Parkshore Senior Campus

William Huseonica

Executive Director

A little about your job…

What sparked your desire to work in a senior living community? Back in 1997 when I got my first job as a recreation coordinator in a long-term care facility, I knew I had found my place. To be honest, before stepping in the door of that first job my thoughts were that it was going to be a short-term thing until I found something else. But once I started, I connected with this population unlike anywhere else I had worked. Since 1997 and to this day I always say that the residents I serve do more to lift me up and give to me more than I can ever give back to them.

Did you go through any special training or education that helps with your current role? I have had many roles while working with the senior population. As a recreation coordinator I earned a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation followed by a CTRS certification. Since then, I have had roles as Admissions Coordinator, Marketing Director, and now Executive Director for which I have earned my LALD, Licensed Assisted Living Director, certification through the state of Minnesota.

What is the best part of your workday? Even though I now have a lot of behind-the-scenes managerial responsibilities that I do enjoy working on, the best part continues to be interacting with residents and staff and hopefully finding solutions to struggles they may be encountering.

What is your favorite resident memory or story? Many years ago, I was asked to escort Ms. Mable to her daughter’s wedding. Ms. Mable and I had a wonderful connection as we both had a little bit of a twisted sense of humor. She was in a wheelchair, and the wedding was on a double decker boat on Lake Minnetonka. When it came time for the guest to move from the lower level to the upper level of the boat, the captain and his crew swooped Ms. Mable up out of the wheelchair and carried her upstairs as I followed carrying her wheelchair. I will never forget how she was blushing and giggling like a teenager as the crewmen brought her to the upper deck. While swooning in the captain’s arms, she looked back at me, obviously enjoying the
attention, and said, “Now don’t’ get jealous William. Your still my date!” She was hysterical and had us all laughing at her antics.

What makes your community stand out from your competition? The staff that serve the resident at Parkwood and Parkshore are some of the most dedicate team members that I have had the honor of working alongside. I know when residents step in the door they are going to experience thoughtful and dedicated services that rival any in the Twin Cities.

More About William…
Here are some ideas on what you could tell us about yourself: Favorite Movie?

“The Last Station”, based on a novel by Jay Parini (also read it) and I have watched and read all of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

Favorite Book?

Top of the list must be “I Heard the Owl Call My Name” by Margaret Craven. I have read every word printed by my favorite southern writer Pat Conroy, author of “The Great Santini.” I recently read “A Gentleman in Moscow” and loved it!!

Favorite Sports Team(s)? My father, sister, brother, and I have received degrees from the University of Florida. We are a Gator family, and bleed Orange and Blue!!

Favorite bands? My taste is wide so I will go with what I am currently listening to…. On my play list currently is “The Best of John Lee Hooker,” Mat Kearney, Gregory Alan Isakov, and I have never gotten over my fascination with my college day’s favorite The Smiths.

Top travel destination on your list? Love the Pacific Northwest (lived there for 6 months), Utah, and Colorado. Recently been to the woods of Maine and loved that as well.

Do you have any pets? Two cats, Claudia and Edger, and a dog, Georgia.

If you could have a superpower – which one would you choose and why? Since there seems to be never enough time to get everything done that I set out for myself, I would like to be like Flash, super speedy!

Tell us one thing about yourself that would surprise your residents? I have a minor in theater and when I lived in New Orleans, I acted the role of Wolfgang Mozart in Peter Shaffer’s “Amadeus.” Role of a lifetime!!