Press Release
Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation’s Board of Directors has named Leland Poppe to be the Foundation’s next President and Executive Director beginning March 30.
Chair of the Foundation Board Dan O’Neill said “Leland Poppe has had a distinguished career in banking and finance as well as community leadership.”
“Leland is a relationship-builder, a collaborative leader and a communicator with unquestioned integrity. He helps people achieve their goals. He has helped many nonprofit organizations and worthy causes. He is energized by community needs and challenges.”
The search for the next chief executive was overseen by the Community Foundation’s Executive Transition Committee with assistance of current President and Executive Director Eric Seacrest, who has led the Community Foundation since 2001.
O’Neill said, “We are deeply grateful for Seacrest’s leadership over the past 25 years. We are grateful he will continue serving the Foundation during this transition with specific responsibilities allowing us to benefit from his experience and relationships.”
Originally from Grant, Nebraska, Poppe earned his degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and began his banking career with National Bank of Commerce. Leland and his wife, Cathy, came to North Platte in 1998. For the past 18 years Leland has worked for First Interstate Bank, currently serving as Market President for Greater Nebraska overseeing 23 locations.
Throughout his time in North Platte, Leland has been deeply committed to civic service, contributing to numerous organizations and projects. His volunteer work has included leadership roles with the North Platte Ambassadors, Sunrise Rotary, North Platte Public Schools Foundation, Teammates, NEBRASKAland DAYS, the North Platte Development Board, the Nebraska Water Resources Association and the Nebraska Ag Leadership Council.
Leland and Cathy Poppe have two children—Rick, a family physician in Central City, and Natalie, a pediatric dentist in Kearney—and are proud grandparents of five grandchildren.
Leland remains active in organizations and projects supporting community wellness, recreation, healthcare, trails development, parks, the arts, and his church. He enjoys photography, travel, hunting, fishing, farming, and endurance athletics—having completed multiple Ironman triathlons, marathons, and open-water swimming events.
Seacrest said, “I’m excited about working with Leland Poppe on a smooth and successful transition. Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation is financially strong, built to last generations and positioned to provide increasing benefits to the North Platte region.”
Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation is a nonprofit, IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charitable organization. Its mission is to serve charitable people and support worthy causes and benefit the North Platte region.
Mid-Nebraska administers 350 charitable funds with assets totaling $59 million. Each fund has its own purpose and specifications, typically established by original donors. Last year Mid-Nebraska paid out more than $3 million in scholarships and charitable grants primarily benefiting communities throughout the North Platte region. Mid-Nebraska also hosts community giving campaigns like North Platte Giving Day making it easy for donors to support their favorite local nonprofit causes.
Learn more at MidNebraskaFoundation.org