Paul Smith’s Journey from Tenaska Co-Founder to Millwork Commons Visionary

Scale Omaha, powered by the Nebraska Startup Academy, is proud to host Paul Smith, Founding Principal of Paul G Smith Associates and co-founder of energy giant Tenaska, for an inside look at building world-class companies and reinvesting those wins back into Omaha’s urban core.

Smith helped launch Tenaska in 1987 and later created Tenaska Capital Management, guiding private-equity funds that amassed $5.4 billion in assets across the energy value chain. Today he serves on Tenaska’s board, shaping strategy for one of the nation’s largest privately held energy companies.

After decades in energy, Paul turned his focus homeward. Through PGSA and Black Dog Management, he is the lead investor behind two of Omaha’s most notable developments: Millwork Commons and The Capitol District. Together, they have become hubs for startup innovation and pillars of Omaha’s entertainment scene.

Beyond bricks and mortar, Paul and his wife Annette champion arts, youth development, and inclusive growth throughout the region. The Smiths are active in supporting the startup community and have made venture investments in 30+ Nebraska startups through Black Dog Ventures.

Join us to hear how Paul scaled an energy powerhouse, then pivoted to community-driven real estate, all while staying rooted in purpose and philanthropy. Expect candid insights on capital deployment, public-private partnerships, and why the Midwest is ripe for bold visionaries.

📅 Thursday, July 17th
📍 The Ashton Building at Millwork Commons
⏰ 4:00 – 6:00 PM (4:00 PM Happy Hour // 5:00 PM Fireside Chat with John Grange & Paul Smith)

Special thanks to the Nebraska Startup Academy, Millwork Commons, and Dundee Bank for making this monthly series possible.