Mat-Su Health Foundation welcomes new Board of Directors members

On Wednesday, the Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors: David Eller, Ross Newcombe and Hilary Stark.

Eller has been a financial advisor since 2008 and holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. He also served as a School Resource Officer while a Wasilla police officer and he was a 911 dispatcher with the Palmer Police Department. He also has a background in firefighting and paramedicine, serving with the Central Mat-Su Fire Department and the former Wasilla Ambulance Service, respectively.

Currently, Eller serves as a volunteer Chaplain for these agencies, and he serves on the Board of Supervisors for the Central Mat-Su Fire Department. In addition, David has served on the Elder Board at Wasilla Bible Church.

Newcombe serves as the CEO of North Star Behavioral Health System. Prior to that, he was the CFO and COO for Providence Alaska Medical Center. Prior to that, Newcombe, a 20-year veteran of the United States Army, served in multiple command and staff positions. After initially serving in leadership roles as an aeromedical evacuation pilot, he graduated from the Army Medical Department Comptroller Internship Program, located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and served as CFO/COO for various commands for which he has received numerous accolades and decorations.

Stark, a Mat-Su Borough native, has a background in both healthcare and public safety. She has spent the last decade serving the State of Alaska working for the Department of Corrections in various roles including finance, budget management, and as an administrative officer overseeing various departments within Mat-Su Pretrial. Prior to her state service, Stark was employed in the private sector, working in hospitals and nursing homes as a certified nursing assistant. She previously has volunteered with several agencies and nonprofits around Alaska, including Palmer Pioneer Home and Hope Community Resources.

Service on the MSHF Board is on a volunteer basis. Board members serve an initial 3-year term, and each term may be renewed for two additional 3-year terms.

In addition to adding three new board members, the MSHF thanked two board members whose service ended. Richard Porter termed off after three service terms, and Philip Licht elected to step away after one term.

The Board of Directors also announced officers to serve from June 2023 through June 2024. Lisa Wade will move from vice-chair to chair, and Lisa Smayda was named vice chair. Teri Namtvedt continues as secretary/treasurer.

The recruitment process for the MSHF Board of Directors starts with mapping current board members on a matrix that identifies the strengths of the board, as well as gaps that need to be filled. The matrix also looks at geography, gender, age, race, lived experience and professional experience to ensure that the Foundation has a board that represents all of the people who call Mat-Su home.

For more information, visit www.healthymatsu.org/about/board-of-directors.