ACE Fo​undation

About Us

Our Vision Statement:

Bringing rural communities together for 
growth and success.

Our Mission Statement:

To revitalize our communities and enhance the well-being of present and future generations.

ACE Foundation is dedicated to strengthening the community for present and future generations. The Foundation is a non-profit vehicle for all means to make a lasting difference in our community.

We’re a community foundation, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity that enables people to establish charitable funds, to give back to their community to support organizations and causes they care about most. Your fund will be commingled with our other funds and managed professionally. Its assets will grow over time. You and your family are encouraged to continue giving to the fund to help it grow even more. 

The Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation (GNWKCF) has been formed to increase exposure and opportunities for philanthropy throughout northwest Kansas and the tri-state region. ACE Foundation became an affiliate of GNWKCF in 2018. An affiliate is a collection of community funds to increase philanthropic giving in a geographic area. Both endowed and non-endowed funds are developed to provide financial support to 501(c)(3) and other qualifying non -profit organizations and for charitable purposes to benefit area residents.

Board Members

Scott Chvatal

Board Chairman

Scott is an Atwood native graduated from Atwood High School then completed the electronics program at NW Kansas Technical College in Goodland Ks.  Then attended KTI – Kansas State University Salina KS completing Computer Systems Technology program.  Currently I reside in Atwood and am vice president of Beaver Valley Supply in Atwood KS.

JoEllyn Argabright 

Director

JoEllyn lives in Rawlins County with her husband and two children.  They love raising their kids on his family farm and ranch.  Jo holds a Masters of Science in Gerontology and dual Bachelor's in Human Nutrition and Dietetics.  Currently employed by the Kansas Judicial Branch, Jo is the District Court Administrator of the 15th Judicial District.  She also owns and operates the local garden center, Grass Roots Garden Hub.  In her free time, Jo enjoys outside activities with her children, working on her non-profit, Grass Roots Institute of Kansas, and traveling.

Melody Bearley

Board Member

Melody is a devoted wife, mother and community member. She serves as the Veterinary field officer for Nebraska Department of Agriculture and spends as much of her spare time as possible riding horses and introducing others to the horse world.  She can also be found volunteering at the Lutheran Church and as a leader in the Rawlins County 4-H program. Melody considers herself blessed to call Atwood, Kansas home for over 14 years.

Olivia Chvatal

Board Member

Olivia was born and raised in Atwood. She graduated from Rawlins County High School in 2016. Olivia later went on to attend Fort Hays State University and graduated with a Bachelors in Management and a Bachelors in Accounting in 2021. After graduating, she moved back to Atwood but works as a Public Accountant in Colby.

Kevin Holle

Board Member

Kevin is a 4 generation farmer and graduated from Atwood High School and degree from K-State. He is married to Mary Holle and has two sons and four grandchildren. He has been on the ACE foundation board for 10 years. He is active in the community and helping the youth.

Reece Leonard

Board Member

Reece joined the ACE Foundation board in 2021. Reece is local to Rawlins County, having grown up in the rural McDonald area. Reece attended and graduated from Cheylin Jr./Sr. High School, then went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University. He also earned minor degrees in Agronomy and Animal Science & Industry. Reece returned to the McDonald area with his wife, Hannah, to continue a feeder hog operation he started in high school and to farm with his father. Upon returning to the area, Reece was also hired to work at The Bank as an Ag Loan Officer. Reece knows the importance of giving back, and enjoys doing so by serving on several community boards. Reece hopes to help Rawlins county continue to be vibrant and growing for not only his daughter, but any who may live in his rural community.

Lori Marintzer

Board Member

Lori is a Wisconsin native who moved to Hays, Kansas in 2000 to work as a Hydrologic Technician for the U.S. Geological Survey. While in Hays, she met and married her husband and in 2009 the couple moved to Rawlins County where they live near his hometown of Herndon. Outside of work, she enjoys many hobbies including hunting and birdwatching with her husband and quilting with fellow members of the Scrappy Gals Quilt Guild.

Deb Minkler

Past Executive Director

Deb Minkler currently is the Economic Development Director of Rawlins County. Past Executive Director of the ACE Foundation of Rawlins County. Prior to that, she was in banking and finance for 13 years. Deb is currently a member of the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission board, Pioneer County Development board, and Travel Tourism of Rawlins County board. In the past, she was one of the first women to sit on the AG Society board of Keith County, Nebraska. She worked closely with her local Keith County Chamber, and belonged to the Area 14 Cattle Womens and Optimist club of Ogallala. Prior to becoming President, she served on the Ogallala Rotary Board for two years and is a past President of the Atwood and Ogallala Rotary Clubs. She is currently the District Governor Nominee for Rotary District of 5680. Deb and her husband Adam, who is the Yard Manager of Decatur County Beef-Footes Cattle Company, live in Oberlin, KS with their two boys Barrett and Hadley Devine. They are 13 and 9 and are active in 4-H, sports and have numerous animals: 7 horses, 4 dogs, 2 cows, a mini Hereford bull, 5 pigs, a cat, and a rabbit! They attend the Herndon Covenant Church.

Gary Nemeth

Board Member

Gary was born 1951 and grew up on a farm near Ludell, KS.  Graduated high school in Herndon, KS, in 1969.  Studied at University of Kansas and obtained a BS in Aerospace Engineering.  MS in Environmental Engineering, Johns Hopkins University.  Approximately 40 years of experience as a civilian employee of the US Army and various engineering firms doing work related to demilitarization of chemical warfare weapons; cleanup of structures and land contaminated by US military activities and nuclear weapons programs; environmental restoration of land and waters contaminated with chemical, biological and radioactive waste.  Retired in 2014 and currently working in Rawlins County for Carlson’s Choke Tubes LLC.

Troy Osborne 

Board Member

Troy has worked in the banking and real estate industry for over 35 years.  He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Fort Hays State University and a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Kansas.  One of his passions is community revitalization, and in 2021, he helped charter McDonald Community Development, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization.

Travis Rickford

Board Member

Travis serves as the Executive Director for LiveWell Northwest Kansas, a regional non-profit agency with a primary focus on issues related to public health, early childhood development, and community development. Prior to joining LiveWell in 2018, Travis led multiple initiatives that focused on community engagement, public health, and community development through his work with the Kansas Health Foundation and Kansas Department of Health and Environment. In addition to his role at LiveWell, Travis is an adjunct professor for Fort Hays University, currently working toward his PhD in Leadership Communications at Kansas State University. He serves on multiple boards that includes: Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, ACE Foundation, Kansas Action for Children, and Thrive Kansas.  Travis lives in Atwood with his wife Melissa, son Ashton, and daughter Olivia.