Our Leadership Team

Barmi Akbar, Chief Executive Officer

As the CEO, Barmi draws upon his extensive background in finance and operations to spearhead innovative growth strategies, facilitating the expansion into new products, markets, and services. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Barmi is an expert in all facets of senior living, including finance, operations, development, consulting, and mergers and acquisitions.

Renowned for his astute ability to identify opportunities and execute strategies that prioritize quality and operational excellence, Barmi has left an indelible mark in the senior living space. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the conception, establishment, and financing of the pioneering Ganzhorn Suites. His leadership was instrumental in bringing the Ganzhorn Suites to the market and propelling the venture to unprecedented success.

In 2016, Barmi assumed the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Senior Living Division of a prominent Fortune 500 healthcare services company. Later, he ascended to the role of Chief Executive Officer of Pennsylvania's largest post-acute care provider, where he further demonstrated his adeptness in driving organizational growth and performance.

Driven by a fervent commitment to quality and innovation, Barmi returned to The Ganzhorn Suites team as CEO in 2022, driven by the opportunity to continue pushing boundaries and redefining standards in senior living. In 2023, he transitioned into the role of CEO of Continental Senior Communities, where he demonstrated his visionary leadership and adeptness in driving organizational growth and performance. His return to Ganzhorn Suites and subsequent leadership at Continental Senior Communities underscore his unwavering dedication to the mission and values of both organizations, ensuring their continued success and impact in the industry.

Nic Thieman, Chief Financial Officer

As CFO, Nic harnesses his extensive expertise spanning over 15 years in finance, accounting, audit, and operations within industry-leading companies to nurture and direct high-performing teams. With a proven track record in both publicly traded and private equity-owned enterprises, he excels in driving top-line growth, expanding margins, enhancing growth, and optimizing processes. Nic's proficiency extends to forging strategic partnerships, crafting innovative strategies, and making well-informed decisions that propel organizational success. 

Nic Thieman is an accomplished financial executive with over 15 years of experience across a diverse range of corporate settings, including publicly traded, private equity-backed, and privately held corporations. As the Chief Financial Officer, Nic brings a wealth of expertise in finance, accounting, investor relations, audit, and strategy to his role.

Throughout his career, Nic has demonstrated a keen ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and drive strategic decision-making that enhances organizational performance and growth. His extensive background in public accounting has equipped him with a deep understanding of financial regulations and reporting standards, ensuring compliance and transparency in all financial operations.

Nic's leadership in investor relations has been instrumental in fostering strong relationships with stakeholders and effectively communicating financial performance and growth prospects. His strategic insights and analytical acumen have been pivotal in guiding business strategy and identifying opportunities for operational efficiency and growth. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), his unwavering dedication to excellence and passion for delivering top-tier quality in senior living solidify his role as a pivotal leader, steering the financial future of our dynamic and superior senior living communities.

Jody Linton, LNHA, CADDCT, CDP, Director of Operations

With over 31 years of senior living operations experience, Jody began her career in memory care, where she swiftly rose from managing Alzheimer’s and dementia programs to assuming the role of Corporate Director of Alzheimer’s Services, overseeing memory care units nationwide. 

Transitioning to managing diverse healthcare facilities, including skilled nursing, long-term care, and assisted living communities, Jody’s adept leadership resulted in numerous deficiency-free surveys, exceptional team retention, expert fiscal management, and exceptional patient and family satisfaction. Her comprehensive expertise encompasses design and development, policy creation, recruitment, and operational excellence in all levels of care. As a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT®), Jody is uniquely positioned to ensure communities’ flourish.

In 2015, Jody’s unwavering dedication to the senior living field led her to The Ganzhorn Suites where she played a pivotal role in opening and operating The Ganzhorn Suites specialized memory care communities. Her extensive background in operations and programming, both regionally and nationally, underscores her expertise in all facets of senior living operations, including startups, finance, regulatory compliance, and performance ensuring quality care for all residents. Additionally, Jody is adept at coaching and mentoring teams to achieve their utmost potential.

Karena Tripp, RN, Director of Clinical and Wellness

Karena Tripp is a clinical professional with a 28-year tenure in the senior living industry. As a Registered Nurse, Karena brings a wealth of clinical expertise and leadership expertise to our team.

Throughout her senior living journey, Karena has held diverse positions spanning from a floor nurse to Chief Nursing Officer and Corporate Director of Clinical and Wellness. Her extensive background encompasses roles such as Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing, Regional Clinical Support, and Senior Director of Risk and Regulatory.

As an expert clinician, Karena is renowned for her commitment to upholding the highest standards of practice and ensuring quality care for all her residents. She possesses comprehensive knowledge of senior living clinical operations, risk management, and quality assurance protocols, enabling her to implement effective strategies for enhancing care and service delivery.

Karena’s multifaceted skill set extends beyond clinical expertise to encompass teaching, training, coaching, and mentoring her team. She is dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development, empowering her colleagues to excel in their roles and deliver exceptional care to residents.

Driven by her passion for elevating standards of care in senior living communities, Karena remains at the forefront of innovation and best practices in the industry. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and her profound impact on the lives of seniors and their families underscore her status as a respected leader and advocate within the senior care community.

Beth Mockler, Director of Sales

With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the senior living industry, Beth Mockler brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Director of Sales. Her areas of specialization encompass admissions, marketing, community relations, sales pipeline management, sales enablement, turnaround projects, new business development, strategic partnerships, coaching, mentoring, and team leadership.

Throughout her career journey, Beth has held various pivotal positions, including sales counselor, regional director of sales and marketing, and corporate director of sales. Her passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve drives her commitment to excellence in every aspect of her work.

Beth’s proven track record is underscored by her ability to drive high occupancy growth and achieve remarkable results in sales and marketing initiatives. She excels in cultivating strategic partnerships, implementing effective sales strategies, and fostering a collaborative team environment focused on delivering exceptional service and care.

As Director of Sales, Beth is dedicated to leveraging her experience and passion for senior living to drive growth, build lasting relationships, and make a positive impact on the lives of residents and their families. Her leadership and dedication to excellence make her a valuable asset to our team.

Deborah Taylor, CDP, Director of Marketing

With 31 years of experience in senior living, Deborah Taylor is a seasoned professional who brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Director of Marketing. Throughout her career, Deborah has held a variety of key positions, including Director of Admissions & Marketing, Director of Provider Relations, Regional Marketing Manager, and Corporate Director of Marketing.

Deborah’s experience spans across both strong regional providers and large national senior living organizations. She has also served as a consultant, collaborating with providers of all sizes, from small mom-and-pop operators to large national corporations, on occupancy, business development, marketing, and specialized projects aimed at developing sales and marketing teams.

Notably, Deborah played a crucial role in the branding, marketing, community relations, and opening of The Ganzhorn Suites Specialized Memory Care communities. Her dedication to excellence is evident in her commitment to continuous learning, as she holds several digital marketing certifications and has a deep passion for digital marketing strategies.

In her role as Director of Marketing, Deborah oversees all facets of marketing, including branding, website management, marketing automation systems, SEO and SEM, social media, public relations, program management, and special events. Her diverse background in regional and corporate marketing and business development roles, coupled with her consulting experience, has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of effective marketing strategies tailored to the senior living industry.

Deborah’s true passion lies in connecting prospective residents, family members, and referral partners with resources that not only meet their needs but also exceed their expectations. Her dedication to enhancing the lives of seniors and their families through innovative marketing initiatives makes her an invaluable asset to our team.

Jon Brooks, SPHR, Director of Human Resources

With two decades of experience, Jon Brooks brings a wealth of expertise in human resources leadership to his role as Director of Human Resources. Jon's journey began in Labor Relations with the State of Ohio, where he laid the foundation for his distinguished career.

Throughout his career, Jon has held diverse leadership positions in human resources, spanning various industries. From serving companies that cater to individuals with disabilities to managing HR functions for a luxury car dealership, Jon's background reflects a breadth of experience. However, it is his extensive tenure in leading HR within the senior living sector that truly distinguishes him as an expert in the field.

Jon's expertise encompasses a wide range of HR disciplines, including recruiting, retention, team development, benefits negotiation and administration, labor relations, strategic planning, teaching, training, coaching, and onboarding. As Director of Human Resources for Continental Senior Communities, Jon assumes responsibility for the company's human resources and workforce development functions, drawing on his extensive background and experience within the senior living industry.

Additionally, he maintains an active certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources Management (SPHR) with the Human Resources Certification Institute, further validating his expertise and commitment to excellence in HR leadership.

Jarrod Degenhard, Director of Sustainability, Infrastructure and Technology

With more than 20 years of dedicated experience supporting healthcare facility management, Jarrod Degenhard is a seasoned professional in the environmental field. His extensive background spans thousands of senior living communities, establishing him as an expert in plant operations.

Jarrod's journey includes previous roles such as Vice President of Facilities Management, where he leveraged his expansive knowledge base to support infrastructure and technology needs. His expertise encompasses guiding and leading all aspects of Maintenance and Environmental teams with budget and cost control responsibility. With a strong background in healthcare regulatory requirements, Jarrod possesses exceptional communication and presentation skills, essential for effective leadership in this field.

Jarrod's areas of expertise include capital expenditures, capital budgets, project management, CMS and state regulations, life safety, construction, safety, and environmental initiatives. His career trajectory has seen him hold various leadership positions, including Executive Director, Regional Operations Director, Regional Director of Plant Ops, and VP of Environmental Services.

In his current role at Continental Senior Communities, Jarrod oversees all aspects of facilities management, sustainability initiatives, and technology infrastructure. With a keen focus on driving efficiency, safety, and sustainability, Jarrod plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of our communities and the integration of innovative technology to enhance resident experience and operational effectiveness.

Wendy Wagner, CDP, Regional Human Resources Coordinator

Wendy embarked on her healthcare journey in the revenue cycle department of a prominent hospital system, where she spearheaded quality assurance initiatives and played a pivotal role in onboarding and training new team members. While she found fulfillment in the acute care setting, her heartfelt dedication to older adults led her to the realm of senior living.

With a deep background in senior living, Wendy has managed the business office and human resources departments for multiple nursing and assisted living providers. In 2016, she joined The Ganzhorn Suites of Powell as a Human Resources Coordinator, where she took charge of recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, payroll, and scheduling.

In 2022, Wendy transitioned to a home office Human Resources Specialist role, extending her expertise to support all communities within our organization with their human resources functions. Wendy's true passion lies in building talented teams dedicated to providing top-notch personalized care and services for all our residents.

Kelly Lambert, Regional Operations Director, Memory Care

Kelly Lambert is a seasoned professional with over 23 years of dedicated service in the senior living industry. Kelly has honed her expertise across various facets of senior care, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care.
Throughout her career, Kelly has held key leadership positions, including Administrator, Executive Director, and Regional Director of Operations. Her firsthand experience and comprehensive understanding of senior living operations make her a trusted authority in the field.

As a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and Certified Dementia Practitioner, Kelly demonstrates a commitment to providing compassionate and specialized care to residents with diverse needs. 

Kelly's dedication to excellence and her unwavering passion for serving seniors have earned her a reputation for delivering exceptional results. She remains steadfast in her pursuit of enhancing the lives of residents and supporting their families, embodying the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in all endeavors.

Ashley Edwards, CDP, Community Relations Specialist

With over 14 years of senior living experience, Ashley Edwards embarked on her professional journey in admissions and marketing for a prestigious 5-star skilled nursing center in Central Ohio. Demonstrating exceptional success, she transitioned into overseeing admissions and case management for one of the most highly referred communities in the state.

Ashley's passion for helping others and her commitment to relationship-building are evident in her work. She leverages her strong networking skills to improve processes and drive growth for the communities she supports. Her skill set includes client relations, community relations, customer service, project management, and occupancy development.

In addition to her experience in healthcare, Ashley also brings valuable client relationship management and consulting experience from LeaderStat, one of the nation's most renowned healthcare recruiting, interim management, and consulting firms. Her dedication to excellence and her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact make her an invaluable asset as a Community Relations Specialist.

Rachael Craig, Home Office Coordinator

With over 15 years of experience in program and project management, Rachael began her career at a leading insurance provider, where she served as a customer care advocate and operational trainer. 

As the Manager of Administrative Operations at Continental Senior Communities, Rachael provides comprehensive support across all aspects of administrative and operational areas within the company. Her background in project management, combined with her extensive customer service experience, makes her an invaluable asset to the team.