Disability Rights Nebraska is governed by a twelve member Board of Directors. We also work with advisory groups to get information to help guide our programs. All of the members of the Board and the advisory groups are volunteers. Most of them are people with disabilities or people with a family member who has a disability.

The people who work at Disability Rights Nebraska are well qualified. They are dedicated to the ideals of the disability rights movement. Our staff works hard to support and defend the rights of people with disabilities.

Disability Rights Nebraska Board of Directors

Tom Ukinski, Chairperson Lincoln, NE
Jill Flagel, Vice-Chairperson Lincoln, NE
Graciela Sharif, Secretary Omaha, NE
Victoria Rasmussen, Treasurer Lincoln, NE
Mary Angus Omaha, NE
John McClain Blair, NE
Karma Newman Lincoln, NE
Mary McHale Omaha, NE
Carlos Servan Lincoln, NE
Julie Stahla Grand Island, NE
Rosemary Cook Omaha, NE
Ella Ochoa North Platte, NE

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council

* indicates not a member of the Disability Rights Nebraska Board of Directors

Mary Angus, Chairperson Omaha, NE
C.J. Zimmer*, Vice-Chair Lincoln, NE
Cindy Scott* Juniata, NE
Mike Gnirk* Hoskins, NE
Susan Hancock* Lincoln, NE
J. Rock Johnson* Lincoln, NE
A. Jocelyn Ritchie* Lincoln, NE
Shelldon Skelcher Scottsbluff, NE
Terry Wegner* Grand Island, NE
Kathleen Hansen* Lincoln, NE

Protection and Advocacy for individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) Advisory Council

* indicates not a member of the Disability Rights Nebraska Board of Directors

Graciela Sharif, Council Chair Omaha, NE
Bridget Cannon-Hale* Omaha, NE
Marla Fisher-Lempke* Lincoln, NE
Mary Gordon* Lincoln, NE
Joe Govier* Broken Bow, NE
Mike Leibowitz, Ph.D.* Omaha, NE
Dave Merrill* Lincoln, NE
Carrie O'Brien* Lincoln, NE
Linda Redfern* Scottsbluff, NE
Carla Lasley* Lincoln, NE
Julie Stahla Grand Island, NE

Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights / Assistive Technology / Beneficiaries of Social Security / Traumatic Brain Injury / Voting Access (PAIR / PAAT / PABSS / PATBI / PAVA) Advisory Council

* indicates not a member of the Disability Rights Nebraska Board of Directors

Carlos Servan, Chairperson Lincoln, NE
Kathy Hoell* Bellevue, NE
Bob Deaton* Lincoln, NE
Cindy Fisher* Moorefield, NE
Leslie Novacek* Lincoln, NE
Patty Pierson* Lincoln, NE
Vicki Rasmussen* Lincoln, NE
Rosemary Cook Omaha, NE
Prosper Waukon Winnebago, NE

Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) Advisory Panel

* indicates not a member of the Disability Rights Nebraska Board of Directors

Kathy Hoell* Bellevue, NE
Linda Schultz* Auburn, NE
Carlos Servan Lincoln, NE

Citizen Advocacy Committee

* indicates not a member of the Disability Rights Nebraska Board of Directors

Julie Stahla, Committee Chairperson Grand Island, NE
Mickey Creager* Lincoln, NE
Sharon Janzen* Beatrice, NE
Dianne Kelley* Grand Island, NE
John Lakey* Kearney, NE
Karma Newman Lincoln, NE
Ella Ochoa* North Platte, NE
Josie Romero* Grand Island, NE
Lisa Braasch* Fremont, NE
Mick Ross* Kearney, NE

Meet the Staff

Disability Rights Nebraska Staff

  • Timothy F. Shaw - Chief Executive Officer

  • Eric Evans - Chief Operating Officer

  • Brian Craig - Law Clerk

  • Dianne DeLair - Staff Attorney

  • Tania Diaz - Legal Services Director

  • Michael Elsken - Staff Attorney

  • Judy Ganoung - Fiscal and Human Resources Director

  • Tiffany Isley - Administrative Secretary/Receptionist

  • Molly Klocksin - Case Advocate

  • Bruce Mason - Litigation Director

  • Brad Meurrens - Public Policy Specialist

  • Susan Miller Schoen - Case Advocate

  • Jennifer Monjaras - Public Policy & Consultative Services Secretary

  • John Murphy - Program Consultant

  • Mindy Nepper - Community Outeach Disability Advocate
    - Scottsbluff office

  • Patricia Nichelson - Legal Secretary

  • Sharon Ohmberger - Executive Assistant

  • Sarah Taylor - Case Advocate

  • Ryan Thomas - Law Clerk

  • Jillian Ward - Fiscal & Operations Assistant