Dr. Brian Maher is the Nebraska Commissioner of Education and a long-time educator with strong Nebraska roots. He served as superintendent at Sioux Falls School District (South Dakota) from 2015 to 2020. Maher also served as superintendent at both Kearney (2007-2015) and Centennial (1999-2007) Public Schools in Nebraska. Dr. Maher was also an administrator at Waverly, Elkhorn, and Johnson-Brock Public Schools and a teacher at Elkhorn and Clarks Public Schools. 

Maher served as the CEO and Executive Director of the South Dakota Board of Regents, from 2020 to 2023.

Dr. Maher received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education at Midland Lutheran College before he went on to earn his master’s and doctoral degrees in educational administration from the University of Nebraska.

Dr. Jim Sutfin is an education consultant for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He previously served as the superintendent for the Millard Public School District with 35 schools, 24,000 students, and 3,000+ teachers and staff members. Prior, he was the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the district. He has also filled the roles of principal, assistant principal, science department head and science teacher.

Dr. Leah A. Barrett is the president of Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska. Barrett earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wyoming. She holds a Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York. 

Prior to leading Northeast, she served as the vice president of student affairs at the Northeast Wyoming Community College District in Sheridan. Barrett also served as the associate vice president for enrollment management and student affairs at the SUNY Brockport (State University of New York) from 2008-2016. She has also been employed by Arizona State University, Boise State University, University of Wyoming, and Valparaiso University since first entering higher education in 1992. 

Dr. Paul Turman is the Chancellor of the Nebraska State College System (NSCS). He previously served as System Vice President for Academic Affairs for the South Dakota Board of Regents. Dr. Turman earned his PhD from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. 

The NSCS is comprised of three geographically diverse institution: Chadron State, Peru State, and Wayne State Colleges. Combined, the three colleges serve nearly 9,000 students and offer more than 200 degree, certificate and pre-professional programs that are accessible on the campuses, via the Internet and in several locations throughout the state.