Local Businessman Gerry Phelan Announces Retirement

Gerry Phelan, a seasoned businessman who pursued his entrepreneurial passion by literally carving out a niche in the woodworking industry, has announced his retirement effective May 12.

Phelan owned and operated Midwest Woodworkers, a business that served customers in the Omaha Metro for just shy of four decades, for 8 years. He facilitated the acquisition that led to it becoming Woodcraft (www.woodcraft.com) in April of 2017, and then continued to lead the business in a management role afterwards to ensure a smooth transition.

Prior to owning Midwest Woodworkers, Phelan was an independent small business consultant for four years, the director of training and development for TD AMERITRADE for six years, and had a successful twenty-year career with International Paper Company and its distribution arm, xpedx. During that time, he filled a variety of management roles including division general manager, vice president of operations, treasurer, credit manager and data processing manager. He planned and led numerous large scale projects in diverse areas like green fielding, mergers, systems conversions, facility moves, systems, sales and new building construction.

A longstanding fixture in the Omaha Metro business community, Phelan has been actively involved with many different organizations throughout his career. He is currently the chair of the Omaha chapter of SCORE, a volunteer organization that provides education and mentoring to emerging entrepreneurs and existing businesses. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Business Ethics Alliance, which builds leadership, strengthens organizations and elevates Greater Omaha through positive, practical business ethics.

Gerry’s retirement plans include continuing to operate Wood Is Good, a light manufacturing business that produces carving supplies and sells them wholesale in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Please join in congratulating Gerry Phelan on his retirement!