Employees: Meet the Management

To read about any manager here, you may click on the name to bring up biographical information.

B. Daniel Carr -- Executive Director  > contact

Dan has over 30 years of experience in long term care administration. He has been the executive director at The Towne House since 1985. Dan has a bachelors degree in public health administration and a masters degree in public affairs with a concentration in health services management from Indiana University. He also holds a certification in nursing home administration. Dan has served as a part time lecturer with the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana- Purdue University at Fort Wayne. He also has served in a number of leadership roles in the Indiana Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, is a Certified Fellow in the American College of Health Care Administrators, and is a member of the Fort Wayne Downtown Rotary Club.

Sarah Horacek -- Marketing Director  > contact

As the marketing director, Sarah is responsible for admissions to The Towne House. Sarah first came to The Towne House in 1997 and worked for three years in the housekeeping and dietary departments. In 2000, Sarah was promoted to the position of executive housekeeper, where she oversaw the housekeeping and laundry departments until she was promoted to the position of marketing director in 2007. Sarah has a degree in organizational leadership and supervision from IPFW. Sarah is also an animal lover with three cats.

Phyllis Lehman-Keppel -- Director of Nurses  > contact

Phyllis has worked for The Towne House since 1972. Having served in several other positions, Phyllis was promoted to the director of nursing position in 1987. She graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in nursing. Phyllis is certified in gerontological nursing and is a member of the Indiana State Nurses Association, the Indiana-Purdue Nursing Honor Society, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Amy Scheffer -- In-service Director / CNA Instructor  > contact

Amy started at The Towne House in 1990 as a certified nurse aide (CNA). After working in that role for three years, she entered our scholarship program, graduated as an registered nurse (R.N.) and continued working for two more years at The Towne House as a charge nurse. At that time Amy left The Towne House for a brief time to work as a clinical instructor at a local college. Amy returned to The Towne House in 1999, and now has responsibilities which include staff education, training, and teaching the CNA classes.

Cathy Schiek -- Director of Social Services  > contact

Cathy came to The Towne House in 2000 with experience in both home health care and long term care. Her hard working ethics, organizational skills, and very pleasant personality made her attractive to The Towne House first in the field of marketing and for the past seven years as the human resources coordinator. Cathy was promoted in 2008 to director of social services. Having earned a Certificate of Chaplaincy, her belief in a strong family life as wife, mother, and grandmother is reflected in her supportive, caring nature at The Towne House.

Dan Forbing -- Director of Environmental Services  > contact

A strong background in residential and light commercial construction management has helped enable Dan to pursue excellence in the design and conception of projects at The Towne House ranging from pump replacement to four story building additions. His responsibilities also include providing for the security, housekeeping, maintenance and laundry needs of our residents–all of which is handled in a considerate and professional manner by the environmental services staff. A past president of the Downtown Kiwanis Club in Fort Wayne, Dan has been employed at the Towne House since 1991.

Lori Dickson -- Executive Housekeeper  > contact

Lori joined The Towne House family in 2004 as a certified nurse aid (CNA), working both in the Retirement Center and Health and Rehabilitation Center. She also worked in transportation services. In June of 2008, Lori was promoted to the position of executive housekeeper overseeing the supervision and training of the housekeeping and laundry staff. Lori has two children and a cat. She enjoys nature and spending time with her family at the lake.

Di Ranly -- Director of Food Services  > contact

Di began her employment with The Towne House in 1986. She was a cook for four years and the kitchen and catering manager for seven years. In 1997 Di was promoted to the position of director of food services. Prior to her working at The Towne House, Di was the owner and operator of a local restaurant in Fort Wayne. She has one daughter and twin grandsons. She lives with one dog, two cats, and nine fish, and in her leisure time Di enjoys cooking, arts, and crafts.

Mary Drews -- Administrator  > contact

Mary joined The Towne House staff in 2005. Having served in her earlier years as a nurse aide in a high school, Mary spent most of her career in geriatrics. She became a registered nurse and served as a director of nursing. She then continued her education and spent the past ten years as a long term care administrator. Mary has three children, three stepchildren, and seven grandchildren. She enjoys swimming, golf and fishing with her husband.

Marsha Dawkins -- Health and Rehabilitation Center Dietary Manager  > contact

Having joined the dietary staff of The Towne House in 1991, Marsha has been the Health and Rehabilitation Center dietary manager since 1997. She is certified in safety and sanitation as well as dietary management. Marsha is responsible for supervising the cooks and the preparation of the meals at the Center. She is married with three children, a dog, and an occasional bird.

Mary Jo Howard -- Health and Rehabilitation Center Kitchen Manager  > contact

Mary Jo is responsible for service in the Health and Rehabilitation Center dining rooms, making sure residents' dietary needs and wants are being met. She sees to their nutritional well-being. Mary Jo has been employed at The Towne House since 1998. She has a sister and a daughter who also work at The Towne House and a son who volunteers here. They all enjoy being part of The Towne House family.

Karen Pach -- Retirement Center Program Director  > contact

Karen has enjoyed being a member of The Towne House staff since 1996. Karen earned a degree in social science from Western Michigan University. She previously taught elementary school in Michigan and Southwest Allen County. Karen also is a state certified activities director. A stay-at-home mom while her children were growing up, she volunteered for many public events and has found her teaching and organizational skills to be a definite asset as the program director for the Retirement Center.

Linda Ogram -- Health and Rehabilitation Center Activities Director / Volunteer Coordinator  > contact

Linda came to The Towne House in 2002. She is responsible for coordinating the volunteer department and activities department for the Health and Rehabilitation Center. Linda graduated from Purdue University in 1990 and is state certified as an activity director. Linda has over ten years experience working in the long term care field. She is very involved with area Kiwanis Clubs.

Danielle Urbine -- Human Resource Coordinator  > contact

Danielle began her employment at The Towne House in 2000 while still in high school. She worked in the dietary department until April of 2007 when she was promoted to the position of executive housekeeper. In July of 2008 Danielle was promoted to human resource director. Danielle earned a degree in sociology from Purdue University in 2007. She also enjoys relaxing at the lake, water sports, traveling and animals.

Kathleen Casey -- Retirement Center Dining Room Manager  > contact

With over 32 years of food service experience, Kathleen has worked in various positions within the dietary department of The Towne House since 1999. In September 2005, she was promoted to the dining room manager's position. Kathleen is the proud mother of one son and has a sister and a niece who are also employed by The Towne House.

Doug Vogel -- Chaplain  > contact

Doug began working at Towne House in 2006 as part-time chaplain after twenty years as a local church pastor (seven years in Ft. Wayne), where he enjoyed ministry among all age groups, including seniors. In May 2008, he came on board full-time as chaplain and social services representative. Also in 2008, he earned a certificate to teach elementary school. Doug graduated from Taylor University and Asbury Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He is married to Lynelle, and they have three children—Caleb, Marisa, and Miriam. He enjoys writing, photography, cooking, sports, NASCAR, and anything India.

Lori Peare -- Marketing Associate  > contact

Lori joined The Towne House in May of 2009 with 12 years experience in the residential real estate market having worked for two different area developer/ builders of custom single family homes and villa residences. This experience has given her an appreciation for helping others find homes to suit their needs. Prior to working in new residential and villa construction, Lori spent 13 years in multi-family property management for a national property management company. This experience afforded Lori the hands on training and knowledge of management and marketing of multiple apartment communities both here in Fort Wayne and nationally. In her free time, Lori enjoys spending time with her family and three dogs. She also enjoys meeting new people and spending time at the lake.

Natalie Fish -- Wellness Director  > contact

Natalie joined The Towne House Team in June 2009 with over 20 years of experience in the wellness field. Having earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Health Science from Indiana University, Natalie also holds a number of certifications through the American Council on Exercise, National Exercise Institute of Trainers  Association, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Emergency Care and Safety Institute, and OSHA Training Institute, to name a few. Natalie has a passion for her work and enjoys various outdoor activities with her husband and two children Nathan and Gabby. She is excited to enhance the healthy lifestyles of the residents at The Towne House by introducing wonderful programs and planning a new Fitness Center.

 

Long Term Employees