Jim Suttle,
Mayor
Jim Suttle was sworn in as Omaha’s 50th mayor on June 8, 2009. He previously served on the Omaha City Council from District 1 from 2005-2009.
Jim is former vice chairman of the Board of Directors for the Omaha-based engineering and design firm HDR, Inc. He served as executive vice president and director of corporate development for HDR, which is the nation’s 5th largest architecture - engineering firm. The company has over 8,000 employees in 185 offices throughout the United States.
At HDR, Jim’s responsibilities included leadership in expanding opportunities and managing programs for all the engineering and architecture business groups within the firm, in both domestic and worldwide markets. He was also responsible for the transportation services, corporate safety program, international, corporate communications, national governmental affairs and design-build services.
As Mayor, Jim has worked to move Omaha forward. Since his inauguration, Suttle has invested in Omaha’s potential to become a major center of business and commerce. Through his Small and Emerging Business Program, Heartland Workforce Solutions Workforce Development Program, and the Omaha Adventure Partnership, Suttle has helped Omaha attract new businesses and sustain unparalleled economic growth even during these difficult economic times. Currently, Omaha enjoys the lowest unemployment rate of the nation’s 50 largest cities.
Mayor Suttle has also achieved financial success for Omaha by reinforcing the city’s financial future and putting Omaha’s fiscal house in order. Coming into office in the midst of an economic recession, in only two years Jim succeeded in putting a financially deficient municipality back into the black.
Jim is the former Public Works Director for the City of Omaha and has a record of distinguished service to the Omaha community. He is a former board member for the YMCA, Methodist Hospital, United Way of the Midlands and the Omaha Symphony. He is past president of the Omaha Downtown Rotary Club. In addition, Jim is currently a member of the Urban League of Nebraska, the Western Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, North Omaha Commercial Club, Benson-Ames Alliance and the Benson Neighborhood Association. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army.
Jim and his wife, Deb, have two adult daughters, along with five grandchildren. Deb Suttle is a former Nebraska State Senator.
