THE PINES AT DAVIDSON - Key Persons


Amy Bezanson

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Director of Design With Crescent Communities
Mrs. Bezanson has served as Director of Design with Crescent Communities since early 2016 with a focus on the design of mixed-use retail, office, and industrial developments, creating unparalleled places that enhance the way people live, work, and play. Her diverse project experience spans 16 years and includes over 4,000,000 built square feet and 8,000,000 planned square feet. Prior to joining Crescent, she was the Associate Director of Design at MSTSD in Atlanta, GA, where she led office, retail, mixed use, entertainment, and institutional projects, as well as master planning for urban and suburban projects. Mrs. Bezanson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture with highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology, including City and Regional Planning certificates of minor study specializing in Urban Law and Land Development. In addition, she holds a Master of Architecture degree from Clemson University and was awarded the Henry Adams Medal. Mrs. Bezanson is a registered architect (NCARB/Georgia), a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design + Construction. She dedicates time to Charlotte Lab School as a grant writer, guest lecturer, and STEM curriculum contributor. In addition, she leads Crescent's support of Project Scientist, an educational program created to engage and empower girls with a passion, talent, and aptitude for STEM. Mrs. Bezanson previously chaired the Art Night fundraising initiative at The Children's Circle at Myers Park United Methodist Church. She lives in Charlotte with her husband, daughter (11) and son (7).

Beth Younce

Job Titles:
  • Director
Ms. Younce has been a Partner with the firm Younce & Co., P.A. since 1998. She is a founding member of her firm with over two decades of experience as a Certified Public Accountant helping clients with accounting, tax and business planning solutions. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the NC Association of Certified Public Accountants. Ms. Younce graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in English from Vanderbilt University in 1980 and studied accounting at Georgia State University. Her community involvement includes the roles of Finance Committee member at First Presbyterian Church and Treasurer at the Old Courthouse Theater. Some of her former community activities include Deacon at First Presbyterian Church, Secretary of First Presbyterian Church Foundation, President and Treasurer of Beverly Hills PTO, Treasurer of Concord Middle School PTSO, Chair of the Public and Community Relations Committee for the NCACPA, Treasurer for Presbyterian Women, President Wake County Estate Planning Council, and Treasurer Carolina Ballet Theatre. She has two daughters; Sarah, who is a recent graduate of East Carolina University, and Anna, who is a senior at University of North Carolina - Charlotte. Ms. Younce is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Concord, NC.

Brenda Seligmann

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Senior Vice President With, BBT / Truist
Ms. Seligmann is a Senior Vice President with, BBT/Truist where she works as a wealth advisor focusing on individuals, having begun her employment with BB&T in 2009. Prior to BBT, she worked with Bank of America. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1983 with a degree in Labor and Industrial Relations.

Carranza Pryor

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Chief Counsel for Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport
Mr. Pryor is Chief Counsel for Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, a public university focused on the health sciences and located in Shreveport, Louisiana. It is part of the LSU System and is composed of three different schools: the School of Medicine, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Allied Health Professions. Before joining LSUHSC, Mr. Pryor was the owner of the Pryor Firm, LLC, in Atlanta, Georgia, where he practiced business litigation. He is an elder and member of the First Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.

David Gentry - CFO, VP

Job Titles:
  • CFO
  • Vice President
David joined The Pines in 2022 from his most recent role as CFO at Menno-Haven, Inc., a Life Plan Community in Pennsylvania. Prior to his 10 years' experience in not-for-profit senior living, David worked with large for-profit corporations in a variety of leadership positions. He spent nine years with Capital One, where he led the Activity-based Costing team and directed the financial planning & analysis efforts of several Infrastructure Finance teams including HR, IT, corporate real estate, marketing, legal, etc. He worked 13 years with Circuit City Stores in a variety of accounting, operations, and strategic planning positions, and spent his early career in public accounting with KPMG, and internal auditing with International Paper. David received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Georgia State University and holds an active Certified Public Accountant, CPA, license in the State of Georgia.

David Samec

Job Titles:
  • Director of Facilities Services
David joined The Pines in 2022. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He received a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering and Construction Management from Case Western Reserve University, with a minor in Business Administration from the Weatherhead School of Management. David is a licensed Professional Engineer and a Certified Facility Manager. He retired from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving an honorable 20-year career. Recent leadership roles include the buildout, launching and operation of the Sarasota Art Museum, where he was the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer. Before that he spent 10 years at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC as the Chief of Facilities and over 6 years managing and operating facilities at some of the Smithsonian Institution's largest museums, to include the National Air and Space Museum.

Elyse Piscitelli

Job Titles:
  • Director of Health Services
Mrs. Piscitelli joined The Pines at Davidson as Director of Health Services in July 2023. She comes to The Pines from Aldersgate, where she served as the Director of Nursing for five years, and the joint roles of Director of Nursing and Director of Health Services/Nursing Home Administrator. She had 16 years of experience in various clinical leadership roles in senior services as Assistant Director of Nursing and RN MDS Coordinator. Before advancing into leadership, she worked in direct resident care as a Personal Care Assistant, and then as an LPN. Mrs. Piscitelli is a nursing graduate of SUNY Farmingdale and Excelsior College in New York. In 2019, she received her Infection Prevention Certification through the North Carolina Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology. In 2021, she received the Excellence in Leadership Award, as presented by LeadingAge, North Carolina. In 2022, she received her Licensed Nursing Home Administrator's license. Currently, she sits on the LeadingAge North Carolina Education Committee, where she has served in an advisory role since 2020.

Ex-Officio Doug Hicks

Job Titles:
  • Ex - Officio and Director
  • Member of Davidson
Ex-Officio Doug Hicks, a member of Davidson's class of 1990, returned to his alma mater in 2022 as president. He joined Davidson from his role as Dean of Oxford College at Emory University. He received an AB degree magna cum laude with honors in economics from Davidson, a Master of Divinity summa cum laude from Duke University, and MA and PhD degrees in religion from Harvard University, where he studied with distinguished theologian Ronald Thiemann and Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen. He has written or edited nine books along with fifty articles for scholarly and public audiences. On August 1, 2022, he started as Davidson's 19th president. Mr. Hicks previously served as a member of the board of trustees of Agnes Scott College and, earlier, a trustee at Duke University.

Grace Mitchell

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Resident
Grace Mitchell came to The Pines from Cornelius, NC. Her degrees include a BS from East Carolina University, MA from UNCC, ME from Duke and a PhD from the University of Virginia. She was a college professor at Davidson, UNCC and Warren Wilson College. She also was a schoolteacher, administrator, guidance counselor and educational consultant. Her volunteer services include Serenity House, Animal Shelter, Soup Kitchen, Stephen Ministry and various boards. Her hobbies include working with continuing ed programs such as Davidson Learns, local history, cooking, book clubs and coordinating programs in various settings. She raised 2 stepchildren and has 4 grandchildren.

Harrison L. Marshall, Jr

Job Titles:
  • Director
Mr. Marshall practices corporate law, including representing large corporations, emerging growth companies and private equity funds in merger and acquisition transactions. He also represents several colleges, universities and non-profit entities with regard to corporate governance and other legal matters. Mr. Marshall has served on the Board of Partners for McGuireWoods and as the Chair of the firm's Finance Committee. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Marshall served as captain of the JAG Corps in the U.S. Army. He was an Elliott Cheatham Scholar at Vanderbilt University Law School and a Samuel Bell Scholar at Davidson College. He attends Providence Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC.

J. W. David Atchison

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Resident
Dr. Atchison came to The Pines at Davidson from Monroe, LA., where he retired as a Radiologist in 2013. Dr. Atchison graduated from Davidson College in 1960, attended UNC-Chapel Hill for medical school and served his residency at Duke University Medical Center. He spent three years in the USAF as a medical officer in Lakenheath, England. He has three children, including a son and grandson here in the Charlotte area, one in England and another in Jacksonville, FL. Dr. Atchison supports the Episcopal Church, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, public radio and public TV. He is a member of St. Ablans Episcopal Church.

James E. Harris

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Managing Director in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Bank of America Securities
Mr. Harris is a Managing Director in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Bank of America Securities, where he has been employed since November 2019. Prior to joining Bank of America Securities, Mr. Harris was a Managing Director in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, where he was employed for 20 years. Before joining Wells Fargo Securities, Mr. Harris worked in the Industrials M&A Group for JP Morgan Securities and, prior to business school, he worked at James E. Harris Construction Company, a family-owned business based in Huntersville, NC. Mr. Harris received a B.A. in History from Davidson College, and an MBA, with honors, from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, where he was a Peter May Scholar. Mr. Harris is a member of Davidson College Presbyterian Church, where he has served as an Elder, Chairman of the Global Missions and Planning Committees, a Sunday school teacher for the Confirmation class, and a youth group small group leader. He has served as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 58 of the Boy Scouts of America and has been actively involved in Y-Guides and Y-Princesses. Mr. Harris has served as Co-Chairman of the Fund for Davidson, a member of the Campaign for Davidson, and as Co-Chairman of the Ne Ultra Society for Davidson College.

Jason Cameron

Job Titles:
  • Director
Mr. Cameron graduated in 1995 from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a BS in Civil Engineering. He works as a Project Manager for construction management firms similar to Rodgers Builders. He is currently employed by Edifice, Inc. (May 2017 to present) and formerly worked for The Whiting Turner Contracting Company (1999-2006) and JE Dunn Construction (2006-2017). JE Dunn Construction is one of the firms that Atrium Health uses for its construction projects and The Pines obtained a proposal from Edifice for its expansion project. He is a member of Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC.

John Barkley

Job Titles:
  • Director
Dr. Barkley has served in the role of Chief Medical Officer for Atrium Health Continuing Care Services for 12 years. Dr. Barkley's responsibilities include oversight of five Atrium skilled nursing facilities, 2 hospice agencies and Atrium Health at Home. Atrium Health at Home provides physical, speech and occupational therapies to The Pines and he works closely with Atrium Health Senior Care which provides on-site physician assistant services to The Pines. During COVID-19, Dr. Barkley interceded on behalf of The Pines to obtain COVID-19 testing of Pines residents and staff before such testing was readily available, and he provided advice throughout 2020 on different aspects of dealing with COVID-19. His mother lived at The Pines for a number of years. Dr. Barkley received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of North Carolina prior to completing an internship and residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine. In 2002 he left private practice in Pulmonary & Critical Care to become the first paid Medical Director at what was then Hospice at Charlotte (now Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region). There he started the first Palliative Care services in the Charlotte region and was the Chief Medical Officer of HPCCR until assuming his current role with Atrium Health in April 20210. Dr. Barkley's current clinical work is in the hospice inpatient unit setting.

John N. Gilbert III

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • President of Gilbert Engineering Company
Mr. Gilbert is President of Gilbert Engineering Company where he has been employed for the past 22 years. Mr. Gilbert received a B.A. in the History of Art from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has served on the City of Statesville Planning Board and the City of Statesville Board of Adjustments. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Statesville, NC where he has served as Elder and Treasurer.

Joseph Konen

Job Titles:
  • Director
Dr. Konen taught Family Medicine, Public Health, Health Care Systems and History of Medicine for 35 years at various academic institutions including 8 years as a department chair in Family and Community Medicine. He served as Vice Chair of Family Medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine/Baptist Hospital before coming to Carolinas Medical Center as Chair of Family Medicine. He then went to work with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in NYC, initially in Pfizer's cardiovascular division and then in its international division. In 2019 he retired with 15 years of pharmaceutical industry leadership in field medical, medical affairs, pharmaceutical innovation and integrated health from both US and Global perspectives. He also taught part-time as adjunct faculty at Davidson College for 17 years. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1975 (AB), the State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse in 1979 (MD), and the University of Utah in 1984 (MSPH) where he was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Fellow.

Joseph L. Trask - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman
  • Director
After practicing cardiology in Myrtle Beach for 24 years, Dr. Trask moved to Davidson in 2012 and began practicing in this area. He was affiliated with Novant Health and is now retired from active practice of medicine. Dr. Trask graduated from Davidson College (1979). He obtained his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina (1983). Dr. Trask completed his residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (1986) and his fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina (1988). He has board certifications in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease. He is married to Sally Trask and they have two adult children, Rebecca (Davidson Class of 2008), who is a CPA in Charlotte, and Lake (Davidson Class of 2011), who has completed his Ph.D. in mathematics at N.C. State University and works with Kittleson and Associations in Wilmington, NC.

Katherine Bunn

Job Titles:
  • Director
Ms. Bunn is a retired financial services professional. Most recently, she retired from Bank of America, where she was a Managing Director and was employed from 1994 to 2018. At Bank of America, she served in various roles within Leveraged Finance, Global Principal Investments Risk Management and Corporate Treasury. She graduated from Davidson College in 1988 with a B.A. in Political Science and obtained an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1994.

Kevin Davis

Job Titles:
  • Director
Mr. Davis joined Davidson College in 2017 and currently serves as the College's chief information officer. In this role he is responsible for technology operations and cybersecurity for the institution. Prior to joining Davidson, Mr. Davis worked in information technology at Harvard University (5 years) and Duke University (11 years), most recently as global program director for university IT services at Duke's international campus and programs. Mr. Davis holds an AB in Government from Harvard University and an MBA from Boston University.

Lesley Chambless - CHRO

Job Titles:
  • Director, Human Resources
Ms. Chambless has worked at The Pines since 2022. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received her B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Human Resource Development from Villanova University. Ms. Chambless is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. She has 35 years of experience in healthcare human resources. Recent roles include Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at Atrium Health and Director of Human Resources for Mosaic Pediatric Therapy. Ms. Chambless is currently on the Board of the Ada Jenkins Center where she served as Board Chair in 2020-2021.

Linda Need

Job Titles:
  • Director
Ms. Need serves on the Board of Directors of OneAmerica and managesLinda Need Consulting, LLC providing independent consulting focused on insurance, annuity and other financial product management, marketing and distribution. Her prior work experience includes serving with Wells Fargo (SVP, Managing Director, Life Insurance, 2011-2016); Bank of America (SVP, Merrill Lynch Transition, 2008-2011; SVP, Division Sales Executive, Premier Banking & Investments, 2006-2008; SVP, various insurance product/sales management roles, 2002-2006); Morgan Stanley (Executive Director, National Sales Manager, Insurance & Annuities, 1998-2002); Allstate (various actuarial and sales roles, 1986-1997); Willis Towers Watson (actuarial consulting, 1984-1986); and Northwestern Mutual (Actuarial Associate, 1978-1984). Ms. Need graduated from Williams College in 1978 with a BA in Mathematics and Economics and obtained a MS in Financial Services from The American College in 2015. She currently serves on the Board of the Girl Scouts, Hornets' Nest Council and was previously the Board Chair for The American College's Board of Trustees.

Mary Weeks Fountain

Job Titles:
  • Chartered Financial Analyst
  • Director
  • Vice Chair
Ms. Fountain is a Chartered Financial Analyst. She serves as Managing Director of Sterling Capital Management which she joined in 1985. Ms. Fountain is a senior private client portfolio manager. She received her B.A. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Fountain is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC.

Michael Bummel

Job Titles:
  • Hospitality Executive
  • Director of Dining Services
Mr. Bummel is a seasoned hospitality executive with decades of food service and country club experience, working in places such as Savannah Yacht Club, Quail Hollow and River Hills Country Clubs, as well as Nobles, M5, Upstream and Rooster's restaurants. His breadth of experience has ignited several areas of passion for him. Some of these include working with, appreciating and serving older populations, planning fabulous events, educating on affordable fine wines, supporting team members in their career interests and growth goals, and building a workforce of organized professionals.

Motria Procyk

Job Titles:
  • Director of Development
  • Director of Development and Community Relations
Ms. Procyk joined The Pines in 2006. Prior to moving to Davidson, she worked as a fund raiser at the Columbia University School of Law, where she served as Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Associate Director of Development, and Director of a $125 Million Capital Campaign. Earlier, she served as Assistant Director of Corporate Relations at Mount Sinai Hospital during its capital campaign. Ms. Procyk has a B.A. in English from Wesleyan University and an M.A. in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently serving as an Elder at Davidson College Presbyterian Church.

Paul Leonard

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Resident
Paul graduated Cum Laude from Davidson College, earned a Bachelor of Divinity from the University of Chicago and Masters in Business Administration from Emory University. He also received honorary doctorate degrees from Queens University and Davidson College. He served seven years as a Presbyterian minister. First at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlotte and then lead a non-traditional church in Catawba Presbytery, also in Charlotte focusing on community action and service. He left the ministry and moved into non-for profit housing before being recruited by the John Crosland Company, largest privately held homebuilder in the southeast. He became president of the company in 1984 and was Executive Vice President with Centex Corporation when it purchased the Crosland Company. After retiring from Centex, he was elected to the Board of Habitat for Humanity International and served as Chairman for two years. In June 2004 he was employed as the interim CEO of Habitat. He has served as a trustee for Davidson College and Pfeiffer University. In 2022 he serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Crosland Interest, LLC and as a director on the Board of Crowder Construction. He also serves on the Davidson Community Foundation Board. He and his wife of 62 years, Judy have lived at the Pines for 5 years. They have four children and eight grandchildren and are expecting their first great grandchild in the spring of 2022.

Rev. Dr. Peter J. M. Henry

Job Titles:
  • Ex - Officio and Director
Rev. Dr. Henry has been the Pastor and Head of Staff of Davidson College Presbyterian Church (DCPC) since 2019. Prior to his position at DCPC, he was at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan where he was head of staff since 2007. Prior to his time at Grosse Pointe Memorial, Peter served as Associate Pastor for Youth and their families at Myers Park Presbyterian Church (1996-2000) in Charlotte and as Interim Associate Pastor at Nassau Presbyterian Church (2001-2002) in Princeton, New Jersey. From 2002-2006, he was a doctoral candidate in homiletics at Princeton Theological Seminary. Peter holds the Master of Divinity (‘96), Master of Theology - Homiletics (‘01) and Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology Homiletics (‘09) degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary. Peter received a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) from the University of Illinois in 1992.

Richard (Rich) Lockridge

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Director
  • Secretary
Mr. Lockridge is an associate and real estate attorney with the law firm McGuireWoods in Charlotte, NC. He focuses his practice on commercial real estate transactions. He received his law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law in 2015, where he was a Senior Copy Editor for the Southern California Interdisciplinary Law Journal. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Davidson College in 2012, where he graduated with Honors and was a member of the Davidson football team.

Sarah Boehmler

Job Titles:
  • Director
Mrs. Boehmler received a B.A. from Sweet Briar College. She is a retired Executive Vice President of the American Stock Exchange. Mrs. Boehmler was Chairman of the Corporation of The Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City and a Board member of The Brick Church Day School for four years. She served on the Board of Sweet Briar College, The Board of Trustees of Davidson College and the Board of the YWCA of New York City. Mrs. Boehmler was Co-Chair of the World Service Council of The National YWCA and a member of the Third Street Music Settlement and a Deacon of Davidson College Presbyterian Church. She currently serves on the WDAV Advisory Board and the Davidson College Board of Visitors.

Scott Laws

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Human Resources Leader
Scott Laws is the Vice President, Total Rewards and HR Technology for the Atrium Health enterprise. In his role Scott leads the strategy and leadership team responsible for the execution of compensation and benefits to attract and retain top talent. He is a member of the Human Resources Executive Leadership Team focused on transformation, growth, and operational excellence within the healthcare industry. Scott partners with operational leaders to align with and enable strategic business priorities. He leads change through cultivating partnerships, developing leaders, and engaging teams. Scott is a Human Resources leader with over 25 years of experience in various human resources and operational roles and a history of achieving results aligned with the strategy and vision of the organization. He began his career in retail store operations where he spent 10 years in various direct operational roles. The experience he gained working in store operations prepared him to lead HR strategy and teams in a unique way through understanding the needs of the business and finding creative solutions.

SiSi Hester-Clarke

Job Titles:
  • Director
Dr. Hester-Clarke is Board Certified in Internal Medicine - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and practices with Tryon Medical Partners in Huntersville. She attended Ohio State University Medical School and did her residency and fellowship at Duke University Medical Center.

Vernon M. Baker - CEO, President

Job Titles:
  • CEO
  • President
Mr. Baker has worked in the senior living industry for more than thirty years. Prior to coming to The Pines in March 2021, he was Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of Williamsburg Landing, Inc. in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he served for 3 years. For almost 15 years, Mr. Baker served as Administrator, reporting directly to the Board, of Dogwood Village of Orange County, a senior living community in Orange, Virginia. While at Dogwood Village, Vernon was able to expand and renovate the health care center and build a new assisted living building. Prior to this, he served at American HealthCare, L.L.C. in Roanoke, Virginia, as Senior Vice President of Operations and Regional Director of Operations for a total of 4 years. Prior to that Vernon served as an Administrator of three single site health care centers ranging in size from 60 to 180 beds in Charlottesville and Brookneal Virginia. For nearly twenty years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Health Care Association/Virginia Center for Assisted Living, finishing up as Chairman and then Immediate Past Chairman. Mr. Baker is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, more commonly known as Virginia Tech.

Wendy Tobin

Job Titles:
  • Director of Resident Services
Wendy Tobin has been working at The Pines since 2014 when she started as a Resident Services Intern. She accepted a full-time position in 2017 as the Activities Director and was promoted to Director of Resident Services in 2022. She earned an M.A. in Counseling from UNC Charlotte in 1997 and is a Nationally Board-Certified Counselor. In 2013 she returned to UNC Charlotte to obtain her Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. Prior to joining The Pines, Mrs. Tobin worked in education (secondary and post-secondary). She is a member of St. Therese Catholic Church.