Our Identity
Mission
Elevating aging services through innovation and collective action.
Vision
Texas. The model for aging.
Promise
Inspire. Serve. Advocate.
Who & How We Serve
LeadingAge Texas (formerly the Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging - TAHSA) was established in 1959 as a Texas not-for-profit corporation. Its purpose is to provide leadership, advocacy, and education for not-for-profit retirement housing and nursing home communities that serve the needs of Texas retirees.
As a trade association representing the full continuum of mission-driven, not-for-profit aging services providers, LeadingAge Texas is committed to assisting its members in providing the highest quality of services possible to the residents they serve. To accomplish its purpose, the association provides up-to-date information, education, representation, group services, and networking as well as prompt, efficient service to the professional staff of its member communities. The association is comprised of more than 350 members, including approximately 200 of Texas' finest retirement housing communities, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, nursing homes, and home and community based services providers. Over 30,000 older Texans reside in LeadingAge Texas-member communities. Thousands more are served through home health services, adult day care centers, and other community out-reach services. LeadingAge Texas members are sponsored primarily by community-based nonprofit civic, religious, fraternal, and other quality groups and are mission-driven organizations.
LeadingAge Texas' national partner, LeadingAge, is an association of 6,000 not-for-profit organizations dedicated to expanding the world of possibilities for aging. Together, these two associations advance policies, promote practices and conduct research that supports, enables and empowers people to live fully as they age.
Our History
In 1959 the association was formed as the Texas Association of Homes for the Aging. In 1995 "and Services" was added and the association become the Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (TAHSA). In September 2011, members voted on changing the name to LeadingAge Texas.
DEI Commitment
LeadingAge recognizes the intersectionality of ageism, racism and other forms of discrimination. We are committed to being a just, inclusive, antiracist and equitable community that values and honors the unique qualities, wisdom and lived experience of all people. We are steadfast in our commitment and will invest in opportunities to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive community, where all are able to meaningfully contribute and thrive.
The Not-for-Profit Difference
Although the types of care and services provided by LeadingAge Texas members may vary, all are identical in one primary sense: they are not-for-profit. These providers have a long tradition of community service and concern, and these values drive the delivery of care and services. Their nonprofit approach places emphasis on providing an atmosphere of fellowship and caring; meeting the social, physical and spiritual needs of the individual; and helping older persons preserve the dignity and quality of life they deserve in their retirement years. They offer a commitment to quality that stems from a mission of service and history of compassion which has become the hallmark of the not-for-profit aging services provider.
Texas not-for-profit providers and caregivers are leading the way towards a greater purpose of helping older Texans age safely in the place they call home with innovative care and services, while treating each resident with dignity and respect.
Commitment to Quality
Not-for-profit providers of aging services offer a commitment to quality that stems from a mission of service and a history of compassion.
A major study of nursing home quality in the U.S. and Canada found that not-for-profits consistently delivered better outcomes in four key areas relating to quality:
- More or higher quality of staffing.
- Lower prevalence of pressure ulcers.
- Lower prevalence of restraints.
- Fewer government citations for deficiencies.
Commitment to Person-Directed Care
The latest evolution in senior services revolves around respecting the needs and desires of the individual, rather than fitting the individual to traditional patterns of the facility. Many not-for-profit providers are at the forefront of this change.
Commitment to Staff
As part of its mission, a not-for-profit organization recognizes that staff satisfaction and commitment are related to sufficient numbers of staff, fair wages and benefits, work flexibility when needed, continuing education/growth opportunities and an environment of respect.
Commitment to Ongoing Improvement
Not-for-profit organizations are committed to innovation and continuous quality improvement, with a goal of improving the entire field of aging services. They tailor housing, health care and community services to address unmet needs within our communities.
Not-for-profit organizations have been at the forefront of improving services for older persons, pioneering the introduction of new options such as “small house” nursing centers. Not-for-profits also have been driving important reforms, including reductions in the use of restraints and psychotropic drugs in nursing centers.
The Not-for-Profit Difference Materials
Nonprofit Responsibility
Standing the Test of Time - The Not-for-Profit Difference
The Power of Membership
The Strength of Community.
Membership spans the nation and the aging services continuum, including skilled nursing, assisted living, affordable housing, life plan communities, adult day and PACE programs, hospice, and home-based services.
LeadingAge membership delivers professional tools and resources—and offers access to a network like no other. You’ll join more than 5,000 organizations and 38 state partners committed to making America a better place to grow old. Together we are building an equitable and inclusive aging services sector, in which opportunities exist for all to thrive.
We offer everything you would expect from your trade association, plus much more.
Five Reasons to Join membership:
1: Connect with Peers and Partners
Our network is a community of like-minded aging services professionals making America a better place to grow old. You’ll foster new connections and friendships through events, advisory groups, and the online communities: Community.LeadingAgeTexas.org and My.LeadingAge.org. Members tell us that networking with peers is the number one reason why they join LeadingAge.
2: Stay Current on Critical Issues
LeadingAge delivers a steady stream of news, information, and tools for members every day— so you can focus on your
organization’s mission. We’re on top of the issues that matter most to members, giving you more time to put residents and clients first.
3: Amplify Your Voice
Through our relationships with lawmakers and the press, LeadingAge fights to remove barriers to care and improve funding for the
sector. We help policymakers decipher complex issues in aging—on Capitol Hill and at the state and local level—to build a stronger future for aging services providers and the people you serve.
4: Tap Solutions for Success
LeadingAge helps you apply promising practices and leverage the latest insights from across the field. From best-in-class
professional development to critical data metrics to special discounts and group purchasing, members have access to a wide variety of innovative tools and best practices to help your plan for—and achieve—success.
5: Access Personalized Hands-On Help
National and state LeadingAge staff experts are always just a phone call or email away. You can rely on us for the
dedicated help you need to tackle your day-to-day work or solve big-picture challenges.
View the documents below for more information on our association:
Membership Brochure
Top Five Reasons to Join
LeadingAge Texas & LeadingAge (National) 2024 Accomplishments
Specific Member Benefiits:
Click the links below to learn more about the specific member benefits your community can look forward to:
Affordable Housing
Assisted Living
CCRC/Life Plan Community
Home Health
Hospice
Nursing Home
Affiliate Organizations
LeadingAge
 LeadingAge is an association of 6,000 not-for-profit organizations dedicated to expanding the world of possibilities for aging. LeadingAge advances policies, promotes practices, and conducts research that supports, enables, and empowers people to live fully as they age.
EIA
The Educational Institute on Aging (EIA) is a 501(c)(3) subsidiary foundation of LeadingAge Texas. Established in 1984, EIA is dedicated to the promotion of a better understanding of aging and long-term care in Texas.
Health Plan, Inc. (HPI)
Health Plan, Inc. (HPI) is the 501 c (9) nonprofit, self-funded Association-Sponsored Health Plan of LeadingAge Texas, which represents not-for-profit aging services providers throughout the state. Its sole purpose is to provide excellent, affordable employee health insurance and ancillary benefit options for LeadingAge Texas members and their employees.
Value First, Inc.
Value First, Inc. is a group purchasing organization (GPO) that leverages the collective buying power of LeadingAge members across the country to get the best pricing on a comprehensive selection of high-quality products and services. Owned by LeadingAge and 25 state affiliates, Value First specializes in supporting the purchasing needs of members whose mission is better care and better outcomes for older adults.
Senior Communities Purchasing Connection (SCPC)
Senior Communities Purchasing Connection (SCPC) is a subsidiary of LeadingAge Texas formed to benefit the membership in cost-savings thru a collective buying power.
The Global Ageing Network
The mission of The Global Ageing Network is to connect and support care and service providers worldwide to enhance quality of life for ageing. Members include professionals and
organizations in ageing services, governments, volunteer organizations, businesses, academics, researchers and architects that specialize in design for ageing.
The LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) is leading the charge to expedite the development, evaluation and adoption of emerging technologies that can improve the aging experience. CAST has become an international coalition of more than 400 technology companies, aging services organizations, research universities, and government representatives.
Communities of Faith RRG
Communities of Faith RRG is a senior living and continuing care general liability and professional liability reciprocal insurance company that is 100% owned by independent facilities. Through active risk management, ongoing education and proactive claims advocacy, our member facilities enhance patient safety and reduce their cost of risk.
Association Staff
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George Linial
President & CEO
(512) 467-2242 Ext.108
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- Association Management
- Governance
- Media
- Communities of Faith, RRG
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Crystal Laza
Chief Operating Officer
(512) 467-2242 Ext.102
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- Member Services
- Membership
- Operations
- Sponsorship
- LeadingCare Network Texas
- LeadingAge Texas Health Plan, Inc. (HPI)
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Amanda Wiedenfeld
Vice President of Leadership Development
(512) 467-2242 Ext.106
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- Professional Development
- Educational Institute on Aging
- Leadership Collective
- Seminars & Webinars
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Ann Castro
Director of Business Development
(817) 680-5471
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- Group Purchasing
- Value First
- SCPC Preferred Vendors
- Savings & Solutions
- COVID-19: PPE & Testing Solutions
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Julianna Ems
Director of Communications
(512) 467-2242 Ext.103
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- Email Communications & Marketing
- Bright Spots Campaigns
- Member Stories
- Awards Program
- Fundraising
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Dorothy Ferrick
Director of Events & Member Engagement
(512) 467-2242 ext. 101
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- General Information
- Event Planning & Management
- EXPO
- Registration
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Emiliano Romero
Director of Advocacy & Public Policy
(512) 467-2242 Ext.105
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- Advocacy
- Legislative Issues
- Grassroots
- Regulatory Issues
- LeadingAge Texas PAC
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Anneliese Sandoval
Administrative Assistant
(512) 467-2242 Ext. 111
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- General Information
- Membership Updates
- Registration
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Executive Committee
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CHAIR: Wendy Carpenter
CEO, EdenHill Communities
CHAIR-ELECT: Nicole Gann
President & CEO, Juliette Fowler Communities
SECRETARY: Stephen Nelson
Chief Healthcare Officer, Manor Park, Inc.
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TREASURER: Tim Mallad
CEO, Forefront Living
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR: Cheryl Harding
President/CEO, James L. West Center for Dementia Care
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At-Large Board Members
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Lance Allen
Administrator, Sunset Home
Kris Awtrey
CEO/Administrator, Presbyterian Manor
Charles Borst
President/CEO, Westminster
Alan Brown
President/CEO, Methodist Retirement Communities
Rhoda Byers
[Special Advisor]
Executive Vice President, Plano Community Home, Inc.
Wendy Carpenter
[Chair]
President/CEO, EdenHill Communities
Peter Drew
CEO, Holly Hall Retirement Community
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Philip Jacob
Executive Director, The Buckingham
Darrell Jones
President/CEO, Blue Skies of Texas
Christine Nguyen
Director of Human Services, Morningside Ministries
Michael Olmstead
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Buckner Retirement Services, Inc.
Pamela Roddy
Executive Director, Carillon Senior Living
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EIA Board Members
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Michael Cummings
Healthcare Administrator, MRC The Crossings
Robin Gonzalez
Director of Residential Health Services, Westminster
Jennifer Griffin
Sr. Director, Community Outreach, CC Young
Cheryl Harding
President/CEO, James L. West Center for Dementia Care
Aaron Hargett
Senior Executive Director, Baptist Retirement Community
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Maggie Nix
Assisted Living Manager, Nursing Home Administrator, Social Work, Ventana by Buckner
Todd Partin
Vice President of Philanthropy & Engagement, Methodist Retirement Communities
Lori Rice-Huffman
Director of Nursing, Juliette Fowler Communities
Jaime Cobb Tinsley
VP of Dementia & Caregiver Education, James L. West Center for Dementia Care
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DONATE NOW
LeadingAge Texas membership contains individuals who are eager for opportunities to enhance their leadership capacities and would love to participate in our educational opportunities throughout the year. But they need your support! Please consider making a donation to the EIA scholarship fund.
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WHO WE ARE
The Educational Institute on Aging (EIA) is a 501(c)(3) subsidiary foundation of LeadingAge Texas that serves as a forum to promote accessible education opportunities and professional development to LeadingAge Texas members.
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WHO WE HELP
The proceeds from the EIA scholarship fund allow for LeadingAge Texas members to attend educational events throughout the year including the LeadingAge Texas Annual Conference & Solutions EXPO. Over $23,000 in scholarship funds was awarded last year to members who span the spectrum of aging services disciplines—from students working toward careers in the field to those currently serving older Texans as certified nursing assistants (CNAs), nurses, HR professionals, social workers, chaplains, and more.
By nature of the LeadingAge Texas membership being made up of not-for-profit aging services providers, tight budgets come into play & some members experience difficulty in funding employees' professional development. Thus, EIA scholarships are a much needed option—access to continuing education & professional growth are vital to retaining quality employees, encouraging future leaders in the field, and providing exceptional service to older Texans throughout the spectrum of care!
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