Thank You to our Presenters: Sue Seline: Emcee, Simon Lowe-Weyand: Pledge of Allegiance, Dan Brabec: Invocation, David Scott: Walter Scott, Jr. Citizen of the Year Award History and Introduction of 2024's Honoree Deryl F. Hamann, and Chris Mehaffey, Scout Executive and CEO of MAC-BSA.

The Mid-America Council is in its 53rd year of awarding prominent community leaders. Recipients of the Walter Scott, Jr. Citizen of the Year award are recognized for their outstanding accomplishments and continuous support of youth organizations.

In 2020, the Citizen of the Year award was aptly named after Walter Scott, Jr., a man who had a significant impact across the Midlands. As an Eagle Scout, Walter lived his life by the Scout Oath and Law and supported both the Mid-America Council and the National Organization. Walter Scott, Jr. was the former Chairman, President and CEO of Peter Kiewit Sons’, Inc. After stepping down from Peter Kiewit Sons’ in 1998, he focused on his philanthropic interests. These interests included transformative generosity to Scouting on a local and national level. Also, Walter was a Distinguished Eagle Scout and a member of Troop 97 in Omaha. Walter would share stories of summer weekends at Elmwood Park, where his troop would lay down some tarps and sleep under the stars. Walter's son David Scott, shared his dad's ties to Scouting, the award, and also announced Deryl F. Hamann as the 2024 Walter Scott, Jr. Citizen of the Year Honoree.

The Welcome Social in the FNBO Lobby encompassed Scout Table Stations with Camp Program, Service and Special Event displays & information. Eagle Scouts were available to answer any questions.

Thank You to the 2024 Citizen of the Year Chair Mary Hawkins of Bellevue University, and the Committee: Fred Hunzeker of Tenaska, Steve Seline of Walnut Private Equity Partners, John P. Nelson of The Nelson Family Foundation & HUB International and Mike Cassling of CQuence Health.

Mary Hawkins received a Campership Certificate. A Scout will be sent to MAC-BSA camp at no cost in her name this summer.

In Deryl's honor, and because the fragrance brings back fond memories for the Hamann Family, the MAC-BSA, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, will plant a lilac bush with a namesake plaque, donated by Indian Creek Nursery, in the grounds at Bluestem Prairie.

Deryl Hamann grew up a humble farm boy in north-central Iowa, during the Great Depression. His first jobs, in the 1940s, was getting rid of cockleburs, and then worked every evening, long into the night, at the local drive-in restaurant.

After a loan from his grandma to get him started, Deryl worked to pay his way through college and received his Juris Doctorate cum laude from the University of Nebraska College of Law. He was hired by Baird Holm, LLP, a firm he joined after one year of clerking at the Federal Court in Lincoln.

In 1971 Deryl purchased his first bank, he grew this investment from a single bank to 101 branches spanning 6 states by 2007. While Deryl is truly a titan of the banking industry, his community service and civic engagement speak volumes about his character.
Deryl has 4 children and 3 step-children, 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Deryl's life story speech was full of wisdom and humor:

Watch the Deryl F. Hamann Showcase Movie Here.
Special Thanks to Mary Hawkins, John P. Nelson, Steve Seline and D. Nick Caporale for their interviews on camera.
Special Thanks to Sonburst Communications for their video compilation talents.

Watch the 2024 On-Stage Show Film Here, which includes all presentations, Deryl F. Hamann's speech, the showcase videos, and awards & announcements. 
Special Thanks to Dog & Pony Productions for their film recording talents.

Scout Executive and CEO of MAC-BSA, Chris Mehaffey delivered certificate awards, recognized our presenters and honoree, expressed grateful appreciation to all the contributors & Scout staff volunteers, and announced some recent headlines in Scouting. Tune in weekly for MAC-News video updates. Email us: mac@scouting.org