Specialists in Senior Housing
About Us
The Ehlers Group, Inc. (TEG), established in 1995, specializes in the senior housing industry and offers full sales and marketing communications capabilities, as well as advertising, publicity, promotional event planning and direct response strategies. We assist our clients in reaching specific audiences through targeted initiatives and programming geared to independent, assisted living and memory care communities.
Of special relevance for clients is our in-depth knowledge of the senior housing industry through our work for independent, assisted living and memory care communities across the country. Though our frequent contracts for marketing assessments for senior living communities across the country, we have first-hand insights into what works or what doesn’t.
The Ehlers Group has been recognized by the National Association of Home Builders’ “Best of 55+ Housing” Awards and the Mature Media Awards for innovative marketing programming for clients.
President & Founder
Janis Ehlers
Janis Ehlers founded The Ehlers Group following a successful career as the Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the pioneering homebuilding giant, Levitt & Sons. The corporation created Levitt Care and began development and management of senior living communities, with Janis playing a pivotal role in the marketing efforts of these communities.
Janis excels in launching and repositioning senior living communities, as well as in creating marketing strategies for senior housing that speak to the customer. Her strength is spearheading innovative strategic marketing and communications efforts for the clients. With company services ranging from community marketing assessments to social media, mystery shopping, focus group research, public relations, event planning, direct mail, branding and positioning, Janis guides a team of talented people who share her love for older adults.
A highpoint in her career was writing the bestselling book, Marketing Senior Housing, which was first published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the second edition by Author House. Her new book, Successful Senior Housing Marketing Events, is now available on Amazon.
Janis holds an MBA in real estate marketing from Nova Southeastern University and a BS in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Florida.
Janis is also well known for her award-winning photography. She can be found exploring city streets when the light is just right or striking up conversations to engage potential subjects.
Certifications:
- Focus Group Moderator: The Riva Institute
- Facilitator: Myers-Briggs
- License: Florida Real Estate Sales, State of Florida
- Certification: Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) – NAHB 50+ Housing Council
- Trainer: Completion of Train the Trainer – NAHB
Vice President-Account Manager & Social Media Strategist
Kerry Phillips
Kerry Phillips has worked for The Ehlers Group for nearly two decades. She is a company vice president and an account manager as well as a social media strategist. While she manages clients’ accounts and media, her specialty is in social media content and management for Facebook. She is a Meta Certified Community Manager, a certification awarded to candidates who demonstrate proficiency in community-building strategies and engaging online communities. Kerry creates a wide range of topical content for platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Additionally, she handles the intricate submissions for many award competitions The Ehlers Group enters on behalf of clients such as NAHB’s Best of 50+ Housing.
Kerry holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Journalism from Florida A&M University. When she is not working at The Ehlers Group, she spends her time facilitating a support group for young widows and widowers. She’s also the author of two books on coping with grief.
Account Manager
Chris MacLellan
Christopher MacLellan is our podcast specialist and host for our clients’ podcasts as well as for Pod-Pourri, The Ehlers Group podcast series. In addition to creating podcast series through Od Vox Production he assists with marketing and research projects as well as social media.
The author of the book, “What’s The Deal with Caregiving?”, Chris has extensive personal and professional experience in senior living communities and senior care. As the director of sales and marketing for Tower Grove Manor, part of St. Andrews Resources for seniors in St. Louis, MO, Chris was responsible for the implementation of sales and marketing programs.
Chris created the Whole Care Network, a podcasting and marketing tool geared to seniors and their families. He has recorded and produced over 300 podcasts interviewing professionals involved in senior related companies and caregiving.
Chris is our “road-warrior” regularly presenting on senior care across the country to community groups and trade associations. He was featured in a 2015 Pulitzer Prize-nominated caregiving story, “In Sickness and in Health: A Couples Final Journey” and earned a master’s degree in Leadership and Communication from Gonzaga University in 2016.
When he’s not working, Chris is an avid world traveler and frequent cruise explorer.
Social Media Planner
Sharon Doe
She earned two degrees in business administration from American Intercontinental University and is currently matriculating through the Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling program at Capella University.
In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children, reading, running, and indulging in self-care.