Jim Bettendorf - President & Chief Executive Officer

A recognized leader and innovator in senior health care services, with nearly 40 years in the field, Jim was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Vista Prairie Communities (VPC) in early 2016. He provides leadership for a mission-driven organization serving about 700 older adults in eight senior living communities in four states (Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio) and employing about 400 committed caregivers.  

Prior to assuming his current role, Jim served for more than 12 years with Volunteers of America – Minnesota and Wisconsin (VOA-MN/WI), one of the largest health and human services organizations in the region. Jim began his service as the Director of Housing and concluded as the Vice President and Chief Services Officer. Jim was commissioned as a Volunteers of America Minister and served as the Lead Minister for the Minnesota/Wisconsin affiliate.  

His VOA-MN/WI service was preceded as the housing administrator for the Bloomington, MN campus of Presbyterian Homes. While there, Jim developed and opened the first HUD Assisted Living Conversion Program (ALCP) in the nation leading the way for affordable assisted living services in HUD subsidized properties. 

In 2019 Jim was elected to the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Nonprofit Insurance Trust. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of LeadingAge Minnesota. In 2017 he was named one of “50 for the next 50” – Innovative Leaders Transforming and Enhancing the Experience of Aging. 

Jim graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.