Honoring Rich Schutt: The Visionary Behind CAST

November 19, 2024

BY CAST

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We celebrate Rich's decades of dedication to CAST and extend best wishes for his retirement.

LeadingAge CAST is honored to recognize Rich Schutt, a visionary who elevated CAST and the field of aging services technologies, as he retires from Providence Life Services, which operates communities in Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan.

A technology evangelist throughout his career, as CEO of LeadingAge CAST Patron Providence Life Services, Rich supported the late-1990s spin-out from Providence of its information technology (IT) department. The resulting entity, ProviNET Solutions, is today a LeadingAge corporate partner that serves clients at companies nationwide with IT solutions to manage their technology.

While serving as LeadingAge's board chair in the early 2000s, Rich applied insights learned through ProviNET to LeadingAge and its members and seized an opportunity. With his help, CAST, which brings technology to the nonprofit aging services sector, was born in 2003.

Since its founding, CAST has become an essential hub for technology-focused discussions, providing invaluable resources and tools that support aging services providers and the advancement of care for older adults.

We are profoundly grateful for Rich's vision and leadership in creating this space, which has not only encouraged innovative dialogue but also equipped the aging services sector with practical tools and resources that drive meaningful change. Current and former CAST Commissioners, as well as past LeadingAge staff, are all appreciative of the strong foundation he helped to build and of his dedication, which continues to inspire progress and help us in elevating quality of care.

Tributes in Honor of Rich Schutt

"Rich was instrumental in the launch of CAST. While he was board chair, LeadingAge engaged in a scenario planning exercise which revealed that the two biggest uncertainties facing our field were technology and finance. If we were to ignore these uncertainties, we would be in the 'living desert.' (If we were successful in addressing these uncertainties we would be 'on golden pond.') Hence, CAST was launched with tech companies (led by Eric Dishman from Intel), members, and a few universities. Rich was a bit of a techno-nerd himself so the opportunity to shape CAST was a natural for him."
-Larry Minnix, former president and CEO of LeadingAge

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"I have had the privilege to work with Rich for my entire career, spanning 45 years. Rich has always been a visionary, but when it comes to technology he saw the importance of it and understood that it would become a key component as our health care systems and solutions evolved. He came into a leadership position with LeadingAge at just the right time and enabled the CAST Commission to form through the help of Larry Minnix. Rich also enabled me to create our own technology solutions company because he recognized that there was a need to help other providers. I feel that one of Rich's legacies will be that he enabled CAST to form, and today the vision of having a large group of technology leaders who collaborate has been accomplished and continues to grow."
-Carl Goodfriend, CIO for ProviNET Solutions and Providence Life Services

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"Rich Schutt's visionary commitment to advancing technology in aging services through the establishment of CAST has been a powerful catalyst for transformation across our industry. CAST has not only shaped new regulatory standards but also fostered vital partnerships and inspired innovative ideas. The LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies has played an instrumental role in my own career development, and I am deeply grateful for the lasting legacy that Rich Schutt leaves on our field."
-Joe Velderman, VP of Innovation, Cypress Living

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"Rich helped bring to fruition a well-needed forum to bridge the gap between senior living operations and technology. He had the foresight and vision very early on when technology was not where it is today. CAST has provided a well-needed platform for operators; CIOs and technologists can share ideas and collaborate to improve the industry overall. Rich led the charge very early on, and for that we thank him for where the industry is today!"
-Nick Patel, president and CEO, ThriveWell Tech

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"Rich's early leadership for CAST was so vital. He established the precedent that senior LeadingAge board leadership participated in CAST leadership. This assured that CAST was always perceived as a strategic part of the LeadingAge organization. From the beginning, Rich encouraged us to build a strong culture of partnership that set CAST on a great footing."
-Peter Kress, senior vice president and chief innovation officer, Acts Retirement-Life Communities, Inc.

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"Rich is the CEO's CEO. He is a visionary, leader, and collaborator and wears his smile so well…..all the time. A champion for innovation, Rich is always ready for new ideas while being mindful of the dedicated team members in our community who undertake the day-to-day essential services for older adults. It has been a true pleasure to work alongside you at CAST, Global Ageing Network and of course, LeadingAge. Wishing you and Linda joy, health, and good times in your next chapter."
-Stuart C. Kaplan, CEO, Selfhelp Community Services, Inc.

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"Rich is a true visionary in using technology to improve the lives of his residents. He has set a good example to his fellow senior care providers on what does and doesn't work. But perhaps more importantly, he is a good and decent man."
-Charles E. Hillman, founder, GrandCare Systems

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"20+ years ago, right when we were starting iN2L, Rich went out of his way to give me hope and encouragement. He didn't need to do that, and I'm forever grateful. He is an extremely smart man, but those smarts are matched by his kindness."
-Jack York, co-founder, It's Never 2 Late (LifeLoop) and founder, TaleGate

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"We are immensely grateful to Rich for his pioneering leadership and passion for unlocking the potential of technology to fulfill mission. From his own organization, to CAST, to the industry overall, his indelible contributions have helped to elevate us all."
-Kari Olson, chief innovation and technology officer, Front Porch and president, Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing

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"Thank you Rich, for your investment in building bridges with technology to better the lives of those we serve. We are grateful for your guidance and vision."
-Sheri Peifer, president and chief executive officer, Eskaton