Acts Retirement Mourns Loss of CEO J. Mark Vanderbeck

J. Mark Vanderbeck, CEO of Acts Retirement-Life Communities, died unexpectedly Wednesday, the company announced.

Vanderbeck had been CEO since August 2014, but was involved in the organization for nearly 20 years. He was executive vice president of operations for nine years and, prior to that, vice president of operations-northern division. West Point, Pennsylvania-based Acts Retirement is a nonprofit that is one of the largest operators of continuing care retirement communities nationwide. It has 22 resort-style CCRCs in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Pennsylvania.

“On behalf of the Acts Board of Directors and leadership team, it is with deep sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of Mark Vanderbeck, Acts CEO,” Dr. John L. Esterhai, Jr., Acts Board Chairman, said in a statement Thursday. “Mark was a beloved figure and an outstanding leader at Acts who touched the lives of many residents and staff members. He will be missed dearly by the entire Acts family. We mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Mark’s family and friends.”

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Current president and chief operating officer of Acts Retirement-Life Communities Gerald T. Grant has been appointed as interim CEO.

Throughout his 35-year career in the senior living industry, Vanderbeck served in numerous leadership positions in the industry, including board and committee positions for LeadingAge. He also volunteered with various local organizations, including holding a board member position for Family Services of Montgomery County in Pennsylvania.

Vanderbeck held a B.S. in business administration from Bloomsburg University and completed post-graduate work in health care administration at the University of South Florida.

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Vanderbeck assumed the CEO role at Acts during a major repositioning project. In addition to overseeing that, he spoke of prioritizing the company’s people, and led a reorganization that saw more than a dozen people take new positions or promotions.

Written by Alana Stramowski

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