LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman, the chairman of an association of American governors, is heading to the group’s annual meeting in Virginia.

The Nebraska Republican is scheduled to arrive at the National Governors Association meeting on Thursday. The gathering for Republican and Democratic governors runs through Sunday.

Heineman has served as the group’s chairman since July 2011, and is the first Nebraska governor to hold the title in 50 years. His one-year term ends Sunday, when he will be replaced by Delaware Gov. Jack Markell.

Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy is currently serving as chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

The National Governors Association represents the governors of all 50 U.S. states, and five U.S. territories.