Board Elections and Duties

A democracy is built upon the concepts of citizen government and local control. This is exemplified by locally-elected board members serving the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District. Each board member is elected from a subdistrict to serve a four-year term. Subdistrict boundaries are determined by population, with each election subdistrict approximately equal. The Board sets policy for Papio NRD programs and projects while providing direction to a staff of resource experts that carry out the day-to-day activities.

The Board welcomes public input and meets the second Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at the Papio NRD Headquarters, 8901 S. 154th Street, Omaha, NE.

Front row: Fred Conley, Jim Thompson, Tim Fowler, Ted Japp. Back row: Rich Tesar, Josh Henningsen, Patrick Bonnett, Tim McCormick, Larry Bradley, Kevyn Sopinski, Phil Davidson

 

 

Papio NRD Board of Directors

Ted Japp

Subdistrict – 1

Ted Japp, Blair

Ted Japp, DC, is a retired chiropractor who received his doctoral degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University. Ted lives in Blair and his interests include hunting, fishing, softball, reading, health and fitness, travel, and biblical studies. He is also an advocate for developmentally disabled individuals. Ted served on numerous committees and held memberships within his profession. He is a past president of a Lions club. Ted and his wife Lori have three children. Director Japp joined the Papio NRD Board in 2017. You can reach Director Japp at tedjappnrd@gmail.com.

Fred Conley

Subdistrict – 2

Fred Conley, Omaha

Fred Conley is the Enterprise Zone Coordinator with the Greater Omaha Workforce Development. He holds a BS degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a JD from Creighton University, and has taken graduate courses in counseling. Active in the community, Fred serves on the boards of the Omaha Small Business Network Board and the Butler-Gast YMCA. Fred joined the Papio NRD Board in 1999, after serving two years on the District’s first elected board in 1975. He and his wife Teresa have three children.

Larry Bradley

Subdistrict – 3

Larry Bradley, Omaha

A former board member, Larry Bradley rejoined the Papio NRD Board in January 2017. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (President of the Father Flanagan Div.), and a member of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Larry enjoys hiking, fishing, and hunting. He holds numerous degrees from UNO and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Director Bradley is married to Dr. Sylvia Rael and they have a daughter and son.

Tim McCormick

Subdistrict – 4

Tim McCormick, Omaha

Vice-Chairperson

Tim McCormick joined the Papio NRD Board in 2019. Tim is a managing member of McC LLC , a local bridge and piling construction company.  He has a civil engineering degree from the University of Notre Dame and more than 40 years of experience in construction. Tim has five grown children. You can reach Director McCormick at timmccormicknrd@gmail.com.

Richard Tesar

Subdistrict – 5

Rich Tesar, Waterloo

Secretary & NARD Director

This is Rich Tesar’s eighth term in office. Rich is the retired owner of Rich Tesar Outdoors, a professional hunting and fishing outfitting service in Nebraska and South Dakota. His involvement with the outdoors also included his role as President of the Sokol Camp Association. Before his retirement in 2020, he managed the recreational area located on the Platte River in western Douglas County. Rich was first appointed by Governor Heineman in 2007, and again in 2013 and 2020 by Governor Ricketts, to represent the Second Congressional District on Nebraska’s Riparian Vegetation Task Force, where he served as chair of the Survey and Monitoring Committee.  He enjoys hunting, fishing, target shooting, and training Labrador retrievers. Rich remains very active as a Second Amendment advocate. He and his wife Mary have two sons and are enjoying their three grandchildren. Rich served on the Papio NRD Board from 1984-1992, and joined the board again in 2001.

Jim Thompson

Subdistrict – 6

Jim Thompson, Omaha

Jim Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Minnesota.  He worked in the federal government in contracting and material management for the VA Medical Center in Omaha and held various sales positions since his retirement. Jim is active with the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Leavenworth Neighborhood Association, the Destination Midtown effort, and has served on numerous citizen advisory committees on environmental issues for the City of Omaha and surrounding area. Jim also served on the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission. He and his wife Cindy have a son and two daughters. Jim was elected to the Papio NRD Board in 2002 after previously serving from 1997-98.

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Subdistrict – 7

Josh Henningsen, Omaha

Josh Henningsen joined the Papio NRD Board in 2022. He is a committee legal counsel for the Nebraska Legislature. Josh received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas and a J.D. from the University of lowa. He started practicing law in Omaha in 2007 and began working for the Nebraska Legislature in 2015, where he gained extensive experience with the legislative process and interacting with constituents on a wide variety of issues. Josh and his wife Christine have three children. You can reach Director Henningsen at josh.henningsen@gmail.com.

Tim Fowler

Subdistrict – 8

Tim Fowler, Omaha

Treasurer & Alternate NARD Director

Tim Fowler is a Sr. Defense Research Analyst for Riverside Research at USSTRATCOM, Offutt AFB.  He is also a Retired Naval Commander serving 25 years. In his spare time, Tim is active in various military and professional groups including the St. Thomas More’s Men’s™ Club, Jr. Vice Commander of Disabled American Veteran’s Post #2 in Omaha,  South Omaha Neighborhood Association, and the Robin Hill Pool Association. Tim holds a BA from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and he and his wife Teresa have five children. He joined the Papio NRD Board in January of 2003.

Patrick Bonnett

Subdistrict – 9

Patrick Bonnett, Papillion

Assistant Treasurer

A former board member, Patrick Bonnett rejoined the Papio NRD Board in 2021. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) with a BGSGA in Real Estate and Land Use Economics. He also holds an Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies and several post-graduate professional designations. He is a member of NAIFA the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors, NATP the National Association of Tax Preparers and NAPA the National Association of Professional Agents. Patrick is also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the American Legion Millard Post and the Millard Alumni Association. Patrick is single and enjoys yard work, volunteering and youth sports with his daughter. You can contact Director Bonnett at patbonnett@encoretaxprep.com.

Kevyn Sopinkski

Subdistrict – 10

Kevyn Sopinski, Papillion

Chairperson

Kevyn Sopinski is a Senior Partner at Pathfinder Wealth Advisors. He holds a BSBA of economics and finance from Creighton University and an MBA from Bellevue University. Kevyn is a member of the Papillion Lions Club, Papillion Downtown Business Association, Chairman of the CHI Midlands Hospital Community Board, and a member of the Papillion La Vista Schools Foundation Board of Directors.  Kevyn joined the Papio NRD Board in 2019. He and his wife Martha have two children. Kevyn enjoys hunting, camping, golf, and spending time with family and friends outdoors. You can reach Chairman Sopinski at skipapio@gmail.com.

Phil Davidson

Subdistrict – 11

Phil Davidson, Bellevue

Phil Davidson joined the Papio NRD Board in 2021. He is Community Relations Coordinator for the City of Bellevue. Phil is president of the Bellevue Community Foundation and a Bellevue Public Schools board member. He holds a Bachelor of Science in management from Bellevue University. Phil is a sports fan who enjoys playing golf and traveling in his spare time. He and his wife Trisha have two sons. You can contact Director Davidson at phil3950@gmail.com.

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