Meet Our Team
An organization is only as efficient and effective as the people who work for it. That’s why we have a staff of highly trained industry leaders and expert instructors who are continuously keeping up on the latest news, education, and training in their field.
Administration
Eric Koeppe
President/CEO
Eric serves as President and CEO of the National Safety Council, Nebraska Chapter (NSCN). He leads the organization’s efforts to prevent injuries and save lives through safety education, training, and advocacy across Nebraska. Prior to his current role, Mr. Koeppe held several key positions within NSCN, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. His professional background encompasses public administration, business management, nonprofit management, and corporate accounting. Mr. Koeppe earned a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Wyoming. When not at NSCN you will find Eric enjoying watching his favorite baseball teams or at the lake.
Sonja Rasmussen
Director of Accounting
Born and raised in a small town in Iowa, I graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. Over the years, I have balanced my professional career with a fulfilling personal like, spending quality time with my husband of over 30 years. Our family is my greatest joy, and together we have five wonderful sons, a lovely daughter-in-law, and a beautiful granddaughter. And I can't forget to mention our spoiled dog! Recently becoming empty nesters, my husband and I look forward to many adventures together. My background in accounting has spanned almost 30 years, ranging from public accounting to private sector to nonprofit accounting. It's my commitment to family and life's simple pleasures that truly define me. Whether it's working on a project at the office or enjoying time at home and celebrating milestones with my loved ones, I am always looking for ways to find joy in both work and life.
Communications, Marketing & Account Management
Susan Booth
Senior Vice President, Mission Growth
A 30+ year veteran of working with start-up technology companies, Susan has spent her career focused on communication, innovation, business development, and strategic objectives. She was born and raised in Nebraska, the 7th of 8 children, her father a safety director. Susan embodies the motto - "Work hard, Play harder". Having lost family members to auto crashes, she is passionate about reducing injuries and fatalities on the road. She loves to travel and spend time with her husband of over 30 yrs, 3 daughters and their 4 grandchildren. Favorite places to visit include Australia, Italy and anywhere with a beach and sunshine.
Breeana Allis
Business Development Manager
As an Account Manager here at the National Safety Council, Nebraska, Bree works closely with different organizations in and around the metro area to make sure their safety needs are met. She has an extensive background in Customer Service. Before taking on her position at the Council, she worked at Conagra Foods in their Consumer Affairs Department. She attended Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa and then finished out the remainder of her college years at the College of St. Mary in Omaha. When she is not out meeting with all of you, she enjoys spending time with her family. Bree loves to entertain her family and friends. Her motto is “The more the merrier”. Most weekends you will find her planning a football party or a bonfire get together for a house full of people. Bree was born and raised in Omaha and currently resides in Papillion. She is the mother of two teenagers and 3 furry kids who keep her busy outside the office. Bree helps organizations in the manufacturing industry and the construction industry in Omaha, as well as helps organizations located in Blair and Nebraska City areas.
Jenn Scoggins
Account Manager
Jenn has more than 14 years of experience in managing customer success, as well as several years in documentation, training, and communications. Jenn enjoys meeting new people, building strong partnerships, is curious by nature and thrives when learning new things which makes the National Safety Council, Nebraska Chapter (NSCN) a great fit! As an Account Manager here at the NSCN, Jenn works closely with organizations of all sizes and across multiple industries to ensure they are meeting all of their safety needs. During her down time, Jenn enjoys traveling and has visited more than 30 states and 5 countries, loves cooking/baking and trying out new recipes on her friends and family as well as spending quality time volunteering at the Nebraska Humane Society. Jenn helps organizations in general industry in Omaha, Fremont, Columbus, and Norfolk areas.
Brian York
Account Manager
Brian brings 27 years of experience working in non-profits and over 20 years of military experience. He has worked as a curator and a leader, developing skills in conservation, research, design, and collection management with several Nebraska museums and the National Park Service. Brian’s military experience focuses on logistics, planning, and leadership. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, and staying active. Brian offices out of our Lincoln office and helps organizations in the Lincoln and western Nebraska areas.
Patti Brasel
Customer Service Representative
After several years of teaching First Aid/CPR/AED classes for NSCN, Patti has joined our office staff as a Customer Service Representative. She will continue to lead classes when possible as she is passionate about teaching these important skills to others. Patti is an Iowa native and has recently moved to the Omaha area after living many years in Colorado. Patti enjoys traveling and experiencing new places as well as golfing and spending time with her family.
Mackenzie Hardy
Marketing Manager
Mackenzie is an ambitious marketing professional who brings five years of diverse marketing and communications experience to the team. She enjoys using her creativity to engage a wide variety of audiences in unique ways. Mackenzie graduated from Utah State University with her bachelor's degree in marketing and has been a part of the marketing and communication teams at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Clay Lacy Aviation, and Sinclair Oil. Outside of her professional career, Mackenzie is a proud first-time mom to a son and two cats. In her pastime she enjoys reading a good book, playing video games, or baking sweets.
Nicholas Sauma
Traffic Safety Advocate
As the Traffic Safety Advocate, Nicholas is excited to combine his love of learning, with his passion for teaching, to help educate and keep people safe on the roads. He is from Omaha, but completed his Master’s Degree in Politics at Hillsdale College before moving back to Omaha. When he’s not working at the Safety Council, he’s probably helping tutor students in math! He is married and loves spending time with his wife, family, and friends. Nicholas has many hobbies and interests, but spends the most time playing chess, word games, and working on complex Lego builds. He likes any destination that has mountains, but is especially fond of visiting Utah.
Workplace Safety Services
Heather Watts
Vice President, Training
As one of the longest tenured staff members at NSCN, Heather has wide-ranging knowledge across all divisions. She began in 2000 as a registration associate in driving, moving over to workplace safety 6 months later where she worked with members, classes and registration. She has worn many hats over the years: marketing coordinator, workplace programs manager, assistant director of WSS, OTIEC/MOEC manager. She has overseen instructors in driving, workplace safety and first aid/CPR. When she is not working, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and three children.
Don Birkentall
Consultant, Workplace Instructor
Don joins the Safety Council with more than 30 years in the safety industry. His experience as an OSHA Compliance and Health Officer, as well as his tenure in manufacturing, utilities and the construction industries, coupled with his service in the U.S. Air Force, provides a wealth of safety knowledge that he is excited to share. Don reports that his favorite part of his career is teaching others the benefits of working safely.
Gus Ochoa
Consultant, Workplace Instructor
Gus may have "officially" joined the Safety Council in 2022 as an instructor and safety consultant, but he's no stranger to the Council or to safety. Gus is an authorized outreach trainer for both General industry and Construction. He has earned his Safety, Health and Environmental Professional (SHEP) certification, is a Certified Safety and Health Official (CSHO) and earned his Advanced Safety Certification (ASC). He is currently studying for his CHST accreditation. With nearly 30 years in the industry, Gus is passionate about helping to keep others safe through impact safety culture and behavioral change coaching. Gus is fluent in English and Spanish. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his two daughters.
Christine Reed, MS
Consultant, Workplace Instructor
Chris has been in the safety world for over 46 years. Chris spent the first 21 years in the United States Air Force. Her military career trained her as an industrial hygienist, as well as dabbled in radiation safety. Once she decided to retire from the military, knowing she still had a lot to learn and tons of energy she was privileged to work for the Nebraska Safety Council, Inc. for nearly 16 years. She became a trainer for the National Safety Council’s Advance Safety Certificate. Chris then took on a job at a concrete company - Nebco, Inc. as the company Industrial Hygienist. She next headed to Iowa as the Director of Program Development and Training, then moved across a couple of states to Red Rocks Community College as the director of the OTI Education Center. Before making it back to the Great State of Nebraska Chris took on the position as the SME and Trainer for Compliance Solutions Occupational Trainers in Denver, CO. Chris is now at the National Safety Council – Nebraska Chapter and once again training, consulting, and doing the industrial hygiene gig for old and new companies across the state.
Doris Burns, PhD, MPH, CSP, EurOSHM, ALCM
Consultant, Workplace Instructor
Doris's safety experience spans more than 30 years including her service in the US Army as a Chemical Officer, and, most recently, as a Safety Engineer with Union Pacific Railroad. Doris holds many safety accreditations including CSP (Certified Safety Professional), EurOSHM (European Occupational Safety & Health Manager), and ALCM (Associate in Loss Control Management). She also has her Master Degree in Public Health and is currently working on her PhD in Occupational & Environmental Hygiene both from UNMC. Doris is passionate about giving back to the safety community through sharing her safety knowledge and experience with others. She donates much of her time and energy to the David J. Burns Memorial Fund.
Larry Kruse, CSP, ARM, CSE
Consultant, Workplace Instructor
Larry's safety profession expands back nearly 50 years. His experience includes working in the insurance industry focused on risk management and proactive safety and best practices for organizations. He is driven to share his Behavior Based Safety, Leadership, Material Handling and Ergonomics knowledge and providing training in the construction and general industry.
Wendy Nielsen, SSH
Consultant, Workplace Instructor
Wendy has over 18 years of experience in safety and 7 years as an Occupational Health Nurse (LPN). Her career includes leadership and specialist roles across manufacturing, oil and gas, and chemical blending, as well as providing outreach training for general industry. Passionate about safety and health, Wendy is also dedicated to her family, enjoying time with her grandkids, and spending time outdoors.
John Lewis
Workplace Instructor
John has been with the Council for over 13 years. His credentials include a B.S. in Education from the University of Nebraska and an EMTA from Southeast Community College. His responsibilities with the Council involve providing training and on-site consultation on a wide variety of safety topics. John is also an OSHA Training Institute Construction Industry Trainer and Trainer Instructor. His other duties include conducting walk-through inspections and customized safety training. John is part of our Lincoln team.
Sheila Kendall
Program Manager, Emergency Care
With over 15 years of experience as an education director, and an immense passion for lifelong learning, Sheila is a perfect fit as our Training Department Coordinator. When Sheila is not at the council, she loves hanging out with friends and family. As a recent empty nester, you can find Sheila spending her free time cooking, baking, traveling and experiencing new places, restaurants, and wineries! Sheila lives by the motto “Always be kind, you never know what the people you encounter are dealing with and how your small act of kindness may affect someone in a positive way! ”
Sheila Keck
Workplace Safety Coordinator
As the Safety Services Coordinator, Sheila brings 2 years of experience in the safety field. She is passionate about helping others and being a positive influence for others. When Sheila isn’t working, you can find her enjoying time with her family, painting, watching MMA events, and being outside as much as possible. Sheila offices out of our Lincoln office.
Driving and Behavior Programs
Shaley Kaufman
Diversion Programs Manager
Shaley started with the National Safety Council - Nebraska Chapter as a registration associate and has now served Nebraskans for over 25 years. She is currently the supervisor of our driving and behavior department. During her employment, she has attended and completed various courses and seminars to strengthen her leadership role. Her favorite part about working for the council is being a part of the established working relationship with the court system and various law enforcement agencies. She has a passion for the council’s mission (reducing injuries and saving lives) and helping our community to become a safer place. Her goal is to promote positive outcomes through the programs NSCN offers. In her free time, she enjoys working out and spending time with her husband and two children.
Jennifer Banks
Driver Education Program Manager
Jennifer is the Driving & Behavior Training Coordinator. She has been working since the age of 14 and has worked primarily in office settings, ranging anywhere from customer service to an executive assistant. For 14 years she had handled workmans’ compensation, general liability and auto insurance claims and takes safety in all forms very seriously. She enjoys working as a part of a team to accomplish goals for the company. Jennifer is a Ralston native and currently resides in Papillion. She has 4 kids total; 3 adult children away from home (a son and two daughters) and a teenage son at home, as well as a grandson. In her free time, she enjoys watching her youngest play football, spending time with her husband and loves cooking for her family and friends. On the weekends during football season, besides cheering for her son’s team – you can find her and her husband cheering on the Huskers and the KC Chiefs.
Jean Costello
Senior Customer Service Representative
Since joining the team more than 20 years ago, Jean has mastered the ins and outs of the National Safety Council, Nebraska. As a Registration Associate, she takes pride in providing our customers with excellent and precise service. Jean says she enjoys being a part of the Council's mission of keeping Nebraskans safe.
Ashley Bruckner
Customer Service Representative
Ashley has eagerly joined the National Safety Council - Nebraska Chapter as a Registration Associate, providing customer care for the council’s driving and behavior department. She has a wide range of customer care, primarily collaborating with clients regarding insurance and legal matters. She has a vision to care for customers, with excellence and understanding. In her free time, she enjoys time with her family at the baseball field and cooking new meals for her husband and four kids.