Jamie Karl

Experience

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  The Crete News

  May 1995 - Dec 1996

  Intern

  • Intern reporter and photographer for weekly newspaper with published stories winning University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Journalism's creative writing award in 1995 and 1996

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  Houston Chronicle - D.C. Bureau

  Jan 1997 - May 1997

  Intern

  • Intern reporter covering Capitol Hill, the Clinton administration, and the U.S. Supreme Court as part of the Politics & Journalism Semester in Washington

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  U.S. Army

  Aug 1997 - Oct 1999

  Enlisted Soldier

  • Served full two-year, four-month enlistment in Army infantry following college graduation.• Granted secret clearance.• Rank of E4 (specialist).• Honorarily promoted to sergeant upon completion of enlistment. Honorable discharge.

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  U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel (Nebraska)

  Oct 1999 - Apr 2003

  Legislative Aide

  • Specialized in energy, agriculture, and natural resources issues, leading work on farm bill and energy bill.• Wrote floor speeches, constituent communications, and editorials.• Served as deputy press secretary before becoming legislative aide in May 2001.Key accomplishments:• Helped shepherd legislation that established the federal renewable fuel standard.• Oversaw senator’s communications strategy on 2002 farm bill.• Worked with leadership staff to ensure Senate approval of Yucca Mountain as the nation’s central nuclear waste repository.• Created email news service to inform constituents of key legislative and regulatory developments. Show less

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  U.S. Rep. Lee Terry (Nebraska)

  Apr 2003 - Jun 2005

  Legislative Director

  • Managed legislative staff and bill activity, and oversaw constituent communications.• Specialized in energy, natural resources, defense, immigration, and agriculture issues.• Helped oversee congressman’s Energy and Commerce Committee assignments and leadership duties.Key accomplishments:• Helped ensure congressman’s priorities on liquefied natural gas and renewable fuel were in House energy bill.• Improved constituent services and media outreach.

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  Nebraska Department of Agriculture

  Jun 2005 - Sept 2006

  Assistant Director

  • Appointed by Gov. Dave Heineman and confirmed by the Nebraska Legislature• Supported director and 11 agency programs Key accomplishments:• Managed governor’s 2006 trade mission to Cuba.• Coordinated governor’s six statewide farm bill hearings.• Created the agency’s weekly “Ag Update” email newsletter (still published as of 2025).

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  Adrian Smith for Congress

  Sept 2006 - Nov 2006

  Senior Director

  • Joined U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith’s initial campaign to develop policy positions on key federal issues, including energy, agriculture, and immigration.

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  Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry

  Dec 2006 - Mar 2019

  Vice President - Public Affairs & Policy

  • Spokesperson and registered lobbyist for Nebraska’s largest statewide business association.• Assisted president in establishing vision for Chamber activity.• Planned and composed all communications, including: weekly legislative reports, daily email updates, hard-copy newsletters, presentations, press releases, editorials, marketing materials, membership directory, public policy manual, social media, annual member surveys, and legislative voting scorecards.• Managed annual D.C. Fly-In, Annual Meeting policy panels, and legislative briefings for local chambers.• Coordinated manufacturing summit, economic development summit, Cornerstone dinner at governor’s residence, and weekly Public Affairs Committee meetings (attended by members’ lobbyists).• Completed Chamber’s Political Action Committee reports.• Served as primary contact for U.S. Chamber and National Association of Manufacturers on federal priorities.• Planned, scheduled, and helped present annual legislative forums in 30-plus communities every autumn.Key accomplishments:• Created and authored Chamber’s daily “News Update” (2,500 recipients with 50%-plus open rate).• Authored hundreds of news releases and more than 50 editorials under president’s name.• Helped establish the first annual Legislative Summit in Ashland featuring Nebraska’s federal delegation.• Spearheaded the creation of several new Chamber publications, including “Competitiveness Redbook,” “Results for Business” publication, and “ROI for Nebraska Chamber Members.” Show less

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  The Ohio Manufacturers'​ Association

  Apr 2019 - Feb 2024

  Managing Director - Communication Services

  • Spokesperson for one of Ohio’s top business advocacy organizations, overseeing communication strategy and media engagement for more than 1,300 members.• Planned and composed weekly newsletter, daily news clips, social media, election guide, public policy manual, white papers, and publications to educate the public and press on the economic value of Ohio manufacturing.• Authored website content, editorials, press releases, as well as legislative analysis (with OMA advocacy team).• Coordinated federal activity with the National Association of Manufacturers.• Responsible for managing and growing OMA affiliate membership program.Key accomplishments:• Helped grow OMA profits from $125k in 2019 to more than $1M through improved communications.• Developed communications dashboard and KPIs to provide insight on value of communication services.• Created the OMA’s “COVID-19 Update” (7,000 recipients and 60% average open rate).• Grew social media following from 850 to 20,000 (without paid campaigns).• Helped create OMA’s first app for mobile devices.• Authored more than 50 published editorials and generated 400-plus earned-media mentions annually in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Plain Dealer, AP, and IndustryWeek. Show less

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  Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce

  Feb 2024 - Jul 2024

  President

  • Oversaw the operations, budget, and board management of Nebraska’s third-largest local chamber • Designed and/or implemented new services and processes, including:- New board report that identified Chamber’s strengths, vulnerabilities, and membership trends.- Buy-up initiative to increase non-dues income.- First major survey of members in several years.- “Coffee Connections” networking and informational series to spotlight key business topics.- Weekly “Leadership Briefing” newsletter to provide members with guidance and updates.- “Mayor for the Day” essay contest for students to grow next-generation leadership. Show less

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  Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance

  Dec 2024 - now

  Public Information Officer

  • Leads agency’s communications, including media relations, public information announcements, social media, editorials, talking points, advisories, press releases, graphics, video production, and photography.• Manages “Make Cents Make Sense” public awareness campaign, launched in April 2025 to enhance financial literacy and fraud-fighting education. Responsible for producing and managing website content; reviewing website KPIs; generating social media content; coordinating interviews with TV and radio stations; and helping manage vendor contracts.• Serves as contact for governor’s communications team. Show less