State and Local Government Relations
Nebraska Strategies represents client interests before members of the Nebraska Legislature year-round. We also work with the Public Service Commission, and Nebraska’s executive branch including the Departments of Revenue, Environment and Energy, Natural Resources, and Administrative Services. Locally, Nebraska Strategies has advocated for clients before municipalities, political subdivisions, school boards, and other administrative bodies. Should a crisis occur, or assistance be needed on a policy issue, our team has the necessary relationships to effectively communicate with officials and advocate on behalf of our clients at all levels of government.
Ken Schilz
Schilz joined Nebraska Strategies after serving for eight years as a Nebraska State Senator, representing ten counties in western Nebraska. Senator Schilz was elected Chairman of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees and served on the Banking, Commerce and Insurance, Business and Labor, Education, and General Affairs Committees.
Schilz understands the Legislative process in a way that only someone who served in the body can. He is especially skilled at connecting clients with resources across the state. He has worked with various companies to create relationships with communities and other entities to further economic development, entrepreneurship, and job growth within the state. Schilz has excellent relationships with State Senators and is a daily fixture at the Nebraska Capitol.
Before serving in the Legislature, Schilz managed a 20,000 head feed yard for 15 years. He served as president of both Keith County Area Development and Nebraska Water Users and was a member of the Ogallala Planning and Zoning Committee and the Water Policy Task Force representing South Platte Water Users.
Schilz received his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Schilz and his wife Deb have two children, Jake and Elizabeth.
Contact Ken
308.289.0314
ken@nebraskastrategies.com
Mary Vaggalis
Vaggalis advocates on behalf of more than a dozen clients with an expertise in small business, telecom, and liquor law.
In addition to legislative advocacy, Vaggalis also has years of legal experience practicing before the Nebraska Public Service Commission on telecommunications and railroad issues, the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, and state and federal civil courts. She has worked on a wide range of legal matters, including agricultural, zoning, municipal code, consumer protection, and real property disputes.
Prior to joining Nebraska Strategies, Vaggalis worked for the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade and served as the United States-Canada Inter-Parliamentary Group Secretary. While at the House of Representatives, Vaggalis worked on a variety of issues, including international trade negotiations, strategies to combat terrorist funding and recruitment, nuclear treaty compliance, opening of agricultural trade with Cuba, the Bergdahl exchange, and the illegal wildlife trade.
A North Platte native, Vaggalis earned her B.A. with Honors in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her J.D. from The George Washington School of Law. Vaggalis resides with her husband, Denny, in Lincoln.
Contact Mary
402.419.9566
mary@nebraskastrategies.com