GERMANTOWN, MD – Asbury Communities, Inc., and Sodexo are pleased to announce a Joint Business Development Plan that will drive new growth, innovation and service delivery in the senior living industry. Through this strategic business development plan, the organizations will work together to identify and develop services that will provide exceptional lifestyle opportunities for older persons. This unique agreement to develop growth initiatives and innovation reflects Asbury’s strong commitment to its mission to “do all the good we can by providing exceptional lifestyle opportunities to those we serve.”
As a key part of this agreement, Asbury and Sodexo announced that Sandra Hegelein Lawson and Michael Hollen, currently Sodexo employees working closely with Asbury, will join The Asbury Group in newly created roles.
“The addition of Sandy and Michael speaks to our commitment to results, engagement and growth at Asbury, and we are excited about the opportunity to further explore new ways to work with our strategic business partners,” said Asbury Communities President and CEO Doug Leidig.
Lawson will serve as the Chief Strategic Alliances and Growth Officer, and she will lead Asbury’s strategic growth initiative across the Asbury system. Previously, she served as Director of Business Development for Sodexo Seniors North America, managing a region including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. She developed more than 150 strategic business partnerships that were designed to improve quality of life for older adults as well as deliver operational efficiencies, labor optimization, and sustainable savings.
Michael Hollen will serve as the Vice President of Business Development to identify major business opportunities, drive innovation, and create new partnerships and collaboration opportunities with both continuing care retirement communities and Asbury business partners. He will also lead market analysis and innovation to grow the business and enhance Asbury Communities’ brand reputation. While at Sodexo, Hollen was Vice President of Operations, responsible for Sodexo’s Seniors business portfolio that includes Asbury Communities, as well as other senior living providers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York.
“When relationships with clients are a true partnership, we dramatically expand our impact and effectiveness,” said Joe Cuticelli, CEO of Seniors North America for Sodexo. “With this agreement, we are taking our partnership with Asbury to a higher level that will bring new innovations and will ultimately benefit the entire industry.”
Both Lawson and Hollen will begin in their new roles on March 19, 2017, and will report directly to Doug Leidig, CEO of Asbury Communities, Inc.
Asbury is an organization providing management and life-enhancing services for older adults. Asbury is ranked by The LeadingAge Ziegler 150 (LZ 150) as the 18th-largest not-for-profit multi-site senior living organization in the country.
