OMAHA — A key manager of a Nebraska grant program that’s investing multimillions into historically disadvantaged North and South Omaha neighborhoods has left state government to join the administration of Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr.
Javier Saldaña Jr., formerly the economic recovery division administrator for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, is now Omaha deputy chief of staff for economic development. His new job involves steering real estate development projects for Omaha and helping to carry out mayoral initiatives and priorities.
Saldaña filled a spot vacated when Jacquelyn Morrison shifted to Ewing’s director of transformation and strategic partnerships. Morrison previously worked for the state DED and revenue departments before switching to the city of Omaha in 2022.
Born in Grand Island and raised in Columbus by parents from Sinaloa, Mexico, Saldaña is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha who brings unique experience, according to a statement from the Mayor’s Office…