About Us

Regency Senior Living was created by principal owners Don Howe and Rick Stern to manage senior housing properties with professional, Christ-centered care. The two acquired their first assisted living community, Riverwood in Rome, Georgia in February of 2003, and were joined by Randy Holcombe the following year. To this day, Regency’s leadership remains personally involved in operations, ensuring each community receives the dedicated attention it deserves, a true commitment to our Shield of Service values, honor and devotion.

HISTORY

Our History: Purposeful Growth Rooted in Faith and Family

2003

Regency Senior Living began its journey with the opening of Riverwood in Rome, GA, marking the beginning of our mission to provide trusted, faith-based care in the Southeast.

2004

 We expanded into Fort Oglethorpe, GA, with the addition of Rosewood, strengthening our foundation in relationship-focused senior care.

2005

Our presence in Tennessee’s senior living sector expanded with the opening of our community in Morristown, TN, furthering our commitment to personalized care and dignity for every resident.

2006

Regency added two more communities in Birmingham and Huntsville, AL, staying true to our values while thoughtfully expanding our reach.

2008

We proudly introduced Regency to the Jackson, TN community, cementing our role as a trusted provider of assisted living in Tennessee and reinforcing our reputation among Tennessee assisted living facilities.

2009

With the addition of our Tuscaloosa, AL, location, Regency continued to grow with intention, guided by our pillars of continuity, care, and community.

Today

Regency Senior Living serves residents across seven communities in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, with a strong presence in senior housing in Tennessee.

From Ooltewah assisted living to Morristown and Jackson, our communities stand as trusted destinations for families seeking compassionate care.

Unlike many assisted living Tennessee providers focused on rapid expansion, Regency has stayed true to its calling, remaining privately owned, unapologetically faith-driven, and deeply committed to every family we serve. Whether you are looking for assisted living in Ooltewah, TN or dependable senior living Tennessee options, Regency stands as a beacon of consistent, heartfelt care.

MISSION

At Regency Senior Living, our mission is to:

  • Serve our residents and their families with compassion and integrity
  • Engage in meaningful relationships built on trust
  • Respect the individuality of every person in our care
  • Value the contributions of our dedicated team members
  • Evolve our care each day to meet the changing needs of those we serve

 

This mission reflects our Shield of Service commitment to honor, faith, composure, devotion, and continuity in everything we do.

REGENCY LEADERSHIP

Don Howe – Partner

“I am passionate about innovation in the delivery of services to our clients, both from a quality and a value standpoint!”

Don Howe, a licensed nursing home administrator and former physical therapist, is actively engaged with Regency Senior Living as a principal partner. Don was the co-founder of BenchMark Physical Therapy, the largest outpatient therapy provider in east Tennessee, as well as Alliance Physical Therapy, a niche company in the Chattanooga area. With more than 20 plus years of experience in the healthcare field, Don has gained a variety of experiences that allow for innovation in the delivery of Regency Senior Living product lines.

Don and his wife Talene are very engaged with their local church where they find great satisfaction working with and caring for Chattanooga’s homeless.

Rick Stern – Partner

Rick Stern began his career in senior living in 1987 when he served as Vice-President of Acquisitions, working in development and finance, with a national nursing home company. He founded a consulting company in 2000 and progressed toward his ultimate goal of owning and operating senior communities. Rick has an MBA from the University of TN at Chattanooga.

Rick and his wife Shelley along with their children are very involved in their church and local charities.

If you have a minute, we encourage you to read Rick’s passion statement.

Randy Holcombe – Chief Executive Officer/Owner

“Where else can you spend five minutes and create a smile that can last all day? Ensuring quality of life and happiness for our residents is what it is all about for me.”

Randy Holcombe has been an owner and operational partner with Regency Senior Living since 2004 and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Regency Senior Living. Randy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Long Term Health Care and a Master’s of Science degree in Health Services Administration. Since entering healthcare management in 1988 Randy has served as a Regional Director of patient financial services for a hospital corporation and Vice President of business development and sales for a healthcare software company. 

Randy and his wife Tonya along with their children reside in Gallatin, TN.

Paul Eirich III – Chief Financial Officer

“I am passionate about helping our communities and employees in creating and maintaining a wonderful home for our residents.“
Paul has worked in the senior living field since 2001 in treasury, accounting, and other areas and brings experience, enthusiasm, and problem-solving skills to Regency.

Paul lives in Chattanooga and is involved in various local church ministries.