Executive Committee

Karen Pesek is the Director of Finance and Community Liaison at Pesek Law, a bilingual personal injury law firm in Omaha. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Karen moved to Columbus, Nebraska in 2003 after graduating high school with the goal of becoming bilingual and then returning to Mexico to complete her college education. She enrolled in Central Community College and earned her Associate of Arts Degree. At this time, she also met her husband, Ross Pesek, an attorney at Pesek Law. Karen went on to earn a Public Accounting degree in 2007. After college Karen worked as an auditor with Deloitte, an international accounting and consulting firm. As an auditor she had the opportunity to travel all over the United States, Mexico, and Spain.

Karen eventually left Deloitte to help operate the business side of the newly formed law firm, Pesek Law. In 2013, Karen and her husband co-founded the True Potential Scholarship program to help young immigrants achieve their true potential through quality, affordable education. This scholarship program focuses on providing opportunities to attend local community colleges for immigrants residing in Nebraska and Iowa. Karen is not only an advocate for immigrants, but is also an advocate for low-cost, no-debt, college education. In the past six years, True Potential has awarded over 100 scholarships to approximately 85 unique individuals using private funds raised under the Pesek's leadership.

Today, Karen's role at the law firm has evolved to include not only finance, but she's also the community liaison of the organization, collaborating with partners that serve the immigrant community in Nebraska and Iowa. For three years, Karen was the treasurer of the board of directors at the Heartland Workers Center an organization that promotes civic engagement amongst underrepresented communities. Karen is on the board of the non-profit Urban Abbey.

Karen and Ross, along with their three children, reside in South Omaha.

Scott is an Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Security National Bank. He has nearly 30 years of experience in various technology and operations roles and previously served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Iowa and a Master of Science in engineering management from the University of Missouri-Rolla. Additionally, Scott serves on the board of Autism Action Partnership and is active as a coach for Special Olympics Nebraska.

Scott is married and has two sons.

Michelle Settles is the Senior Director of Business Operations for First National Bank of Omaha. Michelle has worked for FNBO the past 24 years. Her new position with the bank brought her to Omaha via North Platte five years ago. After growing up in Paxton Nebraska, Michelle graduated from Eastern Wyoming Community College and Hasting College where she majored in business administration, management, and marketing.

Michelle has previously served in both a leadership role and as an active board member on the Lincoln County Community Development Board, AYSO Soccer Board and the Domestic Violence Intervention Board. Michelle has first-hand knowledge of how a community college can provide an affordable outlet for a student to continue their higher education. Michelle looks forward to serving on the MCC Foundation Board to help ensure that MCC can continue to provide flexible educational opportunities to students while providing a skilled workforce to employers.

Outside of work, Michelle loves to try new food while traveling to new places with her husband (Nate) and spending time with her son (Austin), daughter-in-law (Kate) and their dogs (Oakley & Moose). Michelle and Nate are anxiously waiting for the arrival of their first grandchild in March 2021.

Sheila Fields, MBA CPLC is a Nebraska-based entrepreneur, philanthropist, professor, writer, certified life coach and speaker whose passion is to help others live a legacy of vision, hope, and empowerment. She does so by leveraging her education, professional background, and life experiences with her unique approach to storytelling and belief in her clients.

Fields is the founder and CEO of The Bobby Byars Foundation, Incorporated, which focuses on strengthening families and local communities. Initiatives such as Community Safety Day, endowments and trade scholarships, the foundation has awarded over $50,000 in scholarships and provided tools to help families to thrive through empowerment. The organization's leadership development project, Project W.O.R.K. (Winning = Opportunities, Resources and Knowledge) — aims to increase opportunities for unemployed or underemployed individuals by partnering with small businesses and mentors. Project W.O.R.K. provides a toolkit that helps participants become more empowered while supporting small businesses who partner as mentors.

As the owner of BFields Solutions, Incorporated (BFSINC), her company fills a critical gap for businesses and layperson by providing technical services for those who lack technical knowledge or do not have the time to develop solutions efficiently. BFSINC has delivered courses, coaching, training, and technical solutions for organization and business across the U.S.

As a writer for the historical Omaha Star newspaper and her virtual discussion platform, Unobstructed Views, Sheila Fields used her "comeback coach" style storytelling to speak boldly on issues that matter. Her goal is to provide tools to help listeners and readers become more confident as they navigate through life, careers, challenges, and successes.

Mrs. Fields holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Business Administration from Creighton University. She is a certified professional life coach and speaker and recently completed a certificate – Women Entrepreneurship - from Cornell University. You can find additional information at www.sheilabfields.com , on Instagram @coachsheilafields or www.linkedin.com/in/sheilabfields.

Stephen B. LeGrand holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Northern Iowa, an MBA from the University of Iowa, certification in Integrated Supply Chain Management from the University of Tennessee, CPIM certification from the American Production & Inventory Control Society and a certification in Technology from the Society of Manufacturing Engineering.

LeGrand joined the Valmont Company in 2007, as the VP of Global Operations for the Irrigation division with plants in US, Brazil, Spain, South Africa, China and Dubai. Prior to coming to Valmont, he was with the Kohler Company, serving as the director of operations, Worldwide for Power Systems division, producing small and large industrial grade generators for the standby power generator market. In this position, he led a growing global operations team in Singapore, China, India and the U.S. He was responsible for managing, integrating and capturing worldwide operational synergies in all operational disciplines. Stephen has a strong background in lean manufacturing, quality, customer service, cost management and safety.

LeGrand has held several community positions in youth organizations to help foster athletic development, sportsmanship and positive management of young athletes. In addition, he has been involved with school fund raising, education and neighborhood management. His hobbies include golf, exercising, hunting and reading.

LeGrand joined the MCC Foundation to help foster the development of students wanting to enter the workforce with skills that are relevant to the needs of the working environment. To accomplish this, he believes it is imperative that business professionals get involved to help colleges with infrastructure, equipment, tools and guidance needed to equip our teachers and faculty members with the right vision, direction and best available resources to aid the learning process. As new technologies evolve throughout our world, we need workers who are well prepared to implement these concepts, leading our country to keep the fabric of America strong for generations to come.