New Members Join Nebraska Community Foundation Board of Directors

New Members Join Nebraska Community Foundation Board of Directors

Five Nebraskans from across the state recently joined the Nebraska Community Foundation’s (NCF, NebraskaHometown.org) Board of Directors, following a unanimous vote by existing board members. Jeffrey Gerhart is chairman of the Bank of Newman Grove and president of Gerhart Insurance Agency.

Gerhart has served on the Newman Grove Community Foundation Fund, an affiliated fund of NCF, since its founding. He has also served in leadership roles for the Nebraska Independent Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America and the Federal Reserve Board of Kansas City board of directors. He is a member of the Newman Grove Community Club, United Methodist Church in Newman Grove, and the Newman Grove Masonic Lodge #305 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons.

 

 

Megan Helberg has been a member of her local NCF affiliated fund, the Calamus Area Community Fund, for six years. She proudly calls rural Loup County home, where she teaches secondary English at Burwell Public School. Helberg is passionate about Holocaust and genocide education, and she feels strongly about providing opportunities for her students that include glimpses into various cultures and ways of life. Helberg founded a travel club for her school and community members to travel together.

 

 

Dr. Chuck Hibberd grew up in Cozad and Lexington before completing degrees in Animal Science at UNL and Oklahoma state University. His 38-year career focused on teaching, research, and extension roles in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Indiana. Hibberd retired June 30, 2020 following eight years of service as Dean and Director of Nebraska Extension.

 

 

 

Adam Pavelka of Hastings is a real estate broker and farm manager with Agri Affiliates, Inc. Prior to that, he practiced law in south-central Nebraska, serving families and businesses in the areas of estate planning, business law, and real estate. He grew up on a farm near Blue Hill where he remains active in his family’s operation. Pavelka is a past president of the Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Education and serves the Adams Central FFA Alumni as treasurer.

 

 

Kent Warneke serves as director of grants and contracts at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. Following his departure from the Norfolk Daily News in 2019 after a 37-year career in the newspaper business, he was named editor emeritus. Warneke’s civic involvement includes serving on the board of directors and chairman of the Nebraska Press Association, the Nebraska District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, and the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

To learn more about the Nebraska Community Foundation, visit NebraskaHometown.org.