NORFOLK, Neb. – Two representatives of Northeast Community College have been recognized for their work in the community.
The Top 20 Under 40 list by CONNECT profiles 20 area young professionals who are “growing or excelling in their respective fields” each year. Katie Brummels, nursing instructor, and Brandon Keller, agribusiness instructor, are among those named to the 2023 list.
CONNECT, a partnership between Norfolk Now and the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce, is designed to engage and empower the next generation of community leaders. The list was determined after community members were asked to consider nominating young professionals who hold leadership roles within the workplace and organizations, give back to their community, and have excelled in their career thus far. The group collected the most applications for this year compared to previous years. In December, a selection committee outside Connect determined the recipients named to this year’s list.
The list is a way Connect identifies and showcases area leaders whose influence, achievements and dedication go above and beyond the status quo of the community. “This year’s recipients of the recognition are individuals who demonstrate leadership professional growth, while making the Norfolk area a better place to live,” according to the article.
In addition to her teaching duties, Brummels is chair of the Teaching and Learning Subcommittee at Northeast. Prior to working at Northeast, she held a full-time charge nurse at Faith Regional Health Services in the Women’s and Children’s Department. She has previously taught obstetric emergencies and neonatal resuscitation for the Paramedic Refresher held at Northeast.
Brummels is involved in several positional and community organizations such as First Christian Church and youth volleyball and softball with Battle Creek Public Schools. She is also involved as a member of the parent interview team for elementary principal and participates in the development of the Battle Creek Youth Football Association. Brummels is also involved in her parents’ business, Creek Road Barn Event Center and assists in event coordination, public relations and social media.
“Katie thrives to serve with a compassionate heart and enjoys giving to others including her family and her community,” her nominator said. “Through all of her leadership experience, Katie strives to learn more and be open to new opportunities. She is dedicated to helping others and leads by example.”
In addition to his faculty position at Northeast, Keller also coaches the Agribusiness and Agriculture Communications teams for the annual North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conference. He served as the principal investigator on the college’s National Science Foundation-ATE Precision Agriculture grant from 2018 to its close in July 2021. He currently served as co-principal investigator on Northeast’s newest NSF-ATE grant that commenced in July 2022. In addition, he has led programs, serves on committees and workgroups, and is treasurer of the College Faculty Association.
Keller is a Certified Personal Trainer for the Norfolk Family YMCA. He is also actively involved in the Norfolk Family YMCA. He is also actively involved in the Norfolk community with Diamond Dick District, Boy Scouts of America, and Norfolk Community Theatre, among other activities. Keller has dedicated the past 16 summers to serving as a member of the Camp Geiger staff, giving back to the scouts and leaders who stay at the camp from across the United States.
An article on recipients of the Top 20 Under 40 awards has been published in the 2023 Spring/Summer edition of Norfolk Now magazine and on the Norfolk now website at norfolknow.org/magazine. Copies of the magazine are available at the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce, 609 W. Norfolk Ave.
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