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. More details to come.
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
NAME |
CITY |
APPOINTED |
TERM ENDS |
COMMENTS |
Brent Heyen | Lincoln |
01-01-2020 01-01-2024 |
12-31-2023 12-31-2027 |
1st Term 2nd Term |
Cheryl Livingston (NFB Rep.) | Lincoln | 01-07-2022 | 12-31-2025 | 1st Term - replaced Becky Rieken |
Linda Mentink | Columbus | 01-07-2022 | 12-31-2025 | 1st Term - replaced Robert Newman |
Miguel Rocha | Scottsbluff |
12-21-2022 01-01-2024 |
12-31-2023 12-31-2027 |
replaced Kimberly Scherbarth 1st Full Term |
Patricia Schonlau (ACB Rep.) | Bellevue | 05-01-2024 | 12-31-2027 | 1st Term - replaced Mark Bulger |
Kimberly Scherbarth | Kearney | 01-01-2020 | 12-31-2023 | 1st Term - resigned 8-9-2022 |
Chad Bell | Alliance | 01-01-2016 | 12-31-2019 | 1st Term |
Mark Bulger (ACB Rep) | Omaha | 01-01-2016 | 12-31-2019 | 1st Term |
01-01-2020 | 12-31-2023 | 2nd Term | ||
Robert Leslie Newman | Omaha | 01-01-2014 | 12-31-2017 | 1st Term |
01-01-2018 | 12-31-2021 | 2nd Term | ||
Becky Rieken | Kearney | 01-01-2014 | 12-31-2017 | 1st Term |
Dakota City | 01-01-2018 | 12-31-2021 | 2nd Term | |
Michael Hansen (NFB Rep) | Lincoln | 09-25-2009 | 12-31-2011 | Replaced Jenkins |
01-01-2012 | 12-31-2015 | 1st Full Term | ||
01-01-2016 | 12-31-2019 | 2nd Term | ||
Carol Jenkins (NFB Rep) | Lincoln | 11-22-2008 | 12-31-2011 | Replaced Majerus; resigned 9-21-2009 |
Wesley (Wes) Majerus (NFB Rep) | Lincoln | 12-31-2007 | 12-31-2011 | 1st Term |
James (Jim) Jirak (ACB Rep) | Omaha | 12-31-2007 | 12-31-2011 | 1st Term |
01-01-2012 | 12-31-2015 | 2nd Term | ||
Julie Johnson | York | 12-31-2007 | 12-31-2011 | 1st Term |
01-01-2012 | 12-31-2015 | 2nd Term | ||
Darrell Walla | Omaha | 01-01-2006 | 12-31-2009 | 1st Term |
01-01-2010 | 12-31-2013 | 2nd Term | ||
Nancy Oltman | Hastings | 05-14-2003 | 12-31-2005 | Replaced Ferreyra |
01-01-2006 | 12-31-2009 | 1st Full Term | ||
01-01-2010 | 12-31-2013 | 2nd Term | ||
Nichelle Ferreyra | Scottsbluff | 01-05-2002 | 03-01-2003 | Resigned 03-01-2003 |
Barbara Loos (NFB Rep) |
Lincoln | 06-07-2000 | 12-31-2003 | 1st Term |
01-01-2004 | 12-31-2007 | 2nd Term | ||
Bill Orester (ACB Rep) | Lincoln | 06-07-2000 | 12-31-2003 | 1st Term |
01-01-2004 | 12-31-2007 | 2nd Term | ||
Robert (Bob) Burns | Omaha | 06-07-2000 | 12-31-2003 | 1st Term |
01-01-2004 | 12-31-2007 | 2nd Term | ||
Dorothy Westin | S. Sioux City | 06-07-2000 | 12-31-2001 | 1st Term |
Maya Samms | Omaha | 06-07-2000 | 12-31-2001 | 1st Term |