About Us
Mission
P. Allen Smith and his partners have designed a Continuing Care Retirement Community that connect areas of activity and harmonize the interior with the exterior for an engaging garden lifestyle. Specifically designed formal and informal gardens, green spaces, walking paths, water elements and nature preserves (and their views) are available throughout the property, with each interior room no more than one room’s distance in view or accessibility. The Gardens of Somerset through design, programming, and lifestyle is a leading provider for laterlife consumers in the region.
MEET OUR TEAM
Ashley Kirk
What do you get when you blend a passion for serving and caring for others with a gregarious and compassionate personality? You get Ashley Kirk, our Executive Director for the Gardens of Somerset. Born and raised in Monroe, LA, Ashley graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and has been in the senior living business for almost ten years. Her vast experience gives her first-hand knowledge of the daily operations of a community but also just how important it is to meet and exceed the communities’ needs.
Ashley has been involved with the Gardens of Somerset since its inception. She has been there every step of the way planning and designing a community unlike any other. But her input has not stopped there, Ashley is working closely with P. Allen Smith and his team to ensure the inside is just as spectacular as the outside.
Ashley believes in building a strong team of successful people around her to achieve the best possible outcomes. She believes in building those up around her, total transparency, and surrounding herself with positive people.
Ashley lives in Monroe, LA with her husband and their two young boys. She enjoys spending time with family and watching their boys play baseball, basketball, and football. Ashley and her family also enjoy evenings fishing on the Bayou and going for rides in the boat.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rodney Thomason
Rodney Thomason is a successful entrepreneur and corporate leader who has proven himself in diverse businesses. When the medical device company for which he was working sold in 2000, Thomason founded Medical Imaging Sales and Service – later renamed Southeast Imaging LLC – which now serves five states and represents well-known imaging brands such as Sectra PACS, Carestream, Quantum, and Fuji Medical. Thomason has since developed several additional medical-related companies, which include medical billing services, health care facility development and management, and senior living centers. He and his team established Medical Assets Holding Company in 2000 to provide administrative, payroll, financial management, and other services for companies within the corporate family. Thomason and MAHC currently operate 4 senior living communities in Arkansas. A native of Arkansas, Thomason attended the University of Arkansas and began his professional career in pharmaceutical sales before transitioning to medical equipment and real estate development. He is a member of the Arkansas Heart Hospital Foundation Board of Directors.
CEO
Melinda Daniels
Melinda has been with Gardens of Somerset since its opening. She was raised in Monroe, LA and in 1991 moved to Oklahoma as a minister’s wife. After six years in Oklahoma, she moved to Ohio for seventeen years and continued to serve as a minister’s wife while leading small groups with the youth, college age students and the women of the church. Melinda began working for State Farm Insurance right out of high school in 1980 and retired after a thirty year career with State Farm in 2010.
In 2011 Melinda moved back home to Monroe LA to be close to family. She began working for Mercy Multiplied and after ten years with that ministry she was led to come work with Gardens of Somerset.
Melinda loves God, her family and people. She has a servant’s heart and enjoys getting to know the residents here at Gardens of Somerset and listening to their life stories. She assists the residents and staff in any way she can. She believes every season we are in is preparing us for the next and her past experiences have prepared her for this season at Gardens of Somerset.
Melinda spends her weekends with a little girl she met through the foster care system eight years ago and loves pouring into Ava’s life. She also loves her dogs Sweet potato and Casserole, sewing, cooking, gardening and crafts.
Administrative Assistant
Tara Gilbert
Tara Gilbert, our dedicated Director of Nursing, hails from West Monroe, LA, and brings six years of nursing experience, focusing on long-term care. Since joining our team in April 2023, Tara has been a passionate advocate for enhancing the quality of life for our community. Her commitment to compassionate care and patient advocacy drives her to create a nurturing environment for both residents and staff alike.
In her role, Tara is focused on fostering collaboration among the nursing team and ensuring that every resident receives individualized attention tailored to their unique needs. She believes that building strong relationships with patients and their families is essential to providing holistic care.
Outside of work, Tara is a devoted mother to her two-year-old daughter, Kathryn Rae, and a proud pet owner of a spirited dachshund named Willow, along with two playful cats, Jasper, and Loki. Tara values her time with Kathryn, whether they’re out on new adventures or enjoying cozy nights at home with the animals.
Tara is a creative individual who enjoys relaxing by getting lost in a good book or exploring different crafting projects. Her weekends are often filled with adventures alongside her best friend, packed with laughter and unforgettable memories. She cherishes moments with her family, and her nephews hold a special spot in her heart.
With her unwavering dedication and compassionate heart, Tara continues to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves, both in her professional and personal endeavors.
Director of Nursing
Blakely Thevis
Blakely comes to us by way of The University of Louisiana Monroe. She was assigned to Gardens of Somerset as an Intern, and we immediately realized she was something incredibly special. Her love for our residents was straight from the heart and genuine, we knew we wanted her to be part of our team. Blakely strives to give the residents amazing activities and experiences to not only brighten their day, but to capitalize on their creativity and knowledge. She pushes herself to expand on ideas from both her and the residents to ensure every day in our community is a day full of fun!
Blakely resides in Monroe, LA. and enjoys spending her time with family and friends, being outdoors and traveling.
Activities Director
Charlie Cascio
Hammer in hand and always heading to take care of an issue, Charlie is the man for the job.
Being the head of Maintenance for a 100,000-square-foot building means he is never sitting, there is something to do all day, every day. All the staff and residents rely on Charlie to fix what needs fixing and he never lets anyone down, always going above and beyond what is expected. Charlie is married and has five grandchildren and spends much of his off time at sporting events and cheerleader competitions. In his spare time, he loves to hunt, fish, and ride his horses and is an avid Gardener. Over the last several years Charlie has made small wooden cross necklaces and shares them with people he meets along the way. He said he enjoys giving them away as much as he loves making them.
Head of Maintenance
Ann Howard
Ann is the first face that everyone sees when entering the doors at Gardens of Somerset.
Her giant smile and bubbly personality make her a favorite of all the Residents. Ann has been at the Gardens since the doors opened and enjoys her time here each day getting to know the residents, as well as their families and all that stop in to see us. She recently met and married her new husband here, and it is none other than our very own Chef Randy! She has one daughter, Bailee Ann, and her fur babies, Norman, and Pip. Ann loves to read, spending time with her Church family, and working at Gardens of Somerset.
Receptionist
Stuart Scalia
Marketing Director
Stuart Scalia comes to Gardens of Somerset at a time when most would consider never making a career change and some even called her crazy. She was in Property Management for the last 23 years and 15 of those years spent with the same company. She said she literally saw Somerset and fell in love with the vision and concept that is promoted here. It only took 2 days to take the challenge in leaving and starting a new season.
Stuart has 3 children and 5 grands that have taken the entire space of her heart. She stays active with her church, Jesus the Good Shepherd, even serving as a grandparent on the School Board at JGS School, they called and wanted “Sugar” to serve, and she was happy to be included on the committee. She is active in the Monroe Garden Study League, Monroe Garden Club and has served on just about every board in town over the years.
In her spare time, she loves to garden and has been to all the grands sporting events and she says she is not afraid to yell! For the last 25 years she has done 100s of wedding flowers and has enjoyed each of them. Her passion is traveling, and she has been all over the world over the years. She rode a camel in Egypt, Zip lined in Costa Rica, traveled through Turkey, Greece, Italy, and floated in the Dead Sea in Israel. She said if she can still make it, she will find a place she’s never seen and will be heading that way soon!
Chef Randy May
Thomas Keller once said, “A recipe has no soul, you as the cook must bring the soul to the recipe.”
Our very own “Chef” Randy May is probably the most beloved employee here at The Gardens of Somerset simply because he makes the magic happen in our kitchen every day.
He has over 30 years in the food industry including Country Club, Hospital and Corporate Restaurant experience. He has had the privilege of cooking for former President Bush, two former Louisiana Governors, and several celebrities over the years and is currently making our residents feel like royalty.
In 2017 Chef had his left hip totally replaced which was complicated by bad food choices and unhealthy eating. Hence his new journey to learn all he could about food and the Holistic Healing of proper eating and the balance of basic food groups and healthy food habits. He spends time researching the best sources for a healthy diet, he currently supports our local farm industry by purchasing all fresh lettuce, eggs and as many of the food groups that he can find to promote mental health as well as physical health.
When he’s not cooking, you will find him hunting and processing his “kill”, fishing, working out in the gym and watching his favorite football team…Go Jaguars!
P. Allen Smith
P. Allen Smith has parlayed a lifelong passion for the natural world into a career that allows him to share garden, home, and lifestyle knowledge and insights with a worldwide audience. As a conservationist, author, and television host he is a trusted resource for tried-and-true methods as well as cutting-edge knowledge in the small farm and garden communities. Whether it’s old-school flocks, eating local or green innovations, he combines them all at the farm he designed at Moss Mountain—a place grounded in history, inspired by his southern upbringing and guided by a modern-day application. He created his farm to serve as a place of inspiration, education, and conservation and provides visitors from around the country with tours of his property.
The Gardens of Somerset, an 18-acre community located in Sterlington, LA, is designed to bring unparalleled living options to Ouachita Parish for older adults. Centered around outstanding architecture, The Gardens of Somerset will offer community members independent living, assisted living and memory care and a lifestyle focused on the things they love and cherish such as gardening, the culinary arts, exercise, and family.
Gardens of Somerset
340 Lonewa Road
Monroe, Louisiana