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Heritage Ministries appoints new chief financial officer to replace retiring CFO

Heritage Ministries operates Hearthstone Communities in Woodstock in addition to other senior care and living facilities in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington

Heritage Ministries, which operates Hearthstone Communities in Woodstock, named a new chief financial to replace current Heritage CFO, Greg Fernandez, who will be retiring later this year, it said in a news release.

Karen Hardick, a certified public accountant, from Getzville, New York, was selected to replace Fernandez, according to the release. Hardick comes to Heritage with many years of experience in accounting and financial management, most recently serving as the chief financial officer for Jericho Road Community Health Center.

In her role of Chief Financial Officer at Heritage, she will be responsible for the oversight of all financial operations at Heritage and its affiliates nationwide, according to the release.

“(Fernandez) was a calm and unwavering leader during unprecedented times,” Heritage Ministries President and CEO Lisa Haglund said in a statement. “His expertise and guidance will continue to benefit our organization for generations. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Hardick obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting, magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo, according to the release. She received the Charles Waldo Haskins Award for the highest five-part-combined score attained in New York State on the Uniform CPA exam and the Elijah Watt Sells Award for performance with high distinction and outstanding merit from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

“I love that Heritage is a faith-based and mission-focused organization,” Hardick said in the release. “Aging isn’t easy. Our society doesn’t tend to value the aged, and often we find our seniors vulnerable and alone. Our seniors represent a great generation. They should be honored, respected, and treasured. I look forward to serving the work of Heritage with integrity and dedication, supporting the mission by providing strong financial management of Heritage.”

In addition to the Woodstock location, Heritage Ministries includes its original campus in Gerry, New York, and five other locations in New York with additional providers in Pennsylvania and Washington. It employs about 1,500 people and serves more than 2,500 individuals annually.