Mission Statement:
To regulate and control the alcoholic beverage industry and beverages within and into the State of Nebraska in an efficient, effective manner in order to promote the public health, safety and welfare.
Commissioners' Background
Chairman: Judge J. Michael Coffey
Term Expires: 5/24/2031
Judge J. Michael Coffey of Omaha is a retired District Judge of the 4th Judicial District, where he served from 1998 until his retirement in June 2023. Prior to his appointment with the court, Coffey was a private practice attorney in Omaha. He received his B.A. from Regis College in 1969 and his juris doctor from Creighton University School of Law in 1974. He is a Vietnam War veteran, having served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971.
Executive Director: Micah Chaffee, J.D.
Micah Chaffee began serving as Executive Director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission on October 1, 2025. His background in public policy and regulatory affairs—particularly in alcohol control—is grounded in his previous work with the Nebraska Legislature’s General Affairs Committee, where he contributed to legislative and regulatory initiatives impacting the state’s alcohol laws.
Micah holds a Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Concordia University, Seward.
Outside of his professional role, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children.
History of Directors
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 1935 - 1947 | Max Adams |
| 1948 - 1951 | Oril A. Barber |
| 1952 - 1967 | Walter C. Hasse |
| 1968 - 1975 | Georgia D. Kuebler |
| 1976 - 1982 | Terrance D. Micek |
| 1983 - 1984 | Larry Wewal |
| 1985 - 2003 | Forrest D. Chapman |
| 2004 - 2025 | Hobert B. Rupe |
| 2025 - | Micah Chaffee |
(From 1935 - 1980, the Directors were called Secretaries.)
History of Commissioners
| Year | Commission #1 | Year | Commissioner #2 | Year | Commissioner #3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935-36 | Thos. Gass | 1935-38 | W.W. Carmichael | 1935-46 | J.A. MC Eachen |
| 1937-48 | Theo M. Osterman | 1939-44 | Jackson B. Chase | 1947-50 | Blaine Young |
| 1949-60 | Nathon B. Pont | 1945-46 | John F. Mericle | 1951-52 | G.H. Rydman |
| 1961-62 | Vernon Taylor | 1946-46 | Jackson B. Chase | 1953-56 | Tal Coonrad |
| 1963-68 | Alma W. Stephens | 1947-50 | Marcus L. Poteet | 1957-58 | Victor Bremer |
| 1969-72 | Ivan A. Armstrong | 1951-52 | Gus Prestegaard | 1959-60 | Frank Sorrell |
| 1973-78 | Lowell Shaffer | 1953-56 | Carl E. Linn | 1961-64 | Francis Robinson |
| 1979-84 | Herbert J. Duis | 1957-74 | Ray Osborn | 1965-70 | Thomas J. Cheslak |
| 1985-91 | Donald N. Dworak | 1975-80 | Phil Weaver | 1971-76 | Edward Robinson |
| 1992-99 | John 'Jack' Crowley | 1981-86 | William H. Palmer | 1977-80 | Catherine Dahlquist |
| 1999-2009 | Rhonda Flower | 1987-92 | Fred 'Bob' Sikyta | 1981-82 | Thomas Fitzgerald |
| 2009-2021 | Janice Wiebusch | 1993-99 | Nancy J. McGinley | 1983-88 | John P. Miller |
| 2021-2025 | Kim Lowe | 1999-2011 | Robert 'Bob' Logsdon | 1989-95 | William R. Skarda |
| 2011-2014 | William Austin | 1996-2007 | Richard L. Coyne | ||
| 2014-2017 | Bruce Bailey | 2008-2019 | Robert 'Bob' Batt | ||
| 2018-2023 | Bruce Bailey | 2019-2025 | Harry A Hoch Jr | ||
| 2023-2025 | Bruce Bailey | 2025-2031 | J. Michael Coffey |
Each Commissioner serves a six year fixed term, and must represent one of the three congressional districts within Nebraska. Their powers and duties include:
- Final administrative approval of all retail liquor licenses.
- Conducting citation hearings, which include deciding innocence or guilt and imposing sanctions on licensees ranging from a letter of reprimand to revocation of the license.
- Establishment of rules and regulations.