Dennis Hirschbrunner elected to Platte Institute board
NEWS RELEASE from the Platte Institute
Contact: Adam Weinberg
(402) 500-0209
aweinberg@platteinstitute.org
Attachment: Photo of Dennis Hirschbrunner
Dennis Hirschbrunner elected to Platte Institute board of directors
Board adds community-building insights from Columbus native, engineer, and entrepreneur
COLUMBUS, NE — Columbus, Nebraska engineer and entrepreneur Dennis Hirschbrunner has joined the Platte Institute board of directors. A photo of Hirschbrunner is attached. His bio is available with the complete board roster on PlatteInstitute.org.
The Platte Institute’s board of directors is responsible for overseeing the organization’s mission and budget, including its role in implementing economic initiatives developed by Blueprint Nebraska. The Platte Institute joined the Blueprint Nebraska Alliance partnership with the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Aksarben Foundation this year.
A Columbus native, Hirschbrunner received a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and completed post-graduate work in Environmental Engineering. Hirschbrunner began his 40-year engineering career at Gilmore & Associates in Columbus, where he served more than 50 Nebraska and Iowa communities as a surrogate city engineer. Later, he joined Omaha-based HDR Engineering, continuing to commute from his home in Columbus, where he and his wife Terri have raised six daughters.
“Besides my engineering background, I drove Highway 30 to work for 24 years, so I have a lot to say about connecting Nebraska with infrastructure,” said Hirschbrunner.
“Blueprint Nebraska is generating a lot of discussion and ideas for how we can make communities like Columbus even better places for hardworking, honest people who want a better life, and I’m exited for the opportunity to provide my input and bring different groups of Nebraskans together,” said Hirschbrunner.
Following his retirement from HDR, Hirschbrunner became part of the ownership groups of Columbus Bank and Trust Co., where he is a board member, and the Ramada Inn and River’s Edge Convention Center. Hirschbrunner also serves on the board of directors for NTH Consultants, an engineering company in the Detroit area. His community involvement includes serving as Vice Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board of the University of Nebraska College of Engineering, as a University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee, a member of the board of directors of the Columbus Area Future Fund affiliated with the Nebraska Community Foundation, and the Platte County Historical Society.
“Dennis brings so much enthusiasm to our board and a lifetime of literally helping to build communities across Nebraska,” Jim Vokal, Chief Executive Officer of the Platte Institute, said.
“We’re grateful to have Dennis representing the Columbus area in our leadership and to benefit from his hands-on knowledge for programs like the Blueprint broadband and transportation connectivity initiatives,” Vokal said.
The Platte Institute engages in research and advocacy on topics including workforce policy, housing, government spending, and taxes, and frequently testifies on legislation before the Unicameral.
To schedule an interview on this announcement, please contact Adam Weinberg at (402) 500-0209 or aweinberg@platteinstitute.org.
The Platte Institute advances policies that remove barriers to growth and opportunity in Nebraska. More media resources are available at PlatteInstitute.org/Media.