Don Preister is serving his 4th term after being reelected in 2020 to represent Ward 5 on the City Council. He was elected to serve as Council President in 2013 and 2020. Previously, he served sixteen years in the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature, representing North Bellevue and South Omaha. He was a key player in the effort to create the Bellevue, Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home.
Don is a past Omaha Deputy City Clerk and for ten years worked at Boys' Clubs of Omaha. He served with distinction in the US Army Medical Corps, including the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam in 1967-68. With his life partner, Mary Ann Krzemien, Don founded his current business, Joy Creations Greeting Cards, in 1988.
Preister, a life long Nebraskan, has owned property and lived in north Bellevue since 1977. He is a graduate of St. Francis Assisi Elementary school, Omaha South High and the University of Nebraska Omaha. His civic involvement includes a 35 year membership in Optimist International; 16 years as Chairman of the South Omaha Environmental Task Force; Founder and 14 year board member of SONA- South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance; Salvation Army Bell Ringer; Sierra Club and others. For leisure, he enjoys family gatherings, friends, running, biking and gardening.
Councilman Preister serves on the following city committees: Budget, Audit, Tree Board, Hard Surface Parking and also is very active in Green Bellevue.