About Us

Barbara Levy is a healthcare professional with over 30 years of experience in healthcare management and consultation. Barbara attended the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, MO, graduating in 1966 as an RN and went on to receive a Business Administration degree from Lindenwold College in St. Louis, Missouri. Although Barbara and her husband did not attend Missouri University, they have spent a lot of time on campus and have a deep love for the community of Columbia. Recently Barbara has been writing and in 2013 published her first book Be Your Pet’s Best Friend and in 2014, released a children’s book, A New Spring for April. She has a deep passion for her pets, loving fifteen pets over the past 46 years. Barbara believes in The Village of Bedford Walk and the fresh approach it brings to independent senior living, especially appreciating that pets can accompany residents to the new community.

Ms. Mustard is a 6th generation Boone County resident and received a Bachelor of Science in History from the University of Missouri. Cindy has worked in social services for over 45 years and recently retired in 2011 as the Executive Director of the Voluntary Action Center. Cindy is passionate about the city and she is currently the co-owner of Tiger Trolley Tours. Cindy feels that The Village of Bedford Walk will attract a population that will continue to give back to the city of Columbia and will provide the independence that retirees want and the services that they need.

Dr. Porter earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Mary’s College and his Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Iowa. For 36 years Columbia has been his home and he feels it is a great place to retire because it offers a full range of arts activities and an art league, great walking trails and so much more. Michael retired as Chair of the Department of Communication from the University of Missouri in 2014 and stays busy with extracurricular activities and other community involvement. Michael believes that one of the great advantages to moving to The Village of Bedford Walk is the opportunity to meet new and interesting people and to have the time to relax and enjoy life without all the worries and cares of home ownership.

Dr. Rosemary Porter received a diploma in Nursing from St. Mary’s and a BSN and an M.A in Nursing from the University of Iowa and her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. Rosemary moved to Columbia for her job at the University of Missouri and retired as the Dean Emerita of the Sinclair School of Nursing. Today, she enjoys her time traveling and working on various boards and committees. Rosemary feels that Columbia has everything she and her husband need for a happy retired life. Rosemary is impressed with the lovely physical space of The Village of Bedford Walk as well as the idea of having a great place for people 55 and older to take time for engaging in the community and finding new friends.

Dr. Marilyn Rantz, a Professor of Nursing, has been affiliated with the MU Sinclair School of Nursing (MUSSON) since 1992. Dr. Rantz’s pioneering work in nursing home quality care spans 30 years, first in practice then as a leading researcher in the Midwest. Marilyn received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois, Chicago, her MA from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, her MSN from Marquette University and her PhD from University of Wisconsin. In late 2012, she secured a $14.8 million grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for their initiative to reduce avoidable hospitalizations among nursing facility residents; the largest ever received across the entire University of Missouri-Columbia campus. Marilyn is passionate about The Village of Bedford Walk’s relationship with the Sinclair Home Care organization and the unique nurse care coordination model.

Dr. Russell is one of the founding partners of the Columbia Orthopedic Group and serves as frequent national medical expert consultant in cases involving legal dispute. Garth attended the University of Arkansas in Monticello until joining the United States Army at the end of World War II. After his military service, he returned to college at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. Dr. Russell remained in the state of Kansas for medical school and attended the University Of Kansas School Of Medicine in Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. Russell continued his training with an internship at Wesley Hospital in Wichita and then moved to Columbia, MO where he completed his residencies in general surgery and orthopedics at the University Of Missouri School Of Medicine. Garth has a long history with the JES family of companies and he believes the community will be a wonderful place to live and thrive.

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Dr. Beatrice Smith is a Midwesterner by birth and although she has traveled the world extensively and lived elsewhere, she chose to make Columbia home, since 1977. Beatrice received her Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University, her Master of Arts from the University of Iowa and her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Beatrice is the Dean Emerita of the college of Human Environmental Science at the University of Missouri. Today she spends her time managing her commercial real estate and is an active officer of the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Board, and a trustee of the State Historical Society of Missouri. Beatrice feels strongly that, “The Village of Bedford Walk has a well-earned reputation for quality construction, and will be the type of place that will attract interesting, fun and vibrant adults that want to stay engaged in the community of Columbia.”

Rebecca Johnson completed graduate research training with her masters of philosophy degree from University of Edinburgh, Scotland (as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar), and her Ph.D. from University of Iowa. She is the Millsap Professor of Gerontological Nursing & Public Policy at University of Missouri where she also holds a joint appointment as a full professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine. She is the President of the International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations, which consists of over 60 member organizations globally, working to facilitate research, education and practice in the area of human-animal interaction. In 2005 she founded and continues to direct the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (ReCHAI) based at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research led to her induction into the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) in 2007. In 2013 she was inducted into the National Academies of Practice in Veterinary Medicine. Author of many publications in peer reviewed journals, and other publications, she had two books published by Purdue University Press in 2011, “Health Benefits of Dog Walking,” and “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound.”

Activities Coordinator

“Every day is a new day.”

Laura Roeder is an energetic and positive person with a love of arts and creativity, as she earned a BFA in Performing Arts from Stephens College. Laura puts her enthusiasm for the city of Columbia’s abundant cultural riches to good use, designing events and programs that offer a rich mix of possibilities for The Village of Bedford Walk residents. Her background in fitness and event planning over the last 16 years helps ensure and reinforce the community bonds she creates. Laura’s personal mission for the residents of The Village of Bedford Walk is to engage, inspire and explore through creative and inspiring activities. Laura finds inspiration from everyday interactions with people and welcomes each person she meets to contribute to new ideas.

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Community Manager

“Being part of such a vibrant community is an inspiration to me! I enjoy having the opportunity to interact with residents and be a part of their day-to-day lives.”

As the Community Manager at The Village of Bedford Walk, Jamie Cooper is responsible for keeping the community functioning at its optimum level. This includes processing invoices, payroll, organizing leases, overseeing concierge services, assisting with resident events, vendor relations, unit inspections and communicating with the resident council.

Before beginning at The Village of Bedford Walk, Jamie gathered 12 years of experience in real estate management, including managing sales and leasing in multifamily apartment communities and student living communities.

Jamie believes The Village of Bedford Walk is a valuable contribution to the Columbia community because of its unique and maintenance free lifestyle the community offers for independent and active seniors.

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Concierge

“My purpose is to assist you in the ‘little extras’ that enrich your life.”

As a concierge, Lisa Coday is the face that welcomes all to The Village of Bedford Walk. Ensuring our residents enjoy a vibrant lifestyle is at the heart of what I do. I am happy to make recommendations on what is happening around town, make dinner reservations, secure tickets to events or creating a private dining experience for friends and family. Let me take care of the details so you can live life your way!

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Concierge & Special Events

“My goal is to leave work every day with a sense of fulfillment achieved through helping the residents and having fun with them.”

In her Concierge & Special Events role at The Village of Bedford Walk, Kelly Buchheit ensures that residents enjoy their lives to the fullest. Kelly’s main responsibilities involve assisting residents with anything they may need, planning resident events and executing the details of these events.

Before beginning her role at The Village of Bedford Walk, Kelly was the Front of House Manager at Jina Yoo’s Asian Bistro. She also received her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Kelly’s favorite aspects of The Village of Bedford Walk include all of the activities and projects the residents work on and how much they love living in their community.

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Maintenance Engineer

“I like taking care of people.”

Rick Gray is a jack of all trades as the Maintenance Technician for The Village of Bedford Walk. He discovered carpentry in high school. As a trainee, Rick gained new residential construction experience. After working as a district manager for Wendy’s in Springfield for 10 years, he moved back to Mexico, Missouri, and founded Rick’s Construction and Flooring, which is still in operation today. In his free time, he enjoys going to estate sales, camping, slow rides on a pontoon and wood working projects.

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Move-In Specialist

“My biggest role is to listen.”

Karen Hayes brought many years of interior design experience with her when she became the Move-In Specialist at The Village of Bedford Walk. As the Move-In Specialist, Karen assists with the transition to the community, often by visiting a future resident’s current home and helping them evaluate how their furniture might best be arranged in their new home. She provides floor plans and multiple furniture layouts for potential residents to choose from. She then ensures that residents feel comfortable and that their new homes fit their unique style.

Before joining the team at The Village of Bedford Walk, Karen was a Manager at Columbia Performing Arts Centre and a Co-Owner of CMD LLC where she did home staging and interior design. In her free time, Karen volunteers as a Board Member of True North Columbia and enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters and grandchildren.

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Community Relations Liaison

“I find the right lifestyle for seniors in their prime.”

As Community Relations Liaison for The Village of Bedford Walk, a JES | Prime Senior Living community, Brittany Lambiris actively guides future residents through the move-in process while developing partnerships throughout the Columbia community.

After graduating from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing and a minor in communications, Brittany started her career as a Public Relations Specialist for North Florida Women’s Care. In this role, Brittany was responsible for planning and managing all marketing and community relations efforts for 12 medical providers across four different locations. She then moved on to a career as a Marketing Strategist for Florida Hospital – East Florida Region and later became an Account Manager for Hayworth Public Relations.

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Executive Director of JES | Prime Senior Living

“I love working at a place that feels like home. It’s more than a job, it’s an opportunity to create a life changing experience.”

Executive Director of JES | Prime Senior Living , Stephanie Piester, joined JES | Prime Senior Living in 2016 and brought with her over 15 years of experience in retail and luxury sales and marketing, in addition to four years of experience in senior housing sales and marketing.

In addition to her workplace accomplishments, Stephanie has many other achievements, including being a graduate of the Coro Fellowship for Public Affairs, a fellowship dedicated to preparing talented and committed individuals for effective and ethical leadership in public affairs.

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Transportation Attendant & Activities Associate

“I am fascinated by the lives and experiences of the many new people I have met at The Village of Bedford Walk. What a fabulous group of people they are!”

As the Transportation Attendant & Activities Associate at The Village of Bedford Walk, Ann Eisenhardt helps empower residents to live an independent lifestyle. Ann’s primary role is to safely transport residents to and from various social outings throughout the state of Missouri. She is often seen driving the Bedford Walk Shuttle Bus with a group of residents or taking individual residents on appointments in the Bedford Walk car.

After graduating from Western Kentucky University, Ann had a long and rewarding career as an art teacher. In her almost 30 years of teaching, she received many awards, including Teacher of the Year multiple times.

In her spare time, Ann enjoys focusing on her art, going out in nature and spending time with her grandchildren.

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Housekeeping Specialist

“I keep the community sparkling.”

Nancy Johnson brought over 25 years of working with seniors with her when she began her role as Housekeeping Specialist at The Village of Bedford Walk. While it is Nancy’s job to ensure the community is clean, neat and fresh, it is her personal mission to keep it sparkling. Nancy loves being part of The Village of Bedford Walk team because of the great friendships she has found in the community.

Outside of work, Nancy enjoys spending time with her husband golfing, camping and traveling to visit their sons and grandchildren.

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