Omaha’s Howard L. Hawks leaves legacies in higher education, business and philanthropy

By Kevin Cole – World-Herald staff writer

Howard L. Hawks, philanthropist and business leader, died Friday at his Omaha home at age 89, leaving legacies in higher education, ethics and industry.

Hawks co-founded Tenaska Inc, in 1987, a leading energy company consistently ranked among Forbes’ List of America’s largest private companies.

The Hawks family said Sunday his death will affect the family deeply.

“To the world, Howard was a brilliant and ethical businessman, humble community leader and generous beyond measure,” the family’s statement said. “But to his family, he was our everything, and words cannot express our loss.”

Hawks was born in Carleton, Nebraska, and grew up in Denver and later Bruning, Nebraska, where he graduated from high school. He and his first wife, Myrna, who died in 2001, were married in Bruning in 1955.

Hawks was also preceded in death by his parents, Fieldon and Leona Hawks; son, Timothy; and sister, Sharon Mulligan. Besides his wife, Rhonda, he is survived by sons, Neal (Jaime) and Troy (Heather), and daughters, Lisa Thomsen and Rachel (Brad) Clay; sister, JoAnne (Don) Lubben; and brother, Tom (HuLaine) Hawks.

Funeral services are pending through Heafey, Heafey, Dworak and Cutler of Omaha.

Prior to founding Tenaska, Hawks was a top executive at InterNorth Inc., an Omaha company formerly named Northern Natural Gas, before being acquired by a Texas-based company that became Enron.

Shortly after the merger, Hawks left Enron, assembled a team and founded a new company whose name is derived from a combination of Nebraska, tenacity and 10, referring to a perfect score — Tenaska.

In 2022, after 35 years of executive leadership at Tenaska, Hawks stepped down as company chairman. He had previously stepped down as CEO in 2010, but he continued to work long hours at the office, including on the day he died.

Upon his retirement, Hawks said he planned to remain “actively engaged and involved” with the company as both a member of the board and chairman emeritus, helping guide the company’s overall direction and management. In fact, employees said it was not uncommon for Hawks to be the last person to leave the office at night.

He served in numerous other leadership roles, including 18 years on the Board of Regents for the University of Nebraska. His work on the Board of Regents led to him being named Regent Emeritus.

He was first elected regent in 2002 at age 67, followed by reelections in 2008 and 2014.

University of Nebraska president Jeffrey Gold said Hawks was a visionary leader who shaped the university, “impacted countless lives, both within our state and far beyond. His generosity, commitment to education, and dedication to building stronger communities have left an indelible mark on our institution. My amazing friendship with Howard and Rhonda has been of profound impact and deeply appreciated. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Rhonda and the entire Hawks family.”

Nebraska Athletics paid tribute to Hawks on social media saying that he, “was instrumental in shaping the landscape of The University of Nebraska in both athletics and academics.”

“Howard was an amazing individual,” a statement from Tenaska said. “His vision for Tenaska started a remarkable journey in which we all are fortunate to be a part. He, along with the other founding members, turned a dream into reality, building a company whose name is synonymous with integrity, innovation and success.”

Creighton Athletics also expressed condolences while noting Hawks’ longtime ties the Omaha university.

“Creighton Athletics is deeply saddened by the passing of Howard Hawks,” the Creighton social media post said. “Howard was a community leader, former member of the Board of Trustees, and longtime supporter of Creighton Athletics.”

Hawks set high standards for ethical behavior, work ethic and intellect, the company said, but also sought the best for employees and their families. “He fought tenaciously for excellence because, in the end, that is what creates the most benefit for Tenaska, our employees, their families, customers and the community.”

Those who worked closely with him consider him a mentor, coach and friend, the company said.

“He was sometimes tough because he wanted everyone to become the best versions of themselves,” Tenaska said.

Hawks earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from NU in 1957 and later received his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He started his business career with General Motors in 1957, coming to Omaha in 1966 to join what was then Northern Natural Gas Co.

He rose to president of three of its divisions — Northern Natural Resources, Northern Liquid Fuels Group and Northern Plains Natural Gas Co. — by the time of the Enron move. His Hawks Foundation, formed in 1994, endowed UNL in 2007 with a chair in ethics and leadership.

Hawks said he wanted to improve the College of Business Administration and counteract some of the business practices he saw before leaving Enron.

“I saw dialogues that went into the decision-making process, and I saw things about, ‘How would the company undo things if they wanted them undone?’” he said. “It was just apparent to me that it wasn’t the way that I wanted to see a business go.”

Hawks supported a wide range of community groups, including Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, the American Red Cross, Project Harmony, the Salvation Army, Heartland Family Service, the National Conference for Community Justice, the Community Alliance, Thayer County Hospital, the Omaha Community Playhouse, the Omaha Rotary and Methodist Hospital.

He served as a board member of Ak-Sar-Ben Future Trust, Creighton University, Joslyn Art Museum, Methodist Hospital, Heritage Services, the Boy Scouts, the Omaha Zoo Foundation, the Assistance League of Omaha, the Omaha Symphony, Lutheran Church of the Master, Madonna School and the Boys & Girls Club of Omaha.

Hawks and his wife, Rhonda, joined fellow Omaha businessman Ken Stinson to raise the money for the CHI Health Lasting Hope Recovery Center, which offers mental health care. The center opened in 2007 and provides a continuum of care ranging from crisis assessment and inpatient treatment to subacute services.

Hawks also served on the executive committee of the Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities, which raised $1.9 billion in private support for the university.

The Hawks Championship Center at UNL opened for the football team during spring practice in 2006. The facility features 81,200 square feet, including a full-length field identical to Memorial Stadium’s game field. The field is available to all 24 of Nebraska’s varsity teams and provides a controlled environment.

Hawks Field at Haymarket Park is the home of the University of Nebraska baseball team; the Howard L. Hawks Hall is home to UNL’s College of Business; the Joslyn Art Museum recently opened the 42,000-square-foot Rhonda & Howard Hawks Pavilion as part of its $100 million renovation; and the Omaha Playhouse mainstage is named for Hawks.

Hawks and his wife, Rhonda, were also proponents of the Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement which broke ground in 2023 and is expected to open in 2026. The center, located on the east side of the Holland Center, will provide additional rehearsal, workshop and classroom space for Omaha Performing Arts.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert was among Nebraska leaders to offer their sympathies to the Hawks family. Stothert lauded Hawks and his family as great supporters of Omaha.

“As an Omaha corporate leader and philanthropist, Howard Hawks recognized both business opportunities and community needs. He founded and led Tenaska to great success, and has been instrumental in steering Omaha’s great momentum,” Stothert said. “Together with his wife Rhonda, Howard led and supported many of Omaha’s most impactful capital projects, and has contributed greatly to organizations and institutions that help people grow and succeed. I offer my sympathy to Rhonda and thanks to my friend Howard for his lifetime of service that will have long lasting benefits to our city and state.”

Other Nebraska elected officials joined her in offering statements on Hawks role in the state and sympathy to his family.

Gov. Jim Pillen said: “Howard was an extraordinary business leader, a servant of our university system and the people of our state, and a dedicated philanthropist who reinvested his blessings back into his community at every turn. I am deeply grateful for the years I served alongside Howard on the Board of Regents. Like many others, I learned so much from his wisdom and leadership.”

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer: “After finding his success in business, Howard dedicated his time and resources to helping Nebraska’s next generation prepare for their own successes. Bruce and I extend our deepest condolences to Rhonda and the Hawks family as they mourn this monumental loss.”

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts: “Nebraskans have benefitted greatly from Howard Hawks’ leadership and generosity. He was a visionary leader in the business and philanthropic community. His historic support for higher education opened countless new doors for Nebraska students. Howard and his wife Rhonda were also great partners and friends during my time as Governor. Susanne and I send our condolences to Rhonda and the Hawks family as they grieve the loss of a great Nebraskan.”

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon: “Howard Hawks was a great business leader, civic leader and philanthropic leader. Omaha is better today because of Howard Hawks. I will miss his friendship and counsel. Our condolences to Rhonda and family.”

U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith: “In a great American success story, he co-founded and built one of the nation’s most successful companies and worked tirelessly to give back to the community in countless ways. He leaves behind a legacy of integrity in business, determination to better the lives of others, and dedication to growth in our state. I offer my sincere condolences to the entire Hawks family.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Flood: “Howard Hawks was a generational leader whose work shaped our state in many ways. He lived the American dream, founding Tenaska and growing it to become one of the largest privately held companies in the country. Howard did it all with honest hard work, using his success to give back generously. Through the years, he wanted the best for Nebraska, believed in our university, and invested in the unlimited potential of our citizens. Our prayers are with Rhonda and the Hawks family as everyone mourns his passing.”

Former World-Herald business editor Steve Jordon contributed to this report.