Board of directors

The Grand View Health System board of directors is composed of a diverse and representative group of community leaders who donate their time and talents to assist the organization in carrying out its mission.

The group is committed to serving the community, openly discussing ideas, listening to the public and colleagues, collaboratively working to address issues, and continuously improving the health care environment in the western Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin.

Here’s a look at this important group of leaders who are helping to guide Grand View forward, including the undertaking of a revised, yet significant facility expansion and the search for a new chief administrator:

Nasi is president of Wayne Nasi Construction, Inc. and owner of The Waters of Minocqua. A life-long resident of the area, he serves on the Wells Fargo Advisory Board as well as the Grand View board as a way of giving back to the community he loves. “The hospital is a very important part of our vibrant community,” he explains.

Nasi and his wife, Bridgette, have three children and five grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, hunting, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking.

Armstrong retired to the Ironwood area several years ago after a successful career as chief executive officer of Illinois’ Quad City Realtor Association. A long-time member of Kiwanis, he also has served as treasurer of the Lake Gogebic Chamber of Commerce, secretary of Lake Gogebic Improvement Association, and a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for Marenisco Township.

“I believe health care is critical to community development,” Armstrong says of his commitment to the Grand View board. “I am proud of the way Grand View is communicating on all levels to strengthen the organization.”

Armstrong’s hobbies include woodworking, golf, and outdoor activities. He and wife, Sandy, have five children, five grandchildren, and one great grandson.

Loeper is the Gogebic County emergency management and 911 coordinator. He participates on the Grand View board because he wanted to make a difference in the health system in our area. Born in Milwaukee, he has lived in the Ironwood area for 21 years. Active in the community, he is also drain commissioner for Gogebic County and serves on the board of Upper Peninsula Emergency Medical Services and Medical Control for Gogebic and Ontonogan counties. He also sits on the Michigan Emergency Telephone Service committee.

A foster parent, Loeper enjoys cutting the lawn, building things, and playing with electronic gadgets.

Lorenson is the President of Gogebic Community College. He currently serves on the board of the Ironwood Economic Development Corporation, the Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation, the Gogebic County Economic Development Corporation and Commission, and is a member of the Marquette General Health System Regional Advisory Council and treasurer of All Saints Catholic Academy Home & School Association.

“Through my economic development service, I realized how important access to quality health care is to the long-term success and vitality of a regional community,” Lorenson says. “The opportunity to serve on the Grand View board has made me better informed and involved on a local level.”

Lorenson is married to Dee-Dee and has two step-children, two children, and three granddaughters. An avid fan of Disney, he also enjoys John Wayne movies, hunting, fishing, reading, snowshoeing, and biking.

Miljevich is the Foundation Development Director for Gogebic Community College. “As the healthcare industry continues to change, it is important to have hospital leaders that understand the need to balance the interests of the hospital as a business entity with the commitment to serving patients and needs of the area,” she says in explaining her dedication to the Grand View board.

Miljevich and her husband have lived in the area for several years, but she has spent summers here her whole life. A mother to daughter Sophia, she is a mock trial advisor at Hurley High School and serves on the board of the Bad River Boys and Girls Club.

Her interests include politics, reading and outdoor activities like waterskiing, biking, and hiking.

Dr. Nehring is a dentist in Mercer, where he is active in his church, the Lions Club, and downtown business association. Previously, he served on the school board for 12 years.

His service to Grand View comes from a desire to build a stronger health system for the area. He believes Grand View has been extremely successful in providing increased services, thanks – in part – to the continued affiliation with Marquette General. “I’m proud of the fact that we continue to be a very financially successful organization, especially given the difficult times that many health care organizations are experiencing,” he says.

Dr. Nehring and his wife have been married for more than 30 years and have five children. They enjoy hiking and traveling. A recent trip took them to France to visit their daughter. “It was a life-changing experience seeing the beaches of Normandy with 10,000 American graves,” he says. “It really made me appreciate the sacrifice of those who came before us.”

Dr. Nehring is a ski patroller and enjoys flying. In fact, he built his own ultra-light amphibian airplane.

Nevala is a retired nurse who spent 20 years at Grand View and 15 years at Park Nicollet Health System in Minneapolis.

Looking at Grand View’s accomplishments over the past several years, she is most proud of helping the organization become a critical access hospital, achieving Solucient’s Top 100 Hospital award, and seeing the hospital strengthen services in obstetrics and sleep disorders.

“I really want to help provide exceptional quality care to our community,” she says. “If I had to do it over again, I would still choose a nursing career because I loved my job, especially at Grand View.”

Nevala is also past president of the Grand View Health System Auxiliary and serves on the Iron County Emergency Food and Shelter Board. She is a member of the Hurley Chamber of Commerce, Paavo Nurmi Marathon committee, Hurley Area Lioness, St. Mary’s Church Catholic Women’s Council, Iron County Tobacco Free Coalition, and Hurley K-12 School Wellness committee.

Nevala and husband, Jerry, are avid travelers, with 23 cruises and many trips worldwide noted on their passports. She also enjoys reading, knitting, and spending time with family, which includes three children, 10 grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

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