Want to help grow the Silicon Prairie? Forward this job opening

In our community, it’s often asked, “What’s the most important element to grow our entrepreneurial ecosystem?” The answer: talented and passionate people. In 10 days, the city of Omaha will be losing one of those individuals. Tom Chapman (left) will be departing the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, where he’s served as the director of…

In our community, it’s often asked, “What’s the most important element to grow our entrepreneurial ecosystem?”

The answer: talented and passionate people.

In 10 days, the city of Omaha will be losing one of those individuals. Tom Chapman (left) will be departing the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, where he’s served as the director of entrepreneurship and innovation, to join Nebraska Global, a venture capital firm in Lincoln, Neb.

Fortunately, as he transitions into his new position, the Silicon Prairie region won’t really be losing Chapman – he’ll begin to help build an important, young company in our region – and in all reality, Omaha won’t be losing him either as he’ll still reside here.

What we’ll be losing, however, is Chapman in his role at the Chamber.

“Chapman was one of the single smartest chamber people I’ve met in any city,” Sarah Lacy, an accomplished tech journalist, wrote in a 2008 blog post recapping her book tour stop in Omaha.

I had the privilege of being a part of the conversation over breakfast that preceded that comment by Lacy, and I’ve since had the greater privilege of working with Chapman regularly. At Silicon Prairie News, we’ve worked with Chapman and the Chamber to produce events and have received the organization’s financial support through sponsorships. Chapman has also become one of our regular guest contributors with his series “Innovation Chamber” (something he’ll continue to do in his new role). Most importantly, we’ve been fortunate to have Chapman’s verbal endorsement, from telling others about our mission to introducing us to community stakeholders.

There’s no doubt about it, Chapman and the Omaha Chamber have been an important part of the growth of Omaha’s entrepreneurial ecosystem as well as Silicon Prairie’s and our own, and as you can imagine, we don’t want to see that slow down.

We’ve spoken with Chapman about what’s next – “What does the day after Tom Chapman leaves look like?” – and he’s assured us that the Chamber is committed to building upon the foundation he laid for the position that he created for himself in 2007. “In fact,” Chapman recently wrote, “I have known for a bit and have had numerous conversations with the organization about how to ‘kick it up a notch.’ “

So, who will “kick it up”? Who will continue to grow the Silicon Prairie through an important role at the Omaha Chamber?

Below you’ll find the Chamber’s job posting, which states applications are due by August 18 (that’s tomorrow!), but I felt posting this late is better than never. If you’re interested or know someone who would be a good fit, I encourage you to apply for the position or forward it to that individual you have in mind.

Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce – Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Omaha)

The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce has a mission to increase business, investment and employment in the Greater Omaha area.

We help companies as well as our metro area grow and are looking for a motivated professional to lead our entrepreneurial development efforts.

Do you:

  • Excel in connecting people and resources?
  • Think strategically?
  • Feel comfortable in either a business suit or “start-up” shorts and flip-flops?
  • Create opportunity from a blank piece of paper?
  • Have excellent facilitation and communication skills?
  • Learn from thought leaders?
  • Lead and collaborate?
  • Consistently meet objectives and deadlines?

Do you want:

  • A unique position with a flexible, mission driven, values-based organization?
  • An opportunity to make a difference in our community?
  • To use your degree and experience to help businesses succeed?

If this sounds like your dream job, send us your resume with a cover letter and salary expectations by Thursday August 18th to Laurie Pieper, Director of Human Resources at lpieper@omahachamber.org.

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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