Lauren grew up in sunny Navarre, Florida and graduated from the University of West Florida with a degree in Business Management. She spent years in advertising and technology sales before she discovered her love of working in senior living. Lauren has more than 5 years of experience in senior living and she is so excited to be a part of the compassionate team at The Blake at Miramar Beach! Her favorite part of working with seniors is getting to know each resident and their family. She loves learning about their history and seeing the positive changes that come when they receive excellent care, delicious food and enriching activities! Lauren and her husband have followed his military career to California and then the United Kingdom. She has enjoyed the adventures she’s had by living in new places, but is excited to be back home to settle on the beautiful Emerald Coast! Lauren lives in Niceville, Florida with her husband, their daughter, the family dog and newly adopted cat. When she’s not at work, Lauren loves spending time with her family, traveling, cooking and gardening.
Meet Our Team
The Blake at Miramar Beach’s management team is made up of industry professionals with years of experience providing exceptional senior services and care. We are committed to raising the bar on quality living for seniors, and we’re proud of the work we do every day.
Amy Harrison
Director of Wellness
As a military kid (her dad was in the Air Force), Amy was raised all over. She was born in Montana, raised in various states across the US, and lived in Germany for over 5 years. Nonetheless, she considers Florida her home. In her words, "I have lived here in Florida longer than I have lived anywhere." She spent nearly a decade working for programs contracted with the Department of Juvenile Justice; during 9 of those years, in her position as assistant to Director of Nursing, she helped to oversee seven nursing departments. She moved to an assisted living facility, first as a ADORS, then progressing to DORS, before deciding that she wanted to go back to floor nursing. She started at The Blake Miramar Beach as a floor nurse in July of 2021 and moved up to Director of Wellness in October of 2022. Besides being a nurse, she is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Her favorite part of working with seniors is the history they share, the love they give, and the sense of fulfillment that she gets from feeling like she's filling a need. "They give so much back to me just by being here," she says. Of the many things she loves about working at The Blake, she is most appreciative of the people, both workers and residents, which she describes as being like a big extended family. She loves the support offered and the gratitude and appreciation expressed for something as simple as doing one's job. She states, "I'm just grateful to be able to do what I love to do, which is taking care of those who have taken care of us."
Her favorite thing is spending time with her kids and grandchildren. She also loves to piddle with her plants, crochet, read, spend time on the water fishing or paddle boarding.
Alicia Davis
Director of Business Operations
Alicia is originally from Alabama, but she has been in the Miramar Beach area for over 20 years. She graduated from Northwest Florida State College 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 also enjoys the camaraderie and family atmosphere between the residents and being a part of a 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!
Selena Groce
Director of Memory Care
Selena Groce is the Director of Memory Care at The Blake at Miramar Beach. She’s from Ponce de Leon, Florida. She’s an LPN and CDP. With 23 years of nursing experience, she’s worked in Psych, Juvenile Justice, and Geriatrics. She’s worked in assisted living since 2015, as a floor nurse, lead nurse, and MCM. She enjoys working with seniors because she loves to listen to their stories and their lifetime achievements. Her favorite part of working at QSLM is the residents and co-workers. When Selena’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandbabies.
Mary Margaret Kennedy
Director of Activities
Mary Margaret Kennedy is the Director of Activities at The Blake at Miramar Beach. She is originally from Tupelo, MS, and she holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in HR from the University of Mississippi. Mary brings experience as a Finance Manager in Oxford and a Social Services Director in Pigeon Forge.
Her favorite part about working with seniors is the personal, lasting connections and meaningful impact that fills her with joy and a sense of purpose every day. Being part of a tight-knit team that feels more like family and works together to enhance the life of each resident is Mary’s favorite part of working with QSLM.
Outside of work, Mary likes to spend her time traveling, hanging out with her Shih Tzu, Doodle, and outdoor activities (like kayaking at the springs, snorkeling, and going to the beach).
Crystal Bell
Reunion Program Coordinator
Crystal is the Reunion Program Coordinator at The Blake. She is originally from Warsaw, Virginia, and recently moved to Crestview to be closer to her son, who is serving in the US Army with the 7th Group. She is CPR Certified and has a passion for working with Seniors. Crystal has previous experience in banking before transitioning to Senior living. She has worked in Activities as well as the Administrative Departments and has experience in all aspects of the community! She began her career with The Blake as a Personal Assistant, where she got to know the residents and loves hearing their stories. Her favorite part of working with seniors is helping them to feel connected to the community that they are a part of and to learn all about their history and past experiences. Crystal’s favorite part of working at The Blake is how quickly the staff and residents have become like family to her and helped her to settle into her new home! When she is not at work, Crystal loves adventure! She enjoys checking out new places and spending time with family whenever she can. She also loves relaxing at home with her dog, Holly, and her cat, Bijou!
Stacey Jack
Director of Dining Services
Stacey Jack was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and moved to the Emerald Coast in 2017. She started her food and beverage career in 1988 bussing tables at her best friend father’s restaurant. She has now been in the industry for 37 years, and "there’s not much I have not done within", she says.
She is now the Director of Dining Services at The Blake at Miramar Beach, and absolutely loving every minute of it. "For the first time in a very long time, I find myself working with purpose!" she says. She enjoys helping create memories and friendships over a plate of food while making sure health needs are met, and being able to interact with our wonderful residents really helps her create foods they enjoy and challenges her to try new things. "I’ve had plenty of people in my life that have coached and counseled me on the way to where I am today, but the most memorable tip that I’ve ever received is 'If you haven’t failed at least once, you really haven’t tried'", she remarks. "I will always push myself to do better than the day before."
When she's not at work, she loves spending time with family and friends in the great outdoors, a good glass of wine, and her dogs (who are like her children). She's also always the first on the microphone at karaoke.