Lyons, Nebraska, is not only home to the Center for Rural Affairs, it’s also the hometown of Rhea Landholm, the Center’s brand marketing and communications manager.
Rhea has held that position since May 2016, though she’s known of and supported the Center for most of her life.
When the Center moved its home office from Walthill, Nebraska, to Lyons, in 2003, Rhea got her first glimpse into the inner workings of the organization while working at the local newspaper as a high school student. This encounter would lead to more collaborations with the Center—a college internship, a stint as a part-time employee, a spot on the Center’s Advisory Committee, then Board of Directors, and more, all leading to her current role.
“In 2015, I moved back to northeast Nebraska to be near my family, and worked as a communications contractor with the Center,” said Rhea. “Then, in 2016, I resigned from the Board and applied for the position I'm in now. I always knew I wanted to be a part of the Center again, it just needed to be the right time in my life.”
Before becoming a full-time member of the Center team, Rhea spent several years, and held a variety of positions, in the small-town newspaper industry, as well as in the public relations field, which helped prepare her for her current role.
“When I came to the Center as a staff member, we had a strong media presence,” she said. “We also told great stories, but we could do more in that space. I feel like I have been able to expand our storytelling, getting the message out to our readers.”
As the communications and marketing fields are always evolving, Rhea says during the pandemic a need was emphasized to broaden the Center’s video capacity and bilingual communications work.
“My goal is to expand both of these areas in the next couple of years, further supporting our staff advancing the mission of the Center,” Rhea said.
What Rhea enjoys most about being part of the Center is knowing the staff members are making a difference.
“We are truly strengthening rural communities through our small business, beginning farmer, policy, and welcoming communities work,” she said. “Every person on our staff steps into the role on their first day and brings a fresh perspective along with enthusiasm. We are all working toward the same goal.”
Rhea oversees marketing and communications for the Center, which includes strategy, public relations, media relations, editing, and more. She manages the Center's website, social media pages, newsletters, board reporting, and special projects, and enjoys the variety of work she encounters from day to day.
“I start the day with a to-do list and sometimes at the end of the day nothing on that list is done, but I have accomplished something else that was maybe more urgent—I do what is needed of me,” Rhea said.
Working close to home, close to her family, is an added bonus.
“I rent from my parents, in a home that's located just six blocks from the office,” she said. “I enjoy visiting with them almost daily. My brother and his family, including my niece and nephew, live fairly close by on an acreage, and my sister lives in Omaha with her significant other. All of my aunts, uncles, and a lot of my cousins are very close as well.”
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her significant other and her Cairn Terrier, Abby, in state parks throughout the U.S., and traveling to national parks, as well as visiting local businesses, restaurants, and breweries.
Rhea can be reached at the Center’s office in Lyons at 402.687.2100 ext. 1025 or rheal@cfra.org.
