Contact

Nebraska Tourism Commission

 

Nebraska Tourism Staff

Jenn Gjerde, Executive Director

(402) 471-3768 or [email protected]

Jenn is the Executive Director for Visit Nebraska with more than a decade of experience in the industry. Jenn is also working toward her CDME certification with Destinations International and serves as secretary on the board of the Midwest Travel Journalists Association.

Before joining Visit Nebraska, Jenn worked as a TV news reporter at stations in North Platte and Lincoln. These experiences deepened her appreciation for Nebraska, which she now promotes. Jenn graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Journalism and History degree. While in college, she was active on the rowing team and worked for Husker Vision, assisting with football games and other sports events.

Outside of work, Jenn is an avid reader. In the summer, she enjoys exploring Nebraska's state parks with her family and pug. Jenn is also a lifelong Girl Scout and previously served on the Spirit of Nebraska Council Board.

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Heather Hogue, Deputy Director/Grant Administrator

(402) 471-3774 or [email protected]

Heather has worked in the tourism industry for more than three decades. As administrator of Visit Nebraska’s grant programs, she educates industry leaders and tourism organizations regarding funding assistance opportunities to draw visitors to Nebraska to experience all there is to see and do. Heather also manages administrative and program operations for the Commission in relation to state government policies, supervises the internship program and performs program support for the agency director.

Heather grew up on a family farm in south central Nebraska and enjoys the challenges involved with the continuously changing tourism industry. She encourages others to spread tourism awareness far and wide, and advocates for random acts of kindness at every opportunity. 

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Jenna Bartja, Community Activation Manager

(402) 326-1587 or [email protected]

After nearly six years as Adventure Travel Specialist, with the proud accomplishment of leading efforts to secure Nebraska’s first International Dark Sky Park, Jenna will stay the course in helping Nebraska dream big. Her current role focuses on educating stakeholders on the importance of tourism and its role in community vitality, collaborating on statewide tourism initiatives, and creating a destination development program to support Nebraska’s dynamic tourism industry.

Jenna graduated from Georgia College with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science. Pursuing her love of travel and passion for the outdoors, she secured an internship within the Science and Resource Management Division's Vegetation Program at Grand Canyon National Park. One year was not enough to soak up the thrills of Grand Canyon! After nearly five years working in various roles within the park, she concluded her time there as Day-Tour Program Coordinator for the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute.

Jenna moved sight-unseen to Lincoln, Nebraska in the fall of 2018. She now lives in the beautiful East Campus neighborhood with her husband + two dogs and serves on her community organization board. When she's not busy tending to her garden, you may spot her cycling Lincoln's world-class trail system.

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Micheal Collins, Group Tour Coordinator

(402) 432-1384 or [email protected]

Micheal oversees the Nebraska Travel Counselor program and supervises 30–40 seasonal summer staff in various rest areas along Interstate 80. He is also the group travel manager for the state and is looking forward to expanding the group tour market in Nebraska and drawing more bus tours to the state.

Micheal received his master’s degree in planning and bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in urban studies from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His first job in Nebraska was with the Panhandle Area Development District in Scottsbluff, where one of his primary duties was serving as coordinator of the Nebraska Panhandle Tourism Coalition (now Western Nebraska Tourism Coalition).

When he moved to Scottsbluff in 1997, Micheal planned on living in Nebraska for no more than two years. He found that he really liked living in the state, however, so he applied for a position with Visit Nebraska in 2000. He remained in Scottsbluff until relocating to Lincoln in 2002, where he now owns his own home and lives with his cats, Millie and Sophie.

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Ben Jones, Marketing Content Specialist

(402) 471-3797 or [email protected]

Ben's job is to keep Nebraska travelers and tourism industry members informed through Visit Nebraska's digital and print communications, overseeing website and social media content creation. He also assists with media relations, helps conduct press trips and coordinates in the creation of the agency's marketing materials and travel guides.

A native Nebraskan, Ben has a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree in Professional Communication from Southern Utah University. He previously worked as a journalist and as a marketing communications specialist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He lives in Lincoln and, away from work, he enjoys reading, writing and exploring new places.

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 Lilly Uhlmann, Passport Program Coordinator

(402) 471-3789 or [email protected]

Lilly’s role is the program coordinator for the Nebraska Passport Program. This includes selecting the 70 stops each year, distributing physical booklets, Nebraska Passport app maintenance and participating in Nebraska Passport presentations and media. She also coordinates the Nebraska Holiday Passport logistics including stop selection and distribution. 

Lilly was born and raised in Lincoln and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and History with minors in Archaeology and Math. She previously worked as a communications intern and Industry Relations & Education Coordinator for Visit Nebraska and spent a year living and working in France teaching English and promoting Nebraska internationally. She enjoys spending time outdoors and slowly working on cross stitch projects.

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Alisha Simonson, Accountant II

(402) 471-3776 or [email protected]

As on-site office coordinator and agency accountant, Alisha is the agency’s go-to person regarding lodging tax income reporting and accounting policies and procedures. Alisha manages all components of agency conference registrations, oversees event set up and tear down, and reconciles the complexities of agency finances and transfer of funds to cover agency program expenses and fund draw downs. 

Alisha also manages agency inventory and fixed assets and determines replacement and surplus materials and/or property needs for Visit Nebraska. There is no average day for Alisha here at Visit Nebraska, and that’s what she enjoys the most. You may see her juggling an upcoming board meeting schedule, responding to walk-in visitors, and assisting with inquiries about what there is to see and do across the state all while processing reimbursements for staff and board members, posting legal notices of meeting agendas and assisting staff and management with project needs.  

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Graham Jordison, Adventure Travel Specialist

(531) 220-6048 or [email protected]

Graham is Visit Nebraska’s Adventure Travel Specialist, representing the state’s eco and agritourism sectors. He is dedicated to promoting Nebraska’s diverse agricultural and ecotourism offerings, from Scottsbluff to Omaha. With over a decade of experience in community organizing, Graham has worked across Nebraska to protect the state’s natural resources. He is passionate about paddling, particularly on some of Nebraska and the nation’s longest rivers. In 2021, he completed a 2,300-mile paddle down the Missouri River, raising funds for the Lincoln Indian Center and other local nonprofits. Graham brings his extensive experience in both paddling and community organizing to the state’s tourism industry.

Originally from Arizona and Iowa, Graham attended Iowa State University, where he studied political and environmental science.

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Kylee Kort, Communications Intern

(402) 471-3791 or [email protected]

Kylee is a communications intern for Visit Nebraska. She assists with social media and website content creation, the Nebraska Passport Program and other tasks to help spread the word about what Nebraska has to offer. 

Kylee was born and raised in rural Nebraska. She is attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an advertising and public relations & sports media and communications double major. She has experience in event planning, social media strategy, and design. She loves spend her time making art, reading, and doing crafts!

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Katelyn Fryzek, Communications Intern

(402) 471-3744 [email protected]

Katelyn is a communications intern for Visit Nebraska where she helps assist with social media and website content creation, the Nebraska Passport Program and other various tasks to help inform people of everything Nebraska has to offer. 

Katelyn was born and raised in Omaha and is currently attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a journalism and advertising and public relations double major. She also has experience working as a news reporter for the Daily Nebraskan and was previously an intern for Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going on walks, and listening to music. 

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Tourism Contracts

Miles Partnership, [email protected]
Advertising/Website/Travel Guide

Turner PR, [email protected]
PR/Media Relations