Jay Bellar - Jay spent 35 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator, including 20 years as superintendent at Battle Creek Public Schools. He was the Nebraska Superintendent of the Year by NASA in 2015 and the NRCSA Superintendent of the Year in 2018. For the next five years Jay continued his career as the Executive Director of the Nebraska Schools Activities Association.
Dan Bird - Dan spent 35 years in education as a teacher, coach and school administrator, including 21 years as Superintendent at Burwell Public Schools, a long-time NRCSA member. Dan has devoted his career to making a difference in his student’s lives.
Dr. Jon Cerny - Jon served as Superintendent at Bancroft-Rosalie Community
Schools for 33 years. He was named 2019 Outstanding Career and Technical Administrator of the Year by the Association for Career and Technical Education of Nebraska and in 2026 was inducted into the Education Quest Hall of Fame.
In 2015, Dr. Cerny received the Terrell Bell Award from the United States Department of Education for outstanding leadership. In 2013 he received the Outstanding Superintendent Award from the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association.
Dr. Cerny is past President and Executive Board member of the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Assoc and served as a Board Member on the Nebraska School Activities Association for 7 years.
He is currently an adjunct professor at Wayne State College teaching in the Specialist’s program.
Dr. Curtis Cogswell - Curtis spent 36 years in education as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent. He served as superintendent of McCool Junction Public Schools and Dorchester Public Schools. Curt had the honor of serving as NRCSA President and serve on the NRCSA Legislative Committee. He was also an Assistant Professor at Wayne State College working in the Education Leadership Department.
Eugene “Mo” Hanks - Mo spent 31 years in education as a teacher, coach, activities director, principal, and superintendent. During his thirteen-year tenure as the Secondary Principal of Kimball Public Schools Mo was selected as the 2014 Nebraska High School Principal of the Year and received the 2019 Secondary Principal Distinguished Service Award. He finished his career as the Superintendent of Crawford Public Schools where he also served on the NRCSA Executive Committee and as the Secretary for NSAA District VI.
Jim Havelka - Jim spent 27 years as a Superintendent in NRCSA schools, including Rising City, Howells, Dodge, and North Bend. He’s a past president of NRCSA and its 2009 Superintendent of the Year.
Fred Helmink - Fred spent 36 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator in a number of Nebraska schools including Norris, Geneva, Polk, Gothenburg, Beatrice, and his final 13 as the Fairbury superintendent. He is a past president of the NRCSA organization and was also served as chair of the NRCSA legislative committee.
Holly Herzberg - Holly spent 33 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator, including 20 years as Superintendent at Hampton Public School, a long-time NRCSA member. She has been a member of the Commissioner of Education’s Advisory Council, past President of the Nebraska Association of Supervision and Curriculum, and led multiple Rule 10 continuous school improvement external team visits across the state.
Jeff Messersmith - Jeff is a dedicated education professional with 35 years of experience as a coach, teacher, administrator, and college student teacher supervisor. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served six years, he has remained committed to developing future generations, as both his son and daughter chose careers in education. He and his wife Teresa recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and are the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren. In his personal time, Jeff enjoys family gatherings, golfing, and the outdoors.
Jack Moles - Jack spent 38 years in education as a teacher, coach, Principal, and Superintendent. He served as Superintendent for Amherst Public Schools for one year, then for Nemaha Valley and Johnson County Central for 22 years. For the past eight years, Jack was the Executive Director of NRCSA. He served as the President of NRCSA for one year and Co-Chair of NRCSA’s Scholarship and Recognition Committee many years. He also served as the Chair of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators.
Dr. Caroline Winchester - Dr. Caroline Winchester served 24 years as a Superintendent, retiring as the leader of Chadron Public Schools. Among her career highlights are being named Nebraska Superintendent of Year by NASA and receiving the 2019 Nebraska Excellence in Education Award from Cognia. She has been a member of the Commissioner of Education’s Advisory Council, the Network Nebraska Advisory Board, and the NRCSA Executive Committee.