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about our leadership team

Oak Hammock is fortunate to have an executive team with an extensive wide variety of experiences and includes several experts in the various areas of senior living. A strong, supportive leadership, they embody the WeCare service vision of “Compassionate Professionals, Inspired Service.” WeCare is bound by the following types of behaviors in the workplace: welcoming, exceptional, caring, attentive, responsive and empathetic.

Executive Team

Kevin Ahmadi

Kevin Ahmadi

President and CEO

Kevin W. Ahmadi was officially named president and chief executive officer, or CEO, of Oak Hammock at the University of Florida on September 8, 2021. With nearly 30 years experience in the senior living field, Kevin is a proven leader with a record of transforming operations, cultures, sales, revenues and financial controls. He is well known for establishing collaborative relationships with physicians, boards and other community and business professionals. In addition, he is a very visible hands-on leader who develops excellent working relationships with management, staff, residents and families.

Before the appointment at Oak Hammock, Kevin was the Regional Vice President of Operations of Volunteers of America, where he was initially hired in 2004 to lead Gulf Coast Village, a 36-acre non-profit Life Plan/continuing care retirement community that employed 480 associates with an annual budget of $34MM. In 2017, he was promoted to lead the organization’s expanding portfolio in Southwest Florida. That portfolio comprised four different communities: Gulf Coast Village; Senior Choice at Home, a Life Plan Community “at home;” The Preserve in Fort Myers, an assisted living and skilled nursing facility; and The Colonnade of Estero, a Life Plan Community located on 22 acres scheduled to begin construction in 2022.

He has been the Chairmen of the Gulf Coast Village Foundation, as well as a member of the Cape Coral Chief of Police Advisory Committee, a past trustee for the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce, a past trustee for the Cape Coral Community Foundation, co-chair with the Chief Administrator Officer of Cape Coral Hospital for the Cape Coral Adult and Junior Leadership Class. Kevin is a 12-year Rotarian, serving as president in 2014-2015.

Kevin was named the 2019 Nonprofit Executive of the Year by the Cape Coral Community Foundation and was listed among the Top 5 Bosses in Southwest Florida, as determined by SWFL Gulf Shore Business.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from the University of Toledo, focusing on health care management, strategic planning and organizational leadership. He and his wife, Sandy, have two children. Their son, Maxwell, attends the University of South Florida, and their daughter, Caroline, attends the University of Florida.

Andrew Davey

Andrew Davey

Chief Financial Officer

Andrew Davey has been working at Oak Hammock as its Chief Finance Officer since Jan. 1, 2017, but has been involved with its community planning, execution and management since opening in 2004.

Throughout his successful career, he has opened six major life plan communities all over the country and has consulted numerous other facilities and projects.

From conception to construction, each project requires significant collaborative planning and oversight, so when projects like Oak Hammock come into fruition, it’s always a proud moment for Andrew.

For Andrew, the senior living industry was the perfect way to merge philanthropy and quantitative analysis. He is motivated by the resident experience and the satisfaction of being able to help someone individually every day. He loves working at Oak Hammock because unlike most accounting positions, he gets a lot of interpersonal interaction. Additionally, with its diverse accounting functions, Andrew finds the bookkeeping at Oak Hammock fascinating as it is a synergy of many different industries.

He is designated as a retirement housing professional, or RHP, with LeadingAge, of which he is a member of the local and national organizations. He is a board member for the local Helping Hands Clinic. He is often a guest lecturer at the University of Florida and is on an informal speaker’s circuit for various trade and industry groups and events, including the Annual Actuarial Conference for A.V. Powell and Associates.

Andrew attended both the University of Florida and the University of North Florida and holds both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accountancy. He has over 30 years of senior housing industry experience and has worked for PRAXEIS, LLC., The Haskell Company and Fleet Landing in project management and development, financial planning and strategic planning.

In the future, Andrew is looking forward to continuing to work through strategic master planning, preparing and educating the board for refinancing and helping to continue to grow the financial strength and stability of Oak Hammock. Andrew is eager to continue to manage the pandemic recovery progress and keep his team happy, engaged and productive.

Nicole Barabas

Nicole Barabas

Director, Wellness and Life Enrichment

Nicole has a wealth of knowledge and experience with 30 years in health and wellness, including 24 years in senior living life plan communities.

Nicole moved to Florida and joined the Oak Hammock team in 2025 after several years of service at Covenant Living of Colorado, Frasier Meadows and Academy Mapleton Hill, in Boulder, Colorado.  Over the last three decades, Nicole has served as director of activities, director of wellness and as a physical therapy aide for HealthONE, one of the Broncos Sports Medicine physical therapy sites.

Nicole received her bachelor’s degree in integrative arts with a minor in exercise and sports science from The Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Western Governors University. She holds many diverse certifications, including the American College of Sports Medicine Group exercise physiologist, master certified wellness coach through the Catalyst Coaching Institute, PWR! Moves certified instructor through the Parkinson Wellness Recovery program in Tucson, Arizona, Pilates reformer certified instructor through the National Exercise Trainers Association, aquatics program leader and exercise program instructor through the Arthritis Foundation and many others.

Nicole strives to bring out the very best in every person she encounters by helping to identify and cultivate programs to fully enrich their lives through exercise, activities and continuing educational opportunities. Nicole believes that anything’s possible in life and that collaboration between residents and staff creates a ‘dream-team’ approach to accomplishing collective goals of living a well-balanced, enriched, healthy and thriving life.

In her spare time, Nicole enjoys exercising, doing anything outdoors, reading, playing her flute, attending cultural and sporting events and meeting new people.  Nicole has two grown children, Grace and Coleman, as well as a Jack Russell Terrier named Piper.

Christine D'Alessio

Christine D'Alessio

Vice President, People

Christine D’Alessio, a native of Gainesville, Florida, joined Oak Hammock in July 2024. She brings over eight years of diverse HR leadership experience across healthcare, financial services, technology and education. Known for her strategic and results-driven approach, Christine excels at creating infrastructure, streamlining processes and scaling organizations both organically and through acquisitions.

Before joining Oak Hammock, Christine was the director of human resources & talent at Meteor Education, where her contributions were vital to the company’s growth and success. During her tenure, she demonstrated exceptional leadership in navigating substantial organizational changes.

In her role at Oak Hammock, Christine plays a pivotal part in shaping the organization’s people strategy and fostering a positive workplace culture within a thriving life plan community of 500 residents and over 300 employees. She is dedicated to creating an engaging and effective environment for all employees and residents. With a passion for people and a strong belief that everyone plays an important role, Christine leads the human resources department with a focus on learning and development, talent acquisition and employee engagement.

When asked about her role, Christine said, “My favorite part about my job is helping others excel and reach their full potential through learning and development. I look forward to establishing Oak Hammock as an employer of choice by fostering a positive, engaging and effective environment for all.”

Christine earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Florida and holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute. Her HR expertise is complemented by strong communication and leadership skills.

Outside of her professional life, Christine values time spent with her family. She and her husband have two children, and she enjoys supporting them at soccer games and taekwondo tournaments while nurturing their growing curiosity. Christine believes that building strong, meaningful connections—both at work and at home—is the foundation of success.

Sonja Donlin

Sonja Donlin

Vice President, Community Life Enrichment and Health Services

Sonja Donlin, a native of Berrien Springs, Michigan, has been serving as the Health Pavilion administrator at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida since January 2023. In her role, Sonja oversees the operational management, resident care and quality development of the Health Pavilion, including skilled nursing, assisted living services and memory care.

Residents of the Health Pavilion enjoy access to a wide range of amenities including programs and events, social activities, salon services, transportation services, dining experiences and entertainment. A dedicated patient services liaison is also available for specific health care needs.

Sonja is committed to creating an environment where Health Pavilion residents and patients can maintain the highest quality of life, whether there for long-term care or short-term rehab. She manages a clinical team of over 100, which encompasses nurses, nursing assistants, life enrichment and social services rehabilitation. Sonja and her team uphold important human values such as respect, dignity and autonomy, ensuring low patient-to-staff ratios and maintaining excellent star ratings from the State of Florida’s regular evaluations.

The Oak Hammock Health Pavilion offers 73 private accommodations for individuals recovering from surgery, requiring rehabilitation post-hospital stay or needing extended skilled nursing services.
In addition to her administrative duties, Sonja oversees compliance issues and policy development, contributing to Oak Hammock’s continued check this 5-star compliance rating.

Sonja has worked in health care for 30 years. Before joining Oak Hammock, Sonja served as a regional clinical operations manager with Volunteers of America in southwest Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Andrews University, with further studies in gerontology at the University of Illinois, and she received her advanced practice nursing, or RN, degree at the University of Michigan. In addition, Sonja has received the following certifications: National Heath Career, or NHA, Resident Assessment Coordinator, or RAC-CT, Wound Care Certification, or WCC, and Certified Legal Health Care Consultant, or CLNC.

When asked about her role, Sonja expressed, “I love everything about my job—from interacting with residents and families to supporting our dedicated staff. My aim is to positively impact residents and streamline our team’s efforts.”

Sonja is focused on enhancing Oak Hammock’s reputation for excellence by fostering continuous improvement, encouraging her team’s professional growth and promoting empowerment. Personally, Sonja takes pride in her role as a mother of three successful sons and grandmother of seven adorable grandchildren. She enjoys all things “Mickey Mouse” and pink flamingos. She passionately supports University of Michigan football and now that she lives in Gainesville, cheers for the Gators!

Nickie Doria

Nickie Doria

Vice President, Marketing, Public Relations and Community Affairs

Nickie Doria is the vice president of marketing, public relations and community affairs at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida, a university-based LifePlan community located in Gainesville, Florida, which has maintained an average occupancy rate of 95 percent over the last five years. Nickie is responsible for marketing and public relations strategies aimed toward brand awareness, internal and external communications, lead generation and customer service.

In 2024, her team responded to more than 350 inquiries and conducted over 325 onsite visits with new and re-engaged leads. She and her team maintain a waitlist of approximately 200 prospective residents. In Nickie’s time at Oak Hammock, more than 250 residents have selected the community as their lifelong home, with about 60 percent of all residents migrating to Oak Hammock from outside of the primary market area.

Nickie’s nine-year directorship experience in residential development and construction and nearly 10 years working in health care at the UF Health Academic Medical System guided her toward the senior living industry. She’s a UF graduate, and she’s accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America’s Universal Accreditation Board. She has belonged to several professional associations throughout her career, including the Ad Federation of Gainesville, the Gainesville and Alachua County Association of Realtors, the Builders Association of North Central Florida and the American Hospital Association’s Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development. Currently, she is a member of the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Public Relations Association, through which she has served as local chapter president and former six-term board member. She is also a member of LeadingAge Southeast.

Nickie has lived in the Gainesville area for most of her life. She and her husband have two children, ages 12 and 16. They enjoy baseball, softball, nature parks and beach time.

Bill Griffin

Bill Griffin

Vice President, Plant Operations and Facilities Management

Bill Griffin assumed the role of vice president of plant operations and facilities management at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida in December 2023, bringing extensive experience to his new position. Prior to joining Oak Hammock, Bill served as superintendent of maintenance at the University of Florida. Bill also has worked in facilities and plant operations for large companies, including Sysco Foods, Target Distribution and Duracell.

As director of operations, Bill leads a team of 60 team members responsible for overseeing security, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, grounds and landscaping. Additionally, he plays an influential role in the expansion of Oak Hammock’s residential units, as well as the upcoming renovation of many existing spaces within the 136-acre campus.

Oak Hammock is home to more than 500 residents, who all benefit from 24-hour security, miles of walking trails, beautiful gardens and patios, sport courts, a dog park and numerous indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. Bill and his teams are responsible for maintaining all these spaces. Bill and his team are also responsible for the preparation of newly renovated residences for incoming residents.

When asked what his role encompasses, Bill stated, “If it is air, water or electrical, we keep it running. If it’s broken, we fix it. Our operations team keeps residents and staff comfortable, happy and safe.” Easy going and humble, Bill is proud to serve the people and team members of Oak Hammock.

Bill finds daily challenges rewarding and particularly enjoys interacting with Oak Hammock’s residents, whom he describes as “highly educated, articulate and gracious.” He holds the Oak Hammock leadership team in high regard, considering them the most qualified he has worked with throughout his career.

Bill holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in teaching from LaGrange College in Georgia. His career includes roles as a high school math and science teacher in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. He also has served in the military for eight years as a machinist’s mate second class on nuclear submarines.

Outside of his responsibilities at Oak Hammock, Bill enjoys working on projects at home on a farm. He remarried a year ago, and together with his wife, they have a blended family of eight children, along with two dogs and a cat. They also are proud grandparents, with two grandchildren and two more on the way. Family activities include sailing, fishing and spending time by the ocean.

 

 

 

Director, Nursing

Michelle Parker

Director, Nursing

Michelle Parker joined Oak Hammock in September 2020, driven by her lifelong calling to nursing and a deep passion for long-term care. When asked to describe her role, Michelle says, “It is an honor to care for people at this stage of their lives, to help patients and their families in our long-term care setting.”

As the director of nursing, Michelle oversees a dedicated team of more than 80 nursing staff, ensuring exceptional quality care for residents. Her job is to ensure each resident has a plan of care which will meet all their physical and emotional needs. Michelle is also responsible for resident advocacy, staff management and training, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Residents in skilled nursing are cherished members of the Oak Hammock community. No matter how the residents’ needs may change, short- or long-term, the nursing team provides the most home-like skilled nursing experience with quality, personalized care and professional support. Compassionate and caring nurses take the time to get to know the residents, regardless of the length of their stay. Individualized care plans are developed according to each resident’s needs, so nurses can deliver highly tailored senior care and the best transition support, if needed.

Michelle and her team of nurses are committed to the quality of life and well-being of every resident. They ensure the skilled nursing residents and their families feel comfortable with the level of care they receive. Their goal is to maintain Oak Hamock’s five-star rating and pursue  high awards for service.

Michelle says, “One of the most impactful experiences for her at Oak Hammock has been working side-by-side with her team, becoming a trusted leader, listening to her team members and making sure they know how important they are in the lives of the residents and patients at Oak Hammock.

As the director of nursing, Michelle also recognizes the value of empowering her team and helping them achieve success by being knowledgeable, confident and competent to care for residents at various stages of life.

Michelle started her nursing career as a certified nursing assistant almost 20 years ago. Throughout her career, she has worked in several positions within long-term care and intensive care. After becoming a registered nurse, Michelle received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of West Florida.

A local from North Central Florida, Michelle now lives in Jonesville, with her husband and their two children. Raised by her grandparents, she serves as her grandmother’s health care surrogate, demonstrating her commitment to family and community. Outside of work, Michelle and her family enjoy outdoor activities, including golf.

Robert Stott

Robert Stott

Vice President, Integrated Operations and Chief Innovation Officer

Bob Stott joined the Oak Hammock staff in July 2019, making the longest trek possible – approximately 3,685 miles – while remaining in the continental United States. Bob and his family are lifelong Alaskans. Serving as vice president of integrated operations and chief innovation officer, he is responsible for setting policy, strategic direction and other short- and long-term initiatives. Through various colleagues in the industry, he learned how exciting the health care field could be and made the leap to senior living.

Bob is responsible for everything under the technology umbrella at Oak Hammock from mobile devices to elaborate medical technology. He is instrumental in keeping the 24-hour Health Pavilion systems working properly and is readily available should something go awry. His technical support isn’t only limited to staff; residents seek him out for assistance and advice. Since Bob arrived at Oak Hammock, he has updated much of the server and data center infrastructure to meet the organization’s technological needs and to operate with minimal downtimes.

After working 21 years in higher education, Bob sought a new challenge. Since coming to Oak Hammock, Bob has loved getting to know the dynamic residents and learning about all of their fascinating lives. He flourishes in an environment where there is human interaction and he can see first-hand how his work impacts people’s lives. He believes face-to-face interaction is the best way to solve the problem and maintains the highest working order in his organizations by translating their technological needs.

Looking ahead, Bob aims to improve efficiency within the IT department while looking for new ways to control costs. As part of his plan, he will renegotiate vendor contracts from a position of strength through competitive processes designed to get the features and technology tools our staff and residents require for fair market value.

Bob has an associate’s degree in computer information systems, a bachelor’s in management information systems and a master’s in business and administration, all from the University of Alaska Anchorage. He worked at his alma mater in various roles such as programmer and systems analyst and then as an information systems manager. While still employed with the University and with a small child at home, Bob went back to the books to tackle his master’s degree. During this time, he was promoted to information and communications systems director.