Bill Allen began his career as a banker while attending college in Texas. A graduate of Lathrop High School, Bill held the job of coin wrapper in 1961. At the end of his banking career, 21 years later, he held the title of "Vice President" at Alaska Pacificbancorp.
During the administration of Governor Jay Hammond, Bill served as Commissioner of the Department of Administration. He held that post from 1976 until 1979.
Returning to Fairbanks, Bill was elected Mayor of the Fairbanks North Star Borough in 1982. After serving as Mayor, Bill owned and operated a commercial property management company. He was also active in the commercial real estate development sector.
In 1997, Bill was tapped by Morris Thompson, President of Doyon, Limited, to create and manage a commercial real estate development business for the corporation. Bill stayed with Doyon until March of 2001 when he was appointed by President Bush to be the Alaska State Director for USDA Rural Development. Rural Development serves as the lead federal entity for rural development needs, and administers program assistance through three agencies: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service. The goal of Rural Development is to improve the quality of life for residents of rural Alaska. The organization's mission statement is "no one gets left behind."
Bill Allen was active in the Fairbanks local community and was a member of the Greater Fairbanks Board of Realtors, the Board of Resource Center for Parents and children foundation, and the Alaska Airlines Community Advisory board. He has also served in numerous leadership positions for such groups as the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, where he was Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman and Founder of the State of Alaska Economic Development Forum, and others.
He currently serves on the Mat-Su Borough Assembly. He is also a member of the Board of Governance for the Foraker Group. Bill and his wife Sharon live in Palmer.
Jamie Barrett Wise Board Member
Having been raised in Palmer since 1966, I have always considered the Valley my home. I was educated in Palmer and graduated from Palmer High School and then from Montana State University in Bozeman with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Political Science and another in French.
Since graduating, I focused my business experience by selling for large wholesale lumber companies and then establishing, managing and performing all business functions for my own small wholesale lumber company. I was elected and served two years on the Board of Directors of the Western Building Materials Association, Olympia WA before moving back to Alaska to live near my family. This experience enabled me to build strong business acumen, work ethic, gave me the ability to negotiate, solve problems and provided me with excellent communication and computer skills.
I have taken these valuable assets into my private life where I have actively volunteered in many aspects within communities. My hospital setting experience includes working with the Cancer / HIV Network in hospice care in California. I also volunteered in Tacoma, WA in the renal dialysis unit at St. Joseph's Hospital before being asked to become the trainer for new volunteers in the unit.
Finally, my leisure activities vary greatly. Running, bicycling, hiking, skiing and fishing pique my interests outside while my indoor hobbies include reading, computer research, drawing, oil painting, music and the arts.
Paul DuClos, Jr. Board Member
Paul DuClos, Jr. is retired, but is still very active. He is 68 years old and has been married to his wife Sally for 43 years. They have three grown children and nine grandchildren.
Mr. DuClos came to Alaska in 1954. He attended University of Washington from 1953 to 1958. He lived in Anchorage for 40 years and has been a property owner in the Valley since 1971. He has been a resident of Big Lake since 1998. His previous board experience includes eight years with the Associated General Contractors participating on labor, manpower & training committees, Hope Cottages, Inc. for twenty-two years participating on the Buildings Committee and two years with Boys & Girls Club participating on the Buildings Committee.
Mr. DuClos stated his 50 years in the construction industry, including the DEW Line and Project Manager on several major projects including hospitals, schools (Colony High), airports, offices, government and commercial buildings (Carr's Pioneer Square and Wal-Mart) would be helpful at this time during the construction of the new Valley Hospital. He stated he would like to see the area grow and be a part of that growth and development in a responsible way.
Linda Menard Vice-Chair
Linda Menard has resided in Wasilla for 37 years with her husband of 46 years, Mayor Curt Menard. She has been a Mat-Su School District Board Member for twelve years. She received the distinguished honor of "Outstanding School Board Member" from the Mat-Su principals when she served as President. In addition, she received the First Champion for Children Award in 2007.
Linda holds a BA degree in elementary education, with a major in psychology and minor in music. In 1999 she received the "Citizen of the Year" award from the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce. In 1994, Mrs. Hickel recognized her as the "Volunteer of the Year." She was appointed member of the Governor's State Arts Council and has served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board for nearly 20 years.
Additionally, Linda is the Vice-Chairperson of the Valley Hospital Association d.b.a. Mat-Su Health Foundation Board, retired CFO for the Wasilla and Palmer Dental Centers, Inc. and President of the Mat-Su Schools Foundation Board.
Raising five children and running three marathons rank as her greatest accomplishments.
Teri Namtvedt Board Member
Teri Namtvedt is a Certified
Public Accountant
experienced in healthcare
operations and challenges,
nonprofit financial management, grant
management and was a representative on the
Mat-Su Rural Health Planning Network.
Ms. Namtvedt graduated from Dimond Senior
High in Anchorage.
She attended Oregon
State University in Corvallis, Oregon and
University of Alaska, Anchorage.
Her skills include financial statement analysis,
leadership, public speaking and presentations,
analysis of program proposals and financial
viability of proposal management and
fundraising.
She stated experience has taught her the value
of having not only affordable, quality health
care available but also the importance of
having the full continuum of healthcare
available in the community.
While working
for Mat-Su Health Services, Inc., she became
very familiar with the current healthcare
transitions taking place in our growing
community. She was involved in assessing
the current and future community needs for
primary and preventative healthcare, mental
healthcare, detox facilities and emergency
services. She would like an opportunity to
use the knowledge and experience gained to
contribute to the positive and exciting
transitions that are taking place in our
beautiful borough.
Mary Olson Board Member
Mary Eicher Olson has lived in the Valley since 1982 and is married with three grown children.
She received a Bachelors Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas in 1976 and a Master's Degree from the University of Washington in 1996.
She worked as a physical therapist in the Mat-Su School District until 2004 and currently contracts with rural school districts in Alaska. She worked part-time for Valley Hospital Home Health from 1992-1994. From 2001-2005, she served the Pediatric Section of the American Physical Therapy Association on the Board of Directors.
Local volunteer work has included VPA, MYAC, 4-H and ministries at St. Michael's Church.Her interests include life long learning, travel, gardening and theater.
Deborah Prator Recording Secretary
Deborah Prator arrived
in Alaska in 1965, one
year after the
earthquake. She was in the first
graduating class of Dimond High School
in Anchorage. She attended college in
Arlington, Texas.
Currently she manages Aurora Dental
Care of Wasilla. Deborah is married to
Dr. Mark Prator, a local dentist. The
couple has been married 38 years and
have two adult children, David Prator, Jr.
and Laura M. Maxwell.
Through the years, Deborah has always
taken an active role in her community
and has served on boards and
committees, including United Way,
MADD, Junior League, Hospice, Church
Financial and Building Committees and
library boards. She has served the Valley
Hospital Association Board, Valley
Hospital Operating Board, Mat-Su
Regional Joint Venture Board of
Directors, Healthy Communities and
others. In addition, she has served in
capacities of leadership on all of these
boards. Deborah’s commitment to her
community is strong and she has a
passion to serve people in need.
Words
can not express the joy she has received
from having had the privilege to be used
in such a way.
Cheryl Riggs Board Member
Cheryl Riggs has lived in
the Mat-Su Valley for over
25 years. She has been a
board member for numerous foundations and
nonprofits involved with fundraising and
finance.
She graduated from University of Oregon
with a Master of Science in 1979.
She has
worked for over 20 years in the education
mental health arena. She has worked for the
Mat-Su Mental Health Services in the valley
and University of Alaska Anchorage.
Since
1982, she and her husband have been partners
in an established engineering firm in the
valley.
She is a member of the National Association
of Persons with Disabilities and local
chamber of commerce. She actively supports
Oregon State University and University of
Oregon Education Foundations.
She
financially supports all local schools,
including student sports and all extra
curricular fundraisers. She was
awarded patriotic employer supporting the
national committee for Employer Support of
the National Guard and Reserves.She stated “As a civic minded person it is
important to be an active community
member.” She noted that the rapid growth
occurring in the Valley will have a direct
consequence to our health care services and
facilities. Therefore, she would like to
extend her community involvement to being
a board member representing the Valley
Hospital Association membership.
Andy Reimer
Board Member
Biography for Andy Reimer coming soon.
Mike Senta, MD
Board Member
Michael Senta, M. D. graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a BA in Chemistry in 1969, and graduated from Medical School at the University of Minnesota in 1973. His surgical residency was at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, from 1973 to 1979.
Dr. Senta is on the Active Medical Staff of Valley Hospital and is credentialed in General Surgery. He is president of Valley Surgical Associates in Palmer. In addition, Dr. Senta has participated on many committees related to the medical staff including Surgical Tissue, Credentials, and the Managed Care Committee. He is Board Certified in Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Senta has significant prior Board experience as the Chief of Staff of the Valley Hospital Medical Staff and has participated on the Operating Board as an ex-officio, voting member from 1982 to 1984. He was also on the Mat-Su Borough Emergency Services Board from 1980 to 1987 and the Mat-Su Borough Health Planning Council from 1982 to 1983. He spent one year on the Executive Committee of the Alaska State Medical Association. Dr. Senta has five children, ages 14 to 22, all born at Valley Hospital. Dr. Senta stated that with the new hospital evolving, he is very excited to be part of it.
Stacie Stigar
Board Member
Stacie Stigar is President/CEO of Marcie Project D.B.A. the UPS Store in Palmer. Since coming to Alaska in 1993, she has been actively involved in the community.
Stacie was Executive Director of United Way of Mat-Su Borough for six years starting in 1995. As a volunteer, she had a role in founding Mat-Su Community Transit (MASCOT), Mat-Su Info- Community Connections, The Children's Place and Boys & Girls Club of Palmer and Wasilla. Stacie has received the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year" in 1994 and 1997, International Association of Administrative Professionals "Boss of the Year" in 1999, Dorothy A. Jones, "Volunteer of the Year" in 2000, Frontiersman Newspaper "Business Person of the Year" in 2003 and received a legislative citation for her assistance during the Millers Reach Fire. She also belongs to many local boards and community services organizations.
Stacie, her husband Mark and daughter Sterling, enjoy all that the Mat-Su Valley has to offer - the beautiful outdoors, the strong sense of community, and the wonderful people.
Larry Tallman
Board Member
Larry Tallman has been residing in Alaska since November 1994. For his first 42 years he lived in his native country of Canada. During that time he was President & CEO of Princess Auto Ltd, an automotive & hardware business icon since it's founding in 1942. Since moving to Alaska he has been the co-owner of Animal Food Warehouse and The PetZoo.
While involved with these businesses he has taken the opportunity to become involved in numerous outside interests including sitting on the boards of The Better Business Bureau, The International Federation Of Sled Dog Sports, and The Wasilla Rotary Club.
Mr. Tallman offers some rather unique insights into healthcare as a result of being a veteran of both the Canadian and the American health care systems. He and his wife Claire are raising their Alaskan born daughter, Crystal, in The Mat-Su Valley.
Craig Thorn
Chairman
A lifelong Alaskan, Craig has been employed with First National Bank for over twenty years. He received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Western Washington University in 1984.
Since joining First National, he has served in a variety of positions including Palmer Branch Manager, Main Branch Manager, Special Assistant to the President, and Manager of the Wasilla Branch. For the last ten years, he has served as the Mat-Su Regional Supervisor where he oversees the lending and operations of the Palmer, Wasilla, and Eagle River Branches. In January 2004 he was appointed Sr. Vice President and serves on the Senior Management team of the bank.
Craig has been married to his wife, Debbie, for 19 years and they have three children; Taylor, Brade, and Annalene.
Craig has been very active in the community, serving as past-president of the Palmer Chamber of Commerce, Campaign Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Mat Su, past President of the Palmer Rotary Club,
and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Valley Hospital Foundation. He currently serves as an Elder at Wasilla Christian Church.
Stan Tucker
Secretary/Treasurer
As a resident of our Valley for over fifty years, I have a love for our area and a desire to see the Valley enjoy the very best future it can possibly have. A well-developed health care system is an essential for that future.
I have served on the Association Board of Valley Hospital Association for over six years. I also served on the Operating Board for five years, working on the joint venture for our new hospital. My experience gives me insight as we continue to work with our capital partner and transition into our new facility. Furthermore, I also serve our Association on the Board of Trustees of the Joint Venture. As a board member of the Association, I will be able to continue knowledgably representing our Association there.
Our association is good, strong, and sharp; but we must now utilize our assets for the continued good of our community and our good health. I wish "to enhance the health of those we serve."
Jack Williams
Board Member
Jack Williams has been a resident of Alaska since 1976 and a resident of the Matanuska Susitna Valley since 1990.He is the owner of First Montauck Securities Corporation in Wasilla Alaska and owns Alaskan Sampler Bed and Breakfast, also in Wasilla.
Jack graduated from high school in LaGrande Oregon. He graduated from college at Eastern New Mexico University with a BBA in Accounting and History in 1976.
His previous Board experience includes Valley Hospital Foundation Board of Directors where he participated on the Investment Committee. He was on the Board of Directors of the Blood Bank of Alaska from 1998 to 2004 where his responsibilities included committee work on the Finance Committee, Budget & Audit Committee. He held positions as Treasurer, Vice President and President. He later accepted the position of CEO.
