grace johnson
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Nicki Kreifels has been named first district commissioner for Otoe County. A selection committee consisting of County Attorney David Partsch, County Clerk Janene Bennett and County Treasurer Jackie Smith announced their selection Thursday afternoon in a public meeting.

Kreifels is an accounts payable specialist for Green Plains Renewable Energy ethanol plant in Shenandoah, Iowa, and a part-time office manager/bookkeeper for Stitt Construction in Nebraska City. She has also worked as an accounting manager for the 7-M Corporation in Nebraska City and was a cost-schedule analyst for Lockheed Martin.

Smith cited Kreifels’ management and accounting experience and “analytical approach to decision-making” as the primary reasons for selecting her. Partsch said he was impressed with her interview and appreciated her willingness to research issues.

Bennett said she felt Kreifels had the same “ideals, qualifications and character that Zoe (Thummel) possessed.”

Kreifels has lived in the district since 1982. During Tuesday’s interview, she said she was a good listener and communicator and would be committed to representing the taxpayers of the district and the county.

Partsch said he was impressed with the pool of applicants for the position, which included former county assessor Brandi Reimers and Louis Wurtele, who ran for the commissioner seat in the 2006 election. “They exceeded my expectations,” Partsch said of the nine applicants. “I think all of them did a very good job of presenting themselves. I think each one could offer good things to the county.”

Partsch said the applicants represented a variety of backgrounds, including education and experience. He said he encourages those not appointed to run in the next election. “Hopefully they will give the voters a chance to select them,” he said.

Kreifels will be sworn in Tuesday morning prior to the Aug. 12 commissioner’s meeting.