Meet the Team
Monark Grove Clarkston offers distinguished care for seniors in Clarkston, MI. We are dedicated to the compassionate care of all our residents. Professionally managed and staffed by a friendly team of highly qualified individuals, we help seniors live a comfortable, active life.
Becky Howard
Executive Director
With 25+ years’ experience working in healthcare and senior living, and a background in both commercial and residential real estate, Becky is well-positioned to lead at Monark Grove Clarkston! As Executive Director, she is responsible for daily operations for the entire community. With regard to her role within the community, she says, “I get pure enjoyment from delivering a wonderful experience and quality care to the residents, educating their loved ones, and coaching the team. My goal every day is to make a positive impact, and create joyful moments in every situation I encounter.” Originally from Clio, MI, in her free time Becky enjoys spending time with her two young adult children, a son and a daughter. Favorite pastimes include biking, hiking, golfing, boating, reading, attending sporting events, listening to music, traveling, and dining out.
Luli Mhilli
Business Office Manager
Luli Mhilli is from Albania and has spent over 15 years in the hospitality industry. Luli oversees daily office operations and helps answer residents' questions and concerns. She finds that getting to know each resident on a personal level is a deeply rewarding experience. Her guiding principle is "To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart." When not at work, Luli loves spending time with her family.
Sharon Punches-Henney
Director of Sales and Marketing
A Michigan native, Sharon brings over 15 years’ experience—including over 5 in Senior Living—to her role. Her daily responsibilities include ensuring all current and future residents flourish in the Monark Grove lifestyle. To Sharon, working with the senior community is a dream come true. She enjoys hearing residents’ stories and putting a smile on their faces. Outside of work, Sharon loves spending time with her three incredible sons, taking in theater, and traveling. Integrity is her guiding principle and a quote that inspires her is, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”— Booker T. Washington
Taleena Williams
Dining Room Manager
With 13 years working in dining room and hospitality management, Taleena says she prides herself on making sure everyone who walks through the door has an unforgettable dining experience. Her #1 goal is to make sure the needs of the residents are met. In terms of her role as Dining Room Manager, she says she believes in “fostering success within the team.” The most important part of her job she says, is to be certain resident care is provided with dignity and respect. Having grown up on a sheep farm in Silverwood, MI, Taleena has many interests outside of work! She says she enjoys art and DIY projects–as well as dance, music, and theater. She also has two great kids with whom she shares her love of the great outdoors, encouraging them to stay active and strong. But, her favorite hobby is doing puzzles ...Rubik’s cubes, in particular!
Jason Kohler
Executive Vice President, Senior Living
Born and raised in Flint, Jason Kohler has worked in Senior Living and adjacent industries for over 18 years. Since 2003, he has been involved in nearly every facet of senior care, including Independent and Assisted Living, Memory Care, and more. Jason’s prior experience in the Hospitality industry was incredibly helpful when refocusing his career on Senior Living. In his current role, his day-to-day involvement at the community primarily involves helping to support the work that happens in the field, spending quality time in the communities whenever possible. Jason is energized by serving others and loves making a resident’s day whenever and however he can. Outside of work, he plays competitive billiards and also enjoys snowboarding, working out, and spending time with family and friends. His guiding principle is “Take care of your associates. In turn, they will take good care of the residents, and the rest will take care of itself.” A quote that inspires him is, “Whether you think you can, or think you cannot, you’re right.” - Henry Ford
Adam Snyder
Senior Vice President of Operations, Senior Living Division
Originally from Lancaster, PA, Adam Snyder has been involved in Senior Living since 2003. He now oversees the day-to-day operations for all Beztak Senior Living communities. Adam enjoys interacting with people every day and helping brighten lives. He has a passion for tackling issues and finds brainstorming and implementing new solutions very rewarding. Outside of work, Adam loves attending his kids’ sporting events, golfing, hiking, and fishing.
Daniel Novak
Corporate Director of Food and Beverage, Senior Division
Daniel Novak, a native Detroiter, has been working in management, food service, and senior living for over 20 years. His day-to-day responsibilities include working with our culinary teams developing dining programs, setting and maintaining standards, verifying food safety compliance and ensuring quality. Dan treats each day as an opportunity to exceed our residents expectations by creating a spectacular dining experience from start to finish inclusive of food, ambiance, décor and service. When not at work, he enjoys cooking for family and friends, dining out trying new restaurants, and fishing and spending time at his cottage in Northern Michigan.
Peter Richardson
Regional Director of Operations, Senior Living
With 15 years of experience in senior living, including 12 years of oversight experience at the community and regional level, Peter is well-positioned for his role as Regional Director of Operations, Senior Living. In addition to providing operations and sales support to on-site teams, Peter especially enjoys his part in positively impacting the lives of both residents and team members entrusted to care for them. In terms of his philosophy in approaching his work, he says, “Always do the right thing with an abundance of pride, passion, and purpose!” This is a motto he works hard to impart in all areas of the community operations. Born and raised in Flint, MI, he enjoys spending time with his family, as well as golfing and being outdoors.
Natalie Stringer
Director of Artistic and Intellectual Planning
Originally from Washington D.C., Natalie brings over ten years’ experience in performing arts, nonprofit administration, and arts conference programming and producing to her role. As Director of Artistic and Intellectual Planning, she is responsible for curating and overseeing the artistic and educational programs. More specifically, Natalie actively conceptualizes, develops, maintains, and controls the vision, venue, and content that shapes the artistic, educational, and cultural programming. Natalie believes there’s no better feeling than witnessing a room of strangers form an innate bond because of a shared art experience. When not working, she enjoys travel, exploring the outdoors, writing, and seeing as many new performers as she can. A quote that inspires her is “The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions that have been hidden by the answers.” (James Baldwin).
Erica Patterson
Director of Clinical Compliance
As Director of Clinical Compliance, Erica puts her 28 years of experience in senior living, including 16 as Director of Nursing at a skilled care/assisted living facility, to work ensuring that care provided meets the highest possible standard for our residents. Erica conveys that she loves being able to bring compassion and empathy to the lives of those who she says have, “laid the groundwork for us.” Over the course of her work, she says, she has learned, “People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, …but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Erica’s top priority is to foster an atmosphere in which every member of the team knows their contribution is valued. After all, a great team is the foundation of great care! Originally from Detroit, Erica loves to cook and bake for family gatherings. When she has time, she also loves scouring bookstore shelves for the next great mystery novel!
Join Our VIP List