Robert Orton will succeed Allen Bonace as President & CEO of Saint Mary's
The Board of Trustees for Saint Mary’s Home of Erie and the Leadership of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania have named Robert Orton as the next President & CEO of Saint Mary’s effective July 1, 2024.
Orton brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to the role, including from his current position as Vice President for Operations at Saint Mary’s. He began his career at Saint Mary’s in 2000 working as a Maintenance Supervisor until 2004 when he was promoted to Director of Support Services. As Director, he oversaw the Maintenance, Housekeeping, Laundry and Groundskeeping departments. He held that position for over a decade until achieving another promotion in 2020 when he was appointed as Vice President of Operations.
As Vice President, Orton continued to streamline and improve facility operations and services. Most recently he oversaw the multi-year construction project to expand the Carriage Homes at Asbury Ridge. He also oversaw the Residential Living and Personal Care renovations converting eight studio apartments to four two-bedroom suites. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Orton led the team response while establishing policies and processes for navigating forward.
His extensive knowledge of both Saint Mary’s and the industry, along with a strong work ethic and firm commitment to always doing what is best for the residents and employees, make him well qualified to step into the role.
Orton succeeds Allen Bonace, current President & CEO, who announced in 2023 his plans to retire after five years in the role and more than twenty years of service to the ministry of Saint Mary’s. Bonce will transition to the role of President Emeritus after July 1st and will remain as a consultant to Saint Mary’s for a period following the transition.
“Saint Mary's Home of Erie is very fortunate to have an excellent candidate from within to advance to the position of President & CEO in the person of Mr. Robert Orton,” stated Ron Seigley, Chairperson for the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees. “Bob's length of experience in all facets of the operations of Saint Mary's makes him particularly well suited for his new role. He has had the benefit of working with our outgoing President & CEO, Allen Bonace, and their teamwork has truly demonstrated our mission of Loving to Care. On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary's we wish Allen the best in his retirement and offer our ongoing support for Bob as he assumes his new responsibilities.”