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)
