Our Senior Living Team

in Santa Fe

Born in Montreal, Canada, Sandria’s family moved to Peachtree City, Georgia, the golf cart capitol of the world, when she was she was six years old, “But we did not have a golf cart – but my best friend Sally did!”, said Sandria. Her father is from England and came to the U.S. when he was eight years old and grew up in Wisconsin where he became a textile engineer, making the fabric that creates paper. Sandria has two sisters; one is a nurse in Minnesota and the other is an educator with a Master’s degree who trains teachers on how to be classroom instructors. She and her husband Russ have a seven year old named Rex who loves art and ice skating. Russ is a professional chef, and his career has brought their family to Santa Fe twice: the first time when he worked at The Club at las Campanas, and the second time for Sage Hospitality so that he could continue working through the pandemic, where their main account is St. Johns College. They were wed at El Farol on Canyon Road, so they are thrilled that they found an opportunity to move back to Santa Fe. Sandria and Russ spend their time enjoying Rex’s childhood, with fun activities like teaching him to swim and taking road trips to enjoy the culture and sights throughout New Mexico. What Sandria loves most about Kingston is having a relationship with residents and their families, and all of the staff. She loves our care model of having a nurse on property at all times, our beautiful building, the great activities that Kingston offers, and the wonderful memory care program. She holds a degree in management from Georgia State University. Her vision for Kingston’s future entails a healthy community that is thriving and really enjoying life with their family and friends while their health is taken care of.

John “JT” Garcia is our Director of Nursing. He has been in the medical profession since 2002 and has extensive experience in geriatric and dementia care. He truly adores his work with Kingston and continuously states, “I get paid to hang out with my favorite people!” In his spare time, he loves to ride motorcycles, fish, hike, and do some shadetree mechanic work.

Marcie has always been willing to help in any way possible. Growing up with an amazing, confident, strong, independent grandmother, mother, and aunts has instilled her with the value of assisting anyone and everyone. She believes she was born to do what she’s doing, considering it not just a job but her calling. Marcie feels at home with the truly unique, awe-inspiring, positive people she gets to see daily at Kingston Residence of Santa Fe, and she considers herself forever blessed to work there.

Marcie finds great fulfillment in helping families navigate the tricky decision-making process about their loved one’s care. She understands that family members may sometimes be on different pages due to differences in processing times. Drawing from her own experience, Marcie recalls how she and her siblings were all over the place when they underwent a similar process. However, a navigator worked with them to determine what was best for their mom. This personal experience allows Marcie to empathize deeply with the families she assists and reinforces her commitment to guiding them toward the best possible outcome.

Marcie takes in information from everyone she can before helping create a plan. She firmly believes in listening to each family member, recognizing the importance of being heard, particularly the residents, if they can participate. This approach ensures that the plan she helps develop is comprehensive and considers the perspectives and needs of all involved. By prioritizing active listening and valuing the input of each individual, Marcie helps foster a sense of collaboration and understanding within the family unit that can lead to more effective and personalized care solutions.

Marcie is passionate about her family, including her grown-up son and grandchildren. Their well-being and happiness are paramount to her. Additionally, Marcie is passionate about helping anyone and everyone she can. Whether it’s supporting her own family members or assisting others in need, her commitment to making a positive difference in people’s lives shines through in everything she does. This passion fuels her dedication to her work as a Kingston Residence of Santa Fe navigator, where she channels her energy into helping families navigate challenging times with care, empathy, and understanding.

In her spare time, Marcie enjoys spending quality moments with her 7-pound Chihuahua, Charlie, who brings joy and companionship to her life. She also finds relaxation and adventure in activities like fishing and camping, immersing herself in the beauty of nature and the serenity of outdoor settings. Marcie recognizes the importance of taking time to recharge her batteries, allowing herself to fully embrace and be ready for the next beautiful experience that comes her way. These moments of self-care and rejuvenation are essential for maintaining her passion and dedication in her personal and professional life.

Maria is originally from Juarez, Mexico. She received her chef certification from SSFC in Santa Fe and has worked in the culinary industry for more than 40 years. She likes to learn new recipes every day and enjoys working with seniors daily. Maria especially loves their feedback and often creates menus based on their recommendations. She’s thankful for the opportunity to develop traditional New Mexican dishes and work in such a fantastic Kingston team environment.  

Ruben Vasquez is a Marketing Director who specializes in senior living. He takes pride in being an integral part of the organization’s operations team. With a strong background in hospitality, sales, and marketing, Ruben implements and promotes successful strategies that increase brand awareness. He holds a Bachelor of Science in internet marketing and advertising from the Art Institute of California—Los Angeles.

In his spare time, Ruben enjoys working with the Northern New Mexico Alzheimer’s Association, devoting drawing time to his daughter Ava, and coaching his son Maxen’s soccer team.

As the Community Relations Manager at Kingston Residence of Santa Fe, Peter is deeply committed to enriching the lives of seniors. With a focus on showcasing the unique benefits of Kingston Residence, Peter engages in personalized outreach to help ensure families are well-informed about the supportive services and vibrant community on offer. 

Peter is passionate about forming partnerships with local businesses, building strong relationships within the community, and positively impacting residents’ lives. He stands out for his integrity, compassion, and innovative approach to senior care, always prioritizing the needs and preferences of residents and their families. Through his efforts, Peter helps foster a welcoming environment where seniors can thrive and enjoy a high quality of life.

Arthur Heffenger is from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and grew up in Corrales. He is the Memory Care Activity Director and has over 16 years of experience. Arthur obtained his associate degree from Central New Mexico Community College, with a concentration in therapeutic recreation. During his college tenure, he had a 4.0 in his major and finished with a 3.5 overall grade point average.

One of the biggest rewards he receives from his work is the true love he receives from clients because it is truly from their hearts. He thanks his Lord and Savior for giving him the ability to bless them with an excellent quality of life when it comes to activities and the opportunity to see their smiles light up the room.

Arthur believes values and integrity are a key part of life, especially when working with seniors. He has always believed that if you are honest and sincere and a person who stands by their word, people will tend to give you grace and want to follow you because you have shown your truthfulness.

Arthur’s passions are singing with his church choir and singing to seniors. He also enjoys sports and going to sporting events, spending time with his family, and going to church. His hobbies include fishing, golf, praising in his church, and spending time with his family.

John Vincent Trujillo has dedicated over 2 decades to enriching the lives of others, boasting an impressive 23 years as a Senior Pastor. This role honed his ability to work closely with and serve people, fostering a deep-rooted love for community engagement. His journey didn’t stop there—it seamlessly transitioned into overseeing an array of activities, from bingo and book clubs to concerts and scenic drives, helping ensure the vibrant engagement of all residents under his care. John’s commitment to creating a fulfilling environment shines through every scheduled drive, special event, and social gathering he orchestrates.

The most gratifying aspects of John’s work are the joy and fulfillment he witnesses in the lives of the residents. Watching them live, thrive, and engage in various activities brings him unparalleled happiness. The smiles, laughter, and lively participation of the residents in activities like singalongs, parties, and happy hours underscore the meaningful impact of his work. John finds deep satisfaction in these moments that supports his dedication to fostering a nurturing and lively community.

At the core of John’s values and work approach are the principles of serving with gladness and striving to be a blessing in every interaction. His life is significantly influenced by his passions, which include his family, friends, church family, and work family. John’s interests extend to music, basketball, cycling, camping, and the restoration of vintage campers, alongside enjoying vacations and long drives. This diverse range of interests and hobbies enriches his personal life and adds depth to his professional endeavors, making John Vincent Trujillo a cherished figure in both his personal and professional circles.