Meet Our Team

Acacia Abshire is the Owner and Operator of Home Instead in Abilene, Texas. Originally from Fort Worth, she moved to Abilene in 2015 and quickly found a community she was proud to call home. That same year, she joined Home Instead, beginning a career grounded in service, leadership, and a deep commitment to supporting aging adults.

Throughout her time with Home Instead, Acacia has served in multiple roles, including recruitment, training, and leadership positions that strengthened her understanding of in-home care. Her dedication led her to Home Instead Global Headquarters, where she supported offices as a Business Performance Coach and later worked in Franchise Operations, helping teams deliver high-quality care with consistency and compassion.

While her career grew, Acacia’s goal remained clear—to return to Abilene and lead a Home Instead franchise of her own. In August of a pivotal year, she embraced the opportunity to come back to the Abilene office she knew and loved, bringing with her both national experience and a heart for the local community.

Today, Acacia leads with compassion, integrity, and purpose. Inspired by the dedication of Care Professionals, she is honored to support seniors and their families as they navigate aging with dignity, comfort, and independence at home.

Jason’s life and career reflect a deep commitment to service, compassion, and leadership. Originally from southern Louisiana, Jason enlisted in the armed services while still in high school, beginning a journey rooted in discipline, resilience, and service to others. After graduating, he completed Marine Corps Boot Camp in San Diego and was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, with deployments that included the Middle East.

Following his military service, Jason settled in East Texas and brought his strong work ethic to a variety of industries, ultimately finding his calling in healthcare. Driven by a desire to serve others in meaningful ways, he earned both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Health Administration from Texas Tech University.

Jason spent eight years as a Cardiac Cath Lab nurse at Hendrick Medical Center, where he provided high-acuity, compassionate care and supported patients and families during some of their most critical moments.

Inspired by the same calling to serve, Jason chose to join his wife in the mission of Home Instead, driven by a shared dedication to helping aging adults remain safe, independent, and comfortable in their own homes. Together, they are passionate about enhancing quality of life, supporting families, and serving their community with integrity, compassion, and excellence.

Samantha’s journey is rooted in a lifelong commitment to service, adaptability, and compassionate care. Raised in a military family, she learned early on the values of resilience, flexibility, and strong relationships—principles that continue to guide her work today. Those values deepened further when she married into the military, strengthening her appreciation for service, teamwork, and community.

After relocating to Abilene in 2023 from Tacoma, Washington, Samantha brought with her a strong background in healthcare and a genuine passion for supporting others. Her healthcare journey began at just 17 years old and has grown into a career centered on empathy, trust, and advocacy. For Samantha, caring for others is not just a profession—it is a calling.

As Human Resource Manager at Home Instead, Samantha is deeply committed to supporting and developing the Care Professionals who make compassionate care possible every day. Her goal is to ensure each Care Professional feels prepared, supported, and valued, with the tools and resources needed to succeed. She believes that when Care Professionals feel heard and appreciated, they are empowered to provide the highest level of care to aging adults and their families.

Samantha is proud to serve the Abilene community alongside the Home Instead team, helping foster a positive, supportive workplace culture that reflects Home Instead’s mission and values.

Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her husband and son, exploring new places, and appreciating life’s simple moments. Whether caring for her plants, enjoying music, or unwinding with her favorite hobbies, she brings the same warmth and intentionality to her personal life that she brings to her work each day.

Amanda “Mandy” is a Client Care Advisor with Home Instead, bringing a strong clinical foundation and a thoughtful, consultative approach to supporting older adults and their families. A member of the Abilene community since 2010, Mandy relocated from Seymour, Texas to attend Hardin-Simmons University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Forensic Science in 2014. She went on to complete her master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy in 2016.

Mandy’s professional background includes more than four years of hands-on experience working with adults with intellectual disabilities in a group home setting. In this role, she developed strong skills in behavioral observation, care planning, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work reinforced the importance of individualized care, safety, and proactive support—principles that continue to guide her work today.

Since joining Home Instead in January 2024, Mandy has served as a trusted resource for clients and families throughout the care consultation process. As a Client Care Advisor, she conducts thorough assessments, helps identify changes in condition, and collaborates with internal care teams to ensure care plans are accurate, responsive, and aligned with each client’s needs and goals. Mandy is committed to helping families understand their care options and make informed decisions with confidence and peace of mind.

Outside of work, Mandy enjoys reading, spending time with her dog Frodo, and traveling to visit her three nieces whenever possible. A fan of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Doctor Who, she brings curiosity, patience, and steady problem-solving into both her professional and personal life.

Elisa grew up in a small West Texas town, where her passion for service and caregiving was shaped early on. Inspired by her mother’s work as a caregiver and her father’s service as a U.S. Marine, Elisa developed a deep respect for compassion, commitment, and caring for others—values that continue to guide her work today.

Elisa attended Angelo State University, where she earned both her associate and bachelor’s degrees in Business Studies with a focus on Marketing. While completing her education, she spent five years working in outpatient healthcare in San Angelo, gaining firsthand experience in supporting patients and healthcare teams.

In 2024, Elisa made the move to Abilene and joined Home Instead, where she now serves as the Recruitment and Training Coordinator. In this role, Elisa blends her healthcare background and marketing expertise to connect with individuals across the Abilene community who feel called to serve others. Whether welcoming those new to caregiving or supporting experienced Care Professionals, Elisa works closely with each team member to ensure they receive the training, resources, and ongoing education needed to feel confident, prepared, and supported in their roles.

Elisa finds great fulfillment in building relationships and helping Care Professionals succeed, knowing that strong, well-supported caregivers lead to exceptional care for aging adults and their families.

Outside of work, Elisa is a proud mom to her daughter, Emilia Brooke, and enjoys spending time with Joseph and her family. She is passionate about advocacy work in Washington, D.C., caring for her two fur babies—Bohdi and Taz—traveling, and embracing new adventures. Elisa loves meeting new people, hearing their stories, and continuously seeking meaningful experiences both personally and professionally.

Branson brings a thoughtful, relationship-focused approach to his hybrid role as a Client Care and Business Development Advisor at Home Instead. With a strong background in the home health industry, Branson offers a fresh perspective and a renewed vision for how compassionate, responsive care can truly support aging adults and their families.

In his client-facing role, Branson takes a personalized approach to the care consultation process. He conducts thorough assessments, listens closely to each family’s story, and works collaboratively with internal care teams to identify changes in condition and ensure care plans remain accurate, proactive, and aligned with each client’s goals. His commitment to continuity and communication helps families feel confident, supported, and understood throughout their care journey.

As a Business Development Advisor, Branson partners closely with referral sources across the community, collaborating to support mutual clients and gather meaningful feedback on their experience with Home Instead and our Care Professionals. He values transparency, trust, and shared outcomes, believing strong partnerships are essential to delivering exceptional care.

Branson is happily married to the love of his life, Keeli, and together they are raising their two children, Adalyn and Brigham. Family is at the heart of Branson’s life, and his personal values align deeply with Home Instead's compassionate, family-first mission. He finds great fulfillment in hearing the life stories of those we serve and feels honored to be part of work that makes a genuine difference.

John serves as a Service Coordinator, working closely with clients, their families, and Care Professionals to support scheduling needs and ensure continuity of care. He has a natural ability to thoughtfully match Care Professional skills and personalities with each client’s unique needs, helping foster strong relationships and positive care experiences.

John values the deep sense of purpose his role provides and is proud to be part of the Home Instead team. His service-driven mindset, attention to detail, and people-first approach make him a trusted resource for families, Care Professionals, and teammates alike.

John’s journey reflects a lifelong commitment to service, adaptability, and continuous growth. He proudly served for ten years as a U.S. Army Infantryman, where he developed a strong foundation in discipline, teamwork, and leadership. Even before his military service, John was drawn to helping others, volunteering as a firefighter and completing EMT training—experiences that further shaped his desire to serve in meaningful, hands-on ways.

A lifelong learner, John embraces new skills and challenges with curiosity, grit, and a touch of humor. Whether exploring culinary arts or participating in shooting sports, he brings focus and dedication to everything he does. He believes life is meant to be lived fully, with growth and learning woven into every chapter.

At home, John is a devoted husband and proud father of three—two sons and a daughter. Outside of work, he enjoys helping his mom run her goat farm, where he’s learned that even the most unexpected experiences can offer valuable lessons.

Shannon serves as our Director of First Impressions, where compassion, warmth, and genuine care set the tone for every interaction. Her love for serving others was instilled in her from a young age and has guided her both personally and professionally throughout her life.

Shannon began her career more than 28 years ago in education. A graduate of Texas Tech University, she started her teaching journey in Waco before making Abilene her home. For over 25 years, she dedicated herself to shaping young lives at Wylie ISD, where she became known for her patience, empathy, and unwavering commitment to those she served.

After retiring from education, Shannon felt called to begin a new chapter—one rooted in meaningful service and human connection. She joined Home Instead in October 2024 and quickly embraced the ever-changing ebb and flow of home care, gaining a strong understanding of how vital first impressions are during moments of need.

In her role, Shannon does far more than answer phones. She ensures that every individual—whether calling or walking through our doors—feels heard, supported, and guided to the right person or resource. With her calm demeanor, understanding nature, and servant’s heart, Shannon creates a welcoming experience that reflects the values and mission of Home Instead.

When not at work, Shannon and her husband, Kory, enjoy exploring new places together and cheering on Texas Tech sporting events. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a longer adventure, they value the memories made along the way. They are also proud parents to two children, Campbell and Landry, who have blessed their lives immensely.

Renzo brings a strong foundation in communication, organization, and people-centered service to his role as a Service Coordinator at Home Instead. With more than seven years of experience as a Sales Trainer in one of the nation’s largest BPO industries, Renzo supported and led teams across multiple high-profile accounts, including AT&T, DirecTV, Indeed, and an airline client. Through this work, he developed a keen ability to manage complex schedules, solve problems efficiently, and build strong working relationships with care and professionalism.

At Home Instead, Renzo plays a vital role in coordinating services that help ensure both clients and Care Professionals experience dependable, seamless care. Working behind the scenes, he helps keep schedules running smoothly, responds promptly to concerns, and supports the team in delivering consistent, compassionate care that allows seniors to remain safe and comfortable in their own homes.

Outside of work, Renzo is a devoted husband and father. He married his wife in July 2023, and together they are enjoying life with their 10-month-old daughter. Renzo is grateful to be part of the Home Instead family and is proud to contribute to a mission centered on dignity, trust, and meaningful care.