Right person for the right time

The first time if met Ben Nelson was shortly after I had been named the Executive Director of the McCook Economic Development Corporation. I was at an event in eastern Nebraska with a lot of high profile people in attendance. Governor Nelson was the main celebrity and had a crowd of people around him all night, demanding his attention. I wanted to introduce myself and let him know Southwest Nebraska was represented. I waited a long time, shook his hand, told him my name and mentioned I was from McCook. He said, "Nice to meet you. I am sorry to hear about your Dad." His response absolutely floored me. I will never forget that moment.

I don't talk about it much but I left a successful career in Chicago when I came back to McCook in 1997. I have never had a greater calling than at that time to return to my roots. My Dad had died of cancer and I came home to be with my Mom.

By chance, there was an opening at the McCook Economic Development Corporation and I had the privilege of being a part of that organization for the next three years. As a community, we did a lot of wonderful things during that time. Perhaps I was the right person at the right time.

For me, Ben Nelson was the right person for the right time.

I don't know what went on in his office behind the scenes when we were working on numerous proposals -- in particular our efforts with Valmont and the Nebraska Department of Corrections. I do know at the local level we were always juggling several projects at a time and whenever I called or e-mailed his office I always got a response. Governor Nelson was always cooperative and inspirational -- not intimidating or dominating.

Ben Nelson saw possibilities and opportunities and shared the desire for positive economic growth. He had a way of making you feel that every detail was important.

I believe that most successful people in life are that way because of how they treat others or make them feel. After meeting Ben Nelson I instantly liked him, respected him and felt an immediate connection. We tend to put people on a pedestal -- especially coaches, athletes and politicians -- and then we try to knock them off, forgetting that that person is someone's son or daughter, brother or sister, or father or mother -- probably doing the best they can do under circumstances the general population is not aware of.

I always felt Ben was trying to do the best he could for the state of Nebraska, and maybe he had a little extra love for McCook -- but who doesn't?