For the Sake of Independent Living

by Eddie Goldberg
December 2009

Our spotlight feature this month reflects on two. Rick and Judy Garner share a unique life, and as such, are temporary residents of the Triad. They are employed by Hawthorne retirement group, which owns a variety of retirement facilities in about 13 states, Canada, and the UK.

What makes the Garners so unique is the style of management that puts a married couple in charge of each project opening.

Rick and Judy are on site months before a facility opens and they stay on for several months after to make certain residents are happy and that the facility runs at peak performance.

“It’s almost like we never stop. It’s not just a job, but a lifestyle,” says Judy. She took me on a tour of Carolina Estates, a new independent living facility located on Old Battleground.

“Details range from marketing to menus. There are endless details, and the range of subjects show no mercy.” Rick and Judy are peppered with questions and requests constantly. The sources vary as greatly as the questions themselves. They jump from construction to personnel, to sales to (oh yea) grandma and grandpa.

Rick and Judy have been married for 35 years. They’ve been with Hawthorne for 11. They have opened facilities in Ohio, Texas, South Carolina, New Mexico and England. They aren’t the only “couple’s management team” at Hawthorne either. They have nothing but a glowing opinion of their company, but you sense it’s not just a political thing to say about your boss.

That “boss” goes by the name of Larry Wright, and he exudes the same kindness as to the Garners. “Bill Colson started this company in the 70s. It was his insight that brought the couples management concept.

Each room has an emergency indicator. Wright says, “Instead of the night shift, it’s Rick or Judy.” He said the assistant managers are also a couple. “It provides a very homey atmosphere and promotes friendship. The residents love it, and that’s what counts. The managers even pour the coffee at meal time. It’s as much a bed and breakfast as it is independent living.”

Judy says, “You just can’t do this business unless you care about the people you serve. You have to have a real love of the elderly.” She spent 24 years in the banking industry prior to her present career.

Rick was in welling supplies. Like many boomers, change was inevitable. At one point, it’s just not about getting by anymore; it’s about feeling good about what you do.

They generally spend about a year in any given market. At first, they reside in corporate housing, but after the facility is built, they move in and take over as on-site managers.

Since they have so much to do, and relatively little time to do it, efficiency is a must. Even getting acquainted with your new home needs to be done in a flash.

Within two weeks of arrival, the Garners had been from Cherokee to Hatteras. They’ve made it to NASCAR in Charlotte, visited the car show, and visited Mount Airy (no trip to NC is complete without it.)

“What I love about Greensboro is regardless of where you are in the city, it has that country feel to it,” Rick mentioned.

Between assignments, the Garners usually go home for a week, visit with family, and catch up on their personal lives a bit. “We go to the lake for a little fishing; well, I do. Judy doesn’t fish but she shops. We each catch up with each other and the things we love.”

Their daughter and son-in-law live in Mountain Home, Arkansas where they raise the grandchildren (three and six.) Rick says, “Sometimes, the grandkids get to visit, but timing wasn’t right for Greensboro. Too bad.”

When asked about their own retirement, they look forward to permanent residence at their lake property in Mountain Home. If that didn’t work, “I’d just move in here!” he said. OK, that might be a shameless plug, but he works hard; is proud of what he does, and it is really is a very nice facility. He gets a pass.

When Rick and Judy aren’t with one another on the job, they’re with one another everywhere else. Rick says in spite of the constant closeness, they really don’t have too many problems.

“Judy and I are together pretty much 24/7 and its been working that way since 1999. I’m surprised that we haven’t killed each other by now,” he says with his tongue planted well in his cheek. He admits that overall, it works out pretty well.

“No major spats or anything like that as long as I do what she says.” From my own experience that pretty much puts him in a boat many a husband shares (including me.)

Once the building opens, the Garners continue the 24/7 until all goals are accomplished. After that, they take a few weeks to a month for themselves, sans work.

“It’s not like a typical job. We really love what we do. We’re not only together, but we’re accomplishing common goals together. It’s a very satisfying feeling.”

Happiness at home means happiness on the job. What else could anyone ask for?

Back to Top