Omaha’s long tradition as a telephone call center can be traced to the work of Ben Wiesman, one of many ways the real estate developer helped build his native city. Six years after graduating from Central, Wiesman founded his first real estate company. By the late 1960s, he expanded from apartment development into commercial real estate. He became an innovator in the concept of “build and lease,” building and furnishing new structures to the specifications of businesses and leasing them back as the property manager. After developing with Whirlpool Corporation the first worldwide 800 calling system at its headquarters in Michigan, he believed Omaha’s central location would make it an ideal location for toll-free call centers. He subsequently built the nation’s first building designed specifically for telephone and computer operations (Ramada and Best Western Hotels), and proceeded to develop facilities for numerous hotel, car rental and telecommunications firms. Some of his proudest work has been preservation and renovation of historic buildings downtown, including the Flatiron Building and Ford Plaza Building. For his efforts, Downtown Omaha, Inc. presented him with its Visionary Pioneer Award. Ben Wiesman continues to take pride in the growth and development of Omaha.