Jan 15, 2022

Keith County Area Development names co-directors

Posted Jan 15, 2022 1:30 PM

News Release Keith County Area Development

Keith County Area Development (KCAD) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Mary Wilson and Lisa Kraus will serve as co-directors following the recent resignation of Executive Director Regina Carlini.

"We are thrilled to have both Mary and Lisa on board to direct our organization," said KCAD Board President Laci Mueller. "They have each developed expertise and experience in economic development, and they have shown a passion for working strategically to better our community.

"While we were sad to see the resignation of former director Carlini, we wish her the best and we are excited about the new opportunities that this co-directorship brings." continued Mueller.

Wilson previously served as KCAD Executive Director from 2016 until spring 2021. She subsequently continued to support KCAD's housing efforts on a contractual basis. KCAD provides administrative and technical support to the Keith County Housing Development Corporation. Wilson had announced her previous resignation to allow more time to support her family and their U-Save Pharmacy businesses. Wilson holds a bachelor's degree in vocational business education from the University of Nebraska, Kearny, and has previously working in economic development at Dawson Area Development in Lexington She and her husband Brian have two daughters, ages six and two.

Kraus has worked at KCAD since March 2020, most recently as the Office and Program Specialist and she oversaw all programs during the executive director vacancy. Kraus holds a bachelor's degree from Doane College (now Doane University) and a master's degree from The George Washington University. Prior to returning to her hometown of Ogallala, Kraus worked in international education at the U.S. Department of State. Kraus and her husband, Richard Gibson, are owners of Second Chapter Brewery, which is slated to open in 2022 in Ogallala's former Goodall City Library. They have a son and a daughter, ages 5 and 2 respectively.

"Our community is well poised to take advantage of a number of growth and development opportunities that are on the horizon," Mueller added. "We are confident that Mary and Lisa will continue to foster strong and progressive partnerships for growth."

With Wilson and Kraus jointly serving as director of the organization , KCAD has announced that is recruiting for both a program specialist and office assistant. Both positions are currently open for application. More information can be found at www.kcad.org.