Traci Taylor-Roberts, President
Traci Taylor-Roberts has served as the President of Sodalis Senior Living since February 2020. She has a passion caring for seniors which was evident when as a child she was constantly gravitated herself towards seniors and was a frequent visitor at nursing homes. Ms. Taylor-Roberts pursued her passion for seniors which is evident with her more than 25 years of experience in the senior living and Home Health & Hospice industries. Ms. Taylor-Roberts is a forward-thinking executive with a proven track record of creating and transforming vision and strategy into profitable financial results. Under Ms. Taylor-Roberts leadership, Sodalis Senior Living has grown from 9 communities to 29 communities in 3 states within less than a two-year period. Prior to joining Sodalis Senior Living, Ms. Taylor Roberts served as the Vice President of Sales for Pegasus Senior Living where she led the sales strategy and execution for 31 communities. She also held the role of Regional Vice President of Operations for 10 communities in the region. Other experience of Ms. Taylor-Roberts includes her appointment as the Corporate Vice President of Sales and Revenue Enhancement at American House Senior Living Communities for more than 55 communities in the Midwest and Florida. Additionally, Ms. Taylor-Roberts functioned as the Vice President of Operations for the company’s Florida region where she oversaw operations, budgeting, and strategic sales of more than 1,050 independent living, assisted living and memory care apartments. During her tenure at American House, another accomplishment was the successful completion of a $800 million refinance transaction. Immediately prior to joining American House, Ms. Taylor-Roberts served as the Regional Director of Sales for Legend Senior Living. She has also held various leadership roles at Holiday Retirement, Emeritus Senior Living, HCR ManorCare, and operating as the Chief Operating Officer at Journey Healthcare (Home Health & Hospice).Ms. Taylor-Roberts is also an active Board member for TALA, CEO/COO Argentum Round Table and Women in Leadership Argentum. Ms. Taylor-Roberts received her Bachelor of Science from University of Florida, as well, as Certificate of Geriatric Care Management.
Karen Arway, Regional Director of Operations
Karen Arway has worked in the senior living industry for over 25 years. After graduating from nursing school in the 90s she began her career as a floor nurse at an assisted living community. Two years later she was promoted to Health and Wellness Director. Karen continued her education in Healthcare Administration in 2002 and crossed over into operations. In the past 20 years, she has held the role of Executive Director, Operations Specialist, and Regional Director of Operations. When Karen is not busy enriching the lives of the residents she serves, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, boating, and loving on her four adorable Maltese puppies.
Dennis Knapp, Regional Director of Operations
Dennis has always had a calling to serve. This call to serve drew him to enlist in the United States Air Force where he proudly served his country as a Logistics Superintendent/Manager for 22 years. His desire to serve didn’t end when he retired from the military. It drew him to serve the elderly which he has done for the past 12 years. In those 12 years, he has successfully operated as an Executive Director and currently as a Regional Director of Operations for Sodalis.
Dennis is originally from Nebraska but currently lives in the Sarasota/Bradenton Florida area. He has a large family consisting of 5 children and 6 grandchildren. Dennis is an avid Nebraska football fan and loves to spend time on the golf course where he attempts to try and play golf.
Amanda Spear, Regional Director of Compliance (TX)
Growing up I knew I wanted to be a nurse, but never knew what field of nursing I wanted to go into. When I finished school for my Licensed Practical Nurse license, I started working in skilled nursing. I then went back to school for my Registered Nurse license and started working in an Assisted Living Community. I absolutely fell in love with Assisted Living and never looked back. It is my passion to see that my residents live out their lives maintaining as much of their independence as possible and see them happy living within our communities. I hold a CORE certificate for Administrator’s in Assisted Living Communities in Florida and I am also a Certified Dementia Practitioner. I would not be able to fulfill my passion if it wasn’t for my supportive husband and 5 kids. I also have a fur baby, a Yorkie named Fonzie. I love spending time with my family and have a love for baseball, go Yankees!
Lori Johnson, Regional Director of Compliance (FL/GA)
Being around medicine and those in need has been a passion of mine since I was very young. My mother was one of the first Paramedic Firefighters in the state of Florida which meant I grew up in a firehouse and was told that my scratches were almost never Band-Aid worthy. I followed suit and became a Paramedic Firefighter at the age of 19 then later in life as Licensed Practical Nurse. I had stepped away from medicine for a short period going into management roles but was pulled back into medicine ten plus years ago due to my love of helping people. I’ve successfully opened two Assisted Living Comminutes one in Key West, FL. the other in Houston TX. My Degree is in Emergency Medicine, I hold a CORE certificate for Administrator’s in Assisted Living Communities in Florida as well as an Administrator’s certificate for Texas. My love for medicine has always centered around helping the retirement aged people. Memory Care has a special place in my heart since my grandmother had dementia. I understand the strain it places on families and your loved ones; we’ve been there personally as a family. I feel our world travels so quickly anymore and this age group can easily be forgotten, it’s my goal to make sure they’re given the best life they can possibly be given. I’m so very thankful to be in the position I am help and mentor our community staff members, it’s truly a privilege!
Shelby Anderson, Corporate Director of Sales & Marketing
Shelby has over 20 years of leadership experience in senior living and healthcare industries having worked in Hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living, Hospice and Home Health specialties. Shelby works closely with the staff to ensure that all company policies and procedures are implemented. Oversees the company’s strategic sales initiatives and works closely with the President to plan the long-term growth strategy for the business.
Shelby has lead occupancy growth during her time as a community level Sales & Marketing Director for Emeritus Senior Living, Brookdale Senior Living, and Americare Senior Living. Shelby’s forward thinking and relational sales philosophy has led to her success not only at a community level, but as a Regional Director of Sales & Marketing for Americare Senior Living. Shelby has a passion for seniors and enriching the lives of the employee and residents she serves.
Rebecca Dubreuil, Corporate Director of Marketing and Life Engagement
New to the Senior Living industry, Rebecca spent 19 years in the Landscape and Irrigation industry where she started as a Branch Clerk and worked her way up to the corporate level as an Order Fulfillment Coordinator and Customer Service Center Manager. As a graduate of Chapman University, Ms. Dubreuil earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. This experience makes her the ideal candidate for leading our company’s Life Engagement Directors in providing our residents with the best daily activities in the industry, including the implementation of the MyndVR virtual reality programming. When she isn’t putting her creativity into the marketing materials at Sodalis, she’s using them in various other crafty outlets as a small business owner. A California native, Rebecca recently relocated to Texas with her family and during her off time she enjoys watching her son play baseball, attending Dave Matthews Band concerts and exploring all her new state has to offer.
Damion Owens, Regional Director of Life Engagement
Damion always knew he wanted to help people have fun and enjoy themselves. His outgoing and over the top personality allows him to connect with people and understand their daily needs to enjoy life. With this in mind he became the ideal candidate for the Life Engagement role providing residents with the best daily activities to do in and around their community. An Oakland, California native, Damion played football for Fresno State and got his Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership. He also received his Master's degree in Sports Management from Texas A&M University. When he is not coming up with great activities, he is enjoying a great movie, TV show, and some type of sporting event.
Matt Halada, Corporate Culinary Director
I began my senior living career at 21 years old in an independent living building. I learned quickly this was something I truly wanted to do. After accepting a position as Executive Chef at an all memory care community I was nervous yet optimistic. That’s where I fell in love with serving seniors. The relationships you build with residents and families is truly incredible. They become your family. Years later I accepted a position for Sodalis at the Largo community as the Culinary Director. I instantly felt appreciated and valued. I’ve been given the opportunity to travel to other communities and help other Culinary Directors. Seeing Sodalis grow these last two years has been exciting and I’m excited to see what the future holds.
Shadia Freeman, Regional Director of Clinical Operations (MI)
Serving others has always been at the forefront of my heart. I decided to become a nurse after being raised in a family of nurses and being a caregiver for my grandparents. I graduated in December of 2008 and started my first job as a nurse in January of 2009 in a LTC facility. During that time, I learned great leadership skills and moved on to my next career goal as a Nurse Manager within the SC Department of Disabilities. During that time, I also worked as Interim Senior Director of Clinical Services. Two years ago, I decided that I wanted to venture into the senior living industry. I’ve been employed with Sodalis for two years and it’s been one of the greatest decisions that I’ve ever made in my career. I started as a Health and Wellness Director, was later promoted to Executive Director, and am now serving as a Regional Director. I’ve been successful in our Georgia community as the Executive Director, growing occupancy from 30% to over 96%. I’m married and we have three children, a son-in-law and one grandson. I was born and raised in South Carolina. I enjoy attending church, bowling, traveling, and shopping. I’m a Certified Assisted Living Administrator for Georgia. I enjoy working with our residents, their families and our amazing staff. I’m passionate in all that I do and for all of those that I serve. My career at Sodalis isn’t just a job, it’s a ministry.
William Smith III, Corporate Director of Maintenance and Life Safety
William A. Smith III is a third Generation Maintenance Director in life Safety with twelve years of experience in senior living. Will’s passion for senior care came from growing up in a family of dedicated care givers, social workers, and Maintenance Directors. He has overseen physical plant operations on a multitude of buildings ranging from four story independent living, assisted living with memory care, and skilled nursing facilities. Will honors the task of responsibility with self-pride on being dependable.
Will is an Ohio native who has spent the last 27 years living in Florida with his wife and three stepchildren, but he will always be a BUCKEYE. When not working, Will also enjoys spending time working on home improvement projects, sports and being a pepper head, which includes eating the hottest peppers in the world.
Jeri Rice, Director of Human Resources
Ms. Rice has served as the Director of Human Resources since June 2022 and brings with her over twenty-five (25) years of Human Resources experience. During her career, Ms. Rice worked for a large healthcare company in Milwaukee, WI and a large plumbing company in San Antonio, TX. Areas of expertise for Ms. Rice include Payroll and Benefits Administration and Management, Recruiting, Employee Onboarding, Ergonomics, Employee Training and Development, Performance Coaching, Employee Retention and Relations and Workers Compensation.
