Nicole Burnett Celebrates 20th Anniversary at Golden Age Home 

By Lucy Knight                

Above, Lucy Knight (right) presents Nicole Burnett (left) with a plaque honoring her 20 years of service. Photo provided.  

Nicole Burnett, Executive Director of the Golden Age Home (GAH), was celebrated on October 30th by the Board of Directors, GAH staff, and GAH residents for her 20 years of leadership at the faith-based, not-for-profit assisted living facility. Burnett was hired in 2006 as the Personal Care Manager for the assisted living portion of the Golden Age Home healthcare center. In July 2010, she was promoted to Executive Director of the assisted living section in anticipation of the September 2010 sale of the nursing home portion.

   Establishing the GAH as a stand-alone assisted living facility created many challenges for Burnett, including budgeting for and paying off debts resulting from the sale of the nursing home, implementing a medication management system, recruiting and developing a strong leadership team and board of directors, developing a consistent grant revenue stream which has generated over $700,000, navigating COVID, and strengthening existing community relationships. In addition, the GAH has achieved deficiency-free surveys by the state since 2015, except for COVID-related matters. In February 2026, the GAH celebrated its 65th anniversary, raising over $65,000 at the Golden Gala and was awarded the Non-Profit Spirit Award by the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce.

   Former Executive Director Mary Carroll remarked that Burnett was “very young” when she was hired, but “sensible, thoughtful, and incisive,” and over the years grew in “knowledge and confidence…. focusing on the residents and staff and she soared!”

   Ted Thayer, Board President when Burnett was hired, watched Burnett blossom in her leadership role and “her professionalism, competence and hard work resulted in the GAH becoming the exemplary program it is today.” Thayer further acknowledged that “hiring and promoting Nicole to the leadership role at GAH was among the very best decisions made by the Board” during the twenty-plus years that he served on the Board.

   Immediate past president of the Board, Wes Boullioun, observed that the “Golden Age Home has always been blessed. Very early on in my tenure on the Board of Directors, I knew that most of the people in the organization did not have jobs; they ALL had ministries. That only happens if the environment at the top is properly set, and Nicole Burnett has been the tone setter for the past twenty years. Her deep faith underpins all her actions, and that is her biggest asset. Not only is she responsible for the day-to-day operations, but she has also been a visionary for the future. She has done this with an amazing grace. She loves our clientele, and she loves our employees.”

   During Nicole Burnett’s 20 years of GAH leadership, 340 employees have created a warm, compassionate, and loving atmosphere for the 435 residents who have called the GAH their home.

   As this important anniversary approached, Burnett stated, “I have had the privilege and honor to minister to so many families and to work alongside some amazing people. I do not take the responsibility of caring for your loved ones lightly. It has never been “just a job” but rather a labor of love, commitment, and dedication that I take very seriously. I am grateful for the trust families have in our care when their loved ones come to live in our home. The compassionate care of our many team members has inspired me and continues to shape my leadership.”