BLACKBURN MANUFACTURING - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Specialist
Cara joined the Blackburn Manufacturing family in May of 2018 after receiving her Associates degree in Graphic Design and Business Communication from Northeast Community College. Her primary role as a digital marketing specialist is making sure the website and all social media platforms are up to date and looking first class. Other duties include: designing BMC's yearly catalog and calendar, updating the company website, photographing products, along with creating ads and sale emails. In addition, she helps in the customer service department by taking orders via phone and email.
Cara grew up on a family farm outside of Plainview and graduated from Plainview High School. Aside from work, she enjoys dedicating her time to her part-time photography business, spending time with her horses by competing at local horse shows, going to the gym, hunting, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Her primary role as a digital marketing specialist is making sure the website and all social media platforms are up to date and looking their best. Read More
Darla joined the Blackburn Manufacturing family in February of 2015. In the customer service department, she is responsible for answering phones, helping with inquiries, taking and submitting orders, processing invoices, and providing exceptional customer service. With farming/ranching roots from her childhood, Darla continues to live the farm life with her husband where they raised their three children. Making memories with her two granddaughters is her ultimate hobby. She also has a very spoiled Shih-Poo named Gabby. Darla enjoys hosting gatherings for family and friends, watching Husker football and volleyball, decorating for the holidays, cooking, and gardening.
In the customer service department, she is responsible for answering phones, helping with inquiries, taking and submitting orders, processing invoices, and providing exceptional customer service.Read More
Job Titles:
- Vice President at Heritage Bank
- Vice President of Procurement and Sourcing
After previously working as Vice President at Heritage Bank, Dave began working at Blackburn Manufacturing and has been here for seventeen years. He has held several roles in the company, including National Accounts Manager, Vice President of Sales and eCommerce, and currently Vice President of Procurement and Sourcing. He has provided outstanding customer service and has exhibited at trade shows all around the country for Blackburn Manufacturing for years.
Dave attended Neligh-Oakdale High School and received his degree in Business Finance, Banking and Financial Markets, and Real Estate Appraisal from the University of Nebraska. Dave and his wife, Traci, have three sons. His favorite sports teams are the Huskers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Boston Red Sox. He spends his spare time remodeling his 100-year-old house, hunting, and firefighting. Dave is a part-time instructor for the Nebraska State Fire Marshal, is a 25-year member and Assistant Chief of Neligh Volunteer Fire Department, and is a 24-year member and captain of the Neligh-Oakdale Jaws of Life. In addition, he has been a baseball coach for 18 years, coaching levels T Ball to American Legion.
Dave has held a number of roles within his thirteen years at Blackburn. Currently, he is the Vice President of Procurement and Sourcing.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Treasurer, IT Manager, Corporate Secretary, and Safety Manager
Gail has worked for Blackburn Manufacturing for nearly twenty-five years. He fills many roles in the company, as corporate treasurer, IT manager, corporate secretary, safety manager; he works with the company's financial reporting, general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, and deals with corporate investments. Blackburn's is lucky to have someone so dedicated to good record keeping, organization, and doing jobs well.
Gail graduated from Neligh-Oakdale High School and received his BSBA with an emphasis in accounting from Midland Lutheran College. Outside of work, his hobbies include hunting, camping, and golfing. He spends a lot of time supporting his children's sporting events and going to his daughter's dance competitions. Gail volunteers his time with the Teammates mentoring program and is a member of the local fire department. He has three children, one Bulldog, and one yellow Lab.
Gail has worked for Blackburn Manufacturing for over twenty years. He fills many roles in the company, as corporate treasurer, IT manager, corporate secretary, and safety manager. Read More
Gwen has dedicated nearly 16 years to Blackburn Manufacturing, as their receptionist, providing her never ending smile and superior customer service. Gwen is a true asset to the Blackburn family business.She graduated from Neligh High School and later went on to attend Northeast Community College. Some of Gwen's favorite things include going to her grandchildren's sporting events and walking her dog, Clancy, along with spending time with her husband, three children and their spouses, and her nine grandchildren.
Gwen has dedicated twelve years to Blackburn Manufacturing, as their receptionist, providing quality customer service. Read More
Since assuming the office of President in 2005, Jennifer has continued the company's enviable record of continuous sales growth and innovation. Read More
Jenny has been with Blackburn Manufacturing since 2001. During that time, she has seen the printing side of the company grow from silk screen to digital print with custom cut options, She continues to work in the graphic arts department which entails: doing pre-press work for the digital press and automated cutter, designing new silk screens, and working with the flexo press and barcode thermal printers. Jenny has been instrumental in the implementation of new digital printing and cutting equipment to keep Blackburn Manufacturing current in the ever changing flag and yard sign industry. In 2018, Jenny earned a promotion to Graphic Arts Director. Aside from those responsibilities, she is continues to lead our art department in keeping up with the latest technology, as well as, new product development.
After graduating from Neligh-Oakdale High School, Jenny attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Bellevue University in Omaha, Nebraska. Jenny is married with three children, and 1 son-in-law. Most of her spare time is focused on spending time with her grown children when they can reunite. Jenny enjoys spending time in the Caribbean on catamarans, and to top it off, she is a certified sailor!
Jenny has been with Blackburn Manufacturing for fourteen years. Though she has several responsibilities, she is constantly doing product research for new items. Read More
Jim began his business career at a very early age. When he was seven years old, he worked with his "older" brother Bob, aged 11, to complete the company's first million flag order at Blackburn Manufacturing. The company was started by his father, Everard "Bud" Blackburn in 1953. Jim graduated from Neligh High School in 1964 and continued his education at Hastings College, receiving his degree in Business in 1969. After completing his education and military service (seven years as a Navy helicopter pilot), Jim returned to Blackburn Manufacturing as a full time employee in 1973. He became president in 1980 when the founder and his father, E. A. Blackburn retired.
As president, Jim drove yearly double-digit revenue increases. On March 3, 1988, the first of many milestones was reached: the company sold its one billionth flag. To accommodate growing demand, Jim expanded the company's capacity to directly service west coast business by opening a new California plant in 1989. In 1990, another building was added in Neligh, NE which increased the plant's capacity by 30%. Jim purchased the Neligh Plastics Extrusion Company from Tim Steffl in 1999. In 2005, Jim took the role of CEO and continues to benefit the company occupying that role today.
In recognition of his many accomplishments, Jim was named Nebraska Businessman of the Year in 1992 by United States Small Business Administration and was awarded the Nebraska Distinguished Entrepreneur Award in 2003 by Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship.
As president, Jim drove yearly double-digit revenue increases. In 2005, Jim took the role of CEO and continues to benefit the company occupying that role today. Read More
Karen has been with Blackburn Manufacturing since 1997. She is a huge asset to the company, as her responsibilities are innumerable, from taking orders and providing customer service, to working with drop shipments and helping in accounts receivable and pricing. Karen attended the University of Nebraska and received her degree in the college of business. She is a huge Husker fan and loves spending time with her husband, son, daughter, and three pet cats.
You can't have BMC without Kelly Kosek. Kelly has worked in every roll imaginable during his 40 years with Blackburn's. In his current role as production manager, Kelly is the heartbeat of BMC, and he is constantly on the run, overseeing flag, sign, and tape production and making sure orders get shipped out quickly and correctly for the customers, along with other miscellaneous tasks that come about. He has been a huge asset to Blackburn Manufacturing since 1979.
Kelly graduated Creighton Public high school and then joined Blackburn Manufacturing a few years afterward. When he's not overseeing production, Kelly enjoys car and truck shows and auto racing. He is a huge fan of the state of Nebraska. "It's a great place, in a great country, to live!" Kelly has one daughter who lives in California.
Largely thanks to Kelly, production and shipping at Blackburn Manufacturing runs smoothly. He has been a huge asset to Blackburn Manufacturing since 1979. Read More
Krista (Blackburn) Schindler, Jim's youngest daughter, joined the family firm in February of 2010. She started her career at Blackburn Manufacturing Company by making marking flags, later advancing to a customer service position, and ultimately becoming the marketing director. She is responsible for developing and executing the company's marketing and communication efforts, as well as, assisting with new product development. Krista manages the preparation of marketing aids and public relations projects, and recommends the path best suited to promote the company.
Krista attended Southeast Community College and received her Associates degree in Surgical Technology. Not stopping there, she continued her education by receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Saint Leo University in 2010.
Prior to joining Blackburn Manufacturing, she worked in the Surgical Technology field for ten years. Krista has held positions at Faith Regional Health Services, Alegent Health Midlands Hospital, and Nebraska Organ Recovery. In 2004, the Air Force took Krista and her family to England for four year and later to Cheyenne, Wyoming before moving back to her current home in Neligh, Nebraska.
In her spare time, Krista enjoys spending time with family, gardening, and golfing. She is also very active in the local community, having served as Secretary on the Neligh Chamber of Commerce and the Grow Neligh Group. She has also served as Secretary of the Neligh Cemetery Board and is currently an active member of both the Neligh Industrial Development Board and the Neligh-Oakdale School Board.
Krista is proficient in both classical marketing techniques and implementation of social and digital media. Her primary focus at Blackburn Manufacturing Company is to help the company maintain a presence in applicable markets, develop marketing strategies and campaigns, and introduce innovative and complex ideas to help drive business results.
Krista is responsible for developing and executing the company's marketing and communication efforts. Read More
Prior to her time at Blackburn Manufacturing, Lisa worked at several banks. In 2019, she moved to Royal and started employment at BMC that June. Lisa has proved to be a big asset to the team. Her main tasks are: routing freight going truck, invoicing orders, taking and processing orders by phone or email, answering questions about products and the company, and providing overall customer service where needed.
After graduating from Orchard Public School in 1999, Lisa attended Northeast Community College, where she received her Associates Degree in Office Technology. She has two beautiful and spunky daughters (Tessa and Lilly). In her spare moments, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to softball games, working in her yard, and playing cards.
Ryan joined Blackburn Manufacturing in April 2015 as Vice President of Sales, and moved into our Sales Director role in June of 2019. He has over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing. Most of his career experience is in business, retail sales, and management in the building & construction industry. Ryan has a proven record of success in his career and is well known for his commitment to clients and accounts.
Ryan is an asset to Blackburn Manufacturing by lending his expertise to new account acquisition, old account re-acquisitions, government accounts, and customer follow up and satisfaction. Ryan received his Associate of Science degrees from Northeast Community College with an emphasis in mathematics. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Ryan married his high school sweetheart and they have two boys who keep him busy with their activities. His hobbies include fishing, hunting, woodworking, and hobby farming on his acreage. Ryan is also a volunteer fireman on his local fire department.
With over 20 years of experience, Ryan has a proven record of success in his career and is well known for his commitment to clients and accounts. Ryan is the Vice President of Sales.
Job Titles:
- Accounts Receivable
- Office Manager
Stephanie started with Blackburn Manufacturing in July of 1995. Starting out briefly as receptionist, she moved into the Accounts Receivable roll later that year. Stephanie's duties include processing credit cards, posting payments, running statements, and collecting delinquent accounts. She is also responsible for sales tax maintenance and for checking credit applications for new customers, as well as any other Accounts Receivable duties that head her way. She helps with A/P and payroll as the need arises. After 20 years with the company, she recently assumed the role of Office Manager.
Stephanie attended Neligh-Oakdale High School and later received an Associate Degree as an Administrative Assistant from Lincoln School of Commerce. After graduating from college, she moved back to her hometown of Neligh. Prior to working at Blackburn Manufacturing, Stephanie worked in crop and inventory management for a local popcorn factory. Stephanie also briefly worked for the Antelope County Resource Center, gathering and compiling information for grant applications. She continues to attend classes & seminars to stay educated on the ever-changing collection and tax rules.
When she's not diligently working, Stephanie spends time attending her children's various events. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family gardening, camping, boating, traveling, and riding motorcycles. Stephanie is a member of the Brunswick Congregational Church and helps on various school related committees.
After 20 years with the company, Stephanie assumed the role of Office Manager. Read More
Job Titles:
- Sales Associate
- a Freight Specialist
- in 2014 As a Freight Specialist
Tricia joined Blackburn Manufacturing in 2014 as a freight specialist. In June of 2019, Tricia transitioned into her new role as our Sales Associate, and makes an incredible addition to our sales team. Her responsibilities involve customer quotes, special account management, new customer acquisitions, database updates, and trade show representative. Ryan and Tricia make a good team, ensuring that Blackburn's customer base continues to grow and provide service that lives up to our company's core mission.
Tricia graduated from Neligh-Oakdale High School and previously worked at a local medical clinic. Some of her favorite things involve happy hour, bowling, golfing, and spending time with her family and friends. Tricia has quite the family, from a husband, a son, and a daughter, to four cats, one fish, and a guinea pig.
Tricia joined Blackburn Manufacturing as a freight specialist. Her responsibilities involve customer quotes, EDI, answering phones, customer service, and inputting large-quantity orders. Read More