meet the team dedicated to making your life shine

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Get a glimpse of the professionals who carefully craft and maintain our retirement lifestyle rich with opportunities to keep you growing and thriving.

A woman with long blonde hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a dark top and small hoop earrings, and she has dark eye makeup and lipstick. The background of the image is plain and light-colored, typical of professional portraits for Senior Living Professionals.

tamra tsanos

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Meet Tamra, our extraordinary executive director with more than 13 years of dedicated experience in senior living. Tamra’s journey includes leadership roles in independent and assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing communities. Her passion lies in fostering lifelong connections with seniors and their loved ones, ensuring an unparalleled quality of life and adventure for all.

Tamra holds a master’s degree in public administration, specializing in health care, and a bachelor’s degree in health sciences. Beyond her professional endeavors, Tamra finds joy in hiking, exploring new destinations and cherishing precious moments with her family. Her commitment to enhancing the lives of our residents is the heartbeat of our community.

karen malekos smith

DIRECTOR of sales and marketing

Karen is a passionate advocate for families and a dedicated educator about our services. With over three decades of experience in leadership roles working with seniors across nationally recognized communities, she brings invaluable insight to her role as director of sales and marketing. Prior to joining Valage Senior Living at Carson Valley, she served at Mills-Peninsula Health Services, excelling as the clinical manager of speech-language pathology and audiology, and later as the director of donor relations at Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation. Her background as a speech-language pathologist, combined with personal experiences with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, expertly prepared her to offer guidance, empathy and compassion to those navigating the transition to senior living.

A woman with long, wavy hair wearing a pearl necklace and a beige knit cardigan stands outdoors in front of greenery, smiling at the camera. She embodies the warmth and care of Senior Living Professionals, radiating a sense of nurturing and community.

A woman with long, wavy brown hair smiles softly in a white sweater, embodying the warmth and care of senior living professionals. She stands against a plain white wall, facing the camera, radiating calm and compassion.

tracie reese

Business Office Director

Tracie brings a strong medical and operational background to her role, with experience spanning emergency medicine, home health, hospice and business management in hospitals, clinics and skilled nursing settings. She holds an associate’s degree in emergency medicine and is a proud mother of four and grandmother of six. On weekends, she cheers on her grandsons at the baseball fields.

vilma urroz

Journey Director

Vilma holds a bachelor’s degree in science and has over a decade of experience in dementia care. Since moving to the U.S. in 2009, she has dedicated herself to advocating for individuals with cognitive impairment. A Certified Dementia Trainer and co-facilitator for Dementia Friendly Nevada, Vilma brings passion, patience and deep knowledge to her role. As Journey Director at Valage, she is committed to creating a compassionate, engaging and dignified environment for residents and their families. Outside of work, Vilma enjoys time with her husband and daughter and leads the kids ministry at her local church.

A woman with long dark hair stands against a plain background, embodying the grace of senior living professionals. She wears a black blazer over a white blouse, her slight smile reflecting calm professionalism and dedication.

A man with a shaved head and beard, dressed in a light gray collared shirt, embodies the calm professionalism often associated with senior living professionals as he stands against a plain white background.

gary crocker

Maintenance Director

With an associate’s degree in mechanics and extensive experience across construction, building maintenance and supervisory roles – including owning a janitorial business – Gary brings a wealth of expertise to ensure our community is well maintained, safe and looking its best. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor adventures like camping, boating and offroad racing, and he is also an FAA-licensed drone pilot.

david ward

Executive Chef

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, David developed a passion for the outdoors through years of camping, fishing and involvement in 4-H, Boy Scouts and competitive swimming. With more than 32 years of culinary and managerial experience, he’s honed his skills across American and international cuisines, always prioritizing fresh ingredients and budget-conscious excellence. His culinary journey has taken him from California to Pennsylvania, Florida and now Reno, Nevada where he continues to do what he loves every day: create great food with care and confidence.

A bald man with a goatee is smiling slightly, embodying the charm of senior living professionals in his dark suit, blue shirt, and patterned tie. The plain, light-colored wall behind him adds a touch of simplicity to the scene.

A person with long, wavy, dark red hair smiles while standing on grass with a wooden fence in the background, dressed casually yet stylishly in a black jacket over a white top. This image could easily grace a brochure for Senior Living Professionals, embodying warmth and approachability.

Adrianna Ward

Activity Director

Adrianna began her health care journey 11 years ago, after completing military service. Having served in the Army National Guard as a motor transport operator, she developed strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Adrianna is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and wellness and believes that integrity and transparency are crucial in establishing trust with residents. She is committed to treating each resident with dignity and respect. Married with a six-year-old child, three dogs and two turtles, in her free time, she enjoys paddleboarding in Tahoe and hiking in the mountains.

Carrilyn Clark

Health and Wellness Director

As a licensed practical nurse for 32 years, helping people has been Carrilyn’s life’s work and passion. She recently moved to Gardnerville from Boise, Idaho, and enjoys the people and the surrounding Minden, Nevada, area. She is proud to be a member of the Valage Senior Living team. Some of Carrilyn’s other passions are painting, gardening, music, movies, engaging with others and cooking.

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A smiling elderly woman with short white hair is being affectionately hugged by a young woman with long dark hair, who is also smiling. They are outdoors, surrounded by green foliage, exuding warmth and happiness. This tender scene embodies the essence of memory care, filled with love and connection.