Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman Monday appointed 32-year-old Wayne Bena to fill the post of the Sarpy County election commissioner.

Bena will replace Kay Forslund, who has held the position since 2002 and plans to retire on December 31st.

Bena is a lawyer with campaign experience. He is currently a Banking Security Act specialist for First National Bank in Omaha. Bena has been active as a volunteer in several Nebraska elections. In 2004, he served as communications director for the Nebraska Republican Party.

Prior to 2004, Bena was a legislative aide in the Nebraska Unicameral and a law clerk for the Nebraska Public Service Commission.

He will hold the office for at least four years. Election commissioners are responsible for making rules for local elections and for the registration of voters in their county.