Meet the McCrite Family
Owners
Patrick and Judy McCrite
Patrick McCrite came to Topeka in 1964 from Kansas City, MO to play football at Washburn University. After receiving his degree he decided to remain in the community. Judy, a life-long resident, received her B.S. from Emporia State and a master’s from Kansas State University. They have been blessed with five wonderful children. All the children have been involved on some level with the retirement community, from mowing lawns to volunteering with residents. Their oldest daughter Katie McCrite Cavaluzzi operated an Alzheimer’s community in Nashville and currently lives in Minnesota and does consulting for McCrite’s. Katie is married and has two beautiful young children, Charlotte (Charlie) and McCrite (Mac). Son Cassidy works alongside Pat and Judy as full-time apartment director at McCrite Plaza (see bio below). Kayla earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri and her masters in social work from Washburn. She currently works in Kansas City as a social worker. Kelsi graduated from the University of Central Missouri and is pursuing a master’s degree. Connor is attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he plays baseball.
Pat and Judy invite you to visit. “Words alone cannot begin to capture the true spirit of our community, that’s why we invite you to come and see for yourself.”
Apartment Director
Cassidy McCrite
cmccrite@mccriteretirement.com
Growing up in the McCrite family meant spending lots of time at the retirement community! Cassidy McCrite has always been inspired by his parents’ dedication to the senior population. After completing his degree at the University of Central Missouri in 2004, Cassidy returned to Topeka to work on his master’s degree and coach football at Washburn University. He earned his operator’s certificate from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and is fully committed to the continued standard of excellence at McCrite Plaza.
Controller
Tina Karns
bookkeeping@mccriteretirement.com
Tina Karns loves working at McCrite Plaza because it’s fast-paced and everyone is always working together to make things better. She graduated from Emporia State University with a B.S. in business with an emphasis in accounting. She is also a certified public accountant, a notary public, and a member of AICPA and KSCPA. Tina is married with two children and she enjoys scrapbooking.
Administrator of McCrite Plaza
Laura Richardson
Laura Richardson has been in the Senior Living profession for 30 years. She has directed communities in Houston Texas, Wichita, Andover, Osage City, Leavenworth and Holton. Most notably, Laura is an administrator that has deep feelings for, and involvement with, residents. She is a hands-on leader. Her inspirational style is leading McCrite’s into some exciting new changes.
Admissions Coordinator
Tina Potter
Tina Potter has been working with seniors since 1996. As the Admissions Coordinator, she helps families make informed decisions for their family member during a time of potential stress. Tina sees herself as an educator, as well as a support person. She is a trained validation group worker, certified social service designee, and a certified activities director. Her heart truly belongs to the elderly population!
Director of Social Work
Valerie Ireland
Valerie Ireland received her MSW from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1989 and is currently a licensed specialist clinical social worker (LSCSW) in the state of Kansas. She has worked in outpatient clinical settings, emergency departments, hospitals and hospice care. Valerie brings over 20 years experience working with both young and older adults to McCrite’s. Her special interests are in the care and treatment of older adults with dementia and end-of-life care. Valerie also has a masters degree in exercise physiology from Arizona State University. Val’s hobbies are reading, hiking, and watching Green Bay play football.
Director of Marketing
Connie Michaelis
Connie Michaelis received her degree in biology from the University of Kansas. She taught science in Lawrence, Kansas and then moved to Hutchinson where she lived for 30 years. While staying at home to raise four children, Connie became a successful Mary Kay sales director who earned seven pink Cadillacs. Her volunteer work in hospice led her make a career move to be involved full-time in support for Seniors. Connie has been in Topeka for ten years. After spending time in hospice care and durable medical equipment, she comes to McCrite’s to do public relations and marketing. “In everything I do when working with Seniors, I ask myself, ‘Is this what I would want for my own mom?’ I can say without hesitation, that had my mother lived in Topeka, she would have been at McCrite Retirement Plaza!”
Marketing Associate
Danielle Byers
marketing@mccriteretirement.com
Danielle Byers graduated from Washburn University with a B.S. in health services administration and an associates of science in respiratory therapy. Danielle is also a certified respiratory therapist. She has practiced respiratory therapy within the hospital setting and also for a durable medical equipment company. Danielle enjoys working with the senior population where she can encourage people to live life to the fullest while helping them embrace change, as challenging as it may be. “Living at McCrite’s is a time to sit back, relax and let the McCrite family take care of you… this is home!”
Move In Coordinator
Carol Crow
Carol has lived in Topeka all of her life where she was a business manager and business owner. Because of her large multigenerational family, senior care has always been a part of her life. It has been a natural transition to make this a new career. Carol’s passion is to put a smile on your face each and every day. “My goal is to ease the transition and make it as flawless as possible when one moves from their former residence to their new home here at McCrite’s.”