Wasilla, Alaska – John Weaver, CEO of Valley Residential Services (VRS) has been recognized with the Mat-Su Health Foundation’s Bert Hall Award for Commitment to the Health of the Community. The “Bertie” is an annual recognition presented to an individual or organization that consistently exemplifies commitment to working at the systems level to improve the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents.

The goal of VRS is to provide safe, quality and affordable housing. John’s responsibilities include planning, developing, implementing, controlling and evaluating VRS housing and maintenance programs and operations. Under John’s leadership, VRS has grown considerably, allowing it to serve more people and families by giving them a place to call home. The organization has gone from five to more than 20 employees and the number of housing units under management has grown from 113 units to 400, with an additional 82 currently under development. VRS has overseen the construction of 310 housing units plus 40 more recently opened on the Wasilla Area Seniors (WASI) campus. This growth has led to an estimated 2,000 Alaskans having the opportunity to settle into safe, stable housing.

“John will say that the success that VRS has is actually a team effort, and he is right, it does take a team, but a team needs a leader to give it direction, to nurture it, and to guide it along a path to success, and John is that leader,” said Mat-Su Health Foundation President and CEO Elizabeth Ripley.

Weaver is well-respected for his ability to network and develop partnerships in order to accomplish goals. He has partnered with the private sector on many of these developments.  His main partners have been Cook Inlet Housing Authority and Pacific Companies. He has leveraged millions of federal, state, and foundation dollars into Mat-Su to complete these housing projects.  These dollars in turn create jobs and improve livelihoods across Mat-Su.

“In addition to his paid position at VRS, John is a tireless volunteer. He has served as president of the Wasilla Area Seniors and Family Promise boards of directors for more than 10 years and been active with the Mat Su Coalition on Housing and Homelessness and State of Alaska Homeless Coalition,” said Ripley.  “John also serves as an elder and trustee for First Presbyterian Church in Anchorage, which is providing supportive housing there as well. He makes a mark on housing systems wherever he goes.  And that is the hallmark of a Bertie award winner.  They make their mark on a system.”

Previous Bert Hall Award recipients include the Mat-Su Borough School  District Health Advisory Team (2021), Kimberly Schlosser (2020), Lt. Tom Dunn (2019), Rachel Greenberg (2018), Bill Hogan (2017), Herman Thompson (2016), Margaret Volz (2015), Craig Thorn (2014) and Bert Hall himself (2013).

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About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital to protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution. The MSHF mission is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su and the tools it uses include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change. The foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services. More information is available at healthymatsu.org .