The Fountains staff are trained to provide excellent service. They are carefully screened and undergo a thorough training process to prepare them for their role as part of The Fountains team. Staff share a passion for seniors and commitment to quality and professionalism.

Meet the Team

Sue Conry

Sue Conry

As Director of The Fountains, Sue shares a variety of professional skills with her team gained from her experiences in the human services field. Her qualifications include nearly thirty years of leadership and management experience. She is open, honest, and direct, and has an easy communication style. She has a presence that will inspire and maintain trust and confidence.

Sue was born and raised in Colorado and came from Greeley to Grand Junction twelve years ago to direct the Girl Scout Council on the Western Slope. She is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts, has been a Kiwanian for four years and has served on the Retirement Services Board of Hilltop as well as the Hilltop Board of Directors. Sue became the Director of The Fountains in 2007 and has a unique ability to connect with people of all ages and abilities.

Kari Colombo

Kari Colombo

Since 1999, Kari Colombo has worked as The Fountains, Director of Resident Services. She is responsible for sales and supervising the office manager and housekeeping department. Kari is always available and happy to help anyone who walks through the doors at The Fountains. Whether she is touring a prospective resident or talking gardening with a current one, Kari can be counted on to provide the highest quality care possible.

Kari was born in Sacramento, California and moved to Colorado in 1994. She is married to Pete and has two children, Allen and Sara, and a son-in-law Monte. She also has two furry grandchildren, Rio and Lucy, who are two very large black labs. When Kari isn't at work, she enjoys fishing the river, camping, gardening, canning, golfing, and spending time with family and friends.

Jan Orvik

Jan Orvik

Serving as Care Staff Manager, Jan has been happily working with seniors at The Fountains since 1997. As Care Staff Manger, Jan is in charge of hiring, training, and mentoring a valued team of staff members. She also helps each new resident at The Fountains determine what level of care they require and develops individualized care plans to ensure residents stay healthy!

Jan has been a caregiver since she was 16 years old. She’s married with five children and nine amazing grandchildren. Jan loves reading, traveling, dancing, and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Cassidy Garton

Cassidy Garton

Cassidy Garton recently joined the Senior Living Communities team as Activities Director for Hilltop’s Senior Living Communities, The Commons, The Fountains, and The Cottages. Her role is to help residents find ways to stimulate their mind, body, and spirit. Cassidy has a passion for working with seniors and a heart to help improve their quality of life. She is always available and happy to help our residents in any way possible. Cassidy’s smile and vibrant approach to life are sure to bring a smile to your face.

Cassidy, originally from Indiana, graduated from Purdue University with degrees in Neurobiology & Physiology as well as a minor in Spanish. Cassidy has a diverse work history including being Hilltop’s Marketing Coordinator for the past 3 years. She has three little sisters and enjoys doing anything active and outside, especially trail running. Cassidy is an upfront and outgoing person, so please never be afraid to say hi, make a suggestion about activities, or stop in and tell her a joke.

Diane Fetherston

Diane Fetherston

While Diane has served as the Activities Coordinator at The Fountains since 1998, she has worked in a variety of positions within Hilltop since 1979. She brings 28 years of experience working with all ages and abilities and weaves enthusiasm and a love of people into her existing role.

Diane began with The Fountains when they first opened and remembers moving the first resident in, in January 1999. Diane has been married to her husband David for 35 years and has three children and six grandchildren. She loves to spend time with her family, garden, camp, and sew. One of her passions is to find new ways to lessen our footprints on this earth, before it is too late.

Carlene Gagliardi

Carlene Gagliardi

Carlene serves as The Fountains Registered Nurse (RN) and Care Manager. She brings 30 years of experience working for Hilltop in a variety of roles. Carlene began her career at Hilltop’s Rehabilitation Hospital as an evening charge nurse and, then later became a Home Health Caregiver at The Atrium, an independent living community partly owned at that time by Hilltop.

Carlene continued offering Home Health services when The Fountains opened in January 1999 and now enjoys her role as The Fountains nurse. She and her husband Mike have 3 children, Michael and his new wife Jennifer, Alex, and Morgan. She loves gardening, photography, and snowshoeing.

Lisa Swarthout

Lisa Swarthout

Lisa Swarthout, Business Manager for The Fountains brings 12 of years of financial experience to the organization. She began her career in finance at a Crested Butte bank where she became Vice-President of Operations. Lisa is responsible for the financials, oversight of building maintenance, and supervision of staff in the areas of customer service, transportation, accounts receivable, and housekeeping.

Originally from San Francisco, CA, Lisa fell in love with the beauty and people of Western Colorado. Some of her favorite pastimes include spending time with her boyfriend, long walks with their two dogs, travel, photography, gardening and a good book. Lisa is always ready to hear a good story and brings her enthusiasm and smile wherever she goes.

Jennifer Gagliardi

Jennifer Gagliardi

Jennifer Gagliardi is a Human Resource Program Liaison for Hilltop and works with employees at the Commons, the Fountains, Home Care, Senior DayBreak, and the Work Force Center. Jennifer joined Hilltop in July 2008 and has been working with the employees at the Commons since January 2010.

Jennifer enjoys working with the staff and supervisors at the Commons and is willing to help in any way she can. Jennifer enjoys playing volleyball, crafting, and spending time with her husband Michael.

Betty Beagley

Betty Beagley

Serving as Office Manager for The Fountains, Betty takes great pride in striving to maintain a well run office. Betty has been working for Hilltop since 2002. She started as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Hilltop’s Life Adjustment Program, helping traumatically brain injured adults regain their independence. After deciding to transfer to The Fountains, Betty worked on as a Resident Assistant (RA) for six years before moving to her current position.

Count on Betty for a smile and a friendly hello upon entering The Fountains. She has been married for 41yrs and loves riding motorcycles and playing with her grandchildren.

Cheryl Guerrie

Cheryl Guerrie

Cheryl Guerrie is the Food Service Manager at The Fountains and is responsible for creating weekly menus, ordering the food for those menus, scheduling and training front and back of house staff to excel in their jobs. She has owned and operated her own restaurants for 25 years both in Taos, NM and in Connecticut. Her experience makes her a great fit for this position as she has combined over 35 years in this profession. She has been published in cook books and food magazines and was flown to Hawaii to prepare food for a high profile wedding. Her love of food is apparent by her creative abilities and healthy choices.