Meet Our Team

As the Executive Director of St. Johns, Nicole is responsible for overseeing the growth of her community. She was born and raised in Northeast TN, and has recently moved to the ST. Johns area. As a Certified Dementia Practitioner and several year’s experience in the healthcare industry, Nicole believes Senior Living is her calling, as she loves learning about each resident’s personal journey in life. Her prior experience also includes working at The Blake at Kingsport. She loves working at The Blake as she feels that it is not just a workplace, but has turned into family. Outside of work she enjoys going to the beach, spending time with her husband and 5 kids, and enjoying the new place she calls home.

Amanda E. Brown is from ​Huntsville, Alabama (Roll Tide Roll!) and has an Physical Therapist Assistant ​Associate in Science Degree. She has been in healthcare for 20 years, starting as a physical therapist assistant before transitioning into a marketing and public relations role in order to reach out and assist more in her community. Her favorite part of working with seniors is being able helping them find what they need to be able to fully enjoy life in their golden years with dignity and peace. Her favorite part of working at The Blake is being part of a team that is motivated to grow and serve in the community – "a team with a real heart, that is motivated by serving others and who find deep joy in bringing joy to all those they meet," she says.

When she is not working, Amanda likes discovering new books to read, enjoying a glass of wine or bourbon by the windy lakeside, and going to Disney. She also has a deep appreiciation for nature and loves to take her daughter, Alayna, hiking in the mountains in the fall as well as picking daffodils along the Blue Ridge trails in the spring. The time she spends with her daughter is precious to her, and one of her favorite things, she says, is "watching this gorgeous little lady discover the bright, big beautiful world around her with giggles and excitement."

She also appreciates seeing the personal growth and development of each and every person: her life mission is "discovering all the wonder that fills each of us on our own and learning to share that with the world" and "to see each person before us as the beautiful creation they are and honor them for it." She understands the importance of being a lifelong student; in her own words, "To grow and learn is human, to not is death."

Her two favorite quotes, on which she bases her life philosophy, are:

“Too often we underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King 

And:

"If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching, or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain."
– Emily Dickinson