SR Companies News

SR Hotel Management Expands Leadership Team

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 18:33:31 GMT

SR Hotel Management is excited to announce the appointment of Michael Mancke as Senior Director of Marketing & Sales .

With over three decades of extensive experience in hospitality marketing, sales, and operations, Michael brings a wealth of expertise that will elevate the performance of SR Hotel Management and the broader SR Companies portfolio. Throughout his distinguished career, Michael has held leadership roles at industry-leading organizations, including Miles Media Group, ARAMARK Harrison Lodging, and Radisson Suite Beach Resort.

He has successfully developed and executed marketing strategies for hotels, resorts, and destination management organizations, driving revenue growth and building strong industry partnerships. Notably, his leadership has resulted in significant advancements in sales performance, customer engagement, and brand positioning.

"Michael Mancke’s proven ability to craft marketing strategies and lead teams makes him an invaluable addition to SR Hotel Management,” said Don Bishop, CEO of SR Companies. “His deep understanding of the hospitality industry and extensive network will be instrumental in strengthening our position as a leader in this space. We look forward to seeing the impact of his leadership in the hospitality space."

As Senior Director of Marketing and Sales, Michael will oversee the development and implementation of strategic initiatives to drive growth, expand market share, and enhance the guest experience for SR Hotel Management’s portfolio. In addition to his new role, Michael will also serve as General Manager for PaddleTail Waterfront Lodge, bringing his operational expertise to this distinctive waterfront property.

SR Hotel Management is also pleased to announce that the Hampton Inn by Hilton in Port Richey will now be overseen by Silvia Beganovic . Silvia’s leadership and experience will play a key role in ensuring continued excellence in operations and guest satisfaction at this property. She recently completed her Hilton general manager leadership training. And in 2023, Beganovic was named SR Hotel Management’s Front-Desk Supervisor of the Year.

“We’re excited to have Silvia as a General Manager,” Bishop said. “Her promotion to GM is well deserved.”

These leadership appointments reinforce SR Companies’ commitment to operational excellence and innovative leadership, ensuring continued growth and success across its hospitality portfolio.

» Connect with Ben on LinkedIn.

Ben Sorrells Named SR Companies Chief of Staff

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:19:55 GMT

SR Companies is proud to announce the appointment of Ben Sorrells as Chief of Staff. Sorrells brings over 25 years of executive leadership experience, including distinguished service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, where he excelled in global operations, logistics, and strategic planning.

Throughout his career, Sorrells has demonstrated expertise in supply chain management, communication, performance management, education and training, and human capital development. His proven ability to lead complex organizations and deliver impactful results will be instrumental in aligning operations and fostering collaboration across all facets of SR Companies, including SRI Management, SR Hotel Management, Impact Senior Living, and others.

“Ben’s leadership skills and strategic mindset are a perfect fit for SR Companies’ mission and vision,” said Don Bishop. “His diverse expertise will not only streamline operations but also position us to seize new opportunities and continue delivering exceptional results to our stakeholders. We are confident that Ben will help guide us to even greater success.”

As Chief of Staff, Sorrells will focus on enhancing operational efficiency, advancing strategic initiatives, and ensuring SR Companies remains a leader in its industries. His commitment to innovation and results-driven leadership aligns seamlessly with the company’s culture of excellence.

"I’m excited to join SR Companies and contribute to their journey toward new goals,” Sorrells said. “I’m also grateful for this opportunity and for everyone who has supported me throughout my career. Their guidance has helped me grow, improve, and achieve new milestones. As I start on this next chapter in my career, I’m excited about all we can accomplish together, from senior living to hospitality and everything in between."

Outside of work, Sorrells enjoys spending time with his wife, Jessica, and their two children, Cason and Ansley.

» Connect with Ben on LinkedIn.

SRI Management Celebrates Westhill Newnan Crossing

dave.cone@thesrcompanies.com (Dave Cone) — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 13:49:52 GMT

Newnan, Ga. – Westhill Newnan Crossing , in conjunction with ownership Waypoint Residential and the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce , celebrated its new branding and SRI Management ’s role in the upscale assisted living and memory care community.

“Westhill Newnan Crossing is one of those communities you just have to see to believe,” said Don Bishop, CEO, SRI Management . “From its impressive common areas to the rooms, Westhill is a top-tier senior living community, and offers an experience seniors might not know exists. We’re proud to have Westhill Newnan Crossing as a community within the SRI Management family of communities.”

SRI Management officially became the management company on December 30, 2021. Located just outside of Atlanta, this Newnan, Ga., community offers residents and their families Assisted Living and Memory Care senior living options.

Cultural programs, interesting activities, and extraordinary outings are simply a part of everyday life at Westhill Newnan Crossing. This community welcomes guests and residents with a stunning promenade, fireplace, a signature water wall, pool, salon & spa, grand balconies, and Southern-style outdoor living spaces.

There are six National Register Historic Districts – including Antebellum and Victorian homes – containing some of Georgia’s most beautiful homes and commercial buildings located in Newnan. There are also other points of interest such as the 1904 historic courthouse, Oak Hill Cemetery, the History Depot, and the McRitchie Hollis Museum. Just a short drive from Atlanta, stroll through Dunaway Gardens, a breathtaking floral rock garden.

Westhill Newnan Crossing offers 107 total units – 75 Assisted Living and 32 Memory Care –providing options for seniors seeking an active and healthy lifestyle. design, the community continues to be rich in amenities, including the SRI Management signature programming:

Artful Dining, a research-backed culinary concept designed to keep seniors engaged in the social and health benefits of proper nutrition,
Zestful Activities, providing an abundance of activities to keep residents physically and socially active;
Heartful Care – creating comfort and security for residents in their new home.

For more information about Westhill Newnan Crossing, visit the community online at https://westhillnewnancrossing.com/

Turning 100 Years Old with No Regrets

dave.cone@thesrcompanies.com (Dave Cone) — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 20:34:25 GMT

Story by Trisha Murphy, Palatka Daily News

Some might say Mary Louise Bondegard has an inquisitiveness about her that has led to a long life for the 100-year-old.

“My advice for living a long and fulfilling life is to have plenty of friends,” said Bondegard, who lives at Vintage Care Senior Living in Palatka, Fla. “Also be around people of all ages, exercise daily, try not to worry by putting your trust in the Lord and stay curious.”

That curiosity is part of what led Bondegard to learn to use an iPad her granddaughter gave to her when she was 96.

“I had never used a computer,” she said. “I really enjoyed learning to use it and I use it every single day to keep in touch with my family and friends. I would be lost without it.”

Bondegard, who was named after both of her grandmothers, was born Feb. 12, 1922, in Minneapolis, Minn., where she grew up. She was the only child of Paul Kellogg Larson and Louise Larson.

Her mother was an accomplished pianist, who taught music to children who were blind and mentally challenged. Her father worked for a hardware company as an estimator for large commercial construction.

Bondegard has lived through many ups and downs during her century of life, including the Great Depression in 1930, World War II that began in 1939, Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Vietnam War in 1955 and seeing the first man in space in 1961, to name a few.

Bondegard recalls the time she met John, who later would become her husband.

“We met at a hamburger joint after a high school football game,” she said. “John played on the opposing team.”

The couple married Aug. 29, 1945, after John returned from World War II and got a job working for an air reduction sales company as a superintendent for an acetylene plant and was transferred to the the St. Louis, Illinois, area. The couple lived there for 20 years where they raised their two daughters, Marilyn Nicholson of Palatka and Karen Turlington of Houston, Texas, who recently passed away. John Bondegard died Sept. 11, 2005, after a 14-year battle with Alzheimer’s. The couple has four grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Nicholson planned a multi-day birthday celebration with family to honor her mother’s milestone event. Family came from as far away as Texas, Maryland, and Virginia.

The first day’s activities included family pictures taken by a professional photographer. The second day included an outdoor barbecue party attended by family and friends at a rental vacation house, large enough for the whole family to stay together on the St. Johns River. The third was a Champagne Brunch at the Magnolia Cafe in Palatka. A birthday party was also held at the Vintage Care Senior Living community, which included a birthday cake baked by Bondegard’s friend, Jeanette Barber.

During her working career, Bondegard worked at a hospital in the Chicago Metropolitan area as a cancer tumor registrar in the medical records department until she retired in 1987.

Before moving to Palatka in 2016 to be closer to her daughter, Marilyn, Bondegard lived on her own in the High Point community in Brooksville, Florida.

Nicholson enjoys her mother being close.

“We like to travel together to visit family and just spend time together,” she said.

During her life, Bondegard was a Girl Scout and a leader and a member of Eastern Star. She and her husband were also members of the Danish Lodge, a traveling square-dance group and very active members of their church, United Church of Christ. In the past, Bondegard has enjoyed bowling and playing golf with her husband and friends, as well as dancing, playing cards and games.

Nicholson knew just the word she would use to describe her mother.

“I would describe her as always punctual and very meticulous,” she said. “She has had many friends and family who love her, and she reciprocated that love.”

Bondegard fulfilled one of her bucket list items when she and her husband traveled to Denmark to sightsee and research her relatives.

Bondegard’s favorite color is blue and admits she has a sweet tooth, too.

“I love ice cream and something sweet after meals,” she said.

“I have no regrets.”

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This story has been reprinted with permission of the Palatka Daily News. The original story can be found here.

SRI Management Announces Corporate Lead Managers

dave.cone@thesrcompanies.com (Dave Cone) — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 20:31:02 GMT

We would like to welcome three new SRI Management corporate hires to the team. Many will recognize their names and faces since these great folks have worked in various communities we manage.

Alexis Ekberg, Julia White, and Michelle Donnahoo are each stepping into a newly created position called a Corporate Lead Manager, or CLM for short. This role is responsible for managing leads both old and new in conjunction with the on-site Director of Sales at each one of our communities.

“I’m excited to have Alexis, Julia, and Michelle in this new role for SRI Management,” Vice President of Marketing Wade Goodman said. “They are going to really help people get the care they need faster by helping them navigate senior living.”

Some duties of the new role include responsibility for oversight of all leads to drive census while improving our lead to tour conversion.

Not only that, the team is also responsible for generating external business leads and referrals through SRI Management’s proven sales strategies all the while helping identify underperforming communities and develop and implement strategies to increase leads and census.

“The new role is one we’re thrilled to introduce,” Senior Corporate Director of Sales Kristy LeBlanc said. “While working throughout our communities, the Corporate Lead Managers will work hand-in-hand with local sales teams to provide future residents a better sales experience which helps us reach more leads faster.”

We were proud to have them in our communities and are now proud to work with them in this new role.

The Cove at Marsh Landing Gets Multi-Million Dollar Update

dave.cone@thesrcompanies.com (Dave Cone) — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 20:28:58 GMT

Jacksonville, Fla. – The Cove at Marsh Landing , in conjunction with ownership Longview Senior Housing and the JAX Chamber , reveals today a multi-million dollar renovation to the upscale assisted living and memory care community poised in the heart of Jacksonville Beach. Originally opened in 1995, the full-scale renovation brings a fresh, coastal design to all public spaces, activity areas, dining room and offices, as well as a completely refreshed Memory Care unit.

“We are thrilled to work with ownership to unveil a contemporary look and feel to this beloved community,” said Don Bishop, CEO, SRI Management. “Jacksonville Beach is a desirable destination for seniors. With a fresh look and a design plan to better meet the needs of our residents, The Cove at Marsh Landing is the ideal locale for families seeking the absolute best in care for their loved ones in this amazing seaside region.”

The Cove at Marsh Landing offers over 100 units in Assisted Living and Memory Care, providing options for seniors seeking an active and healthy lifestyle. West End Interiors led the interior design process for the renovation. With its coastal contemporary design, the community continues to be rich in amenities, including the SRI Management signature programming:

Artful Dining, a research-backed culinary concept designed to keep seniors engaged in the social and health benefits of proper nutrition
Zestful Activities, providing an abundance of activities to keep residents physically and socially active;
Heartful Care – creating comfort and security for residents in their new home

For more information about The Cove at Marsh Landing, visit the community online.

Georgia Governor Approves $47M Grant for Senior Living Communities

dave.cone@thesrcompanies.com (Dave Cone) — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 21:24:34 GMT

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) have approved a $47 million ARPA COVID-19 Mitigation Grant Program.

The grant provides up to $100,000 per Assisted Living Community/Personal Care Home (25+ state-licensed beds) to assist with expenses incurred to contain and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 between March 3, 2021, and December 1, 2022.

Assisted Living communities with 25 beds or more licensed by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) are encouraged to apply. Providers for each community must complete a Terms and Conditions Agreement for this grant program to begin submitting reimbursement requests for eligible expenses incurred between March 3, 2021, and December 1, 2022.

Expenses eligible for reimbursement are limited to those incurred to comply with Section 4.0 Testing Requirements and Guidance or Section 6.0 Considerations for Assisted Living Communities and Personal Care Homes of the Long-Term Care Facilities Reopening Guidance provided in the Georgia Department of Public Health Administrative Order updated October 6, 2021.

Examples of eligible expenses include those made to:

Antigen, PCR, and Serology Tests
Mandatory Baseline Testing
Purchases of personal protective equipment
Support for isolation or quarantine
Ventilation improvements

Communities receiving this grant will need to provide documentation to support the request for reimbursement of expenses as well as certify the expenses were necessary for the prevention or mitigation of COVID-19 in their community. They must also certify they will not use the proceeds of the grant to reimburse expenses that have been reimbursed from other sources or that other sources are obligated to reimburse.

The Georgia Senior Living Association is working with OPB to provide communication and education on qualifying expenses and submitting reimbursement requests. A webinar is scheduled on March 17 at 10:00 AM for eligible Assisted Living and Personal Care Home communities.

SRI University Goes to the Top of the Class

dave.cone@thesrcompanies.com (Dave Cone) — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 21:21:15 GMT

Throughout SRI Management communities in 2021, we introduced the SRI University program challenging residents’ minds while helping them stay mentally fit. We believe keeping seniors mentally fit is just as important as seniors staying physically fit.

We have taken what we learned last year and tweaked the 2022 program to be even better for our residents! SRI Management’s very own Senior Director of Experience Rich DeLong is overseeing the program to ensure the experience is at the head of the class.

“There’s something amazing that happens when seniors experience SRI University,” DeLong said. “Seniors begin to feel a sense of purpose, a sense of being and a sense of place. And they’re learning about new things in a safe, social way.”

This month residents started the new “school” session and feedback has been great.

Eighty-nine-year-old Jeanne M. said, “I enjoy the SRI University learning and I look forward to it each week. It keeps me young.”

With classes slated throughout the year, our Director of Activities have plans in-hand and are excited to see residents complete each course.

“The SRI University program really puts our seniors in a setting where they can learn, interact and stay active, “January Fitzgerald, a Director of Activities in one of our South Carolina communities, said. “A program like this is important as people age. I know our residents look forward to our next class. So do I!”

SRI University is the premier life-long learning program that is designed to meet the needs of the older adult learner. Classes are offered university-style where sometimes the resident is the teacher and other times, they are the students.

Each month has an educational theme, and each week a new course is taught. Courses range from the Art of Being Happy to studying America’s most fortified locations. Not only will residents receive knowledge through this life-long learning program experience, but they will also receive a university badge and certificates of completion.

SRI University is a voluntary experience and open to all residents who would like to stay mentally fit.

“I’m excited for the future of SRI University,” DeLong said. “I’m more excited to see our seniors have such a good time engaging and being able to learn in a social manner. What’s not to love about that?”

About the Program Lead

Rich DeLong, SRI Management’s Senior Director of Experience, heads up this new program.

Rich has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida and a Master of Education from Georgia Southwestern State University.

As a former coach, teacher, and community volunteer, Rich was named Teacher of the Year twice, and Volunteer of the Year for the Council on Aging, American Heart Association, and the Chamber of Commerce.

For many years he wrote a great bi-weekly newspaper column titled Senior Moments and has been a guest presenter for several professional and national organizations on topics including Leadership, Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Senior Care and Senior Wellness.

Rich is also a former senior living Executive Director.

SRI Management Expands to Atlanta Area

dave.cone@thesrcompanies.com (Dave Cone) — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 15:02:31 GMT

SRI Management would like to welcome Westhill Newnan Crossing into the SRI Management family of senior living communities.

Located just outside of Atlanta, this Newnan, Georgia, community offers residents and their families Assisted Living and Memory Care senior living options.

“Westhill Newnan Crossing is a perfect addition and will be a great fit for not only our team, but residents and families, too,” SRI Management CEO Don Bishop said. “Our team looks forward to providing residents and their families with SRI Management’s signature programming and our three-C philosophy of character, compassion, and commitment.”

Along with these signature touches, SRI Management brings more than 20 years of senior living property management experience to Newnan, Georiga. With communities throughout the southeastern United States, SRI Management is well equipped to ensure the senior living experience at Westhill Newnan Crossing is second to none.

SRI Management became the property management company for this community on December 30, 2021. For more information about Westhill Newnan Crossing, please visit www.WesthillNewnanCrossing.com .

Seagrass Village in Panama City Beach Holds Largest Fundraiser of the Year

dave.cone@thesrcompanies.com (Dave Cone) — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 14:57:56 GMT

From WJHG.com — Wednesday night, the Seagrass Village sales team held their largest fundraiser of the year to help make Christmas for the senior population of Bay County more merry.

The third annual Trees to Treasure was held at the Panama City Beach Independent Living facility. Healthcare vendors decorated and donated Christmas trees for the event. These Christmas trees were open for public viewing Wednesday night. On Monday, Seagrass workers will wrap all the trees and deliver them to the Bay County Council on Aging. From there, the trees will be donated to senior families in the county that are less fortunate or experiencing hardships.

Sales Director Robin Wakefield said this is one way they work to give back to the Bay County seniors this holiday season.

“This is one way that we can pay that Christmas spirit forward and spread the meaning of Christ and the Christmas holiday. We hope it’s as meaningful to the recipient as it is to us who are giving,” said Wakefield.

People could view all 20 of the donated trees across the three stories of their building. Each person could vote on their favorites. The top three vote-getters were awarded prizes.

Watch the news video here: https://www.wjhg.com/2021/12/09/seagrass-village-holds-largest-fundraiser-year/

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