Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Funke.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I arrived San Luis Obispo area purely by chance, but upon arrival I knew I discovered a very special area of the world. At the time I was still playing basketball after college and pursuing my professional dreams. I had also recently suffered an injury and decided it was time to consider a new place to call home.
Within weeks of my injury I received a phone call from a former college teammate asking me to help with after school basketball programs. At that time schools across California were facing budget cuts. This meant many schools were unable to open their gym to students for much needed mentoring, gatherings, and practices. For several years I traveled up and down the coast of California hosting camps, clinics, and coaching youth club basketball.
During this time I found my voice for public speaking. I was no longer just an athlete with a business degree, I was engaging with thousands of people throughout the year and mentoring the next generation as a business owner & operator. Eventually I was called to serve another demographic, and that was senior citizens.
I began in the senior living industry about 12 years ago. After flipping a few houses in Fresno during the off-season I thought deeply about my newly discovered purpose: servant leadership. Senior living was a perfect fit. My first stint at the community level began as a sales assistant. Within my first year, I quickly stepped into a role of marketing director and that community reached 100% occupancy for the first time in its 15 year history.
Since that experience I have done many things in the industry including consulting, opening new developments, mergers & acquisitions, and even funding projects. All of these skills honed through the years led my to where I am now.
I remember during COVID I praying for a position with deep spiritual purpose. Eventually, about three and a half years ago I received a phone call from Oakview Village. They were looking for someone to help them join and save their non-profit ministry that’s been around since 1957. Today I sit on the 15 acre campus located in Atascadero, CA as the current CEO, and after many years of 10-12 hour days we have completely reinvigorated and remodeled the campus.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This position required incredible endurance and faith. It was not easy but there was always help and hope along the way, especially in the form of good people.
There were many unexpected issues that came up along the way, especially during construction. Such as an unanticipated kitchen remodel requirement to pass health inspection.
Another overreaching challenge was that the previous leaders of the organization gave away so much of the bottom line that campus wide “deferred maintenance” was required. It was hard to determine where to start. Choices had to be made about what would stay and what would have to go; as well as where to start.
During the construction phase there were several new surprises everyday.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Oakview Village was founded in 1957.
We are an Independent Senior Living Community set upon a 15 acre campus near Atascadero Lake on Santa Rosa Road. We are a faith-based non-profit ministry. We have several private 2-bedroom cottages which is unique for the area, beautiful newly renovated apartments, studios, a grand dining room, a lounge, club house, salon and more. We offer 3 meals a day, house keeping, laundry, activities and transportation.
What makes us unique is our 15 acres outdoor setting and the people. There is no shortage of sunshine, wildlife, and good cheer among campus here.
One day the son of the founder came into my office and without much introduction he asked me, “Do you want to know what you’re doing here?”
From our discussions over the last few years I can imagine this man, that is now in his 80’s, as the boy he was back in the 50’s, sitting in the backseat of his parents car while they picked up “the homeless, the orphans, and the widows.” The goal then was to bring people together and to find a “safe place” to stay. So ultimately this was the motivation from our original founders. As the CEO, it is important to me that we honor that mission with these humble beginning in mind with a great honor to our roots in the community.
As an organization we set our cornerstones as “Love | Respect | Meaning | Excellence.” And it is from this basis that we govern ourselves in how we serve and lead.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
At the end of the day I want to know I made a positive impact in the world, no matter how large or small. I want to make the world a better place and I find tremendous meaning within that pursuit.
June of next year will be our 70th anniversary and I have been here only about 5% of that total timeframe. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of something greater than myself.
Pricing:
- from $2,500 – $6,500 per unit
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oakview.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakviewVillageCSL
