Three new directors will join the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District’s board of directors when the board convenes for its January monthly meeting. One board incumbent was re-elected.
Nancy Garrelts of Holdrege will represent Phelps County after winning an uncontested election on Nov. 3. Garrelts is a third generation farmer with her husband and children in Phelps and Harlan counties. She practiced law for 25 years before retiring to work full-time on the family farm.
She has previously served on the PCDC Board of Directors, Holdrege Housing Authority Board and Phelps Memorial Health Center Board. Garrelts has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a juris doctor degree (JD) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Garrelts fills the position that was held by her father Roger Olson of Holdrege, who is retiring from the board after serving since 1997. She becomes the first female to be elected to the CNPPID Board of Directors.
Dale Blum of Axtell defeated incumbent Dudley Nelson for a Kearney County seat on the board. Blum was raised on a diversified farm in northeast Nebraska and has farmed in Kearney and Franklin Counties for 40 years. He is a Central District water user.
He has served as a basketball official for over 28 years and is a Teammates board member and mentor.
Blum replaces Nelson who had served on the board since 1997 and is the sitting treasurer.
Greg Wilke of North Platte will represent Lincoln County after defeating Kyle Shepherd for a seat on the board. Wilke has been in financial leadership positions for decades including eight years as Bank President of First National Bank & Trust in North Platte and Western Nebraska Regional President for FNBO.
He currently serves as Chairman of the North Platte Community Redevelopment Authority. In the past he has chaired the North Platte Planning Commission, the Board of Adjustment and the North Platte Area Chamber & Development board. He also has served on church boards, volunteers with Lincoln County 4-H and was a youth soccer and baseball coach. Wilke is a Holdrege High School and University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate.
Wilke replaces Shepherd who has served on the board since 2020 and is the sitting president.
Also re-elected to a new six-year term was Tim Boyle of Elwood who represents Gosper County and is currently the board secretary. Boyle defeated one opponent to win the election and begin his second term on the board after being elected in 2020.