About

Shelley Sahling‑Zart is a native of Wood River, Nebraska and has worked for Lincoln Electric System since 1988 and has served as LES Vice President & General Counsel since 2011. Prior to her current position, she served as vice president and assistant counsel. She is responsible for legal affairs, government relations, strategic planning, customer and corporate communications and records, and corporate policy analysis. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Doane University and a law degree from the University of Nebraska‑Lincoln College of Law. Ms. Sahling‑Zart has directed the work of the Nebraska Power Association since 1988. She has been engaged at the national level through service on the American Public Power Association Board of Directors, the federal Surface Transportation Board’s Rail‑Shipper Transportation Advisory Council, and the Freight Rail Customer Alliance. She has also served on a number of church, civic and charitable boards in the Lincoln community.

Brad Korell brings distinguished background in business and community service. He had a 27-year career at National Bank of Commerce in Lincoln, Nebraska, serving the last ten years as president and CEO. After Wells Fargo Bank purchased NBC, Mr. Korell became regional market president. In 2004 Brad joined Olsson in Lincoln working first as CFO then in business development and community relations. In his community service career, Mr. Korell has served in board leadership positions for such organizations as the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center and Nebraska Wesleyan University. Currently, he is active on the boards of Amfirst Bank, Nebraska Bank of Commerce, the University of Nebraska Foundation, NUtech Ventures LLC, CenterPointe and the Cooper Foundation. Having grown up in Culbertson, Nebraska, Mr. Korell received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska College of Business Administration and he is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University.

Craig Thompson has established himself as a leader in conservation. He has served in such capacities as a founder of the Wyoming League of Conservation Voters and the Wyoming Environmental Education Association; as president of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation; and as Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Wildlife Federation, America’s largest conservation organization. As a researcher and writer, Mr. Thompson was named a National Science Foundation fellow in stressed stream analysis, and has been widely published on a variety of topics ranging from glacial melt-waters to arid-land streams. His work as Professor of Engineering and Earth Science at Western Wyoming Community College earned him the honor of Wyoming Professor of the Year (2015) from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Mr. Thompson graduated from Colorado College with a BA in chemistry and Stanford University with an MS in environmental engineering, and he is a licensed professional engineer.

Originally from Treynor, Iowa, Brice now lives in Kearney, Nebraska, with his wife and four children. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with an emphasis in wildlife management from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Before joining the Crane Trust, Brice worked as a land manager in the Rainwater Basin for eleven years. He gained extensive knowledge and experience managing prescribed burns and wildland fires from working all risk management details in 22 states, including the B.P. oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. His field experience extends to heavy machinery used to improve and maintain a variety of habitats. As a steward of the land, Brice enjoys restoring and preserving a functioning prairie landscape so that his children and others can experience the pure beauty and importance of Mother Nature’s role in our lives. Contact Brice at bkrohn@cranetrust.org.

Wendy Bailey lived in Southwest England for 36 years prior to moving to the US in 1999. She has worked in Business Administration since 1980, starting her career in the legal field in England. Wendy was educated in Great Britain and attended Secretarial College there. She majored in Psychology at college and Administration for her Bachelor’s Degree. She has been a Paralegal and legal advocate for people in need and diverse populations. Since joining the Crane Trust in 2011, Wendy has worked as Director of Finance, Admin, and Human Resources and oversees the daily operations of the Nature & Visitor Center. She was appointed General Notary Public through the State of Nebraska in 2013. Her hobbies include travel, photography, and wildlife. Contact Wendy at info@cranetrust.org.

Matt has cherished and lived near the Platte River his entire life, growing up near Lexington, NE. His work focuses on connecting with the donors and supporters of the Crane Trust who support our mission. Whether it's a donation of $10, a sponsorship, or a legacy gift, Matt can ensure that your love of wildlife and habitat conservation makes a difference. Matt received his bachelor's degree from Hastings College and an MBA from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. He and his wife live in Hastings with their daughter and English bulldog. Contact Matt at mfong@cranetrust.org or 402-332-7090.

A native of Elm Creek, Nebraska, Tim spent four years in the Marine Corps before moving back home to pursue a degree in Biology with an emphasis in wildlife management from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Tim now lives in Grand Island, Nebraska, with his wife Casey and sons, Haydan and Sawyer. Before coming to the Crane Trust, Tim worked as a biological technician for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Funk, Nebraska, and spent the four years as the Habitat Specialist for the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture based in Grand Island. While there, he dedicated his time to wetland restoration projects on private lands, worked with private landowners to secure easements and other private lands programs along with helping public land managers with land management activities throughout 21 counties in central and eastern Nebraska. He joined the Trust staff in 2014. As an avid outdoorsman, Tim believes that this is a great opportunity to give back to future generations by preserving and managing our unique and critical habitat along the Platte River. Contact Tim at tsmith@cranetrust.org.

Amy grew up in Hastings, Nebraska, then lived and worked in St. Paul/Minneapolis for eighteen years before moving back to her roots in 2008. At Crane Trust, she designs and implements activities that promote community engagement, education, and partnerships. Amy’s drive to create connections is inspired and informed by more than 30 years of professional work in experiential education and nonprofit leadership. She serves on local and state boards and facilitates workshops to build nonprofit capacity growth. Amy is a musician and photographer, and loves sharing outdoor experiences with others. Contact Amy at asandeen@cranetrust.org.

Sandy came to the Crane Trust with over 25 years in advertising, marketing, banking and sales experience, and has served in board positions for non-profits such as Nebraska Educational Telecommunications (NET) and the American Marketing Association. Having moved to Omaha after graduation from the University of Michigan, she found a true home in Nebraska. The excitement of her first Crane experience years ago and her love of wild creatures and spaces led her to the Crane Trust, where she employs her business and marketing experience to develop support for the Crane Trust and its vital mission. Contact Sandy at sdouglas@cranetrust.org.

A Kearney, Nebraska native, Kristi received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She worked as the Office & Shelter Manager for a local Domestic Violence agency for 6 years where she gained experience in the not for profit sector. Then she spent the next 12 years at Baldwin Filters, a Parker Hannifin Company, where she worked in Manufacturing and as a Researcher in Product Management. Contact Kristi at kcastillo@cranetrust.org or 308-293-2878.

Sally was born in Fort Collins and raised in Denver, Colorado. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. Before working for the Crane Trust, Sally ran Miller Manufacturing in Stratton, Nebraska, and worked for the National Federation of Independent Businesses. She is one of the friendly faces you will see at our Nature and Visitor Center.

Lola was born and raised in Huron, South Dakota. She obtained her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. Before joining Crane Trust, Lola was an elementary school teacher at Northwest Public Schools in Grand Island. She enjoyed teaching science during that time. Following her retirement from teaching, Lola worked at Dressbarn in Grand Island until its closing and then at Stuhr Museum in the Visitor Experience Department. Lola enjoys traveling, scrapbooking, and her cats. Lola joined Crane Trust in March 2022 and can be reached at visitorcenter@cranetrust.org

Josh, who is about as local as they come, grew up and graduated high school in Shelton, Nebraska, only 20 miles from the Crane Trust property. Flowers are Josh’s favorite thing in the world, next to his children and family. Josh earned a Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology at the University of Nebraska, Kearney focusing his studies on plants, ecology, and phylogenetics. Since his internship in 2015 he has filled several roles at the Crane Trust, including herbarium scholar, science technician, and habitat ecologist. Josh completed his Master's of Environmental Management degree through Western Colorado University in 2022, continuing his long-term commitment to the Crane Trust and studying, restoring, and protecting habitat in the Platte River Valley that he calls home. Contact Josh at jwiese@cranetrust.org.

Bethany is a native Nebraskan. She attended high school in Grand Island and now lives in Minden with her husband. Following her passion for wildlife and the natural world, she attended the University of Nebraska- Lincoln and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Fisheries and Wildlife and minors in Biology and Environmental Education. During college she worked at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo and with the Tern and Plover Conservation Partnershipin Northeastern Nebraska. She started with the Crane Trust as an intern in spring 2019. Since then she has worked at the Crane Trust as a biologist science technician, completed her Masters at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and returned full-time in 2022 as a wildlife biologist. Now Bethany leads wildlife surveys at the Trust including aerial crane count surveys. Bethany has grown to truly admire the native diversity Nebraska has to offer as she often says "Anyone can admire the mountains, but it takes a special soul to see the beauty of the prairies." Contact Bethany at bostrom@cranetrust.org.

Stu is a Grand Island native, growing up enjoying the Nebraska wildlife and outdoors. He is familiar with the community, scenery, and businesses of the area. After running a successful cleaning and handyman business for over 20 years, Stu wanted to find a job that helped him give back to the community. He has done just that as a maintenance technician for the Crane Trust, bringing with him a wide skillset to tackle the hard (and sometimes dirty) jobs that come up throughout the year.

Mallory Beckmann grew up on a farm 10 miles northeast of Grand Island. She grew up farming with her dad and grandpa, raised livestock, and participated in 4H and FFA. In 2023, Mallory obtained a Wildlife Biology degree from University of Nebraska Kearney. Mallory worked seasonally for two years with the Crane Trust bison program before joining the Range Management Team full time. She has a passion for the outdoors and loves to hunt and fish in her free time.

Adam Driver is a lifelong Nebraskan. Adam’s passion for the outdoors began with hunting expeditions with his father at a very young age. While growing up in Minden, Nebraska, with his parents and three siblings, he continued to grow in his appreciation of the Platte River Valley. Adam attended Hastings College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and pole vaulted for the Track & Field team. His athletic background and love for the outdoors help Adam thrive at the Crane Trust, providing maintenance and beautification of the trail system, plus land and science collaborations to strengthen the Trust’s mission. Adam hopes that his hard work and dedication will encourage everyone to get outside and enjoy what nature has to offer.

Abe grew up in Pierre, SD before attending the University of South Dakota where he received his bachelor’s degree in 2016 and a master’s degree in 2019. He then moved to Oklahoma where he took up a PhD position focused on examining wet meadow habitat in Nebraska. This research was funded by the EPA and included a research partnership with the Crane Trust. He defended his dissertation and received his PhD in 2024 before joining the Crane Trust Science Team. Abe hopes to further examine wet meadow habitat while continuing to fulfill the long-term research plans of the Crane Trust.

Andy is the Vice President of North American Programs for the International Crane Foundation where his work focuses on conservation policy, delivery, and research regarding Whooping Cranes, Sandhill Cranes, and their habitats. He served as the Lead Biologist and then the Director of Conservation Research at the Crane Trust from 2015 to 2022. He continues to be an active collaborator with the Crane Trust. Andy's work in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) focused on understanding the response of ecosystems to managed and natural disturbances as well as the habitat ecology and natural history of species of conservation concern. Previous to coming to the CPRV, Andy worked in the Western and Southeastern United States conducting ecological research and advocating for conservation. He has worked for the U.S. National Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring Program as well as the National Science Foundation’s Long Term Ecological Research program. Andy has a BS degree from North Dakota State University and Master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and Washington State University.