Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission Announces Finalists for Executive Director

Interim Director Among Finalists

This announcement came during a lengthy June meeting, which also saw extensive discussions on transferring a racetrack license from Hastings’ Adams County Fairgrounds to Ogallala.

Casey Ricketts, the interim executive director since Tom Sage’s resignation in January, is one of the finalists. The other candidates include Seward Mayor Joshua Eickmeier, Nebraska State Senator John Lowe, and Laurie Holman, a former legislative aide for Lowe.

Candidate Backgrounds

Casey Ricketts: Currently serving as the interim executive director of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission.

Joshua Eickmeier: The Seward Mayor, Eickmeier holds degrees in journalism, political science, and law from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has experience as a legislative aide and is currently the executive director of the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board.

Laurie Holman: Holman has a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a law degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has worked as a policy analyst for the Nebraska Crime Commission for nearly seven years.

John Lowe: A native of Kearney, Lowe was reelected as a state senator in 2020. He is also a real estate investor and a former member of the Kearney planning commission.

The finalists were interviewed via Zoom by Board Chairman Dennis Lee and board members Shane Greckel and Jeffrey Galyen. The commission aims to complete the selection process by their August meeting. The selected candidate will be recommended to Governor Jim Pillen, who will make the final appointment.