Our days are filled with important duties and routines. Yet human connection takes precedence over the necessities of our job descriptions every time. You are why we're here.
We bring varied backgrounds and skills to our roles, but we are all here to love and support you.
Executive Director: Laura KellingLaura is a passionate resident advocate with more than 35 years in the field of aging services and rehabilitation. Her dedication to seniors has transcended her roles as therapist, researcher, case manager and executive director, including significant experience caring for individuals with varying abilities and needs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from Calvin University, and is a certified Senior Specialist, Dementia Practitioner and Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
"We have the unique opportunity in this field to be a part of our residents' families. We are lucky enough to share their home and to create loving relationships. Throughout my career, I have been a strong supporter of aging with grace, dignity and respect, ideals Traditions communities actually stand behind. We are here to maximize each senior's quality of life, and we do that by building teams who truly care. You can feel that level of care and commitment in every meal, activity, celebration, special occasion or routine interaction."
Laura and her husband Chris have seven children and three grandchildren between them. Their historic farmhouse was built in 1858, and sits on a picturesque ridge among the apple orchards and farms of Conklin, Michigan.
Community Relations Director: Charles WalkerCharles attended the University of Mississippi for Bio-Chemistry (Pre-Med), received his Bachelor of Science in Management and Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Cornerstone University. He served as a pastor for close to 12 years, and most recently was the Director of Adult and Graduate Studies at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids.
"I am a servant-leader who enjoys helping others reach their goals while overcoming life obstacles. As a pastor, I spent a great deal of time counseling families faced with placing their loved ones in a senior living community. I witnessed the struggle and doubt among adult children, as well as the challenges and fears loved ones experienced. My passion and resolve for helping families only deepened after we navigated this transition with my own mother-in-law who had Alzheimer's. We were all created for community (relationships), and I am here to help families through this transition with care and compassion."
Charles met his wife, Sara, in Nashville, Tennessee where he was a musician and she worked for Kenny Rogers. They recently celebrated their 30th anniversary and have a son Noah (26), daughter-in-law Carly (23), son Joshua (24), daughter Emma (22) and son-in-law Evan (22).
The Certified Dementia Practitioner® (CDP®) represents those health care and front line staff who have an in-depth knowledge in dementia care. They have received specialized training, met certain requirements, and applied for certification through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP). The CDP® program recognizes the need for standards in the area of Alzheimer’s and dementia education, and it helps improve the services provided by health care professionals and frontline staff.
