Helping You Conserve Natural Resources For 35 Years...

Upper Republican Natural Resources District

URNRD Employees

Jasper Fanning, Manager

Fanning joined the URNRD in July 2004. He has received a bachelor of science in animal science and agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln in 1998. He then completed a master of science degree in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University, and recently completed the PhD program at Kansas State University.

Originally from Benkelman, Fanning understands the economic value of the natural resources in the URNRD, and is familiar with the restrictions and allocations used in the district. His economic background is useful in analyzing the effects of regulation on the area.

E-mail: jasperfanning@urnrd.org

Dirk Dinnel, Assistant Manager

Dinnel began employment with the URNRD in November 2007.  He is responsible for utilizing the GIS and ArcView computer programs.

Born and raised in Chase County, Dinnel holds a bachelor of science in biology with an environmental emphasis and a minor in geographic information systems from Boise State University. He has worked as a range technician for the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management , and was a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman.

Deb Hayes, Administrative Assistant

Hayes is responsible for the keeping of financial, personnel, policy and meeting records for the URNRD. She has been with the district since 1994.

Mike Nesbitt, Conservation Programs Coordinator

Nesbitt has been with the URNRD since 1980; he maintains most of the water use records and is directly responsible for irrigation and chemigation related work in Perkins County.

Heather Francis, Conservation & Information Specialist

Francis is responsible for implementing most URNRD cost share programs, including both federal and state programs. She does the tree plans and ordering of tree supplies, grass seed and bait. Francis is also in charge of the URNRD’s education outreach program with schools and other parties throughout the year. She has been with the URNRD since 1992.

E-mail: dirkdinnel@urnrd.org

E-mail: debhayes@urnrd.org                                    urnrd@urnrd.org

E-mail: heatherfrancis@urnrd.org

John Lemon, Conservation Technician

Lemon has been with the URNRD since April 2001; he is directly responsible for irrigation and chemigation related work in Dundy County. He is also responsible for the buffer strip program, equipment maintenance and equipment rental for the district.

Todd Burrell, Conservation Technician

Burrell has been with the URNRD since 2003. He maintains most of the water use records and is directly responsible for irrigation and chemigation related work in Chase County

E-mail: toddburrell@urnrd.org

Wilma Zimbelman, Receptionist

Zimbelman has been with the URNRD since 1979, she was formerly the Benkelman Field Office Secretary, but now provides secretarial support in the main URNRD office.

E-mail: wilmazimbelman@urnrd.org

Rebecca Spady, Imperial Field Office Secretary

Spady has been with the URNRD since 1994. She provides secretarial support for URNRD & NRCS programs in the Imperial NRCS office. Her duties include coordinating NRD and NRCS communications and representing the NRD in the local community.

Imperial NRCS Office, 308.882.4263

Patricia Clough, Grant Field Office Secretary

Clough has been with the district since 2001; she provides secretarial support for URNRD & NRCS programs in the Grant NRCS office. Her duties include coordinating NRD and NRCS program communications and representing the NRD in the local community.

Grant NRCS Office, 308.352.4776

E-mail: johnlemon@urnrd.org