Send your personnel news to Lois Bowers at [email protected].
National Church Residences names Paul Koehler VP of IT
Paul Koehler has been named vice president of information technology at National Church Residences.
Before joining National Church Residences, Koehler served as chief information officer at Wallick Communities.
Kisco Senior Living adds Frances Bates as general manager of The Newbury of Brookline
Frances Bates has been named the general manager of The Newbury of Brookline.
In the hospitality sector, Bates held management roles, including director and general manager positions in renowned establishments such as The Hard Rock San Diego, St. Regis San Francisco, Ritz Carlton Philadelphia, and Dorado – Ritz Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico.
WesleyLife, WesleyLife Foundation adds members to board of directors
Laura Jackson and Rich Willis have been named to the board of directors at WesleyLife, and Suzie Glazer Burt and Gayle Poortinga have been added to the board of the WesleyLife Foundation.
Longtime Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield leader Jackson, based in Des Moines, IA, now serves as that organization’s executive vice president of health equity, access and improvement; Willis is chairman of the board of Willis Automotive in Clive.
Philanthropist Glazer Burt of Des Moines, IA, provided the lead gift for the WesleyLife More than Meals campaign to fund the organization’s new Meals on Wheels campus. Pella, IA-based Poortinga and her husband, Stan, co-chaired the Transforming Home campaign to create The Cottages, a campus of Hearthstone, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living in Pella.
Retirement Unlimited Inc. COO Michele Thompson joins VALA board
Michele Thompson, the chief operations officer for Retirement Unlimited Inc., has been appointed to the Virginia Assisted Living Association Board of Trustees.
Thompson has worked in the field of senior living for more than 20 years, making her way from the position of executive director to her current role. She has held several positions throughout her career, with a focus in senior living operations.
Thompson is a graduate of the University of Florida.
FALA welcomes Dayne DuVall as director of strategic initiatives
Dayne DuVall, LMT, CAEd, has joined the Florida Assisted Living Association as director of strategic initiatives.
For more than 10 years, DuVall has held executive positions in senior living and medtech. He is the dementia education coordinator for Nova Southeastern University’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program. He is certified as an Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders trainer by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. DuVall also has led research teams as principal investigator in traumatic brain injury, dementia assessment and care, and FDA clearance for medical devices.
DuVall will work closely with FALA CEO Bijou Ikli, the FALA board and executive committee, and staff members to further the organization’s mission: to promote excellence in assisted living communities, advocate for the rights and interests of both residents and providers, and deliver education and resources to enhance the quality of care and life for Florida older adults.
Varsity names Emily Gordon director of client services
Emily Gordon has been named director of client services at Varsity.
Gordon brings with her almost 20 years of advertising and marketing experience. Her career in account management has been focused on building strong brands and stronger client relationships.
SAGE adds Grant Ginder and Lee Coccaro-Sider to board of directors
Grant Ginder and Lee Coccaro-Sider have been added to the board of directors at LBGTQ+ elder advocacy group SAGE.
Ginder is a novelist and academic who began his career at the Center for American Progress. He received his MFA from New York University, where he currently is a professor of writing.
Coccaro-Sider is a medical professional and longtime leader in HIV/AIDS research. While in medical school in Chicago, he was one of the early volunteers at the Howard Brown Health Clinic and would later serve on the board.
Smarter Service names Abbie Richie director of communications
Abbie Richie has been named the director of communications for The Smarter Service, a provider of tech concierge services for senior living communities, their residents and other older adults.
Richie previously was the CEO and founder of Senior Savvy, which has been acquired by The Smarter Service. She will maintain her role as a technology advocate for older adults through her regular appearances as the host of Tech Tuesday on Foresight TV and Tech Talk on Your Life Arizona (CBS3). She also will represent The Smarter Service at industry events, including as a presenter at the International Council on Active Aging Conference and Expo.
Ceca announces 10th annual national award recipients
Ceca has announced the 10th annual National Ceca Award recipients. The program recognizes four caregivers from across the nation who are selected annually from Ceca’s network of healthcare partners and from public nominations through a national network of healthcare affiliates and other channels.
Senior living-related recipients:
- Jacqueline Akansugba, a geriatric nurse assistant at Edenwald Senior Living in Towson, MD.
- Menbere “Gabbi” Ali Gebral, a certified nursing assistant at Knollwood Life Plan Community in Washington, DC
- Lauren Harglerode, resident life associate / med tech at Providence Place Senior Living, Chambersburg, PA
- Arianna Hasty, resident life associate at Providence Place Senior Living, Collegeville, PA
- Jennifer Koedam, activities director at Fellowship Village, Inwood, IA
- Chris Smith, facilities maintenance supervisor at The View Alexandria, VA
- Laura Wicklund, resident assistant at Vista Grande Villa, Jackson, MI
See the whole list of honorees here.
Send your personnel news to Lois Bowers at [email protected]. High-quality color headshots are welcome but not required.
