Steve Nicklaus, of rural Clear Lake, has been selected by Clear Lake Sanitary District Trustees to fill a position on its board left vacant by the death of trustee Tom Lincoln.
    According to Sanitary District Superintendent Kevin Moler, 10 persons expressed interest in serving the remaining two years of the term held by the former city administrator and public servant.
    Nicklaus was named to the post at the Board’s Dec. 11 meeting.  Moler explained the board discussed the qualities of all applicants and concluded that Nicklaus would be a valuable Board member.
    Nicklaus became a permanent resident of Clear Lake in January 2007 following his retirement from the insurance business in Eagle Grove, Iowa.
    Wanting to be an independent businessperson, Nicklaus bought a small independent insurance agency in Eagle Grove in 1981.  With little actual insurance knowledge, and no experience at that time, but lots of determination and willingness to learn and work hard, he expanded the agency to several times its original size primarily through internal growth plus four small acquisitions prior to selling the agency in 2001. He worked three-quarter time for the new owner until January of 2007 when he retired from the daily agency schedule.  
    Being the owner was challenging and rewarding, he said, but being an employee added some valuable insights as well.  “Retirement” has allowed him to devote more time to new ideas, products, relationships and innovative ventures which adds yet another dimension to his professional life.
    As he was in Eagle Grove, the Iowa State University graduate enjoys serving volunteer organizations in a variety of capacities.
    “I am a firm believer in contributing to your community,” he said.
    Current endeavors for Nicklaus include serving as founder/president of The Crop Shop, LLC; owner/director, Dairy Gross Margin, LLC; and vice president/director, Rotary Club of Eagle Grove Homes, Inc. (retirement, nursing, assisted living and senior housing).
    Nicklaus will serve on the Sanitary District board until the November 2008 general election. The winner of the election will then serve the remaining two years of the vacancy.