Bringing
CULTURE AT THE CORE
FOREFRONT EARNS DUAL INDUSTRY HONORS FOR WORKPLACE
Todd Solgat | Corporate Director Growth Marketing
Forefront has once again distinguished itself as a leader in the support services industry, earning two prestigious awards recognizing its outstanding workplace culture and commitment to its people. Forefront was recently named one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare for the fourth time and also received the Inc.’s 2025 Best Workplaces award—affirming its steadfast dedication to fostering a supportive, values-driven environment where employees feel empowered and engaged.
These accolades are a direct reflection of our mission to create a workplace that prioritizes purpose, connection, and professional growth. As a provider of culinary, environmental, and support services across the continuum of care, Forefront’s success is grounded in the belief that empowered employees are the foundation of excellent service and healthier communities.
“At Forefront, culture isn’t an afterthought—it’s the heartbeat of everything we do,” said CEO Dan Bowen. “We’ve built an environment where people are respected, recognized, and given the tools to thrive. When you care for your team, they in turn care deeply about the work they do—and that shows in every hospital, senior living community, and healthcare facility we serve.”
Key to Forefront’s culture is its emphasis on connection. Whether through associate engagement programs, transparent leadership communication, or opportunities for feedback and innovation, the company has created pathways that keep employees involved and inspired. Programs like “Forefront Cares,” which supports internal career development, and the company’s recent launch of a culinary-focused internal podcast, are just a few examples of how Forefront continually invests in its people.
Forefront’s approach is also deeply rooted in purpose. Every team member—from culinary staff to environmental service technicians—plays a critical role in creating safe, clean, and nourishing environments for patients and residents. Forefront reinforces that mission through recognition initiatives, training opportunities, and a culture of gratitude that extends from leadership to the front line.
WELCOME TO FOREFRONT’S INSIDER NEWSLETTER
The two awards signal more than external validation— they reinforce the internal values that drive Forefront’s performance. The Modern Healthcare award is particularly meaningful, as it’s based in part on employee surveys measuring satisfaction and engagement. The Top Workplaces honor is equally significant, as it evaluates culture drivers like leadership, appreciation, and alignment. “These awards are a testament to our team,” added Bowen. “We are proud to be recognized, but more proud of the day-to-day commitment our associates show to one another and to the communities we serve.”
As Forefront continues to grow nationwide, our culture remains the cornerstone of success. With these recognitions, the we solidify our reputation not only as a trusted service provider in healthcare and senior living— but as a great place to work, grow, and make a difference.
Welcome to The Insider, our newsletter designed to bring our team closer together. At Forefront, we believe that staying connected is key to our success, especially as we grow and deliver diverse support services across the country. With our team spread out over 20 states and across multiple industries, it’s not always possible to interact face-to-face. That’s where The Insider comes in — our platform to enhance communication, build connections, and keep everyone informed and engaged.
Through this newsletter, we’ll share updates, highlight team achievements, and spotlight the amazing work happening across all corners of the company. Our hope is that The Insider becomes a valuable resource and a team-building tool for everyone at Forefront. Together, we’ll stay informed, connected, and inspired as we continue making an impact.
FROM THE CEO’s Desk
Dan Bowen | Co-Founder & CEO
As this issue of The Insider highlights, our company culture is a key differentiator and is core to our success as an organization. It is a driver of our growth, client retention, associate retention and the gains we sustain for our customers in patient and resident satisfaction. We are proud to announce that our Forefront associate engagement scores continue to increase and outpace the national averages. Through hard work, we have continued to make gains in contrast to the latest trends.
Current Gallup studies and data show that employee engagement in the U.S. fell to its lowest level in a decade in 2024, with only 31% of employees engaged. This matches the figure last seen in 2014. The percentage of engaged employees has declined by two percentage points since 2023, highlighting a growing trend of “employee detachment” from their organizations, particularly among workers younger than 35. By comparison, Forefront results showed that 61% of our employees were Engaged. Nationally, the percentage of actively disengaged employees was 17%, matching 2014 levels. By comparison, Forefront results showed only 10% of our employees were Not Engaged.
Among the 12 engagement elements that Gallup measures, those that saw the most significant declines in the National scores for 2024 include:
• Clarity of expectations. Just 46% of employees clearly know what is expected of them at work, down 10 points from a high of 56% in March 2020.
• Feeling someone at work cares about them as a person. Currently, 39% of employees feel strongly that someone cares about them, a drop from 47% in March 2020.
Someone encouraging their development. Only 30% strongly agree that someone at work encourages their development, down from 36% in March 2020.
Gallup research attributes declining employee engagement and rising detachment to rapid organizational change, challenges from hybrid and remote work transitions, new customer and employee expectations, broken performance management practices.
What can we do as leaders to improve Associate Engagement? Despite the significant challenges workplaces have faced since 2020, Gallup studies show that strong leaders and managers can increase engagement, and reverse engagement declines by focusing on these strategies:
• Define what employees want in their workplace culture and how that aligns with the organization’s purpose and value to customers.
• Lead with their own strengths while clarifying the organization’s purpose, approach to people, key decisions and performance. Specifically, include a plan for upskilling managers to build stronger bonds between our employees and our organization through clear priorities, ongoing feedback, and accountability.
• Prioritize identifying and selecting managers with the innate ability to engage and inspire our employees, especially in workplace environments where our employees feel detached.
As we look to the future, we must continue to focus on culture and engagement as our cornerstone strategy to differentiate ourselves in the market and compete for top talent. It begins individually as We are all responsible for Employee Engagement.
Dan Bowen Co-Founder & CEO
FROM THE COO’s Desk
The Forefront summer barbecue tour is off to an excellent start! So far, we have completed events at:
Duncan Regional Medical Center, Duncan, OK Methodist Village, Fort Smith, AR Mena Hospital, Mena, AR Eliseo, Tacoma, WA Barrett Hospital, Dillon, MT
St. John’s United, Billings, MT Wheatland Hospital, Wheatland, MT.
We have several more events scheduled throughout the year and are excited to bring this unique experience to our team members and clients across the country!
Our team this year consists of our driver and up and coming Chef, Shane Peterson, SVP of Culinary Chris Greve, Corporate Director Culinary Kareem Michael, and myself. Shane is taking on additional duties this year and is learning the cooking process to help relieve some of the travel needs related to supporting the smaller events. He is doing a great job! We also received support from Chef Matt Gindhart, our Director at MHP who was a catalyst for our successful event at St. John’s United in Billings.
To increase capacity and improve reliability, we’re adding a second large propane trailer smoker from Ole Hickory Pits this fall. This new unit will allow us to cook for up to 1,000 people and help
ease some of the logistical challenges. While we love offering this experience, we can’t always accommodate every date request. Many events are booked over a year in advance, and transporting the smoker across the country can be complex. We schedule events in specific regions (e.g., MT, MI, PA, OK, Southeast) during set time frames. Requests outside those windows may be possible, but could incur added costs. Please coordinate any scheduling needs with Chef Chris Greve.
Thank you all for your continued excitement around this fun project, which provides a unique differentiator and experience to our clients. Our dates for the remainder of the year are as follows.
Ryan Williams Co-Founder & COO
We’re Growing Together: A Small Step Forward, A Big Win for Our Culture
Gary Pollack, CPXP | Managing Partner
We’re excited to share that our latest Gallup Employee Engagement Score has increased from 4.21 to 4.22! At first glance, this might seem like a small move—but in the world of engagement, even a tenth of a point signals meaningful progress. Even more encouraging: this is the 8th out of 9 surveys in which our score has gone up. That kind of consistency reflects a sustained, company-wide commitment to making our workplace better, together.
We’re also thrilled to report that 1,053 employees participated in the Spring 2025 survey—the highest number of respondents we’ve ever had. With a 77% company-wide response rate, it’s clear that our team is not only engaged in their work but actively invested in helping shape our culture and future.
What’s more, Forefront scored a 61% engaged workforce, nearly double the recently published U.S. workforce average of 31%. That’s a powerful testament to the work we’ve all done— and the culture we’re building together.
Why it matters:
Engagement is more than just a number. It reflects how supported, heard, and empowered our team members feel every day. This latest increase reinforces the positive momentum we’ve been building over time.
Thank you to everyone who took time to provide honest feedback and to those who turn insights into action. Whether it’s through improved communication, recognition, development opportunities, or simply checking in on a colleague— every effort counts.
We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and energized by what lies ahead. Let’s keep listening, learning, and lifting each other up.
Next Steps:
As we move forward, we ask that each leader: Share the results with your teams. Begin developing Action Plans based on your team’s specific feedback
Remember:
Hope is not a strategy. Let’s be intentional and accountable as we continue building the kind of workplace where people feel valued, inspired, and empowered to thrive. Onward and upward!
Ryan Williams | Co-Founder & COO
FOREFRONT’S
NEW PARTNERS
APRIL - JUNE 2025
Duncan Regional Health
Duncan, Oklahoma Culinary Services, Environmental Services
We’re excited to begin working with DRH Health, a not-for-profit healthcare system serving Stephens and Jefferson counties in central Oklahoma for over 45 years. With two hospitals, 128 beds, and 20 provider clinics, DRH offers a wide range of specialty care—from cancer and cardiac services to wound treatment. Committed to compassionate, high-quality care, DRH reinvests in its people, technology, and services to continually improve community health. We’re proud to support their mission and be part of their continued growth.
Forrest City Medical Center
Forrest City, Arkansas Culinary Services, Environmental Services
Forrest City Medical Center is an acute care, Joint Commission Accredited hospital, licensed for 118 beds. The regional facility provides complete inpatient, outpatient, surgical, diagnostic, and emergency care. Forrest City Medical Center serves a 5-county area in eastern Arkansas. Forest City Medical Center is a part of Quorum Health.
KR Management – Oak Manor
Largo, Florida Culinary Services
Oak Manor is a premier senior living community located just minutes from Florida’s beautiful west coast beaches. Set on 16 shaded acres, Oak Manor offers a true sense of home, comfort, and security for its residents. As a full continuum of care community, Oak Manor provides Independent Living, Assisted Living, Rehabilitation, and Long-Term Care—all thoughtfully designed to support an active, worry-free lifestyle. With on-site healthcare, emergency response systems, and top-tier amenities, Oak Manor is dedicated to delivering peace of mind and exceptional care every day. The addition of KR Management Sites represents our first accounts in Florida
KR Management – Addington Place
Tarpon Springs, Florida Culinary Services
Addington Place of East Lake is an assisted living community that combines personalized care with the comforts of home. Nestled near Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs, the community offers a peaceful setting surrounded by nature while staying close to family and conveniences. Residents enjoy newly renovated apartments, engaging activities, and tailored support that helps them thrive with confidence. With a focus on both comfort and peace of mind, Addington Place creates an environment where seniors can truly feel at home.
VALUES WORK AT
EXCELLENCE
SAFETY
Registered Dietitian, Debra Nicolosi, and Sous Chef, David Smith, recently hosted a Heart Healthy Cooking demonstration for Redstone employees. They prepared pan-seared shrimp with tomatoes and basil over whole grain angel hair pasta. While David handled the cooking, Debra provided education on the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) guidelines and explained the heart-healthy aspects of the recipe. The session was wellreceived, with the 15 employees actively participating by sharing how they would adapt the recipe at home and discussing other healthy cooking methods. For instance, there was a great discussion about making vegetables flavorful without excessive salt, with suggestions ranging from roasting with a touch of olive oil to using lemon juice and various herbs. It was a fun and informative discussion that everyone enjoyed.
In June at DW McMillan, heavy rains caused substantial flooding in a large part of the building, disrupting normal operations and posing a serious challenge to the team. Gabe Cagle and Willie Merrills responded quickly to assess and address the damage, working tirelessly and diligently to restore the building to full working order. DW is an aging facility, like many we serve across the country, and requires ongoing attention and care. This is not the first major facility issue at DW, and it will likely not be the last. However, with the leadership, professionalism, and dedication of outstanding team members like Gabe and Willie, DW is in great hands and continues to move forward.
GC & WM, thank you for your unwavering support of our core values and your unbreakable commitment to the DW community and those we serve every day.
David Smith | Sous Chef
Willie Merrills | Director Environmental Services
Gabe Cagle | Director Facility Management
Debra Nicolosi | Registered Dietitian
WHAT’S HAPPENING
WELLNESS AT FOREFRONT CORPORATE OFFICE
As part of our ongoing commitment to Wellness, our corporate office participated in a chef demo on Tuesday, May 13th. Chef Jose Badea and DeLon Barry of Pine Rest led the cooking demo with Marissa Murphy, Aubrey Marsh and Natalie Breault from our nutrition team providing the education.
HELEN ALEXANDER RECEIVES THE FONA AWARD
Helen Alexander, a dedicated Environmental Services team member since 2011, was honored with the 2025 FONA (Friend of Nursing Award) in a surprise celebration recognizing her outstanding support to nursing staff and unwavering commitment to patient care. Presented by Linda Wessic, Vice President, COO, and CNO, Helen received a $500 gift card, and the hospital hosted a taco bar for the entire EVS team in her honor. Helen’s consistent efforts to ensure a clean and safe environment have earned the appreciation of nurses across the organization, many of whom submitted heartfelt nominations on her behalf. This special recognition highlights the vital role EVS plays in delivering quality care.
FOREFRONT CORPORATE OFFICE VOLUNTEERS IN DETROIT
As part of Forefront’s ongoing commitment to giving back and supporting our local community, team members from our headquarters had the opportunity to volunteer with The Greening of Detroit. Together, we spent the day planting trees and contributing to a greener, healthier future for our city.
We’re proud to support organizations making a lasting impact—and even prouder of our team for stepping up and getting involved.
HILLCREST CELEBRATES NURSES WEEK
Hillcrest is celebrating with a week full of fun events for both residents and staff. Today’s festivities featured a carnival theme—complete with popcorn, funnel cakes, corn dogs, soda, and of course, cotton candy. The corn dogs were a huge hit—everyone enjoyed them! We also managed to capture a great moment of Matt, our Maintenance Director, making cotton candy, which brought plenty of smiles.
OUTSTANDING WORK AT HENRY COUNTY EVS
Henry Community Health held a special celebration to recognize the outstanding work of the EVS department. The event honored the team’s key role in achieving a CMS 5-Star rating for cleanliness, as well as being named one of Becker’s 350 Cleanest Hospitals in the country. This recognition reflects the team’s dedication to maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
FROM THE KITCHEN
Forefront Expands 24-Hour Micro-Markets
Josh Crandall | Senior VP, Service Excellence
We’re excited to share continued momentum around Forefront Culinary’s successful rollout of 24-hour micromarkets in both senior living communities and hospital campuses.
In recent years, advancements in point-of-sale (POS) technology have significantly reduced the cost of implementing these systems—making them more accessible and scalable than ever. Leveraging these innovations, Forefront has integrated micro-market solutions across a wide range of POS platforms, tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Clients appreciate the added convenience for their teams—offering around-the-clock access to fresh, healthy food options far beyond what traditional vending machines provide. From an operational standpoint, our on-site teams value the additional revenue these markets generate, all without increasing labor demands, thanks to intuitive self-checkout technology.
At Redstone Highlands Senior Living in Western Pennsylvania, interest is growing to expand the micro-market model. Geoff Gehring, Chief Operating Officer, recently expressed enthusiasm for bringing this offering to even more of their community locations in partnership with Forefront.
Further affirming the value of this initiative, Tina Cressman, Director of Residential Living at Redstone Highlands, shared: “Both Residents and Team Members find the 24-hour MicroMarket to be an innovative solution that provides easy access to fresh, healthy snacks, beverages, and quick meal options—all at very affordable prices. Whether it’s a nutritious bite between shifts or a meal on the go, the market ensures you have what you need, when you need it. It’s just one more way we’re supporting wellness, efficiency, and quality of life in our community.”
As we continue to innovate in support of our partners, we’re proud to offer solutions that enhance both everyday convenience and community well-being.
Second Chance Chef Competition
Chris Greve | Senior VP Culinary Services
The world is wasting 1.05 billion tons of food a year, amounting to almost one-fifth of all food available to consumers. The food service industry is responsible for 28% of this waste.
Approximately 10-12 % of a typical food service kitchen’s food purchases go to waste before they ever reach a diner’s plate. 50% of a food service kitchen’s food waste comes from overproduction.
We have launched the Second Chance Chef competition to create awareness surrounding over production and food waste. This competition is meant to encourage our teams to think differently about production and food waste. We have asked our teams to use items that would otherwise go into the trash or compost to create new and inventive recipes.
Featured Competition Recipes
Creamy Melon Gelato
12 oz. Melon Pulp
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Cup Milk
1 Cup Heavy Cream
Directions:
1. Puree Melon, add lemon juice, blend
2. Add sugar, mix well
3. Add heavy cream and milk, stir until sugar dissolves
4. Place mixture in a 4” 1/3 pan and place in the refrigerator for 30 min to cool.
5. Move the container to the freezer for 5 hours. Break up the ice layer every 30 minutes.
6. Once solid, whip with an electric mixer until creamy.
As we strive to become less reliant on volatile proteins by increasing our use of plant based ingredients, we also want to ensure we are utilizing all of our ingredients to their fullest extent. We have partnered with LeanPath to help us measure our progress and design waste reduction goals at each location.
So far we have received several great submissions from around the country, and I am excited to see where our team’s creativity takes us next.
Cucumber Peel Juice
3 Cucumbers
1 tsp baking soda
5 Limes (medium sized)
2 Cups water
Directions:
Juice Ingredients:
5 oz granulated sugar
2 Cups water
1 oz peeled ginger
1. Juice the limes and set the juice aside.
2. Use baking soda to scrub the cucumbers, and rinse under cold water. Peel cucumbers and place the peels in a bowl with 2 cups of water and the lime juice (cover and refrigerate overnight).
3. Mix 2 cups of water along with sugar and ginger, then bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat and steep for 15 minutes. After cool, add into the cucumber lime juice solution.
4. Place your limeade mixture into a blender until pureed. Strain the liquid and place the drink in the refrigerator and serve over ice.
FOCUS
CULINARY SERVICES FOCUS
In our Focus section, catch up with stories that highlight the incredible work happening across Forefront, with an insider’s peek into our culinary, environmental services, facility management, government, marketing, and IT departments.
CALENDAR of EVENTS
July
Bridging the Gap: Forefront’s Innovative Tele-Nutrition Solution for Enhanced Resident/Patient Care
Marissa Murphy, RD | Senior VP & Partner, Clinical Nutrition & Wellness
As we are seeing a shortage in Registered Dietitians (RDs), Forefront is striving to become innovative to meet the needs of the residents/patients and maximize on the resources of our current RD availability and expertise. Many healthcare facilities are utilizing fully remote RDs to meet the demand and shortage of RDs. In addition to meeting regulatory compliance, Forefront strives to elevate the nutrition wellbeing for their residents/patients.
Forefront’s solution is Tele-Nutrition which focuses on telecommunication as the method to support nutrition care remotely. The RD completes the nutrition care process when assessing residents/patients and is held to the same ethical standards as in-person nutrition care. With utilizing video conferencing with residents/patients, we are able to provide better nutrition care and diagnose malnutrition more confidently and successfully.
Forefront RDs are utilizing Tele-Nutrition for new admissions, nutrition education, high risk nutritional status, and follow up meetings with residents/ patients or family. For Tele-Nutrition to be successful it strongly focuses on the collaboration between the interdisciplinary team with emphasis on nursing and culinary teams. The remote RD needs to schedule their virtual meeting with the resident/patient with the help of nursing and culinary leadership. Nutritional status is then discussed and individualized interventions and goals are determined by the RD.
This is a new innovative program with Forefront and we are excited to be piloting it in the Montana region this quarter! We are looking forward to expanding this to other communities that support this innovative approach to address the clinical needs of our residents and patients!
15th - 18th
MIAPPA Summer Conference Harbor Springs, MI
17th
Forefront BBQ Tour
GTP Concert Series Traverse City, MI
21st - 23rd
LeadingAge SouthEast Kissimmee, FL
21st - 23rd
LeadingAge Illinois Schaumberg, IL
23rd
Forefront BBQ Tour
August
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Grand Rapids, MI 5th
Forefront BBQ Tour
Sarah Reed Retirement Community Erie, PA
6th - 9th
LeadingAge Michigan
Leadership Institute Mt Pleasant, MI
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOCUS
Strength in Partnership: Driving Floor Care Excellence Through Collaboration
Susan Waller | Director, Administrative Operations
Across the EVS network, partnership and shared commitment to quality continue to elevate our standards and strengthen our teams. A clear example of this can be seen through recent collaboration focused on floor care excellence and training.
Major Hospital has served as a key teaching facility, where Nathan Alpaugh, Assistant Director, and Raymond Ailstock, Director, have shared their expertise in floor care with visiting teams and leaders. Dominick Powell, the new Director at Henry Community Health, recently partnered with the team at Major to enhance his team’s practices, observing firsthand the methods and techniques that have driven success. Working alongside Nathan and Ray, Dominick engaged in hands-on training and mentorship, bringing back valuable insights to strengthen results at his own site.
Tyler Colonna, Director at Atmore Community Hospital, also traveled to Major to take part in the learning, further contributing to the network of shared knowledge and continuous development.
These collaborative efforts have been championed by strong leadership. Alex Romero, Vice President, has led the charge in fostering these partnerships across Major, Henry, and Atmore, ensuring alignment, resource sharing, and consistent standards across sites. Similarly, Dan Brennan, Regional Director of Operations, has driven this approach at UMH locations, where Robert Croft, Director at UMH Hilltop, partnered with the team at UMH Elizabeth City to improve floor care results across both facilities.
By sharing resources, knowledge, and training strategies, these leaders are helping ensure consistent, high-quality outcomes throughout the region. Their leadership has laid the foundation for stronger collaboration and empowered local teams to work together more effectively.
“When we collaborate across sites, we don’t just improve our results; we develop our people and build a stronger network of support,” said Alex Romero, Vice President of EVS Operations.
This spirit of mentorship, teamwork and shared commitment to excellence is shaping both individual growth and collective success within EVS. As we continue to partner across sites, we strengthen not only our results but also our people, elevating every day.
CALENDAR of EVENTS August
11th
Forefront BBQ Tour
Fahrney Keedy Senior Living Boonsboro, MD
18th
Forefront BBQ Tour
Oklahoma Hospital Association
Oklahoma City, OK
20th - 22nd
Mid South Critical Access Hospital Show
Louisville, KY
27th - 29th
LeadingAge Ohio Columbus, OH
September
8th
Forefront BBQ Tour
Stillwater Medical Tin Cup Classic
Stillwater, OK
9th - 11th
TORCH Fall Conference
Austin, TX
9th - 11th
LeadingAge Wisconsin Wisconsin Dells, WI
FOCUS
FACILITY MANAGEMENT
Proactive Planning Through Capital
Assessment: A Success at Marywood
Susan Waller | Director, Administrative Operations
Forefront has recently partnered with Marywood Nursing Facility to complete a comprehensive Property Condition Report. This initiative focused on evaluating key infrastructure and identifying improvements that align with operational needs and long-term planning.
The assessment included a detailed review of parking lots, site lighting, plumbing, HVAC systems, and the roofing structure. Our
facilities team, led by Director John Brandon, worked closely with licensed contractors to document current conditions, identify concerns, and gather quotes for recommended repairs and upgrades. As part of the process, we also applied a useful life data approach, which outlines the expected lifespan of each major equipment type. This comparative insight helps leadership make informed decisions about repair versus replacement, supporting both immediate and strategic capital planning.
After completing the evaluation, we collaborated with Marywood’s leadership team to review the findings and develop a priority list based on urgency, resident impact, and available resources. This approach allowed the facility to address immediate needs while also planning for future projects in a thoughtful and manageable way.
The feedback from the Marywood team was very positive. They appreciated the clear recommendations, organized presentation, and collaborative nature of the process. It helped them feel confident in their next steps and supported them in their decision-making.
This project highlights Forefront’s commitment to hands-on, client-focused facilities management. We understand that each facility is not the same, which is why we take a customized approach to every engagement. By working closely with our partners, we help them maintain safe, functional, and efficient environments that reflect their unique needs and priorities.
CALENDAR of EVENTS September
11th
Forefront BBQ Tour
Methodist Village Picnic Fort Smith, AR
16th - 19th
Lifespan
Ocean City, MD
18th
Forefront BBQ Tour
Arkansas Heart Hospital Little Rock, AR
25th
Forefront BBQ Tour
Prime West Knoxville Knoxville, TN
28th - 1st
ERAPPA (East Reg. Assoc. Phys
Plant Admin)
Atlantic City, NJ
30th - 1st
LeadingAge Kentucky Louisville, KY
Information Technology
Don’t Take the Bait: Avoiding Digital Scams at Work
Parker Forrest | IT Support Specialist
Cybercriminals constantly evolve their tactics to trick employees into revealing sensitive information. Using tools like AI, they can mass-produce scams and bypass spam filters. To protect company data and everyone’s digital safety, it’s important to stay informed about common social engineering attacks: phishing, vishing, smishing, and spear phishing.
Phishing
The most common scam. It appears as an email from someone you trust—like a coworker, bank, or HR— asking you to click a link or open an attachment. If you weren’t expecting it, don’t click. Always double-check the sender.
Forefront IT’s Tips and Tricks
Vishing
Phone-based scams. The caller may claim to be from IT or management and ask for personal or company info. Never share passwords or codes over the phone. Hang up and verify with IT.
Smishing
This happens via text message. Messages may mention a delivery, account issue, or urgent action— usually with a sketchy link. If it feels off, don’t click or reply.
Spear Phishing
A targeted form of phishing. Messages may reference your role or projects and appear to come from a manager or coworker. Take a moment to verify before responding.
• Be cautious with emails, calls, and texts, especially if they’re urgent, unexpected, or request sensitive information.
• Never share your passwords—not even with coworkers or IT. No one should ever ask.
• Don’t click unexpected links or download unknown attachments. When in doubt, don’t open it.
• Always confirm anything strange through official channels (like a direct call or company contact info).
• Report anything suspicious to IT right away—better safe than sorry!
• Verify sender addresses and URLs closely; scammers often use lookalike domains to trick users.
• Lock your screen when you step away, even for a minute—this protects your access.
• Use Google Drive for all work-related files to ensure data is secure and backed up.
• Update your devices regularly to get the latest security protections and features.
• Use strong, unique passwords for each account—consider using a secure password manager.
GOVERNMENT
Government Divisions Transition To Its Own Entity
Ace Burt | President, Government Services
As the Government division prepares to become its own separate legal entity with a target date of 1 January, 2026, we are in the throes of many changes to address Government specific requirements that differ from commercial best practices. A few examples follow:
HR & Payroll
While commercial operates under the fair labor standards act (FSLA) and the occasional CBA, Government operates under the Service Contract Act (SCA), Davis Bacon Act (DBA) and multiple CBA’s. The primary difference is that the various federal acts dictate minimum wages and benefits that can be paid on the contract.
In addition, the wage determinations include a health and welfare component that defines the minimum contribution for the employees’ health insurance the employer can provide. The current H&W rates (due to change mid-July) are $4.95 and $5.30 per hour based on the contract type.
FOCUS
INTERNS
We’re excited to welcome two incredible interns to the Forefront team this summer!
Ryan Bernard, a rising senior at Michigan State University majoring in Finance, joins us as a Business Development Intern. He’ll be diving into market analysis and helping shape our sales and marketing strategies.
Bennett French, a rising senior from the University of Dayton, is majoring in Business Economics and Finance. As our Finance & Accounting Intern, he’ll be supporting our financial operations and getting hands-on experience with strategic planning.
We’re thrilled to have both of them on board and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make this summer!
In commercial we use salary surveys and area specific wage data to set salaries and benefits except in the event of a collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). In government they are both set for us and significantly higher than their commercial counterparts.
Accounting
The Government operated under the legal requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). FAR specifies accounting be performed under Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) under the review of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). These requirements differ significantly from traditional General Accepted Practices (GAP) typically used in a non-Government environment. To remain under the Forefront Corporate canopy would mean that the entire company would have to operate from form these much higher and more costly accounting practices, which is simply not feasible.
In the next installation we will address marketing and contract administration.
FOCUS
MARKETING
Forefront Marketing Expands to Support Strategic Growth
Todd Solgat | Corporate Director Growth Marketing
As Forefront continues to scale, so has the demand for strong, consistent brand support across the organization. We’re pleased to reintroduce the Marketing team—now expanded to better meet the needs of our growing company.
While we’ve always operated as a nimble and versatile team, recent strategic hires have strengthened our ability to deliver on a wide range of initiatives. From campaigns and proposal development to internal communications and field marketing support, our enhanced team is positioned to deliver deeper strategic insight, and more robust creative solutions.
We’ve also expanded our focus to align with evolving business goals, including greater support for CRM initiatives, targeted direct mail, digital engagement, and unit-level branding. These efforts are designed to ensure consistent messaging, elevate our clientfacing materials, and reinforce Forefront’s position as a leader in culinary and support services.
Our mission remains the same: to provide exceptional marketing tools that empower our teams, drive results, and strengthen the Forefront brand. As always, we’re here to support your needs— whether it’s a large-scale campaign, a recruitment flyer, or a strategic communications plan.
Thank you for partnering with us. We look forward to continuing to support your success as Forefront grows.
ENVIRONMENTAL
At Forefront, we combine the right people, proven processes, and innovative technology to deliver exceptional environmental services tailored to your facility’s needs. By prioritizing attention to detail, operational effi ciency, and measurable outcomes, we create value that goes beyond expectations— strengthening your facility’s reputation and fostering a healthier, more inviting environment.
Todd Solgat Corporate Director Growth Marketing
Will Hawkins Corporate Director Brand & Field Marketing
Emma Charen Content & Design Coordinator
Heather Torrey CRM Manager
and safety.
Patients and healthcare facilities are especially vulnerable to infections, making prevention a fundamental priority in our Environmental Services program. Our comprehensive approach emphasizes rigorous training, ongoing education, and evidence-based cleaning protocols that are rooted in documented best practices by the CDC. A clean, welcoming environment plays a vital role in patient experience. Our Environmental Services program focuses on meticulous cleanliness, attention to detail, and service excellence, driving higher facility HCAHPS scores and overall patient satisfaction. Our streamlined cleaning processes and infection prevention strategies ensure faster room turnover times, and reduces healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and readmissions. This combination enhances operational effi ciency, improves patient outcomes, and provides peace of mind for residents and families.
Sarah Hensel CRM Analyst
HR & FINANCE
Welcome to the Team
Amy McCreary | Senior VP, Human Resources
Taylor VanMaele HR Generalist
We’re excited to welcome Taylor VanMaele to the Forefront team as our new HR Generalist!
In her role, Taylor will focus on benefit administration, employee relations, and learning management—key areas that support our mission of creating better workplace experiences across the company.
Taylor earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Adrian College, where she also competed on the equestrian team and coached soccer for Special Olympics athletes. Her career began in Talent Acquisition and evolved into an HR Analyst role at a food distributor, where she spent five years sharpening her skills in employee benefits and engagement. During that time, she successfully revamped their employee referral bonus program, leading to stronger participation and improved results.
Outside of work, Taylor enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time outdoors—often with her two dogs, Lancelot and Kevin. One of her favorite adventures was completing an HR internship in Barcelona during her senior year of college. And when she’s not exploring new places, you’ll likely find her at the barn, riding horses.
Please join us in giving Taylor a warm welcome!
Erald Ruci Controller
Please join us in welcoming Erald Ruci as Forefront’s new Controller.
Erald will play a key role in expanding our accounting and finance team, improving internal processes, and strengthening financial reporting.
He brings a strong background in both real estate and manufacturing. Erald began his career as an analyst with Coldwell Banker and later advanced to Accounting Manager while earning his degree at Walsh College. He went on to serve as Controller and Partner at SCM Investments, managing a $100M real estate portfolio.
Most recently, he’s held senior finance roles in Tier 1 automotive and aerospace companies—experience that will help optimize systems as Forefront continues to grow.
Outside the office, Erald is active in real estate, manages his own portfolio, and enjoys playing hockey in an adult league. He’s also a dedicated Red Wings fan.
We’re excited to have Erald on board and look forward to the expertise he brings to the team.
EXCITING UPDATES TO YOUR FOREFRONT BENEFITS PACKAGE
We’re pleased to offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your health and well-being. This year, we’ve made several enhancements to give you even more value and flexibility, including:
• A new H.S.A. Medical plan option
• Expanded preventive care benefits under the existing $2,000 H.S.A. plan
• Two new voluntary plans featuring pet insurance coverage
Important Reminders:
New benefit elections and premium rates will go into effect on August 1
If you enrolled in medical coverage for the first time or made changes to your existing plan, you’ll receive new ID cards from BCBS.
Please review your payroll stubs to confirm your benefit deductions are correct.
Payroll Timing:
Hourly team members: Updated deductions will appear on the August 15 paycheck
Salaried team members: Updated deductions will appear on the August 22 paycheck
COMING SOON: ADP LYRIC OUR NEW HR & PAYROLL SYSTEM
We’re excited to announce that Forefront is transitioning to a new HR and payroll system — ADP Lyric — designed to improve your experience and streamline processes.
• Hourly Associates will begin using the new system on December 14, 2025 (“first punch” date).
• All associates will receive their first paycheck through ADP Lyric starting in January 2026.
Payroll Schedule:
Hourly Associates: First paycheck issued on January 2, 2026
Salaried Associates: First paycheck issued on January 7, 2026
Stay tuned for additional details and training opportunities as we prepare for this important upgrade. We appreciate your support during this transition!
401K ENROLLMENT
401k enrollment will be mid-July for all associates who were hired by June 30, 2025.
We want to see your Forefront pets! Scan the QR code to send us your photos for a chance to be featured in next quarter’s The Insider!
SOCIAL
The Insider is Forefront’s quarterly newsletter, published and distributed quarterly. The Insider is designed to bring our team closer together through enhanced communication, connections, and team member engagement. Through this newsletter, we’ll share updates, highlight team achievements, and spotlight amazing work happening across all corners of the company. For more information about content and submissions, contact Emma Charen, Content & Design Coordinator, at emma.charen@oneforefront.com.
Forefront is a specialized culinary and support services company serving mission driven organizations in healthcare, senior living, education and government throughout the United States. Forefront creates healthy, nourishing foods and maintains clean, safe and resilient environments that enhance the lives and communities they serve. For more information about Forefront’s culinary services, environmental services, and facility management, visit www.oneforefront.com.
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Jolene
Molly
Apollo Lance
Finn
Dolce
Joe Barkley
Jazzy
THE
The Insider is Forefront’s quarterly newsletter, designed to bring our team closer together through enhanced communication, connections, and team member engagement. Through this newsletter, we’ll share updates, highlight team achievements, and spotlight amazing work happening across all corners of the company.