OUR TEAM

Tom Johnson

Founder

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
18 the 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.

Executive Team

Connie Bessler

CEO

CEO Connie Bessler brings 35 years of healthcare 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. Although she’s a trained speech pathologist, Connie has spent most of her career in business and executive management. She has led operations for acute and outpatient rehab and is a skilled strategist in operations management, business development, acquisitions, and divestitures, with a keen eye for the various and complex
finance structures related to senior housing. Connie has 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 is a visionary with a drive for innovation and is a recognized leader in the industry. Connie has been nominated as CEO of the Year numerous times and won Top Workplace awards for 7 consecutive years. She believes compassionate care is the key driver in this business.

Ron Swartz

CFO

CFO Ron Swartz joined Trousdale Living Communities in September 2021. He brings 35 years of experience as a CPA to the company, with an extensive background in health care reimbursement, budgeting, and forecasting, as well as IT and financial operations. Ron worked with Trousdale CEO Connie Bessler in a similar capacity for 16 years at Greystone Healthcare Management in overseeing approximately 46 skilled nursing, assisted living and home health agencies. He’s been nominated as CFO of the year for mid-size companies, and has dedicated his career to executive management, primarily in skilled nursing and home health fields.