Meet Our Team

Susan Connor is the Executive Director for The Blake at Miramar Beach. Susan has more than 30 years’ experience in healthcare management and previously served as the Executive Director at The Blake at Lafayette in Louisiana. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and has experience in new development and senior living.

Prior to her career in senior living, she served as the regional director of United Blood Services covering the southern Gulf region. While Susan lived most of her life in Louisiana, she was often a visitor to the Florida panhandle and is excited about this new venture.

Tori is originally from the Mississippi Delta but has called this area home now for almost 8 years. She is a graduate of Delta State University with a bachelor’s in Business Administration with an enhanced focus in marketing. Her career has mainly been in healthcare sales and marketing and has worked in the senior living industry for 6 plus years. 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.

Tori’s favorite part of working in this industry is the relationships she builds with families and residents. The trust she builds with residents and families is truly gratifying knowing 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.

Azilee is originally from Waverly Hall, Georgia, but has spent most of her life in Northwest Florida. She attended WCDC in Defuniak Springs for her LPN, as well as Fortis College in Pensacola Florida for her RN. She is also VOHRA wound care certified, BLS, and has experience in LTC Infection Prevention. Azilee has 16 years in LTC/SNF including Medical Records, MDS, Charge Nurse, Evening Supervisor, Unit Manager and Director of Nursing. Her favorite part of working with seniors is helping them return and maintain their prior level of function. She loves seeing them progress in their ADL’s, while building confidence. Her favorite part of working at The Blake is building relationships with the residents and families.

When not working, she can be found reading or playing with her 2 dogs and 3 cats. She is also a mother to 2 boys. Montana, whoc is 21 yo and has been in the NAVY for 3 + years , while Dakota 20, is in RN school.

Alicia is originally from Alabama, but she has been in the Miramar Beach area for over 20 years. She graduated from Northwest Florida State with a degree in Business Administration and is also Florida Core Certified. She has 20+ years experience in all aspects of senior living. 

Her favorite part of working with seniors is getting to know the residents and listening to their stories and history. Alicia is also looking forward to the camaraderie and family atmosphere with the residents and the great team at The Blake. 

When Alicia is not working, she loves spending time with her “littles” (grandchildren) and enjoying the beautiful beaches in the Miramar Beach area. She is a professed ‘Beach Bum’ most weekends and feels that she is so very BLESSED!

Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, where Benjamin grew up for 6 years before moving to Cookeville, TN for another 6 years, and then moved to Florida, where he now resides in Niceville. He has a bachelor’s degree in Project Management from Northwest Florida State College, graduated honors Cum Laude. He has taken many courses in management, business relations, business orientated calculus, and hospitality that are beneficial to his professional position.

Benjamin has previous experience in the food industry as a sous chef, line cook, and prep cook. He also has experience in the General Contracting field as a flooring technician and interning as a project manager.

His favorite part of working with seniors is being able to hear the stories from their past lives. Either learning something interesting about the time in which they grew up or learning life lessons that he can use to better help himself in his life today.

His favorite part about working at The Blake is the staff. Everyone is very friendly and eager to work together to achieve the status that The Blake is so well known for.

In his free time, he likes to play the drums, guitar, or trumpet. In high school and his first year of college, he was a part of the marching band.

High school: Choctawhatchee High School Style Marchers

College: Troy University Sound of The South

Jackie is a Walton County native and is currently serves as Assistant Director of Wellness. She has an Associate Degree in nursing from Fortis College, Associate Degree General from NWFSC Niceville, and BLS and ACLS from the American Heart Association. She has previous experience as a shift leader at an assisted living facility, case manager, medical surgical nurse, and hospice nurse.

Jackie’s favorite part of working at The Blake is being part of a team who appreciates and makes you feel like you are part of the team. The Blake also values and prioritizes safety, which is important for team members and residents.

When Jackie is away from work, she enjoys spending time with her family and helping new nurses become confident and safe addition to the nursing profession. She plans to start working towards her MSN in Healthcare Administration by Fall 2021.