Nehalem Valley Care Center Has a New Administrator
Former Administrator Returns after 30 Years
WHEELER, OR, April 1, 2026 – Rob Hays has accepted the position as Nehalem Valley Care Center’s Administrator, returning to the place where he started his administrative career. Rob fell in love with this community and those who live here all those years ago and is extremely excited to return home in a truly poetic full-circle moment.
Passionate in his mission to enhance the lives of vulnerable populations, Rob explains, “My life’s work has been dedicated to ensuring frail and at-risk individuals in our society are venerated,
honored, and cared for in a manner which recognizes individual needs and empowers the aging individual.”
Rob previously served as Executive Director of Bailey Boushay House Programs (BBHP),
a Virginia Mason Franciscan Health human service organization that offers many different care, case management, housing, rental assistance, outpatient
clinic and inpatient palliative care programs.
Prior to BBHP, Rob’s impressive history includes executive positions at facilities of various capacities and care program offerings, and includes being the senior administrator at Mennonite Village, the largest Continuing Care Retirement Community in Oregon for many years.
Having served both the public and non-profit sectors, Rob has been a board member of the Alzheimer Association, The Rinehart Clinic, The North American Division of Adventist Senior Services, two Hospice chapters and LeadingAge Oregon.
Throughout the Northwest, he taught classes on aging to professional, academic and lay-person groups and has provided consulting services for the Alzheimer’s Research Alliance, Milo Academy and Holy Rosary Academy.
Rob has supported the academic and legislative communities by serving on advisory boards at both Blue Mountain Community College and Linn Benton Community College. In 2003 and 2006, the Governor of Oregon appointed Rob to consecutive terms on the Long Term Care Administrators Licensing Board, serving two years as Chairman.
His own academic accomplishments include degrees in gerontology, social work and Alaska Native Studies. He has completed a Leadership Fellowship with LeadingAge, and a Fellowship with The European Eden Institute.
Canyon Wren Consulting’s Erica Knepper points out, “Before leading Continuing Care Retirement Community organizations, Rob had first-hand experience working in long-term care in a multitude of positions, ranging from a nurse’s aide to administration. He has received many regional and state awards for innovative practices and programs in his field, and his state and federal compliance history is exemplary. His vast experience and demonstrated commitment to long-term care, and love of the Nehalem Bay area made Rob the ideal choice as Nehalem Valley Care Center Administrator. We are looking forward to what he can do to enhance the resident and staff experience at NVCC. We invite communities to share in our excitement and to welcome Rob back when you get the chance.”
Located in Wheeler, on the north Oregon coast, Nehalem Valley Care Center is a licensed 50-bed skilled nursing facility owned by the Nehalem Bay Health District and operated by the management company Canyon Wren Consulting.
Contact Information:
Erica Knepper RN, Canyon Wren Consulting
Email: eknepperconsult@gmail.com
Phone: (503) 349-9420
