Nebraska Chamber’s Leadership Nebraska selects local participant.
May 16, 2019
LINCOLN – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pleased to announce that Derek Rusher has been selected to participate in Leadership Nebraska Class XII.
Derek is President/CEO of Nebraska’s third-largest chamber, the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce. His team just received the top rating, a 5-Star distinction, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Derek maintains a strong commitment to leadership and public visibility, recognizing that both are essential to grow and sustain the mission of the Chamber. He actively works to expand the Chamber’s reach with his hands-on leadership style and innovative troubleshooting. Outside of the Chamber, Derek is President of a non-profit business, Impact Art. He possesses more than 15 years of experience as a teacher, and many more as a former collegiate athlete and coach. Derek was the 2012 Department of Health and Human Services Employee of the Year for the State of Nebraska.
He is a graduate of Hastings College with a B.A in Education. He has completed 30 hours towards a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in Education Administration. Derek also began his Institute of Organizational Management certification last year, completing year one of a four-year program.
Derek is an active member of his church and involved in a men’s group called Forge. He serves on the Junior Achievement Board and teaches a course on Entrepreneurship at Kearney High School yearly. He serves on many boards including the Buffalo County Community Partners Board, Economic Development, the Nebraska Veterans First, and Center for Rural Research & Development and the Kearney Works Board. He graduated from Leadership Kearney Class #22. Derek is also a volunteer basketball coach.
Married to wife Meggie, they have 4 daughters. He enjoys spending time with family, lake days, and tropical vacations, playing golf and basketball.
Leadership Nebraska was founded in 2006 to identify current and emerging leaders throughout the state, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing Nebraska.
Participants have been selected from different regions of the state and possess varied backgrounds and diverse talents. All candidates have demonstrated an abiding interest in Nebraska and its future.
The program consists of six sessions covering a broad range of key Nebraska issues including economic development, health care, education, agriculture, government and policy development. Class XII begins with an orientation in June and will conclude in February 2020 with a commencement in Lincoln. Sessions will be conducted throughout various locations of the state.
Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber, said: “Nebraska faces complex challenges in this new economy. To maintain and enhance our state’s competitiveness, we need well-informed, connected leaders who are ready to serve their fellow Nebraskans.”
Derek is President/CEO of Nebraska’s third-largest chamber, the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce. His team just received the top rating, a 5-Star distinction, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Derek maintains a strong commitment to leadership and public visibility, recognizing that both are essential to grow and sustain the mission of the Chamber. He actively works to expand the Chamber’s reach with his hands-on leadership style and innovative troubleshooting. Outside of the Chamber, Derek is President of a non-profit business, Impact Art. He possesses more than 15 years of experience as a teacher, and many more as a former collegiate athlete and coach. Derek was the 2012 Department of Health and Human Services Employee of the Year for the State of Nebraska.
He is a graduate of Hastings College with a B.A in Education. He has completed 30 hours towards a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in Education Administration. Derek also began his Institute of Organizational Management certification last year, completing year one of a four-year program.
Derek is an active member of his church and involved in a men’s group called Forge. He serves on the Junior Achievement Board and teaches a course on Entrepreneurship at Kearney High School yearly. He serves on many boards including the Buffalo County Community Partners Board, Economic Development, the Nebraska Veterans First, and Center for Rural Research & Development and the Kearney Works Board. He graduated from Leadership Kearney Class #22. Derek is also a volunteer basketball coach.
Married to wife Meggie, they have 4 daughters. He enjoys spending time with family, lake days, and tropical vacations, playing golf and basketball.
Leadership Nebraska was founded in 2006 to identify current and emerging leaders throughout the state, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing Nebraska.
Participants have been selected from different regions of the state and possess varied backgrounds and diverse talents. All candidates have demonstrated an abiding interest in Nebraska and its future.
The program consists of six sessions covering a broad range of key Nebraska issues including economic development, health care, education, agriculture, government and policy development. Class XII begins with an orientation in June and will conclude in February 2020 with a commencement in Lincoln. Sessions will be conducted throughout various locations of the state.
Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber, said: “Nebraska faces complex challenges in this new economy. To maintain and enhance our state’s competitiveness, we need well-informed, connected leaders who are ready to serve their fellow Nebraskans.”
