Brad Lubben, Director
Phone: 402-472-3401
eMail: blubben2@unl.edu
Brad is an Extension Assistant Professor, Policy Specialist, and Director of the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has more than 21 years experience as an Extension agricultural economist, serving in Illinois and Kansas before returning in 2005 to Nebraska, where he grew up on a grain and livestock farm near Burr, southeast of Lincoln.
Brad holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Ph.D. from Kansas State University. He is involved in teaching, research and extension activities, focusing on agricultural and public policy issues ranging from federal farm programs and risk management to conservation programs to food, trade, energy, and environmental policy.
Brad joined the North Central Center in July 2011.
Christine Lockert, Grants Coordinator
Phone: 402-472-2039
eMail: clockert2@unl.edu
Christine received her BS and MS in Natural Resources from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She worked as coordinator of the Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit in the School of Natural Resources for 10 years before joining the Center in the fall of 2010. Christine coordinates all aspects of the grant process for the Center, including the application process, invoicing and reporting. She also coordinates meetings and training sessions for the Center.
Christine and her husband Eric, a high school math teacher and coach, live in Lincoln with their two children. Life is busy going to the kids’ activities such as sporting events and dance. In her spare time, Christine enjoys reading, running, music, and spending time with family and friends.
Sheila Johnson, Communications Specialist
Phone: 402-472-2757
eMail: sheila.johnson@unl.edu
Sheila received her Bachelor of Laws, LLB (Hons) from the University of London and her MSc. In Corporate Communications from University Putra Malaysia. Having grown up in Southeast Asia, she moved to Bennet, Nebraska in 2006. She brings with her close to 25 years of experience in Public and International Relations having worked for the Australian Government as well as the Canadian Government. Having served various corporations in Asia and a National TV Station in Malaysia as a Newscaster, she also brings with her international media and broadcasting experience. For the last 15 years, she worked for the state of Nebraska, specifically for the Nebraska Environmental Trust as their Marketing and Communications Specialist.
She currently resides in Bennet with her husband Paul whose family is involved in agriculture. In her spare time, she also helps him in his fabrication business and tries to balance work and recreation. She enjoys the outdoors, the prairie landscape and cooking a variety of international cuisines.