Broken Bow – Custer Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) announced the hiring of Keith Ellis as its new Executive Director.
Ellis, a native of Custer County and a 1974 Broken Bow graduate, brings a wealth of experience having spent over 30 years in economic development, business retention, workforce development and strategic planning and facilitation. His career includes stops as the CEO of the Scottsbluff/Gering Chamber of Commerce and as the Director of Community and Economic Development for Twin Cities Development in Scottsbluff. However, the majority of his career Ellis worked for Nebraska Public Power District as an economic development consultant and a retail customer team leader.
Ellis says he’s excited to be coming home. He stated, “One thing that will help me hit the ground running is that when I was with NPPD, I was one of the individuals responsible for helping to create one of the first strategic plans for the Custer Economic Development Company. So, while the organization has grown and matured, I know it’s roots and the values the CEDC was built upon.”
Joyce Richardson, Chair of the CEDC, said “You always dream when you have an opening that you get someone to apply that already understands your organization, your community and has the experience to help you continue to grow. Keith had all those things. We felt very comfortable having worked with him as a consultant when he was with NPPD, we liked that he was coming home and is familiar with the dynamics of Custer County and he was someone who had deep knowledge of both economic development and rural Nebraska.”
Ellis will begin his new role by mid-September. He replaces Andrew Ambriz who resigned the end of July after purchasing Sehnert’s Bakery in McCook, NE.
