Ibach Announces Tom Jensen as New Chief Administrator

LINCOLN – Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach today announced the appointment of NDA Laboratory Administrator Tom Jensen to the Department’s chief administrator position.  Jensen has been employed with the Department since 1974 and has served as Laboratory Administrator for the past 32 years.  Tom will assume his new responsibilities today.

“Tom has served as Laboratory Administrator and has worked on homeland security for the Department,” said Ibach.  “This knowledge will be extremely helpful as he begins his new position.”

Jensen is a native of Hastings, Nebraska, and a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University and the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Jensen assumes the chief administrator position from Denis Blank.  Blank has been the NDA Chief Administrator for 28 years and with NDA for 40 years.

“Denis has infinite knowledge of NDA and his experience will be missed,” Ibach said.  “We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Blank began his career with NDA following service in the U.S. Army where he was based in Italy.  In August 1971, he became Laboratory Supervisor and in 1975 became the Laboratory Director.  In 1979, he was promoted to the position of Food and Dairy Division Administrator and assumed the role of Chief Administrator in 1983.