By Meghan Streit
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Ian Brown
brings a wealth of experience in managing retirement communities, which made him an ideal choice for executive director of Sedgebrook, Erickson’s first Chicago-area community.
Brown began his career with Erickson as associate executive director for the company’s campus in Northern New Jersey called Cedar Crest. From there, he became executive director of Greenspring, another Erickson campus in Northern Virginia.
Before joining Erickson, Brown worked in various capacities in the retirement and health care industries in Maryland.
Drawn to company’s innovative style
“I think Erickson is a leader in the retirement services field,” Brown says. “Innovation happens on our campuses every day, and the company cares about innovative thinking and encourages it.”
Since taking the helm at Sedgebrook in June 2005, Brown has made the community an award-winning workplace and a dynamic home for residents. Sedgebrook was recently named the eighth best place to work in Illinois by the Best Companies Group, and the community was honored with the WorldBlu “Democracy in the Workplace” award earlier this year.
Open-door policy
Brown describes his leadership style as “management by walking around.” He says he doesn’t just sit at his desk with his office door closed. Instead, the office door is open, and Brown can usually be spotted around the community talking to residents and staff.
“We want to make sure our residents are the most satisfied of any community in the Chicagoland area,” he says.
“People here are always so friendly,” says resident Doris Harkaway. “And the staff is just outstanding.”