“Andy just wants to make a difference here.”
Landing your dream job in one of your favorite cities is something many wish for. And, for Andy Auteri, the executive director at The Bluffs of Flagstaff Senior Living, that wish has come true.
For 15 years, Auteri and his wife, Tess, lived in Phoenix and would visit Flagstaff often to get out of the heat.
“My wife and I are mountain people and really enjoy it here, but there were no job opportunities at the time, so I accepted a job in Cleveland to open a senior living community for another company,” he said. “When a headhunter reached out to me about this job at The Bluffs of Flagstaff, I took it. We are so excited to be here. Tess is retired, but we pull her in to help with some of our events.”
Growing up in the Philadelphia area, his culinary and restaurant management degree from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island has complemented his executive duties. “I worked in hotels and the food industry. When I lived in Cincinnati, I ran the Meals on Wheels program and produced about 5,500 meals a day. That was my first foray with seniors.”
Auteri, who has been on the job for more than a year, is proud of the special events hosted at The Bluffs. The recent Soup There It Is, is a cooking competition that includes outside vendors and residents. “Our chef puts together something special and we have about 14 entries. Residents vote, a trophy is awarded and it’s a fun festivity in the middle of winter.”
Other popular events include casino night and ladies’ night with chair massages, manicures and facials. “We held this in our bistro. We had wine and hors d’oeuvres and about 50 vendors. It was fun,” he said.
In addition, social activities are offered eight times a day: four in the morning, four in the afternoon.
The Bluffs of Flagstaff has 75 employees and 140 residents, including those in independent living, assisted living and memory care. “Our memory care has 25 apartments, and we are full. We have a waiting list, which we’ve never had before,” said Auteri. “Also, almost all of our directors have been here for quite some time, which is not the norm in our industry. We are proud of that.”
Auteri was introduced to senior living residences when he and his siblings were searching for an alternative home for his aging parents. “We were in the process of searching for a facility for our parents in Philadelphia. So, my brothers and sisters and I became customers. I saw how the senior living community treated the family by involving us in our parents’ care. I thought that was such a nice way of doing it. They made us a part of the process and that’s what attracted me to this industry.”
That experience gave him a template for his modus operandi. “When I sit down to do a lease agreement with a family who is a new move-in, I look at the family and I tell them this isn’t the last time we’re going to talk. I let them know when good things are happening with loved ones or if a loved one needs help. We hold true to that. We involve the family.”
“Andy just wants to make a difference here. Be it a resident and their family or staff, he wants to improve their quality of life,” said Activities Director Connie Sutton. “At Family Nights, he helps serve food and his wife comes and helps out as well.”
Gloria Cardinale, an 88-year-old resident from Pennsylvania, moved to the The Bluffs recently. “This is such a wonderful place. I love the people, I love the staff, the place is pristine, the food is wonderful, and everyone cares about each other,” she said. “Andy is so great. He is my favorite Italian. He is a super, super person and anytime I need to see him, he’s always available.”
“What really sets us apart is that we offer select rehabilitation services, which is our in-house physical and occupational therapy. They’re actually set up here in our building,” said Auteri.
The Bluffs offers an upscale steakhouse that opens Wednesday nights for residents. “We invite potential residents and their families to come and dine. It’s phenomenal,” he said. The bistro is open daily and serves chef-curated, ready-to-enjoy sandwiches to salads.
“I adore working with Andy. He is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. He gives direction really well, so you know what he expects,” said Community Relations Director Tammy Cornett. “He is probably the best boss I’ve ever had.”
Cornett adds that the staff gets to know the residents and their families. “The other day one of our residents was playing the piano, so I took a video and sent it to her daughter to let her know her mom was having a good day.”
The Bluffs of Flagstaff is managed by Civitas Senior Living of Fort. Worth, Texas.
“I have been working with Andy for over a year, and it has been a blessing. He is an exceptional executive director, guided by the spirit of unreasonable hospitality,” said Civitas Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Erica Siebert. “He inspires his team to deliver extraordinary service and nurtures a vibrant community where every interaction is unique, meaningful and memorable. He has helped create and foster a special place where he positively impacts so many people.”
MY SUPERPOWER
I treat people the way I want to be treated. I tell people that I hire and work with the two things I won’t put up with are people who lie and people who are lazy.
MY GUILTY PLEASURE
Chips and salsa. I can’t pass that up.
HOBBY I HOPE TO MASTER
I tried to learn how to play the guitar but can’t get my fingers to go where they’re supposed to go. That’s one thing I wish I could do.
WHERE I GO TO UNWIND
Living in Mountainaire, our home backs up to the forest, allowing us to step through our back gate and be surrounded by nature. I can sit in my backyard with a glass of wine and a cigar, completely content, while my wife and I gaze at the stars and play with our dog. Whether walking through the woods, biking the trails or simply soaking in the mountain lifestyle, this is where I unwind.
IF I WON A MILLION DOLLARS
We have five kids. We would give $200,000 to each one, so they can enjoy their dreams, too. FBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN
Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Auteri works to create the kind of experience for seniors that he would want for his parents.