On May 15, 2019, Archstone Foundation Board of Directors and staff, friends, family and members of the community, Long Beach notables and nearly 120 aging experts from across the state and around the country—all gathered on the Sun Deck of the Queen Mary for a Leadership Transition Reception to honor our first President and CEO, Joseph F. Prevratil, JD, who retired on January 11, 2019, and welcome our new President and CEO, Christopher A. Langston, PhD.
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Mr. Prevratil led Archstone Foundation, as a Board member beginning in 1987, and as its first President and CEO since 1995. Under his leadership, the Foundation awarded more than 1,100 grants totaling more than $117 million in its legacy areas of fall prevention, elder abuse and neglect, and spirituality in palliative care, along with its current priority areas of aging in community, depression in late-life, and family caregiving.
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At the event, Mr. Prevratil was honored for his longstanding leadership and commitment to the field of aging. He was also presented with a Certificate of Recognition for his dedication to the Foundation, the aging population, and the Long Beach community by Clayton Heard, Field Representative, on behalf of Congressman Alan Lowenthal, U.S. House of Representative. Mr. Prevratil is well acquainted with the Queen Mary, a once legendary ocean liner where renowned statesman like Winston Churchill and Hollywood icons like Charlie Chaplin and Clark Gable roamed the decks. He served as the operator of the local Long Beach icon for several years. Many of Mr. Prevatil’s former employees, including Everette Hoard, long-time Queen Mary Commodore, Sabine DuBois, Director of Catering, and several others attended the reception.
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Following a special program, and a passing of the kaleidoscope, signifying the transition of leadership and new vision, Archstone Foundation’s Board Chair, Diana Bontá, honored Joan Prevratil with flowers, and led a toast, joined by guests, honoring Mr. Prevratil, Dr. Langston, and Archstone Foundation’s past and future.
An Important Legacy
Mr. Prevatil has received many lovely tributes from people throughout the field. Here is just a small sample of the kind words that have been shared though our website at: https://archstone.org/jfp:
“Your leadership and stewardship of the Archstone Foundation has helped countless older adults and their families in multiple ways. I will always remember how you were an early champion of supporting and strengthening the everyday lives of family caregivers. You have made a difference.”
“Thanks Joe for your more than two decades in philanthropy and your leadership in helping getting aging on the map!”
“Thank you for your years of service, caring, and inspirational leadership with regards to the health and wellness of older adults in our communities! You have left a legacy that will always be remembered!”
“On behalf of the 7,000 current members of villages in California, the thousands who preceded them and the tens of thousands yet to come, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your visionary leadership, Joe. You knew early on that this innovative model for social change could revolutionize the way we age in California. And that’s exactly what we’re doing!”
Looking Ahead
Mr. Prevratil leaves an extraordinary legacy, and he is passing the baton on to an impressive successor. We are excited to welcome Dr. Langston as our second only President and CEO of the Foundation. Dr. Langston is a national leader in philanthropy with 18 years of experience in program design, evaluation, and foundation management. He has a PhD in Psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center. He has served as Program Director at the John A. Hartford Foundation, a Program Executive in the U.S. Aging Program at the Atlantic Philanthropies, and most recently as Vice President of HealthCare Services, Aging in New York Fund.
Bon Voyage, Mr. Prevratil – we will miss you! Welcome Aboard, Dr. Langston!
