Robin Smith – Board Chair

With over 15 years of experience in college administration and student affairs as well as serving as the statewide development director for ARC-Nebraska, Robin has the experience and expertise to build and maintain long-term relationships with clients. As a trust officer since 1999, Robin serves clients in all areas of estate and trust administration with added expertise in the area of special needs trusts. Robin and her husband, Jeff, have two adult children and four grandchildren. Robin enjoys the outdoors, running, traveling and mostly time with family.

Linda Robinson-Rutz

Linda has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She spent a number of years in the insurance industry. Linda served as President for the Union Agency, Inc. Linda has experience serving on several Boards including such Boards as the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, Food Bank of Lincoln and Lancaster County, Community Health Charities and the Tabitha Foundation. Linda brings great energy and insight to the Board of Directors.

Kent Seacrest

Kent has over 25 years of experience as a practicing attorney in the Lincoln area and is currently a shareholder with Seacrest & Kalkowski, PC, LLO. He practices almost exclusively in the land use, real estate, consensus building and planning areas. Kent is a graduate of the University of California-Santa Cruz. His postgraduate education includes receiving a Juris Doctorate, with high distinction, from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa where he was a member of Order of the Coif and a Masters Degree with honors from the Urban and Regional Planning Department at the University of Iowa. Kent brings a wealth of knowledge in the real estate and governance areas to our Board of Directors.

Steven K. Spady

Steve retired after a 41 year career with the Nebraska Department of Banking & Finance.  As a member of the field examination staff, trust examinations were Steve’s primary focus and he was the trust examiner for First Nebraska Trust Company since its start in 1995 and through the 2015 calendar year.  His examination duties included safety and soundness, credit evaluation, Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act compliance, and Information Technology and Information Security review.  While with the Nebraska Department of Banking & Finance, Steve also provided assistance in preparing regulatory rules and regulations.  Steve’s knowledge of First Nebraska Trust Company from twenty years as our examiner provides us with invaluable guidance as we continue to move forward and should be especially useful in anticipating and dealing with compliance issues.  Steve is an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York, Nebraska and was a 30 year member of the York Volunteer Fire Department with 19 years as volunteer Chief.

C.J. Guenzel

C.J. became a Board Member for First Nebraska Trust Company in 2019.  Prior to this time, he had over 12 years working in the trust industry as a trust officer which included 9 years at First Nebraska Trust as Vice President & Trust Officer.  Prior to working in the trust industry, he worked in financial planning education services as well as the financial services and accounting areas.  C.J. maintains the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designations.  Throughout his career, C.J. has formed a deep passion and love for the trust and investment business as well as a commitment to client service.  In addition to involvement in professional organizations, C.J. is active in many organizations serving the Omaha community and beyond.

Founder of First Nebraska Trust Company

John Guenzel, Founder, Past President

John Guenzel spearheaded the start of First Nebraska Trust Company.  His vision was to serve the communities throughout Nebraska as an independent trust company with employee and director ownership which would concentrate its efforts on serving its clients in a customized, personal manner, while also working closely with estate planning attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors.  With the necessary regulatory approvals and a location selected on 13^th & K Streets, the charter was granted and First Nebraska Trust Company officially began business on December 1, 1995.  The mission of First Nebraska Trust Company was established on opening day – to provide outrageously excellent service to a select clientele by focusing on providing trust administration, customized investment management and estate settlement, while working closely with each client’s trusted professional team.

On March 15, 2018, we lost our founder, friend and business partner.  John Guenzel was a man who was one of the most passionate trust professionals in the industry, and a truly one-of-a-kind person who touched the lives of countless people.  John Guenzel will be forever missed, but he shared a part of himself with all.  Thanks to John’s forethought and planning, First Nebraska Trust Company will continue to uphold its assurance to its clients to serve families for generations to come.  He prepared this organization to continue regardless of his presence, in order to maintain and improve on delivering the highest standard of service, with the best expertise available, in trust, estate, and investment management segments of our industry.  First Nebraska Trust Company continues to be ready to serve you and your family as designated now and into the future.

John had over 30 years of trust experience; his knowledge was invaluable to First Nebraska Trust Company and its clients.  He had a passion for helping clients develop and implement the right plan for their family.