Welcome to Avalon Park
Everything You Need to Live Well. Live Better.
Your own apartment, a delightful dining experience every day, featuring deliciously tasty meals prepared on site by our own chef, 24-hour security, great friends, and an array of services and amenities to make things easy, comfortable and interesting.
We’re very excited about the future. We think you will be, too. Learn more below:
Our Neighborhood in Cottleville
Cottleville is a great area to live. And now it’s even better. Now open, Avalon Park, an independent living neighborhood, welcomes active adults age 62 and over to live the lifestyle they want in a neighborhood that’s as friendly as it is thriving.
What does this mean for you? It means you can forget the responsibilities and costs of maintaining a home. Leave behind the worries and boredom of living alone. Live close to Cottleville’s shops, restaurants, entertainment, churches and more.
Best of all, you can move to Avalon Park with confidence, knowing that you will never have to move again. If your health needs ever change, or if you need additional assistance to remain living independently, the care and support you need is right here.
A local health and home care agency has an office conveniently located on site and will coordinate and provide any services you need – right in the comfort of your own apartment. You also have access to telehealth services. Now that’s a level of reassurance you wouldn’t have living alone.
Meet Our Team
Kevin Kast, Managing Partner
Purposefully driven, Kevin Kast brings a unique combination of talent, insight and oversight to Avalon Park. Health care experience. Senior living expertise. Community involvement. He has over 25 years of senior health care system experience, serving in a variety of capacities, including hospital CEO and System Executive accountable for multiple hospitals, physician offices, surgery centers and home health services. As the President/Market Executive for SSM St. Charles Market, he oversaw the largest market within the SSM Health Care System. He then took the leadership role at Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) in Central Illinois, serving as Regional President and CEO. He is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives® and served on the Missouri Hospital Association Board of Trustees and the American Hospital Association, with offices in Washington, DC.
Sharing his exceptional yet practical experience with others, Kevin has served on the faculties of Avila University and Lindenwood University and guest lectured at Webster University and Washington University in St. Louis. The health and happiness of seniors has always been important to Kevin, especially those who reside in St. Charles County. He envisioned, developed and secured financing for assisted living at the Meadowlands, one of the largest senior communities in the region. Currently, Kevin serves on the St. Charles County Merit System Commission and is the President of the Board for Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service in St. Charles. Kevin also serves on the Board of the Mercy Kids, Division of Mercy Health Care Ministry. He formerly served on the Board of Directors for the Economic Development Center and Industrial Development Authority in St. Charles County.
Ron Braun, Chief Visionary Officer
The Avalon Park team’s utility player, Ron Braun can do it all – and he brings that breadth of expertise to this new community. With over 25 years of experience, Ron has specialized in health care strategic planning, business planning and development, marketing and operations, and health care financing all within senior community development. He has also established commercial Medicare and Medicaid licensed health care plans in five different states. These broad yet specialized areas of knowledge are invaluable to Avalon Park. He didn’t start off in health care – early in his career, he headed the research department and served as the Chief Financial Officer for a regional planning and development organization. But his path soon brought him to the health care arena, where he served in executive, development, operating and consulting capacities with hospitals, regional health systems, ambulatory care facilities, medical groups and insurance companies. He has been an integral team leader or member in the acquisition and merger of several health care businesses.
Meghan Schmitz, Executive Director
With over 17 years in senior living new construction sales and a well-earned reputation for honesty, integrity and expertise, Meghan Schmitz is what every person interested in Avalon Park needs – a valuable and trusted resource. Over her career, she’s seen and done it all, from working with new construction to helping seniors downsize and successfully transition to community life. Sharing her experience and insight, she is here to guide and support our new residents and their families every step of the way, from learning about life in this exciting new independent living neighborhood to moving in and making the most of every day. For Meghan, this isn’t a job; this is her purpose. With a genuine love of seniors as her foundation, she is fulfilled by making a difference in people’s lives. She’s confident that the active, worry-free lifestyle offered at Avalon Park will do just that.
Lisa Smith, Director of Sales
Combining a successful sales career, a heart to serve, and an entrepreneurial spirit, you have Lisa Smith. Serving as Director of Sales, Lisa is known as a respected and trusted advisor to seniors and their families as they navigate the path to senior living.
Before joining Avalon Park, Lisa held director-level sales positions in Medicare insurance, direct sales and founded a successful senior living referral company. Creative and insightful, Lisa is committed to helping seniors thrive in all areas of their lives.
Lisa has been honored with numerous sales awards and for her contributions to various charitable organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association and Professional Association of Senior Referral Specialists. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Oklahoma.
With a background in creating an exceptional customer-service experience and her passion for helping others, especially seniors. She says there are no better storytellers than our seniors, and to be a part of their lives is very special to her.
Katie Sullivan, Director of Programs
With a background of more than 25 years in planning and orchestrating high-impact recreation and wellness curriculums, educational programs, and special events for people of all ages and abilities, Katie’s vast experience and dedication will inspire Avalon Park Residents to discover, cherish and thrive in their new community – all while making additional friends to last a lifetime. She has been a nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist since 1994 and has helped countless people achieve some amazing goals. Personally, Katie is an outdoor enthusiast, involved in a variety of outdoor adventures and sports including triathlons. She is a natural and instinctive motivator and loves encouraging others to explore new and challenging endeavors.
Amy Frazier, Administrative Assistant
Amy serves as the Administrative Assistant to all directors at Avalon Park, catering to the diverse needs of both residents and directors. Her commitment extends beyond fulfilling assigned tasks; she consistently goes above and beyond expectations. Amy brings a wealth of experience to her role, having retired in 2022 after an illustrious 32-year career in teaching second grade within the Blue Springs School District. Following her retirement, she relocated to St. Charles, MO, where she subsequently found her second calling in serving the community at Avalon Park.
Amy is married to Don, a retired high school teacher, and together they share a family-oriented life with three grown sons residing in the Kansas City, MO area. The couple is proud grandparents to three grandchildren: Simon, Libby, and June. On her days off, Amy indulges in her passions, including baking, spending time with her dogs and chickens, and exploring new culinary experiences.
Cameron Condict, Culinary Director
Cameron Condict is the Culinary Director and Head Chef of Avalon Park’s community culinary team. Chef studied at the famous Le Cordon Bleu to get his culinary certificate and has been creating five-star meals for 10+ years. From the first time he walked into culinary school, it felt like home. His passion for creating delicious meals has been serving others since 2013. With his experience and expertise, Chef prides himself on delivering exceptional meals.
So much of Chefs fun and exciting meals are inspired by his beautiful wife, Courtney, and son, Beckham, who give him an extra splash of passion and charisma in every single dish.
When Chef isn’t in the kitchen, one of his favorite pastimes is watching hockey. He particularly enjoys rooting for the Saint Louis Blues, especially when he gets to share the experience with his son. Family is very important, and Avalon Park is like family!
Designed for Safe, Healthy Living
At Avalon Park, the health of our residents and the cleanliness of our community are our highest priorities. We have developed and effected strategies to assure Avalon Park is safe and hygienic, our residents are confident and secure, and this community is prepared for any eventuality.
From installing a specialized system that provides a comfortable, healthy environment with state-of-the-art ventilation and filtration to creating an Avalon Park Medical Advisory Board to oversee the wellness of our community, we have taken exceptional care to implement procedures and protocols that propel our community above expected industry standards.
Avalon Park Medical Advisory Board
- Jim Hinrichs, MD – Infectious Disease Specialist, Former Chief Medical Officer for SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles and St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis
- Julie Eckstein, MBA – Associate Vice President Community Health, Interim CEO DePaul Community Health Center, Ascension Health System / Former MO State Director of Health and Senior Services
- Bruce Clements, MPH – Author of Disasters and Public Health: Planning and Response
- Carlos Seuc, MD – Cardiology Specialist
- Ronald Wepprich, MD – Geriatric and Internal Medicine Specialist
- Christopher Normile, MD – Family Medicine
- Valerie Beason, MA, LPC – Mental Health Therapist
Jim Hinrichs, MD
Julie Eckstein, MBA
Bruce Clements, MPH
Carlos Seuc, MD
Ronald Wepprich, MD
Christopher Normile, MD
Valerie Beason, MA, LPC
The Rupp Peri Group
Awards
