Meet Our Volunteer Leadership Team

We’re proud to introduce AARP Nebraska’s Executive Council, a team of appointed leadership volunteers who help guide, plan and implement activities at the community and state level on behalf of our members and the age 50+ population. They are among 400 dedicated AARP volunteers across our state contributing their wisdom, talents and time in a myriad of ways to help meet the needs of Nebraskans 50 + and their families!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Eppler of Omaha: AARP Nebraska State President. Bob joined AARP’s volunteer team in 2007 and was appointed as State President in 2013. He retired in 2005 as Superintendent of the Iowa Juvenile Home/Girls State Training School, a position that he held since 1990. Bob has been active in his community in many ways, serving as a local Chamber of Commerce president, past president of the Executive Board for Iowa Pilot Parents, Inc., and past president of the Kiwanis Club in Bellevue. In his role as State President, Bob is AARP Nebraska’s top volunteer leader, representing the association before the public, AARP members, media and elected officials.

Frank Herzog of Omaha: Community Outreach Coordinator. In addition to this role which gives him an opportunity to meet and work with AARP volunteers throughout the state, Frank is a leader on the AARP Advocacy team and serves as a volunteer lobbyist, meeting with State legislators on issues important to the 50+ population.  He is also a Board Member of CIMRO of Nebraska, a Medicare quality assurance agency and a volunteer with the Eastern Nebraska Office of Aging – serving as an ombudsman at a nursing home in Omaha.  Frank has been a passionate AARP Volunteer since 2007. Frank’s professional career included time as a child protective services worker, City Administrator and Township Manager, and over twenty years in real estate managerial and executive positions.

Janet Hibbs of Columbus: Rural Strategies Coordinator. Janet has strong experience in the field of education, having taught first grade and kindergarten for 28 years in Hastings. She also was a principal for three years at Watson Elementary and 10 years at Hawthorne Elementary, and taught as a substitute teacher in Hastings. Janet has served as President of the Hastings Education Association, President of ESU # 9 Board, Legislative Chair of Hastings Retired Teachers and State President of Nebraska Retired Teachers. Janet has held many leadership positions in civic groups such as the League of Women Voters, Foster Care Review Board, Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Foundation Board,Mrs. Jaycees, and Nebraska Association of Retired School Personnel, an AARP affiliate.

Dave Holmquist of Omaha: Federal Issues Coordinator. Dave has collaborated with AARP Nebraska for several years in his position as Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society. Dave brings extensive experience in working with volunteers and building strong relationships with Nebraska’s legislative and executive branches and Nebraska’s congressional delegation. He also has a strong background in community service through membership and leadership positions in Rotary, Chamber of Commerce and American Cancer Society. Dave has been an AARP Volunteer since 2011.

Mike Kelly of Bellevue: Member Strategy State Coordinator. Mike retired from a 42-year career as a teacher of English, social studies and reading in grades 7-12 in the Omaha Public Schools, Bellevue Public Schools, and at St. Cecilia Cathedral Grade School in Omaha. He also coached girls’ basketball and boys’ soccer at Bellevue West High School. Mike earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Mike has served as an advocacy volunteer with AARP and participated in lobbying activities for Medicaid expansion. He also is trained as an Affordable Care Act volunteer and helped inform prospective applicants about the ACA. As Member Strategy State Coordinator, Mike works with the State Director to increase the participation of members in AARP programs, campaigns and events.

Recia L. Lord of Elkhorn: Multicultural Engagement Coordinator. Recia is from Staten Island, New York and relocated to Nebraska after retiring from New York Life Insurance Company in 2008. After graduating from Johnson & Wales College with a degree in Business Administration and a short career in retail, she joined New York Life to participate in an accounting trainee program. During her 32-year tenure at New York Life, she worked in several areas across the company and climbed the corporate ladder to the position of Vice President. She retired as Vice President in charge of Finance and Personnel Administration for the Field Operation. Recia worked with the regional offices across the country ensuring adherence to personnel policies and procedures. In addition, she had oversight responsibility for the financial management and reporting of the field operation annual budget and expenses. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Omaha Academy of Ballet; past President of the New York Life Women’s Club; former national Treasurer and Board Member for Minority Interchange, Inc.; and served as a mentor with the New York Life employee group and the Harlem YMCA. Recia is currently serving on the Finance Committee at her church. She joined the AARP Nebraska Executive Council in 2015.

Tim Potter of Omaha: AARP Nebraska Information Center Coordinator. Tim holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin (Community and Regional Planning) and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (Business Administration).Potter has worked as a community development planner with the Omaha‑Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, research analyst in the electronic payments industry and as an independent market research consultant, specializing in competitive intelligence. He also was a consultant with the Nebraska Business Development Center, assisting small businesses with business planning and market research.

In 1996 Tim was elected to the Board of Governors of Metropolitan Community College. He was chair of the board in 2004 and 2005 and served as president of the Nebraska Community College Association. Tim also served as president of the Aksarben/Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Kiwanis Club of Omaha. He is a certified Senior Health Insurance Information Program counselor with Volunteers Assisting Seniors. Potter joined AARP in 2012 and started volunteering at the volunteer-run AARP Nebraska Information Center in Omaha. He became the associate coordinator of the center in 2014 and the coordinator in 2015.

June Ryan of Lincoln: Campaigns State Coordinator. June has over 45 years of experience in healthcare administration and research in Pennsylvania and Nebraska. Prior to her retirement, she managed the Nebraska Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (DHHS) where she directed the statewide, CDC-funded program aimed at reducing cancer incidence and mortality. June holds a master’s degree in public administration from The Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. June has been an AARP volunteer for five years with Advocacy, the AARP Fraud Watch Network and Life Reimagined. In her Executive Council position, she collaborates with other AARP leaders and volunteers in strategic planning to enhance and expand state campaigns.

Kathy Ward of Lincoln : State Advocacy Coordinator. Kathy is retired from her position as administrator of the Office of Women’s and Men’s Health with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, capping a career of over 35 years in healthcare administration with the state of Nebraska. Her professional and volunteer contributions to the community have been recognized by the Nebraska Kidney Association, YWCA Tribute to Women, and Soroptomists.

Kathy earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a marketing concentration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Kathy has been active with AARP as an Advocacy volunteer and a Life Reimagined guide. In her position, Kathy works with the State Advocacy Director to enhance and expand volunteer advocacy efforts in support of AARP legislative priorities at the state level.

Rosalee Yeaworth of Omaha: Long-Term Care Advisor. Rosalee is Professor Emeritus and Dean Emeritus at the UNMC College of Nursing.  Rosalee served as state director of AARP Health Advocacy Services, organizing education regarding Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care, prescription drugs and caregiving. She then served on AARP's National Policy Council. She also is active in her community and serves on the policy committee and advisory council of the Midlands Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Rosalee has been an AARP Volunteer since 1998.