The Commonwealth Difference in Senior Care

Richard began in the senior housing industry over 20 years ago working for a family-owned company that opened the first assisted living community in Virginia. Working in a small company, in an industry that was new to Virginia, he was involved in all aspects of the business. This experience proved to be instrumental in the success of Commonwealth Senior Living as it led to a strategic growth plan that considered the importance of everyone's role in the organization, from the CEO up to our frontline associates.

Understanding the roles employee engagement and resident satisfaction play in an organization's long term success, Richard brought together a team of professionals to focus on these key areas. This strategy has allowed Commonwealth to capitalize on the opportunities of acquiring existing real estate then implementing strategic operational changes, adding services, and renovating and expanding the communities to achieve economies of scale and superior financial results. Richard built CSL through acquisitions and renovation and expansion projects, building a world class management team. Richard graduated from James Madison University and served on the Virginia Assisted Living Association and the Jefferson Area Board on Aging, and currently serves as Vice Chair of CATEL, a vocational trading school.

With more than 35 years of experience in hospitality and senior living, Earl Parker has dedicated his career to redefining excellence in care and operational innovation. As the Chief Executive Officer & President of Commonwealth Senior Living (CSL), Earl provides strategic direction, leadership, and support to ensure CSL continues to set the standard in senior care across the nation.

Prior to joining CSL, Earl played a pivotal role in the leadership and growth of two major senior living owner/operators—Kisco Senior Living and Bell Senior Living—where he was instrumental in expanding their reach and impact. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish and lead The ELMS Group, a management company focused on delivering exceptional care and business success in senior living. Earl's leadership has directly influenced the successful acquisitions of more than 65 senior living communities, supporting over 100 communities nationwide.

A proud graduate of UNC Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School, Earl holds an MBA in business leadership, complemented by a B.S. in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University. His expertise and commitment to the industry extend beyond his executive roles—he currently serves on the Argentum board of directors and is actively engaged with VALA, NIC, ASHA, and previously NCALA as a board member.

Kristy joined Commonwealth Senior Living in 2016 with over 15 years' experience in sales and marketing leadership within the senior living industry.  She has successfully led many sales teams throughout her career encompassing Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and CCRC's.  She distinguishes herself by building engaged top performing sales teams, designing compelling sales training focused on creating a unique customer experience and development of sales science analytics which have led to increased sales performance and revenue.  Kristy has enjoyed building her experience in various markets and states from coast to coast, having worked for two other national organizations.  Kristy received her Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a focus in Gerontology and Hospitality.  Throughout her career, Kristy's passion for seniors extends beyond her professional path, having been an active volunteer with the Alzheimer's Association, local Senior Advocacy and Service organizations, serving in a variety of leadership capacities.

With nearly 20 years of experience in senior living and multi-site operations leadership, Jack Burt has built a strong reputation for driving operational performance, strengthening organizational culture, and improving financial outcomes. As Chief Operating Officer at Commonwealth Senior Living, Jack provides strategic oversight and leadership across all communities, partnering closely with leaders at every level to align field execution with enterprise strategy and deliver measurable results.

Prior to joining CSL, Jack served as Senior Vice President of Operations, Senior Housing at MedCore Partners in Dallas, Texas, where he played a key role in enhancing portfolio performance and supporting growth initiatives. Over the course of his career, he has held leadership roles with several prominent organizations including Benchmark, Horizon Bay, Brookdale, Senior Lifestyle, and Senior Living NOI, gaining extensive experience across a wide range of operational environments.

Jack began his career in senior living as an Executive Director in Training at Emeritus Senior Living. Since then, he has developed deep expertise in managing complex operational scenarios, including community turnarounds, renovations, lease-ups, and stabilized assets. His comprehensive understanding of both operations and investment strategy enables him to drive improvements while supporting thoughtful capital deployment across Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care communities.

At CSL, Jack is focused on developing and supporting top talent, enhancing the resident and family experience, and building a high-performing organization grounded in a strong, values-driven culture. A committed servant leader, he believes that exceptional outcomes for residents and families begin with empowered teams and a clear, people-first approach to leadership.

With over 26 years of distinguished leadership in senior living, Stephanie Pfingsten combines clinical expertise, strategic vision, and operational excellence in her role as Senior Vice President of Resident Care at Commonwealth Senior Living. Since joining Commonwealth, she has been a catalyst for elevating care quality and improving resident outcomes.

A dynamic change agent, Stephanie drives care excellence and sustainable revenue growth while advancing innovative care and wellness initiatives and strengthening partnerships with investors, physicians, and vendors. She has led strategies that optimize clinical operations, ensure regulatory compliance, and support occupancy growth across a multi-state portfolio. Her visionary leadership has built a resilient clinical foundation centered on personalized care, rigorous quality standards, and forward-thinking risk management and wellness frameworks.

Stephanie's broad multi-state experience and deep understanding of diverse senior populations make her a trusted authority in continuous quality improvement and best practice integration. She inspires teams to unite around a mission of compassionate care aligned with operational success.

Stephanie holds dual bachelor's degrees—a B.A. in Psychology and Human Development/Family Studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. A Certified Dementia Practitioner, she actively contributes to the senior living field through the Argentum Clinical Excellence Roundtable, ASHA, Women in Leadership mentorship, and other healthcare associations.

Driven by a steadfast commitment to clinical innovation and excellence, Stephanie champions a future where every resident thrives in an environment of dignity, respect, and exceptional care.

With over 18 years of dedicated experience in senior living, Joshua brings a deep-rooted passion for senior care, operational excellence, and leadership development to Commonwealth Senior Living. His journey began in high school as a concierge, an early introduction to senior living that sparked a lifelong passion.

Throughout his career, Joshua has advanced through a variety of roles that have shaped his holistic understanding of community operations, including Human Resources, Assisted Living Coordinator, Business Office Manager, Executive Director, and Regional Director of Operations. His grassroots foundation and strategic mindset enable him to lead with both empathy and efficiency, ensuring high-quality care and consistent operational performance across the communities he supports.

Joshua holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Western Governors University and has earned executive certifications from Harvard Business School and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. His commitment to lifelong learning informs his leadership philosophy - one that fosters growth, cultivates talent, and empowers teams to exceed expectations.

Amber Turner is a passionate and strategic HR leader who currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Commonwealth Senior Living. Since joining CSL in 2012 as an Accounts Payable Specialist, Amber has grown through the ranks by building deep relationships, driving change, and championing a culture where associates feel seen, supported, and inspired.

In her role, Amber provides executive leadership for all human resources functions across CSL's communities. She leads efforts in employee relations, leadership development, talent acquisition, compliance, and engagement—with a focus on aligning people strategy to organizational goals. She is widely recognized for her servant leadership style and her ability to bridge the gap between frontline associates and senior leadership.

Amber is especially proud of launching Pineapple People Praise, CSL's signature associate recognition program that ties daily excellence to core values and rewards team members in meaningful, tangible ways. She also played a key role in transforming CSL's onboarding experience with Jump Start and has significantly reduced turnover in business office roles through targeted development and support.

Amber holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).

Above all, Amber believes that when people feel valued and empowered, they achieve extraordinary things—both for themselves and the communities they serve