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 8, 2024 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 
Ashlie Thompson, Secretary, DHHS, Lincoln 
Jay Jensen, Treasurer, NDOT, Omaha 
Brandon Brown, Sergeant-at-Arms, Revenue, Lincoln 
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 
State Agency Rep, Vacant 
Mary Schmidt-Rodriguez, State Agency Rep, Military, Lincoln 
Anissa Rasmussen, State Agency Rep, Economic Development, Lincoln 
Katherine Knutzen, Dept. of Education, Columbus 
Kelly Overshiner, State Colleges, Chadron 
Bryan Dettmann, Richardson County Roads, Falls City 
Mary Schwanke, Supervisory Rep, DHHS, Fremont 
Rachel Kreifels, At-Large, DHHS, Lincoln 
Brandon Ziska, At-Large, State Colleges, Wayne 
Mari Waid, At-Large, DHHS, Scottsbluff 
Mike Zgud, Retirees Chapter 161 Rep, Lincoln 
Justin Hubly, Executive Director
Officers (Terms Expire Summer 2025)
President – Melissa Haynes (DHHS, Fremont)
Vice President – Brian Koch (Labor, Beatrice)
Secretary – Ashlie Thompson (DHHS, Lincoln)
Treasurer – Jay Jensen (Transportation, Omaha)
Sergeant-at-Arms – Brandon Brown (Revenue, Lincoln)
Area Representatives (Terms Expire Summer 2025)
Northern Area – Carlos Ndirangu (Veterans’ Affairs, Norfolk)
Southern Area – Lindsey Eads (Veterans’ 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 Summer 2025)
DHHS – Toni Bonsera (Lincoln)
DHHS – Daniel Buchanan (Beatrice)
Transportation – Tim Miller (Ravenna)
State Agency – Vacant
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 Summer 2025)
Rachel Kreifels (DHHS, Lincoln)
Mari Waid (DHHS, Scottsbluff)
Brandon Ziska (State Colleges, Wayne)
Retiree Chapter 161 Representative
Mike Zgud (DHHS Retired)