Janet Wallace
Managing Director

Janet Wallace is adding more meaning to her life. “I feel that I have a purpose,” she said. “I’m on a mission.”

Her mission is to help the elderly of the Mountain Brook area to have a safe place to call home. “I come from a long line of caregivers and a multigenerational family who love and respect each other and are committed to enriching each others’ lives. I am thrilled to be able to extend my caring now to my Cottage family,” she said. “Family is very important to me, and I appreciate how Columbia Cottage recognizes that and celebrates it.”

Janet comes to the Cottage family with over 15 years in the hospitality industry, and has spent the last 8 years as the General Manager of a large independent hotel in Homewood. She also brings to the Cottage a love for caring for the elderly and a knowledge of what day-to-day care entails having spent two years in the home as the primary caregiver of a woman with progressive dementia. “I feel like the combination of my personal care experience and my strong hospitality and team building skills can really enhance the spirit of the Cottage,” she said.

“She has such an infectious spirit about her and what the Cottage stands for,” reports Sandy Brackin, Corporate Director of Operations. “Janet is excited about the Cottage mission and that makes everyone around her excited as well. I just know that the residents and their families are going to love her and have a confidence that mom and dad are safe under her care.”

Janet is a longtime Birmingham resident. Her parents moved to town in the 1960s, and she spent her first work experience as a student teacher at Mountain Brook High School in 1971. Her family moved around for some years before settling back down in Birmingham in 1988. Janet relishes the southern hospitality and the change of seasons. Today, she lives just a few miles from the Cottage in a townhome where, last year, she invited her parents, 79 and 80, to share her home when they were ready to down-size from their large home and big yard. Janet also has two grown daughters, Beth and Jill. Beth is married in North Carolina and has 5 year old twins, Lily and Nathan. Jill lives in Birmingham and has an eight year old daughter, Macy.

Janet earned her B.S. from Auburn University. She is a member of the adult Sunday school class at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. She is a Member and Past President of the Homewood Rotary Club, Homewood Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year in 2002, Birmingham Lodging Association Board Member, Meadow Brook Townhome Association Board Member, and currently serves as Welcome Chairman and Newsletter Editor.

Terri Gilmer-Weinmann, LPN
Resident Services Director

Terri Gilmer-Weinmann, LPN, is excited to be a part of Columbia Cottage.  She has experience in various medical fields, including working with the VA Hospital, with adults with disabilities and in pharmacy.  “Although there were all age groups, the senior Veterans captured my heart.”

Terri grew up in Adamsville, a small town just outside of Birmingham.  She attended College at Beville State in Sumiton, Al.  She is an LPN, American Red Cross Certified Instructor and a certified instructor for the Nurse Delegation Program.    “I have always had a soft spot for the aging.  They are our past.  I want to be an active part in their future.”

Terri and her husband have two daughters.  In her spare time, she loves to craft.  She makes homemade soaps and bath salts, jewelry and totes.  She also refinishes furniture and sews.  Terri would “love to see people go back to the basics, and start really caring about each other; a time when kids can go outside and play until dark and not worry about crime.”  Working with the seniors at Columbia Cottage is ideal for her to “help make their ‘Golden Years’ truly golden.”

Susan Bremer,
Information Director

Information Director Susan Bremer brings her experience caring for her parents to the Cottage family.  She spent years caring for her parents, including her mother who suffered from dementia and was a Resident at Columbia Cottage.  With her background in caring, it is no wonder she feels right at home with Country and Columbia Cottages!  “I am at the Cottages because Columbia Cottage was my mom’s home for nearly two years.  I know first hand what great care, love and support was provided to her and the other Residents during her time at the Cottage.”

Susan grew up in Gadsden, but has lived in the Birmingham area since 1988.  She attended Gadsden State Junior College and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.  Susan earned her degree in Marketing with a minor in Management and is a licensed realtor in Alabama and Florida.  Now that she is with Country and Columbia Cottages, Susan hopes to “be an advocate and provide assistance to other families when they need to make the difficult decisions concerning their loved ones.”