Rick Sheehy was appointed Lieutenant Governor by Nebraska’s 39th Governor Dave Heineman, and was sworn into office on January 24, 2005. He and the Governor were elected by a record margin to their first full term in office in 2006. Governor Dave Heineman and Rick Sheehy were re-elected to a second term in 2010.

As Lt. Governor, Sheehy serves as Nebraska’s director of homeland security, chairman of the Nebraska Information Technology Commission, presiding officer of the Nebraska Legislature, chairman of Nebraska Partners in Prevention and is involved in economic development efforts across the state. His experience as a local elected official and as a paramedic made him uniquely suited for the responsibility of coordinating Nebraska’s statewide homeland security efforts.

Sheehy has a long history of public service. He was twice elected Mayor of Hastings beginning in 2000. Before becoming Mayor, he served six years on the Hastings City Council, including four years as president of the council.

A native of Hastings, Sheehy graduated from St. Cecilia High School. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and later received certification as a paramedic from Central Community College. Sheehy worked for Rural/Metro Ambulance for more than 20 years, starting as an emergency medical technician and becoming Rural/Metro’s paramedic field supervisor. In 1987, he became the market general manager, a position he held until his appointment as Lt. Governor.

Lt. Governor Sheehy is a member of the Homeland Security Advisors Council for the National Governors Association, and since 2007, he has served on the executive committee for the National Lieutenant Governors Association, which he currently serves as chair.

He is a past board member of the Nebraska Rural Health Association, as well as a FEMA Disaster Response Team member.  Sheehy’s previous community involvement also includes membership in the Nebraska Rural Health Association, Nebraska State Trauma Advisory Board, Nebraska Emergency Medical Services Board, Mary Lanning Hospital Foundation Board.