Casie Harris (DeJesus) , CEO of Windermere Assisted Living & Memory Care, is a member of the Harris family, which currently owns and operates four assisted living facilities throughout the Gulf Coast region. With more than 40 years of family experience in senior care, Mrs. Harris has gained over 25 years of hands-on knowledge and expertise in the assisted living industry.

Prior to leading Windermere, Mrs. Harris served at Grandview Retirement Center, an 85-bed assisted living community and one of the largest facilities in Pensacola. Under her leadership, the facility consistently achieved successful Florida AHCA inspections with zero deficiencies. In addition to her extensive operational experience, Mrs. Harris holds a degree in Business Management and is a licensed Assisted Living Facility Administrator in the State of Florida. She is committed to providing exceptional care to seniors while fostering a culture of integrity, compassion, and excellence among her team members.

Ms. Harris considers it a true blessing to restore and reimagine her parents' first assisted living facility, originally built in the 80s and sold in the late 90s, into what is now Windermere Assisted Living & Memory Care. Working alongside industry experts in design and dementia care, she helped create an environment specifically tailored to the unique needs of residents living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. From the facility's logo and soothing color palette to specialized programming and activities designed to promote cognitive engagement and memory retention, every aspect of Windermere reflects her dedication to resident-centered care.

In 2025, Mrs. Harris successfully transitioned Windermere from a fully memory care community into a dual-service model, featuring two wings dedicated to traditional assisted living residents and another wing focused on specialized memory care services. This expansion allows the community to serve a broader range of senior care needs while maintaining the personalized attention and high standards for which Windermere is known.

A lifelong resident of Pensacola, Florida, Mrs. Harris is an active member of Freedom Church and is passionate about giving back to her community. She proudly sponsors youth and high school athletic programs throughout the area and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and golfing.

Suzie

Admissions Director 

With more than 25 years of experience serving older adults, I have dedicated my career to enhancing the lives of seniors through compassionate care, advocacy, and meaningful relationships. My journey began in 2003, working directly with the elderly, and from the very beginning I discovered where my heart truly belongs.

Today, I proudly serve as the Admissions Director for Windermere where I have the privilege of connecting families with the care, support, and peace of mind they deserve. For me, this role is much more than a career—it’s a calling. Whether I’m helping families navigate the transition into assisted living or simply making a positive difference in the daily lives of the elderly, I am driven by a genuine passion for serving the senior community.

I believe every senior deserves dignity, respect, and compassionate care, and I am committed to making a lasting impact through every relationship I build. Helping older adults live fulfilling, supported lives isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.

In my downtime, I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren, traveling and being on the water here in beautiful Pensacola. 

Centell Smith

Healthcare Coordinator

Centell Smith has dedicated the past 10 years to caring for others and building a rewarding career in healthcare. She began as an in-home caregiver, where she developed a passion for providing compassionate, person-centered care. Over the years, she has continued to grow professionally, serving as a Patient Care Technician for three years and as a Medication Technician for the past two years.

Today, Centell is expanding her leadership skills as she transitions into the role of Health Care Coordinator here at Windermere. Her long-term goal is to become a Licensed Assisted Living Administrator, allowing her to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents, their families, and the teams she leads.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends and creating lasting memories with the people she loves.

Lavina France

Administrator

Lavina France has dedicated more than 21 years to serving others through healthcare, with a special passion for caring for older adults. Her journey in geriatrics began at just 19 years old when she started her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant in skilled healthcare. That early experience shaped her lifelong commitment to providing compassionate, dignified, and person-centered care.

Throughout her career, Lavina has gained experience across a variety of healthcare settings and roles. She has worked as a Dialysis Technician in kidney care, served in school health, and taught essential clinical skills to new CNAs through an Acute Rehabilitation program. Her diverse healthcare background has provided her with a well-rounded understanding of patient care, education, safety, and compassionate leadership.

Lavina is licensed with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and is a Certified Dementia Connection Specialist, reflecting her specialized commitment to understanding and supporting individuals living with dementia and the families who care for them. She also holds an Instructor certification with the American Red Cross, allowing her to teach CPR and First Aid, and is a licensed ServSafe Instructor and Proctor.

Beyond her professional work in healthcare, Lavina is passionate about serving her community. She proudly serves on the Board of Directors for Healing Hoof Steps, a therapeutic equine program dedicated to improving the lives of individuals in the community through the therapeutic benefits of horses. The organization offers clinical equine-assisted mental health counseling through licensed counselors, as well as a holistic PATH Riding Program led by certified instructors for individuals with physical, emotional, and developmental disabilities.

At the heart of Lavina’s professional journey is her love for caring for the elderly. She believes every resident deserves to be treated with dignity, patience, kindness, and respect. To her, caring for seniors is about much more than healthcare—it is about honoring their lives, listening to their stories, celebrating who they are, and helping them feel valued, safe, and at home.

Lavina is a Christian, and her faith is an important part of who she is and how she approaches both her personal life and her work. She is a mother of two wonderful boys & enjoys spending her time off at the beach, kayaking, hiking or watching ball games. She considers it a privilege to serve others and is grateful for the opportunity to continue a career centered around compassion, service, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents, their families, and the communities she serves.