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neRID President
Gretchen Whitney
Gretchen Whitney (she/her) has been a member of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) for 19 years. She has been an neRID member for 18 years and also was on the Minnesota RID roster for 5 years. Among her accomplishments as a member of neRID, she served as Professional Development Chair, President, and member of multiple ad-hoc committees. Her exceptional leadership in Professional Development (2007-2014) earned her the neRID President’s “Unleashing the Possibilities” Award in 2008.
She also served RID Region IV by Co-Chairing the 2010 Regional Conference in Omaha, pulling the memorable event together in only seven months! Additional Region IV conference service includes chairing the Presenters Committee for the 2012 RIV Conference in Denver and Coordinating CEUs for the 2014 RIV Conference in Des Moines. She earned the prestigious “Spirit of Region IV” Award in 2012.
When she was not chairing an affiliate chapter or regional project, her leadership extended to serving on committees and programs within RID at the national level. She has been a member of the RID Video Interpreter Member Section since 2010 and served on the board for that National Committee from 2010-2014.
Beyond her professional involvement and achievements, Gretchen is passionate about fostering connections and promoting lifelong learning. Gretchen is deeply committed to mentoring emerging interpreters and supporting their journey toward professional excellence. When not interpreting, Gretchen enjoys gardening, cooking, camping, hiking, and exploring parts of Nebraska where she has never been.
Gretchen holds a Bachelor of Science in Interpretation Studies in ASL-English from William Woods University (2014) and an Associate of Applied Science Degree from St. Paul College (1993). She holds a Nebraska Interpreter License and RID national certification (RID CI & CT, Ed:K-12, NIC). For over 25 years, she has worked in post-secondary institutions, government agencies, K-12 settings, and with VRS and VRI.
Gretchen Whitney (she/her) has been a member of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) for 19 years. She has been an neRID member for 18 years and also was on the Minnesota RID roster for 5 years. Among her accomplishments as a member of neRID, she served as Professional Development Chair, President, and member of multiple ad-hoc committees. Her exceptional leadership in Professional Development (2007-2014) earned her the neRID President’s “Unleashing the Possibilities” Award in 2008.
She also served RID Region IV by Co-Chairing the 2010 Regional Conference in Omaha, pulling the memorable event together in only seven months! Additional Region IV conference service includes chairing the Presenters Committee for the 2012 RIV Conference in Denver and Coordinating CEUs for the 2014 RIV Conference in Des Moines. She earned the prestigious “Spirit of Region IV” Award in 2012.
When she was not chairing an affiliate chapter or regional project, her leadership extended to serving on committees and programs within RID at the national level. She has been a member of the RID Video Interpreter Member Section since 2010 and served on the board for that National Committee from 2010-2014.
Beyond her professional involvement and achievements, Gretchen is passionate about fostering connections and promoting lifelong learning. Gretchen is deeply committed to mentoring emerging interpreters and supporting their journey toward professional excellence. When not interpreting, Gretchen enjoys gardening, cooking, camping, hiking, and exploring parts of Nebraska where she has never been.
Gretchen holds a Bachelor of Science in Interpretation Studies in ASL-English from William Woods University (2014) and an Associate of Applied Science Degree from St. Paul College (1993). She holds a Nebraska Interpreter License and RID national certification (RID CI & CT, Ed:K-12, NIC). For over 25 years, she has worked in post-secondary institutions, government agencies, K-12 settings, and with VRS and VRI.
neRID Vice President
Julie Delkamiller
neRID Treasurer
Julie Bergmann
neRID Secretary
Meghann Cassidy
Meghann has been interpreting in Nebraska and Iowa for 25. After years of working in post-secondary education, she is now a full-time freelance interpreter. Meghann is also the practicum supervisor for interpreting students at UNO. She graduated from IWCC ITP in 2000 and earned her MS in interpreting from the University of North Florida in 2024. She enjoys her cats, traveling, and crocheting. Meghann is excited to serve as secretary for neRID.
Meghann has been interpreting in Nebraska and Iowa for 25. After years of working in post-secondary education, she is now a full-time freelance interpreter. Meghann is also the practicum supervisor for interpreting students at UNO. She graduated from IWCC ITP in 2000 and earned her MS in interpreting from the University of North Florida in 2024. She enjoys her cats, traveling, and crocheting. Meghann is excited to serve as secretary for neRID.
neRID Metro Regional Representative
Marie Herrman
neRID Northeast Rep
Karen Blank
Hello, my name is Karen Blank and I’ve been interpreting for forty years. In 1963, I was inspired to learn sign language after watching the movie “The Miracle Worker”, about Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind. I graduated from Gallaudet College’s Interpreter Training Program in Washington DC in 1975. Moving from Indiana in 1978, I worked full-time at a deaf church in Omaha for almost nine years. While there, I was able to, with a deaf person, co-direct a sign-singing-pantomime group called “The Son-Shine Signers”, that traveled to share the Gospel as well as deaf awareness. In 1986, I married Darwin, who is a Nebraska farmer, and settled in Madison, Nebraska, where we’ve raised our two children, Eric and Karissa. Earning my QAST in 1993, EIPA in 2000, and RID-CT in 2001, I’ve done private practice interpreting and eleven years of full-time interpreting in a school setting. After earning my Master’s Degree in Deaf Education in 2006, I was a Deaf Educator for several years. I currently substitute in schools as an interpreter or deaf educator and am one of two private practice interpreters in Northeast Nebraska. For many years, I have LOVED using sign language in a variety of settings, especially religious. Another passion of mine is documenting family history by creating books to share with my family.
neRID Deaf Member-at-Large
Shawn Shannon
White male with black glasses, wearing a green shirt with a blue background.
I was born Deaf to Deaf parents, and American Sign Language (ASL) is my first language. I have a wonderful wife and two beautiful boys, and as a family, we love to travel. I’m also fascinated by the different sign languages used around the world.
I graduated from Gallaudet University with a Master’s in Sign Language Teaching. Over the past 13 years, I’ve taught ASL to K-12 students, college students, and parents of Deaf children. I’ve also rated educational interpreters and served as a language mentor for both Deaf children and interpreters. Currently, I teach ASL at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
I’ve been a Certified Deaf Interpreter for two years now, although I’ve worked in the field as a Deaf Interpreter for many years.
neRID Southeast Rep
Libbie Miller
neRID Central Western Representative
Lura Townsend
Lura has been working as an interpreter since graduating from Iowa Western Community College in 2006. She has worked in several different states. Working in the K-12, post secondary, and freelance areas. She enjoys the K-12 area the most. Getting to see Deaf and Hard of Hearing students grow, develop and find their Deaf identity is quite exciting. Plus, you never know what a day might bring. Lura also enjoys reading and baking in her spare time. She is looking forward to serving as the Central Western representative.
Lura has been working as an interpreter since graduating from Iowa Western Community College in 2006. She has worked in several different states. Working in the K-12, post secondary, and freelance areas. She enjoys the K-12 area the most. Getting to see Deaf and Hard of Hearing students grow, develop and find their Deaf identity is quite exciting. Plus, you never know what a day might bring. Lura also enjoys reading and baking in her spare time. She is looking forward to serving as the Central Western representative.
neRID Publications
Ronda Rankin
neRID Conference Chair
Connie Herndon
neRID Student Representative
Angie Larsen
Angie Larsen is a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha currently in the Interpreter Training Program. She was born and raised in Omaha, and attended Metropolitan Community College, where she took her first ASL classes in high school, before transferring to UNO. Angie is interested in VRS and community interpreting.
Angie Larsen is a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha currently in the Interpreter Training Program. She was born and raised in Omaha, and attended Metropolitan Community College, where she took her first ASL classes in high school, before transferring to UNO. Angie is interested in VRS and community interpreting.
neRID Student Representative
Jorian To'oto'o
Jorian is an ASL interpreting student at UNO interested in community interpreting. He started learning ASL after taking his first class in high school in 2017 but stopped studying after graduating in 2019. It was not until 2023 where he resumed studying ASL at UNO.
Although Jorian is originally from Tacoma, Washington, he found a love for Nebraska and has been in Omaha since 2021. He enjoys dancing, horror movies, and wants to learn more signed and spoken languages to communicate with and learn more about the people and the world around him.
Jorian is an ASL interpreting student at UNO interested in community interpreting. He started learning ASL after taking his first class in high school in 2017 but stopped studying after graduating in 2019. It was not until 2023 where he resumed studying ASL at UNO.
Although Jorian is originally from Tacoma, Washington, he found a love for Nebraska and has been in Omaha since 2021. He enjoys dancing, horror movies, and wants to learn more signed and spoken languages to communicate with and learn more about the people and the world around him.
neRID Student Representative
Alyssa Kepplin
Alyssa is currently a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is on track to graduate with her bachelor's degree from her Interpreter Training Program in December of 2026. She plans to pursue community interpreting.
Alyssa is currently a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is on track to graduate with her bachelor's degree from her Interpreter Training Program in December of 2026. She plans to pursue community interpreting.
neRID Student Representative
Abby Zylstra
My name is Abby Zylstra, and I am an ASL interpreting major at UNO with a minor in religious studies. I am seeking to work in educational interpreting upon graduation in December of 2026 and begin work with non - profit organizations like Deaf Child Hope. I also have an interest in STEM fields and the unique ASL signs within such. I was born and raised in Colorado Springs and attended Falcon High School where I first began learning sign language from Deaf teachers, and ever since I have developed a love for the language and the Deaf community. I have volunteered interpreting in churches, for local Deaf organizations, and at ISD and am looking forward to any opportunities to connect with and support the Deaf community.
My name is Abby Zylstra, and I am an ASL interpreting major at UNO with a minor in religious studies. I am seeking to work in educational interpreting upon graduation in December of 2026 and begin work with non - profit organizations like Deaf Child Hope. I also have an interest in STEM fields and the unique ASL signs within such. I was born and raised in Colorado Springs and attended Falcon High School where I first began learning sign language from Deaf teachers, and ever since I have developed a love for the language and the Deaf community. I have volunteered interpreting in churches, for local Deaf organizations, and at ISD and am looking forward to any opportunities to connect with and support the Deaf community.
neRID Student Representative & Social Media Specialist
Ale Chavez
Ale Chavez is a junior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha studying ASL Interpreting, with a minor in Theatre.
She currently serves as the Vice President and Social Media Manager for Allies for Sign Language at UNO, where she helps plan events, promote them, and create content for students. She enjoys working with social media and keeping up with current trends.
Ale plans to pursue interpreting in both theatre and educational settings. In theatre, she hopes to help make performances more accessible to Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences while benefiting from the theatre minor. In education, she is especially interested in working with children and finds the field incredibly rewarding.
Ale Chavez is a junior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha studying ASL Interpreting, with a minor in Theatre.
She currently serves as the Vice President and Social Media Manager for Allies for Sign Language at UNO, where she helps plan events, promote them, and create content for students. She enjoys working with social media and keeping up with current trends.
Ale plans to pursue interpreting in both theatre and educational settings. In theatre, she hopes to help make performances more accessible to Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences while benefiting from the theatre minor. In education, she is especially interested in working with children and finds the field incredibly rewarding.
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