Via LinkedIn
Auston Clanton
Owners of Creative Solutions in Healthcare announced on Thursday the promotion of Auston Clanton to COO, effective Jan. 1.
Clanton will succeed Karen Johnson, who is retiring after 14 years. A transition process will begin on Oct. 1.
Creative Solutions is owned by Gary and Malisa Blake.
“Malisa and I are thrilled to see Auston step into his new role,” Gary Blake said. “Auston’s promotion is a natural progression of his remarkable career with us. He has the talent and vision to build on the solid foundation that Karen Johnson established over her 14 years of leadership. We’re confident that his leadership will lead us to great success."
Clanton has spent his entire career at Creative Solutions, starting as the human resources coordinator at Silver Tree Nursing & Rehab in 2012. He quickly moved into an Administrator in Training role, eventually becoming the administrator at Cedar Creek in 2013, where he played a key role in transitioning the facility during its acquisition, according to a press release. In 2014, Clanton became the administrator at Mineral Wells Nursing & Rehab, where he transformed the home into one of the highest-quality and most profitable in the company’s portfolio.
Clanton has also served as lead area administrator; area manager of Operations; and area director of operations. In 2021, Clanton was promoted to divisional vice president of operations for the east.
He has been a part of 65 acquisitions throughout his time with the company.
Founded in 2000 by the Blakes, Creative Solutions in Healthcare is a family-owned company headquartered in Fort Worth. It started with the first acquisition of Granbury Care Center and has grown to operate 170 long–term care communities throughout the state of Texas.
“As I start a new chapter within Creative Solutions, I am excited to continue to champion our No. 1 focus of providing top-notch care to our valued residents and their families,” Clanton said. “I am looking forward to implementing innovative approaches to our ever-evolving industry.”
Johnson began with Creative Solutions in 2010 as the company’s first COO, overseeing the growth from 30 facilities to 170, making it the largest operator in Texas and the fifth largest in the nation.
“Two things convinced me to take the position,” Johnson said. “First, I wanted to be with a company that understood Texas and knew how to be successful here. Second, I already knew Gary Blake. After that first conversation, I just knew this was going to be the best work adventure ever.”
The company touted Johnson’s leadership as “instrumental in advancing Creative Solutions' core pillars, including census development, White Glove, SecureCare, crisis management, and customer service.”
“Auston Clanton … has mastered everything put in front of him,” Johnson said. “He makes great decisions, he is smart, inclusive, adapts easily, is curious, engaged, and loves what we do and who we do it with. It is as natural as flowing water that he transitions to be COO. He will bring strength, direction, creativity, and energy to the position so that Creative Solutions in Healthcare continues to grow and thrive in the years and decades ahead.”