Connie Reimers-Hild has been named interim executive director of the Rural Futures Institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She assumed the role upon retirement of Chuck Schroeder, founding executive director of RFI, in late June. Reimers-Hild has served in the role of RFI associate executive director since May 2015, leading several strategic priorities and initiating the evaluation efforts of RFI. She has also keynoted and presented nationally on topics like future-focused leadership and strategic foresight to strengthen innovation in individuals, communities and organizations. Prior to her role at RFI, Reimers-Hild served as unit leader of the Kimmel Education and Research Center in Nebraska City.

CFRA names REAP program director

The Center for Rural Affairs recently hired Laurie Donnell as director of their small-business lending program Rural Enterprise Assistance Project. Started in 1990, REAP provides services to businesses throughout Nebraska, and is committed to strengthening rural communities through small, self-employed business development. The program offers four services: financing, business training, technical assistance and networking. Donnell brings 25 years of Small Business Administration lending experience to her new role.

Yeutter Institute’s first director announced

Jill O'Donnell recently became the first director of the Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. O'Donnell brings experience in the international arena, working with public- and private-sector partners to address 21st-century challenges with an interdisciplinary perspective. Most recently, she was a consultant to the NATO Communications and Information Agency.

UNL names new head of entomology

John Ruberson, current professor and head of the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University, will join the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Jan. 1, as head of the Department of Entomology. Gary Brewer, professor of entomology, will continue to serve as interim department head until Ruberson assumes the role. Ruberson has been at K-State since 2012. As department head, he manages personnel, curriculum, budgets and facilities for the department. In addition, he serves as departmental graduate program director and teaches one classroom course and co-teaches two online courses annually.

Gangwish elected to NCGA corn board

Deb Gangwish, farmer from Shelton, Neb., and a director for the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, was recently elected to serve on the National Corn Growers Association’s corn board. On their farm, Gangwish and her husband grow seed corn, field corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, oats, alfalfa, hay and corn silage. They also background cattle and own a trucking company. Gangwish will begin her role on NCGA’s corn board on Oct. 1.