Our team.

Since January 1, 2022, Joseph “Joey” Mingione has served as Executive Director of Freedom Square of Seminole, providing leadership across the community’s full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation.

A Pennsylvania native and graduate of Penn State University, Joey’s connection to Freedom Square spans more than two decades. He originally joined the community as Finance Director and Associate Executive Director before advancing into executive leadership roles throughout the senior living industry. His experience includes leading respected organizations such as Masonic Home, The Springs at Boca Ciega Bay, and regional operations with Greystone Health Network.

A longtime St. Petersburg resident, Joey brings a deep understanding of the local community and a passion for serving older adults. Under his leadership, Freedom Square continues its tradition of excellence, fostering a culture centered on resident well-being, employee engagement, and exceptional service.

Today, Joey oversees a dedicated team serving more than 600 residents across five levels of living and care, ensuring Freedom Square remains a vibrant and welcoming place to call home.

As the Senior Residential Administrator, Shelly Craddock manages the daily operation of assisted living and memory care, as well as ensuring the health and wellbeing of residents in every area of the community.

Shelly has served in numerous roles from marketing to administration at Freedom Square of Seminole over the last 32 years and she says that developing relationships with residents, families, team members, and suppliers, has kept her energized throughout the decades. Recently, she coordinated mass vaccine clinics for both residents and team members and has spearheaded a full recovery program for the entire community.

Outside of working with seniors, Shelly enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter (who also works in an important role at Freedom Square) as well as gardening, drawing, and embroidery.

Bio coming soon!

Chris Carter works diligently to ensure that Freedom Square’s seven dining rooms, Black Swan Grille, home deliveries, and events involving food all function smoothly. His 20 years of hospitality experience from fine dining restaurants to country clubs to healthcare inform his constant drive to improve the department. He is a consummate collaborator across all departments, too, frequently asking how his team can elevate events and activities with delicious appetizers, international entrees or fun nostalgic fare, decadent desserts, and all the trimmings of superior dining establishments.

While in his dress black dining uniform, you might find him refilling water for residents in one of the dining venues, finalizing budgets, unloading trucks, and much more. When he’s not in uniform, he is likely bike riding, taking in live music, sampling restaurants, or traveling.

Wanda Petkiewicz has been in Human Resources for 30 years and now oversees a team of five that recruits, hires, and orients new employees as well as coaching current team members and mediating when necessary. She also ensures that the hundreds of team members here at Freedom Square have access to meaningful employee benefits such as insurances, health savings accounts, an employee assistance program, and more.

“I adore hearing residents’ tales and being part of employees’ growth stories,” shares Wanda, “and I’ve had the great fortune of watching many team members flourish into promotions to more and bigger roles.”

When she’s not finding and developing team members, you might find Wanda traveling with her family or dreaming up her next elaborate Halloween costume!