Meet the Team

Charlie joined Buckner Retirement Services in 2000 as director of quality improvement and regulatory compliance, then went on to serve as vice president of operations before being promoted to senior vice president and then ultimately to president in 2021.

Today, he leads a team of roughly 900 employees across the Buckner portfolio of communities. Charlie drives momentum and success for the organization through a strategic vision aimed at both growth and innovation.

A proven leader in the senior living industry, Charlie has served as the President of the Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments (SAGE) Federation and served as the President of the Texas chapter of SAGE from 2006 through 2008. He also served on the Visioning Board for the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA). Charlie has a strong partnership with LeadingAge Texas where he has served on numerous committees including Culture Change, CQI, Public Policy, and Managed Care. He has also served on the Professional Advisory committee for the Visiting Nurses Association and the Texas Wellspring Steering committee.

Charlie received both his Bachelor of Business Administration and his MBA from Southwestern Adventist University. Charlie lives in Keene, Texas on his farm with his wife Donna where they are frequently surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

Michael joined Buckner Retirement Services in January 2023 and brings more than 20 years of senior living experience to Buckner. He previously served as vice president of operations for Ascension Living where he led an operations team responsible for 34 communities in 11 states and Washington D.C.

In his role as vice president and chief operating officer, Michael will oversee operations of the faith-based, nonprofit senior living provider. He will also ensure the creation and implementation of new processes and strategies supporting the organizational mission of Buckner.

In addition to his work experience, Michael holds a certificate in health ministry leadership from Aquinas Institute of Theology; nursing facility administrator license from McLennan Community College; Master of Science, Gerontology from Baylor University; nursing assistant certificate from McLennan Community College; and Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University.

Allison joined Buckner Retirement Services in 2022 as Senior Director of Sales where she oversees and implements new sales processes and initiatives. She brings more than a decade of experience in the senior living industry with experience in non-profit CCRC as well as for-profit rental communities. Allison’s experience has included multi-million-dollar expansions, new developments, acquisitions and selling care levels including independent, assisted living, memory care and active adult living communities.

Allison enjoys coaching and training high performing sales teams and lives by the saying of “doing the right thing is also right for the business”. She is passionate about facts and stories and focuses on finetuning the processes that lead to the greatest results.

She earned an MBA in business management from Avila University in Kansas City and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Outside of her passion for working in senior living, she enjoys her dog, traveling, reading and her Peloton.

Cheryl joined Buckner Retirement’s senior living staff in 2008. She spent the first five of those years as the founding Buckner Hospice administrator, then served as the director of Assisted Living, Memory Care and education services before entering her current role where she works with each Buckner senior living community to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.

“My life has been richly blessed by senior adults and their perspective on life,” she said. “The opportunity to give back to this generation and increase their quality of life is fulfilling and life-enriching.”

Charles “Chuck” Childress was named director of business development for Buckner Retirement Services in 2023 providing strategic oversight of the organization’s growth. Chuck is a 20-year veteran of the senior living industry and began his career at Buckner Parkway Place in Houston for 11 years, where he served as executive director and then later served as executive director for Ventana by Buckner for two years.

Chuck also spent nine years with Methodist Retirement Communities, serving first as the executive director for MRC PineCrest in Lufkin, Texas and as Chief Operating Officer for the organization. He also spent a year and a half as the COO at Mueller Environmental Designs.

He earned a bachelor of arts degree in social work from Stephen F. Austin State University, a master’s degree in social work from the University of Houston and a Long-Term Care Administration Post Masters Certificate from University of Texas Health Science Center. He is also a licensed Nursing Facility Administrator and Master of Social Work.

Kaley stepped into the senior living industry by joining Buckner Retirement Services in July 2019 as director of marketing where she drives strategic brand marketing and lead generation initiatives, programs, and plans designed to support the organization’s continued growth and success.

Kaley brings more than a decade of sales and marketing experience to her current role and excels in business versatility, critical communication, executive coaching, and being a solution-oriented leader. In her previous roles, Kaley lead high-impact teams in multimillion-dollar event execution, content development, social and digital media, and corporate communications.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and is a member of LeadingAge Texas. Kaley resides in Gunter, Texas, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Nathan, and their two children.

Steven joined the Buckner Retirement Services Team in 2022 as Director of Financial Planning & Analysis where he supports BRS communities by ensuring our continued strong financial health. Though new to the senior living industry, Steven’s prior experience includes nearly 15 years in various financial planning and analysis roles at a major airline. He also spent several years in wine-production operations at a number of wineries in California, Oregon, and New Zealand.

Steven earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (Finance) from Texas A&M University. He resides in downtown Dallas, just a few short blocks away from Buckner’s corporate offices--allowing for a daily commute by foot. In his spare time, Steven loves exploring all that the city has to offer and is continuously on the lookout to find and try new restaurants! He also enjoys a nice New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or Napa Cabernet from time to time!

Kelly Stephens was named Senior Human Resources Director for Buckner Retirement Services in July of 2023 where she assists community human resource leaders in the areas of engagement, retention, performance management, talent acquisition, talent development and total compensation. Kelly started her career with Buckner at Parkway Place in Houston serving as the human resource director where she brought her extensive experience in the retail and oil and gas industry to senior living.

Kelly is passionate about developing employees and leaders across the organization. She excels at coaching and mentoring others to improve professionally and personally and finds fulfillment in seeing others realize their potential.

Kelly earned her Bachelor of Science in HR Leadership Development from Texas A&M University. She currently lives in Houston, Texas where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, working out and being active.