Roger Lempke

Executive Director

Lieutenant General (NE, ret.) Roger Lempke has exemplified typical Nebraskan qualities of determination, persistence, and hard work during a distinguished citizen-soldier career. Most notably, as state Adjutant General he rapidly brought the Nebraska National Guard to wartime posture after 9/11 while also directing the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency through the most costly natural disasters in state history.

Roger directed the mobilization of 21 Army Guard units and four Air Guard overseas rotations in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. In all, over 4,500 Soldiers and Airmen mobilized during his tenure as Adjutant General from December 2000 to November 2007. Sadly, ten brave citizen-soldiers paid the ultimate price.Roger also tackled national issues impacting citizen-soldiers.

Elected national president of the Adjutants General Association of the United States (AGAUS) in 2005, he led the fight to overturn closure decisions for many vital Air National Guard bases. In early 2006, he directly confronted Army leaders to prevent a dramatic reduction in Army Guard combat force structure. His views and testimonies made national headlines on a wide range of National Guard readiness issues.

A native of Tecumseh, Nebraska, Roger and his wife, Shirlee, reside in Lincoln. They have two children, Aimee and Mike and four grandchildren, Tayler, Austin, Kaylee, and Caden. Despite many awards and accolades Roger is most proud of being a Nebraskan and serving with the outstanding men and women of the Nebraska National Guard.