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West Bend Daily News Reports: GrandCare taps software exec as new CEO

GrandCare taps software exec as CEO

By DAN MUCKELBAUER

Daily News Staff

Dan MaynardThe appointment of veteran software executive Daniel Maynard as CEO of health monitoring pioneer GrandCare is seen as enabling the West Bend company to continue to grow, said its founder, former CEO Charlie Hillman, who will become its chief technology officer and “vision leader.”

Maynard will be able to focus on sales distribution channels and pricing, critical to market growth, Hillman said Wednesday after the official announcement. Maynard was president of Brookfield-based Connecture Inc., which guides consumers in insurance options, and made the transition to GrandCare the past few months, Hillman said.

“I had been searching for a proven, innovative technology solution with a large growth potential in the healthcare IT industry,” Maynard said in a statement. “GrandCare is already a well-respected and credible industry leader. I look forward to joining this great team and taking GrandCare to the next level.”

“He saw such potential in GrandCare. We’re happy,” said Hillman, who will focus more on product development. “I’m a pretty good startup guy and we needed someone to take this to a new level.”

The 8-year-old downtown West Bend company with 20 employees markets Internet-based systems that monitor elderly in their homes and connects with relatives or other caregivers. It began after Hillman’s experiences with his great-aunt in her late 80s who lived next door to him.

GrandCare Founder, Charlie Hillman

GrandCare Founder, Charlie Hillman

“We’ve grown a lot the past couple of years and I think we can grow much faster, and there’s no indication that GrandCare will move outside of West Bend,” said Hillman, noting expansion locations near the company’s 327 N. Main St. site, including the former Ziegler Co.

“Why would we move to a more expensive place?” Hillman said. “We like it here. We like the work ethic of the place.”

Economic Development Washington County announced a $200,000 loan to GrandCare in July, enabling it to execute foreign and domestic contracts, EDWC Executive Director Christian Tschescholk said.

The West Bend-grown company is expected to be a major player globally, notably in the United Kingdom, Tschescholk said. Having top talent like Maynard helps move the company forward and bring high-tech jobs to West Bend, he said.

City of West Bend chooses GrandCare as the Growing Local Business of the Month

GrandCare Systems has been announced as the City of West Bend’s Growing Local Business of the month for March 2013.

City-of-West-Bend---Color-editableRU1flatjpg

 

The Department of Development implemented the Growing Local Business program to recognize businesses that are important to the community.  GrandCare Systems has a large international reach and is doing really advanced things.  GrandCare Systems really impressed one of the Dept of Development members who then nominated GrandCare for Business of the Month.

“The technology GrandCare Systems employs enables individuals needing assistance to remain safe, healthy, and happy in their home.  The business’ cutting-edge technology, growing international reach and list of awards are extraordinary.  I am sure great things are to come from this small business.”

– Kraig K. Sadownikow, Mayor, West Bend WI

The Department of Development implemented the Growing Local Business program to recognize businesses that are important to the community.

GrandCare Systems will be featured in a shadowbox at the West Bend City Hall for the month of March to showcase GrandCare’s award.

GrandCare Systems: Winner, Finalist and Nominee

2013 Best Senior Living Awards Winner

GrandCare Systems was voted Most Innovative Senior Living Product

Best Senior Award 2013Seattle, WA – Feb. 20, 2013 – SeniorHomes.com, an online directory and resource for seniors and their families searching for senior care or senior housing, announces winners for the SeniorHomes.com 2013 Best Senior Living Awards, in the Websites, Blogs, and People categories..

The SeniorHomes.com 2013 Best Senior Living Awards is a program designed to identify the top resources, providers and organizations in a variety of senior living categories. A panel of 21 leading senior living industry experts has completed ratings for the finalists in each category , and winners have been identified based on cumulative average ratings.

Official Press Release
SeniorHomes.com

Other Consumer Resources Winners by category include:

 

WegoHealth 2012 Trailblazer Award Finalist

GrandCare’s VP of Business Development, Laura Mitchell has been chosen as 1 of 5, 2012 Trailblazer Award finalists

Laura Mitchell“Laura was a pioneer in the aging/technology space, starting in early 2005 with digital health technology leader, GrandCare Systems. Laura is one of the core founders whose initial role was to educate the market on the capabilities of technology and how it could help to improve caregiving, health, safety and self-care.”

Official Nomination

Nominated as the City of West Bend’s Growing Local Business of the month for March 2013

“The Department of Development implemented the Growing Local Business program to recognize businesses that are important to the community. GrandCare Systems is a business that most of the community has not likely heard of, but has a large international reach and is doing really advanced things. I was really impressed with GrandCare Systems ever since we met with you in December, and have selected GrandCare for Business of the Month for exactly that reason. I have followed you through our twitter page and have seen never ending positive accomplishments and awards from GrandCare.”

-Amanda Knack, Economic Development Specialist

Social Networking Seminar

Harnessing the power of social media to promote your business!

Sponsored by WBA Chamber

Tursday June 9th
8 am – 930 am
Free to chamber members
$15 for non members

Are you currently using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Blogs and chat forums to promote your business?

This seminar will inform you of why social networking is beneficial to your success and how to get one step ahead, with even the smallest budget.

Moderator:

Laura Mitchell – VP Marketing, GrandCare Systems

Seminar content:

  • Why social Media is so important to your business
  • See how it works
  • Learn what to do
  • Make promo videos for free
  • Effective advertising online at no cost
  • New ways to get noticed
  • Track your competitors

 

Laura Mitchell

Laura is the VP of Marketing and a founding member of the GrandCare team, a software development company that has created a smart home wellness assessment, social connectivity and activity of daily living monitoring technology to allow individuals to live independently with greater security and less social isolation. A significant part of her role was to bring the product to market through the development of a nation-wide dealer/distributor network and PR/marketing. Laura has spoken around the country  in various venues including the American Society on Aging, Consumer Electronics Show, Dominican University, various trade organizations and the National Association of Home Builders about enabling technologies for aged, tele-medicine, the importance of social media and Internet marketing.  She graduated from the University of WI-Madison and resides in WI with her husband and two little boys.