Julie McCarty, executive director at Shavano Park Senior Living, knew she wanted a career in the senior living industry from an early age. Two of her grandparents were diagnosed with different types of dementia (Pick’s disease and Lewy body), and each embarked on two very different paths. The only similarity between the two was watching the impact it had on her family. Julie witnessed her parents trying to navigate through the unfamiliarity that comes along with the disease, without someone to help guide them along or be transparent about the process. She recalls there were always so many questions that no one had answers to and often found herself thinking, “what can I do … how can I help?” It was then that she set her mind on her lifelong goal of becoming a leader and mentor in the senior living industry.

Julie brings with her more than 10 years’ leadership experience, with eight of those years in assisted living and memory care. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in health care administration, specializing in long-term care.

In her spare time, Julie enjoys laughing and living life with her best friends: her husband and their three children, ages 17, 13 and 7.

“It has been an absolute blessing to spend my days doing what I have always wanted to do. I am a firm believer that, if you are passionate about what you do and you have fun doing it, then you will never work a day in your life, because it will be your way of life; and that is where I am at. It is truly an honor to call Shavano Park Senior Living my home away from home, and I am genuinely excited to enhance the lives of our residents, their families and our team,” Julie said.

Johnnie Richardson is an integral part of our team and serves as our Generations Program director. He enjoys working with seniors, and we’re excited to have him as part of our team. He has been a nurse for 25 years and graduated from both Waylon Baptist University and Galen University. He also spent 13 years serving our country in the army. He is a proud husband to his wife, Elizabeth, and a dedicated father to his two beautiful children. In his spare time, Johnnie spends his Sundays preaching at Bible Forum Church.

Diana Ibarra joins Shavano Park Senior Living as our Vibrant Life^® director, bringing with her more than 20 years’ experience working in senior living. She began her career in the culinary department, but her passion has always been working with our residents.

Diana was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She has two children and enjoys dancing, taking walks, playing cards and board games.

Don White comes to the team ready to enhance the dining experience of our residents as our Culinary Services director. As a young child, he watched his mom’s every move in the kitchen, and from there, his love for cooking emerged. Don’s culinary career began 17 years ago when he worked as a corporate trainer opening new restaurants and helping them get their feet on the ground. He also worked for the Petroleum Club and Landry Group, where his attention to detail and the art of food presentation took shape. Don’s love of cooking goes right along with his love for his family. He has two handsome sons and a daughter and is a loyal husband to his amazing wife.

Kristy Stearns, Business Office director, has been with Shavano Park Senior Living since December of 2020. She joined our team with more than eight years of experience working with seniors and adults with developmental disabilities and several years of experience in staff development, employee relations, and sales and marketing. Kristy studied at Our Lady of the Lake University and received her B.S. degree in sociology from Texas Woman’s University in 2007.

Kristy shares a love for Jesus and a passion for helping those in need. She enjoys spending time with her precious daughter, doing ministry work and all things outdoors.