Meet Brooksby's New Planning and Moving Consultant!

Brooksby Village, an Erickson Senior Living community in Peabody, Mass., is excited to announce that Jessica Berkley (formerly Kearns) is the community's new planning and moving consultant!

Berkley joined the community as a sales associate in 2022, working closely with retirees interested in making Brooksby their home. When the planning and moving consultant position became available, she was excited about the opportunity to further support incoming residents, guiding them every step of the way.

"My goal is to meet them where they are," says Berkley. "Once I understand their needs and goals, we work together on planning their next steps, whether that is finding the right floor plan or working out the logistics of their move-in day."

Pursuing a passion

Berkley grew up in Andover, Mass., about a half hour from Brooksby. She made frequent trips to Vermont to visit her grandfather and pursue her love of ski racing.

"I would go up and ski race every weekend, elementary school through high school. So, I was always kind of a Vermonter," she says, with a laugh. "I attended the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vt., where I could be close to my grandpa."

She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at the university, where she met her husband, Mike--also an avid skier. Following graduation, the couple moved to Northwest Montana for about three years to pursue their passion for skiing.

"We spent a lot of time in Glacier National Park. I was teaching little kids how to ski and managing a restaurant," Berkley recalls. "Then, we decided to move home. Both of our families are from the greater Boston area. We couldn't be ski bums forever!"

'A great impression'

When Mike landed a job in Beverly, Mass., the two settled nearby. That's when she heard about the open sales associate position at Brooksby.

With previous jobs in customer service, real estate, and patient advocacy, Berkley found the role to be an attractive career. She secured an interview with Sales Director Gina Fernandez and Associate Sales Director Maddison Reyes.

"I went for the interview and enjoyed chatting with Gina and Maddison. I left with a great impression and a good feeling," she recalls.

Fernandez and Reyes had a similar impression and knew that hiring Berkley would not only benefit the team but also prospective residents interested in Brooksby.

"We knew from the moment we hired Jessica that she was a fantastic addition to the team," Fernandez says. "She treats every prospective resident as if they were a member of her family."

Smooth moves

When Laurie Phillips, the community's previous planning and moving consultant, decided to retire last June, Berkley expressed interest in filling the role. Given her outstanding dedication to both the sales team and numerous prospective residents, Fernandez recognized that this position would be a great fit for her.

"Jessica and Laurie worked together closely in preparation for Laurie's retirement," says Fernandez. One of Berkley's initial key responsibilities was helping out-of-town prospective residents plan for and make the move to Brooksby.

"Working with Laurie was so insightful," says Berkley. "I gained so much knowledge and firsthand experience before taking on the role myself."

Now, as the planning and moving consultant, much of Berkley's schedule consists of home visits with Priority List members--just one of many exclusive perks.

During initial home visits, Berkley helps members envision living at Brooksby, find a floor plan for their retirement lifestyle, and create a downsizing plan, if necessary. "I tailor each first home visit based on their goals and needs," she says.

Once a Priority List member has reserved a residence at Brooksby, Berkley will schedule a follow-up home visit to begin determining the logistics of the move. She can recommend preferred real estate agents and packing and moving experts--another benefit of the Priority List.

"Priority List members truly enjoy having Jessica in their homes," says Fernandez. "She's doing a wonderful job!"

A rewarding chapter

"The residents and my colleagues are the reason I love my job," says Berkley. "I think anyone who visits Brooksby can feel the positive energy--it's a happy, vibrant place to live and work."

She especially enjoys watching new residents flourish and thrive, thanks to Brooksby's engaging, worry-free lifestyle.

Outside of work, Berkley enjoys playing tennis, traveling the world, and skiing. "I'm so glad we're still skiing," Berkley says. "Working at Brooksby and skiing are what make me happiest!"

To learn more about independent senior living, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and much more.

By Susan Ingram