Send your personnel news to Lois Bowers at [email protected].
NIC hires Lisa McCracken to be head of research and analytics
Lisa McCracken will join the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care as the head of research and analytics, effective Oct. 1. She will oversee NIC’s research and analytics team, drive a research agenda with nationally recognized partners, and showcase practical examples of how organizations nationwide are embracing opportunities to meet the demands of a changing marketplace.
McCracken currently is director of senior living research and development with specialty investment bank Ziegler, where she is the primary researcher for the LeadingAge Ziegler 200, the Ziegler CFO Hotline poll and other publications.
She began her career as a research analyst at Holleran, a healthcare and aging services research and consulting firm, where she was promoted to the position of vice president of research, managing partner and, ultimately, president, between 2009 and 2013.
Integral, Solstice name Brenda Richy national director of resident engagement
Brenda Richy has been named the national director of resident engagement at Carlsbad, CA-based Integral Senior Living and Solstice Senior Living. She formerly was national director of resident programming.
In her reimagined role, Richy will continue to collaborate closely with each community in the Solstice and Integral portfolio, serving as a resource and source of support for residents, staff members and families alike.
Felician Village welcomes Luke Schubert as new president/CEO
Luke Schubert has been named the president/CEO of Felician Village, Manitowoc, WI, effective Sept. 5.
He will succeed Frank Soltys, who has been serving as the president/CEO. Soltys, who has been at Felician Village since 2013, was announced as the senior vice president, senior living and healthcare, for Felician Services Inc. earlier this year.
Schubert has more than 15 years of experience in senior living and other areas of long-term care. Before accepting the position at Felician Village, he was serving as the regional director of operations for Rennes Group, which has senior living locations throughout Northeast Wisconsin. There, he had primary responsibility for the strategic leadership and fiscal management of the company’s 601-bed skilled nursing portfolio, inpatient and outpatient therapy options, and campus marketing plans.
Schubert also formerly was the campus administrator for the Brown County Community Treatment Center. He oversaw a skilled nursing facility, inpatient psychiatric hospital and a community-based residential facility. Before that, he served in leadership positions at Brookview Meadows Senior Living, Green Bay, WI; Upland Hills Health, Dodgeville, WI; and Golden Living Center, Muscoda, WI.
Schubert completed his undergraduate degree in healthcare administration, with an emphasis in long-term care, at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. He currently is enrolled in the MBA program at Rasmussen University.
Chateau Girardeau President and CEO Keith Boeller to retire
Keith Boeller has announced his retirement as president and CEO of the Cape Retirement Community, doing business as The Chateau Girardeau, effective Jan. 1.
Boeller joined the community in his current role on Jan. 1, 2015. Before serving as president and CEO, he was a member of the board for several years.
Health Dimensions Group names Matthew Owens director of sales and marketing
Matthew Owens has been named director of sales and marketing at the Health Dimensions Group.
Owens’ experience in the senior living and hospitality industry spans more than 15 years and includes several sales and marketing leadership roles. Before joining HDG, he was regional vice president of marketing and strategic planning at a California-based senior living management company.
Owens graduated from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with an undergraduate degree in business administration and management.
Kendal Corp. names Kyle Evans executive chef at Enso Village
Kyle Evans has been named executive chef at Enso Village, a Kendal affiliate under construction in Healdsburg, CA.
Before joining Enso Village, Evans worked at Cyrus Restaurant in Geyersville, CA, and Acquerello, a restaurant in San Francisco. His also is the former executive chef and director of nutritional services at Adventist Health Howard Memorial in Willits, CA.
Evans graduated from the New England Culinary Institute, where he completed his internship in France under a master chef at a Michelin-star rated restaurant. He is a certified dietary manager with more than 10 years of experience in nutrition, health and wellness in a healthcare leadership role.
Buckner names Samantha McCain executive director of Calder Woods
Samantha McCain has been named executive director of Calder Woods in Beaumont, TX, a nonprofit life plan community by Buckner Retirement Services.
Most recently, McCain was Calder Woods’ interim executive director and interim healthcare administrator. She has senior living experience spanning more than 20 years and previously worked for Colonial Healthcare, Trinity Healthcare, Community Care Center of Hondo, Bandera Nursing and Rehab SCC, Archer Healthcare Providers and United Regional Healthcare.
McCain has an associate degree in applied science nursing from Vernon College, a Bachelor of Health Services Administration degree from Baker College, a registered nurse license from the State of Texas and a license in nursing home administration.
Brandon Wilde names Greg Byrge executive director
Greg Byrge has been named the executive director at Brandon Wilde, Evans, GA.
Prior to his appointment at Brandon Wilde, Byrge worked in a variety of capacities at various senior living communities across the country, most recently serving as executive director of Wesley Lea Hill in Auburn, WA.
Before starting his career in senior services, Byrge served in the US Navy. In 1992, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications.
Nazareth Home names Ashley Cochran executive director of Clifton Campus
Ashley Cochran has been named the executive director of Nazareth Home, Clifton Campus, Louisville, KY.
Cochran’s career at the Clifton Campus began 20 years ago in the dietary department. Then she spent many years working in admissions at the Highlands Campus. She studied business administration at University of Louisville and earned her MBA from Indiana University Southeast.
Springs Living appoints Drew Shaffer executive director of The Springs at The Waterfront
Drew Shaffer has been named executive director of The Springs at the Waterfront, Vancouver, WA.
Shaffer has 17 years in senior housing leadership in Clark County, WA. Most of that time was spent as an executive director and regional director of operations for The Quarry Senior Living and as executive director and administrator at Glenwood Place Senior Living.
Shaffer has an associate degree in business administration from Lower Columbia College and an assisted living administrator license from the state of Washington.
Buckner names Jake Bell executive director at Ventana
Jake Bell has been named executive director at Ventana by Buckner Retirement Services in Dallas.
Bell has an extensive resume as a leader in senior living, both at the community and provider level. Most recently, he was president and CEO of Christian Horizons, a senior living provider in the Midwest with life plan communities and other services. He has 20 years of experience with a variety of nonprofit, faith-based organizations.
Bell has an undergraduate degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a Master of Science degree in administration and long-term care and retirement facilities from the University of North Texas.
Watermark names Joel Dayock executive director of Watermark at Trinity
Joel Dayock has been named executive director of The Watermark at Trinity, a Watermark Retirement Communities community in Trinity, FL.
Dayock brings more than 26 years of senior living experience to the role, including more than 12 years of experience in the role of executive director. Prior to joining The Watermark at Trinity, he was executive director of The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay, a Watermark community in nearby St. Petersburg, FL.
Waterstone of Lexington names Katrina DiMarino senior adviser
Katrina DiMarino has been named senior adviser at Waterstone of Lexington, Lexington, MA.
DiMarino has worked in the senior living industry in the Northeast for two years. Prior to that, she led sales teams for hotel brands including Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton.
Lifespark appoints Monica Engel to board of directors
Monica Engel, senior vice president of government markets at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, has joined the Lifespark Board of Directors.
As a member of the executive leadership team at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Engel oversees the organization’s government health program business, including Medicare, Medicaid, the federal employee plan and individual market segments.
Engel’s nonprofit board service includes the Minnesota Council of Health Plans and the Northern Star Scout Council. She also serves as a board advisor for Zipari, a consumer experience technology company that focuses on health insurance. Engel also is an active member of Women Business Leaders organization and a past president of the Women’s Health Leadership Trust.
Sedgebrook Executive Chef Kira Eggert wins 2023 LCS Chef of the Year title
Sedgebrook’s executive chef, Kira Eggert, received the LCS “Chef of the Year 2023” title after battling through a three-round, “Chopped”-style cook-off Aug. 3 at the Sysco Test Kitchens in Houston. In addition to earning the 2023 LCS Chef of the Year title, Eggert will receive a $10,000 grand prize.
As one of the five finalists, Eggert came out on top with a winning dish using mystery basket ingredients including head-on prawns, white corn, green garlic, chanterelle mushrooms, a whole coconut and celeriac root. This year’s event featured celebrity chef Christian Gill, who rose to culinary fame for his numerous executive chef roles and culinary competitions, including a victory on “Beat Bobby Flay.”
Eggert has worked in the senior living industry for more than 20 years. She graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu culinary program and worked in the hotel hospitality industry early in her career.
Carefeed names Steve Haynes chief strategy officer
Steve Haynes has been named chief strategy officer at senior living resident and family engagement platform company Carefeed.
Before joining the leadership team at the Cincinnati-based company, Haynes ws an independent board member at Carefeed. Most recently, he served as the executive vice president of corporate development at ShiftKey. Before ShiftKey, Haynes was on the leadership team at OnShift.
Aline adds Jonathan Blackburn, Ryan Johnson to leadership team
Jonathan Blackburn has been appointed chief revenue officer, and Ryan Johnson has been appointed chief financial officer, at senior living software company Aline, based in Louisville, KY.
Prior to joining Aline, Blackburn was the chief revenue officer for Therapy Brands. He previously was chief revenue officer and general manager of Daxko.
Johnson previously was the chief financial officer at InStride. Before that, he was CFO of SchoolMint.
Cura Hospitality announces four appointments
Cura Hospitality has added four new hires to its team.
Jen Bonilla has been named vice president of operations. She joined Cura Hospitality in April. She previously was executive director and campus president for the Arizona College of Nursing.
Bonilla holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Iowa State University, a Master of Health Innovation from Arizona State University, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel administration from the University of Nevada.
Chris Hoover has been named district manager. He started his career in higher education before transitioning to healthcare foodservice management for more than 13 years. He studied hospitality at James Madison University and finished with a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University.
Tony Filiaggi has been named senior business development director. He has 28 years of experience in various sales and operations roles. He is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, OH, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing and accounting.
Greg Haddon has been named business development director. Prior to joiing Cura, he was director of capital sales equipment training for LiquidSMARTS. He graduated with an accounting degree from Delta State University.
Send your personnel news to Lois Bowers at [email protected]. High-quality color headshots are welcome but not required.
