Autism Center of Nebraska Selects Michael Blackstone, Sr. as Executive Director
SEPTEMBER 2024
The Autism Center of Nebraska Board of Directors has appointed Michael P. Blackstone, Sr. as the Executive Director of the agency, which provides support and services for more than 150 Nebraskans with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.
“I have worked at Autism Center of Nebraska for 16 years and in multiple capacities and I know and love this agency deeply,” said Blackstone of the appointment, “I am looking forward to serving in the capacity of Executive Director and leading the agency as we sustain and grow our legacy of service to Nebraskans with disabilities.”
Blackstone was selected through an open process which included interviews with multiple qualified candidates and was run by the Autism Center of Nebraska (ACN) Board of Directors after the departure of ACN’s former leader, Leslie Bishop Hartung, who retired in May after serving the agency for 16 years.
“The Board of Directors is proud of this decision and thinks Michael’s industry knowledge and experience will bring great things for ACN’s community of clients, families, staff, and friends,” said ACN Board President, Cheri Albin.
Blackstone served as ACN’s Residential Manager/Coordinator from 2008 through 2015 and as its Residential Coordinator from 2015 through 2018. Before Blackstone’s new role as Executive Director, which began on August 1, 2024, he served as the agency’s Day Services and Transitions Director since 2018.
Blackstone’s tenure at ACN has been characterized by overseeing and participating in substantial agency growth and nimble adaptations to the ever-changing regulations that characterize the disability services world. Before joining ACN in 2008, Blackstone served as a Residential Manager at Developmental Services of Nebraska. Blackstone attended University of Nebraska Omaha and Omaha South High School. He lives in Omaha with his wife and children.
In Blackstone’s role as Executive Director, he will oversee ACN’s staff of more than 100 full-time and part-time employees and work directly with ACN’s Chief Financial Officer, Bryon Tenski, and Melissa Blakemore, Director of Residential Services.
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For more information, please contact ACN staff at 402.315.1000 or info@acnomaha.org.
