The safety and well-being of residents and team members are top priorities for Katrina Peterson. Having served in the security department at Oak Hammock for six years, Peterson takes her role as Team Leader seriously and personally. Her genuine concern for others shines through in her daily interactions with residents, colleagues and visitors to the community.
Born in New York City but raised in Ocala, Florida since infancy, Peterson grew up as an only child. As a young girl, she often felt unheard by the adults around her. That experience impacted her deeply and inspired her adult philosophy: to always listen with empathy and respond with care. As she puts it, “My experiences in life shaped who I am.”
Meeting Peterson, it’s easy to sense her calm demeanor, compassion, inner strength and confidence. Her warm, engaging smile and expressive eyes reflect the kindness, patience and understanding she brings to every interaction.
One decision Peterson made early on was to create the large, loving family she didn’t have as a child. She and her husband, Bart, have been together for 18 years and married for 12. Between them, they have four children—three sons and a daughter, ages 30 to 38, and eight grandchildren ranging in age from one to 15. She especially enjoys time with five-year-old Kaylahni, a lively and curious preschool graduate who keeps her on her toes. “Taking care of a five-year-old is hard work,” she laughs.
Peterson has worked at Oak Hammock for nearly 14 years. She began in housekeeping, moved to memory care and eventually found her calling in the security department. Her responsibilities include keeping the campus safe and secure, assisting residents with various needs and training new team members.
She is well respected by her peers and management. As Dave Perez, security manager says, “When I first started, Katrina did an amazing job showing me the daily operations of the Oak Hammock Security Department. She delivers high-quality work, demonstrates strong problem-solving skills, as well as effective communication skills. She takes pride in her work and helps me in making quality decisions. She is a vital component of our team.”
Peterson recently shared her thoughts on her role in security:
What do you like most about your job?
I like everything about my job! I really enjoy engaging with everyone—it brings me joy to have conversations with different people. When I greet a resident, I always ask how I can help and do my best to take care of their concerns. Offering a personal touch, even small acts of kindness and a helping hand can truly make a difference.
Some examples: sometimes residents call because their dog has escaped outside. I hop on the golf cart and go looking, whistling until I find the dog. Another time, I saw a resident struggling to move things from her car into her apartment, so I stopped to help.
I have so much love for the residents. They feel like family—like my “mee-maw,” my nickname for my mother, who was my best friend. I give them hugs and let them know I care. I feel the same way about my team members in security—they’re like family, too.
How do you apply the WeCare values to what you do?
The WeCare values—welcoming, exceptional, courteous, attentive, responsive and empathetic—guide everything I do.
I consider myself compassionate, kind and considerate. I strive to treat everyone with respect and to offer support and encouragement with a deep understanding of what they may be going through. I believe in the power of communication and active listening, and I value building trust and affection with both residents and colleagues.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I love crafting! I work in different mediums—painting, woodworking, collage and decoupage, to name a few. I find it relaxing, especially when I listen to music while I create. Sometimes I make gifts, other times I sell what I make.
I also have varied taste in music—especially late ‘70s and early ‘80s R&B, like The O’Jays.
I enjoy traveling with my family, though I don’t like to fly or go on ships. My husband keeps trying to convince me to try it—so he doesn’t always have to drive!
One of my personal goals is to become a homeowner and continue enjoying life and activities surrounded by my family members and friends.
“I was so pleased to work with Katrina Peterson before, during and after 2025 Bonsai Exposition recently. She is such a good listener and makes one feel she really cares about the success of our show. Her ideas on how to accommodate a large number of visitors to Oak Hammock were exceptional. Her follow-through actions were faultless. We are blessed to have such professional security officers like Katrina here at Oak Hammock.” – Edna Hindson, resident
“I have nothing but good things to say about Katrina as she has helped me and family for many years – first being my housekeeper, then remember her as she was getting married, also as an excellent helper in security and stronger than some of the men, at that time, in getting us up after our falls. This was always in her calm and comforting voice that reassured us all is well. I consider her as part of my family and always look forward to her hugs.” – Nancie Jones, resident