Hello! My name is Amy Best and I have been associated with the Home Instead franchise since becoming an owner in 2004. I was looking for a company that would allow me to use my Business and Human Resources education and background, along with something that I was passionate about, seniors. A family member heard about Home Instead while listening to NPR one day and the rest is history. I currently co-own the Springfield, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri franchises with Rob First. I have absolutely loved working with the seniors in Illinois and now look forward to doing the same in Missouri. My business motto is to take great care of my employees first and treat clients like you would want your family treated. If you do both of those, the rest will take care of itself. I am moving back to the St. Louis area after being in Illinois for the past 27 years. My three adult children are also in the area which is one of the reasons I was so excited to purchase the St. Louis franchise. After twenty years in this business, I still look forward to coming to work every day to serve the seniors in our communities and be the best employer possible. I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity.

Rob was introduced to Home Instead when a family member needed home care services. He and his wife met with staff members and were immediately impressed with the company and the mission to provide distinctive care with a compassionate touch. With a bachelor's degree in marketing and minor in accounting and his experience owning a small business, Rob took on the financial duties of the Springfield, IL franchise in 2014. In the spring of 2017, he and Amy became owners in Springfield and he saw his role expanded to include business development, support and management. Those same duties will carry over in St. Louis. Rob is married to Carol, who is a RN at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL. They have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Rob is active in his church, has served on a couple of non-profit boards, enjoys tutoring and can be frequently found on the golf course. Rob is really excited to be a part of the St. Louis franchise. He and his wife have many good friends in the area and spend nearly every major holiday in St. Louis with family. It's a great opportunity and world class city!!

​Darla was born and raised on her family's century farm in Missouri. She was blessed to spend time with her grandparents and loved the weekend sleepovers where she was quite a competitor in dominos with her grandparents and their friends. Darla is a graduate of Drury College. She worked in the television industry for 22 years before she realized she would rather make a difference in the life of one senior at a time instead of communicating to the masses. Darla joined our Home Instead team as a part-time caregiver in October, 2017. She was initially impressed by the great reputation of Home Instead and is now proud to be part of a team that specializes in providing one-to-one care with compassion. In 2019 Darla accepted the opportunity to join our office team as the Office Assistant. Since then, she has also served as a Care Coordinator for our clients. Darla now works in our Human Resources department recruiting and hiring our Care Professionals. When Darla isn't busy finding and interviewing the best Care Professionals in town, she can be found boating, fishing, reading or flea marketing.

Tracy was born and raised in St. Louis, where she lives with her husband and three children. She accomplished her lifelong goal of achieving her bachelor's degree in May of 2023. With a background in sales, marketing, and healthcare, Tracy offers a variety of experiences for Home Instead and their clients. She also is very connected to the community and provides many resources for our families beyond the scope of her duties. Tracy had an incredibly close relationship with her grandmother and even provided care so she could be in her home longer. Wishing she could move her into her home, became the catalyst for finding alternatives. This is what led Tracy to Home Instead and her passion for helping other families find alternatives that are a better fit for their loved ones. Tracy can understand the client's needs, the families' desires, and the practicality of making it work.

Leo, originally from St. Louis, lives happily with her playful dog. With a giving nature, she is dedicated to ensuring every client at Home Instead receives the care they deserve. Drawing from her caregiving experience and background in financial services and research at a nationally recognized research institution, she brings a unique perspective as a Client Care Manager. Her approach is rooted in understanding, empathy, and listening. A proud Mexican-American fluent in Spanish, Leo values her heritage and connects with diverse clients and caregivers. She advocates for woman and works to help others thrive.

Mary and Jona are an essential part of our Home Instead team, helping ensure both our clients and Care Pros feel supported at all times. As our scheduling and on-call coordinators, they are often the first voice you hear-ready to listen, problem-solve, and provide guidance whenever it's needed. They work closely with clients and Care Pros to create thoughtful matches that go beyond schedules, focusing on personalities, preferences, and building meaningful connections. Their attention to detail helps ensure each client receives care that truly fits. Outside of regular hours, Mary and Jona are there to answer calls, respond to urgent needs, and provide reassurance during unexpected situations. Their dedication, responsiveness, and commitment to care help keep everything running smoothly, day and night.

Mary and Jona are an essential part of our Home Instead team, helping ensure both our clients and Care Pros feel supported at all times. As our scheduling and on-call coordinators, they are often the first voice you hear-ready to listen, problem-solve, and provide guidance whenever it's needed. They work closely with clients and Care Pros to create thoughtful matches that go beyond schedules, focusing on personalities, preferences, and building meaningful connections. Their attention to detail helps ensure each client receives care that truly fits. Outside of regular hours, Mary and Jona are there to answer calls, respond to urgent needs, and provide reassurance during unexpected situations. Their dedication, responsiveness, and commitment to care help keep everything running smoothly, day and night.