Ken Schilz is a life long resident of  Keith County and is the oldest of three siblings.  He attended St. Luke's Catholic Elementary School and graduated in 1987 from Ogallala Senior High.  He attended UNL and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1992.

 

Ken returned home to Ogallala and began working on the family farm, McGinley Schilz Co. That same year he and Deb married.  Ken was the 3rd generation to come back to the family farm at Brule.  He worked closely with his father Dennis, his grandfather

Leo, as well as his brother Steve. During the time he worked on the family farm he became interested in water issues and in 1995 was asked to serve on the Nebraska Water Users Board of Directors.  In 1996 Ken was named President of the Water Users and spent the next year working state wide water issues.  He still sits on the Nebraska Water Users Board of Directors today as Vice President.  Ken was appointed to former Governor Johann’s Platte River Advisory Committee.  He currently serves on the Water Policy Task Force as well as the Twin Platte Natural Resources District Integrated Management Plan Taskforce.   


In 1996 Ken was transferred to the feed yard side of the family business.  He worked his way into managing the yard but not before he performed jobs like cleaning water tanks, scraping and hauling manure, and processing cattle.  He learned the importance of getting the details right.  By 1997 Ken had been named yard manager for McGinley Schilz feed yard.  In 2000 he was named General Manager of the yard.  During his tenure as GM the feed yard grew its natural feeding program as well as becoming a Premier Partner with Certified Angus Beef in 2003.  That same year McGinley Schilz Feed yard was awarded the Certified Angus Beef Progressive Partner of the year.  This achievement is awarded to the feed yard or producer that demonstrates progressive leadership in the beef industry.  In 2005 McGinley Schilz Feed yard was awarded the Certified Angus Beef Large Feed Yard of the Year Award.  This award is presented to the feed yard (15,000 head or more) that demonstrates the ability to gather, organize, and move data through the supply chain.  McGinley Schilz Feed yard was chosen from 80 yards vying for the award.  Ken is a member of Nebraska Cattlemen where he serves as Vice Chair of the Marketing Committee.  Ken is a;sp a member of Nebraska Farm Bureau.  These organizations work closely together on issues that are important to the State of Nebraska and the states agricultural community.

 

Ken and Deb have two children, son Jake and daughter Libby.  Deb works as Agency Manager of Western Insurors.  Family fun includes hunting, fishing, camping, family sports.  Both children are busy with school and extracurricular activities.  Ken is also active as a volunteer in many community organizations.  Heis a life long member of St Luke's Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus.  He Serves as President of Keith County Area Development.  During his tenure as President, KCAD, Ogallala received the distinction of being a Certified Economic Development Community, one of only ten in the state at the time.  He serves on the Keith County Community Foundation Board of  Directors.  He is a member of the Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Ogallala Planning and Zoning Board. 

Ken has long believed in serving his community and being a proactive leader. Ken enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and backpacking as well as hunting and fishing.  Like any good life-long Nebraskan, he is a Husker fan through and through.   

 

Kenneth E. Schilz

P.O. Box 3

Ogallala, NE 69153

kenschilz@charter.net

Education

Ogallala High School Graduate 1987
University Of Nebraska Lincoln 1987-1992
                     -Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration

Employment

McGinley Schilz Co. 1992 – 1995
                     -Duties included all aspects of farming

McGinley Schilz Feed yard 1995 to present
                     -Feed yard Manager of 18,000 head cattle feeding/back grounding facility that encompasses all              
                      aspects of feed yard duties including feed scheduling, supervisory positions, head of cattle procurement

3rd Generation Ownership in Red Willow Cattle Company, McGinley Schilz Company, Schilz Land, and Schilz Farms

Local Civic Organization Memberships

-Water Education Committee Member for Lake McConaughy Visitors Center 2006-present

-Western Irrigation District Member 2000-present

-Keith County Area Development Member 2002-present

-Business Membership Chair 2002-2004

-President of Keith County Area Development 2005-present

-St Luke’s Catholic Church Member Lifetime

-Ogallala Planning Commission Board Member 2006-present

-Keith County Community Foundation Board Member 2007-present

-Rotary club 2005-present

-Ogallala Elks Member 2007-present

-Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce Member

-Keith County Chairperson for several State, federal political races over past 10 years

Regional & State Civic Organization Memberships

 

                    -Nebraska Water Users Board Member 1995– present

                    -President of NWU 1996

                    -Downstream Water Users Advisory Board to Platte River Governance Committee

                    -Nebraska Water Policy Task Force Member under Governor Johanns

                    -Twin Platte NRD Stakeholder Taskforce Member 2005-present

                    -Nebraska Cattleman Member 1994-present -Vice Chair - Marketing 2006 - 2007