Meet Our Team

Katherine R. Tegen

Katherine Tegen
CEO, BAKA Enterprises, Inc.

Katherine Tegen has served the senior living industry for more than 19 years, with 16 years of experience in executive roles for three of the nation’s leading senior housing providers. With expertise in corporate finance, management, as well as sales and marketing, she has held management positions including CEO, Regional Operations Director, Mid-West Acquisition Specialist, Executive Director, and Regional Director of Sales and Marketing.

Katherine focuses on restructuring and turnaround of distressed assisted living communities. Her emphasis includes developing financial projections, revenue enhancement and cost containment strategies while improving health care deliver processes.The foundation of her communication and leadership skills is her ability to understand and explain complex business and health care issues to non-industry experts.

Katherine was recognized by Green Bay’s You Magazine as one of the “20 Women to Know” in 2010; is a professional speaker for senior living conferences, a committed Rotarian and holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Wilmington University, Delaware.

Barb Bittner

Barbara Bittner
COO, BAKA Enterprises, Inc.

Barbara Bittner is co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of BAKA Enterprises, Inc. She oversees health care delivery, environmental services, and dietary. Barbara and her team are responsible for licensing, asset maintenance, regulatory compliance and acquisitions.

Barbara began her career in 2003 with a national senior living provider in a health care management role. She is recognized as a national leader in sales and marketing and is widely respected for her outstanding achievements in state regulatory compliance including deficiency-free state surveys.

Barbara is a state certified Fire Safety and OSHA compliance trainer, a professional speaker for senior living conferences and holds a B.S. in English from the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh.

Mindy Joerdnt, RN BSN, DON - CLTC

Mindy Joerndt, RN, BSN, DON-CLTC
Director of Health Services

Mindy Joerndt has served the healthcare industry for more than seventeen years. With expertise in policy and procedure creation and implementation, pain management, chronic illnesses affecting the elderly including Alzheimer’s Disease and aging dementias, care plan development, fall risk prevention and medication administration and management, Mindy provides consultation services to administrators, resident care coordinators and community RN’s.

With a focus on education for administrators, RN’s and caregivers, Mindy serves as a trainer in the BAKA Training Center and is the lead writer of the BAKA state certified Administrator Course.

Mindy’s holds a B.S. in nursing from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and is certified as a Director of Nursing in Long-Term Care through the Wisconsin DON Council.

Michael Fredrickson

Michael Fredrickson
Vice President of Business Development

Michael Fredrickson has served the senior living industry for more than 10 years – joining BAKA in July 2012 as Community Relations Director.  Since then, he has held a series of corporate level positions in sales and marketing, business development, and asset management. 

Currently, as Vice President of Business Development, he focuses on increasing and stabilizing occupancy in managed/owned assets, cultivating and strengthening new relationships and business ventures, strategically planning/managing marketing budgets, advertising campaigns, and sales teams in markets across the US, as well as managing the liquidation of portfolio assets.

Born and raised in Green Bay, WI, Michael is well integrated and dedicated to his local community - giving back and serving on numerous local committees, as well as representing WI District 8 nationally as the lead ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Cancer Society.

Michael is well respected among his colleagues and peers as an industry expert, leader, and influencer.

0959 Shelle Tegen

Shelle Tegen
Vice President of Operations

Bio coming soon!

Adam

Adam Hyland
Vice President of Maintenance & Environmental Services

Adam has served the healthcare industry for several years as a maintenance rep, maintenance director and as a Regional Director of Maintenance. With expertise in remodeling, tiling, plumbing, electrical and preventative maintenance, Adam manages the maintenance staff at eight assisted living communities and the corporate office.

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Adam enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and motorcycling, is an avid Packer’s fan and dedicated father.

Zak LaCrosse

Zak LaCrosse
Advertising Developer

Zak LaCrosse has served clients working in the creative industries for over 24 years as a professionally trained graphic designer, photographer, and art director. He has had the privilege of developing brands, online assets and websites, as well as creating advertising and photography for BAKA Enterprises, Inc. since 2009.

Zak utilizes his BA in Communication Design from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and years in the printing and design fields to specialize in project management, brand control, commercial printing, as well as real estate, commercial & product photography. He has also included a focus on website development, front end design, management, and user experiences.