Port of the Plains Board Members

Vince Dugan resides in Lincoln County and has been heavily involved in the North Platte community for 25+ years. He is the President of Trego-Dugan Aviation, a national operation with 2,700 employees in 43 locations. He is also Of Counsel Attorney at Brouillette Law Firm. He previously served as the President of the North Platte Development Corporation and the North Platte Ambassadors. Throughout his career, he has acquired extensive experience within the transportation industry including direct dealings with domestic and international airlines and air cargo operators, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Appointed June 5, 2023, for a term of 3 years
Contact: 308-530-5813
Email:

LeAnn Ellis, I am pleased to bring a vast and varied background in public service to the Nebraska International Port of the Plains & Inland Port Authority Board of Directors. However, the most relevant follows:

Village of Hershey Board of Trustees 2002-2005; Administrative Assistant Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce/Phelps County Development Corporation 9/2005-7/2008; Village of Hershey Clerk/Treasurer 7/2009-7/2019; Village of Hershey Board of Trustees 2019-2022

I understand the inner workings of the Hershey water, sewer and street operations, I served as clerk when Greenbrier came to our area and the rail spur was built. I have personal relationships with business and community leaders as well as Village staff. I have worked closely with lawyers, engineers, auditors, the Nebraska Department of Roads, FEMA, Union Pacific Railroad and many others. After volunteering in many different capacities throughout my life, public and community service is an honor for me to be a part of and to which I am very dedicated.

Re-ppointed June 5, 2024 for a term of 4 years
Contact: 308-991-4995
Email:

Jim Hawks – I am currently a small business owner in North Platte and have been involved in the Community for nearly 40 years. I have a master’s in business administration from the University of Nebraska Graduate School of Business. I served as the Lincoln County Highway Superintendent and County Surveyor for nearly 15 years and then served the City of North Platte as City Administrator for nearly 18 years retiring from this position in 2020. I have experience in economic development, engineering, land surveying, land development, finance and budgeting, transportation infrastructure and utility development, governmental relations, organizational leadership and management.

Appointed June 5, 2023, for a term of 2 years
Contact: 308-530-0548
Email:

Mr. Keenan is a life long resident of North Platte. He is President of Keenan Management, L.L.C. (a hotel and real estate management company.)

Mr. Keenan attended the North Platte Catholic Schools and graduated in 1975. He graduated from the University of Nebraska on 1979 with a degree in Business Administration.

Community Service:

• Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board of Directors
• Platte Institute for Economic Research Board of Directors (Chairman)
• Quality Growth Fund Committee Member
• Trustee Holy Spirit Parish (Grand Island Diocese)
• Past Board Member of DEVCO
• Past Board Member of Great Plains Regional Hospital (Past Chair)
• Past Board Member of Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation (Past Chair)
• Past Steering Committee Member of BluePrint Nebraska
• Past Member North Platte Catholic Schools Board (Past Chair)

He and his wife, Kathleen, have three adult children and two grandchildren.

Appointed June 5, 2023, for a term of 2 years
Contact: 308-530-0892
Email:

Kirk Olson is the president and general manager of Olson Farms, Inc., which is a fifth-generation farming and custom cattle feeding business in the North Platte/Hershey area. Kirk is a past Nebraskaland Days Board member and past president of Hershey Lions Club. He has served on the Maria Lutheran Church Council and the Hershey Booster Club. He is one of the founding members of Sustainable Beef LLC, which is a beef processing facility currently under construction in North Platte and is currently serving on Governor Jim Pillen’s Livestock Industry Roundtable Committee.

Appointed June 5, 2023, for a term of 2 years
Contact: 308-530-0660
Email:

Appointed June 5, 2023, for a term of 3 years
Contact: 308-279-0674
Email:

Michael Steele, Area Vice President of Administrative Services: Mr. Steele has worked at Mid-Plains Community College for eleven years and is responsible for oversight of Business Operations, Community Campus Operations, Facilities, Outreach Services, and Information Services. Steele has primary responsibility and oversight of the MPCC budget. Since 2007, Steele has taught as an adjunct instructor at MPCC, teaching accounting courses via distance learning. Prior to his employment at MPCC, Steele spent nine years in public accounting where he prepared tax returns, financial statements, and Non-Profit and Governmental audits. During his nine years of auditing experience, he was involved in performing audits based on OCBOA, GAAP, FASB, and GASB standards. Steele holds both his M.P.A and B.S. from the University Nebraska –Lincoln. He also serves as the bookkeeper for the North Platte Community College Foundation. He has been involved with North Platte Youth Baseball, Golden Spike Tower, and Mid-Plains United Way.

Re-appointed June  2024 for a term of 4 years
Contact: 308-535-3620
Email:

Kimberly Steger has resided in Lincoln County for the past 40 years. She recently retired from a career in the banking industry. She has been very involved in the North Platte community over the past decades having served as past president of North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corp, past president of the North Platte Chamber Hostesses, past president and current board member of Mid Nebraska Community Foundation. She also previously served on the Quality Growth Fund Committee Advisory Board. She is originally from South Dakota and graduated from Black Hills State University with a degree in Travel Industries Management. She and her husband Gary have two adult children.

Appointed June 5, 2023, for a term of 2 years
Contact: 308-530-2248
Email:

Kevin Tighe -Financial Planning Manager with Nebraska Public Power District, supporting Retail and Transmission and Distribution across the state. Previously, he was a Property Tax Field Liaison with the Nebraska Department of Revenue - Property Assessment Division. He is a graduate of Wayne State College with an MBA, from Peru State College with Bachelors in Business, and from North Platte Community College with an Associates. He is active throughout the community and was previously a member of the North Platte Recreation Citizen Advisory Committee. He and his wife, Mary, have one son.

Re-appointed June 2024 for a term of 4 years.

Contact: Cell Phone 308-539-3515
Email: