Two new members join MCFF advisory committee

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook Community Foundation Fund is proud to announce the addition of two new members to its Fund Advisory Committee. Tricia Wagner and Matt Sehnert will become part of the advisory committee in July 2020

They join current committee members: Chairperson Cindy Huff, Vice Chair Dale Dueland, Secretary Peggy Been, Treasurer Mark Graff, Dennis Berry, Andy Long, Pam Wolford, Gavin Harsh, Bill Graves and Linda Frank.

One of MCFF’s founding members, Doug Skiles, retired in December 2019 after serving nearly 20 years on the advisory committee.

Along with strong connections to the community, Tricia Wagner and Matt Sehnert both bring a passion for McCook and Southwest Nebraska to their new roles on the MCFF Advisory Committee.

Wagner is in her second year of service as the Community Outreach and Wellness Coordinator for Community Hospital in McCook and just celebrated three years with the organization. Wagner graduated from McCook Senior High in 2013 and holds a bachelor’s degree from Chadron State College. She recently received her master’s in Public Health from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

One of Wagner’s duties at Community Hospital is as a liaison for McCook’s Communities of Excellence 2026 journey, where she works with community leaders, residents, and consumers to create a strategic plan for McCook to ensure a high quality of life for those who reside in and visit our community. She also serves on the Community Chest Board and the McCook Chamber of Commerce’s Cordials.

Through her role at Community Hospital and other organizations in the community, Tricia hopes that McCook and Southwest Nebraska will go beyond maintaining, and thrive.

One project that is extremely important to her is the need for a new city pool. Tricia worked as a lifeguard and manager at McCook City Pool for eight summers, where she found a passion for public health through water and sun safety and swimming lessons.

Matt Sehnert, along with his wife Shelly, have owned Sehnert’s Bakery and Bieroc Cafe in McCook for the past 30 years. Earlier this year, they received the Governor’s Art Award for supporting art in the community. And in 2019, Sehnert’s Bakery received Nebraska’s first James Beard America’s Classic Award.

In addition to running a successful local business, Sehnert has served on various boards and committees, gaining knowledge, wisdom and experience. He is currently serving as president of the McCook Arts Council and is part of the Prairie Roots Music Festival committee and co-created the Live at the Bieroc music series.

Sehnert hopes to engage others and move the community forward as part of the Fund Advisory Committee.

“We are blessed to live in rural Nebraska for many reasons,” Sehnert said. “I appreciate being able to live and raise our family in a safe place with many opportunities. Because this is my home, I am motivated to make it an even better place to live.”

He added, “Through vision and generosity, McCook and Southwest Nebraska have positioned themselves to continue this fine way of life while pursuing greater opportunities to enrich the lives of our families, friends and future generations.”

McCook Community Foundation Fund is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.

— Since its creation in 2001, MCFF has distributed more than $400,000 in grants to local organizations and programs and strives to meet its vision of making McCook an even better place to call home.