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Executive Leadership

Boys Town Executive Leadership

Our senior leadership team of core, key decision-makers is focused on making the best decisions for the good of Boys Town youth, families, patients and employees. Striving to continue Father Flanagan's mission of saving children and healing families and fulfilling our mission of changing the way American cares for children and families.

An independent Board of Trustees, made up of a diverse group of local and national business and community leaders, helps provide corporate governance for Father Flanagan's Boys' Home (Boys Town).

Rod Kempkes
Rod Kempkes​
President and Chief Executive Officer

Passionate about making a positive impact and improving lives of those in need, Rod is dedicated to providing care and support for at-risk children and families in communities across America. Responsible for the strategy and operations across the organization, he is committed to upholding the mission, vision and values of Father Flanagan and Boys Town.

Rod is an experienced, accomplished leader focused on evolving and expanding the impact of Boys Town’s services, developing future leaders and ensuring its mission is at the forefront of its work. He believes transparency and collaboration are essential to foster a culture of inclusivity, community, strong sense of purpose and accountability within the organization. Throughout his career, Rod has worked closely with board members, colleagues and stakeholders to create, implement and grow successful programs and initiatives.

Prior to joining Boys Town, Rod served as the chief operating officer at Intrado (formerly West Corporation). Previously, he was the chief administrative officer at a global publicly traded company. His experience includes domestic and international operations, value creation, acquisitions and divestitures. Rod is a serial entrepreneur and has authored several patents.

Rod is married, has four daughters and is an avid outdoorsman. He continues to volunteer to help organizations focused on youth with special needs.

Jason Bruce
Jason Bruce, M.D.
Executive Vice President of Healthcare and Director of Boys Town National Research Hospital and Clinics

Jason Bruce, M.D., has been key member of Boys Town National Research Hospital since 2006 when he joined as a pediatrician. In 2021, he was appointed Executive Vice President of Healthcare and Director of Boys Town National Research Hospital and Clinics. He is responsible for the operations of hospital, medical and clinical programs and services located across multiple sites in Nebraska and Iowa, which provide care to more than 56,000 patients each year. In addition to direct care services, the Hospital operates seven research centers that are internationally recognized for their discoveries that have improved outcomes in patient care. 

Since 2006, Dr. Bruce he has held various leadership roles within Boys Town National Research Hospital, including Medical Director of Same Day Pediatrics, Pediatric Practice Leader for Boys Town Pediatrics, Associate Medical Director for Primary Care, and Chief Medical Officer.

He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Creighton University School of Medicine and completed residency training at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in affiliation with the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is board certified in pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Bruce continues to be involved in the Omaha community as an active member of Metro Omaha Medical Society and volunteer for his church and his children's school and youth athletic teams. In addition, he volunteered at several professional organizations, including the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) as a volunteer physician, Essential Pregnancy Services as a volunteer parenting class teacher, and Building Bright Futures – Omaha as a committee member.​

Tony Jones
Tony Jones
Senior Vice President, Successful Futures​

Tony came to Boys Town as a youth from Detroit at the age of 13. Today, he is Vice President of Successful Futures.

Tony graduated from Boys Town in 1988 and began his college studies at Bellevue University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services. He met his wife, Simone, and they were married in 1994. Two years later, they were hired as Boys Town Family-Teachers® and over 23 years they touched the lives of over 200 youth in their campus home.

Tony continued his Boys Town career taking part in administrative training in various departments before becoming Director of the Boys Town National Alumni Association®. Since then, he has been instrumental in founding the Successful Futures program for Boys Town youth who have either graduated or departed the program in good standing. Today that program assists our young people to find jobs or further their education, while also offering a place to live and transition to their adult lives.​

Monty Horine
Monty Horine
Senior Vice President, Governance and Strategy and Corporate Secretary

A strategic leader, Monty is passionate about developing talented new leaders. He has an extensive background in developing and implementing corporate strategy and development initiatives, including leading and managing programs and projects as well as client engagement. Prior to joining Boys Town in 2019, he served as vice president of operations at West Corporation.

Monty earned his bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance and economics from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Judy Rasmussen
Judy Rasmussen, CPA
Executive Vice President Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Judy's Boys Town career began in 1993 when she was named manager of budgeting and financial information at Boys Town National Research Hospital®. The following year, she was appointed Boys Town's director of finance. Judy learned the value and power of a dollar at an early age, helping her parents run a successful small business. Today, her responsibilities involve managing a multimillion-dollar budget, implementing effective financial strategies, overseeing internal controls, monitoring expenditures, managing debt and maintaining a healthy financial position to ensure Boys Town's future.   

A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Judy earned a bachelor's degree in accounting with an emphasis in management information systems. In addition to having a knack for numbers, Judy is a master gardener and volunteers her time to support and maintain public gardens.​

Dana Washington
Dana Washington
Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Dana oversees all of the legal affairs for Boys Town, including its child and family care operations throughout the country, as well as its internationally recognized Boys Town National Research Hospital®. In addition, she oversees the Advocacy, Corporate Compliance, Internal Audit and Youth Safety Audit departments at Boys Town. Prior to assuming this role, Dana worked as associate general counsel at Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company where she specialized in insurance defense and employment litigation. She also has worked as a litigation partner in private practice, a federal judicial law clerk for the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska and a teacher for the Omaha Public Schools.

She received her bachelor and law degrees from Creighton University and a Mediator Certification from the State of Nebraska. In 2016, she was the recipient of the Women's Center for Advancement's Tribute to Women Award. Throughout her professional career, Dana has served on numerous non-profit boards dedicated to ensuring all people in the Omaha community have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Christopher Wren
Christopher Wren
Senior Vice President, Information Technology

Christopher Wren comes to Boys Town with over 25 years of experience across a range of disciplines in technology, law and corporate finance. As Senior Vice President of Information Technology he oversees the core information technology platforms and related initiatives that support the complex service delivery requirements of the organization's various efforts.

Prior to joining Boys Town, Christopher most recently served as Senior Vice President of Enterprise Technology Services at West Corporation. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of Fin​ance and Treasurer for the YRW Worldwide. He also has served roles as Vice President of Corporate Development for H&R Block; Vice President of Product Development for Positive Networks, Inc.; and in a variety of roles with increasing responsibility at Sprint Corporation.

Christopher received his undergraduate, MBA, and law degrees from the University of Iowa. He is married and has three children.

Jonna Wrice
Jonna Wrice
Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Jonna joined Boys Town in 2008 as director of talent management where she led efforts to assist the organization in workforce and succession planning. In 2010, she assumed the role of associate vice president of human resources; in 2012, Jonna became senior vice president of human resources where her astute leadership has been instrumental in increasing the value the organization places on the HR function. In addition, she ensures the development and services of HR align with Boys Town's mission and strategic objectives.

Jonna earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Southwest Missouri State University.​

Robby Simard
Robby Simard
Executive Vice President, Youth Care

Robby has more than 20 years of experience with operational leadership including oversight of finance, strategic development, and enterprise leadership.  As Executive Vice President of Youth Care, he is responsible for the operations of Youth Care programs on Home Campus and eight affiliate sites across the United States, as well as the Boys Town National Hotline® and National Training Program.

Prior to joining Boys Town, Robby most recently served as an Operations Executive for Valmont Industries.  Previously, he was the Executive Vice President for Palfinger, a global heavy equipment leader headquartered in Austria.  He also has served as a Management and Leadership Consultant, and as a leader in the United States Air Force.  

Robby is married, has two sons and is a musician.   He spends time in the local hockey community and supporting Team Jack, a pediatric brain cancer foundation where his wife is a board member.  

Katie Broman
Vice President of Development

Katie Broman has a passion for connecting people with vital causes through storytelling. Her career has been spent in the nonprofit sector in leadership, fundraising and communications. As Vice President of Development, Katie oversees Boys Town’s relational fundraising efforts across the country.

Before joining Boys Town, Katie held leadership roles with nonprofit performing arts organizations. Most recently, she was the executive director at the Omaha Community Playhouse, where she grew the overall operating budget and successfully led the Playhouse through the COVID-19 pandemic. Already innovating for under-served children, Katie led and completed a fundraising campaign to launch a mobile sensory theatre that brings an immersive theatre experience to the front doors of children with autism and sensory sensitivities.

Katie earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in public administration with a nonprofit management concentration, both from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In the years following her degrees, Katie has received awards from UNO’s College of Public Affairs and Community Service and College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media.

Katie is married with two kids. When she’s not working or enjoying her children, Katie enjoys hiking and kayaking.