NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – A pair of longtime Greater Nebraska lawmakers are among the 2025 inductees into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.
The Nebraska Chamber and University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business announced the four inductees this week.
Former Nebraska State Senators Matt Williams of Gothenburg and John Stinner of Gering are among the 2025 honorees.
“This year’s honorees truly represent the entrepreneurial and innovative leadership that is so essential to Nebraska’s growth and success,” said NE Chamber President Bryan Slone. “We’re thrilled to honor these individuals for the contributions they’ve made and the lasting impacts those contributions will continue to have on Nebraska’s business economy.”
Learn more about the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame Class of 2025, below:
MIKE BOYLE, Kawasaki, Lincoln Mike Boyle graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and joined Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A. (KMM) in Lincoln. He started in the engineering department as a process engineer, designing robot welding cells and automation systems, new composite molding and joining processes, and bringing new Jetski personal watercraft and motorcycles into production. Eventually, Mike was promoted to Engineering Manager, overseeing all engineering in Lincoln. At various times, he also managed Production, Quality, Information Technology, and the Continuous Improvement departments. He became Vice President in 2007, overseeing operations at Kawasaki’s Lincoln plant. In 2017, Mike was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for operations in Lincoln and the Maryville and Boonville, Missouri engine manufacturing plants. In January 2022, when Mike was selected as KMM President and CEO, he became the first non-Japanese president in the history of Kawasaki’s global operations. Mike is active on several Boards and industry groups. He and wife Pam live in Lincoln, where they raised their family.
Paul & Lori Hogan, Home Instead, Omaha Paul and Lori Hogan co-founded Home Instead in 1994 and have since grown it into the world’s leading provider of home care services for seniors. There are more than 1,200 independently owned and operated franchise offices across 14 countries. In August 2021, Home Instead merged with Honor Technology, Inc. and continues to operate under the Home Instead name. This union brings together the largest, highest-touch home care network and the leading home care technology platform to revolutionize the Home Care industry for the benefit of professional caregivers, aging adults, and their families. As a former Miss Nebraska USA and graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Lori has shown dedication and leadership in various fields. Her service has extended to numerous chairmanships and boards, including Nebraska Family Alliance, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, Autism Action Partnership, Home Instead Foundation, and the Home Instead Center for Successful Again, where she and Paul were lead donors. Paul has served as Governor for the Future of Health and Health Care System at the World Economic Forum. Paul is a member of the World Dementia Council, has been awarded the “E” Award by the U.S. Department of Commerce, named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006, and won several other awards. Paul also co-authored a USA Today Bestseller, Stages of Senior Care. He has served on numerous boards, including Home Care Association of America and UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.
SENATOR JOHN STINNER, Western States Bank, Gering John Stinner is a Pennsylvania native but became a two-time graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was a member of the 1970 and 1971 National Championship football teams. He completed his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1973 and earned a master’s in economics in 1975. He started his career in public accounting in Lincoln and later moved to western Nebraska when he, and a local group of investors, opened a bank on 10th Street in Gering. Scotts Bluff County has been home to the Stinner family for more than 26 years and the bank John started in Gering is now a major employer in the region with more than a dozen locations in Nebraska and the Front Range of Colorado. In 2013-14, he was the chairman of the Nebraska Bankers Association. John was first elected to the Nebraska Legislature in 2014, representing District 48 in and around Scottsbluff. He was elected chair of the Appropriations Committee in 2017. John has dedicated his time to more than 20 civic organizations, including serving on the Gering Public School Board, YMCA, and Twin Cities Development, among others. John also has a decorated lineup of awards won, including the 2023 Nebraska Society of CPA’s Legislator of the Year and Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce Visionary Superstar. Page 3 of 3: Nebraska Business Hall of Fame Honorees Announced
SENATOR MATT WILLIAMS, Flatwater Bank, Gothenburg Matt Williams was born and raised in Gothenburg, Nebraska, where his family was involved with banking and ranching. Upon graduation from high school, Matt accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Nebraska, where he received his undergraduate degree in business administration and his law degree. Upon graduation from law school, Matt returned to Gothenburg to begin what is now a 50-year career in banking. Matt worked to grow the family bank and recognized early on that a strong banking environment was essential for the survival of rural Nebraska. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Matt became involved with the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association, ultimately becoming Chairman of both. Matt served as a State Senator representing Central Nebraska for eight years. He received the 2022 Friend of Education award from the School Administrators Association for introducing and passing legislation to make our schools safer creating the Safe2Help call line. During his 8-year career in the legislature, he was recognized as a leader and successful legislator, as evidenced by his introduction of 63 bills, 58 of which became law. Matt continues his work in banking as Chairman of Flatwater Bank, with its home office in Gothenburg. Matt serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nebraska Innovation Campus and is a Governor of the Board of the Aksarben Foundation, among other boards. Matt has also won several awards, from ABA Ag Banker of the Year to Diplomat of the Year. Matt and his wife, Susan, have two children and six grandchildren.
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