Nancy King is enjoying her first few weeks as interim CEO at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road.
King is filling the role left vacant when former CEO John Dubyk left to become chief financial officer at Dunwoody Village, a continuing care retirement community in Newtown Square, Delaware County.
“I’m thrilled to be here,” she said. “It’s been an incredible welcome.”
King is on contract through April. She is not pursuing the job permanently, as she lives in Norfolk, Virginia. She works at PPH during the week and travels to Virginia on the weekends, and is looking forward to visits from friends and her husband.
If the PPH Board of Directors does not have a permanent CEO by the end of April, she said she’d consider staying on part time until a hire is made.
King was born in upstate New York and lived in Michigan, Pittsburgh and Ohio before settling in Norfolk. She is a 1980 graduate of Penn State, with a degree in individual and family studies. She has a master’s in social administration and a doctorate of management, both from Case Western Reserve University (Ohio).
She and her husband, Dave, have been married for 33 years. They have two grown children and two grandchildren.
Over the years, King has worked in senior living, senior care and home health and hospice operations. She retired in August 2022, but continues to work as a consultant and executive coach.
King was impressed when she visited PPH before being hired.
“There’s a remarkable spirit here,” she said.
King came on board for Dubyk’s final two days, and she said he was helpful filling her in on things such as works in progress, upcoming projects and dealing with vendors. She sees herself as being the “coach” for a good leadership team already in place.
“What I’m really focusing on is internal growth, getting the mission of PPH to seniors and have them move in,” she said.
PPH offers independent living, personal care, memory care and nursing care, with rehabilitation. There’s a swimming pool, fitness center, social hall and plenty of common space.
“This community is so unique,” King said. “They have everything here. It’s the perfect model for the middle market.”
King has been impressed with the fellowship and camaraderie among staff and residents.
“We have a very informed resident body, and they loved the former CEO,” she said. “And the care is remarkable.” ••
