Ecumen’s Paul Libbon Named To Aging Services of Minnesota Board
Ecumen Regional Director Paul Libbon has been named to the Aging Services of Minnesota Board of Directors as a director at large for a three-year term.
Aging Services of Minnesota is the state’s largest association of organizations serving Minnesota seniors, encompassing more than 1,000 member organizations statewide. Aging Service’s mission is to create the future of older adult services through excellence and innovation.
“I am deeply honored to serve on the Aging Services of Minnesota Board of Directors,” Libbon said. “I believe we stand at a crossroads and that our success lies in the leadership we cultivate throughout the network of older adult services providers. I look forward to the opportunity to help advance our field to most effectively serve older adults in the places they call home.”
At Ecumen, Libbon oversees the operations of care centers, senior housing and assisted living at eight communities throughout Minnesota. He has held a variety of leadership positions at Ecumen, including campus administrator for Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth. Libbon also has served as a mentor in Velocity, Ecumen’s employee leadership development program.
He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Morris, where he was a standout athlete in basketball.
Ecumen Director Barbara Garrity Selected for Statewide Leadership Program
Barbara Garrity, executive director of Ecumen-managed Pelican Valley Health Center in Pelican Rapids, Minn., has been selected to attend the year-long Aging Services of Minnesota Leadership Academy.
The academy, now in its fifth year, is a comprehensive development program to hone the leadership skills of emerging leaders in the aging services field. Aging Services of Minnesota is the state’s largest association of organizations serving Minnesota seniors.
Garrity, who has been with Ecumen almost two years, will begin the year-long program May 20 and will spend 10-15 hours a month on academy activities. She is one of 33 fellows selected from across the state in a wide variety of aging services occupations.
“Academy fellows represent a new generation of transformation leaders in aging services — leaders that will not just respond to the changing times but who will also drive positive change for their organizations and the aging services community,” according to Aging Services of Minnesota. “They will embark on a rigorous journey of self-reflection, leadership theory, critical skill development and action learning.”
Before becoming executive director at Pelican Valley Health Center, Garrity was admissions and marketing director at ManorCare in Fargo, N.D., a long-term and short-stay care center. She has also worked at Bethany Retirement Living in Fargo as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medication Assistant for two years and as a care manager for Sunrise Cottages, an assisted living for people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease in Rochester, Minn., for three years.
Garrity also was a television reporter and producer for Valley News Live (KVLY) in Fargo. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
“I’m really looking forward to this program,” Garrity said. “It’s an opportunity to learn from some of the best mentors in aging services and to focus on new and innovative ways of making life better for our residents.”
Last Week's Top 5 Blog Posts - May 19
In case you missed one, here are the blog posts our online visitors found most interesting last week:
Award-Winning Ecumen Communities Recognized at May Leadership Conference
Sweet Pea, the Ecumen Le Center Hospice Cat, Gains Notoriety in Mankato Magazine Article
Jim Klobuchar: The Dubious Hero of Mother's Day
What it's Like to be 100 Years Old, in 10 Charts
Ecumen Meadows in Worthington Gets Grant to Fund Strength-Training Program for Seniors
To read more Changing Aging blog posts or to learn morea bout Ecumen, please visit www.ecumen.org.
Kathryn Roberts Named Chair-Elect of LeadingAge Board of Directors
Kathryn Roberts, president and CEO of Ecumen, is the new chair-elect to the LeadingAge Board of Directors. LeadingAge is the national association of nonprofit aging services organizations.
“Kathryn Roberts is a visionary leader who has created a culture of quality and innovation for Ecumen,” said LeadingAge President and CEO Larry Minnix. “LeadingAge is privileged to have her share her passion and expertise with our association as chair-elect.”
The LeadingAge Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of the organization, providing strategic direction, fiduciary oversight and development of policies. As chair-elect in 2014, and ultimately as Chair in 2015, Roberts will have the opportunity to help shape LeadingAge's work to transform the experience of aging in America.
Gayle Kvenvold, president and CEO of Aging Services of Minnesota said, “Kathryn is a leader in expanding the possibilities of aging, and will continue to bring her spirit of innovation, empowerment and collaboration to this new role.”
Roberts’ election marks the first time in association history that a member of Aging Services of Minnesota has been elected to this level of leadership position with its national association.
Julie Murray Promoted To Ecumen Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development
Julie Murray has been promoted to the new role of vice president of sales, marketing and business development at Ecumen.
In announcing the promotion, Ecumen President and CEO Kathryn Roberts issued this announcement to Ecumen staff:
“This new position recognizes Julie’s combined leadership of three key areas: Ecumen’s sales and marketing efforts, real estate development and new business partnerships. Julie’s new job is effective immediately, and she will continue working closely with Steve Ordahl until his retirement in January 2014.
“Just over a year ago, Julie was named Ecumen’s vice president of sales, marketing and new ventures. In that time, Julie has assembled a talented team, including Matt McNeil, Diane Kenney and Tami Allenson to expand and support sales and marketing efforts across Ecumen. At the same time, the business development team has gained the skills of Dena Meyer, director of business development, and Kaili Braa, administrative assistant, and we are actively recruiting for an open director of business development position.
“Julie’s collaborative leadership has led to a new company-wide sales and marketing function this past year, featuring better training, tools and accountability. This approach has quickly improved our occupancy levels in both existing and new properties and identified new revenue streams based on innovative approaches to aging services. Julie also is exploring new partnerships that can help us expand our services in the Twin Cities and other markets.
“Julie has 15 years of senior housing experience that prepares her well for her new multifaceted role. She started at Ecumen in 2007 as director of real estate development and led the development of new Ecumen housing in Apple Valley and Maplewood, both winners of the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal's "Best in Real Estate" award for senior housing communities. Before that, Julie worked for Greystone Communities, Inc. in Dallas where she was responsible for the sales and marketing of multiple entry-fee continuing care retirement communities as a regional director of sales and marketing. Julie is a graduate of Texas Tech University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management.
“Please join me in congratulating Julie on this new role.”