Family has long history of service to community
To say Andalusia Manor’s Stallion Sasser started at the bottom of the nursing home ladder and climbed his way up is an understatement.
It all started when Stallion’s father, the late Dale Sasser, purchased Andalusia Health Care in 1987, and opened Andalusia Manor in 1991.
“I started mowing the grass. All of my spring breaks and summers were spent in Andalusia (working at the nursing home),” Stallion said. “I eventually worked in maintenance, housekeeping, became an administrative assistant, worked in human resources and then I became the assistant administrator.”
As a child working to support the family business, Stallion developed a deeply rooted commitment to the Andalusia community.
“I feel like I’m an Andalusian,” Sasser said. “I may live in Brantley, Alabama, but I come to Andalusia every day.”
That dedication to the community led Stallion to volunteer with the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, he was elected to the chamber’s board, and was recently sworn in as its 2015 president.
“It’s a great honor just to be able to serve my peers and other businesses in Andalusia and the surrounding area,” Stallion said. “I decided to serve as president to help grow our chamber, to serve the community and help our businesses thrive for not just this generation, but for generations to come.”
Leading a civic group is something Stallion believes every nursing home administrator should do.
“If it’s not the chamber of commerce, try a civic organization, get involved and get your employees involved,” Stallion said. “Set aside time to be involved in the civic organization and get the organization involved in your nursing home. It helps make your nursing home known in your area.”
Family Ties to the Community
Stallion Sasser and his mother, Shelia Sasser.
Stallion and his sister, Sal.Lee Sasser-Williams, now operate the family business, Sasser Enterprises, which includes Andalusia Manor and Southland Nursing Home in Marion.
“My father was real proud of the nursing home in Andalusia,” Stallions recalls of his father, Dale Sasser, who passed away in 1992. “When he built Andalusia Manor, he wanted Andalusia Health Care to move over here. We, as a family, it took us a little while to see his dreams come true. In 2007, we expanded Andalusia Manor and moved the Andalusia Health Care residents over here. I’m just honored to be able to work here and walk these halls that he had visions of in 1991.”
Stallion and Sal.Lee’s mother, Shelia Sasser, owns Savannah Terrace, an assisted living facility located on Andalusia Manor’s campus.
“Savannah Terrace has provided a resource to the community for people who want assisted living services and don’t yet need skilled nursing care,” Stallion explained.
The family’s commitment to community service runs deep. Sal.Lee followed in her father’s footsteps as a member of the Alabama Nursing Home Association Board of Directors. She also served three years on the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and was recently elected President of the Lurleen B. Wallace Community College Foundation.
There’s a simple reason why this family chooses to be involved.
“It gives us an opportunity to get to know people, and when they have questions about long term care or rehab they have a person they can talk to,” Stallion said.
LBWCC President Dr. Herb Riedel stands with new Foundation officers: President Sal.Lee Sasser-Williams, Vice-President Tari McClung and Secretary/Treasurer Debbie Marcum.
And, Andalusia will continue to be an important part of the Sasser family as they grow the business their father started almost three decades ago.
“I’m glad my business is in Andalusia, and I love the people of Andalusia,” Stallion said. “I welcome everyone to come to Andalusia, look at what we have to offer to build a new business or grow an existing business.”
