Picture it. Boonsboro, 2021. You’ve just walked into the main lobby of Fahrney Keedy Home and Village. You stop for a second and take it all in. The sights, the sounds, the smell of coffee permeating throughout the building. You round the corner, step foot into the Executive Suite, and then……you see it. Out of the corner of your eye. In all it’s mahogany glory, a fluorescent halo hanging above it. The one. The only. The door labeled CEO.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to manage a senior living community? What about a senior living community in the middle of a global pandemic? Is it just an endless string of phone calls and meetings? How do you manage a large staff in an everchanging environment? What was life really like for Frodo and his friends in The Shire?

Sorry, off topic.

Back to the original question: What does it actually mean to be a President/CEO?

(Hint: it involves talent shows)

Every week, we will be highlighting a member of our Fahrney Keedy Family to learn a little bit more about their life and career. They will be offering a unique perspective on their role as well as advice for those considering a career in senior living.

This week, we get a snapshot into the life of Steve Coetzee, President and CEO:

Where did you go to school? What was your major? Houghton College, Bachelor’s in Music Education.

Do you have any other certifications? Licensed Nursing Home Administrator

When did you know you wanted to become the President/CEO of a Senior Living facility? “My passion for Senior Care began in high school. I worked in nursing homes while in high school and college. I never thought that this would become my lifelong mission but it has worked out that way!”

What drew you to your current position? “My experience in the senior care industry has been primarily in the for-profit sector and I was excited when I could make the move to a nonprofit environment as I feel the focus in the nonprofit sector is more geared towards quality care.”

What brought you to Fahrney Keedy? “I was employed locally with another organization and saw that Fahrney Keedy was looking for a new CEO and I saw it as an opportunity to expand my experience in the nonprofit senior living industry.”

In honor of the #tbt trend, we want to throw it back to your first day at Fahrney Keedy. What do you remember? “I remember a welcoming environment. I remember feeling like this was a great place to work and filled with people who really care about their residents.”

Obviously, there is a lot that goes into running a senior living facility. What does a day in the life look like for you? What are some of your duties and responsibilities? “My typical day consists of managing projects, monitoring directors, putting out “fires” as they pop up, working with board members and subcommittees, leading a great team of managers of the operations in our community.”

Do you have a favorite memory from your time spent working here that you would be willing to share? ” A highlight for me over the last 5 years was the talent show put on by our staff and judged by our residents. The whole community gathered for the show and staff really stepped up and did an amazing job entertaining the community members. The resident judges really hammed it up and everyone had a lot of fun! It highlights for many of the staff that this community is an extension of their family. “

This pandemic has been hard for everyone around the world but, it has been especially hard for those individuals working in healthcare. How did you personally get through it? “The last year has been extremely difficult for our community. The key for me personally has been the incredible support from our executive and management team. We have all been there for each other through the darkest hours of the pandemic. I cannot say enough about the dedication of all of our staff to the residents, each other, and our organization. “

Irish poet Oscar Wilde once said “with age comes wisdom”. What advice would you give to your younger self? “Be patient, seek understanding.”

What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a President or CEO of a senior living facility? “Be sure that this is what you want! The responsibilities for caring for seniors are vast. “

And finally, why should someone choose to join the Fahrney Keedy team? “Fahrney Keedy cares not only for its community members but also for its staff. Our focus is to provide the best care for seniors but also to provide a nurturing and rewarding environment for our staff.”

5-Second Pose!

We asked Steve 5 rapid fire questions to get to know him a little bitter.

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Movie: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Favorite Disney Character: Mater from Cars

Favorite Superhero: Black Panther

Favorite Actor (age 65+) : Jane Seymour

1 Fun Fact : Steve loves to play the piano

Thank you so much to Steve Coetzee for sharing! Stay tuned next week when we add a new photo to our Family Album!