The NAPE/AFSCME Board of Directors appointed members to our contract negotiations teams at our Contract Negotiations Summit in Lincoln. Members were appointed to serve for negotiations for our 2027-2029 biennium contracts with the State of Nebraska, Nebraska State College System, and Nebraska Department of Education. Meet the teams below!
State of Nebraska
Melissa Schmid (DHHS, Fremont, Program Specialist) – Melissa has served as NAPE/AFSCME President for the past five years. Under Melissa’s leadership our membership has grown by thousands of members, which has translated to success at the bargaining table. Melissa has previously served on the negotiations teams that successfully negotiated the largest pay raises in state history, paid maternity leave, higher shift differentials, and more.
Brandon Brown (Revenue, Lincoln, Senior Agent) – Brandon has served as NAPE/AFSCME Vice President for the past two years, and previously served on the Executive Committee after being elected Sergeant-at-Arms. Brandon has served on previous negotiations teams and chairs our NAPE/AFSCME Government Affairs Committee.
Jason Baker (Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired, Kearney, VR Counselor) – Jason is a member of the NAPE/AFSCME Board of Directors and will join the negotiations team for the first time. He also serves our union as a steward and Volunteer Member Organizer. He looks forward to being a voice for non-code agencies and greater Nebraska.
Dan DeJong (Water, Energy & Environment, Lincoln, Environmental Specialist) – Dan is a member of the NAPE/AFSCME Board of Directors, union steward, and Volunteer Member Organizer. He is excited to return to the bargaining team to fight for competitive wages and better benefits.
Madeline Kettler (Veterans’ Affairs, Lincoln, Marketing & Communications Specialist) – Madeline is excited to join the negotiations team for the first time. Madeline has served on the NAPE/AFSCME Government Affairs Committee and as a Volunteer Member Organizer. Madeline is proud of the work her and her colleagues do to support our veterans.
Kelly Kopejtka (DHHS, Fremont, Program Accuracy Specialist) – Kelly joins the NAPE/AFSCME negotiations team for the first time, but brings with her previous collective bargaining experience with the IBEW. Kelly is also a member of the NAPE/AFSCME Board of Directors.
Daniel Watson (Labor, Lincoln, Unemployment Claims Specialist) – Daniel will be negotiating for the first time, but he is no stranger to our union. He has served as a union steward, Volunteer Member Organizer, and as a member of the Government Affairs Committee.
NAPE/AFSCME Executive Director Justin Hubly will serve as Chief Negotiator, and Secretary Ashlie Thompson will take the minutes of negotiations sessions.
Nebraska State College System
Robert Dean (Security Officer, Peru State College) – Robert is excited to serve on the negotiations team for the first time to give his colleagues at PSC a strong voice during collective bargaining.
Kelly Overshiner (Custodian, Chadron State College) – Kelly will be returning to the negotiations team for the third time. Kelly also serves as a union steward and is a member of the NAPE/AFSCME Board of Directors.
Brandon Ziska (Security Officer, Wayne State College) – Brandon has served on many NAPE/AFSCME negotiations teams, and is proud of the work that has been done to advance wages and benefits at the State College System. Brandon also serves on the NAPE/AFSCME Executive Committee.
NAPE/AFSCME Executive Director Justin Hubly will serve as chief negotiator, and Field Representative Billy Stock will also serve on the negotiations team.
Nebraska Department of Education
Jeannie Chastain (Administrative Specialist, Lincoln)
Jeannie is will serve on her first negotiations team. She is ready to protect our insurance coverage while also controlling costs.
Adam Johnson (IT Applications Developer Senior, Lincoln)
Adam is excited to serve on his first negotiations team. Adam has previously served as a union steward and Volunteer Member Organizer.
Katherine Knutzen (VR Senior Rehab Specialist, Columbus)
Katherine is returning to her second negotiations team and looks forward to building on our previous progress. Katherine also serves on the NAPE/AFSCME Board of Directors.
Dylan Lester (Office Associate IV, Lincoln)
Dylan is ready to serve on his first negotiations team to fight for higher wages and better benefits.
NAPE/AFSCME Field Representative Bob Cousins will serve as Chief Negotiator.