Cap Dierks has always had a passion for two things: veterinary medicine and politics. So after running a successful clinic for 10 years, he decided to pursue his other interest. It began with serving on the local school board for 15 years, the hospital board for nine years and one year as president of the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. He then turned to the unicameral, nonpartisan Nebraska Senate, which he served in from 1987 to 2002. Dierks plans to once again serve in the state legislature, after losing his seat to a competitor following a redistricting. "Anybody who has the propensity to serve people should serve in public office," Dierks says.