Jennifer Biggy Schmidt has established herself over twenty years of public policy, funding, advocacy, and project development experience. Jennifer, a native of Sarasota, Florida, earned her Bachelor of Science from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, and completed graduate work at Florida State University. Jennifer spent five years in Washington, DC, working on Capitol Hill for Representative Dan Miller of Florida and ultimately as Legislative Director for Representative Roger Wicker of Mississippi, both members of the House Appropriations Committee. She advised these Congressmen on a wide variety of issues including appropriations, health care, education, transportation, foreign affairs, energy, housing, and small business.

 

After leaving Capitol Hill, Jennifer worked in the Fort Mitchell District Office of Congressman Geoff Davis of Kentucky. While on his staff, she created a grant funding outreach program and symposium which the House Republican Conference recognized as a best practice. Jennifer later joined the staff of Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, who created the Office of Recovery and Renewal in response to the devastation created by Hurricane Katrina. Serving as a policy analyst, Jennifer developed recovery initiatives and assisted coastal entities with a large scope of recovery issues including FEMA regulations, applicability of various programs and policies, and decisions about rebuilding. She also coordinated and planned a large-scale hurricane expo, providing information and showcasing public and private resources to help residents of the Gulf Coast rebuild.

 

In 2008 Jennifer was named Southern Regional Director for U. S. Senator Roger Wicker and established his initial Southern Regional offices. Jennifer coordinated with the Senator’s Washington, DC, staff on legislation affecting the region. She led the Senator’s local coordination of disaster recovery efforts, including Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill. Jennifer supported municipalities, nonprofits, and other entities in project development and funding requests, including resolving governmental regulatory issues.

 

As congressionally directed appropriations disappeared, local entities struggled to identify and receive funding for critical projects. In order to meet the needs of Senator Wicker’s constituents Jennifer created, developed, and managed a statewide grant program. This program included outreach to eligible entities and research and identification of public and private funding opportunities. She also provided technical support to applicants and served as a liaison between grantees and funding agencies.

 

In October 2014, Jennifer established Schmidt Consulting, LLC, and currently represents local governments, non-profits, and economic development organizations to develop and strengthen projects and obtain funding for initiatives.