A Fresh Approach to Senior Living

Melissa Sloper

Executive Director

Melissa has 20 years of Senior Living Experience and a background in education. She has managed many Senior Living Communities on the East and West Coast as a Divisional Director of Operations before joining The Arbor Company. Melissa is dedicated to coaching and mentoring high quality teams. She is passionate about serving seniors. Recently Melissa and her family relocated from Washington State, trading in their rain coats for suntan lotion to join the team on Amelia Island.

Yvonne Reese

Director of Sales

Yvonne Reese is Director of Sales and Marketing for The Lakeside. Yvonne grew up in Dayton, Ohio and began her career in New Home Sales there in 1991. That lead to opening her own real estate franchise where she successfully assisted 100’s of clients into home ownership. In 2010, her husband transferred to the Washington DC metro area. It was there that Yvonne fell in love with Senior Living. With her long history of guiding families through transition with integrity and heart, Yvonne found a new home for her passion of helping others. Both sets of grandparents were intracule in her upbringing, she assisted with her own grandfather’s care when he lost both legs to diabetes. Yvonne epitomizes empathy, compassion and integrity in her role with the Arbor company and transferred with Arbor to The Lakeside from Arbor Terrace Fairfax. Yvonne loves to sing and can be heard singing throughout the community. She would love for you to join her for a note or two.

Meghan Lowry

Director of Hospitality

Meghan is an award-winning volunteer organizer who has spent 20 years assisting nationally known service organizations contribute to their communities. Before her rewarding career in senior care began as an engagement director, she was most proud of the work she accomplished with the United State Army and the American Red Cross. That experience is an integral part of her ability to bring a community together and solve individual challenges. While living in Atlanta, she served on several committees committed to enhancing the lifestyle of seniors. Her peers describe her as "an intuitive friend who always puts others before herself." It is her honor and a privilege to be a part of each day at Lakeside at Amelia Island.

Courtney Thompson

Dining Director

Courtney Thompson is an island local. She has lived on Amelia Island for 25 years. She and her mother opened Horizons Restaurant in 1994. Prior to that, Courtney worked for the Ritz Carlton for 13 years. She was instrumental in training for the opening of new properties. Courtney is highly respected by co-workers and customers for the mastery of her culinary creations and her big heart.

Darci VanDiest

Business Office Manager

Darci joins us with 12 years of Senior Living Experience as a Business Manager. She holds an Administrator license in Washington and Arizona. Darci is dedicated to residents, families, and her team. She takes pride in her leadership, and the development of award-winning teams.

Angela Von Ruden

Engagement Director

A native of Minnesota, Angela came to Amelia Island by way of California and New York and prior careers in corporate social responsibility, communications, and special events in the entertainment, hi-tech, and non-profit sectors. A life-long learner, she strives to live with peace, purpose, and passion, and she thrives on creating new adventures, rich experiences, and meaningful, joyful moments with others.

Karen Mickler

Business Office Assistant

Tenishia Colvin

Memory Care Director

Tenishia joined the Lakeside team as the Evergreen Program Director in December of 2018. She and her family gave up their snow boots in Cleveland for flip flops in Florida. Tenishia started her nursing career 20 years ago as a CNA and in 2008 became an LPN. She’s had the privilege to care for seniors in several capacities including Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, Restorative and Skilled Nursing. Her Background as a nurse and her passion for senior healthcare has shaped her ability to enhance the lives of all whom she cares for, regardless of age or cognitive status. Tenisha is an advocate for persons living with dementia and their families. Her volunteer work over the last several years has been focused on supporting the efforts of the Alzheimer’s association through fundraising events and education.

Heather Pasko

Senior Sales Counselor

Heather comes to The Arbor Company with 12 years of senior living experience and a true passion for helping seniors achieve a highly active and engaged lifestyle. After leading engagement programs in several retirement communities and completing graduate work in both Gerontology and Public Health, Heather found her niche connecting seniors with services and resources to promote independence. Heather is a twin mom to two beautiful girls and supports her husband through his career as a naval officer and national guardsman. On any given weekend you can find her and her family outdoors enjoying the sun and surf.

Rachel Pop

Rachel is from Saint Mary’s, Georgia. She has over 10 years’ experience in customer service. Her love of seniors started at an early age with her close relationship to her grandparents. Rachel looks forward to collaborating with the residents at Lakeside and the greater community at large on meaningful, enjoyable and rewarding engagement activities.

Lora Balsamo

Director Resident Relations

Lora is a native of Fernandina Beach. She brings over 25 years of health care experience to the Lakeside team. Caring long term for her terminally ill parents inspired her to work in senior care. Lora’s passion for building deep relationships with residents and their families help create an exceptional experience. You will see serving others comes natural to Lora.

Javier Perez

Javier came to Amelia Island 7 years ago from his hometown of Orlando, Florida. He has spent the last 4 years in restaurant service and management. He is enrolled at Florida State College at Jacksonville working towards a degree in aviation. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends. They would be the first to tell you Javier is a caring, hard working person with a big heart.

Marissa Modory

Marissa has been working with older adults in different capacities for the last 10 years. In 2009, as a college student, Marissa accepted a job offer at an assisted living community in Zion, Illinois. What was only supposed to be a second job to pay for her first vehicle turned into Marissa’s passion. She realized she enjoyed forming connections with the residents and families she served. Marissa enjoyed it so much, she changed her course of college study to center around aging. She has a bachelor degree in sociology and a certificate of gerontology. Currently, Marissa is working on her master of social work through the University of Central Florida. Her main goal is to use her education and experience to enhance lives of the individuals she works with. Marissa is proud to serve on The Lakeside team.