Michael B. Yanney
A Life of Resilience, Vision, and Generosity
1933-2026
Michael B. Yanney’s life story is one of determination, courage, and deep commitment to others. He was a builder of businesses, a mentor to generations, and a steadfast champion for young people and the Omaha community.
Born in 1933 in Kearney, Nebraska, the youngest of nine children, Mike grew up in modest circumstances. After losing his father at age 11, he and his siblings worked to help support their family. He shined shoes, sold vegetables, worked odd jobs, and excelled in school. His mother instilled in him values that would shape his life: integrity, faith, discipline, and the belief that education was something no one could ever take away.
1933
Born in Kearney, Nebraska
Michael B. Yanney is born the youngest of nine children to Lebanese immigrant parents. His early years are shaped by faith, family, and hard work.
1948-1955
School Years
Attending Kearney High School, he was elected student body president, and the summer before senior year proved memorable. Mike was elected lieutenant governor of the citizenship program Boys State. That earned him a long train trip to Boys Nation in Washington, D.C., where he sat with other students as President Harry Truman spoke in the White House Rose Garden. Young Mr. Yanney met U.S. Sen. Kenneth Wherry and received a tour from Rep. Howard Buffett.
Yanney then attended Kearney State (UNK) and graduated in three years. He was president of the freshman class and the Men’s League, and President of Pi Kappa Delta, historian of Pi Omega Pi and a member of Kappa Delta Pi.
1956-1958
Military Service
Serves in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era, stationed in Germany. In the Army, Yanney used his free time to take trains from country to country in Europe, and he took a correspondence course in banking. He also helped soldiers file their income tax returns.
1960
Wedding Day
Gail, 24, and Mike, 27, married at St. Barnabas Anglican Church just north of 40th and Dodge Streets, with a reception in the Garden Room at the Blackstone Hotel, 36th and Farnam.
1961
Begins Career at Omaha National Bank
Joins Omaha National Bank, later rising to Executive Vice President and Treasurer of the holding company, now part of U.S. Bank.
1977
International Agriculture
Thanks to a pivotal introduction by then-USDA Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz, Mike was introduced to Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin. Ambassador Dobrynin wanted to learn more about American Agriculture, specifically the Midwest.
Mr. Yanney invited Ambassador Dobrynin to tour showcase farms in Nebraska and Iowa, highlighting the Midwest’s agricultural strength. Impressed by what they saw, the Soviets invited Mr. Yanney to the USSR to provide recommendations for improving Soviet agriculture. This led to Burlington Capital’s first international agriculture project—a soybean production initiative in Krasnodar, Russia, and Crimea, Ukraine.
1984
Founds America First Companies
Establishes the investment banking firm that would later become Burlington Capital. America First recognized that impending tax reform, threatening to curtail tax-exempt investment income, was creating an exciting investment opportunity.
The company’s early focus was raising capital and purchasing federally insured mortgages secured through multifamily projects. Our first fund, established January 2, 1985, Federally Guaranteed Mortgage Fund, was the first limited partnership to receive an AAA rating by Standard and Poor’s Corporation and the first to be quoted on the NASDAQ quotation system. We then recognized that impending tax reform, threatening to curtail tax-exempt investment income, was creating an exciting investment opportunity. America First Tax Exempt Mortgage Fund was formed to acquire federally tax-exempt mortgage loans. EF Hutton successfully marketed the Fund raising approximately $200 million. The Fund was listed on the NASDAQ under the trading symbol AFTXZ.
Photo courtesy of: Omaha World-Herald
1989
Partnership 4 Kids
Mike and Gail launched Yanney’s Kids with a simple but powerful goal: “My whole objective was to find out how we could change lives and how we could motivate them.” What began as a 20-student mentoring program at McMillan Middle School grew into All Our Kids and ultimately Partnership 4 Kids, a long-term commitment to walking alongside students from early childhood through postsecondary success.
1990
Agribusiness Partners International
After the Iron Curtain fell, and the region began to stabilize as independent countries, Mike saw an investment opportunity for the firm. With the help of the US Government Agency OPIC, they created a fund for basic agricultural development. This fund, named Agribusiness Partners International (API), received a $100 million investment guarantee. Simultaneously, Bob Peyton, former President of ConAgra International Eastern Europe and FSU, joined the company. A top-notch team of investment professionals was hired, and a Moscow office was established to manage the investment program. After evaluating over 600 opportunities, the fund invested in eight agribusiness and food processing companies.
Photo courtesy of: Michael Kelly
1998
Yanney Heritage Park
What began in 1998 as an idea to create something meaningful for local families became the transformation of 80 acres into one of the Midwest’s premier destination parks, named in honor of his parents. Built through a unique donor-driven model and sustained through partnership with the City of Kearney, the park reflects his enduring belief that communities thrive when generosity is paired with thoughtful stewardship. Free and accessible to all, it stands as a lasting tribute to his commitment to family, opportunity, and the places people call home.
2000
Lisa Roskens Becomes CEO
Mike named his daughter Lisa Roskens as the company’s president and CEO, and eventually chairman while he consulted as chairman emeritus.
2005
Offutt AFB Housing
Mike supported Burlington Capital’s entry into one of the nation’s largest military housing privatization efforts at Offutt Air Force Base. Backing a rigorous business plan and a 50-year vision, Yanney helped guide the transformation of outdated housing into Rising View, a modern community serving nearly 2,000 military families. A veteran himself, he viewed the project not only as a strategic investment, but as a meaningful way to give back to those who serve.
Horatio Alger Association
In Washington, D.C., nominated by Walter Scott, Michael B. Yanney of Omaha was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. Alger was a 19th-century author who wrote more than 100 books about young people who struggled against adversity to gain success.
2014
Aksarben King
Mike Yanney became one of the oldest kings — 80. He agreed to accept the honor on the condition that Aksarben start a scholarship program at Metro Community College. It was for students looking for a career in technology and the trades, called the Career Connector Scholarship.
Photo courtesy of: Omaha World-Herald
“Black Knights”
After being named Aksarben King in 2014, Mike began meeting regularly with a group of African-American leaders known as the “Black Knights.” What started as a celebratory dinner evolved into ongoing conversations focused on mentorship, opportunity, and bridging relationships between North Omaha and the broader business community. For decades, Yanney had quietly championed inclusion, supporting minority scholarships and mentoring initiatives. In 2021, he passed the torch to the next generation of leadership, ensuring the dialogue and commitment would continue.
Photo courtesy of: Stable Gray, Inc
2016
30th Anniversary of ATAX
Burlington Capital celebrated in Times Square for the 30th anniversary of ATAX (America First Multifamily Investors) being listed on the Nasdaq exchange. Mike, and Lisa, proudly posed in front of Nasdaq headquarters at 1500 Broadway, its seven-story LED electronic video sign welcoming ATAX in bright letters.
2021
Face on the Barroom Floor
Mike Yanney was playfully roasted as a “Face on the Barroom Floor” at the Omaha Press Club. Emceed by Mike Kelly and with a Yanney caricature by Jeff Koterba, the event drew 230 people, who laughed at roasters’ comments.
Artwork courtesy of: Jeff Koterba
2024
40th Anniversary of Burlington Capital
Burlington Capital proudly celebrated 40 years of growth. The milestone honored four decades of trusted relationships, entrepreneurial thinking, and a steadfast commitment to creating lasting value for investors, communities, and future generations.