Nathan Dikes, Chair | 2021-2023
Sunshine Health Facilities
Dr. Dikes has been involved in healthcare for many years. He has a BS in Chemistry from Northwest Nazarene University and a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from California College of Podiatric Medicine. He is Board Certified in Podiatric Surgery. He has been the CEO of Sunshine Health Facilities, Inc. in Spokane Valley, WA since 2001. Dr. Dikes has been involved in his family’s business since 1979. He has worked in a variety of capacities from yard work, morning chores, laundry, housekeeping, activities, NAC, business office, assistant administrator and CEO. Sunshine Health Facilities was founded in 1949. Dr. Dikes has served and serves on numerous boards.
Nadine de Klerk, Vice Chair | 2021-2023
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.
Jeff Hyatt, Immediate Past Chair
Avventura Health Services
Jeff Hyatt, CEO of Avventura Senior Living, is a longtime member of WHCA and provider of senior housing and care services in Washington. As CEO of Avventura, Jeff works with a professional team of executives, clinical leaders, and direct caregivers to provide quality care to residents in Yakima, the surrounding community, and Spokane. Jeff’s participation on the WHCA board has included serving as Vice Chair, Chair, Immediate Past Chair, and currently as the Independent Skilled Nursing Facility Constituency Vice President. Jeff has also served nationally on the National Center for Assisted Living board, and he launched HyMARK Solutions, an organization of software integration specialists for long term care. Jeff is a fourth generation provider of senior care; it was his great aunt who bought what was to become the very first licensed nursing home in the Pacific Northwest. The family tradition of caring lives on as Jeff now focuses on providing quality care to the entire family of Avventura facilities.
Zack Wester, Ind. AL Constituency VP (Pos. 1) | 2022-2024
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.
Linzi Michel, Ind. AL Constituency VP (Pos. 2) | 2021-2023
The Cambridge
Linzi Michel has served as administrator for The Cambridge Assisted Living in Quincy since 2012. Her 30 (plus) years of experience in assisted living expand from western New York as Executive Director for an assisted living developer, Program Director for a facility in Florida specializing in mental health, and Assistant to the President for the American College of Health Care Administrators in Washington, DC. Linzi was lead coordinator for the development of the first nationally-recognized assisted living certification program, which is now the CALA (Certified Assisted Living Administrator) designation. She has served as a board member for the Upper Columbia Habitat for Humanity, American College of Health Care Administrators and Central Columbia Senior Living. To balance her life Linzi enjoys spending time gardening, practicing yoga, time with her dogs and traveling with her husband.
Pete Wolkin, Ind. SNF Constituency VP (Pos. 1) | 2022-2024
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).
Patrick O’Neill, Ind. SNF Constituency VP (Pos. 2) | 2021-2023
Christian Health Care Center
Patrick is an engaging, award-winning health care executive with a strong ability to envision and strategize facility expansions and drive consistent revenue growth and profitability despite volatile economic and industry circumstances. He is highly skilled in administrative and business aspects; experienced establishing new boards, creating new departments, working with attorneys, managing significant budgets and working with government entities to negotiate public bond issues. Patrick has been and is currently Chairman of the Board for multiple not-for-profit organizations and has served as a professional witness for the Office of the Attorney General.
Currently, Patrick is responsible for the overall management and financial viability of Christian Health Care Center and its entities. He provides oversight and management in regard to finance, budgeting, insurance, risk management, computer systems, reimbursement, contracts, marketing, fundraising, corporate compliance, legal issues and state audits.
Patrick earned his M.S. in Administration from Central Michigan University.
Ana de la Cerda, Multi AL Constituency VP (Pos. 1) | 2022-2024
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) | 2021-2023
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.
Nancy Butner, Multi SNF Constituency VP (Pos. 1) | 2022-2024
Life Care Centers of America
Bill Miller, Multi SNF Constituency VP (Pos. 2) | 2021-2023
Arcadia Healthcare
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.
Carol Ann Andrews, At-Large Position, Treasurer | 2021-2023
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.
Sandra Hurd, At-Large Position | 2021-2023
Avamere Health Services
Sandra Hurd is a lifelong resident of Washington State. She joined long term care at 16 as a dishwasher after school, eventually moving through the ranks to become a certified dietary manager. In 2005, she completed a bachelor’s in business administration at the University of Washington Bothell and completed Administrator training in 2006, becoming licensed in the same year. Sandra spent 12 years as a nursing home administrator working for companies such as Kindred, Avamere, and Extendicare. In 2014, she was selected as the Administrator of the Year by WHCA! Sandra enjoyed taking on troubled centers and turning them around. She also works well with more difficult patient populations such as mental health and dementia. In 2017, she completed a Master of Business Administration with Washington State University and accepted the role of Regional Director of Operations with Avamere Living in 2018. During that time, she was selected to participate in the AHCA/NCAL Future Leaders in 2019, achieved a 4.4 Quality Measurement rating for Washington facilities, and was overseeing communities in four different states. Most recently, Sandra accepted the role of Vice President of Quality and Culture at Avamere which is a new and interesting challenge. Sandra enjoys boating, whale watching, reading, and travel. A fun fact about Sandra is that her sister is also an administrator in the state of Washington.
Jerry Tretwold, At-Large Position | 2022-2024
Senior Services of America
Jerry Tretwold is a longtime skilled nursing facility owner and administrator. For more than 40 years, Jerry and his wife Toni owned and operated Harmony House in Brewster, Washington. A founding member of WHCA, Jerry has served on the WHCA board in several capacities including the Board Chair. As a volunteer in his local region, Jerry served as the WHCA Chapter Seven Governor on many different occasions and served as the WHCA-PAC Chair for more than 20 years. Jerry’s connections and friendships in the Washington State Legislature and Congress have been helpful to legislative priorities at both the state and federal level. Jerry is known for his generosity and loyalty to the staff and residents he served. In June of 2017, Jerry retired from full time operations and is currently serving as Operations Advisor for Senior Services of America as well as continuing to serve WHCA in voluntary roles.
Morei Lingle, At-Large Position | 2022-2024
Merrill Gardens
Morei Lingle has 30 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 22 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:
Matt Hollas | 2022-2024
Navigator Group Purchasing
Matt Hollas is the Business Development Manager for Navigator Group Purchasing, covering the western United Sates. Matt has been with Navigator for four years after starting his career in finance, before transitioning into restaurant sales and consultation. With almost 20 years’ experience in contract negotiation and purchasing optimization, Matt thrives in assisting senior living companies and communities to operate at the highest level of efficiency and cost management.
In his free time, Matt is often skiing, biking, and camping with Sarah, his wife of 20 years, and their two boys, Jake (17) and Ben (14).
Matt earned his B.S. in Business Administration and Economics from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.