Colony Park now Country Villa Modesto
Two thousand seven, Gary’s seventh year at Colony Park, the 6:30 a.m. morning alarm giving notice of a new day, beginning to be an adversary rather than a welcomed friend, discovering with his 66th year of earthly presence, an inveterate avidity for the 99 bed skilled nursing facility was beginning to wane. A passing thought, age might have something to do with it, but a new energizing contingency coming into focus, Colony Park and all 11 facilities making up Healthcare Management Corporation were chronicled for purchase. The LLC’s bottom line showing a deficiency, rumored it was not to any paucity of CEO Arden Bennett, but the corporation’s CFO (chief financial officer), having persuaded the board of directors to purchase additional facilities of which he was a major stockholder, including the Watsonville East and West, dual facilities, under state scrutiny for violations and operated at a loss.
. The clamor of the unforeseen news soon wearing off, the only immediate difference was Brad Kikuta, resuming his position as an acting Administrator, engaging Gary to furtherance the cosmetic appearances of the facility, including painting the building exterior. Gary purchasing a Wagner paint sprayer at Home Depot, being honest with Brad, mentioning that he wasn’t the best at spray painting, and not surprised when Brad, although having never spray painted before, was willing to work with him. The team intact, Brad spray painting, Gary rolling and brushing the eaves, window frames and other sprayer inaccessible areas.
. Gary made aware of coming events, a detailed analysis of the building and all the plant, medical, safety and office equipment, plus resident room beds and furnishings, basically a complete inventory of everything but the kitchen sink, all a requirement for the sale. The process known as Due Diligence, included a detailed account of the exact size and physical attributes of the buildings, even to the point of separating carpeted area from the tiled, and included opening the fiscal, employment, state health and safety records for inspection .
. Thru the years, Gary having been befriended by the owners of Johnson Rug Company, Dennis Pankow, his wife Sue and Daughter Kim, at first employing their company to replace the tile in the resident’s room on a scheduled basis, but because of the impending sale, Brad wanting to finish all the remaining resident rooms. The environmental supervisor making a decision to do the installation himself. Gary scheduling the event on mornings when Brad was available, the administrator never-failing to volunteer as a participant after the tile adhesive had cured, and ready to be laid. Other improvement included replacing the floor tile in the business office, and removing the age-old carpet in the conference room, which refused to come up without the use of a motorized carpet scraper that Dennis loaned at no charge. All being replaced with carpet squares, the face lifting of Colony Park, becoming a reality because of Due Diligence for the prospective sale of Healthcare Management.
. Country Villa, the largest privately owned procurer of nursing homes in the State, a Reissman family operation, with over 50 facilities, having purchased all the assets of Healthcare Management except for the corporate office in Madera. A curiosity rising among the department supervisors as to what changes the new company would bring. During a meeting, Brad assuring all, the transition would be amenable and he would remain as temporary administrator, also disclosing, he was the only Healthcare Management corporate executive ask to remain, adding he would be assuming responsibilities as vice president in charge of Country Villa’s Northern Region, which including their newly acquired facilities.
. Gary being informed his position as Environmental Service Supervisor would no longer be envisioned, as Country Villa contracted a commercial management company for housekeeping, janitorial and laundry services. Brad ensuring all current environmental service department workers would retain their employment status, and wage seniority as employees with the new company. Gary’s position, the only one that was amended, relieved of his management responsibilities, retaining his duty as maintenance supervisor and safety director, and once again to join the ranks of the hourly wage earners. His maintenance assistant Ray transferred to the janitorial department to retain employment under the new contracted service company.
. With the new corporate management changes a certainty, it soon became apparent when 17 assertive healthcare professional advisors from Country Villa’s southern California Corporate office ascended on the new acquisition. Brad as interim administrator was somewhat candor, giving the department’s supervisors a briefing about the assets of the Country Villa and the upcoming restructuring and improvements. One of the first projects on the agenda was a replacement of the co-generation H vac system installed in the 90’s under the auspicious of Valley Air in Fresno. Gary having maintained a good relationship with the Fresno company and their northern area service personnel, John and Brandon, the two giving Colony Park service call priority. Gary was relieved when the H vac contract for the new system was accorded to Valley Air. Six weeks into the Country Villa acquisition, Brad giving notice of another change, the hiring of a new administrator, but saying he would still maintain an office in the building, fulfilling his positions as a Country Villa Vice President for Northern California.
Inquisitive Quest 
Leave a comment