The People Behind Your Experience
Every part of The Sanford House, from the food and the events to the spa and the experience of checking in and feeling immediately welcome, comes back to the people who show up every day and take it personally. This is the team that built what you feel when you walk through the door.
Valerie Landry,
General Manager
Valerie Landry's connection to The Sanford House began long before she became its General Manager. Her grandparents, Sharon and Leonard Bergstrom, built the property alongside her mother, Dr. Joan Bergstrom, making hospitality a part of her life from the very beginning.
As a child, Valerie spent her summers at The Sanford House, absorbing what genuine hospitality looked like long before she had the words to describe it. After graduating from college in 2008, she returned to Texas and learned every aspect of the business from the ground up. Today, she leads every department with the same warmth, dedication, and high standards that have defined The Sanford House for three generations.
Valerie leads with a collaborative mindset and a deep belief in surrounding herself with people who are exceptional at what they do. "If I'm the smartest person in the room," she says, "I'm in the wrong room." That philosophy shapes our team and the culture guests feel the moment they arrive. Her favorite part of the job? The people, both the ones she works alongside every day and the guests she gets to welcome in.
Outside of work, Valerie is an accomplished home cook, an avid reader, and a devoted wife and mother of two girls. She is a lifelong tennis player and former NCAA Division I competitor, and once wowed a local audience performing the cha cha as a featured dancer in the inaugural Dancing with the Arlington Stars.
Favorite dishes at Restaurant506: Love & Victory cocktail and the classic steak frites.
Van Anderson,
Facilities Manager
It’s hard to say if Van Anderson is better known amongst The Sanford House regulars for his infectious smile or his inability to say “can’t. ”
The go-to, I-can-get-it done man for nearly two decades, Van is nearly as much a part of our DNA as our founding family. As Facilities Manager, he keeps the property running across every department: maintenance, event setup, guest transportation, and whatever else the day decides to throw his way. Naturally, Van approaches every task with the same combination of pride, professionalism, and genuine joy.
Van's hospitality career started in 1986 at the Hilton, where he trained in etiquette and wine service before working his way through purchasing and front-of-house management. Curious about The Sanford House, a friend brought him in. Some would say he never left, falling in love with the people, the place, and the joy that came from pleased guests (and fellow staff).
Originally from Wichita Falls, Van was raised by his father to believe hospitality is rooted in respect, kindness, and a genuine willingness to help others. Those values continue to shape the way he approaches every guest and every task. A basketball and boxing enthusiast, he still gives younger players a run for their money. Van also raises chickens and ducks, loves live music and dancing, and can command a thousand-person room with no notes and no script.
Favorite dishes at Restaurant506: Osso Bucco, crab cakes, and the signature bread pudding.
"I can't control the weather, but I can change the direction of my sails."
Nick Keith,
Event Director
Nick Keith has been expertly running events at The Sanford House for seven years. In that time, he has seen just about everything a celebration can throw at a venue. His approach though, has never changed: calm, detail-oriented, and ready with a well-timed joke when the moment calls for it. From intimate elopements to weddings of 200, Nick brings the same laid-back confidence and genuine investment in making the day go right.
Before joining The Sanford House, Nick worked across restaurants, hotels, and catering in Sundance Square. Over his 12 years of experience, he’s developed an appreciation for the rhythm of hospitality and what it takes to execute a truly seamless event. Nick was drawn to The Sanford House for its variety of spaces and the opportunity to grow into a leadership role. He has done exactly that and still gets the same satisfaction from watching an event come together. The ultimate satisfaction? Seeing its impact on the families in the room.
Outside of work, Nick channels that same drive into triathlons, mountain biking, and running his own pool business. He is originally from Springtown, TX, home of the fighting porcupines, and believes that life needs levity just as much as the notion that details matter.
Favorite dishes at Restaurant506: Venison stroganoff
David Pacheco,
Executive Chef
David Pacheco has led the culinary team at Restaurant506 for more than eight years, and his influence can be tasted in every dish that leaves the kitchen. As Executive Chef, he oversees menu development, food quality, catering, and culinary operations across both the restaurant and The Sanford House's events. Whether he's creating a new seasonal menu or stepping into the dish pit to help his team during a busy service, David believes the best leaders work alongside the people they lead.
David's culinary career spans both healthcare catering and fine dining, including formative years under the mentorship of Chef Remy in California. What inspires him most is the freedom to create and the opportunity to mentor the next generation of culinary professionals. From chef's dinners to seasonal menus, his passion is crafting memorable meals while helping his team grow in confidence and skill.
Outside the kitchen, David enjoys competing in chili cook-offs with his wife, spending time with his family, and cheering on his grandchildren. A Santa Barbara native, father of five, grandfather, and former trombone player, he brings the same warmth and generosity to life that guests experience at Restaurant506.
Favorite dishes at Restaurant506: Duo (steak and jumbo shrimp, which he describes as “perfectly balanced”)
"There's no great Chef without a great team.”
Sarah Reid,
Front of House Manager, Restaurant506
Sarah Reid has been shaping the guest experience at Restaurant506 since 2016 and is a core reason the dining room runs the way it does. As Front of House Manager, she leads a team that delivers five-star service from the moment a guest walks in to the moment they leave. Every interaction, every table, every farewell has felt Sarah’s impact.
Sarah came up through every role a restaurant has to offer: host, server, bartender, grill cook, dishwasher, and a few she is probably too modest to mention. That full-spectrum experience gives her an unusual ability to appreciate and support each member of her team, shown in the collaborative and grounded culture she has built. With a belief that every guest's experience deserves to be personalized, she trains her team to adapt and act accordingly.
Restaurant506’s soul sets us apart for Sarah. “This isn’t just a place for lunch or dinner,” she says. “We create lifelong memories.”
Outside of work, Sarah is a devoted Halloween enthusiast who married her husband on the holiday. She’s also a mother of four and a foodie who seeks out great dining experiences wherever she travels.
Favorite dishes at Restaurant506: Crab Cake Benedict
"Serve with pride, lead with humility, and grow through every challenge."
Camille McDonald,
Consultant – Restaurant Operations, Beverage Programming & Marketing
Camille McDonald brings a spirited blend of hospitality experience, strategic thinking, and creative vision to The Sanford House, where she serves as a consultant across restaurant operations, beverage programming, companywide systems, and marketing. A former restaurant manager at The Sanford House from 2014 to 2018, Camille returned in 2023 with a fresh perspective and a decade of diverse industry experience under her belt—including winemaking in Napa Valley and management in the transportation sector.
As a consultant, Camille partners closely with leadership and staff to build systems that increase visibility, volume, and efficiency. She thrives on project-based work, where her energy, ideas, and people-first approach help breathe new life into every initiative. Whether refining the guest experience or crafting elevated beverage offerings, Camille ensures that every detail reflects The Sanford House’s signature charm.
A believer in calm, consistent leadership, Camille leads by example—supportive, sharp, and solutions-focused. “Great leaders look you in the eye, call you by name, and show up with presence,” she says. “They serve their teams while still being decisive and charismatic.”
Outside of her consulting work, Camille is deeply engaged in the Fort Worth community, serving with the Junior League and on the Tarrant County Restaurant Association Board. She’s a lover of racket sports (tennis, pickleball, ping pong), outdoor adventures, and meaningful social connection. Fun fact: she once played flute in the TCU Marching Band.
Favorite dishes at Restaurant506: The signature bread pudding—hands down.
“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”
Catherine Duncan,
Spa Manager
Catherine Duncan has spent over two decades in the salon and spa industry. The experience shows in the way she runs the Sanford Spa and Salon: with steadiness, warmth, and a standard that doesn't slip. As Spa Manager, Catherine oversees everything from client communications to team leadership and day-to-day operations. She stays centered on one consistent goal: providing a seamless, restorative experience for every person who comes through the door.
Catherine first joined The Sanford House years ago and recently returned, drawn back by what it represents. "It's a staple in this community," she says, and her pride in being part of it comes through in everything she does. She leads with an open-minded style that adapts to the needs of her team and her guests, always looking for ways to make the experience both more personal and more elevated.
Outside of work, Catherine is a devoted plant and flower enthusiast who loves spending time with her family. She is also deeply involved in her son's agricultural pursuits, particularly when it comes to showing sheep, a passion that surprises and delights those who know her. In fact, she’ll proudly tell you: “I love sheep!”
Favorite dishes at Restaurant506: Classic chicken salad sandwich