Governor & Veterans’ Director Announce
New Leaders for Veterans’ Homes

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced appointment of administrators for three of Nebraska’s four veterans’ homes. He was joined by John Hilgert, Director of the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the incoming Director of the Division of Veterans’ Homes within the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The administrators will work closely with Hilgert to carry out reforms under the DHHS restructuring plan approved by the Legislature.

Starting today, Howard Googins will serve as the administrator of the Thomas Fitzgerald Veterans’ Home (TFVH) in Omaha and will transition to the new Eastern Nebraska Veterans’ Home in Bellevue when it opens later this summer.

Lonnie Starke will head up the Western Nebraska Veterans’ Home (WNVH) in Scottsbluff. Lewis Mashburn was chosen to serve as administrator of the Norfolk Veterans’ Home. They will both begin their duties on July 16.

“John has found three candidates with excellent qualifications to take over and lead Nebraska’s veterans’ homes,” Gov. Heineman said. “Today’s announcements are an opportunity to introduce our members to the people who will continue strengthening the services we provide to veterans. It’s also a chance for us to say thank you to our current veterans’ homes leaders for their many years of dedication.”

Bob Brozek is the current and long-time administrator at WNVH who is retiring Aug. 3. Duane Hodge is currently the acting administrator of the Grand Island Veterans’ Home, and was administrator of the veterans’ home in Norfolk for many years. He is planning to retire July 31.

Gov. Heineman said, “Bob and Duane have devoted much of their professional lives to improving the lives of members at our veterans’ homes, and I can’t thank them enough for the dedication they’ve shown over the years.”

Howard Googins, 54, joined the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in November as the acting administrator at TFVH, following a career of more than 34 years in the military. He was commissioned as a medical service corps officer. He was a deputy medical group commander and served as administrator of the Ehrling Bergquist Air Force Hospital at Offutt Air Force base. Prior to retiring as a colonel last August, Googins served as the Inspector General at Offutt.

Googins graduated from the then-University of New Hampshire School of Lifelong Learning in 1976, and holds a master’s in hospital and healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota. He is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Hilgert said, “Howard has been instrumental in getting Omaha’s veterans’ home back into compliance with federal veterans’ affairs standards during these past several months, and much of that success comes from his ability to help refocus employees on the home’s mission to provide quality service to each and every member.”

Lonnie Starke, 45, became the western service area administrator for the current Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2004. Prior to becoming a regional manager with HHS, he held the dual role of human resources manager for the HHS Western Service Area and the WNVH for nearly four years. He also served more than 20 years with the Nebraska Army National Guard.

Starke graduated from Chadron State College in 1989 with a degree in business administration. He also holds an associate’s degree in aviation technology from Western Nebraska Technical College in Sidney.

Hilgert said, “In addition to his military and managerial experience, Lonnie has worked with HHS as a mentor for young people and their families. That experience, combined with his compassion, caring and familiarity with our veterans’ home residents will be valuable in helping him succeed in this new role.”

Lewis Mashburn III, 59, most recently worked for IntegriGuard, a national Medicare fraud detection and prevention firm, and from 2002 to 2006 was a private contractor with the U.S. Air Force Medical System leading implementation of a privacy, security and compliance program.

He is a veteran with 22 years of military service, beginning with the U.S. Air Force and ending with the U.S. Army’s Medical Service Corps, where he rose to the rank of Major and was a healthcare administrator responsible for hospital operations, managed and quality care programs, regulatory compliance at various military facilities in the U.S. and abroad.

He is board certified in healthcare management, is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and is currently pursuing a doctorate from Walden University. He earned a masters in health administration from Georgia State University, as well as a masters in public administration from Auburn University. He graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland in 1975.

Hilgert said, “Lew’s experience ranges from his work with the military to serving as head of a rural community hospital and skilled nursing facility. The strong record of performance he’s demonstrated in so many areas made him a stand-out candidate and I look forward to him joining our team in the weeks to come.”