A five-member board of commissioners oversees the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.  The commissioners are not elected officials; rather, they are appointed by the Nebraska Governor and confirmed by the Legislature.  Commissioners serve in a volunteer capacity.

Current Board of NCBVI Commissioners

Brent Heyen (Chairperson, Term Ends 12-31-2027)

Cheryl Livingston (Vice Chairperson; Term Ends 12-31-2025)

Linda Mentink (Executive Secretary, Term Ends 12-31-2025)

Miguel Rocha (Term Ends 12-31-2027)

Patricia Schonlau (Term Ends 12-31-2027)

Commissioner Meeting Minutes & Audio

Public Notice of NCBVI Board of Commissioner's Meeting

Notice of Meeting

The Board of Commissioners to the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired will meet Saturday, February 8, 2025, beginning at 9:00 A.M.  The Focus Topic will be the Nebraska Business Enterprise (NBE).

The meeting will be held at the NCBVI office, 4600 Valley Road, Room 4A, Lincoln, Nebraska.  If reasonable accommodations are needed, please contact NCBVI at 402-471-8101 as soon as possible.  Every effort will be made to arrange the needed accommodation.  An agenda may be obtained by calling 402-471-8101 during regular business hours.

State Statute 71-8604 (2):

“Board members shall be appointed for staggered terms with the initial members appointed for terms as follows: Two members for terms ending on December 31, 2001, and three members for terms ending December 31, 2003.  Subsequent appointments shall be for terms of four years with no board member appointed to more than two consecutive terms.  Board members whose terms have expired shall continue to serve until their successors have been appointed. In the case of a vacancy, the Governor shall appoint a successor for the unexpired term.  Board members may be removed for cause.”

Appointments after 12-31-2001 will be Four Year Terms.

The two term rule counts only when a Commissioner has served two of their own terms.  When replacing someone they are allowed to serve additional years.

Nebraska Open Meetings Act Information

Commission Meeting Public Comment Period

Commissioner Job Description

History of NCBVI Commissioners