I am 1/4 owner and operator of Scratchtown Brewing Company in Ord, Nebraska. My role is company President and lead business developer. I move units and guide overall company strategy.We make world class beer in a hidden corner of the world: the Sandhills of Nebraska. We are a mission driven company that seeks to create positive change in our community.If you like what we're brewing, check us out online at www.scratchtown.beer

The Great Plains Omnivore is my attempt to document, advocate and motivate people interested in changing their community through modalities that are entirely local. This is my attempt to document my own life story, in real time. When I was much younger, I wanted to change the world. I’ve found that the best way to do that is to start in your own back yard.

I assist area businesses in meeting their goals and objectives through University of Nebraska Extension. I work in a three-county region that includes Cherry, Custer and Valley Counties.

I served as Executive Director of the Valley County Economic Development Board, the Ord Area Chamber of Commerce, the Valley County Tourism Advisory Committee and the New Neighborhoods Developer, LLC for five years. I was charged with leading a comprehensive, county organization which serves as the primary catalyst for economic growth and development in Valley County Nebraska.I served eight Board of Directors and lead a staff of three, including myself.Our primary objectives included:- Human capital retention and attraction- Assisting county business development and expansion- Small business funding suport- Strategic community planning- Community development project implementation- Public policy outreach and developmentThe Valley County Economic Development Board, founded in 2000, has received national acclaim for nearly twelve years. It was my privilege to lead this effort and help our area determine a new future.

In my short time working for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, I had the opportunity to engage both public and private partners to build strong solutions for workforce development and delivery. Prior to the recession, acute workforce shortages were hampering companies ability to grow. Additionally, the GOCC embarked on several community redevelopment projects at that same time. Our efforts had a dual purpose in mind: solve the workforce challenge by creating opportunity in underserved and poverty stricken areas. We addressed the shortages at manufacturing and financial services industries by connecting those corporate clients with workers in North Omaha.In addition, I spent a great deal of my time developing relationships to build a stronger tri-county workforce collaborative in the Greater Omaha region.My duties also included:- Workforce partnership project development, implementation and management- Business needs assessment- Post-secondary collaborative liaison- Development of metro career awareness to unemployed/underemployed workers

Research, project, program & policy consultant investigating methods & strategies to overcome depopulation & workforce shortages in Nebraska.

Managed & marketed sales region in U.S. Northeast, including NYC, Boston, Pittsburgh & Cleveland at a health care research company.