Laurie Ackermann
Executive Director
lackermann@olliewebbinc.org

Laurie is pleased to serve as the executive director of Ollie Webb Center, Inc.  Laurie, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has worked in the field of developmental disabilities for over 20 years.  She has spent the majority of her career working for not-for-profit organizations, and has served on numerous committees and boards.  Laurie came to work for Career Solutions, Inc., in the fall of 1998.  In January of 2003, she received the opportunity to also work with The Arc of Omaha (at that time “The Ollie Webb Center”), taking the two programs (Career Solutions, Inc. and The Arc of Omaha) through the successful merger that formed Ollie Webb Center, Inc.

Laurie is blessed with a beautiful son, David, who recently graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Film and New Media.  In her spare time, Laurie enjoys theater, movies, reading, traveling, and, most importantly, spending time with her family (which has now grown to include three beloved cats, Sabrina, Harvey, and Oliver—Oliver, by the way, is named after Ollie because he was a stray found at the Ollie Webb Center.)

Laurie’s family has been involved with The Arc of Omaha (formerly GOARC and The Ollie Webb Center), for many years. Two of her siblings have benefited from the programs offered here at the center.  Her parents were among the first “Pilot Parents.”  Thanks to the tremendous amount of information, service and support her family has received over the years, she is now able to share her education (both personally and professionally) and experiences with others who can potentially benefit from the complete array of services offered through Ollie Webb Center, Inc.

Annie Anderson
Family Services Director
aanderson@olliewebbinc.org

Annie is the family services director and governmental affairs liaison for The Arc of Omaha at Ollie Webb Center, Inc.  Annie has been involved with Ollie Webb Center, Inc. for 18 years as a trained volunteer and as an employee.  She has served as Pilot Parents, Harbor, and PRISM Project Coordinator, employment specialist, and classroom teacher.  Annie has served on numerous committees including:  The Nebraska Parent Center Supporting Parent Program, Omaha Public Schools Early Intervention Program, and Nebraska Special Education Advisory Committee to name a few.  Annie has also had the opportunity to speak at the national Parent to Parent Conferences.

Annie's youngest son George was born with multiple disabilities.  As she moved forward parenting a child with a disability, the experiences proved to provide opportunities for personal growth and positive changes for herself and her family.  These experiences opened a window into her life that is as unique and special as it is enriching.  In addition to George, Annie has two other children, Courtney and Sarajane, and son-in-law Jeremy.  Annie is married to Geoffrey Anderson.

Lisa Dougherty
Mentoring Services Director
ldougherty@olliewebbinc.org

Lisa is the mentoring services director for The Arc of Omaha at Ollie Webb Center, Inc. Lisa has been employed with the Ollie Webb Center since November 1999. She began her affiliation with the Ollie Webb Center as a volunteer mentor with the Just Friends Program. Following her experience as a mentor, she was hired as the part-time Just Friends assistant for four years. After receiving a Bachelor Degree in Psychology from Creighton University in May 2004, Lisa took a full-time position as a case manager and assistant counselor at ABH (Addiction and Behavioral Health) Services, Inc. While at ABH, Lisa continued her part-time employment with the Ollie Webb Center. In March of 2005, Lisa was hired as the full-time mentoring services director for The Arc of Omaha at the Ollie Webb Center, where she is responsible for all mentoring services including parent-to-parent matches through the Pilot Parent Program, and Just Friends and Best Buddies programs among many other responsibilities. Lisa is also the coordinator of the Quality Review Teams for the Omaha area.

In addition to her work for Ollie Webb Center, Inc., Lisa has worked with the Munroe- Meyer preschool program, Camp Munroe and as the Creighton University Best Buddies Chapter Director.

Dena Launderville
Adult Services Director
dlaunderville@olliewebbinc.org

Dena is the adult services director at The Arc of Omaha at the Ollie Webb Center.  She has been with the Ollie Webb Center since 1979 and has been the advisor for Self-Advocacy Leadership since 1983.  Dena loves working with individuals with developmental disabilities and especially teaching adults that they have decisions and choices in their lives.

In her spare time, Dena is an avid horse lover, enjoys reading and loves to garden.  Her family always comes first (she comes from a large family—nine brothers and sisters) and Dena spends as much time as possible with her nieces and nephews.

Janet Miller
Program Director
jmiller@olliewebbinc.org

Janet Miller is Program Director for Ollie Webb Center, Inc.  She has a rich history with the agency, beginning in 1977 when she was referred to the Pilot Parents program after Jennifer (her 30-year-old daughter with Down Syndrome) was born.  In the early 80s, Janet became the coordinator of the Pilot Parents Program, ran a youth program, and started a sitter/companion program. She continued to be involved in parent-to-parent support in Grand Island, Nebraska, by organizing a Pilot Parents program when she and her family moved there.

During her graduate work at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the early 90s, Janet researched a shift in the delivery of employment services to individuals with disabilities, called supported employment, and went on to be the Founder and Executive Director of Career Solutions, Inc.  After leaving Career Solutions, Janet continued to work in the field of nonprofits and considers herself very fortunate to have the opportunity to return to work with individuals with disabilities and their families at Ollie Webb Center, Inc.

She has two daughters.  Her oldest daughter, Helena, and four grandchildren live in Maryland, and her youngest daughter, Jennifer, lives in Blair.

Cleo Novotny
Administrative Assistant
cnovotny@olliewebbinc.org

Cleo is the administrative assistant at Ollie Webb Center, Inc.   She is usually the first person you meet when you telephone or visit our office.   Cleo enjoys interacting with the individuals and families served by The Arc of Omaha and Career Solutions, Inc.  She also enjoys working with Ollie Webb Center's staff members.

When Cleo is not attending to the office, she keeps busy with family and friends.  She loves cats, audio tapes, thrift store shopping, easy crossword puzzles, "History Detectives" on PBS and plays at the Omaha Community Playhouse.