Adapted from Bethesda Lutheran Communities’ May 16, 2018, news release. 

J. Larry Tyler, FACHE, FHFMA, CMPE, Chairman and CEO of Practical Governance Group, joined the Board of Directors of Wisconsin-based Bethesda Lutheran Communities. Bethesda is a national Christian organization, providing homes and other services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization strives to help people live the lives they desire through more than 300 programs nationwide.

Tyler is among four new members to Bethesda’s board, who further enhance the organization’s governance efforts across a variety of disciplines.

“Our new board members bring tremendous leadership experience, business acumen and passion for Bethesda and our mission,” said Mike Thirtle, president and CEO of Bethesda. “They believe in the strategy we have put forth that will help us provide more opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We could not be more excited to have them join our board.”

Incoming board members are:

Rev. Jay DeBeirRev. Jay DeBeir, of Eureka, Mo., an executive at Lutheran Hour Ministries of St. Louis. He provides leadership for mission strategy and operations, finance, information technology, human resources, and marketing/creative services.

He previously served as Vice President of Operations for Horizon Health Corp., where he oversaw multiple health care facilities across the U.S. Rev. DeBeir also served as senior Vice President of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s Ministry Services Division in St. Louis, where his responsibilities included strategic planning, program development, and district and national relations.

Rev. DeBeir was ordained at Concordia Seminary St. Louis and earned his master’s degree in business administration from Benedictine University, his master’s degree in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, and his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Aurora University.

Dave KeilDave Keil, of Ann Arbor, Mich., President and CEO of The Lash Lounge, a growing franchise system offering beauty services in locally-owned salons. He is also an operating partner of the Franworth, a franchise growth equity firm.

Keil served as CEO of Pure Barre, the largest barre fitness franchise in the U.S., and was the inaugural Chairman and CEO of The Honey Baked Ham Co. LLC, bringing the HoneyBaked brand and business together after 59 years of running as several separate entities. Keil further has executive experience with Ecolab, where he led the $8B integration with Nalco, and he also served with General Mills and Frito-Lay.

Keil earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Kansas and his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Michigan.

J. Larry TylerJ. Larry Tyler, FACHE, FHFMA, CMPE, of Sandy Springs, Ga., Chairman and CEO of Practical Governance Group in Atlanta.

His organization includes consultants and academicians specializing in good governance and education of health care boards. Tyler began his professional career on the audit staff of Price Waterhouse and Co. and later founded Tyler & Company, which conducts executive-level searches for the health care industry. In 2013, Tyler & Company became part of Jackson Healthcare.

Tyler earned his master’s degree in public accounting from Georgia State University and his bachelor’s degree in industrial management from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

John WiktorJohn Wiktor, of Valparaiso, Ind., a partner at Horwood Marcus & Berk Chartered, in Chicago, and leader of the firm’s Trusts & Estates practice.

He counsels charities and foundations on the complex world of charitable planning. He works with entities ranging from large public charities to sophisticated private family foundations and simple grant-making organizations, helping them navigate issues related to governance, tax and the structure of gift agreements. He also partners with donors on estate planning to learn their charitable motivations and help ensure their legacies live on after death.

Wiktor earned his law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.