Leadership

Julie Ogawa is a 30-year veteran in the hotel industry and proudly considers herself an old-school General Manager, having worked her way up through the ranks. Her career began as a concierge in Tokyo, Japan, followed by management training in Jakarta, Indonesia. With over two decades of living and working in Japan, she has also worked at luxury hotels in Jakarta, Okinawa, Orlando, Saint Louis, Maui, and Sedona.

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Julie moved to Huntersville to open Symphony Park Luxury Senior Living Resort, bringing a hospitality-driven approach to create a community that feels like a vacation every day. As General Manager, she sets the tone and standard for the community, paying close attention to detail and striving to establish new benchmarks in senior living. Julie loves creating events and building a strong leadership team. A hands-on leader, she is often found making coffee, cleaning, arranging flowers, or reorganizing rooms.

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At Symphony Park, all leaders are handpicked for their drive and heart-centered approach, making the resort warm and inviting. In her spare time, Julie enjoys baking, walking, and traveling. Her daily goal is to laugh and forge meaningful connections with team members and residents. Reflecting on the best vacations she has taken, it comes down to the people and the food, which she focuses on every day. Julie is thrilled to be the opening General Manager at Symphony Park.

Liam Goddard is an experienced operations professional and leader in the luxury senior living industry. His career began with a focus on health and wellness for active adults. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and a Master's degree in Kinesiology, he believes retirement should be vibrant and filled with opportunities for learning, exploration, and active living.

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Liam completed a Master's degree in Business Administration, combining wellness expertise with business insight, leading him to the role of Executive Director at Symphony Park. Living in Cornelius, NC, just minutes from Symphony Park, he remains closely connected to the community he serves.

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As the Executive Director, Liam is dedicated to enriching the lives of the residents with a people-first mindset, enhancing resident experiences, forging lasting relationships, and creating a positive and inclusive community culture.

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Beyond his professional endeavors, Liam is devoted to his family. He is a father to two wonderful daughters and a husband to his amazing wife, Kelly. Having spent most of their lives in South Florida on the Gulf Coast, they have now lived in North Carolina for three years, loving every minute of it.

Shannon Yunn is a dedicated senior living professional with over 12 years of experience in both the Independent and Assisted Living industries. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she proudly supports the Steelers and is a Penn State graduate. Shannon was previously a Certified Director in Assisted Living and a Chairman’s Club award recipient at her former company. Currently, she is working on her Professional in Human Resources certification as part of her career goals.

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What inspires Shannon the most is seeing people of all ages lead their best lives. One of her favorite hobbies is to travel to a new place each year and try an exciting activity such as skiing, para-gliding, or surfing. She is also an avid swimmer and tennis player. Shannon enjoys coming to work each and every day, surrounded by a beautiful work environment and the nicest residents and associates. For her, this is truly an inspiring place to be.

Randy Cook, born in Charlotte, NC, has lived in Huntersville, NC for the past 20 years. Married to Denise from Pittsburgh, PA for 21 years, they have two daughters, Rachel and Samantha, and a beloved rescue dog, Sutter. Randy is a veteran of the US Army National Guard and the US Navy.

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Randy began his career in Senior Living at a 231-acre continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in east Charlotte in 1989 as a groundskeeper. Over 30 years, he held various positions, including Maintenance Technician, Director of Facilities, Director of IT and Risk Management, and finally, Director of Independent Living. One of his proudest achievements was earning the SHARP accreditation from the NC Department of Labor and OSHA for outstanding safety and health standards.

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In January 2024, Randy joined Symphony Park as the Director of Engineering, overseeing maintenance, security, IT, and groundskeeping. He loves his role, values communication, and strives for high customer satisfaction. Randy is excited to contribute to Symphony Park’s growth into the premier luxury resort for older adults.

Mark Genter, originally from San Diego, California, graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. While enrolled in the Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology program at University of San Francisco, Mark met his wife Sarah.

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Mark's passion for cooking began in second grade, learning from his Sicilian mother. His first job at fifteen was at Panda Express, followed by experience in an award-winning French restaurant in San Diego. With twenty years in the restaurant industry, he has worked as a cook, waiter, and bartender, gaining extensive knowledge in gourmet food and wine pairing. He also worked at three California wineries, earning certifications as a Level 1 Sommelier and a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW).

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After twenty years in San Francisco, including roles as a culinary instructor and with Marriott, Mark relocated to North Carolina to be closer to Sarah's extended family. He now serves as the Director of Food and Beverage at Symphony Park Resort, sharing his passion for food and hospitality with residents.

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Outside of work, Mark enjoys cooking with his wife, raising their daughters Charlotte and Abbie, coaching soccer, skiing, surfing, kayaking, and drinking wine. He feels blessed to combine his love for culinary arts with providing exceptional experiences at Symphony Park Resort.

Lori Anderson is the Director of Sales at Symphony Park. She joined Symphony Park with an extensive background in residential and commercial real estate in New Jersey, where she worked for 21 years before transitioning to Senior Living after relocating to North Carolina in 2019. During her tenure, Lori has been recognized as a top performer, consistently exceeding sales targets and earning multiple awards for excellence in customer service. Her strategic approach to sales and deep understanding of clients' needs have brought consistent success year over year.

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As a National Sales Coach, Lori excelled in training and mentoring sales teams, resulting in significant lead conversion and overall sales performance across the 17 senior living communities she helped launch. Lori’s leadership and expertise have been instrumental in shaping robust sales strategies and delivering exceptional client satisfaction. She is thrilled to bring her passion for helping others to the Symphony Park team.

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Residing in Mooresville, North Carolina, Lori enjoys entertaining and cooking for friends and family, taking in live sporting events, and cheering on her favorite teams, Trackhouse Racing’s Melon Man and the Yankees. Lori’s commitment to a balanced and fulfilling life extends beyond her career, enriching her personal and professional worlds.

Laura Johnson is from Fort Wayne, IN. Trained in classical ballet, her love for movement led her to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Butler University. She moved to Charlotte in 2011 to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology. After graduating and becoming a Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist, she worked at the YMCA, personal training, teaching wellness classes, and group exercise. In 2013, she was promoted to Healthy Living Director, overseeing fitness, personal training, group exercise, wellness, and active older adult departments.

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In 2021, Laura pursued her dream of working primarily with seniors, becoming the Resident Programs Coordinator at an assisted living facility in south Charlotte. She also completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2022 to become a registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance.

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In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and son, working out, taking yoga classes, reading, and baking. Her favorite author is Stephen King, and she loves baking cinnamon rolls from scratch. She has completed four half marathons, with top experiences being the trail half at the Whitewater Center and the Indy 500 mini marathon.

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As the Activities Director at Symphony Park, Laura aims to create meaningful and memorable experiences to help residents grow in all dimensions of life.

Simon Shirley is a warm and welcoming professional from Maidstone, Kent, England. After graduating from culinary college, he was selected to work as a Footman in The Royal Household, where he honed his skills in providing top-tier hospitality to the Royal Family.

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In the mid-80s, Simon moved to the United States, taking on roles as an Estate Manager, Butler, Chef, and Chauffeur for affluent families nationwide. A few years ago, Simon, his wife Rachel, a Pet Loss Grief Coach and author, and their two dogs, Spencer and Charley, relocated from Florida to the Lake Norman area. Simon treasures his faith, family, and friends, and cherishes moments with his daughter, Barbara Jean, a dedicated Police Officer in Georgia.

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As the Lead Concierge at Symphony Park, Simon manages the concierge desk, overseeing daily operations and providing guidance and support to residents and guests. His responsibilities include facilitating resident service requests such as maintenance, housekeeping, and transportation. He is also skilled in using the resident communication and engagement platform, Cubigo. Simon brings his distinctive Royal Touch to Symphony Park, creating an atmosphere where residents and guests feel genuinely embraced and cared for in every interaction.

Jennifer Vega, originally from Brooklyn, New York, spent most of her life there before relocating to the beautiful city of Charlotte, North Carolina. With 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, mainly within the hotel sector, she has developed a profound love for her work. Jennifer has played a pivotal role in opening boutique hotel properties and working with some of the best luxury hotels in both NYC and NC.

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What truly inspires Jennifer is getting to know others, hearing their unique stories, and meeting people from diverse cultures. This aspect of her job continually motivates her and enriches her understanding of the world. Outside of work, she is an avid traveler and hiker, always seeking new adventures and experiences. You can often find her surrounded by nature, embracing the tranquility and beauty it offers.

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Jennifer is passionate about enriching the lives of those around her, whether through her professional endeavors in hospitality or her personal interactions. Her goal is always to create memorable experiences and foster genuine connections with the people she meets.

Jeff Lambert is the Front of the House Dining Manager at Symphony Park, bringing 22 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. His career has spanned prestigious brands, including Marriott, The Ritz Carlton, and Kimpton Hotels. In the past three years, he has shifted his focus to luxury senior living, enhancing the dining experience for residents.

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Originally from the Washington DC area, Jeff moved to Charlotte about ten years ago and currently resides in Denver, NC, with his wife and two children. This move has allowed him to immerse himself in a new community while continuing to pursue his passion for hospitality.

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In his free time, Jeff enjoys weight lifting, playing the drums, and working in his yard. These activities provide a balanced lifestyle and allow him to unwind and stay active. Most importantly, he cherishes spending quality time with his family, which remains his top priority.

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At Symphony Park, Jeff is dedicated to creating a welcoming and exceptional dining environment for residents. His goal is to ensure that every dining experience is memorable, reflecting his commitment to excellence and genuine care for the people he serves.

Executive Chef Anthony Russo is known for his deep passion for cooking, which is not just a profession but a reflection of who he is. Born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island in a traditional Italian family, Anthony grew up with the tradition of large Sunday family dinners. His childhood dream of being in the restaurant business led him to enroll at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated in 1993 with an Associates in Culinary Arts.

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Anthony's illustrious career includes working with top culinary icons such as David Burke, Michael Meehan, Sam Hazen, and Todd English. He has run prestigious restaurants and platinum resorts along the eastern seaboard, from New York to North Carolina to Florida. His notable positions include roles at South Seas Island Resort in Captiva Island, FL, North Harbor Club in Davidson, NC, and a ten-year stint with LDV Hospitality at Lugo Cucina Italiana in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

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Currently residing in Cornelius, NC, Anthony continues to share his culinary talents, making Sunday dinners for his family. His creativity and passion for cooking remain at the heart of his work, as he strives to bring joy and delicious experiences to those he serves.