GROW Nebraska Welcomes Two New Board Members and Several Officers

GROW Nebraska has inducted two new members on to the board. Along with four officers, these new members are bringing more knowledge of small businesses, and the growth needed in Nebraska economy. 

One of the new board members, Jessica Kraus, co-owns the Lost Way Brewery in Holdrege, Nebraska, which will be celebrating five years of business in November. She is a huge part of the community there. In her free time you can find her devoting her time to the Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild and Holdrege Rotary. Jessica knows her way around local businesses and will be a huge asset to the GROW Nebraska board. Among many other benefits of adding Jessica to the board, she also has a degree in business and believes we can’t grow unless we grow together. When Jessica and her husband first moved to Nebraska it didn’t take long for them to fall in love with the state and what it has to offer. They visited Grow Nebraska, at the time, now known as Buy Nebraska, and kept hearing about what the program offers periodically throughout the years.

Jessica states, “As a business owner, I know how much it takes to build something you’re passionate about. It’s such a breath of fresh air to find an organization that is not only looking to help you succeed, but they’re just as passionate about your product or service, and they’re committed to finding the right consumers for it.”

Now that she is part of the board Jessica looks forward to getting to know the businesses in the great state of Nebraska, and the people who make the state that way.

Also joining the board is Kevin Black a very active member in his community as well. He is the Market President at Pinnacle Bank in Wisner, Nebraska. Kevin has a degree in Agribusiness, and finance. He served in the Army National Guard for 12 years. Kevin was born and has lived all over the state of Nebraska. Having a local background Kevin knows what drives the community and small businesses. He is passionate about Nebraska, and the economy.  In his free time, you can find him coaching little league, and being an active member of Leadership Nebraska.

Hearing about Grow Nebraska through Nebraska Game and Parks Centennial Celebration, Kevin says “I was impressed how the organization worked with Nebraska Game and Parks Centennial to connect them with Nebraska-based businesses and keep as much of the products sold and designed within state borders.”

Kevin loves how the organization is Nebraskans supporting each other. He states “There are so many people in this state with great ideas, services, or products who simply lack the network or technical savvy to get them out to the masses. This organization helps to bridge that gap. I believe this to be extremely important to the future economic well-being of entrepreneurs, especially in our more rural areas.”

Now that Kevin is on the board, he looks forward to helping businesses connect with GROW Nebraska and its resources. “I care deeply about this state, which has been so good to me. Nebraska thrives because of its people. I want to do my part to bolster that.”

Janell Anderson Ehrke CEO and founder of GROW Nebraska states, “I am very excited for both new members of the board along with all of our officers, and their vast knowledge and expertise they are bringing to the team.” Janell feels that they will both be very beneficial to the future of the GROW Nebraska foundation board.

GROW Nebraska also has welcomed the following members as officers: Chairman of the board – Kent Grishman- President of Nebraska Trucking Association; Vice President – Kristi Gargan – Marketing Director for Buzz Marine; Secretary – Rick Nelsen – Senior Economic Development Consultant – Nebraska Public Power District; Treasurer – Kirsti Schack – Branch Manager First National Bank – Omaha.

Welcome to GROW Nebraska all new board members, and officers!

About the GROW Nebraska® Foundation