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Deep Experience Defines Our Executive Team

Providence Place is fortunate to have an executive team composed of individuals with deep experience across a broad spectrum of industries, with particular emphasis on hospitality and housing.

Thomas W. Higgins

President & CEO
A 31-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Tom came to Providence Place in February, 2005 from Best Western International Hotels, Inc. — the world's largest hotel chain — where he was President and CEO. Tom is also a former President and CEO of Cendant Corporation's Days Inns, and held executive positions with Steak and Ale Restaurants, LaQuinta Inns, Motel 6 and General MIlls' restaurant division. A three-time varsity letterman in high school and an inductee into the Jesuit Sports Hall of Fame, Tom attended the University of Texas, Austin on a football scholarship, lettering for the Longhorns in 1966-67, and earned a B.A. in English. He served as a Marine Captain with the 1st and 3rd Marine AirWings.

John Vernon

Chief Ministry Officer
At age 32, after working in furniture sales and commercial real estate, John entered his pastoral ministry full-time. He earned his ministerial education through Wesleyan venues, including Indiana Wesleyan University. John served as a local church pastor for 18 years, with his most recent pastorate at First Wesleyan Church in High Point, where he served as assistant pastor, executive pastor and senior pastor. John also serves as Lead Chaplain for the High Point Police Department.

Howard Staples, PhD

Director of Health Services
Howard brings more than 20 years of professional experience to his day-to-day direction of Providence Place operations. In addition to holding N.C. licenses as a Long-Term Care Administrator and Assisted Living Administrator, he is a nationally certified Pharmacy Technician, as well as Adjunct Professor of the Online MBA Program for Indiana Wesleyan University. He holds a M.S. Degree in Healthcare Administration, a PhD in Healthcare Management and has Research Interest in Alzheimer's prevention.

Catherine L. Roberts, CPA

Controller
Catherine is a finance and management professional with a 25 year background of combined senior level finance, operating, general management, and auditing experience serving a diverse client base including public and private industry experience with a broad company base in the for-profit/non-profit business community. Her career began in regional public accounting firms where she gained a strong audit/tax background. She used her public foundation to transition to the private sector where she worked in an executive capacity for an area manufacturer followed by a position with a privately owned charter airline. Catherine holds a Bachelor of Science degree from High Point University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Society of CPAs.

Debra L. Morgan

Director of Human Resources and Independent Living
Debra has been working in the human resource field for the past eighteen years. Her background includes working in manufacturing, healthcare and technology industries. She served in executive management roles in all of the companies that she had worked for in the past. Debra holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration from Georgian Court University and multiple certifications and licenses in human resources. Debra is a member of the Society of Human Resource Managers, the Greensboro chapter of HRMag, and the National Association of Professional Business Women