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

Becca

Scott

What can you say about Scott that hasn’t already been said?  Scott joined our bar staff along time ago, there he displayed his many talents: an avid talker, b’ser, bruiser and gifted social chemist!  Scott thought the grass was greener down south and left us for a while.   He missed us so much; he got a job at another restaurant named Vivace!  It just wasn’t the same so he came back to Omaha and rejoined our staff. Soon he was promoted to manager!  Scott is an avid sports fan and can often be seen at husker games in Lincoln or chasing Oral Hersheiser down on our patio for an autograph. Nala is the girl in Scott’s life right now.  She enjoys chewing on expensive leather couches while listening to the Rolling Stones and time with Scott at the park.

Chef Bobby

Bobby has been working in kitchens since he was old enough to hold a spatula.  He became a kitchen manager while he was still in high school and attended culinary school where he met his wife Preslie.  They have a beautiful little girl (Elliot) and two bossy dogs.  Bobby says he chose this career be cause he gets to wear comfy pants and because you get to learn something new everyday.  He has been trying to get on "Top Chef" to show the world that Omaha is a food town.  If he isn't at the restaurant or at home with his family, he is out on his bass boat searching for the big one.

Erin

Erna I’m not tired!!  The words echo through Erin’s head still from her previous position as a nanny.  Now her son Jack calls the phrase out often!  (But he says Mom!).  At the age of four, Jack consumes all of Erin’s time, so working at the restaurant is like a short vacation, even though her restaurant responsibilities often resemble mothering!  We are lucky to have Erin as a member of the Vivace family for several years.  She has tried to disown us, but has realized the many advantages that a restaurant family has to offer; a network of babysitters and a kid’s clothing exchange!  Because of her fabulous social skills, Erin is responsible for maintaining our Facebook page, so if you want to know about anything Vivace, she’s your girl!    

Chef Eric

Bio coming soon!