ONE SENIOR PLACE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Staffing Manager / Senior Partner Care Services
Health care has been a way of life for Andrea Martin for over 20 years. The staffing manager for Senior Partner Care Services has worked previously in hospital admissions, patient care, scheduling and even sales and marketing! Andrea has been with Senior Partner since 2012, where she assists with both staffing and scheduling. Hers is the very important task of keeping track of credential updates for the professional caregivers working with senior clients. Andrea's diverse health care experience also makes her invaluable in the hiring of new caregivers. The men in her life include her husband of 11 years and three very active young sons. On sunny weekends, you'll find Andrea and her guys enjoying the outdoors. Their favorite hangouts include nearby parks and the beach. At home, the family often gathers around the TV to cheer on their favorite sports teams. A busy working mom, Andrea also likes to spend time in the kitchen trying out new recipes.
After a history of staffing administration, office management, marketing and community relations for One Senior Place, Angelina (Angie) Higgins was named Director of the Viera location in March of 2024. Always personable, Angie works alongside the senior-focused resident businesses at One Senior Place to provide the resources needed for aging adults on the Space Coast. On a daily basis, she provides seniors and their family members with free 30-minute consultations to help them navigate the maze of senior services and evaluate choices. As Director of One Senior Place, Angie coordinates the numerous informational and educational seminars presented monthly at the Viera marketplace for senior services. Originally from New York, Angie is proud to be part of a team providing one-of-a-kind services to local residents. She moved to the Sunshine State in 2017 with her husband and two children, Julissa and Mason. Nearly always on the go, Angie loves cooking for her family- especially chicken parmesan!
Brenda discovered her passion for working with seniors as a private duty caregiver in Chicago, Illinois. As a military wife for 21 years, she has lived in six states and three different countries! Brenda settled in Orlando in 2009 and has served seniors in a variety of positions since her arrival, including opening One Senior Place with the team in 2012. She graduated from The University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science. In 2014, Brenda earned the title of Certified Care Manager through the Aging Life Care Association and is now designated an Aging Life Care Professional™. Also known as a geriatric care manager, she is certified to acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults. Brenda is also a past Secretary for the Community Education and Resource Affiliation and is a board member for the Creative Care Association. A mother of four and grandmother of five, Brenda fills her free time with travel, reading, kayaking, and cheering for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Operations Manager
Originally from Plymouth Massachusetts, Carolyn Orlik has been working with One Senior Place and Senior Partner Care Services in finance and office management since 2010. She is a graduate of Eastern Florida State College, where she excelled in Accounting Operations. A wife of 30 years, and a mother of three adult sons, Carolyn has lived in Florida for most of her life. She enjoys being out in the Florida sunshine with her family; camping and gardening are her two favorite pastimes.
Indiana-born Chris Shepherd is a proud Hoosier with a lengthy background in service to seniors. Before coming to One Senior Place, the former volunteer service manager created enrichment programs for aging adults. As Director of One Senior Place Greater Orlando, Chris oversees day-to-day operations and business development, liaising between clients and senior-focused service providers. He finds satisfaction in getting seniors the help they need, assisted by an academic background in education and counseling. Chris holds a bachelor's degree from Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, Alabama, and earned a master's degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. A passionate mountaineer, Chris has climbed 14 "fourteeners" of (you guessed it) 14,000 feet. He has visited five continents and sought out places most folks avoid - and loved every minute of it! The resident of Mount Dora is also a new grandpa and a true family man with two sons. He believes gratitude makes the world a better place. When not enjoying the great outdoors in his off hours, Chris is likely to reach for a book that suits his varied interests: science, leadership, faith and history.
After conceiving One Senior Place at his kitchen table, Don Kramer has watched the company he founded grow into one of Central Florida's largest providers of nonmedical in-home senior care. Today, Senior Partner Care Services is a subsidiary of One Senior Place, with caregivers delivering thousands of hours of care each week to clients across four Central Florida counties. Recognizing the importance of community service, Kramer has a long record of involvement and leadership in professional and community service organizations. He is past President of Brevard Association of Human Services and has served on numerous boards including Yellow Umbrella Child Abuse Prevention Center, Alzheimer's Association Local Leadership Council, Senior Resource Alliance of Central Florida and Founders Forum of Brevard. Kramer is a co-founder of both the Seminole Health and Human Services Network and the Brevard County Elder Abuse Task Force. Don's wife and business partner Beth is a Registered Nurse. The Kramers are long-time residents of Satellite Beach, Florida and have raised three daughters.
Karen has worked professionally with seniors for over 26 years. A wife and mother to two boys, she has been part of the One Senior Place family since 2014. Karen is committed to caring for others and their families. After working as a Certified Nursing Assistant for many years, Karen returned to school in 1999- obtaining her credentials in Practical Nursing and excelling as one of the top three in her class. She and her family have called Brevard County home since 2004. Karen has enjoyed a professional career in Connecticut, Texas and Florida, with experience as a Nurse Assessment Coordinator and related positions in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living facilities and Memory Care Centers. She enjoys spending time with her family and animals.
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing & Events Coordinator
Katie Porter is one of the friendly faces you'll see when you visit One Senior Place in Altamonte Springs! In addition to helping guests find the information they need, she works to create beautiful promotional materials and helps manage our online presence. Katie is a rare Florida native, born, raised -and still a resident of- Casselberry. She is currently a student at the University of Central Florida, where she is focusing on business, marketing and health science. Her academic interests were sparked by previous experience in marketing and event coordination - which all led to her current role at One Senior Place. If asked, Katie will reveal that her favorite part of the job is the bonds that form with guests to One Senior Place. At home is four-year-old Kylo, a blue-eyed Siberian Husky full of energy and love. When Katie's not busy working or studying, she can often be found rollerblading or biking through Casselberry. Sound like a lot? This energizer bunny still finds time for frequent high-intensity workouts and weightlifting at the local Crossfit gym!
Job Titles:
- Service Coordinator / Senior Partner Care Services
Friendly and helpful, Kaylynn is the person who provides information and scheduling for home care services -and ensures a good fit between client and caregiver. Born into an Army family in Rockledge, Kaylynn lived in seven states before returning to Florida and graduating from Cocoa High School. Always close to her grandfather, Kaylynn believes he may have lived a longer life with the type of caregiving services she now schedules for others. His passing inspired her to work with seniors to ensure they had the chance to live independent and full lives. Merritt Island is home for Kaylynn, although the changing seasons of the Rocky Mountains will always have a piece of her heart. Once inside her own front door, Kaylynn is greeted by two of the world's sweetest kitties, Mia and Mila. Time off is shared with her special someone, cheering on the Dallas Cowboys on Sundays, or attending ice hockey games for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The outdoor enthusiast also loves fishing! Kaylynn is happiest with a rod in her hand, especially when she's got a bass on the line.
Job Titles:
- Nurse
- VP of Care Services
With more than three decades of nursing experience, "Nurse Lisa" has unrivaled knowledge of the healthcare landscape and available resources in Brevard County. Her diverse background in emergency services, hospital administration, mental health, hospice, senior living, professional care management and nursing supervision gives Lisa an ability to speak to the challenges facing today's seniors and caregivers. Her personal experience with the devastation of Alzheimer's allows her to provide invaluable support and insight for clients and caregivers on a similar journey. Nurse Lisa is ALF CORE trained and a Certified Care Manager. As a designated Aging Life Care Professional,™ she is certified to act as a guide and advocate for families caring for older relatives or disabled adults. In 2023, Nurse Lisa earned the title of Certified Dementia Practitioner. Ms. Conway is a frequent speaker in the community and the host of the monthly seminar series, Senior Health Friday with Nurse Lisa. She contributes regularly to the widely disseminated newspaper column, "Ask One Senior Place." Her ongoing role as Vice President of Care Services allows Lisa the opportunity to provide direct assistance to those needing care management and in-home senior care services.
Job Titles:
- Nurse Care Manager
- Practical Nurse
Lynde has worked as a Practical Nurse for nearly two decades and has an extensive background aiding seniors. Lynde recalls wanting to be a nurse since childhood, ultimately choosing the profession to take care of people who are unable to care for themselves. Compassionate and caring, she worked for ten years with Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Lynde has a great passion in this area, as her father also had a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. She is ALF CORE trained and was the Director of Nursing for two assisted living communities in the Brevard area and has also worked in the Skilled Nursing environment. Lynde has been happy to call Brevard County home since 1985. She graduated from Satellite High School and went on to obtain her nursing degree from Brevard Community College. When she became a military wife, Lynde put her talents to work in other parts of the nation, practicing nursing in Vernon Hills, Illinois and Bremerton, Washington. In 2011, Lynde returned to Brevard County and now resides in Viera with her daughter. Miniature schnauzer, Khodi and Labrador retriever, Aria, are also important parts of the family. When she's not at work, Lynde enjoys gardening and spending time on Brevard's wonderful beaches.
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing & Events Coordinator
¡Saluda a Vanessa Rojas! Vanessa is one half of the friendly front desk team at One Senior Place in Altamonte Springs. She creates beautiful marketing materials, helps guests with information and assists with the social media presence for One Senior Place. Miami-born and raised, the fluent Spanish speaker is part of a tight-knit family where her best friends are her younger brother -and her twin sister! Growing up, she and her twin couldn't resist a little mischief, playing pranks on those who couldn't tell them apart. Vanessa has a degree in business administration from the University of Central Florida, with a focus on marketing. The UCF Knight enjoys using her creativity to bring people together, especially through her digital marketing skills. Community-minded and compassionate, Vanessa enjoys supporting meaningful causes and has worked with the nonprofit Children's Safety Village of Central Florida, as well as Habitat for Humanity. When she's not spending time with family, the self-described bookworm loves reading historical fiction, watching movies- and karaoke!