Executive Search for a Chief Executive Officer

CASE STUDY
Executive Search for CEO for Villa Marin, one of the San Francisco Bay Area's most unique and historic CCRCs
SCENARIO
LM Hurley & Associates conducted a retained executive search for a Chief Executive Officer for one of California’s most unique not-for-profit Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Villa Marin is a highly desirable CCRC in Marin County near San Francisco Bay, CA.

​This stand-alone community was developed in 1985 and has 224 units and seven different floor plans. It is highly unique because it is one of only two resident HOA-owned and managed communities in California.

When Villa Marin engaged our services, we were at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. The CFO acted as the interim CEO and reported to the HOA Board, led by their President, who also directed the search committee. The previous CEO held this position for 18 years and took early retirement.
SOLUTION
To understand their needs, we met with the HOA President and the board members that comprised the search committee at their community in San Rafael, CA. After learning about the unique requirements of the board and the culture of the CCRC’s residents, we formulated an executive search strategy. The goal was to identify an Executive Director or CEO who had led or was actively leading a community of similar care levels, number of apartments, and budget of $15mm. Matching the Board’s vision for the new CEO, which called for:
  • An accomplished, engaging, senior living executive with high integrity, strategic vision, strong interpersonal relations skills, and outstanding leadership ability
  • Master’s Degree in a business-related field and ten plus years of management experience
  • California Licensure in Long Term Care or Assisted Living
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RESULTS
Of the 110 prospects we contacted and screened, we interviewed 18. We narrowed the field to four top candidates we presented to the organization. Our client selected three individuals to interview from the four and ultimately chose a candidate that not only met the executive search specifications but also made a strong cultural connection with the Board.

An offer was extended and accepted within 67 days of engagement. The new CEO joined the organization with over 20+ years of operational leadership, building unified performance-based cultures and high-performing teams. He has managed senior living facilities ranging from 60 to 240 apartments, including a 5 CCRC portfolio with 900 units, received the Executive Director of the Year Award, and been a Vice President responsible for 13 Senior Living Communities.

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