Wasilla, Alaska – The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has promoted Jim Beck to senior program officer and hired Telsche Thiessen as Chickaloon/Sutton community coordinator for the community collaborative project R.O.C.K. Mat-Su (Raising Our Children with Kindness).

As senior program officer, Jim takes on new duties, while also continuing to lead the foundation’s Healthy Aging focus area. His new duties include providing general oversight for all MSHF grant programs and supervising two program associates. Jim holds a master’s degree in public administration with a nonprofit management concentration from the University of Colorado at Denver, and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Telsche is working to advance the mission of R.O.C.K. Mat-Su in the Chickaloon/Sutton area. R.O.C.K. Mat-Su is a collaborative project of community members – individuals and organizations – joining together to promote family resilience and reduce child maltreatment. In her newly-created part-time position, Telsche leads community engagement activities and supports day-to-day communications, administrative, and data functions. Telsche has previously held positions in program coordination and administration, and she currently works as a library aide and program coordinator for the Teen Arts and Wellness Program at the Sutton Library. She earned a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from Carleton College.

About MSHF: Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the foundation actively participates in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important health care asset through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org.