MEET THE BOARD 2021 - 2022

Bill Maendele, Paramedic - CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital

Leadership Kearney Class 28

President

Board Committees: Executive Committee, Golf Committee, Budget Committee, LK29 Co-Chair

Bio: Bill is the current Leadership Kearney Board President. Bill works as a Paramedic at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital. He's originally from Cozad, NE but has resided in Kearney for the past 21 years. Bill is married to his wife Jami and is the proud father of (3) daughters. Bill is also on the Board of Directors for Forever Pink Foundation. In his free time Bill enjoys spending time with his family as well as watching and attending sporting events. Bill's favorite part of Leadership Kearney is the friendships that he has made while going through the program and serving on the Board.

Jake Williams, Sr Manager, Operations - PlayStation

Leadership Kearney Class 27

Past President

Board Committees: Executive Committee, Alumni Committee, Budget Committee, LK Selection Committee, LK 28 Chair

Bio: Jake is currently working from home in his tech-nerd dream job managing projects for PlayStation, and recently helped plan and launch PS5 worldwide in coordination with our global centers in California, Japan, UK, and China. Jake received his Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration with emphasis in Management Information Systems from the University of Nebraska-Kearney (Go Lopers!). He is married to an amazing 6th grade math teacher, Nicolle, and has three incredible daughters, Makena, Kalia, and Halle. Jake enjoys travel, golf, music, games, and sports, and now spends much of his time following the girls to their volleyball, basketball, singing, gymnastics, scholastic and other activities. Jake's favorite part of Leadership Kearney is seeing all the wonderful ways our community works together, and watching new leaders grow as they join the program and see all the amazing possibilities Kearney has to offer.

Bergan Schumacher, Partner - Bruner Frank Schumacher Husak LLC

Leadership Kearney Class 28

Vice President

Board Committees: Executive Committee, Budget Committee, LK Selection Committee, Graduation Committee, LK29 Chair

Bio: Bergan Schumacher came to Kearney to attend UNK where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. She then moved to Lincoln to obtain her Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law, but her heart never left Kearney. After receiving her law degree, Bergan eagerly returned to Kearney and became a Partner at the law firm Bruner Frank Schumacher Husak where she practices in the areas of criminal defense and family law. Bergan served as the Chair of LK Class 28 and is currently serving as the Vice President of the LK Board of Directors. Her favorite part of Leadership Kearney has been gaining a deeper understanding of the inner-workings of Kearney and seeing how the different industries work together to benefit the community as a whole. In her spare time Bergan enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Lynelle Fritzen, Associate Director of Sponsorships - University of Nebraska - Kearney

Leadership Kearney Class 28

Secretary

Board Committees: Golf Committee, Alumni Committee, Executive Committee

Bio: Lynelle is the Associate Director of Sponsorships for the University of Nebraska - Kearney where she handles corporate sponsorships for the entire University including Loper Athletics. In addition, she assists with the daily operations of the Business Services Department and oversees revenue agreements. Lynelle attended the University of Nebraska – Kearney, where she received a Bachelor of Education in Exercise Science. As a Kearney native, she has a strong desire to impact the growth and development of Kearney while playing a part in influencing future leaders of our community. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, watching sports and running. Lynelle’s favorite part of the Leadership Kearney program is the connections that I have made with my peers and contributing to the further success of our community.

Kristen Sedlacek, Organizational Specialist - Nebraska State Education Association

Leadership Kearney Class 28

Treasurer

Board Committees: Executive Committee, Budget Committee, Golf Committee, YLK Selection Committee, YLK Scholarship Committee, YLK26 Co-Chair

Bio: Kristen Sedlacek is an Organizational Specialist with the Nebraska State Education Association and has spent a 15-year career promoting public education and advocating for educators. She attended Nebraska Wesleyan University where she received a bachelor’s degree in K-12 Vocal Music Education. Kristen is married to Jeremy and they have two children, Faith and Noah. She loves spending time with her family by going to sporting events, musical theater, golfing, traveling and attending her children’s’ activities. She also enjoys volunteer work and is currently serving on other community boards including Class Act and 100 Women Who Care-Kearney. Her favorite part of the Leadership Kearney program is developing relationships with members of her class and the opportunity to see a 360° view of our wonderful Kearney community.

Tennille Allison, College & Career Readiness Coordinator, FBLA Adviser - Kearney Public Schools

Leadership Kearney Class 9

Bio: Tennille is a Kearney High School and UNK graduate. She engaged in Leadership Kearney over 20 years ago. It helped remind her of the great variety of businesses and industry within our community and how the community partnerships make Kearney amazing. Leadership Kearney is one of the reasons she returned to college to earn a teaching certificate and start a career in education. After six years in a couple other schools, Tennille returned to Kearney High School as a business and technology teacher. Most recently she has taught Information Technology I, II, and III, Entrepreneurship, Management & Leadership, and Web Page Design. In her current role as the College and Career Readiness Coordinator, she gets to connect students and teachers with opportunities and experiences outside of high school like work-based experiences, part time jobs, internships, job shadowing, and college visits. She is also the Future Business Leaders of America Adviser for Kearney High School. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending, watching, and playing sports, watching TV or movies, reading, learning, and crafting.

Nikki Berggren, Emergency Management, Safety and Security Coordinator - Kearney Regional Medical Center

Leadership Kearney Class 29

Board Committees: LK30 Co-Chair

Bio: Nikki is currently employed at Kearney Regional Medical Center as the Emergency Management, Safety and Security Coordinator. She is the co-chair of Leadership Class #29. Nikki attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, earning her Bachelor of Science degree. In her free time, Nikki is usually following her children around to their various sporting events and activities. She enjoys giving back to the Kearney community and is also involved in the Kearney/Buffalo County CASA resource committee. Nikki's favorite part of Leadership Kearney is the connections she has made with other Leadership Kearney participants and the opportunities the program has given her to learn more about the Kearney community.

Jamie Bernu, Business Banker - Great Western Bank

Leadership Kearney Class 26

Board Committees: Golf Committee, Past-Treasurer

Bio: Jamie was born and raised in Alaska and moved to Colorado to attend college where he earned his degree in Business Economics from the University of Northern Colorado. His wife is a native Nebraskan and UNK Alumni and they made the decision to move to Kearney with the goal of establishing roots for their family. He and his family (Ashley - wife, Jaycee – Daughter - Age 9, and 3 dogs) are proud to call Kearney home. Jamie is passionate about getting involved in the community and his position of Business Banker with Great Western Bank allows him the ability and support to do so. The Leadership Kearney program continues to positively influence his life both personally and professional as he gained friendships, knowledge of the Kearney community, and learned valuable leadership qualities. Serving on the Leadership Kearney Board of Directors has been rewarding as he is able to give back to the program and help carry on the wonderful traditions for future participants.

Megan Berry, Marketing Director - Heartland Bank

Leadership Kearney Class 27

Board Committees: Marketing Committee, Golf Committee, Alumni Committee, YLK28 Alumni Chair, YLK27 Chair

Bio: Megan is currently the Marketing Director for Heartland Bank, where she oversees the marketing for all 14 branches and well as 4 business entities. Megan attended the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where she received a Bachelor's of Education and Human Sciences. She is a proud Kearney native who loves to find different ways that she can give back to her community. In her free time you can find her with family and friends, as well as spending time with her Yorkshire Terrier, Mia. She enjoys crafting, sports, and traveling. Megan's favorite part of the Leadership Kearney program is the connections that she has made as well as helping build the program for the future by serving on the Leadership Kearney Board of Directors.

Jeremy Chizek, Risk Advisor - Ellerbrock-Norris

Leadership Kearney Class 26

Board Committee: Golf Committee

Bio: Jeremy joined the Ellerbrock-Norris team in 2012 as a risk advisor. Jeremy is a graduate of Hastings College with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology. Jeremy has lived in Kearney since 2005 and is involved in several organizations in the area including the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, St James Ministries, Kearney Area Builders Association, Leadership Kearney, Foster Care Review Board and Knights of Columbus. Jeremy and his wife Ashley have two daughters, Addison and Leah. Jeremy's favorite part of Leadership Kearney is the connections and lifelong friendships he has made, as well as, helping to build the program for future leaders by serving on the board.

June Collison, Clinical Learning and Development Specialist - Sanford Health

Leadership Kearney Class 27

Board Committees: Blood Drive Committee, Alumni Committee, YLK27 Chair, YLK25 Chair

Bio: June currently works with Sanford Health by providing education to the nursing staff at Good Samaritan Societies. During her 25 year career as a nurse she has done multiple positions, but most of them have been in leadership and management and education. She attended the University of Nebraska Medical Center-Kearney division for her BSN and then University of Phoenix for her MSN. She is originally from western Nebraska, Chappell, but has made Kearney her home ever since attending college. Here is where she met her husband, Gaynor, of 23 years and they together have two daughters, Avery and Carly. Her outside hobbies are vacations, snowmobiling, lake time at Harlan County Reservoir, craft club, teammates mentor, Secretary for the KHS Booster Club, on the board for NIBN, assist with forensic interviews for FAN, and lastly hosting foreign exchange students. What June enjoys most about Leadership Kearney, is being able to make an impact on the youth in Leadership Kearney, with a goal of having them see that Kearney is a great place to live and to come back or stay!

Nathan Dorsey, Senior Advisor, Community Banking - First National Bank of Omaha

Leadership Kearney Class 27

Board Committees: YLK Selection Committee, YLK27 Chair

Bio: Nathan is proud to work for First National Bank of Omaha, a family owned bank for over 160 years. He is currently the Senior Advisor for Community Banking, where he works with business customers to deliver advice and value as a trusted advisor. Nathan enjoys helping businesses of all sizes reach their short and long-term financial goals. Nathan attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he received a Bachelor’s degree of Science in business administration. Nathan enjoys working, living, and giving back to the Kearney community. He is married with 3 children that keep him very busy. Nathan and his spouse enjoy spending time at the lake and watching their children participate in their respective extra circular activities.

Nikki Erickson, Owner/Managing Partner - Team Concepts

Leadership Kearney Class 26

Board Committees: Marketing Committee, Blood Drive Committee, LK27 Co-Chair

Bio: Nikki and her husband, Josh Erickson, own Team Concepts where they provide leadership development training and team building workshops impacting businesses, organizations, schools and athletic programs of all levels for the last 20 years. Through their hands-on, dynamic, and engaging methods, they empower organizations to profit emotionally, professionally, and financially. Nikki is a University of Nebraska at Kearney business administration graduate and has experience in the insurance industry, in real estate investment, and customer relations and business management for Team Concepts. She recently served nearly four years as Executive Director of United Way of the Kearney Area where she focused on building relationships with United Way nonprofit partner agencies, donors and all the organization's shareholders. She is involved in the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce and Envoys. She's also a mom who is crazy about her five incredible children and a wife who fiercely loves her extraordinary husband.

Erin Howard, Interim Operations Manager & Transportation Safety & Marketing Manager - Nebraska Safety Center, University of Nebraska at Kearney

Leadership Kearney Class 29

Board Committees: LK30 Chair, LK Graduation, YLK Graduation, LK Selection

Bio: Currently serving as the Interim Operations Manager along with role of Transportation Safety and Marketing Manager for the Nebraska Safety Center. With these roles she oversees all business operations, marketing, branding, outreach, and traffic programs of the Nebraska Safety Center. The Nebraska Safety Center has two locations with one being on UNK campus in the Business and Technology College in West Center and second be housed on Innovation Campus in Lincoln. Erin attended Nebraska Wesleyan University and is a proud Kearney native. In addition, to Leadership Kearney Erin is a strong supporter of Kearney Public Schools and has served on the CLASS Act board and currently serves on Kearney Public Schools Foundation board. Erin’s favorite part of Leadership Kearney is the connections and friendships she has made.

Brenda Jensen, Director of Development Service - City of Kearney

Leadership Kearney Class 26

Board Committees: Past President, LK27 Chair, LK Selection Committee, Graduation Committee

Bio: Brenda Jensen is the current Past-Past President (bonus year – thanks Covid) of the Leadership Kearney Board, member of Leadership Kearney Class #26 and is the Director of Development Services for the City of Kearney. She oversees the Planning, Building Services, Code Enforcement, and Downtown divisions. Brenda is also a Certified Planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners. She spent the first 7 ½ years of her career as the head of the Planning Department for Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers. Brenda earned her Bachelor's of Science degree in Community & Regional Planning from Iowa State University and is currently working on her Master’s of Public Administration from UNO. Ms. Jensen is currently a member of Leadership Nebraska Class XIII. She is originally from Belle Plaine, IA, but has lived in Kearney for the past 10 years. She is married to Dalton Jensen, who is the Head Wrestling Coach at UNK. Favorite memory of Leadership Kearney: All of Local Government Day – I didn’t work at the City at the time, it was amazing to see the ways our City and County governments work together for the benefit of our community.

Cody Krull, Insurance Producer - Jones Group

Leadership Kearney Class 27

Board Committees: Golf Committee, YLK24 Chair, YLK28 Chair, YLK Selection Committee, YLK Scholarship Committee

Bio: Cody is currently an insurance producer for the Jones Group, previously known as Krull Agency. He has been in the insurance industry for the past 9 years following his college graduation. Cody Attended the University of Nebraska – Kearney and majored in Businesses Administration with an emphasis in management. He is a past president for the Young Professional Network through the chamber and is still an active board member for Leadership Kearney. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, ages 4 and 2 with another kid expected in 2022. He also enjoys golfing and spending time at the lake. Codys favorite quote is from Jeremy Gitomer, “If you make yourself valuable and memorable, others will want to make you a part of their network.”

Katie Rickard, Program Coordinator - Make-A-Wish Foundation of Nebraska

Leadership Kearney Class 28

Board Committees: YLK Selection Committee, YLK Scholarship Committee, YLK Graduation Committee, YLK26 Chair, YLK28 Co-Chair

Bio: Katie is currently the Program Coordinator for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Nebraska. She oversees all wish kid wishes, external events and manages volunteers in 55 counties of Nebraska. Originally from Nevada, she is a graduate of University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design and Construction Management. She has made Kearney her home for the past 20 years. Katie is the proud mother of 3 beautiful girls who keep her busy and heart full every day. Katie was the Chair of Youth Leadership Kearney in 2019-2020 school year and is again serving the Youth being the Co-Chair this year. She enjoys being with her family when she is not working and operates a small online crafting business in her spare time. Katie’s favorite part of the Leadership Kearney program is constantly learning new things about Kearney and the impact we all have, to continue to make a difference this wonderful community.

Ellie Schroeder, Systems Support - ESU 10

Leadership Kearney Class 28

Board Committees: Alumni Committee Chair, Golf Committee, LK29 Alumni Chair

Bio: Ellie is a part of the technology team at ESU 10 and currently supports about 50 school districts across the state with their student information system, PowerSchool.This system helps schools and districts efficiently manage instruction, learning, grading, attendance, assessment, state reporting, and special education. Ellie and her husband Seth have lived in Kearney for the past 14 years and could not have picked a better community to raise their 3 boys in. You can usually catch her following her boys’ activities and at any Kearney High or UNK athletic event. Ellie’s favorite part of Leadership Kearney was the opportunity she got to tour and see so many businesses that many don’t even know we have. It really just confirmed her wonderful feelings about the Kearney community and how lucky we are!!

Shanna Schulte, Escrow Closer - Nebraska Title Company

Leadership Kearney Class 26

Board Committees: Alumni Committee, Golf Committee, LK27 Alumni Chair

Bio: hanna works at Nebraska Title Company as an Escrow closer. Nebraska Title Company has more than 115 industry experts located in 13 offices throughout Nebraska. Shanna has the opportunity to work with buyers and sellers in central Nebraska for their residential closing needs. Shanna graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a degree in Organizational Communication in 2000. Shanna and her husband, Tim, have two boys, Roman-age 11 and Riley-age 8. Tim keeps busy on the family farm north of Kearney. Shanna loves spending time with family and friends, golfing, going to the lake, being involved in school and church activities and being a football, basketball and baseball mom. Through Leadership Kearney, Shanna loved learning more about Kearney. Leadership Kearney also provided excellent professional development opportunities that she will be able to use for the rest of her career.

Valerie Stroup, Realtor - Coldwell Banker Town & Country Realty of Kearney

Leadership Kearney Class 27

Bio: Valerie has been with Coldwell Banker for 16 years and has been the top producing team in units and volume with her partner Scott Anderson for the last 5 years. Valerie attended the University of Nebraska - Kearney, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. In her free time Valerie loves to read, travel and try new foods and adventures. She is very social and loves time with friends and family. Valerie has also been a volunteer with the Teammates program for 4 years and is currently on the Leadership Kearney Board. Her favorite part of Leadership Kearney was learning more about her community 9behind the scenes) and how everyone plays a part in making it such a great place to live and raise a family.

Megan Telecky, Facilities Management & Planning Business Manager - UNK

Leadership Kearney Class 26

Board Committees: Golf Committee, YLK 27 Chair, YLK 24 Chair, YLK Selection Committee, YLK Scholarship Committee

Bio: I have been employed at UNK for 1.5 years and have over 10 years of experience in the accounting industry. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Business Administration from Hastings College. At UNK I oversee campus events, inventory, safety, and customer service operations. I also manage all business and payroll functions within the Facilities department. I have been married for over 3 years to my husband Brian who owns and operates a construction company. We have 3 children: Tyler (8), Reeslynn (1), and Cartyr (3 weeks). In our free time we enjoy going to the lake and spending time outside with family and friends. My favorite part of Leadership Kearney is the friendships I have made. I applied for LK soon after moving to Kearney, and was looking forward to networking, and meeting new people. Now 5 years after going through the program I have not only gained great community connections but wonderful friendships as well.