Latest News from the Governor's Office
- Governor and Delegates Build Relationships in Czech Republic & Germany During Trade Mission November 19, 2024 jim Tue, 11/19/2024 - 21:25 CONTACT: Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495 Governor and Delegates Build Relationships in Czech Republic & Germany During Trade Mission
LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen and a delegation of agency, agriculture, manufacturing, military and university representatives completed a trade mission to the Czech Republic and Germany, two countries with which Nebraska boasts significant and positive ties. Final days in Germany included meetings with Bayer and Evonik, two companies with facilities in Nebraska. The group also took part in a meet-and-greet reception with Albers Beef, which has a reputation for selling high-quality beef from Omaha. “They have been buying Nebraska beef for over 20 years and they can’t talk enough about the quality,” said Gov. Pillen. “We’ve had an incredibly high-value trip and we’ve developed relationships with great people which will enable us to do even more business.” Jim Ramm, a cow-calf producer from Holt County and board member on the Nebraska Beef Council said he was overwhelmed by the reception the group received in Germany and the interest shown in how Nebraska producers raise and care for their animals. Now, he’s looking forward to returning the favor. “They want to come to America and come to Nebraska and see how we do things. And so, if anybody from Burwell is listening, you’ve got to make room. We’re going to have a whole lot of folks from Germany coming to the rodeo.” Gov. Pillen, Department of Economic Development (DED) Director K.C. Belitz and Director Sherry Vinton from the Department of Agriculture (NDA) also met with Hendrik Wüst, the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia. He oversees a highly populated region in Germany where key sectors include automotive, chemical, energy, nanotech, and healthcare. Dir. Belitz said he was struck by the commonalities between manufacturers that operate in Nebraska and their parent companies in Germany. A large portion of German manufacturers are still family-owned. “There are a lot of similarities in how we see the world and how their values match with ours,” said Dir. Belitz. “That’s part of why having German companies in Nebraska is such a good fit.” “We’re here to learn about German standards and the high quality they have. We’re also showing them the standards that we have in Nebraska and looking forward to working together in partnership so we can continue to produce the highest quality, safest foods that our consumers and consumers around the world demand,” said Dir. Vinton. The early part of the trade mission to the Czech Republic included a roundtable discussion with the Ministry of Agriculture. There, talks included collaborations to detect and mitigate animal disease and the signing of an agreement for sharing information and best practices on that important issue. Czechia is a significant producer of cattle, pigs, and milk products. Kris Bousquet, executive director of the Nebraska State Dairy Association (NSDA) said given the importance of dairy in Europe, this trip provided an excellent opportunity for establishing relationships with leadership from Czechia and the European Dairy Association. “Reflecting on the trade mission, our accomplishments and our understanding of the challenges the European agriculturists face, it makes me grateful to live in Nebraska, because of our state’s unwavering support of agriculture,” said Bousquet. One of the long-standing relationships Nebraska shares with the Czech Republic is through its military. For more than 30 years, the Nebraska National Guard has partnered with the Czech Armed Forces under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. Through that arrangement, representatives have taken part in mutual military exercises, information and operation sharing and dignitary visits. During the trade mission, Gov. Pillen and members of the Nebraska National Guard met with Minister Jan Lipavský with the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We talked about the evolution of that partnership and where we are heading in the future,” said Colonel John D. Williams, NENG’s Director of Joint Staff. “What we’ve done primarily over the past 30 years is worked to build interoperability and strengthen our ability to resolve conflict in the world. There is really no limit to what we’re able to do to train together and prepare together. The Czech military is easily one of our strongest allies.” While in Germany, Gov. Pillen and delegation members took part in EuroTier 2024. Gov. Pillen delivered the keynote at the Cattle & Pig Event, then returned the following day to take part in the exhibitor event, which included a display featuring Nebraska. EuroTier is focused on promoting technical and scientific advances in the food and agricultural industries and attracts thousands of exhibitors from more than 50 countries annually. “It’s clear that we make the best products, we have the best agriculture, and we have the most innovation and entrepreneurship anywhere in the world,” summarized Gov. Pillen. “And we need to continue building great relationships so that we have access to international markets. Our vision is to do the things necessary for creating more value-added agriculture in Nebraska.”Gov. Pillen delivers keynote at Cattle & Pig Event
Gov. Pillen answers audience questions at Cattle & Pig Event
Gov. Pillen presents certificate of appreciation to Albers Foods
Gov. Pillen and Hendrik Wüst, the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia
Gov. Pillen tours Evonik lab in Essen, Germany
- Gov. Pillen Appoints DHHS Director of Medicaid and Long-Term Care November 19, 2024 jim Tue, 11/19/2024 - 10:25
CONTACT:
Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495
Gov. Pillen Appoints DHHS Director of Medicaid and Long-Term Care
LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has announced his appointment of Drew Gonshorowski as director of Medicaid and Long-Term Care (MLTC) for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Gonshorowski will assume his duties on December 9, at a salary of $185,000 a year.
For the past 12 years, Gonshorowski has served as a policy analyst, most recently as senior research fellow for Paragon Health Institute and before that, with The Heritage Foundation. His current work deals largely with Medicaid and health insurance markets. He also has experience evaluating the effects of reforms on health policy, social security, and retirement issues.
Gonshorowski studied economics at Hillsdale College in Michigan and at Suffolk University in Massachusetts, where he earned his master’s degree. He will take over for Matt Ahern, who has served as interim director since last December.
“I appreciate Matt’s public service during his time at DHHS. Before accepting the role as interim, he was the deputy director for that division. I thank him for his oversight of MLTC over this past year,” said Gov. Pillen.
- Gov. Pillen Announces Appointment to Board of Parole November 15, 2024 jim Fri, 11/15/2024 - 14:05
CONTACT:
Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495
Gov. Pillen Announces Appointment to Board of Parole
LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced the appointment of Jeff Bucher to the Nebraska Board of Parole. He replaces member Robert Twiss, whose term expired in September.
Captain Bucher has been with the Lincoln Police Department since 1990. Recently, he has supervised operations for the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force and the Lincoln Gang Unit. Previous responsibilities include team captain of the Northeast Team as well as managing criminal investigations and serving as duty commander. In 2015, Bucher was recognized as the LPD Officer of the Year.
Bucher has a degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL).
The Board of Parole is comprised of five full-time members, each appointed by the Governor. One of the members is designated as the chairperson. Terms of office are six years. Law requires that at least one member be a minority, one must be a female and one must have a professional background in corrections. Appointments to the board are subject to confirmation by the Legislature.
In addition to Bucher, current board members are Rosalyn Cotton (Chair), Layne Gissler (Vice Chair), Mark Langan, and Habib Olomi.
- Gov. Pillen Announces Retirement of Labor Commissioner John Albin November 13, 2024 jim Thu, 11/14/2024 - 08:30
CONTACT:
Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495
Gov. Pillen Announces Retirement of Labor Commissioner John Albin
LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced the retirement of Department of Labor Commissioner John Albin. Albin has served the agency for 35 years in a variety of roles including general counsel, legislative liaison, and administrative law judge. He has been the commissioner since Jan. 2015, a role to which he was reappointed by Gov. Pillen. Albin’s retirement is effective Dec. 20.
“John’s length of service to the Department of Labor speaks volumes about his commitment to public service,” said Gov. Pillen. “Nebraska has been the benefit of his dedication, vision and leadership. I wish Commissioner Albin all the best as he embraces his retirement and future activities.”
Further determinations about interim leadership and the pending appointment of an agency director will be announced at a future date.
- Governor Pillen Leads State Trade Delegation to Germany November 13, 2024 jim Thu, 11/14/2024 - 08:23
CONTACT:
Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495
Governor Pillen Leads State Trade Delegation to Germany
LINCOLN, NE –Governor Jim Pillen led Nebraska’s trade delegation to Germany on Sunday, kicking off the second phase of the state trade mission to Europe. The mission to Germany follows three event-packed days in the Czech Republic, which concluded with a reception for University of Nebraska alumni on Saturday evening in Prague.
On Monday morning, Gov. Pillen held a high-level meeting with Stephan Weil, Minister President of Niedersachsen Government, to explore opportunities to grow trade. Niedersachsen, also known as Lower Saxony, is a federal state in northwestern Germany. The region is known for its ag tech innovation and is home to prominent research institutions and companies that are developing advanced agricultural practices.
While in Lower Saxony, the state delegation visited the headquarters of Continental (ContiTech) to thank the company for its investment in Nebraska. ContiTech has a major manufacturing plant in Lincoln, where it makes belts for lawnmowers, snowblowers, and combine headers—along with many other products. The business also has extensive operations in Norfolk, where it manufactures industrial and hydraulic hosing.
“In the last few days, we've met with German companies doing business in Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “We’re showing our appreciation and discussing how each company can have a greater impact in our state. Two things are very clear from our time here. First, everyone we’ve met in Germany absolutely loves the people in Nebraska. Second, they can’t talk enough about how much they love our melt-in-your-mouth Nebraska beef!”
On Monday evening, Gov. Pillen gave the keynote at EuroTier’s International Cattle and Pig Event—highlighting Nebraska’s global leadership in sustainable livestock production. EuroTier is the largest international trade fair for animal agriculture. Annually, it draws upward of 150,000 visitors. Members of the Nebraska delegation manned a large pavilion during the event, holding a special reception on Tuesday evening to showcase the state’s world-class agricultural equipment, technologies, and products.
“We learned about the precision agricultural equipment in Germany, while sharing about the standards we have in Nebraska,” said Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Sherry Vinton. “We look forward to working together in partnership to produce the high-quality, safe food that consumers around the world demand. As we do, we’re going to take care of our natural resources for this generation and generations to come.”
Gov. Pillen and members of Nebraska’s trade team met leadership of CLAAS Group on Wednesday to discuss how the state can best support the German manufacturer’s continued growth in Nebraska. Since 2001, CLAAS has produced its LEXION combine harvesters in Omaha. Matt Ristow, President of CLAAS Omaha Inc., participated in the meetings, as did Dr. Theo Freye — retired CEO of CLAAS KgaA, who now leads the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) trade office in Germany.
“This trade mission is a beneficial exchange,” said DED Director K.C. Belitz. “We've been able to share some things from Nebraska, while also learning from our German counterparts. For example, German manufacturers excel at connecting young people to great careers through apprenticeships. We’re going to bring this lesson home to make Nebraska’s economy stronger.”
On Wednesday evening, the state’s trade delegation connected with Albers Beef, a leading German company specializing in the distribution of food products, including Nebraska beef. During the gathering, Nebraska’s leaders reinforced the sustainable production, premium quality, and nutritiousness of the state’s beef products.
“The German people are friendly, cordial, and they want to learn more about Nebraska,” said Jim Ramm, a cow-calf producer from Holt County and board member of the Nebraska Beef Council. “There is a bus load of people eager to come to Nebraska to see firsthand how we do things. They’re deeply impressed by how we care for our cattle herds.”
The trade mission will wrap up on Thursday, Nov. 14, with meetings at Bayer and Evonik—along with a conference with the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia. Bayer operates crop science facilities across the Midwest, including a major research station in Beaver Crossing. Evonik is a global company that develops specialty chemicals for a variety of industries. It has produced lysine, an animal feed additive, in Blair since 2000. North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany’s most populous state and accounts for more than one-fifth of the country’s GPD.
While strengthening relationships with companies who already invest in Nebraska, the state’s trade delegation is also prioritizing recruitment meetings with German manufacturers considering expansion in the U.S. Nebraska’s trade representatives are highlighting the state’s world-class workforce; business-friendly climate, and advantageous, central location. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Germany is tied with Japan as the top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Nebraska, accounting for 27% of FDI into the state.
Exchange of gifts with Stephan Weil, Minister President of Niedersachsen Government
Gov. Pillen delivers keynote at International Cattle & Pig Event at EuroTier
Highlighting Nebraska at EuroTier
Gov. Pillen, Director of the Department of Economic Development KC Belitz, Director of the Department of Agriculture Sherry Vinton meet with Dr. Dirk Hohler of Evonik at EuroTier