Meet Our Staff
The staff of Blue Skies of Texas brings experience and passion for excellence. With their leadership, Blue Skies of Texas has become known across Texas and surrounding states, bringing excellence of care to our residents and their families.
“My father served in the Air Force, I served in the Air Force, and one of my sons serves in the Air Force. Service means being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s about service to others. At Blue Skies of Texas, we serve wonderful, caring, loving residents. We’re part of their family and they are part of ours!”
Darrell D. Jones
President and Chief Executive Officer
Darrell D. Jones, Lieutenant General, USAF (Ret) leads six Blue Skies corporations that are part of a life plan community dedicated to quality retirement living and superior health care. This vibrant multi-million dollar organization is driven by a passion to provide residents with a comfortable, enjoyable home. Darrell culminated a 34-year military career as the head of U.S. Air Force personnel. He served in a wide variety of operational and headquarters assignments. He commanded a squadron, a group, two wings and the Air Force District of Washington. He served as Director of Manpower and Personnel, U.S. Central Command, during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He served at the RAND Corporation and as a Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. Gen Jones earned a Master of Business Administration from Webster University and a Bachelor of Science from Mississippi State University.
“As the CFO of Blue Skies, I am proud to be part of a team dedicated to providing exceptional care and support for our residents. Our commitment to financial stability ensures that we can continually invest in the best resources, staff, and programs to enhance the quality of life for those we serve.”
Amy Lyons
Chief Financial Officer
As the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Amy’s leading responsibilities involve providing strategic and tactical guidance to ensure fiscal oversight, financial stability, and responsible management of resources. She evaluates and interprets financial performance and communicates the results with residents, management, the Board of Directors, and external financial partners.
Amy joined Blue Skies after a 16-year successful career in public accounting. She served as an audit Principal within the healthcare industry and during her tenure, she provided accounting and audit expertise to a wide range of not-for-profit and for-profit senior living organizations and hospitals/health systems which spanned coast to coast.
She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. She also holds her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
“My job is to make sure residents are safe, and ensure we preserve a solid infrastructure and maintain modernization for our residents. I want to continue building on the exceptional life here that our residents love.”
Heather Ransom
Chief Operations Officer
Following a 27-year USAF career where she retired as a Chief Master Sergeant, Heather fell in love with Blue Skies when she first visited in 2005. “I was chaperoning my daughter’s Girl Scout troop when they sang Christmas carols for the residents, and I felt an immediate connection to this community. When I returned for another visit in 2018, I knew I wanted to serve here.” Her extensive administrative experience includes work with NATO, the USAF Intelligence Agency, and her final stint as Chief of Security Forces at Joint Base San Antonio.
Heather and her husband have three grown children who are committed to lives of service, inspired by their career USAF parents. She earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership through Columbia Southern University.
Robert Evans
Chief Health Services Officer
Bio coming soon!
“Blue Skies is a community that lives up to its exceptional reputation. Residents enjoy living here and our staff enjoys taking care of them!”
Maureen Parrish
Director of Corporate Compliance
Maureen Parrish accepted the position of Director of Corporate Compliance in December 2019 after working for more than 15 years for a local hospital system with three area facilities and a total of 394 licensed beds. While working in acute healthcare, she cultivated a strong background in operations, behavioral health, quality and performance improvement, regulatory accreditation compliance, and risk management. Maureen received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 2005.
“As the Director of Human Resources at Blue Skies, I am so grateful to come to work and see our Mission, Vision and Values on display, every day. Our leaders and staff work very hard to ensure we exhibit excellence in serving our communities and ensuring quality and commitment in all that we do.”
Kendall Turton
Director of Human Resources
Kendall Turton serves as the Director of Human Resources at Blue Skies of Texas. She has been a Human Resources Executive for over 30 years. Working solely in the acute and long-term healthcare arena, she began her career as a Talent Acquisition Specialist and has assumed progressively responsible roles as a Director of Human Resources, Interim Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer throughout her career. She has worked for not-for-profit and for-profit entities. While Human Resources is her focus, she also likes being involved in the operations of the facilities she’s served by participating in Emergency Management activities, Accreditation surveys and administrative call/rounding, just to name a few.
She has served as a Board Member for the College Station Little League as well as funding committees for the United Way both in College Station and San Antonio. She has volunteered for the American Heart Association as well as other fundraisers in College Station. Most recently, she has been appointed to the Board of Rise Recovery in San Antonio.
A recipient of her Bachelor’s and Masters’ degrees from Texas A&M University, College Station, Kendall is a proud Aggie and you will find her with her family at every football game in the Fall as well as other activities. Married to a hospital CEO, Kendall and her husband have two grown Aggie graduates and soon to be graduate sons.
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Senior Director of Infrastructure and Safety
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Jennifer Dil
Director of Sales and Marketing
“Philanthropy is most powerful when it’s personal, strategic, and rooted in community. At Blue Skies of Texas, I’m honored to help connect generous hearts with meaningful impact—driven by purpose and inspired by the people we serve.”
JoNeen G. Serna
Director of Philanthropy
A native of San Antonio, Texas, JoNeen G. Serna serves as the Director of Philanthropy for Blue Skies of Texas. A seasoned fundraising executive with over two decades of experience, JoNeen is recognized for driving philanthropic growth through strategic vision, data-informed planning, and deep community engagement.
Before joining Blue Skies, JoNeen held key leadership roles at CHRISTUS Health,
St. Mary’s University, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
JoNeen earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of the Incarnate Word and holds a Master of Business Administration from St. Mary’s University. She brings a unique blend of business acumen, mission-driven passion, and analytical insight to every initiative she leads.
“As a veteran, I enjoy being part of a community where service, respect, and connection are valued. What I appreciate most about Blue Skies is the opportunity to build relationships with residents and help create an environment where people feel at home.”
Shawn Irwin
Director of Resident Services, West Campus
Shawn Irwin serves as the Director of Resident Services for the West Campus at Blue Skies of Texas, where he works collaboratively across departments to help ensure residents experience an exceptional, vibrant place to call home.
Shawn brings nearly three decades of leadership experience spanning affordable housing, community services, nonprofit operations, and military leadership. Prior to joining Blue Skies of Texas, he served as Vice President of Resident Supportive Services, providing leadership and oversight for resident services programs across a large multi-site affordable housing portfolio serving communities throughout South Texas.
A retired U.S. Army veteran with 22 years of active military service, Shawn served his country through three combat deployments and brings a lifelong commitment to service and leadership to his role at Blue Skies of Texas. His leadership approach is grounded in servant leadership, operational consistency, mutual respect, and building strong relationships with residents, staff, and community partners.
Shawn holds a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership from the University of the Incarnate Word and a Bachelor of Arts in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma. He has also completed additional training in community health, mediation, leadership development, and geriatric-focused service coordination.
Outside of work, Shawn enjoys spending time with family, watching movies, working on home improvement projects, and staying connected with longtime friends.
“What I love most about senior living is the opportunity to build genuine connections and make a positive difference every day.”
Bianca Cardenas
Director of Resident Services, East Campus
Bianca Cardenas has dedicated the past 13 years to a fulfilling career in senior living, where she has gained extensive experience across many areas of community life. She has served as Sales Director, Culinary Director, Life Engagement Director, and Executive Director, each role strengthening her passion for enhancing the quality of life for residents and their families. Throughout her career, Bianca has also been called upon to support other senior living communities and mentor new executive directors, a responsibility she considers one of her most meaningful contributions. Bianca is inspired daily by the stories and resilience of the residents she serves, and she strives to create an environment where both residents and staff feel valued and supported. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, finding new ways to bring joy to everyday moments, and giving back to her community.
“Each capital project at Blue Skies of Texas is really about people. Every renovation, every upgrade, is designed to make daily life more comfortable, joyful, and connected for the residents who make this community so special.”
Erika Provencher
Director of Capital Projects
Erika A. Provencher dedicated 21 years of service to the United States Air Force, retiring in February 2024 as a Senior Master Sergeant. Throughout her transition to civilian life, she sought guidance from mentors, many of whom highlighted the challenge of finding a workplace that truly feels like family after military service.
During her final six months of active duty, Erika completed an internship at Blue Skies, where she quickly grew to appreciate the organization’s mission and culture. It was here that she realized her potential to make a meaningful impact in her post-military career and where she believes she found her next home.
As a seasoned Senior Enlisted Leader, Erika brings a wealth of experience across multiple fields, including logistics, security forces, intelligence, OSI, cyber, combat camera, postal operations, AETC staff, and pilot training.
Her greatest motivation comes from her two daughters, who have been her driving force both during her military service and as she embarks on her new journey as a civilian. Erika also holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Organization Development from the University of the Incarnate Word, equipping her with the knowledge and skills to lead and inspire in any environment.
Ashlie Maltos
Director of Wellness
Bio coming soon!
Air Force Villages, Inc.
Board of Directors
- Brig Gen Chuck Potter, Chair
- Diane Biery, MD, Vice-Chair / Secretary
- Mrs. Helen Bryan
- Mr. Michael Dubensky
- Maj Gen Al Flowers
- Col Roger Hansen
- Mrs. Kathy Hostage
- Mr. Richard Kardys
- Lt Col (Dr.) Robert Kruger
- Col Steve Meigs
- COL Dan Meyers (Member at Large)
- Col Josh Moran
- MSG Jan Olsen
- Col (Dr.) Len Profenna
- Maj Gen Garry Schnelzer
- Mrs. JoAnn Gonzales (Resident Council Invitee – West)
- Col Bruce Wilcox (Resident Council Invitee – East)
Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation Board Members
- Gen Gilmary M. Hostage (Chair)
- Gen John P. Jumper (Vice Chair)
- Gen Ronald R. Fogleman
- Gen David L. Goldfein
- Gen T. Michael Moseley
- Gen Richard B. Myers
- Gen Michael E. Ryan
- Gen Norton A. Schwartz
- Maj Gen D. Bruce Smith
- Gen Mark A. Welsh III