Home > Leadership

Dedicated to Serve

As members of a nonprofit organization, the ECS Leadership Team views their work as a vocation of service, putting the well-being and fulfillment of residents before profit. Every strategic decision made by this experienced team is guided by our Mission to deliver exceptional communities and services for seniors.

ECS Leadership

ECS Leaders live our values each day. They are Brave, Compassionate, Inclusive, Respectful and Imaginative. Our organization-wide commitment to excellence is reflected in the dedication of our team and their seasoned expertise. We invite you to learn more about our Leadership team below.

James S. Rothrock

President & CEO

James holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Organizational Leadership from Goshen College. James has been President & CEO since 2016 and is proud to lead a team of professionals dedicated to providing exceptional communities and services for seniors.

Charlie Rahilly

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Charlie graduated from University of Oklahoma, Price College of Business with a BAA in Accounting & Finance. Charlie assumed his role at ECS in 2019 and his stewardship ensures the financial sustainability and long-term growth of ECS aligns with the organization’s values.

Sharon Pewtress

Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer

Sharon holds a Masters Degree in Gerontology from USC and a Doctorate in Behavioral Science from Arizona State University. Sharon has more than two decades of leadership experience in the fields of healthcare and senior living.

Maleakhi Adi

Vice President of Information Technology

Maleakhi obtained a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and a Bachelor’s Degree, Information & Computer Science from UC Irvine. Maleakhi has more than 20 years of experience in managing healthcare technologies.

A woman with long, straight dark hair wearing a light-colored jacket and a necklace smiles at the camera. Green leafy plants fill the background.

Lizett Leandro

Vice President of Health & Wellness

Lizett holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from California State University, Long Beach. Lizette oversees the wellbeing of all residents in Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living and has been with ECS for 20 years.

A smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a white blouse and gold hoop earrings stands outdoors with blurred green foliage in the background.

Krista Nay

Vice President of Sales & Marketing

Krista holds a Masters of Science (MS) from the University of California, Long Beach and a Bachelor of Science (BS), Psychology from California State University, Chico. She joined ECS in 2015 as the Executive Director of The Covington. In her current role, she empowers sales teams to create meaningful connections with seniors, seamlessly integrating new neighbors into community living where they thrive.

A woman with blonde hair, wearing a striped button-up shirt and gold earrings, smiles outdoors with trees and greenery in the background.

Michelle Lahaderne

Vice President of Human Resources

Michelle graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Sonoma State University. She has been with ECS since 2015, and is an RCFE (Residential Care Facility for the Elderly) Administrator and a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). She is proud to support ECS’s tradition of creating an environment where team members can flourish, for the benefit of both residents and the organization.

Tyra Sherman

Vice President & Controller

Tyra earned a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and a Bachelor of Arts (BA), from Spelman College. Tyra has been with ECS since 2015, and is dedicated to upholding the financial and ethical standards that are the foundation of ECS’s success.

A middle-aged man with a shaved head wearing a grey suit jacket and light blue shirt, smiling outdoors with greenery and a building blurred in the background.

Dave Hone

Executive Director, The Canterbury

Dave holds a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy from University of the Pacific and a Bachelor’s Degree (BSA), Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Brigham Young University. Since Dave joined The Canterbury in 2017, he has demonstrated the power of being an inspirational leader while championing the cause of seniors and their care.

Smiling man with a beard and mustache wearing a gray suit jacket and white shirt, standing outdoors in front of green foliage and tree trunks.

Cash Benton

Executive Director, The Covington

Cash holds two Bachelor’s Degrees and a Master’s Degree in Business. Cash is actively engaged in industry and community leadership. In addition to his role as Executive Director at The Covington, he serves as a Commissioner on the Orange County Older Adults Advisory Commission (OAAC) and participates in various boards and advisory efforts focused on aging and senior services. He is a recognized voice in senior living innovation and thought based leadership.

A man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a navy blazer and white shirt, smiles at the camera while standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

Adam Pena

Executive Director, MonteCedro

Adam holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA), History from Pacific Union College and is a licenced RCFE (Residential Care Facility for the Elderly) Administrator. Adam has dedicated his career to building community and supporting the health and vitality of seniors.