Morgan Merritts

Executive Director

Prior to joining the team at Grand Living, Morgan had worked in senior living leadership and throughout the healthcare field. Together with her husband Sean, she has 5 children and lives in Marion. When she is not at Grand Living, her family enjoys spending time outdoors, attending sporting events, golfing in the summertime and snowboarding in the winter.

Thomas Kruse

Director of Sales

Tom Kruse has been in sales leadership and customer service for 35 years. He spent the majority of his career in retail sales leadership.
Prior to joining the team at Grand Living, he led a senior living cooperative. Tom loves working at Grand Living because the team all works closely together on a daily basis to best serve our residents.
Tom has been married to his wife, Michele, for 37 years and they currently live in Marion. They have three sons, Tyler, Brandon and Connor. They have a TeddyPoo puppy, Callie Jo.
When not working, Tom enjoys spending time with his family, trips to Florida, walks with his wife and dog, playing golf with his boys and following his favorite sports teams.

Mike Gray

Sales Counselor

Mike Gray has been in sales and sales management for 40 years. Mike began his sales career at 3M Co. as a regional representative, eventually attaining SVP Sales for the Pacific Rim, Western Europe and North America, for three divisions. Later Mike was a managing equity partner in Bozell Worldwide Advertising Agency-Minneapolis heading up relationship marketing, digital marketing and account planning. Mike was an SVP for Harris Interactive/ORC which is a global marketing research firm, heading new client sales for Technology, Telecommunications and Media working with clients like Verizon, Google, Facebook, ABC, NBC, CBS and various cable networks. After returning to Cedar Rapids a few years ago, Mike was a local sales rep for home improvement and HVAC construction.

Mike has 4 children and 10 grandchildren, two fur babies (dogs) Winnie and Gracie, and is very happily married to wife Beth.

When not working, Mike likes golf, boating, dog hikes, cooking and working on his patio/backyard that he and Beth call the “sanctuary”.

Julie Bridgewater

Sales and Marketing Coordinator

Julie brings a rich background in floristry and interior design, along with experience in senior living communities. Julie cherishes the wisdom and experiences of seniors, making her a perfect fit for her role. With a heartfelt approach, she guides families through the transition to community living, understanding the complexities of this pivotal moment. A dedicated mother and grandmother, Julie finds joy in decorating her home and sharing moments with her family. She and her husband are avid supporters of the Hawkeye women’s basketball team and the Kansas City Chiefs, finding delight in sports and family time alike.

Emily Shebetka

Business Office Manager

Emily has a wealth of experience from her tenure at another senior living community before joining Grand Living. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Emily was captivated by Grand Living’s commitment to continuous growth and creating remarkable experiences. Inspired by the opportunity to brighten residents’ days with a simple smile or helping hand, Emily finds fulfillment in her role. Outside of work, she cherishes moments at home with her family, finding joy in their company.

Alexis Benion

Director of Health & Wellness

With more than a decade of unwavering dedication to nursing and caregiving, Alexis stands as a beacon of compassion and expertise. Her extensive background includes skilled, long-term, acute, and hospice care, fortified by her bachelor’s degree in nursing. What ignites Alexis’s passion is the profound privilege of empowering every resident to embrace their fullest potential along their distinct paths. Beyond her profession, Alexis’s focuses on her family – her devoted husband, five children, and two beloved grandchildren. She also finds solace in the rhythm of dance and the intricate artistry of knitting, nurturing her soul for the boundless care she offers.

Ashley Henry

Assistant Director of Health and Wellness

Ashley was born and raised in a small mountain town in Colorado and relocated back to Marion, IA in 2021, where her husband grew up, to start a Roofing and Siding business. Ashley has been a nurse for over 15 years, and her entire career was in skilled nursing, where she held multiple roles in various positions. The environment, energy and people are what brought her to Grand Living. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys being with her husband and three young children, enjoying sporting events, and traveling to and exploring other cities.

Anna Schmall

Director of Luminations

Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in Family Services from Iowa State University. She began her career at Grand Living in the FACETS® department, where she grew into her passion for providing meaningful and purposeful experiences to individuals living with dementia. Every day, as the Director of LUMINATIONS®, she seeks new ways to better understand and compassionately support residents through all the unique challenges they may be facing. In her free time, Anna loves to thrift shop and explore the outdoors with her husband, two children, and dog.

Craig Vorba

Executive Chef

Craig has over 24 years of experience working in restaurants and hospitality, serving in roles including Executive Chef, General Manager, Operating Partner, and Vice President. He has a deep love for the supportive family that is the team and residents at Grand Living and feels he is in the best place he can be. His passion for delivering ever-lasting impressions through food and hospitality is evident in his exceptional service. Outside of work, Craig enjoys playing golf, volunteering and giving back to the community, contributing to causes like feeding the homeless and helping the less fortunate.

Brittany Stuelke

Dining Room Manager

Brittany brings over 14 years of restaurant experience to Grand Living’s dining rooms. She chose Grand Living for its welcoming and caring atmosphere, and immediately fell in love with the residents, with whom she deeply enjoys building meaningful relationships. One of her favorite things about her job is being able to listen to residents’ stories and learn from their experiences. Outside of work, Brittany loves to spend time with her family, playing board games and watching sports.

Brian Bruckman

Director of Maintenance

Brian brings an impressive background in maintenance to Grand Living at Indian Creek. As a certified welder with plumbing, electrical, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) certifications, he is well-versed in the skills required to perform his duties with efficiency and excellence. Among his many previous roles, he worked as a farmer, chief engineer, and regional director of maintenance. Brian chose Grand Living because he resonated deeply with THE STERLING TOUCH® signature service, and Grand Living’s vision to provide exceptional quality of life for each unique resident while embracing their individuality. He loves being able to form meaningful relationships with residents and learn from their different experiences. Outside of work, Brian enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Brenda Guerrero

Director of Environmental Services

Immersed in the realm of senior care since the tender age of 17, Brenda embarked on her journey as a dietary aide at Linn Manor, navigating through various roles. Following a fruitful tenure as a stay-at-home parent to four cherished children, she transitioned back to the workforce, starting as a housekeeper at Winslow House. Over seven years, she ascended to lead housekeeper and trainer, craving further growth. An opportunity arose for Brenda to become the lead housekeeping at The Gardens of Cedar Rapids, where she thrived for four rewarding years before her transition to Grand Living. The decision to join Grand Living was solidified during a tour, where she felt drawn to the welcoming atmosphere and professionalism of the team. Beyond work, her family—a testament to a 25-year marriage and five children—remains her cornerstone. Karaoke, movies, and the company of five beloved cats round out her passions, infusing joy into both her personal and professional life.

Jessica Lawrence

Director of Facets

Jessica is a native of Minnesota, but has been a resident of Cedar Rapids for the past 15 years. She has a lifetime of experience in the senior industry. Growing up in a small, rural town, Jessica’s parents both worked at the local assisted living community. She spent many days volunteering and visiting with the residents there, and says she can vividly remember her first “best friends,” Steve and Joe, who were both in their 80s. She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant throughout high school and college. After graduating with a BS in Athletic Training & Sports Medicine from South Dakota State University, Jessica managed a fitness center in South Dakota which catered to seniors, assisting them with basic health and fitness, physical therapy, and gait training/balance. After moving to Cedar Rapids in 2004, Jessica practiced real estate and once again her passion for working with seniors followed her as she eventually specialized in helping seniors downsize out of their large homes into a condo or smaller home. After finally realizing that her true calling was to enrich the lives of the seniors in her community, Jessica chose to pursue a career working directly with seniors on a daily basis. Over the past 7 years, she has held roles as a Community Relations Coordinator as well as an Activity Coordinator. Jessica is passionate about creating programs and activities that improve the quality of life for the seniors she serves.

Dawn Shultz

Director of Fitness

Dawn holds an Associate of Applied Science from Kirkwood Community College and brings over 25 years of experience as a Physical Therapy Assistant. Dawn’s passion for aiding seniors led her to Grand Living, where she thrives on using her compassion and expertise to support residents in aging gracefully in place. Working in the senior living industry is more than a career for Dawn; it’s profoundly fulfilling, and she finds joy in making rewarding differences daily. Dawn’s commitment to enhancing residents’ lives is deepened by her close relationship with her grandmother, which she believes has shaped her into the person she is today.