Who We Are

Vaggalis has nearly a decade of experience lobbying before the Nebraska Legislature, advocating on a myriad of issues, from those affecting small businesses to telecommunications to liquor laws, and more.

In addition to legislative advocacy, Vaggalis also has years of legal experience practicing before the Nebraska Public Service Commission on telecommunications and railroad issues, the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, the Nebraska State Racing and Gaming Commission, and state and federal civil courts. She has worked on a wide range of legal matters, including agricultural, zoning, municipal code, consumer protection, and real property disputes.

Prior to joining Nebraska Strategies, Vaggalis worked for the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade and served as the United States-Canada Inter-Parliamentary Group Secretary. While at the House of Representatives, Vaggalis worked on a variety of issues, including international trade negotiations, strategies to combat terrorist funding and recruitment, nuclear treaty compliance, the opening of agricultural trade with Cuba, the Bergdahl exchange, and the illegal wildlife trade.

A North Platte native, Vaggalis earned her B.A. with Honors in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her J.D. from The George Washington School of Law. Vaggalis resides with her husband, Denny, in Lincoln, where she is an active volunteer at Christ Lincoln, a member of P.E.O., and serves on the Chi Omega House Corporation Board.

Schilz joined Nebraska Strategies after serving for eight years as a Nebraska State Senator, representing ten counties in western Nebraska. Senator Schilz was elected Chairman of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees and served on the Banking, Commerce and Insurance, Business and Labor, Education, and General Affairs Committees.

Schilz understands the legislative process in a way that only someone who served in the body can. He is especially skilled at connecting clients with resources across the state. He has worked with various companies to create relationships with communities and other entities to further economic development, entrepreneurship, and job growth within the state. Schilz has excellent relationships with State Senators and is a daily fixture at the Nebraska Capitol.

Before serving in the Legislature, Schilz managed a 20,000-head feed yard for 15 years. He served as president of both Keith County Area Development and Nebraska Water Users and was a member of the Ogallala Planning and Zoning Committee and the Water Policy Task Force representing South Platte Water Users.

Schilz received his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Schilz and his wife Deb have two children, Jake and Elizabeth, and two grandchildren.

Murante joined Nebraska Strategies after over a decade of service in the Nebraska government. He most recently served as Director of the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems where he oversaw daily management of 180,000 pension accounts with over $21 billion in value, in addition to shepherding the transition of the Omaha School Employees’ Retirement System to state oversight.

Murante also served as Nebraska State Treasurer from 2019 to 2023. While in this role, he was elected by his peers to serve as the 2022 National Chair of the State Financial Officers Foundation, a nationwide non-profit that works with state treasurers, state auditors, and other financial officers to educate the public about financial public policy. Murante successfully launched campaigns to increase contributions to NEST529 college savings plans and unclaimed property claims during his time as State Treasurer, as well as initiatives to increase access to financial literacy and financial wellness courses.

Prior to his election to statewide office, Murante represented District 49 in the Nebraska Unicameral from 2013 to 2019. During his tenure, he was twice elected chair of the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee and served on the Transportation and Telecommunications, Urban Affairs, and General Affairs Committees. Murante also served as the chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures Elections and Redistricting Standing Committee, and on the advisory committee to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

In addition to his political career, Murante is the former president of Big Fred’s Pizza, a prominent family-owned restaurant in Omaha, NE. Murante is a graduate of Skutt Catholic High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He and his wife, Melissa, have one daughter. He is a board member of Partnership 4 Kids, and a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Gretna Optimists.

Cheesman works for the firm part-time and will join Nebraska Strategies on a full-time basis in September 2025. She has clerked at the firm for two years, assisting with legislative research and drafting, hearing monitoring, and other internal advocacy support.

Cheesman will receive her J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law in May 2025. Cheesman currently serves as the Senior Online Editor for the Nebraska Law Review and has served as Vice President of the Community Legal Education Project, a Student Ambassador, the Law and Development Institute Fellow, an Inclusive Leader Fellow, and as a Curriculum Developer.

A Lincoln Native, Cheesman earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, majoring in English with minors in Psychology and Business. After college, Cheesman moved to Memphis, Tennessee to teach third grade through the Teach for America program. Cheesman received many awards, including “Teacher of the Year” and “Community Member of the Year,” and received the highest student data in a network of over eight hundred teachers. Cheesman also served as the Head Coach and created content for the Girls on the Run organization during COVID-19 to adapt the classroom curricula to online curricula. Cheesman received her Master’s Degree in Urban Education from Rhodes College in her last year of teaching.

Cheesman resides in Lincoln with her golden retriever, Atlas.