JIM ABEL
Chairman
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.
CHARLIE MEYER
President / General Manager
A native of Arlington, Nebraska, Charlie serves as Treasurer of NEBCO, Inc. and President/General Manager of the Lincoln Saltdogs. Meyer is a graduate of Doane College, Nebraska College of Business and Colorado School of Banking. He is involved in a number of charitable and community organizations in the Lincoln area, including the following boards: Community Health Charities of Nebraska, United Way 2018 Campaign Cabinet, Child Advocacy Board, Nebraska High School Hall of Fame, Founding Board Member of 100’s of Lincoln Men Who Care and Chair of the Expansion Committee of the American Association. He and his wife Val, have three children and four grandchildren: Jamie & Ryan Von Sossan, and sons Cole & Lou of Sacramento, CA; Amber & Pete Fencl and daughter Izzy and son Brody of David City, NE; and Brian of Lincoln, NE.
DAVE ASCHWEGE
Director of Stadium Operations
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.
DAN BUSCH
Assistant Director of Stadium Operations
Dan is entering his fourth year with the Saltdogs as Assistant Director of Stadium Operations. Hailing from the small town of Napoleon, Ohio, Dan graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Sports Management. Dan also spent some time at Ohio University where, as a freshman, he walked on to the football team under former Nebraska Head Coach Frank Solich. This will be Dan’s sixth year in professional baseball.
COLTER CLARKE
Ticket Sales Manager
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.
DANIEL THOMAS
Group Sales Executive
Daniel is entering his third season with the Saltdogs, first as Group Sales Executive. He previously was the Clubhouse Manager during the 2018 season, and an intern during the 2017 season. Originally from Omaha, he graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December 2018 with a degree in Advertising/ Public Relations, and History. During his time there he was a part of the Acacia Fraternity. Daniel has also worked with the Lincoln Stars Hockey Team, and the Doane University Athletic Department.
MICHAEL DIXON
Director of Broadcasting & Communications
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 BRODINE
Office Manager
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.
STEVE DERIESE
Director of Operations for Concessions
This is Steve’s first year as the Director of Operations for Concessions at Haymarket Park. He is an alumni of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has been with Valentino’s/Premier Concessions for over 30 years! Steve has a wife and two daughters, and when not at the park, he enjoys serving in several ministries at his church.
KATIE WILKINSON
Director of Kitchen Operations
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.
HEATH KRAMER
Public Address Announcer
A lifelong Nebraskan, Heath has been involved in baseball as a player, coach, umpire and announcer. He serves with the MyBridge Radio team as an on-air host and producer. Heath has been married to Ann for 25 years and they have two sons, Chandler and Noah. Heath is on a quest to visit every Major League baseball stadium. He has 14 to go.
JEFF BRIDEN
Broadcast Team: Studio Host
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.
JAKE BOCKOVEN
Broadcast Team: Studio Host
Jake previously worked as a sports radio personality in Lincoln from 2013-2018. Jake is a proud Lincoln native and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Broadcast Journalism degree in 2013.
RYAN SWANIGAN
Broadcast Team: Studio Host
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.
DANNY BURKE
Broadcast Team: Studio Host
Danny is currently the producer for Hail Varsity Radio Show on KLMS. Born and raised in Chicago, Danny came to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2014 and graduated in May 2018 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.