COO Archives - Central Penn Business Journal

Hospice and Community Care names COO

Lancaster-based Hospice & Community Care has promoted Michael Link to COO.

Michael Link

Link, who has been with the organization since 2001, previously served as vice president and chief administrative officer.

In his new role, Link will be responsible for the operational oversight of Clinical and Medical Services, Information Technology, Education, Health Information Management, and the Liaison departments.

“Michael is a tremendous asset to the organization and community,” said Steve Knaub, president and CEO, Hospice and Community Care. “Chief Operating Officer is a new position for the organization, and I am confident that Michael’s leadership, operational expertise and knowledge of the organization will play a vital role in helping to expand and evolve our services to patients and families in Lancaster and York counties and the surrounding areas.”

Early in his career, Link was an integral part of the original team that helped transition all Hospice and Community Care clinicians onto an electronic medical record. It was within that project that Link discovered his passion for elevating staff to reach their fullest potential by helping them navigate change, Hospice & Community Care said.

Link has an associate degree in Programming and Database and a bachelor’s degree in Applied Management from Pennsylvania College of Technology and is currently pursuing his MBA.

PPL names EVP and COO

PPL Corp. has promoted Francis Sullivan to executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Sullivan succeeded Gregory Dudkin effective Jan. 1. Dudkin is on extended medical leave and is not expected to return, PPL said.

Francis Sullivan

Sullivan will report to PPL President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent Sorgi and oversee Allentown-based PPL’s regulated utility operations, with the presidents of PPL’s Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island utility companies reporting to him. Dudkin will remain executive vice president while on medical leave.

“Greg has been an exceptional leader and colleague, someone who has always been focused on delivering the highest levels of service to our customers, developing high-performing teams and inspiring a culture of innovation within PPL,” said Sorgi.

“He will be missed, and we wish Greg and his family the very best as they deal with these difficult times,” Sorgi said. “At the same time, I have complete confidence in Fran and our operations leadership team as we continue our focus on creating the utilities of the future, executing our clean energy strategy and driving long-term value for our customers and shareowners.”

Sullivan brings more than four decades of energy industry experience to his new role. He joined PPL as vice president–Operations Performance on Oct. 1, 2021. Prior to PPL, he served as senior operations advisor for Kindle Energy LLC for more than two years and as an independent consultant to the power sector since 2018.

From 2008 to 2018, Sullivan served as NRG Energy’s senior vice president of operations and was accountable for one of largest portfolios of generation assets in the U.S. While at NRG, Sullivan was instrumental in driving operational excellence that resulted in a decade of continuous improvement in safety, environmental compliance, generation availability and operational efficiency, PPL said.

Prior to that, he served for more than a decade in a variety of leadership roles with Public Service Enterprise Group. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Union College and a master’s in business administration from Drexel University.

“Fran’s strong leadership skills, insight and experience will make him an excellent addition to our executive leadership team as we continue to transform PPL and to position it for growth and success in a changing energy landscape,” Sorgi said.

HDC MidAtlantic names COO

Lancaster-based HDC MidAtlantic (HDC) has promoted Tammie Fitzpatrick to chief operating officer.

Fitzpatrick previously served as HDC’s director of Real Estate Operations. She has worked in Real Estate Development for more than 15 years, including nearly seven years working for Lancaster-based nonprofit housing developers to find solutions to the affordable housing crisis and create housing equity for all.

Tammie Fitzpatrick

As COO, Fitzpatrick will facilitate the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan and annual workplans, leading the coordination of departmental goal setting and execution, building staff capacity, managing long-term complex projects, and providing leadership to the Property Management, Resident Services, and Human Resources departments.

Fitzpatrick will be a key member of HDC’s leadership team, serving as a proxy for President and CEO Dana Hanchin.

“We are thrilled to have Tammie step into the role of Chief Operating Officer at HDC,” said Hanchin. “Her years of experience, commitment to our mission, and results-driven approach is well suited to help take HDC into the new year and on to the next step as an organization.”

Prior to joining HDC, Fitzpatrick worked at Community Basics, Inc., LeFevre Funk Architects, and Miranda Architects.

“I am excited to take on this new role at HDC,” said Fitzpatrick. “Our strategy is clear, and I look forward to working our team who is focused on achieving success in the years to come.”

Fitzpatrick received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech and holds a master’s degree in Real Estate Development from Georgetown University. She is a registered Architect in Pennsylvania and volunteers on several boards and committees that support housing initiatives including the Lancaster County Coalition for Smart Growth, Coalition for Sustainable Housing, Lancaster Equity, Leadership Lancaster Program Committee, and co-chairs the Women in Housing and Finance of PA Steering Committee.

F&M Trust taps former S&T exec as EVP and COO

Chambersburg-based F&M Trust hires former S&T Executive Vice President Chad Carroll as executive vice president and COO.

Chad Carroll

Carroll will be responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling the day-to-day activities of the bank and collaborating with Tim Henry, president and CEO in the overall administration of the bank.

As a member of the bank’s senior management team, he will participate in the development of strategic plans while managing a portion of the bank’s activities in the best interests of the shareholders, customers, employees, and communities the bank serves.

“As the bank continues to grow, both geographically and in asset size, we are excited to have Chad join us,” said Henry. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to F&M Trust that will help us further execute our strategic plan and drive shareholder value.”

Carroll comes to F&M Trust from S&T Bank, where he was executive vice president, chief administrative officer, and director of consumer banking. During his five years with S&T Bank, he worked in mortgage and consumer lending, oversaw significant loan balance and deposit growth, and increased financial services revenue each year.

He has a bachelor’s degree in economics and history, and attended IESE Leadership College in Madrid, Spain.

Brechbill & Helman Construction names COO

Chambersburg-based Brechbill & Helman Construction Co. Inc., a regional general contractor and design-build company, has promoted Matt Dice to COO.

Matt Dice

According to Brechbill & Helman, the appointment is part of the company’s vision for its future growth.

“We are excited to have Matt in this position to promote growth and target various geographic locations as we continue to work with our subcontractor base and area architects and engineers,” said Michael Kissel, president and CEO.

“Matt is a natural leader with over 25 years of construction experience. He is ASHE Certified, LEED Accredited, and has previously held positions of project manager and project superintendent for the company,” said Barbra Runyon, CFO and daughter of one of the original founders, Darrel Brechbill.

Sadler Health Center hires COO

Carlisle-based Sadler Health Center, a federally qualified health center providing community-based comprehensive primary care, dental care, behavioral health and support services at its centers in

Carl Roper

downtown Carlisle and Loysville, hired Carl Roper as COO.

“Roper joins Sadler as the COO for the organization,” said Manal El Harrak, CEO of Sadler Health Center. “He brings 35+ years of experience in both acute and post-acute care leadership to Sadler and will be an asset as a seasoned master’s prepared healthcare leader.”

Originally from Arkansas, Roper earned an Associate Degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, a Baccalaureate Degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Central Arkansas.

Prior to joining Sadler, Roper worked at the Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas as the director of clinic operations for Physician Practice Management.

“I am a quality focused operational leader that elicits top performance through team building, staff mentoring, recognition, and well-rounded training,” Roper said. “My goal is to provide outstanding customer service by developing high professional standards of patient care and quality service centered on the mission and vision of Sadler Health Center.”

Boyer & Ritter names first COO

Boyer & Ritter has named long-time principal Lisa Myers as the Camp Hill firm’s first COO.

Myers, who also chairs Boyer & Ritter’s Advisory Services Group, was elected the firm’s first female partner in 1999 and in 2016 served as Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ fourth woman president in its more than 100-year history.

“I am honored that my colleagues selected me to help lead our firm as Boyer & Ritter’s first COO,’’ said Myers, whose team has assisted businesses in all aspects of advisory services including risk management and process improvements, business valuation, fraud and forensic services, and business relief support services.

Lisa Myers

“This new role allows me to promote the growth of our team of professionals and ensure we continue to deliver unsurpassed service to our clients,” she said.

As COO, Myers will work with firm CEO Robert Murphy on developing and meeting the firm’s long-term strategic goals. She will also ensure Boyer & Ritter has the proper operational controls, administrative support, and resources to achieve the firm’s strategic objectives.

“The complexities of managing an expanding firm like Boyer & Ritter made it clear that we needed the CEO to focus on strategic efforts and a COO to concentrate on daily operations and helping plan future development,’’ Murphy said.

“Lisa has assisted innumerable clients improve their overall operations and find efficiencies, which is the very skillset we want in a COO,’’ he said. “When we looked for a talented leader to help take us to the next level, Lisa Myers was the clear choice.’’

Camp Hill-based Elixer names Neill COO

Lance Neill. PHOTO PROVIDED.

Elixir, a wholly owned subsidiary of Camp Hill-based Rite Aid Corp., has a new chief operating officer.

Lance Neill, a veteran health care and pharmacy executive, was named to the post after most recently serving as vice president of network development and contracting for Centene’s portfolio of managed care products.

Previously, he held senior leadership roles with such major health care brands as Diplomat Pharmacy and Walmart Inc.

Elixir is a pharmacy services provider “offering pharmacy benefit management, Medicare-approved prescription drug plans, mail and specialty pharmacy solutions, and prescription discount programs,” according to a release.

As COO, Neill will oversee core operational functions, including Elixir Insurance, and be responsible for strategy development.

“Elixir is a critical component of Rite Aid’s growth strategy, and we are doubling-down on our investment to position the company as a market leader,” Heyward Donigan, Rite Aid’s president and CEO, said in the release. “Lance is a seasoned and trusted industry executive who consistently delivers results.”

Rite Aid operates more than 2,500 retail pharmacies in 17 states.

Penn State Health’s new executive vice president, COO to start this summer

Deborah Addo, a health care executive from Virginia, will take over as COO of Penn State Health in August. PHOTO/PROVIDED

A Virginia-based health care executive is set to take the role of executive vice president and COO at Penn State Health this summer.

Deborah Addo, president of Inova Loudoun Hospital in Loudoun County, Virginia, will join the Hershey health system in August following the retirement of COO Alan Brechbill last year.

Addo has more than 30 years of leadership experience in health care operations and management. Prior to joining Inova Loudoun, she served as the executive leader of Inova Mount Vernon Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia for nearly three years and COO and senior vice president of Meritus Health in Hagerstown, Maryland.

“Deborah is a proven, visionary leader with a track record of leading hospitals and physician groups through times of transition that will allow her to play a pivotal role in our organization’s development, as we strive to bring the best in health care outcomes, access and choice to the communities we serve,” said Steve Massini, CEO of Penn State Health.

Addo’s expertise includes financial management, LEAN, organization re-engineering, strategic planning, physician engagement and population health. She has been named one of the “50 Great African American Leaders in Healthcare to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review multiple times.

Penn State Health’s incoming COO earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in public health from Walden University. She is a licensed minister ordained through the Church of God.

New COO to join Masonic Villages next month

Masonic Villages’ COO will be leaving the Elizabethtown-based senior living organization next month, to be replaced by the executive director of its Montgomery County location.

The nonprofit organization announced in the fall 2020 edition of its official magazine, The Village Voice, that Raymond Tierney will be retiring in December.

Tierney served as Masonic Villages’ COO since January 2018 and has been employed by the organization since 1981.

Adrienne Staudenmayer, the executive director of the nonprofit’s Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County-based Masonic Village of Lafayette Hill, will be taking over the position of COO, effective Dec. 31, the nonprofit wrote in The Village Voice.

Masonic Villages is one of the state’s largest senior living organizations with locations in Elizabethtown, Luzerne, Montgomery, Allegheny and Bucks counties. It is owned by The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, the governing body of Pennsylvania’s Masonic lodges.

Staudenmayer joined the Lafayette Hill location in 1988 and has served as its executive director since 2001. She has since led the community through renovations, construction projects, service enhancements and growth, the nonprofit wrote.

The incoming COO told The Village Voice that she looks forward to the opportunities that the new role presents and will carry her experiences at Lafayette Hill to her new position.

“In my time with Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill, I’ve had the honor of working with loving, dedicated staff; being inspired by amazing residents, volunteers, donors and fraternity members; meeting caring, passionate family members; and partnering with others in the community to benefit individuals of all ages,” Staudenmayer said.

Staudenmayer has a Bachelor of Science degree from Gwynedd Mercy College and is a licensed nursing home administrator. She is also an active member of LeadingAge, a trade association for nonprofit aging services with a Pennsylvania headquarters in Mechanicsburg.

Smith Land appoints new COO/CFO

Dallas Zulli, former Vice President and senior commercial relationship manager for F&M Trust, was named COO and CFO of Smith Land & Improvement Corp. (Photo provided)

Real estate development firm Smith Land & Improvement Corp.’s newest executive is bringing 16 years of experience in commercial banking and real estate finance to the Camp Hill-based company.

Dallas Zulli, former vice president and senior commercial relationship manager for F&M Trust, has taken the role of both COO and CFO for Smith Land, the firm announced Friday.

“His experience on the banking side of commercial real estate finance gives him unique insights into the types and structures of deals that will future-proof our development firm,” said Richard Jordan III, president and CEO of Smith Land.

Smith Land has a portfolio of about 50 properties, 80% of which are located in the midstate.

The firm’s most recent redevelopment project, the Camp Hill-based Neighbors & Smith, houses a number of local businesses including Little Black Dress, One Good Woman and Underneath it All and officially opened in June of last year.

“I was raised in this area and have seen the positive impact, resilience, and expansion of the Smith Land properties, including the landmark West Shore Plaza. It’s important to have historical context for development which will help me as I manage our current projects, evaluate future projects, introduce new tenant relationships, and prepare our properties for changing demands in the commercial real estate market,” Zulli said.

Zulli holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s in Business Administration from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. He is also the treasurer and board member for the East Pennsboro Ambulance Service and a trustee for the Cumberland County Bar Foundation.

Rite Aid appoints new COO

Jim Peters joined Rite Aid as its new COO. PHOTO/SUBMITTED

East Pennsboro-based Rite Aid has hired Jim Peters, the former CEO of Philadelphia-based Skyward Health, as its new chief operating officer to replace outgoing COO Bryan Everett.

Peters was CEO of Skyward, a strategic health advisory firm, for three years before accepting the job.

Peters will lead the Cumberland County corporation’s pharmacy and clinical strategy development and execution; relationships with health plans and health systems; marketing and merchandising and corporate development.

“Jim is a seasoned health care executive with health innovation, corporate development, strategy and healthcare provider-payer operating experience,” said Heyward Donigan, CEO of Rite Aid. “As our industry continues to evolve and Rite Aid charts our go-forward strategy, Jim’s strong track record of leadership and acting as a change agent to rejuvenate brand perception is exactly what Rite Aid needs to propel our business forward.”

Peters has 25 years of health care experience. Prior to working at Skyward, he held various senior level positions at Danville-based Geisinger Health System and served as principal at Updata Capital, a venture capital firm in Washington DC.

Peters graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in architecture from Lehigh University and a Masters in Finance and Venture Capital from The Wharton School.

“I’m excited to join Rite Aid at such an inflection point in the health and wellness industry,” said Peters. “The Rite Aid brand is strong and its potential even stronger. I look forward to working with industry leaders – both at Rite Aid and in the marketplace – as we define and execute our strategy and achieve our goals, while keeping the health and wellness of our customer’s top-of-mind.”

Rite Aid also welcomed Heyward Donigan as its new CEO in August. With the addition of Peters, Rite Aid announced that it has rounded out its leadership team.

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Tag: COO

Camp Hill-based Elixer names Neill COO

Penn State Health’s new executive vice president, COO to start this summer

New COO to join Masonic Villages next month

Smith Land appoints new COO/CFO

Rite Aid appoints new COO