Our Sense of Service:
What's Important to You Is What's Important to Us.

Ross A. Dickmann, Executive Director

Ross came to Querencia from Aventura, Florida, where he served as executive director for Classic Residence by Hyatt, a newly constructed Life Care community. He has a broad range of experience in all disciplines of retirement living. Prior to joining Hyatt, he held management positions for Marriott and Sunrise Senior Living... Read More

Leslie Dominguez, Director of Marketing

Leslie has experienced the development of Querencia from the ground up. As former vice president of marketing for Greystone Communities, Inc., she spent a great deal of time traveling to retirement communities nationwide, in various stages of development. Querencia at Barton Creek now gives Leslie the opportunity to stay close to... Read More

Joan Ford, Senior Living Counselor

As a senior living counselor, Joan meets with seniors to determine how the various levels of care offered at Querencia can best meet their needs. She joined Querencia at Barton Creek in 2004 as the marketing coordinator and office manager, and was promoted in 2007 to senior living counselor for assisted... Read More

Marcella Briseno, Assisted Living Manager

Marcella joined The Plaza at Querencia with more than 16 years’ experience in nursing, including more than ten years’ experience in the long-term care industry. Her extensive nursing background includes family practice, internal medicine, geriatrics, utilization review, hospital and rehab. Marcella received her LVN license from Austin Community College and also... Read More

Fran Werner, Fitness and Wellness Specialist

A nutrition & weight management professional for over 30 years and a popular TV and radio guest, Fran has authored two books and many articles on healthy living. She is certified as a health fitness specialist, a lifestyle and weight management consultant, a healthy behaviors coach, a cancer exercise specialist and... Read More

James P. Chudleigh, M.D., C.M.D., Medical Director

Dr. Jim Chudleigh has been a family doctor for 30 years, served as a full-time emergency room physician and has delivered about 600 babies. Over the course of his career, Dr. Chudleigh has had approximately 150,000 patient interactions. Since 2002, he has been a full-time “eldercare” physician, visiting nursing homes and... Read More

Kristina L. Williams, LNHA, Health Care Administrator at The Plaza

Kristina’s interest in serving the senior population began as a young adult, working her college breaks at an adult day-health center in Seattle, where she grew up. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. She then worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a home-style nursing facility.... Read More

Ronald Cooke, Executive Chef

Chef Ron joins Querencia after a distinguished career at the Austin Country Club, where he rose to the position of executive chef after serving as sous chef, executive banquet chef and executive sous chef. He honed his culinary skills at From the Top Catering; the Austin Club; the Omni Austin Hotel;... Read More

Ara Webb, Business Office Manager

Ara brings us a wide range of leadership skills in financial administration. She joins Querencia after a career as the accounting director for the American Heart Association, South Central Affiliate, in Austin. Ara has also served as senior accountant at Element Labs, Inc; assistant controller at Business Suites; staff accountant at... Read More

Nelda Rivas, Director of Housekeeping Services

Nelda’s specialty is grand openings; she has served as the director of housekeeping services at Querencia since our debut in 2007. She is responsible for keeping all our homes and common areas clean and inviting, as well as all community and personal laundry services. With more than 20 years of experience... Read More

Edwin Maynard, Director of Plant Operations

Edwin joins us with more than 19 years of solid experience in maintenance, from preventive maintenance and safety to staffing, regulations and finance. Most recently, he was assistant chief engineer at the New York Marriott Marquis, where he was 2006 manager of the year. He previously served as kitchen engineering supervisor... Read More

Refugio Cuellar, Food & Beverage Director

With more than 25 years in the hospitality industry, Refugio has a five-star resume, including the Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, Wyndham and Four Seasons Hotels. He was a member of the opening teams for both the Austin Four Seasons Hotel and the first John Q. Hammons Hotel & Convention Center at the... Read More

Emily McAleer, Director of Operations

With more than a decade of experience in upscale hospitality settings, including private clubs and hotels in Minnesota, North Carolina and Texas, Emily joined us in 2007 and was part of Querencia’s launch team. She served as lifestyles director, responsible for all resident programming, providing social, physical,... Read More

Marci Protsman, Human Resources Manager

Marci brings extensive experience in hiring, training, coaching, accounting operations and office management to Querencia. Before joining us in 2010, she was human resources manager for the Austin Marriott South. Her career includes experience at Holiday Inn Northwest as front office manager, Fairfield Inn by Marriott as... Read More