Lighting Up the Arts: A Conversation on Collaboration and Community Impact

Business Ethics, Walk the Talk

We’d like to honor the memory of Howard Hawks, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Tenaska, who passed away in December 2024. A visionary leader and philanthropist, Mr. Hawks recognized both business opportunities and community needs. His generosity and leadership shaped Omaha’s growth, enriched countless lives, and left a lasting legacy, like the upcoming Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement.

Our hearts go out to his wife, Rhonda, his children, and all who knew him. We dedicate this episode, focused on ethical business partnerships and community impact, to Howard Hawks and the profound influence he had on our community.

This week on "Walk the Talk with Blake Peterson," we're joined by Joan Squires, President of Omaha Performing Arts, and Ron Quinn, Executive VP at Tenaska, a local energy company that has quietly been leading in their industry for years. These two remarkable guests are deeply involved in the exciting upcoming opening of the Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement in early 2026.

This groundbreaking project represents a remarkable collaboration between Omaha Performing Arts and Tenaska Inc., demonstrating a powerful model of corporate social responsibility. Joan will share her vision for this transformative project, which will further amplify the already significant impact of Omaha Performing Arts, reaching over 600,000 people annually and generating a staggering $61 million in economic impact.

Ron opens up on the importance of this partnership and how it demonstrates a commitment to ethical and impactful corporate citizenship. Together, it’s a unique and insightful conversation about the power of collaboration, the importance of social responsibility, and the lasting impact of supporting the arts in our community.

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