Meet Our Team

Prior to joining The Blake at QSLM, Russ was engaged in private practice with two preeminent law firms for more than twenty-five years. He represented business, banking, and real estate development interests in a wide range of complex, high-stake matters and was frequently engaged as outside general counsel for a number of start-up companies and long-term clients. Russ served three years as a National Director for the Defense Research Institute (22,000 members), where he most recently chaired the External Policy Group of the Center for Law and Public Policy. He also served in leadership roles at the International Association of Defense Counsel and Lawyers for Civil Justice.

Russ has published and lectured on matters involving antitrust, predatory pricing, false advertising, and professional liability. He’s admitted to practice in the Fourth, Fifth, and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court. Russ is a graduate of Samford University and NYU.

As Executive Vice President of Finance, Jeanne Anderson oversees all accounting and tax functions of The Blake by QSLM. She is a CPA practicing in Mobile, Alabama and has over 30 years of public accounting experience, including 17 years as managing partner of Shumock & Anderson, LLC. She attended the University of South Alabama and Spring Hill College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the AICPA Tax Section and the Alabama Society of CPAs. She credits her parents for a instilling in her the importance of integrity, respect for others, gratefulness, and living each day with a PMA – "Positive Mental Attitude".  She and her husband live just outside of Mobile in "God's Country." They are the proud parents of four grown children, three beautiful daughters-in-law, and eight precious grandchildren.

As the Chief Growth Officer, Leland helps lead market analysis, site selection, finance and investment strategy, and enterprise growth for The Blake by QSLM and QSL Management. He has an entrepreneurial background with extensive experience in emerging markets, enterprise development, venture capital, and business intelligence. He's the founder of Dedalus Global, an emerging-market investment advisory, and TBY, a business intelligence and economic media group with operations in 35 countries. Leland graduated with honors from Hampden-Sydney College and completed executive education at The London School of Economics. He and his wife, Claire, live in Pensacola, Florida

Terry Myers, MBA, has held senior-level finance positions with national senior living companies, including American Retirement Corporation, Brookdale, Sears Methodist Retirement Systems, and other healthcare companies in an interim capacity. His experience includes serving as a Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Finance, Senior Director of Planning and Analysis, Financial Analyst, and Consultant for various companies. He has deep experience in all areas of senior living, including acquisitions, new development, lease-up, recapitalization, and stabilized operations.

As Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Tiffany supports new development communities, live operations sales, corporate marketing, and sales revenue growth for The Blake by QSLM. Tiffany started with The Blake in January 2014 and has lead sales in various role within The Blake family to include Director of Sales, Regional Director of Sales, Regional Vice President of Sales, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and currently Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. She graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a specialization in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing. She also received a sales management certification. As a proud Pensacola native, Tiffany has served in various senior advocacy groups within the Pensacola community and she is a graduate of Santa Rosa Leadership, class 30. She and her husband welcomed their first child in 2022, and they love spending time with him, as well as their two goldendoodles.

Lauren Allen supports the preparation of financial results provided to stakeholders for operating communities and communities under development. She is an active CPA in the state of Florida and a proud graduate of Auburn University, holding both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Accountancy and Master of Accountancy degree. Lauren began her career at PwC, working in the firm’s assurance practice in Birmingham, Alabama. Born and raised in the Pensacola, Florida community, she is grateful to be back home on the beautiful Gulf Coast and to be a member of The Blake family. Lauren resides with her husband, Nathan, in Pensacola, Florida.

As the Vice President of Culture, Renee helps to ensure that each community is living to its true potential by instilling our core values, such as excellence and joy, into the everyday lives of our residents and employees. She is a person who is full of compassion, empathy, and kindness, and has made a significant difference in the lives of our residents and employees throughout her time with our company. With over 15 years of experience in Senior Living, Renee understands the needs of our residents, residents' families, and employees, and she ensures that every member of The Blake family ends the day with a smile on their face. In her new position, Renee looks forward to building a community in which both our residents and team members can grow and thrive. Her and her husband Joe live in Shreveport, Louisiana and stay busy with their grandsons Kiptyn, Slayter, and Ryder.

Laureine is a Licensed Practical Nurse with over eight years of experience in the healthcare industry. Prior to joining The Blake she worked in assisted living as a Charge Nurse, a Director of Nursing, and a Director of Resident Care. She joined The Blake in 2014 as a Director of Wellness at The Blake in Pensacola and rose to the rank of Regional Director of Quality Assurance and most recently to the Vice President of Wellness and QA. She is ALF Core Certified, IV Therapy Certified, and holds a Practical Nurse with Multi-State Compact License. 

Aaron Prosser is the VP of Strategic Initiatives at The Blake, and is responsible for construction project management, as well as providing support for future development. He is from Orange Beach, Alabama. His favorite part of working at The Blake is being able to use his skills to find innovative solutions to difficult problems. He loves being able to contribute to the team and helping to create an excellent experience for our residents from the ground up. When he isn’t working, he enjoys being outdoors. He is an experienced saltwater fisherman, and he is very knowledgeable about local wildlife.

Connor Harkey is from Mobile, Alabama. He has been certified as a Registered Roof Observer (RRO) by the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC). He has also worked as a Commercial Roof Consultant and Project Manager at Thompson Engineering.

His favorite thing about working with seniors is finding and taking any opportunity to help them or make their day better; he finds it extremely rewarding to enhance their quality of living. His favorite part of working at The Blake is being a part of a great team. “Everyone I have worked with is extremely well-rounded and genuinely cares about the products that they produce.” He enjoys being part of a team that cares deeply about the seniors at The Blake.

When he isn’t working, Connor enjoys saltwater fishing and pretty much any outdoor activity. He also loves spending time with his buddies and watching sports.

Paula is originally from Southern, Illinois but has called Pensacola home for over 30 years. She joined The Blake family in October 2018 where she has served as the Director of Sales, Interim Executive Director, and is now Regional Vice President of Sales. Paula’s background includes 25 years in the real estate business through sales and property management. She co-owned, branded, and opened two local real estate companies. She also holds a Florida Real Estate Broker’s License and an Assisted Living Administrator’s License. Paula has a passion for helping families have a wonderful experience while living at The Blake through excellent care, fun activities, and ensuring the core values and standards of The Blake are continuously upheld. She enjoys mentoring others and hearing the stories of the many families that call The Blake their home. When not working, Paula enjoys spending time reading, relaxing at the beach, traveling, exploring wineries, doing home improvements projects, and spending time with her family and friends.

Kyle holds a license as a practical nurse. In 2018, he graduated salutatorian from Tennessee College of Applied Technology's nursing program. Following graduation, he worked in a hospital setting before pursuing a career in senior living. Kyle was part of the opening team for The Blake at Kingsport in 2019. During his time at The Blake at Kingsport, Kyle was utilized in many aspects and roles from traveling and supporting other communities, Assistant Director of Wellness and Director of Wellness. Being part of a team and helping others achieve their goals is one of the many reasons Kyle enjoys leadership. His favorite part about working with seniors is getting to hear their life experiences and enhance their day to day lives. Kyle has 2 sons, Grady 6 and Garrett 4. In his spare time he enjoys fishing, kayaking, golfing, being outdoors, and cheering for FSU.

Tori is originally from the Mississippi Delta but has called the Destin area home now for almost 8 years. She is a graduate of Delta State University and has received a bachelor’s in Business Administration with an enhanced focus in marketing. Most of her career has been in healthcare sales and marketing. She has worked in the senior living industry for over 6 years and began her career with The Blake in new development almost 3 years ago at their Miramar Beach community. Tori has served on numerous local boards in different roles and was an active member of The Rotary Club of Destin, where she was awarded the District Governor Rising Star Award and Rookie of the Year Award. Tori’s favorite part of working in this industry is the relationships and the trust she builds with families and residents. She finds it truly gratifying knowing that she is usually the first person someone meets when starting their senior living journey. When Tori is not working, she enjoys traveling, cooking, being outdoors, decorating, and spending time with her two English Springer Spaniels.

Having recently been promoted to the Area Director of Sales, Monica oversees the growth and sales of several communities. Monica has been in the hospitality industry for over 25 years. After starting as a hotel desk clerk and working her way up to General Manager for both Marriott and Hilton Hotels, she found her passion in senior living, where she helps people see how to make the rest of their life the best of their life. Though Colorado-born, she considers herself a West Texas native. Monica lived in Dallas for over 12 years and relocated to Daphne with her boyfriend Brian. Together they have three children: one of whom is a senior in high school and still lives with them, and two grown children living in Alabama and Texas who couldn’t be more different from each other.

In her free time, Monica enjoys watching sports. Her favorite teams are the Denver Broncos and the Dallas Mavericks. She also enjoys summers at the beach and relaxing by the fireside on her deck on cool evenings.

Jake comes to The Blake with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Alice Lloyd College and a Certified Workers Compensation Adjuster certificate. He also has previous experience at Tri-State Claims Service (Ballad’s Workers Compensation Claims Adjuster).

Jakes’s favorite part of working with seniors is to watch residents thrive in our community, to having daily interaction and providing comfort to them. He loves working at The Blake because of the amount of love and compassion he receives daily from our leadership team and residents. He truly looks forward to coming to work each day and living by The Blake Key Values: Excellence, Compassion, Leadership, Integrity, Respect, Safety, and Joy. Jake watched The Blake being built from the ground up, starting as an empy lot and becoming the most beautiful building in Kingsport. “The Blake is such a blessing to me because I feel that I have answered my calling. There is nothing I would rather do!” he says.

When he’s not working, Jake enjoys spending time with his wife, Brooke, and dog, Daisy. He also loves to play golf and fish. Most importantly, he loves watching Tennessee Football!

David Acuff, Executive Director of The Blake at Pensacola, a 118 bed Assisted Living and Memory Care Community.  David is a 30-year Navy Veteran with more than two decades of experience in healthcare leadership.  Acuff earned both a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration, has an Assisted Living Administrator’s License, is nationally Certified as a Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP).

David is an active member of the Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA) and currently serving a second consecutive term as FALA Northwest Regional Director.   He has been an Executive Director of Assisted Living communities for more than 7 years since his retirement from the United States Navy.

David is married to Stefanie Hall Acuff, they have four adult children, twin 17-year-old sons and eight grandchildren.  They reside in Bagdad, Florida and are active in their church, 1st Baptist Church, Milton.