Agemark’s History
More than 40 years of care and innovation.
For more than four decades, Agemark has been a trusted provider of senior living, guided by a belief that every stage of life deserves dignity, purpose, and joy. Founded in the early 1980s, our journey reflects a deep commitment to compassionate care, thoughtful growth, and innovation that puts people first. As you explore our history, you’ll see how our values and vision have shaped communities that families have trusted for generations.
Early 1980s
Real estate developers Richard Westin and Jesse Pittore meet in San Francisco.
1985
A longtime friend shows Jesse and Richard The Evergreen Hotel in Vancouver, Washington as a possible acquisition. When the bank denies their idea to turn the property into an office building, an alternative idea is presented: senior housing. The Evergreen Inn—Agemark’s first community—is born.
Late 1980s
Growth accelerates! The duo continues repurposing historic buildings—including hotels, a YMCA and a hospital they bought for $1—into more senior living communities.
1989
Agemark expands to the Midwest by purchasing a group of properties from another senior housing provider. In the process, the team meets Marty Hug and Marcia Houchin who later become CEO and VP of Life Enrichment, respectively.
1997
Seeing an increased need for high-quality, specialized Memory Care, we open our first CountryHouse, a stand-alone Memory Care community. Today, thirteen CountryHouse communities serve hundreds of seniors across the country.
2004
Astoria joins the Agemark family. Today, two Astoria communities – Oakdale, CA, and Omaha, NE – provide assisted living and memory care to local families.
2004
The next generation of Westin joins the company. After getting his master’s degree and working as a consultant for the company, Forrest Westin becomes an Agemark principal.
2012
Recognizing the need for expert memory care services, several of our Kensington communities, including those in Hastings and Fort Madison, add memory care neighborhoods to their buildings.
2015
After working for various financial institutions on Wall Street and in London, Michael Pittore comes on board as a company principal.
2018
Michael Pittore spearheads new partnerships with other like-minded companies and investors. As a part-owner and managing entity, we spread our vision of senior living to even more communities across the country.
2020
COVID-19 hits senior care hard. We take safety seriously and make early investments in PPE, testing and much more. During one of the most trying times we’ve faced, we developed a refreshed appreciation for our wonderful staff and leaders in our communities—these folks are true heroes.
2021
Agemark opens four communities in one year, expanding offerings to seniors in southern and northern California, central Iowa and eastern Nebraska.
2023
For the first time, Agemark takes on management-only agreements, starting first with three Sage properties: Sage Glendale in Glendale, CA, Sage Mountain in Thousand Oaks, CA, and Kingston Bay in Fresno, CA. These additions substantially increase our California footprint.
2023
Symphony Pointe opens in West Omaha and offers Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care. With the opening of our first true Independent Living community, we look to continuously improve and put ourselves in a position to serve seniors for the foreseeable future.
2024
Two more communities, The Terraces at Via Verde and Sunol Creek Memory Care, both become managed by Agemark, bringing our total number of communities to 28, including 10 in California!
2025
Our company refreshes our Vision, Mission, and Values – giving all employees of our company a common purpose and setting ourselves up for growth and success for the foreseeable future.