Thirty Nebraskans have been selected for the newest LEAD class.
Allen Blezek, Nebraska LEAD program director, says this group of 30 will become the Nebraska LEAD Class XXV. The agricultural leadership development program is made up of people involved in production agriculture or agribusiness.
The newest members of the two-year program, which is celebrating its 25th consecutive year, will be a part of 750 participants who have either completed the program or who are currently in the program.
"This silver anniversary class appears to be filled with another group of outstanding individuals from throughout the state and will assuredly continue the long standing tradition and reputation of the program," according to Blezek.
The program begins in September and will include 12 monthly three-day seminars across Nebraska, a 10-day national study/travel seminar and a two to three-week international study/travel seminar.
"The end goal of the program is to develop problem solvers, decision makers and spokespersons for agriculture and our state," Blezek says. Seminars focus on agriculture, as well as business, industry, labor, economics, public policy, religions, politics, governments, history and other areas designed to speed up the leadership development process through exposure to a broad array of current topics and issues and how they interrelate.
The Nebraska LEAD Program is operated by the non-profit Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council Inc., in cooperation with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and 10 other institutions of higher education throughout Nebraska.
Nebraska LEAD XXV Fellows in alphabetical order by hometown are:
- Kent Taylor, Ainsworth;
- Jodi Storer, Arthur;
- Chad Carlson and Ray Miller, Aurora;
- Gary R. Phillips, Bertrand;
- John Lange, Carleton;
- Tandra Daniels, Columbus;
- David Condon, Creighton;
- Steve Barlean, David City;
- Doug Schardt, Deshler;
- Danny Kluthe and Jason Meyer, Dodge;
- Michael Wilkins, Gibbon;
- Kenny Stauffer, Harrisburg;
- Steve Wallin, Imperial;
- Kerry John, Kimball;
- Eric Dam, Lincoln;
- Dana Hall, McCool Junction;
- Ramona Geiser and Craig Safranek, Merna;
- Lex Larsen, Mitchell;
- Gregory Nollette, Nenzel;
- Joe Kresha, Osceola;
- Marvin Stech, Osmond;
- Kathy Hirschman, St. Paul;
- James Carlson, Silver Creek;
- Cynthia Glaser, Spalding;
- Brent Steinhoff, Syracuse;
- Douglas Saathoff, Trumbull;
- Scott Knobbe, West Point.