Thompson named chairman of Nebraska Public Power District board

Gary Thompson was elected chairman of the board of directors of the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) last week.

Barry DeKay of Niobrara was elected as first vice chairman, while Bill Johnson of Pilger was elected as second vice chairman, and Jerry Chlopek of Columbus was elected secretary.

“I appreciate the honor of being elected by the members of the board of directors to this leadership role for 2018,” Thompson said. “Public power continues to be an essential ingredient to the economic strength of Nebraska. I expect the Board will continue to work with our outstanding District personnel towards providing low cost, reliable, and sustainable electricity to our customers throughout the state.”

Thompson has been on the Nebraska Public Power board since January 1993. Most recently, he served as vice chairman in 2017. He has also served as second vice chairman and was committee chair for Benefits & Labor, Customer Services, Strategic Planning, Energy Supply and Nuclear committee.

Thompson, an attorney in Beatrice, Nebraska, graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Law School.

The board also elected NPPD Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Traci Bender as treasurer, re-appointed Donna Starzec as assistant treasurer, and installed Christine Pillen as deputy assistant treasurer. Further, Jan Modelski was re-appointed as assistant secretary and Sandra Keefover was named deputy assistant secretary.