Meet the Team at Kalamazoo
Executive Director
Amanda Buhl
Amanda has worked in the healthcare field for 14 years. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and is also certified in CMS Hand in Hand training, is a Best Friends Approach Ambassador and currently working on her certification to become a Licensed Administrator in the state of Michigan. Amanda enjoys playing volleyball and spending quality time with her son Trey.
Community Relations Director
Karissa Baker
Karissa originally planned to become a nurse, but during the waiting period to get into the nursing program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College she started working at the front desk of a local hotel and fell in love with customer service. She has since built a well-rounded work history with experience in hotel management and sales, property management and senior living sales. She has spent the last six years in the senior living industry and finds joy in making a positive impact on the lives of others.
In her free time, Karissa enjoys taking her dog Emory for walks, watching her teenage son, Landon, play hockey and spending time with friends.
Director of Dining Services
Dave Carroll
Dave has over 30 years of varied experience in the food service industry spanning from quick service to fine dining. He received three years of classical French cooking training as Sous Chef at Oakley’s Restaurant working under four classically trained Chefs. Dave began serving seniors’ meals 14 years ago, believing strongly in utilizing “from scratch” cooking methods to provide nutritious and delicious meals for seniors.
Life Enrichment Director
Samantha Gazi
For the last 15 years, Samantha has worked with adults and children with disabilities in various school, personal, and Community Mental Health settings. Her background includes a variety of therapy training and experience including Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies as well as experience in social work. Samantha’s varied skill set allows her to provide a better quality of life for older adults and offers adaptability to the ever changing personal journeys of our memory care residents. Samantha's daughter Eliza, loves helping so you may see her throughout the community volunteering as well as her Golden Retriever Dakota, who loves to visit on Pet Therapy days. Samantha welcomes volunteers and family feedback, so please share your ideas and suggestions.
Environmental Services Director
Brad Zoet
Brad has over 30 years of experience in all areas of facility maintenance ranging from department management to hands-on problem resolution. He has provided leadership, support and training in maintenance and housekeeping to multiple senior living facilities both here in Kalamazoo and throughout the region.
His many years of experience, particularly in senior living, makes him well versed in managing a variety of different physical plants and environmental services challenges that arise in senior living communities.
Business Office Director
Stephanie Zagar
Stephanie has over 20 years of business office management experience in both the healthcare and real estate industries. With a fervent passion for training, teaching and mentoring others, Stephanie is committed to helping others achieve their fullest potential and loves seeing everyone succeed. Stephanie enjoys spending quality time with family and her beloved cats. She finds joy in crafting, exploring farmers markets, sitting on the beach with a good book, and nurturing her flower
gardens.
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