Kathryn Roberts President and CEO

Kathryn Roberts was named president and CEO of Ecumen in 2003. In that time, she has led the Shoreview-based non-profit company’s transformation from being a nursing home provider to a diversified senior housing and services company working to shape the future of aging and living.

Under her leadership, Ecumen has become known for innovation, bringing new empowering technologies to seniors and their families; developing initiatives such as "Awakenings," which is reducing the use of antipsychotic medications among people with Alzheimer's; expanding housing options to new markets, creating a national senior housing development business; and shaping a workplace culture that has led to Ecumen being named 7 straight years as one of the "Best Places to Work" by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal.

Kathryn 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 of Minnesota’s professional sports agency, the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, 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 LeadingAge in Washington, D.C., Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, and VocalEssence in Minneapolis.

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.

Gil AcevedoSenior Vice President of Operations

Gil Acevedo joined Ecumen as Senior Vice President of Operations in 2011. In this role, Gil leads Ecumen’s senior housing, care centers, rehabilitation and home services.

Before joining Ecumen, Gil served as Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Health Care for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA). Acevedo was recruited to Minnesota from California in 2008 to provide leadership to Minnesota’s Veterans Homes, which include a variety of housing options and services across the state. He assumed leadership as the Minneapolis Veterans Home was in the midst of a well-publicized, long-term performance crisis. Prior to his departure, the five Minnesota veterans homes were awarded “Best in Class” designations from Pinnacle Quality Insight, a customer-satisfaction firm, on a variety of care and service areas.

Before joining MDVA he served with the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) Home Division for six years, in several administrative capacities, and was appointed Veterans Home Administrator by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006.

Gil has spent his professional life serving his country and his fellow veterans. In his 23 years of naval service, Ret. Command Master Chief Acevedo served on board the USS Tecumseh SSBN 628 (Blue and Gold) in the 3rd FSSG, 1st Marine Division, 1st FSSG, as a Basic Hospital Corps School instructor and an enlisted detailer. Acevedo served as the Command Master Chief for the 1st Medical Battalion, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton and Field Medical Service School, Camp Pendleton.

Gil was born and raised in the South Bronx, N.Y. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management, a master’s degree in Health Care Administration and certification in Residential Care for the Elderly Administrator. Gil is a member of the American College of Health Care Administrators and Executives, life member of the Disabled American Veterans, American Veterans, American Legion, United States Submarine International, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Cooties and the Marine Corps League.

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 Senior Vice President of Business and Fund 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, philanthropy, 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. At the Minnesota Zoo, he led business and fund development efforts, including development of the Zoo’s IMAX Theater, Discovery Bay and the popular Amphitheater Concert Series. Steve also served more than 28 years in the United States Army and Army Reserve, holding a variety of command and senior staff positions.

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.

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.

He is a past recipient of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's "40 Under 40" award and the Citizens League's Civic Leadership Award. In addition to contributing to Ecumen's Changing Aging blog, he authors a blog for the Minneapolis Star Tribune on aging and innovation. 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.