Thomas D. Johnson has more than 36 years experience in the health care industry. In 1991, Mr. Johnson founded Health Services, Inc., a long-term care company. In 2015, the company rebranded itself as a non-profit, known as The Trousdale Foundation, which it operates to this day. The new direction for the company was instigated by Tom’s long-held desire and vision to fund The Trousdale School, a separate non-profit, post-secondary school for adults with intellectual disabilities, now in its successful 17 th year of operation.

Earlier in his career, Tom served as Executive Vice President of Acquisitions for Krupp Company and Harborside Healthcare, Ltd. (1989-1990) and as Vice President of Acquisitions for Life Care Affiliates (1986-1989).

In the mid-seventies and eighties, prior to entering the health care industry, Mr. Johnson served as Vice President of Lending for The Cleveland Bank Trust Company (1977-1986) in Cleveland, Tennessee and worked as a sales representative for Lindsay, Bradley Johnson Advertising, Inc. (1974-1977).

Mr. Johnson has served on a multitude of boards and associations, amongst them: the American Healthcare Association, the American Banker’s Association, the Board of Stewards for Broad Street Methodist Church, and the United Professional Speakers’ Association. He is also a member of the United Way, the YMCA Board of Directors and the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce.

In 1974, Mr. Johnson received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Tennessee. He is a 1983 graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Banking and a 1985 graduate of The School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. On a more personal note, Tom played for the National Football League and the World Football League from 1973 to 1975. He resides in Cleveland, Tennessee where he is happily married to Judy, his childhood sweetheart. Together they have three grown children and four grandchildren.

CEO Connie Bessler brings 35 years of health care industry experience to Trousdale Living Communities. She joined the company in March of 2021 as the Regional Vice President for Trousdale’s Florida facilities, overseeing The Palms Home Care and The Palms of Sebring. Connie is a trained speech pathologist but has spent most of her career in business and executive management. She’s overseen approximately 46 skilled nursing, assisted living and home health agencies as part of Greystone Healthcare Management, and spearheaded acquisitions and development of existing and new facilities in Florida, Ohio, and Indiana. She’s been nominated as CEO of the Year numerous times and won Top Workplace awards for 7 consecutive years. Connie brings strong, results-driven focus and innovation as CEO of Trousdale Living Communities.