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Draft:Pete Festersen

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  • Comment: Would not meet WP:NPOL which leaves WP:GNG as the threshold that must be met. Unfortunately, there is nothing out there as far as significant coverage that would show notability. There is one local piece which is cited in the draft but my search online only shows references that mention him along with work with the Council and nothing really in-depth about him. CNMall41 (talk) 19:24, 3 October 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: Still not qualified for NPOL. ☮️Counter-Strike:Mention 269🕉️(🗨️ ● ✉️ ● 📔) 05:40, 21 May 2024 (UTC)


Pete Festersen (born 1970) is an American politician currently serving as the President of the City Council in Omaha, Nebraska (population 485,153..[1]). A member of the Democratic party, Festersen has represented Omaha’s first district as a member of the council since 2009[2]. District 1 covers Omaha neighborhoods including Dundee, Country Club, Benson, Florence, Keystone, Crossroads, and the Westroads area[3].

Early Life and Education

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Pete Festersen was born and raised in Omaha, where he attended Central High School before pursuing higher education. He graduated from Connecticut College and later earned his Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha[4].

Political Career

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Festersen's political journey began in 2009 when he was elected to the Omaha City Council. He has since been re-elected in 2013, 2017, and 2021. Notably, Festersen served as the President of the City Council from 2013 to 2015. In 2021 and 2023, he was re-elected as the President of the City Council. In 2023, Festersen’s appointment as President was chosen through a unanimous vote[5].

In 2013, Festersen briefly ran for a seat in U.S. Congress before ultimately choosing to end his run to focus on his city council role, business career, and young family[6][7][8].

Professional Career

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Aside from his political endeavors, Festersen has been the Division Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for CHI Health, a prominent private health system employer in Omaha, since 2016[9].

From 2010-2015, Festersen owned and operated a consulting business, Strategic Business Development, LLC., providing support for corporate and non-profit business clients.

Festersen has also held senior management positions at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Peter Kiewit Foundation, and the Office of the Mayor of Omaha[4][10].

Community Involvement

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Festersen currently serves on the board of directors for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the Douglas County Board of Public Health. Additionally, he plays advisory roles for organizations such as the Empowerment Network, Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue, and the Food Bank of the Heartland capital campaign[10].

Previously, Festersen has chaired the Omaha Planning Board and contributed to various community boards, including the Omaha Children's Museum, College World Series, Inc., and the United Way of the Midlands campaign[10].

Recognitions and Awards

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In 2012, Festersen received the Excellence in Public Service Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Public Administration and Community Service[11].

The American Society for Public Administration-Nebraska Chapter named him elected official of the year in 2014.

In 2015, the University of Nebraska at Omaha presented Festersen with the Citation for Alumni Achievement[12]

Personal Life

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Pete Festersen is married to Paige, a preschool teacher at Dundee Presbyterian Church. The couple has two daughters, Anna and Caroline.

Festersen races sailboats and is the former Nebraska State Champion in both soccer and curling. Additionally, he is a lifelong musician who plays the drums in a local rock band[13]

References

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  1. ^ "U.S. Census Quick Facts - Omaha". U.S. Census. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  2. ^ Lundgren, Harper. "Councilman Pete Festersen Seeks Relection". WOWT. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  3. ^ "Omaha City Council District Map". City of Omaha. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  4. ^ a b Palmer, Nikki (2022-05-16). "City of Omaha City Council District 1 - Pete Festersen". Omaha Daily Record. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  5. ^ "Omaha City Council names Aimee Melton as vice president, re-elects Festersen council president". KMTV. 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  6. ^ Grace, Erin (2013-12-12). "Pete Festersen Says Political Ambition Takes Back Seat to Family". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  7. ^ Whitsett, Adrian (2013-12-10). "Councilman Pete Festersen drops out of U.S. Congress race". KETV. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  8. ^ Fitzsimmons, Emma G. (2013-09-12). "Nebraska Democrat Drops Challenge for House Seat". The New York Times.
  9. ^ Ruggles, Rick (2023-02-28). "Pete Festersen rejoins CHI Health, will remain on City Council". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  10. ^ a b c "Pete Festersen". City of Omaha. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  11. ^ "CPACS Alumni Awards". University of Nebraska Omaha. 2024-04-10. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  12. ^ "Citation for Alumni Achievement Award". University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  13. ^ Grace, Erin (2015-02-02). "Councilman Pete Festersen, band of Gen Xers revisit early passion for music". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
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