An accountant, consultant and controller with experience in health care has been hired as the new chief financial officer of HopeWest based in Grand Junction.

Peter Schoomaker succeeds Sarah Walsh, who served 26 years before transitioning into an accounting role.

“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,” said Cassie Mitchell, president and chief executive officer. “We also voice deep gratitude to Sarah, who has served HopeWest and our mission so commitedly for 26 years.”

Schoomaker said he’s excited about his new role. “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’m 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.”

Schoomaker began his career in public accounting as a financial statement auditor with KPMG in Dallas. He subsequently worked as an auditor and consultant with Plante Moran in Denver. In 2018, he became controller for Care Synergy, a network of nonprofit, community based hospice, home health and palliative care organizations serving the Front Range. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Trinity University in San Antonio and master’s degree in accounting from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.