By PAUL HAMMEL
Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — Vicki Kramer was named Friday as the next director of the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
Gov. Jim Pillen, in a press release, said Kramer brings “broad experience from both the private and public sector” to the job.
“She will be a transformative leader of the Department of Transportation and is the person we need to speed the completion of Nebraska’s vital four-lane highway system plan and deploy 21st century infrastructure across the state,” the governor said.
Kramer is the first woman to head the department. Her salary will be $183,000 a year.
She has been working as chief of staff for infrastructure markets and strategy for Kiewit Infrastructure Engineering. Prior to that, she worked for the Nebraska DOT in a variety of roles, including communication director, public policy director and strategic adviser to the DOT director.
She replaces John Selmer, who retired as director last month after leading the state agency since March 2021.
Former NDOT Director Kyle Schneweis said Kramer will be “exceptional” in her new role.
“She will continue to modernize the department and work to achieve its goals,” he said.
Kramer earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and journalism from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Also Friday, Pillen announced the creation of a new “broadband office” within the NDOT.
The governor said the new office will “create a more transparent, flexible, and proactive response for Nebraska’s broadband needs.”