Two new people are on the staff at the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership. Tiffany Schmidt is the coordinator of events and place making, and Heidi Blank is the executive assistant.
Schmidt is not a stranger to Seward or Seward County. She grew up in Seward and graduated from Seward High in 2006. Her family homesteaded in Seward County and “we’re still around,” she said with a smile.
After college, Schmidt got married in 2013. She was a stay-at-home mom for 12 years and volunteered in a variety of places. When Jonathan Jank, president and CEO of the SCCDP, contacted her about the position, she thought it might be up her alley.
“I’m really excited. It’s a perfect fit. It plays off my strengths,” Schmidt said.
While she’s now employed by the SCCDP, she will continue her volunteer work, including delivering Meals on Wheels, and will keep being a part-time paraeducator at St. John Lutheran School.
She said her strengths include planning events and being a good leader.
“Make sure everyone is on the same page and has a positive experience,” Schmidt said. “I’m quick on my feet. Hiccups don’t upset me.”
At St. John, Schmidt was in charge of organizing Breakfast in Bethlehem, a Christmas event where children can do crafts, play games and shop for Christmas presents, and trivia night.
Through the SCCDP, Schmidt will now help coordinate the Christmas festival and other events.
Schmidt and her husband Trevor had three sons – Ethan, 11, Mason, 9, and Nolan, 6. Trevor is a police officer in Lincoln.
In their free time, the family likes to camp and travel, especially visiting National Parks, she said.
“I want to show my kids everything,” she said. “The kids love it.”
Schmidt said her favorite National Parks are in Utah, including Bryce Canyon.
“It’s God’s playground,” she said.
The three boys are each involved in different activities from shooting sports and baseball and football.
Blank is currently a sophomore at Concordia University studying computer science and data science.
She’s originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, and came to Seward for Concordia.
“Being Lutheran, I looked at the Concordias in general,” she said.
As a student, Blank has a lot of jobs on campus, she said. She’s also one the Paul Scholars, a program that helps build leadership skills. This is a new program, so the students are figuring things out as they go, she said.
Blank will serve two roles at the SCCDP. She’s the executive assistant, which means she helps everyone with anything and works on connections.
“I try to make the workplace more efficient,” she said.
She is also the executive director for Seward County Bridges, an umbrella organization that works with nonprofits in the county.
In her free time, Blank likes to be outdoors.
“I love to walk on the ice in the winter at Plum Creek,” she said.
She also likes hanging out with friends and running the Plum Creek Hiking and Biking Trail.
“I love learning about how business operates and see the big picture,” Blank said.
