Our Leadership
David A. Kremer
Executive Director
David brings over two decades of senior living leadership experience to Legacy Pointe at UCF. Most recently, he served as the Executive Director of Miami’s largest LifeCare (CCRC) community. Additionally, David has had leadership roles in senior living charitable fundraising and is a national speaker on the topic of ethical fundraising with seniors. He holds a BA in Journalism from Northern Illinois University and an MS in Organizational Leadership and Quality from Marian University in Wisconsin. David is a CORE certified assisted living facility administrator. Originally from Michigan, David enjoys swimming, fixing old mechanical clocks, and taking care of his pet turtles. He and his wife of 36 years, Joanne, have five children and three grandchildren.
Kevin Smaage
Director of Health Services
Kevin Smaage is the Director of Health Services at Legacy Pointe at UCF. Kevin has been a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator since 1995 and most recently was the Director of Health Services at the Alliance Community, where he served for 19 years overseeing the Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities. Kevin also serves on the Board of Directors of Leading Age Florida, which is a statewide Association composed of more than 250 mission-driven retirement communities, representing more than 500 facilities, 140 business associates and over 80,000 seniors. Kevin is married with two children and enjoys volunteering at his church, where he leads small groups and serves on the preaching team. He enjoys traveling, hunting, fishing and golf. Kevin grew up in Africa as a “missionary kid” where his parents worked in Ghana and South Africa. Kevin became an ordained minister in 1984.
Joshua Gorniak
Director of Facilities
Joshua joins our team with more than 10 years of facilities experience in senior living communities. Joshua has managed residential communities, assisted living communities, skilled nursing communities and memory care communities. He was most recently the Senior Maintenance Director for Certus Premier Memory Care locations in central Florida and is currently recognized by the National Institute for Dementia Education as a NIDE certified Dementia Professional (NC-DP). Joshua has 3 children who attend schools here in Orlando. Joshua was born, raised, and educated in western Pennsylvania (Go Steelers!) and proudly and honorably served in the US Navy aboard the USS Enterprise, CVN-65 during the Iraq War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Joshua is a strong believer in teamwork, is passionate about resident satisfaction and is dedicated to making our team and community at Legacy Pointe better every day.
Kristina Ferry
Director of Lifestyles
Kristina brings 20 years of experience in the senior living industry to the Legacy Pointe at UCF team. She received her BA in Health Care Management from Rollins College and is a certified dementia practitioner and certified activities director. As Director of Lifestyles, Kristina is focused on resident engagement and enjoys working with her amazing team to provide well-rounded, quality programming for the community, from Independent Living to Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing. A native of Miami (Go Dolphins!), Kristina enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, reading, and spending time with her dogs.
Sara Mercado
Director of Sales & Marketing
With over 7 years of experience in the senior living industry, Sara is passionate about assisting seniors and their families in finding the perfect living solutions. A seasoned professional in both marketing and sales, her unique blend of empathy, expertise, and enthusiasm has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor in the community. Born and raised in Central Florida just outside of Orlando, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. Often, you can find her on the golf course with her sisters, playing in different charity tournaments.
Norris Petty
Senior Living Sales Counselor
With over 10 years’ experience in the senior living industry and more than 25 years in sales, Norris is passionate about providing superior customer service and helping seniors enhance their lives. Additionally, he is a licensed realtor and licensed insurance agent. Norris earned his BA in physical education from Malone University, where he was a collegiate athlete in track, field, and football. A native of San Antonio (Go Texans!), Norris enjoys spending time with his son, watching sports, and cooking.
Lianna Futterman
Senior Healthcare Sales Counselor
As the Senior Sales Counselor devoted solely to Assisted Living and Memory Support, Lianna is a dedicated team member with a passion for her residents and their families. With over half a decade of experience in senior living, she is excited to bring her expertise, compassion, and guidance to the families she works with to help them transition into this next phase. Outside of work, Lianna enjoys living in Maitland with her partner, Manny. She is an avid reader and volunteers for the National Alzheimer’s Association as a volunteer coordinator for the Orlando Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Our Board of Directors
Bert Francis, President
Assistant Controller, University of Central Florida
Bert Francis is Assistant VP of Debt Management and University Treasurer at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Additionally, he serves as Treasurer for four of UCF’s direct support organizations (DSOs): the Convocation, Finance, and Stadium Corporations, and the Central Florida Clinical Practice Organization. Bert is also President and Treasurer for Legacy Pointe at UCF. With over 20 years of experience in GASB finance and accounting, Bert holds a BS in Business Administration and an MBA from UCF.
Terry W. Bangs, Ph.D.
Retired CCRC President and CEO
Terry W. Bangs, PhD, is the retired CEO of Legacy Pointe at UCF Continuing Care Retirement Community. He has over 40 years’ experience in the successful operation of residential and rehabilitation programs serving seniors and disabled individuals.
Jorge Amaro, MBA, FACHE
CEO, A3i
President, ACHECF
Jorge Amaro, MBA, FACHE, is President and CEO of A3i Health, a national healthcare services company and President of the American College of Healthcare Executives of Central Florida. He serves on the UCF College of Business Advisory Board as well as the Board of Legacy Pointe at UCF. Jorge holds an MBA and undergraduate degrees in management and computer science from UCF.
Patricia Lafferty, PhD.
UCF College of Nursing
Patricia Lafferty, PhD, has over 52 years of experience as a registered nurse and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in Nursing Systems at UCF. Prior to that, she taught at the UCF College of Nursing for 20 plus years where she obtained her BSN, MSN, and PhD in nursing. Pat is a past board member of the Healthcare Center for the Homeless as well as local and state organizations in nursing.
Yun Ying (Susan) Zhong, MD, CHE
Assistant Professor, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Dr. YunYing (Susan) Zhong, MD, CHE, is an Assistant Professor at Rosen College of Hospitality Management and a research faculty member of the Disability Aging &Technology Cluster at UCF. Her expertise focuses on experience creation and applying hospitality principles in the senior living and healthcare industries. Since joining UCF, Dr. Zhong has led the development of the bachelor’s degree of Lifestyle Community Management and secured state and federal grants related to interdisciplinary research on aging and healthcare.
Dr. Cynthia Mejia, PhD
Dean, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Dr. Cynthia Mejia, PhD, is a Professor and Dean at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the Deputy Director for Industry Collaboration of the UCF Targeted Research Training Program (TRT). Dr. Mejia has over two decades of industry experience in food and beverage, and hotel operations management, primarily working for luxury hotel brands in the U.S. and Singapore. Her areas of research include human resource management, cross-cultural organizational management, technology acceptance, and hospitality education.
Dr. Adrienne Otto Frame, EdD
UCF Vice President Of Student Development And Engineering
Dr. Adrienne Otto Frame, EdD, is VP of Student Success and Well-Being at UCF. Dr. Frame provides strategic leadership to a division focused on championing student success both inside and outside of the classroom by promoting student learning, well-being, dynamic programming, responsive service, and a comprehensive continuum of care. Dr. Frame holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Denison University, a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of New Hampshire, and a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education from Florida State University.
Tracy Fagan, MBA
Human Resources Consultant
Tracy Fagan, MBA, is an Orlando native and proud UCF alumni, completing both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration. She has enjoyed a diverse career in human resources management, working with law firms, insurance companies, community organizations and now focuses on consulting engagements. Tracy’s husband, two sons and father are Knights as well, and she is glad to continue to be affiliated with UCF and now Legacy Pointe.
