Danny Barela
Danny Barela is EMS Program Director at Mesa State College. He is the former coordinator for Colorado's Northwest Regional EMS and Trauma Advisory Council. He also serves as one of the governor-appointed members of the State's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council (SEMTAC), where Danny serves on a variety of taskforces and committees. For 25+ years, Danny has provided rural assistance in many ways and through many positions including Flight Paramedic, EMS Instructor, Mine Rescue Team Medic, and Ambulance District Manager. He is a graduate of Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs and has since received a wide range of specialized EMS, Trauma and Healthcare Management training.

Randy Evetts, President
Randy is the Executive Director of the Southeastern Colorado Area Health Education Center. Previously, his work included managing rural health clinics in the Rocky Ford area and directing the Office of Rural Outreach at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. Randy is a member of the J-1 Visa Advisory Committee and is serving a one year term on the Colorado Health Care Community Board. He also serves on the Board for the Caring for Colorado Foundation, Pueblo Rotary 43 and is the chair for the Pueblo City Schools Health and Safety Advisory Committee. Randy received his B.S. in Biological Sciences at Colorado State University and an MPA at the University of New Mexico.

Lisa Filipczak
Lisa Filipczak is a Senior Physician Relations Representative at The Children’s Hospital. Her position and previous work experience involve visiting health care providers and hospital administrators in rural and metro areas of CO, KS, MT, NE, and WY. Lisa also has experience working as a meeting and event planner. The University of Connecticut awarded her a BA in Medical Sociology in 1992. Lisa has served as a Council Member of the Colorado Rural Health Center and the Colorado Health and Hospital Association. Lisa’s community volunteer work includes volunteering at The Samaritan House, a homeless shelter in downtown Denver, and volunteering with the Colorado Special Olympics.

Arlene Harms
Arlene Harms began her rural health career at Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke, Colorado in 1976 as a laboratory technician. During her tenure at the hospital she wore multiple hats and worked in many different clinical areas. She served as a cardiovascular tech and implemented the hospital’s Cardiac Rehab Unit, became a certified x-ray technician and EMT and served as ancillary supervisor for 12 years. She taught Medical Technology at a junior college in Nebraska for five years. Arlene also served as Compliance Officer and Assistant Administrator before becoming the hospital’s Administrator in 2000. In 2006, Arlene relocated to the San Luis Valley where she now serves as the CEO of Rio Grande Hospital in Del Norte.

Bryan Hess
As the EMS Department Director for Gunnison Valley Hospital since 2003, Bryan has over 24 years’ experience in Emergency Medical Services. He also serves as the Director of the EMS Education Department, a Colorado State Training Center for EMT Basics and EMT Intermediates. Bryan has served on the local Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council, both as a current representative member and as the past Vice-chair and Chair. He is currently on the board for the Colorado Chapter of International Trauma Life Support. In 2004, Bryan was awarded the CRHC Rural Healthcare Excellence Award and was most recently awarded the Gunnison Chamber of Commerce Shining Star Award.

Sheryl Hieber
Sheryl Hieber has had the pleasure of being the Administrator for Surface Creek Family Practice for the past 10 years. Following the 3 "R"s from childhood, her primary job functions are Recruitment, Retention, and Relocation. Surface Creek Family Practice has grown from single provider/single location to four providers and three clinic locations within Delta County. Sheryl’s previous healthcare experience includes Alzheimer’s Unit Director and Hospital Business Office Manager.

Pam Nicholson
Pam Nicholson has served the Centura Health family for more than 20 years, most recently as senior vice president for strategic integration. Pam has extensive experience in managed care operations, payer relations, strategic planning, contracting, claims management, benefit design, physician relations and health care network development. She is a member of the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development and the American College of Healthcare Executives. She is also a Bighorn Leadership Fellow.

Robert Omer, Treasurer
Bob Omer is the Chief Executive Officer of Pioneers Medical Center, a facility that includes Pioneers Hospital, Walbridge Wing (SNF), and The Meeker Family Health Center (PB-RHC). Bob also serves on the Boards of The Western Healthcare Alliance and The Colorado Association of Healthcare Executives. His nearly 30 years experience in executive management includes tertiary, community, rural hospitals and nursing homes, physician clinics and practices, and rural healthcare in the Midwest and Mountain West. Bob is a graduate of both The University of Utah (B.S.) and Washington University (MHA) in Saint Louis. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Karen Tomky
Karen Tomky, RN, MSN, CFNP is native of Olney Springs, Colorado where her family farm is located. Karen practices as a nurse practitioner at Centennial Family Health Center in Ordway and is the only full time provider of healthcare services in Crowley County, where she also serves as County Coroner. Karen served on the Provider Task Force of the 208 (Blue Ribbon) Commission for Health Care Reform, and on the Governor-appointed Scopes of Care Task Force. She is a past recipient of the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Human Caring in 2001 from the Colorado Nurses Foundation, which honors nurses who best exemplify the philosophy and practice of Florence Nightingale, a 19th century nursing pioneer who epitomized the art of helping people toward their optimal health. Karen also serves on the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Colorado Area Health Education Center.

Vonie Weaver, Secretary
Vonie Weaver is the Inaugural Director of the Wray Senior Community Center. She has a CNA license and operates her own business, Senior Reasons, providing home care to seniors in need. She is a master trainer for the Chronic Disease Self Management program and also instructs Arthritis classes in her community. Vonie has been in the field of senior wellness for over 20 years. Formerly working for Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled and the Wray Rehabilitation and Activities Center, she has provided services to the older adult population in a community based setting as well as nursing care facilities.