Buckner Retirement Services leads state awards

Buckner Retirement Services was honored with two awards from LeadingAge Texas, recognizing both leadership and advocacy in aging services. LeadingAge Texas is the top nonprofit supporting senior living providers in Texas, providing advocacy, education, support and resources.

Doyle Antle, executive director of Buckner Villas, received the Award of Honor, which recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding leadership in shaping the future of aging services.

Antle is credited with developing new care models and supporting the senior care workforce. At Buckner, he has helped shift from a traditional medical model to a hospitality-centered approach, elevating resident choice, wellness, independence and dignity.

Buckner Retirement Services also received the Excellence in Advocacy Award for its legislative advocacy and educational work with lawmakers on issues affecting seniors and aging services. Andrea Sparks, director of government and strategic relations, emphasized the importance of engaging lawmakers, noting that Buckner teams joined others from across the state to highlight issues affecting seniors and aging services.

Advocacy efforts, supported by Sparks and other BRS leaders including Aaron Hargett, senior executive director for Buckner Baptist Retirement Community in San Angelo, Texas, contributed to legislation clarifying and protecting the nonprofit property tax exemption for senior living communities that provide required charitable care.

Additional efforts supported legislation clarifying Continuing Care Retirement Community regulations, helping ensure flexibility in care models without jeopardizing licensure or quality of care. Together, the awards reflect Buckner’s ongoing commitment to advancing care and supporting policies that benefit older adults across Texas.