About Us
Our Way of Life
The newest senior living community in Parker, CO, Pine Grove Crossing provides Assisted Living and Memory Care with a personal touch. We offer suites and 16-hour licensed nursing care, 7 days a week, to residents of our locally owned and operated community. We chose Pine Grove’s location based on the expansive views of the Front Range it provides, with access to medical care at nearby Parker Adventist Hospital. Our professional, caring team is committed to giving our residents the service they require with a dignified approach. Our setting gives people all the comforts of home with the support they need to live well.
About Us Quick Links
Ascent Living Communities
Ascent Living Communities is a Colorado based senior living owner and operator. Our focus is to provide a first class experience for our residents and their families, and to hire and retain the best associates in the business. We are a hands-on owner, and very involved in the operations of our communities. You will regularly find us at our communities working with our teams to create a more meaningful senior living experience than we believe you will find anywhere else. Our founders’ 40 years of combined professional backgrounds provide the backbone of our operation. We have celebrated many successes with our residents, their families and our associates, and also worked through many challenges that we continuously learn from. All of this provides a steady foundation for us to build on and improve every day.
Leadership
While we take great pride in our beautiful grounds, new building interiors, and extensive amenities, it is the people of Pine Grove Crossing which make us stand out among assisted and memory care senior living communities. Our management team and associates are each bright stars in their own right, bringing dedication and heart to every task and event.
Rita Waxon
Executive Director
Rita was born in raised on a farm in central Minnesota. She is the youngest of 10 children and knew at a young age that she was a leader. She was extremely active in 4-H at the club and county level. Rita had a passion for leading and educating and was encouraged by her Dog Project Leaders to conduct training classes at a county and state level. Rita’s favorite game when she was young was to play “office.” While other girls were playing with dolls, Rita was playing with a typewriter, adding machine, files and receipt books.Rita has a passion for seniors and offering the best care possible. She spent many hours with her grandparents as a child while her mom ran errands. Spending time with them instilled a level of respect and desire to be with seniors. This crosses over daily as she interacts with Pine Grove Crossing Residents. Rita has a degree in Psychology and Applied Psychology along with a Diploma in Biblical Studies.Rita moved to Colorado in July 2016 from Minnesota with her husband, to be closer to their grandchildren. It has been wonderful move for them all. Rita has worked in the senior care industry for over 17 years. Rita has had the privilege of working in the areas of: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Home Care and personally have been impacted by memory care in my own family.Rita has 2 daughters, 1 son in law, 3 granddaughters, and 3 grandpups. She enjoys hiking, camping, photography, church activities, volunteering in the community and being with family.
Adrienne Evenson
Marketing Director
Adrienne grew up in a small town outside of Pittsburgh and has been a resident of Colorado since 1998. “My father and I volunteered at local nursing homes when I was 11 years old – this has had a profound influence on my passion to work with seniors.” Studying dietetics in college, Adrienne supported a local assisted living by creating special dietary menus for the residents and then had a wonderful opportunity to open a large senior community in southern Denver in 2006. With 11 plus years of experience in senior living, Adrienne continues to be inspired by the love and insight of her residents. “There’s authenticity in their wisdom and their words. Some of my most genuine interactions and moments have been spent with seniors.” When she is not at the community, Adrienne enjoys doing anything outdoors, healthy cooking, and spending time with her 13-year old son (when he has spare time for her).
Carolyn Petersen
Assistant Marketing and Outreach Director
Carolyn was born in to a military family in Colorado Springs and spent much of her younger years traveling from Air Force Bases in Colorado to Italy, North Dakota and Montana before her father retired back to Colorado. Carolyn met her future husband while attending school at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, where she majored in Human Development. Carolyn’s husband was then transferred to Montana, where his family was from, and the new little Petersen Family welcomed their first son in Missoula, followed by another son born in Great Falls and finally the girl they always wanted also born in Great Falls. A few years later the family was transferred back to Denver and there they have remained to this day.Carolyn has been in sales and marketing her entire life, starting with travel agency sales and eventually owning her own corporate travel agency and then her own cruise only agency that she moved into her home when the internet came to be. During this time Carolyn’s Mom suffered a mild stroke and that led to the search for an assisted living community for her Mom – an event that changed her entire life. During one such tour she bonded so well with the Marketing Director that the Director called her the next day to invite her to apply for a Marketing position that had just opened up. That was the changing moment for Carolyn’s career and for her mom, as well. They both went to the senior community – one for work and the other to live! After Carolyn’s Mom passed, she went to work at various venues in Denver but working with seniors was always in her mind and heart.In her spare time Carolyn loves to spend time with her kids, who are spread all over Denver but easily accessible to bother about future grandkids and also with her three adopted rescues dogs who are actually Basset Hounds that think they are human and like to take over the couch, kitchen and beds. She also enjoys gardening, swimming, scuba diving, boating and hiking. Travel has always been in her blood and returning to Italy is a life-long goal. Carolyn is so pleased to be a part of the Pine Grove Crossing team.
Debbie Rumer
Move In Coordinator
Debbie enjoyed a successful career in the insurance industry for over 30 years. Life happened and Debbie’s mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. And then the journey began. Downsizing, selling the family home, exploring assisted living communities and finally helping her mother settle in for this new phase of life. This experience changed not only her mother’s life but also the direction of Debbie’s career. Debbie decided she wanted to be a part of helping others through this time of transition in their senior years. Debbie grew up in the south but now calls Colorado her home. She enjoys life with her husband, 2 boys and 6 grandchildren which includes a twin boy and girl. Just ask her and she will be most happy to share their photos.
Tierra Spoering
Memory Care Director
Tierra was born in Brighton, Colorado. She lived in Missouri for a few years before returning to Colorado in 2011. She had the opportunity early in her career to be part of a team opening a senior living community in Lakewood. She quickly excelled as the Memory Care Director and helped create a truly unique program. In 2019 the community was awarded Large Business of the year by West Metro Chamber of Commerce as well as voted the best community by the Lakewood Sentinel readers.
Tierra is passionate about bringing joy and purpose to the lives of seniors, as well as supporting friends and families of those living with dementia. “It is the most rewarding experience bringing joy, purpose, and comfort to someone. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to do so every day.” Tierra has attended numerous dementia-care seminars, two with Teepa Snow, who is recognized as an expert in dementia care. She actively supports the Alzheimer’s Association. Holding fundraisers both professionally and personally as well as participating in Denver’s Walk To End Alzheimer’s. In her free time, she enjoys camping with her family, spending time with her boyfriend Ian and their two dogs, Gus and Luke.
Ethan Biron
Culinary Services Director
Ethan began his culinary career in Newport, Rhode Island at the White Horse Tavern. Well-known for being a complete Fine Dining scratch kitchen, this was also the oldest operating Tavern in the United States. It was there that Ethan’s love for food grew and led him into the Restaurant world working in various fine dining and scratch brew pub settings. In 2006, he moved from Rhode Island to Denver and worked at the University of Denver. Ethan stayed at the University for six years, and was ultimately promoted to Director of Resident Dining. In 2014, Ethan accepted an Executive Chef opportunity at a luxury senior living community in Northern Denver. Since that time, he has devoted himself to understanding each person’s unique palette and making every effort to accommodate for each. “There is something about being a culinarian in senior living where you not only get to create great foods but truly get to know your residents. There is a connection when you create the menus and the ambiance together. You are a personal chef to a community.” When Ethan is not working he enjoys anything Computer related, has been building personal PCs for the last 30 years or more.
Rita Scott
Business Office Manager
Rita Scott comes to Pine Grove Crossing from another senior living community where she was the Business Office Manager. There she became certified as an Assisted Living Administrator. She also was the owner of a Home Care Agency and that’s where she really fell in love with seniors and helping them. Her background includes working in financial services, training, bookkeeping and being a small business owner. She’s from the south and talks to her mom every weekend so you may hear a bit of a twang every now and then. Her aging mom lives with her sister but she’s always in the back of her mind which is why she chose this industry for work. She treats her residents the way she would want her mother treated with respect and dignity. She really loves what she does and when she’s not working she spends time with her hubby, her grown children and her dogs.
Wayne Lindsey
Environmental Services Director
Wayne is a native of Colorado! One of the few left! He worked his way through Art School employed at Littleton Public Schools in the Maintenance Department. His specialty was boiler systems, plumbing and pneumatic controls. When he finished college he tried his hand at his degree – Advertising Design! Wayne owned his own Graphic Design Studio, worked as a Senior Art Director, Creative Director and eventually ended his Design career as a Marketing Director. But, he was always still fixing stuff. At his last Marketing job he took on the role of Maintenance and Building Management in addition to his role as Marketing Director. It was from here that Wayne decided to go back into the Maintenance and Facility Management field. Wayne has 6 years of experience in Senior Living and takes pride in making sure his residents feel comfortable and at home as quickly as possible. In his free time you’ll find Wayne camping, fishing or tinkering with his truck. Avid Bronco fans, Wayne and his wife Heather reserve Sunday for the game, good food and time with our three girls.
Morgan Graphman
Human Resource Manager
Morgan grew up in the Assisted Living world with her mom being a Physical Therapist at an Assisted Living Community. When Morgan graduated first in her class with her degree in Business Administration, she knew she wanted to use her knowledge to help make a difference in the lives of seniors. She married into the Long-Term Care business and helped start a new company with her father-in-law in Long-Term Care Pharmacy. She then transitioned to the community side of the industry and has been doing Human Resources in other Assisted Living Communities for three years before finding her home at Pine Grove Crossing. In her free time Morgan loves spending time with her husband and new baby son!
Lynette Christner
Life Enrichment Director
I was born and raised in Lansing Michigan. I moved to this beautiful state of Colorado 2 years ago and I bring ten years of experience working with seniors in various capacities including: activity program development, care coordination and administrative roles. My husband and I have 4 children and 6 wonderful grandchildren. My hobbies include: roller-skating, softball, bowling, shopping, dancing and bringing smiles to as many people possible. My true passion is working with the senior population they are the true foundation of everything we know. Let have some FUN!!!
Thomas Burke
Executive Chef
Chef Thomas attended Johnson and Wales University in Providence Rhode Island studying Culinary Arts. Thomas owned and managed “The Boar’s Pub” restaurant in a mountain town in Northern California while working in a Casino Hotel in Reno, Nevada.
Returning to Colorado, he opened a Southwestern restaurant in Downtown Denver. Thomas also owned and operated a dining and catering service with the Federal Government as well as private aircraft services and breakfast burrito business serving local coffee shops in the metro area..
Thomas has spent the last few years working with seniors in retirement communities and found his passion in life. He has learned how to prepare foods for seniors and has become considerate of the changes everyone will pass through as they age. Thomas obtained his Assisted Living Administrator Residence Certificate with the State of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to continue his career in serving our seniors.Thomas wasn’t happy with the controls and systems in the corporate world of senior care and knew that it is the personal flairs that make people’s lives wonderful. So he started “You’re Home Dining Services” to provide nutrition, compassion and companionship to the growing elder population. Thomas sought out retirement but found himself drawn back to being a servant again. Now, Thomas has joined with Pine Grove Crossing Senior Living to practice serving the community and show each resident that they have earned his services.
Get in touch!
If you are ready for a more carefree, enriching lifestyle with countless opportunities to make new friends, learn, explore and enjoy every day to the fullest, you will want to know about Pine Grove Crossing. And we want to know more about you!
