Our  Leadership Team

I am so excited to be part of the team here at Thornton Oaks. After 25 years in non-profit management, I feel like all my skills and experience led me to this position.

What I noticed right away, after talking to residents and staff, was that the sense of community sets Thornton Oaks apart from anyplace else. The residents here are active in the community and have an abundance of hobbies. My goal is to foster an environment where the residents can have fun and form lasting relationships.

I live in West Gardiner with my husband, border collie/golden retriever mix Cisco, Cohen the cat, that was literally rescued from a dumpster, that now owns the house, and a 22-year-old African Grey parrot named Digger. Sometimes it is a comedy show watching all of them interact.

I love to grow my own herbs and dry them to make teas, use essential oils for just about everything and do fair weather hiking. I’m obsessed with vintage beads and their history and love to make my own jewelry. I am a level 3 Reiki practitioner and I am getting ready to study the next level.

My favorite quote is by Albert Einstein, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.”

As Director of Sales I have the pleasure of meeting future Thornton Oaks residents and telling them about our wonderful community. I’ve been with the Thornton Oaks since 2001. Prior to that, I worked as a Development Director for United Way. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine.

I also currently serve on the board of the Brunswick Downtown Association whose mission is to promote downtown Brunswick as a vibrant and attractive place to live, work, play and do business. The cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities in Brunswick are wonderful options for Thornton Oaks residents.

In my spare time I enjoy hiking and dining, especially in Brunswick and on the coast of Maine. I am also a new practitioner of Qigong, and return occasionally to my long-term model railroading hobby. I was thrilled when the Amtrak Downeaster train came to Brunswick, a few minutes from Thornton Oaks, because it offers direct access to southern Maine and North station in Boston.

My favorite inspirational quote is “To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven.” by Johannes A. Gaertner, Professor, theologian and poet. I believe passionately that retirement years can be active, engaging, filled with many interests and new friendships.

Born in Germany and moved to US in 1972 Jurgen attended Radford Unv, while running BT”S restaurant. After graduating from Radford with a BS in poly sci Jurgen returned to Germany for 3 years and took an apprenticeship under Hans Jörg Glattfelder and received his chefs accreditation in 1992. Returned to the US Jurgen bought his own restaurant in Greensboro NC. 200 North Bistro was a European American fusion restaurant. He sold the restaurant after 4 successful years and worked for spring garden Brewery and Red oak Beer Company. In 2001 He went to Alaska and worked for a year. He has worked in health care , Fast food and private restaurants and resorts including, Kent’s hill school, Loon Lodge in Rangeley, northern lights hospital and for Meals on Wheels.

With 40 years of culinary experience Jurgens vision is to improve the dining service by engaging the staff through education and opportunities to learn and grow, work close with dining committee to incorporate more of what the residents want and need while balancing it with what’s available fresh, sustainable and affordable.

In his free time (HA) Jurgen spends time with his wife Cheri and 2 teenagers Katya and Tristen.

He enjoys hunting and fishing and time around the fire pit.

I oversee the business operations of the company and assist all other departments with the daily running of Thornton Oaks.

I feel that my job offers me the opportunity, daily, to make life the best I can for the residents. I believe that we make a positive difference every day, and that working as a team is what makes Thornton Oaks a rewarding place to work.

When I am not working I enjoy horseback riding, reading, enjoying the outdoors, spending time with family and friends.

My name is Tim May, I am the Facilities Manager at Thornton Oaks, which includes the Housekeeping department. As facilities manager I am responsible for the buildings and grounds here at Thornton Oaks. After four years in the U.S. Coast Guard, I worked at Bath Iron Works for 25 years, 6 years in Public housing, and have worked at Thornton Oaks since 2013.

I was born and brought up right here in Brunswick Maine, I have two grown Sons and three grandchildren. In my spare time you can find me on the ocean with my soon to be wife Patti and dog Cutter. Working at Thornton Oaks is very rewarding! Providing the residents with a safe, clean enjoyable place to live is the best part of working here.

As the resident services coordinator I get the pleasure of assisting residents as they begin their move into Thornton Oaks.  It is wonderful to see their new apartments take shape and become their own. 

I also enjoy bringing many diverse programs and entertainment to the residents of Thornton Oaks. 

In my spare time I enjoy the ocean and beaches and spending time with family and friends.