LINCOLN, Nebraska — January 30, 2026 — The NE Chamber Foundation on Thursday awarded six outstanding Nebraska college students with $2,500 tuition scholarships.  The students are majoring in a business-related field and have shown excellence in their academics, leadership and community.
 
2026 Nebraska Business Hall of Fame scholarship winners are:

• Jacie Ambrose, University of Nebraska at Omaha, St. Paul native, awarded the Bob Harris Scholarship;
• Andrew Heckman, Hastings College, Hastings native, awarded the Jack Swartz Scholarship;
• Will Blatchford, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln native, awarded the Robert & Cynthia Milligan Scholarship;
• Lillian Johnson, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln native, awarded the Kenneth L. Wortman Scholarship;
• Maddock Oberzan, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lawrence, KS native, awarded the Virgil Eihusen Scholarship; and
• Arabelle Horst, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Gretna native, awarded the Moe Beardmore Scholarship.

 
To be eligible, college students in Nebraska must be sophomores or juniors in a business-related field, show demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities and maintain at least a 3.0 grade point-average. Since 1997, the NE Chamber Foundation has awarded over $280,000 in scholarships to more than 135 students across Nebraska.
 
“These students embody the talent and promise that will guide Nebraska’s business community forward,” said NE Chamber Foundation President Tera Norris. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to support them and look forward to seeing the difference they’ll make in communities across Nebraska.”
 
The NE Chamber Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable and education foundation that expands economic growth and opportunity throughout Nebraska through game-changing nonpartisan research and initiatives.  The NE Chamber Foundation also supports the future of Nebraska through the Leadership Nebraska program and college scholarships.  The NE Chamber Foundation strives to be the leader in Nebraska in future-focused research and data and be a catalyst for positive change.  Learn more at nechamber.com/foundation.
 
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​LINCOLN, Nebraska – January 6, 2026 – Luisa Smith has joined the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry this week as its Director of Government Affairs.
 
Smith has been working on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. since 2021, most recently as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator James E. Risch. Her policy expertise includes areas such as energy, transportation, science, and infrastructure. Smith grew up on her family’s cherry orchard operation in The Dalles, Oregon. She earned her bachelor’s degree in International Studies from the University of Idaho and a master’s degree in Strategic and Defense Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
 
“Luisa’s vast experience in federal legal and policy issues and her analysis and advisory skills will advance the Nebraska Chamber’s efforts to inform and advocate for members in the Unicameral and in Washington,” said Todd Bingham, President and CEO of the NE Chamber. “She has a keen mind for sophisticated policy areas, understands what it takes to run and grow a business and is an effective communicator and skilled in legislative strategy. We welcome her to Lincoln and look forward to her work for a stronger Nebraska.”
 
Smith will work with Executive Vice President of Legislation and Policy Hunter Traynor, Executive Director of Tech Nebraska Emily Allen, Vice President and General Counsel Ron Sedlacek, and President/CEO Bingham on legislative and policy issues.
 
Luisa will serve as the dedicated government affairs and policy lead for Tech Nebraska, managing Tech Nebraska and the NE Chamber’s shared technology & innovation portfolio and assisting as well with the NE Chamber’s broader agenda and presence before the Legislature. 
 
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