27)

Tim Darby Brandy Nielson (Bryce)
Magnolia Hotel NE Restaurant Association
1615 Howard St. (02) 1610 S. 70th Street Suite 101 Lincoln 68506

ORA FOUNDATION

President Jack Kawa Vice President Jim Trebbien
Johnny's Café Institute for the Culinary Arts @ MCC
4702 S. 27th Street (07) PO BOX 3777 (03-0777)

Secretary Ms. Bev Johnson Treasurer/Liaison Jo Ann Garvey
Millard No. Sr. High School MCC
1010 S. 144th Street (54) PO BOX 3777 (03-0777)