Photo from Technology Park archives | Former president of the Park Chuck Henderson presents Dale Tinstman with the Tinstman Leadership Award at the Park in 1998.
After over 20 years of service to the Technology Park LLC Executive Committee, Dale Tinstman has retired. The 89 year-old Nebraska native has many accomplishments upon which to look back. Tinstman served in World War II as a B-29 navigator and navigator instructor in the Army Air Corps. He began his own firm funding agricultural-related industries in 1960, and later Tinstman became president of Iowa Beef Packers (IBP). Tinstman played a major role in IBP’s early success.
Tinstman has served twice as Chairman of the NU Foundation. As Chairman of the Board in the early 90s, Tinstman saw a need for university and business partnership.
“He was the driving force to create technology transfer at the University of Nebraska,” said Executive Vice Chair of the NU Foundation Terry Fairfield, “he brought university research into Nebraska’s business community.”
According to Fairfield, Tinstman helped put together strategies to buy land in the Highlands from a failed SID development. He helped convince the city of Lincoln to annex the property and develop an overall strategy for the area, including a new golf course attraction of Sandhills Publishing in the Highlands.
He was also an original director of the Nebraska Technical Development Corporation and aided in the establishment of the Technology Park. Tinstman envisioned a technology park for Nebraska in the 80’s, about a decade before it was built.
“He played a large role in the vision for the Technology Park,” said Chairman of Technology Park LLC, Frank Hilsabeck, “he gave credibility to the idea because Dale is so well-respected throughout the community and throughout Nebraska.”
“Dale brought a wisdom and humility to his role as a Committee member that translated into strong leadership,” said President of the Technology Park Stephen Frayser, “Dale was always the first to call with encouragement and to step forward when additional work needed to be done.”
In 2007 Tinstman was inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame. Dale and his wife Jean remain extremely active in Lincoln and Nebraska.