Meet the Staff: Spotlight on Jeanne May, Viaero Center’s Ticket Taker / Usher

For more than a decade, fans walking into the Viaero Center have been greeted by a familiar, welcoming face Jeanne May, a long-time ticket taker and usher whose steady presence has become part of the fabric of Storm hockey nights. Jeanne has proudly served the Event Center for 11 years, working part-time while balancing an impressive career and an even richer personal life. Before joining the Viaero Center team, she spent 40 years with Central Auto Electric, Inc., and today she also works as a bookkeeper for Supreme Spa and Pool in Lincoln. Originally from Hebron, Nebraska, Jeanne now calls Kearney home and the community is better for it.

Outside of work, Jeanne is the kind of person whose hobbies are as wholehearted as her smile. She enjoys sewing, canning, cooking, and gardening activities that reflect the same care and craftsmanship she brings to her role at the Event Center. She’s also deeply involved in the community, participating in the KVFD Auxiliary, Kearney Whitewater Association, and the Central Nebraska Auto Club, always finding ways to stay active and connected.

When she talks about her time at the Viaero Center, Jeanne lights up with memories. One of her favorites is the New Year’s Eve party the owners hosted for staff, a reminder of just how close the Event Center family is behind the scenes. Another moment that stands out is meeting the parents of Storm hockey players encounters that turned simple conversations into meaningful connections. But it’s the energy inside her usher section during game nights that keeps her coming back. “Every game, the fans are so pumped when we score,” she says. “We are like family.”

For Jeanne, there are countless moments that reaffirm why she loves her job but the heart of it always comes back to the fans. She's seen firsthand how the Storm and the Event Center bring people together, and she believes the impact on Kearney is undeniable. From concerts to special events to the roar of game nights, the Viaero Center gives the community a place to gather, to celebrate, and to experience something exciting that showcases the best of what Kearney has to offer.

Her biggest hope is simple but powerful: that every fan leaves with great memories win or lose. She wants families and friends walking out with smiles, energized by the experience they just shared.

And when Jeanne isn’t ushering or volunteering, she’s out enjoying the best of Kearney whitewater kayaking, strolling at Yanney Park, participating in Senior Center activities, or exploring the Nebraska Volunteer Firefighter Museum and Education Center. Whether she’s on shift or off the clock, she brings a spirit of enthusiasm and community everywhere she goes.

Jeanne May isn’t just a staff member. She’s part of the heart and history of the Viaero Center, a friendly face fans look forward to seeing, and a reminder that the people behind the scenes make all the difference in creating unforgettable moments.

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