The Greene County Medical Center Foundation board of directors saw a changing of the guard with the new year. Longtime member Dave Pedersen retired and new member Max Neese was sworn in.
Pedersen served for more than nine years, the maximum amount of time allotted. He initially accepted a seat when asked because the hospital is important to him. “It’s very easy to advocate for the Greene County Medical Center,” Pedersen said. “They have figured out what works best and how to position it. Personnel-wise, there are really great things going on and a lot of that comes from management. We have facilities and a hospital that are top of the line.”
The Foundation’s mission is to support and fundraise for the medical center and Pedersen is proud he has helped them meet their equipment, technology and educational healthcare needs. The Foundation also owns and oversees Ever Greene Ridge, a community for independent seniors. Pedersen served on the board when ownership was transitioned from the hospital to the Foundation. “There were lots of challenges, but Nancy [Houska, Foundation Director] has done an unbelievable job over there,” he said. “The people who live there are happy and I give all the credit to staff for that.”
Pedersen served as president of the board for many years, finding that in the giving, you get something in return. “It all comes back to me as personal relationships, the people we get to work with on the board. Friendships grow from that too,” he said. He also offered a few words of wisdom to the other board members, “You’re doing it all in the realm of helping people and our community, what could be better than that? Just keep doing what you’re doing for all the quality people that work here and the people they serve.”
The newest member, Max Neese, has an historical connection to the medical center as both of his grandmothers, Connie Neese and Ruth Feldmann, and his mother Kate Neese were nurses here. This, in part, drives his similar goal of giving back where he grew up. “I was born and raised in Grand Junction and lived in Greene County nearly my entire life,” Neese said. He left briefly after graduating from Greene County High School to attend Iowa State University, majoring in finance and financial planning. “I was honored to be asked to serve and I am excited to be involved in the future of our communities.”
As a newcomer to the board, he wants to take time to get better acclimated with the processes, the mission and the vision. However, he feels he will bring value to the table, “One of my strengths is being adept at active listening,” he explained. “I can ask good, open-ended questions. This helps us dig up more than just surface-level or Q & A details.”
He also refers to himself as a “glue guy.” “I want others to be involved and realize their purpose and I like working to pull that out of people,” said Neese. “I suppose I bring a different perspective as well being the youngest board member.”
Neese is a Certified Financial Planner with Journey Financial in Jefferson. He recently also became a board member for the Iowa Chiropractic Education and Research Foundation (ICERF), supporting his wife Dr. Haley (Kraus) Neese, who has a chiropractic practice in Carroll. The couple welcomed their first child, Beckett, in July.
“In my line of work, I really value education and understanding how things work. I hope to be able to use that experience in learning, using that in our decisions and then educating others about what the medical center and Foundation do because this hospital is important to me, my family and the entire Greene County community.”
