GROW Welcomes Kirsti Schack As New Board Member

GROW Welcomes Kirsti Schack As New Board Member

GROW Welcomes Kirsti Schack As New Board Member

A passion for small businesses and entrepreneurs led Kirsti Schack, retail manager at First National Bank Kearney Branch, to become involved as a new board member of GROW Nebraska.

“Being in banking, I have seen many folks start their business with the change from their piggy bank and turn it into something wonderful,” Kirsti said. “GROW believes in just that, investing in our small businesses and especially entrepreneurs across the state, and it is important for me to volunteer time where I am passionate.” 

Kirsti has worked in various roles at the Kearney bank for the past 15 years and has served as the branch manager for eight years. She will serve as the co-treasurer on the GROW Nebraska Board of Directors. Her years of experience in the banking world bring new insights to the GROW board.

“My banking and financial background help me to see everything from another point of view,” Kirsti said. 

Kirsti said she learned that GROW is much more than just a retail store when she was approached about joining the board.

“As I continue to learn more and more about the organization, I think it is important to help share with our community what GROW could do for them,” she said.

GROW Nebraska is a non-profit organization that help entrepreneurs get the resources they need to live anywhere in Nebraska and make a sustainable living. Since its inception in 1998, it has stived to be the premier educational nonprofit that empowers entrepreneurs through business training, technical assistance, promotion and market opportunities.

Besides the GROW board, Kirsti’s other community involvements include: Leadership Kearney, past board Secretary; Leadership Kearney Alumni; SAFE Center volunteer; First Lutheran Church member; UNK Alumni Association; Relay for Life committee member; Junior Achievement teacher/volunteer; Kenwood Elementary PTO; Sonshine World Childcare PAC Member.

Kirsti and her husband, Jared, have been married for 8 ½ years, and they have a son, Mason who just turned 7, and a son, Austin who just turned 2. When she’s not working or volunteering, Kirsti enjoys spending time with the family outside either playing in their giant waterslide inflatable or golfing.

GROW Nebraska board members serve 3-year terms and hail from locations across Nebraska. For a full list of board members, please visit our website at https://grownebraska.org/our-board/

Ricketts Addresses Rotarians & Highlights GROW Nebraska

Ricketts Addresses Rotarians & Highlights GROW Nebraska

Ricketts Addresses Rotarians & Highlights GROW Nebraska

Gov. Pete Ricketts speaks at the Seward Rotary Club meeting on May 8.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts spoke at the Seward Rotary Club meeting May 8.

He discussed current happenings in state legislature and gave an update on state flood relief. All together, the state has received $75 million in flood relief aid and loans.

Ricketts also spoke on GROW Nebraska, a nonprofit organization that looks to develop and support small business owners throughout the state.

He said a main focus in the legislature right now is expanding the SNAP Department of Labor program by offering job coaches to families on food stamps to help them find employment. Ricketts said he hopes the expansion will be rolled out statewide by the end the year.

He also discussed legislative Bill 289, which is the highest in state history. Money will go towards tax credit.

Finally, Ricketts honed in on the work Rotary clubs do.

“They are critical to the fabric of the state,” Ricketts said. “We need local communities like you.”

Revised Article submitted by, Hope Moural with the Seward Independent