ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Seward County United Way recently introduced a new board president, and Friday, its current executive director announced her resignation with applications now being sought for a new director.
A Liberal native, Nathan Hartnett joined the military in 2002 and did two tours in Iraq, and now, he will be serving as SCUW’s new board president.
Hartnett, who also works at National Beef as the loss prevention manager, said he simply wants to give back to his community and be more than what he has been up until now.
Hartnett became involved with United Way in 2023 when National Beef, a significant contributor to the annual SCUW campaign, was looking for someone to sit on the board.
“The current president stepped down, and there was no one else who wanted to step in,” he said of his new role. “I got nominated for it. I want to do the best I can to serve United Way and the community.”
Hartnett said he wants to reach out to the community to let them know what United Way stands for and about the organization as a whole.
“It’s more than just a non-profit organization,” he said. “It’s a way to give back to the community. I still am fairly new. I’m learning as I go, but the end result I want the community to know is United Way is there for them, whether it be businesses, people in need. We’ll help them out the best we can.”
Earlier this year, it looked as though United Way would lose its biggest campaign contributor, as talks of cutting National Beef’s payroll deductions had been heard. Hartnett, however, said those are safe for now.
“That was a scary time for United Way,” he said. “National Beef is a big contributor for the United Way, and we will continue to be until we are told otherwise. National Beef itself, we try to give back to the community as much as we can, and this is one good way to get it done.”
Hartnett said being the SCUW board president will be a challenge, but he wants to do more for the community he calls home.
“I’ve been in Liberal my whole life,” he said. “They’ve done a lot of good things, and I want to continue to see that happen. If I can help make a difference through small changes, that’s what I plan on doing.”
As a new board president steps in, United Way’s current executive director is stepping down from that role. Friday, SCUW Director Diana Esparza issued her letter of resignation, saying it was an honor to serve the community as head of the agency.
“I am grateful for the opportunities, growth and support given to me during these last two and a half years,” she said. “Through these years, I have been able to see how the smallest donation can make a difference to a family in risk of utility disconnection, a chance for a child’s development or a meal for someone in hunger as well as the impact your support makes on our 17 non-profit agencies in our community.”
With this resignation, Esparza said, comes great opportunity for her and her family.
“I am excited for the next phase in my career and grateful to continue supporting our community in my new role,” she said. “I aspire to continue becoming a better and stronger asset to our community.”
Esparza is the third SCUW executive director hired in the last decade following the resignation of longtime director Kay Burtzloff. After Burtzloff resigned, McKensie Hood was hired to head up the organization, and she was followed by Clarissa Carrillo before Esparza was hired in 2022.
As she concluded her letter of resignation, Esparza thanked the community and United Way’s partners, sponsors, donors, volunteers and board members. All of this came into play as SCUW hosted its annual Turkey Trot Saturday morning, and Esparza urged everyone to continue support the mission and work of United Way.
“I look forward to seeing all the amazing work Seward County United Way has in store,” she said.
The Leader & Times spoke with Esparza at Saturday’s Turkey Trot, and she would not disclose what her new role will be, but she did say she will remain in Liberal.
No official date was given as to when Esparza’s resignation would take place, but SCUW has begun advertising for applicants for the executive director position, stating resumes need to be turned in no later than Friday.
