Bill Miller, Board Chair | 2025-2027
CEO, Vertical Health Services
Bill Miller began working in long term care in 1993 in laundry and maintenance in a small nursing home in Utah. From then until now, he has performed many roles up to and including executive director, regional vice president, COO, and senior vice president. With 28 years of experience in long term care, Bill brings great perspective and insight to the board to help navigate these challenging times.
Nadine de Klerk, Immediate Past Chair
Regency Pacific Management
Nadine de Klerk, Chief Operating officer for Regency Pacific Management. Nadine started her healthcare career as a Physical Therapist, working in various settings which included Skilled Nursing. Her passion for working with the elderly led her to pursue her Nursing Home Administrator license. She has her B.Sc Physio Hons degree from the University of Cape Town and her MBA/HCM from the University of Phoenix. She has over 30 years’ experience working as a PT, LNHA, Regional Operations Director and Chief Operating Officer. She has been with Regency Pacific since 2013 and feels blessed to be working so many dedicated and gifted individuals in an industry that she loves. Nadine is excited to be a current member of the WHCA Board and looks forward to advocating for Senior Care.
Nancy Butner, Vice Chair | 2025-2027
Life Care Centers of America
Nancy is responsible for overseeing 28 skilled nursing facilities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. With over 25 years of experience in this sector, Nancy takes pride in making a difference with her teams and the patients they serve. Her expertise is extensive – Nancy has also served as regional vice president, responsible for nine Washington skilled nursing centers, and previously served as executive director at the Kirkland Life Care Center for 14 years. In that position, she won one of two President’s Awards for Life Care’s Northwest Division in 2009. Before working for Life Care, she worked for Sun Health Senior Care. Originally from Seattle, Butner has a master’s degree in business administration from City University of Seattle and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western Washington University. She also serves on Washington’s Nursing Home Administrator Board.
Zack Wester, Ind. AL Constituency VP (Pos. 1) | 2024-2026
Noble Healthcare
Zack Wester is co-owner of Noble Healthcare. Zack’s first exposure to long term care came while working through college as a night guard and driver at Sunrise Senior Living in Holladay, UT. After college, Zack spent time working in Taiwan, and with several companies in and around China. During this time, he developed a specialty in Government Affairs and until 2015 served as Director of Government Affairs for an energy startup. In 2015, Zack shifted gears and joined Noble Healthcare as it was founded by his brothers Josh and Cale. Zack earned his Nursing Home Administrator’s license in Noble’s first facility, Tekoa Care Center. During his time at Noble, Zack has worked to expand specialized behavioral support programs, supported retooling and relicensing of Noble facilities from SNF to specialized AL, worked with DSHS on contract development, and most recently (as executive director) led the rollout of specialized contracts at Noble’s newest acquisition, Parkside Assisted Living. Zack currently serves on WHCA’s ALF legislative task force – and is particularly excited to work with WHCA’s AL constituency in their efforts to educate the public and policy makers on issues and challenges impacting capacity and access to AL services, and to build consensus on long-term and sustainable solutions to those challenges.
Jaimie Hans, Ind. AL Constituency VP (Pos. 2) | 2025-2027
Maple Glen Assisted Living
Jaimie Hans is currently the Executive Director at Maple Glen Assisted Living in Shelton, Washington. She has been a CNA for 20 years, starting her career in healthcare in Arizona in the skilled nursing setting. She shares a marriage with her husband, Steve of 8 years and has 5 children ranging from 19 to 13 years old, they relocated to Washington in 2019 and instantly fell in love. Throughout her career she has emersed herself in skilled nursing, home health, home care, and a rehabilitation hospital before entering the Assisted Living world. She is the President of the local Hospital Foundation Board and is involved with the local Chamber of Commerce, which she’s very passionate about, including importance of quality healthcare. In Jaimie’s free time she enjoys family game nights, exploring the wilderness, or have a bonfire and watch movies on the projector screen in the backyard.
Pete Wolkin, Ind. SNF Constituency VP (Pos. 1) | 2024-2026
Nightingale Healthcare
Pete has played an integral part in the family business for nearly two decades, entering the role of Director of Operations for Nightingale Healthcare in January 2015. In his current capacity, he is responsible for the direction and coordination of Nightingale Healthcare and its facilities, overseeing the company’s overall growth and profitability. Pete gained valuable experience in skilled nursing and long-term care operations, having worked as Administrator in Training at two of the company’s skilled nursing facilities, Mt. Baker Care Center and Arlington Health and Rehabilitation, as well as Director of Operations at a nearby retirement community.
Pete maintains a Certified Nursing Assistant license and a Nursing Home Administrator’s license. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lewis and Clark College.
In his free-time, Pete can often be found skiing, boating, or volunteering with the local fire department. Recently Pete earned his certification as an EMT. He resides with his wife, Tracey, and daughters, Nia and Oceanna. His fur-babies include six goats (Chai, Bandit, Salty, Lottie, Dandy, and Earl), and two dogs (Penelope and Amira).
Rachel Maxim, Ind. SNF Constituency VP (Pos. 2) | 2025-2027
Woodland Care Center
Ana de la Cerda, Multi AL Constituency VP (Pos. 1) | 2024-2026
Aegis Senior Communities
Ana de la Cerda, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Aegis Living, has over 30 years’ experience in long term care. Ana oversees all regulatory compliance aspects of the 30+ company’s portfolio. Aegis operates communities in Washington, California and Nevada. Prior to Aegis, Ana enjoyed careers in risk management and public policy and participated actively at a national level in the various trade associations in 47 States. She is passionate about her family, and actively volunteers in her faith community.
Elena Whitemarsh, Multi AL Constituency VP (Pos. 2) | 2025-2027
Brookdale Senior Living
Elena Whitemarsh is the Regional Vice President of Operations for Brookdale Senior Living supporting 61 communities across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Elena started in senior living 17 years ago in a sales manager position at a Brookdale community and has held various sales and operations roles over the years supporting communities in WA, ID, OR, Arizona, and Nevada. For Elena, the greatest reward has been the opportunity to learn and collaborate with some of the most exceptional leaders and knowing that accomplishing their goals could impact the lives of so many seniors and their families.
Elena attended University of Washington with a degree in Political Science and participated in the Senior Living Management program as a teaching professional at Washington State University.
Her greatest pleasure is watching her daughters pursue their passions and she enjoys travelling across the country cheering them on at various sports functions! In her free time, she loves to connect with family and friends and feels most fulfilled when she has an opportunity to be with those she loves.
Danielle St. Germain, SNF Constituency VP (Pos. 1) | 2025-2027
Stafholt Health and Rehabilitation
Danielle has been working in healthcare for nearly 10 years, she received her BA in speech and language pathology from Western Washington University and started her career as a social worker in mental health before jumping into long term care in 2017. She worked as a social worker for 4 years and witnessed countless leadership turnover and poor outcome results, which led to beginning her career as a long-term care administrator with aspirations to change that cycle. She has since received her MBA from Western Governor’s University and has been a licensed administrator managing a SNF for over 2 years.
Amanda Lanser, Multi SNF Constituency | 2025-2027
Mountain View Rehabilitation/Ensign Services
Amanda brings over 10 years of experience in skilled nursing with a focus on regulatory success, resident care, and leadership development. She first became a nursing home administrator at 22 after starting as a CNA and has spent 8 years as an NHA across multiple states. She currently serves as the Executive Director at Mountain View Rehabilitation and Care Center in Marysville, WA, where she proudly maintains an agency-free facility while fostering staff growth and development.
Amanda’s passion for elderly care is at the core of her career with a goal to create an environment where residents feel valued, seen, and heard. She is dedicated to helping emerging leaders build the skills to succeed, prioritizing training programs that empower staff and ensuring high-quality care.
Alongside her experience, she is pursuing a legal education in law at Seattle University School of Law. She is hoping to drive regulatory compliance and excited advocate for policy improvements, shaping the future of elder care as the elderly population grows.
Carol Ann Andrews, At-Large Position | 2025-2027
Crestwood Health & Rehabilitation Center
Born a North Dakota farmer’s daughter and oldest of six, Carol Ann knew from a young age she wanted to be a nurse. Achieving that goal at the age of 19, she had to wait until she turned 20 to sit for the state RN exam. Carol Ann practiced nursing in a variety of settings until 1980 when she accepted her first position as a nursing home administrator at a skilled nursing center in the great state of Montana. Since then, Carol Ann has worked for many different companies—both small and large. She spent the majority of her career at Alderwood Park in Bellingham, a total of 23 years. Carol Ann became involved in WHCA because her ideas and philosophies about care align with those of WHCA. She has been an active member, volunteering on committees, as chapter governor, and serving on the WHCA board in different capacities including Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice Chair, her current role. A longtime chair of the Group Retro Committee, Carol Ann has seen many changes in the program and worked to ensure members continue to enjoy this premier benefit. Carol Ann continues to support the long term care profession in these challenging times.
JoLynn Munro, At-Large Position | 2025-2027
Avamere Rehab
JoLynn Munro, OTR/L and President of Avamere Rehab, has over 30 years serving in the older adult rehab space. JoLynn has recently accepted a position with Avamere to lead the conversion of rehab from contract to in-house and is using her unique skillset to facilitate a seamless and smooth transition for the therapy and skilled nursing staff. Prior to her work with Avamere, JoLynn worked with Infinity Rehab, first as the VP of operations and then as President during the last 5 years. During her tenure at Infinity, JoLynn worked diligently to meet the unique challenges encountered in healthcare during the transition to PDPM and the COVID pandemic. JoLynn strives to provide skilled and thoughtful leadership within her organization and through her network of colleagues in the skilled nursing industry. She believes a key component of successful leadership is the continuous development of other skilled and committed leaders. She is passionate about therapy and enabling clinicians to deliver the best science based, compassionate care alongside their facility partners. She has been a member of WHCA as a business partner for 15 years and has presented relevant topics of education at both state and national conferences. It would be an honor to serve on the WHCA board, and she welcomes the opportunity to continue to contribute to this important group.
Monica Chopra, At-Large Position | 2024-2026
Cascadia Senior Living
Monica Chopra is a dedicated healthcare professional with a deep commitment to senior care. She currently serves as the VP of Health and Wellness for Cascadia Senior Living, where she oversees the well-being of residents across sixteen communities in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Monica’s career journey began in 1999 when she moved to the United States from India, initially working as an interpreter. Her desire to help others led her to pursue nursing, and she has since built an extensive career in senior care, with over fourteen years of experience in Washington.
Throughout her career, Monica has steadily advanced from a CNA to her current leadership role, where she continues to champion the highest standards of care for vulnerable populations. Her expertise spans a wide range of healthcare and management areas, including policy analysis, strategic planning, and both clinical and administrative operations. Additionally, she has served as an AFH Complaint Investigator for the RCS, contributing to the improvement of care in senior living communities. Monica’s dedication to her field was recognized in 2014 when she was honored with the WHCA Assisted Living Nurse of the Year award. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Monica enjoys spending quality time with her family, including her young granddaughter, and indulging in her love for cooking. She is also the proud owner of a Yorkshire terrier named Dash..
Morei Lingle, At-Large Position | 2024-2026
Merrill Gardens
Morei Lingle has 35 years of experience in the senior housing industry with a background in skilled nursing, Alzheimer’s care, independent and assisted living. Morei is one of the original members of the Merrill Gardens team, starting with the company in 1996. In the past 28 years she has been instrumental in guiding the company’s growth into a leading national operator. She has worked in all phases of operations for the company and established a comprehensive company-wide customer service initiative.
In her role as Senior Vice President, Morei oversees the Human Resources and Training team, as well as supporting overall company operations in the United States and China. In addition, she is part of a senior housing consortium that designed and implemented the first semester-long course in Senior Living Management at a public university. Morei is also one of the teaching professionals for the course at Washington State University that is designed to bring management talent to the senior housing industry. She is also actively involved in Argentum and CALA.
Associate Business Governor, Treasurer:
Bill Ulrich | 2024-2026
Consolidated Billing Services, Inc.
Bill Ulrich has more than 26 years of experience in the health care industry as a financial and Medicare consultant beginning in 1989 with The Hillhaven Corporation and founding his own consulting company in 1998. Prior to founding CBSI, Bill was vice president of the consulting subsidiary of a national nursing home chain, where he directed the efforts of 43 experts who provided daily, comprehensive consulting services to 300 long term care facilities nationwide. Bill is a nationally recognized expert and frequent speaker on Medicare, Medicaid and billing issues. Bill has been Chair of the Reimbursement Committee for the Washington Health Care Association since 2015. Bill has served on the legal committee and reimbursement committee for numerous state health care associations.