Meet the Staff

Executive Director
aebert@pedco-ne.org

Procurement Specialist
skreason@pedcoptac.org

Sheila leverages more than 20-years of entrepreneurial consulting experience and public speaking spanning sectors in commercial, institutional, and government contract management — to support businesses seeking to grow their government opportunities.  Her expertise includes agri-business, manufacturing, R&D, technologies, feasibility analysis, financial pro forma development, and data driven strategic planning.

In her role as a Defense Logistics Agency Procurement Technical Assistance Counselor since 2013, Sheila provides technical support with specialization in Department of Defense and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR/DFAR) for government contracting procedures, policies, proposals, strategies, and market research.   Her current position with the Native PEDCO PTAC serves individually owned Native entities, Tribal-owned entities, and their teaming relationships.  Both large and small businesses look to her technical guidance in data analytics, teaming and joint ventures, proposal preparation, and post-award compliance.  The PEDCO PTAC program also supports contractors with state, local, and institutional purchasing platforms.  Sheila’s end goal with every client is to strategically build their contract revenue, while strengthening the national industrial base.  Sheila and her team have supported up to $380M in contract activity within a 12-month period.

Sheila received her bachelor’s in business management from Northwood University and post-graduate coursework in accounting for CPA.  She also acquired the George Washington University School of Business Master Certification in Commercial Contract Management, and holds the National Contract Management Association certification as a Certified Federal Contract Manager.  She presently continues government coursework in the Defense Acquisition University.  Sheila also holds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CQM certification.  Her recognition includes the iChange Nations Women’s Leadership and Ambassadorship in 2015.

Sheila is a member of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC), the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), and the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA).

In her spare time, Sheila is an outdoor enthusiast and loves agriculture; enjoying the wide variety of natural and recreational resources available in the Great Lakes and across the United States.

Workforce Development Coordinator
lloucks@pedco-ne.org

Larry has spent over 30 years assisting individuals in finding and maintaining employment. He worked for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services as both a Case Manager and Supervisor with the Employment First Program, assisting TANF recipients to secure employment or gain the necessary tools to enter the workforce with the goal of becoming self-sufficient. He has also worked with ResCare as a Case Manager Supervisor, contracting to Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to provide case management services for the Employment First Program. He later worked for Nebraska State Probation as a High Risk Probation Officer and as a Juvenile Probation Officer. He has also spent time as a Program Facilitator for the Center for People in Need, working with inmates to reenter the workforce.

Larry received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Political Science, with minors in History and Sociology. He has completed the Hastings Leadership Program in 2013, and was instrumental in developing the first Nebraska "One Stop Shop", in collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Labor in Grand Island, NE in 2001.

Larry's hobbies include motorcycles, family, travel and Nebraska Football.