Chris Parker

Executive Director

Chris Parker grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley and attended the local high school. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science at CalPoly in San Luis Obispo. Chris attended the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center in Charlottesville, where he completed an internship for his Dietetic Registration License, and then returned to the West Coast to obtain both a California Board of Nursing Home License and a California Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Administrator License.

Chris has been the Executive Director of Atterdag Village of Solvang since 2011. Before this Chris served as Vice President of Extended Care Services for a large Non-Profit Health Group in Northern CA. Chris has spent his entire career in the non-profit healthcare sector managing acute care, long term care, and home care operations.

Caring for others is his passion, and he feels privileged to work with such incredible staff and residents here at Atterdag Village. Chris has assisted in multiple senior center governing boards in the past and is a current board member of the Solvang Senior Center and The Stuart C Gildred YMCA.

Jamie Amburgey

Clinical Director

Jaime Amburgey, LVN, has been part of the Atterdag family since May 2018, holding various roles across multiple departments.

She started in skilled nursing as a floor nurse and Clinical Coordinator, then was promoted in 2019 to Admission Coordinator, Quality Assurance, and became certified in Infection Control. In August 2020, she was promoted again to Assisted and Independent Living Director and Residential Clinical Director for the entire campus. In 2022, Jaime completed a course and became a certified RCFE Administrator.

During the day, Jaime can be found working to ensure our residents’ safety, and that residents’ care plans are up-to-date, medications are in order, staff are educated with the latest information, and everyone’s needs are being met.

Jaime is very enthusiastic and passionate about what she does every day, serving our generation of seniors and supporting their families.

Jaime loves to spend time with her husband and their two daughters when she is not working. She also enjoys going to football games and concerts.

Karen Brown

Atterdag at Home Director

Karen Brown was born in Michigan and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Michigan. She moved to the central coast in 1986 and opened a restaurant in Solvang. In 1993, she purchased a gift shop, Bella of Solvang, and enjoyed all aspects of retail. Reluctantly, Karen closed her beloved Bella of Solvang in 2006 due to unforeseen life changes beyond her control.

In 2009, Karen was given an opportunity to manage a new business enterprise benefitting seniors who had exhausted their financial resources at the Atterdag Village of Solvang Care Center. The store was in the Atterdag Square and named the Atterdag Village Serendipity Shoppe. Karen arranged the store to look like a vintage boutique featuring gently used treasures with some newly purchased items during the holiday seasons. The store was successful and in business until 2017, when the Board of Directors determined that the overhead and increasing rent needed to prove profitable.

Upon closing the Serendipity Shoppe, Karen became the Director of Atterdag at Home, a non-profit serving homebound seniors Meals on Wheels and providing other services to seniors in their homes. This program continues to grow and expand the services offered, like providing local transportation to doctor’s appointments, referrals, check-in phone calls, and many other benefits. During Covid 19, our number of seniors needing meals grew dramatically. Our volunteers delivered meals and provided a lifeline to our homebound and low-income seniors.

Karen looks forward to assisting many seniors in the Santa Ynez Valley with Atterdag Village of Solvang’s “People Who Care Scholarships,” benefiting low-income seniors by providing essential services to allow “aging in place.”

Gary Hall

Director of Operations

Gary Hall has over 35 years of experience working in Acute Care Hospital Administration, including hospital systems in the Bay Area, Northern Sacramento Valley, and the Pacific Northwest. As a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Gary has obtained his fellow credentials and board certification in healthcare management. He also holds a current California State OSHPD Construction Inspection License. Gary manages the maintenance, construction, housekeeping, and transportation departments at Atterdag Village of Solvang.

Lori Kelley

Memory Care Director

Lori Kelley has worked throughout her career with Dementia and Alzheimer’s residents. She feels that home represents a place where one can feel loved, at ease, comfortable, and secure. At Atterdag Village of Solvang, she has created a nurturing home environment where a resident with memory loss can live an independent life in a safe and secure setting.

Lori manages a professional staff that regards the residents as members of their Atterdag family, creating a loving environment and lifestyle where they not only live well but also with dignity and self-esteem.

“Dementia and Alzheimer’s not only affect the person who has it, it affects their family and loved ones. It is my commitment to ensure great quality care and provide our families with the knowledge and support they need to get through the trying times this disease can bring with it.”

Julie Quinney

Life Enrichment Director

Julie Quinney, a longtime resident of Santa Ynez Valley, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to Atterdag Village, enriching the retirement community with cultural events, book clubs featuring local authors, lively parties, and exciting trips. She holds a BA in Liberal Studies, an elementary teaching credential, and a Minor in Fine Art from San Francisco State University. Julie has been married to her husband, Rick, for 30 years, and together they have raised three beautiful daughters in the Valley. In her free time, she enjoys Wordle, reading, walking, and wine—sometimes all together! She is excited to share her deep knowledge of the area through music, theater, and clubs, all aimed at enhancing the lives of Atterdag seniors. Julie feels blessed to be part of the Atterdag Family.

Amber Roe

Marketing Director

Amber Roe relocated to the Santa Ynez Valley in late 2022 and began her career at Atterdag Village of Solvang in June 2023 within the Administration Department. She advanced through multiple positions before becoming the Marketing Director, where she oversees social media strategy, conducts tours for prospective residents, and supports donor engagement initiatives.

With a strong commitment to community, connection, and compassionate service, Amber is grateful for the opportunity to work in a position that is both professionally and personally rewarding. She finds great fulfillment in helping seniors and their families navigate meaningful life transitions with confidence, clarity, and care. Amber takes pride in contributing to a warm, welcoming environment where residents feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Outside of work, Amber enjoys life with her husband — whom she first met in third grade — and their three children. Together, they love camping, going to concerts, and spending time outdoors.

Heather Anderson

Director of Nursing

Bio coming soon.

Gil Diaz

Nutrition Director

Bio coming soon.