News & Events

Salemtowne is pleased to announce that its Board of Trustees has appointed Paul Harrison as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer effective August 19, 2024.

“Following an extensive national search, our board found the ideal candidate to take the helm at Salemtowne. With his broad administrative experience, impressive financial acumen and collaborative approach, Paul is the right person with the right qualities and experience to lead our senior community into the future,” Salemtowne Board Chair Marty Edwards said.

“Paul has had an impressive career in the health care and senior living industries, which will be of great value and will enable him to take Salemtowne to the next level,” said outgoing President and CEO Mark Steele. “After meeting him in person, I can affirm that he is a warm and genuine leader who is a great fit for our special community.”

Harrison is a well-respected, experienced leader in the healthcare sector. Since October 2018, he has served as president and CEO at The Village at Incarnate Word, a nonprofit retirement community in San Antonio, Texas. His responsibilities included spearheading strategic visioning and growth, guiding operational and financial performance, and working closely with The Village Board of Directors and The Village’s sole member and sponsor, The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

Under his leadership, The Village gained Medicare certification for all 60 nursing facility beds and a Five-Star CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) quality rating. It achieved 98% occupancy and secured $400,000 in capital donations. Awards to The Village include “Great Places to Work” certification and the 2023 Customer Experience Award. In 2023 and 2024, readers of the San Antonio Express-News recognized The Village as San Antonio’s Best Senior Living Community.

Prior to his current role at The Village, Harrison served as the South Texas area director for Brookdale Senior Living, overseeing Brookdale Trinity Towers, Brookdale Corpus Christi and Brookdale Northshore from 2015 to 2018. He has worked in the senior living industry for 15 years and holds both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in healthcare administration from Texas State University.

Originally from Ingleside, Texas, Harrison joined the U.S. Army after high school before pursuing his degrees and becoming a licensed nursing home administrator in his home state.

“Senior living work is distinctively unique. It requires adherence to fundamental business principles such as maintaining financial sustainability, achieving strategic objectives and executing cohesive plans,” Harrison said. “What sets this field apart is our opportunity to honor residents for their contributions to society and communities through dedicated service and compassionate care. Equally deserving of recognition are the caregivers who tirelessly support our seniors. Throughout my career, I have remained steadfast in my commitment to fostering the wellbeing of both organizations and their people. I eagerly anticipate bringing this commitment to Salemtowne.”

Harrison will follow Steele, who will retire after nine years of outstanding leadership of the organization and over 30 years in the senior living industry. Under Steele’s direction, Salemtowne has undergone tremendous transformation including building the Babcock Health Care Center featuring 40 beds for transitional rehab in addition to long term and memory care households and constructing The Woodlands, housing 56 independent living villas. Salemtowne implemented “Best Friends,” a person-centered approach to dementia care as well as Salemtowne Home Care, a home care provider for independent residents. With a strong Resident Council, Steele, staff and residents worked together on projects including creating walking trails and implementing solar power at the Babcock Health Care Center. Annual revenue has grown from $14 million to $40 million in the last eight years alone.