Keystone Award Luncheon
2024
Keystone Award Luncheon Honors Service to Seniors
Time: 1130 a.m. - 1 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m.
Location: Country Club of Lincoln
3200 S. 24th St., Lincoln NE
Master of Ceremonies: Rod Fowler, Anchor - KLKN
At an early age, Rod had a desire to work in broadcasting, which eventually led him to work at a small radio station. It was just the spark he needed and Rod enrolled at Iowa State University in Ames.
At that time, WOI-TV was only one of two TV stations owned and operated by a state university. During his college days, he worked part-time for WOI and was a DJ on a rock and roll radio station.
After graduation, with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, Rod remained at WOI-TV as a full-time reporter/anchor. When the opportunity arose for him to make a move within the company, he jumped on it. In 1995, Rod was offered the anchor position at sister station KLKN-TV.
Keynote Speaker: Jeff Ahl, Principal - arCuretecture
This year’s keynote speaker is Jeffrey Ahl. Jeff has enjoyed a 35-year career as an architect with a focus on housing for aging individuals and he has worked on more than 110 such projects.
Jeff’s unique passion for seniors led him on a year-long journey of research that involved living in numerous nursing homes across the country to experience life as an elder. This experience is the inspiration behind the name of his firm, arCuretecture, and how they provide services.
Beyond his professional experience, Jeff is active in the aging community as a participant or board member of several local and statewide organizations, and he has presented to numerous groups related to the greater topic of senior living.
Keystone Award
The Keystone Award recognizes an individual couple or group who has provided a lasting legacy that enhances the quality of life for older adults in the community.
Keystone Award Winner 2024
Lloyd Hinkley
Lloyd Hinkley’s servant heart, leadership, and generosity has made a profound impact on seniors in the Lincoln community for decades. In 1961, Lloyd Hinkley was elected to the Lincoln City Council and served two terms under four mayors. From there, he served on numerous boards such as the Lincoln Housing Authority Board, the Nebraska Real Estate Commission, the Lincoln Hospital Association Board, the Real Estate Appraisal Board, and a stint on the Lincoln/Lancaster County master Plan Review Committee. Lloyd also served for 26 years combined on Lincoln General Hospital and Bryan Foundation Boards. In 1996, Lloyd was appointed to the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Hospital Alternatives and the City’s Congestion Management Task Force. Lloyd also served in the U.S. Marines Corpores from 1952-1953 during the Korean War.
Most recently, he was involved in two orgainzation’s boards that remain near and dear to his heart: the Seniors Foundation and The Bridge Behavioral Health. Lloyd, served on Seniors Foundation Board and was the foundation’s president 1995-1997. He lent his real estate experience during the leasing and development of Victory Park Campus, which now provides medical care and housing for veterans. Lloyd Hinkley served the Senior Foundation for more than 10 years.
Seniors Foundation Remembers Award
The Seniors Foundation Remembers Award recognizes a person who has passed away who has helped to make Lincoln a City that values its seniors.
Ben Kroeze had a long career in social work. He worked with developmentally disabled individuals at Region V Services and 18 years with Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Adult Protective Services. Ben held the position as an APS (Adult Protective Services) worker and APS Supervisor. Ben was an incredibly passionate advocate for the APS program and for the vulnerable adult population in the State of Nebraska. He was a protector of what was right and just for the aging population. He educated the community by conducting presentations at Annual Statewide Elder Justice Trainings, he served on the Supreme Court Commission on Guardianships and Conservatorships. He was always willing to help and work with Aging Partners and other community entities to educate and problem solve difficult situations. His knowledge and expertise will be irreplaceable.
Candice “Candy” Herzog dedicated her life to advocating for staff and seniors in the healthcare industry. Candy and her husband moved to Lincoln in 2007 where she became the Administrator of The Lexington Assisted Living. Candy felt strongly about having an open-door policy to be accessible to people. She was easy to approach, listened intently and could catch you off guard with her keen sense of humor. Candy was a driving force that welcomed people from all walks of life and incomes. Candy was very passionate that everyone deserved to be treated equally and should be able to live in a safe and homelike community. She took great pride in maintaining the facility to be a welcoming place to live and work. If Candy felt that a resident or staff member had not been treated fairly, she would advocate for that person until all was set right again. Candy developed a great trust with her staff and was highly respected for her compassion, calm and autonomous leadership.