Honorary Chairs - Howard & Rhonda Hawks

Howard and Rhonda Hawks work through The Hawks Foundation to address philanthropic support of socioeconomic issues such as mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness; to provide need-based educational scholarship aid for students, most of whom attend Midwestern colleges and universities; to support Christian ministry; and support the arts.

Howard Hawks is Chairman and CEO of Tenaska, an independent energy company with expertise in power plant development, ownership and operation, natural gas, electric power, and biofuels marketing; natural gas exploration and production; and private equity fund management. Forbes magazine recently ranked Tenaska 16th among the largest private companies in the U.S.

Mr. Hawks currently serves on a number of not-for-profit boards including: University of Nebraska; Creighton University; Ak-Sar-Ben Future Trust; Joslyn Art Museum; Heritage Services; and Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo Foundation.

Rhonda Hawks is a co-founder of the Behavioral Health Support Foundation, which subsequently created a public/private partnership and supplied funding for the start-up of Lasting Hope Recovery Center (LHRC) in Omaha. Mrs. Hawks continues to serve on the LHRC Committee and Continuum of Behavioral Health Care Committee. In 2008, she was appointed by Nebraska’s governor to chair the Behavioral Health Oversight Commission. Mrs. Hawks also serves on the Heartland Family Services Board of Trustees and the UNO Community Cabinet.

Mrs. Hawks was awarded the 2008 Hubert Locke Distinguished Service Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and named 2008 YWCA Woman of the Year in Professions Other Than Medical.

Mr. and Mrs. Hawks have chaired numerous philanthropic initiatives including: Community Alliance’s “Breaking the Silence” event, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Gala, Madonna School’s 2008 Capital Campaign, Omaha Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build 2008, the Omaha Community Playhouse Gala, Project Harmony’s “Speaking of Children” event, and the Salvation Army Tree of Lights Campaign and Kettle Klub.

In recognition of their philanthropic work, they have received the Leadership Family Award from Heartland Family Service, the Humanitarian Award from the National Conference for Community Justice (NCCJ), the Spirit of Philanthropy Award from The Methodist Hospital Foundation, Citizen of the Year Award from United Way of the Midlands, and the “Others” award from The Salvation Army, in addition to individual recognitions.