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Senate committee interviews Deborah Kelly for District 6 tourism board seat
Summary
The Government, Military and Veteran Affairs Committee heard the gubernatorial appointment of Deborah Kelly of O'Neill to the District 6 tourism board; Kelly described her background in health care and family agribusiness and fielded questions about outreach and marketing. No committee vote was recorded.
The Government, Military and Veteran Affairs Committee heard the gubernatorial appointment of Deborah (Deb) Kelly of O'Neill to a District 6 seat on the State Tourism Board during its hearing on Oct. 12, 2025. Vice Chair Senator Anderson presided.
Kelly told the committee she is a lifelong Nebraskan, a former registered nurse and nursing-home administrator who now works with her husband in their family farming and trucking businesses. "Across all of our entities, we have about 30 people employed full time," Kelly said, describing human-resources and finance experience she said would help the tourism board. She told the committee she has chaired or co-chaired local fundraisers and has volunteered with organizations including Meals on Wheels and the Team Jack Foundation.
Kelly said she would emphasize connecting emotionally with potential visitors rather than only producing marketing collateral. "It's not so much about...building a great website or social media as much as it is to make sure that the psychology behind that makes people wanna take the next move," she said, describing fundraising work as practice in motivating people to act.
Senator Dixie Wright (District 7) asked how Kelly would bring something new to tourism efforts in her part of the state; Kelly responded that storytelling and community relationships matter most and that she would rely on younger staff for digital work while focusing on forming connections. Wright later asked what she would recommend visiting in District 6; Kelly cited local attractions including Niobrara State Park, a fossils site, seasonal vineyards and an ice-cream/novelties shop in Atkinson.
The committee recorded no letters for or against the appointment and no formal confirmation vote was taken during the hearing. The appointment portion concluded with the committee moving on to other business.
Kelly's appearance was an introductory confirmation hearing; committee members did not take a recorded vote during the session.
