Governor Jim Pillen announced Monday, K.C. Belitz will serve as the new Director of Economic Development for Nebraska.
“K.C. brings the perfect experience and in enthusiasm and energy to lead the Department of Economic Development and Market and sell Nebraska.” said Pillen during a press conference.
Belitz most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for the Nebraska Community Foundation. He is also a Columbus native similar to Pillen.
“I firmly believe that this is the time for us to brag about Nebraska. We have, I would suggest, an opportunity for a real renaissance in rural places generally…and so certainly, that applies to the state of Nebraska,” said Belitz when he stepped to the podium.
He also spoke to his plans as director, “I’m well aware I don’t know enough today to come in with any particular grandiose or detailed plans. My first job is going to be listening to and learning [from] the people in the agency, to the people who partner with the agency. There’s no question that that has to be how I spend the time, first off. And from there, we will build a plan that follows that vision.”
This appointment comes after former Director Tony Goins resigned in early April due to an apparent conflict of interest.
Belitz is set to takeover as director July 5th.