AAM Leadership
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Owner & President
Kathi founded AAM in October 2010 with over 30 years of trade association and office management experience. She earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Management from Doane University and founded AAM on the principle that small to midsize associations thrive when supported by dedicated professional staff within a collaborative team framework. Her top priority for all clients is member services, and she specializes in board facilitation. She loves AAM's ability to leverage knowledge and growth from one association to benefit others.
As the visionary leader and driving force behind AAM, Kathi is a powerhouse who thrives on transforming struggling organizations into thriving associations. She excels at taking on clients who require comprehensive organizational restructuring and strategic remediation, bringing order to chaos with her unmatched expertise and unwavering determination. Kathi will move mountains for her clients, tackling the most complex challenges with strategic precision and delivering exceptional results that exceed expectations. Her comprehensive mastery spans every aspect of association management, from crisis intervention and strategic turnarounds to long-term growth planning and operational excellence. She co-founded the in-house marketing subsidiary RAAM Marketing alongside Kylie, expanding AAM's comprehensive service offerings. Beyond her professional achievements, Kathi co-founded the Milford Childhood Learning Center, launched the creation and funding for the Milford Cemetery Columbarium, and serves on the City of Milford Cemetery Board, demonstrating her commitment to community development and service.
Kathi co-owns the company with her husband Rod Schildt, who also serves as their office maintenance specialist. They reside in Pleasant Dale, Nebraska, on their family dairy farm and have four children and five grandchildren. Kathi loves spending time in her pool and hosting her family at their home, creating lasting memories with the people she cherishes most.
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Owner & Maintenance
Rod co-founded AAM alongside his wife, Kathi, in October 2010, bringing his practical expertise and unwavering work ethic to the organization's foundation. He graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a degree in Agriculture and operates as a full-time dairy farmer on the family dairy in Pleasant Dale, Nebraska, which has been in operation for over 100 years. At AAM, Rod's main role encompasses all facility management and heavy lifting operations, ensuring the organization maintains a professional and functional workspace for both staff and clients.
Rod's hands-on approach and construction expertise have been instrumental in AAM's physical development. He personally renovated most of the AAM building in the fall of 2012 and successfully headed the expansion project for Phase II offices in January 2021. His dedication extends beyond the office walls, as he frequently provides onsite support at conferences, lending a helping hand wherever needed to ensure client events run smoothly.
When he isn't managing the century-old dairy operation with feeding cows, planting, and harvesting, or working on office renovations, Rod can be found supporting AAM's mission through his reliable presence and problem-solving abilities. Rod and Kathi love to spend their free time traveling in their RV and enjoying their five grandchildren.
Account Executives
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Senior Account Executive
As a Senior Account Executive, Taylor brings a dynamic blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution to AAM's client services. Her comprehensive approach to account management ensures seamless project delivery while maintaining the highest standards of client satisfaction. She is extremely experienced in board and bylaws governance and excels at streamlining member services for clients with significant membership bases, ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of members. Taylor specializes in coordinating complex initiatives and managing multiple stakeholders with precision and unwavering focus. As a Senior member of the AAM leadership team, Taylor participates in managing business operations, team structure, and comprehensive client acquisition and onboarding processes.
Taylor has been a cornerstone of AAM since 2017, building extensive expertise and lasting client relationships over her long tenure. Her professional foundation was built through her role as an Operations Associate at Crete Carrier Corporation and her internship with Argus Event Staffing, where she developed expertise in logistics, coordination, and client relations. Throughout her career, she has assisted in writing grant initiatives totaling over $5 million in awarded funds, demonstrating her ability to craft compelling narratives and secure essential funding for client projects.
Taylor graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport & Event Management, where she was a dedicated four-year member of the Women's Basketball team. Her diverse skill set encompasses graphic design, event and meeting support, and marketing, allowing her to provide comprehensive solutions that address multiple aspects of client needs. Her background in sports management combined with her operational expertise makes her uniquely qualified to handle complex projects while maintaining clear communication and achieving measurable outcomes for AAM's clients.
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Director of Marketing & Senior Account Executive
As Director of Marketing, Kylie strategically reviews client initiatives and goals to formulate integrated marketing strategies specifically for nonprofits, while heading all marketing and graphic design initiatives for AAM clients. She co-founded the in-house marketing subsidiary RAAM Marketing, expanding AAM's service offerings. As a Senior member of the AAM leadership team, Kylie participates in managing business operations, team structure, and client acquisition and onboarding processes. She hosts keynotes and webinars nationwide, helping small business owners in specialized trades grow through accessible marketing strategies.
Kylie has been a cornerstone of AAM since 2013, building extensive experience and lasting client relationships over her decade-plus tenure. She led the complete transformation of the TOAST Nebraska Wine Festival, setting record attendance and winning multiple awards for best festival. Throughout her career, Kylie has assisted in writing grant initiatives totaling over $5 million in awarded funds. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing with a minor in Management from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where she was an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi and Delta Sigma Pi.
Beyond her professional achievements, Kylie co-founded the Milford Childhood Learning Center, overseeing the complete development from securing funding and construction oversight through business model development, staffing, family enrollment, and regulatory compliance. She was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2023 by Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership for her work with the MCLC. Kylie lives in Milford, Nebraska, with her husband J.R., and their three children.
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Senior Account Executive
As a specialized Account Executive, Courtney onboards new clients into AAM's integrated structure, with particular expertise in assisting clients who require organizational restructuring or comprehensive account remediation. She excels at transforming complex client situations into streamlined, efficient operations through her methodical approach and attention to detail. She is never afraid of a challenge and can tackle just about anything with her go-getter approach, bringing fresh perspective and innovative solutions to every project. As a Senior member of the AAM leadership team, Courtney participates in managing business operations, team structure, and comprehensive client acquisition and onboarding processes.
Courtney brings seven years of diverse experience in Sports Tourism and College Sports roles across Nebraska, Texas, and Kansas City to her position at AAM. Her background in event management and client relations has equipped her with the skills to handle high-pressure situations and deliver exceptional results. She graduated from the University of Nebraska - Kearney with a Bachelor's in Recreation & Park Management with an emphasis in Travel & Tourism/Sports Management, where she was a dedicated member of the track team competing in pole vault. She joined the AAM Team because she thrives on organization, meeting new people, and leaving things better than they are found.
In her free time, Courtney is a major foodie who enjoys exploring new restaurants and cuisines, golfing, playing sand volleyball, traveling to discover new destinations, and spending quality time with her nieces and nephews. Her diverse interests and outgoing personality make her a natural relationship builder both professionally and personally.
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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
As an Account Executive at AAM, Cassandra leverages her extensive 20-year background in insurance and account management to deliver comprehensive support for nonprofit organizations. Her expertise in client relationship management, team training, and benefits administration has equipped her with the skills to navigate complex organizational structures and deliver exceptional results. Drawing from her mastery of intricate data systems and client service delivery, Cassandra excels at helping nonprofits streamline their operations and achieve their strategic missions.
Cassandra brings 15 years of specialized experience in managing benefit plans, enrollment platforms, and stakeholder communications. Her background has taught her the importance of precision, attention to detail, and maintaining clear communication channels across multiple departments. This technical foundation, combined with her proven track record in account reconciliation and data management, enables her to develop innovative solutions tailored to each client's unique needs.
With professional designations including LOMA ACS and ALMI, Cassandra combines technical expertise with a genuine passion for building lasting partnerships and driving positive outcomes for organizations serving their communities. Cassandra resides in Milford, Nebraska, with her husband and twin children on their acreage. She enjoys going on walks and spending time at her children's activities. She and her husband are active community supporters of their local volunteer fire department, where her husband serves as chief.
Accounting
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Accounting/Grant Administrator
As Financial Administrator at AAM, Sheila brings a strong background in accounting and financial management to ensure precise financial operations across all client accounts and organizational functions. Her meticulous attention to detail and comprehensive understanding of financial systems enables her to maintain accurate records, streamline processes, and provide essential support to the AAM team. Sheila's expertise in financial administration ensures that both AAM and its nonprofit clients maintain the highest standards of fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Sheila's dedication to precision and accuracy makes her an invaluable asset to the organization, as she manages complex financial workflows while maintaining clear communication with team members and clients. Her professional approach and reliable service contribute significantly to AAM's operational success.
Outside of work, Sheila cherishes spending time with her family and enjoys adventurous weekends jeeping with her husband and friends, bringing the same enthusiasm and reliability to her personal adventures that she demonstrates in her professional role.
Account Coordinators
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Senior Account Coordinator
As Senior Account Coordinator at AAM, Kelsey works closely with Taylor to expertly direct team efforts, support coordinator directives, and meet critical project timelines. She is an expert at the GrowthZone management system, utilizing her comprehensive knowledge to optimize client operations and streamline organizational processes. Kelsey's exceptional attention to detail and meticulous cross-checking ensures that even the most minor details are thoroughly reviewed and accurately executed. Her organizational skills and reliability make her an essential asset to AAM's operational success.
Kelsey has been a dedicated member of the AAM team since 2021, bringing extensive client management experience from her previous role overseeing salon operations for eight years. She grew up in Milford, Nebraska, and graduated in 2012 from the College of Hair Design. Her background in managing and overseeing clients has equipped her with exceptional customer service skills and the ability to anticipate needs while maintaining strong professional relationships. Her systematic approach to project management and proactive problem-solving enables the team to deliver exceptional results for nonprofit clients.
Kelsey's commitment to excellence and collaborative approach make her an invaluable support system for both the AAM team and the clients they serve. In her free time, you can find Kelsey camping, golfing, traveling, and enjoying time with her two Yorkies, Zoey and Bentley.
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Account Coordinator
As Account Coordinator at AAM, Jamie supports the team in managing client accounts and coordinating essential administrative functions for nonprofit organizations. With over 17 years of association management experience, she brings valuable knowledge of association operations and member services to her role. Jamie assists with event coordination, member communications, and various client support activities under the guidance of senior team members.
Jamie's extensive background in association management provides her with familiarity with nonprofit operations and member engagement processes. She handles routine administrative tasks and supports larger projects as part of the coordinated team effort. Her experience with association structures and membership services contributes to AAM's comprehensive client support.
Jamie graduated from Southeast Community College in Lincoln, where she developed her foundation in business operations. In her personal time, Jamie enjoys spending time with her husband Troy, their seven children, and six grandchildren.
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Marketing Coordinator
As Marketing Coordinator at AAM, Kathryn brings a strong foundation in marketing and communications to support comprehensive marketing initiatives for nonprofit clients. Her background in graphic design, marketing, and account management enables her to create compelling marketing materials, coordinate communications campaigns, and assist with various promotional activities. Kathryn supports the marketing team in developing creative solutions and maintaining consistent brand messaging across all client touchpoints under the guidance of senior team members.
Kathryn graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor's degree in Advertising and Public Relations, along with a minor in Business Administration. Her educational background and diverse skill set in marketing and design contribute to AAM's comprehensive approach to client marketing support. She assists with creating marketing materials, coordinating social media campaigns, and supporting various promotional initiatives as part of the collaborative marketing team effort.
Outside of work, Kathryn enjoys spending time outdoors, especially going on walks with her dogs. Her appreciation for outdoor activities and active lifestyle brings a positive energy to both her professional and personal endeavors.