Friends have a Board that can accommodate ten members; all volunteers. We meet quarterly via Zoom on the last Tuesdays of January, April, July, and October. If you are interested in joining us, ask for our criteria by use of the contact email address or phone found in the Contact Us block on the bottom of each of our pages.
Robert Leslie Newman, President, Omaha Nebraska
robert.newman@friendsofncbvi.org
Blinded at age fifteen. Graduated Cum Laude with a BS Degree in special education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Retired from 37-year employment with the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, (NCBVI); served as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, District Supervisor, and Deputy Director. After retirement, served eight years on NCBVI's Board of Commissioners. Joined Friends of NCBVI in 2015. A longtime member of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB); presently the Secretary of the NFB of Nebraska Omaha Chapter, and President of the NFB of Nebraska Senior Division. In 2008 received a Jacob Bolotin Award for an Internet discussion forum on blindness, Thought Provoker. Also, 2010 the NFB of Nebraska Spirit Award for his long career working for NCBVI, plus his internet discussion forum on blindness, Thought Provoker.
Linda Mentink, Vice President, Columbus Nebraska
linda.mentink@friendsofncbvi.org
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Linda received her K-12 education at the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped, (WSVH). She earned a BA in Vocal Music with certification to teach K-12 from UW-Whitewater and returned to WSVH to teach music for a time. She sang in two community choral groups and three church choirs while serving as church organist and in various church and community leadership positions. Linda also gave vocal and piano lessons in her home, performed as a soloist throughout Wisconsin and served as an officer in the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin. Moving to Columbus Nebraska in August of 2004, Linda teaches music at Bible Baptist Christian School, instructs the choir, and provides private vocal and piano lessons. She wanted to do more to help blind Nebraskans, so she helped organize the NFBN Columbus Area Chapter in January of 2017, and joined Friends of NCBVI Board in October 2018. Additionally, in January 2022, Linda was chosen to take a seat on the Board of Commissioners for the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Joe Buda, Treasurer, charter member, Lincoln Nebraska
Born in Omaha Nebraska, went to parochial school and graduated from Creighton Prep High School. Attended the University of Nebraska on a football scholarship and was in education. From 1970 to 1976 served as a police officer for Lincoln Police Department. Also worked as a school resource officer for four years and the sergeant for two. 1976 to 1977 opened a Valentino's restaurant in Topeka, Kansas in Manhattan, then became a manager for three years. For the next ten years, worked as the Vice President of Valentino's corporate restaurants. Also owned and operated Tony Luigis Italian restaurants. From 1993 to 2018 was a factory rep selling restaurant equipment, retiring in 2019. Member of the Sowers club since 1992, serving two terms as President and in many chairmanships throughout that time. Selected Sower of the Year in 1999. Additional, has served on the boards for the mental health department since 1999, Husker Football Letterman's Association since 2000, as well as Friends Board.
Barbara Loos, Board Member, Lincoln Nebraska
barbara.loos@friendsofncbvi.org
Barbara received her BS Degree in Education with distinction from UNL. Before starting a family, raising two children, Barbara was a teacher, then supervisor for six years with the forerunner of the now Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She serves as President, of the American Action Fund for Children and Adults; Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Senior Division; Small Group Leader, Grace Chapel; and Stakeholder Group Member, Nebraska Center for the Education of Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired (NCECBVI). Having served as both supervisor of Nebraska's Orientation and Adjustment Center for the blind and Chairman of the NCBVI Board of Commissioners, she joined the board of Friends because of her continuing commitment to improving the lives of blind people.
Jan L Brandt, Board Member, Kearney Nebraska
Jan graduated Cum Laude from the University of Nebraska Kearney with a BA in Business Education, with additional graduate classes through Doane, UNK and UNL. She worked as a Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Blind and Technology Program Specialist for Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired for over 30 years, retiring in 2020. She served on the Greater Nebraska Workforce Investment Board from 2012-2015. Jan served two terms as Secretary for the Assistive Technology Trainer's Division of the National Federation of the Blind. She worked as a volunteer on the Kearney Crisis Line for twelve years, and has worked Buffalo County primary and general elections since 2008. Jan joined the Board of Friends in 2021.
Karen Lemmon, Board Member, Whitney Nebraska
karen.lemmon@friendsofncbvi.org
Karen Lemmon here! I am excited to be part of the Board for the Friends of NCBVI. I am hoping to help make life easier for other blind folks just as NCBVI has done for me. My background includes graduating from Wayne High School in 1970. I attended Wayne State College for a year at my parents’ firm request. I transferred to the University of Nebraska where I participated for college credits at a home for delinquent teens as the Art Director for the campus. I moved to Chadron, Nebraska in 1973 and graduated from Chadron State College in 1975. My degree was K-12 Bachelor of Arts in Education. I married Timothy Lemmon in 1977. We have three sons: Jerry, Brett (the bachelor) and Jon, who we fostered since he was 9 and became part of our family through his adulthood. In the next 4 decades our family grew with our lovely daughters-in-law, 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and an awesome fishing boat from our bachelor son! Tim and I currently live on the home place. I have retired from 18 years of teaching Art and Music, and 38 years as the Historian for the Game and Parks at Fort Robinson State Park. I am active in my church. I was diagnosed with Stargardt disease in the early 1990s. It grew to what is considered legal blindness by 2000. I am told I now have about 25% of my vision. I serve on the Board of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, and am Treasurer of the Black Hills Ski for Light Bus Across Nebraska.
Nancy Flearl, Board Member, Omaha Nebraska
nancy.flearl@friendsofncbvi.org
I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a BA in Psychology and Sociology. I moved to Omaha in 1981 and joined the staff at the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in 1982. I worked initially as an Orientation Counselor, teaching the skills of blindness for a number of years. I ended my career as the Omaha District Supervisor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor for the Blind. As part of my duties, I was privileged to work alongside the amazing staff at NCBVI. Since retiring, my new full time job is a puppy. I have also remained active on a number of non-profit boards.