Former Nebraska business chamber executive to return to take top spot 

LINCOLN — Nebraska’s largest statewide business lobbying group will have a familiar face at the helm in mid-July, following a recent stretch of leadership turnover.

Joseph Young has been tapped to be the next president and CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, which has been a key voice for business in the state since 1912. Young had served as the state chamber’s executive vice president from 2015 to 2018.

He currently is managing partner at Blue Tide Ventures LLC in Florida, a real estate and retail investment company. Young’s previous roles included leadership positions at Sampson Construction, Ag American Lending and Cox Communications.  

Young’s return comes in the wake of an abrupt resignation last February by Todd Bingham, who came from Utah and had been in the top chamber post less than a year. The chamber offered no reason or public explanation for Bingham’s departure, saying it could not comment on a personnel issue. Bryan Slone had been CEO for about seven years prior to Bingham.

Former state senator Matt Williams of Gothenburg during the last few months has filled in as interim chamber president, and took part in Young’s selection process.

Pat Keenan, chair of the chamber’s board of directors, described Young as seasoned in leading government relations for the state chamber and the Omaha Chamber of Commerce. A statement  said he has worked at the Nebraska Department of Economic Development as well as in private business development.

“The array of experience in the roles he’s had, combined with his demonstrated ability in leading teams, building culture and managing with accountability, makes him a great fit for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said in a statement.

Young graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds a master’s degree in business administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University.

He said he was honored to return to serve Nebraska’s business community.

“Together with our members, policymakers and community leaders, I look forward to advancing policies and programs that strengthen Nebraska’s economy, support job creation, and create opportunities for all Nebraskans,” Young said.