Kathryn Roberts President and CEO

Kathryn Roberts was named president and CEO of Ecumen in 2003.  

She has a distinguished career in public service and is one of the few people to be appointed to leadership positions by a Democratic, Republican and Independent Governor.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune once called her “state government’s
#1 management doctor.” She led the transformation of several Minnesota state agencies, including the Minnesota Zoo, which she was appointed to lead at age 34.

Kathryn, who had no zoo experience, became the country’s first woman to lead a major zoo. Through entrepreneurial approaches, the zoo’s attendance and revenues reached all-time highs. One of several innovative partnerships that occurred under her leadership was the creation of the only environmental studies high school located within a zoo.

As chairwoman the state’s professional sports agency, she led efforts to sue Major League baseball and successfully stop contraction of the Minnesota Twins.

In 2008, Kathryn was appointed by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty to a five-year term as chair of the Minnesota Veterans Health Care Advisory Council. She also served on the Governor’s Veterans Long-Term Care Advisory Commission.

She was recognized by the University of Minnesota’s College of Education as one of its “100 Distinguished Alumni” for the College’s first 100 years. She also was named in 2008 as one of the Twin Cities’ "Best Brains" by Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine.  Kathryn serves on the boards of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, and VocalEssence in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Prior to joining Ecumen, Kathryn served as vice president of the Minneapolis Foundation, where she administered a $30 million annual grant program. Kathryn earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, her M.S. in Special Education from Mankato State University and her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Minnesota.

Dennis Johnson Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Dennis leads Ecumen’s accounting operations, financial budgeting, planning and reporting, and investment management. Before joining Ecumen, he was vice president and controller of International Multifoods, a multi-national Fortune 500 company.

As a member of International Multifoods’ senior leadership team, Dennis oversaw International Multifoods’ Securities and Exchange Commission financial reporting, internal management financial reporting, planning and budgeting, financial due diligence for acquisitions, corporate tax planning, and corporate financial policies and procedures.

Dennis helped negotiate and structure a number of major transactions, including the acquisition of the $400 million Pillsbury and related brands business from General Mills in 2001.

Dennis is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, where he received a B.S. in Accounting.

Steve Ordahl Sr. Vice President of Business Development

Steve has guided a number of senior housing communities’ development and repositioning efforts and led the largest housing development expansion in Ecumen history. He has more than 30 years experience as a leader in business, government and the military. Before joining Ecumen in 2003, he was chief executive officer of two major entertainment venues, the Texas Aquarium, Corpus Christi, Texas, and Underwater Adventures at the Mall of America. Steve also served more than 28 years in the United States Army and Army Reserve, holding a variety of command and senior staff positions.

Michael “Mick” Finn Sr. Vice President of Operations

Mick leads Ecumen’s senior housing and services operations.

Before joining Ecumen, he was vice president of customer operations for UCare Minnesota, a health maintenance organization. Mick also served as senior vice president of public affairs for the Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance (now Aging Services of Minnesota) and helped spearhead landmark legislation that led to the development of assisted living in Minnesota.

A former United States Naval intelligence analyst, Mick also served as Minnesota assistant commissioner of health in Gov. Rudy Perpich’s administration and director of majority caucus services for the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Mick received his B.A. in Philosophy from Saint Mary’s University in Baltimore, Maryland, and a M.S. in Education from the University of Southern California.

Scott Riddle Vice President of Finance

As vice president of finance, Scott’s role is integral to Ecumen’s banking relationships, capital structure planning and analysis, financial reporting and mergers and acquisitions.

Scott previously served as treasurer of the medical device manufacturer American Medical Systems Holdings, Inc. Earlier in his career he was director of corporate development and strategic planning for International Multifoods Corporation. He also was manager of corporate finance for Northwest Airlines and director of financial management at Augsburg Fortress Publishers.

Scott received his B.A. in business administration from Bethel College his M.B.A from the University of Saint Thomas, and also attended Harvard Business School.

Larry Jorgensen Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Larry leads Ecumen’s information technology (IT) function, existing IT investment and assures that Ecumen’s technology infrastructure supports our operations and growth.

Larry joined Ecumen from Green Tree Servicing (formerly known as Conseco Finance), where he served as vice president of application development and support. He has vast experience helping both small and large businesses overcome IT challenges and realize new opportunities. At Green Tree, he was responsible for the organization’s technology strategy and technology services that supported corporate and divisional operating groups.

Larry received his B.A. in organizational management and communications from Concordia College in Saint Paul.

Robin Dunbar Vice President of Human Resources

Robin leads Ecumen’s human resources practice and is responsible for aligning human resources with the companies strategic initiatives.

Robin joined Ecumen from Safetran Systems, where she served as head of human resources. She has a diverse generalist background providing human resources strategic support to national companies. At Safetran, she was responsible for developing corporate human resources practices and delivering HR consultation to their United States and Canadian divisions.

Robin received her B.A. in human resource management from St. Thomas University.

John Korzendorfer, Vice President of Campus Operations

As Vice President of Campus Operations, John provides operational direction, strategic visioning, budget oversight and consultation to Ecumen’s skilled nursing campuses. 

John joined Ecumen’s Duluth Campus in 1990, where he was subsequently responsible for developing one of Minnesota’s first "short stay" rehabilitation centers.

In 2004, John led the transformation of Duluth’s 230-bed one-size-fits-all nursing home, on the shore of Lake Superior, to a multi-housing option senior care community.  The new Lakeshore Community includes a short stay rehabilitation and care center, assisted living, memory care and housing with services apartments, now serving 1000 seniors annually.

John received his Bachelor of Science degree from Minnesota State University, Moorhead, and his specialized certification for Nursing Home Licensure from the University of Minnesota, St. Paul.

Debbie Manthey, Vice President of Housing Operations

Debbie Manthey leads Ecumen’s Housing With Services division. She began working in the senior services field as a nursing assistant at age 15. This was a first step in her 30-plus-year career dedicated to serving, empowering and honoring seniors.

Prior to joining Ecumen, Debbie was the director of housing and community services for a large continuing care campus in Faribault, Minn., where she launched their assisted living and community-based services.

Since joining Ecumen in 1998, Debbie has led the creation of one of the country’s first behavioral Alzheimer’s communities, as well as Ecumen’s largest Housing With Services expansion. Debbie was also instrumental in developing Ecumen’s “Lifestyle Covenant,” the contract between each Ecumen customer and our care providers that ensures respectful, compassionate interactions in service.

Brian Nelson Executive Director of The Ecumen Foundation and Vice President of Philanthropy

Brian leads all donor relations and fund development strategies to support our work and innovation in senior housing and services. 

Before joining Ecumen Brian led fund development for Minneapolis-based Allina Home Care, Hospice and Palliative Care.  Over his 26-year career he has helped raise nearly $100 million for leading organizations, including Memorial Blood Centers, Catholic Charities, Children’s Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Society. Brian is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., where he received a B.A. in communications and English.  In 2000, he was named by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal as one of Minneapolis/St. Paul’s top "40 Under 40" leaders.

Eric Schubert Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs

Eric Schubert leads Ecumen’s communications, branding and public affairs strategies.

Before joining Ecumen, he was a member of the leadership team of the Minneapolis-based public affairs firm Himle Horner. Earlier in his career he worked in marketing communications with the public relations firms Manning, Selvage & Lee in Atlanta and Weber Shandwick in Minneapolis.  In 2007, he was named by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as one of the Twin Cities’ top leaders under age 40. He also was a recipient of the Citizens League Civic Leadership Award.

Eric received his B.A. in English from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., and was a policy fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.