Meet Jeremy
Executive Director
The executive director, along with our friendly and professional staff, strives to create positive, stimulating ways for residents to continue living life with meaning and purpose. We are a friendly family where we treat residents like real people with real life stories.
Our community is a great story that includes heartwarming chapters and incredibly unique characters all in a wonderful setting. Here is the executive director’s story:
In what ways do your residents inspire you?
Every day they remind me to live life to its fullest – to delight in the simple things in life, and be thankful for every blessing.
Do you have any memorable experiences with a particular resident you would like to share?
Each year we celebrate Flag Day at the community. Anyone from the armed forces wears their dress blues; we usually have a scout troop present the colors. When we all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, it touches us all, uniting us as Americans, a community within a community. Never a dry eye in the house.
How do you honor your residents at your community?
We honor our residents by giving them the opportunity to continue their story, add to their life, each day. They have lived their entire lives in this fashion, why would now be any different?
How long have you worked in the retirement industry?
I began 17 years ago as a Bingo caller and Easter Bunny. I’ve been a caregiver, waiter, receptionist, and business office manager.
What do you like best about your job?
Being a part of my residents’ and their families lives; helping to create an experience and culture of an enriched life for our residents and our staff.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
I enjoy hikes and walks with my wife and our two Beagles; time with my family; cooking, golf and billiards.
If you could meet one person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Mother Theresa. I’ve always been in awe of her compassion and simple, yet profound lessons.
What’s your favorite dish or dessert and why?
Every year for my birthday my Mom makes homemade chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and potato soup – beats every restaurant in town.
In what ways do your employees inspire you?
Our employees are always giving, always happy. They turn what can be stressful situations into fun. The way they bond with our customers, our residents, creates a friendly atmosphere, it adds to the full experience for all of us. Westland Meridian is not just a job to them, it is a second family.
How do you create a family-like atmosphere at your community?
Interaction. We get to know each other. We know each other’s pets and families, whose son is in Iraq, whose daughter just got married. The best place to do that is talking over lunch in the employee lounge – there are no titles, no departments, only people. Most of us spend more time in a day here than with our own families, so we maintain professionalism but keep a good relationship.
Tell us about an employee who embodies one of our core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, professionalism or teamwork.
We have such a great crew, it’s hard to choose. Each of my department directors would be great to highlight, but I have to mention Mary, our resident program manager. Since 1993, she has dedicated herself to our residents, exemplifying integrity, responsibility, professionalism and teamwork to our other staff, all from her respect of our residents. She has always done whatever it takes to ensure each of our residents a great life here.
At Westland Meridian, we understand that deciding where to live is a big decision that deserves careful thought. We invite you to visit us, stop by for lunch or be a guest at one of our special events or classes. We look forward to meeting you.