14719 W. Grand Avenue
Surprise, AZ 85374
14719 W. Grand Avenue
Surprise, AZ 85374
Copyright 2024 Sun Health. 501(c)(3) #23-7107959. All rights reserved.
Irene Kovala was born in Ashland, Wisconsin, on the south shore of Lake Superior, and grew up in Duluth, Minnesota. She has lived in Arizona since 2011. Irene spent her career in public higher education for 44 years around the country. She has served in several positions in college and university Administration – cutting her teeth as an admissions counselor and working her way to President of Glendale Community College through the years. She retired in 2016. Her passion is for the community college purpose, providing opportunities for students who normally wouldn’t receive it.
In the past, Irene served on multiple professional boards, such as the ACT regional committees in Illinois and Minnesota, the President of IACAC (The Illinois Association of College Admissions Counselors), a regional branch of NACAC, and the WESTMARC executive committee. Irene currently serves as the Sun Health Services Chair and the Sun Health Governance Chair. Irene enjoys serving with Sun Health because the board is engaged, active and creative – especially under strategic visionary leadership.
Neal Haskell grew up in McCook, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a degree in Business Administration. He owned a design company in San Francisco, CA. Neal also owned CDH Capital Management in Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked closely with individuals and businesses, specializing in comprehensive wealth assessment, management and preservation.
He moved to Arizona in 2014 and has more than 25 years of experience working in Wealth Management.
Having previously served as a board member for the San Francisco Art Institute, and churches in both Nebraska and Arizona, Neal is proud to join the Sun Health Board as a way of giving back to an organization that has long served the community with its commitment to philanthropy, healthcare, individual health and purposeful living for the entire West Valley. He and his wife, Sarah, have been married more than 40 years and enjoy staying active alongside their four children and five grandchildren.
Lew Lancaster was born and raised in Florida. He graduated from University of Florida with a degree in Finance and then earned his MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology. He began his career at a local commercial bank and later joined a Fortune 100 Company serving in roles ranging from a Financial Manager, to Controller and Director. He is retired with over 30 years of financial management experience.
Lew has a Six Sigma Green Belt certification and has volunteered his expertise to support a wide array of organizations throughout the years, including church finance committees, Community Youth Athletic Association, and Bank & Trust Company Advisory Board. He was also an Adjunct Finance and Operations Professor for two Arizona universities. Additionally, he’s a Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM). Lew moved to Arizona in 1993 and joined the Sun Health Board to serve his community and provide financial leadership while to support its mission of helping people live longer, healthier, more meaningful lives. He currently serves as Treasurer and Chairs the Finance & Investment Committee for Sun Health Foundation.
Mark W. Reifsteck was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, where he earned a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Washington University. Mark spent his career managing hospitals and health systems. He currently acts as the principal healthcare consultant at his own company, MWR Associates, working in the healthcare field in interim leadership roles and advising hospitals regarding regulatory compliance matters.
He moved to Arizona in 2021 after having owned property here since 2005.
In addition to serving on the Sun Health Board, Mark served on the Bethesda Health Board, an LTC organization based in St. Louis. He also serves as a member of the Washington University in St. Louis’s Institute of Public Health National Council.
Joe La Rue is the president and CEO of Sun Health, a local nonprofit organization that champions healthy living, research and superior health care through community partnerships. Prior to his position as CEO, Joe was Sun Health’s Executive Vice President.
Before joining Sun Health in 2005, Joe practiced law in the Sun Cities area for 16 years with an emphasis in real estate, finance, development and health care, working closely with Sun Health. Since 1988, Joe has served in many elected and appointed positions including the Peoria City Council, WESTMARC, Arizona State Transportation Board, Maricopa Association of Governments, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Maricopa County Transportation Board and other Peoria and City of Surprise committees.
In 2012, Joe was appointed to the Arizona State Transportation Board to represent Maricopa County, and still serves as Vice Chairman of the Board. La Rue is also a member of the WESTMARC Board of Directors. Previously, he was a member of the Maricopa County Transportation Advisory Board, representing District 4. From 1997 to 2001, La Rue was on the Peoria City Council.
In 2012, Joe was appointed to the Arizona State Transportation Board to represent Maricopa County, and still serves as Vice Chairman of the Board. La Rue is also a member of the WESTMARC Board of Directors. Previously, he was a member of the Maricopa County Transportation Advisory Board, representing District 4. From 1997 to 2001, La Rue was on the Peoria City Council.
Joe received a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1985 and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 1988. Joe has lived in Maricopa County for approximately 40 years and currently resides in Peoria with his wife Suzy. They have five daughters and three grandchildren.
Mary Cavanaugh-Marsh began her financial services career with a large bank. In 1993, she transitioned to a national brokerage firm and became a financial advisor in 1994. Mary currently works for Edward Jones as a financial advisor since 2009. She provides highly personalized services for all aspects of the financial business to meet her clients’ unique goals and needs.
Mary has been active in the local community for many years. She is a member of the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Litchfield Elementary School District Educational Foundation and is an active Rotarian and past Rotary president.
Mary is also a member of the Edward Jones Grassroots Task Force, which is dedicated to making the voice of the individual investor heard on Capitol Hill. The task force is comprised of financial advisors and branch office administrators from all 50 states. Its representatives serve as a constituent resource for elected officials and staff to ensure they are well-informed on legislative and regulatory issues impacting individual investors.
For Sun Health, Mary serves on the Governance Committee, Events Committee and the La Loma Committee.
Greg W. Gilstrap started his career as a broadcast and print journalist. In Topeka, Kansas, he was Director of Tourism for the State of Kansas. Moving to Arizona in 1993 became a partner in two highly successful Arizona tourism industry publishing and strategic planning firms. He also served as the Arizona Cabinet Secretary for Tourism. Greg is currently a member of the Arizona Tourism Industry’s Hall of Fame.
As a guest professor, Greg has taught at Arizona State University and New York University. In addition to Sun Health, he previously served on advisory boards for Temple University, Northern Arizona University, and the Arizona Humanities Council. Greg was the previous president of the Arizona Tourism Alliance (now a part of the influential Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association). He has delivered keynote addresses and served on panel discussions in approximately 20 states. Greg is the publisher of the photography and travel blog mygrandpadude.com, and he previously published photoremedy.me for those suffering from chronic pain. He had Screen Actor’s Guild speaking lines in the 1988 American crime drama film that starred Matt Dillon and Andrew McCarthy. In addition to the charitable organizations, Greg is currently the President of the Order of Malta, Phoenix Auxiliary. The International Order of Malta has served the poor and sick for more than 900 years. Greg has also taught (and participated in) Bible studies in a number of Phoenix-area Catholic Churches for more than 25 years, and was the fundraising chairman for the building of a new church for St. Patrick’s Parish in Scottsdale.
Greg loves to focus on his three children and seven grandchildren with his wife of 41 years (Mary). They decided long ago to dedicate a great portion of their lives to serving their faith and local communities. As new Sun City West residents, Sun Health offers the perfect opportunity to continue their tradition. Sun Health’s drive and commitment to helping West Valley residents live longer, healthier and more purposeful lives fulfills an incredible community need.
Gary Marrer was born in Berlin, New Hampshire, and lived many years in Upstate New York. He has lived in Arizona since 1995. He earned an Associate’s degree in Business Administration from Monroe Community College, a Bachelor’s in Economics from SUNY Geneseo, a Master’s in Education from Northern Arizona University, and an MBA from Binghamton University.
Gary has spent his career in various technology-related positions in corporate and higher education. He spent 20 years at corporations such as IBM, GE, Savin and Karsten Manufacturing. He is a self-labeled technology geek. Most recently, he retired from a 20-year career at Glendale Community College, teaching technology courses. Since 2020, he has been teaching at ASU in the fundamentals of IT and programming.
In addition to serving on the Sun Health Services board as the chair of the technology Committee, he and his wife dedicate time to the Senior-to-Senior program through the Pebble Creek/Goodyear Rotary, where they mentor students, learning from each other. He is also active in clubs and organizations at the Pebble Creek Resort Community.
Herman Orcutt, born in Hastings, Nebraska, has lived in Arizona since 1944. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from ASU. After spending two years with the Peace Corps in North Africa, he began his own architectural firm with a partner, Orcutt-Winslow Architecture. Though retired since 2008, the firm, now owned by the employees, continues to carry the Orcutt name and has expanded nationwide.
Herman is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is a founding member of Healthcare Architects of America. He has garnered several recognitions for his service to the community, including the Arizona Association of Economic Development’s William W. Lampkin Award for Long-term Excellence in Economic Development. During his tenure on the WESTMARC board, which he helped found, he received the John F. Long Lifetime Achievement Award. Herman still serves on the WESTMARC board in an advisory role after his service as chairman for six years. For his service to the YMCA as Valley of the Sun board chair, he received the Family of the Year Award.
Herman served on the Barrow Neurological Foundation board for nine years and continues to serve on the Beatitudes Campus of Care board. He is also on the Pendergast Elementary School Education Foundation board and the Washington Elementary Education Foundation board. In addition, he sits on Imagine School boards for 20 schools throughout Maricopa County. He was instrumental as an original board member, appointed by the president of the Arizona Senate, in working to pass the referendum in the West Valley to build the Cardinals Stadium. Herman was the chairman of the Construction Committee overseeing the facility as it was built. Since 2000, Herman has been a board member of the City of Surprise Sun Dancers, the volunteer group that operates the Surprise Stadium during Spring Training. In addition to previously serving on the Sun Health Services Board as Chairman for three years, he is presently Chair of the La Loma Committee and Chair of the Hilltop Task Force.
Sharon Orlopp was born in Pasadena, CA and was raised in Colorado Springs, CO. She moved to Arizona in 2015. In 2018, she moved to Seattle to join a tech startup focused on cryptocurrency and take the company public. Sharon was a senior executive at Walmart as the Global Chief Diversity Officer and at Orange Theory Fitness as HR Director. Sharon retired in 2022 and moved back to Sun City West to be close to her mother who lives nearby.
After spending 30+ years in Fortune 500 companies in senior executive roles in HR and Diversity and Inclusion, she is now an inspirational speaker, book reviewer, and author. Sharon is the founder of Orlopp Enterprise. She co-authored the book Standing Up After Saigon, which is a memoir about Thuhang Tran, who contracted polio as a toddler and crawled on the floor for 17 years. She is currently working on two other book projects which are memoirs. She also consults on HR projects and speaks on HR-related issues, diversity, inclusion, and leadership.
In addition to Sun Health, Sharon has served on the Board of The Harwood Institute since 2015 and is currently the treasurer. She has sat on the Advisory Board at the University of Denver for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences division. Sharon serves as an Advisory Board Member for Blugin, a tech startup focused on disruptive HR software to better match candidates and job openings. Finally, at Patheer, Sharon was an Advisor for this tech startup focused on HR software.
Dr. Rey Rivera, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a proud Texan, has always been passionate about education and community development. His journey began in San Antonio, Texas, where he laid the foundation for his career. In 1996, he brought his expertise to Arizona and now serves as the third president of Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), a role he has held since 2019. Under his leadership, Rey has been pivotal in steering the college through expansive growth and strategic innovation.
Rey’s leadership style is a critical factor in his success. He oversees a $46.5 million budget and a diverse team, including three Vice Presidents and over 350 full-time staff. His focus on data-driven decisions and continuous improvement guides the team, while his commitment to servant leadership fosters validating environments that promote employee collaboration and empowerment.
Among his key accomplishments at EMCC, Rey has been instrumental in revising the college’s Strategic Plan, incorporating a 4DX framework that focuses on enhancing graduation rates, sustaining enrollment growth, and making EMCC a rewarding workplace. He has also been a driving force behind significant workforce development initiatives, aligning college resources with the economic needs of the West Valley in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. Notable projects under his tenure include establishing the Microsoft Data Center Academy and pioneering an AI and Machine Learning partnership with Intel and Chandler-Gilbert Community College, which garnered the Innovator of the Year – Academia award at the 2022 AZ Governor’s Celebration of Innovation.
Rey’s academic journey is a testament to his commitment to education. He holds a Doctor of Education in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Arizona State University, a Master of Science in Mathematics from Purdue University, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from The University of Texas at Austin. These academic achievements have equipped him with the necessary knowledge and shaped his leadership style, making him a respected figure in education and community development.
His service extends beyond EMCC through various leadership roles on boards and councils. Rey is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges’ Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the National Community College Hispanic Council, and co-founder of the Arizona Hispanic Serving Institution Consortium. Additionally, he contributes to the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Board of Directors and the Higher Learning Commission Peer Review Corps.
Driven by a passion for service and an unwavering commitment to improving educational and healthcare outcomes, Rey’s decision to join the Sun Health Services and Sun Health Foundation Boards stems from a deep-seated commitment to enhancing the quality of life and healthcare in the West Valley.
Gerald (Jerry) Solomon was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up in Southern California, where he earned a degree from Cal State at Fullerton. He lived for 30 years in the Pacific Northwest and moved to Arizona in 2004. In Seattle, Jerry spent the first half of his career in the tech industry, working at various small companies; he has a passion for entrepreneurialism. Jerry’s was the first company in Seattle to raise more than 1 million in venture capital. Most of his time in tech was spent in start-ups, except for a period at Texas Instruments. The second part of Jerry’s career was in the chemical industry with Great Lakes Chemical in international sales.
Jerry volunteered for the Little Red School House Board in Seattle. The organization helps children with impairments between newborn and 3 years old. In Arizona, Jerry served on various Benevilla committees. He has served on the Sun Health Board for almost 12 years. Currently, at Sun Health, he Chairs three areas: the Middle Market Task Force, the Strategic Plan Committee, and the Health and Wellness Committee. Jerry was the past chair of the Services and Foundation boards.
Ron Symic spent 38 years with Japan Airlines developing and implementing marketing plans, sales and customer service policies and budgets. Among other corporate positions, he launched marketing, promotional, development and advertising programs for large and small private and non-profit national and international organizations. He is currently the President/Owner of a travel insurance company, Bradley Travel Insurance, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He holds an Alberta Insurance License. Since 2008, he has spent half of the year in Arizona.
Among Ron’s multiple volunteer and community contributions, Ron has served on three Arizona Super Bowl organizing committees and as Sun Health Foundations Events Board Chairman. Ron currently volunteers as the Sun Health Foundation Secretary and Vice Chair of its Outreach Committee. He also is the Director of the Alberta Diabetes Foundation and Alberta Diabetes Institute.
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