Background
He was born in Columbus, Nebraska on February 6, 1952.
He was born in Columbus, Nebraska on February 6, 1952.
He received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Wayne State College in 1974 and an Master of Education from Wayne State in 1975.
In 1976 he became a high school teacher in American government and economics in the York, Nebraska public schools. He served on the York City Council from 1986 to 1996, and became Mayor of York in 1996. He was elected to the Legislature in 2006 serving Nebraska"s 24th legislative district.
He became the Speaker of the Legislature in 2013 when Mike Flood retired due to term limits.
Due to term limits, he did not seek re-election to the Legislature in 2014. He was succeeded as Speaker by Galen Hadley.
Nonpartisanism, Republican Party.
He served as chairman of the Education Committee and a member of the Revenue committee. Committee On Committees. Developmental Disabilities Special Investigative committee.
Education Commission of the States committee.
Legislature"s Planning Committee. And the Midwestern Higher Education Compact Commission.
As Speaker he did not serve on standing committees, but was a member of the Executive Board several other boards within the Legislature.