The stakes are high as Nebraska manufacturers seek to drive down transportation costs and communities recruit and retain businesses. Focused on moving products and growing the Nebraska economy in the global marketplace, industry leaders explore supply chain optimization, emerging trends across transportation sectors and discuss practical steps communities can take to assess and market specific locations. With time allocated for discussion, bring your questions to this session of the 2017 Governor’s Economic Summit!

Presentations by:
• Kyle Schneweis, Director at Nebraska Department of Roads
• Courtney Dentlinger, Director at Nebraska Department of Economic Development
• Rick Langer, President and Managing Director at Quetica
• Transportation Panel
  • Kyle Schneweis, Director at Nebraska Department of Roads
  • Deb Miller, Commissioner at Surface Transportation Board
  • Craig Stoffel, Vice President Global Logistics at Werner Enterprises
• Courtney Dunbar, Industrial Program and Economic Development Leader at Olsson Associates
• PowerPoint (PDF)

Lindsey Woolsey, President at The Woolsey Group

Every community in Nebraska is responsible for stabilizing and growing their local economies, and for ensuring community members get good jobs. But who is ultimately responsible? How does any community balance growing their economy with ensuring jobseekers get a foothold in that economy? Next Generation Sector Partnerships are one response. Up and running in a half dozen states and over 30 communities, the model is a powerful testimony to an industry-driven, community-supported equation. Lindsey Woolsey is a founder of the model and the national movement it has inspired.

PowerPoint (PDF)

In the future economy, it will not be all about GPA’s and test scores, it will be about skills as the new currency in the employment world. The Commissioner of Education, Matt Blomstedt, will present how the Department of Education is advancing ideas and partnerships that enhance pathways to career opportunities for Nebraska students. Commissioner Blomstedt will then lead a panel discussion on strategies that connect students, teachers and employers, including the Governor’s Developing Youth Talent Initiative. How do we effectively spark student engagement? How can education and business intentionally partner to inspire and prepare today’s students for the exciting opportunities of tomorrow’s workforce?

PowerPoint (PDF)

Panel Presenters:
• Pat Nauroth, Beatrice Public Schools
• Brian Turner, Distefano Technology and Manufacturing

Nebraska business leaders understand that skilled workers want to build their careers in communities with safe neighborhoods and turnkey housing. Over the past several years, limited housing availability across the state has initiated creativity in workforce housing solutions to recruit and retain talent. A growing number of Nebraska communities are building support for new housing developments through innovation, community leadership, and public-private partnerships. Utilizing economic resources at the state and local levels is key to future success within Nebraska’s housing market. Members of this panel will share housing solutions, all of which are unique to each of their Nebraska communities.

Panel Presenters:
• Cliff Mesner, Mesner Development
• John Madsen, Stuart Development Corporation
• Brian Bywater, Schuyler Community Development, Inc.

Japan is one of Nebraska’s most important economic partners. Importing $1.1 billion worth of goods from Nebraska annually, Japan is the most important market for Nebraska outside of North America. Moreover, Japanese companies are an important source of employment for Nebraskans across the state. In the past 10 years alone, Japanese companies have invested approximately $5.9 billion in the Nebraska economy. In addition to growing trade and inbound investment, Japan and Nebraska are bound together by cultural exchanges, which are oftentimes facilitated by the five campuses of the Nebraska University System. During the Governor’s Panel, leading figures in the development of this bilateral relationship will discuss the various aspects of the Nebraska-Japan relationship.

Panel Discussion led by Governor Pete Ricketts:
• Kazuhiro Suzuki, Minister for Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Japan
  PowerPoint (PDF)
• Mike Boyle, Sr. Vice President and COO at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., USA
  PowerPoint (PDF)
• Greg Lickteig, Director at the Scoular Company
  PowerPoint (PDF)
• Douglas A. Kristensen, Chancellor at the University of Nebraska-Kearney

Transportation is an economic lifeline for Nebraska, and significant investments are being made to improve the system. Join our discussion with NDOT Director Kyle Schneweis and former Florida DOT Secretary Tom Barry regarding the opportunities and challenges of delivering a 21st century transportation system in Nebraska. In a facilitated format, discuss current and future polices and framework that govern how Nebraska and other states plan, build and maintain transportation systems today – and examine emerging national trends.

reVISION is a strategic, data-driven approach that provides Nebraska schools with the opportunity to analyze and transform their current Career Education System in order to improve their ability to educate a qualified workforce that meets industry needs within an ever-changing economy. Working in collaboration with postsecondary education, the Nebraska Departments of Labor and Economic Development, and regional workforce and economic development leaders, reVISION engages career educators, school administrators, school counselors, community stakeholders, and industry professionals as full partners in the development of education, workforce, and economic development strategies vital to sustaining and growing the local and state economies. Amazing leaps forward in the quality and focus of Career and Technical Education in participating schools have been a hallmark of reVISION. This session will include highlights from two of our participating schools who have found amazing success as a result of the reVISION process.

Panel Discussion led by Rich Katt, State Director of Nebraska Career Education at the Nebraska Department of Education:
• Lynne Webster, High School Counselor at Boone Central High School
• Dr. Jeff Hoffman, Norfolk Career Academy Coordinator at Norfolk Public Schools
• Mickie Mueller, Education Technology Facilitator at Norfolk Public Schools

PowerPoint (PDF)

This session will provide a brief overview of the Nebraska Developing Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI), a program that connects young Nebraskans to careers in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Gov. Ricketts proposed the DYTI in January 2015 to foster partnerships between private industries and public schools to promote engagement in hands-on career exploration and relevant workplace learning for 7th and 8th grade students.

Education is undeniably tied to workforce development, but today’s modern workforce demands new practices, delivery systems, and content. The Nebraska Education Innovation Grant was first awarded in 2017 to five recipients across the state to incentivize such innovative practices, embed evaluation, and consider the impact of replicating these projects statewide. Grantees included two career academy models, a personalized learning initiative, a data systems alignment project, and expanded learning opportunities. This session will focus on these innovative practices and how these initiatives will help create a ready workforce. Panelists will discuss their involvement in their Innovation Grant, and how these will contribute to the economic vitality and growth of their communities.

Panel Discussion led by Lane Carr, Innovation Grant Manager with the Nebraska Department of Education:
• Josh Jones, Resource Teacher at The Career Academy Lincoln
• Dr. Cherie Larson, Director of Instructional Services at Plattsmouth Community Schools
• Dr. Mark Weichel, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning at Westside Community Schools

PowerPoint (PDF)