Douglas County Veteran Spotlight: Jason Palmer

Jason Palmer has dedicated more than two decades of his life to serving others. Before joining Douglas County, he spent 23 years in the United States Army, beginning active duty in July 2001. Two months later, on his nineteenth birthday, Jason was in Basic Training when the events of September 11 changed the nation and his military path. He deployed to Iraq from April 2003 to April 2004 and to Afghanistan from August 2005 to November 2005. He retired from the Nebraska Army National Guard in September 2024.

Today, Jason serves the public in the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office's Entrance Screening Unit. He has worked for Douglas County for more than 13 years, including 11 years with the Clerk of the District Court.

Jason credits the military for shaping his leadership and perspective. “The best lesson I learned was to lead by example and always show respect to everyone, as you never know what someone else might be going through,” he said.

He values the relationships he has built with coworkers and the opportunity to help the public every day.

Douglas County Veteran Spotlight: LaKeidra Roatch

LaKeidra S. Roatch served in the United States Air Force from 2005 to 2013. Today, she continues her commitment to service as the Senior Assistant Veterans Service Officer at the Douglas County Veterans Service Office, where she has worked for more than 3 years.

LaKeidra says the Air Force taught her the value of effort and dedication. “The biggest lesson I learned while serving is that hard work and consistency cannot be ignored,” she said. “If you work hard and you are consistent, the rewards will be abundant.”

In her role, LaKeidra helps veterans and their families navigate benefits and resources. She finds the greatest fulfillment in serving women. “There is nothing like being able to provide a safe space for my women in uniform, veterans, spouses, widows, and children,” she said. Many visits begin with tears and end with a hug, and those moments remind her she is exactly where she belongs.

LaKeidra continues to live a life of service as a military spouse. She and her husband both served on active duty, and their dog, Simon, is a retired K-9 from Offutt Air Force Base.

Douglas County Veteran Spotlight: Wayne Lovett

Wayne Lovett served in the United States Air Force from 1977 to 1999. His military experience taught him to value the freedoms and safety we often take for granted. “Cherish our freedoms, safety, and secure communities,” he said.

After retiring from the Air Force, Wayne continued his commitment to service with Douglas County. He has worked at the Douglas County Youth Center for 23 years and now serves as the Detention Manager.

Wayne appreciates the constant opportunity to grow in his role. He enjoys that the work pushes him to keep learning and to make a positive impact on young people and the community he serves.

Douglas County Veteran Spotlight: Lt. Bryan Mulvaney

Lt. Bryan Mulvaney has worked as a Correctional Officer at the Douglas County Department of Corrections for 22 years. Before beginning his career with the county, he served in the United States Army Reserve from April 1998 through April 2006.

Bryan says his military experience shaped how he leads today. “The seven core values of leadership I learned in the Army have become foundational in my life and career,” he said. He credits the discipline gained during those years as a key factor in his personal and professional success.

At Douglas County, Bryan appreciates the variety and unpredictability of the work. He enjoys that each day brings something different and that the challenges push him to grow. “Every time I think I have seen it all, I am proven wrong,” he said.

Bryan continues to lead with the same integrity, discipline, and commitment to service that defined his military career.

Douglas County Veteran Spotlight: Cassandra Dytrych 

Cassandra Dytrych served in the Army National Guard from 2000 to 2009. Her time in uniform shaped how she leads and serves today. “I learned the importance of seeing things through even when it gets tough, leading by example, and the value of service to others,” she said.

Cassandra has been with the Douglas County Health Department since 2020 and serves as the WIC Supervisor. She finds purpose in supporting families and children during critical moments in their lives. “I love working in public health, especially with the WIC program, because I know what we do has a positive impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” she said.

Cassandra brings the same dedication and heart to Douglas County that she lived by while serving her country. 

The Douglas County General Assistance Department helped connect more than 100 residents to critical resources during Project Connect 2025, held Oct. 21 at Baxter Arena in Omaha. The one-day community event unites service providers to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

This year marked the department’s 18th year participating. Eight General Assistance employees served on-site, working face-to-face with attendees seeking help.

Four staff members completed pre-screenings, checked eligibility, issued bus tickets, and answered program questions. One employee provided personalized housing support, including referrals to landlords with available affordable units and information on deposit assistance programs. Three additional team members served as Navigators, guiding participants through the arena and helping them connect with the right services.

"By the end of the event, staff scheduled 47 follow-up appointments for continued assistance," said Melissa Sewick, Director of Douglas County General Assistance. "Even when attendees did not qualify for General Assistance, employees connected them with community agencies that could help."

To honor their commitment to timely service, the department reserved all intake appointments after the event for individuals who attended Project Connect. This ensured faster support and reinforced the department’s focus on responsive, compassionate care.

The General Assistance Department continues to serve as a vital resource for residents by meeting people where they are and helping them move toward stability and opportunity.

Employee Assistance Program

• Provided through CHI Employee Assistance. 

• In-person and virtual appointments available. 

• EAP counselors can assist you with a variety of concerns, including:

  • • Work Related Stress

    • Marital and Family Distress

    • Loss and Grief

    • Anxiety, Depression, or Emotional Stress

    • Addictions

    • Life Changes

    • Legal/Financial Challenges

• Call 402-398-5566 or 888-847-4975

• Visit the EAP website for more information. 

457 Supplemental Retirement Plans

• Allows for pre-tax deductions to save for retirement.

• Options available through 2 vendors - Voya or Nationwide.  

• What is a 457 plan? Read more here. 

• Look up vendor contact information in the Benefit Guide (page 34) on the new benefits website. 

YMCA Membership Fees - Payroll Deduction

• Employees may elect to pay YMCA membership fees through payroll deductions on the second check of each month. 

• Checkout the Benefit Guide (page 18) for more information.  

Congratulations!

RETIREMENTS

• Matthew Macaitis - Corrections

• Randy Johnson - Corrections

• Marlo Ibarra - Health Center

• Mark Dishaw - Sheriff

PROMOTIONS

• Danny West - Corrections

• Abravi Dabla - Health Center

• Vincent Giorgio - Maintenance

• Shane Stover - Maintenance

• Tyler Young - Maintenance