Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland Installs New CEO

At the Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Eldersburg on Sept. 22, Jeff Branch was installed as Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland’s President and CEO. The installation service was led by Bishop William J. Gohl, Jr., Bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in the presence of family, friends, members of the congregation, and the inaugural Board of Trustees. Rev. Dr. Michael Dubsky, Dean of the Westminster Conference of Churches, Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA, preached at the service.

Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland (LSMM) is the newly formed, Westminster, Md.-based parent organization of non-profit continuing care retirement communities Carroll Lutheran Village, Westminster, and The Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant, Ellicott City, Md. Branch began serving as President/CEO on July 8, 2019. He replaces CEO Geary Milliken who retired this June.

“Today in the presence of God, I publicly affirmed my dedication to the mission of Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland as a ministry of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the ELCA,” said Branch. “With the support and faith of the congregation and the Board of Trustees, we will continue our mission of service and improve the lives of older adults and families living in Maryland.”

“The search committee was fortunate to have a number of highly qualified and talented candidates to consider,” said Wanda Lynn, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland. “Jeff’s collaborative style and experience with strategic initiatives will be an asset in leading us into the future. The Board is excited for what lies ahead under Jeff’s leadership.”

Branch joins Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland with nearly 20 years of senior living leadership experience. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President of Senior Living and the Institute on Aging for Mather LifeWays, Evanston, Ill., and as Vice President of Operations for Sunrise Senior Living, a national senior service organization with 37 communities, serving 5,500 residents and 4,800 employees.

“I am excited to join an organization with a strong reputation for quality and a deep commitment to its mission and values,” said Branch. “My commitment to high-quality standards for older adults, strong community partnerships, collaboration, and innovation is a perfect match for what already lives here. I look forward to working with our talented and dedicated team to enrich the lives of the people who live and work here, while being a good neighbor and trusted resource in the communities we serve.”

Carroll Lutheran Village is a faith-based not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in Westminster, Md., serving nearly 700 residents in 396 homes and apartments, 50 assisted living suites and 99 skilled care beds. For more information, visit www.CLVillage.org.

The Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant is a faith-based not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in Ellicott City, Md., serving nearly 400 residents in 241 homes and apartments, 20 assisted living suites and 12 skilled care beds. For more information, visit www.MillersGrant.org.

Group Photo Caption: Left to Right: Donna Snyder, Director of Sales at Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant; Stacie Dowling, Esq., Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland (LSMM) Board Member; Jeff Branch, President/CEO, Kay Betz, LSMM Board Member; Wanda Lynn, LSMM Board Chair; Faith Harkness, Carroll Lutheran Village resident; and Jay Zumbrun, Carroll Lutheran Village Board Chair.