At Premier Senior Living we love what we do because our number one priority is the care of our residents, and it shows! We constantly strive to exceed our residents’ and their families’ expectations. Our Executive Team has over 100 years of combined experience in assisted living with expertise in the areas of Operations, Finance, and Dietary. Our involvement in the industry spans numerous Assisted Living / Memory Care organizations like the New York State Life Care Community Council, Empire State Association of Assisted Living (ESAAL), and the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) just to name a few.
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Wayne Kaplan
Wayne, a co-founder and managing member of Premier Senior Living, has over 30 years of extensive experience in seniors’ housing.
He has spent much of that time as Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Kapson Senior Quarters Corp. (later called Atria), an assisted living and memory care provider, which went from being a small privately held business to a public company subsequently bought out by a Wall Street investment bank and then taken private again. Wayne was instrumental in building, operating, and swiftly growing the diversified Kapson business into a pioneering, tight niche, profitable entity with 15 locations, 1,000 employees, and an industry-wide reputation for quality and the creation of best practices. At Premier Senior Living, Wayne focuses on the optimization of the day-to-day operations of the company to promote revenue, profitability and growth. As such, he oversees the company’s operations to insure efficiency, quality, service and cost effective management of resources.
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Wayne received his law degree from the George Washington University School of Law and also received his undergraduate degree in Business from the University of Rhode Island.
Robert P. Borsody
Bob Borsody is a co-founder and managing member of Premier Senior Living, with his business partner Wayne Kaplan.
Bob heads up the company’s financial and acquisition operations and directs the Finance Department in managing the financial operations of the company’s properties, including required reporting to lenders, investors, and debt guarantors (including HUD) to insure adequate and timely payment of debt service, returns to investors and compliance with all covenants. Bob also sources and assesses additional acquisitions for the company. For the properties currently owned by Premier as well as those under consideration for acquisition, Bob supervises the preparation of all appropriate and necessary legal documents, identifies and negotiates appropriate terms and conditions with and concludes all necessary agreements with financing sources. Bob also heads up the due diligence review prior to any acquisition.
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Bob’s public service positions have included the New York State Council on Health Care Financing (N.Y.S. Assembly Speaker appointee) from 1978 to present; the New York Statewide Health Coordinating Council (N.Y.S. Governor appointee); member of the Advisory Panel on Regulation and Competition in the Health Care Industry to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Health and the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust.
He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of New York City, and has held memberships on the following boards: Board of Directors of the New York Business Group on Health (Chairman of the Board from 1984 to 1987); Board of Directors – Health Law Project, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (a federally funded national health law reform program); and the Board of Trustees of the Dominican Sisters Family Health Services, Inc.
Bob received his Law Degree from the University of Virginia Law School and also received his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia.
Mercedes Andrus
For more than twenty years, Mercedes Andrus has distinguished herself in the field of assisted living and memory care. Mercedes is the Chief Operating Officer of Premier Senior Living.
She has over 20 years of experience in all areas of Long Term Care and has worked with Mr. Kaplan for over 20 years at Kapson Senior Quarters, Atria and Premier. She is an assisted living expert with a strong focus on quality care. She has designed and implemented policies to increase productivity and has extensive experience in determining and implementing detailed budget goals utilizing sophisticated cost tracking tools.
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Mercedes has successfully implemented Assisted Living, Adult Home, Enriched Housing Programs, Licensed Home Care Agencies, Social and Medical Day Programs, and Mental Health Programs. She has strong qualifications in quality assurance, strategic planning, project development, finances, human resources, and capital improvements.
Mercedes’ professional affiliations include: Empire State Association of Assisted Living member since 2001, Assisted Living Services Committee member since 2008, and past President of Broome County Assisted Living Board.
Mercedes received her Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration from the New School for Social Research and also received a Bachelor of Science in Community and Human Services from the State University of New York, Empire State College.
Stephanie White CPA
Stephanie is the Chief Financial Officer for Premier Senior Living. She is in charge of all financial, treasury, reporting and audit functions.
She is a CPA with over 25 years’ experience in accounting, most recently including 11 years in senior living. She oversees the financial accounting, the budgeting process, HR/MIS and directs the financial analysis and training for the company. She has broad experience in accounting process improvement, acquisition integration, department start up and training in the senior living environment. Stephanie also directs and oversees the financial aspects of evaluating, financing and acquiring new properties including due diligence, forecasts and modeling, and valuation. After new communities are brought on board she oversees and executes the integration of the accounting, technology, banking and reporting of the new property.
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Stephanie graduated Magna Cum Laude with her B.A. in Accounting from Midwestern State University and is a licensed CPA.
Dawn Bare
Dawn Bare is Premier Senior Living’s National Sales and Marketing Director. She has over 12 years of experience in marketing senior housing and health care facilities.
Ms. Bare’s main goal is to assist each of Premier’s communities in meeting and exceeding occupancy and revenue goals by developing and implementing effective sales and marketing campaigns as well as internal marketing and tracking systems.
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Ms. Bare’s past experience includes being the Executive Director of Premier’s Summit at New Port Richey, an assisted living and memory care community; the Senior Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for Elmcroft Assisted Living where she oversaw the sales teams and training initiatives for 32 communities in 10 states; and the Marketing Specialist for the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Tampa, FL.
Lura Engel Divisional VP of Operations
Lura Engel, LPN, is the Divisional VP of Operations for Premier and has over 10 years of experience as an Executive Director and nurse in assisted living & memory care communities as well as nursing homes.
As such, she oversees all programs necessary to support company-wide consistent standards of quality healthcare and services and regulatory compliance. Ms. Engel implements initiatives with the Wellness Directors while maintaining a professional, supportive and positive working relationship with each designated community. She prioritizes the needs of each individual community and gives on-site support accordingly.
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Ms. Engel was previously the Executive Director of Premier’s Westbrook Assisted Living and Memory Care facility in Upper Sandusky, OH. Prior to that, she was the Nursing Supervisor, Unit Manager and Wound Nurse at the Kenton Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Kenton, OH, and was the Staff Nurse at the Fairhaven Community in Upper Sandusky, OH, where she provided residential and assisted living services as well as skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.
Ms. Engel received her Practical Nursing degree from Brown Mackie College.
Jennifer Martin
Ms. Martin is the National Director of Dining, Purchasing and Quality Assurance for all Premier Senior Living communities. She is responsible for the planning, organizing, directing, and staffing of all Premier Dietary Departments, ensuring quality of both food and service.
Ms. Martin oversees the preparation and serving of regular meals and therapeutic diets that reflect the likes and dislikes of Premier’s residents, as well as Health Department regulations. Ms. Martin works with staff in the development of food and nutrition goals and objectives which provide cost effective services that meet established guidelines of nutrition and sanitation.
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Ms. Martin has over 35 years of experience in the food service field. She started her career as a dietary hostess. Ms. Martin received her Certified Food Service Director degree while working for the Presbyterian Homes of Western New York. After completing her degree, she became the Food Service Director at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Home near Buffalo. After 10 years, she was promoted to Director for the Dining Departments for both the St. Luke’s and the St. Andrews Facilities. She worked for Presbyterian Homes for 25 years before coming to Premier Senior Living to expand her expertise.
Kathleen Hooker Director of Human Resources and Risk Management
Kathleen Hooker is the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management. Kathleen reports directly to Stephanie White, CFO of Premier Senior Living LLC.
Kathleen is responsible for managing all Human Resources activities and maintaining compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements. Additionally, she is responsible for all matters related to corporate and employee insurance. She collaborates with community directors to support the hiring, training and ongoing support of the community Business Office Managers and Executive Directors.
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Kathleen Hooker is a licensed Assisted Living Administrator with over 25 years of experience in accounting, human resources and marketing in the banking, advertising and publishing industries providing a varied background of experience. Kathleen joined Premier Senior Living four years ago as the Business Office Manager of Summit at New Port Richey Assisted Living and Memory Care and was subsequently promoted to the Executive Director of the New Port Richey facility. Kathleen has served as a controller and general manager for over 20 years in many industries. She has participated in the ERP software conversions in two agencies. As General Manager of Club Marketing, Inc., Kathleen managed the accounts of such clients as Toll Brothers, Troon Golf and other exclusive Golf and Country Club properties throughout the United States. As General Manager of Sullivan Advertising Group, Inc., Kathleen worked with BIC® and other specialty marketing companies. Her tenures with other advertising houses includes work with McDonalds, Twentieth Century Fox, MGM Studio, and Wellcraft Boats. Kathleen also has six years of experience in the banking industry. Kathleen graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL and obtained her MBA from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.
Chris Mayer Controller
Chris Mayer is the Controller for Premier Senior Living, LLC. He is responsible for managing the company’s accounting functions. Chris reports to the Chief Financial Officer to ensure the alignment of all financial aspects of Premier Senior Living, LLC.
Chris is a CPA with over 10 years’ experience in managing company accounting functions that include revenue and expense analysis, monitoring accounts payable and accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, financial reporting and overseeing audits. He also coordinates financial activities between the corporate home office and community business office teams. Chris works closely with the CFO to ensure appropriate cash and asset management, and coordination of budgets. He is responsible for the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures. Chris is an asset as he contributes his book of knowledge to the continued growth of Premier Senior Living, LLC.
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Previously, Chris worked for eight years as an Accounting Manager with Emeritus Senior Living (recently purchased by Brookdale Senior Living). He managed all aspects of the monthly accounting close for all assisted living communities. While at Emeritus Senior Living, he was a key participant in the implementation of a new ERP system, managed the post-close accounting process for several large acquisitions and was responsible for overseeing multiple aspects of the annual public company audit. Chris also briefly worked in the hospitality industry but has spent the majority of his career in the assisted living realm. He also served as the Accounting Manager for Wyndham Vacation Ownership and was responsible for the coordination and supervision of the monthly close process for all vacation resorts, management companies and HOAs, as well as the subsequent production of all financial statements and board packages.
Chris Mayer received his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Western Washington University and is a licensed CPA in the state of Washington.
Amy Hasak Divisional VP of Operations
Amy Hasak is the Divisional VP of Operations for Premier Senior Living. She reports to the COO and provides support and guidance to Executive Directors in our communities.
She is responsible for overseeing the 24- hour operations of our 22 locations and ensures compliance with regulations. Whether it is an Assisted Living, Memory Care or Villa community, Amy is a resource and a bank of knowledge to our community leaders and directors.
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Amy began her career in the healthcare industry when she was just 16 years old. She has been in leadership positions for the past 15 years. Amy’s past experience includes operating facilities with a minimum of 100 beds. She spent part of her career working for Emeritus Senior Living, a large national assisted living provider. Prior to becoming the Director of Operations for Premier Senior Living, LLC, Amy served as the Executive Director at Hampshire House, our community in the lush valleys of Oneonta, NY.
Amy received her BA in Gerontology from State University at Cortland, her Masters in Social Work and her PhD in Behavioral Studies from Canyon University.