Jim Bettendorf - President & Chief Executive Officer

Jim joined Vista Prairie Communities in January of 2016 bringing over 35 years of experience in the areas of public and senior housing. Growing up in Minnesota, Jim started working at Crest View Lutheran Homes in Columbia Heights with his mother and sister when he was 16 years old. He had multiple jobs over the 16 years he worked there, from washing dishes, to becoming a Dietary Aid, to Assistant Director of Food Services- it seemed like Jim had done it all in the senior housing realm.

Jim’s eagerness opened other opportunities for him, and in 1997 he started working at the Presbyterian Homes and Services in Bloomington, Minnesota. As the Housing Administrator, Jim developed and opened the first HUD Assisted Living Conversion Program (ALCP) in the nation, along with assisting in the opening of an 88-unit senior facility with retail and commercial space.

In 2004, Jim started working for Volunteers of America (VOA) of Minnesota, where he held multiple positions over his tenure. He served as the Director of Housing Development and Management, where he directed the execution of day-to-day management operations of the VOA facilities. In 2011, he was promoted to Vice President of Strategy and Operations where he provided leadership and support to operational functions that included ministry, rehabilitative and veteran services and new business development opportunities. More recently, Jim worked as the Vice President and Chief Services Officer where he was responsible for all operating and human services, which included housing, assisted living, senior community services, and much more.