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
Greg Futch
We are excited to welcome Greg Futch to the Gardens of Somerset family as our new Executive Director!
Greg brings more than 17 years of experience in healthcare, much of which has been spent leading assisted living communities as an Executive Director. Throughout his career, he has developed a passion for serving seniors, building meaningful relationships, and creating a welcoming, supportive environment where residents and team members can thrive.
Greg believes in the importance of making every resident feel valued, respected, and at home. He looks forward to getting to know our residents, their families, and our dedicated team while continuing to make Gardens of Somerset a wonderful place to live and work.
Outside of work, Greg enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife, Denise, have been married for 36 years and have one daughter and two grandchildren. In his free time, you'll often find him fishing, working in his yard, or enjoying a round of golf.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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!
Ann May
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.
Activities 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
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