In May, ASO elected four new members to its board of directors, who will each begin a two-year term of service in July. Additionally, the board elected its executive officers for the 2025-2026 fiscal year:
- President: Conor Gearin
- 1st Vice President: Mark Harberg
- 2nd Vice President: Bennett Amdor
- Treasurer: Melissa Sitze
- Secretary: Katy Simmons
Meet our four new board members below!
Bill Bossman
Bill Bossman, a native of Ponca and a graduate of Midland University, moved back to Nebraska four years ago after retiring from a long legal career. While living in South Dakota, Bill served on the boards of a local Audubon chapter and the statewide birding association. He has written articles about birds for several publications, and enjoys helping to ignite a passion for birds in others. He looks forward to leading field trips and bird walks in the Omaha area, especially for those who are just getting acquainted with the world of birds.
Derek Comba
Derek, while new to the Audubon Society of Omaha, is very excited for this opportunity to serve on the board. He has worked his entire professional career in the nonprofit sector, has a master's degree in Nonprofit Administration from UNO, and looks forward to bringing his knowledge to this role. In his free time, Derek enjoys traveling, working out, reading and spending time outdoors. In the spring and summer, you can usually find Derek outside looking for birds or working in his pollinator-friendly garden.
Sheila Glencer
Sheila is a pharmacist and former hiking club organizer/leader. She brings a unique blend of science and outdoor experience to the Audubon Society of Omaha. In addition, she is an amateur nature photographer with a focus on birds and other wildlife. Sheila is conservation-minded and encourages outdoor activities for all ages. “I am excited to contribute my time and expertise to promote environmental awareness, the preservation of wild spaces and the support of educational opportunities with our local Audubon community,” shey says. Additional hobbies include music/art appreciation, hiking, biking and reading.
Mark Harberg
Mark received his BS degree in Natural Resources from the University of Nebraska in 1979 and his MS degree in Aquatic Ecology in 1983 from South Dakota State University. He began his career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Minnesota and then with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Nebraska. He started working with the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Omaha office, conducting environmental compliance activities and developing aquatic habitat restoration projects along the Missouri River. He worked in supervisory positions related to these activities in the Corps’ Albuquerque, Dallas, and Fort Worth offices. He returned to the Omaha office in 2010 where he became Program Manager for the Missouri River Recovery Program, which sought to improve habitat for the endangered Pallid Sturgeon, Interior Least Tern and Piping Plover along the Missouri River. He retired in 2021 and continues to pursue his lifelong interests in birdwatching, upland bird hunting, fishing, and gardening.
