Former Nebraska education commissioner hired as NU's chief lobbyist
A former commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Education will serve as the chief lobbyist for the University of Nebraska system.
NU President Jeff Gold named Matt Blomstedt associate vice president for government relations for the university system on Monday.
Blomstedt, a lifelong Nebraskan who led the Department of Education from 2014-23, is a principal at Foresight Law + Policy, a Washington, D.C.-based education law firm.
His first day on the job will be Oct. 1, Gold said in a news release. Blomstedt will serve as the liaison between NU and Gov. Jim Pillen's office, the Legislature, and state and federal government.
Gold said Blomstedt "has built strong and trusted relationships that will serve us as he advocates for our students, faculty, and staff," both as a Nebraskan and UNL alum.
"I look forward to the leadership and energy that I know Matt will bring to the University of Nebraska," Gold said.
Blomstedt said he is "excited" to advance NU's mission and Gold's vision.
"Nebraska is a special place, and the university provides many important pillars for the success of the state's education and economic future," Blomstedt said. "I hope to bring my talents and experiences, many that I owe to my education at NU, to this important role."
Blomstedt was hired following a search led by Dr. Chris Kratochvil, the interim vice president for external relations at NU and vice chancellor for external relations for the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Others on the search committee were Matt Hammons, NU assistant vice president and director of federal relations; Erin Cooper, NU assistant director for government relations; Victoria Kohout, University of Nebraska at Omaha chief of external relations; and Jeff Kratz, UNMC director of government relations.
Kratochvil said Blomstedt's breadth of leadership experience, policy knowledge and passion for education and students impressed the committee.
"He will be a great fit in leading government relations work across the University of Nebraska system," Kratochvil said.
As education commissioner, Blomstedt managed an agency with 530 employees and a $2 billion budget, including working with policymakers at the local, state and federal level.
He helped develop a new assessment and accountability policy, coordinated with other agencies to develop policies affecting education, health, and workforce development in Nebraska, and led the department during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blomstedt has also served as the executive director of the Nebraska Educational Service Unit Coordinating Council, as a research analyst for the Legislature's Education Committee, and as executive director of the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association.
Blomstedt follows Heath Mello, a former state senator who was NU's chief lobbyist before becoming President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and Kristen Hassebrook, an attorney who left NU to return to Mueller Robak earlier this year.
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