Team Members
Gaylen Nate, CHA
Executive Director
Always having a passion for food and years of working in other professions I made the decision in 2003 to move to Louisville, KY. There I attended Sullivan University for Culinary Arts in Louisville, KY. While working on my associate’s degree in culinary arts and after graduating I was lucky enough to become a Kitchen Manager at Churchill Downs, home of Kentucky Derby. Here I honed my skills, absorbed as much information as possible and was part of a management team for the Kentucky Derby with attendance of 155,000 people and grossing over 20 million dollars in food and beverage in a single day. There was a saying “If you can get through a Derby, you can get through anything”, turns out it was true. After a couple of years, I moved on in sous chef positions and within a year or so became the Executive Chef at Old Faithfull Lodge in Yellowstone national park. After working exciting seasonal jobs for a couple of years I decided to settle back in Salt Lake City. My start in health care dining started when I became the Dining Services Manager and Executive Chef for all of First Step House substance abuse and mental health residential locations. After spending 5 years there I ventured out to Executive Chef of Catering at SLCC and then U of U. I then realized that I missed the appreciation and a sense of fulfillment and purpose that came from helping people and being able to get to know my clients. This brought me here to Truewood by Merrill Gardens as Executive Chef where I love my job. Making people happy using my experience and expertise is so rewarding and an environment I hope to continue for years to come.
Andrea Belt
Director of Nursing
I am the Director of Nursing. I have 20+ years of experience in the healthcare industry. I am very passionate about assisting people through some of their most vulnerable moments to help them achieve living a quality and comfortable life. In my free time, I enjoy soaking up nature and spending time with my animals. I love the peaceful sound and smell of falling rain.
Gaylen Nate, CHA
Administrator
Gaylen has served as the Administrator at our Taylorsville location for 8 years. Gaylen began his career in the Health Care Industry after having spent 29 years in the Hospitality Industry as a hotel owner and operator. Gaylen has been recognized nationally as a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA). Gaylen and his team at Ivy Brook are focused on ensuring residents, and their families, receive outstanding customer service and excellent care. Gaylen enjoys working closely with residents, families, and employees on a day-to-day basis. He takes great pride in helping others learn and grow. Outside of work, Gaylen enjoys music and playing the drums, boating, traveling and, above all, spending time with his wife Pam, his three children and spouses, along with his seven (soon to be eight) grandchildren.
Andrea Belt
Director of Nursing
Hi, I am Andrea and I am the Director of Nursing. I have 20+ years of experience in the healthcare industry. I am very passionate about assisting people through some of their most vulnerable moments to help them achieve living a quality and comfortable life. In my free time, I enjoy soaking up nature and spending time with my animals. I love the peaceful sound and smell of falling rain.
Ashley Nielson
Wellness Director
Ashley has been a nurse for over 11 years She has worked for the senior living industry for over 20 years, specializing in Home Health and Hospice. She is passionate about being a nurse and cares to make a difference in people's lives. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family, attend sporting events and dance.
Taunia Southwoth
Activities Director
I was born and raised in Russia and immigrated to the United States at the age of 21. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and print media journalism. I have over 12 years of experience working in senior living industry, of which over 10 years as an activities director. I enjoy serving seniors and getting to know their life stories. I have been married for 12 years and enjoy spending time with my big family. I love animals and have a dog named Thunder and a rescue cockatiel named Kookie.
Diminick Milburn
Sales and Marketing Director
I am Diminick Milburn, the sales and marketing director. I come with extensive knowledge, having spent over 25 years in investment banking, education, and the sales industry. I have a zeal for helping seniors and families navigate the next chapter of their lives. I am a native Texan and love everything Texas. The biggest joy in my life is spending time with my lovely family. Always remember, “Let your smile change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile”.
Diminick Milburn
Sales and Marketing Director
I am Diminick Milburn, the sales and marketing director. I come with extensive knowledge, having spent over 25 years in investment banking, education, and the sales industry. I have a zeal for helping seniors and families navigate the next chapter of their lives. I am a native Texan and love everything Texas. The biggest joy in my life is spending time with my lovely family. Always remember, “Let your smile change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile”.
Taunia Southwoth
Activities Director
I was born and raised in Russia and immigrated to the United States at the age of 21. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and print media journalism. I have over 12 years of experience working in senior living industry, of which over 10 years as an activities director. I enjoy serving seniors and getting to know their life stories. I have been married for 12 years and enjoy spending time with my big family. I love animals and have a dog named Thunder and a rescue cockatiel named Kookie.
Ashley Nielson
Wellness Director
Ashley has been a nurse for over 11 years She has worked for the senior living industry for over 20 years, specializing in Home Health and Hospice. She is passionate about being a nurse and cares to make a difference in people's lives. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family, attend sporting events and dance.
Gary Wanlass
Executive Chef
Always having a passion for food and years of working in other professions I made the decision in 2003 to move to Louisville, KY. There I attended Sullivan University for Culinary Arts in Louisville, KY. While working on my associate’s degree in culinary arts and after graduating I was lucky enough to become a Kitchen Manager at Churchill Downs, home of Kentucky Derby. Here I honed my skills, absorbed as much information as possible and was part of a management team for the Kentucky Derby with attendance of 155,000 people and grossing over 20 million dollars in food and beverage in a single day. There was a saying “If you can get through a Derby, you can get through anything”, turns out it was true. After a couple of years, I moved on in sous chef positions and within a year or so became the Executive Chef at Old Faithfull Lodge in Yellowstone national park. After working exciting seasonal jobs for a couple of years I decided to settle back in Salt Lake City. My start in health care dining started when I became the Dining Services Manager and Executive Chef for all of First Step House substance abuse and mental health residential locations. After spending 5 years there I ventured out to Executive Chef of Catering at SLCC and then U of U. I then realized that I missed the appreciation and a sense of fulfillment and purpose that came from helping people and being able to get to know my clients. This brought me here to Truewood by Merrill Gardens as Executive Chef where I love my job. Making people happy using my experience and expertise is so rewarding and an environment I hope to continue for years to come.
Megan Noyce
Business Office Director
I’ve been the Business Office Director at Ivybrook for almost four years. I strive to make sure that business operations run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. One of my favorite things about working in the Assisted Living environment is relating to the residents and their families and creating relationships with them. Outside of work, I cherish any time spent with my daughter and enjoy all things Disney!
Megan Noyce
Business Office Director
I’ve been the Business Office Director at Ivybrook for almost four years. I strive to make sure that business operations run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. One of my favorite things about working in the Assisted Living environment is relating to the residents and their families and creating relationships with them. Outside of work, I cherish any time spent with my daughter and enjoy all things Disney!
Gary Wanlass
Executive Chef
Always having a passion for food and years of working in other professions I made the decision in 2003 to move to Louisville, KY. There I attended Sullivan University for Culinary Arts in Louisville, KY. While working on my associate’s degree in culinary arts and after graduating I was lucky enough to become a Kitchen Manager at Churchill Downs, home of Kentucky Derby. Here I honed my skills, absorbed as much information as possible and was part of a management team for the Kentucky Derby with attendance of 155,000 people and grossing over 20 million dollars in food and beverage in a single day. There was a saying “If you can get through a Derby, you can get through anything”, turns out it was true. After a couple of years, I moved on in sous chef positions and within a year or so became the Executive Chef at Old Faithfull Lodge in Yellowstone national park. After working exciting seasonal jobs for a couple of years I decided to settle back in Salt Lake City. My start in health care dining started when I became the Dining Services Manager and Executive Chef for all of First Step House substance abuse and mental health residential locations. After spending 5 years there I ventured out to Executive Chef of Catering at SLCC and then U of U. I then realized that I missed the appreciation and a sense of fulfillment and purpose that came from helping people and being able to get to know my clients. This brought me here to Truewood by Merrill Gardens as Executive Chef where I love my job. Making people happy using my experience and expertise is so rewarding and an environment I hope to continue for years to come.
Ashley Nielson
Wellness Director
Ashley has been a nurse for over 11 years She has worked for the senior living industry for over 20 years, specializing in Home Health and Hospice. She is passionate about being a nurse and cares to make a difference in people's lives. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family, attend sporting events and dance.
Jessika Kamerath
Resident Assistant
My entire career has been in assisted living in some form. I started working with adults with developmental delays and have continued to stay in the industry now working with the elderly. I have always loved this type of work and the people I have met while working in it. I have plans to go back to school to continue my medical education to continue making sure everyone's loved ones can continue receiving the very best care while they live here with us.
Kolton Keener
Maintenance Director
I'm the maintenance director. I'm over maintenance and housekeeping. On my spare time I like to hang out with family and build and create things. I love to go camping and riding four wheelers.
Ashley Nielson
Wellness Director
Ashley has been a nurse for over 11 years She has worked for the senior living industry for over 20 years, specializing in Home Health and Hospice. She is passionate about being a nurse and cares to make a difference in people's lives. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family, attend sporting events and dance.
Kolton Keener
Maintenance Director
I'm the maintenance director. I'm over maintenance and housekeeping. On my spare time I like to hang out with family and build and create things. I love to go camping and riding four wheelers.
Jessika Kamerath
Resident Assistant
My entire career has been in assisted living in some form. I started working with adults with developmental delays and have continued to stay in the industry now working with the elderly. I have always loved this type of work and the people I have met while working in it. I have plans to go back to school to continue my medical education to continue making sure everyone's loved ones can continue receiving the very best care while they live here with us.