Staff
Phone: 701-354-9773
Email: nikki@ndltca.org
Nikki Wegner serves as President of the North Dakota Long Term Care Association, representing providers across the continuum of long term care, including skilled nursing, assisted living, basic care, adult residential care, home health, home care, and hospice.
A licensed occupational therapist, Nikki earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University. Throughout her career, she has combined clinical expertise with advocacy, education, and public policy work focused on improving the lives of older adults and vulnerable populations.
Since joining the Association, Nikki has worked closely with providers, state and federal agencies, legislators, and community partners to advance policies that strengthen long term care services, improve access to care, support the workforce, and promote sustainable reimbursement systems. She is passionate about bringing people together to solve complex challenges and ensuring that providers have a strong voice in decisions that affect the individuals and communities they serve.
Nikki believes quality long term care is essential to the health of North Dakota’s communities. She is committed to helping providers succeed while advancing innovative solutions that support dignity, independence, and quality of life for older adults across the state.
Erica Cermak, VP of Government Affairs
Phone: 701-354-9778
Email: erica@ndltca.org
Erica Cermak joined the North Dakota Long Term Care Association in November of 2024 as the Vice President of Government Affairs. Erica graduated from the University of Mary in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work.
Prior to joining the NDLTCA, Erica worked a combined 20 years in Government Relations, Association Management and Human Resources. Erica previously served as the Vice President of Association Management and Government Relations for a Bismarck based Government Relations firm, Human Resource Director for an energy sector company and Human Resource Manager for a nationwide trucking company. Throughout the majority of her career, she primarily worked on behalf of the aging and healthcare communities. Erica has a passion for advocacy and the people she serves. She believes integrity is the foundation of all good work and impactful change happens through service of others.
Peggy Krikava, Education Director
Phone: 701-354-9774
Email: peggy@ndltca.org
Peggy Krikava serves as the Director of Education at the North Dakota Long Term Care Association. Prior to her promotion to this role, she worked as the Education Assistant, gaining extensive experience in the planning and coordination of statewide educational events for long term care member facilities, responsibilities she continues to oversee as Director.
Prior to joining NDLTCA, Peggy spent 15 years with Sanford Health (formerly Medcenter One). She began her career as Foundation Secretary, was later promoted to Annual Support Manager with the Foundation and concluded her tenure in the Marketing Department. There, she advanced from Office Manager to Project Coordinator in digital marketing, building a strong background in communications, project management, and organizational support.
Stacy Irey, Office Manager
Phone: 701-354-9777
Email: stacy@ndltca.org
Stacy Irey joined the North Dakota Long Term Care Association in June 2024 as the Office Manager.
Prior to joining NDLTCA, Stacy worked as an Administrative Assistant with Bismarck Public Schools for 12 years. Her prior experience showed she is a dedicated and hardworking professional with a strong ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Belma Chpeljac, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 701-354-9775
Email: belma@ndltca.org
Belma Chpeljac joined the North Dakota Long Term Care Association in February 2025, where she serves as Administrative Assistant and Expo Coordinator. In these roles, she supports organizational operations, education event coordination, and the planning and coordination of the association’s expos.
Belma graduated college in May 2026 with honors, earning a bachelor’s degree with a double major in Business Administration and Marketing from North Dakota State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
In addition to her academic and professional work, Belma proudly completed her first six-year contract with the North Dakota Army National Guard in April 2025, demonstrating her commitment to service, leadership, and teamwork.
Prior to joining NDLTCA, Belma gained experience in bookkeeping, marketing, and banking through previous employment in Fargo and Bismarck, providing her with a strong foundation in financial operations, strategic communication, and customer service. This diverse background enhances the skill set she brings to her role with NDLTCA.
Theresa Sack, Director of Emergency Planning
Phone: 701-354-9776
Email: theresa@ndltca.org
Theresa Sack joined the North Dakota Long Term Care Association in March 2026, where she serves as the Director of Emergency Planning for Long Term Care, Skilled Nursing, Basic Living, Assisted Living, Home Health Care, and Hospice. Prior to joining NDLTCA, Theresa worked as a Nationally Certified Medical Assistant at Sanford Internal Medicine and Benedictine Living, a Patient Care Tech at Sanford Emergency Department and UVA Health, and a Certified Nursing Assistant at Knife River Care Center, Dakota Travel Nursing, and Prospera on Sunset. She also has more than a decade of Business Management experience, prior to finding her way into caring for people who, for many reasons, could not take care of themselves.
Theresa is passionate about making emergency preparedness accessible to everyone involved with NDLTCA by assisting with the anticipation of, response to, and recovery from crises. Her work will include developing disaster response plans, training activities, and assisting in the coordination of local agencies to ensure readiness for natural and human-made emergencies. She believes in achieving the goals of empowering people to feel confident and capable when facing uncertainties, and that preparedness is not just a plan; it is a mindset that saves lives and strengthens resilience.