KEITH STUCKEY


WHY I SERVE F


orty individuals volunteer their time and talents as members of one of the five boards of directors overseeing Landis Communities and its affiliates. Tis column features a member of one of the boards and lists those who serve with the highlighted individual.


What would you like to share about yourself?


I grew up on a farm in Ohio. My family spent a lot of time outdoors, and all the kids pitched in to help. In college, I majored in math, and after graduation taught in Brazil for three years. It helped me look at life in America differently. I returned with a better understanding that there is more than one way of living.


I came to Pennsylvania for graduate school and received my MBA from the Wharton School. I then worked for the Victor Weaver Company in New Holland before serving as the CEO of Tel Hai Retirement Community.


It was while I was at Tel Hai that I became familiar with Landis Homes. Ed Longenecker was the CEO at the time. He and I, along with a few other retirement community CEOs in this area, worked together to form APG (Anabaptist Providers Group) as a way to support each other and leverage resources. I became a half- time CEO for APG and I served as a consultant for Mennonite Health Services. Before retiring five years ago, I also served as CEO of Resource Partners, which provides risk management products to organizations like Landis Communities.


Can you explain more about your connection with Landis Homes/Landis Communities through the years? One connection goes back to my Victor Weaver Chicken days – I met and worked with Allon Lefever, the Chair of the Landis Communities Board. I met Larrry Zook through his board service for APG and Resource Partners. We both shared dreams to serve older adults who did not have the resources to live in retirement communities.


When Quality Living Choices (QLC) formed as part of the development of Steeple View Lofts, Larry asked that I serve as Chair of the Board. I was drawn to help expand the vision of the spectrum of aging services through a faith-based organization, Landis Communities.


How has that vision expanded further?


QLC is now part of Landis Quality Living (LQL), which is working to create a continuous stream of affordable and middle-market senior housing with services. Because the low-income housing tax credits are so competitive to receive, we are developing an additional model that mixes middle-market rental and more affordable units in the same location. Tis will expand the capacity to serve more people, hopefully in a way that others can replicate. Te unique goal of offering housing with services is for residents to be supported and part of a community. Landis Place on King is being developed with all this in mind.


Keith Stuckey serves as Chair of the Landis Quality Living Board of Directors. Keith lives in Lititz with his wife, Phyllis. They have three grown sons and are blessed with five grandchildren.


Why do you serve on the Board of LQL? As a follower of Christ, I believe I am called to care for the community around me. Serving allows me to use the skills I have gained through the years to benefit others. Tis work has also helped me stay attuned to the challenges facing seniors. I am energized by the innovative work Landis Communities is doing to serve more people while keeping Landis Homes strong.


LQL BOARD MEMBERS


• Keith Stuckey, Chair • Johncey Mathew, Vice Chair • Elizabeth Nissley, Secretary • David Hernley, Treasurer • Helen Hershey • Stephanie Kaufman • Kevin Ressler • Gwen Schuit


Landis.org | FLOURISH | Summer 2021 • 23


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