Leadership Team | Heritage Lane Behavioral Assisted Living

Reed Gunnell, Principal Partner

Mr. Gunnell is the original founder of Heritage Lane and its successful behavioral model of care. He comes with years of experience in post-acute care and behavioral health. As a former nursing home and post-acute care administrator, he has the professional skills to employ, train and manage the right individuals to carry out the important mission at Heritage Lane Behavioral Assisted Living. It is his passion to care for those who suffer from mental illness. To offer a higher functioning environment whose premise is based on goals and positive reinforcement. Mr. Gunnell believes in offering a less restrictive environment to all of Arizona residents who are placed in restrictive settings where if given the opportunity could live and thrive in a less restrictive community. Mr. Gunnell is also passionate about self-worth and where that comes from. When one is dependent upon others for most things, underlying mental health related issues become forefront and the lives of those in support can also be negatively affected. In contrast, achieving something with little support from others, gives all of us a sense of accomplishment. We have an increase in will and a desire to repeat it. This is the absolute focus of Heritage Lane’s program and the passion of Mr. Gunnell. Residents of Heritage Lane Behavioral Assisted Living have individualized plans that help them achieve small objectives with positive reinforcement systems. As a result, behaviors begin to modify and life quality improves while feeling a sense of purpose in a broader community.

Dr. Lana J. Peterson, PMHNP, Psychiatric Program Director

Dr. Peterson is a highly successful psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) with impressive credentials and experience. Dr. Peterson has worked in post-acute and long term care settings as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) and gained a love for the elderly very early on. She first became licensed as a CNA at the age of 15. Dr. Peterson continued her education and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Gerontology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Continuing on with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University and a Master’s of Science in Nursing Arizona State University. Finally, received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice with psychiatric focus from Rocky Mountain University. She is a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Arizona. Dr. Peterson also has over 20 years of experience treating Arizona residents who suffer from mental illness related diagnosis and disorders and her practical hands-on experience is vast. She is an expert in psychopharmacology with extensive knowledge and experience in drug-to-drug interactions and how these psychotropic medications affect the mind and body in the treatment of mental disorders. She is also a co-founder of the behavioral program at Heritage Lane Behavioral Assisted Living and currently employed as the Psychiatric Program Director. Dr. Peterson manages all prescribed psychotropic medications, writes all individualized resident behavior plans, meets with residents regularly in person and provides all behavioral focused monthly training to the employees of Heritage Lane.

Chuck Dagenet, Clinical Director

Mr Dagenet has 15 years of extensive experience with management in clinical and healthcare settings. He has gained experience being a rehab nurse, administration and in wound care. Mr Dagenet is an extremely good leader, takes the time to listen to our residents and makes their needs a top priority. He is very knowledgeable in nursing and the healthcare industry. He brings energy and humor to our community. He says, “My favorite thing about nursing, is that it has given me 10 times more smiles than I can give out.” Mr Dagenet loves golf. If he isn’t at Heritage Lane, or spending time with his family, you will find him on the golf course.

Jake Harris, Marketing Director

With prior experience in healthcare and medical sales, Mr. Harris started his career as a marketing liaison at Heritage Lane in 2012. He gained incredible experience and insight into our important work and is passionate for the mission of Heritage Lane Behavioral Assisted Living. He represents the mission very well and truly cares about those residents and families he interacts with. Mr. Harris has a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and has experience in the operations at Heritage Lane. He has very strong interpersonal communication skills and is very effective at maintaining the positive culture at Heritage Lane Behavioral Assisted Living. Mr. Harris has the skills to interact with prospective residents, families and friends in a professional and respectful manner. He represents the good in our work to everyone he meets and exceptional at reviewing candidates for residency and presenting those cases to the admissions team for clinical review. He is great with people and very professional.

Shelli Truax, Business Office Manager

Ms. Truax began her career at Heritage Lane in August of 2011 while the transition to behavioral health was in motion. She worked as a front desk receptionist answering phones and supporting the residents’ daily needs. Through this job, she learned about each resident and developed skills to effectively communicate with a diverse group of residents with mental health issues. She has extensive knowledge of the Arizona Long Term Care (ALTCS) payment system. She has excellent claim and accounts receivables knowledge. She is meticulous and accurate to ensure the community is receiving all necessary funds to operate efficiently. She has excellent abilities to multi-task in some of the most difficult circumstances. She is always on target with her goals and works to achieve her best every single day. She is instrumental in helping the residents maintain financial stability and independence.

Tiffany Priester, Activity Director

Ms. Priester was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Charter College. She worked for many years with special needs children. She developed a love for caring for others through her family’s caregiving business. She loves people and loves working with them. That love for others led her to focus on bringing joy to the lives of others. Ms. Priester puts the residents first and involves them in all aspects of the activity program. She is driven and focused on elevating the activity program to positively impact the residents of Heritage Lane. When you meet her you can immediately feel her energy and excitement for the work that she is doing.

Jason Smith, Maintenance Supervisor

Mr. Smith was born and raised in Melbourne, Florida and graduated from Palm Bay High School and went into trade work at age 15. He holds license certificates in HVAC, plumbing, electrical and building and industrial maintenance. Mr. Smith also has healthcare maintenance experience and worked for the Chattahoochee State Hospital in Florida. He moved to Washington State to continue his career and met the love of his life there. During his time in Washington, Mr. Smith worked for a condo association and managed maintenance projects from small to very large remodels and renovations. He was responsible for the proper maintenance of 704 units on 88 acres and managed a crew of 14 maintenance technicians. Me. Smith moved to Arizona in 2017 to pursue better weather and started his employment with Heritage Lane. His passion is to keep the community looking nice and the environment safe. He loves to see people happy and enjoys the challenge of working through complicated issues. In Arizona, there is no shortage of A/C challenges and Mr. Smith is masterful at making sure our community is just the right temperature. He is very professional with the residents and their safety is his top priority. He enjoys working on cars in his free time and loves building hot rods. He also enjoys spending time out with his family.

Tyrone Yarbrough, Dietary Supervisor

Mr. Yarbrough or “Ty” was born and raised in New Jersey. He has lived in New York, California and came to Arizona in 1991 in search of giving his children better opportunities. He has extensive experience in the kitchen and has been cooking for 36 years. He enjoys gourmet cooking, cooking Italian dishes and homemade American dishes. He started cooking when he was 16 when he started as a dishwasher. From a dishwasher, he gained experience as a prep cook, a grill cook and learning how to bake. He became a chef when he started at the Pickadilly Inn in Fresno, CA. From there, he has been working in various hotels and 5-star restaurants. Mr. Yarbrough makes many of his dishes from scratch and builds his own recipes. He strives to provide the residents of Heritage Lane, delicious and nutritious meals. In his spare time, he likes to fish and spend time with his grandkids.

Rosa Arreguin, Housekeeping Supervisor

Ms. Arreguin is known at Heritage Lane Behavioral Assisted Living for being tough and on point. She is a meticulous cleaner and allows nothing to slip by. She has decades of experience cleaning large commercial buildings to houses and has a special ability to making sure the community environment is clean. Ms. Arreguin is extremely engaged in the cleaning system and her style ensures Heritage Lane is clean and odor free.