OMAHA, Neb. [May 7, 2026]— The Aksarben Foundation is proud to announce the 2026 Aksarben Court of Honor, celebrating individuals and families who have left a profound impact on the state of Nebraska through one of 10 categories: agriculture, arts, business and industry, community service, education, philanthropy, professions, public service, sports, or service to young people.
The Court of Honor award, established in 1988, is one of the most prestigious recognitions presented by the Aksarben Foundation. This year’s class continues a proud tradition by recognizing trailblazers whose lifelong commitments to excellence, community, and progress serve as a beacon of inspiration across the Heartland.
The 2026 Aksarben Court of Honor Inductees are:
Colonel (Retired) Tom Brewer – For Contributions to Public Service, Military Leadership, and Veterans Affairs
Colonel (Retired) Tom Brewer, a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe, has dedicated his life to leadership, military service, and community impact. Raised in Wyoming and Nebraska, he became the first Native American State FFA Officer and later earned a degree from Doane University, where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant through ROTC.
Brewer served 36 years in the U.S. Army, holding command positions across the United States and overseas. He deployed for Operation Desert Storm and completed six tours in Afghanistan, where he was wounded twice. His service earned him two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, and the Secretary of Defense Medal for Freedom. After retiring due to combat injuries, he continued serving veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project’s Horses for Heroes program.
In 2017, Brewer became the first Native American elected to the Nebraska Legislature, representing District 43 until 2025. As Chair of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, he passed 76 bills focused on veterans, Western Nebraska, and Native American issues. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he has made 10 independent trips there, delivering aid, supporting orphanages, forging agricultural partnerships between Nebraska and Ukraine, and advancing veterans’ programs.
Terence “Bud” Crawford – For Contributions to Development of Young People, Philanthropy, and Community Revitalization
Terence “Bud” Crawford, Omaha’s undisputed boxing champion, has used his platform and success to uplift the community that raised him. A North Omaha native, Crawford co-founded the B&B Sports Academy, a nonprofit that provides free boxing, fitness, mentorship, and mandatory tutoring programs to area young people . The academy requires participants to maintain a “C” average, teaching discipline both inside and outside the ring.
Since retiring from boxing, Crawford has focused on revitalizing North Omaha. In 2023, he purchased the historic but long-vacant Omaha Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) site, demolishing the dilapidated structure to make way for future mixed-use development. He has also supported major community projects, including the 2025 launch of Project Game On to build a new football and soccer stadium for Omaha North High School and YMCA upgrades.
A passionate advocate for financial literacy and education, Crawford invests in Omaha real estate and has partnered with his former fourth-grade teacher on humanitarian efforts in East Africa. Through his work, he continues to inspire the next generation with opportunity, mentorship, and hope.
Gene Klein, LMHP – For Contributions to Child Advocacy, Child Protection, and Nonprofit Leadership
Gene Klein has led Project Harmony, Omaha’s nationally recognized Child Advocacy Center, since its early days as a small collaborative in 1996. Under his visionary leadership, the organization has grown into one of the largest and most comprehensive centers in the nation, serving nearly 10,000 children and families each year. Project Harmony now brings together 370 professionals from multiple agencies on a single campus, serving as a national model for collaboration in child abuse response, prevention, and combating child sex trafficking.
With more than 37 years of nonprofit human services leadership, Klein has served on numerous state and national boards, including the National Children’s Alliance in Washington, D.C., the Nebraska Foster Care Review Board, the Nebraska Governor’s Commission for the Protection of Children, and the Omaha Archdiocese Review Board for the Protection of Children. He has also contributed as a peer reviewer for the U.S. Department of Justice and has conducted national accreditation reviews for over 18 years.
A licensed Mental Health Practitioner with degrees from Creighton University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Klein is a respected coach, facilitator, speaker, and trainer on child advocacy, leadership, and collaboration.
Brenda Smith – For Contributions to Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Education, and Community Mentorship
Brenda Smith made history as the first Black female police officer in Nebraska when she joined the Omaha Police Department in 1980. Over her 25-year career, she broke barriers at every level, becoming the first Black woman to hold every rank in the department and serving as Omaha’s first female Deputy Chief. She retired in 2005 as the highest-ranking woman in the OPD at that time.
Transitioning to education, Smith has served as a Criminal Justice instructor at Metropolitan Community College for more than 15 years. She brings real-world expertise to the classroom, mentoring the next generation of law enforcement professionals and inspiring students through her trailblazing career and commitment to excellence.
A two-time breast cancer survivor and “thriver,” Smith is a passionate advocate for cancer awareness and healthcare navigation. She has received numerous honors, including the Viking of Distinction Award from Omaha North High School and the President’s Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Her lifelong dedication continues to uplift communities, support survivors, and strengthen the criminal justice system in Nebraska.
Paul Younes – For Contributions to Business and Industry, Hospitality, and Community Development
Born in Haifa, Israel, Paul Younes arrived in Nebraska at age 18 on a soccer scholarship. He worked his way through college as a dishwasher at a local motel restaurant before rising through the ranks to become motel manager. In 1977, he began managing the Captain’s Table Restaurant at the Kearney Ramada Inn, laying the foundation for a remarkable career in hospitality.
Today, Younes is the founder, President, and owner of Younes Hospitality, which operates 13 hotels, three conference centers, and commercial developments across Nebraska. He developed the 60,000-square-foot Younes Conference Center South and the larger Younes Conference Center North and Crowne Plaza in Kearney. His facilities now host major statewide, regional, and national events, known for exceptional customer service and a hands-on team culture.
A dedicated community leader, Paul has served on numerous boards, including the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Kearney Visitors Bureau, UNK Foundation, and CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation. His many honors include induction into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame (2013), Distinguished Nebraskalander (2015), and UNK Distinguished Alumni Award (2018).
Together with his wife Linda of 48 years, Paul has built Younes Hospitality into a successful family business. As a first-generation immigrant, he proudly exemplifies the American Dream through hard work, determination, and deep commitment to Nebraska.
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“These extraordinary honorees embody the very best of Nebraska,” said Sandra Reding, President of the Aksarben Foundation, “their dedication and leadership have strengthened our communities and inspired generations. We are thrilled to honor them at this year’s Aksarben Ball.”
The 2026 Aksarben Court of Honor will be formally recognized during the 131st Aksarben Ball on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the CHI Health Center Omaha. Each inductee will be introduced with a reading of their biography, highlighting the work for which they are being honored.
For more information about the Aksarben Foundation, the Court of Honor, or the 2026 Aksarben Ball, visit aksarben.org.
