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Joslyn Art Museum appoints Gary Gates as board chairman

The Joslyn Art Museum board of governors, current chairman John P. Nelson announced his retirement from the post he has held for the past two years. He is succeeded by Gary Gates, president and chief executive officer of Omaha Public Power District (OPPD).

Gates has served as a member of Joslyn’s board since 2005 and as vice-chairman of its executive committee since 2011. Nelson, who is chairman and chief executive officer of SilverStone Group, a risk management and consulting organization, will now lead the Joslyn Art Museum Foundation board.

Gates began his career at OPPD in September 1972. He joined the staff at Fort Calhoun Station two years later and held several positions in the nuclear organization, including reactor engineer, supervisor of operations at Fort Calhoun Station, and manager of Fort Calhoun Station.

In May 1989, Gates was named executive assistant to the president, and he was appointed division manager of nuclear operations in February 1990. He was promoted to vice president with responsibility for OPPD’s nuclear organization in November 1992. He became president and CEO in January 2004.

Local and industry board affiliations include the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL), the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), the Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation Governor’s Council, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts Mid America Council, Mutual of Omaha, Durham Museum, Boys Town National Board of Trustees, Creighton University, Heritage Services, Strategic Air Command Consultation Committee, Nebraska Military Support Coalition, Wings Over the Heartland, College World Series, and Strategic Air & Space Museum.

Gates holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Iowa State University, a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and a master’s degree in business administration from Creighton University. He and his wife, Kathy, have three children. – www.joslyn.org

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