The Friends Homes leadership team guides the organization to meet today’s needs and prepare for the future.
Friends Homes, Inc., is blessed to have an experienced management team that provides stable leadership for our community and operates with the highest standards of integrity. The talents and expertise of our leadership team — combined with the skills of our more than 400 employees — create a community in which residents can live to their highest potential.
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Meet our Team
Matt Beam
Director of Independent Living
mbeam@friendshomes.orgMatt joined Friends Homes in May of 2022. Matt graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Business Administration with an Entrepreneurship concentration in 2012 and returned to ASU in 2018 to earn his master’s degree in Healthcare Administration with a Leadership concentration. Matt is a licensed nursing home administrator in the state of NC and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. In his spare time Matt enjoys spending time with his wife, Kathryn, and their children. He loves music and plays several instruments. A self-proclaimed “foodie,” Matt loves traveling and trying the local restaurants wherever he’s visiting. Matt is very excited to be joining the Friends Homes team and serving our residents.
Teresa Cox
Wellness Director
teresacox@friendshomes.orgTeresa has been with Friends Homes since the wellness center and pool opened in 2000, and has many years of experience in senior fitness. Teresa started college late in life, first attending the New York Cooking School. She then earned undergraduate degrees in exercise and sport science, and one degree in nutrition. She went on to earn a master’s in gerontology and a master’s in sociology from Appalachian State University. She obtained her doctorate in education-kinesiology from UNC-Greensboro.
Teresa loves people and enjoys all of her roles at Friends Homes.
Teresa and her husband, Bob, have three Corgis. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, cooking, and learning about new places and things.
Antonyo Jackson
Director of Maintenance
ajackson@friendshomes.orgAntonyo joins Friends Homes with over 17 years management experience in environmental services and various phases of the maintenance industry including repair, and construction. His leadership background in project management and systems preventative management is set to positively impact the day-to-day operations within the dual campuses of Friends Homes. He is family oriented and enjoys outdoor activities, while diving into music and other performance arts.
Shukriyyah Jones
Director of Nursing, Guilford Campus
sjones@friendshomes.orgShukriyyah started her nursing career as a CNA here at Friends Homes. She worked in healthcare while continuing her education — first becoming an LPN, then an RN, and then completing her bachelor’s in nursing. Shukriyyah worked part-time at Friends Homes for two years while she took a position in the emergency room at Randolph Hospital. The experience and knowledge she gained in the ER have been a benefit to the residents under her care at Friends Homes.
Shukriyyah enjoys spending time listening to music, being with her family, cooking and traveling. Of course, her most favorite companion is her Malti-Poo, Gizzie, who makes an occasional appearance here at Friends Homes — to the delight of both residents and staff.
Carly Kirkman
Director of Culinary Services
ckirkman@friendshomes.orgCarly graduated from UNC Greensboro with a BS in Nutrition & Dietetics. She also received a Master’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a nutrition concentration from North Carolina Central University. Carly is a Registered Dietitian and is Board Certified as a Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition. Carly is a native of Greensboro and now lives in Climax, NC with her husband and son. She enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Freda Robison
Director of Nursing, West Campus
freda@friendshomes.orgFreda is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro with a B.S. in nursing and a master’s in nursing administration. She has worked in the field of long-term care since 1974.
A native of High Point, NC, Freda has three children, including a set of twins, and a “fur-baby” named Gizzie. Her hobbies include crocheting, coastal fishing, and traveling to the mountains.
Daryl Shores
Director of Environmental Services and Grounds
dshores@friendshomes.orgDaryl graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and Turf Management. Daryl joined Friends Homes in 2020 and brings with him over 10 years of leadership and management experience primarily within the horticulture industry in both the public and private sectors.
Originally from State Road, North Carolina, he now resides in Burlington with his wife Jenna, his son Harrison, and their two Great Pyrenees dogs Asher and Magnolia. In his spare time, Daryl enjoys spending time with his family, photography, traveling, spectating aviation shows and being outdoors.
He is very excited to be a part of Friends Homes and looks forward to enhancing and advancing the services provided to our residents.
Juanita Staton
Director of Human Resources
jstaton@friendshomes.orgJuanita joins Friends Homes with over 20 years’ experience in various Human Resource Management roles with domestic and international responsibilities. Juanita earned a BS from Saint Augustine’s University and MBA with concentration in Human Resources Management from North Carolina A & T State University.
Hannah Davis
Director of Health Services
hdavis@friendshomes.orgHannah joined Friends Homes in 2023 and is a graduate from North Carolina State University with a BS in Sports Management and minor in Business Administration. Hannah is a licensed nursing home administrator in the state of NC since 2013. Outside of work she love spending time with family, husband, Tyler, and two sons, Carter and Matthew. She also enjoys the outdoors, trying new things, and traveling to the beach. Hannah is excited to be a part of the Friends Homes community and looks forward to building relationships and serving our residents.
Arnold R. “Arnie” Thompson
Executive Director
athompson@friendshomes.orgArnie Thompson has been executive director for Friends Homes since August 2016. He previously worked as the Associate Director for River Landing at Sandy Ridge for 11 years and as the Controller for The Presbyterian Homes, Inc. corporate office for 5 years.
Arnie is a graduate of Appalachian State University where he earned a B.S.B.A. in accounting. He holds his Certified Public Accounting certificate in the state of North Carolina and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. Arnie is a licensed nursing home administrator.
Prior to his affiliation with Friends Homes and the Presbyterian Homes, Arnie was a manager with the public accounting firm McGladrey & Pullen in Greensboro, NC.
