(KLZA) Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman Wednesday announced his appointment of Robert M. Schafer of Beatrice to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

Schafer, an attorney, member of the Nebraska Air National Guard and agriculture community member, will represent the District 5 seat in the southeastern portion of the state.

Schafer, 45, currently serves as an attorney and managing partner at Carlson, Schafer and Davis, a law firm in Beatrice. In his capacity at the firm, Schafer is responsible for business development and marketing for the firm, providing advice, counsel and representing clients. Schafer’s practice areas include agricultural law, banking and corporate law, estate planning, probate, real estate law and taxation. He was previously an associate attorney for Stehlik Law Office in Pawnee City.

Schafer is the owner and operator of a farm in Pawnee County. Schafer, a cattle owner, is also a member and director of a swine operation in Iowa.

Additionally, Schafer serves in the Nebraska Air National Guard as a Major and Staff Judge Advocate for the 155th Air Refueling Wing. 

He is a member of Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation. He serves on the board of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, serves as Budget and Planning Chair for the Nebraska State Bar Association, and serves as Vice Chair of the Military Law Section. He formerly served on the Executive Council of the NSBA.

Schafer is a graduate of Pawnee City High School in Pawnee City. He lives in Beatrice with his wife Andrea, a Vice President at Pinnacle Bank, and their two young daughters.

Schafer will serve for approximately two years and will be subject to election in 2014. District 5 encompasses several counties including Richardson, Pawnee, Johnson, Nemaha, Gage and Otoe counties.