JobfitMatters and Hope Haven, Inc. (Rock Valley, IA) are pleased to announce that Matthew Buley will serve as the new CEO and Executive Director of the Rock Valley-based organization. Hope Haven provides a variety of services to children, adults and families with unique challenges and disabilities.
Buley currently serves as President of Children’s Shelter of Cebu, a Minneapolis-based ministry that provides housing and education to homeless children in the Philippines.
“In every way, Hope Haven’s work continues my call to ministry,” said Buley. “I rejoice that I can serve and learn from the clients served by Hope Haven and advocate for them in this climate of changing funding streams and regulations.”
The search for Buley began in early 2017, shortly after longtime CEO and Executive Director David VanNingen announced his plans for retirement.
Search Committee Chair David Heilman said the Hope Haven Search Committee and Board are confident Buley is the right choice to lead the organization moving forward.
“This is a time of change and transition. The Board has felt the Lord’s leading in the appointment of Matt,” said Ron Boote, Board President. “It is sad to say goodbye to David. However, we are thankful that God has prepared someone to take over that position.”
Under VanNingen’s three decades of leadership, Hope Haven, Inc. expanded beyond Rock Valley and now offers residential, employment, mental health, recovery, religious and outreach services to 30 communities in Iowa and southwest Minnesota as well as internationally.
Tommy Thomas, Laura Coverstone, and Ed Poff of JobfitMatters assisted Hope Haven with this important search. Search Committee Chair Dave Heilman commented, “Working with the staff at JobfitMatters was a tremendous blessing. Their experience and guidance enabled the Search Committee to thoroughly engage in the process in a way that resulted in a number of great candidates. The Search Committee is unified and excited in presenting Matt as the next CEO and Executive Director for Hope Haven.”
Buley will fulfill his commitment in the Twin Cities and will officially join Hope Haven in August.