Ballinger|Leafblad is proud to present the following information on behalf of our

client, Vista Prairie Communities and a retained search for Chief Executive Officer

Presents

Chief Executive Officer

www.vistaprairie.org

Vista Prairie Communities

Chief Executive Officer

PRESENTING OUR CLIENT Vista Prairie Communities

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY
Vista Prairie Communities (VPC) is a nonprofit housing corporation that serves
seniors of diverse incomes, providing Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory
Care, Care Suites and Respite Care communities. VPC uses affiliated organizations
to provide nurturing, homelike properties in the lifelong communities of its
residents.
The organization was incorporated in 1997 as a non-profit for charitable purposes
under the original name Governmental & Educational Assistance Corporation. Over
the past eighteen years, VPC has established single asset, limited liability
companies (LLCs) that currently own thirteen facilities.
Vista Prairie Communities is headquartered in Hopkins, Minnesota.
Communities are located in Minnesota are Alexandria, Fairmont, Grand Rapids,
North Mankato, Redwood Falls, South St. Paul, and Willmar, with additional
facilities in Sheldon, Iowa, Spirit Lake, Iowa, and North Olmsted, Ohio. In
addition, the organization is involved with two low income apartment projects
in Blue Earth and St. Cloud Minnesota.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY VISTA PRAIRIE COMMUNITIES

Assisted Living Services: Each senior living community has 24-hour staffing
available to meet anticipated as well as unexpected needs of each Assisted Living
resident. Trained staff are dedicated to becoming a member of each residents
extended family, supporting their needs in a warm and caring environment.
Memory Care: With Memory Care Facilities throughout MN and IA, the primary
focus is to provide an attentive and caring environment for seniors dealing with
Dementia or Alzheimers. The program is full of activities for dementia patients that
help relieve the anxiety, confusion and frustration that impact each residents daily
life. The trained staff at each of the senior living communities recognize that we
can dramatically improve residents quality of life by maintaining their dignity and

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individuality, encouraging engagement with family and friends and offering

attractive and personalized living accommodations.

Care Suites: The Care Suites in Vista Prairie Communities offer a private
neighborhood setting with distinct common spaces for seniors requiring the highest
level of elderly care available.
We provide 24-hour continuous care. For long term residents needing more daily
care, the neighborhood environment and access to community amenities is a
welcoming lifestyle concept. For short term residents recovering from surgery or
illness, the Care Suites option supports the healing process for seniors with the hope
that they can more quickly return to everyday living.

Respite Care: Respite Care provides the much needed temporary break from the
often exhausting challenges faced by the family caregiver or a place to continue the
road to recovery. Other reasons to consider Respite Care is for a short term stay
after a hospital discharge to receive that little extra daily help with strengthening,
nutrition and 24 hour care for the best chance for success to return home.

ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION, VALUES and CULTURE

Mission

The Mission of Vista Prairie Communities is: Vista Prairie Communities engages
staff, residents, the local community and service providers to create the quality of
life all individuals hope to experience.

Values

TRUST: We endeavor to create a family environment and an atmosphere of comfort

for our residents.

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RESPECT: We respect the dignity of our residents by encouraging their

independence while offering access to a professional caring staff in a homelike
environment.
QUALITY: We provide a beautiful, clean environment for our residents.
CARING: We seek to provide a higher standard of care and professionalism than is
expected by residents and their families.
EMPOWERING: We strive to create an atmosphere that enhances personal growth,
expands responsibility, maximizes creativity and instills trust for our residents, their
families and our employees.
Vista Prairie staff describe the culture of the organization as: warm, residentcentered, evolving and engaged. The growing organization creates a feeling of
future potential and a positive outlook for staff. Senior leaders have built a cohesive
team that is building on the strengths of each location to evolve a strong
organizational culture.
PRESENTING THE POSITION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
This position will provide leadership of the organizations strategic plan to expand
and strengthen Vista Prairie Communities as an assisted living and memory care
provider. The new CEO will be accountable for focusing and engaging employees
around a well-articulated vision for the future of Vista Prairie Communities as the
highest quality provider of senior living and memory care services in the states of
Minnesota, Iowa and Ohio.
The new leader of Vista Prairie Communities will be a strategic, inspirational leader
who can capitalize on past successes and prepare the organization for the future.
The CEO will have an excellent track record of building strong relationships,
combined with a performance-driven approach to operational and financial
stewardship. The ideal candidate will have a sincere appreciation for the mission of
Vista Prairie Communities and will be an organizational leader who obtains
satisfaction from facilitating and nurturing the success of others.
The CEO position is open due to the retirement of the current CEO, Morris Knopf.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The CEO of Vista Prairie Communities will report directly to the Vista Prairie
Communities Board of Directors. Direct reports to the CEO include:
Chief Financial Officer
Director of Housing and Community Development
Corporate Compliance and Quality Director
Corporate Nurse
Director of Human Resources and Development
Marketing Coordinator or Consultant
Corporate Executive Assistant
THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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The CEO for Vista Prairie Communities will be responsible for advancing the
organization's mission of ensuring continued appropriate access to high-quality
senior care within the areas served by Vista Prairie Communities as well as seeking
to enhance and expand its offerings and strategic opportunities. Responsibilities will
also include:
Updating and overseeing the strategic plan
Providing outstanding staff leadership and direction
Leading the capital campaign that serves as an integral foundation for the
strategic vision
Oversight of the continuing design and construction of facilities as part of the
implementation of the strategic plan
Oversight of successful marketing leading to the eventual stabilization of all Vista
Prairie Communities' facilities.
In addition, the CEO will have responsibility for leading the organization's strategy,
growth and operations in achieving financial and quality of care objectives. In
coordination with the Board of Directors, the Vista Prairie Communities CEO will play
a key role in further clarifying the strategy for the organization and also direct
tactical plans to achieve development, growth and operating results as well as
growth of market share.
The new CEO will be instrumental in the repositioning of Vista Prairie Communities,
an established well-regarded provider of senior care services in the Midwest area,
and leading the organization in the development and implementation of a strategic
plan that will ensure that Vista Prairie Communities' mission will be continued well
into the future.
The new CEO will embrace the rich history and culture of Vista Prairie
Communities, while also bringing new ideas, creating a vision and engaging
employees around a goal of moving forward. The new CEO will possess the
interpersonal skills to engage and inspire current and future stakeholders, wouldbe donors and staff to embrace change at Vista Prairie Communities. Given the
smaller size of the organization, there are not the levels of bureaucracy that often
bog down decision making processes, thus allowing for change to happen quickly.
Vista Prairie Communities is a mission-driven organization with a long, rich culture
of commitment and dedication to the residents it serves. The new CEO must be
genuinely committed to the mission of the organization, must be an engaged and
visible leader across the organization and must be someone who believes in and
becomes active in senior health care public interest groups.
Functions and Responsibilities Include:

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Quality of Care - Ensures that Vista Prairie Communities, including all staff and
associates, deliver the highest quality services and personal care to residents.
Quality of Service - Fulfills Vista Prairie Communities' commitment to providing
the highest quality of lifestyle for its residences, including dining services,
activities, programs and amenities offered at various levels of care throughout
each community in which facilities are located.
Culture - Creates an environment in which others are encouraged to achieve, in
which new ideas surface with ease and in which leadership abilities are recognized
and encouraged wherever discovered.
Human Resources - Selects and trains strong staff leaders. Elicits the trust and
confidence of all staff. Engages with a people-oriented style.
Strategic Planning -Assures that the organizational goals and objectives are welldeveloped and widely understood. The CEO is visionary with the skills, intelligence,
experience and insight to successfully project future challenges, needs and
opportunities. The CEO is aware of trends within the senior health care field,
including awareness of the financial and cultural climate as well as the competitive
landscape.
Advocacy - The CEO is visible in professional and community activities and is
knowledgeable and understands the role of government regulations and advocacy
in organizational management. Works effectively with legislators and regulators.
External Relations - Effectively relates to and communicates with the civic
community. Effectively represents the organization to the public.
Operational Excellence - The organization is profitable. Excellent financial and
quality indicators for the organization are consistently maintained. Budget goals are
met and/or exceeded.
Ethical Standards and Competence - The CEO serves as a role model in ethical
behavior and standards, sets the tone for the organization and is mindful of his/her
influence both internally and externally. He/she models a balanced life style and
maintains a high level of professional competence, ethical values and standards.
Leadership - The CEO demonstrates effective leadership capabilities with a focus
on developing capabilities of staff through coaching and mentoring. He/she is
motivated, self-confident and an effective negotiator.

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Management -The CEO manages effectively, fostering a compelling and attractive

culture while maintaining commitment to financial and operational excellence.
He/she tracks progress in implementing initiatives and takes corrective action as
needed to meet established goals. The VPC leadership team has recently begun
using the vocabulary and concepts from the book Traction to guide some of their
planning and discussions.

THE DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of ten years extensive experience
within Senior Housing or a similar industry such as Assisted Living, Memory Care,
Healthcare, Long Term Care or Hospitality.
Education: A Master's Degree in Business Administration, Healthcare
Administration, Gerontology or related field is preferred. Evidence of ongoing,
continuous education in the field of assisted living, memory care, health care, longterm care, senior living management and operations is desired.
Desired Skills and Experience:

Significant, proven experience as a Chief Executive Officer or senior leader within

senior housing facilities possessing a track record of success gained within a
complex, service-driven organization. Individuals should possess a track record
of success gained within progressive, senior living organizations with diverse
services and/or successful, service-oriented, innovative performance-driven
organizations.
A visionary, dynamic, adaptive, resilient, articulate and experienced leader who
possesses a commitment to and is passionate about serving seniors. While
innovative, proven leadership gained within the senior living field would be
helpful, mission-driven individuals who possess well-honed strategic skills and
have a track record of accomplishment gained within successful operating
organizations are encouraged to apply.
Strong strategic and business skills that demonstrate excellent leadership, financial
management, team development, strategic planning and operating capability. A
professional with experience in strategically positioning organizations, effectively
communicating these strategies and formulating and executing clear and
focused operating plans that have aligned operational priorities and
management accountability against established strategic goals.
A leader who has implemented strategy and vision and a sense of urgency to
respond to industry trends. He/she should have a track record of leveraging data,
market intelligence and business relationships that have helped successfully
evaluate and advance new strategies
A leader who advances a mission with a focus on quality through all levels of the
organization, starting with the Board of Directors and management, and
inclusive of those who give care in senior residential settings.
A high-energy, creative, results-oriented and values-driven professional, able to
make deliberate and timely decisions based on sound analysis of data and
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equally able to be a reasoned-risk taker and excels at setting and

communicating priorities.

In-depth experience in influencing public policy and knowledge of the legislative and
regulatory environment and of emerging trends in Senior Living, Assisted Living,
Memory Care and Extended Care, and in the broader healthcare arena including
trends in healthcare reform and how this may affect Vista Prairie Communities in
the future. Committed to corporate compliance with all applicable regulations.
An executive with a demonstrated track record in exceptional leadership and who
possesses the ability to develop, assess and mentor the leadership team. A
leader who is willing and able to hold the management team accountable while
giving the team the freedom and authority to fulfill their roles and
responsibilities.
A steadfast, resilient executive with experience in strategic visioning and
implementation, including a demonstrated ability to plan future business
activities that correspond to the overall long-range plan for the organization.
An executive who is experienced and skilled in working transparently and effectively
with boards of directors that are vision and mission-driven.
A visible, engaged, collaborative and inclusive leader with a calm demeanor and a
clear conviction to the mission of the organization.
An adaptive leader capable of initiating change in a rapidly evolving environment.
A leader with a strong, engaging public image, able to establish effective
relationships with fellow healthcare leaders, community and business leaders,
donors and financial partners as well as local, state and federal healthcare
legislators and regulators.
The successful candidate will possess the following personal characteristics:
Mission and Values Driven- Committed to Vista Prairie Communities' core mission
and values. Clearly demonstrates a passion for working with and understanding the
needs of aging adults and their family members.
Quality/Service Champion - Motivated by a desire to create a culture of providing an
extraordinary level of service for residents. Passionate about excellence, advocacy
for quality care and outcomes, willingness to innovate and initiate progress and
growth for the organization.
Vision and Foresight - Committed to understanding the changing landscape of the
senior living industry and envisions a future where growth is continued and
expanded, even into areas which may be unforeseen. Able to anticipate change and
prepare the organization to respond from a position of strength, rather than
reaction.
Flexible, comfortable with, but not constrained by, consensus building. Able to
create collaborations between those with differing agendas or organizational
viewpoints. Excited and energized by change and opportunity. Confident and
assertive with a modest and unselfish view.

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Team Builder /Motivator - Galvanizes not only Vista Prairie Communities'

leadership and employees, but also partners with external organizations to align
and participate in fulfilling Vista Prairie Communities' mission and strategic vision.
A firm believer in leadership development and in creating an environment of
accountability.

Systems Thinker -Capable of seeing and understanding the connection between

component activities and desired outcomes. Stimulates an atmosphere which
encourages innovation and creative thinking.
Integrity - Honest, trustworthy, authentic, professional and values oriented.
Communications Skills - A skilled listener who is fluent in both written and verbal
interaction. Comfortable in a public forum, speaking to individuals and groups.
Seeks to understand and integrate the viewpoints of others.
Senior Housing - In-depth knowledge of the core business competencies of senior
housing and long-term care operations or similar industry, including familiarity with
key metrics such as occupancy, margin/NOI, rent roll analysis, revenues, expense
management, etc.
Expansion /Repositioning - Knowledge of and experience in initiating and
implementing an expansion project and/or the repositioning of a senior living
project.
Financial Acumen - Understanding and familiarity with property level financials such
as balance sheets, budgets, rent rolls, profit and loss statements.
Sales - Extensive sales experience, including the ability to develop comprehensive
tactics and strategies to maintain a high value prospecting pipeline that includes
minimum quantities of regular face-to-face client meetings, proposals and client
presentations.
Fundraising - Experience in large scale fundraising and/or capital campaigns
PRESENTING THE TWIN CITIES OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul are a unique blend of small town and
major cosmopolitan hub. Both urban cores boast a thriving business atmosphere.
Minneapolis is the larger and more commercial of the two cities, and Saint Paul, as
the state capital, is home to state government and has a more historical vibe.
Outside of the central downtowns, however, both cities have many distinct
neighborhoods, and many residents identify more with their individual neighborhood
as well as with the larger city as a whole.

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Both cities share a common root of being river towns, and the outdoors is still a
major attraction for residents and tourists alike to this day. In addition to the mighty
Mississippi River, there are over 100 lakes (over 900 including the suburbs), over
250 parks, and miles of biking and walking trails.
Nearly every weekend in the summer there are several outdoor active events for
participants and spectators--triathlons, biking races, running races, boat races,
water skiing competitions, golf tournaments and more.
The active lifestyle of the Twin Cities residents doesn't lie dormant during the winter.
There are miles of cross-country skiing trails, several downhill ski areas within an
hour drive, ice skating, snowmobile riding, sledding and--of course--ice fishing.

For those who prefer activity of the spectator variety, the Twin Cities are home to
the major sports teams: Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Wild,
Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Lynx (current WNBA champions) and Minnesota
United FC (soccer). There is also a minor league baseball team, the Saint Paul
Saints.
The Twin Cities have hosted the World Series, Super Bowl, NCAA Basketball Finals,
the USGA U. S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Special Olympics. In 2014,
Target Field will be the setting for baseball's All-Star Game, and, in 2018, the Super
Bowl will be played in a newly built state-of-the-art stadium. In 2016, the Ryder Cup
will be hosted at nearby Hazeltine Country Club. The University of Minnesota and

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other colleges and universities provide additional opportunities to cheer for local
teams.

But the Twin Cities have more to offer than participatory and spectator sporting
events. There are countless arts and culture offerings here. The Grammy Awardwinning Minnesota Orchestra has a reputation as one of the top orchestras in the
world. Since the early 1960s, the Guthrie Theatre has staged A-plus shows from the
classical to the contemporary.
Popular national shows and performers also tour through the Twin Cities year round
at stages in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and at the University. There are over
30 theatre venues, 10 dance companies, and 30 classical music groups in the cities
of Minneapolis and Saint Paul alone.
For the museumgoer, there are over 60 museums in the Twin Cities. The Science
Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota History Center and the Minnesota Children's
Museum (all in Saint Paul) are highly interactive learning and fun experiences for
the entire family. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts has a collection of over 100,000
pieces. The Walker Art Center has been called "possibly the best contemporary art
museum in the U. S." by Newsweek, and has over 11,000 pieces. Not to be outdone,
the area's Weisman Art Museum is also a contemporary art destination.
Beyond the outdoor, sports, entertainment and culture, perhaps the biggest
attraction for the Twin Cities is the lifestyle. Forbes hailed Minneapolis and Saint
Paul as the nation's healthiest cities. USA Today named Saint Paul as North
America's "Most Romantic City." The area has been recognized as having the
nations best park system. The Twin Cities offer award-winning restaurants
(several chefs have been regional James Beard Award winners). In addition to the
popular Mall of America, there are plenty of unique shopping districts in both cities
and in the suburbs.

THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE

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The executive compensation package includes a base salary, performance bonus

and participation in the Vista Prairie Communities comprehensive benefits plan.

BALLINGER|LEAFBLAD INVITES YOU TO CONTACT US FOR MORE

INFORMATION:
Marcia Ballinger, PhD
Co-Founder/Principal
651-341-4840
marcia@ballingerleafblad.com

Lars Leafblad, MBA

Co-Founder/Principal
612-598-7547
lars@ballingerleafblad.com

Civic Search. Reimagined.

www.ballingerleafblad.com
Vista Prairie Communities values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age,
color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or
any other status protected by law.

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