Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Supports Union Pacific Transcontinental Railroad Merger

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement signaling the state of Nebraska’s support for Union Pacific’s merger with Norfolk Southern. The statement followed an announcement from Union Pacific that the two companies filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for approval. According to Union Pacific’s submission to the federal government, it expects over 500 new managerial employees at their Omaha headquarters. 

“With continued investment in its Omaha-based headquarters and the people of this great state, we are proud to support Union Pacific’s efforts to create the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. A Nebraska-born and grown business, UP helps our farming and ranching families feed the world and transports the materials that are building the future of our country. Nebraska — a friend to business and perfectly located to serve as a nationwide transportation hub — is proud to be home of UP’s past and future successes.”

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln created Union Pacific after signing the Pacific Railway Act. Union Pacific laid its first track in Omaha three years later in 1865. Since that time, Union Pacific has called Nebraska home. 

Once approved, our country’s first transcontinental railroad will transform “10,000 existing lanes from interline service into faster, more efficient single-line service – eliminating time-consuming handoffs between railroads.”

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Appoints Ashley Newmyer as Director of Public Health

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen is announcing his appointment of Ashley Newmyer as director of the Division of Public Health for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). She has been serving as interim director since May of this year.

Newmyer has had multiple roles with DHHS since 2010, most notably around data collection, analytics and reporting. She was the deputy director for health data within the Division of Public Health in 2019, before becoming the agency data operator. Newmyer also served as an epidemiology surveillance coordinator for six years where she launched and secured grants for a variety of surveillance and monitoring programs including those related to injuries and prescription drugs.

Newmyer has a degree in psychology from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and she earned a Master of Public Health in Biostatistics degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Newmyer most recently completed a chief data and analytics officer program through George Mason University.

Newmyer’s permanent appointment is effective Dec. 22 at an annual salary of $170,000.

Contact:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Provides Progress Update on Tyson Support Services, Announces New Hotline and Additional Assistance Dates

LINCOLN, NE -- Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced further progress in assisting workers impacted by the upcoming Tyson meat processing plant closure in Lexington. Altogether, over 1,600 individuals attended Rapid Response layoff services events and job fairs at the Dawson County Fairgrounds and Lexington Middle School over the last two weeks. These efforts were designed to provide timely information, connect displaced workers with employment opportunities, and ensure access to workforce and supportive services.  Nearly 600 individuals have registered in the Department of Labor’s employment website, NEworks.nebraska.gov.

“Lexington has been and will continue to be an all-American community. We want to make sure of that. The state is engaging to the greatest extent possible to help people meet immediate needs and identify employment opportunities,” said Gov. Pillen.

Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber has personally attended several of the scheduled Rapid Response and job fairs hosted by the department. She said the participation by Tyson’s workforce has been encouraging.

“They are demonstrating Nebraska’s strong work ethic and are taking the steps necessary to transfer their skills within our state,” said Commissioner Thurber. “This response has demonstrated the value of aligning Rapid Response layoff services, job fairs, and registration support into a coordinated, sustained effort that will hopefully prove beneficial to the workers and their families.”

State agencies are collaborating with local partners, employers, community organizations, and volunteers. Participants in recent events received information on:

Workforce programs and job search services

Unemployment Insurance

Training and retraining opportunities

Community and human services including SNAP, SNAP E&T, Medicaid, Employment First and other programs

Erick Carrillo, the Department of Labor’s director of reemployment services, said it has been heartening to see various agencies and individuals provide a path forward to workers and their families.  “What stands out to me is that the state agencies are giving people options,” Carrillo said.  “We are helping people identify ways that they can make the most of this situation and we are partnering with them through the entire process, which looks different for each affected worker.”

Over 150 employers have taken part in the response efforts through participation in job fairs and other outreach efforts to the Tyson workforce.  Employers are encouraged to post their jobs at NEworks.nebraska.gov.

Participating employers and a summary of job openings are listed on the Department of Economic Development’s Lexington resources web page, opportunity.nebraska.gov/Lexington. The page also includes information about employment and community resources for individuals and families impacted by the plant closure.

A hotline is now also available for Lexington workers needing assistance with programs and services available through Health and Human Services or the Department of Labor.   Language assistance is available.

“My team is working to eliminate barriers to accessing important resources,” added Gov. Pillen. “The hotline aims to streamline access for individuals with questions regarding programs that may benefit them most during this time.”

The phone number for assistance is 308-407-1517. 

Listed below are upcoming dates and events that Tyson employees can participate in, arranged through the Department of Labor. All will be held at the Dawson County Fairgrounds. The NEworks sessions are designed to provide assistance with registering in NEworks.nebraska.gov, where workers can find employment and file for unemployment benefits when their job ends.

Dec. 29

            10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.        NEworks Session

Jan. 8

            10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.        NEworks Session

            1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.          Job Fair

Jan. 9

            10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.        NEworks Session

            1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.          Job Fair

Jan. 15

            10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.        NEworks Session

            1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.          Job Fair

Jan. 16

            10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.        NEworks Session

            1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.          Job Fair

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Governor Pillen Announces Appointments to Boards and Commissions

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced appointments made to boards and commissions from July 1, 2025 through November 30, 2025.

A list of current board and commission openings can be found on the Governor’s website (https://governor.nebraska.gov/board-comm-req), along with instructions on completing an application.

Advisory Committee on Developmental Disabilities

David Browne, Lincoln

Dianne DeLair, Lincoln

Philip Gray, Omaha

Jennifer Hansen, Elkhorn

Michael Hunter, Omaha

Cristal Petersen, Lincoln

Paige Rivard, Bennington

Advisory Council to the Office of Violence Prevention

Royal Kottwitz, Aurora

Marcus Taylor, Bellevue

Board of Educational Lands and Funds

Jon Abegglen, Kearney

Board of Health

Mark Bertch, Omaha

Jaime Dodge, Lincoln

Patricia Kucera, Omaha

Ryan Palmer, Blair

David Reese, Lincoln

Jeremiah Retchwisch, Elkhorn

Jacob Sikes, Riverdale

Dan Vehle, Omaha

Collection Agency Licensing Board

Tessa Stevens, Aurora

Jason Thompson, Valley

Commission on African American Affairs

Eboni Caridine, Lincoln

Lawrence Chatters, Omaha

Tremaine Combs, Lincoln

Anthony McLeod, Omaha

Dexter Myers, Lincoln

Jason Roberts, Omaha

Veronica Sargbah, Omaha

Fatou Sogoyou-Bekeyi, Omaha

Michael Young, Omaha

Commission on Judicial Qualifications

Tamara Allen, Phillips

Douglas Dolezal, Lincoln

Bonna Wanek, Grand Island

Commission on Law Enforcement

Michael Jones, Papillion

David Nelson, Gretna

Commission on Military and Veterans Affairs

Dave Bloomfield, Hoskins

Commission on Public Advocacy

Julie Bear, Plattsmouth

Jonathan Braaten, Omaha

Michael Ziskey, Omaha

Commission on Uniform State Laws

Bob Hallstrom, Lincoln

Council on Developmental Disabilities

Amanda Anderson, Lincoln

Jamar Dorsey, Omaha

Edward Kraska, Omaha

Beth Libra, Hoskins

Jacob McIver, Sidney

Hannah Mercer, Kearney

Angie Ohlrich, Elkhorn

Sasha Reeks, Lincoln

Mark Shriver, Omaha

Joshua Whitfield, Lincoln

Sadie Worthing, Lexington

County Attorney Standards Advisory Council

Nathan Avery, Kearney

Craft Brewery Board

Joshua Christenen, Fort Calhoun

Frederic Meyer, St Paul

Crime Victim’s Reparation Board

Kathleeln Bauer, Ogallala

Kendra Bryant, Lincoln

G Randall Hansen, Omaha

Christon MacTaggart, Papillion

Dry Bean Commission

Karl Meeske, Champion

Dry Pea & Lentil Commission

Stetson Shreve, Alliance

Early Childhood Education Endowment Board of Trustees

Lameakia Collier, Lincoln

Early Childhood Education Endowment Board of Trustees

Lindsey Stevens, Elkhkorn

Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Committee

Gina Bittner, Dawson

LaRae Flood, Kearney

Nikole Gemar, Sutton

Themis Gomes, Omaha

Christine Kilgore, Rising City

Tammy Kresser, Kearney

Stacie Lada, Tecumseh

Kristi Layman, Lincoln

Erica Peterson, Lincoln

Michele  Rayburn, Geneva

Schuyler Rotert, Omaha

Heather Schmidt, Lincoln

Tara Schroeder, Palmyra

Lindsey Stevens, Elkhorn

Shannon Vanderford, Lincoln

Ethanol Board

Jaimie Bearup, Lincoln

Scott McPheeters, Gothenburg

Taylor Nelson, South Sioux City

Game and Parks Commission

Scott Cassels, Omaha

Infrastructure Review Task Force

Chris Hawkins, Omaha

Nebraska Arts Council

Brenda Davis, Beatrice

Crystal Dunning, Lincoln

Shari Hofschire, Omaha

Timothy Jeffrey, Omaha

Lori Williams, Norfolk

Nebraska Brand Committee

Susan Connell, Hyannis

Nebraska Children’s Commission

Angel Geller, Lincoln

Nebraska Coalition for Juvenile Justice

Kaleciana Perry, Omaha

Wathina Porter, Lincoln

Teshawna Sawyer, Grand Island

Myana Sigers, Fremont

Nebraska EPSCoR/IDeA Committee

Shane Farritor, Lincoln

Yuri Lyubchenko, Omaha

Josephine Schafer, Omaha

Eva Schubert, Lincoln

Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission

Marcia Weddle, Lincoln

Nebraska Humanities Council

Yoko Lawing, North Platte

Sarah Peetz, Lincoln

Nebraska Investment Council

Keith Olson, Omaha

Nebraska Library Commission

Tiffany Carter, Omaha

Judy Henning, Kearney

Richard Landreth, Minatare

Thomas Rolfes, Lincoln

Nebraska Liquor Control Commission

James Elworth, Nebraska City

Robert Synhorst, Lincoln

Nebraska Natural Resources Commission

Scott Dicke, Alma

Nebraska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission

Dallen Juelfs, Scottsbluff

Steve Mattoon, Sidney

Nebraska Real Estate Commission

Paul Vojchehoske, Omaha

Nebraska School Financing Review Commission

Tom Briese, Albion

Shawna Koger, Arlington

Frederic Meyer, St Paul

Keith Runge, Columbus

Mark Spurgin, Ogallala

Nebraska Semiquincentennial Commission

Gabriel Bruguier, Lincoln

Tim Clark, Bennington

Heidi Cuca, Lincoln

Christine Vail, Brule

Racial Profiling Committee

Krisa Brass, Scottsbluff

Ryan Dale, Lincoln

Adaira Thapa, Omaha

Susan Ugai, Lincoln

Rural Health Advisory Commission

Tracy Zamora, Pierce

State Board of Public Accountancy

Andrew Blossom, Omaha

Sarah Borchers, Kearney

State Electrical Board

Boyd Pedersen, Clearwater

Tyler C Ritz, Kearney

Technical Advisory Committee on Statewide Assessment

Chad Buckendahl, Las Vegas, NV (National)

Joshua Fields, Seward

Water Well Standards & Contractors’ Licensing Board

Jeffrey Ironshell, Wilcox

James Remmenga, Holdrege

Wheat Development, Utilization and Marketing Board

Amy Warner, Edison

Contact:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Governor Pillen Appoints Douglas County Election Commissioner

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen appointed Danielle Jensen of Elkhorn as election commissioner for Douglas County. She will succeed Brian Kruse who resigned the position to take a role in the private sector. Jensen will assume her new duties Jan. 10 and will fill the remainder of Kruse’s appointed term through Dec. 31, 2027.

Jensen is currently the communications director and senior policy advisor to U.S. Representative Don Bacon. Before that, she was a public and legislative affairs officer for the Nebraska Energy Office. Jensen has more than 20 years of experience in communications, government affairs and political fundraising.

“Danielle has a varied background of experience that will serve her well in the role of election commissioner,” said Gov. Pillen. “She is a hard worker and has garnered the admiration of those with whom she has worked. Danielle will lead the election office with integrity and will make sure all elections in Douglas County are conducted with transparency and accuracy.”

Congressman Don Bacon offered his high praise for Jensen’s abilities:

“Since day one, when I was sworn into Congress in 2017, Danielle Jensen has served Nebraska’s Second Congressional District with excellence as our communications director and later took on additional responsibilities as senior policy advisor. Our office is routinely recognized as one of the most effective in Congress, and Danielle has played a major role in that success through her leadership, professionalism and dedication to our community and constituents. Governor Pillen has made an excellent choice in appointing Danielle as Douglas County election commissioner and I am confident she will continue serving Nebraskans with integrity while protecting our fair, accurate and impartial elections. I also want to thank outgoing Commissioner Brian Kruse for his years of service to our community.”

Congressman Bacon’s Chief of Staff Mark Dreiling added his endorsement of Jensen’s selection:

“I have known Danielle Jensen for over 20 years, and I appreciate her long record of dedicated service to our state and country, both in the Nebraska Energy Office and as a member of Congressman Bacon’s team since our first day. Her leadership and professionalism have been central to the strength of our staff and have helped make our office one of the most effective in Congress. Danielle has been a trusted colleague, close friend and mentor to many members of our staff, past and present, and our team is stronger because of her dedication to serving Nebraska’s Second Congressional District. We wish her the very best as she continues her public service as Douglas County election commissioner.”

Jensen earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting from the University of Nebraska – Omaha.