Hiner Steps Down as OTCF President, Tuggle Named to Post

Hiner Steps Down as OTCF President, Tuggle Named to Post
June 15th, 2021 | Scott Miller

The Oregon Trail Community Foundation would like to announce the retirement of long-time Board President Travis Hiner, and the new appointment of Board Member Rick Tuggle as the new Board President.

Travis Hiner began serving on the OTCF Board of Directors for thirty-eight years, and has been a member since its inception forty-three years ago. As Board President, Travis has been the driving force of the community foundation, growing its membership, investment portfolio and rock-solid reputation in our WyoBraska region.

When asked why Travis has invested so many years of his life to the Oregon Trail Community Foundation, Travis expressed that “A community foundation such as OTCF provides its citizens an easy way to leave cash or assets for the betterment of their community. In rural Nebraska especially, we cannot expect State or Federal governments to improve our quality of life. Each of us, according to our ability, need to contribute to our communities. I have been a member since the inception of OTCF and we have grown substantially by attracting like-minded citizens who contribute directly to OTCF and/or set up individual funds that address specific problems in our communities. Our Board of Directors consists of 19 highly regarded leaders in the communities whose sole purpose is to help sustain and improve our communities. They are dedicated to making sure that the donations to OTCF and/or funds are used as the donors have designated. We realize that donor trust is crucial to our growth. I believe OTCF is a crucial organization for the communities we serve for the long- term sustainability of the places we live.”

Cricket Simmons looks back at her time serving with Travis on the Board of Directors: “I have served with Travis on the board of the Oregon Trail Community Foundation for 38 years. He, more than anyone else, is responsible for making the foundation the positive force in the community it has become and will continue to be. The foundation has been responsible for enormous good in the WyoBraska area, and he was the engine that pulled the train. We all owe him a debt of gratitude.”

The Oregon Trail Community Foundation board of directors is pleased to announce that it has named Rick Tuggle as its new Board President effective April 2021. Tuggle, being an energetic community leader and seasoned nonprofit supporter, brings a wealth of leadership experience and a passion for positive change within our panhandle communities.

Tuggle has been a banker for twenty-nine years and has lived in Scottsbluff since 2001. During that time Rick has enjoyed the many benefits of working and living in a small community. He has volunteered as Cub Master for Pack 61 in Gering and enjoyed working with his family on 4-H projects. Rick has been a Lions Club member for over fifteen years. He was club President in 2006 and has been Co-Chair of the
youth basketball tournament fund raiser for twelve years. Rick has had the opportunity to Chair the Panhandle Chapter of the American Red Cross and is the current Treasurer of the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation. Rick likes to work with young students by giving tours of the bank and teaching classes on personal finance and avoiding identity theft.

“It is my great pleasure to work with the OTCF. The board and staff have done so much for our
wonderful communities. The OTCF will continue to make our communities a better place to live and I am excited to be a part of continuing that legacy into the future,” says Tuggle.

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