Board of Directors
George Jacobson, President
George has served on the AHCA Board of Directors for eight years, most recently as First Vice President and Chair of the Public Policy Committee. He has been a health care administrator for over 25 years, twelve 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 sixth 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.
Paul Friedlan, Secretary/Treasurer
Paul has served on the AHCA board of directors for 33 years, three years as its President and 30 years as its Secretary/Treasurer. He is a fellow in the American College of Health Care Administrators. Paul owns Management Southwest, Inc, a health care management/consulting firm located in Scottsdale whose subsidiary companies have ownership in Sun West Choice Healthcare and Rehab in Sun City West and Chris Ridge Premier Care in Phoenix. He is also President of the Arizona Health Care Foundation.
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 fifth year as the Executive Director of Maryland Gardens in Phoenix. This is Sean’s first term on the AHCA Board of Directors.
Melanie Seamans, Region 2 Director
Melanie has been working in the long term profession and involved with AHCA for 30 years. Over the years, Melanie has been an active member of AHCA committees and various AHCA board positions. A licensed Arizona administrator since 1984, she is certified by the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA.) As a fourteen year associate of Life Care Centers of America, Melanie oversees 34 skilled nursing facilities in Arizona, California, Utah and Nevada as the Southwest Division Vice President.
Michael Oliver, Region 3 Director
Michael has been a licensed administrator in the state of Arizona since 1978, was elected as President to the AHCA Board of Directors in 1991 and has also served as a Regional Vice President. A long-time member of the board, during the past two years, he has chaired the Bylaws Committee to review the Association’s Bylaws and propose changes. He is currently the Regional Vice President/Executive Director for the Freedom Plaza Retirement Community in Peoria.
Ellen Cote, Region 4 Director
Ellen is a native Tucsonan and has worked in health care since 1992. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Resources from the University of Arizona with an emphasis in Rehabilitation. Her career in long term care began in social services and she completed the administrator-in-training program, obtaining licensure in 1996. She has worked in independent facilities, multi-facility administration and regional management. Ellen is currently the Administrator at Park Avenue Healthcare & Rehab Center in Tucson.
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 completed the administrator-in-training program and 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 first term on the 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 four consecutive terms.
Jeffrey Mathews, Region 5 Director
Jeff is the Chief Operation Officer for 24-7 Long Term Care, Inc, 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 first term on the AHCA Board of Directors.
Tom Mann, Business Affiliate Representative
Tom is the Director of Client Relations for PMT Ambulance. He was elected to the AHCA Board of Directors by the Business Affiliate membership of the Association. Part of 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 currently serves on several other civic boards as well. This is his second term on the AHCA Board of Directors.
John Checkett, Board Appointed Representative
John J. Checkett is a director and a founding member of Campbell, Yost, Clare & Norell, P.C. His practice has focused on the intricacies of the 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. John is serving his third term on the AHCA Board of Directors.