Thank you for the nomination. I want to provide some background on my experience, my work in the industry, and ultimately share my decision regarding the board position.

I opened Arbor Rose Inc. in 2002, when the AFH landscape was very different—care needs were lighter, regulations were manageable, and oversight was not what it is today. Over the years, I have adapted to the increasing complexity of resident needs, higher acuity levels, and more involved family dynamics. Today, our homes offer 10–15 activities per month, an Activity Director, a house doctor program, regular podiatry and haircare services, and strong professional partnerships with our long-standing pharmacy and providers.

I also invested significantly in hiring the right nursing support. After going through three delegators who were consistently late with 90-day visits and assessments, I hired our RND, Katy, who has now been with me for eight years without a single issue. Her professionalism has been invaluable.

Both of my homes were built from the ground up and personally designed. I recently completed remodels and upgrades—improvements many homes cannot afford—because I believe residents and families deserve the best environment possible. These reinvestments are a major reason we receive ongoing referrals, even during periods when other homes have struggled to fill beds.

In 2023, when our zip code went from 11 homes to 38 homes, I founded PECEP, a collaborative group of AFH providers who support one another through referrals and monthly meetings. This collective effort has helped stabilize occupancy across many homes, including my own.

I have been an AFH provider for 24 years and in healthcare for 44 years. My business has undergone more than 28 inspections, numerous complaint investigations, and reviews from the U.S. Department of Labor, IRS, and DOH. I also recently completed a four-year lawsuit brought by a difficult family. Although our liability insurance did not cover the case, my documentation prevailed. I invested $150,000 of my own funds to defend the business I built—an extremely difficult experience, but one that reaffirmed the importance of strong systems, documentation, and leadership. I have had employment-related cases in the past and have won those as well.

Over the years, I developed a workplace safety manual, served as the Pierce County chapter liaison for nearly a decade, and have cared for close to 500 geriatric residents across my homes. I opened the first 8-bed AFH in 2020. I was recently asked by the Pierce County Ombudsman to join the advisory board, where they felt I would be an asset.

I have long-term staff, some who have been with me for 20 years. Staffing is always one of the greatest challenges in our industry, but I maintain strong retention and operate with two 12-hour awake shifts. I formerly taught ADM courses for six years at DSHS and only left when administrative changes were made. I also previously served on the AFHC board for nearly 10 years and was part of establishing the office during my tenure.