Our Passion is Helping Seniors Thrive in Community

RICHARD K. BLAYLOCK

Dick Blaylock, Chief Executive Officer, for 12 Oaks Senior Living (12 Oaks), possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding all aspects of real estate development, construction, and property management. As CEO, he leads the 12 Oaks Executive Team, Leadership Team, and Business Development Committee.

With an established and successful career in real estate – having served as a commercial real estate broker associated with Sherwood Blount & Company, Realtors – Dick joined his father, Charles Blaylock, at 12 Oaks Retirement Villages in 1986. His responsibilities were to pursue senior living development opportunities and lead the marketing and real estate management functions.

In 1992, he and Charles Blaylock formed 12 Oaks Management Services, Inc., now known as 12 Oaks Senior Living (12 Oaks), to provide development, construction, and management services for 12 Oaks Retirement Villages and other senior living communities. 

Mr. Blaylock received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with Certificates of Real Estate and Real Estate Finance & Mortgage Banking from Southern Methodist University in 1981.

KEITH ASHBURN

As Chief Operating Officer Keith currently leads a team of regional managers and operational support staff in maintaining the operational and financial aspects of the 12 Oaks Senior Living managed communities.

With expertise in the hospitality industry – his career began in restaurant management – Keith brings a unique perspective and understanding to his teams and his communities. He originally joined 12 Oaks in 1988 as the food service director for the company’s two properties. Prior to that, he had worked for two national restaurant corporations.

As 12 Oaks prospered and expanded, so did Keith’s role and responsibilities. Keith has served as president of the Alzheimer’s Association Dallas Chapter and currently serves as an advisory board member for the Oklahoma State University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. 

Keith graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1980.

GREG PUKLICZ CMA

With over 30 years of diversified financial, operational, development, and executive management experience, Greg’s responsibilities include oversight of finance, accounting, legal, IT, business development, and risk management.

Greg previously served as Executive Vice President & CFO for Exxir Capital LLC, an urban infill developer based in Dallas, Texas, and before, as the Sr. Vice President Finance & CFO for Mady Development Corporation, diversified development and contracting company for 25 years. 

With executive experience in acquisitions, financing, property management, real estate development and construction, Greg has directed and managed projects throughout Texas, Florida, Chicago, Croatia and Ontario – notably in retail, multifamily, single-family subdivision and housing, office, hi-rise, and mid-rise condo, complex mixed-use projects, and senior living.

Greg studied at the University of Toronto – Trinity College, where he majored in Commerce and Economics (1984). Additionally, he is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), achieving certification from the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario in 1992.

AARON CATOE, MAOL

With over 24 years of senior housing experience in operations, leasing, marketing, leadership, and staff development, Aaron’s expertise is essential to 12 Oaks Senior Living. His responsibilities include oversight of the 12 Oaks portfolio in operations, leasing, and marketing initiatives, and shared responsibilities for property leadership and the personal and professional development of Regional Vice Presidents.

Aaron previously served as Regional Vice President of Operations for 12 Oaks, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for a national seniors housing operator, and a Sales Specialist for the same operator.

In addition, he has served in property roles providing firsthand experience in Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care environments. Experience blending leasing and marketing, staff development, exposure to multiple markets, and leadership has uniquely positioned him to provide valuable perspective to struggling, start-up, and stabilized assets.

Aaron studied at Stephen F. Austin State University, majoring in Gerontology, and Sociology (1996). He is certified in the Character and Competence Model through the Townsend Institute of Leadership and Counseling. Aaron also holds a Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Huntington University (2017).

REX JONES

A true expert with over 30 years in human relations, Rex leads all HR activities at 12 Oaks including payroll, compensation/benefits, employee relations, talent acquisition/onboarding, and leadership development.

Prior to joining 12 Oaks Senior Living, Rex operated his own independent HR Consulting company, On-Demand HR, after working for a variety of larger organizations. 

His prior experience includes more than 20 years with consumer product giant Kimberly-Clark Corporation in a multitude of roles supporting a variety of business groups, three years with Energy Future Holdings leading the HR department, and two years with Deluxe Corporation supporting six business units spanning the U.S. and Canada.

In those roles, Rex established himself as a strong business partner, ensuring human resource practices

delivered results in support of organizational objectives. Rex has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources/Labor Relations from the University of Iowa as well as a Master of Arts in Human Resources from the University of Alabama. He is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and DallasHR.

TRAVIS WICK

Travis brings over 20 years of management, operations, and training experience to the 12 Oaks team. His diverse background and experience – from culinary arts to executive director – are an ideal foundation for his current role. Today, Travis oversees the Consultant team, the 12 Oaks-managed West Texas properties, and implementation of core 12 Oaks programming (including proprietary Dementia Care and Marketing initiatives). As a classically trained Chef, he also lends insight into our Dietary programming.

Prior to joining our team in 2008, Travis worked in the senior living industry. During that 15 -year span, he held various positions including Executive Director, Maintenance Director, and Dining Director.

During that time, he also served as a consultant and trainer for several Texas and Oklahoma properties and owners. He helped turn around under-performing communities, guiding them to adopt best practices, overcome survey deficits and deficiencies, and become compliant and profitable. Travis specializes in turning around the most difficult of properties/departments, budgets, and anything that has to do with providing the best possible meals to our clients.

Travis majored in Culinary Arts at the famed Johnson & Wales University where he graduated near the top of his class. He is certified as a Texas Assisted Living Manager and as a teacher for the National Food Protection Management Certification course.

BRUCE BUCHER

Bruce has more than 30 years of experience in successfully building profitable organizations within the hospitality and senior living industries. With a resume that includes roles as an Executive Director and Regional Vice President with national retirement and senior living companies, his experience is invaluable to 12 Oaks.

His current responsibilities include operational oversight of multiple communities, budget development, sales and marketing plan execution, and coordination with multiple ownership entities. Bruce has an Associate’s Degree in Public Service from the University of Toledo, along with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Madison University.

JACKIE CALAWAY

With 30+ years of experience directing operations for senior living and long-term care organizations, Jackie is a skilled communicator and team-builder who mentors personnel, generates loyalty, and leads staff to achieve excellence. Leveraging analytical acumen, she evaluates processes and crafts cost-effective solutions that drive efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

In addition to being a Registered Nurse, Jackie has expertise in Operations Management, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Startups & Turnarounds, Process Improvement Regulatory Compliance, Quality Assurance, Customer Relations, Staff Training & Development, and Budgetary Management.

EILLEEN ALDRIDGE

Eilleen joined 12 Oaks in 1999 at one of our managed communities. She has served as both Marketing Director and an Executive Director at two different 12 Oaks managed communities.

With over 20 years of senior living experience that includes Activities, Sales, Management, dementia programming, and training, today Eilleen is a member of our Consultant team. Specializing in marketing, sales, and training, she has great success in building census in communities. She has also coordinated, trained, and overseen day-to-day operations of the Personal Assistant Services, coordinated, and supervised a successful in-house companion program and activities programming. Eilleen’s areas of expertise

include sales and marketing, First Impressions Training (FIT), activity programming training, and Dementia training, as well as being able to ‘sit-in’ for any department head position.

KELLI SAWYER

Over 18 years ago, Kelli began her career with 12 Oaks as the Business Office Manager at one of our managed communities. Previously, she held the same position at other skilled nursing communities. In 2006 she became Staff Accountant at the 12 Oaks Corporate office.

Today Kelli’s responsibilities include oversight of accounting, treasury, and IT. Her specialty is financial reporting, SOX compliance, and Yardi maintenance and implementation. Kelli studied at Strayer University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

LINDA GREEN

Linda began her career with 12 Oaks at one of our managed communities, filling a variety of positional and leadership roles during her tenure. In 2004 Linda was recruited and hired as the Administrative Assistant at the 12 Oaks corporate office. With a background in Risk Management and senior living operations experience, she brings a unique skill set to 12 Oaks.

Today, Linda oversees the support staff for the operational function and office management at 12 Oaks Senior Living. In addition, she is the Executive Assistant to the CEO and COO and Personal Assistant to the CEO, while supporting the CFO in Risk Management for the company. Prior to moving to Dallas, Linda worked for Allstate Insurance Company for 18 years as a staff accountant in their Reinsurance division in Chicago. She attended Harper Community College and Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.

MICHELLE GARRETT

Michelle brings over twenty years of management, operations, and team building to the 12 Oaks Solutions team. Michelle, who started her career with 12 Oaks in 2011, has responsibilities that include an array of duties associated with senior living property management as well as training, team development, and sales and marketing. Michelle previously served in the senior living industry most notably as an Executive Director for independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

She has a proven track record turning around under-performing properties and increasing census to a profitable range. Michelle earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas and holds certifications for Texas Assisted Living Manager and Oklahoma’s Long Term Care RCAL.

MISTY ROUNTREE, PHR, SHRM-CP

With 12 Oaks since 2007, Misty has held a variety of positions in the organization. She started in an administrative role at the 12 Oaks corporate office. She then transitioned into a Business Office Manager role at a Plano-area community, establishing all business office protocols that would ensure efficient operations. In 2009, Misty returned to the home office to lead the payroll and benefits activities, and in 2010, was promoted to Payroll Manager. In 2016, she was promoted to HR Manager with responsibilities including management of all payroll, benefits, workplace injuries, onboarding, compliance, and employee relations.

She supervises two members of the HR staff. Misty graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Human Resources Management. She obtained her Professional in Human Resources certification (PHR) in 2010 and in 2015, was awarded her SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) designation. Misty is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation as an Assisted Living Manager.

SHEILA CARWILE

Sheila brings over a decade of senior living experience to the 12 Oaks team. Shelia, who started as a senior living advisor, has helped families navigate through senior living options. She has grown census as a Marketing Director, led communities as an Executive Director, traveled as an Operations Specialist, and supported community leadership as a Regional Director of Operations.

Shelia mentors teams that provide service to residents. As a consultant, she brings support to 12 Oaks Dementia Care initiatives and specializes in underperforming communities and promoting community compliance. An Alabama native, she studied at Auburn University and Troy University, majoring in Psychology. She holds a Texas Assisted Living Administrator License and has also served for the past 17 years as a Navy Reservist.