Decision Makers
Board of Directors
Paul Diaz is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Kindred Healthcare, Inc., one of the largest providers of healthcare services in the United States. Kindred is a New York Stock Exchange listed company with revenues in excess of $4 billion and over 54,000 employees in 40 states.
Kindred operates a diverse blend of health care service businesses including long-term acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and contract rehabilitation sites in more than 600 locations across the United States. Kindred Healthcare was ranked first among “Health Care: Medical Facilities” in Fortune magazine’s list of Most Admired Companies in March 2009.
Mr. Diaz is an attorney and accountant, earning a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting from American University's Kogod School of Business and a law degree from Georgetown University.
Mr. Diaz currently serves on the Board of Directors of DaVita (NYSE: “DVA”), and the Board of Visitors of Georgetown University Law Center. He was formerly on the Board of PharMerica Corporation (NYSE:PMC), the Board of the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, and the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of the Suburban Hospital Healthcare Systems in Bethesda, Maryland.
In 2008, Modern Healthcare magazine named Mr. Diaz one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare and one of the top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare. In addition, in both 2008 and 2009 Hispanic magazine named Mr. Diaz as one of the 25 Best Latinos in business.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
President, Hospital Division & Executive Vice President |
Current |
| Concentra, Inc. |
Senior Vice President, Operations |
Current |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Senior Vice President, Clinical & Residential Services, Health Services |
Current |
| Aanex |
Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations, Kindred Healthcare |
Current |
| University of Wyoming |
Master's of Nursing Administration and Nursing Education |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Senior Vice President, Corp Dev & Finance Planning |
Current |
| Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin |
Senior Vice President |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Adoption Bridges of Kentucky, Inc. |
Vice President of Corporate Communications of Kindred Healthcare |
Current |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Vice President of Corporate Communications |
Current |
| Adoption Bridges of Kentucky, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
Anthony Spero Mr. Spero is the regional marketing director for Kindred Healthcare in the Mass Collaborative. Kindred's presence in Massachusetts now consists of 44 skilled nursing centers and eight acute care hospitals, as well as two assisted-living facilities. Mr. Spero's mission within the Mass Collaborative is to define synergies within the Kindred Healthcare continuum that result in a positive patient experience and communicate quality care outcomes to the largest teaching hospitals in the country. Mr. Spero is a diverse business professional whose expertise includes Joint Commission of Accrediting Healthcare Organizations, skilled nursing, rehab care, assisted living and pharmaceuticals. He has more than 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry as an administrator, marketing representative and consultant. Mr. Spero has comprehensive experience in statistical analysis, strategic planning, accreditation, financial management and labor negotiations. He has an MBA in MPA/Health Administration from Suffolk University. Mr. Spero is a licensed nursing home administrator.
Barbara Hellman is an Immigration Specialist at Kindred Healthcare in Louisville. Through her Board responsibilities at Carnegie Center and friendship with Shearer, Hellman has found new outlets for using her creative energies on projects that are fun, personally rewarding and of benefit to the community.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Immigration Specialist |
Current |
| Louisville Visual Art Association |
|
Current |
Hal Clark has a successful track record in healthcare reimbursement and financial operations for hospitals, nursing facilities and physician practices. Prior to joining Merit, Mr. Clark co-founded and served as principal for three Louisville-based companies which assisted long-term care and hospital providers in the areas of third-party reimbursement, financial reporting, operational management, and clinical oversight. Mr. Clark's career also includes management positions with Vencor, Inc. (currently operating as Kindred Healthcare, Inc.), Columbia/HCA, and Humana.
Joseph L. DeVenuto has served as vice president of information services and chief information officer since January 2006. He is responsible for aligning information services activities with the organization's strategic plan, as well as daily information services operations, including technology services; telecommunications; customer services; data center operations; intranet development; data warehousing; and enterprise financial, human resources, clinical, physician and administrative systems. He joined Norton Healthcare in August 2002 as division director of clinical systems before being promoted to associate vice president of information services in March 2003, vice president of information services in November 2004, and interim chief information officer in September 2005. DeVenuto's 20-plus years' experience with health care information systems includes a wide variety of information systems roles with Kindred Healthcare, Columbia/HCA and Humana. A Louisville native, DeVenuto has a Bachelor of Science in computer science from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Business Administration in management from the University of Louisville. He is a member of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and the Healthcare Information Management System Society,and serves on the Premier I.T. Services Committee. He has served in a variety of capacities for boards of directors for the National Alliance of Healthcare Information Technology and the Bluegrass Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Norton Healthcare, Inc |
Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer |
Current |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
|
Current |
| Humana Inc. |
|
Current |
| Norton Healthcare, Inc |
Division Director |
Former |
| University of Louisville |
Master of Business Administration In Management |
Former |
| University of Kentucky |
Bachelor of Science In Computer Science |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Blueberry Hill Healthcare Nursing Home |
Rehabilitation Therapy Manager |
Current |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
|
Current |
| Boston University |
Bachelors of Science Degree In Occupational Therapy |
Former |
Edward L. Kuntz is a leading healthcare executive in the United States, bringing deep industry knowledge and contacts. He currently is Executive Chairman of Kindred Healthcare, Inc., one of the largest providers of long-term healthcare services in the United States. Kindred is a New York Stock Exchange listed company with revenues in excess of $4 billion, and is also a Fortune ?500? company. In January 2004, Mr. Kuntz relinquished his position as CEO of Kindred, after serving as CEO for more than five years. Prior to Kindred, Mr. Kuntz was an advisor to a number of healthcare companies and investment groups, including a venture capital firm. He was also CEO of Living Centers of America, a leading long-term healthcare company. Mr. Kuntz began his career in the private practice of law and then served as General Counsel of ARA Services (now Aramark). Mr. Kuntz serves as a director of Rotech Healthcare and PharMerica. He has been active in numerous professional associations, including the Alliance for Quality Healthcare, the American Health Care Association and the Federation of American Hospitals. Mr. Kuntz graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree and also received Juris Doctor and Master of Law degrees from Temple University.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Aperture Venture Partners, LLC |
Executive In The United States, Bringing Deep Industry Knowledge and Contacts |
Current |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Executive Chairman |
Current |
| PharMerica Corporation |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Castle-Dental.Com |
Director |
Current |
| Aperture Venture Partners, LLC |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Rotech Healthcare Inc. |
Director |
Current |
| Kindred Inc. |
CEO |
Former |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Chief Executive Officer |
Former |
| PharMerica Corporation |
President |
Former |
| Ara Services Corporation |
General Counsel |
Former |
| Temple University |
Juris Doctor |
Former |
| Temple University |
Master of Law Degrees |
Former |
| Temple University |
Bachelor of Arts |
Former |
Ann C. Berzin , age 57, a director since February 2008, has been a private investor since 2001. From 1992 to 2001, she served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Guaranty Insurance Company (an insurer of municipal bonds and structured finance obligations). Ms. Berzin is a director of Ingersoll-Rand Company Ltd. and Kindred Healthcare, Inc
Fred J. Kleisner is our President, Chief Executive Officer and one of our Directors. Mr. Kleisner has been one of our Directors since February 2006 and has been our President and Chief Executive Officer (including interim President and Chief Executive Officer) since September 2007. From March 2000 to August 2005, Mr. Kleisner was the Chief Executive Officer of Wyndham International, a hotel company that owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels and resorts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. Mr. Kleisner also served as the Chairman of Wyndham International s board from October 13, 2000. From August 1999 to October 2000, Mr. Kleisner served as President and from July 1999 to March 2000, Mr. Kleisner also served as Chief Operating Officer. From March 1998 to August 1999, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of The Americas for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Hotel Group. His experience in the industry also includes senior positions with Westin Hotels and Resorts, where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 1995 to 1998; Interstate Hotels Company where he served as Executive Vice President and Group President of Operations from 1990 to 1995; The Sheraton Corporation, where he served as Senior Vice President, Director of Operations, North America Division East from 1985 to 1990; and Hilton Hotels, where for 16 years he served as General Manager of several landmark hotels, including The Waldorf Astoria and The Waldorf Towers in New York, The Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., and The Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu. Mr. Kleisner is also a director of Kindred Healthcare, Inc., a healthcare services company, and serves on that company s audit committee and compliance and quality committee. Mr. Kleisner, who holds a B.A. degree in Hotel Management from Michigan State University, completed advanced studies at the University of Virginia and Catholic University of America.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Morgans Hotel Group Co. |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Current |
| The Culinary Institute of America |
Trustee |
Current |
| 7 Minute Miles, Inc |
Chairman |
Current |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| National Outdoor Leadership School |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Wyndham International |
Chief Executive Officer |
Former |
| Co-Operations Inc |
Group President |
Former |
| Westin Hotels & Resorts |
Executive Vice President and Group President |
Former |
| Co-Operations Inc |
Executive Vice President |
Former |
| Morgans Hotel Group Co. |
Chairperson |
Former |
| Wyndham International |
Chairman |
Former |
| American Hotel & Lodging Association |
Chairman |
Former |
| Corporate Campaign, Inc |
Chairman |
Former |
| University of Virginia |
|
Former |
| The Catholic University of America |
|
Former |
| Michigan State University |
|
Former |
| National Outdoor Leadership School |
Member |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Director |
Current |
| Dynamic Healthcare Solutions, Inc. |
Senior Vice President |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Advanced Medical Management |
Chief Financial Officer |
Current |
| Advanced Medical Management |
Senior Vice President |
Current |
| Trans World Entertainment Corporation |
Manager of Medical Practices |
Current |
| Trans World Entertainment Corporation |
Chairman |
Current |
| Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Director |
Current |
| Trans World Entertainment Corporation |
Certified Public Accountant |
Former |
| Trans World Entertainment Corporation |
Director |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Warburg, Pincus, LLC |
Managing Director Healthcare, Services, New York |
Current |
| Warburg Pincus, LLC |
Managing Director, Healthcare Services |
Current |
| Express-Med, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Spheris Inc. |
Director |
Current |
| ChartOne Inc. |
Director |
Current |
| Farmhouse Fraternity, Inc |
National President |
Former |
| Farm Foundation |
President |
Former |
| Farm Foundation |
Managing Director |
Former |
| Farm Foundation |
Farm Foundation Land Tenure Specialist |
Former |
| Mercer Management Consulting, Inc. |
Team Member |
Former |
| Ford Foundation |
|
Former |
| Coventry Health Care, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Former |
| Harvard University |
M.A. in Physics |
Former |
| Columbia University |
B.A. in Physics |
Former |
| University of Illinois |
|
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Dava Pharmaceuticals, Inc |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Current |
| Hackensack University Medical Center |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| IVAX Corporation |
President |
Former |
| Dava Pharmaceuticals, Inc |
President |
Former |
Mr. Embler has been a member of the Board of Directors since September 2003 and is a member of the Governance and Nominating Committee. Since 2005, Mr. Embler has been the Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC ("FMA"), a firm he joined in 2001 as Vice President. Funds managed by FMA collectively are the Company's largest stockholder. From 1992 to 2001, Mr. Embler served in various management positions with Nomura Holding America, Inc., most recently as Managing Director. Mr. Embler has previously served as a Director of Grand Union Company and several other private companies. Mr. Embler holds a Bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Albany and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University.
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| AboveNet, Inc. |
Chairperson |
Current |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| AboveNet, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Former |
| Grand Union, Ltd. |
Director |
Former |
| The George Washington University |
Master of Business Administration |
Former |
| State University of New York at Albany |
Bachelor's Degree |
Former |
| Organization |
Position |
Status |
| Aperture Venture Partners, LLC |
General Partner |
Current |
| Columbia Business School |
Professor |
Current |
| Vericare, Inc. |
Chairman of the Board |
Current |
| Cardiocore Lab, Inc |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Cardiocore.De |
Director |
Current |
| Kindred Healthcare, Inc. |
Board of Directors |
Current |
| Vericare, Inc. |
Chief Executive Officer |
Former |
| Mobilexusa |
Founder |
Former |
| Correctional Medical Services, Inc |
Founder |
Former |
| Vericare, Inc. |
Founder |
Former |
| Bidshift Inc |
Board of Directors |
Former |
| Indiana University |
M.D. |
Former |
| DePauw University |
B.A. |
Former |
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