Lincoln Nebraska: We Invest in Your Success

Pat Haverty has been named the new director of business attraction and retention of the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development. Partnership President Wendy Birdsall said Haverty would be replacing Jamie Frerichs who left last month for a new position in Kearney.

Haverty is the current city manager in Nebraska City and former executive director of the River Country Economic Development Corporation which is the lead agency for economic development in Otoe County.

"We are very pleased to have someone with Pat's experience and knowledge of economic development joining our staff," Birdsall said. "Pat has been a part of our regional group and helped lead the Regional Innovation Grant process so he is going to be able to hit the ground running here, something you don't always get with new employees. It's a great addition for us."

Jason Smith, vice president, said Haverty's role for the Partnership will be to lead the community project team and coordinate the community's business retention and expansion survey team. While at Nebraska City, Haverty was instrumental in several economic development projects including the recruitment of Diversified Foods to the community.

"I am very excited by the opportunity to become a member of the economic development team in Lincoln," Haverty said. "I have been involved in the Partnership through the Lincoln Area Development Partnership and have been impressed with the level of professionalism and the ability to successfully deliver projects. Lincoln has a lot of momentum and it is a great time to become part of that."

Haverty has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and a Master of Science in Organizational Management; Emphasis in Economic and Entrepreneur Development, from Peru State College. He has served on various boards and commissions including the Lincoln Area Regional Innovation Grant Board of Directors; Nebraska City Council; Nebraska Economic Developers Association; St. Mary's Community Hospital; and the Peru State College Presidential Search Committee. He will begin his duties for the Partnership May 16.