Send your personnel news to Lois Bowers at [email protected].
Eskaton promotes Sheri Peifer to president
Sheri Peifer has been promoted to the position of president at Carmichael, CA-based Eskaton as part of the first phase of a board-led CEO succession plan. In her new role, Peifer will oversee operations and strategic growth for the organization to meet the increasing demand for senior living solutions.
Peifer, who formerly was Eskaton’s chief strategy officer, joined the organization in 2005 and has led the organization’s efforts in development, management services and affiliations, joint ventures, partnerships, innovation, and marketing and communications.
She holds an undergraduate degree from Messiah College and a Master of Science degree in gerontology and education from California State University, Sacramento. Peifer also is a 2008 graduate of the program now known as the LeadingAge Larry Minnix Leadership Academy.
Ecumen announces Scott Bjerketvedt as SVP – CFO
Scott Bjerketvedt has been promoted to the position of senior vice president – chief financial officer at Shoreview, MN-based Ecumen.
Before joining Ecumen in 2020, Bjerketvedt spent more than 20 years in the medical device industry, where he held several leadership roles.
He earned his undergraduate degree in business administration with an accounting concentration from the University of St. Thomas.
Otterbein SeniorLife names Catherine Chiovaro VP of workforce management
Catherine Chiovaro has been named vice president of workforce management and strategy at Lebanon, OH-based Otterbein SeniorLife. It’s a new position on the executive leadership team.
Chiovaro worked for 17 years at the Laurel Health Care company and previously was the administrator for two HCR ManorCare communities in West Virginia.
Experience Senior Living hires Angelica Ybarra as VP of people
Angelica Ybarra has been hired as vice president of people at Experience Senior Living to help support the growth of the organization.
She comes with 30 years of human resource management and leadership experience. Ybarra will work closely with the executive team, in addition to leading both the culture and recruiting teams in supporting each ESL community, to attract, retain, reward and recognize every employee.
She has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA, and a Master of Science in industrial/organizational psychology, with a specialty in HR management, from Alliant International University in San Diego. She also is a certified residential care facility for the elderly administrator.
Ridgeline Management welcomes Chris Dover, CPA, MHA, as new CFO
M. Christopher Dover, CPA, MHA, has been named chief financial officer at Ridgeline Management Co., Rockwall, TX.
Dover is a healthcare financial operations executive with 22 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He previously has served as CFO for hospitals and healthcare systems ranging from Holdenville General Hospital to Brookdale Hospital and Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY.
Dover graduated from Oklahoma State University, majoring in accounting, and also holds a master’s degree in hospital administration from Trinity University. He has been a continuously licensed Texas CPA for 20 years.
Newmark announces healthcare and seniors housing specialty practice leader, Ben Tate
Benjamin A. Tate has been promoted to senior managing director and healthcare and seniors housing specialty practice leader at Newmark.
Tate will work closely with Matt Yance and Tim Gillespie, MAI, both promoted to executive vice presidents, and Executive Vice President Charlie Henderson, a new hire.
Tate has appraised more than 600 assets throughout his career, including notable portfolios for domestic and international clients. He joined Newmark in 2017 as a founding member of the Healthcare & Seniors Housing Specialty Practice.
Robin N. Khanal joins Florida Senior Living Association board
Trial lawyer and healthcare policy adviser Robin N. Khanal, a partner with the firm Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, recently accepted an appointment to the board of directors for the Florida Senior Living Association. Khanal will serve as parliamentarian on the board’s executive committee.
Khanal is a civil trial attorney practicing complex personal injury defense, predominantly in the areas of medical malpractice, assisted living, nursing home and premises liability.
As FSLA’s parliamentarian, Khanal’s role is to collaborate with staff to serve as the board’s in-house expert to interpret and apply the rules of order for board and committee meetings, and to provide advice and recommendations to help the presiding officer respond to points of order and parliamentary inquiries. Khanal’s duties as parliamentarian also may include coordinating with staff to review FSLA’s bylaws, policies and procedures; providing training and other guidance to the board; and giving other related assistance.
SCAN Foundation hires three new VPs
The SCAN Foundation has hired three new vice presidents from various sectors of healthcare to its executive team.
Anika S. Heavener will serve as vice president of innovation and Investments, Narda Ipakchi will serve as vice president of policy, and Rigo A. Saborio will serve as vice president of programs, equity and community impact.
Heavener will lead the innovation and investments portfolio to steward TSF’s endowment of $270 million and develop the next generation of solutions for older adults. Most recently, she was vice president, data strategy and operations, at Homethrive. Previously, Heavener assisted in the creation of the $350 million Dementia Discovery Fund on behalf of the UK government.
Ipakchi will oversee policy and strategy to work toward equitable policy recommendations to support the health and well-being of older adults at the state and federal levels. Most recently, she was the Medicare and Medicaid policy director for the US Senate Special Committee on Aging Committee. Previously, she worked as a senior consultant for Health Management Associates.
Saborio will work to ensure that community engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion are at the center of all TSF grants. He has more than 30 years of experience in the aging field. Saborio most recently spent 13 years as president and CEO of St. Barnabas Senior Services. Previously, he was director of diversity outreach and alliances for AARP.
Lynn O’Connor named LeadingAge DC board chair
Ingleside President and CEO Lynn O’Connor, MSA, LNHA, CASP, CMDCP, has been elected to serve as chair for LeadingAge DC’s Board of Directors.
O’Connor has built up over 40 years of aging services leadership experience. O’Connor currently serves as chair of the Board of Directors for the Presbyterian Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
O’Connor has an undergraduate degree in healthcare management from St. Joseph’s University, a Master of Science in healthcare administration from Central Michigan University, and long-term care certification from the University of Maryland.
LCS’s Monica Friedman named 2022 HR Professional of the Year
Monica Friedman, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at LCS, has been named the 2022 Dentons Davis Brown HR Professional of the Year by the Des Moines Business Record. The award highlights an outstanding HR professional from Central Iowa for their professional accomplishments and community engagement.
Among her community leadership roles, Friedman is the chair of the MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center board and serves on the boards for the LCS Foundation and the Center for Health Administration and Aging Services Excellence at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She is a past United Way board member and past chair of the Red Cross Iowa Region board.
Friedman has an undergraduate degree in industrial relations human resources with highest distinction from the University of Iowa, along with SPHR and SHRM-SCP designations. She is a graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Community Leadership Program.
MatrixCare hires Bharat Monteiro as general manager of facilities
Bharat Monteiro has been appointed general manager, facilities software and services, at MatrixCare. He will be responsible for overseeing the company’s entire product portfolio for the facilities market, including senior living, life plan communities and skilled nursing facilities.
Monteiro started his career in pharmaceutical manufacturing and has held a variety of positions across multiple industries, leading business transformation initiatives through solution innovation, the creation of new revenue streams, and the application of alternative business models to increase value for organizations and their end-customers.
Monteiro holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering and a Master of Science degree in management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Jim Kearns elected as chair of TRSA board of directors
Jim Kearns, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Alsco Uniforms, was elected chair of TRSA’s Board of Directors during the Annual Membership Meeting on Sept. 15.
TRSA represents companies that supply, launder and maintain linens and uniforms.
A graduate of the University of Utah, Kearns joined Alsco in 1993 as the internal audit director and advanced to his current position in January 2019.
Send your personnel news to Lois Bowers at [email protected]. High-quality color headshots are welcome but not required.
