Board of Trustees

Second Congressional District | Omaha, NE | First Term, expires Dec 2027

Anna Castner Wightman

Anna Castner Wightman is a sixth-generation Nebraskan. She was raised in Columbus, Nebraska, and is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University. Following graduation, she worked on Capitol Hill for Congresswoman Virginia Smith and Congressman Bill Barrett.​

Anna is currently Sr. Director of Corporate Affairs for FNBO, where she has worked for 25 years. Her love for everything Nebraska started when she was young while on family road trips around Nebraska. It was common for the family to pull over to read Nebraska Historical Markers, while her Grandma Castner’s copy of Nebraska Place Names was in the glove compartment for easy reference.

Third Congressional District | Wauneta, NE | Second Term, expires Dec 2028

Arlan Wine

Arlan Wine is a lifelong resident of Southwest Nebraska. He lives in a 100+ year-old house in Wauneta (Chase County). He has spent his working life (45 years) as an attorney, partly in general solo practice, and partly as deputy or county attorney. He got his BA degree, with a major in history, at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas, and his JD (law) degree at the University of Denver College of Law. Mr. Wine studied at Phillips University in Marburg, West Germany, his junior year partly in general solo practice, and partly as part of a study abroad program in college (1970-71). Besides a strong and enduring interest in history, Mr. Wine is interested in politics, Husker football, and the progress of our state. He loves singing and has been in a barbershop chorus in the International Barbershop Harmony Society for over 30 years, and currently sings with the Ogallala, Nebraska, chapter known as the Cowboy Capital Chorus.

Third Congressional District | North Platte, NE | Appointed Term, expires Dec 2026

Beverly Duran

Beverly Duran is an enthusiastic certified educator with a strong foundation in pedagogy, classroom management, and innovative instructional strategies. She currently serves as a substitute teacher with North Platte Public Schools, where she designs engaging lessons, fosters positive student relationships, and integrates technology to enhance learning.
She holds bachelor’s degrees in Education and History from Bellevue University (both with honors) and is completing a Master of Arts in History at Gettysburg College. In recognition of her commitment to civic education, Beverly was named the Nebraska 2025 James Madison Fellow.

Beyond the classroom, Beverly serves on the North Platte Public Library Board and the Oral History Association Membership Committee and has volunteered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Passionate about inspiring students, she is dedicated to creating meaningful learning experiences and supporting lifelong curiosity.

Second Congressional District | Omaha, NE | First Term, expires Dec 2028

Bruce Clawson

I have always been intrigued with history and especially that of my home state, Nebraska. As a child, I was fascinated exploring Fort Hartsuff before it came into the hands of the state and became part of our park system. Growing up in Lincoln, I would spend hours as a child in the State Historical Society Library looking at/reading the many books about the Sioux, Pawnee, Cheyenne, and other Nebraska Tribes. One day, I noticed a sign that said “Patrons Only,” but who was going to kick a kid out of a library?

I have hiked, kayaked, camped, and enjoyed Nebraska pretty much from border to border. One of my frequent visits and one of my favorite places in the world is Fort Robinson.

I am a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering and Creighton University School of Law. My career was as in-house counsel for one of the largest construction companies in the country.

I am currently a member of the Nebraska Master Naturalist Foundation board of directors and hold a position with the Missouri Valley Sierra Club. I have a world view, having been to 49 states and 25 countries, by my heart will always be with Nebraska.

First Congressional District | Lincoln, NE | First Term, Expires Dec 2027

Gail DeBuse Potter

I’m a fifth-generation Nebraskan; my family came to Nebraska in 1856 with the Mormons, although they didn’t stay with them. They settled in north central Douglas County, and I grew up in the suburbs of northwest Omaha. My college education at UNL led to a position as registrar at the Nebraska State Historical Society. I met James E. Potter, the state archivist, there. We married in 1975, and Potter and I spent our honeymoon on a motorcycle, eventually ending up at Fort Robinson, where we settled on careers focused on preserving and promoting Nebraska history.

I eventually became the senior museum curator at the Society and spent my last eight years there as the Coordinator for the Repatriation of Human Remains and Associated Burial Goods. I left the Society in 1997 and became the director of the Museum of the Fur Trade (MFT) in Chadron, Nebraska. This non-profit operates with only private funds and has purchased 80% of its collections. Funding is raised from memberships, donations, and museum shop sales. After retiring from the MFT, Potter and I moved back to Lincoln in 2015.

After Potter’s death in 2016, I donated funds to have the Research Room at the Nebraska State Historical Society named in his honor to commemorate his 50 years at the society.

I am actively involved in genealogy. Some of my ancestors came from England to Massachusetts in 1634, while others arrived from Ireland, England, and Germany in the nineteenth century. I have conducted research in England, France, and Germany. I have been actively involved in the Nebraska State Historical Foundation to fund and support the Nebraska State Historical Society and other Nebraska history projects as well as supporting forensic anthropology research at the National Museum of Natural History.

Third Congressional District | Bridgeport, NE | First Term, Expires Dec 2026

Jack Berg

Jack Berg’s deep interest in Nebraska history began in his youth, when he would visit the home of Oregon Trail historians Paul and Helen Henderson with a friend. During these visits, Jack was exposed to arrowheads, pioneer diaries, maps, and other historical artifacts that sparked his lifelong passion for Nebraska’s past.

Jack has a business degree from Regis College and ran the family business for 62 years of the 80 years it served the community of Bridgeport and the surrounding areas. He has also been actively involved in his community by dedicating time and leadership to various roles. He served on the School Board for 14 years, was the Mayor for 14 years, and spent 8 years as a City Councilman. As a longstanding member of the Lions Club for 63 years, he regularly participated in events that promoted local history and tourism.

His interest in Nebraska history was further fueled by presentations from the Old Highway 26 Association, which aimed to boost tourism in the Panhandle through bus tours and guides. A notable highlight was in 1992 when his wife, Dee, won a contest by submitting the name “Trail City USA” for Bridgeport, symbolizing their shared dedication to celebrating and preserving the region’s rich history.

First Congressional District | Bellevue, NE | Second Term, expires Dec 2026

Jamesena (Jamie) Moore

Jamesena (Jamie) Moore is a retired vice president of Volunteer and Community Service., United Way of the Midlands, Omaha, Nebraska. She has experience holding varied management-level positions as an employee and a volunteer. Her employment includes service in two foreign countries.

She is a skilled workshop presenter with experience at local, state, and national levels on Board Development, Diversity, Risk Management, and Volunteer Management. A published author of articles in national magazines. She has served on non-profit and governmental boards by gubernatorial appointment and election for over forty years. Driven by her desire to be a servant leader, she has gleaned leadership skills and experience serving in board officer positions. She currently serves as First Vice President on the Board of Trustees.

Six years ago, the “Jamesena Moore Making a Difference Award” was created in her honor. It is a statewide volunteer award to recognize exemplary volunteer efforts. In May of this year, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Inform USA, a nationwide organization . formerly known as AIRS (Alliance of Information and Referral Services).

Her love of and for history was cultivated at an early age by her father, a History Professor. This interest was rekindled when she served on the Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission. As a Trustee of the Nebraska State Historical Society, she continues to facilitate all Nebraskans having access to Nebraska’s rich and diverse history. Jamie believes by sharing and preserving our past, we build for the future.

First Congressional District | Lincoln, NE | First Term, expires Dec 2026

Laura K. Muñoz

Laura K. Muñoz is an associate professor of History and Ethnic Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the current director of the Institute for Ethnic Studies. Her book, Desert Dreams: Mexican Arizona and the Politics of Educational Equality (Penn Press, 2023) won the New Scholar Book Award from the American Educational Research Association. In 2018, she moved to Lincoln permanently from her hometown, where she was an associate professor of American History at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She values community history and has worked with Humanities Nebraska and Humanities Texas as an invited speaker. She recently assisted the Scottsbluff “Barrio Boys,” a Vietnam veterans’ group who built a permanent memorial to honor Latinx military veterans in Western Nebraska, and has participated in “Las Voces,” a state-wide coalition working to improve the lives of Latinx Nebraskans.

Second Congressional District | Omaha, NE | First Term, expires Dec 2027

Mark Batt

To say that history is important is an understatement. I learned that fact at an early age from my father, who had an art history degree. After growing up in a household that discussed history at length, I was inspired to obtain my bachelor’s degree, specifically studying political science. This field heavily relies upon understanding history, and how we can use that knowledge to shape our futures. Needless to say, growing up in a small town in Nebraska, coupled with a degree in political science, the history of this state quickly became an obsession for me. Although there are many beautiful aspects of Nebraska’s history, both visually and substantively, I find that the ugly truths and unfortunate errors in our history are what make us who we are. It’s examining the wrongs and making them right. It’s about educating wholly and completely.

With all that, I decided after working in the law for several years, I wanted to enhance my own knowledge outside of my job, as well as educate those around me with Nebraska’s rich history. I found the perfect way to do that with the State Historical Society. I am honored to be an appointed member of this Board and thoroughly enjoy expanding the Society’s mission.

Second Congressional District | Elkhorn, NE | Appointed Term, expires Dec 2026

Nancy Faber

Nancy M. Faber has dedicated her career to education and leadership, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal at both middle and high schools in Omaha. She also held roles as Title One Coordinator, Gates Coordinator, and magnet coordinator, and served as President of the Omaha Administrator Association.

A lifelong history enthusiast, Nancy earned her degree in Social Science–History with minors in French and English. Her passion for history shaped her teaching, inspiring students through field trips, research projects, and immersive learning experiences that connected the past to the present. She has also taken students to study in London, England and to Japan to perform at the World Youth Festival.​

Beyond the classroom, she has promoted Nebraska history, including work on the state’s 150th anniversary celebration, and continues to champion the importance of preserving and sharing local stories.

Third Congressional District | Gordon, NE | First Term, expires Dec 2027

Shannon Smith

Shannon D. Smith is the former executive director of the Wyoming Humanities Council. Prior to that, she was an associate director and research fellow at EDUCAUSE in Boulder, Colorado, and taught history and humanities for seven years at Oglala Lakota College on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

She is a historian and author of several works on women of the American West, including Give Me Eighty Men: Women and the Myth of the Fetterman Fight, a 2009 book award winner from the Wyoming State Historical Society. She is currently serving as the president of the Mari Sandoz Society and is on the board of advisors for the American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming.

She now lives in her hometown, Gordon, Nebraska – Mari Sandoz’s hometown – where she owns Smithstorian Consulting, LLC, and works on cultural heritage projects supporting Native American history.

Second Congressional District | Papillion, NE | Appointed Term, expires Dec 2026

Thomas Neal

I was born and raised in Omaha, grew up in the Sunset Hills area and attended Westside High School, graduating in 1982. I worked my way through college, ultimately receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Bellevue University. I then completed a Master’s Level Operations Management program through the LOMA Society and received a Fellow, Life Management Institute designation.

I am the Executive Director for the Douglas County Historical Society, where we preserve and enliven the history of Douglas County, Nebraska. We also manage the Crook House Museum, a period house built in 1879, for the General of Fort Omaha and his wife.

I am on the Small Museums Committee for the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). I have also served on other Boards throughout my career. I was the President of Big Canvas, President of Donate Life Nebraska, Secretary for the Lions Eye Bank of Nebraska, and Board member of the Nebraska Kidney Association, Keep Nebraska Beautiful and Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD). I am married, and currently live in Papillion with my lovely wife, Bridget and our miniature schnauzer, Vinny. I love history and preserving our past, love the outdoors, and love sharing a good bottle of wine with friends.

Third Congressional District | Chadron, NE | Second Term, expires Dec 2026

William (Bob) Wickersham

I grew up on a ranch in northern Sioux County, Nebraska, that has been in my family for over 100 years. After graduating from law school, I returned to Harrison in Sioux County and became a partner in a law firm. In 1991, I was appointed to the Legislature and then elected three times, serving in that body until 200,2 when I was appointed as a Commissioner of the Tax Equalization and Review Commission.