Jim Pillen, then a younger businessman, stands outside one of his hog operations north of Monroe in 2003. Some nearby residents and environmental advocates were then protesting Pillen’s plan to build large hog operations near a historic church near Lindsay. Pillen was then growing his company to become the largest pork producer in the state, and one of the biggest in the country.
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Gov. Jim Pillen prepares dishes with Nebraska ingredients with a Vietnamese chef. The trade mission to Vietnam was Pillen’s first as governor. Pork industry officials support that trip, saying it’s good for the industry, for Nebraska farmers and for the state. Outside experts say that it’s tough to know where Pillen’s work as governor begins, and where his support of his own company – the largest pork producer in Nebraska – ends.
Gov. Jim Pillen’s pork operation started as a modest “dirt lot” near Pillen Family Farms headquarters in Columbus (shown). Pillen grew it into the largest pork producer in Nebraska, and one of the largest in the country. It’s a company with operations all over Nebraska and with global reach.
Pillen Family Farms is Nebraska’s largest pork producer – and one of the largest in the nation. From humble roots in the 1990s, the Pillen operation has spread from its eastern Nebraska home base to points across the globe.
DNA Genetics Atlas Performance Testing Center in David City. Pillen owns DNA Genetics, part of his long-held goal – now successful – to own every part of a pig’s life cycle, from birth to pork shipped to grocery stores.
Wholestone Farms in Fremont
A Pillen livestock truck travels near Wholestone Farms, which is partly owned by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and his family, in Fremont.
Gov. Jim Pillen gives his inauguration speech on Wednesday at the Nebraska Capitol.
Photos: Jim Pillen marks 100 days in governor's office
Former Illinois prison director, Rob Jeffreys (right), is introduced by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (left) as the new director of Nebraska Department of Correction Services at the Nebraska State Capitol on April 3.
Carolyn Bosn (center) and her husband, Reggie Bosn, look on as she is being appointed to replace state Sen. Suzanne Geist's District 25 seat by Gov. Jim Pillen on Thursday at the Capitol.
Gov. Jim Pillen and others pay tribute to fallen World War II service members during a ceremony Tuesday at Offutt Air Force Base.
Gov. Jim Pillen speaks with employees at Hexagon Agility in Lincoln on Monday.
Gov. Jim Pillen raises his hands as he talks with fourth graders, including Spirit and Grace Academy student Burke Newell (right) on Wednesday at the Capitol.
Gov. Jim Pillen smiles before naming the metal pig statue at the governor's office, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the Capitol.
Christ Lincoln Schools fourth grader Hudson Parr (right) rides the metal pig statue named Petunia as Gov. Jim Pillen watches on March 1.
Gov. Jim Pillen (left) gifts a cowboy hat to Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook during the "Volleyball Day in Nebraska" news conference Feb. 24 at Memorial Stadium.
Former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in 2023 about Gov. Jim Pillen's mentoring program for young Nebraskans.
Gov. Jim Pillen delivers his State of the State address on Jan. 25 at the Capitol in Lincoln.
Gov. Jim Pillen (center) announces the appointment of former governor Pete Ricketts to Nebraska's open Senate seat, during an announcement on Jan. 12 at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. The vacancy, left open by the departure of Ben Sasse, had been expected to go to Ricketts after his departure from the governorship last year.
Gov. Jim Pillen speaks at his inaugural ball in Omaha on Jan. 7.
Gov. Jim Pillen shakes hands with Sen. Tony Vargas after the inauguration ceremony for the governor on Jan. 5 at the Capitol in Lincoln.
A camera flash illuminates newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (center left) as he is escorted through the Capitol Rotunda to be sworn in on Jan. 5.
Newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (right) points out to a crowd in the upper level of the legislative chamber after taking his oath of office on Jan. 5 at the Capitol in Lincoln.
Jim Pillen poses with supporters during his election night party on Tuesday at Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.
Jim Pillen speaks to supporters after declaring victory in the gubernatorial election Nov. 8.
