The Rev. Herbert B. Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer

The Rev. Herbert B. Taylor is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Deaconess Abundant Life Communities.  He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Bates College (magna cum laude), MBA from Harvard Business School, and Master’s of Divinity from Boston University (summa cum laude). 

Herb’s business experience is in management consulting where he worked for Arthur D. Little, Inc., in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  While at Arthur D. Little, Inc., he became a Senior Consultant involved in strategic planning, organizational development, merger and acquisition advice, and marketing direction for major U.S. and multinational corporations. 

As a pastor his most recent appointment was at the Wilmington United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Massachusetts.  This church grew by 300 in average attendance during the seven years Herb served as its pastor.  He chaired the Visioning Task Force for the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church to develop a vision for ministry for its 600 churches and a plan for implementation.  Herb has also taught Pastoral Leadership at Boston University.  During the last fifteen years, he has led mission trips to Puerto Rico, Mexico, Peru, Haiti, Kentucky, New York City and rural Maine.

Herb has been with Deaconess Abundant Life Communities since 2002.  He has strategically grown the organization over that time and looks forward to continuing growth.  He is married with two sons and remains active in churches, preaching and working with youth.

Sharon Buehrle, Vice President, Marketing

Sharon Buehrle has over 20 years of experience in the senior housing field in marketing and operations.  She has served as Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for Benchmark Assisted Living and Genesis Elder Care Services where she was responsible for sales and marketing activity for acquired and newly developed communities.  In addition, Sharon has held roles as Executive Director, assuming full responsibility for the daily oversight of communities.  She has experience with troubled communities and has been successful implementing turn-around strategies.  She is a member of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, MassAging, the Assisted Living Federation of America, and the Massachusetts Assisted Living Facilities Association.  Sharon is President of the Concord Chamber of Commerce.  She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Delaware and is a licensed Massachusetts Nursing Home Administrator.  She came to Deaconess in 2001 as the Executive Director for Newbury Court and has since taken on the role of Vice President of Marketing for Deaconess Abundant Life Communities.  She and her husband are avid sailors. 

Nancy Marzilli, Director of Human Resources

Nancy Marzilli is the Director of Human Resources for Deaconess Abundant Life Communities.  She has corporate responsibility for the design, development and implementation of policies, procedures and programs that enable Deaconess to remain competitive and a leader in our industry.

Nancy is a proactive Human Resources professional with over 25 years experience operating as a business partner with extensive experience in developing human resources policies and programs for global operations.  She has broad generalist experience with working and consulting in large and small high-tech companies and healthcare organizations in the areas of human resources strategy development, performance management, executive and employee compensation, training and development, recruitment, and employment relations.

Nancy received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Master’s degree in Psychology and Counseling from Assumption College, Worcester.  She has also done graduate work in Management at Harvard University Extension in Cambridge and is a certified Zenger Miller trainer.  Nancy is an adjunct professor at Mass Bay Community College.  She is a member of the New England Human Resources Association, the Society of Human Resources Management, and is a Board member of Cooperative Elder Services.

Nancy lives with her husband, three daughters, and dog.

Dorene Glynn, Director of Development

As the Director of Development, Dorene Glynn has corporate responsibility for pursuing private funding to support the residents and programs of the Deaconess Abundant Life Communities.  Dorene has over 25 years experience in human services focused on addressing homelessness, the last seven years in development where she helped raise over $6 million to support shelter, housing and services to homeless individuals and families in the Greater Boston area.  She has also served in a number of pastoral positions including Minister of Christian Education, Youth Minister and Hospital Chaplain.  Dorene received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University and a Master’s of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Divinity School.  Dorene lives with her husband and is an avid amateur photographer.

Walter E. Bartkus, Director of Projects

Walter E. Bartkus is the Director of Projects for Deaconess Abundant Life Communities overseeing all major construction development and projects from the permit process through occupancy.  He was born and raised in Concord.  He has been married to Lois for 45 years and has three adult children and 11 grandchildren.  Walter has held many public offices, including Selectman.  He was in real estate development for 46 years and has been with Deaconess Abundant Life Communities for the past 14 years.

Beth Vettori , Executive Director, Rockridge Retirement Community

For the past three years, Beth has served at Rockridge in the position of Assistant Executive Director. As Executive Director, she plans to build upon the 27-year legacy that Pat Sokop created – one of a strong community, happy and healthy residents, involved families, and a cohesive staff that supports the residents as much as they do each other. When people ask her when her career started, Beth often tells of her high school graduation present. Her grandmother took her on a tour of Europe – but with a senior citizen tour group. They toured Switzerland, France and Italy, and she met so many wonderful older adults, all with stories from which she could learn. She loved hearing their tales, and vowed to not only take their lessons, but also to make the world a little better for them.

Kevin Comick, Executive Director, Seashore Point in Provincetown

During more than 20 years in health care, Mr. Comick has served as the Executive Director of several Massachusetts rehabilitation and skilled nursing centers including Goddard House and Courtyard. During that time he managed major expansion and renovation projects and opened a new nursing home. Mr. Comick was the Regional Vice President of Operations for two different skilled nursing organizations where he oversaw the operations of multiple locations. He is an honors graduate of Bentley College, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics.

Christopher Sintros, Executive Director, Newbury Court, Concord, Massachusetts

Christopher graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a degree in Religious Studies as well as a certificate in the Gerontological Studies Program.  He attended graduate school at Miami University, Oxford Ohio where he earned his Masters of Gerontological Studies, with a focus in long term care administration, as well as his nursing home administrator’s license.  His master’s capstone project was completed in conjunction with a Mass ALFA survey and focused on the variability of acuity levels in assisted living communities. Following graduation, Christopher joined Genesis Eldercare where he served for four years as an Executive Director of an 80 unit assisted living community followed by four years as the administrator of a 126 bed skilled nursing facility. Chris has also served on the Council on Aging in Andover where he lives with his wife and baby son, Thomas.