Jeff Skeels appointed to hospital board

Jeff Skeels believes people who step forward to serve their community play a key role in keeping their community strong and viable.

But that’s just one reason why Skeels accepted an appointment to the Perkins County Community Hospital board of directors. 

Skeels will step in to fill the seated vacated when Bonnie Taubenheim moved from Grant and resigned her position. She was serving as board president at the time of her departure. 

Skeels said he knows how important the hospital and its related clinics and staff are to Perkins County. In addition, Perkins County Health Services represents the largest employer in the county, he added.

He was sworn in and attended his first meeting May 17.

He said he is surrounded by good members who have a lot of experience to share to make him a better board member. 

Skeels’ resume of community service speaks for itself.

He’s served on the Economic Development Committee, is a past president of the Perkins County Chamber and two-time president of the Grant Rotary Club. 

He is a member of the Perkins County Youth Development Club and has assisted with the Plainsmen boys basketball program for the past 12 years. 

He feels his experience in the business world will also help him as a board member. 

Skeels has spent the last 23 years as an insurance agent with the HomeTown Agency and is also an owner of the company. 

He said it will be interesting to see the other side of insurance business from the perspective of a hospital board member. 

Skeels and his wife, Wendy, have three children, Josh Johnston, Alex Johnston and Ben Skeels. 

Ben is the only one still at home and will be a freshman next year. 

Plans to seek election

Taubenheim’s term will expire in 2022. Skeels indicated he plans to put his name on the ballot in the 2022 election cycle. 

The hospital district elects their board members in the May Primary Election. 

Other members of the board include Mary Jo Gengenbach, who is now serving as board president, Vice-president John Long, Secretary Dianne Harms and Treasurer Dick Thurin.