Just as residents of The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) are building a strong and caring community, OAW Executive Director Kristen Jordan also recognizes the importance of building community within the team who serves them. Recently, the hardworking OAW team made team-building a top priority by stepping away from the office for an afternoon of competitive fun at the Great Big Game Show. This immersive experience offers participants all the thrills of a televised game show complete with lights, music, tricky questions, buzzers, spinning wheels and the chance to become a contestant during a live-action game show. Teammates battled for bragging rights with “Team Red” leading the charge and showcasing their competitive spirit. Afterwards, the group enjoyed dinner together and everyone appreciated the camaraderie! We look forward to a community face-off between OAW and Presbyterian Village North in the future!
We are pleased to announce that Tony Santillan joined the Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) team as Director of Building Services. Tony began his role in May and is responsible for coordinating overall business operations of maintenance, landscaping, security and housekeeping. He brings a proactive, hands-on approach to the maintenance and continuous improvement of the community to achieve the highest standards of excellence.
“My goal is for every resident to feel comfortable and supported, knowing that their environment is cared for with attention to detail and a personal commitment to their well-being,” shared Tony.
Tony holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management from Baptist University of the Americas. He brings more than 10 years of comprehensive experience in facilities maintenance to his role. Prior to joining OAW, he served as Director of Engineering at Cascades Hotels in The Colony and as Chief Maintenance Engineer for Hilton Garden Inn in Denison.
Tony and his wife, Martha, have three children, Abraham, 10, Oziel, 12 and Luna, 13. Ash, their beautiful Husky, rounds out his family. In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, impromptu family music sessions, playing old video games and reading. Tony’s all-time favorite book series is The Lord of the Rings.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Tony to the Outlook at Windhaven and Forefront Living family!
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when you shop online at Amazon? Recently, a group of residents from The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) toured the Dallas-area Amazon fulfillment center, one of seventeen fulfillment and sortation centers located in Texas, and witnessed firsthand how orders are picked, packed and shipped worldwide. The tour took the group across the sprawling two million sq. ft. facility, known as the FTW6 fulfillment center. The four-story, 24-hour operation employs 2,700 people working to send out packages quickly and efficiently.
During the tour, OAW residents learned about the entire packaging process. Products are sorted into pods and moved throughout the warehouse by 900 robots. Once a customer clicks the “buy” button, the selected items are sorted, packaged, labeled and sent to shipping to distribution centers, and finally, to a customer’s doorstep.
This tour provided a look into the efficiency of Amazon’s operations, leaving residents with a newfound appreciation for the seamless process behind their online orders.
Recently, the Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) VIPs gathered for an exclusive opportunity to meet and engage with the OAW leadership team. The group included Executive Director Kristen Jordan, along with the directors and managers of various departments. Each teammate presented the array of services offered in their respective areas, such as resident life, culinary, building services, wellness and more. This meet and greet event provided a chance for attendees to interact directly with leadership, gain further insight into the new community’s offerings and have questions answered in person. These teammates look forward to creating an outstanding experience for their future OAW residents!
Wendy Thomas is the Assisted Living Advisor for The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), a role she began in May. In her position, Wendy works with prospective residents and their families educating them on the care services, amenities and activities that will be available in the community’s Assisted Living and Memory Support residences. We sat down with this compassionate teammate to learn more about her through a fun question and answer session. Read about Wendy below.
What are you passionate about regarding your professional role? I am passionate about people! I enjoy serving others as they begin the journey into their “Golden Years.” I love seeing seniors excited about living in a community that gives them a purpose, keeps them socially active and meets their care needs with excellence.
What are you looking forward to most once the OAW community officially opens? I look forward to seeing our residents thrive as they enjoy their new home and I look forward to witnessing many smiles and hearing lots of laughter.
Favorite memory/moment to date during your time at OAW: One highlight for me was taking a hard hat tour of the beautiful community during my first day on the job.
What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities? I think our wonderful location, beautiful property, attention to detail and the kindness and professionalism displayed by all our teammates set us apart. The longevity of Forefront Living and the leadership team are truly an inspiration in the senior living industry.
What is something that makes you feel proud? I am proud of being a single mom and raising my one and only son. Now, he is almost 30! During that time, I also owned a photography business. We shared some very challenging experiences, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! Share about your family: I have a wonderful son and daughter-in-law, Chase and Katie, who just celebrated six years of marriage. They are the joy of my life! We take many trips with Katie’s family around the Fourth of July. During each trip, Chase records videos and we enjoy watching and reliving those memories. My mom and dad are in heaven, but you will often hear me talk about them because they are still my firm foundation. I miss them dearly, but they are always in my heart! I have one brother and a sister-in-law. They have two adult children who are married and three grandchildren. We love to gather at our family’s East Texas ranch at least twice a year around our parents’ birthdays. Our July gathering is a big one and we call it the “High Hootenanny!” (High is my maiden name.) My mom named the gathering right before she passed away. As you can tell, I LOVE my family!!
Tell us about your hobbies: In my free time, I love to travel! The Frio River is my favorite place in Texas to visit and my family and I are big fans of Disney. Baking and decorating cookies and cupcakes is a new hobby for me that I started about two years ago and I still enjoy photography.
On the weekend, you can find me: On the weekend, you can find me spending time with family and friends, dining out, taking small weekend trips, relaxing at home, snuggling with my sweet dog, Piper, or baking and decorating cookies or cupcakes.
What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants? I love anything Tex-Mex! It doesn’t matter if it’s from a hole in the wall or a five-star restaurant. How would your friends describe you? My friends would describe me as genuine, sweet and fun! I love my friends and would do anything for them. If they are going through a hard time, I’m always there to lend a listening ear, pray for them, give advice if they ask for it or just laugh until we can’t stop!
At the end of June, more than 35 cars joined The Outlook at Windhaven’s (OAW) VIP drive-thru donation and shredding event to declutter in advance of moving into their new home at the OAW community. VIPs were invited to donate gently used tennis shoes, clothing, accessories, small electronics and small furniture, all for a good cause. Additionally, professional shredding services were available for old paperwork and sensitive files, helping VIPs make room for new beginnings. This event encouraged everyone to embrace a fresh outlook – out with the old and in with OAW!
The Longest Day, also known as the summer solstice, is the day with the most light. It is the day the Alzheimer’s Association calls on everyone to fight against Alzheimer’s disease by raising awareness and funds for care, support and research. On Thursday, June 20, Presbyterian Village North (PVN) and The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) participated in The Longest Day with different events, including a special vendor and bake sale, a walk and a fundraising happy hour.
More than 75 PVN residents and teammates joined the “Longest Day Walk” around the PVN campus. The event kicked off at 9 a.m. with a warmup led by the PVN Wellness Team and the day also featured a festive wheelchair parade for residents and patients in Healthcare and the Transitional Rehab Center (TRC).
OAW VIPs and residents joined in by gathering at The Brass Tap in Plano for a social event, with 5% of sales going towards the cause. Our friends at The Brass Tap also made a generous donation towards fighting Alzheimer’s. Together, we’ll shine bright and beat the darkness of Alzheimer’s!
