2026 Nebraska Planning Awards - APA Nebraska

The 2026 Nebraska Planning Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Kearney

The 2026 Nebraska Planning Conference (NEPC), held this past March in collaboration with the NPZA, was a landmark event for our professional community. Beyond the sessions and networking, the highlight of our gathering was the recognition of the people, projects, and organizations that have moved Nebraska forward over the past year.

Please join the APA Nebraska Chapter in celebrating our 2026 Award Recipients.

Emerging Practicing Planner

Kevin Pflager, CFM | City Planner, City of Papillion Kevin has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the profession since joining Papillion in 2023. Beyond his work in long-range planning, Kevin has become a leader in youth engagement, developing scalable K–12 planning education tools to inspire the next generation of Nebraska planners. Learn more about the Youth Engagement Program.

Charleston-Ptak Planning Advocate

Gary Person | President/CEO, North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corp. A 40-year veteran of Nebraska leadership, Gary has guided over $2.3 billion in development. His advocacy for collaborative, planning-driven growth—from workforce housing to the Nebraska International Port of the Plains—proves that sound planning is the engine of rural economic prosperity.

Wozniak-Selander Award for a Planning Pioneer

Steve Miller, AICP | Director of Business Development, Clark & Enersen With a 34-year legacy, Steve is recognized for co-founding MindMixer, a digital engagement platform that revolutionized how planners connect with citizens globally. His career bridges the gap between architecture and planning, setting new standards for civic engagement.

Alden Aust Distinguished Leadership Award

Jennifer Dam, AICP The Alden Aust Award honors sustained, career-long excellence. Jennifer has served the cities of Fremont, Lincoln, and Papillion, as well as the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, with distinction. As our Chapter Vice President and PDO, she remains a tireless mentor and advocate for professional standards.

President’s Award

UNL College of Architecture & Community and Regional Planning Department This year’s President’s Award recognizes the historic effort by UNL faculty, staff, and alumni to preserve the planning program during significant university budget reductions. Their successful advocacy ensured that the foundation of planning education remains strong in Nebraska.

Paul Davidoff Advancing Diversity and Social Change Award

Latino Economic Development Council – Adelante Youth Activators Program By empowering Latino high school and first-generation college students to take the lead in the redevelopment of South Omaha’s Plaza de la Raza, the Latino Economic Development Council is building a vibrant, inclusive pipeline for the future of our profession.

Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan

Two communities were recognized this year for advancing the science and art of planning:

• Gretna Comprehensive Plan 2040 “It Matters”: A vision for one of the state's fastest-growing cities that balances rapid expansion with a commitment to small-town character and walkability.

• Springfield Comprehensive Plan (2025): A proactive, community-driven roadmap that provides a sophisticated framework for sustainable growth and regional connectivity.

Planning Excellence in Transportation

La Vista Active Mobility Plan Adopted in early 2025, this plan is a first-of-its-kind for La Vista, focusing on a phased approach to trails, e-assisted mobility, and placemaking to connect residents to their destinations without the need for a car.

Planning Excellence in Housing

Bellevue & Papillion Housing Resilience Plan This regional partnership addresses the critical need for resilient housing. By using interactive community mapping to identify flood risks and heat-islands, these cities are proactively protecting their housing stock and their most vulnerable citizens.