(Lincoln)-- Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has appointed Mary K. Gerdes of Johnson to serve as District 1 Commissioner on the Nebraska State Highway Commission.  Gerdes will complete the term of Rodney Vandeberg who died in May of 2015. The term runs through the fall of 2017. 

District 1 includes Richardson, Pawnee, Johnson, Nemaha, Butler, Cass, Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Otoe, Saline, Saunders and Seward counties. 

Gerdes is a Johnson High School graduated who attended Peru State College. She and her husband Dan own and operate an 800 acre grain production farm. Previously the also owned and operated a 2,400 sow pork production operation. 

Gerdes is currently a member of Nebraska Ag Builders and has served on the Board of Directors; She was appointed to the State Committee for Nebraska Farm Service Agency by President George W. Bush in 2000. She has also served on the Nebraska Pork Producers Association Board and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation Board.

The State Highway Commission conducts hearings, investigations and studies in an effort to provide adequate and safe highways in the state.