Our experienced and compassionate staff is dedicated to caring for your loved one as if they were family. Get to know our team.
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Dennis Lacheney
General ManagerDennis is the General Manager of BrightStar Care serving Hampton Roads, including Chesapeake, Williamsburg, and Virginia Beach. With many years of experience in the nonprofit world, Dennis has always been dedicated to helping others. Together with his business partner, Rick, they chose to invest in BrightStar Care with the heartfelt goal of providing compassionate, high-quality care to individuals and families in their time of need. Dennis believes that healthcare is more than a service—it’s a way to truly make a difference in people’s lives. He is married to Jennifer, and they are proud parents of seven grown children and grandparents to five wonderful grandchildren. Dennis leads with a family-first approach, committed to treating every client with the same care and respect he would give his own loved ones.
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Jennifer Lacheney
Office ManagerOriginally from Colonial Heights, Virginia, Jennie moved to Chesapeake to join the BrightStar Care team, bringing with her a heartfelt passion for helping others. Jennie believes that every person deserves to be treated with kindness, dignity, and the same care she would give to her own family. With many years of experience in finance, office management, and administration, Jennie combines her attention to detail with a deep commitment to excellence in everything she does. Her dedication ensures that every client and family feels supported, respected, and well cared for at every step of their journey.
With her husband, Dennis, Jennie shares seven grown children and they are grandparents to five wonderful grandchildren.
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Julie Van Gorder
Director of NursingJulie has been an RN for 35 years and worked in a variety of nursing roles in her career. Working as a military wife afforded many opportunities for her growth during that time. She has been a neuro nurse, an ICU nurse, a quality assurance nurse and a staff development and an education nurse, which she truly loved.. In homecare she has held multiple roles from field nurse, quality assurance, staff development, ICD coder, private duty supervisor, nurse liaison and director of nursing. Julie is passionate about education and training for both clients and staff members, knowing that knowledge empowers people to do great things.
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Tara Graham
Community LiaisonAs the Community Liaison for BrightStar Home Care, Tara brings a deep commitment to serving families and fostering meaningful connections throughout the community. Prior to joining BrightStar, Tara served as the Associate Executive Director of Membership Experience and Operations at the YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas where she led initiatives to enhance member engagement, improve service delivery, and create welcoming, family-centered environments.
With a strong foundation in relationship-building, operations, and community outreach, Tara is passionate about connecting individuals with the high-quality home care services they need—whether it's personal care, companionship, or skilled nursing. She takes pride in being a trusted advocate and resource for families navigating care options for their loved ones.
Driven by compassion and a heart for service, Tara continues to make a positive impact by building partnerships and promoting BrightStar’s mission of delivering compassionate, dependable care.
When not working, Tara enjoys spending time with friends and family, and remains actively involved in community initiatives that support health and well-being for all.
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Melanie Rodriguez
Customer Care ManagerWith over three years of experience in non-profit administration and a background as a behavioral technician working with children on the spectrum, Melanie has always been driven by a passion for helping others and ensuring people feel truly cared for. Since joining BrightStar, she has discovered a new love for scheduling, thanks to the incredible support of her team. She genuinely enjoys working with caregivers and clients and is always looking for ways to bring a little extra brightness to everyone’s day.
Originally from Connecticut, Melanie now enjoys life outside of work with her amazing fiancĂ© and their energetic two-year-old son. She loves singing karaoke, collecting rocks, and embracing life’s small joys. Above all, she feels truly blessed to serve others and be part of a company that shares her heart for compassionate care.
Our Caregivers and Nurses
Our team of care professionals thoroughly screened and trained to provide the highest quality care to your family or your patients. Learn more about our compassionate and trustworthy nurses and caregivers.
Contact Us
Please contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation or call BrightStar Care Williamsburg at 757.206.1167.