The RCM Team

James D. Gray - Founder and Chief Executive Officer

James Gray serves as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Retirement Center Management (RCM). He also founded Bridgewood Property Company in 2002 and serves as the company’s president. His role encompasses strategic, financial, and marketing operations for the company’s multiple properties. Prior to 2002, Mr. Gray served as president of Cypress Senior Living, Inc., a private Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that developed and managed senior living communities across the U.S. under the Town Village brand. The brand assets were valued at more than $300 million and included more than 2000 units.

Previously, Mr. Gray served as principal of Cypress Realty, Inc., providing real estate investment and advisory services. He also served as managing director for Trammell Crow Company, where he was responsible for the Industrial Division of the Houston, Texas office. Mr. Gray received his undergraduate degree in Commerce and Accounting from Washington & Lee University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Texas.

David Clement - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

David Clement has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for RCM since its founding in 1996. In addition to his experience as a senior housing financial executive, David served from 1989 to 1996 as controller and chief financial officer of Perceptive Scientific Instruments, Inc. (PSI), an international technology company serving the medical industry. Before joining forces with PSI, Mr. Clement began his career at White, Petrov & McHone accounting firm in 1985. David received his Bachelors of Business Administration in accounting from Sam Houston State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Kendra D. Lawson -  Chief Operating Officer

Kendra serves as Chief Operating Officer for Retirement Center Management (RCM)​. Kendra, has served seniors over 25 years in both private and publicly held companies. Kendra has served in a variety of capacities from Skilled Nursing Administrator, Regional Marketing and Training Partner, Executive Director, and Operations Specialist for companies such as Sunrise Senior Living, Five Star Senior Living and Brookdale Senior Living. Kendra received her bachelor’s degree in Long Term Care Administration and The Studies in Aging from The University of North Texas. Mrs. Lawson has been a Licensed Health Facility Administrator since 1988.

Lynn Wallace - Chief Sales & Business Development Officer

Lynn Wallace serves as the Chief Sales & Business Development Officer of Retirement Center Management (RCM). She brings a remarkable energy and insight relevant to the senior housing industry and joined the RCM team in 2013. Previously, Lynn held property, regional and executive management positions for the past 16 years for some of the most reputable companies in senior housing development and management. Her responsibilities included overseeing sales and business development for the more than 35 Retirement Center Management communities.

Dr. Michael Buxbaum - Chief Wellness Director

Dr. Michael Buxbaum is a Board-Certified Family Practice Physician with an office practice in the Houston Medical Center. Dr. Buxbaum serves as a staff physician at multiple Skilled Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine and is associated with the Memorial Hermann Physician Network serving as an Advanced Primary Care Physician. Dr. Buxbaum is a Cum Laude honors graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. After graduating from The University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth in 1998, Dr. Buxbaum completed a Family Practice residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston in 2001 where he was awarded the honor of Chief Resident and received awards for Senior Resident of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to the Residency Program.

Gwen Wilburn -  Sr. Vice President of Clinical Operations

Gwen has been a registered nurse for twenty-eight years. In those years she has worked in the home health and hospital settings, but in the last eighteen years, she has held a variety of leadership positions in Assisted Living. She is a board-certified gerontological nurse along with being certified in Assisted Living.  She completed her MBA with a focus in Healthcare Management.  Gwen actively volunteers for The American Assisted Living Nurses Association (AALNA) and serves as President of the Texas State Chapter of AALNA.

Tina Allen - Sr. Vice President of Sales & Marketing

Tina serves as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Retirement Center Management (RCM).  A Texas native, Tina has held leadership roles with some of the most well-known and respected names in senior living. She brings over 30 years of senior living sales & marketing experience including Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Tina's responsibilities include the leadership of sales and marketing efforts across all RCM communities.

Danny Merchant - Vice President of Information Services

Danny Merchant serves as the VP of Information Technology and Life Safety Systems. He has been with the company since April 1998. Danny received his Associates Degree of Computer Science from Alvin Community College, as well as Microsoft and Novell certification. He started his career in the aerospace industry with IBM and Link Flight Simulations and later moved to Austin to work for Dell Computers. His love for saltwater fishing brought him back to the Gulf Coast to be the enterprise network administrator for the Alvin Independent School District.

Victor Barrios - Vice President of Plant Operations

Victor serves as the VP of Plant Operations and brings a diverse background to the RCM team. Prior to joining RCM, he worked in the Hospitality industry for more than 12 years in various management roles for prestigious resorts around the southern caribbean. His previous experience also includes new home development where he served as both a Contractor and SubContractor. Victor is HVAC & EPA Certified and currently working on a Project Manager Certification from Cornell.

Justin Yee - Vice President of Marketing

Justin Yee is an experienced marketing and communications professional with several years of senior housing knowledge under his belt. He brings a wide range of knowledge of marketing strategy with a focus in bringing to life the remarkable lifestyle residents get the pleasure to experience while residing in senior living communities. Previously, Justin served as Director of Communications and Culture with LifeWell Senior Living; creating and putting into action core values and living out the company mission to best serve seniors. Justin  attended Texas Christian University where he studied advertising and public relations.

Valerie Zisman - Vice President, Controller

Valerie Zisman serves as the Controller for Retirement Center Management, working with the Chief Financial Officer and the accounting team. She has worked in oil and gas, public works, and has recently moved into senior housing. Valerie received a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Florida and, after teaching for more than 12 years, attended the University of Houston and completed the Certificate in Accounting Program. She has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2012.

Spencer Lane - Vice President of Hospitality

Spencer Lane has more than 15 years of hospitality management experience and most recently served as a Director of Hotel Operations at the Hilton Houston Post Oak in Houston. Lane attended Johnson & Wales  University in Providence, Rhode Island where he studied Hotel Administration. He is also a certified sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. A native of Laguna Beach, California, he has worked at numerous top luxury resorts and hotels such as Relais & Chateaux’s Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island; Relais & Chateaux’s Blantyre in The Berkshires, Massachusetts; Kauri Cliffs in New Zealand and at Hotel ZaZa in Houston. Spencer is also a professional SCUBA diver and holds a Divemaster certification through PADI. 

Kimberly Varley - Vice President of Human Resources

Kimberly Varley serves as the Vice President of Human Resources for Retirement Center Management. Kimberly joined the organization in 2019 and has held the positions of Senior Recruiter, Recruitment Manager, and Director of Human Resources. Prior to joining the RCM team, she spent over 10 years in the hospitality industry where she worked at luxury hotel brands such as Fairmont, Omni, and Mountain Shadows. She began her career in operations before realizing her passion for human resources. Kimberly attended the University of Houston where she studied hotel and restaurant management.