2 minute read
All About People
Raymond E. Tierney retired as chief operating officer (COO) for Masonic Villages in December 2020. He joined Masonic Villages in 1981 and served as administrator of retirement living for the Elizabethtown campus from 1988–2003, when he was promoted to chief operating officer–retirement living services for all Masonic Village locations. In 2018, he was promoted to COO.
Ray’s role was to provide leadership and strategic oversight for setting objectives, planning, staffing and directing the operations of major programs and services for the Masonic Villages. This included implementing and benchmarking best practices in services and marketing, directing the implementation of master plans and expanded services, reviewing budgets, assuring regulatory and legal compliance and providing support and strategic direction for the executive directors at each campus.
“I’ve been fortunate to be part of an organization that kept evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of people,” Ray said. “When we rebranded from a ‘home’ to a ‘village,’ it better represented our all-encompassing services, which now include home care, home health, hospice and pharmacy. While ‘home’ has a nice connotation, ‘village’ depicts our expanded mission from serving our Masonic family to serving everyone on behalf of Freemasonry.”
While Ray has been a driving force behind many construction projects, his memories do not focus on bricks and mortar but on the people who made an imprint on his life.
Ray received his bachelor’s degree from Elizabethtown College and his master’s degree in public administration from Penn State University. He is a member of Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682, Elizabethtown.
“Our residents have been great people to work with over the years, and many have become friends,” he said. “I remember names of people from 30-40 years ago who encouraged and nurtured me. I joined the fraternity because of them. When I received my first, second and third degrees, I remember the residents who were there in lodge to show their support.
“We [Masonic Villages] do better than most on our worst day. We do some exceptional things that differentiate us from others, and that is why so many residents and their families support us financially. We’re not only blessed with resources, but an incredible culture. People often express that they’re blown away by how friendly and accommodating our staff are. What people don’t often see is the way everyone rallies during urgent emergencies, whether it’s a blizzard, an economic recession or a pandemic. It’s a remarkable culture I hope we never lose.”
Ray and his wife, Annette, look forward to traveling, visiting family, biking, golfing, hiking and spending time with their sons. In time, Ray plans to “give back” by volunteering in community organizations that support those who are less fortunate.
