Fred Hlava

Hlava was born in Gordon, Nebraska, on December 27, 1944, and graduated from Gordon High School in 1963.^[1] He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969, and later attended Chadron State College, graduating in 1971 with his bachelor's degree in social work.^[1][2] Hlava worked as a family counselor from 1971 to 1973, and owned and operated two businesses in Gordon, Gordon Tire & Supply, Inc., and Hlava Distributing.^[3] In 1985, Hlava was appointed the city manager of Gordon.^[2] He served as the president of the Nebraska City Management Association and on the Nebraska Environmental Quality Council.^[3][2]

In 2002, following the appointment of State Senator Bob Wickersham to the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission, Governor Mike Johanns appointed Hlava to serve until a special election could be held later that year.^[3][2] He was sworn in on June 6, 2002.^[4] The vacancy occurred after the filing deadline for the primary election, so Hlava gathered signatures to appear on the general election ballot,^[5] as did rancher LeRoy Louden.^[6] In the general election, Louden ultimately defeated Hlava, winning 57 percent of the vote to Hlava's 43 percent.^[7]