Leithoff, a 1999 Loup City High School graduate, moved back to the area this spring after spending two and a half years working on sustainable agriculture in Guatemala with the Peace Corps. He only planned to stay in Loup City for the summer to help out on the family farm, but after volunteering with Kaskie and then finding out his position would be open, he jumped at the chance to stay. Leithoff said that Loup City's close-knit atmosphere was what drew him back, especially after spending time in Guatemala. "When I saw how happy all the people were in their community, that's when I really realized what I lost," he said.
Guatemala RPCV Wes Leithoff, named executive director of Sherman County Economic Development Board
Loup City native hired as town's new development director
By Mark Coddington
mark.coddington@theindependent.com
Published: Friday, September 4, 2009 9:05 PM CDT
LOUP CITY -- To find a successor to its first executive director, the Sherman County Economic Development Board didn't have to look far.
Wes Leithoff, a native of rural Loup City who moved back home in May, began as the group's new head this week.
Leithoff replaces Shawn Kaskie, who resigned last week to become the director of the University of Nebraska at Kearney's Center for Rural Research and Development.
He worked with Kaskie throughout much of the summer, an experience that he said helped familiarize him with Loup City's issues and small-town economic development in general.
"He's always talking about the real-world implications of those upper-level classes he's taken," Leithoff said of Kaskie. "It was kind of like a Cliff's Notes in community development."
Leithoff, a 1999 Loup City High School graduate, moved back to the area this spring after spending two and a half years working on sustainable agriculture in Guatemala with the Peace Corps.
He only planned to stay in Loup City for the summer to help out on the family farm, but after volunteering with Kaskie and then finding out his position would be open, he jumped at the chance to stay.
Leithoff said that Loup City's close-knit atmosphere was what drew him back, especially after spending time in Guatemala.
"When I saw how happy all the people were in their community, that's when I really realized what I lost," he said.
Leithoff said his primary task now is to see Loup City become a Nebraska Economic Development Certified Community through the state Department of Economic Development, a designation intended to help attract new businesses.
He'll also be working on developing a new housing subdivision on the town's northwest side.
Mark Eurek, a member of the board, said Leithoff demonstrated his aptitude during his work this summer with Kaskie. He also said he appreciates Leithoff's perspective as a young person who chose to return to his hometown.
"We're extremely happy to find somebody we think is as talented as he is to take over Shawn's place," Eurek said.
