ALFA Honors Exemplary Community Executive, Senior Living Heroes

Loading media player...

Donna Hester, executive director of Elmcroft of Sherwood in Little Rock, Arkansas, is the recipient of the ALFA 2015 Senior Living Community Leadership Award.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--()--The Assisted Living Federation of America today announced that Donna Hester, executive director of Elmcroft of Sherwood in Little Rock, Arkansas, was honored with the ALFA 2015 Senior Living Community Leadership Award. Hester was recognized at the ALFA 2015 Senior Living Executive Conference in Tampa, Florida.

“Community executives play a crucial role in senior living communities through their leadership and dedication to creating the optimal experience for senior living residents and their families,” ALFA President and CEO James Balda said. “Today we recognize an exemplary community executive who serves as a role model for current and future executive directors to emulate. “

A senior living executive director is mission critical for operators of senior living communities. Executive directors are resource managers who define the tone of a community and its relationships with residents, families and the surrounding neighborhood. These leaders need to have a diverse skill set, high emotional intelligence and strong business acumen.

In addition to recognizing Hester, ALFA announced the winners of the ALFA 2015 Hero Awards honoring extraordinary individuals who serve older adults in senior living communities. Five heroes were chosen as representatives and role models for the tens of thousands of senior living community professionals. The winners were honored May 6 at the ALFA 2015 Conference & Expo.

During a luncheon program, the ALFA Hero Award winners were recognized for championing quality of life for the residents they serve and for embracing the resident-centered philosophy of senior living. Special guest actor Ed Asner acted as master of ceremonies, helping to present the awards to the winners.

The 2015 ALFA Hero Award winners are:

Jerry Carson, Maintenance Technician at Manning Place, an Enlivant community in Greer, South Carolina.

Edward Esguerra, Life Engagement Manager at Autumn Leaves of Cy-Fair, an Autumn Leaves community in Houston, Texas.

Joyce Fowlkes, Activities/Enrichment Coordinator at Hidden Lakes, a Holiday Retirement community in Salem, Oregon.

David Noles, Dietary Aide at Heritages Woods of McLeansboro, a Gardant Management Solutions community in McLeansboro, Illinois.

Allyson Sweeney, Director of Community Relations at The Arbors at Shelburne, a Benchmark Senior Living community in Shelburne, Vermont.

“The 2015 ALFA Heroes highlight the great work done every day in senior living communities throughout the states and across the nation,” Balda said. “It’s thanks to people like them that more Americans are choosing to call senior living home.”

About ALFA - Creating the Future of Senior Living

Since 1990, ALFA has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all seniors. ALFA’s programs promote business and operational excellence designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurism in the field of senior living. Visit ALFA’s website at www.alfa.org.

Contacts

Assisted Living Federation of America
Sharon Cohen, 703-562-1186
Associate Director, Communications
scohen@alfa.org

Release Summary

ALFA announces the recipients of the ALFA 2015 Senior Living Community Leadership Award and Hero Awards at the ALFA Senior Living Executive Conference in Tampa.

Contacts

Assisted Living Federation of America
Sharon Cohen, 703-562-1186
Associate Director, Communications
scohen@alfa.org