Carmel Valley Manor Names Zimmer President and CEO

Jay Zimmer has been selected as the new president and CEO of Carmel Valley Manor, a UCC-related not-for-profit Life-Care Community in Carmel Calif. He succeeds Jane Ipsen, who served as executive director of Carmel Valley from December 2013 to October 2020.

Zimmer says he is looking forward to serving the Carmel Valley community. His first priority, he says, is finding “the right balance of serving today’s residents while planning and repositioning the campus for the needs and wants of a new age cohort — Baby Boomers.”

While getting to know staff members within the current COVID-19 restrictions can be challenging, Zimmer says he is making those connections thanks to small group meetings — with social distancing protocols observed. He also is getting to know residents and staff members by making the rounds and introducing himself as he goes, again with COVID-19 protocols firmly enforced.

Prior to arriving at Carmel Valley Manor, Zimmer was president and CEO of The Reutlinger Community in Danville, Calif.  He also has served as executive director for Sequoias Living in Portola Valley, Calif., and Meadow Lakes in Princeton, N.J. – both Life Plan communities.

Zimmer holds an MBA degree from The Zicklin School of Business, City College of New York, and a Master of Arts Degree in psychology from The New School. He has worked in the healthcare and senior living industries for most of his 30+ year career, leading large hospital systems and senior living communities.  In 2009, Zimmer was named Professional of the Year by Leading Age NJ.

He has served numerous boards, including United Way, The Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, Southshore Foundation and the AtlantiCare Health System. He and his wife, Rochelle Blank, have three children, seven grandchildren, and a King Charles Spaniel named Charlotte (Charlee).

For Zimmer, Carmel Valley Manor’s biggest assets are “the resident population, the location, the award-winning architecture and new apartment design, and Carmel Valley’s amenities.

“I am honored to serve in a community with such a rich history.”