Members of the Commission of Industrial Relations
The Commission is made up of five part-time commissioners, appointed by the Governor, with legislative approval, for a term of six years. The commissioners select one of their members to serve as presiding commissioner for a two-year term. The current Commission members are listed below. For more information about each commissioner, click on their name and a biography page will appear.
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Presiding Commissioner William G. Blake |
William G. Blake was appointed to the Commission of Industrial Relations by Governor Mike Johanns in January, 2000 for a six-year term, and then re-appointed in January, 2006 to a second six-year term by Governor Dave Heineman. After a short absence, he was once again appointed on June 9, 2015 by Governor Pete Ricketts. A native of Lamoni, Iowa, Commissioner Blake received his B.A. degree in 1972 from Graceland College in Lamoni and his J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1975. Commissioner Blake's previous legal experience includes three years as Assistant Lincoln City Attorney, and six years as Deputy Lincoln City Attorney. He currently is in private practice in the Lincoln law firm of Blake Austin Law Firm, L.L.P., primarily in the area of real estate and commercial litigation, with emphasis in eminent domain. He is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association and American Trial Lawyers Association, and serves on the Civil Practice and Procedure of the Nebraska State Bar Association. He is admitted to practice in all Nebraska courts and the United States District Court for Nebraska.
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Joel E. Carlson |
Joel E. Carlson was appointed to the Commission of Industrial Relations by Governor Dave Heineman on July 22, 2013 and was confirmed by the Legislature on April 10, 2014. He was reappointed on February 6, 2018 by Governor Pete Ricketts for a second six-year term. Commission Carlson is a partner in the Stratton DeLay Doele Carlson and Buettner Law Firm in Norfolk, Nebraska.
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Dallas D. Jones |
Dallas D. Jones was appointed to the Commission by Governor Pete Ricketts on May 11, 2017 and was confirmed by the Legislature on May 19, 2017. Commissioner Jones is a partner in the Baylor Evnen Law Firm in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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Gregory M. Neuhaus |
Gregory M. Neuhaus was appointed to the Commission by Governor Pete Ricketts on May 15, 2019 and was confirmed by the Legislature on May 30,2019. |
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Spencer R. Hartman |
A native of Imperial, Nebraska, Spencer grew up on his family’s farm and cattle operation where he developed the work ethic and common sense approach he employs today. He was introduced to entrepreneurship through FFA and cultivated his entrepreneurial spirit in college as an Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Scholar. Spencer has launched and grown several businesses of his own, and now finds great joy in helping clients do the same. Spencer received his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As the first in his family to attend law school, Spencer graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2021. Outside of the office, Spencer enjoys spending quality time with his wife, friends and family, community involvement and helping out on the farm. |
Commission of Industrial Relations Staff
The staff of the CIR consists of a Clerk/Administrator/Legal Counsel and a Deputy Clerk/Staff Assistant.
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Clerk/Administrator/Legal Counsel Ashlea R. Whitney |
Ashlea Whitney joined the Commission as Legal Counsel and Deputy Clerk in May 2015. Ashlea earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the College of Saint Mary and her Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law. She became Clerk/Administrator/Legal Counsel in October 2018. |
Questions or comments can be directed to the Staff.