PRESIDENT & CEO JAY PRINCE MOVES ON; PAUL BARBER NAMED INTERIM CEO

June 2023: After leading Heritage Community through a decade of strong growth and positive change, President and Chief Executive Officer Jay Prince is leaving the organization to take a new role serving seniors nationwide.

Prince is joining Covenant Living Communities and Services as Senior Vice President of Community Operations. Based in Skokie, Ill., Covenant Living operates 22 life plan communities across the United States.

“My life’s goal is to foster innovation and positive change in senior living, and I have a unique opportunity to do so,” he said.

That doesn’t make leaving Heritage any easier, though, Prince added. “Heritage has been far more than a workplace to me. It’s been my home, my extended family, and I have loved every second of being here.”

Heritage Community’s board of directors will conduct a search process. During the transition, Chief Operating Officer Paul Barber will serve as Interim President and CEO. The rest of the leadership team will remain in their roles.

“I’m honored to lead Heritage during this time of change. This is an amazing organization with a dedicated team that puts residents, families and the community at the heart of everything we do,” said Barber.

Growth & Caring

Prince championed visionary leadership and a strong culture of caring at Heritage. Under his guidance, Heritage Community grew its living options for older adults to include a new technologically advanced independent living community and a state-of-the-art Alzheimer’s Education and Research Center. Heritage also brought a robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the care and safety of residents, families and staff.

“Heritage’s culture is rooted in caring,” Prince said. “A caring culture is each of us understanding why we’re here and putting our mission, and our vision, into action. That’s the standard that Heritage’s staff models every day.”

A native of Bemijdi, Minn., Prince came to Heritage as President and CEO in 2013 after holding key roles at Lutheran Social Services of Michigan (Grand Rapids) and Life Care Services (Michigan/Ohio/California). He earned a degree in Healthcare Administration from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Heritage Board Chair Rex Bell praised Prince and Heritage staff for building a strong foundation for the organization to move forward.

“Heritage Community is in a great position – as a turn-to provider of senior living options, as a caring member of the community, and as a great place to work,” Bell said.