John Gale

Welcome Message from Secretary Gale
Secretary Gale's Tenure in Office
Speech Introduction of Secretary Gale
Parade Introduction of Secretary Gale

Biography of John A. Gale

John A. Gale was born in Omaha, Neb., on Oct. 23, 1940. His parents, Faye and John C. Gale Jr., were both born and raised in Omaha. John A. is a fifth-generation Nebraskan.

While growing up, Gale’s family lived in several states through the years of World War II, eventually moving to Ogallala, Neb., in 1950. They lived in Ogallala for two years before moving back to Omaha, where Gale graduated from Omaha North High School in 1958.

Gale attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., and graduated in 1962 with a B.A. degree, majoring in government and international relations. He then attended the University of Chicago Law School on scholarship and received a J.D. degree in 1965.

After graduation from law school, Gale held positions with private business and government. From 1965-68, he worked in the legal department of Northern Natural Gas Co. of Omaha. From 1968-70, he served as a legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Roman Hruska of Nebraska and was responsible for agricultural appropriations, foreign relations and constitutional law issues. In 1970, he returned to Nebraska to work as an assistant U.S. attorney, first in Omaha and then in Lincoln.

In November 1971, Gale and his family moved to North Platte, Neb., where he entered the private practice of law. He served in private practice there for 29 years.

Gale became the 26th Nebraska secretary of state when he was appointed by Gov. Mike Johanns in December 2000 to fill a vacancy created with the resignation of Scott Moore. Gale was elected to four-year terms in 2002 and 2006.

Gale serves on the boards of the NEBRASKAland Foundation and Cornhusker Boys State. While living in North Platte, he was active in the Sunrise Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, state and local bar associations, Boy Scouts, United Way and Great Plains Regional Medical Center. He has served in various positions in the Nebraska Republican Party, including chairman in 1986.

Gale's wife, Carol, grew up in Kearney County in south central Nebraska and graduated from Kearney State College. While in North Platte, she worked as an art teacher at Adams Junior High School. Their family includes sons David of Fremont, Neb., and Steven of Laramie, Wyo.; daughter Elaine of Sacramento, Calif.; and four grandsons.