Below is the list of 2026 candidates running for office and their statements. Please review the statements and submit your electronic vote no later than March 31, 2026. (Students are not eligible to vote.)

CANDIDATE: Nick Weber

Please identify your key skills, abilities and experiences that make you a qualified candidate for the position you're running for.

It has been an honor to serve as your President for the past four years. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and energized by the work still ahead. With the momentum we’ve built and the relationships we’ve strengthened, I am seeking reelection to continue advancing our profession and delivering meaningful results for our members.

During my tenure, I have prioritized being present and accessible. Each summer, I have traveled across Nebraska to visit schools, private practices, and critical access hospitals to better understand the challenges our members face. Those conversations have reinforced what we already know: our profession is navigating significant pressures—scope of practice limitations, workforce shortages, administrative burden, and declining reimbursement. My experience over the past four years has provided the perspective, relationships, and strategic clarity necessary to continue leading through these challenges.

If elected, what are the goals you wish to accomplish?

If reelected, my focus will remain clear:

• Protect and advance our scope of practice so we can practice at the top of our license.
• Advocate for fair reimbursement and reduced administrative burden to support practice viability and emphasize quality over quantity.
• Strengthen workforce sustainability, including supporting pathways that help students manage debt while building careers here in Nebraska.
• Grow and engage our membership, because our influence depends on our collective strength.

To accomplish these goals, we must concentrate on two priorities.

First, we must significantly strengthen Nebraska PT-PAC. Political advocacy is essential to shaping legislation that impacts reimbursement, access, and scope of practice. Increasing our PAC participation and funding will ensure physical therapy remains visible, respected, and influential at the Capitol.

Second, we must expand and engage our membership. A stronger membership base means a stronger voice. I will continue meeting with clinicians, employers, and educators to clearly communicate the value of membership and create meaningful ways for members to engage.

Our association is growing in strength because it is built on relationships. Progress happens when we work together. I am honored to seek your continued trust and support as we move APTA-NE forward.

I respectfully ask for your vote.

SECRETARY

CANDIDATE: Write-Ins welcome

Chief Delegate

CANDIDATE:  Robert Griese

Please identify your key skills, abilities and experiences that make you a qualified candidate for the position you're running for.

I have been a delegate since 2004 and chief delegate since 2017. I have a passion for APTA governance.

If elected, what are the goals you wish to accomplish?

We are currently working on reimbursement across all spectrums.
We recently adopted a new APTA specialty, Primary Care and we have work to do to gain access across all 50 chapters with practice act changes. We are involving the PTA on a national level in the house of delegates and local chapters votes to increase membership by the PTA. Please email or call me because we have a large agenda in the house of delegates and I would be happy to discuss more of them.

SPECIAL Delegate 

A delegate is an elected representative from our state to serve in the APTA House of Delegates. The HOD is the policy making body for our profession and sets the direction for the future of the profession. This year we have been awarded an additional delegate. This position will start out with a 3-year term. 

CANDIDATE:  Ian thompson

Please identify your key skills, abilities and experiences that make you a qualified candidate for the position you're running for.

I am a committed and experienced PTA leader who has served as an APTA Nebraska Council Representative since 2019. Through this role, I have developed a strong understanding of the House of Delegates process, including policy formation, resolution review, and the importance of informed discussion and collaboration. My continued involvement has fostered a deep appreciation for how decisions made at the House level directly influence clinical practice, education, and advocacy efforts at both the state and national levels.

As a Physical Therapist Assistant educator and Clinical Director, I bring a systems-level perspective that bridges clinical practice, education, workforce development, and regulatory standards. I routinely engage with CAPTE standards, contemporary practice expectations, and stakeholder feedback, which strengthens my ability to critically analyze policies and assess their real-world impact on the profession.

I am particularly proud of the increasing inclusion of PTAs in the House of Delegates and value the opportunity for PTAs to hold delegate positions and actively participate in House debate. I am a thoughtful listener, a respectful collaborator, and a confident advocate who is comfortable speaking on the House floor. My experience working within interdisciplinary teams and professional committees has strengthened my ability to represent diverse viewpoints while maintaining alignment with APTA’s mission and core values.

If elected, what are the goals you wish to accomplish?

If elected as a delegate, my primary goal is to help advance the physical therapy profession as a whole through active and informed participation in the House of Delegates. While I am deeply committed to meaningful PTA representation and engagement, I aim to ensure that PTA perspectives are integrated into policy discussions in ways that strengthen the profession overall, including issues related to scope of practice, education, reimbursement, and workforce sustainability.

I also hope to serve as a strong conduit between APTA Nebraska members and the national House—bringing forward member concerns, clearly communicating House actions, and helping members understand how policy decisions translate into professional practice. Transparency and bidirectional communication are essential to maintaining trust and engagement within the association.

Additionally, I am committed to supporting policies that strengthen the PT–PTA team, promote contemporary and evidence-based practice, and support professional well-being. I am particularly interested in issues related to education, clinical readiness, and the evolving healthcare landscape, ensuring that policies adopted by the House are practical, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

Ultimately, my goal is to serve APTA Nebraska with integrity, preparation, and passion—representing our members thoughtfully while contributing to the continued growth, unity, and sustainability of the physical therapy profession.

Delegate (2 open positions)

A delegate is an elected representative from our state to serve in the APTA House of Delegates. The HOD is the policy making body for our profession and sets the direction for the future of the profession. 

CANDIDATE:  nathan Halm

Please identify your key skills, abilities and experiences that make you a qualified candidate for the position you're running for.

I bring a broad and informed perspective to the Delegate role through my experience in outpatient physical therapy across multiple organizations, clinic management roles, and my current role in physical therapist assistant education. These roles have provided me with insight into clinical practice, operational decision-making, and professional education, allowing me to thoughtfully consider issues that affect the profession across settings.

I am detail-oriented and committed to understanding the rationale and implications behind policies, motions, and governance decisions. I value collaborative discussion, respectful dialogue, and careful consideration of diverse viewpoints to ensure responsible representation of our membership.

I strongly value the physical therapy profession, and the life-changing impact physical therapy can provide to patients when delivered in an effective and cost-effective manner. I approach this role with professionalism, accountability, and preparation, and I am committed to serving as a reliable and engaged representative within the American Physical Therapy Association House of Delegates.

If elected, what are the goals you wish to accomplish?

If elected as a delegate for APTA Nebraska, my goal is to represent the needs and realities of physical therapy practice in Nebraska in a thoughtful, practical, and informed manner. While many of the challenges facing the profession are national in scope, their impact is often felt differently in our state, particularly in rural and underserved communities. I want to ensure these perspectives are clearly communicated and meaningfully considered during policy discussions.

I aim to advocate for policies that support workforce recruitment and retention, improve access to care, and promote the long-term sustainability of physical therapy practice. Ongoing issues such as reimbursement pressures, administrative burden, and clinician burnout directly affect our ability to provide high-quality care and maintain a stable workforce. Areas such as the continued development of primary care physical therapy and protecting the designation of physical therapy degrees as professional degrees—such as those recently proposed by the Department of Education—are examples of issues where thoughtful advocacy is critical. Addressing these concerns is essential not only for providers, but also for the patients and communities we serve across Nebraska.

Equally important to me is strengthening communication between the House of Delegates and our Nebraska members. By continuing to clearly share how national decisions connect to day-to-day practice and by bringing member concerns forward in a meaningful way, I hope to increase the perceived value of APTA membership. When members see that their voices are heard and that advocacy efforts directly support their professional needs, engagement and membership growth are more likely to follow. Ultimately, this contributes to a stronger, more unified voice for the physical therapy profession. My overall goal is to help advance policies that strengthen the profession, support clinicians, and improve access to physical therapy care throughout Nebraska.

Nominating committee - 1 year term

We have three nominating committee positions available. They each have a different term limit: 1 year, 2 years, 3 years. 

CANDIDATE: Write-Ins welcome

Nominating committee - 2 year term

We have three nominating committee positions available. They each have a different term limit: 1 year, 2 years, 3 years. 

CANDIDATE: Write-Ins welcome

Nominating committee - 3 year term

We have three nominating committee positions available. They each have a different term limit: 1 year, 2 years, 3 years. 

CANDIDATE: Write-Ins welcome

EASTERN District Chair 

CANDIDATE: Megan Frazee

Please identify your key skills, abilities and experiences that make you a qualified candidate for the position you're running for.

Over the past two years as Eastern District Chair, I have enjoyed serving our members and staying connected with what is happening across APTA Nebraska. I tend to be very organized and proactive, which has helped me plan district meetings, coordinate town halls, and keep communication running smoothly. My work as a faculty member at UNMC and as the faculty advisor for the Nebraska Student Special Interest Group has also given me a unique perspective on the interests and needs of current and emerging professionals. In addition, my role as Chair of UNMC’s Continuing Education Committee has helped me gain valuable skills in planning and coordinating continuing education events. These skills have translated into organizing district meetings, town halls, and CE opportunities during my current term. Altogether, these roles have prepared me well to continue representing and supporting the Eastern District.

If elected, what are the goals you wish to accomplish?

If re-elected, I hope to continue building strong connections with members by offering helpful updates throughout the year and creating accessible opportunities for continuing education. I plan to work closely with the Central and Western District Chairs to coordinate district meetings and continuing education events that address member needs and support professional development. I value my role on the Executive Committee and aim to continue contributing toward the ongoing refinement and implementation of our strategic plan. My overall goal is to support communication, connection, and accessible educational opportunities for all members of APTA Nebraska.

Nebraska Foundation for physical therapy (2 open positions) 4 year term

CANDIDATE:  Write-Ins welcome

CANDIDATE:  jack Larsen

Please identify your key skills, abilities and experiences that make you a qualified candidate for the position you're running for.

My name is Jack Larsen, and I am a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, graduating this May. I am originally from Papillion, Nebraska, and earned my bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Creighton University in 2022. I look forward to staying involved with the profession and supporting the physical therapy community as I transition into practice.

If elected, what are the goals you wish to accomplish?

• • Candidate submissions are due by February 22, 2026.
  • The election will take place March 2 through March 31, 2026.
  • Voting will be electronic via email or the APTA Nebraska website.
  • Results announced at the business meeting on April 11, 2026.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee shall promote quality leadership for the Chapter by providing quality candidates for the positions of the elected offices of the Chapter.
The Nominating Committee shall:

1. Assist the Chapter by providing candidates for:
    (a) Elected offices of the Chapter
    (b) Special awards
    (c) National office

2. Check candidate qualifications

3. Conduct chapter elections:
    (a) Prepare ballots
    (b) Count the votes
    (c) Announce the results

4. Meet at least one (1) time per year and correspond frequently through the nominating process and during the year via telecommunications.