Sonny Taragin joins Springpoint as vice president of information technology and chief information officer
Sonny Taragin has been named vice president of information technology and chief information officer for Springpoint Senior Living, which has continuing care retirement communities in New Jersey and Delaware. He is responsible for all aspects of the organization’s technology focusing on its platforms, operational effectiveness and long-term strategy to enhance innovations with leading-edge industry applications.
Taragin has more than 20 years of information technology leadership experience within several healthcare industries, most recently as chief information technology officer with Mid-Atlantic Health Care in Maryland, where he led and supported the implementation of new networks, infrastructure and a host of clinical and administrative applications. He also was the executive vice president of information technology for Towne Park, where he led the design, development and implementation of a complete technology overhaul.
He holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics from MIT, a Master of Arts degree in computer science / mathematical statistics from Columbia University, and is a graduate of the executive management program at Kellogg School of Management. He was recognized by Smart CEO magazine as CIO of the Year in 2012.
Christopher Kersten named Waterton vice president, reporting and business intelligence
Christopher Kersten has been named vice president, reporting and business intelligence, by Waterton, a national real estate investor and operator of senior living and multifamily properties, including Pathway to Living.
Kersten is the former vice president of data management at Performance Trust Capital Partners. In his new role, he will advance the firm’s existing data management strategy.
Kersten brings 15 years of data management and business intelligence experience to Waterton and will be the subject matter expert on Waterton’s business intelligence, data analytics and reporting platform. He will be responsible for developing reporting and BI solutions; overseeing the implementation and ongoing maintenance and integrity of Waterton’s data warehouse; and extracting, loading and analyzing data from and within Waterton’s various data platforms. Kersten also will be responsible for the integration and consolidation of data metrics across the firm’s senior living, multifamily and hotel portfolio.
Kersten holds an undergraduate degree in economics, a master’s degree in management information systems and an MBA, all from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Michele Bain appointed Vi at Bentley Village care center administrator
Michele Bain has been appointed care center administrator for the Bentley Care Center at Vi at Bentley Village, a retirement community in Naples, FL. In her role, Bain oversees all operations of the care center — from dining service to nursing care — and will work closely with nurses and support staff to develop a personalized approach for residents.
Bain’s background in senior living includes working as an administrator for skilled nursing facilities in Florida for almost 20 years. She holds a Master of Social Work degree and an undergraduate degree in psychology, both from West Virginia University. She also holds licenses as a nursing home administrator and a social worker and is certified as an assisted living CORE Training Program administrator.
Sahar Ben Edalati named associate executive director at The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights
Sahar Ben Edalati joined The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights, a 275-unit independent living, assisted living and memory care community opening this summer in New York City, as associate executive director. The community is part of Watermark Retirement Communities’ Elan Collection.
Edalati will be responsible for the financial / operational performance and regulatory compliance of The Watermark at Brooklyn Heights. Before joining Watermark, he was executive director at Sunrise Senior Living communities in Los Angeles and in Beverly Hills and was responsible for budget accountability, occupancy growth, regulatory compliance and staff development at both centers.
He previously was director of community life and transportation at The Watermark at Beverly Hills. The National Center for Assisted Living recognized Edalati as the 2018 Administrator of the Year. He received a master’s degree in gerontology and an undergraduate degree in human development and aging, both from the University of Southern California.
Steve Mentesana named senior managing director at Walker & Dunlop
Steve Mentesana has joined Walker & Dunlop as senior managing director on the multifamily lender’s FHA finance team. Based out of the company’s Dallas office, Mentesana is responsible for originating multifamily loans with a focus on the lending programs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Mentesana has more than three decades of experience in the commercial real estate industry. Before joining Walker & Dunlop, he was senior managing director at Berkadia. Previously, he was president of Encore Multi-Family, where he was responsible for the development and acquisition of multifamily units.
