Nebraska Association
of Public Employees

Meet Our Leaders

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, January 11, 2025 from 9am-3pm 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

Carlos Ndirangu
Northern Area, Veteran’s Affairs, Norfolk

Lindsey Eads
Southern Area, Veterans’ Affairs, Kearney

Gail Mann
Eastern Area, DHHS, Beatrice

Kris Rossman
Western Area, DHHS, Scottsbluff

Brianne Bushlow
Omaha Area, DHHS, Fremont

Rene Botts
Lincoln Area, DHHS, Lincoln

Avery Hulse
Lincoln Area, DHHS, Lincoln

Toni Bonsera
DHHS Rep, Lincoln

Daniel Buchanan
DHHS Rep, Beatrice

Tim Miller
NDOT Rep, Ravenna

Mary Schmidt-Rodriguez
State Agency Rep, Military, Lincoln

Anissa Rasmussen
State Agency Rep, Economic Development, Lincoln

Vicki Vosler
State Agency Rep, Game & Parks Commission, Ashland

Katherine Knutzen
Dept. of Education, Columbus

Kelly Overshiner
State Colleges, Chadron

Bryan Dettmann
Richardson County Roads, Falls City

Mary Schwanke
Supervisory Rep, DHHS, Fremont

Vacant

At-Large

Amy Peters
At-Large, DHHS, Lincoln

Vacant
At-Large

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 31, 2025)

Northern Area – Carlos Ndirangu (Veteran’s Affairs, Norfolk)

Southern Area – Lindsey Eads (Veteran’s Affairs, Kearney)

Eastern Area – Gail Mann (DHHS, Beatrice)

Western Area – Kris Rossman (DHHS, Scottsbluff)

Lincoln Area – Rene Botts (DHHS, Lincoln)

Lincoln Area – Avery Hulse (Lincoln)

Omaha Area – Brianne Bushlow (DHHS, Fremont)

Agency Representatives (Terms Expire May 31, 2025)

DHHS – Toni Bonsera (Lincoln)

DHHS – Daniel Buchanan (Beatrice)

Transportation – Tim Miller (Ravenna)

State Agency – Vicki Vosler (Game & Parks Commission, Ashland)

State Agency – Mary Schmidt-Rodriguez (Military, Lincoln)

State Agency – Anissa Rasmussen (Economic Development, Lincoln)

Department of Education – Katherine Knutzen (Vocational Rehabilitation, Columbus)

State Colleges – Kelly Overshiner (Chadron)

Richardson County – Bryan Dettmann (Falls City)

Supervisory – Mary Schwanke (DHHS, Fremont)

At-Large Representatives (Terms Expire May 31, 2025)

Vacant

Vacant

Amy Peters (DHHS, Lincoln)

Retiree Chapter 161 Representative

Mike Zgud (DHHS Retired)