Kris Karnes is a Senior Director of Business Owner Advisory Services at First National Bank of Omaha.  In her role at FNBO Kris employs her extensive experience in counseling clients through complex transactions with a dedication to client success, offering business owner advisory services to owners considering a transition or sale.  She works with owners and their families to determine long-term business, personal financial and philanthropic goals and objectives, and helps owners and their professional advisors maneuver through the emotions and process of selling or transitioning a business.  

Credentials

Kris previously worked as a staff attorney at FNBO, using her skills and expertise to assist with mergers and acquisitions by offering general legal, corporate governance and regulatory support.  Prior to her return to FNBO, Kris was a Partner, and later as Of Counsel, at Kutak Rock LLP law firm, where she represented financial institutions and corporate entities.  Kris has also assisted students in their pursuit of higher education as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Law at Creighton Law School.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a Juris Doctor degree from Creighton Law School.  She is also a Certified Exit Planner (CExP®) and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®).

Passions

Kris extends her desire to help others into her personal life, where she lends time to various community organizations and non-profit positions.  She is currently a board member on the Westside Community Schools Board of Education, the Omaha Airport Authority Board of Directors and the Kicks for a Cure Advisory Board.  She previously served on the Omaha Planning Board, the Omaha Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Scottish Rite Foundation and the boards of directors of the Nebraska Humane Society and the Omaha Children’s Museum, among others.  Despite her busy schedule, she prioritizes making time for her family and enjoys reading and traveling.