The distinguished leadership at Plymouth Place™ fulfills our mission every day.

Jay began his appointment as Plymouth Place CEO on January 1, 2018. Most recently, he was the CEO of Meadows Communities in Normal, Illinois. He has extensive leadership experience in senior living, including Kisco Senior Living, Lifespace Communities, and Vibrant Life Senior Living, where he led major infrastructure upgrades, including a new IT platform and an expansion of resident services. He also launched an ambassador program to increase employee and resident satisfaction, and implemented a Q.A.P.I. process to improve quality outcomes in clinical and support service areas. Throughout his career, Jay has served in leadership roles at faith-based ministries and supported related nonprofit organizations.

Jay grew up on a farm in Volo, Illinois. After earning a marketing degree from Northern Illinois University, he started his career with ServiceMaster Management Services. Jay has four sons and nine grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, biking, hiking, and travel.

Cheri joined the Plymouth Place team in 2019 to head both dining and housekeeping services. The former director of hospitality services at Palos Health, Cheri successfully managed a full renovation of the Woodland Café, production kitchen, and dining room. She has an extensive background in the retail and food-service industry, including management positions with Rush Medical Center in Chicago, ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc., and the ARAMARK Corporation. At ARAMARK, she supported healthcare design development nationwide. Cheri has also provided consulting services to hospitals in design development and retail brand strategy through her firm, B.ourguest.

Beverly started at Plymouth Place in March 2022. She received her bachelor’s degree from Quincy College and her MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. Beverly has more than 15 years of experience in senior living financial services.

Nitsa joined Plymouth Place in December 2020, bringing to the team more than 20 years of experience in the senior living industry. She has held many positions in her career, including director of sales, regional sales director, sales training and development director and, most recently, national sales specialist for large senior-living portfolios. With her track record of consistent sales success and problem-solving, with an emphasis on green field/blue sky projects, she is a great fit for Plymouth Place. Nitsa is a graduate of Purdue University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in medical technology. She is a certified Integrity Sales Facilitator and Dementia Practitioner. A Midwest gal, Nitsa resides in northwest Indiana with her husband. She has one daughter and four grandchildren.

Katie is a registered and licensed dietitian, graduating from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in applied science, and earning her MBA at Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. Katie has more than 30 years of healthcare experience that includes managing food service, housekeeping, and laundry; patient registration and central scheduling for advanced imaging; and managing the logistics of large construction projects. Plymouth Place is her first experience with senior living. She lives in Lockport, Ill., with her husband, Joel, and son, Jacob.

Michelle joined Plymouth Place as the Senior Director of Clinical Services in March 2022. She received her undergraduate degree and master’s degree in health care administration from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. She has been in health care for more than 32 years, with more than 25 years’ experience as an administrator.

Nicole joined Plymouth Place in 2021 as the Experience Director overseeing operations of our Assisted Living and Memory Care programs. Nicole received her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is currently leading our team through the industry-recognized dementia training program designed by Teepa Snow. In addition, Nicole is an Illinois Licensed Nursing Home administrator and worked in this capacity prior to her start at Plymouth Place.

Paddy joined Plymouth Place in April 2019. He began his lifelong commitment to serving seniors while visiting seniors as a teenager in Ireland and singing to them. Paddy earned a diploma in philosophy from Maynooth Pontifical University in 1999 and a degree in gerontological social work in 2004 from University College Cork, Ireland, all while working as a caregiver in cities such as Chicago, London, and Cork. After emigrating to America in November 2006, Paddy managed a downtown home care agency for four years before joining Lutheran Life Communities in 2011 as foundation regional director, later becoming corporate giving director. Paddy graduated with a master’s degree in philanthropy from De Paul University in 2013 and is the recipient of De Paul’s 2016 David O. Justice Award. He serves as a board member of the Chicago Council on Planned Giving. He and his wife, Kathleen, live in downtown Chicago. He loves to travel, fish, watch Gaelic football and hurling games in Ireland, volunteer in the Chicago Irish community, and play Irish music all over America.

Chris graduated from Elmhurst College with a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology. She started her career with Symbria Rehab in 2004 and served as area director of operations until 2019, when she joined Plymouth Place as director of rehab and wellness. The youngest of three girls, she grew up in Lombard and went to Willowbrook High School. She currently lives in Geneva and enjoys the outdoors, anything adventurous, and traveling.

Martha joined the Plymouth Place team in May 2021, having most recently served as Joliet Area Community Hospice’s director of human resources. She has more than 13 years of human resources management experience in the healthcare and senior-living industries, experience that includes strategic planning, employee relations, policy and procedure development, employee recruitment and retention, and employee/management coaching. She holds a doctorate degree in business administration from Capella University, a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Lewis University, and a bachelor’s degree in healthcare leadership from Lewis University. Martha is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and has human resources professional certification, SHRM-CP, through SHRM. She is also a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) through Fowler International Academy. Martha grew up in Joliet, Ill., and lives in Crest Hill, Ill., with her family.

Heintje joined Plymouth Place in June 2023. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Santo Thomas in Manila, Philippines. Heintje has been in healthcare for more than 22 years, including ten years as a director of nursing.

Liz received a degree in political science from Miami University (Ohio) and earned a law degree from Notre Dame Law School. She enjoyed the practice of law for 16 years, specializing in real estate development.  Complementing her law practice, Liz devoted many years to community service in the Village of La Grange, including serving as president of the Village from 2005 to 2013.

Board Member – May 2016

John has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in human resource management, both from Loyola University, Chicago. John retired after seven years with the Northern Indiana Division of Franciscan Alliance, a 14-hospital system serving Indiana and south suburban Chicago communities, where he served as VP of administrative services. Previously, John worked in management consulting doing executive search, designing compensation systems, and serving as an executive coach. For more than twenty years, he held senior human resource leadership positions at Rush Medical Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Loyola University Medical Center. A resident of Hinsdale, Ill., John has served on the board of directors for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Aspire of Illinois.

Board Member – May 2017

Lyell is chairman, president and CEO of Clarke and all affiliated companies. Lyell earned a bachelor’s degree in entomology from the University of Kentucky and a PhD in entomology from Iowa State University. He began his career with Clarke as a control consultant in 1986. After gaining a solid grounding in the business, he became the company’s vice president. In 1996, upon his father’s retirement, he stepped into the role of president and CEO. He assumed the chairman role for The Clarke Group in 2020.

Board Member –June 2023

Mary Pat is an attorney practicing in Western Springs, focusing primarily on the areas of estate planning and estate and trust administration for individuals and their families. Mary Pat graduated summa cum laude from Loyola University of Chicago in 1983 and earned her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1986. After working in two large Chicago law firms, Mary Pat moved her practice to the Western Springs suburbs, where in 2003 she established her own law practice. Her volunteer positions have included La Grange Park Public Library District board member and president, Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout Troop Treasurer, and several positions at St. Francis Xavier Catholic parish, including Eucharistic Minister and Coordinator and Finance Council member. She is currently a member and president of the board of directors of Interfaith Community Partners in La Grange.

Board Member – June 2022

Art worked for School District 106, La Grange Highlands, for 35 years as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent. He was middle school principal for 29 years. For 56 years, Art resided in Western Springs. All three of his children attended Western Springs Public Schools and Lyons Township High School. His oldest son, Eric, resides in Omaha and is an engineer at a long-established construction company, Peter Kiewit. His daughter, Jennifer, is CFO for the University of Illinois Community Credit Union. And John, his youngest, is the athletic director at Lyons Township High School. He has six grandchildren.

*President of the Resident’s Council, Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Directors

Since 1997, Rich has served as senior minister of the First Congregational Church (UCC) in Western Springs, Ill. With his deep understanding of congregations and the key role of stewardship as not merely an administrative task but a spiritual discipline, Rich consistently and strategically builds the case for faithful generosity. He participates in many meaningful wider ministries, serving as a trustee of Chicago Theological Seminary for 20 years and as a convener of the United Church of Christ Senior Pastors Conference for five years. He has extensive experience as a teacher of preaching and also serves as a lay educator, traveling to churches and community groups to offer a presentation on the sociological and demographic trends that are shaping the next generation of church members. Rich received both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from the Chicago Theological Seminary.

*Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Directors – December 2019

Dr. Rajeev Kumar is a board-certified internist, geriatrician, and hospice/palliative medicine physician who has practiced in the western suburbs of Chicago for 25 years. He served as the managing partner at Midwest Geriatrics, a 12-physician group practice based in Burr Ridge, until 2019 when the practice merged with DuPage Medical Group. In recent years, Rajeev has been the chief medical officer of Symbria, which provides pharmacy, rehabilitation, and clinical integration services for senior living communities. He is also the North Central Region’s medical director for Humana ISNP, a Medicare Advantage plan for long-term-care residents living in nursing facilities. Rajeev serves as the medical director for two skilled nursing facilities and is a Certified Medical Director from ABPLM. He is a past president of the Illinois Medical Directors Association, and serves as AMDA’s delegate to AMA, and on AMDA’s board as secretary.

Board Member – June 2021

After retiring, Rebecca started her own company, Rebecca Lake Consulting. She is an ApprenticeshipUSA Leader, was recently appointed Apprenticeship Ambassador, and is an invited speaker at workforce and apprenticeship conferences across the county. Rebecca is particularly well-known for starting the 2015 national movement for community colleges to be a Registered Apprenticeship sponsor while at Harper College. She has hosted apprentice conferences and publishes articles on various facets surrounding apprenticeships. Throughout her career, she has successful written and managed many large community college grants. Previously, Rebecca designed, created, and taught in the Community College Leadership (CCL) doctoral program at National Louis University, serving as program director for 10 years. She spent the first half of her professional life involved in health planning, hospital and health care administration, and nursing while the second half in community college education and administration. Rebecca has held community college positions of faculty, assistant dean, career and technology (CTE) dean, and academic vice-president.

Board Member – June 2020

Dr. Larry LaPalio is the emeritus and founding director of Adventist Midwest Geriatrics. He attended medical school at St. Louis University and completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Illinois. He has advanced training in geriatrics as the Robert Woods Johnson mid-career fellow in 1988 at the University of California at Los Angeles. Larry holds board certification in internal medicine, geriatrics, hospice, and palliative care. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, has published many articles, and has given many presentations at local and national meetings in his related fields. He has been a leader in medical education and has had a career of medical executive experience, including director of geriatrics from 1988 to 1994 at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine.

Board Member – May 2016

Sandra is a recently retired financial services executive. Throughout her 35 years at Northern Trust, she led U.S. and international teams with a primary focus on capital markets for institutional investors. She is experienced in leading client service, sales, risk management, finance, operations, and product development functions. Sandra served on the boards of EquiLend Holdings LLC—a global financial-tech company—and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago. She was an executive member of the Securities Finance Council, an industry leadership association. She was also a board member of Northern Trust’s Women in Leadership Council. Sandra has a BS in economics from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

Board Member – June 2023

Recently retired after 41 years of practicing law, Nick was the vice chair of Duane Morris’ national Health Law Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Partners Board from 1999 to 2015. He chaired the Chicago office’s health law practice for 22 years, focusing his practice on pharmaceutical law, laws affecting the post-acute care industry, healthcare litigation, and regulatory compliance matters. Nick remains a registered pharmacist with more than 40 years’ experience in healthcare law. He is a former division chief and assistant chief counsel to the Illinois Department of Public Health, and also served as chief counsel to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board (n/k/a the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board). Nick was a member of, and general counsel to, the Illinois Health Care Association and Illinois Nursing Home Administrators Association. He also served on the American Health Care Association’s legal committee. In addition, he is past president of the American Society for Pharmacy Law and a former board member and editor of its publication, Rx Ipsa Loquitur. He is listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2007-2022 editions, and has served on numerous nonprofit boards of directors. Nick is a graduate of The John Marshall Law School and Drake University College of Pharmacy.

Board Member – June 2019

Marshall is associate general counsel for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Banking Division. He has been active with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, where he has volunteered at the First Congregational Church in La Grange’s Saturday breakfast program to answer legal questions on a pro bono basis. He has served as a member and chair of the La Grange Park Zoning Commission and was an elected Village Trustee from 2007 to 2011.

Board Member – June 2022

Mike has a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science and a master’s degree in management. He has worked on political campaigns and served as a staffer in Washington, DC. After moving to the Chicago area 24 years ago, Mike worked for Mesirow Financial before opening his own consulting practice. He specializes in both public and private partnerships in the real estate field, and is an active investor with interest in real estate, media, and the hospitality industries. Mike also teaches a masters-level program in the Business of Sports at Northwestern University.

Board Member – May 2017

Laura Weyrauch is a consultant for construction project programming, management, and owner representation for the senior housing industry. She has over twenty-five years of experience as a registered Architect and Project Manager. Laura is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and holds a Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Virginia. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments.

Board Member – May 2015

Don’s career spans 50 years in the travel business, with offices located at Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. As a Certified Travel Counselor, Don offered travel planning and tours primarily to the Scandinavian countries. Don came to the rehab facility at Plymouth Place in 2020, moved to skilled nursing, then continued his rehabilitation in assisted living. In 2021, he moved into an independent living apartment and is the first person to enter the Plymouth Place care continuum in reverse. Don has two sons and three grandchildren.

*Vice President of the Resident’s Council, Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Directors