Board of Commissioners

 

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