Suzi Hiatt – Founder and C/O
Suzi Hiatt was a beloved native of the Galax area, where she raised three daughters and cherished her role as a grandmother to four grandchildren. Her life was defined by an unwavering commitment to disability services, fueled by a deep passion for ensuring that her daughter, along with the children of others, had the resources and support needed to thrive.
As the Executive Director and co-owner of Capriccio Elite, LLC, Suzi played an integral role in shaping the organization. She oversaw every aspect of the agency’s growth and development, from quality and risk management to training, policy development, and processing referrals. Suzi’s dedication was evident in her active involvement, where her compassion and expertise touched countless lives.
Suzi’s academic achievements, including a master’s degree in Social and Community Services, a bachelor’s degree in organizational management and development, and a master’s certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling, underscored her commitment to her field. She was also a licensed QMHP and CSAC, credentials that reflected her deep knowledge and dedication to serving others.
Suzi’s legacy is one of profound care, resilience, and advocacy, and it will continue to resonate through the lives she touched. Her vision of providing personalized, compassionate support and ensuring the safety and empowerment of individuals remains at the heart of Capriccio Elite, LLC. The organization she helped build, along with the team she mentored, is committed to carrying forward the values she championed. As Capriccio Elite grows and adapts, Suzi’s spirit will live on in the ongoing work of the agency and in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know her.
Gail Dutchess – Executive Director and C/O
Gail Dutchess is the Executive Director and co-owner of Capriccio Elite, LLC. Her primary role is to direct the moving parts of the agency such as payroll, HIPAA, Compliance, Policy and Procedure, Information Technologies, training and development activities, and to stay informed and act on state and federal regulation and law that affect the operations of our agency.
Gail holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Music Education. She also has 2 years of formal training in Information Technology. Her professional experience includes 30 + years in the field of intellectual and developmental disability services in both the direct care and administration of services.
Gail is a native of West Virginia and found her way to Virginia by way of North Carolina. She enjoys woodworking, playing and writing music, gardening, and spending time with her family and pups.
540-309-1459 (cell)
Janisa Viars – Director of Operations
Janisa Viars serves as the Director of Operations for Capriccio Elite, bringing a specialized degree in Developmental Disabilities to her role. She works closely with families to initiate services, develop plans, write reports, and supervise staff. Janisa finds fulfillment in helping individuals navigate the complexities of service life and takes pride in building strong, supportive relationships with those she assists.
In her spare time, Janisa loves spending quality time with her family and two young daughters, reading, and watching sports.
276-235-2289 (cell)
Landon Viars – Workforce Manager
Landon Viars is the Workforce Manager at Capriccio Elite, where he oversees scheduling, training, safety, security, and website management/IT operations. He is also responsible for conducting comprehensive safety reviews for all Capriccio Elite assets and performing monthly and quarterly inspections of company properties.
Outside of his professional life, Landon enjoys quality time with his family and pets. He enjoys college sports and loves tinkering with cars, engines, or anything mechanical.
Landon holds a degree in Information Systems Technology with Certifications in Cybersecurity, Network Foundations, Web Design and Office Applications.
276-235-2550 (cell)
David Spraker – Residential Manager
David Spraker was raised in Galax, VA, where he graduated from Galax High in 2011 and obtained an educational background in Legal Assisting from Wytheville Community College. David has pursued experience in the Human Services field since 2014. David strives to help clients reach their full potential by discovering new interests, creating goals, contributing to the community, and celebrating success. David is the Residential Manager for all Capriccio Elite Group Homes and has been employed with Capriccio Elite since 2022.
During his free time, David likes to stay connected with friends and family by traveling, going to the beach, hiking, ziplining, and spending time with his dog, Chalupa. David is a plant enthusiast and can often be seen tending to the banana trees and cactus patch along the dry banks of his West Galax home. David attends public talks and bible study at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Wolf Glade. He also has a passion for cooking and interior design.
276-237-6342 (cell)