Gary Anderson promoted to president of Lutheran Senior Services; John Kotovsky to continue as CEO
Gary Anderson has been promoted to president of St. Louis-based Lutheran Senior Services, the 14th largest not-for-profit multi-site senior living organization in the United States, according to the 2018 LeadingAge Ziegler 200.
John Kotovsky, currently president and CEO of Lutheran Senior Services, will remain CEO and will continue to focus on fulfilling the organization’s Christian mission and implementing its strategic plan and direction.
As president, Anderson will be responsible for all Lutheran Senior Services business and clinical operations. The organization serves more than 11,000 older adults through nine life plan communities offering independent living, assisted Living, long-term care and REACH short stay rehabilitation; one assisted living community; 11 affordable housing locations and home- and community-based services, including home healthcare, private duty care and hospice.
Anderson has been executive vice president and administration officer for Lutheran Senior Services since 2017. Prior to that, he had been vice president for clinical effectiveness and chief nursing officer since joining the organization in 2014.
The new president has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, including service as senior vice president of operations for a large telemedicine group and roles as a nursing executive and service line manager in the area of orthopedic, neuroscience and rehabilitation services. His background includes program development, clinical design and service lines across several healthcare sectors, including tertiary, community, healthcare systems and nonprofit organizations.Anderson is a board-certified fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and an adjunct professor in health sciences, offering lectures on clinical process design, program development and project management. He is a professional registered nurse in Missouri and has a nursing diploma from St. Luke’s Hospital, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Webster University and an Master of Health Administration degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia. He began his professional nursing education at the Lutheran School of Nursing in St. Louis.
Stephanie Handelson named CEO of Greystone Healthcare Management
Stephanie Handelson has been named CEO of the Tampa, FL-based Greystone Healthcare Management Corp., also known as the Greystone Health Network, which manages a network of 28 assisted living communities, skilled nursing with memory care, outpatient rehabilitation, home health and private duty agencies.
She succeeds Gerry Jenich, who had been interim CEO since February 2018.
Handelson spent eight years as president and chief operating officer of Benchmark Senior Living. There, she focused on developing the organization’s “people first” philosophy to enhance both resident and business outcomes. Before Benchmark, she was senior vice president of East Coast operations of a large national senior living provider, overseeing more than 200 communities.
Handelson is a former member of the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care’s Operator Advisory Board, served on the Argentum board for three terms and is a member of the American Seniors Housing Association and Senior Living 100 Advisory Board. She has an MBA from Dowling College in Oakdale, NY, and an undergraduate degree in hospitality from New York Institute of Technology.
Heather Frahm joins Benchmark as chief marketing officer
Heather Frahm has joined Benchmark’s senior leadership team in the newly created role of chief marketing officer.
In her new role, Frahm will be responsible for the company’s brand strategy, advertising, market research, marketing communications, customer experience and marketing automation and will contribute to the company’s strategy.
Frahm co-founded Boston-based Catalyst, a search engine marketing firm specializing in serving Fortune 500 companies, in 1998. In 2006, she and her co-founder sold the company to a subsidiary of global ad conglomerate WPP, and she continued serving as the company’s president until 2013.
Before co-founding Catalyst in 1998, she was an assistant vice president for BankBoston’s commercial lending financial institutions group and was a member of its internet marketing team. She also held positions at State Street Bank and Trust, Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, and Goldman Financial Group.
Frahm earned her undergraduate degree in economics from Hartwick College and an MBA in finance from Boston College.
Josh A. McCreary appointed general counsel, SVP and secretary at NHC
Josh A. McCreary has been appointed as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary at Murfreesboro, TN-based National HealthCare Corp.
“His extensive private practice experience and knowledge in multiple areas of law make him an exceptional addition to our team,” said NHC CEO Steve Flatt.
McCreary is a partner at Hudson, Reed & McCreary, where he has practiced since 1998. He regularly counsels and represents businesses, governments and individuals in a wide variety of transactional, compliance and litigation matters. He also serves as the county attorney for Rutherford County, TN.
McCreary earned his undergraduate degree from Lipscomb University and his law degree from University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Nicholas Rumanes named head of development at Welltower
Nicholas Rumanes has joined Toledo, OH-based real estate investment trust Welltower as head of development. He will manage the company’s development efforts across the healthcare continuum, including seniors housing, post-acute care and outpatient medical projects.
Rumanes joins the REIT from Unibail-Rodamko-Westfield, where he was senior vice president, U.S. development. There, he was responsible for the development of Westfield’s U.S. portfolio, which included oversight of a $6 billion development pipeline.
Before his tenure at URW, Rumanes was senior vice president, real estate development design and construction, at Oasis West Realty.
“Nicholas’ successful track record of large-scale, complex development projects will be crucial for this next stage of growth at the company,” said Shankh Mitra, Welltower executive vice president and chief investment officer. “He brings extensive knowledge and expertise, and his ability to attract top-level development talent will be valuable as we expand our full suite of development and re-development capabilities to transform the next generation of health care infrastructure.”
Welltower also named Ryan Rothacker as vice president of operations, outpatient medical.
Dale Schall joins Cadence Living as vice president of culinary experience
Dale Schall has joined Scottsdale, AZ-based Cadence Living as vice president of culinary experience.
Schall has more than 30 years of experience in food service and management as well as expertise in kitchen design. Most recently, he was general manager at Sodexo Corporate Services, where he managed the food service program for multiple corporate campuses. Schall also formerly was the executive chef at Sierra Pointe Retirement Community.
He initially will focus his efforts on Inspira Arrowhead and Acoya Mesa independent living, assisted living and memory care communities, which are scheduled to open this year in Glendale, AZ, and Mesa, AZ, respectively.
Abbey Reach promoted to director of compliance at Atlas Senior Living
Abbey Reach has been promoted to director of compliance at Birmingham, AL-based Atlas Senior Living. She formerly was executive director of the former Sunrise Ridge, now called Legacy Ridge, in Trussville, AL.
Reach will be responsible for providing regulatory and compliance support for all communities, clinical oversight, incident-reporting and care-planning compliance, mock surveys and action plans, corporate compliance and risk management, and community human resources benefits review and roll-out initiatives.
Reach began working in senior living in 2009 as a business office director at Sunrise Ridge. In 2010, she was promoted to executive director after obtaining her administrator’s license. She began working with Atlas Senior Living as the executive director following Atlas’ acquisition of the community in November 2016. She also obtained her certified risk and compliance management professional certification in 2018.
Reach graduated from Jefferson State Community College with an Associate in Applied Science Degree as a medical support specialist and a certified medical office assistant.
Christopher Eissler joins Conservatory at Alden Bridge as director of culinary service
Christopher Eissler, CEC, CPC, has joined Conservatory at Alden Bridge, an independent senior living community in The Woodlands, TX, managed and operated by Discovery Senior Living, as director of culinary services.
Eissler is certified as an executive chef, pastry chef and a master sommelier. He obtained his associate’s degree in dietetics and nutrition and earned his bachelor’s degree in restaurant management from Cornell University.
Eissler earned his master’s degree from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and pursued an apprenticeship in Europe before returning to the United States to open several restaurants of his own, one of which was named one of the Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New York by the “New York Times.”
Before joining the Conservatory at Alden Bridge, Eissler was a personal chef for Frank Sinatra and Ted Turner, ran catering operations while managing more than 6,500 team members and served seated meals to more than 10,000 people.
E. Taveirne named executive director at Travanse Living at Wheaton
E. Taveirne named executive director at Travanse Living at Wheaton, an Integral Senior Living assisted living and memory care community in Wheaton, IL.
His responsibilities include overseeing the community’s day-to-day operations and team management, hiring all department heads and care staff, and coordinating with Integral.
Before joining Travanse Living, Taveirne served for many years in local churches, as well as in behavioral, supportive living and memory care settings. He is an ordained clergy person and a licensed nursing home administrator.
Friendship Senior Options names three managers
Friendship Senior Options, which manages Friendship Village of Schaumburg and GreenFields of Geneva, has filled three management positions from within its own workforce.
Tony Madl is the new executive director of GreenFields, Casey Pudwill is the new administrator at Briarwood Healthcare of Friendship Village and Tony Rizzato is the new administrator of Briarwood Healthcare of GreenFields. The three have worked within the Friendship Senior Options organizations for a cumulative 32 years.
Madl came to Friendship Senior Options seven years ago, working as the administrator at Briarwood Healthcare of Friendship Village. When the executive director at GreenFields retired, he was promoted to that position.
Pudwill started with Friendship Village as a high school student 20 years ago. Rising through the ranks, he became the assistant administrator at Briarwood Healthcare at Friendship Village before being promoted to administrator at GreenFields. He now is moving back to the larger Briarwood Healthcare Center at Friendship Village.
Rizzato came to Friendship Village five years ago as the healthcare liaison and subsequently was promoted to the position of the assistant administrator under Madl. When Madl was promoted, Rizzato stepped in as Friendship Village’s interim administrator before moving to the administrator at GreenFields.
Kelly Fieldhouse is new Bristol Glen sales director
Kelly Fieldhouse is the new sales director at United Methodist Communities at Bristol Glen, a continuing care retirement community in Newton, NJ.
In this role, she will lead the sales team in its strategic goal to ensure census throughout Bristol Glen and implement the tactical plan.
Fieldhouse has undergraduate and master’s degrees. She holds a certification in gerontology and is a certified occupancy and tax credit specialist.
Her professional experience includes positions as site manager, executive director, program manager, community resource manager, care coordinator, art therapist and residential manager.
Kasey Moore named director of sales and marketing of Charter Senior Living of Panama City Beach
Kasey Moore has been named director of sales and marketing of Charter Senior Living’s independent living, assisted living and memory care community in Panama City Beach, FL: Charter Senior Living of Panama City Beach.
Over the past two years, Moore has worked in admission and marketing for a health and rehabilitation Center. She also formerly worked part-time/PRN recruiting therapists for long-term care facilities.
Moore graduated with honors from the University of West Florida with an undergraduate degree in English.
Raquel Hebben named sales counselor for Maravilla at The Domain
Raquel Hebben has been named sales counselor at Maravilla at The Domain, a Senior Resource Group community under development in Austin, TX.
“She has more than 20 years’ experience in virtually every aspect of the hospitality industry,” said SRG President and CEO Michael Grust. “She comes to us after spending 14 years as vice president of membership for the Dominion Golf Club in River Place, and we are looking forward to having her connect and engage with our clientele.”
The 370,000 square-foot development will offer 230 residences — a mix of 142 independent living, 54 assisted living and 34 memory care units — and associated services and amenities, including access to an on-site rehabilitation center.
In addition to developing Maravilla at The Domain, Senior Resource Group will own, operate and manage the property.
Amy Ward promoted to assistant human resources director at Oak Crest
Amy Ward promoted to assistant human resources director at Oak Crest, a Parkville, MD, continuing care retirement community developed and managed by Erickson Living.
She joined the community in November 2016 and formerly was senior human resources manager. Previously, Ward was employed with LifeBridge Health for 14 years.
Ward earned her undergraduate degree from Ursinus College and a master’s degree in human resources management from Villanova University. A member of the Society of Human Resources Management and Chesapeake Human Resources Association, she holds a certification as a professional in human resources and also is a Society for Human Resource Management certified professional.
Gretchen Scott is care services reimbursement specialist at Senior Living Communities
Gretchen Scott has joined Charlotte, NC-based Senior Living Communities as a care services reimbursement specialist.
In this role, she will help support the care services team in their mission of enhancing the lives of members by facilitating processes.
Scott has 12 years of MDS experience in the long-term care industry.
Indya Wright is business manager at The Stratford
Indya Wright is the new business manager at The Stratford, a continuing care retirement community in Carmel, IN, owned and operated by Charlotte, NC-based Senior Living Communities.
She will help support members of the executive team.
Wright pursued an MBA in healthcare administration and has four years of experience working in long-term care.
Keller, Meier join Bethesda Health Group Board of Directors
J. Michael Keller and J. Dale Meier have joined the Bethesda Health Group Board of Directors.
Keller recently retired from his position as executive director of the Independence Center of St. Louis, a community-based rehabilitation program for adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses. He has been a member of the Bethesda Advisory Board since 2016.
Meier recently retired from his position as managing partner of Grant Cooper & Associates, an executive search firm working principally in the healthcare industry. He has been serving on the Bethesda Advisory Board since 2010.
Bethesda Health Group has been providing residence, care and services since its establishment in 1889. Services include senior independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing with rehabilitation and therapy services, memory support, care management, home health, hospice care, respite care and in-home care and services.
K4Connect appoints chief growth officer, expands duties of president to COO
Keith Stewart has been appointed chief growth officer at Raleigh, NC-based technology company K4Connect. The company also announced expanding responsibilities for President Derek Holt, who now also will serve as chief operating officer.
Stewart has 20 years of experience in the technology industry and will help with K4Connect’s progress and expansion. Before joining K4Connect, he was the chief revenue officer for Site 1001, a California-based startup focused on smart buildings, real estate technology and construction technology. Before that, he was a global sales leader and executive staff member in the Watson Internet of Things Division at IBM.
Holt, in his expanded role, will continue to focus on all aspects of K4Connect’s business. He will oversee internal and field operations, marketing and communications, program management, customer success and product marketing, which includes K4Connect’s expansion into the home market.
Before joining K4Connect, Holt was a founding member and managing director of business development for Startup America Partnership, a public-private partnership focused on the acceleration of entrepreneurship in the United States. He also was a founding member and the head of growth at Main Street Genome, a venture-backed startup focused on improving success rates of main street businesses through data and technology.
Holt began his career at IBM and was the worldwide program director for business partners and general business in the company’s Rational Software Division. Throughout his 10-year career at IBM, he held various technical and business leadership roles.
Since its founding, K4Connect has grown from a six-person startup to a team of more than 50 employees, secured $22 million in funding and partnering with senior living operators across the country. K4Connect’s technology is being used by thousands of residents and staff members of senior living communities coast to coast.
Jamison Gosselin joins G5 as vice president, senior living strategy
Jamison Gosselin has joined Bend, OR-based real estate marketing company G5 as vice president of senior living strategy. He will be responsible for leading G5’s growth in the expanding senior living market.
Before joining G5, Gosselin was the principal and executive consultant at Jamison Marketing & Communications, where he specialized in strategy, brand management, integrated marketing, corporate communications and resident programs. Previously, he was the senior vice president of marketing, communications and resident enrichment at Holiday Retirement, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Argentum, and the senior director of corporate marketing for Sunrise Senior Living.
G5 is backed by private equity investor PeakEquity Partners.
Mark Brunsma named SVP, director of business development at Love Funding
Mark Brunsma has been promoted to senior vice president, director of business development, at Washington, DC-based Love Funding, a provider of FHA multifamily, affordable and healthcare financing. He will continue working out of the Love Funding office in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
In his new role, Brunsma will lead originations and marketing efforts. He will coach, develop and expand the originations team and will continue to promote the firm.
Brunsma joined Love Funding in 2011 as a member of the underwriting team and most recently served as vice president, deputy chief underwriter, with a focus on affordable housing. He was awarded Love Funding’s annual Outstanding Service Award in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Before joining Love Funding, Brunsma was a multi-state licensed real estate appraiser for 15 years. In 2001, he founded a full-service real estate appraisal firm in which he oversaw and mentored appraisers.
Eldermark Software beefs up contact center staffing
Minnetonka, MN-based senior living software company Eldermark has repositioned its contact center and hired Lori Ledahl as senior vice president of operations.
Ledahl has 25 years of healthcare service operations experience.
“We are building a results-oriented team, leveraging a century worth of experience in senior living marketing and sales,” she said.
Eldermark recently opened a new call center in Bismarck, ND, featuring a team of contact and connect agents.
“The solutions and programs we’re deploying are based on direct requests from our customers, including the contact center,” said Eldermark’s Matt McNeill.
Carrie Parker has been named senior vice president, client services, at the contact center. She will lead contact center operations, focused on driving exceptional customer support and strengthening relationship with key partners.
Parker has more than 18 years of senior housing leadership experience, including a variety of operations and sales leadership roles. For nine years, she was an organization’s vice president of sales and marketing and used Eldermark’s CRM system. She led 46 teams to increase premium revenue and achieve organizational sales goals.
Karen Hede is regional vice president, client services, at the contact center. She has more than 25 years of marketing and business-to-business sales experience. For the past eight years, she sas worked in a mid-sized senior living organization, where she provided leadership and coaching to more than 10 community sales professionals.
As a senior regional sales and marketing director and a long-term Eldermark CRM user, Hede focused on sales coaching to achieve occupancy and revenue goals across the newly created enterprise to achieve deal goals, helping to drive profitable growth and participating in transforming the healthcare experience for consumers.
Crystal Craig is national sales specialist at the contact center.
Craig has been involved with the senior housing industry for 15 years, beginning her career as a social services director. She has worked as a sales representative for the past 10 years, using the Eldermark CRM system at a senior living community in Chico, CA.
Send personnel news to Senior Editor Lois A. Bowers. Please include a high-quality color photo.
