Our associates
Meet the people who care for Autumn Ridge every day, from helping families plan a visit to leading nursing care, preparing meals, organizing activities and looking after the grounds.
The associates, in the lobby they work in every day. Individual introductions are below.
Executive Director
Cindy brings over 20 years of experience working in healthcare, including senior living. Before becoming Executive Director at Autumn Ridge she worked in long term care in Jefferson County. She is passionate about providing exceptional resident care and helping seniors thrive in this stage of life.
Cindy and her family have called Jefferson County home for more than 25 years, where they enjoy the great outdoors together.
Community Relations Director
Marie is who most families meet first. She graduated with a dual bachelor's degree in business management and accounting, started her career in banking, and served the Arnold community for more than six years before staying home with her two young sons. When her youngest started school she went to work at a local nursing home, continuing her service to Jefferson County seniors.
She is a believer in positive thinking, hard work, and supporting the people around her. If she is not working, she is usually on an adventure, at a local restaurant, with her family, or in the gym.
Director of Nursing
With more than 30 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Cathy brings extensive clinical knowledge, leadership experience, and a genuine passion for caring for older adults to her role as Director of Nursing at Autumn Ridge Residences.
Although Cathy originally entered nursing with plans to work in labor and delivery, her career led her in a different and incredibly rewarding direction. She discovered a special connection with older adults and has dedicated much of her career to long-term care, nursing leadership, and administration.
For Cathy, exceptional nursing goes far beyond providing quality care. She believes it means taking the time to know each resident as an individual, building meaningful relationships with residents and their families, and helping people feel valued, respected, safe, and genuinely cared for. She especially enjoys bringing laughter and joy into the lives of the residents she serves and considers it a privilege to be part of their lives.
As Director of Nursing, Cathy is committed to ensuring residents receive the highest quality of care while also supporting and leading the nursing team. Her approach is rooted in compassion, communication, teamwork, and strong leadership, all of which she believes are essential to creating an environment where residents can feel comfortable, supported, and thrive.
Outside of Autumn Ridge, Cathy lives on a farm with her husband and enjoys riding horses, spending time outdoors, and, most of all, making memories with her grandchildren. Family and faith are the foundation of her life, while the residents and staff of Autumn Ridge bring tremendous meaning and purpose to her work.
After more than three decades in nursing, Cathy remains grateful for a career that allows her to care for others and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people she serves.
Dietary Manager
For 21 years, Ashley Brissette has been a part of the Autumn Ridge Residences family, so it's fair to say she has grown up right alongside our community. Ashley began her career at Autumn Ridge as a dietary aide and, through years of dedication and growth, worked her way into her current role as our Dietary Manager.
As a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), Ashley brings both experience and heart to everything she does. She loves problem-solving, developing new ideas, and finding creative ways to make dining at Autumn Ridge something residents can genuinely look forward to.
For Ashley, the best part of her job is simple: making our residents happy. She especially loves seeing their excitement when she introduces a new meal, special treat, or dining experience.
After more than two decades at Autumn Ridge, Ashley believes it's the people and the food that make our community so special. She treasures the relationships she has built with both residents and her dietary team and takes tremendous pride in creating meals and moments that help make Autumn Ridge feel like home.
Maintenance Director
Eric has been our Maintenance Director for 12 years. He is trained in carpentry, plumbing, electrical and HVAC repair, and he built the preventative maintenance program that keeps Autumn Ridge in good condition rather than in constant repair. He inspects construction, repairs and maintenance across the community and makes sure regulatory requirements are met.
In his own time Eric is on his boat, in the water, or competing in fishing tournaments with the catch of his life, his wife Tammy.
Activities Director
Carla brings over 10 years of experience directing activities, and before Autumn Ridge she managed two assisted-living facilities in Illinois, one of them memory care. She is a certified Alzheimer's facilitator with a special love for dementia residents.
Carla plans a varied calendar around residents' interests and abilities, including trivia, bingo, spelling bees, creative activities and outings. Her focus is connection, purpose and experiences residents look forward to. Away from work she enjoys time with family and friends, crafting and flower gardening.
Several of the people above have served Autumn Ridge for many years. If you would like to help care for our community, explore our careers page and tell us about your experience.
A simpler next step
Tour the community, meet the people who make it special, or call us with a question. We will help you take the next step at the pace that feels right.
My mother needs help with her medications. Is that something you do?
Yes. That falls under our Residential Care level, which is state licensed and includes medication management along with 24-hour associates on site. Would it help if I walked you through what changes between Independent Living and Residential Care?
Yes, and what does it cost?
A real exchange pattern. Ask your own above.
