Rev. John Kotovsky to step down as CEO, become chief mission officer of Lutheran Senior Services
After more than a decade at the helm of Lutheran Senior Services, Rev. John Kotovsky is stepping down as CEO and into a new role of chief mission officer at LSS, the organization announced Monday.
“I’ve felt a pull to focus even more on the Christian mission and spiritual side of LSS,” Kotovsky said in a news release. “After prayerful consideration and discussions with the LSS Board of Directors and the senior mission team, I am transitioning to a new position that allows me to focus on these areas while providing time for succession planning for the next CEO.”
Kotovsky has been CEO of the organization since 2007. His new position takes effect July 1. Gary Anderson, current president of LSS, will serve as interim CEO during the transition period.
“John has led our organization through times of major expansion and did so while keeping us focused on our mission of ‘Older Adults Living Life to the Fullest,’ ” Anderson said. “This new role is perfect for his passion for LSS and our mission.”
The LSS Board of Directors has formed a search committee to begin the CEO search process.
LSS has 21 locations in Missouri and Illinois and serves more than 13,000 older adults every year through options that include senior living communities offering all levels of care, affordable housing for those with limited incomes, and home- and community-based services.
Kendal Development Vice President David Jones announces retirement
David Jones, the Kendal Corp.’s vice president for development, has retired after 27 years with the organization. Since joining Kendal in 1992, Jones worked in close collaboration with executive directors, affiliate boards of directors and staff throughout the Kendal system.
During his tenure, the Kendal system added 11 new affiliates in seven states. He served as project leader for the design and construction of several Kendal communities and has overseen renovations and expansions on many Kendal campuses.
Over the past 12 years, Jones has led the Kendal Sustainability Project Group, bringing residents and staff in every Kendal community together online and in quarterly conference calls to share ideas and model practices to sustain and improve the environment. He also oversaw the design and construction of 48 LEED Gold certified cottages on the Kendal at Longwood campus.
At the same time, Jones helped new staff members learn how Kendal’s Quaker heritage informs and enlivens their work. He made presentations to affiliate board members on the art and techniques of collaborative decision-making.
Most recently, Jones shepherded Kendal at Lexington’s $40 million expansion project in Virgina and supervised the development and construction of the new Preston building at Barclay Friends, slated to open this fall in West Chester, PA, to replace a building destroyed in a fire.
Jones graduated from Earlham College in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in geology. He earned a master’s degree in geology in 1978 from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Anne Kempsell appointed VP, sales and marketing, at Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland
Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland named Anne Kempsell its vice president of sales and marketing. The faith-based organization was created in 2018 to serve as the parent organization of continuing care retirement communities Carroll Lutheran Village and The Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant.
Most recently a hospice care consultant in Lancaster, PA, Kempsell now oversees a team of six and directs and manages LSMMD’s marketing and communications efforts and leads initiatives that support the CCRC’s corporate business objectives.
Kempsell has worked in the senior living industry for almost two decades, working in increasingly responsible leadership roles in community relations, partner services, consulting, and sales and marketing for assisted living communities, CCRCs, hospice care and referrals services.
She earned her undergraduate degree in business administration from William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA.
Joel Anderson joins LifeStar Living LLC as managing principal
LifeStar Living, a new Sarasota, FL-based company, announced that Joel Anderson will join the company as a managing principal.
Anderson previously served as CEO of Village On The Isle in Venice. He also serves as the chair of LeadingAge Florida and an appointee to the Governor’s Continuing Care Advisory Council. His background includes more than 20 years of executive management experience in senior living.
LifeStar Living will officially begin operations on July 6.
Legend Senior Living promotes Melissa Bossert to regional director of Florida operations
Legend Senior Living, owner of The Windsor Senior Living residences throughout Florida, has announced the promotion of Melissa Bossert to regional director of operations for Florida.
Bossert’s long history in senior living began 25 years ago as a resident lifestyle facilitator for Westminster Communities of Florida, where she spent 18 years. After serving as interim director of Plantation Oaks Senior Living, she quickly moved into regional directorship and then executive directorship. She joined Legend as area director of operations for North Florida two years ago.
In her new role, Bossert will oversee 10 communities — the largest among the company’s six-state network of 40 residences. She will oversee the overall operations for Florida Windsor communities, including sales, dining, services, clinical services and life enrichment, along with workforce development.
Bossert previously was area director of North Florida for the company.
Judi Donovan named executive director of The Barclay at SouthPark
The Barclay at SouthPark has announced that Judi Donovan will be the continuing care retirement community’s executive director. Donovan will oversee daily operations of the community, which has 165 independent living apartments and 124 accommodations within assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation.
Donovan has led teams in opening 20 senior living communities in eight states. She started her senior living career in 2003 with Erickson Living as part of the opening team at Fox Run, a CCRC in Novi, MI. She was the director of operations and eventually moved into a regional director role supporting Erickson’s developing communities.
In 2010, Donovan joined the senior leadership team with Friendship Senior Options, the largest CCRC in the Chicago area, where she helped launch GreenFields of Geneva. She moved on to Watercrest Senior Living Group in Vero Beach, FL, where she was vice president of startup operations.
Before senior living, Donovan was part of the operational transition team for Detroit’s new airport terminal.
Donovan has an undergraduate degree in business and an MBA with a concentration in healthcare. She is a member of Argentum, SAGE and the North Carolina Senior Living Association.
The Barclay at SouthPark is a CCRC under the umbrella of Liberty Senior Living, a family-owned company based in Wilmington, NC. It is scheduled to open later this year.
Claiborne Senior Living announces new leadership roles
Claiborne Senior Living has announced Tracie Marcou as the executive director and Amy West as the community relations director at its newest community, the Claiborne at Newnan Lakes in Newnan, GA.
Marcou will oversee the strategic direction and daily operations of the independent living, assisted living and memory care areas at the Claiborne. She has been in the field for 15 years with the last five years in the Newnan area.
West is responsible for sales and marketing activities at the Claiborne. She began her career 28 years ago in the medical field. Eight of those years, she has served seniors, and the last five years have been in Newnan.
Headquartered in Hattiesburg, MS, Claiborne Senior Living has senior living communities in Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. The Claiborne at Newnan Lakes anticipates a September opening for independent living, with assisted living and memory care following at the end of the year.
Meyer Design expands FF+E purchasing team, services
Meyer Design, a national architecture and interior design firm with a dedicated senior living studio, has expanded its furniture, fixtures and equipment purchasing team and services to include full selection, specification and procurement services.
The team is led by Meyer Principal and Senior Living Practice Leader Shannon Remaley and newly hired furniture industry veteran Michele Segre. With more than 25 years of furniture industry experience, Segre will oversee each project from design concept through implementation.
