COMMISSIONERS
COMMISSION OFFICERS |
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First Lady Sally Ganem (Fremont)
Honorary Chair
I am the former Principal of Howard Elementary School in Fremont. I’m active in a number of philanthropic and educational initiatives throughout the state. I was born and raised in Omaha and graduated from Omaha South High School. |
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Jamesena Moore (Bellevue)
Chair
Retired, United Way of the Midlands
A retired Executive Professional with three decades plus of experience in volunteer management, program development and implementation ,I have served in key leadership roles on boards and commissions and group facilitation. Current community involvement includes Chair, Serve Nebraska; President Nebraska Business & Professional Women Foundation; and Assurance Services Trainer.
Why I serve Nebraska: Serving and volunteering are a way of life for me that I learned very early in life from great role models, my parents. |
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Lois Wine (Omaha)
Vice Chair
As Director of Volunteer & Religious Services for Jewish Senior Services / Rose Blumkin Jewish Home in Omaha, I oversee all aspects of the Volunteer Department: recruiting, training and evaluating volunteers. I’ve developed a wealth of multigenerational programming, expanded community partnerships, and served in a variety of volunteer leadership positions.
Why I serve Nebraska: I serve to assist in enhancing volunteerism and community service in the state and to ensure the future of ServeNebraska. |
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Tami Bailey (South Sioux City)
Chair, AmeriCorps & National Service Committee
My employment and volunteer experience has predominantly been in working and mentoring transitioning foster youth. Prior to my current role in local government as Grants Coordinator/ Administrator, I was the Program Director for Educate Tomorrow, in Miami, Florida recruiting volunteers to be Educational Mentors/Life Coaches for Transitioning Foster Youth. I’ve worked closely with the Corporation for National and Community Services as a Next Generation Grantee and an AmeriCorps*VISTA.
Why I serve Nebraska: I serve Nebraska because I believe strongly and passionately in volunteering; There is nothing more rewarding then to see the difference you can make by giving a few hours of your time and talents to help others. |
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Julie Nash (Hastings)
Chair, Community Volunteering Committee
I am Executive Director of Senior Action, Inc. in Hastings and President of the Nebraska Senior Service Corps Association which offers the RSVP, Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service throughout Nebraska. I’m actively involved in the community as a Sunrise Rotarian, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Peer Mentor for new Senior Corps directors. I serve as a Board Member for Leadership Hastings, Mary Lanning Home Health and the Hastings Food Pantry.
Why I serve Nebraska: I am excited about the opportunity to make a difference through ServeNebraska and want to continue to have Nebraska on the forefront and the cutting edge of volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. |
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Gerald Osborn (Ainsworth)
Chair, Awards Committee
I am the retired Postmaster for Ainsworth, Bassett. I have been committed to volunteerism my whole life, having served multiple terms as Mayor of Ainsworth and on the Ainsworth School board. I’m active in the American Legion, Elks, and the Congregational UCC. I’ve served on numerous state and regional boards focused on education and community development.
Why I serve Nebraska: At the conclusion of my term as Mayor of Ainsworth, I sought other areas of involvement, found this opportunity to serve, and was appointed by the Governor. It continues to be an interesting challenge to grow community service in Nebraska. |
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Donlynn Rice (Lincoln)
Chair, Sustainable Infrastructure Committee
Curriculum, Instruction & Innovation Administrator
Nebraska Department of Education |
COMMISSION MEMBERS |
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Lorinda Brown (Grand Island)
I am a volunteer teacher for 4th grade Catholic education, and a motivational Speaker for “Eight to Great.” I am a motivated advocate for persons with disabilities and represent disability inclusion in National service in my role as a commissioner for Serve Nebraska. I am a living example that thinking positive is a transformational process worth the commitment.
Why I serve Nebraska: ServeNebraska is a channel for me to execute volunteer and service collaboration efforts to make a difference throughout the state of Nebraska. I am very passionate about national service and live it as an example for my children. |
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Keelan Chapman (Lincoln)
I'm an actively involved student, with a passion for leadership. Since my freshman year in high school, I have indulged myself in any activity that will help me reach my future ambitions and dreams of holding public office. I’m very goal oriented and am always looking out for the common good of my community.
Why I Serve Nebraska: I serve Nebraska because I truly believe that I have been blessed with circumstances and opportunities that can only be bestowed upon by being born here in Nebraska. I welcome this obligation to give back to my community, and furthermore, extend these opportunities to as many people as possible. |
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Nancy Faber (Elkhorn)
Retired Principal, Omaha South High School
In addition to ServeNebraska, I have also been active in my community through a career in education and service with the American Red Cross, South Omaha Business Association, and Optimist Club. |
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Jan Fitts (Gering)
Executive Director
Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska (CAPWN) |
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Tanya Hansen (Grand Island)
I am the Senior Associate attorney at the Leininger Smith Law Firm in Grand Island. My practice centers on insurance defense and employment litigation. I received awards from the University of Iowa College of Law Michelle R. Bennet Client Representation Award (2005), the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals' Outstanding Young Professional (2007) and the YWCA's Young Woman of Achievement (2009). I’m involved with Heartland United Way, St. Francis Hospital Foundation, and Connecting Young Nebraskans.
Why I serve Nebraska: I serve Nebraska to be a part of making Nebraska the best place to live. I serve because it centers my life, encourages others, and allows me to meet new people. |
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April Kelly (Omaha)
I am President of Gratitude Academy, LLC which has as its vision fostering a positive thankful community. I’m also the author of Gratitude at Work and Spaghetti on the Wall. Previously I was Senior Director for LinkedIn Service Center in Omaha and worked at PayPal assisting with the call center. My passion is developing teams, vision, and culture with an extensive background in sales, marketing, coaching (both sports and business), and public speaking. |
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Denise Kollath (Columbus)
I am the Director of the Connect Columbus Volunteer Center Program and Program Coordinator for the Columbus Area United Way. As a community volunteer, I’m actively involved with the Red Cross, Immanuel Lutheran Church and school, a Friend of the Columbus Library, serve on the Communities Together Can!, Afterschool Program Board of Directors, and a member of the Platte County LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee). I'm also a returning college student and am enrolled at Northeast Community College.
Why I serve Nebraska: I serve my state and local community by following my passions and using them to build a community that gives children a healthy and safe place to live and grow. I support quality education for children and adults, and display my faith in service to others. |
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Ron Sedlacek (Lincoln)
Of Counsel, Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP
Vice President & General Counsel, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry
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Carol Speicher (Lincoln)
Retired, Great Plains Resource & Conservation District (RC&D)
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Angela Volovich (Lincoln)
Director, Nebraska State Office
Corporation for National & Community Service
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Kevin Warneke (Omaha)
A native of Plainview, Nebraska, I serve as a campaign manager for the Steier Group in Omaha. I earned my doctoral degree in leadership studies from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and served previously as chief executive officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha. My past service includes a nine-year stint on the Governor’s Commission to Keep Nebraska Beautiful.
Why I serve Nebraska: I serve Nebraska because it’s the least I can do to pay back a state that has provided me with so many opportunities. I have called Nebraska home for all 49 years of my life – and I am proud to call it home. |
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Rose White (Omaha)
I am Director of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Nebraska. My career at AAA, expands over three decades, and I’ve served in many capacities. Currently, I direct the public affairs efforts for all divisions of AAA Nebraska including media relations, corporate community involvement and traffic safety. I also serve as Executive Director of the Cornhusker Motor Club Foundation which is supported by contributions from AAA Nebraska and its members. I also serve on many boards and committees, Metro Area Motorist Assist Steering Committee and the Board of Trustees for the Mid-America Council of Boy Scouts. |
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Sara Woods (Omaha)
I am associate dean in the UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service. In addition to other duties, I oversee the college’s extensive outreach, community service, and development activities. I am an active volunteer, serving on numerous boards for local nonprofit and philanthropic organizations.
Why I serve Nebraska: …because I believe that vibrant and effective nonprofit organizations are critical to our community and state’s quality of life. These organizations need and deserve volunteers to serve as board leaders, advocates, and partners. |
STAFF |
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Cathleen Plager – Executive Director
I am proud and honored to have been selected to take on the responsibility to lead an extremely talented and passionate organization. It is exciting to be part of establishing a direction for the agency that will be sustainable for years to come and cultivate opportunities for the organization to grow. My previous experience is in project management, employment, training, disability assistance and consulting. I have held key positions with Nebraska Department of Labor, Insight Professional Staffing and principal for Plager Consulting. I have a passion for volunteerism and nonprofit programs throughout Nebraska. In my spare time I keep busy with family activities and church, school, and community efforts. |
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Greg Donovan – Senior Program Officer
I nurture the development of national service programming in Nebraska and am excited by the passion of those engaged in service in our state. Prior to joining ServeNebraska, I directed a large multi-site AmeriCorps program and helped lead the revitalization of an urban ethnic community center. Other experiences include senior management, development & marketing roles with United Way, community action agencies, and governmental organizations. Outside of work, I am active in helping small community organizations solidify their futures and serve as a youth sports coach. |
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Janet Schmidt – Fiscal & Operations Officer
I coordinate and manage the financial and daily operations of the ServeNebraska Commission and ensure fiscal grant compliance through the provision of training, monitoring and technical assistance to the Commission's AmeriCorps sub-grantees. Previous experience in administrative support, government accounting, bookkeeping, project management, strategic planning, customer service, and legal support. I serve on the Certified Grants Management Credential Commission as Finance Committee Chair and as Co-Chair to the Publications Committee of the National Grants Management Association. In my spare time, I keep busy with family activities and as a community volunteer in local hunger efforts. |
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Kimberle Hall – Training Officer
I develop professional development opportunities for national service participants; partner with community-based groups to increase involvement; coordinate marketing; and manage & promote volunteer recognition and the Awards Program. My diverse experience includes; education, training and development and management positions for non-profit, healthcare, utility and insurance organizations. I’m an active community volunteer through school, church and nonprofit organizations. |
