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Top 18 Companies to Watch in Colorado
The Denver Rocky Mountain News
January 7, 2001
by Micheal Perrault
Micheal Schonbrun shares happy hour with residents at Balfour
Denver's recent emergence as a high-tech "convergence corridor" has put the spotlight on tele-communications and technology firms. But they aren't the only companies making their mark on the local economy.
As the financial landscape shifts, established Old Economy companies such as Forest Oil are joining New Economy upstarts such as UnitedGlobalCom on the Denver Rocky Mountain News' third annual list of the area's Top 18 companies to watch during the coming year.
Denver's growing reputation as a mutual fund mecca is represented by Lipper Inc. and Invesco Funds. A booming real estate market has put Oakwood Homes and The Etkin Johnson Group on the list. And so are the high-tech firms — from broadband network builder Aerie Networks to online retailer KBKids.com to Web site monitoring firm Freshwater Software.
The one thing tying these businesses together is their potential for making great strides during the coming year. Michael Schonbrun, founder of Louisville-based Balfour Senior Care, bristles at the notions of "warehousing" seniors in a stodgy, sterile environment, impersonal care and other negative perceptions about nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
So the former chief executive officer of National Jewish Medical and Research Center and health-policy adviser to three governors has devoted himself to creating a senior-care environment that breaks the nursing-home mold.
As president and chief executive officer of Balfour Senior Care, Schonbrun oversaw the building of Balfour Retirement Community of Boulder County, which opened in May 1999.
Balfour features a comfortable and accessible design, and it strives to offer a homelike atmosphere, good food and interesting and stimulating physical, mental and social activities.
Many residents in the Villa assisted-living wing have dogs, cats or birds, are plugged into the Internet and tap into Balfour's book club and current-events discussions. Residents mingle at the lounge and are treated to an environment where "never stop growing" is the philosophy. At Balfour, men and women fall in love and become an item.
The community is situated on four acres in a country estate-like setting. Its design features a common dining room, arts and crafts facilities, a workout room and spa-Jacuzzi, outdoor ponds, gardens and a library.
But what makes Balfour different transcends its physical attributes. Schonbrun's vision and the mind-set of his staff is to tear down physical and imaginary lines that divide skilled nursing care, assisted living and independent living to offer a "continuum" of care that allows residents to grow old with friends, neighbors and staff.
"People don't always know, when they are moving into a senior community, which level of care they need, much less what they might need six months later," Schonbrun said.