Six Generations.
One Commitment.
A Legacy of Stewardship.
My connection to this land is a story six generations in the making. As the third-great-granddaughter of namesake founder Martin Gering, I carry a deep sense of responsibility to the community that bears my family name. I reside in the home built by my grandparents Cleo and Evelyne Gering, on the original homestead established by my great-grandparents, Charles and Pansy Gering.
After 15 years of professional experience across the country, I returned home in 2007 to reinvest my skills into the community that shaped me. Today, I honor my family’s 139-year legacy by protecting over 200 acres of native prairie bordering the Scotts Bluff National Monument. For me, stewardship isn't just a concept; it is my daily life.
Commitment To Our Veterans
Pictured: Lisa and her husband Frank Marquez
My husband, Frank Marquez, is a retired veteran who served 25 years in the Army and Army National Guard, including a deployment to Afghanistan. Through our 10 years of marriage, I have gained a profound perspective on the sacrifices made by our military families and the unique challenges they face after their service ends.
This personal experience is why I am a committed friend to the County Veterans Service Office (VSO). Our veterans have earned their benefits, and I will ensure the county is a proactive partner in helping them access the support and respect they deserve.
Professional Leadership & Results
Lisa Betz-Marquez is a versatile entrepreneur and community advocate with a career rooted in communication, local business growth, and civic accountability. As a personal and business coach, she specializes in helping individuals and business owners identify clear goals and implement practical strategies for success. She is a results-oriented leader who understands that the real work of a Commissioner begins when tough problems require more than just a "yes" or "no" vote.
• Media & Journalism: Lisa was a founding staff member of the Gering Citizen in 2009 and purchased the newspaper with her mother as a partner in its fifth month of operation. Serving as Owner and Publisher for the duration of its seven-year history, she made the coverage of the Scotts Bluff County Commission and county business a primary editorial priority. During this time, the publication served as
- The Official Newspaper of Record for the City of Gering, Gering Public Schools, the City of Minatare, Minatare Schools, and the Village of Terrytown.
- A Newspaper of Record for Scotts Bluff County specifically for the publication of delinquent tax notices.
• Entrepreneurship: Lisa owns and operates Peaceful Prairie Campsites, which has been recognized as the "Best Hipcamp in Nebraska" for three consecutive years. She is also a co-owner of The Yoga Collective in downtown Gering and an active participant in the Gering Merchants, working to support the success of Gering’s downtown core.
• Instructional & Administrative Background: Her diverse professional experience includes serving as an Adjunct Instructor at Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) and as a Church Administrator, where she managed organizational logistics and maintained professional communication within the community.
Legacy & Stewardship
Lisa’s commitment to Scotts Bluff County is rooted in her family’s long history of stewardship. Living on the original homestead established by her great-grandparents, Charles and Pansy Gering, she understands the value of hard work and land preservation. As a member of the Gering family, she is dedicated to honoring her ancestors' legacy by serving the county seat and its surrounding communities with integrity and purpose.
• Land Stewardship: Today, Lisa honors that legacy by stewarding the family farm and protecting over 200 acres of native prairie bordering the Scotts Bluff National Monument.
• Principled Advocacy: In 2009, Lisa successfully advocated for the protection of this historic landscape against an invasive drainage project. By taking a principled stand for property rights while negotiating a strategic compromise that allowed the project to move forward on less sensitive land, she ensured both the land and the public interest were served. For these efforts, she received the "Friend of the Trail" award from the Oregon-California Trails Association.
Community Leadership & Service
Lisa has dedicated nearly two decades to serving Scotts Bluff County through hands-on leadership:
• Civic Accountability: Recently served as a grassroots organizer, managing communications for a successful community-led campaign focused on local government transparency and representative standards.
• Service & Mentorship: A Past President of Soroptimist International of Scotts Bluff County, Lisa led the "No Girl For Sale" human trafficking awareness march for three years. She currently co-chairs the "Dream It, Be It" mentoring program for sophomore girls in Gering, Scottsbluff, and Mitchell.
• Safety & Traditions: As a member of the Oregon Trail Days (OTD) Committee, Lisa helps plan the region’s largest celebration and has chaired the OTD Kiddie Parade for the past four years. She is the founder and 13-year operator of SAFE Ride OTD, a grassroots initiative dedicated to making our roads safe for all travelers during Oregon Trail Days. In this role, she coordinates a volunteer driver pool to provide free, sober rides and maintains a strong working relationship with local law enforcement. By ensuring officers have a reliable resource to call when they identify individuals in need, she has built a collaborative partnership that enhances public safety for the entire community.
• Community & Culture: Lisa serves on the committee for the Oregon Trail Creative District. Over the years, she has also enjoyed participating in the local arts community, performing in and co-directing various productions at Theatre West, WNCC Theatre, and the Monument Children’s Theatre.
Faith:
Lisa has been a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church since 2014.
Education:
• Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Wayne State University (Detroit, MI)
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), University of Wyoming
• Graduate Level Communications, Leadership Communications & Media Writing, University of Montana-Billings
Why I'm Running
"I am running for County Commissioner because I believe that government only works when it is a conversation, not a wall of silence.
Since March 2025, I have regularly attended meetings. What I have witnessed is concerning: a pattern of block-voting, a lack of preparation, and a dismissive attitude toward public input. I believe our current leadership in District 1 has failed to provide the independent thinking this county deserves.
We need leaders who do more than second a motion. We need Commissioners who arrive prepared, who are willing to explain their reasoning to the public, and who treat every visitor to the boardroom with respect. It is time for a Commission that values transparency over the status quo."
— Lisa Betz-Marquez
Paid for by Lisa Betz-Marquez • 140170 County Road 20, Gering, NE 69341
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