Leadership Team
Since its inception, Americare Senior Living has embarked on a strategy of innovation, controlled growth and stability. The tenure of our senior management team is a reflection of that stability. We believe our primary responsibility is to enhance the quality of life of our residents, and we strive to deliver exceptional care and customer experiences every day. We provide an environment that encourages innovative person-centered approaches to the complex challenges in care delivery while assuring the hiring and professional development of capable and competent caregivers. We assure the operation of a well-maintained community. Meet our senior management team.
Richard Montgomery – Chairman of the Board
Since Americare’s inception in 1981, Mr. Montgomery has embarked on a strategy of innovation and controlled growth. Americare’s skilled nursing, assisted living and memory care assisted living facilities throughout five states today employ over 3500 eldercare professionals. A graduate of Vanderbilt University Mr. Montgomery has been recognized by several professional organizations including:
- 2004 Recipient of the Missourian Award
- 2002 Distinguished Friend, Missouri University Sinclair School of Nursing
- 1998 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year - St. Louis, Missouri Region
Clay Crosson – President and Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Crosson leads Americare's senior management team. He joined Americare as its president in 2001. He has 34 years of executive management experience in senior living with Centennial Health Care, CareMore, and National Healthcare Corporation. Mr. Crosson represents Americare on several industry boards including LTC 100 and Senior Living 100, and is a past chairman of The American College of Health Care Administrators. Mr. Crosson holds a B.S. from the University of Tennessee and an M.B.A. from Middle Tennessee State University. Mr. Crosson holds the following professional certifications: FACHCA (Fellow of the American College of Health Care Administrators), CAS (Certified Sub-acute Care Administrator), CALA (Certified Assisted Living Administrator).
Jean Summers – Senior Vice President of Operations, Assisted Living Division
Ms. Summers joined Americare in 1999, having served in senior management with a national rehabilitation company. She oversees operations for Americare's assisted and independent living communities. Ms. Summers has managed a doubling of the assisted living division during her tenure. Ms. Summers has over 35 years of senior living experience. She holds a B.S. in nursing from Clarkson School of Nursing.
Steve Hatlestad – Senior Vice President of Operations, Skilled Nursing Division
Mr. Hatlestad joined Americare in 2002 and directs operations for Americare’s 23 skilled nursing and rehabilitation communities. He oversees operations of Americare's skilled nursing and rehabilitation communities. Mr. Hatlestad has 40 years of senior living experience. He holds a B.S. from the University of Maryland.
James Reiker - Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Reiker joined Americare in 1986 and serves as the chief financial officer for the company. He holds a B.S. from Southeast Missouri State University.
Patricia Cokingtin – Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Ms. Cokingtin joined Americare in 1988. She supports the local facilities’ sales and marketing efforts, including brand development, sales training, and media planning. Ms. Cokingtin has 30 years of senior living experience and holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Ohio Northern University.
Jason Baxter – Senior Vice President, Information Technology
Mr. Baxter joined Americare in 2015 and leads the IT Team. Jason has extensive experience in IT in various industries including Health Care, Gaming, Automotive, Financial Services/Insurance and Local Government. He also spent several years serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. Jason holds a B.B.A in Computer Information Systems from Eastern Michigan University.
Mike Landewee – Vice President, Controller
Mr. Landewee joined Americare in 1987 and serves as lead controller and financial analyst for the company.
Henley Montgomery – Vice President, Development
Mr. Montgomery oversees the company's new development including market analysis, site selection, building design and construction. He holds a BS in Finance from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Michael Hammond – Vice President, Assisted Living Division
Mr. Hammond joined Americare in 2005 as an Administrator. He was promoted to Regional Operations Director over the St. Louis assisted living region in 2009. In 2018, he was appointed Vice President of the assisted living Gateway Division. He oversees operations for Americare’s assisted and independent living communities. He has 20 years of experience in senior care and proudly started as a caregiver in High school. He holds a B.A. from Wichita State University and an M.B.A. form Lindenwood University. He was awarded 2009 Administrator of the Year by the Kansas Healthcare Association.
Melissa Locke – Vice President, Human Resources
Melissa Locke has over 20 years of experience in the business and oversees human resources.
Her last 9 years were spent in the senior living sector. Previously, Ms. Locke served as Vice President of Human Resources, for Independent Healthcare Properties as well as having Human Resources roles for Life Care Home Health Inc., Georgia-Pacific, Tennessee's Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Hardwick Clothes. She has worked as a VP or HR, HR director, coordinator, training manager and organization development consultant.
Melissa is a graduate of Bryan College with a BS degree in Business Administration Organizational Management. She is also a Global Career Development Facilitator (CDF) certified through the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE), a subsidiary of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). She is certified as a Parenting & Consumer Education Facilitator (UT Extension). She is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management.