Staff

Michele Engelbach has had a passion for elder care ever since working as a nursing assistant in a nursing home more than 35 years ago. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Gerontology degree and has spent her entire career caring for Elders. Michele arrived at The Ohio Eastern Star Home in May of 2012 as an interim Chief Executive Officer and was quickly captivated by the caliber of the staff and their commitment to providing the very best care to their residents. In July, Michele was appointed by the OESH Board of Trustees to serve as Chief Executive Officer. Prior to The Ohio Eastern Star Home, Michele served as the Licensed Nursing Home Administrator for over 10 years at the Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services (now Ohio Living) Westminster-Thurber Campus in Columbus, Ohio. Michele continues to dedicate herself to shifting the paradigm of long-term care. She is passionate about de-institutionalizing nursing homes and creating HOME for our residents and Elders. The recently built Esther Buchwald Neighborhoods reflect that belief, and Michele is proud to bring the Knox County community a new philosophy of caring for elders while continuing to enrich the lives of all we serve.

With over 25 years of experience in senior living and long-term care, Blu is a seasoned nursing home administrator with a proven track record of leadership and operational excellence. Throughout his career, he has successfully managed a diverse range of communities, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities.

In addition to serving as an administrator, Blu has held regional director roles, overseeing multiple communities and consistently driving quality outcomes, regulatory compliance, and organizational growth. His leadership style emphasizes resident-centered care, staff development, and sustainable operational success.

A graduate of The Ohio State University, Blu brings both academic preparation and decades of hands-on experience to his work. Originally from a small town in southern Ohio, he values strong community ties and a commitment to service.

Outside of his professional life, Blu resides in Westerville, Ohio, where he enjoys spending time with family and taking advantage of his free time on the golf course.

A veteran of many industries, Kevin found his true passion for helping elders in 2017.  As an administrator, Kevin draws on his broad array of experiences to implement innovative ways to provide the best care and deliver services not only to his elders but to anyone in the community who needs help, having previously specialized in care for those with special behavioral and mental health needs.

Kevin was drawn to the Ohio Eastern Star Home by his passionate belief in deinstitutionalizing health care and looks forward to maintaining The Ohio Eastern Star Home’s status as the leader in the industry and ensuring that the ‘home’ is not lost in a nursing home.

When not pursuing his passion for helping others, Kevin can be found outdoors.  He is an avid hiker and fisherman, and he loves birds of all kinds.

Stephanie Biros, RN, BSN

Stephanie Biros is a dedicated Registered Nurse with 17 years of experience in long-term care, known for her compassionate approach and commitment to enhancing the lives of the elders she serves. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Miami University and brings both clinical expertise and heart to her role, helping create an environment where elders feel safe, respected, and truly cared for.

Stephanie thrives on collaboration, working closely with care teams to deliver personalized, high-quality support while fostering a positive and uplifting culture. Her passion for long-term care is rooted in building meaningful connections—not only with elders, but also with their families and the staff she supports every day.

Originally from the Mount Vernon area, Stephanie recently returned after spending time in Cincinnati, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a renewed dedication to serving her local community.

Outside of work, Stephanie is a busy mom of three, a proud dog owner to two pups, and an enthusiastic supporter of youth athletics. She loves coaching young female volleyball players, helping build confidence, teamwork, and resilience both on and off the court. When she finds a quiet moment, you can often find her enjoying a good book—ideally on the beach—with her favorite sweet treat in hand.

My name is Mandy Jones, and I joined OESH as the Director of Finance in early March 2026. I live just outside of Utica, across from the farm where I grew up. My husband, Brian, and I were married on October 21, 2025—sharing the same wedding anniversary as both of our parents’ 58th anniversary, which made the day especially meaningful for our families. Together, we have four children: Becca (31), Brock (23), Austin (20), and Brayden (14).

I bring over 35 years of accounting experience, having worked across a variety of industries throughout my career. OESH is my first experience in the nonprofit sector, and I look forward to continuing to expand my knowledge while contributing my professional background.

I was excited to join the OESH family and immediately felt welcomed. I had been seeking an opportunity to work for an organization that truly makes a difference in people’s lives. After my mother suffered multiple strokes last March and April, she spent about a month at the Moreland Hughes Rehab Facility, where our family was very pleased with the care she received. I had also heard many positive experiences from friends whose loved ones had stayed in the neighborhood and rehabilitation facilities at OESH.

Based on both personal experience and community feedback, I knew that with the culture and people at OESH, I had made the right decision to become part of this organization.

Barbara Davies graduated with honors in 2015 from Central Christian College of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Business Administration and Human Resources. Barbara has a passion for helping others, volunteering, and serving her community. She is married to her husband, Brad, and has one son, one daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren living in Fredericktown. Barbara has always loved working in the healthcare field. She enjoys the elders, takes interest in the history and stories of the past, and finds purpose in supporting others. She is looking forward to a bright future with Ohio Eastern Star Home.

Diane earned her BA in Psychology from Alderson-Broaddus College and her MSEd in Education/Community Counseling from Duquesne University. Her professional background spans the fields of education and healthcare. Highlights include her work providing private duty and personal assistance, chairing the Capital Campaigns for Hospice of Knox County and Central Ohio Technical College’s Ariel Hall, and as Development Director at Starting Point Pregnancy Center. 

Diane has served in leadership roles in both her community and her church. She currently serves on Boards for Hospice of Knox County (Hospice of North Central Ohio), and the Knox County Symphony Orchestra. She is an active member of the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults and the Mount Vernon Rotary.

When a global pandemic isn’t crashing the party, Diane and OESH Independent Living Apartment Elders participate regularly in cultural, educational, and social events while engaging the Greater Mount Vernon community as a campus.

Having worked with the elderly since age 16, Diane was impressed by how capably OESH Care Partners assisted her grandmother from 2003-2012.

She believes that the Ohio Eastern Star Home truly offers ‘The Best!’ by avoiding loneliness, helplessness, and boredom within a fun-loving, compassionate, and gracious living environment!

Nancy Jo has lived in the Mount Vernon area since 2008 and has enjoyed becoming part of this vibrant community.  After graduating from Roberts Wesleyan College with a degree in Elementary Education and Fine Arts, she taught in small private schools for several years, wearing many hats.

After a move to the Chicago area, Nancy Jo found the world of marketing, working for First Alert and World’s Finest Chocolate in project management.  Several years later, a move to Mount Vernon led her to Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s Admissions Office where she worked for 10 years in data management and integrity, all while working with the Marketing Department and Special Events to draw prospective students to MVNU.  

2022 brought a change in direction, introducing her to the field of senior care, and in 2023 brought her to the world of marketing once again at The Ohio Eastern Star Home where she is very excited about being on the ground floor of promoting Pine Hill Independent Senior Living.  Her community involvement for the OESHome includes a leadership position with the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults, a seat on the planning committee for the local Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and the Knox County Kiwanis Literacy Committee.

Nancy Jo has been married to John since 2010, and they enjoy traveling to New England and other sites where they can observe the history of America through trains.  In her free time, Nancy Jo enjoys cooking, entertaining friends and family, serving in her church, and spending time in her flower beds.

Jason was raised here in Knox County before going off to college in northwest Ohio.  Returning home, he and his wife settled back in the Fredericktown area to raise a family.  He has been in the technology industry for 25 years, working his way up from repair and system design to the operations and administrative level over many years. Jason came to The Ohio Eastern Star Home after spending several years working in the pharmaceutical technology industry for a large scale operation in North America.

In addition to his technology background, Jason has spent 22 years in various aspects of public safety, where he continues to serve as a firefighter. His hands-on experience and training bring security and safety expertise to the Elders and staff of The Ohio Eastern Star Home.

He has a passion for service, volunteerism in the community, and a variety of philanthropic projects.

A graduate of Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland, Marci earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Fitness.  For nearly two decades, Marci has worked in Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Her career began at Asbury Heights in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as an Exercise Coordinator. Here she implemented and managed health, fitness, and wellness programs for the elders before becoming the Director of Volunteer Services, Security and Transportation.

In the summer of 2015, Marci and her family moved to central Ohio. Here she began working as the Director of Life Enrichment for The Ohio Eastern Star Home. Marci prides herself on being innovative and an “outside the box” thinker who takes pleasure in creating exciting and mentally stimulating events and experiences for the Elders of The Ohio Eastern Star Home.

Marci resides in Howard, Ohio, where she and her husband are raising twin boys and a daughter.

Mike started many years ago working in construction, he managed a warehouse, worked in a factory for Kelsey Hayes, and 25 years ago he came to The Ohio Eastern Star Home as a maintenance worker.  Mike was diligent in his work, and he is now the Director of Engineering and Environmental Services.  His Building Management Team is amazing and works to keep The OES Home running smoothly, and his    Housekeeping Team does a great job of keeping the building clean and smelling wonderful.  Golf and bowling have been Mike’s passions for years, and most currently he enjoys working in his yard and spending time with his wife, Laura.