MSHF board announces new chair, members

Frontiersman.com

MAT-SU —Mat-Su Health Foundation recently added three new members to its 14-member board of directors.

Ken Kincaid, Mary Olson and Randy Westbrook were elected to three-year terms as board members. In addition, Linda Conover was elected as the board’s chair. Scott Johannes is the new vice chair, and Andy Reimer was elected to a second term as secretary/treasurer.

Conover brings a wealth of experience to her new role as chair and is serving her second term with the board.

“I’m proud of the difference the Mat-Su Health Foundation has made in the Valley,” Conover said. “In addition to the work we do with grants and scholarships, we also help govern Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, helping to ensure that its charity care and public education programs meet the community’s needs.”

She looks forward to using her board experience and strong business background in her new role.

Conover has worked as a teacher, licensed insurance agent, office manager and school administrative secretary. She previously owned an educational consulting company and is currently owner/designer of a local web design business. She also volunteers at two local schools. Conover has a master’s degree in education from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a bachelor’s degree in the same field from Western Washington University.

Kincaid has an extensive business background, having spent many years owning a successful commercial real estate appraisal company. He completed some of the most complex appraisal assignments in Alaska. The diversity of these projects helped hone Kincaid’s skill of getting up to speed on new industries quickly. Kincaid has also served on numerous boards and commissions, including Northgate Alaska Elder Board, Mat-Su Borough Board of Equalization, Alaska Board of Real Estate Appraisers and the board of Matanuska-Susitna Christian School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics at California State University, Chico. Kincaid was born in Homer and has lived in Palmer for most of his life.

Olson served as a Mat-Su Health Foundation board member from 2005-11 and is happy to be involved again in this role. Olson worked for the Mat-Su Borough School District as a physical therapist until her retirement in 2004. She currently provides physical therapy services in rural schools in Alaska and intermittent physical therapy services in the pediatric physical therapy department at Alaska Native Medical Center.

Olson has been involved in the American Physical Therapy Association, its Alaska Chapter and the Pediatric Section of the APTA, as well as serving in several elected positions and on committees for the group. She has a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Kansas, a Master of Science degree in rehabilitation medicine from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from the University of Kansas.

Westbrook is an attorney with his own practice in Wasilla with an emphasis in real estate and business law. Westbrook previously served on the Valley Hospital board of directors. He has also served on other Mat-Su nonprofit boards, including 10 years with Victory Ministries and on the original board of directors for Heartreach Center. He has been very active in the Wasilla Rotary club, serving as president twice, district secretary twice and executive assistant district governor. Westbrook has a juris doctorate degree from Seattle University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Rockford College.

Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su.

For more information, visit matsuhealthfoundation.org.