Nebraskaland Magazine
LINCOLN – Jim Swenson has been named administrator of parks at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He succeeds Roger Kuhn, who was promoted to assistant director for development in May. Swenson’s new position is effective immediately.
“We are very pleased to name Jim Swenson to the position of parks administrator,” said Director Jim Douglas. “Jim is a very dedicated person who has served Game and Parks and our citizens with the utmost professionalism. He is a great asset to Nebraska’s state park system and will serve Nebraska well in his new position.”
Swenson is a native of Oakland, Neb. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources and Wildlife Management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1984. During college he worked as a seasonal employee at Dead Timber and Fremont Lakes state recreation areas. Following graduation he worked seasonally in the Resource Services Division at Osage and Schilling wildlife management areas.
Swenson’s full-time employment at Game and Parks began in 1986 as a park superintendent at Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area. He transferred to Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) as a park superintendent in 1992, and then came to Lincoln in 2000 as the east region parks manager.
Swenson was executive director of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Committee from 2001-2007, when he coordinated major events by working with partner organizations. Among his accomplishments at Game and Parks are the continued development of Mahoney SP, and the development of cabins and the Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center at Ponca SP. He has been instrumental in many major park events, including the Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca.
“Working with Game and Parks is realizing a dream I had as a young man,” Swenson said. “I embrace the opportunities to serve this agency as a parks division administrator and serve our many park visitors by helping to provide quality facilities and outdoor recreation opportunities that they can be proud of and enjoy.”
Swenson, who lives in Greenwood, enjoys all facets of outdoor recreation, especially camping, hunting, fishing, canoeing, trapping and wildlife viewing.
