News
CCC Grad Leads Hastings Chamber
August 31, 2018
Central Community College-Hastings graduate Mikki Shafer has been named president of the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce. She succeeds Tom Hastings, who retired in June after holding the post for 16 years. Shafer is the first female president in the chamber’s history.
According to a news release sent out by the chamber, Shafer has been with the organization for the last 12 years serving as membership coordinator.
“(Shafer’s) managerial experience and her knowledge of the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce are of great value to our 700-plus members,” the release noted. “Shafer has been instrumental in growing the membership and cultivating business relations with other local and state entities.”
Originally from Tekemah, Shafer enrolled in the hotel, motel and restaurant management program at the Hastings Campus. After earning her degree, she worked in the hotel industry until 2006 when Tom Hastings asked her to join the chamber. While Shafer’s job changed, she was able to utilize many of the concepts she had learned at CCC for the hotel industry in her new position.
"One of the best things that I gained from all the hotel, motel and restaurant management classes I attended was the customer services skills I acquired by hosting and working the events that the culinary arts students needed in order to pass the class,” said Shafer. “Customer service skills are an asset in any career path that I will have.”
Shafer’s legacy continues at CCC-Hastings as her daughter is a freshman.