Benchmark Announces Leadership Additions, Promotion
Jerry Liang, John Hartmayer, and Heather Frahm
Benchmark Senior Living, a leading provider of senior living services in the Northeast, today announced several key executive team changes, including the appointments of Jerry Liang to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately; and John Hartmayer to Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, as of March 8. Benchmark Chief Marketing Officer Heather Frahm was promoted to Executive Vice President.
Benchmark CFO Sarah Laffey will shift to a part-time consulting role with the company, overseeing its continuing care retirement communities’ (CCRCs) investments and working as a liaison with investors.
Liang and Hartmayer have a deep understanding of Benchmark’s core businesses and its geographic footprint, as both come from senior housing companies who have operated in the region. Laffey, who joined Benchmark in 2010, will also begin advisory work to not-for-profit senior living operators and CCRCs.
Liang most recently served as Senior Vice President of Investments and Development at Sunrise Senior Living, based in McLean, Virginia, for 13 years. In his new position, he will be responsible for development, asset management, capital structuring, investor relations, accounting, treasury, and risk management.
“Benchmark is just as its name suggests, a high standard in the senior living industry with an excellent, well-earned reputation for quality care in the Northeast. I am honored to join Benchmark and to build on a foundation of excellence with this team and guide it to even greater successes,” said Liang.
Hartmayer most recently served as Senior Vice President of Operations for the east division of Atria Senior Living, based in Louisville, KY, and was with the company for more than 20 years. He will oversee all community operations, including resident care, programming, culinary, and legal.
“I am excited to be joining Benchmark at a time when innovation and creativity are more important than ever. Benchmark has an outstanding track record in the industry, and I have long admired the company from afar,” said Hartmayer.
Frahm joined Benchmark in March of 2019, serving as Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President. She will continue to serve as CMO in her new EVP role. Along with overseeing marketing, Frahm is responsible for sales, customer experience and IT. She is the former president of Boston-based Catalyst, a search engine marketing firm specializing in serving Fortune 500 companies, which she co-founded.
“I am thrilled to have two proven leaders in the senior living sector like Jerry and John join Benchmark, as well as the continued support of our CMO, Heather,” said Benchmark Founder, CEO and Chairman Tom Grape. “I am confident that our executive team and our dedicated community associates will not only help us continue to provide superior services to our residents, but also help us expand Benchmark’s presence in the region.”
About Benchmark Senior Living
Benchmark is a leading provider of senior housing in the Northeast, providing independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care options in 63 communities and across seven states. The Waltham-based company’s core values of Called to Care, Better Together and Be the Benchmark guide its mission to stay connected to who and what matters most: our residents, their families and our associates.
Benchmark is one of only two companies to be named to The Boston Globe’s Top Place to Work all 13 years that the honor has been given. Throughout its history, Benchmark has continually been recognized as a top workplace. The Great Place to Work Institute certified Benchmark for two straight years, and the company earned a place on FORTUNE’s 50 Best Workplaces in Aging Services list each of the two years that the magazine published the list.
