Executive Team
Gregory Smith
President & CEO
Gregory D. Smith was a leading innovator in the senior housing industry and the visionary behind Inspīr. He served as President and CEO until his passing in 2023.
Greg had deep experience managing businesses that seamlessly incorporate residential, hospitality, and healthcare facets. In his many years in real estate, he had developed a wide range of property brands, ranging from office buildings to full-service hotels.
In 2004, he created the Maplewood Senior Living brand, with residences in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Ohio. In 2012, Greg and his team saw a new need that wasn’t being met: a very specific demographic was seeking an even higher level of luxury senior living. This time, in an urban environment. Compelled to create a solution to fulfill this need, Greg and his team envisioned Inspīr.
A native of Massachusetts, Greg studied marketing and finance at Bentley University. He cared deeply about helping others and was committed to supporting his local community and funding advancements in care.
Shane Herlet
Chief Operating Officer
Shane Herlet has more than 25 years of experience in the luxury senior living industry and has managed more than 3,000 units of senior housing throughout his career. He has been recognized for operational excellence in the industry for delivering unmatched senior living experiences that seamlessly integrate luxury accommodations, exceptional hospitality, cutting-edge technology, innovative wellness programs, and world-class care.
In addition to his responsibilities as COO, Shane serves as the President of Maplewood Senior Living HEART Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization established to provide financial support to associates experiencing unexpected life circumstances. He is also actively involved in a number of Alzheimer’s and Senior Living associations, including ESAAL, OALA, Mass-ALA, and CALA. Shane has a master’s degree in Gerontological Studies from Miami University.
Thomas Y. Gaston
Chief Investment Officer
Thomas Gaston has spent the majority of his career in real estate development, including nearly two decades dedicated to the luxury senior housing sector. As chief investment officer, Tom is responsible for growing the company’s portfolio through the developments and acquisition of both suburban and urban properties. He began his career with Leggat McCall Properties and Amicus Healthcare. The breadth of his experience involves managing the development of more than 2,000 senior living units over his career.
Tom’s experience also includes executive leadership roles in the areas of operations and development and acquisitions at a number of other well-regarded regional senior living organizations. Additionally, Tom co-founded Northbridge Senior Living in Burlington, Massachusetts.
Heather Freemont
Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing
As Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Heather Freemont is responsible for expressing how Inspīr meets the needs of our residents and their families. From developing marketing plans to interpreting market data, her work truly keeps Inspīr top of mind in the senior living world.
With more than 20 years of experience in the senior care industry, Heather understands the people we serve like no one else. Heather’s extensive background in the industry includes roles as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Judson Senior Living and Heather Hill/UHHS, as well as Executive Director for the Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network.
Heather attended Kent State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Family & Consumer Studies, Gerontology, and Long-Term Care Administration, and is an OALA board member. Her valuable skill set and dedication to the industry make her an invaluable asset to the Inspīr team.
Brian Geyser, APRN-BC, MSN
Vice President of Health & Wellness
Brian is a key member of our Executive Team, contributing significantly to our strategic direction, effective leadership, and the establishment of best practices in memory care, lifestyle, and behavioral health. With a relentless commitment to transforming senior care, Brian fosters a culture of excellence and drives continuous improvements in outcomes to enhance the health and wellbeing of our residents. Additionally, he oversees the Maplewood Center for Aging Innovation & Technology.
As an experienced healthcare leader and seasoned clinician, Brian possesses a deep understanding of emerging care models and population health strategies. His strategic and innovative thinking guides our organization towards the forefront of the industry.
Previously, Brian held the position of Western Massachusetts Regional Clinical Director at Commonwealth Care Alliance (CCA), where he helped lead organizational development, care model improvement, and transformation initiatives. His efforts strengthened and expanded CCA's next-generation care delivery model.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Arizona State University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Yale University.
Constantin "Tino" Popescu, MSM, APRN, A-GNP-C
Vice President of Resident Services
As the Vice President of Resident Services, Tino Popescu oversees the most important aspect of our business: resident care. In collaboration with the Operations team and regional and community clinicians, Tino is responsible for the compliance and quality of services provided across all Maplewood Senior Living and Inspīr properties.
Tino is an enthusiastic and caring healthcare professional with over 10 years of experience as a professional registered nurse leader. He has supported patients in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, home-care, hospice, and assisted living communities, and has a proven track record of directing complex projects and achieving positive outcomes for his patients.
His nursing career with Maplewood Senior Living spans seven years. Serving first as the Regional Director of Nursing for the state of Connecticut, then as Director of Nursing across multiple states before assuming the role he holds now, Vice President of Resident Services.
As a nurse, Tino takes pride in his core values of respect, kindness, integrity, and persistence and is excited to extend these philosophies to his team, his residents, and their families. Working with the talented clinical team at Maplewood Senior Living and Inspīr, as well as our clinical partners, he ensures that every resident receives exceptional healthcare and the services delivered meet the company's high standards of excellence.
Jill McGroarty
Vice President of Human Resources
Jill McGroarty is an experienced human resources leader with over 15 years of diverse industry experience in aligning business goals with HR strategies. As vice president of human resources, Jill oversees all aspects of HR with a particular focus on attracting and retaining the very best people to deliver an exceptional experience for residents.
Jill is a trusted advisor to the leadership and operations teams and provides expert guidance in the areas of risk mitigation, workforce alignment, organizational culture transformation, total rewards systems, talent acquisition and retention strategies.
Jill holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in Organizational Behavior/Industrial Psychology and a Master of Science from Michigan State University from the School of Human Resources and Labor Relations.
