Family businesses are special. Successful ones are built on the commitment to do things differently, to uphold the family’s values and take a long term perspective for the good of those they serve. ElderSpan Management is one of those businesses.
The roots of ElderSpan reach back to the early 1990s, when Greg and Carol Griffin were seeking care for Carol’s mother, Louise Kionka, who was battling Parkinson’s disease. Not finding what they were looking for, Greg’s expertise as a hospital administrator and Carol’s as a Registered Nurse motivated them to develop a new resident-centered, healthcare-focused assisted living model and opened The Pines Assisted Living in Prairie du Sac in 1995.
As the business began to grow, Greg and Carol were known for their dedication to faith and hard work, never hesitating to roll up their sleeves and work side by side with staff members. They were committed to three key elements at The Pines, and those elements continue to impact every single ElderSpan-managed residence today:
Build a residence that feels like home.
Ensure oversight by a licensed nurse.
Treat your staff members and residents like family.
Greg and Carol’s son, David, joined ElderSpan in 1996 after working in the health insurance industry. Graduating with a BBA from the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Business focusing on Human Resources, David fostered company policies that recognize the invaluable role front-line staff play in caring for seniors. Those policies ensure a work environment where each person is professionally challenged, personally supported, and reasonably compensated.
David has worked side by side with Greg in all aspects of the consulting, development and management services for which ElderSpan has become known. He has overseen its growth to now serve almost 650 residents with a workforce of almost 400 staff members. As President and Chief Executive Officer, David continues to grow ElderSpan’s reputation for providing quality care and living options for seniors and creative development and management services to the health care industry.
