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The boards of directors of Kidron Bethel Village of North Newton and Schowalter Villa of Hesston completed negotiations and voted to approve a merger agreement January 26, uniting their operations effective immediately.

At a joint meeting, both boards approved the merger, integrating their administrative operations and governance. Operation of the two retirement and health care organizations will be directed by a single management team and board of directors. Schowalter CEO and President James Krehbiel will become the CEO of the integrated organization. Kaye Penner of North Newton will chair the new board of directors, which will include six people chosen by Schowalter and six selected by Kidron. New board members chosen by Schowalter are Barth Hague of Newton and Hesstonians Ellen Samuelson, Yvonne Sieber, Marcy Thiesen, Lu Willems and Bruce Weaver. Kidron’s representatives on the new board are Rosie Goering Brandt, David Burns, Paul Harder, Kaye Penner, Ron Peters and Melvin Voth. All are of Newton or North Newton. The combined organization will be the second largest continuing-care retirement community in Kansas.

Kidron Bethel Village CEO and President Cindy Vanover chose not to be considered for the position of CEO in the new organization.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to serve as President and CEO of Kidron Bethel Village,” Vanover said. “However, after prayerful consideration, I decided not to be a candidate for the position of CEO in the newly organized company. I decided to withdraw my name in the interest of facilitating the smoothest, healthiest transition possible. I am confident that the new company will continue to thrive under the capable leadership of James Krehbiel.”

Discussions by both boards about a possible merger began in December 2010, in response to the continually changing and increasingly challenging health care environment, including anticipated reductions in Medicare and Medicaid payments. The final vote came after both boards solicited input this fall from their constituencies—residents, donors, supporting churches and the community.

Some things will not change as a result of the merger. Monetary donations will benefit the organization to which they originally were designated. Both campuses will continue to operate at their respective locations, and the names of the two campuses will remain the same. Kidron Bethel Village and Schowalter Villa are affiliated with Mennonite Church USA.

“Our goal is to remain service-oriented while keeping costs as low as possible,” said Krehbiel. “We expect our newly integrated organization to be more efficient, and to improve our ability to proactively address the future needs of our residents and communities.”