Steve Shields
CEO and President
Steve Shields is the President/CEO of Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan , Kansas and a sought-after national speaker and presenter on leadership and transformation in long-term care. Meadowlark has become a national leader in the creation of a resident-directed model and conducts day long education seminars on site to educate providers on the model and its application. Participants from 37 states and 12 foreign countries have utilized this experience to further deepen their culture change journeys. Shields is on the faculty of the Kansas State University ’s Center on Aging where he teaches Leadership in Long-Term Care and is also on the Center’s Advisory Board. Shields is a member of the Pioneer Board. Shields provides presentations, retreats, and strategic planning services surrounding organizational transformation by nationally and internationally. Steve graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Major: Social Work; Secondary Major Gerontology; Emphasis study: Long-Term Care Administration.
Willie Novotny
Chief Operating Mentor
willie.novotny@meadowlark.org
Willie Novotny is the Chief Operating Officer for Meadowlark Hills. He has been with Meadowlark Hills since 2000. Previous to his tenure at Meadowlark he was the Business Office Manager and Marketing Director with Valley View Estates in Junction City , KS . He grew up in Pratt , KS and received a bachelor of science from Kansas State University with a Secondary Major in Gerontology/ Long Term Care Administration. His responsibilities include serving as Administrator of Record for the Healthcare and Assisted Living Households and Home Health, Hospice and Therapy Services. He is also responsible for operational leadership of Meadowlark Hills’ Food Services programs. Novotny serves the community of Manhattan as Vice Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters and Kansas State University and the state of Kansas as a member of the PEAK Advisory board and the Kansas Culture Change Coalition Board of Directors. Novotny lives in Manhattan, KS, is married to Kylie, and has two children, Alayne, six, and Matthew, 1.
Mike Davis
Director of Environmental Services
mike.davis@meadowlark.org
Mike Davis has been with Meadowlark Hills for 14 years. He has oversight and management of environmental services including building and grounds maintenance, housekeeping and laundry. Mike is certified in heating and cooling and refrigeration.
Gail M. Urban
Chief Financial Officer and
Director of Human Resources
gail.urban@meadowlark.org
Gail Urban is the Chief Financial Officer of Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community, located in Manhattan, Kansas. While financial management and reporting is Gail’s primary responsibility, her other responsibilities include organizational development related to investment portfolio, information systems, human resource, and supply inventory management. Prior to joining Meadowlark Hills, Gail served as Executive Director of Community Health Council in Manhattan, KS , and Director of Financial Services for Mercy Health Services Corporation in Joplin, Missouri . Gail currently serves the Manhattan community as a board member of Riley County Law Board and the K-State Center of Child Development Advisory Board., Board of Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Leadership Manhattan, Amanda Arnold Elementary PTA, and Kansas Health Partner’s Benefit Association. She is also member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Human Resource Management. Gail graduated from Washburn University with a Master of Business Administration, majoring in Management in 1999. She also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance, from Fort Hays State University (1988.)
Jeff Chapman
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
& Executive Director of the Meadowlark Hills Foundation
jeff.chapman@meadowlark.org
Media contact Jeff at 785-313-0956
Meet The Marketing Team!
Jeff Chapman serves in the capacity of marketing, communications, public relations, and fundraising for both the Meadowlark Hills Foundation and Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community. Jeff has a background of over twenty years in volunteer and professional fundraising; including time with the Kansas State University Foundation as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations as well as the Director of Development for the College of Business Administration. Previous to his professional career in development, Jeff raised hundreds of thousands of dollars as a volunteer for the arts, athletic programs, politics and various community organizations in Salina , Manhattan and across Kansas. Jeff has a B.S.degree in Social Sciences from Kansas State University with emphasis in human resource management, labor and industrial relations. Jeff has been with Meadowlark since 2001. Jeff Currently serves as Chair of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Retire to the Flinthills Committee, Chair of the City of Manhattan Partner City Committee, Vice-Chair of the City of Manhattan Social Services Advisory Board, is a Past President, Paul Harris Fellow and Rotarian of the Year for the Manhattan Konza Rotary Club, Serves on the boards and is past chair of the First Presbyterian Church of Manhattan Board of Deacons, and the City/University Special Projects Fund. Jeff serves on the board of Leadership Manhattan, the Amanda Arnold Elementary Site Council and is a volunteer consultant to Manhattan Day Care and Learning Center, and is an annual Scholastic Judge for the Kansas Junior Miss Contest. Jeff is a member of Helping International Students and hosts students attending Kansas State University each semester. Jeff gives regular lectures to Kansas State classes about leadership, networking and retirement community living. Jeff is a United States Tennis Association Official, a published political cartoonist, a volunteer youth coach for Manhattan Parks and Recreation Services and a political consultant for local, state and national campaigns.