Calek-Ronald-1961

Ronald Calek
Class of 1961 - Inducted in 1995

Ron was inducted into the SHSAA Hall of Fame in 1995.

Mr. Calek retired as Chairman of Prairie Interactive, Inc., a leading provider of interactive voice services and internet messaging when it was sold to CSG International in August 2007. During his time at Prairie, he served in several capacities, beginning as Vice President and General Manager and progressing through Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining Prairie, he was a Senior Vice President of Pamida, Inc. Before joining Pamida, he served as a Vice President of Valmont Industries, Inc. and its subsidiary, Gate City Steel, Inc.

In addition to his service on the Prairie Board, Mr. Calek also has been a Board Member of several private businesses. He has been very actively involved with a number of community causes, including service on the Board of the Omaha Zoological Society (Henry Doorly Zoo). Other primary civic interests have included the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Ritonya-Buscher-Poehling Scholarship Fund, Nebraska Arthritis Association and Creighton and Nebraska Universities. Mr. Calek was also president of the Omaha South High School Centennial Scholarship Committee, which has awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to South High students since its founding in 1989. He was elected to that School’s Distinguished Graduate Hall of fame in 1995. Mr. Calek enjoys assisting people in their employment efforts. He also provided advice and support to businesses and fulfills select public speaking engagements.