Movers & Shakers – People and Positions for January 2012

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Kindred Appoints Dr. Marc Rothman as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Its Nursing Center Division

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Kindred Healthcare, Inc. announced the appointment of Dr. Marc Rothman as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for the Company’s Nursing Center Division.  Dr. Keith Krein, the current Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for the Nursing Center Division, will be moving to a new role as Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs for the division, effective the end of this year. In this capacity, Dr. Krein will focus on special projects for the division and support the Company’s advocacy efforts with policy makers.

Most recently, Dr. Rothman has been a practicing geriatrician with The Permanente Medical Group at the Kaiser-Permanente San Francisco Medical Center. Dr. Rothman is a specialist in internal and geriatric medicine, clinical epidemiology and long-term care. In San Francisco, he led the Kaiser-Permanente post-acute service and attended to residents in two of the Company’s nursing and rehabilitation centers. Dr. Rothman is a member of the American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Directors Association, American College of Physicians and the Society of Internal Medicine.

R. Robertson Hilton Elected as Chair of the International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing

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R. Robertson Hilton, president and chief executive officer of The A.M. McGregor Group of Cleveland, comprised of The McGregor Foundation, The A.M. McGregor Home, and McGregor PACE, has been elected the 2012-2014 Chair of the International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing (IAHSA).   In his role, Hilton will oversee the Washington, D.C.-based organization’s governance, fiduciary, and policy development functions. Hilton joined McGregor in 2001 after 27 years in banking, corporate treasury, and finance. He started his career in 1974 with The First National Bank of Chicago, where he held corporate banking positions for over 18 years in Chicago, Tokyo, Cleveland, and New York.  A 1972 graduate of Wesleyan University in American Studies, Hilton in 1974 received an MBA in International Finance from the University of Chicago. In 2006, he was awarded a Doctorate of Management from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Tel-Tron Announces New Vice President of Client Experience

Tel-Tron Technologies recently announced the hiring of Jeff Robertson, as Vice President of Client Experience.  Robertson is responsible for providing leadership and direction in the areas of customer support and client success, and for initiating activities that are aimed at meeting Tel-Tron’s customer goals.  The position is part of the executive team, and plays an active role in the development of strategic objectives to ensure Tel-Tron provides outstanding service to its clients.  Robertson earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Shorter College.  He was previously a Regional Sales Manager with Bogen Communications.

Daniel Decker Joins Health Care REIT, Inc. Board of Directors

Health Care REIT, Inc. (NYSE:HCN) has announced that Daniel Decker has been named to its board of directors.  Mr. Decker has been actively involved in the seniors housing industry for nearly 20 years. His experience in seniors housing includes investments in approximately $2 billion of assets across a broad spectrum of asset types, including continuing care retirement communities, stand-alone independent living and assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities.

Mr. Decker’s seniors housing investments have been made through three different public companies: The Forum Group (NASDAQ), Forum Retirement Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ) and Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE). Mr. Decker was also involved with several investments in the hospitality industry, made through the Bristol Hotel Company (NYSE) and Wyndham Hotels (NYSE). Each of these entities was controlled by The Hampstead Group, LLC, a Dallas-based, private equity investment firm that specialized in real estate operating companies (REOCs) on behalf of its institutional investor partners. Mr. Decker was one of three partners at Hampstead and served in a leadership role for each of these investments. Mr. Decker continues his presence in the industry through his recent establishment of CoastWood Senior Housing Partners, LLC, an investment firm focused exclusively on seniors housing.

Prior to joining Hampstead in 1990, Mr. Decker was a founder of the law firm Munsch, Hardt, Kopf & Harr with offices in Dallas, Houston and Austin. Mr. Decker began his career as a transaction lawyer in 1980 with the Dallas-based firm of Winstead, Sechrest & Minick.  Mr. Decker received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Economics in 1979 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1980 from the University of Missouri. Mr. Decker has served on the boards of each of the companies named above, as well as various non-profit organizations.

Aegis Living Names Carpenter to lead Shoreline Community

Aegis Living has announced that John Carpentier, current Executive Director at Aegis of Edmonds, has agreed to lead the Aegis of Shoreline community.  John began the move to Aegis of Shoreline in August, while continuing to assist with the transition of the new Executive Director at Aegis of Edmonds.  Prior to joining Aegis Living, almost two years ago, John was General Manager for Spacelabs — a cutting edge healthcare technology company.  He also led Healthcare Service International as President and was a Director at Philips Medical.

NCOA Welcomes Birkel and Hofland to Team

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has announced the addition of Dr. Richard Birkel of Washington, DC, as Vice President and Director of the Self-Care Management Alliance. In addition, NCOA has added Dr. Brian Hofland of Washington, DC, as its Director of Strategic Collaboration.

Richard Birkel, Ph.D., has been a public health activist and an advocate for families living with chronic illness and disability for more than 30 years. He is a national expert on long-term care, family caregiving, and the implementation of evidence-based practices in health and mental health systems.    Dr. Birkel will lead NCOA’s Self-Care Management Alliance, which brings together business, nonprofit, and government leaders to develop self-management tools for millions of older adults, so they can play an active role in improving their own health.  Prior to coming to NCOA, Birkel served as Chief Executive of the Rosalynn Carter Institute and held the Pope Distinguished Chair in Caregiving at Georgia Southwestern State University. Birkel received his B.A. from Yale and a Masters in Public Administration and Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Virginia.

Dr. Brian Hofland will work with senior leaders to develop strategies for effectively engaging government, philanthropy, and business in working with NCOA and its community partners to improve the health and economic security of millions of disadvantaged and vulnerable older adults.  He previously served as Director of Economic Justice at the AARP Foundation and Director of International Aging Programs at the Atlantic Philanthropies. Hofland holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Health and Human Development from the Pennsylvania State University.

ActiveCare, Inc. Announces a Newly Appointed CEO

ActiveCare, Inc. recently announced the appointment of David S. Boone as Chief Executive officer.  Mr. Boone has 15 years of extensive experience in the healthcare industry bringing a depth of experience to ActiveCare.  Most recently he was CEO of American CareSource Holdings, where he took the company from $5 million in sales revenues to over $75 million in revenues and from a $19 million market capitalization to over $140 million in less than 5 years.

Mr. Boone graduated in accountancy from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign, and earned his MBA from Harvard.  In addition as serving as the CEO of American CareSource, he held executive positions with CIGNA, The Boston Consulting Group, Kraft General Foods, PepsiCo., Safeway Corporation and Belo Corp.  In addition, he was the 2009 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner for Health Care in the Southwest Region.

Western Community Housing President Graham P. Espley-Jones NamedBIA/SC 55+ Housing Council SAGE “Person of the Year”

Western Community Housing, Inc., has announced that Graham P. Espley-Jones, President of Western Community Housing, has been named 2011 SAGE “Person of the Year” by the 55+ Housing Council, a special interest council of the Building Industry Association of Southern California. This prestigious award honors an individual for their commitment, personal compassion and outstanding professional contributions to housing and related services to Southern California’s 55+ residents. 

Espley-Jones has been involved in senior and affordable housing communities for over three decades and has been widely acknowledged for his financial expertise and acumen crossing two distinct market sectors — affordable senior apartments and assisted living (“service enhanced”). Espley-Jones’ broad connections throughout the senior housing industry have resulted in an impressive record of public-private partnering and mentoring in the course of developing over 10,000 housing units for seniors.

Under his direction over the past nine years, Espley-Jones has overseen Western’s growth of its affordable housing portfolio from ownership interests in five affordable communities to more than 80 communities. Of these communities, 29 are targeted to senior occupancy only and total 2,758 units with approximately 3,300 residents. Western’s development partners include Highridge Costa Housing Partners, Meta Housing Corporation, Wasatch Advantage Group, Urban Housing Communities, Steadfast Companies, Palm Communities and others equally respected for their experience and innovation in creating communities where Southern California seniors can live and thrive.

Espley-Jones began his career in senior and affordable housing at ARV Assisted Living, where he served for 10 years as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. During his tenure at ARV, the assisted living division developed and/or acquired over 60 assisted living communities comprising approximately 7,000 units and the affordable housing division developed and/or acquired 22 apartment communities containing approximately 2,000 units. Espley-Jones also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Kaufman & Broad Multi-Housing Group, Inc. (now Highridge Costa Housing Partners), a leading investor and developer of senior and family affordable communities, and as Chief Financial Officer of the Meyers Group, a real estate information and consulting company specializing in the housing industry.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for EngAGE (honored as the 2003 SAGE “Program of the Year”), whose mission is to provide life-enhancing programs to low and moderate income seniors living in affordable apartment communities. Espley-Jones is a member and supporter of The Kennedy Commission (Affordable Housing Advocacy) as well as the BIA and 55+ Housing Council (Director, 2003-2004).

be.group Appoints New Members to Board of Directors

be.group recently announced two new appointments to its Board of Directors that include William J. Battison III, founder & CEO of Angeles Capital Group, LLC, and Kay Rustand, vice president and general counsel for Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.  In their roles, both will be charged with ensuring be.group achieves its mission of providing quality housing, health and support services for older adults in California and the western United States.

Battison has more than 25 years of operational and transactional experience in the finance, marketing, operations and technology industries.  He is founder and currently CEO of Angeles Capital Group, LLC, a Los Angeles-based, FINRA-licensed investment banking company.  Battison is also a member and former director of the Pasadena Angels, an early stage “angel” investment group, as well as a member of the executive committee of the Los Angeles chapter of Business Forums International.  In addition, he is a founding member of the California CEO Forum.  He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia (UVA) and an MBA from the Colgate Darden Graduate Business School of UVA.  Battison is former treasurer and director of the Community Scholarship Foundation in his hometown of La Canada-Flintridge.

Specializing in securities law and mergers and acquisitions, Rustand is currently vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, Reliance is the largest metals service center company in North America.  Previously, Rustand was a partner at Arter & Hadden LLP.  Rustand received her bachelor’s and J.D. from the University of California in Los Angeles.  In addition to being a deacon and elder at Hollywood Presbyterian Church, Rustand is also active in the Christian Lawyers of L.A., a program providing services to the needy.

Robinson Named Program Manager For Fox Run’s Extended Care Neighborhood

Anne Robinson has been named Program Manager for Fox Run’s extended care neighborhood in Novi.  Robinson will be responsible for leading the transformative journey of creating a community at Renaissance Gardens at Fox Run where persons with cognitive loss can continue to flourish and be actively engaged in meaningful experiences that really matter to them.  Prior to joining Fox Run, Anne Robinson, MA, was the Executive Director of Optimal Life Designs in Dementia Care, a non-profit organization known for its creative leadership in designing innovative and quality education programs for health professionals and direct care staff.   Robinson founded and directed the Alzheimer’s Education Program at Eastern Michigan University for sixteen years.  She is co-author of Understanding Difficult Behaviors handbook, co-editor of a training manual, Developing Meaningful Connections with People with Dementia; and co-producer of the documentary, Wesley Hall: A Special Life.

Terraces at Skyline Names Steiner as Health Services Director

Skyline at First Hill has announced Carmen Steiner as its new health services director at The Terraces at Skyline.   A veteran of the health care industry, Steiner brings vast experience to the community. Prior to joining The Terraces at Skyline, Steiner served as administrator at Messenger House Care Center in Bainbridge Island, Wash. She has also held executive positions at Woodmark Retirement Corporation in Bellevue, Wash., and at Bessie Burton Sullivan Skilled Nursing Residence in Seattle. Steiner is a certified nursing home administrator (CNHA) and a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA).

Melinda Conway Callahan Elected to Grantmakers in Aging Board

Melinda Conway Callahan of Rochester Hills was elected as a member of the Board of Directors for Grantmakers in Aging (GIA).   Mrs. Conway Callahan is currently President of the Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation.  She joined Presbyterian Villages of Michigan in 2004.  Under her leadership, Mrs. Conway Callahan has raised more than $20 million for innovative projects and programs for Michigan seniors.

Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Lou Avitabile as Congregate Coordinator

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES)  has appointed Lou Avitabile to the position of Congregate Coordinator.  Mr. Avitabile held the position of Family Caregiver Support Program Care Adviser in OCES’ Family Caregiver Support Program for two years prior to his appointment to Congregate Coordinator. His new role will include overseeing the senior residents who reside in the Marshfield, Stoughton and Bridgewater congregate housing units and ensuring that their needs are supported in order to remain living independently in the community. Mr. Avitabile holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Western New England College in Springfield, MA. He is a resident of Bridgewater.

Debby Burgett Joins Pivot Senior Living Experts

Debby Burgett has extensive experience promoting culture change in Texas and around the nation, now she brings her unique perspective to Pivot. Debby will assist nursing homes and assisted living communities in creating a better life for the elders they serve through operations consulting, education, staff training and thoughtful planning.  She opened the first Green House® home in Texas, where she served as Administrator and Guide.  Debby later joined the national Green House Project located in Arlington, VA; there she fulfilled the Director’s position for the Green House Peer Network.