Board of Directors

George Jacobson, President

George has been on the AHCA Board of Directors for ten years, serving as AHCA Board President for the past three years and previously as First Vice President and Chair of the Public Policy Committee. He has been a health care administrator for over 25 years, fourteen in long term care. Currently he is the Administrator of Apache Junction Health Center.  

Cindy Leach, Vice-President

Cindy is an RN and licensed administrator who began her career in long term care in Arizona 25 years ago. She has held various positions, such as Director of Nursing, TQM for multi-facilities, and Administrator. Cindy is part owner and Vice-President of Operations with CopperSands, Inc. which owns and manages long term care and assisted living facilities in Arizona, Nevada and Colorado. She is also President of Residents First, which provides assistance with regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and clinical resources nationwide. Cindy has served on the AHCA Board of Directors since 2003.

Michael Morris, Immediate Past-President

Mike returned to the Board in 2003 and is serving his seventh term. He has previously served on the AHCA Bylaws, Government Relations/Legislation/Reimbursement, Public Policy, and various ad hoc committees. Mike was President of the Board of Directors in 2008-2009. He is currently the Executive Director at Grace Healthcare of Phoenix.

Gary Olson, Secretary/Treasurer

Gary  received his Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.  Gary has been an Administrator in long term care for over 27 years, and he is serving his seventh term on the AHCA Board of Directors.

Sean Mockbee, Region 1 Director

Sean graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He received his nursing home administrator license in 2002 and assisted living manager license in 2003. Currently, he is in his seventh year as the Executive Director of Maryland Gardens in Phoenix, and is serving his third term on the AHCA Board of Directors. Sean is the appointed Arizona state leader for the National Center for Assisted Living.

Blake Gillman, Region 2 Director

Blake currently serves as the Executive Director for Springdale West and Springdale Village in Mesa. He began his career in long term care as an Administrator in 1991 and has continued with various long term care companies as Chief Operating Officer until becoming the Owner of a national consulting firm representing long term care organizations throughout the United States. He served for a number of years as a member of a U.S Congressional Health Care Panel to advise and consult within the U.S. Congress regarding health care initiatives.

Kathleen Connolly, Region 3 Director

Kathleen M. Connolly, who has served as the Executive Director of Sun Grove Village Care Center in Peoria for the past three years, was elected as the Region 3 Board of Directors Director in August.  Kathleen has been a licensed nursing home administrator since 1993.  She started her career in Northern California and in 2004 Kathleen and her family moved to Arizona.  This is Kathleen’s first year as a Board Representative and she looks forward to the opportunity.  She also Co-Chairs the AHCA Quality and Regulatory Committee.

Catherine Oliver, Region 4 Director

Catherine Oliver is a proud second generation AHCA board member and native Arizonan, having been born in Prescott, Arizona. After receiving her  MBA in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix, she has worked over the past decade as both a skilled nursing administrator and assisted living manager with a focus on regulatory compliance and quality service. Catherine served on the AHCA Bylaws Committee and assisted in the complete re-working of the AHCA bylaws. She has supported many innovative programs including the incorporation of National Association of Healthcare Assistants as a vital part of a successful team.

Paula Mitchell, Region 4 Director

Paula has worked in long term care since 1992 and has served as Activity Director, Payroll/Payables, and Chief Financial Officer for a long term care management group serving three nursing homes. Paula became a licensed administrator in Colorado in 2001 and Arizona in 2004. Paula is currently serving as the Administrator of Copper Mountain Inn, Inc. in Globe, where she has worked since June of 2005. This is Paula’s third term on the AHCA Board of Directors.

Kathleen Langford, Region 5 Director

Kathie has been a licensed nursing home administrator and assisted living manager since November 1995.  After 10 years at Brighton Gardens by Marriott in Sun City, Kathie took a short break from health care, but remained on the AHCA Education Committee and the Arizona Health Care Foundation Board of Directors. Currently the Administrator of Mountain View Manor in Prescott, Kathie returned to the health care profession in May of 2005. Kathie has served on the AHCA Board of Directors for five consecutive terms.

Jeffrey Mathews, Region 5 Director

Jeff is the Chief Operation Officer for 24-7 Care and Rehab, which operates skilled nursing homes in Arizona and Utah. His health care experience is comprised of more than 20 years of service in assisted living, home health and long term care. Jeff earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration and has been involved in the health care profession in executive administration, marketing and a number of operational positions throughout his tenure. He sits on the board of directors of a Utah-based therapy company and is also a co-chairman for Zachsbox, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the homeless. This is his third term on the AHCA Board of Directors.

Tom Mann, Business Affiliate Representative

Tom is the Vice President of Client Relations for PMT Ambulance. He was elected to the AHCA Board of Directors by the Business Affiliate membership of the Association. His role on the board is to be the voice of the Business Affiliate membership along with promoting the business affiliate relationship with the members of the Association. Tom also serves on several other community organizations and civic boards. This is his fourth term on the AHCA Board of Directors.

John Checkett, Board Appointed Representative

John Checkett is the principal and founding member of The Checkett Law Firm, PLLC. His practice has focused on the intricacies of long term care and health care from all perspectives – professional liability, defense of elder abuse claims, Department of Health Service issues, contracts and other business matters. He has also successfully defended clients in criminal and various other civil cases. John was elected to serve on the AHCA Board of Directors in 2007 and is in his fifth term.