The MSS Leadership Team helps the MSS campuses navigate regulations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and state regulatory agencies to provide the highest standard of care to Mississippi Elders on a daily basis.
Steve has served as the President/CEO of MSS since 1993. He began his career as an attorney in Meridian, MS, where he served on the Aldersgate Board of Directors. During his tenure, Steve has helped foster innovative service models including the revolutionary Green House® Homes which were born on the Traceway campus in Tupelo. He has led the organization through two natural disasters, rebranded and refocused the mission, and launched NextAge Mississippi to assist elders who do not live in a retirement community.
Steve received the 2023 Trailblazer Award from the Center for Innovation, the nonprofit parent organization of the Green House® Project and Pioneer Network. He also was honored with the LeadingAge Award of Honor in 2012, the industry’s highest Award. When he’s not mapping out the next visionary step for MSS, Steve likes to be outdoors, sharing good laughs with his sons or singing with his wife, Beverly.
Christie was introduced to Methodist Senior Services while working in the public accounting field on the MSS audit. She realized quickly that she wanted to be part of a ministry like MSS. She feels her life’s calling is to work in the non-profit arena and to give back to the community. She has served MSS since 1999.
Christie received her Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the University of Mississippi. She is married to Cory Vance, and they have two daughters. She serves on the Calhoun County School Board, College Hill Baptist Church finance and nominating committees, New Century Club and Calhoun City High School Softball Booster Club.
Jim joined MSS in 2015 as director of accounting before being named vice president for finance. He started his career in banking but transitioned to senior living. He appreciates MSS because his team and the organization have work that matters serving older adults in the spirit of Christian love.
Jim grew up in Selma, AL, but has been in Tupelo for the past 14 years, active in his local church. He and his wife Lauren have two children who keep their parents busy with many sporting events. The family also has two beloved dogs. He has a bachelor of science in business administration-accountancy from Auburn University and received his master’s in business administration-finance from the University of North Alabama.
Merrin has been vice president of human resources for MSS since 2015, but she has worked in healthcare human resources for her entire career. Her background includes home health, hospital and laboratory settings.
Merrin attended Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, where she earned a bachelor’s degree, and the University of Memphis, where she earned a master’s degree in personnel services. A native of Memphis, TN, she and her husband, Mark, now live in Tupelo. They have two children, a dog and a cat. She volunteers for the Humane Society.
Brittany joined MSS as director of accounting in 2020 and moved into her current position in 2023. When Brittany began working in elder care, she knew she’d found her calling to be an advocate for elders.
Brittany got her start in elder care with her grandmother, who had Parkinson’s disease. That experience has inspired her to be an advocate for ending ageism in Mississippi. She loves the culture and vision at MSS.
A native of Newton, MS, Brittany and her husband, Colby, a former United Methodist pastor, have lived in the Tupelo area for more than 10 years with their three children. In her down time, Brittany enjoys adventuring and making memories with her family.
Jennifer began her non-profit service career with the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 2006, eventually serving as the Executive Director for the chapter which served more than 40 counties in Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri and Western Kentucky.
In 2012, Jenn accepted a role in marketing and sales with Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA), where she eventually served as the Senior Director of Sales and Marketing for their 16 campuses. It is through this experience that Jenn developed a passion for serving older adults in a faith-based culture.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southeast Missouri State University. She and her husband, Chris, currently serve their community as board members for the Fredericktown Azalea Festival in Southeast Missouri, where they live with their two children.
She enjoys time with her family and tending to their goats and horses. McClanahand’s responsibilities at MSS include the development and implementation of relationship-driven sales and marketing strategies to enhance the mission of Methodist Senior Services.
Sonja has served as Legal Counsel for Methodist Senior Services since 2003, where her legal expertise and healthcare risk management knowledge are vital to MSS’ ability to carry out our mission. A native of McComb, MS, she has lived in Tupelo for more than 40 years. She’s an active member of First United Methodist Church, and she has served the community as president of the Tupelo Kiwanis Club, the Tupelo Community Theater and Habitat for Humanity.
Sonja received a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi. She is certified in Healthcare Rish Management. Prior to MSS, she was an associate with Mitchell McNutt law firm, program director for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; press secretary for the Jack Reed for Governor Campaign and public relations director for North Mississippi Medical Center.
Teresa has served as the Director of Clinical Support since 2013. She started her career with MSS as a registered nurse (RN) coordinator at Martha Coker in 2008. Teresa enjoys traveling to all of our campuses around the state and getting to know the elders and their families. What she likes best is the hands-on interaction that comes from working with the elders. Teresa has three children who keep her busy when she’s not working.
Bill joined Methodist Senior Services in 2009 planning and executing the technical architecture and services for our campuses. He sees his role as a creator of effective and reliable systems that allow our caregivers to focus on the individual attention and care our elders need. Away from work, he is involved with a number of bands, recording projects, church orchestras and local theater programs.
Renee began her work with the MSS ministry in 2011. She orchestrates major communications and the public image of MSS. She also crafts the overall ministry message and coordinates the production of collateral pieces and media content. With more than 30 years of experience in advertising, sales & marketing, graphic design, and non-profit organizations, Renee works hard to protect and extend MSS’ excellent reputation. In her spare time, Renee loves spending time with family, designs costumes, is an avid reader and loves to travel.
Cathy has been with MSS since 1998 and is one of 15 professionals in Mississippi with the CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation.
Cathy loves to connect donors with the MSS ministry of serving older adults in the spirit of Christian love. She is proud to be part of the organization because no elder has to leave their home at MSS because they run out of funds and have no family support.
Cathy was born and raised in Tupelo but lived in Atlanta for 15 years before moving back home. She attended both the University of Southern MS and Ole MS.
Cathy and her husband, Will, love to travel, enjoy nature and are huge New Orleans Saints football fans. They have an adult daughter, two grandchildren and one very spoiled dog named Nola Jean. Cathy is a passionate lover and advocate of all animals and supports numerous animal organizations locally and around the country.
Tim started his career with MSS as the maintenance director at Traceway before transitioning to his current role. He has a tremendous working knowledge and experience in many areas including life safety code, US Dept of Housing and Urban Development REAC inspection processes, emergency operations plan, safety committee processes, Tels maintenance software, and major project oversight. Tim is married to Penny Barber, and they have two children and 4 grandchildren. They love traveling and spending time with each other and family. They both love to serve and minister to people through their love for the Lord in their local church.
Gina is the accounting director for MSS. In her role, Gina helps maintain and provide the most accurate financial information possible so MSS leadership can be good stewards of its finances by making informed decisions that support the mission and enable MSS communities to provide the best care for the elders who live there.
Gina has a bachelor of accountancy from Mississippi State University. A native of Gautier, MS, Gina has lived in Gulfport for the past 15 years. She has two children and a dog.
Alicia Smith makes sure MSS employees are supported as director for human resources and the diversity and inclusion advocate. Her career started at Mississippi State University’s Career Center, where she was an administrative assistant. Her first human resources experience came with Metalloy as payroll coordinator and then she served as employment coordinator at the Lee County Library.
Alicia is devoted to MSS’ mission and ministry of caring for God’s elderly children. She’s active in her church through media ministry and as secretary for the Board of Christian Education. She has an adult son and a grandson, who has her wrapped around his little finger.
Alicia grew up in Shannon, MS, and currently lives in Plantersville. She attended Mississippi State University and has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in higher education administration. She received her SHRM-CP certification in 2016.
Shelley found her life’s passion at 19 when she started working in the activity department at Trinity Health Care. She’s served in numerous roles at the community level and now serves as director of clinical education and compliance for MSS.
Throughout her varied career, she most enjoys the relationships she’s developed best – with teammates, families and elders. Shelley wants to be a part of the movement to remove the stigma of aging. She believes we grow throughout each chapter of life.
Shelley and her husband, Jonathan, live in her hometown, Columbus, where she’s also the executive director at Trinity Place. They have an adult daughter who aspires to be a registered nurse. Shelley is an animal lover and currently has two dogs and two cats, and a part-time dog when her daughter is home to visit Shelley wants to be a part of the movement to remove the stigma of aging.
Shelley has a bachelor of arts degree in social science from Mississippi University for Women. She is a licensed nursing home administrator and AIT (administrator-in-training) preceptor. Shelley is a certified Green House® CORE facilitator and a facilitator for Certified Eden Alternative® Associates.
Andrew Sweeney serves as director of pharmacy and Senior RX for MSS. Andrew says medications and their correct use can be challenging for elders. Helping seniors age with grace and have the highest quality of life possible is central to the Senior RX mission. He enjoys interacting with the elders and working with the MSS nursing team to better serve MSS residents.
Originally from Booneville, MS, Andrew and his wife Ginger live in the Tupelo area with their three children. The family is active in their church, where Andrew serves a as a deacon.
Before transitioning to senior living and joining the MSS team, Andrew worked in a hospital pharmacy as a clinical pharmacist, manager and director of pharmacy. He has a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of North Alabama He completed his pharmacy residency at North Mississippi Medical Center.
Loretta is more than the executive assistant to the President, she’s also MSS’s director of first impressions. Her passion for the mission of Methodist Senior Services has carried her through more than 40 years with the organization. She most enjoys assisting board members and staff and visiting with the Elders who live at MSS’s 12 campuses when time allows.
Loretta grew up in New Albany, MS, but she’s lived in Tupelo for more than 35 years. She and her husband, Horace, have two grown children. Before joining the MSS team, she worked in the chancellor’s office at the University of Mississippi, where she also received her bachelor’s degree in business education.
Ashley has always had a passion for serving Elders. Since high school, anywhere Elders gathered, Ashley was there volunteering her time. This passion makes her the ideal executive director for Meals on Wheels of Lee County and NextAge Mississippi.
Ashley loves to be around the Elders, listening to them and learning from them. She loves to hear them talk about their life experiences and historical events through their eyes.
She and her husband Justin have two children, two cats and a dog named Charlie. Ashley grew up in Meridian before moving to Tupelo more than 15 years ago. She thought Tupelo felt like a small town until Christmas because of all the traffic.
