Masterpiece Living Team Of Experts
Executive Team:
Larry Landry, M.B.A.
Chairman and CEO
Lawrence L. Landry is the Chairman and CEO of Masterpiece Living®, LLC. Larry has been involved in the Senior Living Industry, managing the acquisitions, development and operations of Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Mr. Landry founded Masterpiece Living in 1999 and was instrumental in assembling a board of academic advisors to design the program based upon existing research.
Prior to the formation of Westport, Larry was Chief Investment Officer of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, a position he held for 10 years. In that capacity his primary responsibility was the management of the Foundation's $4 billion in public and private investments, including overseeing the Foundation's real estate operations in Florida. Larry designed and implemented a strategy to divest and develop over 100,000 acres owned by the Foundation in Florida.
Before joining the MacArthur Foundation, Larry was Chief Financial Officer and Chief Investment Officer with Southern Methodist University, Swarthmore College and Clark University. He has served on the boards of directors for Computervision Corporation, WCI, Greystone Communities, Inc., MacArthur Beach State Park Conservation Board, Grassy Waters Preserve and as the former chair of the Board of Trustees of Clark University. Larry was the co-creator of The Investment Fund for Foundations (TIFF) and served as its first Chairman. Larry is a former member of the Council of 100.
Larry graduated from Clark University with a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.B.A. in Finance. He also studied at Harvard Business School's Institute for Educational Management.
Roger Landry, M.D., M.P.H.
President
Dr. Roger Landry is a preventive medicine physician who specializes in empowering older adults to take control of their own aging.
Dr. Roger was trained at Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard University School of Public Health. He served as a flight surgeon for 22 years with the United States Air Force, retiring as the Chief Flight Surgeon and a highly decorated full colonel at the Surgeon General's office in Washington D.C. His duties involved keeping pilots and other aircrew healthy and performing at their best. Dr. Roger saw duty on five continents and was medically involved in a number of significant world events, including the Vietnam War, the Chernobyl Disaster, the Beirut bombing of the Marine Barracks, the first seven shuttle launches and the first balloon crossing of the Pacific Ocean.
For the last twelve years, Dr. Roger has focused his efforts on older adults as a member of the MPL Team of experts developing resources for older adults to maximize their potential and for communities to be the environments where that happens. He was one of fifty innovators chosen in 2011 to chart a new course for aging services in the United States.
He is a nationally known speaker on successful aging, and has keynoted and presented at local, state and national conferences on aging. He is the author of Live Long…Die Short: A Guide for Authentic Health and Successful Aging to be published in 2013. As a lecturer, researcher and consultant, he has written extensively and is frequently called upon as a media consultant on the topic of successful aging.
Mark Lichtenwalner
Chief Operating Officer
Mark C. Lichtenwalner is an operations executive with extensive experience in the senior living industry. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from the University of New Hampshire and then worked for Marriott International for 18 years in both the hotel/resort and the senior living divisions. At Marriott Senior Living Services, Mark was the Area Manager for New Jersey and was responsible for nine communities that generated $55M in sales. During his tenure with Marriott, he was responsible for the pre-sales and opening process for six new Brighton Gardens which are freestanding Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living and Memory Support communities. Following Marriott International, Mark joined Classic Residence by Hyatt as the Vice President of Operations for Florida overseeing four Independent Living/Assisted Living rental communities and three Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) with total revenues of $100M.
In his most recent position as Vice President for Greystone Communities reporting to the C.E.O. of the Westport Senior Living Investment Fund, Mark oversaw operations for three Continuing Care Retirement Communities owned by the Investment Fund. Currently, he is the President for AgeWell Senior Living Management, LLC, which manages the two Westport Senior Living communities, and also functions as the COO for Masterpiece Living, focusing on business development to continue spreading the word about Successful Aging.
David Gobble, Ph.D., CHES
Director of the Masterpiece Living Academy
Dr. David Gobble is a specialist in wellness across the lifespan, with particular expertise on maximizing potential late in life. He received both a master’s and PhD in Community Health from Southern Illinois University, has worked in public health, and spent 32 years at Ball State University teaching, researching and writing about health and wellness. He retired June 30, 2008 as Director and Professor Emeritus of the nationally recognized Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology.
Dr. Gobble had been recognized by the National Wellness Institute as one of the top 100 wellness experts in the world, and he serves on the national board of Wellness Councils of America, and has been a leader in promoting health and productivity of older workers and retirees. He has served on multiple academic journal editorial boards, published in several academic disciplines.
For the last 15 years, Dr. Gobble has focused his research, writing and speaking on the potential to age well, and live a very successful long life. He has written a regular aging well column for Wellness Councils of America, and presented hundreds of speeches about healthy aging to both academic and lay audiences. The last 8 years of his academic career he directed the only program in the country that focused upon wellness across the lifespan.
As Director of the Masterpiece Living Academy, Dr. Gobble focuses on providing e-learning opportunities and other educational services, product development and sharing cutting edge gerontology research with the Masterpiece Living network.
His unique insight about aging successfully has motivated thousands of individuals to live a more full, healthy life.
Susan Rosser, M.B.A.
VP Finance & Administration
Susan graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwood University where she earned a B.B.A. and was honored with the Outstanding Achievement award presented by the faculty. Previously she was Assistant Controller of Abacoa Development Company in Jupiter, Florida. Susan is an avid student of Yoga, and carries that notion off her mat, believing in balance in all aspects of her life. Susan also enjoys butterfly gardening & cooking.
With over 25 years accounting and real estate management experience, Susan Rosser is the VP of Finance & Administration for Masterpiece Living. Susan has worked with the Masterpiece Founder, Larry Landry, since 1998, predominantly in the Senior Living Industry. Embracing the idea of “it’s never too late,” Susan earned her MBA from Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School of Business just three weeks shy of her 50th birthday.
Business Development Team:
Gina Thurber, M.S.
National Sales Director
With a Master's Degree in Wellness Management from Ball State University and a background in exercise science, personal training, and Intrinsic Coaching©, Gina has considerable experience in creating positive behavior change. Gina has previously served as a Community Life Director at a senior living community, Fitness Director at a lifestyle center, and a member on a team that supported and trained others on health promotion and employee wellness. Her passion is to inspire successful aging, including her own lifestyle of hiking, team sports, reading, cultivating past and present friendships, and attempting to learn the keyboard as an adult.
Gina joined the Masterpiece Living team five years ago as a Senior Operations Specialist. Using her background and expertise, Gina successfully integrated Masterpiece Living into senior living communities and helped to develop new products that promote community-wide successful aging. In the beginning of 2011, Gina joined the business development team that spreads the word about what’s possible for individuals and organizations who become part of the movement for Successful Aging.
Robin Mulligan
Director, Special Projects
Coming from an award winning marketing career, Robin has worked in the senior living industry for over fifteen years. Before moving to Florida and joining Westport and Masterpiece Living, she worked on the financing side of the industry with Herbert J. Sims & Company, Southport, CT and prior to that, with Steve Monroe at Irving Levin Associates, New Canaan, CT monitoring the mergers and acquisitions of the industry. Robin brings a host of marketing and organizational talent and industry knowledge to the Masterpiece Living team.
Operations Team:
Teresa Beshwate, M.P.H.
Senior Operations & Outcomes Specialist
A Master of Public Health with experience in the fitness, acute care and older adult industries, Teresa has a passion for helping older adults engage in lifestyles of active, successful aging. A certified personal fitness trainer and lifestyle and weight management coach, Teresa formerly owned and operated an older adult-oriented personal training studio. As an outcomes analyst in the acute care industry, she was responsible for data analysis, outcomes reporting and quality improvement initiatives. A health and fitness newspaper columnist, speaker, author of several articles, Teresa has particular interest in data analysis and sharing best practices.
As a Senior Operations Specialist at Masterpiece Living, Teresa serves as the main point of contact for primarily west coast partners, is a member of the Masterpiece Analytics Team and is responsible for Masterpiece Living’s first ever partnership with Affordable Senior Housing communities. This rewarding role allows her the opportunity to collaborate with talented professionals to inspire lifestyles of successful aging and ultimately help to make our country a better place to age. Teresa’s own successful aging pursuits include learning to speak Portuguese, playing racquetball and spending time in the mountains.
Emily Warren, M.A.
Senior Operations & Development Specialist
Emily has Masters of Arts Degree in Gerontology from University of South Florida. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science from The University of Florida in Health Promotion with an outside concentration in Exercise Science. Emily began her career in worksite wellness, improving employee wellness for diverse industries. She expanded her health promotion experience in a hospital community health department coordinating health fairs, health awareness classes and other wellness events. Emily also worked as a Health Educator for a medically supervised weight management program. While at the UF, Emily worked for the "Gator Well" program raising awareness for wellness topics relevant to the college community.
Emily has been part of the Masterpiece Living team since 2006. She has worked on integrating Masterpiece Living with new partners ensuring effectiveness and consistency in enhancing successful aging cultures. She specializes in new product development including web resources and Programs by Masterpiece™. She organizes the annual Masterpiece Living Lyceum and has presented at numerous state conferences on aging. Emily has completed two marathons, enjoys vegetarian cooking and knitting.
Neal Miller, M.A.
Senior Operations & Outcomes Specialist
Neal Miller holds a Master of Arts degree in Wellness Management and Applied Gerontology from the Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology at Ball State University. While completing his graduate work, Neal held an assistantship with the university’s center on aging and worked directly with low-income older adults in the community. During his time at Ball State, Neal worked on several research projects which he presented at local, regional and national conferences.
Prior to joining the Masterpiece Living team, Neal directed a project of a federally funded, non-profit organization that engaged older adult volunteers in service to their community. Neal’s role at Masterpiece Living is working directly with partners to enrich successful aging efforts. He is also a member of the Masterpiece Living Analytics Team that works with partner data- running analyses, generating reports and looking at patterns within the aging field. His personal successful aging pursuits include outdoor recreational sports, staying connected with lifelong friends and family and Huey Lewis.
Helen Rickman, M.A.
Senior Operations & Technology Specialist
Helen holds a Masters of Arts in Gerontology from Bethel University, working with older Somali English language learners in Minneapolis as her thesis project. Helen was the Project & Data Analytics Manager for Ecumen, a non-profit senior housing & aging services organization. Prior, she served as Sr. Technology & Client Relations Specialist for Harland-Clarke. Additionally, Helen has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and was an advertising photographer for 22 years.
Through the integration process, use of outcome data to drive strategic direction and ongoing coaching, Helen supports partners with the end goal of maximizing the potential of older adults. Additionally, Helen directs technology projects for Masterpiece Living. Helen’s successful aging pursuits include biking, Pilates, community volunteerism, and inspiring others to take action in their life journey.
Brittany Calvert, M.A.
Senior Operations Specialist
After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Brittany shifted her focus to wellness because she recognized the vital connection of all dimensions of our lives on overall wellbeing. While completing her Master’s Degree in Wellness Management from Ball State University, Brittany completed an internship in a grant-funded wellness program for employees at a non-profit organization. Her post- graduate work has centered on corporate wellness where she worked as a certified personal trainer and client manager, helping to design programming targeted to empower employees to take control of their health.
Brittany is thrilled to bring her passion for wellness to the field of healthy aging at Masterpiece Living. As a member of the Operations Specialist team, she recognizes the importance of building a culture within a community which empowers residents and staff to embrace a healthier lifestyle and continue to learn and grow. Brittany’s successful aging pursuits include running, cooking for family and friends, and exploring the great outdoors of Colorado.
Matt Day
Operations Specialist
Matt Day has a diverse background, though it has always been focused on helping others. In 2008, Matt was Honorably Discharged from the United States Marine Corps as a decorated infantry Sergeant - having served from 2004-2008, including tours in Japan, the Philippines, and Ramadi, Iraq. After completion of his military duty, Matt earned his Baccalaureate in Adult Fitness and Exercise Science, while simultaneously working as the Executive Director of a local home care agency. Additionally, he completed an Internship at Steadman Hawkins Clinic in the sports performance department, where he helped train dozens of pro athletes, including NFL, NHL, MMA, skiers, and Olympians.
Matt brings a passion for physical fitness and desire to help others continue to grow, develop and reach their true potential! As a member of the Masterpiece Living operations team, he works with an ever growing list of partner organizations providing operational support and insight on the successful integration and maintenance of Masterpiece Living. Besides weightlifting and playing basketball, he keeps fit with his wife Marianne by chasing around their three beautiful kids!
Christa Bitner
Operations Specialist
Christa holds a Master’s degree in Nutrition & Clinical Health Psychology from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. She is passionate about supporting individuals in the process of setting and achieving personal health goals. Through her experience at community health clinics, Christa has worked with a diverse population of individuals to implement health behavior change through nutrition counseling and mental health counseling, as well as facilitating psychoeducational groups and fitness classes. Her varied background reflects her personal mission to provide individuals and communities with tools and resources for creating environments that inspires wellness, authenticity, and vitality.
As Operations Specialist, Christa combines her skills and education to promote whole-person wellness through Masterpiece Living. She is excited to support partner organizations in integrating Masterpiece Living, improve individual lives, and shift the experience of aging for the broader community. Her successful aging pursuits include aerial arts, yoga, cooking, dancing, making art with friends, and playing outside as often as possible!
Stasi Clark
Operations Assistant
Stasi obtained an Associate’s degree in Business Administration from American Intercontinental University. She comes from healthcare improvement and nonprofit organization fields. Stasi has worked to improve overall hospital care quality with a team approach of clinical excellence, research and implementation. She is excited to be part of Masterpiece Living and believes that the four components of Social Engagement, Spiritual Fulfillment, Physical Health and Intellectual Challenge are essential and strives to incorporate these into her life. Having a strong presence in her community is a personal passion for Stasi. In 2009, she started a nonprofit organization in memory of her oldest daughter.
Stasi’s role at Masterpiece Living is to support the Operations Team. She manages the Photo Contest, the Great Courses Library, updates materials on the Masterpiece Living website, provides campaign support and assists with preparations for the Lyceum. Maintaining a thirst for knowledge, a compassionate spirit and a love of entertaining are a few ways Stasi continues her growth. Stasi enjoys pottery, painting, reading and traveling with her family.