Bios

LeadershipMeet Our Team
We strive to bring comfort, joy and hope to the lives of our community members who make Rowntree Gardens so special. We do so by providing compassionate, personalized and expert care from staff who think of our community members as members of our families. Meet the staff members at Rowntree Gardens, many of whom have been with us for 20, 30 and even 40 years. Loyal, dedicated and experienced, our staff is here to make sure your needs are being met with a friendly smile and knowledgeable service. Please don’t hesitate to let us know what we can do to make your day brighter, and your home at Rowntree Gardens more comfortable.
Chief Executive Officer Katie Popov

Chief Executive Officer

Katie Popov
Katie Popov, the CEO of Rowntree Gardens, has over 13 years of leadership experience in the healthcare sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing, Katie combines strategic insight with an empathetic approach to management, setting the benchmark for excellence in the long-term care industry. Before taking on the role of CEO, Katie spent seven years as the Community Administrator at Elmwood Care Center. She has led initiatives to improve operational efficiency and enhance patient outcomes, fostering a collaborative culture among staff and stakeholders. Katie values building meaningful relationships with both employees and the community, creating a supportive environment. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Vladimir, and their daughter, Mira. Katie leads an active lifestyle that includes working out, biking, and hiking, reflecting her upbringing in Lake Arrowhead. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and compassionate leadership.
Chief Operations Officer Kerri Clark

Chief Operations Officer

Kerri Clark
Kerri joined Rowntree Gardens in 2016, starting in the Activities Department before moving into operations leadership in early 2019. After serving as Operations Director, she advanced to her current role as Chief Operations Officer, where she plays a vital role in helping community members thrive in every season of life. Kerri oversees operational activities, including supply chain management, vendor relations, and other administrative functions. She leads multiple teams and helps drive clear communication of decisions and strategies across the organization, ensuring that every department remains aligned with Rowntree Gardens’ mission and values. With her RCFE Administrator and Passionate Approach to Care Dementia certifications, Kerri brings both expertise and heart to her leadership.  She genuinely loves bringing people together to make a positive impact. Kerri smiles when she hears visitors, staff, and community members say, “There’s just something special about this place,” because she experiences that same feeling every day. Outside of work, Kerri enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their three children, who are entering exciting chapters of young adulthood. She loves gathering with good friends over homecooked meals on her patio and finds deep joy in celebrating her faith within her church community.
Community Care Administrator Claudia Lusca

Community Care Administrator

Claudia Lusca
Claudia joined Rowntree Gardens as a charge nurse in 1999 and quickly advanced to the position of Health and Wellness Center Clinic Director. Her experience supervising a staff of dedicated nurses and caregivers, along with her genuine compassion and limitless patience, make Claudia exceptionally qualified to be Rowntree Gardens’ Community Care Administrator. In this role, Claudia is responsible for staffing, scheduling, and maintaining the community’s high standards of health and safety compliance. She also oversees care for our community members in independent living, assisting living and memory care, as well as our Faithful Friends in-home caregivers and transportation department. As an LVN and RCFE Administrator, Claudia understands that the key to providing exceptional care is remaining interruptible regardless of how busy her day is because, at the end of the day, it’s the people, not the tasks that matter the most.
Community Food Services Director Claudia Acosta

Community Food Services Director

Claudia Acosta
Claudia joined Rowntree Gardens in 1997. In that time, she rose from food server to Community Food Services Director responsible for our dietary department. In that role, Claudia plans and manages Rowntree Garden’s dietary budget, oversees catering events, and hires and manages all food service personnel. Under her direction, our food service staff has received high marks from our community members for the quality of our food and the service of our people. Claudia has an associate degree in Food Service Management, is a Certified Dietary Manager, and is ServeSafe certified.
Community Human Resources Director Melinda Marston

Community Human Resources Director

Melinda Marston
As Rowntree Gardens’ Community Human Resources Director, Melinda is committed to fostering a culture where employees are encouraged to be a daily blessing to all they encounter. Prior to joining the Rowntree family, Melinda served 20 years as the human resources director for a hospice care organization. There she learned the value of compassion and kindness in caring for people. She now focuses on building a caring and compassionate workplace where staff can grow as people and professionals. A mother of four, Melinda enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as her second family at Rowntree Gardens.
Community Health and Wellness Clinic Director Veronica Vasquez

Community Life Director

Veronica Vasquez
As Rowntree Gardens’ Community Life Director, Veronica Vasquez, a licensed vocational nurse, brings many years of experience caring for people. Veronica has been a part of the Rowntree Gardens family since 2010 and was previously the Health and Wellness Director. In her role as Community Life Director, Veronica calls on her training to ensure that our Community Members and staff continue to thrive physically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. She collaborates closely with departments across Rowntree Gardens to meet the needs of Community Members. This includes providing enriching programs as well as responsive service from a staff that shares a genuine passion for bringing joy to people’s lives. The Community Life team also follows our Community Members through the transition process, from the hospital to different levels of care. Veronica and her team love the Community Members at Rowntree Gardens, whom they consider family. They are proud to say that they daily serve such an amazing community. In her spare time, Veronica enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Business Office Administrator Penny Laney

Business Office Administrator

Penny Laney
Penny Laney has been a dedicated member of the Rowntree Gardens family since 2015. In her role as Business Office Administrator, Penny is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day accounting functions of our community. She works closely with our business office partners to ensure compliance with both company policies and state regulatory standards. Penny is a great team player with a huge heart for people, especially our community members. She loves Rowntree Gardens and goes out of her way to help others, even taking the initiative to paint our laundry areas to make them more appealing. Her deep understanding of our residents’ needs and the intricacies of medical billing makes her an exceptional asset to our community. She pours her heart into Rowntree Gardens, always striving to ensure that our community members receive the best service and care they deserve. During her free time, Penny enjoys spending quality time with her sons and doting on her precious granddaughters.

"The staff provides service beyond what is expected. Such kindness makes us all feel at home and well cared for."  — Joanne M.

One of the area’s few licensed, faith-based Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), Rowntree Gardens provides a full range of integrated onsite services to meet the changing needs of active seniors.
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