Tim Buist, President
Mr. Buist, a seasoned finance professional in the senior living industry, has almost 20 years of medical industry, healthcare and continuing care experience. He has held progressive leadership positions across the field of senior living while demonstrating success in business development, operations management and marketing. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, an Executive MBA from Florida Gulf Coast University, and a certificate in Executive Management from the University of Notre Dame.
Russell Pait, Regional Director, Human Resources
Employed by St. Joseph of the Pines since 1995, Mr. Pait holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from East Carolina University. He has over 20 years of human resources experience in the management of home health, skilled nursing communities, and Life Plan communities.
Stephen Phillips, Executive Director of Independent Living
Mr. Phillips came to St. Joseph of the Pines in January 2013 with nearly three decades of experience in the hospitality and wellness industries. He holds a Masters degree in clinical Exercise Physiology from Northeastern University with a focus in exercise and aging.
Robert Dickson, Vice President, Health Services
Mr. Dickson oversees The Health Center, a 176-bed skilled nursing facility; The Coventry, a 60-bed assisted living facility; and three Family Care Homes, all located in Southern Pines. Dickson served as director of nursing at The Health Center from 2006-2011 before leaving St. Joseph of the Pines to become vice president of clinical services at Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan, Kansas. He returned to SJP as executive director of the LIFE Center in Fayetteville in May 2012 before being promoted to his current position.
Kimberly Wessell, Director of Sales and Marketing
Ms. Wessell is a Hamlet native who joined SJP in June 2017, bringing with her more than two decades of sales and marketing experience. Prior to her arrival, Wessell spent 10 years as a national integrated media sales executive for Valassis, Inc., where she consistently exceeded her annual sales quota and won numerous company awards. Wessell earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education with Reading Certification from East Carolina University, where she also studied Fashion Merchandising.
Wanda Avetta, Director Quality and Risk Management
Ms. Avetta joined the SJP team in November 2017 after serving three years as the Infection Preventionist for the Cape Fear Valley Health System. Her professional experience also includes serving as a Quality Director and a Safety Director in the healthcare industry. Ms. Avetta earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Southeast Missouri University and a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education from Walden University.
Caroline Eddy, Director of Development
Ms. Eddy joined the SJP team in August 2018 after serving seven years as the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills, where she increased the budget from $300,000 in 2011 to $880,000 in 2017. Ms. Eddy also guided the effort to build the Teen Center there, raising $1.5 million in a capital campaign that doubled its goal. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
St. Joseph of the Pines
John Burns
Brian Canfield
Mitchell Capel
Sr. Mary Caritas (vice chair)
Fr. Javier Castrejon
Sr. Julie Crane
Michael Fiske (chair)
William Healy
Lin Hutaff
Cheryl McNeill (immediate past chair)
Matt West
Carla Williams
Tim Buist
John Burns (secretary of the board)
Providence Place
Patsy Conoley
Eugene DeSantis
Judy Waltman Dial
Jeremiah Johnson (chair)
Linda Mack
Wilson Ray
Tim Buist