Joe La Rue is the president and CEO of Sun Health, a local nonprofit organization that champions healthy living, research and superior health care through community partnerships. Prior to his position as CEO, Joe was Sun Health’s Executive Vice President.
Before joining Sun Health in 2005, Joe practiced law in the Sun Cities area for 16 years with an emphasis in real estate, finance, development and health care, working closely with Sun Health. Since 1988, Joe has served in many elected and appointed positions including the Peoria City Council, WESTMARC, Arizona State Transportation Board, Maricopa Association of Governments, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Maricopa County Transportation Board and other Peoria and City of Surprise committees.
In 2012, Joe was appointed to the Arizona State Transportation Board to represent Maricopa County, and still serves as Vice Chairman of the Board. La Rue is also a member of the WESTMARC Board of Directors. Previously, he was a member of the Maricopa County Transportation Advisory Board, representing District 4. From 1997 to 2001, La Rue was on the Peoria City Council.
Joe received a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1985 and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 1988. Joe has lived in Maricopa County for approximately 40 years and currently resides in Peoria with his wife Suzy. They have five daughters and three grandchildren.
John Couture is Sun Health’s Chief Optimization Officer. He brings over 25 years in operations and technology leadership – many of those years in senior living and non-profit sectors.
In his role, Mr. Couture is charged with ensuring systems, processes and structures are all aligned with and optimized for the needs of the entire organization. Within his purview will be: Organizational Development and Learning, Human Resources, Technology, Legal, Real Estate, Joint Ventures and Acquisitions, and the Program Management Office.
Mr. Couture’s leadership tenure is enhanced by his passion and empathy for empowering those to live longer, healthier, more purposeful lives. Previous roles include: Chief Operating Officer for La Posada at Park Center in Tucson; Chief Operating Officer for Lutheran Life Communities in Arlington Heights, Illinois; Chief Information Officer for Lifespace Communities, Inc.; and Vice President at Athene USA – the latter two based in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Education and certifications include a Master of Science in Business Management & Organizational Development from the University of Louisville and certification in the Larry Minnix LeadingAge National Leadership Program.
Nora Hannah provides strategic leadership to the Sun Health Foundation and Marketing Departments to support the communication of Sun Health’s impact, identity, mission, and purpose. Nora most recently served as Director of Arizona Together for Impact, a statewide initiative to support collaboration among nonprofit organizations. Previously, Nora served as Civic Engagement Strategy Advisor for Center for the Future of Arizona, and as Chief Executive Officer for Experience Matters. Nora’s expertise is in change management, start-up organizations, organizational leadership, strategic design, funding, and finance.
Practically a native Phoenician, having lived in the community since she was two years old. With over thirty years in service to the Valley, Nora demonstrates a strong commitment to the quality of life for all Arizonans. She is the recipient of the 1999 Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Athena Award and was recognized as one of the 2015 Outstanding Women in Business by the Phoenix Business Journal. She currently serves as a Trustee of the Arizona Theatre Company, and has previously chaired the Boards of YWCA, Valley Leadership, and Children’s Action Alliance.
Nora received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University and her MBA from Arizona State University.
Kim Thompson oversees Sun Health’s senior living operations at Grandview Terrace, La Loma Village, and The Colonnade, as well as Sun Health at Home. She brings with her 20 years of experience leading teams in skilled nursing facilities, rehab centers, independent living and life plan communities, and home care programs. Her previous roles include serving as Chief Operating Officer for Samaritas, one of Michigan’s largest faith-based, nonprofit health and human service agencies. She has also served as Vice President of Operations and Executive Director/Administrator for United Methodist Retirement Communities, LLC, Glacier Hills, Inc, and Michigan Medicine Home Care Services, all located in Michigan.
Kim earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and holds a MBA from Spring Harbor University. She is also a Fellow of the Larry Minnix National LeadingAge Leadership Academy.
Amy Runge is a highly accomplished finance and accounting professional with 38 years of extensive leadership experience in both the public and private sectors, primarily within the senior living and healthcare industries. As the Chief Financial Officer at Sun Health, she plays a crucial role in shaping the organization’s financial strategy, ensuring it aligns with long-term objectives while effectively navigating the complexities of the healthcare landscape.
Before her current role, Amy served as a Partner at Hardesty, providing expert financial consulting services focused on mergers, acquisitions, and financial restructuring for clients facing intricate challenges. With a proven track record as an audit partner at Moss Adams, she led the firm’s $6 million long-term care practice, building a strong client base and significantly expanding the healthcare sector in Northern California.
Amy’s deep expertise in GAAP, COSO internal controls, and auditing standards, combined with her strong communication skills and customer service philosophy, have established her as a strategic and innovative thought leader. An active speaker at prominent healthcare trade associations, she also served on the board of the Moss Adams Foundation, demonstrating her commitment to community service and professional development.
Amy holds a BSBA with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance and a Master’s in Business Administration, highlighting her dedication to financial excellence and leadership in the industry.
Wendy Norman has been with Sun Health for almost six years in several roles including Director of Organizational Development, VP of HR & Organizational Development, and most recently SVP of Talent Solutions.
Wendy’s experience includes executive HR leadership at Banner Health, Pulte Homes, GMAC Commercial Finance and various other organizations. She is a native of Michigan and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from University of Michigan and a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Wayne State University.
Wendy is very passionate about developing talent, driving transformational change and optimizing individual, team and company-wide performance. She also loves to travel and spend time with family and friends.
Kelly is a native Phoenician and has worked in long-term care and senior living since the age of 16. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University and the Barrett Honors College with a Bachelor of Science in 2002, and a Master of Health Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2008. Kelly became a Certified Assisted Living Manager in 2007 and a Licensed Nursing Care Institution Administrator in 2009. She was also designated by the Senior Living Certification Commission as a Certified Director of Assisted Living in 2017. Kelly has served on the Arizona Health Care Association Board for seven years and is the current Vice President. She has also served for the past two years as Arizona’s State Leader for the National Center for Assisted Living.
Joined Sun Health: 2024
Brian Dowdall has provided strategic leadership in higher education and the nonprofit sector for nearly 30 years, specializing in cultivating relationships with donors, volunteers, and corporate partners to secure philanthropic support. He has successfully developed engagement and fundraising strategies that align with institutional goals, focusing on major & planned gift cultivation and campaign development.
Throughout his career, Brian has worked closely with institutional leadership to ensure fundraising efforts meet organizational needs. His results-oriented approach and deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in philanthropy have enabled him to lead complex projects and achieve significant fundraising goals. His work has positively impacted several institutions, including Kenyon College, The Ohio State University (Fisher College of Business and Wexner Medical Center), Northeastern University, Arizona State University, and the Arizona Science Center.
Brian has longstanding ties to the Valley, where his wife Shannon is a third-generation Phoenician on both sides of her family. They have three children with deep engagement within the Brophy & Xavier communities. An accomplished Kenyon College alumnus, Brian was an Academic All-American, a member of four NCAA National Championship teams, a sixteen-time event National Champion and a 28-time All-American. Brian was inducted into the Kenyon Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. He received Kenyon’s Distinguished Service Award in 2024 for his leadership in volunteer efforts.
Chandler Fisher is the Vice President of Financial Planning at Sun Health, where he applies his extensive experience in financial planning, data analytics, and operational performance improvement to drive strategic initiatives. Known for his results-driven approach, Chandler has successfully managed complex projects across several organizations, including Lutheran Life Communities and Lifespace Communities. In these roles, he developed forecasting models and dashboards that empowered senior leadership with actionable insights to enhance decision-making.
Holding an MBA from the University of Iowa and dual bachelor’s degrees in finance and accounting from Iowa State University, he combines strong analytical skills with a commitment to innovation. At Sun Health, Chandler is dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring the organization remains agile and responsive to the evolving healthcare landscape while fulfilling its mission of providing exceptional care to the community.
Greg is a native of California and moved to the valley 3 years ago. He has more than 30 years of progressive experience as a human resource generalist and compensation professional. His areas of expertise in HR are compensation, benefits, employee relations and recruiting. He has held management and executive level positions in human resources at Hallmark Cards Inc., JM Huber Corporation, Cummins Inc., and most recently Tribal Health.
Greg holds a BBA degree from George Washington University and a MS degree in Systems Management from The University of Southern California. He is member of the Forbes Human Resources Council.
Prior to his Human Resource career, he served in The United States Army as an officer, helicopter pilot, and veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Outside of work, Greg enjoys spending time with his family, working out and live music.
Darryll Hunter is a highly accomplished executive in the senior living industry, bringing over seven years of specialized experience in driving operational excellence and elevating resident satisfaction. With a distinguished 20-year career in the hospitality sector, Darryll has honed his expertise in service delivery, strategic leadership, and community engagement.
A native of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Dawson College. His unique blend of hospitality expertise and senior living experience, coupled with his passion for enriching the lives of older adults, positions him as a key leader in fostering dynamic and supportive communities for seniors.
Sheri Kaley oversees Sun Health’s senior living sales at Grandview Terrace, La Loma Village and The Colonnade. She brings with her 15+ years’ experience cultivating and leading successful sales teams in continuing care retirement communities. Her previous roles include Divisional Director of Sales for Five Star Senior Living’s Western Region consisting of 15 communities spread out through 7 states. Sheri is driven by her passion for sales and serving seniors.
Lina (Yunxiang) Li serves as the Vice President of Financial Reporting and Accounting at Sun Health. In this role, she utilizes her expertise as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to oversee financial reporting and implement strategic accounting policies. Lina holds a Master’s in Management with an Accounting Emphasis from the University of Arizona and has extensive experience in various financial roles. She has a proven track record of enhancing financial processes and ensuring compliance with GAAP standards.
Since joining Sun Health in 2020, she has effectively led teams in managing audits, coordinating tax preparations, and providing crucial financial guidance for organizational growth.
Lina is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Arizona Society of CPAs. She is also proficient in various financial software, including Dynamics GP and NetSuite. Lina’s diverse background, which includes a Bachelor’s in Interpretation and Translation from Xi’an International Studies University, enriches her ability to communicate effectively within finance teams and with external partners.
Vice President of Legal Affairs
Garrett Olexa is the Vice President of Legal Affairs. As the Vice President of Legal Affairs, he plays a critical role in advising senior leadership on matters such as legal strategy, contract negotiations, employment issues, and regulatory compliance. He collaborates with various departments to mitigate risk and address legal challenges as they arise, and his insights and leadership play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s legal and business strategies.
Before joining Sun Health in 2023, Garrett practiced law in Arizona for 28 years during which he worked on a variety of commercial transactions, real estate, construction, and insurance matters, as well as business and personal injury litigation. During his time in private practice, he also performed work for Sun Health.
Garrett has been involved in the communities where Sun Health operates, having served on the Boards of the West Maricopa County Bar Association, Leadership West, and Arizona Business Leadership. Garrett also served as an Honorary Commander at Luke Air Force Base.
Garrett received his Bachelor of Science degree in business management 1991 and earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1994. Garrett has lived in Maricopa County since 1995 and currently resides in Peoria with his wife and two sons.
Suzy Peel is Vice President of Real Estate Planning and Development at Sun Health. She has held previous roles within Circle K Stores, Inc. which included Real Estate Development Director, Real Estate Development Manager, Director of Strategic Planning, Senior Financial Analyst, and Risk/Facilities Manager. Suzy has a passion for connecting her company to the local community in meaningful ways and led several initiatives for Circle K Stores including the creation of Circle K Cares, a volunteer organization focused on giving back to the communities in which the stores were located. In regard to real estate development, Suzy loves the art of negotiation, the site selection process, and the ever-changing real estate environment.
Suzy has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott and a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University.
Gene Rawls is our Vice President of Program Management. He has over 25 years’ experience in business process improvement and program and project management. The last several years of his career have been in senior living and, having discovered this industry, he does not plan to leave.
He is responsible for implementing and running our right-sized Program Management Office [PMO] at Sun Health. The PMO guides our efforts to prioritize projects and execute initiatives while effectively assessing workloads, automating processes, driving best practices, and promoting a mindset that continuously looks for opportunities for improvement throughout the organization.
His focus on process improvement comes from understanding that great processes enable people to deliver and achieve at their highest levels. He strives to equip our great team members to provide our wonderful residents the best care and support possible.
Gene has bachelors’ degrees in Computer Science and English from the University of Iowa. He and his wife, Mary Jo, have one daughter.
With nearly two decades of Information Technology experience, Kevin L. Smith is an accomplished executive and technologist specializing in digital transformation, overall IT security governance and agile engineering and development.
Before the selection as VP of IT at Sun Health, Kevin held positions as Chief Information and Technology Officer and Director of IT for leading federal government contractors, supporting various federal agencies. In his current role, he leads strategic and operational IT functions, overseeing planning, execution, and management of technology infrastructure, security, services, and solutions.
Kevin earned his B.S. in Information Technology from Purdue University Global, and holds a variety of technical and professional certifications, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Security+ certifications.
Beyond his IT expertise, Kevin is an avid outdoorsman, weekend golfer and above all, he enjoys spending time with his family.
Neal Smith has been with Sun Health for 20 years. During this time, he has held several roles including Director of Environmental Services, Director of Construction and most recently Vice President of Facilities Management.
Neal strives to maintain a clean, comfortable, and safe environment for Sun Health residents to live longer, healthier, and more purposeful lives.
He has earned several accreditations including a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. He is native to Indiana where he cheered for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. He enjoys camping and spending time with his wife and two children.
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Megan Word is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Sun Health, where she leads the organization’s strategic marketing efforts to enhance brand visibility, drive engagement, and support the company’s growth objectives. With over 20 years of experience in the non-profit and senior living sectors, Megan is known for her ability in crafting integrated marketing strategies that align with business objectives. She oversees marketing, advertising, communications, and corporate events, ensuring that Sun Health’s mission and values are effectively communicated to its diverse group of stakeholders.
A proud native of Ohio, Megan graduated from Wright State University with a bachelor’s in communications, and has always been passionate about contributing to her community. Over the years, she has volunteered with several organizations and is currently an active board member of the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association’s West Valley Heart Walk. Megan was also honored to be featured in Phoenix Business Journal’s “20 Names to Know in Nonprofits.” Outside of work, Megan is a dedicated wife and a proud Volleyball mom to two amazing girls.