Jared Lundgren

Jim Hawley

Riverwood Healthcare Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Hawley and Jared Lundgren to Riverwood’s Governing Board of Directors.

 Jim Hawley founded a business called Bridge Road Business Advisors, Inc. in the McGregor area.  He has spent his entire career in the business arena, initially with a career in accounting and finance, and later leveraged this experience into management roles of chief financial officer, chief operating officer and chief executive officer for more than a half a dozen companies based in the Twin Cities area.

 He has served as an adjunct professor at multiple universities for nearly 10 years, teaching business and accounting courses, and also been a guest lecturer for multiple educational institutions and other organizations. He holds a B.S. degree in Business/Accounting from the University of Minnesota and has completed post-graduate studies in strategy creation and implementation in executive programs at the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota, Columbia University, and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

 “Jim’s long-term business and management background with finance expertise are great assets for our board,” says Michael Hagen, Riverwood CEO. “His experience on five corporate boards of directors plus five nonprofit boards will be very helpful as well.”

 Hawley and his wife, Judy, moved to Big Sandy Lake in 2010 after nearly 30 years of spending weekends there. His attachment to this area began in his childhood when his family vacationed at Hillcrest Resort and the former Verrip’s (now Eagle Point) Resort.

 “There may be no greater challenge today than the provision of quality, affordable health care to an aging but longer-living population in a rural environment,” Hawley says. “I look at serving on the Riverwood board as service to a community we have been a part of for many years on a part-time basis and now as full-time residents. I hope my background and experience will be an asset in helping Riverwood achieve and evolve its mission in the ever-changing environment we are living in.”

 Jared Lundgren and his wife, Beth, operate a retail business called Giada’s Boutique in downtown Aitkin and since 2008 have lived in the area full-time on Farm Island Lake, where they first purchased a vacation home in 1997. Their family includes Emily (17), Giada (4) and Charlotte (1).

 Previously, Lundgren pursued a number of entrepreneurial endeavors. He spent 10 years in the financing industry, which led him to the Lasik eyecare business. In 1999, he founded three Lasik eyecare clinics, most notably Eau Claire Lasik and Minnesota Eye Institute, St. Cloud.  These Lasik eye surgery clinics specialized in Lasik and PRK surgeries and general ophthalmic care. During his eyecare business career, he acted as a consultant in a public speaking role, giving presentations on how to best market and manage a Lasik clinic.  He also owns and manages a variety of investment properties in Florida and Minnesota. 

 “Jared’s experience operating, managing and promoting a health business is a great fit for the governing board,” Hagen says. “His connection to the local community through his retail business in Aitkin is another big plus.”

 After 11 years of service, from 2000 through 2011, on the Riverwood board, Pat Holder has retired from his position. Hawley has filled Holder’s seat, and Lundgren fills the one formerly held by Rich Fannemel, who retired from the board last year.