Creative Solutions in Healthcare Promotes Auston Clanton to Chief Operations Officer
Gary & Malisa Blake are pleased to announce the promotion of Auston Clanton to the position of Chief Operations Officer.
Auston will be succeeding Karen Johnson, who is retiring after 14 years of dedicated service in the role. This change will be effective on 1/1/25; Auston will begin the transition process beginning October 1st.
Gary Blake, President and CEO of Creative Solutions in Healthcare shared his congratulations, “Malisa and I are thrilled to see Auston step into his new role. Auston’s promotion is a natural progression of his remarkable career with us. He has the talent and vision to build on the solid foundation that Karen Johnson established over her 14 years of leadership. We’re confident that his leadership will lead us to great success.”
Auston’s Experience
Auston has spent his entire career at Creative Solutions in Healthcare. He has taken on many roles with progressively increasing responsibilities. Auston explained in his own words, his passion for Long-Term Care, “I started in healthcare at a young age as I grew up with my family working in the nursing home industry. Spending my youth playing bingo and getting to know so many wonderful residents that turned into family members had a long-lasting impact on me. I admire how my family cared for so many people, and it inspired me to follow in their footsteps’
In 2012, Auston started as the HR Coordinator at Silver Tree Nursing & Rehab. Within months, he transitioned into the Administrator in Training position at Silver Tree, where he honed his skills and deepened his understanding of healthcare administration. In June of 2013 Auston had completed his AIT and became the administrator at Cedar Creek where he helped to transition the building through its acquisition.
In October 2014, Auston was appointed Administrator at Mineral Wells Nursing & Rehab. Over the next four years, he transformed Mineral Wells into one of the highest quality and most profitable homes in the Creative Solutions in Healthcare portfolio, maintaining high Customer Service and White Glove scores.
Auston’s ability to inspire his teams and drive outcomes did not go unnoticed, and in November 2018, he was promoted to Lead Area Administrator. A few short months later, in January 2019, Auston was promoted again to Area Manager of Operations where he continued his success as administrator at Mineral Wells, while also overseeing other facilities in the area. By April 2019, the success of his buildings was so apparent that he was promoted again, now to Area Director of Operations.
When Creative Solutions identified the need to create operational divisions, Auston’s history of proven outcomes made him the perfect fit. In November 2021, he became the Divisional Vice President of Operations for the East.
In his time at Creative Solutions, Auston has been a part of 65 acquisitions. In his own words, these have been his most notable career highlights, sharing: “As an Administrator in my first facility, Cedar Creek, I transitioned an acquisition. After implementing all of Creative Solutions in Healthcare’s core pillars, I was able to witness the quality of life improvement for everyone in the facility. That set a foundation I still hold for every acquisition.”
Beginning in January, Auston will take the next step in his career as Chief Operations Officer. Auston shared:
“I am honored for this opportunity and look forward to working with Gary and Malisa. Karen is leaving an impactful legacy. As I start a new chapter within Creative Solutions, I am excited to continue to champion our number one focus of providing top-notch care to our valued residents and their families. I am looking forward to implementing innovative approaches to our ever-evolving industry,”
Karen Johnson’s Legacy
Karen’s retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in Creative Solutions in Healthcare’s history. Her leadership over the past 14 years has left an enduring mark on the company, and her commitment to excellence will be felt for years to come.
In 2010, Karen Johnson began at Creative Solutions as the company’s first ever COO. In her own words, Karen shared, “two things convinced me to take the position.
First, I wanted to be with a company who understood Texas and knew how to be successful here.
Second, I already knew Gary Blake. We had worked together on several occasions over the previous years. I already knew his values, his work ethic, his personal commitment to the residents and the employees from those experiences. I remember being amazed, delighted, and grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of what he was building. I met Malisa and the team they had already put together, (most of whom are still here today) and we all clicked. After that first conversation, I just knew this was going to be the best work adventure ever! I said YES.”
When Karen joined Creative Solutions in 2010, the organization managed 30 facilities. Today, it has grown to 170 facilities, becoming the largest operator in Texas and the fifth largest in the nation. Karen’s ability to systematically scale operations is unmatched, which truly sets her apart.
Karen’s “YES” attitude and exceptional problem-solving skills have been instrumental in advancing Creative Solutions’ core pillars. Whether it’s census development, White Glove, SecureCare, or Customer Service, Karen’s leadership has made a significant impact.
Her ability to mentor and develop leaders has been one of her most profound contributions, guiding many of our ADOs, Vice Presidents, and Directors to reach their full potential.
Beyond her professional achievements, Karen is admired as a role model. She brings a positive attitude to every challenge, inspiring those around her to believe they can accomplish anything. Incredibly humble, Karen will aways attribute her success to that of her team. Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us for years to come.
As Auston steps into his new role, Karen Johnson reflected on her confidence in his leadership, saying:
“I have watched Auston Clanton grow from HR, to AIT, to Admin in two locations, to ADO for multiple assignments through many acquisitions. He has mastered everything put in front of him. He makes great decisions, he is smart, inclusive, adapts easily, is curious, engaged and loves what we do and who we do it with. It is as natural as flowing water that he transitions to be COO. He will bring strength, direction, creativity, and energy to the position so that Creative Solutions in Healthcare continues to grow and thrive in the years and decades ahead.”
Acerca de las soluciones creativas en el cuidado de la salud
Founded in 2000 by Gary and Malisa Blake, Creative Solutions in Healthcare is a family-owned company headquartered in Fort Worth, TX. It started with the first acquisition of Granbury Care Center and has grown to operate 170 long–term care communities throughout the state of Texas. Each location still runs on the founding principle, ‘a life lived for others is a life worthwhile’. Its mission is to provide the highest quality of care to aging adults, by investing in cutting-edge technology and embodying core values of Compassionate Clinical Care, Nutritious Meals, Enriching Lives, Valued Employees, and Unparalleled Cleanliness.
Contacts
Leila Jones
817.734.4840
Leila_Jones@csnhc.com
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