Lifespace Communities confirmed today that Sloan Bentley has departed from her position as president and CEO of the organization. Bentley had led the West Des Moines-based nonprofit group of senior living communities since March 2014. Larry Smith, senior vice president and chief financial officer, has been appointed as interim president and CEO. Before joining Lifespace, Bentley was CEO of Seniority Inc., a senior housing marketing and consulting firm in San Francisco. Lifespace currently owns and operates 12 continuing care retirement communities in seven states, serving more than 4,300 residents and employing more than 2,800 team members. “On behalf of the Lifespace board of directors, I’d like to thank Sloan for her forethought in leading the organization through a period of growth the past four plus years,” said LaVerne Epp, board chair of Lifespace Communities, said in an emailed statement. “Sloan has helped position the organization for continued success and growth, including the potential merger with Senior Quality Lifestyles Corp.” In May 2018 Lifespace Communities and Texas-based SQLC announced their intent to affiliate, which would make the combined organization the fifth-largest U.S. not-for-profit senior housing provider. The Lifespace board will conduct a national executive search for a new president and CEO. “We are confident in our vision for the future and trust in the expertise of Larry and the entire Lifespace leadership team,” Epp said. “We are looking forward to celebrating many successes in 2019, including the expansion of health services to include the addition of assisted living and memory care at several of our communities.”