Kurt Kechely Memorial Endowment fuels students’ entrepreneurial spirit
The Nebraska FFA Foundation has recognized the contributions of business and community leader Kurt Kechely through an endowment to memorialize his legacy.
The Kurt Kechely Memorial Endowment will provide funding for entrepreneurship supervised agriculture experiences for FFA members of the Norris and Lyons-Decatur FFA chapters. The endowment will also support the development of school-based enterprises for the Norris and Lyons-Decatur FFA chapters.
The endowment, established by the Ron and Lisa Preston family, Kechely’s business partners and close family friends, is intended to foster a spirit of entrepreneurship for the agriculture education students participating in the local communities Kechely was involved with.
Passionate about FFA
Lisa Preston wrote, “Kurt Kechely had a very strong passion and desire to help individuals reach their full potential in both their personal and professional lives.” She added, “Kurt was passionate about individuals investing in themselves and the life-long positive effect that it came with.”
Ron Preston agreed. “At a young age Kurt was known for his entrepreneurial spirit,” he said. “He was very adamant about developing ways to not only improve his life, but also helping others along their way. Kurt felt strongly about the teaching and educational side of what it truly means to be an entrepreneur and strived to pass his knowledge to everyone he could.”
Appropriate memorial
Stacey Agnew, executive director of the Nebraska FFA Foundation, said the foundation board was honored to establish the endowment in memory of Kechely.
“He exemplified many qualities we hope for FFA members to gain, such as an entrepreneurial spirit and investing in communities,” she said.
The Nebraska FFA Foundation invests in agricultural education and FFA for nearly 12,000 FFA members and their advisors in Nebraska by growing leaders, building communities, and creating career connections. For more information, visit neffafoundation.org.
