State of Iowa Grant

CEO Matt Buley Resigns

By 7017444915 • July 27, 2026

ROCK VALLEY—Hope Haven has announced CEO Matt Buley will resign from his position effective July 15 to accept a new role as CEO at Hammer & NER in Wayzata, MN. The move will put Buley and his wife, Theresa, in closer proximity to their four children and five grandchildren. Buley has been Hope Haven’s CEO for nine years, helping lead the Rock Valley-based nonprofit organization through growth, transition, advocacy and continued commitment to its mission of supporting individuals with disabilities locally and around the world. “Serving Hope Haven has been one of the great privileges of my life,” Buley said. “I am proud of this team, our global community and all that we have accomplished together. I will be watching with gratitude and cheering for Hope Haven’s continued success long into the future.” Hope Haven was established in 1964 and is committed to serving individuals with disabilities through a wide range of services, including community living, children’s services, day services, mental health and recovery services, employment services and international wheelchair ministry. The Hope Haven Board of Directors appointed CFO Terry Meyer to serve as interim CEO. Hope Haven strengthened and expanded services across their organization during Buley’s tenure. “Over the past nine years, Matt Buley has guided Hope Haven through significant growth and progress while keeping our mission and the people we serve at the heart of the work,” said Hope Haven board president Ron Boote. “On behalf of the board, I am deeply grateful for his leadership, dedication and the strong foundation he leaves for Hope Haven. We are well-positioned for continued impact in the years ahead.” Buley helped Hope Haven advocate for and secure a revision to Iowa’s funding structure for children’s services, a change that is helping bring children back to Iowa for care. Hope Haven also navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and the historic flooding of June of 2024, leaning on the strength, unity and dedication of its staff, leadership and community. Hope Haven International Ministries doubled production during Buley’s tenure while Double HH Manufacturing expanded its building by 35,000 square feet, increasing space by 85 percent to support future growth as both a manufacturer and an employer of people with disabilities. Hope Haven also completed 11 building projects that expanded or improved space for program services and office operations while homes were built or renovated to support the growth of their residential services. “Excellence courses through this organization, and it has for 61 years,” Buley said. “That has never been about one person. Hope Haven is strong because of the people who show up every day with skill, compassion and commitment to the mission. That mission is in very capable hands, and I believe the organization’s best days lie ahead.” Similar to Hope Haven, Hammer & NER’s mission is to provide people with intellectual and other disabilities the opportunity to live life to its fullest by providing individual-centered support, including customized 24-hour group home supervision and independent apartment programs.. Meyer has been employed with Hope Haven for 17 years and brings extensive organizational knowledge, financial leadership and a deep commitment to Hope Haven’s mission. He also will be closely assisted by Lisa Schwanke, Hope Haven’s chief of staff. Hope Haven’s board expressed confidence in Meyer’s ability to provide steady leadership during this transition while continuing to support Hope Haven’s staff, programs, partners, and the individuals served. Hope Haven’s Board also has engaged JobfitMatters, an executive search firm for Christian leaders in Franklin, TN, to recruit the next CEO. JobfitMatters led the search that led Hope Haven to hire Buley in 2017 and it has led searches for senior leadership at Dordt University in Sioux Center and Northwestern College in Orange City.

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Growing Opportunities

Construction of (3) new zero-entry handicap accessible homes
Purchase of (7) handicap accessible wheelchair vans
Purchase & implementation of new Electronic Health Record software

Hope Haven has recently been awarded a grant from the State of Iowa. The funds from this grant are being put towards the three projects listed above. These three projects will allow Hope Haven to provide the best quality care possible, and growing opportunities for clients to be involved in their communities.

“Hope Haven is thrilled to share we were the recipient of a special government grant that will have a big impact on our services. The state of Iowa chose to invest in Hope Haven, and those we support, in a significant way through this grant! Thanks to Terry Meyer, CFO, and all who made this possible!” -Matt Buley, CEO

ZERO-ENTRY HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE HOMES

Hope Haven provides home and community based services (HCBS) to individuals in 49 residential sites in 14 different communities. A majority of these homes are multi-level, with multiple steps and cumbersome floor layouts that make mobility a challenge. The opportunity to build zero-entry homes will allow Hope Haven to provide services to individuals with disabilities as they age so they may remain living in their community.

This grant will allow for the construction of 3 new zero-entry handicap accessible homes that will be built in Iowa – Spencer, Estherville, and Sioux Center. Not only will the funds enhance the HCBS services provided, it will also increase Hope Haven’s capacity to serve individuals in their communities as they age. These homes will have an open floor plan, zero entrance, extra wide hallways, large bedrooms, and accommodate mechanical lifts. These features will allow clients to live more independently, living a full, and meaningful life.

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE WHEELCHAIR VANS

As stated, many of the individuals Hope Haven provides services to have been with the agency for many years, resulting in a higher aging population with growing limitations of mobility. Therefore, the availability of a wheelchair accessible van will be essential to allow clients to be active in their communities.

Hope Haven has purchased seven new wheelchair accessible vans that will be utilized for two programs. First, daily HCBS residential services will use the vans to transport clients to day services such as volunteering in the community. Secondly, the My Day program will utilize the transportation to engage in purposeful activities, such as job tours, health and wellness programs, and visiting community resources such as the library, art studios, and museums. With a growing attendance in these programs, the new wheelchair accessible vans will provide opportunities for each client to attend.

ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD SOFTWARE

Lastly, Hope Haven will be implementing a new Electronic Health Record (E.H.R.) software. E.H.R. is where Hope Haven records and stores data consisting of personal information, authorizations, service planning, event records, and billing information. Currently, Hope Haven has 400+ staff utilizing the software on a daily basis to support their clients. This technology allows for effectiveness and efficiency in carrying out the services Hope Haven provides.

Hope Haven has used the same E.H.R. system since 2016 and will now be moving on to a new E.H.R. software called SETWorks. The decision on which E.H.R. to switch to was largely made due to SETWorks priority on being a Residential, Day and Employment software – which are core services Hope Haven provides. The implementation of the new software will provide a more reliable and trustworthy data base for client’s information, allowing for ease of work for staff and a more secure system overall.

“Our goal through this transition is to positively modify daily workflow, as well as improve on some features we currently have but find ourselves wanting more out of.”
-Jake Anderson, IT Manager

Hope Haven extends great thanks to the State of Iowa for awarding this grant. Not only will it ensure safety within the organization, but also make a positive difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.