Meet the Team

Michael Salyers is the executive director at Sage Valley Senior Living. With an extensive background in hospitality and leadership roles spanning over 25 years, Michael has dedicated his career to serving others and making a meaningful impact in his community. Passionate about providing exceptional care to senior residents, he brings a wealth of experience from various sectors within the senior living industry, including independent living, assisted living and memory care. “I want a culture of caring for each other, excellence in everything we do and, most of all, having fun every day,” Michael said. 

Michael holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston. 

Outside of work, Michael enjoys outdoor activities, such as spending time at the lake and taking drives in his Jeep. He also enjoys exploring new culinary experiences and visiting wineries. 

Maria Dennis serves as Sage Valley’s Resident Care director. She has provided care for others her entire life. As a teen, Maria volunteered at a local hospital in New Jersey. While in this role, Maria learned many things while helping wherever she could. This experience piqued her interest and opened a whole new world. 

Maria attended nursing school at Warren County Community College in New Jersey, where she earned her licensed practical nurse diploma, and started her career at a psychiatric facility, where she worked as a human services tech. Maria remained at that facility for 22 years while also working in skilled nursing and assisted living. Maria chose senior living because she enjoys talking with her residents as they take her down memory lane and is rewarded daily just knowing the lives she touches.  

“I have learned so much from residents and their families,” she said. 

Crystal Tyson joins Sage Valley with over 14 years of experience in senior living care, starting her career as a caregiver and never looking back. 

Over the years, she honed her skills, continually striving to provide the highest level of care to those she served. Crystal’s unwavering commitment to her work resulted in transitioning into administrative roles, where her leadership qualities and deep understanding of the industry flourished. She was promoted back into care, overseeing our Generations neighborhood as the Generations Program director. With each step in her career, Crystal’s passion for improving the lives of seniors has only grown stronger. 

Crystal is a busy mother of four. She enjoys traveling, attending church services and serving her community. These personal interests and community involvement enrich her life and bring a unique perspective to her professional work. 

Samantha Huggins grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before moving to San Marcos to attend college in 2020. Having earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and social work from Texas State University, she values the importance of connection, community and person-centered care. Samantha’s background includes service-centered, multigenerational collaborations, and running youth camps during the summers. Believing every person deserves a lifetime of joy and growth, Samantha helps make these a reality for the residents of Sage Valley. Samantha joined the Sage Valley team in June 2024 and has since brought vibrant energy to the community, always having a smile on her face. 

Outside of work, you can find Samantha enjoying the sunshine, spending quality time with friends and family, or picking up new hobbies.

Charles Haxton serves as the Culinary Services director at Sage Valley Senior Living. As a Florida native, he embarked on his culinary journey as an apprentice at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach. Having owned and operated his own restaurant in Saratoga, New York, Chef Charles boasts over 40 years of culinary experience. He firmly believes in the enchanting power of food to captivate hearts, with his specialization in classical European cuisine.  

 In his free time, he likes to spend time with his family, play pool and watch football. He also enjoys the companionship of his sweet German shepherd, Kona. 

Joseph Gutierrez is Sage Valley’s Building Services director. He has experience in several industries but has been with building services for nearly 20 years, including 12 years of working within health care facilities. Starting from groundskeeping, he moved to general maintenance and eventually director of Facilities, before landing his current role. 

Outside of work, his passions are family and football. He loves grilling and watching the Texas Longhorns play.