The Governing Board of Minden Medical Center has elected Sherb Sentell as chairman to serve for 2010.
Sentell has served on the hospital board since January 2009.
Sentell was born and raised in Minden and attended Davidson College in North Carolina where he was the captain of the wrestling team.
He graduated with a political science degree and was honored as the distinguished military graduate. He then joined the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he completed Ranger School, Jumpmaster School and earned his Senior Airborne Wings.
When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, Sentell was immediately deployed to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne as an infantry platoon leader and his platoon was among the first boots on the ground in that war. Sentell was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for his service in Desert Storm.
After Desert Storm, Sentell entered LSU Law School where he was a member of the Louisiana Law Review and graduated in the top of his class with honors. After law school, Sentell was selected by Federal Judge Donald Walter in Shreveport to serve as the Judge’s assistant.
Sentell next entered private law practice in Minden with his father’s firm while remaining in the Army Reserves.
In 2004, Sentell was mobilized to Iraq to serve as the Commander of a Transportation unit headquartered in California.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom III (2004-2005), Sentell served as the Commander of logistical movement operations at the main base north of Baghdad.
He played a key role in the movement of troops and supplies in that area. He served for a year in Iraq and was awarded a second Bronze Star Medal.
Sentell is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves and serves as the Battalion Commander of the 2203 Mobilization Support Battalion in Bossier City, Louisiana. His other awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
Since January 1996, Sentell has maintained an active law practice with his father in Minden. He also served as the Chief Assistant District Attorney for Webster Parish for almost 10 years.
Sentell is a past Chairman of the Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce and a past President of the Webster Parish Bar Association.
In 2007, Sentell was appointed to the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank & Trust and still serves in that capacity. In 2009, Sentell was selected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the local hospital, Minden Medical Center, and currently serves in that capacity.
Sentell is married to Julianna Sims, formerly of Athens, and they have two children, Samantha and Chase. They attend First United Methodist Church.
Having a long family history of involvement with MMC, Sentell expressed his pleasure to work for the hospital.
“My brother, sister, two children and myself were all born at this hospital: my grandfather was a doctor here, and my mother was employed here as well,” he said.
Joining the board this year also are G. Kent Gibson and Webster Parish Clerk of Court Holli Vining.
G. Kent Gibson
G. Kent Gibson, a lifelong banker, has been the President and CEO of Citizens Bankshares for the past ten years. The financial holding company operates Citizens Bank and Trust with offices in Springhill, Minden, Homer, Haynesville, Plain Dealing and Haughton.
Gibson is a graduate of Northwestern State University where he earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration. He is also a graduate of LSU Banking School of the South in Baton Rouge as well as the University of Wisconsin School of Bank Administration.
Gibson has been an involved citizen by previously serving as chairman of the Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce, board member of the South Webster Industrial District, Northwest Louisiana Economic Development Foundation, Seventh Planning District Consortium Workforce Investment Board, Downtown Minden Retail Association and Cultural Crossroads of Minden.
Together with his wife Debbie and oldest daughter Lana, he is a member of the First Baptist Church of Minden where he serves as chairman of the finance committee and is actively involved in the orchestra.
Gibson and his family recently concluded their ninth year as Minden residents.
“As a member of the MMC Board of Governors, I look forward not only to a fulfilling and rewarding experience, but an opportunity to help perpetuate the excellence in care and service offered by our hospital,” Gibson said.
Holli Vining
Holli Vining has served as Webster Parish Clerk of Court since 2004.
A Doyline resident, she has been married to husband Tim for 19 years. The couple has one child, a son named Austin, who is a senior at Doyline High School.
She is a member of Sheppard Heights Assembly of God.
“It is such an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees,” she said. “I know this will be an invaluable experience. I have always enjoyed serving my community and this will be another opportunity for me to do that.”
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