Mike Friend Joins Goodwill in Omaha as Development Director

Michael J. Friend has joined Goodwill in Omaha (www.goodwillomaha.org) as the development director.

Most recently, Friend has been in charge of business development for Nebraska Data Centers, LLC, a company providing data center space, power and connectivity to enterprise class customers.

An Omaha native and alum of Millard South High School, Kearney State College and Creighton University, Friend worked as a journalist with the Nebraska City News-Press and the Grand Island Independent, and was a writer with Smart Computing Magazine in Lincoln. He later transitioned into technical writing and business writing, spending over a decade with First National Bank of Omaha. He further transitioned into business development and fundraising and development with entities such as the State of Nebraska, Americans for Prosperity, and First National Technology Solutions.

In 2002, Friend was elected to represent the 10th Legislative District in the Nebraska Legislature. He was re-elected in 2006 with over 76% of the vote. He sat on the General Affairs, Revenue, and Legislative Performance Audit Committees, and chaired the Urban Affairs Committee.

He has also sat on local committees such as the Omaha Summer Arts Festival (2005-2006), The Greater Omaha YMCA’s Youth Advisory Council (2006-2007), and was President of the Burke High School Gridiron Club (2009–2011).

For more information about Goodwill Industries, Inc. serving Eastern Nebraska & Southwest Iowa, visit www.goodwillomaha.org or call (402) 341-4609.