An Introduction to Bridge Connections

Keith Schmidt – Principal

Keith Schmidt is a lifelong resident of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Keith’s journey into public life began at a very young age. A year after he delivered the commencement address at his high school graduation, he won a seat on the Montour School Board. He was the youngest person ever to be elected to an at-large seat on a school board in Pennsylvania’s history. Keith went on to study political science at the University of Pittsburgh. He chose to commute to the University in order to remain in local government. In 1980, he worked as an intern in Southwestern Pennsylvania for Governor Ronald Reagan’s successful presidential campaign. His association with the 40th President of the United States came to influence his life for the next 25 years.

From 1985 to 1990, Keith worked professionally in marketing and public relations. Throughout the 1980’s, Keith continued to serve in a number of elected and appointed positions in local and county politics. These positions include serving as: Chair of the Robinson Township Parks and Recreation Board, an elected Allegheny County Committeeman, President of the Western Hills School Joint Committee, and a Board Member of the West Hills Special School Authority. He also worked on numerous campaigns for local, state and federal offices, including Rick Santorum’s successful 1990 race that unseated seven-term Congressman Doug Walgren.

In December of 1990, Keith was asked to join Rick Santorum’s transition team. He went on to serve as the Congressman’s Veterans and Military Affairs Coordinator for three and a half years. In May 1994, he took a leave of absence to join the Santorum race for the U.S. Senate. He served as Deputy Campaign Manager in charge of statewide coalitions. Keith returned to Senator Santorum’s official staff in January 1995 assuming the role of State Director for the 34 counties of Western Pennsylvania. Outside of his official duties, Senator Santorum appointed Keith in January of 1998 to serve as his Political Director in Pennsylvania. One year later, in January of 1999, he was named the Campaign Manager for the Senator’s re-election. In mid February of 2000, Keith took on the duties of overseeing statewide grassroots and business coalitions. After Rick Santorum’s re-election, Keith returned to his position as State Director on the Senator’s official staff.

In addition to his positions with Senator Santorum, Keith was a board member and officer of ACTION Housing, Inc Pittsburgh from 1993 until 2002. In 1996 he served as State Director of Grassroots Operations for the Al Salvi for U. S. Senate race in Illinois, and has previously served as a longtime officer and President of the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company. From 1997 through 1999, Keith served as the Chairman of the Development Committee for the Republican Committee of Allegheny County. In 1998, Keith was appointed by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve on the five-member Allegheny County Apportionment Commission which divided Allegheny County’s 1.2 million people into 13 council districts as stipulated by the Home Rule Charter. In March of 2000, Allegheny County’s Republican Chief Executive Jim Roddey appointed him as one of nine members to serve on the Election Department Transition Team. In 2004, Dan Onorato, Jim Roddey’s Democratic successor for County Executive, appointed Keith to his transition team as well.

In December of 2004, following six years on the VLP Board, Keith was the first male non-veteran ever to be elected President of the Veterans Leadership Program. A position he remained in until January of 2006. In recent years, he served terms as a member of the Board of Directors of both the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Pittsburgh Film Office. Other positions of interest include serving as the Founder and President of the former Robinson Library Association, and a former member of the Institute of Politics Board of Fellows at the University of Pittsburgh. For many years, Keith was a member in good standing of both the Teutonia Maennerchor and the German-American National Congress (D.A.N.K.) As a lifetime member of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Moon Run, Pennsylvania, Keith has served his home Parish as a lector for over 20 years. He is a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and he serves on the Steering Committee for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Leaders Prayer Breakfast held each February.

For over a quarter century, Keith has been a community leader and political activist. He has consulted dozens of campaigns for the County and State Judiciary. Keith has contributed to races for Auditor General, Attorney General, U.S. Senate, Lt. Governor, Governor, and President. Moreover, he is consistently ranked on Pennsylvania’s Power 50, a list of the most powerful and influential non-elected people in the Commonwealth.

In March of 2007, Keith’s career in the United States Senate came to an end. That same month, he formed a sole proprietorship under the name “Bridge Connections”. His consulting company works with non-profit corporations and associations, for profit business, community leaders and public officials. In the spring of 2008, Keith began appearing as a political commentator on WQED-TV Pittsburgh. He has filled in as a panelist on the “On Q” program, and has served as a regular contributor on the “Road to the White House” specials hosted by Stacy Smith of KDKA-TV.

Keith is passionate about his faith, his family and his friends. He enjoys the Performing Arts, public speaking and mentoring young men and women. Service to God and Country is what has defined his life thus far.

Joe Nickel – Logistics Manager

Joe Nickel resides in Pittsburgh when he is not traveling the world. Since 2005, he has been active in the entertainment industry. His career in theater has taken him to over twenty five countries throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

Returning from Shanghai in the fall of 2009, Joe decided to concentrate his skills on a career in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Since then, he has been working on many projects throughout the city on and off the stage. He brings his managerial and international experience as the Logistics Manager of Bridge Connections.