The NAPE/AFSCME Local 61 Board of Directors is comprised of 5 officers elected by the delegates to the biennial Delegate Assembly each odd numbered year and 20 representatives elected by the membership each odd numbered year. Both officers and representatives serve a two year term. 7 representatives are elected based on geographic boundaries, 10 representatives are elected based on their agency, and 3 representatives are elected at-large. The Board meets quarterly in Lincoln. All Board meetings are open to NAPE members to observe. The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025 from 2-6pm at NAPE/AFSCME Headquarters in Lincoln (1230 O Street, Suite 120).
NAPE/AFSCME Local 61 Board of Directors

Melissa Haynes
President, DHHS, Fremont

Brandon Brown
Vice President, Revenue, Lincoln

Ashlie Thompson
Secretary, DHHS, Lincoln

Jay Jensen
Treasurer, NDOT, Omaha

Brandon Ziska
Sergeant-at-Arms, State Colleges, Wayne

Carrie Leffler
Northern Area, DHHS, Center

Lindsey Eads
Southern Area, Veterans’ Affairs, Kearney

Daniel Buchanan
Eastern Area, DHHS, Beatrice

Chasity Jenny
Western Area, Foster Care Review Office, North Platte

Francisca Morales
Omaha Area, Veterans’ Affairs, Bellevue

Mackenzie Marrow
Lincoln Area, Library Commission, Lincoln

Erika Robles
Lincoln Area, Revenue, Lincoln

Brianne Bushlow
DHHS Rep, Fremont

Michael Henry
DHHS Rep, Lincoln

Adam Hathaway
NDOT Rep, Sidney

Jason Baker
State Agency Rep, Blind & Visually Impaired Commission, Kearney

Dan DeJong
State Agency Rep, Water, Environment & Energy, Lincoln

Mary Schmidt-Rodriguez
State Agency Rep, Military, Lincoln

Katherine Knutzen
Dept. of Education, Columbus

Kelly Overshiner
State Colleges, Chadron

Bryan Dettmann
Richardson County Roads, Falls City

Teresa Menking
Supervisory Rep, DHHS, Fremont

Kelly Kopejtka
At-Large, DHHS, Fremont

Sally Merker
At-Large, DHHS, Lincoln

Amy Peters
At-Large, DHHS, Lincoln

Mike Zgud
Retirees Chapter 161 Rep, Lincoln

Justin Hubly
Executive Director
Officers (Terms Expire August 17, 2025)
President – Melissa Haynes (DHHS, Fremont)
Vice President – Brandon Brown (Revenue, Lincoln)
Secretary – Ashlie Thompson (DHHS, Lincoln)
Treasurer – Jay Jensen (Transportation, Omaha)
Sergeant-at-Arms – Brandon Ziska (State Colleges, Wayne)
Area Representatives (Terms Expire May 2027)
Northern Area – Carrie Leffler (DHHS, Center)
Southern Area – Lindsey Eads (Veterans’ Affairs, Kearney)
Eastern Area – Daniel Buchanan (DHHS, Beatrice)
Western Area – Chasity Jenny (FCRO, North Platte)
Lincoln Area – Mackenzie Marrow (Library Commission, Lincoln)
Lincoln Area – Erika Robles (Revenue, Lincoln)
Omaha Area – Francisca Morales (Veterans’ Affairs, Bellevue)
Agency Representatives (Terms Expire May 2027)
DHHS – Brianne Bushlow (Fremont)
DHHS – Michael Henry (Lincoln)
Transportation – Adam Hathaway (Sidney)
State Agency – Jason Baker (Blind & Visually Impaired Commission, Kearney)
State Agency – Dan DeJong (Water, Environment & Energy, Lincoln)
State Agency – Mary Schmidt-Rodriguez (Military, Lincoln)
Department of Education – Katherine Knutzen (Vocational Rehabilitation, Columbus)
State Colleges – Kelly Overshiner (Chadron)
Richardson County – Bryan Dettmann (Falls City)
Supervisory – Teresa Menking (DHHS, Fremont)
At-Large Representatives (Terms Expire May 2027)
Kelly Kopejtka (DHHS, Fremont)
Sally Merker (DHHS, Lincoln)
Amy Peters (DHHS, Lincoln)
Nebraska AFSCME Retirees Chapter 161 Representative
Mike Zgud (DHHS Retired)