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.

This is Alex’s third year with the Saltdogs as Director of Promotions. She grew up in Omaha Nebraska. Her first two years of college she went to New Mexico Military Institute and played volleyball where she then transferred to University of Nebraska at Omaha and graduated in May of 2017. She worked at UNO as a marketing and promotions intern for 2 years with their hockey, basketball and volleyball teams.

Raised in Lincoln, and a graduate of Lincoln Southeast high school, Jeremy served eight years active duty in the United States Army. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earning a degree in Turfgrass Management. He has worked in sports turf management since 2011, which included a stint with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012. Jeremy and his wife, Lauren, have a son, Kolton, and reside in Lincoln.

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.

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 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.