Midland University MBA Grads Named to Midlands Business Journal 40 Under 40
Two Midland University MBA graduates were named to the 2023 40 Under 40 by the Midlands Business Journal. The recipients include entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals under the age of 40 from the Greater Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs area.
Megan Bettenhausen, Partnerships Manager for First National Technology Solutions, and Tre Brooks, Chief Strategy Officer for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, were among the 40 recipients.
Bettenhausen earned her MBA in 2020 from Midland and has been with FNTS for over five years, spending the past four years in her current role.
“Being chosen as one of the recipients means I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by wonderful mentors, business leaders, family, and friends who have helped me get where I am today,” Bettenhausen said. “The people I work with at FNTS are the reason I enjoy waking up and doing my job every day. As Partner Manager, the most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing others master a new skill or seeing the company as a whole move up to the next level in a partnership directly because of the hard work of each of our employees.”
Bettenhausen viewed Midland University’s MBA program as an opportunity to further herself as both a person and a professional. “My grandfather always said you should learn something new every day, for if you don’t, your day has been wasted,” she said. “Earning my MBA was a natural next step in my professional career. I wanted to learn from real-life business partners to further develop my career and learn from my peers. Midland was the perfect fit for me as it allowed me to do relevant coursework and learn from some of the best leaders in the Omaha area, all while growing in my current role. ”
Brooks gained his MBA in Business Administration and Management in 2018. He joined the NDED three years ago, starting as a developer in the North Omaha area before transitioning into his current position, which has him looking at development and investment opportunities across the state.
“It was a surprise to be recognized and also very humbling,” Brooks said. “I’m fortunate I get to visit amazing people and communities across the state. There’s a ton of variety across the state but also a lot of familiarity whether you’re in a big city or a small town. That’s what I love about Nebraska.”
Brooks said he was the first member of his family to earn a college degree. Working to set an example for the younger generation was a driving force for him to achieve his MBA. “I wanted to find ways to continue to move the bar, and it’s important for me to have my nephews see their uncle getting his masters,” he said. “I wanted to see what else I was capable of, and I actually ended up getting two masters degrees. It’s allowed me to get better at my craft.”
“I had a great experience at Midland, and their program allowed me to navigate through my work schedule but still progress in my career. I loved working with teachers who had real-world experience.”
