Bios

Ann

Ann began her career at M’s Pub in 1979 on April fool’s Day – some thirty-one years ago (when she was 7??)  After seven years of family ownership, she and partner Ron Samuelson bought the business outright and began a new era but kept the same basic formula that had worked so well for the family and founder Mary Vogel.  It’s on our web site; “Sociability, Charm, & Delectable food!”
After opening Vivace in 1993, Ann dedicated herself to community service by getting active with Share Our Strength’s national organization dedicated to feeding the hungry, Church and Alma Mater fundraisers, and just plain caring for the underdogs of our world.
She spends a lot of time caring for her “kids,” horses named Kenny, Jack & Mike, and lovingly tending to this “Family Business".

Ron

Raised in Omaha and a graduate of Benson High, Ron soon went to Texas to study jazz performance, but ended up in Colorado running restaurants ~ but that is another story. He returned to Omaha and partnered with Ann Mellen in 1986, making him the self proclaimed “luckiest man in the world”!  Ron and Ann created the concept that would become Vivace in the early nineties, and opened their second restaurant in the fall of 1993.  Ron has been active in many civic organizations, from helping businesses in the Old Market, Omaha restaurants and fellow human beings.  He recently had twins with his wife Cathy and has been very active enjoying the gift of fatherhood. Ron is a foodie with a passion for healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle which now includes a regular yoga practice, plenty of golf (is that really healthy??), travel, and service to those fellow human beings.

Ron on CNN

Jay

Raised in Fargo North Dakota, Jay loves the tropical weather in Nebraska.  He did quite a bit of theatre in Fargo and helped start Trollwood Performing Arts School there.  This explains a lot of his silliness.  Jay is also a skilled carpenter and has built fine furniture all the way up to complete buildings.  This has helped him keep M’s Pub together over the years.  He calls it the “This Old Restaurant” remodeling show, but nobody wants to come and help him.  Jay loves motorcycling on curvy roads, and has been going to Sturgis with his cousin for years.  He has an Irish Wolfhound named Keisha that is scared of her own shadow, big dogs are such wimps.  Jay is a true foodie and loves to cook for his friends, always looking for an excuse to have a party.  Jay started at M’s Pub in April of 1986 as a waiter and bartender and now due his skills with a plunger and a mop has the title of General Manager. Jay spends most of his days at M’s working with the purveyors and fixing stuff, so if you see him, chances are something is broken. 

Jay Bock 1961-2010

Jay Bock's tragic and untimely death has left a gaping void at M's Pub. We will never be able to replace a man with his unique gifts and talents.

After twenty five years of loyal service to the M's family, he leaves us better than he found us, which is a typical legacy running throughout his life.

He will be remembered as a kind and loving man who made our "work" here a little more fun - and for that we are eternally grateful.

Rest In Peace, Jay Bock!

Ann & Ron

Trey

Our beverage manager Trey is a graduate of Creighton Prep and attended Marquette in Milwaukee.  When hired at M’s Pub, his record was sealed so no one could prove anything.  Trey met his wife at M’s and soon found himself the father of two lovely boys.  A true Husker fan and avid follower of most sports, Trey loves to talk sports all day.  Sarcasm is second nature to Trey, so be carful of any openings you give him.  Trey has done an excellent job with our wine program.  We have received awards from the Wine Spectator and the Wine Enthusiasts’ magazines.  He has been able to procure some of the best wines on both publications list for several years now.

Smitty

Ryan High and UNO grad Smitty has been one of Omaha’s favorite bartenders for two decades.  Smitty loves golf and will only get up before noon for a tee time.  He comes from such a supportive family he has special names for his mother and three sisters; Momma Smitty, Mega Smitty, Outlaw Smitty and of course Itty Bitty Smitty.

Executive Chef
Bobby

Bobby has been working in restaurants since he was 15 years old. When he started with M's & Vivace he was attending culinary school, where he met his wife and pastry chef Preslie. They have a busy little daughter named Elliot and are looking forward to her little sister Samantha due in October 2010. Besides two busy restaurants Bobby is a pursuing his bachelors degree and keeps busy with family and church. When he does get any free time he is out bass fishing or in his garden.

Jaime

Jaime Ishii has been shaking it up in the Old Market for over 13 years now.  At home at M’s Pub, she does whatever she can, from Managing, to bartending, serving, hosting and beyond.  Having grown up in South Omaha, Jaime combines all the best aspects of sassy and sweet in a small package.  An alumni of Omaha Bryan and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, she did try the whole 8 to 5 life, and quickly returned home to M’s.  Jaime finally found the balance between evening work and 40 plus regular day hours. Come on in and have her make one of her many private recipe martinis or, if she is feeling creative, perhaps she will make one up for you on the spot!

Chef Kelly

Kelly has been in the restaurant business since 1990.  He got his start at Minerva inSioux Falls, S.D., which eventually turned into Spezia.  After eleven years he moved to Omaha and became Chef de Cuisine at V Mertz.  He considers him self a Nuevo/Fusion cuisine chef and is self taught.  Kelly has been in charge of bi-monthly dinner specials at M’s Pub since 2007.  He loves to relax by playing tennis and hanging out with friends on his days off.

Pastry Chef Tina Tweedy

As a child, Tina watched cooking shows during the summer and created special treats for family and friends every holiday. She loved how something she created could bring such joy to another. In 1993, she met her husband, Bryan, while working at Maxine's Restaurant in the Red Lion Hotel. After many years of restaurant work and designing custom wedding cakes, they opened Sweets of Eden Patisserie & Cafe in downtown Omaha. Tina has taught pastry classes at Metropolitan Community College and continues to bring joy to others with something "sweet". Her greatest love is spending time with her family and watching it grow. She and Bryan have four children, ages 2-14

Chef John

John grew up with only 1200 close friends and relatives in Fullerton, Nebraska.  His big wheel was his favorite childhood transportation.  John’s professional sports career was cut short when knee problems lead him to give up playing baseball and basketball at only 14.  John is no stranger to hard work, he has spent time working on farms since he was 12, working with hogs, detasseling corn, and throwing hay.  His family had a huge garden to cook with.  John loved to run the grill while mom worked on the stove to fix dinner for the family.  At 16 he tried his hand at restaurant work in Fullerton and it was a good fit.  A guidance counselor noticed and sent away for a packet to Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Minneapolis/St. Paul.  10 days after graduating from high school, John was attending Le Cordon Bleu to be a chef.  John developed his skills at several places after graduating from the Le Cordon Bleu; Dusters, Hilton, V Mertz, Field Club, and even butchering at Stoysich during hunting season.  When asked what his culinary philosophy is, John said “Add more pork! I love pork!”