The Chief Operating Officer of the Nebraska Community Foundation has been tapped to become the next Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
Governor Jim Pillen Monday announced that after an extensive search and three interviews, K.C. Belitz is his choice to fill the post.
In making the announcement during a news conference in Lincoln, Pillen said Belitz brings the perfect experience and enthusiasm for the agency and the state. “(It’s) really important to have a Director that really understands how important the culture of an organization and the team is, and the Department of Economic Development’s team needs to have an incredible focus on culture, and understanding we are public servants, and operational excellence is important,” Pillen said.
Belitz, a Columbus native, told reporters it’s an opportunity to make life better, and helps keep a promise made in 1995 as his father was dying.
“I make a promise to him and to myself, that I would follow his legacy of doing exactly that, making life better for people around me,” said Belitz. “And so this is an extraordinary gift to me, personally and professionally, to be put into a position where hopefully, I can do that for people that are on the team, internally, but also for Nebraskans writ large.”
Belitz will take over the reins of the agency July 5, filling the post vacated by Tony Goins earlier this year.