Kuhn retiring from Game and Parks on Oct. 1

Roger Kuhn, assistant director of program development at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, is retiring Oct. 1 after nearly 45 years with the agency.

Kuhn, a native of Louisville, Nebraska, has been instrumental to the agency and the state parks system throughout his career. He built and maintained relationships with donors and corporate, community, political and philanthropic leaders across the state, ultimately raising tens of millions of dollars and securing support vital to the success of Game and Parks.

Kuhn is most well-known for his work to develop Eugene T. Mahoney State Park — the state’s newest state park — and for successfully leading the Commission’s largest private-public fundraising effort to date: the Nebraska Outdoor Venture Parks project.

Kuhn raised nearly $30 million in private donations for the Venture Parks project to expand activities and amenities in four popular start parks and recreation areas along the Platte River. The work at Mahoney State Park, Platte River State Park, Schramm Park State Recreation Area and Louisville State Recreation Area was completed in 2024.

Kuhn has worked as the agency’s primary fundraiser since 2014, developing strong relationships and unique partnerships across the state. He also has worked closely since 1983 with the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation on many targeted fundraising efforts.

A few of those include the:

• Development of Mahoney and Smith Falls state parks; Fort Atkinson, Bowring, Rock Creek Station, and Ashfall state historical parks; the Wildcat Hills Nature and Education Center and shooting range; the Platte River State Park shooting range; and the Lake McConaughy Visitor and Water Interpretive Center.
• Redevelopment of Ponca State Park and its aquatic center, as well as Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area and Niobrara State Park;
• Reconstruction of the Buffalo Barracks and the 1891 Officers’ Quarters at Fort Robinson State Park;
• Acquisition of additional property at Ponca, Platte River, Mahoney, Kearney, and Ashfall; and
• Creation of the Half-Price Youth Lifetime Permit program.

“Roger’s authentic leadership and close work with the Foundation have resulted in many successes bringing new and improved outdoor recreational opportunities across Nebraska,” said Tim McCoy, Game and Parks’ director. “These outdoor spaces are places where our residents and visitors are creating memories today and will enjoy far into the future.”

Kuhn started working for the Commission’s Parks Division in 1981. Six years later, he developed the newly acquired property near Ashland into Mahoney State Park, where he served as park superintendent until 1993. During his time with the agency, Kuhn also served as administrative assistant to Director Eugene Mahoney and as the east regional parks manager, Parks Division Administrator and as Assistant Director.

For the past 43 years, Kuhn also has served as the coordinator of the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation’s annual fundraising event, the Royal Game Dinner, and since 2014, as a commissioner for the Nebraska Tourism Commission, a position he was reappointed to this spring by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen.

“I am blessed and proud to have had the opportunity to give back, serve and help do great things for my home state,” said Kuhn. “I am forever grateful and privileged to have worked throughout my career with literally thousands of amazing people who have made Nebraska a better place for all.”

Kuhn expressed deep gratitude to all his Game and Parks colleagues — from restroom cleaners and garbage collectors (of which Kuhn was when he started with the agency) to commissioners — as well as the philanthropic, corporate and political communities who generously supported the agency and contributed to its success.

“There is no better feeling than seeing people from all walks of life enjoying the places and opportunities Game and Parks made possible through partnerships, collaboration and generous financial support of private donors,” he said. “Being a part of the creation of many new facilities, properties, programs and opportunities that have improved the quality of life of the millions of people we serve each year is something I will always hold dear to my heart.”