The NE Chamber and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) College of Business today announced the 2024 inductees into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame, including:
- Sid Dinsdale, Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc.
- Lance Fritz, Union Pacific, Inc.
- Hornady Family, Hornady Manufacturing Co.
These leaders will officially be inducted at the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame Banquet Thursday, February 1, at a 5:30 p.m. reception and 6:30 p.m. banquet held at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. To join in honoring these individuals and their families, register at nechamber.com/events or contact the NE Chamber at 402-474-4422. To sponsor, contact James Berringer at 402-474-4717 or jberringer@nechamber.com.
“This year’s honorees include some of the most impactful business leaders in Nebraska,” said NE Chamber President Bryan Slone. “Their innovative aspirations, grit and business success is just the tip of the iceberg. They have also made remarkable contributions to their communities and the entire state.”
These individuals join a distinguished group of more than 135 business leaders whose work to grow their businesses in Nebraska have made a significant impact on the free enterprise system, Nebraska’s economy, overall job opportunities and quality of life in their communities. Candidates are nominated by individuals from the business community, business associations and academia. The program was established in 1992 by the NE Chamber and UNL College of Business.
“We are excited to recognize and salute the accomplishments of the 2023 Nebraska Business Hall of Fame honorees whose contributions to Nebraska’s economy and business environment are broad and far reaching. This group includes entrepreneurs, exceptional business leaders and highly engaged citizens who made a tremendous impact on the state,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the UNL College of Business.
The NE Chamber is the largest, statewide business association, proudly serving as the voice of Nebraska’s business community since 1912. The organization promotes and protects Nebraska’s free enterprise system by ensuring a competitive business climate, economic growth and greater prosperity for all Nebraskans. Learn more at nechamber.com.
NEBRASKA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
2023 HONOREES
LANCE FRITZ, Union Pacific, Omaha
Lance Fritz is Union Pacific chairman, president and chief executive officer. He stepped into these roles in 2015, when he was also elected to the corporation’s board of directors. He began his Union Pacific career in July 2000 as vice president and general manager – Energy in the company’s Marketing and Sales Department. Since then, Fritz has served as executive vice president – Operations, vice president – Labor Relations, and president and chief operating officer. Fritz graduated from Bucknell University and earned a master’s degree in management from Northwestern University. He serves as a member of the board of directors of Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Business Roundtable, The Business Council, Nebraska Medicine, Omaha Zoological Society, STRATCOM Consultation Committee and the Association of American Railroads. He also serves on the Georgia Institute of Technology president’s advisory board. Union Pacific was founded in 1862 and operates North America’s premier railroad franchise, covering 23 states in the western two-thirds of the U.S.
SID DINSDALE, Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc., Lincoln
Sid Dinsdale is Chairman of Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc., a family-owned business that owns 100% of four bank charters: Pinnacle Bank Nebraska, Bank of Colorado, Pinnacle Bank Texas and Pinnacle Bank Wyoming. He grew up in Palmer, NE, a town of 425 people, and grew up working in the family feedlot, hay fields and irrigation operations. After graduating from Palmer High School, Dinsdale attended Hastings College then transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he graduated with a degree in Finance. He later attended the Graduate School of Baking at the University of Colorado and completed the Presidents Program at Harvard University. He is a member of the Omaha Business Hall of Fame and UNL Business School Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Dawn, were named “Aksarben’s Most Honored Citizens” in 2022. Dinsdale has been a Governor of Aksarben, on the board of Midlands Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Humane Society, STRATCOM Consultation Committee and the University of Nebraska Foundation, amongst others. He currently serves on the Methodist Health System board, Ameritas Life Insurance board and the boards of the banks and holding company.
HORNADY FAMILY, Hornady Manufacturing Company, Grand Island
Steve and Jason Hornady serve as the President and Vice President of Hornady Manufacturing Company, started by Steve’s father Joyce in 1949. Steve assumed leadership of the company from his father in 1981 and Jason followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, joining the family business in 2006.
Steve Hornady has been a lifelong shooter, avid hunter and advocate for the shooting sports industry. Steve, a lifetime Nebraska resident, began his career at Hornady Manufacturing in 1971. 10 years later, he took the reins of the company after his father’s passing and led Hornady to what it is today.
Jason Hornady grew up in Grand Island and worked in the Hornady Manufacturing ballistics lab as a teenager. After graduating from the University of Wyoming in 1992, Jason worked for Sportco Marketing, Redfield Riflescopes and Dunkin-Lewis before finding himself back at the family company in 2006 as director of sales.
Both Jason and his father Steve have served on several boards and are currently involved with the NRA, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute (SAAMI) and National Shooting Sports Foundation. Steve was recognized by the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence as the 2005 Shooting Industry Man of the Year and in 2013, he was recognized by the NRA as the Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award recipient. In 2019, Hornady Manufacturing was named Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year for the ninth time by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers.