LINCOLN, Nebraska — Leadership Nebraska celebrated the graduation of 35 distinguished leaders from across the state during a commencement ceremony held Thursday, February 19, in Lincoln. The ceremony recognized the successful completion of the program’s Class XVII and honored participants for their commitment to strengthening their communities and Nebraska’s future.

Leadership Nebraska, a program of the NE Chamber Foundation, is designed to cultivate informed, connected, and action-oriented leaders. Through six immersive sessions hosted in communities across the state, participants deepen their understanding of the industries, policies, and regional dynamics shaping Nebraska’s economy and quality of life. Key focus areas include economic development, healthcare, agriculture, education, workforce, and government.

Throughout the program, class members engage directly with business executives, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and community innovators. The experience equips participants to evaluate complex issues, collaborate across sectors, and develop thoughtful solutions that drive meaningful impact.

“We are proud to welcome this exceptional group into the Leadership Nebraska alumni network,” said Tara Lea, Executive Vice President – Partnerships and Programs at the NE Chamber. “Class XVII represents the very best of Nebraska — leaders who are committed to growth, service, and strengthening our state for generations to come.”
The graduates of Leadership Nebraska Class XVII include:

AURORA:
Jennifer Dennis, Hamilton Telecommunications
 
BLAIR:
Bryce Miller, Great Plains Communications
 
COLUMBUS:
Bradley Christensen, Pinnacle Bank
Tara Vasicek, City of Columbus
 
CREIGHTON:
Lindsay Nelson, City of Creighton
 
FALLS CITY:
Amber Holle, Falls City Chamber & Main Street

FREMONT:
Cindy Slykhuis, RVR Bank
 
GRAND ISLAND:
Travis Mittan, Associated Staffing
 
HOLDREGE:
Meredith Pierce, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District
 
KEARNEY:
Peg Abels, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Scott Hayden, City of Kearney
Suzanne Brodine, Olsson
 
LINCOLN:
Carrie Myers, Davis Design
Dave Miller, ALLO
Dustin Snyder, Black Hills Energy
Dylan Wren, City of Lincoln
Kelly Ross, ECHO Collective
Michael DeLanie, Nebraska Hospital Association
Michael Medwick, First Five Nebraska
Shelby Strattan, Invest Nebraska
 
NORFOLK:
Brittney Koenig, Nebraska Public Power District
Katie Towler, Northeast Community College
Lisa Jones, Daycos
 
OGALLALA:
Christopher Heilman, American Shizuki Corporation

OMAHA:
Adrienne Cavill, Boyd Jones
Christopher Kestel, FNBO
Jaclyn Lindburg, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Kristin Lowrey, Access Period
LaTisha Henry, Comfort Squad, LLC
Lindsay Mouw, Conservation Nebraska
Lindsey Freeman, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
Nikki Klugh, Nikki Klugh Design Group, Inc.
Sarah Griger, Eide Bailly
Susan Violi, Baxter Auto Group
Trevor Tonniges, Metropolitan Utilities District

These graduates join an esteemed network of over 400 Leadership Nebraska alumni, all committed to lifelong learning and service to Nebraska’s communities and industries.

Leadership Nebraska is the NE Chamber Foundation’s cornerstone program. The NE Chamber Foundation is focused on meeting the needs of current business, community and state leaders, as well as equipping Nebraska’s next generation of leaders with the experiences, information and research they need to turn big ideas into bold moves.

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LINCOLN, Nebraska – Integrity, a Nebraska work ethic and relationships were key themes that emerged while celebrating the three newest members of the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame on Jan. 29. Nebraska business leaders DJ Eihusen of Chief Industries; Rodrigo Lopez of Amerisphere Companies; and the late John E. Olsson, were inaugurated into the Hall of Fame with a crowd of 550 attending.

These individuals join a distinguished group of more than 140 business leaders whose work to grow their businesses in Nebraska has made a significant impact on Nebraska’s economy, overall job opportunities and quality of life in their communities. Candidates are nominated by individuals from the business community, business associations and academia. The program was established in 1992 by the NE Chamber and UNL College of Business.
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DJ Eihusen graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He has held various positions at several of Chief’s business units including Manufacturing Manager, General Manager of Chief Fabrication, and Executive Vice President. DJ became a member of Chief’s Board of Directors in 1998 and began his current position as Chairman of the Board/President/Chief Executive Officer in 2010. Chief, of Grand Island, has been a family-owned company since 1954, now featuring seven brand divisions across the globe, employing 1,500. Three generations of Eihusens have served as chair and CEO.
 
Watch DJ’s honoree video here.

Rodrigo Lopez was born and raised in Cali, Colombia, and came to Nebraska in 1971 as an exchange student in Superior. Except for his early years working at an architecture firm, his professional career has focused on commercial real estate finance and development. In 1997, Lopez founded a mortgage company that became a Fannie Mae and FHA lender, specializing in multifamily rental housing finance. By the time it was sold to Northmarq Capital in 2015, it had offices across the US and a $6 billion multifamily mortgage loan portfolio spanning 37 states. Lopez then served as Executive Chairman of Northmarq Capital until retiring in 2017 and is current chairman of AmeriSphere Companies. Rodrigo earned his bachelor’s and MBA from the University of Nebraska. He is a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) and graduated from the Mortgage Bankers Association School of Mortgage Banking.

Watch Rodrigo’s honoree video here.

John E. Olsson, 1926-2015. Born in New York John E. Olsson graduated from Richmond Hill High School and from the New York Maritime Academy in 1946 with a degree in marine engineering. After working briefly for Lykes Brothers Shipping Line, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve during a maritime strike and completed his service in 1947. While visiting family in Nebraska, John was admitted to the College of Engineering. He earned his mechanical engineering degree in 1951 and worked with Fulton & Cramer for five years. John E. Olsson Professional Engineering was founded in 1956 in Lincoln, growing to be one of the 75 largest engineering and design firms in the nation, employing more than 2,000.

Watch John’s honoree video here.

Photos from the event can be found here and attributed to Sam Rice.

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LINCOLN, Nebraska — February 3, 2026 — Because Nebraska communities face infrastructure financing challenges that slow development, increase housing costs, and limit the ability of cities and villages to guide high‑quality growth, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry today testified in support of LB1130 as a responsible and highly structured solution by authorizing Community Improvement Districts.
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CIDs are voluntary, property‑owner‑driven districts that finance public infrastructure improvements within municipal boundaries without creating financial liability for communities.

Nate McHargue, Government Relations Leader at Olsson, represented his organization, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and the NE Chamber at the Nebraska Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee in support of LB1130.

“LB1130 is a balanced, responsible, and locally driven tool that empowers communities, supports housing and industrial development, and strengthens Nebraska’s competitiveness—while fully respecting municipal authority and protecting school funding,” McHargue told the committee on Feb. 3. Olsson is a nationally recognized design firm based in Nebraska with over 2,400 employees across 11 states.

CIDs enable long‑term, tax‑exempt financing of public infrastructure, reducing upfront development costs and lowering the final price of homes and commercial lots, McHargue said.

They support redevelopment and infill by allowing property owners to reinvest in areas with aging or inadequate infrastructure. Municipalities retain full zoning, permitting, and regulatory authority, ensuring that every project aligns with local goals.

Beyond housing, LB1130 is also a significant tool for industry and commercial development, McHargue said. Nebraska employers—manufacturers, logistics firms, agribusinesses, and others—consistently identify infrastructure readiness as a barrier to expansion. CIDs help by enabling:

• Industrial site readiness: Roads, utilities, stormwater, and other public infrastructure can be financed upfront by the district instead of relying entirely on municipal budgets or private capital.
• Accelerated project timelines through coordinated planning with municipalities—critical when competing for regional and national investment.
• Lower initial capital outlays for employers, making Nebraska industrial sites more competitive by spreading infrastructure costs over 20–30 years using tax‑exempt financing.

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LB1130 sponsor Senator Mike Jacobson of North Platte said: “LB1130 would give communities across Nebraska a voluntary, locally controlled way to fund and deliver the infrastructure they need to grow, without relying on state dollars or shifting costs to the general taxpayer. It gives cities and property owners another tool to address local infrastructure needs while keeping decisions and responsibility local.”

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