Jim Abel is a life-long resident of Lincoln, and the Chairman and CEO of NEBCO Inc., a Lincoln-based company with interests in the manufacture of concrete building materials, road construction, insurance, mining, real estate development and recreation. Jim’s interest in baseball dates back to enjoying the Lincoln Chiefs and working concessions during the Chicago Cubs spring training games while attending Arizona State. In 1973, after earning a degree in Business Administration, Jim returned to Lincoln beginning his career on the company’s highway asphalt and concrete paving crews. In 1985, Jim succeeded his father, George P. Abel Jr., as President of NEBCO, Inc. In addition, Jim serves as President of the Abel Foundation, which continues the family tradition of returning a measure of the company’s success to the community. Jim has also served on many civic and professional boards including the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, United Way, University of Nebraska Foundation, Nebraska Game & Parks Foundation, Ameritas, Nelnet, Nebraska Wesleyan, US Bank and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.

After beginning his career in sports administration in 1993, Bret is now in his 19th season with the Saltdogs organization. He played college baseball at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa; where he earned a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Bret also serves on the Board of Directors for the Junior Saltdogs League, a league that provides youth baseball programs in Lincoln for kids 5-16 years of age. His wife Nancy is an 8th grade English teacher at Lux Middle School, and their two sons: Bryce, attends Southeast Community College and Drew, attends Lincoln East.

After spending 13 seasons as an umpire in the Minor Leagues, Dave joined the Saltdogs organization in October of 2007. He spent 2008 as a ticket account executive, and was named as the director of stadium operations in September. On the field, he served as a Triple-A umpire for eight years, and also worked games in the Dominican Republic Winter League. Between 2002 and 2005, Dave was a fill-in umpire in the Major Leagues, and then worked in the American Association 2006-07. He still umpires some college games in his spare time. Dave and his wife, Peg, have two sons, Jack and Sam, and a daughter, Kathleen.

Colter is a 2010 Wayne State College graduate. He interned with the Saltdogs in 2010 and was brought on full time during the 2011 season. After being with Lincoln Stars Hockey for just over four seasons, Colter rejoined the Saltdogs in Nov. 2014.

Michael joins the Saltdogs for his first season after spending each of the last two years in a similar role with the expansion Cleburne Railroaders. A native Texan, Michael graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in broadcast journalism in 2017 and immediately went to work in the American Association. Michael has called games for the Forest City Owls, 90.3 KRNU, Big Ten Network, Lincoln Metro Sports and the Grandview (TX) Zebra Sports Network, and also spent time as a studio host with the ‘Dogs and newsroom intern at KFOR 1240 in 2014.

Kaydra is in her third year as the Office Manager for the Lincoln Saltdogs after working as an intern with the team in 2016. She is from Elm Creek, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in the summer of 2016 with a degree in Sports Management and a minor in Marketing/Management. Kaydra has been playing and watching sports for her entire life and knew she wanted to make it part of her career after watching her older brother play football in college and the NFL.

Jen is in her 19th year on the grounds crew at Haymarket Park. The Wakefield, Neb. native earned a degree in Horticulture from Northeast Community College. In her spare time she enjoys camping and fishing.

This is Katie’s first year as Director of Kitchen Operations at Haymarket Park. She has worked at Valentino’s/Premier Concessions for 15 years and in a management position for 10 years. Katie has experience in store operations and catering multiple types of events. She lives just outside of Lincoln with her two Beagles, Zeke and Chloe.

Jeff is an award-winning broadcaster who got his start as a public address announcer in his home town of San Diego, Calif. After high school, he spent nearly 10 years in the Navy, working for Armed Forces Radio and TV. Jeff won the 1987 Department of Defense Thomas Jefferson Award for Broadcasting Excellence, for his work as a sports reporter and anchor. Briden joined KLMS in 2003 as a weekend host and sports producer, and serves as a studio host for high school sports broadcasts in addition to his excellent work with the Saltdogs. Jeff also has two daughters, Vanessa and Lauren and granddaughter Abigail.

Ryan joins the Saltdogs as a studio host for the 2018 season. He is currently the voice of Lincoln’s Superior HyVee, and is also a camera operator for the Omaha Storm Chasers. In his free time, Ryan works hard in supporting Lincoln Fire & Rescue when it comes to the department’s needs. Born and raised in Papillion, Nebraska, Ryan is a graduate of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications, where he received a degree in Broadcast Journalism in May of 2015.