RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE
We recognize this year’s Citizens of the Year and our Corporate Partner Award winners for going above and beyond to help our neighbors in need during the 2023-2024 campaign.
Tim & Terri Burke
2024 Citizens of the year Award
Tim & Terri Burke were named Citizens of the Year for their commitment and dedication to our community.
Tim Burke is retired president & CEO for OPPD, where he worked from 1997 – 2021. After joining OPPD in April 1997, he served as vice president of many OPPD functions and in May 2015, he became president and CEO.
From March – July 2023 he served as president & CEO of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and currently, he is president of the Offutt Community Development Corporation which is focused on positive projects at Offutt Air Force Base.
Tim is also involved with many military and local organizations including Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Program, Strategic Command Consultation Committee, Offutt Air Force Base Advisory Council, Partnership for Kids, Business Ethics Alliance, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and City of Papillion First Responders, among others.
Tim has been honored with many awards for his dedication to his community including the Omaha Chamber of Commerce – 2024 Dedicated Service Award, Nebraska Diplomats – 2021 Diplomat of the Year, Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce – 2015 Business Leader of the Year and the Midlands Community Foundation – 2019 Reflection Award.
He also plays in a band called “Shenanigans” with his sons, a good friend and his two sons – and they played at UWM’s 100-year Celebration Concert last May.
Terri is an active volunteer across the metro. In 1989, she started volunteering at Saint Mary’s Catholic School with the Kindergarten class, and then in 2008, she also started volunteering at St. Matthews Catholic School for several more years. She was also a book buddy at Kellom Elementary with Partnership for Kids for several years – collecting hundreds of books to help stock the school library.
From 2003-2005, Terri volunteered with the Children’s Nebraska Pet Therapy program – engaging and taking pictures of the dogs with patients and families. And in 2008, she was asked to participate in Children’s NICU Baby Rocking Program. She continued her baby rocking until 2017 – when she had grandbabies of her own to rock. From 2009-2016 Terri also volunteered with the Mercy Housing after school program.
Some of the awards and recognition Terri has received include United Way of the Midlands – 2011 Outstanding Volunteer Award and Mercy Housing – 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award.
Ardent supporters of United Way, Tim & Terri generously stepped up and served as Campaign Chairs for UWM on two separate occasions, in 2018 and in 2023 – and Tim was a member of the UWM Board from July 2016 to June 2022, serving as Board Chair from July 2021 to June 2022. And Terri is involved in the Tocqueville Women’s Initiative Advisory Steering Committee and Women United.
The Burkes have three sons who are married, as well as seven grandchildren.