Meet Carol
Executive Director
The executive director, along with our friendly and professional staff, strives to create positive, stimulating ways for residents to continue living life with meaning and purpose. We are a friendly family where we treat residents like real people with real life stories.
Our community is a great story that includes heartwarming chapters and incredibly unique characters all in a wonderful setting. Here is the executive director’s story:
In what ways do your residents inspire you?
As a child, my grandmother lived with us for a number of years before she died. I thought she was the most interesting person and I learned so much from her. Just like her, I think our seniors have such wonderful stories to share and insights into life. We just need to make the time to listen and learn from all their valuable knowledge.
How do you honor your residents at your community?
I try to always have a smile and a hug for them. A lot of times I do not have the one-on-one with the residents that I would like, but a kind word says so much. I believe I get more back from them than they get when they return that kind word with a smile. If they only knew what a blessing they are.
Tell us about a resident with a remarkable life story?
Last year we had a man move in who had dedicated his life to being a missionary to Africa. He raised his three sons in Africa on the meager amount of income that was paid him by the Southern Baptist Convention Foreign Mission Board. However, he and his wife were able to educate all three of their sons in the states. Today, two are medical doctors and the third is one of our local judges in Rome. He continues to be such an inspiration to all he comes in contact with.
Tell us about a resident whose life changed for the better once they moved to your community.
A few years ago we had a resident who moved in reluctantly. She told me that the saddest day of her life would be the day she sold her home. Well she finally sold her home after she had been here a few months. When she came back from the closing she came by my office with arms raised and rocking back and forth in joy she said "I’m not crying...and I wouldn’t move back home if I could." She is now one of our ambassadors and always sings our praises.
How long have you worked in the retirement industry?
Twenty plus years. I have worked with both the elderly and mentally disabled in the assisted living setting, and as a consultant with other communities in management and compliance.
What do you like best about your job?
It’s never boring. Each day has its own set of new challenges and rewards. And each challenge has its own set of opportunities for personal growth. I love seeing how people’s lives can be impacted by the presence we have in their lives whether it be our residents or our staff.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
I have always loved music and took private piano and voice lessons for a number of years. But recently I have had the awesome opportunity to be able to work individually with an amazing lady from the Czech Republic who was a well-known opera performer all over Europe. It is so important that we continue to develop ourselves as individuals and carve out time to be able to do that.
If you could meet one person, past or present, who would it be and why?
There are so many people who I think have impacted my life through the years, however, I would really love to be able to meet the Apostle Paul. His love for others was so great that he was willing to sacrifice his life for them. If we could share just a little of his compassion and understanding for those we come in contact with on a daily basis our world would be changed forever.
What’s your favorite movie and why?
I don’t watch many movies and I can’t tell you the last time that I did. However, one that I would always make time for is "Where Eagles Dare." I loved the actors but more so the beautiful scenery.
What’s your favorite dish or dessert and why?
No question about it… MY homemade chocolate meringue pie.
In what ways do your employees inspire you?
Some of our employees have such needs in their lives, such as trying to raise children as a single parent; to being in the reverse role of taking care of an elderly parent; to not knowing how they are going to buy gas to get to work until payday. Just being able to observe the interaction that they have with our residents and the genuine smiles on their faces is an inspiration to me every day, especially knowing their home situations.
How do you create a family-like atmosphere at your community?
Just the general arrangement of our community lends to the feeling of a family-like atmosphere, but our employees are the real reason that our community is a family. They treat our residents as one of their grandparents and the love is returned to them many fold. When one of the residents is sick, they care. When one of the staff is out the residents are concerned about them. This is what being a family is all about.
Tell us about an employee who embodies one of our core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, professionalism or teamwork.
Wow. There are so many I can’t begin to name one. But one story just sticks out. We had a resident who volunteered at one of our local hospitals one day a week. She still drove her car and would leave about 6:30 a.m. on her appointed day. Soon after the resident moved in, one of our faithful employees started noticing the resident leaving. Not wanting her to go into the dark and cold, the employee started going after the resident’s car, getting the ice off the windshield and bringing it to the front door for her.
At Horizon Bay, we understand that deciding where to live is a big decision that deserves careful thought. We invite you to visit us, stop by for lunch or be a guest at one of our special events or classes. We look forward to meeting you.