Board of Education

Barbara J. Lehr
President

Education: Received a certificate in advertising and marketing from Central Community College - Columbus Campus. Graduated from Associated Travel Inc. in Miami, Florida.

Family: Husband -Jeff. Children - Drake, seventh grade at Columbus Middle School; Neleigh, fifth grade; Brock, fourth grade; and Ryder, kindergarten at Duncan Elementary.

Occupation: Homemaker. She also fulfills various duties at T-Bone Truck Stop and Neids Market, which are owned by her family. She is a part-time employee at the Post Office in the Village of Duncan.

Community Involvement: Serves on the Organization of Parents and Teachers at her children's elementary school.

Hobbies: Reading and spending time with family.

Ken Curry
Vice President

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Registered Professional Engineer (Mechanical) in the State of Nebraska.

Family: Wife - Robin; Children - Brian, 2006 graduate of Columbus High School; Kyle, attends Columbus High School, Alyssa attends North Park Elementary School.

Occupation: Energy Efficiency & Solutions Manager for Nebraska Public Power District.

Community Involvement: Eagle Scout and proud parent of two Eagle Scouts; Scout Leader; Teammates Mentor; Coached numerous teams (soccer, basketball, baseball); member of the First United Methodist Church; past president of the Northeast Chapter of the Nebraska Society of Professional Engineers; Past President of the Columbus Area UNL Alumni Association and current Board Member; past Board Member for the Columbus Area United Way.
 
Hobbies:  Hunting, Fishing, Backpacking, SCUBA diving.

Chris Dixon

Education: Master's Degree plus 60 hours in science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Family: Wife - Lauretta; Children - Susan (David) Bowman, attorney in Seneca, two children, Thomas and Lauren; Calvin (Denise), sixth-grade teacher in Gehring, two children, Bryna and Bennett; Kent, environmental specialist for EA Engineering in Lincoln; Sara (Phil) Strevey, pharmacist in Omaha, two children, Kristen and Jonathan.

Occupation: Retired Columbus Public Schools teacher.

Community Involvement: American Legion, Red Cross Board, Senior Citizen Center, Food Pantry, Boy Scouts, Ikes, Red Cross Disaster Team, Columbus Tree Board, Master Gardener, Keep Columbus Beautiful, Higgins Memorial Foundation and Columbus Public Schools Foundation Board.

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing and camping.

Alan Dostal

Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Family: Wife - Carol; Children - Matthew, 1999 graduate of Columbus High School; Alicia, 2003 graduate of Columbus High School.

Occupation: Corporate Nuclear Business Manager for Nebraska Public Power District.

Community Involvement: Coached AYSO soccer, a youth tournament soccer team and T-Ball.  Assisted with Boy Scouts, 4H and youth mission trips.  Currently parish council member and treasurer for St. Joseph’s Church.

Hobbies: Family activities, home improvement projects and understanding new technologies.

Francis Kuehler

Education: Associate of arts degree in Building Construction from Northeast Community College in Norfolk NE in 1978. Private Pilots Certificate Through Skyways in Norfolk NE in 1977. Instrument, Commercial, and Flight Instructor Certificate through Lincoln Aviation in Lincoln NE in 1980. EMT certificate in 1983 through Platte College. EMT Intermediate certificate in 2000 through Methodist in Omaha. EMT Paramedic certificate in 2001 through Northeast Community College in Norfolk.

Family: Wife - Mary Pat ( Johnston ) Children - Patrick Deputy in Polk County; Jonathon Freshman at UNL; Daniel Sophomore at Columbus High; AnnaLee fourth grader at Emerson Elementary; Olivia second grader at Emerson Elementary.

Occupation: Lt. Firefighter Paramedic 22 Years for the City of Columbus.

Community Involvement: Past member of the Board of Trustees at United Methodist Church; AYSO Soccer coach for 14 years; served 2.5 years as Volunteer Firefighter prior to being hired by City; assisted with in-home meetings for the elementary bond issue; and gives tours and talks on fire, and health safety for schools and other organizations.

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, spending time with family at cabin and small wood working jobs.

Ron Ziola

Education: Associates Degree from Platte Junior College in Columbus; Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Registered Professional Engineer with the State of Nebraska; post graduate hours in engineering.

Family: Wife - Peg; Children - Bradley, 1995 graduate of Columbus High School; Eric, 1999 graduate of CHS; Michael, attends Columbus High School.

Occupation: Engineering Manager at Loup River Public Power District.

Community Involvement: Coached AYSO soccer, a youth tournament soccer team, Little League Baseball and Legion Baseball; played and coached Columbus Merchant Town Team for 10 years; played softball; member of the St. Bonaventure Men's Choir; past president of the National Society of Professional Engineers; Bugler for Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard; Columbus Public School Board member since 1997 and graduate of Leadership Columbus.

Hobbies: Outdoor activities.