Board of Directors
Retired extension educator - Hastings, Nebraska
Jim Knopik, Vice President Elect
Farmer - Belgrade, Nebraska
Mark Gustafson, Secretary
Farmer - Mead, Nebraska
Art May, Treasurer
Retired utility advisor - Winnebago, Nebraska
Bob Warrick, Emeritus
Retired farmer - Oceanside, California
Joe Blankenau
Educator - Wayne, Nebraska
Lowell Fey
Retired research scientist - Nebraska City, Nebraska
David Hansen
Farmer/retired minister - Anselmo, Nebraska
Chuck Karpf
Educator - Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Keith Mahaney
Farmer - Walthill, Nebraska
Clark Nichols
Attorney - San Marcos, Texas
Paul Olson, formerly Emeritus
Educator - Lincoln, Nebraska
Cy Pinkelman
Farmer - Hartington, Nebraska
Don Reeves, Past President
Farmer - Central City, Nebraska
Kris Rogge
Farm and business manager - Johnson, Nebraska
Maryanne Rouse
Professional Ethics Advisor - Omaha, Nebraska
Juan Sandoval
Latino banking director - Norfolk, Nebraska
Carol Schooley
Educator - Grand Island, Nebraska
Cynthia Thomsen
Farmer - Exeter, Nebraska
Karen Tikalsky
Farmer/social worker - Niobrara, Nebraska
Our board of directors consists of between 12 and 24 members that govern the Center. There are currently 19 members of the board serving staggered three-year terms. The board determines policy and overall direction of the organization at quarterly meetings.
An executive committee consisting of the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and three members elected by the board meets in conjunction with regular board meetings. In addition, the board establishes oversight committees to counsel staff on the implementation of the Center’s various programs.
About one-half of the board is farmers or ranchers. Others are small town business and working people including a small number of urban members with a strong interest in rural improvement. The board is self-selecting, and has made it a policy to provide the organization with a broad leadership base. Accordingly, it has recruited men and women from all regions of the state and people with diverse occupational backgrounds and personal perspectives.
The board has been conscious of the need to provide both continuity and new insight, and thus the by-laws require at least one new director be added annually. Director Emeritus status was established in 1990. We have one Emeritus director at present.
The board plays an active role in the development of Center programs. Each board member serves on one of three program advisory committees that provide quarterly oversight of program activities and guide the annual planning process. Directors also serve on at least one of the institutional committees that include Resource Development and Communications, Budget and Finance, Board Development and Nominations, and Grievance.
