2/9/2010
Hod Kosman has combined a love of wildlife with a dying friend's wish to create a natural legacy for all Nebraskans.
His innovative Platte River Basin Environments Inc. has helped conserve about 30,000 acres of biologically unique landscapes in what's known as the Wildcat Hills of the Nebraska Panhandle. The wildlands are open to public hiking, wildlife watching, fishing and hunting.
The Scottsbluff banker's conservation leadership, along with a long record of other civic involvement, prompted the Rotary Club of Lincoln to name Kosman the 23rd Annual Nebraskan of the Year.
"This is just a tremendous honor and I'm very, very grateful," he said Tuesday afternoon during a banquet at Embassy Suites attended by 258.
Kosman, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is president of Platte Valley Cos., a financial services firm with nine subsidiaries in Nebraska and Wyoming. His civic and community involvement has included leadership in the banking industry, education, health care and the arts.
In 1989, his friend Clive Ostenberg left a large financial gift to Ducks Unlimited and The Nature Conservancy. The groups could have used the money elsewhere, but Kosman persuaded them to join an effort to conserve land in the Wildcat Hills, where Ostenberg loved to hunt.
Platte River Basin Environments was formed as a nonprofit organization committed to using a science-based approach to identify, acquire and conserve threatened habitat. The group's first project was a 600-acre wetland.
The organization since has spent millions saving thousands of acres of land near the North Platte River and its drainages. Residential development, particularly in the form of so-called ranchettes, represents a growing threat to the scenic landscapes southwest of Scottsbluff.
The tracts also have provided public access to the North Platte River, a natural resource under tremendous demand by private buyers.
During his acceptance speech, Kosman presented a slideshow featuring the wild beauty of the region, including wildflowers, waterfowl, mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep.
And he described his beloved Wildcat Hills.
"The hills and grasslands, spring-fed canyons, wooded escarpments and spacious skies of western Nebraska."
The organization pays real estate and property taxes on the lands. And it uses cattle grazing not only as a grassland management tool, but also because it helps support the regional ag economy.
And, the group works with dozens of partners, including the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
Kosman's work has been recognized nationally, most notably in 2008, when Field & Stream Magazine named him a conservation hero.
A fellow winner of the Nebraskan of the Year honor was just one of the dignitaries on hand Tuesday to congratulate Kosman.
"Hod has done a lot of great things for a lot of people," Tom Osborne said.
11/1/2009
Platte Valley Bank was chosen for the 4th time (Oct. '03, Oct. '05, Oct. '07, and Oct. '09) as the Star-Herald's Readers Choice Award as the "#1 FAVORITE BANK." As for the "#1 Favorite Teller", Peggy Hessler, who is Platte Valley Bank's Assistant Cashier & Teller Operations Coordinator for NE & WY, was the recipient of the 2009 Reader's Choice Award, as she was in '07. Peggy, it's a special honor to be chosen by your customers and friends. Congratulations... from all of us at Platte Valley Companies. "Thank You" also to all of our customers and friends who voted for Platte Valley Bank!"
9/25/2009
Keith Geis, President of Platte Valley Bank-Wheatland and a 1975 graduate of the University of Wyoming, was honored as an outstanding alumni during the Dean's Ag Appreciation Dinner Friday, September 25th. He was also honored during the UW vs. University of Nebada, Las Vegas footall game Saturday, September 26th. CONGRATULATIONS... Keith!
7/29/2009
July 29, 2009: Brennan Malm, President of the McBrayer Insurance Center, along with its Directors, are announcing effective August 1, 2009, that its subsidiary Platte Valley Insurance Center-Wheatland will become McBrayer Insurance Center-Wheatland. McBrayer Insurance Center has long been recognized for its excellence in Torrington, WY and the surrounding communities for over 50 years. "We are excited to extend that experience and support to our Wheatland office," says Malm. In addition to the Wheatland and Torrington insurance centers, J.G. Elliott Insurance Center in Scottsbluff, NE has been serving the insurance needs of Wyo-Braska communities since 1920. All three are subsidiaries of Platte Valley Companies and work together to provide insurance needs for WyoBraska communities. "Vickie Snyder will remain our Account Executive at McBrayer Insurance Center-Wheatland," continues Malm. "She will continue working with our Wheatland customers and will have the full backing and support of our staff in the Torrington office. Snyder has 32 years of experience in insurance, and has a broad knowledge both in commercial and personal insurance. Vickie has been part of the Wheatland community for three years, and is very excited to continue providing the Wheatland community with excellent service."
6/19/2009
Keith Geis, President and COO of Platte Valley Bank-Wheatland, WY, was appointed to serve a three year term on the American Bankers Association ( ABA ), Agricultural and Rural Banking Committee. This is a committee of fourteen agricultural and rural bankers from around the country, who volunteer their time to provide guidance and recommendations to the center staff of ABA. Committee members are nominated by the state bankers associations and represent regions of the country. The ABA Chairman appoints all committee members, and they meet three times per year.
The kinds of agricultural and rural banking areas they get involved with are: Advocacy; Monitor the Farm Credit System; Industry Relations; Public Relations; Education; and Information. There has only been one other Banker in Wyoming that has served on this committee. “It has been very informative and provided some insights into the banking industry, which one does not get on a day to day basis,” says Geis.
Geis is also serving a three year term on the Wyoming Bankers Association Board of directors.
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