LINCOLN – Alex Straatmann of Kearney, an attorney and chief compliance officer at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, has been selected to participate in Leadership Nebraska Class XVI.
Straatmann came to UNK in 2021 after serving on the staff of U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith for nearly 16 years.
He served two terms on the Kearney Public Schools Board of Education (2015-23), including two years as president, and is currently a candidate for Kearney City Council.
Straatmann is a Kearney native and 1996 graduate of Kearney High School, 2000 graduate of UNK and 2003 graduate of the Texas Tech School of Law.
He is a lieutenant colonel and member of the United States Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General Corps. He has served for 15 years, including mobilizations to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to United States Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.
Straatmann’s other assignments include serving as an assistant staff judge advocate at United States Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base and deputy command judge advocate for the 561st Regional Support Command in Omaha. He is currently the team chief of the 8th Legal Operations Detachment in Omaha.
Alex and his wife, Dr. Kim Andresen, founded the Paws for Patriots program at Kearney Area Animal Shelter.
He is also involved in various community boards/organizations, including the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, KPS Foundation Board of Directors, Central Nebraska Veterans Memorial Board of Directors, Tehama Shriners, Kearney Sertoma, American Legion and VFW Auxiliary.
Straatmann previously served as Grand Master of Masons of Nebraska and on boards for the Kearney Area Children’s Museum, City of Kearney Golf Advisory and Leadership Kearney.
A Nebraska Chamber Foundation program, Leadership Nebraska was founded in 2006 to identify current and emerging leaders across the state, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing Nebraska. Participants are from different regions of the state and possess varied backgrounds and diverse talents. All candidates have demonstrated an abiding interest in Nebraska and its future.
Leadership Nebraska is a seven-month program that covers a range of key Nebraska issues, including economic development, workforce, agriculture and environment, health care, education, government and policy development.
