Our Team
Building on a Legacy, Focused on the Future
The Peetz & Schrader team brings together professionals with decades of experience in Nebraska public policy, government service, and communications.
Our collective expertise — from the legislative floor to agency leadership and the private sector — gives our clients the insight and access they need to succeed. We’re known for our strategic approach, bipartisan relationships and we are proud of have been part of many of the most successful public-private partnerships in recent history.
Cora Schrader
Managing Partner
Cora is a government affairs professional who enjoys helping clients make sense of Nebraska’s legislative and regulatory process. Since 2010 when she joined Peetz & Company, she has worked closely with businesses, nonprofits, and organizations to turn complex policy issues into clear strategies and practical solutions.
Known for her collaborative style and strong relationships at the Capitol, Cora focuses on listening first, staying prepared, and finding common ground. She values honest communication and thoughtful advocacy, and she approaches every issue with the goal of achieving meaningful, workable outcomes.
Cora lives in Omaha with her husband Kody, where they have three young kids and two big dogs. Outside of kids' soccer and basketball games, she enjoys traveling, reading and a strong cup of coffee.
Natalie C. Peetz
Partner
Before Peetz & Schrader, Natalie founded Peetz & Company in 2004 after nearly 20 years in state politics. Natalie spent thirteen years as Vice President for Public Policy at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce (GOCC) in Omaha, Nebraska. As Vice President, she handled the Chamber’s political strategy, including state and community relations, communications, fundraising, and management of the Chamber’s councils on government affairs, taxation, transportation, and agri-business. As chief lobbyist, Peetz developed and coordinated the Omaha corporate community’s business agenda at the federal, state, and local level.
Prior to her work at the GOCC, Peetz served under Governor Kay A. Orr from 1986 to 1991, including two years as Chief of Staff. She provided policy analysis to the governor, lobbied members of the Legislature, and oversaw the development of the legislative message and budget.
Natalie and her husband Jack spend their time between Lincoln and northeast Nebraska, and now, traveling to Minneapolis to visit their son Harrison and his fiance Mallory.
Cathy B. Heyen
Firm Administrator and Director of Client Relations
Cathy joined the firm in 2004. She has extensive knowledge of business, government, and political environments. Heyen is responsible for research, client communications, monitoring of hearings and agency meetings of interest, assisting with board & commission strategies and handles the firm’s political action activities. She also maintains daily operations and business functions of Peetz & Company. Heyen’s over thirty years experience in the public and private sectors began as an executive assistant and scheduler to former Governor Kay A. Orr during Orr’s tenure as State Treasurer and Governor of the State of Nebraska. Heyen also served as Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of one of the largest privately held asset-based trucking and logistics companies in the U.S.-Crete Carrier Corporation for over nine years.
Cathy and her husband Wayne stay busy with their three adult children and enjoy golfing, traveling and cheering on Husker Athletics.
Jack Peetz
Associate and General Counsel
Jack is a Sidney, Nebraska native and a graduate of the University of Nebraska and Creighton University Law School (1973). He practiced with a law firm in Sidney for sixteen years specializing in real estate, probate, corporate, tax and agriculture-related matters. Peetz moved his practice to Lincoln, NE when he became corporate counsel for both Duncan Aviation and Crete Carrier Corporation. After several years, he took the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Crete Carrier Corporation, one of the nation’s largest privately held trucking companies. In January of 2008, he became and remained President of Crete’s Shaffer Trucking Division until his retirement in January of 2015.
In addition to his duties at Peetz & Company, he currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Buckle, Inc. – a New York Stock Exchange-traded, nationwide retailer of medium to better-priced casual apparel, footwear, and accessories. Peetz is admitted to the practice of law in the States of Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and the Federal District Court for the State of Nebraska.