Hearth & Truss is an Oregon-based senior living operator established by Mauro Hernandez and Darcy Hood. We serve client partners in the Pacific Northwest with a shared interest in developing niche projects and revitalizing legacy communities. Leading early innovations in assisted living and memory care, our combined senior housing and healthcare experience spans over 50 years. With careers shaped by extensive operational practice, as well as applied research and policy work, we bring a unique blend of knowledge and expertise to each project. We are values-driven, hands-on operators committed to aligning our approach to the goals of each client and the culture of each community.
Hearth & Truss believes all older adults should receive person-centered, high-quality services in an engaging environment.
Mauro Hernandez – Co-Owner
Leading the organization’s business development, strategic partnerships, and financing efforts, Mauro began his career in 1990 opening a family-run 14-story, 350-bed assisted living project in South Florida that serves primarily Hispanic, lower- to middle-income residents. He has remained involved with the management of this project (operated by his family and now owned by a nonprofit organization) throughout his career. After moving to Oregon in 1994, Mauro held senior leadership roles with regional and national firms developing, acquiring, and operating dozens of assisted living and memory care units across 20 states, including projects located in rural markets throughout Oregon and Washington.
Most recently, Mauro co-owned and served as CEO for Concepts in Community Living. During his tenure, he led the organization through a period of sustainable growth and organizational development. He worked with several nonprofit boards including Elderserve in St. Helens, Oregon; United Methodist Center in Salem, Oregon; and The Mustard Seed Project in Key Center, Washington. He currently serves as a board member of the Oregon Health Care Association, an advisory member for the national Center for Excellence in Assisted Living, and a member of Oregon’s governor-appointed Quality Metrics Commission.
Darcy Hood – Co-Owner
With nearly 30 years of leadership experience in senior housing and healthcare, Darcy possesses deep operational expertise and a proven track record of success in new project development, operational turnarounds as well as ongoing support and optimization of stabilized independent, assisted living and memory care communities. In new construction scenarios, Darcy provides design consulting, FF&E procurement, human resource development, systems installation, and pre-opening readiness. She leads successful repositioning and renovation projects, improves operational performance through service excellence, reliably high financial stewardship, and creates and maintains up-to-date policies to ensure compliance and best practices.
As a state-approved management consultant, Darcy provided interim executive leadership, regulatory compliance support, and crisis management, increased NOI, stakeholder satisfaction, and led teams to deficiency-free State surveys.
Notable projects include the transformation of a 100+ unit low-income community into an exclusive, private-pay assisted living and memory care facility and pre-opening consultation for two luxury senior communities in Oregon and California. Darcy has also overseen full administrative system conversions and led communities to accreditation by The Joint Commission and CARF.
Other professional credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Oregon ALF/RCF Administrator license (#NHA-RC-10217831), Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification, Oregon DHS-approved Consultant, as well as specialized training in Montessori for Seniors, the Green House model, and complex care contracts (bariatric, medical, behavioral). In her free time, Darcy is an outdoor enthusiast with certifications in whitewater rescue and wilderness first response.
Donna Reid – Operations Management
As Operations Director, Donna is primarily responsible for providing residences with technical assistance, support, and direction for achieving goals related to quality, employee relations, occupancy, financial performance, compliance, and community engagement. A Certified Nursing Assistant since 1989, Donna has served in multiple direct care, supervisory, and management roles in Oregon-based assisted living and residential care communities. Since 2007, she has held leadership positions overseeing both individual and multiple sites with specialized population needs, including memory care and more complex medical needs. She has experience with start-up and stable operations management, as well as turnaround management for projects facing operational and regulatory compliance challenges. She excels in cultivating individual strengths, motivation, and morale among team members. She brings a comprehensive understanding of clinical processes and systems, as well as deep experience strengthening community, resident, and family relations.
Chanda Koesel – Project Management & Administrative Support
Chanda provides the Hearth & Truss management team and community leaders with a wide range of supportive services to ensure timely response to requests and coordination of special projects. Chanda’s strong commitment to client satisfaction, marketing strategy, operational processes, and fiscal stewardship grew from her prior community foundation, travel industry and hospitality work. She has skill in event planning, research, coordination of people and logistics, and is deeply driven by impactful causes. With a shared commitment to the company’s core beliefs, she prioritizes relationship development and is eager to listen and help Hearth & Truss’ customers, team members and other key stakeholders.