Education/Background:
Niemann was born and raised in Grand Island.  He holds degrees in Business Management, Engineering  Technology, Human Resource Management and has a Master of Arts in Management.  He has a Diploma in Criminal Justice/Corrections and holds Certificates in Corrections, Manual Welding, Supervisory Management and is a Certified ISO Internal Auditor. He was an Honors graduate at Central Community College and Bellevue University.

Place of Employment:
Before going to work for Central Community College, Bob worked in manufacturing for over 30 years where he held executive level positions for 25 years.  Niemann is employed at Central Community College as the Associate Dean of Instruction in the Trades, Industry and Training Departments.  He is responsible for the management of the programs and the supervision of its staff and faculty.

Community Activities and Organizations Involved in:
Niemann is a past Chairman of the American Welding Society and current Board member.  He is a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers

Additional Activities, Services and/or Organizations:
He is a Vietnam Veteran having served with the USMC and USAR for 20 years. He holds numerous decorations for valor and achievement while serving as a member of the United States armed forces.

Family Members:
Niemann and his wife Judy have three sons Ryan, Jason and Scott.

Number of Terms Served / Year Elected to Office:
Jose Zapata was appointed to the City Council in May of 2007 by Mayor Margaret Hornady.

Education/Background:
Zapata was born in Hondo, Texas and grew up in Kearney, Nebraska.  He has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.  He spent 10 years on the Kearney City Council before moving to Grand Island and make a new home with his wife Barb in 2003.

Place of Employment:
Zapata worked for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services from 1992 to 1998.  He then became the Executive Director for Central Nebraska Community Services in 1998 and still holds this same position today.

Community Activities and Organizations Involved in:
He is on the Board of Directors for the Multicultural Coalition, Girl Scouts of America and the Nebraska Workforce Investment Board.  He is also a member of the Nebraska Head Start Association.

Goals or Areas of Special Interest:
Zapata likes to work with the community promoting cultural diversity , early childhood education, reaching barriers to employment and home ownership and empowering citizens.

Family Members:
Zapata and his wife, Barb, have two children, Cadie and McKenzie.