Our Mission
Our mission here at Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates is to provide our clients with the best, most comprehensive government relations services the state of Nebraska has to offer. Fostering congenial, professional relationships with our clients allows us to know their needs inside and out, and it is then that we are able to use our extensive contacts within the state government to achieve the goals set forth by our clients. Our firm is bi-partisan, and willing to work with any and all stakeholders to ensure that our clients are the most satisfied in the state.
Industries We serve
County Government
The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners
We have represented the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners since 1994 at the time of the firm’s founding. Since the beginning of our relationship we have worked to prevent unfunded mandates, updated statute to reflect the county’s growing population, stopped attacks on their revenue streams and other essential legislation to county operations.
City Government
United Cities of Sarpy County
The United Cities of Sarpy County, an interlocal agreement between the five municipalities in Sarpy County – LaVista, Papillion, Springfield, Gretna and Bellevue – have been clients of the firm for nearly ten years. These five cities comprise 100,000 of Nebraska’s 1.5 Million citizens. Nebraska’s fastest growing municipalities have unique needs and are the future home to the Nebraska Multisport Complex and Facebook.
Energy
Nebraska Municipal Power Pool and Enbridge
Energy is one of our specialties. We have represented a multitude of energy related clients and currently represent the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool, and Enbridge. Local energy needs and governance, energy infrastructure and pipelines are among those issues that Nebraska faces in America’s energy renaissance.
Beer Wholesalers
Healthcare
Railroad
Nebraska Medicine
In 2018, Nebraska Medicine selected Kissel Kohout ES Associates to represent them before the Unicameral and Nebraska’s administrative agencies. Nebraska Medicine is the most esteemed academic health system in the region, consisting of 809 licensed beds at its two hospitals, more than 1,000 physicians and 40 specialty and primary care clinics in Omaha and surrounding areas. Nebraska Medicine traces its roots back to 1869 with the founding of Omaha’s first hospital. In the decades since, it has built an international reputation for breakthroughs in cancer care, organ transplantation and treatment of infectious diseases.
Independent and family owned beer wholesalers
Nebraska’s locally, independently and family owned beer wholesalers serve an essential role in Nebraska’s three tier system distributing choice and variety of beer from the largest to locally crafted beers – while having an overall economic impact on the state of over $500 Million per year, paying over $15 Million per year in excise taxes and employing over 800 people.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
When they were looking for additional representation in Nebraska, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company chose us. With over 2,000 employees in the state, BNSF is one of Nebraska’s largest employers and landowners.
Education
Behavioral & Mental Health
Ralston Public Schools
In 2005, when facing a crossroads through an unprovoked takeover bid by a neighbor, Ralston Public Schools turned to Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates to protect and advocate for them. The takeover bid was thwarted through legislative negotiations and the district protected its boundaries.
Omaha Public Schools
Omaha Public Schools is the largest education district in the state of Nebraska, serving over 50,000 students from early childhood to graduation. Every student. Every day. Prepared for success. OPS selected Kissel Kohout ES Associates to represent them and their mission to prepare all students for success in college, career and life.
Protecting Nebraskans In Need
During the 1970s, in order to respond to Nebraskans need for services in behavioral health, mental health and substance abuse, Nebraska developed its regional behavioral health system and split the state into six regions that the state partners with to do planning and service implementation of services. In 2008, the administrators of those regions hired Kissel Kohout ES to advocate for resources and to protect those Nebraskans in need of services. Since then, the firm has protected the resources of the regions.
Client Testimonials
“Joe Kohout has provided Ralston Public Schools with tremendous representation as our chief lobbyist. Joe's integrity and approach to engaging the issues that are important to RPS have been critical in assisting our district in building relationships with legislators. When Joe is speaking on behalf of Ralston I never question or worry what he is saying. We are truly fortunate to have him on our RPS team!”
Linda Richards
Former President, Ralston Public Schools Board of Education
"Mayor Kindig and I have been very pleased with the lobbying services provided by Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates over the past 10 years. When the United Cities of Sarpy County was formed in 2006, Joe Kohout was chosen to represent the coalition of cities. Together, we have worked to create legislation that benefits our member cities and defeat legislation that would have inhibited our growth. The folks at Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates have been an essential part of our team and integral to our successes."
Brenda Gunn
City Administrator, City of LaVista
“The team at Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates has worked for Nebraska's family-owned beer distributors for almost 10 years. They have done an outstanding job representing us on issues relating to defeating tax increases, defending our position in the three-tier system and deciphering the political system for our members. Together, we have protected an industry that provides 800 jobs across Nebraska, generates $16 Million in excise taxes and has an economic impact to the state of over $500 million."
Kristin Crawford
President & General Counsel, Associated Beverage Distributors of Nebraska
Where We Work
While much of our time is spent at the beautiful Nebraska State Capitol building, we do have offices in Nebraska’s two largest cities – Lincoln and Omaha.