2026 Nebraska Planning Awards - NPZA

2026 NPZA Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Nebraska Planning

The 2026 Nebraska Planning Conference (NEPC), held this past March in Kearney with APA Nebraska, brought together the best and brightest in the field to share ideas, tackle rural and urban challenges, and most importantly, honor those who have gone above and beyond.

The Nebraska Planning and Zoning Association (NPZA) is proud to recognize the 2026 award recipients who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the future of our state.

Appointed Official Awards

Recognizing those who serve our communities through dedicated leadership and vision.

• Village of Hershey Planning Commission Composed of volunteers Michelle O'Dea, Lyn Morrow, Nathan Louder, and Tom Johnson, this commission was honored for their professional handling of the complex Hershey Rail Park development and their commitment to continuing education.

• Tobias Tempelmeyer City Administrator, Beatrice Since 2012, Tobias has been a catalyst for growth. His efforts led to $800,000 in revitalization grants and the designation of downtown Beatrice as a Creative District in 2023.

Professional Awards

Honoring career excellence and technical mastery in the planning field.

• Dr. Zhenghong Tang UNL College of Architecture A tireless advocate for the next generation, Dr. Tang was instrumental in preserving the Community and Regional Planning (CRP) program during recent budget challenges.

• Lori Ferguson South Central Economic Development District Lori’s expertise in securing federal and state funding has been a lifeline for communities like Red Cloud and Wood River, fostering vital downtown revitalization.

• Jenny B. Mason Director, NDED With over 12 years of service, Jenny has been a cornerstone of Nebraska’s disaster recovery efforts, particularly following the historic 2019 floods.

• Tammi Palm Planning Director, Bellevue Known for her fair and objective leadership, Tammi was celebrated for her mentorship and her ability to navigate complex public hearings with grace.

The Carol Swayne Planning Commissioner Award

Dave Sack Howard County Planning Commission Named after the legendary Carol Swayne, this award was presented to Dave Sack for his staggering 29 years of service. Dave was a key figure in modernizing Howard County’s zoning regulations and implementing innovative odor footprint standards for agricultural operations.

The Mitsuo Kawamoto Excellence in Planning Award

Hallie Salem Redevelopment Manager, City of Lincoln Honoring the legacy of NPZA founding member Mitsuo Kawamoto, this award went to Hallie Salem. Since 2001, Hallie has managed over 40 redevelopment projects, reshaping downtown Lincoln and the historic Haymarket District.

The Loretta Ludemann Award for Excellence

Judy Mignery Zoning Administrator, Adams County This award recognizes exceptional women in planning. Judy Mignery was honored for her 25+ years of service and her leadership as President of the NACO Planning and Zoning group since 2020. Colleagues praised her as a "go-to" mentor with deep integrity.

A Special Farewell: The President’s Award

Char Carpenter NPZA Recording Secretary In a touching moment, NPZA President Judy Clark presented a special President’s Award to Char Carpenter. After nearly three decades in planning—including 17 years as Antelope County Zoning Administrator and a long tenure as NPZA’s Recording Secretary—Char is retiring from the Board.

"If there ever was a clone for Loretta Ludemann, Char would be it. You simply can't say 'no' to her," the President remarked.

Thank you, Char, for your decades of service. You will be missed!