Movers & Shakers: Touchmark’s New CEO

Touchmark Announces New CEO

Touchmark, a Portland, Oregon-based company that develops and operates full-service retirement communities in the United States and Canada, announced the promotion of Marcus P. Breuer to CEO. He takes over the leadership position from Founder and Chairman Werner G. Nistler Jr.

Breuer joined Touchmark in 2004 as vice president of finance and investor relations. Since 2006, he has served as CFO, working with banks and investors to arrange financing for new Touchmark communities. He had also been responsible for the company’s marketing, sales, wellness and information technology.

Before joining Touchmark, Breuer served in various purchasing and financing roles at Intel and as a branch manager for Wells Fargo Bank.

Nistler will continue to serve as Chairman and remain involved in the company.

“I want to focus more of my time on new developments, and I am delighted to have Marcus take over the day-to-day responsibilities,” Nistler said. “I have known Marcus for 17 years, and he has been instrumental in Touchmark’s growth and development and will lead us into an exciting future.”

Touchmark operates 11 communities in eight states and a Canadian province, with two more under construction in the U.S.

Friendship Village of South Hills Names Executive Director

Friendship Village of South Hills, a retirement community located in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, named Bryan Welty as its new executive director.

Welty previously worked at director of food and beverage operations at Pittsburgh International Airport. Most recently, he served as general manager of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh South and the Sheraton Hotel Pittsburgh Airport.

“Bryan’s impressive hotel and hospitality background make him a perfect fit for Friendship Village of South Hills,” said Sloan Bentley, President and CEO of Lifespace Communities, which owns and operates 12 senior living communities in seven states. “Our commitment to our residents includes providing them with world-class hospitality, and Bryan brings a passionate understanding of what that means.”

Friendship Village of South Hills includes maintenance-free residential living apartments, carriage homes, and long-term care such as rehabilitation, memory support and skilled nursing. The community is owned and operated by Des Moines, Iowa-based Lifespace Communities.

CountryHouse Residence for Memory Care Appoints Executive Director

CountryHouse Residence for Memory Care, located in Kearney, Nebraska, appointed Susie Peterson as executive director.

Previously, Peterson worked as communications director for Christian Homes in Holdredge, Nebraska. She has also spent the past two years working with CountryHouse as the community outreach specialist for the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

In her new role, Peterson will be responsible for managing the community’s day-to-day activities and the staff and ensuring resident and family satisfaction. She’s also charged with connecting with professionals and neighbors in the local community.

“We are thrilled to have Susie take on this role,” said Martin Hug, COO at Agemark Corporation, who made the announcement. “Her work in the senior living industry and with the Alzheimer’s Association speaks for itself, and we could not be more excited for her to lead our community.”

CountryHouse is a standalone memory care community. It’s the fifth CountryHouse in Nebraska and is designed to feel like a family home with the option for private or companion bedrooms.

Written by Kourtney Liepelt