Gov. Heineman Announces Catherine Lang to Head Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Lang Continues as Commissioner of Labor, Departments to Merge

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today named Catherine D. Lang of Lincoln to serve as Director of the Department of Economic Development. She will continue to serve as Commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Labor. During the upcoming legislative session, Gov. Heineman plans to introduce legislation to merge the two departments.

“I am pleased Cathy has agreed to serve as Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development,” said Gov. Dave Heineman. “She understands the correlation between an educated work force and job creation. Cathy knows the business and labor communities and she has served in state government for 30 years. Now is the right time to combine the agencies and Cathy will be an outstanding leader for this new agency.”

Lang, 55, has served in state government since 1981. In August 2008, she was appointed as Commissioner of Labor after serving as the Deputy Tax Commissioner for the Nebraska Department of Revenue. Prior to this appointment, Lang served as Property Tax Administrator and was the Director for the Department of Property Assessment and Taxation. Lang has also served as the Director of the Property Tax Division and Special Counsel to the Tax Commissioner.

Lang said, “This is a very exciting opportunity. The Department of Labor has worked with the Department of Economic Development on a number of issues and I look forward to continuing the ongoing collaboration between the two departments. By joining the departments we can focus our resources on the industries that keep Nebraska competitive and create initiatives that are driven by the industry.”

Lang received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1978 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a law degree in 1983 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law.