NBDC's Loren Kucera Named 2019 NEDA Professional of the Year

Omaha, Nebraska – Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is pleased to announce that Loren Kucera, NBDC Center Director (Wayne, NE) has been named the 2019 Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) Professional of the Year in the service provider category.

The award was presented by NEDA, the largest association of economic development professionals in Nebraska at its Annual Conference in Wayne on June 13, 2019. Kucera is the Center Director at Wayne State College for the Nebraska Business Development Center. He is recognized for his accomplishments and dedicated service to economic growth in the State of Nebraska.

Kucera has been employed in economic development for the last twenty-five years. After receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at Wayne State College and his Master of Business Administration from the University of South Dakota.

Loren has been active in many economic development and other professional organizations over the years. He currently serves on the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District, has served on the board of directors for the Nebraska Economic Development Corporation since 1996, and just recently completed six years, including a year as President on the Board of Directors of the Northeast Economic Development, Inc. He is also a member of the Norfolk Area Small Business Resource Team and serves as Treasurer for the Northeast Network.

In his current position with NBDC, Kucera has been involved in many notable accomplishments over the years, including the preparation of 554 business loan applications of those 554 applications, 442 for nearly $250MM creating or retaining 3,353 jobs since 1994.

"Loren Kucera is so well-deserving of the Professional of the Year honor from the Nebraska Economic Developers Association," says NBDC State Director, Catherine Lang. "Not only does Loren provide vital services through the Nebraska Business Development Center supported by Wayne State College, he is a valued partner in the Northeast Nebraska. The NBDC family is so proud of Loren and wish him congratulations for this recognition."