Senior Partner of the Beatrice law firm Smith Schafer Davis Gaertig LLC; law practice includes estate planning and administration; business planning; real estate and income tax.  Graduated High School from Bertrand Public Schools; Bachelors Degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University; and Juris Doctor Degree from University of Nebraska College of Law.  Served in the United States Army for two years.  Duane grew up on a farm near Bertrand, NE; and remains actively involved in production agriculture.

Married to Debbie Smith and have two children, David Smith and Ashley Belt.  All members of the family were educated in Nebraska Public Schools.  Debbie taught elementary education for 36 years at Public Schools in Beatrice and Lincoln.  Duane has served on the Board of Educational Service Unit #5 for many years and has maintained a strong interest in the support and improvement of public schools.

Other activities include membership in Centenary United Methodist Church and involvement in various committees and activities of the church; Former Member of the Board and President of the Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney, NE; Former Member of the Board and President of Nebraska Public Radio Foundation; Former Member of the Board of Nebraska Children’s Home Society; Member and former President of Beatrice “Noon” Kiwanis Club; Former Member of the Board of Beatrice Educational Foundation; Member of the Board and former President of Beatrice Public Library Foundation; and Former Member and President of Southeast Nebraska YMCA Foundation.