Faces of Nelnet: Don Buehrer, Southwestern Regional Director, Nelnet Partner Solutions
Don Buehrer, Southwestern Regional Director (TX, LA)
Jim: What area do you cover for Nelnet?
Don: I work in the Southwest region of the country covering Texas and Louisiana.
Jim: Where do you live?
Don: North Richland Hills, Texas.
Jim: How many years have you worked in the financial aid industry?
Don: I have worked in the industry for 31 years; eight of those have been with Nelnet.
Jim: What previous positions have you held?
Don: Prior to joining Nelnet, I was Vice President of School Sales for Sallie Mae. I was also the Director of Financial Aid at Mount Mary College in Yankton, South Dakota.
Jim: Are you a member of any financial aid industry associations?
Don: I am a member of TASFAA, LASFAA, SWASFAA, and NASFAA. I am a former President of SDASFAA and a RMASFAA Hall of Fame inductee.
Jim: What is your education background?
Don: I have a Bachelor of Arts in education and business from Yankton College in South Dakota.
Jim: Don, tell me about your family.
Don: My wife is Melissa, and I have two children: Leslie and Mike. I also have three grandchildren: Emily, Sam, and Benjamin.
Jim: What are some of your interests outside of work?
Don: I enjoy hiking, biking, reading, sporting events, Yankees baseball, and Dallas Cowboys football.
Jim: Tell me one thing about you that many people may not know. In your case, more than one.
Don: I finished second at a poker tournament where the winner automatically qualified for the World Series of Poker. I performed a Stupid Pet Trick with my dog, Buster (now deceased), on the David Letterman Show. I caught Mickey Mantle’s 505th career home run at Yankee Stadium in 1967 (still have it), and I served as Mayor for the city of Yankton, South Dakota (1989-1991).
