Oak Crest Names Todd Sullivan as the new Executive Director!

Oak Crest, an Erickson Senior Living community in Parkville, Md., is excited to announce the promotion of Todd Sullivan to executive director!

Sullivan, a seasoned leader with nearly two decades of experience in senior living, most recently served as the community's associate executive director. He plans on bringing this knowledge and a person-centered mindset to his new role.

"As executive director, my focus is always on delivering an exceptional experience for residents and fostering a workplace where staff members feel valued, motivated, and excited to come to work each day," says Sullivan.

Kerry Jones, vice president of corporate operations at Erickson Senior Living, believes Sullivan is ideally suited for the position.

"Todd is an experienced leader whose passion and knowledge promote exceptional results," says Jones.

"His dedication to improving the resident experience is crucial in maintaining Oak Crest's reputation as a top retirement community in the Baltimore area."

Rewarding career

Sullivan--a Marlboro, N.J., native--is a graduate of King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., with a degree in marketing and communications.

His career with Erickson Senior Living began 18 years ago when he joined Oak Crest as the director of philanthropy and communications, while earning his master's degree in the Management of Aging Services from UMBC's Erickson School of Aging. He then joined the Resident Life team at Maris Grove, an Erickson Senior Living community in the Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania, where he was recognized as Leader of the Year in 2019.

In 2022, Sullivan returned to Oak Crest as associate executive director, excited about the opportunity to support both residents and staff members.

"These growth opportunities led me to discover how special Erickson Senior Living communities truly are," he says. "We have the honor and privilege of working in the place our residents call home. Through daily interactions, residents have shared their life experiences with me, learned about my family, and have imparted valuable lessons that have shaped me both personally and professionally."

In his new leadership position, Sullivan supports the day-to-day operations of the 87-acre community that is home to nearly 2,000 residents.

"I take Erickson's mission statement, 'We help people live better lives,' to heart--applying it to both residents and staff members," he notes. "That commitment means ensuring Oak Crest is well run and financially sound, not only for today's residents but for those who will call Oak Crest home in the future."

Come on in!

Sullivan has an open-door policy that encourages questions, comments, and suggestions, helping him foster strong relationships with both residents and staff. "Every person who lives and works here matters," he says.

He also regularly appears on the in-house TV station's live call-in show, taking questions from residents, and participates in monthly Town Hall meetings.

"I always make time to walk the campus throughout the week," notes Sullivan. "I enjoy visiting the restaurants during dinner time and chatting with residents about their lives. Through these ongoing interactions, we become like family."

Looking ahead, Sullivan's main goal is ensuring Oak Crest remains an engaging place to live and work.

"As the senior population in Maryland and across the country grows, we remain focused on keeping Oak Crest affordable and vibrant, evolving our offerings to meet the needs of current and future residents," he explains.

Sullivan notes that the community invests over $20 million each year into improvements--upgrading outdoor spaces and amenities as well as elements of the campus' infrastructure, such as the elevators that make it easy for residents to access activities within minutes.

"One of the most important things we can do is continually reinvest in our community," he says.

Solid foundation

Sullivan is humbled and excited by the opportunity to lead Oak Crest, and he is grateful to the mentors who helped him grow into the leader he is today.

"So many people in this company have mentored me and exemplified what it means to be an empathetic leader," he says. "They all encouraged me to continually reevaluate myself and strive to become the best, most effective leader I can be."

These experiences have shaped his professional philosophy, which he strives to put into practice every day.

"People are at the heart of everything we do," says Sullivan. "A smile, a conversation, or a handshake might be the only interaction someone has that day--every kind gesture matters."

To learn more about senior living at this vibrant community, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.

By Danielle Rexrode