Movers & Shakers — Kendal’s New President & CEO

Sean Kelly to Take the Helm at The Kendal Corporation in 2016

The Board members of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania’s The Kendal Corporation have selected Sean M. Kelly, the organization’s current director for new business development, to succeed John Diffey as president and CEO next year.

Diffey notified the Board in March of his plans to retire by mid-2016 after serving more than two decades as Kendal’s chief executive.

While at Kendal, which is among the 10 largest not-for-profit senior living organizations in the U.S., Kelly has been responsible for leading and managing organizational efforts aimed at fostering new opportunities for growth, while supporting planning and development initiatives for existing Kendal communities.

Kelly is a frequent speaker around the country and beyond on many topics, including senior housing development, emerging trends, organizational management for growth, and affiliation, merger and acquisition processes.

He joined Kendal in 2008 after 11 years with Connecticut-based Retirement Living Services — a development, finance, marketing and operations consultant to senior housing and service providers throughout the United States.

Ocean County CCRC Names New Associate Executive Director

Harrogate, an Ocean County continuing care retirement community (CCRC), has announced the hiring of Charles Benjamin as associate executive director.

After 23 years in the position, current associate executive director Clyde Sutton announced his retirement, effective May 1. Benjamin will now help lead the community in future growth and operations.

The Terraces at Bonita Springs Welcomes Food and Beverage Director

Florida-based The Terraces at Bonita Springs, a CCRC, has recently named Gerry Fuselli as its new food and beverage director.

Fuselli has spent more than 23 years helping provide quality, nutritious meals for seniors.

Baltimore CCRC Appoints New Board Member

Roland Park Place (RPP), Baltimore City’s only not-for-profit CCRC, has announced the appointment of Lynne Campbell Young, clinical operations director of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, to its Board of Directors.

In 10 years of work with the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins and more than 20 years of experience growing new business within health care organizations, Young has a distinguished reputation as a seasoned executive administrator in health care operations, RPP said in a statement. She currently oversees business operations of all Wilmer Eye Institute Clinic locations throughout the state of Maryland.

Young’s extensive background in strategic planning, project management, business development and communications will add valuable experience to RPP’s dynamic Board of Directors, the company said.

Tim McCarthy Elected as Chairman of NAHB 50+ Housing Council

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has announced that Tim McCarthy of Traditions of America has been elected chairman of its 50+ Housing Council.

McCarthy is the managing partner and founder of Traditions of America in Radnor, Pa. He succeeds Steve Bomberger of Benchmark Builders in Wilmington, Del., and will serve a one-year term.

“My priorities in the coming year are to work with the 50+ Housing Council Board of Trustees toward expanding our council’s membership, attracting sponsors who recognize the value in the growing boomer market and producing world-class education opportunities for our members,” McCarthy said. “Over a quarter of today’s home buyers are age 55 or older, so it’s important to know as much as possible about what they want and need so that we can provide them with homes that will serve them well for decades.”

In addition to his involvement with the 50+ Housing Council, McCarthy is a Board Member of the Housing Finance Committee. He is also a member of the Advisory Council of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing and Health Task Force. 

Jana Broughton to Lead Covenant Village of the Great Lakes

Jana Broughton has been named executive director at Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Covenant Village of the Great Lakes, a faith-based, not-for-profit CCRC operated by Covenant Retirement Communities.

Broughton is responsible for all operations at the senior living community, which serves residents in 188 residential living apartments, 50 assisted living apartments, 13 memory support apartments, and a 37-bed skilled nursing center. Additionally, she manages a staff of 230.

Broughton is a 25-year veteran in the health care and senior living industries. Prior to joining Covenant Village of the Great Lakes, she was owner of Caring for the Masses, a consulting firm that specializes in assisting Michigan- and Virginia-based care organizations with implementing technology and process to reduce re-hospitalization.

She also served as regional director of operations for Extendicare Health Service, Inc., and was executive director at The Village at Rockville in Rockville, Md.

Broughton served as a board member for the Health Care Association of Michigan for two years and is currently a member. She is a member of the American Association of Nurses Assessment Coordination and the American College of Health Care Administration.

Matt Weinstock Named Campus Administrator at EPOCH Community

EPOCH Senior Living has named Matt Weinstock as Campus Administrator of EPOCH Senior Living on Blackstone Boulevard in Providence, R.I. He will oversee the campus’ assisted living community and skilled nursing facility.

Weinstock brings to the position extensive experience in the health care field, working as an administrator, chief operating officer and regional vice president at senior living communities in California, Texas, Florida and Massachusetts.

Lisa Searles Named Director of Community Relations at Bridges by EPOCH at Trumbull

EPOCH Senior Living has named Lisa Searles as director of community relations at Bridges by EPOCH at Trumbull, a 72-apartment memory care assisted living community opening in October 2015 in Connecticut.

Searles will oversee community outreach, guide tours and assist new residents and their families through the process of transitioning into a memory care assisted living community.

Searles has devoted much of her professional career to the senior living industry. Her experience includes a variety of leadership positions with national companies such as HCR ManorCare, Benchmark and VITAS. 

Wellness Specialist to Pioneer New Wellness Program at Avanti

The Woodlands, Texas-based Avanti Senior Living is partnering with Sabrina Militello, a certified performance enhancement specialist, who is giving the provider a fresh viewpoint on bridging the gap between what is offered in fitness and health in the “real world” and what is currently being offered in senior living.

“I was excited when Avanti’s COO, Lori Alford, asked me if I would like to help them pioneer a new wellness program for residents at their communities,” Militello said. “The program not only seeks to serve residents on a physical level but also address wellness as it pertains to the mind, body and spirit in varying respects.”

The “mind” component of the program is geared toward helping residents maintain and improve mental acuity and sharpness, as well as bringing peace of mind and relaxation through meditation, breathing exercises and other tranquil activities. Avanti will host intellectual discussion groups, provide access to brain teaser mobile apps and have a variety of puzzles, exercises and games available to maintain cognitive function.

The “body” component will emphasize fitness through nutrition and exercise as well as caring for the body with massage and spa treatments. Avanti communities will offer a variety of exercise classes every day and will also have a full-service salon and spa.

The “strength” component focuses on maintaining and improving muscles, stability and balance. Yoga, strength training, meditative practice classes and more will help strengthen the body in varying levels.

Covenant Village of Florida Welcomes New Director of Facilities Management

Peter Wocial has been appointed director of facilities management at Covenant Village of Florida, a faith-based, not-for-profit CCRC operated by Covenant Retirement Communities.

Wocial will oversee building and ground maintenance services for Covenant Village of Florida’s 20-acre campus, which includes 294 residential living apartments, 21 assisted living apartments, 22 memory support apartments, and a 60-bed skilled nursing center. He will manage a team of 35.

Prior to joining Covenant Village of Florida, Wocial was a facilities management leader with the Aramark Corporation (NYSE: ARMK), serving for five years as director of facilities management at Drew University, as director of facilities at the Cecil County, Md., Board of Commissioners, as a facilities manager at the Dorchester County Public School District in Cambridge, Md., and as a supervisor of technical services for maintenance and operations at the Aramark Cook Chill Production Center of the New York State Office of Mental Health in Orangeburg.

Wocial served in the U.S. Coast Guard for two years as a merchant marine officer, third assistant engineer, in Jacksonville, Fla. 

Written by Emily Study