About Us

The team behind Encore Communities cares deeply about our residents and their caregivers because of our direct and varied professional experience in the assisted living field.

Our Corporate Leadership

Mark Hansen, Co-founder, President and CEO

Mark Hansen is a co-founder of Santé. Mr. Hansen has specialized in senior housing and healthcare since 1995. Mr. Hansen assembled the team, business plan and financial backing for the startup of Santé. Prior to founding Santé in 2008, he developed and completed Medicare and Medicaid strategic financial analyses, feasibility studies, market analyses, strategic community planning, valuations and development programming for senior housing and healthcare properties for over 15 years. He worked closely with large senior housing and healthcare operators in strategic development and operation initiatives for senior housing and healthcare communities throughout the United States. At the University of Oregon, Mr. Hansen graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting.

Sterling E. Short, Co-Founder and VP of Strategy

Sterling Short is a co-founder of Santé, a company created by partners who share a vision to revolutionize the senior housing and health care industry through the creation of innovative services and communities that focus on the dignity and improved quality of life for seniors.
As the Vice President of Strategic Planning, Sterling oversees the tactical business plan for Santé from the creation of new state-of-the-art facilities to creation of a complete post-acute care delivery networks under Santé Care Connect in all of the markets we serve. Under his leadership and business plan, Santé became an Awardee Convenor under the Bundled Payment Care Improvement Model 3 Program administered by the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services. This program continues to propel Santé as an industry leader in post-acute care providing Santé a substantial competitive advantage over its competitors as well as securing Santé’s future in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
Sterling has specialized in senior housing and healthcare since 1993. As a principal of Tellatin, Short & Hansen, Inc., a leading valuation and consulting firm specializing in seniors housing and healthcare since 1984, he provided consulting services on more than 1,500 market study, feasibility and valuation assignments throughout United States. Mr. Short is designated as an MAI by the Appraisal Institute.
In 1987, Mr. Short earned his undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and English, from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri.

Jacob Schaefer, Chief Financial Officer

Jacob Schaefer was the first employee at Santé when it was founded in 2008. As Chief Financial Officer, Jacob provides the company with financial guidance, manages debt and equity relationships, and is integral in looking at new opportunities for company growth. He has a thorough understanding of real estate financial analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, market analysis, and a variety of financing programs (including HUD). Jacob’s knowledge and hard work coupled with his drive to uphold Santé’s goal of providing seniors with access to the highest quality care has contributed strongly to placing Santé as a leader in the seniors housing and healthcare industry.