Our Staff

Michelle Johnson- Chief Executive Officer

Michelle’s background is in Corporate Management. Her experience in leadership and guidance is the driving force to achieving the organizational goals of our agency and the many other branches of our parent company THUMA. She loves serving in her community and she is focused on creating the best environment for our staff, allowing us to provide excellent, professional care to our clients and families. Michelle is a strong leader as she guides the company in growth, excellence, and service.

Chris Smith – Chief Visionary Officer / Owner

As our CVO, Chris is the strategic business planner for our many Visiting Angels offices. He seeks out opportunities for expansion and growth, as he oversees his many other ventures. His persistence is invaluable as our Visiting Angels agency continues to expand and provide the best care to our clients.

When it came to the Visiting Angels brand, Chris was attracted by the opportunity to do something good, start a business that would create jobs and also help those in need of care. Our mission is to serve as angels as we help to brighten homes and better the lives of our clients.

Jeanne Hicks- Certified Dementia Practioner

 Jeanne moved to Grand Junction in 2022, but she's not new to the Visiting Angels family. She served as a manager in the Durango area for three years before taking over our Grand Junction agency, bringing years of hands-on senior care leadership with her.
Jeanne recently earned her Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) credential through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners — specialized training in how Alzheimer's and dementia actually affect the brain, how to communicate in ways that reduce fear and frustration, and how to recognize when a sudden change is something other than dementia progressing. It's the kind of training a lot of home care agencies don't require, and it shapes how she trains and supports the caregivers on her team, not just how she leads them.
She's dedicated to excellent client care and has a "get it done" attitude, leading with strength and kindness. Outside the office, she loves the outdoors, hunting, and camping with her husband.

Dani Carnahan –Client Care Manager --Grand Junction Office (grandjunctionccm@visitingangels.com)

Dani's journey to the Grand Valley began in 2011, where she embarked on a fulfilling career as a Medical Assistant. Her path soon led her to caregiving, showcasing her innate compassion and dedication to helping others. With a natural aptitude for leadership and organization, Dani seamlessly transitioned into an administrative role. In 2024, Dani joined the Visiting Angels team, bringing her passion and drive to forge strong relationships with clients and staff alike. Outside of her professional life, Dani is happily married, a proud parent to three adult children, and cherishes the time spent with her beloved dog, Tink

Teresa Bernal --Scheduler --Grand Junction Office
(gjschedular@visitingangels.com)

Teresa is a Colorado native, and has resided in the Grand Junction area for over 20 years. She is our newest Admin Angel, as of March 2024. Teresa and her husband enjoy spending time in the mountains jeeping.

                              LouAnn James- Veteran RN                                                                                                                              LouAnn James, RN, is a devoted nurse, mother of three, and proud Grand Junction native whose life is marked by compassion, advocacy, and faith. With years of experience in nursing, LouAnn brings skill and heart to every patient interaction, guided by her deep Christian values and commitment to serving others. Her care extends beyond the clinic—she’s a passionate advocate for veterans, inspired by her father and other family members who served in the armed forces.
Whether supporting families, mentoring caregivers, or volunteering in her faith community, LouAnn leads with grace and conviction. Her story is one of purpose-driven service, where professional excellence and heartfelt devotion come together to uplift lives and honor those who’ve sacrificed for our country.

     

Our Caregivers – Every Angel Must Meet 3 Standards:

• They must have experience caring for Seniors they are not related to
• They must be willing to care for a client all the way through to end-of-life
• They must have an inner compassion and desire to help others

We set a high standard at Visiting Angels and are proud to say we only hire 1 in 30 who apply for a position as a caregiver.

All of our caregivers must:

• Pass 3 interviews
• Have a clean background - 7 year criminal background check for every city, county & state they have lived in
• Pass a 12 component drug screen test
• Have verifiable references both employment and personal
• Prove their skill set through a competency lab
• Display a passion for caring

When you have the opportunity to meet one of our Angels, please ask them about our hiring practice, I’m confident they will give you an earful!

To learn more, call us today at 970.254.8888

Visiting Angels provides In-home care, senior homecare, senior care, elderly care, assistance in living in Grand Junction, Fruita Palisade, Clifton and Orchard Mesa, Colorado.