Fred Phelan

Experience: Fred is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and holds a Master of Business Administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia. He retired from the Air Force as a Colonel in July 2025 after a distinguished career as a navigator on reconnaissance and transport aircraft. Fred completed five combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, flying 240 combat sorties. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Air Force Achievement Medal.

About: A native of Greenwich, Connecticut, Fred moved to Nebraska in 1995 when stationed at Offutt AFB. During that time, he met his wife, Melissa. They now live in Lincoln with their two children, both students at the University of Nebraska.

Location: Lincoln

Motto “Do your duty in all things. You can never do more; you should never wish to do less.”