HELENA, Mont. — Joe May has assumed the position of Executive Director of Touchmark on Saddle Drive, replacing Executive Director Steve Nistler. Nistler will return to his role as Vice President of Business Development for Touchmark. For the past three years, Nistler and May have worked closely together as May advanced through a variety of positions, including Retirement Counseling, Human Resources, Dining Services and Health Services, providing him with firsthand experience running a Touchmark community
Nistler played a pivotal role in the creation of Touchmark. Upon graduating from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, he went to work for Arthur Andersen in Portland, Oregon. The brother of Touchmark Founder and Chairman Werner G. Nistler, Jr., he joined Touchmark in 1982 as Corporate Controller/Treasurer, and for the past 36 years has helped to shape the company — including suggesting the name Touchmark.
In 1984, Nistler moved to Helena and along with several partners (including Touchmark), purchased a 60-unit apartment complex in Helena, which he managed. He also worked for Anderson Zurmuehlen.
In 1993, Nistler coordinated the purchase and development of the bare land in Helena, which is now Touchmark on Saddle Drive. He then served as Executive Director until 2005, when he focused on Touchmark’s business development. In 2015, he again assumed the role of Executive Director.
May grew up in Great Falls, Montana, where he was involved in many community activities, school, sports and volunteering at local retirement communities. An interest and talent in music led him to pursue a degree in Music Education from Montana State University-Bozeman. Upon graduating, he taught K-8 music in Eureka, Montana. After he was married, he and his wife moved to Great Falls, where he taught high school band, choir, orchestra and middle school choir.
While teaching, May studied for and received his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from MSU-Bozeman, influencing the path that would lead him to work at -more- Touchmark. Although he enjoyed teaching, he decided to make a career change, and he and his family moved to Helena to begin working in the retirement field.
“Joe’s skills in coaching and relating with people, coupled with his recent experience and dedication to excellence and service, are a good fit in his new role,” says Nistler.
May is excited about his new position. “I have enjoyed working here and developing relationships with residents and their families; it has been a very rewarding experience. I look forward to many years with Touchmark,” he says.