In this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Doug Adkins, Owner and CEO of DaySpring Village and DaySpring Senior Living — one of Florida’s most respected leaders in the assisted living industry.
Release Date: 02/09/2026
In this episode of the ALF Operations Podcast, we sit down with Judith Mellen, Executive Director at an Innovation Senior Living community in St. Cloud, Florida. With nearly 30 years of experience in assisted living
ALF BOSS Podcast
In this episode of the ALF Operations Podcast, we sit down with Judith Mellon, Executive Director at an Innovation Senior Living community in St. Cloud, Florida. With nearly 30 years of experience in assisted living — spanning New York and Florida — Judith shares her insights on running a 45-bed, middle-market facility, navigating staffing challenges, and maintaining compliance in a highly regulated environment. We discuss the importance of serving the underserved middle market, her boots-on-the-ground marketing approach through cold walk-ins, dealing with AHCA surveys and...
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In this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Keith Kilpatrick, owner of Navarre Gardens Assisted Living Facility
ALF BOSS Podcast
In this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Keith Kilpatrick, owner of Navarre Gardens Assisted Living Facility, to talk about his journey from working in an eight-bed ALF at 19 years old to owning three successful assisted living facilities. We discuss staff retention, community involvement, controlling costs, keeping facilities full, expansion, and the importance of owners truly understanding the assisted living business. If you own an ALF—or you’re thinking about opening or buying one—Keith’s story is worth hearing. Guest: Keith Kilpatrick...
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In this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Holden Hayes, owner and operator of Lincolnshire Assisted Living in Clearwater, Florida.
ALF BOSS Podcast
What does it really take to buy an assisted living facility, turn it around, and build it into a successful operation? In this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Holden Hayes, owner and operator of Lincolnshire Assisted Living in Clearwater, Florida. Holden shares his journey from real estate and student housing to purchasing an assisted living facility during one of the most challenging times imaginable—the middle of COVID. We get into the real-world challenges of operating an ALF: staffing, choosing the right residents, building a strong team, dealing with...
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In this episode of the ALF Operations Podcast, Pascal Bergeron sits down with Alberta Granger, CEO of the Florida Assisted Living Association
ALF BOSS Podcast
It’s been a long time, but I’m getting back on track with the podcast. Please upload this podcast. In this episode of the ALF Operations Podcast, Pascal Bergeron sits down with Alberta Granger, CEO of the Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA), for a conversation about the future of FALA and her vision for strengthening Florida’s assisted living community. Alberta brings decades of regulatory and industry experience to the role, including 35 years in Florida state government and 13 years serving as the Assisted Living Unit Manager for the Agency for Health Care Administration...
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In this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Doug Adkins, Owner and CEO of DaySpring Village and DaySpring Senior Living — one of Florida’s most respected leaders in the assisted living industry.
ALF BOSS Podcast
In this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Doug Adkins, Owner and CEO of DaySpring Village and DaySpring Senior Living — one of Florida’s most respected leaders in the assisted living industry. Doug has been operating facilities since 1987, serving thousands of residents across Florida through both limited mental health and senior living communities. His perspective is shaped by nearly four decades of experience, from surviving the early days of ALF operations to becoming one of the strongest advocates for...
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This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I talk with Kenneshia Martin, Owner & Administrator of Trinity Gardens Assisted Living in Riverview, FL.
ALF BOSS Podcast
This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I talk with Kenneshia Martin, Owner & Administrator of Trinity Gardens Assisted Living in Riverview, FL. After 15 years in physical therapy and rehab leadership, Kenneshia decided to open her own ALF — and she shares every step of the journey: From buying the property to passing AHCA inspection What to expect from zoning, fire marshal, and health inspections How being organized made her survey a breeze The mindset it takes to stay patient through delays
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This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I talk with Elizabeth Valadez from Living Well Menus, carrying on the 30-year legacy started by her mother, Ana Alvarez—a true legend in ALF dietary services
ALF BOSS Podcast
This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I talk with Elizabeth Valadez from Living Well Menus, carrying on the 30-year legacy started by her mother, Ana Alvarez—a true legend in ALF dietary services. We dive into: The right way to handle menus, portion sizes, and documentation Proper puree preparation that keeps you compliant How to avoid common AHCA dietary citations Simple tools every ALF kitchen should be using If you run an assisted living facility in Florida, this episode is a must-listen.
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On this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast , I talk with Melissa Asaftei, Owner & Operator of Citrus Garden Assisted Living in Winter Springs.
ALF BOSS Podcast
This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I talk with Melissa Asaftei, Owner & Operator of Citrus Garden Assisted Living in Winter Springs. From buying her first facility at 25 to running it for nearly two decades, Melissa shares what it really takes to succeed in residential care—long nights, big heart, and a clear why. Topics include: Expanding small ALFs the right way Building relationships instead of rivalries Staying passionate when things get hard
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This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Janette Radle, Regional Wellness Director at AgeWell | Solvere Living.
ALF BOSS Podcast
This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Janette Radle, Regional Wellness Director at AgeWell | Solvere Living. She oversees nine assisted living communities across Florida and shares her insights on: Strengthening medication management Supporting care teams through mentorship, not micromanagement Balancing leadership with compassion and accountability
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Pascal Bergeron sit down with Deby Okum, Director of Community Relations at Diamond Edgewater Assisted Living & Memory Care in Edgewater, Florida.
ALF BOSS Podcast
On this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Deby Okum, Director of Community Relations at Diamond Edgewater Assisted Living & Memory Care in Edgewater, Florida. Deby’s story is both personal and powerful. After caring for her father and struggling to find the right resources, she made a promise—to become an advocate and a resource for seniors and their families. Today, she’s one of the most trusted names in Volusia County for helping families navigate Medicaid, VA benefits, and assisted living placement. We discuss: Her journey from...
info_outlineIn this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Doug Adkins, Owner and CEO of DaySpring Village and DaySpring Senior Living — one of Florida’s most respected leaders in the assisted living industry.
Doug has been operating facilities since 1987, serving thousands of residents across Florida through both limited mental health and senior living communities. His perspective is shaped by nearly four decades of experience, from surviving the early days of ALF operations to becoming one of the strongest advocates for sustainable Medicaid funding and better care models in Florida.
His journey from converting a small motel into a 126-bed ALF
Growing from one community to multiple campuses, including new developments like DaySpring Commons
Why Florida’s Medicaid funding model is broken — and what needs to change
The challenges of rising costs, staffing, and overregulation
His proposed Funding Methodology Workgroup and how it could transform access to care
The story behind Emily’s Promise, a foundation created in honor of his daughter, which inspired the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, requiring blood clot screenings for seniors in ERs
Doug’s insight, experience, and compassion for the industry make this a must-listen episode for anyone who cares about the future of assisted living in Florida.