Lyle Leys of Elrose owned and operated a family farm until 2004 when he retired from active farming.

Mr. Ley’s professional activities include former member of the Elrose Union Hospital and Golden Years Lodge and councillor and Reeve for R.M. of Monet No. 257. He was a member of the Steering Committee and was the Chairperson of the former Midwest District Health Board. He is also a member of the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organization’s Executive Committee and served as Chairperson of SAHO in 2001.

Betty Shapka of Macklin currently farms with her husband in the Macklin area.

As part of her professional activities, Mrs. Shapka has been a municipal representative on St. Joseph’s Hospital Board and was Chairperson of the former Greenhead District Health Board. She has a keen interest in the health system, is a C.W.L. member and has volunteered at the local bingo association.

In addition to serving on the regional health authority, Ms. Shapka has served for five years on the board of the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) and is the SAHO representative on both the Canadian Association for Community Care (CACC) and the Canadian Healthcare Association (CHA). The CACC has recently merged with the CHA.

Cindy Hoppe of Biggar is currently a homemaker. In the past she has managed Co-op hardware stores, farmed, and developed a textile art business. In addition to her membership on the regional health authority, she is currently the chairperson of the Biggar Rural District Fire Association, the Cando Childcare and Development Centre and the Prairie Care for Ecumenism. 

Mrs. Hoppe’s community involvement includes serving as a member and eventually president of Biggar and District Arts Council for six years, councillor for R.M. of Glenside No. 377, and member and Chairperson of the former Greenhead District Health Board. She has also been a member of the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations, Family Planning Advisory Committee to the Minister of Health, and a member of the Biggar School Division representing Cando School.

Carey Howie of Kindersley is currently a farmer and has previously worked for Playcare Children’s Services.

Ms. Howie’s community involvement includes being a member and Chairperson for the Kindersley Cooperative Playschool Board and Chairperson for the Kindersley Integrated Children’s Services Committee. She also served for 11 years on the Kindersley School Division and was the Vice-Chair for a number of years.

Gary Johnson of Eston is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Eston. In the past Mr. Johnson has been Chief Executive Officer for the former Assiniboine Valley District Health Board and the former Prairie West District Health Board. He was the administrator of the Eston Union Hospital and the Eston Union Hospital Ambulance District.

Gary has career experience as a grain farmer and agricultural administrator with the Government of Canada. He has also been involved with various local committees within his community.

Les Langager of Loreburn has a Diploma in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan. Les lives on a farm near Strongfield with his wife Judy. Judy is a RN with the Heartland Health Region. Les and Judy have three sons.

Les is employed with Saskatchewan Justice as a Consultant & Court Report Researcher. Les is a Geophysical Permit Agent working in surface land negotiations for the exploration industry and is also employed with Western Agricultural Insurance Corporation as a Hail Adjuster. Les also works on the extended family farm. He recently completed his first novel ‘Wild Justice’ which is published by Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing.

Mr. Langager was a member of the former Midwest District Health Board and was appointed to the Regional Health Authority Planning Committee for Region #7. He was appointed as a member of the Heartland Health Authority in 2002. Les has been a member of the ad-hoc committee on developing, evaluating, and monitoring policy. He was also a member of the Accreditation team in the health district.

Don Leitch of Unity graduated from the University of Saskatchewan, receiving degrees in arts and science, theology and education.

In addition, he became a specialist in communications and market development working in many positions in both the public and private sectors including the Federal Department of Indian Affairs, the Department of Economic Expansion and the Department of Health where he was the director of the highly successful “Aware Program”. Previous to his retirement he worked with the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan as Manager of Market Development and Director of Communications and Public Affairs with the Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada.

Mr. Leitch is an ordained Minister of the United Church of Canada and subsequent to his retirement he worked with the church in many different congregations in Saskatchewan and chaired the Mid-Life Coalition in Central Saskatchewan.

His board experience includes being a member of the former Moose Jaw-Thunder Creek District Health Board, chairing the finance committee, a former member of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency board from 2002 to 2006 and a member of the board of SAHO from 2003 to 2006. He has a long-standing interest in the health care system.

Mr. Leitch has also been involved in numerous community activities such as the Regina and Saskatoon YMCA, the Saskatoon Downtown Rotary Club and has served as president of the Regina Ski Club.

He has a passionate interest in long-distance running and has competed in many marathons.

Erhard Poggemiller of Kerrobert previously served as Chairperson of the former Prairie West District Health Board.

Erhard has been involved in numerous municipal duties. He served as Mayor for the Town of Kerrobert for six years and served three years on the SUMA Board of Directors. He also served on the Sask. Studies Agriculture Curriculum Development Committee. He participated in the West Central Government Committee on the Health Sub-Committee and served on the local school board for a term.

Mr. Poggemiller is the President of Kep Industries in the Town of Kerrobert. He is married and has four grown children. He is a member of the Gideons International.

Bill Sittler of Wilkie has been married to Patty for 27 years. They have four children and a grandson. The family farms in the Wilkie area.

Mr. Sittler’s community involvement includes Deputy Reeve for the R.M. of Reford No. 379, past member of the Wilkie Parks and Recreation Board, Wilkie Library Board, West Central Pelleting Company, and member of the former Greenhead District Health Board. He recently joined the board of Bethany Enhanced Living (an assisted living project in Wilkie. Bill is also a coach for minor baseball and hockey.