IHCA CEO + Senior Executive Leaders Conference
Iowa Health Care Association
CEO + Senior Executive Leaders Conference
June 24-25 | Downtown Des Moines, Iowa
Presented by Lee Agency
This exclusive and complimentary event is designed specifically for CEOs and senior executive leaders in the long-term care profession.
The event is invitation-only and non-transferable.
To reserve your spot, please RSVP via the form below by Tuesday, April 29.
Conference Overview + ScheduleTuesday, June 24 | Conference + Networking Events
12:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
The River Center | 340 SW 3rd St. | Des Moines
The conference will kick off with discussions related to state and federal policy, followed by an evening social outing in downtown Des Moines.
Featured Sessions + Speakers:
- Luncheon for Speaker Pat Grassley
- D.C. Update
Michael Bassett, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, American Health Care Association - State + Federal Policy Panel
- Michael Bassett, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, American Health Care Association
- Matt Hinch, Principal + Director, Cornerstone Government Affairs
- Paige Thorson, General Counsel, Iowa Health Care Association
- Merea Bentrott, Chief Operating Officer, Iowa Health Care Association
- Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Update
Kelly Garcia, Director, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Evening Networking Events:
- Reception for Majority Leader Jack Whitver | 4:30 p.m.
- Iowa Cubs Game and Terrace Reception at Principal Park | 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 25 | Conference
9:00 a.m. – 1:00: p.m.
The River Center | 340 SW 3rd St. | Des Moines
The second day will offer insights into leadership strategies, regulatory updates and business management tailored for senior executives.
Featured Sessions + Speakers:
- Inspections, Appeals and Licensing Realignment and Department Updates
Larry Johnson, Jr., Director, Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing - A Special Address from Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen
- Health Care Executive Personal Safety
Tom Conley, President + CEO, The Conley Group, Inc.
Bonus Session:
- Legal Roundtable | 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
- Katie Cownie, Partner, Dorsey + Whitney LLP
- Adam Freed, Partner, Dorsey + Whitney LLP
Schedule details are subject to change. Check back for updates.
Tuesday, June 24
D.C. Update
Michael Bassett, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, American Health Care Association (AHCA)
This session will provide insights into current national legislative activities impacting health care, including updates from CMS, the Department of Health and Human Services and Capitol Hill. Attendees will gain an overview of key threats facing the industry and workforce, along with AHCA’s strategies for engaging effectively with Congress and the administration.
State and Federal Policy Panel
Michael Bassett, SVP of Government Relations, AHCA | Matt Hinch, Principal + Director, Cornerstone Government Affairs | Paige Thorson, General Counsel, IHCA | Merea Bentrott, COO, IHCA
Join state and national experts for a timely discussion on legislative activity impacting long-term care. This panel will provide insider perspectives, policy updates and practical insights, along with an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and engage directly with those at the forefront of state and federal advocacy.
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Update
Kelly Garcia, Director, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Director Kelly Garcia will provide an overview of current initiatives within Iowa DHHS, including strategic priorities and agency updates relevant to long-term care providers. Attendees will gain insight into the department’s evolving role and its impact on aging services across the state.
Wednesday, June 25
Inspections, Appeals and Licensing Realignment and Department Updates
Larry Johnson Jr., Director, Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing
This session will highlight recent realignment efforts and operational changes within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing. Director Johnson will cover efforts to streamline licensing, key regulatory updates and what long-term care providers need to know moving forward.
A Special Address from Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen
Susan Christensen, Chief Justice, Iowa Supreme Court
Chief Justice Susan Christensen will share her perspective on legal and judicial matters relevant to the long-term care profession. This session offers a unique opportunity to hear how Iowa’s judicial system intersects with issues impacting older Iowans and long-term care providers.
Health Care Executive Personal Safety
Tom Conley, President and CEO, The Conley Group, Inc.
In today’s complex environment, health care executives face growing safety risks. Security expert Tom Conley will outline real-world strategies for recognizing threats, enhancing personal safety and managing risk. This session will offer practical tools to help leaders better protect themselves and their organizations.
Legal Roundtable: Issues on the Minds of Long-Term Care Senior Leadership
Katie Cownie, Partner, Dorsey + Whitney LLP | Adam Freed, Partner, Dorsey + Whitney LLP
This session will briefly cover several current issues of interest to long-term-care owners and CEOs, including changes of ownership, heightened CMS disclosure requirements and updated OIG compliance guidance. The presentation will leave ample time for a free-flowing discussion of issues on the minds of senior leadership.
Michael Bassett
Senior Vice President of Government Relations, American Health Care Association (AHCA)
Michael Bassett is senior vice president of government relations for the American Health Care Association. He has more than 20 years of experience in federal health care policy, specializing in advocacy, policy analysis and coalition-building. Bassett previously served as a senior policy adviser to U.S. Sen. Bob Corker and staff director for the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. He holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Florida and resides in Washington, D.C. View complete bio here.
Merea Bentrott
Chief Operating Officer, Iowa Health Care Association
Merea Bentrott is the chief operating officer for the Iowa Health Care Association, overseeing the association’s legislative, executive branch, grassroots operations, growth, planning and strategic objectives. Previously, she served as policy advisor and legislative liaison for the Iowa Department of Human Services and worked at the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Bentrott holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies with a specialization in Gerontology from Iowa State University and has extensively published and presented on long-term services and supports.
Susan Christensen
Chief Justice, Iowa Supreme Court
Chief Justice Susan Christensen was appointed to the Iowa Supreme Court in 2018 and has served as chief justice since 2020. Prior to joining the Supreme Court, Christensen served as a district associate judge beginning in 2007 and as a district court judge from 2015. She practiced law in Harlan, Iowa, for 16 years. Christensen has chaired multiple state committees focusing on family law, child welfare and mental health. She earned her law degree from Creighton University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Judson College. View complete bio here.
Tom Conley
President and CEO, The Conley Group, Inc.
Tom Conley is president and CEO of The Conley Group Inc., headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. The company provides high-level security, investigative, threat management and emergency response services. Conley retired as a senior commissioned officer from the U.S. Navy after nearly 30 years of service, specializing in law enforcement and security. During his more than 45-year career in private security, Conley has provided services to numerous high-profile clients including General Electric Corporation, Principal Financial Group, the U.S. Marshals Service, the State of Iowa, Polk County, multiple Iowa municipalities, NBC, CBS and ABC television stations, Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines Skywalk, Union Pacific Railroad, and Federal Express Corporation. He holds multiple professional certifications, earned a master’s in business leadership from Upper Iowa University, and is a certified emergency medical technician. View complete bio here.
Katie Cownie
Partner, Dorsey + Whitney LLP
Katie Cownie is a partner at Dorsey + Whitney LLP, specializing in health care transactions and regulations. She advises nursing facilities, hospitals, home health agencies and other providers on matters involving state licensing, Medicare and Medicaid contracting, regulatory compliance and transactional matters such as mergers and acquisitions. Cownie frequently speaks at industry conferences, addressing critical issues affecting nursing facilities and assisted living programs, such as recent enforcement actions related to nonpayment of nursing facility quality assurance assessment fees, newly enacted CMS transparency rules regarding ownership and control disclosures, the classification of multi-level care facilities as continuing care retirement communities, strategies for managing residents without a payor source, and the development of effective compliance programs. View complete bio here.
Adam Freed
Partner, Dorsey + Whitney LLP
Adam Freed is a partner at Dorsey + Whitney LLP, advising health care providers on regulatory and transactional matters. He represents physicians, hospitals, nursing facilities and health care trade associations, specializing in licensing, Medicare and Medicaid enrollment, credentialing and Certificate of Need compliance. Freed also counsels clients on HIPAA compliance and has represented providers before the Iowa State Health Facilities Council. He is recognized for delivering strategic advice to help clients navigate complex federal and state health care regulations. View complete bio here.
Kelly Garcia
Director, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Kelly Garcia was appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in November 2019 to oversee Iowa’s social services agency and was unanimously confirmed by the Iowa Senate in 2020. In 2020, she began serving as interim public health director, leading the state’s pandemic response. Garcia now serves as the inaugural director of the consolidated Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), a unified agency combining social services and public health departments. Previously, she held executive roles at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, focusing on organizational improvement and policy development. Garcia holds a Master of Public Administration from Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. View complete bio here.
Matt Hinch
Principal and Director, Cornerstone Government Affairs
Matt Hinch is principal and director at Cornerstone Government Affairs. With extensive experience in state and federal government, Hinch previously served as chief of staff to Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. He also held senior positions with the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen. Hinch holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and is known for successfully spearheading significant legislative initiatives in Iowa. View complete bio here.
Larry Johnson Jr.
Director, Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing
Larry Johnson Jr. was appointed director of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing in 2019 by Gov. Kim Reynolds. He oversees a regulatory department of 1,000 employees, covering health facilities, food establishments, gaming, Medicaid fraud, professional licensing and more. Johnson previously served as Iowa’s state public defender and legal counsel to former Gov. Terry Branstad. He earned his law degree from Creighton University and a bachelor’s degree in management from Purdue University.
Paige Thorson
General Counsel, Iowa Health Care Association
Principal and Counsel, Cornerstone Government Affairs
Paige Thorson is general counsel for the Iowa Health Care Association and principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs, bringing nearly a decade of experience in policy and government relations. Prior to her current roles, Thorson was an attorney at BrownWinick Law Firm. Previously, she served as deputy chief of staff and health policy advisor for Gov. Kim Reynolds, overseeing the governor’s policy agenda, budget planning and crisis response initiatives. Thorson earned her Juris Doctor and Health Law Certificate from Drake University Law School and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Iowa State University. View complete bio here.
A limited number of rooms are available at a special discounted rate of $139 per night at the Residence Inn Des Moines Downtown. The discounted rate is available for stays June 23-26. Book by May 15 to secure the special rate.
Residence Inn Des Moines Downtown
100 SW Water St, Des Moines, IA
515-288-4500
CEO & Senior Executive Leaders Conference RSVP
The event is invitation-only and non-transferable. To reserve your spot, please RSVP by April 29.
Presenting Sponsor
Day One Sponsors
Day Two Sponsors
