Brandie Hesson-Bullard and Jackie Hernandez were named Agemark’s Executive Directors of the Year for 2023 at an annual award’s ceremony held on March 7, 2024, in Omaha. Agemark’s Executive Directors of the Year earned their honors for a combination of resident, family and staff satisfaction, operational excellence, along with occupancy, budget and financial achievement.
Hesson-Bullard is the Executive Director of CountryHouse in Kearney, Nebraska. A memory care community, CountryHouse provides exceptional memory care for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Hesson-Bullard has been with the community since 2021, relocating from her home state of Washington to join the company. Brandie grew up around senior living when her mother was an activities director at a senior living community. Brandie would often spend time with the residents as well. In addition to her work in senior living, Brandie has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, and in roles including general management, revenue management, catering management and sales. In just over two years leading the community, her impact has been paramount to the community’s success.
Hesson-Bullard says of her win, “I was absolutely shocked, but also honored and proud. I have worked very hard to build the right team here at CountryHouse Kearney and I could not have received this award without them. Our team really is more like a family. We communicate well and our top priority each day are the friends here who make CountryHouse their home. We work hard to provide residents our best care, love and support – that’s what they deserve. I am so fortunate to have an amazing team that is there for each other in good times and in bad and who I can count on at all times.”
Jackie Hernandez leads Astoria Senior Living and Memory Care in Oakdale, California. The community offers both assisted living and memory care for seniors in Oakdale and the surrounding area. After beginning her career in recreation for the city of Riverbank, California, Hernandez made a shift to senior living, working first for another community as an activities director, before taking on an administrative assistant role at Astoria. After several years of hard work in that position, she earned the title of Executive Director in July 2021. Since then, she has led a strong team of professionals at Astoria in Oakdale. Jackie has a heart for seniors, with her favorite part of the job the relationships she is able to create with residents, their families and her team. She is active in the community of Oakdale and serves as a chamber of commerce board member.
Hernandez says, “I am honored to be selected as Director of the Year. I truly work for the greatest senior living company and I’m so thankful for everyone at Agemark who took a chance and believed in me. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to pursue something I’m so passionate about. I’m grateful for those who have mentored, guided and supported me through challenging situations in this role as well as the amazing team at Astoria.”
