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Hope Haven is pleased to announce that Matt Buley Chief Executive Officer has been named the 2022 Executive of the Year by the Iowa Association of Community Providers (IACP). IACP supports over 125 Iowa disability service providers on behalf of individuals with disabilities including Hope Haven.

IACP CEO Shelly Chandler had this to say about Buley “Not only is Matt a powerful voice for Hope Haven but for all the community providers across the state. His legislative advocacy has been invaluable leading to two years of unprecedented rate increases.” Chandler continues “While Matt is relatively new to the sector and state he has had an immediate impact on the lives of thousands of people.” Buley has served Hope Haven as CEO since August 2017.

In each of the last two years Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed off on increased funding for disability services after a lot of work by Iowa legislators and in partnership with IACP and providers like Hope Haven. These increases were a desperately needed move in light of staffing shortages that result in too much turnover for those in need of support. The long-standing issue was further exasperated by the pandemic.

Buley sits on the IACP Government Relations Committee the IACP Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Board as Treasurer. Chandler notes “He is a natural leader able to see the big picture and vision for industry services while advocating to make incremental progress for the system through rules regulations and funding. “

Buley was honored at a recent IACP gathering and shares “I was completely surprised and equally humbled to be presented with the award. Truly this reflects the strength of the Hope Haven team many of whom were here making an outsized impact well before me. I’m proud to be a part of this remarkable mission.” He continues “As far as advocacy goes we have a lot of work yet to do. Too many providers are still so short of staff they are turning away people with disabilities. We are better than that.”