Origin Story of CSLS

Chad and Melanie met in rural Minnesota as kids and started dating when they reconnected at their university. Since launching Cascade Senior Living Services (CSLS) as a team, CSLS has multiple assisted living communities under its management services in the State of Washington with more growth anticipated in the West Sound and South Sound. The goal of the organization is to create exceptional places for the customers, a fulfilling workplace culture for the staff, and a fair return for the owners and investors.

Chad Solvie
CEO & Founder

With 27 years’ experience in senior leadership, Chad is a graduate of Concordia College and received his Master’s in Organization & Management from Capella University. He founded Cascade Senior Living Services after leaving the helm of the Martha & Mary organization in Poulsbo, WA after being there almost 15 years, where he built the support infrastructure plus supported more than 600 staff and 300 volunteers. He has led his teams to achieve numerous awards on quality and customer satisfaction. When not working on various senior healthcare projects, he enjoys his time volunteering on domestic violence prevention projects in the Kitsap community as well as spending time with his wife, Melanie, and their three children and respective youth activities. He also enjoys reading historical books. His opening song would be Water Tower Town by Scotty McCreery, “The fireflies come out when the sun goes down. Nobody eats ‘til you say amen, and everybody knows your mom and them. You can see who loves who for miles around in a water tower town.” A not well-known historical fact is that Chad greatly enjoys farming.

Melanie Solvie
Co-Founder

With a degree in pharmacy, she has worked in the pharmacy profession most of her career. She joined the operations of Cascade Senior Living Services in 2020 in a significant way and has been a passionate voice for the resident experience and a quiet presence working “behind the scenes” on a variety of projects and day-to-day operational programs. When not working or volunteering in the community at large, Melanie enjoys curling up with a good book and playing word games with family and friends. Her opening song would be Amazing Grace by John Newton, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found was blind but now I see…” A subtle unknown fact about Melanie is that she can talk backwards – always a hit at family holidays and employee parties!

Lincoln Strand
Regional Director of Operations, Executive Director

22 years’ experience operating senior living communities, Lincoln has been a fixture of the Cascade Park Communities. Prior to senior living he operated runaway youth programs and provided resources for underserved individuals. Lincoln is an avid mountain biker and has yet to run into cougars or bears when exploring the trails of Washington, Oregon, and Utah. Lincoln’s grit, persistence, enthusiasm, and commitment precedes him. His opening song would be Eye of the Tiger, “Rising up, back on the street, did my time, took my chances, went the distance, now I’m back on my feet”. Lincoln’s tenacity to get stuff done and inspire those around him is why everyone wants to high-five him. A not well-known historical fact, Lincoln sang with the Tacoma Totem Aires, a barbershop quartet. With a fervent pitch and healthy respect for this art, he was 1 of 3 younger singers in a quartet of 80+ year-olds.

Diana Verrue
Director of Human Resources

15 years’ experience with a background in Learning and Development, Diana is reframing senior living by developing employees and helping them attain their career goals. She has successfully trained and created pathways for employees to rise from entry-level to Director or Administrator positions. Her passion is people. When Diana isn’t at work, she is walking a beach with her husband, Scott, and three dogs (Tucker, Tinkerbella and Finnigan). Between the ages of 5 and 35 Diana played recreational soccer and it remains her favorite sport to this day. Diana is a proud mom to two WSU Cougs. Her opening song would be Firework, “there’s a spark in you, you just gotta ignite the light and let it shine, just own the night… you don’t have to feel like a waste of space, you’re original, cannot be replaced”. A not well-known historical fact is that Diana was an AFS student to Tarbes, France and remains a Francophile and French bakery fanatic.

Janelle Ryan
Accounting Manager

18 years’ experience in Senior living, Janelle’s financial expertise sees us through new acquisitions and daily financial stability to ensure full compliance with financial regulatory entities. When Janelle isn’t at work she is enjoying time with her husband and daughters, putting together complicated jigsaw puzzles, hiking, and rooting for the Arizona Wildcats. Janelle has been one of those leaders who is even-keeled, detail-oriented, and well-organized, hosting two undergraduate degrees and one master’s from UW. When it comes to getting any sort of project accomplished, she is a fearless leader who enjoys the challenge of accomplishing the task at hand. Her opening song would be I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty, “You could stand me up at the gates of Hell but I won’t back down… won’t be turned around…”. A not well-known historical fact (even though Janelle usually tries to avoid the spotlight) she sang in competitive show choirs through middle school and high school.

Jen Drake
Director of Business Development
12 years’ experience in upscale senior living marketing and sales, Jen creates brand new partnerships between housing authorities, hospitals, and State partners. She generates revenue to keep the passion and mission alive – serving our aging population with all the best tools possible. Her grandparents started the first assisted living in Idaho in 1968 and she grew up working summers for G&G Drake. She is a former registered lobbyist, and she currently collaborates with the State as a Board Member of LeadingAge WA. Jen, her husband, and daughter frequently stand-up paddle board in the Puget Sound. She enjoys swimming and for a good laugh, Terry Pratchett. Her opening song would be Sunday Best, “feeling blessed, never stressed … everyday can be a better day despite the challenge, all you gotta do is leave it better than you found it.” A not well-known historical fact, motivated to snow ski in Albuquerque, she taught herself the saxophone over Spring Break to join her high school band’s tour + ski trip, where she quickly became First Chair.

Origin Story of CSLS

The Cascade Senior Living Services Team