Who We Are

Jim Partington

Executive Director
jpartington@nebraska-dining.org

Jim Partington is Executive Director of the Nebraska Restaurant Association. A native Nebraskan, Jim’s career includes 33 years in the Navy, progressing from Ensign to Rear Admiral. Upon retirement he and his family moved back to Lincoln where local manufacturers Senior Technologies and Riser Bond recruited him to serve in key corporate roles because of his experience and expertise in strategic planning, corporate finance, and management. Jim retired from Riser Bond in 2002, and in 2003 joined the Nebraska Restaurant Association. In keeping with his new career in hospitality, and to fulfill a long-held dream of being a “gentleman farmer”, Jim and his family built Deer Springs Winery, a family owned and operated vineyard and winery.

Jim Otto

Government Affairs Representative
nebretailfed@hotmail.com

Jim Otto is the “go to” person for issues that have – or could have – an impact on the operations of the members of the Nebraska Restaurant Association. Jim started his career as Coordinator of Economic Development for the City of Lincoln and then served as Nebraska State Director at the USDA Rural Development before becoming the hospitality industry representative in the legislature. Well-known and respected at the Nebraska Unicameral, he also serves as President of the Nebraska Retail Federation.