Meet Our Team

Email: loetken@nechamber.com
Phone: 531-278-1263

Executive Director

Laurel Oetken

Laurel Oetken serves as the founding executive director for Tech Nebraska and started her work leading the organization in August of 2023. Laurel has served in a variety of roles including previously leading the innovation and entrepreneurship division at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, creating marketing strategies for Nebraska-based and global clients during her time in traditional advertising, and served as one of the first marketing operational hires at Flywheel, one of Omaha’s largest and most successful technology startups. Laurel is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She currently lives in Omaha and is also an active volunteer for the Junior League of Omaha leading their fundraising efforts. 

Executive Director

Laurel Oetken

Laurel Oetken serves as the founding executive director for Tech Nebraska and started her work leading the organization in August of 2023. Laurel has served in a variety of roles including previously leading the innovation and entrepreneurship division at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, creating marketing strategies for Nebraska-based and global clients during her time in traditional advertising, and served as one of the first marketing operational hires at Flywheel, one of Omaha’s largest and most successful technology startups. Laurel is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She currently lives in Omaha and is also an active volunteer for the Junior League of Omaha leading their fundraising efforts. 

Email: loetken@nechamber.com
Phone: 531-278-1263

Executive Committee and Advisory Board.

Our Executive Committee and Advisory Board guide strategic decisions and oversee day-to-day operations for Tech Nebraska, driving our mission forward with expertise and dedication. Composed of industry experts, our advisors provide invaluable guidance, identify industry trends, and foster deeper connections within the tech community. Together, they fuel our association’s success, ensuring we remain at the forefront of technology and innovation.

Chris Dill

Chief Information Officer
Kiewit 

Allie Hopkins

Global Server Operations Area Lead
Google

Rahul Jalali

Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer
Union Pacific

Stef Seger

Community Development Regional Manager
Meta

David Tomlinson

Chief Information Officer
Scoular

Kent Sona

Vice President & Chief Information Officer
Nebraska Methodist Health System

Steve Westerman

Vice President
Cox Business

Erin Waggoner

Senior Manager, State Government Affairs
Verizon

Dan Hoffman

Chief Executive Officer
Invest Nebraska

Brody Deren

Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer
Trility

Bret Blackman

Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
University of Nebraska System

Ryan Wade

Software Solutions Director
Lutz

Dan Harbeke

Regional Head, External Affairs and Public Policy 
Google

Jeremy Reinoehl

Chief Information Officer
Tenaska

Daragh Mahon

EVP & Chief Information Officer
Werner Enterprises

Justin Webster

Chief Technology Officer
HDR

Shannon Eggert

Senior Vice President, Business Services
Valmont

Danielle Egr

Chief Technology Officer
Nelnet

Matt Harper

Chief Information & Security Officer
Monolith

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