Leadership Team

Jeff Bevis
CEO and Co-Founder

Jeff Bevis is President and CEO of FirstLight Home Care. With more than 30 years of experience in franchising, Jeff displays a successful track record of accelerating growth in a variety of franchise concepts. His expertise includes senior management leadership, as well as the development of a major senior care franchise brand within in a four-year span. Jeff has earned the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation, meeting rigorous requirements from the franchising industry. He has a trademark reputation for building strong, trusting relationships with franchisees and enabling strong unit economics at the franchise level to build system success.

Devin Bevis
Executive Director of Franchise Services and Co-Founder

Devin Bevis is Executive Director of Franchise Services and Co-Founder of FirstLight Home Care. Devin delivers award-winning levels of customer service for the company. He coordinates and implements technology and web applications to help FirstLight continually look for innovative ways to help its franchise owners succeed and grow their business. Devin is a graduate of the Ritz-Carlton Customer Service Training series, completing this curriculum while employed with the Ritz Carlton. Devin also has held positions in franchise development and database marketing in multiple franchise-concept environments.

Tina Parrett
Franchise Administration Manager, Paralegal

Tina Parrett is Franchise Administration Manager, and she is also a Paralegal. Tina is responsible for all legal agreements for franchise owners as well as all contracts within the FirstLight support office. Tina also creates and maintains many organizational documents used by all of the support staff. Tina started with the FirstLight help desk team, her skills and dedication were evident, and she quickly moved up. She is knowledgeable across several departments and a resource for many of the support staff. Tina had several years experience in the healthcare field prior to joining the FirstLight team.

Perry Pruett
Executive Director of Technology Platform Services

Perry Pruett is Executive Director of Technology Platform Services for FirstLight Home Care. Perry is responsible for the leadership, support and strategy of technology applications and expansions for FirstLight franchisees and the franchisor system. He brings more than 30 years of Operations and IT experience within the Home Care, Home Health and Hospice industries, and he previously served as Vice President of IT Systems for several leading providers. He has been involved in major operations of front office and back office systems, as well as the implementation of two electronic health record systems for more than 400 offices.

Kerri Pendley
Executive Director of Healthcare Strategy

Kerri Pendley is Director of Healthcare Strategy for FirstLight Home Care. She is responsible for all aspects of the National Alliances department, including the ongoing growth and development of new and existing regional and national alliance relationships. Kerri has more than 18 years of experience in healthcare operations and business development, as well as acquisition and start-up experience in Home Care and Adult Day Services in multiple states. She is a Board Member and PSSA Advisory Board Chairperson for the Tennessee Association of Home Care and is a Public Policy Committee Member and past Board Member for the National Adult Day Services Association. Kerri also has volunteered with the American Red Cross.

CAROL NELSON, RN, BSN, MBA
Healthcare Solutions Manager

Carol Nelson is Manager of FirstLight Healthcare Solutions. In this role, Carol is responsible for developing, promoting and implementing FirstLight Healthcare Solutions for franchise owners who choose to offer this program in their market. Carol has extensive experience with Medicare and private duty home care services, Hospice and Assisted Living. She has been responsible for assuring profitability for a newly acquired Assisted Living Facility, as well as its build out from 26 to 120 apartments. She also initiated a palliative care program for hospice in Florida. Prior to joining FirstLight, Carol was a home health consultant. Carol is a member of the Case Management Society of America and the Home Care Association of America. She is a local speaker for home care and hospice education and an active volunteer in her church.

Danielle Cantin
Vice President of Branding

Danielle Cantin is Vice President of Brand Development for FirstLight Home Care. Danielle oversees market research, development and various marketing strategies for the company. A strategic and creative leader, Danielle has developed effective solutions for a variety of clients, particularly helping companies with multiple locations work together to create a unified brand experience. Her brand leadership expertise and passion for the senior community has helped companies serving seniors create positive, engaging experiences for their clients. Danielle is a well-respected senior brand expert, speaking at expos and leadership conferences, and she is always pursuing advanced education and training opportunities.

Cresta Lewis
Public Relations and Social Media Manager

Cresta Lewis is Public Relations & Social media manager for FirstLight Home Care. Cresta helps to amplify the FirstLight brand and increase awareness and engagement both nationally and regionally through public relations and social media initiatives. She has a journalism background and nearly 20 years of experience in the communications industry. Cresta previously served as Counselor for a PR agency; PR Director for a full-service advertising agency; and she operated her own communications consulting business. She has an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for sharing brand stories.

Allyson Waters
Director of Marketing

Allyson Waters is Director of Marketing for FirstLight Home Care. In this role, Allyson ensures FirstLight brand standards are consistent across all channels by managing the design, creation and customization of the company’s marketing tools, advertisements, collateral pieces, event materials, video assets and more. She is a creative leader with extensive experience in project management, sales and marketing, as well as the cultural development and training of team members. Prior to joining FirstLight, she served as SVP Marketing Director for Cole Taylor Mortgage, and she managed her own marketing consultancy business whose primary client was a 26-unit senior living community. Allyson is committed to supporting individual FirstLight franchise owners to help them build successful businesses. Allyson’s personal passions include food, wine, travel, reading and pet rescue and rehabilitation.

Jeff Goebel
Vice President of Business Development & Team Support

Jeff Goebel is Vice President of Business Development & Team Support for FirstLight Home Care. Jeff leads FirstLight's team of Business Development Directors responsible for providing ongoing operational support to franchise owners across the country while also serving as a dedicated business coach and expert in key aspects of FirstLight’s business. Jeff is also the company's Canadian liaison, helping to support and further develop FirstLight’s international expansion plans. He brings significant industry knowledge to the corporate team, having owned a successful franchise for another home care company where he oversaw all business operations. His franchise was frequently ranked as the top office in the Midwest and one of the top 10 offices in the nation. Jeff’s other business ventures included real estate, manufacturing, and electrical systems.

Terri Zimmer, CFE
Vice President of Business Development/Franchise Support

Terri Zimmer is Vice President of Business Development/Franchise Support. Her primary responsibilities include supporting and managing our Business Development Director team in the western regions of the U.S., as well as leading field operational support and ensuring maximum success for FirstLight franchise owners in her own region. Terri brings more than 25 years of experience in the staffing and home care industries; 10 years as owner-operator of multi-unit/multi-state home care franchise; and expertise running franchise operations, sales and marketing, recruiting and finance. Terri’s passion for senior care and desire to serve others is evident in the time she devotes to volunteering with the Alzheimer's Association, Cancer Services, Serving Our Seniors and CASA. Terri also is a member of the Home Care Association of America.

Dan Deak
Business Development Director, Launch Specialist

Dan Deak is Business Development Director, Launch Specialist for new FirstLight franchise owners. Dan is responsible for coaching all new franchisees during the launch phase by guiding them through the processes of business formation, licensing and planning. He will help owners build a strong foundation for growth and equip them with the tools they need to build a thriving business that provides exceptional client care. Dan previously worked for one of the largest nonprofit hospice providers in the country. There he built several home care agencies and was responsible for all aspects of operations, such as creating business plans, establishing operational policies, securing financing, obtaining licensure and developing business for the agencies. Dan holds a Bachelors Degree in Finance and an MBA in Healthcare Management. He belongs to the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives™ (ICFE) and is pursuing the Certified Franchise Executive™ (CFE) designation.

Erin Sullivan, MSOD, CFE
Senior Business Development Director

Erin Sullivan is Senior Business Development Director for FirstLight franchise owners. She is responsible for helping owners build and maintain a successful, thriving home care business. Erin has been in healthcare leadership roles for the past 13 years. She brings significant industry knowledge to the FirstLight support team, having specifically focused on healthcare operations, home, hospice, and care management for the last 7 years. Erin has a master’s in Organizational Development and is a certified Executive Coach. She also has volunteered with the Guardian ad Litem and KC Literacy Council.

ELIZABETH BRENNEN
Business Development Director, Northeast Region

Elizabeth Brennen is Business Development Director for FirstLight franchise owners in the Northeast region. She is responsible for providing direct support to these owners, helping them to grow and maintain a successful home care business. Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience in home care and home health. Most recently, Elizabeth served as Vice President of Customer Success for CareSmartz360, a home care software solutions company. She was Senior Vice President of Operations with Always Best Care, and Regional Corporate Manager with Almost Family. Additionally, Elizabeth worked in a family home health business.

Kim McGraw
Executive Director of HR, Talent Acquisition and Client Care Services

Kim McGraw is Executive Director of HR, Talent Acquisition and Client Care Services. She joined FirstLight Home Care with 20+ years of global and regional Human Resource leadership experience with Procter & Gamble. As a collaborative and strategic leader, Kim is responsible for all aspects of Human Resources and Client Care Services, including accelerating the company’s national recruiting platform, enabling Culture of Care across the business model, and driving the development of diverse talent, systems and capabilities, relative to franchisors and franchisees. Kim has a BS in Human Services, an MS in Organizational Leadership, and she fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment. Her personal passion for caregiving and advocacy is unmatched, and she demonstrates her passion for health and wellness as a Group Strength Fitness Instructor at her local community center.

Daryl Beckles, SPHR
Director of Human Resources

Daryl Beckles is Director of Human Resources for FirstLight Home Care. She is responsible for creating and implementing best practices for sourcing, hiring and retaining compassionate and patient caregivers that reflect FirstLight Home Care's Culture of Care philosophy. Daryl’s role also includes implementing consistent recruiting, hiring, training and development practices across the FirstLight brand. She has a passion for people and their development within a brand and brings more than 20 years of experience in organizational development. She has served as a board member for several organizations and spends her time volunteering for many charitable groups in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Rebecca Rushing, BSN, RN
Director of Client Care Services

Rebecca Rushing serves as Director of Client Care Services for FirstLight Home Care. Rebecca oversees the development and implementation of the company’s companion and personal care services, caregiver training and state licensing processes for local offices. She brings more than 30 years of nursing experience – and a passion for the well-being of seniors – to FirstLight Home Care. Prior to joining the company, Rebecca held nursing and leadership positions at numerous Cincinnati-area hospitals, hospice and senior care facilities. She has also shared her extensive nursing expertise as a classroom and clinical instructor for nursing students.

DARLEEN POE
Chief Financial Officer

Darleen Poe is Chief Financial Officer for FirstLight Home Care. She is responsible for the overall financial functions of the company, as well as overseeing the assistance provided to our franchise owners in the area of QuickBooks support. Darleen has more than 25 years of experience in a variety of financial roles in the healthcare industry. Most recently, she spent more than 11 years as the VP of Finance for a large healthcare chain in California. Darleen also spent five years at a software development company, working predominantly in implementation and sales. Darleen is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and she is an active volunteer with her local church.

Lisa Reed
Accounts Receivable/Revenue Cycle Manager

Lisa Reed is Accounts Receivable/Revenue Cycle Manager for FirstLight Home Care. She is responsible for training and supporting franchise owners in optimizing their 3rd party cash flow. Lisa has more than 15 years of medical management and billing experience. She has experience with physician, infusion therapy, behavioral health and hospital billing in which she managed billing and collections from the VA, Medicaid, Medicare, Commercial, Long-term Care and Workers’ Compensation payers. Lisa received her Bachelors of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and worked in radio and television until moving on to retail management and now healthcare management.

MEREDITH ZWART
Finance Support Manager

Meredith Zwart is Finance Support Manager for FirstLight Home Care. She supports all departments in analysis, planning and decision making, and she assists franchise owners with QuickBooks and accounting requests. Within the finance department, Meredith provides training, as well as assistance in the monthly closing process. In college, Meredith worked as a caregiver for her mother's private home care company. She has a passion for helping entrepreneurs realize their dreams, having provided bookkeeping, quarterly reviews and tax return preparation for a number of small businesses throughout her career. Prior to joining FirstLight, Meredith worked as an accountant for a holding company supporting nine consulting firms. Meredith is a member of the Cincinnati North Chapter Institute of Management Accountants. She volunteers with her mom at a small Medicaid-funded assisted living home in her hometown.

Jamie Davis
Executive Director of Franchise Development

Jamie Davis is Executive Director of Franchise Development for FirstLight Home Care. Jamie leads the Franchise Development team to ensure that the company is attracting and selecting franchise owners who personify the FirstLight Culture of Care. His goal is to develop and maintain an ongoing strategy that allows FirstLight Home Care to grow in a responsibly aggressive way. Jamie has 14 years of experience in franchise development, serving in executive director roles at Primrose Schools and Donatos Pizza. He is a member of the International Franchise Association and has served as Charter President of a unique Rotary International Club in Columbus, Ohio.

Larry France
Director of Franchise Development

Larry is Director of Franchise Development for FirstLight Home Care.  Since joining the company, Larry has been integral to franchise location growth, including the execution of internal area development expansions and extensions of subsequent territories, as well as resales and transfers within the United States. He has more than 20 years of inside and outside sales and management experience, as well as more than a decade of experience in franchising with another home care concept.  Larry is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) as acknowledged by the International Franchise Association.

Scott Oaks
Director of Franchise Development

Scott is Director of Franchise Development for FirstLight Home Care. He is responsible for new franchise growth and expansion east of the Mississippi and focused on recruiting and awarding territories to new franchisees who meet the requirements of the FirstLight system. Scott is a proven professional with more than 15 years of success in the franchising industry, including 5 years in the home health franchise industry. In addition to directly working for franchisors, Scott also has consulted with more than 50 different franchise concepts to help build their franchise awarding processes and marketing programs.