Former Gov. Dave Heineman and former first lady Sally Ganem became the newest “Faces on the Barroom Floor” at the Omaha Press Club on September 25.
Heineman, a West Point graduate, served as an officer in the U.S. Army before beginning his political career on the Fremont City Council. Ganem is a former elementary school principal.
It is fitting that the couple who lived in the Nebraska governor’s mansion longer than any other presiding couple (2005-2015) has a long line of friends and colleagues who were waiting and eager to roast them.
Attorney and University of Nebraska regent Hal Daub, who was honored as a “Face on the Barroom Floor” in 1983 while serving in Congress, emceed the event.
Roasters included:
• Former Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns (a “Face“ in 2014);
• Sen. Deb Fischer;
• Jim Rose, KFAB-AM morning show announcer;
• Dr. Joann Schaefer, former chief medical officer in Nebraska;
• Ken Bird, CEO, Avenue Scholars (a “Face” in 2008);
• Rex Fisher, director of corporate relations, HDR Inc.; and
• Carlos Castillo, former advisor to the governor.
This marked the 146th Face on the Barroom Floor for the Omaha Press Club. The tradition began in 1971. The Face caricature of Heineman and Ganem – drawn by Omaha artist Jim Horan – was unveiled at the end of the roast.