LINCOLN – The voting members of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Board of Directors elected new officers during their board meeting March 6, 2023.
The NARD Board consists of representation from each of the Nebraska’s 23 Natural Resources Districts (NRDs). The board meets five times throughout the year and helps guide the association and NRDs in decision making that protects lives, property and the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. The NARD Risk Pool Board governs the health insurance program for NRD employees.
Dr. Orval Gigstad, NARD President (Syracuse, Nebraska)
The NARD Board and NARD Risk
Pool Board elected Dr. Orval Gigstad from the Nemaha NRD as president.
Gigstad has served on the Nemaha NRD Board since 1993 and the NARD Board
since 1996. He also serves as chair of the
National Association of Conservation Districts Northern Plains Region.
Previously, Gigstad served as NARD president from 2002-2004. A
practicing veterinarian for more than 45 years, he operates the Arbor
Valley Animal Clinic in Syracuse. Gigstad and his wife
Carolyn have two children, Grady and Amber, and grandchildren, Quincy
and Amelia.
Marty Graff, NARD Vice President (Ainsworth, Nebraska)
Marty Graff of the Middle
Niobrara NRD was elected as vice president of the NARD Board and NARD
Risk Pool Board. Graff has served on the Middle Niobrara NRD Board 28
years and on the NARD boards since 2018. He farms
with his wife, Brenda, and sons near Ainsworth. Off the farm, Graff
serves on the East Woodlawn Cemetery Board (Johnstown, Nebraska) and is
active in the Elks Club helping with youth baseball and wrestling.
Ryan Reuter, NARD Secretary-Treasurer (Minatare, Nebraska)
Ryan Reuter of the North
Platte NRD was elected secretary-treasurer of the NARD Board and NARD
Risk Pool Board. Reuter, a sales manager with Betaseed and ACH Seeds,
has served on the North Platte NRD and NARD boards
since 2018. Reuter and his wife Amie have two daughters, Avery and
Addison.
Jim Eschliman, NARD Past President (Ericson, Nebraska)
Jim Eschliman from the Lower
Loup NRD serves as past president of the NARD Board and NARD Risk Pool
Board. He served as president from 2020-2022 and has been on the boards
since 2016. Eschliman has served on the Lower
Loup NRD Board 17 years, is the current chairman, and has also served
on the program and projects committee. Eschliman also serves on his
local co-op board and the Cattleman’s Beef Board. After selling his
dairy cows in 2018, he considers himself retired and
resides near Ericson with his wife, Deb.
In addition to the president, vice president, secretary-treasurer and past president, the NARD Board executive committee includes Jim Meismer, Legislative Committee chair representing the Twin Platte NRD, and Jim Johnson, Information and Education Committee chair representing the South Platte NRD.