Leadership

Our strong leadership helps us enrich the lives of those we serve. They help us further our commitment and our dedication to help people live longer, healthier and more purposeful lives. Together, we’re building a stronger West Valley for the community we share.

Joseph E. La Rue

President

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John Couture

Chief Optimization Officer

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Vince Guzman

Vince Guzman

Chief Administrative Officer

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Nora Hannah

Chief Engagement Officer
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Amy Runge

Chief Financial Officer
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Kim Thompson

Chief Experience Officer

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Kelly Bojorquez

Executive Vice President, Resident Experience & Community Living 

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Sheri Kaley

Executive Vice President, Enterprise Sales & Business Development

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Garrett Olexa

Executive Vice President, Legal Services & Risk Management

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Neal Smith

Executive Vice President, Enterprise Facilities & Construction

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Wendy Norman

Senior Vice President of Talent Solutions

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Jim Butler

Vice President of Information Technology

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Gerri Dixon

Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management & Corporate Compliance

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Chandler Fisher

Vice President of Financial Planning

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Greg Furstner

Vice President of Talent & Total Rewards

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Staci Glass

Vice President of Philanthropy

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Braxton Howard

Vice President of Community Operations, Grandview Terrace

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Jill Parsons

Vice President of Community Operations, The Colonnade

Gene Rawls

Vice President of Program Management

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Paul Stavros

Vice President, Vibrant Life at Home

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Megan Word

Vice President of Marketing & Communications

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Claudia Vazquez

Associate Vice President, Philanthropy

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Cornelius (Neal) D. Haskell

Chair
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Mark Reifsteck

Vice Chair
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Larry Vering

Treasurer
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Michael Mandell

Secretary
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Joseph E. La Rue

President
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Mary Cavanaugh-Marsh

Director
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Irene H. Kovala, Ed.D., Immediate Past Chair

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Joseph Maillard

Director
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Gary Marrer

Director
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Sharon Orlopp

Director and Ex-officio, Sun Health Foundation Chair
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Debbie Shumway

Director

Terry Smith

Ex-officio, Sun Health Foundation Vice Chair
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Gerald (Jerry) Solomon

Director
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Ron Symic

Director
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Effective as of July 1, 2026

Sharon Orlopp

Chair

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Terry Smith

Vice Chair

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Larry Vering

Treasurer

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Daniel Esparza

Secretary

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Joseph E. La Rue

President

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Suzanne Allen

Trustee

Roslyn Beckwith

Trustee

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Mary Cavanaugh-Marsh

Trustee

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Deborah Damery Lazear

Trustee

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Shirley Frizell

Trustee

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Cornelius (Neal) D. Haskell

Ex-officio, Sun Health Services Chair

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Stan Holm

Trustee

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Lew Lancaster

Trustee

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Mark Reifsteck

Ex-officio, Sun Health Services, Vice Chair

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Jonathan Robles

Trustee

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Joan Smith

Sun Health Foundation, Immediate Past Chair

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Sandra Stephenson

Trustee

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Jesse Young

Trustee

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Effective as of July 1, 2026

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Sharon Orlopp

Chair

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Terry Smith

Vice Chair

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Larry Vering

Treasurer

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Daniel Esparza

Secretary

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Joseph E. La Rue

President

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Suzanne Allen

Trustee

Roslyn Beckwith

Trustee

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Mary Cavanaugh-Marsh

Trustee

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Deborah Damery Lazear

Trustee

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Shirley Frizell

Trustee

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Cornelius (Neal) D. Haskell

Ex-officio, Sun Health Services Chair

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Stan Holm

Trustee

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Lew Lancaster

Trustee

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Mark Reifsteck

Ex-officio, Sun Health Services, Vice Chair

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Jonathan Robles

Trustee

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Joan Smith

Sun Health Foundation, Immediate Past Chair

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Sandra Stephenson

Trustee

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Jesse Young

Trustee

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Effective as of July 1, 2026

14719 W. Grand Avenue Surprise, AZ 85374

Administration: (623) 471-9550 [email protected]

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Sharon Orlopp

Chair

Sharon Orlopp was born in Pasadena, CA and was raised in Colorado Springs, CO. She moved to Arizona in 2015. In 2018, she moved to Seattle to join a tech startup focused on cryptocurrency and take the company public. Sharon was a senior executive at Walmart as the Global Chief Diversity Officer and at Orange Theory Fitness as HR Director. Sharon retired in 2022 and moved back to Sun City West to be close to her mother who lives nearby.

After spending 30+ years in Fortune 500 companies in senior executive roles in HR and Diversity and Inclusion, she is now an inspirational speaker, book reviewer, and author. Sharon is the founder of Orlopp Enterprise. She co-authored the book Standing Up After Saigon, which is a memoir about Thuhang Tran, who contracted polio as a toddler and crawled on the floor for 17 years. She is currently working on two other book projects which are memoirs. She also consults on HR projects and speaks on HR-related issues, diversity, inclusion, and leadership.

In addition to Sun Health, Sharon has served on the Board of The Harwood Institute since 2015 and is currently the treasurer. She has sat on the Advisory Board at the University of Denver for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences division. Sharon serves as an Advisory Board Member for Blugin, a tech startup focused on disruptive HR software to better match candidates and job openings. Finally, at Patheer, Sharon was an Advisor for this tech startup focused on HR software.

Terry Smith, J.D. was born in Bisbee and earned her law degree from the University of Arizona. She spent 35 years as a practicing attorney serving in a variety of roles across Arizona, ranging from private practice to Director of the Arizona Governor’s Office Division for Children and Assistant City Attorney for the City of Peoria. She recently retired but still serves as a Judge Pro Tempore, acting as a temporary judge in place of a sitting judge on an as-needed basis. Terry’s passion for community and criminal justice has garnered praise and high honors from leaders and media across the country.  She was admitted to the Arizona Supreme Court, District Court, and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and was named an Honorary Base Commander- JAG Squadron for Luke Air Force Base in 2020. Her expertise has been particularly invaluable when it comes to best practices involving children, serving on more than two dozen commission seats and appointments focused on child safety and juvenile justice.

Terry joined the Sun Health Board in 2018 to ensure the West Valley community has access to quality healthcare. She serves as the Chair of the Scholarship Committee to help nursing students and other medical professionals continue their education

Larry Vering

Treasurer

Larry H. Vering is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 55 years of experience.  He has worked in public accounting, ISO registration, beef production, real estate, and manufacturing, with a particular focus on projections, measurement, and estimating systems. He’s been a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 1967 and earned the premier Chartered Global Management Accountant credential in 2012 for his advanced proficiency in finance, operations, strategy, and management.

An avid mentor, advisor, and volunteer, Larry has served with nearly a dozen organizations in Missouri, Michigan, and Arizona, but feels especially fortunate to take part in Sun Health’s contributions to the community. The organization has had a profound impact on him, and his family, throughout their more than two decades living in Arizona. He currently serves as Sun Health Foundation Treasurer.

Daniel Esparza

Daniel J. Esparza was born in Oxnard, California, but grew up in Peoria, Arizona. He is an attorney at Lincoln & Wenk, PLLC and is admitted to practice in Arizona state courts and in the United States District Court for Arizona. His practice areas include estate planning, guardianships/conservatorships, and probate administration/litigation.

Throughout his career, he has had a wide variety of experiences, but two highlights include successfully removing trustees for improper conduct, having a will declared void for undue influence, and negotiating the withdrawal of an alleged will drafted in Mexico.

In addition to his service with the Sun Health Board of Trustees, Daniel serves on the Sun Health Council of Professional Advisors, as well as the advisory board at St. John Paul II Catholic High School. He also served as an Officer with the Knights of Columbus (Council 12144), as council Advocate and as Chancellor.

Joseph E. La Rue

President

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.

Roslyn Beckwith was born in Greenville, Mississippi and grew up in an Air Force family. As a military family, she moved frequently and lived in Alabama, Texas, Hawaii and Alaska – to name a few. As a young adult, Roslyn settled in Washington state. She focused on accounting and soon began working for a prominent local CPA firm in Bellevue as their bookkeeper. After six years at the firm, she started her own bookkeeping service that lasted 22 years, simultaneously working full-time in the dental industry.

While working at the CPA firm, Roslyn became involved in the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and Bellevue Business & Professional Women’s Organization, where she was elected to be their Young Career Woman. She was also selected to be on the State Audit Committee for the Washington Federation of Business and Professional Women. Roslyn also made time two days a week after work to spend time preparing children for Special Olympics.

While continuing to grow her bookkeeping business and full-time management in the dental field, Roslyn purchased her first rental home in 1994 and became a property manager, which she is still involved today with several rental homes. Roslyn moved to Arizona nine years ago after visiting a friend for a weekend. She met her husband, Ken, six years ago on a local golf course and married in April 2023.

Today, you will find Roslyn either on the pickleball court, tennis court or golf course. She had retired over a year ago but missed serving in the healthcare industry and was able to return to her position part time as Doctor Administrator at her previous employer, Burns Dentistry. Her inherent quality to serve others continues to best be satisfied in the healthcare capacity. Roslyn enjoys volunteering at her church as well as the Armed Forces support group and local food bank. She is currently a Board of Trustees member for the Sun Health Foundation.

Mary Cavanaugh-Marsh began her financial services career with a large bank. In 1993, she transitioned to a national brokerage firm and became a financial advisor in 1994. Mary currently works for Edward Jones as a financial advisor since 2009. She provides highly personalized services for all aspects of the financial business to meet her clients’ unique goals and needs.

Mary has been active in the local community for many years. She is a member of the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Litchfield Elementary School District Educational Foundation and is an active Rotarian and past Rotary president.

Mary is also a member of the Edward Jones Grassroots Task Force, which is dedicated to making the voice of the individual investor heard on Capitol Hill. The task force is comprised of financial advisors and branch office administrators from all 50 states. Its representatives serve as a constituent resource for elected officials and staff to ensure they are well-informed on legislative and regulatory issues impacting individual investors.

For Sun Health, Mary serves on the Governance Committee, Events Committee and the La Loma Committee.

Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, and raised in Nova Scotia, Deborah Damery Lazear has had a diverse and dynamic career path that has taken her around the globe.

 

She holds degrees in Management Sciences from Saint Mary’s University and Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University, both located in Nova Scotia. Her professional journey began in the fashion industry, where she worked in major cities like Montreal, New York, and Paris before transitioning into public relations in Vancouver. This varied background set the stage for her later work in leadership and coaching, where she excelled in developing Leadership Academies for Fortune 500 companies across the world.

 

Deborah is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) through the Society of Wine Educators and has earned additional certifications from prestigious wine regions like the Rhône Valley, Bordeaux, Spain, and Napa Valley. Her culinary skills were honed under the guidance of the legendary chefs at Cordon Bleu and Jacques Pépin. Deborah’s love for teaching shines through in her role as an original instructor and program advisor for the Business of Wine Certificate Program at SDSU, where she was also recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2005.

 

Her book, “Eating Out at Home,” reflects her culinary prowess and ability to simplify gourmet cooking for home chefs. Deborah’s contribution to wine and food education is highlighted by her appearances as a speaker at the Society of Wine Educators’ global conferences and as a home test cook for TV and cookbooks for America’s Test Kitchen.

 

Settled in Arizona since 2007 with her husband, David, Deborah enjoys a fulfilling retirement. She keeps busy teaching watercolor painting and yoga, as well as leading a local pickleball club. Deborah continues to travel and entertain, bringing her zest for life and learning into every gathering. She has also served as a volunteer for the World Figure Skating Championships, the Group of Seven meeting in Halifax, and Chair of the One Enchanted Evening fundraiser for KPBS San Diego. She is currently a member of SOUL, fundraising for the charity needs of groups in West Valley Phoenix.

 

A staunch advocate for active aging, Deborah serves on the Sun Health Foundation Board. Her dedication is rooted in a personal philosophy: “Sun Health Foundation is providing people like us with options for a happy, healthy, active life either in our own home or in its communities. Being a part of the Sun Health Foundation Board gives me the opportunity to actively promote healthy longevity for others now and in the future.”

Shirley Frizell was born and raised in Kansas City and received her bachelors in science in Biology from Baker University. She is a registered medical technologist and worked as a medical tech for both hospitals and physician’s offices. Later she also obtained her real estate license. She moved to Arizona in 2003 and has always enjoyed volunteering and giving back to the community. Currently, she’s involved in her church where she’s on the permanent endowment and giving committee and a member of PEO, an organization that promotes education for women. She also serves on a Middle Market Task Force, Events and Marketing, Annual Giving and Generosity of Generations and Gala committees for Sun Health Foundation. She joined the board in 2011 and has considered it a privilege. She believes in giving of her time and has made it her life goal to help others. While in Kansas, she served on the St. Joseph Hospital long range planning and recruiting committee.  She was also on the American Red Cross board of directors. Supporting healthcare is a family affair, Shirley has three sons. One is a physician, prosthodontist, and exercise physiologist.

Cornelius D. Haskell (Neal)

Ex-officio, Sun Health Services Vice Chair

Neal Haskell grew up in McCook, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a degree in Business Administration. He owned a design company in San Francisco, CA. Neal also owned CDH Capital Management in Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked closely with individuals and businesses, specializing in comprehensive wealth assessment, management and preservation.

He moved to Arizona in 2014 and has more than 25 years of experience working in Wealth Management.

Having previously served as a board member for the San Francisco Art Institute, and churches in both Nebraska and Arizona, Neal is proud to join the Sun Health Board as a way of giving back to an organization that has long served the community with its commitment to philanthropy, healthcare, individual health and purposeful living for the entire West Valley. He and his wife, Sarah, have been married more than 40 years and enjoy staying active alongside their four children and five grandchildren.

Stan Holm is originally from Oklahoma and received his Master of Science degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma.

After several progressive positions in Kansas City and Phoenix Metro area, Stan accepted a position as CEO of Banner Boswell and Banner Del E. Webb in Sun City West in 2023. He is a board-certified healthcare executive as well as a board-certified healthcare financial professional and has more than 28 years of extensive health system and hospital leadership experience. During his tenure, Stan launched a Level 1 Trauma Center, adding five service lines and over 50 surgeons to the medical staff in one year, followed by a trauma verification with zero deficiencies, emphasizing high-quality standards.

Stan has been named Ingram’s magazine Top 250 Kansas City Business and The Business Journals’ Influencers list. He is the recipient of The Key to the City of Goodyear and an Honorary Commander Medical Group, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base.

Stan has served on boards for Chambers of Commerce, Rotary, Boys & Girls Club, United Way, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, WestMarc and faith-based organizations.

Lew Lancaster was born and raised in Florida. He graduated from University of Florida with a degree in Finance and then earned his MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology. He began his career at a local commercial bank and later joined a Fortune 100 Company serving in roles ranging from a Financial Manager, to Controller and Director. He is retired with over 30 years of financial management experience.

Lew has a Six Sigma Green Belt certification and has volunteered his expertise to support a wide array of organizations throughout the years, including church finance committees, Community Youth Athletic Association, and Bank & Trust Company Advisory Board. He was also an Adjunct Finance and Operations Professor for two Arizona universities. Additionally, he’s a Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM). Lew moved to Arizona in 1993 and joined the Sun Health Board to serve his community and provide financial leadership while to support its mission of helping people live longer, healthier, more meaningful lives. He currently serves as Treasurer and Chairs the Finance & Investment Committee for Sun Health Foundation.

Mark W. Reifsteck

Secretary

Mark W. Reifsteck was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, where he earned a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Washington University. Mark spent his career managing hospitals and health systems. He currently acts as the principal healthcare consultant at his own company, MWR Associates, working in the healthcare field in interim leadership roles and advising hospitals regarding regulatory compliance matters.

He moved to Arizona in 2021 after having owned property here since 2005.

In addition to serving on the Sun Health Board, Mark served on the Bethesda Health Board, an LTC organization based in St. Louis. He also serves as a member of the Washington University in St. Louis’s Institute of Public Health National Council.

Jonathan Robles

Jonathan Robles is an Arizona native, born and raised in Tucson, who has spent his career strengthening the communities and institutions that shape the West Valley. As Associate Vice President of Community, Alumni & Foundation Relations at Estrella Mountain Community College within the Maricopa College District, he leads fundraising for scholarships, builds community-business partnerships, and represents the college in government and economic development circles. His recent work includes collaborative scholarship programs with the City of Avondale, the City of Surprise, and the Maricopa Community College Foundation. Each program is designed to support growing workforce sectors unique to the region.

Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration and Policy from the University of Arizona. That combination of disciplines informed his early career as Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Arizona Hispanic Center of Excellence at the University of Arizona College of Medicine’s Phoenix Campus, where he developed strategies to increase representation of underrepresented communities in healthcare and advance cultural competency among medical professionals.

His civic footprint across the West Valley is extensive. He serves as Board Chair for the West Valley Arts Council, a role he has held since 2022, and sits on the boards of Adelante Healthcare and the West Valley Foundation. He is a member of the Estrella Rotary Club and served two terms as its President. He also represents Estrella Mountain on the West Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and served as its 2023–2024 Chair.

Among his recognitions, Jonathan is a graduate of the National Community College Hispanic Council Fellowship Program and the Valle del Sol Hispanic Leadership Program. He completed the Honorary Commander Program at Luke Air Force Base and now serves with the Blue Blazer Squadron, an alumni association of the Fighter Country Foundation. He also served on Arizona State University’s Pat Tillman Veterans Center West Valley Advisory Board.

“Sun Health has built something remarkable in the West Valley. They have a genuine commitment to the health, dignity, and well-being of the people who live here. The programs, the communities and the scholarships that invest in our workforce all reflect an organization that leads with purpose. I’m proud to support that mission and help it reach even more of the people who need it.”

Joan Smith

Ex-officio, Sun Health Foundation Chair

Joan Smith was born and raised in Washington. She grew up a daughter of a wheat farmer. Her career included being a teacher in Oregon, focusing on food service management and later owning a catering company. She also worked for the North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce in several different capacities including fundraising, event management, development and community relations. Joan served as Director of Development and Community Relations for CCI Enterprises, Inc., a non-profit providing vocational and personal development services for people with disabilities to contribute to society through meaningful employment and Executive Director of Oregon Impact, a nonprofit that provides programs to ensure that children are riding safely on our roadways, teens understand the consequences of impaired and distracted driving, and the adults in their lives are given the tools to guide them. 

Joan and her husband Bruce began vacationing to Arizona in 2006 and enjoyed life as “snowbirds” until 2017 when they decided to move to Arizona full time. She has always been heavily involved in the community serving on the N. Clackamas School Board and a member of Rotary for 27 years. Joan joined the Sun Health Foundation board in 2021 because it is the premier organization in the West Valley providing wellness programs and lifestyle options for seniors. She is honored to be on the Board of Trustees to share Sun Health’s message and to listen for ways Sun Health can be a resource for seniors and their families in the West Valley.

Sandy Stephenson was born and raised in Racine, Wisconsin and received her associates of arts degree in court reporting from Spencerian Business College in Milwaukee.  She moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1968 and was a court reporter for seven years until she met her husband, Jack, at a disposition. He was an attorney and they married and moved to Seattle where he had his practice. They had one daughter together and Jack had two daughters.  They built a retirement home in Sun City West, Arizona in 1997 and enjoyed being snowbirds for many years before moving full time to Arizona in 2008.  Sandy has always enjoyed serving her community through her Church, Christian Women’s Connection as prayer coordinator, P.E.O. as a program chair, and Briarwood Country Club, where she serves on the House and Entertainment Committees and golfs with the 9-hole ladies. Her late husband Jack served on the Services Board of Sun Health for eight years and considered it the finest organization he had ever been involved with. Sandy too found that Sun Health was a wonderful resource for the community and has enjoyed serving on the Marketing, Gala and Stewardship and Annual Giving committees.  She has been a Foundation Board member since 2021 and now chairs the Stewardship committee.

Jesse Young’s life story is a blend of continents, cultures, and industries. Born in Pirmasens, Germany, as a military child, Jesse grew up across various settings—from Germany to the East Coast of the U.S., as well as New Mexico, Indiana, and Colorado. This diverse upbringing instilled in him a deep adaptability and an innate curiosity about the world.

After serving in the United States Army in Landau, Germany, Jesse earned a Master’s degree in International Business from ASU’s prestigious Thunderbird School and an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland. His studies not only refined his fluency in German but also deepened his understanding of global markets—a foundation that would launch his career in finance.

Over the next three decades, Jesse held senior management roles across three continents, particularly in Europe and Asia. He managed a 200-person department for a major software company in two countries. Later, as a Certified Financial Planner, he orchestrated comprehensive strategies for retirement and investment planning tailored for high-net-worth individuals and businesses, emphasizing holistic financial health from tax management to estate planning.

Jesse moved to Arizona to retire in 2020. Now, Jesse shares his wealth of knowledge with students as an Adjunct Professor at Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo College of Business. He teaches courses in business finance, international trade and marketing, offering insights into risk management, foreign exchange markets, and more.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Jesse is deeply engaged in his community. He’s a board member of the German-American Chamber of Commerce in Arizona (and previously in Colorado) and serves as Vice-chair of the Finance Council at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish. He has also contributed his time and expertise to various arts and civic organizations over the years.

Jesse’s passion for blending financial expertise with meaningful healthcare initiatives drives his involvement with Sun Health. He’s motivated by the significant impact healthcare has on the economy and has a passion for non-profit missions.

Cornelius D. Haskell (Neal)

Vice Chair

Neal Haskell grew up in McCook, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a degree in Business Administration. He owned a design company in San Francisco, CA. Neal also owned CDH Capital Management in Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked closely with individuals and businesses, specializing in comprehensive wealth assessment, management and preservation.

He moved to Arizona in 2014 and has more than 25 years of experience working in Wealth Management.

Having previously served as a board member for the San Francisco Art Institute, and churches in both Nebraska and Arizona, Neal is proud to join the Sun Health Board as a way of giving back to an organization that has long served the community with its commitment to philanthropy, healthcare, individual health and purposeful living for the entire West Valley. He and his wife, Sarah, have been married more than 40 years and enjoy staying active alongside their four children and five grandchildren.

Michael L. Mandell

Michael L. Mandell is a retired business professional who resided in the Sun City West area from 2006-2021. He is now a resident of The Colonnade in Surprise.

 

Mr. Mandell’s most recent business position was in human resources and career management consulting. He served as Vice President of Client Services at Right Management in both San Francisco and Phoenix.

 

Before that, Mr. Mandell spent 37 years in the computer and technology fields. He had an extensive career in business development/sales, marketing, and general management with organizations ranging from start-ups to global Fortune 500 companies such as Apple, GE IT Solutions, Honeywell, and Siemens/Nixdorf. He has also raised capital and taken two startup companies to a public listing.

 

Since 2008 Mr. Mandell has been involved with Sun Health. He served as Chair of the Sun Health Foundation Board of Trustees from 2013 – 2015, followed by serving as Chair of the Sun Health Services Board of Directors from 2018 – 2019. He is currently the Chair of the Sun Health Outreach Committee, as well as being a member of the Senior Living Committee, the Sun Health Foundation Strategic Planning Task Force and the Sun Health Branding Task Force. He is Past-Chair of the Skilled Nursing Facility Advisory Council.  

 

Mr. Mandell was born in Canada and spent much of his career there as well as in Europe. He spent most of his working life in the U.S. He is married to Robin Mandell and has two sons and four grandchildren. His interests include travel, food and wine.

 

Mr. Mandell received a Bachelor of Business Administration Equivalency from City University of New York.

Irene H. Kovala, Ed.D.

Chair

Irene Kovala was born in Ashland, Wisconsin, on the south shore of Lake Superior, and grew up in Duluth, Minnesota. She has lived in Arizona since 2011. Irene spent her career in public higher education for 44 years around the country. She has served in several positions in college and university Administration – cutting her teeth as an admissions counselor and working her way to President of Glendale Community College through the years. She retired in 2016. Her passion is for the community college purpose, providing opportunities for students who normally wouldn’t receive it.

In the past, Irene served on multiple professional boards, such as the ACT regional committees in Illinois and Minnesota, the President of IACAC (The Illinois Association of College Admissions Counselors), a regional branch of NACAC, and the WESTMARC executive committee. Irene currently serves as the Sun Health Services Chair and the Sun Health Governance Chair. Irene enjoys serving with Sun Health because the board is engaged, active and creative – especially under strategic visionary leadership.

Joseph Maillard

 

Joseph Maillard was born and raised in Paris, France, where his curiosity about global finance and economic systems took root early. After earning his undergraduate degree in France and an MBA in finance from the University of Hamburg in Germany, he launched a career that would take him across Europe and eventually to the United States.

 

Joseph began his professional journey at Ernst & Young as an auditor and strategy advisor, building a strong foundation in accounting and risk management. His passion for financial markets then drew him to London, where he worked as an inter-dealer broker for Tullett Prebon/ICAP, trading interest rate swaps in one of the world’s most demanding financial environments.

 

Following the 2009 financial crisis, Joseph relocated to the United States and founded December Ventures, a turnaround investment boutique focused on acquiring, improving, and selling small businesses. Among his holdings was a Medicare-certified home health care agency, which gave him a decade of firsthand perspective on the complexities and human stakes of the healthcare industry. Today, he serves as a financial advisor and Growth and Optimization leader at Edward Jones, where his practice continues to grow.

 

Beyond his professional life, Joseph has dedicated time to coaching young entrepreneurs, helping them identify the building blocks of a sustainable business. He also served two years as a missionary with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an experience that deepened his commitment to service.

 

“Making a meaningful difference in others’ lives is what drives me,” Joseph says. “I’ve owned a healthcare organization and seen both the challenges and the possibilities of this industry. Sun Health has consistently led with vision and initiative, delivering an extraordinary story of care. I’m thrilled to add my efforts to theirs and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”

Gary Marrer was born in Berlin, New Hampshire, and lived many years in Upstate New York. He has lived in Arizona since 1995. He earned an Associate’s degree in Business Administration from Monroe Community College, a Bachelor’s in Economics from SUNY Geneseo, a Master’s in Education from Northern Arizona University, and an MBA from Binghamton University.

Gary has spent his career in various technology-related positions in corporate and higher education. He spent 20 years at corporations such as IBM, GE, Savin and Karsten Manufacturing. He is a self-labeled technology geek. Most recently, he retired from a 20-year career at Glendale Community College, teaching technology courses. Since 2020, he has been teaching at ASU in the fundamentals of IT and programming.

In addition to serving on the Sun Health Services board as the chair of the technology Committee, he and his wife dedicate time to the Senior-to-Senior program through the Pebble Creek/Goodyear Rotary, where they mentor students, learning from each other. He is also active in clubs and organizations at the Pebble Creek Resort Community.

Gerald (Jerry) Solomon was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up in Southern California, where he earned a degree from Cal State at Fullerton. He lived for 30 years in the Pacific Northwest and moved to Arizona in 2004. In Seattle, Jerry spent the first half of his career in the tech industry, working at various small companies; he has a passion for entrepreneurialism. Jerry’s was the first company in Seattle to raise more than 1 million in venture capital. Most of his time in tech was spent in start-ups, except for a period at Texas Instruments. The second part of Jerry’s career was in the chemical industry with Great Lakes Chemical in international sales.

Jerry volunteered for the Little Red School House Board in Seattle. The organization helps children with impairments between newborn and 3 years old. In Arizona, Jerry served on various Benevilla committees. He has served on the Sun Health Board for almost 12 years. Currently, at Sun Health, he Chairs three areas: the Middle Market Task Force, the Strategic Plan Committee, and the Health and Wellness Committee. Jerry was the past chair of the Services and Foundation boards.

Ron Symic spent 38 years with Japan Airlines developing and implementing marketing plans, sales and customer service policies and budgets. Among other corporate positions, he launched marketing, promotional, development and advertising programs for large and small private and non-profit national and international organizations. He is currently the President/Owner of a travel insurance company, Bradley Travel Insurance, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He holds an Alberta Insurance License. Since 2008, he has spent half of the year in Arizona.

Among Ron’s multiple volunteer and community contributions, Ron has served on three Arizona Super Bowl organizing committees and as Sun Health Foundations Events Board Chairman. Ron currently volunteers as the Sun Health Foundation Secretary and Vice Chair of its Outreach Committee. He also is the Director of the Alberta Diabetes Foundation and Alberta Diabetes Institute.

John Couture

Chief Optimization Officer
Joined Sun Health: 2023

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.

Vince Guzman

Chief Administrative Officer
As Chief Administrative Officer at Sun Health, Vince Guzman leads the organization’s administrative strategy, governance, and enterprise operations in support of Sun Health’s mission to champion Vibrant Living and superior health care. With over 25 years of leadership experience, he is passionate about building high-performing teams and creating systems that empower leaders to focus on what matters most.
 
Originally from the Bronx, New York, Vince has held leadership roles spanning community organizations, Wall Street, and Silicon Valley, eventually leading enterprise operations across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies and graduated with Executive Honors in Networking Technology, a background that shapes his belief that innovation is most powerful when paired with empathy and collaboration.

Vince is passionate about leveraging technology and emerging AI to modernize operations and strengthen governance, and he remains committed to developing exceptional administrative professionals and positioning Sun Health for lasting impact.
Vince Guzman

Nora Hannah

Chief Engagement Officer
Joined Sun Health: 2024

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.

Amy Runge

Chief Financial Officer
Joined Sun Health: 2023

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.

Kim Thompson

Chief Experience Officer
Joined Sun Health: 2023

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.

Kelly Bojorquez

Executive Vice President, Resident Experience & Community Living 
Joined Sun Health: 2023

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.

Sheri Kaley

Executive Vice President of Sales
Joined Sun Health: 2023

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.

Garrett Olexa

Vice President of Legal Affairs

Joined Sun Health: 2023

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.

Neal Smith

Vice President of Facilities and Construction Management

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.

Wendy Norman

Senior Vice President of Talent Solutions

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.

Jim Butler

Vice President of Internet Technology

Joined Sun Health: 2026

Jim Butler serves as Vice President of Information Technology for Sun Health. He is responsible for leading the organization’s technology strategy, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, infrastructure, service desk operations, data and analytics, and digital transformation initiatives. He works closely with business and operational leaders to ensure technology investments support Sun Health’s mission, strategic priorities, and long-term growth.

Jim brings more than 30 years of information technology leadership experience. He began his career in technology in 1992 and spent 28 years with Aegon/Transamerica, where he advanced through a variety of leadership positions, ultimately serving as Senior IT Director. Throughout his career, he has focused on aligning technology with business objectives, leading high-performing teams, and delivering innovative solutions that improve organizational performance. Jim is passionate about building strong teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and having fun at work, believing that people do their best work when they feel valued, supported, and engaged.

A lifelong resident of Louisville, Kentucky, Jim relocated to Arizona in 2026 to join Sun Health. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Management with a concentration in Computer Information Systems from the University of Louisville.

Outside of work, Jim enjoys spending time with his wife, Teresa, their three children, and two grandchildren.

Gerri Dixon

Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management & Corporate Compliance

Joined Sun Health: 2025

Gerri is an accomplished healthcare industry executive with over 30 years in roles ranging from direct patient care, nonprofit leadership, compliance program management, risk management, and insurance oversight. Gerri has a proven track record of developing and implementing robust risk management frameworks and corporate ethics and compliance programs. She drives organizational change and fosters collaboration across leadership teams to enhance compliance and mitigate risks.

In her role as VP of Enterprise Risk Management & Corporate Compliance, Gerri is designated as Sun Health’s Compliance Officer and will develop and lead the Enterprise Risk Management and Corporate Compliance Programs. Gerri will play a pivotal role in advancing our risk management and compliance strategies, ensuring we continue to meet regulatory requirements and uphold the highest standards of corporate integrity.

Gerri holds her B.S. in Health Care Management and is completing her Master of Laws degree at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU, with dual focus in Corporate & Healthcare Compliance and Health Law & Administration. Her highly anticipated graduation is Summer 2025! Committed to always increasing her industry knowledge and remaining cognizant of changes in the regulatory environment, Gerri maintains her membership in the Health Care Compliance Association, National Association of Black Compliance & Risk Management Professionals, and American Health Law Association.

 

Gerri has lived across the country—from North Carolina to Illinois, Ohio to California, Iowa to New Mexico, and Wisconsin to Arizona. She and her husband, whom she married during the pandemic just over three years ago, have three grown children, each married with their own families and beloved pets. She enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, traveling, crafting, and cheering on college football. (Go Buckeyes! 2024 CFB National Champions!) Fun fact: Gerri and her husband are both DJs specializing in reggae and old-school music. Her husband also runs a reggae radio station and produces music.

Chandler Fisher

Vice President of Financial Planning

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 Furstner

Vice President of Talent & Total Rewards
Joined Sun Health: 2023

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.

Staci Glass

Vice President of Philanthropy
Joined Sun Health: 2026

Staci Glass is Vice President of Philanthropy of Sun Health Foundation, leading philanthropic strategy, donor engagement, and advancement efforts that promote healthy living and strengthen healthcare in the community.  As an Arizona native, Staci brings more than 20 years of experience in mission-driven work, supporting organizations and causes that strengthen Arizona communities.

Prior to joining Sun Health Foundation, Staci oversaw Development and Alumni Relations for Midwestern University, where she developed long-range advancement strategies across health sciences colleges and programs at campuses in Chicago, Illinois, and Glendale, Arizona.

She holds a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and has supported several Arizona nonprofits through board service, committee leadership, and volunteer involvement.  She and her husband have three adult daughters and a rescue dog, Remi.

Braxton Howard

Vice President of Community Operations, Grandview Terrace
Braxton Howard serves as Vice President of Community Operations at Grandview Terrace. Originally from Anderson, South Carolina, Braxton relocated to the Phoenix area in 2018. He joined Sun Health as Health Services Director and has continued to advance through leadership roles within the organization.
 
Braxton is passionate about developing people, driving operational excellence, and creating meaningful experiences for residents and team members alike. His leadership philosophy centers on building strong relationships, fostering a positive culture, and making each day a little brighter for those around him.
 
Braxton earned his Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and his bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Arizona State University.
 
As Vice President, Braxton is dedicated to advancing Sun Health’s mission through strategic leadership, continuous improvement, and a resident-centered approach to community operations.
 

Gene Rawls

Vice President of Program Management

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.

Paul Stavros

As Vice President of Vibrant Life at Home, Paul drives the vision, strategy, and expansion of Sun Health’s innovative in-home services, including the flagship programs Sun Health at Home and Vibrant Life Choices. With more than 30 years of leadership experience in the healthcare industry, Paul has built a distinguished career spanning both public and private sectors. Before stepping into his current role, he served as Executive Director for Sun Health at Home and Vibrant Life Choices. His extensive background also includes key director and vice president positions with leading national organizations such as Extendicare, HCR ManorCare, and Tendercare, as well as respected non-profit providers including Samaritas and EHM Senior Solutions.

Paul earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and later completed his MBA at Michigan State University, demonstrating a strong academic foundation in business and leadership.

Megan Word

Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Joined Sun Health: 2023

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.

Claudia Vazquez

Claudia Vazquez is the Associate Vice President of Philanthropy at Sun Health Foundation, where she develops philanthropic strategies, cultivates donor relationships, and oversees programs that advance the Foundation’s mission.

Claudia brings a deep passion for empowering donors to create lasting impact. With over 25 years of experience across social services, higher education, arts and culture, and healthcare, Claudia is recognized for her expertise in fundraising and project leadership. Since 2017, she has held key roles at Sun Health Foundation, enhancing donor engagement, streamlining operations, and leading major initiatives.

Before joining Sun Health, Claudia held senior development roles at the Arizona Science Center, Arizona Theatre Company, and Scottsdale Cultural Council, leading fundraising and community engagement efforts. She also managed alumni relations and donor support at Woodbury University in Burbank, California.

A California native, Claudia holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Woodbury University and is fluent in Spanish. She was named Employee of the Year by the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles in 1999 and has volunteered with organizations including the West Valley Symphony, Scottsdale Kachina Lyons Club, and the Burbank YMCA.

Claudia has called Arizona home since 2009, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and mother. She enjoys spending time with family, exploring the outdoors, and traveling.