Nebraska Nursing Facility Association (NNFA) and Nebraska Assisted Living Association (NALA) announced their newly appointed boards of directors, effective January 1. Together, NNFA and NALA represent approximately 400 nonprofit and proprietary nursing homes and assisted living facilities across Nebraska and work collectively to advance long-term care in the state.
2026 NNFA Board of Directors
- Jay Colburn, Chair; Vice President of Long-Term Care Services, York General Hearthstone
- Chris Ulven, Vice Chair; Administrator, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home
- Erin Nelson, Secretary-Treasurer; Administrator, Douglas County Health Center
- Tyler Juilfs, Immediate Past Chair; CEO, Ambassador Health
- Traci Haglund, Director Governmental; Administrator, Wakefield Health Care Center
- Tamara Scheil, Director Independent; Administrator, Fairview Manor/Country Reflections
- Andrew Wismer, Director Multi-Provider; Director of Operations, Vetter Senior Living
- Madison Guthrie, Director Nonprofit; Senior Director of Building Services, Vetter Senior Living
- Scott Bahe, Director Region 1; Administrator, Hilltop Estates
- Dayna Swenseth, Director Region 2; Vice President of Nebraska Operations, Tabitha Nursing Home
- Abigail Meredith, Director Region 3; Administrator, Brookestone Village Rehabilitation and Care Center
2026 NALA Board of Directors
- Greg Ernst, Chair; Vice President of Operations, Dial Senior Living
- John Croghan, Vice Chair; Vice President of Community Operations, Immanuel
- Debbie Menzenberg, Secretary-Treasurer; Vice President of Facility Based Operations, Hillcrest Health Services
- Tracy Lichti, Immediate Past Chair; President and CEO, New Cassel Retirement Center
- Tim Frye, Director Nonprofit-Governmental; Administrator, Prairie Pines Lodge
- Jessica Frederickson, Director-Independent; Area Director of Senior Living Sales, Hillcrest Country Estates Grand Lodge
- Kelly Sparr, Director Independent; Executive Director, The Grace Space
- Hannah Elliott, Director Multi-Provider; Regional Director of Operations, Dial Senior Living
- Casey Snell, Director Region 1; CEO, River View Homes
- Sarah Watson, Director Region 2; Executive Director, Kingswood Court
- Sean Baessler, Director Region 3; Assistant Executive Director, Elk Ridge Village
“The collective experience, professionalism, and passion for seniors these boards bring is unmatched,” said Jalene Carpenter, president and CEO of the Nebraska Health Care Association, which manages NNFA and NALA. “They are focused on listening to our members and advancing the needs of Nebraska’s nursing homes and assisted living communities.”
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Nebraska Health Care Association is the parent to Nebraska Nursing Facility Association (NNFA) and Nebraska Assisted Living Association (NALA), as well as Nebraska Health Care Learning Center and Nebraska Health Care Foundation. NNFA and NALA collectively represent approximately 400 nonprofit and proprietary nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Nebraska.