(The following story by Joe Ruff appeared on the Omaha World-Herald website on August 22.)
OMAHA — Former Nebraska Secretary of State Scott Moore will be moving to California in the fall to take a new position at Union Pacific Corp.
Moore resigned his state post in 2000 to join the nation’s largest railroad company as a director of government affairs.
Moore announced his resignation only six months after his May primary defeat that year for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.
Now, Moore will be a vice president of public affairs for the railroad’s western region, which encompasses nine states: California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Montana, New Mexico and Arizona.
Moore, 46, said Friday that he has not harbored any more ambitions for statewide office, and he has not been active in politics outside of his job.
Perhaps after retirement from Union Pacific some form of public service would be possible again, said Moore, who served in the Nebraska Legislature from 1987 until his election as secretary of state in 1994.
Moore said he and his wife, Danene Tushar, were looking for a house in the Sacramento area. They will travel with some frequency back to Omaha, where Union Pacific is headquartered.
Tushar is a shareholder and attorney with the Fraser Stryker law firm in Omaha, and she will continue in that position with the firm, Moore said.
Moore’s latest position at Union Pacific is part of the company’s effort to place more public affairs resources across the 23 states it serves.
Moore said the railroad has seen growing demands for rail service, and track and terminal expansions and other issues that must be addressed arise in local communities. Expanding public affairs and government relations will help, Moore said.
Two other people at the railroad will hold positions similar to Moore’s, in the railroad’s southern and northern regions.
Joe Adams in Spring, Texas, Joe Batemen in Omaha and Moore will be responsible in their respective regions for community relations, state government relations, public relations, public partnerships and philanthropic programs.