Executive Search for a Vice President/Chief Operating Officer

CASE STUDY
Executive Search for Vice President/Chief Operations Officer for California's First Licensed Retirement Home and CCRC
SCENARIO
LM Hurley & Associates conducted a retained executive search for a Vice President of Operations for California's most historic not-for-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community. Organizational and succession planning by the Board of Trustees has prompted an executive search for a new Vice President due to the former Vice President's promotion to President/CEO.

Hollenbeck Palms is a nonprofit Continuing Care Retirement Community located on a beautiful 8.5-acre park-like campus with 145 residential apartments, a brand new 33-bed memory care center, and a 59-bed SNF. This CCRC is the first licensed retirement home in California. In 1890, the founder, Elizabeth Hollenbeck, filed a deed of trust to establish a comfortable and secure lifetime haven for California's older adults.

The CEO, who has been there 35 years, was VP until 2019, when he succeeded William Heideman, who followed the leadership of his father, William A. Heideman, and his grandfather Clarence W. Hensel, who served tenures of 46 and 31 years, respectively. William Heideman lived on the grounds until he was five and continues to serve in an advisory capacity.
SOLUTION
After visiting the property in person and conducting extensive consultations with the President/CEO and the Board's search committee leader, we developed a Job Description and an Executive search specification to capture all elements of the client's needs. Based on this needs analysis, we developed our executive search strategy.

The goal was to identify an Executive Director or CEO who had led, or was actively leading, a community with similar care levels, number of apartments, and a $25mm budget. Matching the Board's vision for the new CEO also called for:
  • Education: BA required. Master’s degree (M.A.) or equivalent preferred; or four to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in leadership roles within a combination of CCRC, SNF, assisted living, memory care, and/or senior housing communities. Experience in a not-for-profit environment is a plus.
  • Licensure: RCFE and/or Skilled Nursing Home Administrator License 
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RESULTS
Of the 135 prospects we contacted and screened, we interviewed 17. After evaluation, we narrowed the field to the three top candidates we presented to the organization.

The client interviewed all three finalists and ultimately selected a candidate who exceeded the executive search specifications and established a strong cultural alignment with the Board through her warm, engaging leadership style and clear dedication to advancing senior care. Her academic background in gerontology reinforces this commitment, as does her active service on the Commission on Aging, which reflects a broader focus on policy leadership and advocacy for older adults.

An offer was extended and accepted within 84 days of engagement. The new VP/COO joined the organization as a seasoned healthcare executive with a Master of Science in Gerontology and 15 years of experience leading operations in senior living communities/CCRCs. Governor Gavin Newsom recently reappointed her as a Commissioner on Aging, highlighting her dedication to advocacy and development in senior living regulations.