The Highland Springs Executive Team
These individuals handle the day-to-day operations of Highland Springs.
Matt Neville, Executive Director
Matt joined the Highland Springs team in April 2010. He subsequently held the positions of regional finance director, supporting the communities in the western region, and general services director at Wind Crest. Prior to joining Erickson Living, Matt held leadership positions in accounting and finance within the public and private sector. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Illinois State University and holds a C.P.A. designation.
Dr. Mary Norman, Medical Director
Dr. Norman joined Highland Springs in 2007. She received her bachelor's degree in business administration and economics from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and her medical degree at the University of California, San Francisco. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine and fellowship in geriatrics also at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Norman is board-certified in internal medicine and geriatrics.
Jennifer Fox, Director of Continuing Care
Jennifer Fox brings over nine years of senior living experience to her role as director of continuing care. Prior to joining Highland Springs, she was the administrator for the health care center at Grace Presbyterian Village. A resident of Dallas, Jennifer holds a master's degree in public administration with an emphasis in health services administration. She serves on the Senior Living Improvement Committee for LeadingAge Texas and is also a member and active volunteer for the Dallas Running Club, Rotary International, and P.E.O., a service organization for women.
Christina Christie, Director of Sales
Christina holds more than fifteen years of experience in the senior living industry with Erickson Living. In 2002, she began her career as a Sales Counselor with a sister community, Brooksby Village, in Boston, MA. Upon transferring to Dallas in 2005, Christina played a key role in launching the sales program at Highland Springs and served as Sales Counselor prior to her promotion to Director of Sales in 2017. She resides in Allen, Texas, with her husband, Steve, and two daughters, Kaitlyn and Kennedy. Christina graduated with a degree in Marketing Management from Cincinnati State College.
Tina Ricciardi, Director of Human Resources
Tina joined the Highland Springs team in 2006 as the director of human resources. Prior to that, she worked at Seabrook as a director of human resources for almost two years. She has 19 years' experience in human resources management with 13 years in senior living. Tina holds a certification in human resources management from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Deborah Malone, Director of Dining Services
Debbie joined Highland Springs in January 2013. Prior to joining the staff at Highland Springs, she was the corporate food service director for Bank of America for 29 years. She oversaw the associate cafés, executive dining, conference centers, and office beverage program. A long-time Dallas resident, Debbie earned a leadership certificate through the executive M.B.A. program at Southern Methodist University.
G. Opal Sullen III, Director of Finance
Prior to joining Erickson Living’s Highland Springs team in 2012, Opal spent 20+ years in the consumer packaged goods industry within operating divisions of PepsiCo where he held leadership roles in finance, sales, supply chain operations, and information technology. Opal is excited to be working in the senior living industry using his experience and talents to help people live better lives. He earned a master of business administration degree with concentrations in finance and marketing from the University of California at Irvine, and a bachelor of business (finance) degree from California State University, Fullerton.
Lana VanGiesen, Director of Resident Life
Lana has over 20 years of experience as an executive director, consultant, manager, and motivational speaker in senior living and health care. Prior to joining Highland Springs in 2013, she held executive positions at several senior-focused retirement organizations in Texas and Missouri, including Brookdale Senior Living, Greystone, and American Retirement Corporation. A licensed nursing home administrator, Lana holds a master’s degree in gerontology from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, and a bachelor’s degree in english and religion from Hendrix College in Conway, Arizona.