Employee Spotlight: Alma Aguilar Celebrates 10 Years at Mt. San Antonio Gardens
At Mt. San Antonio Gardens, our employees play an important role in creating a welcoming and supportive community for residents. Their dedication, compassion, and willingness to help others are part of what makes The Gardens such a special place to live and work.
This year, we are proud to celebrate Alma Aguilar, Administrative Assistant at Oak Tree Lodge, as she marks 10 years of service at The Gardens.
Alma’s journey began as a Ward Clerk in Magnolia Grove before transitioning to her current role at Oak Tree Lodge. Throughout her time at The Gardens, she has embraced opportunities to learn new skills, take on different responsibilities, and support residents and colleagues in a variety of ways.
Her experience includes training in resident assistance, medical transportation, and medication assistance. Having worked across different shifts, Alma has gained valuable insight into the community’s daily operations and the importance of teamwork.
“I enjoy being busy and working with both the staff and residents. It’s good to learn different capacities and feel like I can support in different areas.”
For Alma, one of the most rewarding parts of working at The Gardens has been the relationships she has built over the years. She especially appreciates the generosity of residents and the meaningful connections that develop through everyday interactions.
Reflecting on her decade of service, Alma recalls the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the most memorable experiences of her career. During a challenging and uncertain time, she witnessed employees across the community come together to support residents and one another.
“When COVID struck, everyone worked as a team. It was all hands on deck, and everyone put in a lot of hours.”
That spirit of teamwork and dedication continues to be an important part of Alma’s experience at The Gardens. Her willingness to learn, adapt, and lend a helping hand reflects the commitment our employees bring to the community each day.
As Alma celebrates this milestone, we recognize not only her 10 years of service but also the positive impact she has made on residents and colleagues throughout her journey.
Congratulations, Alma, on 10 wonderful years at Mt. San Antonio Gardens! Thank you for your dedication, flexibility, and commitment to making The Gardens a welcoming place for everyone.
Jay Labinger is a Gardens resident, he was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Jay received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Harvey Mudd College. He attended Harvard University where he earned a Ph.D. He was an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Notre Dame. His career has included positions with Occidental Research Corporation & Atlantic Richfield. He is the Administrator of Beckman Institute at the California Institute of Technology as well as a Faculty Associate in the Chemistry Department. He enjoys reading, playing the piano, tennis and traveling. He has published books on the history of chemistry, sociology of science and literature & science. Here at the Gardens, Jay is part of the Conservation & Sustainability Committee the Green Fund as well as many other groups through the Gardens Club.
Jane Hurd is a Gardens resident, she was born & raised in a small town in Arkansas. After she received her BA from the University of Arkansas she moved to California and taught seventh grade English in Porterville CA. After two years she moved to Los Angeles and worked for the Department of Health Services and pursued a master’s degree in public administration from USC.  She served as CEO for two Los Angeles area hospitals. She continues to consult as an executive coach for CEOs of healthcare companies.  She has served on several boards including Mutual of America Insurance Company, YMCA of Metropolitan LA, LA Visiting Nurses Association and Inland Empire Girl Scouts. Jane is an award-winning author and plays several musical instruments. Here at the Gardens, Jane is part of the newly formed Bequest Committee, as well as many other groups through the Gardens Club.
