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Philip Wilcoxson started at the Lee’s Summit community 13 years ago, as a co-manager with his wife, Patty Jo, of 23 years. After nine months of being at Lee’s Summit, he became the general manager. His goal has always been to serve the wonderful people in this community and their families who live here. He, along with his great staff, “Serves with a Spirit of Excellence” and strives to make all who enter feel welcome. After 10 years as manager, Philip was promoted to the executive director position by Solstice. Philip’s previous years of experience in sales and management prepared him for all the duties of this position. He has now risen to these new challenges as an executive director, continuing to manage one of the highest-census communities in the Lee’s Summit area. His greatest hobby is fulfilling his motto that he puts on his business cards: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Theresa Tanner has been working in the activities department for six years. She graduated from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg in 2008. While she grew up and lived in Raytown, Missouri, she worked with state and federal offenders in downtown Kansas City for over 25 years. Theresa met her husband while working in Kansas City, and after they married, they moved to Belton, Missouri. This is where they have lived for 30 years. Before her father passed away in 2009, he resided at Solstice Senior Living in Lee’s Summit for three years. Theresa became acquainted with the building and its residents at that time, and down the road she decided it would be fun to work with the older population. She enjoys getting to know the residents and working with them to connect with each other, the community and family. Theresa loves planning new adventures every month and continuing monthly activities that work well for the residents.

Mark Leary has been part of the team at Solstice Senior Living since 2008. While most of his years within the community have been with the culinary team serving the residents delicious meals, he is now the business office director, ensuring accurate financials for both the residents and his fellow team members. If you don’t see Mark at the community, he is most likely on the paintball field, cooking or spending time with his 6-year-old son.

Charles Rhodes has been in the apartment industry for almost 40 years, with most of his experience working in senior living community-style apartments. He’s been serving the Lee’s Summit community for the last 12 of those 40 years. Over the years, he has held multiple positions, including assistant manager, manager and maintenance supervisor. Now, Charles serves as the building service director, where he oversees any construction, maintenance and housekeeping duties. Keeping 140 or so residents happy is his main goal, and according to our residents, he does a fine job at it. Born and raised here in the Jackson County area, Charles is a local guy with a love and loyalty for the local sports teams. This includes Chiefs football and Royals baseball, which are his passion. He and his wife, Terri, have three grown children between them. Charles loves his job and believes the best part of it is how working for the seniors has helped him become the person he is now in life. His words of advice are to “just listen to what they are saying.”

Kirk Briscoe has been in the sales and marketing position at this community for the past seven years. He grew up in the area and graduated from Lee’s Summit High School back when there was just one. Now, there are three high schools. He says, “I always knew this town would grow larger, but I had no idea of the actual potential.” Kirk loves his work, especially the part that consists of helping seniors decide, when the day comes, that they shouldn’t be living alone any longer. “It’s very rewarding to share the solution Solstice Senior offers families.” With his wife, Cindy, of nearly 34 years, Kirk has four grown children and seven grandchildren. Together, they enjoy their leisure time boating and doing watersports, passing that love down to their family.

Culinary Services Director Toby Freeland is a graduate of the Chef’s Apprenticeship and Food and Beverage Management Program at Johnson County Community College. Certified by the American Culinary Federation and a member of the Kansas City Chef’s Association, Chef Toby has 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. This includes 20 years of experience in hospitality management and executive chef experience. Chef Toby has many awards and honors, including being recipient of the Jerry Vincent, John Joyce, Hector Boiardi and Missouri Restaurant Association Scholarships, being named president of the Kansas City Apprentice Chef’s Association, being a Kansas City Chef’s Association Apprentice of the Year nominee, and being named the 2008, 2014 and 2015 Food Excellence Award winner by the Kansas City Missouri Health Department. Toby is a lifelong resident of Lee’s Summit, where he lives with his wife, Raegan, daughter, Emily, and son, Sullivan. When he’s not working, Toby enjoys spending time with his family and dogs, watching movies and sports, playing golf, and of course cooking.

Patty Jo Wilcoxson has been in this great community for 13 years, serving at the side of her husband, Philip, as managing partners. When the change came for Solstice, it was the proper time for her to become the head concierge and become serve at the community’s front desk. She believes in loving and caring for her residents and their families as her own family. She enjoys being a part of the great staff here as we join arm and arm to help care for these wonderful seniors. Her job to smile in-person and on the phone sets the tone of a great experience for visitors and residents alike.