Penny Diane Brant

THCA Board Chair, Administrator of Will-O-Bell Skilled Nursing Facility

Born in Austin and raised in Taylor, Texas, Penny Brant’s experience in senior care began in the nursing homes owned by her parents in the 1970s, where she gained firsthand appreciation for the importance of caring for older adults. As a teenager, she worked in nearly every aspect of her family’s facilities from serving meals to providing office support, developing a deep respect for both residents and the dedicated teams who cared for them.

After graduating from high school in 1981, Penny earned her degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1985. With a natural aptitude for numbers, she began her career in banking and finance. In 1997, however, her professional path took an unexpected turn when her mother, June “Junie” Fugate, who had served as Administrator of Will-O-Bell Nursing Home for 17 years, was diagnosed with cancer. At her family’s request, Penny earned her nursing home administrator license while helping care for her mother during her final year. In 1998, she assumed the role of Administrator at Will-O-Bell.

For the past 28 years, Penny has had the privilege of leading Will-O-Bell, honoring her mother’s legacy while building on a mission of providing compassionate, high-quality care for some of her community’s most vulnerable residents. Founded in 1963 through a community share offering, Will-O-Bell was built by the community, for the community, and remains one of the few independent, stand-alone nursing homes in the country. With fewer than 5,000 independent nursing facilities remaining nationwide, Penny and her team focus daily on smart, frugal, and creative solutions to best serve their residents.

Penny has also been a dedicated supporter of the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) throughout her career. Will-O-Bell has maintained active THCA membership for more than 45 years, and Penny has personally witnessed the positive impact of the association’s education, advocacy, and collaboration. She is honored to support a renewed, member-focused and member-driven THCA leadership team committed to advancing its mission of “Texans Caring for Texans.”