Galen Hadley

Galen Hadley (born March 9, 1942) is an American politician who was formerly a member the Nebraska Legislature, serving as Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2017. He served previously as mayor of Kearney, Nebraska.

Hadley's father was a salesman and his mother was a housewife. He also has a younger brother and a younger sister.

Hadley graduated from Lincoln High School, just like his mother, after which he studied at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He graduated in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. While he was working in Denver, he earned his master's from the University of Colorado through their night program. Eventually he returned to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and earned his Ph.D. in accounting. He taught and held higher positions at different colleges including the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the University of South Dakota.

From 2004 to 2006, Hadley was the mayor of Kearney, Nebraska.

Hadley was elected in 2008, defeating Jim George, to represent the 37th Nebraska legislative district. In 2012, he defeated Josiah H. Woodward and Mike McShea to win a second term.