Meet the team.
We are delighted to get to know you on a personal level
to help you define what “Living Better” means to you…and deliver it.
Wesley Helms
Executive Director
Wesley is a DFW native who has spent his career investing in hospitality, team building, and management. He spent the first part of his career managing multiple landmark restaurants in Dallas. He transitioned into Senior Living as Food and Beverage Director, overseeing a full-scale renovation of the kitchen and dining areas in one of Dallas’s most premier communities. He has since served in multiple roles, including Senior Director of Culinary Operations and Associate Executive Director, successfully overseeing the construction and grand opening of a new community. When asked “why senior living?”, Wes says, “you can see the impact you and your team members can have on our residents and families by simply caring. I live by the belief that you only know the experience that your team members and residents are having by walking the community, serving the residents and team members.” His greatest professional accomplishment has been the network of amazing team members, residents, and families that have made him a better leader and person.
Wesley and Shelly are proud parents of three. He enjoys music, especially playing the guitar, cooking for whoever is hungry, and the occasional round of golf.
Wesley is excited to join the Heritage team to introduce the Orchard Pointe brand and the company’s mission and core values to Texas.
Lisa Vellekamp
Senior Living Counselor
Lisa Vellekamp has over 17 years’ experience working with senior adults as a proficient Director of Sales. She is motivated by building successful relationships with her prospects to educate them about their living options and encourage them to live their best life. She is passionate about ensuring each person she works with will enjoy an engaging lifestyle with the best care. Success for Lisa is knowing that she has truly helped someone to make a good, informed decision for their future. Throughout her career, she has worked with numerous CCRC communities as well as team members and learned how to work successfully together in order to fulfill the community occupancy goals and enrich the lives of the residents.
Lisa was born and raised in New Mexico. She moved to Texas about eight years ago to be closer to her family. In her spare time, she enjoys time at home with her husband Phil, children and grandchildren. She loves to read, listen to music, play her flute, exercise, and spend quality time with friends.
Brenda Townsend
Director of Memory Support
As the Director of Memory Support, Brenda is responsible for the leadership, management and oversight of healthcare services and programs that care givers provide to memory support residents. Brenda started her career in healthcare over 10 years ago as a nurse’s aide at an assisted living facility. Brenda has continued to work in assisted living facilities as a medication aide, Health Services support assistant, and as a resident care coordinator. Outside of her passion of caring for out aging population, Brenda enjoys spending time outdoors camping and fishing with her family and friends.
Marlowe Driscoll
Office Director
Heritage Communities welcomed Genelle Girthoffer to the leadership team in 2021 as Vice President of Human Resources. Genelle is responsible for the strategic development and oversight of all Human Resources operations for Heritage Communities, leading the development, implementation and management of programs that attract, motivate, develop and retain associates. With more than 20 years of experience as a human resources professional, Genelle has demonstrated the ability to lead and motivate teams to new levels of success. Having worked in a variety of industries, she brings a diverse background including hands-on experience in benefits, payroll, training, development, coaching, and customer satisfaction.
Genelle earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of NebraskaOmaha and holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification. During her career, she has worked in the human services, construction and financial services industries.
An Omaha native, Genelle enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her husband, Zach, and their two boys.
Industry involvement:
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
- Human Resource Association of the Midlands (HRAM)