Asbury Communities, Sodexo Hire Key Players in Joint Business Development Plan

Asbury Communities, Inc. and Sodexo recently announced a joint business development plan in an effort to identify and develop services that will provide exceptional lifestyle opportunities for older adults. As part of the agreement, the two companies announced that Sandra Hegelein Lawson will serve as the chief strategic alliances and growth officer, and Michael Hollen will serve as vice president of business development.

Lawson will lead Asbury’s strategic growth initiative across the Asbury system. She previously served as Director of business development for Sodexo Seniors North America, managing a region including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.

Hollen will work to identify major business opportunities, drive innovation and create new partnerships and collaborating opportunities with continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and Asbury business partners. He will lead market analysis to grow the business and enhance Asbury Communities’ brand reputation. Hollen was vice president of operations at Sodexo, responsible for the company’s seniors business portfolio.

Asbury is a not-for-profit, multi-site Senior Living organization. Sodexo is a French food services and facilities management company.

Memory Care America Appoints Regional Director

Memory Care America, the Nashville, Tennessee-based developer and operator of memory care communities throughout the South, promoted Linda Carrasco, executive director of Memory Care of Westover Hills in San Antonio, Texas, to regional director of operations for the company overall.

In her new position, Carrasco will be responsible for all of the company’s memory care communities in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and South Carolina. She joined Memory Care America in 2014 and has 20 years of senior living industry experience.

“Linda has proven to be an extraordinary asset for Memory Care America,” CEO Mike Gould said in a news release. “Her experience in the industry is obvious, as are her talents. But her ability to inspire, encourage and lead her teammates is invaluable.”

The Blake at Carnes Crossroads Announces New Hires

Blake Management Group announced the hires of Kathryn Daugherty as executive director and Stephanie Crane as director of sales at The Blake at Carnes Crossroads in Summerville, South Carolina.

Daugherty has spent practically her whole life with senior living, beginning volunteering at an assisted living community at the age of 8. Throughout her career, she’s held roles ranging from activities assistant and director of sales to executive director.

Crane also volunteered as a child at a nursing home where her mother worked as a nurse, and went on to work for the Gaston County Department of Social Services. She remained in senior care ever since.

The Blake at Carnes Crossroads is expected to open in summer 2017. Blake Management Group is a privately owned senior living management company which operates all Blake communities in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and South Carolina.

Wingate Healthcare Chooses New Marketing Director at Rhode Island Community

Wingate Healthcare chose Lori Zito as director of sales and marketing at Wingate Residences on Blackstone Boulevard, a senior living community in Providence, Rhode Island.

Zito has more than 20 years of experience in health care, and most recently served as program manager at a Rhode Island home health organization. She also previously served as a director of community relations for a retirement community, and worked for the Alzheimer’s Association. In her new role, she will work closely with local professionals to coordinate educational presentations and other events as part of outreach to the local community, and help prospective residents and their families make the transition to assisted living.

Wingate Residences on Blackstone Boulevard provides a full spectrum of care, including short-term rehabilitation, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care.

Dominion Senior Living of Hixson Welcomes 5 Key Directors

Dominion Senior Living of Hixson, located in Hixson, Tennessee, welcomed several key members to its director team: Becky Paris as business office director; Fred Boettcher as maintenance director; Jade Alsobrook as life enrichment director; Kara Gonder, LPN, as wellness director; and Mark Shrum as dining services director.

All newly appointed directors have experience in senior living, and will work together to collaborate to fulfill the daily mental, physical and spiritual needs of each resident at the community.

Dominion Senior Living of Hixson is a faith-based senior living community offering 32 assisted living and 32 memory care apartments.

Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation Selects New Executive Director at Texas Community

Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation (SQLC) selected Mike Lucas as executive director of Mirador, a full-service, nonprofit life care community located in Corpus Christi, Texas.

“We are excited to have Mike take on this role,” SQLC President and CEO Stan Waterhouse said in a news release. “He is uniquely qualified to lead our community, and he brings 15 years of experience in senior living to this position. Mike leads by example, and he demonstrates his passion for serving our residents and team members each and every day. His dedication and expertise will ensure that the residents and their families, as well as the team members, have an excellent experience at Mirador.”

Solaris Senior Living Names Executive Director

Solaris Senior Living, an assisted living facility located in Merritt Island, Florida, named Evelyn Nunez Cruz as executive director.

Nunez Cruz began her career in skilled nursing, and previously served as an assistant executive director for Allegro. She has nine years of experience leading care teams.

“I’m very excited to join a tenured team that has the experience, the dedication and the heart to offer exemplary care to our residents,” she said in a news release.

Written by Kourtney Liepelt

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