Rita Gronski
Brentwood
September 27, 2021
Executive Director Rita Gronski is a veteran Brentwood leader with more than thirty years of experience in senior care and business ownership. She assumed her new role after managing the culinary department for more than 10 years. High quality nutrition is part of the foundation of Brentwood’s excellent reputation.
Rita earned her certification as a dietary manager from the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. She learned her characteristic work-ethic growing up on a dairy farm.
Rita also is a well-known civic leader in Rice Lake, WI where she currently serves as the Loyal Knight for the local Elks Lodge.
Lauren Berns
Copperleaf
February 20, 2025
Prior to joining Vista Prairie at Copperleaf, Lauren gained valuable experience in senior care through various roles in healthcare, including direct support, care coordination, and administration. Her background has strengthened her commitment to providing compassioniate, person-centered care that enhances the well-being of older adults.
Lauren holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Services from the University of Minnesota Morris and a Master's degree in Health Care Administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Lisa Klockmann
Ridgeway
March 24, 2025
Prior to joining Vista Prairie at Ridgeway, Lisa discovered her true calling of helping seniors live their best lives while fostering an environment of positivity and compassion. Lisa believes that strong relationships are the foundation of good service, and she works on cultivating trust and connection with those she serves and works with. Her background has strengthened her skills in empathy, patience, and understanding, which are the invaluable foundation of good care.
Lisa has 30 years of healthcare experience, including directing assisted living communities. She has had continuous education in senior care, person-centered planning, and employee retention and development. Lisa is also a certified dementia trainer.
Colleen Marcus
Garnette Gardens
December 3, 2021
Colleen Marcus was promoted to Executive Director of Garnette Gardens after serving nearly six years as its Sales and Community Outreach Manager, welcoming new residents and ensuring that they became comfortable in their new home. With more than 24 years of experience in hospitality, online marketing and senior housing, Colleen is well prepared for this role. She started her senior care career in 2015 as a regional sales leader for Vista Prairie Communities (VPC). Early in her VPC tenure she also was an online marketing consultant for Redwood Valley Technical Solutions. Sales and catering leadership for the nearby Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel rounds out Colleen’s hospitality experience.
Colleen holds a certificate in Sales and Marketing from Minnesota West Community and Technical College.
Ann Logan
Goldfinch Estates
May 2024
Ann brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role as the Executive Director at Goldfinch Estates. Her tenure at Vista Prairie Communities (VPC) includes roles as Resident Assistant, Sales and Marketing Manager, and Business Office Manager. Through these positions, Ann has developed a deep appreciation for the growth and experiences they have offered.
Ann received her Business Management degree in 2021 and has a passion for process optimization, problem-solving, and efficiency improvement. Her mission-focused approach and commitment to VPC's vision and values have been instrumental in meeting the needs of residents and enhancing their quality of life.
Ann cherishes the strong relationships she has built with residents, staff, and families, and she is passionate about advocating for the community. She finds great joy in her work, continually striving to improve and support the vibrant community at Goldfinch Estates.
Kim Putz
North Pointe
January 23, 2023
As Executive Director of Vista Prairie at North Pointe, Kim combines impressive academic credentials with more than 12 years of healthcare management experience to provide strong leadership and caring service for older adults. She leads one of Vista Prairie’s largest communities, with 86 one-and-two-bedroom assisted living apartments and 12 care suites, providing 24-hour continuous senior care.
Kim holds a BS degree in nursing and a Master’s in Business Administration. She also is an adjunct clinical instructor for the nursing department at Mankato State University.
Levi Wold
Windmill Ponds
November 18, 2024
Levi brings 7 years experience in healthcare administration to his role as Executive Director. Prior to joining Vista Prairie Communities, Levi oversaw operations and led initiatives to improve resident care, increase staff retention, and strengthen community engagement. Levi comes equipped with a diverse skill set in operations management, strategic planning, and human resources.
Levi holds a Bachelor's degree in Business with concentrations in Healthcare Leadership and Long-Term Care Administration from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.
John Rainbolt
Fieldcrest
April 21, 2025
Prior to joining Vista Prairie at Fieldcrest, John demonstrated consistent leadership capability through a variety of senior administrative roles. His passion for helping others comes from a commitment to understanding and valuing each individual. John’s philosophy of selfless care and compassion guides his actions and decisions.
John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Sociology and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Operations Management and Supervision.
Stephanie Snyder
Red Cedar Canyon
Stephanie started her career in sales and owned Johndle Video and Radioshack in Amery with her father before they closed in 2009. Stephanie then moved onto administrative work. Stephanie’s true love is caregiving, which she has done most of her life, helping to raise her 6 brothers and sister and then later caring for her father.
Stephanie and her husband, Scott, live on Lake Wapogasset in Amery, WI, where they both grew up. They have 4 children and 2 grandchildren.
Stephanie loves working at Red Cedar Canyon! Walking in to work and seeing the smiles on the faces of the residents and most of all coming into a ‘home’ filled with the loving and caring people at Red Cedar Canyon makes coming to work an absolute joy.
Melissa J. Plachecki, RN, BS
Organizational Director of Health Care
November 26, 2018
Melissa Plachecki has 25 years of leadership experience as a Registered Nurse in Assisted Living and Home Care settings. Melissa has served in the development of Assisted Living programs, quality improvement initiatives and has provided leadership to several large assisted living organizations. Melissa was appointed to the Minnesota Department of Health, Home Care and Assisted Living Provider Council, which allowed her to make recommendations to the legislature on ways to improve the delivery home care and assisted living services. When not working Melissa enjoys teaching Spinning classes as a certified Spinning instructor and spending time with her family hiking, kayaking and making wine. Melissa brings to the Vista Prairie Communities team passion, leadership and knowledge of the senior living field.
Jennifer Marcus
Senior Director of Operations
Jennie was promoted to this newly created position, following four successful years as the executive director of Vista Prairie at Copperleaf. Her passion for seniors was influenced by her mother’s work in the field. After college in Mankato, Jennie began her career working direct care with REM-The Mentor Network where she remained for 15 years. Jennie obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in speech communication, technical writing and marketing from Minnesota State University in Mankato. Her post-graduate study includes a certificate from the Institute on Community Integration from the University of Minnesota and a Senior Living Certification as a Certified Assisted Living Executive Director.
Kacey Kasel
Regional Director of Operations
April 14, 2025
Kacey brings a wealth of experience in senior living and healthcare leadership. She previously served as the Executive Director at Goldfinch Estates, one of Vista Prairie's senior living communities, where she was instrumental in fostering a strong culture of compassionate care, operational efficiency, and team engagement. Since then, she has held leadership positions at The Waters on Mayowood, Mayo Clinic – Charter House, and Heartland Senior Living, where she further honed her expertise in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and financial management.
Reed Mainquist
Controller
June 20, 2017
Reed joined Vista Prairie Communities as controller in June 2017. He began his professional career as an Audit Associate for KPMG after obtaining his Master’s in Accounting from the University of Minnesota in 2011 and undergraduate degrees in accounting and economics in 2010.
While at KMPG he received Encore Awards for exhibiting core values while serving clients and working in teams. After leaving KMPG, Reed worked for Eide Bailly as an audit senior. Reed served as a senior accountant at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota where he managed and supervised the accounting for all capital acquisitions. He has worked with a number of clients including Ronald McDonald House, The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and General Mills.