HopeWest, a leading nonprofit healthcare organization serving Colorado’s Western Slope, is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Schoomaker as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Schoomaker succeeds former HopeWest CFO of 26-years, Sarah Walsh, who is transitioning into an accounting role.
Schoomaker, a Colorado native with a strong background in finance and a passion for healthcare, brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to HopeWest. His journey to this pivotal role has been marked by academic excellence, professional achievement, and a dedication to community service.
Schoomaker was born in Colorado but spent most of his childhood days in Fort Worth, Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio and a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. After successfully passing the CPA exam, he embarked on his professional career in public accounting in 2010 as a financial statement auditor with KPMG in Dallas, Texas. In 2013, he sought a change of pace and moved to Denver, Colorado, where he continued to develop his skills as an auditor and consultant with EKS&H (now Plante Moran). In 2018, Peter made a significant shift in his career when he became the Controller for Care Synergy – a network of nonprofit community-based hospice, home health, and palliative care organizations serving Colorado’s Front Range.
Driven by a desire for continued professional growth and a deep commitment to healthcare, Schoomaker relocated to Grand Junction in October 2023 to assume the role of Chief Financial Officer at HopeWest. He is deeply passionate about their mission to profoundly change the experience of aging, illness, and grief – one family at a time.
His unique perspective sets him apart from other accounting and finance professionals. He favors letters over numbers, Microsoft Word over Microsoft Excel, books over calculators, and philosophy over calculus. Beyond his professional pursuits, he enjoys hiking, golfing, and spending quality time with his wife and three children.
Schoomaker’s appointment as CFO has garnered praise from within the organization. HopeWest President & CEO, Cassie Mitchell, expressed her excitement by saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Peter to the HopeWest team. His financial acumen, dedication to our mission, and passion for our community make him the ideal leader to guide our financial operations. We also voice deep gratitude to Sarah, who has served HopeWest and our mission so committedly for 26 years.”
Schoomaker himself is eager to contribute to the mission and growth of HopeWest. He stated, “It is truly an honor to be given the opportunity to serve in a leadership position for an organization with such an outstanding reputation, in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. I am thrilled to join this outstanding leadership team in efforts to ensure HopeWest continues to provide exceptional care to its community now and well into the future.”
With Schoomaker as its new Chief Financial Officer, HopeWest is poised for continued success in delivering compassionate and comprehensive bereavement, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), hospice, and palliative care services to the Western Slope of Colorado.
For more information about HopeWest and its services, please visit www.hopewestco.org.
About HopeWest:
HopeWest provides compassionate support and comprehensive care to individuals and families facing the challenges of aging, serious illness, or grief. With a 30-year commitment to serving our communities in western Colorado, our team is here to help shoulder the burden of extreme health and end-of-life situations. Our wide-ranging programs encompass grief support for adults and children, hospice care, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and palliative care, reflecting our unwavering dedication to enhancing the quality of life for those we serve.
PRESS RELEASE
Submitted to the Herald
