AS Solution Deb Kiwala ATS Debra Kiwala's business, Advanced Technology Solutions, Inc., is all about predictions in her case, the same did not hold true to life. At the age of 25, she found herself divorced with two small children, living in an income-based housing apartment. While there was no crystal ball to predict what the future would have in store, but she had one thing. "the belief that I would get through this." And so she did. Hard work was far from a foreign concept for Debra. She grew up on a farm with her parents and five siblings in Norway, Iowa. "We were taught to work hard, but also to enjoy life and play as well. Her parents stressed the importance of being strong in her faith, showing kindness to everyone, and to remain honest and true to herself. These guiding values were vital to Debra as she regained her footing, changing careers from banking to sales so she could provide a better life for her two sons. I found my niche in sales," says Debra. I was told over and over again that I would never be able to advance due to the lack of a college degree, but that only made me work harder." She worked for several different industries before entering the world of Predictive Maintenance, and she says she never looked back. After drawing up a business plan with her business partner, Ryan Bui, she went to bank after bank looking to secure funding. After turning them down, one bank president asked her why anyone would believe her in this industry, saying, "No offense, but you are at woman." This didn't deter Debra, but instead motivated her even more to succeed. After finally receiving the necessary funding, Advanced Technology Solutions. Inc. was born, and just celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022. 25 YEARS LATER Q: Looking back, are you where you thought you would be? A: I always had a feeling that I would I someday own a business, but I never imagined it would be a Predictive Maintenance Company. I don't think I would change anything though. I enjoy working, especially because everyone at ATS is so ble to be around. As long as I am making a contribution to the business, that's where I want to be. Q: What is an accomplishment you're proud of? A: Being a mom, hands down. Especially being a single, working mom for the majority of my son's school years. Both of my sons have a college degree and work for ATS as well. This past June, my husband joined ATS and it still brings tears to my eyes that the four of us get to work together every day. I'm so blessed! Q: What mentors influence your professional life? A: Other professional women, including my daughters-in-law, friends, lawyers, bankers co-workers, family, and so many other women who are juggling being in the workforce and taking care of loved ones. Each has a different approach, so I try to listen, learn, and see if I can use that approach in my life. Deb Worm Britta Grebner Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced? A: The first challenge was obviously securing the financing but in the 25 years of doing business the biggest challenge had to be making it through COVID. The entire time of owning ATS, my husband and my two sons and daughter-in-laws have been my biggest cheerleaders in encouraging me to keep going. Q: How do you stay motivated? A: I like having my brain challenged and being a part of the ever-changing landscape of the industry that I work in. I enjoy the excitement of collaborating with the staff on new ideas and services that we can provide our customers. I can't stress enough how wonderful the staff is at ATS.. That makes a huge difference in staying motivated. We have each other's back! I am also motivated by the joy of our grandchildren, and watching them grow into amazing humans. Kris Koeppen Rylee TRUST. INTEGRITY. RESPECT. 4000 1st Ave. NE 200 First Street SW www.fmbank.biz . Q: What advice would you like to give to other women? A: We are making progress in being. accepted in the professional world, but there is still so much more to do. When we are finally able to stop saying the "first" women, coach, pilot, president, CEO, COO, firefighter, doctor, etc only then can we say we are on equal playing ground. I am. grateful to the wonderful women who came before me and fought to get where we are today, and I hope that the younger generations can appreciate the sacrifices that were made to lay the groundwork for professional equality. We have a responsibility to keep forging forward. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it in the end! As Advanced Technology Solutions ats-inc.org. 866.398.9778 Lisa McQuillen Cozad F&M BANK "The Right Choice" MEMBER F AS Solution Deb Kiwala ATS Debra Kiwala's business , Advanced Technology Solutions , Inc. , is all about predictions in her case , the same did not hold true to life . At the age of 25 , she found herself divorced with two small children , living in an income - based housing apartment . While there was no crystal ball to predict what the future would have in store , but she had one thing . " the belief that I would get through this . " And so she did . Hard work was far from a foreign concept for Debra . She grew up on a farm with her parents and five siblings in Norway , Iowa . " We were taught to work hard , but also to enjoy life and play as well . Her parents stressed the importance of being strong in her faith , showing kindness to everyone , and to remain honest and true to herself . These guiding values were vital to Debra as she regained her footing , changing careers from banking to sales so she could provide a better life for her two sons . I found my niche in sales , " says Debra . I was told over and over again that I would never be able to advance due to the lack of a college degree , but that only made me work harder . " She worked for several different industries before entering the world of Predictive Maintenance , and she says she never looked back . After drawing up a business plan with her business partner , Ryan Bui , she went to bank after bank looking to secure funding . After turning them down , one bank president asked her why anyone would believe her in this industry , saying , " No offense , but you are at woman . " This didn't deter Debra , but instead motivated her even more to succeed . After finally receiving the necessary funding , Advanced Technology Solutions . Inc. was born , and just celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022 . 25 YEARS LATER Q : Looking back , are you where you thought you would be ? A : I always had a feeling that I would I someday own a business , but I never imagined it would be a Predictive Maintenance Company . I don't think I would change anything though . I enjoy working , especially because everyone at ATS is so ble to be around . As long as I am making a contribution to the business , that's where I want to be . Q : What is an accomplishment you're proud of ? A : Being a mom , hands down . Especially being a single , working mom for the majority of my son's school years . Both of my sons have a college degree and work for ATS as well . This past June , my husband joined ATS and it still brings tears to my eyes that the four of us get to work together every day . I'm so blessed ! Q : What mentors influence your professional life ? A : Other professional women , including my daughters - in - law , friends , lawyers , bankers co - workers , family , and so many other women who are juggling being in the workforce and taking care of loved ones . Each has a different approach , so I try to listen , learn , and see if I can use that approach in my life . Deb Worm Britta Grebner Q : What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced ? A : The first challenge was obviously securing the financing but in the 25 years of doing business the biggest challenge had to be making it through COVID . The entire time of owning ATS , my husband and my two sons and daughter - in - laws have been my biggest cheerleaders in encouraging me to keep going . Q : How do you stay motivated ? A : I like having my brain challenged and being a part of the ever - changing landscape of the industry that I work in . I enjoy the excitement of collaborating with the staff on new ideas and services that we can provide our customers . I can't stress enough how wonderful the staff is at ATS .. That makes a huge difference in staying motivated . We have each other's back ! I am also motivated by the joy of our grandchildren , and watching them grow into amazing humans . Kris Koeppen Rylee TRUST . INTEGRITY . RESPECT . 4000 1st Ave. NE 200 First Street SW www.fmbank.biz . Q : What advice would you like to give to other women ? A : We are making progress in being . accepted in the professional world , but there is still so much more to do . When we are finally able to stop saying the " first " women , coach , pilot , president , CEO , COO , firefighter , doctor , etc only then can we say we are on equal playing ground . I am . grateful to the wonderful women who came before me and fought to get where we are today , and I hope that the younger generations can appreciate the sacrifices that were made to lay the groundwork for professional equality . We have a responsibility to keep forging forward . It won't be easy , but it will be worth it in the end ! As Advanced Technology Solutions ats-inc.org . 866.398.9778 Lisa McQuillen Cozad F & M BANK " The Right Choice " MEMBER F