- Faith
- Knowledge
- Compassion
- Love
Changing The Way People Age
Oaks Senior Living is setting a new standard for senior care by enabling a life of dignity, connection, and security for our residents, with opportunities to find purpose and meaning in each day.
About Oaks Senior Living
When You’re With Us, You’re Family
Deeper relationships. Richer experiences.
The comfort and security of knowing you are looked after as if you were family. Our person-centered approach to care at Oaks Senior Living gives each resident a sense of belonging and purpose that is uniquely their own—and empowers them to expect joy!
Who We Are
Since 1998, the Salabarria family has been faithfully providing senior living services to older adults in Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Oaks Senior Living founder Nelson Salabarria Sr. immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba after the revolution and worked tirelessly to provide for his family. He wore many hats during his early years in the U.S. but ultimately found his niche in construction and development.
Born From Resourcefulness
Oaks Senior Living was born when Nelson’s mother developed Alzheimer’s disease, and he found himself faced with limited options for the type of care he envisioned for her—safe, secure, and compassionate, with an emphasis on finding joy each day. His dilemma sparked the idea of building a community where seniors could live with dignity and respect while enjoying every minute.
With the help of his son Alex, Nelson made his dream a reality when they built their first Oaks Senior Living community in 1998. Alex’s brother, Nelson, Jr., and brother-in-law, Douglas Shook, later joined the organization, bringing fifty years of construction and development experience to the family business.
Committed to serving with faith, knowledge, compassion, & love.
A Culture of Care
The key to Oaks Senior Living’s ongoing success is working with compassionate people and creating an environment where people are valued. The opportunity to care for the elders among us is a privilege we take seriously every day.
The Salabarria family’s commitment to being personally available to residents, their family members, and staff sets us apart from most senior living operators.
Meet Our Leaders
Executive Team
Bear Mahon joined the senior living industry because of a calling to serve others. His introduction to senior living came through the therapy and rehabilitation field, and during his 22-year career in the industry, he’s gained experience in the healthcare industry in acquisition and mergers, corporate development, multi-state portfolio management, and ancillary care services.
Mahon’s interest in service comes naturally, growing up in a military family and beginning his career in rehabilitative services. “With my parents working in the medical field and in Hospitals — I would put on a lab coat, put gloves in my pocket, and follow them around as they walked the floors. You would find me talking with the patients or pulling them out of their rooms to engage in various activities.”
Mahon began his career in Georgia as an Activities Director and Rehabilitation Coordinator and beginning in 2000, he served as Executive Director and Area Operations Manager for CaraVita Senior Care. Following his work at CaraVita, Mahon continued to excel in the field. He spent over a decade serving in multiple roles with Emeritus Senior Living and Brookdale to include; District Director of Operations, Regional Vice President, and Vice President of Community and Field Operations. Bear returned to CaraVita after 14 years to serve as the President and COO of CaraVita Senior Care and we have now joint ventured our two organizations to provide an even more elevated continuum of care for the seniors we serve.
Mahon is actively involved in the Georgia Senior Living Association and has held the positions of Vice-Chairman, Chairman-Elect for GSLA PAC, a member of the GSLA Legislative Committee, and a member of GSLA’s Financial Committee.
Alex Salabarria was born in Miami, Florida in 1967 to Nelson and Miriam Salabarria. The Salabarria family immigrated from Cuba when the Fidel Castro Revolution toppled the Batista regime. The youngest of three siblings, Alex resided for most of his childhood in Ocala, Florida. He graduated from Ocala Forest High School in 1985 and went on to attend college at the University of Florida and Florida State University.
After college, Alex worked in the restaurant industry managing for Steak & Ale and Brinker International in Florida and Georgia for 7 years. In 1996, Alex moved to the Atlanta area to work with his father, Nelson Sr., to achieve his dream of developing and managing an assisted living community for the elderly. In 1998 their dream came to reality when they opened their first community in Woodstock, Georgia.
Alex is currently developing and managing multiple assisted living and memory care communities in Georgia. His brother Nelson and brother-in-law Douglas Shook have joined him over the past few years in the family business to manage the financial and development side of the company.
Alex married Denise Duhé in 2000. They share three children; Brock O’Neil, Theresé Marie and Caylee Jade. Their passions are travel, the beach, diving and Florida State Athletics. The are also active members and volunteers at North Point Church. “The lives we lead in this day and age are so hectic. We so often lose sight of the priorities in our lives. Our Lord, our families, friends and our commitment to our careers. To have such a wonderful family, a great God and the ability to make a difference in so many lives as we do for our residents is a blessing and a responsibility we keep close to our hearts. We hear so many times from families about the difference we make in their and their loved one’s lives. What they don’t realize is that they make a much bigger impact on our lives.”
Nelson Salabarria immigrated to the US from Cuba at an early age, growing up primarily in Florida. His early years in Miami and later in Ocala, graduating from Forest High School. Mr. Salabarria attended Auburn University where he attained his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management, and met his wife, Melissa. Having been involved in the construction industry all of his life, he moved back to Ocala and worked with his father in the construction and development business. In 1987, Nelson and his wife moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He worked for a national consulting company providing cost management services to the architectural, engineering and construction industry primarily involved in large commercial/industrial projects for private and government clients.
Nelson joined the family business in 2006 heading up development and construction, then transitioned to CFO in 2008 due to the company’s growth. He remains involved in development and construction working closely with Douglas Shook, President of Acquisitions and Development. “We are a very tight knit family. It was only a matter of time before we all joined the family business and applied all our talents and resources to our father’s dream of creating a loving and faith-based environment for the seniors of our community. This dream or philosophy still drives everything we do today.”
Nelson and Melissa have two daughters, Christina and Danielle. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf and being an active member of Woodstock City Church.
Douglas is a lifelong resident of Forsyth County, Georgia. He received a BBA from Georgia State University in 1988. After being in the construction industry for many years, he started S&C Construction. He met his wife to be, Mirian Salabarria, in 1988 and they later married in 1991. Their beautiful daughter, Alexandra, was born in 1992 and five years to the day they were blessed with their son, Gabriel. After running his own construction company for 20 years, Douglas joined Oaks Senior Living in an effort to expand the family business. His entire family are UGA bulldog fans, where Alexandra graduated in 2014 and Gabriel began attending in the Fall of 2016. The Shook family attends and actively serves at Browns Bridge Church in Cumming, Georgia. “I was blessed to marry into a very close and loving family. When you marry a Salabarria you marry the entire Salabarria family. We are a family that genuinely cares for one another and is there to support and love through good and bad times. You see this in our organization. We believe as Christians, that we are called to serve, love, and give. We see it as our mission and duty to serve our communities by providing a loving and caring home for the seniors that are entrusted into our care. What we do is a calling envisioned by our founder, my father-in law, Nelson Sr., and is put into practice every day by my brother-in-law, our CEO, Alex. I saw a quote by Albert Einstein on the wall of the Emory Hospital, ‘Only a life lived for others is a life worth living.’ This quote perfectly expresses what is in our hearts, and is truly the core of what we do.”
Beth Cayce, a native of Savannah Georgia, witnessed in her later teen years how heavy the burden of caring for a family member with Dementia or chronic illness can be. Even with a devoted heart and selfless mentality, offering oneself to serve someone battling these illnesses is an immense challenge. As she shared the care with her mother, she realized how ill equipped they were to understand the disease and its behavioral effects. When Beth left to go to college in her pursuit of a health care degree, she watched her mother, over a 6-year period, provide care for not one, but three individuals with dementia and chronic health challenges. Unfortunately, caring for these individuals contributed to her mother’s early death. For Beth, the testimony of her mother’s sacrifice motivated her to learn all she could about senior care in order to position herself to be a reliable and informed source of support for others.
Beth went on to graduate from Georgia State University with a BS in Physical Therapy and MS in Health Leadership and Administration. The experiences and skills garnered during her professional career allowed her to develop a number of health care functions including free standing rehabilitation units in hospitals and person-centered dementia programs. As she grew and progressed in her vocational journey, she was able to become part of the executive management team of a national rehabilitation and senior living company.
During her time as executive manager, she was reminded of how difficult it was for families to transition their loved ones from hospitals or skilled nursing centers to a home. So, in her attempt to uniquely address home care and senior living solutions for families, Beth sold her company, and founded CaraVita Senior Care and CaraVita Home Care in 1998. CaraVita is a product of her distinct passion for developing a continuum of care for individuals through partnerships between the silos of health care and senior living. Additionally, Beth’s partnership with Oaks Senior Living is evidence of her commitment to help develop these programs in local communities.
Beth is married to Mark Blankenship and together they share 4 children and 6 grandchildren. She is passionate about sharing the good news of Christ Jesus with not only the seniors she serves, but also the native community in Kenya. In 2009, she cofounded Care to Learn International which is a self-sustainable pastor and leader training program. This program equips locals Kenyans, who are unable to afford training, with the knowledge and skills necessary to transform their communities for the glory of God and the good of His people. Beth allows this motto from John Wesley to inspire the many ways she cares for those she loves- “Do all the good, by all the means, at all the times, to all the people and for as long as you can.” For Beth, loving a neighbor is not just a mere choice, but rather a calling that determines the way she stewards each day of her life’s journey.
Andrew joined the family business in 2020. He earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting from the University of Georgia. After serving eight years in the United States Marine Corps, he decided to pursue a career in business. He met his wife to be, Alexandra Shook, in 2013 and they later married in 2018. After starting his career in public accounting, Andrew joined Oaks Senior Living in an effort to continue the success and long-standing reputation of the family business. “Although I married into the family, the Shook and Salabarria family is one which only loves at one level; maximum. Ever since I was introduced to the family, it was evident that the most important thing was each other. The family-centered life is something that I know meant everything to our founder, Nelson Sr. (Papi), and it’s something that I believe is at the heart of our organization.”
Tony Sanford RN joined the Oaks family in 2021. With over 36 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Tony has long history within senior living, leading teams in a number of roles. Before his current position of Executive Vice President of Resident Operation, he held the roles of Senior Vice President Resident Services, National Clinical Director of Ancillary Integration, and Vice President Quality Services.
As a registered nurse and US ARMY Veteran, Tony has a passion for resident experience and the care they receive on a daily basis. His vast array of experience positions him to lead our community teams knowledge and compassion.
Chester Butts senior housing experience began in 1998 after completing his undergraduate business degree from Ole Miss. His roles during his time in senior living have included community business office manager, regional accountant, corporate director of FP&A, and more. Chester’s first job opportunity in the field of assisted living was with CaraVita Senior Care Management in the year 2000.
After moving to Georgia, Chester obtained his accounting degree and MBA from Kennesaw State University. He has a deep passion for serving seniors which is displayed in his ability to provide operational analytics enabling Oaks Senior Living field teams to make the best decisions possible. His background includes over 15 years of IL / AL / MC experience. Within his senior housing experience, he gained valuable experience with skilled nursing facilities.
His experience outside of senior housing includes serving as an accounting manager for a non-profit entity. Chester’s hobbies include watching sports, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Colette Lauria joined the Oaks family in August of 2021. She was born and raised in New York City where she attended school on Long Island. She received her degree in Recreational Therapy from East Carolina University and became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Senior care, however, has been a part of Colette’s life since a young age. She remembers many days during her high school and college years working as a dietary aide for a skilled nursing center in Commack, New York.
After college, she continued in her vocational journey in senior living by having the opportunity to assist with the openings of several assisted living communities as an Activities Director. Colette soon made the jump to sales in order to help seniors and their families find the best solution for their next chapter of life. Her sales roles included Sales Specialist, Regional Sales Manager, and Senior Regional Director of Sales, working in multiple markets on the East and West Coast.
Colette’s passion for senior care stems from her grandmothers struggle to find the right senior residence. It was a challenge for her beloved grandmother to find a home that provided excellent care while maintaining an independent and empowering environment. Because of this experience, Colette desires to create an environment where seniors can thrive and continue to stay as independent as possible. “It is my calling to create these environments. When discussing senior living and making key decisions-I think of what she would have imagined and now, what my father and in laws would ultimately be looking for.”
Colette has been married to her husband Gerald for over 10 years, and they share boy-girl twins. She loves gardening, cooking, running, yoga, and spending time on the beach with her family.
With over 25 years in the healthcare industry; Kimberly has a progressive work history that includes Community and Regional leadership roles, Senior and Nation level positions, to include VP – Sales Operations. Her experience with healthcare services, ancillary integration, transitional care, and extensive experience with REIT’s, Investors, and Owner relations; serves Oaks Senior Living well to maintain and expand influence in the senior living industry.
Serving as the Vice President of Business Development and Marketing. Kimberly leads Oaks Senior Living’s efforts in growing the company through new acquisitions/developments and managed agreements, and strategic marketing initiatives that expand brand awareness and opportunities to serve more seniors.
Expect Happiness
Testimonials
Oaks at Chanticleer, I was a visitor in you residence today as a guest of a family member. I just wanted to take a minute to commend you on the excellence in care I observed in my brief visit. I worked in long-term care over 15 years from Hilton Head area, midlands, and even Sarasota Fla.; from independent living, assisted living, skilled care, and memory care. Your building is perfectly designed and accessorized for memory care. The open areas, sunlight, walking paths, sensory areas are perfection. The staff was kind, friendly, and knowledgeable from the moment we walked in, to the moment we exited. The residents, as well as living areas, were clean and the ambient music relaxing. The resident assistants were attentive, helpful, and smiling. The staff-to-resident ratio was manageable even though I know the more hands the better. I was visiting just as moral support to a kind neighbor but as someone who has been in the business for many years, consider me impressed. It makes me happy to see someone “doing it right”. It is easy to say you can offer these amenities but to see it actually carried through to reality was a joy to see a heart that had become jaded through the terrible years of COVID. I’m retired now but your residence makes me want to go back to work doing what I love. People are quick to point out shortcomings but I always say let us know when we get it right! Kudos! Oaks at Chanticleer. You are doing it right.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude for the staff at Oaks at Grove Park. My father suffered a massive heart attack and the staff at this community saved his life. My dad is 64 years old and suffers from early onset dementia. He is very active in the Oaks community and has built great relationships with the residents and staff. Those relationships are what saved him. My Dad struggles to tell you what he needs at any given moment. However, his care team member noticed immediately that something was wrong with him. She checked on him that morning and when he didn’t get up for breakfast, she followed up and saw that he wasn’t feeling well. It was her quick and decisive action in assessing dad and calling the Wellness Director, that saved his life. The nurse immediately noticed the signs of a heart attack, and called 911. I cannot even express how thankful I am for the staff at The Oaks. My dad is back in the community and is recovering thanks to the superb level of care he received. Since he has been back, the love has continued with every staff member, and many residents, checking on him. They go above and beyond in keeping us updated on how dad is feeling each day. Truly, the Oaks have become family to us. If it weren’t for the amazing staff at this community, my dad would not be here today. Thank you isn’t enough. ”
“Oaks at Hampton has an abundance of caring, dedicated and loving staff. The entire team is kind and takes the time to get to know the residents and their family members. My parents are much more happy, healthy and stimulated than when they lived with me. They are offered activities, exercise, field trips, sing a longs, entertainment and are in much better shape mentally, physically and emotionally. I would highly recommend Oaks at Hampton. I can finally sleep at night!”
“I have lived in this community since it opened in 2014. Oaks at Hampton has ALWAYS been different from most senior living homes – warmer, friendlier, more person-centered, less formal and more about relationships (between associates, residents, neighbors, children and furry family members). However, as we began our Eden Alternative journey, our culture has been further enriched. We are more engaged than ever and find ourselves with renewed purpose in life. You can’t put a price on something like this! We still matter, not just to our own families but to OTHERS!”
“My mother in law has been living at Oaks at Hampton since they opened their doors. I felt from the very beginning that it was the right fit for her and our family. I never have to worry about her anymore because she is truly in good hands with people that really love her. I’m told by the care partners every time that I am there “We love Frances”. Visiting Oaks at Hampton is an exceptional experience. As you walk through the doors of this beautiful environment your always greeted by staff, residents and often times a furry friend. You take note of how clean and refreshing the area feels, reflecting on the hard work and bright attitudes of the staff. It’s like walking into your own home. You immediately feel that you are surrounded by people who will care for you and love you unconditionally. It’s easy to see that they take great pride in the work that they do!”
“Oaks at Post Road was home to my mother for nine years. During that time, this was truly her home. The staff and management always treated her as family and not just a resident. The care that she received in Horizons was beyond superb. She was always treated with dignity and respect. Her apartment and all of Horizons were always kept in great condition. During her nine year stay we never had a single issue or problem. This community is the best of the best and I was so lucky to have found a wonderful caring home for my mother. It truly was her home and the staff always considered her part of the family. We felt so great about the atmosphere and loving care that was provided to my mother while at the Oaks at Post Road that we recently moved my mother–in–law into Oaks at Hampton. She is receiving the same fantastic care there as my mother experienced.”
“My mom has only been here a week but I can already tell the caliber of the staff that are employed here. They are just wonderful. They recognize and speak to the family members, they smile at the residents, they have calm voices as they “redirect”, their eyes never miss a beat of where their residents are wandering to. This was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, placing my mom, and the staff here have helped make the transition a smooth one. They care about their residents and they care how the family is adjusting as well. By the way, Sachi, the activities director is phenomenal! God bless each of you as you care so specifically for each resident in the Horizons wing.”
“Oaks at Post Road is here to serve and help with all of Mom’s needs. The staff is so friendly. Andrew, the Executive Director is very attentive. The entire management team is on top of anything that I bring to their attention. You can really tell how much they care!”
“The staff here is unbelievable! So friendly and helpful! The facilities are always clean and welcoming. We are so glad we took the time to place our Grandparents here.”
Oaks Senior Living Achievements
Leading the way in exceptional senior care.
Make Caregiving Your Calling
Whether you are an experienced leader or just beginning your professional journey—a career with Oaks Senior Living may be the perfect opportunity for you.
We’re always looking for individuals with compassionate hearts, capable hands, and a calling to serve to join the Oaks caregiving family in one of our many communities throughout Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Get to Know Oaks Senior Living
Whether you are looking to learn more about Senior Living at Oaks, are interested in how to partner with us, or have management questions—please contact us today.