Our Board Members

The GROW Nebraska® board members give direction and insight to this statewide nonprofit training and marketing organization. Serving over 460 Nebraska small businesses, the organization provides marketing opportunities, education, and training to launch and connect Nebraska businesses to the global marketplace. GROW Nebraska’s® educational programs receive federal and state funding, along with generous support from foundations and individual donors

GROW Nebraska Board

The GROW Nebraska® board members give direction and insight to this statewide nonprofit training and marketing organization. Serving over 400 Nebraska small businesses, the organization provides marketing opportunities, education, and training to launch and connect Nebraska businesses to the global marketplace. GROW Nebraska’s® educational programs receive federal and state funding, along with generous support from foundations and individual donors.

Kent Grisham
President

Lincoln, NE | Nebraska Trucking Association

Kristi Gargan
Vice President

Kearney, NE | Wilkins Architecture Design Planning LLC

Kirsti Schack
Director

Kearney, NE | Business Professional

Kevin Black
Treasurer

Wisner, NE | Pinnacle Bank- Wisner

Jessica Kraus
Director

Holdrege, NE | Lost Way Brewery Co-Owner

Rick Nelson
Secretary

Lincoln, NE | Nebraska Public Power District

Marcia White
Director

Lincoln, NE | University Nebraska Foundation

A. David McIntosh
Director

Kearney, NE | Entrepreneur

Gary Peterson
Director

Loup City, NE | Peterson Legal Services

Mercedes Fontes
Director

Omaha, NE | Entrepreneur

Mike Young
Director

Grand Island, NE | GIX Logistics, Inc.

Marla Marx
Director

Loup City, NE | USDA Rural Development

GROW Nebraska Women’s Business Center Advisory Board

The GROW Nebraska® Women’s Business Center Advisory board members are committed to empowering women, minority, and veteran entrepreneurs to connect, grow, and prosper together. They ensure the Women’s Business Center is able to fulfill its mission to provide real-time resources, education, and training to Nebraska entrepreneurs.

Janell Anderson Ehrke
Advisor

GROW Nebraska® Foundation CEO

Jim Reiff
Advisor

Executive Director, Nebraska Enterprise Fund

Tashira Wilson
Advisor

President, True Purpose Omaha

Chardale Barnes
Advisor

CEO, Stable Gray

Justin Tyree
Advisor

CEO, Tyree Law LLC

Karine Sokpoh
Advisor

Executive Director, Midlands African Chamber

Veronica Doga
Advisor

Executive Director, APEX Accelerator

Johnny Nesbit
Advisor

Community and Employee Involvement Manager, First National Bank of Omaha

David Vaughn
Advisor

One Stop Supervisor, Heartland Workforce Solutions

Marcos Hernandez
Advisor

Market President for Nebraska and Southwest Iowa

Jermaine Ballard
Advisor

Vice President of College & Career Readiness, Jesuit Academy and Urban League of NE

GROW Nebraska Honorary Board Members

*Deceased

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