Promoting from Within: How Growth-Focused Leadership is Shaping the Future
At The Aspenwood Company, we believe that the heart of exceptional senior living lies not only in beautiful communities and high-quality care—but in the people who bring it all to life. That’s why we’re proud to spotlight the recent promotions of three outstanding team members: Miranda Lopez, Jimmy Boggs, and Julian Criss.
Their journeys reflect our unwavering belief in growing from within, building on individual strengths, and empowering purpose-driven professionals to thrive.
Miranda Lopez: From Housekeeping to Director of Administrative Services
Village on the Park Onion Creek – Austin, TX
When Miranda Lopez began her career in housekeeping at Village on the Park Onion Creek eight years ago, she brought with her a deep commitment to service and a drive to grow. While working full time, she pursued an Associate of Applied Science in Office Administration—balancing education with her love for connecting with residents.
Miranda quickly became a trusted presence in the community. Known for her reliability, empathy, and willingness to help residents with everything from setting up their phones to navigating technology, she has earned the respect of both peers and families.
Today, we’re proud to announce her promotion to Director of Administrative Services—a role that perfectly fits her talent for operations, organization, and people-first service.
“I love connecting with our residents, their families, and their furry companions,” Miranda says. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of a community that feels like home.”
Jimmy Boggs: New Senior Director of Sales and Marketing
The Aspenwood Company
With over 26 years of experience and a career devoted to helping more than 3,000 families find the right senior living environment, Jimmy Boggs has made an indelible impact in our field. His approach to sales is driven by empathy, strategy, and a personal mission: to help every community reach full occupancy—not just as a business goal, but as a measure of how many lives we can meaningfully impact.
Jimmy is a connector and leader who believes that real people—not automated systems—should be guiding life’s biggest decisions. His open, accessible leadership style inspires performance and positivity, and we are thrilled to promote him to Senior Director of Sales and Marketing.
“Sales isn’t about pressure,” Jimmy says. “It’s about helping people find clarity and confidence in a moment of change.”
Julian Criss: New Senior Director of Sales and Marketing
The Aspenwood Company
A former middle school teacher and coach, Julian Criss made a remarkable career transition into senior living eight years ago—and hasn’t looked back since. His journey has been marked by rapid growth, team mentorship, and a deep commitment to people-first leadership.
Julian brings a calm, collaborative style to everything he does, and his ability to lead by example has earned him the respect of sales teams and community leaders alike. As a proud father of three and a natural motivator, Julian inspires others through both humor and heart. We’re proud to welcome him into his new role as Senior Director of Sales and Marketing.
“Helping others grow—residents, families, or fellow team members—is what drives me,” Julian says.
Why Growing from Within Matters
Promoting from within is more than just a feel-good moment—it’s a proven business strategy.
Companies that excel at internal mobility retain employees nearly twice as long as those that don’t, according to LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report.
Internal hires perform significantly better in their first two years compared to external hires, according to Harvard Business Review.
Investing in internal talent improves team morale, builds institutional knowledge, and supports a thriving, cohesive workplace culture, as highlighted in this SHRM report.
At The Aspenwood Company, these findings reinforce our long-held belief: when you develop your people, you strengthen every part of your organization—from resident experience to business outcomes.
Celebrating a Culture of Possibility
The promotions of Miranda, Jimmy, and Julian are powerful reminders of what’s possible when opportunity meets talent. Each of them embodies our mission to provide excellence in senior living—and their leadership will help shape the future of our communities for years to come.
As we continue to invest in talent from within, we invite others to grow with us.
“Miranda’s growth has been inspiring to witness,” says Joe Eckert, Executive Director at Village on the Park Onion Creek. “She’s not only reliable and knowledgeable, but deeply compassionate—and our residents and team members trust and admire her.”
Want to Grow With Us?
The Aspenwood Company is proud to support career pathways at every level—from frontline to executive leadership. Explore our career opportunities and learn how we’re empowering professionals to build long-term, purpose-driven careers in senior living.
Visit www.theaspenwoodcompany.com to learn more.
Written by Christina O’Leary