LINCOLN- Several qualified individuals have submitted applications to be the next director of History Nebraska. Among the applicants are a supervisor of historical Nebraska parks, the head of an Indiana agency that manages historic documents, the manager of an agricultural exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair, a former Lincoln City Council member, a state legislative fiscal analyst, and the former History Nebraska librarian who complained about the former director's policies. Former director Trevor Jones left his position in 2022 after six years on the job due to the release of an audit that accused him of misappropriating funds.

Jones was charged with theft by deception and is waiting for a Lancaster County District Court trial. The head of History Nebraska's historic preservation office, Jill Dolberg, has been serving as interim director. Dolberg did not apply for the permanent position, and there was a lack of applicants which surprised some.

Previously, History Nebraska's 14-member board of trustees would pick the new director, but under a new law, Governor Jim Pillen will be the one to make the choice. Before the law change, some candidates had emerged as potential replacements, although the board stopped searching when they learned the decision would be Pillen's. When Jones was hired, most candidates were from other states, but now, all but one are Nebraska natives.

For the full article click HERE