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 Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 9am-3pm at NAPE/AFSCME Headquarters (1230 O Street, Suite 120).
NAPE/AFSCME Local 61 Board of Directors
Melissa Haynes, President, DHHS, Fremont 
Brian Koch, Vice President, Labor, Beatrice 
Diane Laffin, Secretary, History Nebraska, Lincoln 
Jay Jensen, Treasurer, NDOT, Omaha 
Kris Rossman, Sergeant-at-Arms, DHHS, Scottsbluff 
Brian Bierschenk, Northern Area, DHHS, Norfolk 
Robin Smith, Southern Area, DHHS, Kearney 
Vicki Vosler, Eastern Area, Game & Parks, Ashland 
Morgan Smith, Western Area, DHHS,
North Platte
John Hereen, Omaha Area, NDOT, Omaha 
Anissa Rasmussen, Lincoln Area, Economic Development, Lincoln 
Lisa Steiner – Lincoln Area, DHHS, Lincoln 
Jessica Davis, DHHS Rep, Lincoln 
Ashlie Thompson, DHHS Rep, Lincoln 
Ashley Young, NDOT Rep, North Platte 
Brandon Brown, State Agency Rep, Revenue, Lincoln 
Rebecca Schademann, At Large, Education, Lincoln 
Elbert Traylor, State Agency Rep, Environment & Energy, Lincoln 
Katherine Knutzen – Dept. of Education, Columbus 
Brandon Ziska, State Colleges, Wayne State College, Wayne 
Bryan Dettmann, Richardson County Roads, Falls City 
Daniel Buchanan, State Agency Rep, Corrections, Lincoln 
Brianne Bushlow, At-Large, DHHS, Fremont 
Lindsey Eads, At-Large, Veterans’ Affairs, Kearney 
Ryan McKay, Supervisory Rep, NDOT, Lincoln 
Mike Zgud, Retirees Chapter 161 Rep, Lincoln 
Justin Hubly – Executive Director
Officers (Terms Expire August 27, 2023)
President – Melissa Haynes (DHHS, Fremont)
Vice President – Brian Koch (Labor, Beatrice)
Secretary – Diane Laffin (History Nebraska, Lincoln)
Treasurer – Jay Jensen (NDOT, Omaha)
Sergeant-at-Arms – Kris Rossman (DHHS, Scottsbluff)
Area Representatives (Terms Expire June 10, 2023)
Northern Area – Brian Bierschenk (DHHS, Norfolk)
Southern Area – Robin Smith (DHHS, Kearney)
Eastern Area – Vicki Vosler (Game & Parks, Ashland)
Western Area – Morgan Smith (DHHS, North Platte)
Lincoln Area – Anissa Rasmussen (Economic Development, Lincoln)
Lincoln Area – Lisa Steiner (DHHS, Lincoln)
Omaha Area – John Heeren (NDOT, Omaha)
Agency Representatives (Terms Expire June 10, 2023)
DHHS – Jessica Davis (Lincoln)
DHHS – Ashlie Thompson (Lincoln)
NDOT – Ashley Young (North Platte)
State Agency – Brandon Brown (Revenue, Lincoln)
State Agency – Daniel Buchanan (Corrections, Lincoln)
State Agency – Elbert Traylor (Environment & Energy, Lincoln)
Department of Education – Katherine Knutzen (Vocational Rehabilitation, Columbus)
State Colleges – Brandon Ziska (Wayne)
Richardson County – Bryan Dettmann (Falls City)
Supervisory – Ryan McKay (NDOT, Lincoln)
At-Large Representatives (Terms Expire June 10, 2023)
Brianne Bushlow (DHHS, Fremont)
Lindsey Eads (Veterans’ Affairs, Kearney)
Rebecca Schademann (Department of Education, Lincoln)
Retiree Chapter 161 Representative
Mike Zgud (DHHS Retired)