Tacoma resident John Ashley has been named vice president of Life Care Centers of America’s Columbia Region. The Columbia Region office is located in Federal Way.

In this position, Ashley will oversee operations at Life Care’s centers in Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Port Townsend and Puyallup, Washington, as well as Coos Bay, McMinnville and Eugene, Oregon.

Ashley is no stranger to Life Care, having served as executive director at Cottesmore of Life Care in Gig Harbor for over eight years.

“I am truly blessed and excited for the opportunity to lead the Columbia Region,” Ashley said. “Our residents are some of the most vulnerable and most loved people within our society, and it is a privilege to be a leader within our industry. I enjoy helping leaders grow in their careers and being part of something that truly makes a difference within our communities. I love seniors and the staff that dedicate their lives to taking care of them.”

Ashley most recently served as administrator at Avalon Healthcare. He has 13 years of experience in senior care, starting as an administrator in training. However, as a child, he used to accompany his grandmother to Cottesmore of Life Care where she worked as a nurse.

“My grandmother and grandfather both lived at Cottesmore until they passed away a few years back, and it humbles me how much love the staff gave them,” Ashley said.

Born in Tacoma, Ashley was the son of a military pilot and has lived in many places. After graduating high school, he returned to the area to be near family and go to college. He has a bachelor’s degree in health care administration and lives in Tacoma with his wife, Lindsay, and their three children.

The Columbia Region office is located at 33528 6th Ave. S. in Federal Way.

Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company managing more than 200 nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 28 states. For more information about Life Care, visit lcca.com.