About High Plains Smart Community
Our Story
The genesis of the business comes from the practical experiences and frustration of farmers, educators, community activists, and regulatory representatives, who are concerned about the decline in community vibrancy especially in rural farming communities and urban areas suffering from urban decay, factors that are negatively impacting the quality of life in both these areas.
High Plains Smart Community Services is a sustainable development consulting firm offering services that help our clients in the design, implementation, and execution of their development projects.
Our Mission
Our mission at High Plains Smart Community Services is to provide the best quality consulting and services to our customers. We strive to exceed expectations and build lasting relationships with our clients. Our dedication to excellence and versatility is what sets us apart from the competition.
The goal of High Plains Smart Community Services is to help in the regeneration, re-emergence, and sustainability of both rural and urban communities through projects that contribute to superior socio-economic and environmental outcomes for the community.
Our Team
Dr. Richter-Tate is a fourth-generation farmer who lives and works on the family farm in Perkins County, Nebraska. He has a B.A. in International Studies and an M.A. in Human Geography and a Graduate Certificate in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) from the University of Nebraska-Omaha where he is an adjunct professor. He earned his PhD in Development Studies at the University of Zacatecas, Mexico. He has traveled, lived, and studied extensively in Mexico and is fluent in Spanish.
In his role as adjunct professor, he initiated and participated in several successful community urban farming projects and has authored or co-authored articles on various historical aspects of early Mexico native communities. In mid-2022 he began exploring various business models that could be developed, grounded in his desire to find a way to help reinvigorate and regenerate rural farming communities.
The result, in November 2023, Dr. Richter-Tate and Mr. Tate founded the Company. Dr. Richter-Tate is the CEO and serves as the Integrator for Company, Mr. Tate serves as the CFO and Visionary (as those terms are used in the EOS methodology). As the Integrator, Dr. Richter-Tate is responsible for business operations, marketing, and establishing value-add agro-initiatives which are aligned with the objectives of the Company which is registered as a Nebraska Benefit Corporation. He is also the Company’s boots on the ground resource in markets in Latin America and Africa.
Mr. Tate is a Senior Finance executive, Fractional CFO, and Angel Investor with global experience in mature, emerging, and frontier markets gained in positions with major US multinational companies (financial services; logistics/supply chain management), early stage SaaS (Software as a Service) companies, transportation and custodial services, and mining, mineral processing, and renewable energy companies in Africa.
In addition to making Angel investments, Mr. Tate took a direct hands-on role in establishing and managing various companies by serving as Chairman of the Board, CEO, or CFO. Presently, he serve as a mentor to local executives and plays a strategic resource support role by providing Fractional CFO, business, and financial consulting services.
Andrew Norman is an accomplished leader and storyteller with expertise in strategic messaging, nonprofit development, fundraising, and creative direction. With a Master’s in Environmental Journalism from Michigan State University and a career spanning executive leadership and marketing strategy, Andrew has built organizations, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and collaborated with industry leaders to create impactful initiatives. He is deeply committed to supporting local communities and empowering farmers to thrive in sustainable and equitable ways.