Memorial Community Health Welcomes Two Members to Operations Board
Memorial Community Health, Inc. (MCHI) is pleased to announce the election of two new members to their operations board of directors. Ken Spray of Clay Center and Harlan Schafer of Aurora were elected to the board in April and June 2018 respectively. The 15 member volunteer board governs MCHI, which is a private, not for profit organization that receives no tax support.
“Members of our board of directors each bring unique strengths, experience and insight to governing all divisions of Memorial Community Health,” commented Diane Keller. “Our board members are leaders among the community, and we couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Ken and Harlan to the group as we continue to focus on providing exceptional healthcare and strengthen our ties to the communities we serve.”
Ken Spray As a resident of the Clay Center area for the past 43 years, Ken brings a variety of business and management experience to the board. Ken managed Boyd Lumber Co., the family lumber, hardware, plumbing, and HVAC business, for over 20 years. He also started and managed an Internet, computer repair, and networking business in Clay Center for nearly 20 years. Ken served with the US Air Force and has long been involved with agriculture and livestock with his sons on the family farm located west of Clay Center -- a farm that has been in the family for over 140 years. Ken is active in the community and has served as a school board and ESU board member for many years. He and his wife, Ramona, have three sons: Daniel and wife Karen of Norfolk, Michael and wife Lindsey of Clay Center, and Johnathan and wife Elizabeth of Fairfield. They are also blessed with six grandsons and two granddaughters.
Harlan Schafer A native of Aurora, Harlan has a broad range of agri-business and management experience. Harlan served in the U.S. Navy, during which time he and his wife, Peg, lived in Florida, California, Idaho and South Carolina. Upon his return from the Navy, Harlan initially worked with his father at Schafer Service Company for four years, and then joined Aurora Cooperative where he worked for 20 years. In 2007, Harlan accepted a general management position at Farmers Cooperative in Ravenna, and later became VP of Agronomy at Cooperative Producers Inc. in Hastings. In 2016, he retired from the cooperative system. Today, Harlan works as a recruiter to the grain and feed industry for Hansen Agri-Placement in Grand Island. He has served on the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department for 14 years, including 6 years as Fire Chief. He was also a part-time Fire Service Instructor for the Nebraska State Fire Marshal, and was appointed by two Nebraska governors to serve on the State Emergency Response Commission. Harlan has served on the Aurora city council, his church council, and other volunteer committees. He and Peg have four children: Kiley (Charles) James of Aurora, Hagan (Kristina) Schafer of Silver Spring, MD, Dan (Jennifer) Schafer of Hampton and Lacey (Nathan) Mason of Hampton, and enjoys being “grampa” to his eight grandchildren.
Ken Spray and Harlan Schafer join board members Dennis Ferguson (President), Jason Schneider (Vice President), Roger Levering (Secretary), Jayne Smith (Treasurer), Brad Bish, Wayne Hahn, Mark Klute, Jennie Kuehner, Damon McDonald, Brian Morrow, Deryl Nissen, Judy Salmon, and Roger Scott.
