Friendship Village Elects James Diel as Board of Directors Chairman
St. Louis, MO (August 3, 2022) – Friendship Village has strengthened their position as a leader in the senior living field with the recent elevation of board member James Diel to the role of Chairman. He will succeed Lydia Siebert, who hands off the role to Diel after 8 years of service, which included guiding Friendship Village’s ambitious $201 million campus expansions.
Diel brings to the role an acumen for business and a passion for technology that’s surpassed only by his love for serving seniors. He will draw from seven years of experience serving on the Friendship Village Board of Directors Finance Committee, as well as his success in the tech industry, having founded Textel, an SMS messaging company specifically for businesses. Diel’s work will support Friendship Village’s on- and off-campus expansions, advancing its mission to keep seniors well and independent, longer.
“We are very excited for James and confident in his ability to lead us through our next chapter,” said Carmen Fronczak, Friendship Village Chesterfield’s Executive Director & Chief Revenue Officer for Friendship Village Senior Services. “His ambition and his experience in sales and business technology will be critical in achieving future expansion goals, as well as furthering our mission to keep our residents independent longer using the latest technology and wellness programs.”
In a time when attitudes and expectations surrounding senior living services are constantly evolving, Diel believes Friendship Village is well positioned to continue pushing the industry’s boundaries, using technology and comprehensive wellness services to improve seniors’ lives. Some examples include the “SmartCompanion” virtual roommate and the EmpowerMe
Wellness program, which brings physician and pharmaceutical services directly to seniors on campus.
Already a valued member of the board, Diel’s blend of youthful energy and real-world experience will help him facilitate partnerships with other innovators in the senior living space and extend Friendship Village’s ability to reach more area seniors.
“I’ve found that taking a hands-off approach and surrounding myself with smart, capable people who understand the importance of building consensus is the best way to lead,” said Diel. “My fellow board members and the seniors themselves have taught me a lot, and I look forward to maintaining our state-of-the-art campuses, investing in Friendship Village employees and continuing to find innovative ways to serve our seniors and the community at-large.”
Friendship Village Senior Services is a faith-based, not-for-profit organization devoted to providing a full range of senior living options. As the only provider of the Life Care program in the St. Louis metro area, Friendship Village guarantees residents access to all levels of health care—all on one campus—at a predictable cost for life. Friendship Village continually invests in wellness programs and technology to keep residents living well and independent, longer. From independent living, to assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and in-home care, Friendship Village continues to build the future of senior living.