Compass Senior Living
Our Team

Tara joined Compass in 2019 and believes leading with enthusiasm, integrity and providing a foundation of support is how to make a difference for those who care for our elders.  Although new to Senior Living, she has had a long career being a resource to employees in healthcare and manufacturing.  She has a master’s degree in human resources management and Organizational Management and has obtained the SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional) credential.  Tara loves the Human Resources professions and truly finds her joy in serving others.

When not working, Tara seeks out the experience of live events; from sports to concerts to theater.  She and her husband Dave are new owners of a camper and they take every opportunity they can to enjoy the outdoors.  You can always find “Little Red”, (Tara’s Schwinn bicycle) on the back of their trailer ready for the next adventure.  Tara and Dave have three grown children and they all enjoy getting together to play cards and board games.

For a majority of his career, Kevin has worked in the health care field. With a compassion for elders, he enjoys meeting new people and helping them find the best options for their loved ones. Kevin has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences from the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay. In his leisure time, Kevin volunteers with the local Alzheimer’s Association and enjoys fishing, racquetball and coaching youth sports. He lives in Green Bay with his wife and two children.

Candis started working with seniors in 1995 as a floor nurse and has spent her career since then working with elders in many different capacities. The best part of this work for her is connecting with residents and seeing them flourish in life when they thought life would be over because of leaving their homes. She loves having the opportunity each day to give back to them what they have given to so many others. 

In addition to a career as a nurse, Candis also holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and will be launching into a master’s degree Program in Gerontology in 2019.

Candis’s career with Compass Senior Living began in 2014 as an Administrator for Sundial Assisted Living in Redding, California.  In 2015 Candis was promoted to the Director of Operations for the SW Region and utilized her years of experience as an Administrator to provide support to communities in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.  

Now, Candis has moved out of her role as Director of Operations and will provide support to all 34 Compass Communities in her position as Quality and Wellness Leader.

Candis is a Mom of two grown children, who she is very proud of, and has four wonderful grandsons, who she adores.  Candis’s hobbies include hiking, visiting the ocean, and traveling.  Her mantra is “Always stay humble and kind.”

Jean is an elder advocate and Eden Alternative™ educator with over 30 years of experience in not-for-profit and for-profit health care organizations. In the assisted living industry since 1999, Jean began as the Director of Marketing for a large senior housing company and later became the Chief Operations Officer for a senior housing company serving communities across the United States.

As a thought leader, Jean leads the development and implementation of the Compass Leadership Academy. As a public speaker and educator, Jean is a passionate advocate for the power of caring; championing the fact that “caring is what makes us human.”

Jean lives in Las Vegas, Nevada where she volunteers with the Nevadans for the Common Good, advocating for caregivers and elders in southern Nevada. She spends her leisure time traveling to visit her grandchildren, and hiking in the High Sierra's, and in Red Rock Canyon, and discovering other outdoor nature adventures.

Sandy Harmon, Senior Accountant, is new to the senior living field, but not to accounting. She loves numbers and the stories they tell about how a business is doing. She enjoys people and combining the two at Compass, she feels, is an excellent setup for her best work! Sandy has her BS in Accounting from the University of Oregon and is also a Certified Management Accountant.

When she's not working, Sandy works her creative side playing the piano and quilting. She lives in Springfield and enjoys the outdoors.

Sandy believes in treating others the way you want to be treated. She appreciates the camaraderie all around her, the pictures of seniors on the home office walls and enjoys reading the community newsletters. “This is real, and it’s good!"

Gabe Garboden leads capital allocation insights for Compass and leads the Idaho Region initiatives. Gabe is a native Oregonian, and has grown up around Senior Housing his entire life. With a mind for business and innovation, Gabe is passionate about making a difference in partnership with the other Compass Leaders.

When not at work Gabe enjoys exploring, traveling, and reading. He is an avid runner that loves to explore his surroundings. Gabe’s favorite quote is. “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost.

It has been a dream of Rita's to someday move to the Pacific Northwest, to be closer to family. When the opportunity arose, they packed up a POD, our SUV, and their pitbull Dexter, and made the 3 day trip from St. Louis to Eugene. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking local trails, baking, reading, and spending time with family.

Jerik has spent his career in business development, financial analysis, and inventory management. “Track Town USA” (Eugene, OR) is a great fit for Jerik who grew up in Eugene and ran cross country & track for The University of Tulsa, where he earned a BS in Energy Management and minored in Economics. Jerik has spent time in maintenance roles with Compass and aims to provide additional organization and structure to the Operations Manager role.

In his free time Jerik still enjoys running, backpacking, and spending time with his family. He is passionate about self-development and finds opportunities to improve is financial, business, and leadership skills outside of work.

Nicole began working in Senior Housing by accident in the greatest act of fate imaginable. She fell in love instantly with the history of the people she served every day. Nicole believes that each one has taught her to be a better human daily. She has served as a Business Office Director, Medicaid Specialist, Executive Director, Regional Marketing Director and now Regional Director of Operations. Nicole believes that we don’t have to stop living our lives at any specific age and is passionate about helping to create loving, caring and fun communities where our seniors can laugh and enjoy their time with friends and family.

In Nicole's free time you’ll find her spending time with her son, learning everything he has to teach her on their little farm in the countryside of Montana. Taking on numerous projects with her boyfriend or soaking up the adventures life has to offer.

Tanya Schnarre has over 20 years of experience in health care. She has a love for serving residents and believes a great team makes the difference in all the residents’ lives that live at Garden Place. She has been a CPR instructor for over twenty years. Tanya also has three years of nursing training. She enjoys bringing a zest for fun to our assisted living seniors. In her free time, Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband and four children.

Amanda has worked with elders since the age of 15 and began as a unit aide at a local skilled nursing facility. She went on to get her CNA license and worked as a CNA through high-school and College.

Her first job in the assisted living industry was as an assistant manager at a newly constructed community in her hometown. Amanda fell in love with the residents and families and knew that this was the career path for her. She has been in a leadership role in Assisted Living & Memory Care communities since 2004.

Making the move to Regional Director of Operations was a natural one. Having operational experience in Assisted Living and Memory Care gives Amanda an advantage in that she has empathy and an extraordinary understanding of what is going on in the communities day-to-day.

When not at work, Amanda can be found in the gym, watching basketball or volleyball or on a soccer field watching her children do what they love. Amanda and her husband Kyle have seven children and sports are a huge part of their lives. They also enjoy camping, fishing and 4 wheeling.

Jill began her career in Senior Living in 2002 and has held various positions ranging from Concierge to Regional Director of Operations. During her career, she has been successful in turning operationally challenged communities into high preforming communities by implementing systems that support the Mission, and by networking with various referral sources, licensing agencies, and funding partners to build strong relationships. She has also has experience in new development and acquisitions. She has a true passion for all facets of the Senior Living industry and strives every day to make life a little better for those who live and work with us!

Courtney Dean has been a passionate advocate in senior living since 2011, beginning her journey as a caregiver for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Over the years, she’s worn many hats—from activity coordination, marketing and community relations to administration. Courtney has also served as an Operations Specialist, supporting operational excellence across 7 states. Courtney’s mission is always striving to enhance the lives of those she serves. Originally from California, Courtney and her husband, Colby, have made their home in Oregon. They love traveling and exploring new places together, often with their rescue dogs Bilbo and Tyrion in tow. When she’s not visiting communities or connecting with teams, you’ll find Courtney enjoying the beach and camping with her family, or diving into her favorite hobbies like cooking, antiquing, and crafting.

Micah Weston has had the pleasure of working to better the lives of seniors since the early 2000s. He accepted his first job in the industry as a caregiver on the Oregon coast in 2005. After moving to Eugene in 2011, he took on various Health Services positions within senior living before stepping into his first Marketing & Sales role in 2014.

He was promoted to the company’s headquarters, directing their social media and marketing departments, before relocating to Phoenix, Arizona in 2018 for a regional position where he led the Marketing & Sales and Life Enrichment teams of several communities. Now, he’s excited to bring his knowledge and experience to Compass Senior Living.

Micah enjoys connecting with residents and families, hosting events that challenge the perception of senior living, and partnering seniors with local non-profits — so they can work together to give back to their communities. When he’s not working, you’ll probably find him playing guitar and singing a tune or out hiking with his husband, Jacob, and their two dogs, Harrison and Alfred.

Jayla is a graduate of the University of Louisville, where she earned her bachelor's degree in communication. She's always been known for having an old soul and cherishes spending quality time with her boyfriend and her two beloved dogs, Harley and Axel. Her love for travel and her passion for immersing herself in new cultures are evident in her adventurous spirit. Jayla holds the distinction of being the first in her family to attend college, a testament to her determination and ambition. Her deep-seated passion for sales is driven by her desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

Allyson Smith has had the pleasure of working in senior living since 2014 and has been with Compass Senior Living since 2020 in various roles. She started as a certified nursing assistant and worked her way into a director role in Klamath Falls, while obtaining her bachelor’s degree in health management from Oregon Institute of Technology. She then relocated to Medford where she accepted her first role with Compass as a Community Relations Director. Now, she is excited to bring her knowledge and experience to her regional team.

Allyson enjoys building relationships with the residents and their families. Helping people find solutions for their loved ones is what brings her joy. She also loves spending her free time outdoors with her very spoiled Corgi, Luna, and going on adventures with her family.

Samantha holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing and is deeply passionate about marketing, business, and social media. She plans and implements global digital marketing strategies, overseeing all digital channels to supply content for campaigns and managing social media engagement. Her role also focuses on enhancing user experience, analyzing metrics, and providing support across all Compass Senior Living communities. Samantha offers company-wide training, resources, and process improvements, along with recommendations based on research, data analysis, and current marketing and senior living trends.

A lifelong learner, Samantha stays motivated to expand her expertise, keeping up with digital marketing trends to support teams effectively. She finds joy in making people feel understood and cared for. Residing in California, Samantha enjoys coffee, photography, plants, travel, and quality time with loved ones.

Raymond Craig has worked in the food and beverage industry since 2002. He attended New Mexico State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management in 2004.

Raymond has worked in several different food and beverage environments including; restaurants, institutional facilities, nursing homes and Assisted Living. Raymond has been in Dining Service and Culinary Leadership roles since 2008, traveling and managing foodservice facilities throughout Texas and New Mexico during his tenure as an Executive Leader. Most recently he served as the Director of Dining Services in an Assisted Living in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This is where he discovered his passion for serving the Greatest Generation.

In addition to the bachelor’s degree from NMSU, Raymond is Serve Safe Certified and is a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) through the University of Florida.

Raymond really enjoys creating an outstanding customer experience and has found his niche in senior living environments. He is always looking to take on new challenges as well. Raymond says, “It can only benefit you to learn and try new things.”

Skyler grew up in the Willamette Valley and graduated from Oregon State University. Over the years, he has held multiple positions at Compass Senior Living, including Community Relations Director and Administrator. During his free time, he is often found with his friends and family white water rafting, camping, hiking, and otherwise exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Tina has worked in the graphic design, marketing, and printing industry since 1991. She earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Art & Graphic Design from Southwestern Illinois College and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Communications/Graphic Design from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Tina has many passions. . .from enjoying many forms of arts & crafts, like crocheting, sewing, lace-making, and quilting to name a few, to DIY projects of all kinds, exploring small towns to learn their history, and helping out with the family sheep farm. But her greatest passion of all are her two boys, Evan and Eli. She enjoys the country life in the community where she grew up in southwestern Illinois. Tina’s family all live within 4 miles of each other. 

She is also a lover of what she calls ‘isms’. . .those inspirational sayings that always seem to make their presence known at just the right time. 

Tina firmly believes:
• you reap what you sow.
• you are the master of your own destiny.
• your life is your story, write well and edit often.
• that when writing the story of your life, don’t hand the pen to someone else.
• that if the plan doesn’t work, change the plan but never the goal.
• difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.
• it is not always about the destination, sometimes it is about the journey.
• it’s never or now.

Seek your crescendo. Age loudly. Live intensely.

Craig loves working with numbers and getting the most information he can out of them. He joined Compass in 2023 after moving from Los Angeles to be closer to family. Craig has a degree in Economics from UCLA and previously worked in the funeral industry. When he’s not working, Craig enjoys spending time with his wife and four boys, gardening, grilling, reading and building farmhouse style furniture.

Susan is no stranger to working in great detail--combing through numbers for accuracy and enjoying the satisfaction of making it all balance. She is relatively new to senior living, but not to the love, wisdom, and sharing of life stories that come from being around elders. Prior to joining Compass, Susan worked for a company that managed contractors. When you have an insurance claim and need help for repair, you might have benefited from Susan's work as an office manager, Maryland and Virginia contractor manager, assistant to the President and HR, as well as special projects. Susan is excited to be working with great people and was attracted to the small, family-like feel of the Compass team.

Susan can be found spending her off-time playing games, coloring elaborate pictures, or watching movies with her family and friends; loving on her two dogs Buddy and River; or tending to her "farm" of chickens, ducks, and a big garden. She's spending time volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House in San Francisco and hopes to be involved in the annual Ronald McDonald House walk here in Eugene.

Danielle was born and raised in Orange County, California and has lived in Eugene, Oregon since 2018. She has an associate degree in business management and is certified in medical billing and coding. Danielle has been working in accounting since 2004. For fun, Danielle enjoys shopping for antiques, collecting oil lamps, exploring new places and learning new cooking recipes.

Wendi was born and raised in the Eugene/Springfield area. She loves all the Nature and beautiful spots in Oregon. Wendi also loves working with numbers, and after almost 30 years in the Cable industry, she went to Portland Community College and achieved her Associate's degree in Business Management and a certificate in Accounting. 

Prior to joining the Compass Family, Wendi worked as an Accounts Payable Specialist for a local Organic non-dairy ice cream company. Wendi says, "I loved the people, and the company as soon as I walked in the door at Compass Senior Living. Everyone is so nice and really know how to work together. I am over the moon to be here, and to be part of such a wonderful, caring and fun company."