When Emily Bennett was five years old, she remembers her dad coming home from work carrying a suitcase full of candy.

Her father, Mike Dwornicki, was the internal auditor for Berkshire Hathaway and had just completed an audit at See’s Candies—a Berkshire Hathaway company—and that moment left a lasting impression.

“That was my first exposure to what an internal auditor was,” Emily said. “And I thought, ‘How cool that my dad gets to make sure they are doing their candy operations correctly.’”

That sweet memory set the course for a lifelong path. Fast forward to 2025, and Emily is now stepping directly into her father’s former role—serving as Douglas County’s Internal Auditor following his retirement in May.

A Douglas County native, Emily grew up in Ralston and graduated from Ralston High School. She earned her accounting degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and now lives in Louisville with her husband, three children, two dogs, and a flock of 10 backyard chickens.

Before joining Douglas County, Emily worked in the internal audit department at First National Bank, where she honed her skills in financial controls, risk assessment, and compliance.

Emily’s vision for internal auditing is focused on clarity, collaboration, and control.

“A lot of people hear ‘internal auditor’ and think I’m here to find something wrong,” she said. “But I want people to know I’m on your team. I’m the third line of defense.”

Her role involves reviewing operations across county departments to ensure strong internal controls are in place, risks are minimized, and policies and procedures are followed.

“Internal auditing is about making sure processes run smoothly, legally, and efficiently,” she said. “We’re here to help departments succeed, not to catch them off guard.”

Since stepping into the position, Emily has been impressed by the county’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and community-focused programming.

“I think there’s a public perception that government is wasteful,” she said. “But Douglas County is incredibly thoughtful with how it spends taxpayer dollars. And the programs, especially in mental health and youth services, have been amazing to see.”

She’s also passionate about modernizing the auditing process through technology, particularly artificial intelligence. In just a few weeks, she has seen AI tools dramatically reduce the time spent on planning and research.

“There’s so much potential to work smarter and use data more effectively,” she said. “I’m excited to explore how we can apply that to support departments and improve outcomes.”

Whether it’s helping coordinate the Board of Equalization protests, assisting with the Public Hearings, or handling records behind the scenes, Shemar Nutt is a go-to resource in the Douglas County Clerk/Comptroller's Office. As an Administrative & Records Specialist, he brings organization, focus, and a fresh perspective to every project he touches. 

Shemar began working full-time in the Clerk’s Office in February 2025, but his Douglas County roots go much deeper. He began his career with the Board of Equalization in 2015 as a summer clerk, eventually rising to Supervisor by 2022.

“I love the consistency,” Shemar said. “There’s always something new to learn or a new task to take on.”

A Burke High alum and recent UNO grad, Shemar brings strong communication, customer service, and critical thinking skills to his role supporting the Clerk, Chief Deputy, and the entire staff on a variety of tasks.

Outside the office, he’s a self-proclaimed NBA superfan. “I follow players more than teams, and Russell Westbrook is my GOAT!” 

He also enjoys movies, gaming, walking his dog, and expanding his sneaker collection.

Exciting Employee Perk: Discounted Tickets to Adventureland Resort!

We’re thrilled to announce a special partnership between Douglas County and Adventureland Resort in Des Moines, Iowa! As a Douglas County employee, you can save up to $30 on any day admission tickets all season long.

Exclusive Offer: Individual day admission tickets for just $37.99!

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure, including the all-new Hyperlight, an immersive water slide experience featuring vivid laser lights and dynamic sound. Whether you’re seeking thrilling rides, family fun, or a relaxing getaway, Adventureland has something for everyone.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity! Grab your discounted tickets and make the most of the summer season.

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Student Loan Benefit - Savi

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• For more information or to sign up click here. 

Sword Thrive - Digital Physical Therapy

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Congratulations!

RETIREMENTS

• Darla May - Corrections

• Ioka Brannan - Health Center

PROMOTIONS

• Steven Moore - Clerk of the District Court

• Kimberly Kracher - Community Mental Health Center

• James Denzin - General Assistance

• Joshua Black - Sheriff